WASHINGTON (AP) — As Democrats churn over whether President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;should stay in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 race</a>, the party turmoil is deepening over whether his Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is next in line for the job or if a “mini primary” should be quickly launched to choose a new nominee before the party's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">August convention</a>.

Harris hit the campaign fundraising circuit Saturday in breezy Provincetown, Massachusetts, and picked up a nod from the state's prominent Democratic Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elizabeth-warren">Elizabeth Warren,</a>&nbsp;who said before the visit that if Biden were to step aside, his vice president is “ready to step up.”

At the event, which organizers said raised $2 million and was attended by 1,000 guests, Harris did not mention the calls for Biden to leave the race or for her to replace him, instead repeating one of her regular campaign lines: “We're going to win this election,” she said.

“Do we believe in freedom? Do we believe in equality? Do we believe in the promise of America? Then are we ready to fight for it?” she called to a cheering crowd. “When we fight, we win.”

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-poll-biden-newsom-whitmer-7ef83e5c8e510e39d7c54f7e28310064">installing Harris</a>&nbsp;to the top of the ticket, which would be a history-making moment for the party elevating the first woman, Black person and person of South Asian descent as its presidential nominee, is not at all certain. Officials from the highest ranks, including Speaker Emerita&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>, prefer an open process, some believing it would strengthen any Democratic nominee to confront Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump.</a>

“If you think that there is consensus among the people who want Joe Biden to leave.... that they will support Kamala, Vice President Harris, you would be mistaken,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said this week on a widely discussed social media post.

With the publicly aired deliberations, Democrats are prolonging an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-2024-presidency-6fa4b6ff9382d9161d21dfc52838008f">extraordinary moment</a>&nbsp;of uncertainty and upheaval. Biden has weighty options before him this weekend that could set the direction of the country and his party as the nation heads toward the November election.

It’s creating a stark juxtaposition with Republicans, who, after years of bitter and chaotic infighting over Trump, are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/republican-national-convention">energized and embracing</a>&nbsp;the former president’s far-right takeover of the GOP, despite his criminal conviction in a hush money case and pending federal criminal indictment for trying to overturn the 2020 election before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol</a>.

Biden, despite a week of campaign stops, interviews and insistence that he is the best candidate to take on Trump in a rematch, hasn't been able to quell the uproar. Skeptical Democrats doubt he can keep the White House after his stumbled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/elections/2024/a-halting-biden-tries-to-confront-trump-at-debate-but-sparks-democratic-anxiety-about-his-candidacy/">debate performance</a>&nbsp;last month, and worry he will take hopes for party control of Congress down with him.

On Saturday, Rep. Mark Takano, the top Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, added his name to the list of nearly three dozen Democrats in Congress who say it's time for Biden to leave the race. The Californian called on Biden to “pass the torch,” to Harris.

More lawmakers are expected to speak out in the days ahead. Donors have raised concerns.

“There is no joy in the recognition he should not be our nominee in November,” said Democratic Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky, one of the Democrats urging Biden’s exit from the race.

From his beach home in Delaware, Biden, 81, is isolating after announcing a COVID infection, but also politically with a small circle of family and close advisers. White House doctor Kevin O’Connor said Saturday that Biden's symptoms were improving, but that he remained plagued by a dry cough and hoarseness. He received separate briefings Saturday on domestic and national security issues, the White House said.

The president’s team insisted he’s ready to return to the campaign this coming week to counter what he called a “dark vision” laid out by Trump.

“Together, as a party and as a country, we can and will defeat him at the ballot box,” Biden said in a statement Friday.

But outside the Rehoboth enclave, the debate and passions are intensifying.

Very few of the Democratic lawmakers who are agitating for Biden to leave have mentioned Harris in their statements, and some have said they favor an open nominating process that would throw the party’s endorsement behind a new candidate.

A person familiar with Pelosi’s thinking said that while she is a friend and admirer of the vice president, she believes that anybody who wants to be president is better served by such a process, believing that whoever emerges as the candidate would be strengthened to win the election. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to characterize Pelosi’s thought process.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, a Pelosi ally who has called on Biden to step aside, said Friday on MSNBC that some kind of “mini-primary” that would include Harris makes sense.

Democratic Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Peter Welch of Vermont have both called for Biden to exit the race and said they would favor an open nominating process at the convention.

“Having it be open would strengthen whoever is the ultimate nominee,” Welch said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Other Democrats say it would be politically unthinkable to move to someone other than Harris, and logistically unworkable with a virtual nominating vote being planned for early next month, before the Democratic convention opens in Chicago on Aug. 19.

Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum, who has called on Biden to step aside, explicitly endorsed Harris as a replacement.

“To give Democrats a strong, viable path to winning the White House, I am calling upon President Biden to release his delegates and empower Vice-President Harris to step forward to become the Democratic nominee for President,” McCollum said in her statement.

The standoff over Biden's political future has become increasingly untenable for the party and its leaders, a month from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;that should be a unifying moment to nominate their incumbent president to confront Trump. Instead, the party is at a crossroads unseen in generations.

It's unclear what else, if anything, the president could do to reverse course and win back lawmakers and Democratic voters, who are wary of his ability to defeat Trump and serve another term,

Biden, who sent a defiant letter to Democrats in Congress vowing to stay in the race, has yet to visit Capitol Hill to shore up support, an absence noticed by senators and representatives.

The president did conduct a round of virtual conversations with various caucuses in the past week — some of which ended poorly.

Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Seung Min Kim, Farnoush Amiri and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720316947280.png" alt="File photo White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — As Democrats churn over whether President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;should stay in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 race</a>, the party turmoil is deepening over whether his Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is next in line for the job or if a “mini primary” should be quickly launched to choose a new nominee before the party's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">August convention</a>.Harris hit the campaign fundraising circuit Saturday in breezy Provincetown, Massachusetts, and picked up a nod from the state's prominent Democratic Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elizabeth-warren">Elizabeth Warren,</a>&nbsp;who said before the visit that if Biden were to step aside, his vice president is “ready to step up.”At the event, which organizers said raised $2 million and was attended by 1,000 guests, Harris did not mention the calls for Biden to leave the race or for her to replace him, instead repeating one of her regular campaign lines: “We're going to win this election,” she said.“Do we believe in freedom? Do we believe in equality? Do we believe in the promise of America? Then are we ready to fight for it?” she called to a cheering crowd. “When we fight, we win.”But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-poll-biden-newsom-whitmer-7ef83e5c8e510e39d7c54f7e28310064">installing Harris</a>&nbsp;to the top of the ticket, which would be a history-making moment for the party elevating the first woman, Black person and person of South Asian descent as its presidential nominee, is not at all certain. Officials from the highest ranks, including Speaker Emerita&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>, prefer an open process, some believing it would strengthen any Democratic nominee to confront Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump.</a>“If you think that there is consensus among the people who want Joe Biden to leave.... that they will support Kamala, Vice President Harris, you would be mistaken,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said this week on a widely discussed social media post.With the publicly aired deliberations, Democrats are prolonging an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-2024-presidency-6fa4b6ff9382d9161d21dfc52838008f">extraordinary moment</a>&nbsp;of uncertainty and upheaval. Biden has weighty options before him this weekend that could set the direction of the country and his party as the nation heads toward the November election.It’s creating a stark juxtaposition with Republicans, who, after years of bitter and chaotic infighting over Trump, are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/republican-national-convention">energized and embracing</a>&nbsp;the former president’s far-right takeover of the GOP, despite his criminal conviction in a hush money case and pending federal criminal indictment for trying to overturn the 2020 election before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol</a>.Biden, despite a week of campaign stops, interviews and insistence that he is the best candidate to take on Trump in a rematch, hasn't been able to quell the uproar. Skeptical Democrats doubt he can keep the White House after his stumbled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/elections/2024/a-halting-biden-tries-to-confront-trump-at-debate-but-sparks-democratic-anxiety-about-his-candidacy/">debate performance</a>&nbsp;last month, and worry he will take hopes for party control of Congress down with him.On Saturday, Rep. Mark Takano, the top Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, added his name to the list of nearly three dozen Democrats in Congress who say it's time for Biden to leave the race. The Californian called on Biden to “pass the torch,” to Harris.More lawmakers are expected to speak out in the days ahead. Donors have raised concerns.“There is no joy in the recognition he should not be our nominee in November,” said Democratic Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky, one of the Democrats urging Biden’s exit from the race.From his beach home in Delaware, Biden, 81, is isolating after announcing a COVID infection, but also politically with a small circle of family and close advisers. White House doctor Kevin O’Connor said Saturday that Biden's symptoms were improving, but that he remained plagued by a dry cough and hoarseness. He received separate briefings Saturday on domestic and national security issues, the White House said.The president’s team insisted he’s ready to return to the campaign this coming week to counter what he called a “dark vision” laid out by Trump.“Together, as a party and as a country, we can and will defeat him at the ballot box,” Biden said in a statement Friday.But outside the Rehoboth enclave, the debate and passions are intensifying.Very few of the Democratic lawmakers who are agitating for Biden to leave have mentioned Harris in their statements, and some have said they favor an open nominating process that would throw the party’s endorsement behind a new candidate.A person familiar with Pelosi’s thinking said that while she is a friend and admirer of the vice president, she believes that anybody who wants to be president is better served by such a process, believing that whoever emerges as the candidate would be strengthened to win the election. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to characterize Pelosi’s thought process.Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, a Pelosi ally who has called on Biden to step aside, said Friday on MSNBC that some kind of “mini-primary” that would include Harris makes sense.Democratic Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Peter Welch of Vermont have both called for Biden to exit the race and said they would favor an open nominating process at the convention.“Having it be open would strengthen whoever is the ultimate nominee,” Welch said in an interview with The Associated Press.Other Democrats say it would be politically unthinkable to move to someone other than Harris, and logistically unworkable with a virtual nominating vote being planned for early next month, before the Democratic convention opens in Chicago on Aug. 19.Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum, who has called on Biden to step aside, explicitly endorsed Harris as a replacement.“To give Democrats a strong, viable path to winning the White House, I am calling upon President Biden to release his delegates and empower Vice-President Harris to step forward to become the Democratic nominee for President,” McCollum said in her statement.The standoff over Biden's political future has become increasingly untenable for the party and its leaders, a month from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;that should be a unifying moment to nominate their incumbent president to confront Trump. Instead, the party is at a crossroads unseen in generations.It's unclear what else, if anything, the president could do to reverse course and win back lawmakers and Democratic voters, who are wary of his ability to defeat Trump and serve another term,Biden, who sent a defiant letter to Democrats in Congress vowing to stay in the race, has yet to visit Capitol Hill to shore up support, an absence noticed by senators and representatives.The president did conduct a round of virtual conversations with various caucuses in the past week — some of which ended poorly.___Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Seung Min Kim, Farnoush Amiri and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.

Beyond Biden, Dems are split over who would be next —VP Harris or launch a 'mini primary'

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp; A Kansas man is going to prison for a violent sex assault of a child.

This week, Judge Bruce Brown sentenced 21-year-old Jacob DeLeon to over 48-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County district attorney's office. 

In January, DeLeon pleased guilty two counts of rape. The crimes occurred in June 2021 involving a victim under the age of 14, according to Sedgwick County arrest records.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625607024507.png" alt="Jacob Anton DeLeon -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Jacob Anton DeLeon -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp; A Kansas man is going to prison for a violent sex assault of a child.This week, Judge Bruce Brown sentenced 21-year-old Jacob DeLeon to over 48-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County district attorney's office. In January, DeLeon pleased guilty two counts of rape. The crimes occurred in June 2021 involving a victim under the age of 14, according to Sedgwick County arrest records.&nbsp;&nbsp;.&nbsp;

Prison for Kansas man who admitted to violent child sex assault

BUTLER COUNTY —El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) inmate Blade A. Floyd, 24, died Thursday, July 18, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 Floyd was found unresponsive in his cell. Staff and EMS administered life-saving measures but were unable to revive him. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

Floyd was serving a 96-month sentence for three counts of burglary, two counts of attempted aggravated burglary, and drug possession based on convictions in Wilson County, Kansas.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721421738385.png" alt="Floyd-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Floyd-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) inmate Blade A. Floyd, 24, died Thursday, July 18, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. Floyd was found unresponsive in his cell. Staff and EMS administered life-saving measures but were unable to revive him. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.Floyd was serving a 96-month sentence for three counts of burglary, two counts of attempted aggravated burglary, and drug possession based on convictions in Wilson County, Kansas.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

Kansas inmate serving time for burglary found dead in his cell

NEW YORK— One week after&nbsp;a gunman's attempt to assassinate&nbsp;former&nbsp;President Donald Trump&nbsp;at a Pennsylvania rally, the public has an update on his health.

On Saturday, Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, who was Donald Trump's White House physician, &nbsp;released a report that details&nbsp;the extent of his injuries, what treatment the Republican presidential nominee received in the hospital, and whether there may be any long-term effects on his health.

Trump's campaign had earlier refused to discuss his condition, release a medical report or records, or make the doctors who treated him available, leaving information to dribble out from Trump, his friends and family.

The first word on Trump's condition came about half an hour after shots rang out and Trump dropped to the ground after reaching for his ear and then pumped his fist defiantly to the crowd with blood streaming down his face. The campaign issued a statement saying he was “fine" and “being checked out at a local medical facility.”

“More details will follow,” his spokesperson said.

It wasn't until 8:42 p.m., however, that Trump told the public he had been struck by a bullet as opposed to shrapnel or debris. In a post on his social media network, Trump wrote that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part” of his right ear.

“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” he wrote..

Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention this past week with a bandage over his right ear.&nbsp;

Dr. Jackson who served as Trump's White House doctor and traveled to be with him after the shooting, said in a podcast interview Monday that Trump was missing part of his ear — “a little bit at the top" — but that the wound would heal.

“He was lucky," Jackson said on “The Benny Show,” a conservative podcast hosted by Benny Johnson. ”It was far enough away from his head that there was no concussive effects from the bullet. And it just took the top of his ear off, a little bit of the top of his ear off as it passed through."

He said that the area would need to be treated with care to avoid further bleeding — “It's not like a clean laceration like you would have with a knife or a blade, it's a bullet track going by," he said — but that Trump is "not going to need anything to be done with it. It's going to be fine.”

&nbsp;Trump is holding his first public campaign since he survived the attempted assassination, returning to the battleground state of Michigan alongside his new running mate JD Vance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721353012709.png" alt="Trump at the RNC Thursday night-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Trump at the RNC Thursday night-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK— One week after&nbsp;a gunman's attempt to assassinate&nbsp;former&nbsp;President Donald Trump&nbsp;at a Pennsylvania rally, the public has an update on his health.On Saturday, Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, who was Donald Trump's White House physician, &nbsp;released a report that details&nbsp;the extent of his injuries, what treatment the Republican presidential nominee received in the hospital, and whether there may be any long-term effects on his health.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721510068404.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trump's campaign had earlier refused to discuss his condition, release a medical report or records, or make the doctors who treated him available, leaving information to dribble out from Trump, his friends and family.The first word on Trump's condition came about half an hour after shots rang out and Trump dropped to the ground after reaching for his ear and then pumped his fist defiantly to the crowd with blood streaming down his face. The campaign issued a statement saying he was “fine" and “being checked out at a local medical facility.”“More details will follow,” his spokesperson said.It wasn't until 8:42 p.m., however, that Trump told the public he had been struck by a bullet as opposed to shrapnel or debris. In a post on his social media network, Trump wrote that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part” of his right ear.“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” he wrote..Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention this past week with a bandage over his right ear.&nbsp;Dr. Jackson who served as Trump's White House doctor and traveled to be with him after the shooting, said in a podcast interview Monday that Trump was missing part of his ear — “a little bit at the top" — but that the wound would heal.“He was lucky," Jackson said on “The Benny Show,” a conservative podcast hosted by Benny Johnson. ”It was far enough away from his head that there was no concussive effects from the bullet. And it just took the top of his ear off, a little bit of the top of his ear off as it passed through."He said that the area would need to be treated with care to avoid further bleeding — “It's not like a clean laceration like you would have with a knife or a blade, it's a bullet track going by," he said — but that Trump is "not going to need anything to be done with it. It's going to be fine.”&nbsp;Trump is holding his first public campaign since he survived the attempted assassination, returning to the battleground state of Michigan alongside his new running mate JD Vance.

Trump releases doctor report following assassination attempt

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A jury has convicted a Kansas man in the deadly shooting of a teen in 2023.

According to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office, 25-year-old Rico Brown of Valley Center is guilty of first degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Elrecus Nolan, Jr. of Wichita.

Just before 10:30pm. July 3, 2023,&nbsp; police were dispatched to shots fired call at the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Ellis Street in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Police learned that a witness heard several gunshots before he noticed a silver 2002 Ford Taurus slowly rolling westbound on Mt. Vernon and striking the curb before stopping on the sidewalk.

First responders located Nolan unconscious and not breathing with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. Nolan was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Three days later, police arrested 21-year-old Dougqualynn Patterson and 21-year-old Kameron Solomon both from Wichita in connection with the killing.&nbsp; They captured Brown five days after the crime.

Brown will be sentenced on August 28, according to the district attorney's office. Patterson is scheduled for a hearing on August 15.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688845147553.png" alt="Brown-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Brown-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A jury has convicted a Kansas man in the deadly shooting of a teen in 2023.According to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office, 25-year-old Rico Brown of Valley Center is guilty of first degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Elrecus Nolan, Jr. of Wichita.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688508501373.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation late Monday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation late Monday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 10:30pm. July 3, 2023,&nbsp; police were dispatched to shots fired call at the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Ellis Street in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688743977576.png" alt="Patterson photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Patterson photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police learned that a witness heard several gunshots before he noticed a silver 2002 Ford Taurus slowly rolling westbound on Mt. Vernon and striking the curb before stopping on the sidewalk.First responders located Nolan unconscious and not breathing with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. Nolan was pronounced deceased at the scene.Three days later, police arrested 21-year-old Dougqualynn Patterson and 21-year-old Kameron Solomon both from Wichita in connection with the killing.&nbsp; They captured Brown five days after the crime.Brown will be sentenced on August 28, according to the district attorney's office. Patterson is scheduled for a hearing on August 15.

Jury: Man guilty in the murder of 16-year-old Kansas boy

KANSAS CITY (AP) —At least two people have died and more than two dozen were hospitalized in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning linked to meat sliced at grocery store deli counters, federal health officials&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeats-7-24/index.html" target="_blank">said Friday.</a>

At least 28 people in a dozen states have gotten sick, though the largest number, seven, were in New York, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The people who died were from Illinois and New Jersey. Samples were collected from May 29 to July 5 and so far, all of the people known to be part of the outbreak have been hospitalized.

Many of the people in the outbreak reported eating meats that were sliced at grocery store deli counters. So far, there’s no information showing that people are getting sick from prepackaged deli meats, the CDC said. People most commonly reported eating deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst and ham, officials said. CDC doesn’t have enough information to say which deli meats are the source of the outbreak.

Listeria infections typically cause fever, muscle aches and tiredness and may cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Symptoms can occur quickly or to up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food. The infections are especially dangerous for people older than 65, those with weakened immune systems and pregnant people, who can have miscarriages. This outbreak includes people aged 32 to 94, with a median age of 75. One pregnant person got sick, but retained the pregnancy, officials said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721435824473.png" alt="This map shows where the 28 people in this Listeria outbreak lived. This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria." />
 <figcaption>This map shows where the 28 people in this Listeria outbreak lived. This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —At least two people have died and more than two dozen were hospitalized in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning linked to meat sliced at grocery store deli counters, federal health officials&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeats-7-24/index.html" target="_blank">said Friday.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721435735887.png" alt="FILE - This 2002 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a Listeria monocytogenes bacterium, responsible for the food borne illness listeriosis. (Elizabeth White/CDC via AP, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - This 2002 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a Listeria monocytogenes bacterium, responsible for the food borne illness listeriosis. (Elizabeth White/CDC via AP, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>At least 28 people in a dozen states have gotten sick, though the largest number, seven, were in New York, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The people who died were from Illinois and New Jersey. Samples were collected from May 29 to July 5 and so far, all of the people known to be part of the outbreak have been hospitalized.Many of the people in the outbreak reported eating meats that were sliced at grocery store deli counters. So far, there’s no information showing that people are getting sick from prepackaged deli meats, the CDC said. People most commonly reported eating deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst and ham, officials said. CDC doesn’t have enough information to say which deli meats are the source of the outbreak.Listeria infections typically cause fever, muscle aches and tiredness and may cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Symptoms can occur quickly or to up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food. The infections are especially dangerous for people older than 65, those with weakened immune systems and pregnant people, who can have miscarriages. This outbreak includes people aged 32 to 94, with a median age of 75. One pregnant person got sick, but retained the pregnancy, officials said.

Deaths linked to listeria food poisoning from meat sliced at deli counters

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal domestic incident and have made an arrest.

Just before 6a.m. Friday, police responded to the 1300 Block of SW Western Avenue in Topeka on the report of a Domestic Disturbance, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

First responders found&nbsp; Dedra L. Simmons, 38, of Topeka, suffering from life threatening injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Another individual believed to be involved in the incident was taken into custody and transported to the Law Enforcement Center to speak with Detectives.

&nbsp;As a result of the investigation, Demetris Gadson, 32, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of&nbsp;Murder in the 2 nd Degree, Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree, Aggravated Domestic Battery and Cruelty to Animals.

This death is the city’s 10th homicide of 2024, according to Connell.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721475537869.png" alt="Gadson photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Gadson photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal domestic incident and have made an arrest.Just before 6a.m. Friday, police responded to the 1300 Block of SW Western Avenue in Topeka on the report of a Domestic Disturbance, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721435399295.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders found&nbsp; Dedra L. Simmons, 38, of Topeka, suffering from life threatening injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.Another individual believed to be involved in the incident was taken into custody and transported to the Law Enforcement Center to speak with Detectives.&nbsp;As a result of the investigation, Demetris Gadson, 32, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of&nbsp;Murder in the 2 nd Degree, Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree, Aggravated Domestic Battery and Cruelty to Animals.This death is the city’s 10th homicide of 2024, according to Connell.

Police make arrest ID woman who died after assault at Kan. home

WASHINGTON— President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling Wednesday in Las Vegas. On Saturday, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the president's physician, provided an update on Biden's recovery.

The president's diagnosis comes amid intense scrutiny of his health and stamina after a disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump that sparked a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-poll-drop-out-debate-democrats-59eebaca6989985c2bfbf4f72bdfa112">flurry of concern</a>&nbsp;among Democrats that Biden is not up to the rigors of winning another presidential term.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721330377104.png" alt="Biden gingerly boarded Air Force One on his return home-image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Biden gingerly boarded Air Force One on his return home-image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling Wednesday in Las Vegas. On Saturday, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the president's physician, provided an update on Biden's recovery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721499656652.png" alt="Biden " />
 <figcaption>Biden </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721330819270.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The president's diagnosis comes amid intense scrutiny of his health and stamina after a disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump that sparked a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-poll-drop-out-debate-democrats-59eebaca6989985c2bfbf4f72bdfa112">flurry of concern</a>&nbsp;among Democrats that Biden is not up to the rigors of winning another presidential term.

Read doctor's Saturday update on Biden's COVID recovery

JOHNSON COUNTY —Earlier this month,&nbsp;&nbsp;members of the Lenexa Police Department's Directed Patrol Unit were patrolling hotels in the area of 95th Street and I-35 highway in Lenexa, according to a social media report.

 Officers contacted an individual from out of state parked at one of the hotels and began conversing with him. Through an investigation officers discovered nearly 2000 retail gift cards that had been altered illegally. Scammers often alter gift cards in such a way that an unsuspecting victim has the money drained remotely by the suspect.

Officers took the individual into custody and he has since been charged by the Johnson County District Attorney's Office with Destroying a Written Instrument, which is a felony.

The Lenexa Police Department's Directed Patrol Unit is tasked with a variety of different response actions and proactive enforcement, including narcotics, firearms crimes, prostitution/vice, human trafficking, pattern crimes, and more.

Police did not release the suspect's name.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721163082845.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Earlier this month,&nbsp;&nbsp;members of the Lenexa Police Department's Directed Patrol Unit were patrolling hotels in the area of 95th Street and I-35 highway in Lenexa, according to a social media report. Officers contacted an individual from out of state parked at one of the hotels and began conversing with him. Through an investigation officers discovered nearly 2000 retail gift cards that had been altered illegally. Scammers often alter gift cards in such a way that an unsuspecting victim has the money drained remotely by the suspect.Officers took the individual into custody and he has since been charged by the Johnson County District Attorney's Office with Destroying a Written Instrument, which is a felony.The Lenexa Police Department's Directed Patrol Unit is tasked with a variety of different response actions and proactive enforcement, including narcotics, firearms crimes, prostitution/vice, human trafficking, pattern crimes, and more.Police did not release the suspect's name.

Kansas officers discover 2,000 altered retail gift cards

NEW YORK —Former U.S. President Donald&nbsp; Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone call Friday regarding the ongoing War with Russia and the possibility of Future Peace Negotiations. 

On his social media page, Trump wrote, " President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and I had a very good phone call earlier today. He congratulated me on a very successful Republican National Convention and becoming the Republican nominee for President of the United States."

"He condemned the heinous assassination attempt last Saturday and remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of Unity during these times"

"I appreciate President Zelenskyy for reaching out because I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families. Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity."

According to Zelenskyy' social media account of the call, "I spoke with Donald Trump&nbsp;to congratulate him on the Republican nomination and condemn the shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania."

"I wished him strength and absolute safety in the future.

I noted the vital bipartisan and bicameral American support for protecting our nation's freedom and independence.
 
Ukraine will always be grateful to the United States for its help in strengthening our ability to resist Russian terror. Russian attacks on our cities and villages continue every day.

We agreed with President Trump to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714052496496.png" alt="File photo Donald Trump courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Donald Trump courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK —Former U.S. President Donald&nbsp; Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone call Friday regarding the ongoing War with Russia and the possibility of Future Peace Negotiations. On his social media page, Trump wrote, " President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and I had a very good phone call earlier today. He congratulated me on a very successful Republican National Convention and becoming the Republican nominee for President of the United States.""He condemned the heinous assassination attempt last Saturday and remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of Unity during these times""I appreciate President Zelenskyy for reaching out because I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families. Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity."According to Zelenskyy' social media account of the call, "I spoke with Donald Trump&nbsp;to congratulate him on the Republican nomination and condemn the shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.""I wished him strength and absolute safety in the future.

I noted the vital bipartisan and bicameral American support for protecting our nation's freedom and independence.
 
Ukraine will always be grateful to the United States for its help in strengthening our ability to resist Russian terror. Russian attacks on our cities and villages continue every day.

We agreed with President Trump to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting."

Trump, reports "very good phone call" from Ukraine President 

WASHINGTON (AP) —Longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, who helped lead federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence and recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday, has died. She was 74.

Lillie Conley, her chief of staff, confirmed that Jackson Lee, who had pancreatic cancer, died in Houston Friday night with her family around her.

The Democrat had represented her Houston-based district and the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1995. She had previously had breast cancer and announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sheila-jackson-lee-texas-cancer-b8da6eeca46ea9b8ad05b5ba03679e1d">pancreatic cancer diagnosis</a>&nbsp;on June 2.

“The road ahead will not be easy, but I stand in faith that God will strengthen me,” Jackson Lee said in a statement then.

Bishop James Dixon, a longtime friend in Houston who visited Jackson Lee earlier this week, said he will remember her as a fighter.

“She was just a rare, rare jewel of a person who relentlessly gave everything she had to make sure others had what they needed. That was Sheila,” he said.

Jackson Lee had just been elected to the Houston district once represented by Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman elected to Congress from a Southern state since Reconstruction, when she was immediately placed on the high-profile House Judiciary Committee in 1995.

“They just saw me, I guess through my profile, through Barbara Jordan’s work,” Jackson Lee told the Houston Chronicle in 2022. “I thought it was an honor because they assumed I was going to be the person they needed.”

Jackson Lee quickly established herself as fierce advocate for women and minorities, and a leader for House Democrats on many social justice issues, from policing reform to reparations for descendants of enslaved people. She led the first rewrite of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/congress-edc7fb5f3bc0261cdbe7a29c50ec7c8e">Violence Against Women Act</a>&nbsp;in nearly a decade, which included protections for Native American, transgender and immigrant women.

Jackson Lee was also among the lead lawmakers behind the effort in 2021 to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-holidays-juneteenth-lifestyle-f8648a23f2f6bdb2db3d648458828651">Juneteenth</a>&nbsp;recognized as the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established in 1986. The holiday marks the day in 1865 that the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom.

A native of Queens, New York, Jackson Lee graduated from Yale and earned her law degree at the University of Virginia. She was a judge in Houston before she was elected to Houston City Council in 1989, then ran for Congress in 1994. She was an advocate for gay rights and an early opponent of the Iraq War in 2003.

Top congressional Democrats reacted quickly to the news Friday night, praising her commitment and work ethic.

Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina called her “a tenacious advocate for civil rights and a tireless fighter, improving the lives of her constituents.”

Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said he had never known a harder-working lawmaker than Jackson Lee, saying she "studied every bill and every amendment with exactitude and then told Texas and America exactly where she stood.”

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California cited Jackson Lee’s “relentless determination” in getting Juneteenth declared a national holiday.

“As a powerful voice in the Congress for our Constitution and human rights, she fought tirelessly to advance fairness, equity and justice for all," Pelosi said.

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he and his wife Cecilia will always remember Jackson Lee, calling her a “tireless advocate for the people of Houston.”

“Her legacy of public service and dedication to Texas will live on,” he said.

Jackson Lee routinely won reelection to Congress with ease. The few times she faced a challenger, she never carried less than two-thirds of the vote. Jackson Lee considered leaving Congress in 2023 in a bid to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-houston-mayor-jackson-lee-whitmire-e3915f48429986359f51c92ab3eba9f4">become Houston’s first female Black mayor</a>&nbsp;but was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-mayor-election-runoff-2023-jackson-whitmire-ddbc4819f5aba2f5a59c56a18ba7078a">defeated in a runoff</a>. She then easily won the Democratic nomination for the 2024 general election.

During the mayoral campaign, Jackson Lee expressed regret and said “everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect” following the release of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-houston-mayor-jackson-lee-recording-21a6c108d82cf1cb72999bd0e0295145">unverified audio recording</a>&nbsp;purported to be of the lawmaker berating staff members.

In 2019, Jackson Lee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4a012d2d4a7b419a89c8a63cfaf9607b">stepped down</a>&nbsp;from two leadership positions on the House Judiciary Committee and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the fundraising of the Congressional Black Caucus, following a lawsuit from a former employee who said her sexual assault complaint was mishandled.

In a statement, Jackson Lee's family said she had been a beloved wife, sister, mother and grandmother known as Bebe.

“She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy," the statement said. “God bless you Congresswoman and God bless the United States of America.”

Associated Press writer Lou Kesten contributed to this story from Washington.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721477048488.png" alt="U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, who helped lead federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence and recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday, has died. She was 74.Lillie Conley, her chief of staff, confirmed that Jackson Lee, who had pancreatic cancer, died in Houston Friday night with her family around her.The Democrat had represented her Houston-based district and the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1995. She had previously had breast cancer and announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sheila-jackson-lee-texas-cancer-b8da6eeca46ea9b8ad05b5ba03679e1d">pancreatic cancer diagnosis</a>&nbsp;on June 2.“The road ahead will not be easy, but I stand in faith that God will strengthen me,” Jackson Lee said in a statement then.Bishop James Dixon, a longtime friend in Houston who visited Jackson Lee earlier this week, said he will remember her as a fighter.“She was just a rare, rare jewel of a person who relentlessly gave everything she had to make sure others had what they needed. That was Sheila,” he said.Jackson Lee had just been elected to the Houston district once represented by Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman elected to Congress from a Southern state since Reconstruction, when she was immediately placed on the high-profile House Judiciary Committee in 1995.“They just saw me, I guess through my profile, through Barbara Jordan’s work,” Jackson Lee told the Houston Chronicle in 2022. “I thought it was an honor because they assumed I was going to be the person they needed.”Jackson Lee quickly established herself as fierce advocate for women and minorities, and a leader for House Democrats on many social justice issues, from policing reform to reparations for descendants of enslaved people. She led the first rewrite of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/congress-edc7fb5f3bc0261cdbe7a29c50ec7c8e">Violence Against Women Act</a>&nbsp;in nearly a decade, which included protections for Native American, transgender and immigrant women.Jackson Lee was also among the lead lawmakers behind the effort in 2021 to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-holidays-juneteenth-lifestyle-f8648a23f2f6bdb2db3d648458828651">Juneteenth</a>&nbsp;recognized as the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established in 1986. The holiday marks the day in 1865 that the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom.A native of Queens, New York, Jackson Lee graduated from Yale and earned her law degree at the University of Virginia. She was a judge in Houston before she was elected to Houston City Council in 1989, then ran for Congress in 1994. She was an advocate for gay rights and an early opponent of the Iraq War in 2003.Top congressional Democrats reacted quickly to the news Friday night, praising her commitment and work ethic.Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina called her “a tenacious advocate for civil rights and a tireless fighter, improving the lives of her constituents.”Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said he had never known a harder-working lawmaker than Jackson Lee, saying she "studied every bill and every amendment with exactitude and then told Texas and America exactly where she stood.”Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California cited Jackson Lee’s “relentless determination” in getting Juneteenth declared a national holiday.“As a powerful voice in the Congress for our Constitution and human rights, she fought tirelessly to advance fairness, equity and justice for all," Pelosi said.Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he and his wife Cecilia will always remember Jackson Lee, calling her a “tireless advocate for the people of Houston.”“Her legacy of public service and dedication to Texas will live on,” he said.Jackson Lee routinely won reelection to Congress with ease. The few times she faced a challenger, she never carried less than two-thirds of the vote. Jackson Lee considered leaving Congress in 2023 in a bid to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-houston-mayor-jackson-lee-whitmire-e3915f48429986359f51c92ab3eba9f4">become Houston’s first female Black mayor</a>&nbsp;but was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-mayor-election-runoff-2023-jackson-whitmire-ddbc4819f5aba2f5a59c56a18ba7078a">defeated in a runoff</a>. She then easily won the Democratic nomination for the 2024 general election.During the mayoral campaign, Jackson Lee expressed regret and said “everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect” following the release of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-houston-mayor-jackson-lee-recording-21a6c108d82cf1cb72999bd0e0295145">unverified audio recording</a>&nbsp;purported to be of the lawmaker berating staff members.In 2019, Jackson Lee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4a012d2d4a7b419a89c8a63cfaf9607b">stepped down</a>&nbsp;from two leadership positions on the House Judiciary Committee and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the fundraising of the Congressional Black Caucus, following a lawsuit from a former employee who said her sexual assault complaint was mishandled.In a statement, Jackson Lee's family said she had been a beloved wife, sister, mother and grandmother known as Bebe.“She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy," the statement said. “God bless you Congresswoman and God bless the United States of America.”___Associated Press writer Lou Kesten contributed to this story from Washington.

Longtime US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has died

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Friday in Kansas City.

A motorcycle was westbound on Parvin Road, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino,&nbsp; A car was eastbound and turning left onto Belmont Ave when the motorcycle struck the passenger front fender. The motorcyclist was ejected and transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased, according to DiMartino.

The driver of the car was uninjured and not impaired. The roadway was closed for approximately 2 hours.&nbsp; The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, according to DiMartino.

This is fatality #52 compared to #47 at this time last year in KCMO.

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Friday in Kansas City.A motorcycle was westbound on Parvin Road, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino,&nbsp; A car was eastbound and turning left onto Belmont Ave when the motorcycle struck the passenger front fender. The motorcyclist was ejected and transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased, according to DiMartino.The driver of the car was uninjured and not impaired. The roadway was closed for approximately 2 hours.&nbsp; The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, according to DiMartino.This is fatality #52 compared to #47 at this time last year in KCMO.

KCPD: Motorcyclist dies after crash with a car

<a href="https://innocenceproject.org/sandra-hemme-free-after-43-years/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR15-vbiv-LIzzLi86J_LNTG-rsUzyGP4cNUPu9WDcqtvRk7wml85ZA9iKU_aem_vAKWKpZ-vhcseb3al8Y-hw">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;the statement from Ms. Hemme’s legal team.

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. (AP) — A woman whose murder conviction was overturned after she served&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-sandra-hemme-conviction-overturned-killing-3cb4c9ae74b2e95cb076636d52453228">43 years of a life sentence</a>&nbsp;was released Friday, despite attempts in the last month by Missouri’s attorney general to keep her behind bars.

Sandra Hemme, 64, left a prison in Chillicothe, hours after a judge threatened to hold the attorney general’s office in contempt if they continued to fight against her release. She reunited with her family at a nearby park, where she hugged her sister, daughter and granddaughter.

“You were just a baby when your mom sent me a picture of you,” she said. “You looked just like your mamma when you were little and you still look like her.”

Her granddaughter laughed. “I get that a lot.”

Hemme had been the longest-held wrongly incarcerated woman known in the U.S., according to her legal team at the Innocence Project. The judge originally ruled on June 14 that Hemme’s attorneys had established “clear and convincing evidence” of “actual innocence” and he overturned her conviction. But Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey fought her release in the courts.

“It was too easy to convict an innocent person and way harder than it should have been to get her out, even to the point of court orders being ignored,” her attorney Sean O’Brien said. “It shouldn’t be this hard to free an innocent person.”

During a court hearing Friday, Judge Ryan Horsman said that if Hemme wasn’t released within hours, Bailey himself would have to appear in court Tuesday morning. He threatened to hold the attorney general's office in contempt.

He also scolded Bailey’s office for calling the warden and telling prison officials not to release Hemme after he ordered her to be freed in her own recognizance. “I would suggest you never do that,” Horsman said, adding: “To call someone and tell them to disregard a court order is wrong.”

Hemme declined to address reporters after she was released. O'Brien said she was going straight to the side of her father, who was hospitalized with kidney failure and recently moved to palliative care. ”This has been a long time coming," he said of her release.

O'Brien said previously that delays had caused their family “irreparable harm and emotional distress.”

“She’s going to need help,” he said, noting she won’t be eligible for social security because she has been incarcerated for so long.

Over the last month, a circuit judge, an appellate court and the Missouri Supreme Court all agreed Hemme should be released, but she was still held behind bars, leaving her lawyers and legal experts puzzled.

“I’ve never seen it,” said Michael Wolff, a former Missouri Supreme Court judge and professor and dean emeritus of Saint Louis University Law School. “Once the courts have spoken, the courts should be obeyed.”

The lone holdup to freedom came from the attorney general, who filed court motions seeking to force her to serve additional years for decades-old prison assault cases. The warden at the Chillicothe Correctional Center initially declined to let Hemme go, based on Bailey's actions.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-sandra-hemme-conviction-overturned-killing-82e6f4b98905df1386352a33ac82cf14">Horsman ruled on June 14</a>&nbsp;that “the totality of the evidence supports a finding of actual innocence.” A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-sandra-hemme-conviction-overturned-killing-0aa17f2a099f5e6a37dcbd0f543558f3">state appeals court ruled</a>&nbsp;on July 8 that Hemme should be set free while it continued to review the case. The Missouri Supreme Court on Thursday declined to undo the lower court rulings that allowed her to be released on her own recognizance and placed with her sister and brother-in-law.

Bailey, a Republican facing opposition in the Aug. 6 primary election, responded with another request late Thursday, asking the Circuit Court to reconsider.

Hemme was serving a life sentence at the Chillicothe Correctional Center for the 1980 stabbing death of library worker Patricia Jeschke in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Hemme's immediate freedom was complicated by sentences she received for crimes committed while behind bars. She received a 10-year sentence in 1996 for attacking a prison worker with a razor blade, and a two-year sentence in 1984 for “offering to commit violence.” Bailey had argued that Hemme represents a safety risk to herself and others and that she should start serving those sentences now.

Her attorneys countered that keeping her incarcerated any longer would be a “draconian outcome.”

Peter Joy, a law professor at the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, said the effort to keep Hemme in prison was “a shock to the conscience of any decent human being,” since evidence strongly suggests she didn’t commit the crime.

Bailey's office did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Friday.

Bailey, who was appointed attorney general after Eric Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022, has a history of opposing overturning convictions, even when local prosecutors cite evidence of actual innocence.

Horsman,&nbsp;<a href="https://innocenceproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Hemme-Judgment-23LVCC00008.pdf">after an extensive review</a>, concluded in June that Hemme was heavily sedated and in a “malleable mental state” when investigators repeatedly questioned her in a psychiatric hospital after the killing. Her attorneys described her ultimate confession as “often monosyllabic responses to leading questions.” Other than the confession, no evidence linked her to the crime, her trial prosecutor said.

The St. Joseph Police Department, meanwhile, ignored evidence pointing to Michael Holman — a fellow officer, who died in 2015 — and the prosecution wasn’t told about FBI results that could have cleared Hemme, so it was never disclosed before her trials, the judge found.

Evidence presented to Horsman showed that Holman’s pickup truck was seen outside Jeschke’s apartment, that he tried to use her credit card, and that her earrings were found in his home.

Horsman, in his report, called Hemme “the victim of a manifest injustice.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721436949388.png" alt="Sandra Hemme walks out of prison after 43 years-photo courtesy The Innocence Project " />
 <figcaption>Sandra Hemme walks out of prison after 43 years-photo courtesy The Innocence Project </figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and JIM SALTER<a href="https://innocenceproject.org/sandra-hemme-free-after-43-years/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR15-vbiv-LIzzLi86J_LNTG-rsUzyGP4cNUPu9WDcqtvRk7wml85ZA9iKU_aem_vAKWKpZ-vhcseb3al8Y-hw">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;the statement from Ms. Hemme’s legal team.CHILLICOTHE, Mo. (AP) — A woman whose murder conviction was overturned after she served&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-sandra-hemme-conviction-overturned-killing-3cb4c9ae74b2e95cb076636d52453228">43 years of a life sentence</a>&nbsp;was released Friday, despite attempts in the last month by Missouri’s attorney general to keep her behind bars.Sandra Hemme, 64, left a prison in Chillicothe, hours after a judge threatened to hold the attorney general’s office in contempt if they continued to fight against her release. She reunited with her family at a nearby park, where she hugged her sister, daughter and granddaughter.“You were just a baby when your mom sent me a picture of you,” she said. “You looked just like your mamma when you were little and you still look like her.”Her granddaughter laughed. “I get that a lot.”Hemme had been the longest-held wrongly incarcerated woman known in the U.S., according to her legal team at the Innocence Project. The judge originally ruled on June 14 that Hemme’s attorneys had established “clear and convincing evidence” of “actual innocence” and he overturned her conviction. But Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey fought her release in the courts.“It was too easy to convict an innocent person and way harder than it should have been to get her out, even to the point of court orders being ignored,” her attorney Sean O’Brien said. “It shouldn’t be this hard to free an innocent person.”During a court hearing Friday, Judge Ryan Horsman said that if Hemme wasn’t released within hours, Bailey himself would have to appear in court Tuesday morning. He threatened to hold the attorney general's office in contempt.He also scolded Bailey’s office for calling the warden and telling prison officials not to release Hemme after he ordered her to be freed in her own recognizance. “I would suggest you never do that,” Horsman said, adding: “To call someone and tell them to disregard a court order is wrong.”Hemme declined to address reporters after she was released. O'Brien said she was going straight to the side of her father, who was hospitalized with kidney failure and recently moved to palliative care. ”This has been a long time coming," he said of her release.O'Brien said previously that delays had caused their family “irreparable harm and emotional distress.”There are still struggles ahead.“She’s going to need help,” he said, noting she won’t be eligible for social security because she has been incarcerated for so long.Over the last month, a circuit judge, an appellate court and the Missouri Supreme Court all agreed Hemme should be released, but she was still held behind bars, leaving her lawyers and legal experts puzzled.“I’ve never seen it,” said Michael Wolff, a former Missouri Supreme Court judge and professor and dean emeritus of Saint Louis University Law School. “Once the courts have spoken, the courts should be obeyed.”The lone holdup to freedom came from the attorney general, who filed court motions seeking to force her to serve additional years for decades-old prison assault cases. The warden at the Chillicothe Correctional Center initially declined to let Hemme go, based on Bailey's actions.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-sandra-hemme-conviction-overturned-killing-82e6f4b98905df1386352a33ac82cf14">Horsman ruled on June 14</a>&nbsp;that “the totality of the evidence supports a finding of actual innocence.” A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-sandra-hemme-conviction-overturned-killing-0aa17f2a099f5e6a37dcbd0f543558f3">state appeals court ruled</a>&nbsp;on July 8 that Hemme should be set free while it continued to review the case. The Missouri Supreme Court on Thursday declined to undo the lower court rulings that allowed her to be released on her own recognizance and placed with her sister and brother-in-law.Bailey, a Republican facing opposition in the Aug. 6 primary election, responded with another request late Thursday, asking the Circuit Court to reconsider.Hemme was serving a life sentence at the Chillicothe Correctional Center for the 1980 stabbing death of library worker Patricia Jeschke in St. Joseph, Missouri.Hemme's immediate freedom was complicated by sentences she received for crimes committed while behind bars. She received a 10-year sentence in 1996 for attacking a prison worker with a razor blade, and a two-year sentence in 1984 for “offering to commit violence.” Bailey had argued that Hemme represents a safety risk to herself and others and that she should start serving those sentences now.Her attorneys countered that keeping her incarcerated any longer would be a “draconian outcome.”Some legal experts agreed.Peter Joy, a law professor at the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, said the effort to keep Hemme in prison was “a shock to the conscience of any decent human being,” since evidence strongly suggests she didn’t commit the crime.Bailey's office did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Friday.Bailey, who was appointed attorney general after Eric Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022, has a history of opposing overturning convictions, even when local prosecutors cite evidence of actual innocence.Horsman,&nbsp;<a href="https://innocenceproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Hemme-Judgment-23LVCC00008.pdf">after an extensive review</a>, concluded in June that Hemme was heavily sedated and in a “malleable mental state” when investigators repeatedly questioned her in a psychiatric hospital after the killing. Her attorneys described her ultimate confession as “often monosyllabic responses to leading questions.” Other than the confession, no evidence linked her to the crime, her trial prosecutor said.The St. Joseph Police Department, meanwhile, ignored evidence pointing to Michael Holman — a fellow officer, who died in 2015 — and the prosecution wasn’t told about FBI results that could have cleared Hemme, so it was never disclosed before her trials, the judge found.Evidence presented to Horsman showed that Holman’s pickup truck was seen outside Jeschke’s apartment, that he tried to use her credit card, and that her earrings were found in his home.Horsman, in his report, called Hemme “the victim of a manifest injustice.”

Longest-held wrongly incarcerated woman known in the U.S. is free

By NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss told Hutch Post that his Rural Mainstreet survey is still showing weakness in the economy for this part of the country.

"This is a survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of 10 states, including Kansas, right down the middle, mid-section of the country," Goss said. "The overall rating for July was not good. In fact, this is the lowest that we've recorded this year, and it's certainly down from this time last year. And what we're seeing is just the rural Main Street economy, driven a lot by agriculture and energy, just not holding up very well."

You can see this in layoffs at implement manufacturers across the Midwest.

"Farm equipment sales, as reported by the banks,bank CEOs, are down for the 12th straight month," Goss said. "Of course, you look at John Deere, which has some fairly significant layoffs in Iowa, particularly, and other firms that are linked to agriculture. Farmers are struggling because of high interest rates and lower agricultural commodity prices. Likewise, exports are not holding up very well. In fact, we're down from this time, same time last year. That's having some negative impacts. So all in all, it has not been good. And the USDA isprojecting 2024 farm income is going to be down from 2023."

It may not get better for quite some time.

"We have a confidence index which tracks the economic outlook six months out," Goss said. "That's not good. Again, we're talking about high borrowing costs for the farmer. We're talking about weather related issues. We're talking about agricultural commodity prices, for example, corn around $4 a bushel depends on where you're selling it and what time frame you're looking at, but that's below break even for a lot of the farmers out there in the region."

Over half of rural main street bankers see a recession as the greatest risk for the region over the next 12 months.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719955316264.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostCreighton University economist Ernie Goss told Hutch Post that his Rural Mainstreet survey is still showing weakness in the economy for this part of the country."This is a survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of 10 states, including Kansas, right down the middle, mid-section of the country," Goss said. "The overall rating for July was not good. In fact, this is the lowest that we've recorded this year, and it's certainly down from this time last year. And what we're seeing is just the rural Main Street economy, driven a lot by agriculture and energy, just not holding up very well."You can see this in layoffs at implement manufacturers across the Midwest."Farm equipment sales, as reported by the banks,bank CEOs, are down for the 12th straight month," Goss said. "Of course, you look at John Deere, which has some fairly significant layoffs in Iowa, particularly, and other firms that are linked to agriculture. Farmers are struggling because of high interest rates and lower agricultural commodity prices. Likewise, exports are not holding up very well. In fact, we're down from this time, same time last year. That's having some negative impacts. So all in all, it has not been good. And the USDA isprojecting 2024 farm income is going to be down from 2023."It may not get better for quite some time."We have a confidence index which tracks the economic outlook six months out," Goss said. "That's not good. Again, we're talking about high borrowing costs for the farmer. We're talking about weather related issues. We're talking about agricultural commodity prices, for example, corn around $4 a bushel depends on where you're selling it and what time frame you're looking at, but that's below break even for a lot of the farmers out there in the region."Over half of rural main street bankers see a recession as the greatest risk for the region over the next 12 months.

Economist: Economy weak across Midwest

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays city commissioners said no Thursday to the Ellis County Historical Society's request for doubled city funding in 2025.

In an appearance before the commission last month, executive director Amanda Rupp presented the group's request, one of nine nonprofit groups asking for city funds.

The historical society requested $42,272, slightly more than double the amount it was allotted in 2024.

Although each of the commissioners expressed praise for the historical society's progress in improving the deteriorating museum building at 100 W. Seventh and increasing self-generated funding, they were most supportive of the CARE Council asking for $180,000, an increase of $10,000 from last year.

"As our community grows, there's always going to be other issues," said Mayor Shaun Musil, "and with inflation, people on the lower end of the earnings scale have more requests to the CARE Council.

"It's not a lot more that they're asking for to fulfill those needs. It's broken into many different groups."

The social service groups funded in part by the CARE Council are ACCESS Transportation, First Call for Help, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hays Senior Center, Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center,&nbsp; Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, CASA of the High Plains, Cancer Council, and Western Kansas Association for Concerns of the Disabled.

Concern was also expressed about city sales tax collections being slightly down this year.&nbsp;

"I think it makes all of us a little nervous that sales tax was down, although not significantly," said Alaina Cunningham, city commissioner. "But it still affects the budget and makes us stay within our means."&nbsp;

City staff expects sales taxes to rebound 2% next year over the 2024 projections. The city's general fund is primarily financed with the local sales tax.&nbsp;

Commissioners will review the 2025 draft budget at their next work session. The public hearing will be Sept. 12.

City growth through new housing and business developments also took steps forward during the work session.

The final plat and rezoning of the property located at 27th and Main will be voted on at the next meeting. 

The lot was originally purchased to be the site of a future police station. However, an agreement with Astra Bank was reached to convert their existing building, 1100 Fort, into the new Hays police station and municipal court facility. In return, Astra Bank will move its operations to 27th and Main and develop the property to include residential multi-family housing and a neighborhood shopping district.

The property will have access along Fort Street, Main Street, and 27th, as well as from the planned extension of 26th Street through the center of the development.&nbsp;

Also to be voted on next week is the approval of the final plat for the Depot Addition near 10th and Walnut.&nbsp;

Hays developer Michael Graham has proposed the development of a multi-family apartment complex on the city-owned property, which is the site of the former train depot.

The Grove multi-use housing development north of HaysMed on Canterbury Drive will also be moving forward.

The property is owned by Grow Hays and has been annexed, rezoned and platted.

The planned development of the retiree-focused project will be approved next week, the final step before infrastructure bids can be taken. Design is underway, and construction of the community/senior center/daycare facility will start late this summer.&nbsp;

A groundbreaking for the new Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center&nbsp;occurred last week.&nbsp;

Preliminary housing plans include 12 six-plex structures, eight duplexes, and 50 single-family homes.

The development will also extend the city’s multiuse path network by constructing a one-mile connector from the juncture of 22nd Street and the existing HaysMed path, north to the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.&nbsp;

A public hearing is expected to be set for Sept. 12 to establish a reinvestment housing incentive district requested by Grow Hays. The developer has proposed that the city finance and construct the project infrastructure. The incentive district revenues would be derived from incremental property tax revenues collected on the project site.&nbsp;

In other business, commissioners agreed to move on to next week:

•&nbsp;Charter ordinance allowing the city to issue general obligation bonds to finance projects in its capital improvements plan by simple adoption of a resolution&nbsp; • Nuisance abatements for 1700 Marshall Road and 515 E. 11th

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721403992534.jpeg" alt="Hays city commissioners and City Manager Toby Dougherty (left) discuss proposed outside agency funding in the 2025 budget during the July 18 work session. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays city commissioners and City Manager Toby Dougherty (left) discuss proposed outside agency funding in the 2025 budget during the July 18 work session. Photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostHays city commissioners said no Thursday to the Ellis County Historical Society's request for doubled city funding in 2025.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721397889281.png" alt="Recent City of Hays funding for non-profit groups and pending requests for 2025. The Ellis County Historical Society and the CARE Council were the only agencies to ask for more money over last year. City of Hays&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Recent City of Hays funding for non-profit groups and pending requests for 2025. The Ellis County Historical Society and the CARE Council were the only agencies to ask for more money over last year. City of Hays&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>In an appearance before the commission last month, executive director Amanda Rupp presented the group's request, one of nine nonprofit groups asking for city funds.The historical society requested $42,272, slightly more than double the amount it was allotted in 2024.Although each of the commissioners expressed praise for the historical society's progress in improving the deteriorating museum building at 100 W. Seventh and increasing self-generated funding, they were most supportive of the CARE Council asking for $180,000, an increase of $10,000 from last year."As our community grows, there's always going to be other issues," said Mayor Shaun Musil, "and with inflation, people on the lower end of the earnings scale have more requests to the CARE Council."It's not a lot more that they're asking for to fulfill those needs. It's broken into many different groups."The social service groups funded in part by the CARE Council are ACCESS Transportation, First Call for Help, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hays Senior Center, Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center,&nbsp; Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, CASA of the High Plains, Cancer Council, and Western Kansas Association for Concerns of the Disabled.Concern was also expressed about city sales tax collections being slightly down this year.&nbsp;"I think it makes all of us a little nervous that sales tax was down, although not significantly," said Alaina Cunningham, city commissioner. "But it still affects the budget and makes us stay within our means."&nbsp;City staff expects sales taxes to rebound 2% next year over the 2024 projections. The city's general fund is primarily financed with the local sales tax.&nbsp;Commissioners will review the 2025 draft budget at their next work session. The public hearing will be Sept. 12.City growth through new housing and business developments also took steps forward during the work session.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721406520997.png" alt="City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>The final plat and rezoning of the property located at 27th and Main will be voted on at the next meeting. The lot was originally purchased to be the site of a future police station. However, an agreement with Astra Bank was reached to convert their existing building, 1100 Fort, into the new Hays police station and municipal court facility. In return, Astra Bank will move its operations to 27th and Main and develop the property to include residential multi-family housing and a neighborhood shopping district.The property will have access along Fort Street, Main Street, and 27th, as well as from the planned extension of 26th Street through the center of the development.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721406862631.png" alt="Depot Addition near 10th and Walnut. City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>Depot Addition near 10th and Walnut. City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>Also to be voted on next week is the approval of the final plat for the Depot Addition near 10th and Walnut.&nbsp;Hays developer Michael Graham has proposed the development of a multi-family apartment complex on the city-owned property, which is the site of the former train depot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719410122678.png" alt="The Grove planned development. City of Hays" />
 <figcaption>The Grove planned development. City of Hays</figcaption>
 </figure>The Grove multi-use housing development north of HaysMed on Canterbury Drive will also be moving forward.The property is owned by Grow Hays and has been annexed, rezoned and platted.The planned development of the retiree-focused project will be approved next week, the final step before infrastructure bids can be taken. Design is underway, and construction of the community/senior center/daycare facility will start late this summer.&nbsp;A groundbreaking for the new Bob and Pat Schmidt Community Center&nbsp;occurred last week.&nbsp;Preliminary housing plans include 12 six-plex structures, eight duplexes, and 50 single-family homes.The development will also extend the city’s multiuse path network by constructing a one-mile connector from the juncture of 22nd Street and the existing HaysMed path, north to the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.&nbsp;A public hearing is expected to be set for Sept. 12 to establish a reinvestment housing incentive district requested by Grow Hays. The developer has proposed that the city finance and construct the project infrastructure. The incentive district revenues would be derived from incremental property tax revenues collected on the project site.&nbsp;In other business, commissioners agreed to move on to next week:•&nbsp;Charter ordinance allowing the city to issue general obligation bonds to finance projects in its capital improvements plan by simple adoption of a resolution&nbsp; • Nuisance abatements for 1700 Marshall Road and 515 E. 11th

🎤Hays Commission says no to Ellis Co. Historical Society increased funding request 

Biggest IT outage in history continues causing worldwide disruptions

ATCHISON—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged criminal damage after an explosion at a home in Atchison.

At 8:30p.m. on Monday, police responded to the 1700 block Chestnut to investigate a report of an explosion, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721399961717.png" alt="Berning-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Berning-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged criminal damage after an explosion at a home in Atchison.At 8:30p.m. on Monday, police responded to the 1700 block Chestnut to investigate a report of an explosion, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.When officers arrived at the home., police was determined that there had been a dispute outside the residence that included a 56-year-old woman who lived at the home and 34-year-old Kevin L. Berning of Atchison who had arrived in a truck. During the disturbance Berning took a wooden trunk from his truck and threw it on the porch of the residence while the woman was standing nearby. It is believed that Berning had placed some type of explosive device inside the trunk before throwing it on the porch. The trunk exploded, damaging items on the porch including a mailbox, a chair, a flower pot, and a door. No one was injured. Berning had left the area before officers arrived. Police took him into custody on Thursday morning on requested charges of&nbsp;aggravated assault, arson, and criminal damage to property, according to Wilson.