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

Just a few hours after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal, Missouri officials executed Marcellus Williams Tuesday at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre.

Williams, who was backed in his appeals for clemency by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, left only a single sentence — “All praise to Allah in every situation” — in his last statement,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/alexiszotos/status/1838698402823180675" target="_blank">KMOV TV reported</a>.

Williams was sentenced to death for the 1998 slaying of Felicia Gayle, a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, who was stabbed more than 40 times.

None of the physical evidence at the crime scene, including fingerprints, bloodied shoe prints and hairs, could be tied to Wiliams. He was arrested based on the testimony of a jailhouse informant, who said Williams confessed the murder.&nbsp;

During testimony at his murder trial, Williams’ then-girlfriend also said he confessed to the killing. Williams picked her up the day of Gayle’s slaying wearing a jacket over a bloody shirt and with scratches on his neck. She saw a laptop in his car – later shown to have been stolen from Gayle’s apartment – and a purse in the trunk, with Gayle’s identification card.

In the final effort to free Williams or reduce his sentence, Bell filed a case under a 2021 state law allowing prosecutors to bring new evidence to the courts. It was the first time the law has been used in a death penalty case.&nbsp;

Bell filed the case in January, arguing there was “clear and convincing evidence” that potential jurors had been excluded based on race and questioning whether DNA evidence on the knife that killed Gayle had been contaminated by careless handling.

The Missouri Supreme Court heard a final appeal of the ruling in that case on Monday, and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/23/missouri-supreme-court-considers-death-row-inmates-appeal-as-execution-date-looms/">found the evidence was not convincing</a>.

Bell “failed to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence Williams’ actual innocence or constitutional error at the original criminal trial that undermines the confidence in the judgment of the original criminal trial,” Judge Zel Fischer wrote in the opinion.

The Department of Corrections declared Williams dead at 6:10 p.m. after a lethal injection,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article292918814.html#campaignName=kansascity_breaking_newsletter" target="_blank">the Kansas City Star reported</a>.&nbsp;

Bell issued a statement that he remained convinced Williams should have been spared.

“Marcellus Williams should be alive today,” Bell said. “There were multiple points in the timeline when decisions could have been made that would have spared him the death penalty. If there is even the shadow of a doubt of innocence, the death penalty should never be an option. This outcome did not serve the interests of justice.”

State Rep. Crystal Quade, the Democratic candidate for governor, issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/crystal_quade/status/1838669674864873849" target="_blank">statement over social media</a>&nbsp;saying that she disagreed with allowing the execution to proceed.

“I’ve always stood firm in my stance that the state should not execute potentially innocent people. Marcellus Williams is no different,” Quade said.

There was no statement from Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, the Republican candidate.

Gov. MIke Parson, in a statement on Monday stating he would not stop the execution, said he was not convinced by any appeals.

“No jury nor court, including at the trial, appellate, and Supreme Court levels, have ever found merit in Mr. Williams’ innocence claims,” Parson said. “At the end of the day, his guilty verdict and sentence of capital punishment were upheld. Nothing from the real facts of this case have led me to believe in Mr. Williams’ innocence, as such, Mr. Williams’ punishment will be carried out as ordered by the Supreme Court.”

Williams is the 100th person executed by Missouri since 1989, when executions resumed after a two-decade lapse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726156556643.png" alt="Williams photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Williams photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>By RUDI KELLER &nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Just a few hours after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal, Missouri officials executed Marcellus Williams Tuesday at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre.Williams, who was backed in his appeals for clemency by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, left only a single sentence — “All praise to Allah in every situation” — in his last statement,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/alexiszotos/status/1838698402823180675" target="_blank">KMOV TV reported</a>.Williams was sentenced to death for the 1998 slaying of Felicia Gayle, a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, who was stabbed more than 40 times.None of the physical evidence at the crime scene, including fingerprints, bloodied shoe prints and hairs, could be tied to Wiliams. He was arrested based on the testimony of a jailhouse informant, who said Williams confessed the murder.&nbsp;During testimony at his murder trial, Williams’ then-girlfriend also said he confessed to the killing. Williams picked her up the day of Gayle’s slaying wearing a jacket over a bloody shirt and with scratches on his neck. She saw a laptop in his car – later shown to have been stolen from Gayle’s apartment – and a purse in the trunk, with Gayle’s identification card.In the final effort to free Williams or reduce his sentence, Bell filed a case under a 2021 state law allowing prosecutors to bring new evidence to the courts. It was the first time the law has been used in a death penalty case.&nbsp;Bell filed the case in January, arguing there was “clear and convincing evidence” that potential jurors had been excluded based on race and questioning whether DNA evidence on the knife that killed Gayle had been contaminated by careless handling.The Missouri Supreme Court heard a final appeal of the ruling in that case on Monday, and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/23/missouri-supreme-court-considers-death-row-inmates-appeal-as-execution-date-looms/">found the evidence was not convincing</a>.Bell “failed to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence Williams’ actual innocence or constitutional error at the original criminal trial that undermines the confidence in the judgment of the original criminal trial,” Judge Zel Fischer wrote in the opinion.The Department of Corrections declared Williams dead at 6:10 p.m. after a lethal injection,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/missouri/article292918814.html#campaignName=kansascity_breaking_newsletter" target="_blank">the Kansas City Star reported</a>.&nbsp;Bell issued a statement that he remained convinced Williams should have been spared.“Marcellus Williams should be alive today,” Bell said. “There were multiple points in the timeline when decisions could have been made that would have spared him the death penalty. If there is even the shadow of a doubt of innocence, the death penalty should never be an option. This outcome did not serve the interests of justice.”State Rep. Crystal Quade, the Democratic candidate for governor, issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/crystal_quade/status/1838669674864873849" target="_blank">statement over social media</a>&nbsp;saying that she disagreed with allowing the execution to proceed.“I’ve always stood firm in my stance that the state should not execute potentially innocent people. Marcellus Williams is no different,” Quade said.There was no statement from Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, the Republican candidate.Gov. MIke Parson, in a statement on Monday stating he would not stop the execution, said he was not convinced by any appeals.“No jury nor court, including at the trial, appellate, and Supreme Court levels, have ever found merit in Mr. Williams’ innocence claims,” Parson said. “At the end of the day, his guilty verdict and sentence of capital punishment were upheld. Nothing from the real facts of this case have led me to believe in Mr. Williams’ innocence, as such, Mr. Williams’ punishment will be carried out as ordered by the Supreme Court.”Williams is the 100th person executed by Missouri since 1989, when executions resumed after a two-decade lapse.

Marcellus Williams executed after U.S. Supreme Court rejects final appeal

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting have identified the victim as&nbsp;38-year-old Daryl Clark of Wichita, according to Wichita Police Department spokesman Andrew Ford.

Just after 5:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting at an apartment complex in 3500 block of Inwood in Wichita, according to&nbsp; Ford.

Officers learned that a verbal altercation had taken place between Clark and a female suspect later identified as 35-year-old Mercedes Muldrew. The argument escalated when she reportedly began physically assaulting the Clark.

The situation further escalated when the Muldrew brandished a handgun and fired one shot, striking Clark in the chest.&nbsp; &nbsp;EMS transported him to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 6:22 p.m., according to Ford.

The suspect,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=415507"> identified according to Sedgwick Count</a>y booking records as 35-year-old Mercedes Muldrew, was taken into custody at the scene without further incident. She is being held on a requested charge of first degree murder, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727111287181.png" alt="MULDREW photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>MULDREW photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting have identified the victim as&nbsp;38-year-old Daryl Clark of Wichita, according to Wichita Police Department spokesman Andrew Ford.Just after 5:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting at an apartment complex in 3500 block of Inwood in Wichita, according to&nbsp; Ford.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727129407850.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>Officers learned that a verbal altercation had taken place between Clark and a female suspect later identified as 35-year-old Mercedes Muldrew. The argument escalated when she reportedly began physically assaulting the Clark.The situation further escalated when the Muldrew brandished a handgun and fired one shot, striking Clark in the chest.&nbsp; &nbsp;EMS transported him to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 6:22 p.m., according to Ford.The suspect,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=415507"> identified according to Sedgwick Count</a>y booking records as 35-year-old Mercedes Muldrew, was taken into custody at the scene without further incident. She is being held on a requested charge of first degree murder, according to online jail records.

Police ID victim in deadly Kansas apartment shooting

KANSAS CITY —A window washer was rescued from a high-rise building on Tuesday in Kansas City.

Just after 10a.m., the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a report of a stuck window washer at 1200 Baltimore in downtown Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

First responders found the window washer suspended and unable to operate his equipment near the 23rd floor of a 43-story building.&nbsp; The victim's main harness had broken, and he was suspended by his back up harness. He was uninjured but unable to operate his hoisting system. 

His window washing partner remained there with him to keep him calm while KCFD responded.

Fire crews reported to the 23rd floor as well as to the roof to prepare for a rescue from the roof. By chance a worker with Santa Fe Glass was walking through the lobby.&nbsp;

The KCFD requested his assistance, and he agreed to assist. He was taken to the 23rd floor where he removed the window from the interior and KCFD was able to reach out and rescue the window washer without having to go over the roof and hoist him several hundred feet. 

The glass worker was there for another job. Truly at the right place and right time. The victim was not injured in this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727213997226.png" alt="Photo KCFD&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCFD&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A window washer was rescued from a high-rise building on Tuesday in Kansas City.Just after 10a.m., the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a report of a stuck window washer at 1200 Baltimore in downtown Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.First responders found the window washer suspended and unable to operate his equipment near the 23rd floor of a 43-story building.&nbsp; The victim's main harness had broken, and he was suspended by his back up harness. He was uninjured but unable to operate his hoisting system. His window washing partner remained there with him to keep him calm while KCFD responded.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727214196341.png" alt="Rescue from tallest building in downtown Kansas City -KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Rescue from tallest building in downtown Kansas City -KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>Fire crews reported to the 23rd floor as well as to the roof to prepare for a rescue from the roof. By chance a worker with Santa Fe Glass was walking through the lobby.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727213978680.png" alt="Pulling the man to safety-photo KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Pulling the man to safety-photo KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>The KCFD requested his assistance, and he agreed to assist. He was taken to the 23rd floor where he removed the window from the interior and KCFD was able to reach out and rescue the window washer without having to go over the roof and hoist him several hundred feet. The glass worker was there for another job. Truly at the right place and right time. The victim was not injured in this incident.

Window washer in KC rescued from 23rd floor of 43 story building

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas home daycare provider accused of child abuse made a court appearance on Tuesday.

&nbsp;Ija Hall, 29, of Wichita, owner of His Loving Hands Home Childcare,&nbsp;357 N. Erie in Wichita, was charged with two counts of abuse of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Earlier this month, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment suspended Hall's&nbsp; license after an incident involving a child she was fostering.

A protective order was issued during her court appearance, according to the district attorney's office. She is not to have contact with the victim in the case or any child under the age of 12.

Hall remains free on a $25,000 bond. Her next court date is October 7, before Judge Quentin Pittman, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726247213560.png" alt="Hall photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Hall photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas home daycare provider accused of child abuse made a court appearance on Tuesday.&nbsp;Ija Hall, 29, of Wichita, owner of His Loving Hands Home Childcare,&nbsp;357 N. Erie in Wichita, was charged with two counts of abuse of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Earlier this month, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment suspended Hall's&nbsp; license after an incident involving a child she was fostering.A protective order was issued during her court appearance, according to the district attorney's office. She is not to have contact with the victim in the case or any child under the age of 12.Hall remains free on a $25,000 bond. Her next court date is October 7, before Judge Quentin Pittman, according to the district attorney's office.

Kan. daycare provider can have no contact with children under age of 12

New York– World leaders Sunday adopted a Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, according to a media release from the United Nations.

 This Pact is the culmination of an inclusive, years-long process to adapt international cooperation to the realities of today and the challenges of tomorrow. The most wide-ranging international agreement in many years, covering entirely new areas as well as issues on which agreement has not been possible in decades, the Pact aims above all to ensure that international institutions can deliver in the face of a world that has changed dramatically since they were created. As the Secretary-General has said, “we cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents.”

<a href="https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/ltd/n24/252/89/pdf/n2425289.pdf">Click here to read</a> the full text of the agreement

Overall, the agreement of the Pact is a strong statement of countries’ commitment to the United Nations, the international system and international law.&nbsp; Leaders set out a clear vision of an international system that can deliver on its promises, is more representative of today’s world and draws on the energy and expertise of governments, civil society and other key partners.

“The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations open the door to new opportunities and untapped possibilities,” said the Secretary-General during his remarks at the opening of the Summit of the Future. The President of the General Assembly noted that the Pact would “lay the foundations for a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order – for all peoples and nations.”

The Pact covers a broad range of issues including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance. Key deliverables in the Pact include:

On sustainable development, climate and financing for development

There are provisions across the Pact and its annexes for follow-up action, to ensure that the commitments made are implemented.

The Summit process and the Pact have been deeply enriched by the contributions of millions of voices and thousands of stakeholders from around the world.

The Summit brought together over 4000 individuals from Heads of State and Government, observers, IGOs, UN System, civil society and non-governmental organizations. In a broader push to increase the engagement of diverse actors, the formal Summit was preceded by the Action Days from 20-21 September, which attracted more than 7,000 individuals representing all segments of society. The Action Days featured strong commitments to action by all stakeholders, as well as pledges of USD 1.05 billion to advance digital inclusion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727178356886.png" alt="\" />
 <figcaption>\</figcaption>
 </figure>New York– World leaders Sunday adopted a Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, according to a media release from the United Nations. This Pact is the culmination of an inclusive, years-long process to adapt international cooperation to the realities of today and the challenges of tomorrow. The most wide-ranging international agreement in many years, covering entirely new areas as well as issues on which agreement has not been possible in decades, the Pact aims above all to ensure that international institutions can deliver in the face of a world that has changed dramatically since they were created. As the Secretary-General has said, “we cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents.”<a href="https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/ltd/n24/252/89/pdf/n2425289.pdf">Click here to read</a> the full text of the agreementOverall, the agreement of the Pact is a strong statement of countries’ commitment to the United Nations, the international system and international law.&nbsp; Leaders set out a clear vision of an international system that can deliver on its promises, is more representative of today’s world and draws on the energy and expertise of governments, civil society and other key partners.“The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations open the door to new opportunities and untapped possibilities,” said the Secretary-General during his remarks at the opening of the Summit of the Future. The President of the General Assembly noted that the Pact would “lay the foundations for a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order – for all peoples and nations.”The Pact covers a broad range of issues including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance. Key deliverables in the Pact include:In the area of peace and security<ul>
 <li>The most progressive and concrete commitment to Security Council reform since the 1960s, with plans to improve the effectiveness and representativeness of the Council, including by redressing the historical under-representation of Africa as a priority.</li><li>The first multilateral recommitment to nuclear disarmament in more than a decade, with a clear commitment to the goal of totally eliminating nuclear weapons.</li><li>Agreement to strengthen international frameworks that govern outer space, including a clear commitment to prevent an arms race in outer space and the need to ensure all countries can benefit from the safe and sustainable exploration of outer space.</li><li>Steps to avoid the weaponization and misuse of new technologies, such as lethal autonomous weapons, and affirmation that the laws of war should apply to many of these new technologies.</li>
 </ul>On sustainable development, climate and financing for development<ul>
 <li>The entire Pact is designed to turbo-charge implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.</li><li>The most detailed agreement ever at the United Nations on the need for reform of the international financial architecture so that it better represents and serves developing countries, including:Giving developing countries a greater say in how decisions are taken at international financial institutions;Mobilizing more financing from multilateral development banks to help developing countries meet their development needs;Reviewing the sovereign debt architecture to ensure that developing countries can borrow sustainably to invest in their future, with the IMF, UN, G20 and other key players working together;Strengthening the global financial safety net to protect the poorest in the event of financial and economic shocks, through concrete actions by the IMF and Member States;and accelerating measures to address the challenge of climate change, including through delivering more finance to help countries adapt to climate change and invest in renewable energy.</li><li>Giving developing countries a greater say in how decisions are taken at international financial institutions;</li><li>Mobilizing more financing from multilateral development banks to help developing countries meet their development needs;</li><li>Reviewing the sovereign debt architecture to ensure that developing countries can borrow sustainably to invest in their future, with the IMF, UN, G20 and other key players working together;</li><li>Strengthening the global financial safety net to protect the poorest in the event of financial and economic shocks, through concrete actions by the IMF and Member States;</li><li>and accelerating measures to address the challenge of climate change, including through delivering more finance to help countries adapt to climate change and invest in renewable energy.</li><li>Improving how we measure human progress, going beyond GDP to capturing human and planetary wellbeing and sustainability.</li><li>A commitment to consider ways to introduce a global minimum level of taxation on high-net-worth individuals.</li><li>On climate change, confirmation of the need to keep global temperature rise to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.</li>
 </ul>On digital cooperation<ul>
 <li>The Global Digital Compact, annexed to the Pact, is the first comprehensive global framework for digital cooperation and AI governance.</li><li>At the heart of the Compact is a commitment to design, use and govern technology for the benefit of all. This includes commitments by world leaders to:Connect all people, schools and hospitals to the Internet;Anchor digital cooperation in human rights and international law;Make the online space safe for all, especially children, through actions by governments, tech companies and social media;Govern Artificial Intelligence, with a roadmap that includes an International Scientific Panel and a Global Policy Dialogue on AI;Make data more open and accessible, with agreements on open-source data, models, and standards;This is also the first global commitment to data governance, placing it on the UN agenda and requiring countries to take concrete actions by 2030.</li><li>Connect all people, schools and hospitals to the Internet;</li><li>Anchor digital cooperation in human rights and international law;</li><li>Make the online space safe for all, especially children, through actions by governments, tech companies and social media;</li><li>Govern Artificial Intelligence, with a roadmap that includes an International Scientific Panel and a Global Policy Dialogue on AI;</li><li>Make data more open and accessible, with agreements on open-source data, models, and standards;</li><li>This is also the first global commitment to data governance, placing it on the UN agenda and requiring countries to take concrete actions by 2030.</li>
 </ul>Youth and future generations<ul>
 <li>The first ever Declaration on Future Generations, with concrete steps to take account of future generations in our decision-making, including a possible envoy for future generations.</li><li>A commitment to more meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in the decisions that shape their lives, especially at the global level.</li>
 </ul>Human rights and gender<ul>
 <li>A strengthening of our work on human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women.</li><li>A clear call on the need to protect human rights defenders.</li><li>Strong signals on the importance of engagement of other stakeholders in global governance, including local and regional governments, civil society, private sector and others.</li>
 </ul>There are provisions across the Pact and its annexes for follow-up action, to ensure that the commitments made are implemented.Summit ProcessThe Summit process and the Pact have been deeply enriched by the contributions of millions of voices and thousands of stakeholders from around the world.The Summit brought together over 4000 individuals from Heads of State and Government, observers, IGOs, UN System, civil society and non-governmental organizations. In a broader push to increase the engagement of diverse actors, the formal Summit was preceded by the Action Days from 20-21 September, which attracted more than 7,000 individuals representing all segments of society. The Action Days featured strong commitments to action by all stakeholders, as well as pledges of USD 1.05 billion to advance digital inclusion.

Read the U.N. approved Pact for the Future to transform global governance

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities took a man into custody who they believe fired shots from inside a car at the driver after hitting him with the gun then attempting to shoot the man in the head.

 A woman and child were also inside the vehicle and the shooter allegedly missed because the woman was able to hit the gun away.  She was also allegedly hit with the gun. 

 Just after 9p.m. Sunday, police were called to the area of Morningside and Brush Creek in Lawrence after residents heard gunshots. Once the car got to that area, the disturbance continued and the man, woman and child were able to get away but hit a car when they fled. 

Police ultimately took the suspect into custody on requested charges of attempted second degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated child endangerment. 

The investigation continues to determine everything that happened. The adult victims had obvious facial injuries.  The 5-year-old child was physically unharmed.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities took a man into custody who they believe fired shots from inside a car at the driver after hitting him with the gun then attempting to shoot the man in the head. A woman and child were also inside the vehicle and the shooter allegedly missed because the woman was able to hit the gun away. She was also allegedly hit with the gun. Just after 9p.m. Sunday, police were called to the area of Morningside and Brush Creek in Lawrence after residents heard gunshots. Once the car got to that area, the disturbance continued and the man, woman and child were able to get away but hit a car when they fled. Police ultimately took the suspect into custody on requested charges of attempted second degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated child endangerment. The investigation continues to determine everything that happened. The adult victims had obvious facial injuries. The 5-year-old child was physically unharmed.

Kan. woman prevents shooting during disturbance in vehicle

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;-

WASHINGTON — The country’s next president will need a friendly Congress to make their policy dreams a reality, but control of the two chambers remains deeply uncertain with just weeks until Election Day — and whether the outcome will be a party trifecta in the nation’s capital.

Recent projections tilt in favor of Republicans taking the U.S. Senate, an already closely divided chamber that is sure to be near evenly split again next Congress.

And though Vice President Kamala Harris injected a jolt of energy into the Democratic Party, prognosticators still say the prizewinner of the House is anybody’s guess.

“The House is highly close and competitive, and really could go either way.&nbsp; And I say the same thing about the presidential race,” Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told States Newsroom on Thursday.

A ‘district-by-district slug fest’&nbsp;

Control of the 435-seat House remains a toss-up, with competitive races in both the seven swing states and in states that will almost certainly have no bearing on who wins the top of the ticket.

Sabato’s, an election prognosticator, currently ranks nine Republican seats of the roughly 30 competitive races as “toss-up” seats for the party — meaning the GOP incumbents are locked in competitive races.

The GOP has held a slim majority this Congress, and Democrats only need to net four seats to gain control.

“It really is right on the razor’s edge,” Kondik said. “It’s pretty crazy that, you know, we’ve had two straight elections with just 222-seat majorities. And it’s pretty rare historically for there to be, you know, majorities that small twice in a row — unprecedented.

“Usually you’d have one side or the other breaking out to a bigger advantage, and I think both sides are viewing this, really, as a district-by-district slug fest.”

Sabato’s&nbsp;<a href="https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/five-house-ratings-changes-as-overall-battle-for-majority-remains-tight/" target="_blank">adjusted its ratings</a>&nbsp;on five races Thursday, including moving Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/08/21/peltola-leads-in-alaska-u-s-house-primary-with-begich-ahead-of-dahlstrom/" target="_blank">Rep. Mary Peltola</a>&nbsp;of Alaska to the “toss-up” category from a safer “leans Democratic.” Kondik also nudged the race for Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York to “leans Republican” from “toss up.”

“The big ones are probably Peltola, and then Mike Lawler, who holds one of the bluest seats held by a Republican, but I moved him to ‘leans R.’ It seems pretty clear to me that he’s in a decent position,” Kondik said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, the party’s fundraising arm for House races, announced in June nearly $1.2 million in ad buys in Alaska. The organization launched a new ad in the state this month that accuses Peltola of not supporting veterans.

In addition to Peltola, Kondik ranks nine other Democratic incumbents — of the nearly 40 competitive races — as toss-ups.

Among the toss-ups is the seat currently held by Rep. Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania, a key swing state in the presidential race. Cartwright’s Republican challenger, Rob Bresnahan, runs an electrical contracting company in the northeastern Pennsylvania district that he took over from his grandfather.

Democrats are investing in the seat: Cartwright is running a new ad featuring union workers praising him, and just last week Harris hosted a rally in the district, which includes Scranton.

But the NRCC thinks they have a pretty good chance of flipping his seat.

Breshnahan’s company is “a union shop,” said NRCC head Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina. “So he can talk union talk. He’s a great candidate for us.”

“Matt Cartwright is in trouble,” Hudson said on the conservative “Ruthless Podcast” on Sept. 12.

“I think the way we’ve structured it, the type of candidates we recruited across the country, from Maine to Alaska, from Minnesota to Texas, regardless of top of the ticket, we’re going to pick up seats,” Hudson said.

But Sabato’s also nudged three seats toward the Democrats’ favor on Thursday.

Kondik moved Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin from the safety of “likely Republican” to the weaker “leans Republican” category.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, sees an “important opportunity” in Van Orden’s district. The GOP congressman, who represents central and western Wisconsin, became known for his profanity-laced&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/report-van-orden-curses-out-group-of-teenage-congressional-pages/" target="_blank">outburst</a>&nbsp;at young Senate pages for taking photos of the Capitol rotunda.

The Democrats are running challenger Rebecca Cooke, a small business owner, in the hopes of unseating him.

“We have an incredible candidate in Rebecca Cooke (against) one of the most extreme, which is saying a lot, Republicans in the House,” DelBene told reporters on a call Monday.

“We have put Rebecca Cooke on our Red-to-Blue list and are strongly supporting her campaign. She’s doing a great job, and this absolutely is a priority for us,” DelBene said, referring to the DCCC’s list of 30 candidates that receive extra fundraising support.

DelBene said she’s confident in the Democrats’ chances to flip the House, citing healthy coffers and revived interest.

“We have seen huge enthusiasm all across the country. We have seen people, more and more people turning out to volunteer, to knock on doors, to make phone calls,” she said.

Democrats’ cash ‘flooding,’ NRCC chief says

Erin Covey, a House analyst with The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/house/house-overview/house-ratings-changes-several-races-move-democrats-favor" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 5 that Democrats have a brighter outlook after Harris assumed the top of the ticket, though November remains a close call.

“Now, polling conducted by both parties largely shows Harris matching, or coming a few points short of, Biden’s 2020 margins across competitive House districts,” Covey wrote.

The NRCC has taken note. During his interview on the “Ruthless Podcast,” Hudson compared Harris becoming the Democrats’ new choice for president as a “bloodless coup,” and said the enthusiasm she’s sparked is a cause for concern for Republicans. Democratic delegates nominated Harris, in accordance with party rules, to run for the Oval Office after Biden dropped out in late July.

“A lot of people, even Democrats, you know, just weren’t comfortable voting for Joe Biden. With Kamala on the ticket, we saw a surge in Democrats coming home and having the enthusiasm,” Hudson said.

Hudson said he also worries about Democrats’ fundraising numbers.

“The one thing that keeps you awake at night is the Democrat money. It’s flooding,” Hudson said. “The second quarter this year I was able to raise the most money we’ve ever raised as a committee, and the Democrats raised $7 million more. I mean, it’s just, they just keep coming. It’s like the Terminator.”

“But we don’t have to match them dollar for dollar,” Hudson said. “We’ve just got to make sure we’ve got the resources we need. And so we’ve just got to keep our pace.”

The DCCC announced Friday it raised $22.3 million in August, bringing its total for this election cycle to $250.6 million.

Republicans are inching closer and closer to flipping the Senate red during this year’s elections, thanks to a map that favors GOP incumbents and puts Democrats on the defensive in several states.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is widely expected to win his bid for the upper chamber, bringing Republicans up to 50 seats, as long as they hang on in Florida, Nebraska and Texas.

But Democrats will need to secure wins in several challenging states, including Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and break the 50-50 tie through a Democratic presidency — if they want to remain the majority party.

That many Democratic wins seems increasingly unlikely, though not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

Montana, where Sen. Jon Tester is looking to secure reelection against GOP challenger Tim Sheehy, has been moved from a “toss-up” state to leaning toward Republicans by three respected analysis organizations in the last few weeks.

The Cook Political Report wrote in its ratings change earlier this month that several “public polls have shown Sheehy opening up a small, but consistent lead.”

“Democrats push back that their polling still shows Tester within the margin of error of the race, and that those are exactly the type of close races he’s won before,” their assessment said. “Tester, however, has never run on a presidential ballot in a polarized environment of this kind before — and even with his stumbles, Sheehy is still the strongest, best financed candidate he’s ever faced.”

Republicans winning Montana’s Senate seat could give them a firm, though narrow, 51-seat Senate majority.

That, however, would require the Republican incumbents in states like Florida and Texas — where it’s not clear if evolving trends against Republicans will continue — to secure their reelection wins.

And it would mean holding off a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/03/fischer-and-osborn-hint-at-tight-race-as-both-tout-union-endorsements/" target="_blank">wild card independent candidate&nbsp;</a>in the Cornhusker state.

The Cook Political Report says it’s “worth keeping an eye on a unique situation developing in Nebraska, where independent candidate Dan Osborn is challenging Republican Sen. Deb Fischer.”

CPR also noted in its analysis that Democrats’ best pick-up opportunities, which could rebalance the scales a bit, are Florida and Texas.

“Today, the Lone Star State looks like the better option because of the strengths and fundraising of Democrats’ challenger there, Rep. Colin Allred,” CPR wrote.

If Democrats do hold onto 50 seats, through whatever combination of wins and losses shakes out on election night, majority control would depend on whichever candidate wins the presidential contest.

Given the close nature of several Senate races, it is entirely possible control of that chamber isn’t known until after recounts take place in the swing states.

Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Gary Peters, D-Mich., said during a Christian Science Monitor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?538456-1/christian-science-monitor-breakfast-senator-gary-peters" target="_blank">breakfast</a>&nbsp;this week that he’s known all along Democratic candidates will be in “very right races.”

“In a nutshell, I’m optimistic,” Peters said. “I believe we’re going to hold the majority. I feel good about where we are. We’re basically where I thought we would be after Labor Day in really tight races. None of this is a surprise to us. Now we just have to run our playbook, be focused, be disciplined.”

The National Republican Senatorial Committee, led this cycle by Montana Sen. Steve Daines, is confident the GOP will pick up the Senate majority following November’s elections.

The group highlighted a Washington Post poll this week showing a tie between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and GOP candidate Dave McCormick in the Pennsylvania Senate race.

NRSC Spokesman Philip Letsou sent out a written statement after the poll’s release that Casey is in the “race for his life…because Pennsylvania voters know Casey’s lockstep support for Kamala Harris and her inflationary, anti-fracking agenda will devastate their economy. Pennsylvanians have had enough of liberal, career politicians like Casey and Harris.”

The GOP acquisition of a handful of seats would still require the next Republican leader to constantly broker deals with Democrats, since the chamber is widely expected to retain the legislative filibuster.

That rule requires at least 60 senators vote to advance legislation toward final passage and is the main reason the chamber rarely takes up partisan bills.

A Republican sweep of the House, Senate and White House for unified government would give them the chance to pass certain types of legislation through the fast-track budget reconciliation process they used to approve the 2017 tax law.

How wide their majorities are in each chamber will determine how much they can do within such a bill, given Republicans will still have centrist members, like Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski and Maine’s Susan Collins, balancing the party against more far-right policy goals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675989554413.png" alt="-Recent projections tilt in favor of Republicans taking the U.S. Senate, an already closely divided chamber that is sure to be near evenly split again next Congress-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>-Recent projections tilt in favor of Republicans taking the U.S. Senate, an already closely divided chamber that is sure to be near evenly split again next Congress-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;-WASHINGTON — The country’s next president will need a friendly Congress to make their policy dreams a reality, but control of the two chambers remains deeply uncertain with just weeks until Election Day — and whether the outcome will be a party trifecta in the nation’s capital.Recent projections tilt in favor of Republicans taking the U.S. Senate, an already closely divided chamber that is sure to be near evenly split again next Congress.And though Vice President Kamala Harris injected a jolt of energy into the Democratic Party, prognosticators still say the prizewinner of the House is anybody’s guess.“The House is highly close and competitive, and really could go either way.&nbsp; And I say the same thing about the presidential race,” Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told States Newsroom on Thursday.<h2>A ‘district-by-district slug fest’&nbsp;</h2>Control of the 435-seat House remains a toss-up, with competitive races in both the seven swing states and in states that will almost certainly have no bearing on who wins the top of the ticket.Sabato’s, an election prognosticator, currently ranks nine Republican seats of the roughly 30 competitive races as “toss-up” seats for the party — meaning the GOP incumbents are locked in competitive races.The GOP has held a slim majority this Congress, and Democrats only need to net four seats to gain control.“It really is right on the razor’s edge,” Kondik said. “It’s pretty crazy that, you know, we’ve had two straight elections with just 222-seat majorities. And it’s pretty rare historically for there to be, you know, majorities that small twice in a row — unprecedented.“Usually you’d have one side or the other breaking out to a bigger advantage, and I think both sides are viewing this, really, as a district-by-district slug fest.”Sabato’s&nbsp;<a href="https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/five-house-ratings-changes-as-overall-battle-for-majority-remains-tight/" target="_blank">adjusted its ratings</a>&nbsp;on five races Thursday, including moving Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/08/21/peltola-leads-in-alaska-u-s-house-primary-with-begich-ahead-of-dahlstrom/" target="_blank">Rep. Mary Peltola</a>&nbsp;of Alaska to the “toss-up” category from a safer “leans Democratic.” Kondik also nudged the race for Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York to “leans Republican” from “toss up.”“The big ones are probably Peltola, and then Mike Lawler, who holds one of the bluest seats held by a Republican, but I moved him to ‘leans R.’ It seems pretty clear to me that he’s in a decent position,” Kondik said.The National Republican Congressional Committee, the party’s fundraising arm for House races, announced in June nearly $1.2 million in ad buys in Alaska. The organization launched a new ad in the state this month that accuses Peltola of not supporting veterans.<h2>It’s always about Pennsylvania</h2>In addition to Peltola, Kondik ranks nine other Democratic incumbents — of the nearly 40 competitive races — as toss-ups.Among the toss-ups is the seat currently held by Rep. Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania, a key swing state in the presidential race. Cartwright’s Republican challenger, Rob Bresnahan, runs an electrical contracting company in the northeastern Pennsylvania district that he took over from his grandfather.Democrats are investing in the seat: Cartwright is running a new ad featuring union workers praising him, and just last week Harris hosted a rally in the district, which includes Scranton.But the NRCC thinks they have a pretty good chance of flipping his seat.Breshnahan’s company is “a union shop,” said NRCC head Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina. “So he can talk union talk. He’s a great candidate for us.”“Matt Cartwright is in trouble,” Hudson said on the conservative “Ruthless Podcast” on Sept. 12.“I think the way we’ve structured it, the type of candidates we recruited across the country, from Maine to Alaska, from Minnesota to Texas, regardless of top of the ticket, we’re going to pick up seats,” Hudson said.<h2>Van Orden targeted in Wisconsin</h2>But Sabato’s also nudged three seats toward the Democrats’ favor on Thursday.Kondik moved Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin from the safety of “likely Republican” to the weaker “leans Republican” category.Rep. Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, sees an “important opportunity” in Van Orden’s district. The GOP congressman, who represents central and western Wisconsin, became known for his profanity-laced&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/report-van-orden-curses-out-group-of-teenage-congressional-pages/" target="_blank">outburst</a>&nbsp;at young Senate pages for taking photos of the Capitol rotunda.The Democrats are running challenger Rebecca Cooke, a small business owner, in the hopes of unseating him.“We have an incredible candidate in Rebecca Cooke (against) one of the most extreme, which is saying a lot, Republicans in the House,” DelBene told reporters on a call Monday.“We have put Rebecca Cooke on our Red-to-Blue list and are strongly supporting her campaign. She’s doing a great job, and this absolutely is a priority for us,” DelBene said, referring to the DCCC’s list of 30 candidates that receive extra fundraising support.DelBene said she’s confident in the Democrats’ chances to flip the House, citing healthy coffers and revived interest.“We have seen huge enthusiasm all across the country. We have seen people, more and more people turning out to volunteer, to knock on doors, to make phone calls,” she said.<h2>Democrats’ cash ‘flooding,’ NRCC chief says</h2>Erin Covey, a House analyst with The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/house/house-overview/house-ratings-changes-several-races-move-democrats-favor" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 5 that Democrats have a brighter outlook after Harris assumed the top of the ticket, though November remains a close call.“Now, polling conducted by both parties largely shows Harris matching, or coming a few points short of, Biden’s 2020 margins across competitive House districts,” Covey wrote.The NRCC has taken note. During his interview on the “Ruthless Podcast,” Hudson compared Harris becoming the Democrats’ new choice for president as a “bloodless coup,” and said the enthusiasm she’s sparked is a cause for concern for Republicans. Democratic delegates nominated Harris, in accordance with party rules, to run for the Oval Office after Biden dropped out in late July.“A lot of people, even Democrats, you know, just weren’t comfortable voting for Joe Biden. With Kamala on the ticket, we saw a surge in Democrats coming home and having the enthusiasm,” Hudson said.Hudson said he also worries about Democrats’ fundraising numbers.“The one thing that keeps you awake at night is the Democrat money. It’s flooding,” Hudson said. “The second quarter this year I was able to raise the most money we’ve ever raised as a committee, and the Democrats raised $7 million more. I mean, it’s just, they just keep coming. It’s like the Terminator.”“But we don’t have to match them dollar for dollar,” Hudson said. “We’ve just got to make sure we’ve got the resources we need. And so we’ve just got to keep our pace.”The DCCC announced Friday it raised $22.3 million in August, bringing its total for this election cycle to $250.6 million.<h2>Senate map tilts toward GOP</h2>Republicans are inching closer and closer to flipping the Senate red during this year’s elections, thanks to a map that favors GOP incumbents and puts Democrats on the defensive in several states.West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is widely expected to win his bid for the upper chamber, bringing Republicans up to 50 seats, as long as they hang on in Florida, Nebraska and Texas.But Democrats will need to secure wins in several challenging states, including Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and break the 50-50 tie through a Democratic presidency — if they want to remain the majority party.That many Democratic wins seems increasingly unlikely, though not entirely out of the realm of possibility.Montana, where Sen. Jon Tester is looking to secure reelection against GOP challenger Tim Sheehy, has been moved from a “toss-up” state to leaning toward Republicans by three respected analysis organizations in the last few weeks.The Cook Political Report wrote in its ratings change earlier this month that several “public polls have shown Sheehy opening up a small, but consistent lead.”“Democrats push back that their polling still shows Tester within the margin of error of the race, and that those are exactly the type of close races he’s won before,” their assessment said. “Tester, however, has never run on a presidential ballot in a polarized environment of this kind before — and even with his stumbles, Sheehy is still the strongest, best financed candidate he’s ever faced.”Republicans winning Montana’s Senate seat could give them a firm, though narrow, 51-seat Senate majority.<h2>Florida, Texas, Nebraska</h2>That, however, would require the Republican incumbents in states like Florida and Texas — where it’s not clear if evolving trends against Republicans will continue — to secure their reelection wins.And it would mean holding off a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/03/fischer-and-osborn-hint-at-tight-race-as-both-tout-union-endorsements/" target="_blank">wild card independent candidate&nbsp;</a>in the Cornhusker state.The Cook Political Report says it’s “worth keeping an eye on a unique situation developing in Nebraska, where independent candidate Dan Osborn is challenging Republican Sen. Deb Fischer.”CPR also noted in its analysis that Democrats’ best pick-up opportunities, which could rebalance the scales a bit, are Florida and Texas.“Today, the Lone Star State looks like the better option because of the strengths and fundraising of Democrats’ challenger there, Rep. Colin Allred,” CPR wrote.If Democrats do hold onto 50 seats, through whatever combination of wins and losses shakes out on election night, majority control would depend on whichever candidate wins the presidential contest.Given the close nature of several Senate races, it is entirely possible control of that chamber isn’t known until after recounts take place in the swing states.Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Gary Peters, D-Mich., said during a Christian Science Monitor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?538456-1/christian-science-monitor-breakfast-senator-gary-peters" target="_blank">breakfast</a>&nbsp;this week that he’s known all along Democratic candidates will be in “very right races.”“In a nutshell, I’m optimistic,” Peters said. “I believe we’re going to hold the majority. I feel good about where we are. We’re basically where I thought we would be after Labor Day in really tight races. None of this is a surprise to us. Now we just have to run our playbook, be focused, be disciplined.”The National Republican Senatorial Committee, led this cycle by Montana Sen. Steve Daines, is confident the GOP will pick up the Senate majority following November’s elections.The group highlighted a Washington Post poll this week showing a tie between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and GOP candidate Dave McCormick in the Pennsylvania Senate race.NRSC Spokesman Philip Letsou sent out a written statement after the poll’s release that Casey is in the “race for his life…because Pennsylvania voters know Casey’s lockstep support for Kamala Harris and her inflationary, anti-fracking agenda will devastate their economy. Pennsylvanians have had enough of liberal, career politicians like Casey and Harris.”<h2>No change in filibuster in sight</h2>The GOP acquisition of a handful of seats would still require the next Republican leader to constantly broker deals with Democrats, since the chamber is widely expected to retain the legislative filibuster.That rule requires at least 60 senators vote to advance legislation toward final passage and is the main reason the chamber rarely takes up partisan bills.A Republican sweep of the House, Senate and White House for unified government would give them the chance to pass certain types of legislation through the fast-track budget reconciliation process they used to approve the 2017 tax law.How wide their majorities are in each chamber will determine how much they can do within such a bill, given Republicans will still have centrist members, like Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski and Maine’s Susan Collins, balancing the party against more far-right policy goals.

Racing toward Election Day, control of U.S. Senate and House up for grabs

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a violent confrontation near a Kansas elementary school that sent a woman and her attacker to the hospital.

Just after 9a.m. Monday, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications began to receive reports of a shooting outside Cessna Elementary School, 2101 West 45th Street South in Wichita, according to a statement from Police Chief Joe Sullivan during a Tuesday afternoon news conference.

The call was broadcast on all law enforcement radio channels. A Sedgwick County Deputy heard the call and responded. When the deputy arrived, he located a 46-year-old man from Wichita who was armed with a handgun. The man made statements that the deputy would kill him while pointing the gun at the deputy, according to Sullivan.

The suspect than ran to and laid on top of a 30-year-old woman. The deputy gave commands for the man to drop his gun and observed the suspect place the fun to the woman's head.

In defense of the woman, the deputy fired his gun twice. The suspect would not let go of the woman. The deputy then attempted to disarm the man physically. It took two Wichita Police officers and the deputy to disarm the suspect.

Investigators have learned that the man and woman live together and have children together. The couple had an argument in a vehicle on the way to the school which led to the suspect shooting the woman multiple times. The woman ran toward the school and the suspect chased her. A Wichita Public School staff member saw the suspect with the gun approaching the school and pulled the door of the school shut and locked it so the suspect could not get inside.

EMS transported the suspect and the woman to an area hospital. Both are expected to survive, according to Sullivan. When the suspect is released from the hospital,&nbsp; he faces charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released the name of the suspect.

The Advanced Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) was activated to conduct this investigation. ALERT team investigators will present the facts of this case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727210527551.png" alt="The suspect with the gun chasing the woman who had already been shot -image from security camera image released by Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>The suspect with the gun chasing the woman who had already been shot -image from security camera image released by Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a violent confrontation near a Kansas elementary school that sent a woman and her attacker to the hospital.Just after 9a.m. Monday, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications began to receive reports of a shooting outside Cessna Elementary School, 2101 West 45th Street South in Wichita, according to a statement from Police Chief Joe Sullivan during a Tuesday afternoon news conference.The call was broadcast on all law enforcement radio channels. A Sedgwick County Deputy heard the call and responded. When the deputy arrived, he located a 46-year-old man from Wichita who was armed with a handgun. The man made statements that the deputy would kill him while pointing the gun at the deputy, according to Sullivan.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727106753444.png" alt="Police on the scene near the school-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene near the school-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The suspect than ran to and laid on top of a 30-year-old woman. The deputy gave commands for the man to drop his gun and observed the suspect place the fun to the woman's head.In defense of the woman, the deputy fired his gun twice. The suspect would not let go of the woman. The deputy then attempted to disarm the man physically. It took two Wichita Police officers and the deputy to disarm the suspect.Investigators have learned that the man and woman live together and have children together. The couple had an argument in a vehicle on the way to the school which led to the suspect shooting the woman multiple times. The woman ran toward the school and the suspect chased her. A Wichita Public School staff member saw the suspect with the gun approaching the school and pulled the door of the school shut and locked it so the suspect could not get inside.EMS transported the suspect and the woman to an area hospital. Both are expected to survive, according to Sullivan. When the suspect is released from the hospital,&nbsp; he faces charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released the name of the suspect.The Advanced Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) was activated to conduct this investigation. ALERT team investigators will present the facts of this case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration.

Police: Suspect shot woman near Kansas elementary school

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man for an alleged road-rage incident.

Just after 1p.m. Saturday, a couple from Concordia merged onto Interstate 135 northbound at the Schilling Road exit when a black pickup truck, driven by 34-year-old Nicholas Osbourn of Solomon, began tailgating them, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

Osbourn attempted pass the couple in the vehicle. They didn't realize he was. They both came up to ramp together, according to Soldan.

Osbourn attempted to pass, immediately after leaving the ramp but there was another vehicle in the lane. So the Concordia driver switched lanes, and Osbourne thought they cut him off.

Osbourn began following the couple closely. He then passed their vehicle, brandished a .22 caliber revolver, and discharged the firearm multiple times out of the back window of his truck, according to a statement from the couple.

According to Soldan no bullets made contact with the victims' vehicle.&nbsp;

The couple, fearing for their safety, pulled over near the Interstate 70 exit at Milepost 95. Osbourn also stopped, got out of his truck, and began walking toward the couple. In response, the couple put their vehicle in reverse, against the flow of Interstate 135 traffic, to avoid confrontation.

At this point, another couple driving along the interstate noticed and stopped to assist.

"Osbourn told the second couple that he had 'shot at some people' but wasn’t sure if he had hit them," Soldan said.&nbsp;

Sheriff's Deputies including officers from the Salina Police Department, quickly arrived on the scene. Osbourn, who had returned to his truck, was arrested without further incident on requested charges of aggravated assault, criminal discharge of a firearm on a public roadway, reckless driving and unlawfully being a pedestrian on the interstate.&nbsp; He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727052536346.png" alt="Osbourn -Photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Osbourn -Photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man for an alleged road-rage incident.Just after 1p.m. Saturday, a couple from Concordia merged onto Interstate 135 northbound at the Schilling Road exit when a black pickup truck, driven by 34-year-old Nicholas Osbourn of Solomon, began tailgating them, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.Osbourn attempted pass the couple in the vehicle. They didn't realize he was. They both came up to ramp together, according to Soldan.Osbourn attempted to pass, immediately after leaving the ramp but there was another vehicle in the lane. So the Concordia driver switched lanes, and Osbourne thought they cut him off.Osbourn began following the couple closely. He then passed their vehicle, brandished a .22 caliber revolver, and discharged the firearm multiple times out of the back window of his truck, according to a statement from the couple.According to Soldan no bullets made contact with the victims' vehicle.&nbsp;The couple, fearing for their safety, pulled over near the Interstate 70 exit at Milepost 95. Osbourn also stopped, got out of his truck, and began walking toward the couple. In response, the couple put their vehicle in reverse, against the flow of Interstate 135 traffic, to avoid confrontation.At this point, another couple driving along the interstate noticed and stopped to assist."Osbourn told the second couple that he had 'shot at some people' but wasn’t sure if he had hit them," Soldan said.&nbsp;Sheriff's Deputies including officers from the Salina Police Department, quickly arrived on the scene. Osbourn, who had returned to his truck, was arrested without further incident on requested charges of aggravated assault, criminal discharge of a firearm on a public roadway, reckless driving and unlawfully being a pedestrian on the interstate.&nbsp; He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Road Rage: Kan. man accused of shooting at vehicle on Interstate

NEW YORK— President&nbsp;Joe Biden gave his final address to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-general-assembly-leaders-conflicts-crises-summit-c8dec645b01be23f67c542666c229d9d">U.N. General Assembly</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday. Below are some of the highlights.

Biden spoke about the need to end the Middle East and reaffirmed conflict and the 17-month-old civil war in Sudan and to highlight U.S.&nbsp; support for Ukraine in the war with Russia.

NEW YORK— President&nbsp;Joe Biden gave his final address to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-general-assembly-leaders-conflicts-crises-summit-c8dec645b01be23f67c542666c229d9d">U.N. General Assembly</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday. Below are some of the highlights.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Happening Now: President Biden delivers remarks before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. <a href="https://t.co/4uOc2w5eXV">https://t.co/4uOc2w5eXV</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1838581986497347817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden at <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> General Assembly: &quot;I decided after 50 years of public service it&#39;s time for a new generation of leadership to take my nation forward. My fellow leaders, let us never forget some things are more important than staying in power.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/1GvonNxBgJ">pic.twitter.com/1GvonNxBgJ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1838600184302829740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on Ukraine: &quot;America stepped into the breach and provided massive security and economic and humanitarian assistance...the Ukrainian people stood up...The good news is Putin&#39;s war has failed...he set out to destroy Ukraine, but Ukraine is still free.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/yJhuCwSWdg">pic.twitter.com/yJhuCwSWdg</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1838599063022772289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden at <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> General Assembly: &quot;Our task, our test is to make sure that the forces holding us together are stronger than those pulling us apart.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ohr7MX3SfK">pic.twitter.com/ohr7MX3SfK</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1838602690584264770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden spoke about the need to end the Middle East and reaffirmed conflict and the 17-month-old civil war in Sudan and to highlight U.S.&nbsp; support for Ukraine in the war with Russia.

🎥Highlights of President Biden's farewell address at the U.N. 

KINGMAN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a standoff at a home in Kingman.

Just after 2p.m. on Monday, police received a call reporting a stabbing in the 300 block of East D Avenue in Kingman, according to Police Chief David Lux.

Officers of the Kingman Police Department and Kingman County Sheriff’s Office pursued a suspect who fled to a residence in the 400 block of East B Avenue. Officers attempted to negotiate the suspects surrender while additional resources were contacted. 

Resources and staff from the Kingman County Sheriff, Kansas Highway Patrol, Pratt County Sheriff, Edwards County Sheriff, and Kiowa County Sheriff were utilized in the incident and the suspect identified as 49-year-old Samuel Mitchell of Kingman eventually surrendered at the scene. 

&nbsp;Mitchel was processed into the Kingman County on numerous requested felony charges, according to Lux.

Two additional suspects were arrested on requested charges of obstructing the apprehension of Mitchell. The stabbing victim was treated for his injuries.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727187448217.png" alt="SWAT teams on the scene of the standoff Monday night-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>SWAT teams on the scene of the standoff Monday night-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>KINGMAN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a standoff at a home in Kingman.Just after 2p.m. on Monday, police received a call reporting a stabbing in the 300 block of East D Avenue in Kingman, according to Police Chief David Lux.Officers of the Kingman Police Department and Kingman County Sheriff’s Office pursued a suspect who fled to a residence in the 400 block of East B Avenue. Officers attempted to negotiate the suspects surrender while additional resources were contacted. Resources and staff from the Kingman County Sheriff, Kansas Highway Patrol, Pratt County Sheriff, Edwards County Sheriff, and Kiowa County Sheriff were utilized in the incident and the suspect identified as 49-year-old Samuel Mitchell of Kingman eventually surrendered at the scene. &nbsp;Mitchel was processed into the Kingman County on numerous requested felony charges, according to Lux.Two additional suspects were arrested on requested charges of obstructing the apprehension of Mitchell. The stabbing victim was treated for his injuries.&nbsp;

3 arrested including stabbing suspect after standoff at Kansas home

REPUBLIC COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Monday in Republic County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Freightliner semi driven by Casey E A&nbsp;Tate, 62, Luray, was westbound on U.S. 36. just west of Scandia.

The semi rear-ended a Case IH tractor towing a farm implement and driven by Andrew J&nbsp;Pumphrey, 38, Mankato.&nbsp; &nbsp;Pumphrey was ejected from the tractor and pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; He was transported to&nbsp;Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home.

EMS transported a passenger in the semi Michelle H.&nbsp;Hauger, 46, Luray, to the Republic County Hospital. Tate was not transported for treatment of a minor injury.&nbsp; Tate and Hauger were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

REPUBLIC COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 9:30p.m. Monday in Republic County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Freightliner semi driven by Casey E A&nbsp;Tate, 62, Luray, was westbound on U.S. 36. just west of Scandia.The semi rear-ended a Case IH tractor towing a farm implement and driven by Andrew J&nbsp;Pumphrey, 38, Mankato.&nbsp; &nbsp;Pumphrey was ejected from the tractor and pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; He was transported to&nbsp;Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home.EMS transported a passenger in the semi Michelle H.&nbsp;Hauger, 46, Luray, to the Republic County Hospital. Tate was not transported for treatment of a minor injury.&nbsp; Tate and Hauger were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after semi rear-ends farm tractor, implement

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department investigating a deadly weekend shooting have identified the victim as 29-year-old&nbsp; Michael Rickerson of Kansas City, Kansas.

Just before 3:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting reported in the area of 10th and Kansas Avenue, according to a media release.

When officers arrived on scene, they discovered Rickerson who was the victim of apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on scene.

Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726973418386.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department investigating a deadly weekend shooting have identified the victim as 29-year-old&nbsp; Michael Rickerson of Kansas City, Kansas.Just before 3:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting reported in the area of 10th and Kansas Avenue, according to a media release.When officers arrived on scene, they discovered Rickerson who was the victim of apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on scene.Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect information.

Police ID victim in deadly Kansas shooting

KANSAS CITY —Funeral services for a Kansas City firefighter-paramedic will be held this week.

Visitation for Kyle Brinker will be from 12-2 PM on Wednesday September 25, 2024, at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church with the Celebration of Life to follow at 2p.m. with full firefighter honors. A procession will follow the services past Station 35, the KCFD Memorial Plaza, and Station 7 then back to White Chapel Funeral Home.

Brinker, 33, died Tuesday during a training exercise.&nbsp;

He graduated with the class of 2009 at Plum Borough Pennsylvania Senior High School. He would go on to graduate in 2013 at the University of Pittsburgh.

Kyle was proud to serve 11 years with Kansas City Fire Department most recently at Station 35 on Rescue 9. On August 31, 2019, Kyle married Becky Wilkerson.

Kyle was passionate about his BBQ and made an amazing brisket. He loved to travel with his wife, Becky and together they have been to Jamaica, St. Lucia, Mexico, and many smaller trips around the country. Kyle enjoyed his pet, Doug the Dog both walking him and playing fetch.

Survivors include his wife of 5 years, Becky Brinker; his parents, Bob and Susan (Rogers) Brinker; Scott Brinker; Doug the Dog.

Memorials are suggested to the Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund (SAFE) 3100 Broadway Blvd Suite 1234 Kansas City, Missouri 64111&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kc-crime.org/safe." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.kc-crime.org/safe.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726704459151.png" alt="Kyle Brinker courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kyle Brinker courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Funeral services for a Kansas City firefighter-paramedic will be held this week.Visitation for Kyle Brinker will be from 12-2 PM on Wednesday September 25, 2024, at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church with the Celebration of Life to follow at 2p.m. with full firefighter honors. A procession will follow the services past Station 35, the KCFD Memorial Plaza, and Station 7 then back to White Chapel Funeral Home.Brinker, 33, died Tuesday during a training exercise.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727183122131.png" alt="Map of the procession provided by KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Map of the procession provided by KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>He graduated with the class of 2009 at Plum Borough Pennsylvania Senior High School. He would go on to graduate in 2013 at the University of Pittsburgh.Kyle was proud to serve 11 years with Kansas City Fire Department most recently at Station 35 on Rescue 9. On August 31, 2019, Kyle married Becky Wilkerson.Kyle was passionate about his BBQ and made an amazing brisket. He loved to travel with his wife, Becky and together they have been to Jamaica, St. Lucia, Mexico, and many smaller trips around the country. Kyle enjoyed his pet, Doug the Dog both walking him and playing fetch.Survivors include his wife of 5 years, Becky Brinker; his parents, Bob and Susan (Rogers) Brinker; Scott Brinker; Doug the Dog.Memorials are suggested to the Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund (SAFE) 3100 Broadway Blvd Suite 1234 Kansas City, Missouri 64111&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kc-crime.org/safe." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.kc-crime.org/safe.</a>

Services announced for fallen Kansas City firefighter 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/aaronsanderford/">AARON SANDERFORD</a>

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Republican push to change how Nebraska awards its Electoral College votes and boost former President Donald Trump ran into political reality Monday as a key lawmaker, State Sen. Mike McDonnell, announced he won’t support the change.

McDonnell, of Omaha, said he had heard from people passionate about the issue who live in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. But he said he did not hear enough to move him off his original position against the switch.

“Elections should be an opportunity for all voters to be heard, no matter who they are, where they live, or what party they support,” McDonnell said in a statement. “I&nbsp;have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.”

McDonnell said he told Gov. Jim Pillen his stance and suggested that the Legislature put winner-take-all to a vote of the people, as a proposed constitutional amendment, so people can decide the issue “once and for all.”

Nebraska and Maine are the only states that award a single Electoral College vote to the winner in each congressional district, plus two votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote. Nebraska has split off votes twice in four presidential elections.

President Joe Biden won the 2nd District in 2020. Trump won all five of the state’s electoral votes in 2016. Mitt Romney did the same in 2012. The 2nd District got its national name as “the blue dot” in 2008, when former President Barack Obama won it.

Nebraska Republicans have argued for years that Nebraska should award all five of its electoral votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote, a process many call winner-take-all.

Republicans hold a 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Democrats statewide, but the 2nd District cuts much more evenly between Republicans, Democrats and registered nonpartisans, a split that makes the 2nd District competitive in national elections.

Pillen had pledged to call a special session if he could secure the 33 votes needed to overcome a filibuster to change to winner-take-all. All five of Nebraska’s GOP congressional delegates wrote a letter urging state lawmakers to pass such a move.

The Nebraska Legislature has 33 Republicans, 15 Democrats and one progressive who is a registered nonpartisan. People whipping votes for Pillen and the Trump campaign have told others they expected the remaining GOP holdouts to join the push for the change if McDonnell did.

Pillen’s office had no immediate comment Monday, nor did the Trump or Harris campaigns.

McDonnell’s no on winner-take-all leaves Republicans in Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan Legislature with no path to overcoming a promised filibuster unless a Democrat or nonpartisan senator defects. Thus far, none has opposed the status quo. Nebraska Democrats tweeted the list of 17 pledged no votes, including McDonnell.

Part of the GOP urgency is wrapped in national polling that shows a close race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. Some political observers have argued the 2nd District could break a 269-269 Electoral College tie.

Few Democrats were surprised that the fate of winner-take-all largely swung on McDonnell, a former Omaha fire union president who switched to the GOP this spring after facing political pushback from Democrats for backing abortion restrictions and legislation restricting some health care for minors who are transgender.

Several said the abortion debate should have shown Republicans that McDonnell is largely immovable once he has made a controversial position clear. McDonnell said when he switched parties that he would not support winner-take-all. Others said he did what helped him most politically.

McDonnell’s stance&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/18/winner-take-all-push-gets-help-of-gov-jim-pillen-sen-lindsey-graham-trump/" target="_blank">softened in recent weeks</a>&nbsp;under pressure from local, state and national Republicans, including some with ties to the Trump campaign. He was one of two dozen GOP state senators who met Sept. 18 with Pillen and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

People in the room said McDonnell told GOP colleagues last week he was looking for a way to get to yes. McDonnell&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/19/sen-mike-mcdonnell-says-hes-a-no-on-winner-take-all-as-of-today/" target="_blank">told the Examiner on Thursday</a>, not long after the meeting discussion became public, that he remained a no on winner-take-all, “as of today.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727142059244.png" alt="State Sen. Mike McDonnell announces leaving the Democratic Party after he was censured by the state and Douglas County Democrats. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Mike McDonnell announces leaving the Democratic Party after he was censured by the state and Douglas County Democrats. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/aaronsanderford/">AARON SANDERFORD</a>LINCOLN, Neb. — The Republican push to change how Nebraska awards its Electoral College votes and boost former President Donald Trump ran into political reality Monday as a key lawmaker, State Sen. Mike McDonnell, announced he won’t support the change.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725133509171.png" alt="File photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>McDonnell, of Omaha, said he had heard from people passionate about the issue who live in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. But he said he did not hear enough to move him off his original position against the switch.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727142619266.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“Elections should be an opportunity for all voters to be heard, no matter who they are, where they live, or what party they support,” McDonnell said in a statement. “I&nbsp;have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.”McDonnell said he told Gov. Jim Pillen his stance and suggested that the Legislature put winner-take-all to a vote of the people, as a proposed constitutional amendment, so people can decide the issue “once and for all.”Nebraska and Maine are the only states that award a single Electoral College vote to the winner in each congressional district, plus two votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote. Nebraska has split off votes twice in four presidential elections.President Joe Biden won the 2nd District in 2020. Trump won all five of the state’s electoral votes in 2016. Mitt Romney did the same in 2012. The 2nd District got its national name as “the blue dot” in 2008, when former President Barack Obama won it.<h2>2nd District split</h2>Nebraska Republicans have argued for years that Nebraska should award all five of its electoral votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote, a process many call winner-take-all.Republicans hold a 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Democrats statewide, but the 2nd District cuts much more evenly between Republicans, Democrats and registered nonpartisans, a split that makes the 2nd District competitive in national elections.Pillen had pledged to call a special session if he could secure the 33 votes needed to overcome a filibuster to change to winner-take-all. All five of Nebraska’s GOP congressional delegates wrote a letter urging state lawmakers to pass such a move.The Nebraska Legislature has 33 Republicans, 15 Democrats and one progressive who is a registered nonpartisan. People whipping votes for Pillen and the Trump campaign have told others they expected the remaining GOP holdouts to join the push for the change if McDonnell did.Pillen’s office had no immediate comment Monday, nor did the Trump or Harris campaigns.McDonnell’s no on winner-take-all leaves Republicans in Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan Legislature with no path to overcoming a promised filibuster unless a Democrat or nonpartisan senator defects. Thus far, none has opposed the status quo. Nebraska Democrats tweeted the list of 17 pledged no votes, including McDonnell.Part of the GOP urgency is wrapped in national polling that shows a close race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. Some political observers have argued the 2nd District could break a 269-269 Electoral College tie.Few Democrats were surprised that the fate of winner-take-all largely swung on McDonnell, a former Omaha fire union president who switched to the GOP this spring after facing political pushback from Democrats for backing abortion restrictions and legislation restricting some health care for minors who are transgender.Several said the abortion debate should have shown Republicans that McDonnell is largely immovable once he has made a controversial position clear. McDonnell said when he switched parties that he would not support winner-take-all. Others said he did what helped him most politically.McDonnell’s stance&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/18/winner-take-all-push-gets-help-of-gov-jim-pillen-sen-lindsey-graham-trump/" target="_blank">softened in recent weeks</a>&nbsp;under pressure from local, state and national Republicans, including some with ties to the Trump campaign. He was one of two dozen GOP state senators who met Sept. 18 with Pillen and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.<h2>Both sides heard from</h2>People in the room said McDonnell told GOP colleagues last week he was looking for a way to get to yes. McDonnell&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/19/sen-mike-mcdonnell-says-hes-a-no-on-winner-take-all-as-of-today/" target="_blank">told the Examiner on Thursday</a>, not long after the meeting discussion became public, that he remained a no on winner-take-all, “as of today.”He kept meeting and talking with people on both sides of the issue, including people tied to Trump, after that statement. He also heard from national and local Democrats tied to Harris.But on Monday, McDonnell seemed to want to put the issue to rest. And with it, he may have secured one more election where a small slice of Nebraska will matter to both presidential campaigns.U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., said he was “incredibly disappointed by Senator McDonnell’s opposition” to winner-take-all. Ricketts said Nebraskans should speak as one in the Electoral College and “elect a president for all Nebraskans.”State Sen. Rob Dover, a Republican representing the Norfolk area, also expressed disappointment in McDonnell’s decision.“There is too much at stake in this election for Nebraskans to spare an electoral vote,” Dover said in a statement. “We should speak as a unified voice.”State Sen. Loren Lippincott, a Republican from Central City, said he has spoken with the Governor’s Office and they are now doubtful they would call a special session this year on winner-take-all. McDonnell’s vote was key, he said.“That kind of closes the casket,” Lippincott said of his fellow senator’s announcement. “With Mike McDonnell being an absolute no, that kind of closes the lid. We’re going to have to reintroduce this bill in the next session.”Both Trump and Harris have campaign staff in Nebraska, and both have sent surrogates to campaign here. Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Nebraska native, held a rally here. Trump’s running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, came to Nebraska to fundraise and meet with local Republicans.For McDonnell, the calculus could be partly political. He has openly flirted with running for mayor of Omaha as early as 2025. His likely opponent, Republican incumbent Jean Stothert, has said she supports the switch to winner-take-all.Statewide support leans toward winner-take-all, but polling over several years indicates broad, bipartisan support in the 2nd District for keeping the state’s unusual system, which brings attention and money to the Omaha area.McDonnell’s statement acknowledged the impact on the district.“For Omaha … it brings tremendous national attention, is impactful on our local economy and forces Presidential candidates to make their case to all Nebraskans, instead of just flying over and disregarding us,” he said.<h2>Praised for ‘standing strong’</h2>Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, praised McDonnell for “standing strong against tremendous pressure from out-of-state interests to protect Nebraskans’ voice in our democracy.”“Nebraska has a long and proud tradition of independence, and our electoral system reflects that by ensuring that the outcome of our elections truly represents the will of the people without interference,” Kleeb said.Kleeb also said the party would support leaders “who stand up for the people,” which some interpreted as a hint that the door might be cracked open for McDonnell to return or to secure some form of support from the party if he runs for office in the future.The Nebraska Republican Party had no immediate comment.This article originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/" target="_blank">Nebraska Examiner</a>, a part of States Newsroom.