TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Tuesday that June's total tax collections were $1.03 billion. That is $24.1 million, or 2.4%, more than the estimate. Total tax collections are up 3.9% from June 2023, according to a statement from the Kansas Department of Revenue.

The state ended May with total tax collections at $658.9 million, 22.7%, below the estimate.&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA3LzAyL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjkyNjQxNS8xMl9KdW5lX1JldmVudWVfRlkyMDI0XzA3LTAyLTIwMjRfRmluYWwucGRmIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDcwMi45NzA5NDY5MSJ9.4RWHnEXs6E9Spkdo0xVnRKNzXj8vWg_ft6SxHxufW-w/s/1303160919/br/245164441867-l">here</a>&nbsp;to view the June 2024 revenue numbers.

“While the tax revenue collected for June is encouraging, we must remain committed to fiscal responsibility,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “By continuing our work to put our state on solid fiscal ground, we can ensure Kansans have the services and quality of life they deserve.”

Individual income tax collections were $452.4 million. That is $82.4 million, or 22.3% more than the estimate, and up 19.4% from June 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $193.1 million. That is $53.9 million, or 21.8% less than the estimate, and down 14.6% from June 2023.

“Individual income tax receipts exceeded the June estimate because of higher-than-expected withholding tax and individual estimated payments and the fact that fewer refunds were paid than in June 2023,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart. “Withholding tax receipts are 17.0% greater than in June 2023, and that source continues to be the State’s most reliable revenue stream.”

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $292.1 million. That is $2.2 million, or 0.7% more than the estimate, but down $11.4 million, or 3.8%, from June 2023.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Tuesday that June's total tax collections were $1.03 billion. That is $24.1 million, or 2.4%, more than the estimate. Total tax collections are up 3.9% from June 2023, according to a statement from the Kansas Department of Revenue.The state ended May with total tax collections at $658.9 million, 22.7%, below the estimate.&nbsp;Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA3LzAyL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjkyNjQxNS8xMl9KdW5lX1JldmVudWVfRlkyMDI0XzA3LTAyLTIwMjRfRmluYWwucGRmIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDcwMi45NzA5NDY5MSJ9.4RWHnEXs6E9Spkdo0xVnRKNzXj8vWg_ft6SxHxufW-w/s/1303160919/br/245164441867-l">here</a>&nbsp;to view the June 2024 revenue numbers.“While the tax revenue collected for June is encouraging, we must remain committed to fiscal responsibility,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “By continuing our work to put our state on solid fiscal ground, we can ensure Kansans have the services and quality of life they deserve.”Individual income tax collections were $452.4 million. That is $82.4 million, or 22.3% more than the estimate, and up 19.4% from June 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $193.1 million. That is $53.9 million, or 21.8% less than the estimate, and down 14.6% from June 2023.“Individual income tax receipts exceeded the June estimate because of higher-than-expected withholding tax and individual estimated payments and the fact that fewer refunds were paid than in June 2023,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart. “Withholding tax receipts are 17.0% greater than in June 2023, and that source continues to be the State’s most reliable revenue stream.”Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $292.1 million. That is $2.2 million, or 0.7% more than the estimate, but down $11.4 million, or 3.8%, from June 2023.

Kansas total tax collections back up in June

KANSAS CITY—Authorities&nbsp; investigating the drowning death of a two-year old at home near Kansas City have identified the child&nbsp;Carson Bryant-Ferrantell.

Just before noon June 28, deputies were dispatched to a home in the 38600 block of E. Parrent Road, Oak Grove,&nbsp;according to Jackson County Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp; First responders found the toddler had drowned.

The sheriff's office released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY—Authorities&nbsp; investigating the drowning death of a two-year old at home near Kansas City have identified the child&nbsp;Carson Bryant-Ferrantell.Just before noon June 28, deputies were dispatched to a home in the 38600 block of E. Parrent Road, Oak Grove,&nbsp;according to Jackson County Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp; First responders found the toddler had drowned.The sheriff's office released no additional details.

Sheriff's office IDs 2-year-old who drowned at KC area home

SEDGWICK COUNTY—&nbsp;A man with a previous abuse conviction is scheduled for sentencing Wednesday afternoon for the violent beating death of his 8-year-old daughter.

In March,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=740792">Thomas Gatewood, </a>52, Wichita, plead no contest to first-degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated battery, abuse of a child, rape, criminal sodomy, aggravated endangering of a child aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated intimidation of a witness, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On May 8, of 2023 police&nbsp;were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of N. Oliver in Wichita after report of an&nbsp;unresponsive 8-year-old girl, according to Officer&nbsp; Kris Gupilan. The child was pronounced deceased at the scene.

&nbsp;A warrant was issued for Gatewood's arrest for the murder of his 8-year-old daughter

Wichita Police Officers utilized FLOCK technology and Thomas was quickly located and taken into custody within hours of the warrant being issued.&nbsp;

The Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit and Homicide detectives investigated the incident and presented a case to the District Attorney’s office. Prosecutors say Gatewood had repeatedly beaten and even stomped on the 8-year-old and an autopsy revealed that her heart had ruptured. Another child in the house was also abused.

Court documents show he was previously charged with child abuse in Oklahoma in 2009.&nbsp;

Gatewood was scheduled to face a trial in the case March 11.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687976261144.png" alt="Gatewood photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Gatewood photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—&nbsp;A man with a previous abuse conviction is scheduled for sentencing Wednesday afternoon for the violent beating death of his 8-year-old daughter.In March,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=740792">Thomas Gatewood, </a>52, Wichita, plead no contest to first-degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated battery, abuse of a child, rape, criminal sodomy, aggravated endangering of a child aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated intimidation of a witness, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On May 8, of 2023 police&nbsp;were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of N. Oliver in Wichita after report of an&nbsp;unresponsive 8-year-old girl, according to Officer&nbsp; Kris Gupilan. The child was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;A warrant was issued for Gatewood's arrest for the murder of his 8-year-old daughterWichita Police Officers utilized FLOCK technology and Thomas was quickly located and taken into custody within hours of the warrant being issued.&nbsp;The Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit and Homicide detectives investigated the incident and presented a case to the District Attorney’s office. Prosecutors say Gatewood had repeatedly beaten and even stomped on the 8-year-old and an autopsy revealed that her heart had ruptured. Another child in the house was also abused.Court documents show he was previously charged with child abuse in Oklahoma in 2009.&nbsp;Gatewood was scheduled to face a trial in the case March 11.&nbsp;-The AP contributed to this report.

Kan. man who killed 8-year-old daughter will learn his fate

JOHNSON COUNTY—A man who worked for over two dozen years in a Kansas school district is in jail on child sex crime allegations.

On June 26,&nbsp; police arrested 43-year-old Jason Barrett on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties and furnishing alcohol to a minor for illicit purposes. The victim was under the age of 16 but over than 14, according to court records.

He worked as a paraprofessional in USD 233 Olathe starting in 2009, according to online records. He remains jailed on a&nbsp;$250,000 bond and is due back in court July 10, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719776149678.png" alt="Barrett-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Barrett-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—A man who worked for over two dozen years in a Kansas school district is in jail on child sex crime allegations.On June 26,&nbsp; police arrested 43-year-old Jason Barrett on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties and furnishing alcohol to a minor for illicit purposes. The victim was under the age of 16 but over than 14, according to court records.He worked as a paraprofessional in USD 233 Olathe starting in 2009, according to online records. He remains jailed on a&nbsp;$250,000 bond and is due back in court July 10, according to online jail records.

Former Kan. school employee accused of child sex crimes

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting in Wichita have arrested a man and his father.

Just after 11a.m. Monday, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a call reporting a shooting at the&nbsp;Rockborough apartment complex, 202 N Rock Road in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.

First responders located 25-year-old Sebastian Crawford of Wichita with a single gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Multiple other individuals, including two juveniles, were located inside the apartment. EMS transported a woman to an area hospital to be evaluated for a condition apparently unrelated to the shooting.&nbsp;No other injuries were reported.

Homicide investigators responded to the scene and worked with patrol officers to understand what led up to the shooting. According to Sedgwick County booking records, police arrested 22-year-old Peter McKinney on a requested charge of Second-Degree Reckless Murder and 50-year-old Jeffrey McKinney on a requested charge of Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Jeffrey McKinney is Peter's father, according to Ford.

At this time, police believe that Crawford and the suspect knew each other and were involved in an argument before the shooting.

The facts of this case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration. This is the 18th criminal homicide in Wichita this year, according to Ford.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719921077048.png" alt="Peter McKinney-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Peter McKinney-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting in Wichita have arrested a man and his father.Just after 11a.m. Monday, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a call reporting a shooting at the&nbsp;Rockborough apartment complex, 202 N Rock Road in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719885319829.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located 25-year-old Sebastian Crawford of Wichita with a single gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.Multiple other individuals, including two juveniles, were located inside the apartment. EMS transported a woman to an area hospital to be evaluated for a condition apparently unrelated to the shooting.&nbsp;No other injuries were reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719921323757.png" alt="Jeffrey McKinney-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Jeffrey McKinney-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Homicide investigators responded to the scene and worked with patrol officers to understand what led up to the shooting. According to Sedgwick County booking records, police arrested 22-year-old Peter McKinney on a requested charge of Second-Degree Reckless Murder and 50-year-old Jeffrey McKinney on a requested charge of Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Jeffrey McKinney is Peter's father, according to Ford.At this time, police believe that Crawford and the suspect knew each other and were involved in an argument before the shooting.The facts of this case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration. This is the 18th criminal homicide in Wichita this year, according to Ford.&nbsp;

Father and son arrested in Kansas apartment complex killing

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. government will pay the vaccine maker Moderna $176 million to develop a pandemic vaccine that could be used to treat bird flu in people as cases in dairy cows continue to mount across the country, federal officials announced Tuesday.

The funds are targeted for release through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and will pay for continued development of a vaccine that uses the same mRNA technology that allowed rapid development and rollout of vaccines to protect against COVID-19. The award was made through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, a program that focuses on medical treatments for potential pandemics.

Moderna will launch trials to test the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine that could be used to scale up a response to a bird flu pandemic, if needed.

The H5N1 virus was detected earlier this year in dairy cows and has spread to more than 135 herds in 12 states and infected three people to date, all with mild cases. Federal health officials stress that the risk to the wider population remains low.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697809177329.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. government will pay the vaccine maker Moderna $176 million to develop a pandemic vaccine that could be used to treat bird flu in people as cases in dairy cows continue to mount across the country, federal officials announced Tuesday.The funds are targeted for release through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and will pay for continued development of a vaccine that uses the same mRNA technology that allowed rapid development and rollout of vaccines to protect against COVID-19. The award was made through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, a program that focuses on medical treatments for potential pandemics.Moderna will launch trials to test the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine that could be used to scale up a response to a bird flu pandemic, if needed.The H5N1 virus was detected earlier this year in dairy cows and has spread to more than 135 herds in 12 states and infected three people to date, all with mild cases. Federal health officials stress that the risk to the wider population remains low.

US will pay Moderna $176 million for new mRNA pandemic flu vaccine

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just after 9p.m. June 30,&nbsp;Sac and Fox Police and Brown County Sheriff's deputies investigated a suspicious vehicle which was disabled&nbsp; int he vicinity of 320th and Kestrel Road, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

 K-9 Carla indicated on the vehicle and spoke with the driver and sole occupant Robert Hendricks, 64, Marysville.

Deputies arrested him on requested charges of Possession of Meth,&nbsp; Felony Distribution of Meth, No Drug Tax Stamp, Possession of&nbsp; Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; Investigators found 20 grams of methamphetamine, scales, pipes, baggies and more was located within the vehicle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719875809214.png" alt="-K-9 SGT Fee with Carla" />
 <figcaption>-K-9 SGT Fee with Carla</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just after 9p.m. June 30,&nbsp;Sac and Fox Police and Brown County Sheriff's deputies investigated a suspicious vehicle which was disabled&nbsp; int he vicinity of 320th and Kestrel Road, according to Sheriff John Merchant.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719875791068.png" alt="Hendricks photo Brown County" />
 <figcaption>Hendricks photo Brown County</figcaption>
 </figure> K-9 Carla indicated on the vehicle and spoke with the driver and sole occupant Robert Hendricks, 64, Marysville.Deputies arrested him on requested charges of Possession of Meth,&nbsp; Felony Distribution of Meth, No Drug Tax Stamp, Possession of&nbsp; Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; Investigators found 20 grams of methamphetamine, scales, pipes, baggies and more was located within the vehicle.

Kan. sheriff's K9 helped catch man allegedly selling meth

FINNEY COUNTY —Fire officials in Finney County are investigating an arson fire.

Just before 6 a.m. on Monday,&nbsp;the Garden City Fire Department was dispatched to the report of house fire 1027 N. Boots Road, Garden City, Kansas, according to a media release.

Fire personnel identified a single-story home with heavy fire visible from all windows. Personnel established a water supply, completed initial knockdown of the fire, and completed the primary and secondary searches of the structure. The home was confirmed to be vacant.

The fire was called under control at approximately 6:02 a.m.

Fire Marshal Gene Robertson notified the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office of the fire and requested assistance with the investigation. During the investigation, Accelerant Detection Canine Karma alerted multiple areas of the home for possible accelerants. The cause of the fire was determined to be arson.

No injuries were reported, and no damage estimates are known at this time.

Any individuals with tips or information are requested to contact Fire Marshal Gene Robertson at (620) 276-1140 or Finney County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Colleen Bascue at (620) 272-3700.

FINNEY COUNTY —Fire officials in Finney County are investigating an arson fire.Just before 6 a.m. on Monday,&nbsp;the Garden City Fire Department was dispatched to the report of house fire 1027 N. Boots Road, Garden City, Kansas, according to a media release.Fire personnel identified a single-story home with heavy fire visible from all windows. Personnel established a water supply, completed initial knockdown of the fire, and completed the primary and secondary searches of the structure. The home was confirmed to be vacant.The fire was called under control at approximately 6:02 a.m.Fire Marshal Gene Robertson notified the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office of the fire and requested assistance with the investigation. During the investigation, Accelerant Detection Canine Karma alerted multiple areas of the home for possible accelerants. The cause of the fire was determined to be arson.No injuries were reported, and no damage estimates are known at this time.Any individuals with tips or information are requested to contact Fire Marshal Gene Robertson at (620) 276-1140 or Finney County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Colleen Bascue at (620) 272-3700.#

Arson fire under investigation at SW Kansas home

NEW YORK (AP) —Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case was postponed until at least September as the judge agreed Tuesday to weigh the possible impact of a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity</a>.

The delay is a major reprieve for Trump, who had been scheduled to face sentencing July 11 on his New York conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. He denies any wrongdoing.

The postponement sets the sentencing for Sept. 18 at the earliest — if it happens at all, since Trump's lawyers are arguing that the Supreme Court ruling merits not only delaying the sentencing but tossing out his conviction.

The new date is well after this month's Republican National Convention, where Trump is set formally to accept the party’s nomination for president in this year’s race.

September, however, is far closer to Election Day, which could put the issue top-of-mind for voters just as they seriously tune into the race. Because of absentee voting timelines in certain states, some voters may already have cast ballots before anyone knows whether the former president will have to spend time in jail or on home confinement.

There was no immediate comment on the postponement from Trump's campaign or Manhattan prosecutors, who brought the case.

The delay caps a string of political and legal wins for Trump in recent days, including the Supreme Court's immunity ruling and a debate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-debate-democrats-trump-trapped-c10c872f8436966096b45b6089adee8b">widely seen as a disaster</a>&nbsp;for Democratic President Joe Biden.

The immunity decision all but closed the door on the possibility that Trump could face trial in his 2020 election interference case in Washington before this November's vote. The timeline in itself is a victory for the former president, who has sought to delay his four criminal cases past the balloting.

An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fani-willis-georgia-election-indictment-3c852370fe7888eaf331fb95dcf9f26f">appeals court recently paused</a>&nbsp;a separate election interference case against Trump, in Georgia; no trial date has been set. His federal classified documents case in Florida remains bogged down by pretrial disputes that have resulted in an indefinite cancelation of the trial date.

Monday's Supreme Court ruling granted broad immunity protections to presidents, while also restricting prosecutors from citing any official acts as evidence in trying to prove a president’s unofficial actions violated the law.

The high court held that former presidents are absolutely immune from prosecution for actions that fall within their core constitutional duties, such as interacting with the Justice Department, and at least presumptively immune for all other official acts. The justices left intact the longstanding principle that no immunity exists for purely personal acts.

It's not clear how the decision will affect the New York hush money case.

Its underpinnings involved allegations that a pre-presidency Trump participated in a scheme to stifle sex stories that he feared would be damaging to his 2016 campaign. But the actual charges had to do with payments made in 2017 to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, who had shelled out hush money on Trump's behalf. Trump was president when he signed relevant checks to Cohen.

Trump's lawyers sought unsuccessfully before the trial to keep out certain evidence that they said concerned official acts, including social media posts he made as president. They may face a similar uphill climb in trying to argue now that the Supreme Court ruling warrants tossing out the New York conviction.

When Trump vied unsuccessfully last year to get the hush-money case moved from state court to federal court,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-york-indictment-stormy-daniels-cohen-e673f673d205a70275d05510793672f2">U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected the former president's claim</a>&nbsp;that allegations in the hush money indictment involved official duties.

“The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely personal item of the president — a cover-up of an embarrassing event," Hellerstein wrote last year.

Hours after Monday's Supreme Court ruling, Trump’s attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24787589-20240701-letter-to-justice-merchan-re-immunity-decision?responsive=1&amp;title=1">requested</a>&nbsp;that New York Judge Juan M. Merchan set aside the jury’s guilty verdict and delay the sentencing to consider how the high court’s ruling could affect the hush money case.

Merchan wrote that he'll rule Sept. 6, and the next date in the case would be Sept. 18, “if such is still necessary.”

In their filing Monday, defense attorneys argued that Manhattan prosecutors had placed “highly prejudicial emphasis on official-acts evidence,” including Trump's social media posts and witness testimony about Oval Office meetings.

Prosecutors said before the judge's decision Tuesday that they believed those arguments were “without merit” but that they wouldn't oppose adjourning the sentencing for two weeks as the judge considers the matter.

Trump was convicted May 30 on 34 counts of falsifying business records arising from what prosecutors said was an attempt to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.

Daniels claims she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 after meeting him at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. Trump has repeatedly denied that claim, saying at his June 27 debate with Biden: “I didn’t have sex with a porn star.”

Prosecutors said the Daniels payment was part of a broader scheme to buy the silence of people who might have gone public during the campaign with embarrassing stories alleging Trump had extramarital sex. Trump said they all were false.

Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses.

Trump's defense argued that the payments were indeed for legal work and so were correctly categorized.

Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation, a fine or a conditional discharge which would require Trump to stay out of trouble to avoid additional punishment. Trump is the first ex-president convicted of a crime.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714517455009.png" alt="File photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case was postponed until at least September as the judge agreed Tuesday to weigh the possible impact of a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity</a>.The delay is a major reprieve for Trump, who had been scheduled to face sentencing July 11 on his New York conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. He denies any wrongdoing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719950796354.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719950816458.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The postponement sets the sentencing for Sept. 18 at the earliest — if it happens at all, since Trump's lawyers are arguing that the Supreme Court ruling merits not only delaying the sentencing but tossing out his conviction.The new date is well after this month's Republican National Convention, where Trump is set formally to accept the party’s nomination for president in this year’s race.September, however, is far closer to Election Day, which could put the issue top-of-mind for voters just as they seriously tune into the race. Because of absentee voting timelines in certain states, some voters may already have cast ballots before anyone knows whether the former president will have to spend time in jail or on home confinement.There was no immediate comment on the postponement from Trump's campaign or Manhattan prosecutors, who brought the case.The delay caps a string of political and legal wins for Trump in recent days, including the Supreme Court's immunity ruling and a debate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-debate-democrats-trump-trapped-c10c872f8436966096b45b6089adee8b">widely seen as a disaster</a>&nbsp;for Democratic President Joe Biden.The immunity decision all but closed the door on the possibility that Trump could face trial in his 2020 election interference case in Washington before this November's vote. The timeline in itself is a victory for the former president, who has sought to delay his four criminal cases past the balloting.An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fani-willis-georgia-election-indictment-3c852370fe7888eaf331fb95dcf9f26f">appeals court recently paused</a>&nbsp;a separate election interference case against Trump, in Georgia; no trial date has been set. His federal classified documents case in Florida remains bogged down by pretrial disputes that have resulted in an indefinite cancelation of the trial date.Monday's Supreme Court ruling granted broad immunity protections to presidents, while also restricting prosecutors from citing any official acts as evidence in trying to prove a president’s unofficial actions violated the law.The high court held that former presidents are absolutely immune from prosecution for actions that fall within their core constitutional duties, such as interacting with the Justice Department, and at least presumptively immune for all other official acts. The justices left intact the longstanding principle that no immunity exists for purely personal acts.It's not clear how the decision will affect the New York hush money case.Its underpinnings involved allegations that a pre-presidency Trump participated in a scheme to stifle sex stories that he feared would be damaging to his 2016 campaign. But the actual charges had to do with payments made in 2017 to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, who had shelled out hush money on Trump's behalf. Trump was president when he signed relevant checks to Cohen.Trump's lawyers sought unsuccessfully before the trial to keep out certain evidence that they said concerned official acts, including social media posts he made as president. They may face a similar uphill climb in trying to argue now that the Supreme Court ruling warrants tossing out the New York conviction.When Trump vied unsuccessfully last year to get the hush-money case moved from state court to federal court,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-york-indictment-stormy-daniels-cohen-e673f673d205a70275d05510793672f2">U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected the former president's claim</a>&nbsp;that allegations in the hush money indictment involved official duties.“The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely personal item of the president — a cover-up of an embarrassing event," Hellerstein wrote last year.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719936693746.png" alt="People v. Trump defense letter on immunity- image NY State Courts" />
 <figcaption>People v. Trump defense letter on immunity- image NY State Courts</figcaption>
 </figure>Hours after Monday's Supreme Court ruling, Trump’s attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24787589-20240701-letter-to-justice-merchan-re-immunity-decision?responsive=1&amp;title=1">requested</a>&nbsp;that New York Judge Juan M. Merchan set aside the jury’s guilty verdict and delay the sentencing to consider how the high court’s ruling could affect the hush money case.Merchan wrote that he'll rule Sept. 6, and the next date in the case would be Sept. 18, “if such is still necessary.”In their filing Monday, defense attorneys argued that Manhattan prosecutors had placed “highly prejudicial emphasis on official-acts evidence,” including Trump's social media posts and witness testimony about Oval Office meetings.Prosecutors said before the judge's decision Tuesday that they believed those arguments were “without merit” but that they wouldn't oppose adjourning the sentencing for two weeks as the judge considers the matter.Trump was convicted May 30 on 34 counts of falsifying business records arising from what prosecutors said was an attempt to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.Daniels claims she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 after meeting him at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. Trump has repeatedly denied that claim, saying at his June 27 debate with Biden: “I didn’t have sex with a porn star.”Prosecutors said the Daniels payment was part of a broader scheme to buy the silence of people who might have gone public during the campaign with embarrassing stories alleging Trump had extramarital sex. Trump said they all were false.Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses.Trump's defense argued that the payments were indeed for legal work and so were correctly categorized.Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation, a fine or a conditional discharge which would require Trump to stay out of trouble to avoid additional punishment. Trump is the first ex-president convicted of a crime.___

Judge delays Trump’s sentencing after high court immunity ruling

LOS ANGELES (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ann-wilson">Ann Wilson</a>, lead singer of rock band Heart, says she has cancer and the band is postponing the remaining shows on its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hart-tour-wilson-royal-flush-e82a5cecf9dc482e58ad5893d06d97c8">Royal Flush Tour</a>&nbsp;while she undergoes treatment.

Wilson said in a statement Tuesday that she underwent a surgery to remove a cancerous growth and is recovering steadily, but that her doctors urged her to undergo preventive chemotherapy and take time off from performing “in order to fully recover.” That meant the rest of the shows on the North American tour will be postponed to dates in 2025.

“To the ticket buyers, I really do wish we could do these gigs. Please know that I absolutely plan to be back on stage in 2025,” Wilson said in the statement. “My team is getting those details sorted &amp; we’ll let you know the plan as soon as we can.”

All previously purchased tickets for the now-postponed shows will be honored. The rescheduled dates will be announced in the coming weeks, according to the release.

“This is merely a pause. I’ve much more to sing,” Wilson continued in the statement before adding, “Respectfully, this is the last public statement l’d like to make on the matter.”

Over 50 shows at stadium and arena venues in dozens of cities across the U.S. and Canada are impacted by the postponement. Select shows were set to include performances from Def Leppard and Journey, and Heart has not announced whether those bands will accompany them at the rescheduled performances.

The band, led by Wilson and her sister Nancy Wilson on the guitar, canceled the European leg of their tour in May, citing that the singer had to have "a time-sensitive but routine procedure for which the minimum recovery time is six weeks.”

Wilson posted on Instagram at the time of the European shows' cancellation, writing, “I’m okay! Please don’t worry. I do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. It’s certainly an inconvenience for me.”

The Wilson sisters, who made hits like “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You” and “Alone,” formed the band in 1973. The Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famers were honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719948376539.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ann-wilson">Ann Wilson</a>, lead singer of rock band Heart, says she has cancer and the band is postponing the remaining shows on its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hart-tour-wilson-royal-flush-e82a5cecf9dc482e58ad5893d06d97c8">Royal Flush Tour</a>&nbsp;while she undergoes treatment.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/YIFNJxF5MY">pic.twitter.com/YIFNJxF5MY</a>&mdash; Ann Wilson (@annwilson) <a href="https://twitter.com/annwilson/status/1808198828438270228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Wilson said in a statement Tuesday that she underwent a surgery to remove a cancerous growth and is recovering steadily, but that her doctors urged her to undergo preventive chemotherapy and take time off from performing “in order to fully recover.” That meant the rest of the shows on the North American tour will be postponed to dates in 2025.“To the ticket buyers, I really do wish we could do these gigs. Please know that I absolutely plan to be back on stage in 2025,” Wilson said in the statement. “My team is getting those details sorted &amp; we’ll let you know the plan as soon as we can.”All previously purchased tickets for the now-postponed shows will be honored. The rescheduled dates will be announced in the coming weeks, according to the release.“This is merely a pause. I’ve much more to sing,” Wilson continued in the statement before adding, “Respectfully, this is the last public statement l’d like to make on the matter.”Over 50 shows at stadium and arena venues in dozens of cities across the U.S. and Canada are impacted by the postponement. Select shows were set to include performances from Def Leppard and Journey, and Heart has not announced whether those bands will accompany them at the rescheduled performances.The band, led by Wilson and her sister Nancy Wilson on the guitar, canceled the European leg of their tour in May, citing that the singer had to have "a time-sensitive but routine procedure for which the minimum recovery time is six weeks.”Wilson posted on Instagram at the time of the European shows' cancellation, writing, “I’m okay! Please don’t worry. I do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. It’s certainly an inconvenience for me.”The Wilson sisters, who made hits like “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You” and “Alone,” formed the band in 1973. The Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famers were honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2023.

Ann Wilson announces cancer diagnosis, postpones Heart tour

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– The 22nd Air Refueling Wing put its global mission to the test by flying a KC-46 nonstop, around the world, June 29-July 1, according to a media release from the base.

The flight was the latest Maximum Endurance Operation (MEO) for the KC-46A Pegasus, Air Mobility Command’s newest tanker aircraft.

To make the 43-hour, global flight happen, the KC-46 relied on several aerial refuelings along the way, provided by six additional tankers from McConnell – two KC-135R Stratotankers and four KC-46 Pegasus tankers – which were prepositioned at key points around the world to provide critical refueling.

During the flight, the McConnell KC-46 aircrews operationalized procedures for MEOs and rotated duties and rest cycles between two complete aircrews.

MEOs go beyond the standard flight duty period, when the requirements for Rapid Global Mobility meet the challenge of extreme distance paired with accelerated timelines. Long flights are the norm in the airlift and air refueling communities, but MEOs acknowledge the potential need to rapidly deploy forces across long distances to deter, and if required, defeat potential adversaries.

In addition to the endurance training, the aircrew trained in the use of beyond line-of-sight communication systems to exercise command and control, onloaded fuel from supporting tankers and offloaded fuel to other military aircraft along the route.

The personnel on board consisted of: Col. Brent Toth, aircraft commander; Capt. Cody Donahue, instructor pilot; Capt. Daison Batangan, instructor pilot; Capt. T.J. Buckley, instructor plot; Master Sgt Jonathan Lauterbach instructor boom operator; Master Sgt Patrick Murray, instructor boom operator; Capt. Jacob Heyrend, flight surgeon; Staff Sgt Alejandro Melendez, flying crew chief; and Staff Sgt Dustin Shaffer, flying crew chief.

Mission planning and coordination was extensive, including balancing operational taskings with weather and training requirements, staging multiple aircraft around the globe to explode into theater and create an air bridge, and coordinating with several combatant commands.

This isn’t the first MEO for the 22nd ARW. In 2022, McConnell aircrews flew a KC-46 for a&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.mcconnell.af.mil%2fNews%2fArticle%2f3024819%2famcs-longest-refueling-flight-242-hours-in-a-kc-46a%2f&amp;c=E,1,PDZnz1wRnHlU9sIKA3y23MFit93wKaz7CaT0lPJRhMJd7KYTcEGHBGJdN5E3sHfHIq0pfUl8AMFjKG4umxp-ttWZB6dpGoJGsKiAu_vM8g,,&amp;typo=1">24.2-hour</a>,&nbsp;nonstop flight over 9,000 miles, originating from and landing back at McConnell. This flight helped refine many of the metrics for crew-rest cycles and crew fatigue monitoring for the current mission and advanced the knowledge-base for future MEOs.&nbsp;

Additionally, the 157th ARW based at Pease Air National Guard Base flew a KC-46 for&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.amc.af.mil%2fNews%2fArticle-Display%2fArticle%2f3223946%2fkc-46a-flies-36-hour-record-breaking-endurance-mission%2f%23%3a~%3atext%3dA%2520KC%252D46A%2520Pegasus%2520from%2cCommand%27s%2520longest%2520mission%2520to%2520date.&amp;c=E,1,DmFZvbrMKSUxuH47ICFRLgbmhe2WpWqo5q-ObGPOQVo6-ZsrsLeAZyRaP5GtHm9s6yQCbBgTMJS0s9HIe8CJeJnXrH9orHlf6_Nrgaot2eU,&amp;typo=1">36-hours</a>&nbsp;on a nonstop MEO covering 16,000 miles. The aircrew on that flight included two pilots from the 64th Air Refueling Squadron, a unit that is assigned to the 22nd ARW and operates with the 157th ARW in seamless Total Force Integration.

The last aerial refueling of the global KC-46 flight was performed by another KC-46 with the 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander Col. Cory Damon on board.

"The 22nd ARW's recent MEO around the world showcased not only the unmatched endurance of the KC-46 aircraft, but also the incredible resilience and professionalism of our aircrew,” said Damon. “This mission was a true test of our capabilities and a shining example of the critical role our tankers play in providing fuel and support to the Joint Force. I'm incredibly proud of our team's achievement in pushing the boundaries of what our tankers and their crews can do, and I have no doubt that this historic mission will serve as a foundation for future maximum endurance operations and further solidify our position as a key enabler of global power projection.”

This is also not the first time a KC-46 has flown an around-the-world mission, better known as global circumnavigation. In 2019, a McConnell KC-46 completed the&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.amc.af.mil%2fNews%2fArticle-Display%2fArticle%2f2043872%2fkc-46-completes-first-around-the-world-flight%2f&amp;c=E,1,gVjsslCLBeKFN8B1i7SJ_xDgaYI4c3p1JIDsiibtiNqkzxrn5S--K9ey0mn-4fiUBjwVhJ_dMsZjbNTC8Ar-SsHgfVveLRBN0CeSQ7xXln01YA,,&amp;typo=1">first around-the-world flight</a>&nbsp;of a KC-46, with six stops along its global route.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719931548229.png" alt="Photo courtesy McConnell Air Force Base" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy McConnell Air Force Base</figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– The 22nd Air Refueling Wing put its global mission to the test by flying a KC-46 nonstop, around the world, June 29-July 1, according to a media release from the base.The flight was the latest Maximum Endurance Operation (MEO) for the KC-46A Pegasus, Air Mobility Command’s newest tanker aircraft.To make the 43-hour, global flight happen, the KC-46 relied on several aerial refuelings along the way, provided by six additional tankers from McConnell – two KC-135R Stratotankers and four KC-46 Pegasus tankers – which were prepositioned at key points around the world to provide critical refueling.During the flight, the McConnell KC-46 aircrews operationalized procedures for MEOs and rotated duties and rest cycles between two complete aircrews.MEOs go beyond the standard flight duty period, when the requirements for Rapid Global Mobility meet the challenge of extreme distance paired with accelerated timelines. Long flights are the norm in the airlift and air refueling communities, but MEOs acknowledge the potential need to rapidly deploy forces across long distances to deter, and if required, defeat potential adversaries.In addition to the endurance training, the aircrew trained in the use of beyond line-of-sight communication systems to exercise command and control, onloaded fuel from supporting tankers and offloaded fuel to other military aircraft along the route.The personnel on board consisted of: Col. Brent Toth, aircraft commander; Capt. Cody Donahue, instructor pilot; Capt. Daison Batangan, instructor pilot; Capt. T.J. Buckley, instructor plot; Master Sgt Jonathan Lauterbach instructor boom operator; Master Sgt Patrick Murray, instructor boom operator; Capt. Jacob Heyrend, flight surgeon; Staff Sgt Alejandro Melendez, flying crew chief; and Staff Sgt Dustin Shaffer, flying crew chief.Mission planning and coordination was extensive, including balancing operational taskings with weather and training requirements, staging multiple aircraft around the globe to explode into theater and create an air bridge, and coordinating with several combatant commands.This isn’t the first MEO for the 22nd ARW. In 2022, McConnell aircrews flew a KC-46 for a&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.mcconnell.af.mil%2fNews%2fArticle%2f3024819%2famcs-longest-refueling-flight-242-hours-in-a-kc-46a%2f&amp;c=E,1,PDZnz1wRnHlU9sIKA3y23MFit93wKaz7CaT0lPJRhMJd7KYTcEGHBGJdN5E3sHfHIq0pfUl8AMFjKG4umxp-ttWZB6dpGoJGsKiAu_vM8g,,&amp;typo=1">24.2-hour</a>,&nbsp;nonstop flight over 9,000 miles, originating from and landing back at McConnell. This flight helped refine many of the metrics for crew-rest cycles and crew fatigue monitoring for the current mission and advanced the knowledge-base for future MEOs.&nbsp;Additionally, the 157th ARW based at Pease Air National Guard Base flew a KC-46 for&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.amc.af.mil%2fNews%2fArticle-Display%2fArticle%2f3223946%2fkc-46a-flies-36-hour-record-breaking-endurance-mission%2f%23%3a~%3atext%3dA%2520KC%252D46A%2520Pegasus%2520from%2cCommand%27s%2520longest%2520mission%2520to%2520date.&amp;c=E,1,DmFZvbrMKSUxuH47ICFRLgbmhe2WpWqo5q-ObGPOQVo6-ZsrsLeAZyRaP5GtHm9s6yQCbBgTMJS0s9HIe8CJeJnXrH9orHlf6_Nrgaot2eU,&amp;typo=1">36-hours</a>&nbsp;on a nonstop MEO covering 16,000 miles. The aircrew on that flight included two pilots from the 64th Air Refueling Squadron, a unit that is assigned to the 22nd ARW and operates with the 157th ARW in seamless Total Force Integration.The last aerial refueling of the global KC-46 flight was performed by another KC-46 with the 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander Col. Cory Damon on board."The 22nd ARW's recent MEO around the world showcased not only the unmatched endurance of the KC-46 aircraft, but also the incredible resilience and professionalism of our aircrew,” said Damon. “This mission was a true test of our capabilities and a shining example of the critical role our tankers play in providing fuel and support to the Joint Force. I'm incredibly proud of our team's achievement in pushing the boundaries of what our tankers and their crews can do, and I have no doubt that this historic mission will serve as a foundation for future maximum endurance operations and further solidify our position as a key enabler of global power projection.”This is also not the first time a KC-46 has flown an around-the-world mission, better known as global circumnavigation. In 2019, a McConnell KC-46 completed the&nbsp;<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.amc.af.mil%2fNews%2fArticle-Display%2fArticle%2f2043872%2fkc-46-completes-first-around-the-world-flight%2f&amp;c=E,1,gVjsslCLBeKFN8B1i7SJ_xDgaYI4c3p1JIDsiibtiNqkzxrn5S--K9ey0mn-4fiUBjwVhJ_dMsZjbNTC8Ar-SsHgfVveLRBN0CeSQ7xXln01YA,,&amp;typo=1">first around-the-world flight</a>&nbsp;of a KC-46, with six stops along its global route.

Kan. Air Force base completes nonstop, around-the-world KC-46 flight

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for killing a Sedgwick County Sheriff's K9 officer.

&nbsp;Kaylon Kirkwood, 25, Wichita, was sentenced to nearly 2 and one half years for battery of a law enforcement officer and and another year in jail for harming or killing the the K9, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November,&nbsp;the Wichita Police Domestic intervention and Violence Reduction team was in the area of Pawnee and Rock attempting to locate a robbery suspect later identified as Kirkwood according to Wichita Police Lt.&nbsp;Lieutenant Aaron Moses.

Just after noon, police located Kirkwood but he fled into a creek and barricaded himself in a storm drain and refused to come out.

Sheriff's deputies and police used extended leashes and sent K9 officers into the drain.&nbsp; There was an altercation between the Kirkwood and&nbsp; Sedgwick County Sheriff K9 Bane. The dog was pronounced deceased on scene, according to Moses.

Just after 2:30p.m. Kirkwood was finally taken into custody and transported for treatment of minor injuries from the K9. After Kirwood was released, police booked him into the Sedgwick County Detention Center.

In May, Kansas legislators voted to override a veto of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2583/">House Bill 2583</a>, known as “Bane’s Law.” &nbsp;The law increases penalties for inflicting harm on law enforcement animals, including horses. The felony crime is now punishable by a minimum of 90 days in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000.

The law was inspired by Sedgwick County K9 officer Bane.

Officers were chasing Kirkwood in November, 2023. Kirkwood tried to hide in a storm drain near Rock Road and Pawnee. The K9 officer Bane was sent in after Kirkwood. Police said Kirkwood strangled Bane.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Judge Eric Williams ordered $38,379.98 in restitution to cover the cost of a new dog, a K9 ballistic vest, training along with Bane's necropsy and cremation.&nbsp; Restitution was payable to several parties because the Sheriff's office received donations that covered some of the items.

In an unrelated case Kirkwood pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with sexual motivation and interference with law enforcement. Kirkwood was sentenced to 29 months for the battery case and seven months for the interference case. All sentences are to run consecutively. The sentences are the maximum allowed under Kansas law.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700237992193.png" alt="Kirkwood-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Kirkwood-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for killing a Sedgwick County Sheriff's K9 officer.&nbsp;Kaylon Kirkwood, 25, Wichita, was sentenced to nearly 2 and one half years for battery of a law enforcement officer and and another year in jail for harming or killing the the K9, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In November,&nbsp;the Wichita Police Domestic intervention and Violence Reduction team was in the area of Pawnee and Rock attempting to locate a robbery suspect later identified as Kirkwood according to Wichita Police Lt.&nbsp;Lieutenant Aaron Moses.Just after noon, police located Kirkwood but he fled into a creek and barricaded himself in a storm drain and refused to come out.Sheriff's deputies and police used extended leashes and sent K9 officers into the drain.&nbsp; There was an altercation between the Kirkwood and&nbsp; Sedgwick County Sheriff K9 Bane. The dog was pronounced deceased on scene, according to Moses.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700174387964.png" alt="PSD Bane was 8 years old and had been with the Sheriff’s Office for 1 year.-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>PSD Bane was 8 years old and had been with the Sheriff’s Office for 1 year.-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 2:30p.m. Kirkwood was finally taken into custody and transported for treatment of minor injuries from the K9. After Kirwood was released, police booked him into the Sedgwick County Detention Center.In May, Kansas legislators voted to override a veto of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2583/">House Bill 2583</a>, known as “Bane’s Law.” &nbsp;The law increases penalties for inflicting harm on law enforcement animals, including horses. The felony crime is now punishable by a minimum of 90 days in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000.The law was inspired by Sedgwick County K9 officer Bane.Officers were chasing Kirkwood in November, 2023. Kirkwood tried to hide in a storm drain near Rock Road and Pawnee. The K9 officer Bane was sent in after Kirkwood. Police said Kirkwood strangled Bane.&nbsp;&nbsp;Judge Eric Williams ordered $38,379.98 in restitution to cover the cost of a new dog, a K9 ballistic vest, training along with Bane's necropsy and cremation.&nbsp; Restitution was payable to several parties because the Sheriff's office received donations that covered some of the items.In an unrelated case Kirkwood pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with sexual motivation and interference with law enforcement. Kirkwood was sentenced to 29 months for the battery case and seven months for the interference case. All sentences are to run consecutively. The sentences are the maximum allowed under Kansas law.

Man who killed Kansas K9 officer is headed to prison

DOUGLAS. COUNTY —Police are investigating a bank robbery and searching for a suspect.

Just before 9:30a.m. Tuesday, police responded to&nbsp;the Bank of America at 900 Ohio Street in Lawrence, after a bank robbery was reported, according to a media release from Lawrence Police.

Police are looking for a man in a black beanie, black mask with unknown design on it, and possibly all black clothing. The suspect fled to the south on foot. No injuries were reported.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719940216705.png" alt="Photo Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS. COUNTY —Police are investigating a bank robbery and searching for a suspect.Just before 9:30a.m. Tuesday, police responded to&nbsp;the Bank of America at 900 Ohio Street in Lawrence, after a bank robbery was reported, according to a media release from Lawrence Police.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">KU Emergency Alert: Officers continue to search the area. There is no indication that the suspect entered campus. Remain aware and call 911, if needed.&mdash; The University of Kansas Police Department (@KUPoliceDept) <a href="https://twitter.com/KUPoliceDept/status/1808168375853412610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Police are looking for a man in a black beanie, black mask with unknown design on it, and possibly all black clothing. The suspect fled to the south on foot. No injuries were reported.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Police: Kansas bank robbery suspect wore black beanie, mask

BARBER COUNTY —Early Tuesday, crews restored power to customers impacted by the outage as a result of the oil spill, according to Southern Pioneer Electric.

Crews constructed a temporary bypass line that will provide power until the company is able to make permanent repairs. 

Southern Pioneer thanked consumers for their patience while crews worked through the night to restore power to the affected area.

Kansas Highway 2 west of Kiowa from Northstar to Highway 281 is shut down due to the oil well blowing out across the highway, according to the Barber County Sheriff.&nbsp;

BARBER COUNTY —An oil spill is causing power outages and closing a portion of a highway in Barber County, Kansas.

The power is also out in the community of Hardtner and outside Kiowa until officials can get the spill under control, according to Southern Pioneer Electric.&nbsp;Oil from the well near Pioneer infrastructure coated&nbsp; lines and caused them to trip and open.

Overnight, the utility reported "We have a better understanding of the situation but unfortunately do not have a restoration time for those impacted by the outage impacting areas near Hardtner."

"This situation has provided many difficulties, mostly centered around safety risks. The primary concern is the impact of salt water on our infrastructure. Renergizing the line at this time could pose increased risks of arcing or shorts. Additionally, gas fumes are restricting access to the area." 

"We are looking into constructing a temporary line to bypass the impacted area. However, it has its own set of difficulties that we must consider." 

" Ultimately, this is a situation in which we have to weigh various risks and ensure that we are keeping the safety of our consumers and crews in mind. Again, we will work to provide updates to consumers as they become available."

BARBER COUNTY —Early Tuesday, crews restored power to customers impacted by the outage as a result of the oil spill, according to Southern Pioneer Electric.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBarberCountyEM%2Fvideos%2F849198383746061%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=1" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Crews constructed a temporary bypass line that will provide power until the company is able to make permanent repairs. Southern Pioneer thanked consumers for their patience while crews worked through the night to restore power to the affected area.Kansas Highway 2 west of Kiowa from Northstar to Highway 281 is shut down due to the oil well blowing out across the highway, according to the Barber County Sheriff.&nbsp;----------BARBER COUNTY —An oil spill is causing power outages and closing a portion of a highway in Barber County, Kansas.Kansas Highway 2 west of Kiowa from Northstar to Highway 281 is shut down due to the oil well blowing out across the highway, according to the Barber County Sheriff.&nbsp;The power is also out in the community of Hardtner and outside Kiowa until officials can get the spill under control, according to Southern Pioneer Electric.&nbsp;Oil from the well near Pioneer infrastructure coated&nbsp; lines and caused them to trip and open.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBarberCountyEM%2Fvideos%2F849198383746061%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=1" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Overnight, the utility reported "We have a better understanding of the situation but unfortunately do not have a restoration time for those impacted by the outage impacting areas near Hardtner.""This situation has provided many difficulties, mostly centered around safety risks. The primary concern is the impact of salt water on our infrastructure. Renergizing the line at this time could pose increased risks of arcing or shorts. Additionally, gas fumes are restricting access to the area." "We are looking into constructing a temporary line to bypass the impacted area. However, it has its own set of difficulties that we must consider." " Ultimately, this is a situation in which we have to weigh various risks and ensure that we are keeping the safety of our consumers and crews in mind. Again, we will work to provide updates to consumers as they become available."

🎥Power restored, road still closed after Kansas oil spill

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has allowed the U.S. Education Department to move ahead with a plan to lower monthly payments for millions of student loan borrowers, putting on hold a ruling last week by a lower court.

The ruling from the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals puts back on track a central part of President Joe Biden's efforts to address student debt — a rule that lowers from 10% of discretionary income to 5% the amount that some borrowers qualifying for a repayment plan need to pay.

The reduced payment threshold was set to take effect July 1, but federal judges in Kansas and Missouri last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/politics/joe-biden-000001904d5edaf5afd4df5f13b00000">blocked</a>&nbsp;much of the administration’s student loan repayment plan in two separate rulings. The ruling on Sunday means the department can move ahead with the reduced payments already calculated while it pursues an appeal.

The rulings have created a difficult environment for borrowers to navigate, said Persis Yu, deputy executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, which advocates for eliminating student debt. The stay granted by the 10th Circuit is temporary, Yu said, leaving many borrowers in the dark about future financial obligations.

“Borrowers are having to make decisions right now about their financial lives, and they don't know the very basic information that they need in order to make informed decisions,” Yu said.

The Biden administration created&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-forgiveness-save-plan-debt-borrowers-313afd73cadc3cfc8ab3a6ee684fc3e4">the SAVE plan</a>&nbsp;last year to replace other existing income-based repayment plans offered by the federal government. It allowed many to qualify for lower payments, and forgiveness was granted to borrowers who had made payments for at least 10 years and originally borrowed $12,000 or less.

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the Biden administrations remains committed "to our work to fix a broken student loan system and make college more affordable for more Americans.”

The appeals court ruling does not impact the injunction issued by a federal judge in Missouri, which prevents the Education Department from forgiving loan balances going forward.

The injunctions are the result of lawsuits from Republican-led states seeking to invalidate the Biden administration's entire loan forgiveness program, which was first available to borrowers in the summer of 2023, and at least 150,000 have had their loans cancelled. The suing states argued that the administration's plan was a workaround after the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-college-forgiveness-c3ec59d4c1d89e77bc1afc6c8ded1615">struck down the original plan</a>&nbsp;for student loan forgiveness earlier that year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719871551939.png" alt="File photo White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has allowed the U.S. Education Department to move ahead with a plan to lower monthly payments for millions of student loan borrowers, putting on hold a ruling last week by a lower court.The ruling from the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals puts back on track a central part of President Joe Biden's efforts to address student debt — a rule that lowers from 10% of discretionary income to 5% the amount that some borrowers qualifying for a repayment plan need to pay.The reduced payment threshold was set to take effect July 1, but federal judges in Kansas and Missouri last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/politics/joe-biden-000001904d5edaf5afd4df5f13b00000">blocked</a>&nbsp;much of the administration’s student loan repayment plan in two separate rulings. The ruling on Sunday means the department can move ahead with the reduced payments already calculated while it pursues an appeal.The rulings have created a difficult environment for borrowers to navigate, said Persis Yu, deputy executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, which advocates for eliminating student debt. The stay granted by the 10th Circuit is temporary, Yu said, leaving many borrowers in the dark about future financial obligations.“Borrowers are having to make decisions right now about their financial lives, and they don't know the very basic information that they need in order to make informed decisions,” Yu said.The Biden administration created&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-forgiveness-save-plan-debt-borrowers-313afd73cadc3cfc8ab3a6ee684fc3e4">the SAVE plan</a>&nbsp;last year to replace other existing income-based repayment plans offered by the federal government. It allowed many to qualify for lower payments, and forgiveness was granted to borrowers who had made payments for at least 10 years and originally borrowed $12,000 or less.U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the Biden administrations remains committed "to our work to fix a broken student loan system and make college more affordable for more Americans.”The appeals court ruling does not impact the injunction issued by a federal judge in Missouri, which prevents the Education Department from forgiving loan balances going forward.The injunctions are the result of lawsuits from Republican-led states seeking to invalidate the Biden administration's entire loan forgiveness program, which was first available to borrowers in the summer of 2023, and at least 150,000 have had their loans cancelled. The suing states argued that the administration's plan was a workaround after the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-college-forgiveness-c3ec59d4c1d89e77bc1afc6c8ded1615">struck down the original plan</a>&nbsp;for student loan forgiveness earlier that year.

Appeals court allows part of Biden student loan repayment plan to go forward

CRETE, Neb. (AP) — A white Nebraska man described as reclusive and confrontational shot and wounded seven neighbors who are Guatemalan immigrants, and investigators said they are not ruling out racist motives.

About 15 people were at the victims’ home, mostly in the yard, when Billy Booth, 74, opened fire from his house in Crete with a shotgun around 4:30 p.m. Friday, officials said.

Booth killed himself after the shootings. The victims, who are related and include four children ages 3 to 10, are expected to survive.

The shootings shook Crete, a diverse community of about 7,000 residents about 70 miles southwest of Omaha. The population is about 50% Hispanic and almost 25% foreign-born.

Booth largely kept to himself but had a history of conflict with his neighbors when he did interact with them, the Omaha World-Herald reported.

Police previously received a complaint from the family that Booth had made an obscene gesture and told them to go back to where they came from and “speak English,” Crete Police Chief Gary Young said Saturday. The family did not press charges, he said.

Investigators were trying to determine the motive and were not ruling out a racial motivation, he said.

“The context to ‘go home’ and ‘speak English’ lends itself to that,” the chief said.

Neighbors said Booth butted heads with white neighbors on his street, too.

“He hated everybody,” said Dave Hansen, whose home is next door to Booth’s.

CRETE, Neb. (AP) — A white Nebraska man described as reclusive and confrontational shot and wounded seven neighbors who are Guatemalan immigrants, and investigators said they are not ruling out racist motives.About 15 people were at the victims’ home, mostly in the yard, when Billy Booth, 74, opened fire from his house in Crete with a shotgun around 4:30 p.m. Friday, officials said.Booth killed himself after the shootings. The victims, who are related and include four children ages 3 to 10, are expected to survive.The shootings shook Crete, a diverse community of about 7,000 residents about 70 miles southwest of Omaha. The population is about 50% Hispanic and almost 25% foreign-born.Booth largely kept to himself but had a history of conflict with his neighbors when he did interact with them, the Omaha World-Herald reported.Police previously received a complaint from the family that Booth had made an obscene gesture and told them to go back to where they came from and “speak English,” Crete Police Chief Gary Young said Saturday. The family did not press charges, he said.Investigators were trying to determine the motive and were not ruling out a racial motivation, he said.“The context to ‘go home’ and ‘speak English’ lends itself to that,” the chief said.Neighbors said Booth butted heads with white neighbors on his street, too.“He hated everybody,” said Dave Hansen, whose home is next door to Booth’s.

Nebraska man shoots, wounds 7 Guatemalan immigrant neighbors

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police continue the search for a 16-year-old Kansas girl accused in a&nbsp;violent attack on a Kansas teen.

Just after noon May 26, police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of N Dodge in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The victim in this case, an 18-year-old girl later arrived at an area hospital with second degree burns to the face and neck believed to be caused by a suspect throwing an acidic liquid on her during a physical fight.&nbsp;

Immediately following the incident, investigators with the Wichita Police Felony Assault unit along with patrol officers began looking for three suspects. 

On June 5, officers with the Patrol North Community Response Team located and arrested two 18-year-old suspects. Ye'Kira Acoya Hollins and Tayronnia Jontashia West were jailed in connection with the crime.

&nbsp;Hollins and West have both been charged with Aggravated Battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; Both are now free after meeting the requirement for bond.&nbsp;

Hollins was back in court Monday, according to the district attorney's office. Investigators are still attempting to locate a third suspect, a 16-year-old black female of Topeka, according to Wichita Police.

If you have information related to this case, please call investigators at 316-268-4407 or make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717690911383.png" alt="Hollins-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Hollins-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police continue the search for a 16-year-old Kansas girl accused in a&nbsp;violent attack on a Kansas teen.Just after noon May 26, police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of N Dodge in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The victim in this case, an 18-year-old girl later arrived at an area hospital with second degree burns to the face and neck believed to be caused by a suspect throwing an acidic liquid on her during a physical fight.&nbsp;Immediately following the incident, investigators with the Wichita Police Felony Assault unit along with patrol officers began looking for three suspects. On June 5, officers with the Patrol North Community Response Team located and arrested two 18-year-old suspects. Ye'Kira Acoya Hollins and Tayronnia Jontashia West were jailed in connection with the crime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717690818288.png" alt="West-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>West-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Hollins and West have both been charged with Aggravated Battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; Both are now free after meeting the requirement for bond.&nbsp;Hollins was back in court Monday, according to the district attorney's office. Investigators are still attempting to locate a third suspect, a 16-year-old black female of Topeka, according to Wichita Police.If you have information related to this case, please call investigators at 316-268-4407 or make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Search continues for 3rd suspect in acid attack on Kansas teen

JOHNSON COUNTY, Mo. —A man injured in a lightning strike in Johnson County, Missouri has died, the city reported Monday.

Just after 11p.m. Friday, emergency services responded to the Holden Chamber of Commerce Rodeo at the City of Holden Park, 311, East 10th Street, after a report of a person struck by lightning in the parking area. 

 The person struck was identified as 53-year-old man. EMS transported him from the scene and he later died of his injuries.&nbsp;

Holden is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Overland Park, Kansas.

JOHNSON COUNTY, Mo. —A man injured in a lightning strike in Johnson County, Missouri has died, the city reported Monday.Just after 11p.m. Friday, emergency services responded to the Holden Chamber of Commerce Rodeo at the City of Holden Park, 311, East 10th Street, after a report of a person struck by lightning in the parking area. The person struck was identified as 53-year-old man. EMS transported him from the scene and he later died of his injuries.&nbsp;Holden is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Overland Park, Kansas.

Man injured in lightning strike at rodeo arena died

By&nbsp;Jim Garamone, Department of Defense

WASHINGTON —U.S. commanders in Europe have placed bases in a higher state of alert, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said Monday.

Singh wouldn't comment on intelligence matters, but she said U.S. commanders in Europe raised the threat level in response to "a combination of factors and not related to a single threat."&nbsp;

Those factors could impact the safety and security of service members and their families based in the region, she said. &nbsp;

"U.S. European Command is taking steps to increase vigilance for our service members, their families and our facilities," she said during a Pentagon briefing. "This was done out of an abundance of caution. I won't get into more specifics."&nbsp;

There are a number of high-profile events happening on the continent, including the 2024 European football championship and the upcoming Olympics in Paris. "There are a combination of factors, including events that are taking place in the theater that, just out of due diligence, it is good to make sure that our service members are taking the precautionary measures that they need for themselves and their families," Singh said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719872352348.png" alt=" The sun rises at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 30, 2024. The base supports the largest population of Americans outside of the U.S., around 56,000.&nbsp;Photo By:Air Force Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro" />
 <figcaption> The sun rises at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 30, 2024. The base supports the largest population of Americans outside of the U.S., around 56,000.&nbsp;Photo By:Air Force Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;Jim Garamone, Department of DefenseWASHINGTON —U.S. commanders in Europe have placed bases in a higher state of alert, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said Monday.Singh wouldn't comment on intelligence matters, but she said U.S. commanders in Europe raised the threat level in response to "a combination of factors and not related to a single threat."&nbsp;Those factors could impact the safety and security of service members and their families based in the region, she said. &nbsp;"U.S. European Command is taking steps to increase vigilance for our service members, their families and our facilities," she said during a Pentagon briefing. "This was done out of an abundance of caution. I won't get into more specifics."&nbsp;There are a number of high-profile events happening on the continent, including the 2024 European football championship and the upcoming Olympics in Paris. "There are a combination of factors, including events that are taking place in the theater that, just out of due diligence, it is good to make sure that our service members are taking the precautionary measures that they need for themselves and their families," Singh said.&nbsp;

U.S. military bases in Europe moved to higher state of alert

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court last week for his role in a conspiracy in which five men broke into numerous vehicles in the Westport entertainment district and elsewhere in the metropolitan area and stole more than 100 firearms, which they later sold on their social media accounts.

Bobby Lamb, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 11 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Lamb to pay $1,500 in restitution.

On Sept. 29, 2023, Lamb pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive, possess, and dispose of stolen firearms. Lamb also pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and possessing a stolen firearm.

Lamb admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to break into vehicles and steal firearms and other items. Conspirators used social media to advertise the stolen firearms for sale, which included sales to individuals who were prohibited by law from possessing firearms.

According to court documents, Lamb and his co-conspirators stole more than 100 firearms obtained from vehicle break-ins from June 18 to Nov. 19, 2021. When Lamb was arrested on Sept. 16, 2021, he was in possession of a stolen Glock 9mm handgun.

Lamb is the first defendant to be sentenced in this case. Four co-defendants, all of Kansas City, Mo., have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Drevion Hooker, 22, is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 4, 2024. Rayquan Duane Pettaway, 25, is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 28, 2024. Treyon Bloodsoe, 22, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24, 2024. Roy Rushing, 26, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 2, 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719436168113.png" alt="Lamb photo from an arrested in Johnson Co. Kansas in 2021" />
 <figcaption>Lamb photo from an arrested in Johnson Co. Kansas in 2021</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court last week for his role in a conspiracy in which five men broke into numerous vehicles in the Westport entertainment district and elsewhere in the metropolitan area and stole more than 100 firearms, which they later sold on their social media accounts.Bobby Lamb, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 11 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Lamb to pay $1,500 in restitution.On Sept. 29, 2023, Lamb pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive, possess, and dispose of stolen firearms. Lamb also pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and possessing a stolen firearm.Lamb admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to break into vehicles and steal firearms and other items. Conspirators used social media to advertise the stolen firearms for sale, which included sales to individuals who were prohibited by law from possessing firearms.According to court documents, Lamb and his co-conspirators stole more than 100 firearms obtained from vehicle break-ins from June 18 to Nov. 19, 2021. When Lamb was arrested on Sept. 16, 2021, he was in possession of a stolen Glock 9mm handgun.Lamb is the first defendant to be sentenced in this case. Four co-defendants, all of Kansas City, Mo., have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Drevion Hooker, 22, is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 4, 2024. Rayquan Duane Pettaway, 25, is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 28, 2024. Treyon Bloodsoe, 22, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24, 2024. Roy Rushing, 26, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 2, 2024.

More than 100 guns stolen in KC and sold on social media

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is seeking to put the focus squarely onto Donald Trump following his uneven debate performance last week.

(click below to watch President Biden's brief statement)

Speaking Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">broad immunity from prosecution</a>&nbsp;to Trump and other presidents, Biden said the high court's ruling had undermined the rule of law. The court's conservative majority ruling makes it all but certain that the Republican will not face trial in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-supreme-court-capitol-riot-trial-72ec35de776315183e1db561257cb108">ahead of the November election over his actions</a>&nbsp;during the violent riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is seeking to put the focus squarely onto Donald Trump following his uneven debate performance last week.(click below to watch President Biden's brief statement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F2453382978190567%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=7" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Speaking Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">broad immunity from prosecution</a>&nbsp;to Trump and other presidents, Biden said the high court's ruling had undermined the rule of law. The court's conservative majority ruling makes it all but certain that the Republican will not face trial in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-supreme-court-capitol-riot-trial-72ec35de776315183e1db561257cb108">ahead of the November election over his actions</a>&nbsp;during the violent riot on Jan. 6, 2021.“No one is above the law, not even the president of the United States," Biden said from the White House.During his brief remarks he made no mention of last week's debate or his performance, and did not take questions.Biden seemed relaxed and confident, striking a clear and crisp tone and looking tanned and rested — all of which was in stark contrast to his often halting performance during last week’s debate, when his face was notably pale. The president also had the benefit of a teleprompter for his remarks about the court, something he didn’t have while facing off with Trump.“I know I will respect the limits of presidential power as I have for the three-and-a-half years, but any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law,” Biden said.For all the public efforts to shift the focus away from his uneven performance that spooked donors and prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-debate-age-democrats-b93d7ffaad75fd423ea3953fe16287f0">Democratic anxiety</a>, there have been private discussions on what more Biden could do to counteract what Americans saw during the debate, when he gave convoluted answers, trailed off at times, occasionally stared blankly and sounded raspy-voiced.There has been talk about whether Biden should be seen more in public through town-hall-style events or interviews and press conferences, which he has generally avoided during his time in office.But most in his orbit are waiting on more substantial polling to come back in order to assess how bad the damage was before altering course in any substantial way. That's according to four Biden advisers who were not authorized to speak publicly about internal discussions and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.Biden's team may not alter anything at all. Many think — or hope — the fraught moment will pass, particularly after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-debate-democrats-clyburn-warnock-2024-nominee-01bd3586a2f2da9217a04d031ddd7934">Biden's family encouraged him to stay in the race</a>&nbsp;and keep fighting during a huddle at Camp David on Sunday.Campaign officials said Monday they had nothing to announce on new events. They said Biden would be campaigning as he has been, hitting battleground states as he has already been doing for months.An ad released Monday was called “I Know” using clips from Biden's post-debate North Carolina rally, where he said, “When you get knocked down, you get back up.”Quentin Fulks, Biden’s principal deputy campaign manager, put the focus on Trump in a call with reporters, saying, “When you do see President Biden out on the trail, he will be talking about the reasons why Americans should be scared of Donald Trump, as he has been for months.”Even before the debate, the age of the 81-year-old Democratic president had been a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-age-poll-trump-2024-620e0a5cfa0039a6448f607c17c7f23e">liability with voters</a>, and the prime-time faceoff put the issue front-and-center before perhaps the largest audience he will have in the four months until Election Day. CNN, which held the debate, said more than 51 million people watched.“I think his age was baked in, to a large degree, and I know he can do better than he did on Thursday night. I expected to see better. I’m not sure other voters did,” said Jennifer Palmieri, a White House communications director during the Obama administration and a spokesperson for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.She added that, tactically, the campaign has responded by promoting Biden’s strong speech in North Carolina on Friday and by continuing to post strong fundraising numbers. Palmieri also said Biden might also want to sit for more interviews to continue to show that the debate was an anomaly.“Their focus needs to be on getting him in front of voters that matter the most, and more interviews should be part of that. Don’t be like Trump in your own little universe,” she said. “For now, we’re early, but what they’re doing is working."There's a sense that voters may now be watching Biden more closely for signs that show one way or another whether his debate debacle was a blip — whether he is, as he says, capable of doing the job.Alan Kessler, a lawyer and member of the Biden campaign’s national finance team, has spent days calming jittery donors, telling them what he says he has personally witnessed when he's seen the president — that he's “lucid, strong as he's always been.”“To the extent it’s necessary, I’m reassuring people,” Kessler said.Rebecca Katz, a strategist who worked with Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman’s winning campaign in 2022, saw potential parallels in Fetterman's comeback from a shaky debate performance after he had a stroke.Fetterman's team highlighted especially bombastic comments his opponent made about abortion during that debate, and also had the candidate travel extensively afterward. He did lots of local television interviews to ensure voters in key markets saw him outside of clips from the debate.“It’s not a perfect comparison but there is a blueprint for the Biden campaign,” Katz said. “You can have a rough debate night and still win.”Biden expressed interest in doing at least one interview. At a Saturday fundraiser in East Hampton, New York, Biden said he had spoken with the broadcaster Howard Stern, who had interviewed him in April, where he answered open-ended questions mostly about his early years.The president told the crowd he was ready for another sit-down with Stern, saying: “I had a great time on his show. And I’m actually going to take a chance in going back.”The Democratic National Committee and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bidendebatetrumpdnc-aa08cc2b556b315e728d1e9c2bf81be9">Biden’s campaign</a>, meanwhile, kept up damage control, holding an evening finance call. Over the weekend, they held calls with donors and one with dozens of committee members across the country — some of the most influential members of the party. They offered a rosy assessment of the path forward and gave no opportunity for others on the call to ask questions.Multiple committee members on the weekend call, most granted anonymity to talk about the private discussion, described feeling like they were being asked to ignore a serious predicament.Campaign officials have said there was no discussion “whatsoever” of Biden exiting the race nor of any staff shakeups following the debate.Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania said he thought voters were more concerned with the issues at stake, anyway. “I’ve been at this a while, and I know his work,” Casey said.The window of opportunity for that is shrinking anyway. The Democratic National Committee has announced that it will use a virtual roll call to formally make him the nominee before the convention begins in Chicago on Aug. 19. But when that will happen and what it will look like is still unclear.___