KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating the dead of a Kansas City man after the body of 23-year-old Breyden Hensley was located Sunday evening near 29th and Summit, according to the Kansas City Police.

On Wednesday, police reported Hensley missing and was last known to be in the area of Walmart at 11601 East 40 Highway August 11, around 6p.m.

The cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner, however there appear to be no signs of foul play.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724033653204.png" alt="Hensley courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Hensley courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating the dead of a Kansas City man after the body of 23-year-old Breyden Hensley was located Sunday evening near 29th and Summit, according to the Kansas City Police.On Wednesday, police reported Hensley missing and was last known to be in the area of Walmart at 11601 East 40 Highway August 11, around 6p.m.The cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner, however there appear to be no signs of foul play.

Death investigation: Body of missing man located in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident that occurred just before 1a.m. Sunday in Kansas City.

A&nbsp; Ford Fusion was stopped at the red traffic signal, from northbound U.S. 169 Highway exit ramp at Barry Road, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

As the light turned green, the car&nbsp; moved forward. An eastbound Harley Davidson motorcycle, traveling at a very high rate of speed, according to Becchina, failed to stop at the red traffic signal. The motorcycle struck the left side of the car. The motorcycle rider was ejected over the top of the car.&nbsp;&nbsp;

EMS transported the rider to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. He died a few hours later, according to Becchina. The driver and passenger in the car were not injured. The name of the motorcycle rider has not been released. He was not wearing a helmet, according to Becchina.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident that occurred just before 1a.m. Sunday in Kansas City.A&nbsp; Ford Fusion was stopped at the red traffic signal, from northbound U.S. 169 Highway exit ramp at Barry Road, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.As the light turned green, the car&nbsp; moved forward. An eastbound Harley Davidson motorcycle, traveling at a very high rate of speed, according to Becchina, failed to stop at the red traffic signal. The motorcycle struck the left side of the car. The motorcycle rider was ejected over the top of the car.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported the rider to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. He died a few hours later, according to Becchina. The driver and passenger in the car were not injured. The name of the motorcycle rider has not been released. He was not wearing a helmet, according to Becchina.

KCPD: Man injured in motorcycle, car crash has died

KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City man is going to prison for a deadly shooting in the Westport area of Kansas City.

Last week, a judge sentenced 24-year-old Kershmire Ralls, 24, of Kansas City, to 20 years in prison, according to the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney's office.

Ralls pled guilty to second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the 2021 shooting death of Jabraughn James Jr.&nbsp; Additional charges were dismissed.

In December 2021, Ralls followed and chased the three victims, who he saw earlier at a bar in Westport.&nbsp; He eventually used an alley, waited for the victims to walk toward him and opened fire, according to police.&nbsp;

First responders found Jabraughn James when they arrived. He later died of his injuries at a hospital.

One of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries and the third was shot in the leg.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645141035888.png" alt="Ralls photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Ralls photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City man is going to prison for a deadly shooting in the Westport area of Kansas City.Last week, a judge sentenced 24-year-old Kershmire Ralls, 24, of Kansas City, to 20 years in prison, according to the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney's office.Ralls pled guilty to second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the 2021 shooting death of Jabraughn James Jr.&nbsp; Additional charges were dismissed.In December 2021, Ralls followed and chased the three victims, who he saw earlier at a bar in Westport.&nbsp; He eventually used an alley, waited for the victims to walk toward him and opened fire, according to police.&nbsp;First responders found Jabraughn James when they arrived. He later died of his injuries at a hospital.One of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries and the third was shot in the leg.

Kansas City man chased victims in deadly shooting

NEWTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Sunday in Newton County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Harley Davidson driven by Joshua A. Westfall, 46, Neosho, was northbound on Falcon Road five miles northwest of Neosho.&nbsp;

The motorcycle traveled off the road, overturned and the rider was ejected.

Westfall was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Clark's Funeral Home. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

NEWTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Sunday in Newton County.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Harley Davidson driven by Joshua A. Westfall, 46, Neosho, was northbound on Falcon Road five miles northwest of Neosho.&nbsp;The motorcycle traveled off the road, overturned and the rider was ejected.Westfall was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Clark's Funeral Home. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after motorcycle crash

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.

On August 15, Sheriff’s Deputies served a search warrant on a residence at&nbsp;22321 Q. Road south of Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested&nbsp;Duncan Orion Benedict, 39 and Jade Graf, 32, both of Holton. They were booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia and&nbsp;interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723815842155.png" alt="Benedict photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Benedict photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.On August 15, Sheriff’s Deputies served a search warrant on a residence at&nbsp;22321 Q. Road south of Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723815810117.png" alt="Graf photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Graf photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested&nbsp;Duncan Orion Benedict, 39 and Jade Graf, 32, both of Holton. They were booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia and&nbsp;interference with law enforcement.

Sheriff: Couple were selling meth from Kansas home

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HEATHER%20HOLLINGSWORTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Associated Press</a>

Christina Westman dreamed of working with Parkinson’s disease and stroke patients as a music therapist when she started studying at St. Cloud State University.

But her schooling was upended in May when administrators at the Minnesota college announced a plan to eliminate its music department as it slashes 42 degree programs and 50 minors.

It’s part of a wave of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-university-academic-faculty-cuts-245527c044cc2cfe80bcbe8c2eda7e98">program cuts</a>&nbsp;in recent months, as U.S. colleges large and small try to make ends meet. Among their budget challenges: Federal COVID relief money is now gone, operational costs are rising and fewer high school graduates are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skipping-college-student-loans-trade-jobs-efc1f6d6067ab770f6e512b3f7719cc0">going straight to college</a>.

The cuts mean more than just savings, or even job losses. Often, they create&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-closing-university-of-arts-philadelphia-7c884439f16f24d99a61544381f49c23">turmoil for students</a>&nbsp;who chose a campus because of certain degree programs and then wrote checks or signed up for student loans.

“For me, it’s really been anxiety-ridden,” said Westman, 23, as she began the effort that ultimately led her to transfer to Augsburg University in Minneapolis. “It’s just the fear of the unknown.”

At St. Cloud State, most students will be able to finish their degrees before cuts kick in, but Westman’s music therapy major was a new one that hadn’t officially started. She has spent the past three months in a mad dash to find work in a new city and sublet her apartment in St. Cloud after she had already signed a lease. She was moving into her new apartment Friday.

For years, many colleges held off making cuts, said Larry Lee, who was acting president of St. Cloud State but left last month to lead Blackburn College in Illinois.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-race-and-ethnicity-coronavirus-pandemic-phoenix-b2e2ec55b3ed43c4b64c192b0eced089">College enrollment declined</a>&nbsp;during the pandemic, but officials hoped the figures would recover to pre-COVID levels and had used federal relief money to prop up their budgets in the meantime, he said.

“They were holding on, holding on,” Lee said, noting colleges must now face their new reality.

Higher education made up some ground last fall and in the spring semester, largely as community college enrollment&nbsp;<a href="https://nscresearchcenter.org/current-term-enrollment-estimates/">began to rebound</a>, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data showed.

But the trend for four-year colleges remains worrisome. Even without growing concerns about the cost of college and the long-term burden of student debt, the pool of young adults is shrinking.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/census-demographics-population-age-race-ethnicity-3bf63785a69db2a96a13eb70767c5f5e">Birth rates fell</a>&nbsp;during the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009 and never recovered. Now those smaller classes are preparing to graduate and head off to college.

“It’s very difficult math to overcome,” said Patrick Lane, vice president at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a leading authority on student demographics.

Complicating the situation: the federal government’s chaotic overhaul of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c0ca9199237bb12cd8313b060f90d40f">financial aid application</a>. Millions of students entered summer break still wondering where they were going to college this fall and how they would pay for it. With jobs still plentiful, although&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-unemployment-federal-reserve-inflation-22095766804d9c1532b4fcc29565be49">not as much as last year</a>, some experts fear students&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skipping-college-student-loans-trade-jobs-efc1f6d6067ab770f6e512b3f7719cc0">won’t bother to enroll at all</a>.

“This year going into next fall, it’s going to be bad,” said Katharine Meyer, a fellow in the Governance Studies program for the Brown Center on Education Policy at the nonprofit Brookings Institution. “I think a lot of colleges are really concerned they’re not going to make their enrollment targets.”

Many colleges like St. Cloud State already had started plowing through their budget reserves. The university’s enrollment rose to around 18,300 students in fall 2020 before steadily falling to about 10,000 students in fall 2023.

St. Cloud State’s student population has now stabilized, Lee said, but spending was far too high for the reduced number of students. The college’s budget shortfall totaled $32 million over the past two years, forcing the sweeping cuts.

Some colleges have taken more extreme steps,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-closing-university-of-arts-philadelphia-7c884439f16f24d99a61544381f49c23">closing</a>&nbsp;their doors. That happened at the 1,000-student&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birmingham-southern-college-closure-alabama-60639f073d7f22bbbc2a1b44a891aa54">Birmingham-Southern College</a>&nbsp;in Alabama, the 900-student&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fontbonne-university-to-close-2025-c2397d8ff4120d4533bc08c16dfb15a3">Fontbonne University</a>&nbsp;in Missouri, the 350-student Wells College in New York and the 220-student Goddard College in Vermont.

Cuts, however, appear to be more commonplace. Two of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unc-board-of-governors-degree-staff-cuts-a936a0cec9162971d6b3b32debf4535f">North Carolina’s public universities</a>&nbsp;got the green light last month to eliminate more than a dozen degree programs ranging from ancient Mediterranean studies to&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/I%20updated%20this%20and%20added%20a%20hyperlink%20to%20the%20story%20we%20had%20when%20the%20cuts%20were%20finalized.">physics</a>.

Arkansas State University announced last fall it was phasing out nine programs. Three of the 64 colleges in the State University of New York system have cut programs amid low enrollment and budget woes.

Other schools slashing and phasing out programs include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-university-program-cuts-budget-tuition-db0aea1508668ae6653247a740f62b4d">West Virginia University</a>, Drake University in Iowa, the University of Nebraska campus in Kearney, North Dakota State University and, on the other side of the state, Dickinson State University.

Experts say it’s just the beginning. Even schools that aren’t immediately making cuts are reviewing their degree offerings. At Pennsylvania State University, officials are looking for duplicative and under-enrolled academic programs as the number of students shrinks at its branch campuses.

Particularly affected are students in smaller programs and those in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-university-academic-faculty-cuts-245527c044cc2cfe80bcbe8c2eda7e98">humanities</a>, which now&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/(((Students%20also%20appear%20to%20be%20turning%20away%20from%20the%20humanities:%20Data%20from%20the%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Education%E2%80%99s%20National%20Center%20for%20Education%20Statistics%20shows%20that%20the%20percentage%20of%20bachelor%E2%80%99s%20degrees%20conferred%20by%20four-year%20institutions%20in%20the%20humanities%20dropped%20from%2016.8%%20of%20all%20degrees%20in%20the%202010-11%20school%20year%20to%2012.8%%20in%202020-2021.))))">graduate</a>&nbsp;a smaller share of students than 15 years ago.

“It’s a humanitarian disaster for all of the faculty and staff involved, not to mention the students who want to pursue this stuff,” said Bryan Alexander, a Georgetown University senior scholar who has written on higher education. “It’s an open question to what extent colleges and universities can cut their way to sustainability.”

For Terry Vermillion, who just retired after 34 years as a music professor at St. Cloud State, the cuts are hard to watch. The nation’s music programs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/online-school-covid-learning-loss-7c162ec1b4ce4d5219d5210aaac8f1ae">took a hit during the pandemic</a>, he said, with Zoom band nothing short of “disastrous” for many public school programs.

“We were just unable to really effectively teach music online, so there’s a gap,” he said. “And, you know, we’re just starting to come out of that gap and we’re just starting to rebound a little bit. And then the cuts are coming.”

For St. Cloud State music majors such as Lilly Rhodes, the biggest fear is what will happen as the program is phased out. New students won’t be admitted to the department and her professors will look for new jobs.

“When you suspend the whole music department, it’s awfully difficult to keep ensembles alive,” she said. “There’s no musicians coming in, so when our seniors graduate, they go on, and our ensembles just keep getting smaller and smaller.

“It’s a little difficult to keep going if it’s like this,” she said.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HEATHER%20HOLLINGSWORTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Associated Press</a>Christina Westman dreamed of working with Parkinson’s disease and stroke patients as a music therapist when she started studying at St. Cloud State University.But her schooling was upended in May when administrators at the Minnesota college announced a plan to eliminate its music department as it slashes 42 degree programs and 50 minors.It’s part of a wave of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-university-academic-faculty-cuts-245527c044cc2cfe80bcbe8c2eda7e98">program cuts</a>&nbsp;in recent months, as U.S. colleges large and small try to make ends meet. Among their budget challenges: Federal COVID relief money is now gone, operational costs are rising and fewer high school graduates are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skipping-college-student-loans-trade-jobs-efc1f6d6067ab770f6e512b3f7719cc0">going straight to college</a>.The cuts mean more than just savings, or even job losses. Often, they create&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-closing-university-of-arts-philadelphia-7c884439f16f24d99a61544381f49c23">turmoil for students</a>&nbsp;who chose a campus because of certain degree programs and then wrote checks or signed up for student loans.“For me, it’s really been anxiety-ridden,” said Westman, 23, as she began the effort that ultimately led her to transfer to Augsburg University in Minneapolis. “It’s just the fear of the unknown.”At St. Cloud State, most students will be able to finish their degrees before cuts kick in, but Westman’s music therapy major was a new one that hadn’t officially started. She has spent the past three months in a mad dash to find work in a new city and sublet her apartment in St. Cloud after she had already signed a lease. She was moving into her new apartment Friday.For years, many colleges held off making cuts, said Larry Lee, who was acting president of St. Cloud State but left last month to lead Blackburn College in Illinois.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-race-and-ethnicity-coronavirus-pandemic-phoenix-b2e2ec55b3ed43c4b64c192b0eced089">College enrollment declined</a>&nbsp;during the pandemic, but officials hoped the figures would recover to pre-COVID levels and had used federal relief money to prop up their budgets in the meantime, he said.“They were holding on, holding on,” Lee said, noting colleges must now face their new reality.Higher education made up some ground last fall and in the spring semester, largely as community college enrollment&nbsp;<a href="https://nscresearchcenter.org/current-term-enrollment-estimates/">began to rebound</a>, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data showed.But the trend for four-year colleges remains worrisome. Even without growing concerns about the cost of college and the long-term burden of student debt, the pool of young adults is shrinking.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/census-demographics-population-age-race-ethnicity-3bf63785a69db2a96a13eb70767c5f5e">Birth rates fell</a>&nbsp;during the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009 and never recovered. Now those smaller classes are preparing to graduate and head off to college.“It’s very difficult math to overcome,” said Patrick Lane, vice president at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a leading authority on student demographics.Complicating the situation: the federal government’s chaotic overhaul of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c0ca9199237bb12cd8313b060f90d40f">financial aid application</a>. Millions of students entered summer break still wondering where they were going to college this fall and how they would pay for it. With jobs still plentiful, although&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-unemployment-federal-reserve-inflation-22095766804d9c1532b4fcc29565be49">not as much as last year</a>, some experts fear students&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skipping-college-student-loans-trade-jobs-efc1f6d6067ab770f6e512b3f7719cc0">won’t bother to enroll at all</a>.“This year going into next fall, it’s going to be bad,” said Katharine Meyer, a fellow in the Governance Studies program for the Brown Center on Education Policy at the nonprofit Brookings Institution. “I think a lot of colleges are really concerned they’re not going to make their enrollment targets.”Many colleges like St. Cloud State already had started plowing through their budget reserves. The university’s enrollment rose to around 18,300 students in fall 2020 before steadily falling to about 10,000 students in fall 2023.St. Cloud State’s student population has now stabilized, Lee said, but spending was far too high for the reduced number of students. The college’s budget shortfall totaled $32 million over the past two years, forcing the sweeping cuts.Some colleges have taken more extreme steps,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-closing-university-of-arts-philadelphia-7c884439f16f24d99a61544381f49c23">closing</a>&nbsp;their doors. That happened at the 1,000-student&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birmingham-southern-college-closure-alabama-60639f073d7f22bbbc2a1b44a891aa54">Birmingham-Southern College</a>&nbsp;in Alabama, the 900-student&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fontbonne-university-to-close-2025-c2397d8ff4120d4533bc08c16dfb15a3">Fontbonne University</a>&nbsp;in Missouri, the 350-student Wells College in New York and the 220-student Goddard College in Vermont.Cuts, however, appear to be more commonplace. Two of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unc-board-of-governors-degree-staff-cuts-a936a0cec9162971d6b3b32debf4535f">North Carolina’s public universities</a>&nbsp;got the green light last month to eliminate more than a dozen degree programs ranging from ancient Mediterranean studies to&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/I%20updated%20this%20and%20added%20a%20hyperlink%20to%20the%20story%20we%20had%20when%20the%20cuts%20were%20finalized.">physics</a>.Arkansas State University announced last fall it was phasing out nine programs. Three of the 64 colleges in the State University of New York system have cut programs amid low enrollment and budget woes.Other schools slashing and phasing out programs include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-university-program-cuts-budget-tuition-db0aea1508668ae6653247a740f62b4d">West Virginia University</a>, Drake University in Iowa, the University of Nebraska campus in Kearney, North Dakota State University and, on the other side of the state, Dickinson State University.Experts say it’s just the beginning. Even schools that aren’t immediately making cuts are reviewing their degree offerings. At Pennsylvania State University, officials are looking for duplicative and under-enrolled academic programs as the number of students shrinks at its branch campuses.Particularly affected are students in smaller programs and those in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-university-academic-faculty-cuts-245527c044cc2cfe80bcbe8c2eda7e98">humanities</a>, which now&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/(((Students%20also%20appear%20to%20be%20turning%20away%20from%20the%20humanities:%20Data%20from%20the%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Education%E2%80%99s%20National%20Center%20for%20Education%20Statistics%20shows%20that%20the%20percentage%20of%20bachelor%E2%80%99s%20degrees%20conferred%20by%20four-year%20institutions%20in%20the%20humanities%20dropped%20from%2016.8%%20of%20all%20degrees%20in%20the%202010-11%20school%20year%20to%2012.8%%20in%202020-2021.))))">graduate</a>&nbsp;a smaller share of students than 15 years ago.“It’s a humanitarian disaster for all of the faculty and staff involved, not to mention the students who want to pursue this stuff,” said Bryan Alexander, a Georgetown University senior scholar who has written on higher education. “It’s an open question to what extent colleges and universities can cut their way to sustainability.”For Terry Vermillion, who just retired after 34 years as a music professor at St. Cloud State, the cuts are hard to watch. The nation’s music programs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/online-school-covid-learning-loss-7c162ec1b4ce4d5219d5210aaac8f1ae">took a hit during the pandemic</a>, he said, with Zoom band nothing short of “disastrous” for many public school programs.“We were just unable to really effectively teach music online, so there’s a gap,” he said. “And, you know, we’re just starting to come out of that gap and we’re just starting to rebound a little bit. And then the cuts are coming.”For St. Cloud State music majors such as Lilly Rhodes, the biggest fear is what will happen as the program is phased out. New students won’t be admitted to the department and her professors will look for new jobs.“When you suspend the whole music department, it’s awfully difficult to keep ensembles alive,” she said. “There’s no musicians coming in, so when our seniors graduate, they go on, and our ensembles just keep getting smaller and smaller.“It’s a little difficult to keep going if it’s like this,” she said.

US colleges are cutting majors and slashing programs after years of putting it off

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

Democrats will gather in Chicago for their once-every-four-years convention, beginning Monday. Here’s a rundown.

National political conventions are large gatherings of party officeholders, candidates and allies. They meet every four years to officially nominate candidates for president and vice president; to adopt a party platform, the list of policy proposals most party members agree on; and to celebrate and network.

This year, Vice President Kamala Harris has already been officially nominated through a virtual roll call vote earlier this month. A ceremonial roll call is still expected to be a part of the convention, and Harris will officially accept the nomination.

The convention runs from Monday, Aug. 19 to Thursday, Aug. 22.

Major news networks and a host of streaming platforms will broadcast the nightly events — usually speeches from high-profile members of the party —&nbsp;live. The prime-time program runs from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Full schedules for prime-time speeches have not been disclosed, but the vice presidential candidate usually accepts the nomination on Wednesday night and the presidential nominee’s acceptance speech closes out the convention on Thursday night.

Former presidents and presidential nominees are also likely to have speaking roles.

During the day, delegates and party officials will hold various events and meetings, only some of which will be broadcast or even open to reporters, as the convention doubles as a huge networking event for Democratic politicians, strategists, activists and others.

Network and cable news TV stations generally air the prime-time programming from start to finish.

National Public Radio will also broadcast much of the convention.

Convention organizers will also be livestreaming the event on a host of platforms, including YouTube, X and TikTok. A full list of official livestreams is available&nbsp;<a href="https://demconvention.com/news/press-releases/how-to-watchdemocratic-national-convention-announces-streaming-partners-and-first-ever-vertical-streaming-platforms/" target="_blank">here</a>.

Chicago is hosting the Democratic convention for the 12th time, the most of any city.

The major addresses in the evening will be at the United Center, an arena that fits tens of thousands for the city’s professional basketball and hockey teams, concerts or other events.

Daytime activities will be more spread out, with locations at McCormick Place, about 6 miles southeast of the United Center, and the River North neighborhood, about 2 ½ miles to the northeast.

About 5,000 Democratic delegates, who have the formal duty of voting to approve the nominees for president and vice president, are expected to attend.

A total of about 50,000 people could be in town for the event, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://chicago2024.com/faqs/" target="_blank">the city</a>.

The 2016 Democratic National Convention — the last in-person convention Democrats held, since they moved the 2020 version online in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic —&nbsp;that nominated Hillary Clinton featured celebrities including singer Katy Perry and screenwriter/actor Lena Dunham.

The Republican National Convention in July included appearances by musical artist Kid Rock and professional wrestler Hulk Hogan during prime time.

A full list of participants for the Democratic convention this year has not yet been shared, but that has not stopped some fans of major music acts from&nbsp;<a href="https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/taylor-swift-and-beyonce-to-perform-together-at-the-dnc-convention-and-formally-support-harris" target="_blank">wishing</a>&nbsp;they’ll see their favorites at the event.

Where can I find fair, fearless and free reporting about the convention?

<a href="http://newsfromthestates.com/" target="_blank">Right here!</a>&nbsp;And from your state’s newsroom, which you can find on&nbsp;<a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/newsrooms/" target="_blank">this map.&nbsp;</a>States Newsroom is sending multiple reporters to cover the convention and will have in-depth coverage of the major events and more.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723944718302.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>&nbsp;Democrats will gather in Chicago for their once-every-four-years convention, beginning Monday. Here’s a rundown.<h2>What is it?</h2>National political conventions are large gatherings of party officeholders, candidates and allies. They meet every four years to officially nominate candidates for president and vice president; to adopt a party platform, the list of policy proposals most party members agree on; and to celebrate and network.This year, Vice President Kamala Harris has already been officially nominated through a virtual roll call vote earlier this month. A ceremonial roll call is still expected to be a part of the convention, and Harris will officially accept the nomination.<h2>When should I tune in?</h2>The convention runs from Monday, Aug. 19 to Thursday, Aug. 22.Major news networks and a host of streaming platforms will broadcast the nightly events — usually speeches from high-profile members of the party —&nbsp;live. The prime-time program runs from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Full schedules for prime-time speeches have not been disclosed, but the vice presidential candidate usually accepts the nomination on Wednesday night and the presidential nominee’s acceptance speech closes out the convention on Thursday night.Former presidents and presidential nominees are also likely to have speaking roles.During the day, delegates and party officials will hold various events and meetings, only some of which will be broadcast or even open to reporters, as the convention doubles as a huge networking event for Democratic politicians, strategists, activists and others.<h2>How can I watch?</h2>Network and cable news TV stations generally air the prime-time programming from start to finish.National Public Radio will also broadcast much of the convention.Convention organizers will also be livestreaming the event on a host of platforms, including YouTube, X and TikTok. A full list of official livestreams is available&nbsp;<a href="https://demconvention.com/news/press-releases/how-to-watchdemocratic-national-convention-announces-streaming-partners-and-first-ever-vertical-streaming-platforms/" target="_blank">here</a>.<h2>Where is the convention this year?</h2>Chicago is hosting the Democratic convention for the 12th time, the most of any city.The major addresses in the evening will be at the United Center, an arena that fits tens of thousands for the city’s professional basketball and hockey teams, concerts or other events.Daytime activities will be more spread out, with locations at McCormick Place, about 6 miles southeast of the United Center, and the River North neighborhood, about 2 ½ miles to the northeast.<h2>How many people will be there?</h2>About 5,000 Democratic delegates, who have the formal duty of voting to approve the nominees for president and vice president, are expected to attend.A total of about 50,000 people could be in town for the event, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://chicago2024.com/faqs/" target="_blank">the city</a>.<h2>Will any celebrities be there?</h2>The 2016 Democratic National Convention — the last in-person convention Democrats held, since they moved the 2020 version online in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic —&nbsp;that nominated Hillary Clinton featured celebrities including singer Katy Perry and screenwriter/actor Lena Dunham.The Republican National Convention in July included appearances by musical artist Kid Rock and professional wrestler Hulk Hogan during prime time.A full list of participants for the Democratic convention this year has not yet been shared, but that has not stopped some fans of major music acts from&nbsp;<a href="https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/taylor-swift-and-beyonce-to-perform-together-at-the-dnc-convention-and-formally-support-harris" target="_blank">wishing</a>&nbsp;they’ll see their favorites at the event.<h2>Where can I find fair, fearless and free reporting about the convention?</h2><a href="http://newsfromthestates.com/" target="_blank">Right here!</a>&nbsp;And from your state’s newsroom, which you can find on&nbsp;<a href="https://statesnewsroom.com/newsrooms/" target="_blank">this map.&nbsp;</a>States Newsroom is sending multiple reporters to cover the convention and will have in-depth coverage of the major events and more.

What to know about the Democratic National Convention

KANSAS CITY —A man has been charged in the fatal shooting on Wednesday of another man outside a apartment building in Midtown Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Eryn D. Holt, 21, Independence, Missouri, faces felony charges of Murder in the 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records,&nbsp; Kansas City police officers were dispatched to an apartment building in Midtown Kansas City on a reported shooting. 

Upon arrival they observed emergency responders preparing the victim, identified as 22-year-old Adrian Terry, for transport. 

Terry had suffered a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased the hospital a short time later. 

One live .40 caliber round and one spent casing were found at the scene. A witness reported Terry and Holt had been in an altercation outside the front doors of the building. Then Holt shot the Terry.

Holt walked back into the building lobby and collapsed. Other witnesses told police they also observed the shooting. Surveillance video also captured the shooting. Holt was observed to have nothing in his hands. &nbsp;

Prosecutors asked for a $200,000 cash bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723769695180.png" alt="Holt -photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Holt -photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A man has been charged in the fatal shooting on Wednesday of another man outside a apartment building in Midtown Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Eryn D. Holt, 21, Independence, Missouri, faces felony charges of Murder in the 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723718390903.png" alt="photo by Grace Smith courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>photo by Grace Smith courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>According to court records,&nbsp; Kansas City police officers were dispatched to an apartment building in Midtown Kansas City on a reported shooting. Upon arrival they observed emergency responders preparing the victim, identified as 22-year-old Adrian Terry, for transport. Terry had suffered a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased the hospital a short time later. One live .40 caliber round and one spent casing were found at the scene. A witness reported Terry and Holt had been in an altercation outside the front doors of the building. Then Holt shot the Terry.Holt walked back into the building lobby and collapsed. Other witnesses told police they also observed the shooting. Surveillance video also captured the shooting. Holt was observed to have nothing in his hands. &nbsp;Prosecutors asked for a $200,000 cash bond.

Killing outside KC apartment building captured on security cameras

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident that occurred just before 1a.m. Sunday in Kansas City.

 A Honda Civic was northbound on Van Brunt Boulevard and stopped at the red traffic control signal at Truman Road, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. 

The light turned green and the Honda entered the intersection. A westbound BMW 535XI was traveling&nbsp; very high rate of speed. The BMW ran the red light and struck the Honda.

 The driver of the BMW lost control after the initial impact with the Honda. The vehicle traveled off the roadway to the left and struck a wooden utility pole, shearing it out of the ground.

 A pedestrian was walking in the bicycle lane, on the south side of Truman Road. The BMW struck the pedestrian as it was flipping.&nbsp; The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the BMW ran from the scene, westbound on Truman Road. 

The driver of the Honda was not injured. The intersection lost power and Evergy responded to repair.&nbsp; Police have not reported the name of the victim or additional details.

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident that occurred just before 1a.m. Sunday in Kansas City. A Honda Civic was northbound on Van Brunt Boulevard and stopped at the red traffic control signal at Truman Road, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The light turned green and the Honda entered the intersection. A westbound BMW 535XI was traveling&nbsp; very high rate of speed. The BMW ran the red light and struck the Honda. The driver of the BMW lost control after the initial impact with the Honda. The vehicle traveled off the roadway to the left and struck a wooden utility pole, shearing it out of the ground. A pedestrian was walking in the bicycle lane, on the south side of Truman Road. The BMW struck the pedestrian as it was flipping.&nbsp; The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the BMW ran from the scene, westbound on Truman Road. The driver of the Honda was not injured. The intersection lost power and Evergy responded to repair.&nbsp; Police have not reported the name of the victim or additional details.

KCPD: Bicyclist killed when struck after car flipped in violent crash

MILLER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Saturday in Miller County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Chevy pickup driven by Steven A. Buckner, 43, Eldon, was northbound on Route Z just south of old Martin Farm Road.

The pickup traveled off the right side of the road, struck a ditch and rolled. Buckner was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Phillips Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

MILLER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Saturday in Miller County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Chevy pickup driven by Steven A. Buckner, 43, Eldon, was northbound on Route Z just south of old Martin Farm Road.The pickup traveled off the right side of the road, struck a ditch and rolled. Buckner was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Phillips Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Missouri man dies in pickup rollover accident

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Topeka Police continue asking for the public’s help in identifying an individual who is believed to be involved in an ongoing theft investigation.

Just after 4:30 p.m., August 9,&nbsp; police responded to a reported theft at Kay Jeweler’s at West Ridge Mall, 1801 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka, according to a media release.&nbsp;

 The alleged suspect, as shown in security camera images, left the area in a light blue Chevrolet Malibu with front end damage. He was last seen wearing a purple t-shirt, faded jeans, white shoes and silver chains around his neck. He has a tattoo on the top of his right wrist and on his upper left arm.

If you have any information about this incident or the individual, please contact investigators at

telltpd@topeka.org or report anonymously to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or online at www.p3tips.com/128. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723667208542.png" alt="Photos Topeka police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Topeka police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY – Topeka Police continue asking for the public’s help in identifying an individual who is believed to be involved in an ongoing theft investigation.Just after 4:30 p.m., August 9,&nbsp; police responded to a reported theft at Kay Jeweler’s at West Ridge Mall, 1801 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka, according to a media release.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723667318611.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> The alleged suspect, as shown in security camera images, left the area in a light blue Chevrolet Malibu with front end damage. He was last seen wearing a purple t-shirt, faded jeans, white shoes and silver chains around his neck. He has a tattoo on the top of his right wrist and on his upper left arm.If you have any information about this incident or the individual, please contact investigators attelltpd@topeka.org or report anonymously to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or online at www.p3tips.com/128.

Police asking for help to ID Kan. jewelry store theft suspect

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man was sentenced to prison this week in connection with human trafficking in the Wichita area.

 District Judge Christopher Magana sentenced 56-year-old Alan Jones of Wichita, to 92 months with lifetime post release, according to the Sedigwick County District Attorney's office.

On June 25, Jones pled guilty to attempted commercial sexual exploitation of a child, promoting the sale of sexual relations, aggravated assault, attempted robbery, criminal threat and criminal damage to property.

The Judge Magana also ordered $4,961.41 in restitution go to his victims, $2500 to the Human Trafficking Assistance Fund, and $800 to the Sedgwick County Child Advocacy Center. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723752389845.png" alt="Jones from his arrest in December 2021 in Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Jones from his arrest in December 2021 in Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man was sentenced to prison this week in connection with human trafficking in the Wichita area. District Judge Christopher Magana sentenced 56-year-old Alan Jones of Wichita, to 92 months with lifetime post release, according to the Sedigwick County District Attorney's office.On June 25, Jones pled guilty to attempted commercial sexual exploitation of a child, promoting the sale of sexual relations, aggravated assault, attempted robbery, criminal threat and criminal damage to property.The Judge Magana also ordered $4,961.41 in restitution go to his victims, $2500 to the Human Trafficking Assistance Fund, and $800 to the Sedgwick County Child Advocacy Center.

Kansas man admitted promoting prostitution 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities captured a wanted suspect after a chase on the Interstate in the Kansas City area, according to a social media report from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

This driver chose not to stop for troopers. Shortly after, the vehicle crashed into a tree line off the interstate.

The driver was arrested for felony flee and elude. The passenger had 2 felony warrants with full extradition from Arizona for kidnapping and criminal threat.&nbsp;

Troopers found weapons in the vehicle. The KHP did not release the name of the driver or passenger.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723836084811.jpeg" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities captured a wanted suspect after a chase on the Interstate in the Kansas City area, according to a social media report from the Kansas Highway Patrol.This driver chose not to stop for troopers. Shortly after, the vehicle crashed into a tree line off the interstate.The driver was arrested for felony flee and elude. The passenger had 2 felony warrants with full extradition from Arizona for kidnapping and criminal threat.&nbsp;Troopers found weapons in the vehicle. The KHP did not release the name of the driver or passenger.

KHP: Suspect wanted for kidnapping crashed into tree line

JACKSON COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 11:00 a.m. August 14, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2007 Jeep for a traffic infraction near 102nd Road on southbound U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The driver of the vehicle was identified as 59-year-old, Yvonne Deloris Pink, of Topeka. 

Deputies arrested and booked her into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp;conceal/alter/destroy evidence in a felony case,  driving without a valid license, trafficking contraband into a correctional facility, interference with law enforcement, driving without a valid license and failure to maintain liability insurance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723815293723.png" alt="Pink-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Pink-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 11:00 a.m. August 14, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2007 Jeep for a traffic infraction near 102nd Road on southbound U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 59-year-old, Yvonne Deloris Pink, of Topeka. Deputies arrested and booked her into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp;conceal/alter/destroy evidence in a felony case, driving without a valid license, trafficking contraband into a correctional facility, interference with law enforcement, driving without a valid license and failure to maintain liability insurance.

Kan. woman accused of destroying evidence in a felony case

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/camikoons/">CAMI KOONS</a>&nbsp; for&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in a federal lawsuit accuses the Jackson County sheriff of threatening to arrest tribal police over a tax dispute with a gas station on the reservation.

The lawsuit against Sheriff Tim Morse signals an escalation in longstanding tensions over law enforcement jurisdiction on the nation’s land.

Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation chairman, said the sheriff does not collaborate with the nation.

“We have really had a checkered past with Jackson County, specifically the sheriff,” Rupnick said, noting Morse and his wife are former employees of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

In late May, the lawsuit says, Jackson County sheriff’s officers interfered with tribal police who were trying to serve cease and desist orders at Snak Atak. The nation alleges the gas station failed to charge and report tribe-specific taxes.

Last week, the nation was granted an order of exclusion, allowing tribal police to escort management from the business and to close its doors.

Snak Atak opened in March in the space formerly known as Indian Country Mini Mart. It sits just off northbound U.S. Highway 75, within the bounds of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation reservation.

Prairie Band Potawatomi Tax Commission officials arrived on site after several months of the business selling “contraband cigarettes” — which means they don’t have the tribal tax sticker — and failing to submit necessary reports, the lawsuit says. The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Complaint-PBPN-v-Jackson-Co-Sheriff.pdf">court filing</a>&nbsp;alleges tax commission officials were denied access to investigate the store.

Tax commission officials left to seek a cease and desist order. When they returned to the business on the same day, May 28, with tribal police to serve the order and to chain the doors of the business, Jackson County sheriff’s officers arrived and told tribal officials they could be subject to arrest if they did not leave.

“Our civil regulatory authority is absolute within the boundaries of the reservation,” Rupnick said. “Plus (Snak Atak) agreed to abiding by our laws.”

According to the court filing, Snak Atak applied for, and the tax commission approved, liquor, tobacco, business and motor fuel licenses. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pbpindiantribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PBPN-Tribal-Tobacco-Wholesaler-Retailer-License-Application-revised-9.13.22.pdf" target="_blank">licenses state</a>&nbsp;the applicant “be bound by and comply with all laws of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and do hereby consensually submit to the jurisdiction of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.”

Raja Rain, manager at Snak Atak, said he did not know about the implications of his store with Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the tribal police until they showed up at the business in May. Rain said, in an interview before the shuttering of his business, he was not part of the permitting and paperwork phase of the business, but has managed the store since it opened.

“We don’t mind paying the taxes, but they need to make it clear: are we paying state or tribal?” Rain said. “They need to figure out to who we need to pay the taxes.”

Rain said he pays taxes to the state and has “everything legal,” since he and the owners are not members of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.

The nation maintains that tribal membership is irrelevant to following its laws if a business is on the reservation.

Rain expressed concerns about maintaining the business if it has to pay additional taxes.

“We came to have a business,” Rain said. “How (are) we going to survive?”

Rupnick said the business, which is registered as Wamego Store LLC, did not appeal the cease and desist order in Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation District Court. Prairie Band Potawatomi Tax Commission officials returned in June on two additional occasions to investigate compliance, according to the order of exclusion.

The order of exclusion, granted by the nation’s district court to the tax commission, restricts the business from operating on the reservation and permits tribal police to escort employees from the reservation and to secure the business.

The tax commission and tribal police enforced the order without interference from sheriff’s officers on Aug. 8, according to a press release from the nation.

“They’ve pretty much made their own bed,” Rupnick said in an Aug. 7 interview with Kansas Reflector. “So I think that it’s time for us to end our relationship with them.”

Snak Atak’s attorney did not return requests for comment.

The lawsuit against Morse points to the jurisdictional disagreement at Snak Atak, but cites several additional instances, some related to parking violations, where Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation argues county law enforcement overstepped its bounds by dealing with civil, rather than criminal, actions.

The complaint says Morse and his office have “repeatedly and intentionally overstepped their lawful authority and interfered with the nation’s authority over activities on its reservation.”

Morse did not respond to requests for comment.

The nation, according to its complaint, seeks a declaration from the sheriff that the department lacked the authority to interfere at Snak Atak and lacks civil jurisdiction within the reservation, as well as a permanent injunction prohibiting sheriff’s officers from interfering in the nation’s civil-regulatory jurisdiction on the reservation.

“You would think that you would want to work together,” Rupnick said. “If you don’t have to dispatch an officer down to the reservation, why not try and work together with that?”

<a href="https://narf.org/tribal-state-jurisdiction/#kansas" target="_blank">Public Law 280</a>, established in 1953, gave Kansas civil and criminal jurisdiction on tribal lands, which, according to a&nbsp;<a href="http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.law.044" target="_blank">University of Nebraska Lincoln publication</a>, led “to virtually continuous disputes” and “jurisdictional uncertainty between tribal, city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.”

<a href="https://nativegov.org/news/its-time-to-end-public-law-280/" target="_blank">Native advocacy groups</a>&nbsp;have called for the end of the law, claiming it cedes power from the tribal police to the county. Rupnick said the same.

Rupnick said he has tried to develop a memorandum of understanding with the sheriff to establish which entity has jurisdiction where, but he said Morse was unwilling. He said he hopes the lawsuit can help forge a greater understanding and collaboration between the law enforcement agencies.

“We shouldn’t be adversaries,” Rupnick said, “Of course, I don’t want crime, but I also don’t want my sovereignty infringed upon either.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723904755384.png" alt=" Snak Atak opened in March in the former Indian Country Mini Mart on land within Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation reservation. (Cami Koons for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Snak Atak opened in March in the former Indian Country Mini Mart on land within Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation reservation. (Cami Koons for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/camikoons/">CAMI KOONS</a>&nbsp; for&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a> The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in a federal lawsuit accuses the Jackson County sheriff of threatening to arrest tribal police over a tax dispute with a gas station on the reservation.The lawsuit against Sheriff Tim Morse signals an escalation in longstanding tensions over law enforcement jurisdiction on the nation’s land.Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation chairman, said the sheriff does not collaborate with the nation.“We have really had a checkered past with Jackson County, specifically the sheriff,” Rupnick said, noting Morse and his wife are former employees of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.In late May, the lawsuit says, Jackson County sheriff’s officers interfered with tribal police who were trying to serve cease and desist orders at Snak Atak. The nation alleges the gas station failed to charge and report tribe-specific taxes.Last week, the nation was granted an order of exclusion, allowing tribal police to escort management from the business and to close its doors.Snak Atak opened in March in the space formerly known as Indian Country Mini Mart. It sits just off northbound U.S. Highway 75, within the bounds of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation reservation.Prairie Band Potawatomi Tax Commission officials arrived on site after several months of the business selling “contraband cigarettes” — which means they don’t have the tribal tax sticker — and failing to submit necessary reports, the lawsuit says. The&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Complaint-PBPN-v-Jackson-Co-Sheriff.pdf">court filing</a>&nbsp;alleges tax commission officials were denied access to investigate the store.Tax commission officials left to seek a cease and desist order. When they returned to the business on the same day, May 28, with tribal police to serve the order and to chain the doors of the business, Jackson County sheriff’s officers arrived and told tribal officials they could be subject to arrest if they did not leave.“Our civil regulatory authority is absolute within the boundaries of the reservation,” Rupnick said. “Plus (Snak Atak) agreed to abiding by our laws.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723904723828.png" alt="Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick is chairman of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. (Cami Koons for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick is chairman of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. (Cami Koons for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>According to the court filing, Snak Atak applied for, and the tax commission approved, liquor, tobacco, business and motor fuel licenses. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pbpindiantribe.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PBPN-Tribal-Tobacco-Wholesaler-Retailer-License-Application-revised-9.13.22.pdf" target="_blank">licenses state</a>&nbsp;the applicant “be bound by and comply with all laws of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and do hereby consensually submit to the jurisdiction of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.”Raja Rain, manager at Snak Atak, said he did not know about the implications of his store with Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the tribal police until they showed up at the business in May. Rain said, in an interview before the shuttering of his business, he was not part of the permitting and paperwork phase of the business, but has managed the store since it opened.“We don’t mind paying the taxes, but they need to make it clear: are we paying state or tribal?” Rain said. “They need to figure out to who we need to pay the taxes.”Rain said he pays taxes to the state and has “everything legal,” since he and the owners are not members of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.The nation maintains that tribal membership is irrelevant to following its laws if a business is on the reservation.Rain expressed concerns about maintaining the business if it has to pay additional taxes.“We came to have a business,” Rain said. “How (are) we going to survive?”Rupnick said the business, which is registered as Wamego Store LLC, did not appeal the cease and desist order in Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation District Court. Prairie Band Potawatomi Tax Commission officials returned in June on two additional occasions to investigate compliance, according to the order of exclusion.The order of exclusion, granted by the nation’s district court to the tax commission, restricts the business from operating on the reservation and permits tribal police to escort employees from the reservation and to secure the business.The tax commission and tribal police enforced the order without interference from sheriff’s officers on Aug. 8, according to a press release from the nation.“They’ve pretty much made their own bed,” Rupnick said in an Aug. 7 interview with Kansas Reflector. “So I think that it’s time for us to end our relationship with them.”Snak Atak’s attorney did not return requests for comment.The lawsuit against Morse points to the jurisdictional disagreement at Snak Atak, but cites several additional instances, some related to parking violations, where Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation argues county law enforcement overstepped its bounds by dealing with civil, rather than criminal, actions.The complaint says Morse and his office have “repeatedly and intentionally overstepped their lawful authority and interfered with the nation’s authority over activities on its reservation.”Morse did not respond to requests for comment.The nation, according to its complaint, seeks a declaration from the sheriff that the department lacked the authority to interfere at Snak Atak and lacks civil jurisdiction within the reservation, as well as a permanent injunction prohibiting sheriff’s officers from interfering in the nation’s civil-regulatory jurisdiction on the reservation.“You would think that you would want to work together,” Rupnick said. “If you don’t have to dispatch an officer down to the reservation, why not try and work together with that?”<a href="https://narf.org/tribal-state-jurisdiction/#kansas" target="_blank">Public Law 280</a>, established in 1953, gave Kansas civil and criminal jurisdiction on tribal lands, which, according to a&nbsp;<a href="http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.law.044" target="_blank">University of Nebraska Lincoln publication</a>, led “to virtually continuous disputes” and “jurisdictional uncertainty between tribal, city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.”<a href="https://nativegov.org/news/its-time-to-end-public-law-280/" target="_blank">Native advocacy groups</a>&nbsp;have called for the end of the law, claiming it cedes power from the tribal police to the county. Rupnick said the same.Rupnick said he has tried to develop a memorandum of understanding with the sheriff to establish which entity has jurisdiction where, but he said Morse was unwilling. He said he hopes the lawsuit can help forge a greater understanding and collaboration between the law enforcement agencies.“We shouldn’t be adversaries,” Rupnick said, “Of course, I don’t want crime, but I also don’t want my sovereignty infringed upon either.”

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation asks federal court to resolve jurisdiction dispute with sheriff

JOHNSON COUNTY — A Kansas teen is going to prison for a robbery and murder at a business in Shawnee, Kansas.

This week, Johnson County Judge Christina Dunn Gyllenborg, sentencd 19-year-old&nbsp; Kyleigh I. Guzman, to 147 months for the murder of Jarod Rogers.

In March, the Judge sentenced one of the other teens involved, 19-year-old Fernando Reyes-Lara, to 400 months in prison.

On January 17, Reyes-Lara pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery in the death of&nbsp; Rogers, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

On Nov. 30, 2022, police made a welfare check on a business in Shawnee and found Rogers with a gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital and died two days later.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705591117825.png" alt="Guzman-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Guzman-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — A Kansas teen is going to prison for a robbery and murder at a business in Shawnee, Kansas.This week, Johnson County Judge Christina Dunn Gyllenborg, sentencd 19-year-old&nbsp; Kyleigh I. Guzman, to 147 months for the murder of Jarod Rogers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705590509354.png" alt="Reyes Lara photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Reyes Lara photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>In March, the Judge sentenced one of the other teens involved, 19-year-old Fernando Reyes-Lara, to 400 months in prison.On January 17, Reyes-Lara pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery in the death of&nbsp; Rogers, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.On Nov. 30, 2022, police made a welfare check on a business in Shawnee and found Rogers with a gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital and died two days later.

Teen sentenced for robbery, killing at Kansas business

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/darrell-ehrlick/">DARRELL EHRLICK</a>

Nine states, including Kansas, are challenging an executive order by President Joe Biden that would enlist federal agencies to help register residents to vote, and those states say the order undermines their power to control elections, calling it a federally subsidized program aimed at boosting Democratic and left-leaning blocs.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen filed the federal lawsuit in court in Wichita. The nine states are Montana, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Carolina.

The heart of the lawsuit is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/07/executive-order-on-promoting-access-to-voting/" target="_blank">Executive Order 14019</a>, which was issued on March 10, 2021, and directs federal agencies to “consider ways to expand citizens’ opportunities to register to vote and to obtain information about, and participate in, the electoral process.”

The states challenging the executive order say that Biden converts various federal agencies, turning them in part into “a voter registration organization” illegally. The attorneys general say that elections, including voter registration, are solely the province of states, guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Moreover, the states said that it’s an example of the federal government trying to usurp the sovereignty of the states, and giving the states no other choice than to resort to federal court. The lawsuit said the states were never invited into the process, never allowed to comment, and they accuse the Biden administration of hiding the plans.

“In response to requests under the Freedom of Information Act, the Biden-Harris Administration has asserted the plans are subject to privilege and may be withheld from public scrutiny,” the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit lists a number of federal agencies as defendants, including the U.S. Treasury, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of The Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Education.

The lawsuit also claims that the National Voter Registration Act means that federal agencies cannot stand in the way of citizens voting, but it also said that voter registration activity is left to the states, and Biden’s order oversteps its authority.

The 41-page lawsuit outlines a number of ways the executive order commands the federal agencies to help bolster the efforts to register voters, for example:

“There is little detail about how agencies determine whether a third-party organization is ‘approved,’ ‘non-partisan,’ or what third-party organizations an agency can work with to promote voter registration,” the lawsuit said. “A rule that permits federal agencies to engage in voter registration activities trenches on States’ constitutionally protected sovereign rights.”

From a practical standpoint, the states claim that the federal government’s executive order doesn’t just exceed the constitution, but could threaten efforts in the individual states.

“The vast resources of the federal government render it unique among all possible entities engaged in voter registration. Because of the resources it can bring to bear, the federal government can engage in voter registration activities on a scale that will, as a practical matter, swamp any state’s attempt to regulate the government’s actions,” the lawsuit said.

Knudsen, Montana’s Attorney General, echoed that sentiment when he announced the lawsuit from Helena on Tuesday.

“Fair elections are an essential part of our country’s republic. Congress gave the states the power to oversee elections years ago,”&nbsp;Knudsen said.&nbsp;“I will not stand by while the Biden-Harris administration attempts to shamelessly garner votes by employing its own agencies to register voters and disregard states’ own voter registration systems, putting the integrity of our elections at risk.”

The states also said that encouraging a variety of different agencies without proper training put the elections at risk of fraud.

“They failed to consider the risk of fraud or to implement actions to prevent fraud, which threatens the integrity of state administration of elections,” the states said. “This includes, at a minimum, ensuring that illegal aliens do not register to vote through the plans the agency defendants put in place.”

It is already against federal law for noncitizens to vote in elections.

The states conclude the lawsuit by saying that the plans in the executive order weren’t motivated to help resident register to vote, rather they are part of a Democrat plan.

“(The executive order) was motivated by a partisan desire to unfairly increase the Democrat vote as shown by the fact that the order came from left-wing, progressive groups,” the lawsuit claims. “The purpose is to promote left-wing politicians and policies at elections.”

<a href="https://dailymontanan.com/2024/08/15/nine-gop-led-attorneys-general-sue-biden-administration-over-voter-registration-efforts/" target="_blank">This story</a>&nbsp;was produced by Daily Montanan, a States Newsroom affiliate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723829601184.png" alt="Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined eight other states in filing a lawsuit over President Joe Biden's 2021 executive order that directs federal agencies to look for ways to expand opportunities to register to vote. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined eight other states in filing a lawsuit over President Joe Biden's 2021 executive order that directs federal agencies to look for ways to expand opportunities to register to vote. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/darrell-ehrlick/">DARRELL EHRLICK</a>Nine states, including Kansas, are challenging an executive order by President Joe Biden that would enlist federal agencies to help register residents to vote, and those states say the order undermines their power to control elections, calling it a federally subsidized program aimed at boosting Democratic and left-leaning blocs.Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen filed the federal lawsuit in court in Wichita. The nine states are Montana, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Carolina.The heart of the lawsuit is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/07/executive-order-on-promoting-access-to-voting/" target="_blank">Executive Order 14019</a>, which was issued on March 10, 2021, and directs federal agencies to “consider ways to expand citizens’ opportunities to register to vote and to obtain information about, and participate in, the electoral process.”The states challenging the executive order say that Biden converts various federal agencies, turning them in part into “a voter registration organization” illegally. The attorneys general say that elections, including voter registration, are solely the province of states, guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.Moreover, the states said that it’s an example of the federal government trying to usurp the sovereignty of the states, and giving the states no other choice than to resort to federal court. The lawsuit said the states were never invited into the process, never allowed to comment, and they accuse the Biden administration of hiding the plans.“In response to requests under the Freedom of Information Act, the Biden-Harris Administration has asserted the plans are subject to privilege and may be withheld from public scrutiny,” the lawsuit claims.The lawsuit lists a number of federal agencies as defendants, including the U.S. Treasury, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of The Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Education.The lawsuit also claims that the National Voter Registration Act means that federal agencies cannot stand in the way of citizens voting, but it also said that voter registration activity is left to the states, and Biden’s order oversteps its authority.The 41-page lawsuit outlines a number of ways the executive order commands the federal agencies to help bolster the efforts to register voters, for example:<ul>
 <li>The lawsuit accuses the Department of Justice of providing information to those who remain eligible to vote while in federal custody, as well as preparing prisoners about voting laws and rights before reentry.</li><li>It says that the Department of the Interior will disseminate information about registering and voting at schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Education and tribal colleges and universities.</li><li>The order also encourages the Department of Agriculture to provide nonpartisan voter information through its borrowers and lenders about registration and voting.</li><li>Designating 2,400 American Job Centers, which provide employment guidance, training and career services, to become voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act.</li><li>Allowing public housing community areas space for certain election-related activities, including voter registration or voter drop boxes for early voting.</li><li>The lawsuit said that the order allows the Department of Education to allow federal work study funds to “support voter registration” activities.</li>
 </ul>“There is little detail about how agencies determine whether a third-party organization is ‘approved,’ ‘non-partisan,’ or what third-party organizations an agency can work with to promote voter registration,” the lawsuit said. “A rule that permits federal agencies to engage in voter registration activities trenches on States’ constitutionally protected sovereign rights.”From a practical standpoint, the states claim that the federal government’s executive order doesn’t just exceed the constitution, but could threaten efforts in the individual states.“The vast resources of the federal government render it unique among all possible entities engaged in voter registration. Because of the resources it can bring to bear, the federal government can engage in voter registration activities on a scale that will, as a practical matter, swamp any state’s attempt to regulate the government’s actions,” the lawsuit said.Knudsen, Montana’s Attorney General, echoed that sentiment when he announced the lawsuit from Helena on Tuesday.“Fair elections are an essential part of our country’s republic. Congress gave the states the power to oversee elections years ago,”&nbsp;Knudsen said.&nbsp;“I will not stand by while the Biden-Harris administration attempts to shamelessly garner votes by employing its own agencies to register voters and disregard states’ own voter registration systems, putting the integrity of our elections at risk.”The states also said that encouraging a variety of different agencies without proper training put the elections at risk of fraud.“They failed to consider the risk of fraud or to implement actions to prevent fraud, which threatens the integrity of state administration of elections,” the states said. “This includes, at a minimum, ensuring that illegal aliens do not register to vote through the plans the agency defendants put in place.”It is already against federal law for noncitizens to vote in elections.The states conclude the lawsuit by saying that the plans in the executive order weren’t motivated to help resident register to vote, rather they are part of a Democrat plan.“(The executive order) was motivated by a partisan desire to unfairly increase the Democrat vote as shown by the fact that the order came from left-wing, progressive groups,” the lawsuit claims. “The purpose is to promote left-wing politicians and policies at elections.”<a href="https://dailymontanan.com/2024/08/15/nine-gop-led-attorneys-general-sue-biden-administration-over-voter-registration-efforts/" target="_blank">This story</a>&nbsp;was produced by Daily Montanan, a States Newsroom affiliate.

Nine GOP-led attorneys general sue Biden administration over voter registration efforts

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a school threat in Shawnee County and have made an arrest.

Just before 9p.m. Thursday, an attentive parent contacted the Shawnee County Sheriff's office to report pictures and a text message they found on their child's cell phone, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The photos and text messages had been sent to the child from another juvenile's cell phone and referenced a potential school shooting.&nbsp; Law enforcement were able to confirm the identity of the juvenile responsible for sending the pictures and threatening text messages

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723855051530.png" alt="Photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a school threat in Shawnee County and have made an arrest.Just before 9p.m. Thursday, an attentive parent contacted the Shawnee County Sheriff's office to report pictures and a text message they found on their child's cell phone, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The photos and text messages had been sent to the child from another juvenile's cell phone and referenced a potential school shooting.&nbsp; Law enforcement were able to confirm the identity of the juvenile responsible for sending the pictures and threatening text messagesFollowing an investigation, home assessment and interview with the parents of the juvenile responsible for sending the text message, the 12-year-old was transported to Juvenile Intake and Assessment, according to Deputy Christian.&nbsp; Deputies also seized a black Glock Airsoft pistol.Law enforcement takes every threat seriously. Parents are strongly encouraged to talk with their children about the seriousness and potential consequences of this type of conduct. The sheriff's office applauds the parent in this matter who came forward and immediately reported it to law enforcement.