TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge ruled Thursday that Kansas officials are no longer required to change transgender people’s birth certificates so the documents reflect their gender identities, a loss for those who fought for that ability and leaves questions on how the state will respond.

Since 2019, a federal consent agreement required Kansas officials to change a person's gender identity on their birth certificate when asked. But Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach asked the court to stop enforcing that agreement because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-transgender-birth-certificates-f9723de7460ab5fe71b3e80ba7854046">a new state law</a>&nbsp;that defines male and female as the sex assigned at birth.

Judge Daniel Crabtree granted Kobach’s request and changed the federal agreement to remove the requirement. However, Crabtree said it will ultimately be up to a state court to decide whether the new law is constitutional. The new law, which took effect July 1, is among efforts nationwide to roll back trans rights.

Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee already bar such birth certificate changes. Kansas is for now among a few states that don’t let trans people change their driver’s licenses to reflect their gender identities. That’s because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-drivers-licenses-kansas-87f3c61cc6286aeffec60b36d99ca962">a separate state-court lawsuit</a>&nbsp;Kobach filed last month.

Luc Bensimon, a Topeka trans man who was one of the original plaintiffs who fought to change their birth certificates, said he was having trouble making sense of Thursday's ruling and wonders whether the state will try to forcefully reverse the gender change on his birth certificate.

“I’m not OK with that,” Bensimon said. “And I don’t really have any words right now. ... It’s just -- I’m not okay with that.”

“I’m pretty upset right now. I’m just trying to figure this out,” Bensimon added.

But his lawyer, Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, said he doesn't think the ruling will have any effect on birth certificates that were already changed — only new ones. And he said it's not clear how Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly will respond and what she will tell state agencies to do.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb180_enrolled.pdf">The Kansas law</a>&nbsp;defines male and female based on a person’s “biological reproductive system,” applying those definitions to any other state law or regulation. The Republican-controlled Legislature enacted it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-bathroom-law-kansas-b3d068afa2bc02bb15314ee04e8e3899">over Kelly’s veto</a>, but she announced shortly before it took effect that birth certificate changes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-law-transgender-birth-certificates-driver-licenses-d5d3631b6e624f24733d0dbdedc9c35e">would continue</a>, citing opinions from attorneys in her administration that they could.

Kelly’s office didn’t immediately respond to the ruling Thursday.

Gonzalez-Pagan said he believes the state agency could continue changing genders on birth certificates unless Kobach goes back to court and gets a separate order telling officials to stop making those changes.

A state court will ultimately decide if the law defining gender will stand.

“The court has genuine misgivings about inserting itself into the dispute about the meaning of the new Kansas law, SB 180," Crabtree said in his ruling. “Absent some issue arising under federal law, a dispute about the meaning of Kansas law belongs in a Kansas state courthouse.”

Crabtree's ruling removes part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/kansas-to-allow-trans-residents-to-change-birth-certificates-7409799fb2a144bca2fd90cd46b7ea6c">2018 settlement</a>&nbsp;Kelly's administration agreed to with four transgender people who challenged a previous Republican no-changes policy. The settlement came only months after Kelly took office in 2019 and required the state to start changing trans people’s birth certificates.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-identities-attacked-bathroom-laws-kansas-e8fc5f209f03f8d55a7491c071283bfb">More than 900 people</a>&nbsp;have done so since.

“The trans activists in this case attempted to nullify state law,” Kobach said. “The court held that SB 180 means what it says — birth certificates in Kansas must reflect biological sex. As long as I am attorney general, the laws of Kansas will be enforced as written. The Legislature decided that birth certificates must reflect biological reality, and they were quite clear in how they wrote the law."

Transgender Kansas residents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-birth-certificates-kansas-4e096d3e020de4b057f04ef2c72b955c">and Kelly</a>&nbsp;argued that refusing to change birth certificates would violate rights protected by the U.S. Constitution, something Crabtree said in his brief order approving the settlement four years ago. Kobach argued that the settlement represented only the views of the parties and the new state law represents a big enough change to nullify the settlement’s requirements.

In the state-court lawsuit over driver’s licenses,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-drivers-licenses-kansas-3ad43a98dd96a8eb5864f6cdc19beffb">a district judge has blocked ID changes</a>&nbsp;until at least Nov. 1.

The new Kansas law was part of a wave of measures rolling back trans rights emerging from Republican-controlled statehouses across the U.S. this year.

The law also declares the state’s interests in protecting people’s privacy, health and safety justifies separate facilities, such as bathrooms and locker rooms, for men and women. Supporters promised that would keep transgender women and girls from using women’s and girls’ facilities — making the law among the nation’s most sweeping bathroom policies — but there is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-bathroom-laws-enforcement-e96e94b8935eb6bd23a42562cdeeec6c">no formal enforcement mechanism</a>.

As for birth certificates, Kobach argued in a recent filing in the federal lawsuit that keeping the full 2019 settlement in place is “explicitly anti-democratic” because it conflicts directly with the new law.

“To hold otherwise would be to render state governments vassals of the federal courts, forever beholden to unchangeable consent agreements entered into by long-gone public officials,” Kobach said.

In 2018, Kelly defeated Kobach, then the Kansas secretary of state, to win her first term as governor. Kobach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-immigration-kansas-topeka-339a45795e1e479b7754e2fc7a8127ed">staged a political comeback</a>&nbsp;by winning the attorney general’s race last year, when Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-donald-trump-kansas-topeka-39afdff811fd2f30a212036d5ec6e3fa">won her second term</a>. Both prevailed by narrow margins.

The transgender Kansas residents who sued the state in 2018 argued that siding with Kobach would allow the state to return to a policy that violated people’s constitutional rights.

In one scathing passage in a recent court filing, their attorneys asked whether Kobach would argue states could ignore the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka ruling in 1954 outlawing racially segregated schools if their lawmakers simply passed a new law ordering segregation.

“The answer is clearly no,” they wrote.

The plaintiffs' attorney, Gonzalez-Pagan, said he's disappointed in the ruling but believes the law will be found unconstitutional.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687829963398.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge ruled Thursday that Kansas officials are no longer required to change transgender people’s birth certificates so the documents reflect their gender identities, a loss for those who fought for that ability and leaves questions on how the state will respond.Since 2019, a federal consent agreement required Kansas officials to change a person's gender identity on their birth certificate when asked. But Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach asked the court to stop enforcing that agreement because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-transgender-birth-certificates-f9723de7460ab5fe71b3e80ba7854046">a new state law</a>&nbsp;that defines male and female as the sex assigned at birth.Judge Daniel Crabtree granted Kobach’s request and changed the federal agreement to remove the requirement. However, Crabtree said it will ultimately be up to a state court to decide whether the new law is constitutional. The new law, which took effect July 1, is among efforts nationwide to roll back trans rights.Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee already bar such birth certificate changes. Kansas is for now among a few states that don’t let trans people change their driver’s licenses to reflect their gender identities. That’s because of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-drivers-licenses-kansas-87f3c61cc6286aeffec60b36d99ca962">a separate state-court lawsuit</a>&nbsp;Kobach filed last month.Luc Bensimon, a Topeka trans man who was one of the original plaintiffs who fought to change their birth certificates, said he was having trouble making sense of Thursday's ruling and wonders whether the state will try to forcefully reverse the gender change on his birth certificate.“I’m not OK with that,” Bensimon said. “And I don’t really have any words right now. ... It’s just -- I’m not okay with that.”“I’m pretty upset right now. I’m just trying to figure this out,” Bensimon added.But his lawyer, Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, said he doesn't think the ruling will have any effect on birth certificates that were already changed — only new ones. And he said it's not clear how Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly will respond and what she will tell state agencies to do.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb180_enrolled.pdf">The Kansas law</a>&nbsp;defines male and female based on a person’s “biological reproductive system,” applying those definitions to any other state law or regulation. The Republican-controlled Legislature enacted it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-bathroom-law-kansas-b3d068afa2bc02bb15314ee04e8e3899">over Kelly’s veto</a>, but she announced shortly before it took effect that birth certificate changes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-law-transgender-birth-certificates-driver-licenses-d5d3631b6e624f24733d0dbdedc9c35e">would continue</a>, citing opinions from attorneys in her administration that they could.Kelly’s office didn’t immediately respond to the ruling Thursday.Gonzalez-Pagan said he believes the state agency could continue changing genders on birth certificates unless Kobach goes back to court and gets a separate order telling officials to stop making those changes.A state court will ultimately decide if the law defining gender will stand.“The court has genuine misgivings about inserting itself into the dispute about the meaning of the new Kansas law, SB 180," Crabtree said in his ruling. “Absent some issue arising under federal law, a dispute about the meaning of Kansas law belongs in a Kansas state courthouse.”Crabtree's ruling removes part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/kansas-to-allow-trans-residents-to-change-birth-certificates-7409799fb2a144bca2fd90cd46b7ea6c">2018 settlement</a>&nbsp;Kelly's administration agreed to with four transgender people who challenged a previous Republican no-changes policy. The settlement came only months after Kelly took office in 2019 and required the state to start changing trans people’s birth certificates.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-identities-attacked-bathroom-laws-kansas-e8fc5f209f03f8d55a7491c071283bfb">More than 900 people</a>&nbsp;have done so since.“The trans activists in this case attempted to nullify state law,” Kobach said. “The court held that SB 180 means what it says — birth certificates in Kansas must reflect biological sex. As long as I am attorney general, the laws of Kansas will be enforced as written. The Legislature decided that birth certificates must reflect biological reality, and they were quite clear in how they wrote the law."Transgender Kansas residents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-birth-certificates-kansas-4e096d3e020de4b057f04ef2c72b955c">and Kelly</a>&nbsp;argued that refusing to change birth certificates would violate rights protected by the U.S. Constitution, something Crabtree said in his brief order approving the settlement four years ago. Kobach argued that the settlement represented only the views of the parties and the new state law represents a big enough change to nullify the settlement’s requirements.In the state-court lawsuit over driver’s licenses,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-drivers-licenses-kansas-3ad43a98dd96a8eb5864f6cdc19beffb">a district judge has blocked ID changes</a>&nbsp;until at least Nov. 1.The new Kansas law was part of a wave of measures rolling back trans rights emerging from Republican-controlled statehouses across the U.S. this year.The law also declares the state’s interests in protecting people’s privacy, health and safety justifies separate facilities, such as bathrooms and locker rooms, for men and women. Supporters promised that would keep transgender women and girls from using women’s and girls’ facilities — making the law among the nation’s most sweeping bathroom policies — but there is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-bathroom-laws-enforcement-e96e94b8935eb6bd23a42562cdeeec6c">no formal enforcement mechanism</a>.As for birth certificates, Kobach argued in a recent filing in the federal lawsuit that keeping the full 2019 settlement in place is “explicitly anti-democratic” because it conflicts directly with the new law.“To hold otherwise would be to render state governments vassals of the federal courts, forever beholden to unchangeable consent agreements entered into by long-gone public officials,” Kobach said.In 2018, Kelly defeated Kobach, then the Kansas secretary of state, to win her first term as governor. Kobach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-immigration-kansas-topeka-339a45795e1e479b7754e2fc7a8127ed">staged a political comeback</a>&nbsp;by winning the attorney general’s race last year, when Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-donald-trump-kansas-topeka-39afdff811fd2f30a212036d5ec6e3fa">won her second term</a>. Both prevailed by narrow margins.The transgender Kansas residents who sued the state in 2018 argued that siding with Kobach would allow the state to return to a policy that violated people’s constitutional rights.In one scathing passage in a recent court filing, their attorneys asked whether Kobach would argue states could ignore the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka ruling in 1954 outlawing racially segregated schools if their lawmakers simply passed a new law ordering segregation.“The answer is clearly no,” they wrote.The plaintiffs' attorney, Gonzalez-Pagan, said he's disappointed in the ruling but believes the law will be found unconstitutional.

Judge: Kan. no longer required to change trans people’s birth certificates

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas City woman&nbsp; after learning she has been living off her missing father's Social Security and VA benefits.

On August 25, investigators with the Nye County, Nevada Sheriff's office&nbsp; served a Search Warrant at 3891 Peggy in Pahrump, Nevada to search the property for human remains buried on the property.

Investigators learned that 95-year-old Bruce Brown had not been contacted or seen since April of 2023.

Detectives traveled to Kansas City and interviewed 53-year-old Gennice Walker.  Investigators had already established probable cause that Walker was living off of Brown's Social Security and VA Benefits and had received information that she had buried Brown, her father, in the desert.

Walker refused to cooperate and was arrested in Kansas City on an Arrest Warrant for Larceny.

When investigators returned from Kansas City, a Search Warrant was served at the address on Peggy Avenue.&nbsp; After excavating a small portion of the back yard, deputies located human remains of a man in a home-made coffin under the ground.&nbsp; Autopsy later identified the remains as Bruce Brown. 

Gennice Walker remains jailed in Kansas City prior to extradition  to Nevada.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Nye County Sheriff's Office at 775 751-7000.  You can also remain anonymous by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at 702 385-5555.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693304258750.png" alt="Walker-photo&nbsp; Nye Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Walker-photo&nbsp; Nye Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas City woman&nbsp; after learning she has been living off her missing father's Social Security and VA benefits.On August 25, investigators with the Nye County, Nevada Sheriff's office&nbsp; served a Search Warrant at 3891 Peggy in Pahrump, Nevada to search the property for human remains buried on the property.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693304730646.png" alt="3891 Peggy Ave. in Pahrump, Nevada -Google image" />
 <figcaption>3891 Peggy Ave. in Pahrump, Nevada -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators learned that 95-year-old Bruce Brown had not been contacted or seen since April of 2023.Detectives traveled to Kansas City and interviewed 53-year-old Gennice Walker. Investigators had already established probable cause that Walker was living off of Brown's Social Security and VA Benefits and had received information that she had buried Brown, her father, in the desert.Walker refused to cooperate and was arrested in Kansas City on an Arrest Warrant for Larceny.When investigators returned from Kansas City, a Search Warrant was served at the address on Peggy Avenue.&nbsp; After excavating a small portion of the back yard, deputies located human remains of a man in a home-made coffin under the ground.&nbsp; Autopsy later identified the remains as Bruce Brown. Gennice Walker remains jailed in Kansas City prior to extradition to Nevada.Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Nye County Sheriff's Office at 775 751-7000. You can also remain anonymous by calling CRIMESTOPPERS at 702 385-5555.

Sheriff: KC woman buried father in desert, stole his identity

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge ruled Thursday that the 84-year-old white homeowner who shot a Black teenager after he mistakenly went to the man’s house must stand trial.

Clay County Judge Louis Angles issued the ruling after hearing from several witnesses at a preliminary hearing, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-kansas-city-wrong-door-b27aaabdb132fcb1544c97f7161f0027">Ralph Yarl</a>, the teenager who was shot by Andrew Lester on April 13 when Yarl went to the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers.

Lester, a retired aircraft mechanic, is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He previously pleaded&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/The%20case%20shocked%20the%20country%20and%20renewed%20national%20debates%20about%20gun%20policies%20and%20race%20in%20America.">not guilty</a>&nbsp;in the shooting that shocked the country and renewed national debates about gun policies and race in America. His next court date is an arraignment, scheduled for Sept. 20.

Yarl spoke softly as he testified that he was sent to pick up his twin siblings but had no phone — he'd lost it at school. The house he intended to go to was just blocks from his own home, but he had the street wrong.

Yarl said he rang the bell and the wait for someone to answer seemed “longer than normal,” he said.

As the inner door opened, Yarl said he reached out to grab the storm door.

“I assume these are my brother's friends' parents,” he said.

Instead, it was Lester who told Yarl, “Don't come here ever again,” Yarl recalled. He said he was shot in the head, the impact knocking him to the ground and was then shot in the arm.

Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, said in closing arguments that Lester was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-shooting-stand-your-ground-69f91b0a09b25f9758219897f5890278">acting in self-defense,</a>&nbsp;terrified by the stranger who knocked on his door as he settled into bed for the night.

“With his age and physical infirmity, he is unable to defend himself," Salmon said, describing Lester as distraught after the shooting.

“A terrible event occurred, but it is not criminal," Salmon said.

District Attorney Zachary Thompson said that although Missouri law offers protections for people defending themselves, "You do not have the right to shoot an unarmed kid through a door.”

Kansas City Officer Larry Dunaway described Lester as “an elderly guy who was scared” after the shooting. Another officer, James Gale, said Lester was clearly worried.

“He said he hoped he didn’t kill anybody," Gale testified.

A handful of people wearing shirts that said “Justice for Ralph” were in the courtroom. Others wore shirts that read: “Ringing a doorbell is not a crime.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-senior-year-e76c013d3458fbfe2fd7df8122119c65">Yarl continues to heal</a>&nbsp;from the traumatic brain injury he suffered but was able to complete an engineering internship this summer and just started his senior year in high school. The 17-year-old is planning to major in engineering when he graduates, with several college visits planned for the fall.

Yarl was supposed to pick up his younger brothers but went to the wrong block and mistakenly ended up at Lester's house. Lester told authorities that he shot Yarl through the door without warning because he was “scared to death” he was about to be robbed.

Initially turned away while seeking help at neighboring homes, Yarl stumbled to the street. Neighbor Carol Conrad testified that she was offering words of comfort through her window — a dispatcher had warned that neighbors should stay inside. At one point, he yelled, “I’ve been shot.”

When Yarl crumpled to the ground, three neighbors rushed to help. Jodi Dovel testified that there was a trail of blood, which pooled under his head. But Yarl was able to talk, telling her he went to ring the doorbell and was shot.

“I thought. ‘Oh no, he went to the wrong house,’” Dovel said.

Lester also called 911. On the recoding played in court he could be heard telling a dispatcher, “I shot him. He was at my door trying to get in and I shot him.”

Missouri is one of about 30 states with “stand your ground” laws that allow people to respond with physical force when they are threatened.

Salmon has said that Lester’s home was egged and spray-painted after the shooting. He said Lester has sought law enforcement assistance when traveling, and his wife had to be moved from her nursing home.

Yarl’s father, Paul Yarl, said after the hearing that he was moved hearing the neighbors testify. Some of the details were new to him. He said his son has mainly recovered physically but still struggles psychologically. He relives the night and has bad dreams.

“It was horrible. Blood. Shooting. Nobody wanted to come until police arrived,” he said.

He said he was not frustrated with the bystanders.

“I’m more frustrated with the shooter," Paul Yarl said. "He started it. He didn’t want to talk to the boy. He just shot the boy. And now he tries to play the fear card and he’s afraid. He should be afraid he is going to kill somebody. Come on, now.”

Support for Yarl and his family poured in over the past few months. A GoFundMe set up on the family’s behalf raised nearly $3.5 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681726215314.png" alt="Ralph Yarl photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Ralph Yarl photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge ruled Thursday that the 84-year-old white homeowner who shot a Black teenager after he mistakenly went to the man’s house must stand trial.Clay County Judge Louis Angles issued the ruling after hearing from several witnesses at a preliminary hearing, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-kansas-city-wrong-door-b27aaabdb132fcb1544c97f7161f0027">Ralph Yarl</a>, the teenager who was shot by Andrew Lester on April 13 when Yarl went to the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681844207619.png" alt="Lester photo Clay Co." />
 <figcaption>Lester photo Clay Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Lester, a retired aircraft mechanic, is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He previously pleaded&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/The%20case%20shocked%20the%20country%20and%20renewed%20national%20debates%20about%20gun%20policies%20and%20race%20in%20America.">not guilty</a>&nbsp;in the shooting that shocked the country and renewed national debates about gun policies and race in America. His next court date is an arraignment, scheduled for Sept. 20.Yarl spoke softly as he testified that he was sent to pick up his twin siblings but had no phone — he'd lost it at school. The house he intended to go to was just blocks from his own home, but he had the street wrong.Yarl said he rang the bell and the wait for someone to answer seemed “longer than normal,” he said.As the inner door opened, Yarl said he reached out to grab the storm door.“I assume these are my brother's friends' parents,” he said.Instead, it was Lester who told Yarl, “Don't come here ever again,” Yarl recalled. He said he was shot in the head, the impact knocking him to the ground and was then shot in the arm.Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, said in closing arguments that Lester was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-shooting-stand-your-ground-69f91b0a09b25f9758219897f5890278">acting in self-defense,</a>&nbsp;terrified by the stranger who knocked on his door as he settled into bed for the night.“With his age and physical infirmity, he is unable to defend himself," Salmon said, describing Lester as distraught after the shooting.“A terrible event occurred, but it is not criminal," Salmon said.District Attorney Zachary Thompson said that although Missouri law offers protections for people defending themselves, "You do not have the right to shoot an unarmed kid through a door.”Kansas City Officer Larry Dunaway described Lester as “an elderly guy who was scared” after the shooting. Another officer, James Gale, said Lester was clearly worried.“He said he hoped he didn’t kill anybody," Gale testified.A handful of people wearing shirts that said “Justice for Ralph” were in the courtroom. Others wore shirts that read: “Ringing a doorbell is not a crime.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-senior-year-e76c013d3458fbfe2fd7df8122119c65">Yarl continues to heal</a>&nbsp;from the traumatic brain injury he suffered but was able to complete an engineering internship this summer and just started his senior year in high school. The 17-year-old is planning to major in engineering when he graduates, with several college visits planned for the fall.Yarl was supposed to pick up his younger brothers but went to the wrong block and mistakenly ended up at Lester's house. Lester told authorities that he shot Yarl through the door without warning because he was “scared to death” he was about to be robbed.Initially turned away while seeking help at neighboring homes, Yarl stumbled to the street. Neighbor Carol Conrad testified that she was offering words of comfort through her window — a dispatcher had warned that neighbors should stay inside. At one point, he yelled, “I’ve been shot.”When Yarl crumpled to the ground, three neighbors rushed to help. Jodi Dovel testified that there was a trail of blood, which pooled under his head. But Yarl was able to talk, telling her he went to ring the doorbell and was shot.“I thought. ‘Oh no, he went to the wrong house,’” Dovel said.Lester also called 911. On the recoding played in court he could be heard telling a dispatcher, “I shot him. He was at my door trying to get in and I shot him.”Missouri is one of about 30 states with “stand your ground” laws that allow people to respond with physical force when they are threatened.Salmon has said that Lester’s home was egged and spray-painted after the shooting. He said Lester has sought law enforcement assistance when traveling, and his wife had to be moved from her nursing home.Yarl’s father, Paul Yarl, said after the hearing that he was moved hearing the neighbors testify. Some of the details were new to him. He said his son has mainly recovered physically but still struggles psychologically. He relives the night and has bad dreams.“It was horrible. Blood. Shooting. Nobody wanted to come until police arrived,” he said.He said he was not frustrated with the bystanders.“I’m more frustrated with the shooter," Paul Yarl said. "He started it. He didn’t want to talk to the boy. He just shot the boy. And now he tries to play the fear card and he’s afraid. He should be afraid he is going to kill somebody. Come on, now.”Support for Yarl and his family poured in over the past few months. A GoFundMe set up on the family’s behalf raised nearly $3.5 million.___

Judge: 84-year-old homeowner will go to trial for shooting KC teen

GOVE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Thursday in Gove County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Honda Goldwing driven by&nbsp; Steve Alan&nbsp;Ziegler, 69, Goodland was hauling a trailer eastbound on Interstate 70 four miles west of Kansas 23 in the passing lane.

While merging back into the right lane, the driver lost control and veered toward the median. The vehicle and driver overturned and came to a stop in the median.

Zeigler was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Baalmann Mortuary.

GOVE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 9:30a.m. Thursday in Gove County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Honda Goldwing driven by&nbsp; Steve Alan&nbsp;Ziegler, 69, Goodland was hauling a trailer eastbound on Interstate 70 four miles west of Kansas 23 in the passing lane.While merging back into the right lane, the driver lost control and veered toward the median. The vehicle and driver overturned and came to a stop in the median.Zeigler was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Baalmann Mortuary.

Kansas man dies after motorcycle overturns on I-70

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a murder have a suspect in custody.

Just before 11a.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting at an apartment complex in the 2000 block of S. Seneca in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp;

First responders&nbsp; located&nbsp;69-year-old James Gibson of Wichita with gunshot wounds inside an apartment. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police reported they arrested 36-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=22921">Jeremy Miles on</a> requested charges of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, assault and a parole violation, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Police have not reported the details on the arrest and are asking the public to contact them if any has more information on the crime.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693488696173.png" alt="Miles-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Miles-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a murder have a suspect in custody.Just before 11a.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to a reported shooting at an apartment complex in the 2000 block of S. Seneca in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp;First responders&nbsp; located&nbsp;69-year-old James Gibson of Wichita with gunshot wounds inside an apartment. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police reported they arrested 36-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=22921">Jeremy Miles on</a> requested charges of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, assault and a parole violation, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Police have not reported the details on the arrest and are asking the public to contact them if any has more information on the crime.

Suspect arrested for murder, robbery at Kansas apartment

Mayor Quinton Lucas is alleged to have violated the Missouri Sunshine Law, which allows the public to request government records

By ALLISON KITE,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

A Kansas City activist has filed a lawsuit alleging&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/tag/quinton-lucas/">Mayor Quinton Lucas</a>&nbsp;attempted to intimidate her into withdrawing a request for public records from his office.

Lora McDonald, executive director of the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, or MORE2, sued the city earlier this month over alleged violations of the Missouri Sunshine Law. She alleges in her lawsuit that the mayor called her “speaking with a raised, angry voice, asserting his discontent” with a request she filed a week earlier.

“Plaintiff felt Mayor Lucas’s call was an attempt to intimidate, harass and/or coerce because of the tone and demeanor of his voice and because he was suggesting she withdraw the request,” the lawsuit says.

Jazzlyn Johnson, a spokesperson for Lucas, said in an email that the mayor’s office disagreed with the characterization.

“In a decade of public life featuring challenging airport negotiations, protestors at his home, multiple recall efforts, hate mail during the COVID-19 crisis, and a public uprising on the Plaza, the mayor has never been characterized as an ‘angry man,’” Johnson said.

McDonald’s alleged exchange with Lucas —&nbsp;and, later, a city staffer —&nbsp;paints a picture of a city government that resists releasing public information and takes requests for records as an affront. The lawsuit also outlines four instances where City Hall has failed to promptly release records or even respond when McDonald sought an estimate as to when she could expect the request to be fulfilled.

“If you didn’t do anything wrong, why are we having this phone call?” McDonald said in an interview about her conversation with Lucas.

McDonald’s request sought communications between the mayor and attorneys —&nbsp;both employed by the city and outside counsel —&nbsp;concerning litigation attempting to overturn a state&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/gov-parson-signs-bill-requiring-kansas-city-to-put-more-money-toward-police/">law that requires Kansas City to increase funding to the police department</a>.

Kansas City is the only major U.S. city that does not control its police. The Kansas City Police Department is governed by a board appointed by the Missouri governor. But the city funds the department.

Last fall, Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment requiring Kansas City to dedicate 25% of its general revenue to the police department. The Missouri General Assembly passed legislation to force the increase in the spring of 2022, but it required a statewide vote to go into effect.

In August of 2022,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/17/kansas-city-mayor-sues-to-block-missouri-law-requiring-higher-police-spending/">Lucas filed a lawsuit against the state</a>&nbsp;alleging that it’s unconstitutional for the state to force Kansas City to spend more on its police unless it appropriates money to the city.

He filed the lawsuit as an individual rather than in his official capacity and is represented by a city-employed attorney and private counsel. His case was later combined with a similar, though broader, lawsuit filed by Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Kansas City.

After Lucas’ call, McDonald says she didn’t hear anything from City Hall for more than a month despite following up with city staff. Her lawsuit goes on to say that it wasn’t until her attorney sent an email saying he would advise McDonald to sue if they didn’t get a response that Kansas City provided an estimated cost and timeframe for when it would release the records.

Just two days before the city had promised it would release records, the lawsuit states that Melesa Johnson, then the mayor’s general counsel and deputy chief of staff, called McDonald’s attorney and texted McDonald, questioning why she filed a request for records given that MORE2, like City Hall, supports local control of the Kansas City police.

“As an avid supporter of you and MORE2 who routinely assists with the mayor’s support of your organization, I am trying to understand why we are pitting our respective offices against each other when we share the overall same goal of seeing state control dismantled,” Melesa Johnson said in a text, according to the lawsuit.

Bernie Rhodes, a First Amendment attorney with Lathrop GPM who has represented The Independent in the past, said he hears complaints about Kansas City ignoring Sunshine Law requests “virtually every week.”

“As long as the city feels that it has other priorities than being responsive to the citizens, these problems will continue,” Rhodes said in an interview.

Rhodes said he also frequently hears about government agencies questioning citizens’ motivations in requesting records in an attempt to intimidate them.

“That’s why the law is crystal clear that your reason doesn’t matter,” Rhodes said. “You’re entitled to the information because you’re the people who are paying the salary of these folks in office.”

Asked about the claim against Lucas, Rhodes said: “I find it troubling anytime anyone in authority attempts to intimidate someone who’s making legitimate Sunshine Law requests.”

Jazzlyn Johnson said the mayor considers McDonald a friend and the two share the view that the police department should be controlled locally “even if he disagrees with Ms. McDonald perhaps on the most efficient path to that outcome.”

“While the mayor suggested to Ms. McDonald and her counsel that collaboration is a better approach, the mayor shared with Ms. McDonald that she has every right to pursue her requests and the city has responded to all of her requests.”

In the case of McDonald’s request for communications about the police funding lawsuits, the city ultimately produced some records but withheld others, citing attorney-client privilege, McDonald said. Her lawsuit challenges that assertion.

Steve Leben, a law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and former Kansas judge, said it appeared the claim of attorney-client privilege was reasonable.

However, the lag between when McDonald requested the records and when the city deemed them closed because of attorney-client privilege raised “substantial concerns,” Rhodes said.

The Missouri Sunshine Law requires governmental agencies to respond to requests within three business days. If locating or producing the records is expected to take longer than that, the agency is required to explain the delay to the requestor and provide a date at which the agency expects to be able to release the records.

The law, Rhodes said, “allows for extra time to make the production but not to decide whether you’re going to give documents or not.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693490002784.png" alt=" Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas meets with Missouri Gov. Mike Parson in October 2019. Lucas allegedly raised his voice and urged an activist to withdraw a Missouri Sunshine Law request, a lawsuit claims. (Missouri Governor's Office)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas meets with Missouri Gov. Mike Parson in October 2019. Lucas allegedly raised his voice and urged an activist to withdraw a Missouri Sunshine Law request, a lawsuit claims. (Missouri Governor's Office)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Mayor Quinton Lucas is alleged to have violated the Missouri Sunshine Law, which allows the public to request government records</h2>By ALLISON KITE,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>A Kansas City activist has filed a lawsuit alleging&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/tag/quinton-lucas/">Mayor Quinton Lucas</a>&nbsp;attempted to intimidate her into withdrawing a request for public records from his office.Lora McDonald, executive director of the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, or MORE2, sued the city earlier this month over alleged violations of the Missouri Sunshine Law. She alleges in her lawsuit that the mayor called her “speaking with a raised, angry voice, asserting his discontent” with a request she filed a week earlier.“Plaintiff felt Mayor Lucas’s call was an attempt to intimidate, harass and/or coerce because of the tone and demeanor of his voice and because he was suggesting she withdraw the request,” the lawsuit says.Jazzlyn Johnson, a spokesperson for Lucas, said in an email that the mayor’s office disagreed with the characterization.“In a decade of public life featuring challenging airport negotiations, protestors at his home, multiple recall efforts, hate mail during the COVID-19 crisis, and a public uprising on the Plaza, the mayor has never been characterized as an ‘angry man,’” Johnson said.McDonald’s alleged exchange with Lucas —&nbsp;and, later, a city staffer —&nbsp;paints a picture of a city government that resists releasing public information and takes requests for records as an affront. The lawsuit also outlines four instances where City Hall has failed to promptly release records or even respond when McDonald sought an estimate as to when she could expect the request to be fulfilled.“If you didn’t do anything wrong, why are we having this phone call?” McDonald said in an interview about her conversation with Lucas.McDonald’s request sought communications between the mayor and attorneys —&nbsp;both employed by the city and outside counsel —&nbsp;concerning litigation attempting to overturn a state&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/gov-parson-signs-bill-requiring-kansas-city-to-put-more-money-toward-police/">law that requires Kansas City to increase funding to the police department</a>.Kansas City is the only major U.S. city that does not control its police. The Kansas City Police Department is governed by a board appointed by the Missouri governor. But the city funds the department.Last fall, Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment requiring Kansas City to dedicate 25% of its general revenue to the police department. The Missouri General Assembly passed legislation to force the increase in the spring of 2022, but it required a statewide vote to go into effect.In August of 2022,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/17/kansas-city-mayor-sues-to-block-missouri-law-requiring-higher-police-spending/">Lucas filed a lawsuit against the state</a>&nbsp;alleging that it’s unconstitutional for the state to force Kansas City to spend more on its police unless it appropriates money to the city.He filed the lawsuit as an individual rather than in his official capacity and is represented by a city-employed attorney and private counsel. His case was later combined with a similar, though broader, lawsuit filed by Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Kansas City.After Lucas’ call, McDonald says she didn’t hear anything from City Hall for more than a month despite following up with city staff. Her lawsuit goes on to say that it wasn’t until her attorney sent an email saying he would advise McDonald to sue if they didn’t get a response that Kansas City provided an estimated cost and timeframe for when it would release the records.Just two days before the city had promised it would release records, the lawsuit states that Melesa Johnson, then the mayor’s general counsel and deputy chief of staff, called McDonald’s attorney and texted McDonald, questioning why she filed a request for records given that MORE2, like City Hall, supports local control of the Kansas City police.“As an avid supporter of you and MORE2 who routinely assists with the mayor’s support of your organization, I am trying to understand why we are pitting our respective offices against each other when we share the overall same goal of seeing state control dismantled,” Melesa Johnson said in a text, according to the lawsuit.Bernie Rhodes, a First Amendment attorney with Lathrop GPM who has represented The Independent in the past, said he hears complaints about Kansas City ignoring Sunshine Law requests “virtually every week.”“As long as the city feels that it has other priorities than being responsive to the citizens, these problems will continue,” Rhodes said in an interview.Rhodes said he also frequently hears about government agencies questioning citizens’ motivations in requesting records in an attempt to intimidate them.“That’s why the law is crystal clear that your reason doesn’t matter,” Rhodes said. “You’re entitled to the information because you’re the people who are paying the salary of these folks in office.”Asked about the claim against Lucas, Rhodes said: “I find it troubling anytime anyone in authority attempts to intimidate someone who’s making legitimate Sunshine Law requests.”Jazzlyn Johnson said the mayor considers McDonald a friend and the two share the view that the police department should be controlled locally “even if he disagrees with Ms. McDonald perhaps on the most efficient path to that outcome.”“While the mayor suggested to Ms. McDonald and her counsel that collaboration is a better approach, the mayor shared with Ms. McDonald that she has every right to pursue her requests and the city has responded to all of her requests.”In the case of McDonald’s request for communications about the police funding lawsuits, the city ultimately produced some records but withheld others, citing attorney-client privilege, McDonald said. Her lawsuit challenges that assertion.Steve Leben, a law professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and former Kansas judge, said it appeared the claim of attorney-client privilege was reasonable.However, the lag between when McDonald requested the records and when the city deemed them closed because of attorney-client privilege raised “substantial concerns,” Rhodes said.The Missouri Sunshine Law requires governmental agencies to respond to requests within three business days. If locating or producing the records is expected to take longer than that, the agency is required to explain the delay to the requestor and provide a date at which the agency expects to be able to release the records.The law, Rhodes said, “allows for extra time to make the production but not to decide whether you’re going to give documents or not.”

Lawsuit alleges KC mayor tried to intimidate activist over request for records

BUTLER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 9p.m. Wednesday in Butler County.

According to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff, a Dodge Caravan driven by Elli Humig, 28, El Dorado was westbound in the 3600 Block of Southeast U.S. 54 east of El Dorado.

The van crossed the center line and appeared to correct back into the westbound lanes. An eastbound Dodge Ram truck driven by Patrick&nbsp; McConaghie, 43, Yates Center struck the van in the driver side door.

Humig was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported McConaghie and a 5-year-old boy in the van to a Wichita hospital. The boy had critical injuries, according to Cundiff.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

BUTLER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 9p.m. Wednesday in Butler County.According to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff, a Dodge Caravan driven by Elli Humig, 28, El Dorado was westbound in the 3600 Block of Southeast U.S. 54 east of El Dorado.The van crossed the center line and appeared to correct back into the westbound lanes. An eastbound Dodge Ram truck driven by Patrick&nbsp; McConaghie, 43, Yates Center struck the van in the driver side door.Humig was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported McConaghie and a 5-year-old boy in the van to a Wichita hospital. The boy had critical injuries, according to Cundiff.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

Kan. woman dead, 5-year-old injured in van, pickup crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — For&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden,</a>&nbsp;strong backing for Ukraine’s effort to repel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s invasion</a>&nbsp;has been a rare issue where he’s mustered bipartisan support.

But during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/first-republican-debate-2024-elections-gop-89812d5aa1ed6a4ebe7373ff36858250">first GOP presidential debate</a>&nbsp;— and recent comments on Ukraine by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">the 2024 GOP polling leader and former president, Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;— show that unusual unity will face a stress test as the 2024 presidential campaign intensifies and the leading Republican contenders show antipathy toward the American backing of Ukraine.

There long has been an isolationist strain in the United States, particularly in the Republican Party, but rarely has it been shared by so many candidates for president.

On the debate stage in Milwaukee, Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a>&nbsp;said he would make additional U.S. aid “contingent” on European allies increasing contributions. Entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vivek-trump-republican-primary-president-ramaswamy-768b865d113f603a721cb0f7d1e8053a">Vivek Ramaswamy</a>&nbsp;called it “disastrous” that the U.S. government was “protecting against an invasion across somebody else’s border” and argued Ukraine funding would be better spent on the “invasion of our own southern border.”

Meanwhile, Trump, who did not participate in the first debate, has said he will end Russia's invasion in one day if he wins back the White House. Even some of his Republican allies, like Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said that assertion was folly.

Trump also has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-republicans-impeachment-ukraine-pennsylvania-c22cda6a5f6783b5f6a1123b724ebaff">called on Congress</a>&nbsp;to withhold additional Ukraine funding until the FBI, IRS and Justice Department “hand over every scrap of evidence" on the Biden family's business dealings.

Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland and distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council, said that Republican congressional leadership and Biden remain on the same page on providing Ukraine the assistance it needs.

Still, he said the prominent voices in the Republican field calling for the U.S. to slow or wind down support for Kyiv send a troubling signal to allies about what the U.S. commitment could look like following the 2024 election and harken back to the years when isolationists pressured the U.S. to remain neutral during the first two years of World War II.

“The majority of elected Republicans in the committee chairs and the people with power in Congress are still solid," Fried said. “When they attack the administration, it’s usually for not doing enough. But Trump and the Trump wannabes represent this other tradition in our history. And the last time this isolationist tradition was powerful in America, it led to catastrophic results.”

Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz in a statement criticized “MAGA Republicans” on the debate stage for siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukrainian people and alluded to Ramaswamy mocking U.S. politicians who have made the trip to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

At one point during Wednesday's debate, Ramaswamy took a dig at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chris-christie-2024-ukraine-election-zelenskyy-fd0b2c4115885efa3ee50752c115d15b">former Vice President Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chris-christie-2024-ukraine-election-zelenskyy-fd0b2c4115885efa3ee50752c115d15b">New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie</a>, both of whom visited Kyiv this summer, for making a “pilgrimage” to “their Pope Zelenskyy" without doing the same for Americans impacted by Hawaii's wildfires and crime and violence in U.S. cities.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;on the debate stage slammed Ramaswamy, saying he was effectively standing with Putin and was being short-sighted about U.S. interests. “This guy is a murderer. And you are choosing a murderer over a pro-American country,” said Haley, who also previously served as the South Carolina governor.

Publicly, the White House has stressed that key Republican lawmakers, notably the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, are largely in agreement on the need to continue robust assistance to Ukraine.

The Biden administration earlier this month called on Congress to provide more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-invasion-biden-congress-funding-d392f9b1adbb9c44249dce1cccdc2d1e">$13 billion in emergency defense aid to Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and an additional $8 billion for humanitarian support through the end of the year. The aid money was included in a supplemental spending request that also includes money to replenish U.S. federal disaster funds and funds to bolster enforcement at the Southern border with Mexico. Biden in a brief exchange with reporters on Friday said he was not interested in splitting the request.

The United States has committed more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. That includes more than $43 billion in military aid.

“We believe that the support will be there and will be sustained even if there are some dissident voices on the other side of the aisle,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters earlier this week. “We believe that at the core there is still a strong bipartisan foundation of support for our Ukraine policy and for supporting and defending Ukraine.”

Support among the American public for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-military-and-defense-0f550a262fb6178a7d91b8be6e2c601b">providing Ukraine weaponry</a>&nbsp;and direct economic assistance has softened with time.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-politics-poland-33095abf76875b60ebab3ddf4eede188">An AP-NORC poll conducted in January 2023</a>&nbsp;around the one-year mark of the conflict found that 48% favored the U.S. providing weapons to Ukraine, down from the 60% of U.S. adults who were in favor of sending Ukraine weapons in May 2022.

While Democrats have generally been more supportive than Republicans of offering weaponry, their support dropped slightly from 71% to 63% in the same period. Republican support dropped more, from 53% to 39%.

Dozens of Republicans in the House, and some GOP senators, have expressed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-house-ukraine-mccarthy-abortion-diversity-50a7b843afa02fa7aa85819b074244c5">reservations</a>&nbsp;about — and even voted against — spending more federal dollars for the war effort. Many of those Republicans are aligning with Trump’s objections to the U.S. involvement overseas.

“It’s very easy to say ‘I’d rather spend money on a bridge in West Virginia than a bridge on Ukraine.’ That on a superficial level makes sense,” said Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative Washington think tank. “We’re witnessing a struggle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party right now and the Ukraine debate is a proxy of that.”

Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Pennsylvania, said the handling of the Ukraine war isn't as salient to the electorate as the economy, health care, immigration, abortion and some other issues. But polling suggests that concerns about the costs of the war resonate with working-class Republican primary voters.

On the flip side, Borick said Biden is not likely to win votes solely on his handling of Ukraine. But how the war plays out in the months ahead could help or diminish the president's broader argument about his administration's competency and success at restoring U.S. leadership on the international stage after four years of Trump's "American first" foreign policy approach.

“Right now, Ukraine isn't as prominent an issue for voters, but we're seeing Trump, Ramaswamy and DeSantis setting the table to raise the question later in the campaign of how much U.S. treasure we're spending over there that we could be spending at home,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1676893663408.png" alt="President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a Feb. visit in Ukraine-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a Feb. visit in Ukraine-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — For&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden,</a>&nbsp;strong backing for Ukraine’s effort to repel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s invasion</a>&nbsp;has been a rare issue where he’s mustered bipartisan support.But during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/first-republican-debate-2024-elections-gop-89812d5aa1ed6a4ebe7373ff36858250">first GOP presidential debate</a>&nbsp;— and recent comments on Ukraine by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">the 2024 GOP polling leader and former president, Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;— show that unusual unity will face a stress test as the 2024 presidential campaign intensifies and the leading Republican contenders show antipathy toward the American backing of Ukraine.There long has been an isolationist strain in the United States, particularly in the Republican Party, but rarely has it been shared by so many candidates for president.On the debate stage in Milwaukee, Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a>&nbsp;said he would make additional U.S. aid “contingent” on European allies increasing contributions. Entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vivek-trump-republican-primary-president-ramaswamy-768b865d113f603a721cb0f7d1e8053a">Vivek Ramaswamy</a>&nbsp;called it “disastrous” that the U.S. government was “protecting against an invasion across somebody else’s border” and argued Ukraine funding would be better spent on the “invasion of our own southern border.”Meanwhile, Trump, who did not participate in the first debate, has said he will end Russia's invasion in one day if he wins back the White House. Even some of his Republican allies, like Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said that assertion was folly.Trump also has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-republicans-impeachment-ukraine-pennsylvania-c22cda6a5f6783b5f6a1123b724ebaff">called on Congress</a>&nbsp;to withhold additional Ukraine funding until the FBI, IRS and Justice Department “hand over every scrap of evidence" on the Biden family's business dealings.Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland and distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council, said that Republican congressional leadership and Biden remain on the same page on providing Ukraine the assistance it needs.Still, he said the prominent voices in the Republican field calling for the U.S. to slow or wind down support for Kyiv send a troubling signal to allies about what the U.S. commitment could look like following the 2024 election and harken back to the years when isolationists pressured the U.S. to remain neutral during the first two years of World War II.“The majority of elected Republicans in the committee chairs and the people with power in Congress are still solid," Fried said. “When they attack the administration, it’s usually for not doing enough. But Trump and the Trump wannabes represent this other tradition in our history. And the last time this isolationist tradition was powerful in America, it led to catastrophic results.”Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz in a statement criticized “MAGA Republicans” on the debate stage for siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukrainian people and alluded to Ramaswamy mocking U.S. politicians who have made the trip to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people.At one point during Wednesday's debate, Ramaswamy took a dig at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chris-christie-2024-ukraine-election-zelenskyy-fd0b2c4115885efa3ee50752c115d15b">former Vice President Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chris-christie-2024-ukraine-election-zelenskyy-fd0b2c4115885efa3ee50752c115d15b">New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie</a>, both of whom visited Kyiv this summer, for making a “pilgrimage” to “their Pope Zelenskyy" without doing the same for Americans impacted by Hawaii's wildfires and crime and violence in U.S. cities.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;on the debate stage slammed Ramaswamy, saying he was effectively standing with Putin and was being short-sighted about U.S. interests. “This guy is a murderer. And you are choosing a murderer over a pro-American country,” said Haley, who also previously served as the South Carolina governor.Publicly, the White House has stressed that key Republican lawmakers, notably the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, are largely in agreement on the need to continue robust assistance to Ukraine.The Biden administration earlier this month called on Congress to provide more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-invasion-biden-congress-funding-d392f9b1adbb9c44249dce1cccdc2d1e">$13 billion in emergency defense aid to Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and an additional $8 billion for humanitarian support through the end of the year. The aid money was included in a supplemental spending request that also includes money to replenish U.S. federal disaster funds and funds to bolster enforcement at the Southern border with Mexico. Biden in a brief exchange with reporters on Friday said he was not interested in splitting the request.The United States has committed more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. That includes more than $43 billion in military aid.“We believe that the support will be there and will be sustained even if there are some dissident voices on the other side of the aisle,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters earlier this week. “We believe that at the core there is still a strong bipartisan foundation of support for our Ukraine policy and for supporting and defending Ukraine.”Support among the American public for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-military-and-defense-0f550a262fb6178a7d91b8be6e2c601b">providing Ukraine weaponry</a>&nbsp;and direct economic assistance has softened with time.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-politics-poland-33095abf76875b60ebab3ddf4eede188">An AP-NORC poll conducted in January 2023</a>&nbsp;around the one-year mark of the conflict found that 48% favored the U.S. providing weapons to Ukraine, down from the 60% of U.S. adults who were in favor of sending Ukraine weapons in May 2022.While Democrats have generally been more supportive than Republicans of offering weaponry, their support dropped slightly from 71% to 63% in the same period. Republican support dropped more, from 53% to 39%.Dozens of Republicans in the House, and some GOP senators, have expressed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-house-ukraine-mccarthy-abortion-diversity-50a7b843afa02fa7aa85819b074244c5">reservations</a>&nbsp;about — and even voted against — spending more federal dollars for the war effort. Many of those Republicans are aligning with Trump’s objections to the U.S. involvement overseas.“It’s very easy to say ‘I’d rather spend money on a bridge in West Virginia than a bridge on Ukraine.’ That on a superficial level makes sense,” said Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative Washington think tank. “We’re witnessing a struggle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party right now and the Ukraine debate is a proxy of that.”Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Pennsylvania, said the handling of the Ukraine war isn't as salient to the electorate as the economy, health care, immigration, abortion and some other issues. But polling suggests that concerns about the costs of the war resonate with working-class Republican primary voters.On the flip side, Borick said Biden is not likely to win votes solely on his handling of Ukraine. But how the war plays out in the months ahead could help or diminish the president's broader argument about his administration's competency and success at restoring U.S. leadership on the international stage after four years of Trump's "American first" foreign policy approach.“Right now, Ukraine isn't as prominent an issue for voters, but we're seeing Trump, Ramaswamy and DeSantis setting the table to raise the question later in the campaign of how much U.S. treasure we're spending over there that we could be spending at home,” he said.

Ukraine aid stress test: Some GOP candidates balk at continued support

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged theft in Manhattan.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police filed a report for theft in the 100 block of Bluemont Ave. in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. 

Walmart reported a 21-year-old female suspect had stolen approximately $1,330 cash from registers between August 16 and 19, 2023. Police released no additional details and have not reported an arrest.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged theft in Manhattan.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police filed a report for theft in the 100 block of Bluemont Ave. in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. Walmart reported a 21-year-old female suspect had stolen approximately $1,330 cash from registers between August 16 and 19, 2023. Police released no additional details and have not reported an arrest.

Police: Suspect stole $1,300 cash from registers at Walmart

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an incident reported to Shawnee County Park Police on August 15 at the Warren Nature Trails near Felker Park, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.

It was alleged that an individual assaulted another individual, and the victim was transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to a local hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

As a result of this investigation, on Wednesday police arrested 30-year-old Jose J. Arteaga of Topeka and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of corrections on requested charges of Rape Aggravated criminal sodomy and Aggravated battery

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693477495822.png" alt="Arteaga-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Arteaga-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an incident reported to Shawnee County Park Police on August 15 at the Warren Nature Trails near Felker Park, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.It was alleged that an individual assaulted another individual, and the victim was transported by American Medical Response (AMR) to a local hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;As a result of this investigation, on Wednesday police arrested 30-year-old Jose J. Arteaga of Topeka and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of corrections on requested charges of Rape Aggravated criminal sodomy and Aggravated battery

Investigators capture alleged Kansas trail rape suspect 

DETROIT (AP) — Kia is recalling about 320,000 cars in the U.S. to fix a problem that could prevent the trunk from being opened from the inside.

The recall covers the Optima midsize car from 2016 through 2018, Optima hybrids and plug-ins from 2017 and 2018, and the Rio small car from 2016 and 2017.

Kia says in documents posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators that&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCAK-23V594-6002.pdf">the trunk latch base can crack, and may not open from the inside.</a>&nbsp;The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a person inside the trunk could become trapped.

DETROIT (AP) — Kia is recalling about 320,000 cars in the U.S. to fix a problem that could prevent the trunk from being opened from the inside.The recall covers the Optima midsize car from 2016 through 2018, Optima hybrids and plug-ins from 2017 and 2018, and the Rio small car from 2016 and 2017.Kia says in documents posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators that&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2023/RCAK-23V594-6002.pdf">the trunk latch base can crack, and may not open from the inside.</a>&nbsp;The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a person inside the trunk could become trapped.

Kia recall: Trunk latch won't open from the inside, could leave people trapped

KANSAS CITY- After Missouri Senate Bill 49 took effect this week following a legal win by the Missouri Attorney General's office last week, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey directed a letter to providers across the state warning them to immediately cease experimental treatment on minors. 

Recipients of the letter include&nbsp; Children’s Mercy (Kansas City) Washington University (St. Louis), Southampton Healthcare (St. Louis),&nbsp; Planned Parenthood Great Plains, Planned Parenthood St. Louis, and AIDS Project of the Ozarks (Springfield).

Attorney General Bailey begins the letter, "I&nbsp;write to inform you that as of 12:00am this morning, (the “SAFE Act”) is the law of the land. Under the terms of the SAFE Act, you must immediately cease and desist performing gender transition surgeries on minors."

"Further, although under the SAFE Act you may continue providing puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones to patients already receiving them before August 28, you are barred from administering such experimental ‘treatments’ to any new patients."

”He continues, “I remind you, too, of the SAFE Act’s enforcement provisions. Any health care provider or entity who knowingly violates the SAFE Act is engaging in professional misconduct as a matter of law and ‘shall have his or her license to practice revoked.’ § 191.1720.5 RSMo. Further, the SAFE Act creates an individual cause of action for victims who are harmed by individuals or entities providing ‘treatments’ barred by the Act, including the prescribing or administering of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.”

He concludes,&nbsp; “The people of Missouri have spoken decisively on this issue through their elected representatives, and the courts, after a full evidentiary hearing, have declined to enjoin the law. The time for experimenting on Missouri’s children is over.”This letter comes after the Missouri Attorney General’s Office was the first in the nation to successfully defend at the trial court level a state law barring child mutilation. 

The Court handed down its decision last Friday, declining to enjoin the law after a three-day hearing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693433379793.png" alt="Children's Mercy is one of six hospitals that received the notice-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Children's Mercy is one of six hospitals that received the notice-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY- After Missouri Senate Bill 49 took effect this week following a legal win by the Missouri Attorney General's office last week, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey directed a letter to providers across the state warning them to immediately cease experimental treatment on minors. Recipients of the letter include&nbsp; Children’s Mercy (Kansas City) Washington University (St. Louis), Southampton Healthcare (St. Louis),&nbsp; Planned Parenthood Great Plains, Planned Parenthood St. Louis, and AIDS Project of the Ozarks (Springfield).<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693433217125.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Attorney General Bailey begins the letter, "I&nbsp;write to inform you that as of 12:00am this morning, (the “SAFE Act”) is the law of the land. Under the terms of the SAFE Act, you must immediately cease and desist performing gender transition surgeries on minors.""Further, although under the SAFE Act you may continue providing puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones to patients already receiving them before August 28, you are barred from administering such experimental ‘treatments’ to any new patients."”He continues, “I remind you, too, of the SAFE Act’s enforcement provisions. Any health care provider or entity who knowingly violates the SAFE Act is engaging in professional misconduct as a matter of law and ‘shall have his or her license to practice revoked.’ § 191.1720.5 RSMo. Further, the SAFE Act creates an individual cause of action for victims who are harmed by individuals or entities providing ‘treatments’ barred by the Act, including the prescribing or administering of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.”He concludes,&nbsp; “The people of Missouri have spoken decisively on this issue through their elected representatives, and the courts, after a full evidentiary hearing, have declined to enjoin the law. The time for experimenting on Missouri’s children is over.”This letter comes after the Missouri Attorney General’s Office was the first in the nation to successfully defend at the trial court level a state law barring child mutilation. The Court handed down its decision last Friday, declining to enjoin the law after a three-day hearing.

Children’s Mercy notified to stop gender-affirming care to minors

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the death of his pregnant girlfriend whose body was found in the truck of his car made his first court appearance Wednesday.&nbsp; Alexander Lewis, 22 of Wichita, is charged with capital murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 11a.m. Saturday, 911 dispatch in Sedgwick County received a call from a 911 operator from North Carolina reporting a possible homicide in the Wichita area, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Based on the information given to the North Carolina 911 operator by a family member of the suspect, Wichita police officers were sent to two different locations, the 3900 block of E 17th Street North in Wichita and the 7600 block of E 21st Street N in Wichita.

Upon arrival at the 21st Street address, officers contacted&nbsp; Lewis and located Bronson's body of in the trunk of his vehicle. Officers pulled her body out of the trunk and provided life-saving measures until EMS arrived on the scene.

She was later pronounced deceased by EMS. Police arrested Lewis.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-zaiylah-bronson">Click here to</a>&nbsp;help the Bronson family.

He is due back in court Sept. 14, according to the district attorney's office. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693339382320.png" alt="19-year-old Zaiylah Bronson photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>19-year-old Zaiylah Bronson photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the death of his pregnant girlfriend whose body was found in the truck of his car made his first court appearance Wednesday.&nbsp; Alexander Lewis, 22 of Wichita, is charged with capital murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 11a.m. Saturday, 911 dispatch in Sedgwick County received a call from a 911 operator from North Carolina reporting a possible homicide in the Wichita area, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693080884540.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Based on the information given to the North Carolina 911 operator by a family member of the suspect, Wichita police officers were sent to two different locations, the 3900 block of E 17th Street North in Wichita and the 7600 block of E 21st Street N in Wichita.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693155237617.png" alt="Lewis-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Lewis-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Upon arrival at the 21st Street address, officers contacted&nbsp; Lewis and located Bronson's body of in the trunk of his vehicle. Officers pulled her body out of the trunk and provided life-saving measures until EMS arrived on the scene.She was later pronounced deceased by EMS. Police arrested Lewis.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-zaiylah-bronson">Click here to</a>&nbsp;help the Bronson family.He is due back in court Sept. 14, according to the district attorney's office. He is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Kan. man charged after body of girlfriend found in his car trunk

TOPEKA (AP)—A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blue-supermoon-saturn-stargazing-53ab2d47c38c7177debf1eda230153c1">rare blue supermoon</a>&nbsp;— the closest full moon of the year — dazzled stargazers Wednesday night.

Saturn joined the celestial spectacle, visible alongside the moon, at least where skies were clear.

It was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supermoons-august-stargazing-b05a8ac2036b1d5f943e47b6e7307657">the second full moon</a>&nbsp;of August, thus the blue label. And it was unusually close to Earth, therefore a supermoon.

The moon appeared to be bigger and brighter than usual, given its close proximity to Earth: just 222,043 miles (357,344 kilometers) or so. The Aug. 1 supermoon was more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) farther away.

If you missed it, it will be a long wait: The next blue supermoon isn’t until 2037. But another regular supermoon is on the horizon at the end of September, the last one of the year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693476124970.png" alt="View of the blue supermoon over rural Kansas just after 9p.m. Wednesday" />
 <figcaption>View of the blue supermoon over rural Kansas just after 9p.m. Wednesday</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA (AP)—A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blue-supermoon-saturn-stargazing-53ab2d47c38c7177debf1eda230153c1">rare blue supermoon</a>&nbsp;— the closest full moon of the year — dazzled stargazers Wednesday night.Saturn joined the celestial spectacle, visible alongside the moon, at least where skies were clear.It was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supermoons-august-stargazing-b05a8ac2036b1d5f943e47b6e7307657">the second full moon</a>&nbsp;of August, thus the blue label. And it was unusually close to Earth, therefore a supermoon.The moon appeared to be bigger and brighter than usual, given its close proximity to Earth: just 222,043 miles (357,344 kilometers) or so. The Aug. 1 supermoon was more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) farther away.If you missed it, it will be a long wait: The next blue supermoon isn’t until 2037. But another regular supermoon is on the horizon at the end of September, the last one of the year.

Rare blue supermoon dazzles stargazers around the globe

&nbsp; BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/zachwendling/">ZACH WENDLING</a>,&nbsp;Nebraska Examiner

LINCOLN —&nbsp;Nebraska is following in Oklahoma’s footsteps after Gov. Jim Pillen established a “Women’s Bill of Rights” that will limit certain legal definitions for transgender Nebraskans.

Pillen announced the executive order Wednesday, the second signed by a U.S. governor establishing a Women’s Bill of Rights. The order defines a person’s “sex” as either male or female at birth. It applies to the executive branch, including state agencies, boards and commissions.

A “female” is defined as someone whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova and a “male” as someone whose biological reproductive system is developed to fertilize the ova of a female.&nbsp;

The order also provides definitions for “woman” and “girl,” “man” and “boy” and “mother” and “father.”

“It is common sense that men do not belong in women’s only spaces,” Pillen said in a statement. “As Governor, it is my duty to protect our kids and women’s athletics, which means providing single-sex spaces for women’s sports, bathrooms, and changing rooms.”

An executive order does not carry the weight of a legislative act or judicial ruling, but it does provide guidance to agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services.&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-lawmakers-approve-dr-timothy-tesmer-as-state-chief-medical-officer/">Dr. Timothy Tesmer</a>, the state’s chief medical officer, is charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/10/final-say-on-nebraska-gender-care-legislation-would-be-delegated-to-executive-appointee-and-dhhs/">drafting rules and regulations</a>&nbsp;regarding health care for trans youth following&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49961">Legislative Bill 574</a>&nbsp;this spring.

Oklahoma became first state earlier this month

Oklahoma Gov. Brian Stitt was the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-a-new-womens-bill-of-rights-in-oklahoma-targets-trans-rights">first to sign</a>&nbsp;a “Women’s Bill of Rights” on Aug. 1, stating that Oklahomans were “fed up with attempts to confuse the word ‘woman’ and turn it into some kind of ambiguous definition that harms real women.”

Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, has led efforts to legislative participation in women’s sports and joined Stitt when he signed his order this month.&nbsp;

Gaines gained national attention following the 2022 NCAA championship in the 200 freestyle when she tied for fifth place with Lia Thomas, a University of Pennsylvania swimmer who was the first openly trans woman to compete in the women’s events.&nbsp;

She has traveled the country and encouraged policymakers at all levels to address women’s sports, including Pillen and other Nebraskans during an Aug. 27&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/28/spiritual-warfare-former-kentucky-swimmer-encourages-nebraska-to-restrict-trans-athletes/">speech</a>&nbsp;in La Vista. Gaines brought up Stitt’s order, and Pillen said he would look at a similar one right away.

Order could put certain funding in jeopardy

State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, who fought back this spring&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/19/nebraska-passes-stricter-abortion-ban-limits-on-gender-affirming-care/">against legislation</a>&nbsp;that curbed minors’ access to gender-affirming care, said her initial concern is how Pillen’s order could impact Nebraska’s ability to receive federal funding.

Funding for domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers, for example, has stipulations to protect trans survivors.

“I guess that Gov. Pillen probably hates the fact that trans people would ever be protected or safe anywhere in Nebraska, but that’s how it works today,” Hunt said. “And by putting this kind of messaging out, by making this part of his official policies and positions of his administration, he’s putting funding for those services in danger in Nebraska.

“This really rises above just a rhetorical argument or a discriminatory opinion that he has or his own personal bigotry,” Hunt continued.

Hunt said a loss of funding would hurt women and children who are not trans, including possible supporters of Pillen, “more than anybody else.”

Jane Seu, legal and policy counsel for the ACLU of Nebraska, said the organization is disappointed that Pillen has continued “to push a divisive and harmful agenda” singling out and attacking trans, nonbinary and intersex Nebraskans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693478760033.png" alt=" Gov. Jim Pillen, at right, speaks next to Riley Gaines on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, in La Vista. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Jim Pillen, at right, speaks next to Riley Gaines on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, in La Vista. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/zachwendling/">ZACH WENDLING</a>,&nbsp;Nebraska ExaminerLINCOLN —&nbsp;Nebraska is following in Oklahoma’s footsteps after Gov. Jim Pillen established a “Women’s Bill of Rights” that will limit certain legal definitions for transgender Nebraskans.Pillen announced the executive order Wednesday, the second signed by a U.S. governor establishing a Women’s Bill of Rights. The order defines a person’s “sex” as either male or female at birth. It applies to the executive branch, including state agencies, boards and commissions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693478685682.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A “female” is defined as someone whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova and a “male” as someone whose biological reproductive system is developed to fertilize the ova of a female.&nbsp;The order also provides definitions for “woman” and “girl,” “man” and “boy” and “mother” and “father.”“It is common sense that men do not belong in women’s only spaces,” Pillen said in a statement. “As Governor, it is my duty to protect our kids and women’s athletics, which means providing single-sex spaces for women’s sports, bathrooms, and changing rooms.”An executive order does not carry the weight of a legislative act or judicial ruling, but it does provide guidance to agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services.&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-lawmakers-approve-dr-timothy-tesmer-as-state-chief-medical-officer/">Dr. Timothy Tesmer</a>, the state’s chief medical officer, is charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/10/final-say-on-nebraska-gender-care-legislation-would-be-delegated-to-executive-appointee-and-dhhs/">drafting rules and regulations</a>&nbsp;regarding health care for trans youth following&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49961">Legislative Bill 574</a>&nbsp;this spring.<h2>Oklahoma became first state earlier this month</h2>Oklahoma Gov. Brian Stitt was the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-a-new-womens-bill-of-rights-in-oklahoma-targets-trans-rights">first to sign</a>&nbsp;a “Women’s Bill of Rights” on Aug. 1, stating that Oklahomans were “fed up with attempts to confuse the word ‘woman’ and turn it into some kind of ambiguous definition that harms real women.”Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, has led efforts to legislative participation in women’s sports and joined Stitt when he signed his order this month.&nbsp;Gaines gained national attention following the 2022 NCAA championship in the 200 freestyle when she tied for fifth place with Lia Thomas, a University of Pennsylvania swimmer who was the first openly trans woman to compete in the women’s events.&nbsp;She has traveled the country and encouraged policymakers at all levels to address women’s sports, including Pillen and other Nebraskans during an Aug. 27&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/08/28/spiritual-warfare-former-kentucky-swimmer-encourages-nebraska-to-restrict-trans-athletes/">speech</a>&nbsp;in La Vista. Gaines brought up Stitt’s order, and Pillen said he would look at a similar one right away.<h2>Order could put certain funding in jeopardy</h2>State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, who fought back this spring&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/19/nebraska-passes-stricter-abortion-ban-limits-on-gender-affirming-care/">against legislation</a>&nbsp;that curbed minors’ access to gender-affirming care, said her initial concern is how Pillen’s order could impact Nebraska’s ability to receive federal funding.Funding for domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers, for example, has stipulations to protect trans survivors.“I guess that Gov. Pillen probably hates the fact that trans people would ever be protected or safe anywhere in Nebraska, but that’s how it works today,” Hunt said. “And by putting this kind of messaging out, by making this part of his official policies and positions of his administration, he’s putting funding for those services in danger in Nebraska.“This really rises above just a rhetorical argument or a discriminatory opinion that he has or his own personal bigotry,” Hunt continued.Hunt said a loss of funding would hurt women and children who are not trans, including possible supporters of Pillen, “more than anybody else.”Jane Seu, legal and policy counsel for the ACLU of Nebraska, said the organization is disappointed that Pillen has continued “to push a divisive and harmful agenda” singling out and attacking trans, nonbinary and intersex Nebraskans.“We are reviewing this executive order and want every trans, nonbinary and intersex Nebraskan to know we will continue to fight for their belonging and inclusion,” Seu said in a statement.<h2>Order would expire following state law</h2>Pillen’s order requires that public schools or school districts and state agencies, departments or offices that collect demographic information identify individuals as either male or female at birth.&nbsp;Hunt said that whether trans people are counted, they’ll continue to exist in Nebraska.Pillen’s order takes effect immediately and will expire only if a state law takes effect governing athletic participation on the basis of sex and prescribing situations when single-sex services or facilities should be provided.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=49722">Legislative Bill 575</a>, the “Sports and Spaces Act,” would&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/02/13/proposed-restrictions-on-nebraska-school-bathrooms-sports-teams-trigger-tense-hearing/">define</a>&nbsp;K-12 bathrooms, locker rooms and sporting teams as male or female based on sex at birth. That bill has&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/06/22/a-growing-number-of-nebraska-lawmakers-seeks-to-avoid-another-fight-on-trans-youth-in-2024/">not advanced</a>&nbsp;from the Education Committee, but State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, the bill’s sponsor, said it will be her personal priority in 2024.“I think it’s great!!” Kauth said in a text regarding Pillen’s order.