MONTGOMERY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 2a.m. Thursday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Toyota Avalon driven by Zachary L&nbsp;Evans, 24, New Blaine, Arkansas,&nbsp;was eastbound on Woodland Avenue approaching N Buckeye Street in the city of Coffeyville.

The driver failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The car entered the north ditch, rolled and came to rest on its top.

Evans was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Medical. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 2a.m. Thursday in Montgomery County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Toyota Avalon driven by Zachary L&nbsp;Evans, 24, New Blaine, Arkansas,&nbsp;was eastbound on Woodland Avenue approaching N Buckeye Street in the city of Coffeyville.The driver failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The car entered the north ditch, rolled and came to rest on its top.Evans was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Medical. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

KHP: Man dies from injuries in car rollover crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY —In April, USD 262 Valley Center suspended the schools baseball season due to an investigation of alleged animal cruelty after a chicken was killed on the baseball field at the high school before a game, according to the Valley Center Department of Public Safety. A school employee contacted a school resource officer about the incident.

On Tuesday, the Valley Center Police Department presented the results of their ongoing investigation to the Office of the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

After a full review of the investigation, the district attorney's office determined that insufficient evidence was uncovered to establish the commission of a chargeable crime under Kansas law, according to a statement released by the DA's office.

&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 262 officials continue their investigation of alleged animal cruelty that prompted the suspension of the Valley Center High School baseball season.

According to the Valley Center Department of Public Safety, a chicken was killed on the baseball field at the high school before a game on April 20. A school employee contacted a school resource officer on Monday about the incident.

According to a memo sent to parents of USD 262 students on Monday, "The Valley Center High School varsity baseball season has been suspended due to an active law enforcement investigation."

"High school administrators were alerted to an incident of possible animal cruelty involving the entire Hornet varsity baseball team and the entire coaching staff on USD 262 property."

"Immediately upon learning of the incident, high school and district leadership notified the appropriate authorities and suspended the season. A decision regarding the remainder of the baseball season will be made pending the outcome of the investigation.”

SEDGWICK COUNTY —In April, USD 262 Valley Center suspended the schools baseball season due to an investigation of alleged animal cruelty after a chicken was killed on the baseball field at the high school before a game, according to the Valley Center Department of Public Safety. A school employee contacted a school resource officer about the incident.On Tuesday, the Valley Center Police Department presented the results of their ongoing investigation to the Office of the Sedgwick County District Attorney.After a full review of the investigation, the district attorney's office determined that insufficient evidence was uncovered to establish the commission of a chargeable crime under Kansas law, according to a statement released by the DA's office.------------------&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 262 officials continue their investigation of alleged animal cruelty that prompted the suspension of the Valley Center High School baseball season.According to the Valley Center Department of Public Safety, a chicken was killed on the baseball field at the high school before a game on April 20. A school employee contacted a school resource officer on Monday about the incident.According to a memo sent to parents of USD 262 students on Monday, "The Valley Center High School varsity baseball season has been suspended due to an active law enforcement investigation.""High school administrators were alerted to an incident of possible animal cruelty involving the entire Hornet varsity baseball team and the entire coaching staff on USD 262 property." "Immediately upon learning of the incident, high school and district leadership notified the appropriate authorities and suspended the season. A decision regarding the remainder of the baseball season will be made pending the outcome of the investigation.”----------

DA rules on Kansas high school baseball animal cruelty case

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/graceburwell/">GRACE BURWELL</a>

University of Missouri custodian Cathy Persinger had to move out of Columbia, because she can no longer afford to live in the city, she said during a town hall Saturday afternoon at the Unitarian Universalist Church.

“When I asked (the university) for a raise because I was stressed out, they told me about food banks and stuff on campus, which I’ve been going to those already,” said Persinger, who makes a little over $15 an hour. “And it’s not enough.”

Several university workers and community members echoed similar concerns. More than 150 attended the town hall, which focused on discussions surrounding MU’s new proposed parking model, changes to employee benefits, wages and more.

The event was organized by MU Workers United and Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 955.

LiUNA representative Andrew Hutchinson said the university’s reluctance to bargain over worker issues led to Saturday’s town hall.

“The university basically says, ‘We want to talk this out over a table,’ and then we get to the table and the rules change as we’re talking, or they just go ahead and change things anyway,” Hutchinson said.

MU spokesperson Christian Basi said the university has always been open to having discussions with the union.

“Anytime they’ve asked, we have always sat down and had open conversations with them about our challenges related to those various issues, and we’re happy to explain and talk about decisions, as well as get their input,” Basi said.

Parking has been a recent hot-button issue on campus. Effective January 2025 for faculty and staff, the university plans to shift to a demand-based parking model with tiered pricing, a change from its current salary-based model.

Hutchinson said that the cost to park at work is detrimental for many union members, who make $15 or $16 an hour. Town hall attendees echoed this, mentioning concerns about safety and the availability of shuttle services from parking locations.

“The university spent months not giving us a response and then rolled out this parking hike increase overnight without even letting us respond to it at the bargaining table,” Hutchinson said.

Basi said the new model will allow employees to pay as little as $5 a month for parking, a decrease of at least $16.50 a month from the current model.

“Not only did we listen to the union, but we were able to provide an option that significantly reduces — it doesn’t eliminate — but it significantly reduces the cost of parking for people if they choose to take advantage of the option,” he said. “Instead of making people pay based on their salary, we have put together a structure that says the most in-demand parking will be the most expensive, and as you go out from the core campus, it becomes less expensive.”

The university understands the need to run shuttles more often and at different times of day and is working to ensure that happens, Basi said.

Town hall attendees also shared frustrations about changes to worker wages and benefits.

Darrell Dillon, an electrician at MU, said benefits for employees have been chipped away over the 14 years he has worked at the university.

“I was promised retirement if I stayed with them long enough, I was promised a pension, I was promised insurance, I was promised vacation, sick leave and personal days,” Dillon said. “I was promised a standard raise across the board when I first started, then we get the merit raise system, which is no more than a popularity contest.”

Basi said the university’s merit-based raise system has been shown to best reward staff who are doing quality work and also encourages good employees.

Any individual who is hired while the university’s pension plan was active will receive their pension, Basi said.

“Anytime we do changes to benefits, we have had significant communications to faculty and staff, depending on who it is impacting,” Basi said. “It is something that we work very hard to do, is to make sure that we have a competitive wage, good benefits and access to affordable parking, to ensure folks that the university itself is trying to make the work environment as welcoming as possible.”

An overall theme of attendees’ and organizers’ perspectives were the university’s commitment to and respect for its employees.

“There’s a lot of folks that received raises during COVID-19, because they were essential workers at the hospital, they received (critical) staffing pay,” Hutchinson said. “The university hospital says they can take it away at any time, and it has folks terrified because all of a sudden, in a couple of weeks, they could lose a massive part of their paycheck, and (workers) have no control over it.”

Eric Maze, public relations manager for MU Health Care, said 10 critical staffing pay plans are still in use at the hospital through September 14, 2024.

“Critical staffing plans are reviewed every 12 weeks to determine if staffing challenges continue, are forecasted to continue or new challenges have developed,” Maze said in an email. “Critical staffing plans will continue to be part of our compensation strategy.”

This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/mu-workers-voice-parking-pay-concerns-at-union-town-hall/article_716185d2-4062-11ef-bb7b-9f1c2c38dd33.html#tncms-source=Top%20Story" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian.</a>&nbsp;It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716488707174.png" alt="The iconic columns of the University of Missouri-Columbia campus (University of Missouri photo)." />
 <figcaption>The iconic columns of the University of Missouri-Columbia campus (University of Missouri photo).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/graceburwell/">GRACE BURWELL</a>University of Missouri custodian Cathy Persinger had to move out of Columbia, because she can no longer afford to live in the city, she said during a town hall Saturday afternoon at the Unitarian Universalist Church.“When I asked (the university) for a raise because I was stressed out, they told me about food banks and stuff on campus, which I’ve been going to those already,” said Persinger, who makes a little over $15 an hour. “And it’s not enough.”Several university workers and community members echoed similar concerns. More than 150 attended the town hall, which focused on discussions surrounding MU’s new proposed parking model, changes to employee benefits, wages and more.The event was organized by MU Workers United and Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 955.LiUNA representative Andrew Hutchinson said the university’s reluctance to bargain over worker issues led to Saturday’s town hall.“The university basically says, ‘We want to talk this out over a table,’ and then we get to the table and the rules change as we’re talking, or they just go ahead and change things anyway,” Hutchinson said.MU spokesperson Christian Basi said the university has always been open to having discussions with the union.“Anytime they’ve asked, we have always sat down and had open conversations with them about our challenges related to those various issues, and we’re happy to explain and talk about decisions, as well as get their input,” Basi said.<h2>Parking</h2>Parking has been a recent hot-button issue on campus. Effective January 2025 for faculty and staff, the university plans to shift to a demand-based parking model with tiered pricing, a change from its current salary-based model.Hutchinson said that the cost to park at work is detrimental for many union members, who make $15 or $16 an hour. Town hall attendees echoed this, mentioning concerns about safety and the availability of shuttle services from parking locations.“The university spent months not giving us a response and then rolled out this parking hike increase overnight without even letting us respond to it at the bargaining table,” Hutchinson said.Basi said the new model will allow employees to pay as little as $5 a month for parking, a decrease of at least $16.50 a month from the current model.“Not only did we listen to the union, but we were able to provide an option that significantly reduces — it doesn’t eliminate — but it significantly reduces the cost of parking for people if they choose to take advantage of the option,” he said. “Instead of making people pay based on their salary, we have put together a structure that says the most in-demand parking will be the most expensive, and as you go out from the core campus, it becomes less expensive.”The university understands the need to run shuttles more often and at different times of day and is working to ensure that happens, Basi said.<h2>Wages and benefits</h2>Town hall attendees also shared frustrations about changes to worker wages and benefits.Darrell Dillon, an electrician at MU, said benefits for employees have been chipped away over the 14 years he has worked at the university.“I was promised retirement if I stayed with them long enough, I was promised a pension, I was promised insurance, I was promised vacation, sick leave and personal days,” Dillon said. “I was promised a standard raise across the board when I first started, then we get the merit raise system, which is no more than a popularity contest.”Basi said the university’s merit-based raise system has been shown to best reward staff who are doing quality work and also encourages good employees.Any individual who is hired while the university’s pension plan was active will receive their pension, Basi said.“Anytime we do changes to benefits, we have had significant communications to faculty and staff, depending on who it is impacting,” Basi said. “It is something that we work very hard to do, is to make sure that we have a competitive wage, good benefits and access to affordable parking, to ensure folks that the university itself is trying to make the work environment as welcoming as possible.”<h2>Commitment</h2>An overall theme of attendees’ and organizers’ perspectives were the university’s commitment to and respect for its employees.“There’s a lot of folks that received raises during COVID-19, because they were essential workers at the hospital, they received (critical) staffing pay,” Hutchinson said. “The university hospital says they can take it away at any time, and it has folks terrified because all of a sudden, in a couple of weeks, they could lose a massive part of their paycheck, and (workers) have no control over it.”Eric Maze, public relations manager for MU Health Care, said 10 critical staffing pay plans are still in use at the hospital through September 14, 2024.“Critical staffing plans are reviewed every 12 weeks to determine if staffing challenges continue, are forecasted to continue or new challenges have developed,” Maze said in an email. “Critical staffing plans will continue to be part of our compensation strategy.”This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/mu-workers-voice-parking-pay-concerns-at-union-town-hall/article_716185d2-4062-11ef-bb7b-9f1c2c38dd33.html#tncms-source=Top%20Story" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian.</a>&nbsp;It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;

University of Missouri employees voice concerns about benefits, wages at union town hall

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal carjacking in Kansas City.

Just after 1p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;a suspect was attempting to steal a white Ford F350 in the&nbsp;2900 Block of Paseo in Kansas City, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 The owner attempted to stop the suspect from stealing the truck.&nbsp; The suspect drove away while dragging the owner with the vehicle. The victim was dislodged from the vehicle. and thrown to the pavement. The suspect left the scene in the stolen Ford without stopping. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to DiMaratino.

 This is fatality crash #51 compared to #46 at this time last year.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal carjacking in Kansas City.Just after 1p.m. Wednesday,&nbsp;a suspect was attempting to steal a white Ford F350 in the&nbsp;2900 Block of Paseo in Kansas City, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. The owner attempted to stop the suspect from stealing the truck.&nbsp; The suspect drove away while dragging the owner with the vehicle. The victim was dislodged from the vehicle. and thrown to the pavement. The suspect left the scene in the stolen Ford without stopping. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to DiMaratino. This is fatality crash #51 compared to #46 at this time last year.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KCPD: Victim dies when dragged by suspect in carjacking 

MILWAUKEE— President Trump's vice presidential nominee JD Vance spoke Wednesday night to the Republican National Convention.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8TlBHRtrvM">Click here </a>to watch his full acceptance speech

MILWAUKEE— President Trump's vice presidential nominee JD Vance spoke Wednesday night to the Republican National Convention.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">JD Vance: &quot;Our movement is about single moms like mine, who struggled with money and addiction, but never gave up. I&#39;m proud to say that tonight my my mom is here, 10 years, clean and sober. I love you mom.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/sl2P0hDk5i">pic.twitter.com/sl2P0hDk5i</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1813783939099828705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">JD Vance: &quot;I stand here humbled and I&#39;m overwhelmed with gratitude to say I officially accept your nomination to be Vice President of the United States of America.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xSq3U4sLeR">pic.twitter.com/xSq3U4sLeR</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1813770852082860461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8TlBHRtrvM">Click here </a>to watch his full acceptance speech

🎥Trump vice presidential pick talks Appalachian ties in speech at RNC

KANSAS CITY — The Amber Alert for a missing Kansas boy is canceled, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

At 8:06 p.m., law enforcement confirmed 2-year-old Jaxon was found safe in Missouri. Darryl Livingston Jr. is now in custody, according to Kansas City, Kansas police.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —The KBI has issued an AMBER ALERT and are&nbsp;looking for Darryl Livingston, Jr., who is likely driving a silver 2016 Kia Forte, that may be displaying a temporary Missouri tag, according to the KBI.

 Livingston is a black male, 39, with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighs around 185 pounds. 

He was last known wearing a multi-colored pink, purple and white basketball jersey with black jean shorts.

Just before 1:30 pm Wednesday, 2-year-old Jaxon Halley and his mother were forcibly taken at gunpoint by Darryl Livingston, Jr. during a domestic incident at their home, according to Kansas City Kansas Police.

 Jaxon and his mother were driven into Missouri where the mother escaped from the suspect at around 3:28 p.m. However, the suspect kept the child and left in an unknown direction in Kansas City, Missouri.

Livingston reportedly made statements to the mother that he would kill her and the child. They were last seen near the intersection of Myer and Wyandotte in Kansas City, Missouri.

.Jaxon is around 2 feet tall and weighs 40 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and was last wearing a gray Nike hoodie and jeans with blue patches.

Call 911 immediately if you have seen a missing child, suspect, or a suspect vehicle. If you have other information on a missing child, call 911 or the Kansas City Kansas Police Department at 913-596-3000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721262323288.png" alt="Image KBI" />
 <figcaption>Image KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — The Amber Alert for a missing Kansas boy is canceled, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.At 8:06 p.m., law enforcement confirmed 2-year-old Jaxon was found safe in Missouri. Darryl Livingston Jr. is now in custody, according to Kansas City, Kansas police.--------------KANSAS CITY, Kan. —The KBI has issued an AMBER ALERT and are&nbsp;looking for Darryl Livingston, Jr., who is likely driving a silver 2016 Kia Forte, that may be displaying a temporary Missouri tag, according to the KBI. Livingston is a black male, 39, with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighs around 185 pounds. He was last known wearing a multi-colored pink, purple and white basketball jersey with black jean shorts.Just before 1:30 pm Wednesday, 2-year-old Jaxon Halley and his mother were forcibly taken at gunpoint by Darryl Livingston, Jr. during a domestic incident at their home, according to Kansas City Kansas Police. Jaxon and his mother were driven into Missouri where the mother escaped from the suspect at around 3:28 p.m. However, the suspect kept the child and left in an unknown direction in Kansas City, Missouri.Livingston reportedly made statements to the mother that he would kill her and the child. They were last seen near the intersection of Myer and Wyandotte in Kansas City, Missouri..Jaxon is around 2 feet tall and weighs 40 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and was last wearing a gray Nike hoodie and jeans with blue patches.Call 911 immediately if you have seen a missing child, suspect, or a suspect vehicle. If you have other information on a missing child, call 911 or the Kansas City Kansas Police Department at 913-596-3000.

Amber Alert canceled:  2-year-old Kan. boy safe, suspect in custody

President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling Wednesday

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721298336544.png" alt="Biden boarding Air Force One Wednesday-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Biden boarding Air Force One Wednesday-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 while traveling Wednesday<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721256037259.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I tested positive for COVID-19 this afternoon, but I am feeling good and thank everyone for the well wishes. I will be isolating as I recover, and during this time I will continue to work to get the job done for the American people.&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1813715823053193685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Read note from Biden's doctor: President tests positive for COVID

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces felony Assault in the 1st Degree and other charges as a result of the stabbings this week of two juveniles in a Kansas City residence, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Gabriel Martinez, 26, faces Assault 1st Degree, an A felony, and Assault 1st Degree, a B felony, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to a Kansas City residence on a disturbance in the early morning of July 9. At the scene, officers were told by a woman that her boyfriend, identified as Martinez, was inside with three juveniles, ages 5, 10 and 15, and he was threatening to harm them. When officers heard a child screaming inside, officers kicked the door open. The defendant surrendered and was placed in cuffs. Officers determined two children were assaulted with a deadly weapon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720886897863.png" alt="Martinez-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Martinez-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces felony Assault in the 1st Degree and other charges as a result of the stabbings this week of two juveniles in a Kansas City residence, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Gabriel Martinez, 26, faces Assault 1st Degree, an A felony, and Assault 1st Degree, a B felony, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.According to court records, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to a Kansas City residence on a disturbance in the early morning of July 9. At the scene, officers were told by a woman that her boyfriend, identified as Martinez, was inside with three juveniles, ages 5, 10 and 15, and he was threatening to harm them. When officers heard a child screaming inside, officers kicked the door open. The defendant surrendered and was placed in cuffs. Officers determined two children were assaulted with a deadly weapon.Martinez is being held without bond.

Kansas City man charged in attack on his girlfriend's children

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison for charges related to drug trafficking and illegal firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Christian Michael Woodruff, 33, of Topeka pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In February 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information that Woodruff was selling meth from his home in Topeka. Following an investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Woodruff’s residence while he was there. Agents found 1,190.1 grams of meth that lab tests later revealed to be 98 percent pure as well as multiple guns, ammunition, and a silencer.

“This case is another example of the connection between drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. ATF will continue to prioritize keeping repeat violent offenders off our streets because it is a critical component of keeping our communities safe,” stated Gordon N. Mallory, Acting, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Kansas City. “It is illegal for convicted felons to possess guns, and we will vigorously investigate repeat offenders who continue to arm themselves. I’m grateful for the work our agents and partners put into this case. I hope with this sentence today the community will be a little bit safer.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and

Explosives (ATF), and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721161418518.png" alt="Photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison for charges related to drug trafficking and illegal firearms, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Christian Michael Woodruff, 33, of Topeka pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721162164201.png" alt="Woodruff from a Feb. 2023 arrest in Topeka" />
 <figcaption>Woodruff from a Feb. 2023 arrest in Topeka</figcaption>
 </figure>In February 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information that Woodruff was selling meth from his home in Topeka. Following an investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Woodruff’s residence while he was there. Agents found 1,190.1 grams of meth that lab tests later revealed to be 98 percent pure as well as multiple guns, ammunition, and a silencer.“This case is another example of the connection between drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. ATF will continue to prioritize keeping repeat violent offenders off our streets because it is a critical component of keeping our communities safe,” stated Gordon N. Mallory, Acting, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Kansas City. “It is illegal for convicted felons to possess guns, and we will vigorously investigate repeat offenders who continue to arm themselves. I’m grateful for the work our agents and partners put into this case. I hope with this sentence today the community will be a little bit safer.”The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, andExplosives (ATF), and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Kansas felon was selling meth from his home

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —A reward of $6,000 is being offered for the tip that will lead detectives to identifying the individual responsible for a vicious attack on a Kansas City, Kansas Police Officer.

Just after 10p.m. July 7, a uniformed KCKPD officer was exiting his patrol vehicle at the East Patrol Station, 849 N. 47th Street, when an individual, who without warning or provocation, produced a screwdriver and stabbed the officer on the head and face.

  After a short struggle, the suspect ran north into a wooded area near 47th and State Avenue. The officer sustained cuts to his face, head and neck. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was released the following day. 

 The suspect is described as a black male in his 30s, approximately 5-foot-8 inches tall with a thin build. He has a full beard and receding hairline at his temples, forming a point, widow’s peak, in the middle of his forehead. 

He was wearing dark athletic shorts, a multicolored tank top and black Nike slide sandals.

A cash reward of $5,000 from the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission and $1,000 from the Kansas City, Kansas Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4 - is currently being offered for any tip that leads to the arrest of the suspect in this case. 

Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —A reward of $6,000 is being offered for the tip that will lead detectives to identifying the individual responsible for a vicious attack on a Kansas City, Kansas Police Officer.Just after 10p.m. July 7, a uniformed KCKPD officer was exiting his patrol vehicle at the East Patrol Station, 849 N. 47th Street, when an individual, who without warning or provocation, produced a screwdriver and stabbed the officer on the head and face. After a short struggle, the suspect ran north into a wooded area near 47th and State Avenue. The officer sustained cuts to his face, head and neck. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was released the following day. The suspect is described as a black male in his 30s, approximately 5-foot-8 inches tall with a thin build. He has a full beard and receding hairline at his temples, forming a point, widow’s peak, in the middle of his forehead. He was wearing dark athletic shorts, a multicolored tank top and black Nike slide sandals.A cash reward of $5,000 from the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission and $1,000 from the Kansas City, Kansas Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4 - is currently being offered for any tip that leads to the arrest of the suspect in this case. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous.

Reward offered in attack on Kansas police officer

Cases raise questions about alleged violations of state, federal constitutions

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

TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly adopted a potentially unconstitutional budget provision forbidding pharmaceutical manufacturers from inhibiting the sale of discounted medications to pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens under contract with hospitals or clinics.

Two drugmakers have challenged a proviso tucked into&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb28/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 28</a>&nbsp;— signed by the governor in April — that said the companies couldn’t limit the ability of pharmacies working with eligible health providers from acquiring outpatient prescription drugs at discounts of 25% or more through a federal cost-cutting program.

The objective of the federal 340B program has been to offer indirect financial benefits to the country’s safety-net health providers by lowering drug prices. Many of Kansas’ financially strapped rural hospitals take part in the program.

“Unfortunately, drug manufacturers have recently started decimating the 340B drug discount program by limiting the number of pharmacies a hospital may contract with,” said Chad Austin, president of the Kansas Hospital Association. “These actions are jeopardizing Kansans’ ability to access needed prescriptions and other vital health services. Fortunately, Kansas lawmakers recognized the drug manufacturers’ harmful actions and have appropriately responded to ensure the further reduction of the 340B drug discount program is paused.”

After adopting SB 28 during this year’s session, however, the Legislature had second thoughts about leveraging the Kansas Consumer Protection Act against drug manufacturers at this time. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2551/" target="_blank">House Bill 2551</a>, in an apparent victory for drugmakers, the Legislature told Attorney General Kris Kobach to delay enforcement of SB 28 until the U.S. Supreme Court settled questions about obligations of drug manufacturers in the 340B program.

Kelly, however, line-item vetoed that part of HB 2551 in May. She said the Legislature’s follow-up maneuver was “premature and contradictory to the protections” in SB 28.

In early July, pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and AbbVie filed lawsuits against the state of Kansas.

The companies asserted SB 28 enabled off-site, for-profit pharmacy chains operating under contract with Kansas clinics and hospitals to buy the manufacturers’ drugs at discounted prices. The plaintiffs claimed Congress didn’t intend for these pharmacies to be covered by the low-cost program.

Wichita attorney Michael Jones, who was among at least seven lawyers working for plaintiffs in the AstraZeneca suit, said the budget provision in SB 28 was in conflict with the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution. Jones and his colleagues said prior rulings in federal court made clear the federal 340B statute “does not obligate manufacturers to deliver discounted drugs to unlimited contract pharmacies.”

“No state may engraft new, costly obligations under state law onto an existing federal benefits program, especially not one like the 340B program that involves nationally uniform standards and exclusive enforcement by federal agencies,” the AstraZeneca’s attorneys said.

The company’s lawyers claimed SB 28 was contrary to federal patent law, violated the contracts and takings clauses of the U.S. Constitution and broke the “one-subject rule” in the Kansas Constitution. The single-subject mandate was designed to prevent legislators from “logrolling” unrelated matters into a single bill. In terms of drug manufacturers, AstraZeneca said, SB 28 created new substantive requirements “not purely a matter of appropriations.”

A spokesperson for the Kansas attorney general didn’t respond to a request for comment on the lawsuits seeking to nullify the prescription drug portion of SB 28.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says the federal program has been an instrumental tool of health clinics and hospitals seeking to stretch resources as far as possible by providing outpatient medications at reduced prices.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1580161711151.png" alt="Two pharmaceutical companies filed lawsuits in Kansas against Attorney General Kris Kobach in his official capacity to challenge a new state law altering the federal scope of a program designed&nbsp;&nbsp;to reduce prescription medicine costs. " />
 <figcaption>Two pharmaceutical companies filed lawsuits in Kansas against Attorney General Kris Kobach in his official capacity to challenge a new state law altering the federal scope of a program designed&nbsp;&nbsp;to reduce prescription medicine costs. </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Cases raise questions about alleged violations of state, federal constitutions</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly adopted a potentially unconstitutional budget provision forbidding pharmaceutical manufacturers from inhibiting the sale of discounted medications to pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens under contract with hospitals or clinics.Two drugmakers have challenged a proviso tucked into&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb28/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 28</a>&nbsp;— signed by the governor in April — that said the companies couldn’t limit the ability of pharmacies working with eligible health providers from acquiring outpatient prescription drugs at discounts of 25% or more through a federal cost-cutting program.The objective of the federal 340B program has been to offer indirect financial benefits to the country’s safety-net health providers by lowering drug prices. Many of Kansas’ financially strapped rural hospitals take part in the program.“Unfortunately, drug manufacturers have recently started decimating the 340B drug discount program by limiting the number of pharmacies a hospital may contract with,” said Chad Austin, president of the Kansas Hospital Association. “These actions are jeopardizing Kansans’ ability to access needed prescriptions and other vital health services. Fortunately, Kansas lawmakers recognized the drug manufacturers’ harmful actions and have appropriately responded to ensure the further reduction of the 340B drug discount program is paused.”After adopting SB 28 during this year’s session, however, the Legislature had second thoughts about leveraging the Kansas Consumer Protection Act against drug manufacturers at this time. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2551/" target="_blank">House Bill 2551</a>, in an apparent victory for drugmakers, the Legislature told Attorney General Kris Kobach to delay enforcement of SB 28 until the U.S. Supreme Court settled questions about obligations of drug manufacturers in the 340B program.Kelly, however, line-item vetoed that part of HB 2551 in May. She said the Legislature’s follow-up maneuver was “premature and contradictory to the protections” in SB 28.In early July, pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and AbbVie filed lawsuits against the state of Kansas.The companies asserted SB 28 enabled off-site, for-profit pharmacy chains operating under contract with Kansas clinics and hospitals to buy the manufacturers’ drugs at discounted prices. The plaintiffs claimed Congress didn’t intend for these pharmacies to be covered by the low-cost program.Wichita attorney Michael Jones, who was among at least seven lawyers working for plaintiffs in the AstraZeneca suit, said the budget provision in SB 28 was in conflict with the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution. Jones and his colleagues said prior rulings in federal court made clear the federal 340B statute “does not obligate manufacturers to deliver discounted drugs to unlimited contract pharmacies.”“No state may engraft new, costly obligations under state law onto an existing federal benefits program, especially not one like the 340B program that involves nationally uniform standards and exclusive enforcement by federal agencies,” the AstraZeneca’s attorneys said.The company’s lawyers claimed SB 28 was contrary to federal patent law, violated the contracts and takings clauses of the U.S. Constitution and broke the “one-subject rule” in the Kansas Constitution. The single-subject mandate was designed to prevent legislators from “logrolling” unrelated matters into a single bill. In terms of drug manufacturers, AstraZeneca said, SB 28 created new substantive requirements “not purely a matter of appropriations.”A spokesperson for the Kansas attorney general didn’t respond to a request for comment on the lawsuits seeking to nullify the prescription drug portion of SB 28.The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says the federal program has been an instrumental tool of health clinics and hospitals seeking to stretch resources as far as possible by providing outpatient medications at reduced prices.

Drugmakers file lawsuits to block Kansas’ attempt to tinker with discount drug program

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s decision to forgo a third term in order to run for governor set off a mad dash of Republicans hoping to replace him.&nbsp;

Early entrants included online personality Valentina Gomez, Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller and state Rep. Adam Schwadron. They were eventually joined by longtime GOP strategist Jamie Corley, House Speaker Dean Plocher, state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman and Judge Mike Carter.&nbsp;

The winner of the crowded Aug. 6 GOP primary will take on one of three Democrats: Monique Williams, Barbara Phifer or Haley Jacobson.

Gomez’s campaign for secretary of state exists nearly entirely online

She’s raised virtually no money, and doesn’t appear to have much of a campaign apparatus. What she does have, though, is the ability to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/republican-candidates-weak-gay-campaign-ad-sparks-comedic-pushback-rcna152602" target="_blank">draw attention from national news organizations</a>&nbsp;with social media posts that are equal parts homophobia and feats of strength.&nbsp;

In an interview with “<a href="https://939theeagle.com/listen-missouri-gop-secretary-of-state-candidate-valentina-gomez-appears-on-wake-up-mid-missouri/" target="_blank">Wake Up Mid-Missouri</a>,” Gomez said she plans to be the first successful candidate to win office “without holding a single fundraiser… we’re gonna win this with votes, not money.”

Gomez describes herself on her campaign website as “a real estate investor, financier, strategist, former NCAA Division I swimmer, relentless achiever, and a fierce advocate for the principle values we hold dear as Americans battling for a better future.”

Born in Colombia, but “made in the United States,” Gomez’s campaign says she’s “a testament of perseverance. Her success was not inherited, it has and continues to be earned through discipline and determination.”

After serving three terms in the Missouri House, Schoeller won a competitive primary in 2012 to be the GOP nominee for secretary of state.&nbsp;

He went on to lose in the general election, but two years later won his current job as Greene County clerk — the top elections official in one of Missouri’s largest counties.&nbsp;

Schoeller says he’s the only candidate in the primary with the experience to be secretary of state.&nbsp;

“I come ready on day one,” he said. “It’s really important that we have a secretary of state who understands the duties and responsibilities of the office in terms of elections, voter registration and record retention.”

Voters continue to have concerns about the integrity of elections, Schoeller said, and one way to alleviate that would be to revamp Missouri’s central voter registration program, which he said is “dated in terms of its function and capacity.”

“When you work with that system, day in and day out, through voter registration and the administration of elections,” he said, “we need to have a program that is more up to date, more user friendly and that can also be better at providing information for the public.”

Hoskins served in the Army National Guard before becoming a certified public accountant. He has represented Warrensburg in the state House and Senate, leaving the legislature after this year because of term limits.&nbsp;

His statehouse career is defined in recent years by his membership in the Senate Freedom Caucus, where Hoskins and his cohorts&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/17/a-bizarre-session-missouri-lawmakers-head-home-after-year-defined-by-gridlock-infighting/">clashed with the chamber’s GOP leadership</a>&nbsp;— creating years of gridlock in a battle over the party’s priorities.&nbsp;

Those rumbles with Republican leaders are also a key part of Hoskins’ campaign message, which he insists is proof he’s a fighter who will stand up for the values of his party.

“I’m a conservative fighter who believes our rights come from God, not state government,” Hoskins recently&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DLHoskins/status/1811985807445569636" target="_blank">told supporters</a>, noting he is the only candidate in the race for secretary of state that was endorsed by Missouri Right to Life.

If elected, Hoskins says he’d push for the hand counting of ballots, eliminating absentee voting except for the military and disabled and making Election Day a holiday to make it easier for Missourians to vote.&nbsp;

“We want to make sure our elections are free and fair and people trust the election process,” Hoskins told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/podcast/politically-speaking/2024-04-04/secretary-of-state-candidate-hoskins-says-missouri-should-hand-count-ballots" target="_blank">Politically Speaking</a>&nbsp;podcast. “That was the thing that got me interested in this race, that we could trust our elections and one person has one vote and only legal U.S. citizens vote.”&nbsp;

Schwadron is the owner and operator of Clean Carpet Company in St. Charles County, and was elected to the state House in 2020.&nbsp;

The secretary of state oversees elections and business registration, and Schwadron believes his experience as small business owner and four-year member of the House Elections Committee give him insight into how the job should be done.&nbsp;

“Someone competent needs to be in this office,” he said. “And so I felt my professionalism, the way I’ve worked in the legislature with character and integrity, that’s what’s needed in elected office these days. And so that’s why I’m running.”

His biggest concern related to the secretary of state’s office, Schwadron said, is the “attempt by Democrats at the federal level to take over our elections.” He believes his rivals in the GOP primary don’t take the threat seriously enough.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He has sponsored legislation creating the “<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2052&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R" target="_blank">Missouri Elections Sovereignty Act</a>,” which Schwadron says declares “our elections are ours, and any attempt by the federal government to come in here and tell us how to run our elections will be met with resistance.”

Corley is a veteran GOP political operative from St. Louis who has worked for three members of Congress, including as national press secretary for former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee.

Most recently, she spearheaded a campaign seeking to place a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/30/new-initiative-petitions-seek-to-add-rape-incest-exceptions-to-missouri-abortion-law/">adding exceptions to the state’s abortion ban</a>&nbsp;for rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities and the health and safety of the mother.

Her position on abortion, she notes, lines up with former President Donald Trump’s.

She decided to run for secretary of state, she said, when she looked at the crop of candidates in the race and realized there was no one she could vote for.&nbsp;

“We interact as citizens at the Secretary of State’s office more than we probably think,” she said. “Voting. Registering LLCs. Initiative petitions. It’s an important office.”

Though she’s never held public office before, Corley says she’s not short of experience in government. She’s worked in the U.S. Senate and House, and at a conservative think tank, so “I’m not new to public policy by any means.”&nbsp;

What she does lack is experience “in the absolute nonsense that has been the Missouri legislature for the past two years,” she said. “It’s a hard sell that the people who were responsible for that nonsense are all the sudden going to be competent leaders when they have to manage a statewide office.”&nbsp;

Plocher is an attorney who&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/01/01/who-is-dean-plocher-the-new-missouri-house-majority-leader/">grew up in St. Louis</a>&nbsp;and served as a municipal judge before winning a seat in the Missouri House.&nbsp;

During his time in the Capitol, Plocher rose to become speaker of the Missouri House and championed legislation aimed at making it&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/17/missouri-session-initiative-petition-senate/">harder to amend the state constitution</a>. He also sponsored the constitutional amendment repealing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/politics/2020/05/13/house-sends-clean-missouri-do/1206429007/" target="_blank">the nonpartisan redistricting plan</a>.

But for the last year Plocher has been engulfed in scandal over&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/22/missouri-lawmaker-accused-of-unlawful-conduct-in-push-for-contract-drawing-fbi-scrutiny/">an alleged pay-to-play scheme</a>&nbsp;involving a lucrative software contract and revelations he filed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/23/records-show-dean-plocher-charged-the-state-for-travel-already-paid-for-by-his-campaign/">false expense reports</a>&nbsp;for travel already paid for by his campaign.&nbsp;He currently faces&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/31/missouri-house-chief-clerk-sues-dean-plocher-rod-jetton-alleging-whistleblower-retaliation/">a whistleblower lawsuit alleging he harassed and intimidated</a>&nbsp;nonpartisan legislative staff.&nbsp;

Plocher denies any wrongdoing, and has tried to use his trevails to his advantage by morphing his public persona from a St. Louis moderate to an embattled MAGA warrior in the mold of former President Donald Trump. In a recent interview just before the anniversary of D-Day, he compared his struggles to the troops who stormed the beaches of Normandy.&nbsp;

“Democracy is not free,” Plocher said in&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LauraAnnSTL/status/1798807017735241994?t=bKXM3bU-F5nMcC5g1mebCg&amp;s=19" target="_blank">an interview with one of his supporters</a>. “You have to fight for it. And just as soldiers went out and gave their lives for our country, the politicians are out there, and they’re elected and answerable to the people. And right now, it’s unelected bureaucrats who are trying to run this country. It’s unelected bureaucrats who are trying to run the state of Missouri.”

Coleman is an attorney from Arnold currently serving her first term in the Missouri Senate after six years in the Missouri House.&nbsp;

Asked about her time in the legislature, she is unequivocal about her proudest achievement.

“There’s no more important thing that we have done,” she said, “than to end abortion in the state of Missouri.”&nbsp;

Coleman was one of the architects of legislation that included a trigger allowing Missouri to ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturned Roe v. Wade. When that happened in 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/24/abortion-is-now-illegal-in-missouri-in-wake-of-u-s-supreme-court-ruling/">Missouri became the first state to outlaw the procedure</a>.&nbsp;

“I’ll forever be proud of that,” she said. “I’m a conservative who delivers results. People want not just a fighter, but a fighter who can deliver. And my conservative record speaks for itself.”

Like much of the GOP primary field, Coleman talks about election integrity and ensuring only U.S. citizens can cast a ballot. But she also emphasizes ways she believes she can improve how the secretary of state interacts with Missouri businesses.&nbsp;

“We have got to do everything we can to make sure that every business owner’s experience is as positive and as minimal as possible,” she said. “We want the government to get out of people’s lives and when they have to be involved to be as effective and painless as possible.”

Carter is an attorney and Wentzville municipal judge who ran in the GOP primary for lieutenant governor in 2020 and state Senate in 2022, falling short both times.&nbsp;

He told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/podcast/politically-speaking/2024-06-14/secretary-of-state-candidate-mike-carter-says-hes-running-a-different-type-of-race" target="_blank">Politically Speaking podcast</a>&nbsp;that he decided to run for secretary of state because it was the race with the “least amount of competition, the least amount of dollars dedicated to it and the largest opening for me to repeat what I did in the past and ascend to the position.”

In his 2020 statewide race, Carter won nearly 27% of the vote in a four-way GOP primary. With a much more crowded field this year, he said replicating that success would likely mean victory.&nbsp;

He’s different from others seeking the office, Carter contends, because he won’t be beholden to donors or special interests.&nbsp;

“If I get in there,” he said, “I’ll have to answer just to the folks in the voting booth.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602535639897.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s decision to forgo a third term in order to run for governor set off a mad dash of Republicans hoping to replace him.&nbsp;Early entrants included online personality Valentina Gomez, Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller and state Rep. Adam Schwadron. They were eventually joined by longtime GOP strategist Jamie Corley, House Speaker Dean Plocher, state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman and Judge Mike Carter.&nbsp;The winner of the crowded Aug. 6 GOP primary will take on one of three Democrats: Monique Williams, Barbara Phifer or Haley Jacobson.<h2>Valentina Gomez</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721229143383.png" alt="Valentina Gomez" />
 <figcaption>Valentina Gomez</figcaption>
 </figure>Gomez’s campaign for secretary of state exists nearly entirely onlineShe’s raised virtually no money, and doesn’t appear to have much of a campaign apparatus. What she does have, though, is the ability to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/republican-candidates-weak-gay-campaign-ad-sparks-comedic-pushback-rcna152602" target="_blank">draw attention from national news organizations</a>&nbsp;with social media posts that are equal parts homophobia and feats of strength.&nbsp;In an interview with “<a href="https://939theeagle.com/listen-missouri-gop-secretary-of-state-candidate-valentina-gomez-appears-on-wake-up-mid-missouri/" target="_blank">Wake Up Mid-Missouri</a>,” Gomez said she plans to be the first successful candidate to win office “without holding a single fundraiser… we’re gonna win this with votes, not money.”Gomez describes herself on her campaign website as “a real estate investor, financier, strategist, former NCAA Division I swimmer, relentless achiever, and a fierce advocate for the principle values we hold dear as Americans battling for a better future.”Born in Colombia, but “made in the United States,” Gomez’s campaign says she’s “a testament of perseverance. Her success was not inherited, it has and continues to be earned through discipline and determination.”<h2>Shane Schoeller&nbsp;</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721229103489.png" alt="Shane Schoeller" />
 <figcaption>Shane Schoeller</figcaption>
 </figure>After serving three terms in the Missouri House, Schoeller won a competitive primary in 2012 to be the GOP nominee for secretary of state.&nbsp;He went on to lose in the general election, but two years later won his current job as Greene County clerk — the top elections official in one of Missouri’s largest counties.&nbsp;Schoeller says he’s the only candidate in the primary with the experience to be secretary of state.&nbsp;“I come ready on day one,” he said. “It’s really important that we have a secretary of state who understands the duties and responsibilities of the office in terms of elections, voter registration and record retention.”Voters continue to have concerns about the integrity of elections, Schoeller said, and one way to alleviate that would be to revamp Missouri’s central voter registration program, which he said is “dated in terms of its function and capacity.”“When you work with that system, day in and day out, through voter registration and the administration of elections,” he said, “we need to have a program that is more up to date, more user friendly and that can also be better at providing information for the public.”<h2>Denny Hoskins</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721229060098.png" alt="Denny Hoskins" />
 <figcaption>Denny Hoskins</figcaption>
 </figure>Hoskins served in the Army National Guard before becoming a certified public accountant. He has represented Warrensburg in the state House and Senate, leaving the legislature after this year because of term limits.&nbsp;His statehouse career is defined in recent years by his membership in the Senate Freedom Caucus, where Hoskins and his cohorts&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/17/a-bizarre-session-missouri-lawmakers-head-home-after-year-defined-by-gridlock-infighting/">clashed with the chamber’s GOP leadership</a>&nbsp;— creating years of gridlock in a battle over the party’s priorities.&nbsp;Those rumbles with Republican leaders are also a key part of Hoskins’ campaign message, which he insists is proof he’s a fighter who will stand up for the values of his party.“I’m a conservative fighter who believes our rights come from God, not state government,” Hoskins recently&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DLHoskins/status/1811985807445569636" target="_blank">told supporters</a>, noting he is the only candidate in the race for secretary of state that was endorsed by Missouri Right to Life.If elected, Hoskins says he’d push for the hand counting of ballots, eliminating absentee voting except for the military and disabled and making Election Day a holiday to make it easier for Missourians to vote.&nbsp;“We want to make sure our elections are free and fair and people trust the election process,” Hoskins told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/podcast/politically-speaking/2024-04-04/secretary-of-state-candidate-hoskins-says-missouri-should-hand-count-ballots" target="_blank">Politically Speaking</a>&nbsp;podcast. “That was the thing that got me interested in this race, that we could trust our elections and one person has one vote and only legal U.S. citizens vote.”&nbsp;<h2>Adam Schwadron</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721229013168.png" alt="Adam Schwadron" />
 <figcaption>Adam Schwadron</figcaption>
 </figure>Schwadron is the owner and operator of Clean Carpet Company in St. Charles County, and was elected to the state House in 2020.&nbsp;The secretary of state oversees elections and business registration, and Schwadron believes his experience as small business owner and four-year member of the House Elections Committee give him insight into how the job should be done.&nbsp;“Someone competent needs to be in this office,” he said. “And so I felt my professionalism, the way I’ve worked in the legislature with character and integrity, that’s what’s needed in elected office these days. And so that’s why I’m running.”His biggest concern related to the secretary of state’s office, Schwadron said, is the “attempt by Democrats at the federal level to take over our elections.” He believes his rivals in the GOP primary don’t take the threat seriously enough.&nbsp;&nbsp;He has sponsored legislation creating the “<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2052&amp;year=2024&amp;code=R" target="_blank">Missouri Elections Sovereignty Act</a>,” which Schwadron says declares “our elections are ours, and any attempt by the federal government to come in here and tell us how to run our elections will be met with resistance.”<h2>Jamie Corley&nbsp;</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721228974014.png" alt="Jamie Corley " />
 <figcaption>Jamie Corley </figcaption>
 </figure>Corley is a veteran GOP political operative from St. Louis who has worked for three members of Congress, including as national press secretary for former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee.Most recently, she spearheaded a campaign seeking to place a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/30/new-initiative-petitions-seek-to-add-rape-incest-exceptions-to-missouri-abortion-law/">adding exceptions to the state’s abortion ban</a>&nbsp;for rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities and the health and safety of the mother.Her position on abortion, she notes, lines up with former President Donald Trump’s.She decided to run for secretary of state, she said, when she looked at the crop of candidates in the race and realized there was no one she could vote for.&nbsp;“We interact as citizens at the Secretary of State’s office more than we probably think,” she said. “Voting. Registering LLCs. Initiative petitions. It’s an important office.”Though she’s never held public office before, Corley says she’s not short of experience in government. She’s worked in the U.S. Senate and House, and at a conservative think tank, so “I’m not new to public policy by any means.”&nbsp;What she does lack is experience “in the absolute nonsense that has been the Missouri legislature for the past two years,” she said. “It’s a hard sell that the people who were responsible for that nonsense are all the sudden going to be competent leaders when they have to manage a statewide office.”&nbsp;<h2>Dean Plocher</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721228929473.png" alt="Dean Plocher" />
 <figcaption>Dean Plocher</figcaption>
 </figure>Plocher is an attorney who&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/01/01/who-is-dean-plocher-the-new-missouri-house-majority-leader/">grew up in St. Louis</a>&nbsp;and served as a municipal judge before winning a seat in the Missouri House.&nbsp;During his time in the Capitol, Plocher rose to become speaker of the Missouri House and championed legislation aimed at making it&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/17/missouri-session-initiative-petition-senate/">harder to amend the state constitution</a>. He also sponsored the constitutional amendment repealing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/politics/2020/05/13/house-sends-clean-missouri-do/1206429007/" target="_blank">the nonpartisan redistricting plan</a>.But for the last year Plocher has been engulfed in scandal over&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/22/missouri-lawmaker-accused-of-unlawful-conduct-in-push-for-contract-drawing-fbi-scrutiny/">an alleged pay-to-play scheme</a>&nbsp;involving a lucrative software contract and revelations he filed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/23/records-show-dean-plocher-charged-the-state-for-travel-already-paid-for-by-his-campaign/">false expense reports</a>&nbsp;for travel already paid for by his campaign.&nbsp;He currently faces&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/31/missouri-house-chief-clerk-sues-dean-plocher-rod-jetton-alleging-whistleblower-retaliation/">a whistleblower lawsuit alleging he harassed and intimidated</a>&nbsp;nonpartisan legislative staff.&nbsp;Plocher denies any wrongdoing, and has tried to use his trevails to his advantage by morphing his public persona from a St. Louis moderate to an embattled MAGA warrior in the mold of former President Donald Trump. In a recent interview just before the anniversary of D-Day, he compared his struggles to the troops who stormed the beaches of Normandy.&nbsp;“Democracy is not free,” Plocher said in&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LauraAnnSTL/status/1798807017735241994?t=bKXM3bU-F5nMcC5g1mebCg&amp;s=19" target="_blank">an interview with one of his supporters</a>. “You have to fight for it. And just as soldiers went out and gave their lives for our country, the politicians are out there, and they’re elected and answerable to the people. And right now, it’s unelected bureaucrats who are trying to run this country. It’s unelected bureaucrats who are trying to run the state of Missouri.”<h2>Mary Elizabeth Coleman&nbsp;</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721228890340.png" alt="Mary Elizabeth Coleman " />
 <figcaption>Mary Elizabeth Coleman </figcaption>
 </figure>Coleman is an attorney from Arnold currently serving her first term in the Missouri Senate after six years in the Missouri House.&nbsp;Asked about her time in the legislature, she is unequivocal about her proudest achievement.“There’s no more important thing that we have done,” she said, “than to end abortion in the state of Missouri.”&nbsp;Coleman was one of the architects of legislation that included a trigger allowing Missouri to ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturned Roe v. Wade. When that happened in 2022,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/24/abortion-is-now-illegal-in-missouri-in-wake-of-u-s-supreme-court-ruling/">Missouri became the first state to outlaw the procedure</a>.&nbsp;“I’ll forever be proud of that,” she said. “I’m a conservative who delivers results. People want not just a fighter, but a fighter who can deliver. And my conservative record speaks for itself.”Like much of the GOP primary field, Coleman talks about election integrity and ensuring only U.S. citizens can cast a ballot. But she also emphasizes ways she believes she can improve how the secretary of state interacts with Missouri businesses.&nbsp;“We have got to do everything we can to make sure that every business owner’s experience is as positive and as minimal as possible,” she said. “We want the government to get out of people’s lives and when they have to be involved to be as effective and painless as possible.”<h2>Mike Carter</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721228841080.png" alt="Mike Carter" />
 <figcaption>Mike Carter</figcaption>
 </figure>Carter is an attorney and Wentzville municipal judge who ran in the GOP primary for lieutenant governor in 2020 and state Senate in 2022, falling short both times.&nbsp;He told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/podcast/politically-speaking/2024-06-14/secretary-of-state-candidate-mike-carter-says-hes-running-a-different-type-of-race" target="_blank">Politically Speaking podcast</a>&nbsp;that he decided to run for secretary of state because it was the race with the “least amount of competition, the least amount of dollars dedicated to it and the largest opening for me to repeat what I did in the past and ascend to the position.”In his 2020 statewide race, Carter won nearly 27% of the vote in a four-way GOP primary. With a much more crowded field this year, he said replicating that success would likely mean victory.&nbsp;He’s different from others seeking the office, Carter contends, because he won’t be beholden to donors or special interests.&nbsp;“If I get in there,” he said, “I’ll have to answer just to the folks in the voting booth.”

Eight Republicans face off in primary to be Missouri’s top election official

KANSAS CITY —Authorities in Kansas City are investigating a gun theft and the business owner is asking for help to identify and catch the suspects involved.

Just before 4a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;Adventure Outdoors, 117 North Main in Liberty, Missouri was robbed by couple of young cowards who drove a car into the store, the business described on social media.

According to Liberty Police, a gray Hyundai Tucson and a newer model silver minivan were involved in the burglary at Adventure Outdoors. The Hyundai was driven through the front door, smashing into the building. The suspects, wearing masks and gloves, took multiple firearms. The Hyundai was left behind inside the store and was determined to be stolen.

Police received a report of suspicious activity involving the Hyundai on Monday.&nbsp; Police are seeking information on the silver minivan involved in the burglary.&nbsp; Adventure Outdoors is offering a $500.00 cash reward for the arrest and conviction of those involved. If you have any information please email the business at info@adventure-outdoors.us

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721211362537.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities in Kansas City are investigating a gun theft and the business owner is asking for help to identify and catch the suspects involved.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F100094843973376%2Fvideos%2F858746425686703%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=140" width="560" height="314" 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 before 4a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;Adventure Outdoors, 117 North Main in Liberty, Missouri was robbed by couple of young cowards who drove a car into the store, the business described on social media.According to Liberty Police, a gray Hyundai Tucson and a newer model silver minivan were involved in the burglary at Adventure Outdoors. The Hyundai was driven through the front door, smashing into the building. The suspects, wearing masks and gloves, took multiple firearms. The Hyundai was left behind inside the store and was determined to be stolen.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721211337629.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Police received a report of suspicious activity involving the Hyundai on Monday.&nbsp; Police are seeking information on the silver minivan involved in the burglary.&nbsp; Adventure Outdoors is offering a $500.00 cash reward for the arrest and conviction of those involved. If you have any information please email the business at info@adventure-outdoors.us

🎥Stolen car rammed  KC area gun store before burglary

Five Republicans, two Democrats seek to replace departing Rep. Jake LaTurner

TOPEKA — Name recognition developed during more than 20 years in elective office and participation in four statewide campaigns placed former Attorney General Derek Schmidt as the clear frontrunner in the Republican Party’s primary to replace departing U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Kansas political analyst says.

In the only open Kansas congressional race of 2024, Schmidt took the lead among five GOP primary candidates in the eastern Kansas district. The 2nd District has been represented by a Republican for 28 of the past 30 years. The Democratic Party primary features two candidates, including former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda of Baldwin City. She was the upstart who defeated incumbent 2nd District U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun in 2006, but was ousted herself two years later.

Bob Beatty, professor of political science at Washburn University in Topeka, said public polling showed Schmidt had backing of 44% the survey’s participants. In that snapshot, Topeka attorney Jeff Kahrs had 4% and Delevan feedlot operator Shawn Tiffany held 3% with the rest undecided.

“Obviously, that’s a massive lead,” Beatty said on the Kansas Reflector podcast. “I think it’s safe to call Derek Schmidt&nbsp;the establishment candidate. That doesn’t mean he’s from the left or the right. It just means that he’s been in politics a long time. He’s very well known.”

Schmidt, who calls Independence his hometown, was endorsed by former President Donald Trump during the 2022 campaign for Kansas governor. He lost the race to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly by 21,000 votes out of 1 million cast, but carried 55% to 66% of the statewide vote in his three successful campaigns for Kansas attorney general.

In an interview Friday, Beatty said millions of dollars spent defining Schmidt two years ago in the contest for governor was paying dividends now. In a sense, Beatty said, Schmidt’s campaign could draft upon conservative messaging from previous campaigns.

LaTurner announced his decision not to seek reelection in April, which left relatively unknown candidates less time to leave a mark on potential voters. He hasn’t endorsed a primary candidate in the House race.

Neither Kahrs nor Tiffany had previously campaigned for major public office in Kansas, which meant they would struggle to capture the attention of voters. Schmidt, Tiffany and Kahrs have sought to highlight their affinity for Trump’s vision of government, Beatty said. Border security, inflation, federal debt, energy regulation, abortion and criticism of President Joe Biden were central elements of their congressional campaigns.

“The past two years of the Biden administration have made it more clear than ever that career politicians don’t have the answers to the problems facing America,” Tiffany said.

Kahrs’ campaign ad declared he was a “proven conservative” who was selected by the Trump administration to advance the America First agenda as a Midwest administrator in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kahrs later worked as a senior adviser to LaTurner, who was elected to Congress in 2020.

“All three of the main candidates on the Republican side, they are campaigning as if there’s no Democrats in the district at all,” Beatty said. “One candidate, Sean Tiffany, doesn’t even like moderate Republicans.”

Chad Young of Lawrence and Michael Ogle of Topeka have been justifiably viewed as long-shot candidates in the Republican primary, Beatty said.

In the Democratic primary, Boyda is up against Matt Kleinmann, a community health organizer in Wyandotte County who played college basketball at University of Kansas. Beatty said in a low-turnout Democratic primary both candidates had a chance to win.

Boyda offered a unifying message and pledged to work among Republicans and Democrats to get the job done in Washington.

“Boyda&nbsp;has already made some statements that have angered a few, you know, more traditional Democrats. I’m seeing her as a bit of a disrupter in this primary, even though she is a former congresswoman,” Beatty said.

Beatty said Kleinmann was campaigning on economic and health care issues relevant to the working class.

“We will create opportunities, ensure everyone has the resources they need and safeguard the communities and freedoms that make America great,” Kleinmann said.

Beatty, who was interviewed for the podcast before Saturday’s wounding of Trump in Pennsylvania, said he was stunned by Biden’s weak performance in the June debate with Trump.

“I can’t underscore how disastrous that debate was, and how awful it was. I’ve attended 12 presidential debates. Never seen anything that bad,” Beatty said.

He said the debate didn’t alter an underlying desire among a portion of U.S. voters for the Republican and Democratic parties to place nominees other than Trump and Biden on November ballots. Trump’s first term and more recent legal problems turned off voters, he said, while questions about Biden’s age troubled voters.

Polling for two years demonstrated a significant percentage of the electorate was disappointed with the major party offerings, he said.

“Trump will say, ‘Oh, yes, I got convicted.’ Or, ‘Yes, I lost that case. But I was railroaded. I’m innocent.’ You know, even in the debate, he said, I didn’t have sex with the porn star. So, I guess his supporters can choose to believe him,” Beatty said. “Here’s the difference. It’s not believable when (Biden) says, ‘Oh, I’m just as good as I was four years ago.’ So, you’re insulting the voters by denying that you’ve lost a step.”

If Biden were to decline the presidential nomination for a second term, Beatty said the likely Democratic nominee would be Vice President Kamala Harris. Beatty said Harris, 59, would have an opportunity to invigorate Democrats and independents eager for a younger candidate. She would be able to select a running mate from a swing state such as Michigan, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin, he said.

“Trump is&nbsp;winning all of those swing states at the moment,” Beatty said.

Beatty said he would have recommended Trump add U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, to the 2024 ticket. Other contenders include U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721069282143.png" alt="Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University, says former Attorney General Derek Schmidt had taken control of the Republican primary in the 2nd congressional district and that large numbers of potential voters remain disappointed with the presidential options of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University, says former Attorney General Derek Schmidt had taken control of the Republican primary in the 2nd congressional district and that large numbers of potential voters remain disappointed with the presidential options of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Five Republicans, two Democrats seek to replace departing Rep. Jake LaTurner</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Name recognition developed during more than 20 years in elective office and participation in four statewide campaigns placed former Attorney General Derek Schmidt as the clear frontrunner in the Republican Party’s primary to replace departing U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Kansas political analyst says.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719627531343.png" alt="File photo Derek Schmidt, a Republican candidate for Congress and a former Kansas attorney general. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>File photo Derek Schmidt, a Republican candidate for Congress and a former Kansas attorney general. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>In the only open Kansas congressional race of 2024, Schmidt took the lead among five GOP primary candidates in the eastern Kansas district. The 2nd District has been represented by a Republican for 28 of the past 30 years. The Democratic Party primary features two candidates, including former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda of Baldwin City. She was the upstart who defeated incumbent 2nd District U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun in 2006, but was ousted herself two years later.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">📺 NEW: Check out our NEW AD! Kansans deserve a proven fighter who will always STAND TALL for our conservative values! 🇺🇸 Join us: <a href="https://t.co/FYSSFQNvC0">https://t.co/FYSSFQNvC0</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ks02?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ks02</a> <a href="https://t.co/9ogNTemVyR">pic.twitter.com/9ogNTemVyR</a>&mdash; Derek Schmidt (@DerekSchmidtKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS/status/1813551729037992151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Bob Beatty, professor of political science at Washburn University in Topeka, said public polling showed Schmidt had backing of 44% the survey’s participants. In that snapshot, Topeka attorney Jeff Kahrs had 4% and Delevan feedlot operator Shawn Tiffany held 3% with the rest undecided.“Obviously, that’s a massive lead,” Beatty said on the Kansas Reflector podcast. “I think it’s safe to call Derek Schmidt&nbsp;the establishment candidate. That doesn’t mean he’s from the left or the right. It just means that he’s been in politics a long time. He’s very well known.”Schmidt, who calls Independence his hometown, was endorsed by former President Donald Trump during the 2022 campaign for Kansas governor. He lost the race to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly by 21,000 votes out of 1 million cast, but carried 55% to 66% of the statewide vote in his three successful campaigns for Kansas attorney general.In an interview Friday, Beatty said millions of dollars spent defining Schmidt two years ago in the contest for governor was paying dividends now. In a sense, Beatty said, Schmidt’s campaign could draft upon conservative messaging from previous campaigns.LaTurner announced his decision not to seek reelection in April, which left relatively unknown candidates less time to leave a mark on potential voters. He hasn’t endorsed a primary candidate in the House race.<h2>The Trump agenda</h2>Neither Kahrs nor Tiffany had previously campaigned for major public office in Kansas, which meant they would struggle to capture the attention of voters. Schmidt, Tiffany and Kahrs have sought to highlight their affinity for Trump’s vision of government, Beatty said. Border security, inflation, federal debt, energy regulation, abortion and criticism of President Joe Biden were central elements of their congressional campaigns.“The past two years of the Biden administration have made it more clear than ever that career politicians don’t have the answers to the problems facing America,” Tiffany said.Kahrs’ campaign ad declared he was a “proven conservative” who was selected by the Trump administration to advance the America First agenda as a Midwest administrator in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kahrs later worked as a senior adviser to LaTurner, who was elected to Congress in 2020.“All three of the main candidates on the Republican side, they are campaigning as if there’s no Democrats in the district at all,” Beatty said. “One candidate, Sean Tiffany, doesn’t even like moderate Republicans.”Chad Young of Lawrence and Michael Ogle of Topeka have been justifiably viewed as long-shot candidates in the Republican primary, Beatty said.In the Democratic primary, Boyda is up against Matt Kleinmann, a community health organizer in Wyandotte County who played college basketball at University of Kansas. Beatty said in a low-turnout Democratic primary both candidates had a chance to win.Boyda offered a unifying message and pledged to work among Republicans and Democrats to get the job done in Washington.“Boyda&nbsp;has already made some statements that have angered a few, you know, more traditional Democrats. I’m seeing her as a bit of a disrupter in this primary, even though she is a former congresswoman,” Beatty said.Beatty said Kleinmann was campaigning on economic and health care issues relevant to the working class.“We will create opportunities, ensure everyone has the resources they need and safeguard the communities and freedoms that make America great,” Kleinmann said.<h2>The presidential race</h2>Beatty, who was interviewed for the podcast before Saturday’s wounding of Trump in Pennsylvania, said he was stunned by Biden’s weak performance in the June debate with Trump.“I can’t underscore how disastrous that debate was, and how awful it was. I’ve attended 12 presidential debates. Never seen anything that bad,” Beatty said.He said the debate didn’t alter an underlying desire among a portion of U.S. voters for the Republican and Democratic parties to place nominees other than Trump and Biden on November ballots. Trump’s first term and more recent legal problems turned off voters, he said, while questions about Biden’s age troubled voters.Polling for two years demonstrated a significant percentage of the electorate was disappointed with the major party offerings, he said.“Trump will say, ‘Oh, yes, I got convicted.’ Or, ‘Yes, I lost that case. But I was railroaded. I’m innocent.’ You know, even in the debate, he said, I didn’t have sex with the porn star. So, I guess his supporters can choose to believe him,” Beatty said. “Here’s the difference. It’s not believable when (Biden) says, ‘Oh, I’m just as good as I was four years ago.’ So, you’re insulting the voters by denying that you’ve lost a step.”If Biden were to decline the presidential nomination for a second term, Beatty said the likely Democratic nominee would be Vice President Kamala Harris. Beatty said Harris, 59, would have an opportunity to invigorate Democrats and independents eager for a younger candidate. She would be able to select a running mate from a swing state such as Michigan, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin, he said.“Trump is&nbsp;winning all of those swing states at the moment,” Beatty said.Beatty said he would have recommended Trump add U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, to the 2024 ticket. Other contenders include U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

Derek Schmidt reaps advantages of 4 statewide GOP campaigns to lead Kan. congressional race

KANSAS CITY—The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium asked for your help to name the new giraffe calf.&nbsp; The female Masai giraffe was born to mom Makali on June 30.

The calf weighed in at 125 pounds and and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall and she is growing quickly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721155686237.png" alt="Willow photo courtesy Kansas City Zoo and Aquaraium" />
 <figcaption>Willow photo courtesy Kansas City Zoo and Aquaraium</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium asked for your help to name the new giraffe calf.&nbsp; The female Masai giraffe was born to mom Makali on June 30.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Last week, we asked you to vote on the name of Makali&#39;s calf, and &quot;Willow&quot; is the winner! Although Willow will nurse from mom anywhere from 6 months to a year, she is starting to act like her mama and explore the diet of the adult giraffes. <a href="https://t.co/arKI3htlK8">pic.twitter.com/arKI3htlK8</a>&mdash; Kansas City Zoo &amp; Aquarium (@KansasCityZoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansasCityZoo/status/1813233825033441659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The calf weighed in at 125 pounds and and stood 5 feet 6 inches tall and she is growing quickly.

 Voters select name for baby Masai giraffe at Kansas City Zoo

Republicans have heavily contested primaries and are spending big while Democrats search for cash and an opening in November

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/04/07/mike-kehoe-is-running-hard-for-missouri-governor-while-jay-ashcroft-waits-in-the-wings/">campaign for governor</a>&nbsp;has raised almost $13 million over the past two years and the two funds supporting him have lapped the field in the Republican primary.

During the second quarter of the year, Kehoe raised $907,288 for his campaign and his joint fundraising committee, American Dream PAC, took in $3.6 million. It is a fundraising lead Kehoe has&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/18/kehoe-leads-fundraising-for-missouri-governor-in-latest-campaign-filings/">held throughout the campaign</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721219472705.png" alt="Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, alongside his wife, Claudia, formally kicks off his 2024 campaign for governor with a rally in Jefferson City on April 5, 2022 (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, alongside his wife, Claudia, formally kicks off his 2024 campaign for governor with a rally in Jefferson City on April 5, 2022 (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Republicans have heavily contested primaries and are spending big while Democrats search for cash and an opening in November</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/04/07/mike-kehoe-is-running-hard-for-missouri-governor-while-jay-ashcroft-waits-in-the-wings/">campaign for governor</a>&nbsp;has raised almost $13 million over the past two years and the two funds supporting him have lapped the field in the Republican primary.During the second quarter of the year, Kehoe raised $907,288 for his campaign and his joint fundraising committee, American Dream PAC, took in $3.6 million. It is a fundraising lead Kehoe has&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/18/kehoe-leads-fundraising-for-missouri-governor-in-latest-campaign-filings/">held throughout the campaign</a>.The campaign crowed about the advantage over his major rivals,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/06/jay-ashcroft-makes-it-official-hes-running-for-missouri-governor-in-2024/">Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">state Sen. Bill Eigel</a>, in a news release after his quarterly report was filed Friday.“Mike Kehoe is outworking every candidate in this race, and Missouri conservatives have responded with overwhelming financial and grassroots support,” campaign manager Derek Coats said in a news release.Kehoe has been&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/mike-kehoe-passes-on-senate-run-in-2022-to-run-for-missouri-governor-in-2024/">planning his race</a>&nbsp;since he began his term as lieutenant governor.Eigel’s campaign manager, Sophia Shore, said Kehoe&nbsp; is “raking in corporate cash” and should take part in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/politics/gop-candidates-debate-primary-contest-missouri-governor/63-ba2876aa-02b8-48c6-9c3b-6c485c5e871b" target="_blank">televised debate set for 7 p.m. July 24</a>. It will be broadcast on pubic television, NBC affiliates and public radio stations. Kehoe has not participated in any debates this summer.“He thinks this campaign will be won in secret meetings with donors, but in reality the voters will decide,” Shore said. “He should have the courage to face them next week.”Every candidate in the race running a full-scale campaign has both an official campaign committee and a joint fundraising PAC. Official campaign committees can accept donations up to $2,825, while the joint fundraising PACs can accept donations of any size.Candidates can solicit donations for the PAC, but cannot direct how the money is spent.&nbsp;Kehoe’s official committee raised more than the combined totals of his rivals both in the most recent quarter and since the start of 2023.State and federal finance reports for the three months ending June 30 were due Monday. There is one more report due before the Aug. 6 primary.The Independent compiled the totals for all statewide candidates, plus major congressional, legislative and ballot measure efforts.The combined fundraising in the race for governor in both parties has exceeded $21 million. Republican candidates in contested primaries for all other statewide constitutional offices have raised more than $25 million more.There was one withdrawal among federal candidates Tuesday as the fundraising numbers showed&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/justin-hicks-adds-to-growing-list-of-hopefuls-in-missouri-gops-3rd-district-primary/">state Rep. Justin Hicks of Lake Saint Louis</a>&nbsp;lagging behind his chief rivals in the 3rd Congressional District Republican primary.Hicks faced former state Sen. Bob Onder of Lake Saint Louis, who is largely self-funding his campaign and has the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/donald-trump-endorses-bob-onder-over-gop-rivals-in-missouris-3rd-congressional-district-primary/">endorsement of former President Donald Trump</a>, and former state Sen. Kurt Schaefer of Columbia.Schaefer&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/incumbent-blaine-luetkemeyer-backs-kurt-schaefer-in-missouri-3rd-district-primary/">has the backing</a>&nbsp;of incumbent U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer of St. Elizabeth.Onder reported raising $224,000 in the quarter, Schaefer raised $124,000 and Hicks raised $89,000.&nbsp;“I am truly humbled and honored at the support our campaign has earned from so many people across Missouri and this nation,” Hicks said in a news release. “I am certain that there will be other opportunities for me to continue to serve our state and nation in the future, but for now, I look forward to spending time with my family and ensuring the Republican team wins up and down the ballot.”<h2>Governor’s race</h2>Of Kehoe’s two major rivals In the most expensive contest, the GOP race for governor, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft raised $310,000 in the quarter for his campaign, while state Sen. Bill Eigel of Weldon Spring took in $231,000.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721219434967.png" alt=" State Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, pins on an “I love life” button and talks to advocates before to an anti-abortion rally Tuesday, March 12 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, pins on an “I love life” button and talks to advocates before to an anti-abortion rally Tuesday, March 12 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>Committee for Liberty, Ashcroft’s PAC, raised $405,000 in the quarter, while Eigel’s committee, BILL PAC, raised $580,000.&nbsp;Between his campaign and PAC, Ashcroft has raised $2.1 million since the start of 2023. Eigel’s two committees have combined for $3.9 million.Kehoe has used his big cash advantage to go on television early with advertising, erasing Ashcroft’s polling lead from the spring.&nbsp;Despite spending between the two committees that exceeds $8 million, Kehoe’s campaign had $2.2 million on hand as of June 30. The PAC account held $4 million.Ashcroft’s combined spending was $2.7 million and the campaign committee had $770,000, while the PAC had $730,000.Eigel has spent more than Ashcroft, $3.7 million from his two committees. On June 30, he had less money remaining that any of his major rivals, $588,000 in his campaign fund and $242,000 in the PAC.In the&nbsp;Democratic primary, state Rep. Crystal Quade of Springfield raised $281,723, bringing her total for the campaign to just over $1 million. Her major rival, businessman Mike Hamra of Springfield, has put $1.25 million of his own money into the campaign so far.<h2>Attorney General</h2>The GOP primary for attorney general is the second-most expensive primary contest this year.Incumbent Andrew Bailey,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/andrew-bailey-begins-fundraising-for-missouri-ag-campaign-with-help-from-lobbyist/">seeking to win a full term</a>, raised $274,823 during the second quarter while Liberty and Justice PAC, his joint fundraising committee, took in $854,064.His challenger&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/25/will-scharf-gets-another-2m-for-missouri-ag-campaign-from-group-tied-to-leonard-leo/">Will Scharf</a>, however, put in $500,000 of his own money into his campaign committee, and his joint fundraising committee, Defend Missouri, received $1 million from Club For Growth Missouri. The PAC took another $700,000 from Club for Growth Action Missouri on July 2. Since the beginning of 2023, the Concord Fund has donated $3.5 million to help Scharf through Club for Growth Action Missouri.The winner of the primary will face Democratic candidate Elad Gross, who reported raising $69,414 in the quarter and is unopposed for the nomination.<h2>U.S. Senate</h2>There are no expensive primaries in the race for U.S. Senate this year in Missouri.The only uncertainty is whether state Sen. Karla May was right when she told St. Louis Public Radio that “<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2024-07-15/karla-may-says-her-statewide-recognition-means-she-can-beat-lucas-kunce-in-senate-primary" target="_blank">most people around the state know me</a>” and that she will win the Democratic primary to face incumbent U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley.May is looking to defeat&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/06/democrat-lucas-kunce-says-hell-challenge-josh-hawley-in-2024-missouri-senate-race/">Lucas Kunce</a>, making his second bid for the Senate after&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/02/beer-heiress-trudy-bucsh-valentine-captures-missouri-democratic-nomination-for-u-s-senate/">losing a close primary in 2022</a>&nbsp;to beer heiress Trudy Busch Valentine.Hawley and Kunce are neck-and-neck in fundraising since Jan. 1 2023 and available cash-on-hand.Hawley and the Hawley Victory Fund combined to raise $3 million in the most recent quarter, bringing the total to $12.3 million since Jan. 1, 2023.Kunce took in $2.8 million for his campaign fund in the second quarter, bringing his total for the election to $10.5 million.Hawley had $5.8 million on hand June 30, while Kunce was sitting on $4.2 million.May has raised just under $50,000.<h2>Other statewide races</h2>State Sen. Lincoln Hough of Springfield took in the biggest total of donations during the quarter in the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/07/10/crowded-gop-primary-field-seeks-nomination-to-be-missouris-next-lieutenant-governor/">crowded GOP primary for lieutenant governor</a>, but the $1.5 million loan to his own campaign by St. Louis attorney Dave Wasinger gave him the largest quarterly total.There are four candidates who have raised at least $100,000 for their campaigns and two others, not so well funded, with a well of name recognition who believe they have a chance at the nomination.Hough’s campaign raised about $230,000 in the quarter, and Lincoln PAC, a joint fundraising committee, took in $730,000. The campaign had about $518,000 in the bank and the PAC was sitting on $639,000 as the quarter ended.State Sen. Holly Rehder of Scott City took in $69,838 and her Southern Drawl PAC raised another $58,075. She had $338,000 in her campaign account and the PAC had $286,000 as the quarter ended.Matthew Porter of St. Louis has raised $136,000 for his campaign so far and had $104,955 left.Tim Baker, the Franklin County Clerk, and Paul Berry III, who has run several campaigns in St. Louis County, are the candidates who have not raised at least $100,000.The even-more-crowded GOP race for Secretary of State, with eight candidates in all, has six candidates who have accumulated $100,000 or more for their campaign funds and includes candidates making waves on social media who are not raising large funds.House Speaker Dean Plocher of Des Peres is counting on a large cash-on-hand balance to carry him through the primary since his fundraising&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/26/amid-dean-plocher-obstruction-allegations-talk-turns-to-fixes-for-house-ethics-rules/">dried up amid ethics inquiries</a>. His campaign raised less than $12,000 in the quarter, and his PAC, Missouri United, did about the same.&nbsp;The funds had the largest cash balances in the race, with his campaign holding $508,415 on June 30 and Missouri United holding $765,000.<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/republican-senator-leaves-congressional-race-to-run-for-missouri-secretary-of-state/">State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman</a>&nbsp;had the best fundraising quarter, taking in $120,373 for her campaign and $57,350 for her PAC, Conservative Solutions for Missouri.<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/leader-of-defunct-abortion-rights-campaign-launches-bid-for-missouri-secretary-of-state/">Jamie Corley</a>, a long-time GOP strategist making her first campaign, loaned her campaign $250,000 and raised another $28,800, while Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller, the GOP’s 2012 nominee, raised $39,709.Incumbent State Treasurer Vivek Malek continues to dominate fundraising in the Republican primary as he&nbsp;seeks a full term in office. Malek raised $207,000 for his campaign, bringing his total to $1.8 million, including a personal loan of $800,000. Malek Had $1.3 million in the bank June 30.His joint fundraising PAC, American Promise, raised $1.8 million in the quarter, has taken in $3.3 million total and had $1.5 million on hand.Malek’s best funded challenger is House Budget Committee Chairman Cody Smith of Carthage, based largely on the accumulation of cash from years in office. Smith took in $35,800 for his campaign, which had $291,000 on hand, and the Ozark Gateway Leadership Fund, his joint fundraising PAC, took in $54,850, and had a bank balance of $227,251. Both cash balances are more than Smith has raised since the start of 2023.Close behind in funding is Lori Rook of Springfield, who has put $500,000 of her own money into her campaign. She has raised an additional $55,000.State Sen. Andrew Koenig of Manchester, the only other candidate in the six-way primary to raise at least $100,000, lags behind. Koenig took in $13,562 in the quarter, while his PAC, Freedom’s Promise, raised only $1,288.&nbsp;Mark Osmack of Valley Park is the only Democratic candidate. He has raised $27,000 so far.<h2>Congress</h2>In other hotly contested Congressional races, St. Louis County&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/wesley-bell-drops-out-senate-race-jumps-into-primary-against-democrat-cori-bush/">Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell</a>&nbsp;has far outstripped&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/08/02/cori-bush-cruises-to-victory-in-missouris-1st-congressional-district-democratic-primary/">incumbent U.S. Rep. Cori Bush</a>&nbsp;in fundraising for their 1st Congressional District Democratic primary. Bell has raised $4.2 million so far to Bush’s $2.8 million.&nbsp;Bush has spent far more than Bell, however, and she had $573,354 in the bank on June 30 compared to more than $2.4 million for Bell.The 2nd Congressional District is&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/ray-hartmann-founder-of-riverfront-times-files-for-congress-in-missouris-2nd-district/">a fall matchup</a>&nbsp;that pits a veteran Republican, U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, against a long-time St. Louis media personality, Ray Hartmann. Both face nominal primary opposition.Hartmann had a good fundraising quarter, taking in almost $200,000, but Wagner did better, raising $561,710, and cash accumulated during her years in office totaled $3.1 million on June 30, while Hartmann had $141,471 on hand.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721219392376.png" alt=" Attendees cheer during a Missourians for Constitutional Freedom rally after the campaign turned in 380,000 signatures for its initiative petition to enshrine abortion rights in Missouri’s constitution Friday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Attendees cheer during a Missourians for Constitutional Freedom rally after the campaign turned in 380,000 signatures for its initiative petition to enshrine abortion rights in Missouri’s constitution Friday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Initiative campaigns</h2>The signatures on four petitions proposing ballot measures for the November election are being checked and the campaigns are in a wait-and-see mode to know if they will be active in the fall.That means fundraising now is for the fall campaign as they expect to make the ballot.Winning for Missouri Education has spent the most, $6 million so far, for its campaign to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/Elections/Petitions/2024-160.pdf" target="_blank">legalize sports wagering</a>&nbsp;and while it only reported $99,000 in the bank, the online platforms financing the campaign should be good for millions more if it makes the ballot.The effort to put a constitutional amendment&nbsp;<a href="https://moconstitutionalfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Missourians-for-Constitutional-Freedom-Amendment.pdf" target="_blank">restoring abortion rights</a>&nbsp;has cost $5 million so far and the committee backing it, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, has $1.9 million on hand.Healthy Families and Fair Wages, which is pushing a measure&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/Elections/Petitions/2024-038.pdf" target="_blank">increasing the minimum wage</a>&nbsp;to $15 an hour and requiring employers to provide paid leave for illness and family needs, spent $850,000 making the ballot and had $1 million on hand.Ozark River Gaming and Convention, seeking to create a licensed casino near the Lake of the Ozarks, has spent $4.3 million so far and, like the sports wagering proposal, has two deep-pocket backers, a development company and a casino operator, ready to finance a fall campaign.