In honor of its 100th anniversary in 2025, the Junior League of Wichita has raised an extraordinary $2 million gift to fund the creation of the Water Play Cascades, a centerpiece of Exploration Place's planned outdoor expansion.

The Junior League of Wichita Water Play Cascades will offer an incredible multisensory learning experience promoting teamwork and collaboration. Many of the pumps and water wheels must be activated by children and adults working together to achieve their full effect, providing an engaging and educational environment for visitors of all ages.

Designed by Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects and Fluidity Design Consultants using equipment manufactured by Richter Spielgerate, the Water Play Cascades will be part of Exploration Place's “destination playscape” – a $25 million project spanning 6.5 acres and comprising 10 beautifully landscaped individual playgrounds.

“We are thrilled to celebrate our centennial by giving this extraordinary gift to the community,” said Ami Schlader, president of the League. “The Water Play Cascades exemplify our commitment to advancing women's leadership and fostering meaningful community impact through collaborative action.”

Longtime Junior League of Wichita members Cindy Carnahan and Lynn Ward led the fundraising campaign. The $2 million gift is comprised of donations from more than 200 individuals and other entities to date.

“We deeply appreciate this exceptional investment by Junior League of Wichita,” said Adam Smith, Exploration Place's president and CEO. “We know how popular water play is from our indoor exhibits, and we can't wait for our families to work together in such a fun and creative environment.”

The mission of Exploration Place, Kansas’ premier science center, is to inspire a deeper interest in science and technology through creative and fun experiences for all. Exploration Place is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and through 8 p.m. on Thursday evenings. For more information, visit exploration.org.

Junior League of Wichita is an organization of more than 600 women committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. For more information, visit jlwichita.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717512791396.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In honor of its 100th anniversary in 2025, the Junior League of Wichita has raised an extraordinary $2 million gift to fund the creation of the Water Play Cascades, a centerpiece of Exploration Place's planned outdoor expansion.The Junior League of Wichita Water Play Cascades will offer an incredible multisensory learning experience promoting teamwork and collaboration. Many of the pumps and water wheels must be activated by children and adults working together to achieve their full effect, providing an engaging and educational environment for visitors of all ages.Designed by Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects and Fluidity Design Consultants using equipment manufactured by Richter Spielgerate, the Water Play Cascades will be part of Exploration Place's “destination playscape” – a $25 million project spanning 6.5 acres and comprising 10 beautifully landscaped individual playgrounds.“We are thrilled to celebrate our centennial by giving this extraordinary gift to the community,” said Ami Schlader, president of the League. “The Water Play Cascades exemplify our commitment to advancing women's leadership and fostering meaningful community impact through collaborative action.”Longtime Junior League of Wichita members Cindy Carnahan and Lynn Ward led the fundraising campaign. The $2 million gift is comprised of donations from more than 200 individuals and other entities to date.“We deeply appreciate this exceptional investment by Junior League of Wichita,” said Adam Smith, Exploration Place's president and CEO. “We know how popular water play is from our indoor exhibits, and we can't wait for our families to work together in such a fun and creative environment.”# # #The mission of Exploration Place, Kansas’ premier science center, is to inspire a deeper interest in science and technology through creative and fun experiences for all. Exploration Place is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and through 8 p.m. on Thursday evenings. For more information, visit exploration.org.Junior League of Wichita is an organization of more than 600 women committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. For more information, visit jlwichita.org.

Water Play Cascades to be added to Wichita's Exploration Place

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations.

Just before 3:30a.m. Monday police responded to a burglary alarm at the Bomgaars Retail Store, 605 South 10th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson 

When officers arrived they saw a man run from the scene into a nearby wooded area. Officers pursued the subject and located him hiding in the woods. 

It was determined that an attempted burglary into the store had occurred at the front door area of the store. Officers arrested 37-year-old Joshua A. Spurlock on requested charges of attempted burglary and criminal damage to property as well as interference with law enforcement which involved attempting to flee from the officers and giving the arresting officers a false name.&nbsp;

He has previous convictions for burglary, criminal damage and criminal trespass, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717447124991.png" alt="Spurlock-photo from an earlier arrest in Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Spurlock-photo from an earlier arrest in Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations.Just before 3:30a.m. Monday police responded to a burglary alarm at the Bomgaars Retail Store, 605 South 10th Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson When officers arrived they saw a man run from the scene into a nearby wooded area. Officers pursued the subject and located him hiding in the woods. It was determined that an attempted burglary into the store had occurred at the front door area of the store. Officers arrested 37-year-old Joshua A. Spurlock on requested charges of attempted burglary and criminal damage to property as well as interference with law enforcement which involved attempting to flee from the officers and giving the arresting officers a false name.&nbsp;He has previous convictions for burglary, criminal damage and criminal trespass, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon gave officers a fake name during arrest

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The State of Kansas ended May with total tax collections at $658.9 million. That is $193.0 million, or 22.7%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 23.1% from May 2023.

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA2LzAzL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjg5NjU2OS8xMV9NYXlfUmV2ZW51ZV9GWTIwMjRfMDYtMDMtMjAyNF9GaW5hbC5wZGYiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwNjAzLjk1NzEyNTMxIn0.R_w7KdhIIL8j8TRwu_QQsKNEz--_jF59y_vQS-k-uQY/s/1303160919/br/243518724559-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the May 2024 revenue numbers.

“The expected shortfall in May individual income tax collections can be largely attributed to the two additional processing days in April.”&nbsp;Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.&nbsp;“Combined with more efficient payment processing, the Department of Revenue was able to process significantly more payments in April which would have typically been processed in May.”

Individual income tax collections were $305.2 million. That is $144.8 million, or 32.2% below the estimate, and down 30.6% from May 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $39.8 million. That is $53.2 million, or 57.2% below the estimate and down 56.3% from May 2023.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $281.9 million, which is $4.2 million, or 1.5% above the estimate, and down $7.7 million, or 2.7%, from May 2023.

Total tax collections for FY 2024 through May are $8.977 billion which is $92.0 million or 1.0% below the estimate. &nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The State of Kansas ended May with total tax collections at $658.9 million. That is $193.0 million, or 22.7%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 23.1% from May 2023.Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA2LzAzL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjg5NjU2OS8xMV9NYXlfUmV2ZW51ZV9GWTIwMjRfMDYtMDMtMjAyNF9GaW5hbC5wZGYiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwNjAzLjk1NzEyNTMxIn0.R_w7KdhIIL8j8TRwu_QQsKNEz--_jF59y_vQS-k-uQY/s/1303160919/br/243518724559-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the May 2024 revenue numbers.“The expected shortfall in May individual income tax collections can be largely attributed to the two additional processing days in April.”&nbsp;Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.&nbsp;“Combined with more efficient payment processing, the Department of Revenue was able to process significantly more payments in April which would have typically been processed in May.”Individual income tax collections were $305.2 million. That is $144.8 million, or 32.2% below the estimate, and down 30.6% from May 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $39.8 million. That is $53.2 million, or 57.2% below the estimate and down 56.3% from May 2023.Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $281.9 million, which is $4.2 million, or 1.5% above the estimate, and down $7.7 million, or 2.7%, from May 2023.Total tax collections for FY 2024 through May are $8.977 billion which is $92.0 million or 1.0% below the estimate. &nbsp;

Sec. of Revenue explains why Kan. tax collections were down in May

KANSAS CITY—After ten days the alligator missing from a petting zoo at a Kansas City middle school was found alive.&nbsp;&nbsp;The KC Pet Project Animal Services Division pickup up the alligator Monday afternoon.

The KC Pet Project received an anonymous tip that the missing alligator was discovered to be outside of the school, on the first day of summer school.

The alligator’s mouth was still taped shut. The KC Pet Project team quickly drove the alligator to the campus, and they are conducting an investigation on where the alligator has been since it went missing. 

The Pet Project also has a veterinarian who works with exotic pets do an exam on the animal.

On May 23,&nbsp;staff with the Kansas City Pet Project responded to Lakeview Middle School, 6720 NW 64th Street in Kansas City,  working to locate a missing alligator that was brought to the school by a petting zoo.

Lakeview Middle School did not obtain an animal shows permit from the Animal Services Division for the petting zoo, which is required per Chapter 14 of the city code.

Alligators are not allowed in Kansas City, MO per Chapter 14 of the city code. Animal Services plans to issue citations for violations of Chapter 14 of the city code to the appropriate parties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717450609456.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—After ten days the alligator missing from a petting zoo at a Kansas City middle school was found alive.&nbsp;&nbsp;The KC Pet Project Animal Services Division pickup up the alligator Monday afternoon.The KC Pet Project received an anonymous tip that the missing alligator was discovered to be outside of the school, on the first day of summer school.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717450589965.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The alligator’s mouth was still taped shut. The KC Pet Project team quickly drove the alligator to the campus, and they are conducting an investigation on where the alligator has been since it went missing. The Pet Project also has a veterinarian who works with exotic pets do an exam on the animal.On May 23,&nbsp;staff with the Kansas City Pet Project responded to Lakeview Middle School, 6720 NW 64th Street in Kansas City, working to locate a missing alligator that was brought to the school by a petting zoo.Lakeview Middle School did not obtain an animal shows permit from the Animal Services Division for the petting zoo, which is required per Chapter 14 of the city code.Alligators are not allowed in Kansas City, MO per Chapter 14 of the city code. Animal Services plans to issue citations for violations of Chapter 14 of the city code to the appropriate parties.

Alligator found 10 days after escape from KC school petting zoo

DECATUR COUNTY —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting authorities in northwest Kansas with an ongoing investigation of an abduction and holding a hostage that occurred June 1.

According to Decatur County Sheriff&nbsp; David Wachendorfer, Decatur County Dispatch in Oberlin received a report from a man that he had been kidnapped and had just escaped from his captors.

The victim was located and the incident appears to be valid, according to Wachendorfer. The kidnapping occurred in Oklahoma and the victim was able to escape while passing northwest Kansas. Law enforcement are asking for the public’s assistance in watching for a blue or green older model mini van with Oklahoma plates.

The vehicle is occupied by a white male about 5-foot-6, bald, with a long brown beard and tattoos on his chest.

The second subject is a black male 5-foot-10, chubby, with a mustache, goatee and face tattoos. The suspects are to be considered armed and dangerous.&nbsp; Do not approach them.

DECATUR COUNTY —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting authorities in northwest Kansas with an ongoing investigation of an abduction and holding a hostage that occurred June 1.According to Decatur County Sheriff&nbsp; David Wachendorfer, Decatur County Dispatch in Oberlin received a report from a man that he had been kidnapped and had just escaped from his captors.The victim was located and the incident appears to be valid, according to Wachendorfer. The kidnapping occurred in Oklahoma and the victim was able to escape while passing northwest Kansas. Law enforcement are asking for the public’s assistance in watching for a blue or green older model mini van with Oklahoma plates.The vehicle is occupied by a white male about 5-foot-6, bald, with a long brown beard and tattoos on his chest.The second subject is a black male 5-foot-10, chubby, with a mustache, goatee and face tattoos. The suspects are to be considered armed and dangerous.&nbsp; Do not approach them.

KBI assisting with search for suspects in NW Kansas abduction

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating another homicide in Kansas City and have identified the victim as 33-year-old&nbsp;William C. Wright, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sgt. Phil DiMartino.

Just before 2p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting at the intersection of E. 9th Street and Van Brunt Boulevard, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

First responders were summoned to the sidewalk where Wright was located unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. Responding officers immediately began rendering medical aid until EMS could respond and take over. EMS personnel responded and declared the victim deceased shortly after arrival.

The circumstances surrounding this incident are currently unknown and no one is in custody, according to Gonzalez

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717372495605.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating another homicide in Kansas City and have identified the victim as 33-year-old&nbsp;William C. Wright, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sgt. Phil DiMartino.Just before 2p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting at the intersection of E. 9th Street and Van Brunt Boulevard, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.First responders were summoned to the sidewalk where Wright was located unresponsive and suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. Responding officers immediately began rendering medical aid until EMS could respond and take over. EMS personnel responded and declared the victim deceased shortly after arrival.The circumstances surrounding this incident are currently unknown and no one is in custody, according to Gonzalez

Police ID victim in Sunday homicide in Kansas City

MCPHERSON, Kan. — Les Mason, a state Representative from McPherson, died after suffering a brain aneurysm on Friday. He had been hospitalized in Wichita.

Mason had served in the Statehouse since 2014. He leaves behind a wife, Victoria.

Long-time retiring McPherson State Senator Rick Wilborn filed for Mason's seat before the deadline Monday. No Democrat has filed in the race in House District 73. Mason had already filed to run before his illness.

Governor Laura Kelly has announced that she will call a special session later this month, but has not done the official proclamation yet.

In accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags be lowered to half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities effective immediately until sundown on the day of interment in honor of Kansas House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Les Mason. He represented Kansas House District 73 of McPherson for 10 years.

“Assistant Majority Leader Mason was a devoted public servant,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“For the last decade, he represented his constituents and the McPherson community with honor. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717493160286.jpeg" alt="Les Mason courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Les Mason courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON, Kan. — Les Mason, a state Representative from McPherson, died after suffering a brain aneurysm on Friday. He had been hospitalized in Wichita.Mason had served in the Statehouse since 2014. He leaves behind a wife, Victoria.Long-time retiring McPherson State Senator Rick Wilborn filed for Mason's seat before the deadline Monday. No Democrat has filed in the race in House District 73. Mason had already filed to run before his illness.Governor Laura Kelly has announced that she will call a special session later this month, but has not done the official proclamation yet.Governor Laura Kelly has announced that she will call a special session later this month, but has not done the official proclamation yet.In accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly has directed flags be lowered to half-staff on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities effective immediately until sundown on the day of interment in honor of Kansas House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Les Mason. He represented Kansas House District 73 of McPherson for 10 years.“Assistant Majority Leader Mason was a devoted public servant,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“For the last decade, he represented his constituents and the McPherson community with honor. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

State Representative from McPherson dies; flags to fly at half-staff

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man is going to prison a&nbsp;violent attack on his former girlfriend.

On May 30, a judge sentenced 44-year-old Kenton Grubbs to 7-years in&nbsp; &nbsp; prison for the attack, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; Earlier this year Grubbs entered a guilty plea to charges in the case.

Just after 11a.m. Oct. 28, 2020, police responded to an assault call at a residence in the 11300 block of East Lewis in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers made contact with a 64-year-old woman who was injured.&nbsp; EMS transported the woman to an area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injures.&nbsp;

The investigation revealed an argument began between the woman and her boyfriend identified as Grubbs.&nbsp; During the argument, Grubbs strangled her multiple times, struck her with a baseball bat multiple times, battered and threatened her, according to Davidson. Police contacted Grubbs at the scene and he battered an officer while being arrested.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603990295790.png" alt="Grubbs-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Grubbs-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man is going to prison a&nbsp;violent attack on his former girlfriend.On May 30, a judge sentenced 44-year-old Kenton Grubbs to 7-years in&nbsp; &nbsp; prison for the attack, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; Earlier this year Grubbs entered a guilty plea to charges in the case.Just after 11a.m. Oct. 28, 2020, police responded to an assault call at a residence in the 11300 block of East Lewis in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers made contact with a 64-year-old woman who was injured.&nbsp; EMS transported the woman to an area hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injures.&nbsp;The investigation revealed an argument began between the woman and her boyfriend identified as Grubbs.&nbsp; During the argument, Grubbs strangled her multiple times, struck her with a baseball bat multiple times, battered and threatened her, according to Davidson. Police contacted Grubbs at the scene and he battered an officer while being arrested.

Kansas man used a baseball bat to attack his girlfriend

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is telling lawmakers that President Joe Biden is preparing to sign off on an executive order that would shut down&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/asylum-seekers">asylum requests</a>&nbsp;at the U.S.-Mexico border once the average number of daily encounters hits 2,500 between ports of entry, with the border reopening only once that number declines to 1,500, according to several people familiar with the discussions.

The impact of the 2,500 figure means that the executive order could go into immediate effect, because daily figures are higher than that now.

The Democratic president is expected to unveil the actions — his most aggressive unilateral move yet to control the numbers at the border — at the White House on Tuesday at an event to which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-border-immigration-mayors-biden-edinburg-brownsville-c67840732b442d109a84a03754ce121b">border mayors</a>&nbsp;have been invited.

Five people familiar with the discussions on Monday confirmed the 2,500 figure, while two of the people confirmed the 1,500 number. The figures are daily averages over the course of a week. All the people insisted on anonymity to discuss an executive order that is not yet public.

While other border activity, such as trade, is expected to continue, the 1,500 threshold at which the border would reopen for asylum seekers could be hard to reach. The last time the daily average dipped to 1,500 encounters was in July 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senior White House officials, including chief of staff Jeff Zients and legislative affairs director Shuwanza Goff, have been informing lawmakers on Capitol Hill of details of the planned order ahead of the formal rollout Tuesday. But several questions remain about how the executive order would work, particularly how much cooperation the U.S. would need from Mexican officials to carry out the executive order.

The president has been deliberating for months over how to act on his own after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-ukraine-aid-border-security-386dcc54b29a5491f8bd87b727a284f8">bipartisan legislation to clamp down on asylum at the border</a>&nbsp;collapsed because Republicans defected from the deal en masse at the urging of Donald Trump, the former president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Biden continued to consider executive action even though the number of illegal crossings at the southern border has declined for months, partly because of a stepped-up effort by Mexico.

Biden administration officials had waited until after Mexico's presidential elections, held Sunday, to move on the U.S. president's border actions.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-elections-president-governorships-lopez-obrador-d7fef5c7ac964072401ba6d9809dd7d4">Mexico elected Claudia Sheinbaum</a>, the nation's first female leader, and Biden said in a statement Monday that he was committed to “advancing the values and interests of both our nations to the benefit of our peoples.” The two spoke on the phone Monday, although White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to say whether they spoke about the pending order.

“We continue to look at all options on the table," Jean-Pierre told reporters traveling with Biden on Air Force One on Monday evening.

The executive order will allow Biden to declare that he has pushed the boundaries of his own power after lawmakers, specifically congressional Republicans, killed off what would have been the toughest border and asylum restrictions in some time. Biden's order is aimed at trying to head off any potential spike in border encounters that could happen later this year, closer to the November elections.

For Biden’s executive order, the White House is adopting some policies directly from the bipartisan Senate border deal, including the idea of limiting asylum requests once the encounters hit a certain number. The administration wants to encourage migrants to seek asylum at ports of entry by using the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s CBP One app, which schedules about 1,450 appointments per day.

Administration lawyers have been planning to tap executive powers outlined in Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gives a president broad authority to block entry of certain immigrants into the U.S. if it is deemed “detrimental” to the national interest. It is the same legal rationale used by Trump to take some of his toughest actions on migration as president.

That has advocacy groups already preparing to challenge Biden's immigration order in court.

“We will need to review the (executive order) before making final litigation decisions,” said Lee Gelernt, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union who led several of the most high-profile challenges to Trump's border policies. "But a policy that effectively shuts down asylum would raise clear legal problems, just as (it) did when the Trump administration tried to end asylum.”

The White House is also sure to encounter vocal resistance from many Democratic lawmakers. California Sen. Alex Padilla, an outspoken critic of the Senate’s earlier border bill, said the pending executive order was “just not the solution we need and it’s very incomplete as a strategy.”

Padilla, who was also briefed by the White House on the proposal, wants an approach that works with countries throughout Latin America to address the poverty and unrest that drives migration to the United States. In recent weeks, Padilla has also pressed the White House for executive actions that benefit immigrants and said the message he has heard in return is, “We’re working on it.”

Biden will unveil his executive order flanked by several border mayors whom the White House invited for the announcement. Texas Mayors John Cowen of Brownsville and Ramiro Garza of Edinburg both confirmed their invitations, and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s office also said the White House invited the mayor, but he could not attend due to scheduling difficulties.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat who said he was briefed on the plan, said he wishes the White House would have taken executive action a long time ago and said cooperation from Mexico would continue to be critical as the administration implements the order.

“If you think about the logistics, where else can they go?” Cuellar said. “If they’re not going to let them in, where do they go? Do they return them (to Mexico), or do they try to deport as many as they can? We did add a lot more money into ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) so they can deport, but the easiest thing, of course, is just send them back to Mexico. You’ve got to have the help of Mexico to make this work.”

Jennifer Babaie, an attorney at Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center in El Paso, Texas, said she would be alarmed if Biden issued formal deportation orders without an opportunity to seek asylum. Advocates worry he may attempt that under the 212(f) provision.

Pandemic-era expulsion authority known as Title 42 had “a silver lining” for migrants because they could try again without fearing legal consequences, Babaie said. But a formal deportation order would expose them to felony prosecution if they attempted again and it would impose bars on legally entering the country in the future.

“This is even more extreme than (Title 42), while still putting people in harm’s way,” Babaie said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632317779595.png" alt="Photo Rep. Tony Gonzales" />
 <figcaption>Photo Rep. Tony Gonzales</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is telling lawmakers that President Joe Biden is preparing to sign off on an executive order that would shut down&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/asylum-seekers">asylum requests</a>&nbsp;at the U.S.-Mexico border once the average number of daily encounters hits 2,500 between ports of entry, with the border reopening only once that number declines to 1,500, according to several people familiar with the discussions.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🧵The impacts of Joe Biden&#39;s border crisis compounded by Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies have been catastrophic. As Biden downplays the severity of this crisis, we will bring awareness to the violent crime happening across America &amp; we will not stop until we secure our borders.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1749908757969059912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Close the border now&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1797678333024756194?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Biden is going to close the border if 4000 illegals came across on a single day? We already have 9+ million illegals here thanks to Biden! Close it now!&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1797663942749389081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The impact of the 2,500 figure means that the executive order could go into immediate effect, because daily figures are higher than that now.The Democratic president is expected to unveil the actions — his most aggressive unilateral move yet to control the numbers at the border — at the White House on Tuesday at an event to which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-border-immigration-mayors-biden-edinburg-brownsville-c67840732b442d109a84a03754ce121b">border mayors</a>&nbsp;have been invited.Five people familiar with the discussions on Monday confirmed the 2,500 figure, while two of the people confirmed the 1,500 number. The figures are daily averages over the course of a week. All the people insisted on anonymity to discuss an executive order that is not yet public.While other border activity, such as trade, is expected to continue, the 1,500 threshold at which the border would reopen for asylum seekers could be hard to reach. The last time the daily average dipped to 1,500 encounters was in July 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.Senior White House officials, including chief of staff Jeff Zients and legislative affairs director Shuwanza Goff, have been informing lawmakers on Capitol Hill of details of the planned order ahead of the formal rollout Tuesday. But several questions remain about how the executive order would work, particularly how much cooperation the U.S. would need from Mexican officials to carry out the executive order.The president has been deliberating for months over how to act on his own after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-ukraine-aid-border-security-386dcc54b29a5491f8bd87b727a284f8">bipartisan legislation to clamp down on asylum at the border</a>&nbsp;collapsed because Republicans defected from the deal en masse at the urging of Donald Trump, the former president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Biden continued to consider executive action even though the number of illegal crossings at the southern border has declined for months, partly because of a stepped-up effort by Mexico.Biden administration officials had waited until after Mexico's presidential elections, held Sunday, to move on the U.S. president's border actions.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-elections-president-governorships-lopez-obrador-d7fef5c7ac964072401ba6d9809dd7d4">Mexico elected Claudia Sheinbaum</a>, the nation's first female leader, and Biden said in a statement Monday that he was committed to “advancing the values and interests of both our nations to the benefit of our peoples.” The two spoke on the phone Monday, although White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to say whether they spoke about the pending order.“We continue to look at all options on the table," Jean-Pierre told reporters traveling with Biden on Air Force One on Monday evening.The executive order will allow Biden to declare that he has pushed the boundaries of his own power after lawmakers, specifically congressional Republicans, killed off what would have been the toughest border and asylum restrictions in some time. Biden's order is aimed at trying to head off any potential spike in border encounters that could happen later this year, closer to the November elections.For Biden’s executive order, the White House is adopting some policies directly from the bipartisan Senate border deal, including the idea of limiting asylum requests once the encounters hit a certain number. The administration wants to encourage migrants to seek asylum at ports of entry by using the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s CBP One app, which schedules about 1,450 appointments per day.Administration lawyers have been planning to tap executive powers outlined in Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gives a president broad authority to block entry of certain immigrants into the U.S. if it is deemed “detrimental” to the national interest. It is the same legal rationale used by Trump to take some of his toughest actions on migration as president.That has advocacy groups already preparing to challenge Biden's immigration order in court.“We will need to review the (executive order) before making final litigation decisions,” said Lee Gelernt, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union who led several of the most high-profile challenges to Trump's border policies. "But a policy that effectively shuts down asylum would raise clear legal problems, just as (it) did when the Trump administration tried to end asylum.”The White House is also sure to encounter vocal resistance from many Democratic lawmakers. California Sen. Alex Padilla, an outspoken critic of the Senate’s earlier border bill, said the pending executive order was “just not the solution we need and it’s very incomplete as a strategy.”Padilla, who was also briefed by the White House on the proposal, wants an approach that works with countries throughout Latin America to address the poverty and unrest that drives migration to the United States. In recent weeks, Padilla has also pressed the White House for executive actions that benefit immigrants and said the message he has heard in return is, “We’re working on it.”Biden will unveil his executive order flanked by several border mayors whom the White House invited for the announcement. Texas Mayors John Cowen of Brownsville and Ramiro Garza of Edinburg both confirmed their invitations, and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s office also said the White House invited the mayor, but he could not attend due to scheduling difficulties.Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat who said he was briefed on the plan, said he wishes the White House would have taken executive action a long time ago and said cooperation from Mexico would continue to be critical as the administration implements the order.“If you think about the logistics, where else can they go?” Cuellar said. “If they’re not going to let them in, where do they go? Do they return them (to Mexico), or do they try to deport as many as they can? We did add a lot more money into ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) so they can deport, but the easiest thing, of course, is just send them back to Mexico. You’ve got to have the help of Mexico to make this work.”Jennifer Babaie, an attorney at Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center in El Paso, Texas, said she would be alarmed if Biden issued formal deportation orders without an opportunity to seek asylum. Advocates worry he may attempt that under the 212(f) provision.Pandemic-era expulsion authority known as Title 42 had “a silver lining” for migrants because they could try again without fearing legal consequences, Babaie said. But a formal deportation order would expose them to felony prosecution if they attempted again and it would impose bars on legally entering the country in the future.“This is even more extreme than (Title 42), while still putting people in harm’s way,” Babaie said.

Biden to sign order to close southern US border to asylum seekers

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City woman pleaded guilty in federal court lat month to laundering more than $240,000 she unlawfully obtained from a New York business as part of an email compromise scheme.

Brianna S. Graves, 30, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a federal information that charges her with one count of money laundering.

By pleading guilty, Graves admitted that she received a payment of $240,926 from ETS Contracting, Inc., located in Brooklyn, New York, as part of a business email compromise scheme.

According to the plea agreement, ETS Contracting was finalizing a contract with a vendor, who was communicating via email with the firm. On Dec. 12, 2022, ETS Contracting received a payment instruction email, which they believed originated from the owner of the vendor company, to wire $240,926 to a J.P. Morgan Chase Bank account. However, the instruction email actually came from a different email address that changed one letter in the domain name.

ETS Contracting authorized the payment on Dec. 18, 2022, and the funds were posted to the bank account the next day. The bank account, a business account in the name of Heavy Weight Maintenance LLC, actually belonged to Graves. Graves obtained a cashier’s check for the full amount of the wire fraud proceeds, which she then deposited into another bank account. Graves spent the money on car payments, vacations, cruises, airfare, and gambling.

On June 26, 2023, federal agents executed a warrant and seized $41,574 from Graves’s bank account.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Graves must pay $240,926 in restitution and must forfeit to the government $240,926, which represents the proceeds she obtained from her crime.

Under federal statutes, Graves is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years 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 defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City woman pleaded guilty in federal court lat month to laundering more than $240,000 she unlawfully obtained from a New York business as part of an email compromise scheme.Brianna S. Graves, 30, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a federal information that charges her with one count of money laundering.By pleading guilty, Graves admitted that she received a payment of $240,926 from ETS Contracting, Inc., located in Brooklyn, New York, as part of a business email compromise scheme.According to the plea agreement, ETS Contracting was finalizing a contract with a vendor, who was communicating via email with the firm. On Dec. 12, 2022, ETS Contracting received a payment instruction email, which they believed originated from the owner of the vendor company, to wire $240,926 to a J.P. Morgan Chase Bank account. However, the instruction email actually came from a different email address that changed one letter in the domain name.ETS Contracting authorized the payment on Dec. 18, 2022, and the funds were posted to the bank account the next day. The bank account, a business account in the name of Heavy Weight Maintenance LLC, actually belonged to Graves. Graves obtained a cashier’s check for the full amount of the wire fraud proceeds, which she then deposited into another bank account. Graves spent the money on car payments, vacations, cruises, airfare, and gambling.On June 26, 2023, federal agents executed a warrant and seized $41,574 from Graves’s bank account.Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Graves must pay $240,926 in restitution and must forfeit to the government $240,926, which represents the proceeds she obtained from her crime.Under federal statutes, Graves is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years 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 defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

KC woman admits role in $240,000 email fraud scheme

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Kansas inmate 62-year-old Michael Vonzell Jones died Sunday, according to the Sedgwick County Jail.

Jones, Sedgwick County inmate, was being housed in the medical infirmary for preexisting medical issues. On Friday EMS transported him to St. Francis Hospital. While at the hospital his medical condition continued to decline, and he was pronounced dead shortly before 9:27a.m. on Sunday. The preliminary cause of death is unknown pending an autopsy.

Jones was being held in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility on felony charges of Possession of Opiates, Burglary, and misdemeanor charges for theft, criminal damage to property and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia warrants through Sedgwick County 18th&nbsp;Judicial Courts since April 5.&nbsp;

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigation Division were notified.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717444768662.png" alt="Jones photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Jones photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Kansas inmate 62-year-old Michael Vonzell Jones died Sunday, according to the Sedgwick County Jail.Jones, Sedgwick County inmate, was being housed in the medical infirmary for preexisting medical issues. On Friday EMS transported him to St. Francis Hospital. While at the hospital his medical condition continued to decline, and he was pronounced dead shortly before 9:27a.m. on Sunday. The preliminary cause of death is unknown pending an autopsy.Jones was being held in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility on felony charges of Possession of Opiates, Burglary, and misdemeanor charges for theft, criminal damage to property and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia warrants through Sedgwick County 18th&nbsp;Judicial Courts since April 5.&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigation Division were notified.&nbsp;

Kansas inmate serving time for burglary, drugs has died

LaTurner’s departure inspires five Republicans, two Democrats to bid on 2nd District

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

TOPEKA — Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda and Libertarian-turned-Republican Michael Ogle filed Monday to expand to seven the major party candidates drawn to the 2nd District vacancy created by the decision of GOP Congressman Jake LaTurner to not seek reelection.

Boyda, the Baldwin City resident who defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun in 2006, signed up to campaign in the Democratic primary against&nbsp;Matt Kleinmann, a community developer from Wyandotte County and a member of the University of Kansas basketball team that won a national championship in 2008.

“I have been asked why I want to be in Congress,” said Boyda, who joined a flurry of last-day filers at the secretary of state’s office in Topeka. “Congress isn’t just broken, its also become dangerous. So, why am I running? I cannot sit by and watch our country and communities be torn apart by distrust of each other.”

Boyda said her candidacy was an attempt to create a political movement drawing to the center people who struggled to speak across political, ideological and religious divides.

Ogle, who ran in 2013 for mayor of Topeka as a Libertarian, said he was inspired to make a run for the U.S. House because members of Congress had taken their eye off core obligations to promote liberty, domestic tranquility and preservation of the union.

“I want term limits,” said Ogle, who served as an officer in the U.S. Army. “Congressional term limits have to happen.”

On the GOP side of the ledger in the 2nd District, Ogle would be joined by former Kansas Attorney General and state Sen. Derek Schmidt of Independence, former Trump administration official Jeff Kahrs of Topeka, rancher Shawn Tiffany of Delavan and Chad Young of Lawrence.

Tiffany, another late addition to the GOP ballot in the 27-county eastern Kansas district, said he was running because weak-kneed politicians in the Republican Party had “enabled the socialist left and allowed them to push their extreme agenda on Kansas.

“It’s time to send a cowboy to Congress who will fight to stop the invasion at our southern border, end woke ideology and revive the values that make Kansas and America great,” Tiffany said.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the three-term Democrat in the 3rd District centered on Johnson County, won’t have an August primary opponent. In the November general election, she would face winner of a primary between Republicans Karen Crnkovich of Olathe and Prasanth Reddy of Lenexa.

First District Congressman Tracey Mann, the Republican elected to the U.S. House in 2020, attracted primary opponent Eric Bloom of Lawrence. The GOP winner would go up against Democrat Paul Buskirk of Lawrence. The heavily gerrymandered 1st District extends from Garden City in the west to Lawrence in the east.

“From what I see, our government today is self-serving and arrogant,” Buskirk said. “So many officials, appointed or elected, hold tightly to ideology, political party and their own welfare with little regard for governing ‘for the people.’ I want to change that.”

In the 4th District based in Wichita, U.S. Rep. Ron Estes of Wichita didn’t attract a primary challenger. He will be on the November ballot with Sedgwick Democrat Esau Freeman, who also didn’t draw a primary competitor. Estes has held that seat in Congress since prevailing in a 2017 special election.

Estes, who won full terms in 2018, 2020 and 2022, filed for reelection in February on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

“More than a century after the end of the Civil War, our world is much different, but we face daunting divisions that are tearing our country apart,” Estes said. “While the word unity is often flung about to mask the user’s true intention of pulling opponents to their side, it would behoove us as a nation to look to Lincoln’s allegiance to this country, love for his fellow man, compassion for those who disagreed with him and devotion to God as a guide for restoring our nation and healing our land.”

On ballots in the November general election, the state’s three alternative political parties — No Label Kansas, Libertarian Party and United Kansas — provide voters additional choices through nominations at party conventions.

The candidate filing deadline was noon Monday. The deadline for registering to vote has been set for July 16. The first day of in-person advance voting would be July 17, the last day to apply for an advance mail ballot would be July 30 and in-person advance voting would draw to a close Aug. 5.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717444171272.png" alt="Former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda filed Monday as a Democratic congressional candidate in the 2nd District and will run against Democrat Matt Kleinmann in the August primary. Five Republicans filed for the GOP nomination in the 2nd District. The seat will be vacated by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, who chose not to seek reelection in 2024. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda filed Monday as a Democratic congressional candidate in the 2nd District and will run against Democrat Matt Kleinmann in the August primary. Five Republicans filed for the GOP nomination in the 2nd District. The seat will be vacated by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, who chose not to seek reelection in 2024. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>LaTurner’s departure inspires five Republicans, two Democrats to bid on 2nd District</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda and Libertarian-turned-Republican Michael Ogle filed Monday to expand to seven the major party candidates drawn to the 2nd District vacancy created by the decision of GOP Congressman Jake LaTurner to not seek reelection.Boyda, the Baldwin City resident who defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun in 2006, signed up to campaign in the Democratic primary against&nbsp;Matt Kleinmann, a community developer from Wyandotte County and a member of the University of Kansas basketball team that won a national championship in 2008.“I have been asked why I want to be in Congress,” said Boyda, who joined a flurry of last-day filers at the secretary of state’s office in Topeka. “Congress isn’t just broken, its also become dangerous. So, why am I running? I cannot sit by and watch our country and communities be torn apart by distrust of each other.”Boyda said her candidacy was an attempt to create a political movement drawing to the center people who struggled to speak across political, ideological and religious divides.Ogle, who ran in 2013 for mayor of Topeka as a Libertarian, said he was inspired to make a run for the U.S. House because members of Congress had taken their eye off core obligations to promote liberty, domestic tranquility and preservation of the union.“I want term limits,” said Ogle, who served as an officer in the U.S. Army. “Congressional term limits have to happen.”On the GOP side of the ledger in the 2nd District, Ogle would be joined by former Kansas Attorney General and state Sen. Derek Schmidt of Independence, former Trump administration official Jeff Kahrs of Topeka, rancher Shawn Tiffany of Delavan and Chad Young of Lawrence.Tiffany, another late addition to the GOP ballot in the 27-county eastern Kansas district, said he was running because weak-kneed politicians in the Republican Party had “enabled the socialist left and allowed them to push their extreme agenda on Kansas.“It’s time to send a cowboy to Congress who will fight to stop the invasion at our southern border, end woke ideology and revive the values that make Kansas and America great,” Tiffany said.U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the three-term Democrat in the 3rd District centered on Johnson County, won’t have an August primary opponent. In the November general election, she would face winner of a primary between Republicans Karen Crnkovich of Olathe and Prasanth Reddy of Lenexa.First District Congressman Tracey Mann, the Republican elected to the U.S. House in 2020, attracted primary opponent Eric Bloom of Lawrence. The GOP winner would go up against Democrat Paul Buskirk of Lawrence. The heavily gerrymandered 1st District extends from Garden City in the west to Lawrence in the east.“From what I see, our government today is self-serving and arrogant,” Buskirk said. “So many officials, appointed or elected, hold tightly to ideology, political party and their own welfare with little regard for governing ‘for the people.’ I want to change that.”In the 4th District based in Wichita, U.S. Rep. Ron Estes of Wichita didn’t attract a primary challenger. He will be on the November ballot with Sedgwick Democrat Esau Freeman, who also didn’t draw a primary competitor. Estes has held that seat in Congress since prevailing in a 2017 special election.Estes, who won full terms in 2018, 2020 and 2022, filed for reelection in February on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth.“More than a century after the end of the Civil War, our world is much different, but we face daunting divisions that are tearing our country apart,” Estes said. “While the word unity is often flung about to mask the user’s true intention of pulling opponents to their side, it would behoove us as a nation to look to Lincoln’s allegiance to this country, love for his fellow man, compassion for those who disagreed with him and devotion to God as a guide for restoring our nation and healing our land.”On ballots in the November general election, the state’s three alternative political parties — No Label Kansas, Libertarian Party and United Kansas — provide voters additional choices through nominations at party conventions.The candidate filing deadline was noon Monday. The deadline for registering to vote has been set for July 16. The first day of in-person advance voting would be July 17, the last day to apply for an advance mail ballot would be July 30 and in-person advance voting would draw to a close Aug. 5.

15 GOP, Democratic candidates file to compete in Kan. 4 congressional campaigns

CLAY COUNTY—A Kansas man injured in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Sunday in Clay County has died.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Hyundai Sonata driven by Marion Paul&nbsp;Brenner, 92, Randolph, was southbound on Utah Road and failed to yield right of way at U.S. 24.

A westbound 2007 Ford F150 driven by Jeff Bradley Sells, 44, Mankato, struck the Hyundai in the intersection.

EMS transported Brenner to the Clay County Medical Center. He died early Monday, according to the KHP.

Sells and a passenger in the Ford were not injured. Brenner was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

CLAY COUNTY—A Kansas man injured in an accident just before 1:30p.m. Sunday in Clay County has died.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Hyundai Sonata driven by Marion Paul&nbsp;Brenner, 92, Randolph, was southbound on Utah Road and failed to yield right of way at U.S. 24.A westbound 2007 Ford F150 driven by Jeff Bradley Sells, 44, Mankato, struck the Hyundai in the intersection.EMS transported Brenner to the Clay County Medical Center. He died early Monday, according to the KHP.Sells and a passenger in the Ford were not injured. Brenner was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

92-year-old Kan. man injured in pickup, car crash has died

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military on Monday confirmed the deaths of four more hostages held by Hamas — including three older men seen in a Hamas video begging for their release.

The three men, Amiram Cooper, Yoram Metzger and Haim Peri, were all age 80 or older. Looking weak and wary, they appeared in a video in December released by Hamas under the title, “Don’t let us grow old here.”

The fourth hostage was identified as Nadav Popplewell.

Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the four men died together in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis when Israel was operating there. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Earlier Monday,&nbsp; the Israeli military says the body of a presumed hostage was found in a community near the Gaza border that Hamas militants had attacked on Oct. 7.

Dolev Yehud, 35, was thought to be among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-hostages-0c14750240138853a70e38b0c09ef157">scores of hostages held in Gaza</a>&nbsp;until Monday, when the military announced the discovery of his body and said he had been killed in the initial attack.

His remains were found at Kibbutz Nir Oz, where he lived and worked as a paramedic. Dolev’s wife, Sigal, who was nine months pregnant on Oct. 7, gave birth to their fourth child nine days after the attack, according to Israeli media.

Medical professionals and scientists, including archaeologists, have spent months trying to identify remains found in communities attacked by Palestinian militants in the wide-ranging assault that ignited the war in Gaza.

The surprise attack into Israel killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The militants abducted around 250 people, more than 100 of whom were released during a cease-fire last year.

The Israeli government says militants in Gaza are still holding around 85 hostages and the remains of 39 others.

Israel launched a massive offensive in response to the attack that has killed over 36,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their count.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717414263257.png" alt="Dolev Yehud photo Hostages and Missing Families Forum" />
 <figcaption>Dolev Yehud photo Hostages and Missing Families Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military on Monday confirmed the deaths of four more hostages held by Hamas — including three older men seen in a Hamas video begging for their release.The three men, Amiram Cooper, Yoram Metzger and Haim Peri, were all age 80 or older. Looking weak and wary, they appeared in a video in December released by Hamas under the title, “Don’t let us grow old here.”The fourth hostage was identified as Nadav Popplewell.Israel’s military spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the four men died together in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis when Israel was operating there. The cause of death was not immediately known.Earlier Monday,&nbsp; the Israeli military says the body of a presumed hostage was found in a community near the Gaza border that Hamas militants had attacked on Oct. 7.Dolev Yehud, 35, was thought to be among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-hostages-0c14750240138853a70e38b0c09ef157">scores of hostages held in Gaza</a>&nbsp;until Monday, when the military announced the discovery of his body and said he had been killed in the initial attack.His remains were found at Kibbutz Nir Oz, where he lived and worked as a paramedic. Dolev’s wife, Sigal, who was nine months pregnant on Oct. 7, gave birth to their fourth child nine days after the attack, according to Israeli media.Medical professionals and scientists, including archaeologists, have spent months trying to identify remains found in communities attacked by Palestinian militants in the wide-ranging assault that ignited the war in Gaza.The surprise attack into Israel killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The militants abducted around 250 people, more than 100 of whom were released during a cease-fire last year.The Israeli government says militants in Gaza are still holding around 85 hostages and the remains of 39 others.Israel launched a massive offensive in response to the attack that has killed over 36,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their count.

Israeli military says more hostages found dead

COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement in Cowley County are investigating a man in connection with multiple vehicle accidents on one evening.&nbsp;

On May 28, the Arkansas City Police Department responded to multiple reports of a reckless driver in a gray Ford truck in the area of Chestnut Avenue and 5th Street, according to a media release.

The vehicle was reportedly struck several vehicles and objects. Officers quickly responded and discovered that the gray Ford truck had been involved in another accident in the 400 block of North 3rd Street, where it had come to a stop. 

Officers identified the driver as Gunner Chase Cravens, 21, Arkansas City, and suspected he was under the influence of alcohol. 

A DUI investigation was promptly initiated. Additional officers began working multiple accident scenes at different locations. The incidents included damage to three vehicles in the 200 block of North 5th Street; damage to another vehicle and mailbox in the 400 block of West Birch Avenue; damage to a mailbox in the 700 block of North 3rd Street and damage to a tree and mailbox in the 400 block of North 3rd Street.

The investigation revealed that the gray Ford truck was responsible for all four accidents. Cravens was arrested on requested charges of driving under the influence and three counts of duty to report or give aid. He was taken to the Cowley County Jail and held on a $1,200 bond. He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717165597272.png" alt="Cravens photo Cowley Co." />
 <figcaption>Cravens photo Cowley Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement in Cowley County are investigating a man in connection with multiple vehicle accidents on one evening.&nbsp;On May 28, the Arkansas City Police Department responded to multiple reports of a reckless driver in a gray Ford truck in the area of Chestnut Avenue and 5th Street, according to a media release.The vehicle was reportedly struck several vehicles and objects. Officers quickly responded and discovered that the gray Ford truck had been involved in another accident in the 400 block of North 3rd Street, where it had come to a stop. Officers identified the driver as Gunner Chase Cravens, 21, Arkansas City, and suspected he was under the influence of alcohol. A DUI investigation was promptly initiated. Additional officers began working multiple accident scenes at different locations. The incidents included damage to three vehicles in the 200 block of North 5th Street; damage to another vehicle and mailbox in the 400 block of West Birch Avenue; damage to a mailbox in the 700 block of North 3rd Street and damage to a tree and mailbox in the 400 block of North 3rd Street.The investigation revealed that the gray Ford truck was responsible for all four accidents. Cravens was arrested on requested charges of driving under the influence and three counts of duty to report or give aid. He was taken to the Cowley County Jail and held on a $1,200 bond. He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Kansas man arrested after 4 truck crashes in 1 evening

GEARY COUNTY —A spring rainstorm kemp sheriff's deputies busy over the weekend in Geary County.

Just after 5a.m. Sunday deputies converged on the Old Highway 40 - Crider Road area to rescue a man later identified as 24-year-old&nbsp;Isaih Arturo-Pedraza who had become stranded after his car became stuck in water during flash flooding, according to a media release from Geary County Emergency Management.

&nbsp;Junction City firefighters used safety line to get to him and walk him to safety, according to&nbsp;Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges.

&nbsp;Just before 8a.m., four other people were also rescued near the Geary State Lake, according to the Sheriff's Department.&nbsp; One was in a vehicle and three others had been trapped earlier in the morning. A Sheriff's patrol vehicle was used to cross an inlet to make rescues. There were no injuries reported.

Severe thunderstorms moved through the area during the early morning hours Sunday and there was also a flash flood warning. Rainfall totals ranged from 2.21 inches on the west side of Junction City to 2.74 inches in the Lyons Creek Road area southwest of town to nearly three inches in the Chapman area.

GEARY COUNTY —A spring rainstorm kemp sheriff's deputies busy over the weekend in Geary County.Just after 5a.m. Sunday deputies converged on the Old Highway 40 - Crider Road area to rescue a man later identified as 24-year-old&nbsp;Isaih Arturo-Pedraza who had become stranded after his car became stuck in water during flash flooding, according to a media release from Geary County Emergency Management.&nbsp;Junction City firefighters used safety line to get to him and walk him to safety, according to&nbsp;Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges.&nbsp;Just before 8a.m., four other people were also rescued near the Geary State Lake, according to the Sheriff's Department.&nbsp; One was in a vehicle and three others had been trapped earlier in the morning. A Sheriff's patrol vehicle was used to cross an inlet to make rescues. There were no injuries reported.Severe thunderstorms moved through the area during the early morning hours Sunday and there was also a flash flood warning. Rainfall totals ranged from 2.21 inches on the west side of Junction City to 2.74 inches in the Lyons Creek Road area southwest of town to nearly three inches in the Chapman area.

Kansas deputies assist stranded driver in flooded area

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accidental shooting that sent a boy to the hospital.

Just after 10p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the KC Fire Station located at 6000 block E. Red Bridge in regard to a shooting, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez

Upon arrival the officers discovered a juvenile male under five suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.&nbsp; EMS transported the victim to an area hospital in critical condition. Preliminary investigation reveals the boy picked up an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot himself.&nbsp;

The Kansas City Police Department reported an accidental shooting on Saturday night that left one boy, under the age of 5, hospitalized with critical injuries.

According to KCPD, officers were dispatched shortly after 10 p.m. to the KC Fire Station at the 6000 block of East Red Bridge Road for a shooting call. When they arrived, officers found a young boy suffering from a gunshot wound

Police said that preliminary investigations revealed the boy had picked up an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot himself.

Emergency responders took the boy to a hospital where he is currently said to be in critical condition.

The investigation is ongoing, KCPD said, and the identity of the victim and owner of the firearm has not been revealed

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accidental shooting that sent a boy to the hospital.Just after 10p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the KC Fire Station located at 6000 block E. Red Bridge in regard to a shooting, according to KCPD Officer Alayna GonzalezUpon arrival the officers discovered a juvenile male under five suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.&nbsp; EMS transported the victim to an area hospital in critical condition. Preliminary investigation reveals the boy picked up an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot himself.&nbsp;The Kansas City Police Department reported an accidental shooting on Saturday night that left one boy, under the age of 5, hospitalized with critical injuries.According to KCPD, officers were dispatched shortly after 10 p.m. to the KC Fire Station at the 6000 block of East Red Bridge Road for a shooting call. When they arrived, officers found a young boy suffering from a gunshot woundPolice said that preliminary investigations revealed the boy had picked up an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot himself.Emergency responders took the boy to a hospital where he is currently said to be in critical condition.The investigation is ongoing, KCPD said, and the identity of the victim and owner of the firearm has not been revealed

KCPD: Boy critically injured in accidental shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — Embracing Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">strategy of blaming the U.S. justice system</a>&nbsp;after his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">historic guilty verdict</a>, Republicans in Congress are fervently enlisting themselves in his campaign of vengeance and political retribution in the GOP bid to reclaim the White House.

Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wants to take action against President Biden's judicial system.&nbsp; On social media, Marshall shared a letter he and seven other Senators signed.&nbsp;

Marshall wrote, "Joe Biden and his army of partisan hack judges have weaponized our judicial system against his political opponent.

Words are not enough. Call on your Senator to join our fight - We will block every single Biden judicial nomination until America votes on November 5th."

Almost no&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-verdict-republicans-guilty-reaction-congress-election-c8193404866565c55b093086890cbef8">Republican official</a>&nbsp;has stood up to suggest Trump should not be the party's presidential candidate for the November election — in fact, some have sought to hasten his nomination. Few others dared to defend the legitimacy of the New York state court that heard&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">the hush money case</a>&nbsp;against the former president or the 12 jurors who unanimously rendered their verdict.

In fact, any Republicans who expressed doubts about Trump's innocence or political viability, including his former hawkish national security adviser John Bolton or top-tier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/larry-hogan">Senate candidate Larry Hogan</a>&nbsp;of Maryland, were instantly bullied by the former president’s enforcers and told to “leave the party.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said she's voting for Trump “whether he is a free man or a prisoner of the Biden regime.”

She also posted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/trump-guilty-verdict-updates#0000018f-cee6-d3a3-a7ef-fef77d600000">upside-down American flag</a>&nbsp;that has come to symbolize the “Stop the Steal” movement Trump started with allies before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Jan. 6, 2021, attack</a>&nbsp;on the U.S. Capitol.

The swift, strident and deepening commitment to Trump despite his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">felony conviction</a>&nbsp;shows how fully Republican leaders and lawmakers have been infused with his unfounded grievances of a “rigged” system and dangerous conspiracies of “weaponized" government into their own attacks on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and the Democrats.

Rather than shunning Trump's escalating authoritarian language or ensuring they will provide checks and balances for a second Trump term, the Republican senators and representatives are upturning longstanding faith in U.S. governance and setting the stage for what they plan to do if Trump regains power.

On Friday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, demanded the prosecutors Alvin Bragg and Matthew Colangelo appear for a June hearing on the “weaponization of the federal government” and “the unprecedented political prosecution” of Trump — despite the fact that Biden, as president, has no authority over the state courts in New York.

“What we’re gearing up for is if Trump wins, he’s going to use the apparatus of the state to target his political opponents,” said Jason Stanley, a professor at Yale and the author of “How Fascism Works.”

Stanley said history is full of examples of people not believing the rhetoric of authoritarians. “Believe what they say,” he said. “He's literally telling you he’s going to use the apparatus of the state to target his political opponents."

At his Trump Tower on Friday in New York, the former president returned to the kinds of attacks he has repeatedly lodged in campaign speeches, portraying Biden as the one who is a “corrupt” and the U.S. as a “fascist” nation.

Trump called the members of the bipartisan House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol “thugs” and said Biden was a “Manchurian candidate,” a phrase inspired by the 1960s movie portraying a puppet of a U.S. political enemy.

A Trump campaign memo contained talking points for Republican lawmakers, suggesting they call the case a “sham,” “hoax,” “witch hunt,” “election interference" and “lawfare” designed by Biden, whom it called “crooked."

Biden faces no such charges, and the House GOP's efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-impeachment-invite-congress-hunter-republicans-a2ffd73660b71cbb31b97ad4bfe44c07">impeach the president</a>&nbsp;over his son Hunter Biden's business dealings, have largely stalled out. Hunter Biden is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-gun-case-trial-61ae47f6c9296f02d1462d82b1a47897">due in court next week</a>&nbsp;on an unrelated firearms charge in Wilmington, Delaware.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-response-trump-convictions-hush-money-case-52d14817f4e715f9bc4c188a766d5738">Joe Biden said Friday</a>&nbsp;that “it’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible, for anyone to say this is rigged just because they don’t like the verdict.”

Asked later at the White House if this could happen to him, Biden said: “Not at all. I didn’t do anything wrong. The system still works.”

As for Trump's claims the case is being orchestrated by the Democratic president to hurt him politically, Biden quipped: “I didn’t know I was that powerful.”

In the hush money case, Trump was found guilty of trying to influence the 2016 election by falsifying payment to a porn actor to bury her story of an affair. He faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-classified-documents-january-6-a0cb26da1959e2be04a4be2080eba0ad">three other felony indictments</a>, including the federal case over his effort to overturn the 2020 election. But they are not likely to be heard before November’s expected election rematch with Biden.

Thursday's verdict came after a jury in 2023 found Trump to be liable for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-carroll-trial-fe68259a4b98bb3947d42af9ec83d7db">sexual abuse against advice columnist E. Jean Carroll</a>&nbsp;and a judge in a 2024 business fraud case determined that Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-verdict-engoron-244024861f0df886543c157c9fc5b3e4">lied about his wealth for years,</a>&nbsp;ordering him to pay a staggering $355 million in penalties.

Almost to a person, the Republicans in Congress who spoke out provided a singular voice for Trump.

Speaker Mike Johnson on “Fox &amp; Friends” amplified the claim, without evidence, that Democrats are trying to hurt Trump. Johnson, R-La., said he thinks the Supreme Court should “step in” to resolve the case.

“The justices on the court, I know many of them personally, I think they're deeply concerned about that as we are,” Johnson said.

The outgoing Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said he expected Trump would win the hush money case on appeal, but the three senators seeking to replace McConnell as leader echoed Trump with stronger criticisms of the judicial system.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune said the case was “politically motivated." Texas Sen. John Cornyn called the verdict “a disgrace." Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said that everyone who calls themselves a party leader “must stand up and condemn” what he called “lawless election interference.”

Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican who is known as a bipartisan leader, said the prosecutor “brought these charges precisely because of who the defendant was rather than because of any specified criminal conduct.”

With sentencing in the hush money case expected in July before the Republican National Convention, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas said the GOP should move up the convention to speed up Trump’s nomination as the party’s presidential pick.

Republican judicial advocate Mike Davis, a former top Senate aide mentioned for a future Trump administration position, circulated a letter outlining the next steps.

“Dear Republicans,” he said in a Friday post. If their response to the guilty verdict was “we must respect the process” or “we are too principled to retaliate,” he suggested they do two things: One was an expletive, the other: “Leave the party.”

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, circulated his own letter in which he suggested it was the White House that “made a mockery” of the rule of law and altered politics in “un-American” ways. He and other senators threatened to stall Senate business until Republicans take action.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717183772115.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Embracing Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">strategy of blaming the U.S. justice system</a>&nbsp;after his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">historic guilty verdict</a>, Republicans in Congress are fervently enlisting themselves in his campaign of vengeance and political retribution in the GOP bid to reclaim the White House.Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wants to take action against President Biden's judicial system.&nbsp; On social media, Marshall shared a letter he and seven other Senators signed.&nbsp;Marshall wrote, "Joe Biden and his army of partisan hack judges have weaponized our judicial system against his political opponent.Words are not enough. Call on your Senator to join our fight - We will block every single Biden judicial nomination until America votes on November 5th."Almost no&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-verdict-republicans-guilty-reaction-congress-election-c8193404866565c55b093086890cbef8">Republican official</a>&nbsp;has stood up to suggest Trump should not be the party's presidential candidate for the November election — in fact, some have sought to hasten his nomination. Few others dared to defend the legitimacy of the New York state court that heard&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-campaign-trial-4629840240cb308c5eae335532ad17ed">the hush money case</a>&nbsp;against the former president or the 12 jurors who unanimously rendered their verdict.In fact, any Republicans who expressed doubts about Trump's innocence or political viability, including his former hawkish national security adviser John Bolton or top-tier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/larry-hogan">Senate candidate Larry Hogan</a>&nbsp;of Maryland, were instantly bullied by the former president’s enforcers and told to “leave the party.”Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said she's voting for Trump “whether he is a free man or a prisoner of the Biden regime.”She also posted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/trump-guilty-verdict-updates#0000018f-cee6-d3a3-a7ef-fef77d600000">upside-down American flag</a>&nbsp;that has come to symbolize the “Stop the Steal” movement Trump started with allies before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Jan. 6, 2021, attack</a>&nbsp;on the U.S. Capitol.The swift, strident and deepening commitment to Trump despite his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">felony conviction</a>&nbsp;shows how fully Republican leaders and lawmakers have been infused with his unfounded grievances of a “rigged” system and dangerous conspiracies of “weaponized" government into their own attacks on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and the Democrats.Rather than shunning Trump's escalating authoritarian language or ensuring they will provide checks and balances for a second Trump term, the Republican senators and representatives are upturning longstanding faith in U.S. governance and setting the stage for what they plan to do if Trump regains power.On Friday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, demanded the prosecutors Alvin Bragg and Matthew Colangelo appear for a June hearing on the “weaponization of the federal government” and “the unprecedented political prosecution” of Trump — despite the fact that Biden, as president, has no authority over the state courts in New York.“What we’re gearing up for is if Trump wins, he’s going to use the apparatus of the state to target his political opponents,” said Jason Stanley, a professor at Yale and the author of “How Fascism Works.”Stanley said history is full of examples of people not believing the rhetoric of authoritarians. “Believe what they say,” he said. “He's literally telling you he’s going to use the apparatus of the state to target his political opponents."At his Trump Tower on Friday in New York, the former president returned to the kinds of attacks he has repeatedly lodged in campaign speeches, portraying Biden as the one who is a “corrupt” and the U.S. as a “fascist” nation.Trump called the members of the bipartisan House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol “thugs” and said Biden was a “Manchurian candidate,” a phrase inspired by the 1960s movie portraying a puppet of a U.S. political enemy.A Trump campaign memo contained talking points for Republican lawmakers, suggesting they call the case a “sham,” “hoax,” “witch hunt,” “election interference" and “lawfare” designed by Biden, whom it called “crooked."Biden faces no such charges, and the House GOP's efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-impeachment-invite-congress-hunter-republicans-a2ffd73660b71cbb31b97ad4bfe44c07">impeach the president</a>&nbsp;over his son Hunter Biden's business dealings, have largely stalled out. Hunter Biden is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-gun-case-trial-61ae47f6c9296f02d1462d82b1a47897">due in court next week</a>&nbsp;on an unrelated firearms charge in Wilmington, Delaware.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-response-trump-convictions-hush-money-case-52d14817f4e715f9bc4c188a766d5738">Joe Biden said Friday</a>&nbsp;that “it’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible, for anyone to say this is rigged just because they don’t like the verdict.”Asked later at the White House if this could happen to him, Biden said: “Not at all. I didn’t do anything wrong. The system still works.”As for Trump's claims the case is being orchestrated by the Democratic president to hurt him politically, Biden quipped: “I didn’t know I was that powerful.”In the hush money case, Trump was found guilty of trying to influence the 2016 election by falsifying payment to a porn actor to bury her story of an affair. He faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-classified-documents-january-6-a0cb26da1959e2be04a4be2080eba0ad">three other felony indictments</a>, including the federal case over his effort to overturn the 2020 election. But they are not likely to be heard before November’s expected election rematch with Biden.Thursday's verdict came after a jury in 2023 found Trump to be liable for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rape-carroll-trial-fe68259a4b98bb3947d42af9ec83d7db">sexual abuse against advice columnist E. Jean Carroll</a>&nbsp;and a judge in a 2024 business fraud case determined that Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-verdict-engoron-244024861f0df886543c157c9fc5b3e4">lied about his wealth for years,</a>&nbsp;ordering him to pay a staggering $355 million in penalties.Almost to a person, the Republicans in Congress who spoke out provided a singular voice for Trump.Speaker Mike Johnson on “Fox &amp; Friends” amplified the claim, without evidence, that Democrats are trying to hurt Trump. Johnson, R-La., said he thinks the Supreme Court should “step in” to resolve the case.“The justices on the court, I know many of them personally, I think they're deeply concerned about that as we are,” Johnson said.The outgoing Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said he expected Trump would win the hush money case on appeal, but the three senators seeking to replace McConnell as leader echoed Trump with stronger criticisms of the judicial system.South Dakota Sen. John Thune said the case was “politically motivated." Texas Sen. John Cornyn called the verdict “a disgrace." Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said that everyone who calls themselves a party leader “must stand up and condemn” what he called “lawless election interference.”Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican who is known as a bipartisan leader, said the prosecutor “brought these charges precisely because of who the defendant was rather than because of any specified criminal conduct.”With sentencing in the hush money case expected in July before the Republican National Convention, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas said the GOP should move up the convention to speed up Trump’s nomination as the party’s presidential pick.Republican judicial advocate Mike Davis, a former top Senate aide mentioned for a future Trump administration position, circulated a letter outlining the next steps.“Dear Republicans,” he said in a Friday post. If their response to the guilty verdict was “we must respect the process” or “we are too principled to retaliate,” he suggested they do two things: One was an expletive, the other: “Leave the party.”Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, circulated his own letter in which he suggested it was the White House that “made a mockery” of the rule of law and altered politics in “un-American” ways. He and other senators threatened to stall Senate business until Republicans take action.