DOUGLAS COUNTY —After asking the public for help with information, sheriff's deputies received tips and were able to identify the driver and locate the vehicle from this incident.

Authorities released no additional details.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run accident and looking for a vehicle involved in an accident that occurred just after 6p.m. Sunday near Bloomington Beach, according to a social media report from the Douglas County Sheriff.

The driver of a vehicle – believed to be a Mitsubishi Eclipse – struck the a pickup truck causing significant damage and then left the scene. No one in the pickup truck needed to be transported from the scene.

The white vehicle sustained significant damage to the rear driver’s side and rear bumper.

Anyone with information can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 785-841-0007.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719277884846.png" alt="Photo Douglas Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Douglas Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —After asking the public for help with information, sheriff's deputies received tips and were able to identify the driver and locate the vehicle from this incident.Authorities released no additional details.--------DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run accident and looking for a vehicle involved in an accident that occurred just after 6p.m. Sunday near Bloomington Beach, according to a social media report from the Douglas County Sheriff.The driver of a vehicle – believed to be a Mitsubishi Eclipse – struck the a pickup truck causing significant damage and then left the scene. No one in the pickup truck needed to be transported from the scene.The white vehicle sustained significant damage to the rear driver’s side and rear bumper.Anyone with information can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 785-841-0007.

Tip helps Kan. deputies locate hit-and-run crash suspect 

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/planned-parenthood">Planned Parenthood</a>&nbsp;will spend $40 million ahead of November's elections to bolster President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and leading congressional Democrats, betting that voters angry at Republican-led efforts to further restrict access to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion</a>&nbsp;can be the difference in key races around the country.

The political and advocacy arms of the nation's leading reproductive health-care provider and abortion rights advocacy organization shared the announcement with The Associated Press before its wider release Monday.

The group will initially target eight states: Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where Biden is seeking to defend 2020 victories, as well as North Carolina, which the Democratic president's campaign hopes to flip after Republican Donald Trump won it four years ago, and Montana, New Hampshire and New York, which have races that could help determine control of the Senate and House.

The push will try to reach voters with volunteer and paid canvassing programs, phone banking and digital, TV, and mail advertising.

“Abortion will be the message of this election, and it will be how we energize voters," said Jenny Lawson, executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes. “It will be what enables us to win.”

The spending plan is not an election cycle record for the group. It spent $45 million ahead of Biden defeating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;in 2020 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-health-congress-71871318f3c725a7df0bbe183e6c84be">$50 million</a>&nbsp;before the 2022 midterms.

Planned Parenthood's advocacy arms focused on pouring money into contests where access to abortion was on the ballot after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade</a>, the landmark 1973 case that created a constitutional right to have an abortion, a decision handed down two years ago Monday.

“We continue to see the devastation that comes when anti-abortion politicians have power,” Lawson said of the years since. “It’s just gotten worse.”

Abortion continues to be one of the nation’s most important political issues, but dynamics around it have changed since the Supreme Court ruling. After the ruling,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ballot-amendment-ban-protection-states-2024-052ff9846f8416efb725240af22b92ec">most Republican-controlled states imposed new abortion restrictions</a>, including some bans at every stage of pregnancy.

Meanwhile, voters in seven states — California, Michigan and Vermont, as well as usually reliably Republican Kansas, Kentucky, Montana and Ohio — sided with abortion-rights supporters on ballot measures.

In November, voters in several other states, including battleground Arizona and Nevada, will have abortion referendums on the ballot, as will Florida, a onetime presidential bellwether that has gotten increasingly Republican in recent cycles but where Biden’s campaign is hoping turnout for the abortion ballot initiative can make things closer.

SBA Pro-Life America, one of the country’s most prominent groups opposed to abortion rights, announced in February that it plans to spend $92 million targeting voters in eight battleground states: Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Montana and Georgia.

In addition to national efforts, local Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations in California, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio are planning advocacy campaigns ahead of November.

Planned Parenthood advocacy efforts also will focus on some down-ballot rates, like aiding Democrats seeking a supermajority in the Nevada statehouse, or opposing two state supreme court justices up for reelection in Arizona after they voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-abortion-restrictions-1864-9c68866d69dca38c728dd27b80592e8f#:~:text=Arizona%20can%20enforce%20an%201864%20law%20criminalizing%20nearly%20all%20abortions%2C%20court%20says&amp;text=An%20Arizona%20Supreme%20Court%20decision,in%20a%20critical%202024%20battleground.">allow officials to enforce an 1864 law</a>&nbsp;criminalizing nearly all abortions, which the state legislature has since voted to repeal.

“We can’t just vote for ballot initiatives," said Lindsey Harmon, executive director for Nevada Advocates for Planned Parenthood Affiliates PAC. “We also have to support the infrastructure that makes abortion access possible.”

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/planned-parenthood">Planned Parenthood</a>&nbsp;will spend $40 million ahead of November's elections to bolster President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and leading congressional Democrats, betting that voters angry at Republican-led efforts to further restrict access to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion</a>&nbsp;can be the difference in key races around the country.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">2 years ago, Trump’s Supreme Court overturned our federal right to abortion. Today Planned Parenthood Votes announced that PP political &amp; advocacy orgs will spend $40 M during the 2024 election to defend abortion access and get out the vote. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeDecide?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeDecide</a> <a href="https://t.co/jaDxaudt9o">pic.twitter.com/jaDxaudt9o</a>&mdash; Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) <a href="https://twitter.com/PPact/status/1805247280812900683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The political and advocacy arms of the nation's leading reproductive health-care provider and abortion rights advocacy organization shared the announcement with The Associated Press before its wider release Monday.The group will initially target eight states: Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where Biden is seeking to defend 2020 victories, as well as North Carolina, which the Democratic president's campaign hopes to flip after Republican Donald Trump won it four years ago, and Montana, New Hampshire and New York, which have races that could help determine control of the Senate and House.The push will try to reach voters with volunteer and paid canvassing programs, phone banking and digital, TV, and mail advertising.“Abortion will be the message of this election, and it will be how we energize voters," said Jenny Lawson, executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes. “It will be what enables us to win.”The spending plan is not an election cycle record for the group. It spent $45 million ahead of Biden defeating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;in 2020 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-health-congress-71871318f3c725a7df0bbe183e6c84be">$50 million</a>&nbsp;before the 2022 midterms.Planned Parenthood's advocacy arms focused on pouring money into contests where access to abortion was on the ballot after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade</a>, the landmark 1973 case that created a constitutional right to have an abortion, a decision handed down two years ago Monday.“We continue to see the devastation that comes when anti-abortion politicians have power,” Lawson said of the years since. “It’s just gotten worse.”Abortion continues to be one of the nation’s most important political issues, but dynamics around it have changed since the Supreme Court ruling. After the ruling,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ballot-amendment-ban-protection-states-2024-052ff9846f8416efb725240af22b92ec">most Republican-controlled states imposed new abortion restrictions</a>, including some bans at every stage of pregnancy.Meanwhile, voters in seven states — California, Michigan and Vermont, as well as usually reliably Republican Kansas, Kentucky, Montana and Ohio — sided with abortion-rights supporters on ballot measures.In November, voters in several other states, including battleground Arizona and Nevada, will have abortion referendums on the ballot, as will Florida, a onetime presidential bellwether that has gotten increasingly Republican in recent cycles but where Biden’s campaign is hoping turnout for the abortion ballot initiative can make things closer.SBA Pro-Life America, one of the country’s most prominent groups opposed to abortion rights, announced in February that it plans to spend $92 million targeting voters in eight battleground states: Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Montana and Georgia.In addition to national efforts, local Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations in California, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio are planning advocacy campaigns ahead of November.Planned Parenthood advocacy efforts also will focus on some down-ballot rates, like aiding Democrats seeking a supermajority in the Nevada statehouse, or opposing two state supreme court justices up for reelection in Arizona after they voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-abortion-restrictions-1864-9c68866d69dca38c728dd27b80592e8f#:~:text=Arizona%20can%20enforce%20an%201864%20law%20criminalizing%20nearly%20all%20abortions%2C%20court%20says&amp;text=An%20Arizona%20Supreme%20Court%20decision,in%20a%20critical%202024%20battleground.">allow officials to enforce an 1864 law</a>&nbsp;criminalizing nearly all abortions, which the state legislature has since voted to repeal.“We can’t just vote for ballot initiatives," said Lindsey Harmon, executive director for Nevada Advocates for Planned Parenthood Affiliates PAC. “We also have to support the infrastructure that makes abortion access possible.”

Planned Parenthood will spend millions on abortion rights ahead of election

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an altercation at a convenience store.

Just before 5a.m. Tuesday, employees from the KWIK Stop gas station at 1727 West Crawford Street in Salina reported to police that a man walked into the store naked and began battering employees with a stick in each hand, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman 

The man assaulted three employees, the first at the back door of the convenience store and the second and third inside store.

When officers arrived at the store, employees had already subdued the subject, who SPD officers identified as 42-year-old Joshua Renfro of Salina.

The first employee Renfro allegedly assaulted was a 60-year-old employee Renfro pushed past to enter the store from the backdoor.

"There was a 55-year-old employee who heard a commotion in the business, and as he was at the back at the coolers, he observed the naked male who had two sticks in his hands," Feldman said. 

"This employee told Renfro he needed to leave the business. Renfro then allegedly struck the victim several times in the head with one of the sticks and that employee suffered several cuts to his forehead and left eye.

Another employee, a 51-year-old woman, moved to assist her two coworkers when Renfro pushed her to the ground and caused an injury to her left elbow and an injury on her thigh, according to Feldman.

Emergency responders transported the 51-year-old woman to Salina Regional Health Center to treat the potentially broken elbow.

"Officers ended up wrapping the subject and transporting him to the hospital because they believe there's an influence of drugs," Feldman said. "I don't know if he's out [of the hospital], but he is facing charges&nbsp; of aggravated battery and a count of simple battery.

Renfro did not attempt to steal any items at Kwik Shop — he only attacked employees in the convenience store.

After Renfro is released from the hospital,&nbsp; police will consider further charges for the incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718801355216.png" alt="Renfro -photo from an arrest earlier this month for alleged DUI. He was jailed for alleged battery in Salina in July of 2023, according to online jail records." />
 <figcaption>Renfro -photo from an arrest earlier this month for alleged DUI. He was jailed for alleged battery in Salina in July of 2023, according to online jail records.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an altercation at a convenience store.Just before 5a.m. Tuesday, employees from the KWIK Stop gas station at 1727 West Crawford Street in Salina reported to police that a man walked into the store naked and began battering employees with a stick in each hand, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman The man assaulted three employees, the first at the back door of the convenience store and the second and third inside store.When officers arrived at the store, employees had already subdued the subject, who SPD officers identified as 42-year-old Joshua Renfro of Salina.The first employee Renfro allegedly assaulted was a 60-year-old employee Renfro pushed past to enter the store from the backdoor."There was a 55-year-old employee who heard a commotion in the business, and as he was at the back at the coolers, he observed the naked male who had two sticks in his hands," Feldman said. "This employee told Renfro he needed to leave the business. Renfro then allegedly struck the victim several times in the head with one of the sticks and that employee suffered several cuts to his forehead and left eye.Another employee, a 51-year-old woman, moved to assist her two coworkers when Renfro pushed her to the ground and caused an injury to her left elbow and an injury on her thigh, according to Feldman.Emergency responders transported the 51-year-old woman to Salina Regional Health Center to treat the potentially broken elbow."Officers ended up wrapping the subject and transporting him to the hospital because they believe there's an influence of drugs," Feldman said. "I don't know if he's out [of the hospital], but he is facing charges&nbsp; of aggravated battery and a count of simple battery.Renfro did not attempt to steal any items at Kwik Shop — he only attacked employees in the convenience store.After Renfro is released from the hospital,&nbsp; police will consider further charges for the incident.

Police: Naked man attacked Kan. convenience store staff

SHAWNEE COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating another deadly shooting in Topeka.

Just after 9:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;responded to the area of 13th and Western Avenue in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

First responders located one individual suffering from a gunshot wound. This individual was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police released no suspect information or reported an arrest.

This is the eighth homicide of 2024 in Topeka.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719332552824.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating another deadly shooting in Topeka.Just after 9:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;responded to the area of 13th and Western Avenue in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.First responders located one individual suffering from a gunshot wound. This individual was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police released no suspect information or reported an arrest.This is the eighth homicide of 2024 in Topeka.

Homicide: Police investigate deadly Kansas shooting

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has narrowed his vice presidential shortlist to a handful of contenders as he prepares to announce his pick in the days before — or perhaps even at —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/republican-national-convention">next month’s Republican National Convention</a>.

He told reporters Saturday that he already has made his decision and that the person will be in attendance Thursday night in Atlanta at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-trump-biden-cnn-camp-david-florida-2f67b119f58136b310b625e42fad3d3a">first debate of the general election campaign</a>&nbsp;against Democratic President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>.

Trump's choice would likely become the immediate front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination four years from now if Trump were to win a second term, the constitutional limit. But that No. 2 will be under immense pressure from Trump and his allies to show loyalty at all times.

Trump turned on his first vice president, Mike Pence, after Pence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-electoral-vote-d27490021b4203087043df1939b82f8b">rebuffed his boss’ efforts to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2020-election-lies-debunked-4fc26546b07962fdbf9d66e739fbb50d">based on false theories</a>&nbsp;promoted by the then-president after his loss to Biden.

Pence has declined to endorse Trump this time around.

Trump has said his top consideration for a vice president is whether someone is qualified to take over as commander in chief.

But other factors at play: Who can raise money? Who performs well on television? Who will be most effective on the debate stage against Vice President Kamala Harris? Who risks overshadowing Trump, as a lame-duck if he is elected in November, with talk soon of 2028? And who has “the look"?

Trump's campaign has repeatedly cautioned that anyone "claiming to know who or when President Trump will choose his VP is lying, unless the person is named Donald J. Trump.”

And given Trump's penchant for unpredictability and drama, the best-laid plans could change.

A look at the top contenders heading into the convention in Milwaukee that will begin July 15.

Trump likes rich people. North Dakota's two-term governor is most definitely rich.

Before his time as governor, Burgum led a software company that was acquired by Microsoft for more than $1 billion. He also has worked in real estate development and venture capital and spent millions on his own White House bid.

Burgum had initially run against Trump for the 2024 nomination, but the little-known governor from a sparsely-populated state gained little traction. When Burgum&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doug-burgum-republican-presidential-campaign-north-dakota-88d7335748c5c936a328dae96fef780e">dropped his bid</a>, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doug-burgum-donald-trump-endorsement-iowa-99c20a435000816823140902cd9333f2">quickly endorsed the former president</a>. Since then, Burgum has become one of Trump’s most visible defenders, appearing frequently on television, joining him at fundraisers, and traveling to New York for Trump's criminal trial.

But more than that, Trump and Burgum have hit it off personally.

Burgum and his wife, Kathryn, are said to get along especially well with Trump and his team — the kind of rapport that has particular currency in Trump's orbit. It does not hurt that Trump thinks Burgum looks the part — a “central casting” pick.

Selecting Burgum would, in some ways, echo Pence: a staid, uncontroversial governor with lesser national name recognition. Burgum, 67, would be unlikely to compete with Trump for the spotlight or to immediately overshadow him with 2028 talk.

Burgum also brings money and rich friends to the table.

But does the Republican Party want two older white guys atop the ticket?

Swept to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-kentucky-poverty-jd-vance-ohio-52901ab3819b5da35dda7b7921f6841a">national prominence by his bestselling memoir</a>, “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance has held office for less than two years. But during his short time in the Senate, the former venture capitalist from Ohio has established himself as one of the fiercest defenders of Trump's “Make America Great Again” agenda, especially when it comes to foreign policy, trade and immigration.

Despite his early criticism of Trump, Vance has become personally close with the former president and his son Donald Trump Jr., who has talked up the senator. Vance has become a fixture of the conservative media circuit, frequently spars with reporters on Capitol Hill and has appeared with Trump at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-court-allies-jd-vance-2666cc432e5291e8fa7dd7fba9c2ffad">recent fundraisers and at court</a>.

At 39, Vance, would inject some millennial energy into a race that features an 81-year-old (Biden) and a 78-year-old (Trump) at the top of the major parties' tickets. And a debate with Harris would certainly be heated.

But will Trump be able to get over Vance's record of past insults, which he mentions still?

In 2016, Vance was one of Trump's fiercest critics, casting the then-reality TV star as “a total fraud" and “moral disaster” and calling him “America’s Hitler."

Vance has said he was proved wrong by Trump’s performance in office and the senator now castigates the liberals who made his book a bestseller as they sought a window into understanding Trumpism.

If picking Vance would excite Trump's base, choosing the Florida senator might expand the ticket's appeal, particularly among deep-pocketed donors and more establishment-minded and moderate Republicans turned off by Trump's rhetoric and extremism.

Rubio, once seen as a GOP hotshot, is now a well-respected voice on foreign policy and national security issues in his party. The son of Cuban immigrants, he speaks Spanish and could help Trump win over the Hispanic voters that his campaign is eagerly courting.

Rubio is also seen as a skilled debater who could hold his own against Harris.

Running alongside Trump might once have seemed unlikely possibility, given that the two were bitter rivals in 2016 for the GOP nomination and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/events-united-states-presidential-election-bed7f2e0ab8e410d8e0a8d7a584677f0">viciously attacked one another</a>. Trump belittled Rubio as “Little Marco,” mocked him for drinking water during speeches and called him a “nervous basket case," who was “disgusting." Rubio said Trump was a “con man” who tried to “swindle” the Republican Party and Rubio tried to question Trump's manhood.

“You know what they say about men with small hands,” Rubio quipped at one point during that campaign.

But then there is Rubio’s Florida "problem,” as Trump has called it.

The Constitution says two candidates from the same state cannot run as president and vice president, meaning Rubio would need to change his residency — something he is reportedly willing to do.

But does he really want the job? Rubio has been noticeably less present, publicly, than some of the others vying to be Trump's No. 2 and did not appear with Trump at his criminal trial.

The only Black Republican in the Senate, the South Carolinian would bring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-scott-republican-presidential-candidate-race-black-0861ed7c4343b007d82ecbb79a9a7e46">racial and stylistic diversity to the GOP ticket</a>&nbsp;as well as a preacher's touch. The self-described “born-again believer” often quotes Scripture in political speeches that often reach a crescendo of call-and-response.

Scott and Trump worked closely together while Trump was in the White House on a host of policy issues, including Trump's tax cuts, opportunity zones, and criminal justice reform legislation.

Though Scott ran against Trump for the nomination this year, the senator largely declined to criticize the former president. After failing to gain traction despite millions spent on his behalf by high-profile donors, Scott endorsed Trump over fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley, Trump's U.N. ambassador, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-scott-trump-vice-president-south-carolina-30fef13f5690cd9b2a9f6db33c2a9eae">immediately began enthusiastically campaigning</a>&nbsp;across New Hampshire and South Carolina on Trump's behalf.

He continues to make frequent appearances on television and recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-scott-black-outreach-trump-minority-voters-3a4b94d3afd0049d5cc08ca09671843b">a $14 million campaign to win over minority voters in seven key swing states</a>.

Trump has often joked that Scott has made a far better surrogate than he did a candidate.

But that has also raised questions about how Scott might perform on a debate stage with Harris later this year.

The only woman on his shortlist, the New York congresswoman could help Trump win over skeptical college-educated and suburban women who sided with Biden in 2020.

Stefanik was once an aide to former House Speaker Paul Ryan and served in President George W. Bush's White House, working for two Republicans now shunned by Trump loyalists. But she transformed during Trump's four years in office into a fully-fledged Trump acolyte.

She&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e6b64edf8a444cdf8b76c6c18c474af4">defended him vigorously</a>&nbsp;in both of his impeachment trials and railed against his criminal indictments. In 2022, Stefanik was the first member of Republican House leadership to endorse Trump's campaign, and did so before he had even announced.

She saw her profile rise after her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/rep-elise-stefanik-presses-mit-harvard-and-penn-presidents-about-antisemitism-on-campuses-0000018c4a9ddd90a58ccbbfce2d0000">aggressive questioning in December of a trio of university presidents</a>&nbsp;over antisemitism on campus that led to two of their resignations. Trump has repeatedly praised that performance.

Stefanik has spent years ingratiating herself with Trump and positioning herself as one of his most trusted allies and confidantes on Capitol Hill. And at 39, she would bring new energy to the ticket.

But is the leap from House member to VP too big?

Relationships and trust matter to Trump. Carson, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/events-united-states-presidential-election-general-news-9f312a7447b84cc78a047fdfdff94bc4">served as secretary of housing and urban development</a>&nbsp;during Trump's administration, has developed a strong bond with the former president over the years, despite a contentious start as 2016 rivals.

A soft-spoken former renowned neurosurgeon, Carson, 72, could help Trump win over minority voters as the first Black person to be named to a Republican presidential ticket. Given Carson's age and demeanor, there is little chance of him overshadowing Trump or stealing the spotlight.

But Carson also has a history of controversial comments on abortion, guns and other issues that could cause headaches for the ticket.

The Florida congressman has become one of Trump's most prominent conservative Black supporters and a reliable surrogate on television and at events.

His selection could help bolster Trump's appeal with Black voters, especially the younger Black men that the campaign has been courting as it tries to eat into Biden's 2020 coalition.

At 45, Donalds is also the kind of fresh face who would serve a marked contrast to the men at the top of both parties' tickets.

But like Rubio, Donalds would likely need to move to join the ticket. And he, too, has a history of controversial statements, including at a recent “Congress, Cognac, and Cigars” event in Philadelphia, where he seemed to reflect favorably on the Jim Crow era as he talked about “the reinvigoration” of the Black family.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708812713486.png" alt="Former President Donald Trump and Senator Tim Scott during the South Carolina Primary in January- image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Former President Donald Trump and Senator Tim Scott during the South Carolina Primary in January- image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has narrowed his vice presidential shortlist to a handful of contenders as he prepares to announce his pick in the days before — or perhaps even at —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/republican-national-convention">next month’s Republican National Convention</a>.He told reporters Saturday that he already has made his decision and that the person will be in attendance Thursday night in Atlanta at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-trump-biden-cnn-camp-david-florida-2f67b119f58136b310b625e42fad3d3a">first debate of the general election campaign</a>&nbsp;against Democratic President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>.Trump's choice would likely become the immediate front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination four years from now if Trump were to win a second term, the constitutional limit. But that No. 2 will be under immense pressure from Trump and his allies to show loyalty at all times.Trump turned on his first vice president, Mike Pence, after Pence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-electoral-vote-d27490021b4203087043df1939b82f8b">rebuffed his boss’ efforts to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2020-election-lies-debunked-4fc26546b07962fdbf9d66e739fbb50d">based on false theories</a>&nbsp;promoted by the then-president after his loss to Biden.Pence has declined to endorse Trump this time around.Trump has said his top consideration for a vice president is whether someone is qualified to take over as commander in chief.But other factors at play: Who can raise money? Who performs well on television? Who will be most effective on the debate stage against Vice President Kamala Harris? Who risks overshadowing Trump, as a lame-duck if he is elected in November, with talk soon of 2028? And who has “the look"?Trump's campaign has repeatedly cautioned that anyone "claiming to know who or when President Trump will choose his VP is lying, unless the person is named Donald J. Trump.”And given Trump's penchant for unpredictability and drama, the best-laid plans could change.A look at the top contenders heading into the convention in Milwaukee that will begin July 15.<h2>Doug Burgum</h2>Trump likes rich people. North Dakota's two-term governor is most definitely rich.Before his time as governor, Burgum led a software company that was acquired by Microsoft for more than $1 billion. He also has worked in real estate development and venture capital and spent millions on his own White House bid.Burgum had initially run against Trump for the 2024 nomination, but the little-known governor from a sparsely-populated state gained little traction. When Burgum&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doug-burgum-republican-presidential-campaign-north-dakota-88d7335748c5c936a328dae96fef780e">dropped his bid</a>, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doug-burgum-donald-trump-endorsement-iowa-99c20a435000816823140902cd9333f2">quickly endorsed the former president</a>. Since then, Burgum has become one of Trump’s most visible defenders, appearing frequently on television, joining him at fundraisers, and traveling to New York for Trump's criminal trial.But more than that, Trump and Burgum have hit it off personally.Burgum and his wife, Kathryn, are said to get along especially well with Trump and his team — the kind of rapport that has particular currency in Trump's orbit. It does not hurt that Trump thinks Burgum looks the part — a “central casting” pick.Selecting Burgum would, in some ways, echo Pence: a staid, uncontroversial governor with lesser national name recognition. Burgum, 67, would be unlikely to compete with Trump for the spotlight or to immediately overshadow him with 2028 talk.Burgum also brings money and rich friends to the table.But does the Republican Party want two older white guys atop the ticket?<h2>JD Vance</h2>Swept to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-kentucky-poverty-jd-vance-ohio-52901ab3819b5da35dda7b7921f6841a">national prominence by his bestselling memoir</a>, “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance has held office for less than two years. But during his short time in the Senate, the former venture capitalist from Ohio has established himself as one of the fiercest defenders of Trump's “Make America Great Again” agenda, especially when it comes to foreign policy, trade and immigration.Despite his early criticism of Trump, Vance has become personally close with the former president and his son Donald Trump Jr., who has talked up the senator. Vance has become a fixture of the conservative media circuit, frequently spars with reporters on Capitol Hill and has appeared with Trump at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-court-allies-jd-vance-2666cc432e5291e8fa7dd7fba9c2ffad">recent fundraisers and at court</a>.At 39, Vance, would inject some millennial energy into a race that features an 81-year-old (Biden) and a 78-year-old (Trump) at the top of the major parties' tickets. And a debate with Harris would certainly be heated.But will Trump be able to get over Vance's record of past insults, which he mentions still?In 2016, Vance was one of Trump's fiercest critics, casting the then-reality TV star as “a total fraud" and “moral disaster” and calling him “America’s Hitler."Vance has said he was proved wrong by Trump’s performance in office and the senator now castigates the liberals who made his book a bestseller as they sought a window into understanding Trumpism.<h2>Marco Rubio</h2>If picking Vance would excite Trump's base, choosing the Florida senator might expand the ticket's appeal, particularly among deep-pocketed donors and more establishment-minded and moderate Republicans turned off by Trump's rhetoric and extremism.Rubio, once seen as a GOP hotshot, is now a well-respected voice on foreign policy and national security issues in his party. The son of Cuban immigrants, he speaks Spanish and could help Trump win over the Hispanic voters that his campaign is eagerly courting.Rubio is also seen as a skilled debater who could hold his own against Harris.Running alongside Trump might once have seemed unlikely possibility, given that the two were bitter rivals in 2016 for the GOP nomination and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/events-united-states-presidential-election-bed7f2e0ab8e410d8e0a8d7a584677f0">viciously attacked one another</a>. Trump belittled Rubio as “Little Marco,” mocked him for drinking water during speeches and called him a “nervous basket case," who was “disgusting." Rubio said Trump was a “con man” who tried to “swindle” the Republican Party and Rubio tried to question Trump's manhood.“You know what they say about men with small hands,” Rubio quipped at one point during that campaign.But then there is Rubio’s Florida "problem,” as Trump has called it.The Constitution says two candidates from the same state cannot run as president and vice president, meaning Rubio would need to change his residency — something he is reportedly willing to do.But does he really want the job? Rubio has been noticeably less present, publicly, than some of the others vying to be Trump's No. 2 and did not appear with Trump at his criminal trial.<h2>Tim Scott</h2>The only Black Republican in the Senate, the South Carolinian would bring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-scott-republican-presidential-candidate-race-black-0861ed7c4343b007d82ecbb79a9a7e46">racial and stylistic diversity to the GOP ticket</a>&nbsp;as well as a preacher's touch. The self-described “born-again believer” often quotes Scripture in political speeches that often reach a crescendo of call-and-response.Scott and Trump worked closely together while Trump was in the White House on a host of policy issues, including Trump's tax cuts, opportunity zones, and criminal justice reform legislation.Though Scott ran against Trump for the nomination this year, the senator largely declined to criticize the former president. After failing to gain traction despite millions spent on his behalf by high-profile donors, Scott endorsed Trump over fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley, Trump's U.N. ambassador, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-scott-trump-vice-president-south-carolina-30fef13f5690cd9b2a9f6db33c2a9eae">immediately began enthusiastically campaigning</a>&nbsp;across New Hampshire and South Carolina on Trump's behalf.He continues to make frequent appearances on television and recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-scott-black-outreach-trump-minority-voters-3a4b94d3afd0049d5cc08ca09671843b">a $14 million campaign to win over minority voters in seven key swing states</a>.Trump has often joked that Scott has made a far better surrogate than he did a candidate.But that has also raised questions about how Scott might perform on a debate stage with Harris later this year.<h2>Elise Stefanik</h2>The only woman on his shortlist, the New York congresswoman could help Trump win over skeptical college-educated and suburban women who sided with Biden in 2020.Stefanik was once an aide to former House Speaker Paul Ryan and served in President George W. Bush's White House, working for two Republicans now shunned by Trump loyalists. But she transformed during Trump's four years in office into a fully-fledged Trump acolyte.She&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e6b64edf8a444cdf8b76c6c18c474af4">defended him vigorously</a>&nbsp;in both of his impeachment trials and railed against his criminal indictments. In 2022, Stefanik was the first member of Republican House leadership to endorse Trump's campaign, and did so before he had even announced.She saw her profile rise after her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/rep-elise-stefanik-presses-mit-harvard-and-penn-presidents-about-antisemitism-on-campuses-0000018c4a9ddd90a58ccbbfce2d0000">aggressive questioning in December of a trio of university presidents</a>&nbsp;over antisemitism on campus that led to two of their resignations. Trump has repeatedly praised that performance.Stefanik has spent years ingratiating herself with Trump and positioning herself as one of his most trusted allies and confidantes on Capitol Hill. And at 39, she would bring new energy to the ticket.But is the leap from House member to VP too big?<h2>Ben Carson</h2>Relationships and trust matter to Trump. Carson, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/events-united-states-presidential-election-general-news-9f312a7447b84cc78a047fdfdff94bc4">served as secretary of housing and urban development</a>&nbsp;during Trump's administration, has developed a strong bond with the former president over the years, despite a contentious start as 2016 rivals.A soft-spoken former renowned neurosurgeon, Carson, 72, could help Trump win over minority voters as the first Black person to be named to a Republican presidential ticket. Given Carson's age and demeanor, there is little chance of him overshadowing Trump or stealing the spotlight.But Carson also has a history of controversial comments on abortion, guns and other issues that could cause headaches for the ticket.<h2>Byron Donalds</h2>The Florida congressman has become one of Trump's most prominent conservative Black supporters and a reliable surrogate on television and at events.His selection could help bolster Trump's appeal with Black voters, especially the younger Black men that the campaign has been courting as it tries to eat into Biden's 2020 coalition.At 45, Donalds is also the kind of fresh face who would serve a marked contrast to the men at the top of both parties' tickets.But like Rubio, Donalds would likely need to move to join the ticket. And he, too, has a history of controversial statements, including at a recent “Congress, Cognac, and Cigars” event in Philadelphia, where he seemed to reflect favorably on the Jim Crow era as he talked about “the reinvigoration” of the Black family.

A look at Trump's VP shortlist and why each contender may get picked or fall short

LYON COUNTY — Cattle had to be euthanized after a trailer accident just before 10a.m. Monday in northern Lyon County.

A 1998 Peterbilt semi driven by Thomas Romano of New York was hauling 123 cows on U.S. 56 in Lyon County, according to Sheriff's Deputy Fernando Zuniga.

Romano&nbsp; attempted to make a right turn onto Road K. The rear passenger side axle dropped into the ditch, preventing the semi from moving. A local farmer attempted to pull vehicle using a tractor but was unsuccessful and the trailer flipped over on its right side.

Approximately 19 cows had to be euthanized on scene, according to Zuniga. There were no other injuries.

LYON COUNTY — Cattle had to be euthanized after a trailer accident just before 10a.m. Monday in northern Lyon County.A 1998 Peterbilt semi driven by Thomas Romano of New York was hauling 123 cows on U.S. 56 in Lyon County, according to Sheriff's Deputy Fernando Zuniga.Romano&nbsp; attempted to make a right turn onto Road K. The rear passenger side axle dropped into the ditch, preventing the semi from moving. A local farmer attempted to pull vehicle using a tractor but was unsuccessful and the trailer flipped over on its right side.Approximately 19 cows had to be euthanized on scene, according to Zuniga. There were no other injuries.

Cattle euthanized after trailer accident in Kansas

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 550,000 pickup trucks in the U.S. because the transmissions can unexpectedly downshift to first gear no matter how fast the trucks are going.

The recall&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCAK-24V444-7911.pdf">covers certain F-150 pickups</a>&nbsp;from the 2014 model year. Ford's F-Series pickups are the top-selling vehicles in the U.S.

Ford says in&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V444-2781.PDF">documents posted Tuesday</a>&nbsp;by U.S. safety regulators that the downshifting can cause drivers to lose control of the trucks, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recalls come after U.S. auto safety regulators in March&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ford-f150-transmission-downshift-investigation-558a5ad5cefb8533fc9beb6acdcf756e">began investigating complaints</a>&nbsp;that more than 540,000 Ford pickup trucks from 2014 can abruptly downshift to a lower gear and increase the risk of a crash.

Documents say the problem is caused by a lost signal between a transmission speed sensor and the powertrain control computer. There also could be corrosion and problems with connector pins.

Dealers will update the powertrain control software at no cost to owners, who will be notified by letters in early July.

In a statement Tuesday, Ford said it expects repairs to be available in the third quarter of this year. Owners will be able to use mobile service or pickup and delivery at participating dealers.

Ford says in documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it has 396 warranty and field reports and 124 customer complaints about the problem, covering 482 trucks.

The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker says it knows of 130 complaints to the government, with 52 alleging that rear wheels locked up or that drivers lost control of the trucks. Two of the complainants reported injuries and one reported a crash that could have been caused by the problem, Ford said.

Ford's statement said that before the trucks downshift, drivers could see a malfunction indicator light on the dashboard. In some cases, signals can be restored while the trucks are moving, and they can be driven normally. In other cases drivers may need to stop and restart the engine to get the transmissions to work properly.

The company says it expects fewer than 1% of the recalled vehicles to have the problem.

NHTSA said it started its investigation in March after getting complaints about sudden downshifts in the trucks’ automatic transmissions.

The agency is looking into whether those trucks should have been included in previous recalls for the problem.

Ford started recalling trucks and other vehicles from the 2011 and 2012 model years in 2016, and added two recalls in 2019 covering pickups from the 2011 to 2013 model years. The recalls covered about 1.5 million vehicles.

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 550,000 pickup trucks in the U.S. because the transmissions can unexpectedly downshift to first gear no matter how fast the trucks are going.The recall&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCAK-24V444-7911.pdf">covers certain F-150 pickups</a>&nbsp;from the 2014 model year. Ford's F-Series pickups are the top-selling vehicles in the U.S.Ford says in&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V444-2781.PDF">documents posted Tuesday</a>&nbsp;by U.S. safety regulators that the downshifting can cause drivers to lose control of the trucks, increasing the risk of a crash.The recalls come after U.S. auto safety regulators in March&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ford-f150-transmission-downshift-investigation-558a5ad5cefb8533fc9beb6acdcf756e">began investigating complaints</a>&nbsp;that more than 540,000 Ford pickup trucks from 2014 can abruptly downshift to a lower gear and increase the risk of a crash.Documents say the problem is caused by a lost signal between a transmission speed sensor and the powertrain control computer. There also could be corrosion and problems with connector pins.Dealers will update the powertrain control software at no cost to owners, who will be notified by letters in early July.In a statement Tuesday, Ford said it expects repairs to be available in the third quarter of this year. Owners will be able to use mobile service or pickup and delivery at participating dealers.Ford says in documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it has 396 warranty and field reports and 124 customer complaints about the problem, covering 482 trucks.The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker says it knows of 130 complaints to the government, with 52 alleging that rear wheels locked up or that drivers lost control of the trucks. Two of the complainants reported injuries and one reported a crash that could have been caused by the problem, Ford said.Ford's statement said that before the trucks downshift, drivers could see a malfunction indicator light on the dashboard. In some cases, signals can be restored while the trucks are moving, and they can be driven normally. In other cases drivers may need to stop and restart the engine to get the transmissions to work properly.The company says it expects fewer than 1% of the recalled vehicles to have the problem.NHTSA said it started its investigation in March after getting complaints about sudden downshifts in the trucks’ automatic transmissions.The agency is looking into whether those trucks should have been included in previous recalls for the problem.Ford started recalling trucks and other vehicles from the 2011 and 2012 model years in 2016, and added two recalls in 2019 covering pickups from the 2011 to 2013 model years. The recalls covered about 1.5 million vehicles.

Ford recalls F-150 pickups to fix transmission problem

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Federal judges in Kansas and Missouri on Monday together blocked much of a Biden administration student loan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-miguel-cardona-business-73dcbf54ddb3b53c9c3c5468cfdec3b9">repayment plan</a>&nbsp;that provides a faster path to cancellation and lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers.

The judges’ rulings prevent the U.S. Department of Education from helping many of the intended borrowers ease their loan repayment burdens going forward under a rule set to go into effect July 1. The decisions do not cancel assistance already provided to borrowers.

In Kansas, U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree ruled in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-lawsuit-republicans-biden-b60d13539b2f2aef2869d56e63f33a3b">a lawsuit filed by the state’s attorney general,</a>&nbsp;Kris Kobach, on behalf of his state and 10 others. In his ruling, Crabtree allowed parts of the program that allow students who borrowed $12,000 or less to have the rest of their loans forgiven if they make 10 years’ worth of payments, instead of the standard 25.

But Crabtree said that the Department of Education won’t be allowed to implement parts of the program meant to help students who had larger loans and could have their monthly payments lowered and their required payment period reduced from 25 years to 20 years.

In Missouri, U.S. District Judge John Ross’ order applies to different parts of the program than Crabtree’s. His order says that the U.S. Department of Education cannot forgive loan balances going forward. He said the department still could lower monthly payments.

Ross issued a ruling in a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on behalf of his state and six others.

Together, the two rulings, each by a judge appointed by former President Barack Obama, a Democrat, appeared to greatly limit the scope of the Biden administration’s efforts to help borrowers after the U.S. Supreme Court last year rejected the Democratic president’s first attempt at a forgiveness plan. Both judges said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona exceeded the authority granted by Congress in laws dealing with students loans.

Bailey and Kobach each hailed the decision from their state's judge as a major legal victory against the Biden administration and argue, as many Republicans do, that forgiving some students' loans shifts the cost of repaying them to taxpayers.

“Only Congress has the power of the purse, not the President,” Bailey said in a statement. "Today’s ruling was a huge win for the rule of law, and for every American who Joe Biden was about to force to pay off someone else’s debt.”

The White House said it strongly disagrees with the judges’ rulings and would continue to defend the program, and use every available tool to give relief to students and borrowers.

In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration “will never stop fighting for students and borrowers — no matter how many roadblocks Republican elected officials and special interests put in our way.”

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, leaders of the Student Borrower Protection Center, which advocates for eliminating student debt, called the decisions “partisan lawfare” and “a recipe for chaos across the student loan system.”

“Millions of borrowers are now in limbo as they struggle to make sense of their rights under the law and the information being provided by the government and their student loan companies,” said the group’s executive director, Mike Pierce.

In both lawsuits, the suing states sought to invalidate the entire program, which the Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-debt-college-cancellation-forgiveness-34152bb5000128a413efd2287887a37a">first made available</a>&nbsp;to borrowers in July 2023, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-2024-california-cc23ba93a733b583f3ee8963cdd02566">at least 150,000</a>&nbsp;have had their loans canceled. But the judges noted that the lawsuits weren't filed until late March in Kansas and early April in Missouri.

“So the court doesn’t see how plaintiffs can complain of irreparable harm from them,” Crabtree wrote in his opinion.

Both orders are preliminary, meaning the injunctions imposed by the judges would remain in effect through a trial of the separate lawsuits. However, to issue a temporary order each judge had to conclude that the states were likely to prevail in a trial.

Kobach framed the Biden plan as “unconstitutional” and an affront to “blue collar Kansas workers who didn’t go to college."

There was some irony in Crabtree's decision: Kansas is no longer a party to the lawsuit Kobach filed. Earlier this month, Crabtree ruled that Kansas and seven other states in the lawsuit — Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Lousiana, Montana, Nebraska and Utah — couldn't show that they'd been harmed by the new program and dismissed them as plaintiffs.

That left Alaska, South Carolina and Texas, and Crabtree said they could sue because each has a state agency that services student loans.

But Crabtree said that lowering monthly payments and shortening the period of required payments to earn loan forgiveness “overreach any generosity Congress has authorized before.”

In the Missouri ruling, Ross said repayment schedules and “are well within the wheelhouse” of the department but the “plain text” of U.S. law doesn’t give it authority to forgive loans before 25 years of payments.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Federal judges in Kansas and Missouri on Monday together blocked much of a Biden administration student loan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-miguel-cardona-business-73dcbf54ddb3b53c9c3c5468cfdec3b9">repayment plan</a>&nbsp;that provides a faster path to cancellation and lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers.The judges’ rulings prevent the U.S. Department of Education from helping many of the intended borrowers ease their loan repayment burdens going forward under a rule set to go into effect July 1. The decisions do not cancel assistance already provided to borrowers.In Kansas, U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree ruled in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-lawsuit-republicans-biden-b60d13539b2f2aef2869d56e63f33a3b">a lawsuit filed by the state’s attorney general,</a>&nbsp;Kris Kobach, on behalf of his state and 10 others. In his ruling, Crabtree allowed parts of the program that allow students who borrowed $12,000 or less to have the rest of their loans forgiven if they make 10 years’ worth of payments, instead of the standard 25.But Crabtree said that the Department of Education won’t be allowed to implement parts of the program meant to help students who had larger loans and could have their monthly payments lowered and their required payment period reduced from 25 years to 20 years.In Missouri, U.S. District Judge John Ross’ order applies to different parts of the program than Crabtree’s. His order says that the U.S. Department of Education cannot forgive loan balances going forward. He said the department still could lower monthly payments.Ross issued a ruling in a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on behalf of his state and six others.Together, the two rulings, each by a judge appointed by former President Barack Obama, a Democrat, appeared to greatly limit the scope of the Biden administration’s efforts to help borrowers after the U.S. Supreme Court last year rejected the Democratic president’s first attempt at a forgiveness plan. Both judges said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona exceeded the authority granted by Congress in laws dealing with students loans.Bailey and Kobach each hailed the decision from their state's judge as a major legal victory against the Biden administration and argue, as many Republicans do, that forgiving some students' loans shifts the cost of repaying them to taxpayers.“Only Congress has the power of the purse, not the President,” Bailey said in a statement. "Today’s ruling was a huge win for the rule of law, and for every American who Joe Biden was about to force to pay off someone else’s debt.”The White House said it strongly disagrees with the judges’ rulings and would continue to defend the program, and use every available tool to give relief to students and borrowers.In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration “will never stop fighting for students and borrowers — no matter how many roadblocks Republican elected officials and special interests put in our way.”In a statement posted on the social media platform X, leaders of the Student Borrower Protection Center, which advocates for eliminating student debt, called the decisions “partisan lawfare” and “a recipe for chaos across the student loan system.”“Millions of borrowers are now in limbo as they struggle to make sense of their rights under the law and the information being provided by the government and their student loan companies,” said the group’s executive director, Mike Pierce.In both lawsuits, the suing states sought to invalidate the entire program, which the Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-debt-college-cancellation-forgiveness-34152bb5000128a413efd2287887a37a">first made available</a>&nbsp;to borrowers in July 2023, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-2024-california-cc23ba93a733b583f3ee8963cdd02566">at least 150,000</a>&nbsp;have had their loans canceled. But the judges noted that the lawsuits weren't filed until late March in Kansas and early April in Missouri.“So the court doesn’t see how plaintiffs can complain of irreparable harm from them,” Crabtree wrote in his opinion.Both orders are preliminary, meaning the injunctions imposed by the judges would remain in effect through a trial of the separate lawsuits. However, to issue a temporary order each judge had to conclude that the states were likely to prevail in a trial.Kobach framed the Biden plan as “unconstitutional” and an affront to “blue collar Kansas workers who didn’t go to college."There was some irony in Crabtree's decision: Kansas is no longer a party to the lawsuit Kobach filed. Earlier this month, Crabtree ruled that Kansas and seven other states in the lawsuit — Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Lousiana, Montana, Nebraska and Utah — couldn't show that they'd been harmed by the new program and dismissed them as plaintiffs.That left Alaska, South Carolina and Texas, and Crabtree said they could sue because each has a state agency that services student loans.But Crabtree said that lowering monthly payments and shortening the period of required payments to earn loan forgiveness “overreach any generosity Congress has authorized before.”In the Missouri ruling, Ross said repayment schedules and “are well within the wheelhouse” of the department but the “plain text” of U.S. law doesn’t give it authority to forgive loans before 25 years of payments.

Kansas judge halts much of Biden's student debt forgiveness plan

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

Just after 2:20p.m. Monday, police were&nbsp;dispatched to a shooting in 1000 block of W. 38th street, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

Officers entered an apartment building and located a man in a stairwell suffering from gunshot trauma. He was pronounced dead at scene.&nbsp; Police did not release the victim's name or report any suspect detials.

It is Kansas City's 71st homicide of 2024, according to KCPD.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719282994629.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas.Just after 2:20p.m. Monday, police were&nbsp;dispatched to a shooting in 1000 block of W. 38th street, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.Officers entered an apartment building and located a man in a stairwell suffering from gunshot trauma. He was pronounced dead at scene.&nbsp; Police did not release the victim's name or report any suspect detials.It is Kansas City's 71st homicide of 2024, according to KCPD.

Police: Homicide victim found in KC stairwell

JOHNSON COUNTY —Just 35 hours apart, discarded smoking materials caused two deck fires in Olathe.

Just after 4:30a.m. Sunday, Firefighters stopped a deck fire from spreading into a home at 15820 S Widmer Street in Olathe, according to a social media report from the Olathe Fire Department.&nbsp;

There were no injuries. Investigators say discarded smoking materials caused the fire. Damage estimated at $30,000

Just after&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/OlatheFire/status/1805352016493035813?t=210">3:30</a> p.m. Monday, crews responded to a second fire on a deck at an apartment complex near 127th Street and N Mur-Len Road.&nbsp; A timely 911 call helped keep the fire small.

Firefighters reminded, if you smoke, put cigarettes out, all the way, in an ashtray, bucket or container that won’t burn.&nbsp; Put water on the ashes and butts to make sure they are really out before discarding them.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719311083052.png" alt="Photos Olathe Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos Olathe Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Just 35 hours apart, discarded smoking materials caused two deck fires in Olathe.Just after 4:30a.m. Sunday, Firefighters stopped a deck fire from spreading into a home at 15820 S Widmer Street in Olathe, according to a social media report from the Olathe Fire Department.&nbsp;There were no injuries. Investigators say discarded smoking materials caused the fire. Damage estimated at $30,000<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719310617583.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Just after&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/OlatheFire/status/1805352016493035813?t=210">3:30</a> p.m. Monday, crews responded to a second fire on a deck at an apartment complex near 127th Street and N Mur-Len Road.&nbsp; A timely 911 call helped keep the fire small.Firefighters reminded, if you smoke, put cigarettes out, all the way, in an ashtray, bucket or container that won’t burn.&nbsp; Put water on the ashes and butts to make sure they are really out before discarding them.

Discarded smoking materials blamed for 2 deck fires in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is expected to announce Tuesday it is sending an additional $150 million in critically needed munitions to Ukraine, as Russia accuses Ukraine of using U.S.-provided munitions to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drones-kharkiv-272aa4d53e0fdadba02b8772a468553a">strike inside</a>&nbsp;Russia or Russian-held territory, according to two U.S. officials.

On Monday, Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-us-missiles-2d2632712540897e2161f72c14bae44f">summoned the American ambassador</a>&nbsp;to protest what it says was the use of U.S.-made advanced missiles in a Ukrainian attack on Crimea on Sunday that reportedly killed four people and wounded more than 150.

Crimea, which Russian seized from Ukraine in 2014 in a move that most of the world rejected as unlawful, long had been declared a fair target for Ukraine by its Western allies.

However, the Pentagon said last week that Ukraine’s military is also now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-us-missiles-de0597baa92a722779769efdff580732">allowed to use</a>&nbsp;longer-range missiles provided by the U.S. to strike targets inside Russia if it is acting in self-defense. Since the outset of the war, the U.S. had maintained a policy of not allowing Ukraine to use the weapons it provided to hit targets on Russian soil for fear of further escalating the conflict.

The continued flow of U.S. munitions, which will be drawn from existing stockpiles, is intended to help Ukrainian forces repel intensified Russian attacks.

The upcoming shipment is expected to include munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS. That system is capable of firing the longer-range missiles from the Army Tactical Missile System, or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-technology-lloyd-austin-government-and-politics-b7d48caead3838e6621c1a4b0a0bcbb7">ATACMS</a>, which Russia has said would prompt retaliation and risk escalating the conflict. One of the U.S. officials said they could not verify whether this aid package included ATACMS munitions, but said the aid did not include cluster munitions.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that had not yet been made public.

The package also includes anti-armor weapons, small arms and grenades and the highly sought-after 155 mm and 105 mm artillery rounds, among other support.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717851301558.png" alt="File photo -President Biden&nbsp;met in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this month" />
 <figcaption>File photo -President Biden&nbsp;met in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this month</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is expected to announce Tuesday it is sending an additional $150 million in critically needed munitions to Ukraine, as Russia accuses Ukraine of using U.S.-provided munitions to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drones-kharkiv-272aa4d53e0fdadba02b8772a468553a">strike inside</a>&nbsp;Russia or Russian-held territory, according to two U.S. officials.On Monday, Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-us-missiles-2d2632712540897e2161f72c14bae44f">summoned the American ambassador</a>&nbsp;to protest what it says was the use of U.S.-made advanced missiles in a Ukrainian attack on Crimea on Sunday that reportedly killed four people and wounded more than 150.Crimea, which Russian seized from Ukraine in 2014 in a move that most of the world rejected as unlawful, long had been declared a fair target for Ukraine by its Western allies.However, the Pentagon said last week that Ukraine’s military is also now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-us-missiles-de0597baa92a722779769efdff580732">allowed to use</a>&nbsp;longer-range missiles provided by the U.S. to strike targets inside Russia if it is acting in self-defense. Since the outset of the war, the U.S. had maintained a policy of not allowing Ukraine to use the weapons it provided to hit targets on Russian soil for fear of further escalating the conflict.The continued flow of U.S. munitions, which will be drawn from existing stockpiles, is intended to help Ukrainian forces repel intensified Russian attacks.The upcoming shipment is expected to include munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS. That system is capable of firing the longer-range missiles from the Army Tactical Missile System, or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-technology-lloyd-austin-government-and-politics-b7d48caead3838e6621c1a4b0a0bcbb7">ATACMS</a>, which Russia has said would prompt retaliation and risk escalating the conflict. One of the U.S. officials said they could not verify whether this aid package included ATACMS munitions, but said the aid did not include cluster munitions.The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that had not yet been made public.The package also includes anti-armor weapons, small arms and grenades and the highly sought-after 155 mm and 105 mm artillery rounds, among other support.

US expected to send Ukraine $150 million more in munitions

KANSAS CITY —One person was injured in an accident with a police vehicle just before 10a.m. on Monday.

According to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino, a Mitsubishi Endeavor was westbound on 57th Street at Woodland in Kansas City.&nbsp;

The driver of the Mitsubishi failed to stop for the posted stop sign and entered the intersection. A northbound marked blue KCPD Ford Explorer struck the Mitsubishi. EMS transported the driver and sole occupant of the Mitsubishi to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

 The KCPD officer received non-life-threatening injuries but was not transported to a medical facility, according to DiMartino. The accident remains under investigation.

KANSAS CITY —One person was injured in an accident with a police vehicle just before 10a.m. on Monday.According to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino, a Mitsubishi Endeavor was westbound on 57th Street at Woodland in Kansas City.&nbsp;The driver of the Mitsubishi failed to stop for the posted stop sign and entered the intersection. A northbound marked blue KCPD Ford Explorer struck the Mitsubishi. EMS transported the driver and sole occupant of the Mitsubishi to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The KCPD officer received non-life-threatening injuries but was not transported to a medical facility, according to DiMartino. The accident remains under investigation.

Driver hospitalized after crash with KCPD vehicle

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations following a burglary call in Shawnee County.

Just before 9a.m. Thursday, deputies responded to a possible burglary in the 6600 block of NW 94th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. 

While in route, significant information was gathered and the suspect vehicle was stopped by deputies near NW 35th Street and NW Huxman Road.

During the investigation illegal narcotics were located. Stacy L. Ripple, 37, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of burglary, possession of stolen property, distribution of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft, defective mirror and no vehicle liability insurance.

Matthew R. Scheidegger, 41, was also arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of violating a protection order. Ripple was the protected party of that order.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718996141187.png" alt="Scheidegger-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Scheidegger-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations following a burglary call in Shawnee County.Just before 9a.m. Thursday, deputies responded to a possible burglary in the 6600 block of NW 94th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. While in route, significant information was gathered and the suspect vehicle was stopped by deputies near NW 35th Street and NW Huxman Road.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718995994823.png" alt="Ripple -photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Ripple -photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the investigation illegal narcotics were located. Stacy L. Ripple, 37, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of burglary, possession of stolen property, distribution of narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft, defective mirror and no vehicle liability insurance.Matthew R. Scheidegger, 41, was also arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of violating a protection order. Ripple was the protected party of that order.&nbsp;

Kan. woman went on crime spree with subject of protection order

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/alanna-durkin-richer">ALANNA DURKIN RICHER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/eric-tucker">ERIC TUCKER</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — WikiLeaks founder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/julian-assange">Julian Assange</a>&nbsp;will plead guilty to a felony charge in a deal with the U.S. Justice Department that will free him from prison and resolve a long-running legal saga that spanned multiple continents and centered on the publication of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/89547adf8a8846c3991a4e6c57ce50ef">trove of classified documents</a>, according to court papers filed late Monday.

Assange is scheduled to appear in the federal court in the Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth in the Western Pacific, to plead guilty to an Espionage Act charge of conspiring to unlawfully obtain and disseminate classified national defense information, the Justice Department said in a letter filed in court.

The guilty plea, which must be approved by a judge, brings an abrupt conclusion to a criminal case of international intrigue and to the U.S. government’s years-long pursuit of a publisher whose hugely popular secret-sharing website made him a cause célèbre among many press freedom advocates who said he acted as a journalist to expose U.S. military wrongdoing. Investigators, by contrast, have repeatedly asserted that his actions broke laws meant to protect sensitive information and put the country’s national security at risk.

He is expected to return to Australia after his plea and sentencing, which is scheduled for Wednesday morning, local time in Saipan, the largest island in the Mariana Islands. The hearing is taking place there because of Assange’s opposition to traveling to the continental U.S. and the court’s proximity to Australia.

Assange’s U.S. attorney, Barry Pollack, did not immediately return messages seeking comment Monday.

The deal ensures that Assange will admit guilt while also sparing him from any additional prison time. He had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7276b35e8d5944e7b5ca280ab0390b26">spent years hiding out</a>&nbsp;in the Ecuadorian embassy in London&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7276b35e8d5944e7b5ca280ab0390b26"></a>after Swedish authorities sought his arrest on rape allegations before being locked up in the United Kingdom.

Prosecutors have agreed to a sentence of the five years Assange has already spent in a high-security British prison while fighting to avoid extradition to the U.S. to face charges, a process that has played out in a series of hearings in London. Last month, he won the right to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wikileaks-assange-us-extradition-london-court-ruling-28ebf4301cdd25efd5b087ab67d46c25">appeal an extradition order</a>&nbsp;after his lawyers argued that the U.S. government provided “blatantly inadequate” assurances that he would have the same free speech protections as an American citizen if extradited from Britain.

Assange has been heralded by many around the world as a hero who brought to light military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Among the files published by WikiLeaks was a video of a 2007 Apache helicopter attack by American forces in Baghdad that killed 11 people, including two Reuters journalists.

But his reputation was also tarnished by rape allegations, which he has denied.

The Justice Department’s indictment unsealed in 2019 accused Assange of encouraging and helping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-ecbb6e9939e7e8daaa6c7b6e33634d59">U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning</a>&nbsp;steal diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks published in 2010. Prosecutors had accused Assange of damaging national security by publishing documents that harmed the U.S. and its allies and aided its adversaries.

The case was lambasted by press advocates and Assange supporters. Federal prosecutors defended it as targeting conduct that went way beyond that of a journalist gathering information, amounting to an attempt to solicit, steal and indiscriminately publish classified government documents. It was brought even though the Obama administration Justice Department had passed on prosecuting him years earlier.

The plea agreement comes months after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-australia-assange-wikileaks-2cd31cf5a9983f3523a7c3de72b5078e">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;said he was considering a request from Australia to drop the U.S. push to prosecute Assange.

Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being convicted of violating the Espionage Act and other offenses for leaking classified government and military documents to WikiLeaks. President Barack Obama&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-36959e6aab9a4d20bdef47520ac706b7">commuted her sentence</a>&nbsp;in 2017, allowing her release after about seven behind bars.

Assange made headlines in 2016 after his website published Democratic emails that prosecutors say were stolen by Russian intelligence operatives. He was never charged in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, but the inquiry laid bare in stark detail the role that the hacking operation played in interfering in that year’s election on behalf of then-Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Justice Department officials mulled charges for Assange following the documents’ 2010 publication, but were unsure a case would hold up in court and were concerned it could be hard to justify prosecuting him for acts similar to those of a conventional journalist.

The posture changed in the Trump administration, however, with former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in 2017 calling Assange’s arrest a priority.

Assange’s family and supporters have said his physical and mental health have suffered during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/julian-assange-extradition-timeline-0e378a85871a6c42cee6399aa8a78e69">more than a decade of legal battles,</a>&nbsp;which includes seven years spent inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.

Assange took refuge in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-caribbean-ecuador-julian-assange-21efd1acac7d48c8b53ff5f843b98fa0">Ecuadorian Embassy</a>&nbsp;in London in 2012 and was granted political asylum after courts in England ruled he should be extradited to Sweden as part of a rape investigation in the Scandinavian country. He was arrested by British police after Ecuador’s government withdrew his asylum status in 2019 and then jailed for skipping bail when he first took shelter inside the embassy.

Although Sweden eventually dropped its sex crimes investigation because so much time had elapsed, Assange has remained in London’s high-security Belmarsh Prison during the extradition battle with the U.S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719277164048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/alanna-durkin-richer">ALANNA DURKIN RICHER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/eric-tucker">ERIC TUCKER</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — WikiLeaks founder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/julian-assange">Julian Assange</a>&nbsp;will plead guilty to a felony charge in a deal with the U.S. Justice Department that will free him from prison and resolve a long-running legal saga that spanned multiple continents and centered on the publication of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/89547adf8a8846c3991a4e6c57ce50ef">trove of classified documents</a>, according to court papers filed late Monday.Assange is scheduled to appear in the federal court in the Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth in the Western Pacific, to plead guilty to an Espionage Act charge of conspiring to unlawfully obtain and disseminate classified national defense information, the Justice Department said in a letter filed in court.The guilty plea, which must be approved by a judge, brings an abrupt conclusion to a criminal case of international intrigue and to the U.S. government’s years-long pursuit of a publisher whose hugely popular secret-sharing website made him a cause célèbre among many press freedom advocates who said he acted as a journalist to expose U.S. military wrongdoing. Investigators, by contrast, have repeatedly asserted that his actions broke laws meant to protect sensitive information and put the country’s national security at risk.He is expected to return to Australia after his plea and sentencing, which is scheduled for Wednesday morning, local time in Saipan, the largest island in the Mariana Islands. The hearing is taking place there because of Assange’s opposition to traveling to the continental U.S. and the court’s proximity to Australia.Assange’s U.S. attorney, Barry Pollack, did not immediately return messages seeking comment Monday.The deal ensures that Assange will admit guilt while also sparing him from any additional prison time. He had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7276b35e8d5944e7b5ca280ab0390b26">spent years hiding out</a>&nbsp;in the Ecuadorian embassy in London&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7276b35e8d5944e7b5ca280ab0390b26"></a>after Swedish authorities sought his arrest on rape allegations before being locked up in the United Kingdom.Prosecutors have agreed to a sentence of the five years Assange has already spent in a high-security British prison while fighting to avoid extradition to the U.S. to face charges, a process that has played out in a series of hearings in London. Last month, he won the right to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wikileaks-assange-us-extradition-london-court-ruling-28ebf4301cdd25efd5b087ab67d46c25">appeal an extradition order</a>&nbsp;after his lawyers argued that the U.S. government provided “blatantly inadequate” assurances that he would have the same free speech protections as an American citizen if extradited from Britain.He is expected to return to Australia after his plea and sentencing, which is scheduled for Wednesday morning, local time in Saipan, the largest island in the Mariana Islands. The hearing is taking place there because of Assange’s opposition to traveling to the continental U.S. and the court’s proximity to Australia.Assange has been heralded by many around the world as a hero who brought to light military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Among the files published by WikiLeaks was a video of a 2007 Apache helicopter attack by American forces in Baghdad that killed 11 people, including two Reuters journalists.But his reputation was also tarnished by rape allegations, which he has denied.The Justice Department’s indictment unsealed in 2019 accused Assange of encouraging and helping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-ecbb6e9939e7e8daaa6c7b6e33634d59">U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning</a>&nbsp;steal diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks published in 2010. Prosecutors had accused Assange of damaging national security by publishing documents that harmed the U.S. and its allies and aided its adversaries.The case was lambasted by press advocates and Assange supporters. Federal prosecutors defended it as targeting conduct that went way beyond that of a journalist gathering information, amounting to an attempt to solicit, steal and indiscriminately publish classified government documents. It was brought even though the Obama administration Justice Department had passed on prosecuting him years earlier.The plea agreement comes months after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-australia-assange-wikileaks-2cd31cf5a9983f3523a7c3de72b5078e">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;said he was considering a request from Australia to drop the U.S. push to prosecute Assange.Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being convicted of violating the Espionage Act and other offenses for leaking classified government and military documents to WikiLeaks. President Barack Obama&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-36959e6aab9a4d20bdef47520ac706b7">commuted her sentence</a>&nbsp;in 2017, allowing her release after about seven behind bars.Assange made headlines in 2016 after his website published Democratic emails that prosecutors say were stolen by Russian intelligence operatives. He was never charged in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, but the inquiry laid bare in stark detail the role that the hacking operation played in interfering in that year’s election on behalf of then-Republican candidate Donald Trump.Justice Department officials mulled charges for Assange following the documents’ 2010 publication, but were unsure a case would hold up in court and were concerned it could be hard to justify prosecuting him for acts similar to those of a conventional journalist.ADVERTISEMENTThe posture changed in the Trump administration, however, with former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in 2017 calling Assange’s arrest a priority.Assange’s family and supporters have said his physical and mental health have suffered during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/julian-assange-extradition-timeline-0e378a85871a6c42cee6399aa8a78e69">more than a decade of legal battles,</a>&nbsp;which includes seven years spent inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.Assange took refuge in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-caribbean-ecuador-julian-assange-21efd1acac7d48c8b53ff5f843b98fa0">Ecuadorian Embassy</a>&nbsp;in London in 2012 and was granted political asylum after courts in England ruled he should be extradited to Sweden as part of a rape investigation in the Scandinavian country. He was arrested by British police after Ecuador’s government withdrew his asylum status in 2019 and then jailed for skipping bail when he first took shelter inside the embassy.Although Sweden eventually dropped its sex crimes investigation because so much time had elapsed, Assange has remained in London’s high-security Belmarsh Prison during the extradition battle with the U.S.

State