WASHINGTON —Vice President Kamala Harris&nbsp;has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, looking to strengthen the Democratic ticket in Midwestern states.

She will introduce Walz at a&nbsp;rally Tuesday evening in Philadelphia.

On her private social media account, Kansas governor Laura Kelly congratulated Walz.

"As a teacher, veteran, and leader, Gov. Tim Walz brings a dedication to public service and a record of winning tough races and improving lives that makes him exceptionally prepared to help Vice President Harris win and deliver for the American people." 

"Gov. Walz has fought to do right by our country by protecting reproductive freedom, expanding voting rights, ensuring universal free school meals, growing the economy for working families, and much more.

Congratulations"

Harris was the only candidate eligible to receive votes after&nbsp;no other candidate&nbsp;qualified by a deadline last week. She officially claimed the nomination&nbsp;Monday night&nbsp;when the DNC released final results.

WASHINGTON —Vice President Kamala Harris&nbsp;has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, looking to strengthen the Democratic ticket in Midwestern states.She will introduce Walz at a&nbsp;rally Tuesday evening in Philadelphia.On her private social media account, Kansas governor Laura Kelly congratulated Walz."As a teacher, veteran, and leader, Gov. Tim Walz brings a dedication to public service and a record of winning tough races and improving lives that makes him exceptionally prepared to help Vice President Harris win and deliver for the American people." "Gov. Walz has fought to do right by our country by protecting reproductive freedom, expanding voting rights, ensuring universal free school meals, growing the economy for working families, and much more.

Congratulations"<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">As a teacher, veteran, and leader, Gov. <a href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Walz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tim_Walz</a> brings a dedication to public service and a record of winning tough races and improving lives that makes him exceptionally prepared to help Vice President Harris win and deliver for the American people. Gov. Walz has fought to do… <a href="https://t.co/FplE3sV9bf">pic.twitter.com/FplE3sV9bf</a>&mdash; Laura Kelly (@LauraKellyKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/LauraKellyKS/status/1820860895087472857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Harris was the only candidate eligible to receive votes after&nbsp;no other candidate&nbsp;qualified by a deadline last week. She officially claimed the nomination&nbsp;Monday night&nbsp;when the DNC released final results.

Kansas governor praised Kamala Harris pick for running mate

NEW YORK (AP) — The judge in Donald Trump's hush money trial is pushing back a date for a key ruling on presidential immunity until two days before Trump's scheduled sentencing.

The immunity decision had been due Sept. 6, with the sentencing set for Sept. 18. But then Trump’s lawyers asked Judge Juan M. Merchan last week to rule first on their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gag-order-hush-money-02ed921ed04264766b53e64308d38847">renewed bid to get the judge to step aside from the case</a>.

In a letter made public Tuesday, Judge Juan M. Merchan postponed the immunity ruling to Sept. 16 — if it's still needed after he decides next week whether to recuse himself.

Merchan said the Republican presidential nominee is still due in court Sept. 18 for “the imposition of sentence or other proceedings as appropriate.”

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche and the Manhattan district attorney's office, which is prosecuting the case, declined to comment.

A jury&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">found Trump guilty</a>&nbsp;in May of falsifying business records to conceal a deal to pay off porn actor Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. At the time, she was considering going public with a story of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier.

Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the repayment as legal expenses. Prosecutors said that was an effort to disguise the true nature of the transactions and the underlying hush money deal.

Trump denies Daniels' claim, maintains he did nothing wrong and says the case is politically motivated. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg is a Democrat.

Trump's lawyers say the Supreme Court’s July&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">ruling on presidential immunity</a>&nbsp;warrants overturning the May guilty verdict and entirely dismissing the hush money case against Trump. The defense also c&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-new-york-conviction-b67bafcb92b287933c6e6d54fc122117">ontends that the trial was “tainted”</a>&nbsp;by evidence that should not have been allowed under the high court’s ruling, such as testimony from some Trump White House staffers and tweets he sent while president in 2018.

The high court's ruling curbs prosecutions of ex-presidents for official acts and restricts prosecutors in pointing to official acts as evidence that a commander in chief’s unofficial actions were illegal.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25003003-20240724-people-redacted-peoples-mem-opp-defs-post-trial-motion-filed?responsive=1&amp;title=1">maintains that the high court’s opinion “has no bearing”</a>&nbsp;on the hush money case because it involves unofficial acts for which the former president is not immune.

Meanwhile, Trump’s lawyers asked Merchan last week, for a third time, to exit the case, saying his daughter’s work for Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign underscores questions about his ability to be impartial. Harris is now the Democratic nominee for president.

Merchan rejected two prior recusal requests last year, saying the defense’s concerns were “hypothetical” and based on “innuendos” and “unsupported speculation.”

But Trump lawyer Todd Blanche argued that Harris’ entry into the presidential race makes those issues “even more concrete” and said the judge hadn't addressed them in enough detail.

The hush money case is one of four criminal prosecutions brought against Trump last year.

One federal case, accusing Trump of illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-smith-c66d5ffb7ba86c1b991f95e89bdeba0c">dismissed</a>&nbsp;last month. The Justice Department is appealing.

The others —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jack-smith-supreme-court-jan-6-47eebf01d4158ef808d850625df2c89e">federal</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fani-willis-georgia-election-indictment-5696ed7e49aaa63ba6470bd8734398d4">Georgia state</a>&nbsp;cases concerning Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss — are not positioned to go to trial before the November election.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715113495617.png" alt="-Photo of Trump and Stormy Daniels entered into evidence released by the New York State Court System&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>-Photo of Trump and Stormy Daniels entered into evidence released by the New York State Court System&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The judge in Donald Trump's hush money trial is pushing back a date for a key ruling on presidential immunity until two days before Trump's scheduled sentencing.The immunity decision had been due Sept. 6, with the sentencing set for Sept. 18. But then Trump’s lawyers asked Judge Juan M. Merchan last week to rule first on their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gag-order-hush-money-02ed921ed04264766b53e64308d38847">renewed bid to get the judge to step aside from the case</a>.In a letter made public Tuesday, Judge Juan M. Merchan postponed the immunity ruling to Sept. 16 — if it's still needed after he decides next week whether to recuse himself.Merchan said the Republican presidential nominee is still due in court Sept. 18 for “the imposition of sentence or other proceedings as appropriate.”Trump lawyer Todd Blanche and the Manhattan district attorney's office, which is prosecuting the case, declined to comment.A jury&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">found Trump guilty</a>&nbsp;in May of falsifying business records to conceal a deal to pay off porn actor Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. At the time, she was considering going public with a story of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier.Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the repayment as legal expenses. Prosecutors said that was an effort to disguise the true nature of the transactions and the underlying hush money deal.Trump denies Daniels' claim, maintains he did nothing wrong and says the case is politically motivated. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg is a Democrat.Trump's lawyers say the Supreme Court’s July&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">ruling on presidential immunity</a>&nbsp;warrants overturning the May guilty verdict and entirely dismissing the hush money case against Trump. The defense also c&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-new-york-conviction-b67bafcb92b287933c6e6d54fc122117">ontends that the trial was “tainted”</a>&nbsp;by evidence that should not have been allowed under the high court’s ruling, such as testimony from some Trump White House staffers and tweets he sent while president in 2018.The high court's ruling curbs prosecutions of ex-presidents for official acts and restricts prosecutors in pointing to official acts as evidence that a commander in chief’s unofficial actions were illegal.The Manhattan district attorney’s office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25003003-20240724-people-redacted-peoples-mem-opp-defs-post-trial-motion-filed?responsive=1&amp;title=1">maintains that the high court’s opinion “has no bearing”</a>&nbsp;on the hush money case because it involves unofficial acts for which the former president is not immune.Meanwhile, Trump’s lawyers asked Merchan last week, for a third time, to exit the case, saying his daughter’s work for Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign underscores questions about his ability to be impartial. Harris is now the Democratic nominee for president.Merchan rejected two prior recusal requests last year, saying the defense’s concerns were “hypothetical” and based on “innuendos” and “unsupported speculation.”But Trump lawyer Todd Blanche argued that Harris’ entry into the presidential race makes those issues “even more concrete” and said the judge hadn't addressed them in enough detail.The hush money case is one of four criminal prosecutions brought against Trump last year.One federal case, accusing Trump of illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-smith-c66d5ffb7ba86c1b991f95e89bdeba0c">dismissed</a>&nbsp;last month. The Justice Department is appealing.The others —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jack-smith-supreme-court-jan-6-47eebf01d4158ef808d850625df2c89e">federal</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-fani-willis-georgia-election-indictment-5696ed7e49aaa63ba6470bd8734398d4">Georgia state</a>&nbsp;cases concerning Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss — are not positioned to go to trial before the November election.

Judge in Trump's hush money case delays ruling on presidential immunity

SALINA —The Big Lots store at 2450 S 9th Street in Salina is going to close as part of the company plan to close a number of locations across the&nbsp; country. A final closing date for the Salina store has not been announced, according to employees who took phone calls Tuesday.

The discount retailer is working to overcome a drop in sales and significant debt.&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://biglotsinc.gcs-web.com/static-files/60493747-7d71-416b-8037-11e81b444700">Click here to</a> see the company's latest regulatory filing that indicates their plan to close stores.

Six other Big Lots locations in Kansas including Topeka, Shawnee, Wichita, Pittlsburg, Kansas City and Olathe are not on a list of those stores closing, according to the <a href="https://local.biglots.com/ks">company web site.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722958136943.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —The Big Lots store at 2450 S 9th Street in Salina is going to close as part of the company plan to close a number of locations across the&nbsp; country. A final closing date for the Salina store has not been announced, according to employees who took phone calls Tuesday.The discount retailer is working to overcome a drop in sales and significant debt.&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://biglotsinc.gcs-web.com/static-files/60493747-7d71-416b-8037-11e81b444700">Click here to</a> see the company's latest regulatory filing that indicates their plan to close stores.Six other Big Lots locations in Kansas including Topeka, Shawnee, Wichita, Pittlsburg, Kansas City and Olathe are not on a list of those stores closing, according to the <a href="https://local.biglots.com/ks">company web site.</a>

Big Lots will close location in Salina

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita Police Department is seeking the community's help to identify a group of possibly teenagers or individuals in their early twenties, involved in a shooting incident near Exploration Place,&nbsp;300 N McLean Blvd. in Wichita, according to a social media report.

Just before 12:30a.m. on Sunday, there was an exchange of gunshots between the groups, and a bullet struck a glass window at Exploration Place. 

Fortunately, no one was injured, including a group of children at a sleepover event at Exploration Place. Investigators are requesting information from anyone who was in the area around midnight. The individuals pictured below are believed to be directly involved in the incident. It is also believed that a confrontation occurred near the Keeper of the Plains Statue and the South Bridge prior to the shooting taking place.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gang/Felony Assault Section at 268-4407. You can also remain anonymous and contact Crime Stoppers at 267-2111.Case# 24C137017S

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722947154401.png" alt="Photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita Police Department is seeking the community's help to identify a group of possibly teenagers or individuals in their early twenties, involved in a shooting incident near Exploration Place,&nbsp;300 N McLean Blvd. in Wichita, according to a social media report.Just before 12:30a.m. on Sunday, there was an exchange of gunshots between the groups, and a bullet struck a glass window at Exploration Place. Fortunately, no one was injured, including a group of children at a sleepover event at Exploration Place. Investigators are requesting information from anyone who was in the area around midnight. The individuals pictured below are believed to be directly involved in the incident. It is also believed that a confrontation occurred near the Keeper of the Plains Statue and the South Bridge prior to the shooting taking place.Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gang/Felony Assault Section at 268-4407. You can also remain anonymous and contact Crime Stoppers at 267-2111.Case# 24C137017S

Police investigating gunfire at Kansas science museum 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate on Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the decision.

In choosing Walz, she is turning to a Midwestern governor, military veteran and union supporter who helped enact an ambitious Democratic agenda for his state, including sweeping protections for abortion rights and generous aid to families.

Harris hopes to shore up her campaign’s standing across the upper Midwest, a critical region in presidential politics that often serves as a buffer for Democrats seeking the White House. The party remains haunted by Republican Donald Trump’s wins in Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016. Trump lost those states in 2020 but has zeroed in on them as he aims to return to the presidency this year and is expanding his focus to Minnesota.

Walz, 60, is joining Harris during one of the most turbulent periods in modern American politics, promising an unpredictable campaign ahead. Republicans have rallied around Trump after his attempted assassination in July. Just weeks later, President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign, forcing Harris to unify Democrats and consider potential running mates during an exceedingly compressed time frame.

The three people familiar with the decision spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it had not been made public.

Harris, the first Black woman and person of South Asian descent to lead a major party ticket, initially considered nearly a dozen candidates before zeroing in on a handful of serious contenders, all of whom were white men. In landing on Walz, she sided with a low-key partner who has proven himself as a champion for Democratic causes.

Walz has been a strong public advocate for Harris in her campaign against Trump and Vance,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-trump-vance-weird-c54d506d1f533ee7aa455f7b500322c5">labeling the Republicans “just weird”</a>&nbsp;in an interview last month. Democrats have seized on the message and amplified it since then.

During a fundraiser for Harris on Monday in Minneapolis, Walz said: “It wasn’t a slur to call these guys weird. It was an observation.”

Walz, who grew up in the small town of West Point, Nebraska, was a social studies teacher, football coach and union member at Mankato West High School in Minnesota before he got into politics.

He won the first of six terms in Congress in 2006 from a mostly rural southern Minnesota district, and used the office to champion veterans issues. Walz served 24 years in the Army National Guard, rising to command sergeant major, one of the highest enlisted ranks in the military.

He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/gubernatorial-elections-d76b1f843e65411a94c63a611db351b3">ran for governor in 2018</a>&nbsp;on the theme of “One Minnesota” and won by more than 11 points.

As governor, Walz had to find ways to work in his first term with a legislature that was split between a Democratic-controlled House and a Republican-led Senate. Minnesota has a history of divided government, though, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d8ca9192ade847a5b2ee22eeb9b9c7b5">arrangement was surprisingly productive</a>&nbsp;in his first year. But the COVID-19 pandemic hit Minnesota early in his second year, and bipartisan cooperation soon frayed.

Walz relied on emergency powers to lead the state’s response. Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mn-state-wire-coronavirus-pandemic-health-64d2c7c405abcc2ee1335166c3c6bb65">chafed under restrictions</a>&nbsp;that included lockdowns, closing schools and shuttering businesses. They retaliated by firing or forcing out some of his agency heads. But Minnesotans who were stuck at home also got to know Walz better through his frequent afternoon briefings in the early days of the crisis, which were broadcast and streamed statewide.

Walz&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-governor-race-2022-midterm-elections-a2899b6482fa84a6cfd94d5e80b3fa3e">won reelection in 2022</a>&nbsp;by nearly 8 points over his GOP challenger, Dr. Scott Jensen, a physician and vaccine skeptic. Not only did Walz win, Democrats kept control of the House and flipped the Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-legislature-state-governments-government-and-politics-01bbb59df71c6a95379af08adb37b13a">to win the “trifecta” of full control</a>&nbsp;of both chambers and the governor’s office for the first time in eight years. A big reason was the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which held that the Constitution doesn’t include a right to abortion. That hurt Minnesota Republicans, especially among suburban women.

“Tim has been in the news because the country and the world is seeing the guy we love so much,” U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar said Monday.

Ken Martin, Chairman of the Minnesota-Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party said young people he spoke to on the campaign trail were “Walz pilled.”

Walz and other Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-politics-minnesota-state-government-faa5b76b6e8e179bd2da7444a5494f94">went into the 2023 legislative session</a>&nbsp;with an ambitious agenda — and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-minnesota-legislature-state-budgets-government-and-politics-99f78b46d4bd90ccb9f1ce7525f759f9">whopping $17.6 billion budget surplus</a>&nbsp;to help fund it. Their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-governor-budget-ceremony-signing-walz-5eff134a29459d943c0c5863b72d20bc">proudest accomplishments</a>&nbsp;included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-politics-minnesota-state-government-timothy-walz-11c3b1d5269c929e442b979ff1bac73b">sweeping protections</a>&nbsp;for abortion rights that included the elimination of nearly all restrictions Republicans had enacted in prior years, including a 24-hour waiting period and parental consent requirements. They also enacted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-transgender-health-tim-walz-2a702340ec5facdb2bb6496e711facf1">new protections</a>&nbsp;for trans rights,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-transgender-shield-laws-washington-3ee92fd1f821319246313a463edac774">making the state a refuge</a>&nbsp;for families coming from out of state for treatment for trans children.

Their other major accomplishments included tax credits for families with children that were aimed at slashing childhood poverty, as well as universal free school breakfasts and lunches for all students, regardless of family income. They also enacted a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-paid-family-medical-leave-legislature-2f1a16a28bcac2c78f13c86838eb84a9">paid family and medical leave</a>&nbsp;program,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-minnesota-cannabis-legalization-pot-9a92dda1a1025c5b26033a3ad716a004">legalized recreational marijuana</a>&nbsp;for adults and made it easier to vote.

Republicans complained that Walz and his fellow Democrats squandered a surplus that would have been better spent on permanent tax relief for everyone. And they’ve faulted the governor and his administration for lax oversight of pandemic programs that cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Federal prosecutors charged 70 people with defrauding federal food programs that funded meals for kids during the pandemic out of $250 million on Walz’s watch. Known as the Feeding Our Future scandal, it’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-food-fraud-bag-of-cash-8752231fd8c74762209bac8f35a592e4">one of the country’s largest</a>&nbsp;pandemic aid fraud cases. The Office of the Legislative Auditor, a nonpartisan watchdog,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-food-fraud-bag-of-cash-7106883911765bb0c3794fe6196fcf9d">delivered a scathing report</a>&nbsp;in June that said Walz’s Department of Education “failed to act on warning signs,” did not effectively exercise its authority and was ill-prepared to respond.

Republicans still criticize Walz for his response to the sometimes violent unrest that followed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-floyd">murder of George Floyd</a>&nbsp;by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020, which included the torching of a police station.

During a May fundraiser in St. Paul, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-misinformation-election-debate-trump-biden-577507522762aa10f6ee5be3a0ced2bb">repeated his false claim</a>&nbsp;that he was responsible for deploying the National Guard to quell the violence. “The entire city was burning down. ... If you didn’t have me as president, you wouldn’t have Minneapolis today,” Trump said.

It was actually Walz who gave the order, which he issued in response to requests from the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul. But within Minnesota, GOP legislators said both Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey were too slow to act. And there was finger-pointing between Frey and Walz on who was responsible for not activating the Guard faster.

Walz has served often as a Biden-Harris surrogate, and has made increasingly frequent appearances on national television. They’ve included an interview on Fox News that irritated Trump so much that he posted on Truth Social, “They make me fight battles I shouldn’t have to fight.” Walz is also co-chair of the rules committee for the Democratic National Convention. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-governors-meeting-shaky-debate-performance-a87a0c33cf8326ba50f8a41b8aea2d18">he led a White House meeting of Democratic governors</a>&nbsp;with Biden following the president’s disastrous performance in his debate with Trump.

Putting Walz on the ticket could help Democrats hold the state’s 10 electoral votes and bolster the party more broadly in the Midwest. No Republican has won a statewide race in Minnesota since Tim Pawlenty was re-elected governor in 2006, but GOP candidates for attorney general and state auditor came close in 2022.

Trump finished just 1.5 percentage points behind Democrat Hillary Clinton in the state in 2016. While Biden carried Minnesota by more than 7 points in 2020, Trump has taken to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-trump-minnesota-4f7ebfe7a2e1949d38a7c9894616a985">falsely claiming that he won the state</a>&nbsp;last time and can do it again.

Minnesota has produced two vice presidents,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mnopedia.org/person/humphrey-hubert-h-1911-1978">Hubert Humphrey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-minnesota-minneapolis-presidential-elections-jen-psaki-f8ace5b0ee2dc3d5c879ed976c59a6e3">Walter Mondale.</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate on Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the decision.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am proud to announce that I&#39;ve asked <a href="https://twitter.com/Tim_Walz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tim_Walz</a> to be my running mate. As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he&#39;s delivered for working families like his. It&#39;s great to have him on the team. Now let’s get to work. Join us:<a href="https://t.co/W4AE2WlMTj">https://t.co/W4AE2WlMTj</a>&mdash; Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1820828396298879294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In choosing Walz, she is turning to a Midwestern governor, military veteran and union supporter who helped enact an ambitious Democratic agenda for his state, including sweeping protections for abortion rights and generous aid to families.Harris hopes to shore up her campaign’s standing across the upper Midwest, a critical region in presidential politics that often serves as a buffer for Democrats seeking the White House. The party remains haunted by Republican Donald Trump’s wins in Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016. Trump lost those states in 2020 but has zeroed in on them as he aims to return to the presidency this year and is expanding his focus to Minnesota.Walz, 60, is joining Harris during one of the most turbulent periods in modern American politics, promising an unpredictable campaign ahead. Republicans have rallied around Trump after his attempted assassination in July. Just weeks later, President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign, forcing Harris to unify Democrats and consider potential running mates during an exceedingly compressed time frame.The three people familiar with the decision spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it had not been made public.Harris, the first Black woman and person of South Asian descent to lead a major party ticket, initially considered nearly a dozen candidates before zeroing in on a handful of serious contenders, all of whom were white men. In landing on Walz, she sided with a low-key partner who has proven himself as a champion for Democratic causes.Walz has been a strong public advocate for Harris in her campaign against Trump and Vance,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-trump-vance-weird-c54d506d1f533ee7aa455f7b500322c5">labeling the Republicans “just weird”</a>&nbsp;in an interview last month. Democrats have seized on the message and amplified it since then.During a fundraiser for Harris on Monday in Minneapolis, Walz said: “It wasn’t a slur to call these guys weird. It was an observation.”Walz, who grew up in the small town of West Point, Nebraska, was a social studies teacher, football coach and union member at Mankato West High School in Minnesota before he got into politics.He won the first of six terms in Congress in 2006 from a mostly rural southern Minnesota district, and used the office to champion veterans issues. Walz served 24 years in the Army National Guard, rising to command sergeant major, one of the highest enlisted ranks in the military.He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/gubernatorial-elections-d76b1f843e65411a94c63a611db351b3">ran for governor in 2018</a>&nbsp;on the theme of “One Minnesota” and won by more than 11 points.As governor, Walz had to find ways to work in his first term with a legislature that was split between a Democratic-controlled House and a Republican-led Senate. Minnesota has a history of divided government, though, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d8ca9192ade847a5b2ee22eeb9b9c7b5">arrangement was surprisingly productive</a>&nbsp;in his first year. But the COVID-19 pandemic hit Minnesota early in his second year, and bipartisan cooperation soon frayed.Walz relied on emergency powers to lead the state’s response. Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mn-state-wire-coronavirus-pandemic-health-64d2c7c405abcc2ee1335166c3c6bb65">chafed under restrictions</a>&nbsp;that included lockdowns, closing schools and shuttering businesses. They retaliated by firing or forcing out some of his agency heads. But Minnesotans who were stuck at home also got to know Walz better through his frequent afternoon briefings in the early days of the crisis, which were broadcast and streamed statewide.Walz&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-governor-race-2022-midterm-elections-a2899b6482fa84a6cfd94d5e80b3fa3e">won reelection in 2022</a>&nbsp;by nearly 8 points over his GOP challenger, Dr. Scott Jensen, a physician and vaccine skeptic. Not only did Walz win, Democrats kept control of the House and flipped the Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-legislature-state-governments-government-and-politics-01bbb59df71c6a95379af08adb37b13a">to win the “trifecta” of full control</a>&nbsp;of both chambers and the governor’s office for the first time in eight years. A big reason was the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which held that the Constitution doesn’t include a right to abortion. That hurt Minnesota Republicans, especially among suburban women.“Tim has been in the news because the country and the world is seeing the guy we love so much,” U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar said Monday.Ken Martin, Chairman of the Minnesota-Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party said young people he spoke to on the campaign trail were “Walz pilled.”Walz and other Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-politics-minnesota-state-government-faa5b76b6e8e179bd2da7444a5494f94">went into the 2023 legislative session</a>&nbsp;with an ambitious agenda — and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-minnesota-legislature-state-budgets-government-and-politics-99f78b46d4bd90ccb9f1ce7525f759f9">whopping $17.6 billion budget surplus</a>&nbsp;to help fund it. Their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-governor-budget-ceremony-signing-walz-5eff134a29459d943c0c5863b72d20bc">proudest accomplishments</a>&nbsp;included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-politics-minnesota-state-government-timothy-walz-11c3b1d5269c929e442b979ff1bac73b">sweeping protections</a>&nbsp;for abortion rights that included the elimination of nearly all restrictions Republicans had enacted in prior years, including a 24-hour waiting period and parental consent requirements. They also enacted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-transgender-health-tim-walz-2a702340ec5facdb2bb6496e711facf1">new protections</a>&nbsp;for trans rights,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-transgender-shield-laws-washington-3ee92fd1f821319246313a463edac774">making the state a refuge</a>&nbsp;for families coming from out of state for treatment for trans children.Their other major accomplishments included tax credits for families with children that were aimed at slashing childhood poverty, as well as universal free school breakfasts and lunches for all students, regardless of family income. They also enacted a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-paid-family-medical-leave-legislature-2f1a16a28bcac2c78f13c86838eb84a9">paid family and medical leave</a>&nbsp;program,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-minnesota-cannabis-legalization-pot-9a92dda1a1025c5b26033a3ad716a004">legalized recreational marijuana</a>&nbsp;for adults and made it easier to vote.Republicans complained that Walz and his fellow Democrats squandered a surplus that would have been better spent on permanent tax relief for everyone. And they’ve faulted the governor and his administration for lax oversight of pandemic programs that cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.Federal prosecutors charged 70 people with defrauding federal food programs that funded meals for kids during the pandemic out of $250 million on Walz’s watch. Known as the Feeding Our Future scandal, it’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-food-fraud-bag-of-cash-8752231fd8c74762209bac8f35a592e4">one of the country’s largest</a>&nbsp;pandemic aid fraud cases. The Office of the Legislative Auditor, a nonpartisan watchdog,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-food-fraud-bag-of-cash-7106883911765bb0c3794fe6196fcf9d">delivered a scathing report</a>&nbsp;in June that said Walz’s Department of Education “failed to act on warning signs,” did not effectively exercise its authority and was ill-prepared to respond.Republicans still criticize Walz for his response to the sometimes violent unrest that followed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-floyd">murder of George Floyd</a>&nbsp;by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020, which included the torching of a police station.During a May fundraiser in St. Paul, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-misinformation-election-debate-trump-biden-577507522762aa10f6ee5be3a0ced2bb">repeated his false claim</a>&nbsp;that he was responsible for deploying the National Guard to quell the violence. “The entire city was burning down. ... If you didn’t have me as president, you wouldn’t have Minneapolis today,” Trump said.It was actually Walz who gave the order, which he issued in response to requests from the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul. But within Minnesota, GOP legislators said both Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey were too slow to act. And there was finger-pointing between Frey and Walz on who was responsible for not activating the Guard faster.Walz has served often as a Biden-Harris surrogate, and has made increasingly frequent appearances on national television. They’ve included an interview on Fox News that irritated Trump so much that he posted on Truth Social, “They make me fight battles I shouldn’t have to fight.” Walz is also co-chair of the rules committee for the Democratic National Convention. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-governors-meeting-shaky-debate-performance-a87a0c33cf8326ba50f8a41b8aea2d18">he led a White House meeting of Democratic governors</a>&nbsp;with Biden following the president’s disastrous performance in his debate with Trump.Putting Walz on the ticket could help Democrats hold the state’s 10 electoral votes and bolster the party more broadly in the Midwest. No Republican has won a statewide race in Minnesota since Tim Pawlenty was re-elected governor in 2006, but GOP candidates for attorney general and state auditor came close in 2022.Trump finished just 1.5 percentage points behind Democrat Hillary Clinton in the state in 2016. While Biden carried Minnesota by more than 7 points in 2020, Trump has taken to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-trump-minnesota-4f7ebfe7a2e1949d38a7c9894616a985">falsely claiming that he won the state</a>&nbsp;last time and can do it again.Minnesota has produced two vice presidents,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mnopedia.org/person/humphrey-hubert-h-1911-1978">Hubert Humphrey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-minnesota-minneapolis-presidential-elections-jen-psaki-f8ace5b0ee2dc3d5c879ed976c59a6e3">Walter Mondale.</a>

Harris selects Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as running mate

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly mass shooting in Kansas City have identified the man who died as 31-year-oldDyamund Shields, 31, according to Kansas City Police.

Just after 2a.m. Monday, police on patrol near&nbsp; 70th St. and Gregory Boulevard in Kansas City heard gunshots, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

A gunshot victim&nbsp; contacted the officers and was rushed to a nearby hospital.&nbsp; First responders found another shooting victim a short distance away who was pronounced deceased, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Investigators determined a large gathering turned violent following an argument between people in attendance. Several people engaged in gunfire, leaving behind dozens of bullet casings lying in the street.

Police have not reported how many people in total were there at the gathering, how many people had guns, and how many people fired shots.

EMS and private vehicles transported six to area hospitals, according to Gonzalez. She did not have details on the extent or type of injuries.

Police did not have anyone in custody and have not reported suspect information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722853365490.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly mass shooting in Kansas City have identified the man who died as 31-year-oldDyamund Shields, 31, according to Kansas City Police.Just after 2a.m. Monday, police on patrol near&nbsp; 70th St. and Gregory Boulevard in Kansas City heard gunshots, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.A gunshot victim&nbsp; contacted the officers and was rushed to a nearby hospital.&nbsp; First responders found another shooting victim a short distance away who was pronounced deceased, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722853345249.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators determined a large gathering turned violent following an argument between people in attendance. Several people engaged in gunfire, leaving behind dozens of bullet casings lying in the street.Police have not reported how many people in total were there at the gathering, how many people had guns, and how many people fired shots.No kids were present and involved.EMS and private vehicles transported six to area hospitals, according to Gonzalez. She did not have details on the extent or type of injuries.Police did not have anyone in custody and have not reported suspect information.

Police ID victim in Kansas City gunfight at large gathering

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An open congressional seat in eastern Kansas inspired two political comeback attempts in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-primary-house-laturner-davids-160f9a2dfe0b55d0618da13148d34036">the state's primary</a>&nbsp;Tuesday, one from the last Democrat to hold it and the other from a former Republican attorney general who lost the 2022 governor's race.

Three-term former Attorney General Derek Schmidt has&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/112855153622265196">former President Donald Trump's endorsement</a>&nbsp;in a five-candidate GOP contest in the 2nd District. His two most formidable opponents were Shawn Tiffany, a rancher, and Jeff Kahrs, a top regional health official during Trump's administration.

The Democratic race pits former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, who held the seat in 2007 and 2008, against Matt Kleinmann, a community health advocate and member of the 2008 national champion University of Kansas men's basketball team. Boyda has positioned herself toward the political center, riling some party activists.

The district's two-term GOP incumbent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-republican-laturner-retiring-4b080bfe5bd79168c44f6690dc892762">Jake LaTurner</a>&nbsp;is not running again.

Republican voters would also be settling contested primaries in two other districts where incumbents are seeking reelection.

In the Kansas City-area 3rd District, physician Prasanth Reddy faces small business owner Karen Crnkovich for the right to challenge three-term U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the only Democrat in the state's congressional delegation.

In the 1st District, which includes western Kansas, two-term U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann was expected to prevail over Eric Bloom, a farmer and real estate investor.

There also were contested primaries in some of the 40 state Senate and 125 state House districts, and for offices in Kansas' 105 counties. Polls remain open across the state from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

In the 2nd Congressional District, many Republicans saw Schmidt as the leading candidate even before Trump's “Complete and Total” social media endorsement, thanks to Schmidt's name recognition from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-donald-trump-kansas-topeka-39afdff811fd2f30a212036d5ec6e3fa">his narrow loss</a>&nbsp;in 2022 to incumbent Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

The former president called Schmidt an “An America First Patriot" and added, “HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Still, Kahrs has boasted that Trump chose him to be a regional director at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and was a district director and senior adviser for LaTurner. Kahrs' campaign touted him as a “conservative warrior,” playing on doubts from the hard right that have swirled around Schmidt throughout his two decades in elective politics.

“I'm the only tested conservative in this race,” Kahrs said during a candidate forum broadcast by Topeka-area public television's KTWU, an event Schmidt skipped.

Tiffany ran as a political outsider, often donning a cowboy hat during public appearances. In a mid-July forum on WIBW-TV in Topeka, he said the “radical left” has attacked the American dream and that "politicians — career politicians — have done nothing to stand in the gap on our behalf.”

In the Democratic race, Boyda supported LGBTQ+ rights generally but said she opposes allowing transgender girls and women to play on female sports teams. She also called on President Joe Biden to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-2024-ending-race-be10da43b9447ef1230c178b15c4760a">end his race</a>&nbsp;for reelection the day after his disastrous debate performance,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-debate-age-democrats-b93d7ffaad75fd423ea3953fe16287f0">well before other Democrats</a>.

In a KTWU-TV forum last week, Boyda defended running a center-oriented, “general election” campaign from the start. She pointed to Democrats' 10 losses in a row since her lone 2006 victory. Eight were by 14 percentage points or more.

“Quite honestly, a lot of the 2nd District is not going to trust a Democrat going to Washington, D.C.," she said. “They want to make sure that you are moderate and that you are independent.”

But Boyda's stance on transgender athletes drew immediate criticism, with Kansas Young Democrats calling it “disgraceful"&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KansasYoungDems/status/1805711357536354440">on X.</a>

“I believe that Democrats deserve to have a voice,” Kleinmann, Boyda’s opponent in the primary, said during last week's forum. “Some of the bravest people I know in Kansas are Democrats in a very red district because they're fighting for Kansas values, and that's the values I want to defend in Congress.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722083240118.png" alt="File photo&nbsp; by Tim Carpenter" />
 <figcaption>File photo&nbsp; by Tim Carpenter</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An open congressional seat in eastern Kansas inspired two political comeback attempts in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-primary-house-laturner-davids-160f9a2dfe0b55d0618da13148d34036">the state's primary</a>&nbsp;Tuesday, one from the last Democrat to hold it and the other from a former Republican attorney general who lost the 2022 governor's race.Three-term former Attorney General Derek Schmidt has&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/112855153622265196">former President Donald Trump's endorsement</a>&nbsp;in a five-candidate GOP contest in the 2nd District. His two most formidable opponents were Shawn Tiffany, a rancher, and Jeff Kahrs, a top regional health official during Trump's administration.The Democratic race pits former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, who held the seat in 2007 and 2008, against Matt Kleinmann, a community health advocate and member of the 2008 national champion University of Kansas men's basketball team. Boyda has positioned herself toward the political center, riling some party activists.The district's two-term GOP incumbent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-republican-laturner-retiring-4b080bfe5bd79168c44f6690dc892762">Jake LaTurner</a>&nbsp;is not running again.Republican voters would also be settling contested primaries in two other districts where incumbents are seeking reelection.In the Kansas City-area 3rd District, physician Prasanth Reddy faces small business owner Karen Crnkovich for the right to challenge three-term U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the only Democrat in the state's congressional delegation.In the 1st District, which includes western Kansas, two-term U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann was expected to prevail over Eric Bloom, a farmer and real estate investor.There also were contested primaries in some of the 40 state Senate and 125 state House districts, and for offices in Kansas' 105 counties. Polls remain open across the state from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.In the 2nd Congressional District, many Republicans saw Schmidt as the leading candidate even before Trump's “Complete and Total” social media endorsement, thanks to Schmidt's name recognition from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-donald-trump-kansas-topeka-39afdff811fd2f30a212036d5ec6e3fa">his narrow loss</a>&nbsp;in 2022 to incumbent Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.The former president called Schmidt an “An America First Patriot" and added, “HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”Still, Kahrs has boasted that Trump chose him to be a regional director at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and was a district director and senior adviser for LaTurner. Kahrs' campaign touted him as a “conservative warrior,” playing on doubts from the hard right that have swirled around Schmidt throughout his two decades in elective politics.“I'm the only tested conservative in this race,” Kahrs said during a candidate forum broadcast by Topeka-area public television's KTWU, an event Schmidt skipped.Tiffany ran as a political outsider, often donning a cowboy hat during public appearances. In a mid-July forum on WIBW-TV in Topeka, he said the “radical left” has attacked the American dream and that "politicians — career politicians — have done nothing to stand in the gap on our behalf.”In the Democratic race, Boyda supported LGBTQ+ rights generally but said she opposes allowing transgender girls and women to play on female sports teams. She also called on President Joe Biden to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-2024-ending-race-be10da43b9447ef1230c178b15c4760a">end his race</a>&nbsp;for reelection the day after his disastrous debate performance,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-debate-age-democrats-b93d7ffaad75fd423ea3953fe16287f0">well before other Democrats</a>.In a KTWU-TV forum last week, Boyda defended running a center-oriented, “general election” campaign from the start. She pointed to Democrats' 10 losses in a row since her lone 2006 victory. Eight were by 14 percentage points or more.“Quite honestly, a lot of the 2nd District is not going to trust a Democrat going to Washington, D.C.," she said. “They want to make sure that you are moderate and that you are independent.”But Boyda's stance on transgender athletes drew immediate criticism, with Kansas Young Democrats calling it “disgraceful"&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KansasYoungDems/status/1805711357536354440">on X.</a>“I believe that Democrats deserve to have a voice,” Kleinmann, Boyda’s opponent in the primary, said during last week's forum. “Some of the bravest people I know in Kansas are Democrats in a very red district because they're fighting for Kansas values, and that's the values I want to defend in Congress.”

Kansas sees 2 political comeback bids in primary for open congressional seat

HARPER COUNTY —On Saturday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Harper, Kansas, man.

&nbsp;David L. Reese, 73,&nbsp;&nbsp;is believed to be driving a white Chevy Silverado bearing Kansas tag 885NEW.

On Monday, the Barber County Sheriff's Office with other law enforcement entities, fire departments and volunteers covered over 700 square miles within an 8-hour time frame, until the sun went down searching for Reese.&nbsp; Authorities covered more than half of Barber County from Sharon to Aetna, where eyewitnesses have reported seeing Reese.  No signs of him or his possible route were discovered, according to the sheriff's office.

Reese was last seen on Thursday evening, Aug. 1, but investigators believe he was driving southbound on U.S. Highway 281 near Medicine Lodge, on Friday morning around 7:40 a.m.

 Reese is a white male who is 5-feet-11 inches tall and weighs around 250 pounds. He has brown eyes, a white beard, and is balding. 

He may be traveling with a chocolate Labrador retriever, and is likely wearing a baseball cap. Reese has diabetes, anxiety, and a condition impairing cognition and memory. 

If you see David Reese or his vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call the Harper Police Department at (620) 842-3830.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722706150273.png" alt="David Reese courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>David Reese courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>HARPER COUNTY —On Saturday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Harper, Kansas, man.&nbsp;David L. Reese, 73,&nbsp;&nbsp;is believed to be driving a white Chevy Silverado bearing Kansas tag 885NEW.On Monday, the Barber County Sheriff's Office with other law enforcement entities, fire departments and volunteers covered over 700 square miles within an 8-hour time frame, until the sun went down searching for Reese.&nbsp; Authorities covered more than half of Barber County from Sharon to Aetna, where eyewitnesses have reported seeing Reese. No signs of him or his possible route were discovered, according to the sheriff's office.,<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722939061343.png" alt="Photo Barber Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Barber Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Reese was last seen on Thursday evening, Aug. 1, but investigators believe he was driving southbound on U.S. Highway 281 near Medicine Lodge, on Friday morning around 7:40 a.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722939097388.png" alt="Photo Barber Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Barber Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure> Reese is a white male who is 5-feet-11 inches tall and weighs around 250 pounds. He has brown eyes, a white beard, and is balding. He may be traveling with a chocolate Labrador retriever, and is likely wearing a baseball cap. Reese has diabetes, anxiety, and a condition impairing cognition and memory. If you see David Reese or his vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call the Harper Police Department at (620) 842-3830.

Silver Alert: Kan. man still missing after 700 square mile search

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities captured one suspect after a high-speed chase in Leavenworth County.

A pursuit was initiated in Tonganoxie, reference a vehicle that failed to yield on traffic issues, according to Leavenworth County Undersheriff Major James Sherley.

Law enforcement lost sight of the subject's vehicle and it was soon &nbsp;located near Basehor, Kansas. 

Deputies pursued the vehicle into Wyandotte County where the car struck a curb and became disabled. Several subjects ran from the vehicle. Deputies took one subject into custody and looked for the others with the help of Kansas City Kansas police and Bonner Springs PD K-9.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Charges are referred to the Leavenworth County Attorney’s office. The name of the suspect has not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722887045525.png" alt="Police on the scene of the search early Monday-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the search early Monday-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities captured one suspect after a high-speed chase in Leavenworth County.A pursuit was initiated in Tonganoxie, reference a vehicle that failed to yield on traffic issues, according to Leavenworth County Undersheriff Major James Sherley.Law enforcement lost sight of the subject's vehicle and it was soon &nbsp;located near Basehor, Kansas. Deputies pursued the vehicle into Wyandotte County where the car struck a curb and became disabled. Several subjects ran from the vehicle. Deputies took one subject into custody and looked for the others with the help of Kansas City Kansas police and Bonner Springs PD K-9.&nbsp;&nbsp;Charges are referred to the Leavenworth County Attorney’s office. The name of the suspect has not been released.

One suspect captured after Kansas high-speed pursuit

WASHINGTON (AP) — Several U.S. personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack at a military base in Iraq, U.S. defense officials said Monday, in what has been a recent uptick in strikes on American forces.

The attack comes as tensions across the Middle East are spiking following the killings last week of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-strike-beirut-52c2a1711e274859b60daf8d2db3e0e2">senior Hezbollah commander</a>&nbsp;in Lebanon and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-hamas-israel-30968a7acb31cd8b259de9650014b779">Hamas’ top political leader</a>&nbsp;in Iran.

The U.S. defense officials said troops at al-Asad air base were still assessing the damage. Earlier Monday, Iraqi security officials confirmed the attack, but no group has claimed responsibility.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

In recent weeks, Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have resumed launching attacks on bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria after a lull of several months.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722901964987.png" alt="President Joe Biden was briefed on Monday in the Situation Room on developments in the Middle East. He received updates on threats posed by Iran and its proxies, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, and preparations to support Israel should it be attacked again. Biden also discussed the steps the U.S. is taking to defend forces and respond to any attack against U.S. personnel "in a manner and place of our choosing." White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden was briefed on Monday in the Situation Room on developments in the Middle East. He received updates on threats posed by Iran and its proxies, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, and preparations to support Israel should it be attacked again. Biden also discussed the steps the U.S. is taking to defend forces and respond to any attack against U.S. personnel "in a manner and place of our choosing." White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Several U.S. personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack at a military base in Iraq, U.S. defense officials said Monday, in what has been a recent uptick in strikes on American forces.The attack comes as tensions across the Middle East are spiking following the killings last week of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-strike-beirut-52c2a1711e274859b60daf8d2db3e0e2">senior Hezbollah commander</a>&nbsp;in Lebanon and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-hamas-israel-30968a7acb31cd8b259de9650014b779">Hamas’ top political leader</a>&nbsp;in Iran.The U.S. defense officials said troops at al-Asad air base were still assessing the damage. Earlier Monday, Iraqi security officials confirmed the attack, but no group has claimed responsibility.The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.In recent weeks, Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have resumed launching attacks on bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria after a lull of several months.

Biden considers options after U.S. personnel injured in rocket attack in Iraq

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement across the region continue to see criminals take what is not theirs.

 The Kansas City Police Property Crimes detectives are determined to find justice, they reported on social media. Late last week, KCPD asked the public for help to identify the porch pirate.&nbsp; The suspect&nbsp;&nbsp;stole valuables from the Brookside area on July 29.

On Monday, police thanked the public for the tips and reported&nbsp;detectives have identified the suspect, and some valuables have been returned to owner.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722876172397.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement across the region continue to see criminals take what is not theirs. The Kansas City Police Property Crimes detectives are determined to find justice, they reported on social media. Late last week, KCPD asked the public for help to identify the porch pirate.&nbsp; The suspect&nbsp;&nbsp;stole valuables from the Brookside area on July 29.On Monday, police thanked the public for the tips and reported&nbsp;detectives have identified the suspect, and some valuables have been returned to owner.&nbsp;

KCPD identifies porch pirate, some valuables returned to owner

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement in Saline County are investigating a woman accused in a rural Kansas burglary in February involving&nbsp;more than $1,000 in frozen beef and pork on multiple new allegations.

Just after 6:30a.m. August 2, police responded to a reported disturbance involving a woman wielding a hatchet and attempting to break into a home in the 400 Block of Baker Street, according to Saline Police Captain James Feldman.

Officers made contact with 52-year-old Andrea Randecker of Salina. She told police her cell phone had been stolen, and she had tracked it to this area and decided she was going to go into the residence where she thought phone was, according to Feldman.

Randecker allegedly damaged the door and its metal frame with the hatchet.

According to the police report, Randecker admitted that she intended to threaten the individual inside the residence if she gained entry. She was subsequently arrested on requested charges of attempted burglary and criminal damage to property.

In February, sheriff's deputies arrested her in connection with a&nbsp; burglary in the 4700 block of North Woodward Road in rural Saline County.&nbsp; Randecker and an accomplice stole more than $1,000 in frozen beef and pork, according to the Saline County Sheriff's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722722550012.png" alt="Randecker, Andrea Renee" />
 <figcaption>Randecker, Andrea Renee</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement in Saline County are investigating a woman accused in a rural Kansas burglary in February involving&nbsp;more than $1,000 in frozen beef and pork on multiple new allegations.Just after 6:30a.m. August 2, police responded to a reported disturbance involving a woman wielding a hatchet and attempting to break into a home in the 400 Block of Baker Street, according to Saline Police Captain James Feldman.Officers made contact with 52-year-old Andrea Randecker of Salina. She told police her cell phone had been stolen, and she had tracked it to this area and decided she was going to go into the residence where she thought phone was, according to Feldman.Randecker allegedly damaged the door and its metal frame with the hatchet.According to the police report, Randecker admitted that she intended to threaten the individual inside the residence if she gained entry. She was subsequently arrested on requested charges of attempted burglary and criminal damage to property.In February, sheriff's deputies arrested her in connection with a&nbsp; burglary in the 4700 block of North Woodward Road in rural Saline County.&nbsp; Randecker and an accomplice stole more than $1,000 in frozen beef and pork, according to the Saline County Sheriff's office.

Police: Kan. woman attempted to break into home with hatchet

KANSAS CITY —Acting on tips a Drug Task Force recovered a large amount of illegal explosives and drugs at a Northland Kansas City house while serving a search warrant, according to a media release from the Clay County Sheriff's office.

Just after 7a.m. August 2, the STAR (Special Tactics and Response) Team arrested three people in the 6500 block of North Hickory Street in Kansas City.. A search of the home turned up&nbsp; 107 pounds of explosive powder, two pipe bombs,&nbsp; 15 grenades,&nbsp; 20 grams of fentanyl paste,&nbsp; 15 grams of meth,&nbsp; Psychedelic mushrooms, Seven guns, including an Uzi and&nbsp; a large amount of ammunition.

An elementary school-aged child also was in the home. The child is now staying with relatives.

Cory D. Young, 46, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm and child endangerment. He is being held on a bond of $350,000 cash only.

Erika Lahr, 32, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon and child endangerment. She is being held on a bond of $250,000 cash only.

Tammie L. Bindel Cole, 52, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon. She is being held on a bond of $150,000 cash only.

Additional federal charges could be forthcoming related to the explosives and weapons.

This was a joint investigation by the Clay County Drug Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department’s Bomb Squad assisted with the removal and processing of the explosives. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting with the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722708820689.png" alt="Young-photo Clay Co." />
 <figcaption>Young-photo Clay Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Acting on tips a Drug Task Force recovered a large amount of illegal explosives and drugs at a Northland Kansas City house while serving a search warrant, according to a media release from the Clay County Sheriff's office.Just after 7a.m. August 2, the STAR (Special Tactics and Response) Team arrested three people in the 6500 block of North Hickory Street in Kansas City.. A search of the home turned up&nbsp; 107 pounds of explosive powder, two pipe bombs,&nbsp; 15 grenades,&nbsp; 20 grams of fentanyl paste,&nbsp; 15 grams of meth,&nbsp; Psychedelic mushrooms, Seven guns, including an Uzi and&nbsp; a large amount of ammunition.An elementary school-aged child also was in the home. The child is now staying with relatives.Cory D. Young, 46, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm and child endangerment. He is being held on a bond of $350,000 cash only.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722708853161.png" alt="Lahr photo Clay Co." />
 <figcaption>Lahr photo Clay Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Erika Lahr, 32, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon and child endangerment. She is being held on a bond of $250,000 cash only.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722708899567.png" alt="Cole photo Clay Co." />
 <figcaption>Cole photo Clay Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Tammie L. Bindel Cole, 52, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon. She is being held on a bond of $150,000 cash only.Additional federal charges could be forthcoming related to the explosives and weapons.This was a joint investigation by the Clay County Drug Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department’s Bomb Squad assisted with the removal and processing of the explosives. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting with the investigation.

Deputies found pipe bombs, grenades and fentanyl at KC area home

GEARY COUNTY —A Junction City man died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Monday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Toyota Tacoma driven by Robert Mitchell Cleveland, 72, Junction City, was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of East Street. 

The front driver-side tire of the pickup blew. The vehicle veered into the eastbound lane and struck a 2023 Ford Bronco driven by Robert Edward George, 46, Fowler, Colorado,&nbsp; head-on.

Cleveland was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Johnson Funeral Home.&nbsp; EMS transported George and a passenger in the Ford Crystal Challene&nbsp;Cloninger, 48, Canyon City, Colorado, to Stormont Vail. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

GEARY COUNTY —A Junction City man died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Monday in Geary County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Toyota Tacoma driven by Robert Mitchell Cleveland, 72, Junction City, was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of East Street. The front driver-side tire of the pickup blew. The vehicle veered into the eastbound lane and struck a 2023 Ford Bronco driven by Robert Edward George, 46, Fowler, Colorado,&nbsp; head-on.Cleveland was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Johnson Funeral Home.&nbsp; EMS transported George and a passenger in the Ford Crystal Challene&nbsp;Cloninger, 48, Canyon City, Colorado, to Stormont Vail. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after I-70 head-on crash

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — With a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-statue-theft-d3937ca2c3e089fe7505720e619d5682">rebuilt statue of Jackie Robinson in bronze</a>&nbsp;back in Kansas, some of the late baseball icon's biggest fans are breathing a sigh of relief.

The original sculpture depicting Robinson resting a bat on his shoulder was cut off at its ankles in January, leaving only Robinson’s cleats behind at McAdams Park in Wichita, home of urban youth baseball League 42.

The statue is not only a piece of art or even just a tribute to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jackie-robinson">first Black player in Major League Baseball,</a>&nbsp;said Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.

“That statue had become a symbol: a symbol of hope, a symbol of inspiration, of the core values that were part of Jackie’s legacy. Those were fixtures here in the ballpark,” Kendrick said.

He said that made it difficult to explain the statue's theft to the 600 children who play in League 42, which was named after Robinson's uniform with the Brooklyn Dodgers, where Robinson broke Major League Baseball's racial barrier in 1947. Kendrick and others worried the children might lose faith in humanity.

That is until people from across the country stepped up to help replace it six months after thieves&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-beea370b17079ad30092affe6aaea3c1">destroyed the original.</a>

“It reminds us that there has always been more good people in this world than bad people,” Kendrick said. “The minute that you’re ready to give up on people, what happens? The good people in this case literally stepped up to the plate. And it renews your faith in people.”

Little League players and former Major League Baseball players, including All-Stars&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cc-sabathia-honored-in-final-season-at-all-star-game-4ea19a107e184950b05465ce92ae738a">CC Sabathia</a>&nbsp;and Dellin Betances, were set to gather for a ceremony Monday evening to unveil an identical statue now standing in the park where League 42 plays.

The league was met with an outpouring of support and hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations after news of the stolen statue shocked the community and spread across the country. The donations helped fund the replacement statue, as well as improvements to the plaza where it stands, the nonprofit league’s facilities and its programming, said Bob Lutz, its executive director.

The rebuilt statue is identical to the original because the mold was still viable. Dedicated in 2021, it was created by artist John Parsons, a friend of Lutz's who died in 2022.

Firefighters found burned remnants of the original statue five days&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-45c08bbbd29322c05e6136a67f687459">after</a>&nbsp;it disappeared. One man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-statue-theft-arrest-f70fcf6fbc51c275bf6d0e1ac3a75815">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;and will spend about 15 years in prison, although most of that time is related to a burglary that happened a few days after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-beea370b17079ad30092affe6aaea3c1">statue heist.</a>

Ricky Alderete was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-statue-stolen-wichita-league-42-12a991dd637e54c8ee474ff1aa7bc914">sentenced Friday</a>&nbsp;to 18 months and ordered to pay $41,500 restitution for stealing the statue, an act he said stemmed from his addiction to fentanyl.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-statue-theft-cleats-brooklyn-dodgers-df1a8c2350877eb7fc3dbf55087d1688">lonely cleats</a>&nbsp;of the original found a new home at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Robinson played for the Negro Leagues' Kansas City Monarchs before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers. His impact was felt beyond sports; he galvanized the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-entertainment-sports-los-angeles-baseball-d73b75a6965310bfd087c165e93dc0c6">civil rights movement</a>. He died in 1972.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722891041343.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — With a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-statue-theft-d3937ca2c3e089fe7505720e619d5682">rebuilt statue of Jackie Robinson in bronze</a>&nbsp;back in Kansas, some of the late baseball icon's biggest fans are breathing a sigh of relief.The original sculpture depicting Robinson resting a bat on his shoulder was cut off at its ankles in January, leaving only Robinson’s cleats behind at McAdams Park in Wichita, home of urban youth baseball League 42.The statue is not only a piece of art or even just a tribute to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jackie-robinson">first Black player in Major League Baseball,</a>&nbsp;said Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.“That statue had become a symbol: a symbol of hope, a symbol of inspiration, of the core values that were part of Jackie’s legacy. Those were fixtures here in the ballpark,” Kendrick said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722891019727.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>He said that made it difficult to explain the statue's theft to the 600 children who play in League 42, which was named after Robinson's uniform with the Brooklyn Dodgers, where Robinson broke Major League Baseball's racial barrier in 1947. Kendrick and others worried the children might lose faith in humanity.That is until people from across the country stepped up to help replace it six months after thieves&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-beea370b17079ad30092affe6aaea3c1">destroyed the original.</a>“It reminds us that there has always been more good people in this world than bad people,” Kendrick said. “The minute that you’re ready to give up on people, what happens? The good people in this case literally stepped up to the plate. And it renews your faith in people.”Little League players and former Major League Baseball players, including All-Stars&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/cc-sabathia-honored-in-final-season-at-all-star-game-4ea19a107e184950b05465ce92ae738a">CC Sabathia</a>&nbsp;and Dellin Betances, were set to gather for a ceremony Monday evening to unveil an identical statue now standing in the park where League 42 plays.The league was met with an outpouring of support and hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations after news of the stolen statue shocked the community and spread across the country. The donations helped fund the replacement statue, as well as improvements to the plaza where it stands, the nonprofit league’s facilities and its programming, said Bob Lutz, its executive director.The rebuilt statue is identical to the original because the mold was still viable. Dedicated in 2021, it was created by artist John Parsons, a friend of Lutz's who died in 2022.Firefighters found burned remnants of the original statue five days&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-45c08bbbd29322c05e6136a67f687459">after</a>&nbsp;it disappeared. One man&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-statue-theft-arrest-f70fcf6fbc51c275bf6d0e1ac3a75815">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;and will spend about 15 years in prison, although most of that time is related to a burglary that happened a few days after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-beea370b17079ad30092affe6aaea3c1">statue heist.</a>Ricky Alderete was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-statue-stolen-wichita-league-42-12a991dd637e54c8ee474ff1aa7bc914">sentenced Friday</a>&nbsp;to 18 months and ordered to pay $41,500 restitution for stealing the statue, an act he said stemmed from his addiction to fentanyl.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706214143377.png" alt="City of Wichita" />
 <figcaption>City of Wichita</figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-statue-theft-cleats-brooklyn-dodgers-df1a8c2350877eb7fc3dbf55087d1688">lonely cleats</a>&nbsp;of the original found a new home at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.Robinson played for the Negro Leagues' Kansas City Monarchs before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers. His impact was felt beyond sports; he galvanized the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-entertainment-sports-los-angeles-baseball-d73b75a6965310bfd087c165e93dc0c6">civil rights movement</a>. He died in 1972.----------

Rebuilt Jackie Robinson statue returns to Kansas after original was stolen

WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge on Monday ruled that Google's ubiquitous search engine has been illegally exploiting its dominance to squash competition and stifle innovation in a seismic decision that could shake up the internet and hobble one of the world's best-known companies.

The highly anticipated decision issued by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta comes nearly a year after the start of a trial pitting the U.S. Justice Department against Google in the country's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-antitrust-trial-search-engine-justice-department-2cfb06271455c7e12c4927959061e832">biggest antitrust showdown in a quarter century.</a>

After reviewing reams of evidence that included testimony from top executives at Google, Microsoft and Apple during last year's 10-week trial, Mehta issued his potentially market-shifting decision three months after the two sides presented&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-antitrust-closings-trial-monopoly-aa1c5b9f859e9428aec15bb0a61bcaa8">their closing arguments in early May.</a>

“After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly," Mehta wrote in his 277-page ruling.

It represents a major setback for Google and its parent, Alphabet Inc., which had steadfastly argued that its popularity stemmed from consumers' overwhelming desire to use a search engine so good at what it does that it has become synonymous with looking things up online. Google's search engine currently processes an estimated 8.5 billion queries per day worldwide, nearly doubling its daily volume from 12 years ago, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bondcap.com/report/pdf/AI_Education.pdf">a recent study</a>&nbsp;released by the investment firm BOND.

Google almost certainly will appeal the decision in a process that ultimately may land in the U.S. Supreme Court.

For now, the decision vindicates antitrust regulators at the Justice Department, which filed its lawsuit nearly four years ago while Donald Trump was still president, and has been escalating it efforts to rein in Big Tech’s power during President Joe Biden’s administration.

“This victory against Google is an historic win for the American people,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “No company — no matter how large or influential — is above the law. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce our antitrust laws.”

The case depicted Google as a technological bully that methodically has thwarted competition to protect a search engine that has become the centerpiece of a digital advertising machine that generated nearly $240 billion in revenue last year. Justice Department lawyers argued that Google's monopoly enabled it to charge advertisers artificially high prices while also enjoying the luxury of not having to invest more time and money into improving the quality of its search engine — a lax approach that hurt consumers.

As expected, Mehta's ruling focused on the billions of dollars Google spends every year to install its search engine as the default option on new cellphones and tech gadgets. In 2021 alone, Google spent more than $26 billion to lock in those default agreements, Mehta said in his ruling.

Google ridiculed those allegations, noting that consumers have historically changed search engines when they become disillusioned with the results they were getting. For instance, Yahoo — now a minor player on the internet — was the most popular search engine during the 1990s before Google came along.

Mehta said the evidence at trial showed the importance of the default settings. He noted that Microsoft's Bing search engine has 80% share of the search market on the Microsoft Edge browser. The judge said that shows other search engines can be successful if Google is not locked in as the predetermined default option.

“Advertisers consistently testified that shifting significant ad spending from Google to Bing would be ineffective (and unwise) because of Bing’s lack of scale,” Mehta wrote.

Still, Mehta credited the quality of Google's product as an important part of its dominance, as well, saying flatly that "Google is widely recognized as the best (general search engine) available in the United States.”

Mehta's conclusion that Google has been running an illegal monopoly sets up another legal phase to determine what sorts of changes or penalties should be imposed to reverse the damage done and restore a more competitive landscape.

“The court confirmed what almost everyone in the industry already knew: that Google is a monopoly and is abusing its power to harm consumers and enrich itself,” said Roger Alford, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame.

The potential outcome could result in a wide-ranging order requiring Google to dismantle some of the pillars of its internet empire or prevent it from shelling out billions annually to ensure its search engine automatically answers queries on the iPhone and other internet-connected devices. After the next phase, the judge could conclude only modest changes are required to level the playing field.

“Google’s loss in its search antitrust trial could be a huge deal—depending on the remedy,” said eMarketer senior analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf. “A forced divestiture of the search business would sever Alphabet from its largest source of revenue. But even losing its capacity to strike exclusive default agreements could be detrimental for Google. Its ubiquity is its biggest strength, especially as competition heats up among AI-powered search alternatives.”

Regardless she added, a drawn-out appeals process will delay any immediate effects for both consumers and advertisers.

If there is a significant shakeup, it could turn out to be a coup for Microsoft, whose own power was undermined during the late 1990s when the Justice Department targeted the software maker in an antitrust lawsuit accusing it of abusing the dominance of its Windows operating system on personal computers to lock out competition.

That Microsoft case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-antitrust-microsoft-doj-6a800b51cc9b6b1c4d1b23bad4510040">mirrored the one brought against Google</a>&nbsp;in several ways and now the result could also echo similarly. Just as Microsoft's bruising antitrust battle created distractions and obstacles that opened up more opportunities for Google after its 1998 inception, the decision against Google could be a boon for Microsoft, which already has a market value of more than $3 trillion. At one time, Alphabet was worth more than Microsoft, but now trails its rival with a market value of about $2 trillion.

Besides boosting Microsoft's Bing search engine, the outcome could hurt Google at a critical pivot point that is tilting technology in the age of artificial intelligence. Both Microsoft and Google are among the early leaders in AI in a battle that now could be affected by Mehta's market-rattling decision.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was one of the Justice Department's star witnesses during the testimony that covered his frustration with Google deals with the likes of Apple that made it nearly impossible for the Bing search engine to make any headway, even as Microsoft poured more than $100 billion in improvements since 2009.

“You get up in the morning, you brush your teeth and you search on Google,” Nadella said at one point in his testimony. “Everybody talks about the open web, but there is really the Google web.”

Nadella also expressed fear that it might take an antitrust crackdown to ensure the situation didn't get worse&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-search-ai-overviews-internet-traffic-ebb6bbbde17ed29a5f7b630d9e5e285b">as AI becomes a bigger force in search</a>.

“Despite my enthusiasm that there is a new angle with A.I., I worry a lot that this vicious cycle that I’m trapped in could get even more vicious,” Nadella said on the stand.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668444743855.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge on Monday ruled that Google's ubiquitous search engine has been illegally exploiting its dominance to squash competition and stifle innovation in a seismic decision that could shake up the internet and hobble one of the world's best-known companies.The highly anticipated decision issued by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta comes nearly a year after the start of a trial pitting the U.S. Justice Department against Google in the country's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-antitrust-trial-search-engine-justice-department-2cfb06271455c7e12c4927959061e832">biggest antitrust showdown in a quarter century.</a>After reviewing reams of evidence that included testimony from top executives at Google, Microsoft and Apple during last year's 10-week trial, Mehta issued his potentially market-shifting decision three months after the two sides presented&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-antitrust-closings-trial-monopoly-aa1c5b9f859e9428aec15bb0a61bcaa8">their closing arguments in early May.</a>“After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly," Mehta wrote in his 277-page ruling.It represents a major setback for Google and its parent, Alphabet Inc., which had steadfastly argued that its popularity stemmed from consumers' overwhelming desire to use a search engine so good at what it does that it has become synonymous with looking things up online. Google's search engine currently processes an estimated 8.5 billion queries per day worldwide, nearly doubling its daily volume from 12 years ago, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bondcap.com/report/pdf/AI_Education.pdf">a recent study</a>&nbsp;released by the investment firm BOND.Google almost certainly will appeal the decision in a process that ultimately may land in the U.S. Supreme Court.For now, the decision vindicates antitrust regulators at the Justice Department, which filed its lawsuit nearly four years ago while Donald Trump was still president, and has been escalating it efforts to rein in Big Tech’s power during President Joe Biden’s administration.“This victory against Google is an historic win for the American people,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “No company — no matter how large or influential — is above the law. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce our antitrust laws.”The case depicted Google as a technological bully that methodically has thwarted competition to protect a search engine that has become the centerpiece of a digital advertising machine that generated nearly $240 billion in revenue last year. Justice Department lawyers argued that Google's monopoly enabled it to charge advertisers artificially high prices while also enjoying the luxury of not having to invest more time and money into improving the quality of its search engine — a lax approach that hurt consumers.As expected, Mehta's ruling focused on the billions of dollars Google spends every year to install its search engine as the default option on new cellphones and tech gadgets. In 2021 alone, Google spent more than $26 billion to lock in those default agreements, Mehta said in his ruling.Google ridiculed those allegations, noting that consumers have historically changed search engines when they become disillusioned with the results they were getting. For instance, Yahoo — now a minor player on the internet — was the most popular search engine during the 1990s before Google came along.Mehta said the evidence at trial showed the importance of the default settings. He noted that Microsoft's Bing search engine has 80% share of the search market on the Microsoft Edge browser. The judge said that shows other search engines can be successful if Google is not locked in as the predetermined default option.“Advertisers consistently testified that shifting significant ad spending from Google to Bing would be ineffective (and unwise) because of Bing’s lack of scale,” Mehta wrote.Still, Mehta credited the quality of Google's product as an important part of its dominance, as well, saying flatly that "Google is widely recognized as the best (general search engine) available in the United States.”Mehta's conclusion that Google has been running an illegal monopoly sets up another legal phase to determine what sorts of changes or penalties should be imposed to reverse the damage done and restore a more competitive landscape.“The court confirmed what almost everyone in the industry already knew: that Google is a monopoly and is abusing its power to harm consumers and enrich itself,” said Roger Alford, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame.The potential outcome could result in a wide-ranging order requiring Google to dismantle some of the pillars of its internet empire or prevent it from shelling out billions annually to ensure its search engine automatically answers queries on the iPhone and other internet-connected devices. After the next phase, the judge could conclude only modest changes are required to level the playing field.“Google’s loss in its search antitrust trial could be a huge deal—depending on the remedy,” said eMarketer senior analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf. “A forced divestiture of the search business would sever Alphabet from its largest source of revenue. But even losing its capacity to strike exclusive default agreements could be detrimental for Google. Its ubiquity is its biggest strength, especially as competition heats up among AI-powered search alternatives.”Regardless she added, a drawn-out appeals process will delay any immediate effects for both consumers and advertisers.If there is a significant shakeup, it could turn out to be a coup for Microsoft, whose own power was undermined during the late 1990s when the Justice Department targeted the software maker in an antitrust lawsuit accusing it of abusing the dominance of its Windows operating system on personal computers to lock out competition.That Microsoft case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-antitrust-microsoft-doj-6a800b51cc9b6b1c4d1b23bad4510040">mirrored the one brought against Google</a>&nbsp;in several ways and now the result could also echo similarly. Just as Microsoft's bruising antitrust battle created distractions and obstacles that opened up more opportunities for Google after its 1998 inception, the decision against Google could be a boon for Microsoft, which already has a market value of more than $3 trillion. At one time, Alphabet was worth more than Microsoft, but now trails its rival with a market value of about $2 trillion.Besides boosting Microsoft's Bing search engine, the outcome could hurt Google at a critical pivot point that is tilting technology in the age of artificial intelligence. Both Microsoft and Google are among the early leaders in AI in a battle that now could be affected by Mehta's market-rattling decision.Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was one of the Justice Department's star witnesses during the testimony that covered his frustration with Google deals with the likes of Apple that made it nearly impossible for the Bing search engine to make any headway, even as Microsoft poured more than $100 billion in improvements since 2009.“You get up in the morning, you brush your teeth and you search on Google,” Nadella said at one point in his testimony. “Everybody talks about the open web, but there is really the Google web.”Nadella also expressed fear that it might take an antitrust crackdown to ensure the situation didn't get worse&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/google-search-ai-overviews-internet-traffic-ebb6bbbde17ed29a5f7b630d9e5e285b">as AI becomes a bigger force in search</a>.“Despite my enthusiasm that there is a new angle with A.I., I worry a lot that this vicious cycle that I’m trapped in could get even more vicious,” Nadella said on the stand.

Judge: Google illegally maintains monopoly over internet search

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal shooting at a homeless camp in Kansas City.

Just after 6a.m. Monday, police responded to a shooting behind a business in the 9800 block of E. US 40 Highway, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchins.

First responders were led into the wooded area behind the business to what appears to be a homeless campsite.There they located an a man unresponsive outside a tent that appeared to have been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Based on information provided by numerous people on scene when officers arrived they took man into custody for more investigation. 

That person remains in custody at this time.

Preliminary investigation indicates the suspect and victim had an interaction at that location that escalated to an altercation which eventually led to shots being fired and the victim being struck.

Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators processed the scene for evidence and talking to the people that were at the location when police arrived. Detectives are not searching for any additional suspects at this time.

Police have not released the name of the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722885644938.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal shooting at a homeless camp in Kansas City.Just after 6a.m. Monday, police responded to a shooting behind a business in the 9800 block of E. US 40 Highway, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchins.First responders were led into the wooded area behind the business to what appears to be a homeless campsite.There they located an a man unresponsive outside a tent that appeared to have been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.Based on information provided by numerous people on scene when officers arrived they took man into custody for more investigation. That person remains in custody at this time.Preliminary investigation indicates the suspect and victim had an interaction at that location that escalated to an altercation which eventually led to shots being fired and the victim being struck.Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators processed the scene for evidence and talking to the people that were at the location when police arrived. Detectives are not searching for any additional suspects at this time.Police have not released the name of the victim.