KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Pet Project Animal Services Division rescued 31 animals from a property in historic northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri, where they were found living in deplorable conditions, according to a social media report.

The animals—8 ducks, 6 roosters, 8 hens, 8 cats, and 1 pigeon—were surrendered by their owner. One duck had to be euthanized due to its injuries, and one kitten passed away. Several of the cats are sick and receiving medical attention. KC Pet Project found placement for most of the birds. There are roosters that are available for adoption.

Animal Services officers responded to complaints about potential neglect of the animals. Their investigation uncovered that the property was littered with trash, animal carcasses, and dead birds. The living animals were found in inadequate housing with no access to water or ventilation and displayed signs of neglect. These circumstances are not only inhumane but also in violation of the city code.

In addition to rescuing the animals, Animal Services will be issuing citations to the owner for multiple violations, including failure to provide adequate care. The owner also has outstanding warrants related to prior animal-related offenses.

“We are grateful to our officers who continued to investigate this case and glad to have these animals in our care now, where they will receive the attention and love they deserve," said Tori Fugate, chief communications officer at KC Pet Project. 

"We set up little pools of water for the ducks and it was a heartwarming scene to see them immediately jump into the water to clean themselves off. This case is another example of why it is important to report any suspected cases of animal neglect to help us protect animals who cannot speak for themselves."

Some of the animals on the property could not be captured, so officers will continue to visit the property to work to capture them. 

If you are interested in adopting the roosters, you may visit them starting August 20th at the KC Campus for Animal Care, located at 7077 Elmwood Avenue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724290125314.png" alt="Photos KC Pet Project" />
 <figcaption>Photos KC Pet Project</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Pet Project Animal Services Division rescued 31 animals from a property in historic northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri, where they were found living in deplorable conditions, according to a social media report.The animals—8 ducks, 6 roosters, 8 hens, 8 cats, and 1 pigeon—were surrendered by their owner. One duck had to be euthanized due to its injuries, and one kitten passed away. Several of the cats are sick and receiving medical attention. KC Pet Project found placement for most of the birds. There are roosters that are available for adoption.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724290257543.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Animal Services officers responded to complaints about potential neglect of the animals. Their investigation uncovered that the property was littered with trash, animal carcasses, and dead birds. The living animals were found in inadequate housing with no access to water or ventilation and displayed signs of neglect. These circumstances are not only inhumane but also in violation of the city code.In addition to rescuing the animals, Animal Services will be issuing citations to the owner for multiple violations, including failure to provide adequate care. The owner also has outstanding warrants related to prior animal-related offenses.“We are grateful to our officers who continued to investigate this case and glad to have these animals in our care now, where they will receive the attention and love they deserve," said Tori Fugate, chief communications officer at KC Pet Project. "We set up little pools of water for the ducks and it was a heartwarming scene to see them immediately jump into the water to clean themselves off. This case is another example of why it is important to report any suspected cases of animal neglect to help us protect animals who cannot speak for themselves."Some of the animals on the property could not be captured, so officers will continue to visit the property to work to capture them. If you are interested in adopting the roosters, you may visit them starting August 20th at the KC Campus for Animal Care, located at 7077 Elmwood Avenue.

31 animals rescued from 'deplorable conditions' in Kansas City

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Drivers continue traveling far above the posted speed limits across Kansas. Since August 19, the Kansas Highway Patrol reported on social media five instances of driver stopped and cited for speeds well over 100mph

On Wednesday KHP Lieutenant Davis stopped a driver traveling 104 mph in a 75 mph zone in Dickinson County. 

Excessive speed endangers everyone. Please slow down and drive safely.&nbsp;Report aggressive drivers on the highways to *47.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724271796346.png" alt="photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Drivers continue traveling far above the posted speed limits across Kansas. Since August 19, the Kansas Highway Patrol reported on social media five instances of driver stopped and cited for speeds well over 100mphOn Wednesday KHP Lieutenant Davis stopped a driver traveling 104 mph in a 75 mph zone in Dickinson County. Excessive speed endangers everyone. Please slow down and drive safely.&nbsp;Report aggressive drivers on the highways to *47.

KHP reports driver traveling 104mhp in a 75mph zone

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a 2022 killing at a Kansas gas station.

Last week, Judge Michael Joyce sentenced 27-year-old Zarrell Finley to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 50-years, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In July, a jury found Finley guilty of first degree murder.

Just before 4:30p.m. July 31, 2022, police responded to report of a shooting at a BP gas station in the 8600 Block of College Boulevard, according to a media release from Overland Park police.

They found&nbsp; 26-year-old Shaquille Jackson of Kansas City, Missouri with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

An FBI Fugitive task force tracked Finley down and arrested him.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723816973690.png" alt="Finley-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Finley-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a 2022 killing at a Kansas gas station.Last week, Judge Michael Joyce sentenced 27-year-old Zarrell Finley to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 50-years, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.In July, a jury found Finley guilty of first degree murder.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723924030852.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 4:30p.m. July 31, 2022, police responded to report of a shooting at a BP gas station in the 8600 Block of College Boulevard, according to a media release from Overland Park police.They found&nbsp; 26-year-old Shaquille Jackson of Kansas City, Missouri with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.An FBI Fugitive task force tracked Finley down and arrested him.&nbsp;

Hard 50: Man sentenced for killing at Kansas gas station

SHAWNEE COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities investigating a jewelry store theft asked the public for help to identify a suspect.

Just before 2 p.m. Monday, the suspect involved in this incident, identified as Javier Hernandez, 31, of Topeka, turned himself in to the Shawnee County Law Enforcement Center.

He was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a requested charges that include 13 counts of of Theft; Shoplifting, according to online jail records.

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

 The alleged suspect, as shown in security camera images, left the area in a light blue Chevrolet Malibu with front end damage. He was last seen wearing a purple t-shirt, faded jeans, white shoes and silver chains around his neck. He has a tattoo on the top of his right wrist and on his upper left arm.&nbsp; On August 14, police asked the public for help to identify him.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723667208542.png" alt="Photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities investigating a jewelry store theft asked the public for help to identify a suspect.Just before 2 p.m. Monday, the suspect involved in this incident, identified as Javier Hernandez, 31, of Topeka, turned himself in to the Shawnee County Law Enforcement Center.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724167418130.png" alt="Hernandez photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hernandez photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>He was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a requested charges that include 13 counts of of Theft; Shoplifting, according to online jail records.Just after 4:30 p.m., August 9,&nbsp; police responded to a reported theft at Kay Jeweler’s at West Ridge Mall, 1801 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka, according to a media release.&nbsp; The alleged suspect, as shown in security camera images, left the area in a light blue Chevrolet Malibu with front end damage. He was last seen wearing a purple t-shirt, faded jeans, white shoes and silver chains around his neck. He has a tattoo on the top of his right wrist and on his upper left arm.&nbsp; On August 14, police asked the public for help to identify him.

Suspect faces 13 charges for theft from Kansas jewelry store 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide after they found a man's body in the trunk of a car in a vacant lot.

Just after 8a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in a vacant lot located in the 8200 block of West Irving Street in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.

Officers were directed to a white four door Mercedes and discovered a deceased 39-year-old man in the trunk of the vehicle.

The victim was found wrapped in blood-stained bedding with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body. His remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner's Office for further examination.

During the investigation, detectives identified the Deluxe Motel at 8401 W. Kellogg Drive as the original crime scene. Police have not released the identity of the victim.

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Wichita Police Department Homicide Investigators at (316) 268-4407. For those who wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724266152157.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide after they found a man's body in the trunk of a car in a vacant lot.Just after 8a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in a vacant lot located in the 8200 block of West Irving Street in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.Officers were directed to a white four door Mercedes and discovered a deceased 39-year-old man in the trunk of the vehicle.The victim was found wrapped in blood-stained bedding with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body. His remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner's Office for further examination.During the investigation, detectives identified the Deluxe Motel at 8401 W. Kellogg Drive as the original crime scene. Police have not released the identity of the victim.Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Wichita Police Department Homicide Investigators at (316) 268-4407. For those who wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111

Kansas homicide: Body found in trunk of car in vacant lot

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/skychadde/">SKY CHADDE</a>&nbsp;

Agribusiness giant Bayer won a legal victory last week in long-running litigation over whether its popular Roundup pesticide has caused cancer.

The case started in 2019, when a husband and wife in Pennsylvania sued Missouri-based Monsanto, which Bayer purchased in 2018, and alleged the company had violated state law by not including a cancer warning label on Roundup. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates pesticides, did not make the company add such a warning.

On Aug. 15, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, based in Pennsylvania,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10041458/david-schaffner-jr-v-monsanto-corp/?q=bayer&amp;type=o&amp;order_by=dateFiled%20desc&amp;stat_Precedential=on" target="_blank">ruled</a>&nbsp;the federal law governing pesticides — the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA — requires “nationwide uniformity” over pesticide regulation. The state of Pennsylvania did not have authority in the case, the court decided.

The appeals court decision in Pennsylvania conflicts with another decision made earlier this year in Atlanta,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2024/08/16/bayer-roundup-appeal-victory-compels-review.html" target="_blank">according to the St. Louis Business Journal</a>.

In February, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled FIFRA did not preempt state law. Georgia’s law on warning residents about possible harms from pesticides was “fully consistent with” the federal law, according to the Business Journal.

Because the decisions conflict with each other, that could lead to the U.S. Supreme Court stepping in,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/bayer-wins-victory-us-legal-battle-against-roundup-cancer-claims-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters</a>.

Bayer told Reuters the Supreme Court should “settle this important issue of law.”

In 2020, Bayer settled most of its Roundup litigation for about $10 billion, but some cases still remain active. After news of the legal victory, Bayer’s stock price surged,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/bayer-surges-after-roundup-appeal-wins-in-philadelphia-court/ar-AA1oSmvq" target="_blank">according to Bloomberg</a>. It had been slumping over the past year.

This&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2024/08/19/bayer-notches-win-in-roundup-litigation/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593022262288.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/skychadde/">SKY CHADDE</a>&nbsp;Agribusiness giant Bayer won a legal victory last week in long-running litigation over whether its popular Roundup pesticide has caused cancer.The case started in 2019, when a husband and wife in Pennsylvania sued Missouri-based Monsanto, which Bayer purchased in 2018, and alleged the company had violated state law by not including a cancer warning label on Roundup. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates pesticides, did not make the company add such a warning.On Aug. 15, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, based in Pennsylvania,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10041458/david-schaffner-jr-v-monsanto-corp/?q=bayer&amp;type=o&amp;order_by=dateFiled%20desc&amp;stat_Precedential=on" target="_blank">ruled</a>&nbsp;the federal law governing pesticides — the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA — requires “nationwide uniformity” over pesticide regulation. The state of Pennsylvania did not have authority in the case, the court decided.The appeals court decision in Pennsylvania conflicts with another decision made earlier this year in Atlanta,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2024/08/16/bayer-roundup-appeal-victory-compels-review.html" target="_blank">according to the St. Louis Business Journal</a>.In February, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled FIFRA did not preempt state law. Georgia’s law on warning residents about possible harms from pesticides was “fully consistent with” the federal law, according to the Business Journal.Because the decisions conflict with each other, that could lead to the U.S. Supreme Court stepping in,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/bayer-wins-victory-us-legal-battle-against-roundup-cancer-claims-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters</a>.Bayer told Reuters the Supreme Court should “settle this important issue of law.”In 2020, Bayer settled most of its Roundup litigation for about $10 billion, but some cases still remain active. After news of the legal victory, Bayer’s stock price surged,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/bayer-surges-after-roundup-appeal-wins-in-philadelphia-court/ar-AA1oSmvq" target="_blank">according to Bloomberg</a>. It had been slumping over the past year.This&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2024/08/19/bayer-notches-win-in-roundup-litigation/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<figure>
 <img src="https://investigatemidwest.org/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=747714&amp;ga4=G-R9VE8P61LG" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Bayer notches win in litigation over whether Roundup has caused cancer

The language is posted on Election Day at polling places next to sample ballots

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Organizers behind an abortion-rights amendment that will appear on Missouri’s November ballot filed a lawsuit last week alleging the “fair ballot language” written by the secretary of state’s office&nbsp; is “intentionally argumentative” and bound to create confusion for voters.

Amendment 3 asks voters if they want to legalize abortion up until the point of fetal viability. Abortion has been illegal in Missouri, with only limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother, since June 2022.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">certified the measure for the ballot last week.</a>&nbsp;On the same day, the office published on its website the amendment’s fair ballot language statement, which is meant to be posted at every polling place next to the sample ballot.&nbsp;

The language listed on the secretary of state’s website as of Tuesday reads: “A ‘yes’ vote will enshrine the right to abortion at any time of pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution. Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women.”&nbsp;

“These politicians know that Missouri voters overwhelmingly support Amendment 3,” Rachel Sweet, campaign manager with Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said in a statement. “So they resort to deceptive and misleading tactics.”&nbsp;

Dr. Anna Fitz-James, the named plaintiff in the lawsuit, labeled Ashcroft’s language “unfair, insufficient, inaccurate, misleading, argumentative, prejudicial.”&nbsp;

Fitz-James, a retired physician who lives in Missouri, first filed the abortion rights initiative petition in March 2023&nbsp;on behalf of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign behind the ballot measure which&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">has raised several million dollars this year.</a>

“Missourians are entitled to fair, accurate, and sufficient language that will allow them to cast an informed vote for or against the Amendment without being subjected to the Secretary of State’s disinformation,” according to the lawsuit filed in Cole County, which was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/abortion-rights-activists-sue-missouri-secretary-of-state-to-strike-wording-for-polling-places/article_dab43350-5f1a-11ef-8629-7f82489338f3.html" target="_blank">first reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.&nbsp;</a>

Ashcroft, who recently&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/jay-ashcroft-endorses-mike-kehoe-blames-fundraising-for-finishing-third-in-governors-race/">finished third in the GOP primary for governor</a>, has been vocal in his opposition to abortion.

“I am appalled that factions want to use the courts to misrepresent the truth to push a political agenda,” Ashcroft said in a statement Tuesday in response to the lawsuit, which also accuses him of pushing a political agenda. “I will always fight for the right of Missourians to have clear, understandable ballot language when they vote on such an important fundamental issue as life.”

The abortion rights campaign is asking the court to issue new fair ballot language and order that Ashcroft remove his current language from the government website. A court date has not yet been set.

This isn’t the first time the campaign has sued Ashcroft over the ballot measure.&nbsp;

The initial ballot summary he drafted to appear on the ballot would have asked Missourians, in part, if they wanted to “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.”&nbsp;

A Missouri judge in September&nbsp;ruled Ashcroft’s language was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/judge-rejects-rewrites-summary-for-missouri-abortion-initiative-petition/">“problematic” and inaccurate.</a>

Ashcroft appealed the ruling, but&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-supreme-court-wont-hear-jay-ascrofts-appeal-of-abortion-ballot-summaries/">the Missouri Supreme Court denied</a>&nbsp;to take up the case.&nbsp;

The new ballot language — approved by Missouri courts — will ask voters if they want to:&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724262530682.png" alt=" Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joined the Midwest March for Life on May 1 at the Missouri State Capitol. “I think regardless of what the legislature does, the people of this state – with hard work – can protect all life in this state,” Ashcroft said (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joined the Midwest March for Life on May 1 at the Missouri State Capitol. “I think regardless of what the legislature does, the people of this state – with hard work – can protect all life in this state,” Ashcroft said (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The language is posted on Election Day at polling places next to sample ballots</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/annaspoerre/">ANNA SPOERRE</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Organizers behind an abortion-rights amendment that will appear on Missouri’s November ballot filed a lawsuit last week alleging the “fair ballot language” written by the secretary of state’s office&nbsp; is “intentionally argumentative” and bound to create confusion for voters.Amendment 3 asks voters if they want to legalize abortion up until the point of fetal viability. Abortion has been illegal in Missouri, with only limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother, since June 2022.Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">certified the measure for the ballot last week.</a>&nbsp;On the same day, the office published on its website the amendment’s fair ballot language statement, which is meant to be posted at every polling place next to the sample ballot.&nbsp;The language listed on the secretary of state’s website as of Tuesday reads: “A ‘yes’ vote will enshrine the right to abortion at any time of pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution. Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women.”&nbsp;“These politicians know that Missouri voters overwhelmingly support Amendment 3,” Rachel Sweet, campaign manager with Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said in a statement. “So they resort to deceptive and misleading tactics.”&nbsp;Dr. Anna Fitz-James, the named plaintiff in the lawsuit, labeled Ashcroft’s language “unfair, insufficient, inaccurate, misleading, argumentative, prejudicial.”&nbsp;Fitz-James, a retired physician who lives in Missouri, first filed the abortion rights initiative petition in March 2023&nbsp;on behalf of Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign behind the ballot measure which&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">has raised several million dollars this year.</a>“Missourians are entitled to fair, accurate, and sufficient language that will allow them to cast an informed vote for or against the Amendment without being subjected to the Secretary of State’s disinformation,” according to the lawsuit filed in Cole County, which was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/abortion-rights-activists-sue-missouri-secretary-of-state-to-strike-wording-for-polling-places/article_dab43350-5f1a-11ef-8629-7f82489338f3.html" target="_blank">first reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.&nbsp;</a>Ashcroft, who recently&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/jay-ashcroft-endorses-mike-kehoe-blames-fundraising-for-finishing-third-in-governors-race/">finished third in the GOP primary for governor</a>, has been vocal in his opposition to abortion.“I am appalled that factions want to use the courts to misrepresent the truth to push a political agenda,” Ashcroft said in a statement Tuesday in response to the lawsuit, which also accuses him of pushing a political agenda. “I will always fight for the right of Missourians to have clear, understandable ballot language when they vote on such an important fundamental issue as life.”The abortion rights campaign is asking the court to issue new fair ballot language and order that Ashcroft remove his current language from the government website. A court date has not yet been set.This isn’t the first time the campaign has sued Ashcroft over the ballot measure.&nbsp;The initial ballot summary he drafted to appear on the ballot would have asked Missourians, in part, if they wanted to “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.”&nbsp;A Missouri judge in September&nbsp;ruled Ashcroft’s language was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/judge-rejects-rewrites-summary-for-missouri-abortion-initiative-petition/">“problematic” and inaccurate.</a>Ashcroft appealed the ruling, but&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-supreme-court-wont-hear-jay-ascrofts-appeal-of-abortion-ballot-summaries/">the Missouri Supreme Court denied</a>&nbsp;to take up the case.&nbsp;The new ballot language — approved by Missouri courts — will ask voters if they want to:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>establish a right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any governmental interference of that right presumed invalid;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>remove Missouri’s ban on abortion;</li><li>allow regulation of reproductive health care to improve or maintain the health of the patient;</li><li>require the government not to discriminate, in government programs, funding, and other activities, against persons providing or obtaining reproductive health care; and</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>allow abortion to be restricted or banned after Fetal Viability except to protect the life or health of the woman?</li>
 </ul>

Abortion-rights proponents sue Missouri secretary of state over fair ballot language

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– Flying activity increases this week over the Air Capital with the arrival of aircraft for the 2024 Frontiers in Flight Airshow at McConnell AFB. according to a media release from the air base.

Tuesday and Wednesday, most of McConnell’s aircraft will leave the base for other locations for the week, to perform missions off-station while also making room for airshow activities and setup.

Wednesday marks the arrival of Doc at McConnell. That B-29 Superfortress arrives at approximately 2 p.m.&nbsp; and will be part of the center display for the airshow, along with two KC-135 Stratotankers and two KC-46 Pegasus tankers McConnell.

On Thursday, the Blue Angels arrive at approximately 10 a.m. In addition, a majority of the Airshow’s other aircraft are slated to arrive throughout the day on Thursday. Several of those aircraft are expected to spend extra time flying around the Air Capital, as the base and FAA have worked to open local airspace up to a 10-mile radius around the Dole VA Center, to include the Children’s Hospital, for the pilots to spend time familiarizing themselves with the terrain.

Also on Thursday, at approximately 10:30 p.m., three Army helicopters from Fort Riley are scheduled to arrive, but only after performing night navigation missions en-route to McConnell. The helicopters will be on ground display for the airshow.

On Friday, several small aircraft will arrive from Stearman Field, between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The airshows aerial performers will conduct a practice airshow starting at noon that day, with the Blue Angels taking to the skies at 3 p.m.

On Saturday and Sunday, flying activities begin at noon, and the Blue Angels will again take to the skies at 3 p.m. each day.&nbsp;The airshow runs August 24-25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at McConnell Air Force Base, with both admission and parking being free.&nbsp;

All attendees over the age of 18 are required to present a state- or federal government-issued photo ID for entry, such as a driver’s license or passport. Non-U.S. citizen over the age of 18 can use a passport or permanent resident alien card for entry.

Guests are allowed and encouraged to bring their own drinking water in a non-glass container, filled, to use and refill throughout the day to help prevent heat injuries.

There will be free water fill locations in the general public parking lot and on the airshow ramp for refilling personal water containers. Those locations are marked on the map, along with cooling tents, port-a-potties and first aid stations.

<a>While that parking is available, there will still be large distances of walking, given the overall size of the flightline. The airshow area itself measures 0.67 miles north to south, and will be full of parked aircraft, booths and displays.</a>

Parking will be provided off-base, in the fields owned by Cessna, north of McConnell, west of Rock Road and south of Pawnee Street. Distance from the regular parking area to the airshow entrance is approximately 0.5 miles. As such, the base has organized busses to be available at the center of the general parking area to transport people to and from there and the airshow entrance (Entry #1 on the Airshow map). These distances, combined with the typical August temperatures in Kansas and the heat-amplifying effects of concrete runways make hydration especially important for airshow attendees and staff.

Accessibility parking is available by filling out the following form online:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility" target="_blank">https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility</a>

Those who are approved for this parking will be e-mailed a parking pass, which they will have to print out. That pass will enable parking at select locations on base.

For those bringing small children, wristbands are available at the entry points to the flightline, to allow adults to write a phone number on the band and put it on the child’s wrist. Should the adults and children become separated, that phone number will facilitate a quick reunion with their adults.&nbsp; The Lost Child RV will be located near the Kids Zone and close to the Boeing Dreamlifter.&nbsp; The Dreamlifter will be the largest aircraft on the ramp, on the north end of the runway area and near the STEAM and Kid Zones. Changing stations and a dedicated nursing area will also be nearby.

A full list of items that guests are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#bring" target="_blank">allowed to bring</a>, as well as a list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#nobring" target="_blank">prohibited items</a>, is available at the airshow website,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.frontiersinflight.com/" target="_blank">www.frontiersinflight.com</a>

Aerial performances begin at noon each day. The headline act, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, takes to the skies at approximately 3 p.m. each day of the airshow.

The confirmed aerial performers for the airshow are:

The Budweiser Clydesdales hitch is scheduled to make an appearance at 11:30 a.m., each day of the airshow.

The confirmed aircraft on static display are shown on the airshow map, current as of its publication date. Those aircraft on display will be:

Wichita’s military presence is more than just Air Force, with a number of Reserve and Guard units in the area from across the military branches. The largest of these locally is the Army Reserve’s 451st&nbsp;Expeditionary Sustainment Command, which is headquartered here. The 451st&nbsp;ESC has coordinated the appearance of several Army aviation and ground assets at the event, bringing a little extra steel and firepower for visitors to see. These will include:

<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/">Click here for </a>more information on the air show

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724252189685.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– Flying activity increases this week over the Air Capital with the arrival of aircraft for the 2024 Frontiers in Flight Airshow at McConnell AFB. according to a media release from the air base.Tuesday and Wednesday, most of McConnell’s aircraft will leave the base for other locations for the week, to perform missions off-station while also making room for airshow activities and setup.Wednesday marks the arrival of Doc at McConnell. That B-29 Superfortress arrives at approximately 2 p.m.&nbsp; and will be part of the center display for the airshow, along with two KC-135 Stratotankers and two KC-46 Pegasus tankers McConnell.On Thursday, the Blue Angels arrive at approximately 10 a.m. In addition, a majority of the Airshow’s other aircraft are slated to arrive throughout the day on Thursday. Several of those aircraft are expected to spend extra time flying around the Air Capital, as the base and FAA have worked to open local airspace up to a 10-mile radius around the Dole VA Center, to include the Children’s Hospital, for the pilots to spend time familiarizing themselves with the terrain.Also on Thursday, at approximately 10:30 p.m., three Army helicopters from Fort Riley are scheduled to arrive, but only after performing night navigation missions en-route to McConnell. The helicopters will be on ground display for the airshow.On Friday, several small aircraft will arrive from Stearman Field, between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The airshows aerial performers will conduct a practice airshow starting at noon that day, with the Blue Angels taking to the skies at 3 p.m.On Saturday and Sunday, flying activities begin at noon, and the Blue Angels will again take to the skies at 3 p.m. each day.&nbsp;The airshow runs August 24-25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at McConnell Air Force Base, with both admission and parking being free.&nbsp;All attendees over the age of 18 are required to present a state- or federal government-issued photo ID for entry, such as a driver’s license or passport. Non-U.S. citizen over the age of 18 can use a passport or permanent resident alien card for entry.Guests are allowed and encouraged to bring their own drinking water in a non-glass container, filled, to use and refill throughout the day to help prevent heat injuries.There will be free water fill locations in the general public parking lot and on the airshow ramp for refilling personal water containers. Those locations are marked on the map, along with cooling tents, port-a-potties and first aid stations.Distances<a>While that parking is available, there will still be large distances of walking, given the overall size of the flightline. The airshow area itself measures 0.67 miles north to south, and will be full of parked aircraft, booths and displays.</a>General ParkingParking will be provided off-base, in the fields owned by Cessna, north of McConnell, west of Rock Road and south of Pawnee Street. Distance from the regular parking area to the airshow entrance is approximately 0.5 miles. As such, the base has organized busses to be available at the center of the general parking area to transport people to and from there and the airshow entrance (Entry #1 on the Airshow map). These distances, combined with the typical August temperatures in Kansas and the heat-amplifying effects of concrete runways make hydration especially important for airshow attendees and staff.Accessibility ParkingAccessibility parking is available by filling out the following form online:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility" target="_blank">https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility</a>Those who are approved for this parking will be e-mailed a parking pass, which they will have to print out. That pass will enable parking at select locations on base.Lost ChildrenFor those bringing small children, wristbands are available at the entry points to the flightline, to allow adults to write a phone number on the band and put it on the child’s wrist. Should the adults and children become separated, that phone number will facilitate a quick reunion with their adults.&nbsp; The Lost Child RV will be located near the Kids Zone and close to the Boeing Dreamlifter.&nbsp; The Dreamlifter will be the largest aircraft on the ramp, on the north end of the runway area and near the STEAM and Kid Zones. Changing stations and a dedicated nursing area will also be nearby.Allowed &amp; Prohibited ItemsA full list of items that guests are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#bring" target="_blank">allowed to bring</a>, as well as a list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#nobring" target="_blank">prohibited items</a>, is available at the airshow website,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.frontiersinflight.com/" target="_blank">www.frontiersinflight.com</a>Aerial Performance TimesAerial performances begin at noon each day. The headline act, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, takes to the skies at approximately 3 p.m. each day of the airshow.Aerial PerformersThe confirmed aerial performers for the airshow are:<ul>
 <li>Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets</li><li>Fat Albert (Blue Angels support C-130J Super Hercules)</li><li>F-35 Lightning Demo Team</li><li>P-51 Heritage Flight</li><li>2x A-10 Thunderbolt II Formation Demo</li><li>Tora Tora Tora</li><li>“Swamp Fox” P-51</li><li>Twin Beech 18 “Matt Younkin”</li><li>Havilland D.H. 115 “Vampire”</li><li>Bill Stien “Edge 540”</li><li>Tom Larkin “Mini Jet”</li><li>Brian Correll “Pitts II”</li><li>KC-135/KC-46 Refuel Demo</li><li>Precision Exotics “Super Cars”</li>
 </ul>ClydesdalesThe Budweiser Clydesdales hitch is scheduled to make an appearance at 11:30 a.m., each day of the airshow.Aircraft on DisplayThe confirmed aircraft on static display are shown on the airshow map, current as of its publication date. Those aircraft on display will be:<ul>
 <li>Doc B-29 Superfortress</li><li>KC-135 Stratotankers</li><li>KC-46 Pegasus</li><li>Fat Albert (C-130J Super Hercules)</li><li>A-10 Thunderbolt IIs</li><li>F-15 Eagles</li><li>F-16 Fighting Falcons</li><li>F-22 Raptors</li><li>F-35 Lightning IIs</li><li>B-1 Lancer</li><li>B-52 Stratofortress</li><li>Navy P-8 Poseidon</li><li>C-17 Globemaster III</li><li>RC-135 Rivet Joint</li><li>T-38 Talons</li><li>T-6 Texans</li><li>T-1A Jayhawk</li><li>T-41 Mescalero (Cessna 172)</li><li>T-53A Kadet II (Cirrus SR-20)</li><li>Boeing Dreamlifter</li><li>A-26 Invader “Lady Liberty”</li><li>LearJet 36A – Around the world&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-07-02/learjet-global-circumnavigation-deemed-world-record" target="_blank">record holder</a></li><li>Stearman Biplanes</li>
 </ul>Army Displays:Wichita’s military presence is more than just Air Force, with a number of Reserve and Guard units in the area from across the military branches. The largest of these locally is the Army Reserve’s 451st&nbsp;Expeditionary Sustainment Command, which is headquartered here. The 451st&nbsp;ESC has coordinated the appearance of several Army aviation and ground assets at the event, bringing a little extra steel and firepower for visitors to see. These will include:<ul>
 <li>Light Medium Tactical Vehicle</li><li>High-Mobility, Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)</li><li>Joint Light Tactical Vehicle</li><li>UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter</li><li>HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter</li><li>CH-47 Chinook helicopter</li>
 </ul><a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/">Click here for </a>more information on the air show

Plan ahead if attending McConnell Airshow this weekend

SHERIDAN COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified the individuals involved in a second fatal accident that occurred Monday in Sheridan County.

According to the Highway Patrol, just after 11 a.m. Trooper Ethan Masterson, 27, Oakley, was responding to a&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/759ff407-0334-4dd7-8000-843c42f9d5e8">fatal accident</a>&nbsp;on KS-23 south of Hoxie when Masterson’s Dodge SUV collided with an SUV at the intersection of 100 S Road and 40 E Road, approximately four miles east of K-23.

The driver of the second SUV, Gerald D. Rahier, 42, Hoxie was killed in the accident.

A passenger, Arielle C. Lemos, 38, Hoxie and two children, ages 4 and 5, all suffered serious injuries and were transported to the&nbsp;Sheridan County Health Complex in Hoxie.

All four people in the SUV were properly restrained at the time of the accident.

The Highway Patrol reported Masterson did have his lights and sirens activated at the time of the accident. He was not injured.

SHERIDAN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal crash involving a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper.

Just after 11 a.m. Monday, a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper was responding to a two-vehicle fatality collision involving a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) that occurred on K-23 between Hoxie and Interstate 70 in Sheridan County, according to a media release from the KHP.

The Trooper was westbound on 100 South Road with emergency lights and siren activated as he approached the intersection at 40 East Road.&nbsp;

The Trooper entered the intersection and struck the driver’s side of a southbound SUV.&nbsp; As a result of the collision, the male driver was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; A female passenger in the front passenger seat and a 1-year-old passenger were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A 3-year-old passenger was air-lifted from the collision scene.&nbsp; The trooper was treated and released from the scene.

The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team was called to the scene, and this crash remains under investigation at this time.

SHERIDAN COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified the individuals involved in a second fatal accident that occurred Monday in Sheridan County.According to the Highway Patrol, just after 11 a.m. Trooper Ethan Masterson, 27, Oakley, was responding to a&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/759ff407-0334-4dd7-8000-843c42f9d5e8">fatal accident</a>&nbsp;on KS-23 south of Hoxie when Masterson’s Dodge SUV collided with an SUV at the intersection of 100 S Road and 40 E Road, approximately four miles east of K-23.The driver of the second SUV, Gerald D. Rahier, 42, Hoxie was killed in the accident.A passenger, Arielle C. Lemos, 38, Hoxie and two children, ages 4 and 5, all suffered serious injuries and were transported to the&nbsp;Sheridan County Health Complex in Hoxie.All four people in the SUV were properly restrained at the time of the accident.The Highway Patrol reported Masterson did have his lights and sirens activated at the time of the accident. He was not injured.----------SHERIDAN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal crash involving a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper.Just after 11 a.m. Monday, a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper was responding to a two-vehicle fatality collision involving a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) that occurred on K-23 between Hoxie and Interstate 70 in Sheridan County, according to a media release from the KHP.The Trooper was westbound on 100 South Road with emergency lights and siren activated as he approached the intersection at 40 East Road.&nbsp;The Trooper entered the intersection and struck the driver’s side of a southbound SUV.&nbsp; As a result of the collision, the male driver was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; A female passenger in the front passenger seat and a 1-year-old passenger were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A 3-year-old passenger was air-lifted from the collision scene.&nbsp; The trooper was treated and released from the scene.The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team was called to the scene, and this crash remains under investigation at this time.

KHP IDs victims in crash with Trooper on way to another crash

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after tracking down a stolen vehicle with a child left inside.

Just after 4 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a reported aggravated robbery of a vehicle near SW 29th and Macvicar Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

It was reported that the vehicle was stolen by individuals who are known to the vehicle owner and a child was inside. The child was quickly located in the 3200 block of SW Central Park and was taken into police custody.

A short time later, officers located the stolen vehicle near SE 35th and Indiana in Topeka and initiated a traffic stop. The driver fled and initiated a short pursuit, which ended when the vehicle struck a pole near SE 29th and Minnesota where two suspects ran from the crash. Officers then located and took them into custody. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Around 8:30 a.m., police received the report of an unresponsive man in the 2200 block of SE 29th Street. Officers responded and located the individual, who was transported to a local hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries. Police investigators believe the two incidents are related.

As a result of the investigation, Lorenzo A. Pattmon III, 21, and Rammelo H. Boatwright, 24, both of Topeka, were arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department on requested charges Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Child Endangerment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724243340231.png" alt="Pattmon-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Pattmon-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after tracking down a stolen vehicle with a child left inside.Just after 4 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a reported aggravated robbery of a vehicle near SW 29th and Macvicar Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.It was reported that the vehicle was stolen by individuals who are known to the vehicle owner and a child was inside. The child was quickly located in the 3200 block of SW Central Park and was taken into police custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724243427663.png" alt="Boatwright -photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Boatwright -photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A short time later, officers located the stolen vehicle near SE 35th and Indiana in Topeka and initiated a traffic stop. The driver fled and initiated a short pursuit, which ended when the vehicle struck a pole near SE 29th and Minnesota where two suspects ran from the crash. Officers then located and took them into custody. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.Around 8:30 a.m., police received the report of an unresponsive man in the 2200 block of SE 29th Street. Officers responded and located the individual, who was transported to a local hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries. Police investigators believe the two incidents are related.As a result of the investigation, Lorenzo A. Pattmon III, 21, and Rammelo H. Boatwright, 24, both of Topeka, were arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department on requested charges Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Child Endangerment.

Police found vehicle stolen in Kansas with child inside

DOUGLAS COUNTY— One firefighter was injured and residents evacuated following a fire in Lawrence on Monday.&nbsp;

Lawrence Police released a behind the scenes look at the community effort that went into safely evacuating every resident of the Brandon Woods senior liviing community during the fire.

Just after noon Monday, crews&nbsp;responded to a fire at Brandon Woods senior living residence, 1501 Inverness Drive in Lawrence, according to a media release from Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.

Multiple reports of heavy smoke and fire with flames were reported by residents and bystanders.

First responders arrived to find occupants being evacuated by facility staff and Lawrence Kansas Police Department.&nbsp;There was a large amount of dense smoke coming from the structure.

Fire was found in the attic and crews performed venting efforts upon arrival. Additional resources such as department chief officers, the mobile integrated health (MIH) team, and the logistics technician responded to the incident to assist with moving residents to designated safety spaces.

The fire was declared under control at 2:20 p.m. LDCFM crews will continue to perform fire watch on the building overnight.

LDCFM coordinated with the Lawrence Transit Department and LKPD to transport approximately 85 residents to Bella Sera Condominiums. The residents were connected to resources with the Red Cross and Douglas County Emergency Management to identify alternative housing options.

One LKPD officer was transported for smoke inhalation. No other injuries have been reported.

Resources through mutual aid were provided from Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No. 1, Olathe Fire Department, Overland Park Fire Department, and Johnson County MED-ACT. These resources assisted with additional coverage for the City of Lawrence and Douglas County during this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724105670101.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY— One firefighter was injured and residents evacuated following a fire in Lawrence on Monday.&nbsp;Lawrence Police released a behind the scenes look at the community effort that went into safely evacuating every resident of the Brandon Woods senior liviing community during the fire.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLawrenceKansasPolice%2Fvideos%2F1676278606560133%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" 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 after noon Monday, crews&nbsp;responded to a fire at Brandon Woods senior living residence, 1501 Inverness Drive in Lawrence, according to a media release from Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.Multiple reports of heavy smoke and fire with flames were reported by residents and bystanders.First responders arrived to find occupants being evacuated by facility staff and Lawrence Kansas Police Department.&nbsp;There was a large amount of dense smoke coming from the structure.Fire was found in the attic and crews performed venting efforts upon arrival. Additional resources such as department chief officers, the mobile integrated health (MIH) team, and the logistics technician responded to the incident to assist with moving residents to designated safety spaces.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724105638159.png" alt="Photo Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>The fire was declared under control at 2:20 p.m. LDCFM crews will continue to perform fire watch on the building overnight.LDCFM coordinated with the Lawrence Transit Department and LKPD to transport approximately 85 residents to Bella Sera Condominiums. The residents were connected to resources with the Red Cross and Douglas County Emergency Management to identify alternative housing options.One LKPD officer was transported for smoke inhalation. No other injuries have been reported.Resources through mutual aid were provided from Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No. 1, Olathe Fire Department, Overland Park Fire Department, and Johnson County MED-ACT. These resources assisted with additional coverage for the City of Lawrence and Douglas County during this incident.

🎥 Body camera view: Residents evacuated from Kan. senior living center fire

TANEY COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just before 8p.m. Tuesday in Taney&nbsp; County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse driven by James M. Turk, 56, Ozark, was northbound on U.S. 65 eight miles north of Branson. The motorcycle traveled off the left side of the road, overturned in the median, traveled across the south side of the road and struck the guardrail.&nbsp;

Turk was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

TANEY COUNTY—A Missouri man died in an accident just before 8p.m. Tuesday in Taney&nbsp; County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse driven by James M. Turk, 56, Ozark, was northbound on U.S. 65 eight miles north of Branson. The motorcycle traveled off the left side of the road, overturned in the median, traveled across the south side of the road and struck the guardrail.&nbsp; Turk was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after motorcycle accident

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a suspect who didn't show up for a scheduled sentencing hearing for his role in a homicide that occurred in 2023.

According to Wichita Police, 64-year-old&nbsp;Kevin Harris was out on bond&nbsp; and&nbsp; cut off his ankle monitor.

In August of 2023, police arrested Harris of Lawrence after a 16-hour standoff in Lawrence for the death of&nbsp;51-year-old Jose Lumbreras of Wichita.

Just after 11 p.m. August 22, police learned Harris had fled Wichita and was believed to be inside an apartment in the 1400 block of Bristol Terrace in Lawrence, according to Police Sgt. Drew Fennelly

While working to gather more information from Wichita, officers in Lawrence set up a perimeter on the apartment building, and gathered information that led investigators to believe Harris was there.

The Lawrence Police Crisis Response Team was activated and responded to the area, as well our Crisis Response Negotiators and&nbsp; the Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle team.

Crisis Negotiators were able to establish contact with people in the apartment and verified Harris was there. The Lawrence Police tactical team then began methodically evacuating the apartment building when it was clear the suspect was not going to come out, and was allegedly armed.

After multiple hours of discussion, negotiators were able to convince Harris to allow a woman in the apartment to leave.&nbsp; Following multiple additional hours of discussion, negotiators convinced Harris to also leave the apartment and he peacefully surrendered at&nbsp;3:30 p.m., according to Fennelly.

If you know Harris or know where he is call police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723748372094.png" alt="Harris photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Harris photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a suspect who didn't show up for a scheduled sentencing hearing for his role in a homicide that occurred in 2023.According to Wichita Police, 64-year-old&nbsp;Kevin Harris was out on bond&nbsp; and&nbsp; cut off his ankle monitor.In August of 2023, police arrested Harris of Lawrence after a 16-hour standoff in Lawrence for the death of&nbsp;51-year-old Jose Lumbreras of Wichita.Just after 11 p.m. August 22, police learned Harris had fled Wichita and was believed to be inside an apartment in the 1400 block of Bristol Terrace in Lawrence, according to Police Sgt. Drew FennellyWhile working to gather more information from Wichita, officers in Lawrence set up a perimeter on the apartment building, and gathered information that led investigators to believe Harris was there.The Lawrence Police Crisis Response Team was activated and responded to the area, as well our Crisis Response Negotiators and&nbsp; the Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle team.Crisis Negotiators were able to establish contact with people in the apartment and verified Harris was there. The Lawrence Police tactical team then began methodically evacuating the apartment building when it was clear the suspect was not going to come out, and was allegedly armed.After multiple hours of discussion, negotiators were able to convince Harris to allow a woman in the apartment to leave.&nbsp; Following multiple additional hours of discussion, negotiators convinced Harris to also leave the apartment and he peacefully surrendered at&nbsp;3:30 p.m., according to Fennelly.If you know Harris or know where he is call police.

Kan. man who cut off ankle monitor, skipped sentencing is still missing 

JOHNSON COUNTY —In the first 18-days of August, police in the city of Shawnee, Kansas are investigating multiple reports of auto burglaries. 

Ten occurred between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on August 14, near 51st Street between Monticello Road and Woodland Drive.

The suspects entered both locked and unlocked vehicles, taking backpacks, wallets, debit/credit cards, cash, and a handgun.

Police released still images are from video surveillance and hope someone might recognize the suspects despite their attempts to conceal their identity.

Anyone with information can call 913-631-2150. If you see something, say something immediately by calling the same number to report suspicious activity in your neighborhood.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724083140087.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —In the first 18-days of August, police in the city of Shawnee, Kansas are investigating multiple reports of auto burglaries. Ten occurred between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on August 14, near 51st Street between Monticello Road and Woodland Drive.The suspects entered both locked and unlocked vehicles, taking backpacks, wallets, debit/credit cards, cash, and a handgun.Police released still images are from video surveillance and hope someone might recognize the suspects despite their attempts to conceal their identity.Anyone with information can call 913-631-2150. If you see something, say something immediately by calling the same number to report suspicious activity in your neighborhood.

Series of car burglaries reported in Kansas community

The majority of itemized donations to Kunce and Hawley come from outside the state, making up more than half of the total each has raised

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

In his re-election campaign, Missouri Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley wants to use Democratic nominee Lucas Kunce’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/18/challengers-outraise-incumbents-in-missouri-races-for-senate-1st-congressional-district/">successful fundraising effort</a>&nbsp;as a weapon.

Since the start of 2023, Kunce has collected $11.2 million, all but about 3% from individuals giving in amounts ranging from less than $1 to the maximum contribution of $3,300. Hawley, who has raised a little more than $9 million through his campaign and joint fundraising PAC in the same period, has also collected more than 90% of his funding from individual donations.

That makes Kunce the best-funded Democrat in a statewide contest this year. He opened the fall campaign with nearly $1 million in television advertising that began a week before the primary. Hawley has countered with more than $700,000 in ad buys, as tallied by The Independent from&nbsp;<a href="https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/" target="_blank">broadcaster reports to the FCC</a>.

A key strategy of Hawley’s campaign so far has been to paint Kunce as out-of-touch with Missouri voters and funded by out-of-state interests.

“It’s no surprise that Lucas Kunce has been outraising my campaign with the help of California millionaires, but I won’t back down,” Hawley said in a recent fundraising email to supporters.

In a face-to-face confrontation with Kunce last week at the Missouri State Fair ham breakfast, Hawley repeated his attacks.

“This guy, over 60% of his contributions come from outside the state,” Hawley said, “He’s taking money from Bain Capital, for heaven’s sake.”

“I have never taken money from Bain Capital,” Kunce responded. “I take money from individuals. Our average donation is $30. We have donations from all 114 counties.”

Asked about the attacks after he and Hawley separated, Kunce said it shows Hawley cannot win on a campaign that compares policy positions.

“He doesn’t want to talk about anything that he’s actually done, and he wants to just make up other stuff to attack me on,” Kunce said. “”We’ve never taken money from a corporate PAC, I can tell you that much. And so if Bain has a corporate PAC I have not taken money from it.”

The Independent analyzed the fundraising reports of each candidate to test Hawley’s attacks The analysis revealed:

Each candidate’s report lists hundreds of donations of less than $1 and thousands below $10. The vast majority of that money is raised through small-donor conduits aligned with each party, ActBlue for the Democrats and WinRed for Republicans.

Those platforms have helped the parties nationalize races in individual states, and hundreds of candidates in each party raise money through them.

It is true that a majority of Kunce’s itemized individual donations are from outside Missouri, with about 38% of the listed donations and about 41% of the total. The list of almost 54,000 donations – with 20,529 from Missouri – includes many multiple entries for repeat donors.

Kunce said he’s got no apologies for where his donors live.

“We built a real grassroots movement around here,” he said. “And I think that Josh Hawley just doesn’t want to talk about anything that he’s actually done or proposes to do.”

Hawley’s list of individual donors, both since he joined the Senate in 2019 and during the current two-year election cycle, is weighted even heavier to out-of-state donors.&nbsp;

Of his almost 55,000 individual donations listed since he took office, 23% are from Missouri, providing about 38% of the total for those donations. Since the start of 2023, only 22.5% of the itemized donations came from Missourians, contributions that equal 31% of the money Hawley reported in itemized receipts.

Asked whether voters should be concerned that most of his donations come from outside the state, Hawley turned back to his criticism of Kunce.

‘He does not represent our state,” he said.

Neither candidate reports the name of every donor. Federal law allows campaigns to omit the names of donors who give $50 or less.

Kunce does not disclose the donors of $6 million he has received and Hawley has not disclosed the donors for $2 million collected since the start of 2023.

Both candidates have reported hundreds of thousands of dollars from contributors in the Golden State, but it is by no means the main source of funding for either Kunce or Hawley. Along with Hamm, who regularly lends his name to fundraising appeals, and Goodman, who narrated a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg6phTl6M8Q&amp;t=1s" target="_blank">two-minute video for Kunce</a>, the list includes Mark Hamill, the original Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and Michael Shamberg, producer of “A Fish Called Wanda” and “Erin Brockovich.”

“He just got another Hollywood actor to narrate a video for him,” Hawley said after the confrontation at the state fair, adding: “The guy is totally out of step in Missouri. That is my point.”

The Goodman video will not only show up in various media as an ad for Kunce, he is using it to showcase his message to potential donors.

“John Goodman is a born-and-raised Missourian who knows real family values,” an email appeal stated. “He learned them the same way I did, by growing up in a beautiful community where people took care of each other — through good times and tough times.”

In all, Kunce reported about $589,000 from California donors, while Hawley has $251,424 since the start of 2023 and $334,758 since he took office.

During his first two years in office, the portion of Hawley’s campaign finance report where committee donations are listed looked like many from both parties, with interest group PACs of various stripes chipping in.

The list of $91,000 in donations includes corporate PACs for companies like AT&amp;T, Fedex and Citigroup and farm commodity PACs such as The National Cotton Council, the California Rice Industry Association and the National Sorghum Producers, among others.

But then came Jan. 6, 2021, when&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/01/07/after-rioting-mob-is-driven-from-the-capitol-congress-certifies-biden-victory-of-objections-from-josh-hawley/">a violent mob broke into the U.S. Capitol Building</a>&nbsp;while Congress was counting the presidential electoral vote. Hawley not only was the first member of the Senate to announce he planned to challenge the votes of several states, he was photographed&nbsp;with a defiant fist-raised encouragement&nbsp;to members of the group that eventually breached the security perimeter.

The reaction from some of Hawley’s biggest backers was intense and immediate.

David Humphreys, president and CEO of Tamko Building Products in Joplin, denounced Hawley as a “political opportunist” who used&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/01/07/major-josh-hawley-donor-calls-for-him-to-be-censured-by-the-u-s-senate/">“irresponsible, inflammatory, and dangerous tactics”</a>&nbsp;to incite the rioting that took over the U.S. Capitol Building. Humphreys and his family provided $4.4 of the $9.2 million Hawley raised in his campaign for Missouri attorney general in 2016.

Along with corporate donors who vowed to stop giving to the Republicans who objected to certifying the electoral vote, some donors, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/01/11/hallmark-wants-josh-hawley-to-return-contributions-the-companys-pac-made-to-his-campaign/">Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards Inc</a>., asked for Hawley to return their money.

Since the start of 2021, Hawley has reported only a handful of corporate PAC donors and none since the start of 2023. He has received donations from lobbying interests – the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the National Association of Realtors and the American Crystal Sugar PAC among them – and one union, the Teamsters.

Hawley has also taken donations from 21 PACs associated with other members of the Senate or prominent Republicans, including Working for Ohio, the leadership PAC associated with GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance, and the Bluegrass Committee, the leadership PAC for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

“You can go ask Mitch about our relationship and whether or not I’ve supported him for leader,” Hawley said in an interview at the Missouri State Fair. “I’ve never supported him for leader, and I’m not going to.”

Hawley said he wasn’t even aware McConnell’s PAC had donated this cycle.

“Fantastic,” he said. “If he wants to give me money to criticize him, I’ll take it.”

All of the leadership PACs that have given to Hawley accept corporate PAC donations.

Hawley said he doesn’t check where the leadership PACs get their money before depositing their donations.

“I don’t know what other people get,” Hawley said. “I can control what I get, and I do not accept corporate money.”

Publicly refusing corporate PAC funding while accepting donations from PACs that raise significant cash from corporate contributors is hypocritical, Kunce said.

“He’s laundering the money,” Kunce said. “The guy’s being a fraud about it. I’m proud of the way that we don’t take corporate PAC money, no federal lobbyist money and no big pharma executive money.”

Kunce has accepted 46 donations from PACs since the start of 2023 – 36 from PACs associated with unions and the rest from committees that have a partisan bent toward Democrats. The Democratic PACs all raise money from small donors.

Union PACs are different from corporate PACs, Kunce said.

“Union PACs are created to empower everyday people, to give power to everyday folks…and change who has power in this country,” Kunce said. “Corporate PACs are set up so that corporations can remain in power over the rest of us.”

The name of Bain Capital is a dirty word in some Republican circles.

The venture capital firm was founded and led initially by U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah – the GOP’s 2012 nominee for president and one of former President Donald Trump’s most vocal Republican critics.

In 2022, when Kunce sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, he accepted $5,800 in donations from contributors who listed their employer as Bain Capital. None of his individual donations in the current cycle are from people employed by Bain.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724235078234.png" alt=" Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Lucas Kunce and Republican incumbent Josh Hawley, converge Aug. 15 in the middle of the governor’s ham breakfast at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Lucas Kunce and Republican incumbent Josh Hawley, converge Aug. 15 in the middle of the governor’s ham breakfast at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The majority of itemized donations to Kunce and Hawley come from outside the state, making up more than half of the total each has raised</h2>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>In his re-election campaign, Missouri Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley wants to use Democratic nominee Lucas Kunce’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/18/challengers-outraise-incumbents-in-missouri-races-for-senate-1st-congressional-district/">successful fundraising effort</a>&nbsp;as a weapon.Since the start of 2023, Kunce has collected $11.2 million, all but about 3% from individuals giving in amounts ranging from less than $1 to the maximum contribution of $3,300. Hawley, who has raised a little more than $9 million through his campaign and joint fundraising PAC in the same period, has also collected more than 90% of his funding from individual donations.That makes Kunce the best-funded Democrat in a statewide contest this year. He opened the fall campaign with nearly $1 million in television advertising that began a week before the primary. Hawley has countered with more than $700,000 in ad buys, as tallied by The Independent from&nbsp;<a href="https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/" target="_blank">broadcaster reports to the FCC</a>.A key strategy of Hawley’s campaign so far has been to paint Kunce as out-of-touch with Missouri voters and funded by out-of-state interests.“It’s no surprise that Lucas Kunce has been outraising my campaign with the help of California millionaires, but I won’t back down,” Hawley said in a recent fundraising email to supporters.In a face-to-face confrontation with Kunce last week at the Missouri State Fair ham breakfast, Hawley repeated his attacks.“This guy, over 60% of his contributions come from outside the state,” Hawley said, “He’s taking money from Bain Capital, for heaven’s sake.”“I have never taken money from Bain Capital,” Kunce responded. “I take money from individuals. Our average donation is $30. We have donations from all 114 counties.”Asked about the attacks after he and Hawley separated, Kunce said it shows Hawley cannot win on a campaign that compares policy positions.“He doesn’t want to talk about anything that he’s actually done, and he wants to just make up other stuff to attack me on,” Kunce said. “”We’ve never taken money from a corporate PAC, I can tell you that much. And so if Bain has a corporate PAC I have not taken money from it.”The Independent analyzed the fundraising reports of each candidate to test Hawley’s attacks The analysis revealed:<ul>
 <li>The majority of Kunce’s itemized donations are from outside the state, as are&nbsp; Hawley’s.</li><li>The list of Kunce’s donors includes some famous Hollywood names, including actors John Goodman and Jon Hamm, both born in Missouri.</li><li>Hawley has promised to refuse donations from corporate PACs, a stance he adopted after dozens of corporate donors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/capitol-riot-see-the-full-list-of-companies-halting-pac-donations-11610471235" target="_blank">halted contributions</a>&nbsp;to lawmakers like Hawley who&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2020/12/30/josh-hawley-vows-to-contest-certification-of-joe-bidens-victory/">voted against certifying</a>&nbsp;the results of the 2020 presidential election.</li><li>The statement that Kunce is “taking money from Bain Capital” is based on $5,800 donated to his failed 2022 Democratic primary race from an individual who listed the company as their employer.</li>
 </ul><h2>Here or there</h2>Each candidate’s report lists hundreds of donations of less than $1 and thousands below $10. The vast majority of that money is raised through small-donor conduits aligned with each party, ActBlue for the Democrats and WinRed for Republicans.Those platforms have helped the parties nationalize races in individual states, and hundreds of candidates in each party raise money through them.It is true that a majority of Kunce’s itemized individual donations are from outside Missouri, with about 38% of the listed donations and about 41% of the total. The list of almost 54,000 donations – with 20,529 from Missouri – includes many multiple entries for repeat donors.Kunce said he’s got no apologies for where his donors live.“We built a real grassroots movement around here,” he said. “And I think that Josh Hawley just doesn’t want to talk about anything that he’s actually done or proposes to do.”Hawley’s list of individual donors, both since he joined the Senate in 2019 and during the current two-year election cycle, is weighted even heavier to out-of-state donors.&nbsp;Of his almost 55,000 individual donations listed since he took office, 23% are from Missouri, providing about 38% of the total for those donations. Since the start of 2023, only 22.5% of the itemized donations came from Missourians, contributions that equal 31% of the money Hawley reported in itemized receipts.Asked whether voters should be concerned that most of his donations come from outside the state, Hawley turned back to his criticism of Kunce.‘He does not represent our state,” he said.Neither candidate reports the name of every donor. Federal law allows campaigns to omit the names of donors who give $50 or less.Kunce does not disclose the donors of $6 million he has received and Hawley has not disclosed the donors for $2 million collected since the start of 2023.<h2>California donors</h2>Both candidates have reported hundreds of thousands of dollars from contributors in the Golden State, but it is by no means the main source of funding for either Kunce or Hawley. Along with Hamm, who regularly lends his name to fundraising appeals, and Goodman, who narrated a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg6phTl6M8Q&amp;t=1s" target="_blank">two-minute video for Kunce</a>, the list includes Mark Hamill, the original Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and Michael Shamberg, producer of “A Fish Called Wanda” and “Erin Brockovich.”“He just got another Hollywood actor to narrate a video for him,” Hawley said after the confrontation at the state fair, adding: “The guy is totally out of step in Missouri. That is my point.”The Goodman video will not only show up in various media as an ad for Kunce, he is using it to showcase his message to potential donors.“John Goodman is a born-and-raised Missourian who knows real family values,” an email appeal stated. “He learned them the same way I did, by growing up in a beautiful community where people took care of each other — through good times and tough times.”In all, Kunce reported about $589,000 from California donors, while Hawley has $251,424 since the start of 2023 and $334,758 since he took office.<h2>PAC donations</h2>During his first two years in office, the portion of Hawley’s campaign finance report where committee donations are listed looked like many from both parties, with interest group PACs of various stripes chipping in.The list of $91,000 in donations includes corporate PACs for companies like AT&amp;T, Fedex and Citigroup and farm commodity PACs such as The National Cotton Council, the California Rice Industry Association and the National Sorghum Producers, among others.But then came Jan. 6, 2021, when&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/01/07/after-rioting-mob-is-driven-from-the-capitol-congress-certifies-biden-victory-of-objections-from-josh-hawley/">a violent mob broke into the U.S. Capitol Building</a>&nbsp;while Congress was counting the presidential electoral vote. Hawley not only was the first member of the Senate to announce he planned to challenge the votes of several states, he was photographed&nbsp;with a defiant fist-raised encouragement&nbsp;to members of the group that eventually breached the security perimeter.The reaction from some of Hawley’s biggest backers was intense and immediate.David Humphreys, president and CEO of Tamko Building Products in Joplin, denounced Hawley as a “political opportunist” who used&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/01/07/major-josh-hawley-donor-calls-for-him-to-be-censured-by-the-u-s-senate/">“irresponsible, inflammatory, and dangerous tactics”</a>&nbsp;to incite the rioting that took over the U.S. Capitol Building. Humphreys and his family provided $4.4 of the $9.2 million Hawley raised in his campaign for Missouri attorney general in 2016.Along with corporate donors who vowed to stop giving to the Republicans who objected to certifying the electoral vote, some donors, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/01/11/hallmark-wants-josh-hawley-to-return-contributions-the-companys-pac-made-to-his-campaign/">Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards Inc</a>., asked for Hawley to return their money.Since the start of 2021, Hawley has reported only a handful of corporate PAC donors and none since the start of 2023. He has received donations from lobbying interests – the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the National Association of Realtors and the American Crystal Sugar PAC among them – and one union, the Teamsters.Hawley has also taken donations from 21 PACs associated with other members of the Senate or prominent Republicans, including Working for Ohio, the leadership PAC associated with GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance, and the Bluegrass Committee, the leadership PAC for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.“You can go ask Mitch about our relationship and whether or not I’ve supported him for leader,” Hawley said in an interview at the Missouri State Fair. “I’ve never supported him for leader, and I’m not going to.”Hawley said he wasn’t even aware McConnell’s PAC had donated this cycle.“Fantastic,” he said. “If he wants to give me money to criticize him, I’ll take it.”All of the leadership PACs that have given to Hawley accept corporate PAC donations.Hawley said he doesn’t check where the leadership PACs get their money before depositing their donations.“I don’t know what other people get,” Hawley said. “I can control what I get, and I do not accept corporate money.”Publicly refusing corporate PAC funding while accepting donations from PACs that raise significant cash from corporate contributors is hypocritical, Kunce said.“He’s laundering the money,” Kunce said. “The guy’s being a fraud about it. I’m proud of the way that we don’t take corporate PAC money, no federal lobbyist money and no big pharma executive money.”Kunce has accepted 46 donations from PACs since the start of 2023 – 36 from PACs associated with unions and the rest from committees that have a partisan bent toward Democrats. The Democratic PACs all raise money from small donors.Union PACs are different from corporate PACs, Kunce said.“Union PACs are created to empower everyday people, to give power to everyday folks…and change who has power in this country,” Kunce said. “Corporate PACs are set up so that corporations can remain in power over the rest of us.”<h2>Bain Capital&nbsp;</h2>The name of Bain Capital is a dirty word in some Republican circles.The venture capital firm was founded and led initially by U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah – the GOP’s 2012 nominee for president and one of former President Donald Trump’s most vocal Republican critics.In 2022, when Kunce sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, he accepted $5,800 in donations from contributors who listed their employer as Bain Capital. None of his individual donations in the current cycle are from people employed by Bain.There was no significant carryover from the 2022 campaign to the present effort. In his October 2022 report, Kunce listed $26,350 in cash on hand and $164,983 in debts.But for Hawley, those donations from 2022 are enough to justify his attack.“When you suck money from Bain Capital, you may as well put ‘owned by Wall Street’ right on your chest,” Hawley said at the campaign stop in Boonville.Kunce, asked about the donations, said every contribution from an individual represents support for his issues, not the corporate interests of the donor’s employer.“We’ve never taken money from a corporate PAC, I can tell you that much,” Kunce siad. “And so if Bain has a corporate PAC I have not taken money from it.”<h2>What it means</h2>Unlike the 2018 election, when Hawley defeated Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, there has been little evidence super PACs – groups that can accept unlimited donations –&nbsp; intend to make a major effort in the state.In 2018, Hawley and McCaskill combined to spend about $50 million, with about $39 million raised and spent by McCaskill. Outside groups spent $76 million more, according to the campaign finance tracking site&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2018&amp;id=mos2" target="_blank">Open Secrets</a>.The dynamic could change if polls show Kunce’s early ad effort puts him within striking distance, or if national groups see an opening because&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">abortion rights</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/sports-wagering-minimum-wage-hike-headed-for-november-vote-in-missouri/">minimum wage</a>&nbsp;ballot measures impact other campaigns.