WICHITA – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging an Arizona man with kidnapping then holding a victim for ransom, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Martin Brandon Gillen, 26, of Phoenix, Arizona, is charged with one count of kidnapping, one count of transporting child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, one count of sexual exploitation of a child (production), and one count of transportation for criminal sexual activity.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720647510208.png" alt="Gillen-is being held in Butler Co." />
 <figcaption>Gillen-is being held in Butler Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging an Arizona man with kidnapping then holding a victim for ransom, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Martin Brandon Gillen, 26, of Phoenix, Arizona, is charged with one count of kidnapping, one count of transporting child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, one count of sexual exploitation of a child (production), and one count of transportation for criminal sexual activity.Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case.

Arizona man indicted in Kansas for kidnapping, child porn

Committees granted 56 days to debate policy issues ahead of 2025 session

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

TOPEKA — Republican Sen. Michael Fagg made a compelling case for scheduling joint House and Senate hearings on options for developing medical marijuana legislation in advance of convening the 2025 Kansas Legislature.

The Legislative Coordinating Council, comprised of Republican and Democratic leadership in both chambers, granted Tuesday the Senate Utilities Committee chairman’s request for two days of interim meetings to hash out opportunities for Kansas to join the 14 states that legalized medical consumption of marijuana. Two dozen other states, including Missouri and Colorado, allow recreational consumption of pot.

“Although the Legislature has worked to address medical marijuana, further study is needed,” Fagg said.

He said a conversation about medical marijuana was warranted after announcement in May by the U.S. Department of Justice that it proposed to move cannabis with THC content over 0.3% from designation as a Schedule I drug, viewed as having no medical benefit, to the less-restrictive Schedule III. The result could ease some restrictions on cannabis-related research, promote cannabinoid drug development and alter the legal framework for cannabis growers and distributors.

The change would be the most significant shift in federal drug policy in decades, but it didn’t mean commerce permitted under state law for medical or recreational marijuana would be matched under federal law.

“The special committee would also study the impact of this reclassification,” Fagg said.

In part, the committee would also consider how other states handled medical marijuana access for military veterans and patients suffering end-of-life medical challenges. Another element of the hearings could be the structure of CBD enforcement in Kansas.

The Legislative Coordinating Council received requests from state legislators for 72 interim committee meeting days, but the council trimmed the list to 56 days of meetings.

One day was approved for work of a special committee tasked with examining potential changes to case management services for Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These services help individuals enrolled in Medicaid find success in their home communities.

Sen. Chase Blasi, R-Wichita, said the administration of Gov. Laura Kelly may alter case management offerings in response to demands of the federal government.

“Numerous concerns have been raised by our constituents regarding the direction the administration appears to be headed on such changes,” Blasi said. “We believe that the Legislature should exercise oversight in order to ensure that this vital service is not disrupted.”

Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, requested six days, but received four days, for work of the Bethel Committee on Home and Community-Based Services for Medicaid recipients. A portion would be devoted to reviewing decisions by the Kelly administration to select three contractors to manage the $4 billion KanCare program serving more than 400,000 elderly, disabled, pregnant and low-income Kansans, she said.

A special House-Senate committee was allowed to meet two days to examine housing availability and affordability and the relationship of those realities to economic development. The panel would produce recommendations for broadening ownership of homes priced under $200,000 in urban and rural areas. Other issues, including availability of rental housing and the status of fixed-income seniors, would be on the agenda.

The joint committee on Kansas security was granted two days of hearings to dive into issues relevant to state employees, buildings and infrastructure.

“Such topics may include security protocols planned for the 2026 World Cup games,” said Sen. Mike Petersen, a Wichita Republican and chair of the Joint Kansas Security Committee.

One day would involve legislative tours of the Joint Forces Headquarters at Forbes Field, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s laboratory, the rebuilt Docking State Office Building and the Kansas State University campus in Salina.

Meanwhile, the Jennings Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee was granted three days to grapple with programs, activities and plans of the Kansas Department of Corrections. The committee proposed to set aside time to study nursery programs for incarcerated mothers and to learn about an program adopted in Nebraska.

The House-Senate committee on child welfare was provided four days for meetings to broaden the Legislature’s understanding of “child maltreatment” and to look at demographic trends influencing the welfare system. That would be combined with reviews of four state agencies engaged in child welfare issues, and the views of law enforcement and the judicial system on the topic.

The appropriations committees of the Senate and House were given permission to devote two days to hearings on a salary study of employees at universities under direction of the Kansas Board of Regents and Washburn University in Topeka.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720703041140.png" alt="Sen. Michael Fagg, an El Dorado Republican and chairman of the Senate Utilities Committee, was granted two days for joint House and Senate meetings to discuss implications of passing a medical marijuana law in Kansas. The meetings would occur later this year to prepare for the January opening of the 2025 Legislature. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Michael Fagg, an El Dorado Republican and chairman of the Senate Utilities Committee, was granted two days for joint House and Senate meetings to discuss implications of passing a medical marijuana law in Kansas. The meetings would occur later this year to prepare for the January opening of the 2025 Legislature. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Committees granted 56 days to debate policy issues ahead of 2025 session</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 — Republican Sen. Michael Fagg made a compelling case for scheduling joint House and Senate hearings on options for developing medical marijuana legislation in advance of convening the 2025 Kansas Legislature.The Legislative Coordinating Council, comprised of Republican and Democratic leadership in both chambers, granted Tuesday the Senate Utilities Committee chairman’s request for two days of interim meetings to hash out opportunities for Kansas to join the 14 states that legalized medical consumption of marijuana. Two dozen other states, including Missouri and Colorado, allow recreational consumption of pot.“Although the Legislature has worked to address medical marijuana, further study is needed,” Fagg said.He said a conversation about medical marijuana was warranted after announcement in May by the U.S. Department of Justice that it proposed to move cannabis with THC content over 0.3% from designation as a Schedule I drug, viewed as having no medical benefit, to the less-restrictive Schedule III. The result could ease some restrictions on cannabis-related research, promote cannabinoid drug development and alter the legal framework for cannabis growers and distributors.The change would be the most significant shift in federal drug policy in decades, but it didn’t mean commerce permitted under state law for medical or recreational marijuana would be matched under federal law.“The special committee would also study the impact of this reclassification,” Fagg said.In part, the committee would also consider how other states handled medical marijuana access for military veterans and patients suffering end-of-life medical challenges. Another element of the hearings could be the structure of CBD enforcement in Kansas.<h2>KanCare and housing</h2>The Legislative Coordinating Council received requests from state legislators for 72 interim committee meeting days, but the council trimmed the list to 56 days of meetings.One day was approved for work of a special committee tasked with examining potential changes to case management services for Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These services help individuals enrolled in Medicaid find success in their home communities.Sen. Chase Blasi, R-Wichita, said the administration of Gov. Laura Kelly may alter case management offerings in response to demands of the federal government.“Numerous concerns have been raised by our constituents regarding the direction the administration appears to be headed on such changes,” Blasi said. “We believe that the Legislature should exercise oversight in order to ensure that this vital service is not disrupted.”Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, requested six days, but received four days, for work of the Bethel Committee on Home and Community-Based Services for Medicaid recipients. A portion would be devoted to reviewing decisions by the Kelly administration to select three contractors to manage the $4 billion KanCare program serving more than 400,000 elderly, disabled, pregnant and low-income Kansans, she said.A special House-Senate committee was allowed to meet two days to examine housing availability and affordability and the relationship of those realities to economic development. The panel would produce recommendations for broadening ownership of homes priced under $200,000 in urban and rural areas. Other issues, including availability of rental housing and the status of fixed-income seniors, would be on the agenda.<h2>World Cup, salaries</h2>The joint committee on Kansas security was granted two days of hearings to dive into issues relevant to state employees, buildings and infrastructure.“Such topics may include security protocols planned for the 2026 World Cup games,” said Sen. Mike Petersen, a Wichita Republican and chair of the Joint Kansas Security Committee.One day would involve legislative tours of the Joint Forces Headquarters at Forbes Field, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s laboratory, the rebuilt Docking State Office Building and the Kansas State University campus in Salina.Meanwhile, the Jennings Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee was granted three days to grapple with programs, activities and plans of the Kansas Department of Corrections. The committee proposed to set aside time to study nursery programs for incarcerated mothers and to learn about an program adopted in Nebraska.The House-Senate committee on child welfare was provided four days for meetings to broaden the Legislature’s understanding of “child maltreatment” and to look at demographic trends influencing the welfare system. That would be combined with reviews of four state agencies engaged in child welfare issues, and the views of law enforcement and the judicial system on the topic.The appropriations committees of the Senate and House were given permission to devote two days to hearings on a salary study of employees at universities under direction of the Kansas Board of Regents and Washburn University in Topeka.

Kansas legislative leadership devoting two days of interim hearings to medical marijuana

TOPEKA– In 2024, the Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Investigation Division completed 202 firework stand inspections during the Independence Holiday, according to a media release from the agency.

 Investigators found 124 deficiencies, with most being fixed on site.

Examples of deficiencies include exits, fire extinguishers and trash. There were 9 separate seizures of illegal fireworks,&nbsp;bottle rockets, at fireworks stands.

The Fire Marshal investigated one case of an injury.

In 2023, the OSFM Investigation Division completed 60 firework stand inspections, with 12 violations found that were corrected on site, and 5 seizures of illegal fireworks

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720664557220.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA– In 2024, the Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Investigation Division completed 202 firework stand inspections during the Independence Holiday, according to a media release from the agency. Investigators found 124 deficiencies, with most being fixed on site.Examples of deficiencies include exits, fire extinguishers and trash. There were 9 separate seizures of illegal fireworks,&nbsp;bottle rockets, at fireworks stands.The Fire Marshal investigated one case of an injury.In 2023, the OSFM Investigation Division completed 60 firework stand inspections, with 12 violations found that were corrected on site, and 5 seizures of illegal fireworks

Kan. State Fire Marshal: Bottle rockets seized from several firework stands 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives investigating a Monday homicide&nbsp; have identified the victim as 44-year-old Lester White of Kansas City, Kansas.

Just before 6:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a reported disturbance&nbsp; in the 900 block of Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.

First responders found White in the street who had died from blunt trauma.&nbsp; Police took two suspects into custody.&nbsp; Police have not released details on the arrest of possible charges.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives investigating a Monday homicide&nbsp; have identified the victim as 44-year-old Lester White of Kansas City, Kansas.Just before 6:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a reported disturbance&nbsp; in the 900 block of Cleveland Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.First responders found White in the street who had died from blunt trauma.&nbsp; Police took two suspects into custody.&nbsp; Police have not released details on the arrest of possible charges.

Homicide: Police ID Kansas man who died of blunt trauma

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is warning Kansans not to consume Diamond Shruumz products, according to a media release.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZkYS5nb3Yvc2FmZXR5L3JlY2FsbHMtbWFya2V0LXdpdGhkcmF3YWxzLXNhZmV0eS1hbGVydHMvcHJvcGhldC1wcmVtaXVtLWJsZW5kcy1yZWNhbGxzLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy1iZWNhdXNlLXBvc3NpYmxlLWhlYWx0aC1yaXNrP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.SSOV5TPfncx2ao-N28ozUSenoupPuUj3GBVbOCn8fG4/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is recalling</a>&nbsp;Diamond Shruumz-brand products and the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNkYy5nb3YvZW52aXJvbm1lbnRhbC1oZWFsdGgtc3R1ZGllcy9vdXRicmVhay1pbnZlc3RpZ2F0aW9uLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy9pbmRleC5odG1sP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSNjZGNfZ2VuZXJpY19zZWN0aW9uXzEtb3V0YnJlYWstaW52ZXN0aWdhdGlvbi1zdW1tYXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDcxMC45NzQzMTY2MSJ9.eh5D4w88u6_e_5353eh79UTAhBB0zZ6t2Gd1IrTgb7c/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating</a>&nbsp;58 reports of severe illness, including 30 hospitalizations and one potentially associated death, across multiple states from the Prophet Premium Blends, LLC of Santa Ana, CA facility. KDHE is investigating two possible cases associated with this outbreak.

<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prophet-premium-blends-recalls-diamond-shruumz-products-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">Click here to</a> learn more.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, the FDA is alerting consumers to not eat, sell or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones or gummies.

"People who became ill from Diamond Shruumz-brand edibles reported a variety of severe symptoms,”&nbsp;KDHE State Epidemiologist and Environmental Health Officer, Dr. Farah Ahmed said. “These symptoms include seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, abnormal heart rates, high or low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting.”

Seek immediate medical attention or call the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) for advice if you have consumed a product and are having symptoms. If you consumed the products after January 1, 2024 and experienced symptoms, please fill out the KDHE confidential&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYml0Lmx5L0tESEVkaWFtb25kP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.JlCsr5Y3n_g4XgfDX9zec962aPt9hKAMCnn1t1RGz5E/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">illness report form</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720661110703.png" alt="Image FDA" />
 <figcaption>Image FDA</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is warning Kansans not to consume Diamond Shruumz products, according to a media release.The&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZkYS5nb3Yvc2FmZXR5L3JlY2FsbHMtbWFya2V0LXdpdGhkcmF3YWxzLXNhZmV0eS1hbGVydHMvcHJvcGhldC1wcmVtaXVtLWJsZW5kcy1yZWNhbGxzLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy1iZWNhdXNlLXBvc3NpYmxlLWhlYWx0aC1yaXNrP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.SSOV5TPfncx2ao-N28ozUSenoupPuUj3GBVbOCn8fG4/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is recalling</a>&nbsp;Diamond Shruumz-brand products and the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNkYy5nb3YvZW52aXJvbm1lbnRhbC1oZWFsdGgtc3R1ZGllcy9vdXRicmVhay1pbnZlc3RpZ2F0aW9uLWRpYW1vbmQtc2hydXVtei1wcm9kdWN0cy9pbmRleC5odG1sP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSNjZGNfZ2VuZXJpY19zZWN0aW9uXzEtb3V0YnJlYWstaW52ZXN0aWdhdGlvbi1zdW1tYXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDcxMC45NzQzMTY2MSJ9.eh5D4w88u6_e_5353eh79UTAhBB0zZ6t2Gd1IrTgb7c/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating</a>&nbsp;58 reports of severe illness, including 30 hospitalizations and one potentially associated death, across multiple states from the Prophet Premium Blends, LLC of Santa Ana, CA facility. KDHE is investigating two possible cases associated with this outbreak.<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/prophet-premium-blends-recalls-diamond-shruumz-products-because-possible-health-risk?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">Click here to</a> learn more.As a result of the ongoing investigation, the FDA is alerting consumers to not eat, sell or serve any flavor of Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones or gummies.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720661289018.png" alt="Image FDA" />
 <figcaption>Image FDA</figcaption>
 </figure>"People who became ill from Diamond Shruumz-brand edibles reported a variety of severe symptoms,”&nbsp;KDHE State Epidemiologist and Environmental Health Officer, Dr. Farah Ahmed said. “These symptoms include seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, abnormal heart rates, high or low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting.”Seek immediate medical attention or call the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) for advice if you have consumed a product and are having symptoms. If you consumed the products after January 1, 2024 and experienced symptoms, please fill out the KDHE confidential&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYml0Lmx5L0tESEVkaWFtb25kP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA3MTAuOTc0MzE2NjEifQ.JlCsr5Y3n_g4XgfDX9zec962aPt9hKAMCnn1t1RGz5E/s/1305913448/br/245522145790-l">illness report form</a>.

KDHE, FDA warning: Kan. cases linked to Diamond Shruumz products

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has agreed to send Israel hundreds of 500-pound bombs from a shipment that the Biden administration withheld because of concerns about Israeli operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to two U.S. officials.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced in May that he would not supply offensive weapons that Israel could use to launch an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-05-07-2024-113bf4ee5dad87dc5c003d76ed2785bf">all-out assault on Rafah</a>&nbsp;over concern for the well-being of hundreds of thousands civilians sheltering there.

The White House announced at the time that they were holding up a shipment of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound&nbsp; bombs because of the president’s concerns.

The officials, who were not authorized to comment on the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Biden administration had been more concerned about the use of the larger bombs and recently agreed to fulfill Israel’s request for the 500-pound bombs in the held up shipment. The U.S. is continuing to hold up the 2,000-pound bombs, the officials said.

One of the officials said that the shipment of the 500-pound bombs is still being processed and the bombs have not yet arrived in Israel.

Israel says it has nearly defeated Hamas forces in Rafah after two months of fighting there. Before Israeli troops invaded, the city had sheltered most of Gaza’s more than 2 million people.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-hamas-israel-war-rafah-aid-war-a30f9f2fbad8439be94e1b9f12ae9609">Today it is a dust-covered ghost town</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697623831480.png" alt="File-President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>File-President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has agreed to send Israel hundreds of 500-pound bombs from a shipment that the Biden administration withheld because of concerns about Israeli operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to two U.S. officials.U.S. President Joe Biden announced in May that he would not supply offensive weapons that Israel could use to launch an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-05-07-2024-113bf4ee5dad87dc5c003d76ed2785bf">all-out assault on Rafah</a>&nbsp;over concern for the well-being of hundreds of thousands civilians sheltering there.The White House announced at the time that they were holding up a shipment of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound&nbsp; bombs because of the president’s concerns.The officials, who were not authorized to comment on the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Biden administration had been more concerned about the use of the larger bombs and recently agreed to fulfill Israel’s request for the 500-pound bombs in the held up shipment. The U.S. is continuing to hold up the 2,000-pound bombs, the officials said.One of the officials said that the shipment of the 500-pound bombs is still being processed and the bombs have not yet arrived in Israel.Israel says it has nearly defeated Hamas forces in Rafah after two months of fighting there. Before Israeli troops invaded, the city had sheltered most of Gaza’s more than 2 million people.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-hamas-israel-war-rafah-aid-war-a30f9f2fbad8439be94e1b9f12ae9609">Today it is a dust-covered ghost town</a>.

US sends hundreds of bombs to Israel after pausing shipment

DOUGLAS COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for a violent attack earlier this year.

Last month, 21-year-old Breyon Paul Townsend of Lawrence, was sentenced to 53 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for aggravated battery of a Lawrence man, according to Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.

“Each of us should be able to walk the streets of our community without fear of violence,” District Attorney Valdez said.&nbsp;

Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on March 22, 2024, when Townsend approached a 20-year-old Lawrence man near 14th and Ohio streets. Townsend punched the man and then left the area in a vehicle. Police later identified Townsend using surveillance footage.

Judge Sally Pokorny also sentenced Townsend, who pleaded guilty in April, to 24 months of post-release supervision. The sentence will run consecutively to a felony case in Johnson County where Townsend was serving probation at the time of the incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720039739626.png" alt="Townsend from an earlier arrest in Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Townsend from an earlier arrest in Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for a violent attack earlier this year.Last month, 21-year-old Breyon Paul Townsend of Lawrence, was sentenced to 53 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for aggravated battery of a Lawrence man, according to Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.“Each of us should be able to walk the streets of our community without fear of violence,” District Attorney Valdez said.&nbsp;Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred on March 22, 2024, when Townsend approached a 20-year-old Lawrence man near 14th and Ohio streets. Townsend punched the man and then left the area in a vehicle. Police later identified Townsend using surveillance footage.Judge Sally Pokorny also sentenced Townsend, who pleaded guilty in April, to 24 months of post-release supervision. The sentence will run consecutively to a felony case in Johnson County where Townsend was serving probation at the time of the incident.

Police: Surveillance video led to prison for violent Kan. attack

HARVEY COUNTY —One person was taken into custody after trying to flee law enforcement on a motorcycle Tuesday night, according to a media release from Harvey County.

Just before 10:30p.m., a Harvey County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop the motorcycle as it traveled on Interstate 135 just south of the SE 36th Street exit south of Newton. The motorcycle did not have a license plate displayed.

The driver of the motorcycle, later identified as 35-year-old Joseph Irwin of Mulvane refused to stop, causing law enforcement to initiate a pursuit through the southern parts of Newton.&nbsp; The pursuit lasted about five minutes, ending with the motorcyclist losing traction and stopping near the parking lot of the Sand Creek Station Golf Course.

Deputies took Irwin into custody on requested charges of felony flee and elude, as well as other traffic misdemeanors. He is being held in the Harvey County Detention Center.

No one was injured in the incident. There was no significant damage to golf course property.

The Newton Police Department assisted with the pursuit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720634748790.jpeg" alt="Irwin-Photo Harvey County" />
 <figcaption>Irwin-Photo Harvey County</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —One person was taken into custody after trying to flee law enforcement on a motorcycle Tuesday night, according to a media release from Harvey County.Just before 10:30p.m., a Harvey County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop the motorcycle as it traveled on Interstate 135 just south of the SE 36th Street exit south of Newton. The motorcycle did not have a license plate displayed.The driver of the motorcycle, later identified as 35-year-old Joseph Irwin of Mulvane refused to stop, causing law enforcement to initiate a pursuit through the southern parts of Newton.&nbsp; The pursuit lasted about five minutes, ending with the motorcyclist losing traction and stopping near the parking lot of the Sand Creek Station Golf Course.Deputies took Irwin into custody on requested charges of felony flee and elude, as well as other traffic misdemeanors. He is being held in the Harvey County Detention Center.No one was injured in the incident. There was no significant damage to golf course property.The Newton Police Department assisted with the pursuit.

Motorcyclist jailed after chase that ended at Kan. golf course

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration, a proposal Republicans have prioritized as an election-year talking point even as research shows noncitizens illegally registering and casting ballots in federal elections is exceptionally rare.

The legislation, approved largely along partisan lines but with a few Democrats voting in favor, is unlikely to advance through the Democratic-led Senate. The GOP members of the Kansas delegation voted in favor of the bill.

The Biden administration also says it’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SAP-HR8281.pdf">strongly opposed</a>&nbsp;because it says safeguards already are in place to verify voter eligibility and enforce the law against noncitizen voting.

Still, the House vote will give Republicans an opportunity to bring attention to two of their central issues this year — border and election security.

It also provides an opportunity to fuel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-migrants-border-voter-fraud-campaign-40bbf5748615a3b1f6087ff920f59278">former President Donald Trump’s claims</a>&nbsp;that Democrats have encouraged the surge of migrants so they can register them to vote, which would be illegal. Noncitizens are not allowed to vote in federal elections, nor is it allowed for any statewide elections.

Research and audits in several states show there have been incidences of noncitizens who successfully registered to vote and cast ballots, but it happens rarely and is typically by mistake. States have mechanisms to check for it, although there isn’t one standard protocol they all follow.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, a key backer of the bill, said in a news conference earlier this week that the Democratic opposition means many Democrats “want illegals to participate in our federal elections; they want them to vote.”

During a speech Wednesday, he called the vote a “generation-defining moment."

“If just a small percentage, a fraction of a fraction of all those illegals that Joe Biden has brought in here to vote, if they do vote, it wouldn't just change one race,” he said. “It might potentially change all of our races.”

On his Truth Social platform this week, Trump suggested that Democrats are pushing to give noncitizen migrants the right to vote and urged Republicans to pass the legislation — the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — or “go home and cry yourself to sleep.”

The fixation on noncitizen voting is part of a broader and long-term&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigrant-voting-noncitizens-elections-explained-cf4c73b336147b5f5d9c2a22b2564994">Trump campaign strategy</a>&nbsp;of casting doubt on the validity of an election should he lose, and he has consistently pushed that narrative during his campaign rallies this year. Last month in Las Vegas, he told supporters, “The only way they can beat us is to cheat.” It also is part of a wider Republican campaign strategy, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-immigrants-noncitizen-trump-republicans-2024-1c65429c152c2a10514b5156eacf9ca7">GOP lawmakers across the country</a>&nbsp;passing state legislation and putting noncitizen voting measures on state ballots for November.

Democrats and voting rights advocates have said the legislation is unnecessary because it’s already a felony for noncitizens to register to vote in federal elections, punishable by fines, prison or deportation. Anyone registering must attest under penalty of perjury that they are a U.S. citizen. Noncitizens also are not allowed to cast ballots at the state level. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-new-york-city-ohio-29e7c1a42d859b717167260f7d2e808f">handful of municipalities</a>&nbsp;allow them to vote in some local elections.

They also have pointed to surveys showing that millions of Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/millions-americans-dont-have-documents-proving-their-citizenship-readily">don’t have easy access</a>&nbsp;to up-to-date documentary proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or passport, and therefore the bill could inhibit U.S. citizen voters who aren’t able to further prove their status.

During the Wednesday floor debate, Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, expressed concern that the bill would disenfranchise various American citizens.

He mentioned military members stationed abroad who couldn't show documentary proof of citizenship in person at an election office, as well as married women whose names have changed, Native Americans whose tribal IDs don't show their place of birth and natural disaster survivors who have lost their personal documents.

Morelle said he doesn't see the bill as an attempt to maintain voter rolls, but as part of larger GOP-led plans to question the validity of the upcoming election.

“The false claim that there is a conspiracy to register noncitizens is a pretext for trying to overturn the 2024 election, potentially leading to another tragedy on January 6th, 2025,” he said.

Yet Republicans who support the bill say the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">unprecedented surge of migrants</a>&nbsp;illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border creates too large a risk of noncitizens slipping through the cracks. They could purposely or inadvertently break the law to cast ballots that sway races amid narrow margins in November’s elections.

“Every illegal vote cancels out the vote of a legal American citizen,” said Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, the Republican chair of the House Administration Committee.

If passed, the bill would require noncitizens to be removed from state voter rolls and require new applicants to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. It also would require states to establish a process for applicants who can’t show proof to provide other evidence beyond their attestation of citizenship, though it’s unclear what that evidence could include.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ohiosos.gov/media-center/press-releases/2024/2024-05-14a/">found 137 suspected noncitizens</a>&nbsp;on the state’s rolls — out of roughly 8 million voters — and said he was taking action to confirm and remove them.

In 2022, Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, conducted&nbsp;<a href="https://sos.ga.gov/news/secretary-raffensperger-refers-1600-noncitizen-registrants-local-das-gbi-state-election-board">an audit</a>&nbsp;of his state’s voter rolls specifically looking for noncitizens. His office found that 1,634 had attempted to register to vote over a period of 25 years, but election officials had caught all the applications and none had been able to register.

In North Carolina in 2016, an audit of elections found that&nbsp;<a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/sboe/Post-Election%20Audit%20Report_2016%20General%20Election/Post-Election_Audit_Report.pdf">41 legal immigrants</a>&nbsp;who had not yet become citizens cast ballots, out of 4.8 million total ballots cast. The votes didn’t make a difference in any of the state’s elections.

In a document supporting the bill, Johnson listed other examples of noncitizens who had been removed from the rolls in Boston and Virginia. The elections departments there didn’t immediately answer questions from The Associated Press to verify the claims.

Several secretaries of state, interviewed during their summer conference in Puerto Rico this week, said noncitizens attempting to register and vote is not a big problem in their state.

Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican, said that his state already requires photo ID to vote and that most people use a driver's license.

"We don't really have a problem with this in my state,” he said in an interview.

Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, a Republican who oversees elections, said she supports the legislation in concept but provided a cautionary tale about how aggressively culling voter rolls can sometimes result in the removal of qualified voters. A few years ago, everyone in her household received mail ballots for a municipal election, except her. She had been removed from the rolls because she had been born in the Netherlands, where her father was stationed with the U.S. Air Force.

“I was the lieutenant governor, I was overseeing elections, and I got taken off because I was born in the Netherlands,” she said, “So I think we definitely have those checks and balances in the state of Utah, maybe to an extreme.”

The House vote comes days after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lara-trump-rnc-leadership-election-reshaping-gop-a407d7edbfb37739abc590540b2f206d">Republican National Committee</a>&nbsp;released its party platform, which emphasizes border security issues and takes a stand against Democrats giving “voting rights” to migrants living in the country illegally.

Republicans are expected to shine a light on their immigration and election integrity concerns at the Republican National Convention next week in Milwaukee, where Trump is scheduled to accept his third straight nomination for president.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration, a proposal Republicans have prioritized as an election-year talking point even as research shows noncitizens illegally registering and casting ballots in federal elections is exceptionally rare.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Only American citizens should be voting in our elections, plain and simple.&mdash; Rep. Jake LaTurner (@RepLaTurner) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepLaTurner/status/1811052981862695349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections. Period.<a href="https://t.co/NkfqvApvwQ">https://t.co/NkfqvApvwQ</a>&mdash; Tracey Mann (@RepMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMann/status/1811162167284060522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The legislation, approved largely along partisan lines but with a few Democrats voting in favor, is unlikely to advance through the Democratic-led Senate. The GOP members of the Kansas delegation voted in favor of the bill.The Biden administration also says it’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SAP-HR8281.pdf">strongly opposed</a>&nbsp;because it says safeguards already are in place to verify voter eligibility and enforce the law against noncitizen voting.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Every so often in this chamber, we take a vote that defines who we are and what we believe in.<a href="https://twitter.com/HouseGOP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HouseGOP</a> believes that only American citizens should decide our elections. Here&#39;s the question that will be answered on the floor today: Do Democrats want that same thing? <a href="https://t.co/IUkuSPaX6s">pic.twitter.com/IUkuSPaX6s</a>&mdash; Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1811096815317434871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Still, the House vote will give Republicans an opportunity to bring attention to two of their central issues this year — border and election security.It also provides an opportunity to fuel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-migrants-border-voter-fraud-campaign-40bbf5748615a3b1f6087ff920f59278">former President Donald Trump’s claims</a>&nbsp;that Democrats have encouraged the surge of migrants so they can register them to vote, which would be illegal. Noncitizens are not allowed to vote in federal elections, nor is it allowed for any statewide elections.Research and audits in several states show there have been incidences of noncitizens who successfully registered to vote and cast ballots, but it happens rarely and is typically by mistake. States have mechanisms to check for it, although there isn’t one standard protocol they all follow.Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, a key backer of the bill, said in a news conference earlier this week that the Democratic opposition means many Democrats “want illegals to participate in our federal elections; they want them to vote.”During a speech Wednesday, he called the vote a “generation-defining moment."“If just a small percentage, a fraction of a fraction of all those illegals that Joe Biden has brought in here to vote, if they do vote, it wouldn't just change one race,” he said. “It might potentially change all of our races.”On his Truth Social platform this week, Trump suggested that Democrats are pushing to give noncitizen migrants the right to vote and urged Republicans to pass the legislation — the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — or “go home and cry yourself to sleep.”The fixation on noncitizen voting is part of a broader and long-term&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigrant-voting-noncitizens-elections-explained-cf4c73b336147b5f5d9c2a22b2564994">Trump campaign strategy</a>&nbsp;of casting doubt on the validity of an election should he lose, and he has consistently pushed that narrative during his campaign rallies this year. Last month in Las Vegas, he told supporters, “The only way they can beat us is to cheat.” It also is part of a wider Republican campaign strategy, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-immigrants-noncitizen-trump-republicans-2024-1c65429c152c2a10514b5156eacf9ca7">GOP lawmakers across the country</a>&nbsp;passing state legislation and putting noncitizen voting measures on state ballots for November.Democrats and voting rights advocates have said the legislation is unnecessary because it’s already a felony for noncitizens to register to vote in federal elections, punishable by fines, prison or deportation. Anyone registering must attest under penalty of perjury that they are a U.S. citizen. Noncitizens also are not allowed to cast ballots at the state level. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-new-york-city-ohio-29e7c1a42d859b717167260f7d2e808f">handful of municipalities</a>&nbsp;allow them to vote in some local elections.They also have pointed to surveys showing that millions of Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/millions-americans-dont-have-documents-proving-their-citizenship-readily">don’t have easy access</a>&nbsp;to up-to-date documentary proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or passport, and therefore the bill could inhibit U.S. citizen voters who aren’t able to further prove their status.During the Wednesday floor debate, Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, expressed concern that the bill would disenfranchise various American citizens.He mentioned military members stationed abroad who couldn't show documentary proof of citizenship in person at an election office, as well as married women whose names have changed, Native Americans whose tribal IDs don't show their place of birth and natural disaster survivors who have lost their personal documents.Morelle said he doesn't see the bill as an attempt to maintain voter rolls, but as part of larger GOP-led plans to question the validity of the upcoming election.“The false claim that there is a conspiracy to register noncitizens is a pretext for trying to overturn the 2024 election, potentially leading to another tragedy on January 6th, 2025,” he said.Yet Republicans who support the bill say the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">unprecedented surge of migrants</a>&nbsp;illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border creates too large a risk of noncitizens slipping through the cracks. They could purposely or inadvertently break the law to cast ballots that sway races amid narrow margins in November’s elections.“Every illegal vote cancels out the vote of a legal American citizen,” said Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, the Republican chair of the House Administration Committee.If passed, the bill would require noncitizens to be removed from state voter rolls and require new applicants to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. It also would require states to establish a process for applicants who can’t show proof to provide other evidence beyond their attestation of citizenship, though it’s unclear what that evidence could include.Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ohiosos.gov/media-center/press-releases/2024/2024-05-14a/">found 137 suspected noncitizens</a>&nbsp;on the state’s rolls — out of roughly 8 million voters — and said he was taking action to confirm and remove them.In 2022, Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, conducted&nbsp;<a href="https://sos.ga.gov/news/secretary-raffensperger-refers-1600-noncitizen-registrants-local-das-gbi-state-election-board">an audit</a>&nbsp;of his state’s voter rolls specifically looking for noncitizens. His office found that 1,634 had attempted to register to vote over a period of 25 years, but election officials had caught all the applications and none had been able to register.In North Carolina in 2016, an audit of elections found that&nbsp;<a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/sboe/Post-Election%20Audit%20Report_2016%20General%20Election/Post-Election_Audit_Report.pdf">41 legal immigrants</a>&nbsp;who had not yet become citizens cast ballots, out of 4.8 million total ballots cast. The votes didn’t make a difference in any of the state’s elections.In a document supporting the bill, Johnson listed other examples of noncitizens who had been removed from the rolls in Boston and Virginia. The elections departments there didn’t immediately answer questions from The Associated Press to verify the claims.Several secretaries of state, interviewed during their summer conference in Puerto Rico this week, said noncitizens attempting to register and vote is not a big problem in their state.Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican, said that his state already requires photo ID to vote and that most people use a driver's license."We don't really have a problem with this in my state,” he said in an interview.Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, a Republican who oversees elections, said she supports the legislation in concept but provided a cautionary tale about how aggressively culling voter rolls can sometimes result in the removal of qualified voters. A few years ago, everyone in her household received mail ballots for a municipal election, except her. She had been removed from the rolls because she had been born in the Netherlands, where her father was stationed with the U.S. Air Force.“I was the lieutenant governor, I was overseeing elections, and I got taken off because I was born in the Netherlands,” she said, “So I think we definitely have those checks and balances in the state of Utah, maybe to an extreme.”The House vote comes days after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lara-trump-rnc-leadership-election-reshaping-gop-a407d7edbfb37739abc590540b2f206d">Republican National Committee</a>&nbsp;released its party platform, which emphasizes border security issues and takes a stand against Democrats giving “voting rights” to migrants living in the country illegally.Republicans are expected to shine a light on their immigration and election integrity concerns at the Republican National Convention next week in Milwaukee, where Trump is scheduled to accept his third straight nomination for president.______

 Kan. GOP lawmakers help pass bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote

NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA player&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jontay-porter">Jontay Porter</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a federal criminal case tied to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-jontay-porter-banned-man-charged-4d526223923d0ced516c3ae9cc22f9eb">betting scandal</a>&nbsp;that got him banned from the league earlier this year.

The former Toronto Raptors center entered the plea at his arraignment in a New York federal court and was set to be released on bond of $250,000.

His lawyer had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-jontay-porter-banned-men-charged-e0e0cc0bfffbb2869e541d05caa88af8">previously said that Porter was cooperating with authorities</a>&nbsp;while being treated for a gambling addiction.

Court papers showed the case against Porter is related to an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-jontay-porter-banned-man-charged-4d526223923d0ced516c3ae9cc22f9eb">ongoing prosecution of four other men</a>. The four have been arraigned on a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud but haven’t yet entered any pleas.

Those men are charged with scheming to profit off tips from an NBA player that he was going to exit two games early. They or their relatives used the knowledge to place big-winning bets that the athlete would do poorly in those games, according to a court complaint filed when they were charged in June.

The complaint didn’t name the player, but details matched up with an NBA investigation that spurred Porter’s banishment from the league this spring. The league found that he gambled on NBA games and gave bettors confidential information about his health.

In court Wednesday, Porter said he agreed to withdraw early from games to get out from under large gambling debts so he and co-conspirators could win bets on his performance. “I know what I did was wrong, unlawful, and I am deeply sorry,” he said.

Porter is set to be sentenced Dec. 18. He could face from just under three and a half years in prison to a little over four years. He’s also likely to be assessed hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution, plus potential fines.

According to the complaint, one of the four men pressed the player to clear up gambling debts by prematurely pulling out of games so that bets on him underperforming would pay off.

In a message responding to the man's instructions, the player wrote that if he didn't carry out the plan, "u hate me and if I don’t get u 8k by Friday you’re coming to Toronto to beat me up.”

After tipping off some of the men, the player claimed injury or illness and withdrew from Jan. 26 and March 20 games after only minutes on the court, the complaint said.

Porter played only briefly on those dates before complaining he was hurt or sick and exiting the games. His points, rebounds and assists in both games fell below sportsbooks' expectations.

After the NBA and others began investigating, the player messaged some of the men that they “might just get hit w a rico,” an apparent reference to the common acronym for a federal racketeering charge, according to the complaint against them. It said the player also asked the men whether they had deleted “all the stuff” from their phones.

The NBA's probe found that Porter not only exited at least one game for gamblers' sake but also wagered on NBA games in which he didn’t play. He once bet against his own team, the league said.

Porter averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 games this season, including five starts. He also played in 11 games for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2020-21 season.

The 24-year-old's NBA salary was about $410,000. He is the brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713394692575.png" alt="&nbsp;Jontay Porter photo Toronto Raptors" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Jontay Porter photo Toronto Raptors</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Former NBA player&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jontay-porter">Jontay Porter</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a federal criminal case tied to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-jontay-porter-banned-man-charged-4d526223923d0ced516c3ae9cc22f9eb">betting scandal</a>&nbsp;that got him banned from the league earlier this year.The former Toronto Raptors center entered the plea at his arraignment in a New York federal court and was set to be released on bond of $250,000.His lawyer had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-jontay-porter-banned-men-charged-e0e0cc0bfffbb2869e541d05caa88af8">previously said that Porter was cooperating with authorities</a>&nbsp;while being treated for a gambling addiction.Court papers showed the case against Porter is related to an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-jontay-porter-banned-man-charged-4d526223923d0ced516c3ae9cc22f9eb">ongoing prosecution of four other men</a>. The four have been arraigned on a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud but haven’t yet entered any pleas.Those men are charged with scheming to profit off tips from an NBA player that he was going to exit two games early. They or their relatives used the knowledge to place big-winning bets that the athlete would do poorly in those games, according to a court complaint filed when they were charged in June.The complaint didn’t name the player, but details matched up with an NBA investigation that spurred Porter’s banishment from the league this spring. The league found that he gambled on NBA games and gave bettors confidential information about his health.In court Wednesday, Porter said he agreed to withdraw early from games to get out from under large gambling debts so he and co-conspirators could win bets on his performance. “I know what I did was wrong, unlawful, and I am deeply sorry,” he said.Porter is set to be sentenced Dec. 18. He could face from just under three and a half years in prison to a little over four years. He’s also likely to be assessed hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution, plus potential fines.According to the complaint, one of the four men pressed the player to clear up gambling debts by prematurely pulling out of games so that bets on him underperforming would pay off.In a message responding to the man's instructions, the player wrote that if he didn't carry out the plan, "u hate me and if I don’t get u 8k by Friday you’re coming to Toronto to beat me up.”After tipping off some of the men, the player claimed injury or illness and withdrew from Jan. 26 and March 20 games after only minutes on the court, the complaint said.Porter played only briefly on those dates before complaining he was hurt or sick and exiting the games. His points, rebounds and assists in both games fell below sportsbooks' expectations.After the NBA and others began investigating, the player messaged some of the men that they “might just get hit w a rico,” an apparent reference to the common acronym for a federal racketeering charge, according to the complaint against them. It said the player also asked the men whether they had deleted “all the stuff” from their phones.The NBA's probe found that Porter not only exited at least one game for gamblers' sake but also wagered on NBA games in which he didn’t play. He once bet against his own team, the league said.Porter averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 games this season, including five starts. He also played in 11 games for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2020-21 season.The 24-year-old's NBA salary was about $410,000. He is the brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr.

Guilty plea: NBA player banned for life bet on his team to lose

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Russian internet propaganda campaign backed by the Kremlin that spread disinformation in the United States and relied on artificial intelligence has been disrupted, the Justice Department said Tuesday in announcing the seizure of nearly 1,000 bogus social media accounts.

Officials described the operation as part of an ongoing effort to sow discord in the U.S. through the creation of fictitious social media profiles that purported to belong to legitimate users but were actually designed to advance the aims of the Russian government, including by spreading disinformation about its war with Ukraine.

U.S. officials said the scheme was organized in 2022 by a senior editor at RT, a Russian-state funded media organization that has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/69e84148c8a44512bdc648b1bcac4f34">registered with the Justice Department as a foreign agent.</a>&nbsp;It received the support and financial approval of the Kremlin, with an officer of Russia's Federal Security Service — or FSB — leading a private intelligence organization that promoted disinformation through social media.

An email to RT was not immediately returned Tuesday.

The disruption of the so-called social media bot farm comes as U.S. officials have raised alarms about the potential for AI technology to impact American elections and amid ongoing concerns that foreign influence campaigns by adversaries could shape the opinions of unsuspecting voters, like an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d7eeadacc3e442ebbe23916a053856fa">elaborate plot by Russians to disrupt the 2016 presidential election</a>&nbsp;through a huge but hidden social media trolling campaign aimed in part at helping Republican Donald Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

“Today’s actions represent a first in disrupting a Russian-sponsored Generative AI-enhanced social media bot farm,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. “Russia intended to use this bot farm to disseminate AI-generated foreign disinformation, scaling their work with the assistance of AI to undermine our partners in Ukraine and influence geopolitical narratives favorable to the Russian government.”

Among the fake posts, according to the Justice Department, was a video that was posted by a purported Minneapolis, Minnesota resident that showed Russian President Vladimir Putin saying that areas of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania were “gifts” to those countries from liberating Russian forces during World War II.

As part of the disruption, the Justice Department seized two domain names and 968 accounts on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Russian internet propaganda campaign backed by the Kremlin that spread disinformation in the United States and relied on artificial intelligence has been disrupted, the Justice Department said Tuesday in announcing the seizure of nearly 1,000 bogus social media accounts.Officials described the operation as part of an ongoing effort to sow discord in the U.S. through the creation of fictitious social media profiles that purported to belong to legitimate users but were actually designed to advance the aims of the Russian government, including by spreading disinformation about its war with Ukraine.U.S. officials said the scheme was organized in 2022 by a senior editor at RT, a Russian-state funded media organization that has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/69e84148c8a44512bdc648b1bcac4f34">registered with the Justice Department as a foreign agent.</a>&nbsp;It received the support and financial approval of the Kremlin, with an officer of Russia's Federal Security Service — or FSB — leading a private intelligence organization that promoted disinformation through social media.An email to RT was not immediately returned Tuesday.The disruption of the so-called social media bot farm comes as U.S. officials have raised alarms about the potential for AI technology to impact American elections and amid ongoing concerns that foreign influence campaigns by adversaries could shape the opinions of unsuspecting voters, like an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d7eeadacc3e442ebbe23916a053856fa">elaborate plot by Russians to disrupt the 2016 presidential election</a>&nbsp;through a huge but hidden social media trolling campaign aimed in part at helping Republican Donald Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.“Today’s actions represent a first in disrupting a Russian-sponsored Generative AI-enhanced social media bot farm,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. “Russia intended to use this bot farm to disseminate AI-generated foreign disinformation, scaling their work with the assistance of AI to undermine our partners in Ukraine and influence geopolitical narratives favorable to the Russian government.”Among the fake posts, according to the Justice Department, was a video that was posted by a purported Minneapolis, Minnesota resident that showed Russian President Vladimir Putin saying that areas of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania were “gifts” to those countries from liberating Russian forces during World War II.As part of the disruption, the Justice Department seized two domain names and 968 accounts on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

US says Russia used AI-powered bots in disinformation scheme

CEDAR COUNTY —A Kansas man drowned over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported&nbsp; 60-year-old Craig H. Olson of Shawnee, Kansas&nbsp;was swimming near a 2008 Landau Pontoon boat in the first cove west of the&nbsp;&nbsp;Stockton Dam just after 6p.m. July 6.

 Olson dove near the boat, resurfaced and then swam towards the boat. He went under again and did not resurface, according to the patrol.

A Cedar County Deputy Coroner Joe Trussel pronounced Olson dead at the scene just after 8p.m. He was to transported&nbsp; Brumback Funeral Home.&nbsp; Olson was not wearing a life jacket, according to the patrol

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716827320847.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CEDAR COUNTY —A Kansas man drowned over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported&nbsp; 60-year-old Craig H. Olson of Shawnee, Kansas&nbsp;was swimming near a 2008 Landau Pontoon boat in the first cove west of the&nbsp;&nbsp;Stockton Dam just after 6p.m. July 6. Olson dove near the boat, resurfaced and then swam towards the boat. He went under again and did not resurface, according to the patrol.A Cedar County Deputy Coroner Joe Trussel pronounced Olson dead at the scene just after 8p.m. He was to transported&nbsp; Brumback Funeral Home.&nbsp; Olson was not wearing a life jacket, according to the patrol

Kansas man drowns after diving near pontoon boat

CHAPIN, S.C. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;is releasing the delegates she won during this year’s Republican primary so that they’re free to support Donald Trump at next week’s convention, a move that goes toward solidifying GOP support around the party’s presumptive nominee.

Haley on Tuesday opted to release her 97 delegates won across a dozen primaries and caucuses earlier this year, according to her former campaign.

In a statement, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador called for party unity at the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, also calling Democratic President Joe Biden “not competent to serve a second term” and saying that Vice President Kamala Harris — whom Haley repeatedly intimated would end up as president in Biden’s stead — “would be a disaster for America.”

“We need a president who will hold our enemies to account, secure our border, cut our debt, and get our economy back on track,” Haley said. “I encourage my delegates to support Donald Trump next week in Milwaukee.”

Haley won’t be in attendance in Milwaukee next week, according to spokesperson Chaney Denton.

“She was not invited, and she’s fine with that,” Denton said. “Trump deserves the convention he wants. She’s made it clear she’s voting for him and wishes him the best.”

Haley was the last major GOP rival standing against Trump when she shuttered her own campaign following Trump’s Super Tuesday romp, having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haley-trump-2024-republican-south-carolina-e5cf13a535b2746c757c63e34f611dfa">accused him</a>&nbsp;of causing chaos and disregarding the importance of U.S. alliances abroad.

Trump, in turn, repeatedly mocked her with the nickname “Birdbrain,” though he curtailed those attacks after securing enough delegates in March to become the presumptive Republican nominee.

Trump’s campaign did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Haley’s move, which was first reported by Politico.

The Republican National Committee defers to individual state rules governing delegates pledged to candidates who withdraw from the contest, so it’ll be a patchwork of state-by-state regulations that determine precisely how Haley’s delegates are handled.

Biden’s campaign has been working to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-donald-trump-pennsylvania-joe-biden-c8ab4e675cfd2fa64d6b749b881c6fbd">win over her supporters</a>, whom they view as true swing voters. But Haley said in May that she’d be casting her vote for Trump and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-endorses-trump-election-2024-president-72cd80b03d0cd6f69601a0c6166194a5">left it up to the former president</a>&nbsp;to work toward winning over support from her backers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705318898624.png" alt="File photo Nikki Haley courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo Nikki Haley courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>CHAPIN, S.C. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;is releasing the delegates she won during this year’s Republican primary so that they’re free to support Donald Trump at next week’s convention, a move that goes toward solidifying GOP support around the party’s presumptive nominee.Haley on Tuesday opted to release her 97 delegates won across a dozen primaries and caucuses earlier this year, according to her former campaign.In a statement, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador called for party unity at the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, also calling Democratic President Joe Biden “not competent to serve a second term” and saying that Vice President Kamala Harris — whom Haley repeatedly intimated would end up as president in Biden’s stead — “would be a disaster for America.”“We need a president who will hold our enemies to account, secure our border, cut our debt, and get our economy back on track,” Haley said. “I encourage my delegates to support Donald Trump next week in Milwaukee.”Haley won’t be in attendance in Milwaukee next week, according to spokesperson Chaney Denton.“She was not invited, and she’s fine with that,” Denton said. “Trump deserves the convention he wants. She’s made it clear she’s voting for him and wishes him the best.”Haley was the last major GOP rival standing against Trump when she shuttered her own campaign following Trump’s Super Tuesday romp, having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haley-trump-2024-republican-south-carolina-e5cf13a535b2746c757c63e34f611dfa">accused him</a>&nbsp;of causing chaos and disregarding the importance of U.S. alliances abroad.Trump, in turn, repeatedly mocked her with the nickname “Birdbrain,” though he curtailed those attacks after securing enough delegates in March to become the presumptive Republican nominee.Trump’s campaign did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Haley’s move, which was first reported by Politico.The Republican National Committee defers to individual state rules governing delegates pledged to candidates who withdraw from the contest, so it’ll be a patchwork of state-by-state regulations that determine precisely how Haley’s delegates are handled.Biden’s campaign has been working to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-donald-trump-pennsylvania-joe-biden-c8ab4e675cfd2fa64d6b749b881c6fbd">win over her supporters</a>, whom they view as true swing voters. But Haley said in May that she’d be casting her vote for Trump and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-endorses-trump-election-2024-president-72cd80b03d0cd6f69601a0c6166194a5">left it up to the former president</a>&nbsp;to work toward winning over support from her backers.

Nikki Haley tells her delegates to vote for Trump

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

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and top legislative leaders voted Tuesday to allocate $35.7 million to public higher education after the Kansas Board of Regents certified campus administrators complied with a state law forbidding employment and admissions decisions to be based on diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

The 2024 Legislature made distribution of the university operating grants contingent on affirming DEI no longer dictated faculty or staff hiring nor influenced whether a student was admitted.

Compliance with the state law by public institutions meant recalibration of personnel procedures and the publishing of information about training or orientation programs to public websites. DEI refers to policies established to support people from diverse backgrounds. A DEI framework would take into account gender, race, sexual orientation and other factors relative to people with a history of being marginalized in higher education.

“So, has each of the presidents of the universities certified that they have performed the duties that are required?” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican.

Blake Flanders, president and CEO of the state Board of Regents, said mandates were met by University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University and Emporia State University. He said neither Pittsburg State University nor Fort Hays State University previously ordered DEI training, but both universities planned to eventually include links to relevant material on their websites when appropriate.

The DEI law wouldn’t stop public universities or colleges from abiding by anti-discrimination statutes or undermine academic freedom of faculty or students engaged in DEI research or instruction. Campuses that violated the law by maintaining DEI pledges or oaths could face a $10,000 fine for every instance of noncompliance. The provisions weren’t applied in state law to private or parochial colleges or universities in Kansas.

The bipartisan State Finance Council likewise voted to support release of $21.8 million for need-based financial aid to public and private college and university students in Kansas.

In the past, controversy emerged when the state Board of Regents earmarked a higher percentage of money in the comprehensive grant program to students at public universities. The Legislature ordered the money divided equally between public and private institutions in the state. A hold was placed on the cash until the state Board of Regents affirmed it would follow prescribed methods of distributing the cash to students.

Adam Proffitt, the state’s budget director and secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration, also received permission from the State Finance Council to use state general fund dollars to pay $5.5 million in bond debt that otherwise wouldn’t be eliminated for seven years. He said it would require deployment of $4.7 million to deal promptly with the debt.

“Effectively, we are investing 87 cents of SGF to retire a $1 of SGF,” Proffitt said. “It doesn’t sound like much, but when you do that five million times over, you get to a pretty significant savings.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720633409164.png" alt=" Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly supported release of $35.7 million in university operating grants held up by an anti-DEA law and $21.8 million equally divided between public and private higher education institutions. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption> Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly supported release of $35.7 million in university operating grants held up by an anti-DEA law and $21.8 million equally divided between public and private higher education institutions. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and top legislative leaders voted Tuesday to allocate $35.7 million to public higher education after the Kansas Board of Regents certified campus administrators complied with a state law forbidding employment and admissions decisions to be based on diversity, equity and inclusion policies.The 2024 Legislature made distribution of the university operating grants contingent on affirming DEI no longer dictated faculty or staff hiring nor influenced whether a student was admitted.Compliance with the state law by public institutions meant recalibration of personnel procedures and the publishing of information about training or orientation programs to public websites. DEI refers to policies established to support people from diverse backgrounds. A DEI framework would take into account gender, race, sexual orientation and other factors relative to people with a history of being marginalized in higher education.“So, has each of the presidents of the universities certified that they have performed the duties that are required?” said House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican.Blake Flanders, president and CEO of the state Board of Regents, said mandates were met by University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University and Emporia State University. He said neither Pittsburg State University nor Fort Hays State University previously ordered DEI training, but both universities planned to eventually include links to relevant material on their websites when appropriate.The DEI law wouldn’t stop public universities or colleges from abiding by anti-discrimination statutes or undermine academic freedom of faculty or students engaged in DEI research or instruction. Campuses that violated the law by maintaining DEI pledges or oaths could face a $10,000 fine for every instance of noncompliance. The provisions weren’t applied in state law to private or parochial colleges or universities in Kansas.The bipartisan State Finance Council likewise voted to support release of $21.8 million for need-based financial aid to public and private college and university students in Kansas.In the past, controversy emerged when the state Board of Regents earmarked a higher percentage of money in the comprehensive grant program to students at public universities. The Legislature ordered the money divided equally between public and private institutions in the state. A hold was placed on the cash until the state Board of Regents affirmed it would follow prescribed methods of distributing the cash to students.Adam Proffitt, the state’s budget director and secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration, also received permission from the State Finance Council to use state general fund dollars to pay $5.5 million in bond debt that otherwise wouldn’t be eliminated for seven years. He said it would require deployment of $4.7 million to deal promptly with the debt.“Effectively, we are investing 87 cents of SGF to retire a $1 of SGF,” Proffitt said. “It doesn’t sound like much, but when you do that five million times over, you get to a pretty significant savings.”

Kan. legislators, governor release $35.7 million tied to public university adherence to DEI law

WASHINGTON—Three men were sentenced on July 9, 2024, after they previously pleaded guilty to felony charges related to their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, according to a statement from the United State's Attorney.

Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Kyle Kumer, 43, of Kansas City was sentenced to 10 months in prison,&nbsp;24 months of supervised release,&nbsp;and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alan Michael St. Onge, 36, of Brevard, North Carolina, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.

William “Jessie” Stover, 46, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was sentenced to six months in prison,&nbsp;36 months of supervised release,&nbsp;and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.&nbsp;

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols sentenced the three men.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, beginning at 2:42 p.m., numerous members of a mob illegally assembled on the Capitol grounds attacked members of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who were lawfully engaged in the performance of their official duties defending an entrance to the U.S. Capitol on the Lower West Terrace known as the Tunnel.

The Tunnel was the site of some of the most violent attacks against police on January 6th.&nbsp; Over the course of more than two hours, the mob struck police with thrown items, sprayed police with chemical irritants, pushed against the police, and stole items from the police defending the Tunnel.&nbsp;St. Onge, Kumer, and Stover were members of the mob that relentlessly pushed against police officers in the Tunnel in an attempt to breach a police line defending then entrance to the Capitol.

Court documents say that&nbsp;St. Onge&nbsp;approached the Capitol from the east before moving to the West Front. At approximately 2:12 p.m., as officers in the East Plaza were resisting the efforts of the mob to overcome the police line, St. Onge pushed against the police barricade and the police who were trying to resist the rioters’ efforts. After the police line fell on the East Front, St. Onge made his way to the West Front of the Capitol and up the Inaugural stage before arriving at the Lower West Terrace Tunnel at about 2:55 p.m.

At 3:09 p.m., St. Onge&nbsp;made his way&nbsp;further into the Tunnel and joined in with the crowd’s concerted push against the police line. Specifically, surveillance video footage captured images of St. Onge pushing, with great effort, against other rioters in an attempt to collectively breach the police line. At approximately 3:18 p.m., the police inside the Tunnel gained momentum and successfully expelled the rioters, including St. Onge, from the area.

St. Onge&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on June 16, 2023, in Brevard, North Carolina.&nbsp;

Kyle Kumer, accompanied by his elderly mother, made his way up to the Lower West Terrace and onto the Inaugural Stage at about the same time. As the crowd began to push in unison against the police line, at 3:08 p.m., Kumer turned his body so that his back was pushing up against the rioters between him and the police and began to push against them.&nbsp;

As he pushed, Kumer called out, “Let’s go! C’mon! Let’s go!” to the rioters around them to encourage them to join the push against the police.&nbsp; At 3:11 p.m., rioters began another group push in the Tunnel against the police, and Kumer joined in again. This group push effort caused an MPD officer to be crushed between the crowd and the door.&nbsp;At 3:15 p.m., numerous rioters left the Tunnel, leaving ample&nbsp;open&nbsp;space for Kumer and his mother&nbsp;to&nbsp;also&nbsp;leave, but they remained.&nbsp;At 3:16 p.m., rioters, including Kumer, made another group push effort against the police line. By 3:18 p.m., the police inside the Tunnel succeeded in pushing&nbsp;all of&nbsp;the rioters back to the entrance. Kumer and his mother were two of the last rioters to&nbsp;be cleared&nbsp;from inside the Tunnel.&nbsp;

Kumer&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on June 21, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;

William Stover arrived at the Tunnel entrance at about 2:53 p.m. and joined others in the melee to push against the police line. Stover, along with the other rioters, was eventually expelled from the Tunnel entrance by police. Stover later returned with others to push against police, this time grabbing onto the side of the Tunnel entrance to leverage his weight and increase his force. Stover then reached over the heads of the other rioters and struck the helmet of a police officer.

Moments later, Stover received a U.S. Capitol Police riot shield, which he then handed to another rioter who climbed up behind him. That rioter took the shield from Stover and used it to attack police. Stover remained at the entrance to the Tunnel as the rioters fought police for more than an hour and&nbsp;was eventually pushed away after being sprayed with chemical irritants. &nbsp;

Stover&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on July 10, 2023, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.&nbsp;

This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.&nbsp;Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of North Carolina, the Western District of Missouri, and the Western District of Kentucky.

This case was investigated by the&nbsp;FBI’s Charlotte, Louisville, Kansas City, and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the&nbsp;U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 42 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,470 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 530 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706826492286.png" alt="Kyke Kumer- image from the Nov. release of Jan 6 videos from House Speaker Mike Johnson&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kyke Kumer- image from the Nov. release of Jan 6 videos from House Speaker Mike Johnson&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON—Three men were sentenced on July 9, 2024, after they previously pleaded guilty to felony charges related to their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, according to a statement from the United State's Attorney.Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.Kyle Kumer, 43, of Kansas City was sentenced to 10 months in prison,&nbsp;24 months of supervised release,&nbsp;and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.&nbsp;&nbsp;Alan Michael St. Onge, 36, of Brevard, North Carolina, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.William “Jessie” Stover, 46, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was sentenced to six months in prison,&nbsp;36 months of supervised release,&nbsp;and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.&nbsp;U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols sentenced the three men.According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, beginning at 2:42 p.m., numerous members of a mob illegally assembled on the Capitol grounds attacked members of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who were lawfully engaged in the performance of their official duties defending an entrance to the U.S. Capitol on the Lower West Terrace known as the Tunnel.The Tunnel was the site of some of the most violent attacks against police on January 6th.&nbsp; Over the course of more than two hours, the mob struck police with thrown items, sprayed police with chemical irritants, pushed against the police, and stole items from the police defending the Tunnel.&nbsp;St. Onge, Kumer, and Stover were members of the mob that relentlessly pushed against police officers in the Tunnel in an attempt to breach a police line defending then entrance to the Capitol.Court documents say that&nbsp;St. Onge&nbsp;approached the Capitol from the east before moving to the West Front. At approximately 2:12 p.m., as officers in the East Plaza were resisting the efforts of the mob to overcome the police line, St. Onge pushed against the police barricade and the police who were trying to resist the rioters’ efforts. After the police line fell on the East Front, St. Onge made his way to the West Front of the Capitol and up the Inaugural stage before arriving at the Lower West Terrace Tunnel at about 2:55 p.m.At 3:09 p.m., St. Onge&nbsp;made his way&nbsp;further into the Tunnel and joined in with the crowd’s concerted push against the police line. Specifically, surveillance video footage captured images of St. Onge pushing, with great effort, against other rioters in an attempt to collectively breach the police line. At approximately 3:18 p.m., the police inside the Tunnel gained momentum and successfully expelled the rioters, including St. Onge, from the area.St. Onge&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on June 16, 2023, in Brevard, North Carolina.&nbsp;Kyle Kumer, accompanied by his elderly mother, made his way up to the Lower West Terrace and onto the Inaugural Stage at about the same time. As the crowd began to push in unison against the police line, at 3:08 p.m., Kumer turned his body so that his back was pushing up against the rioters between him and the police and began to push against them.&nbsp;As he pushed, Kumer called out, “Let’s go! C’mon! Let’s go!” to the rioters around them to encourage them to join the push against the police.&nbsp; At 3:11 p.m., rioters began another group push in the Tunnel against the police, and Kumer joined in again. This group push effort caused an MPD officer to be crushed between the crowd and the door.&nbsp;At 3:15 p.m., numerous rioters left the Tunnel, leaving ample&nbsp;open&nbsp;space for Kumer and his mother&nbsp;to&nbsp;also&nbsp;leave, but they remained.&nbsp;At 3:16 p.m., rioters, including Kumer, made another group push effort against the police line. By 3:18 p.m., the police inside the Tunnel succeeded in pushing&nbsp;all of&nbsp;the rioters back to the entrance. Kumer and his mother were two of the last rioters to&nbsp;be cleared&nbsp;from inside the Tunnel.&nbsp;Kumer&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on June 21, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp;William Stover arrived at the Tunnel entrance at about 2:53 p.m. and joined others in the melee to push against the police line. Stover, along with the other rioters, was eventually expelled from the Tunnel entrance by police. Stover later returned with others to push against police, this time grabbing onto the side of the Tunnel entrance to leverage his weight and increase his force. Stover then reached over the heads of the other rioters and struck the helmet of a police officer.Moments later, Stover received a U.S. Capitol Police riot shield, which he then handed to another rioter who climbed up behind him. That rioter took the shield from Stover and used it to attack police. Stover remained at the entrance to the Tunnel as the rioters fought police for more than an hour and&nbsp;was eventually pushed away after being sprayed with chemical irritants. &nbsp;Stover&nbsp;was arrested&nbsp;on July 10, 2023, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.&nbsp;This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.&nbsp;Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of North Carolina, the Western District of Missouri, and the Western District of Kentucky.This case was investigated by the&nbsp;FBI’s Charlotte, Louisville, Kansas City, and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the&nbsp;U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.In the 42 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,470 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 530 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Prison for KC man who took elderly mom to Capitol on Jan. 6 

BUTLER COUNTY —For the last several weeks a man has been making phone calls while representing himself as a member of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, according to Undersheriff&nbsp;Daimon Cundiff.

Last week, the suspect used a retired Lieutenant’s name and has also&nbsp; been using the name of a Butler County Patrol Captain. He has been successful in in getting people to send money in the form of bitcoin by using threats of arrest and has been known to be very aggressive over the phone. 

Cundiff reminded, "the Butler County Sheriff’s Office will never call you on the phone to collect money for fines, court fees, etc."

"The scammer has been able to spoof our Sheriff’s Office main line of 316-322-4254 so the call may appear to come from our office.&nbsp; We would like to alert the public to this growing scam and remind them to not give money over the phone to anyone without verification of identity."

BUTLER COUNTY —For the last several weeks a man has been making phone calls while representing himself as a member of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, according to Undersheriff&nbsp;Daimon Cundiff.Last week, the suspect used a retired Lieutenant’s name and has also&nbsp; been using the name of a Butler County Patrol Captain. He has been successful in in getting people to send money in the form of bitcoin by using threats of arrest and has been known to be very aggressive over the phone. Cundiff reminded, "the Butler County Sheriff’s Office will never call you on the phone to collect money for fines, court fees, etc.""The scammer has been able to spoof our Sheriff’s Office main line of 316-322-4254 so the call may appear to come from our office.&nbsp; We would like to alert the public to this growing scam and remind them to not give money over the phone to anyone without verification of identity."

Sheriff: Kansans sending bitcoin to scam caller

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

Just after 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 2400 block of College Avenue in Kansas City, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

At the scene, officers were summoned to a nearby residence where a man was located just outside the front of the home. EMS responded and declared the victim deceased at the scene.

An adult male subject was on scene when officers arrived and was taken into custody without incident. 

Detectives are not currently looking for any additional persons of interest. The circumstances leading up to the homicide are currently unknown.

Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to gather evidence and collect witness statements.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just after 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 2400 block of College Avenue in Kansas City, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.At the scene, officers were summoned to a nearby residence where a man was located just outside the front of the home. EMS responded and declared the victim deceased at the scene.An adult male subject was on scene when officers arrived and was taken into custody without incident. Detectives are not currently looking for any additional persons of interest. The circumstances leading up to the homicide are currently unknown.Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel responded to gather evidence and collect witness statements.

Homicide: Man found dead outside front of home in Kansas City

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-doctor-physical-debate-7e2ee1216e35891600737ce20cdc7d2d">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;saw a neurologist at the White House on Jan. 17 for a neurological exam, the results of which were later reported as part of his annual physical more than a month later, the White House said on Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720617125259.png" alt="File photo President Biden with White House&nbsp; press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre" />
 <figcaption>File photo President Biden with White House&nbsp; press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-doctor-physical-debate-7e2ee1216e35891600737ce20cdc7d2d">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;saw a neurologist at the White House on Jan. 17 for a neurological exam, the results of which were later reported as part of his annual physical more than a month later, the White House said on Tuesday.The confirmation came after the White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre inaccurately said during the daily briefing with reporters that the Jan. 17 meeting was not related to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-doctor-physical-debate-7e2ee1216e35891600737ce20cdc7d2d">care for the president</a>&nbsp;in response to a question from the Associated Press.The AP had asked whether a meeting, which was reported through the White House visitors’ logs, between renowned neurological expert Dr. Kevin Cannard and Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s personal doctor, was about the president himself. It was the only meeting between those two men, according to the logs, that had been reported between July 2023 and this past March — a period that has come under scrutiny because Cannard had visited the White House eight times in that time frame.“Because the date was not mentioned in the question, I want to be clear that the Jan. 17 meeting between Dr. O’Connor and Dr. Cannard was for the President’s physical,” Jean-Pierre said in a statement to the AP on Tuesday. “It was one of the three times the President has seen Dr. Cannard, each time for his physical. The findings from each exam have been released to the public.”That statement is not the first time in the days following Biden’s debate debacle – which triggered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-campaign-house-democrats-senate-16c222f825558db01609605b3ad9742a">a new round of concerns</a>&nbsp;about the 81-year-old president’s fitness to serve — that the White House has had to later clarify answers to questions about the president’s health.Last week, Jean-Pierre said Biden “did not get checked out by the doctor” for a cold that was noticeable during the June 27 debate. But Biden later said in a private meeting with Democratic governors that he had been checked out by his doctor after the debate concluded. Jean-Pierre said she meant Biden did not get a full medical exam and that the president did indeed have a “check-in” with his doctor, which he does a couple of times a week.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720526697169.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720526734368.png" alt="Letter from President Biden's doctor" />
 <figcaption>Letter from President Biden's doctor</figcaption>
 </figure>And, on Monday night, the White House released a statement from O’Connor describing the nature of Cannard’s visits to the White House after Jean-Pierre earlier in the day declined to confirm the name of the doctor or say why he was going to the White House. It also confirmed that Cannard had been the neurologist who had examined Biden in his three physicals during his presidency. Jean-Pierre contended Tuesday that “a lot of the things I said right here in this briefing room” were later restated in the letter from O’Connor Monday night.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a> Karine Jean-Pierre to <a href="https://twitter.com/edokeefe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@edokeefe</a>: &quot;It doesn&#39;t matter how hard you push me. It doesn&#39;t matter how angry you get with me. I&#39;m not going to confirm a name...What I can say share with you is that the president has seen a neurologist for his physical three times.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/oZQjMiIOPv">pic.twitter.com/oZQjMiIOPv</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1810397009150619756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Still, Jean-Pierre said this week that she and other White House press aides are doing “our best in this briefing to provide the information that we have.”“I will be the first one to admit: Sometimes I get it wrong. At least I admit that,” she said. “And sometimes I don’t have the information. And I will always, always admit that.”Jean-Pierre’s clarification also shows how parts of the president’s annual physical, which is generally conducted at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, can be performed over a longer period rather than just the one day at the suburban Maryland hospital.When O’Connor released the results of Biden’s physical on Feb. 28, he wrote that “an extremely detailed neurological exam was again reassuring in that there were no findings which would be consistent with any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or ascending lateral sclerosis, nor are there any signs of cervical myelopathy.” The letter had not stated when the neurological exam had been conducted, or where it took place.The repeated presence of Cannard in the White House visitors logs also attracted attention because of the doctor’s expertise in movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. But Jean-Pierre definitively said this week that Biden has not been treated for Parkinson’s disease, nor is he being treated currently or taking medication for it.Cannard has been the neurology consultant to the White House medical unit for a dozen years. O’Connor also said in a letter released Monday night that Cannard has held regular neurology clinics at the White House “in support of the thousands of active-duty members assigned in support of White House operations.”