BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas lecturer who suggested men who refuse to vote for a woman president solely because she is a woman should be shot resigned Friday after&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/09/kansas-lecturer-on-leave-after-inappropriate-reference-to-violence-during-class/">a video of his comments went viral</a>, inciting widespread backlash.

Barbara Bichelmeyer, KU provost and executive vice chancellor, announced Friday in a statement that the lecturer, Phillip Lowcock, “left the university.” The announcement came two days after a conservative pundit posted&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/nedryun/status/1843991931530993667" target="_blank">a video</a>&nbsp;to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that showed Lowcock addressing a classroom of students and making what the university dubbed an “inappropriate reference to violence.”

“There are going to be some males in our society that will refuse to vote for a potential female president because they don’t think females are smart enough to be president,” Lowcock said in the video. “We could line all those guys up and shoot ‘em. They clearly don’t understand the way the world works.”

He continued: “Did I say that? Scratch that from the recording. I don’t want the deans hearing that I said that.”

The university met with Lowcock upon learning about the video and immediately placed him on administrative leave, Bichelmeyer said. She said Lowcock apologized to her and other university leaders, saying his intention was “to emphasize his advocacy for women’s rights and equality.” Bichelmeyer said the university is attempting to find another instructor to cover his classes. He was on staff in KU’s department of health, sport and exercise sciences.

The video on X has more than 3.5 million views. It was first posted Wednesday morning by Ned Ryun, the son of former Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun of Kansas. A slate of politicians, media personalities and X users condemned Lowcock’s comments and called for his resignation.&nbsp;

A national free speech organization, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, defended Lowcock’s comments, saying his speech was hyperbole and protected under the First Amendment.

Bichelmeyer condemned violent rhetoric, but she acknowledged the tangled nature of academic freedom and free expression.

“It’s no secret that higher education and, more broadly, our society continue to grapple with issues of free speech, care and respect for others, and civic engagement,” she said. “The world is what we make of it. Please use this unfortunate event as an opportunity to reflect on these topics and the role each of us plays in our academic community.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728508235506.png" alt=" Strong Hall at the University of Kansas on August 22, 2020. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Strong Hall at the University of Kansas on August 22, 2020. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas lecturer who suggested men who refuse to vote for a woman president solely because she is a woman should be shot resigned Friday after&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/09/kansas-lecturer-on-leave-after-inappropriate-reference-to-violence-during-class/">a video of his comments went viral</a>, inciting widespread backlash.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Seriously ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/UnivOfKansas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UnivOfKansas</a>⁩? You’re letting this be said in your classrooms? That men who won’t vote for Kamala Harris for President should be lined up and shot?? ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RogerMarshallMD</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JerryMoran</a>⁩ <a href="https://t.co/7hHihxScEg">pic.twitter.com/7hHihxScEg</a>&mdash; Ned Ryun (@nedryun) <a href="https://twitter.com/nedryun/status/1843991931530993667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Barbara Bichelmeyer, KU provost and executive vice chancellor, announced Friday in a statement that the lecturer, Phillip Lowcock, “left the university.” The announcement came two days after a conservative pundit posted&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/nedryun/status/1843991931530993667" target="_blank">a video</a>&nbsp;to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that showed Lowcock addressing a classroom of students and making what the university dubbed an “inappropriate reference to violence.”“There are going to be some males in our society that will refuse to vote for a potential female president because they don’t think females are smart enough to be president,” Lowcock said in the video. “We could line all those guys up and shoot ‘em. They clearly don’t understand the way the world works.”He continued: “Did I say that? Scratch that from the recording. I don’t want the deans hearing that I said that.”The university met with Lowcock upon learning about the video and immediately placed him on administrative leave, Bichelmeyer said. She said Lowcock apologized to her and other university leaders, saying his intention was “to emphasize his advocacy for women’s rights and equality.” Bichelmeyer said the university is attempting to find another instructor to cover his classes. He was on staff in KU’s department of health, sport and exercise sciences.The video on X has more than 3.5 million views. It was first posted Wednesday morning by Ned Ryun, the son of former Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun of Kansas. A slate of politicians, media personalities and X users condemned Lowcock’s comments and called for his resignation.&nbsp;A national free speech organization, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, defended Lowcock’s comments, saying his speech was hyperbole and protected under the First Amendment.Bichelmeyer condemned violent rhetoric, but she acknowledged the tangled nature of academic freedom and free expression.“It’s no secret that higher education and, more broadly, our society continue to grapple with issues of free speech, care and respect for others, and civic engagement,” she said. “The world is what we make of it. Please use this unfortunate event as an opportunity to reflect on these topics and the role each of us plays in our academic community.”

University of Kan. lecturer resigns after ‘inappropriate reference to violence’ in class

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas boy critically injured in a shooting on Wednesday has died, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.

Just after 8a.m. Wednesday, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from 46-year-old Tesha L. Florence of Wichita reporting that she shot her son, according to Captain Moses.

First responders located a 16-year-old identified as Robert Florence inside an apartment in the 9100 Block of East Harry. He had a single gunshot wound. EMS transported him to an area hospital where he was in extremely critical condition.

On Friday morning the boy succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital, according to Moses.

At the scene, officers detained <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=168822">Tesha Florence,</a> identified according to Sedgwick County booking records. She is the boy's mother.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wichita Police investigators are in the process of amending the requested charges for her to include Second Degree Murder.

During the investigation into this case, detectives learned of a previously unreported incident from March 2024 where Techa Florence threatened an ex-husband and his current girlfriend with a gun.

Just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday, Tesha Florence was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail and is currently being held on bonds totaling $600,000, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=168822">according to online jail records.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728555306481.png" alt="Tesha Florence photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Tesha Florence photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas boy critically injured in a shooting on Wednesday has died, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.Just after 8a.m. Wednesday, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from 46-year-old Tesha L. Florence of Wichita reporting that she shot her son, according to Captain Moses.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728510375843.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Wednesday morning-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Wednesday morning-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located a 16-year-old identified as Robert Florence inside an apartment in the 9100 Block of East Harry. He had a single gunshot wound. EMS transported him to an area hospital where he was in extremely critical condition.On Friday morning the boy succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital, according to Moses.At the scene, officers detained <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=168822">Tesha Florence,</a> identified according to Sedgwick County booking records. She is the boy's mother.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wichita Police investigators are in the process of amending the requested charges for her to include Second Degree Murder.During the investigation into this case, detectives learned of a previously unreported incident from March 2024 where Techa Florence threatened an ex-husband and his current girlfriend with a gun.Just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday, Tesha Florence was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail and is currently being held on bonds totaling $600,000, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=168822">according to online jail records.</a>

Police: 16-year-old Kan. boy shot by his mother has died

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tesla unveiled its long-awaited robotaxi at a Hollywood studio Thursday night, though fans of the electric vehicle maker will have to wait until at least 2026 before they are available.

CEO Elon Musk pulled up to a stage at the Warner Bros. studio lot in one of the company's “Cybercabs," telling the crowd that the sleek, AI-powered vehicles don't have steering wheels or pedals. He also expressed confidence in the progress the company has made on autonomous driving technology that makes it possible for vehicles to drive without human intervention.

Tesla began selling the software, which is called “Full Self-Driving,” nine years ago.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-musk-self-driving-analyst-automated-traffic-a4cc507d36bd28b6428143fea80278ce">But there are doubts about its reliability</a>.

“We’ll move from supervised Full Self-Driving to unsupervised Full Self-Driving. where you can fall asleep and wake up at your destination,” he said. "It’s going to be a glorious future.”

Tesla expects the Cybercabs to cost under $30,000, Musk said. He estimated that the vehicles would become available in 2026, then added “before 2027.”

The company also expects to make the Full Self-Driving technology available on its popular Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Texas and California next year.

“If they’re going to eventually get to robotaxis, they first need to have success with the unsupervised FSD at the current lineup,” said Seth Goldstein, equity strategist at Morningstar Research. “Tonight’s event showed that they're ready to take that step forward.”

When Tesla will actually take that step, however, has led to more than a little anxiety for investors who see other automakers deploying similar technology right now. Shares of Tesla Inc. tumbled 9% at the opening bell Friday.

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle unit of Alphabet Inc.,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/waymo-google-robotaxis-driverless-los-angeles-expansion-6f06b65b5ad14f3f19609190c64d131f">is carrying passengers</a>&nbsp;in vehicles without human safety drivers in Phoenix and other areas. General Motors’ Cruise self-driving unit had been running robotaxis in San Francisco until a crash last year involving one of its vehicles.

Also, Aurora Innovation said it will start hauling freight in fully autonomous semis on Texas freeways by year’s end. Another autonomous semi company, Gatik, plans to haul freight autonomously by the end of 2025.

“Tesla yet again claimed it is a year or two away from actual automated driving -- just as the company has been claiming for a decade. Indeed, Tesla’s whole event had a 2014 vibe, except that in 2014 there were no automated vehicles actually deployed on public roads,” Bryant Walker Smith, a University of South Carolina law professor who studies automated vehicles, told The Associated Press in an email. “Now there are real AVs carrying real people on real roads, but none of those vehicles are Teslas. Tonight did not change this reality; it only made the irony more glaring.”

Tesla had 20 or so Cybercabs on hand and offered event attendees the opportunity to take rides inside the movie studio lot — not on Los Angeles' roads.

At the presentation, which was dubbed “We, Robot” and was streamed live on Tesla’s website and X, Musk also revealed a sleek minibus-looking vehicle that, like the Cybercab, would be self-driving and can carry up to 20 passengers.

The company also trotted out several of its black and white Optimus humanoid robots, which walked a few feet from the attendees before showing off dance moves in a futuristic-looking gazebo.

Musk estimated that the robots would cost between $28,000-$30,000 and would be able to babysit, mow lawns, fetch groceries, among other tasks.

“Whatever you can think of, it will do,” he said.

The unveiling of the Cybercab comes as Musk tries to persuade investors that his company is more about artificial intelligence and robotics as it labors to sell its core products, an aging lineup of electric vehicles.

Tesla’s model lineup is struggling and isn’t likely to be refreshed until late next year at the earliest, TD Cowen analyst Jeff Osborne wrote in a research note last week.

Osborne also noted that, in TD Cowen’s view, the “politicization of Elon” is tarnishing the Tesla brand among Democrat buyers in the U.S.

Musk has endorsed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and has pushed many conservative causes. Last weekend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-rally-butler-election-f718967ec29431a2b9858b1121e70da1">he joined Trump</a>&nbsp;at a Pennsylvania rally.

Musk has been saying for more than five years that a fleet of robotaxis is near, allowing Tesla owners to make money by having their cars carry passengers while they’re not in use by the owners.

But he has acknowledged that past predictions for the use of autonomous driving proved too optimistic. In 2019, he promised the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-09894dee68d7496399f176a77a8bc98d">fleet of autonomous vehicles by the end of 2020</a>.

The announcement comes as U.S. safety regulators are investigating Full Self Driving and Autopilot based on evidence that it has a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-autopilot-nhtsa-recall-069ab3341e0e724a60d91b82c9ef83a1">weak system for making sure human drivers pay attention</a>.

In addition, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-recalls-full-self-driving-cars-875b54d4b71e97d43a17e968d7b856ae">forced Tesla to recall</a>&nbsp;Full Self-Driving in February because it allowed speeding and violated other traffic laws, especially near intersections. Tesla was to fix the problems with an online software update.

Last April in Snohomish County, Washington, near Seattle, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-investigators-crash-seattle-self-driving-dbbe3d1cd887b5f936136adeb78a590a">Tesla using Full Self-Driving</a>&nbsp;hit and killed a motorcyclist, authorities said. The Tesla driver told authorities that he was using the system while looking at his phone when the car rear-ended the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

NHTSA says it’s evaluating information on the fatal crash from Tesla and law enforcement officials.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-investigations-justice-department-musk-self-driving-29a68864f75c9fabbd04f7a87d169444">Justice Department also has sought information</a>&nbsp;from Tesla about Full Self-Driving and Autopilot, as well as other items.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tesla unveiled its long-awaited robotaxi at a Hollywood studio Thursday night, though fans of the electric vehicle maker will have to wait until at least 2026 before they are available.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The future will be streamed live 10/10, 7pm PT <a href="https://t.co/YJEjZIYoTA">https://t.co/YJEjZIYoTA</a>&mdash; Tesla (@Tesla) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1843922599765590148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>CEO Elon Musk pulled up to a stage at the Warner Bros. studio lot in one of the company's “Cybercabs," telling the crowd that the sleek, AI-powered vehicles don't have steering wheels or pedals. He also expressed confidence in the progress the company has made on autonomous driving technology that makes it possible for vehicles to drive without human intervention.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Robotaxi &amp; Robovan <a href="https://t.co/pI2neyJBSL">pic.twitter.com/pI2neyJBSL</a>&mdash; Tesla (@Tesla) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1844583703604772893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Tesla began selling the software, which is called “Full Self-Driving,” nine years ago.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-musk-self-driving-analyst-automated-traffic-a4cc507d36bd28b6428143fea80278ce">But there are doubts about its reliability</a>.“We’ll move from supervised Full Self-Driving to unsupervised Full Self-Driving. where you can fall asleep and wake up at your destination,” he said. "It’s going to be a glorious future.”Tesla expects the Cybercabs to cost under $30,000, Musk said. He estimated that the vehicles would become available in 2026, then added “before 2027.”The company also expects to make the Full Self-Driving technology available on its popular Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Texas and California next year.“If they’re going to eventually get to robotaxis, they first need to have success with the unsupervised FSD at the current lineup,” said Seth Goldstein, equity strategist at Morningstar Research. “Tonight’s event showed that they're ready to take that step forward.”When Tesla will actually take that step, however, has led to more than a little anxiety for investors who see other automakers deploying similar technology right now. Shares of Tesla Inc. tumbled 9% at the opening bell Friday.Waymo, the autonomous vehicle unit of Alphabet Inc.,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/waymo-google-robotaxis-driverless-los-angeles-expansion-6f06b65b5ad14f3f19609190c64d131f">is carrying passengers</a>&nbsp;in vehicles without human safety drivers in Phoenix and other areas. General Motors’ Cruise self-driving unit had been running robotaxis in San Francisco until a crash last year involving one of its vehicles.Also, Aurora Innovation said it will start hauling freight in fully autonomous semis on Texas freeways by year’s end. Another autonomous semi company, Gatik, plans to haul freight autonomously by the end of 2025.“Tesla yet again claimed it is a year or two away from actual automated driving -- just as the company has been claiming for a decade. Indeed, Tesla’s whole event had a 2014 vibe, except that in 2014 there were no automated vehicles actually deployed on public roads,” Bryant Walker Smith, a University of South Carolina law professor who studies automated vehicles, told The Associated Press in an email. “Now there are real AVs carrying real people on real roads, but none of those vehicles are Teslas. Tonight did not change this reality; it only made the irony more glaring.”Tesla had 20 or so Cybercabs on hand and offered event attendees the opportunity to take rides inside the movie studio lot — not on Los Angeles' roads.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Futuristic Art Deco Bus <a href="https://t.co/4DDqJtGATU">pic.twitter.com/4DDqJtGATU</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1844612387237920949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>At the presentation, which was dubbed “We, Robot” and was streamed live on Tesla’s website and X, Musk also revealed a sleek minibus-looking vehicle that, like the Cybercab, would be self-driving and can carry up to 20 passengers.The company also trotted out several of its black and white Optimus humanoid robots, which walked a few feet from the attendees before showing off dance moves in a futuristic-looking gazebo.Musk estimated that the robots would cost between $28,000-$30,000 and would be able to babysit, mow lawns, fetch groceries, among other tasks.“Whatever you can think of, it will do,” he said.The unveiling of the Cybercab comes as Musk tries to persuade investors that his company is more about artificial intelligence and robotics as it labors to sell its core products, an aging lineup of electric vehicles.Tesla’s model lineup is struggling and isn’t likely to be refreshed until late next year at the earliest, TD Cowen analyst Jeff Osborne wrote in a research note last week.Osborne also noted that, in TD Cowen’s view, the “politicization of Elon” is tarnishing the Tesla brand among Democrat buyers in the U.S.Musk has endorsed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and has pushed many conservative causes. Last weekend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-rally-butler-election-f718967ec29431a2b9858b1121e70da1">he joined Trump</a>&nbsp;at a Pennsylvania rally.Musk has been saying for more than five years that a fleet of robotaxis is near, allowing Tesla owners to make money by having their cars carry passengers while they’re not in use by the owners.But he has acknowledged that past predictions for the use of autonomous driving proved too optimistic. In 2019, he promised the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-09894dee68d7496399f176a77a8bc98d">fleet of autonomous vehicles by the end of 2020</a>.The announcement comes as U.S. safety regulators are investigating Full Self Driving and Autopilot based on evidence that it has a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-autopilot-nhtsa-recall-069ab3341e0e724a60d91b82c9ef83a1">weak system for making sure human drivers pay attention</a>.In addition, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-recalls-full-self-driving-cars-875b54d4b71e97d43a17e968d7b856ae">forced Tesla to recall</a>&nbsp;Full Self-Driving in February because it allowed speeding and violated other traffic laws, especially near intersections. Tesla was to fix the problems with an online software update.Last April in Snohomish County, Washington, near Seattle, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-investigators-crash-seattle-self-driving-dbbe3d1cd887b5f936136adeb78a590a">Tesla using Full Self-Driving</a>&nbsp;hit and killed a motorcyclist, authorities said. The Tesla driver told authorities that he was using the system while looking at his phone when the car rear-ended the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.NHTSA says it’s evaluating information on the fatal crash from Tesla and law enforcement officials.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-investigations-justice-department-musk-self-driving-29a68864f75c9fabbd04f7a87d169444">Justice Department also has sought information</a>&nbsp;from Tesla about Full Self-Driving and Autopilot, as well as other items.

Elon Musk unveils Cybercab at Tesla robotaxi event

Lamar Hunt Jr., the son of the late founder of the Kansas City Chiefs, has long been vocal about his opposition to abortion

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

The family business that owns the Kansas City Chiefs is one of the biggest funders of a political action committee opposing a proposed amendment to overturn Missouri’s abortion ban.&nbsp;

<a href="https://huntsouthwest.com/steve-caple/" target="_blank">Unity Hunt</a>, the business that controls the assets of the late Lamar Hunt, including the Chiefs, in late September donated $300,000 to the Leadership for America PAC. It is currently running ads on several conservative&nbsp;radio stations across the state opposing the abortion-rights amendment,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/20/missouri-supreme-court-opinions-amendment-3-abortion/">which will appear on the November ballot as Amendment 3.&nbsp;</a>

Leadership for America is an independent spending PAC created in January. Prior to receiving the donation from Unity Hunt, the PAC had $31,159 on hand.

Along with paying directly for radio ads, Leadership for America has donated $100,000 to Vote “No” on 3, the main opposition group in the Amendment 3 campaign. And on Oct. 3, the PAC donated $100,000 to a PAC called Missouri Leadership Fund, which gave $100,000 to Vote “No” on 3 six days later.

Neither Unity Hunt nor the Kansas City Chiefs responded to requests for comment.

No one from Leadership for America could be reached for comment. The telephone number given to the Missouri Ethics Commission for treasurer John Royal has been disconnected.

The ads, which began airing across the state on Monday, call Amendment 3 “cleverly-worded to convince you that it only allows abortions until fetal viability.”&nbsp;

“But it has loopholes that allow for abortions through all nine months of pregnancy,” the ad continues. “Abortion proponents used to say ‘safe, legal and rare.’ But now they want abortion as common as the morning after pill.”

Supporters of the amendment say claims of abortions in the third trimester are misleading, since the legal freedoms around abortion would only apply until fetal viability, which is generally considered to be around 24 weeks, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The amendment text would<a href="https://moconstitutionalfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Missourians-for-Constitutional-Freedom-Amendment.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;allow the Missouri legislature to regulate abortion after fetal viability</a>&nbsp;with exceptions only to “protect the life, or physical or mental health of the pregnant person.”

Abortion is illegal from the moment of conception in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies. There are no exceptions for victims of rape or incest.&nbsp;

Leadership for America has spent a little more than $32,000 on the radio ads, which are set to run through Nov. 4. There are no other broadcast ads opposing the amendment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Organized efforts against Amendment 3 have been hugely outspent by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the committee backing the amendment. The campaign reported spending $7.3 million through June 30 and has purchased more than $8.7 million in television ads since the start of September.

Vote “No” on 3 has not filed a full disclosure report but has amassed $870,000 in donations greater than $5,000 since Aug. 30.

While the content of the Leadership for America ad aligns with most other opposition talking points, the original source of the money behind the ad drew some attention.&nbsp;

“It is incredibly disappointing to see Unity Hunt spend resources on this campaign to spread lies and continue the fear-mongering surrounding Amendment 3,” said state Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Democrat from Kansas City.&nbsp;

Nurrenbern, who is running for the 17th Senate District in Clay County, said she was particularly alarmed by the size of the donation from a family she said “has done so much good for Kansas City and the Kansas City area.”&nbsp;

State Rep. Ashley Aune, also a Democrat from Kansas City, said she wasn’t surprised to see the Hunt family backing an effort to stop abortion.

“But also, it’s disappointing because when you have such a big platform,” Aune said. “Using that platform to sow misinformation is a really irresponsible way to use it.”

In 2020, Lamar Hunt Jr. served as the master of ceremonies at the&nbsp;<a href="https://nrlc.org/nrlnewstoday/2020/02/tim-tebow-and-kansas-city-chief-owner-lamar-hunt-jr-team-up-at-kansans-for-life-banquet/" target="_blank">Kansans for Life annual Valentine’s Day banquet.&nbsp;</a>

Hunt, an owner of the Chiefs, told the crowd: “I do not think it is a cliché to say we are in a life and death battle for the truth and authentic dignity of the human person.”&nbsp;

Hunt six years earlier published<a href="https://lamarhuntjr.com/shift-momentum-battle-abortion/" target="_blank">&nbsp;a blog post to his website&nbsp;</a>contemplating what he observed as cultural shifts away from the “pro-choice” movement, comparing the momentum in the “pro-life” community to the San Francisco 49ers comeback and near-win in the final seconds of the 2013 Super Bowl.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728651006539.png" alt=" A handful of people opposed to Amendment 3 protested outside the Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, following a ruling to keep the abortion amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> A handful of people opposed to Amendment 3 protested outside the Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, following a ruling to keep the abortion amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Lamar Hunt Jr., the son of the late founder of the Kansas City Chiefs, has long been vocal about his opposition to abortion</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The family business that owns the Kansas City Chiefs is one of the biggest funders of a political action committee opposing a proposed amendment to overturn Missouri’s abortion ban.&nbsp;<a href="https://huntsouthwest.com/steve-caple/" target="_blank">Unity Hunt</a>, the business that controls the assets of the late Lamar Hunt, including the Chiefs, in late September donated $300,000 to the Leadership for America PAC. It is currently running ads on several conservative&nbsp;radio stations across the state opposing the abortion-rights amendment,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/20/missouri-supreme-court-opinions-amendment-3-abortion/">which will appear on the November ballot as Amendment 3.&nbsp;</a>Leadership for America is an independent spending PAC created in January. Prior to receiving the donation from Unity Hunt, the PAC had $31,159 on hand.Along with paying directly for radio ads, Leadership for America has donated $100,000 to Vote “No” on 3, the main opposition group in the Amendment 3 campaign. And on Oct. 3, the PAC donated $100,000 to a PAC called Missouri Leadership Fund, which gave $100,000 to Vote “No” on 3 six days later.Neither Unity Hunt nor the Kansas City Chiefs responded to requests for comment.No one from Leadership for America could be reached for comment. The telephone number given to the Missouri Ethics Commission for treasurer John Royal has been disconnected.The ads, which began airing across the state on Monday, call Amendment 3 “cleverly-worded to convince you that it only allows abortions until fetal viability.”&nbsp;“But it has loopholes that allow for abortions through all nine months of pregnancy,” the ad continues. “Abortion proponents used to say ‘safe, legal and rare.’ But now they want abortion as common as the morning after pill.”Supporters of the amendment say claims of abortions in the third trimester are misleading, since the legal freedoms around abortion would only apply until fetal viability, which is generally considered to be around 24 weeks, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.The amendment text would<a href="https://moconstitutionalfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Missourians-for-Constitutional-Freedom-Amendment.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;allow the Missouri legislature to regulate abortion after fetal viability</a>&nbsp;with exceptions only to “protect the life, or physical or mental health of the pregnant person.”Abortion is illegal from the moment of conception in Missouri, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies. There are no exceptions for victims of rape or incest.&nbsp;Leadership for America has spent a little more than $32,000 on the radio ads, which are set to run through Nov. 4. There are no other broadcast ads opposing the amendment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Organized efforts against Amendment 3 have been hugely outspent by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the committee backing the amendment. The campaign reported spending $7.3 million through June 30 and has purchased more than $8.7 million in television ads since the start of September.Vote “No” on 3 has not filed a full disclosure report but has amassed $870,000 in donations greater than $5,000 since Aug. 30.While the content of the Leadership for America ad aligns with most other opposition talking points, the original source of the money behind the ad drew some attention.&nbsp;“It is incredibly disappointing to see Unity Hunt spend resources on this campaign to spread lies and continue the fear-mongering surrounding Amendment 3,” said state Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Democrat from Kansas City.&nbsp;Nurrenbern, who is running for the 17th Senate District in Clay County, said she was particularly alarmed by the size of the donation from a family she said “has done so much good for Kansas City and the Kansas City area.”&nbsp;State Rep. Ashley Aune, also a Democrat from Kansas City, said she wasn’t surprised to see the Hunt family backing an effort to stop abortion.“But also, it’s disappointing because when you have such a big platform,” Aune said. “Using that platform to sow misinformation is a really irresponsible way to use it.”In 2020, Lamar Hunt Jr. served as the master of ceremonies at the&nbsp;<a href="https://nrlc.org/nrlnewstoday/2020/02/tim-tebow-and-kansas-city-chief-owner-lamar-hunt-jr-team-up-at-kansans-for-life-banquet/" target="_blank">Kansans for Life annual Valentine’s Day banquet.&nbsp;</a>Hunt, an owner of the Chiefs, told the crowd: “I do not think it is a cliché to say we are in a life and death battle for the truth and authentic dignity of the human person.”&nbsp;Hunt six years earlier published<a href="https://lamarhuntjr.com/shift-momentum-battle-abortion/" target="_blank">&nbsp;a blog post to his website&nbsp;</a>contemplating what he observed as cultural shifts away from the “pro-choice” movement, comparing the momentum in the “pro-life” community to the San Francisco 49ers comeback and near-win in the final seconds of the 2013 Super Bowl.

KC Chiefs owners fund radio ad campaign opposing Missouri abortion amendment

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a hit-and-run incident that occurred just after 8:30p.m.&nbsp; Sunday and are asking the public to help identify and locate a vehicle, according to a social media report from Wichita Police.

The vehicle is a late 2000's model white Dodge Ram, single-cab pickup. At the time of the incident, the pickup had some type of wood or pallets in the bed.

If you have any information on this vehicle, its whereabouts, or the owner, please contact the WPD Accident Follow-Up Unit at 316-350-3687, or you can remain anonymous and contact Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728644101523.png" alt="Photos Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a hit-and-run incident that occurred just after 8:30p.m.&nbsp; Sunday and are asking the public to help identify and locate a vehicle, according to a social media report from Wichita Police.The vehicle is a late 2000's model white Dodge Ram, single-cab pickup. At the time of the incident, the pickup had some type of wood or pallets in the bed.If you have any information on this vehicle, its whereabouts, or the owner, please contact the WPD Accident Follow-Up Unit at 316-350-3687, or you can remain anonymous and contact Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Police ask for help to ID, locate vehicle in Kansas hit-and-run

A strong geomagnetic storm occurred Thursday night and brought views of the aurora as far south as northern Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728614836497.png" alt="View of the northern lights from central Kansas on Thursday" />
 <figcaption>View of the northern lights from central Kansas on Thursday</figcaption>
 </figure>A strong geomagnetic storm occurred Thursday night and brought views of the aurora as far south as northern Kansas.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The northern lights are on full display across the Tri-State area. If you haven&#39;t made it out this evening don&#39;t worry the clear skies are forecast to continue throughout the night. For more information on the Aurora please visit <a href="https://t.co/H6I1XThxql">https://t.co/H6I1XThxql</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/newx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#newx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cowx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cowx</a> <a href="https://t.co/nIeX5iTcqd">pic.twitter.com/nIeX5iTcqd</a>&mdash; NWS Goodland (@NWSGoodland) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSGoodland/status/1844571365774590345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Beautiful display: Northern lights show off across Kansas

DICKINSON COUNTY—A small earthquake shook portions of central Kansas on just before 9:30a.m. Thursday.

The quake measured a magnitude 3.5, according to the&nbsp;U.S. Geological Survey and was centered approximately 3 and one half miles west of Woodbine.

The Dickinson County Sheriff's office said they received not calls about the quake.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728652872808.png" alt="USGS image" />
 <figcaption>USGS image</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY—A small earthquake shook portions of central Kansas on just before 9:30a.m. Thursday.The quake measured a magnitude 3.5, according to the&nbsp;U.S. Geological Survey and was centered approximately 3 and one half miles west of Woodbine.The Dickinson County Sheriff's office said they received not calls about the quake.

Small earthquake shook north central Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY–One person was injured in a fire Thursday in Topeka.

Just after noon, crews responded to a fire at Shorey Villa Apartments, 2200 NW Polk Street, according to Fire Department spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

Firefighters found smoke coming from one of the apartments and began attacking the fire.&nbsp; Fire crews searching the residence found a woman with&nbsp;serious injuries.

 The fire was extinguished and no additional injuries were reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental; related to flammable materials being too close to an open flame.&nbsp; The victim's injuries were non-life-threatening.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728588511633.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY–One person was injured in a fire Thursday in Topeka.Just after noon, crews responded to a fire at Shorey Villa Apartments, 2200 NW Polk Street, according to Fire Department spokesperson Rosie Nichols.Firefighters found smoke coming from one of the apartments and began attacking the fire.&nbsp; Fire crews searching the residence found a woman with&nbsp;serious injuries. The fire was extinguished and no additional injuries were reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental; related to flammable materials being too close to an open flame.&nbsp; The victim's injuries were non-life-threatening.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details.

Woman seriously burned in Kansas apartment fire

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;JESSE BEDAYN&nbsp;AND MATTHEW BROWN

DENVER (AP) — One person was killed and 12 people were rescued after being trapped for about six hours at the bottom of a former Colorado gold mine when an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said.

The elevator was descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek when it had a mechanical problem around 500 feet (152 meters) beneath the surface, creating a “severe danger for the participants,” Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said.

The cause of the vistor's death was not immediately provided.

The 12 adults who were trapped about 1,000 feet (305 meters) below ground had access to water and used radios to communicate with authorities, who told them there was an elevator issue, Mikesell said.

Mikesell said during a nighttime briefing that authorities do not know yet what caused the malfunction and an investigation is underway. Engineers worked to make sure the elevator was working safely again before bringing the stranded visitors back up on it. They had been prepared to bring them up by rope if necessary, had they not been able to get the elevator fixed.

Mikesell declined to reveal the identification of the victim.

The incident, which was reported to authorities at about noon, happened during the final week of the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine season before it shuts down for the winter, Mikesell said.

Earlier in the afternoon, while the 12 were stuck at the bottom, 11 other people who were riding the elevator were rescued. Four had minor injuries but the sheriff did not elaborate on how they were injured.

The elevator ride typically takes about two minutes, travelling about 500 feet (152 meters) per minute, according to the mine’s website.

Mikesell said the last time there was an incident was in the 1980s when a couple of people were trapped on the elevator. Nobody died in that incident.

Mines that operate as tourist attractions in Colorado must designate someone to inspect the mines and the transportation systems daily, according to the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Mikesell said he didn’t know the date of the last inspection. Records of the inspections weren’t immediately available online.

Gov. Jared Polis sent state resources including a mine rescue team.

Cripple Creek is a town of about 1,100 in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Colorado Springs.

The mine opened in the 1800s and closed in 1961, but still operates tours. Its website describes a one-hour tour in which visitors descend 1,000 feet (305 meters). It says they can see veins of gold in the rock and ride an underground tram.

A woman named Mollie Kathleen Gortner discovered the site of the mine in 1891 when she saw quartz laced with gold, according to the company’s website.

DENVER (AP) — Twelve people were safely rescued Thursday night after being trapped for hours at the bottom of a former Colorado gold mine when an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said Thursday. One person died in the accident.

The elevator was descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek when it had a mechanical problem around 500 feet (150 meters) beneath the surface, creating a “severe danger for the participants,” and one person was killed, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said at a press conference.

The twelve adults who were trapped were about 1,000 feet (305 meters) below ground. They were safe and in communication with authorities while waiting, and were in good spirits after they were rescued, Mikesell said.

Authorities gave them pizza once they were out and told them everything that had happened. While at the bottom, authorities had only told them there was an elevator issue.

Mikesell said during a nighttime briefing that authorities do not know yet what caused the malfunction and an investigation is underway. Engineers worked to make sure the elevator was working safely again before bringing the stranded visitors back up.

He declined to reveal the identification of the victim.

The incident happened during the final week of the site’s season before it shuts down for the winter, Mikesell said.

The elevator accident was reported to authorities at about noon, the sheriff said.

Eleven people who were riding the elevator were rescued initially, Mikesell said. Four had minor injuries. The sheriff did not elaborate on how they were injured or the nature of the elevator's mechanical problems.

During the ordeal, authorities communicated with the trapped group with radios. They had access to water, and the atmosphere was considered good.

Among those trapped was a member of the family mining operation who has mine rescue experience, Mikesell said.

Mikesell said the last time there was an incident was in the 1980s but did not say what had happened.

Mines operated as tourist attractions in Colorado must designate someone to inspect the mines and the transportation systems daily, according to the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Mikesell said he didn’t know the date of the last inspection. Records of the inspections weren’t immediately available online.

Gov. Jared Polis said earlier that the state was sending resources including a mine rescue team.

The mine opened in the 1800s and closed in 1961, but still operates tours. Its website describes a one-hour tour in which visitors descend 1,000 feet. It says they can see veins of gold in the rock and ride an underground tram.

DENVER (AP) — One person was killed and officials were working to rescue 12 others trapped deep beneath the surface of a former Colorado gold mine after an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said Thursday.

The elevator descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek had a mechanical problem around 500 feet (152 meters) beneath the surface, creating a “severe danger for the participants” and one person was killed, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said at a press conference.

Twelve people were still at the bottom of the mine, about 1,000 feet (305 meters) beneath the surface. They were safe and in communication with authorities, said Mikesell. Rescuers were working to get the elevator back online.

The elevator accident was reported to authorities at about noon, the sheriff said. He declined to identify the victim or say how they died. Two children were involved but it was unclear if they were among those who were trapped.

Eleven people who were riding the elevator were rescued, Mikesell said. Four had minor injuries. The sheriff did not elaborate on how they were injured or the nature of the elevator's mechanical problems.

The sheriff said authorities could rescue the trapped group by rope if necessary, but were hoping to get the elevator system safely working and to resolve the situation Thursday night.

“We want to inspect it, make sure it’s safe before bringing them back up with it,” Mikesell said. “We do have a plan B and a plan C already set in place with rescue officers.”

The state was sending an elevator expert to the scene.

Authorities were communicating with the trapped group with radios, but the group had not been told the extent of the problem with the elevator, according to Mikesell, who added, “That’s because I want to keep people calm.” The group had access to water and the atmosphere was considered good.

Responders were trying to assess if the damage done to the elevator could lead to another failure before they send it back down. The elevator ride typically takes about two minutes, travelling about 500 feet (152 meters) per minute, according to the mine’s website.

Gov. Jared Polis said the state was sending resources, including a mine rescue team.

“We will do everything possible and assist the county to ensure a speedy and safe resolution of the situation,” Polis said in a statement.

Cripple Creek is a town of about 1,100 people located in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Colorado Springs.

The mine opened in the 1800s and closed in 1961, but still operates tours. Its website describes a one-hour tour in which visitors descend 1,000 feet into the earth. It says they can see veins of gold in the rock and ride an underground tram.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728611333630.png" alt="Photos Teller County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Teller County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;&nbsp;JESSE BEDAYN&nbsp;AND MATTHEW BROWNDENVER (AP) — One person was killed and 12 people were rescued after being trapped for about six hours at the bottom of a former Colorado gold mine when an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said.The elevator was descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek when it had a mechanical problem around 500 feet (152 meters) beneath the surface, creating a “severe danger for the participants,” Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said.The cause of the vistor's death was not immediately provided.The 12 adults who were trapped about 1,000 feet (305 meters) below ground had access to water and used radios to communicate with authorities, who told them there was an elevator issue, Mikesell said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728611441446.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mikesell said during a nighttime briefing that authorities do not know yet what caused the malfunction and an investigation is underway. Engineers worked to make sure the elevator was working safely again before bringing the stranded visitors back up on it. They had been prepared to bring them up by rope if necessary, had they not been able to get the elevator fixed.Mikesell declined to reveal the identification of the victim.The incident, which was reported to authorities at about noon, happened during the final week of the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine season before it shuts down for the winter, Mikesell said.Earlier in the afternoon, while the 12 were stuck at the bottom, 11 other people who were riding the elevator were rescued. Four had minor injuries but the sheriff did not elaborate on how they were injured.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728613962820.png" alt="Photo Teller Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Teller Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>The elevator ride typically takes about two minutes, travelling about 500 feet (152 meters) per minute, according to the mine’s website.Mikesell said the last time there was an incident was in the 1980s when a couple of people were trapped on the elevator. Nobody died in that incident.Mines that operate as tourist attractions in Colorado must designate someone to inspect the mines and the transportation systems daily, according to the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Mikesell said he didn’t know the date of the last inspection. Records of the inspections weren’t immediately available online.Gov. Jared Polis sent state resources including a mine rescue team.Cripple Creek is a town of about 1,100 in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Colorado Springs.The mine opened in the 1800s and closed in 1961, but still operates tours. Its website describes a one-hour tour in which visitors descend 1,000 feet (305 meters). It says they can see veins of gold in the rock and ride an underground tram.A woman named Mollie Kathleen Gortner discovered the site of the mine in 1891 when she saw quartz laced with gold, according to the company’s website.___DENVER (AP) — Twelve people were safely rescued Thursday night after being trapped for hours at the bottom of a former Colorado gold mine when an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said Thursday. One person died in the accident.The elevator was descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek when it had a mechanical problem around 500 feet (150 meters) beneath the surface, creating a “severe danger for the participants,” and one person was killed, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said at a press conference.The twelve adults who were trapped were about 1,000 feet (305 meters) below ground. They were safe and in communication with authorities while waiting, and were in good spirits after they were rescued, Mikesell said.Authorities gave them pizza once they were out and told them everything that had happened. While at the bottom, authorities had only told them there was an elevator issue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728611441446.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mikesell said during a nighttime briefing that authorities do not know yet what caused the malfunction and an investigation is underway. Engineers worked to make sure the elevator was working safely again before bringing the stranded visitors back up.He declined to reveal the identification of the victim.The incident happened during the final week of the site’s season before it shuts down for the winter, Mikesell said.The elevator accident was reported to authorities at about noon, the sheriff said.Eleven people who were riding the elevator were rescued initially, Mikesell said. Four had minor injuries. The sheriff did not elaborate on how they were injured or the nature of the elevator's mechanical problems.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728611282995.png" alt="Photo Teller County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Teller County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>During the ordeal, authorities communicated with the trapped group with radios. They had access to water, and the atmosphere was considered good.Among those trapped was a member of the family mining operation who has mine rescue experience, Mikesell said.The elevator ride typically takes about two minutes, travelling about 500 feet (152 meters) per minute, according to the mine’s website.Mikesell said the last time there was an incident was in the 1980s but did not say what had happened.Mines operated as tourist attractions in Colorado must designate someone to inspect the mines and the transportation systems daily, according to the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Mikesell said he didn’t know the date of the last inspection. Records of the inspections weren’t immediately available online.Gov. Jared Polis said earlier that the state was sending resources including a mine rescue team.Cripple Creek is a town of about 1,100 in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Colorado Springs.The mine opened in the 1800s and closed in 1961, but still operates tours. Its website describes a one-hour tour in which visitors descend 1,000 feet. It says they can see veins of gold in the rock and ride an underground tram.A woman named Mollie Kathleen Gortner discovered the site of the mine in 1891 when she saw quartz laced with gold, according to the company’s website.-------------------DENVER (AP) — One person was killed and officials were working to rescue 12 others trapped deep beneath the surface of a former Colorado gold mine after an elevator malfunctioned at the tourist site, authorities said Thursday.The elevator descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near the town of Cripple Creek had a mechanical problem around 500 feet (152 meters) beneath the surface, creating a “severe danger for the participants” and one person was killed, Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said at a press conference.Twelve people were still at the bottom of the mine, about 1,000 feet (305 meters) beneath the surface. They were safe and in communication with authorities, said Mikesell. Rescuers were working to get the elevator back online.The elevator accident was reported to authorities at about noon, the sheriff said. He declined to identify the victim or say how they died. Two children were involved but it was unclear if they were among those who were trapped.Eleven people who were riding the elevator were rescued, Mikesell said. Four had minor injuries. The sheriff did not elaborate on how they were injured or the nature of the elevator's mechanical problems.The sheriff said authorities could rescue the trapped group by rope if necessary, but were hoping to get the elevator system safely working and to resolve the situation Thursday night.“We want to inspect it, make sure it’s safe before bringing them back up with it,” Mikesell said. “We do have a plan B and a plan C already set in place with rescue officers.”The state was sending an elevator expert to the scene.Authorities were communicating with the trapped group with radios, but the group had not been told the extent of the problem with the elevator, according to Mikesell, who added, “That’s because I want to keep people calm.” The group had access to water and the atmosphere was considered good.Among those trapped was a member of the family mining operation who has mine rescue experience, Mikesell said.Responders were trying to assess if the damage done to the elevator could lead to another failure before they send it back down. The elevator ride typically takes about two minutes, travelling about 500 feet (152 meters) per minute, according to the mine’s website.Mikesell said the last time there was an incident was in the 1980s but did not say what had happened.Mines operated as tourist attractions in Colorado must designate someone to inspect the mines and the transportation systems daily, according to the state Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety. Mikesell said he didn’t know the date of the last inspection. Records of the inspections weren’t immediately available online.Gov. Jared Polis said the state was sending resources, including a mine rescue team.“We will do everything possible and assist the county to ensure a speedy and safe resolution of the situation,” Polis said in a statement.Cripple Creek is a town of about 1,100 people located in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Colorado Springs.The mine opened in the 1800s and closed in 1961, but still operates tours. Its website describes a one-hour tour in which visitors descend 1,000 feet into the earth. It says they can see veins of gold in the rock and ride an underground tram.A woman named Mollie Kathleen Gortner discovered the site of the mine in 1891 when she saw quartz laced with gold, according to the company’s website.

1 dead, 12 rescued after trapped at Colorado gold mine tourist site

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/obama">Barack Obama</a>&nbsp;gave a blistering critique of his White House successor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and urged Black men to show up for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;as he campaigned in Pittsburgh on Thursday at the start of a swing-state tour for the Democratic ticket.

At a campaign field office to thank volunteers, Obama said he wanted to “speak some truths” after hearing reports on the ground that there was lower enthusiasm for Harris than there was for his own candidacy and that some Black men were thinking of sitting out the election.

“Part of it makes me think — and I’m speaking to men directly — part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that,” Obama said.

The former president said Trump’s penchant for putting people down was not real strength.

“You’re thinking about sitting out or supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you, because you think that’s a sign of strength, because that’s what being a man is? Putting women down? That’s not acceptable,” Obama said.

The Democratic former president made the battleground state of Pennsylvania the first stop of his campaign tour with less than four weeks until Election Day and as voting is already underway. Speaking at a rally at the University of Pittsburgh, he painted Trump as out-of-touch and not the choice to lead the country to change, calling him a “bumbling” billionaire “who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago.”

He said Harris is “a leader who has spent her life fighting on behalf of people who need a voice and a chance” and declared, “Kamala is as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been.”

Obama, eight years out of power, has been one of the Democratic Party’s most reliable surrogates to galvanize voters. Until he was elected president in 2020, Joe Biden had also taken on that role for Democrats, but this year, since ending his reelection campaign and letting Harris ascend to the ticket, he’s yet to hit the trail.

Obama, who received a roaring welcome from the crowd, described Trump’s all-caps posts on social media and his “ranting and the raving about crazy conspiracy theories. The two-hour speeches, word salad, just — it’s like Fidel Castro. Just on and on. Constant attempts to sell you stuff. Who does that?”

Obama listed some of the products Trump has tried to sell during his third White House campaign, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sneakers-sneaker-con-philadelphia-4de093eda6f8d1c68baf8fe8095f777b">$399 gold sneakers</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-election-campaign-watches-c6000a9944a5e9116b99ca2fe8b95cb0">$100,000 watch</a>&nbsp;and his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-god-bless-usa-bible-china-32a80611605d4052d8238064bbcace4c">“God Bless the USA” Bible for $59.99.</a>

“He wants you to buy the word of God: Donald Trump edition. Got his name right there next to Matthew and Luke,” Obama said, laughing. “You could not make this stuff up.”

As the nation’s first Black president, Obama’s appearance for Harris underscores the history-making nature of her own political career. Harris, the first woman, Black person or person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president, would be the first woman to serve as president if elected next month.

His old campaign rallying cry, “Yes, We Can,” was even refashioned for the event, with “Yes, She Can” beaming on a screen over the crowd.

Both Harris and Trump have been vying for support from Black Americans. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-trump-election-black-voters-biden-78e344ddea4886dd23582f4a51eb0da6">recent poll from the  AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>&nbsp;found that about 7 in 10 Black voters have a somewhat or very favorable view of Harris, with few differences between Black male and female voters on how they view the Democratic candidate.

Black voters’ opinions of Trump, by contrast, were overwhelmingly negative, according to the poll, but the former president believes his message on the economy, immigration and traditional values can make inroads into the Democrats’ traditional base of support among Black voters, especially younger Black men.

Obama acknowledged that the last few years, starting with the pandemic, have been hard for Americans, with high prices and other impacts putting a squeeze on working families.

“I get it, why people are looking to shake things up. I mean, I am the hopey-changey guy. So I understand people feeling frustrated and feeling we can do better,” Obama said. “What I cannot understand is why anybody would think that Donald Trump will shake things up in a way that is good for you, Pennsylvania.”

He mocked Trump’s answer in the debate that he would replace Obama’s signature health care law, the Affordable Care Act, with “concepts of a plan,” and his running mate JD Vance’s recent comment that Trump worked to “salvage” the law.

“Donald Trump spent his entire presidency trying to tear it down. And by the way, he couldn’t even do that right.”

Obama also referenced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jack-smith-election-supreme-court-0b9969b480036bb1f7c61a73980d406c">new court filing in the federal election interference case</a>&nbsp;against Trump that said Trump told an aide, “So what?” after being told his vice president, Mike Pence, had been rushed to a safe location after a violent crowd of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

“If Donald Trump does not care that a mob might attack his own vice president, do you think he cares about you?” he asked.

Glenda Ellison, a 71-year-old retired schoolteacher and Democrat from Pittsburgh, said she is feeling “a little nervous” about the election but “prayerful that it’s going to turn out in our favor.”

Ellison said she sees Obama as a party spokesperson with a large following who can hopefully sway voters that might be on the fence about voting for Harris.

“As a former president, and also as a Black president, I think that is something that might connect with the African American community, the fact that we do have our Black president supporting another Black candidate,” said Ellison, who is Black.

Obama was among the key Democrats who were part of a behind-the-scenes effort to encourage Biden, his former vice president, to drop out of the 2024 race.

Obama and Harris have been friends for two decades since he ran for Senate in Illinois. She campaigned for him when he sought the presidency in 2008.

Pennsylvania is a state Obama won in his 2008 and 2012 presidential races, but Trump won in 2016. Biden narrowly carried it in 2020 and the state is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested in this year’s race.

Trump was in the eastern part of the state Wednesday for back-to-back rallies in Scranton and Reading. He also campaigned in eastern Pennsylvania over the weekend when he returned to Butler, where he was shot in July as he survived an assassination attempt.

Obama’s appearance at the University of Pittsburgh was also aimed to bolster the reelection campaign of Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, who is being challenged by Trump-endorsed Republican David McCormick.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/obama">Barack Obama</a>&nbsp;gave a blistering critique of his White House successor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and urged Black men to show up for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;as he campaigned in Pittsburgh on Thursday at the start of a swing-state tour for the Democratic ticket.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Donald Trump is not thinking about you. He only sees power as a means to his ends. America is ready to turn the page. <a href="https://t.co/q80uODpUkZ">pic.twitter.com/q80uODpUkZ</a>&mdash; Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1844539876110119393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>At a campaign field office to thank volunteers, Obama said he wanted to “speak some truths” after hearing reports on the ground that there was lower enthusiasm for Harris than there was for his own candidacy and that some Black men were thinking of sitting out the election.“Part of it makes me think — and I’m speaking to men directly — part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that,” Obama said.The former president said Trump’s penchant for putting people down was not real strength.“You’re thinking about sitting out or supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you, because you think that’s a sign of strength, because that’s what being a man is? Putting women down? That’s not acceptable,” Obama said.The Democratic former president made the battleground state of Pennsylvania the first stop of his campaign tour with less than four weeks until Election Day and as voting is already underway. Speaking at a rally at the University of Pittsburgh, he painted Trump as out-of-touch and not the choice to lead the country to change, calling him a “bumbling” billionaire “who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago.”He said Harris is “a leader who has spent her life fighting on behalf of people who need a voice and a chance” and declared, “Kamala is as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been.”Obama, eight years out of power, has been one of the Democratic Party’s most reliable surrogates to galvanize voters. Until he was elected president in 2020, Joe Biden had also taken on that role for Democrats, but this year, since ending his reelection campaign and letting Harris ascend to the ticket, he’s yet to hit the trail.Obama, who received a roaring welcome from the crowd, described Trump’s all-caps posts on social media and his “ranting and the raving about crazy conspiracy theories. The two-hour speeches, word salad, just — it’s like Fidel Castro. Just on and on. Constant attempts to sell you stuff. Who does that?”Obama listed some of the products Trump has tried to sell during his third White House campaign, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-sneakers-sneaker-con-philadelphia-4de093eda6f8d1c68baf8fe8095f777b">$399 gold sneakers</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-election-campaign-watches-c6000a9944a5e9116b99ca2fe8b95cb0">$100,000 watch</a>&nbsp;and his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-god-bless-usa-bible-china-32a80611605d4052d8238064bbcace4c">“God Bless the USA” Bible for $59.99.</a>“He wants you to buy the word of God: Donald Trump edition. Got his name right there next to Matthew and Luke,” Obama said, laughing. “You could not make this stuff up.”As the nation’s first Black president, Obama’s appearance for Harris underscores the history-making nature of her own political career. Harris, the first woman, Black person or person of South Asian descent to serve as vice president, would be the first woman to serve as president if elected next month.His old campaign rallying cry, “Yes, We Can,” was even refashioned for the event, with “Yes, She Can” beaming on a screen over the crowd.Both Harris and Trump have been vying for support from Black Americans. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-trump-election-black-voters-biden-78e344ddea4886dd23582f4a51eb0da6">recent poll from the  AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>&nbsp;found that about 7 in 10 Black voters have a somewhat or very favorable view of Harris, with few differences between Black male and female voters on how they view the Democratic candidate.Black voters’ opinions of Trump, by contrast, were overwhelmingly negative, according to the poll, but the former president believes his message on the economy, immigration and traditional values can make inroads into the Democrats’ traditional base of support among Black voters, especially younger Black men.Obama acknowledged that the last few years, starting with the pandemic, have been hard for Americans, with high prices and other impacts putting a squeeze on working families.“I get it, why people are looking to shake things up. I mean, I am the hopey-changey guy. So I understand people feeling frustrated and feeling we can do better,” Obama said. “What I cannot understand is why anybody would think that Donald Trump will shake things up in a way that is good for you, Pennsylvania.”He mocked Trump’s answer in the debate that he would replace Obama’s signature health care law, the Affordable Care Act, with “concepts of a plan,” and his running mate JD Vance’s recent comment that Trump worked to “salvage” the law.“Donald Trump spent his entire presidency trying to tear it down. And by the way, he couldn’t even do that right.”Obama also referenced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jack-smith-election-supreme-court-0b9969b480036bb1f7c61a73980d406c">new court filing in the federal election interference case</a>&nbsp;against Trump that said Trump told an aide, “So what?” after being told his vice president, Mike Pence, had been rushed to a safe location after a violent crowd of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.“If Donald Trump does not care that a mob might attack his own vice president, do you think he cares about you?” he asked.Glenda Ellison, a 71-year-old retired schoolteacher and Democrat from Pittsburgh, said she is feeling “a little nervous” about the election but “prayerful that it’s going to turn out in our favor.”Ellison said she sees Obama as a party spokesperson with a large following who can hopefully sway voters that might be on the fence about voting for Harris.“As a former president, and also as a Black president, I think that is something that might connect with the African American community, the fact that we do have our Black president supporting another Black candidate,” said Ellison, who is Black.Obama was among the key Democrats who were part of a behind-the-scenes effort to encourage Biden, his former vice president, to drop out of the 2024 race.Obama and Harris have been friends for two decades since he ran for Senate in Illinois. She campaigned for him when he sought the presidency in 2008.Pennsylvania is a state Obama won in his 2008 and 2012 presidential races, but Trump won in 2016. Biden narrowly carried it in 2020 and the state is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested in this year’s race.Trump was in the eastern part of the state Wednesday for back-to-back rallies in Scranton and Reading. He also campaigned in eastern Pennsylvania over the weekend when he returned to Butler, where he was shot in July as he survived an assassination attempt.Obama’s appearance at the University of Pittsburgh was also aimed to bolster the reelection campaign of Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, who is being challenged by Trump-endorsed Republican David McCormick.

🎥Obama makes first campaign rally appearance for Harris

SALINE COUNTY— Police in Salina arrested a 16-year-old girl early Thursday morning following a high-speed pursuit.

Just after 1:30 a.m. officers were dispatched to the 300 block of East Claflin Avenue in Salina for a report of a burglary involving a 2017 Dodge Caravan, according to Saline Police Captain James Feldman.

The vehicle’s owner, a 24-year-old man, said he was alerted by the alarm and saw one suspect inside his vehicle and two others standing outside. When the suspects fled, the victim chased them for a block before they escaped in a black Toyota Tacoma.

Officers quickly located the suspect vehicle in the area of Norton Street and East Claflin Avenue, but the driver refused to stop, prompting a pursuit through east-central Salina, with speeds ranging from 20 to 70 mph.&nbsp;

Officers deployed stop sticks at several locations, but the Tacoma continued driving after running over them.&nbsp;The suspect vehicle eventually came to a stop in the 3100 block of Royal Drive, where police found only a 16-year-old driver.

Officers later determined that the Tacoma, valued at $2,000, had been stolen from the 300 block of Russell in Salina. The owner had left the key in the vehicle due to a transmission issue.

The 16-year-old was jailed on requested charged of fleeing and eluding, felony theft, burglary of a vehicle, attempted theft, and several driving infractions. Police continue working to identify two other suspects involved in the incident.

SALINE COUNTY— Police in Salina arrested a 16-year-old girl early Thursday morning following a high-speed pursuit.Just after 1:30 a.m. officers were dispatched to the 300 block of East Claflin Avenue in Salina for a report of a burglary involving a 2017 Dodge Caravan, according to Saline Police Captain James Feldman.The vehicle’s owner, a 24-year-old man, said he was alerted by the alarm and saw one suspect inside his vehicle and two others standing outside. When the suspects fled, the victim chased them for a block before they escaped in a black Toyota Tacoma.Officers quickly located the suspect vehicle in the area of Norton Street and East Claflin Avenue, but the driver refused to stop, prompting a pursuit through east-central Salina, with speeds ranging from 20 to 70 mph.&nbsp;Officers deployed stop sticks at several locations, but the Tacoma continued driving after running over them.&nbsp;The suspect vehicle eventually came to a stop in the 3100 block of Royal Drive, where police found only a 16-year-old driver.Officers later determined that the Tacoma, valued at $2,000, had been stolen from the 300 block of Russell in Salina. The owner had left the key in the vehicle due to a transmission issue.The 16-year-old was jailed on requested charged of fleeing and eluding, felony theft, burglary of a vehicle, attempted theft, and several driving infractions. Police continue working to identify two other suspects involved in the incident.

Police: 16-year-old Kan. burglary suspect was driving stolen pickup

KANSAS CITY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a&nbsp; fire that destroyed a church south of Kansas City.

Just after 6a.m. Wednesday, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call on a fire at the Methodist Church located at the intersection of Kentucky Street and Main Street in Adrian, Missouri,&nbsp;approximately 50 miles south of Kansas City and 45 minutes east of Paola, Kansas.

 When Adrian Police arrived on scene, they observed heavy smoke coming from the eaves of the building.   As firemen made entry into the church they observed the church to be fully involved in fire.

 Additional mutual aid was requested.&nbsp;  Fire Departments from Butler, Amsterdam, Drexel, Central Cass, Harrisonville and Dolan West Dolan responded to assist.   Bates County EMS, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Bates County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist.&nbsp;

The Adrian Fire Department has requested assistance on the investigation from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728521685234.png" alt="Photos Bates County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Bates County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a&nbsp; fire that destroyed a church south of Kansas City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728521896181.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 6a.m. Wednesday, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call on a fire at the Methodist Church located at the intersection of Kentucky Street and Main Street in Adrian, Missouri,&nbsp;approximately 50 miles south of Kansas City and 45 minutes east of Paola, Kansas. When Adrian Police arrived on scene, they observed heavy smoke coming from the eaves of the building. As firemen made entry into the church they observed the church to be fully involved in fire.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728521685234.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fumconmain%2Fposts%2Fpfbid034ZQgBjaDT2Navws9a8EGNTdFMVRfXDAw141VHR8eZACScvzj4Ho217AiCAtKjJR1l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="292" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div> Additional mutual aid was requested.&nbsp; Fire Departments from Butler, Amsterdam, Drexel, Central Cass, Harrisonville and Dolan West Dolan responded to assist. Bates County EMS, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Bates County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist.&nbsp;The Adrian Fire Department has requested assistance on the investigation from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF.

Cause of fire that destroyed church under investigation

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting on October 3, have released the name of the victim as 21-year-old Jai'Marion Miller of Kansas City, Kansas.

Just after 7a.m. October 3, police responded to report of a shooting in the 4900 Block of Dickinson Road in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.

First responders found Miller on the road with apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect information.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting on October 3, have released the name of the victim as 21-year-old Jai'Marion Miller of Kansas City, Kansas.Just after 7a.m. October 3, police responded to report of a shooting in the 4900 Block of Dickinson Road in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.First responders found Miller on the road with apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect information.

Homicide: Police ID Kan. man found with gunshot wound on the road

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of copies of Donald Trump’s “God Bless the USA” Bible were printed in a country that the former president has repeatedly accused of stealing American jobs and engaging in unfair trade practices: China.

Global trade records reviewed by The Associated Press show a printing company in China’s eastern city of Hangzhou shipped close to 120,000 of the Bibles to the United States earlier this year.

The estimated value of the three separate shipments was $342,000, or less than $3 per Bible, according to databases that track exports and imports. The minimum price for the Trump-backed Bible is $59.99, putting the potential sales revenue at about $7 million.

The Trump Bible’s connection to China reveals a deep divide between the former president’s harsh anti-China rhetoric and his efforts to raise cash while campaigning.

The Trump campaign did not respond to emails and calls seeking comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711546280758.png" alt="Image from the&nbsp;<a href="https://godblesstheusabible.com/">GodBlessTheUSABible.com</a>&nbsp;web site" />
 <figcaption>Image from the&nbsp;<a href="https://godblesstheusabible.com/">GodBlessTheUSABible.com</a>&nbsp;web site</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of copies of Donald Trump’s “God Bless the USA” Bible were printed in a country that the former president has repeatedly accused of stealing American jobs and engaging in unfair trade practices: China.Global trade records reviewed by The Associated Press show a printing company in China’s eastern city of Hangzhou shipped close to 120,000 of the Bibles to the United States earlier this year.The estimated value of the three separate shipments was $342,000, or less than $3 per Bible, according to databases that track exports and imports. The minimum price for the Trump-backed Bible is $59.99, putting the potential sales revenue at about $7 million.The Trump Bible’s connection to China reveals a deep divide between the former president’s harsh anti-China rhetoric and his efforts to raise cash while campaigning.The Trump campaign did not respond to emails and calls seeking comment.In a March 26 video posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump announced a partnership with country singer Lee Greenwood to hawk the Bibles, inspired by Greenwood's “God Bless the USA” hit song.In the video, Trump blended religion with his campaign message as he urged viewers to buy the Bible, which includes copies of the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Pledge of Allegiance.“This Bible is a reminder that the biggest thing we have to bring back in America, and to make America great again, is our religion," Trump said.Trump didn’t say where the “God Bless the USA” Bibles are printed, what they cost or how much he earns per sale. A version of the $59.99 Bible memorializes the July 13 assassination attempt on the former president in Pennsylvania. Trump’s name is stamped on the cover above the phrase, “The Day God Intervened.”The Bibles are sold exclusively through a website that states it is not affiliated with any political campaign nor is it owned or controlled by Trump.The website states that Trump’s name and image are used under a paid license from CIC Ventures, a company Trump reported owning in a financial disclosure released in August. CIC Ventures earned $300,000 in Bible sales royalties, according to the disclosure. It’s unclear if Trump has received additional payments.AP received no response to questions sent to the Bible website and to a publicist for Greenwood.For years, Trump has castigated Beijing as an obstacle to America’s economic success, slapping hefty tariffs on Chinese imports while president and threatening even more stringent measures if he’s elected again. He blamed China for the COVID-19 outbreak and recently suggested, without evidence, that Chinese immigrants are flooding the U.S. to build an “army” and attack America.But Trump also has an eye on his personal finances. Pitching Bibles is one of a dizzying number of for-profit ventures he’s launched or promoted, including diamond-encrusted watches, sneakers, photo books, cryptocurrency and digital trading cards.The web of enterprises has stoked conflict of interest concerns. Selling products at prices that exceed their value may be considered a campaign contribution, said Claire Finkelstein, founder of the nonpartisan Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law and a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania.“You have to assume that everything that the individual does is being done as a candidate and so that any money that flows through to him benefits him as a candidate,” Finkelstein said. “Suppose Vladimir Putin were to buy a Trump watch. Is that a campaign finance violation? I would think so.”There’s a potentially lucrative opportunity for Trump to sell 55,000 of the Bibles to Oklahoma after the state’s education department ordered public schools to incorporate Scripture into lessons. Oklahoma plans to buy Bibles that initially matched Trump’s edition: a King James Version that contains the U.S. founding documents. The request was revised Monday to allow the U.S. historical documents to be bound with the Bible or provided separately.The first delivery of Trump Bibles was labeled “God Bless USA,” according to the information from the Panjiva and Import Genius databases. The other two were described as “Bibles.” All the books were shipped by New Ade Cultural Media, a printing company in Hangzhou, to Freedom Park Design, a company in Alabama that databases identified as the importer of the Bibles.Tammy Tang, a sales representative for New Ade, told AP all three shipments were “God Bless the USA” Bibles. She said New Ade received the orders from Freedom Park Design via the WhatsApp messaging service. The books were printed on presses near the company’s office, she said.Freedom Park Design was incorporated in Florida on March 1. An aspiring country singer named Jared Ashley is the company’s president. He also co-founded 16 Creative, a marketing firm that uses the same Gulf Shores address and processes online orders for branded merchandise.Ashley hung up on a reporter who called to ask about the Bibles. Greenwood is a client of 16 Creative, according to the firm’s website. He launched the American-flag emblazoned Bible in 2021.Religious scholars have denounced the merger of Scripture and government documents as a “toxic mix” that would fuel Christian nationalism, a movement that fuses American and Christian values, symbols and identity and seeks to privilege Christianity in public life. Other critics have called the Trump Bible blasphemous.Tim Wildsmith, a Baptist minister who reviews Bibles on his YouTube channel, said he quickly noticed the signs of a cheaply made book when his “God Bless the USA” Bible arrived in the mail.It had a faux leather cover, and words were jammed together on the pages, making it hard to read. He also found sticky pages that ripped when pulled apart, and there was no copyright page or information about who printed the Bible, or where.“I was shocked by how poor the quality of it was,” Wildsmith said. “It says to me that it’s more about the love of money than it is the love of our country.”