TYLER, Texas (AP) — The father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes pleaded guilty Tuesday to a drunken driving charge in Texas, according to court records.

Smith County District Court records show that Patrick Mahomes Sr., 54, pleaded guilty in Tyler to the driving while intoxicated charge. The records do not provide details of the plea, but local media report a five-year suspended sentence was agreed upon.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23.

Mahomes’ attorney and the county district attorney did not immediately return phone calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.

The elder Mahomes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cfcca2814d423c6411948c30e38d98cf">was arrested</a>&nbsp;on a felony DWI charge in February in Tyler about 90 miles southeast of Dallas a little more than a week before his son led the Chiefs to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/366151ee795360fbc8d3e4d029a394a6">second straight Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;championship with a win over San Francisco.

The charge was the third DWI charge against Mahomes Sr., and court records show he also was ticketed in July for driving with an invalid license.

Patrick Mahomes Sr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, playing for six teams during an 11 year major league career that ended in 2003, according to Baseball Reference.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707097553263.png" alt="Mahomes photo Smith County, Texas Jail" />
 <figcaption>Mahomes photo Smith County, Texas Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>TYLER, Texas (AP) — The father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes pleaded guilty Tuesday to a drunken driving charge in Texas, according to court records.Smith County District Court records show that Patrick Mahomes Sr., 54, pleaded guilty in Tyler to the driving while intoxicated charge. The records do not provide details of the plea, but local media report a five-year suspended sentence was agreed upon.A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23.Mahomes’ attorney and the county district attorney did not immediately return phone calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.The elder Mahomes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cfcca2814d423c6411948c30e38d98cf">was arrested</a>&nbsp;on a felony DWI charge in February in Tyler about 90 miles southeast of Dallas a little more than a week before his son led the Chiefs to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/366151ee795360fbc8d3e4d029a394a6">second straight Super Bowl</a>&nbsp;championship with a win over San Francisco.The charge was the third DWI charge against Mahomes Sr., and court records show he also was ticketed in July for driving with an invalid license.Patrick Mahomes Sr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, playing for six teams during an 11 year major league career that ended in 2003, according to Baseball Reference.

Patrick Mahomes' father enters plea to third DWI charge in Texas

KANSAS CITY —Police are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.&nbsp;

Just before 10p.m. Monday, police responded to a shooting at a residence in the&nbsp;in the 8400 Block of Drury Circle in Kansas City, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'&nbsp;

First responders found a man injured outside a home. Inside, officers found another man who had been shot. Emergency crews pronounced the man inside the home dead.&nbsp; EMS transported the man outside the home to a local hospital in critical condition, according to KDPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino

Detectives are talking to witnesses. Police have not reported an arrest or released additional details.

Police ask anyone with information to call homicide detectives at (816) 234-5043 or call the TIPS Hotline anonymously at (816) 474-TIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724776852665.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Police are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.&nbsp;Just before 10p.m. Monday, police responded to a shooting at a residence in the&nbsp;in the 8400 Block of Drury Circle in Kansas City, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'&nbsp;First responders found a man injured outside a home. Inside, officers found another man who had been shot. Emergency crews pronounced the man inside the home dead.&nbsp; EMS transported the man outside the home to a local hospital in critical condition, according to KDPD Sergeant Phil DiMartinoDetectives are talking to witnesses. Police have not reported an arrest or released additional details.Police ask anyone with information to call homicide detectives at (816) 234-5043 or call the TIPS Hotline anonymously at (816) 474-TIPS.

Police: 1 dead, 1 hospitalized after gunfight at Kansas City home

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – Five of the aircraft that visited McConnell Air Force Base for the 2024 Frontiers in Flight airshow are remaining at McConnell.

Each aircraft received varying degrees of damage from a wet microburst that lingered over the base Sunday morning, delivering recorded wind gusts of up to 54mph. That weather event forced the cancellation of the airshow.

The privately-owned Cessna 150, seen in many photos for being flipped upside-down by the winds, was righted Monday by Airmen from the 22nd&nbsp;Maintenance Group.

That Cessna 150 is painted to resemble a Civil Air Patrol aircraft from an earlier era, and has been misidentified as a current Civil Air Patrol aircraft. The Civil Air Patrol is the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary.

That Cessna 150 left McConnell Tuesday on a flatbed truck, to return to its home airfield to begin repairs.

In the meantime, the McConnell flightline has been returned to normal military operations, after the return of most McConnell aircraft not currently engaged in other missions off-station.

As part of that procedure, Airmen from across base conducted a 'Foreign Object Damage' walk on Monday morning and again Tuesday morning. An&nbsp; FOD Walk is a safety procedure, when Airmen line up in a side-by-side formation to walk a flightline and remove any potential loose items. This is to prevent any FOD from being accidentally ingested by a jet engine and damaging that engine.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724783548738.png" alt="Airmen from the 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Crash Damage or Disabled Aircraft Recovery team used airbags, forklifts and cranes to raise, pull and stabilize a flipped aircraft Aug. 26, 2024, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The aircraft was flipped during a thunderstorm with wind gusts of up to 54 mph Aug. 25, 2024. The storm caused damage to several visiting aircraft and vendor stands leading to the cancelation of the second day of the Frontiers in Flight Airshow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gavin Hameed)" />
 <figcaption>Airmen from the 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Crash Damage or Disabled Aircraft Recovery team used airbags, forklifts and cranes to raise, pull and stabilize a flipped aircraft Aug. 26, 2024, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The aircraft was flipped during a thunderstorm with wind gusts of up to 54 mph Aug. 25, 2024. The storm caused damage to several visiting aircraft and vendor stands leading to the cancelation of the second day of the Frontiers in Flight Airshow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gavin Hameed)</figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – Five of the aircraft that visited McConnell Air Force Base for the 2024 Frontiers in Flight airshow are remaining at McConnell.Each aircraft received varying degrees of damage from a wet microburst that lingered over the base Sunday morning, delivering recorded wind gusts of up to 54mph. That weather event forced the cancellation of the airshow.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724615907118.png" alt="Image of the storm damage Sunday-courtesy McConnell Air Force base video" />
 <figcaption>Image of the storm damage Sunday-courtesy McConnell Air Force base video</figcaption>
 </figure>The aircraft that are remaining include:<ul>
 <li>One Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182</li><li>One Kansas Highway Patrol Cessna 206</li><li>One Commemorative Air Force Cessna UC-78 Bobcat</li><li>And two Stearman Biplanes</li>
 </ul><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724783735321.png" alt="Airmen from the 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Crash Damage or Disabled Aircraft Recovery team hoist up a flipped aircraft with airbags and a crane lift Aug. 26, 2024, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The aircraft was flipped during a thunderstorm with wind gusts of up to 54 mph Aug. 25, 2024. The storm caused damage to several visiting aircraft and vendor stands leading to the cancelation of the second day of the Frontiers in Flight Airshow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gavin Hameed)" />
 <figcaption>Airmen from the 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Crash Damage or Disabled Aircraft Recovery team hoist up a flipped aircraft with airbags and a crane lift Aug. 26, 2024, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The aircraft was flipped during a thunderstorm with wind gusts of up to 54 mph Aug. 25, 2024. The storm caused damage to several visiting aircraft and vendor stands leading to the cancelation of the second day of the Frontiers in Flight Airshow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gavin Hameed)</figcaption>
 </figure>The privately-owned Cessna 150, seen in many photos for being flipped upside-down by the winds, was righted Monday by Airmen from the 22nd&nbsp;Maintenance Group.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724616021735.png" alt="Photo Kansas Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>That Cessna 150 is painted to resemble a Civil Air Patrol aircraft from an earlier era, and has been misidentified as a current Civil Air Patrol aircraft. The Civil Air Patrol is the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary.That Cessna 150 left McConnell Tuesday on a flatbed truck, to return to its home airfield to begin repairs.In the meantime, the McConnell flightline has been returned to normal military operations, after the return of most McConnell aircraft not currently engaged in other missions off-station.As part of that procedure, Airmen from across base conducted a 'Foreign Object Damage' walk on Monday morning and again Tuesday morning. An&nbsp; FOD Walk is a safety procedure, when Airmen line up in a side-by-side formation to walk a flightline and remove any potential loose items. This is to prevent any FOD from being accidentally ingested by a jet engine and damaging that engine.&nbsp;

Cleanup continues after microburst ended airshow at Kan. Air Force base 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith on Tuesday filed a new indictment against Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">over his efforts to undo the 2020 presidential election</a>&nbsp;that keeps the same criminal charges but narrows the allegations against him following a Supreme Court opinion conferring broad immunity on former presidents.

The new indictment removes a section of the indictment that dealt with Trump’s interactions with the Justice Department,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">an area of conduct for which the Supreme Court in a 6-3 opinion</a>&nbsp;last month said Trump was entitled to immunity from prosecution.

The updated criminal case no longer lists as a co-conspirator Jeffrey Clark, a Justice Department official who championed Trump’s false claims of election fraud. Trump’s co-conspirators were not named in either indictment, but they have been identified through public records and other means.

The special counsel’s office said the updated indictment, filed in federal court in Washington, was issued by a grand jury that had not previously heard evidence in the case.

The indictment retained the allegations that Trump attempted to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to refuse to certify the electoral vote count. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court that the interactions between Trump and Pence amounted to official conduct for which “Trump is at least presumptively immune from prosecution.”

The question, Roberts wrote, is whether the government can rebut “that presumption of immunity.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614042711157.png" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith on Tuesday filed a new indictment against Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">over his efforts to undo the 2020 presidential election</a>&nbsp;that keeps the same criminal charges but narrows the allegations against him following a Supreme Court opinion conferring broad immunity on former presidents.The new indictment removes a section of the indictment that dealt with Trump’s interactions with the Justice Department,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">an area of conduct for which the Supreme Court in a 6-3 opinion</a>&nbsp;last month said Trump was entitled to immunity from prosecution.The updated criminal case no longer lists as a co-conspirator Jeffrey Clark, a Justice Department official who championed Trump’s false claims of election fraud. Trump’s co-conspirators were not named in either indictment, but they have been identified through public records and other means.The special counsel’s office said the updated indictment, filed in federal court in Washington, was issued by a grand jury that had not previously heard evidence in the case.The indictment retained the allegations that Trump attempted to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to refuse to certify the electoral vote count. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court that the interactions between Trump and Pence amounted to official conduct for which “Trump is at least presumptively immune from prosecution.”The question, Roberts wrote, is whether the government can rebut “that presumption of immunity.”

Donald Trump faces new indictment in Jan. 6 Capitol riot case

WASHINGTON (AP) — Meta CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mark-zuckerberg">Mark Zuckerberg</a>&nbsp;says senior Biden administration officials pressured Facebook to “censor” some COVID-19 content during the pandemic and vowed that the social media giant would push back if it faced such demands again.

In a letter to Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republican chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Zuckerberg alleges that the officials, including those from the White House, “repeatedly pressured” Facebook for months to take down “certain COVID-19 content including humor and satire.”

The officials “expressed a lot of frustration” when the company didn't agree, he said in the letter.

“I believe the government pressure was wrong and I regret that we were not more outspoken about it,” Zuckerberg wrote in the letter dated Aug. 26 and posted on the committee's Facebook page and to its account on X.

The letter is the latest repudiation by Zuckerberg of efforts to target misinformation around the coronavirus pandemic during and after the 2020 presidential election, particularly as allegations have emerged that some posts were deleted or restricted wrongly.

“I also think we made some choices that, with the benefit of hindsight and new information, we wouldn’t make today,” he said, without elaborating. “We’re ready to push back if something like this happens again.”

In response, the White House said in a statement that, “When confronted with a deadly pandemic, this Administration encouraged responsible actions to protect public health and safety. Our position has been clear and consistent: we believe tech companies and other private actors should take into account the effects their actions have on the American people, while making independent choices about the information they present.”

Experts warn this year's U.S. election&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-misinformation-ai-social-media-trump-6119ee6f498db10603b3664e9ad3e87e">could be swamped by misinformation</a>&nbsp;on social media with the proliferation of artificial intelligence and other tools to produce false news stories and content that could mislead voters.

Facebook in early 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-misinformation-coronavirus-pandemic-mark-zuckerberg-55583cb7cee4e6966f49f8604d76a081">appended</a>&nbsp;what Zuckerberg called labels with “credible information” to posts about COVID-19 vaccines. That’s after it moved in April 2020 — just as the virus had led to global shutdowns and radical changes in everyday life — to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-348d772c8a5e305fb8006aae0a8cab84">warn users</a>&nbsp;who shared misinformation about COVID-19.

Conservatives have long derided Facebook and other major tech companies as favoring liberal priorities and accused them of censorship.

Zuckerberg has tried to change the company’s perception on the right, going on podcaster Joe Rogan’s show in 2022 and complimenting Republican nominee Donald Trump’s response to an assassination attempt as “badass.” He sent Monday’s letter to the House Judiciary Committee, whose chairman, Jordan, is a longtime Trump ally.

Zuckerberg also said he would no longer donate money to widen election access for voters through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the company that runs the philanthropy for him and his wife, Priscilla Chan.

The couple previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-election-2020-technology-local-elections-elections-c2dcfde7fc750b7dd64243b0cf7fbb69">donated $400 million</a>&nbsp;to help local election offices prepare for voters in the 2020 presidential election, with funds used for protective equipment to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at polling sites, drive-thru voting locations and equipment to process mail ballots.

“I know that some people believe this work benefited one party over the other” despite analyses showing otherwise, he said. “My goal is to be neutral and not play a role one way or another - or to even appear to be playing a role. So I don’t plan on making a similar contribution this cycle.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706714628260.png" alt="Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified before Congress in January-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified before Congress in January-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Meta CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mark-zuckerberg">Mark Zuckerberg</a>&nbsp;says senior Biden administration officials pressured Facebook to “censor” some COVID-19 content during the pandemic and vowed that the social media giant would push back if it faced such demands again.In a letter to Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republican chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Zuckerberg alleges that the officials, including those from the White House, “repeatedly pressured” Facebook for months to take down “certain COVID-19 content including humor and satire.”The officials “expressed a lot of frustration” when the company didn't agree, he said in the letter.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724719285559.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724719317083.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“I believe the government pressure was wrong and I regret that we were not more outspoken about it,” Zuckerberg wrote in the letter dated Aug. 26 and posted on the committee's Facebook page and to its account on X.The letter is the latest repudiation by Zuckerberg of efforts to target misinformation around the coronavirus pandemic during and after the 2020 presidential election, particularly as allegations have emerged that some posts were deleted or restricted wrongly.“I also think we made some choices that, with the benefit of hindsight and new information, we wouldn’t make today,” he said, without elaborating. “We’re ready to push back if something like this happens again.”In response, the White House said in a statement that, “When confronted with a deadly pandemic, this Administration encouraged responsible actions to protect public health and safety. Our position has been clear and consistent: we believe tech companies and other private actors should take into account the effects their actions have on the American people, while making independent choices about the information they present.”Experts warn this year's U.S. election&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-misinformation-ai-social-media-trump-6119ee6f498db10603b3664e9ad3e87e">could be swamped by misinformation</a>&nbsp;on social media with the proliferation of artificial intelligence and other tools to produce false news stories and content that could mislead voters.Facebook in early 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-misinformation-coronavirus-pandemic-mark-zuckerberg-55583cb7cee4e6966f49f8604d76a081">appended</a>&nbsp;what Zuckerberg called labels with “credible information” to posts about COVID-19 vaccines. That’s after it moved in April 2020 — just as the virus had led to global shutdowns and radical changes in everyday life — to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-348d772c8a5e305fb8006aae0a8cab84">warn users</a>&nbsp;who shared misinformation about COVID-19.Conservatives have long derided Facebook and other major tech companies as favoring liberal priorities and accused them of censorship.Zuckerberg has tried to change the company’s perception on the right, going on podcaster Joe Rogan’s show in 2022 and complimenting Republican nominee Donald Trump’s response to an assassination attempt as “badass.” He sent Monday’s letter to the House Judiciary Committee, whose chairman, Jordan, is a longtime Trump ally.Zuckerberg also said he would no longer donate money to widen election access for voters through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the company that runs the philanthropy for him and his wife, Priscilla Chan.The couple previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-election-2020-technology-local-elections-elections-c2dcfde7fc750b7dd64243b0cf7fbb69">donated $400 million</a>&nbsp;to help local election offices prepare for voters in the 2020 presidential election, with funds used for protective equipment to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at polling sites, drive-thru voting locations and equipment to process mail ballots.“I know that some people believe this work benefited one party over the other” despite analyses showing otherwise, he said. “My goal is to be neutral and not play a role one way or another - or to even appear to be playing a role. So I don’t plan on making a similar contribution this cycle.”

Read Zuckerberg's letter: White House pressured Facebook to 'censor' content

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Federal appellate judges overturned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-joe-biden-mo-state-wire-michael-brown-gun-politics-1a08383c079dda0f9e837a05451f2acd">a Missouri law</a>&nbsp;Monday that banned police from enforcing some federal gun laws.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the Missouri law violated a section of the U.S. Constitution known as the supremacy clause, which asserts that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

“A State cannot invalidate federal law to itself,” 8th Circuit Chief Judge Steven Colloton wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/24/08/231457P.pdf">the ruling</a>.

Missouri’s Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in a statement that his office was reviewing the decision. “I will always fight for Missourians’ Second Amendment rights,” he said.

The U.S. Justice Department, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gun-politics-missouri-merrick-garland-6c77cc39796eb1e95641c4c53eaeaf40">filed the lawsuit against Missouri</a>, declined to comment.

The Missouri law forbade police from enforcing federal gun laws that don’t have an equivalent state law. Law enforcement agencies with officers who knowingly enforced federal gun laws without equivalent state laws faced a fine of $50,000 per violating officer.

Federal laws without similar Missouri laws include statutes covering weapons registration and tracking, and possession of firearms by some domestic violence offenders.

Missouri's law has been on hold since 2023, when the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked it as the legal challenge played out in lower courts.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-michael-brown-gun-politics-laws-government-and-politics-6b8d2b283a6ac997262104899a3b0715">Conflict over Missouri’s law</a>&nbsp;wrecked a crime-fighting partnership with U.S. attorneys that Missouri’s former Republican attorney general — Eric Schmitt, now a U.S. senator — touted for years. Under Schmitt’s Safer Streets Initiative, attorneys from his office were deputized as assistant U.S. attorneys to help prosecute violent crimes.

The Justice Department had said the Missouri state crime lab, operated by the Highway Patrol, refused to process evidence that would help federal firearms prosecutions after the law took effect.

Republican lawmakers who helped pass the bill said they were motivated by the potential for new gun restrictions under Democratic President Joe Biden, who had signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-gun-violence-bill-c21249287f976c2c164d8753205c2e6d">federal legislation</a>&nbsp;toughened background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keeps firearms from more domestic violence offenders, and helps states put in place red flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people judged to be dangerous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681466878038.png" alt="Missouri’s Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in a statement that his office was reviewing the decision. “I will always fight for Missourians’ Second Amendment rights,” he said.&nbsp; file photo" />
 <figcaption>Missouri’s Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in a statement that his office was reviewing the decision. “I will always fight for Missourians’ Second Amendment rights,” he said.&nbsp; file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUMMER BALLENTINEKANSAS CITY (AP) — Federal appellate judges overturned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-joe-biden-mo-state-wire-michael-brown-gun-politics-1a08383c079dda0f9e837a05451f2acd">a Missouri law</a>&nbsp;Monday that banned police from enforcing some federal gun laws.The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the Missouri law violated a section of the U.S. Constitution known as the supremacy clause, which asserts that federal law takes precedence over state laws.“A State cannot invalidate federal law to itself,” 8th Circuit Chief Judge Steven Colloton wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://ecf.ca8.uscourts.gov/opndir/24/08/231457P.pdf">the ruling</a>.Missouri’s Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in a statement that his office was reviewing the decision. “I will always fight for Missourians’ Second Amendment rights,” he said.The U.S. Justice Department, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gun-politics-missouri-merrick-garland-6c77cc39796eb1e95641c4c53eaeaf40">filed the lawsuit against Missouri</a>, declined to comment.The Missouri law forbade police from enforcing federal gun laws that don’t have an equivalent state law. Law enforcement agencies with officers who knowingly enforced federal gun laws without equivalent state laws faced a fine of $50,000 per violating officer.Federal laws without similar Missouri laws include statutes covering weapons registration and tracking, and possession of firearms by some domestic violence offenders.Missouri's law has been on hold since 2023, when the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked it as the legal challenge played out in lower courts.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-michael-brown-gun-politics-laws-government-and-politics-6b8d2b283a6ac997262104899a3b0715">Conflict over Missouri’s law</a>&nbsp;wrecked a crime-fighting partnership with U.S. attorneys that Missouri’s former Republican attorney general — Eric Schmitt, now a U.S. senator — touted for years. Under Schmitt’s Safer Streets Initiative, attorneys from his office were deputized as assistant U.S. attorneys to help prosecute violent crimes.The Justice Department had said the Missouri state crime lab, operated by the Highway Patrol, refused to process evidence that would help federal firearms prosecutions after the law took effect.Republican lawmakers who helped pass the bill said they were motivated by the potential for new gun restrictions under Democratic President Joe Biden, who had signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-gun-violence-bill-c21249287f976c2c164d8753205c2e6d">federal legislation</a>&nbsp;toughened background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keeps firearms from more domestic violence offenders, and helps states put in place red flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people judged to be dangerous.

Court tosses Mo. law that barred police from enforcing federal gun laws

KANSAS CITY —An off-duty Kansas City firefighter was in the right place at the right time to save a child's life.

Just before 5:30p.m. Monday Kansas City fire and emergency crews&nbsp;responded to a reported drowning/medical emergency for a seven-year-old child at a neighborhood pool in 8200 block of N. Overland, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

According to bystanders the child was in the water and under for an undetermined amount of time. An off duty member of the Kansas City Fire Department, identified as&nbsp;Fire Apparatus Operator Brandon Hullinger,  happened to be on scene and heard the commotion. 

He immediately sprang into action and assessed the situation and began CPR.&nbsp; 9-1-1 was notified and the Kansas City Fire Department was dispatched. Emergency crews found the child and the off-duty firefighter. The child was breathing and had a pulse. 

Kansas City Fire Department crews stabilized the child and transported them to Children's Mercy Hospital for further evaluation and care. While it is unknown if there is any long term effects, the child&nbsp; was stable and expected to make a recovery, according to Hopkins.

This was outstanding work by the bystanders and the Kansas City Fire Department's own off-duty firefighter. Immediate CPR was crucial in saving the child's life.

KANSAS CITY —An off-duty Kansas City firefighter was in the right place at the right time to save a child's life.Just before 5:30p.m. Monday Kansas City fire and emergency crews&nbsp;responded to a reported drowning/medical emergency for a seven-year-old child at a neighborhood pool in 8200 block of N. Overland, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.According to bystanders the child was in the water and under for an undetermined amount of time. An off duty member of the Kansas City Fire Department, identified as&nbsp;Fire Apparatus Operator Brandon Hullinger, happened to be on scene and heard the commotion. He immediately sprang into action and assessed the situation and began CPR.&nbsp; 9-1-1 was notified and the Kansas City Fire Department was dispatched. Emergency crews found the child and the off-duty firefighter. The child was breathing and had a pulse. Kansas City Fire Department crews stabilized the child and transported them to Children's Mercy Hospital for further evaluation and care. While it is unknown if there is any long term effects, the child&nbsp; was stable and expected to make a recovery, according to Hopkins.This was outstanding work by the bystanders and the Kansas City Fire Department's own off-duty firefighter. Immediate CPR was crucial in saving the child's life.

Off-duty KC firefighter saved 7-year-old from drowning

OSAGE COUNTY –Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 11a.m. August 25, a sheriff’s Office K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of East 137th Street in Osage County for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

The K9 identified illegal narcotics during the stop.&nbsp; Jessica C. Carroll, 39, of Topeka was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail on requested charges that include possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug&nbsp;paraphernalia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724589264490.png" alt="Carroll-photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Carroll-photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY –Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 11a.m. August 25, a sheriff’s Office K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of East 137th Street in Osage County for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.The K9 identified illegal narcotics during the stop.&nbsp; Jessica C. Carroll, 39, of Topeka was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail on requested charges that include possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug&nbsp;paraphernalia

K9 helps arrest Kansas woman for alleged drug possession

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military said Tuesday that it has rescued one of the scores of people abducted in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, which ignited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the ongoing war in Gaza</a>.

The rescue brought a rare moment of joy to Israelis amid months of grinding war but also another painful reminder of the scores of hostages remaining in captivity despite international efforts to broker a cease-fire agreement in which they would be released.

The military said Qaid Farhan Alkadi was rescued from a tunnel “in a complex operation in the southern Gaza Strip," without providing further details. It was not immediately known if the rescue was made under fire or if anyone was killed or wounded during the operation.

The 52-year-old was one of eight members of Israel's Arab Bedouin minority who were abducted on Oct. 7. He was working as a guard at a packing factory in Kibbutz Magen, one of several farming communities that came under attack. He has two wives and is the father of 11 children.

Israel’s Channel 12 showed Alkadi’s family members sprinting through the hospital where he was brought after they received the news.

His brother, Hatem, told reporters they saw him disembark from a helicopter and walk to the ambulance that took him to a nearby hospital for medical checks. Israeli media ran a photo of Alkadi appearing gaunt but smiling with his family.

“We’re so excited to hug him and see him and tell him that we’re all here with him,” a family member who gave his name as Faez told Channel 12. “I hope that every hostage will come home so the families can experience this happiness.”

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the rescue operation was part of the army's “daring and courageous activities conducted deep inside the Gaza Strip,” adding that Israel is "committed to taking advantage of every opportunity to return the hostages.”

Hamas-led militants abducted some 250 people in the Oct. 7 attack, in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not say how many were fighters. It has displaced 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people from their homes and caused heavy destruction across the besieged territory.

Israel believes there are still 108 hostages inside Gaza and that more than 40 of them are dead. Most of the rest were freed during a weeklong cease-fire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Israel has rescued a total of eight hostages, including in two operations that killed scores of Palestinians. Hamas says several hostages have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and failed rescue attempts. Israeli troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-12-15-2023-072436cece0f2351fadfed892e985554">mistakenly killed three Israelis</a>&nbsp;who escaped captivity in December.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent months&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-talks-corridors-03deb20a6c549273fb4b8ce3475fff17">trying to negotiate an agreement in which the remaining hostages would be freed</a>&nbsp;in exchange for a lasting cease-fire. Those talks are ongoing in Egypt this week, but there has been no sign of any breakthrough.

Israeli&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-netanyahu-war-hamas-gaza-0e801fe676c191c7eebcbddb9c5086c4">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced intense criticism</a>&nbsp;from families of the hostages and much of the Israeli public for not yet reaching a deal with Hamas to bring them home.

Hamas hopes to trade the hostages for a lasting cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

Last week, after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/israel-hamas-war-hostage-situations-israel-government-funerals-and-memorial-services-israel-4ec2ac8226fe4ee59986030f4a2869c7">Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages in southern Gaza</a>, Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the army was working to gather more intelligence for rescue operations. But he added that “we cannot bring everyone back through rescue operations alone.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724764202566.png" alt="Qaid Farhan Alkadi photo courtesy Hostages and Missing Families Forum" />
 <figcaption>Qaid Farhan Alkadi photo courtesy Hostages and Missing Families Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military said Tuesday that it has rescued one of the scores of people abducted in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, which ignited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the ongoing war in Gaza</a>.The rescue brought a rare moment of joy to Israelis amid months of grinding war but also another painful reminder of the scores of hostages remaining in captivity despite international efforts to broker a cease-fire agreement in which they would be released.The military said Qaid Farhan Alkadi was rescued from a tunnel “in a complex operation in the southern Gaza Strip," without providing further details. It was not immediately known if the rescue was made under fire or if anyone was killed or wounded during the operation.The 52-year-old was one of eight members of Israel's Arab Bedouin minority who were abducted on Oct. 7. He was working as a guard at a packing factory in Kibbutz Magen, one of several farming communities that came under attack. He has two wives and is the father of 11 children.Israel’s Channel 12 showed Alkadi’s family members sprinting through the hospital where he was brought after they received the news.His brother, Hatem, told reporters they saw him disembark from a helicopter and walk to the ambulance that took him to a nearby hospital for medical checks. Israeli media ran a photo of Alkadi appearing gaunt but smiling with his family.“We’re so excited to hug him and see him and tell him that we’re all here with him,” a family member who gave his name as Faez told Channel 12. “I hope that every hostage will come home so the families can experience this happiness.”Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the rescue operation was part of the army's “daring and courageous activities conducted deep inside the Gaza Strip,” adding that Israel is "committed to taking advantage of every opportunity to return the hostages.”Hamas-led militants abducted some 250 people in the Oct. 7 attack, in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed.Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not say how many were fighters. It has displaced 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people from their homes and caused heavy destruction across the besieged territory.Israel believes there are still 108 hostages inside Gaza and that more than 40 of them are dead. Most of the rest were freed during a weeklong cease-fire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.Israel has rescued a total of eight hostages, including in two operations that killed scores of Palestinians. Hamas says several hostages have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and failed rescue attempts. Israeli troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-12-15-2023-072436cece0f2351fadfed892e985554">mistakenly killed three Israelis</a>&nbsp;who escaped captivity in December.The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent months&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-talks-corridors-03deb20a6c549273fb4b8ce3475fff17">trying to negotiate an agreement in which the remaining hostages would be freed</a>&nbsp;in exchange for a lasting cease-fire. Those talks are ongoing in Egypt this week, but there has been no sign of any breakthrough.Israeli&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-netanyahu-war-hamas-gaza-0e801fe676c191c7eebcbddb9c5086c4">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced intense criticism</a>&nbsp;from families of the hostages and much of the Israeli public for not yet reaching a deal with Hamas to bring them home.Hamas hopes to trade the hostages for a lasting cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.Last week, after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/israel-hamas-war-hostage-situations-israel-government-funerals-and-memorial-services-israel-4ec2ac8226fe4ee59986030f4a2869c7">Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages in southern Gaza</a>, Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said the army was working to gather more intelligence for rescue operations. But he added that “we cannot bring everyone back through rescue operations alone.”___

Israeli military rescues another hostage abducted in Oct. 7 attack

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman died from injuries in an accident in the driveway of a home near the intersection of 96th Terrace and Foster in Overland Park just after 9:30a.m. Monday.

According to Police Captain Keith Hurska, a cehicle backing out of the garage struck a 92-year-old woman who was standing in the driveway.&nbsp; EMS transported the woman to a local hospital for treatment. Police learned later that she died of her injuries.&nbsp;

Overland Park Police continue to investigate the incident. Police have not released the name of the victim.

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman died from injuries in an accident in the driveway of a home near the intersection of 96th Terrace and Foster in Overland Park just after 9:30a.m. Monday.According to Police Captain Keith Hurska, a cehicle backing out of the garage struck a 92-year-old woman who was standing in the driveway.&nbsp; EMS transported the woman to a local hospital for treatment. Police learned later that she died of her injuries.&nbsp;Overland Park Police continue to investigate the incident. Police have not released the name of the victim.

92-year-old dies after being struck by vehicle in Kansas driveway

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a violent chase in Douglas County.

Just after 2:30 p.m. Monday, a deputy observed a man, wanted for questioning in domestic incident, driving near Second and Locust streets and attempted to stop the vehicle, according to Douglas County Sheriff's department spokesman George&nbsp;Diepenbrock.

The deputy was also aware the driver did not have a valid drivers’ license.

The suspect accelerated from the stop near the entrance to the southbound lanes of the Kansas River bridge and then immediately slammed on the vehicle’s brakes, ramming into the deputy’s patrol vehicle. 

The suspect then accelerated and jumped the median and fled eastbound on the levee and eventually onto Elm Street in North Lawrence.

The deputy observed the suspect drive through a residential yard in the 900 block of Elm Street and damage a fire hydrant. The suspect vehicle became disabled in a nearby field, and deputies took him into custody. The suspect was examined by medics and taken to LMH Health before he was cleared and transported to the Douglas County Jail.

He is being held on requested charges that include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of making a criminal threat against a law enforcement officer for making specific threats against deputies after he was taken into custody.

No other injuries were reported, including to the deputy in the damaged patrol vehicle.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a violent chase in Douglas County.Just after 2:30 p.m. Monday, a deputy observed a man, wanted for questioning in domestic incident, driving near Second and Locust streets and attempted to stop the vehicle, according to Douglas County Sheriff's department spokesman George&nbsp;Diepenbrock.The deputy was also aware the driver did not have a valid drivers’ license.The suspect accelerated from the stop near the entrance to the southbound lanes of the Kansas River bridge and then immediately slammed on the vehicle’s brakes, ramming into the deputy’s patrol vehicle. The suspect then accelerated and jumped the median and fled eastbound on the levee and eventually onto Elm Street in North Lawrence.The deputy observed the suspect drive through a residential yard in the 900 block of Elm Street and damage a fire hydrant. The suspect vehicle became disabled in a nearby field, and deputies took him into custody. The suspect was examined by medics and taken to LMH Health before he was cleared and transported to the Douglas County Jail.He is being held on requested charges that include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, two counts of making a criminal threat against a law enforcement officer for making specific threats against deputies after he was taken into custody.No other injuries were reported, including to the deputy in the damaged patrol vehicle.

Driver rammed Kansas deputy's vehicle before chase, crash

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge in Texas on Monday paused a Biden administration policy that would give spouses of U.S. citizens legal status without having to first leave the country, dealing at least a temporary setback to one of the biggest presidential actions to ease a path to citizenship in years.

The administrative stay issued by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker comes just days after Kansas, Missouri and 14 others states, led by Republican attorneys general, challenged the program that could benefit an estimated 500,000 immigrants in the country, plus about 50,000 of their children.

One of the states leading the challenge is Texas, which in the lawsuit claimed the state has had to pay tens of millions of dollars annually from health care to law enforcement because of immigrants living in the state without legal status.&nbsp;

President Joe Biden announced the program in June. The court order, which lasts for two weeks but could be extended, comes one week after the Department of Homeland Security began accepting applications.

"The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date," Barker wrote.

The judge laid out a timetable that could produce a decision shortly before the presidential election Nov. 5 or before a newly elected president takes office in January. Barker gave both sides until Oct. 10 to file briefs in the case.

The policy offers spouses of U.S. citizens without legal status, who meet certain criteria, a path to citizenship by applying for a green card and staying in the U.S. while undergoing the process. Traditionally, the process could include a years-long wait outside of the U.S., causing what advocates equate to "family separation."

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately return an email seeking comment on the order.

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton cheered the order.

“This is just the first step. We are going to keep fighting for Texas, our country, and the rule of law,” Paxton posted on the social media platform X.

Several families were notified of the receipt of their applications, according to attorneys advocating for eligible families who filed a motion to intervene earlier Monday.

“Texas should not be able to decide the fate of hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens and their immigrant spouses without confronting their reality,” Karen Tumlin, the founder and director of Justice Action Center, said during the press conference before the order was issued.

The coalition of states accused the administration of bypassing Congress for “blatant political purposes.”

The program has been particularly contentious in an election year where immigration is one of the biggest issues, with many Republicans attacking the policy and contending it is essentially a form of amnesty for people who broke the law.

To be eligible for the program, immigrants must have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least 10 years, not pose a security threat or have a disqualifying criminal history, and have been married to a citizen by June 17 — the day before the program was announced.

They must pay a $580 fee to apply and fill out a lengthy application, including an explanation of why they deserve humanitarian parole and a long list of supporting documents proving how long they have been in the country.

If approved, applicants have three years to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-immigration-border-immigrants-11486c86ba620a04ae9dc66a3d44f346">seek permanent residency</a>. During that period, they can get work authorization.

Before this program, it was complicated for people who were in the U.S. illegally to get a green card after marrying an American citizen. They can be required to return to their home country — often for years — and they always face the risk they may not be allowed back in.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724510077030.png" alt="President Biden during the announcement in June-White House image" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during the announcement in June-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge in Texas on Monday paused a Biden administration policy that would give spouses of U.S. citizens legal status without having to first leave the country, dealing at least a temporary setback to one of the biggest presidential actions to ease a path to citizenship in years.The administrative stay issued by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker comes just days after Kansas, Missouri and 14 others states, led by Republican attorneys general, challenged the program that could benefit an estimated 500,000 immigrants in the country, plus about 50,000 of their children.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707343988873.png" alt=" Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach photo by Rachel Mipro" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach photo by Rachel Mipro</figcaption>
 </figure>One of the states leading the challenge is Texas, which in the lawsuit claimed the state has had to pay tens of millions of dollars annually from health care to law enforcement because of immigrants living in the state without legal status.&nbsp;President Joe Biden announced the program in June. The court order, which lasts for two weeks but could be extended, comes one week after the Department of Homeland Security began accepting applications."The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date," Barker wrote.The judge laid out a timetable that could produce a decision shortly before the presidential election Nov. 5 or before a newly elected president takes office in January. Barker gave both sides until Oct. 10 to file briefs in the case.The policy offers spouses of U.S. citizens without legal status, who meet certain criteria, a path to citizenship by applying for a green card and staying in the U.S. while undergoing the process. Traditionally, the process could include a years-long wait outside of the U.S., causing what advocates equate to "family separation."The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately return an email seeking comment on the order.Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton cheered the order.“This is just the first step. We are going to keep fighting for Texas, our country, and the rule of law,” Paxton posted on the social media platform X.Several families were notified of the receipt of their applications, according to attorneys advocating for eligible families who filed a motion to intervene earlier Monday.“Texas should not be able to decide the fate of hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens and their immigrant spouses without confronting their reality,” Karen Tumlin, the founder and director of Justice Action Center, said during the press conference before the order was issued.The coalition of states accused the administration of bypassing Congress for “blatant political purposes.”The program has been particularly contentious in an election year where immigration is one of the biggest issues, with many Republicans attacking the policy and contending it is essentially a form of amnesty for people who broke the law.To be eligible for the program, immigrants must have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least 10 years, not pose a security threat or have a disqualifying criminal history, and have been married to a citizen by June 17 — the day before the program was announced.They must pay a $580 fee to apply and fill out a lengthy application, including an explanation of why they deserve humanitarian parole and a long list of supporting documents proving how long they have been in the country.If approved, applicants have three years to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-immigration-border-immigrants-11486c86ba620a04ae9dc66a3d44f346">seek permanent residency</a>. During that period, they can get work authorization.Before this program, it was complicated for people who were in the U.S. illegally to get a green card after marrying an American citizen. They can be required to return to their home country — often for years — and they always face the risk they may not be allowed back in.

Kan. lawsuit: Judge pauses Biden plan to offer ‘amnesty’ to 500K illegals married to US citizens

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Supermarket chain Albertsons told a federal judge Monday that it might have to lay off workers, close stores and even exit some markets if its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-ftc-antitrust-3ba6eba066636626c4bdc6cd4f73fa29">planned merger</a>&nbsp;with Kroger isn't allowed to proceed.

The two companies proposed what would be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-albertsons-companies-inc-0cfbd68f81ba8aab7c1d3012c69804d9">largest supermarket merger</a>&nbsp;in U.S. history in October 2022. But the Federal Trade Commission sued to prevent the $24.6 billion deal, alleging it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-antitrust-grocery-merger-competition-71b47dc86ec7449f29b2b488c1d3f9de">eliminate competition</a>&nbsp;and raise grocery prices in a time of already high&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-price-gouging-ban-inflation-65dc8844bb41159d76886f752b6cab28">food price inflation</a>.

In the three-week hearing that opened Monday, the FTC is seeking a preliminary injunction that would block the merger while its complaint goes before an in-house administrative law judge.

“This lawsuit is part of an effort aimed at helping Americans feed their families," the FTC's chief trial counsel, Susan Musser, said in her opening arguments on Monday.

Musser said Kroger and Albertsons currently compete in 22 states, closely matching each other on price, quality, private label products and services like store pickup. Shoppers benefit from that competition, she said, and will lose those benefits if the merger is allowed to proceed.

Customers also are wary of the merger, the lawyer said. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, for example, 278 shoppers wrote to the FTC to express their concerns about a combined Kroger and Albertsons, which would own five of the city's eight supermarkets.

But Kroger and Albertsons insist the FTC's objections don't take into account the rising competition in the grocery sector.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-apple-juice-recall-e4c185fd48af2438023ea94b3f6b2b74">Walmart's</a>&nbsp;grocery sales totaled $247 billion last year compared to $63 billion in 2003, for example; Costco's sales have grown more than 400% in the same period.

“Consumers are blurring the line of where they buy groceries," Albertsons attorney Enu Mainigi said.

Mainigi said Albertsons' customers now spend 88 cents of every dollar at competitors that range from Aldi and Trader Joe's to Dollar General. Albertsons can't compete with larger rivals that have national scale, but joining forces with Kroger would help it do that, she said.

Kroger attorney Matthew Wolf also defended the proposed merger.

“The savings that come from the merger are obvious and intuitive. Kroger may have the best price on Pepsi. Albertsons may have the best price on Coke. Put them together, they have the best price on both," Wolf said.

The two sides also disagree on Kroger and Albertsons' plan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-cs-grocery-9a1d40ba06f752d3c5c3d5db78fede4c">to sell 579 stores</a>&nbsp;in places where their stores overlap. The buyer would be&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 says 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.

But Wolf said C&amp;S has the experience and infrastructure to run the divested stores and would be the eighth-largest supermarket company in the U.S., if the merger plan goes through.

The commission also alleges that workers' wages and benefits would decline if Kroger and Albertsons no longer compete with each other.

Before the hearing, several members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-united-food-and-commercial-workers-0815f09c0ad7bc7826b350abe6a2543b">United Food and Commercial Workers International</a>&nbsp;union gathered outside the federal courthouse in downtown Portland to speak out against the proposed deal.

“Enough is enough,” said Carol McMillian, a bakery manager at a Kroger-owned grocery store in Colorado. “We can no longer stand by and allow corporate greed that puts profit before people. Our workers, our communities and our customers deserve better.”

The labor union also expressed concern that potential store closures could create so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-health-6b59475a8da2ef2587f31112555ac03b">food and pharmacy “deserts”</a>&nbsp;for consumers.

For people in many communities across the U.S., when a grocery store shutters, “their only source of food actually is walking to the nearest gas station,” said Kim Cordova, the president of UFCW Local 7, which represents over 23,000 members in Colorado and Wyoming.

Mainigi argued the deal could actually bolster union jobs, since many of Kroger's and Albertsons' competitors, like Walmart or Costco, have few unionized workers.

U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson is expected to hear from around 40 witnesses, including the CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons, before deciding whether to issue the preliminary injunction. If she does decide to temporarily block the merger, the FTC's in-house hearings are scheduled to begin Oct. 1.

But Nelson's decision will seal the merger's fate, according to Wolf. He said the FTC's in-house administrative process is so long and cumbersome that merger deals almost always fall apart before it's through. Earlier this month, Kroger sued the FTC, alleging the agency’s internal proceedings were 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 case on the FTC’s side. Washington and Colorado filed separate cases in state courts seeking to block the merger.

<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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724718577355.png" alt="Photo from a Monday press conference courtesy United Food and commercial workers union local 3000" />
 <figcaption>Photo from a Monday press conference courtesy United Food and commercial workers union local 3000</figcaption>
 </figure>PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Supermarket chain Albertsons told a federal judge Monday that it might have to lay off workers, close stores and even exit some markets if its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-ftc-antitrust-3ba6eba066636626c4bdc6cd4f73fa29">planned merger</a>&nbsp;with Kroger isn't allowed to proceed.The two companies proposed what would be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-albertsons-companies-inc-0cfbd68f81ba8aab7c1d3012c69804d9">largest supermarket merger</a>&nbsp;in U.S. history in October 2022. But the Federal Trade Commission sued to prevent the $24.6 billion deal, alleging it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-antitrust-grocery-merger-competition-71b47dc86ec7449f29b2b488c1d3f9de">eliminate competition</a>&nbsp;and raise grocery prices in a time of already high&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-price-gouging-ban-inflation-65dc8844bb41159d76886f752b6cab28">food price inflation</a>.In the three-week hearing that opened Monday, the FTC is seeking a preliminary injunction that would block the merger while its complaint goes before an in-house administrative law judge.“This lawsuit is part of an effort aimed at helping Americans feed their families," the FTC's chief trial counsel, Susan Musser, said in her opening arguments on Monday.Musser said Kroger and Albertsons currently compete in 22 states, closely matching each other on price, quality, private label products and services like store pickup. Shoppers benefit from that competition, she said, and will lose those benefits if the merger is allowed to proceed.Customers also are wary of the merger, the lawyer said. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, for example, 278 shoppers wrote to the FTC to express their concerns about a combined Kroger and Albertsons, which would own five of the city's eight supermarkets.But Kroger and Albertsons insist the FTC's objections don't take into account the rising competition in the grocery sector.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-apple-juice-recall-e4c185fd48af2438023ea94b3f6b2b74">Walmart's</a>&nbsp;grocery sales totaled $247 billion last year compared to $63 billion in 2003, for example; Costco's sales have grown more than 400% in the same period.“Consumers are blurring the line of where they buy groceries," Albertsons attorney Enu Mainigi said.Mainigi said Albertsons' customers now spend 88 cents of every dollar at competitors that range from Aldi and Trader Joe's to Dollar General. Albertsons can't compete with larger rivals that have national scale, but joining forces with Kroger would help it do that, she said.Kroger attorney Matthew Wolf also defended the proposed merger.“The savings that come from the merger are obvious and intuitive. Kroger may have the best price on Pepsi. Albertsons may have the best price on Coke. Put them together, they have the best price on both," Wolf said.The two sides also disagree on Kroger and Albertsons' plan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-cs-grocery-9a1d40ba06f752d3c5c3d5db78fede4c">to sell 579 stores</a>&nbsp;in places where their stores overlap. The buyer would be&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 says 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.But Wolf said C&amp;S has the experience and infrastructure to run the divested stores and would be the eighth-largest supermarket company in the U.S., if the merger plan goes through.The commission also alleges that workers' wages and benefits would decline if Kroger and Albertsons no longer compete with each other.Before the hearing, several members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-united-food-and-commercial-workers-0815f09c0ad7bc7826b350abe6a2543b">United Food and Commercial Workers International</a>&nbsp;union gathered outside the federal courthouse in downtown Portland to speak out against the proposed deal.“Enough is enough,” said Carol McMillian, a bakery manager at a Kroger-owned grocery store in Colorado. “We can no longer stand by and allow corporate greed that puts profit before people. Our workers, our communities and our customers deserve better.”The labor union also expressed concern that potential store closures could create so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-health-6b59475a8da2ef2587f31112555ac03b">food and pharmacy “deserts”</a>&nbsp;for consumers.For people in many communities across the U.S., when a grocery store shutters, “their only source of food actually is walking to the nearest gas station,” said Kim Cordova, the president of UFCW Local 7, which represents over 23,000 members in Colorado and Wyoming.Mainigi argued the deal could actually bolster union jobs, since many of Kroger's and Albertsons' competitors, like Walmart or Costco, have few unionized workers.U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson is expected to hear from around 40 witnesses, including the CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons, before deciding whether to issue the preliminary injunction. If she does decide to temporarily block the merger, the FTC's in-house hearings are scheduled to begin Oct. 1.But Nelson's decision will seal the merger's fate, according to Wolf. He said the FTC's in-house administrative process is so long and cumbersome that merger deals almost always fall apart before it's through. Earlier this month, Kroger sued the FTC, alleging the agency’s internal proceedings were 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 case on the FTC’s side. Washington and Colorado filed separate cases in state courts seeking to block the merger.<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.

Kroger and Albertsons defend merger plan in federal court

TPD is asking for the public’s help in identifying the vehicle and individual in this footage in relation to an ongoing investigation.

The vehicle was seen around 4:30 a.m. Monday in the 1400 block of SW Eden Court in Topeka, according to a media release. 

If you have any information about this vehicle or the individual, please contact investigators at telltpd@topeka.org or report anonymously to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or online at <a href="https://t.co/g6Ezl6yyVr" target="_blank">http://p3tips.com/128</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724719038233.png" alt="Photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>TPD is asking for the public’s help in identifying the vehicle and individual in this footage in relation to an ongoing investigation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724719129164.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The vehicle was seen around 4:30 a.m. Monday in the 1400 block of SW Eden Court in Topeka, according to a media release. If you have any information about this vehicle or the individual, please contact investigators at telltpd@topeka.org or report anonymously to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or online at <a href="https://t.co/g6Ezl6yyVr" target="_blank">http://p3tips.com/128</a>

Police ask for help to ID vehicle in Kansas investigation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Missouri,man has pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to rob a local bank but being foiled when the front door was locked, according to the United State's Attorney.

Jacob Lowell Hessing, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. on Aug. 22, to one count of attempted bank robbery. Hessing has been detained in federal custody since his arrest.

By pleading guilty, Hessing admitted that he attempted to rob Exchange Bank of Missouri in New Franklin on Sept. 9, 2023.

According to the plea agreement, the Howard County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department received calls from concerned citizens about a masked man dressed in black walking in downtown New Franklin, which has a population of about 1,000 residents. The man, later identified as Hessing, was reportedly carrying an AR-style rifle and attempted to enter Exchange Bank of Missouri. On Saturdays, however, the bank’s lobby is open by appointment only, and the outer door is locked.

Surveillance video showed Hessing walk to the bank and attempt to open the lobby door. He then got back into a red Chevy Equinox, which drove off at a high rate of speed. Investigators traced the vehicle to Hessing and executed a search warrant at his residence (about a block and a half from the bank) on Oct. 30, 2023. Federal agents found a Diamondback rifle, hidden in the basement, with a loaded magazine capable of holding more than 40 5.56mm cartridges, which was consistent with the weapon Hessing carried when he attempted to rob the bank. Ammunition also was found in the kitchen utensil drawer and several cartridges for the Diamondback rifle were found in the Equinox. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Hessing must forfeit the Diamondback rifle to the government.

Under federal statutes, Hessing is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa A. Pierce. It was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Howard County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724450068571.png" alt="Hessing-photo Howard Co." />
 <figcaption>Hessing-photo Howard Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Missouri,man has pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to rob a local bank but being foiled when the front door was locked, according to the United State's Attorney.Jacob Lowell Hessing, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. on Aug. 22, to one count of attempted bank robbery. Hessing has been detained in federal custody since his arrest.By pleading guilty, Hessing admitted that he attempted to rob Exchange Bank of Missouri in New Franklin on Sept. 9, 2023.According to the plea agreement, the Howard County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department received calls from concerned citizens about a masked man dressed in black walking in downtown New Franklin, which has a population of about 1,000 residents. The man, later identified as Hessing, was reportedly carrying an AR-style rifle and attempted to enter Exchange Bank of Missouri. On Saturdays, however, the bank’s lobby is open by appointment only, and the outer door is locked.Surveillance video showed Hessing walk to the bank and attempt to open the lobby door. He then got back into a red Chevy Equinox, which drove off at a high rate of speed. Investigators traced the vehicle to Hessing and executed a search warrant at his residence (about a block and a half from the bank) on Oct. 30, 2023. Federal agents found a Diamondback rifle, hidden in the basement, with a loaded magazine capable of holding more than 40 5.56mm cartridges, which was consistent with the weapon Hessing carried when he attempted to rob the bank. Ammunition also was found in the kitchen utensil drawer and several cartridges for the Diamondback rifle were found in the Equinox. Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, Hessing must forfeit the Diamondback rifle to the government.Under federal statutes, Hessing is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa A. Pierce. It was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Howard County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

Man admits trying trying to rob bank but door was locked

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three women on multiple allegations after a weekend traffic stop.

Just after 6p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;August 24, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford F-150 pickup for a traffic infraction on U.S. Highway 75 near 118th Road in southern Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Ashley Pauline Whitetail, 39 and&nbsp;Annie Rose Potts, 41, both of Mayetta, were arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of interference with law enforcement and transporting an open container.

 Brenda Leigh Hinostroza, 39, of Berryton, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a depressant, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal use of weapons, transporting an open container and knowing allow uninsured vehicle on the roadway.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724705679946.png" alt="Whitetail photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Whitetail photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three women on multiple allegations after a weekend traffic stop.Just after 6p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;August 24, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Ford F-150 pickup for a traffic infraction on U.S. Highway 75 near 118th Road in southern Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724705656628.png" alt="Potts photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Potts photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Ashley Pauline Whitetail, 39 and&nbsp;Annie Rose Potts, 41, both of Mayetta, were arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of interference with law enforcement and transporting an open container.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724705745590.png" alt="Hinostroza photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hinostroza photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> Brenda Leigh Hinostroza, 39, of Berryton, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a depressant, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal use of weapons, transporting an open container and knowing allow uninsured vehicle on the roadway.

Traffic stop ruins weekend trip for 3 Kansas women

DETROIT (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-evacuations-kabul-9e457201e5bbe75a4eb1901fedeee7a1">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Monday tied Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;to the chaotic Afghanistan War withdrawal on the third anniversary of the suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members, calling the attack a “humiliation.”

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, laid wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of Sgt. Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, who were killed in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-evacuations-kabul-9e457201e5bbe75a4eb1901fedeee7a1">Aug. 26, 2021, suicide bombing</a>&nbsp;at Hamid Karzai International Airport. He then traveled to Michigan for an address to the National Guard Association of the United States conference.

“Caused by Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, the humiliation in Afghanistan set off the collapse of American credibility and respect all around the world," Trump told an audience of about 4,000, including National Guard members and their families in Detroit.

President Joe Biden's administration was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-biden-government-and-politics-donald-trump-7cef514c6cc96848f61a9e8b7fcdf263">following a withdrawal commitment</a>&nbsp;and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban in 2020. A 2022 review by a government-appointed special investigator concluded decisions made by both Trump and Biden were the key factors leading to the rapid collapse of Afghanistan’s military and the Taliban takeover.

In his speech to the National Guard in Detroit, Trump said that leaving Afghanistan was the right thing to do but that the execution was poor. “We were going to do it with dignity and strength," he said. He called the attack “the most embarrassing day in the history of our country.”

Since Biden ended his reelection bid, Trump has been zeroing in on Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, and her roles in foreign policy decisions. He has specifically highlighted the vice president’s statements that she was the last person in the room before Biden made the decision on Afghanistan.

“The voters are going to fire Kamala and Joe on Nov. 5, we hope, and when I take office we will ask for the resignations of every single official,” Trump said in Detroit. “We’ll get the resignations of every single senior official who touched the Afghanistan calamity, to be on my desk at noon on Inauguration Day. You know, you have to fire people. You have to fire people when they do a bad job.”

In her own statement marking the anniversary of the Kabul airport attack, Harris said she mourns the 13 U.S. service members who were killed. “My prayers are with their families and loved ones. My heart breaks for their pain and their loss,” she said.

Harris said she honors and remembers all Americans who served in Afghanistan.

“As I have said, President Biden made the courageous and right decision to end America’s longest war. Over the past three years, our Administration has demonstrated we can still eliminate terrorists, including the leaders of al-Qaeda and ISIS, without troops deployed into combat zones,” she said. “I will never hesitate to take whatever action necessary to counter terrorist threats and protect the American people.”

Biden said in a statement Monday that the 13 Americans who died were “patriots in the highest sense” who “embodied the very best of who we are as a nation: brave, committed, selfless.”

“Ever since I became Vice President, I carried a card with me every day that listed the exact number of American service members who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan—including Taylor, Johanny, Nicole, Hunter, Daegan, Humberto, David, Jared, Rylee, Dylan, Kareem, Maxton, and Ryan,” Biden said.

The relatives of some of the American service members who were killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gold-star-families-rnc-gop-convention-b8d043475a5cb8cb7735c366ba75502d">appeared on stage</a>&nbsp;at the Republican National Convention last month and spoke on Monday in a media call along with Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. They said they are still trying to get answers on how their loved ones died.

“For them to think that is OK and treat it as another page in a book that they’re just flipping over for the next chapter it saddens me and frightens me all at the same time,” said Alicia Lopez, the mother of Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, who added she has another son serving in the military. "I pray that I don’t get another knock on my door because of the lack of responsibilities this administration has for our military.”

Asked Monday why Biden and Harris weren’t marking the anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack as Trump did at Arlington National Cemetery, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that Trump had been personally invited by the family members and he called it one way to honor the fallen.

“Another way is to continue to work,” Kirby said. “Maybe not with a lot of fanfare, maybe not with a lot of public attention, maybe not with TV cameras, but to work with might and main every single day to make sure that the families of the fallen and of those who were injured and wounded, not just at Abbey Gate, but over the course of the 20-some odd years that we were in Afghanistan, have the support that they need.”

Also Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced that Congress will posthumously honor the 13 service members by presenting their families with the Congressional Gold Medal next month. It's the highest civilian award that Congress can bestow.

Under Trump, the United States&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-491544713df4879f399d0ff5523d369e">signed a peace agreement</a>&nbsp;with the Taliban that was aimed at ending America’s longest war and bringing U.S. troops home. Biden later pointed to that agreement as he sought to deflect blame for the Taliban overrunning Afghanistan, saying it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-middle-east-taliban-doha-e6f48507848aef2ee849154604aa11be">bound him to withdraw troops</a>&nbsp;and set the stage for the chaos that engulfed the country.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-bombings-kabul-taliban-80dde38aa7c28451b2dc55b466e31228">Biden administration review of the withdrawal</a>&nbsp;acknowledged that the evacuation of Americans and allies from Afghanistan should have started sooner, but attributed the delays to the Afghan government and military, and to U.S. military and intelligence community assessments.

DETROIT (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-evacuations-kabul-9e457201e5bbe75a4eb1901fedeee7a1">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Monday tied Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;to the chaotic Afghanistan War withdrawal on the third anniversary of the suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members, calling the attack a “humiliation.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I joined President Trump to lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in remembrance of the 13 heroes we lost at Abbey Gate. We lost these heroes because of the ignorance and arrogance of politicians, like Kamala Harris &amp; Joe Biden, who treat America&#39;s warriors as disposable. <a href="https://t.co/PoLEEgPaa2">pic.twitter.com/PoLEEgPaa2</a>&mdash; Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepBrianMast/status/1828102812267598022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, laid wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of Sgt. Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, who were killed in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-evacuations-kabul-9e457201e5bbe75a4eb1901fedeee7a1">Aug. 26, 2021, suicide bombing</a>&nbsp;at Hamid Karzai International Airport. He then traveled to Michigan for an address to the National Guard Association of the United States conference.“Caused by Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, the humiliation in Afghanistan set off the collapse of American credibility and respect all around the world," Trump told an audience of about 4,000, including National Guard members and their families in Detroit.President Joe Biden's administration was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-biden-government-and-politics-donald-trump-7cef514c6cc96848f61a9e8b7fcdf263">following a withdrawal commitment</a>&nbsp;and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban in 2020. A 2022 review by a government-appointed special investigator concluded decisions made by both Trump and Biden were the key factors leading to the rapid collapse of Afghanistan’s military and the Taliban takeover.In his speech to the National Guard in Detroit, Trump said that leaving Afghanistan was the right thing to do but that the execution was poor. “We were going to do it with dignity and strength," he said. He called the attack “the most embarrassing day in the history of our country.”Since Biden ended his reelection bid, Trump has been zeroing in on Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, and her roles in foreign policy decisions. He has specifically highlighted the vice president’s statements that she was the last person in the room before Biden made the decision on Afghanistan.“The voters are going to fire Kamala and Joe on Nov. 5, we hope, and when I take office we will ask for the resignations of every single official,” Trump said in Detroit. “We’ll get the resignations of every single senior official who touched the Afghanistan calamity, to be on my desk at noon on Inauguration Day. You know, you have to fire people. You have to fire people when they do a bad job.”In her own statement marking the anniversary of the Kabul airport attack, Harris said she mourns the 13 U.S. service members who were killed. “My prayers are with their families and loved ones. My heart breaks for their pain and their loss,” she said.Harris said she honors and remembers all Americans who served in Afghanistan.“As I have said, President Biden made the courageous and right decision to end America’s longest war. Over the past three years, our Administration has demonstrated we can still eliminate terrorists, including the leaders of al-Qaeda and ISIS, without troops deployed into combat zones,” she said. “I will never hesitate to take whatever action necessary to counter terrorist threats and protect the American people.”Biden said in a statement Monday that the 13 Americans who died were “patriots in the highest sense” who “embodied the very best of who we are as a nation: brave, committed, selfless.”“Ever since I became Vice President, I carried a card with me every day that listed the exact number of American service members who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan—including Taylor, Johanny, Nicole, Hunter, Daegan, Humberto, David, Jared, Rylee, Dylan, Kareem, Maxton, and Ryan,” Biden said.The relatives of some of the American service members who were killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gold-star-families-rnc-gop-convention-b8d043475a5cb8cb7735c366ba75502d">appeared on stage</a>&nbsp;at the Republican National Convention last month and spoke on Monday in a media call along with Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. They said they are still trying to get answers on how their loved ones died.“For them to think that is OK and treat it as another page in a book that they’re just flipping over for the next chapter it saddens me and frightens me all at the same time,” said Alicia Lopez, the mother of Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, who added she has another son serving in the military. "I pray that I don’t get another knock on my door because of the lack of responsibilities this administration has for our military.”Asked Monday why Biden and Harris weren’t marking the anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack as Trump did at Arlington National Cemetery, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that Trump had been personally invited by the family members and he called it one way to honor the fallen.“Another way is to continue to work,” Kirby said. “Maybe not with a lot of fanfare, maybe not with a lot of public attention, maybe not with TV cameras, but to work with might and main every single day to make sure that the families of the fallen and of those who were injured and wounded, not just at Abbey Gate, but over the course of the 20-some odd years that we were in Afghanistan, have the support that they need.”Also Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced that Congress will posthumously honor the 13 service members by presenting their families with the Congressional Gold Medal next month. It's the highest civilian award that Congress can bestow.Under Trump, the United States&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-491544713df4879f399d0ff5523d369e">signed a peace agreement</a>&nbsp;with the Taliban that was aimed at ending America’s longest war and bringing U.S. troops home. Biden later pointed to that agreement as he sought to deflect blame for the Taliban overrunning Afghanistan, saying it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-middle-east-taliban-doha-e6f48507848aef2ee849154604aa11be">bound him to withdraw troops</a>&nbsp;and set the stage for the chaos that engulfed the country.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-bombings-kabul-taliban-80dde38aa7c28451b2dc55b466e31228">Biden administration review of the withdrawal</a>&nbsp;acknowledged that the evacuation of Americans and allies from Afghanistan should have started sooner, but attributed the delays to the Afghan government and military, and to U.S. military and intelligence community assessments.

Trump rebukes Harris, Biden on anniversary of Afghanistan bombing that killed 13 service members

On Monday, Aug. 19, Gerald Rahier, Arielle&nbsp;Lemos and their two young sons were driving when they were T-boned by a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper who was responding to another accident.

According to Katie Lyons of Hoxie, who created the GoFundMe account, after being struck, their car rolled about five times. Everyone in the car was badly injured. Gerald was pronounced dead at the scene.

Arielle and Jett, one of the children, were transported to the hospital, where they are both stable, according to Lyons

LJ, the other child, was life-flighted to Wichita with a skull fracture and brain bleed. He has stabilized and is improving, she said.

"We are starting this GoFundMe to help Arielle with the medical bills, a car since theirs was totaled in the wreck and funeral expenses for Jerry [Gerald]. Anything is helpful," Lyons said on GoFundMe.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724702963257.png" alt="Photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>On Monday, Aug. 19, Gerald Rahier, Arielle&nbsp;Lemos and their two young sons were driving when they were T-boned by a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper who was responding to another accident.According to Katie Lyons of Hoxie, who created the GoFundMe account, after being struck, their car rolled about five times. Everyone in the car was badly injured. Gerald was pronounced dead at the scene.Arielle and Jett, one of the children, were transported to the hospital, where they are both stable, according to LyonsLJ, the other child, was life-flighted to Wichita with a skull fracture and brain bleed. He has stabilized and is improving, she said."We are starting this GoFundMe to help Arielle with the medical bills, a car since theirs was totaled in the wreck and funeral expenses for Jerry [Gerald]. Anything is helpful," Lyons said on GoFundMe.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-arielle-and-her-boys">Click here to view the fundraiser for the family .</a>————Wednesday, Aug 21SHERIDAN COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified the individuals involved in a second fatal accident that occurred Monday in Sheridan County.According to the Highway Patrol, just after 11 a.m. Trooper Ethan Masterson, 27, Oakley, was responding to a&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/759ff407-0334-4dd7-8000-843c42f9d5e8">fatal accident</a>&nbsp;on KS-23 south of Hoxie when Masterson’s Dodge SUV collided with an SUV at the intersection of 100 S Road and 40 E Road, approximately four miles east of K-23.The driver of the second SUV, Gerald D. Rahier, 42, Hoxie was killed in the accident.A passenger, Arielle C. Lemos, 38, Hoxie and two children, ages 4 and 5, all suffered serious injuries and were transported to the&nbsp;Sheridan County Health Complex in Hoxie.All four people in the SUV were properly restrained at the time of the accident.The Highway Patrol reported Masterson did have his lights and sirens activated at the time of the accident He was not injured.----SHERIDAN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal crash involving a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper.Just after 11 a.m. Monday, a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper was responding to a two-vehicle fatality collision involving a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) that occurred on K-23 between Hoxie and Interstate 70 in Sheridan County, according to a media release from the KHP.The Trooper was westbound on 100 South Road with emergency lights and siren activated as he approached the intersection at 40 East Road.&nbsp;The Trooper entered the intersection and struck the driver’s side of a southbound SUV.&nbsp; As a result of the collision, the male driver was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; A female passenger in the front passenger seat and a child passenger were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Another child passenger was air-lifted from the collision scene. The trooper was treated and released from the scene.The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team was called to the scene, and this crash remains under investigation at this time.