(Radio Iowa) - A felon who walked away from a Madison, Wisconsin, halfway house in 1994 has been captured in Iowa. 

Seventy-one-year-old George Hartleroad was convicted of rape in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, in 1983. Several weeks ago, Hartleroad was busted in West Des Moines for not having a rear reflector on his bicycle. Police say he first gave a fake name, eventually gave his real name, and cops quickly learned he was on the run. 

Hartleroad was known as "Homeless Greg" in West Des Moines. He's now in jail in Madison, Wisconsin.

(Radio Iowa) - A felon who walked away from a Madison, Wisconsin, halfway house in 1994 has been captured in Iowa. Seventy-one-year-old George Hartleroad was convicted of rape in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, in 1983. Several weeks ago, Hartleroad was busted in West Des Moines for not having a rear reflector on his bicycle. Police say he first gave a fake name, eventually gave his real name, and cops quickly learned he was on the run. Hartleroad was known as "Homeless Greg" in West Des Moines. He's now in jail in Madison, Wisconsin.

Iowa police nab Wisconsin fugitive who's been at large almost 30 years

The Chiefs made a splash during free agency signing veteran quarterback Carson Wentz as their new backup to replace Blaine Gabbert who became a free agent.  

Wentz, whose been in the league eight years and started for several teams, provides a solid backup option for Patrick Mahomes.  

In what he's seen from Mahomes working alongside him, Wentz jokingly made an obvious observation 

"He's pretty good, not that I needed to learn that physically being here" Wentz jokes with reporter's post-practice.  "Just kind of the way he sees the game is unique and the way he plays and just the anticipation he plays with, sometimes its maybe not the main throw on a play but he's making things work, so it's just cool to kind of see not only the offense come together but just how he sees it maybe a little different at times." 

When it comes to backup quarterbacks the Chiefs have had rare misses of late when it comes to guys ready to step up when needed.  

Chad Henne, Blaine Gabbert, and this year it's Wentz.

Head Coach Andy Reid says he's been pleased with Wentz thus far in the backup role 

"Really like what I've seen from him, he's got a real good feel for the game, smart kid, real smart, and has picked it up quickly," Reid says.  

Chiefs' fans have been privy to the unique playstyle of Mahomes for a few years now. 

Wentz has also known about it and is getting an up-close look during this year's training camp.  

Wentz says the outstanding things Mahomes can do is just a kid playing ball 

"Playing street ball out there at times is sometimes the joke back there," Wentz explains. "Truthfully I can relate to some of that over my career, that's kind of just how I've seen the game, so it's fun to see it work so well the way he does it." 

The Chiefs are off tomorrow after a two-hour practice today.  They are back on Sunday at 9:15 when there is a $5 admission fee.

One Chiefs player that had been sitting out of practice returned during Friday's practice, and two more were injured but not much else changed from the previous injury report.  

Cornerback Jaylen Watson, who has spent all of training camp thus far on the PUP list, was spotted practicing today in pads and a helmet while wearing a yellow non-contact jersey. Watson is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.  

New to the injury report today was cornerback Kelvin Joseph with a slight hamstring injury.  Offensive lineman Wanya Morris left practice on Friday with a shoulder injury.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722623132748.jpeg" alt="Carson Wentz during Chiefs Training Camp/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Carson Wentz during Chiefs Training Camp/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post The Chiefs made a splash during free agency signing veteran quarterback Carson Wentz as their new backup to replace Blaine Gabbert who became a free agent. Wentz, whose been in the league eight years and started for several teams, provides a solid backup option for Patrick Mahomes. In what he's seen from Mahomes working alongside him, Wentz jokingly made an obvious observation "He's pretty good, not that I needed to learn that physically being here" Wentz jokes with reporter's post-practice. "Just kind of the way he sees the game is unique and the way he plays and just the anticipation he plays with, sometimes its maybe not the main throw on a play but he's making things work, so it's just cool to kind of see not only the offense come together but just how he sees it maybe a little different at times." When it comes to backup quarterbacks the Chiefs have had rare misses of late when it comes to guys ready to step up when needed. Chad Henne, Blaine Gabbert, and this year it's Wentz.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722623242656.jpeg" alt="Carson Wentz delivers a pass during Chiefs Training Camp/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Carson Wentz delivers a pass during Chiefs Training Camp/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>Head Coach Andy Reid says he's been pleased with Wentz thus far in the backup role "Really like what I've seen from him, he's got a real good feel for the game, smart kid, real smart, and has picked it up quickly," Reid says. Chiefs' fans have been privy to the unique playstyle of Mahomes for a few years now. Wentz has also known about it and is getting an up-close look during this year's training camp. Wentz says the outstanding things Mahomes can do is just a kid playing ball "Playing street ball out there at times is sometimes the joke back there," Wentz explains. "Truthfully I can relate to some of that over my career, that's kind of just how I've seen the game, so it's fun to see it work so well the way he does it." The Chiefs are off tomorrow after a two-hour practice today. They are back on Sunday at 9:15 when there is a $5 admission fee.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722623348464.jpeg" alt="Chiefs quarterbacks Chris Oladokun (13), Ian Book (2), Patrick Mahomes (15), and Caron Wentz (11) make their way down the hill prior to practice/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs quarterbacks Chris Oladokun (13), Ian Book (2), Patrick Mahomes (15), and Caron Wentz (11) make their way down the hill prior to practice/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>Injury Report One Chiefs player that had been sitting out of practice returned during Friday's practice, and two more were injured but not much else changed from the previous injury report. Cornerback Jaylen Watson, who has spent all of training camp thus far on the PUP list, was spotted practicing today in pads and a helmet while wearing a yellow non-contact jersey. Watson is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. New to the injury report today was cornerback Kelvin Joseph with a slight hamstring injury. Offensive lineman Wanya Morris left practice on Friday with a shoulder injury.You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Carson Wentz settles into backup quarterback role in Chiefs Training Camp

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>

Vice President Kamala Harris is the only candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Democratic National Committee announced this week.

Harris was the only person to reach the threshold of 300 delegates petitioning for her to become the party’s nominee after President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/president-joe-biden-bows-out-reelection-campaign-harris-vows-win-nomination-8" target="_blank">dropped his bid for reelection</a>, setting her up to officially become the party’s nominee during a virtual roll call scheduled to begin Thursday, according to a DNC press release.

The DNC allowed party delegates to petition for a new nominee after Biden’s withdrawal. After sweeping primaries and caucuses, Biden had secured the vast majority of the 3,949 pledged delegates in the Democratic nominating process. Most of those delegates quickly declared their support for Harris following Biden’s exit.

About 84% of Democratic delegates submitted a signature during the petition phase, with 99% of those supporting Harris. A total of 3,923 Democratic delegates petitioned for Harris to be the presidential nominee, according to the release, which called Harris the presumptive Democratic nominee.

“Democratic delegates from across the nation made their voices heard, overwhelmingly backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee,” DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Democratic National Convention Committee Chair Minyon Moore said in the statement.

Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/vp-harris-cites-bidens-legacy-accomplishment-endorsements-pile-her-bid" target="_blank">won the backing</a>&nbsp;of many state parties, elected officials and other party leaders within hours of Biden bowing out of the race and endorsing her. Candidates rumored to harbor their own presidential ambitions quickly fell in line with Harris, with a few still thought to be under consideration for Harris’ running mate.

Democrats’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democrats-approve-virtual-vote-delegates-pick-presidential-nominee" target="_blank">virtual roll call</a>&nbsp;– a departure from the traditional roll call at the party convention initially designed to ensure the party’s nominee was on the ballot in Ohio despite an early deadline that has since been changed – will begin 9 a.m. Eastern on Thursday and wrap up at 6 p.m. on Aug. 5, the DNC release said.

Harris will campaign on Aug. 6, the day after the virtual roll call concludes, with her yet-to-be-named running mate in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/kamala-harris-to-campaign-in-philadelphia-next-week-with-her-still-unnamed-running-mate/" target="_blank">confirmed</a>&nbsp;Tuesday.

The commonwealth is perhaps the most important battleground in the presidential race and Gov. Josh Shapiro is reportedly on Harris’ short list for vice president. The first-term governor and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stumped for Harris at a&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/swing-state-governors-shapiro-and-whitmer-rally-philadelphia-area-voters-for-a-harris-presidency/" target="_blank">Monday rally</a>&nbsp;in the Philadelphia area.

Politico&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/30/harris-first-rally-running-mate-tuesday-philadelphia-00171999" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that the Harris campaign swing will also include western Wisconsin; Detroit; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Las Vegas; and Phoenix.

Other&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-needs-vp-candidate-could-governor-fit-bill" target="_blank">top candidates for Harris’ running mate include</a>&nbsp;Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also under consideration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721587655391.png" alt="File -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>File -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>Vice President Kamala Harris is the only candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Democratic National Committee announced this week.Harris was the only person to reach the threshold of 300 delegates petitioning for her to become the party’s nominee after President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/president-joe-biden-bows-out-reelection-campaign-harris-vows-win-nomination-8" target="_blank">dropped his bid for reelection</a>, setting her up to officially become the party’s nominee during a virtual roll call scheduled to begin Thursday, according to a DNC press release.The DNC allowed party delegates to petition for a new nominee after Biden’s withdrawal. After sweeping primaries and caucuses, Biden had secured the vast majority of the 3,949 pledged delegates in the Democratic nominating process. Most of those delegates quickly declared their support for Harris following Biden’s exit.About 84% of Democratic delegates submitted a signature during the petition phase, with 99% of those supporting Harris. A total of 3,923 Democratic delegates petitioned for Harris to be the presidential nominee, according to the release, which called Harris the presumptive Democratic nominee.“Democratic delegates from across the nation made their voices heard, overwhelmingly backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee,” DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Democratic National Convention Committee Chair Minyon Moore said in the statement.Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/vp-harris-cites-bidens-legacy-accomplishment-endorsements-pile-her-bid" target="_blank">won the backing</a>&nbsp;of many state parties, elected officials and other party leaders within hours of Biden bowing out of the race and endorsing her. Candidates rumored to harbor their own presidential ambitions quickly fell in line with Harris, with a few still thought to be under consideration for Harris’ running mate.Democrats’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democrats-approve-virtual-vote-delegates-pick-presidential-nominee" target="_blank">virtual roll call</a>&nbsp;– a departure from the traditional roll call at the party convention initially designed to ensure the party’s nominee was on the ballot in Ohio despite an early deadline that has since been changed – will begin 9 a.m. Eastern on Thursday and wrap up at 6 p.m. on Aug. 5, the DNC release said.<h2>Harris and running mate to Philadelphia</h2>Harris will campaign on Aug. 6, the day after the virtual roll call concludes, with her yet-to-be-named running mate in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/kamala-harris-to-campaign-in-philadelphia-next-week-with-her-still-unnamed-running-mate/" target="_blank">confirmed</a>&nbsp;Tuesday.The commonwealth is perhaps the most important battleground in the presidential race and Gov. Josh Shapiro is reportedly on Harris’ short list for vice president. The first-term governor and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stumped for Harris at a&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/swing-state-governors-shapiro-and-whitmer-rally-philadelphia-area-voters-for-a-harris-presidency/" target="_blank">Monday rally</a>&nbsp;in the Philadelphia area.Politico&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/30/harris-first-rally-running-mate-tuesday-philadelphia-00171999" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that the Harris campaign swing will also include western Wisconsin; Detroit; Raleigh, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; Las Vegas; and Phoenix.Other&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-needs-vp-candidate-could-governor-fit-bill" target="_blank">top candidates for Harris’ running mate include</a>&nbsp;Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also under consideration.

Harris is the sole candidate for Dem presidential nomination on virtual roll call

(Radio Iowa) - The leader of the union that represents state prison employees says higher pay for new prison workers is a good start, but the state should offer incentives to keep veteran prison staff from leaving. 

Todd Copley -- president of AFSCME Council 61 -- says while the union is all for raising pay for newly hired staff, employees who've worked in the state prisons for 10, 15 or 20 years should be getting paid more. Copley says starting pay for new workers should be the new base wage or salary for employees who work in similar positions. 

He says SIGNING bonuses for new prison employees should include a requirement that they stay in the job for several years and RETENTION bonuses should be go to correctional officers with years of experience, so they don't leave for a better paying job or choose to retire early.

(Radio Iowa) - The leader of the union that represents state prison employees says higher pay for new prison workers is a good start, but the state should offer incentives to keep veteran prison staff from leaving. Todd Copley -- president of AFSCME Council 61 -- says while the union is all for raising pay for newly hired staff, employees who've worked in the state prisons for 10, 15 or 20 years should be getting paid more. Copley says starting pay for new workers should be the new base wage or salary for employees who work in similar positions. He says SIGNING bonuses for new prison employees should include a requirement that they stay in the job for several years and RETENTION bonuses should be go to correctional officers with years of experience, so they don't leave for a better paying job or choose to retire early.

Union leader raises concerns about Iowa prison workers' pay

Missouri
State Treasurer Vivek Malek is making his final pitch before Republican voters
decide their nominee for his job, visiting with Buchanan County Republicans in
St. Joseph Thursday.

Gov.
Mike Parson appointed Malek Treasurer after then-Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick
won election as state Auditor.

Malek,
new to politics, says he has enjoyed the campaign.

“I
enjoyed meeting with great people of our state,” Malek tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “They have been very warm, welcoming, and open-minded and open-hearted to
my coming to their offices, homes. It has been a great experience.”

Next
week’s Republican primary in Missouri is crowded, up and down the ballot, as
several state legislators and others file for open seats for statewide office.
Nine Republicans are on the ballot for governor, hoping to succeed Gov. Parson.
The decisions by Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft to run
for governor left their seats open. State Sen. Bill Eigel of Weldon Springs is
the other major Republican candidate for governor. Both Malek and Attorney
General Andrew Bailey were appointed by Parson and are running for a full term
in office.

Malek
speculates many Republicans saw him as merely a placeholder who wouldn’t run
for the office.

Five
Republican challengers entered the race, highlighted by state Sen. Andrew
Koenig of Manchester and state Rep. Cody Smith of Carthage. Also on the ballot
are Tina Goodrick of St. Joseph, Lori Rook of Springfield, and Kara Pujji of
Berkeley.

If
nominated by Republicans and elected in November, Malek would like to introduce
two new programs in the Treasurer’s office.

Malek
says he will ask the legislature to make a financial literacy course mandatory
for all Missouri high school students. He also wants to create investment pools
that would allow small local governments to combine assets to get a greater
return on investment.

Malek
was born in Rohtak, India. He earned a bachelors
and law degrees in India before coming to Southeast Missouri State University in
Cape Girardeau for a master of business administration in August of 2001.

You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722615251186.jpeg" alt="Missouri state Treasurer Vivek Malek speaks with Buchanan County Republicans during a campaign stop in St. Joseph./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Missouri state Treasurer Vivek Malek speaks with Buchanan County Republicans during a campaign stop in St. Joseph./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri
State Treasurer Vivek Malek is making his final pitch before Republican voters
decide their nominee for his job, visiting with Buchanan County Republicans in
St. Joseph Thursday.Gov.
Mike Parson appointed Malek Treasurer after then-Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick
won election as state Auditor.Malek,
new to politics, says he has enjoyed the campaign.“I
enjoyed meeting with great people of our state,” Malek tells KFEQ/St. Joseph
Post. “They have been very warm, welcoming, and open-minded and open-hearted to
my coming to their offices, homes. It has been a great experience.”Next
week’s Republican primary in Missouri is crowded, up and down the ballot, as
several state legislators and others file for open seats for statewide office.
Nine Republicans are on the ballot for governor, hoping to succeed Gov. Parson.
The decisions by Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft to run
for governor left their seats open. State Sen. Bill Eigel of Weldon Springs is
the other major Republican candidate for governor. Both Malek and Attorney
General Andrew Bailey were appointed by Parson and are running for a full term
in office.Malek
speculates many Republicans saw him as merely a placeholder who wouldn’t run
for the office.Five
Republican challengers entered the race, highlighted by state Sen. Andrew
Koenig of Manchester and state Rep. Cody Smith of Carthage. Also on the ballot
are Tina Goodrick of St. Joseph, Lori Rook of Springfield, and Kara Pujji of
Berkeley.If
nominated by Republicans and elected in November, Malek would like to introduce
two new programs in the Treasurer’s office.Malek
says he will ask the legislature to make a financial literacy course mandatory
for all Missouri high school students. He also wants to create investment pools
that would allow small local governments to combine assets to get a greater
return on investment.Malek
was born in Rohtak, India. He earned a bachelors
and law degrees in India before coming to Southeast Missouri State University in
Cape Girardeau for a master of business administration in August of 2001.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Treasurer Malek makes final pitch before Tue GOP primary

A major legislative piece outlining management of the nation’s
rivers as well as funding improvements to the country’s ports and harbors has
passed both the House and Senate in Washington, D.C.

The versions from the two chambers differ, though.

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves guided the
legislation, called the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), through the
House as chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

“This is extremely important to those of us in north Missouri,
whether you’re on the east side of my district along the Mississippi or the
west side of my district along the Missouri River, this has huge impacts when
it comes to river management,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Graves, a Republican, says the legislation takes significant
steps toward making sure flood control and navigation are the top priorities in
managing the Missouri River as well as the Mississippi. The House version makes
changes to the federal PL 84-99 program managed by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. The program guides the repair and rebuilding of river levees. Graves
says it will give local communities more control in rebuilding levees damaged
by floodwaters, such as those harmed during the 2019 Missouri River flood.

Graves has been fighting to change the priorities governing
how the Army Corps of Engineers manages rivers. The Congressman wants the Corps
to consider flood control and navigation higher priorities that environmental
concerns, such as protecting endangered species.

“This goes a long way toward supporting policies that
encourage that and push for that and makes sure that that happens rather than pushing
policies and projects that obviously benefit other priorities instead of
managing the river to make sure that we don’t devastate people’s lives,” Graves
says.

The House approved WRDA by a nearly unheard of 359-13 vote on
July 22nd. The Senate approved its version Thursday.

Graves feels confident differences between the House and
Senate can be worked out this year so the bill can go to President Biden.

“There are some differences, not significant, but there are some
differences in the way we approach projects and reporting by the Corps of
Engineers,” Graves says. “There are a few differences, but nothing insurmountable
that we can’t get worked out.”

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA major legislative piece outlining management of the nation’s
rivers as well as funding improvements to the country’s ports and harbors has
passed both the House and Senate in Washington, D.C.The versions from the two chambers differ, though.Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves guided the
legislation, called the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), through the
House as chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.“This is extremely important to those of us in north Missouri,
whether you’re on the east side of my district along the Mississippi or the
west side of my district along the Missouri River, this has huge impacts when
it comes to river management,” Graves tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Graves, a Republican, says the legislation takes significant
steps toward making sure flood control and navigation are the top priorities in
managing the Missouri River as well as the Mississippi. The House version makes
changes to the federal PL 84-99 program managed by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. The program guides the repair and rebuilding of river levees. Graves
says it will give local communities more control in rebuilding levees damaged
by floodwaters, such as those harmed during the 2019 Missouri River flood.Graves has been fighting to change the priorities governing
how the Army Corps of Engineers manages rivers. The Congressman wants the Corps
to consider flood control and navigation higher priorities that environmental
concerns, such as protecting endangered species.“This goes a long way toward supporting policies that
encourage that and push for that and makes sure that that happens rather than pushing
policies and projects that obviously benefit other priorities instead of
managing the river to make sure that we don’t devastate people’s lives,” Graves
says.The House approved WRDA by a nearly unheard of 359-13 vote on
July 22nd. The Senate approved its version Thursday.Graves feels confident differences between the House and
Senate can be worked out this year so the bill can go to President Biden.“There are some differences, not significant, but there are some
differences in the way we approach projects and reporting by the Corps of
Engineers,” Graves says. “There are a few differences, but nothing insurmountable
that we can’t get worked out.”You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Legislation guiding management of the Missouri River on verge of passing

TV ads attack Mike Kehoe, who responded by sending a letter to broadcasters demanding one ad be removed from the air

By RUDI KELLER &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

A national political group is pouring millions into Missouri to boost Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in the Republican primary for governor, stepping in when his campaign was running out of cash and drawing howls from the backers of his rivals.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://standforus.com/#" target="_blank">Stand for US PAC</a>&nbsp;began ordering television and radio time in the state in early July, first to broadcast an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rHgVvNrbLA" target="_blank">ad touting Attorney General Andrew Bailey</a>, and then to boost Ashcroft in a fight over a new law signed by the governor that mandates steep discounts on wholesale prescription prices.

On its website, the PAC states its “mission in 2024 is to hold Republicans across the country accountable for capitulating to Joe Biden’s dangerous open border agenda.”

The group is airing two ads attacking Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and backing Ashcroft. The ads do not mention state Sen. Bill Eigel, the other Republican running a full-scale campaign for the nomination.

The Independent has tallied $2.4 million in spending by Stand for US on radio and television reported by on-air broadcasters to the Federal Communications Commission during July. Those reports don’t capture spending on digital platforms and political observers said the total across all media is in excess of $3 million.

Stand for US PAC is registered with the&nbsp;<a href="https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00873174/1800570/" target="_blank">Federal Election Commission</a>&nbsp;and the only donation this year is $1 million from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C30003370/" target="_blank">Building America’s Future</a>. It will not report the donors paying for the Missouri ads until mid-August, after the primary is over.

Stand for US has not filed a report with the Missouri Ethics Commission, and a spokeswoman disputed whether it is required under state law. Committees operating outside of Missouri are supposed to make reports to the commission when spending to influence a state election&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=130.021&amp;bid=33342&amp;hl=" target="_blank">exceeds $1,500</a>.

Its treasurer is Cabell Hobbs, also the treasurer of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-mega-donor-nebraska-governor-bankrolling-pac-attacking-eric-greitens/">Save Missouri Values</a>, a PAC that entered the 2022 U.S. Senate primary to spend $8.8 million late in the race on behalf of Republican Eric Schmitt.

“I appreciate the fact that they’re supporting me,” Ashcroft told The Independent in an interview Thursday evening. “I wonder who’s doing it, what’s behind it, but I’m thankful for anyone that wants to actually have a conservative leader for the state of Missouri.”

“What secret promises has Jay made to secure this support and what do they get if he’s elected governor?” said Kehoe spokeswoman Gabby Picard.&nbsp;

The outside help came at a crucial time for Ashcroft.&nbsp;

When Ashcroft’s campaign closed the books on July 25 for its final report before Tuesday’s primary, it had $92,466. He had spent $800,000 since June 30. His joint fundraising PAC, Committee for Liberty, had $58,833 after spending $1 million.

Kehoe’s campaign, meanwhile, had $1.2 million left after spending $1.1 million. His PAC, American Dream, had $331,062, and had spent $5 million.

Cash continues to pour in for American Dream PAC. It reported $465,500 in donations of more than $5,000 on Wednesday and Thursday.

Eigel, whose insurgency campaign has made the contest a three-way race, is not mentioned in the Stand for US ads. His campaign spent $333,000 between July 1 and July 25 and had $135,502 on hand. BILL PAC, his joint fundraising committee, had $242,694.

Eigel’s campaign manager Sophia Shore said she is focused on building on earlier work.

“Bill Eigel is the only true conservative in the race for governor,” she said. “His message is resonating, we have all the momentum — our opponents know this and they’re scared to death.”

Kehoe’s campaign is also pushing back by trying to get one of the Stand for US ads removed from the airwaves. Marc Ellinger, a veteran Jefferson City attorney representing Kehoe’s campaign, wrote to stations claiming an&nbsp;ad paid for by Stand for US is libelous.

The ad fuses fear of crime by undocumented immigrants with concern about political corruption, stating that “the Parson-Kehoe Administration is adding fuel to the fire, caving to Jefferson City lobbyists and approving legislation subsidizing health care for illegals.”

“The assertion that there is a ‘Parson-Kehoe administration’ is false,” Ellinger wrote. “There is a Parson administration. All the actions referred to in the ad were solely and exclusively taken by

Governor Parson and not one action was taken by Lt. Gov. Kehoe.”

Unlike the federal system where the president and vice president run as one ticket, Missouri elects all its statewide officers separately.

Stand for US distributed the letter to reporters with a press release exulting in the response. It said the letter shows Kehoe is distancing himself from Parson while&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/pro-parson-pac-seeks-to-boost-missouri-governors-favored-candidates-in-gop-primaries/">enjoying the governor’s endorsement</a>.

“Stand for Us is doing the Lord’s work, showing Missourians what kind of hypocrite Kehoe is,” said Katie Miller, a Washington, D.C.,-based political consultant and chair of Stand for US.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=186" target="_blank">legislation&nbsp;</a>at the heart of the Stand for US ad campaign, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, pertains to a federally mandated drug discount program.&nbsp;

Called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa" target="_blank">340B pricing</a>, it allows qualified medical providers to obtain prescription drugs for their patients at a steep discount.&nbsp;

There is no requirement that the discount be passed on to the patient and the profits from retail sales often underwrite other operations at the hospital, such as charity care. That is how health care for people lacking immigration documents fits into the picture.

The bill required drug makers to ship medications purchased at a discount to any pharmacy under contract to a qualified provider. The only vocal opponents of the legislation are pharmaceutical manufacturers who have been&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/13/billions-at-stake-as-national-battle-over-drug-pricing-plays-out-in-missouri/">warring with providers</a>&nbsp;over how many contracts to allow.

Parson allowed the bill, which he called “flawed,” to become law without his signature.

There are two versions of the Stand for US ad, which was quickly recut to note that Ashcroft was endorsed for governor by former President Donald Trump. It does not mention that Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/donald-trump-endorses-all-three-major-republican-candidates-for-missouri-governor/">also endorsed Kehoe and Eigel</a>.

In a news release, the bill’s sponsor and House handler, state Sen. Justin Brown and state Rep. Tara Peters of Rolla, were joined by Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin of Shelbina in denouncing Stand for US. All three support Kehoe.

They accused it of producing ads using talking points from Phrma, the lobbying arm of drug manufacturers in other campaigns, then responding with the Missouri ads when Ashcroft posted support for&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JayAshcroftMO/status/1814344674041028619" target="_blank">repeal of the legislation</a>&nbsp;on social media.

“It certainly appears Jay Ashcroft is willing to trade the health of his constituents and health care&nbsp;providers’ ability to care for their patients for millions in campaign cash,” Peters said in the release.

The other ad focuses exclusively on China and foreign ownership of farmland. It accurately states that Kehoe, as a state senator,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">voted to repea</a>l Missouri’s complete ban on foreign ownership of farmland and that Kehoe&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/21/kehoe-campaign-for-missouri-governor-riding-on-bus-owned-by-lobbyist-for-chinese-pork-producer/">campaigns on a bus</a>&nbsp;owned by the only lobbyist for Smithfield Foods, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/business/2013/05/29/chinese-firm-to-buy-u/21667658007/" target="_blank">subsidiary of a Chinese company</a>&nbsp;that would have had to sell its Missouri landholdings without the 2013 legislation.

Then, using silent B-roll posted on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3eGul-hFpg" target="_blank">Ashcroft’s YouTube channel</a>, it calls him a “Trump-endorsed conservative” who has fought to ban Chinese land ownership “to protect our food supply from being outsourced to Chinese Communists.”

The single donor to Stand for US before July 1 has a tangential connection to Ashcroft’s campaign. Jason Roe, a consultant working for Ashcroft, in 2022 was on the board of Building America’s Future, the PAC that gave Stand for US $1 million.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Building America’s Future describes itself as “a national, bipartisan coalition dedicated to infrastructure investment and reform”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BuildingAmericasFuture/" target="_blank">on its social media</a>.

Roe said he has had no involvement with Building America’s Future since leaving the board in September 2022.

The appearance of the ads was as surprising to him as it was to Ashcroft’s opponents, Roe said.

“I don’t know who they are or why they are doing it but I am grateful for their support,” Roe said.

The Ashcroft campaign cannot legally work with outside groups, Roe noted.

“When it comes to coordinating with outside spending,” he said, “not only can you not coordinate on how they do spend their money, you can’t coordinate about how they don’t spend their money.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722600817757.png" alt=" Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, left, and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (official photos)." />
 <figcaption> Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, left, and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (official photos).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>TV ads attack Mike Kehoe, who responded by sending a letter to broadcasters demanding one ad be removed from the air</h2>By RUDI KELLER &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A national political group is pouring millions into Missouri to boost Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft in the Republican primary for governor, stepping in when his campaign was running out of cash and drawing howls from the backers of his rivals.The&nbsp;<a href="https://standforus.com/#" target="_blank">Stand for US PAC</a>&nbsp;began ordering television and radio time in the state in early July, first to broadcast an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rHgVvNrbLA" target="_blank">ad touting Attorney General Andrew Bailey</a>, and then to boost Ashcroft in a fight over a new law signed by the governor that mandates steep discounts on wholesale prescription prices.On its website, the PAC states its “mission in 2024 is to hold Republicans across the country accountable for capitulating to Joe Biden’s dangerous open border agenda.”The group is airing two ads attacking Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and backing Ashcroft. The ads do not mention state Sen. Bill Eigel, the other Republican running a full-scale campaign for the nomination.The Independent has tallied $2.4 million in spending by Stand for US on radio and television reported by on-air broadcasters to the Federal Communications Commission during July. Those reports don’t capture spending on digital platforms and political observers said the total across all media is in excess of $3 million.Stand for US PAC is registered with the&nbsp;<a href="https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00873174/1800570/" target="_blank">Federal Election Commission</a>&nbsp;and the only donation this year is $1 million from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C30003370/" target="_blank">Building America’s Future</a>. It will not report the donors paying for the Missouri ads until mid-August, after the primary is over.Stand for US has not filed a report with the Missouri Ethics Commission, and a spokeswoman disputed whether it is required under state law. Committees operating outside of Missouri are supposed to make reports to the commission when spending to influence a state election&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=130.021&amp;bid=33342&amp;hl=" target="_blank">exceeds $1,500</a>.Its treasurer is Cabell Hobbs, also the treasurer of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-mega-donor-nebraska-governor-bankrolling-pac-attacking-eric-greitens/">Save Missouri Values</a>, a PAC that entered the 2022 U.S. Senate primary to spend $8.8 million late in the race on behalf of Republican Eric Schmitt.“I appreciate the fact that they’re supporting me,” Ashcroft told The Independent in an interview Thursday evening. “I wonder who’s doing it, what’s behind it, but I’m thankful for anyone that wants to actually have a conservative leader for the state of Missouri.”Kehoe’s campaign is furious.“What secret promises has Jay made to secure this support and what do they get if he’s elected governor?” said Kehoe spokeswoman Gabby Picard.&nbsp;The outside help came at a crucial time for Ashcroft.&nbsp;When Ashcroft’s campaign closed the books on July 25 for its final report before Tuesday’s primary, it had $92,466. He had spent $800,000 since June 30. His joint fundraising PAC, Committee for Liberty, had $58,833 after spending $1 million.Kehoe’s campaign, meanwhile, had $1.2 million left after spending $1.1 million. His PAC, American Dream, had $331,062, and had spent $5 million.Cash continues to pour in for American Dream PAC. It reported $465,500 in donations of more than $5,000 on Wednesday and Thursday.Eigel, whose insurgency campaign has made the contest a three-way race, is not mentioned in the Stand for US ads. His campaign spent $333,000 between July 1 and July 25 and had $135,502 on hand. BILL PAC, his joint fundraising committee, had $242,694.Eigel’s campaign manager Sophia Shore said she is focused on building on earlier work.“Bill Eigel is the only true conservative in the race for governor,” she said. “His message is resonating, we have all the momentum — our opponents know this and they’re scared to death.”Kehoe’s campaign is also pushing back by trying to get one of the Stand for US ads removed from the airwaves. Marc Ellinger, a veteran Jefferson City attorney representing Kehoe’s campaign, wrote to stations claiming an&nbsp;ad paid for by Stand for US is libelous.The ad fuses fear of crime by undocumented immigrants with concern about political corruption, stating that “the Parson-Kehoe Administration is adding fuel to the fire, caving to Jefferson City lobbyists and approving legislation subsidizing health care for illegals.”“The assertion that there is a ‘Parson-Kehoe administration’ is false,” Ellinger wrote. “There is a Parson administration. All the actions referred to in the ad were solely and exclusively taken byGovernor Parson and not one action was taken by Lt. Gov. Kehoe.”Unlike the federal system where the president and vice president run as one ticket, Missouri elects all its statewide officers separately.Stand for US distributed the letter to reporters with a press release exulting in the response. It said the letter shows Kehoe is distancing himself from Parson while&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/pro-parson-pac-seeks-to-boost-missouri-governors-favored-candidates-in-gop-primaries/">enjoying the governor’s endorsement</a>.“Stand for Us is doing the Lord’s work, showing Missourians what kind of hypocrite Kehoe is,” said Katie Miller, a Washington, D.C.,-based political consultant and chair of Stand for US.<h2>340B Bill</h2>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/24info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=186" target="_blank">legislation&nbsp;</a>at the heart of the Stand for US ad campaign, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, pertains to a federally mandated drug discount program.&nbsp;Called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/opa" target="_blank">340B pricing</a>, it allows qualified medical providers to obtain prescription drugs for their patients at a steep discount.&nbsp;There is no requirement that the discount be passed on to the patient and the profits from retail sales often underwrite other operations at the hospital, such as charity care. That is how health care for people lacking immigration documents fits into the picture.The bill required drug makers to ship medications purchased at a discount to any pharmacy under contract to a qualified provider. The only vocal opponents of the legislation are pharmaceutical manufacturers who have been&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/13/billions-at-stake-as-national-battle-over-drug-pricing-plays-out-in-missouri/">warring with providers</a>&nbsp;over how many contracts to allow.Parson allowed the bill, which he called “flawed,” to become law without his signature.There are two versions of the Stand for US ad, which was quickly recut to note that Ashcroft was endorsed for governor by former President Donald Trump. It does not mention that Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/donald-trump-endorses-all-three-major-republican-candidates-for-missouri-governor/">also endorsed Kehoe and Eigel</a>.<h2>Chinese land ownership</h2>In a news release, the bill’s sponsor and House handler, state Sen. Justin Brown and state Rep. Tara Peters of Rolla, were joined by Senate Majority Leader Cindy O’Laughlin of Shelbina in denouncing Stand for US. All three support Kehoe.They accused it of producing ads using talking points from Phrma, the lobbying arm of drug manufacturers in other campaigns, then responding with the Missouri ads when Ashcroft posted support for&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/JayAshcroftMO/status/1814344674041028619" target="_blank">repeal of the legislation</a>&nbsp;on social media.“It certainly appears Jay Ashcroft is willing to trade the health of his constituents and health care&nbsp;providers’ ability to care for their patients for millions in campaign cash,” Peters said in the release.The other ad focuses exclusively on China and foreign ownership of farmland. It accurately states that Kehoe, as a state senator,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">voted to repea</a>l Missouri’s complete ban on foreign ownership of farmland and that Kehoe&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/21/kehoe-campaign-for-missouri-governor-riding-on-bus-owned-by-lobbyist-for-chinese-pork-producer/">campaigns on a bus</a>&nbsp;owned by the only lobbyist for Smithfield Foods, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/business/2013/05/29/chinese-firm-to-buy-u/21667658007/" target="_blank">subsidiary of a Chinese company</a>&nbsp;that would have had to sell its Missouri landholdings without the 2013 legislation.Then, using silent B-roll posted on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3eGul-hFpg" target="_blank">Ashcroft’s YouTube channel</a>, it calls him a “Trump-endorsed conservative” who has fought to ban Chinese land ownership “to protect our food supply from being outsourced to Chinese Communists.”The single donor to Stand for US before July 1 has a tangential connection to Ashcroft’s campaign. Jason Roe, a consultant working for Ashcroft, in 2022 was on the board of Building America’s Future, the PAC that gave Stand for US $1 million.&nbsp;&nbsp;Building America’s Future describes itself as “a national, bipartisan coalition dedicated to infrastructure investment and reform”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BuildingAmericasFuture/" target="_blank">on its social media</a>.Roe said he has had no involvement with Building America’s Future since leaving the board in September 2022.The appearance of the ads was as surprising to him as it was to Ashcroft’s opponents, Roe said.“I don’t know who they are or why they are doing it but I am grateful for their support,” Roe said.The Ashcroft campaign cannot legally work with outside groups, Roe noted.“When it comes to coordinating with outside spending,” he said, “not only can you not coordinate on how they do spend their money, you can’t coordinate about how they don’t spend their money.”

Anonymous donors pump $2M into ad campaign backing Jay Ashcroft for Missouri governor

(Radio Iowa) - A squadron of rare airplanes from the World War Two era has landed in central Iowa, all of which are open for tours as well as for flights. 

Cheryl Hilvert, tour leader for the Air Power History Tour, says the largest aircraft in the collection is a heavy bomber, a B-29 Superfortress. Nicknamed "Fifi," it's one of just two B-29s in the world that's still flying. There's also a T-6 Texan, a Stearman biplane, and a C-45 Expediter that are available for rides, as well as a P-51 Mustang. The tour's only Iowa stop this year is at the Des Moines International Airport. 

Hilvert says they're working to keep history alive by educating the public "about the tremendous contributions of our greatest generation." There is a fee to tour the airplanes on the ground, and a much larger fee to take a ride in one. The squadron will be in Des Moines through Sunday.

(Radio Iowa) - A squadron of rare airplanes from the World War Two era has landed in central Iowa, all of which are open for tours as well as for flights. Cheryl Hilvert, tour leader for the Air Power History Tour, says the largest aircraft in the collection is a heavy bomber, a B-29 Superfortress. Nicknamed "Fifi," it's one of just two B-29s in the world that's still flying. There's also a T-6 Texan, a Stearman biplane, and a C-45 Expediter that are available for rides, as well as a P-51 Mustang. The tour's only Iowa stop this year is at the Des Moines International Airport. Hilvert says they're working to keep history alive by educating the public "about the tremendous contributions of our greatest generation." There is a fee to tour the airplanes on the ground, and a much larger fee to take a ride in one. The squadron will be in Des Moines through Sunday.

Collection of vintage aircraft makes stop at Iowa airport

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says a bill he's co-sponsoring would offer new protections to what he calls the "taxpayers' watchdogs."

 Grassley says the measure would add the Offices of Inspectors General, or O-I-Gs, to the list of executive agencies whose employees are "further restricted" from engaging in partisan political activity. 

He says the bill passed the Senate Committee on Homeland Security &amp; Governmental Affairs on Wednesday with "overwhelming, bipartisan support." Grassley says the efficacy of O-I-Gs depends on their objectivity and the legislation will help to strengthen the ethical guidelines those workers follow.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says a bill he's co-sponsoring would offer new protections to what he calls the "taxpayers' watchdogs." Grassley says the measure would add the Offices of Inspectors General, or O-I-Gs, to the list of executive agencies whose employees are "further restricted" from engaging in partisan political activity. He says the bill passed the Senate Committee on Homeland Security &amp; Governmental Affairs on Wednesday with "overwhelming, bipartisan support." Grassley says the efficacy of O-I-Gs depends on their objectivity and the legislation will help to strengthen the ethical guidelines those workers follow.

Grassley bill to shield watchdogs from political bias advances

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — Though the Biden administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gop-plan-reverse-final-title-ix-rule-passes-us-house-biden-says-hed-veto%C2%A0%C2%A0" target="_blank">final rule for Title IX</a>&nbsp;extending federal protections for LGBTQ students went into effect nationwide Thursday, a slew of legal challenges has temporarily blocked over half of all states from enforcing the updated regulations.

After the Department of Education&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more-half-states-sue-block-biden-title-ix-rule-protecting-lgbtq-students" target="_blank">released the final rule</a>&nbsp;in April, 26 states — all with GOP attorneys general — rushed to challenge the measure. Given the myriad legal challenges, the updated regulations only went into effect Thursday in 24 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Catherine Lhamon, assistant secretary for the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, celebrated the final rule on Thursday during a briefing.

Cardona said the updated regulations “are the culmination of a lengthy and thorough process that included unprecedented public input from students, parents, educators, administrators, experts and other stakeholders.”

“These regulations make crystal clear that everyone has the right to schools that respect their rights and offer safe, welcoming learning environments,” he added.

Lhamon said it’s “a very fluid legal environment” and the department continues “to defend the rule we believe in in these cases, with the Department of Justice as our counsel in the courts.”

“We anticipated this moment when we were finalizing the 2024 regulations, and we know they are legally sound,” she said, noting that the department has appealed the injunctions that have so far been issued and sought clarification of their application.

“While the appeals of these rulings are pending, we have asked the United States Supreme Court to allow the unchallenged provisions — which are the bulk of the final rule —&nbsp; to take effect in the enjoined states as scheduled,” Lhamon said.

But the Supreme Court has yet to decide on that emergency request, which came in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24A78/319569/20240722154922885_Title%20IX%20Louisiana%20Stay%20Application.pdf" target="_blank">pair</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24A79/319576/20240722155838924_Title%20IX%20Tennessee%20Stay%20Application.pdf" target="_blank">filings</a>&nbsp;from U.S. Solicitor General&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/07/federal-government-asks-court-to-allow-enforcement-of-title-ix-rule/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Prelogar</a>&nbsp;last week.

The final rule “protects against discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics,” per the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-releases-final-title-ix-regulations-providing-vital-protections-against-sex-discrimination" target="_blank">department</a>. The updated regulations are also aimed at “restoring and strengthening full protection from sexual violence and other sex-based harassment.”

The administration initially&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/appeals-court-blocks-title-ix-rule-protecting-lgbtq-kids-reversing-alabama-federal-judge-0" target="_blank">scored a legal win</a>&nbsp;Tuesday when an Alabama federal judge rejected an attempt by Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to halt enforcement of the final rule. But a federal appeals court granted the states’ request for an administrative injunction Wednesday, which temporarily blocked the final rule from taking effect in those Southern states.

Judge Jodi W. Dishman of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma also&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.okwd.126841/gov.uscourts.okwd.126841.48.0.pdf" target="_blank">halted the final rule</a>&nbsp;from taking effect in the state on Wednesday after the state individually sued the administration back in May.

The final rule is temporarily blocked in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.

But the challenges to Title IX span beyond the 26 states that initially sued the administration —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scag.gov/media/pskl4phx/ks-v-u-s-dept-of-education-list-of-schools-enjoined.pdf" target="_blank">affecting schools</a>&nbsp;across the country.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/07/03/kansas-judge-issues-injunction-blocking-new-federal-anti-discrimination-rules-in-education/">Judge John Broomes</a>&nbsp;of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561.53.0.pdf" target="_blank">expanded the temporary blockage</a>&nbsp;to also include “the schools attended by the members of Young America’s Foundation or Female Athletes United, as well as the schools attended by the children of the members of Moms for Liberty.”

These groups sued alongside Kansas, Alaska, Utah and Wyoming earlier this year.

Congressional Republicans have fiercely opposed the final rule.

In July, the GOP-controlled House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gop-plan-reverse-final-title-ix-rule-passes-us-house-biden-says-hed-veto%C2%A0%C2%A0" target="_blank">passed a measure</a>&nbsp;to reverse the updated regulations under the Congressional Review Act — a procedural tool Congress can use to overturn certain actions from federal agencies.

But the measure is unlikely to find success in the Democratic-controlled Senate, and President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the legislation should it land on his desk.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have pushed back against GOP-led efforts to block the final rule from taking effect.

“Every student in this country deserves access to an education without fear of bullying and discrimination,” Brandon Wolf, national press secretary for the LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign, said in an emailed statement to States Newsroom.

“But MAGA politicians, promoting blatant discrimination, have fueled eight preliminary injunctions blocking enforcement of the Biden administration’s new Title IX rules in 26 states.”

Wolf added that “we must continue to fight for LGBTQ+ students across the country because everyone deserves a safe educational experience — full stop.”

Meanwhile, the department has yet to decide on a separate rule establishing new criteria regarding transgender athletes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711150983660.png" alt="File photo U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and University of Kansas Chancellor Doug Girod during a visit to the campus in 2023-photo KU" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and University of Kansas Chancellor Doug Girod during a visit to the campus in 2023-photo KU</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — Though the Biden administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gop-plan-reverse-final-title-ix-rule-passes-us-house-biden-says-hed-veto%C2%A0%C2%A0" target="_blank">final rule for Title IX</a>&nbsp;extending federal protections for LGBTQ students went into effect nationwide Thursday, a slew of legal challenges has temporarily blocked over half of all states from enforcing the updated regulations.After the Department of Education&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/more-half-states-sue-block-biden-title-ix-rule-protecting-lgbtq-students" target="_blank">released the final rule</a>&nbsp;in April, 26 states — all with GOP attorneys general — rushed to challenge the measure. Given the myriad legal challenges, the updated regulations only went into effect Thursday in 24 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Catherine Lhamon, assistant secretary for the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, celebrated the final rule on Thursday during a briefing.Cardona said the updated regulations “are the culmination of a lengthy and thorough process that included unprecedented public input from students, parents, educators, administrators, experts and other stakeholders.”“These regulations make crystal clear that everyone has the right to schools that respect their rights and offer safe, welcoming learning environments,” he added.Lhamon said it’s “a very fluid legal environment” and the department continues “to defend the rule we believe in in these cases, with the Department of Justice as our counsel in the courts.”“We anticipated this moment when we were finalizing the 2024 regulations, and we know they are legally sound,” she said, noting that the department has appealed the injunctions that have so far been issued and sought clarification of their application.“While the appeals of these rulings are pending, we have asked the United States Supreme Court to allow the unchallenged provisions — which are the bulk of the final rule —&nbsp; to take effect in the enjoined states as scheduled,” Lhamon said.But the Supreme Court has yet to decide on that emergency request, which came in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24A78/319569/20240722154922885_Title%20IX%20Louisiana%20Stay%20Application.pdf" target="_blank">pair</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24A79/319576/20240722155838924_Title%20IX%20Tennessee%20Stay%20Application.pdf" target="_blank">filings</a>&nbsp;from U.S. Solicitor General&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/07/federal-government-asks-court-to-allow-enforcement-of-title-ix-rule/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Prelogar</a>&nbsp;last week.<h2>Discrimination protection</h2>The final rule “protects against discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics,” per the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-releases-final-title-ix-regulations-providing-vital-protections-against-sex-discrimination" target="_blank">department</a>. The updated regulations are also aimed at “restoring and strengthening full protection from sexual violence and other sex-based harassment.”The administration initially&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/appeals-court-blocks-title-ix-rule-protecting-lgbtq-kids-reversing-alabama-federal-judge-0" target="_blank">scored a legal win</a>&nbsp;Tuesday when an Alabama federal judge rejected an attempt by Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to halt enforcement of the final rule. But a federal appeals court granted the states’ request for an administrative injunction Wednesday, which temporarily blocked the final rule from taking effect in those Southern states.Judge Jodi W. Dishman of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma also&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.okwd.126841/gov.uscourts.okwd.126841.48.0.pdf" target="_blank">halted the final rule</a>&nbsp;from taking effect in the state on Wednesday after the state individually sued the administration back in May.The final rule is temporarily blocked in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.<h2>Challenges affect more schools</h2>But the challenges to Title IX span beyond the 26 states that initially sued the administration —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.scag.gov/media/pskl4phx/ks-v-u-s-dept-of-education-list-of-schools-enjoined.pdf" target="_blank">affecting schools</a>&nbsp;across the country.<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/07/03/kansas-judge-issues-injunction-blocking-new-federal-anti-discrimination-rules-in-education/">Judge John Broomes</a>&nbsp;of the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561/gov.uscourts.ksd.152561.53.0.pdf" target="_blank">expanded the temporary blockage</a>&nbsp;to also include “the schools attended by the members of Young America’s Foundation or Female Athletes United, as well as the schools attended by the children of the members of Moms for Liberty.”These groups sued alongside Kansas, Alaska, Utah and Wyoming earlier this year.<h2>House GOP tries to stop rule</h2>Congressional Republicans have fiercely opposed the final rule.In July, the GOP-controlled House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gop-plan-reverse-final-title-ix-rule-passes-us-house-biden-says-hed-veto%C2%A0%C2%A0" target="_blank">passed a measure</a>&nbsp;to reverse the updated regulations under the Congressional Review Act — a procedural tool Congress can use to overturn certain actions from federal agencies.But the measure is unlikely to find success in the Democratic-controlled Senate, and President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the legislation should it land on his desk.<h2>LGBTQ+ students</h2>LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have pushed back against GOP-led efforts to block the final rule from taking effect.“Every student in this country deserves access to an education without fear of bullying and discrimination,” Brandon Wolf, national press secretary for the LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign, said in an emailed statement to States Newsroom.“But MAGA politicians, promoting blatant discrimination, have fueled eight preliminary injunctions blocking enforcement of the Biden administration’s new Title IX rules in 26 states.”Wolf added that “we must continue to fight for LGBTQ+ students across the country because everyone deserves a safe educational experience — full stop.”Meanwhile, the department has yet to decide on a separate rule establishing new criteria regarding transgender athletes.

Much-attacked final Title IX rule goes into effect while still blocked in 26 states

(Radio Iowa) - When school starts later this month, students in 10 Iowa districts will go to school just four days a week. 

It's happening because of a recent change in Iowa law. Schools may calculate the required amount of classroom instruction each school year by the total number of days or ensure students have about 11-hundred hours total. 

Over 16-hundred districts in 24 states have opted for a four-day week and most offer child care on the other weekday.

(Radio Iowa) - When school starts later this month, students in 10 Iowa districts will go to school just four days a week. It's happening because of a recent change in Iowa law. Schools may calculate the required amount of classroom instruction each school year by the total number of days or ensure students have about 11-hundred hours total. Over 16-hundred districts in 24 states have opted for a four-day week and most offer child care on the other weekday.

More Iowa districts opt for four-day school week

KANSAS CITY—Two Texas men made their initial appearances after a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment on charges related to stolen merchandise, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Gerald Ditz, 31, and Michael Alaniz, 35, both of El Paso, Texas, are charged with one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property, one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, one count of mail and wire fraud conspiracy, and one count of mail fraud.

Between May 2023 and May 2024, Ditz and Alaniz are accused of using their employment at a freight-contracting company that serves a train station in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, to unlawfully obtain Garmin brand watches that were in transit to Garmin’s warehouse in Olathe, Kansas. Ditz and Alaniz allegedly sold dozens of the stolen Garmin watches over the Internet to unwitting buyers.

According to the indictment, in addition to the watches allegedly associated with or sold by Ditz and Alaniz, other watches stolen from the Garmin shipping container have registrations that appear to be connected to more than a dozen individuals (approximately fifteen percent of the workforce) assigned or formerly assigned at the Santa Teresa train station.

Ditz made his initial court appearance on July 29, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas. Alaniz made his initial court appearance July 30, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722457994982.png" alt="Photo Garmin" />
 <figcaption>Photo Garmin</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Two Texas men made their initial appearances after a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment on charges related to stolen merchandise, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Gerald Ditz, 31, and Michael Alaniz, 35, both of El Paso, Texas, are charged with one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property, one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, one count of mail and wire fraud conspiracy, and one count of mail fraud.Between May 2023 and May 2024, Ditz and Alaniz are accused of using their employment at a freight-contracting company that serves a train station in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, to unlawfully obtain Garmin brand watches that were in transit to Garmin’s warehouse in Olathe, Kansas. Ditz and Alaniz allegedly sold dozens of the stolen Garmin watches over the Internet to unwitting buyers.According to the indictment, in addition to the watches allegedly associated with or sold by Ditz and Alaniz, other watches stolen from the Garmin shipping container have registrations that appear to be connected to more than a dozen individuals (approximately fifteen percent of the workforce) assigned or formerly assigned at the Santa Teresa train station.Ditz made his initial court appearance on July 29, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas. Alaniz made his initial court appearance July 30, 2024, before a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Texas.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case

Two accused of selling watches stolen from Kan. based company

Summit Truck Bodies has announced a $50 million expansion at its Wathena facility.

The company says the new, state-of-the-art facility, will double
production. The new facility will total 220,000 square feet with 200,000 dedicated to manufacturing and 20,000 for offices. The company plans to
hire 80 new employees across various departments.

Reynolds Construction Management has been contracted to complete
the expansion. Construction is expected to be finished in a little less than two
years.

The new facility will be located next to the existing
production and warehouse facility. It will focus on service body production and
final assembly of service trucks.

"In deciding to build this new facility, we
considered our current lead times, customer expectations, and the increase in
our parts sales and service," Chris Walter, Summit Truck Bodies Plant
Manager, said in a written statement. "The most exciting aspect of this
expansion is the integration of new technology and streamlined processes that
will maximize our production efficiency. The advanced equipment will improve
fabrication and paint speed, reduce physical strain on our workers, and ensure
consistent high quality. This expansion will significantly decrease lead times
and enhance after-sales support, directly benefiting our customers."

The Doniphan County Economic Development assisted with the
project with help from the state.

“Summit Truck Bodies’ expansion proves that our dedicated
workforce, quality of life, and central location draw businesses across various
industries. Kansas will continue to partner with first-class companies like Summit
Truck Bodies to ensure communities throughout the state have opportunities to prosper,”
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said in a written statement released by her office.

Summit Truck Equipment, a sister company of Summit Truck
Bodies, sells custom service and lube trucks and equipment produced by Summit
Truck Bodies.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722519946898.jpeg" alt="A drone shot of the construction site at Summit Truck Bodies in Wathena/Photo courtesy of Summit Truck Bodies" />
 <figcaption>A drone shot of the construction site at Summit Truck Bodies in Wathena/Photo courtesy of Summit Truck Bodies</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSummit Truck Bodies has announced a $50 million expansion at its Wathena facility.The company says the new, state-of-the-art facility, will double
production. The new facility will total 220,000 square feet with 200,000 dedicated to manufacturing and 20,000 for offices. The company plans to
hire 80 new employees across various departments.Reynolds Construction Management has been contracted to complete
the expansion. Construction is expected to be finished in a little less than two
years.The new facility will be located next to the existing
production and warehouse facility. It will focus on service body production and
final assembly of service trucks."In deciding to build this new facility, we
considered our current lead times, customer expectations, and the increase in
our parts sales and service," Chris Walter, Summit Truck Bodies Plant
Manager, said in a written statement. "The most exciting aspect of this
expansion is the integration of new technology and streamlined processes that
will maximize our production efficiency. The advanced equipment will improve
fabrication and paint speed, reduce physical strain on our workers, and ensure
consistent high quality. This expansion will significantly decrease lead times
and enhance after-sales support, directly benefiting our customers."The Doniphan County Economic Development assisted with the
project with help from the state.“Summit Truck Bodies’ expansion proves that our dedicated
workforce, quality of life, and central location draw businesses across various
industries. Kansas will continue to partner with first-class companies like Summit
Truck Bodies to ensure communities throughout the state have opportunities to prosper,”
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said in a written statement released by her office.Summit Truck Equipment, a sister company of Summit Truck
Bodies, sells custom service and lube trucks and equipment produced by Summit
Truck Bodies.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722520009824.png" alt="Summit Truck Bodies rendering of expansion/Photo courtesy of Summit Truck Bodies" />
 <figcaption>Summit Truck Bodies rendering of expansion/Photo courtesy of Summit Truck Bodies</figcaption>
 </figure>You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Summit Truck Bodies announces $50M expansion in Wathena

HOUSTON— Vice President Kamala Harris has responded to former President Donald Trump's statement about her race as the 'same old show.'

Harris was speaking at the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. in Houston.

In Chicago before the National Association of Black Journalists, Trump&nbsp;suggested Harris&nbsp;had misled voters about&nbsp;her race&nbsp;

Trump answered questions from three reporters: Kadia Goba of Semafor, Rachel Scott of ABC News and Harris Faulkner of Fox News.

HOUSTON— Vice President Kamala Harris has responded to former President Donald Trump's statement about her race as the 'same old show.'<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VP <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a> reacts to former President Trump: &quot;The American people deserve a leader who tells the truth, a leader who does not respond with hostility and anger when confronted with the facts. We deserve a leader who understands that our differences do not divide us.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/1tqNGPIpLo">pic.twitter.com/1tqNGPIpLo</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1818817157704061039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Harris was speaking at the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. in Houston.In Chicago before the National Association of Black Journalists, Trump&nbsp;suggested Harris&nbsp;had misled voters about&nbsp;her race&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump on Vice President Kamala Harris: &quot;She was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went, she became a Black person. I think somebody should look into that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/RpEuRq6p5m">pic.twitter.com/RpEuRq6p5m</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1818717916285509891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump answered questions from three reporters: Kadia Goba of Semafor, Rachel Scott of ABC News and Harris Faulkner of Fox News.

🎥Vice President Harris blasts Trump’s claim that she 'became Black'

WASHINGTON —Former President Donald Trump spoke and was interviewed&nbsp; Wednesday in Chicago at a gathering for the National Association of Black Journalists.

Trump answered questions from three reporters: Kadia Goba of Semafor, Rachel Scott of ABC News and Harris Faulkner of Fox News. 

Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic nominee was not scheduled to address the convention. 

A person familiar with her schedule said the Harris campaign was unable to find a time to appear at NABJ in person and claimed the organization turned down an offer for her to appear virtually.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722460473060.png" alt="Image from CSPAN video" />
 <figcaption>Image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Former President Donald Trump spoke and was interviewed&nbsp; Wednesday in Chicago at a gathering for the National Association of Black Journalists.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump on Vice President Kamala Harris: &quot;She was Indian all the way and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went, she became a Black person. I think somebody should look into that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/RpEuRq6p5m">pic.twitter.com/RpEuRq6p5m</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1818717916285509891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump answered questions from three reporters: Kadia Goba of Semafor, Rachel Scott of ABC News and Harris Faulkner of Fox News. Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic nominee was not scheduled to address the convention. A person familiar with her schedule said the Harris campaign was unable to find a time to appear at NABJ in person and claimed the organization turned down an offer for her to appear virtually.

🎥Trump answers whether Kamala Harris is a DEI hire

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa mirrors a national trend with a slight drop in deaths due to alcohol, drugs, and suicide, according to a report from a non-partisan public health policy group. 

Nadine Gracia, president and C-E-O of Trust for America’s Health, says figures for 2022 show the first drop in those deaths in five years, though there's still much work to be done. She says the long-term trend is still alarmingly high. The report says 16-hundred Iowans died from alcohol, drugs and suicide that year, down one-percent overall from the previous year. 

While Iowa deaths due to alcohol and drugs fell, the study says suicides rose by six-percent. Gracia says rural residents appear to be especially at risk and she points to a lack of access to treatment options. The report finds 59-percent of Iowans live in an area that has a mental health care shortage.

(Radio Iowa) - Iowa mirrors a national trend with a slight drop in deaths due to alcohol, drugs, and suicide, according to a report from a non-partisan public health policy group. Nadine Gracia, president and C-E-O of Trust for America’s Health, says figures for 2022 show the first drop in those deaths in five years, though there's still much work to be done. She says the long-term trend is still alarmingly high. The report says 16-hundred Iowans died from alcohol, drugs and suicide that year, down one-percent overall from the previous year. While Iowa deaths due to alcohol and drugs fell, the study says suicides rose by six-percent. Gracia says rural residents appear to be especially at risk and she points to a lack of access to treatment options. The report finds 59-percent of Iowans live in an area that has a mental health care shortage.

Report: Iowa sees drop in deaths from alcohol and drugs, but a rise in suicides

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jaredstrong/">JARED STRONG</a>&nbsp;

Federal health officials are encouraging farm workers who tend livestock and poultry to get vaccinated for seasonal influenza to help prevent a bird flu mutation that might spark a pandemic in people.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday it would devote up to $5 million to pay for the vaccinations, and that it will rely on states to implement the initiative.

There are 14 known human infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza that resulted from contact with infected dairy cattle and poultry in the United States, and all but one has happened in the past four months.

The virus has been circulated by wild birds for more than two years and has sporadically transmitted to domestic birds. A variation of the virus has been infecting U.S. dairy cattle since December, and four people who worked closely with infected cattle also became ill.

In recent weeks, nine people in Colorado who were tasked with culling infected poultry contracted the virus.

The CDC has maintained that the virus’ risk to humans is low — those who have been infected so far had minor symptoms of respiratory illness or pinkeye, or both.

It has not been shown to transmit between people, but the virus has the potential to rapidly gain that ability if it infects someone who also has a seasonal flu virus.

“Such dual infections, while rare, could potentially result in an exchange of genetic material between two different influenza viruses,” Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director for the CDC, said in a call with reporters Tuesday.

Shah said that “reassortment” process could pose a “significant public health concern” if bird flu gains the ability to spread person-to-person the way seasonal flu does, potentially resulting in a virus that spreads easily and causes severe symptoms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722448527185.png" alt="Cow Photo courtesy of Iowa State Dairy Association)." />
 <figcaption>Cow Photo courtesy of Iowa State Dairy Association).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jaredstrong/">JARED STRONG</a>&nbsp;Federal health officials are encouraging farm workers who tend livestock and poultry to get vaccinated for seasonal influenza to help prevent a bird flu mutation that might spark a pandemic in people.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday it would devote up to $5 million to pay for the vaccinations, and that it will rely on states to implement the initiative.There are 14 known human infections of highly pathogenic avian influenza that resulted from contact with infected dairy cattle and poultry in the United States, and all but one has happened in the past four months.The virus has been circulated by wild birds for more than two years and has sporadically transmitted to domestic birds. A variation of the virus has been infecting U.S. dairy cattle since December, and four people who worked closely with infected cattle also became ill.In recent weeks, nine people in Colorado who were tasked with culling infected poultry contracted the virus.The CDC has maintained that the virus’ risk to humans is low — those who have been infected so far had minor symptoms of respiratory illness or pinkeye, or both.It has not been shown to transmit between people, but the virus has the potential to rapidly gain that ability if it infects someone who also has a seasonal flu virus.“Such dual infections, while rare, could potentially result in an exchange of genetic material between two different influenza viruses,” Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director for the CDC, said in a call with reporters Tuesday.Shah said that “reassortment” process could pose a “significant public health concern” if bird flu gains the ability to spread person-to-person the way seasonal flu does, potentially resulting in a virus that spreads easily and causes severe symptoms.<h2>A new vaccination campaign</h2>Shah said the CDC will devote up to $10 million for farm workers’ health related to avian flu. Half will be spent educating and training farm workers about how to avoid being infected.The other half will pay for seasonal flu vaccines for an estimated 200,000 farm workers who tend livestock and poultry. The CDC hopes to vaccinate all of them but acknowledges that less than half of the general population typically gets a flu shot.How the voluntary vaccination effort will proceed is unclear. State health officials are expected to implement them, most immediately in the 13 states that have confirmed infections among cows.That includes Iowa, where 13 dairy herds have been infected. However, no new infections have been reported in the state in the past month.A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services — which presumably would coordinate with the CDC — did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.The vaccine will not protect the workers from contracting bird flu, Shah said, nor will it guarantee they won’t be infected by seasonal flu. But he said it’s an important component of the public health response to the new virus’ threat.“The risk here is a theoretical but important risk,” Shah said.<h2>Colorado has most recent infections</h2>The confirmations of new bird flu infections among cattle have waned significantly in most states, except for in Colorado. In the past 30 days, two-thirds of the nation’s 32 newly infected herds were in that state, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.Some of that might be due to Colorado’s&nbsp;<a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-requiring-dairy-products-to-be-regularly-tested-for-bird-flu-amid-outbreak/" target="_blank">robust testing protocols</a>, but it’s also “a quirk of history and geography,” said Eric Deeble, deputy under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs for the USDA.The state has far fewer dairy farms than the leading milk-producing states, but most of them are concentrated in one county.“They are all in very close proximity to one another, and so there is a lot of sharing of equipment, a lot of sharing of personnel and a lot of movement on and off farms to adjacent farms,” Deeble said.The USDA has identified the movement of equipment and people between dairy farms as a primary vector for virus transmissions from herd to herd and from herd to flock.The virus has been identified in 172 dairy herds in the United States this year. Fifty of them are in Colorado. In Texas, where the infections originated, the virus was confirmed in 22 herds, although there were many that went untested because they recovered before bird flu&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/17/two-veterinarians-hundreds-of-miles-apart-solved-a-cow-sickness-whodunit/" target="_blank">was identified</a>&nbsp;as the culprit.This story was originally published by the&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/07/30/worried-about-bird-flu-mutation-feds-seek-livestock-worker-vaccinations/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, a States Newsroom affiliate.&nbsp;

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