SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal crash into a house on Thursday in Topeka have identified the man who died as&nbsp; 36-year-old Troy L. Fields, Jr. of Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

Just after 11:30p.m. Thursday, first responders found a vehicle that struck a home near SW Huntoon and SW Plass in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Sgt. Shawn Doiron.

Officers located a passenger later identified as Fields who had been ejected from the vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries and later pronounced deceased. Police continue investigating the crash and released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722626501404.png" alt="Photo by Cole Hermesch courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cole Hermesch courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal crash into a house on Thursday in Topeka have identified the man who died as&nbsp; 36-year-old Troy L. Fields, Jr. of Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.Just after 11:30p.m. Thursday, first responders found a vehicle that struck a home near SW Huntoon and SW Plass in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Sgt. Shawn Doiron.Officers located a passenger later identified as Fields who had been ejected from the vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries and later pronounced deceased. Police continue investigating the crash and released no additional details.

Police ID Kansas man who died after crash into a house

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

A company registered in Delaware that uses a Jefferson City mailbox and an Oklahoma telephone number this month added nearly half a million dollars to outside spending against state Sen. Bill Eigel in the Missouri Republican governor’s primary.

The Heartland Conservative Coalition LLC spent $438,259 since July 1, including $360,000 on television advertising, according to reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Those reports give only the amount of money being used in Missouri but do not include the donors or list any individual as a contact.

There is no Heartland Conservative Coalition LLC registered to do business in Missouri but there is one that registered May 8 in Delaware, a common location for corporate registration.

The group is just one of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/02/anonymous-donors-pump-2m-into-ad-campaign-backing-jay-ashcroft-for-missouri-governor/">several from outside Missouri</a>&nbsp;pouring cash into the GOP gubernatorial race and congressional primaries in the 1st and 3rd districts in advance of Tuesday’s election. The biggest outside spender in the governor’s race so far is&nbsp;<a href="https://standforus.com/#" target="_blank">Stand for US PAC</a>, which The Independent reported Friday morning had purchased more than $2.5 million in the last two weeks in air time to boost Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.

Candidates and independent PACs combined to purchase or revise previous broadcast orders worth almost $5 million on Thursday, according to reports filed with the Federal Communications Commission.&nbsp;

The address for Heartland Conservative Coalition in its reports to the Missouri Ethics Commission is a mailbox at a Jefferson City Staples store. Messages left at the telephone number listed on the spending reports were not returned.

Most of the spending was for television ads in the St. Louis area, which includes Eigel’s home in St. Charles County. Aside from the television ads, Heartland purchased $68,000 of communications and polling services from the Kansas City consulting firm Axiom Strategies and its affiliated companies.

Axiom is one of several consulting firms working with American Dream PAC, the joint fundraising committee set up to aid Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s bid for the Republican nomination.&nbsp;The media buyer for the Heartland Conservative Coalition ads is Armada Strategies, which has been connected to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2021/04/30/ohio-senate-campaign-josh-mandel-pac" target="_blank">Axiom in other races around the country</a>.&nbsp;

On the standard reporting forms filed with broadcasters who accept the ads, Heartland lists as its contact Wayne Ducote at a Washington, D.C. address that is also a mailbox in a retail mail and shipping store.

Ducote is chairman of the&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/821152730" target="_blank">American Exceptionalism Institute</a>, a nonprofit that doesn’t have to disclose its donors that distributed more than $11 million in 2022 to support Republicans around the country. Calls to the American Exceptionalism Institute were not returned.

The American Exceptionalism Institute was one of the donors to the Conservative Americans PAC, which in 2022 spent $1.7 million in Missouri primaries for the 4th and 7th congressional districts,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2022/08/two-dark-money-groups-bankrolled-pop-up-super-pac-spending-millions-gop-primaries/" target="_blank">according to the campaign watchdog, Open Secrets</a>. The ads targeted state Sens. Rick Brattin in the 4th District and Mike Moon and Eric Burlison in the 7th District. Burlison is the only Missouri candidate the group opposed who won his race.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722683937071.png" alt="State Sen. Bill EIgel of Weldon Spring speaks during a campaign stop in Columbia as he seeks the Republican nomination for governor (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Bill EIgel of Weldon Spring speaks during a campaign stop in Columbia as he seeks the Republican nomination for governor (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).</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>A company registered in Delaware that uses a Jefferson City mailbox and an Oklahoma telephone number this month added nearly half a million dollars to outside spending against state Sen. Bill Eigel in the Missouri Republican governor’s primary.The Heartland Conservative Coalition LLC spent $438,259 since July 1, including $360,000 on television advertising, according to reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Those reports give only the amount of money being used in Missouri but do not include the donors or list any individual as a contact.There is no Heartland Conservative Coalition LLC registered to do business in Missouri but there is one that registered May 8 in Delaware, a common location for corporate registration.The group is just one of&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/02/anonymous-donors-pump-2m-into-ad-campaign-backing-jay-ashcroft-for-missouri-governor/">several from outside Missouri</a>&nbsp;pouring cash into the GOP gubernatorial race and congressional primaries in the 1st and 3rd districts in advance of Tuesday’s election. The biggest outside spender in the governor’s race so far is&nbsp;<a href="https://standforus.com/#" target="_blank">Stand for US PAC</a>, which The Independent reported Friday morning had purchased more than $2.5 million in the last two weeks in air time to boost Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft.Candidates and independent PACs combined to purchase or revise previous broadcast orders worth almost $5 million on Thursday, according to reports filed with the Federal Communications Commission.&nbsp;The address for Heartland Conservative Coalition in its reports to the Missouri Ethics Commission is a mailbox at a Jefferson City Staples store. Messages left at the telephone number listed on the spending reports were not returned.Most of the spending was for television ads in the St. Louis area, which includes Eigel’s home in St. Charles County. Aside from the television ads, Heartland purchased $68,000 of communications and polling services from the Kansas City consulting firm Axiom Strategies and its affiliated companies.Axiom is one of several consulting firms working with American Dream PAC, the joint fundraising committee set up to aid Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s bid for the Republican nomination.&nbsp;The media buyer for the Heartland Conservative Coalition ads is Armada Strategies, which has been connected to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2021/04/30/ohio-senate-campaign-josh-mandel-pac" target="_blank">Axiom in other races around the country</a>.&nbsp;On the standard reporting forms filed with broadcasters who accept the ads, Heartland lists as its contact Wayne Ducote at a Washington, D.C. address that is also a mailbox in a retail mail and shipping store.Ducote is chairman of the&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/821152730" target="_blank">American Exceptionalism Institute</a>, a nonprofit that doesn’t have to disclose its donors that distributed more than $11 million in 2022 to support Republicans around the country. Calls to the American Exceptionalism Institute were not returned.The American Exceptionalism Institute was one of the donors to the Conservative Americans PAC, which in 2022 spent $1.7 million in Missouri primaries for the 4th and 7th congressional districts,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2022/08/two-dark-money-groups-bankrolled-pop-up-super-pac-spending-millions-gop-primaries/" target="_blank">according to the campaign watchdog, Open Secrets</a>. The ads targeted state Sens. Rick Brattin in the 4th District and Mike Moon and Eric Burlison in the 7th District. Burlison is the only Missouri candidate the group opposed who won his race.

Out-of-state group targets Bill Eigel in Missouri GOP governor’s primary

JOHNSON COUNTY—A Kansas man on trial for child sex crimes is going to prison.

On Monday, a jury found 36-year-old Timothy Ryan Hugo guilty of two counts of aggravated indecent liberty, two counts of rape of a child under 14 and aggravated sodomy, according to the Johnson County District attorney's office.

Hugo is scheduled for sentencing October 21.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722275116463.png" alt="Hugo photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hugo photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—A Kansas man on trial for child sex crimes is going to prison.On Monday, a jury found 36-year-old Timothy Ryan Hugo guilty of two counts of aggravated indecent liberty, two counts of rape of a child under 14 and aggravated sodomy, according to the Johnson County District attorney's office.Hugo is scheduled for sentencing October 21.

Jury: Kansas man guilty of violent child sex crimes

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3p.m. Friday in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz driven by Travis Coledin&nbsp; Moore, 18, Kendall, Kansas, was southbound on U.S. 75 just north of 35th Street.

The Hyundai struck a southbound 2021 Kia Soul driven by Matthew Andrew&nbsp;Tetuan, 35, Topeka.&nbsp; After impact the Kia&nbsp; and the Hyundia struck a southbound 2014 Ford Edge driven by Judson Timothy Williams, 25, Hoyt, who was stopped in traffic.

EMS transported Tetuan to Stormont Vail where he died. Moore, Williams and passengers in their vehicles were not injured. All were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3p.m. Friday in Shawnee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz driven by Travis Coledin&nbsp; Moore, 18, Kendall, Kansas, was southbound on U.S. 75 just north of 35th Street.The Hyundai struck a southbound 2021 Kia Soul driven by Matthew Andrew&nbsp;Tetuan, 35, Topeka.&nbsp; After impact the Kia&nbsp; and the Hyundia struck a southbound 2014 Ford Edge driven by Judson Timothy Williams, 25, Hoyt, who was stopped in traffic.EMS transported Tetuan to Stormont Vail where he died. Moore, Williams and passengers in their vehicles were not injured. All were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies from injuries after 3-vehicle crash

WASHINGTON —Three weeks after the assassination attempt on Former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler,&nbsp; Pennsylvania, the new acting director of the Secret Service&nbsp;Ronald Rowe  held a press conference.&nbsp; Video of some of the highlights are below.

Earlier this week in testimony before Senators, Rowe said&nbsp;he was “ashamed”&nbsp;after the July 13 attack that wounded Trump and killed a&nbsp;former fire chief who was attending the rally.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720972888448.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAn" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAn</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Three weeks after the assassination attempt on Former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler,&nbsp; Pennsylvania, the new acting director of the Secret Service&nbsp;Ronald Rowe held a press conference.&nbsp; Video of some of the highlights are below.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe provides a timeline leading up to the assassination attempt of former President Trump in Butler, PA. <a href="https://t.co/qvTSav7sZU">pic.twitter.com/qvTSav7sZU</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1819437596667158877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe: &quot;In no way should any state or local agency supporting us in Butler on July 13th be held responsible for a Secret Service failure.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xFGfAE81DI">pic.twitter.com/xFGfAE81DI</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1819436815733960996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Acting U.S. Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe: &quot;The Secret Service takes full responsibility for the tragic events of July 13th.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/PcYQX1kEqQ">pic.twitter.com/PcYQX1kEqQ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1819436676768239780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Earlier this week in testimony before Senators, Rowe said&nbsp;he was “ashamed”&nbsp;after the July 13 attack that wounded Trump and killed a&nbsp;former fire chief who was attending the rally.

🎥Secret Service shares new information on Trump assassination attempt

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted stealing and destroying a Jackie Robinson statue from a Wichita Park was sentenced Friday afternoon.

&nbsp;Judge Tyler Roush sentenced 45-year-old Ricky Alderete of Wichita, to 15-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;The judge imposed a sentence of 162 months on one count of Aggravated Burglary and 18 months on one count of Aggravated Criminal Damage to property in connection with the destruction of the Jackie Robinson statute for a total of 180 months or 15-years in prison.

In May, Alderete pled guilty to the theft of the statue from League 42, according to the district attorney's office.

On January 26, police learned the statue was cut at the ankles to be removed. All that remained of the statue were Robinson's feet.&nbsp;

Alerete, who was in custody after an arrest on&nbsp;February 1, for a probation violation, burglary, kidnapping and criminal damage to property unrelated to the theft of the statue,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=251468">according to online jail records</a>&nbsp;was charged with the crime.

Wichita police detectives conducted over 100 interviews both within and outside Sedgwick County to resolve the case.

On January 28, officers from the Wichita Police Department Field Community Response Team located a suspect vehicle used in the theft, unoccupied, at an apartment complex in Wichita.

On January 30, the Wichita Fire Department discovered parts of the statue in a trash can at Garvey Park while responding to a fire call.

The investigation has not revealed any evidence indicating that this was a hate-motivated crime, instead, police believe this theft was motivated by the financial gain of scrapping common metal, according to Moses.&nbsp;

Alderete has been the only suspect apprehended in the statue’s destruction.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707844320270.png" alt="Alderete photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Alderete photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who admitted stealing and destroying a Jackie Robinson statue from a Wichita Park was sentenced Friday afternoon.&nbsp;Judge Tyler Roush sentenced 45-year-old Ricky Alderete of Wichita, to 15-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;The judge imposed a sentence of 162 months on one count of Aggravated Burglary and 18 months on one count of Aggravated Criminal Damage to property in connection with the destruction of the Jackie Robinson statute for a total of 180 months or 15-years in prison.In May, Alderete pled guilty to the theft of the statue from League 42, according to the district attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706214143377.png" alt="Photo City of Wichita" />
 <figcaption>Photo City of Wichita</figcaption>
 </figure>On January 26, police learned the statue was cut at the ankles to be removed. All that remained of the statue were Robinson's feet.&nbsp;Alerete, who was in custody after an arrest on&nbsp;February 1, for a probation violation, burglary, kidnapping and criminal damage to property unrelated to the theft of the statue,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=251468">according to online jail records</a>&nbsp;was charged with the crime.Wichita police detectives conducted over 100 interviews both within and outside Sedgwick County to resolve the case.On January 28, officers from the Wichita Police Department Field Community Response Team located a suspect vehicle used in the theft, unoccupied, at an apartment complex in Wichita.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706641670170.png" alt="-Parts of the burned statue found in a trash bin-photo courtesy KAKE" />
 <figcaption>-Parts of the burned statue found in a trash bin-photo courtesy KAKE</figcaption>
 </figure>On January 30, the Wichita Fire Department discovered parts of the statue in a trash can at Garvey Park while responding to a fire call.The investigation has not revealed any evidence indicating that this was a hate-motivated crime, instead, police believe this theft was motivated by the financial gain of scrapping common metal, according to Moses.&nbsp;Alderete has been the only suspect apprehended in the statue’s destruction.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Prison for Kan. man who stole Jackie Robinson statue from park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation after two bodies were located near the 300 Block of River Road in rural Sumner County, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp; &nbsp;In May, the Sheriff’s Office reported they identified several suspects in the case. Authorities have not reported an arrest and detectives are waiting for some information to come back, according to Gibbs.

 One of the bodies was located on May 10,&nbsp; the other on May 13.&nbsp; Both bodies were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for further testing and examination. &nbsp;

On May 17, the sheriff's office received confirmation through DNA testing on the identities of the two deceased individuals as 30-year-old Monica R. Williams and 24-year-old Kevin M. Ledesma. Both had been reporteed missing and were last seen&nbsp;at a residence in the 9500 block South Hydraulic in Wichita on January 1, 2024. The sheriff's office also reported there were homicide victims.

The circumstances in which Williams and Ledesma were killed remains under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715979738614.png" alt="Williams photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation after two bodies were located near the 300 Block of River Road in rural Sumner County, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp; &nbsp;In May, the Sheriff’s Office reported they identified several suspects in the case. Authorities have not reported an arrest and detectives are waiting for some information to come back, according to Gibbs. One of the bodies was located on May 10,&nbsp; the other on May 13.&nbsp; Both bodies were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for further testing and examination. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715980197399.png" alt="Kevin Ledesma-photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Kevin Ledesma-photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>On May 17, the sheriff's office received confirmation through DNA testing on the identities of the two deceased individuals as 30-year-old Monica R. Williams and 24-year-old Kevin M. Ledesma. Both had been reporteed missing and were last seen&nbsp;at a residence in the 9500 block South Hydraulic in Wichita on January 1, 2024. The sheriff's office also reported there were homicide victims.The circumstances in which Williams and Ledesma were killed remains under investigation.

Still no arrests 2 months after bodies found in rural Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita firefighter who died in the line of duty on Thursday has been identified as 27-year-old Ty Voth, according to Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow.

Ty was a 5 year veteran of the Wichita Fire Department. "He was selfless, dedicated and always put others before himself. Authorities&nbsp;will share details on honoring Ty as they become available.

On Friday, Snow released no additional details.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Wichita Firefighter who was injured at the scene of a fire on Thursday has died, according to Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow. She did not release the name of the firefighter.

Just after 3p.m. crews responded to a fire at a home in the&nbsp;9800 block of South Laura near Haysville after a driver on the Kansas Turnpike reported the fire to 911, according to Sedgwick County Fire Marshall Brad Crisp.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Crews brought the fire under control and the firefighter who died was the only reported injury.&nbsp; Snow is expected to release additional details on the fatal incident Friday.&nbsp; The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office and Sedgwick County Fire officials are investigating.

Crews from Sedgwick County, Derby and McConnell Air Force Base also responded to the fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722607741656.png" alt="Ty Voth died while fighting a fire on Thursday- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ty Voth died while fighting a fire on Thursday- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita firefighter who died in the line of duty on Thursday has been identified as 27-year-old Ty Voth, according to Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow.Ty was a 5 year veteran of the Wichita Fire Department. "He was selfless, dedicated and always put others before himself. Authorities&nbsp;will share details on honoring Ty as they become available.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwichitafiredepartment%2Fvideos%2F3715334432018954%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=40" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>On Friday, Snow released no additional details.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722555190304.png" alt="Firefighters on the scene of the fire Thursday afternoon-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Firefighters on the scene of the fire Thursday afternoon-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>---------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Wichita Firefighter who was injured at the scene of a fire on Thursday has died, according to Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow. She did not release the name of the firefighter.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwichitafiredepartment%2Fvideos%2F3715334432018954%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=40" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Just after 3p.m. crews responded to a fire at a home in the&nbsp;9800 block of South Laura near Haysville after a driver on the Kansas Turnpike reported the fire to 911, according to Sedgwick County Fire Marshall Brad Crisp.&nbsp; &nbsp;Crews brought the fire under control and the firefighter who died was the only reported injury.&nbsp; Snow is expected to release additional details on the fatal incident Friday.&nbsp; The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office and Sedgwick County Fire officials are investigating.Crews from Sedgwick County, Derby and McConnell Air Force Base also responded to the fire.

Chief IDs firefighter killed after battling a Kansas house fire 

GEARY COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 11a.m. Thursday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2023 KTM RC390 motorcycle driven by&nbsp;Brycen Chance&nbsp;Ronk, 21, Fort Riley, was traveling onto eastbound Interstate 70 at Grandview Plaza. 

The motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed on the on ramp and passed a vehicle on the right shoulder of the ramp. 

The motorcycle swerved back into the eastbound lane of Interstate 70, continued to swerve and crossed through the center line entering the westbound lanes of the Interstate and struck a 2022 International semi driven by Brian Lynn Plyer, 51, Bellvue, Nebraska, head-on.

Ronk was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Medical. Plyer was not injured and properly restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722538918870.png" alt="Traffic backed up Thursday in Geary County due to the fatal crash-image KanDrive" />
 <figcaption>Traffic backed up Thursday in Geary County due to the fatal crash-image KanDrive</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 11a.m. Thursday in Geary County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2023 KTM RC390 motorcycle driven by&nbsp;Brycen Chance&nbsp;Ronk, 21, Fort Riley, was traveling onto eastbound Interstate 70 at Grandview Plaza. The motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed on the on ramp and passed a vehicle on the right shoulder of the ramp. The motorcycle swerved back into the eastbound lane of Interstate 70, continued to swerve and crossed through the center line entering the westbound lanes of the Interstate and struck a 2022 International semi driven by Brian Lynn Plyer, 51, Bellvue, Nebraska, head-on.Ronk was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Medical. Plyer was not injured and properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after wrong-way, head-on I-70 crash 

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Thursday in Shawnee County.

First responders found a vehicle that struck a home near SW Huntoon and SW Plass in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Sgt. Shawn Doiron.

Officers located a passenger who had been ejected from the vehicle. The victim was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries and later pronounced deceased. Police continue investigating the crash and released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722626501404.png" alt="Photo by Cole Hermesch courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cole Hermesch courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Thursday in Shawnee County.First responders found a vehicle that struck a home near SW Huntoon and SW Plass in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Sgt. Shawn Doiron.Officers located a passenger who had been ejected from the vehicle. The victim was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries and later pronounced deceased. Police continue investigating the crash and released no additional details.

Police: Passenger dies after crash into Kansas home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly drive-by shooting have identified the teen who died as&nbsp;17-year-old Therrell K. "TJ" Jackson of Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 9p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; multiple 911 callers reported the sound of shots fired, according to a statement from the Clay County Sheriff's Office. Shortly thereafter, a caller reported someone had been shot in the 3200 block of N.E. Excelsior Street in the north Kansas City community of Avondale. EMS transported Jackson to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Detectives spoke to witnesses and gathered evidence. The Kansas City Police Crime Scene Investigations Unit is helping process the scene. Initially, it appears a drive-by shooting took place.

Investigators have identified a suspect vehicle.

The vehicle appears to be a dark blue or black 1996-98 Chevy Silverado Z71 4x4 with the driver’s side headlight out.

If anyone has any information that can help solve this case, please contact the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722545705390.png" alt="Therrell K. 'TJ' Jackson -courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Therrell K. 'TJ' Jackson -courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly drive-by shooting have identified the teen who died as&nbsp;17-year-old Therrell K. "TJ" Jackson of Kansas City, Missouri.Just after 9p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; multiple 911 callers reported the sound of shots fired, according to a statement from the Clay County Sheriff's Office. Shortly thereafter, a caller reported someone had been shot in the 3200 block of N.E. Excelsior Street in the north Kansas City community of Avondale. EMS transported Jackson to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We&#39;re investigating an apparent drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of a teenager in Avondale about 9 p.m. tonight. This is the suspect vehicle. Contact <a href="https://twitter.com/KCCrimeStop?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KCCrimeStop</a> @ 816-474-TIPS with any info. that could help us solve this. More: <a href="https://t.co/U9sq7dbtRR">https://t.co/U9sq7dbtRR</a> <a href="https://t.co/5LrGs3msvG">pic.twitter.com/5LrGs3msvG</a>&mdash; Clay County, Missouri Sheriff (@SheriffClayCo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SheriffClayCo/status/1818505232189378894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Detectives spoke to witnesses and gathered evidence. The Kansas City Police Crime Scene Investigations Unit is helping process the scene. Initially, it appears a drive-by shooting took place.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722545482919.png" alt="The Sheriff released an additional image of the&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The Sheriff released an additional image of the&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators have identified a suspect vehicle.The vehicle appears to be a dark blue or black 1996-98 Chevy Silverado Z71 4x4 with the driver’s side headlight out.If anyone has any information that can help solve this case, please contact the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Sheriff IDs teen who died in KC area drive-by shooting

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly shooting in April of 2020.

A Jackson County judge sentenced 37-year-old Ivan D. Mock of Kansas City, Kansas to 40 years in prison for the murder of Daniel Washington.&nbsp; Police found Washington with a fatal gunshot wound in a vehicle near 39th and Main, according to court records.&nbsp;Witnesses identified Mock as the shooter.

The judge imposed a 30-year sentence for Mock's second-degree murder conviction and an additional ten years for his conviction of armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively.

Mock was convicted during a trial in January.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705251290620.png" alt="Mock photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Mock photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. —A Kansas man is going to prison for a deadly shooting in April of 2020.A Jackson County judge sentenced 37-year-old Ivan D. Mock of Kansas City, Kansas to 40 years in prison for the murder of Daniel Washington.&nbsp; Police found Washington with a fatal gunshot wound in a vehicle near 39th and Main, according to court records.&nbsp;Witnesses identified Mock as the shooter.The judge imposed a 30-year sentence for Mock's second-degree murder conviction and an additional ten years for his conviction of armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively.Mock was convicted during a trial in January..

Witnesses ID Kan. man in murder that will send him to prison

PAWNEE COUNTY– Rhonda Hudson-McNutt, 46 of Garfield, appeared in custody Thursday morning in the Pawnee County District Court before Magistrate Judge Kenton Gleason for Felony First Appearance, according to Pawnee Co. Attorney Dough McNett.

On July 29, Hudson-McNutt was arrested on probable cause following an ongoing investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department. 

She is charged with Blackmail, Breach of Privacy, to wit: disseminating nude images, Identity Theft, (Interference with Law Enforcement, to wit: falsely reporting a felony crime,&nbsp; Interference with Law Enforcement, to wit: falsely reporting information in a felony investigation, and&nbsp; Criminal False Communication. She is also charged in a separate criminal complaint with misdemeanor Trespass.

Hudson-McNutt is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $15,000 cash or surety bond. A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for August 14, 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722530095728.png" alt="Hudson-McNutt " />
 <figcaption>Hudson-McNutt </figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY– Rhonda Hudson-McNutt, 46 of Garfield, appeared in custody Thursday morning in the Pawnee County District Court before Magistrate Judge Kenton Gleason for Felony First Appearance, according to Pawnee Co. Attorney Dough McNett.On July 29, Hudson-McNutt was arrested on probable cause following an ongoing investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department. She is charged with Blackmail, Breach of Privacy, to wit: disseminating nude images, Identity Theft, (Interference with Law Enforcement, to wit: falsely reporting a felony crime,&nbsp; Interference with Law Enforcement, to wit: falsely reporting information in a felony investigation, and&nbsp; Criminal False Communication. She is also charged in a separate criminal complaint with misdemeanor Trespass.Hudson-McNutt is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff in lieu of $15,000 cash or surety bond. A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for August 14, 2024.

Kansas woman accused of blackmail, identity theft

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The State of Kansas ended July 2024 with total tax collections at $660.3 million. That is $6.4 million, or 1.0%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 3.0% from July 2023, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA4LzAxL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjk1NDI4Mi8wMV9KdWx5X1JldmVudWVfRlkyMDI1XzA4LTAxLTIwMjRfRmluYWwucGRmIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDgwMS45ODQ0ODAwMSJ9.Wt_2ht_5X4_7NnbSphw0D0sdv2cnydJfdtTompV_m10/s/1303160919/br/246761078494-l">here</a>&nbsp;to view the July 2024 revenue numbers.

Individual income tax collections were $308.5 million, which is $8.5 million, or 2.8% above the estimate and down 1.7% from July 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $34.3 million, which is $15.7 million, or 31.4%, below the estimate and down 23.3% from July 2023.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $305.1 million, which is $4.1 million, or 1.4% above the estimate, and down $10.1 million, or 3.2%, from July 2023. Retail sales tax receipts are 3.7% less than the July 2023 collections as Kansans continue to save money on groceries from the reduced state food sales tax rate.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– The State of Kansas ended July 2024 with total tax collections at $660.3 million. That is $6.4 million, or 1.0%, below the estimate. Total tax collections are down 3.0% from July 2023, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA4LzAxL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjk1NDI4Mi8wMV9KdWx5X1JldmVudWVfRlkyMDI1XzA4LTAxLTIwMjRfRmluYWwucGRmIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDgwMS45ODQ0ODAwMSJ9.Wt_2ht_5X4_7NnbSphw0D0sdv2cnydJfdtTompV_m10/s/1303160919/br/246761078494-l">here</a>&nbsp;to view the July 2024 revenue numbers.Individual income tax collections were $308.5 million, which is $8.5 million, or 2.8% above the estimate and down 1.7% from July 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $34.3 million, which is $15.7 million, or 31.4%, below the estimate and down 23.3% from July 2023.Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $305.1 million, which is $4.1 million, or 1.4% above the estimate, and down $10.1 million, or 3.2%, from July 2023. Retail sales tax receipts are 3.7% less than the July 2023 collections as Kansans continue to save money on groceries from the reduced state food sales tax rate.

July total tax collections in Kansas slightly below estimate

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Wichita man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to hate crimes by waving a gun and using racial slurs to threaten two Black juveniles entering a convenience store and to prevent a Black adult from intervening on behalf of the minors.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said Austin Schoemann’s “hate-fueled crime spree” led to pleas on two counts of interference with federally protected activities, two counts of interstate threats and one count of interference with housing. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2023.

“This defendant committed serious hate crimes when he used guns and death threats to terrorize two Black children and an adult who came to their aid,” Clarke said. “Racially motivated threats and violence, in any form, are unacceptable in our society.”

Schoemann acknowledged that from January to August 2022 he interfered with federally protected housing rights of a white woman by making threats to shoot or kill any Black people who visited her home. He admitted to sending videos and messages to the woman’s family members and others that included threats to harm Black people.

“Racially based violence and threats of violence should never be tolerated,” said Kate Brubacher, the U.S. attorney for the District of Kansas. “The Justice Department will defend civil rights and prosecute anyone who harasses and threatens people based on their race.”

A federal judge scheduled sentencing of Schoemann for Oct. 16. The plea agreement says he could be sentenced to 63 months to 84 months in prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685477437664.png" alt="Schoemann is being held in Butler County" />
 <figcaption>Schoemann is being held in Butler County</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Wichita man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to hate crimes by waving a gun and using racial slurs to threaten two Black juveniles entering a convenience store and to prevent a Black adult from intervening on behalf of the minors.Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said Austin Schoemann’s “hate-fueled crime spree” led to pleas on two counts of interference with federally protected activities, two counts of interstate threats and one count of interference with housing. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2023.“This defendant committed serious hate crimes when he used guns and death threats to terrorize two Black children and an adult who came to their aid,” Clarke said. “Racially motivated threats and violence, in any form, are unacceptable in our society.”Schoemann acknowledged that from January to August 2022 he interfered with federally protected housing rights of a white woman by making threats to shoot or kill any Black people who visited her home. He admitted to sending videos and messages to the woman’s family members and others that included threats to harm Black people.“Racially based violence and threats of violence should never be tolerated,” said Kate Brubacher, the U.S. attorney for the District of Kansas. “The Justice Department will defend civil rights and prosecute anyone who harasses and threatens people based on their race.”A federal judge scheduled sentencing of Schoemann for Oct. 16. The plea agreement says he could be sentenced to 63 months to 84 months in prison.

Kan. man pleads guilty to series of federal hate crimes, faces 5 to 7 years in prison

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Congressional Republicans have fiercely opposed the final rule.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEDGWICK COUNTY —City Manager Robert Layton declared that Wichita is moving to Stage 2 of the City’s drought response plan, according to a statement released Thursday.

 In July, levels at Cheney Reservoir dropped below the original Stage 2 trigger of a 12-month average of Cheney conservation pool water levels below 69% full.

Staff determined that the most prudent action at this time is to enact Stage 2 restrictions for two months to get the City past prime irrigation season with a goal to reduce community-wide usage by 10%. The City will monitor levels and will extend Stage 2 into the fall months if necessary.

Beginning August 5, all City of Wichita water customers, including residential users, businesses, wholesale and commercial customers, will be limited to watering their lawns to once a week, based on their location.

Outdoor water usage is limited to one day per week, determined by location:

o Monday - Northwest of Central and Broadway intersection

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722530622759.png" alt="Stage 2 drought watering schedule-image city of Wichita" />
 <figcaption>Stage 2 drought watering schedule-image city of Wichita</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —City Manager Robert Layton declared that Wichita is moving to Stage 2 of the City’s drought response plan, according to a statement released Thursday. In July, levels at Cheney Reservoir dropped below the original Stage 2 trigger of a 12-month average of Cheney conservation pool water levels below 69% full.Staff determined that the most prudent action at this time is to enact Stage 2 restrictions for two months to get the City past prime irrigation season with a goal to reduce community-wide usage by 10%. The City will monitor levels and will extend Stage 2 into the fall months if necessary.Beginning August 5, all City of Wichita water customers, including residential users, businesses, wholesale and commercial customers, will be limited to watering their lawns to once a week, based on their location.Outdoor water usage is limited to one day per week, determined by location:o Monday - Northwest of Central and Broadway intersectiono Tuesday - Northeast of Central and Broadway intersectiono Wednesday - Southwest of Central and Broadway intersectiono Thursday - Southeast of Central and Broadway intersectiono Friday, Saturday, Sunday - no outdoor water usage allowedSome exemptions for businesses dependent on water use for their operations such as nurseries, hospitals, car washes and more are applicable. Wichita Public Works staff will monitor accounts of excessive water users and send a warning letter should water use continue to be high throughout Stage 2 restrictions. If high water use continues after they receive a letter, water users will be levied a $50 penalty the next time they exceed their average winter consumption, and a $100 penalty for each subsequent violation.Consumers with water usage or drought concerns may report them on the Wichita Report app or by contacting the call center at (316) 942-4482.Residents on well water or who use well water for irrigation are encouraged to continue to conserve water but are exempt from outdoor watering restrictions.The City enacted Stage 2 water restrictions for its operations voluntarily in 2023. Stage 3 would be discussed should water levels within Cheney’s conservation pool reach a 12-month average of below 50%.<a href="https://www.wichita.gov/499/Save-Wichita-Water">Click here for more</a> tips and information on Wichita’s drought response.