REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) —“There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” Biden said. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”

The president said “everybody must condemn” the attack, he is relieved that Trump is reportedly “doing well” and he hopes to speak with his 2024 presidential rival soon.

Biden said he was waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an attempted assassination. “I have an opinion, but i don’t have any facts,” he told reporters, pledging to provide updates as he learns more.

The president also pledged to update the public later on whether they speak as well as additional details about the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720911723876.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) —“There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” Biden said. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden Statement Following Shooting at Trump Rally: &quot;I have tried to get a hold of Donald. He&#39;s with his doctors. Apparently he is doing well. I plan on talking to him shortly, I hope...There&#39;s no place in America for this kind of violence. It&#39;s sick.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/nDCoXiA8Cj">pic.twitter.com/nDCoXiA8Cj</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1812282482881941750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The president said “everybody must condemn” the attack, he is relieved that Trump is reportedly “doing well” and he hopes to speak with his 2024 presidential rival soon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720915939919.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Biden said he was waiting for additional information before formally calling the attack an attempted assassination. “I have an opinion, but i don’t have any facts,” he told reporters, pledging to provide updates as he learns more.The president also pledged to update the public later on whether they speak as well as additional details about the investigation.

🎥Biden comments on apparent assassination attempt of Trump

NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Simmons, television's hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better, died Saturday. He turned 76 on Friday.

Los Angeles police and fire departments say they responded to a Los Angeles house where a man was declared dead from natural causes. Neither provided a name, but The Associated Press matched the address and age to Simmons through public records.

TMZ was first to report his death, which has also been reported by other outlets citing unnamed Simmons representatives.

Simmons, who had revealed a skin diagnosis in March 2024, had lately dropped out of sight, sparking speculating about his health and well-being.

Simmons was a former 268-pound teen who shared his hard-won weight-loss tips as host of the Emmy-winning daytime "Richard Simmons Show," author of best-selling books and the diet plan Deal-A-Meal, as well as opening exercise studios and starring in millions of exercise videos, including the successful “Sweatin' to the Oldies” line.

"My food plan and diet are just two words — common sense. With a dash of good humor,” he told The Associated Press in 1982. "I want to help people and make the world a healthier, happy place."

Simmons embraced mass communication to get his message out, even as he eventually became the butt of jokes for his outfits and flamboyant flair. He was a guest on TV shows led by Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas and Phil Donahue. But David Letterman would prank him and Howard Stern would tease him until he cried. He was mocked in Neil Simon’s "The Goodbye Girl" on Broadway in 1993, and Eddie Murphy put on white makeup and dressed like him in "The Nutty Professor," screaming “I’m a pony!”

Asked if he thought he could motivate people by being silly, Simmons answered, "I think there's a time to be serious and a time to be silly. It's knowing when to do it. I try to have a nice combination. Being silly cures depression. It catches people off guard and makes them think. But in between that silliness is a lot of seriousness that makes sense. It's a different kind of training."

Simmons’ daytime show was seen on 200 stations in America, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan and South America. His first book, "Never Say Diet," was a smash best seller.

He was known to counsel the severely obese, including Rosalie Bradford, who held records for being the world's heaviest woman, and Michael Hebranko, who credited Simmons for helping him lose 700 pounds. Simmons put real people — chubby, balding or non-telegenic — in his exercise videos to make the fitness goals seem reachable.

Throughout his career, Simmons was a reliable critic of fad diets, always emphasizing healthy eating and exercise plans. "There'll always be some weird thing about eating four grapes before you go to bed, or drinking a special tea, or buying this little bean from El Salvador," he told the AP in 2005 as the Atkins diet craze swept the country. "If you watch your portions and you have a good attitude and you work out every day you'll live longer, feel better and look terrific."

Simmons was a native of New Orleans, a chubby boy named Milton by his parents. (He renamed himself “Richard” around the age of 10 to improve his self-image). He would tell people he ate to excess because he believed his parents liked his older brother more. He was teased by schoolmates and ballooned to almost 200 pounds.

Simmons told the AP his mother watched exercise guru Jack LaLanne's TV show religiously when he was growing up, but he wasn't crazy about the fitness fanatic. "I hated him," Simmons said. "I wasn't ready for his message because he was fit and he was healthy and he had such a positive attitude, and I was none of those things."

Simmons went to Italy as a foreign exchange student and ended up doing peanut butter commercials and bacchanalian eating scenes for director Federico Fellini in his film "Fellini Satyricon." He told the AP: "I was fat, had curly hair. The Italians thought I was hysterical. I was the life of the party."

His life changed after getting an anonymous letter. "One dark, rainy day I went to my car and found a note. It said, 'Dear Richard, you're very funny, but fat people die young. Please don't die." He was so stunned that he went on the starvation diet that left him thin but very ill.

After the crash diet he gained back 65 pounds. Eventually, he was able to devise a sensible plan to take off the pounds and keep them off. "I went into the business because I couldn't find anything I liked," he said.

When Simmons hadn’t been seen in public for several years, some news outlets speculated that he was being held hostage in his own house. In telephone interviews with “Entertainment Tonight” and the “Today” show, Simmons refuted the claims and told his fans he was enjoying the time by himself. Filmmaker-writer Dan Taberski, one of his regular students, launched a podcast in 2017 called “Missing Richard Simmons.”

In 2022, Simmons broke his six-year silence, with his spokesperson telling The New York Post that the beloved fitness icon was “living the life he has chosen.”

___ Mark Kennedy is at&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits">http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits</a>

Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio and Andrew Dalton contributed from Los Angeles.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720905406055.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Simmons, television's hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better, died Saturday. He turned 76 on Friday.Los Angeles police and fire departments say they responded to a Los Angeles house where a man was declared dead from natural causes. Neither provided a name, but The Associated Press matched the address and age to Simmons through public records.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday. Love, Richard&mdash; Richard Simmons (@TheWeightSaint) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheWeightSaint/status/1811857432001544349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>TMZ was first to report his death, which has also been reported by other outlets citing unnamed Simmons representatives.Simmons, who had revealed a skin diagnosis in March 2024, had lately dropped out of sight, sparking speculating about his health and well-being.Simmons was a former 268-pound teen who shared his hard-won weight-loss tips as host of the Emmy-winning daytime "Richard Simmons Show," author of best-selling books and the diet plan Deal-A-Meal, as well as opening exercise studios and starring in millions of exercise videos, including the successful “Sweatin' to the Oldies” line."My food plan and diet are just two words — common sense. With a dash of good humor,” he told The Associated Press in 1982. "I want to help people and make the world a healthier, happy place."Simmons embraced mass communication to get his message out, even as he eventually became the butt of jokes for his outfits and flamboyant flair. He was a guest on TV shows led by Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas and Phil Donahue. But David Letterman would prank him and Howard Stern would tease him until he cried. He was mocked in Neil Simon’s "The Goodbye Girl" on Broadway in 1993, and Eddie Murphy put on white makeup and dressed like him in "The Nutty Professor," screaming “I’m a pony!”Asked if he thought he could motivate people by being silly, Simmons answered, "I think there's a time to be serious and a time to be silly. It's knowing when to do it. I try to have a nice combination. Being silly cures depression. It catches people off guard and makes them think. But in between that silliness is a lot of seriousness that makes sense. It's a different kind of training."Simmons’ daytime show was seen on 200 stations in America, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan and South America. His first book, "Never Say Diet," was a smash best seller.He was known to counsel the severely obese, including Rosalie Bradford, who held records for being the world's heaviest woman, and Michael Hebranko, who credited Simmons for helping him lose 700 pounds. Simmons put real people — chubby, balding or non-telegenic — in his exercise videos to make the fitness goals seem reachable.Throughout his career, Simmons was a reliable critic of fad diets, always emphasizing healthy eating and exercise plans. "There'll always be some weird thing about eating four grapes before you go to bed, or drinking a special tea, or buying this little bean from El Salvador," he told the AP in 2005 as the Atkins diet craze swept the country. "If you watch your portions and you have a good attitude and you work out every day you'll live longer, feel better and look terrific."Simmons was a native of New Orleans, a chubby boy named Milton by his parents. (He renamed himself “Richard” around the age of 10 to improve his self-image). He would tell people he ate to excess because he believed his parents liked his older brother more. He was teased by schoolmates and ballooned to almost 200 pounds.Simmons told the AP his mother watched exercise guru Jack LaLanne's TV show religiously when he was growing up, but he wasn't crazy about the fitness fanatic. "I hated him," Simmons said. "I wasn't ready for his message because he was fit and he was healthy and he had such a positive attitude, and I was none of those things."Simmons went to Italy as a foreign exchange student and ended up doing peanut butter commercials and bacchanalian eating scenes for director Federico Fellini in his film "Fellini Satyricon." He told the AP: "I was fat, had curly hair. The Italians thought I was hysterical. I was the life of the party."His life changed after getting an anonymous letter. "One dark, rainy day I went to my car and found a note. It said, 'Dear Richard, you're very funny, but fat people die young. Please don't die." He was so stunned that he went on the starvation diet that left him thin but very ill.After the crash diet he gained back 65 pounds. Eventually, he was able to devise a sensible plan to take off the pounds and keep them off. "I went into the business because I couldn't find anything I liked," he said.When Simmons hadn’t been seen in public for several years, some news outlets speculated that he was being held hostage in his own house. In telephone interviews with “Entertainment Tonight” and the “Today” show, Simmons refuted the claims and told his fans he was enjoying the time by himself. Filmmaker-writer Dan Taberski, one of his regular students, launched a podcast in 2017 called “Missing Richard Simmons.”In 2022, Simmons broke his six-year silence, with his spokesperson telling The New York Post that the beloved fitness icon was “living the life he has chosen.”___ Mark Kennedy is at&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits">http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits</a>___Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio and Andrew Dalton contributed from Los Angeles.

Fitness guru Richard Simmons dead at 76

Case launched by Trump-era prosecutors based on bogus claims of spying for China

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

TOPEKA — The U.S. District Court of Appeals reversed Friday the false-statement conviction of a former University of Kansas tenured professor and brought to an end deconstruction of the federal government’s prosecution of the chemical engineering researcher who concealed his relationship with Fuzhou University in China.

Feng Tao, who was involved with federally funded research, was originally charged in 2019 with 10 crimes by the U.S. Department of Justice. The case was brought under the President Donald Trump administration’s now-defunct “China Initiative” in which alleged spies in U.S. research and industry fields were accused of espionage. It was launched in 2018, but terminated in 2022 due to assertions it operated on false evidence provided by the FBI and amounted to racial profiling of Chinese American citizens and people with Chinese ancestry.

In Tao’s case, he was accused of failing to disclose on a KU form his association with the Chinese university. In 2022, a jury found him guilty on three wire-fraud counts and one false-statement count, but acquitted him on four counts.

A U.S. District Court judge decided after the trial to acquit Tao on the wire-fraud charges, leaving only the false-statement conviction. The judge said the government failed to prove Tao engaged in a fraudulent scheme to deprive KU, the National Science Foundation or the U.S. Department of Energy of money or property.

In 2023, Tao was sentenced to time served. On the remaining false-statement verdict, Tao appealed. The three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals reversed that conviction and ordered the district court to enter a judgment of acquittal.

U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Nancy Moritz, who is a former member of the Kansas Supreme Court, wrote in the majority opinion that the government didn’t prove Tao’s false statement was material to any decision by the Department of Energy or the National Science Foundation.

The court’s 2-1 majority said research funding decisions by these agencies were made prior to Tao’s presentation of the form concealing his ties to the Chinese university. Additionally, the appellate court found no evidence Tao’s relationship with Fuzhou University created a disclosable financial interest under NSF policy.

“We agree with Tao that the government offered insufficient evidence for a rational jury to find that his statement to his employer was material to any DOE or NSF decisions,” Moritz said. “We reverse Tao’s conviction.”

In 2019, the Justice Department had relied on information provided by one of Tao’s former colleagues — a visiting scholar at KU angry with Tao amid an authorship dispute. The colleague had demanded $300,000 from Tao or she would tell the FBI that Tao was a spy.

Rebuffed by Tao, the Court of Appeals decision says, the former colleague submitted an anonymous tip to the FBI accusing Tao of espionage. The same person later impersonated others to make additional allegations, the document said.

The FBI investigation found no evidence of espionage involving Tao. However, the FBI concluded Tao had potentially accepted a second full-time job at Fuzhou University and hid that information from KU. He was charged with making false statements and wire fraud based on contents of email traffic related to the possibility he would conduct research and teach in China. KU promptly banned Tao from campus in Lawrence.

U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Mary Beck Briscoe, who had served on the Kansas Court of Appeals and graduated from KU’s law school, dissented from the majority opinion. She said Tao’s failure to disclose the possibly he would contract with the Chinese university was significant even though federal research funding decisions linked to the case were made before he failed in 2018 to inform KU in writing of the association.

“This form not only required Tao to certify that his answers were ‘true, correct and complete,’ but also to report any changes to the form as soon as they became known to him,” Briscoe wrote. “I would also reject Tao’s remaining arguments for reversing his conviction or remanding for a new trial and would affirm his conviction.”

Tao was born in China and earned an undergraduate degree at Chongqing Normal University. His doctorate in physical chemistry was completed at Princeton University. He conducted postdoctoral research at University of California at Berkeley.

He was a Miller associate professor in KU’s department of chemical and petroleum engineer from 2014 to 2019. He worked on energy chemistry, nanoscience, surface science and catalysis. He published more than 180 papers in international journals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720889489293.png" alt=" Feng Tao, a former professor at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, had his final conviction overturned by the U.S. District Court of Appeals. He was prosecuted in 2019 by the U.S. Department of Justice under a Trump-era program, now disbanded, that sought to charge alleged spies with ties to China. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Feng Tao, a former professor at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, had his final conviction overturned by the U.S. District Court of Appeals. He was prosecuted in 2019 by the U.S. Department of Justice under a Trump-era program, now disbanded, that sought to charge alleged spies with ties to China. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Case launched by Trump-era prosecutors based on bogus claims of spying for China</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The U.S. District Court of Appeals reversed Friday the false-statement conviction of a former University of Kansas tenured professor and brought to an end deconstruction of the federal government’s prosecution of the chemical engineering researcher who concealed his relationship with Fuzhou University in China.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566425403152.png" alt="Feng Tao photo University of Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Feng Tao photo University of Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>Feng Tao, who was involved with federally funded research, was originally charged in 2019 with 10 crimes by the U.S. Department of Justice. The case was brought under the President Donald Trump administration’s now-defunct “China Initiative” in which alleged spies in U.S. research and industry fields were accused of espionage. It was launched in 2018, but terminated in 2022 due to assertions it operated on false evidence provided by the FBI and amounted to racial profiling of Chinese American citizens and people with Chinese ancestry.In Tao’s case, he was accused of failing to disclose on a KU form his association with the Chinese university. In 2022, a jury found him guilty on three wire-fraud counts and one false-statement count, but acquitted him on four counts.A U.S. District Court judge decided after the trial to acquit Tao on the wire-fraud charges, leaving only the false-statement conviction. The judge said the government failed to prove Tao engaged in a fraudulent scheme to deprive KU, the National Science Foundation or the U.S. Department of Energy of money or property.In 2023, Tao was sentenced to time served. On the remaining false-statement verdict, Tao appealed. The three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals reversed that conviction and ordered the district court to enter a judgment of acquittal.U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Nancy Moritz, who is a former member of the Kansas Supreme Court, wrote in the majority opinion that the government didn’t prove Tao’s false statement was material to any decision by the Department of Energy or the National Science Foundation.The court’s 2-1 majority said research funding decisions by these agencies were made prior to Tao’s presentation of the form concealing his ties to the Chinese university. Additionally, the appellate court found no evidence Tao’s relationship with Fuzhou University created a disclosable financial interest under NSF policy.“We agree with Tao that the government offered insufficient evidence for a rational jury to find that his statement to his employer was material to any DOE or NSF decisions,” Moritz said. “We reverse Tao’s conviction.”In 2019, the Justice Department had relied on information provided by one of Tao’s former colleagues — a visiting scholar at KU angry with Tao amid an authorship dispute. The colleague had demanded $300,000 from Tao or she would tell the FBI that Tao was a spy.Rebuffed by Tao, the Court of Appeals decision says, the former colleague submitted an anonymous tip to the FBI accusing Tao of espionage. The same person later impersonated others to make additional allegations, the document said.The FBI investigation found no evidence of espionage involving Tao. However, the FBI concluded Tao had potentially accepted a second full-time job at Fuzhou University and hid that information from KU. He was charged with making false statements and wire fraud based on contents of email traffic related to the possibility he would conduct research and teach in China. KU promptly banned Tao from campus in Lawrence.U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Mary Beck Briscoe, who had served on the Kansas Court of Appeals and graduated from KU’s law school, dissented from the majority opinion. She said Tao’s failure to disclose the possibly he would contract with the Chinese university was significant even though federal research funding decisions linked to the case were made before he failed in 2018 to inform KU in writing of the association.“This form not only required Tao to certify that his answers were ‘true, correct and complete,’ but also to report any changes to the form as soon as they became known to him,” Briscoe wrote. “I would also reject Tao’s remaining arguments for reversing his conviction or remanding for a new trial and would affirm his conviction.”Tao was born in China and earned an undergraduate degree at Chongqing Normal University. His doctorate in physical chemistry was completed at Princeton University. He conducted postdoctoral research at University of California at Berkeley.He was a Miller associate professor in KU’s department of chemical and petroleum engineer from 2014 to 2019. He worked on energy chemistry, nanoscience, surface science and catalysis. He published more than 180 papers in international journals.

Federal appellate court tosses final conviction in case against former KU professor

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge in Kansas has refused to block the nationwide enforcement of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-administration-background-checks-atf-rule-70261cc0512eea8d52ef9585a9a48ab2">a Biden administration rule</a>&nbsp;requiring firearms dealers to do background checks of buyers at gun shows, leaving Texas as the only state so far where a legal challenge has succeeded.

U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse's ruling this week came in a lawsuit brought by Kansas and 19 other states, three individual gun collectors and a Wichita, Kansas-based association for collectors. They sought an order preventing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from enforcing the rule that took effect in May through the trial of their lawsuit.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-gun-show-background-checks-lawsuit-25b1d7eb7711939e73bee89838f4c318">Twenty-six states</a>&nbsp;with Republican attorneys general, gun owner groups and individual gun collectors filed three federal lawsuits in May against the Biden administration. The rule is an attempt to close a loophole allowing tens of thousands of guns to be sold every year by unlicensed dealers without checks to see whether buyers are legally prohibited from having firearms. It applies not only to gun shows but also to other places outside brick-and-mortar firearms stores.

Critics contend the new rule violates gun rights protected by the Second Amendment and that Democratic President Joe Biden's administration doesn't have the legal authority to issue it. They also argue that the rule will depress gun sales, making firearms less available to collectors and costing states tax revenues.

But Crouse, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, said in his ruling Wednesday that predictions of harm to the states, gun collectors and groups are too speculative and create doubts that they actually have grounds to sue. He said such doubts undermine their argument that they are likely to win their lawsuit — a key question for the courts in deciding whether to block a rule or law ahead of a trial.

“While they may ultimately succeed on the merits, they have failed to make a strong showing that they are substantially likely to do so,” Crouse wrote.

Crouse's ruling contrasts one from another Trump appointee in Texas before the rule took effect.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/matthew-kacsmaryk">U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk</a>&nbsp;blocked its enforcement in that state and against members of four groups, including Gun Owners of America. But Kacsmaryk didn't block it in three other states that joined Texas in its lawsuit — Louisiana, Mississippi and Utah.

Florida filed a lawsuit in federal court there, but a judge has yet to rule.

The states also sued U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, the U.S. Department of Justice and the ATF's director. The DOJ declined to comment Friday on Crouse's ruling.

Phil Journey, one of the gun collectors involved in the Kansas case, said he doesn’t know whether Crouse’s ruling will be appealed.

“I am confident the rule and perhaps the underlying statute will ultimately be voided,” Journey, a former Kansas state senator who’s now a state district court judge in Wichita, said in a text.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach also said in a statement that he expects the rule ultimately to be struck down.

“This is a very early stage in a case that is likely to continue for a long time unless President Trump is elected and immediately rescinds the rule,” Kobach said.

In the lawsuit before Crouse, Kansas was joined by Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

The lawsuit originally was filed in federal court in Arkansas, with that state also suing. But in ruling just days after the rule took effect, U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr., an appointee of former President Barack Obama, said Arkansas had no standing to sue because its argument that it could lose tax revenue was too speculative. Moody then transferred the case to Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715730270249.png" alt="File photo -Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said in a statement that he expects the rule ultimately to be struck down." />
 <figcaption>File photo -Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said in a statement that he expects the rule ultimately to be struck down.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge in Kansas has refused to block the nationwide enforcement of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-administration-background-checks-atf-rule-70261cc0512eea8d52ef9585a9a48ab2">a Biden administration rule</a>&nbsp;requiring firearms dealers to do background checks of buyers at gun shows, leaving Texas as the only state so far where a legal challenge has succeeded.U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse's ruling this week came in a lawsuit brought by Kansas and 19 other states, three individual gun collectors and a Wichita, Kansas-based association for collectors. They sought an order preventing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from enforcing the rule that took effect in May through the trial of their lawsuit.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-gun-show-background-checks-lawsuit-25b1d7eb7711939e73bee89838f4c318">Twenty-six states</a>&nbsp;with Republican attorneys general, gun owner groups and individual gun collectors filed three federal lawsuits in May against the Biden administration. The rule is an attempt to close a loophole allowing tens of thousands of guns to be sold every year by unlicensed dealers without checks to see whether buyers are legally prohibited from having firearms. It applies not only to gun shows but also to other places outside brick-and-mortar firearms stores.Critics contend the new rule violates gun rights protected by the Second Amendment and that Democratic President Joe Biden's administration doesn't have the legal authority to issue it. They also argue that the rule will depress gun sales, making firearms less available to collectors and costing states tax revenues.But Crouse, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, said in his ruling Wednesday that predictions of harm to the states, gun collectors and groups are too speculative and create doubts that they actually have grounds to sue. He said such doubts undermine their argument that they are likely to win their lawsuit — a key question for the courts in deciding whether to block a rule or law ahead of a trial.“While they may ultimately succeed on the merits, they have failed to make a strong showing that they are substantially likely to do so,” Crouse wrote.Crouse's ruling contrasts one from another Trump appointee in Texas before the rule took effect.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/matthew-kacsmaryk">U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk</a>&nbsp;blocked its enforcement in that state and against members of four groups, including Gun Owners of America. But Kacsmaryk didn't block it in three other states that joined Texas in its lawsuit — Louisiana, Mississippi and Utah.Florida filed a lawsuit in federal court there, but a judge has yet to rule.The states also sued U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, the U.S. Department of Justice and the ATF's director. The DOJ declined to comment Friday on Crouse's ruling.Phil Journey, one of the gun collectors involved in the Kansas case, said he doesn’t know whether Crouse’s ruling will be appealed.“I am confident the rule and perhaps the underlying statute will ultimately be voided,” Journey, a former Kansas state senator who’s now a state district court judge in Wichita, said in a text.Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach also said in a statement that he expects the rule ultimately to be struck down.“This is a very early stage in a case that is likely to continue for a long time unless President Trump is elected and immediately rescinds the rule,” Kobach said.In the lawsuit before Crouse, Kansas was joined by Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.The lawsuit originally was filed in federal court in Arkansas, with that state also suing. But in ruling just days after the rule took effect, U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr., an appointee of former President Barack Obama, said Arkansas had no standing to sue because its argument that it could lose tax revenue was too speculative. Moody then transferred the case to Kansas.

Judge refuses to block Biden admin. rule on gun sales in Kansas

KANSAS CITY— The owner of an Olathe, Kansas, business pleaded guilty in federal court this week to her role in a money-laundering conspiracy to transfer the proceeds of heroin and methamphetamine trafficking to Mexico. A Kansas City, Mo., woman also pleaded guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy, according to the United State's Attorneh.

Ana Lilia Leal-Martinez, 48, a citizen of Mexico residing in Overland Park, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to participating in a conspiracy to commit money laundering from May 23, 2020, to Sept. 20, 2022.

Leal-Martinez is the owner of Imagen Leal in Olathe, Kan., which offers money transfer services. By pleading guilty today, Leal-Martinez admitted that she accepted drug proceeds from co-conspirators, including Jose Jesus Sanchez-Mendez, also known as “Michoacano,” 41, a Mexican national. Those drug proceeds were then sent by wire transfer to individuals in Michoacan, Mexico.

Between Jan. 1, 2022, and June 8, 2022, Leal-Martinez sent wires totaling $83,850 to Mexico from her business in furtherance of the money-laundering conspiracy. These transfers were structured and sent under assumed names in order to avoid suspicion and detection.

Leal-Martinez, one of 44 defendants indicted in this case, was identified in 2022 after Homeland Security Investigations initiated the investigation of a drug-trafficking organization that distributed more than 335 kilograms of methamphetamine, 22 kilograms of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl, among other drugs, sourced from Mexico in the Kansas City area. Investigators identified numerous bulk cash smugglers and drug traffickers working for the drug-trafficking organization as part of the $4.7 million conspiracy.

Co-defendant Flor Gonzalez-Celestine, 54, of Kansas City, Mo., also pleaded guilty today to participating in a $4.7 million conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin from Feb. 28, 2020, to Sept. 20, 2022. Gonzalez-Celestine participated in four controlled drug buys that were monitored by law enforcement. She sold more than a kilogram of methamphetamine to a confidential informant and was observed in possession of approximately 2.2 additional kilograms of methamphetamine.

Sanchez-Mendez has pleaded guilty to his role in a continuing criminal enterprise, to his role in the drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies, and to illegally reentering the United States. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Under federal statutes, Leal-Martinez is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Gonzalez-Celestine is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.

KANSAS CITY— The owner of an Olathe, Kansas, business pleaded guilty in federal court this week to her role in a money-laundering conspiracy to transfer the proceeds of heroin and methamphetamine trafficking to Mexico. A Kansas City, Mo., woman also pleaded guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy, according to the United State's Attorneh.Ana Lilia Leal-Martinez, 48, a citizen of Mexico residing in Overland Park, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to participating in a conspiracy to commit money laundering from May 23, 2020, to Sept. 20, 2022.Leal-Martinez is the owner of Imagen Leal in Olathe, Kan., which offers money transfer services. By pleading guilty today, Leal-Martinez admitted that she accepted drug proceeds from co-conspirators, including Jose Jesus Sanchez-Mendez, also known as “Michoacano,” 41, a Mexican national. Those drug proceeds were then sent by wire transfer to individuals in Michoacan, Mexico.Between Jan. 1, 2022, and June 8, 2022, Leal-Martinez sent wires totaling $83,850 to Mexico from her business in furtherance of the money-laundering conspiracy. These transfers were structured and sent under assumed names in order to avoid suspicion and detection.Leal-Martinez, one of 44 defendants indicted in this case, was identified in 2022 after Homeland Security Investigations initiated the investigation of a drug-trafficking organization that distributed more than 335 kilograms of methamphetamine, 22 kilograms of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl, among other drugs, sourced from Mexico in the Kansas City area. Investigators identified numerous bulk cash smugglers and drug traffickers working for the drug-trafficking organization as part of the $4.7 million conspiracy.Co-defendant Flor Gonzalez-Celestine, 54, of Kansas City, Mo., also pleaded guilty today to participating in a $4.7 million conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin from Feb. 28, 2020, to Sept. 20, 2022. Gonzalez-Celestine participated in four controlled drug buys that were monitored by law enforcement. She sold more than a kilogram of methamphetamine to a confidential informant and was observed in possession of approximately 2.2 additional kilograms of methamphetamine.Sanchez-Mendez has pleaded guilty to his role in a continuing criminal enterprise, to his role in the drug-trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies, and to illegally reentering the United States. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.Under federal statutes, Leal-Martinez is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. Gonzalez-Celestine is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.

Owner of business in Kan. admits wiring drug sales cash to Mexico

LOS ANGELES (AP) —Actress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-health-country-music-c5cd1763c84b551f3294ac7826e84d37">Ashley Judd</a>&nbsp;is adding her voice to calls for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/election-biden-trump-campaign-updates-07-12-2024">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;to step aside from the presidential race following his performance in last month's debate, arguing that she worries he could lose to Republican Donald Trump in November.

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2024/07/12/replace-biden-beat-trump-election/74375107007/">opinion piece</a>&nbsp;for USA Today published on Friday, Judd called on Biden to “voluntarily, gracefully step aside” so that his party can support a “talented, robust Democrat” for the presidency. She described Biden during the debate as “incapable of countering Trump, while he, unchecked, gushed a firehose of galling lies.”

Judd, who has been an outspoken supporter for Biden and other Democrats across the country, noted the political activism that has accompanied her multi-decade Hollywood career. Her allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein helped spark the #MeToo movement.

Warning that she fears Trump “would wield the power of the presidency with unprecedented, incalculable cruelty and unfairness” if voters return him to the White House, Judd said that time is of the essence for Democrats to replace Biden with a candidate who can defeat him.

“We do not have another day for distraction or division among ourselves," she said.

Judd did not posit a possible replacement for Biden atop the ticket, and a representative did not immediately return a message seeking comment as to whom she might suggest.

Her call comes as Democrats consider whether they want Biden to remain as his party's nominee, following concerns over his age and ability to win the general election against Trump.

Earlier this week, movie star and lifelong Democrat George Clooney said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/10/opinion/joe-biden-democratic-nominee.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&amp;referringSource=articleShare&amp;sgrp=c-cb">New York Times opinion piece</a>&nbsp;that he loves Biden but the party would lose the presidential race as well as any in Congress with him as the nominee. He cited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-clooney-joe-biden-presidential-race-2024-2419c5a66aac55a5f3cda1e676e6ffde">what he characterized</a>&nbsp;as a diminished Biden during interactions around a Los Angeles fundraiser last month.

Judd&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/emhoff-ashley-judd-suicide-prevention-white-house-56fe0dfd60d27216af879d2662f3a9ba">was at the White House in April</a>&nbsp;to help the Biden administration promote its new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/programs/prevention-and-wellness/mental-health-substance-abuse/national-strategy-suicide-prevention/index.html">national strategy to prevent suicide</a>, to which she lost her mother, singer Naomi Judd, in 2022. The Biden campaign did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Ashley Judd's piece.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720800758357.png" alt="President Biden waves off a reporter as he left the stage following the press conference on Thursday night -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden waves off a reporter as he left the stage following the press conference on Thursday night -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) —Actress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-health-country-music-c5cd1763c84b551f3294ac7826e84d37">Ashley Judd</a>&nbsp;is adding her voice to calls for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/election-biden-trump-campaign-updates-07-12-2024">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;to step aside from the presidential race following his performance in last month's debate, arguing that she worries he could lose to Republican Donald Trump in November.In an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2024/07/12/replace-biden-beat-trump-election/74375107007/">opinion piece</a>&nbsp;for USA Today published on Friday, Judd called on Biden to “voluntarily, gracefully step aside” so that his party can support a “talented, robust Democrat” for the presidency. She described Biden during the debate as “incapable of countering Trump, while he, unchecked, gushed a firehose of galling lies.”Judd, who has been an outspoken supporter for Biden and other Democrats across the country, noted the political activism that has accompanied her multi-decade Hollywood career. Her allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein helped spark the #MeToo movement.Warning that she fears Trump “would wield the power of the presidency with unprecedented, incalculable cruelty and unfairness” if voters return him to the White House, Judd said that time is of the essence for Democrats to replace Biden with a candidate who can defeat him.“We do not have another day for distraction or division among ourselves," she said.Judd did not posit a possible replacement for Biden atop the ticket, and a representative did not immediately return a message seeking comment as to whom she might suggest.Her call comes as Democrats consider whether they want Biden to remain as his party's nominee, following concerns over his age and ability to win the general election against Trump.Earlier this week, movie star and lifelong Democrat George Clooney said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/10/opinion/joe-biden-democratic-nominee.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&amp;referringSource=articleShare&amp;sgrp=c-cb">New York Times opinion piece</a>&nbsp;that he loves Biden but the party would lose the presidential race as well as any in Congress with him as the nominee. He cited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-clooney-joe-biden-presidential-race-2024-2419c5a66aac55a5f3cda1e676e6ffde">what he characterized</a>&nbsp;as a diminished Biden during interactions around a Los Angeles fundraiser last month.Judd&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/emhoff-ashley-judd-suicide-prevention-white-house-56fe0dfd60d27216af879d2662f3a9ba">was at the White House in April</a>&nbsp;to help the Biden administration promote its new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/programs/prevention-and-wellness/mental-health-substance-abuse/national-strategy-suicide-prevention/index.html">national strategy to prevent suicide</a>, to which she lost her mother, singer Naomi Judd, in 2022. The Biden campaign did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Ashley Judd's piece.

Actress adds her voice to those calling on Biden to leave the race

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Wichita.

Just before 6p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4800 block of South Gordon in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.

Just after 6p.m, another 911 call reported three additional shooting victims. While en route, officers encountered an unknown man with a gunshot wound at 47th and Seneca.

Upon arrival at the 4800 block of South Gordon, officers found one victim deceased from an apparent gunshot wound and three other victims suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Ford.

 All four victims were transported to St. Francis Hospital; one with non-life-threatening injuries and three with serious injuries.

Investigators are working to determine the circumstances leading to this incident. Police were questioning one of the victims as a person on interest in the case. He is also being treated for his injuries. There was no threat to the community, and the parties involved are known to each other.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720833197351.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Wichita.Just before 6p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4800 block of South Gordon in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.Just after 6p.m, another 911 call reported three additional shooting victims. While en route, officers encountered an unknown man with a gunshot wound at 47th and Seneca.Upon arrival at the 4800 block of South Gordon, officers found one victim deceased from an apparent gunshot wound and three other victims suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Ford. All four victims were transported to St. Francis Hospital; one with non-life-threatening injuries and three with serious injuries.Investigators are working to determine the circumstances leading to this incident. Police were questioning one of the victims as a person on interest in the case. He is also being treated for his injuries. There was no threat to the community, and the parties involved are known to each other.&nbsp;

Police: 1 dead, four injured in Kansas shooting

TOPEKA — The Kansas State Board of Education plans to finalize in August parameters of a 30-member task force that would be formed to develop policy recommendations on non-academic use of cellular telephones by prekindergarten through 12th-grade students while at school.

In public and private districts across the United States, officials are limiting or banning smartphones in classrooms to minimize distractions from academic obligations and to lower stress and anxiety among students. Some schools forbid students from accessing phones throughout the day, while others deprive students of devices during class time.

“It’s going to take a concerted effort to address the amount of time our children spend on their own devices during instructional time,” said state Board of Education chair Melanie Haas of Overland Park. “We as parents and elected officials need to help our children use technology and social media in safer, more beneficial ways.”

Randy Watson, the state commissioner of education, was given the task of forming a task force that included least two state school board members, students, classroom teachers, administrators and other education representatives. He suggested the co-chairs could be a student and a principal.

He anticipated the state Board of Education would ask the task force to provide a framework for state policy or guidance for school districts to address the issue. State board members plan to determine at their August meeting boundaries for the task force. The report would be due in late 2024.

“Then I would like the task force to present their recommendations to the board by November, no later than December,” Watson said. “In addition to addressing how our children are using their digital devices for non-academic purposes while they’re in the classroom, we also need to take a hard look at the impact social media is having on children’s mental health.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720819629981.png" alt=" Melanie Haas, chair of the Kansas State Board of Education, says a task force will consider whether to recommend boundaries on non-academic use of cellphones by students in the classroom. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Melanie Haas, chair of the Kansas State Board of Education, says a task force will consider whether to recommend boundaries on non-academic use of cellphones by students in the classroom. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas State Board of Education plans to finalize in August parameters of a 30-member task force that would be formed to develop policy recommendations on non-academic use of cellular telephones by prekindergarten through 12th-grade students while at school.In public and private districts across the United States, officials are limiting or banning smartphones in classrooms to minimize distractions from academic obligations and to lower stress and anxiety among students. Some schools forbid students from accessing phones throughout the day, while others deprive students of devices during class time.“It’s going to take a concerted effort to address the amount of time our children spend on their own devices during instructional time,” said state Board of Education chair Melanie Haas of Overland Park. “We as parents and elected officials need to help our children use technology and social media in safer, more beneficial ways.”Randy Watson, the state commissioner of education, was given the task of forming a task force that included least two state school board members, students, classroom teachers, administrators and other education representatives. He suggested the co-chairs could be a student and a principal.He anticipated the state Board of Education would ask the task force to provide a framework for state policy or guidance for school districts to address the issue. State board members plan to determine at their August meeting boundaries for the task force. The report would be due in late 2024.“Then I would like the task force to present their recommendations to the board by November, no later than December,” Watson said. “In addition to addressing how our children are using their digital devices for non-academic purposes while they’re in the classroom, we also need to take a hard look at the impact social media is having on children’s mental health.”

Kan. Board of Education to study limitations on cellphone use in classrooms

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Missouri Supreme Court on Friday ruled that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-death-row-inquiry-board-state-supreme-court-0103d6047d1caa04eefbb6ef262063fb">execution plans</a>&nbsp;for Marcellus Williams will move forward, even as a prosecutor works to overturn his 1998 murder conviction.

Judges on Friday decided against halting Williams’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-death-row-hearing-marcellus-williams-ceb2b400859cd053ce8c9717dfdf07b5">execution</a>&nbsp;despite a St. Louis County court hearing set for Aug. 21 to determine whether he is innocent.

Williams was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1998 death of Lisha Gayle during a robbery of her suburban St. Louis home.

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell filed a motion in January to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-death-row-inmate-dna-evidence-0a179b0aafb1a0c0a3e144f7e3592a62">vacate</a>&nbsp;Williams’ conviction. Bell cited new DNA evidence and said he believed Williams was not involved in Gayle’s death.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-f73d1486d17a1884ff95ce84af75b00f">A 2021 Missouri law</a>&nbsp;allows prosecuting attorneys to file a motion to vacate a conviction if they believe the inmate could be innocent or was otherwise erroneously convicted. The filing prompts a hearing before a judge.

In the meantime, Williams had asked the Supreme Court to stay his execution pending the outcome of the August hearing. He faces execution Sept. 24.

Judges&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=209675">ruled</a>&nbsp;that they do not have the procedural authority to withdraw the execution order at this time.

Williams' attorney Tricia Bushnell in a statement said she's “confident that any court, when presented with all the evidence—including the DNA evidence—will come to the same conclusion as St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell: that Marcellus Williams is innocent and his conviction must be overturned.”

"There is still time to right this wrong," she said. "No one wants to see Missouri execute an innocent man.”

Bell said in a statement that his office is focused on the upcoming innocence hearing.

“While of course we would prefer that this motion before the Missouri Supreme Court had prevailed and there were no longer an execution date looming for Marcellus Williams, our focus is on the motion we filed before the 21st Judicial Circuit and the effort to have our concerns about the conviction of Mr. Williams heard in court,” Bell said.

A spokeswoman for the Missouri Attorney General's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press on Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1688086205294.png" alt="Williams photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Williams photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Missouri Supreme Court on Friday ruled that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-death-row-inquiry-board-state-supreme-court-0103d6047d1caa04eefbb6ef262063fb">execution plans</a>&nbsp;for Marcellus Williams will move forward, even as a prosecutor works to overturn his 1998 murder conviction.Judges on Friday decided against halting Williams’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-death-row-hearing-marcellus-williams-ceb2b400859cd053ce8c9717dfdf07b5">execution</a>&nbsp;despite a St. Louis County court hearing set for Aug. 21 to determine whether he is innocent.Williams was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1998 death of Lisha Gayle during a robbery of her suburban St. Louis home.St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell filed a motion in January to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-death-row-inmate-dna-evidence-0a179b0aafb1a0c0a3e144f7e3592a62">vacate</a>&nbsp;Williams’ conviction. Bell cited new DNA evidence and said he believed Williams was not involved in Gayle’s death.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-kansas-missouri-f73d1486d17a1884ff95ce84af75b00f">A 2021 Missouri law</a>&nbsp;allows prosecuting attorneys to file a motion to vacate a conviction if they believe the inmate could be innocent or was otherwise erroneously convicted. The filing prompts a hearing before a judge.In the meantime, Williams had asked the Supreme Court to stay his execution pending the outcome of the August hearing. He faces execution Sept. 24.Judges&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=209675">ruled</a>&nbsp;that they do not have the procedural authority to withdraw the execution order at this time.Williams' attorney Tricia Bushnell in a statement said she's “confident that any court, when presented with all the evidence—including the DNA evidence—will come to the same conclusion as St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell: that Marcellus Williams is innocent and his conviction must be overturned.”"There is still time to right this wrong," she said. "No one wants to see Missouri execute an innocent man.”Bell said in a statement that his office is focused on the upcoming innocence hearing.“While of course we would prefer that this motion before the Missouri Supreme Court had prevailed and there were no longer an execution date looming for Marcellus Williams, our focus is on the motion we filed before the 21st Judicial Circuit and the effort to have our concerns about the conviction of Mr. Williams heard in court,” Bell said.A spokeswoman for the Missouri Attorney General's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press on Friday.

Execution plans move forward for man convicted of killing newspaper reporter

COWLEY COUNTY —A small plane was damaged in a mishap just before 2:30p.m. Friday in Cowley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Kitfox 7 piloted by&nbsp;John Gaston&nbsp;Swofford, 60, Fort Worth, Texas, was enroute from Stol Creek Aviation in Whitewater, Kansas to a final destination at the airport in Fort Worth, Texas.

 Following a 3-point landing at Strother Field 22193 Tupper Street in Winfield, a gust of wind caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft.&nbsp; The pilot was unable to correct the aircraft and it came to a rest on the grass embankment east of the taxiway. Aircraft sustained major damage to prop and left wing.

Swofford was not injured. The NTSB and FAA will investigate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720834377356.png" alt="Strother Field 22193 Tupper Street in Winfield-Google map" />
 <figcaption>Strother Field 22193 Tupper Street in Winfield-Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —A small plane was damaged in a mishap just before 2:30p.m. Friday in Cowley County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Kitfox 7 piloted by&nbsp;John Gaston&nbsp;Swofford, 60, Fort Worth, Texas, was enroute from Stol Creek Aviation in Whitewater, Kansas to a final destination at the airport in Fort Worth, Texas. Following a 3-point landing at Strother Field 22193 Tupper Street in Winfield, a gust of wind caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft.&nbsp; The pilot was unable to correct the aircraft and it came to a rest on the grass embankment east of the taxiway. Aircraft sustained major damage to prop and left wing.Swofford was not injured. The NTSB and FAA will investigate.

Small plane suffers major damage after mishap at Kan. airport

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man accused in a deadly shooting in Wichita made his first court appearance in the case last week.

Peter McKinney, 22 of Wichita, is charged with 2nd&nbsp;degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Police also arrested McKinney's father at the scene on a requested charge of Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.&nbsp;&nbsp;More investigation is needed before further charges are filed against him, according to the district attorney's office.

Just after 11a.m. July 1, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a call reporting a shooting at the&nbsp;Rockborough apartment complex, 202 N Rock Road in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.

First responders located 25-year-old Sebastian Crawford of Wichita with a single gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Multiple other individuals, including two juveniles, were located inside the apartment. EMS transported a woman to an area hospital to be evaluated for a condition apparently unrelated to the shooting.&nbsp;No other injuries were reported.

Homicide investigators responded to the scene and worked with patrol officers to understand what led up to the shooting. According to Sedgwick County booking records, police arrested 22-year-old Peter McKinney and 50-year-old Jeffrey McKinney.

At this time, police believe that Crawford and Peter McKinney knew each other and were involved in an argument before the shooting.

Peter McKinney remains jailed on a half-million dollar bond. His next court hearing is July 15, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp; His father remains jailed on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

&nbsp;This is the 18th criminal homicide in Wichita this year, according to Ford.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719921077048.png" alt="Peter McKinney-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Peter McKinney-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man accused in a deadly shooting in Wichita made his first court appearance in the case last week. Peter McKinney, 22 of Wichita, is charged with 2nd&nbsp;degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Police also arrested McKinney's father at the scene on a requested charge of Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.&nbsp;&nbsp;More investigation is needed before further charges are filed against him, according to the district attorney's office.Just after 11a.m. July 1, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a call reporting a shooting at the&nbsp;Rockborough apartment complex, 202 N Rock Road in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719885319829.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located 25-year-old Sebastian Crawford of Wichita with a single gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.Multiple other individuals, including two juveniles, were located inside the apartment. EMS transported a woman to an area hospital to be evaluated for a condition apparently unrelated to the shooting.&nbsp;No other injuries were reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719921323757.png" alt="Jeffrey McKinney-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Jeffrey McKinney-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Homicide investigators responded to the scene and worked with patrol officers to understand what led up to the shooting. According to Sedgwick County booking records, police arrested 22-year-old Peter McKinney and 50-year-old Jeffrey McKinney.At this time, police believe that Crawford and Peter McKinney knew each other and were involved in an argument before the shooting.Peter McKinney remains jailed on a half-million dollar bond. His next court hearing is July 15, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp; His father remains jailed on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.&nbsp;This is the 18th criminal homicide in Wichita this year, according to Ford.

Father, son remain jailed after Kan. apartment complex killing

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge on Friday brought a sudden and stunning end to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prop-gun-shooting-entertainment-shootings-movies-santa-fe-4a8e63727b0824d7a402f731b6ec54ea">involuntary manslaughter case</a>&nbsp;against Alec Baldwin, dismissing it in the middle of the actor's trial and saying it cannot be filed again.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case based on the misconduct of police and prosecutors over the withholding of evidence from the defense in the 2021 shooting of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alec-baldwin-trial-rust-movie-shooting-2867079fbe45d9edb73f6c58d5b313e7">cinematographer Halyna Hutchins</a>&nbsp;on the set of the film “Rust.”

Baldwin cried, hugged his two attorneys, gestured to the front of the court, then turned to hug his crying wife Hilaria, the mother of seven of his eight children, holding the embrace for 12 seconds. He climbed into an SUV outside the Santa Fe courthouse without speaking to media.

“The late discovery of this evidence during trial has impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings,” Marlowe Sommer said. “If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith it certainly comes so near to bad faith to show signs of scorching.”

The decision ends the criminal culpability of the 66-year-old Baldwin after a nearly three-year saga that began when a revolver he was pointing at Hutchins during a rehearsal went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.

The career of the “Hunt for Red October” and “30 Rock” star and frequent “Saturday Night Live” host — who has been a household name for more than three decades — had been put into doubt, and he could have gotten 18 months in prison if convicted.

He and other producers still face civil lawsuits from Hutchins' parents and sister.

Sommer put a pause on the trial earlier Friday while she considered the defense motion to dismiss the case over ammunition evidence they say prosecutors hid from them that may have been related to the shooting on the set of the Western “Rust” in 2021. The defense said they should have had the ability to determine its importance.

The prosecution said that the ammunition was not connected to the case and was not hidden.

The issue emerged Thursday on the second day of the actor’s trial during defense questioning of sheriff’s crime scene technician Marissa Poppell. Baldwin lawyer Alex Spiro asked whether a “good Samaritan” had come into the sheriff’s office with the ammunition earlier this year at the end of the trial of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alec-baldwin-trial-rust-movie-shooting-2867079fbe45d9edb73f6c58d5b313e7">Hannah Gutierrez-Reed</a>, the film’s armorer, for her role in Hutchins’ death. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison on an involuntary manslaughter conviction, which she is now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/armorer-appeals-conviction-alec-baldwin-shooting-8de3805214440508dbc2d325f0b559c4">appealing</a>.

The evidence was not put into the same file as the rest of the “Rust” case, and was not presented to Baldwin's defense team when they examined the ballistics evidence in April.

The man who supplied ammunition was a close friend of Gutierrez-Reed's father, movie armorer Thell Reed. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey argued that the move from the men was part of an attempt by Reed to shift blame away from his daughter.

“This is a wild goose chase that has no evidentiary value whatsoever,” Morrissey told the judge Friday. “This is just a man trying to protect his daughter.”

The case's other special prosecutor, Erlinda Ocampo Johnson, resigned from the case earlier Friday. Spiro asked whether she had resigned based on the evidence issues being discussed. Morrissey said she believed it was over the holding of the public hearing itself.

Speaking outside the courthouse doors, Morrissey said she respects the judge’s decision but that there was no reason to believe the undisclosed evidence in question was related to the set of “Rust.”

“The importance of the evidence was misconstrued by the defense attorneys,” she said. “We did everything humanly possible to bring justice to Halyna and to her family and we’re proud of the work we did."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720822837599.jpeg" alt="Hilaria Baldwin speaks to her husband, actor Alec Baldwin, during his trial for involuntary manslaughter for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the Western movie "Rust," Friday, July 12, 2024, at Santa Fe County District Court in Santa Fe, N.M. (Ramsay de Give/Pool Photo via AP)" />
 <figcaption>Hilaria Baldwin speaks to her husband, actor Alec Baldwin, during his trial for involuntary manslaughter for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the Western movie "Rust," Friday, July 12, 2024, at Santa Fe County District Court in Santa Fe, N.M. (Ramsay de Give/Pool Photo via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge on Friday brought a sudden and stunning end to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prop-gun-shooting-entertainment-shootings-movies-santa-fe-4a8e63727b0824d7a402f731b6ec54ea">involuntary manslaughter case</a>&nbsp;against Alec Baldwin, dismissing it in the middle of the actor's trial and saying it cannot be filed again.Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case based on the misconduct of police and prosecutors over the withholding of evidence from the defense in the 2021 shooting of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alec-baldwin-trial-rust-movie-shooting-2867079fbe45d9edb73f6c58d5b313e7">cinematographer Halyna Hutchins</a>&nbsp;on the set of the film “Rust.”Baldwin cried, hugged his two attorneys, gestured to the front of the court, then turned to hug his crying wife Hilaria, the mother of seven of his eight children, holding the embrace for 12 seconds. He climbed into an SUV outside the Santa Fe courthouse without speaking to media.“The late discovery of this evidence during trial has impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings,” Marlowe Sommer said. “If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith it certainly comes so near to bad faith to show signs of scorching.”The decision ends the criminal culpability of the 66-year-old Baldwin after a nearly three-year saga that began when a revolver he was pointing at Hutchins during a rehearsal went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.The career of the “Hunt for Red October” and “30 Rock” star and frequent “Saturday Night Live” host — who has been a household name for more than three decades — had been put into doubt, and he could have gotten 18 months in prison if convicted.He and other producers still face civil lawsuits from Hutchins' parents and sister.Sommer put a pause on the trial earlier Friday while she considered the defense motion to dismiss the case over ammunition evidence they say prosecutors hid from them that may have been related to the shooting on the set of the Western “Rust” in 2021. The defense said they should have had the ability to determine its importance.The prosecution said that the ammunition was not connected to the case and was not hidden.The issue emerged Thursday on the second day of the actor’s trial during defense questioning of sheriff’s crime scene technician Marissa Poppell. Baldwin lawyer Alex Spiro asked whether a “good Samaritan” had come into the sheriff’s office with the ammunition earlier this year at the end of the trial of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alec-baldwin-trial-rust-movie-shooting-2867079fbe45d9edb73f6c58d5b313e7">Hannah Gutierrez-Reed</a>, the film’s armorer, for her role in Hutchins’ death. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison on an involuntary manslaughter conviction, which she is now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/armorer-appeals-conviction-alec-baldwin-shooting-8de3805214440508dbc2d325f0b559c4">appealing</a>.The evidence was not put into the same file as the rest of the “Rust” case, and was not presented to Baldwin's defense team when they examined the ballistics evidence in April.The man who supplied ammunition was a close friend of Gutierrez-Reed's father, movie armorer Thell Reed. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey argued that the move from the men was part of an attempt by Reed to shift blame away from his daughter.“This is a wild goose chase that has no evidentiary value whatsoever,” Morrissey told the judge Friday. “This is just a man trying to protect his daughter.”The case's other special prosecutor, Erlinda Ocampo Johnson, resigned from the case earlier Friday. Spiro asked whether she had resigned based on the evidence issues being discussed. Morrissey said she believed it was over the holding of the public hearing itself.Speaking outside the courthouse doors, Morrissey said she respects the judge’s decision but that there was no reason to believe the undisclosed evidence in question was related to the set of “Rust.”“The importance of the evidence was misconstrued by the defense attorneys,” she said. “We did everything humanly possible to bring justice to Halyna and to her family and we’re proud of the work we did."___

Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter case dismissed; cannot be filed again

MCPHERSON COUNTY —The Marion/USD 408 activity bus caught fire returning from the Kansas Wesleyan Football Camp, just south of the rest area north of McPherson on Friday, according to a social media report from the school district.

All coaches, players and the bus driver are safe and unharmed.

USD 408 Superintendent Justin Wasmuth was traveling to pick up the team and bring them home safely. 

The district said they would&nbsp;provide more updates as soon as possible and thanked parents "for your patience and understanding."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720817182557.png" alt="Photo courtesy Kyla Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Kyla Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON COUNTY —The Marion/USD 408 activity bus caught fire returning from the Kansas Wesleyan Football Camp, just south of the rest area north of McPherson on Friday, according to a social media report from the school district.All coaches, players and the bus driver are safe and unharmed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720817619478.png" alt="The Marion football team waiting for new transportation on a hot Friday afternoon -photo courtesy Kyla Johnson" />
 <figcaption>The Marion football team waiting for new transportation on a hot Friday afternoon -photo courtesy Kyla Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>USD 408 Superintendent Justin Wasmuth was traveling to pick up the team and bring them home safely. The district said they would&nbsp;provide more updates as soon as possible and thanked parents "for your patience and understanding."

Bus fire left Kansas high school football team stranded

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement continue working to identify the body of a man found in the Arkansas River on Thursday.

Just after 4p.m., first responders were called to a location on the river near Pawnee and Broadway in south Wichita. The victim, described as possibly in his 30s, was pulled from the water and pronounced deceased.

On Friday afternoon, police investigators were still working with the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death and learn his identity, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford.

Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720813873343.png" alt="Firs responders on the scene Thursday along the Arkansas River-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Firs responders on the scene Thursday along the Arkansas River-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement continue working to identify the body of a man found in the Arkansas River on Thursday.Just after 4p.m., first responders were called to a location on the river near Pawnee and Broadway in south Wichita. The victim, described as possibly in his 30s, was pulled from the water and pronounced deceased.On Friday afternoon, police investigators were still working with the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death and learn his identity, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford.Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

Investigators working to ID body found in river in Kansas

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Thursday passed&nbsp;a measure to reverse an Education Department rule seeking to extend federal discrimination protections for LGBTQ students, though President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the legislation should it land on his desk.

House passage of the resolution on a party-line vote,&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024354?Page=2" target="_blank">210-205</a>, is part of a barrage of GOP pushback at the state and federal levels to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-betsy-devos-lead-attack-title-ix-rule-protects-lgbtq-kids" target="_blank">Biden administration’s final rule for Title IX</a>&nbsp;since its April release. For all schools that receive federal funding, the rule protects against discrimination for students based on “sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.”

Twenty-six states with GOP attorneys general have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more-half-states-sue-block-biden-title-ix-rule-protecting-lgbtq-students" target="_blank">sued to block</a>&nbsp;the rule, and courts have temporarily blocked it from going into effect in 14 states on August 1.

The 14 states with temporary blocks are: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Illinois GOP Rep. Mary Miller&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-title-ix-regulation-targeted-republicans-congress" target="_blank">introduced the legislation</a>&nbsp;in early June. A week later, the Republican-controlled House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved it. Miller’s resolution seeks to reverse the rule through the&nbsp;<a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10023" target="_blank">Congressional Review Act</a>, a procedural tool Congress can use to overturn certain actions from federal agencies.

In the Senate, Mississippi Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/96" target="_blank">also introduced legislation</a>&nbsp;in June to try to block the final rule under the same tool. The Senate version has gathered over 30 Republican cosponsors.

Rep. Virginia Foxx — chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and a fierce opponent of the administration’s final rule — said during the floor debate Wednesday that she wanted to preserve Title IX, which helped equalize funding for women’s sports and education programs beginning in 1972.

“Title IX ushered in a golden era for women’s competition and education,” the North Carolina Republican said. “There is sanctity in the community and tradition of these memories, these spaces and these opportunities for young girls.”

Regardless of whether the attempt to roll back the measure is successful in the Democratic-controlled Senate,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SAP-HJRes-165.pdf" target="_blank">Biden</a>’s veto threat leaves virtually no possibility it could be adopted this year.

Democrats, LGBTQ advocates in opposition&nbsp;

Democrats and LGBTQ advocates have described the effort to overturn the rule as motivated by misinformation and fear.

“Unfortunately, this resolution has been clouded by misinformation, unfounded fears and with some, just hatred of transgender individuals,” said Rep. Bobby Scott, a Virginia Democrat and ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, during the debate.

Oregon’s Rep. Suzanne Bonamici — ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education — said the resolution was “another attempt to undercut this administration’s efforts to empower survivors and protect all Americans from discrimination.”

“If Republicans truly cared about protecting women and children, they would stop this prejudiced rhetoric and take action on bills that would actually protect women from discrimination and harassment and defend women’s reproductive health care, make child care more affordable, preserve opportunities in workplaces for all parents, especially women,” Bonamici said.

Scott called on the House to “reject these narratives and focus on real issues of safety and equity.”

Meanwhile, challenges to the rule are playing out in a handful of federal courts.

Last week, Judge John Broomes of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas temporarily blocked the measure from taking effect in the Sunflower State, along with Alaska, Utah and Wyoming.

Broomes also halted the rule from taking effect in “the schools attended by the members of Young America’s Foundation or Female Athletes United, as well as the schools attended by the children of the members of Moms for Liberty,” all groups that sued alongside the four states, per the&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561.53.0.pdf" target="_blank">order</a>.

Under Broomes’ order, the rule is also halted in an Oklahoma public school attended by a minor who is one of the plaintiffs.

In June, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/06/13/title-ix-transgender/" target="_blank">issued a temporary injunction</a>&nbsp;barring the final rule from taking effect there, along with Idaho, Mississippi and Montana.

In Kentucky federal court, Chief Judge Danny Reeves&nbsp;<a href="https://kentuckylantern.com/2024/06/17/us-judge-in-kentucky-blocks-biden-title-ix-rules-says-sex-gender-identity-not-the-same-thing/" target="_blank">temporarily blocked the final rule</a>&nbsp;in the Bluegrass State, plus Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Virginia. Reeves rejected the department’s request for a partial stay of the injunction while its appeal plays out, per a&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801.117.0.pdf" target="_blank">Wednesday court filing</a>.

The Education Department has confirmed it is appealing the other two rulings but did not have an update Wednesday on whether it is filing a notice of appeal on the most recent ruling in the Kansas federal court.

The spokesperson reiterated earlier this week that the agency has “asked the trial courts to allow the bulk of the final rule to take effect in these states as scheduled, on August 1, while the appeals are pending.”

LGBTQ advocacy groups push back on GOP effort

Allen Morris, policy director for the advocacy group National LGBTQ Task Force, said the vote was part of a pattern of anti-LGBTQ policy measures.

“When you look at the rise in hatred and the rise in violence and the rise of young LGBTQ individuals not having the support that they need, where suicide rates are high, it is disappointing to see our opposition go against us with such a high level of intention,” he said.

Morris told States Newsroom that “a lot of what is happening with this extremism is not founded in truth.”

“It is founded in ways to spew hate and to spew fear. It is a lot of fear mongering, and it’s anything to make people feel like their backs are up against the wall, or as if they don’t have the power,” he said.

Echoing a previous statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said it “does not comment on pending legislation” and emphasized that all schools receiving federal funding are obligated to comply with the new regulations as a condition of receiving those funds.

The department has yet to finalize a separate rule establishing new criteria for transgender athletes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720781223271.png" alt=" The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)." />
 <figcaption> The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Thursday passed&nbsp;a measure to reverse an Education Department rule seeking to extend federal discrimination protections for LGBTQ students, though President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the legislation should it land on his desk.House passage of the resolution on a party-line vote,&nbsp;<a href="https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024354?Page=2" target="_blank">210-205</a>, is part of a barrage of GOP pushback at the state and federal levels to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-betsy-devos-lead-attack-title-ix-rule-protects-lgbtq-kids" target="_blank">Biden administration’s final rule for Title IX</a>&nbsp;since its April release. For all schools that receive federal funding, the rule protects against discrimination for students based on “sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.”Twenty-six states with GOP attorneys general have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more-half-states-sue-block-biden-title-ix-rule-protecting-lgbtq-students" target="_blank">sued to block</a>&nbsp;the rule, and courts have temporarily blocked it from going into effect in 14 states on August 1.The 14 states with temporary blocks are: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.Illinois GOP Rep. Mary Miller&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-title-ix-regulation-targeted-republicans-congress" target="_blank">introduced the legislation</a>&nbsp;in early June. A week later, the Republican-controlled House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved it. Miller’s resolution seeks to reverse the rule through the&nbsp;<a href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10023" target="_blank">Congressional Review Act</a>, a procedural tool Congress can use to overturn certain actions from federal agencies.In the Senate, Mississippi Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/96" target="_blank">also introduced legislation</a>&nbsp;in June to try to block the final rule under the same tool. The Senate version has gathered over 30 Republican cosponsors.Rep. Virginia Foxx — chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and a fierce opponent of the administration’s final rule — said during the floor debate Wednesday that she wanted to preserve Title IX, which helped equalize funding for women’s sports and education programs beginning in 1972.“Title IX ushered in a golden era for women’s competition and education,” the North Carolina Republican said. “There is sanctity in the community and tradition of these memories, these spaces and these opportunities for young girls.”Regardless of whether the attempt to roll back the measure is successful in the Democratic-controlled Senate,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SAP-HJRes-165.pdf" target="_blank">Biden</a>’s veto threat leaves virtually no possibility it could be adopted this year.<h2>Democrats, LGBTQ advocates in opposition&nbsp;</h2>Democrats and LGBTQ advocates have described the effort to overturn the rule as motivated by misinformation and fear.“Unfortunately, this resolution has been clouded by misinformation, unfounded fears and with some, just hatred of transgender individuals,” said Rep. Bobby Scott, a Virginia Democrat and ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, during the debate.Oregon’s Rep. Suzanne Bonamici — ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education — said the resolution was “another attempt to undercut this administration’s efforts to empower survivors and protect all Americans from discrimination.”“If Republicans truly cared about protecting women and children, they would stop this prejudiced rhetoric and take action on bills that would actually protect women from discrimination and harassment and defend women’s reproductive health care, make child care more affordable, preserve opportunities in workplaces for all parents, especially women,” Bonamici said.Scott called on the House to “reject these narratives and focus on real issues of safety and equity.”<h2>Final rule blocked in more states&nbsp;</h2>Meanwhile, challenges to the rule are playing out in a handful of federal courts.Last week, Judge John Broomes of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas temporarily blocked the measure from taking effect in the Sunflower State, along with Alaska, Utah and Wyoming.Broomes also halted the rule from taking effect in “the schools attended by the members of Young America’s Foundation or Female Athletes United, as well as the schools attended by the children of the members of Moms for Liberty,” all groups that sued alongside the four states, per the&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561.53.0.pdf" target="_blank">order</a>.Under Broomes’ order, the rule is also halted in an Oklahoma public school attended by a minor who is one of the plaintiffs.In June, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/06/13/title-ix-transgender/" target="_blank">issued a temporary injunction</a>&nbsp;barring the final rule from taking effect there, along with Idaho, Mississippi and Montana.In Kentucky federal court, Chief Judge Danny Reeves&nbsp;<a href="https://kentuckylantern.com/2024/06/17/us-judge-in-kentucky-blocks-biden-title-ix-rules-says-sex-gender-identity-not-the-same-thing/" target="_blank">temporarily blocked the final rule</a>&nbsp;in the Bluegrass State, plus Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Virginia. Reeves rejected the department’s request for a partial stay of the injunction while its appeal plays out, per a&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801/gov.uscourts.kyed.104801.117.0.pdf" target="_blank">Wednesday court filing</a>.The Education Department has confirmed it is appealing the other two rulings but did not have an update Wednesday on whether it is filing a notice of appeal on the most recent ruling in the Kansas federal court.The spokesperson reiterated earlier this week that the agency has “asked the trial courts to allow the bulk of the final rule to take effect in these states as scheduled, on August 1, while the appeals are pending.”<h2>LGBTQ advocacy groups push back on GOP effort</h2>Allen Morris, policy director for the advocacy group National LGBTQ Task Force, said the vote was part of a pattern of anti-LGBTQ policy measures.“When you look at the rise in hatred and the rise in violence and the rise of young LGBTQ individuals not having the support that they need, where suicide rates are high, it is disappointing to see our opposition go against us with such a high level of intention,” he said.Morris told States Newsroom that “a lot of what is happening with this extremism is not founded in truth.”“It is founded in ways to spew hate and to spew fear. It is a lot of fear mongering, and it’s anything to make people feel like their backs are up against the wall, or as if they don’t have the power,” he said.Echoing a previous statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said it “does not comment on pending legislation” and emphasized that all schools receiving federal funding are obligated to comply with the new regulations as a condition of receiving those funds.The department has yet to finalize a separate rule establishing new criteria for transgender athletes.

GOP plan to reverse final Title IX rule passed U.S. House, but Biden says he’d veto

By NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post

Gas prices are getting a little bit higher in Kansas, though still better than most of the country.

"Last week we saw a bit of a jump here in Kansas, up about 5 cents in the past week," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "The current average is $3.16 a gallon, but it appears that seems to have stabilized a bit because that's the same price we were at yesterday, significantly lower than the national average as usual, which is $3.53, so we're 37 cents less than the national average, and that puts us here in Kansas at 6th lowest average gas price in the nation, so overall not too bad."

Area counties are on both sides of the state average.

"We did see a bit of a jump with the holiday travel week, but also Hurricane Beryl seemed to have a slight impact on prices," Steward said. "I was looking at the prices in Texas, and they rose about 7 cents, 7 or 8 cents over the past week, and like I said, the Kansas average went up about 5 cents, so because we're relatively close to the Gulf Coast and may receive some of our fuel from that region, the impact of the hurricane on some of those production facilities may have had some sort of impact on our prices here."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694531676610.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostGas prices are getting a little bit higher in Kansas, though still better than most of the country."Last week we saw a bit of a jump here in Kansas, up about 5 cents in the past week," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "The current average is $3.16 a gallon, but it appears that seems to have stabilized a bit because that's the same price we were at yesterday, significantly lower than the national average as usual, which is $3.53, so we're 37 cents less than the national average, and that puts us here in Kansas at 6th lowest average gas price in the nation, so overall not too bad."Area counties are on both sides of the state average.Reno: $3.13McPherson: $3.06Harvey: $3.08Sedgwick: $3.34Kingman: $3.22Pratt: $3.23Stafford: $3.23Rice: $3.22"We did see a bit of a jump with the holiday travel week, but also Hurricane Beryl seemed to have a slight impact on prices," Steward said. "I was looking at the prices in Texas, and they rose about 7 cents, 7 or 8 cents over the past week, and like I said, the Kansas average went up about 5 cents, so because we're relatively close to the Gulf Coast and may receive some of our fuel from that region, the impact of the hurricane on some of those production facilities may have had some sort of impact on our prices here."Geopolitical movements appear to have slowed, though, so there isn't as much upward pressure on prices from that side. "It doesn't appear that there seems to be much movement in terms of geopolitical issues right now and its impact on oil prices," Steward said.&nbsp; "Oil prices do seem to be up a little bit from the last time we talked. I think we're in the $83 a barrel range, which is a little higher than we've seen earlier in the year, but nothing too extreme that seems to be impacting those crude oil prices right now."The Atlantic hurricane season is always worth watching when it comes to fuel prices. We'll see if any future storms come in that may make an impact in the second half of summer.