WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;has accepted the rules set forth for next week's debate with former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, although the Democratic nominee says the decision not to keep both candidates' microphones live throughout the matchup will be to her disadvantage.

The development, which came Wednesday by way of a letter from Harris' campaign to host network ABC News, seemed to mark a conclusion to the debate over microphone muting, which had for a time threatened to derail the Sept. 10 presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Harris’ acceptance of the debate rules came as Trump — using a night he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-debate-abc-fox-news-0d0be341bbe7877a71bfc4bed40610fa">proposed as a debate with Harris</a>&nbsp;on Fox News Channel — instead participated in a solo town hall with host Sean Hannity in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a version of debate preparation with a longtime ally who queried him about his plans to take on the Democratic nominee.

President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden’s</a>&nbsp;campaign had made the muting of microphones, except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak, a condition of his decision to accept any debates this year. Some aides have said they now regret that decision, saying voters were shielded from hearing Trump’s outbursts during the June debate. A disastrous performance for the incumbent Democrat fueled his exit from the campaign.

Once Harris rose in Biden's stead and became their party's pick for president, her campaign had advocated for live microphones for the whole debate, saying previously that the practice would “fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates.”

But on Wednesday, in a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Harris’ advisers wrote that the former prosecutor will be “fundamentally disadvantaged by this format, which will serve to shield Donald Trump from direct exchanges with the Vice President."

“We suspect this is the primary reason for his campaign’s insistence on muted microphones,” her campaign added.

Despite those concerns, Harris' campaign wrote, “we understand that Donald Trump is a risk to skip the debate altogether, as he has threatened to do previously, if we do not accede to his preferred format.” So as not to “jeopardize the debate,” Harris' campaign wrote, “we accepted the full set of rules proposed by ABC, including muted microphones.”

According to an official with Harris’ campaign, a pool of journalists will be on hand to hear what the muted candidate may be trying to say when his or her microphone is turned off. That detail was not in the full debate rules, also released Wednesday by ABC, which are essentially the same as they were for the June debate between Trump and Biden.

The network laid out parameters from the basic format — 90 minutes, with two commercial breaks — to specifications that moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis “will be the only people asking questions,” perhaps hoping to avert a free-for-all between the candidates.

“Moderators will seek to enforce timing agreements and ensure a civilized discussion,” the network noted.

The Harris campaign official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss planning around the debate, said a candidate who repeatedly interrupts will receive a warning from a moderator, and both candidates' microphones may be unmuted if there is significant crosstalk so the audience can understand what's happening.

After a virtual coin flip held Tuesday and won by Trump, the GOP nominee opted to offer the final closing statement, while Harris chose the podium on the right side of viewers’ screens. There will be no audience, written notes or any topics or questions shared with campaigns or candidates in advance, the network said.

In the town hall on Wednesday, Hannity steered Trump through many of the topics typical of the GOP nominee's campaign events, with a heavy focus on immigration, and posed questions after showing video clips of Harris in media interviews and other appearances.

Trump also repeatedly returned his focus from Harris to Biden, calling Democrats' substitution of their top candidate “a coup” and saying he would have preferred a debate with Harris, rather than the town hall.

Asked about next week's debate, Trump repeated his former criticism of ABC as a “dishonest” and “unfair” network, also reiterating his previous claims that Harris' campaign is "going to get the questions in advance.”

The location of Trump's town hall, coupled with next week's debate in Philadelphia, highlights the importance of battleground Pennsylvania, where 19 Electoral College votes are up for grabs in the November election.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723838589358.png" alt="File photo Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail last month -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail last month -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;has accepted the rules set forth for next week's debate with former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, although the Democratic nominee says the decision not to keep both candidates' microphones live throughout the matchup will be to her disadvantage.The development, which came Wednesday by way of a letter from Harris' campaign to host network ABC News, seemed to mark a conclusion to the debate over microphone muting, which had for a time threatened to derail the Sept. 10 presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.Harris’ acceptance of the debate rules came as Trump — using a night he had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-debate-abc-fox-news-0d0be341bbe7877a71bfc4bed40610fa">proposed as a debate with Harris</a>&nbsp;on Fox News Channel — instead participated in a solo town hall with host Sean Hannity in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a version of debate preparation with a longtime ally who queried him about his plans to take on the Democratic nominee.President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden’s</a>&nbsp;campaign had made the muting of microphones, except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak, a condition of his decision to accept any debates this year. Some aides have said they now regret that decision, saying voters were shielded from hearing Trump’s outbursts during the June debate. A disastrous performance for the incumbent Democrat fueled his exit from the campaign.Once Harris rose in Biden's stead and became their party's pick for president, her campaign had advocated for live microphones for the whole debate, saying previously that the practice would “fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates.”But on Wednesday, in a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Harris’ advisers wrote that the former prosecutor will be “fundamentally disadvantaged by this format, which will serve to shield Donald Trump from direct exchanges with the Vice President."“We suspect this is the primary reason for his campaign’s insistence on muted microphones,” her campaign added.Despite those concerns, Harris' campaign wrote, “we understand that Donald Trump is a risk to skip the debate altogether, as he has threatened to do previously, if we do not accede to his preferred format.” So as not to “jeopardize the debate,” Harris' campaign wrote, “we accepted the full set of rules proposed by ABC, including muted microphones.”According to an official with Harris’ campaign, a pool of journalists will be on hand to hear what the muted candidate may be trying to say when his or her microphone is turned off. That detail was not in the full debate rules, also released Wednesday by ABC, which are essentially the same as they were for the June debate between Trump and Biden.The network laid out parameters from the basic format — 90 minutes, with two commercial breaks — to specifications that moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis “will be the only people asking questions,” perhaps hoping to avert a free-for-all between the candidates.“Moderators will seek to enforce timing agreements and ensure a civilized discussion,” the network noted.The Harris campaign official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss planning around the debate, said a candidate who repeatedly interrupts will receive a warning from a moderator, and both candidates' microphones may be unmuted if there is significant crosstalk so the audience can understand what's happening.After a virtual coin flip held Tuesday and won by Trump, the GOP nominee opted to offer the final closing statement, while Harris chose the podium on the right side of viewers’ screens. There will be no audience, written notes or any topics or questions shared with campaigns or candidates in advance, the network said.In the town hall on Wednesday, Hannity steered Trump through many of the topics typical of the GOP nominee's campaign events, with a heavy focus on immigration, and posed questions after showing video clips of Harris in media interviews and other appearances.Trump also repeatedly returned his focus from Harris to Biden, calling Democrats' substitution of their top candidate “a coup” and saying he would have preferred a debate with Harris, rather than the town hall.Asked about next week's debate, Trump repeated his former criticism of ABC as a “dishonest” and “unfair” network, also reiterating his previous claims that Harris' campaign is "going to get the questions in advance.”The location of Trump's town hall, coupled with next week's debate in Philadelphia, highlights the importance of battleground Pennsylvania, where 19 Electoral College votes are up for grabs in the November election.

Harris says she will be "disadvantaged" by the debate format with Trump

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The chief executive officer of Kroger insisted Wednesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-grocery-merger-ftc-9fdb26cc044ee21a7a486c03caae6a5d">merging with rival Albertsons</a>&nbsp;would allow the two supermarket companies to lower prices and more effectively compete with retail giants like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/walmart-inc">Walmart</a>, Costco and Amazon.

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen argued in favor of what would be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-albertsons-companies-inc-0cfbd68f81ba8aab7c1d3012c69804d9">largest grocery chain merger</a>&nbsp;in U.S. history while testifying during a federal court hearing in Oregon on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-antitrust-grocery-merger-competition-71b47dc86ec7449f29b2b488c1d3f9de">U.S. government's request</a>&nbsp;for a preliminary injunction that would block the $24.6 billion deal.

“The day that we merge is the day that we will begin lowering prices,” McMullen said while under questioning by a lawyer representing his company.

Addressing another issue that has worried shoppers in communities with both Albertson and Kroger-run stores, McMullen said Kroger was committed to not closing any branches immediately if the merger is finalized but might down the road if it decides location changes or consolidations are needed.

The Federal Trade Commission sued early this year to stop the merger the two companies proposed in Oct. 2022 after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/opioid-crisis-settlement-kroger-79356d42ded9c5099e1c2b88d3ffc061">Kroger</a>&nbsp;agreed to purchase Albertsons. The commission alleged the deal would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-federal-trade-commission-2fda44d9d8b82ef20d6c7e7cffb2ccc3">eliminate competition</a>&nbsp;and lead to higher food prices for already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-price-gouging-ban-inflation-65dc8844bb41159d76886f752b6cab28">struggling consumers</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/opioid-crisis-settlement-kroger-79356d42ded9c5099e1c2b88d3ffc061">Kroger</a>, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,800 stores in 35 states, including brands like Dillons,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralphs-supermarkets-california-job-applicants-46a287ac76515ffbbd196202c4ee3c38">Ralphs</a>, Smith’s and Harris Teeter.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-dividends-8c6e67bf9fb0cc3da523c672a6ca9141">Albertsons</a>, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,273 stores in 34 states, including brands like Safeway, Jewel Osco and Shaw’s. Together, the companies employ around 710,000 people.

FTC attorneys argued during the U.S. District Court proceedings on the commission’s injunction request that in the 22 states where the two companies compete now, they closely match each other on price, quality, private label products and services like store pickup. Shoppers benefit from that competition and would lose out if the merger is allowed to proceed, they said.

McMullen countered that argument by saying that Albertsons prices are 10-12% higher than Kroger’s and that the merged company would try to reduce the disparity as part of a strategy for keeping customers.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-settlement-weighted-grocery-class-action-62405b8c5fda5e63f0b0e4f1f64949e6">Walmart</a>&nbsp;now controls around 22% of U.S. grocery sales. Combined, Kroger and Albertsons would control around 13%.

“We know that pricing is going to continue to go down,” McMullen said.

His statements and the upcoming testimony of Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran were expected to be critical components of the three-week hearing, which is at its mid-point. What the two say under oath about prices, potential store closures and the impact on workers will likely be scrutinized in the years ahead if the merger goes through.

FTC Chief Trial Counsel Susan Musser referred to Kroger’s 2021 investor fact book to make the argument that the merger would affect competition in areas where the two company’s stores overlap. According to figures included in the document, Albertsons is Kroger’s biggest competitor in multiple metropolitan areas, including Portland.

A Kroger attorney countered by saying that Walmart remains Kroger's largest competitor in a majority of markets around the country.

The FTC and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-contract-west-virginia-471b61f4212e4a803e0777c9a6b0ab67">labor union leaders</a>&nbsp;also claim that workers’ wages and benefits would decline if Kroger and Albertsons no longer compete with each other. They’ve additionally expressed concern that potential store closures could create so-called food and pharmacy “deserts” for consumers.

Albertsons has argued the deal could actually bolster union jobs, since many of it and Kroger’s competitors, like Walmart, have few unionized workers. McMullen said Wednesday that Kroger was committed to honoring existing labor contracts.

FTC lawyer Musser said the merger still might affect working conditions since union contracts are typically renegotiated every three years.

Under the proposed deal, Kroger and Albertsons would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-cs-grocery-9a1d40ba06f752d3c5c3d5db78fede4c">sell 579 stores</a>&nbsp;in places where their locations overlap to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-cs-wholesale-grocer-401520f2a25ea2ae5fd06be4973b7c48">C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers</a>, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-b50f18e7e7dc4701823b2d4346a8bd28">Piggly Wiggly</a>&nbsp;store brands.

The FTC alleges that C&amp;S is ill-prepared to take on those stores. Laura Hall, the FTC’s senior trial counsel, cited internal documents that indicated C&amp;S executives were skeptical about the quality of the stores they would get and may want the option to sell or close them.

C&amp;S CEO Eric Winn, for his part, testified last week that he thinks his company can be successful in the venture.

The FTC is seeking the injunction to block the merger temporarily while its lawsuit against the deal goes before an administrative law judge. U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson was expected to hear from around 40 witnesses before deciding whether to grant the request.

If Nelson agrees to issue the injunction, the FTC plans to hold the in-house hearings starting Oct. 1. Kroger sued the FTC last month, however, alleging the agency’s internal proceedings are unconstitutional and saying it wants the merger’s merits decided in federal court.

The attorneys general of Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming all joined the FTC's lawsuit on the commission's side. Washington and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-colorado-06a59a420139ef8f4400b128778d408d">Colorado filed</a>&nbsp;separate cases in state courts seeking to block the merger.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694444368400.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The chief executive officer of Kroger insisted Wednesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-grocery-merger-ftc-9fdb26cc044ee21a7a486c03caae6a5d">merging with rival Albertsons</a>&nbsp;would allow the two supermarket companies to lower prices and more effectively compete with retail giants like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/walmart-inc">Walmart</a>, Costco and Amazon.Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen argued in favor of what would be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-albertsons-companies-inc-0cfbd68f81ba8aab7c1d3012c69804d9">largest grocery chain merger</a>&nbsp;in U.S. history while testifying during a federal court hearing in Oregon on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-antitrust-grocery-merger-competition-71b47dc86ec7449f29b2b488c1d3f9de">U.S. government's request</a>&nbsp;for a preliminary injunction that would block the $24.6 billion deal.“The day that we merge is the day that we will begin lowering prices,” McMullen said while under questioning by a lawyer representing his company.Addressing another issue that has worried shoppers in communities with both Albertson and Kroger-run stores, McMullen said Kroger was committed to not closing any branches immediately if the merger is finalized but might down the road if it decides location changes or consolidations are needed.The Federal Trade Commission sued early this year to stop the merger the two companies proposed in Oct. 2022 after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/opioid-crisis-settlement-kroger-79356d42ded9c5099e1c2b88d3ffc061">Kroger</a>&nbsp;agreed to purchase Albertsons. The commission alleged the deal would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-federal-trade-commission-2fda44d9d8b82ef20d6c7e7cffb2ccc3">eliminate competition</a>&nbsp;and lead to higher food prices for already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-price-gouging-ban-inflation-65dc8844bb41159d76886f752b6cab28">struggling consumers</a>.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/opioid-crisis-settlement-kroger-79356d42ded9c5099e1c2b88d3ffc061">Kroger</a>, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,800 stores in 35 states, including brands like Dillons,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralphs-supermarkets-california-job-applicants-46a287ac76515ffbbd196202c4ee3c38">Ralphs</a>, Smith’s and Harris Teeter.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-dividends-8c6e67bf9fb0cc3da523c672a6ca9141">Albertsons</a>, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,273 stores in 34 states, including brands like Safeway, Jewel Osco and Shaw’s. Together, the companies employ around 710,000 people.FTC attorneys argued during the U.S. District Court proceedings on the commission’s injunction request that in the 22 states where the two companies compete now, they closely match each other on price, quality, private label products and services like store pickup. Shoppers benefit from that competition and would lose out if the merger is allowed to proceed, they said.McMullen countered that argument by saying that Albertsons prices are 10-12% higher than Kroger’s and that the merged company would try to reduce the disparity as part of a strategy for keeping customers.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-settlement-weighted-grocery-class-action-62405b8c5fda5e63f0b0e4f1f64949e6">Walmart</a>&nbsp;now controls around 22% of U.S. grocery sales. Combined, Kroger and Albertsons would control around 13%.“We know that pricing is going to continue to go down,” McMullen said.His statements and the upcoming testimony of Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran were expected to be critical components of the three-week hearing, which is at its mid-point. What the two say under oath about prices, potential store closures and the impact on workers will likely be scrutinized in the years ahead if the merger goes through.FTC Chief Trial Counsel Susan Musser referred to Kroger’s 2021 investor fact book to make the argument that the merger would affect competition in areas where the two company’s stores overlap. According to figures included in the document, Albertsons is Kroger’s biggest competitor in multiple metropolitan areas, including Portland.A Kroger attorney countered by saying that Walmart remains Kroger's largest competitor in a majority of markets around the country.The FTC and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-contract-west-virginia-471b61f4212e4a803e0777c9a6b0ab67">labor union leaders</a>&nbsp;also claim that workers’ wages and benefits would decline if Kroger and Albertsons no longer compete with each other. They’ve additionally expressed concern that potential store closures could create so-called food and pharmacy “deserts” for consumers.Albertsons has argued the deal could actually bolster union jobs, since many of it and Kroger’s competitors, like Walmart, have few unionized workers. McMullen said Wednesday that Kroger was committed to honoring existing labor contracts.FTC lawyer Musser said the merger still might affect working conditions since union contracts are typically renegotiated every three years.Under the proposed deal, Kroger and Albertsons would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-cs-grocery-9a1d40ba06f752d3c5c3d5db78fede4c">sell 579 stores</a>&nbsp;in places where their locations overlap to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-cs-wholesale-grocer-401520f2a25ea2ae5fd06be4973b7c48">C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers</a>, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-b50f18e7e7dc4701823b2d4346a8bd28">Piggly Wiggly</a>&nbsp;store brands.The FTC alleges that C&amp;S is ill-prepared to take on those stores. Laura Hall, the FTC’s senior trial counsel, cited internal documents that indicated C&amp;S executives were skeptical about the quality of the stores they would get and may want the option to sell or close them.C&amp;S CEO Eric Winn, for his part, testified last week that he thinks his company can be successful in the venture.The FTC is seeking the injunction to block the merger temporarily while its lawsuit against the deal goes before an administrative law judge. U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson was expected to hear from around 40 witnesses before deciding whether to grant the request.If Nelson agrees to issue the injunction, the FTC plans to hold the in-house hearings starting Oct. 1. Kroger sued the FTC last month, however, alleging the agency’s internal proceedings are unconstitutional and saying it wants the merger’s merits decided in federal court.The attorneys general of Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming all joined the FTC's lawsuit on the commission's side. Washington and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-colorado-06a59a420139ef8f4400b128778d408d">Colorado filed</a>&nbsp;separate cases in state courts seeking to block the merger.

Kroger CEO: Shoppers would see lower prices after merger with Albertsons

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating a gunfight in Kansas City have identified the man who died as 19-year-old&nbsp;Tondre Turner,&nbsp; according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just before 11.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at a house in 9600 block of Ditman Way, according to Becchina.

First responders located two shooting victims in front of the home. EMS transported both men to the hospital with gunshot injuries. One of the victims was being treated for non-life threatening injuries. Turner was declared deceased by hospital staff, according to Becchina.

Preliminary information according to people that were at the scene when police arrived indicates that prior to the shooting the Turner arrived at the residence and an argument erupted which escalated and led to gunfire between both shooting victims, and both victims were struck. The victims are known to one another and detectives are not looking for any additional suspects.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating a gunfight in Kansas City have identified the man who died as 19-year-old&nbsp;Tondre Turner,&nbsp; according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just before 11.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a shooting at a house in 9600 block of Ditman Way, according to Becchina.First responders located two shooting victims in front of the home. EMS transported both men to the hospital with gunshot injuries. One of the victims was being treated for non-life threatening injuries. Turner was declared deceased by hospital staff, according to Becchina.Preliminary information according to people that were at the scene when police arrived indicates that prior to the shooting the Turner arrived at the residence and an argument erupted which escalated and led to gunfire between both shooting victims, and both victims were struck. The victims are known to one another and detectives are not looking for any additional suspects.

Police ID man who died in gunfight outside KC home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge will rule Thursday on whether the Republican secretary of state's official description of an abortion-rights amendment on November's ballot is misleading.

At issue is a proposed amendment to Missouri's Constitution that would restore abortion rights in the state, which banned almost all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

At least nine&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/embeds/051pI/33/">other states</a>&nbsp;will consider constitutional amendments&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-election-2024-roe-ballot-4403190b898e501b0834053c3417d072">enshrining abortion rights</a>&nbsp;this fall — Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada and South Dakota.

In Missouri, ballot language is displayed at polling centers to help voters understand the impact of voting “yes” or “no” on sometimes complicated ballot measures.

Ballot language written by Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft's office says a “yes” vote on the abortion-rights measure would enshrine “the right to abortion at any time of a pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution.”

“Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women,” according to Ashcroft’s language.

The amendment itself states that the government shall not infringe on an individual’s right to “reproductive freedom,” which is defined as “all matters relating to reproductive health care, including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions.”

Tori Schafer, a lawyer for the woman who proposed the amendment, said Ashcroft’s official description of the measure is “argumentative, misleading and inaccurate.” She asked Cole County Judge Cotton Walker to rewrite Ashcroft’s ballot language.

“Missourians are entitled to fair, accurate, and sufficient language that will allow them to cast an informed vote for or against the Amendment without being subjected to the Secretary of State’s disinformation,” the plaintiff's lawyers wrote in a court brief.

Assistant Attorney General Andrew Crane defended Ashcroft's summary in court. He pointed to a clause in the amendment protecting “any person" from prosecution or penalties if they consentually assist a person exercise their right to reproductive freedom. Crane said if enacted, that provision would render any abortion regulations toothless.

“The government will be effectively unable to enforce any restrictions on abortions,” Crane said.

Walker said he will make a decision Thursday.

This is the second time Ashcroft and the abortion-rights campaign have clashed over his official descriptions of the amendment.

The campaign in 2023 also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-constitution-amendment-ballot-31e5d91121b0be6ae41548eb11f2e751">sued Ashcroft</a>&nbsp;over how his office described the amendment in a ballot summary. Ballot summaries are high-level overviews of amendments, similar to ballot language. But summaries are included on ballots.

Ashcroft’s ballot summary said the measure would allow “dangerous and unregulated abortions until live birth."

A three-judge panel of the Western District Court of Appeals Ashcroft's summary was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-constitution-ruling-edb5f44fc0f9799d01cda22cd1f70b40">politically partisan</a>&nbsp;and rewrote it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714753237039.png" alt="Photo Missourians for constitutional freedom" />
 <figcaption>Photo Missourians for constitutional freedom</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge will rule Thursday on whether the Republican secretary of state's official description of an abortion-rights amendment on November's ballot is misleading.At issue is a proposed amendment to Missouri's Constitution that would restore abortion rights in the state, which banned almost all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.At least nine&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/embeds/051pI/33/">other states</a>&nbsp;will consider constitutional amendments&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-election-2024-roe-ballot-4403190b898e501b0834053c3417d072">enshrining abortion rights</a>&nbsp;this fall — Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada and South Dakota.In Missouri, ballot language is displayed at polling centers to help voters understand the impact of voting “yes” or “no” on sometimes complicated ballot measures.Ballot language written by Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft's office says a “yes” vote on the abortion-rights measure would enshrine “the right to abortion at any time of a pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution.”“Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women,” according to Ashcroft’s language.The amendment itself states that the government shall not infringe on an individual’s right to “reproductive freedom,” which is defined as “all matters relating to reproductive health care, including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions.”Tori Schafer, a lawyer for the woman who proposed the amendment, said Ashcroft’s official description of the measure is “argumentative, misleading and inaccurate.” She asked Cole County Judge Cotton Walker to rewrite Ashcroft’s ballot language.“Missourians are entitled to fair, accurate, and sufficient language that will allow them to cast an informed vote for or against the Amendment without being subjected to the Secretary of State’s disinformation,” the plaintiff's lawyers wrote in a court brief.Assistant Attorney General Andrew Crane defended Ashcroft's summary in court. He pointed to a clause in the amendment protecting “any person" from prosecution or penalties if they consentually assist a person exercise their right to reproductive freedom. Crane said if enacted, that provision would render any abortion regulations toothless.“The government will be effectively unable to enforce any restrictions on abortions,” Crane said.Walker said he will make a decision Thursday.This is the second time Ashcroft and the abortion-rights campaign have clashed over his official descriptions of the amendment.The campaign in 2023 also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-constitution-amendment-ballot-31e5d91121b0be6ae41548eb11f2e751">sued Ashcroft</a>&nbsp;over how his office described the amendment in a ballot summary. Ballot summaries are high-level overviews of amendments, similar to ballot language. But summaries are included on ballots.Ashcroft’s ballot summary said the measure would allow “dangerous and unregulated abortions until live birth."A three-judge panel of the Western District Court of Appeals Ashcroft's summary was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-constitution-ruling-edb5f44fc0f9799d01cda22cd1f70b40">politically partisan</a>&nbsp;and rewrote it.

Advocates seek rewrite of Missouri abortion-rights ballot measure language

WINDER, Ga. (AP) — A 14-year-old student opened fire at a Georgia high school and killed four people on Wednesday, authorities said, sending students scrambling for shelter in their classrooms — and eventually to the football stadium — as officers swarmed the campus and parents raced to find out if their children were safe.

The dead were identified as two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder, about an hour’s drive from Atlanta. Killed were two other 14-year-olds, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and instructors Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said in a nighttime news conference.

At least nine other people — eight students and one teacher — were taken to hospitals with injuries. All were expected to survive, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said.

The words “hard lockdown” appeared on a screen in junior Layla Ferrell's health class and lights began flashing. She and her frightened classmates piled desks and chairs in front of the door to create a barricade, she recalled.

Sophomore Kaylee Abner was in geometry class when she heard the gunshots. She and her classmates ducked behind their teacher’s desk, and then the teacher began flipping the desk in an attempt to barricade the classroom door, Abner said. A classmate beside her was praying, and she held his hand while they all waited for police.

After students poured into the football stadium, Abner saw teachers who had taken off their shirts to help treat gunshot wounds.

Two school resource officers encountered the shooter within minutes after a report of shots fired went out, Hosey said. The suspect, a student at the school, immediately surrendered and was taken into custody. He is being charged as an adult with murder. Authorities said the weapon was an assault-style rifle.

The teen had been interviewed after the FBI received anonymous tips in May 2023 about online threats to commit an unspecified school shooting, the agency said in a statement.

The FBI narrowed the threats down and referred to the case to the sheriff’s department in Jackson County, which is adjacent to Barrow County.

The sheriff’s office interviewed the then-13-year-old and his father, who said there were hunting guns in the house but the teen did not have unsupervised access to them. The teen also denied making any online threats.

The sheriff’s office alerted local schools for continued monitoring of the teen, but there was no probable cause for arrest to additional action, the FBI said.

Hosey said the state Division of Family and Children’s Services also had previous contact with the teen and will investigate whether that has any connection with the shooting.

Authorities were still looking into how the suspect obtained the gun used in the shooting and got it into the school in Barrow County, a rapidly suburbanizing area on the edge of metro Atlanta's ever-expanding sprawl.

At an afternoon news conference, Smith choked up as he began to speak. He said he was born and raised in the community and his kids are in the school system.

“My heart hurts for these kids. My heart hurts for our community,” he said. “But I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county. I want that to be very clear and known. Love will prevail over what happened today.”

It was the&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/mass-killings/index.html">the latest</a>&nbsp;among dozens of school shootings across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut, Parkland, Florida, and Uvalde, Texas. The classroom killings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to active shooter drills in classrooms. But they have done little to move the needle on national gun laws.

Before Wednesday, there had been 29&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-mass-killings-list-14a356281ba8da1d72931cd6f56c41ba">mass killings</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. so far this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University. At least 127 people have died in those killings, which are defined as incidents in which four or more people die within a 24-hour period, not including the killer — the same definition used by the FBI.

Last year ended with 217 deaths from 42 mass killings, making 2023 one of the deadliest years on record for such shootings in the country.

On Wednesday in Winder, Landon Culver, an 11th grader, said he had stepped out of his algebra class to get a drink of water when he heard shots and then saw someone wearing a black hoodie with a long gun.

“I didn’t really stick around too long to look,” he said.

Instead he ran back inside the classroom and locked the door. The class huddled in the back in the dark and waited for the rampage to end. Culver listened as gunshots rang out in the building.

“You’re just wondering like, which one of those is going to be somebody that you’re best friends with or somebody that you love?” he said.

Later police officers arrived and escorted the students out. As they were leaving the building, Culver saw “multiple people who had been shot.”

“You hear about this kind of stuff, but you like never think it’s going to happen to you until like it’s happening.”

When Erin Clark, 42, received a text from her son Ethan, a senior, saying there was an active shooter, she rushed from her job at the Amazon warehouse to the school. The two texted “I love you,” and Clark prayed for her him as she drove.

With the main road to the school blocked, she parked and ran with other parents. They were directed to the football field, and amid the chaos, Clark found Ethan sitting on the bleachers.

Clark said her son was writing an essay in class when he first heard gunfire. He worked with his classmates to barricade the door and hide.

“I’m so proud of him for doing that,” she said. “He was so brave.”

“It makes me scared to send him back,” Clark said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

Traffic going to the school was backed up for more than a mile as parents tried to get to their children. Barrow County schools will be closed for the rest of the week as they cooperate with the investigation, but grief counseling will be available.

“It’s just outrageous that every day, in our country, in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive," Vice President Kamala Harris said during a campaign stop in New Hampshire.

In a message posted to social media, former President Donald Trump said: “These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who canceled a speech planned for the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas and returned to the state, said in a statement: “This is a day every parent dreads, and Georgians everywhere will hug their children tighter this evening because of this painful event.”

Apalachee High School opened in 2000 and has about 1,900 students, according to records from Georgia education officials.

On Wednesday evening, hundreds gathered in Jug Tavern Park in downtown Winder for a vigil. Volunteers handed out candles and also water, pizza and tissues. Some knelt as a Methodist minister led the crowd in prayer after a Barrow County commissioner read a Jewish prayer of mourning.

Some were clad in athletic gear from Apalachee’s crosstown rival, Winder-Barrow High School. At the end of the vigil, someone released balloons in Apalachee’s blue, gold and white.

Sophomore Shantal Sanvee, who was in a classroom near the gunshots, said she saw “a whole lot of blood. And it was just, it was just horrible.”

“I don't think I want to be here for like a long time now,” Sanvee said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725532431031.png" alt="Richard Aspinwal courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Richard Aspinwal courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WINDER, Ga. (AP) — A 14-year-old student opened fire at a Georgia high school and killed four people on Wednesday, authorities said, sending students scrambling for shelter in their classrooms — and eventually to the football stadium — as officers swarmed the campus and parents raced to find out if their children were safe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725532456462.png" alt="Christina Irimie courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Christina Irimie courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The dead were identified as two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder, about an hour’s drive from Atlanta. Killed were two other 14-year-olds, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and instructors Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said in a nighttime news conference.At least nine other people — eight students and one teacher — were taken to hospitals with injuries. All were expected to survive, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said.The words “hard lockdown” appeared on a screen in junior Layla Ferrell's health class and lights began flashing. She and her frightened classmates piled desks and chairs in front of the door to create a barricade, she recalled.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/QZxD3TqFbp">pic.twitter.com/QZxD3TqFbp</a>&mdash; FBI Atlanta (@FBIAtlanta) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIAtlanta/status/1831479818749141244?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Sophomore Kaylee Abner was in geometry class when she heard the gunshots. She and her classmates ducked behind their teacher’s desk, and then the teacher began flipping the desk in an attempt to barricade the classroom door, Abner said. A classmate beside her was praying, and she held his hand while they all waited for police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725468533716.png" alt="photo courtesy WAGA TV" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy WAGA TV</figcaption>
 </figure>After students poured into the football stadium, Abner saw teachers who had taken off their shirts to help treat gunshot wounds.Two school resource officers encountered the shooter within minutes after a report of shots fired went out, Hosey said. The suspect, a student at the school, immediately surrendered and was taken into custody. He is being charged as an adult with murder. Authorities said the weapon was an assault-style rifle.The teen had been interviewed after the FBI received anonymous tips in May 2023 about online threats to commit an unspecified school shooting, the agency said in a statement.The FBI narrowed the threats down and referred to the case to the sheriff’s department in Jackson County, which is adjacent to Barrow County.The sheriff’s office interviewed the then-13-year-old and his father, who said there were hunting guns in the house but the teen did not have unsupervised access to them. The teen also denied making any online threats.The sheriff’s office alerted local schools for continued monitoring of the teen, but there was no probable cause for arrest to additional action, the FBI said.Hosey said the state Division of Family and Children’s Services also had previous contact with the teen and will investigate whether that has any connection with the shooting.Authorities were still looking into how the suspect obtained the gun used in the shooting and got it into the school in Barrow County, a rapidly suburbanizing area on the edge of metro Atlanta's ever-expanding sprawl.At an afternoon news conference, Smith choked up as he began to speak. He said he was born and raised in the community and his kids are in the school system.“My heart hurts for these kids. My heart hurts for our community,” he said. “But I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county. I want that to be very clear and known. Love will prevail over what happened today.”It was the&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/mass-killings/index.html">the latest</a>&nbsp;among dozens of school shootings across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut, Parkland, Florida, and Uvalde, Texas. The classroom killings have set off fervent debates about gun control and frayed the nerves of parents whose children are growing up accustomed to active shooter drills in classrooms. But they have done little to move the needle on national gun laws.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725473398427.png" alt="Photo courtesy WAGA TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WAGA TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Before Wednesday, there had been 29&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-mass-killings-list-14a356281ba8da1d72931cd6f56c41ba">mass killings</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. so far this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University. At least 127 people have died in those killings, which are defined as incidents in which four or more people die within a 24-hour period, not including the killer — the same definition used by the FBI.Last year ended with 217 deaths from 42 mass killings, making 2023 one of the deadliest years on record for such shootings in the country.On Wednesday in Winder, Landon Culver, an 11th grader, said he had stepped out of his algebra class to get a drink of water when he heard shots and then saw someone wearing a black hoodie with a long gun.“I didn’t really stick around too long to look,” he said.Instead he ran back inside the classroom and locked the door. The class huddled in the back in the dark and waited for the rampage to end. Culver listened as gunshots rang out in the building.“You’re just wondering like, which one of those is going to be somebody that you’re best friends with or somebody that you love?” he said.Later police officers arrived and escorted the students out. As they were leaving the building, Culver saw “multiple people who had been shot.”“You hear about this kind of stuff, but you like never think it’s going to happen to you until like it’s happening.”When Erin Clark, 42, received a text from her son Ethan, a senior, saying there was an active shooter, she rushed from her job at the Amazon warehouse to the school. The two texted “I love you,” and Clark prayed for her him as she drove.With the main road to the school blocked, she parked and ran with other parents. They were directed to the football field, and amid the chaos, Clark found Ethan sitting on the bleachers.Clark said her son was writing an essay in class when he first heard gunfire. He worked with his classmates to barricade the door and hide.“I’m so proud of him for doing that,” she said. “He was so brave.”“It makes me scared to send him back,” Clark said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”Traffic going to the school was backed up for more than a mile as parents tried to get to their children. Barrow County schools will be closed for the rest of the week as they cooperate with the investigation, but grief counseling will be available.“It’s just outrageous that every day, in our country, in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive," Vice President Kamala Harris said during a campaign stop in New Hampshire.In a message posted to social media, former President Donald Trump said: “These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.”Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who canceled a speech planned for the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas and returned to the state, said in a statement: “This is a day every parent dreads, and Georgians everywhere will hug their children tighter this evening because of this painful event.”Apalachee High School opened in 2000 and has about 1,900 students, according to records from Georgia education officials.On Wednesday evening, hundreds gathered in Jug Tavern Park in downtown Winder for a vigil. Volunteers handed out candles and also water, pizza and tissues. Some knelt as a Methodist minister led the crowd in prayer after a Barrow County commissioner read a Jewish prayer of mourning.Some were clad in athletic gear from Apalachee’s crosstown rival, Winder-Barrow High School. At the end of the vigil, someone released balloons in Apalachee’s blue, gold and white.Sophomore Shantal Sanvee, who was in a classroom near the gunshots, said she saw “a whole lot of blood. And it was just, it was just horrible.”“I don't think I want to be here for like a long time now,” Sanvee said.

Police ID teachers, students killed in Georgia school shooting

MEADE COUNTY —One person died in accident just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday in Meade County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Kia Forte driven by Austin J. Wagoner,&nbsp; 37, Albuquerque, New Mexico, was westbound on U.S. 54 one mile east of Meade.

The vehicle crossed the center line and the eastbound lanes, traveled through the median, struck a culvert, vaulted over U.S. 160, rolled an unknown amount of times, vaulted again over a barbed wire fence and came to rest.

Wagoner was pronounced dead at the scene. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

MEADE COUNTY —One person died in accident just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday in Meade County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Kia Forte driven by Austin J. Wagoner,&nbsp; 37, Albuquerque, New Mexico, was westbound on U.S. 54 one mile east of Meade.The vehicle crossed the center line and the eastbound lanes, traveled through the median, struck a culvert, vaulted over U.S. 160, rolled an unknown amount of times, vaulted again over a barbed wire fence and came to rest.Wagoner was pronounced dead at the scene. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Man dies after violent rollover crash on Kansas highway

JERUSALEM —Salvage efforts continue in the Red Sea after&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers, the Panama flagged/owned, Greek operated MV BLUE LAGOON I and the Saudi flagged, owned, and operated MV AMJAD, with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack drone hitting both vessels, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

 Both vessels are laden with crude oil. The MV AMJAD is carrying approximately two million barrels of oil, almost twice the amount onboard the Greek-owned MV DELTA SOUNION, which the Houthis attacked on Aug. 21. 

The disabled MV DELTA SOUNION was on fire and threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster.

These reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, as well as put the lives of civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems at risk.. 

In addition U.S. forces this week successfully destroyed three terrorist missile systems in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708804229711.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —Salvage efforts continue in the Red Sea after&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers, the Panama flagged/owned, Greek operated MV BLUE LAGOON I and the Saudi flagged, owned, and operated MV AMJAD, with two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack drone hitting both vessels, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. Both vessels are laden with crude oil. The MV AMJAD is carrying approximately two million barrels of oil, almost twice the amount onboard the Greek-owned MV DELTA SOUNION, which the Houthis attacked on Aug. 21. The disabled MV DELTA SOUNION was on fire and threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster.These reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, as well as put the lives of civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems at risk.. In addition U.S. forces this week successfully destroyed three terrorist missile systems in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.

US military: Terrorists attack more oil tankers in the Red Sea

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal accident that occurred Tuesday in Shawnee County have identified the victim as 17-year-old Hunter L. Schmidt, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Just after 8p.m. sheriff's deputies and emergency crews responded to a 911 call regarding an injury accident involving a dirt bike in the 5100 Block of NW Leedy Road, according to Christian.

Despite first responders effort to provided life-saving measures at the scene, Schimdt was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.&nbsp;

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal accident that occurred Tuesday in Shawnee County have identified the victim as 17-year-old Hunter L. Schmidt, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Just after 8p.m. sheriff's deputies and emergency crews responded to a 911 call regarding an injury accident involving a dirt bike in the 5100 Block of NW Leedy Road, according to Christian.Despite first responders effort to provided life-saving measures at the scene, Schimdt was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.&nbsp;

Sheriff IDs 17-year-old Kan. boy who died in dirt bike accident

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Close to 80,000 fans are expected to pack Arrowhead Stadium to watch the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs play the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of the AFC championship game Thursday night,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ravens-chiefs-nfl-preview-mahomes-jackson-76936f5d925080022a692555b46e5088">lifting the lid on the NFL season.</a>

Many will be watching for Taylor Swift to appear in one of the stadium suites, too.

The pop superstar became one of the Chiefs' biggest fans last season, when she began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-broncos-b08b0e53fdd232dc0a468b5fa43b5b04">a high-profile romance with tight end Travis Kelce</a>. He had failed in an attempt to deliver a friendship bracelet at one of her concerts, so Kelce took to social media to invite Swift to a game, and the “Anti-Hero” singer showed up for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">a September matchup with the Bears</a>.

They continued to see each other throughout the season, whenever Swift was on break from her Eras Tour. The 14-time Grammy winner even made a much-publicized sprint from a stadium show in Japan to Las Vegas in time for the Super Bowl, where she partied with friends such as Blake Lively, enjoyed Post Malone's performance of “America the Beautiful," won what appeared to be a beer chugging contest, and then celebrated the Chiefs' triumph&nbsp;<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/02/10/taylor-swift-kisses-travis-kelce-on-the-field-after-his-chiefs-beat-the-49ers-in-the-super-bowl/">by locking lips with Kelce on the field</a>.

Along the way, Swift became close friends with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany.

During this past offseason, Kelce frequently dropped in on the Eras Tour, even making an on-stage cameo. Swift later said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8myZeBOoV6/?">social media post</a>&nbsp;she was still “cracking up/swooning over (Kelce's) Eras Tour debut” before 90,000 screaming fans at Wembley Stadium in London, and that “she was never going to forget these shows.”

Indeed, it has been a busy offseason for both of the superstars.

Swift recently concluded the European leg of the Eras Tour with five consecutive shows at Wembley Stadium, and she is on break until October, when she begins the North American leg with stops across the U.S. and Canada stretching into December.

Kelce and his brother, retired Eagles center Jason Kelce,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelce-chiefs-eagles-jason-travis-new-heights-92761f6968b12ee06603d66e7ce9c5b7">recently struck a deal</a>&nbsp;reportedly worth nine figures to take their “New Heights” podcast to Amazon's Wondery. He is due to appear in&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/daV1NI7hxY0?si=PtU8BgFwX79OgD_i">Ryan Murphy's murder mystery “Grotesquerie”</a>&nbsp;on FX debuting Sept. 25, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/travis-kelce-are-you-smarter-than-a-celebrity-prime-video">he is hosting “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity”</a>&nbsp;on Prime Video premiering Oct. 16.

Then there's the fact that the Chiefs, who have won two straight Super Bowls and three in the past five years, are chasing some history beginning Thursday night. No team has ever won the Lombardi Trophy three consecutive times.

Kelce was asked this week how he juggles everything, and he pointed to the Chiefs practice facility — and Arrowhead Stadium, which sits just up the hill and across the parking lot — as his sanctuary, where he is surrounded by his closest friends.

“I just love football and how it takes me away from life,” he explained, “and it gives me something I can feel genuinely happy about. I enjoy coming into the building, working on my craft, getting to understand a new game plan and perfecting that for the people around me. It gives me a purpose to kind of go about my day and to live my life. I have so much excitement doing it.”

Not everything has been smooth for Swift and Kelce this offseason, though.

Last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-cia-vienna-concerts-foiled-attack-7e454af63efcff2a3ab0a20c718aba8d">Swift canceled three sold-out shows in Vienna</a>&nbsp;after the CIA discovered intelligence that led to multiple arrests of men linked to the Islamic State group. The agency's deputy director, David Cohen, said "they were plotting to kill a huge number — tens of thousands of people at this concert, including I am sure many Americans — and were quite advanced in this.”

Then on Thursday, a spokesperson for Kelce denounced a document recently posted online that called into question the authenticity of their romance as “entirely false and fabricated.” The document, carrying the title "Comprehensive Media Plan For Travis Kelce’s Relations Following Breakup with Taylor Swift,” was posted on Reddit but has since been deleted.

It was posted about the same time that&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/CbaIDysFUuQ?si=s7Zg_6hSRtFvFBVw">Kelce appeared on “The Rich Eisen Show,”</a>&nbsp;where he discussed their relationship.

“She had just been so open to learning the game,” Kelce said. “I think what makes her so good in her profession is that she’s so detailed in every aspect of it, from the words to her music and even the releases and the music videos and everything. She’s just so detailed and a part of it, that I think she was just curious about the profession.”

Kelce even said that Swift had started drawing up some plays for him, though he noted with a smile, "She’s a little biased and just creates plays for me. So we’ll see if they can make coach (Andy) Reid’s office.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695606865962.png" alt="File photo -Taylor Swift watches from a suite alongside Travis Kelce's mother, Donna Kelce, inside Arrowhead Stadium (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)" />
 <figcaption>File photo -Taylor Swift watches from a suite alongside Travis Kelce's mother, Donna Kelce, inside Arrowhead Stadium (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Close to 80,000 fans are expected to pack Arrowhead Stadium to watch the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs play the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of the AFC championship game Thursday night,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ravens-chiefs-nfl-preview-mahomes-jackson-76936f5d925080022a692555b46e5088">lifting the lid on the NFL season.</a>Many will be watching for Taylor Swift to appear in one of the stadium suites, too.The pop superstar became one of the Chiefs' biggest fans last season, when she began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-broncos-b08b0e53fdd232dc0a468b5fa43b5b04">a high-profile romance with tight end Travis Kelce</a>. He had failed in an attempt to deliver a friendship bracelet at one of her concerts, so Kelce took to social media to invite Swift to a game, and the “Anti-Hero” singer showed up for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">a September matchup with the Bears</a>.They continued to see each other throughout the season, whenever Swift was on break from her Eras Tour. The 14-time Grammy winner even made a much-publicized sprint from a stadium show in Japan to Las Vegas in time for the Super Bowl, where she partied with friends such as Blake Lively, enjoyed Post Malone's performance of “America the Beautiful," won what appeared to be a beer chugging contest, and then celebrated the Chiefs' triumph&nbsp;<a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/02/10/taylor-swift-kisses-travis-kelce-on-the-field-after-his-chiefs-beat-the-49ers-in-the-super-bowl/">by locking lips with Kelce on the field</a>.Along the way, Swift became close friends with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany.During this past offseason, Kelce frequently dropped in on the Eras Tour, even making an on-stage cameo. Swift later said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8myZeBOoV6/?">social media post</a>&nbsp;she was still “cracking up/swooning over (Kelce's) Eras Tour debut” before 90,000 screaming fans at Wembley Stadium in London, and that “she was never going to forget these shows.”Indeed, it has been a busy offseason for both of the superstars.Swift recently concluded the European leg of the Eras Tour with five consecutive shows at Wembley Stadium, and she is on break until October, when she begins the North American leg with stops across the U.S. and Canada stretching into December.Kelce and his brother, retired Eagles center Jason Kelce,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelce-chiefs-eagles-jason-travis-new-heights-92761f6968b12ee06603d66e7ce9c5b7">recently struck a deal</a>&nbsp;reportedly worth nine figures to take their “New Heights” podcast to Amazon's Wondery. He is due to appear in&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/daV1NI7hxY0?si=PtU8BgFwX79OgD_i">Ryan Murphy's murder mystery “Grotesquerie”</a>&nbsp;on FX debuting Sept. 25, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/travis-kelce-are-you-smarter-than-a-celebrity-prime-video">he is hosting “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity”</a>&nbsp;on Prime Video premiering Oct. 16.Then there's the fact that the Chiefs, who have won two straight Super Bowls and three in the past five years, are chasing some history beginning Thursday night. No team has ever won the Lombardi Trophy three consecutive times.Kelce was asked this week how he juggles everything, and he pointed to the Chiefs practice facility — and Arrowhead Stadium, which sits just up the hill and across the parking lot — as his sanctuary, where he is surrounded by his closest friends.“I just love football and how it takes me away from life,” he explained, “and it gives me something I can feel genuinely happy about. I enjoy coming into the building, working on my craft, getting to understand a new game plan and perfecting that for the people around me. It gives me a purpose to kind of go about my day and to live my life. I have so much excitement doing it.”Not everything has been smooth for Swift and Kelce this offseason, though.Last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-cia-vienna-concerts-foiled-attack-7e454af63efcff2a3ab0a20c718aba8d">Swift canceled three sold-out shows in Vienna</a>&nbsp;after the CIA discovered intelligence that led to multiple arrests of men linked to the Islamic State group. The agency's deputy director, David Cohen, said "they were plotting to kill a huge number — tens of thousands of people at this concert, including I am sure many Americans — and were quite advanced in this.”Then on Thursday, a spokesperson for Kelce denounced a document recently posted online that called into question the authenticity of their romance as “entirely false and fabricated.” The document, carrying the title "Comprehensive Media Plan For Travis Kelce’s Relations Following Breakup with Taylor Swift,” was posted on Reddit but has since been deleted.It was posted about the same time that&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/CbaIDysFUuQ?si=s7Zg_6hSRtFvFBVw">Kelce appeared on “The Rich Eisen Show,”</a>&nbsp;where he discussed their relationship.“She had just been so open to learning the game,” Kelce said. “I think what makes her so good in her profession is that she’s so detailed in every aspect of it, from the words to her music and even the releases and the music videos and everything. She’s just so detailed and a part of it, that I think she was just curious about the profession.”Kelce even said that Swift had started drawing up some plays for him, though he noted with a smile, "She’s a little biased and just creates plays for me. So we’ll see if they can make coach (Andy) Reid’s office.”___

Will Taylor Swift shows up for Chiefs' season opener Thursday night?

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Missouri man is facing federal charges after making threats on TikTok towards Donald Trump, other Republicans, and police, according to the United State's Attorney.

On July 31, Justin White posted a video on TikTok saying, “This goes to every Republican out there. You don’t start playing fair with them votes, I’ll start showing up with a gun, I promise you. I’ll show you what real [EXPLETIVE] violence is, and I’m not afraid to kill you or a [EXPLETIVE] cop. So, if you want to play dirty at the votes this year, in 2024, just remember, where I come from, we get physical. So, if you Republicans don’t play fair, there will be guns and violence involved this year." according to federal court documents.

The caption of the video stated, “This is a message to Donald Trump and the Republicans. If you don’t play…”

On August 22, White made three similar explicit posts on his Facebook page, making threats to kill police. One of the posts included a picture of a gun and ammunition.

Federal investigators say White is a known person to the Springfield Police Department because he posted similar videos in the past.

On August 29, federal investigators searched White’s house and arrested him. Authorities recovered a gun and 100 bullets.

During his post-Miranda interview, White told investigators his hatred towards police started because of videos on TikTok and YouTube about cops being aggressive or violent. He also mentioned when he was a teenager in St. Louis, he was involved in a shooting with a police officer.

According to the FBI, White made the Facebook posts because he was angry after, he believed, he saw an officer stopped at his house looking at his cars. White said he had gotten into an argument with someone about politics on TikTok before he posted that video.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725445826277.png" alt="White-photo Greene Co." />
 <figcaption>White-photo Greene Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Missouri man is facing federal charges after making threats on TikTok towards Donald Trump, other Republicans, and police, according to the United State's Attorney.On July 31, Justin White posted a video on TikTok saying, “This goes to every Republican out there. You don’t start playing fair with them votes, I’ll start showing up with a gun, I promise you. I’ll show you what real [EXPLETIVE] violence is, and I’m not afraid to kill you or a [EXPLETIVE] cop. So, if you want to play dirty at the votes this year, in 2024, just remember, where I come from, we get physical. So, if you Republicans don’t play fair, there will be guns and violence involved this year." according to federal court documents.The caption of the video stated, “This is a message to Donald Trump and the Republicans. If you don’t play…”On August 22, White made three similar explicit posts on his Facebook page, making threats to kill police. One of the posts included a picture of a gun and ammunition.Federal investigators say White is a known person to the Springfield Police Department because he posted similar videos in the past.On August 29, federal investigators searched White’s house and arrested him. Authorities recovered a gun and 100 bullets.During his post-Miranda interview, White told investigators his hatred towards police started because of videos on TikTok and YouTube about cops being aggressive or violent. He also mentioned when he was a teenager in St. Louis, he was involved in a shooting with a police officer.According to the FBI, White made the Facebook posts because he was angry after, he believed, he saw an officer stopped at his house looking at his cars. White said he had gotten into an argument with someone about politics on TikTok before he posted that video.

Man accused of making social media threats against Trump, GOP

Topeka, Kan. –&nbsp; a Kansas woman&nbsp; has been sentenced for insurance fraud in connection with an accident.

&nbsp;Misty Jane Dial, 33, Arkansas City, was sentenced to 18 months of probation, according to&nbsp;Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt.

On July 9, Dial pleaded guilty in the District Court of Cowley-Arkansas City to one felony count of attempted fraudulent insurance act and one felony count of making false information. 

After being involved in an accident, Dial submitted fraudulent documentation to her insurance company in order to obtain funds for medical care and lost wages that she had not actually received nor lost. 

She faces 10 months of prison time if her probation is violated. Dial also was fined $500.

“Insurance fraud costs all Kansans in the form of increased premiums every year,” Commissioner Schmidt said. “The Department will continue pursuing penalties against anyone committing insurance fraud in Kansas.”

The Kansas Department of Insurance investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725385843420.png" alt="Dial photo Cowley Co." />
 <figcaption>Dial photo Cowley Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Topeka, Kan. –&nbsp; a Kansas woman&nbsp; has been sentenced for insurance fraud in connection with an accident.&nbsp;Misty Jane Dial, 33, Arkansas City, was sentenced to 18 months of probation, according to&nbsp;Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt.On July 9, Dial pleaded guilty in the District Court of Cowley-Arkansas City to one felony count of attempted fraudulent insurance act and one felony count of making false information. After being involved in an accident, Dial submitted fraudulent documentation to her insurance company in order to obtain funds for medical care and lost wages that she had not actually received nor lost. She faces 10 months of prison time if her probation is violated. Dial also was fined $500.“Insurance fraud costs all Kansans in the form of increased premiums every year,” Commissioner Schmidt said. “The Department will continue pursuing penalties against anyone committing insurance fraud in Kansas.”The Kansas Department of Insurance investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.

 Kan. woman lied to her insurance company after an accident

The Justice Department Wednesday announced the ongoing seizure of 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns colloquially referred to as “Doppelganger,” in violation of U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws, according to the United State's Department of Justice.

 As alleged in an unsealed affidavit, the Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, operating under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential Administration, and in particular First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, used these domains, among others, to covertly spread Russian government propaganda with the aim of reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing voters in U.S. and foreign elections, including the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/doppelganger_affidavit_9.4.24.pdf">Click here to read the</a> affidavit

In conjunction with the domain seizures, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2559" target="_blank">designation&nbsp;</a>of 10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated response to Russia’s malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This announcement follows the designation of actors involved in Doppelganger&nbsp;<a href="https://vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fhome.treasury.gov%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases%2Fjy2195%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000191be104440-359d8f36-c9ed-4091-98ab-d28ec7dc8a9b-000000/TTf56XNwl_FEn5At6qVT5zUK1KI=390" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;by the Treasury Department in March.

“The Justice Department is seizing 32 internet domains that the Russian government and Russian government-sponsored actors have used to engage in a covert campaign to interfere in and influence the outcome of our country’s elections,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As alleged in our court filings, President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, including Sergei Kiriyenko, directed Russian public relations companies to promote disinformation and state-sponsored narratives as part of a campaign to influence the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. 

An internal planning document created by the Kremlin states that a goal of the campaign is to secure Russia’s preferred outcome in the election. The sites we are seizing today were filled with Russian government propaganda that had been created by the Kremlin to reduce international support for Ukraine, bolster pro-Russian policies and interests, and influence voters in the United States and other countries. Our actions today make clear that the Justice Department will be aggressive in countering and disrupting attempts by the Russian government, or any other malign actor, to interfere in our elections and undermine our democracy.”

“The Department’s seizure of 32 internet domains secretly deployed to spread foreign malign influence demonstrates once again that Russia remains a predominant foreign threat to our elections,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “At Putin’s direction, Russian companies SDA, Structura, and ANO Dialog used cybersquatting, fabricated influencers, and fake profiles to covertly promote AI-generated false narratives on social media. 

Those narratives targeted specific American demographics and regions in a calculated effort to subvert our election. Our republic depends on elections that are free from foreign interference, and we will not rest in our efforts to expose foreign malign influence operations and protect our democracy, without fear or favor.”

“Today’s announcement exposes the scope of the Russian government’s influence operations and their reliance on cutting-edge AI to sow disinformation,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Companies operating at the direction of the Russian government created websites to trick Americans into unwittingly consuming Russian propaganda.&nbsp; By seizing these websites, the FBI is making clear to the world what they are, Russian attempts to interfere in our elections and influence our society.&nbsp; The FBI will continue to work with our partners to expose and shutdown these covert influence campaigns.”

“This seizure illustrates vividly what the U.S. government and private sector partners have warned for months: the Russian government and its proxies are aggressively accelerating the Kremlin’s covert efforts to seed false stories and amplify disinformation directed at the American public,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s announcement reveals Russia is willing to impersonate our free and open press in its egregious schemes."

"This is our third disruption of Russian foreign malign influence operations in two months, and the Justice Department remains relentless in protecting Americans from such unacceptable conduct. To Russia, and any other government seeking to stoke discord in our society: know that we will spare no effort and use every available tool to disrupt and expose this malign activity and defend our democratic institutions.”

“Protecting our democratic processes from foreign malign influence is paramount to ensure enduring public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “As America’s adversaries continue to spew propaganda and disinformation towards the American electorate, we’ll use every tool at our disposal to expose and dismantle their insidious foreign influence campaigns.”

The propaganda did not identify, and in fact purposefully obfuscated, the Russian government or its agents as the source of the content. The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g.,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibit_1_washingtonpost.pm__1.pdf">registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com</a>), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations. In other instances, the perpetrators sought to create their own unique media brands to promote Doppelganger content (e.g., Recent Reliable News). Among the methods Doppelganger used to drive viewership to the cybersquatted and unique media domains was the deployment of “influencers” worldwide, paid social media advertisements (in some cases created using artificial intelligence tools), and the creation of social media profiles posing as U.S. (or other non-Russian) citizens to post comments on social media platforms with links to the cybersquatted domains, all of which attempted to trick viewers into believing they were being directed to a legitimate news media outlet’s website.

The affidavit describes the perpetrators’ own internal strategy meeting notes, project proposals, and other records obtained during the course of the investigation. Several notable propaganda project proposals directed against the United States included:

Doppelganger’s foreign malign influence efforts were not directed solely against audiences in the United States. Other targets of the perpetrators’ propaganda included Germany, Mexico, and Israel, among others. Doppelganger’s influence campaigns sought to influence the citizenry of those countries to support Russian government objectives, including by undermining the United States’ relationship with those countries.

Doppelganger’s use of the U.S.-based domain names at the direction and control of, and for the benefit of, sanctioned persons, including Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, SDA, and Structura, violates the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). As a result, the accompanying payments for Doppelganger’s online infrastructure violate federal money laundering laws. In addition, Doppelganger’s publication of content on cybersquatted domains with names and content that mimic legitimate media outlets violates federal criminal trademark laws because those domains feature trademarks registered on the Principal Register maintained by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The FBI Philadelphia Field Office is investigating the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725475035602.png" alt="The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations.-image U.S. Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations.-image U.S. Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>The Justice Department Wednesday announced the ongoing seizure of 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns colloquially referred to as “Doppelganger,” in violation of U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws, according to the United State's Department of Justice.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Attorney General Merrick Garland details two law enforcement actions to crack down on a Russian influence campaign intended to spread propaganda and sway U.S. elections. <a href="https://t.co/IsvStfYlgK">pic.twitter.com/IsvStfYlgK</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1831437967283437581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> As alleged in an unsealed affidavit, the Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, operating under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential Administration, and in particular First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, used these domains, among others, to covertly spread Russian government propaganda with the aim of reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing voters in U.S. and foreign elections, including the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/doppelganger_affidavit_9.4.24.pdf">Click here to read the</a> affidavitIn conjunction with the domain seizures, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2559" target="_blank">designation&nbsp;</a>of 10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated response to Russia’s malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This announcement follows the designation of actors involved in Doppelganger&nbsp;<a href="https://vmm0dj30.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fhome.treasury.gov%2Fnews%2Fpress-releases%2Fjy2195%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000191be104440-359d8f36-c9ed-4091-98ab-d28ec7dc8a9b-000000/TTf56XNwl_FEn5At6qVT5zUK1KI=390" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;by the Treasury Department in March.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725475113269.png" alt="The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations -image U.S. Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g., registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations -image U.S. Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>“The Justice Department is seizing 32 internet domains that the Russian government and Russian government-sponsored actors have used to engage in a covert campaign to interfere in and influence the outcome of our country’s elections,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As alleged in our court filings, President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, including Sergei Kiriyenko, directed Russian public relations companies to promote disinformation and state-sponsored narratives as part of a campaign to influence the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. An internal planning document created by the Kremlin states that a goal of the campaign is to secure Russia’s preferred outcome in the election. The sites we are seizing today were filled with Russian government propaganda that had been created by the Kremlin to reduce international support for Ukraine, bolster pro-Russian policies and interests, and influence voters in the United States and other countries. Our actions today make clear that the Justice Department will be aggressive in countering and disrupting attempts by the Russian government, or any other malign actor, to interfere in our elections and undermine our democracy.”“The Department’s seizure of 32 internet domains secretly deployed to spread foreign malign influence demonstrates once again that Russia remains a predominant foreign threat to our elections,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “At Putin’s direction, Russian companies SDA, Structura, and ANO Dialog used cybersquatting, fabricated influencers, and fake profiles to covertly promote AI-generated false narratives on social media. Those narratives targeted specific American demographics and regions in a calculated effort to subvert our election. Our republic depends on elections that are free from foreign interference, and we will not rest in our efforts to expose foreign malign influence operations and protect our democracy, without fear or favor.”“Today’s announcement exposes the scope of the Russian government’s influence operations and their reliance on cutting-edge AI to sow disinformation,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Companies operating at the direction of the Russian government created websites to trick Americans into unwittingly consuming Russian propaganda.&nbsp; By seizing these websites, the FBI is making clear to the world what they are, Russian attempts to interfere in our elections and influence our society.&nbsp; The FBI will continue to work with our partners to expose and shutdown these covert influence campaigns.”“This seizure illustrates vividly what the U.S. government and private sector partners have warned for months: the Russian government and its proxies are aggressively accelerating the Kremlin’s covert efforts to seed false stories and amplify disinformation directed at the American public,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s announcement reveals Russia is willing to impersonate our free and open press in its egregious schemes.""This is our third disruption of Russian foreign malign influence operations in two months, and the Justice Department remains relentless in protecting Americans from such unacceptable conduct. To Russia, and any other government seeking to stoke discord in our society: know that we will spare no effort and use every available tool to disrupt and expose this malign activity and defend our democratic institutions.”“Protecting our democratic processes from foreign malign influence is paramount to ensure enduring public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “As America’s adversaries continue to spew propaganda and disinformation towards the American electorate, we’ll use every tool at our disposal to expose and dismantle their insidious foreign influence campaigns.”The propaganda did not identify, and in fact purposefully obfuscated, the Russian government or its agents as the source of the content. The perpetrators extensively utilized “cybersquatted” domains, a method of registering a domain intended to mimic another person or company’s website (e.g.,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibit_1_washingtonpost.pm__1.pdf">registering washingtonpost.pm to mimic washingtonpost.com</a>), to publish Russian government messaging falsely presented as content from legitimate news media organizations. In other instances, the perpetrators sought to create their own unique media brands to promote Doppelganger content (e.g., Recent Reliable News). Among the methods Doppelganger used to drive viewership to the cybersquatted and unique media domains was the deployment of “influencers” worldwide, paid social media advertisements (in some cases created using artificial intelligence tools), and the creation of social media profiles posing as U.S. (or other non-Russian) citizens to post comments on social media platforms with links to the cybersquatted domains, all of which attempted to trick viewers into believing they were being directed to a legitimate news media outlet’s website.OverviewThe affidavit describes the perpetrators’ own internal strategy meeting notes, project proposals, and other records obtained during the course of the investigation. Several notable propaganda project proposals directed against the United States included:<ul>
 <li>Good Old USA Project: Attachments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibits_8a_and_8b.pdf">8A, 8B</a></li><li>The Guerilla Media Campaign: Attachments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibits_9a_and_9b.pdf">9A, 9B</a></li><li>U.S. Social Media Influencers Network Project: Attachments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2024-09/exhibits_10a_and_10b.pdf">10A, 10B</a></li>
 </ul>Doppelganger’s foreign malign influence efforts were not directed solely against audiences in the United States. Other targets of the perpetrators’ propaganda included Germany, Mexico, and Israel, among others. Doppelganger’s influence campaigns sought to influence the citizenry of those countries to support Russian government objectives, including by undermining the United States’ relationship with those countries.Doppelganger’s use of the U.S.-based domain names at the direction and control of, and for the benefit of, sanctioned persons, including Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, SDA, and Structura, violates the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). As a result, the accompanying payments for Doppelganger’s online infrastructure violate federal money laundering laws. In addition, Doppelganger’s publication of content on cybersquatted domains with names and content that mimic legitimate media outlets violates federal criminal trademark laws because those domains feature trademarks registered on the Principal Register maintained by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.The FBI Philadelphia Field Office is investigating the case.The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.

US accuses Russia of efforts to influence 2024 election

Click below to watch the briefing from the GBI

The dead were identified as two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder, about an hour’s drive from Atlanta. At least nine other people were taken to hospitals with injuries.

Two school resource officers encountered the shooter within minutes after a report of shots fired went out, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said. The suspect, a student at the school, immediately surrendered and was taken into custody. He is being charged as an adult with murder.

Authorities were still looking into how the suspect obtained the gun used in the shooting and got it into the school in Barrow County, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. At an afternoon news conference, officials would not say what type of gun was used.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith choked up as he began to speak during the briefing. He said he was born and raised in the community and his kids are in the school system.

On Wednesday in Georgia, sophomore football player Jacob King said he had dozed off in his world history class after a morning practice when he heard about 10 gunshots.

King said he didn’t believe the shooting was real until he heard an officer yelling at someone to put down their gun. When his class was led out, he saw officers shielding what appeared to be an injured student.

Ashley Enoh was at home in the morning when she got a text from her brother, a senior at Apalachee High: “Just so you know, I love you.”

When Erin Clark, 42, received a text from her son Ethan, a senior, saying there was an active shooter, she rushed from her job at the Amazon warehouse to the school. The two texted “I love you,” and Clark said she prayed for her him as she drove.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement: “This is a day every parent dreads, and Georgians everywhere will hug their children tighter this evening because of this painful event.”

The FBI's Atlanta office said its agents were at the school “coordinating with and supporting local law enforcement.”

Apalachee High School has about 1,900 students, according to records from Georgia education officials. It opened in 2000, and is named after the Apalachee River on the southern edge of Barrow County, according to the school system.

The shooting had reverberations in Atlanta, where Mayor Andre Dickens said patrols of schools were beefed up.

In Winder, Abner said that when she goes home Wednesday night, she hopes to avoid thinking about those terrifying moments in her geometry class.

“I’ll probably not think about it, even though it happened,” she said. “Just think happy thoughts, don’t think about it anymore.”

Sophomore Shantal Sanvee, who was in a classroom near the gunshots, said "I saw, like, a whole lot of blood. And it was just, it was just horrible.”

“I don't think I want to be here for like a long time now,” she added.

As an officer led students towards the stadium, freshman Michelle Moncada was in tears. People she knew had been shot, and she saw one friend on the floor who had been grazed by a bullet.