WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans have released their initial&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/impeachment">impeachment inquiry</a>&nbsp;report on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, alleging an abuse of power and obstruction of justice in the financial dealings of his son&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;and family associates.

<a href="https://justthenews.com/sites/default/files/2024-08/2024.08.19%20Report%20of%20the%20Impeachment%20Inquiry%20of%20Joseph%20R.%20Biden%20Jr.%20President%20of%20the%20United%20States.pdf">Click here to read the full</a> impeachment report

The nearly yearlong investigation by Republicans stops short of alleging any criminal wrongdoing by the president. Instead, the almost 300-page report out Monday, the opening day of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>, covers familiar ground, asserting the Biden family traded on its “brand” in business ventures in corrupt ways that rise to the Constitution’s high bar for impeachment.

With Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">no longer running for reelection</a>, next steps are highly uncertain. House Republicans have not had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-impeachment-hunter-biden-comer-f09ba1ae3b7bda703a5a84530f56d70f">support from their own ranks</a>&nbsp;to actually impeach the president, and removal by the Senate is even further afield. Many Republicans prefer to focus attention on the Democratic Party’s presumptive presidential nominee Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>, with some probes getting underway.

The White House has dismissed the House impeachment inquiry as a “stunt” and encouraged House Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-white-house-impeachment-congress-acc6ff096fdecee70e2729426d8bdd3d">“move on.”</a>

“The totality of the corrupt conduct uncovered by the Committees is egregious,” wrote the House Oversight and Accountability, Judiciary and Ways &amp; Means panels&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kentucky-state-government-us-republican-party-united-states-house-of-representatives-d68267048aa4f42d244130e81d3e9c30">leading the inquiry</a>.

The report said the Constitution’s “remedy for a President’s flagrant abuse of office is clear: impeachment by the House of Representatives and removal by the Senate.”

Republicans have spent the better part of their time in the House majority with a hyper focus on Biden and his family’s businesses, encouraged by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-impeachment-vote-capitol-siege-0a6f2a348a6e43f27d5e1dc486027860">twice impeached</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictments-election-january-6-classified-documents-5cb04868bb1cdf91c19eafdb882af8c0">indicted former president</a>&nbsp;makes a comeback bid for the White House.

The impeachment inquiry has been a cornerstone of the House GOP's effort,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-biden-impeachment-shutdown-house-republicans-b187202be8814f7acbdd6e2e937e23d4">launched</a>&nbsp;by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy shortly before he was booted from leadership and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-impeachment-inquiry-mike-johnson-94884b322da40ca9315ac5f4e73a3e86">formalized in December</a>&nbsp;under new Speaker Mike Johnson. Republicans are investigating many aspects of Biden family finances going back to 2009 when he was vice president to Barack Obama.

In a statement Monday, Johnson was non-committal on what the House will do with the findings. “We encourage all Americans to read this report,” he said.

Through bank records, interviews from some 30 witnesses, whistleblower accounts and millions of documents, House Republicans allege a years-long practice by Hunter Biden and his associates to solicit foreign business deals using the family’s proximity to power in Washington.

Much of the focus of the report is not on Biden's time as president, but on the years when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-impeachment-investigation-congress-testimony-republicans-3b5573341b260713c2a637df24edf5fc">the Biden family was in turmoil</a>&nbsp;after the 2015 death of his oldest son, Beau, and as the vice president was bowing out of elected office, declining to run for president in 2016.

Hunter Biden has acknowledged a serious addiction to crack in these years. He was convicted in June of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-gun-trial-family-first-lady-a385e245fb4a0f06ad6ee73d38fcd374">felony gun charges</a>&nbsp;and is set to stand trial next month on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-federal-tax-case-california-bb2e2eb41eb2cd30206a47c40ba6044e">federal tax charges</a>.

Former Hunter Biden associate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-devon-archer-16bab963461fe48ee3baccc51e693c9c">Devon Archer</a>, who was sentenced to a year in prison in 2022 in another matter, told the committee, “At the end of the day, part of what was delivered is the brand."

To tie the elder Biden to his son’s actions, the Republicans rely on a series of phone calls and pop-by dinner meeting visits Joe Biden made while Hunter was conducting business. At times, Hunter would put his dad&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-devon-archer-4b706443a04e0c40a80c65e24d7d69dc">on speakerphone</a>&nbsp;for his guests as the father and son exchanged pleasantries.

The Bidens are a famously tight-knit family and acknowledge they speak almost daily, including during this time, with the father checking on his son’s well-being.

In his own defiant closed-door deposition to House investigators, Hunter Biden insisted he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-subpoena-impeachment-joe-biden-f91915376997b5327eb2e747816690b5">did not involve his father</a>&nbsp;in his business.

All told, the House Republicans allege the Biden family and its associates received some $27 million in business payments from partners or clients in Russia, China and other countries. They allege an additional $8 million in loans, including some from Hunter Biden benefactor Kevin Morris, a Hollywood attorney, and question the purchases of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-lifestyle-government-and-politics-arts-and-entertainment-9a91a8b87dadac7ef7f04743b41fdcbb">the son’s artwork</a>.

The report said it is “inconceivable” that President Biden did not understand what was going on.

“President Biden participated in a conspiracy to monetize his office of public trust to enrich his family,” the report claims.

Biden himself&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-james-comer-impeachment-congress-17a52c24f2da5927e0665657848a1231">declined a request</a>&nbsp;to testify before the House.

Touchbacks to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-international-news-politics-0756fda2b5143891c5da1c6897001cee">Trump’s impeachments</a>&nbsp;at the hands of Democrats run throughout the report’s pages as Republicans work to contrast his grounds for removal to Biden family’s dealings and “grift.”

But the difference are stark, as the indicted Trump faces actual criminal charges, including in the conspiracy to overturn Biden’s 2020 election and draw supporters to Washington on the day of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.</a>

The report also accuses Biden of obstructing justice in the probe, revisiting previously aired complaints about the Justice Department’s handling of the investigation into Hunter Biden. Attorney General Merrick Garland has forcefully denied those accusations, defending the department against claims of political influence.

The report focuses heavily on what Republicans have long alleged was a pattern of “slow-walking” investigative steps and delaying enforcement actions to the benefit of the president’s son.

But the report provides no evidence that Biden had any involvement in his son’s investigation, which was launched under Trump’s presidency and has been led by a Delaware U.S. attorney appointed by Trump. The U.S. attorney, David Weiss, was kept on by Garland to insulate the probe from claims of political interference.

Garland has insisted that no one at the White House gave him or other senior officials at the Justice Department direction about the handling of the Hunter Biden investigation.

Beyond Hunter Biden, the report includes details of the involvement of Joe Biden’s brother, James, in the various family businesses.

Republicans have pointed to a series of payments that they claim show the president benefited from his brother’s work. They point to a $200,000 personal check from James Biden to Joe Biden on the same day in 2018 that James Biden received an equal amount from Americore, a healthcare company.

House Democrats have defended the transaction, pointing to bank records they say indicate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jim-biden-business-congress-impeachment-president-gop-7a64c5e577787308090f9503ec80adb0">James Biden</a>&nbsp;was repaying a loan provided by his brother, who had wire transferred $200,000 to him about six weeks earlier. The money changed hands while Joe Biden was a private citizen.

Short of impeaching Biden, the House Republicans have issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-impeachment-house-republicans-hunter-james-e310269a42abd4a28a7e105b43f9c05a">criminal referrals</a>&nbsp;recommending the Justice Department prosecute Hunter Biden and James Biden, accusing them of making false statements to Congress as part of the GOP investigation. Attorneys for those men have argued those claims are baseless or a distraction.

Until recently, the president had been a focal point for Republicans in Congress, but his decision last month to drop out of the presidential race and Harris’ ascent to the top of the ticket have forced GOP leaders to reevaluate their marquee investigation.

A year ago, GOP lawmakers had hoped the Biden inquiry would build a strong enough case for impeachment’s “high crimes and misdemeanors.” But the longer the inquiry dragged and the little direct evidence against Biden investigators were able to produce in public hearings or even in closed-door sessions, the more concerns grew from moderate Republicans wary of a vote on the matter.

The report released Monday makes more than 20 mentions of the “Biden-Harris administration,” while previous releases from the committees investigating Biden typically only made direct references to him.

And while Harris is not mentioned on her own in the report, the same committees leading the inquiry have begun to open new probes into her and her vice presidential pick, Tim Walz.

Associated Press writers Alanna Durkin Richer, Gary Fields, Fatima Hussein and Nicholas Riccardi contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724066875833.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans have released their initial&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/impeachment">impeachment inquiry</a>&nbsp;report on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, alleging an abuse of power and obstruction of justice in the financial dealings of his son&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;and family associates.<a href="https://justthenews.com/sites/default/files/2024-08/2024.08.19%20Report%20of%20the%20Impeachment%20Inquiry%20of%20Joseph%20R.%20Biden%20Jr.%20President%20of%20the%20United%20States.pdf">Click here to read the full</a> impeachment reportThe nearly yearlong investigation by Republicans stops short of alleging any criminal wrongdoing by the president. Instead, the almost 300-page report out Monday, the opening day of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/democratic-national-convention">Democratic National Convention</a>, covers familiar ground, asserting the Biden family traded on its “brand” in business ventures in corrupt ways that rise to the Constitution’s high bar for impeachment.With Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">no longer running for reelection</a>, next steps are highly uncertain. House Republicans have not had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-impeachment-hunter-biden-comer-f09ba1ae3b7bda703a5a84530f56d70f">support from their own ranks</a>&nbsp;to actually impeach the president, and removal by the Senate is even further afield. Many Republicans prefer to focus attention on the Democratic Party’s presumptive presidential nominee Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>, with some probes getting underway.The White House has dismissed the House impeachment inquiry as a “stunt” and encouraged House Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-white-house-impeachment-congress-acc6ff096fdecee70e2729426d8bdd3d">“move on.”</a>“The totality of the corrupt conduct uncovered by the Committees is egregious,” wrote the House Oversight and Accountability, Judiciary and Ways &amp; Means panels&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kentucky-state-government-us-republican-party-united-states-house-of-representatives-d68267048aa4f42d244130e81d3e9c30">leading the inquiry</a>.The report said the Constitution’s “remedy for a President’s flagrant abuse of office is clear: impeachment by the House of Representatives and removal by the Senate.”Republicans have spent the better part of their time in the House majority with a hyper focus on Biden and his family’s businesses, encouraged by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-impeachment-vote-capitol-siege-0a6f2a348a6e43f27d5e1dc486027860">twice impeached</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictments-election-january-6-classified-documents-5cb04868bb1cdf91c19eafdb882af8c0">indicted former president</a>&nbsp;makes a comeback bid for the White House.The impeachment inquiry has been a cornerstone of the House GOP's effort,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-biden-impeachment-shutdown-house-republicans-b187202be8814f7acbdd6e2e937e23d4">launched</a>&nbsp;by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy shortly before he was booted from leadership and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-impeachment-inquiry-mike-johnson-94884b322da40ca9315ac5f4e73a3e86">formalized in December</a>&nbsp;under new Speaker Mike Johnson. Republicans are investigating many aspects of Biden family finances going back to 2009 when he was vice president to Barack Obama.In a statement Monday, Johnson was non-committal on what the House will do with the findings. “We encourage all Americans to read this report,” he said.Through bank records, interviews from some 30 witnesses, whistleblower accounts and millions of documents, House Republicans allege a years-long practice by Hunter Biden and his associates to solicit foreign business deals using the family’s proximity to power in Washington.Much of the focus of the report is not on Biden's time as president, but on the years when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-impeachment-investigation-congress-testimony-republicans-3b5573341b260713c2a637df24edf5fc">the Biden family was in turmoil</a>&nbsp;after the 2015 death of his oldest son, Beau, and as the vice president was bowing out of elected office, declining to run for president in 2016.Hunter Biden has acknowledged a serious addiction to crack in these years. He was convicted in June of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-gun-trial-family-first-lady-a385e245fb4a0f06ad6ee73d38fcd374">felony gun charges</a>&nbsp;and is set to stand trial next month on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-federal-tax-case-california-bb2e2eb41eb2cd30206a47c40ba6044e">federal tax charges</a>.Former Hunter Biden associate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-devon-archer-16bab963461fe48ee3baccc51e693c9c">Devon Archer</a>, who was sentenced to a year in prison in 2022 in another matter, told the committee, “At the end of the day, part of what was delivered is the brand."To tie the elder Biden to his son’s actions, the Republicans rely on a series of phone calls and pop-by dinner meeting visits Joe Biden made while Hunter was conducting business. At times, Hunter would put his dad&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-devon-archer-4b706443a04e0c40a80c65e24d7d69dc">on speakerphone</a>&nbsp;for his guests as the father and son exchanged pleasantries.The Bidens are a famously tight-knit family and acknowledge they speak almost daily, including during this time, with the father checking on his son’s well-being.In his own defiant closed-door deposition to House investigators, Hunter Biden insisted he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-subpoena-impeachment-joe-biden-f91915376997b5327eb2e747816690b5">did not involve his father</a>&nbsp;in his business.All told, the House Republicans allege the Biden family and its associates received some $27 million in business payments from partners or clients in Russia, China and other countries. They allege an additional $8 million in loans, including some from Hunter Biden benefactor Kevin Morris, a Hollywood attorney, and question the purchases of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-lifestyle-government-and-politics-arts-and-entertainment-9a91a8b87dadac7ef7f04743b41fdcbb">the son’s artwork</a>.The report said it is “inconceivable” that President Biden did not understand what was going on.“President Biden participated in a conspiracy to monetize his office of public trust to enrich his family,” the report claims.Biden himself&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-james-comer-impeachment-congress-17a52c24f2da5927e0665657848a1231">declined a request</a>&nbsp;to testify before the House.Touchbacks to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-international-news-politics-0756fda2b5143891c5da1c6897001cee">Trump’s impeachments</a>&nbsp;at the hands of Democrats run throughout the report’s pages as Republicans work to contrast his grounds for removal to Biden family’s dealings and “grift.”But the difference are stark, as the indicted Trump faces actual criminal charges, including in the conspiracy to overturn Biden’s 2020 election and draw supporters to Washington on the day of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.</a>The report also accuses Biden of obstructing justice in the probe, revisiting previously aired complaints about the Justice Department’s handling of the investigation into Hunter Biden. Attorney General Merrick Garland has forcefully denied those accusations, defending the department against claims of political influence.The report focuses heavily on what Republicans have long alleged was a pattern of “slow-walking” investigative steps and delaying enforcement actions to the benefit of the president’s son.But the report provides no evidence that Biden had any involvement in his son’s investigation, which was launched under Trump’s presidency and has been led by a Delaware U.S. attorney appointed by Trump. The U.S. attorney, David Weiss, was kept on by Garland to insulate the probe from claims of political interference.Garland has insisted that no one at the White House gave him or other senior officials at the Justice Department direction about the handling of the Hunter Biden investigation.Beyond Hunter Biden, the report includes details of the involvement of Joe Biden’s brother, James, in the various family businesses.Republicans have pointed to a series of payments that they claim show the president benefited from his brother’s work. They point to a $200,000 personal check from James Biden to Joe Biden on the same day in 2018 that James Biden received an equal amount from Americore, a healthcare company.House Democrats have defended the transaction, pointing to bank records they say indicate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jim-biden-business-congress-impeachment-president-gop-7a64c5e577787308090f9503ec80adb0">James Biden</a>&nbsp;was repaying a loan provided by his brother, who had wire transferred $200,000 to him about six weeks earlier. The money changed hands while Joe Biden was a private citizen.Short of impeaching Biden, the House Republicans have issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-impeachment-house-republicans-hunter-james-e310269a42abd4a28a7e105b43f9c05a">criminal referrals</a>&nbsp;recommending the Justice Department prosecute Hunter Biden and James Biden, accusing them of making false statements to Congress as part of the GOP investigation. Attorneys for those men have argued those claims are baseless or a distraction.Until recently, the president had been a focal point for Republicans in Congress, but his decision last month to drop out of the presidential race and Harris’ ascent to the top of the ticket have forced GOP leaders to reevaluate their marquee investigation.A year ago, GOP lawmakers had hoped the Biden inquiry would build a strong enough case for impeachment’s “high crimes and misdemeanors.” But the longer the inquiry dragged and the little direct evidence against Biden investigators were able to produce in public hearings or even in closed-door sessions, the more concerns grew from moderate Republicans wary of a vote on the matter.The report released Monday makes more than 20 mentions of the “Biden-Harris administration,” while previous releases from the committees investigating Biden typically only made direct references to him.And while Harris is not mentioned on her own in the report, the same committees leading the inquiry have begun to open new probes into her and her vice presidential pick, Tim Walz.___Associated Press writers Alanna Durkin Richer, Gary Fields, Fatima Hussein and Nicholas Riccardi contributed to this report.

Read the shocking House impeachment report on President Biden

ATCHINSON—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged violent crime that sent a victim to the hospital.

Just after 9:30a.m. August 16,&nbsp; police responded to a disturbance at a residence in the 1000 block Kansas Avenue in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 A 59-year-old woman reported being pushed down a stairway by 37-year-old Bryan Harris causing injuries. EMS transported the victim to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Police arrested Harris for aggravated battery and domestic battery. He remains in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724081860741.png" alt="Harris photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Harris photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHINSON—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged violent crime that sent a victim to the hospital.Just after 9:30a.m. August 16,&nbsp; police responded to a disturbance at a residence in the 1000 block Kansas Avenue in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. A 59-year-old woman reported being pushed down a stairway by 37-year-old Bryan Harris causing injuries. EMS transported the victim to Amberwell Hospital for treatment of her injuries.Police arrested Harris for aggravated battery and domestic battery. He remains in custody, according to online jail records.

Kansas man accused of pushing woman down stairway

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly hit-and-run crash in Sedgwick County.

Just after&nbsp;2 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a traffic crash involving a vehicle and a motorized bicycle at 2400 N. Hoover, according to Wichita. Police spokesman Andrew Ford.

First responders found the man who was riding the bicycle unresponsive. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS. 

The victim was driving north on Hoover when he was struck by an unknown vehicle that then continued driving north.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or additional details.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly hit-and-run crash in Sedgwick County.Just after&nbsp;2 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a traffic crash involving a vehicle and a motorized bicycle at 2400 N. Hoover, according to Wichita. Police spokesman Andrew Ford. First responders found the man who was riding the bicycle unresponsive. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS. The victim was driving north on Hoover when he was struck by an unknown vehicle that then continued driving north.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or additional details.

Bicyclist dead after Kansas hit-and run-crash

TOPEKA —A Salina man is accused of numerous crimes involving online child pornography.

According to an indictment from the United State's District Court, on Christmas Day 2021; April 2; August 13; August 22 and August 27 of 2022, Douglas Harpster, 45, Salina, "did and attempted to knowingly receive one (1) or more visual depictions of a minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 2256, and said visual depictions were of such conduct."

On or before February 9, 2023, Harpster "did knowingly possess and access with intent to view one (1) or more matters which contained any visual depiction of a minor, that involved prepubescent minors and minors who had not attained 12 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct."

Just before 6p.m. July 17, Harper was booked into the Shawnee County jail in Topeka. He is now being held without bond in federal custody, according to online jail records.

For counts 1-4, Harpster faces five to twenty years in prison and a fine&nbsp; not to exceed $250,000, according to the indictment. For count 5, he faces ten years in prison and a fine not exceed $250,000. 

Upon conviction, Harpster is required to forfeit any and all property used or intended to be used in any manner or part to commit or to promote the commission of such offenses or any property traceable to such property, including but not limited to: a Black Samsung S10 cell phone; Cooler Master Desktop compute and drives; Black MSI MS-1607 laptop computer and drive; a Silver Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 laptop computer and drive; a&nbsp;Supermicro 24-bay server&nbsp; and drives and a&nbsp;Silver Apple MacBook Pro.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724072117714.png" alt="Harpster photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Harpster photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —A Salina man is accused of numerous crimes involving online child pornography.According to an indictment from the United State's District Court, on Christmas Day 2021; April 2; August 13; August 22 and August 27 of 2022, Douglas Harpster, 45, Salina, "did and attempted to knowingly receive one (1) or more visual depictions of a minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 2256, and said visual depictions were of such conduct."On or before February 9, 2023, Harpster "did knowingly possess and access with intent to view one (1) or more matters which contained any visual depiction of a minor, that involved prepubescent minors and minors who had not attained 12 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct."Just before 6p.m. July 17, Harper was booked into the Shawnee County jail in Topeka. He is now being held without bond in federal custody, according to online jail records.For counts 1-4, Harpster faces five to twenty years in prison and a fine&nbsp; not to exceed $250,000, according to the indictment. For count 5, he faces ten years in prison and a fine not exceed $250,000. Upon conviction, Harpster is required to forfeit any and all property used or intended to be used in any manner or part to commit or to promote the commission of such offenses or any property traceable to such property, including but not limited to: a Black Samsung S10 cell phone; Cooler Master Desktop compute and drives; Black MSI MS-1607 laptop computer and drive; a Silver Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 laptop computer and drive; a&nbsp;Supermicro 24-bay server&nbsp; and drives and a&nbsp;Silver Apple MacBook Pro.

Kansas man accused of multiple crimes involving child porn

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

NEW YORK (AP) —Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre that brought success to Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others, has died. He was 88.

NBC's “Today” show, citing family members, said Donahue died Sunday after a long illness.

Dubbed “the king of daytime talk,” Donahue was the first to incorporate audience participation in a talk show, typically during a full hour with a single guest.

“Just one guest per show? No band?” he remembered being routinely asked in his 1979 memoir, “Donahue, my own story.”

The format set “The Phil Donahue Show” apart from other interview shows of the 1960s and made it a trendsetter in daytime television, where it was particularly popular with female audiences.

Later renamed “Donahue,” the program launched in Dayton, Ohio, in 1967. Donahue’s willingness to explore the hot-button social issues of the day emerged immediately, when he featured atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair as his first guest. He would later air shows on feminism, homosexuality, consumer protection and civil rights, among hundreds of other topics.

The show was syndicated in 1970 and ran on national television for the next 26 years, racking up 20 Emmy Awards for the show and for Donahue as host, as well as a Peabody for Donahue in 1980. In May, President Joe Biden awarded a Medal of Freedom to Donahue, who was cited as a pioneer of the daytime talk show.

The show included radio-style call-ins, which Donahue greeted with his signature, “Is the caller there?”

The show’s last episode aired in 1996 in New York, where Donahue was living with his wife, actress Marlo Thomas. He met Thomas, the “That Girl” star of the 1960s who was a household name at the time and would later become a regular on “Friends,” when she appeared on his show in 1977.

He later said it was love at first sight, and they did a poor job of hiding it on the air.

“You are really fascinating,” Donahue told Thomas, grasping her hand. “You are wonderful,” Thomas said back. “You are loving and generous, and you like women and it’s a pleasure, and whoever the woman in your life is, is very lucky.”

The two had been married since 1980. Donahue had five children, four sons and a daughter, from a previous marriage.

Donahue returned briefly to television in 2002, hosting another “Donahue” show on MSNBC. The station canceled it after six months, citing low ratings.

He was born Phillip John Donahue on Dec. 21, 1935, part of a middle-class Irish Catholic family in Cleveland. They moved to Centerville, Ohio, when Donahue was a child, where he lived across the street from Erma Bombeck, the future humorist and syndicated columnist.

Donahue was in the first graduating class of St. Edward High School, a Catholic all-boys preparatory school in Lakewood, in 1953 and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in business administration in 1957. He later rebelled against, and left, the church, though he poignantly recalled in his book that “a little piece” of his faith would always be with him.

After a series of early jobs in radio and TV, Donahue was invited to move an earlier radio talk show to Dayton’s WLWD television station in 1967. It moved in 1974 to Chicago, where it stayed for years, then ended its run in New York.

The show featured discussions with spiritual leaders, doctors, homemakers, activists and entertainers or politicians who might be passing through town. He said striking upon the show’s winning formula was a happy accident.

“It may have been a full three years before any of us began to understand that our program was something special,” Donahue wrote. “The show’s style had developed not by genius but by necessity. The familiar talk-show heads were not available to us in Dayton, Ohio. ...The result was improvisation.”

That lent a freedom to the show that persisted as it grew to No. 1 status in its class.

With an amiable style and a head of salt-and-pepper hair, Donahue boxed with Muhammed Ali. He played football with Alice Cooper. His guests gave cooking lessons, taught break dancing and, more controversially, described “mansharing,” being a mistress, lesbian motherhood or — with the help of gathered video that got shows banned in certain cities — how natural childbirth, abortion or reverse vasectomies worked.

A stop on “Donahue” became a must for important politicians, activists, athletes, business leaders and entertainers, from Hubert Humphrey to Ronald Reagan, Gloria Steinem to Anita Bryant, Lee Iacocca to Ray Kroc, John Wayne to Farrah Fawcett.

Outside of his famous talk show, Donahue pursued several other projects.

He partnered with Soviet journalist Vladimir Posner for a groundbreaking television discussion series during the Cold War in the 1980s. The U.S.-Soviet Bridge featured simultaneous broadcasts from the United States and the Soviet Union, where studio audiences could ask questions of one another. Donahue and Posner also co-hosted a weekly issues roundtable, Posner/Donahue, on CNBC in the 1990s.

Donahue also co-directed the 2006 documentary “Body of War,” which was nominated for an Oscar.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724075467839.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JULIE%20CARR%20SMYTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JULIE CARR SMYTH&nbsp;</a>NEW YORK (AP) —Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre that brought success to Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others, has died. He was 88.NBC's “Today” show, citing family members, said Donahue died Sunday after a long illness.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Phil Donahue has died. Learn more about his life and career by searching his 22 C-SPAN appearances: <a href="https://t.co/3WPp9Y3ySL">https://t.co/3WPp9Y3ySL</a> RIP. <a href="https://t.co/cK1mzaXxHB">pic.twitter.com/cK1mzaXxHB</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1825535226853851609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Dubbed “the king of daytime talk,” Donahue was the first to incorporate audience participation in a talk show, typically during a full hour with a single guest.“Just one guest per show? No band?” he remembered being routinely asked in his 1979 memoir, “Donahue, my own story.”The format set “The Phil Donahue Show” apart from other interview shows of the 1960s and made it a trendsetter in daytime television, where it was particularly popular with female audiences.Later renamed “Donahue,” the program launched in Dayton, Ohio, in 1967. Donahue’s willingness to explore the hot-button social issues of the day emerged immediately, when he featured atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair as his first guest. He would later air shows on feminism, homosexuality, consumer protection and civil rights, among hundreds of other topics.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In Phil Donahue, our nation has lost a trailblazing television icon who held up a mirror to America and united us around the toughest issues of our time. Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the Donahue family and keep them close in our hearts. <a href="https://t.co/NzQPgbi6cP">pic.twitter.com/NzQPgbi6cP</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1825638361178021956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The show was syndicated in 1970 and ran on national television for the next 26 years, racking up 20 Emmy Awards for the show and for Donahue as host, as well as a Peabody for Donahue in 1980. In May, President Joe Biden awarded a Medal of Freedom to Donahue, who was cited as a pioneer of the daytime talk show.The show included radio-style call-ins, which Donahue greeted with his signature, “Is the caller there?”The show’s last episode aired in 1996 in New York, where Donahue was living with his wife, actress Marlo Thomas. He met Thomas, the “That Girl” star of the 1960s who was a household name at the time and would later become a regular on “Friends,” when she appeared on his show in 1977.He later said it was love at first sight, and they did a poor job of hiding it on the air.“You are really fascinating,” Donahue told Thomas, grasping her hand. “You are wonderful,” Thomas said back. “You are loving and generous, and you like women and it’s a pleasure, and whoever the woman in your life is, is very lucky.”The two had been married since 1980. Donahue had five children, four sons and a daughter, from a previous marriage.Donahue returned briefly to television in 2002, hosting another “Donahue” show on MSNBC. The station canceled it after six months, citing low ratings.He was born Phillip John Donahue on Dec. 21, 1935, part of a middle-class Irish Catholic family in Cleveland. They moved to Centerville, Ohio, when Donahue was a child, where he lived across the street from Erma Bombeck, the future humorist and syndicated columnist.Donahue was in the first graduating class of St. Edward High School, a Catholic all-boys preparatory school in Lakewood, in 1953 and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in business administration in 1957. He later rebelled against, and left, the church, though he poignantly recalled in his book that “a little piece” of his faith would always be with him.After a series of early jobs in radio and TV, Donahue was invited to move an earlier radio talk show to Dayton’s WLWD television station in 1967. It moved in 1974 to Chicago, where it stayed for years, then ended its run in New York.The show featured discussions with spiritual leaders, doctors, homemakers, activists and entertainers or politicians who might be passing through town. He said striking upon the show’s winning formula was a happy accident.“It may have been a full three years before any of us began to understand that our program was something special,” Donahue wrote. “The show’s style had developed not by genius but by necessity. The familiar talk-show heads were not available to us in Dayton, Ohio. ...The result was improvisation.”That lent a freedom to the show that persisted as it grew to No. 1 status in its class.With an amiable style and a head of salt-and-pepper hair, Donahue boxed with Muhammed Ali. He played football with Alice Cooper. His guests gave cooking lessons, taught break dancing and, more controversially, described “mansharing,” being a mistress, lesbian motherhood or — with the help of gathered video that got shows banned in certain cities — how natural childbirth, abortion or reverse vasectomies worked.A stop on “Donahue” became a must for important politicians, activists, athletes, business leaders and entertainers, from Hubert Humphrey to Ronald Reagan, Gloria Steinem to Anita Bryant, Lee Iacocca to Ray Kroc, John Wayne to Farrah Fawcett.Outside of his famous talk show, Donahue pursued several other projects.He partnered with Soviet journalist Vladimir Posner for a groundbreaking television discussion series during the Cold War in the 1980s. The U.S.-Soviet Bridge featured simultaneous broadcasts from the United States and the Soviet Union, where studio audiences could ask questions of one another. Donahue and Posner also co-hosted a weekly issues roundtable, Posner/Donahue, on CNBC in the 1990s.Donahue also co-directed the 2006 documentary “Body of War,” which was nominated for an Oscar.

Phil Donahue, talk show host pioneer and husband of Marlo Thomas, dies at 88

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>

WASHINGTON — Just a little over a month after she became a candidate for president in the biggest shakeup in generations of presidential politics, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday will deliver a widely anticipated speech accepting the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in Chicago.

Harris’ ascent to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden changed course and said he would not seek reelection has breathed new life into the Democratic bid, with polls showing Harris — who is already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-will-be-democratic-presidential-nominee-dnc-announces" target="_blank">the party’s official nominee</a>&nbsp;after a virtual roll call earlier this month — faring much better than Biden was against Republican rival Donald Trump.

Over the course of four days, Democrats will look to capitalize on their base’s newfound enthusiasm for the campaign, with leading speakers aiming to rally the faithful around the party’s positions on reproductive rights, gun safety and voting rights, while<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/harris-ballot-democrats-work-build-momentum-bigger-youth-vote" target="_blank">&nbsp;making a strong pitch to young voters</a>. Harris will also be expected to further lay out her policy positions.

Harris’ nomination is historic. The daughter of immigrants, Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman selected to lead a major party ticket. She would be the first woman of any race to guide the nation as chief executive.

The party has not released an official detailed schedule of speakers, but a convention official confirmed that “current and past presidents are expected to participate in convention programming.” Biden and two former presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as former nominee Hillary Clinton, will all speak,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/us/politics/dnc-speakers-biden-obama-clinton.html" target="_blank">according to the New York Times.</a>

Vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is expected to address the convention Wednesday evening, with Harris’ acceptance speech closing out the convention Thursday, the convention official said.

The evening programming block will run from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. the rest of the week.

In addition to the usual television broadcasts, the convention will livestream on several social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Instagram and TikTok. The official live stream will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://demconvention.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d68a84b1a4b0303a9452770cd&amp;id=e86e03e670&amp;e=a21b6b7198" target="_blank">DemConvention.com</a>.

Scores of Democratic caucus and council meetings, as well as state delegation breakfasts and gatherings, are also scheduled throughout the week’s daytime hours. Media organizations and outside groups are also holding daytime events that will feature Democratic officeholders and candidates.

Protests are also expected over the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/04/08/israel-hamas-war-sets-progressive-and-young-voters-on-collision-course-with-white-house/" target="_blank">delegation of uncommitted voters</a>&nbsp;who oppose the war.

As many as 25,000 protestors are expected over the course of the convention, according to DemList, a newsletter for Democratic officials and allies.

Harris’ entry into the race, nearly immediately after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/president-joe-biden-bows-out-reelection-campaign-harris-vows-win-nomination-8" target="_blank">announced on July 21</a>&nbsp;he would no longer seek reelection, energized Democrats distressed over Biden’s poor showings in polls against Trump, whose reelection bid Biden turned back in 2020.

A Monmouth University&nbsp;<a href="https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_US_081424/" target="_blank">poll published Aug. 14</a>&nbsp;showed a huge jump in enthusiasm for Democrats. The survey found 85% of Democratic respondents were excited about the Harris-Trump race. By comparison, only 46% of Democratic respondents said in June they were excited about a Biden-Trump race.

Harris is also seeing better polling numbers in matchups against Trump, with battleground-state and national surveys consistently shifting toward the Democratic ticket since Biden left the race.

Polls of seven battleground states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/survey-research/2024-swing-state-project/fight-redefine-2024-race-president" target="_blank">published</a>&nbsp;by The Cook Political Report With Amy Walter on Aug. 14 showed Harris narrowly leading in five states —&nbsp;Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and&nbsp;tied in Georgia and trailing in Nevada. All were improvements from Biden’s standing in the same poll in May.

<a href="https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3902" target="_blank">An Aug. 14 survey from Quinnipiac University</a>&nbsp;showed Harris with a 48%-45% edge in Pennsylvania. The 3-point advantage for Harris was within the poll’s margin of error.

Democrats hope to carry the momentum through the convention. Polls typically favor a party during and immediately after its national party gathering.

Despite the recent polling, Harris and Walz continue to describe themselves&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkwZ_A49hb8" target="_blank">as underdogs in the race</a>.

In her short time on the campaign trail, Harris has emphasized a few core messages.

She’s made reproductive rights a central focus, including the slogan “We are not going back” in her stump speech after describing Republicans’ position on abortion. Additionally, a Texas woman who had to leave the state for an emergency abortion will speak at the DNC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-woman-who-left-state-abortion-back-harris-convention-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters.</a>

Harris has also played up her background as a prosecutor, drawing a contrast with Trump’s legal troubles.

Walz has highlighted his working-class background and military service, while attacking Republican positions to restrict reproductive rights and ban certain books in schools.

Walz’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/walz-first-solo-speech-vp-candidate-touts-dem-tickets-labor-union-ties" target="_blank">first solo campaign stop</a>&nbsp;since Harris selected him as her running mate was at a union convention, where he emphasized his union background as a high school teacher.

Walz was not initially considered the favorite to be Harris’ running mate, but his appeal as a Midwesterner with a record of winning tough elections and enacting progressive policies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-picked-harris-her-running-mate-democratic-ticket" target="_blank">led to his selection</a>&nbsp;Aug. 6.

Harris has faced criticism for not sitting down for a formal media interview or holding a press conference since she became a candidate.

Democrats have not finalized their platform for 2024. Adopting a party platform is generally among the official items at a convention.

The party set&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-releases-2024-party-platform-draft-outlining-historic-record-and-bold-agenda-for-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-to-finish-the-job/" target="_blank">a draft platform</a>&nbsp;in July just eight days before Biden dropped his reelection bid. The document centered on the theme of “finishing the job” and mentioned Biden, then the presumptive nominee, 50 times and Harris 12.

Party spokespeople did not respond to an inquiry this week about plans for an update to the platform.

Reproductive rights will likely be a focus point of any policy wishlist.

Harris, during her time as vice president, has led the administration’s messaging on reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in the summer of 2022.

In her campaign speeches, she has often stressed the need to “trust women” and that the government should not be deciding reproductive health.

Harris has often promised that if she is elected, she will restore those reproductive rights, but unless Democrats control a majority in the U.S. House and 60 Senate votes, it’s unlikely she would be able to achieve that promise.

Since&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2022/06/24/updated-u-s-supreme-court-overturns-right-to-abortion-in-landmark-decision/" target="_blank">Roe v. Wade was overturned</a>&nbsp;in that Supreme Court decision, Democrats have campaigned on reproductive rights that expand beyond abortion and include protections for in vitro fertilization.

<a href="https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/" target="_blank">The 2020 party platform</a>&nbsp;focused on recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, quality health care, investing in education, protecting democracy and combating climate change.

Democrats are likely to continue to criticize the Project 2025 playbook — a blueprint by the Heritage Foundation, a think tank, to implement conservative policies across the federal government should Trump win in November.

Trump has disavowed the document, but has not detailed his own policy plans.

The Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago, a city with a long history of hosting the event. Democrats have held their convention in Chicago 11 times, first in 1864 and most recently in 1996.

This year’s will be the first in-person Democratic National Convention since 2016. It was upended due to the coronavirus pandemic and held virtually in 2020.

Throughout the four-day convention, there will be speeches and side events hosted by state Democratic party leaders.

The ceremonial roll call vote with delegates on the convention floor will take place Tuesday. The vice presidential nomination speech by Walz will be Wednesday night and on Thursday night, Harris will give her nomination acceptance speech.

The city is also preparing for massive protests from several groups on reproductive rights, LGBTQ protections, housing and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbez.org/government-politics/dnc-2024/2024/08/12/dnc-democratic-national-convention-protests-kamala-harris-israel-gaza-lgbtq-reproductive-rights-cpd-police" target="_blank">according to WBEZ News.&nbsp;</a>

The City Council of Chicago in January approved a ceasefire resolution, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson the tiebreaker, making it the largest city to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, in which<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-hamas-dead-graves-40000-988d16b648e06e222f04964dc9440da0?taid=66bdedd74b96700001cc25c8&amp;utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&amp;utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than 40,000 Palestinians have died</a>.

The war followed an Oct. 7 attack from Hamas, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2023/10/9/israel-hamas-war-in-maps-and-charts-live-tracker" target="_blank">nearly 1,200 people</a>&nbsp;were killed in Israel and hundreds taken hostage.

Harris’ acceptance speech will cap a five-year journey to her party’s nomination.

In 2019, the California senator announced a bid for president in the next year’s election, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/03/784443227/kamala-harris-drops-out-of-presidential-race" target="_blank">dropped out</a>&nbsp;before the first primary or caucus votes were cast after she failed to catch on with Democratic voters.

Biden later picked her as a running mate, and the two defeated Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence in the 2020 election.

Biden launched a reelection campaign for 2024, but stepped aside after a disastrous debate performance in June spurred questions about his ability to campaign and serve for another four-year term.

After Biden bowed out, Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">quickly secured 99%</a>&nbsp;of delegates&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-officially-becomes-democratic-presidential-nominee" target="_blank">to become the party’s likely nominee</a>. The virtual five-day vote secured her official nomination.

With less than three months until Election Day, Harris and Walz already have sprinted through battleground states including Arizona, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Their campaign has also pulled in more than $300 million, according to the campaign. Official Federal Election Commission records will be released in mid-October.

Harris and Trump have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/08/trump-agrees-to-sept-10-debate-with-harris-claims-two-more-upcoming/" target="_blank">agreed to a Sept. 10&nbsp;</a>debate hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia. Trump proposed two more debates, and Harris has said she would be open to another one between the first debate and Election Day.

Walz and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/mark-your-calendar-vp-candidates-walz-and-vance-debate-oct-1" target="_blank">agreed to an Oct. 1</a>&nbsp;debate on CBS News, in New York City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724014226536.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>WASHINGTON — Just a little over a month after she became a candidate for president in the biggest shakeup in generations of presidential politics, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday will deliver a widely anticipated speech accepting the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in Chicago.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724014466626.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Harris’ ascent to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden changed course and said he would not seek reelection has breathed new life into the Democratic bid, with polls showing Harris — who is already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-will-be-democratic-presidential-nominee-dnc-announces" target="_blank">the party’s official nominee</a>&nbsp;after a virtual roll call earlier this month — faring much better than Biden was against Republican rival Donald Trump.Over the course of four days, Democrats will look to capitalize on their base’s newfound enthusiasm for the campaign, with leading speakers aiming to rally the faithful around the party’s positions on reproductive rights, gun safety and voting rights, while<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/harris-ballot-democrats-work-build-momentum-bigger-youth-vote" target="_blank">&nbsp;making a strong pitch to young voters</a>. Harris will also be expected to further lay out her policy positions.Harris’ nomination is historic. The daughter of immigrants, Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman selected to lead a major party ticket. She would be the first woman of any race to guide the nation as chief executive.The party has not released an official detailed schedule of speakers, but a convention official confirmed that “current and past presidents are expected to participate in convention programming.” Biden and two former presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as former nominee Hillary Clinton, will all speak,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/us/politics/dnc-speakers-biden-obama-clinton.html" target="_blank">according to the New York Times.</a>Vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is expected to address the convention Wednesday evening, with Harris’ acceptance speech closing out the convention Thursday, the convention official said.The evening programming block will run from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. the rest of the week.In addition to the usual television broadcasts, the convention will livestream on several social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Instagram and TikTok. The official live stream will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://demconvention.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d68a84b1a4b0303a9452770cd&amp;id=e86e03e670&amp;e=a21b6b7198" target="_blank">DemConvention.com</a>.Scores of Democratic caucus and council meetings, as well as state delegation breakfasts and gatherings, are also scheduled throughout the week’s daytime hours. Media organizations and outside groups are also holding daytime events that will feature Democratic officeholders and candidates.Protests are also expected over the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/04/08/israel-hamas-war-sets-progressive-and-young-voters-on-collision-course-with-white-house/" target="_blank">delegation of uncommitted voters</a>&nbsp;who oppose the war.As many as 25,000 protestors are expected over the course of the convention, according to DemList, a newsletter for Democratic officials and allies.<h2>A contest transformed</h2>Harris’ entry into the race, nearly immediately after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/president-joe-biden-bows-out-reelection-campaign-harris-vows-win-nomination-8" target="_blank">announced on July 21</a>&nbsp;he would no longer seek reelection, energized Democrats distressed over Biden’s poor showings in polls against Trump, whose reelection bid Biden turned back in 2020.A Monmouth University&nbsp;<a href="https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_US_081424/" target="_blank">poll published Aug. 14</a>&nbsp;showed a huge jump in enthusiasm for Democrats. The survey found 85% of Democratic respondents were excited about the Harris-Trump race. By comparison, only 46% of Democratic respondents said in June they were excited about a Biden-Trump race.Harris is also seeing better polling numbers in matchups against Trump, with battleground-state and national surveys consistently shifting toward the Democratic ticket since Biden left the race.Polls of seven battleground states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/survey-research/2024-swing-state-project/fight-redefine-2024-race-president" target="_blank">published</a>&nbsp;by The Cook Political Report With Amy Walter on Aug. 14 showed Harris narrowly leading in five states —&nbsp;Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and&nbsp;tied in Georgia and trailing in Nevada. All were improvements from Biden’s standing in the same poll in May.<a href="https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3902" target="_blank">An Aug. 14 survey from Quinnipiac University</a>&nbsp;showed Harris with a 48%-45% edge in Pennsylvania. The 3-point advantage for Harris was within the poll’s margin of error.Democrats hope to carry the momentum through the convention. Polls typically favor a party during and immediately after its national party gathering.Despite the recent polling, Harris and Walz continue to describe themselves&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkwZ_A49hb8" target="_blank">as underdogs in the race</a>.<h2>Campaign themes</h2>In her short time on the campaign trail, Harris has emphasized a few core messages.She’s made reproductive rights a central focus, including the slogan “We are not going back” in her stump speech after describing Republicans’ position on abortion. Additionally, a Texas woman who had to leave the state for an emergency abortion will speak at the DNC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-woman-who-left-state-abortion-back-harris-convention-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters.</a>Harris has also played up her background as a prosecutor, drawing a contrast with Trump’s legal troubles.Walz has highlighted his working-class background and military service, while attacking Republican positions to restrict reproductive rights and ban certain books in schools.Walz’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/walz-first-solo-speech-vp-candidate-touts-dem-tickets-labor-union-ties" target="_blank">first solo campaign stop</a>&nbsp;since Harris selected him as her running mate was at a union convention, where he emphasized his union background as a high school teacher.Walz was not initially considered the favorite to be Harris’ running mate, but his appeal as a Midwesterner with a record of winning tough elections and enacting progressive policies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-picked-harris-her-running-mate-democratic-ticket" target="_blank">led to his selection</a>&nbsp;Aug. 6.Harris has faced criticism for not sitting down for a formal media interview or holding a press conference since she became a candidate.<h2>Platform in flux</h2>Democrats have not finalized their platform for 2024. Adopting a party platform is generally among the official items at a convention.The party set&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-releases-2024-party-platform-draft-outlining-historic-record-and-bold-agenda-for-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-to-finish-the-job/" target="_blank">a draft platform</a>&nbsp;in July just eight days before Biden dropped his reelection bid. The document centered on the theme of “finishing the job” and mentioned Biden, then the presumptive nominee, 50 times and Harris 12.Party spokespeople did not respond to an inquiry this week about plans for an update to the platform.Reproductive rights will likely be a focus point of any policy wishlist.Harris, during her time as vice president, has led the administration’s messaging on reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in the summer of 2022.In her campaign speeches, she has often stressed the need to “trust women” and that the government should not be deciding reproductive health.Harris has often promised that if she is elected, she will restore those reproductive rights, but unless Democrats control a majority in the U.S. House and 60 Senate votes, it’s unlikely she would be able to achieve that promise.Since&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2022/06/24/updated-u-s-supreme-court-overturns-right-to-abortion-in-landmark-decision/" target="_blank">Roe v. Wade was overturned</a>&nbsp;in that Supreme Court decision, Democrats have campaigned on reproductive rights that expand beyond abortion and include protections for in vitro fertilization.<a href="https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/" target="_blank">The 2020 party platform</a>&nbsp;focused on recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, quality health care, investing in education, protecting democracy and combating climate change.Democrats are likely to continue to criticize the Project 2025 playbook — a blueprint by the Heritage Foundation, a think tank, to implement conservative policies across the federal government should Trump win in November.Trump has disavowed the document, but has not detailed his own policy plans.<h2>Chicago conventions</h2>The Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago, a city with a long history of hosting the event. Democrats have held their convention in Chicago 11 times, first in 1864 and most recently in 1996.This year’s will be the first in-person Democratic National Convention since 2016. It was upended due to the coronavirus pandemic and held virtually in 2020.Throughout the four-day convention, there will be speeches and side events hosted by state Democratic party leaders.The ceremonial roll call vote with delegates on the convention floor will take place Tuesday. The vice presidential nomination speech by Walz will be Wednesday night and on Thursday night, Harris will give her nomination acceptance speech.The city is also preparing for massive protests from several groups on reproductive rights, LGBTQ protections, housing and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbez.org/government-politics/dnc-2024/2024/08/12/dnc-democratic-national-convention-protests-kamala-harris-israel-gaza-lgbtq-reproductive-rights-cpd-police" target="_blank">according to WBEZ News.&nbsp;</a>The City Council of Chicago in January approved a ceasefire resolution, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson the tiebreaker, making it the largest city to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, in which<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-hamas-dead-graves-40000-988d16b648e06e222f04964dc9440da0?taid=66bdedd74b96700001cc25c8&amp;utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&amp;utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than 40,000 Palestinians have died</a>.The war followed an Oct. 7 attack from Hamas, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2023/10/9/israel-hamas-war-in-maps-and-charts-live-tracker" target="_blank">nearly 1,200 people</a>&nbsp;were killed in Israel and hundreds taken hostage.<h2>Road to nomination</h2>Harris’ acceptance speech will cap a five-year journey to her party’s nomination.In 2019, the California senator announced a bid for president in the next year’s election, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/03/784443227/kamala-harris-drops-out-of-presidential-race" target="_blank">dropped out</a>&nbsp;before the first primary or caucus votes were cast after she failed to catch on with Democratic voters.Biden later picked her as a running mate, and the two defeated Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence in the 2020 election.Biden launched a reelection campaign for 2024, but stepped aside after a disastrous debate performance in June spurred questions about his ability to campaign and serve for another four-year term.After Biden bowed out, Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">quickly secured 99%</a>&nbsp;of delegates&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-officially-becomes-democratic-presidential-nominee" target="_blank">to become the party’s likely nominee</a>. The virtual five-day vote secured her official nomination.With less than three months until Election Day, Harris and Walz already have sprinted through battleground states including Arizona, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.Their campaign has also pulled in more than $300 million, according to the campaign. Official Federal Election Commission records will be released in mid-October.Harris and Trump have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/08/trump-agrees-to-sept-10-debate-with-harris-claims-two-more-upcoming/" target="_blank">agreed to a Sept. 10&nbsp;</a>debate hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia. Trump proposed two more debates, and Harris has said she would be open to another one between the first debate and Election Day.Walz and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/mark-your-calendar-vp-candidates-walz-and-vance-debate-oct-1" target="_blank">agreed to an Oct. 1</a>&nbsp;debate on CBS News, in New York City.

Big moment arrives for Harris: Democratic convention kicks off in Chicago

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas.&nbsp;

Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police responded to report of shots fired into a vehicle in 300 block of Maple Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.&nbsp; The vehicle fled the scene of the shooting.

Moments later, officers responded to Smart and Bales Avenue on reports of a shooting and first responders located the two men who had been shot, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;

&nbsp;One victim was located unresponsive in the vehicle. He was identified as 22-year-old&nbsp; David C. Crowell, according to Becchina. Crowell was pronounced dead at the scene. The other man was outside the vehicle. EMS transported him to a local hospital.

Detectives have made progress identifying subjects of interest and will be subsequently working with prosecutors to share investigative findings for any charges determination, according Becchina.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723945001419.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas.&nbsp;Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police responded to report of shots fired into a vehicle in 300 block of Maple Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.&nbsp; The vehicle fled the scene of the shooting.Moments later, officers responded to Smart and Bales Avenue on reports of a shooting and first responders located the two men who had been shot, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;&nbsp;One victim was located unresponsive in the vehicle. He was identified as 22-year-old&nbsp; David C. Crowell, according to Becchina. Crowell was pronounced dead at the scene. The other man was outside the vehicle. EMS transported him to a local hospital.Detectives have made progress identifying subjects of interest and will be subsequently working with prosecutors to share investigative findings for any charges determination, according Becchina.&nbsp;

KCPD: Fatal shots fired into vehicle that left the scene of the crime

SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see&nbsp; drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.

On Friday, KHP Lt. Hammond stopped a couple of motorists for driving over 100mph on the Kansas Turnpike within a couple hours, according to a social media report.

On Sunday, KHP Trooper J. Davis issued a citation in Ottawa County, on U.S. 81 at milepost 178 northbound. The driver was clocked at 104 mph, far exceeding the 70 mph speed limit. For those wondering, a ticket like this totals $363 in fines.

Report aggressive drivers on the highways to *47 or *582 on the Kansas Turnpike.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723902949658.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see&nbsp; drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.On Friday, KHP Lt. Hammond stopped a couple of motorists for driving over 100mph on the Kansas Turnpike within a couple hours, according to a social media report.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724033883094.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>On Sunday, KHP Trooper J. Davis issued a citation in Ottawa County, on U.S. 81 at milepost 178 northbound. The driver was clocked at 104 mph, far exceeding the 70 mph speed limit. For those wondering, a ticket like this totals $363 in fines.Report aggressive drivers on the highways to *47 or *582 on the Kansas Turnpike.

Driver clocked traveling 102mph on the Kansas Turnpike

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a suspect who didn't show up for a scheduled sentencing hearing for his role in a homicide that occurred in 2023.

According to Wichita Police, 64-year-old&nbsp;Kevin Harris was out on bond&nbsp; and&nbsp; cut off his ankle monitor.

In August of 2023, police arrested Harris of Lawrence after a 16-hour standoff in Lawrence for the death of&nbsp;51-year-old Jose Lumbreras of Wichita.

Just after 11 p.m. August 22, police learned Harris had fled Wichita and was believed to be inside an apartment in the 1400 block of Bristol Terrace in Lawrence, according to Police Sgt. Drew Fennelly

While working to gather more information from Wichita, officers in Lawrence set up a perimeter on the apartment building, and gathered information that led investigators to believe Harris was there.

The Lawrence Police Crisis Response Team was activated and responded to the area, as well our Crisis Response Negotiators and&nbsp; the Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle team.

Crisis Negotiators were able to establish contact with people in the apartment and verified Harris was there. The Lawrence Police tactical team then began methodically evacuating the apartment building when it was clear the suspect was not going to come out, and was allegedly armed.

After multiple hours of discussion, negotiators were able to convince Harris to allow a woman in the apartment to leave.&nbsp; Following multiple additional hours of discussion, negotiators convinced Harris to also leave the apartment and he peacefully surrendered at&nbsp;3:30 p.m., according to Fennelly.

If you know Harris or know where he is call police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723748372094.png" alt="Harris photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Harris photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a suspect who didn't show up for a scheduled sentencing hearing for his role in a homicide that occurred in 2023.According to Wichita Police, 64-year-old&nbsp;Kevin Harris was out on bond&nbsp; and&nbsp; cut off his ankle monitor.In August of 2023, police arrested Harris of Lawrence after a 16-hour standoff in Lawrence for the death of&nbsp;51-year-old Jose Lumbreras of Wichita.Just after 11 p.m. August 22, police learned Harris had fled Wichita and was believed to be inside an apartment in the 1400 block of Bristol Terrace in Lawrence, according to Police Sgt. Drew FennellyWhile working to gather more information from Wichita, officers in Lawrence set up a perimeter on the apartment building, and gathered information that led investigators to believe Harris was there.The Lawrence Police Crisis Response Team was activated and responded to the area, as well our Crisis Response Negotiators and&nbsp; the Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle team.Crisis Negotiators were able to establish contact with people in the apartment and verified Harris was there. The Lawrence Police tactical team then began methodically evacuating the apartment building when it was clear the suspect was not going to come out, and was allegedly armed.After multiple hours of discussion, negotiators were able to convince Harris to allow a woman in the apartment to leave.&nbsp; Following multiple additional hours of discussion, negotiators convinced Harris to also leave the apartment and he peacefully surrendered at&nbsp;3:30 p.m., according to Fennelly.If you know Harris or know where he is call police.

Kan. man who cut off ankle monitor, skipped sentencing is still at large

JERUSALEM —U.S. forces in the the middle east continue to face almost daily threats.

On Sunday, forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed terrorist drone in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

In addition since August 13, U.S. forces&nbsp;successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi vessels and on&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned surface vessel  in the Red Sea and destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi ground control station in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.

U.S. officials determined the weapons or ground control stations presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701138062166.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —U.S. forces in the the middle east continue to face almost daily threats.On Sunday, forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed terrorist drone in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.In addition since August 13, U.S. forces&nbsp;successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi vessels and on&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned surface vessel in the Red Sea and destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi ground control station in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.U.S. officials determined the weapons or ground control stations presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

U.S. forces make more defensive strikes in the Red Sea, Yemen

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating the dead of a Kansas City man after the body of 23-year-old Breyden Hensley was located Sunday evening near 29th and Summit, according to the Kansas City Police.

On Wednesday, police reported Hensley missing and was last known to be in the area of Walmart at 11601 East 40 Highway August 11, around 6p.m.

The cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner, however there appear to be no signs of foul play.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724033653204.png" alt="Hensley courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Hensley courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating the dead of a Kansas City man after the body of 23-year-old Breyden Hensley was located Sunday evening near 29th and Summit, according to the Kansas City Police.On Wednesday, police reported Hensley missing and was last known to be in the area of Walmart at 11601 East 40 Highway August 11, around 6p.m.The cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner, however there appear to be no signs of foul play.

Death investigation: Body of missing man located in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident that occurred just before 1a.m. Sunday in Kansas City.

A&nbsp; Ford Fusion was stopped at the red traffic signal, from northbound U.S. 169 Highway exit ramp at Barry Road, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

As the light turned green, the car&nbsp; moved forward. An eastbound Harley Davidson motorcycle, traveling at a very high rate of speed, according to Becchina, failed to stop at the red traffic signal. The motorcycle struck the left side of the car. The motorcycle rider was ejected over the top of the car.&nbsp;&nbsp;

EMS transported the rider to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. He died a few hours later, according to Becchina. The driver and passenger in the car were not injured. The name of the motorcycle rider has not been released. He was not wearing a helmet, according to Becchina.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident that occurred just before 1a.m. Sunday in Kansas City.A&nbsp; Ford Fusion was stopped at the red traffic signal, from northbound U.S. 169 Highway exit ramp at Barry Road, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.As the light turned green, the car&nbsp; moved forward. An eastbound Harley Davidson motorcycle, traveling at a very high rate of speed, according to Becchina, failed to stop at the red traffic signal. The motorcycle struck the left side of the car. The motorcycle rider was ejected over the top of the car.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported the rider to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. He died a few hours later, according to Becchina. The driver and passenger in the car were not injured. The name of the motorcycle rider has not been released. He was not wearing a helmet, according to Becchina.

KCPD: Man injured in motorcycle, car crash has died

EVART, Mich. (AP) — Alison Smith stared at the virtually empty dairy barn inside the Osceola County Fairgrounds, once bustling with teens and preteens preparing to show their prized animals but now eerily silent as an invisible virus once again interfered with a cherished summertime rite.

Smith, a 16-year-old from the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area, had invested a significant amount of time over the past year preparing two heifers, Evergreen and Perfect, for competition at the fair. But like hundreds of fairs nationwide, a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bird-flu">bird flu outbreak</a>, now spreading among mammals, forced significant changes — or outright cancellations — of the livestock contests that are a hallmark of summer fairs.

“Normally, we have a million cows in here,” Smith said. “And just a lot of people talking and having fun catching up in the dairy barn.”

States have tightened restrictions on dairy cows following the bird flu outbreak that has spread to millions of poultry flocks nationwide and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock">nearly 200 dairy herds</a>&nbsp;across 13 U.S. states since March.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/ah5n1-response-update.html">More than a dozen farmworkers</a>&nbsp;also have been infected this year, with all experiencing relatively mild symptoms.

The risk to humans from the bird flu virus remains low, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The virus has further strained businesses already battered by pandemic disruptions, leading to millions of dollars in losses and worker layoffs. Michigan’s largest egg producer, Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, laid off close to 400 employees following an outbreak of bird flu at their farms.

It also has disrupted long-standing family traditions, such as those cherished by Smith, who has been exhibiting heifers, cows, pigs and dairy steers at fairs for a decade.

"Unfortunately, this will be my second year that I haven’t been able to show because of COVID in 2020. And then this year the bird flu,” Smith said.

When Jacob Stieg, the Osceola 4-H coordinator, sent out an email detailing the state’s limits on showing lactating cattle at fairs, Smith’s reaction was, “Oh, my gosh. This is another year that I can’t show.”

“It’s kind of sad, really. I miss it a lot and all the memories we’ve made in this barn,” Smith added, pointing to the now-empty stall where her cow, Extraordinaire, was housed last year. She won the Supreme Grand Champion award a year ago at the fair held just under three hours northwest of Detroit.

“I was trying to think of the positives,” she said. “I couldn’t really find any.”

Michigan has been among the hardest-hit states, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-cows-michigan-e409aa93e7fa8c637785048bc04dad47">two farmworkers</a>&nbsp;infected and 27 livestock herds affected.

The state ordered strict testing and public health measures, including banning the exhibition of lactating dairy cattle and those in the final two months of pregnancy until Michigan dairy cows have gone 60 consecutive days without new bird flu cases. All other cattle must test negative within seven days before being shown.

The restrictions didn’t outright ban dairy cattle shows at fairs, but some in the state opted to cancel the competitions, according to Kendra Van Order, the 4-H dairy science educator for Michigan State University Extension.

Fairs in other states have made changes to try to lessen the chances of flu spreading among livestock, or to people.

In some states, including Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, lactating dairy cows are still allowed at fairs, but only if they have proof of negative flu tests in the week before they arrive.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-minnesota-cows-c3bbc5719c9132609f9d7499ead3e0dd">“Miracle of Birth Center”</a>&nbsp;at the Minnesota State Fair excluded birthing cows and newborn calves from the popular exhibit as a precaution against bird flu. Iowa’s state fair canceled two attractions, a milking parlor and an “I Milked a Cow” experience that let people interact with lactating cows.

In July,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/guidance-help-prevent-spread-flu-agricultural-fairs.html">the CDC suggested</a>&nbsp;fair exhibitors and organizers take steps to protect livestock and people, including limiting animals' time at fairs and avoiding direct contact with animals when possible. That came on the heels of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/guidance-dairy-cattle-livestock-exhibition.pdf">guidance from the U.S. Agriculture Department</a>&nbsp;stressing testing and biosecurity measures.

Van Order, who coordinates with fairs through her role at Michigan State, grew up exhibiting beef cattle and sheep at local, state and national gatherings. Caring for livestock requires daily commitment, “whether it snows, it rains, or if they’re sick," she said.

Owning and exhibiting livestock "teaches young people to care for things other than themselves,” Van Order said. “A lot goes into it. And just that drive of wanting to be competitive and do something that you really love to do, to have that opportunity maybe not be there can be very heartbreaking.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723943922399.png" alt="Osceola County Fair" />
 <figcaption>Osceola County Fair</figcaption>
 </figure>EVART, Mich. (AP) — Alison Smith stared at the virtually empty dairy barn inside the Osceola County Fairgrounds, once bustling with teens and preteens preparing to show their prized animals but now eerily silent as an invisible virus once again interfered with a cherished summertime rite.Smith, a 16-year-old from the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area, had invested a significant amount of time over the past year preparing two heifers, Evergreen and Perfect, for competition at the fair. But like hundreds of fairs nationwide, a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bird-flu">bird flu outbreak</a>, now spreading among mammals, forced significant changes — or outright cancellations — of the livestock contests that are a hallmark of summer fairs.“Normally, we have a million cows in here,” Smith said. “And just a lot of people talking and having fun catching up in the dairy barn.”States have tightened restrictions on dairy cows following the bird flu outbreak that has spread to millions of poultry flocks nationwide and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/hpai-confirmed-cases-livestock">nearly 200 dairy herds</a>&nbsp;across 13 U.S. states since March.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/ah5n1-response-update.html">More than a dozen farmworkers</a>&nbsp;also have been infected this year, with all experiencing relatively mild symptoms.The risk to humans from the bird flu virus remains low, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The virus has further strained businesses already battered by pandemic disruptions, leading to millions of dollars in losses and worker layoffs. Michigan’s largest egg producer, Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, laid off close to 400 employees following an outbreak of bird flu at their farms.It also has disrupted long-standing family traditions, such as those cherished by Smith, who has been exhibiting heifers, cows, pigs and dairy steers at fairs for a decade."Unfortunately, this will be my second year that I haven’t been able to show because of COVID in 2020. And then this year the bird flu,” Smith said.When Jacob Stieg, the Osceola 4-H coordinator, sent out an email detailing the state’s limits on showing lactating cattle at fairs, Smith’s reaction was, “Oh, my gosh. This is another year that I can’t show.”“It’s kind of sad, really. I miss it a lot and all the memories we’ve made in this barn,” Smith added, pointing to the now-empty stall where her cow, Extraordinaire, was housed last year. She won the Supreme Grand Champion award a year ago at the fair held just under three hours northwest of Detroit.“I was trying to think of the positives,” she said. “I couldn’t really find any.”Michigan has been among the hardest-hit states, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-cows-michigan-e409aa93e7fa8c637785048bc04dad47">two farmworkers</a>&nbsp;infected and 27 livestock herds affected.The state ordered strict testing and public health measures, including banning the exhibition of lactating dairy cattle and those in the final two months of pregnancy until Michigan dairy cows have gone 60 consecutive days without new bird flu cases. All other cattle must test negative within seven days before being shown.The restrictions didn’t outright ban dairy cattle shows at fairs, but some in the state opted to cancel the competitions, according to Kendra Van Order, the 4-H dairy science educator for Michigan State University Extension.Fairs in other states have made changes to try to lessen the chances of flu spreading among livestock, or to people.In some states, including Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, lactating dairy cows are still allowed at fairs, but only if they have proof of negative flu tests in the week before they arrive.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-minnesota-cows-c3bbc5719c9132609f9d7499ead3e0dd">“Miracle of Birth Center”</a>&nbsp;at the Minnesota State Fair excluded birthing cows and newborn calves from the popular exhibit as a precaution against bird flu. Iowa’s state fair canceled two attractions, a milking parlor and an “I Milked a Cow” experience that let people interact with lactating cows.In July,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/guidance-help-prevent-spread-flu-agricultural-fairs.html">the CDC suggested</a>&nbsp;fair exhibitors and organizers take steps to protect livestock and people, including limiting animals' time at fairs and avoiding direct contact with animals when possible. That came on the heels of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/guidance-dairy-cattle-livestock-exhibition.pdf">guidance from the U.S. Agriculture Department</a>&nbsp;stressing testing and biosecurity measures.Van Order, who coordinates with fairs through her role at Michigan State, grew up exhibiting beef cattle and sheep at local, state and national gatherings. Caring for livestock requires daily commitment, “whether it snows, it rains, or if they’re sick," she said.Owning and exhibiting livestock "teaches young people to care for things other than themselves,” Van Order said. “A lot goes into it. And just that drive of wanting to be competitive and do something that you really love to do, to have that opportunity maybe not be there can be very heartbreaking.”But part of life, Van Order said, is about dealing with disappointment. Working with fairs across the state, she and her team developed a list of alternative activities that local fairs could offer in place of traditional showings. They include quiz bowls, photography contests and recorded showmanship.Though the alternative activities helped bring competitors together, it’s “not the same,” Smith noted. Youth can participate in 4-H activities up until age 19 and with only a few years left before she ages out, Smith hopes 2025 will be different.“I’m not sure what’s going to happen next year. I assume they’ll have a better idea of what to do about the dairy, and hopefully, they’ll let us come back, but it’s probably going to be around next year,” she said. “So, just like COVID, I don’t know what next year’s going to hold.”___