<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22REBECCA%20SANTANA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By REBECCA SANTANA&nbsp;</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — During Abraham Lincoln's presidency, anyone could come to the White House and see him. Come they did: mothers looking to have their sons released from military service, wives urging that their husbands be freed from prison after resisting the draft, others who simply wanted to meet the president.

“Some only wanted comfort in a terrible time, and that he freely gave,"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/James-B.-Conroy/e/B00E7NGKLO?ref=dbs_t_r_fta_b00e7ngklo">James B. Conroy</a>&nbsp;wrote in his book "Lincoln’s White House: The People’s House in Wartime."

The world has vastly changed since the 1860s, and so has protection for presidents. Protective details have grown in size, responsibility and technology over more than a century of the Secret Service protecting presidents.

When presidents leave the White House, they are accompanied by a phalanx of Secret Service officers and agents. Cars can no longer drive past what is often dubbed “the people's house” at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The fence has been raised, and don't even try to get past the gate without an appointment or badge.

The number of people under guard also has grown as vice presidents, former presidents, candidates, family members and more get protection.

During the Civil War, Lincoln was hesitant to make the White House look like an armed camp, but in late 1864 several police officers were assigned to guard him, the White House Historical Association said. President Franklin Pierce was the first to have a full-time bodyguard, in 1853.

It wasn't until 1901, after President William McKinley was assassinated, that Congress asked&nbsp;<a href="https://www.secretservice.gov/about/history/150-years">the Secret Service</a>&nbsp;— originally a Treasury Department division that went after counterfeiters — to take up the charge of protecting the commander in chief.

Since then, protective details have grown and evolved, often in response to assassinations, close calls or other major security events. Former Secret Service agents say the agency is studying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-shooting-federal-investigation-2a90bdfd23ba9c3569cb9c29a459e87b">the attempt on former President Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;life at a rally in Pennsylvania a week ago and making changes to adjust to it.

The attempt to kill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/reagan-assassination-attempt-trump-butler-gunman-bd3c038d706de55a64727f7d15dffbc8">President Ronald Reagan in 1981</a>&nbsp;is often cited as a turning point in how the Secret Service operates.

Reagan was coming out of the Washington Hilton hotel when John Hinckley Jr. opened fire from a crowd of onlookers and journalists just 15 feet or under under 5 meters away. Hinckley got off six shots before Secret Service officers tackled him. The last shot ricocheted off a limo and into Reagan.

Some of the changes that followed aren't so obvious to the outside observer but still critical. For example, the Secret Service started assigning an agent to the small group of reporters who travel with the president so they would know whether someone was infiltrating the group.

After Reagan's shooting, presidents also were driven into buildings through underground parking garages. When that's not possible, a cover is erected around the entrance to obstruct the line of sight as the president gets into or out of a vehicle.

“Nobody walks through the front door any more," said retired supervisory Secret Service agent Bobby McDonald, now a criminal justice lecturer at the University of New Haven. “Presidents and protectees of the Secret Service have seen more loading docks and have walked through more kitchens than ever before.”

Joseph LaSorsa, a retired Secret Service agent who served from 1976 to 1996 and was on Reagan’s protective detail, said the post-Reagan era also saw the increased use of metal detectors for crowds approaching the president to eliminate the possibility of a weapon getting into the “secure area” around the leader.

Changes also followed the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963 as he drove through Dallas in a convertible, former agents say. Presidents no longer sit in open vehicles but wave to onlookers through the thick glass of a heavily armored limousine nicknamed “the beast.”

Former agents also say the focus on advance work before trips increased significantly and more was done to secure routes taken by the motorcades.

The White House also has seen changes designed to make it more secure.

On one day in May 1995, an estimated 26,000 cars drove along Pennsylvania Avenue past the White House. The next day, the street was eerily quiet after workers stacked concrete barriers at each end to cut off access.

Mounting security concerns a month after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-ap-top-news-sc-state-wire-oklahoma-shootings-aca553750da7df122884db27423b8d95">Oklahoma City bombing</a>&nbsp;at a federal building prompted the closure. There were other changes, too, such as air traffic restrictions after a small plane crashed into the White House lawn in 1994. As well, gunfire twice hit the mansion that same year.

Then-President Bill Clinton said closing the street was necessary to protect against the kind of attack seen in Oklahoma City but vowed that “people's access to the White House and their president” would not be impeded. He even vowed that protesters would still have the right to walk up to the White House property. Many still do.

Thomas Jefferson first encircled the White House with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/press-room/press-timelines/history-of-the-white-house-fence">wooden post and rail fence around 1801</a>. He replaced that with a stone wall by 1808, which wasn’t great at offering views of m

To deter fence jumpers, sharp metal points were installed in 2015, and later the height doubled to roughly 13 feet (4 meters). Under that later renovation, the space between the bars got slightly wider — just enough to allow a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-toddler-fence-secret-service-6ece5fc94204dbc3001457403269c28e">wee or naughty child</a>&nbsp;to squeak through.

Increased security around the president inevitably expands the distance from Americans. While people can still visit the White House, they must request tours through their congressional member and submit their identification information to the Secret Service ahead of time.

Paul Eckloff, a retired Secret Service agent who served on details protecting three presidents during his 23-year career, said he often hears people say the president shouldn't do outdoor rallies or should be kept away from people.

He understands the tradeoff — more security means more separation between the president and the people. As an agent, Eckloff said, he always considered his job not as protecting the person but the office of the presidency.

“If I woke up in a country where the president of the United States stayed in a castle, never engaged with the voters, no common American ever had a chance to see him, I wouldn’t consider my sacrifice worthy,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721480001403.png" alt="President Biden surrounded by Secret Service agents on Wednesday in Las Vegas-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden surrounded by Secret Service agents on Wednesday in Las Vegas-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22REBECCA%20SANTANA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By REBECCA SANTANA&nbsp;</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — During Abraham Lincoln's presidency, anyone could come to the White House and see him. Come they did: mothers looking to have their sons released from military service, wives urging that their husbands be freed from prison after resisting the draft, others who simply wanted to meet the president.“Some only wanted comfort in a terrible time, and that he freely gave,"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/James-B.-Conroy/e/B00E7NGKLO?ref=dbs_t_r_fta_b00e7ngklo">James B. Conroy</a>&nbsp;wrote in his book "Lincoln’s White House: The People’s House in Wartime."The world has vastly changed since the 1860s, and so has protection for presidents. Protective details have grown in size, responsibility and technology over more than a century of the Secret Service protecting presidents.When presidents leave the White House, they are accompanied by a phalanx of Secret Service officers and agents. Cars can no longer drive past what is often dubbed “the people's house” at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The fence has been raised, and don't even try to get past the gate without an appointment or badge.The number of people under guard also has grown as vice presidents, former presidents, candidates, family members and more get protection.During the Civil War, Lincoln was hesitant to make the White House look like an armed camp, but in late 1864 several police officers were assigned to guard him, the White House Historical Association said. President Franklin Pierce was the first to have a full-time bodyguard, in 1853.It wasn't until 1901, after President William McKinley was assassinated, that Congress asked&nbsp;<a href="https://www.secretservice.gov/about/history/150-years">the Secret Service</a>&nbsp;— originally a Treasury Department division that went after counterfeiters — to take up the charge of protecting the commander in chief.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720913971898.png" alt="Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)" />
 <figcaption>Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)</figcaption>
 </figure>Since then, protective details have grown and evolved, often in response to assassinations, close calls or other major security events. Former Secret Service agents say the agency is studying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-shooting-federal-investigation-2a90bdfd23ba9c3569cb9c29a459e87b">the attempt on former President Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;life at a rally in Pennsylvania a week ago and making changes to adjust to it.The attempt to kill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/reagan-assassination-attempt-trump-butler-gunman-bd3c038d706de55a64727f7d15dffbc8">President Ronald Reagan in 1981</a>&nbsp;is often cited as a turning point in how the Secret Service operates.Reagan was coming out of the Washington Hilton hotel when John Hinckley Jr. opened fire from a crowd of onlookers and journalists just 15 feet or under under 5 meters away. Hinckley got off six shots before Secret Service officers tackled him. The last shot ricocheted off a limo and into Reagan.Some of the changes that followed aren't so obvious to the outside observer but still critical. For example, the Secret Service started assigning an agent to the small group of reporters who travel with the president so they would know whether someone was infiltrating the group.After Reagan's shooting, presidents also were driven into buildings through underground parking garages. When that's not possible, a cover is erected around the entrance to obstruct the line of sight as the president gets into or out of a vehicle.“Nobody walks through the front door any more," said retired supervisory Secret Service agent Bobby McDonald, now a criminal justice lecturer at the University of New Haven. “Presidents and protectees of the Secret Service have seen more loading docks and have walked through more kitchens than ever before.”Joseph LaSorsa, a retired Secret Service agent who served from 1976 to 1996 and was on Reagan’s protective detail, said the post-Reagan era also saw the increased use of metal detectors for crowds approaching the president to eliminate the possibility of a weapon getting into the “secure area” around the leader.Changes also followed the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963 as he drove through Dallas in a convertible, former agents say. Presidents no longer sit in open vehicles but wave to onlookers through the thick glass of a heavily armored limousine nicknamed “the beast.”Former agents also say the focus on advance work before trips increased significantly and more was done to secure routes taken by the motorcades.The White House also has seen changes designed to make it more secure.On one day in May 1995, an estimated 26,000 cars drove along Pennsylvania Avenue past the White House. The next day, the street was eerily quiet after workers stacked concrete barriers at each end to cut off access.Mounting security concerns a month after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-ap-top-news-sc-state-wire-oklahoma-shootings-aca553750da7df122884db27423b8d95">Oklahoma City bombing</a>&nbsp;at a federal building prompted the closure. There were other changes, too, such as air traffic restrictions after a small plane crashed into the White House lawn in 1994. As well, gunfire twice hit the mansion that same year.Then-President Bill Clinton said closing the street was necessary to protect against the kind of attack seen in Oklahoma City but vowed that “people's access to the White House and their president” would not be impeded. He even vowed that protesters would still have the right to walk up to the White House property. Many still do.Thomas Jefferson first encircled the White House with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/press-room/press-timelines/history-of-the-white-house-fence">wooden post and rail fence around 1801</a>. He replaced that with a stone wall by 1808, which wasn’t great at offering views of mTo deter fence jumpers, sharp metal points were installed in 2015, and later the height doubled to roughly 13 feet (4 meters). Under that later renovation, the space between the bars got slightly wider — just enough to allow a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-toddler-fence-secret-service-6ece5fc94204dbc3001457403269c28e">wee or naughty child</a>&nbsp;to squeak through.Increased security around the president inevitably expands the distance from Americans. While people can still visit the White House, they must request tours through their congressional member and submit their identification information to the Secret Service ahead of time.Paul Eckloff, a retired Secret Service agent who served on details protecting three presidents during his 23-year career, said he often hears people say the president shouldn't do outdoor rallies or should be kept away from people.He understands the tradeoff — more security means more separation between the president and the people. As an agent, Eckloff said, he always considered his job not as protecting the person but the office of the presidency.“If I woke up in a country where the president of the United States stayed in a castle, never engaged with the voters, no common American ever had a chance to see him, I wouldn’t consider my sacrifice worthy,” he said.

How Secret Service protection has changed for presidents over the years

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mayasmith/">MAYA SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Medicaid secured $2.5 million for school-based services, including funding for in-school mental health services, increased outreach and enrolling more families in Medicaid.

The goal of the grant, announced by&nbsp;<a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/KSDHE/bulletins/3a51949" target="_blank">KDHE on June 25</a>, is to increase Medicaid health care services for children and their families within schools, which now includes services specifically for mental health.

The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund spent two months applying for the grant, as well as gathering support and research from other organizations around Kansas.

“This is really a win for all schools across the state,” said David Jordan,&nbsp;president of the organization. “It will help modernize Kansas schools’ Medicaid program,&nbsp;and open up an opportunity for schools to be reimbursed and offer new services to more kids.”

Rather than give potential resources to families, the grant will allow for students to get a wide variety of health care services right in their own school.

“This will help more children get access to health care services by accessing the services during the school day,” said KDHE spokeswoman Jill Bronaugh. “After the school day ends, families may not have transportation, know where the services are or the support to access the needed services. When health care services are delivered during the school day, it normalizes the experience for the child.”

Greenbush Education Service Center community supports director Monica Murnan, a former state legislator, works directly with Medicaid billing for schools as well as in special education. She said this grant will make services in schools a more streamlined process.

“The grant sends a message to the state saying, ‘Let’s make this easier to get these important services to kids,’ ” Murnan said. “For many children, school is where they receive health care services. If the school can support that through funding from the federal government, it seems to be a good use of our time to figure out how to do that.”

One of the focuses of the grant will be expanding mental health services directly within schools.

“KDHE receives a number of grants to improve the health of Kansans, but I think this is sort of the first of its kind,” Jordan said. “It would allow for direct therapy, care coordination and other services to be provided in schools by professionals.”

Before this grant, students could receive services primarily for speech or occupational therapy as part of an individualized education plan. Now, schools can focus on an even bigger population of students, as well as advancing opportunities for mental health services.

“Before, this was written into your IEP, and that’s it,” Murnan said. “Which was great for speech occupational therapy services, but didn’t fit that need for behavioral health services. The vision of the federal government is to help improve school safety and also behavioral health opportunities for kids and families by using the school as the conduit.”

Murnan said this as an opportunity for expansion moving forward.

“School districts struggle with providing social and emotional support to kids, (and) this will allow for more services to be reimbursed,” Murnan said. “It’s kind of the right place, right time, right relationship model.”

Although the grant will bring more funding into school health services than ever before, Jordan believes this is only a step in the right direction for Kansas health.

“Our hope is that Kansas is able to take advantage of federal grants and to bring dollars back to improve the health of Kansans,” Jordan said. “And improve our Medicaid program so that we’re better supporting our most vulnerable Kansans and improving health.”

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mayasmith/">MAYA SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Medicaid secured $2.5 million for school-based services, including funding for in-school mental health services, increased outreach and enrolling more families in Medicaid.The goal of the grant, announced by&nbsp;<a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/KSDHE/bulletins/3a51949" target="_blank">KDHE on June 25</a>, is to increase Medicaid health care services for children and their families within schools, which now includes services specifically for mental health.The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund spent two months applying for the grant, as well as gathering support and research from other organizations around Kansas.“This is really a win for all schools across the state,” said David Jordan,&nbsp;president of the organization. “It will help modernize Kansas schools’ Medicaid program,&nbsp;and open up an opportunity for schools to be reimbursed and offer new services to more kids.”Rather than give potential resources to families, the grant will allow for students to get a wide variety of health care services right in their own school.“This will help more children get access to health care services by accessing the services during the school day,” said KDHE spokeswoman Jill Bronaugh. “After the school day ends, families may not have transportation, know where the services are or the support to access the needed services. When health care services are delivered during the school day, it normalizes the experience for the child.”Greenbush Education Service Center community supports director Monica Murnan, a former state legislator, works directly with Medicaid billing for schools as well as in special education. She said this grant will make services in schools a more streamlined process.“The grant sends a message to the state saying, ‘Let’s make this easier to get these important services to kids,’ ” Murnan said. “For many children, school is where they receive health care services. If the school can support that through funding from the federal government, it seems to be a good use of our time to figure out how to do that.”One of the focuses of the grant will be expanding mental health services directly within schools.“KDHE receives a number of grants to improve the health of Kansans, but I think this is sort of the first of its kind,” Jordan said. “It would allow for direct therapy, care coordination and other services to be provided in schools by professionals.”Before this grant, students could receive services primarily for speech or occupational therapy as part of an individualized education plan. Now, schools can focus on an even bigger population of students, as well as advancing opportunities for mental health services.“Before, this was written into your IEP, and that’s it,” Murnan said. “Which was great for speech occupational therapy services, but didn’t fit that need for behavioral health services. The vision of the federal government is to help improve school safety and also behavioral health opportunities for kids and families by using the school as the conduit.”Murnan said this as an opportunity for expansion moving forward.“School districts struggle with providing social and emotional support to kids, (and) this will allow for more services to be reimbursed,” Murnan said. “It’s kind of the right place, right time, right relationship model.”Although the grant will bring more funding into school health services than ever before, Jordan believes this is only a step in the right direction for Kansas health.“Our hope is that Kansas is able to take advantage of federal grants and to bring dollars back to improve the health of Kansans,” Jordan said. “And improve our Medicaid program so that we’re better supporting our most vulnerable Kansans and improving health.”

$2.5 million Medicaid grant will expand mental health services in Kansas schools

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement investigating a Saturday shooting in Topeka have identified the victim as 31-year-old Earon Cooper of Lawrence.

Just after 12a.m. Saturday, police responded to a shooting in the 2900 block of SW Topeka Blvd., according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

First responders located Cooper suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

This 11th homicide investigation of 2024 in Topeka, according to Connell.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement investigating a Saturday shooting in Topeka have identified the victim as 31-year-old Earon Cooper of Lawrence.Just after 12a.m. Saturday, police responded to a shooting in the 2900 block of SW Topeka Blvd., according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.First responders located Cooper suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.This 11th homicide investigation of 2024 in Topeka, according to Connell.

Police ID Kansas man who died after shooting on Saturday

NEW YORK (AP) —As the world continues to recover from massive business and travel disruptions caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, malicious actors are trying to exploit the situation for their own gain.

Government cybersecurity agencies across the globe and CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz are warning businesses and individuals about new phishing schemes that involve malicious actors posing as CrowdStrike employees or other tech specialists offering to assist those recovering from the outage.

“We know that adversaries and bad actors will try to exploit events like this,” Kurtz said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/%E2%80%9CWe%20know%20that%20adversaries%20and%20bad%20actors%20will%20try%20to%20exploit%20events%20like%20this,%E2%80%9D%20Kurtz%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CI%20encourage%20everyone%20to%20remain%20vigilant%20and%20ensure%20that%20you%E2%80%99re%20engaging%20with%20official%20CrowdStrike%20representatives.%E2%80%9D">statement</a>. “I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and ensure that you’re engaging with official CrowdStrike representatives.”

The UK Cyber Security Center said they have noticed an increase in phishing attempts around this event.

Microsoft said 8.5 million devices running its Windows operating system were affected by the faulty cybersecurity update Friday that led to worldwide disruptions. That’s less than 1% of all Windows-based machines, Microsoft cybersecurity executive David Weston said in a blog post on Saturday.

He also said such a significant disturbance is rare but “demonstrates the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tech-outage-crowdstrike-microsoft-windows-7294e6c9356050cb095dad3353e9244c">interconnected nature of our broad ecosystem</a>.”

With their tightly timed, interwoven schedules and complex technology systems, many big airlines struggle to stay on time when everything goes well. It perhaps was not surprising that the industry was among the hardest hit by the outage, with crews and planes caught out of position.

By mid-afternoon Saturday on the U.S. East Coast, airlines around the world had canceled more than 2,000 flights, according to tracking service FlightAware. That was down from 5,100-plus cancellations on Friday.

About 1,600 of Saturday’s canceled flights occurred in the United States, where carriers scrambled to get planes and crews back into position after massive disruptions the day before. According to travel data provider Cirium, U.S. carriers canceled about 3.5% of their scheduled flights for Saturday. Only Australia was hit harder.

Canceled flights were running at about 1% in the United Kingdom, France and Brazil and about 2% in Canada, Italy and India among major air-travel markets.

Robert Mann, a former airline executive and now a consultant in the New York area, said it was unclear exactly why U.S. airlines were suffering disproportionate cancellations, but possible causes include a greater degree of outsourcing of technology and more exposure to Microsoft operating systems that received the faulty upgrade from CrowdStrike.

Which airlines are getting hit the hardest?

Delta Air Lines canceled more than 800 flights, or one-fourth of its schedule for Saturday, and that number did not include Delta Connection regional flights. It was followed by United Airlines, which dropped nearly 400 flights.

The worst airport to be, for a second straight day, was Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where Delta is the dominant carrier. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that thousands of people spent the night at the airport, many sleeping on the floors.

European airlines and airports appeared to be recovering slowly, although Lufthansa and its affiliates canceled dozens of flights. Its Eurowings budget subsidiary said check-in, boarding, booking and rebooking flights were all available again, although “isolated disruptions” were possible.

London’s Heathrow Airport said it was busy but operating normally on Saturday and that “all systems are back up and running." Flights at Berlin’s main airport were departing on or close to schedule, German Press Agency dpa reported, citing an airport spokesman.

Health care systems affected by the outage faced clinic closures, canceled surgeries and appointments and restricted access to patient records.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif., said “steady progress has been made” to bring its servers back online and thanked its patients for being flexible during the crisis.

“Our teams will be working actively through the weekend as we continue to resolve remaining issues in preparation for the start of the work week,” the hospital wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/windows-outage-update/">statement</a>.

In Austria, a leading organization of doctors said the outage exposed the vulnerability of relying on digital systems. Harald Mayer, vice president of the Austrian Chamber of Doctors, said the outage showed that hospitals need analog backups to protect patient care.

The organization also called on governments to impose high standards in patient data protection and security, and on health providers to train staff and put systems in place to manage crises.

“Happily, where there were problems, these were kept small and short-lived and many areas of care were unaffected” in Austria, Mayer said.

The Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital in northern Germany, which canceled all elective procedures Friday, said Saturday that systems were gradually being restored and that elective surgery could resume by Monday.

“I wasn’t that surprised that an accident caused severe global digital disruption. I was a little surprised that the cause of it was a software update from a very well-respected cybersecurity company,” said Oxford University management professor Ciaran Martin, a former chief executive of the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Center.

“There are some very hard questions for CrowdStrike. How on earth did this update get through quality control?" he said. "Clearly the testing regime, whatever it is, failed.”

Martin said governments in the U.K. and the European Union will be powerless to take steps to prevent such breakdowns “because we have become dependent on a very American version of technology, and the power to do anything about that doesn’t rest in this continent.”

Other analysts doubted that the outage would lead Washington or any other government to propose new mandates on tech companies.

“I don’t know what the mandate would be. Do better QA?” said Gartner analyst Eric Grenier, using an acronym for quality assurance.

What did scam artists learn from the outage?

Grenier expects that a majority of affected machines will be fixed in about a week, with more time needed to reach laptops used by far-flung workers because the work can’t be done remotely – it’s a hands-on operation.

In the meantime, there will be scammers trying to take advantage of businesses that have indicated they were affected by the outage.

“The threat is very real,” Grenier said. “Bad actors have the information to send targeted phishing emails and calls. They know what endpoint-protection tools you use. They know you use CrowdStrike.”

Grenier said affected businesses need to make sure they use a fix supplied by CrowdStrike. “Don’t accept the help of somebody coming out of the blue and saying, ‘I’ll fix that for you,’” he said.

Isabella O’Malley in Philadelphia, Stephen Graham in Berlin and Technology writer Matt O'Brien contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721398046262.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —As the world continues to recover from massive business and travel disruptions caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, malicious actors are trying to exploit the situation for their own gain.Government cybersecurity agencies across the globe and CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz are warning businesses and individuals about new phishing schemes that involve malicious actors posing as CrowdStrike employees or other tech specialists offering to assist those recovering from the outage.“We know that adversaries and bad actors will try to exploit events like this,” Kurtz said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/%E2%80%9CWe%20know%20that%20adversaries%20and%20bad%20actors%20will%20try%20to%20exploit%20events%20like%20this,%E2%80%9D%20Kurtz%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CI%20encourage%20everyone%20to%20remain%20vigilant%20and%20ensure%20that%20you%E2%80%99re%20engaging%20with%20official%20CrowdStrike%20representatives.%E2%80%9D">statement</a>. “I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and ensure that you’re engaging with official CrowdStrike representatives.”The UK Cyber Security Center said they have noticed an increase in phishing attempts around this event.Microsoft said 8.5 million devices running its Windows operating system were affected by the faulty cybersecurity update Friday that led to worldwide disruptions. That’s less than 1% of all Windows-based machines, Microsoft cybersecurity executive David Weston said in a blog post on Saturday.He also said such a significant disturbance is rare but “demonstrates the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tech-outage-crowdstrike-microsoft-windows-7294e6c9356050cb095dad3353e9244c">interconnected nature of our broad ecosystem</a>.”<h2>What's happening with air travel?</h2>With their tightly timed, interwoven schedules and complex technology systems, many big airlines struggle to stay on time when everything goes well. It perhaps was not surprising that the industry was among the hardest hit by the outage, with crews and planes caught out of position.By mid-afternoon Saturday on the U.S. East Coast, airlines around the world had canceled more than 2,000 flights, according to tracking service FlightAware. That was down from 5,100-plus cancellations on Friday.About 1,600 of Saturday’s canceled flights occurred in the United States, where carriers scrambled to get planes and crews back into position after massive disruptions the day before. According to travel data provider Cirium, U.S. carriers canceled about 3.5% of their scheduled flights for Saturday. Only Australia was hit harder.Canceled flights were running at about 1% in the United Kingdom, France and Brazil and about 2% in Canada, Italy and India among major air-travel markets.Robert Mann, a former airline executive and now a consultant in the New York area, said it was unclear exactly why U.S. airlines were suffering disproportionate cancellations, but possible causes include a greater degree of outsourcing of technology and more exposure to Microsoft operating systems that received the faulty upgrade from CrowdStrike.<h2>Which airlines are getting hit the hardest?</h2>Delta Air Lines canceled more than 800 flights, or one-fourth of its schedule for Saturday, and that number did not include Delta Connection regional flights. It was followed by United Airlines, which dropped nearly 400 flights.The worst airport to be, for a second straight day, was Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where Delta is the dominant carrier. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that thousands of people spent the night at the airport, many sleeping on the floors.European airlines and airports appeared to be recovering slowly, although Lufthansa and its affiliates canceled dozens of flights. Its Eurowings budget subsidiary said check-in, boarding, booking and rebooking flights were all available again, although “isolated disruptions” were possible.London’s Heathrow Airport said it was busy but operating normally on Saturday and that “all systems are back up and running." Flights at Berlin’s main airport were departing on or close to schedule, German Press Agency dpa reported, citing an airport spokesman.<h2>How are healthcare systems holding up?</h2>Health care systems affected by the outage faced clinic closures, canceled surgeries and appointments and restricted access to patient records.Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif., said “steady progress has been made” to bring its servers back online and thanked its patients for being flexible during the crisis.“Our teams will be working actively through the weekend as we continue to resolve remaining issues in preparation for the start of the work week,” the hospital wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/windows-outage-update/">statement</a>.In Austria, a leading organization of doctors said the outage exposed the vulnerability of relying on digital systems. Harald Mayer, vice president of the Austrian Chamber of Doctors, said the outage showed that hospitals need analog backups to protect patient care.The organization also called on governments to impose high standards in patient data protection and security, and on health providers to train staff and put systems in place to manage crises.“Happily, where there were problems, these were kept small and short-lived and many areas of care were unaffected” in Austria, Mayer said.The Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital in northern Germany, which canceled all elective procedures Friday, said Saturday that systems were gradually being restored and that elective surgery could resume by Monday.<h2>Will the tech industry face a reckoning?</h2>“I wasn’t that surprised that an accident caused severe global digital disruption. I was a little surprised that the cause of it was a software update from a very well-respected cybersecurity company,” said Oxford University management professor Ciaran Martin, a former chief executive of the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Center.“There are some very hard questions for CrowdStrike. How on earth did this update get through quality control?" he said. "Clearly the testing regime, whatever it is, failed.”Martin said governments in the U.K. and the European Union will be powerless to take steps to prevent such breakdowns “because we have become dependent on a very American version of technology, and the power to do anything about that doesn’t rest in this continent.”Other analysts doubted that the outage would lead Washington or any other government to propose new mandates on tech companies.“I don’t know what the mandate would be. Do better QA?” said Gartner analyst Eric Grenier, using an acronym for quality assurance.<h2>What did scam artists learn from the outage?</h2>Grenier expects that a majority of affected machines will be fixed in about a week, with more time needed to reach laptops used by far-flung workers because the work can’t be done remotely – it’s a hands-on operation.In the meantime, there will be scammers trying to take advantage of businesses that have indicated they were affected by the outage.“The threat is very real,” Grenier said. “Bad actors have the information to send targeted phishing emails and calls. They know what endpoint-protection tools you use. They know you use CrowdStrike.”Grenier said affected businesses need to make sure they use a fix supplied by CrowdStrike. “Don’t accept the help of somebody coming out of the blue and saying, ‘I’ll fix that for you,’” he said.___Isabella O’Malley in Philadelphia, Stephen Graham in Berlin and Technology writer Matt O'Brien contributed to this report.

Malicious actors trying to exploit global tech outage for their own gain

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Democrats churn over whether President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;should stay in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 race</a>, the party turmoil is deepening over whether his Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is next in line for the job or if a “mini primary” should be quickly launched to choose a new nominee before the party's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">August convention</a>.

Harris hit the campaign fundraising circuit Saturday in breezy Provincetown, Massachusetts, and picked up a nod from the state's prominent Democratic Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elizabeth-warren">Elizabeth Warren,</a>&nbsp;who said before the visit that if Biden were to step aside, his vice president is “ready to step up.”

At the event, which organizers said raised $2 million and was attended by 1,000 guests, Harris did not mention the calls for Biden to leave the race or for her to replace him, instead repeating one of her regular campaign lines: “We're going to win this election,” she said.

“Do we believe in freedom? Do we believe in equality? Do we believe in the promise of America? Then are we ready to fight for it?” she called to a cheering crowd. “When we fight, we win.”

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-poll-biden-newsom-whitmer-7ef83e5c8e510e39d7c54f7e28310064">installing Harris</a>&nbsp;to the top of the ticket, which would be a history-making moment for the party elevating the first woman, Black person and person of South Asian descent as its presidential nominee, is not at all certain. Officials from the highest ranks, including Speaker Emerita&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>, prefer an open process, some believing it would strengthen any Democratic nominee to confront Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump.</a>

“If you think that there is consensus among the people who want Joe Biden to leave.... that they will support Kamala, Vice President Harris, you would be mistaken,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said this week on a widely discussed social media post.

With the publicly aired deliberations, Democrats are prolonging an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-2024-presidency-6fa4b6ff9382d9161d21dfc52838008f">extraordinary moment</a>&nbsp;of uncertainty and upheaval. Biden has weighty options before him this weekend that could set the direction of the country and his party as the nation heads toward the November election.

It’s creating a stark juxtaposition with Republicans, who, after years of bitter and chaotic infighting over Trump, are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/republican-national-convention">energized and embracing</a>&nbsp;the former president’s far-right takeover of the GOP, despite his criminal conviction in a hush money case and pending federal criminal indictment for trying to overturn the 2020 election before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol</a>.

Biden, despite a week of campaign stops, interviews and insistence that he is the best candidate to take on Trump in a rematch, hasn't been able to quell the uproar. Skeptical Democrats doubt he can keep the White House after his stumbled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/elections/2024/a-halting-biden-tries-to-confront-trump-at-debate-but-sparks-democratic-anxiety-about-his-candidacy/">debate performance</a>&nbsp;last month, and worry he will take hopes for party control of Congress down with him.

On Saturday, Rep. Mark Takano, the top Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, added his name to the list of nearly three dozen Democrats in Congress who say it's time for Biden to leave the race. The Californian called on Biden to “pass the torch,” to Harris.

More lawmakers are expected to speak out in the days ahead. Donors have raised concerns.

“There is no joy in the recognition he should not be our nominee in November,” said Democratic Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky, one of the Democrats urging Biden’s exit from the race.

From his beach home in Delaware, Biden, 81, is isolating after announcing a COVID infection, but also politically with a small circle of family and close advisers. White House doctor Kevin O’Connor said Saturday that Biden's symptoms were improving, but that he remained plagued by a dry cough and hoarseness. He received separate briefings Saturday on domestic and national security issues, the White House said.

The president’s team insisted he’s ready to return to the campaign this coming week to counter what he called a “dark vision” laid out by Trump.

“Together, as a party and as a country, we can and will defeat him at the ballot box,” Biden said in a statement Friday.

But outside the Rehoboth enclave, the debate and passions are intensifying.

Very few of the Democratic lawmakers who are agitating for Biden to leave have mentioned Harris in their statements, and some have said they favor an open nominating process that would throw the party’s endorsement behind a new candidate.

A person familiar with Pelosi’s thinking said that while she is a friend and admirer of the vice president, she believes that anybody who wants to be president is better served by such a process, believing that whoever emerges as the candidate would be strengthened to win the election. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to characterize Pelosi’s thought process.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, a Pelosi ally who has called on Biden to step aside, said Friday on MSNBC that some kind of “mini-primary” that would include Harris makes sense.

Democratic Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Peter Welch of Vermont have both called for Biden to exit the race and said they would favor an open nominating process at the convention.

“Having it be open would strengthen whoever is the ultimate nominee,” Welch said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Other Democrats say it would be politically unthinkable to move to someone other than Harris, and logistically unworkable with a virtual nominating vote being planned for early next month, before the Democratic convention opens in Chicago on Aug. 19.

Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum, who has called on Biden to step aside, explicitly endorsed Harris as a replacement.

“To give Democrats a strong, viable path to winning the White House, I am calling upon President Biden to release his delegates and empower Vice-President Harris to step forward to become the Democratic nominee for President,” McCollum said in her statement.

The standoff over Biden's political future has become increasingly untenable for the party and its leaders, a month from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;that should be a unifying moment to nominate their incumbent president to confront Trump. Instead, the party is at a crossroads unseen in generations.

It's unclear what else, if anything, the president could do to reverse course and win back lawmakers and Democratic voters, who are wary of his ability to defeat Trump and serve another term,

Biden, who sent a defiant letter to Democrats in Congress vowing to stay in the race, has yet to visit Capitol Hill to shore up support, an absence noticed by senators and representatives.

The president did conduct a round of virtual conversations with various caucuses in the past week — some of which ended poorly.

Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Seung Min Kim, Farnoush Amiri and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720316947280.png" alt="File photo White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — As Democrats churn over whether President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;should stay in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 race</a>, the party turmoil is deepening over whether his Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is next in line for the job or if a “mini primary” should be quickly launched to choose a new nominee before the party's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">August convention</a>.Harris hit the campaign fundraising circuit Saturday in breezy Provincetown, Massachusetts, and picked up a nod from the state's prominent Democratic Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elizabeth-warren">Elizabeth Warren,</a>&nbsp;who said before the visit that if Biden were to step aside, his vice president is “ready to step up.”At the event, which organizers said raised $2 million and was attended by 1,000 guests, Harris did not mention the calls for Biden to leave the race or for her to replace him, instead repeating one of her regular campaign lines: “We're going to win this election,” she said.“Do we believe in freedom? Do we believe in equality? Do we believe in the promise of America? Then are we ready to fight for it?” she called to a cheering crowd. “When we fight, we win.”But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-poll-biden-newsom-whitmer-7ef83e5c8e510e39d7c54f7e28310064">installing Harris</a>&nbsp;to the top of the ticket, which would be a history-making moment for the party elevating the first woman, Black person and person of South Asian descent as its presidential nominee, is not at all certain. Officials from the highest ranks, including Speaker Emerita&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>, prefer an open process, some believing it would strengthen any Democratic nominee to confront Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump.</a>“If you think that there is consensus among the people who want Joe Biden to leave.... that they will support Kamala, Vice President Harris, you would be mistaken,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said this week on a widely discussed social media post.With the publicly aired deliberations, Democrats are prolonging an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-2024-presidency-6fa4b6ff9382d9161d21dfc52838008f">extraordinary moment</a>&nbsp;of uncertainty and upheaval. Biden has weighty options before him this weekend that could set the direction of the country and his party as the nation heads toward the November election.It’s creating a stark juxtaposition with Republicans, who, after years of bitter and chaotic infighting over Trump, are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/republican-national-convention">energized and embracing</a>&nbsp;the former president’s far-right takeover of the GOP, despite his criminal conviction in a hush money case and pending federal criminal indictment for trying to overturn the 2020 election before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol</a>.Biden, despite a week of campaign stops, interviews and insistence that he is the best candidate to take on Trump in a rematch, hasn't been able to quell the uproar. Skeptical Democrats doubt he can keep the White House after his stumbled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/elections/2024/a-halting-biden-tries-to-confront-trump-at-debate-but-sparks-democratic-anxiety-about-his-candidacy/">debate performance</a>&nbsp;last month, and worry he will take hopes for party control of Congress down with him.On Saturday, Rep. Mark Takano, the top Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, added his name to the list of nearly three dozen Democrats in Congress who say it's time for Biden to leave the race. The Californian called on Biden to “pass the torch,” to Harris.More lawmakers are expected to speak out in the days ahead. Donors have raised concerns.“There is no joy in the recognition he should not be our nominee in November,” said Democratic Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky, one of the Democrats urging Biden’s exit from the race.From his beach home in Delaware, Biden, 81, is isolating after announcing a COVID infection, but also politically with a small circle of family and close advisers. White House doctor Kevin O’Connor said Saturday that Biden's symptoms were improving, but that he remained plagued by a dry cough and hoarseness. He received separate briefings Saturday on domestic and national security issues, the White House said.The president’s team insisted he’s ready to return to the campaign this coming week to counter what he called a “dark vision” laid out by Trump.“Together, as a party and as a country, we can and will defeat him at the ballot box,” Biden said in a statement Friday.But outside the Rehoboth enclave, the debate and passions are intensifying.Very few of the Democratic lawmakers who are agitating for Biden to leave have mentioned Harris in their statements, and some have said they favor an open nominating process that would throw the party’s endorsement behind a new candidate.A person familiar with Pelosi’s thinking said that while she is a friend and admirer of the vice president, she believes that anybody who wants to be president is better served by such a process, believing that whoever emerges as the candidate would be strengthened to win the election. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to characterize Pelosi’s thought process.Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, a Pelosi ally who has called on Biden to step aside, said Friday on MSNBC that some kind of “mini-primary” that would include Harris makes sense.Democratic Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Peter Welch of Vermont have both called for Biden to exit the race and said they would favor an open nominating process at the convention.“Having it be open would strengthen whoever is the ultimate nominee,” Welch said in an interview with The Associated Press.Other Democrats say it would be politically unthinkable to move to someone other than Harris, and logistically unworkable with a virtual nominating vote being planned for early next month, before the Democratic convention opens in Chicago on Aug. 19.Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum, who has called on Biden to step aside, explicitly endorsed Harris as a replacement.“To give Democrats a strong, viable path to winning the White House, I am calling upon President Biden to release his delegates and empower Vice-President Harris to step forward to become the Democratic nominee for President,” McCollum said in her statement.The standoff over Biden's political future has become increasingly untenable for the party and its leaders, a month from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;that should be a unifying moment to nominate their incumbent president to confront Trump. Instead, the party is at a crossroads unseen in generations.It's unclear what else, if anything, the president could do to reverse course and win back lawmakers and Democratic voters, who are wary of his ability to defeat Trump and serve another term,Biden, who sent a defiant letter to Democrats in Congress vowing to stay in the race, has yet to visit Capitol Hill to shore up support, an absence noticed by senators and representatives.The president did conduct a round of virtual conversations with various caucuses in the past week — some of which ended poorly.___Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Seung Min Kim, Farnoush Amiri and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.

Beyond Biden, Dems are split over who would be next —VP Harris or launch a 'mini primary'

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp; A Kansas man is going to prison for a violent sex assault of a child.

This week, Judge Bruce Brown sentenced 21-year-old Jacob DeLeon to over 48-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County district attorney's office. 

In January, DeLeon pleased guilty two counts of rape. The crimes occurred in June 2021 involving a victim under the age of 14, according to Sedgwick County arrest records.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625607024507.png" alt="Jacob Anton DeLeon -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Jacob Anton DeLeon -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp; A Kansas man is going to prison for a violent sex assault of a child.This week, Judge Bruce Brown sentenced 21-year-old Jacob DeLeon to over 48-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County district attorney's office. In January, DeLeon pleased guilty two counts of rape. The crimes occurred in June 2021 involving a victim under the age of 14, according to Sedgwick County arrest records.&nbsp;&nbsp;.&nbsp;

Prison for Kansas man who admitted to violent child sex assault

NESS COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 2p.m. Saturday in Ness County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Silverado driven by Sidney Osborne, 70, Brownell, was westbound on Kansas 4 approximately two miles east of Kansas 247.

The pickup traveled left of center, crossed the eastbound lane into the south ditch and struck a 2022 Ram 1500 driven by Joseph D&nbsp;Vasquez, 62, Hoisington, on the driver's side front corner. The impact caused the Ram&nbsp; to roll.

Vasquez was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Fitzgerald Funeral Home. EMS transported Osborne to Grisell Memorial Hospital.&nbsp; Both driers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

NESS COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 2p.m. Saturday in Ness County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Chevy Silverado driven by Sidney Osborne, 70, Brownell, was westbound on Kansas 4 approximately two miles east of Kansas 247.The pickup traveled left of center, crossed the eastbound lane into the south ditch and struck a 2022 Ram 1500 driven by Joseph D&nbsp;Vasquez, 62, Hoisington, on the driver's side front corner. The impact caused the Ram&nbsp; to roll.Vasquez was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Fitzgerald Funeral Home. EMS transported Osborne to Grisell Memorial Hospital.&nbsp; Both driers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after 2-vehicle rollover crash

BUTLER COUNTY —El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) inmate Blade A. Floyd, 24, died Thursday, July 18, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 Floyd was found unresponsive in his cell. Staff and EMS administered life-saving measures but were unable to revive him. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

Floyd was serving a 96-month sentence for three counts of burglary, two counts of attempted aggravated burglary, and drug possession based on convictions in Wilson County, Kansas.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721421738385.png" alt="Floyd-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Floyd-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) inmate Blade A. Floyd, 24, died Thursday, July 18, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. Floyd was found unresponsive in his cell. Staff and EMS administered life-saving measures but were unable to revive him. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.Floyd was serving a 96-month sentence for three counts of burglary, two counts of attempted aggravated burglary, and drug possession based on convictions in Wilson County, Kansas.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC), the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

Kansas inmate serving time for burglary found dead in his cell

NEW YORK— One week after&nbsp;a gunman's attempt to assassinate&nbsp;former&nbsp;President Donald Trump&nbsp;at a Pennsylvania rally, the public has an update on his health.

On Saturday, Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, who was Donald Trump's White House physician, &nbsp;released a report that details&nbsp;the extent of his injuries, what treatment the Republican presidential nominee received in the hospital, and whether there may be any long-term effects on his health.

Trump's campaign had earlier refused to discuss his condition, release a medical report or records, or make the doctors who treated him available, leaving information to dribble out from Trump, his friends and family.

The first word on Trump's condition came about half an hour after shots rang out and Trump dropped to the ground after reaching for his ear and then pumped his fist defiantly to the crowd with blood streaming down his face. The campaign issued a statement saying he was “fine" and “being checked out at a local medical facility.”

“More details will follow,” his spokesperson said.

It wasn't until 8:42 p.m., however, that Trump told the public he had been struck by a bullet as opposed to shrapnel or debris. In a post on his social media network, Trump wrote that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part” of his right ear.

“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” he wrote..

Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention this past week with a bandage over his right ear.&nbsp;

Dr. Jackson who served as Trump's White House doctor and traveled to be with him after the shooting, said in a podcast interview Monday that Trump was missing part of his ear — “a little bit at the top" — but that the wound would heal.

“He was lucky," Jackson said on “The Benny Show,” a conservative podcast hosted by Benny Johnson. ”It was far enough away from his head that there was no concussive effects from the bullet. And it just took the top of his ear off, a little bit of the top of his ear off as it passed through."

He said that the area would need to be treated with care to avoid further bleeding — “It's not like a clean laceration like you would have with a knife or a blade, it's a bullet track going by," he said — but that Trump is "not going to need anything to be done with it. It's going to be fine.”

&nbsp;Trump is holding his first public campaign since he survived the attempted assassination, returning to the battleground state of Michigan alongside his new running mate JD Vance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721353012709.png" alt="Trump at the RNC Thursday night-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Trump at the RNC Thursday night-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK— One week after&nbsp;a gunman's attempt to assassinate&nbsp;former&nbsp;President Donald Trump&nbsp;at a Pennsylvania rally, the public has an update on his health.On Saturday, Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, who was Donald Trump's White House physician, &nbsp;released a report that details&nbsp;the extent of his injuries, what treatment the Republican presidential nominee received in the hospital, and whether there may be any long-term effects on his health.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721510068404.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trump's campaign had earlier refused to discuss his condition, release a medical report or records, or make the doctors who treated him available, leaving information to dribble out from Trump, his friends and family.The first word on Trump's condition came about half an hour after shots rang out and Trump dropped to the ground after reaching for his ear and then pumped his fist defiantly to the crowd with blood streaming down his face. The campaign issued a statement saying he was “fine" and “being checked out at a local medical facility.”“More details will follow,” his spokesperson said.It wasn't until 8:42 p.m., however, that Trump told the public he had been struck by a bullet as opposed to shrapnel or debris. In a post on his social media network, Trump wrote that he was “shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part” of his right ear.“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” he wrote..Trump appeared at the Republican National Convention this past week with a bandage over his right ear.&nbsp;Dr. Jackson who served as Trump's White House doctor and traveled to be with him after the shooting, said in a podcast interview Monday that Trump was missing part of his ear — “a little bit at the top" — but that the wound would heal.“He was lucky," Jackson said on “The Benny Show,” a conservative podcast hosted by Benny Johnson. ”It was far enough away from his head that there was no concussive effects from the bullet. And it just took the top of his ear off, a little bit of the top of his ear off as it passed through."He said that the area would need to be treated with care to avoid further bleeding — “It's not like a clean laceration like you would have with a knife or a blade, it's a bullet track going by," he said — but that Trump is "not going to need anything to be done with it. It's going to be fine.”&nbsp;Trump is holding his first public campaign since he survived the attempted assassination, returning to the battleground state of Michigan alongside his new running mate JD Vance.

Trump releases doctor report following assassination attempt

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A jury has convicted a Kansas man in the deadly shooting of a teen in 2023.

According to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office, 25-year-old Rico Brown of Valley Center is guilty of first degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Elrecus Nolan, Jr. of Wichita.

Just before 10:30pm. July 3, 2023,&nbsp; police were dispatched to shots fired call at the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Ellis Street in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Police learned that a witness heard several gunshots before he noticed a silver 2002 Ford Taurus slowly rolling westbound on Mt. Vernon and striking the curb before stopping on the sidewalk.

First responders located Nolan unconscious and not breathing with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. Nolan was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Three days later, police arrested 21-year-old Dougqualynn Patterson and 21-year-old Kameron Solomon both from Wichita in connection with the killing.&nbsp; They captured Brown five days after the crime.

Brown will be sentenced on August 28, according to the district attorney's office. Patterson is scheduled for a hearing on August 15.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688845147553.png" alt="Brown-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Brown-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A jury has convicted a Kansas man in the deadly shooting of a teen in 2023.According to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office, 25-year-old Rico Brown of Valley Center is guilty of first degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Elrecus Nolan, Jr. of Wichita.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688508501373.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation late Monday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation late Monday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 10:30pm. July 3, 2023,&nbsp; police were dispatched to shots fired call at the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Ellis Street in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688743977576.png" alt="Patterson photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Patterson photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police learned that a witness heard several gunshots before he noticed a silver 2002 Ford Taurus slowly rolling westbound on Mt. Vernon and striking the curb before stopping on the sidewalk.First responders located Nolan unconscious and not breathing with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. Nolan was pronounced deceased at the scene.Three days later, police arrested 21-year-old Dougqualynn Patterson and 21-year-old Kameron Solomon both from Wichita in connection with the killing.&nbsp; They captured Brown five days after the crime.Brown will be sentenced on August 28, according to the district attorney's office. Patterson is scheduled for a hearing on August 15.

Jury: Man guilty in the murder of 16-year-old Kansas boy

KANSAS CITY (AP) —At least two people have died and more than two dozen were hospitalized in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning linked to meat sliced at grocery store deli counters, federal health officials&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeats-7-24/index.html" target="_blank">said Friday.</a>

At least 28 people in a dozen states have gotten sick, though the largest number, seven, were in New York, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The people who died were from Illinois and New Jersey. Samples were collected from May 29 to July 5 and so far, all of the people known to be part of the outbreak have been hospitalized.

Many of the people in the outbreak reported eating meats that were sliced at grocery store deli counters. So far, there’s no information showing that people are getting sick from prepackaged deli meats, the CDC said. People most commonly reported eating deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst and ham, officials said. CDC doesn’t have enough information to say which deli meats are the source of the outbreak.

Listeria infections typically cause fever, muscle aches and tiredness and may cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Symptoms can occur quickly or to up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food. The infections are especially dangerous for people older than 65, those with weakened immune systems and pregnant people, who can have miscarriages. This outbreak includes people aged 32 to 94, with a median age of 75. One pregnant person got sick, but retained the pregnancy, officials said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721435824473.png" alt="This map shows where the 28 people in this Listeria outbreak lived. This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria." />
 <figcaption>This map shows where the 28 people in this Listeria outbreak lived. This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —At least two people have died and more than two dozen were hospitalized in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning linked to meat sliced at grocery store deli counters, federal health officials&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeats-7-24/index.html" target="_blank">said Friday.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721435735887.png" alt="FILE - This 2002 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a Listeria monocytogenes bacterium, responsible for the food borne illness listeriosis. (Elizabeth White/CDC via AP, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - This 2002 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a Listeria monocytogenes bacterium, responsible for the food borne illness listeriosis. (Elizabeth White/CDC via AP, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>At least 28 people in a dozen states have gotten sick, though the largest number, seven, were in New York, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The people who died were from Illinois and New Jersey. Samples were collected from May 29 to July 5 and so far, all of the people known to be part of the outbreak have been hospitalized.Many of the people in the outbreak reported eating meats that were sliced at grocery store deli counters. So far, there’s no information showing that people are getting sick from prepackaged deli meats, the CDC said. People most commonly reported eating deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst and ham, officials said. CDC doesn’t have enough information to say which deli meats are the source of the outbreak.Listeria infections typically cause fever, muscle aches and tiredness and may cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions. Symptoms can occur quickly or to up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food. The infections are especially dangerous for people older than 65, those with weakened immune systems and pregnant people, who can have miscarriages. This outbreak includes people aged 32 to 94, with a median age of 75. One pregnant person got sick, but retained the pregnancy, officials said.

Deaths linked to listeria food poisoning from meat sliced at deli counters

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal domestic incident and have made an arrest.

Just before 6a.m. Friday, police responded to the 1300 Block of SW Western Avenue in Topeka on the report of a Domestic Disturbance, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

First responders found&nbsp; Dedra L. Simmons, 38, of Topeka, suffering from life threatening injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

Another individual believed to be involved in the incident was taken into custody and transported to the Law Enforcement Center to speak with Detectives.

&nbsp;As a result of the investigation, Demetris Gadson, 32, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of&nbsp;Murder in the 2 nd Degree, Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree, Aggravated Domestic Battery and Cruelty to Animals.

This death is the city’s 10th homicide of 2024, according to Connell.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721475537869.png" alt="Gadson photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Gadson photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal domestic incident and have made an arrest.Just before 6a.m. Friday, police responded to the 1300 Block of SW Western Avenue in Topeka on the report of a Domestic Disturbance, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721435399295.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders found&nbsp; Dedra L. Simmons, 38, of Topeka, suffering from life threatening injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.Another individual believed to be involved in the incident was taken into custody and transported to the Law Enforcement Center to speak with Detectives.&nbsp;As a result of the investigation, Demetris Gadson, 32, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of&nbsp;Murder in the 2 nd Degree, Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree, Aggravated Domestic Battery and Cruelty to Animals.This death is the city’s 10th homicide of 2024, according to Connell.

Police make arrest ID woman who died after assault at Kan. home

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

The president's diagnosis comes amid intense scrutiny of his health and stamina after a disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump that sparked a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-poll-drop-out-debate-democrats-59eebaca6989985c2bfbf4f72bdfa112">flurry of concern</a>&nbsp;among Democrats that Biden is not up to the rigors of winning another presidential term.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721330377104.png" alt="Biden gingerly boarded Air Force One on his return home-image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Biden gingerly boarded Air Force One on his return home-image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling Wednesday in Las Vegas. On Saturday, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the president's physician, provided an update on Biden's recovery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721499656652.png" alt="Biden " />
 <figcaption>Biden </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721330819270.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The president's diagnosis comes amid intense scrutiny of his health and stamina after a disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump that sparked a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-poll-drop-out-debate-democrats-59eebaca6989985c2bfbf4f72bdfa112">flurry of concern</a>&nbsp;among Democrats that Biden is not up to the rigors of winning another presidential term.

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

JOHNSON COUNTY —Earlier this month,&nbsp;&nbsp;members of the Lenexa Police Department's Directed Patrol Unit were patrolling hotels in the area of 95th Street and I-35 highway in Lenexa, according to a social media report.

 Officers contacted an individual from out of state parked at one of the hotels and began conversing with him. Through an investigation officers discovered nearly 2000 retail gift cards that had been altered illegally. Scammers often alter gift cards in such a way that an unsuspecting victim has the money drained remotely by the suspect.

Officers took the individual into custody and he has since been charged by the Johnson County District Attorney's Office with Destroying a Written Instrument, which is a felony.

The Lenexa Police Department's Directed Patrol Unit is tasked with a variety of different response actions and proactive enforcement, including narcotics, firearms crimes, prostitution/vice, human trafficking, pattern crimes, and more.

Police did not release the suspect's name.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721163082845.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Earlier this month,&nbsp;&nbsp;members of the Lenexa Police Department's Directed Patrol Unit were patrolling hotels in the area of 95th Street and I-35 highway in Lenexa, according to a social media report. Officers contacted an individual from out of state parked at one of the hotels and began conversing with him. Through an investigation officers discovered nearly 2000 retail gift cards that had been altered illegally. Scammers often alter gift cards in such a way that an unsuspecting victim has the money drained remotely by the suspect.Officers took the individual into custody and he has since been charged by the Johnson County District Attorney's Office with Destroying a Written Instrument, which is a felony.The Lenexa Police Department's Directed Patrol Unit is tasked with a variety of different response actions and proactive enforcement, including narcotics, firearms crimes, prostitution/vice, human trafficking, pattern crimes, and more.Police did not release the suspect's name.

Kansas officers discover 2,000 altered retail gift cards

NEW YORK —Former U.S. President Donald&nbsp; Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone call Friday regarding the ongoing War with Russia and the possibility of Future Peace Negotiations. 

On his social media page, Trump wrote, " President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and I had a very good phone call earlier today. He congratulated me on a very successful Republican National Convention and becoming the Republican nominee for President of the United States."

"He condemned the heinous assassination attempt last Saturday and remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of Unity during these times"

"I appreciate President Zelenskyy for reaching out because I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families. Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity."

According to Zelenskyy' social media account of the call, "I spoke with Donald Trump&nbsp;to congratulate him on the Republican nomination and condemn the shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania."

"I wished him strength and absolute safety in the future.

I noted the vital bipartisan and bicameral American support for protecting our nation's freedom and independence.
 
Ukraine will always be grateful to the United States for its help in strengthening our ability to resist Russian terror. Russian attacks on our cities and villages continue every day.

We agreed with President Trump to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714052496496.png" alt="File photo Donald Trump courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Donald Trump courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK —Former U.S. President Donald&nbsp; Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone call Friday regarding the ongoing War with Russia and the possibility of Future Peace Negotiations. On his social media page, Trump wrote, " President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and I had a very good phone call earlier today. He congratulated me on a very successful Republican National Convention and becoming the Republican nominee for President of the United States.""He condemned the heinous assassination attempt last Saturday and remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of Unity during these times""I appreciate President Zelenskyy for reaching out because I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families. Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity."According to Zelenskyy' social media account of the call, "I spoke with Donald Trump&nbsp;to congratulate him on the Republican nomination and condemn the shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.""I wished him strength and absolute safety in the future.

I noted the vital bipartisan and bicameral American support for protecting our nation's freedom and independence.
 
Ukraine will always be grateful to the United States for its help in strengthening our ability to resist Russian terror. Russian attacks on our cities and villages continue every day.

We agreed with President Trump to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting."

Trump, reports "very good phone call" from Ukraine President 

WASHINGTON (AP) —Longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, who helped lead federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence and recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday, has died. She was 74.

Lillie Conley, her chief of staff, confirmed that Jackson Lee, who had pancreatic cancer, died in Houston Friday night with her family around her.

The Democrat had represented her Houston-based district and the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1995. She had previously had breast cancer and announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sheila-jackson-lee-texas-cancer-b8da6eeca46ea9b8ad05b5ba03679e1d">pancreatic cancer diagnosis</a>&nbsp;on June 2.

“The road ahead will not be easy, but I stand in faith that God will strengthen me,” Jackson Lee said in a statement then.

Bishop James Dixon, a longtime friend in Houston who visited Jackson Lee earlier this week, said he will remember her as a fighter.

“She was just a rare, rare jewel of a person who relentlessly gave everything she had to make sure others had what they needed. That was Sheila,” he said.

Jackson Lee had just been elected to the Houston district once represented by Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman elected to Congress from a Southern state since Reconstruction, when she was immediately placed on the high-profile House Judiciary Committee in 1995.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721477048488.png" alt="U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, who helped lead federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence and recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday, has died. She was 74.Lillie Conley, her chief of staff, confirmed that Jackson Lee, who had pancreatic cancer, died in Houston Friday night with her family around her.The Democrat had represented her Houston-based district and the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1995. She had previously had breast cancer and announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sheila-jackson-lee-texas-cancer-b8da6eeca46ea9b8ad05b5ba03679e1d">pancreatic cancer diagnosis</a>&nbsp;on June 2.“The road ahead will not be easy, but I stand in faith that God will strengthen me,” Jackson Lee said in a statement then.Bishop James Dixon, a longtime friend in Houston who visited Jackson Lee earlier this week, said he will remember her as a fighter.“She was just a rare, rare jewel of a person who relentlessly gave everything she had to make sure others had what they needed. That was Sheila,” he said.Jackson Lee had just been elected to the Houston district once represented by Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman elected to Congress from a Southern state since Reconstruction, when she was immediately placed on the high-profile House Judiciary Committee in 1995.“They just saw me, I guess through my profile, through Barbara Jordan’s work,” Jackson Lee told the Houston Chronicle in 2022. “I thought it was an honor because they assumed I was going to be the person they needed.”Jackson Lee quickly established herself as fierce advocate for women and minorities, and a leader for House Democrats on many social justice issues, from policing reform to reparations for descendants of enslaved people. She led the first rewrite of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/congress-edc7fb5f3bc0261cdbe7a29c50ec7c8e">Violence Against Women Act</a>&nbsp;in nearly a decade, which included protections for Native American, transgender and immigrant women.Jackson Lee was also among the lead lawmakers behind the effort in 2021 to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-holidays-juneteenth-lifestyle-f8648a23f2f6bdb2db3d648458828651">Juneteenth</a>&nbsp;recognized as the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established in 1986. The holiday marks the day in 1865 that the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom.A native of Queens, New York, Jackson Lee graduated from Yale and earned her law degree at the University of Virginia. She was a judge in Houston before she was elected to Houston City Council in 1989, then ran for Congress in 1994. She was an advocate for gay rights and an early opponent of the Iraq War in 2003.Top congressional Democrats reacted quickly to the news Friday night, praising her commitment and work ethic.Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina called her “a tenacious advocate for civil rights and a tireless fighter, improving the lives of her constituents.”Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said he had never known a harder-working lawmaker than Jackson Lee, saying she "studied every bill and every amendment with exactitude and then told Texas and America exactly where she stood.”Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California cited Jackson Lee’s “relentless determination” in getting Juneteenth declared a national holiday.“As a powerful voice in the Congress for our Constitution and human rights, she fought tirelessly to advance fairness, equity and justice for all," Pelosi said.Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he and his wife Cecilia will always remember Jackson Lee, calling her a “tireless advocate for the people of Houston.”“Her legacy of public service and dedication to Texas will live on,” he said.Jackson Lee routinely won reelection to Congress with ease. The few times she faced a challenger, she never carried less than two-thirds of the vote. Jackson Lee considered leaving Congress in 2023 in a bid to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-houston-mayor-jackson-lee-whitmire-e3915f48429986359f51c92ab3eba9f4">become Houston’s first female Black mayor</a>&nbsp;but was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-mayor-election-runoff-2023-jackson-whitmire-ddbc4819f5aba2f5a59c56a18ba7078a">defeated in a runoff</a>. She then easily won the Democratic nomination for the 2024 general election.During the mayoral campaign, Jackson Lee expressed regret and said “everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect” following the release of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-houston-mayor-jackson-lee-recording-21a6c108d82cf1cb72999bd0e0295145">unverified audio recording</a>&nbsp;purported to be of the lawmaker berating staff members.In 2019, Jackson Lee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4a012d2d4a7b419a89c8a63cfaf9607b">stepped down</a>&nbsp;from two leadership positions on the House Judiciary Committee and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the fundraising of the Congressional Black Caucus, following a lawsuit from a former employee who said her sexual assault complaint was mishandled.In a statement, Jackson Lee's family said she had been a beloved wife, sister, mother and grandmother known as Bebe.“She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy," the statement said. “God bless you Congresswoman and God bless the United States of America.”___Associated Press writer Lou Kesten contributed to this story from Washington.