KANSAS CITY—Two Texas men made their initial appearances after a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment on charges related to stolen merchandise, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Gerald Ditz, 31, and Michael Alaniz, 35, both of El Paso, Texas, are charged with one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property, one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, one count of mail and wire fraud conspiracy, and one count of mail fraud.

Between May 2023 and May 2024, Ditz and Alaniz are accused of using their employment at a freight-contracting company that serves a train station in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, to unlawfully obtain Garmin brand watches that were in transit to Garmin’s warehouse in Olathe, Kansas. Ditz and Alaniz allegedly sold dozens of the stolen Garmin watches over the Internet to unwitting buyers.

According to the indictment, in addition to the watches allegedly associated with or sold by Ditz and Alaniz, other watches stolen from the Garmin shipping container have registrations that appear to be connected to more than a dozen individuals (approximately fifteen percent of the workforce) assigned or formerly assigned at the Santa Teresa train station.

Ditz made his initial court appearance on July 29, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas. Alaniz made his initial court appearance July 30, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722457994982.png" alt="Photo Garmin" />
 <figcaption>Photo Garmin</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Two Texas men made their initial appearances after a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment on charges related to stolen merchandise, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Gerald Ditz, 31, and Michael Alaniz, 35, both of El Paso, Texas, are charged with one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property, one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, one count of mail and wire fraud conspiracy, and one count of mail fraud.Between May 2023 and May 2024, Ditz and Alaniz are accused of using their employment at a freight-contracting company that serves a train station in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, to unlawfully obtain Garmin brand watches that were in transit to Garmin’s warehouse in Olathe, Kansas. Ditz and Alaniz allegedly sold dozens of the stolen Garmin watches over the Internet to unwitting buyers.According to the indictment, in addition to the watches allegedly associated with or sold by Ditz and Alaniz, other watches stolen from the Garmin shipping container have registrations that appear to be connected to more than a dozen individuals (approximately fifteen percent of the workforce) assigned or formerly assigned at the Santa Teresa train station.Ditz made his initial court appearance on July 29, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas. Alaniz made his initial court appearance July 30, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case

Two accused of selling watches stolen from Kan. based company

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jaredstrong/">JARED STRONG</a>&nbsp;

Federal health officials are encouraging farm workers who tend livestock and poultry to get vaccinated for seasonal influenza to help prevent a bird flu mutation that might spark a pandemic in people.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday it would devote up to $5 million to pay for the vaccinations, and that it will rely on states to implement the initiative.

There are 14 known human infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza that resulted from contact with infected dairy cattle and poultry in the United States, and all but one has happened in the past four months.

The virus has been circulated by wild birds for more than two years and has sporadically transmitted to domestic birds. A variation of the virus has been infecting U.S. dairy cattle since December, and four people who worked closely with infected cattle also became ill.

In recent weeks, nine people in Colorado who were tasked with culling infected poultry contracted the virus.

The CDC has maintained that the virus’ risk to humans is low — those who have been infected so far had minor symptoms of respiratory illness or pinkeye, or both.

It has not been shown to transmit between people, but the virus has the potential to rapidly gain that ability if it infects someone who also has a seasonal flu virus.

“Such dual infections, while rare, could potentially result in an exchange of genetic material between two different influenza viruses,” Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director for the CDC, said in a call with reporters Tuesday.

Shah said that “reassortment” process could pose a “significant public health concern” if bird flu gains the ability to spread person-to-person the way seasonal flu does, potentially resulting in a virus that spreads easily and causes severe symptoms.

Shah said the CDC will devote up to $10 million for farm workers’ health related to avian flu. Half will be spent educating and training farm workers about how to avoid being infected.

The other half will pay for seasonal flu vaccines for an estimated 200,000 farm workers who tend livestock and poultry. The CDC hopes to vaccinate all of them but acknowledges that less than half of the general population typically gets a flu shot.

How the voluntary vaccination effort will proceed is unclear. State health officials are expected to implement them, most immediately in the 13 states that have confirmed infections among cows.

That includes Iowa, where 13 dairy herds have been infected. However, no new infections have been reported in the state in the past month.

A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services — which presumably would coordinate with the CDC — did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.

The vaccine will not protect the workers from contracting bird flu, Shah said, nor will it guarantee they won’t be infected by seasonal flu. But he said it’s an important component of the public health response to the new virus’ threat.

“The risk here is a theoretical but important risk,” Shah said.

The confirmations of new bird flu infections among cattle have waned significantly in most states, except for in Colorado. In the past 30 days, two-thirds of the nation’s 32 newly infected herds were in that state, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

Some of that might be due to Colorado’s&nbsp;<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-requiring-dairy-products-to-be-regularly-tested-for-bird-flu-amid-outbreak/" target="_blank">robust testing protocols</a>, but it’s also “a quirk of history and geography,” said Eric Deeble, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs for the USDA.

The state has far fewer dairy farms than the leading milk-producing states, but most of them are concentrated in one county.

“They are all in very close proximity to one another, and so there is a lot of sharing of equipment, a lot of sharing of personnel and a lot of movement on and off farms to adjacent farms,” Deeble said.

The USDA has identified the movement of equipment and people between dairy farms as a primary vector for virus transmissions from herd to herd and from herd to flock.

The virus has been identified in 172 dairy herds in the United States this year. Fifty of them are in Colorado. In Texas, where the infections originated, the virus was confirmed in 22 herds, although there were many that went untested because they recovered before bird flu&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/17/two-veterinarians-hundreds-of-miles-apart-solved-a-cow-sickness-whodunit/" target="_blank">was identified</a>&nbsp;as the culprit.

This story was originally published by the&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/07/30/worried-about-bird-flu-mutation-feds-seek-livestock-worker-vaccinations/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, a States Newsroom affiliate.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722448527185.png" alt="Cow Photo courtesy of Iowa State Dairy Association)." />
 <figcaption>Cow Photo courtesy of Iowa State Dairy Association).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jaredstrong/">JARED STRONG</a>&nbsp;Federal health officials are encouraging farm workers who tend livestock and poultry to get vaccinated for seasonal influenza to help prevent a bird flu mutation that might spark a pandemic in people.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday it would devote up to $5 million to pay for the vaccinations, and that it will rely on states to implement the initiative.There are 14 known human infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza that resulted from contact with infected dairy cattle and poultry in the United States, and all but one has happened in the past four months.The virus has been circulated by wild birds for more than two years and has sporadically transmitted to domestic birds. A variation of the virus has been infecting U.S. dairy cattle since December, and four people who worked closely with infected cattle also became ill.In recent weeks, nine people in Colorado who were tasked with culling infected poultry contracted the virus.The CDC has maintained that the virus’ risk to humans is low — those who have been infected so far had minor symptoms of respiratory illness or pinkeye, or both.It has not been shown to transmit between people, but the virus has the potential to rapidly gain that ability if it infects someone who also has a seasonal flu virus.“Such dual infections, while rare, could potentially result in an exchange of genetic material between two different influenza viruses,” Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director for the CDC, said in a call with reporters Tuesday.Shah said that “reassortment” process could pose a “significant public health concern” if bird flu gains the ability to spread person-to-person the way seasonal flu does, potentially resulting in a virus that spreads easily and causes severe symptoms.<h2>A new vaccination campaign</h2>Shah said the CDC will devote up to $10 million for farm workers’ health related to avian flu. Half will be spent educating and training farm workers about how to avoid being infected.The other half will pay for seasonal flu vaccines for an estimated 200,000 farm workers who tend livestock and poultry. The CDC hopes to vaccinate all of them but acknowledges that less than half of the general population typically gets a flu shot.How the voluntary vaccination effort will proceed is unclear. State health officials are expected to implement them, most immediately in the 13 states that have confirmed infections among cows.That includes Iowa, where 13 dairy herds have been infected. However, no new infections have been reported in the state in the past month.A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services — which presumably would coordinate with the CDC — did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.The vaccine will not protect the workers from contracting bird flu, Shah said, nor will it guarantee they won’t be infected by seasonal flu. But he said it’s an important component of the public health response to the new virus’ threat.“The risk here is a theoretical but important risk,” Shah said.<h2>Colorado has most recent infections</h2>The confirmations of new bird flu infections among cattle have waned significantly in most states, except for in Colorado. In the past 30 days, two-thirds of the nation’s 32 newly infected herds were in that state, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.Some of that might be due to Colorado’s&nbsp;<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-requiring-dairy-products-to-be-regularly-tested-for-bird-flu-amid-outbreak/" target="_blank">robust testing protocols</a>, but it’s also “a quirk of history and geography,” said Eric Deeble, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs for the USDA.The state has far fewer dairy farms than the leading milk-producing states, but most of them are concentrated in one county.“They are all in very close proximity to one another, and so there is a lot of sharing of equipment, a lot of sharing of personnel and a lot of movement on and off farms to adjacent farms,” Deeble said.The USDA has identified the movement of equipment and people between dairy farms as a primary vector for virus transmissions from herd to herd and from herd to flock.The virus has been identified in 172 dairy herds in the United States this year. Fifty of them are in Colorado. In Texas, where the infections originated, the virus was confirmed in 22 herds, although there were many that went untested because they recovered before bird flu&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/17/two-veterinarians-hundreds-of-miles-apart-solved-a-cow-sickness-whodunit/" target="_blank">was identified</a>&nbsp;as the culprit.This story was originally published by the&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/07/30/worried-about-bird-flu-mutation-feds-seek-livestock-worker-vaccinations/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, a States Newsroom affiliate.&nbsp;

Worried about bird flu mutation, feds seek livestock worker vaccinations

&nbsp;WASHINGTON —The Secret Service's acting director told a United State's Senate committee Tuesday that he considered it indefensible that the roof used by the gunman in&nbsp;the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump&nbsp;was unsecured.&nbsp; Following the hearing, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall led colleagues in demanding accountability on Trump assassination attempt.

Marshall is calling for an independent commission that identifies all of the problems and mistakes that took place on July 13th.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722374985803.png" alt="Kansas Senator Roger Marshall during Tuesday's hearing with Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr.-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Senator Roger Marshall during Tuesday's hearing with Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr.-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;WASHINGTON —The Secret Service's acting director told a United State's Senate committee Tuesday that he considered it indefensible that the roof used by the gunman in&nbsp;the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump&nbsp;was unsecured.&nbsp; Following the hearing, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall led colleagues in demanding accountability on Trump assassination attempt.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am demanding an independent commission that identifies all of the problems and mistakes that took place on July 13th. Corey’s family deserves more, President Trump deserves more and the American people deserve more. <a href="https://t.co/hk1YLYpPcB">pic.twitter.com/hk1YLYpPcB</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1818379725024133403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are 17 days out from the assassination attempt on Trump. I don&#39;t want conversations and processes- I want answers and accountability. Hiding behind a vague, slow-moving investigation is not going to cut it. We need full reform at the Secret Service and FBI now. <a href="https://t.co/vBwmq4FnCh">pic.twitter.com/vBwmq4FnCh</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1818338263775547853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Marshall is calling for an independent commission that identifies all of the problems and mistakes that took place on July 13th.

🎥Kan. U.S. Senator calls for independent investigation of Trump assassination attempt

MCPHERSON COUNTY — A 14-month old was rescued Sunday afternoon, according to a social media post from Moundridge Police Department.

Just before 2 p.m., Moundridge Police, Fire and EMS were called to a report of a juvenile needing assistance. The child was trapped underground inside a PVC pipe. The pipe was about 12 inches in diameter and 10-12 feet deep. The child was apparently uninjured and upright in the bottom of the pipe.

Emergency crews worked for 15-20 minutes to recover the child. Officer Wagner constructed a makeshift 'catch pole'. This creative solution was instrumental in lifting the child out.

The child was physically OK, though obviously emotionally shaken from the experience.

MCPHERSON COUNTY — A 14-month old was rescued Sunday afternoon, according to a social media post from Moundridge Police Department.Just before 2 p.m., Moundridge Police, Fire and EMS were called to a report of a juvenile needing assistance. The child was trapped underground inside a PVC pipe. The pipe was about 12 inches in diameter and 10-12 feet deep. The child was apparently uninjured and upright in the bottom of the pipe.Emergency crews worked for 15-20 minutes to recover the child. Officer Wagner constructed a makeshift 'catch pole'. This creative solution was instrumental in lifting the child out.The child was physically OK, though obviously emotionally shaken from the experience.

Toddler rescued after trapped in underground pipe

YORK COUNTY —Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol located 77 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and arrested two people during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near York, according to a media release.

At approximately 9:15 a.m. Saturday, a trooper stopped a Hyundai Sonata for speeding on Interstate 80 near York. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered that the vehicle was not insured.&nbsp;

Prior to towing the vehicle, troopers performed an inventory of the vehicle and discovered numerous container bags of suspected methamphetamine. The total weight of the bags was 77 pounds.

The driver, Rosita Vizcarra, 28, and passenger, Julio Garcia-Guerrero, 26, both of Omaha, were arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. Both remain in the York County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722280995060.jpeg" alt="Photo Nebraska State Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo Nebraska State Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>YORK COUNTY —Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol located 77 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and arrested two people during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near York, according to a media release.At approximately 9:15 a.m. Saturday, a trooper stopped a Hyundai Sonata for speeding on Interstate 80 near York. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered that the vehicle was not insured.&nbsp;Prior to towing the vehicle, troopers performed an inventory of the vehicle and discovered numerous container bags of suspected methamphetamine. The total weight of the bags was 77 pounds.The driver, Rosita Vizcarra, 28, and passenger, Julio Garcia-Guerrero, 26, both of Omaha, were arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. Both remain in the York County Jail.

Troopers find 77 pounds of meth during traffic stop

Sen. Jerry Moran also revealed $10 million allocation for cardiovascular labs

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

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran wrapped a tour Friday of the University of Kansas Health System campus by celebrating a federal appropriation of $10 million for the KU Cancer Center and $10 million earmark for acquisition of sophisticated cardiovascular equipment.

The Kansas senator made his way through research and direct-care facilities, mingled with faculty, physicians and students as well as people who survived cancer and family members of those who didn’t with Kimryn Rathmell, director of the National Cancer Institute. She was making her first official visit as NCI director to one of the nation’s elite cancer centers.

“What’s taking place at the KU Cancer Center is amazing,” Moran said. “The dollars that are being provided to the University of Kansas are dollars that are well spent. There’s still work to be done.”

Moran said half of U.S. men and one-third of U.S. women would at some point in their lives be diagnosed with cancer. Currently, he said, there was no known treatment for cancers afflicting three of 10 people.

“Really what I think the KU Cancer Center is about is providing hope to everyone,” Moran said.

Roy Jensen, a KU vice chancellor and director of the KU Cancer Center, said federal financial support from the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute was imperative to advancing research and treatment.

“Sustainable, predictable, ongoing funding from NIH and NCI is absolutely critical to everything we do,” Jensen said. “It is the lifeblood of the University of Kansas Cancer Center. There’s no question. We have an extraordinary opportunity. I’ve been at this business now for 40 years plus and I’ve never been more hopeful in terms of making progress against this disease. But, that progress needs fuel and that’s the NIH budget and the NCI budget.”

During a news conference, Jensen was asked whether federal investment in cancer research was sufficient to meet the medical challenge.

“One of the things I find most exciting is that, in large part, we’re no longer groping in the dark in terms of what direction our research should be focused,” he said. “Cancer and a lot of other biomedical research is becoming a little bit more like engineering, where we understand the problems we face, and there’s tough problems. We have the tools available to us to solve those problems if we are willing to commit the resources to make it happen.”

KU has raised more than $250 million for construction of a large cancer research and treatment facility on the Kansas City campus, said KU chancellor Doug Girod.

“It’s going to be a game-changer for generations to come, both from the research perspective but also from the patient-care perspective. It’s bringing those two things together under one vision that’s really going to move the needle for us,” Girod said.

In June 2023, the KU Cancer Center received a $100 million gift from the Sunderland Foundation to build the state-of-the-art cancer facility. One year ago, Moran announced a $43 million federal appropriation to the Kansas Center’s programs.

The 2024 Kansas Legislature approved and Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a $75 million matching-grant appropriation for the project.

Bob Page, president and chief executive officer of KU Health System, said he personally appreciated federal support for the KU Cancer Center. He was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer four years ago and was treated at KU Health System.

“I was able to have this amazingly talented team take care of me,” he said. “And now, four years later, I’m standing before you cancer-free.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722281301489.png" alt=" U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, toured the KU Cancer Center facilities in Kansas City, Kansas, on Friday and announced a $10 million federal appropriation to cancer research and treatment and a $10 million earmark for cardiovascular laboratory equipment. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, toured the KU Cancer Center facilities in Kansas City, Kansas, on Friday and announced a $10 million federal appropriation to cancer research and treatment and a $10 million earmark for cardiovascular laboratory equipment. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Sen. Jerry Moran also revealed $10 million allocation for cardiovascular labs</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>KANSAS CITY, Kan. — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran wrapped a tour Friday of the University of Kansas Health System campus by celebrating a federal appropriation of $10 million for the KU Cancer Center and $10 million earmark for acquisition of sophisticated cardiovascular equipment.The Kansas senator made his way through research and direct-care facilities, mingled with faculty, physicians and students as well as people who survived cancer and family members of those who didn’t with Kimryn Rathmell, director of the National Cancer Institute. She was making her first official visit as NCI director to one of the nation’s elite cancer centers.“What’s taking place at the KU Cancer Center is amazing,” Moran said. “The dollars that are being provided to the University of Kansas are dollars that are well spent. There’s still work to be done.”Moran said half of U.S. men and one-third of U.S. women would at some point in their lives be diagnosed with cancer. Currently, he said, there was no known treatment for cancers afflicting three of 10 people.“Really what I think the KU Cancer Center is about is providing hope to everyone,” Moran said.Roy Jensen, a KU vice chancellor and director of the KU Cancer Center, said federal financial support from the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute was imperative to advancing research and treatment.“Sustainable, predictable, ongoing funding from NIH and NCI is absolutely critical to everything we do,” Jensen said. “It is the lifeblood of the University of Kansas Cancer Center. There’s no question. We have an extraordinary opportunity. I’ve been at this business now for 40 years plus and I’ve never been more hopeful in terms of making progress against this disease. But, that progress needs fuel and that’s the NIH budget and the NCI budget.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722281346784.png" alt="Roy Jensen, director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, said he welcomed the new federal appropriation of $10 million to the cancer research and treatment program. He expressed optimism that scientists had a better idea of how to approach cancer research and was confident the yet-to-be build cancer facility in Kansas City, Kansas, would change the face of treatment in the region. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Roy Jensen, director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, said he welcomed the new federal appropriation of $10 million to the cancer research and treatment program. He expressed optimism that scientists had a better idea of how to approach cancer research and was confident the yet-to-be build cancer facility in Kansas City, Kansas, would change the face of treatment in the region. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>During a news conference, Jensen was asked whether federal investment in cancer research was sufficient to meet the medical challenge.“One of the things I find most exciting is that, in large part, we’re no longer groping in the dark in terms of what direction our research should be focused,” he said. “Cancer and a lot of other biomedical research is becoming a little bit more like engineering, where we understand the problems we face, and there’s tough problems. We have the tools available to us to solve those problems if we are willing to commit the resources to make it happen.”KU has raised more than $250 million for construction of a large cancer research and treatment facility on the Kansas City campus, said KU chancellor Doug Girod.“It’s going to be a game-changer for generations to come, both from the research perspective but also from the patient-care perspective. It’s bringing those two things together under one vision that’s really going to move the needle for us,” Girod said.In June 2023, the KU Cancer Center received a $100 million gift from the Sunderland Foundation to build the state-of-the-art cancer facility. One year ago, Moran announced a $43 million federal appropriation to the Kansas Center’s programs.The 2024 Kansas Legislature approved and Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a $75 million matching-grant appropriation for the project.Bob Page, president and chief executive officer of KU Health System, said he personally appreciated federal support for the KU Cancer Center. He was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer four years ago and was treated at KU Health System.“I was able to have this amazingly talented team take care of me,” he said. “And now, four years later, I’m standing before you cancer-free.”

$10 million federal grant to KU Cancer Center like an injection of hope for researchers, patients

JERUSALEM — U.S. forces continue to face daily threats in the Red Sea and the surrounding area.

Over the past week U.S. forces successfully destroyed 11 Iranian-backed Houthi drones including six on Friday in the Red Sea, according to the U.S. Central Command.

They also destroyed two surface-to-air missiles and five missile launchers and on Thursday destoyed a drone launcher. All of these were in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.


It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

JERUSALEM — U.S. forces continue to face daily threats in the Red Sea and the surrounding area.Over the past week U.S. forces successfully destroyed 11 Iranian-backed Houthi drones including six on Friday in the Red Sea, according to the U.S. Central Command.They also destroyed two surface-to-air missiles and five missile launchers and on Thursday destoyed a drone launcher. All of these were in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

U.S. forces continue to face daily threats in the Red Sea

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/chase-woodruff/">CHASE WOODRUFF</a>

A Colorado judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $24.6 billion merger between the nation’s two largest supermarket chains ahead of an antitrust trial in state court set to begin in September.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in February&nbsp;<a href="https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-14-Complaint-Public.pdf" target="_blank">sued</a>&nbsp;to block the merger between grocery giant Kroger, which operates King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado, and Albertsons, which operates the Safeway brand. Weiser’s suit alleges that the deal violates state antitrust laws and would have “harmful impacts on consumers, workers, and suppliers.” The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson have also challenged the merger in court.

Denver District Court Judge Andrew Luxen on Thursday granted Weiser’s request for a preliminary injunction against the merger, barring the two companies from completing their deal before a ruling is issued in the case.

“Based on the evidence presented by the State in its Motion and the Joint Stipulation, the Court finds there is a reasonable probability that the State will prove its claims against Defendants at trial,” Luxen wrote in his order.

Hearings on Weiser’s request for a preliminary injunction was scheduled to begin Aug. 12. The companies agreed to the temporary injunction “to conserve judicial and party resources,” according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2024/07/2024-07-24-Joint-Stipulated-Order-for-Temporary-Injunctive-Relief.pdf" target="_blank">stipulation</a>&nbsp;filed with the court Wednesday, and the case will instead proceed to trial in the fall.

“I am pleased that Kroger and Albertsons agreed to halt their plans to merge until the court rules on the state’s lawsuit to permanently block the grocery merger,” Weiser said in a statement. “This is great news for shoppers, workers, farmers, and other suppliers, who can rest assured that this megamerger will not go into effect during harvest season and while kids are headed back to school.”

Kroger, based in Ohio, operates more than 2,700 stores and Albertsons, based in Idaho, operates more than 2,200 stores across the country. Kroger’s proposed acquisition of Albertsons, one of the largest retail mergers ever proposed, has been opposed by labor unions and consumer advocates who fear that the consolidation could lead to higher prices and decreased wages and bargaining power for workers.

The companies last month&nbsp;<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/2024/07/11/colorado-workers-kroger-albertsons-divest-merger/" target="_blank">detailed a divestiture plan</a>&nbsp;in which they propose to sell 579 locations nationwide — including 91 Safeway stores in Colorado — to New Hampshire-based C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers, in a bid to allay antitrust concerns. But critics of the plan paint C&amp;S, a supplier that currently operates just 23 retail locations nationwide, as a struggling company with shaky finances, unequipped to operate 579 newly acquired stores as an “effective competitor” to the merged Kroger-Albertsons behemoth.

“We cannot entrust our grocery stores — which are integral to our communities and our workers — to the untested, inexperienced C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers,” United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 President Kim Cordova, whose union represents more than 23,000 King Soopers and Safeway workers in Colorado and Wyoming, said in a statement earlier this month.

In addition to other antitrust concerns, Weiser’s yearlong investigation into the merger uncovered evidence of alleged collusion between Kroger and Albertsons during a January 2022 strike by UCFW Local 7 workers at Colorado King Soopers stores: “no-poach” and “non-solicitation” deals in which Albertsons agreed not to hire striking King Soopers employees or to attract King Soopers pharmacy customers.

A two-week trial in the Colorado case is scheduled to begin Sept. 30.

“My office looks forward to making the case that this merger will eliminate competition and impact food prices, jobs, and consumer choice,” Weiser said.

<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-judge-blocks-kroger-albertsons/" target="_blank">This story</a>&nbsp;was produced by Colorado Newsline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721996032601.png" alt="Workers and community members form a picket line outside a Denver King Soopers, after United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 began a strike over stalled labor negotiations on Jan. 12, 2021. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)" />
 <figcaption>Workers and community members form a picket line outside a Denver King Soopers, after United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 began a strike over stalled labor negotiations on Jan. 12, 2021. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/chase-woodruff/">CHASE WOODRUFF</a>A Colorado judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $24.6 billion merger between the nation’s two largest supermarket chains ahead of an antitrust trial in state court set to begin in September.Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in February&nbsp;<a href="https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-14-Complaint-Public.pdf" target="_blank">sued</a>&nbsp;to block the merger between grocery giant Kroger, which operates King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado, and Albertsons, which operates the Safeway brand. Weiser’s suit alleges that the deal violates state antitrust laws and would have “harmful impacts on consumers, workers, and suppliers.” The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson have also challenged the merger in court.Denver District Court Judge Andrew Luxen on Thursday granted Weiser’s request for a preliminary injunction against the merger, barring the two companies from completing their deal before a ruling is issued in the case.“Based on the evidence presented by the State in its Motion and the Joint Stipulation, the Court finds there is a reasonable probability that the State will prove its claims against Defendants at trial,” Luxen wrote in his order.Hearings on Weiser’s request for a preliminary injunction was scheduled to begin Aug. 12. The companies agreed to the temporary injunction “to conserve judicial and party resources,” according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2024/07/2024-07-24-Joint-Stipulated-Order-for-Temporary-Injunctive-Relief.pdf" target="_blank">stipulation</a>&nbsp;filed with the court Wednesday, and the case will instead proceed to trial in the fall.“I am pleased that Kroger and Albertsons agreed to halt their plans to merge until the court rules on the state’s lawsuit to permanently block the grocery merger,” Weiser said in a statement. “This is great news for shoppers, workers, farmers, and other suppliers, who can rest assured that this megamerger will not go into effect during harvest season and while kids are headed back to school.”Kroger, based in Ohio, operates more than 2,700 stores and Albertsons, based in Idaho, operates more than 2,200 stores across the country. Kroger’s proposed acquisition of Albertsons, one of the largest retail mergers ever proposed, has been opposed by labor unions and consumer advocates who fear that the consolidation could lead to higher prices and decreased wages and bargaining power for workers.The companies last month&nbsp;<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/2024/07/11/colorado-workers-kroger-albertsons-divest-merger/" target="_blank">detailed a divestiture plan</a>&nbsp;in which they propose to sell 579 locations nationwide — including 91 Safeway stores in Colorado — to New Hampshire-based C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers, in a bid to allay antitrust concerns. But critics of the plan paint C&amp;S, a supplier that currently operates just 23 retail locations nationwide, as a struggling company with shaky finances, unequipped to operate 579 newly acquired stores as an “effective competitor” to the merged Kroger-Albertsons behemoth.“We cannot entrust our grocery stores — which are integral to our communities and our workers — to the untested, inexperienced C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers,” United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 President Kim Cordova, whose union represents more than 23,000 King Soopers and Safeway workers in Colorado and Wyoming, said in a statement earlier this month.In addition to other antitrust concerns, Weiser’s yearlong investigation into the merger uncovered evidence of alleged collusion between Kroger and Albertsons during a January 2022 strike by UCFW Local 7 workers at Colorado King Soopers stores: “no-poach” and “non-solicitation” deals in which Albertsons agreed not to hire striking King Soopers employees or to attract King Soopers pharmacy customers.A two-week trial in the Colorado case is scheduled to begin Sept. 30.“My office looks forward to making the case that this merger will eliminate competition and impact food prices, jobs, and consumer choice,” Weiser said.<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-judge-blocks-kroger-albertsons/" target="_blank">This story</a>&nbsp;was produced by Colorado Newsline.

Judge temporarily blocks Kroger-Albertsons grocery ‘megamerger’

KANSAS CITY— Crews continued searching Thursday for a man who is missing in the Missouri River in Kansas City.

Just before 9p.m. Wednesday, the Kansas City Fire Department&nbsp;responded to a possible water rescue on the Missouri River, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. 

The police department received a call just before 9:00 p.m. from a third party stating that someone had entered the water nearly six hours earlier and was possible stranded on one of many rock outcroppings along the river.

The fire department deployed their Rescue Division with three boats along with two drones. On arrival crews began searching for the possible victim on the river from the boat ramp at River Front Park and areas east all the way to the city limits and shortly beyond. Using manual search techniques in conjunction with the drones' thermal imaging capabilities the river, both banks, out-croppings, strainers and islands were checked. 

The drones identified multiple areas of interest for boat crews to investigate, but physical searches of those areas came back negative. The KCFD spent just over four hours search the river and surrounding area before ceasing operations just after 1:00 a.m.&nbsp;

Early Thursday, the victim was identified as a 25-year-old man, according to Hopkins.&nbsp; Friends reported he entered the water to swim and could not return to the shore due to the current. The last contact was late afternoon near a rock out cropping offshore from the ramp, according to Hopkins.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721952217492.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY— Crews continued searching Thursday for a man who is missing in the Missouri River in Kansas City.Just before 9p.m. Wednesday, the Kansas City Fire Department&nbsp;responded to a possible water rescue on the Missouri River, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. The police department received a call just before 9:00 p.m. from a third party stating that someone had entered the water nearly six hours earlier and was possible stranded on one of many rock outcroppings along the river.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721952186275.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>The fire department deployed their Rescue Division with three boats along with two drones. On arrival crews began searching for the possible victim on the river from the boat ramp at River Front Park and areas east all the way to the city limits and shortly beyond. Using manual search techniques in conjunction with the drones' thermal imaging capabilities the river, both banks, out-croppings, strainers and islands were checked. The drones identified multiple areas of interest for boat crews to investigate, but physical searches of those areas came back negative. The KCFD spent just over four hours search the river and surrounding area before ceasing operations just after 1:00 a.m.&nbsp;Early Thursday, the victim was identified as a 25-year-old man, according to Hopkins.&nbsp; Friends reported he entered the water to swim and could not return to the shore due to the current. The last contact was late afternoon near a rock out cropping offshore from the ramp, according to Hopkins.

Search continues for man swept away in river near Kansas City

SALINA —Salina Police and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Salina.

Just before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to 544 N. 12th Street in Salina, after learning a man with a felony warrant was at the location, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

When officers arrived, they made contact with the homeowner, who reported that the subject, Larry J. Wray Jr., 44, of Salina, was in the detached garage, east of the residence. 

Officers entered the garage and placed Wray under arrest for an outstanding warrant.&nbsp; Preliminary information indicates that after Wray was taken into custody an officer heard another person inside the garage. 

Jesse D. Wray, 25, of Salina, was located in the garage. A K9 officer gave commands to Jesse to exit the garage, but he refused. He was holding a gun and made threats to shoot if law enforcement entered the garage. 

Jesse barricaded himself inside the garage. Officers backed away, set a perimeter, and called for the Salina SWAT Team to respond. Troopers from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kshighwayPatrol?__cft__[0]=AZWJj8yT8bE0JSytE1OovZTvavxH6inkgcdgZVOqGOuyovhCGYO6_G7md0la04YQugfpkRWbiZEEs31d26RzIvjC9O34eG5EgWYHXNy0l4R-ktD9eGJjZmhfFKy6-ZHL60ynRswxmaJyrVoNQ72eZK4eqzlfRFxw0I6kepyVYv3yTGPnH0i7ugg_XO4VYayvF3LIrvwaXk84fOY5kyFycNUI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas Highway Patrol</a> (KHP) arrived to assist.

While awaiting for the SWAT team, officers observed a fire and smoke in the garage. The large garage door opened and a woman exited, followed by Jesse. Gunfire was exchanged. Officers from the Salina Police Department and troopers from the KHP fired rounds that struck Jesse. He was pronounced deceased at the scene at 8:45 p.m.&nbsp; The woman was accessed at Salina Regional Health Center and was later released. No law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting.

SALINA —Salina Police and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Salina.

Just before 7:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to the 500 block of N. 12th Street in Salina, in reference to an individual at the location who had an outstanding felony warrant for their arrest, according to a media release from Salina Police.

Officers encountered several subjects, some having warrants and they were taken into custody. One of the initial individuals having the felony warrant barricaded himself and another subject inside the building. 

As police were attempting contact with the barricaded subject, on scene assistance was given by the Kansas Highway Patrol. During the incident, rounds were fired by law enforcement officers. The suspect was shot by law enforcement officers and pronounced dead at the scene. 

The officer involved shooting investigation has been turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. They were on the scene Thursday morning.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660826304117.jpeg" alt="Jesse Wray photo from an August 2022 arrest in Salina" />
 <figcaption>Jesse Wray photo from an August 2022 arrest in Salina</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Salina Police and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Salina.Just before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to 544 N. 12th Street in Salina, after learning a man with a felony warrant was at the location, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.When officers arrived, they made contact with the homeowner, who reported that the subject, Larry J. Wray Jr., 44, of Salina, was in the detached garage, east of the residence. Officers entered the garage and placed Wray under arrest for an outstanding warrant.&nbsp; Preliminary information indicates that after Wray was taken into custody an officer heard another person inside the garage. Jesse D. Wray, 25, of Salina, was located in the garage. A K9 officer gave commands to Jesse to exit the garage, but he refused. He was holding a gun and made threats to shoot if law enforcement entered the garage. Jesse barricaded himself inside the garage. Officers backed away, set a perimeter, and called for the Salina SWAT Team to respond. Troopers from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kshighwayPatrol?__cft__[0]=AZWJj8yT8bE0JSytE1OovZTvavxH6inkgcdgZVOqGOuyovhCGYO6_G7md0la04YQugfpkRWbiZEEs31d26RzIvjC9O34eG5EgWYHXNy0l4R-ktD9eGJjZmhfFKy6-ZHL60ynRswxmaJyrVoNQ72eZK4eqzlfRFxw0I6kepyVYv3yTGPnH0i7ugg_XO4VYayvF3LIrvwaXk84fOY5kyFycNUI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas Highway Patrol</a> (KHP) arrived to assist.While awaiting for the SWAT team, officers observed a fire and smoke in the garage. The large garage door opened and a woman exited, followed by Jesse. Gunfire was exchanged. Officers from the Salina Police Department and troopers from the KHP fired rounds that struck Jesse. He was pronounced deceased at the scene at 8:45 p.m.&nbsp; The woman was accessed at Salina Regional Health Center and was later released. No law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting.----------SALINA —Salina Police and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Salina.Just before 7:30p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to the 500 block of N. 12th Street in Salina, in reference to an individual at the location who had an outstanding felony warrant for their arrest, according to a media release from Salina Police.Officers encountered several subjects, some having warrants and they were taken into custody. One of the initial individuals having the felony warrant barricaded himself and another subject inside the building. As police were attempting contact with the barricaded subject, on scene assistance was given by the Kansas Highway Patrol. During the incident, rounds were fired by law enforcement officers. The suspect was shot by law enforcement officers and pronounced dead at the scene. The officer involved shooting investigation has been turned over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. They were on the scene Thursday morning.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

25-year-old dead after Kansas officer-involved shooting

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –&nbsp;NORAD detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian TU-95 and two People's Republic of China H-6 military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday, according to a statement from the&nbsp;North American Aerospace Defense Command.&nbsp;

 NORAD fighter jets from the United States and Canada conducted the intercept.

The Russian and Chinese aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.

&nbsp;In February, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone three times over four days.

The presence of Chinese aircraft is a new development.

An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends and is a defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security.

&nbsp;"NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America."

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –&nbsp;NORAD detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian TU-95 and two People's Republic of China H-6 military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday, according to a statement from the&nbsp;North American Aerospace Defense Command.&nbsp; NORAD fighter jets from the United States and Canada conducted the intercept.The Russian and Chinese aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.&nbsp;In February, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone three times over four days.The presence of Chinese aircraft is a new development.An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends and is a defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security.&nbsp;"NORAD remains ready to employ a number of response options in defense of North America."

U.S. Fighter jets intercept Chinese, Russian bombers near Alaska

KU Medical Center For more than a decade, amateur and professional photographers have helped Rural Health Education and Services showcase the beauty found in our beloved Kansas communities. These photos have led us to the far corners of the State, transported us to unique landmarks, introduced us to new friends and neighbors, and helped us rediscover the beauty in our own backyards. Most importantly, they have helped us promote the rich history and beauty of Kansas to our future health care providers.

We are excited to partner with&nbsp;<a href="https://kec.coop/kcl" target="_blank">Kansas Country Living</a>&nbsp;magazine for the sixth year in a row. Kansas Country Living is designed to educate Kansas electric cooperative consumer-members on topics that impact rural electrification. With a circulation of more than 133,000, it is an integral communications channel that builds member support for electric cooperatives in Kansas while keeping them informed of the latest news, energy efficiency tips, emerging technology (electric vehicles, smart devices that help save energy) and electrical safety.

The&nbsp;Kansas Country Living&nbsp;editorial team will choose from all of the entries a&nbsp;$100 grand-prizewinning photograph that will be&nbsp;featured on the January 2025 cover&nbsp;of the magazine.&nbsp; The 2024 Rural Kansas Photography Contest will open for entries August 22 through September 30, 2024. For contest rules and categories <a href="https://www.kumc.edu/institute-for-community-engagement/our-divisions/rural-health/rural-kansas-photography-contest/categories.html">click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721841481131.jpeg" alt="The 2024 Rural Kansas Photography Contest will open for entries August 22 through September 30, 2024. Image Courtesy KUMC " />
 <figcaption>The 2024 Rural Kansas Photography Contest will open for entries August 22 through September 30, 2024. Image Courtesy KUMC </figcaption>
 </figure>KU Medical Center For more than a decade, amateur and professional photographers have helped Rural Health Education and Services showcase the beauty found in our beloved Kansas communities. These photos have led us to the far corners of the State, transported us to unique landmarks, introduced us to new friends and neighbors, and helped us rediscover the beauty in our own backyards. Most importantly, they have helped us promote the rich history and beauty of Kansas to our future health care providers.We are excited to partner with&nbsp;<a href="https://kec.coop/kcl" target="_blank">Kansas Country Living</a>&nbsp;magazine for the sixth year in a row. Kansas Country Living is designed to educate Kansas electric cooperative consumer-members on topics that impact rural electrification. With a circulation of more than 133,000, it is an integral communications channel that builds member support for electric cooperatives in Kansas while keeping them informed of the latest news, energy efficiency tips, emerging technology (electric vehicles, smart devices that help save energy) and electrical safety.The&nbsp;Kansas Country Living&nbsp;editorial team will choose from all of the entries a&nbsp;$100 grand-prizewinning photograph that will be&nbsp;featured on the January 2025 cover&nbsp;of the magazine.&nbsp; The 2024 Rural Kansas Photography Contest will open for entries August 22 through September 30, 2024. For contest rules and categories <a href="https://www.kumc.edu/institute-for-community-engagement/our-divisions/rural-health/rural-kansas-photography-contest/categories.html">click here.</a>

2024 Rural Kansas Photography Contest

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;-<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a Tuesday call with reporters committed to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential candidate.

“I would be willing to do more than one debate,” Trump said.

Harris, who says she is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">won pledges&nbsp;</a>from enough Democratic delegates by late Monday night to gain the nomination. President Joe Biden on Sunday dropped his reelection bid and endorsed Harris.

During the call, Trump also said that he’s not worried about campaigning against Harris because “she’s the same as Biden” in her policies.

Trump later in the call criticized Harris for the Biden administration’s immigration approach, a topic that he has made a core part of his platform in his third run for the White House.

The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment on Trump’s remarks about debating.

Trump also said he is not sure he wants to take part in a debate hosted by ABC News that was scheduled for Sept. 10 with then-presumptive Democratic nominee Biden.

Biden’s shaky performance in a June 27 debate with Trump led to weeks of growing Democratic unease with his campaign, and members of both the U.S. House and Senate called for the president to drop his reelection bid.

Trump also noted that he hasn’t agreed to the ABC debate because he “agreed to a debate with Joe Biden,” and not Harris.

Harris held her first campaign rally Tuesday in Milwaukee, where she leaned into her prior work as a prosecutor and the attorney general for the state of California.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721587521577.png" alt="File photo CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;-<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a Tuesday call with reporters committed to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential candidate.“I would be willing to do more than one debate,” Trump said.Harris, who says she is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">won pledges&nbsp;</a>from enough Democratic delegates by late Monday night to gain the nomination. President Joe Biden on Sunday dropped his reelection bid and endorsed Harris.During the call, Trump also said that he’s not worried about campaigning against Harris because “she’s the same as Biden” in her policies.Trump later in the call criticized Harris for the Biden administration’s immigration approach, a topic that he has made a core part of his platform in his third run for the White House.The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to States Newsroom’s request for comment on Trump’s remarks about debating.Trump also said he is not sure he wants to take part in a debate hosted by ABC News that was scheduled for Sept. 10 with then-presumptive Democratic nominee Biden.Biden’s shaky performance in a June 27 debate with Trump led to weeks of growing Democratic unease with his campaign, and members of both the U.S. House and Senate called for the president to drop his reelection bid.Trump also noted that he hasn’t agreed to the ABC debate because he “agreed to a debate with Joe Biden,” and not Harris.Harris held her first campaign rally Tuesday in Milwaukee, where she leaned into her prior work as a prosecutor and the attorney general for the state of California.

Trump says he’s willing to debate Harris, more than once

West Yellowstone, Montana —Tourists enjoying Yellowstone National Park were forced to run for cover when the was a massive geyser explosion.

&nbsp;Just before 10:30a.m. Tuesday, a localized&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/hydrothermal-explosions-yellowstone-national-park" target="_blank">hydrothermal explosion</a>&nbsp;occurred near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful, according to the National Park Service.

No injuries were reported and the extent of damage is unknown at this time.&nbsp;

Biscuit Basin including the parking lot and boardwalks, are temporarily closed for safety reasons. The Grand Loop Road remains open.&nbsp; Park staff and staff from USGS will monitor conditions and reopen the area once deemed safe.&nbsp;

No&nbsp;other monitoring data show changes in the Yellowstone region. Tthe explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity. The park service indicated this is an&nbsp;evolving incident, and additional details will be shared as more facts are known.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721765630612.png" alt="Photo National Park Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo National Park Service</figcaption>
 </figure>West Yellowstone, Montana —Tourists enjoying Yellowstone National Park were forced to run for cover when the was a massive geyser explosion.&nbsp;Just before 10:30a.m. Tuesday, a localized&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/hydrothermal-explosions-yellowstone-national-park" target="_blank">hydrothermal explosion</a>&nbsp;occurred near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful, according to the National Park Service.No injuries were reported and the extent of damage is unknown at this time.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721766258883.png" alt="Photo National Park Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo National Park Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Biscuit Basin including the parking lot and boardwalks, are temporarily closed for safety reasons. The Grand Loop Road remains open.&nbsp; Park staff and staff from USGS will monitor conditions and reopen the area once deemed safe.&nbsp;No&nbsp;other monitoring data show changes in the Yellowstone region. Tthe explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity. The park service indicated this is an&nbsp;evolving incident, and additional details will be shared as more facts are known.

Geyser explosion closes portion of Yellowstone National Park

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

&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;announced Sunday&nbsp;that he is dropping his reelection bid against Donald Trump. He has not been seen in public since last week.

WASHINGTON— President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling Wednesday in Las Vegas. On Monday Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the president's physician, provided an update on Biden's recovery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721673941588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;announced Sunday&nbsp;that he is dropping his reelection bid against Donald Trump. He has not been seen in public since last week.

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

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

Lawmakers immediately called for Biden to resign from office.

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

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

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

Lawmakers: Biden must resign after ending reelection campaign

KANSAS CITY —Detectives are asking for assistance from the public in identifying an individual who police believe may have information regarding a homicide that occurred on on June 17, 2023 in the 6700 block of Richmond Avenue in Kansas City, according to a social media report from KCPD.

Please call the homicide/missing persons unit directly at 816-234-5043, or the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721338918107.png" alt="photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Detectives are asking for assistance from the public in identifying an individual who police believe may have information regarding a homicide that occurred on on June 17, 2023 in the 6700 block of Richmond Avenue in Kansas City, according to a social media report from KCPD.Please call the homicide/missing persons unit directly at 816-234-5043, or the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

KCPD needs help to ID man who may have info about deadly shooting

&nbsp;WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri wrote&nbsp;a letter to&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas,&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fx.com%2fHawleyMO%2fstatus%2f1814278991605350726&amp;redir_log=668494987763288" target="_blank">demanding</a>&nbsp;answers behind the U.S. Secret Service’s botched security rollout at President Donald Trump’s July 13 rally.

The letter comes after multiple whistleblowers contacted Senator Hawley’s office with disturbing new information behind the assassination attempt on the former president.

“Whistleblowers who have direct knowledge of the event have approached my office. According to the allegations, the July 13 rally was considered to be a ‘loose’ security event,”&nbsp;wrote Senator Hawley.

“For example, detection canines were not used to monitor entry and detect threats in the usual manner. Individuals without proper designations were able to gain access to backstage areas. Department personnel did not appropriately police the security buffer around the podium and were also not stationed at regular intervals around the event’s security perimeter,”&nbsp;Senator Hawley continued.

Senator Hawley is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee which&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2foutreach.senate.gov%2fiqextranet%2fiqClickTrk.aspx%3f%26cid%3dSenHawley%26crop%3d14515QQQ9232341QQQ8086479QQQ8019990%26report_id%3d%26redirect%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.hawley.senate.gov%252fhawley-demands-full-scale-investigation-by-congress-into-attempted-assassination-of-president-trump%252f%26redir_log%3d794174422822921&amp;redir_log=832193208462131" target="_blank">conducts</a>&nbsp;oversight of Secretary Mayorkas’ DHS.

Immediately following the assassination attempt against President Trump, Senator Hawley&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2foutreach.senate.gov%2fiqextranet%2fiqClickTrk.aspx%3f%26cid%3dSenHawley%26crop%3d14392QQQ9230180QQQ8085138QQQ8019990%26report_id%3d%26redirect%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.hawley.senate.gov%252fhawley-demands-full-scale-investigation-by-congress-into-attempted-assassination-of-president-trump%252f%26redir_log%3d794174422822921&amp;redir_log=646663966612131" target="_blank">demanded</a>&nbsp;that the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee launch a comprehensive, transparent investigation into the incident with sworn testimony from DHS and Secret Service officials.&nbsp;That investigation was&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2foutreach.senate.gov%2fiqextranet%2fiqClickTrk.aspx%3f%26cid%3dSenHawley%26crop%3d14392QQQ9230180QQQ8085138QQQ8019990%26report_id%3d%26redirect%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.hsgac.senate.gov%252fmedia%252freps%252fpaul-and-peters-announce-bipartisan-homeland-security-and-governmental-affairs-committee-investigation-into-security-failures-and-the-assassination-attempt-on-former-president-donald-trump%252f%26redir_log%3d287783080511620&amp;redir_log=448394230822865" target="_blank">confirmed</a>&nbsp;this week along with plans to feature public testimony from agency leadership.

Senator Hawley then&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fhawley-requests-more-records-behind-assassination-attempt-on-president-trump-opens-office-whistleblower-tip-line%2f&amp;redir_log=745274266151011" target="_blank">opened</a>&nbsp;a whistleblower tip line within his office earlier this week, pledging to protect the anonymity of all who contact his staff in an effort to shed light on last Saturday’s disastrous security breach.&nbsp;

Senator Hawley has also written two additional oversight letters—<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2foutreach.senate.gov%2fiqextranet%2fiqClickTrk.aspx%3f%26cid%3dSenHawley%26crop%3d14392QQQ9230180QQQ8085138QQQ8019990%26report_id%3d%26redirect%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.hawley.senate.gov%252fwp-content%252fuploads%252f2024%252f07%252fHawley-letter-to-DHS-IG-.pdf%26redir_log%3d536796294054560&amp;redir_log=088027971831792" target="_blank">one</a>&nbsp;to the DHS Inspector General and a&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2foutreach.senate.gov%2fiqextranet%2fiqClickTrk.aspx%3f%26cid%3dSenHawley%26crop%3d14392QQQ9230180QQQ8085138QQQ8019990%26report_id%3d%26redirect%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.hawley.senate.gov%252fwp-content%252fuploads%252f2024%252f07%252fHawley-letter-to-BlackRock-re-Trump-investigation-.pdf%26redir_log%3d816819426384762&amp;redir_log=091259807621997" target="_blank">second</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;BlackRock’s CEO—requesting all records related to the staggering security failures on July 13.&nbsp;

Click here to read the full letter&nbsp;sent Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720911723876.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri wrote&nbsp;a letter to&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas,&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fx.com%2fHawleyMO%2fstatus%2f1814278991605350726&amp;redir_log=668494987763288" target="_blank">demanding</a>&nbsp;answers behind the U.S. Secret Service’s botched security rollout at President Donald Trump’s July 13 rally. The letter comes after multiple whistleblowers contacted Senator Hawley’s office with disturbing new information behind the assassination attempt on the former president.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721410507537.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“Whistleblowers who have direct knowledge of the event have approached my office. According to the allegations, the July 13 rally was considered to be a ‘loose’ security event,”&nbsp;wrote Senator Hawley.“For example, detection canines were not used to monitor entry and detect threats in the usual manner. Individuals without proper designations were able to gain access to backstage areas. Department personnel did not appropriately police the security buffer around the podium and were also not stationed at regular intervals around the event’s security perimeter,”&nbsp;Senator Hawley continued.Senator Hawley is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee which&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2foutreach.senate.gov%2fiqextranet%2fiqClickTrk.aspx%3f%26cid%3dSenHawley%26crop%3d14515QQQ9232341QQQ8086479QQQ8019990%26report_id%3d%26redirect%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.hawley.senate.gov%252fhawley-demands-full-scale-investigation-by-congress-into-attempted-assassination-of-president-trump%252f%26redir_log%3d794174422822921&amp;redir_log=832193208462131" target="_blank">conducts</a>&nbsp;oversight of Secretary Mayorkas’ DHS.Immediately following the assassination attempt against President Trump, Senator Hawley&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2foutreach.senate.gov%2fiqextranet%2fiqClickTrk.aspx%3f%26cid%3dSenHawley%26crop%3d14392QQQ9230180QQQ8085138QQQ8019990%26report_id%3d%26redirect%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.hawley.senate.gov%252fhawley-demands-full-scale-investigation-by-congress-into-attempted-assassination-of-president-trump%252f%26redir_log%3d794174422822921&amp;redir_log=646663966612131" target="_blank">demanded</a>&nbsp;that the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee launch a comprehensive, transparent investigation into the incident with sworn testimony from DHS and Secret Service officials.&nbsp;That investigation was&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2foutreach.senate.gov%2fiqextranet%2fiqClickTrk.aspx%3f%26cid%3dSenHawley%26crop%3d14392QQQ9230180QQQ8085138QQQ8019990%26report_id%3d%26redirect%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.hsgac.senate.gov%252fmedia%252freps%252fpaul-and-peters-announce-bipartisan-homeland-security-and-governmental-affairs-committee-investigation-into-security-failures-and-the-assassination-attempt-on-former-president-donald-trump%252f%26redir_log%3d287783080511620&amp;redir_log=448394230822865" target="_blank">confirmed</a>&nbsp;this week along with plans to feature public testimony from agency leadership.Senator Hawley then&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fhawley-requests-more-records-behind-assassination-attempt-on-president-trump-opens-office-whistleblower-tip-line%2f&amp;redir_log=745274266151011" target="_blank">opened</a>&nbsp;a whistleblower tip line within his office earlier this week, pledging to protect the anonymity of all who contact his staff in an effort to shed light on last Saturday’s disastrous security breach.&nbsp;Senator Hawley has also written two additional oversight letters—<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2foutreach.senate.gov%2fiqextranet%2fiqClickTrk.aspx%3f%26cid%3dSenHawley%26crop%3d14392QQQ9230180QQQ8085138QQQ8019990%26report_id%3d%26redirect%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.hawley.senate.gov%252fwp-content%252fuploads%252f2024%252f07%252fHawley-letter-to-DHS-IG-.pdf%26redir_log%3d536796294054560&amp;redir_log=088027971831792" target="_blank">one</a>&nbsp;to the DHS Inspector General and a&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=14341QQQ9232312QQQ8086450QQQ8019990&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2foutreach.senate.gov%2fiqextranet%2fiqClickTrk.aspx%3f%26cid%3dSenHawley%26crop%3d14392QQQ9230180QQQ8085138QQQ8019990%26report_id%3d%26redirect%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.hawley.senate.gov%252fwp-content%252fuploads%252f2024%252f07%252fHawley-letter-to-BlackRock-re-Trump-investigation-.pdf%26redir_log%3d816819426384762&amp;redir_log=091259807621997" target="_blank">second</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;BlackRock’s CEO—requesting all records related to the staggering security failures on July 13.&nbsp;Click here to read the full letter&nbsp;sent Friday.

Whistleblower: Most of Trump’s security detail last Saturday not Secret Service

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —A reward of $6,000 is being offered for the tip that will lead detectives to identifying the individual responsible for a vicious attack on a Kansas City, Kansas Police Officer.

Just after 10p.m. July 7, a uniformed KCKPD officer was exiting his patrol vehicle at the East Patrol Station, 849 N. 47th Street, when an individual, who without warning or provocation, produced a screwdriver and stabbed the officer on the head and face.

  After a short struggle, the suspect ran north into a wooded area near 47th and State Avenue. The officer sustained cuts to his face, head and neck. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was released the following day. 

 The suspect is described as a black male in his 30s, approximately 5-foot-8 inches tall with a thin build. He has a full beard and receding hairline at his temples, forming a point, widow’s peak, in the middle of his forehead. 

He was wearing dark athletic shorts, a multicolored tank top and black Nike slide sandals.

A cash reward of $5,000 from the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission and $1,000 from the Kansas City, Kansas Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4 - is currently being offered for any tip that leads to the arrest of the suspect in this case. 

Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —A reward of $6,000 is being offered for the tip that will lead detectives to identifying the individual responsible for a vicious attack on a Kansas City, Kansas Police Officer.Just after 10p.m. July 7, a uniformed KCKPD officer was exiting his patrol vehicle at the East Patrol Station, 849 N. 47th Street, when an individual, who without warning or provocation, produced a screwdriver and stabbed the officer on the head and face. After a short struggle, the suspect ran north into a wooded area near 47th and State Avenue. The officer sustained cuts to his face, head and neck. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was released the following day. The suspect is described as a black male in his 30s, approximately 5-foot-8 inches tall with a thin build. He has a full beard and receding hairline at his temples, forming a point, widow’s peak, in the middle of his forehead. He was wearing dark athletic shorts, a multicolored tank top and black Nike slide sandals.A cash reward of $5,000 from the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission and $1,000 from the Kansas City, Kansas Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4 - is currently being offered for any tip that leads to the arrest of the suspect in this case. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous.

Reward offered in attack on Kansas police officer

JERUSALEM —From January to June 2024, ISIS has claimed 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria. At this rate, ISIS is on pace to more than double the total number of attacks they claimed in 2023, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

The increase in attacks indicates ISIS is attempting to reconstitute following several years of decreased capability.

To continue the effort to defeat ISIS and prevent its ability to conduct external attacks, United States Central Command, along with our Defeat ISIS partners, Iraqi Security Forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces, conducted 196 Defeat ISIS Missions resulting in 44 ISIS operatives killed and 166 detained in the first half of 2024. In Iraq, 137 partnered operations resulted in 30 ISIS operatives killed and 74 ISIS operatives detained. In Syria, 59 operations conducted alongside the SDF and other partners resulted in 14 ISIS operatives killed and 92 ISIS operatives detained. 

The above operations resulted in eight senior ISIS leaders killed and 32 captured in both Iraq and Syria. These leaders include those responsible for planning of operations outside of Syria and Iraq, recruiting, training, and weapons smuggling. The removal of these individuals from their leadership positions further degrades ISIS capabilities to conduct external operations in the U.S. and allied nations.

The continued pursuit of the approximately 2,500 ISIS fighters at large across Iraq and Syria is a critical component to the enduring defeat of ISIS.  Equally important are the ongoing international efforts to repatriate more than 9,000 ISIS detainees in detention facilities in Syria, and the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of more than 43,000 individuals and families from the Al Hol and Al Roj camps. This is down from the peak of over 70,000 in 2019. 

“The global enduring defeat of ISIS relies on combined efforts of the Coalition and partners to remove key leaders from the battlefield and the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of families from Al Hol and Al Roj,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. “We continue to focus our efforts on specifically targeting those members of ISIS who are seeking to conduct external operations outside of Iraq and Syria and those ISIS members attempting to break out ISIS members in detention in an attempt to reconstitute their forces.”

JERUSALEM —From January to June 2024, ISIS has claimed 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria. At this rate, ISIS is on pace to more than double the total number of attacks they claimed in 2023, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.The increase in attacks indicates ISIS is attempting to reconstitute following several years of decreased capability.To continue the effort to defeat ISIS and prevent its ability to conduct external attacks, United States Central Command, along with our Defeat ISIS partners, Iraqi Security Forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces, conducted 196 Defeat ISIS Missions resulting in 44 ISIS operatives killed and 166 detained in the first half of 2024. In Iraq, 137 partnered operations resulted in 30 ISIS operatives killed and 74 ISIS operatives detained. In Syria, 59 operations conducted alongside the SDF and other partners resulted in 14 ISIS operatives killed and 92 ISIS operatives detained. The above operations resulted in eight senior ISIS leaders killed and 32 captured in both Iraq and Syria. These leaders include those responsible for planning of operations outside of Syria and Iraq, recruiting, training, and weapons smuggling. The removal of these individuals from their leadership positions further degrades ISIS capabilities to conduct external operations in the U.S. and allied nations.The continued pursuit of the approximately 2,500 ISIS fighters at large across Iraq and Syria is a critical component to the enduring defeat of ISIS. Equally important are the ongoing international efforts to repatriate more than 9,000 ISIS detainees in detention facilities in Syria, and the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of more than 43,000 individuals and families from the Al Hol and Al Roj camps. This is down from the peak of over 70,000 in 2019. “The global enduring defeat of ISIS relies on combined efforts of the Coalition and partners to remove key leaders from the battlefield and the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of families from Al Hol and Al Roj,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. “We continue to focus our efforts on specifically targeting those members of ISIS who are seeking to conduct external operations outside of Iraq and Syria and those ISIS members attempting to break out ISIS members in detention in an attempt to reconstitute their forces.”

ISIS on pace to more than double number of attacks they claimed in 2023

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>

President Joe Biden called for a de-escalation in political rhetoric but kept up criticism of former President Donald Trump on Monday, in Biden’s first interview since a Saturday assassination attempt on Trump.

Talking to NBC News anchor Lester Holt, Biden said he called the injured Trump on Saturday to convey his well wishes.

But he argued to Holt that Trump, whom Republicans officially nominated as their presidential candidate at their convention Monday, remains a threat to U.S. democracy who routinely employed violent rhetoric and led an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Biden said it was a mistake to use the word “bullseye” on a call with Democratic donors last week, when telling them to concentrate on the Republican candidate instead of the fallout from Biden’s poor debate performance.

Many elected officials and fundraisers after the debate wondered if Biden should withdraw from his reelection campaign.

“I meant focus on him,” Biden said of Trump. “Focus on what he’s doing. Focus on his policies.”

The former president survived a shooting on Saturday that killed one person and left two others injured at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman was killed at the scene.

Biden said he did not intentionally use violent rhetoric, but did not apologize or back down from his criticisms of Trump as a “threat to democracy.”

“How do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when a president says things like he says?” Biden said.

“I’m not engaged in that rhetoric,” Biden said. “My opponent is engaged in that rhetoric, talking about there will be a bloodbath if he loses.”

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>President Joe Biden called for a de-escalation in political rhetoric but kept up criticism of former President Donald Trump on Monday, in Biden’s first interview since a Saturday assassination attempt on Trump.Talking to NBC News anchor Lester Holt, Biden said he called the injured Trump on Saturday to convey his well wishes.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">There’s no place at all for violence in politics at all in America. Zero.<a href="https://t.co/BrDeLD8bKq">pic.twitter.com/BrDeLD8bKq</a>&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1813033120998039586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But he argued to Holt that Trump, whom Republicans officially nominated as their presidential candidate at their convention Monday, remains a threat to U.S. democracy who routinely employed violent rhetoric and led an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election.Biden said it was a mistake to use the word “bullseye” on a call with Democratic donors last week, when telling them to concentrate on the Republican candidate instead of the fallout from Biden’s poor debate performance.Many elected officials and fundraisers after the debate wondered if Biden should withdraw from his reelection campaign.“I meant focus on him,” Biden said of Trump. “Focus on what he’s doing. Focus on his policies.”The former president survived a shooting on Saturday that killed one person and left two others injured at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The gunman was killed at the scene.Biden said he did not intentionally use violent rhetoric, but did not apologize or back down from his criticisms of Trump as a “threat to democracy.”“How do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when a president says things like he says?” Biden said.“I’m not engaged in that rhetoric,” Biden said. “My opponent is engaged in that rhetoric, talking about there will be a bloodbath if he loses.”He also noted Trump said he would commute the sentences of those convicted for attacking the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and mocked then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband after he was assaulted by a man with a hammer during a home invasion.“This doesn’t sound like you’re turning down the heat,” Holt said.Biden responded that some ideas that Trump champions — continuing to challenge the 2020 election results despite losing in dozens of court cases, demanding a loyalty pledge from Republicans, calling political opponents “vermin” and saying he would be a dictator on day one of a second term — were antithetical to democracy.Biden focused especially on the Jan. 6 attack, when a mob of Trump supporters sought to stop Congress and Vice President Mike Pence from certifying Biden’s 2020 victory over then-President Trump.“When you say there’s nothing wrong with going to the Capitol, breaking in, threatening people, a couple cops dying, putting up a noose and gallows for the former vice president, and then you say you’re going to forgive people for that? That you’re going to pardon them?” Biden said.“Violence is never appropriate,” he said. “Never, never, never, never, never in politics.”He pledged to “keep talking about the issues” and chastised Holt and the rest of the news media for what he said was a lack of focus on real policy issues.“Sometime come and talk to me about what we should be talking about, OK? The issues,” Biden said at the close of the roughly 20-minute interview.<h2>Classified documents charges</h2>Holt asked Biden about the news earlier Monday that Judge Aileen Cannon, a federal judge in South Florida,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-dismisses-trump-classified-documents-criminal-case" target="_blank">dismissed the charges</a>&nbsp;against Trump in a case accusing him of improperly storing classified documents from his presidency.Biden said he felt the decision from a Trump-appointed federal judge was reached in error.“I’m not surprised,” Biden said. “But my generic point is that … the basis upon which the case was thrown out, I find specious.”<h2>Debate fallout</h2>Asked by Holt if he’d “weathered the storm” of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-camp-works-stem-growing-democratic-unease-over-reelection-prospects" target="_blank">Democratic discontent</a>&nbsp;over&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-and-trump-trade-insults-accusations-lying-acrimonious-presidential-debate" target="_blank">his June 27 debate</a>&nbsp;performance that shook confidence in his candidacy, Biden said he was staying in the race, citing his victories in primaries and caucuses that didn’t see a serious challenge to his reelection.“Look, 14 million people voted for me to be the nominee in the Democratic Party, OK?” Biden said. “I listen to them.”Biden again conceded he’d “had a bad, bad night” at the debate, but told Holt that news reports should have paid more attention to Trump’s performance.“I screwed up,” Biden said. “Why didn’t the press cover all the lies he told?”Asked about comments from senior members of his party in Congress, including Pelosi and former No. 3 House Democrat Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, seeming to leave open the possibility he could step aside, Biden said he remained ready to campaign on a strong record.The race remains close even after the poor debate, Biden said. He added that he’s had one of the most successful presidencies since Franklin Roosevelt nearly 100 years ago.“I’ve gotten more done than any president has in a long, long time in three-and-a-half years, so I’m willing to be judged on that.”Biden, 81, said he understood the concerns about his age and called it a “legitimate question” to ask how he would perform over the next four years.But when Holt asked if Biden was motivated to “get back on the horse” and debate Trump again “in the next few weeks,” Biden pushed back, noting a packed public schedule since the debate.“I’m on the horse,” he told the interviewer. “Where you been?”<h2>Vance pick</h2>Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/former-president-trump-taps-ohio-us-sen-jd-vance-running-mate-2024" target="_blank">choice of U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio</a>&nbsp;as his running mate showed that he would surround himself “with people who agree completely with him,” Biden said.Holt noted Vance has made comments about Biden, but the president urged Holt to examine Vance’s comments about Trump. In 2016, as a private citizen with a somewhat public profile as a businessperson and memoirist, Vance made&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/07/opioid-of-the-masses/489911/" target="_blank">several harsh comments</a>&nbsp;about Trump.Biden expressed some frustration that Holt did not seem interested in that history.“He said some things about me, but see what he said about Trump,” Biden said. “What’s with you guys? Come on, man.”The president said Vance has endorsed Republican positions to severely restrict abortion, cut taxes on high-income earners and to deny climate change.

Kbct