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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sheriff: Kansans sending bitcoin to scam caller

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The confirmation came after the White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre inaccurately said during the daily briefing with reporters that the Jan. 17 meeting was not related to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-doctor-physical-debate-7e2ee1216e35891600737ce20cdc7d2d">care for the president</a>&nbsp;in response to a question from the Associated Press.

The AP had asked whether a meeting, which was reported through the White House visitors’ logs, between renowned neurological expert Dr. Kevin Cannard and Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s personal doctor, was about the president himself. It was the only meeting between those two men, according to the logs, that had been reported between July 2023 and this past March — a period that has come under scrutiny because Cannard had visited the White House eight times in that time frame.

“Because the date was not mentioned in the question, I want to be clear that the Jan. 17 meeting between Dr. O’Connor and Dr. Cannard was for the President’s physical,” Jean-Pierre said in a statement to the AP on Tuesday. “It was one of the three times the President has seen Dr. Cannard, each time for his physical. The findings from each exam have been released to the public.”

That statement is not the first time in the days following Biden’s debate debacle – which triggered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-campaign-house-democrats-senate-16c222f825558db01609605b3ad9742a">a new round of concerns</a>&nbsp;about the 81-year-old president’s fitness to serve — that the White House has had to later clarify answers to questions about the president’s health.

Last week, Jean-Pierre said Biden “did not get checked out by the doctor” for a cold that was noticeable during the June 27 debate. But Biden later said in a private meeting with Democratic governors that he had been checked out by his doctor after the debate concluded. Jean-Pierre said she meant Biden did not get a full medical exam and that the president did indeed have a “check-in” with his doctor, which he does a couple of times a week.

And, on Monday night, the White House released a statement from O’Connor describing the nature of Cannard’s visits to the White House after Jean-Pierre earlier in the day declined to confirm the name of the doctor or say why he was going to the White House. It also confirmed that Cannard had been the neurologist who had examined Biden in his three physicals during his presidency. Jean-Pierre contended Tuesday that “a lot of the things I said right here in this briefing room” were later restated in the letter from O’Connor Monday night.

Still, Jean-Pierre said this week that she and other White House press aides are doing “our best in this briefing to provide the information that we have.”

“I will be the first one to admit: Sometimes I get it wrong. At least I admit that,” she said. “And sometimes I don’t have the information. And I will always, always admit that.”

Jean-Pierre’s clarification also shows how parts of the president’s annual physical, which is generally conducted at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, can be performed over a longer period rather than just the one day at the suburban Maryland hospital.

When O’Connor released the results of Biden’s physical on Feb. 28, he wrote that “an extremely detailed neurological exam was again reassuring in that there were no findings which would be consistent with any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or ascending lateral sclerosis, nor are there any signs of cervical myelopathy.” The letter had not stated when the neurological exam had been conducted, or where it took place.

The repeated presence of Cannard in the White House visitors logs also attracted attention because of the doctor’s expertise in movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. But Jean-Pierre definitively said this week that Biden has not been treated for Parkinson’s disease, nor is he being treated currently or taking medication for it.

Cannard has been the neurology consultant to the White House medical unit for a dozen years. O’Connor also said in a letter released Monday night that Cannard has held regular neurology clinics at the White House “in support of the thousands of active-duty members assigned in support of White House operations.”

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

White House again clarifies answers about the president’s health

With Kansas lawmakers hoping to lure the Chiefs and Royals, Gov. Mike Parson expects Missouri to put forward a plan to keep the teams by the end of the year

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Monday he doesn’t think the Kansas City Chiefs want to leave Arrowhead Stadium for Kansas, though he acknowledged he hasn’t actually talked to the team’s owners.

Speaking to reporters after a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-gov-mike-parson-signs-tax-break-for-kc-nuclear-weapons-manufacturer/">bill signing in Kansas City</a>, Parson said he thought the reigning Super Bowl champion wasn’t that interested in building a new domed football stadium.

“I think they really want Arrowhead to stay,” Parson said. “I think it’s a unique arena.”

Parson’s remarks came after he spent the afternoon meeting with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and other area officials to discuss how to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/20/missouri-lawmakers-criticize-kansas-attempt-to-poach-royals-chiefs/" target="_blank">keep the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals in Missouri</a>.

Both teams have&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/17/chiefs-royals-ask-kansas-for-incentives-to-allow-teams-to-leave-missouri/" target="_blank">publicly considered the possibility of leaving for Kansas</a>&nbsp;after Jackson County voters rejected a proposal to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium for the Royals and upgrades to Arrowhead.&nbsp;

Last month, Kansas lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/18/kansas-house-passes-incentive-bill-to-lure-kansas-city-chiefs-royals/" target="_blank">expanded a state tax incentive program</a>&nbsp;in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate.

“I’m not too worried about Kansas at this point,” Parson said.

Parson, who leaves office in January, said he expected to see Missouri put forward a plan to keep the teams by the end of the year. Missouri’s plan, he said, could be just as good for the teams —&nbsp;if not better.

First, he said, information on the teams’ plans —&nbsp;including location of stadiums, costs of the project and details of any entertainment district or other development planned around it — needs to be made public.&nbsp;

With Parson’s impending departure from office, Missouri’s next governor could be left to finalize any plan to keep the teams. Two of the three top&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/05/candidates-for-missouri-governor-split-on-offering-incentives-to-keep-chiefs-from-moving/">candidates for the GOP gubernatorial nomination say they would oppose</a>&nbsp;any incentive package for the Chiefs and Royals.&nbsp;

Asked if that affects negotiations, Parson said the state has tools at its disposal even now while the Missouri General Assembly is not in session “if we knew what the plan was.”&nbsp;

“The conversation needs to be had with the Royals —&nbsp;where are you going to put a stadium?” Parson said. “How much money do you need? What’s it going to cost for this? How are we going to pay for this? What incentives does the city have?”

Missouri House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson — who will likely become the next speaker of the House — told the Kansas City Star Monday that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article289866274.html#storylink=mainstage_lead" target="_blank">he expects Jackson County residents will wind up voting again over the stadium sales tax</a>. He also told The Star, following conversations with both the Chiefs and Royals, that it was clear both teams wanted to stay in Missouri.

After Kansas lawmakers passed legislation designed to relocate the teams, Patterson told The Star he thought a second Jackson County vote would be successful.

“I think now with the Kansas option staring us, staring us right in the face, I think that changed the dynamic, and it would be a different vote next time around,” he said.

Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. said in a statement after meetings with Parson that the two had a “productive conversation centered on the pride these teams bring to our community and the importance of developing a fair and sustainable plan for the future.” Before White can support a new stadium proposal, he said, “it must offer clear and significant benefits to the taxpayers of Jackson County,” something he argues the sales tax does not.

White said he’s hopeful that the state will continue to support the effort to keep the teams in Missouri even after Parson leaves office.

“Together, we can find a solution that ensures the Chiefs and Royals remain a proud part of Jackson County without compromising the financial well-being of our community,” White said.

The Royals’ Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead sit next to each other and share the parking lot of the Truman Sports Complex in east Kansas City.

The teams’ plans for the Jackson County sales tax were criticized by some, including White, as vague and incomplete.&nbsp;

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But Kansas lawmakers saw in the failed Jackson County vote a chance to lure the teams across the state line. They claimed Missouri had “dropped the ball” and it was up to Kansas to keep the teams in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Last month, Kansas lawmakers expanded the state’s Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond to help finance up to 70% of the cost for one or both teams to move to Kansas. The expanded program could yield hundreds of millions of dollars for the stadiums.

STAR Bonds are issued to help pay the construction costs and then repaid by the sales tax collected at the project site. Normally, STAR Bonds, which are meant to help build tourist and entertainment venues, are limited to 50% of the project costs.&nbsp;

The legislation,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/21/kansas-gov-kelly-signs-bill-to-poach-kansas-city-chiefs-royals-from-missouri/" target="_blank">signed by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly last month</a>, was criticized by Missouri officials who considered it a violation of an agreement Kelly and Parson reached in 2019 to stop using economic incentives to move companies and jobs back and forth across the state line.

Neither the Chiefs nor the Royals were available to comment

<h2>With Kansas lawmakers hoping to lure the Chiefs and Royals, Gov. Mike Parson expects Missouri to put forward a plan to keep the teams by the end of the year</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Monday he doesn’t think the Kansas City Chiefs want to leave Arrowhead Stadium for Kansas, though he acknowledged he hasn’t actually talked to the team’s owners.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, we met with Mayor Lucas, Jackson County Executive White, and Clay County leaders to discuss our commitment to keeping the Chiefs and Royals in Missouri. We look forward to continued coordination with our local partners to formulate a plan for Missouri’s teams. <a href="https://t.co/F0hoHGxj8J">pic.twitter.com/F0hoHGxj8J</a>&mdash; Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovParsonMO/status/1810477996953804862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Speaking to reporters after a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-gov-mike-parson-signs-tax-break-for-kc-nuclear-weapons-manufacturer/">bill signing in Kansas City</a>, Parson said he thought the reigning Super Bowl champion wasn’t that interested in building a new domed football stadium.“I think they really want Arrowhead to stay,” Parson said. “I think it’s a unique arena.”Parson’s remarks came after he spent the afternoon meeting with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and other area officials to discuss how to&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/20/missouri-lawmakers-criticize-kansas-attempt-to-poach-royals-chiefs/" target="_blank">keep the Chiefs and Kansas City Royals in Missouri</a>.Both teams have&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/17/chiefs-royals-ask-kansas-for-incentives-to-allow-teams-to-leave-missouri/" target="_blank">publicly considered the possibility of leaving for Kansas</a>&nbsp;after Jackson County voters rejected a proposal to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium for the Royals and upgrades to Arrowhead.&nbsp;Last month, Kansas lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/18/kansas-house-passes-incentive-bill-to-lure-kansas-city-chiefs-royals/" target="_blank">expanded a state tax incentive program</a>&nbsp;in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate.“I’m not too worried about Kansas at this point,” Parson said.Parson, who leaves office in January, said he expected to see Missouri put forward a plan to keep the teams by the end of the year. Missouri’s plan, he said, could be just as good for the teams —&nbsp;if not better.First, he said, information on the teams’ plans —&nbsp;including location of stadiums, costs of the project and details of any entertainment district or other development planned around it — needs to be made public.&nbsp;With Parson’s impending departure from office, Missouri’s next governor could be left to finalize any plan to keep the teams. Two of the three top&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/05/candidates-for-missouri-governor-split-on-offering-incentives-to-keep-chiefs-from-moving/">candidates for the GOP gubernatorial nomination say they would oppose</a>&nbsp;any incentive package for the Chiefs and Royals.&nbsp;Asked if that affects negotiations, Parson said the state has tools at its disposal even now while the Missouri General Assembly is not in session “if we knew what the plan was.”&nbsp;“The conversation needs to be had with the Royals —&nbsp;where are you going to put a stadium?” Parson said. “How much money do you need? What’s it going to cost for this? How are we going to pay for this? What incentives does the city have?”Missouri House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson — who will likely become the next speaker of the House — told the Kansas City Star Monday that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article289866274.html#storylink=mainstage_lead" target="_blank">he expects Jackson County residents will wind up voting again over the stadium sales tax</a>. He also told The Star, following conversations with both the Chiefs and Royals, that it was clear both teams wanted to stay in Missouri.After Kansas lawmakers passed legislation designed to relocate the teams, Patterson told The Star he thought a second Jackson County vote would be successful.“I think now with the Kansas option staring us, staring us right in the face, I think that changed the dynamic, and it would be a different vote next time around,” he said.Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. said in a statement after meetings with Parson that the two had a “productive conversation centered on the pride these teams bring to our community and the importance of developing a fair and sustainable plan for the future.” Before White can support a new stadium proposal, he said, “it must offer clear and significant benefits to the taxpayers of Jackson County,” something he argues the sales tax does not.White said he’s hopeful that the state will continue to support the effort to keep the teams in Missouri even after Parson leaves office.“Together, we can find a solution that ensures the Chiefs and Royals remain a proud part of Jackson County without compromising the financial well-being of our community,” White said.The Royals’ Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead sit next to each other and share the parking lot of the Truman Sports Complex in east Kansas City.The teams’ plans for the Jackson County sales tax were criticized by some, including White, as vague and incomplete.&nbsp;GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOXSUBSCRIBEBut Kansas lawmakers saw in the failed Jackson County vote a chance to lure the teams across the state line. They claimed Missouri had “dropped the ball” and it was up to Kansas to keep the teams in the Kansas City metropolitan area.Last month, Kansas lawmakers expanded the state’s Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bond to help finance up to 70% of the cost for one or both teams to move to Kansas. The expanded program could yield hundreds of millions of dollars for the stadiums.STAR Bonds are issued to help pay the construction costs and then repaid by the sales tax collected at the project site. Normally, STAR Bonds, which are meant to help build tourist and entertainment venues, are limited to 50% of the project costs.&nbsp;The legislation,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/21/kansas-gov-kelly-signs-bill-to-poach-kansas-city-chiefs-royals-from-missouri/" target="_blank">signed by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly last month</a>, was criticized by Missouri officials who considered it a violation of an agreement Kelly and Parson reached in 2019 to stop using economic incentives to move companies and jobs back and forth across the state line.Neither the Chiefs nor the Royals were available to comment

Mo. governor on Kansas City Chiefs: ‘I’m not too worried about Kansas at this point’

KANSAS CITY (AP)—A Missouri man accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kidnapping-missouri-fb3dd5739aaa2a2d037f858163adb322">keeping a woman hidden in his basement</a>&nbsp;while repeatedly sexually assaulting her was indicted Tuesday for allegedly murdering another woman.

Clay County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said Timothy M. Haslett was charged with murder in connection with 36-year-old Jaynie Crosdale’s death, adding that she was killed “by an act of homicidal violence.” He said her remains showed impact wounds consistent with a gunshot.

Haslett, of Excelsior Springs,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indictments-child-endangerment-missouri-crime-kidnapping-e666d09d04a08170ca843eb6863a080e">previously was indicted</a>&nbsp;on one count of rape, four counts of sodomy, two counts of second-degree assault and one count each of kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.

He is being held in the Clay County Detention Center on $5 million bond.

Haslett’s public defender, Tiffany Leuty, did not immediately return an Associated Press call and email seeking comment Tuesday.

Police arrested Haslett in October 2022 after a woman told law enforcement that she had escaped from weeks of torture in his locked basement, according to a probable cause statement. She fled to a neighbor's house wearing a trash bag, a padlocked collar around her neck, and duct tape.

The survivor said Haslett had offered her money, and she agreed to go with him to his home. Once she was in his pickup truck, the woman told law enforcement that he held a gun to her, raped her and forced her to take narcotics.

He then took her to his basement, restrained her arms and legs, and raped, whipped, tortured and choked her every day for weeks, according to the probable cause statement. She escaped after slipping out of the chains while she believed he was taking his child to school.

The woman who survived also told authorities that Haslett had described killing two other women he previously kidnapped: one by suffocating her with a gas mask, and another who died after violent sexual torture.

He told her “if she did not listen to him, he would suffocate her and put her in a barrel like the rest of 'them,” according to the probable cause statement.

Thompson had said law enforcement officers followed more than 100 leads and spent more than 1,200 hours on the case, including searching for Crosdale and posting a missing person billboard with her photo in Kansas City.

Police made progress after kayakers in June 2023 found a blue, 30-gallon barrel with a skeleton inside while camping off the Missouri River in Saline County, according to police.

The remains were identified as Crosdale in July 2023, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article277830363.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.

The charges filed Tuesday are based on the evidence authorities currently have, Thompson said. He said the investigation is ongoing, and he urged anyone with information to come forward.

“Today’s indictment represents the next step in our pursuit of justice for the victims, the families and our community,” he said. “The physical, psychological and sexual torture described by the defendant’s surviving victim is brutal and barbaric.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665352038142.png" alt="Haslett-photo Clay County" />
 <figcaption>Haslett-photo Clay County</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUMMER BALLENTINE&nbsp;KANSAS CITY (AP)—A Missouri man accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kidnapping-missouri-fb3dd5739aaa2a2d037f858163adb322">keeping a woman hidden in his basement</a>&nbsp;while repeatedly sexually assaulting her was indicted Tuesday for allegedly murdering another woman.Clay County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said Timothy M. Haslett was charged with murder in connection with 36-year-old Jaynie Crosdale’s death, adding that she was killed “by an act of homicidal violence.” He said her remains showed impact wounds consistent with a gunshot.Haslett, of Excelsior Springs,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indictments-child-endangerment-missouri-crime-kidnapping-e666d09d04a08170ca843eb6863a080e">previously was indicted</a>&nbsp;on one count of rape, four counts of sodomy, two counts of second-degree assault and one count each of kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.He is being held in the Clay County Detention Center on $5 million bond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720608172237.png" alt="Charges listed against Haslett as listed by the Clay County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Charges listed against Haslett as listed by the Clay County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Haslett’s public defender, Tiffany Leuty, did not immediately return an Associated Press call and email seeking comment Tuesday.Police arrested Haslett in October 2022 after a woman told law enforcement that she had escaped from weeks of torture in his locked basement, according to a probable cause statement. She fled to a neighbor's house wearing a trash bag, a padlocked collar around her neck, and duct tape.The survivor said Haslett had offered her money, and she agreed to go with him to his home. Once she was in his pickup truck, the woman told law enforcement that he held a gun to her, raped her and forced her to take narcotics.He then took her to his basement, restrained her arms and legs, and raped, whipped, tortured and choked her every day for weeks, according to the probable cause statement. She escaped after slipping out of the chains while she believed he was taking his child to school.The woman who survived also told authorities that Haslett had described killing two other women he previously kidnapped: one by suffocating her with a gas mask, and another who died after violent sexual torture.He told her “if she did not listen to him, he would suffocate her and put her in a barrel like the rest of 'them,” according to the probable cause statement.Thompson had said law enforcement officers followed more than 100 leads and spent more than 1,200 hours on the case, including searching for Crosdale and posting a missing person billboard with her photo in Kansas City.Police made progress after kayakers in June 2023 found a blue, 30-gallon barrel with a skeleton inside while camping off the Missouri River in Saline County, according to police.The remains were identified as Crosdale in July 2023, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article277830363.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.The charges filed Tuesday are based on the evidence authorities currently have, Thompson said. He said the investigation is ongoing, and he urged anyone with information to come forward.“Today’s indictment represents the next step in our pursuit of justice for the victims, the families and our community,” he said. “The physical, psychological and sexual torture described by the defendant’s surviving victim is brutal and barbaric.”

Man accused of imprisoning, torturing a woman indicted for murder

KANSAS CITY —During the Independence holiday weekend, three officers helped save a woman's life, the Kansas City Police Department reported Tuesday.

For 30 minutes, they talked with a woman who was threatening to jump from a downtown building. The officers listened to her, relating with her until she agreed to let them help her to safety. 

The KCPD recognized the officers, "well done, Sergeant Stephanie Chandler, Officer Joseph Wright and Officer Hayden Miller."&nbsp; If you or someone you know is in crisis or emotional distress, there is help. You can call or text 988.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720562990636.png" alt="Photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —During the Independence holiday weekend, three officers helped save a woman's life, the Kansas City Police Department reported Tuesday.For 30 minutes, they talked with a woman who was threatening to jump from a downtown building. The officers listened to her, relating with her until she agreed to let them help her to safety. The KCPD recognized the officers, "well done, Sergeant Stephanie Chandler, Officer Joseph Wright and Officer Hayden Miller."&nbsp; If you or someone you know is in crisis or emotional distress, there is help. You can call or text 988.&nbsp;

KCPD officers save woman threatening to jump from building

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said NATO “is more powerful than ever” in remarks Tuesday to honor the 75th anniversary of the alliance and reaffirm allied support for Ukraine one day after Russian missile strikes on a children’s hospital&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/07/08/nx-s1-5033075/russia-ukraine-war-missile-strike-childrens-hospital-kyiv" target="_blank">killed</a>&nbsp;dozens in Kyiv.

Biden spoke at the annual North American Treaty Organization’s summit happening this week in Washington, D.C., where the 12 original member nations signed the Washington Treaty in 1949.

Heads of state fanned out across Washington, visiting lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday afternoon. Ukraine is not one of the 32 NATO member nations, but the country is in discussions to join and the alliance has sided with Ukraine in its war with Russia.

“It’s a pleasure to host you all in this milestone year, to look back with pride on all we’ve achieved and look ahead to our shared future with strength and resolve,” Biden said during the opening ceremony.

Biden’s 15-minute address came after a dozen days of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/texas-us-house-member-calls-biden-withdraw-amid-debate-fallout" target="_blank">near</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congressional-dems-urge-more-robust-biden-campaign-trail-few-openly-revolt" target="_blank">constant</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/united-their-objections-trump-congressional-dems-largely-close-ranks-behind-biden" target="_blank">focus</a>&nbsp;on his health and mental acuity after he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/golf-abortion-jan-6-and-felonies-biden-and-trumps-memorable-debate-moments" target="_blank">flubbed</a>&nbsp;his June 27 presidential debate performance against former President Donald Trump, whose criticism of NATO is well documented.

Biden spoke forcefully about the alliance’s history from the stage in the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, where world leaders and hundreds of dignitaries from NATO’s 32 member nations gathered, joined by other partner nations.

“Together we rebuilt Europe from the ruins of war, held high the torch of liberty during long decades of the Cold War. When former adversaries became fellow democracies, we welcomed them into the alliance,” Biden said.

“When war broke out in the Balkans, we intervened to restore peace and stop ethnic cleansing,” Bidden added. “When the United States was attacked on September 11, our NATO allies, all of you, stood with us, invoking Article Five for the first time in NATO history, treating an attack on us as an attack on all of us. A breathtaking display of friendship that the American people will never, ever, ever forget.”

Biden used the remarks to announce a joint package of air defense systems for Ukraine in conjunction with Germany, Romania, the Netherlands and Italy. The package is expected to include donations of advanced missile launching systems known as Patriot batteries as well as other equipment, according to a joint statement issued by the White House shortly after Biden’s speech.

Biden described Russian President Vladimir Putin as NATO’s primary antagonist.

He praised the alliance for moving “swiftly” after Putin further invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and said “the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country.” Putin previously annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula by force in 2014.

“Before this war, Putin thought NATO was going to break. Today, NATO is stronger than it’s ever been in its history,” Biden declared.

Biden concluded the ceremony by honoring NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said NATO “is more powerful than ever” in remarks Tuesday to honor the 75th anniversary of the alliance and reaffirm allied support for Ukraine one day after Russian missile strikes on a children’s hospital&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/07/08/nx-s1-5033075/russia-ukraine-war-missile-strike-childrens-hospital-kyiv" target="_blank">killed</a>&nbsp;dozens in Kyiv.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden: &quot;Today, NATO is stronger than it&#39;s ever been in its history.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/EhgUZP5x1V">pic.twitter.com/EhgUZP5x1V</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1810803125348958208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden spoke at the annual North American Treaty Organization’s summit happening this week in Washington, D.C., where the 12 original member nations signed the Washington Treaty in 1949.Heads of state fanned out across Washington, visiting lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson Wednesday afternoon. Ukraine is not one of the 32 NATO member nations, but the country is in discussions to join and the alliance has sided with Ukraine in its war with Russia.“It’s a pleasure to host you all in this milestone year, to look back with pride on all we’ve achieved and look ahead to our shared future with strength and resolve,” Biden said during the opening ceremony.Biden’s 15-minute address came after a dozen days of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/texas-us-house-member-calls-biden-withdraw-amid-debate-fallout" target="_blank">near</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congressional-dems-urge-more-robust-biden-campaign-trail-few-openly-revolt" target="_blank">constant</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/united-their-objections-trump-congressional-dems-largely-close-ranks-behind-biden" target="_blank">focus</a>&nbsp;on his health and mental acuity after he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/golf-abortion-jan-6-and-felonies-biden-and-trumps-memorable-debate-moments" target="_blank">flubbed</a>&nbsp;his June 27 presidential debate performance against former President Donald Trump, whose criticism of NATO is well documented.Biden spoke forcefully about the alliance’s history from the stage in the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, where world leaders and hundreds of dignitaries from NATO’s 32 member nations gathered, joined by other partner nations.“Together we rebuilt Europe from the ruins of war, held high the torch of liberty during long decades of the Cold War. When former adversaries became fellow democracies, we welcomed them into the alliance,” Biden said.“When war broke out in the Balkans, we intervened to restore peace and stop ethnic cleansing,” Bidden added. “When the United States was attacked on September 11, our NATO allies, all of you, stood with us, invoking Article Five for the first time in NATO history, treating an attack on us as an attack on all of us. A breathtaking display of friendship that the American people will never, ever, ever forget.”<h2>Military aid</h2>Biden used the remarks to announce a joint package of air defense systems for Ukraine in conjunction with Germany, Romania, the Netherlands and Italy. The package is expected to include donations of advanced missile launching systems known as Patriot batteries as well as other equipment, according to a joint statement issued by the White House shortly after Biden’s speech.Biden described Russian President Vladimir Putin as NATO’s primary antagonist.He praised the alliance for moving “swiftly” after Putin further invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and said “the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country.” Putin previously annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula by force in 2014.“Before this war, Putin thought NATO was going to break. Today, NATO is stronger than it’s ever been in its history,” Biden declared.Biden concluded the ceremony by honoring NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S.

🎥Biden commends NATO strength, pledges more aid for Ukraine 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — An appellate court has ordered the release of a Missouri woman whose murder conviction was overturned after she served 43 years in prison, but the state attorney general is still trying to keep her behind bars as the case is reviewed.

Monday's ruling by a panel of appeals court judges comes after a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-sandra-hemme-conviction-overturned-killing-3cb4c9ae74b2e95cb076636d52453228">ruled that Sandra Hemme's</a>&nbsp;attorneys had established “clear and convincing evidence" of “actual innocence." Judge Ryan Horsman said on June 14 that she must be freed within 30 days&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-sandra-hemme-conviction-overturned-killing-82e6f4b98905df1386352a33ac82cf14">unless prosecutors decide to retry her</a>.

The appeals court granted Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey's request to review Horsman's decision, but told Horsman meanwhile to establish her bail terms and set her free.

The attorney general's office, which almost always objects to wrongful conviction claims, then asked the appellate court to reconsider, saying the court didn't give them enough time to argue against her release. Bailey's office also argued that Hemme was sentenced decades ago to 12 years for violence in prison, and she would start serving that penalty now. Her attorneys responded Tuesday that keeping her incarcerated any longer would be a “draconian outcome.”

Hemme, now 64, has been serving a life sentence at a prison northeast of Kansas City after she was twice convicted of murder in the death of library worker Patricia Jeschke. She's now the longest-held wrongly incarcerated woman known in the U.S., according to her legal team at the Innocence Project.

<a href="https://innocenceproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Hemme-Judgment-23LVCC00008.pdf">After an extensive review,</a>&nbsp;Horsman found that Hemme was heavily sedated and in a “malleable mental state” when investigators repeatedly questioned her in a psychiatric hospital. Police ignored evidence pointing to a discredited fellow officer who died in 2015, and the prosecution wasn't told about FBI results that could have cleared her, so it was never disclosed before her trials.

The prosecutor at her trial agreed, four decades later, that nothing linked her to the crime other than her confession, which followed multiple contradictory statements, the judge noted.

Her attorneys described her ultimate confession in a court filing as “often monosyllabic responses to leading questions.”

“She is the victim of a manifest injustice,” Horsman concluded in his 118-page ruling. "This Court finds that the totality of the evidence supports a finding of actual innocence.”

But Bailey then sought a&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/In%20part,%20he%20didn't%20want%20her%20released%20on%20bond%20while%20the%20litigation%20plays%20out.">delay</a>&nbsp;in Hemme's release to allow an appellate court review, saying she represents a safety risk to herself or others, citing a 1990s attack on a prison worker and statements she made decades ago about enjoying violence, and arguing that the evidence she presented is not “newly discovered,” so “Hemme did not meet the actual innocence standard as a matter of law."

The Buchanan County prosecutor's office, which tried the case, didn't respond to requests for comment.

Hemme was arrested weeks after the death of Jeschke, a 31-year-old library worker who lived in St. Joseph, Missouri. After Jeschke missed work on Nov. 13, 1980, her worried mother climbed through an apartment window and discovered her daughter’s nude body on the floor, surrounded by blood, with her hands tied behind her back and a telephone cord and a pair of pantyhose wrapped around her throat. A knife was under her head.

These and other details were released to the media by the St. Joseph police chief, Robert Hayes, as the crime prompted a massive investigation.

Meanwhile, the department took only a cursory look at Michael Holman, a since discredited St. Joseph police officer who was being investigated for insurance fraud and burglaries, and ended that investigation after evidence cast doubt on his alibi. Holman's plea deal included a promise not to prosecute him for any other “criminal matters now under investigation.” He died in 2015, according to the judge's finding of facts.

Hemme wasn't on anyone's radar until she showed up more than two weeks after the killing at the home of a nurse who once treated her, carrying a knife and refusing to leave. Police took her back to St. Joseph’s Hospital, the latest in a string of hospitalizations that began when she started hearing voices at the age of 12, and she was heavily sedated.

It turned out that Hemme had been discharged from the hospital and hitchhiked out of town hours before Jeschke was last seen alive. She showed up that evening at her parents home, more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) to the east.

Police interviewed the initial driver who provided her alibi, but this wasn't shared with the jury, the judge found.

Investigators began interrogating her as the psychiatric hospital treated her with antipsychotic drugs that triggered involuntary muscle spasms. She complained that her eyes were rolling back in her head. Detectives said Hemme seemed “mentally confused” and not fully able to comprehend their questions, her attorneys argued.

Hemme ultimately pleaded guilty to murder to avoid the death penalty, and after her plea was thrown out on appeal, she was convicted again in 1985 after a one-day trial. The prosecutor told Horsman that police never shared exculpatory evidence, including FBI tests that ruled out any connection between Hemme and crime scene evidence.

Police also didn't share key evidence pointing to their fellow officer, even though his pickup truck was seen outside the victim's apartment, he tried to use her credit card and her earrings were found in his home.

When Holman couldn't be ruled out as the source of a palm print detected on a TV antenna cable found next to the victim’s body, the FBI asked for clearer prints. Police, however, didn't follow up. An FBI report also found that a hair found on the victim’s bedsheet had “microscopic characteristics similar to Holman’s head hair samples and he could not be eliminated as the source.”

Jurors never heard these details because the police never shared them with prosecutors, the judge found.

“This Court finds that the evidence shows that Ms. Hemme’s statements to police are so unreliable and that the evidence pointing to Michael Holman as the perpetrator of the crime (is) so objective and probative that no reasonable juror would find Ms. Hemme guilty," Horsman concluded.

The judge also noted how police had showed Hemme crime scene photos and other details that a prosecutor later falsely told jurors only the killer would know. Chief Hayes — who died in 2010 after serving time for involuntary manslaughter — also was unusually involved, the judge noted, participating in questioning the victim's father as he described buying his daughter a pair of gold horseshoe-shaped earrings.

That those earrings were found in Holman's home is another fact the jury never heard.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687623288901.png" alt="Sandra Hemme-photo courtesy The Innocence Project" />
 <figcaption>Sandra Hemme-photo courtesy The Innocence Project</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH&nbsp;KANSAS CITY (AP) — An appellate court has ordered the release of a Missouri woman whose murder conviction was overturned after she served 43 years in prison, but the state attorney general is still trying to keep her behind bars as the case is reviewed.Monday's ruling by a panel of appeals court judges comes after a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-sandra-hemme-conviction-overturned-killing-3cb4c9ae74b2e95cb076636d52453228">ruled that Sandra Hemme's</a>&nbsp;attorneys had established “clear and convincing evidence" of “actual innocence." Judge Ryan Horsman said on June 14 that she must be freed within 30 days&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-sandra-hemme-conviction-overturned-killing-82e6f4b98905df1386352a33ac82cf14">unless prosecutors decide to retry her</a>.The appeals court granted Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey's request to review Horsman's decision, but told Horsman meanwhile to establish her bail terms and set her free.The attorney general's office, which almost always objects to wrongful conviction claims, then asked the appellate court to reconsider, saying the court didn't give them enough time to argue against her release. Bailey's office also argued that Hemme was sentenced decades ago to 12 years for violence in prison, and she would start serving that penalty now. Her attorneys responded Tuesday that keeping her incarcerated any longer would be a “draconian outcome.”Hemme, now 64, has been serving a life sentence at a prison northeast of Kansas City after she was twice convicted of murder in the death of library worker Patricia Jeschke. She's now the longest-held wrongly incarcerated woman known in the U.S., according to her legal team at the Innocence Project.<a href="https://innocenceproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Hemme-Judgment-23LVCC00008.pdf">After an extensive review,</a>&nbsp;Horsman found that Hemme was heavily sedated and in a “malleable mental state” when investigators repeatedly questioned her in a psychiatric hospital. Police ignored evidence pointing to a discredited fellow officer who died in 2015, and the prosecution wasn't told about FBI results that could have cleared her, so it was never disclosed before her trials.The prosecutor at her trial agreed, four decades later, that nothing linked her to the crime other than her confession, which followed multiple contradictory statements, the judge noted.Her attorneys described her ultimate confession in a court filing as “often monosyllabic responses to leading questions.”“She is the victim of a manifest injustice,” Horsman concluded in his 118-page ruling. "This Court finds that the totality of the evidence supports a finding of actual innocence.”But Bailey then sought a&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/In%20part,%20he%20didn't%20want%20her%20released%20on%20bond%20while%20the%20litigation%20plays%20out.">delay</a>&nbsp;in Hemme's release to allow an appellate court review, saying she represents a safety risk to herself or others, citing a 1990s attack on a prison worker and statements she made decades ago about enjoying violence, and arguing that the evidence she presented is not “newly discovered,” so “Hemme did not meet the actual innocence standard as a matter of law."The Buchanan County prosecutor's office, which tried the case, didn't respond to requests for comment.Hemme was arrested weeks after the death of Jeschke, a 31-year-old library worker who lived in St. Joseph, Missouri. After Jeschke missed work on Nov. 13, 1980, her worried mother climbed through an apartment window and discovered her daughter’s nude body on the floor, surrounded by blood, with her hands tied behind her back and a telephone cord and a pair of pantyhose wrapped around her throat. A knife was under her head.These and other details were released to the media by the St. Joseph police chief, Robert Hayes, as the crime prompted a massive investigation.Meanwhile, the department took only a cursory look at Michael Holman, a since discredited St. Joseph police officer who was being investigated for insurance fraud and burglaries, and ended that investigation after evidence cast doubt on his alibi. Holman's plea deal included a promise not to prosecute him for any other “criminal matters now under investigation.” He died in 2015, according to the judge's finding of facts.Hemme wasn't on anyone's radar until she showed up more than two weeks after the killing at the home of a nurse who once treated her, carrying a knife and refusing to leave. Police took her back to St. Joseph’s Hospital, the latest in a string of hospitalizations that began when she started hearing voices at the age of 12, and she was heavily sedated.It turned out that Hemme had been discharged from the hospital and hitchhiked out of town hours before Jeschke was last seen alive. She showed up that evening at her parents home, more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) to the east.Police interviewed the initial driver who provided her alibi, but this wasn't shared with the jury, the judge found.Investigators began interrogating her as the psychiatric hospital treated her with antipsychotic drugs that triggered involuntary muscle spasms. She complained that her eyes were rolling back in her head. Detectives said Hemme seemed “mentally confused” and not fully able to comprehend their questions, her attorneys argued.Hemme ultimately pleaded guilty to murder to avoid the death penalty, and after her plea was thrown out on appeal, she was convicted again in 1985 after a one-day trial. The prosecutor told Horsman that police never shared exculpatory evidence, including FBI tests that ruled out any connection between Hemme and crime scene evidence.Police also didn't share key evidence pointing to their fellow officer, even though his pickup truck was seen outside the victim's apartment, he tried to use her credit card and her earrings were found in his home.When Holman couldn't be ruled out as the source of a palm print detected on a TV antenna cable found next to the victim’s body, the FBI asked for clearer prints. Police, however, didn't follow up. An FBI report also found that a hair found on the victim’s bedsheet had “microscopic characteristics similar to Holman’s head hair samples and he could not be eliminated as the source.”Jurors never heard these details because the police never shared them with prosecutors, the judge found.“This Court finds that the evidence shows that Ms. Hemme’s statements to police are so unreliable and that the evidence pointing to Michael Holman as the perpetrator of the crime (is) so objective and probative that no reasonable juror would find Ms. Hemme guilty," Horsman concluded.The judge also noted how police had showed Hemme crime scene photos and other details that a prosecutor later falsely told jurors only the killer would know. Chief Hayes — who died in 2010 after serving time for involuntary manslaughter — also was unusually involved, the judge noted, participating in questioning the victim's father as he described buying his daughter a pair of gold horseshoe-shaped earrings.That those earrings were found in Holman's home is another fact the jury never heard.

Court orders release of woman whose murder conviction was reversed

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen accused in a deadly hit-and run accident made her first court appearance in the case on Monday.

Peyton Allart, 19, Wichita, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash, transporting an open container of alcohol and purchase or consumption of alcohol by a minor, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The crash killed 28-year-old Jaz Brooks from Wichita.

Just after 3a.m. June 23, police responded to a vehicule collision at the intersection of Central and Mclean in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders discovered a dark-colored Saturn involved in the incident. The passenger, identified as Brooks, was found trapped inside the vehicle and pronounced deceased. The driver of the Saturn received an evaluation by EMS for non-lifethreatening injuries at the scene.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a black Ford F-150 had collided with the Saturn on its passenger side and fled prior to law enforcement's arrival. Officers successfully located the suspect identified as Allart and the vehicle several hours later.&nbsp; &nbsp;

She is scheduled to return to court on July 24 and is free after meeting the requirements for bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719242864860.png" alt="Allart photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Allart photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen accused in a deadly hit-and run accident made her first court appearance in the case on Monday.Peyton Allart, 19, Wichita, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash, transporting an open container of alcohol and purchase or consumption of alcohol by a minor, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; The crash killed 28-year-old Jaz Brooks from Wichita.Just after 3a.m. June 23, police responded to a vehicule collision at the intersection of Central and Mclean in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders discovered a dark-colored Saturn involved in the incident. The passenger, identified as Brooks, was found trapped inside the vehicle and pronounced deceased. The driver of the Saturn received an evaluation by EMS for non-lifethreatening injuries at the scene.Preliminary investigations revealed that a black Ford F-150 had collided with the Saturn on its passenger side and fled prior to law enforcement's arrival. Officers successfully located the suspect identified as Allart and the vehicle several hours later.&nbsp; &nbsp;She is scheduled to return to court on July 24 and is free after meeting the requirements for bond.

Kan. teen accused in fatal hit-and-run makes court appearance

KANSAS CITY—The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium wants your help to name the new giraffe calf. Last week the zoo announced a&nbsp;female Masai giraffe was born to mom Makali on June 30.

The calf weighed in at 125 pounds and already stands 5 feet 6 inches tall.&nbsp;

The animal care specialists have narrowed the name options down to five for the growing girl. The deadline to vote is 4pm on Friday, July 12, and you may vote only once.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascityzoo.org/form/name-the-baby-giraffe/">Click here to view the name </a>options and cast your vote.

It will be a while before this adorable girl makes her public debut, but the zoo will keep fans updated on the Zoo’s social media pages.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720043510469.png" alt="Photo KC Zoo and Aquarium&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo KC Zoo and Aquarium&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium wants your help to name the new giraffe calf. Last week the zoo announced a&nbsp;female Masai giraffe was born to mom Makali on June 30.The calf weighed in at 125 pounds and already stands 5 feet 6 inches tall.&nbsp;The animal care specialists have narrowed the name options down to five for the growing girl. The deadline to vote is 4pm on Friday, July 12, and you may vote only once.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascityzoo.org/form/name-the-baby-giraffe/">Click here to view the name </a>options and cast your vote.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Makali’s calf has been officially introduced to the other giraffe gals, and we can confirm these four are <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SquadGoals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SquadGoals</a>. If you haven’t voted on a name for the calf yet, be sure to visit <a href="https://t.co/fZLflY9jNK">https://t.co/fZLflY9jNK</a>! 📸 Katie M. <a href="https://t.co/hVoHu86AOM">pic.twitter.com/hVoHu86AOM</a>&mdash; Kansas City Zoo &amp; Aquarium (@KansasCityZoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansasCityZoo/status/1810779640471929171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It will be a while before this adorable girl makes her public debut, but the zoo will keep fans updated on the Zoo’s social media pages.

Vote: Kansas City Zoo wants you to name the baby giraffe

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 9:30p.m. July 7,&nbsp;a police officer in the city of Hoyt conducted a traffic stop on 2000 Ford Econoline van for various traffic infractions, near the intersection of 1st&nbsp;Street and Eastern Ave. in the city of Hoyt, according to Police Chief Dan Wentling.

The driver of the van, David Eugene Savard, 36, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, felony interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, Identity Theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, driving while suspended, transporting an open container, illegal registration, and no proof of insurance.

A passenger in the van, Julieanna Dean Corbett, 23, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container.

Another passenger in the van, Nathan Paul Leonard, 24, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for transporting an open container. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrests.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720433678524.png" alt="Savard photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Savard photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 9:30p.m. July 7,&nbsp;a police officer in the city of Hoyt conducted a traffic stop on 2000 Ford Econoline van for various traffic infractions, near the intersection of 1st&nbsp;Street and Eastern Ave. in the city of Hoyt, according to Police Chief Dan Wentling.The driver of the van, David Eugene Savard, 36, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, felony interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, Identity Theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, driving while suspended, transporting an open container, illegal registration, and no proof of insurance.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720433718697.png" alt="Corbett photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Corbett photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A passenger in the van, Julieanna Dean Corbett, 23, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720433781363.png" alt="Leonard-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Leonard-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Another passenger in the van, Nathan Paul Leonard, 24, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for transporting an open container. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrests.

3 jailed in Kansas for drinking and driving, transporting drugs

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill Biden</a>&nbsp;on Monday declared herself “all in” on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden’s</a>&nbsp;bid to remain as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, despite calls by some Democrats for him to drop out after his damaging debate performance against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;shook their confidence in him.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?536838-1/lady-jill-biden-campaigns-wilmington-nc">Click here to watch</a> Jill Biden's campaign appearance

The president himself has brushed aside those calls and insisted anew on Monday that he isn’t leaving the race.

“For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he’s all in,” the first lady told a military crowd in Wilmington, North Carolina, the first of three battleground states she was visiting.

“That’s the decision that he’s made, and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in too,” said Jill Biden, who teaches English and writing as a community college professor.

Later Monday, in remarks at an American Legion post in Tampa, Florida, she said her husband considers support of the military and veterans a “sacred obligation” that she contended contrasts with Trump.

“As commander in chief, President Biden wakes up every morning ready to work for you,” Jill Biden said. “Donald Trump wakes up every morning thinking of one person and one person only: himself.”

Danny Fuqua, president of the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida, said Biden’s ties to the military make him the clear choice in November.

“The Bidens are a military family. They are one of us. They not only see the uniform, they see the person in it,” Fuqua said.

Jill Biden was headed next to an event in Columbus, Georgia, home of the Army’s sprawling Fort Moore.

Her daylong tour was part of the Biden campaign’s broader effort to rebound from the president’s halting performance against Trump in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-debate-age-democrats-b93d7ffaad75fd423ea3953fe16287f0">last month’s debate</a>.

The debate led some congressional Democrats and others to call on him to let another candidate challenge Trump because they no longer believe the 81-year-old president is mentally and physically capable of defeating the former Republican president in November.

Jill Biden also announced the formation of an organizing group, Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris at her Tampa stop.

“We can’t take anything for granted. We have to meet this moment because our freedoms are at risk,” she said.

The president has insisted since the June 27 debate that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-campaign-wisconsin-abc-news-e4657f86f5e82b10a5fefb526bc49b08">he is staying in the race</a>. He did so again on Monday in a letter to congressional Democrats and during an on-air telephone interview with MSNBC.

Jill Biden used her appearance to draw contrasts between her husband’s and Trump’s attitudes toward U.S. service members, veterans and their families.

The president’s late son&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-d8f69eb645d74b7886387f713981b739">Beau</a>&nbsp;served in Iraq as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard, and the first lady’s father was a Navy signalman during World War II.

“This is personal to us,” she said, describing the waits to connect by phone with a service member stationed overseas or having to smile through a loved one’s absence on holidays.

“Let me ask you this ... Does Donald Trump know what it’s like?” she said.

The first lady mentioned reports that Trump, during a 2018 trip to France, referred to service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-ap-top-news-politics-europe-edf5d17c4d41cfb69117f0cf97ef6ac6">“suckers” and “losers.”</a>&nbsp;Trump denies making the comments.

“It’s disgraceful, but it’s not surprising,” she said. And, noting that the Supreme Court has said presidents are immune from prosecution for acts committed while in office, the first lady said “our democracy cannot withstand a Trump president with virtually no limits.”

“Members of our military honor their oath to support and defend the Constitution. We cannot trust Donald Trump to do the same,” she said. “You deserve a commander in chief who serves with integrity and wisdom and character, and that’s my husband, Joe Biden.”

A spokesperson for Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

During the debate, Biden and Trump argued over who cares the most about veterans. Biden noted that he recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-election-france-451275981e578163c51b5a2562ae6694">visited an American military cemetery in France</a>, the final resting place for U.S. soldiers who fought in World War I, which Trump notably skipped on his 2018 trip.

Trump asserted during the debate that the Democratic president is coddling migrants while neglecting the needs of veterans and service members, and he faulted Biden for the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720484737607.png" alt="First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at the campaign rally Monday -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at the campaign rally Monday -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>TAMPA, Fla. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill Biden</a>&nbsp;on Monday declared herself “all in” on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden’s</a>&nbsp;bid to remain as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, despite calls by some Democrats for him to drop out after his damaging debate performance against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;shook their confidence in him.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?536838-1/lady-jill-biden-campaigns-wilmington-nc">Click here to watch</a> Jill Biden's campaign appearanceThe president himself has brushed aside those calls and insisted anew on Monday that he isn’t leaving the race.“For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he’s all in,” the first lady told a military crowd in Wilmington, North Carolina, the first of three battleground states she was visiting.“That’s the decision that he’s made, and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in too,” said Jill Biden, who teaches English and writing as a community college professor.Later Monday, in remarks at an American Legion post in Tampa, Florida, she said her husband considers support of the military and veterans a “sacred obligation” that she contended contrasts with Trump.“As commander in chief, President Biden wakes up every morning ready to work for you,” Jill Biden said. “Donald Trump wakes up every morning thinking of one person and one person only: himself.”Danny Fuqua, president of the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida, said Biden’s ties to the military make him the clear choice in November.“The Bidens are a military family. They are one of us. They not only see the uniform, they see the person in it,” Fuqua said.Jill Biden was headed next to an event in Columbus, Georgia, home of the Army’s sprawling Fort Moore.Her daylong tour was part of the Biden campaign’s broader effort to rebound from the president’s halting performance against Trump in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-debate-age-democrats-b93d7ffaad75fd423ea3953fe16287f0">last month’s debate</a>.The debate led some congressional Democrats and others to call on him to let another candidate challenge Trump because they no longer believe the 81-year-old president is mentally and physically capable of defeating the former Republican president in November.Jill Biden also announced the formation of an organizing group, Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris at her Tampa stop.“We can’t take anything for granted. We have to meet this moment because our freedoms are at risk,” she said.The president has insisted since the June 27 debate that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-campaign-wisconsin-abc-news-e4657f86f5e82b10a5fefb526bc49b08">he is staying in the race</a>. He did so again on Monday in a letter to congressional Democrats and during an on-air telephone interview with MSNBC.Jill Biden used her appearance to draw contrasts between her husband’s and Trump’s attitudes toward U.S. service members, veterans and their families.The president’s late son&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-d8f69eb645d74b7886387f713981b739">Beau</a>&nbsp;served in Iraq as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard, and the first lady’s father was a Navy signalman during World War II.“This is personal to us,” she said, describing the waits to connect by phone with a service member stationed overseas or having to smile through a loved one’s absence on holidays.“Let me ask you this ... Does Donald Trump know what it’s like?” she said.The first lady mentioned reports that Trump, during a 2018 trip to France, referred to service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-ap-top-news-politics-europe-edf5d17c4d41cfb69117f0cf97ef6ac6">“suckers” and “losers.”</a>&nbsp;Trump denies making the comments.“It’s disgraceful, but it’s not surprising,” she said. And, noting that the Supreme Court has said presidents are immune from prosecution for acts committed while in office, the first lady said “our democracy cannot withstand a Trump president with virtually no limits.”“Members of our military honor their oath to support and defend the Constitution. We cannot trust Donald Trump to do the same,” she said. “You deserve a commander in chief who serves with integrity and wisdom and character, and that’s my husband, Joe Biden.”A spokesperson for Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.During the debate, Biden and Trump argued over who cares the most about veterans. Biden noted that he recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-election-france-451275981e578163c51b5a2562ae6694">visited an American military cemetery in France</a>, the final resting place for U.S. soldiers who fought in World War I, which Trump notably skipped on his 2018 trip.Trump asserted during the debate that the Democratic president is coddling migrants while neglecting the needs of veterans and service members, and he faulted Biden for the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.<h2>___</h2>

🎥Jill Biden says she’s ‘all in’ on Joe's reelection 

KANSAS CITY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack that sent two children to a hospital.

Just after 1a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a domestic violence incident at a home near the intersection of 38th and Indiana in Kansas City, according to KCPD.

First responders heard what sounded like an argument coming from inside the house. Officers entered the house and found two children including a boy under the age of 10 with a laceration and a girl under the age of 15 with a stab wound.&nbsp; EMS transported them to a local hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police took a man at the home into custody for questioning.

KANSAS CITY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack that sent two children to a hospital.Just after 1a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a domestic violence incident at a home near the intersection of 38th and Indiana in Kansas City, according to KCPD.First responders heard what sounded like an argument coming from inside the house. Officers entered the house and found two children including a boy under the age of 10 with a laceration and a girl under the age of 15 with a stab wound.&nbsp; EMS transported them to a local hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police took a man at the home into custody for questioning.

2 children hospitalized after knife attack at Kansas City home

Departures at HeadQuarters tied to staff rebellion, alleged misuse of grants

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720539289959.png" alt=" The entire board of directors and the executive director resigned from the Lawrence-based HeadQuarters Kansas, which operates the 988 suicide crisis call center for all 105 counties. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> The entire board of directors and the executive director resigned from the Lawrence-based HeadQuarters Kansas, which operates the 988 suicide crisis call center for all 105 counties. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Departures at HeadQuarters tied to staff rebellion, alleged misuse of grants</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>LAWRENCE — The interim executive director and the board of directors at the suicide prevention organization HeadQuarters Kansas resigned amid an uprising by employees and volunteers, allegations grant money was misappropriated and anxiety about potential loss of state and county funding.Headquarters Kansas, which is based in Lawrence, operates the 988 suicide crisis call center for all 105 counties in the state. It is affiliated with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.The departure Monday of Ruby Johnson, interim executive director; Michelle Fales, chair of the board of directors; and the recent resignation of five other board members was the culmination of months of management turmoil.“We created new structures of accountability in our relationships with funders, partners and each other,” said Johnson, who agreed in April to assume the role of interim executive director and step down from the board of directors. “The agency faces new challenges, but it falls to others to address them. I am moving on with pride in the work done, secure in having navigated challenges with integrity and with love for those who exemplify the mission of building resilience and preventing suicide.”Johnson replaced interim director Becky Price, who held the top job from February to April. Price was hired after the sudden departure in January of Steve Devore, who had been president and CEO of the organization since 2019.In a memorandum to HeadQuarters Kansas staff, Fales said she tendered her resignation Monday after enduring months of “lies and threats” from individuals more interested in provoking controversy than achieving results. She assumed the role of board chair in November and initiated a survey of employees, board members and community partners in conjunction with the overdue employee evaluation of Devore’s work.“These surveys opened up a can of worms, including the misuse of grant funds,” Fales said. “Management giving bonuses that were not permitted under the grant. Buying family golf memberships with grant funds. Buying over $5,000 in items for a ‘therapy’ dog.”She asserted three administrative employees at HeadQuarters Kansas were responsible for oversight of an estimated $206,000 in expenditures from 2021 to 2023 that may not have complied with grant guidelines. The spending was embedded in budget documents in ways that made it difficult for the board to track, she said.In 2022, Fales said, she had asked for clarity about bonuses given certain employees and was allegedly misled by Devore.Fales said the board of directors eventually decided to seek the resignation or termination of two staff members, which included Devore.Fales also complained that Andrew Brown, deputy secretary of programs at the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, had been advising dissident staff and advocating for her to resign from the board. Prior to working at KDADS, Brown was executive director of HeadQuarters Kansas.“The board has been slandered, threatened, intimidated, harassed while continuing to work in the best interest of keeping the organization solvent and clean up the messes made by prior management,” Fales said. “It has become abundantly clear that while most of the individuals working at HeadQuarters Kansas Inc. might be in the mental health arena, they have no desire to talk constructively with anyone that differs from their own opinions.”The defection of Fales, Johnson and the other board members meant an attorney would likely be appointed to coordinate appointment of a new board of directors.In April, 75 to 100 current and former employees and volunteers at HeadQuarters Kansas publicly demanded wholesale management change. In a letter to leaders of the organization Friday, the employee coalition vowed to initiate the equivalent of a strike if Fales and Johnson didn’t resign Monday.The letter said HeadQuarters Kansas was in peril of losing state and county aid and the “unjust termination of our colleagues who voiced their concern or disapproval has changed our workplace culture from one of cooperation to one of fear and distrust.” There has been concern controversy at HeadQuarters Kansas could lead to loss of state funding for the 988 hotline, undermine appropriations from Douglas County and eventually force closure of the agency.Hope Blankenship, vice president of operations at HeadQuarters Kansas, assumed the duties of executive director. Blankenship told the&nbsp;<a href="https://lawrencekstimes.com/2024/04/07/headquarters-kansas-in-crisis/" target="_blank">Lawrence Times</a>&nbsp;there had been no interruption in the organization’s call, text and chat services.The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was implemented in Kansas during July 2022. In preparation for the launch, Kansas integrated HeadQuarters Kansas, COMCARE of Sedgwick County and Johnson County Crisis Line into the 988 network.&nbsp;The three centers operate with state funding and oversight from KDADS and the 988 Coordinating Council. In terms of the Lawrence facility, KDADS allocated $3.7 million to the agency during the 2023 fiscal year.