TOPEKA –In August independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was officially approved for the November ballot in Kansas, according to a statement from Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab.

Kenndy released a statement asking voters to vote for Trump instead.

On August 23, Kennedy  suspended his independent campaign for president and endorsed Donald Trump. He said his internal polls had shown that his presence in the race would hurt Trump and help Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

TOPEKA –In August independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was officially approved for the November ballot in Kansas, according to a statement from Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab.Kenndy released a statement asking voters to vote for Trump instead.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">No matter what state you live in, VOTE TRUMP. Let&#39;s get President Trump back in the White House and me to Washington so we can Make America Healthy Again, end the forever wars, and protect our civil liberties. 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/OmjxVMj9uO">pic.twitter.com/OmjxVMj9uO</a>&mdash; Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1846213396452053410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On August 23, Kennedy suspended his independent campaign for president and endorsed Donald Trump. He said his internal polls had shown that his presence in the race would hurt Trump and help Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

🎥Kennedy is on the Kan. ballot but does not want your vote

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;centered their attention on Texas on Friday with both presidential candidates holding events in the staunchly Republican state. The vice president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-abortion-rights-2024-election-democrats-f228eedd3308dab2e1125fdf6029a4a2">teamed up with Beyoncé</a>&nbsp;for a rally aimed at highlighting the perilous medical fallout from the state’s strict abortion ban and putting the blame squarely on Trump.

Meanwhile, the former president held a news conference in Austin on Friday afternoon and sat down with podcaster Joe Rogan later in the day.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;visited a reservation in Arizona, a long-promised trip to Indian Country that Democrats hope could boost Harris' turnout effort in a key battleground state.

Trump’s three-hour interview with podcaster Joe Rogan has been released

The nation’s most listened-to podcaster pressed the former president on whether he’s “completely committed” to bringing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., into his administration.

“Oh, I completely am,” Trump responded. “But the only thing I want to be a little careful about with him is the environmental. Because he doesn’t like oil, I love oil and gas.”

He said he’ll tell Kennedy to “focus on health, do whatever you want.” Trump said he’s faced pressure not to work with Kennedy, citing “big Pharma” as one example.

Kennedy has been instrumental in spreading skepticism about vaccines, rejecting the overwhelming consensus among scientists that the benefits of inoculations outweigh the rare risk of side effects.

He also claims pharmaceutical companies conspire to prevent health improvements because they make so much money selling drugs to people with chronic illnesses.

Rogan also is skeptical of vaccines. Trump noted that “they’ve come up with some amazing things” such as the polio vaccine.

After embracing Beyoncé and Rowland, Harris took her spot at the mic, as the crowd cheered her name.

“It’s good to be back in Texas,” she said.

Harris started speaking at 10:20p ET, nearly an hour later than scheduled.

In her hometown of Houston, Beyoncé gave the city’s neighborhoods shoutouts, to raucous cheers from the crowd.

“We are all part of something much bigger,” she said. “We must vote, and we need you.”

“Our moment right now. it’s time for America to sing a new song. Our voices sing a chorus of unity,” she said, casting her remarks forward, and introducing Harris. “Are y’all ready to add your voice to the new American song? So let’s do this, ladies and gentlemen.”

Beyonce and Kelly Rowland take stage at Harris rally

Hometown hero&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/beyonce-knowles">Beyoncé</a>&nbsp;showed up at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris’</a>&nbsp;presidential campaign rally in Houston on Friday night. Her mother, Tina Knowles, introduced Beyoncé and her Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, who took the stage.

Rowland kicked things off, describing this as “a moment where we grab back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story of division and hatred,” she said. “We are grabbing back the pen.” She concluded, “Now Houston, you’ve already had a hand in creating destiny. So do what you do, and do this thing again.”

Texas Senate candidate Colin Allred takes stage at Harris rally

Allred thanked Harris for “coming to Texas and shining a light on what’s happening to Texas families and Texas women.”

The crowd broke out in cheers of “beat Ted Cruz” after the Democratic congressman said that, “with y’all’s help and God’s grace, we’re gonna beat Ted Cruz.”

“Do you hear that, Ted?” Allred asked.

Allred likened both his opponent and Trump to being too “small” to be effective leaders.

“Everything is bigger in Texas, but Ted Cruz is too small for Texas,” Allred said, eliciting cheers and laughter from the crowd.

Allred also remembered being at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when he said he “was going to defend the House floor from that mob,” while “Ted Cruz was hiding in a supply closet.

“I went to public school in Texas,” the former football linebacker said. “I’m not just going to sit there.”

Actress Jessica Alba kicks off Harris’ rally in Houston

Actress Jessica Alba kicked off Harris’ star-studded rally in Houston on Friday evening to praise the Democratic nominee as someone who “protects our freedoms and creates a brighter future, a more inclusive future for all.”

Harris is expected to focus her rally on abortion restrictions in the state and the consequences of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

Alba said: “As a woman I know we need a leader like Kamala Harris who is dedicated to protecting reproductive freedom, ensuring that decisions about your body are made by you, never by the government, because Kamala Harris understands that protecting reproductive freedom isn’t about politics, it’s about our right to choose.”

There doesn’t seem to be an empty seat at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, the site of Harris’ rally with Beyonce.

The more than 20,000-seat stadium is awash in light: flashing red, white and blue lights held by supporters in the stands and strobe lights. Large screens are flashing messages that say “Reproductive Freedom,” “Vote, “Trust Women,” Freedom” and “Vote for Reproductive Freedom.”

Harris is scheduled to speak at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Attendees are leaving Trump’s rally en masse as word spread the former president will be arriving late

Trump’s plane did not leave Austin, where he was taping a podcast interview, until not long before the rally was set to start.

It’s a chilly night, with temperatures in the low 50’s.

“Well, we rather they were on time,” said Medine Dahlquist from Bay City, Michigan. But, she said, it’s “worth the wait.”

Roughly 35 million people have voted early as of today

About 35 million people have voted early in the 2024 presidential election.

That’s roughly one-fifth the number of people who cast ballots in 2020. The robust total is due to Republicans voting ahead of time after largely refusing to do so the prior two elections because former President Donald Trump criticized the process.

Now, Trump wants his supporters to vote early.

Remember, early vote statistics don’t tell you who won, merely who showed up. We won’t see who they picked until votes are tallied after polls close on Nov. 5.

▶ Find out how many early votes have been cast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/2024-early-voting-tracker/">in your state</a>

Appeals court in Georgia declines to expedite review election ruling

An appeals court in the battleground state of Georgia has declined Friday to expedite the review of an appeal of a judge’s order that county election officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-rules-certification-03f6bc623d9f6aeeb3f9dc47823d03f9">must vote to certify results</a>&nbsp;by the deadline set in law.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled this month that county election officials cannot refuse to certify election results. His ruling came in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-elections-fulton-county-julie-adams-79c93a5820eb8a9ecf6856171db72c10">lawsuit filed by Julie Adams</a>&nbsp;a Republican member of the election board in Fulton County, which includes most of Atlanta and is a Democratic stronghold.

Adams appealed that order Wednesday and asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to hear it on an expedited basis.

But the appeals court’s decision means that McBurney’s order will almost certainly remain in effect through the deadline for county officials to certify results, which this year falls on Nov. 12.

South Carolina judge rules it’s too late to re-open voter registration after DMV mishap

A judge in South Carolina ruled Friday it is too late for the state to reopen voter registration for nearly 1,900 teens after the state Department of Motor Vehicles failed to notify election officials that they checked the box to register as they got their driver’s licenses.

The teens were 17 at the time they went to the DMV, but would be 18 by Election Day.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit to reopen registration Tuesday, a day after early voting started in South Carolina.

Lawyers for the DMV, election officials and lawmakers say they are sympathetic toward the teens, but it would be chaotic to reopen registration this close to Election Day.

Judge Daniel Coble’s decision came about six hours after he heard arguments in the case.

Early voting started on Monday in South Carolina and in the first four days, more than 500,000 votes have been cast.

“Our government failed these young voters, and now the same government is making excuses rather than making things right. When ‘It’s too hard to fix’ becomes an acceptable reason to disenfranchise voters, we know that there’s work to do,” ACLU of South Carolina Legal Director Allen Chaney said in a statement after the ruling.

Trump meets execs from Bezos-owned Blue Origin

After he spoke in Austin, Trump greeted executives from Blue Origin, the space exploration company owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos.

Bezos is the founder of Amazon and the owner of The Washington Post, which reported Friday that its editorial board won’t endorse a candidate for president. The decision was framed as a return to earlier tradition, but it sparked speculation that Bezos wants to avoid antagonizing Trump, who has vowed retribution against his enemies and critics if he returns to the White House.

The Post editorial board endorsed Trump’s Democratic rivals in 2016 and 2020, and the former president has often railed against critical news coverage by the newspaper.

Trump spoke briefly with Blue Origin’s CEO, David Limp, and vice president of government relations, Megan Mitchell, as he left a hangar where he spoke to supporters and journalists at the Austin airport.

The conversation underscores the web of diverse and competing interests in the Bezos business empire. Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to questions about whether the conversation had been planned and whether they had attended the event.

Bezos bought the Washington Post in 2013. He made the purchase as an individual and&nbsp;<a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a>&nbsp;Inc. was not involved. Bezos&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeff-bezos-steps-down-amazon-ceo-a5af30868a90cd300dd616796bc1aec2">stepped down</a>&nbsp;as Amazon CEO in 2021 but remains the company’s executive chairman and largest shareholder.

Officials with Seattle-based Blue Origin did not immediately respond to a message from The Associated Press.

Several bands, including Mumford &amp; Sons, will join Harris at a get-out-the-vote rally in Wisconsin

Vice President Kamala Harris will be joined by several musicians, including Mumford &amp; Sons, for a get-out-the-vote rally Wednesday on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, the campaign announced on Friday.

The rally will take place just before former President Donald Trump will be about two hours away for a rally in Green Bay.

Both campaigns are hitting the swing state hard in the final days of the race.

The Harris rally will include two members of the indie rock band The National, Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner, along with singer-songwriters Gracie Abrams and Remi Wolf. They are performing as part of the “When We Vote We Win” GOTV Concert and Rally Series, the campaign said.

Trump wraps remarks in Austin without taking questions from reporters

Donald Trump has concluded his remarks in Austin, Texas.

He spoke for about 45 minutes, with a heavy emphasis on immigration.

Trump did not take questions from reporters while speaking, and he didn’t answer shouted questions afterward.

Both major presidential candidates are in Texas on Friday. Kamala Harris took questions from reporters ahead of her rally later this evening with Beyoncé in Houston.

Trump predicts he’ll break records for deportations if he wins the election

Donald Trump is predicting he’ll break records for the number of people deported from the United States if he wins the election.

At an appearance in Texas, Trump praised President Dwight D. Eisenhower for overseeing mass deportations as part of a sweeping plan known by the racist title “Operation Wetback.” Trump has made mass deportation a centerpiece of his campaign for a second term in the White House.

“I think we’ll break that record,” Trump said of Eisenhower’s deportations. “Not that I want to break it, but I think we have no choice.”

He said his administration will put “these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail or kick them the hell out of the country.”

Leonardo DiCaprio endorses Harris for president

Leonardo DiCaprio is endorsing Kamala Harris for president, with the Oscar-winning actor expressing support for the Democratic nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/leonardo-dicaprio-endorses-kamala-harris-election-2024-40bf7286e7219dfd59957bf28d34f578">in a video Friday</a>.

“Climate change is killing the earth and ruining our economy. We need a bold step forward to save our economy, our planet and ourselves,” DiCaprio said. “That’s why I’m voting for Kamala Harris.”

DiCaprio, long an outspoken advocate for addressing the climate crisis, has supported Democratic candidates in the past. In early 2020, he attended a fundraiser for Joe Biden at the home of former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing.

With less than two weeks until Election Day, Harris has received the support of many high-profile entertainers including Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Chris Rock and George Clooney.

Republican nominee Donald Trump’s celebrity supporters include Elon Musk, Dennis Quaid, Roseanne Barr and Kid Rock.

In December 2016, DiCaprio and the head of his eponymous foundation met with Trump, then president-elect, to discuss how jobs centered on preserving the environment could boost the economy.

Trump again likens the US to a ‘garbage can’

AUSTIN, Texas — Former President Donald Trump is doubling — and tripling — down on likening the United States to a trash receptacle.

“We’re like a garbage can. We’re like a garbage can,” he said Friday. He noted that, “The first time I said it was last night.”

During a Thursday night event, Trump had declared that the U.S. was “like a garbage can for the world.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, in response on Friday, called that comment, “Another example of how he really belittles our country.”

Moments after her reaction, Trump said it twice more during an appearance in Texas.

Trump derides Harris’ rally with Beyoncé as ‘rubbing shoulders’ with ‘woke celebrities’

Trump sits down with Joe Rogan, Harris rallies with Beyoncé

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just after 8p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the intersection of E. 34th Street and Garfield Avenue on a reported shot spotter, a gunshot detection system activation, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

 While officers were enroute to the original call for service an additional call came in of a reported shooting in the same area. Officers located EMS personnel assisting a woman, later identified as 44-year-old Ebony Davis out of a vehicle who was suffering from apparent gunshot trauma.&nbsp; She was immediately transferred to an area where she succumbed to her injuries and was declared deceased, according to Gonzalez.

Preliminary investigation indicates the gunshots came from outside of the vehicle, striking the woman who was inside of a vehicle.

Police do not have a person of interest identified and no one is in custody. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to the scene to begin collecting evidence and gather witness statements. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729882663816.png" alt="On Friday afternoon, detectives returned to scene homicide to canvass for additional evidence.-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>On Friday afternoon, detectives returned to scene homicide to canvass for additional evidence.-photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just after 8p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the intersection of E. 34th Street and Garfield Avenue on a reported shot spotter, a gunshot detection system activation, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez. While officers were enroute to the original call for service an additional call came in of a reported shooting in the same area. Officers located EMS personnel assisting a woman, later identified as 44-year-old Ebony Davis out of a vehicle who was suffering from apparent gunshot trauma.&nbsp; She was immediately transferred to an area where she succumbed to her injuries and was declared deceased, according to Gonzalez.Preliminary investigation indicates the gunshots came from outside of the vehicle, striking the woman who was inside of a vehicle.Police do not have a person of interest identified and no one is in custody. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to the scene to begin collecting evidence and gather witness statements.

Gunshot detection system alerted KCPD to woman's killing 

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare move, the Pentagon strongly pushed back Thursday against misinformation spread on social media that falsely suggests U.S. troops have been authorized to use force against American citizens during the election.

The misinformation — spread online by former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>, among others — suggests that a Defense Department policy revision released in late September was timed to interfere with the Nov. 5 presidential election.

Use of force by federal troops on U.S. soil against U.S. civilians is against the law — except in cases of self-defense — and is outlined in the Posse Comitatus Act.

Kennedy, who ended his presidential bid and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-trump-speech-arizona-a2638f89ddcb5de03edbe4574ca17d45">backed Republican former President Donald Trump</a>, tweeted the false narrative to his 4 million followers. It falsely claims that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, pushed through a Defense Department directive allowing lethal force against Americans who protest government policies.

The revision in question is Department of Defense Directive 5240.01, and it does not allow troops to use force on U.S. citizens. The timing of its release was not related to the election, Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Gough said.

“The policies concerning the use of force by DOD addressed in DoDD 5240.01 are not new, and do not authorize the DOD to use lethal force against U.S. citizens or people located inside the United States, contrary to rumors and rhetoric circulating on social media,” Gough said in a statement to The Associated Press.

The Pentagon regularly updates its directives. This update was intended to align the language on use of force from other policies into 5240.01, which only applies to defense intelligence personnel.

It describes what sort of support those personnel can provide to civilian law enforcement in situations where a confrontation or lethal use of force is likely.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare move, the Pentagon strongly pushed back Thursday against misinformation spread on social media that falsely suggests U.S. troops have been authorized to use force against American citizens during the election.The misinformation — spread online by former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>, among others — suggests that a Defense Department policy revision released in late September was timed to interfere with the Nov. 5 presidential election.Use of force by federal troops on U.S. soil against U.S. civilians is against the law — except in cases of self-defense — and is outlined in the Posse Comitatus Act.Kennedy, who ended his presidential bid and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-trump-speech-arizona-a2638f89ddcb5de03edbe4574ca17d45">backed Republican former President Donald Trump</a>, tweeted the false narrative to his 4 million followers. It falsely claims that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, pushed through a Defense Department directive allowing lethal force against Americans who protest government policies.The revision in question is Department of Defense Directive 5240.01, and it does not allow troops to use force on U.S. citizens. The timing of its release was not related to the election, Pentagon spokeswoman Sue Gough said.“The policies concerning the use of force by DOD addressed in DoDD 5240.01 are not new, and do not authorize the DOD to use lethal force against U.S. citizens or people located inside the United States, contrary to rumors and rhetoric circulating on social media,” Gough said in a statement to The Associated Press.The Pentagon regularly updates its directives. This update was intended to align the language on use of force from other policies into 5240.01, which only applies to defense intelligence personnel.It describes what sort of support those personnel can provide to civilian law enforcement in situations where a confrontation or lethal use of force is likely.

Pentagon denies falsehood about troops allowed to use force during election

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been sentenced to life in prison for setting a house fire that killed his girlfriend and their two daughters.

Kyle Tyler, 33, won’t be eligible for parole until he serves at least 25 years of his life sentence for first-degree murder in the commission of a felony. On top of that, he was sentenced Wednesday to an additional 11 years for two arson charges,&nbsp;The Topeka Capital-Journal&nbsp;reported.

Firefighters found Tyler, along with a butane torch lighter, on a rear deck when they rushed to a burning Topeka home&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a84602f1180a03e6fa56276316cfec10">in January 2023</a>. They then extinguished a pair of blazes that were determined to be intentionally set in the living room and basement.

His girlfriend, 30-year-old Genny Fitzpatrick, and their 1-year-old daughter, Kourtney Tyler, were found dead on the second floor. His 9-year-old daughter, Peyton Tyler, died after being taken from her first-floor bedroom to a Topeka hospital, the affidavit said.

All three victims’ deaths were likely due to smoke inhalation, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said.

In exchange for entering a guilty plea in August, prosecutors dismissed two other murder charges, along with two aggravated child endangerment counts, court records show.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674225989378.png" alt="First responding crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story house.-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>First responding crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-story house.-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been sentenced to life in prison for setting a house fire that killed his girlfriend and their two daughters.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729873597201.png" alt="Genny Fitzpatrick and her two children&nbsp;Peyton Tyler and Kourtney Tyler-photo Mercer Funeral Home" />
 <figcaption>Genny Fitzpatrick and her two children&nbsp;Peyton Tyler and Kourtney Tyler-photo Mercer Funeral Home</figcaption>
 </figure>Kyle Tyler, 33, won’t be eligible for parole until he serves at least 25 years of his life sentence for first-degree murder in the commission of a felony. On top of that, he was sentenced Wednesday to an additional 11 years for two arson charges,&nbsp;The Topeka Capital-Journal&nbsp;reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674361780426.png" alt="Tyler photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Tyler photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>Firefighters found Tyler, along with a butane torch lighter, on a rear deck when they rushed to a burning Topeka home&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a84602f1180a03e6fa56276316cfec10">in January 2023</a>. They then extinguished a pair of blazes that were determined to be intentionally set in the living room and basement.His girlfriend, 30-year-old Genny Fitzpatrick, and their 1-year-old daughter, Kourtney Tyler, were found dead on the second floor. His 9-year-old daughter, Peyton Tyler, died after being taken from her first-floor bedroom to a Topeka hospital, the affidavit said.All three victims’ deaths were likely due to smoke inhalation, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said.In exchange for entering a guilty plea in August, prosecutors dismissed two other murder charges, along with two aggravated child endangerment counts, court records show.

Kansas man sentenced in fire that killed 2 children and his girlfriend

JOHNSON COUNTY — Emporia State University placed a professor on administrative leave following an arrest for alleged child sex crimes.

On Wednesday Howard Pitler, 72, was booked into the Johnson County jail on requested charges of&nbsp; electronic solicitation of a child under 14 years old, according to online jail records. He met the requirements of a $25,000 bond and is no longer in&nbsp; custody.

According to Emporia State, "Upon being made aware of the arrest of Howard Pitler, the university responded immediately and placed Pitler on administrative leave. With our rich tradition as a premier Teachers College, the care and safety of students of all ages is of the utmost importance. Pitler taught fully online master’s level courses as an associate professor of School Leadership, Middle &amp; Secondary Teacher Education in The Teachers College. He has been at ESU since 2018. Emporia State will cooperate fully with authorities. We cannot comment further on an ongoing investigation."

Pitler is scheduled to return to court October 31, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729898976418.png" alt="Pitler photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Pitler photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — Emporia State University placed a professor on administrative leave following an arrest for alleged child sex crimes.On Wednesday Howard Pitler, 72, was booked into the Johnson County jail on requested charges of&nbsp; electronic solicitation of a child under 14 years old, according to online jail records. He met the requirements of a $25,000 bond and is no longer in&nbsp; custody.According to Emporia State, "Upon being made aware of the arrest of Howard Pitler, the university responded immediately and placed Pitler on administrative leave. With our rich tradition as a premier Teachers College, the care and safety of students of all ages is of the utmost importance. Pitler taught fully online master’s level courses as an associate professor of School Leadership, Middle &amp; Secondary Teacher Education in The Teachers College. He has been at ESU since 2018. Emporia State will cooperate fully with authorities. We cannot comment further on an ongoing investigation."Pitler is scheduled to return to court October 31, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

Emporia State University professor accused of child sex crime

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel pounded Iran with a series of airstrikes early Saturday, saying it was targeting military targets in retaliation for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">barrage of ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier this month. Explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, though there was no immediate information on damage or casualties.

The attack risks pushing the archenemies closer to all-out war at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-one-year-anniversary-cf123f95609051e8e8eaf6aebe661b6a">spiraling violence across the Middle East</a>, where militant groups backed by Iran – including Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon – are already at war with Israel.

The Israeli military said Saturday it had launched “precise strikes on military targets” and, according to two Israeli officials, it was not targeting nuclear or oil facilities. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the ongoing operation with the media.

“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since Oct. 7 ... including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a prerecorded video statement early Saturday. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.”

Initially, nuclear facilities and oil installations all had been seen as possible targets for Israel’s response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack, but in mid-October the Biden administration believed it had won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-oil-nuclear-sites-biden-f5dd702de7d990dd1d00f665e1484dee">assurances from Israel</a>&nbsp;that it would not hit such targets.

Iran’s state-run media acknowledged blasts that could be heard in Tehran and said some of the sounds came from air defense systems around the city.

But beyond a brief reference, Iranian state television offered no other details and even began showing what it described as live footage of men loading trucks at a vegetable market in Tehran in an attempt to downplay the assault.

A Tehran resident told The Associated Press that at least seven explosions could be heard, which rattled the surrounding area. The resident spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

People in Tehran could see what appeared to be tracer fire light up the sky as the blasts could be heard. Other footage showed what appeared to be surface-to-air missiles launching up to the sky and other detonations.

Iran closed the country’s airspace early Saturday, and flight-tracking data analyzed by the Associated Press showed commercial airlines had broadly left the skies over Iran, and across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed and would continue to receive updates.

In Syria, the state news agency SANA, citing an unnamed military official, reported missile fire targeting military sites in the country’s central and southern region. It said that Syria’s air defenses had shot some of the missiles down. There was no immediate information on casualties.

Iran has launched two ballistic missile attacks on Israel in recent months amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that began with the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. That initial attack killed some 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage back to the seaside enclave.

In the time since, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health officials who don’t delineate between civilians and combatants. The U.N. has said hundreds of thousands of people have been trapped with little food or supplies as Israeli forces close in on the northern Gaza town of Jabaliya, while food and other aid remains scarce in the enclave. Israeli military operations in the West Bank in the time since have killed hundreds more.

Israel also has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon and a series of punishing airstrikes that have rattled that country.

The strike Saturday happened just as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was arriving back in the U.S. after a tour of the Middle East where he and other U.S. officials had warned Israel to tender a response that would not further escalate the conflict in the region and exclude nuclear sites in Iran.

White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement that “we understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran” and referred reporters to the Israeli government for more details on their operation.

Two U.S. officials said the U.S. was notified by Israel in advance of the strikes. They said there was no U.S. involvement in the operation. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.

Israel had vowed to hit Iran hard following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">massive Iranian missile barrage</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 1. Iran said its barrage was in response to deadly Israeli&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-conflict-military-strategy-cce53839bbcf0a9a36af45ed2fa7dbb4">attacks against its proxy in Lebanon,</a>&nbsp;Hezbollah, and it has promised to respond to any retaliatory strikes.

Israel and Iran have been bitter foes since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing its leaders’ calls for Israel’s destruction, their support for anti-Israel militant groups and the country’s nuclear program.

Israel and Iran have been locked in a yearslong shadow war. A suspected Israeli assassination campaign has killed top Iranian nuclear scientists. Iranian nuclear installations have been hacked or sabotaged, all in mysterious attacks blamed on Israel. Meanwhile, Iran has been blamed for a series of attacks on shipping in the Middle East in recent years, which later grew into the attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on shipping through the Red Sea corridor.

But since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, the battle has increasingly moved into the open. Israel has recently turned its attention to Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets into Israel since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;began. Throughout the year, a number of top Iranian military figures have been killed in Israeli strikes in Syria and Lebanon.

Iran fired a wave of missiles and drones at Israel last April after two Iranian generals were killed in an apparent Israeli airstrike in Syria on an Iranian diplomatic post. The missiles and drones caused minimum damage, and Israel — under pressure from Western countries to show restraint — responded with a limited strike.

But after Iran’s early October missile strike, Israel promised a tougher response.

Meanwhile Friday, Israeli strikes on residential areas in southern Gaza killed 38 people, including 13 children from the same extended family, Palestinian health officials said.

In northern Gaza, health officials reported that Israeli forces had raided Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few medical facilities still functioning in the area. Israel has renewed its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">offensive against Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the north in recent weeks, and aid groups are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-generals-plan-eiland-gaza-219d7eb9a3050e281ccc032d5a56263c">sounding the alarm</a>&nbsp;over dire humanitarian conditions.

In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on the country’s southeast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/journalists-killed-lebanon-israel-c89cf1109daaf3e6e7b766584710234d">killed three journalists</a>&nbsp;working for news outlets that are considered to be aligned with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-lebanon-hezbollah-news-10-08-2024-0bc0a8970c066c048ee1875bcdc8df79">Hezbollah</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713493747235.png" alt="Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel pounded Iran with a series of airstrikes early Saturday, saying it was targeting military targets in retaliation for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">barrage of ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier this month. Explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, though there was no immediate information on damage or casualties.The attack risks pushing the archenemies closer to all-out war at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-one-year-anniversary-cf123f95609051e8e8eaf6aebe661b6a">spiraling violence across the Middle East</a>, where militant groups backed by Iran – including Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon – are already at war with Israel.The Israeli military said Saturday it had launched “precise strikes on military targets” and, according to two Israeli officials, it was not targeting nuclear or oil facilities. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the ongoing operation with the media.“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since Oct. 7 ... including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a prerecorded video statement early Saturday. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.”Initially, nuclear facilities and oil installations all had been seen as possible targets for Israel’s response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack, but in mid-October the Biden administration believed it had won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-oil-nuclear-sites-biden-f5dd702de7d990dd1d00f665e1484dee">assurances from Israel</a>&nbsp;that it would not hit such targets.Iran’s state-run media acknowledged blasts that could be heard in Tehran and said some of the sounds came from air defense systems around the city.But beyond a brief reference, Iranian state television offered no other details and even began showing what it described as live footage of men loading trucks at a vegetable market in Tehran in an attempt to downplay the assault.A Tehran resident told The Associated Press that at least seven explosions could be heard, which rattled the surrounding area. The resident spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.People in Tehran could see what appeared to be tracer fire light up the sky as the blasts could be heard. Other footage showed what appeared to be surface-to-air missiles launching up to the sky and other detonations.Iran closed the country’s airspace early Saturday, and flight-tracking data analyzed by the Associated Press showed commercial airlines had broadly left the skies over Iran, and across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed and would continue to receive updates.In Syria, the state news agency SANA, citing an unnamed military official, reported missile fire targeting military sites in the country’s central and southern region. It said that Syria’s air defenses had shot some of the missiles down. There was no immediate information on casualties.Iran has launched two ballistic missile attacks on Israel in recent months amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that began with the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. That initial attack killed some 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage back to the seaside enclave.In the time since, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health officials who don’t delineate between civilians and combatants. The U.N. has said hundreds of thousands of people have been trapped with little food or supplies as Israeli forces close in on the northern Gaza town of Jabaliya, while food and other aid remains scarce in the enclave. Israeli military operations in the West Bank in the time since have killed hundreds more.Israel also has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon and a series of punishing airstrikes that have rattled that country.The strike Saturday happened just as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was arriving back in the U.S. after a tour of the Middle East where he and other U.S. officials had warned Israel to tender a response that would not further escalate the conflict in the region and exclude nuclear sites in Iran.White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement that “we understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran” and referred reporters to the Israeli government for more details on their operation.Two U.S. officials said the U.S. was notified by Israel in advance of the strikes. They said there was no U.S. involvement in the operation. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.Israel had vowed to hit Iran hard following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">massive Iranian missile barrage</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 1. Iran said its barrage was in response to deadly Israeli&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-conflict-military-strategy-cce53839bbcf0a9a36af45ed2fa7dbb4">attacks against its proxy in Lebanon,</a>&nbsp;Hezbollah, and it has promised to respond to any retaliatory strikes.Israel and Iran have been bitter foes since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing its leaders’ calls for Israel’s destruction, their support for anti-Israel militant groups and the country’s nuclear program.Israel and Iran have been locked in a yearslong shadow war. A suspected Israeli assassination campaign has killed top Iranian nuclear scientists. Iranian nuclear installations have been hacked or sabotaged, all in mysterious attacks blamed on Israel. Meanwhile, Iran has been blamed for a series of attacks on shipping in the Middle East in recent years, which later grew into the attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on shipping through the Red Sea corridor.But since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, the battle has increasingly moved into the open. Israel has recently turned its attention to Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets into Israel since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;began. Throughout the year, a number of top Iranian military figures have been killed in Israeli strikes in Syria and Lebanon.Iran fired a wave of missiles and drones at Israel last April after two Iranian generals were killed in an apparent Israeli airstrike in Syria on an Iranian diplomatic post. The missiles and drones caused minimum damage, and Israel — under pressure from Western countries to show restraint — responded with a limited strike.But after Iran’s early October missile strike, Israel promised a tougher response.Meanwhile Friday, Israeli strikes on residential areas in southern Gaza killed 38 people, including 13 children from the same extended family, Palestinian health officials said.In northern Gaza, health officials reported that Israeli forces had raided Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few medical facilities still functioning in the area. Israel has renewed its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">offensive against Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the north in recent weeks, and aid groups are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-generals-plan-eiland-gaza-219d7eb9a3050e281ccc032d5a56263c">sounding the alarm</a>&nbsp;over dire humanitarian conditions.In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on the country’s southeast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/journalists-killed-lebanon-israel-c89cf1109daaf3e6e7b766584710234d">killed three journalists</a>&nbsp;working for news outlets that are considered to be aligned with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-lebanon-hezbollah-news-10-08-2024-0bc0a8970c066c048ee1875bcdc8df79">Hezbollah</a>.

Israel launches attack on Iran, risking escalation in Mideast wars

SALINE COUNTY—A 10-year-old girl is on the road to recovery after a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in August, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

The incident occurred on August 9, at a residence on Leland Way in Salina. The girl was initially transported to Salina Regional Health Center before she was sent to a hospital in Wichita and then to a facility in Kansas City for further treatment.

Officers arrived at the scene between 9 and 9:30 p.m. after receiving a call from the child's parent. According to Feldman, officers secured the scene before medical personnel arrived to assist.&nbsp;

Officers collected the firearm involved, believed to be a 9mm, as evidence. The firearm was not in a safe or secure location.&nbsp; Feldman confirmed that the firearm was resting on a table shortly before the incident occurred.&nbsp;

Feldman stated that no charges have been filed at this time, despite the potential case for child endangerment. He also mentioned that not all individuals involved have been interviewed, even though the shooting occurred in August.

"We also look at what you have is a misdemeanor. The most you can have is a misdemeanor, and then you have to balance what the family's going through," Feldman said. "Is that effective in establishing what you want to do?"

Kansas does not have a firearm storage statute, which might have applied to this case. Feldman noted that a city ordinance coverning firearm storage was reppealed.

Police did not make the incident public until this week, more than two months after it occurred. When asked about the delay in reporting the case to the media, Feldman acknowledged that the public might raise concern but said the department is focused on completing the investigation.

SALINE COUNTY—A 10-year-old girl is on the road to recovery after a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in August, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.The incident occurred on August 9, at a residence on Leland Way in Salina. The girl was initially transported to Salina Regional Health Center before she was sent to a hospital in Wichita and then to a facility in Kansas City for further treatment.Officers arrived at the scene between 9 and 9:30 p.m. after receiving a call from the child's parent. According to Feldman, officers secured the scene before medical personnel arrived to assist.&nbsp;Officers collected the firearm involved, believed to be a 9mm, as evidence. The firearm was not in a safe or secure location.&nbsp; Feldman confirmed that the firearm was resting on a table shortly before the incident occurred.&nbsp;Feldman stated that no charges have been filed at this time, despite the potential case for child endangerment. He also mentioned that not all individuals involved have been interviewed, even though the shooting occurred in August."We also look at what you have is a misdemeanor. The most you can have is a misdemeanor, and then you have to balance what the family's going through," Feldman said. "Is that effective in establishing what you want to do?"Kansas does not have a firearm storage statute, which might have applied to this case. Feldman noted that a city ordinance coverning firearm storage was reppealed.Police did not make the incident public until this week, more than two months after it occurred. When asked about the delay in reporting the case to the media, Feldman acknowledged that the public might raise concern but said the department is focused on completing the investigation.

Police: Kan. girl recovering from self-inflicted gunshot wound

WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – was alerted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of a problem with an electronic fax system that resulted in 875 files sent to the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System from community care providers to go missing, according to a media release from Moran's office.

These files dated as far back as June 11, 2024, and contained medical documentation, care referrals, authorizations for care and other information needed for the coordination of veteran health care.

“I have asked VA to quickly review every file and take all appropriate actions to mitigate patient harm that has or may result from this system failure,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“I have also asked VA to quickly review each of the other 27 health care systems across the Veterans Health Administration that use this same electronic fax system in order to identify similar issues and assist any patients whose care has been negatively impacted. My office will remain in contact with VA until the full scope of this problem is known and all necessary corrective actions are taken.”

Any veteran concerned this issue may have caused a delay in their care should contact their VA care team. If a veteran needs further assistance, they should reach out to Sen. Moran’s office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/federal-agency-assistance">and Click Here</a>.

WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – was alerted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of a problem with an electronic fax system that resulted in 875 files sent to the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System from community care providers to go missing, according to a media release from Moran's office.These files dated as far back as June 11, 2024, and contained medical documentation, care referrals, authorizations for care and other information needed for the coordination of veteran health care.“I have asked VA to quickly review every file and take all appropriate actions to mitigate patient harm that has or may result from this system failure,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“I have also asked VA to quickly review each of the other 27 health care systems across the Veterans Health Administration that use this same electronic fax system in order to identify similar issues and assist any patients whose care has been negatively impacted. My office will remain in contact with VA until the full scope of this problem is known and all necessary corrective actions are taken.”Any veteran concerned this issue may have caused a delay in their care should contact their VA care team. If a veteran needs further assistance, they should reach out to Sen. Moran’s office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/federal-agency-assistance">and Click Here</a>.

Moran alerts veterans to system failure at VA in Kansas

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Phil Lesh, a classically trained violinist and jazz trumpeter who found his true calling reinventing the role of rock bass guitar as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grateful-dead-musicares-person-of-year-2025-40485ea37550db218ce9b6e4f858c6dc">founding member of the Grateful Dead,</a>&nbsp;died Friday at age 84.

Lesh’s death was announced on his Instagram account. Lesh was the oldest and one of the longest surviving members of the band that came to define the acid rock sound emanating from San Francisco in the 1960s.

“Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed peacefully this morning. He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBjvWcHPbQB/?igsh=ZW1jYm1kZTQxMWY2" target="_blank">the Instagram statement</a>&nbsp;reads in part.

The statement did not cite a specific cause of death and attempts to reach representatives for additional details were not immediately successful. Lesh had previously survived bouts of prostate cancer, bladder cancer and a 1998 liver transplant necessitated by the debilitating effects of a hepatitis C infection and years of heavy drinking.

Although he kept a relatively low public profile, rarely granting interviews or speaking to the audience, fans and fellow band members recognized Lesh as a critical member of the Grateful Dead whose thundering lines on the six-string electric bass provided a brilliant counterpoint to lead guitarist Jerry Garcia’s soaring solos and anchored the band’s famous marathon jams.

“When Phil’s happening the band’s happening,” Garcia once said.

Drummer Mickey Hart called him the group’s intellectual who brought a classical composer’s mind-set and skills to a five-chord rock ‘n’ roll band.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729887107817.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Phil Lesh, a classically trained violinist and jazz trumpeter who found his true calling reinventing the role of rock bass guitar as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grateful-dead-musicares-person-of-year-2025-40485ea37550db218ce9b6e4f858c6dc">founding member of the Grateful Dead,</a>&nbsp;died Friday at age 84.Lesh’s death was announced on his Instagram account. Lesh was the oldest and one of the longest surviving members of the band that came to define the acid rock sound emanating from San Francisco in the 1960s.“Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed peacefully this morning. He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBjvWcHPbQB/?igsh=ZW1jYm1kZTQxMWY2" target="_blank">the Instagram statement</a>&nbsp;reads in part.The statement did not cite a specific cause of death and attempts to reach representatives for additional details were not immediately successful. Lesh had previously survived bouts of prostate cancer, bladder cancer and a 1998 liver transplant necessitated by the debilitating effects of a hepatitis C infection and years of heavy drinking.Although he kept a relatively low public profile, rarely granting interviews or speaking to the audience, fans and fellow band members recognized Lesh as a critical member of the Grateful Dead whose thundering lines on the six-string electric bass provided a brilliant counterpoint to lead guitarist Jerry Garcia’s soaring solos and anchored the band’s famous marathon jams.“When Phil’s happening the band’s happening,” Garcia once said.Drummer Mickey Hart called him the group’s intellectual who brought a classical composer’s mind-set and skills to a five-chord rock ‘n’ roll band.

Phil Lesh, bassist for the Grateful Dead, dies at 84

LAVEEN VILLAGE, Ariz. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Friday formally apologized to Native Americans for the “sin” of a government-run boarding school system that for decades forcibly separated Indian children from their parents, calling it “blot on American history” in his first visit to Native Country.

“It's a sin on our soul,” said Biden, his voice full of anger and emotion. “Quite frankly, there’s no excuse that this apology took 50 years to make.”

Biden spoke of the abuses and deaths of native children that resulted from the federal government's policies, as he noted that the shameful history remained unknown and needed to be told. The president detailed how his policies have sought to support Native Americans with jobs and new infrastructure.

Democrats hope Biden's visit to the Gila River Indian Community’s land on the outskirts of metro Phoenix in Arizona will also provide a boost to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris'</a>&nbsp;turnout effort in a key battleground state.

Biden, whose presidency is winding down, had promised tribal leaders nearly two years ago that he would make a visit to Indian Country.

The president, in an exchange with reporters Thursday before departing for Arizona, said an apology for the U.S. government’s role in the abuse and neglect of Native children was “something that should have been done a long time ago." For decades, federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/native-american-boarding-schools-legacy-map-b649ea0a2d616ec65c454232842a0a7a">boarding schools</a>&nbsp;were used to assimilate children into white society, according to the White House.

The moment will also give Biden a chance to spotlight his and Harris' support for tribal nations, a group that historically has favored Democrats, in a state he won just by 10,000 votes in 2020.

The race between Harris and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is expected to be similarly close, and both campaigns are doing whatever they can to improve turnout among bedrock supporters.

“The race is now a turnout grab,” said Mike O’Neil, a non-partisan pollster based in Arizona. “The trendlines throughout have been remarkably steady. The question is which candidate is going to be able to turn out their voters in a race that seems to be destined to be decided by narrow margins.”

Biden has been used sparingly on the campaign trail by Harris and other Democrats since he ended his reelection campaign in July.

But analysts say Biden could help Harris in her appeal with Native American voters — a group that has trailed others in turnout rates.

In 2020, there was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/native-american-votes-helped-secure-bidens-win-in-arizona-fa452fbd546fa00535679d78ac40b890">surge in voter turnout</a>&nbsp;on some tribal land in Arizona as Biden beat Trump and became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state since Bill Clinton in 1996.

Biden is making the visit in his official capacity, and a formal apology — something tribes have long sought — seems certain to garner attention among Native Americans across the country.

At least 973 Native American children died in the U.S. government’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-native-americans-south-dakota-762797ee44f94d06e2f7776599bef374">abusive boarding school system</a>&nbsp;over a 150-year period that ended in 1969, according to an Interior Department investigation that called for a U.S. government apology.

At least 18,000 children, some as young as 4, were taken from their parents and forced to attend schools that sought to assimilate them.

“President Biden deserves credit for finally putting attention on the issue and other issues impacting the community,” said Ramona Charette Klein, 77, a boarding school survivor and an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. “I do think that will reflect well on Vice President Harris, and I hope this momentum will continue.”

LAVEEN VILLAGE, Ariz. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Friday formally apologized to Native Americans for the “sin” of a government-run boarding school system that for decades forcibly separated Indian children from their parents, calling it “blot on American history” in his first visit to Native Country.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on treatment of Native Americans in Federal Indian Boarding Schools: &quot;The federal government has never apologized for what happened, until today. I formally apologize as President of the United States for what we did. I formally apologize and it&#39;s long overdue.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/tc23qr79Go">pic.twitter.com/tc23qr79Go</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1849875930501513537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It's a sin on our soul,” said Biden, his voice full of anger and emotion. “Quite frankly, there’s no excuse that this apology took 50 years to make.”Biden spoke of the abuses and deaths of native children that resulted from the federal government's policies, as he noted that the shameful history remained unknown and needed to be told. The president detailed how his policies have sought to support Native Americans with jobs and new infrastructure.Democrats hope Biden's visit to the Gila River Indian Community’s land on the outskirts of metro Phoenix in Arizona will also provide a boost to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris'</a>&nbsp;turnout effort in a key battleground state.Biden, whose presidency is winding down, had promised tribal leaders nearly two years ago that he would make a visit to Indian Country.The president, in an exchange with reporters Thursday before departing for Arizona, said an apology for the U.S. government’s role in the abuse and neglect of Native children was “something that should have been done a long time ago." For decades, federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/native-american-boarding-schools-legacy-map-b649ea0a2d616ec65c454232842a0a7a">boarding schools</a>&nbsp;were used to assimilate children into white society, according to the White House.The moment will also give Biden a chance to spotlight his and Harris' support for tribal nations, a group that historically has favored Democrats, in a state he won just by 10,000 votes in 2020.The race between Harris and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is expected to be similarly close, and both campaigns are doing whatever they can to improve turnout among bedrock supporters.“The race is now a turnout grab,” said Mike O’Neil, a non-partisan pollster based in Arizona. “The trendlines throughout have been remarkably steady. The question is which candidate is going to be able to turn out their voters in a race that seems to be destined to be decided by narrow margins.”Biden has been used sparingly on the campaign trail by Harris and other Democrats since he ended his reelection campaign in July.But analysts say Biden could help Harris in her appeal with Native American voters — a group that has trailed others in turnout rates.In 2020, there was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/native-american-votes-helped-secure-bidens-win-in-arizona-fa452fbd546fa00535679d78ac40b890">surge in voter turnout</a>&nbsp;on some tribal land in Arizona as Biden beat Trump and became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state since Bill Clinton in 1996.Biden is making the visit in his official capacity, and a formal apology — something tribes have long sought — seems certain to garner attention among Native Americans across the country.At least 973 Native American children died in the U.S. government’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-native-americans-south-dakota-762797ee44f94d06e2f7776599bef374">abusive boarding school system</a>&nbsp;over a 150-year period that ended in 1969, according to an Interior Department investigation that called for a U.S. government apology.At least 18,000 children, some as young as 4, were taken from their parents and forced to attend schools that sought to assimilate them.“President Biden deserves credit for finally putting attention on the issue and other issues impacting the community,” said Ramona Charette Klein, 77, a boarding school survivor and an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. “I do think that will reflect well on Vice President Harris, and I hope this momentum will continue.”She added that whoever is the next president must follow up with concrete action and begin making amends for the devastation the boarding schools wrought on tribes.Democrats have stepped up outreach to Native American communities.Both Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tim-walz">Tim Walz</a>, met with tribal leaders in Arizona and Nevada this month. And Clinton, who has been serving as a surrogate for Harris, last week met in North Carolina with the chairman of the Lumbee Tribe.The Democratic National Committee recently&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-marks-indigenous-peoples-day-with-a-six-figure-ad-campaign-reaching-native-voters/">launched</a>&nbsp;a six-figure ad campaign targeting Native American voters in Arizona, North Carolina, Montana and Alaska through digital, print and radio ads.Democratic Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ruben-gallego">Ruben Gallego</a>, who is locked in a competitive race with Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kari-lake">Kari Lake</a>&nbsp;for Arizona's open Senate seat, has visited all 22 of Arizona's federally recognized tribes.Harris started a recent campaign rally in Chandler, near where the Gila River reservation is located, with a shoutout to the tribe's leader.She also reminded the crowd that she was the first vice president to visit the reservation. She and husband Doug Emhoff visited the community last year.“I strongly believe that the relationship between tribal nations and the United States is sacred ... and that we must honor tribal sovereignty, embrace our trust in treaty obligations, and ensure tribal self-determination,” Harris said.The White House says Biden and Harris have built a substantial track record with Native Americans over the last four years.He designated the sacred&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-travel-mountains-arizona-las-vegas-ca156c74cf5b1d5778dda292e52fa57e">Avi Kwa Ame,</a>&nbsp;a desert mountain in Nevada and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon in Arizona as national monuments and restored the boundaries for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-lifestyle-business-environment-1d8b5a0ff3814f78c5e8bc97c37fc32e">Bears Ears National Monument</a>&nbsp;in Utah.In addition, the administration has directed nearly $46 billion in federal spending to tribal nations. The money has helped bring electricity to a reservation that never had electricity, expand access to high-speed internet, improve water sanitation, build roadways and more.Biden picked former New Mexico Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/debra-haaland">Deb Haaland</a>&nbsp;to serve as his Interior secretary, the first Native American to be appointed to a Cabinet position. Haaland is a member of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico.She, in turn, ordered the comprehensive review in June 2021 of the troubled legacy of the federal government's boarding school policies that is leading Biden to deliver the formal apology.“He made commitments to Indian Country, and he has followed through on every single one of those commitments,” Haaland said.Thom Reilly, co-director of the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University, said both Harris' and Trump's campaigns — and their allies — have put a remarkable amount of effort into micro-targeting in Arizona.Harris, Reilly noted, has also focused on whittling away at Trump's advantage among Mormon voters in the state, a group that historically has favored Republicans. Trump, meanwhile, has put special focus on young men as the campaign tries to narrow Democrats' advantage with younger voters.“They are pulling out every stop just to see if they could wrangle a few more votes here and there,” Reilly said. “The Indian community is one of those groups that Harris is hoping will overperform and help make the difference.”