SHAWNEE COUNTY– Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting in Topeka have made an arrest.

On Thursday, police arrested 18-year-old&nbsp; Dasanee D. Curry of Topeka for the shooting death of 43-year-old Steven R. Warden, 43, of Topeka,&nbsp; according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

Just after 9:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;responded to the area of 13th and Western Avenue and found Warden suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

Curry is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree, Attempted Murder in the 1st degree, Aggravated Child Endangerment, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm at an Occupied Dwelling and Criminal Damage to Property.&nbsp;

This is the 7th homicide investigation in Topeka in 2024, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719592333815.png" alt="Curry-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Curry-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY– Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting in Topeka have made an arrest.On Thursday, police arrested 18-year-old&nbsp; Dasanee D. Curry of Topeka for the shooting death of 43-year-old Steven R. Warden, 43, of Topeka,&nbsp; according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.Just after 9:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;responded to the area of 13th and Western Avenue and found Warden suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719332552824.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Curry is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree, Attempted Murder in the 1st degree, Aggravated Child Endangerment, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm at an Occupied Dwelling and Criminal Damage to Property.&nbsp;This is the 7th homicide investigation in Topeka in 2024, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.

Teen accused of killing 43-year-old Kansas man

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>

WASHINGTON — A former Pennsylvania police officer who joined the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol that delayed the certification of the 2020 presidential election results cannot be charged with obstructing an official proceeding unless a lower court finds otherwise, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday.

The ruling throws into question the cases of potentially hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants who faced the same charge, as well as a portion of Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith’s four-count indictment alleging former President Donald Trump schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

In a 6-3&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-5572_l6hn.pdf" target="_blank">opinion</a>, the justices, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, wrote that the subsection in question of an early 2000s obstruction law can only be applied to tampering with physical records.

“To prove a violation of Section 1512(c)(2), the Government must establish that the defendant impaired the availability or integrity for use in an official proceeding of records, documents, objects, or as we earlier explained, other things used in the proceeding, or attempted to do so,” Roberts wrote.

“The judgment of the D. C. Circuit is therefore vacated, and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion,” Roberts wrote.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson delivered a concurring opinion.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, dissented.

The ruling has the potential to affect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/39-months-since-the-jan-6-attack-on-the-capitol#:~:text=More%20than%20355%20defendants%20have,or%20attempting%20to%20do%20so." target="_blank">more than 355</a>&nbsp;Jan. 6 defendants who were charged with the same felony statute, which carries a fine and not more than 20 years in prison.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/media/1331746/dl?inline" target="_blank">Dozens</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/court-sentences-two-oath-keepers-leaders-seditious-conspiracy-and-other-charges-related-us" target="_blank">including</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/proud-boys-leader-sentenced-22-years-prison-seditious-conspiracy-and-other-charges" target="_blank">leaders</a>&nbsp;of the extremist Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, have already been sentenced on the charge, according to the Department of Justice.

The case,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23-5572.html" target="_blank">Fischer v. United States</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/justice-the-courts/divided-u-s-supreme-court-wrestles-with-case-of-pennsylvania-man-who-joined-jan-6-mob/" target="_blank">centered</a>&nbsp;on whether Jan. 6 defendant Joseph W. Fischer broke the obstruction law when he joined the mob that breached the U.S. Capitol and delayed Congress, and Vice President Mike Pence, from certifying the 2020 presidential election results that declared Democrat Joe Biden the winner.

Trump also faces the obstruction charge as part of his four-count federal indictment that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/fueled-lies-trump-charged-seeking-overturn-2020-election-6" target="_blank">alleges</a>&nbsp;he worked with others to overturn the election results in seven states, pressured Pence to join him and whipped his base into a frenzy that culminated in the Jan. 6 attack.

Trump will almost certainly challenge the charge, as his legal team has already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-floats-return-trial-court-trump-presidential-immunity-case" target="_blank">argued</a>&nbsp;he is completely immune to it.

The obstruction provision examined by the high court is contained in section 1512 of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/3763/text" target="_blank">Sarbanes-Oxley Act</a>, enacted after the 2001 Enron accounting scandal.

The provision targets “whoever corruptly (1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the object’s integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or (2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so.”

Significant time during April’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2023/23-5572" target="_blank">oral arguments</a>&nbsp;centered on whether the second portion of the statute hinged on the first clause, meaning the law could only be applied if physical evidence was involved.

The government argued the two parts are separate and that Fischer, who sent texts leading up to the riot and is shown on police camera footage inside the Capitol, intended to disrupt an official proceeding of Congress.

Fischer’s team argued that he didn’t actually enter the Capitol until Congress had already paused the proceeding, and that he didn’t stay very long.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59753595/united-states-v-fischer/" target="_blank">lower federal court</a>&nbsp;agreed last year with Fischer’s motion to dismiss the felony charge.

A federal appeals panel in Washington, D.C., did not. Judge Florence Y. Pan — who also sat on the panel in Trump’s presidential&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/three-judge-federal-panel-grills-trump-lawyer-claim-presidential-immunity" target="_blank">immunity appeal</a>&nbsp;— wrote in the lead&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66629258/01208508143/united-states-v-joseph-fischer/" target="_blank">opinion</a>&nbsp;that the statute is “unambiguous” in its meaning of what constitutes obstructing an official proceeding.

The obstruction charge is not the only count brought against Fischer after his participation in the Jan. 6 riot.

The original indictment against him also included charges of civil disorder, assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly conduct, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625861317057.png" alt="Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the results of the presidential election. U.S. Department of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the results of the presidential election. U.S. Department of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>WASHINGTON — A former Pennsylvania police officer who joined the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol that delayed the certification of the 2020 presidential election results cannot be charged with obstructing an official proceeding unless a lower court finds otherwise, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday.The ruling throws into question the cases of potentially hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants who faced the same charge, as well as a portion of Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith’s four-count indictment alleging former President Donald Trump schemed to overturn the 2020 presidential election.In a 6-3&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-5572_l6hn.pdf" target="_blank">opinion</a>, the justices, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, wrote that the subsection in question of an early 2000s obstruction law can only be applied to tampering with physical records.“To prove a violation of Section 1512(c)(2), the Government must establish that the defendant impaired the availability or integrity for use in an official proceeding of records, documents, objects, or as we earlier explained, other things used in the proceeding, or attempted to do so,” Roberts wrote.“The judgment of the D. C. Circuit is therefore vacated, and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion,” Roberts wrote.Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson delivered a concurring opinion.Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, dissented.<h2>Impact on Jan. 6 defendants, Trump</h2>The ruling has the potential to affect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/39-months-since-the-jan-6-attack-on-the-capitol#:~:text=More%20than%20355%20defendants%20have,or%20attempting%20to%20do%20so." target="_blank">more than 355</a>&nbsp;Jan. 6 defendants who were charged with the same felony statute, which carries a fine and not more than 20 years in prison.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/media/1331746/dl?inline" target="_blank">Dozens</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/court-sentences-two-oath-keepers-leaders-seditious-conspiracy-and-other-charges-related-us" target="_blank">including</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/proud-boys-leader-sentenced-22-years-prison-seditious-conspiracy-and-other-charges" target="_blank">leaders</a>&nbsp;of the extremist Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, have already been sentenced on the charge, according to the Department of Justice.The case,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23-5572.html" target="_blank">Fischer v. United States</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/justice-the-courts/divided-u-s-supreme-court-wrestles-with-case-of-pennsylvania-man-who-joined-jan-6-mob/" target="_blank">centered</a>&nbsp;on whether Jan. 6 defendant Joseph W. Fischer broke the obstruction law when he joined the mob that breached the U.S. Capitol and delayed Congress, and Vice President Mike Pence, from certifying the 2020 presidential election results that declared Democrat Joe Biden the winner.Trump also faces the obstruction charge as part of his four-count federal indictment that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/fueled-lies-trump-charged-seeking-overturn-2020-election-6" target="_blank">alleges</a>&nbsp;he worked with others to overturn the election results in seven states, pressured Pence to join him and whipped his base into a frenzy that culminated in the Jan. 6 attack.Trump will almost certainly challenge the charge, as his legal team has already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-floats-return-trial-court-trump-presidential-immunity-case" target="_blank">argued</a>&nbsp;he is completely immune to it.The obstruction provision examined by the high court is contained in section 1512 of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/3763/text" target="_blank">Sarbanes-Oxley Act</a>, enacted after the 2001 Enron accounting scandal.The provision targets “whoever corruptly (1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the object’s integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or (2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so.”<h2>Physical evidence</h2>Significant time during April’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2023/23-5572" target="_blank">oral arguments</a>&nbsp;centered on whether the second portion of the statute hinged on the first clause, meaning the law could only be applied if physical evidence was involved.The government argued the two parts are separate and that Fischer, who sent texts leading up to the riot and is shown on police camera footage inside the Capitol, intended to disrupt an official proceeding of Congress.Fischer’s team argued that he didn’t actually enter the Capitol until Congress had already paused the proceeding, and that he didn’t stay very long.A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59753595/united-states-v-fischer/" target="_blank">lower federal court</a>&nbsp;agreed last year with Fischer’s motion to dismiss the felony charge.A federal appeals panel in Washington, D.C., did not. Judge Florence Y. Pan — who also sat on the panel in Trump’s presidential&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/three-judge-federal-panel-grills-trump-lawyer-claim-presidential-immunity" target="_blank">immunity appeal</a>&nbsp;— wrote in the lead&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66629258/01208508143/united-states-v-joseph-fischer/" target="_blank">opinion</a>&nbsp;that the statute is “unambiguous” in its meaning of what constitutes obstructing an official proceeding.The obstruction charge is not the only count brought against Fischer after his participation in the Jan. 6 riot.The original indictment against him also included charges of civil disorder, assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly conduct, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

U.S. Supreme Court ruling on obstruction law helps cases of Jan. 6 defendants

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple allegations after an arrest.

Just after 11:30p.m. June 24, Sheriff's Deputies arrested 54-year-old Tammy Lynn Scheibe of Topeka in the 600 Block of Arizona Avenue in Holton, according to&nbsp;Sheriff Tim Morse.

Deputies arrested her following an investigation of suspicious activity in the area. Scheibe was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges that include criminal use of a weapon, possession of controlled substances, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719430997711.png" alt="Scheibe-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Scheibe-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple allegations after an arrest.Just after 11:30p.m. June 24, Sheriff's Deputies arrested 54-year-old Tammy Lynn Scheibe of Topeka in the 600 Block of Arizona Avenue in Holton, according to&nbsp;Sheriff Tim Morse.Deputies arrested her following an investigation of suspicious activity in the area. Scheibe was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges that include criminal use of a weapon, possession of controlled substances, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kansas woman jailed for alleged weapon, drug violations

KANSAS CITY —Police investigating a Monday homicide in Kansas City are have identified the victim as 16-year-old Tytus Bridgeford.

Just before 9:30a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to report of a dead body in church parking lot of&nbsp;Dayspring Pentecostal Church at Bannister and Raytown Road, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders found Bridgeford suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.&nbsp;&nbsp;He was pronounced dead at the scene. A passerby saw the victim in the parking lot and called police.&nbsp;

On Wednesday&nbsp; police asked for help to identify the victim who was described as a juvenile black male with braces and black rubber bands. He has a natural hairstyle that is 1-inch long and tapered at the sides, according to police. He also has a scar above his left eye, a vertical scar in the center of the back of his left hand and a circular scar on his left hip.&nbsp;

When he was found, the Bridgeford was wearing 'bone colored' Adidas Yeezy 700 MNVN shoes.

Anyone with information on what happened is asked to contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS or the KCPD homicide.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719251646778.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Police investigating a Monday homicide in Kansas City are have identified the victim as 16-year-old Tytus Bridgeford.Just before 9:30a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to report of a dead body in church parking lot of&nbsp;Dayspring Pentecostal Church at Bannister and Raytown Road, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.First responders found Bridgeford suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.&nbsp;&nbsp;He was pronounced dead at the scene. A passerby saw the victim in the parking lot and called police.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719251670898.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Wednesday&nbsp; police asked for help to identify the victim who was described as a juvenile black male with braces and black rubber bands. He has a natural hairstyle that is 1-inch long and tapered at the sides, according to police. He also has a scar above his left eye, a vertical scar in the center of the back of his left hand and a circular scar on his left hip.&nbsp;When he was found, the Bridgeford was wearing 'bone colored' Adidas Yeezy 700 MNVN shoes.Anyone with information on what happened is asked to contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS or the KCPD homicide.

Homicide victim found in KC church parking lot identified as 16-year-old

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man is accused of selling illegal, homemade fireworks in Wichita.

Just after 11:00am on June 26, officials with the Wichita Fire Department received an anonymous complaint that an individual was illegally selling fireworks from a business in the 3900 block of East Harry in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.

Police and fire crews responded to the location together and developed probable cause to believe that illegal fireworks were being sold from that location.&nbsp;

During the investigation, officers developed additional information which led them to a residence in the area of Pawnee and McLean in Wichita. At that residence, officials with the Wichita Police Department Explosive Ordinance team located additional illegal and homemade explosives.&nbsp;

&nbsp;According to online jail records, police booked 64-year-old Phillip Wayne Bess Sr into the Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of criminal use of explosives. He met the requirements of a $5,000 bond and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

The case will be presented to the district attorney's office for official charges, according to Moses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719514748804.png" alt="Bess-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Bess-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man is accused of selling illegal, homemade fireworks in Wichita.Just after 11:00am on June 26, officials with the Wichita Fire Department received an anonymous complaint that an individual was illegally selling fireworks from a business in the 3900 block of East Harry in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.Police and fire crews responded to the location together and developed probable cause to believe that illegal fireworks were being sold from that location.&nbsp;During the investigation, officers developed additional information which led them to a residence in the area of Pawnee and McLean in Wichita. At that residence, officials with the Wichita Police Department Explosive Ordinance team located additional illegal and homemade explosives.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to online jail records, police booked 64-year-old Phillip Wayne Bess Sr into the Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of criminal use of explosives. He met the requirements of a $5,000 bond and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.The case will be presented to the district attorney's office for official charges, according to Moses.

Kansas man accused of selling homemade fireworks

KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the drowning death of a two-year old. according to Jackson County Sheriff Daryl Forte'

Just before noon Thursday, deputies were dispatched to a home in the 38600 block of E. Parrent Road, Oak Grove.&nbsp; First responders found a toddler had drowned.

The sheriff's office released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the drowning death of a two-year old. according to Jackson County Sheriff Daryl Forte'Just before noon Thursday, deputies were dispatched to a home in the 38600 block of E. Parrent Road, Oak Grove.&nbsp; First responders found a toddler had drowned.The sheriff's office released no additional details.

Sheriff: 2-year-old drowned at home near Kansas City

MCPHERSON COUNTY — Crews transporting a large boiler pressure tank across portions of Kansas on the way to Space X in California had a difficult time in McPherson on Thursday morning.

Police in the city of McPherson thanked the personnel who quickly moved all the street equipment and the patrol officers for safely directing traffic. They also issued a&nbsp; special thanks to the members of the community for their patience.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719570483254.png" alt="Photos McPherson Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos McPherson Police</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON COUNTY — Crews transporting a large boiler pressure tank across portions of Kansas on the way to Space X in California had a difficult time in McPherson on Thursday morning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719570883375.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719570917242.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Police in the city of McPherson thanked the personnel who quickly moved all the street equipment and the patrol officers for safely directing traffic. They also issued a&nbsp; special thanks to the members of the community for their patience.

SpaceX delivery causes traffic delays in portions of Kansas

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

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump pitched to undecided voters Thursday night during the first debate of the presidential campaign — trading insults over their policy differences, immigration and who represents a threat to democracy.

During the debate from CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta, the two men argued over who can do better for Americans during the next four years on a broad swath of issues, ranging from the economy to climate change to foreign policy. Each repeatedly accused the other of lying.

Biden early in the debate spoke softly at several points, coughed and gave several somewhat confusing answers. At one point, Biden appeared to lose his train of thought and ended an answer with the statement that “we finally beat Medicare.”

The two disagreed sharply over access to reproductive rights, including abortion, with Trump arguing Democrats’ position is “radical” and Biden saying that leaving decisions up to the states has been “terrible” for women.

Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, did not shake hands at the beginning, a break from past debates.

Near the end of the debate, Trump said political violence was “totally unacceptable,” though he went on to downplay the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, defending the conduct of his mob of supporters.

Trump initially did not directly answer a question about whether he would accept the results of the election if he lost. When pressed by moderator Dana Bash, Trump conditioned his answer.

Even with rules meant to minimize crosstalk, the debate — moderated by Bash, anchor and chief political correspondent, and Jake Tapper, anchor and chief Washington correspondent — saw many moments of acrimony.

While Trump had harsh words about Biden’s border policy and Biden blasted his predecessor for appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, they saved their harshest criticism for the other’s personal conduct.

Referring to reports that, as president, Trump said veterans killed in action in France during World War II were “suckers and losers,” Biden, invoked his son, Beau, who was a National Guard veteran and later died of brain cancer.

“My son was not a loser and was not a sucker,” Biden told his predecessor, scowling. “You’re the sucker. You’re the loser.”

Trump denied he ever made the remark, first reported in The Atlantic and confirmed in other reports.

Biden at several times attacked Trump’s credibility and truthfulness, saying after one answer, “Every single thing he said is a lie.”

“I never heard so much malarkey in my whole life,” he said in response to another of Trump’s answers.

Trump brought up the conviction of Biden’s son, Hunter, on federal gun charges this year. And he said that Joe Biden could face prosecution for his performance on border security.

Trump and his legal team argued in front of the Supreme Court in April that presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution.

Thursday’s event was the first presidential debate where one participant was a convicted felon.

A New York state jury in May found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels for an affair she testified they had that Trump didn’t want to harm his 2016 election prospects.

Trump has denied the affair and it hasn’t affected his support within the GOP, though his sentencing July 11 could affect his campaign strategy.

Trump rejected his criminal conviction during the debate and reiterated his stance that he didn’t have a sexual relationship with an adult film star.

“I didn’t have sex with a porn star,” Trump said, marking the first time such words, or anything near them, have been uttered during a presidential debate.

“I did nothing wrong, we have a system that was rigged and disgusting,” Trump said. “I did nothing wrong.”

Trump also responded to the question by referring to Hunter Biden.

“When he talks about a convicted felon, his son is a convicted felon,” Trump said.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to release a ruling within days in another trial involving Trump, this time on whether presidents enjoy complete immunity from criminal prosecution for their actions while in office.

The justices’ decision will determine whether a federal trial against Trump for election interference stemming from his actions on Jan. 6, 2021 can proceed.

During the debate, Trump said that “on January 6 we were respected all over the world,” but that changed after Biden took office.

Trump seemed to imply that the people who stormed the Capitol building were “innocent” and “patriotic,” saying that “you ought to be ashamed of yourself” for those people being in prison.

Biden said that Trump encouraged the “folks” who attacked the U.S. Capitol building and U.S. Capitol Police officers.

“If they’re convicted, he says he wants to commute their sentences,” Biden said, criticizing Trump’s behavior that day. “These people should be in jail. They should be the ones held accountable.”

Biden rejected the idea that the people who attacked the police and disrupted the electoral certification were patriots.

Reproductive rights — including access to abortion — sharply divided Biden and Trump, who sparred over which political party’s stance is better.

Trump said that he agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision earlier this month to leave access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, in place. And he said he wouldn’t seek to limit access if elected president in November.

“I agree with their decision to have done that, and I will not block it,” Trump said, adding that the Supreme Court’s earlier decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion was a good thing.

“We brought it back to the states and the country is now coming together on this issue,” Trump said. “It’s been a great thing.”

Trump said he supports exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the woman.

Biden rejected Trump’s classification that Democrats are “radical” on abortion policy and said he supports reinstating the protections that existed under Roe v. Wade.

“It’s been a terrible thing,” Biden said of leaving decisions about abortion access up to state lawmakers, comparing it to leaving civil rights decisions up to the states.

Trump said during an interview with Time magazine released in April that his campaign was on the brink of releasing a policy regarding mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion. The campaign has yet to release that policy.

Trump suggested that he would be okay with states limiting or barring access to contraception during a May interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station. But he quickly walked back those comments in a social media post.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative-leaning think tank, has suggested that another Trump administration could block the mailing of mifepristone by enforcing the Comstock Act.

The group included the proposal along with dozens of others in Project 2025, its 920-page blueprint for a second Trump administration.

The 1873 anti-obscenity law hasn’t been enforced in decades and is referred to as a “zombie law” by reproductive rights organizations, but it is still technically a law.

A future Republican attorney general seeking to enforce the law to block the mailing of mifepristone would likely see the law challenged in court, likely working its way up to the Supreme Court.

Mifepristone is one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions, which are approved for up to 10 weeks gestation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The two-drug regimen accounts for about 63% of all abortions within the United States, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

The two presidential debates this year are a departure from past years, with both candidates ditching the proposed schedule from the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.

Biden and Trump later agreed to two debates, the one held Thursday by CNN and another one on Sept. 10 that will be hosted by ABC News.

CNN opted to hold its debate at its studios in Atlanta, Georgia, without an audience. Thursday night’s debate was also earlier than any other presidential debates, which have traditionally begun in September or October.

The television news network created frustration ahead of the debate with the White House Correspondents Association when it decided to keep the pool, the group of journalists that travel everywhere with the president, out of the room.

Kelly O’Donnell, president of the WHCA, released a statement Thursday afternoon that the organization was “deeply concerned that CNN has rejected our repeated requests to include the White House travel pool inside the studio.”

“The pool is there for the ‘what ifs?’ in a world where the unexpected does happen,” wrote O’Donnell, who is also the senior White House correspondent for NBC News. “A pool reporter is present to provide context and insight by direct observation and not through the lens of the television production.”

CNN’s rules also said that neither Biden nor Trump was allowed to bring props or pre-written notes into the debate area.

Each stood behind “a uniform podium” and was not allowed to interact with campaign staff during the two commercial breaks.

Biden was scheduled to travel with first lady Jill Biden to Raleigh, North Carolina, immediately after the debate wrapped. They’re set to participate in campaign events on Friday morning before traveling to New York later in the day.

The Bidens are then expected to travel to Red Bank, New Jersey, on Saturday for more campaigning before heading back to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland.

Trump will attend a campaign rally Friday afternoon in Chesapeake, Virginia. In a release announcing the event, Trump criticized Biden on inflation, crime and drug addiction, and immigration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719543043285.png" alt="Image from the CNN video of the debate via CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image from the CNN video of the debate via CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump pitched to undecided voters Thursday night during the first debate of the presidential campaign — trading insults over their policy differences, immigration and who represents a threat to democracy.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CLIP: President Biden and former President Trump respond to question on abortion during CNN Presidential Debate. <a href="https://t.co/xsJ1ATvlTP">pic.twitter.com/xsJ1ATvlTP</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806500194055311622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump: &quot;I really don&#39;t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don&#39;t think he knows what he said either.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/V106E98OSy">pic.twitter.com/V106E98OSy</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806500264200851728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on January 6th: &quot;He didn&#39;t do a damn thing.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cVb3vIaD5r">pic.twitter.com/cVb3vIaD5r</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806506398454288835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump: &quot;On January 6th we had a great border...On January 6th we were energy independent...On January 6th we had the lowest taxes ever. We had the lowest regulations ever...On January 6th we were respected all over the world...and then he comes in and we&#39;re now laughed at...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/mWxQEAwyFL">pic.twitter.com/mWxQEAwyFL</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806506179574579401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CLIP: CNN Presidential Debate segment on federal convictions and the right to go after political opponents. President Biden: &quot;You have the morals of an alley cat.&quot; Former President Trump: &quot;I didn&#39;t have sex with a porn star.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Gt3j4CzNXY">pic.twitter.com/Gt3j4CzNXY</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806509416331497560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fmr President Trump: &quot;He is the worst president...he&#39;s destroyed our country...If he wins this election our country doesn&#39;t have a chance.&quot; President Biden: &quot;We are the most admired country in the world. We are the United States of America. There&#39;s nothing beyond our capacity.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/osHgAAdEx2">pic.twitter.com/osHgAAdEx2</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806513139694895174?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump on his age: &quot;Well, I took two tests, cognitive tests. I aced them. Both of them as you know. We made it public. He took none. I&#39;d like to see him take one. Just one...I just won two club championships, not even senior...he can&#39;t hit a ball 50 yards.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/j60qKGNe2h">pic.twitter.com/j60qKGNe2h</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806516579305214145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CLIP: CNN Presidential Debate segment on federal convictions and the right to go after political opponents. President Biden: &quot;You have the morals of an alley cat.&quot; Former President Trump: &quot;I didn&#39;t have sex with a porn star.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Gt3j4CzNXY">pic.twitter.com/Gt3j4CzNXY</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806509416331497560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump on if he&#39;ll accept the results of the presidential election and say that political violence is unacceptable: &quot;I shouldn&#39;t have to say that, but of course I&#39;ll believe that. It&#39;s totally unacceptable.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Jxy3OHlnZW">pic.twitter.com/Jxy3OHlnZW</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1806517240168325546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>During the debate from CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta, the two men argued over who can do better for Americans during the next four years on a broad swath of issues, ranging from the economy to climate change to foreign policy. Each repeatedly accused the other of lying.Biden early in the debate spoke softly at several points, coughed and gave several somewhat confusing answers. At one point, Biden appeared to lose his train of thought and ended an answer with the statement that “we finally beat Medicare.”The two disagreed sharply over access to reproductive rights, including abortion, with Trump arguing Democrats’ position is “radical” and Biden saying that leaving decisions up to the states has been “terrible” for women.Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, did not shake hands at the beginning, a break from past debates.Near the end of the debate, Trump said political violence was “totally unacceptable,” though he went on to downplay the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, defending the conduct of his mob of supporters.Trump initially did not directly answer a question about whether he would accept the results of the election if he lost. When pressed by moderator Dana Bash, Trump conditioned his answer.<h2>Jabs over personal conduct</h2>Even with rules meant to minimize crosstalk, the debate — moderated by Bash, anchor and chief political correspondent, and Jake Tapper, anchor and chief Washington correspondent — saw many moments of acrimony.While Trump had harsh words about Biden’s border policy and Biden blasted his predecessor for appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, they saved their harshest criticism for the other’s personal conduct.Referring to reports that, as president, Trump said veterans killed in action in France during World War II were “suckers and losers,” Biden, invoked his son, Beau, who was a National Guard veteran and later died of brain cancer.“My son was not a loser and was not a sucker,” Biden told his predecessor, scowling. “You’re the sucker. You’re the loser.”Trump denied he ever made the remark, first reported in The Atlantic and confirmed in other reports.Biden at several times attacked Trump’s credibility and truthfulness, saying after one answer, “Every single thing he said is a lie.”“I never heard so much malarkey in my whole life,” he said in response to another of Trump’s answers.Trump brought up the conviction of Biden’s son, Hunter, on federal gun charges this year. And he said that Joe Biden could face prosecution for his performance on border security.Trump and his legal team argued in front of the Supreme Court in April that presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution.<h2>Trump’s conviction</h2>Thursday’s event was the first presidential debate where one participant was a convicted felon.A New York state jury in May found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels for an affair she testified they had that Trump didn’t want to harm his 2016 election prospects.Trump has denied the affair and it hasn’t affected his support within the GOP, though his sentencing July 11 could affect his campaign strategy.Trump rejected his criminal conviction during the debate and reiterated his stance that he didn’t have a sexual relationship with an adult film star.“I didn’t have sex with a porn star,” Trump said, marking the first time such words, or anything near them, have been uttered during a presidential debate.“I did nothing wrong, we have a system that was rigged and disgusting,” Trump said. “I did nothing wrong.”Trump also responded to the question by referring to Hunter Biden.“When he talks about a convicted felon, his son is a convicted felon,” Trump said.<h2>Jan. 6 disagreement</h2>The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to release a ruling within days in another trial involving Trump, this time on whether presidents enjoy complete immunity from criminal prosecution for their actions while in office.The justices’ decision will determine whether a federal trial against Trump for election interference stemming from his actions on Jan. 6, 2021 can proceed.During the debate, Trump said that “on January 6 we were respected all over the world,” but that changed after Biden took office.Trump seemed to imply that the people who stormed the Capitol building were “innocent” and “patriotic,” saying that “you ought to be ashamed of yourself” for those people being in prison.Biden said that Trump encouraged the “folks” who attacked the U.S. Capitol building and U.S. Capitol Police officers.“If they’re convicted, he says he wants to commute their sentences,” Biden said, criticizing Trump’s behavior that day. “These people should be in jail. They should be the ones held accountable.”Biden rejected the idea that the people who attacked the police and disrupted the electoral certification were patriots.<h2>Divide on abortion rights</h2>Reproductive rights — including access to abortion — sharply divided Biden and Trump, who sparred over which political party’s stance is better.Trump said that he agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision earlier this month to leave access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, in place. And he said he wouldn’t seek to limit access if elected president in November.“I agree with their decision to have done that, and I will not block it,” Trump said, adding that the Supreme Court’s earlier decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion was a good thing.“We brought it back to the states and the country is now coming together on this issue,” Trump said. “It’s been a great thing.”Trump said he supports exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the woman.Biden rejected Trump’s classification that Democrats are “radical” on abortion policy and said he supports reinstating the protections that existed under Roe v. Wade.“It’s been a terrible thing,” Biden said of leaving decisions about abortion access up to state lawmakers, comparing it to leaving civil rights decisions up to the states.Trump said during an interview with Time magazine released in April that his campaign was on the brink of releasing a policy regarding mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion. The campaign has yet to release that policy.Trump suggested that he would be okay with states limiting or barring access to contraception during a May interview with a Pittsburgh TV news station. But he quickly walked back those comments in a social media post.The Heritage Foundation, a conservative-leaning think tank, has suggested that another Trump administration could block the mailing of mifepristone by enforcing the Comstock Act.The group included the proposal along with dozens of others in Project 2025, its 920-page blueprint for a second Trump administration.The 1873 anti-obscenity law hasn’t been enforced in decades and is referred to as a “zombie law” by reproductive rights organizations, but it is still technically a law.A future Republican attorney general seeking to enforce the law to block the mailing of mifepristone would likely see the law challenged in court, likely working its way up to the Supreme Court.Mifepristone is one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions, which are approved for up to 10 weeks gestation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The two-drug regimen accounts for about 63% of all abortions within the United States, according to the Guttmacher Institute.<h2>First of two debates</h2>The two presidential debates this year are a departure from past years, with both candidates ditching the proposed schedule from the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates.Biden and Trump later agreed to two debates, the one held Thursday by CNN and another one on Sept. 10 that will be hosted by ABC News.CNN opted to hold its debate at its studios in Atlanta, Georgia, without an audience. Thursday night’s debate was also earlier than any other presidential debates, which have traditionally begun in September or October.The television news network created frustration ahead of the debate with the White House Correspondents Association when it decided to keep the pool, the group of journalists that travel everywhere with the president, out of the room.Kelly O’Donnell, president of the WHCA, released a statement Thursday afternoon that the organization was “deeply concerned that CNN has rejected our repeated requests to include the White House travel pool inside the studio.”“The pool is there for the ‘what ifs?’ in a world where the unexpected does happen,” wrote O’Donnell, who is also the senior White House correspondent for NBC News. “A pool reporter is present to provide context and insight by direct observation and not through the lens of the television production.”CNN’s rules also said that neither Biden nor Trump was allowed to bring props or pre-written notes into the debate area.Each stood behind “a uniform podium” and was not allowed to interact with campaign staff during the two commercial breaks.Biden was scheduled to travel with first lady Jill Biden to Raleigh, North Carolina, immediately after the debate wrapped. They’re set to participate in campaign events on Friday morning before traveling to New York later in the day.The Bidens are then expected to travel to Red Bank, New Jersey, on Saturday for more campaigning before heading back to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland.Trump will attend a campaign rally Friday afternoon in Chesapeake, Virginia. In a release announcing the event, Trump criticized Biden on inflation, crime and drug addiction, and immigration.

🎥 Biden and Trump trade insults, accusations of lying in acrimonious presidential debate

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of&nbsp;

Just after 8p.m. Thursday, crews responded to a reported apartment fire in the 4300 block of North Bennington, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.&nbsp;

First responders found heavy fire from the third floor of a three-story apartment. . Occupants were able to evacuate. A second alarm dispatch was requested and a total of 20 KCFD responded to this incident.

Quick actions limited this fire to three apartments with multiple others suffering water damage.&nbsp; There were several Red Cross requests from this incident. One firefighter was treated on scene for heat related issues.&nbsp; The residents were able to escape and none were injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719540673155.png" alt="Photo KC Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo KC Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of&nbsp;Just after 8p.m. Thursday, crews responded to a reported apartment fire in the 4300 block of North Bennington, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.&nbsp;First responders found heavy fire from the third floor of a three-story apartment. . Occupants were able to evacuate. A second alarm dispatch was requested and a total of 20 KCFD responded to this incident.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719540651338.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Quick actions limited this fire to three apartments with multiple others suffering water damage.&nbsp; There were several Red Cross requests from this incident. One firefighter was treated on scene for heat related issues.&nbsp; The residents were able to escape and none were injured.

Cause of Kansas City apartment fire under investigation

SALINE COUNTY —A Kansas woman is facing multiple requested charges after a high-speed chase in Saline County.

Just after 3:30a.m. Thursday, a sheriff's deputy attempted to stop a 2020 Ford Explorer for allegedly driving at 70mph on Hohneck Road in a 55mhp zone, according to&nbsp;&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

&nbsp;When the deputy turned around to initiate the stop, the Explorer turned onto Hohneck Road and sped north.

The deputy lost sight of the vehicle in the dust but then&nbsp; found where the vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree, and traveled through a big ditch. "The deputy thought the vehicle rolled so he got out and looked around and found a fluid trail where the suspect SUV returned to the road.

Following the fluid trail, deputies tracked the vehicle back onto Hohneck Road heading north. The pursuit continued west on State Street, where deputies caught up with the vehicle, still leaking the fluid.

Despite damage to the Explorer and the damage to its right rear tire, the suspect continued to evade law enforcement, taking the chase north on Lincoln Road, over to Watkins, and then north on Reese Road. The vehicle finally came to a stop after losing the damaged tire completely.

The driver of the vehicle identified as 31-year-old Kayla Erebo of&nbsp; from Lorraine, was arrested on requested charges including fleeing and eluding law enforcement, driving under the influence (DUI), and leaving the scene of an accident. Additional traffic violations are expected to be included in the full report.

Soldan said the highest speed reached during the pursuit was approximately 80 mph. Erebo was taken to Salina Regional Health Center with minor injuries and later booked into jail.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719533095372.png" alt="Errebo-photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Errebo-photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —A Kansas woman is facing multiple requested charges after a high-speed chase in Saline County.Just after 3:30a.m. Thursday, a sheriff's deputy attempted to stop a 2020 Ford Explorer for allegedly driving at 70mph on Hohneck Road in a 55mhp zone, according to&nbsp;&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.&nbsp;When the deputy turned around to initiate the stop, the Explorer turned onto Hohneck Road and sped north.The deputy lost sight of the vehicle in the dust but then&nbsp; found where the vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree, and traveled through a big ditch. "The deputy thought the vehicle rolled so he got out and looked around and found a fluid trail where the suspect SUV returned to the road.Following the fluid trail, deputies tracked the vehicle back onto Hohneck Road heading north. The pursuit continued west on State Street, where deputies caught up with the vehicle, still leaking the fluid.Despite damage to the Explorer and the damage to its right rear tire, the suspect continued to evade law enforcement, taking the chase north on Lincoln Road, over to Watkins, and then north on Reese Road. The vehicle finally came to a stop after losing the damaged tire completely.The driver of the vehicle identified as 31-year-old Kayla Erebo of&nbsp; from Lorraine, was arrested on requested charges including fleeing and eluding law enforcement, driving under the influence (DUI), and leaving the scene of an accident. Additional traffic violations are expected to be included in the full report.Soldan said the highest speed reached during the pursuit was approximately 80 mph. Erebo was taken to Salina Regional Health Center with minor injuries and later booked into jail.&nbsp;

Kansas woman jailed after leading deputies on high-speed chase

PUEBLO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have captured a Kansas man wanted on multiple allegations.

Earlier this week, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s communication center received a tip that 40-year-old Ryan Antalek of Wichita was possibly staying at the Days Inn in Colorado City. 

Kansas authorities had been seeking Antalek, who was considered dangerous, on the warrant and had heightened the search after learning he had made repeated homicidal statements. Antalek also was noted to have a criminal history involving weapons and known to carry firearms.

Sheriff's detectives&nbsp; and U.S. Marshals responded to the Days Inn at about 12:30 a.m. and located in the parking lot a 2019 Black Chevy Colorado truck Antalek was reportedly driving. After confirming that Antalek was in the hotel, detectives, with assistance from the Marshals, devised a plan and were able to get him to leave his hotel room where he was taken into custody without incident.

Antalek was arrested on a no bond fugitive of justice warrant from Kansas that includes warrants for felony aggravated assault with a firearm; criminal discharge into a dwelling; felony stalking; felony fleeing and eluding law enforcement; two charges of criminal threats and criminal damage to property. He is being held in Pueblo County Jail where he will await extradition to Kansas

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719500728222.png" alt="Antalek photo Pueblo Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Antalek photo Pueblo Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>PUEBLO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities have captured a Kansas man wanted on multiple allegations.Earlier this week, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s communication center received a tip that 40-year-old Ryan Antalek of Wichita was possibly staying at the Days Inn in Colorado City. Kansas authorities had been seeking Antalek, who was considered dangerous, on the warrant and had heightened the search after learning he had made repeated homicidal statements. Antalek also was noted to have a criminal history involving weapons and known to carry firearms.Sheriff's detectives&nbsp; and U.S. Marshals responded to the Days Inn at about 12:30 a.m. and located in the parking lot a 2019 Black Chevy Colorado truck Antalek was reportedly driving. After confirming that Antalek was in the hotel, detectives, with assistance from the Marshals, devised a plan and were able to get him to leave his hotel room where he was taken into custody without incident.Antalek was arrested on a no bond fugitive of justice warrant from Kansas that includes warrants for felony aggravated assault with a firearm; criminal discharge into a dwelling; felony stalking; felony fleeing and eluding law enforcement; two charges of criminal threats and criminal damage to property. He is being held in Pueblo County Jail where he will await extradition to Kansas

Wanted Kansas fugitive captured at hotel in Colorado 

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

Hundreds of earmarked items in the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/10/democrats-say-final-missouri-budget-pads-special-interests-with-state-cash/">$51.7 billion budget passed</a>&nbsp;by lawmakers this year will be vetoed, Gov. Mike Parson said Thursday, just days before the new fiscal year begins.

Speaking with reporters after groundbreaking for a new multi-agency state laboratory, Parson had two criticisms for the budget plan — it goes overboard on earmarks and shortchanges essential state services.

Parson said the administration’s budget staff had identified more than 600 earmarked items throughout the 16 appropriation bills for the fiscal year that begins Monday.

“We’re going to veto a lot of the earmarks, especially some of them that maybe were not even ready to be done, that just people put different things in there,” Parson said. “There’s gonna be a lot of the those making it across the finish line, but not everybody’s gonna get what they want.”

The Independent analyzed the budget and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/27/state-budget-loaded-with-earmarks-nears-deadline-for-action-by-missouri-gov-mike-parson/">found more than 400 earmarked items</a>&nbsp;– with 284 new this year – totaling $2.1 billion in spending.&nbsp;

Parson called those earmarks “a lot of overspending.” The state services that are not fully funded will require a large infusion of additional cash, he said, but lawmakers won’t have to return this fall to pass a supplemental budget.

“You’ll see one of the largest supplementals at the beginning of next year that you’ve seen,” Parson told reporters.

The state is sitting on a large surplus, but Parson said it is not as large as the fund balances in the treasury would make it appear. The budget passed by lawmakers spends $15.3 billion in general revenue — including $700 million on earmarked items identified by The Independent.&nbsp;

When they were finished with the budget in May, legislative leaders claimed two achievements – a total $1 billion less than Parson requested in January and ongoing general revenue spending that was less than ongoing revenues.

In legislative language, that means that spending above the expected $13.1 billion in general revenue would be one-time expenses met by tapping the surplus.

When the total after his vetoes is added to the amount of the supplemental budget needed to maintain services, he said, that will no longer be true.

“That was more of a political gesture than it was anything,” Parson said.

The House Budget Committee chairman, state Rep. Cody Smith of Carthage, and the Senate Appropriations Committee chairman, state Sen. Lincoln Hough of Springfield, are both running for statewide office.

Even with spending from the surplus, Parson said, the state will have about $1.5 billion in extra cash at the end of the coming fiscal year.

“I’m gonna make sure,” Parson said, “that there’s enough finances available for the next administration.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719523908460.png" alt="&nbsp;Gov. Mike Parson discusses his plans for the coming fiscal year’s budget Thursday following groundbreaking for a new multiagency state laboratory in Jefferson City. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Gov. Mike Parson discusses his plans for the coming fiscal year’s budget Thursday following groundbreaking for a new multiagency state laboratory in Jefferson City. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>Hundreds of earmarked items in the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/10/democrats-say-final-missouri-budget-pads-special-interests-with-state-cash/">$51.7 billion budget passed</a>&nbsp;by lawmakers this year will be vetoed, Gov. Mike Parson said Thursday, just days before the new fiscal year begins.Speaking with reporters after groundbreaking for a new multi-agency state laboratory, Parson had two criticisms for the budget plan — it goes overboard on earmarks and shortchanges essential state services.Parson said the administration’s budget staff had identified more than 600 earmarked items throughout the 16 appropriation bills for the fiscal year that begins Monday.“We’re going to veto a lot of the earmarks, especially some of them that maybe were not even ready to be done, that just people put different things in there,” Parson said. “There’s gonna be a lot of the those making it across the finish line, but not everybody’s gonna get what they want.”The Independent analyzed the budget and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/27/state-budget-loaded-with-earmarks-nears-deadline-for-action-by-missouri-gov-mike-parson/">found more than 400 earmarked items</a>&nbsp;– with 284 new this year – totaling $2.1 billion in spending.&nbsp;Parson called those earmarks “a lot of overspending.” The state services that are not fully funded will require a large infusion of additional cash, he said, but lawmakers won’t have to return this fall to pass a supplemental budget.“You’ll see one of the largest supplementals at the beginning of next year that you’ve seen,” Parson told reporters.The state is sitting on a large surplus, but Parson said it is not as large as the fund balances in the treasury would make it appear. The budget passed by lawmakers spends $15.3 billion in general revenue — including $700 million on earmarked items identified by The Independent.&nbsp;When they were finished with the budget in May, legislative leaders claimed two achievements – a total $1 billion less than Parson requested in January and ongoing general revenue spending that was less than ongoing revenues.In legislative language, that means that spending above the expected $13.1 billion in general revenue would be one-time expenses met by tapping the surplus.When the total after his vetoes is added to the amount of the supplemental budget needed to maintain services, he said, that will no longer be true.“That was more of a political gesture than it was anything,” Parson said.The House Budget Committee chairman, state Rep. Cody Smith of Carthage, and the Senate Appropriations Committee chairman, state Sen. Lincoln Hough of Springfield, are both running for statewide office.Even with spending from the surplus, Parson said, the state will have about $1.5 billion in extra cash at the end of the coming fiscal year.“I’m gonna make sure,” Parson said, “that there’s enough finances available for the next administration.”

Missouri Gov. says he plans to veto hundreds of earmarked spending items

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas bank robbery.&nbsp;

Just after 9a.m. Thursday, police responded to a reported bank robbery in the area of Maple and West Street, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.&nbsp;&nbsp;

An unknown suspect entered the Southwest National Bank, 454, South Tracy near Town West, wearing a mask and indicated that he was armed with a firearm. The suspect fled in a vehicle without a tag. Police did not report the amount of cash taken in the robbery.

&nbsp;Police investigators are assisting the Federal Bureau of Investigation on this case. There were no injuries reported.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719517058728.png" alt="Photos Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas bank robbery.&nbsp;Just after 9a.m. Thursday, police responded to a reported bank robbery in the area of Maple and West Street, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719517167348.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>An unknown suspect entered the Southwest National Bank, 454, South Tracy near Town West, wearing a mask and indicated that he was armed with a firearm. The suspect fled in a vehicle without a tag. Police did not report the amount of cash taken in the robbery.&nbsp;Police investigators are assisting the Federal Bureau of Investigation on this case. There were no injuries reported.&nbsp;

Police looking for Kansas bank robbery suspect

GEARY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident at Milford Lake on Wednesday.

Just after noon, emergency crews responded to East Rolling Hills at Milford Lake after report of a man struck by a boat propeller while in the water, according to a media release from&nbsp;Geary County Emergency Management.

Bystanders on scene treated the man until emergency personnel arrived. He was flown by Lifestar Air Ambulance to a Wichita Hospital for further treatment.

&nbsp;Kansas Wildlife and Parks is in charge of the investigation of the incident.&nbsp;

GEARY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident at Milford Lake on Wednesday.Just after noon, emergency crews responded to East Rolling Hills at Milford Lake after report of a man struck by a boat propeller while in the water, according to a media release from&nbsp;Geary County Emergency Management.Bystanders on scene treated the man until emergency personnel arrived. He was flown by Lifestar Air Ambulance to a Wichita Hospital for further treatment.&nbsp;Kansas Wildlife and Parks is in charge of the investigation of the incident.&nbsp;

Man struck by boat propeller at Kansas lake

Mere 9% of registered voters bothered to take part in partisan contests

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

TOPEKA — The Kansas secretary of state said Monday the presidential preference primary in March cost nearly $2 million less than anticipated by the Kansas Legislature due to lack of competitive races in the major political parties and disinterest among the state’s voters.

Only 9% of registered Kansans took part in the presidential primary election that cost taxpayers $2.78 million, Secretary of State Scott Schwab said. He said the 2023 Kansas Legislature budgeted $4.7 million to host the state’s third presidential primary.

“At the time the estimate was made, it was anticipated that there would be a larger pool of candidates still participating in the primary by the time Kansans went to the polls,” Schwab said.

Campaigns for the Democratic and Republican party nominations for president had been resolved by the time Kansas conducted its post-Super Tuesday preference primary. While there were four GOP and four Democratic candidates on ballots in Kansas, the only active campaigners were former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Trump and Biden had already secured enough delegates to win nominations.

Biden received 83.6% of the vote among registered Kansas Democrats against Dean Phillips of Minnesota, Jason Palmer of Maryland and Marianne Williamson of California. None of the other candidates received more than 3.4%. More than 4,400 participants, or 10.3% of participants, wrote in other names.

Trump prevailed in the Republican primary in Kansas with 75% of the vote. Former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley secured 16%, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had 2.6% and Ryan Binkley of Texas received 0.5%. In addition, candidates not on the ballot pulled down 5.2%.

It was the third time since 1980 that Kansas conducted a presidential primary. In the past, Kansas allowed the two major parties to conduct caucuses to determine partisan preferences in presidential contests. The state would return to the caucus format in 2028 unless lawmakers approved an alternative.

The legislative path to the 2024 Kansas presidential primary was rocky. The Kansas Senate voted 28-12 to conduct and finance presidential preference primaries. The Kansas House rejected the bill 56-64, in part, due to the price tag of $4 million to $5 million. On the next day in April, the GOP-controlled House reversed course and adopted the bill 86-32. Gov. Laura Kelly signed the measure two weeks later.

Motivation among Republican legislators endorsing creation of a presidential primary was Trump’s 2016 loss in Kansas caucus voting to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

Rather than caucuses organized and financed by the state’s two largest political parties, all Kansas taxpayers shared in cost of the 2024 presidential primary whether they voted or not.

“This is taking the taxpayers’ money and giving it to the Republican Party and the Democratic Party,” said Fort Scott Republican Rep. Trevor Jacobs, who voted against the primary twice.

Schwab said the Legislature’s appropriation enabled counties to be reimbursed for direct expenses associated with the presidential primary. He said the event was an opportunity for county officials to prepare for the Aug. 6 primary election and the Nov. 5 general election.

“The final cost of the primary shows that our trained county election professionals were able to conduct this election efficiently, on time and under budget,” he said.

<h2>Mere 9% of registered voters bothered to take part in partisan contests</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas secretary of state said Monday the presidential preference primary in March cost nearly $2 million less than anticipated by the Kansas Legislature due to lack of competitive races in the major political parties and disinterest among the state’s voters.Only 9% of registered Kansans took part in the presidential primary election that cost taxpayers $2.78 million, Secretary of State Scott Schwab said. He said the 2023 Kansas Legislature budgeted $4.7 million to host the state’s third presidential primary.“At the time the estimate was made, it was anticipated that there would be a larger pool of candidates still participating in the primary by the time Kansans went to the polls,” Schwab said.Campaigns for the Democratic and Republican party nominations for president had been resolved by the time Kansas conducted its post-Super Tuesday preference primary. While there were four GOP and four Democratic candidates on ballots in Kansas, the only active campaigners were former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Trump and Biden had already secured enough delegates to win nominations.Biden received 83.6% of the vote among registered Kansas Democrats against Dean Phillips of Minnesota, Jason Palmer of Maryland and Marianne Williamson of California. None of the other candidates received more than 3.4%. More than 4,400 participants, or 10.3% of participants, wrote in other names.Trump prevailed in the Republican primary in Kansas with 75% of the vote. Former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley secured 16%, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had 2.6% and Ryan Binkley of Texas received 0.5%. In addition, candidates not on the ballot pulled down 5.2%.It was the third time since 1980 that Kansas conducted a presidential primary. In the past, Kansas allowed the two major parties to conduct caucuses to determine partisan preferences in presidential contests. The state would return to the caucus format in 2028 unless lawmakers approved an alternative.The legislative path to the 2024 Kansas presidential primary was rocky. The Kansas Senate voted 28-12 to conduct and finance presidential preference primaries. The Kansas House rejected the bill 56-64, in part, due to the price tag of $4 million to $5 million. On the next day in April, the GOP-controlled House reversed course and adopted the bill 86-32. Gov. Laura Kelly signed the measure two weeks later.Motivation among Republican legislators endorsing creation of a presidential primary was Trump’s 2016 loss in Kansas caucus voting to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.Rather than caucuses organized and financed by the state’s two largest political parties, all Kansas taxpayers shared in cost of the 2024 presidential primary whether they voted or not.“This is taking the taxpayers’ money and giving it to the Republican Party and the Democratic Party,” said Fort Scott Republican Rep. Trevor Jacobs, who voted against the primary twice.Schwab said the Legislature’s appropriation enabled counties to be reimbursed for direct expenses associated with the presidential primary. He said the event was an opportunity for county officials to prepare for the Aug. 6 primary election and the Nov. 5 general election.“The final cost of the primary shows that our trained county election professionals were able to conduct this election efficiently, on time and under budget,” he said.

Kansas’ poorly attended presidential preference primary cost state taxpayers $2.78 million

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kelciemoseleymorris/">KELCIE MOSELEY-MORRIS</a>&nbsp;

As expected after the court said it inadvertently uploaded the opinion prematurely&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/document-indicates-supreme-court-will-punt-idaho-emergency-abortion-case-now" target="_blank">on Wednesday</a>, the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-726_6jgm.pdf" target="_blank">issued a decision</a>&nbsp;Thursday remanding a case about emergency abortions in Idaho back to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for now.

The decision was 6-3, with conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas dissenting. It was issued “per curiam,” meaning there is no lead author of the overall opinion.

The justices affirming the decision wrote that they determined the court took the case too early in the process. It granted the request to hear the case in January before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals could hold its own hearing on an injunction that blocked enforcement of the law against emergency room physicians who might need to perform an abortion to prevent a pregnant patient from experiencing significant health effects from infection or other conditions.

The government argued Idaho could not enforce its criminal abortion ban in emergency rooms because it would violate a federal law known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, which requires Medicare-funded hospitals to treat patients who come to an emergency room regardless of their ability to pay.

When justices agreed to hear the case, the court also dropped the injunction, leaving doctors in Idaho open to prosecution under its criminal abortion ban, which carries penalties of jail time, fines and the loss of a medical license. Idaho’s civil law also allows immediate and extended family members to sue the doctors for up to $20,000 over an abortion procedure.

Idaho’s ban contains only an exception to save the pregnant patient’s life, not to prevent detrimental health outcomes, including the loss of future fertility, which is a risk with severe infection or bleeding. Without further clarity written into the law, doctors have said they can’t confidently assess when to safely intervene to save someone’s life.

Rather than take the chance, high-risk obstetric specialists have airlifted patients to a facility out of state that can freely perform the procedure before it’s too late. In 2023, the state’s largest hospital system said at their facilities such transfers happened once, but occurred six times between January and April, when the injunction was lifted.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who is typically conservative in her rulings, said the court’s decisions to hear the case and drop the injunction were premised on the belief that Idaho would suffer “irreparable harm” under the injunction and that the cases were ready for the court’s immediate determination.

She wrote that the briefings and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/supreme-court-justices-appear-split-over-whether-protect-abortion-care-during-emergencies" target="_blank">oral argument in April</a>&nbsp;shed more light on the case, and made it clear that conscience objections were covered under EMTALA and other concerns about an interpretation that would include emergency mental health concerns did not apply.

“I am now convinced that these cases are no longer appropriate for early resolution,” Barrett wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719501733752.png" alt=" A protester at a Planned Parenthood Great Northwest rally in Boise, Idaho, holds up a sign about the EMTALA case on April 21, 2024 (Otto Kitsinger/Idaho Capital Sun)." />
 <figcaption> A protester at a Planned Parenthood Great Northwest rally in Boise, Idaho, holds up a sign about the EMTALA case on April 21, 2024 (Otto Kitsinger/Idaho Capital Sun).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/kelciemoseleymorris/">KELCIE MOSELEY-MORRIS</a>&nbsp;As expected after the court said it inadvertently uploaded the opinion prematurely&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/document-indicates-supreme-court-will-punt-idaho-emergency-abortion-case-now" target="_blank">on Wednesday</a>, the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-726_6jgm.pdf" target="_blank">issued a decision</a>&nbsp;Thursday remanding a case about emergency abortions in Idaho back to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for now.The decision was 6-3, with conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas dissenting. It was issued “per curiam,” meaning there is no lead author of the overall opinion.The justices affirming the decision wrote that they determined the court took the case too early in the process. It granted the request to hear the case in January before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals could hold its own hearing on an injunction that blocked enforcement of the law against emergency room physicians who might need to perform an abortion to prevent a pregnant patient from experiencing significant health effects from infection or other conditions.The government argued Idaho could not enforce its criminal abortion ban in emergency rooms because it would violate a federal law known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, which requires Medicare-funded hospitals to treat patients who come to an emergency room regardless of their ability to pay.When justices agreed to hear the case, the court also dropped the injunction, leaving doctors in Idaho open to prosecution under its criminal abortion ban, which carries penalties of jail time, fines and the loss of a medical license. Idaho’s civil law also allows immediate and extended family members to sue the doctors for up to $20,000 over an abortion procedure.Idaho’s ban contains only an exception to save the pregnant patient’s life, not to prevent detrimental health outcomes, including the loss of future fertility, which is a risk with severe infection or bleeding. Without further clarity written into the law, doctors have said they can’t confidently assess when to safely intervene to save someone’s life.Rather than take the chance, high-risk obstetric specialists have airlifted patients to a facility out of state that can freely perform the procedure before it’s too late. In 2023, the state’s largest hospital system said at their facilities such transfers happened once, but occurred six times between January and April, when the injunction was lifted.Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who is typically conservative in her rulings, said the court’s decisions to hear the case and drop the injunction were premised on the belief that Idaho would suffer “irreparable harm” under the injunction and that the cases were ready for the court’s immediate determination.She wrote that the briefings and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/supreme-court-justices-appear-split-over-whether-protect-abortion-care-during-emergencies" target="_blank">oral argument in April</a>&nbsp;shed more light on the case, and made it clear that conscience objections were covered under EMTALA and other concerns about an interpretation that would include emergency mental health concerns did not apply.“I am now convinced that these cases are no longer appropriate for early resolution,” Barrett wrote.Dr. Caitlin Gustafson, president of a group of Idaho physicians who have spoken out against the ban and submitted a brief to the court in the case, said the decision is not the end of her coalition’s work.“We are relieved by the Supreme Court’s decision,” Gustafson said. “However, this ruling addresses only a small part of the ever-increasing barriers across the health care landscape. The coalition remains committed to advocating for comprehensive policy updates to fill the gaps in healthcare access created by Idaho’s restrictive laws, which jeopardize patient safety. We will not relent until private healthcare decisions are once again at the discretion of patients and their physicians, free from political interference.”Ahead of the decision,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/doctors-urge-us-supreme-court-include-abortion-stabilizing-care-under-federal-law" target="_blank">more than 6,000 doctors</a>&nbsp;from around the country also appealed to the court to protect ER physicians, along with medical professionals in Idaho and advocacy organizations.The case now returns to the Ninth Circuit to resume the process, but it could ultimately return to the Supreme Court at a later date.