WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military-built pier to carry humanitarian aid to Gaza will be dismantled and brought home, ending a mission that has been fraught with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-gaza-aid-pier-project-dea570c577272f945cdcbfffab0ac34c">repeated weather and security problems</a>&nbsp;that limited how much food and other supplies could get to starving Palestinians.

Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander at U.S. Central Command, told reporters in a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday that the pier achieved its intended effect in what he called an “unprecedented operation.”

As the U.S. military steps away from the sea route for humanitarian aid, questions swirl about Israel’s new plan to use the port at Ashdod as a substitute. There are few details on how it will work and lingering concerns about whether aid groups will have enough viable land crossings to get assistance into the territory besieged by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war between Israel and Hamas</a>. But Cooper said the Ashdod corridor will be more sustainable.

Critics call the pier a $230 million boondoggle that failed to bring in the level of aid needed to stem a looming famine. The U.S. military, however, has maintained that it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-pier-us-military-aid-hunger-1dedd321e2a4e5fdba5a26cbbc51df77">served as the best hope</a>&nbsp;as aid only trickled in during a critical time of near-famine in Gaza and that it got close to 20 million pounds (9 million kilograms) of desperately needed supplies to the Palestinians.

President Joe Biden, who announced the building of the pier during his State of the Union speech in March, expressed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-pier-gaza-israel-humanitarian-aid-c4d464cb01bdf86e71c38519fb635cde">disappointment that it didn’t do as well as hoped</a>.

“I’ve been disappointed that some of the things that I put forward have not succeeded as well — like the port we attached from Cyprus,” Biden, a Democrat, said during a news conference last week. “I was hopeful that would be more successful.”

Planned as a temporary fix to get aid to starving Palestinians, the project was panned from the start by aid groups that condemned it as a waste of time and money. While U.S. defense officials acknowledged that the weather was worse than expected and limited the days the pier could operate, they also expressed frustration with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pier-humanitarian-aid-gaza-israel-un-2465291ca9308f9d97e3cc51a8cab6c7">humanitarian groups for being unable and unwilling</a>&nbsp;to distribute the aid that got through the system, only to have it pile up onshore.

A critical element that neither the aid groups nor the U.S. military could control, however, was the Israeli defense forces whose military operation into Gaza put humanitarian workers in persistent danger and in a number of cases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-central-kitchen-jose-andres-gaza-israel-a21b62edbfa1150d0eb78ed5597a03c8">cost them their lives</a>.

As a result, the pier operated for fewer than 25 days after its installation May 16, and aid agencies used it only about half that time due to security concerns.

Stuck in the middle were the more than 1,000 U.S. soldiers and sailors who largely lived on boats off the Gaza shore and struggled to keep the pier working but spent many days repairing it or detaching it, moving it and reinstalling it due to the bad weather.

The tensions played out until the final moments, as senior Biden administration officials signaled the end of the pier project days ago but U.S. Central Command balked,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-latest-07-09-2024-15ff481cbd52e8cbe1ffa17dc78e094f">holding out hope the military could reinstall it</a>&nbsp;one last time to move any final pallets of aid ashore.

Most would agree that use of the maritime route and what is known as the Army’s Joint Logistics Over the Shore capability, or JLOTS, fell short of early expectations. Even at the start, officials warned of challenges because the sea is shallow, the weather is unpredictable and it was an active war zone.

The U.S. also had to train Israeli troops and others on how to anchor the pier to the shore because no U.S. troops could step foot on Gaza soil, a condition Biden has had since the beginning of the Hamas-Israel conflict in October.

However, enough aid to feed 450,000 people for a month flowed through the pier, according to the United States Agency for International Development, which coordinated with the United Nations and others to get supplies to people in need. As important, humanitarian leaders say, the pier operation laid the groundwork for a coordination system with the Israeli government and military that they can expand on.

The one place where deconfliction with the Israeli military worked well was at the pier, which came online at a time of some of the greatest despair and food shortages, USAID Administrator&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-war-power-usaid-humanitarian-afc82e5a17d939bd284194b0b64289d5">Samantha Power</a>&nbsp;said. She said Israel and the military have now agreed to extend that coordination plan to “all of Gaza.”

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Tuesday that a new Pier 28 will soon be established at Israel’s Ashdod port for delivering aid to the Gaza Strip as a replacement for the U.S. military-built pier. He did not say when it would start operating.

Other aid groups, however, slammed the U.S. military pier as a distraction, saying the U.S. should have instead pressured Israel to open more land crossings and allow the aid to flow more quickly and efficiently through them.

Everyone has agreed all along that land crossings are the most productive way to get aid into Gaza, but the Israeli military routinely has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-rafah-aid-us-senators-2bc2a3c5e5f8af8e2d3f0b7242c1a885">blocked routes and slowed deliveries</a>&nbsp;due to inspections. Aid groups also were terrorized by attacks, from Hamas,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cyprus-israel-gaza-aid-0925eb0de9a5a315b9c21e045d1e3a95">gunmen who stripped convoys of supplies</a>&nbsp;and the Israeli military. More than 278 workers have been killed in the conflict, Power said.

As the Pentagon and the Army take stock of how the pier did, questions will loom about whether officials underestimated the persistent weather challenges and security hurdles that hindered the operation.

The system is run by the Army's 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. And it's like a huge LEGO system — an array of 40-foot-long (12-meter-long) pieces of steel that can be locked together to form a pier and causeway.

It's unclear if U.S. forces were adequately prepared for the unpredictable and turbulent weather in the Gaza region. Nine days after the pier was installed on the Gaza shore, bad weather broke it, forcing troops to dismantle it and take it to the Israeli port at Ashdod for more than two weeks for repairs.

Weather forced troops to detach the pier from the shore two more times and move it to Ashdod. It was detached for the final time on June 28, and poor weather prevented the U.S. from reinstalling it.

Aid groups struggled to distribute the supplies from the pier into Gaza, and their efforts came to an abrupt halt after a June 8 Israeli military raid that rescued four hostages but killed hundreds of Palestinians.

Troops used an area near the pier to land a helicopter and fly out the hostages. To have even a small part of an Israeli military operation so close to the pier creates problems for aid groups who rely on being independent and separate from troops to remain safe.

As a result, the U.N. suspended all World Food Program deliveries while it conducted a review, which has not been released. WFP personnel have not distributed aid from the pier since but hired contractors to move aid that piled up on shore to warehouses so it would not spoil.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717793045172.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>By LOLITA C. BALDOR and TARA COPP&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military-built pier to carry humanitarian aid to Gaza will be dismantled and brought home, ending a mission that has been fraught with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-gaza-aid-pier-project-dea570c577272f945cdcbfffab0ac34c">repeated weather and security problems</a>&nbsp;that limited how much food and other supplies could get to starving Palestinians.Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander at U.S. Central Command, told reporters in a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday that the pier achieved its intended effect in what he called an “unprecedented operation.”As the U.S. military steps away from the sea route for humanitarian aid, questions swirl about Israel’s new plan to use the port at Ashdod as a substitute. There are few details on how it will work and lingering concerns about whether aid groups will have enough viable land crossings to get assistance into the territory besieged by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war between Israel and Hamas</a>. But Cooper said the Ashdod corridor will be more sustainable.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714471004272.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>Critics call the pier a $230 million boondoggle that failed to bring in the level of aid needed to stem a looming famine. The U.S. military, however, has maintained that it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-pier-us-military-aid-hunger-1dedd321e2a4e5fdba5a26cbbc51df77">served as the best hope</a>&nbsp;as aid only trickled in during a critical time of near-famine in Gaza and that it got close to 20 million pounds (9 million kilograms) of desperately needed supplies to the Palestinians.President Joe Biden, who announced the building of the pier during his State of the Union speech in March, expressed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-pier-gaza-israel-humanitarian-aid-c4d464cb01bdf86e71c38519fb635cde">disappointment that it didn’t do as well as hoped</a>.“I’ve been disappointed that some of the things that I put forward have not succeeded as well — like the port we attached from Cyprus,” Biden, a Democrat, said during a news conference last week. “I was hopeful that would be more successful.”Planned as a temporary fix to get aid to starving Palestinians, the project was panned from the start by aid groups that condemned it as a waste of time and money. While U.S. defense officials acknowledged that the weather was worse than expected and limited the days the pier could operate, they also expressed frustration with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pier-humanitarian-aid-gaza-israel-un-2465291ca9308f9d97e3cc51a8cab6c7">humanitarian groups for being unable and unwilling</a>&nbsp;to distribute the aid that got through the system, only to have it pile up onshore.A critical element that neither the aid groups nor the U.S. military could control, however, was the Israeli defense forces whose military operation into Gaza put humanitarian workers in persistent danger and in a number of cases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-central-kitchen-jose-andres-gaza-israel-a21b62edbfa1150d0eb78ed5597a03c8">cost them their lives</a>.As a result, the pier operated for fewer than 25 days after its installation May 16, and aid agencies used it only about half that time due to security concerns.Stuck in the middle were the more than 1,000 U.S. soldiers and sailors who largely lived on boats off the Gaza shore and struggled to keep the pier working but spent many days repairing it or detaching it, moving it and reinstalling it due to the bad weather.The tensions played out until the final moments, as senior Biden administration officials signaled the end of the pier project days ago but U.S. Central Command balked,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-latest-07-09-2024-15ff481cbd52e8cbe1ffa17dc78e094f">holding out hope the military could reinstall it</a>&nbsp;one last time to move any final pallets of aid ashore.Most would agree that use of the maritime route and what is known as the Army’s Joint Logistics Over the Shore capability, or JLOTS, fell short of early expectations. Even at the start, officials warned of challenges because the sea is shallow, the weather is unpredictable and it was an active war zone.The U.S. also had to train Israeli troops and others on how to anchor the pier to the shore because no U.S. troops could step foot on Gaza soil, a condition Biden has had since the beginning of the Hamas-Israel conflict in October.However, enough aid to feed 450,000 people for a month flowed through the pier, according to the United States Agency for International Development, which coordinated with the United Nations and others to get supplies to people in need. As important, humanitarian leaders say, the pier operation laid the groundwork for a coordination system with the Israeli government and military that they can expand on.The one place where deconfliction with the Israeli military worked well was at the pier, which came online at a time of some of the greatest despair and food shortages, USAID Administrator&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-war-power-usaid-humanitarian-afc82e5a17d939bd284194b0b64289d5">Samantha Power</a>&nbsp;said. She said Israel and the military have now agreed to extend that coordination plan to “all of Gaza.”Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Tuesday that a new Pier 28 will soon be established at Israel’s Ashdod port for delivering aid to the Gaza Strip as a replacement for the U.S. military-built pier. He did not say when it would start operating.Other aid groups, however, slammed the U.S. military pier as a distraction, saying the U.S. should have instead pressured Israel to open more land crossings and allow the aid to flow more quickly and efficiently through them.Everyone has agreed all along that land crossings are the most productive way to get aid into Gaza, but the Israeli military routinely has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-rafah-aid-us-senators-2bc2a3c5e5f8af8e2d3f0b7242c1a885">blocked routes and slowed deliveries</a>&nbsp;due to inspections. Aid groups also were terrorized by attacks, from Hamas,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cyprus-israel-gaza-aid-0925eb0de9a5a315b9c21e045d1e3a95">gunmen who stripped convoys of supplies</a>&nbsp;and the Israeli military. More than 278 workers have been killed in the conflict, Power said.As the Pentagon and the Army take stock of how the pier did, questions will loom about whether officials underestimated the persistent weather challenges and security hurdles that hindered the operation.The system is run by the Army's 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. And it's like a huge LEGO system — an array of 40-foot-long (12-meter-long) pieces of steel that can be locked together to form a pier and causeway.It's unclear if U.S. forces were adequately prepared for the unpredictable and turbulent weather in the Gaza region. Nine days after the pier was installed on the Gaza shore, bad weather broke it, forcing troops to dismantle it and take it to the Israeli port at Ashdod for more than two weeks for repairs.Weather forced troops to detach the pier from the shore two more times and move it to Ashdod. It was detached for the final time on June 28, and poor weather prevented the U.S. from reinstalling it.Aid groups struggled to distribute the supplies from the pier into Gaza, and their efforts came to an abrupt halt after a June 8 Israeli military raid that rescued four hostages but killed hundreds of Palestinians.Troops used an area near the pier to land a helicopter and fly out the hostages. To have even a small part of an Israeli military operation so close to the pier creates problems for aid groups who rely on being independent and separate from troops to remain safe.As a result, the U.N. suspended all World Food Program deliveries while it conducted a review, which has not been released. WFP personnel have not distributed aid from the pier since but hired contractors to move aid that piled up on shore to warehouses so it would not spoil.

 $230M U.S. military built Gaza pier is permanently shut down

KANSAS CITY — The Amber Alert for a missing Kansas boy is canceled, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

At 8:06 p.m., law enforcement confirmed 2-year-old Jaxon was found safe in Missouri. Darryl Livingston Jr. is now in custody, according to Kansas City, Kansas police.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —The KBI has issued an AMBER ALERT and are&nbsp;looking for Darryl Livingston, Jr., who is likely driving a silver 2016 Kia Forte, that may be displaying a temporary Missouri tag, according to the KBI.

 Livingston is a black male, 39, with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighs around 185 pounds. 

He was last known wearing a multi-colored pink, purple and white basketball jersey with black jean shorts.

Just before 1:30 pm Wednesday, 2-year-old Jaxon Halley and his mother were forcibly taken at gunpoint by Darryl Livingston, Jr. during a domestic incident at their home, according to Kansas City Kansas Police.

 Jaxon and his mother were driven into Missouri where the mother escaped from the suspect at around 3:28 p.m. However, the suspect kept the child and left in an unknown direction in Kansas City, Missouri.

Livingston reportedly made statements to the mother that he would kill her and the child. They were last seen near the intersection of Myer and Wyandotte in Kansas City, Missouri.

.Jaxon is around 2 feet tall and weighs 40 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and was last wearing a gray Nike hoodie and jeans with blue patches.

Call 911 immediately if you have seen a missing child, suspect, or a suspect vehicle. If you have other information on a missing child, call 911 or the Kansas City Kansas Police Department at 913-596-3000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721262323288.png" alt="Image KBI" />
 <figcaption>Image KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — The Amber Alert for a missing Kansas boy is canceled, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.At 8:06 p.m., law enforcement confirmed 2-year-old Jaxon was found safe in Missouri. Darryl Livingston Jr. is now in custody, according to Kansas City, Kansas police.--------------KANSAS CITY, Kan. —The KBI has issued an AMBER ALERT and are&nbsp;looking for Darryl Livingston, Jr., who is likely driving a silver 2016 Kia Forte, that may be displaying a temporary Missouri tag, according to the KBI. Livingston is a black male, 39, with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighs around 185 pounds. He was last known wearing a multi-colored pink, purple and white basketball jersey with black jean shorts.Just before 1:30 pm Wednesday, 2-year-old Jaxon Halley and his mother were forcibly taken at gunpoint by Darryl Livingston, Jr. during a domestic incident at their home, according to Kansas City Kansas Police. Jaxon and his mother were driven into Missouri where the mother escaped from the suspect at around 3:28 p.m. However, the suspect kept the child and left in an unknown direction in Kansas City, Missouri.Livingston reportedly made statements to the mother that he would kill her and the child. They were last seen near the intersection of Myer and Wyandotte in Kansas City, Missouri..Jaxon is around 2 feet tall and weighs 40 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and was last wearing a gray Nike hoodie and jeans with blue patches.Call 911 immediately if you have seen a missing child, suspect, or a suspect vehicle. If you have other information on a missing child, call 911 or the Kansas City Kansas Police Department at 913-596-3000.

Amber Alert canceled:  2-year-old Kan. boy safe, suspect in custody

By ZEKE MILLER, WILL WEISSERT and LISA MASCARO&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — California Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/adam-schiff">Adam Schiff</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday became the highest-profile Democrat to call for President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;to drop his reelection bid, even as the party pushed ahead with plans for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-ballot-biden-access-3bf359cce8e73714be45cb99a6e31546">virtual vote to formally make Biden its nominee</a>&nbsp;in the first week of August.

The move to schedule the roll call, which would come weeks before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;opens in Chicago on Aug. 19, follows nearly 20 Democratic members of Congress calling on Biden to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-democrats-president-trump-d5fb136a643edb020745336ff9709923">withdraw from the presidential race</a>&nbsp;in the wake of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-trump-biden-presidential-campaign-44e71c900a1c4af2bed93041fdfe923d">dismal debate performance</a>&nbsp;against Republican former President Donald Trump last month.

Among Democrats nationwide, nearly two-thirds say Biden should step aside and let his party nominate a different candidate, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/">a new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll</a>&nbsp;— sharply undercutting Biden's post-debate claim that “average Democrats” are still with him even if some “big names” are turning on him.

“While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch,” Schiff said in a statement. “And in doing so, secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election.”

Schiff is a prominent Democrat on his own, and his statement will also be watched because of his proximity to Speaker Emerita&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>.

It was Pelosi who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-pelosi-project-2025-trump-28ca690455cc04a6faccda9daad1a22a">revived questions about Biden</a>&nbsp;post-debate, when she said recently that “it’s up to the president” to decide what to do — even though Biden had fully stated he had no intention of stepping aside. The former House speaker publicly supports the president, but has fielded calls from Democrats since debate night questioning what’s next.

In response to Schiff's comments, the Biden campaign pointed to what it called “extensive support” for him and his reelection bid from members of Congress in key swing states, as well as from the Congressional Black and Hispanic caucuses. Biden is traveling in Nevada this week, and the campaign noted that he's been joined on the trip by “nearly a dozen” Congressional Black Caucus members.

Still, Schiff's announcement came after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries encouraged the party to delay for a week plans to hold the virtual vote to renominate Biden, which could have taken place as soon as Sunday, according to two people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dnc-15-million-state-investment-republican-convention-f5387e9771ceb22aa6ad6e2d283160d8">Democratic National Committee'</a>&nbsp;s rulemaking arm is set to meet on Friday to discuss how the virtual vote plans will work and to finalize them next week.

“We will not be implementing a rushed virtual voting process, though we will begin our important consideration of how a virtual voting process would work,” Bishop Leah D. Daughtry and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, co-chairs of the rules committee for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;wrote in a letter Wednesday.

The letter also said that the virtual roll call vote won’t take place before Aug. 1, but that the party is still committed to holding a vote before Aug. 7, which had been the filing deadline to get on Ohio's presidential ballot.

The Democratic convention runs in person from Aug. 19-22, but the party announced in May that it would hold&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-ballot-biden-access-3bf359cce8e73714be45cb99a6e31546">an early roll call</a>&nbsp;to ensure Biden would qualify for the ballot in Ohio. That state originally had an Aug. 7 deadline but has since changed its rules.

The Biden campaign insists that the party must operate under Ohio’s initial rules to ensure Republican lawmakers can’t mount legal challenges to keep&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">the president</a>&nbsp;off the ballot.

Even if Democrats conduct a virtual roll call vote ahead of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">their convention</a>, though, it wouldn’t necessarily lock Biden into the nomination. The DNC rulemaking arm could vote to hold an in-person roll call in Chicago, said Elaine Kamarck, a longtime member of the party's rules committee and expert on the party’s nominating process. But since the Ohio law doesn’t go into effect until Sept. 1, Biden appearing on the state’s ballot remains a real concern, Kamarck said.

“This is a failsafe for the Democrats,” Kamarck said, adding that “the convention is the highest authority” in the nominating process.

The AP-NORC poll, conducted as Biden works to salvage his candidacy two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-panic-performance-democrats-debate-trump-cnn-fe6546f2c9762e80e6067ba10abedea8">his debate flop</a>, also found that only about 3 in 10 Democrats are extremely or very confident that he has the mental capability to serve effectively as president, down slightly from 40% in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/February-2024-topline-Biden.pdf">an AP-NORC poll</a>&nbsp;in February.

The letter from Daughtry and Walz comes a day after a contingent of House Democrats wary of swiftly nominating Biden as the party’s pick for reelection circulated another letter raising “serious concerns” about plans for a virtual roll call. Their letter to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dnc-15-million-state-investment-republican-convention-f5387e9771ceb22aa6ad6e2d283160d8">the</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/dnc-15-million-state-investment-republican-convention-f5387e9771ceb22aa6ad6e2d283160d8">DNC</a>, which has not been sent, says it would be a “terrible idea” to stifle debate about the party’s nominee with the early roll call vote.

“It could deeply undermine the morale and unity of Democrats,” said the letter obtained by the AP.

A spokesperson said that Huffman was pleased with the decision to delay and would hold off sending the letter from House Democrats as they continue monitoring the situation.

Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721241095342.png" alt="File photo Rep. Adam Schiff -courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Rep. Adam Schiff -courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By ZEKE MILLER, WILL WEISSERT and LISA MASCARO&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — California Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/adam-schiff">Adam Schiff</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday became the highest-profile Democrat to call for President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;to drop his reelection bid, even as the party pushed ahead with plans for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-ballot-biden-access-3bf359cce8e73714be45cb99a6e31546">virtual vote to formally make Biden its nominee</a>&nbsp;in the first week of August.The move to schedule the roll call, which would come weeks before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;opens in Chicago on Aug. 19, follows nearly 20 Democratic members of Congress calling on Biden to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-democrats-president-trump-d5fb136a643edb020745336ff9709923">withdraw from the presidential race</a>&nbsp;in the wake of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-trump-biden-presidential-campaign-44e71c900a1c4af2bed93041fdfe923d">dismal debate performance</a>&nbsp;against Republican former President Donald Trump last month.Among Democrats nationwide, nearly two-thirds say Biden should step aside and let his party nominate a different candidate, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/">a new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll</a>&nbsp;— sharply undercutting Biden's post-debate claim that “average Democrats” are still with him even if some “big names” are turning on him.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719799862306.png" alt="File photo President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden following the June 30 debate-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden following the June 30 debate-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>“While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Biden’s alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch,” Schiff said in a statement. “And in doing so, secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election.”Schiff is a prominent Democrat on his own, and his statement will also be watched because of his proximity to Speaker Emerita&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>.It was Pelosi who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-pelosi-project-2025-trump-28ca690455cc04a6faccda9daad1a22a">revived questions about Biden</a>&nbsp;post-debate, when she said recently that “it’s up to the president” to decide what to do — even though Biden had fully stated he had no intention of stepping aside. The former House speaker publicly supports the president, but has fielded calls from Democrats since debate night questioning what’s next.In response to Schiff's comments, the Biden campaign pointed to what it called “extensive support” for him and his reelection bid from members of Congress in key swing states, as well as from the Congressional Black and Hispanic caucuses. Biden is traveling in Nevada this week, and the campaign noted that he's been joined on the trip by “nearly a dozen” Congressional Black Caucus members.Still, Schiff's announcement came after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries encouraged the party to delay for a week plans to hold the virtual vote to renominate Biden, which could have taken place as soon as Sunday, according to two people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dnc-15-million-state-investment-republican-convention-f5387e9771ceb22aa6ad6e2d283160d8">Democratic National Committee'</a>&nbsp;s rulemaking arm is set to meet on Friday to discuss how the virtual vote plans will work and to finalize them next week.“We will not be implementing a rushed virtual voting process, though we will begin our important consideration of how a virtual voting process would work,” Bishop Leah D. Daughtry and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, co-chairs of the rules committee for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;wrote in a letter Wednesday.The letter also said that the virtual roll call vote won’t take place before Aug. 1, but that the party is still committed to holding a vote before Aug. 7, which had been the filing deadline to get on Ohio's presidential ballot.The Democratic convention runs in person from Aug. 19-22, but the party announced in May that it would hold&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-ballot-biden-access-3bf359cce8e73714be45cb99a6e31546">an early roll call</a>&nbsp;to ensure Biden would qualify for the ballot in Ohio. That state originally had an Aug. 7 deadline but has since changed its rules.The Biden campaign insists that the party must operate under Ohio’s initial rules to ensure Republican lawmakers can’t mount legal challenges to keep&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">the president</a>&nbsp;off the ballot.Even if Democrats conduct a virtual roll call vote ahead of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">their convention</a>, though, it wouldn’t necessarily lock Biden into the nomination. The DNC rulemaking arm could vote to hold an in-person roll call in Chicago, said Elaine Kamarck, a longtime member of the party's rules committee and expert on the party’s nominating process. But since the Ohio law doesn’t go into effect until Sept. 1, Biden appearing on the state’s ballot remains a real concern, Kamarck said.“This is a failsafe for the Democrats,” Kamarck said, adding that “the convention is the highest authority” in the nominating process.The AP-NORC poll, conducted as Biden works to salvage his candidacy two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-panic-performance-democrats-debate-trump-cnn-fe6546f2c9762e80e6067ba10abedea8">his debate flop</a>, also found that only about 3 in 10 Democrats are extremely or very confident that he has the mental capability to serve effectively as president, down slightly from 40% in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/February-2024-topline-Biden.pdf">an AP-NORC poll</a>&nbsp;in February.The letter from Daughtry and Walz comes a day after a contingent of House Democrats wary of swiftly nominating Biden as the party’s pick for reelection circulated another letter raising “serious concerns” about plans for a virtual roll call. Their letter to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dnc-15-million-state-investment-republican-convention-f5387e9771ceb22aa6ad6e2d283160d8">the</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/dnc-15-million-state-investment-republican-convention-f5387e9771ceb22aa6ad6e2d283160d8">DNC</a>, which has not been sent, says it would be a “terrible idea” to stifle debate about the party’s nominee with the early roll call vote.“It could deeply undermine the morale and unity of Democrats,” said the letter obtained by the AP.A spokesperson said that Huffman was pleased with the decision to delay and would hold off sending the letter from House Democrats as they continue monitoring the situation.___Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.___

Prominent House Democrat calls for Biden to withdraw

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces felony Assault in the 1st Degree and other charges as a result of the stabbings this week of two juveniles in a Kansas City residence, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Gabriel Martinez, 26, faces Assault 1st Degree, an A felony, and Assault 1st Degree, a B felony, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to a Kansas City residence on a disturbance in the early morning of July 9. At the scene, officers were told by a woman that her boyfriend, identified as Martinez, was inside with three juveniles, ages 5, 10 and 15, and he was threatening to harm them. When officers heard a child screaming inside, officers kicked the door open. The defendant surrendered and was placed in cuffs. Officers determined two children were assaulted with a deadly weapon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720886897863.png" alt="Martinez-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Martinez-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces felony Assault in the 1st Degree and other charges as a result of the stabbings this week of two juveniles in a Kansas City residence, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Gabriel Martinez, 26, faces Assault 1st Degree, an A felony, and Assault 1st Degree, a B felony, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.According to court records, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to a Kansas City residence on a disturbance in the early morning of July 9. At the scene, officers were told by a woman that her boyfriend, identified as Martinez, was inside with three juveniles, ages 5, 10 and 15, and he was threatening to harm them. When officers heard a child screaming inside, officers kicked the door open. The defendant surrendered and was placed in cuffs. Officers determined two children were assaulted with a deadly weapon.Martinez is being held without bond.

Kansas City man charged in attack on his girlfriend's children

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison for charges related to drug trafficking and illegal firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Christian Michael Woodruff, 33, of Topeka pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In February 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information that Woodruff was selling meth from his home in Topeka. Following an investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Woodruff’s residence while he was there. Agents found 1,190.1 grams of meth that lab tests later revealed to be 98 percent pure as well as multiple guns, ammunition, and a silencer.

“This case is another example of the connection between drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. ATF will continue to prioritize keeping repeat violent offenders off our streets because it is a critical component of keeping our communities safe,” stated Gordon N. Mallory, Acting, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Kansas City. “It is illegal for convicted felons to possess guns, and we will vigorously investigate repeat offenders who continue to arm themselves. I’m grateful for the work our agents and partners put into this case. I hope with this sentence today the community will be a little bit safer.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and

Explosives (ATF), and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721161418518.png" alt="Photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison for charges related to drug trafficking and illegal firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Christian Michael Woodruff, 33, of Topeka pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721162164201.png" alt="Woodruff from a Feb. 2023 arrest in Topeka" />
 <figcaption>Woodruff from a Feb. 2023 arrest in Topeka</figcaption>
 </figure>In February 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information that Woodruff was selling meth from his home in Topeka. Following an investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Woodruff’s residence while he was there. Agents found 1,190.1 grams of meth that lab tests later revealed to be 98 percent pure as well as multiple guns, ammunition, and a silencer.“This case is another example of the connection between drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. ATF will continue to prioritize keeping repeat violent offenders off our streets because it is a critical component of keeping our communities safe,” stated Gordon N. Mallory, Acting, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Kansas City. “It is illegal for convicted felons to possess guns, and we will vigorously investigate repeat offenders who continue to arm themselves. I’m grateful for the work our agents and partners put into this case. I hope with this sentence today the community will be a little bit safer.”The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, andExplosives (ATF), and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Kansas felon was selling meth from his home

LAS VEGAS (AP) — President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling Wednesday in Las Vegas and is experiencing “mild symptoms” including “general malaise” from the infection, the White House said.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden will fly to his home in Delaware, where he will “self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.” The news had first been shared by Unidos US President and CEO Janet Murguía, who told guests at the group’s convention in Las Vegas that president had sent his regrets and could not appear because he tested positive for the virus.

Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, said in a note

Biden was slated to speak at the Unidos event in Las Vegas Wednesday afternoon as part of an effort to rally Hispanic voters ahead of the November election. Instead, he departed for the airport to fly to Delaware, where he had already been planning to spend a long weekend at his home in Rehoboth Beach.

Biden gingerly boarded Air Force One and told reporters traveling with him, “I feel good.” The president was not wearing a mask as he walked onto Air Force One.

The president had previously been at the Original Lindo Michoacan restaurant in Las Vegas, where he was greeting diners and sat for an interview with Univision.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721298336544.png" alt="Biden gingerly boarded Air Force One-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Biden gingerly boarded Air Force One-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>LAS VEGAS (AP) — President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling Wednesday in Las Vegas and is experiencing “mild symptoms” including “general malaise” from the infection, the White House said.Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden will fly to his home in Delaware, where he will “self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.” The news had first been shared by Unidos US President and CEO Janet Murguía, who told guests at the group’s convention in Las Vegas that president had sent his regrets and could not appear because he tested positive for the virus.Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, said in a note<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721256037259.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721256304473.png" alt="President Biden during a campaign stop Tuesday-image from Biden for President video" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during a campaign stop Tuesday-image from Biden for President video</figcaption>
 </figure>Biden was slated to speak at the Unidos event in Las Vegas Wednesday afternoon as part of an effort to rally Hispanic voters ahead of the November election. Instead, he departed for the airport to fly to Delaware, where he had already been planning to spend a long weekend at his home in Rehoboth Beach.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I tested positive for COVID-19 this afternoon, but I am feeling good and thank everyone for the well wishes. I will be isolating as I recover, and during this time I will continue to work to get the job done for the American people.&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1813715823053193685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden gingerly boarded Air Force One and told reporters traveling with him, “I feel good.” The president was not wearing a mask as he walked onto Air Force One.The president had previously been at the Original Lindo Michoacan restaurant in Las Vegas, where he was greeting diners and sat for an interview with Univision.

Read note from Biden's doctor: President tests positive for COVID 

THOMAS COUNTY—On Tuesday, the Thomas County Sheriff's Office and the Colby Police Department both received reports of an attempted abduction of two juvenile girls playing together in Colby, according to a media release from the sheriff's department.

Information gathered from the reporting parties indicates that on Tuesday evening between 4 and 6:30 p.m., a white male driving a black and red SUV, possibly an early 2000's model Suburban, approached two two young girls in the area of 800 South Garfield and 500 West Ash.

The vehicle was described as having a Kansas License plate with unknown digits. The perpetrator was described as a white male about 30 years old with blue eyes and no visible facial hair. The male was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up, blue or dark blue jeans, and a partial face covering.

According to reports and evidence gathered, the male attempted to lure the young girls into his vehicle to take them for ice cream. As the juvenile ran away, the suspect followed them eastbound in his vehicle for about two blocks toward a park in the 700 block of South Mission Ridge.

Witnesses alleged the suspect watched where the juveniles went and then quickly left the area and headed north on Mission Ridge. It is believed the male entered the area in his vehicle off Pine Street through an alley and potentially utilized alleys to exit the residential area.

The investigation is currently ongoing. As a result, Thomas County will be increasing the presence of law enforcement personnel in residential areas and areas frequented by younger kids in our community.

Parents and guardians, it is extremely important to have discussions with your children about the dangers of speaking with strangers and your child's need to be vigilant.

It is common for child predators to find ways to relate to children and quickly gain their trust. A predator may mention knowing a child's guardians or siblings. They may state they were told to pick them up and give them a ride or take them home.

Please take the time to speak to your children about what to do in these situations, as they can be very dangerous. Children should know the risks posed by a 'friendly' stranger and not go with anyone they do not know.

Without the quick thinking of these young individuals, this situation could very well have been a tragedy. If you see anything suspicious in your community, if your children report anything out of the ordinary or simply something they feel concerned about, please contact the Colby Police Department at 785-460-4460 or the Thomas County Sheriff's Office at 785-460- 4570.

Even seemingly minor or insignificant information could lead to or prevent a similar tragedy from occurring.

THOMAS COUNTY—On Tuesday, the Thomas County Sheriff's Office and the Colby Police Department both received reports of an attempted abduction of two juvenile girls playing together in Colby, according to a media release from the sheriff's department.Information gathered from the reporting parties indicates that on Tuesday evening between 4 and 6:30 p.m., a white male driving a black and red SUV, possibly an early 2000's model Suburban, approached two two young girls in the area of 800 South Garfield and 500 West Ash.The vehicle was described as having a Kansas License plate with unknown digits. The perpetrator was described as a white male about 30 years old with blue eyes and no visible facial hair. The male was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up, blue or dark blue jeans, and a partial face covering.According to reports and evidence gathered, the male attempted to lure the young girls into his vehicle to take them for ice cream. As the juvenile ran away, the suspect followed them eastbound in his vehicle for about two blocks toward a park in the 700 block of South Mission Ridge.Witnesses alleged the suspect watched where the juveniles went and then quickly left the area and headed north on Mission Ridge. It is believed the male entered the area in his vehicle off Pine Street through an alley and potentially utilized alleys to exit the residential area.The investigation is currently ongoing. As a result, Thomas County will be increasing the presence of law enforcement personnel in residential areas and areas frequented by younger kids in our community.Parents and guardians, it is extremely important to have discussions with your children about the dangers of speaking with strangers and your child's need to be vigilant.It is common for child predators to find ways to relate to children and quickly gain their trust. A predator may mention knowing a child's guardians or siblings. They may state they were told to pick them up and give them a ride or take them home.Please take the time to speak to your children about what to do in these situations, as they can be very dangerous. Children should know the risks posed by a 'friendly' stranger and not go with anyone they do not know.Without the quick thinking of these young individuals, this situation could very well have been a tragedy. If you see anything suspicious in your community, if your children report anything out of the ordinary or simply something they feel concerned about, please contact the Colby Police Department at 785-460-4460 or the Thomas County Sheriff's Office at 785-460- 4570.Even seemingly minor or insignificant information could lead to or prevent a similar tragedy from occurring.

Sheriff reports alleged attempted abduction of girls in NW Kansas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reward offered in attack on Kansas police officer

Cases raise questions about alleged violations of state, federal constitutions

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

TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly adopted a potentially unconstitutional budget provision forbidding pharmaceutical manufacturers from inhibiting the sale of discounted medications to pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens under contract with hospitals or clinics.

Two drugmakers have challenged a proviso tucked into&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb28/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 28</a>&nbsp;— signed by the governor in April — that said the companies couldn’t limit the ability of pharmacies working with eligible health providers from acquiring outpatient prescription drugs at discounts of 25% or more through a federal cost-cutting program.

The objective of the federal 340B program has been to offer indirect financial benefits to the country’s safety-net health providers by lowering drug prices. Many of Kansas’ financially strapped rural hospitals take part in the program.

“Unfortunately, drug manufacturers have recently started decimating the 340B drug discount program by limiting the number of pharmacies a hospital may contract with,” said Chad Austin, president of the Kansas Hospital Association. “These actions are jeopardizing Kansans’ ability to access needed prescriptions and other vital health services. Fortunately, Kansas lawmakers recognized the drug manufacturers’ harmful actions and have appropriately responded to ensure the further reduction of the 340B drug discount program is paused.”

After adopting SB 28 during this year’s session, however, the Legislature had second thoughts about leveraging the Kansas Consumer Protection Act against drug manufacturers at this time. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2551/" target="_blank">House Bill 2551</a>, in an apparent victory for drugmakers, the Legislature told Attorney General Kris Kobach to delay enforcement of SB 28 until the U.S. Supreme Court settled questions about obligations of drug manufacturers in the 340B program.

Kelly, however, line-item vetoed that part of HB 2551 in May. She said the Legislature’s follow-up maneuver was “premature and contradictory to the protections” in SB 28.

In early July, pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and AbbVie filed lawsuits against the state of Kansas.

The companies asserted SB 28 enabled off-site, for-profit pharmacy chains operating under contract with Kansas clinics and hospitals to buy the manufacturers’ drugs at discounted prices. The plaintiffs claimed Congress didn’t intend for these pharmacies to be covered by the low-cost program.

Wichita attorney Michael Jones, who was among at least seven lawyers working for plaintiffs in the AstraZeneca suit, said the budget provision in SB 28 was in conflict with the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution. Jones and his colleagues said prior rulings in federal court made clear the federal 340B statute “does not obligate manufacturers to deliver discounted drugs to unlimited contract pharmacies.”

“No state may engraft new, costly obligations under state law onto an existing federal benefits program, especially not one like the 340B program that involves nationally uniform standards and exclusive enforcement by federal agencies,” the AstraZeneca’s attorneys said.

The company’s lawyers claimed SB 28 was contrary to federal patent law, violated the contracts and takings clauses of the U.S. Constitution and broke the “one-subject rule” in the Kansas Constitution. The single-subject mandate was designed to prevent legislators from “logrolling” unrelated matters into a single bill. In terms of drug manufacturers, AstraZeneca said, SB 28 created new substantive requirements “not purely a matter of appropriations.”

A spokesperson for the Kansas attorney general didn’t respond to a request for comment on the lawsuits seeking to nullify the prescription drug portion of SB 28.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says the federal program has been an instrumental tool of health clinics and hospitals seeking to stretch resources as far as possible by providing outpatient medications at reduced prices.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580161711151.png" alt="Two pharmaceutical companies filed lawsuits in Kansas against Attorney General Kris Kobach in his official capacity to challenge a new state law altering the federal scope of a program designed&nbsp;&nbsp;to reduce prescription medicine costs. " />
 <figcaption>Two pharmaceutical companies filed lawsuits in Kansas against Attorney General Kris Kobach in his official capacity to challenge a new state law altering the federal scope of a program designed&nbsp;&nbsp;to reduce prescription medicine costs. </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Cases raise questions about alleged violations of state, federal constitutions</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly adopted a potentially unconstitutional budget provision forbidding pharmaceutical manufacturers from inhibiting the sale of discounted medications to pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens under contract with hospitals or clinics.Two drugmakers have challenged a proviso tucked into&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb28/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 28</a>&nbsp;— signed by the governor in April — that said the companies couldn’t limit the ability of pharmacies working with eligible health providers from acquiring outpatient prescription drugs at discounts of 25% or more through a federal cost-cutting program.The objective of the federal 340B program has been to offer indirect financial benefits to the country’s safety-net health providers by lowering drug prices. Many of Kansas’ financially strapped rural hospitals take part in the program.“Unfortunately, drug manufacturers have recently started decimating the 340B drug discount program by limiting the number of pharmacies a hospital may contract with,” said Chad Austin, president of the Kansas Hospital Association. “These actions are jeopardizing Kansans’ ability to access needed prescriptions and other vital health services. Fortunately, Kansas lawmakers recognized the drug manufacturers’ harmful actions and have appropriately responded to ensure the further reduction of the 340B drug discount program is paused.”After adopting SB 28 during this year’s session, however, the Legislature had second thoughts about leveraging the Kansas Consumer Protection Act against drug manufacturers at this time. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2551/" target="_blank">House Bill 2551</a>, in an apparent victory for drugmakers, the Legislature told Attorney General Kris Kobach to delay enforcement of SB 28 until the U.S. Supreme Court settled questions about obligations of drug manufacturers in the 340B program.Kelly, however, line-item vetoed that part of HB 2551 in May. She said the Legislature’s follow-up maneuver was “premature and contradictory to the protections” in SB 28.In early July, pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and AbbVie filed lawsuits against the state of Kansas.The companies asserted SB 28 enabled off-site, for-profit pharmacy chains operating under contract with Kansas clinics and hospitals to buy the manufacturers’ drugs at discounted prices. The plaintiffs claimed Congress didn’t intend for these pharmacies to be covered by the low-cost program.Wichita attorney Michael Jones, who was among at least seven lawyers working for plaintiffs in the AstraZeneca suit, said the budget provision in SB 28 was in conflict with the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution. Jones and his colleagues said prior rulings in federal court made clear the federal 340B statute “does not obligate manufacturers to deliver discounted drugs to unlimited contract pharmacies.”“No state may engraft new, costly obligations under state law onto an existing federal benefits program, especially not one like the 340B program that involves nationally uniform standards and exclusive enforcement by federal agencies,” the AstraZeneca’s attorneys said.The company’s lawyers claimed SB 28 was contrary to federal patent law, violated the contracts and takings clauses of the U.S. Constitution and broke the “one-subject rule” in the Kansas Constitution. The single-subject mandate was designed to prevent legislators from “logrolling” unrelated matters into a single bill. In terms of drug manufacturers, AstraZeneca said, SB 28 created new substantive requirements “not purely a matter of appropriations.”A spokesperson for the Kansas attorney general didn’t respond to a request for comment on the lawsuits seeking to nullify the prescription drug portion of SB 28.The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says the federal program has been an instrumental tool of health clinics and hospitals seeking to stretch resources as far as possible by providing outpatient medications at reduced prices.

Drugmakers file lawsuits to block Kansas’ attempt to tinker with discount drug program

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is seriously considering proposals to establish term limits for U.S. Supreme Court justices, and an ethics code that would be enforceable under law amid growing concerns that the justices are not held accountable, according to three people briefed on the plans.

It&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-biden-election-student-loans-abortion-37aa38ed8582047b1be5c54261ab02d2">would mark a major shift for Biden</a>, the former head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who has long resisted calls to reform the high court, though since taking office he has been increasingly vocal about his belief that the court is abandoning mainstream constitutional interpretation. The details were first reported by The Washington Post.

Any changes would require congressional approval, which would be unlikely in a divided Congress. But with Republican nominee Donald Trump bragging about putting the three justices on the high court who are now part of the conservative majority, Biden's call for major changes could help animate his voters.

Biden is also considering calling for a constitutional amendment that would eliminate the broad immunity for presidents granted by the court in its most recent term, after Donald Trump claimed he was immune from prosecution&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2021-united-states-capitol-riot">for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021</a>, when a mob of his supporters violently descended on the U.S. Capitol.

The people were not authorized to speak publicly about proposals that have not been finalized and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The consideration of such proposals comes in response to growing outrage among Democrats about high court opinions that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-biden-election-2024-dobbs-498d14f6e2bbfe1f313f006ad089de4e">overturned landmark decisions</a>&nbsp;on abortion rights&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-chevron-regulations-environment-5173bc83d3961a7aaabe415ceaf8d665">and federal regulatory powers</a>&nbsp;that had stood for decades. There have also been increasing questions surrounding the ethics of the court after revelations about some of the justices,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clarence-thomas-supreme-court-senate-harlan-crow-f538d244f148065de8c52fb13e2f9853">including that Clarence Thomas had accepted</a>&nbsp;luxury trips from a GOP megadonor.

Biden in an interview with BET on Tuesday predicted “there are probably going to be two more appointments" in the coming four years when justices retire and blamed Trump for nominating three conservative justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade. “Just imagine if he has two more appointments, what that means," he said.

The Supreme Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the proposal.

Biden, speaking in a weekend call with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, talked about the possibility, the people said. Biden often tells voters they need more Democrats in Congress and a Democrat in the White House to counter the impact of the conservative-leaning court, but these proposals would go much further.

“And by the way, I’m going to need your help on the Supreme Court, because I’m about to come out. I don’t want to prematurely announce it, but I’m about to come out with a major initiative on limiting the court and what we do and — I’ve been working with constitutional scholars for the last three months, and I need some help,” he said, according to a transcript of the call.

About 2 in 3 Americans say they favor term limits or a mandatory retirement age for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;justices, according to a 2022 poll from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/">the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.</a>

According to June survey on the court, confidence remains low: 4 in 10 U.S. adults say they have hardly any confidence in the people running the Supreme Court.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-presidential-immunity-abortion-gun-2918d3af5e37e44bbad9c3526506c66d">The survey found that 7 in 10 Americans think</a>&nbsp;the high court’s justices are more influenced by ideology, while only about 3 in 10 U.S. adults think the justices are more likely to provide an independent check on other branches of government by being fair and impartial.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-ethics-code-conflicts-clarence-thomas-64d393ceb6f05402d762dca06f0f4187">In November, the court</a>&nbsp;adopted its first code of ethics.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24164533-supreme-court-code-of-conduct">The policy</a>, agreed to by all nine justices, does not appear to impose any significant new requirements and leaves compliance entirely to each justice.

Republicans have focused for years on remaking the federal judiciary and Supreme Court. When Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was the majority leader, he refused to even meet in 2016 with Obama’s pick for the high court — current Attorney General Merrick Garland, a federal judge at that time. The nomination stalled until a Republican president, Trump, took over.

Establishment GOP operatives backed Trump because of his pledge to name as many judges to the bench as possible. Their gamble worked. Trump ended up with three Supreme Court nominees and 54 federal appeals court judges, reshaping the courts for a generation.

Democrats are now finally understanding the power of judges as a voting tool, and Biden has made judicial nominations a priority, appointing a record number of judges for a president at this point in his first term, including some of the most diverse picks yet to the judiciary. Biden often speaks about those accomplishments during his reelection campaign, but Democrats have pushed him to go further.

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, panned the possible Biden move, saying: “The Democrats are attempting to interfere in the Presidential Election, and destroy our Justice System, by attacking their Political Opponent, ME, and our Honorable Supreme Court. We have to fight for our Fair and Independent Courts, and protect our Country."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721180391047.png" alt="File photo White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is seriously considering proposals to establish term limits for U.S. Supreme Court justices, and an ethics code that would be enforceable under law amid growing concerns that the justices are not held accountable, according to three people briefed on the plans.It&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-biden-election-student-loans-abortion-37aa38ed8582047b1be5c54261ab02d2">would mark a major shift for Biden</a>, the former head of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who has long resisted calls to reform the high court, though since taking office he has been increasingly vocal about his belief that the court is abandoning mainstream constitutional interpretation. The details were first reported by The Washington Post.Any changes would require congressional approval, which would be unlikely in a divided Congress. But with Republican nominee Donald Trump bragging about putting the three justices on the high court who are now part of the conservative majority, Biden's call for major changes could help animate his voters.Biden is also considering calling for a constitutional amendment that would eliminate the broad immunity for presidents granted by the court in its most recent term, after Donald Trump claimed he was immune from prosecution&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2021-united-states-capitol-riot">for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021</a>, when a mob of his supporters violently descended on the U.S. Capitol.The people were not authorized to speak publicly about proposals that have not been finalized and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594250864250.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>The consideration of such proposals comes in response to growing outrage among Democrats about high court opinions that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-biden-election-2024-dobbs-498d14f6e2bbfe1f313f006ad089de4e">overturned landmark decisions</a>&nbsp;on abortion rights&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-chevron-regulations-environment-5173bc83d3961a7aaabe415ceaf8d665">and federal regulatory powers</a>&nbsp;that had stood for decades. There have also been increasing questions surrounding the ethics of the court after revelations about some of the justices,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/clarence-thomas-supreme-court-senate-harlan-crow-f538d244f148065de8c52fb13e2f9853">including that Clarence Thomas had accepted</a>&nbsp;luxury trips from a GOP megadonor.Biden in an interview with BET on Tuesday predicted “there are probably going to be two more appointments" in the coming four years when justices retire and blamed Trump for nominating three conservative justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade. “Just imagine if he has two more appointments, what that means," he said.The Supreme Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the proposal.Biden, speaking in a weekend call with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, talked about the possibility, the people said. Biden often tells voters they need more Democrats in Congress and a Democrat in the White House to counter the impact of the conservative-leaning court, but these proposals would go much further.“And by the way, I’m going to need your help on the Supreme Court, because I’m about to come out. I don’t want to prematurely announce it, but I’m about to come out with a major initiative on limiting the court and what we do and — I’ve been working with constitutional scholars for the last three months, and I need some help,” he said, according to a transcript of the call.About 2 in 3 Americans say they favor term limits or a mandatory retirement age for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;justices, according to a 2022 poll from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/">the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.</a>According to June survey on the court, confidence remains low: 4 in 10 U.S. adults say they have hardly any confidence in the people running the Supreme Court.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-presidential-immunity-abortion-gun-2918d3af5e37e44bbad9c3526506c66d">The survey found that 7 in 10 Americans think</a>&nbsp;the high court’s justices are more influenced by ideology, while only about 3 in 10 U.S. adults think the justices are more likely to provide an independent check on other branches of government by being fair and impartial.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-ethics-code-conflicts-clarence-thomas-64d393ceb6f05402d762dca06f0f4187">In November, the court</a>&nbsp;adopted its first code of ethics.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24164533-supreme-court-code-of-conduct">The policy</a>, agreed to by all nine justices, does not appear to impose any significant new requirements and leaves compliance entirely to each justice.Republicans have focused for years on remaking the federal judiciary and Supreme Court. When Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was the majority leader, he refused to even meet in 2016 with Obama’s pick for the high court — current Attorney General Merrick Garland, a federal judge at that time. The nomination stalled until a Republican president, Trump, took over.Establishment GOP operatives backed Trump because of his pledge to name as many judges to the bench as possible. Their gamble worked. Trump ended up with three Supreme Court nominees and 54 federal appeals court judges, reshaping the courts for a generation.Democrats are now finally understanding the power of judges as a voting tool, and Biden has made judicial nominations a priority, appointing a record number of judges for a president at this point in his first term, including some of the most diverse picks yet to the judiciary. Biden often speaks about those accomplishments during his reelection campaign, but Democrats have pushed him to go further.Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, panned the possible Biden move, saying: “The Democrats are attempting to interfere in the Presidential Election, and destroy our Justice System, by attacking their Political Opponent, ME, and our Honorable Supreme Court. We have to fight for our Fair and Independent Courts, and protect our Country."

Biden considering proposals on changes to the Supreme Court

KANSAS CITY —Authorities in Kansas City are investigating a gun theft and the business owner is asking for help to identify and catch the suspects involved.

Just before 4a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;Adventure Outdoors, 117 North Main in Liberty, Missouri was robbed by couple of young cowards who drove a car into the store, the business described on social media.

According to Liberty Police, a gray Hyundai Tucson and a newer model silver minivan were involved in the burglary at Adventure Outdoors. The Hyundai was driven through the front door, smashing into the building. The suspects, wearing masks and gloves, took multiple firearms. The Hyundai was left behind inside the store and was determined to be stolen.

Police received a report of suspicious activity involving the Hyundai on Monday.&nbsp; Police are seeking information on the silver minivan involved in the burglary.&nbsp; Adventure Outdoors is offering a $500.00 cash reward for the arrest and conviction of those involved. If you have any information please email the business at info@adventure-outdoors.us

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721211362537.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities in Kansas City are investigating a gun theft and the business owner is asking for help to identify and catch the suspects involved.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F100094843973376%2Fvideos%2F858746425686703%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=140" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Just before 4a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;Adventure Outdoors, 117 North Main in Liberty, Missouri was robbed by couple of young cowards who drove a car into the store, the business described on social media.According to Liberty Police, a gray Hyundai Tucson and a newer model silver minivan were involved in the burglary at Adventure Outdoors. The Hyundai was driven through the front door, smashing into the building. The suspects, wearing masks and gloves, took multiple firearms. The Hyundai was left behind inside the store and was determined to be stolen.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721211337629.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Police received a report of suspicious activity involving the Hyundai on Monday.&nbsp; Police are seeking information on the silver minivan involved in the burglary.&nbsp; Adventure Outdoors is offering a $500.00 cash reward for the arrest and conviction of those involved. If you have any information please email the business at info@adventure-outdoors.us

🎥Stolen car rammed  KC area gun store before burglary

Five Republicans, two Democrats seek to replace departing Rep. Jake LaTurner

TOPEKA — Name recognition developed during more than 20 years in elective office and participation in four statewide campaigns placed former Attorney General Derek Schmidt as the clear frontrunner in the Republican Party’s primary to replace departing U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Kansas political analyst says.

In the only open Kansas congressional race of 2024, Schmidt took the lead among five GOP primary candidates in the eastern Kansas district. The 2nd District has been represented by a Republican for 28 of the past 30 years. The Democratic Party primary features two candidates, including former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda of Baldwin City. She was the upstart who defeated incumbent 2nd District U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun in 2006, but was ousted herself two years later.

Bob Beatty, professor of political science at Washburn University in Topeka, said public polling showed Schmidt had backing of 44% the survey’s participants. In that snapshot, Topeka attorney Jeff Kahrs had 4% and Delevan feedlot operator Shawn Tiffany held 3% with the rest undecided.

“Obviously, that’s a massive lead,” Beatty said on the Kansas Reflector podcast. “I think it’s safe to call Derek Schmidt&nbsp;the establishment candidate. That doesn’t mean he’s from the left or the right. It just means that he’s been in politics a long time. He’s very well known.”

Schmidt, who calls Independence his hometown, was endorsed by former President Donald Trump during the 2022 campaign for Kansas governor. He lost the race to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly by 21,000 votes out of 1 million cast, but carried 55% to 66% of the statewide vote in his three successful campaigns for Kansas attorney general.

In an interview Friday, Beatty said millions of dollars spent defining Schmidt two years ago in the contest for governor was paying dividends now. In a sense, Beatty said, Schmidt’s campaign could draft upon conservative messaging from previous campaigns.

LaTurner announced his decision not to seek reelection in April, which left relatively unknown candidates less time to leave a mark on potential voters. He hasn’t endorsed a primary candidate in the House race.

Neither Kahrs nor Tiffany had previously campaigned for major public office in Kansas, which meant they would struggle to capture the attention of voters. Schmidt, Tiffany and Kahrs have sought to highlight their affinity for Trump’s vision of government, Beatty said. Border security, inflation, federal debt, energy regulation, abortion and criticism of President Joe Biden were central elements of their congressional campaigns.

“The past two years of the Biden administration have made it more clear than ever that career politicians don’t have the answers to the problems facing America,” Tiffany said.

Kahrs’ campaign ad declared he was a “proven conservative” who was selected by the Trump administration to advance the America First agenda as a Midwest administrator in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kahrs later worked as a senior adviser to LaTurner, who was elected to Congress in 2020.

“All three of the main candidates on the Republican side, they are campaigning as if there’s no Democrats in the district at all,” Beatty said. “One candidate, Sean Tiffany, doesn’t even like moderate Republicans.”

Chad Young of Lawrence and Michael Ogle of Topeka have been justifiably viewed as long-shot candidates in the Republican primary, Beatty said.

In the Democratic primary, Boyda is up against Matt Kleinmann, a community health organizer in Wyandotte County who played college basketball at University of Kansas. Beatty said in a low-turnout Democratic primary both candidates had a chance to win.

Boyda offered a unifying message and pledged to work among Republicans and Democrats to get the job done in Washington.

“Boyda&nbsp;has already made some statements that have angered a few, you know, more traditional Democrats. I’m seeing her as a bit of a disrupter in this primary, even though she is a former congresswoman,” Beatty said.

Beatty said Kleinmann was campaigning on economic and health care issues relevant to the working class.

“We will create opportunities, ensure everyone has the resources they need and safeguard the communities and freedoms that make America great,” Kleinmann said.

Beatty, who was interviewed for the podcast before Saturday’s wounding of Trump in Pennsylvania, said he was stunned by Biden’s weak performance in the June debate with Trump.

“I can’t underscore how disastrous that debate was, and how awful it was. I’ve attended 12 presidential debates. Never seen anything that bad,” Beatty said.

He said the debate didn’t alter an underlying desire among a portion of U.S. voters for the Republican and Democratic parties to place nominees other than Trump and Biden on November ballots. Trump’s first term and more recent legal problems turned off voters, he said, while questions about Biden’s age troubled voters.

Polling for two years demonstrated a significant percentage of the electorate was disappointed with the major party offerings, he said.

“Trump will say, ‘Oh, yes, I got convicted.’ Or, ‘Yes, I lost that case. But I was railroaded. I’m innocent.’ You know, even in the debate, he said, I didn’t have sex with the porn star. So, I guess his supporters can choose to believe him,” Beatty said. “Here’s the difference. It’s not believable when (Biden) says, ‘Oh, I’m just as good as I was four years ago.’ So, you’re insulting the voters by denying that you’ve lost a step.”

If Biden were to decline the presidential nomination for a second term, Beatty said the likely Democratic nominee would be Vice President Kamala Harris. Beatty said Harris, 59, would have an opportunity to invigorate Democrats and independents eager for a younger candidate. She would be able to select a running mate from a swing state such as Michigan, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin, he said.

“Trump is&nbsp;winning all of those swing states at the moment,” Beatty said.

Beatty said he would have recommended Trump add U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, to the 2024 ticket. Other contenders include U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721069282143.png" alt="Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University, says former Attorney General Derek Schmidt had taken control of the Republican primary in the 2nd congressional district and that large numbers of potential voters remain disappointed with the presidential options of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University, says former Attorney General Derek Schmidt had taken control of the Republican primary in the 2nd congressional district and that large numbers of potential voters remain disappointed with the presidential options of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Five Republicans, two Democrats seek to replace departing Rep. Jake LaTurner</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Name recognition developed during more than 20 years in elective office and participation in four statewide campaigns placed former Attorney General Derek Schmidt as the clear frontrunner in the Republican Party’s primary to replace departing U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Kansas political analyst says.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719627531343.png" alt="File photo Derek Schmidt, a Republican candidate for Congress and a former Kansas attorney general. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>File photo Derek Schmidt, a Republican candidate for Congress and a former Kansas attorney general. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>In the only open Kansas congressional race of 2024, Schmidt took the lead among five GOP primary candidates in the eastern Kansas district. The 2nd District has been represented by a Republican for 28 of the past 30 years. The Democratic Party primary features two candidates, including former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda of Baldwin City. She was the upstart who defeated incumbent 2nd District U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun in 2006, but was ousted herself two years later.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">📺 NEW: Check out our NEW AD! Kansans deserve a proven fighter who will always STAND TALL for our conservative values! 🇺🇸 Join us: <a href="https://t.co/FYSSFQNvC0">https://t.co/FYSSFQNvC0</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ks02?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ks02</a> <a href="https://t.co/9ogNTemVyR">pic.twitter.com/9ogNTemVyR</a>&mdash; Derek Schmidt (@DerekSchmidtKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS/status/1813551729037992151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Bob Beatty, professor of political science at Washburn University in Topeka, said public polling showed Schmidt had backing of 44% the survey’s participants. In that snapshot, Topeka attorney Jeff Kahrs had 4% and Delevan feedlot operator Shawn Tiffany held 3% with the rest undecided.“Obviously, that’s a massive lead,” Beatty said on the Kansas Reflector podcast. “I think it’s safe to call Derek Schmidt&nbsp;the establishment candidate. That doesn’t mean he’s from the left or the right. It just means that he’s been in politics a long time. He’s very well known.”Schmidt, who calls Independence his hometown, was endorsed by former President Donald Trump during the 2022 campaign for Kansas governor. He lost the race to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly by 21,000 votes out of 1 million cast, but carried 55% to 66% of the statewide vote in his three successful campaigns for Kansas attorney general.In an interview Friday, Beatty said millions of dollars spent defining Schmidt two years ago in the contest for governor was paying dividends now. In a sense, Beatty said, Schmidt’s campaign could draft upon conservative messaging from previous campaigns.LaTurner announced his decision not to seek reelection in April, which left relatively unknown candidates less time to leave a mark on potential voters. He hasn’t endorsed a primary candidate in the House race.<h2>The Trump agenda</h2>Neither Kahrs nor Tiffany had previously campaigned for major public office in Kansas, which meant they would struggle to capture the attention of voters. Schmidt, Tiffany and Kahrs have sought to highlight their affinity for Trump’s vision of government, Beatty said. Border security, inflation, federal debt, energy regulation, abortion and criticism of President Joe Biden were central elements of their congressional campaigns.“The past two years of the Biden administration have made it more clear than ever that career politicians don’t have the answers to the problems facing America,” Tiffany said.Kahrs’ campaign ad declared he was a “proven conservative” who was selected by the Trump administration to advance the America First agenda as a Midwest administrator in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kahrs later worked as a senior adviser to LaTurner, who was elected to Congress in 2020.“All three of the main candidates on the Republican side, they are campaigning as if there’s no Democrats in the district at all,” Beatty said. “One candidate, Sean Tiffany, doesn’t even like moderate Republicans.”Chad Young of Lawrence and Michael Ogle of Topeka have been justifiably viewed as long-shot candidates in the Republican primary, Beatty said.In the Democratic primary, Boyda is up against Matt Kleinmann, a community health organizer in Wyandotte County who played college basketball at University of Kansas. Beatty said in a low-turnout Democratic primary both candidates had a chance to win.Boyda offered a unifying message and pledged to work among Republicans and Democrats to get the job done in Washington.“Boyda&nbsp;has already made some statements that have angered a few, you know, more traditional Democrats. I’m seeing her as a bit of a disrupter in this primary, even though she is a former congresswoman,” Beatty said.Beatty said Kleinmann was campaigning on economic and health care issues relevant to the working class.“We will create opportunities, ensure everyone has the resources they need and safeguard the communities and freedoms that make America great,” Kleinmann said.<h2>The presidential race</h2>Beatty, who was interviewed for the podcast before Saturday’s wounding of Trump in Pennsylvania, said he was stunned by Biden’s weak performance in the June debate with Trump.“I can’t underscore how disastrous that debate was, and how awful it was. I’ve attended 12 presidential debates. Never seen anything that bad,” Beatty said.He said the debate didn’t alter an underlying desire among a portion of U.S. voters for the Republican and Democratic parties to place nominees other than Trump and Biden on November ballots. Trump’s first term and more recent legal problems turned off voters, he said, while questions about Biden’s age troubled voters.Polling for two years demonstrated a significant percentage of the electorate was disappointed with the major party offerings, he said.“Trump will say, ‘Oh, yes, I got convicted.’ Or, ‘Yes, I lost that case. But I was railroaded. I’m innocent.’ You know, even in the debate, he said, I didn’t have sex with the porn star. So, I guess his supporters can choose to believe him,” Beatty said. “Here’s the difference. It’s not believable when (Biden) says, ‘Oh, I’m just as good as I was four years ago.’ So, you’re insulting the voters by denying that you’ve lost a step.”If Biden were to decline the presidential nomination for a second term, Beatty said the likely Democratic nominee would be Vice President Kamala Harris. Beatty said Harris, 59, would have an opportunity to invigorate Democrats and independents eager for a younger candidate. She would be able to select a running mate from a swing state such as Michigan, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin, he said.“Trump is&nbsp;winning all of those swing states at the moment,” Beatty said.Beatty said he would have recommended Trump add U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, to the 2024 ticket. Other contenders include U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

Derek Schmidt reaps advantages of 4 statewide GOP campaigns to lead Kan. congressional race

KANSAS CITY—The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium asked for your help to name the new giraffe calf.&nbsp; The female Masai giraffe was born to mom Makali on June 30.

The calf weighed in at 125 pounds and and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall and she is growing quickly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721155686237.png" alt="Willow photo courtesy Kansas City Zoo and Aquaraium" />
 <figcaption>Willow photo courtesy Kansas City Zoo and Aquaraium</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium asked for your help to name the new giraffe calf.&nbsp; The female Masai giraffe was born to mom Makali on June 30.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Last week, we asked you to vote on the name of Makali&#39;s calf, and &quot;Willow&quot; is the winner! Although Willow will nurse from mom anywhere from 6 months to a year, she is starting to act like her mama and explore the diet of the adult giraffes. <a href="https://t.co/arKI3htlK8">pic.twitter.com/arKI3htlK8</a>&mdash; Kansas City Zoo &amp; Aquarium (@KansasCityZoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansasCityZoo/status/1813233825033441659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The calf weighed in at 125 pounds and and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall and she is growing quickly.

 Voters select name for baby Masai giraffe at Kansas City Zoo

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Donald Trump was celebrated Tuesday at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rnc-takeaways-day-2-73281582594bb4548c0272c00c8f5d93">Republican National Convention</a>&nbsp;by former rivals who just months ago leveled harsh critiques about him, a show of unity that contrasts with the divisions increasingly ripping through the Democratic Party.

Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador who was Trump’s final challenger in the GOP primary, directly addressed her supporters after taking the stage to a mix of cheers and boos.

“My message to them is simple: You don’t have to agree with Trump 100% of the time to vote for him,” Haley said.

She was followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a onetime Trump ally turned primary rival who has worked to rebuild his relationship with the former president since dropping out of the primary.

“Donald Trump has been demonized. He’s been sued. He’s been prosecuted. And he nearly lost his life,” DeSantis told the crowd. “We cannot let him down. And we cannot let America down.”

Such overtures are typical in political conventions, where the purpose is often to bring a party together after bitter primaries. But the Haley and DeSantis appearances were particularly notable given the personal animosity that defined this year’s GOP contest — much of that being directed by Trump at Haley and DeSantis.

The displays of unity stood in stark contrast to the dynamic facing Democrats, many of whom are increasingly uncertain that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-nevada-naacp-black-voters-trump-3f9386fae612adbb7630bad3c62b683d">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;is the right choice to take on Trump in the November election.

DeSantis was once seen as best positioned to challenge Trump's position at the top of the party. As a presidential candidate, he was slow to criticize Trump directly before eventually accusing him of repeatedly failing to follow through on his promises.

Haley, meanwhile, painted Trump as chaotic and suggested the 78-year-old was too old to serve another term. Unlike DeSantis, she did not immediately endorse Trump after she dropped out, instead waiting a few months to announce he had her vote.

Biden's campaign resurrected Haley's criticisms Tuesday. Austin Weatherford, a spokesperson for the campaign, said in a statement, “Ambassador Haley said it best herself: someone who doesn’t respect our military, doesn’t know right from wrong, and ‘surrounds himself in chaos’ can’t be president."

Several speakers spotlighted immigration, a key element of former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;’s political brand that helped endear him to the GOP base when he began his first campaign in 2015.

Trump has criticized the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-border-wall-breaches-asylum-immigration-beddd2ca0ffd02884ce0d0ad1785f538">unprecedented number of migrants</a>&nbsp;entering the country illegally through the U.S. border with Mexico. The numbers of unauthorized crossings have fallen abruptly after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-arrests-biden-mexico-asylum-f9246ad9b9eb40e2b0c05513658f9bd6">issued a rule suspending many asylum claims</a>&nbsp;at the border.

At rallies and other campaign events, Trump has pointed to examples of migrants who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-riley-immigrants-crime-63181cbc7a89fe9fe28b1d0cf84c8b9a">committed heinous crimes</a>&nbsp;and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-violent-crime-trump-republican-convention-bd40d14546bc7eb9a1dbbadfcb190950">blamed migration</a>&nbsp;for the trafficking of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-presidential-candidates-mexico-cartels-fentanyl-trafficking-b4127423a3130967a1fafb0d9fb7526a">drugs like fentanyl</a>, even though federal data suggests many people smuggling fentanyl across the border are U.S. citizens. He has vowed to carry out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportations-immigration-gop-147d96fd00aa4c56e2cbe6074eceb874">the largest deportation operation</a>&nbsp;in U.S. history.

Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric has also strayed into talking points not backed by evidence, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigrant-voting-noncitizens-elections-explained-cf4c73b336147b5f5d9c2a22b2564994">unfounded claims</a>&nbsp;that migrants are entering the country to vote in the 2024 election.

Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the House majority leader, made that statement in his remarks, declaring, “Biden and Harris want illegals to vote now that they’ve opened up the border.”

The convention's programming has featured people the campaign has referred to as “everyday Americans." On Tuesday, they included people who had lost loved ones to fentanyl overdoses or in violent crimes linked by authorities to immigrants in the U.S. illegally.

Among the speakers was Michael Morin, whose sister was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-to-watch-rnc-haley-immigration-trump-1b9b66c874ac9a71a4e103f411857ab1">Rachel Morin</a>, a Maryland woman whom prosecutors say was killed and raped by a fugitive from El Salvador.

“Joe Biden and his designated ‘border czar’ Kamala Harris opened our borders to him and others like him, empowering them to victimize the innocent,” Morin told the audience.

Peer-reviewed academic studies have generally found no link between immigration and violent crime, though conclusions vary based on the data examined.

The recent attempt on Trump's life lingers over convention

Trump's survival of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-cdfd3f4b163f7f91b05eeefe21caa45a">attempted assassination</a>&nbsp;Saturday at a rally in Pennsylvania was on the minds of many inside the hall. One of the delegates in the crowd could be seen with a folded white piece of paper over his ear — an apparent tribute to the bandage Trump wore when he entered the hall Monday to a roaring crowd.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Donald Trump was celebrated Tuesday at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rnc-takeaways-day-2-73281582594bb4548c0272c00c8f5d93">Republican National Convention</a>&nbsp;by former rivals who just months ago leveled harsh critiques about him, a show of unity that contrasts with the divisions increasingly ripping through the Democratic Party.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/NikkiHaley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NikkiHaley</a>: &quot;President Trump asked me to speak to this convention in the name of unity. It was a gracious initiation and I was happy to accept. I&#39;ll start by making one thing perfectly clear; Donald Trump has my strong endorsement. Period.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/wMsttkx3il">pic.twitter.com/wMsttkx3il</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1813396352644080071?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador who was Trump’s final challenger in the GOP primary, directly addressed her supporters after taking the stage to a mix of cheers and boos.“My message to them is simple: You don’t have to agree with Trump 100% of the time to vote for him,” Haley said.She was followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a onetime Trump ally turned primary rival who has worked to rebuild his relationship with the former president since dropping out of the primary.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RonDeSantis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RonDeSantis</a>: &quot;America cannot afford for more years of a Weekend at Bernie&#39;s presidency.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ge9Wn1NR4P">pic.twitter.com/ge9Wn1NR4P</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1813396631112274019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Donald Trump has been demonized. He’s been sued. He’s been prosecuted. And he nearly lost his life,” DeSantis told the crowd. “We cannot let him down. And we cannot let America down.”Such overtures are typical in political conventions, where the purpose is often to bring a party together after bitter primaries. But the Haley and DeSantis appearances were particularly notable given the personal animosity that defined this year’s GOP contest — much of that being directed by Trump at Haley and DeSantis.The displays of unity stood in stark contrast to the dynamic facing Democrats, many of whom are increasingly uncertain that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-nevada-naacp-black-voters-trump-3f9386fae612adbb7630bad3c62b683d">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;is the right choice to take on Trump in the November election.DeSantis was once seen as best positioned to challenge Trump's position at the top of the party. As a presidential candidate, he was slow to criticize Trump directly before eventually accusing him of repeatedly failing to follow through on his promises.Haley, meanwhile, painted Trump as chaotic and suggested the 78-year-old was too old to serve another term. Unlike DeSantis, she did not immediately endorse Trump after she dropped out, instead waiting a few months to announce he had her vote.Biden's campaign resurrected Haley's criticisms Tuesday. Austin Weatherford, a spokesperson for the campaign, said in a statement, “Ambassador Haley said it best herself: someone who doesn’t respect our military, doesn’t know right from wrong, and ‘surrounds himself in chaos’ can’t be president."<h2>Immigration was a key theme on Tuesday</h2>Several speakers spotlighted immigration, a key element of former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;’s political brand that helped endear him to the GOP base when he began his first campaign in 2015.Trump has criticized the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-border-wall-breaches-asylum-immigration-beddd2ca0ffd02884ce0d0ad1785f538">unprecedented number of migrants</a>&nbsp;entering the country illegally through the U.S. border with Mexico. The numbers of unauthorized crossings have fallen abruptly after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-arrests-biden-mexico-asylum-f9246ad9b9eb40e2b0c05513658f9bd6">issued a rule suspending many asylum claims</a>&nbsp;at the border.At rallies and other campaign events, Trump has pointed to examples of migrants who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-riley-immigrants-crime-63181cbc7a89fe9fe28b1d0cf84c8b9a">committed heinous crimes</a>&nbsp;and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-violent-crime-trump-republican-convention-bd40d14546bc7eb9a1dbbadfcb190950">blamed migration</a>&nbsp;for the trafficking of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-presidential-candidates-mexico-cartels-fentanyl-trafficking-b4127423a3130967a1fafb0d9fb7526a">drugs like fentanyl</a>, even though federal data suggests many people smuggling fentanyl across the border are U.S. citizens. He has vowed to carry out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportations-immigration-gop-147d96fd00aa4c56e2cbe6074eceb874">the largest deportation operation</a>&nbsp;in U.S. history.Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric has also strayed into talking points not backed by evidence, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigrant-voting-noncitizens-elections-explained-cf4c73b336147b5f5d9c2a22b2564994">unfounded claims</a>&nbsp;that migrants are entering the country to vote in the 2024 election.Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the House majority leader, made that statement in his remarks, declaring, “Biden and Harris want illegals to vote now that they’ve opened up the border.”The convention's programming has featured people the campaign has referred to as “everyday Americans." On Tuesday, they included people who had lost loved ones to fentanyl overdoses or in violent crimes linked by authorities to immigrants in the U.S. illegally.Among the speakers was Michael Morin, whose sister was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-to-watch-rnc-haley-immigration-trump-1b9b66c874ac9a71a4e103f411857ab1">Rachel Morin</a>, a Maryland woman whom prosecutors say was killed and raped by a fugitive from El Salvador.“Joe Biden and his designated ‘border czar’ Kamala Harris opened our borders to him and others like him, empowering them to victimize the innocent,” Morin told the audience.Peer-reviewed academic studies have generally found no link between immigration and violent crime, though conclusions vary based on the data examined.<h2>The recent attempt on Trump's life lingers over convention</h2>Trump's survival of an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-cdfd3f4b163f7f91b05eeefe21caa45a">attempted assassination</a>&nbsp;Saturday at a rally in Pennsylvania was on the minds of many inside the hall. One of the delegates in the crowd could be seen with a folded white piece of paper over his ear — an apparent tribute to the bandage Trump wore when he entered the hall Monday to a roaring crowd.Trump was again wearing a bandage when he arrived Tuesday night, appearing even earlier in the arena than he did the night before. Trump entered a few minutes after his newly chosen running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.Scalise, who was injured in a politically motivated shooting in 2017 while he was practicing for a charity baseball game, spoke of his own experience when he touched on Trump's attack.“While I was fighting for my life, Donald Trump was one of the first to come to console my family at the hospital. That’s the kind of leader he is. Courageous under fire, compassionate towards others,” Scalise said.In the wake of Saturday’s attempt on Trump’s life, there was a heightened focus on security at the convention, which drew thousands of people to downtown Milwaukee, including a number of high-profile elected officials.A man armed with an AK-47 pistol and wearing a ski mask was taken into custody Monday, the convention’s first day, near the Fiserv Forum where the convention is being held, a federal law enforcement official said Tuesday. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.On Tuesday, five Ohio police officers who were in Wisconsin for the convention&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-national-convention-milwaukee-police-shooting-columbus-2a85bd8dd3be69500e5c0992fb302343">shot a man who was in a knife fight</a>&nbsp;near the convention, killing him, Milwaukee’s police chief said.<h2>There's growing anticipation for Trump's speech</h2>Trump and Vance were expected to appear in the hall each night of the convention. Vance is slated to speak Wednesday and Trump will speak Thursday.Trump, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-georgia-state-elections-media-elections-6e30f557f7a015cc9fda9549d2778670">has long decried rivals with harsh language</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-retribution-indictment-documents-biden-american-democracy-5a8ec37b359fee85d0f0956139d79f51">talked about prosecuting opponents if he wins a second term</a>, seemed poised to deliver a more toned-down speech. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., said in an Axios interview outside the RNC that he spent three or four hours going through his father’s convention speech with him, “trying to de-escalate some of that rhetoric.”“I think it lasts," the younger Trump said of the change in his father's rhetoric. "There are events that change you for a couple minutes, and there are events that change you permanently.”But there were also hints in Tuesday's programming of some of Trump's old grievances, including several references to Trump's disproven theories of election fraud. One of the primetime speakers, Madeline Brame, railed against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office prosecuted Trump for illegally orchestrating a hush money scheme to influence the 2016 election. That made Trump the first former president convicted of a felony crime.Brame accused Bragg of having mishandled the cases against the people accused of killing her son. Of Trump, she said, “He’s been a victim of the same corrupt system that I have been and my family has been.”Then she echoed a version of a line he has delivered at his rallies for years.“They’re after us," she said. "He’s just standing in the way.”