YORK COUNTY —Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol located 77 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and arrested two people during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near York, according to a media release.

At approximately 9:15 a.m. Saturday, a trooper stopped a Hyundai Sonata for speeding on Interstate 80 near York. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered that the vehicle was not insured.&nbsp;

Prior to towing the vehicle, troopers performed an inventory of the vehicle and discovered numerous container bags of suspected methamphetamine. The total weight of the bags was 77 pounds.

The driver, Rosita Vizcarra, 28, and passenger, Julio Garcia-Guerrero, 26, both of Omaha, were arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. Both remain in the York County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722280995060.jpeg" alt="Photo Nebraska State Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo Nebraska State Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>YORK COUNTY —Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol located 77 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and arrested two people during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near York, according to a media release.At approximately 9:15 a.m. Saturday, a trooper stopped a Hyundai Sonata for speeding on Interstate 80 near York. During the traffic stop, the trooper discovered that the vehicle was not insured.&nbsp;Prior to towing the vehicle, troopers performed an inventory of the vehicle and discovered numerous container bags of suspected methamphetamine. The total weight of the bags was 77 pounds.The driver, Rosita Vizcarra, 28, and passenger, Julio Garcia-Guerrero, 26, both of Omaha, were arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. Both remain in the York County Jail.

Troopers find 77 pounds of meth during traffic stop

Sen. Jerry Moran also revealed $10 million allocation for cardiovascular labs

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

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran wrapped a tour Friday of the University of Kansas Health System campus by celebrating a federal appropriation of $10 million for the KU Cancer Center and $10 million earmark for acquisition of sophisticated cardiovascular equipment.

The Kansas senator made his way through research and direct-care facilities, mingled with faculty, physicians and students as well as people who survived cancer and family members of those who didn’t with Kimryn Rathmell, director of the National Cancer Institute. She was making her first official visit as NCI director to one of the nation’s elite cancer centers.

“What’s taking place at the KU Cancer Center is amazing,” Moran said. “The dollars that are being provided to the University of Kansas are dollars that are well spent. There’s still work to be done.”

Moran said half of U.S. men and one-third of U.S. women would at some point in their lives be diagnosed with cancer. Currently, he said, there was no known treatment for cancers afflicting three of 10 people.

“Really what I think the KU Cancer Center is about is providing hope to everyone,” Moran said.

Roy Jensen, a KU vice chancellor and director of the KU Cancer Center, said federal financial support from the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute was imperative to advancing research and treatment.

“Sustainable, predictable, ongoing funding from NIH and NCI is absolutely critical to everything we do,” Jensen said. “It is the lifeblood of the University of Kansas Cancer Center. There’s no question. We have an extraordinary opportunity. I’ve been at this business now for 40 years plus and I’ve never been more hopeful in terms of making progress against this disease. But, that progress needs fuel and that’s the NIH budget and the NCI budget.”

During a news conference, Jensen was asked whether federal investment in cancer research was sufficient to meet the medical challenge.

“One of the things I find most exciting is that, in large part, we’re no longer groping in the dark in terms of what direction our research should be focused,” he said. “Cancer and a lot of other biomedical research is becoming a little bit more like engineering, where we understand the problems we face, and there’s tough problems. We have the tools available to us to solve those problems if we are willing to commit the resources to make it happen.”

KU has raised more than $250 million for construction of a large cancer research and treatment facility on the Kansas City campus, said KU chancellor Doug Girod.

“It’s going to be a game-changer for generations to come, both from the research perspective but also from the patient-care perspective. It’s bringing those two things together under one vision that’s really going to move the needle for us,” Girod said.

In June 2023, the KU Cancer Center received a $100 million gift from the Sunderland Foundation to build the state-of-the-art cancer facility. One year ago, Moran announced a $43 million federal appropriation to the Kansas Center’s programs.

The 2024 Kansas Legislature approved and Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a $75 million matching-grant appropriation for the project.

Bob Page, president and chief executive officer of KU Health System, said he personally appreciated federal support for the KU Cancer Center. He was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer four years ago and was treated at KU Health System.

“I was able to have this amazingly talented team take care of me,” he said. “And now, four years later, I’m standing before you cancer-free.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722281301489.png" alt=" U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, toured the KU Cancer Center facilities in Kansas City, Kansas, on Friday and announced a $10 million federal appropriation to cancer research and treatment and a $10 million earmark for cardiovascular laboratory equipment. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, toured the KU Cancer Center facilities in Kansas City, Kansas, on Friday and announced a $10 million federal appropriation to cancer research and treatment and a $10 million earmark for cardiovascular laboratory equipment. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Sen. Jerry Moran also revealed $10 million allocation for cardiovascular labs</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>KANSAS CITY, Kan. — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran wrapped a tour Friday of the University of Kansas Health System campus by celebrating a federal appropriation of $10 million for the KU Cancer Center and $10 million earmark for acquisition of sophisticated cardiovascular equipment.The Kansas senator made his way through research and direct-care facilities, mingled with faculty, physicians and students as well as people who survived cancer and family members of those who didn’t with Kimryn Rathmell, director of the National Cancer Institute. She was making her first official visit as NCI director to one of the nation’s elite cancer centers.“What’s taking place at the KU Cancer Center is amazing,” Moran said. “The dollars that are being provided to the University of Kansas are dollars that are well spent. There’s still work to be done.”Moran said half of U.S. men and one-third of U.S. women would at some point in their lives be diagnosed with cancer. Currently, he said, there was no known treatment for cancers afflicting three of 10 people.“Really what I think the KU Cancer Center is about is providing hope to everyone,” Moran said.Roy Jensen, a KU vice chancellor and director of the KU Cancer Center, said federal financial support from the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute was imperative to advancing research and treatment.“Sustainable, predictable, ongoing funding from NIH and NCI is absolutely critical to everything we do,” Jensen said. “It is the lifeblood of the University of Kansas Cancer Center. There’s no question. We have an extraordinary opportunity. I’ve been at this business now for 40 years plus and I’ve never been more hopeful in terms of making progress against this disease. But, that progress needs fuel and that’s the NIH budget and the NCI budget.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722281346784.png" alt="Roy Jensen, director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, said he welcomed the new federal appropriation of $10 million to the cancer research and treatment program. He expressed optimism that scientists had a better idea of how to approach cancer research and was confident the yet-to-be build cancer facility in Kansas City, Kansas, would change the face of treatment in the region. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Roy Jensen, director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, said he welcomed the new federal appropriation of $10 million to the cancer research and treatment program. He expressed optimism that scientists had a better idea of how to approach cancer research and was confident the yet-to-be build cancer facility in Kansas City, Kansas, would change the face of treatment in the region. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>During a news conference, Jensen was asked whether federal investment in cancer research was sufficient to meet the medical challenge.“One of the things I find most exciting is that, in large part, we’re no longer groping in the dark in terms of what direction our research should be focused,” he said. “Cancer and a lot of other biomedical research is becoming a little bit more like engineering, where we understand the problems we face, and there’s tough problems. We have the tools available to us to solve those problems if we are willing to commit the resources to make it happen.”KU has raised more than $250 million for construction of a large cancer research and treatment facility on the Kansas City campus, said KU chancellor Doug Girod.“It’s going to be a game-changer for generations to come, both from the research perspective but also from the patient-care perspective. It’s bringing those two things together under one vision that’s really going to move the needle for us,” Girod said.In June 2023, the KU Cancer Center received a $100 million gift from the Sunderland Foundation to build the state-of-the-art cancer facility. One year ago, Moran announced a $43 million federal appropriation to the Kansas Center’s programs.The 2024 Kansas Legislature approved and Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a $75 million matching-grant appropriation for the project.Bob Page, president and chief executive officer of KU Health System, said he personally appreciated federal support for the KU Cancer Center. He was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer four years ago and was treated at KU Health System.“I was able to have this amazingly talented team take care of me,” he said. “And now, four years later, I’m standing before you cancer-free.”

$10 million federal grant to KU Cancer Center like an injection of hope for researchers, patients

Democrats hoping abortion, minimum wage initiatives will help boost party to biggest gains of century as partisan line-up of 2025 chamber rests on outcome in six districts

The Missouri Senate could look very different next year.

Only 14 of 34 members are certain to be on hand for opening day 2025 as term limits&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/27/open-seats-primary-challenges-mean-missouri-senate-will-see-most-turnover-in-two-decades/">force out some incumbents</a>&nbsp;and others seek new offices.

Half the Senate is on the ballot every two years, and this year there is a contest in every one of those 17 districts — at least in the primary of the district’s dominant party.

This year’s election will be the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/14/judges-release-new-boundaries-for-missouri-senate-districts/">first since redistricting</a>&nbsp;for the seats on the ballot this year, adding another element of uncertainty about the outcome. Some incumbents are new to a majority of voters because of map changes and some seats that were safe for one party or another in the 2020 election may not be as certain.

There are 10 districts certain to elect new senators. In the other seven, incumbents face challengers, including four facing one or more primary opponents.

Three other seats that could become vacant are held by state Sens. Karla May, a St. Louis Democrat running for U.S. Senate; Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican running for secretary of state; and Lincoln Hough, a Springfield Republican running for lieutenant governor.

Another thing that could change is the partisan makeup of the chamber. Republicans have enjoyed a supermajority in the Senate — more than two-thirds of the seats — since 2009, and the current 24-10 split is unchanged since 2019.

“There’s more competitive races this year than there have been in a long time,” said Stephen Webber, a former legislator and Missouri Democratic Party chair seeking the 19th District seat being vacated by Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden.

How much of a stranglehold the GOP will have in the Senate will be decided in six districts, five of which are in major metro areas. The political history of all six — the 11th and 17th districts in the Kansas City area, the 1st, 15th and 23rd in the St. Louis region and the 19th in Boone County — gives them only a slight lean for one party or the other.

James Harris, a longtime Republican political consultant, said he sees little chance of the GOP losing the supermajority. The best-case Republican scenario — which concedes a flip in the 19th to Webber, he said — is for Democrats to lose both seats in the Kansas City area and hold the contested seats in the St. Louis region.

That would give Republicans 25 seats in the chamber.

“That is if it’s a great night for Republicans and Trump is just really doing well, which is possible,” Harris said.

Webber began raising money for his race about two years ago and has amassed a campaign treasury many statewide candidates would envy. His candidate committee has raised $542,000 since the beginning of 2023 and had $347,000 on hand on June 30. His joint fundraising committee, Homefront PAC, has raised $453,000 and had $437,000 available.

His Republican opponent has only started raising funds.

Because contributions to Senate candidates are capped at $2,400, most candidates also sponsor a political action committee. A candidate can solicit contributions to the PAC but cannot direct how the money is spent to promote their campaign.

Webber’s fund balances are second only to Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck of Affton among candidates on this year’s state Senate ballot. Beck is seeking a second term in the 1st District in south St. Louis County.

Beck has $434,000 in the campaign account under his direct control and another $504,000 in DougPAC. His opponent, Robert Crump, has not reported raising any money.

“I always run my campaign like I’m down,” Beck said. “I want to do what I need to do to win this. I have an extensive field game together, I’ll be doing mail and I’ll be doing TV, so I’m gonna do all the things that I need to do to win.”

Statewide, Beck said he expects to break the GOP supermajority and hopes to sweep the races that would give Democrats 13 total seats. The Democratic Party’s best year this century was a two-seat gain in 2006.&nbsp;

“Three are keeps, and three are flips,” Beck said. “That’s what we’re shooting for.”

Initiative petitions to restore abortion rights and increase the minimum wage seem&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/abortion-minimum-wage-campaigns-missouri-ballot/">certain to appear&nbsp;</a>on the November ballot.&nbsp;

“Those two things drive us and help us exponentially,” Beck said.&nbsp;

Democratic tactics will promote voting for the initiatives and the party’s candidates to protect them, Beck said. It won’t change the outcome in heavily Republican areas, he said, but it will make a difference.

“The areas we’re competing in are in the suburbs, and this is where the message is, and where people are going to be listening when they come out and vote,” Beck said.

Economic issues are what voters are worried about, Harris contends, not abortion rights.

Abortion rights don’t matter “other than to some very progressive people in Webster Groves and the Central West End. It is a rich and elite problem to be concerned with,” he said. “But as you move out of that little bubble, for people making under $100,000, it’s concerns about paying bills and credit card debts going up.”

Breaking the supermajority may be an unreachable goal, said Terry Smith, a professor of political science at Columbia College.

“In the last redistricting process, these districts got drawn up so that they were, with not very many exceptions, pretty red or pretty blue,” Smith said. “The way the districts are drawn, I just see that’s a real stretch.”

Democrats have “captured the narrative” on abortion and it will help them across the state, he said.

“The bottom line is, even if Democrats have a really good year, the best I think they can do is come close to not being in a super minority in the Senate,” Smith said.

9th District (Jackson County including east side of Kansas City and Raytown).&nbsp;State Sen. Barbara Washington is being challenged by former State Rep. Brandon Ellington in the Democratic primary. Both Washington and Ellington have reported limited fundraising activity for the campaign, although Washington had about $78,000 on hand in her campaign account at the last full report. The winner will face Republican Derron Black, who also has not raised any significant campaign funds. This district votes about 80% Democratic.

13th District (northern St. Louis County including Jennings, Spanish Lake, Florissant and Old Jamestown).&nbsp;The 13th district is a Democratic primary that has the highest possibility of replacing the incumbent, outside observers said. State Rep. Chantelle Nickson-Clark is taking on incumbent state Sen. Angela Mosley in a test of well-established Democratic factions in St. Louis.

Mosley is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AngelaWaltonMosley4StateSenate/posts/pfbid02tAXU9vyLrS2xVUUrKeyfANoUGQ7Kbp6kyhQ4SPH5LRv1Xq2cXn747S8XEuUhX6Wtl" target="_blank">promoting a slate</a>&nbsp;of candidates — including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/all-in-the-family-two-sisters-look-to-continue-walton-political-dynasty-in-missouri-legislature/article_d03c8f50-639c-11ee-852d-dfb0f548d806.html" target="_blank">two of her daughters</a>&nbsp;— in contested primaries for legislative seats and other positions through her campaign social media accounts. Nickson-Clark is trying to move from the House to the Senate after a single term as a lawmaker.

One of the hottest issues in the race is the education bill passed this year that boosts the minimum salary for teachers, changes the formula for funding public schools and expands a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-governor-signs-468m-education-bill-that-boosts-teacher-pay-expands-charters/">tax-credit scholarship for private schools</a>.&nbsp;

Nickson-Clark was one of three Democrats who voted in favor of the bill in the House and Chantelle PAC has received two $10,000 contributions from the Quality Schools Coalition, a school choice advocacy group.

In an opinion piece published by the&nbsp;<a href="https://labortribune.com/opinion-the-missouri-legislatures-big-education-bill-sham/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0-yx1a0fn_s8UoD8tagwLXfW9KZjw4sp_xuzkxP7PfpFjrcqIgbMMUSFE_aem_pRi1bYwqAItTOr5U9a1bRQ" target="_blank">St. Louis-Southern Illinois Labor Tribune</a>, Mosley called the bill a “sham” that was “packed with a few things that most reasonable people agree upon but also include hidden gifts for their special-interest supporters — like the millionaire-funded school-choice advocates.”

The American Federation of Teachers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/zeu8QhMEuQieXR39/" target="_blank">has paid for billboards</a>&nbsp;backing Mosley.

Nickson-Clark has achievements she can counter with. A bill she was the only member to introduce, making it easier for women with breast and cervical cancer to&nbsp;<a href="https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills241/hlrbillspdf/5856H.01I.pdf" target="_blank">get Medicaid-paid treatment</a>, was included in a broader bill and signed into law.

But she has also had to deal with charges that Antonio Jones, her fiance and campaign employee, was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/column/joe-holleman/st-louis-county-man-charged-in-drug-ring-has-personal-campaign-ties-to-state-legislator/article_82d5368a-3011-11ef-8ac9-3b27ea048ce8.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2I9iGObcsGh14v2TRf6OL44ZslDhBBogCHnkG-SeXcUJJkywU3xe23bPw_aem__iEfZkaFyImQCYKsBbOnLQ" target="_blank">named in a federal drug indictment</a>&nbsp;and is currently awaiting trial. Her campaign continues to employ Jones, who has received $7,100 as a campaign worker since Nickson-Clark formed a committee in 2022.

29th District (Barry, Christian, Lawrence and McDonald counties).&nbsp;One of the Senate’s most conservative members, Mike Moon of Ash Grove, is being challenged by business owner Susan Haralson of Ozark.

Redistricting significantly changed the boundaries after the 2020 election, when Moon narrowly won his primary. Two of the counties Moon won, Stone and Taney, were moved to the 33rd District and two he lost, Barry and McDonald, remain.&nbsp;

Christian County, home of Haralson, is now the largest population county in the district and Moon has never been on a ballot there.

The only bill introduced by Moon in his 12-year legislative career that has&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/21/missouri-senate-approves-four-year-on-medical-procedures-for-transgender-minors/">been signed into law</a>&nbsp;limits medical procedures for transgender children. He is better known for&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/12/tempers-fray-as-missouri-senate-republicans-fight-over-congressional-map/">lengthy filibusters</a>, where he often reads religious-themed books, and fighting with the Senate leadership&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/16/after-wearing-overalls-in-the-missouri-senate-gop-lawmaker-loses-committee-spots/">over rules of decorum</a>&nbsp;and procedure.

Moon did not return a call this week. But he’s getting help from U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison, who defeated Moon in a primary in 2022, and other lawmakers from the Freedom Caucus faction.

“We’ve got to defend this guy,” Burlison said about Moon at a Springfield campaign event last month.&nbsp;

Haralson, in an interview, said voters want more than an obstructionist who is fixated on social issues.

“I have never seen Mike very passionate about anything other than social issues,” Haralson said. “Well, there’s a lot more than social issues that we need in Christian County and McDonald County.”

Both candidates are spending modest amounts compared to other races. Haralson said she has found it difficult to solicit funds for her Present Day Conservatives PAC because donors don’t want to anger Moon if he wins. That could cause friction within the Senate, with the PAC associated with Sen. Jason Bean donating $15,000 on July 17 to Haralson’s PAC.

Ron Monnig, a Democrat from Eagle Rock, will face the primary winner in a district where Trump took 77.5% of the vote in 2020.

31st District. (Bates, Cass, Johnson counties).&nbsp;State Sen. Rick Brattin is the chair of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/02/freedom-caucuses-push-for-conservative-state-laws-but-getting-attention-is-their-big-success/">Missouri Freedom Caucus</a>. Like Moon, he is running in a district that is markedly different from the one where he received just under 50% of the vote in a three-way primary in 2020.

Brattin’s home is in Cass County, which retains the largest share of votes in the primary. But two counties Brattin won, Barton and Henry, along with Vernon, have been replaced by Johnson County. That is the home of his best-funded opponent and 5,000 primary voters who only saw him on a 2022 congressional primary ballot, where he was a distant second to the winner, Mark Alford.

State Rep. Dan Houx of Warrensburg has raised $94,000 for his campaign fund and almost $320,000 for H-PAC. The two funds had more than $430,000 to spend as of June 30.

State Rep. Mike Haffner of Pleasant Hill is also a Cass County resident. Haffner has raised a little more than $105,000 between his campaign fund and CLCP PAC, his joint fundraising committee. His funds had about $85,000 on June 30.

Brattin has done better than Haffner but has only raised a little more than a third of the amount donated for Houx’s campaign. His campaign fund held $76,164 and his joint fundraising committee, True Patriot PAC, had $46,258 at the end of the second quarter.

In the spring, Brattin lashed out at both his opponents, who criticized the Freedom Caucus faction in the Senate for disrupting the legislative process.

Harris, who is consulting for Brattin’s campaign, said the Freedom Caucus’ disruptive tactics appeal to conservative voters.

“I think if you’re a conservative voter, you want people that take a gun to a knife fight,” he said. “They’re not really in the diplomacy phase.”

The winner will face Raymond James, a Leeton Democrat, in a district that gave 67% of its vote to Trump in 2020.

27th District (Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Iron, Madison, Perry, Reynolds and Scott counties). ​​State Sen. Holly Rehder is passing up another term in the state Senate to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/10/crowded-gop-primary-field-seeks-nomination-to-be-missouris-next-lieutenant-governor/">run for lieutenant governor</a>, generating a three-way primary between Jacob Turner of Jackson, making his first bid for office; and two veteran campaigners, state Reps. Jamie Burger of Benton, who has won two terms after being a county commissioner in Scott County; and Chris Dinkins of Lesterville, who has won four terms in the House.

The total spent in the primary will likely exceed $1 million.

Burger has raised $201,734 for his candidate fund since the start of 2023 and just over $250,000 for Bootheel Values PAC. The two funds have spent almost $200,000 so far and had a combined $263,000 on hand on June 30.

Dinkins has raised $204,000 for her campaign committee and almost $50,000 more for Red Hawk PAC. The two committees have spent about $150,000 and had about $140,000 on hand.

Turner has raised $102,276 for his committee, another $60,000 for Faith and Family PAC. Through June 30, the committees had only spent a combined total of about $50,000, leaving $105,000.

33rd District (Douglas, Howell, Ozark, Shannon, Stone, Taney and Texas counties).&nbsp;The seat is vacant because Karla Eslinger, elected in 2020, resigned to take the helm of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as commissioner of education. The primary between state Reps. Travis Smith of Dora, who is in his second term, and Brad Hudson of Cape Fair, who was elected three times as Stone County assessor before winning his House seat in 2018. The combined fundraising in the race has been less than $250,000, with Hudson holding the edge.

11th District (northern Jackson County including Independence, Grain Valley and Sugar Creek).&nbsp;There are three Republicans vying for the chance to represent the hometown of Missouri’s only president, Harry Truman, with a well-funded Democratic candidate waiting for the winner.&nbsp;

Incumbent state Sen. John Rizzo, a Democrat from Independence, resigned before term limits removed him from office to become&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article288616613.html" target="_blank">executive director</a>&nbsp;of the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.

State Rep. Aaron McMullen of Independence is the best-funded Republican, raising more than $300,000 by June 30 for his campaign and PAC, with $232,000 available for the final push and more large donations coming in.

Joe Nicola of Grain Valley, who has run for Congress and Senate in the past, has raised almost $90,000 and David Martin of Kansas City has raised less than $10,000.

State Rep. Robert Sauls, a Democrat from Independence, has just under $160,000 in his campaign fund and almost $260,000 in his Independence Leadership PAC.&nbsp;

“There’ll be a bump up for Trump,” Harris said. “That’s a little more blue collar area of Jackson County where Trump as the nominee, is kind of an asset to the Republican.”

Sauls is the best counter, Beck said.&nbsp;

“Robbie Sauls is the only candidate in the state that has won a district that Trump won,” Beck said, noting his 45-vote victory in 2020 for an Independence-based House seat.&nbsp;

15th District (western St. Louis County including Chesterfield, Wildwood, Manchester and Town and Country).&nbsp;With term-limited Republican state Sen. Andrew Koenig leaving office, the GOP race has attracted three veteran politicians, with the winner facing a Democrat whose campaign fund has raised more than any other Senate candidate this cycle.

The Republican line-up is Mark Harder, who has three terms on the St. Louis County Council, Jim Bowlin, a two-term mayor of Wildwood, and former state Rep. David Gregory, who lost a 2022 primary for state auditor.

All three have shown substantial fundraising support, with Gregory having the slight edge.&nbsp;

The Democratic candidate will be Joe Pereles, an attorney who was senior vice president of development and general counsel for Drury Hotels Company. Between his campaign committee and Fearless PAC, Pereles has raised more than the combined efforts of the Republicans and had more than $600,000 on hand on June 30.

The district, which voting history shows to be about 54% Republican, is one where abortion will make a difference in the fall, Beck said.

23rd District (eastern St. Charles County including St. Charles, St. Peters and West Alton).&nbsp;Democrats see a chance in the district that sent Eigel to Jefferson City because new boundaries were drawn after the 2020 census, giving it the largest concentration of union workers in the state, Beck said.

State Rep. Phil Christofanelli of St. Peters, who has been elected to four terms, is the best-funded candidate, with more than $660,000 raised between his campaign committee and Gladius PAC. That is more than the other three candidates, three-term state Rep. Adam Shnelting of St. Charles, Dan O’Connell of St. Peters and Rich Chrismer of St. Peters, who was elected to four terms as St. Charles County Clerk.

The voting history has the district at 53% Republican. In his last election, Eigel won with 57% against a candidate who did very little.

Beck said Democrats are working to get funding for Matt Williams, a first-time candidate.

Harris said the blue-collar, pro-Trump vote that will influence the 11th District will help the winner of the 23rd District primary.

3rd District (Crawford, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Washington, southern Jefferson County):&nbsp;State Sen. Elaine Gannon is not seeking re-election in this district where no Democrat filed in 2016 or 2020.

The candidates are House Speaker Pro Tem Mike Henderson of Bonne Terre and two-term state Rep. Cyndi Buchheit-Cordway of Festus. Henderson has raised nearly $300,000 since the start of 2023 for his campaign and joint fundraising committee, Leadbelt PAC, while Buchheit-Cordway has raised about half that amount.

Doug Halbert of Hematite is the Democratic candidate in a district that went about 69% for Trump in 2020.

7th District (downtown and historic northeast Kansas City and Grandview)&nbsp;The senator elected in 2020, Greg Razer, was appointed to the State Tax Commission in May by Gov. Mike Parson, setting off a primary between Pat Contreras, who a statewide primary for treasurer in 2016, and two-term state Rep. Patty Lewis.

The two are about evenly matched in fundraising, with Contreras having a slight edge. Joey LaSalle is the Republican candidate in the district that is heavily Democratic.

21st District (Cooper, Howard, Lafayette, Ray, Saline, and northeast Clay counties).&nbsp;Two incumbent state representatives are vying for the Republican nomination to replace term-limited state Sen. Denny Hoskins. The district has been significantly changed from 2020, when no Democrat filed, dropping Carroll, Livingston and Johnson counties and gaining Cooper and Clay counties.&nbsp;

Two-term state Rep. Kurtis Gregory of Marshall has the fundraising edge over three-term state Rep. Doug Richey of Excelsior Springs. Jim Bates of Liberty is the Democratic candidate in the district that is rated 63% Republican based on voting history.

1st District (southern St. Louis County).&nbsp;Beck has $434,000 in the campaign account under his direct control and another $504,000 in DougPAC to counter the challenge from Robert Crump, a candidate who has run unsuccessfully in the past for the House and Senate. Crump has not reported raising any money. The district leans slightly Democratic.

5th District (downtown and north St. Louis).&nbsp;State Sen. Steven Roberts is the Democratic incumbent, challenged by Robert Vroman, vice-chair of the St. Louis Republican Central Committee. It is a district that votes 88% Democratic.

Primaries will test incumbents in year of historic turnover for Missouri Senate

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a child was critically injured in a fall from an apartment window.

Just after 10a.m. Monday, police responded to the Independence Towers Apartments in the 700 block of North Jennings Road, according to a social media report. A boy fell from the 8th story window.&nbsp;

EMS transported the child to a local hospital and he was later transferred to Children's Mercy.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.&nbsp;&nbsp; Check the P ost for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722283328393.png" alt="Independence Towers -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Independence Towers -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a child was critically injured in a fall from an apartment window.Just after 10a.m. Monday, police responded to the Independence Towers Apartments in the 700 block of North Jennings Road, according to a social media report. A boy fell from the 8th story window.&nbsp;EMS transported the child to a local hospital and he was later transferred to Children's Mercy.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.&nbsp;&nbsp; Check the P ost for more information as it becomes available.

Child injured in fall from 8th floor KC area apartment window 

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 1a.m. Saturday in Riley County.

A driver lost control of a vehicle in the 1100 Block of Yuma, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

The vehicle struck a house and continued into another house where it&nbsp; ran over a 23-year-old occupant of the residence who sleeping in his bed. The man was trapped and eventually&nbsp;extracted from under the vehicle.

EMS transported the victim to Via Christi for treatment of his non-life-threatening injuries. He was later transferred to Stormont-Vail for advanced treatment, according to the RCPD.&nbsp;&nbsp;Before he was transported the injured man was stable and was able to communicate with officers, according to the RCPD.&nbsp; Police had no additional information early Monday.

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 1a.m. Saturday in Riley County.A driver lost control of a vehicle in the 1100 Block of Yuma, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.The vehicle struck a house and continued into another house where it&nbsp; ran over a 23-year-old occupant of the residence who sleeping in his bed. The man was trapped and eventually&nbsp;extracted from under the vehicle.EMS transported the victim to Via Christi for treatment of his non-life-threatening injuries. He was later transferred to Stormont-Vail for advanced treatment, according to the RCPD.&nbsp;&nbsp;Before he was transported the injured man was stable and was able to communicate with officers, according to the RCPD.&nbsp; Police had no additional information early Monday.

Police: Vehicle ran over man asleep in his bed at Kansas home

WASHINGTON —Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall is questioning why Google is allegdly suppressing the search about the&nbsp;&nbsp;Trump assassination attempt.&nbsp;

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also suggested Google rigged the search.

On social media, Marshall posted screenshots from Sunday and asks, "has there been a dramatic increase in Truman biographers in the last two weeks?"&nbsp; &nbsp;"I’ll be making an official inquiry into this week - I look forward to their response, " Marshall wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720911723876.png" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722215504137.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall is questioning why Google is allegdly suppressing the search about the&nbsp;&nbsp;Trump assassination attempt.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722215418272.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also suggested Google rigged the search.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">On it. <a href="https://t.co/edYIfqJv2y">https://t.co/edYIfqJv2y</a>&mdash; Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGAndrewBailey/status/1817656907412492477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On social media, Marshall posted screenshots from Sunday and asks, "has there been a dramatic increase in Truman biographers in the last two weeks?"&nbsp; &nbsp;"I’ll be making an official inquiry into this week - I look forward to their response, " Marshall wrote.

Kan. U.S. Senator investigating Google search of Trump assassination

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Police investigating a Kansas bank robbery have a suspect in custody.

Just before 10:30 a.m., June 23, police responded to a reported robbery at US Bank, 719 S Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release. It was reported that a man entered the bank, indicated he had a weapon, demanded money and then fled on foot.&nbsp; On Saturday, police reported the FBI arrested the suspect in Texas, according to Topeka Police.

The suspect was described as having light-colored facial hair, wearing a multi-color ball cap backwards, a red football jersey with the number “7” on it, red athletic shorts and brown boots.&nbsp; Police have not released his name or additional details.

Anyone with information on the robbery is encouraged to report it to law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721756581031.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Police investigating a Kansas bank robbery have a suspect in custody.Just before 10:30 a.m., June 23, police responded to a reported robbery at US Bank, 719 S Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release. It was reported that a man entered the bank, indicated he had a weapon, demanded money and then fled on foot.&nbsp; On Saturday, police reported the FBI arrested the suspect in Texas, according to Topeka Police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721756581031.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The suspect was described as having light-colored facial hair, wearing a multi-color ball cap backwards, a red football jersey with the number “7” on it, red athletic shorts and brown boots.&nbsp; Police have not released his name or additional details.Anyone with information on the robbery is encouraged to report it to law enforcement.

Police capture suspect in Kansas bank robbery

KANSAS CITY —A man injured in a shooting in Kansas City has died five days after the crime.

Just before 8p.m. July 21, police responded to a shooting in the area of 13th and The Paseo. First responders found a victim later identified as 19-year-old Xavier Williams on the ground, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

EMS transported&nbsp; Williams to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. He died on Friday, according to Forte'.

Investigators learned Williams had an interaction with an unknown suspect at the scene of the shooting. An altercation escalated to shots fired which led to Williams’ injuries.

Police have not reported an arrest or released details on a suspect.

KANSAS CITY —A man injured in a shooting in Kansas City has died five days after the crime.Just before 8p.m. July 21, police responded to a shooting in the area of 13th and The Paseo. First responders found a victim later identified as 19-year-old Xavier Williams on the ground, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.EMS transported&nbsp; Williams to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. He died on Friday, according to Forte'.Investigators learned Williams had an interaction with an unknown suspect at the scene of the shooting. An altercation escalated to shots fired which led to Williams’ injuries.Police have not reported an arrest or released details on a suspect.

Teen dies five days after Kansas City shooting

JERUSALEM — U.S. forces continue to face daily threats in the Red Sea and the surrounding area.

Over the past week U.S. forces successfully destroyed 11 Iranian-backed Houthi drones including six on Friday in the Red Sea, according to the U.S. Central Command.

They also destroyed two surface-to-air missiles and five missile launchers and on Thursday destoyed a drone launcher. All of these were in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.


It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

JERUSALEM — U.S. forces continue to face daily threats in the Red Sea and the surrounding area.Over the past week U.S. forces successfully destroyed 11 Iranian-backed Houthi drones including six on Friday in the Red Sea, according to the U.S. Central Command.They also destroyed two surface-to-air missiles and five missile launchers and on Thursday destoyed a drone launcher. All of these were in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.
It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

U.S. forces continue to face daily threats in the Red Sea

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly 2-vehicle crash that occurred just before noon Saturday identified the motorcyclist and passenger who died as 19-year-old Noah T. Lawler and 20-year-old Ava R. Jordan both of Topeka, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's deputy Abigail Christian.

The sheriff's office investigators reported a Chrysler Voyager was southbound and a motorcycle driven by Lawler was northbound on SW Fairlawn Road at SW 10th Street.

The Chrysler was turning east on SW 10th Street when the vehicles collided in the intersection.Lawler and Jordan both died at the scene.&nbsp; American Medical Response transported three juveniles from the Chrysler to a local hospital. The accident remains under investigation. Topeka Police and Fire Department assisted at the scene.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly 2-vehicle crash that occurred just before noon Saturday identified the motorcyclist and passenger who died as 19-year-old Noah T. Lawler and 20-year-old Ava R. Jordan both of Topeka, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's deputy Abigail Christian.The sheriff's office investigators reported a Chrysler Voyager was southbound and a motorcycle driven by Lawler was northbound on SW Fairlawn Road at SW 10th Street.The Chrysler was turning east on SW 10th Street when the vehicles collided in the intersection.Lawler and Jordan both died at the scene.&nbsp; American Medical Response transported three juveniles from the Chrysler to a local hospital. The accident remains under investigation. Topeka Police and Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Sheriff IDs Kan. man, woman who died in motorcycle, van crash

MARSHALL COUNTY —A Kansas man transferred to the Marshall County jail on July 6 has been charged in the death of a man whose remains were found on July 10 in rural Marshall County.

 James Dean Winkenwader, 31, Waterville, was charged with first-degree murder for the death of Camoran Shoptese, 36, of Blue Rapids, according to the Marshall County Attorney's office.

On July 10,&nbsp; sheriff's deputies found human remains in rural Marshall County, according to a media release from the KBI.

The KBI Crime Scene Response Team responded to the area, which was northwest of Waterville, Kansas, near Sunflower Road and 2nd Road. The remains were identified as Shoptese.

Agents found evidence indicating that Shoptese was murdered. Investigators do not believed a threat to the community exists related to this case.&nbsp;

On Saturday, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance in the disappearance of Shoptese who was last seen around 10:30 p.m. on July 4 at 709 Chestnut Street in Blue Rapids.

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/search-underway-for-blue-rapids-ks-man/">Shoptese last seen</a>&nbsp;the night of July 4, in Blue Rapids. On July 10, KBI agents and Marshall County deputies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksnt.com/news/crime/human-remains-found-during-search-for-missing-kansas-man-murder-suspected-kbi/">found human remains</a>&nbsp;believed to be those of Shoptese and evidence he was murdered.

KSNT 27 News&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksnt.com/news/crime/family-speaks-out-after-kbi-finds-remains-of-missing-kansas-man/" target="_blank">spoke to Shoptese’s family</a>, who said he while his outward appearance may have been scary, he had a big heart and “would do anything for anyone in a heartbeat”.

Winkenwader was already jailed in the Marshall County on a bond violation following a previous arrest for unrelated crimes. His bond is now set at $1 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722091681268.png" alt="Winkenwader-photo Marshall Co." />
 <figcaption>Winkenwader-photo Marshall Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MARSHALL COUNTY —A Kansas man transferred to the Marshall County jail on July 6 has been charged in the death of a man whose remains were found on July 10 in rural Marshall County. James Dean Winkenwader, 31, Waterville, was charged with first-degree murder for the death of Camoran Shoptese, 36, of Blue Rapids, according to the Marshall County Attorney's office.On July 10,&nbsp; sheriff's deputies found human remains in rural Marshall County, according to a media release from the KBI.The KBI Crime Scene Response Team responded to the area, which was northwest of Waterville, Kansas, near Sunflower Road and 2nd Road. The remains were identified as Shoptese.Agents found evidence indicating that Shoptese was murdered. Investigators do not believed a threat to the community exists related to this case.&nbsp;On Saturday, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance in the disappearance of Shoptese who was last seen around 10:30 p.m. on July 4 at 709 Chestnut Street in Blue Rapids.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720385898695.png" alt="Camoran Shoptese-photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Camoran Shoptese-photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/search-underway-for-blue-rapids-ks-man/">Shoptese last seen</a>&nbsp;the night of July 4, in Blue Rapids. On July 10, KBI agents and Marshall County deputies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksnt.com/news/crime/human-remains-found-during-search-for-missing-kansas-man-murder-suspected-kbi/">found human remains</a>&nbsp;believed to be those of Shoptese and evidence he was murdered.KSNT 27 News&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksnt.com/news/crime/family-speaks-out-after-kbi-finds-remains-of-missing-kansas-man/" target="_blank">spoke to Shoptese’s family</a>, who said he while his outward appearance may have been scary, he had a big heart and “would do anything for anyone in a heartbeat”.Winkenwader was already jailed in the Marshall County on a bond violation following a previous arrest for unrelated crimes. His bond is now set at $1 million.

Man charged with murder after body of victim found in rural Kansas

HUTCHINSON, Kansas. –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Matthew Dean Warren, 36, died Sunday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections&nbsp;

Warren was found unresponsive in his cell Sunday afternoon. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived but were unsuccessful. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

Warren was serving a 130-month sentence for several convictions of aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, theft, and criminal damage to stolen property in Reno County, Kansas.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722207715150.png" alt="Matthew Warren photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Matthew Warren photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kansas. –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Matthew Dean Warren, 36, died Sunday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections&nbsp;Warren was found unresponsive in his cell Sunday afternoon. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived but were unsuccessful. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.Warren was serving a 130-month sentence for several convictions of aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, theft, and criminal damage to stolen property in Reno County, Kansas.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

Kansas Inmate serving time for burglary, theft found dead in cell

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man who sold and delivered drugs to a woman who died soon after she ingested them faces felony charges in connection with her death, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Vincent Scarcello, 27, faces Murder in the 2nd Degree and Delivery of a Controlled Substance.&nbsp;

The Murder in the 2nd Degree charge, often known as Felony Murder, is based on the fact that the victim died of a fentanyl overdose that resulted from defendant's perpetration of the Class C felony of Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

According to court records, on May 3, Kansas City police were dispatched to a residence in the area of 53rd and Park Avenue. Emergency responders found the victim deceased inside. She was discovered by a witness who arrived home from work later that evening. The Jackson County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death to be Fentanyl, Fluorofentanyl and Ethanol intoxication.

Next to the deceased victim detectives found a half-opened box of Narcan in a failed attempt to save her own life, according to court records. 

Pills found inside the residence tested positive for fentanyl. The investigation found the victim had been in communication with "Vince Scarcello" on May 3, 2024. They made agreement for him to deliver "blues" to her residence, "Blues" are a common name for blue M-30 pills containing fentanyl. Video surveillance from the residence where the victim was found deceased showed the victim walking to a distinctive black sedan on May 3, 2024. She gets into the vehicle, which matched the description of the defendant's vehicle. A short time later, the victim dies from an overdose of fentanyl.

Further surveillance of the defendant appears to show multiple hand-to-hand drug transactions with cars near his Raytown home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722199052633.png" alt="Scarcello-photo Jackson o." />
 <figcaption>Scarcello-photo Jackson o.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man who sold and delivered drugs to a woman who died soon after she ingested them faces felony charges in connection with her death, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Vincent Scarcello, 27, faces Murder in the 2nd Degree and Delivery of a Controlled Substance.&nbsp;The Murder in the 2nd Degree charge, often known as Felony Murder, is based on the fact that the victim died of a fentanyl overdose that resulted from defendant's perpetration of the Class C felony of Delivery of a Controlled Substance.According to court records, on May 3, Kansas City police were dispatched to a residence in the area of 53rd and Park Avenue. Emergency responders found the victim deceased inside. She was discovered by a witness who arrived home from work later that evening. The Jackson County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death to be Fentanyl, Fluorofentanyl and Ethanol intoxication.Next to the deceased victim detectives found a half-opened box of Narcan in a failed attempt to save her own life, according to court records. Pills found inside the residence tested positive for fentanyl. The investigation found the victim had been in communication with "Vince Scarcello" on May 3, 2024. They made agreement for him to deliver "blues" to her residence, "Blues" are a common name for blue M-30 pills containing fentanyl. Video surveillance from the residence where the victim was found deceased showed the victim walking to a distinctive black sedan on May 3, 2024. She gets into the vehicle, which matched the description of the defendant's vehicle. A short time later, the victim dies from an overdose of fentanyl.Further surveillance of the defendant appears to show multiple hand-to-hand drug transactions with cars near his Raytown home.

Drug dealer accused of selling fentanyl to KC woman who died

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/caseyquinlan/">CASEY QUINLAN</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/19/rural-hospitals-gird-for-unwinding-of-pandemic-medicaid-coverage/">States Newsroom</a>

U.S. median home prices hit a record high for the second month in a row as sales continued to fall, according to a report released this week, as potential buyers continue to lie in wait for lower mortgage rates.

Existing home sales fell 5.4% in June and median home sales reached its highest level on record since prices were first tracked by the National Association of Realtors in 1999. The median price rose the most in the northeast region at 9.7%. In June, existing home sales plummeted 8% in the Midwest, the greatest fall among the regions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-slipped-5-4-in-june-median-sales-price-jumps-to-record-high-of-426900" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;the report released on Tuesday.

New home sales,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/construction/nrs/pdf/newressales.pdf" target="_blank">released</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau, fell 0.6% in June and is 7.4% lower than new home sales a year ago. The median sales price of a new home was $417,300, lower than the existing home sales median price of $426,900. Housing experts say that this closeness in price is unusual, since new homes have usually sold for much more in the past 10 years and may be reflective of changing demands for smaller and more affordable homes.

Despite that change, these two measures have shown that home prices still remain out of reach for many and that in response, sales have been slow. What is driving these prices and when will they abate? Housing economists say there are many factors at play, including Fed policy and an aging population.

Why are home sales low and home prices high?

High demand for homes and lower inventory levels have contributed to higher home prices in recent years. These expensive home prices and high mortgage rates have resulted in this housing market shift.

Matthew Walsh, economist at Moody’s Analytics, said low housing affordability and the “persistently high” mortgage rate is contributing to cooling housing activity. Unless housing becomes more affordable soon, he said he expects to continue to see lower existing home sales. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.78% as of July 25,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freddiemac.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAC-2BuhLU-a1GBcy8DJWMM3or13Ye&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwzIK1BhAuEiwAHQmU3qjHufAfDjdczZrYqFAv10PYk67LRMDASSjtafgA0lUfDZLu84IenRoCU6sQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;Freddie Mac.

“Buyers are very responsive to mortgage rates and with the information being so readily available and the anticipation that mortgage rates are going to come down, I think that’s keeping people on the sidelines,” said Selma Hepp, chief economist at CoreLogic.

But she said homebuyers face a double-edged sword. When mortgage rates do come down, there will be a lot of pent-up demand that will also put pressure on home prices. A rise in cash buyers could also be pushing prices higher, Hepp said. All cash buyers were 28% of home transactions in June.

“A lot of these cash buyers are actually baby boomers who maybe cashed out on their existing home. We do know that home equity is at an all-time high and if you’re moving from a very expensive home price area to a lower-priced area, you obviously will have a lot of cash,” she added.

Housing inventory is changing but is it enough?

One bright spot for homebuyers is that total housing inventory has been rising. Inventory increased 3.1% from May and was up 23.4% from a year ago according to the June existing home sales report. Walsh said some households may be deciding they can’t wait to make a life change and are moving out of homes for larger or smaller options.

“It’s a lot of households that can no longer postpone plans to sell, whether that’s because their household is expanding because they’re having children or it’s shrinking and they need to sell their larger home in the Northeast and move to a smaller home to retire in the South,” Walsh&nbsp; said. “They can no longer put up with the homes that they’re in and sacrifice their low mortgage rate for a higher rate.”

Still, Hepp said the inventory is far lower than pre-pandemic levels and where demand has picked up — in Boston, New York, and Chicago, for example — there’s not a proportionate increase in the supply of housing.

Some homebuyers may be watching the Fed’s plans to cut interest rates, which affect mortgage rates, for some financial relief. A majority of economists say they believe the Fed will cut rates in September and December,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/fed-cut-rates-twice-this-year-with-first-move-september-economists-say-2024-07-23/" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;a recent Reuters poll. Cutting rates may help bring some buyers back into the market and pump up inventory, but the effect will likely not be strong enough to bring home sales back to where they were before the pandemic, Walsh added.

The Biden administration announced a flurry of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/16/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-major-new-actions-to-lower-housing-costs-by-limiting-rent-increases-and-building-more-homes/#:~:text=The%20Biden%2DHarris%20Administration%20is,for%20tens%20of%20millions%20of" target="_blank">proposals</a>&nbsp;this month to make housing more affordable, some of which would impact homebuyers as well as the&nbsp;<a href="https://nevadacurrent.com/2024/07/17/biden-proposes-5-rent-increase-cap-for-corporate-owned-apartments/" target="_blank">repurposing</a>&nbsp;of public lands in Nevada to bring at least 15,000 affordable rental and homeownership units to the area. In February, the White House also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/02/29/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-actions-to-boost-housing-supply-and-lower-housing-costs/" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;the opening of grant applications for assistance to homeowners to replace dilapidated homes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659001075252.jpeg" alt="A sign advertising a home for sale is displayed outside of a Brooklyn brownstone on April 11, 2024, in New York City. U.S. house sales continued to fall in June as median home prices hit a record high for the second month&nbsp; photo AP" />
 <figcaption>A sign advertising a home for sale is displayed outside of a Brooklyn brownstone on April 11, 2024, in New York City. U.S. house sales continued to fall in June as median home prices hit a record high for the second month&nbsp; photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/caseyquinlan/">CASEY QUINLAN</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/19/rural-hospitals-gird-for-unwinding-of-pandemic-medicaid-coverage/">States Newsroom</a>U.S. median home prices hit a record high for the second month in a row as sales continued to fall, according to a report released this week, as potential buyers continue to lie in wait for lower mortgage rates.Existing home sales fell 5.4% in June and median home sales reached its highest level on record since prices were first tracked by the National Association of Realtors in 1999. The median price rose the most in the northeast region at 9.7%. In June, existing home sales plummeted 8% in the Midwest, the greatest fall among the regions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-slipped-5-4-in-june-median-sales-price-jumps-to-record-high-of-426900" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;the report released on Tuesday.New home sales,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.census.gov/construction/nrs/pdf/newressales.pdf" target="_blank">released</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau, fell 0.6% in June and is 7.4% lower than new home sales a year ago. The median sales price of a new home was $417,300, lower than the existing home sales median price of $426,900. Housing experts say that this closeness in price is unusual, since new homes have usually sold for much more in the past 10 years and may be reflective of changing demands for smaller and more affordable homes.Despite that change, these two measures have shown that home prices still remain out of reach for many and that in response, sales have been slow. What is driving these prices and when will they abate? Housing economists say there are many factors at play, including Fed policy and an aging population.<h2>Why are home sales low and home prices high?</h2>High demand for homes and lower inventory levels have contributed to higher home prices in recent years. These expensive home prices and high mortgage rates have resulted in this housing market shift.Matthew Walsh, economist at Moody’s Analytics, said low housing affordability and the “persistently high” mortgage rate is contributing to cooling housing activity. Unless housing becomes more affordable soon, he said he expects to continue to see lower existing home sales. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.78% as of July 25,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freddiemac.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAC-2BuhLU-a1GBcy8DJWMM3or13Ye&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwzIK1BhAuEiwAHQmU3qjHufAfDjdczZrYqFAv10PYk67LRMDASSjtafgA0lUfDZLu84IenRoCU6sQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;Freddie Mac.“Buyers are very responsive to mortgage rates and with the information being so readily available and the anticipation that mortgage rates are going to come down, I think that’s keeping people on the sidelines,” said Selma Hepp, chief economist at CoreLogic.But she said homebuyers face a double-edged sword. When mortgage rates do come down, there will be a lot of pent-up demand that will also put pressure on home prices. A rise in cash buyers could also be pushing prices higher, Hepp said. All cash buyers were 28% of home transactions in June.“A lot of these cash buyers are actually baby boomers who maybe cashed out on their existing home. We do know that home equity is at an all-time high and if you’re moving from a very expensive home price area to a lower-priced area, you obviously will have a lot of cash,” she added.<h2>Housing inventory is changing but is it enough?</h2>One bright spot for homebuyers is that total housing inventory has been rising. Inventory increased 3.1% from May and was up 23.4% from a year ago according to the June existing home sales report. Walsh said some households may be deciding they can’t wait to make a life change and are moving out of homes for larger or smaller options.“It’s a lot of households that can no longer postpone plans to sell, whether that’s because their household is expanding because they’re having children or it’s shrinking and they need to sell their larger home in the Northeast and move to a smaller home to retire in the South,” Walsh&nbsp; said. “They can no longer put up with the homes that they’re in and sacrifice their low mortgage rate for a higher rate.”Still, Hepp said the inventory is far lower than pre-pandemic levels and where demand has picked up — in Boston, New York, and Chicago, for example — there’s not a proportionate increase in the supply of housing.Some homebuyers may be watching the Fed’s plans to cut interest rates, which affect mortgage rates, for some financial relief. A majority of economists say they believe the Fed will cut rates in September and December,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/fed-cut-rates-twice-this-year-with-first-move-september-economists-say-2024-07-23/" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;a recent Reuters poll. Cutting rates may help bring some buyers back into the market and pump up inventory, but the effect will likely not be strong enough to bring home sales back to where they were before the pandemic, Walsh added.<h2>What is the government doing?</h2>The Biden administration announced a flurry of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/16/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-major-new-actions-to-lower-housing-costs-by-limiting-rent-increases-and-building-more-homes/#:~:text=The%20Biden%2DHarris%20Administration%20is,for%20tens%20of%20millions%20of" target="_blank">proposals</a>&nbsp;this month to make housing more affordable, some of which would impact homebuyers as well as the&nbsp;<a href="https://nevadacurrent.com/2024/07/17/biden-proposes-5-rent-increase-cap-for-corporate-owned-apartments/" target="_blank">repurposing</a>&nbsp;of public lands in Nevada to bring at least 15,000 affordable rental and homeownership units to the area. In February, the White House also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/02/29/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-actions-to-boost-housing-supply-and-lower-housing-costs/" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;the opening of grant applications for assistance to homeowners to replace dilapidated homes.Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/how-donald-trump-plans-fix-housing-market-1811663" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;at a July rally in Iowa that he would address problems in the housing market through cutting interest rates, according to Newsweek. Although presidents nominate the chair of the Fed for a four-year term, they do not have power over whether the Fed cuts rates.States have been pursuing their own policies to improve housing inventory and affordability, including&nbsp;<a href="https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2024/03/19/utah-housing-market-experiment-legislature-2024/" target="_blank">Utah</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/03/04/oregon-house-passes-gov-tina-koteks-housing-bill-approves-369-million/" target="_blank">Oregon</a>, which passed legislation to use funds for loans to developers who plan to build more affordable homes. A Maryland bill&nbsp;<a href="https://marylandmatters.org/2024/05/02/moores-signature-on-bill-will-enable-local-governments-to-impose-higher-taxes-on-vacant-properties/" target="_blank">signed</a>&nbsp;into law by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore in May would push property owners to make plans for vacant properties by letting cities raise taxes on those properties.