KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are now investigating a homicide after a man found wounded in Kansas City died.

Just after 4p.m. Friday, police responded to NE 34th and NE Chouteau Trafficway in Kansas City after reports of a stolen vehicle, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;

First responders found a man suffering gunshot trauma inside a vehicle. On Sunday Forte' reported police learned the victim died of his injuries.

Police have not reported additional information including the name of the victim.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are now investigating a homicide after a man found wounded in Kansas City died.Just after 4p.m. Friday, police responded to NE 34th and NE Chouteau Trafficway in Kansas City after reports of a stolen vehicle, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;First responders found a man suffering gunshot trauma inside a vehicle. On Sunday Forte' reported police learned the victim died of his injuries.Police have not reported additional information including the name of the victim.

KCPD: Stolen vehicle report leads to homicide investigation

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;Vice President Kamala Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-joe-biden-2024-presidential-campaign-aad5c42336bd1e4db58aa0868b4586b5">is being thrust into the most scrutinizing of spotlights</a>, suddenly the leading candidate to succeed President Joe Biden as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-harris-election-2024-democrats-withdrawal-trump-c8b82fa105953e8f485c769580f7da49">party’s main hope</a>&nbsp;of defeating Donald Trump.

She spoke Monday at a White House celebration with the NCAA championship teams, her first appearance since Biden announced he was leaving the race.

Biden's exit Sunday, prompted by Democratic worries over his fitness for office, was a seismic shift to the presidential contest that upended both major political parties' carefully honed plans for the 2024 race.

Aiming to put weeks of intraparty drama over Biden's candidacy behind them, prominent Democratic elected officials, party leaders and political organizations quickly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-biden-democratic-convention-2fb8b1bc88b99e919872e63efdd8c275">lined up behind Harris</a>&nbsp;in the hours after Biden announced he was dropping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-election-2024-president-democrats-trump-9c72115656855da89a41cac3f79aa65b">his reelection campaign</a>.

Biden's departure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/ap-dnc-delegate-survey/">frees his delegates</a>&nbsp;to vote for whomever they choose. Harris, whom Biden backed after ending his candidacy, is thus far the only declared candidate and was working to quickly secure endorsements from a majority of delegates.

Additional endorsements Monday, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, left a dwindling list of potential rivals to Harris.

Winning the nomination is only the first item on a staggering political to-do list for her after Biden's decision to exit the race, which she learned about on a Sunday morning call with the president. If she's successful at locking up the nomination, she must also pick a running mate and pivot a massive political operation to boost her candidacy instead of Biden's with just over 100 days until Election Day.

On Sunday afternoon, Biden’s campaign formally changed its name to Harris for President, reflecting that she is inheriting his political operation of more than 1,000 staffers and a war chest that stood at nearly $96 million at the end of June. It got bigger by Monday morning: Campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt said Harris had raised $49.6 million in donations in the first 15 hours after Biden’s endorsement.

Harris spent much of Sunday surrounded by family and staff, making more than 100 calls to Democratic officials to line up their support for her candidacy, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the effort. It comes as she tries to move her party past the painful, public wrangling that had defined the weeks since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-trump-biden-presidential-campaign-44e71c900a1c4af2bed93041fdfe923d">Biden's disastrous June 27 debate</a>&nbsp;with Trump.

Speaking to party leaders, Harris expressed gratitude for Biden's endorsement but insisted she was looking to earn the nomination in her own right, the person said.

In a sign that the Democratic Party was moving to coalesce behind her, Harris quickly won endorsements from the leadership of several influential caucuses and political organizations, including the AAPI Victory Fund, which focuses on Asian American and Pacific Islander voters, The Collective PAC, focused on building Black political power, and the Latino Victory Fund, as well as the chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the entire Congressional Black Caucus. Harris, if elected, would be the first woman and first person of South Asian descent to be president.

Notably, a handful of men who had already been discussed as potential running mates for Harris — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly — also swiftly issued statements endorsing her. Aides to Shapiro and Cooper confirmed that Harris spoke with them Sunday afternoon. In her brief call with Cooper, the North Carolina governor told Harris he was backing her to be the Democratic nominee, according to Cooper spokeswoman Sadie Weiner.

But former President Barack Obama held off on an immediate endorsement, as some in the party have expressed worry that the quick shift to Harris would appear to be a coronation, instead pledging his support behind the eventual party nominee.

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who left the party earlier this year but considered re-registering as a Democrat to vie for the nomination against the vice president, told CBS News on Monday that he would not be a candidate.

Harris is set to travel to Wilmington, where the Biden campaign had been headquartered, to meet with her new campaign staff.

Harris, in a statement, praised Biden’s “selfless and patriotic act” in deciding to leave the race and said she intends to “earn and win” her party’s nomination.

“I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rnc-republicans-heritage-foundation-project-2025-8cce6cfef6f5bdf45269146739222f80">his extreme Project 2025 agenda</a>,” she said.

Biden planned to discuss his decision to step aside later this week in an address to the nation. He wrote in a letter posted Sunday to his X account, “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."

Nearly 30 minutes after he delivered the news that he was folding his campaign, Biden threw his support behind Harris.

“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” he said in another post on X. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">The Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;is scheduled to be held Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, but the party had announced it would hold&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-ballot-biden-access-3bf359cce8e73714be45cb99a6e31546">a virtual roll call</a>&nbsp;to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin. The convention's rules committee is scheduled to meet this week to finalize its nomination process and it is unclear how it will be adjusted to reflect Biden's exit.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairwoman Nanette Barragan, who emphasized that she was “all in” behind the vice president, said she spoke Sunday with Harris, who communicated that she preferred to forego a virtual roll call for the nomination process and instead hold a process that adheres to regular order.

The Democratic National Committee’s chair, Jaime Harrison, said in a statement that the party would “undertake a transparent and orderly process” to select “a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November.”

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;Vice President Kamala Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-joe-biden-2024-presidential-campaign-aad5c42336bd1e4db58aa0868b4586b5">is being thrust into the most scrutinizing of spotlights</a>, suddenly the leading candidate to succeed President Joe Biden as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-harris-election-2024-democrats-withdrawal-trump-c8b82fa105953e8f485c769580f7da49">party’s main hope</a>&nbsp;of defeating Donald Trump.She spoke Monday at a White House celebration with the NCAA championship teams, her first appearance since Biden announced he was leaving the race.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a>: &quot;Joe Biden&#39;s legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/m12gjVAkD6">pic.twitter.com/m12gjVAkD6</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1815421541628125644?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden's exit Sunday, prompted by Democratic worries over his fitness for office, was a seismic shift to the presidential contest that upended both major political parties' carefully honed plans for the 2024 race.Aiming to put weeks of intraparty drama over Biden's candidacy behind them, prominent Democratic elected officials, party leaders and political organizations quickly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-biden-democratic-convention-2fb8b1bc88b99e919872e63efdd8c275">lined up behind Harris</a>&nbsp;in the hours after Biden announced he was dropping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-election-2024-president-democrats-trump-9c72115656855da89a41cac3f79aa65b">his reelection campaign</a>.Biden's departure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/ap-dnc-delegate-survey/">frees his delegates</a>&nbsp;to vote for whomever they choose. Harris, whom Biden backed after ending his candidacy, is thus far the only declared candidate and was working to quickly secure endorsements from a majority of delegates.Additional endorsements Monday, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, left a dwindling list of potential rivals to Harris.Winning the nomination is only the first item on a staggering political to-do list for her after Biden's decision to exit the race, which she learned about on a Sunday morning call with the president. If she's successful at locking up the nomination, she must also pick a running mate and pivot a massive political operation to boost her candidacy instead of Biden's with just over 100 days until Election Day.On Sunday afternoon, Biden’s campaign formally changed its name to Harris for President, reflecting that she is inheriting his political operation of more than 1,000 staffers and a war chest that stood at nearly $96 million at the end of June. It got bigger by Monday morning: Campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt said Harris had raised $49.6 million in donations in the first 15 hours after Biden’s endorsement.Harris spent much of Sunday surrounded by family and staff, making more than 100 calls to Democratic officials to line up their support for her candidacy, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the effort. It comes as she tries to move her party past the painful, public wrangling that had defined the weeks since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-trump-biden-presidential-campaign-44e71c900a1c4af2bed93041fdfe923d">Biden's disastrous June 27 debate</a>&nbsp;with Trump.Speaking to party leaders, Harris expressed gratitude for Biden's endorsement but insisted she was looking to earn the nomination in her own right, the person said.In a sign that the Democratic Party was moving to coalesce behind her, Harris quickly won endorsements from the leadership of several influential caucuses and political organizations, including the AAPI Victory Fund, which focuses on Asian American and Pacific Islander voters, The Collective PAC, focused on building Black political power, and the Latino Victory Fund, as well as the chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the entire Congressional Black Caucus. Harris, if elected, would be the first woman and first person of South Asian descent to be president.Notably, a handful of men who had already been discussed as potential running mates for Harris — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly — also swiftly issued statements endorsing her. Aides to Shapiro and Cooper confirmed that Harris spoke with them Sunday afternoon. In her brief call with Cooper, the North Carolina governor told Harris he was backing her to be the Democratic nominee, according to Cooper spokeswoman Sadie Weiner.But former President Barack Obama held off on an immediate endorsement, as some in the party have expressed worry that the quick shift to Harris would appear to be a coronation, instead pledging his support behind the eventual party nominee.West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, who left the party earlier this year but considered re-registering as a Democrat to vie for the nomination against the vice president, told CBS News on Monday that he would not be a candidate.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721650226823.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Harris is set to travel to Wilmington, where the Biden campaign had been headquartered, to meet with her new campaign staff.Harris, in a statement, praised Biden’s “selfless and patriotic act” in deciding to leave the race and said she intends to “earn and win” her party’s nomination.“I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rnc-republicans-heritage-foundation-project-2025-8cce6cfef6f5bdf45269146739222f80">his extreme Project 2025 agenda</a>,” she said.Biden planned to discuss his decision to step aside later this week in an address to the nation. He wrote in a letter posted Sunday to his X account, “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."Nearly 30 minutes after he delivered the news that he was folding his campaign, Biden threw his support behind Harris.“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” he said in another post on X. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump.”<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">The Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;is scheduled to be held Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, but the party had announced it would hold&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-ballot-biden-access-3bf359cce8e73714be45cb99a6e31546">a virtual roll call</a>&nbsp;to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin. The convention's rules committee is scheduled to meet this week to finalize its nomination process and it is unclear how it will be adjusted to reflect Biden's exit.Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairwoman Nanette Barragan, who emphasized that she was “all in” behind the vice president, said she spoke Sunday with Harris, who communicated that she preferred to forego a virtual roll call for the nomination process and instead hold a process that adheres to regular order.The Democratic National Committee’s chair, Jaime Harrison, said in a statement that the party would “undertake a transparent and orderly process” to select “a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November.”

🎥Harris makes first public comments since Biden ended campaign

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a fentanyl related death and have made an arrest.

Just after 10p.m. Sunday police arrested Penny Marie Webster, 59, of Manhattan, according to a media release from Riley County Police. 

Webster is being held on a $125,000 bond on distribution of a controlled substance resulting in fatality and distribution of opiate/opium/ narcotic/stimulant/heroin of unknown quantity.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The arrest stems from an incident that occurred in January of 2021 wherein law enforcement officers investigated the overdose death of a 61-year-old male in Manhattan, Kansas.

The investigation is ongoing. Investigations into all other Fentanyl-related overdoses in our community remain active and ongoing as well. Any individuals possessing pertinent information are urged to come forward and assist law enforcement authorities.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a fentanyl related death and have made an arrest.Just after 10p.m. Sunday police arrested Penny Marie Webster, 59, of Manhattan, according to a media release from Riley County Police. Webster is being held on a $125,000 bond on distribution of a controlled substance resulting in fatality and distribution of opiate/opium/ narcotic/stimulant/heroin of unknown quantity.&nbsp;&nbsp;The arrest stems from an incident that occurred in January of 2021 wherein law enforcement officers investigated the overdose death of a 61-year-old male in Manhattan, Kansas.The investigation is ongoing. Investigations into all other Fentanyl-related overdoses in our community remain active and ongoing as well. Any individuals possessing pertinent information are urged to come forward and assist law enforcement authorities.

Kansas woman accused in man's fentanyl death

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;criminal destruction of property in the 1200 block of Bertrand Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Just before 3p.m. Friday, officers listed a 26-year-old man as the victim. He reported a known suspect poured glue all over his vehicle, and others' vehicles. 

Total loss associated with this report at this time is approximately $2,700.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;criminal destruction of property in the 1200 block of Bertrand Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Just before 3p.m. Friday, officers listed a 26-year-old man as the victim. He reported a known suspect poured glue all over his vehicle, and others' vehicles. Total loss associated with this report at this time is approximately $2,700.

Police: Kan. suspect poured glue all over vehicles

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University, North Central Kansas Technical College, and Northwest Kansas Technical College recently secured a $461,840 grant from Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) to help fund start-up costs associated with the implementation of the three institutions’ strategic affiliation. Grant funding will be distributed over the next two years.

FHSU President Tisa Mason sees this grant as a major boost for the affiliation partnership as it transitions from concept to implementation.

“We are incredibly grateful for the investment the ECMC Foundation has made in our affiliation initiative," Mason said. "Our collective dedication to serving the students, communities, and businesses of Western Kansas is unwavering. This shared commitment is our guiding 'North Star,' mirroring the ECMC Foundation's focus on closing equity gaps in higher education."

Northwest Kansas Technical College President Ben Schears, who crafted the grant proposal, &nbsp;stated that the timeliness of this grant will help the three institutions keep to a very aggressive plan and timeline to implement our affiliation plan.

“Upon our initial submission, it became rapidly apparent there was considerable interest by ECMC in the broader goals and outcomes detailed in our strategic affiliation plan,” Schears said.

The ECMC grant will help the three institutions pursue the stated goals of the affiliation, including:

ECMC President Jacob Fraire saw in this grant proposal an outstanding opportunity to support these three institutions and move this historic affiliation forward.

“This collaboration supports three institutions in realizing their goal of uniting under an integrated governance structure to better serve the postsecondary education needs of rural students in Western Kansas,” Fraire said.

The strategic affiliation initiative created by the presidents of FHSU, North Central Kansas Technical College, and Northwest Kansas Technical College is a powerful step toward addressing an ongoing exodus of professionals from rural Western Kansas.&nbsp;

“For rural Kansas to prosper into the future, every individual needs the opportunity to develop their skills and interests. It is through education that talent and grit connect with professional opportunities to&nbsp;build the workforce needed for economic growth,” said NCK Tech President&nbsp;Eric&nbsp;Burks. “We are honored that ECMC has invested in our affiliation, which ultimately is an investment in our students and our region.”

Learn more about the strategic affiliation initiative at https://www.fhsu.edu/president/affiliation/

ECMC Foundation&nbsp;is&nbsp;a national foundation&nbsp;whose North Star goal is to eliminate equity gaps in postsecondary completion by 2040 so that underserved learners have greater opportunities for social and economic mobility. The Foundation’s mission is to improve higher education for career success among underserved populations through evidence-based innovation. ECMC Foundation makes strategic grants and program-related investments to support both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, guided by a strategic framework that aims to advance systemic change by removing barriers to postsecondary completion, building the capacity of organizations, institutions, and systems, and transforming the postsecondary ecosystem. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by visiting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0ZUd5vu727uY7OB4cqHBzt04reZgimHR1X3KThfxSIkq7y8V61XhXo3VDvxxjchTwiTz7FkmwoiqCvb2WRM3xyMpjqdajq38h6mHr2xAD5PszBSC2RLiJbx93U6gmDFK2DO-2FXawmnKQOiowYXFpYzB7Bas1z30jEafsvuKuuJ5mdoGumSVv-2FHylNncjXXncWAao9Jkgzm-2BFKhvX-2Fx5BK8Obp80-2B-2BiooXI-2FBYL810AFIGo4oeQmr8ZGxoMMUt1YbhUg6wFl083ejcwIC10KjZX3g-3Dw2f1_x9osS7BzWruc2vyP0ryhjp1x1SORXKHR3ODGO-2FMcAZWcDEH5sFjG8hifz-2Fx-2FLlz0ywhQ3aSn225U2ntY8ehBVeNagO9eVdTLJp47lJyzn97NxdAPpZKCVKBkbERPShtsthVwg9PwUTE59nnXq81a0utek1hEDD-2Fcxmmit8ojl2JtPzNKNXlPPmlx2dYN573NplTUOMBuqximmaDOb9ROz-2BRajOFxCazRBpZAu4NdqQd3OzFr0tecCwipddOqoKCHYaaSDS2-2BaQj4wF6Cc3ecsZ0egG4SHIPZJM-2B9IIkjXWF-2BRNI42Hg0-2F4HUgifQB-2FfgX105JdGw6v8lrT4sJT1LbWpca6HEBMzcq6BoA14X8NjUBxgyNKCl0JY2I5yYDDSP">www.ecmcfoundation.org</a>&nbsp;and our parent company, ECMC Group, by visiting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0ZUd5vu727uY7OB4cqHBzt04reZgimHR1X3KThfxSIkq7y8V61XhXo3VDvxxjchTwnkNjhf-2Bi5wJ9-2FPKbAEEJZAemU2ix-2BIk840PkhTE-2FLzfkOAkiOTDlUDJW3W1UVsP577jmh-2FtYi6zk9LoACYibmK9ix1qZfLQjgkszz3TlSCyE02nBiHgG-2FwDM96NpuoI8XnC0-2FahuN3EWPasDCIbB9Mr0h7NgXXmNfXZndQnsYq-2F2fW-2FZK9GeCQ7G-2FYWdRGnrw-3D-3DroaW_x9osS7BzWruc2vyP0ryhjp1x1SORXKHR3ODGO-2FMcAZWcDEH5sFjG8hifz-2Fx-2FLlz0ywhQ3aSn225U2ntY8ehBVeNagO9eVdTLJp47lJyzn97NxdAPpZKCVKBkbERPShtsthVwg9PwUTE59nnXq81a0utek1hEDD-2Fcxmmit8ojl2JtPzNKNXlPPmlx2dYN573NplTUOMBuqximmaDOb9ROz-2BRajOFxCazRBpZAu4NdqQcdmH12x9VDa3-2BelLW0oo7oSv-2Bws8b6j2HsXFJ1aI-2BNo0MtC4T7uhEOeEt8nE7zucfirBmQGyvktHofQAyhLHtHOgCxpeJf8YGyEQrNpwkNK-2FsoEREaJt7J0gKvF11B3tmr5uJigmaMFcddavACGch9">www.ecmcgroup.org</a>.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721660641836.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By FHSU University CommunicationsHAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University, North Central Kansas Technical College, and Northwest Kansas Technical College recently secured a $461,840 grant from Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) to help fund start-up costs associated with the implementation of the three institutions’ strategic affiliation. Grant funding will be distributed over the next two years.FHSU President Tisa Mason sees this grant as a major boost for the affiliation partnership as it transitions from concept to implementation.“We are incredibly grateful for the investment the ECMC Foundation has made in our affiliation initiative," Mason said. "Our collective dedication to serving the students, communities, and businesses of Western Kansas is unwavering. This shared commitment is our guiding 'North Star,' mirroring the ECMC Foundation's focus on closing equity gaps in higher education."Northwest Kansas Technical College President Ben Schears, who crafted the grant proposal, &nbsp;stated that the timeliness of this grant will help the three institutions keep to a very aggressive plan and timeline to implement our affiliation plan.“Upon our initial submission, it became rapidly apparent there was considerable interest by ECMC in the broader goals and outcomes detailed in our strategic affiliation plan,” Schears said.The ECMC grant will help the three institutions pursue the stated goals of the affiliation, including:<ul>
 <li>Developing ways to better meet students where they are in their academic journey.</li><li>Identifying innovative and flexible educational pathways between the three institutions.</li><li>Creating new programs and degrees that help students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to advance their careers.</li><li>Expanding relationships with regional employers that allow students to acquire real-world experience and cultivate opportunities in the local job market.</li><li>Honoring a shared commitment to providing unparalleled access and affordability.</li>
 </ul>ECMC President Jacob Fraire saw in this grant proposal an outstanding opportunity to support these three institutions and move this historic affiliation forward.“This collaboration supports three institutions in realizing their goal of uniting under an integrated governance structure to better serve the postsecondary education needs of rural students in Western Kansas,” Fraire said.The strategic affiliation initiative created by the presidents of FHSU, North Central Kansas Technical College, and Northwest Kansas Technical College is a powerful step toward addressing an ongoing exodus of professionals from rural Western Kansas.&nbsp;“For rural Kansas to prosper into the future, every individual needs the opportunity to develop their skills and interests. It is through education that talent and grit connect with professional opportunities to&nbsp;build the workforce needed for economic growth,” said NCK Tech President&nbsp;Eric&nbsp;Burks. “We are honored that ECMC has invested in our affiliation, which ultimately is an investment in our students and our region.”Learn more about the strategic affiliation initiative at https://www.fhsu.edu/president/affiliation/About ECMCECMC Foundation&nbsp;is&nbsp;a national foundation&nbsp;whose North Star goal is to eliminate equity gaps in postsecondary completion by 2040 so that underserved learners have greater opportunities for social and economic mobility. The Foundation’s mission is to improve higher education for career success among underserved populations through evidence-based innovation. ECMC Foundation makes strategic grants and program-related investments to support both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, guided by a strategic framework that aims to advance systemic change by removing barriers to postsecondary completion, building the capacity of organizations, institutions, and systems, and transforming the postsecondary ecosystem. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by visiting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0ZUd5vu727uY7OB4cqHBzt04reZgimHR1X3KThfxSIkq7y8V61XhXo3VDvxxjchTwiTz7FkmwoiqCvb2WRM3xyMpjqdajq38h6mHr2xAD5PszBSC2RLiJbx93U6gmDFK2DO-2FXawmnKQOiowYXFpYzB7Bas1z30jEafsvuKuuJ5mdoGumSVv-2FHylNncjXXncWAao9Jkgzm-2BFKhvX-2Fx5BK8Obp80-2B-2BiooXI-2FBYL810AFIGo4oeQmr8ZGxoMMUt1YbhUg6wFl083ejcwIC10KjZX3g-3Dw2f1_x9osS7BzWruc2vyP0ryhjp1x1SORXKHR3ODGO-2FMcAZWcDEH5sFjG8hifz-2Fx-2FLlz0ywhQ3aSn225U2ntY8ehBVeNagO9eVdTLJp47lJyzn97NxdAPpZKCVKBkbERPShtsthVwg9PwUTE59nnXq81a0utek1hEDD-2Fcxmmit8ojl2JtPzNKNXlPPmlx2dYN573NplTUOMBuqximmaDOb9ROz-2BRajOFxCazRBpZAu4NdqQd3OzFr0tecCwipddOqoKCHYaaSDS2-2BaQj4wF6Cc3ecsZ0egG4SHIPZJM-2B9IIkjXWF-2BRNI42Hg0-2F4HUgifQB-2FfgX105JdGw6v8lrT4sJT1LbWpca6HEBMzcq6BoA14X8NjUBxgyNKCl0JY2I5yYDDSP">www.ecmcfoundation.org</a>&nbsp;and our parent company, ECMC Group, by visiting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0ZUd5vu727uY7OB4cqHBzt04reZgimHR1X3KThfxSIkq7y8V61XhXo3VDvxxjchTwnkNjhf-2Bi5wJ9-2FPKbAEEJZAemU2ix-2BIk840PkhTE-2FLzfkOAkiOTDlUDJW3W1UVsP577jmh-2FtYi6zk9LoACYibmK9ix1qZfLQjgkszz3TlSCyE02nBiHgG-2FwDM96NpuoI8XnC0-2FahuN3EWPasDCIbB9Mr0h7NgXXmNfXZndQnsYq-2F2fW-2FZK9GeCQ7G-2FYWdRGnrw-3D-3DroaW_x9osS7BzWruc2vyP0ryhjp1x1SORXKHR3ODGO-2FMcAZWcDEH5sFjG8hifz-2Fx-2FLlz0ywhQ3aSn225U2ntY8ehBVeNagO9eVdTLJp47lJyzn97NxdAPpZKCVKBkbERPShtsthVwg9PwUTE59nnXq81a0utek1hEDD-2Fcxmmit8ojl2JtPzNKNXlPPmlx2dYN573NplTUOMBuqximmaDOb9ROz-2BRajOFxCazRBpZAu4NdqQcdmH12x9VDa3-2BelLW0oo7oSv-2Bws8b6j2HsXFJ1aI-2BNo0MtC4T7uhEOeEt8nE7zucfirBmQGyvktHofQAyhLHtHOgCxpeJf8YGyEQrNpwkNK-2FsoEREaJt7J0gKvF11B3tmr5uJigmaMFcddavACGch9">www.ecmcgroup.org</a>.”

FHSU implementing affiliation partnership with technical colleges

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-secret-service-cheatle-biden-48d384057a894b71859f945034092902">Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle</a>&nbsp;said Monday that her agency failed in its mission to protect former President Donald Trump during a highly contentious congressional hearing with lawmakers of both major political parties demanding she resign over security failures that allowed a gunman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">to scale a roof and open fire at a campaign rally</a>.

Click below to watch a replay of the hearing.

Cheatle was berated for hours by Republicans and Democrats, repeatedly angering lawmakers by evading questions about the investigation in her first congressional hearing over the July 13 assassination attempt She called the attempt on Trump’s life the Secret Service’s “most significant operational failure” in decades.

“The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders. On July 13th, we failed,” Cheatle said.

Cheatle acknowledged that the Secret Service was told about a suspicious person two to five times before the shooting. She also revealed that the roof from which Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire had been identified as a potential vulnerability days before the rally. Cheatle said she apologized to Trump in a phone call after the shooting.

Yet Cheatle remained defiant that she was the “right person” to lead the Secret Service, even as she said she takes full responsibility for any security lapses at the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally.

When Republican Rep. Nancy Mace suggested Cheatle begin drafting her resignation letter from the hearing room, Cheatle responded, “No, thank you.”

Democrats and Republicans were united in their exasperation as Cheatle said she didn't know or couldn't answer numerous questions more than a week after the shooting, which left one spectator dead.

"It has been 10 days since an assassination attempt on a former president of the United States. Regardless of party, there need to be answers,” said Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York.

Lawmakers peppered Cheatle with questions about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">how the gunman could get so close</a>&nbsp;to the Republican presidential nominee when he was supposed to be carefully guarded and about why Trump was allowed to take the stage after local law enforcement had identified&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-shooting-guns-fbi-motive-08e925cb85e52c5266878cd76e796ad2">Thomas Matthew Crooks</a>&nbsp;as suspicious.

Cheatle acknowledged that Crooks had been seen by local law enforcement before the shooting with a rangefinder, a small device resembling binoculars that hunters use to measure distance from a target. She said the Secret Service would never have taken Trump onto the stage if it had known there was an “actual threat." But while Crooks had been reported as suspicious, he wasn't identified as a threat until seconds before the shooting, she said.

“An individual with a backpack is not a threat,” Cheatle said. “An individual with a range finder is not a threat.”

Asked about why there were no agents on the roof where the shooter was located or if the Secret Service used drones to monitor the area, Cheatle said she is still waiting for the investigation to play out, prompting groans and outbursts from members on the committee.

“Director Cheatle, because Donald Trump is alive, and thank God he is, you look incompetent," said Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio. “If he were killed you would look culpable.”

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., noted that the Secret Service director who presided over the agency when there was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/reagan-assassination-attempt-trump-butler-gunman-bd3c038d706de55a64727f7d15dffbc8">an attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan</a>&nbsp;later stepped down.

“The one thing we have to have in this country are agencies that transcend politics and have the confidence of independents, Democrats, Republicans, progressives and conservatives,” Khanna said, adding that the Secret Service was no longer one of those agencies.

Trump was wounded in the ear, a former Pennsylvania fire chief&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-fatal-shooting-corey-comperatore-8c09711e88a56432424ef3f980321ed2">was killed</a>&nbsp;and two other attendees were injured after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-shooting-guns-fbi-motive-08e925cb85e52c5266878cd76e796ad2">Crooks</a>&nbsp;climbed atop the roof of a nearby building and opened fire with an AR-style rifle shortly after Trump started speaking at the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-secret-service">The Secret Service</a>&nbsp;has acknowledged it denied some requests by Trump's campaign for increased security at his events in the years before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-4e3415b1461f5acefbc8e1fadad0375b">the assassination attempt</a>. But Cheatle said that there were “no assets denied" for the rally.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has called what happened a “failure” while several lawmakers have called on Cheatle to resign or for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;to fire her. The Secret Service has said Cheatle does not intend to step down. So far, she retains the support of Biden, a Democrat, and Mayorkas.

Before the shooting, local law enforcement had noticed Crooks pacing around the edges of the rally, peering into the lens of a rangefinder toward the rooftops behind the stage where the president later stood, officials have told The Associated Press. An image of Crooks was circulated by officers stationed outside the security perimeter.

Witnesses later saw him climbing up the side of a squat manufacturing building that was within 135 meters (157 yards) of the stage. He then set up his rifle and lay on the rooftop, a detonator in his pocket to set off crude explosive devices that were stashed in his car parked nearby.

The attack on Trump was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/reagan-assassination-attempt-trump-butler-gunman-bd3c038d706de55a64727f7d15dffbc8">Reagan was shot in 1981</a>. It was the latest in a series of security lapses by the agency that has drawn investigations and public scrutiny over the years.

Authorities have been hunting for clues into what motivated Crooks but have not found any ideological bent that could help explain his actions. Investigators who searched his phone&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-shooting-federal-investigation-2a90bdfd23ba9c3569cb9c29a459e87b">found photos of Trump</a>, Biden and other senior government officials and found that he had looked up the dates for the Democratic National Conventional as well as Trump’s appearances. He also searched for information about major depressive order.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-secret-service-cheatle-biden-48d384057a894b71859f945034092902">The Secret Service director</a>&nbsp;is set to testify Monday before the House Oversight Committee as calls mount for her to resign over security failures at a rally where a 20-year-old gunman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">attempted to assassinate</a>&nbsp;former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.

The House Oversight Committee hearing will be Kimberly Cheatle's first appearance before lawmakers since the July 13 Pennsylvania rally shooting that left one spectator dead. Trump was wounded in the ear and two other attendees were injured after Thomas Matthew Crooks climbed atop the roof of a nearby building and opened fire.

Kansas Congressman Jake LaTurner is a member of the committee.

Lawmakers have been expressing anger over how the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">gunman could get so close</a>&nbsp;to the Republican presidential nominee when he was supposed to be carefully guarded. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-secret-service">Secret Service</a>&nbsp;has acknowledged it denied some requests by Trump's campaign for increased security at his events in the years before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-4e3415b1461f5acefbc8e1fadad0375b">assassination attempt</a>.

Witnesses later saw him climbing up the side of a squat manufacturing building that was within 135 meters (157 yards) from the stage. He then set up his AR-style rifle and lay on the rooftop, a detonator in his pocket to set off crude explosive devices that were stashed in his car parked nearby.

The attack on Trump was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It was the latest in a series of security lapses by the agency that has drawn investigations and public scrutiny over the years.

Authorities have been hunting for clues into what motivated Crooks, but so far have not found any ideological bent that could help explain his actions. Investigators who searched his phone&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-shooting-federal-investigation-2a90bdfd23ba9c3569cb9c29a459e87b">found photos of Trump</a>, Biden and other senior government officials, and also found that he had looked up the dates for the Democratic National Conventional as well as Trump’s appearances. He also searched for information about major depressive order.

WASHINGTON —The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-secret-service">Secret Service</a>&nbsp;has acknowledged it denied some requests by Republican presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's campaign</a>&nbsp;for increased security at his events in the years before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-4e3415b1461f5acefbc8e1fadad0375b">assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;on him at a recent rally.

In the immediate aftermath of the July 13 attack, the law enforcement agency had denied rejecting such requests. But the Secret Service acknowledged late Saturday, a week after the attempt on Trump's life, that it had turned back some requests to increase security around the former president.

The reversal is likely to be a key focus of a congressional hearing Monday where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-secret-service-cheatle-biden-48d384057a894b71859f945034092902">Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle</a>&nbsp;is expected to appear before lawmakers who have been expressing anger over security lapses that allowed a 20-year-old gunman to climb atop the roof of a nearby building at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and fire his weapon.

Trump was wounded in the right ear, one rallygoer was killed and two others were injured. Secret Service gunmen killed the shooter.

“The Secret Service has a vast, dynamic, and intricate mission. Every day we work in a dynamic threat environment to ensure our protectees are safe and secure across multiple events, travel, and other challenging environments,” the agency's chief spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi, said in a statement released late Saturday to The Washington Post. The newspaper was first to report on the agency's reversal, which it said was based on detailed questions submitted to the agency.

“We execute a comprehensive and layered strategy to balance personnel, technology, and specialized operational needs,” Guglielmi said.

He said the agency will rely on state and local law enforcement departments in some cases where specialized Secret Service units are unavailable.

“In some instances where specific Secret Service specialized units or resources were not provided, the agency made modifications to ensure the security of the protectee,” Gugliemi said. “This may include utilizing state or local partners to provide specialized functions or otherwise identifying alternatives to reduce public exposure of a protectee.”

After the assassination attempt, as reports began to circulate that the agency had denied the Trump campaign's requests, Guglielmi issued a denial.

There is "an untrue assertion that a member of the former President’s team requested additional security resources &amp; that those were rebuffed,”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SecretSvcSpox/status/1812451649387933912">Gugliemi said</a>&nbsp;in a social media post. “This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources &amp; technology &amp; capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo.”

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has called what happened a “failure” while several lawmakers have called on Cheatle to resign or for President Joe Biden to fire her. The Secret Service has said Cheatle does not intend to step down. So far, she retains the support of Biden, a Democrat, and Mayorkas.

But the agency's acknowledgement that it had denied some of the campaign's requests sparked fresh condemnation on Sunday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said on CNN’s “State of the Union, that the reversal “is just beyond the pale" and that Cheatle's "got a lot to answer for.”

Johnson said lawmakers on Monday would release details about a bipartisan congressional task force that will investigate the Secret Service.

Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, which has subpoenaed Cheatle to appear at a hearing on Monday, said the Secret Service has a more than $3 billion annual budget that “is more than enough” to provide adequate protection.

“We want to know who’s at fault for what happened,” the Kentucky Republican said.

Trump’s son, Eric Trump, said Cheatle should resign in “absolute disgrace.”

“The fact that she is still in her job is beyond,” he said on Fox News' “Sunday Morning Futures,”

Biden has ordered an independent investigation. The Homeland Security Department and congressional committee are also investigating.

Trump says he was given no indication that law enforcement had identified a suspicious person when the former president took the stage in Pennsylvania. Some rallygoers said in interviews after the attempted assassination that they saw the gunman on the roof before Trump walked out onto the stage and had alerted law enforcement authorities on site.

In an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters set to air Monday, Trump said, “No, nobody mentioned it, nobody said there was a problem” before he took the stage and a gunman opened fire. “They could’ve said, ‘Let’s wait for 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 5 minutes, something.’ Nobody said. I think that was a mistake.”

Trump also questioned the security lapses and how the gunman was able to access the roof of the building.

“How did somebody get on that roof? And why wasn’t he reported? Because people saw that he was on the roof,” Trump said. “So you would’ve thought someone would’ve done something about it.”

Local law enforcement officers had seen the man and deemed him suspicious enough to circulate his photo and witnesses reported seeing him scaling the building.

Trump's campaign and the White House did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-secret-service-cheatle-biden-48d384057a894b71859f945034092902">Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle</a>&nbsp;said Monday that her agency failed in its mission to protect former President Donald Trump during a highly contentious congressional hearing with lawmakers of both major political parties demanding she resign over security failures that allowed a gunman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">to scale a roof and open fire at a campaign rally</a>.Click below to watch a replay of the hearing.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hyP3tKtgtnw?si=Pqhet5TaSu_xleoJ&amp;start=999" 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>Cheatle was berated for hours by Republicans and Democrats, repeatedly angering lawmakers by evading questions about the investigation in her first congressional hearing over the July 13 assassination attempt She called the attempt on Trump’s life the Secret Service’s “most significant operational failure” in decades.“The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders. On July 13th, we failed,” Cheatle said.Cheatle acknowledged that the Secret Service was told about a suspicious person two to five times before the shooting. She also revealed that the roof from which Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire had been identified as a potential vulnerability days before the rally. Cheatle said she apologized to Trump in a phone call after the shooting.Yet Cheatle remained defiant that she was the “right person” to lead the Secret Service, even as she said she takes full responsibility for any security lapses at the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally.When Republican Rep. Nancy Mace suggested Cheatle begin drafting her resignation letter from the hearing room, Cheatle responded, “No, thank you.”Democrats and Republicans were united in their exasperation as Cheatle said she didn't know or couldn't answer numerous questions more than a week after the shooting, which left one spectator dead."It has been 10 days since an assassination attempt on a former president of the United States. Regardless of party, there need to be answers,” said Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York.Lawmakers peppered Cheatle with questions about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">how the gunman could get so close</a>&nbsp;to the Republican presidential nominee when he was supposed to be carefully guarded and about why Trump was allowed to take the stage after local law enforcement had identified&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-shooting-guns-fbi-motive-08e925cb85e52c5266878cd76e796ad2">Thomas Matthew Crooks</a>&nbsp;as suspicious.Cheatle acknowledged that Crooks had been seen by local law enforcement before the shooting with a rangefinder, a small device resembling binoculars that hunters use to measure distance from a target. She said the Secret Service would never have taken Trump onto the stage if it had known there was an “actual threat." But while Crooks had been reported as suspicious, he wasn't identified as a threat until seconds before the shooting, she said.“An individual with a backpack is not a threat,” Cheatle said. “An individual with a range finder is not a threat.”Asked about why there were no agents on the roof where the shooter was located or if the Secret Service used drones to monitor the area, Cheatle said she is still waiting for the investigation to play out, prompting groans and outbursts from members on the committee.“Director Cheatle, because Donald Trump is alive, and thank God he is, you look incompetent," said Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio. “If he were killed you would look culpable.”Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., noted that the Secret Service director who presided over the agency when there was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/reagan-assassination-attempt-trump-butler-gunman-bd3c038d706de55a64727f7d15dffbc8">an attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan</a>&nbsp;later stepped down.“The one thing we have to have in this country are agencies that transcend politics and have the confidence of independents, Democrats, Republicans, progressives and conservatives,” Khanna said, adding that the Secret Service was no longer one of those agencies.Trump was wounded in the ear, a former Pennsylvania fire chief&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-fatal-shooting-corey-comperatore-8c09711e88a56432424ef3f980321ed2">was killed</a>&nbsp;and two other attendees were injured after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-shooting-guns-fbi-motive-08e925cb85e52c5266878cd76e796ad2">Crooks</a>&nbsp;climbed atop the roof of a nearby building and opened fire with an AR-style rifle shortly after Trump started speaking at the July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-secret-service">The Secret Service</a>&nbsp;has acknowledged it denied some requests by Trump's campaign for increased security at his events in the years before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-4e3415b1461f5acefbc8e1fadad0375b">the assassination attempt</a>. But Cheatle said that there were “no assets denied" for the rally.Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has called what happened a “failure” while several lawmakers have called on Cheatle to resign or for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;to fire her. The Secret Service has said Cheatle does not intend to step down. So far, she retains the support of Biden, a Democrat, and Mayorkas.Before the shooting, local law enforcement had noticed Crooks pacing around the edges of the rally, peering into the lens of a rangefinder toward the rooftops behind the stage where the president later stood, officials have told The Associated Press. An image of Crooks was circulated by officers stationed outside the security perimeter.Witnesses later saw him climbing up the side of a squat manufacturing building that was within 135 meters (157 yards) of the stage. He then set up his rifle and lay on the rooftop, a detonator in his pocket to set off crude explosive devices that were stashed in his car parked nearby.The attack on Trump was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/reagan-assassination-attempt-trump-butler-gunman-bd3c038d706de55a64727f7d15dffbc8">Reagan was shot in 1981</a>. It was the latest in a series of security lapses by the agency that has drawn investigations and public scrutiny over the years.Authorities have been hunting for clues into what motivated Crooks but have not found any ideological bent that could help explain his actions. Investigators who searched his phone&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-shooting-federal-investigation-2a90bdfd23ba9c3569cb9c29a459e87b">found photos of Trump</a>, Biden and other senior government officials and found that he had looked up the dates for the Democratic National Conventional as well as Trump’s appearances. He also searched for information about major depressive order.-------------WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-secret-service-cheatle-biden-48d384057a894b71859f945034092902">The Secret Service director</a>&nbsp;is set to testify Monday before the House Oversight Committee as calls mount for her to resign over security failures at a rally where a 20-year-old gunman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">attempted to assassinate</a>&nbsp;former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.The House Oversight Committee hearing will be Kimberly Cheatle's first appearance before lawmakers since the July 13 Pennsylvania rally shooting that left one spectator dead. Trump was wounded in the ear and two other attendees were injured after Thomas Matthew Crooks climbed atop the roof of a nearby building and opened fire.Kansas Congressman Jake LaTurner is a member of the committee.Lawmakers have been expressing anger over how the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">gunman could get so close</a>&nbsp;to the Republican presidential nominee when he was supposed to be carefully guarded. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-secret-service">Secret Service</a>&nbsp;has acknowledged it denied some requests by Trump's campaign for increased security at his events in the years before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-4e3415b1461f5acefbc8e1fadad0375b">assassination attempt</a>.Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has called what happened a “failure” while several lawmakers have called on Cheatle to resign or for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;to fire her. The Secret Service has said Cheatle does not intend to step down. So far, she retains the support of Biden, a Democrat, and Mayorkas.Before the shooting, local law enforcement had noticed Crooks pacing around the edges of the rally, peering into the lens of a rangefinder toward the rooftops behind the stage where the president later stood, officials have told The Associated Press. An image of Crooks was circulated by officers stationed outside the security perimeter.Witnesses later saw him climbing up the side of a squat manufacturing building that was within 135 meters (157 yards) from the stage. He then set up his AR-style rifle and lay on the rooftop, a detonator in his pocket to set off crude explosive devices that were stashed in his car parked nearby.The attack on Trump was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It was the latest in a series of security lapses by the agency that has drawn investigations and public scrutiny over the years.Authorities have been hunting for clues into what motivated Crooks, but so far have not found any ideological bent that could help explain his actions. Investigators who searched his phone&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-shooting-federal-investigation-2a90bdfd23ba9c3569cb9c29a459e87b">found photos of Trump</a>, Biden and other senior government officials, and also found that he had looked up the dates for the Democratic National Conventional as well as Trump’s appearances. He also searched for information about major depressive order.------------WASHINGTON —The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-secret-service">Secret Service</a>&nbsp;has acknowledged it denied some requests by Republican presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's campaign</a>&nbsp;for increased security at his events in the years before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-4e3415b1461f5acefbc8e1fadad0375b">assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;on him at a recent rally.In the immediate aftermath of the July 13 attack, the law enforcement agency had denied rejecting such requests. But the Secret Service acknowledged late Saturday, a week after the attempt on Trump's life, that it had turned back some requests to increase security around the former president.The reversal is likely to be a key focus of a congressional hearing Monday where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-secret-service-cheatle-biden-48d384057a894b71859f945034092902">Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle</a>&nbsp;is expected to appear before lawmakers who have been expressing anger over security lapses that allowed a 20-year-old gunman to climb atop the roof of a nearby building at Trump's rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and fire his weapon.Trump was wounded in the right ear, one rallygoer was killed and two others were injured. Secret Service gunmen killed the shooter.The attack on Trump was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It was the latest in a series of security lapses by the agency that has drawn investigations and public scrutiny over the years.“The Secret Service has a vast, dynamic, and intricate mission. Every day we work in a dynamic threat environment to ensure our protectees are safe and secure across multiple events, travel, and other challenging environments,” the agency's chief spokesperson, Anthony Guglielmi, said in a statement released late Saturday to The Washington Post. The newspaper was first to report on the agency's reversal, which it said was based on detailed questions submitted to the agency.“We execute a comprehensive and layered strategy to balance personnel, technology, and specialized operational needs,” Guglielmi said.He said the agency will rely on state and local law enforcement departments in some cases where specialized Secret Service units are unavailable.“In some instances where specific Secret Service specialized units or resources were not provided, the agency made modifications to ensure the security of the protectee,” Gugliemi said. “This may include utilizing state or local partners to provide specialized functions or otherwise identifying alternatives to reduce public exposure of a protectee.”After the assassination attempt, as reports began to circulate that the agency had denied the Trump campaign's requests, Guglielmi issued a denial.There is "an untrue assertion that a member of the former President’s team requested additional security resources &amp; that those were rebuffed,”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SecretSvcSpox/status/1812451649387933912">Gugliemi said</a>&nbsp;in a social media post. “This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources &amp; technology &amp; capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo.”Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has called what happened a “failure” while several lawmakers have called on Cheatle to resign or for President Joe Biden to fire her. The Secret Service has said Cheatle does not intend to step down. So far, she retains the support of Biden, a Democrat, and Mayorkas.But the agency's acknowledgement that it had denied some of the campaign's requests sparked fresh condemnation on Sunday.House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said on CNN’s “State of the Union, that the reversal “is just beyond the pale" and that Cheatle's "got a lot to answer for.”Johnson said lawmakers on Monday would release details about a bipartisan congressional task force that will investigate the Secret Service.Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, which has subpoenaed Cheatle to appear at a hearing on Monday, said the Secret Service has a more than $3 billion annual budget that “is more than enough” to provide adequate protection.“We want to know who’s at fault for what happened,” the Kentucky Republican said.Trump’s son, Eric Trump, said Cheatle should resign in “absolute disgrace.”“The fact that she is still in her job is beyond,” he said on Fox News' “Sunday Morning Futures,”Biden has ordered an independent investigation. The Homeland Security Department and congressional committee are also investigating.Trump says he was given no indication that law enforcement had identified a suspicious person when the former president took the stage in Pennsylvania. Some rallygoers said in interviews after the attempted assassination that they saw the gunman on the roof before Trump walked out onto the stage and had alerted law enforcement authorities on site.In an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters set to air Monday, Trump said, “No, nobody mentioned it, nobody said there was a problem” before he took the stage and a gunman opened fire. “They could’ve said, ‘Let’s wait for 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 5 minutes, something.’ Nobody said. I think that was a mistake.”Trump also questioned the security lapses and how the gunman was able to access the roof of the building.“How did somebody get on that roof? And why wasn’t he reported? Because people saw that he was on the roof,” Trump said. “So you would’ve thought someone would’ve done something about it.”Local law enforcement officers had seen the man and deemed him suspicious enough to circulate his photo and witnesses reported seeing him scaling the building.Trump's campaign and the White House did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

🎥 Secret Service director testifies on attempted assassination of Donald Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — Shortly after President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;announced that he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">drop his reelection campaign</a>, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison had a message: There would be no automatic coronation for his replacement.

“In the coming days, the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward,” Harrison said in a statement. “This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people.“

The comment reflected the reality that while Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is emerging as the prohibitive favorite to become the party's nominee — backed already by Biden and many Democrats — it's not so simple. And, for now, the party isn't offering many details on what happens next.

Some DNC members had already begun privately discussing contingency plans for the possibility that Biden would step aside prior to his decision to formally do so on Sunday, and a committee setting the party’s rules for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">the Democratic National Convention</a>, which opens Aug. 19 in Chicago, will gather virtually on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the next steps.

Harris has to formally secure the nomination from the around 4,700 Democratic convention delegates — including those pledged to Biden, as well as the elected officials, former presidents and other party elders known as superdelegates. She spent part of Sunday calling elected officials and delegates to solidify their support.

Biden won Democratic primaries in every state, and Harris was on the ticket as his running mate. His tapping her as his successor while bowing out of the race further strengthens her case, as does the endorsements of party heavyweights like South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn. Other top Democrats openly backed the vice president even before Biden abandoned his reelection bid, urging him to “pass the torch” to her in the wake of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bidentrumppresidentialdebate-0e7577e9a354a69f50675494fea54ca9">dismal debate performance</a>&nbsp;against Republican nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;last month.

“Folks will be weighing in and they should. I think we’re seeing a lot of coalescing behind the vice president,” said Rahna Epting, executive director of the progressive organization MoveOn. “And that's important because, as we saw throughout the Biden debate fallout, there is momentum that can be built one way or the other, and it is important for us to build momentum toward unity.”

Ken Martin, president of the Association of State Democratic Committees, which represents the 57 parties in the states and territories, said Harris was the obvious choice: “Having served alongside President Biden, she is ready on day one as a candidate and as our next president.” She was also endorsed by the 1.75-million-member American Federation of Teachers union.

But Democratic rules state only that delegates “in all good conscience” vote for the candidate they were elected to represent, with no mechanism for defectors. And some in the party have endorsed an open nominating process.

There’s been active debate about how to proceed among lawmakers, major donors and former high-ranking officials of the Biden, Obama and Clinton administrations, said a Democrat with deep ties to the Biden administration.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations, argued that Harris would benefit from a competitive mini-primary ahead of the Democratic convention, because it would help solidify her as a strong candidate and diminish criticism that she’s been undemocratically anointed. That's a charge the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-harris-drops-out-920d7fe1c364e82290abeb9e0d1411c7">Trump campaign</a>&nbsp;has already sought to use against her, and could loom large in the battle for undecided voters in battleground states.

Such a scenario might leave Democrats heading into their convention without a clear nominee, though, and perhaps choosing one via a series of potentially messy floor votes. That could mean top Democratic candidates looking to replace Biden resorting to visiting individual state delegations to lobby — a process unseen since 1960, when Johnson and John F. Kennedy jockeyed for support during their party's convention in Los Angeles.

If that happened, in addition to Harris, many other leading Democrats could vie for the nomination, including the likes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and California Rep. Ro Khanna — though many of those said shortly after Biden's announcement that they were formally endorsing Harris.

Inside the White House, meanwhile, there’s low expectation that Harris will get a serious challenge, according to a person familiar with deliberations who requested anonymity to discuss the private conversations.

Others who have been mentioned as viable contenders — including Shapiro and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper — have also both endorsed Harris and would seem unlikely to run in light of Biden’s backing her, and the expected fundraising advantage she would hold over anyone who’d enter the field.

Further complicating matters is the fact that the DNC had planned to hold a virtual roll call to choose its nominee ahead of the convention, in order to meet Ohio ballot eligibility rules. That state's original deadline ballot deadline was Aug. 7, and though the Legislature has since approved a law nullifying that, it doesn’t take effect until Sept. 1.

DNC lawyers say that means the party could face legal challenges in Ohio if it fails to name their party’s nominee prior to the state’s original deadline. But the convention rules committee has said it won’t set a date for the virtual roll call — which could take place over several days — before Aug. 1.

Some Democrats fear a host of other GOP legal challenges, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who had defended Biden staying in the race by arguing that replacing him might trigger “a presidential election being decided by Clarence Thomas and the Supreme Court” — like what happened during the 2000 presidential election and the disputed recount in Florida.

At Wednesday's conventions rules committee meeting, members could establish virtual roll call rules and a process to nominate Harris or create a more open process for choosing a nominee, according to a person familiar with the process on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

“During the convention, we will have an opportunity to show the country and the world who Democrats are and what we stand for,” Minyon Moore, Democratic convention chair, said in a statement.

Harrison, the DNC chair, refrained from endorsing Harris in a statement, saying only, "In short order, the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process.”

A somber Harrison also joined a virtual meeting of the convention credentials committee on Sunday, telling members, “I'm emotional.”

“I still support my president,” Harrison said of Biden. "And we will get through this, my friends, as we always do.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721587655391.png" alt="File photo White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Shortly after President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;announced that he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">drop his reelection campaign</a>, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison had a message: There would be no automatic coronation for his replacement.“In the coming days, the party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward,” Harrison said in a statement. “This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people.“<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721650226823.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The comment reflected the reality that while Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is emerging as the prohibitive favorite to become the party's nominee — backed already by Biden and many Democrats — it's not so simple. And, for now, the party isn't offering many details on what happens next.Some DNC members had already begun privately discussing contingency plans for the possibility that Biden would step aside prior to his decision to formally do so on Sunday, and a committee setting the party’s rules for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">the Democratic National Convention</a>, which opens Aug. 19 in Chicago, will gather virtually on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the next steps.Harris has to formally secure the nomination from the around 4,700 Democratic convention delegates — including those pledged to Biden, as well as the elected officials, former presidents and other party elders known as superdelegates. She spent part of Sunday calling elected officials and delegates to solidify their support.Biden won Democratic primaries in every state, and Harris was on the ticket as his running mate. His tapping her as his successor while bowing out of the race further strengthens her case, as does the endorsements of party heavyweights like South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn. Other top Democrats openly backed the vice president even before Biden abandoned his reelection bid, urging him to “pass the torch” to her in the wake of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bidentrumppresidentialdebate-0e7577e9a354a69f50675494fea54ca9">dismal debate performance</a>&nbsp;against Republican nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;last month.“Folks will be weighing in and they should. I think we’re seeing a lot of coalescing behind the vice president,” said Rahna Epting, executive director of the progressive organization MoveOn. “And that's important because, as we saw throughout the Biden debate fallout, there is momentum that can be built one way or the other, and it is important for us to build momentum toward unity.”Ken Martin, president of the Association of State Democratic Committees, which represents the 57 parties in the states and territories, said Harris was the obvious choice: “Having served alongside President Biden, she is ready on day one as a candidate and as our next president.” She was also endorsed by the 1.75-million-member American Federation of Teachers union.But Democratic rules state only that delegates “in all good conscience” vote for the candidate they were elected to represent, with no mechanism for defectors. And some in the party have endorsed an open nominating process.There’s been active debate about how to proceed among lawmakers, major donors and former high-ranking officials of the Biden, Obama and Clinton administrations, said a Democrat with deep ties to the Biden administration.The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations, argued that Harris would benefit from a competitive mini-primary ahead of the Democratic convention, because it would help solidify her as a strong candidate and diminish criticism that she’s been undemocratically anointed. That's a charge the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-harris-drops-out-920d7fe1c364e82290abeb9e0d1411c7">Trump campaign</a>&nbsp;has already sought to use against her, and could loom large in the battle for undecided voters in battleground states.Such a scenario might leave Democrats heading into their convention without a clear nominee, though, and perhaps choosing one via a series of potentially messy floor votes. That could mean top Democratic candidates looking to replace Biden resorting to visiting individual state delegations to lobby — a process unseen since 1960, when Johnson and John F. Kennedy jockeyed for support during their party's convention in Los Angeles.If that happened, in addition to Harris, many other leading Democrats could vie for the nomination, including the likes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and California Rep. Ro Khanna — though many of those said shortly after Biden's announcement that they were formally endorsing Harris.Inside the White House, meanwhile, there’s low expectation that Harris will get a serious challenge, according to a person familiar with deliberations who requested anonymity to discuss the private conversations.Others who have been mentioned as viable contenders — including Shapiro and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper — have also both endorsed Harris and would seem unlikely to run in light of Biden’s backing her, and the expected fundraising advantage she would hold over anyone who’d enter the field.Further complicating matters is the fact that the DNC had planned to hold a virtual roll call to choose its nominee ahead of the convention, in order to meet Ohio ballot eligibility rules. That state's original deadline ballot deadline was Aug. 7, and though the Legislature has since approved a law nullifying that, it doesn’t take effect until Sept. 1.DNC lawyers say that means the party could face legal challenges in Ohio if it fails to name their party’s nominee prior to the state’s original deadline. But the convention rules committee has said it won’t set a date for the virtual roll call — which could take place over several days — before Aug. 1.Some Democrats fear a host of other GOP legal challenges, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who had defended Biden staying in the race by arguing that replacing him might trigger “a presidential election being decided by Clarence Thomas and the Supreme Court” — like what happened during the 2000 presidential election and the disputed recount in Florida.At Wednesday's conventions rules committee meeting, members could establish virtual roll call rules and a process to nominate Harris or create a more open process for choosing a nominee, according to a person familiar with the process on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.“During the convention, we will have an opportunity to show the country and the world who Democrats are and what we stand for,” Minyon Moore, Democratic convention chair, said in a statement.Harrison, the DNC chair, refrained from endorsing Harris in a statement, saying only, "In short order, the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process.”A somber Harrison also joined a virtual meeting of the convention credentials committee on Sunday, telling members, “I'm emotional.”“I still support my president,” Harrison said of Biden. "And we will get through this, my friends, as we always do.”

Dems promise an 'orderly process' to replace Biden. Harris is favored, but questions remain

JOHNSON COUNTY —Two adults and a child were displaced after a weekend fire possibly caused by carless discard of smoking materials.

Just after 3a.m. Saturday, crews were called to a fire at 120th and Hayes Street in Overland Park, according to a media release.

First responders found smoke and fire coming from the back of the 2-story duplex. Fire crews went to work attacking a fire in the chimney box that spread from the ground level to the second story and into the ceiling. It took firefighters 20-minutes to bring the fire under control.&nbsp;

Two adults and a child escaped safely and are staying with relatives. Residents in the adjacent unit were able to reoccupy. There were no injuries and the unit did have working smoke alarms.

One of the residents reported smoking outside before the fire. While investigators believe the cause of the fire to be careless discard of smoking materials, the exact cause is still under investigation.&nbsp; Authorities did not release a damage estimate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721616902647.png" alt="Image Overland Park Fire" />
 <figcaption>Image Overland Park Fire</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Two adults and a child were displaced after a weekend fire possibly caused by carless discard of smoking materials.Just after 3a.m. Saturday, crews were called to a fire at 120th and Hayes Street in Overland Park, according to a media release.First responders found smoke and fire coming from the back of the 2-story duplex. Fire crews went to work attacking a fire in the chimney box that spread from the ground level to the second story and into the ceiling. It took firefighters 20-minutes to bring the fire under control.&nbsp;Two adults and a child escaped safely and are staying with relatives. Residents in the adjacent unit were able to reoccupy. There were no injuries and the unit did have working smoke alarms.One of the residents reported smoking outside before the fire. While investigators believe the cause of the fire to be careless discard of smoking materials, the exact cause is still under investigation.&nbsp; Authorities did not release a damage estimate.

Careless discard of smoking materials may have caused Kan. fire

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a reported Sunday homicide in Kansas City learned the victim was still alive in critical condition at an area hospital, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just after 8p.m. Sunday, police responded to a deadly shooting at 13th and Paseo, just&nbsp;north of the Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy.

First responders learned the victim had been taken to a nearby hospital and was alive, according to Gonzalez.

Just before 9p.m. Sunday, police reported the victim remained in the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police released no additional details including what prompted the shooting or possible suspect information.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a reported Sunday homicide in Kansas City learned the victim was still alive in critical condition at an area hospital, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just after 8p.m. Sunday, police responded to a deadly shooting at 13th and Paseo, just&nbsp;north of the Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy.First responders learned the victim had been taken to a nearby hospital and was alive, according to Gonzalez.Just before 9p.m. Sunday, police reported the victim remained in the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police released no additional details including what prompted the shooting or possible suspect information.

KCPD: Victim of reported homicide found alive in the hospital

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced Sunday he was dropping out of the 2024 race following a disastrous debate with Republican Donald Trump.&nbsp;

Lawmakers immediately called for Biden to resign from office.

In a statement from his office, Kansas 4th District Rep. Ron Estes wrote, "President Joe Biden's announcement that he will suspend his reelection campaign is an admission of something that Americans have observed for a long time – he is not fit to be president, which also means he can no longer serve as commander in chief."

Biden's announcement throws the Democratic Party into chaos just months before the election. Biden has thrown his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720133821321.png" alt="File photo White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced Sunday he was dropping out of the 2024 race following a disastrous debate with Republican Donald Trump.&nbsp;Lawmakers immediately called for Biden to resign from office.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">If Joe Biden is unable to serve another term, then he must resign right now. If he&#39;s unfit to campaign, he should not have the nuclear codes - it&#39;s that simple.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1815100264380252171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">If Joe Biden isn&#39;t fit to run for re-election, he&#39;s clearly no longer fit to serve as President. He already did what he thought was best for his party. Now he needs to do what’s best for our country. It’s time for President Biden to resign from office.&mdash; Rep. Sam Graves (@RepSamGraves) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepSamGraves/status/1815101527431745620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Then RESIGN your office. If you can’t run a mere political campaign, you can’t be President <a href="https://t.co/wbO9fs0TyN">https://t.co/wbO9fs0TyN</a>&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1815082478417358942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At this unprecedented juncture in American history, we must be clear about what just happened. The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee off the ballot, just over 100 days before the election. Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe…&mdash; Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1815093011669516433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Joe Biden should resign. If he’s not capable of being a candidate after he won the primary he’s not capable of being President. <a href="https://t.co/pb7LTFFxpd">https://t.co/pb7LTFFxpd</a>&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1815099700233855036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a statement from his office, Kansas 4th District Rep. Ron Estes wrote, "President Joe Biden's announcement that he will suspend his reelection campaign is an admission of something that Americans have observed for a long time – he is not fit to be president, which also means he can no longer serve as commander in chief."Biden's announcement throws the Democratic Party into chaos just months before the election. Biden has thrown his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago.&nbsp;

Lawmakers: Biden must resign after ending reelection campaign

PUEBLO COUNTY — A wanted Kansas suspect captured at a motel in Colorado is scheduled to return to a Kansas courtroom on Monday.

Ryan Antalek, 40, Wichita, is charged with criminal discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, stalking, two counts of criminal threat, and criminal damage to property, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Earlier this month, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s communication center received a tip that 40-year-old Ryan Antalek of Wichita was possibly staying at the Days Inn in Colorado City, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.

Kansas authorities had been seeking Antalek, who was considered dangerous, on the warrant and had heightened the search after learning he had made repeated homicidal statements. Antalek also was noted to have a criminal history involving weapons and known to carry firearms.

Sheriff's detectives and U.S. Marshals responded to the Days Inn at about 12:30 a.m. and located in the parking lot a 2019 Black Chevy Colorado truck Antalek was reportedly driving. After confirming that Antalek was in the hotel, detectives, with assistance from the Marshals, devised a plan and were able to get him to leave his hotel room where he was taken into custody without incident.

Antalek was arrested on a no bond fugitive of justice warrant from Kansas.&nbsp; He remains jailed in Sedgwick County on a $500,000 bond.

He is due for a court appearance at 10:30a.m. Monday, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719500728222.png" alt="Antalek-photo Pueblo Co. Colorado" />
 <figcaption>Antalek-photo Pueblo Co. Colorado</figcaption>
 </figure>PUEBLO COUNTY — A wanted Kansas suspect captured at a motel in Colorado is scheduled to return to a Kansas courtroom on Monday.Ryan Antalek, 40, Wichita, is charged with criminal discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, stalking, two counts of criminal threat, and criminal damage to property, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Earlier this month, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s communication center received a tip that 40-year-old Ryan Antalek of Wichita was possibly staying at the Days Inn in Colorado City, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720708672444.png" alt="Antalek -photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Antalek -photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas authorities had been seeking Antalek, who was considered dangerous, on the warrant and had heightened the search after learning he had made repeated homicidal statements. Antalek also was noted to have a criminal history involving weapons and known to carry firearms.Sheriff's detectives and U.S. Marshals responded to the Days Inn at about 12:30 a.m. and located in the parking lot a 2019 Black Chevy Colorado truck Antalek was reportedly driving. After confirming that Antalek was in the hotel, detectives, with assistance from the Marshals, devised a plan and were able to get him to leave his hotel room where he was taken into custody without incident.Antalek was arrested on a no bond fugitive of justice warrant from Kansas.&nbsp; He remains jailed in Sedgwick County on a $500,000 bond.He is due for a court appearance at 10:30a.m. Monday, according to the district attorney's office.

Kansas fugitive captured at hotel in Colorado due back in court

HARRISON COUNTY, MO. –A Kansas man died in an accident just before 5p.m. Sunday in Harrison County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Kia Sorento driven by Karam J. Bedros, 65, Woodbury, Minnesota, was southbound on Interstate 35 seven miles north of Eagleville.

The SUV traveled off the west side of the road into the median, struck the emergency crossover, became airborne, rolled and came to rest on its top.

A passenger identified as Victor B. Imad, 31, Manhattan, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported by the Harrison County Coroner to Roberson Funeral Home in Bethany.

Decatur County Ambulance transported Bedros to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was later transferred to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.&nbsp; Decatur County Ambulance transported passenger Carla E. Bedros, 59, Woodbury, Minnesota to Harrison County Community Hospital.&nbsp;

North Harrison Ambulance transported a third passenger Reena Bedros, 27, Woodbury, Minnesota to Lamoni Hospital. She was later air-lifted to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.&nbsp; Imad and Reena Bedros were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

HARRISON COUNTY, MO. –A Kansas man died in an accident just before 5p.m. Sunday in Harrison County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Kia Sorento driven by Karam J. Bedros, 65, Woodbury, Minnesota, was southbound on Interstate 35 seven miles north of Eagleville.The SUV traveled off the west side of the road into the median, struck the emergency crossover, became airborne, rolled and came to rest on its top.A passenger identified as Victor B. Imad, 31, Manhattan, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported by the Harrison County Coroner to Roberson Funeral Home in Bethany.Decatur County Ambulance transported Bedros to Harrison County Community Hospital. He was later transferred to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.&nbsp; Decatur County Ambulance transported passenger Carla E. Bedros, 59, Woodbury, Minnesota to Harrison County Community Hospital.&nbsp;North Harrison Ambulance transported a third passenger Reena Bedros, 27, Woodbury, Minnesota to Lamoni Hospital. She was later air-lifted to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.&nbsp; Imad and Reena Bedros were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Kansas man dies after violent rollover crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A New York man was sentenced in Sedgwick County District Court last week for his role in a “romance scam” that defrauded an elderly Wichita woman of more than $100,000.

Jango Touray, 35 of New York City, pled guilty earlier this year to the felony crime of Mistreatment of an Elder Person. Touray was placed on a three-year probation and ordered to pay full restitution to his victim, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

If Touray violates his probation or fails to pay restitution, he could serve the 34-month prison sentence imposed by District Court Judge Jeffrey Syrios.

Touray was identified during an investigation by the District Attorney’s office as the person who received a $110,000 check from the 78-year-old Wichita woman who was widowed and lived alone. The investigation revealed that the woman was being contacted through social media in late 2020 by someone asking for money. The victim believed that she was sending the money to a person named “Victor.” The victim told investigators that she believed she was helping “Victor” through some financial difficulties so that they could be together someday.

As part of the investigation, a financial crimes investigator was able to freeze multiple financial accounts connected to Touray, who agreed to liquidate those accounts and give the money back to the victim. So far, the victim has recovered about $38,000 of the $110,000 that was taken. The balance of the restitution is to be paid in payments over the next three years.

The District Attorney’s office warns people to be suspicious of requests for money from people they meet online. Elderly residents who live alone can be especially vulnerable to sophisticated romance scammers that use the internet to find, befriend and defraud their victims.

The case was investigated by Kristen Zluticky of the District Attorney’s Office. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721420537843.png" alt="Touray from the arrest in 2022 on requested charges of mistreatment of an elderly person; deception, false pretense, duress and&nbsp; theft of&nbsp; property or services" />
 <figcaption>Touray from the arrest in 2022 on requested charges of mistreatment of an elderly person; deception, false pretense, duress and&nbsp; theft of&nbsp; property or services</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A New York man was sentenced in Sedgwick County District Court last week for his role in a “romance scam” that defrauded an elderly Wichita woman of more than $100,000.Jango Touray, 35 of New York City, pled guilty earlier this year to the felony crime of Mistreatment of an Elder Person. Touray was placed on a three-year probation and ordered to pay full restitution to his victim, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.If Touray violates his probation or fails to pay restitution, he could serve the 34-month prison sentence imposed by District Court Judge Jeffrey Syrios.Touray was identified during an investigation by the District Attorney’s office as the person who received a $110,000 check from the 78-year-old Wichita woman who was widowed and lived alone. The investigation revealed that the woman was being contacted through social media in late 2020 by someone asking for money. The victim believed that she was sending the money to a person named “Victor.” The victim told investigators that she believed she was helping “Victor” through some financial difficulties so that they could be together someday.As part of the investigation, a financial crimes investigator was able to freeze multiple financial accounts connected to Touray, who agreed to liquidate those accounts and give the money back to the victim. So far, the victim has recovered about $38,000 of the $110,000 that was taken. The balance of the restitution is to be paid in payments over the next three years.The District Attorney’s office warns people to be suspicious of requests for money from people they meet online. Elderly residents who live alone can be especially vulnerable to sophisticated romance scammers that use the internet to find, befriend and defraud their victims.The case was investigated by Kristen Zluticky of the District Attorney’s Office.

Romance Scam: Kansas woman sent $110,000 to New York man

KANSAS CITY—A teen driver died after an accident just before 5a.m. Saturday in Jackson County, Missouri.

According to police, a Nissan Altima driven by 18-year-old Joshua Snowbarger was&nbsp;southbound on Noland Road, approaching 35th Street in Independence. The driver lost control of the car. It traveled off the road and struck a nearby business.

Officers on patrol found the crash just after it occurred. Despite lifesaving efforts, Snowbarger was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

KANSAS CITY—A teen driver died after an accident just before 5a.m. Saturday in Jackson County, Missouri.According to police, a Nissan Altima driven by 18-year-old Joshua Snowbarger was&nbsp;southbound on Noland Road, approaching 35th Street in Independence. The driver lost control of the car. It traveled off the road and struck a nearby business.Officers on patrol found the crash just after it occurred. Despite lifesaving efforts, Snowbarger was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

Teen driver dies after crash into Kansas City area building

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas City area man is going to prison for a deadly Kansas crash.

Last week, Judge Christiina Gyllenborg sentenced 24-year-old Uconn Comemann of Grain Valley to 25-years in prison for a fatal crash while he was fleeing police, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In May, Coleman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, aggravated battery, fleeing and eluding a police officer, and leaving the scene of a crash.

In June of 2023 a speeding Ford Fusion driven by Coleman struck a Honda Accord driven by 19-year-old Benny Kleczka who was stopped at the intersection of Antioch and Shawnee Mission Parkway.&nbsp;&nbsp;A woman in the Honda was also injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709829161651.png" alt="Coleman-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Coleman-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas City area man is going to prison for a deadly Kansas crash.Last week, Judge Christiina Gyllenborg sentenced 24-year-old Uconn Comemann of Grain Valley to 25-years in prison for a fatal crash while he was fleeing police, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.In May, Coleman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, aggravated battery, fleeing and eluding a police officer, and leaving the scene of a crash.In June of 2023 a speeding Ford Fusion driven by Coleman struck a Honda Accord driven by 19-year-old Benny Kleczka who was stopped at the intersection of Antioch and Shawnee Mission Parkway.&nbsp;&nbsp;A woman in the Honda was also injured.

Prison for deadly Kansas crash while fleeing police

WASHINGTON —President Joe Biden announced Sunday afternoon he was dropping out of the 2024 race following a disastrous debate with Republican Donald Trump.&nbsp; Kansas lawmakers used their social media accounts to respond to the the news.

Biden has thrown his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719969869999.png" alt="File photo White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —President Joe Biden announced Sunday afternoon he was dropping out of the 2024 race following a disastrous debate with Republican Donald Trump.&nbsp; Kansas lawmakers used their social media accounts to respond to the the news.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">For more than five decades, President Biden has made it his life’s work to better our country for hardworking Americans. Above all, he has been firm in his desire to safeguard democracy in a time of hyper-polarization and divisiveness. I thank him for his service and steadfast…&mdash; Laura Kelly (@LauraKellyKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/LauraKellyKS/status/1815091624805818599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Has anyone told Joe yet? <a href="https://t.co/zyHmx9iPKi">https://t.co/zyHmx9iPKi</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1815092715383861325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden has dedicated his life to serving our country and his time as our President has restored decency to the highest office. By stepping aside from the presidential race today, he has once again put the future of our country first.&mdash; Sharice Davids (@sharicedavids) <a href="https://twitter.com/sharicedavids/status/1815097222985589166?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My full statement on President Biden&#39;s decision to not seek re-election. <a href="https://t.co/SaFL9zLN9f">pic.twitter.com/SaFL9zLN9f</a>&mdash; Tracey Mann (@RepMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMann/status/1815109571330838911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden has thrown his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, the party’s instant favorite for the nomination at its August convention in Chicago.&nbsp;

Kansas lawmakers respond to Biden ending his 2024 campaign

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;dropped out of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">the 2024 race</a>&nbsp;for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election.

The decision comes after escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-panic-performance-democrats-debate-trump-cnn-fe6546f2c9762e80e6067ba10abedea8">the June 27 debate</a>, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-misinformation-election-debate-trump-biden-577507522762aa10f6ee5be3a0ced2bb">many falsehoods</a>. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump, and encouraged his party to united behind her.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721587521577.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;dropped out of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">the 2024 race</a>&nbsp;for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election.The decision comes after escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-panic-performance-democrats-debate-trump-cnn-fe6546f2c9762e80e6067ba10abedea8">the June 27 debate</a>, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-misinformation-election-debate-trump-biden-577507522762aa10f6ee5be3a0ced2bb">many falsehoods</a>. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take on Trump, and encouraged his party to united behind her.Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term in office, which ends at noon ET on Jan. 20, 2025.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">💕 <a href="https://t.co/VN2rZpyhVX">https://t.co/VN2rZpyhVX</a>&mdash; Dr. Jill Biden (@DrBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrBiden/status/1815083964207358095?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term," Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account.Nearly 30 minutes later, Biden throw his support behind Harris, the party’s instant favorite for the nomination at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">its August convention in Chicag</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721587730353.png" alt="Image Biden used to announce his endorsement of Kamala Harris for President" />
 <figcaption>Image Biden used to announce his endorsement of Kamala Harris for President</figcaption>
 </figure>“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," he said in another post on X. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump.”Biden's decision came as he has been isolating at his Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, huddling with a shrinking circle of close confidants and family members about his political future. Biden said he would address the nation later this week to provide “detail” about his decision.The White House confirmed the authenticity of the letter.The announcement is the latest jolt to a campaign for the White House that both political parties see as the most consequential election in generations, coming just days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vp-vance-rubio-7c7ba6b99b5f38d2d840ed95b2fdc3e5">the attempted assassination</a>&nbsp;of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally.A party’s presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election. The closest parallel would be President Lyndon Johnson who, besieged by the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term.Now, Democrats have to urgently try to bring coherence to the nominating process in a matter of weeks and persuade voters in a stunningly short amount of time that their nominee can handle the job and beat Trump. And for his part, Trump must shift his focus to a new opponent after years of training his attention on Biden.The decision marks a swift and stunning end to Biden’s 52 years in electoral politics, as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-debate-donors-trump-campaign-2024-419531be556da1447856f17549371cd7">donors, lawmakers and even aides</a>&nbsp;expressed to him their doubts that he could convince voters that he could plausibly handle the job for another four years.Biden won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-election-2024-delegate-tracker">the vast majority of delegates</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/presidential-primaries-caucuses-guam-virgin-islands-biden-trump-ef0c605bf5a312c2467b07f35378bf2f">every nominating contest but one</a>, which would have made his nomination a formality. Now that he has dropped out, those delegates will be free to support&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/replacing-biden-nomination-options-dnc-democratic-convention-d23c02047b6a2c991737915972a2fa4c">another candidate</a>.Harris, 59, appeared to be the natural successor, in large part because she is the only candidate who can directly tap into the Biden campaign’s war chest, according to federal campaign finance rules.Biden’s backing helps clear the way for Harris, but a smooth transition is by no means assured.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">The Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;is scheduled to be held Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, but the party had announced that it would hold&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-ballot-biden-access-3bf359cce8e73714be45cb99a6e31546">a virtual roll call</a>&nbsp;to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin.It remained to be seen whether other candidates woul challenge Harris for the nomination or how party may need to adjust its rules again to smooth Harris’ nomination on the floor.Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Biden’s decision to leave the race, but he and his team had made their preference for facing Biden clear. Nonetheless, his team has ramped up its attacks on Harris as pressure on Biden to step down intensified.Democratic officials, including many who were behind the effort to push Biden from the race, quickly released statements praising Biden's decision.“His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. “Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American.”In 2020, Biden pitched himself as a transitional figure who wanted to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders. But once he secured the job he spent decades struggling to attain, he was reluctant to part with it.Biden was once asked whether any other Democrats could beat Trump.“Probably 50 of them,” Biden replied. “No, I’m not the only one who can defeat him, but I will defeat him.”Biden is already the country’s oldest president and had insisted repeatedly that he was up for the challenge of another campaign and another term, telling voters all they had to was “watch me.”And watch him they did.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-lawmakers-debate-2c426f98063ab30143a7675cba10a5b4">His poor debate performance</a>&nbsp;prompted a cascade of anxiety from Democrats and donors who said publicly what some had said privately for months, that they did not think he was up to the job for four more years.Concerns over Biden’s age have dogged him since he announced he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-election-2024-president-democrats-trump-9c72115656855da89a41cac3f79aa65b">running for reelection</a>, though Trump is just three years younger at 78. Most Americans view the president as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-age-poll-trump-2024-620e0a5cfa0039a6448f607c17c7f23e">too old for a second term</a>, according to an August 2023 poll from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/">The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>. A majority also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-state-of-union-mental-capacity-trump-reelection-66d8784586d21f30885d8153f949510c">doubt his mental capability</a>&nbsp;to be president, though that is also a weakness for Trump.Biden often remarked that he was not as young as he used to be, doesn’t walk as easily or speak as smoothly, but that he had wisdom and decades of experience, which were worth a whole lot.“I give you my word as a Biden. I would not be running again if I didn’t believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job,” he told supporters at a rally in North Carolina a day after the debate. “Because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high.”But voters had other problems with him, too — he has been deeply unpopular as a leader even as his administration steered the nation through recovery from a global pandemic, presided over a booming economy and passed major pieces of bipartisan legislation that will impact the nation for years to come. A majority of Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-biden-trump-debate-apnorc-cc9e16ef147507162e22c96ddb889ee8">disapprove of the way he’s handling his job</a>, and he’s faced persistently low approval ratings on key issues including the economy and immigration.Biden’s age surfaced as a major factor during an investigation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-classified-documents-age-trump-2024-4791639cc06cc0affee55aba80c7e6b3">his handling of classified documents</a>. Special counsel Robert Hur said in February that the president came across in interviews with investigators as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”The president’s allies seized on the statement as gratuitous and criticized Hur for including it in his report, and Biden himself&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-hur-garland-classified-documents-836b99fe9cbef9ba7d32602f4928efec">angrily pushed back</a>&nbsp;on descriptions of how he spoke about his late son.Biden’s motivation for running was deeply intertwined with Trump. He had retired from public service following eight years serving as vice president under Barack Obama and the death of his son Beau but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d5c415b99a6945dbbecf60d57bcf68cb">decided to run</a>&nbsp;after Trump’s comments following a “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, when white supremacists descended on the city to protest the removal of its Confederate memorials.Trump said: “You had some very bad people in the group, but you also had people that were very fine people on both sides. On both sides.”That a sitting president didn’t unequivocally condemn racism and white supremacy deeply offended Biden. Then,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">Biden won the 2020 election</a>&nbsp;and Trump refused to concede and stood by for hours while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 6, 2021, beating and bloodying law enforcement in a failed attempt to overturn the certification of Biden’s win.“If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running,” Biden once said during at a campaign event.Biden's wife, first lady Jill Biden, responded to the president's announcement by reposting Biden's letter announcing his decision and adding red heart emojis.Granddaughter Naomi Biden Neal said on social media that “I’m nothing but proud of my Pop.” She said he has served the country “with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction” and that “our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him.”