ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Kansas Highway Patrol reports more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.

On Monday, KHP Lt. Brown in Ellsworth County stopped a vehicle on I-70 westbound going 106 mph in a 75 mph zone, according to a social media report.

In addition to speeding, the driver was not traveling in the right lane like they should. Speeding and not following lane rules puts everyone in danger.&nbsp; The ticket was for $393.00.

Please, drive safe, follow the limits, and keep right unless you’re passing. Report aggressive drivers on the highways to *47.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724114776914.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Kansas Highway Patrol reports more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.On Monday, KHP Lt. Brown in Ellsworth County stopped a vehicle on I-70 westbound going 106 mph in a 75 mph zone, according to a social media report.In addition to speeding, the driver was not traveling in the right lane like they should. Speeding and not following lane rules puts everyone in danger.&nbsp; The ticket was for $393.00.Please, drive safe, follow the limits, and keep right unless you’re passing. Report aggressive drivers on the highways to *47.

KHP: Driver ticketed for traveling 106mph on I-70

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly crash involving a stolen vehicle that occurred just after 5p.m. August 13 in Kansas City have identified the victims.

A Kia Soul driven by&nbsp;16-year-old Donelle Morris of Kansas City was eastbound on 35th Street at a high rate of speed, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The Kia came upon an eastbound Chevy Tahoe. As the Chevy Tahoe approached Norton Street, the driver slowed to make the left turn to go North on Norton, according to Becchina.

The driver of the Kia had pulled over into the westbound lanes to pass the Chevy Tahoe just as the Chevy Tahoe was starting his turn. The vehicles collided in the westbound lanes of travel. The Chevy Tahoe was spun around and south on Norton.

The driver was transported to an area hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries. The Kia Soul crashed into a large wooden utility pole and then flipped onto the roof.

The Kia Soul had eight occupants in the vehicle. Morris was pronounced dead at the scene. The front seat passenger identified as 37-year-old Reginald K Smith of Kansas City, Missouri, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

EMS transported the second left front passenger&nbsp;identified as 32-year-old Myesha S. Gentry of Kansas City, Missouri,&nbsp;to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving, according to Becchina.

A 20-year-old man was sitting in the second right passenger seat, with a 4-year-old child sitting on his lap. In the middle second row seat was a 6-year-old child. In the rear cargo area were a 12-year-old and 13-year-old, not in any type of seat.&nbsp; All were transported to area hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Prior to the crash, an officer had stopped the Kia at 31st and Cleveland, for a traffic violation.

The Kia driver pulled over, but after the officer exited his vehicle, the Kia driver took off at a high rate of speed. The officer did not follow. The Kia responded back as a stolen auto, taken August 2nd.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This were the 57th, 58th and 59th traffic fatalities in Kansas City, Missouri in 2024 total compared to 56 at this time last year, according to Becchina.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723594321991.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a deadly crash involving a stolen vehicle that occurred just after 5p.m. August 13 in Kansas City have identified the victims.A Kia Soul driven by&nbsp;16-year-old Donelle Morris of Kansas City was eastbound on 35th Street at a high rate of speed, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. The Kia came upon an eastbound Chevy Tahoe. As the Chevy Tahoe approached Norton Street, the driver slowed to make the left turn to go North on Norton, according to Becchina.The driver of the Kia had pulled over into the westbound lanes to pass the Chevy Tahoe just as the Chevy Tahoe was starting his turn. The vehicles collided in the westbound lanes of travel. The Chevy Tahoe was spun around and south on Norton.The driver was transported to an area hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries. The Kia Soul crashed into a large wooden utility pole and then flipped onto the roof.The Kia Soul had eight occupants in the vehicle. Morris was pronounced dead at the scene. The front seat passenger identified as 37-year-old Reginald K Smith of Kansas City, Missouri, was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the second left front passenger&nbsp;identified as 32-year-old Myesha S. Gentry of Kansas City, Missouri,&nbsp;to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving, according to Becchina.A 20-year-old man was sitting in the second right passenger seat, with a 4-year-old child sitting on his lap. In the middle second row seat was a 6-year-old child. In the rear cargo area were a 12-year-old and 13-year-old, not in any type of seat.&nbsp; All were transported to area hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.Prior to the crash, an officer had stopped the Kia at 31st and Cleveland, for a traffic violation.The Kia driver pulled over, but after the officer exited his vehicle, the Kia driver took off at a high rate of speed. The officer did not follow. The Kia responded back as a stolen auto, taken August 2nd.&nbsp;&nbsp;This were the 57th, 58th and 59th traffic fatalities in Kansas City, Missouri in 2024 total compared to 56 at this time last year, according to Becchina.

KCPD IDs 3 victims after crash in stolen car that injured 4 children

JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas middle school teacher has reached a plea agreement for child sex crimes.

On August 14, Keil Hileman, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted unlawful sexual relations, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

As part of the plea agreement, the State of Kansas will dismiss&nbsp; four additional sex crime charges against him, according to court documents.

In October of 2022, the Johnson County District Attorney’s office charged Hileman, at the time a Monticello Trails Middle School, USD 232 DeSoto teacher, alleging criminal conduct involving his role as an educator," the district said in the letter to families.

In 2004, Hileman was named Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a finalists for the National Teacher of the Year. He is scheduled for sentencing in November, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723922874998.png" alt="Hileman-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hileman-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas middle school teacher has reached a plea agreement for child sex crimes.On August 14, Keil Hileman, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted unlawful sexual relations, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.As part of the plea agreement, the State of Kansas will dismiss&nbsp; four additional sex crime charges against him, according to court documents.In October of 2022, the Johnson County District Attorney’s office charged Hileman, at the time a Monticello Trails Middle School, USD 232 DeSoto teacher, alleging criminal conduct involving his role as an educator," the district said in the letter to families.In 2004, Hileman was named Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a finalists for the National Teacher of the Year. He is scheduled for sentencing in November, according to the district attorney's office.

Plea deal: Kan. middle school teacher accused of child sex crimes

KANSAS CITY – An Akron, Ohio, man was sentenced in federal court last week for transporting more than 27 kilograms of methamphetamine through Kansas City, Mo., aboard a bus, according to the United State's Atorney.

Rogeric Romone Clark, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

On April 11, 2024, Clark pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Members of the Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force (MoWIN) were conducting interdiction activities at a Kansas City, Mo., bus station on, Dec. 5, 2023. As passengers disembarked from a bus that originated in Los Angeles, California, officers used a police drug-sniffing dog, which alerted to a suitcase later identified as belonging to Clark. Investigators later identified another suitcase that belonged to Clark.

A detective contacted Clark, who confirmed a suitcase belonged to him and gave officers consent to open it. As the detective opened the suitcase, Clark fled on foot through the rear parking area. Clark fell during the chase and was taken into custody.

Officers searched both of the suitcases and found 30 one-pound bundles in each suitcase that contained a total of 27.2 kilograms of methamphetamine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724015491937.png" alt="Photo U.S. Department of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Department of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – An Akron, Ohio, man was sentenced in federal court last week for transporting more than 27 kilograms of methamphetamine through Kansas City, Mo., aboard a bus, according to the United State's Atorney.Rogeric Romone Clark, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 12 years in federal prison without parole.On April 11, 2024, Clark pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.Members of the Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force (MoWIN) were conducting interdiction activities at a Kansas City, Mo., bus station on, Dec. 5, 2023. As passengers disembarked from a bus that originated in Los Angeles, California, officers used a police drug-sniffing dog, which alerted to a suitcase later identified as belonging to Clark. Investigators later identified another suitcase that belonged to Clark.A detective contacted Clark, who confirmed a suitcase belonged to him and gave officers consent to open it. As the detective opened the suitcase, Clark fled on foot through the rear parking area. Clark fell during the chase and was taken into custody.Officers searched both of the suitcases and found 30 one-pound bundles in each suitcase that contained a total of 27.2 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Man caught with 27 kilos of meth in suitcases at KC bus station

HOWELL COUNTY— Authorities are investigating after human remains were found in rural Missouri.

On August 10, the Howell County, Missouri Sheriff's office investigations division discovered skeletal remains in rural Howell County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Due to the complexity of the scene and inclement weather, Howell County Deputies and Troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol maintained 24-hour coverage on the scene until the remains were fully recovered on August 14.&nbsp;

The identification of the remains has not been determined. An autopsy will be conducted before the remains are sent to the MSHP lab for identification.

HOWELL COUNTY— Authorities are investigating after human remains were found in rural Missouri.On August 10, the Howell County, Missouri Sheriff's office investigations division discovered skeletal remains in rural Howell County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.Due to the complexity of the scene and inclement weather, Howell County Deputies and Troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol maintained 24-hour coverage on the scene until the remains were fully recovered on August 14.&nbsp;The identification of the remains has not been determined. An autopsy will be conducted before the remains are sent to the MSHP lab for identification.

Human remains recovered In rural Missouri

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 charge of Theft; Shoplifting.

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="Photos Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos 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. He was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a requested charge of Theft; Shoplifting.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;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723667318611.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> 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.

Police: Suspect wanted for Kan. jewelry store theft turns himself in

On Monday the House Oversight Committee released their report on the impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden, finding he committed impeachable offenses.

&nbsp;<a href="https://justthenews.com/sites/default/files/2024-08/2024.08.19%20Report%20of%20the%20Impeachment%20Inquiry%20of%20Joseph%20R.%20Biden%20Jr.%20President%20of%20the%20United%20States.pdf">Click here to read the full</a>&nbsp;impeachment report

A statement from the committee said, "the evidence produced by the impeachment inquiry is the strongest case for impeachment of a sitting president the House of Representatives has ever investigated."

"Americans now know Joe Biden was ‘the brand’ the Bidens sold around the world to enrich the Biden family, and Joe Biden knew of, benefitted from, and participated in his family’s influence peddling schemes."

"Our report details evidence to establish President Biden abused his office and violated his oaths of office as Vice President by engaging in a conspiracy to peddle influence to enrich his family. Then as President, Joe Biden and the Biden-Harris Administration obstructed the House of Representatives’ impeachment inquiry and the criminal investigation of President Biden’s son."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724066875833.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>On Monday the House Oversight Committee released their report on the impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden, finding he committed impeachable offenses.&nbsp;<a href="https://justthenews.com/sites/default/files/2024-08/2024.08.19%20Report%20of%20the%20Impeachment%20Inquiry%20of%20Joseph%20R.%20Biden%20Jr.%20President%20of%20the%20United%20States.pdf">Click here to read the full</a>&nbsp;impeachment reportA statement from the committee said, "the evidence produced by the impeachment inquiry is the strongest case for impeachment of a sitting president the House of Representatives has ever investigated.""Americans now know Joe Biden was ‘the brand’ the Bidens sold around the world to enrich the Biden family, and Joe Biden knew of, benefitted from, and participated in his family’s influence peddling schemes.""Our report details evidence to establish President Biden abused his office and violated his oaths of office as Vice President by engaging in a conspiracy to peddle influence to enrich his family. Then as President, Joe Biden and the Biden-Harris Administration obstructed the House of Representatives’ impeachment inquiry and the criminal investigation of President Biden’s son."

Read the shocking House impeachment report on President Biden

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly hit-and-run crash in Sedgwick County.

Just after&nbsp;2 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a traffic crash involving a vehicle and a motorized bicycle at 2400 N. Hoover, according to Wichita. Police spokesman Andrew Ford.

First responders found the man who was riding the bicycle unresponsive. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS. 

The victim was driving north on Hoover when he was struck by an unknown vehicle that then continued driving north.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or additional details.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly hit-and-run crash in Sedgwick County.Just after&nbsp;2 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a traffic crash involving a vehicle and a motorized bicycle at 2400 N. Hoover, according to Wichita. Police spokesman Andrew Ford. First responders found the man who was riding the bicycle unresponsive. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS. The victim was driving north on Hoover when he was struck by an unknown vehicle that then continued driving north.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or additional details.

Bicyclist dead after Kansas hit-and run-crash

TOPEKA —A Salina man is accused of numerous crimes involving online child pornography.

According to an indictment from the United State's District Court, on Christmas Day 2021; April 2; August 13; August 22 and August 27 of 2022, Douglas Harpster, 45, Salina, "did and attempted to knowingly receive one (1) or more visual depictions of a minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 2256, and said visual depictions were of such conduct."

On or before February 9, 2023, Harpster "did knowingly possess and access with intent to view one (1) or more matters which contained any visual depiction of a minor, that involved prepubescent minors and minors who had not attained 12 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct."

Just before 6p.m. July 17, Harper was booked into the Shawnee County jail in Topeka. He is now being held without bond in federal custody, according to online jail records.

For counts 1-4, Harpster faces five to twenty years in prison and a fine&nbsp; not to exceed $250,000, according to the indictment. For count 5, he faces ten years in prison and a fine not exceed $250,000. 

Upon conviction, Harpster is required to forfeit any and all property used or intended to be used in any manner or part to commit or to promote the commission of such offenses or any property traceable to such property, including but not limited to: a Black Samsung S10 cell phone; Cooler Master Desktop compute and drives; Black MSI MS-1607 laptop computer and drive; a Silver Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 laptop computer and drive; a&nbsp;Supermicro 24-bay server&nbsp; and drives and a&nbsp;Silver Apple MacBook Pro.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724072117714.png" alt="Harpster photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Harpster photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —A Salina man is accused of numerous crimes involving online child pornography.According to an indictment from the United State's District Court, on Christmas Day 2021; April 2; August 13; August 22 and August 27 of 2022, Douglas Harpster, 45, Salina, "did and attempted to knowingly receive one (1) or more visual depictions of a minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, as defined in Title 18, United States Code, Section 2256, and said visual depictions were of such conduct."On or before February 9, 2023, Harpster "did knowingly possess and access with intent to view one (1) or more matters which contained any visual depiction of a minor, that involved prepubescent minors and minors who had not attained 12 years of age engaging in sexually explicit conduct."Just before 6p.m. July 17, Harper was booked into the Shawnee County jail in Topeka. He is now being held without bond in federal custody, according to online jail records.For counts 1-4, Harpster faces five to twenty years in prison and a fine&nbsp; not to exceed $250,000, according to the indictment. For count 5, he faces ten years in prison and a fine not exceed $250,000. Upon conviction, Harpster is required to forfeit any and all property used or intended to be used in any manner or part to commit or to promote the commission of such offenses or any property traceable to such property, including but not limited to: a Black Samsung S10 cell phone; Cooler Master Desktop compute and drives; Black MSI MS-1607 laptop computer and drive; a Silver Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 laptop computer and drive; a&nbsp;Supermicro 24-bay server&nbsp; and drives and a&nbsp;Silver Apple MacBook Pro.

Kansas man accused of multiple crimes involving child porn

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Phil Donahue has died. Learn more about his life and career by searching his 22 C-SPAN appearances: <a href="https://t.co/3WPp9Y3ySL">https://t.co/3WPp9Y3ySL</a> RIP. <a href="https://t.co/cK1mzaXxHB">pic.twitter.com/cK1mzaXxHB</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1825535226853851609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Phil Donahue, talk show host pioneer and husband of Marlo Thomas, dies at 88

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

WASHINGTON — Just a little over a month after she became a candidate for president in the biggest shakeup in generations of presidential politics, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday will deliver a widely anticipated speech accepting the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in Chicago.

Harris’ ascent to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden changed course and said he would not seek reelection has breathed new life into the Democratic bid, with polls showing Harris — who is already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-will-be-democratic-presidential-nominee-dnc-announces" target="_blank">the party’s official nominee</a>&nbsp;after a virtual roll call earlier this month — faring much better than Biden was against Republican rival Donald Trump.

Over the course of four days, Democrats will look to capitalize on their base’s newfound enthusiasm for the campaign, with leading speakers aiming to rally the faithful around the party’s positions on reproductive rights, gun safety and voting rights, while<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/harris-ballot-democrats-work-build-momentum-bigger-youth-vote" target="_blank">&nbsp;making a strong pitch to young voters</a>. Harris will also be expected to further lay out her policy positions.

Harris’ nomination is historic. The daughter of immigrants, Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman selected to lead a major party ticket. She would be the first woman of any race to guide the nation as chief executive.

The party has not released an official detailed schedule of speakers, but a convention official confirmed that “current and past presidents are expected to participate in convention programming.” Biden and two former presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as former nominee Hillary Clinton, will all speak,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/us/politics/dnc-speakers-biden-obama-clinton.html" target="_blank">according to the New York Times.</a>

Vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is expected to address the convention Wednesday evening, with Harris’ acceptance speech closing out the convention Thursday, the convention official said.

The evening programming block will run from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. the rest of the week.

In addition to the usual television broadcasts, the convention will livestream on several social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Instagram and TikTok. The official live stream will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://demconvention.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d68a84b1a4b0303a9452770cd&amp;id=e86e03e670&amp;e=a21b6b7198" target="_blank">DemConvention.com</a>.

Scores of Democratic caucus and council meetings, as well as state delegation breakfasts and gatherings, are also scheduled throughout the week’s daytime hours. Media organizations and outside groups are also holding daytime events that will feature Democratic officeholders and candidates.

Protests are also expected over the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/04/08/israel-hamas-war-sets-progressive-and-young-voters-on-collision-course-with-white-house/" target="_blank">delegation of uncommitted voters</a>&nbsp;who oppose the war.

As many as 25,000 protestors are expected over the course of the convention, according to DemList, a newsletter for Democratic officials and allies.

Harris’ entry into the race, nearly immediately after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/president-joe-biden-bows-out-reelection-campaign-harris-vows-win-nomination-8" target="_blank">announced on July 21</a>&nbsp;he would no longer seek reelection, energized Democrats distressed over Biden’s poor showings in polls against Trump, whose reelection bid Biden turned back in 2020.

A Monmouth University&nbsp;<a href="https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_US_081424/" target="_blank">poll published Aug. 14</a>&nbsp;showed a huge jump in enthusiasm for Democrats. The survey found 85% of Democratic respondents were excited about the Harris-Trump race. By comparison, only 46% of Democratic respondents said in June they were excited about a Biden-Trump race.

Harris is also seeing better polling numbers in matchups against Trump, with battleground-state and national surveys consistently shifting toward the Democratic ticket since Biden left the race.

Polls of seven battleground states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/survey-research/2024-swing-state-project/fight-redefine-2024-race-president" target="_blank">published</a>&nbsp;by The Cook Political Report With Amy Walter on Aug. 14 showed Harris narrowly leading in five states —&nbsp;Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and&nbsp;tied in Georgia and trailing in Nevada. All were improvements from Biden’s standing in the same poll in May.

<a href="https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3902" target="_blank">An Aug. 14 survey from Quinnipiac University</a>&nbsp;showed Harris with a 48%-45% edge in Pennsylvania. The 3-point advantage for Harris was within the poll’s margin of error.

Democrats hope to carry the momentum through the convention. Polls typically favor a party during and immediately after its national party gathering.

Despite the recent polling, Harris and Walz continue to describe themselves&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkwZ_A49hb8" target="_blank">as underdogs in the race</a>.

In her short time on the campaign trail, Harris has emphasized a few core messages.

She’s made reproductive rights a central focus, including the slogan “We are not going back” in her stump speech after describing Republicans’ position on abortion. Additionally, a Texas woman who had to leave the state for an emergency abortion will speak at the DNC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-woman-who-left-state-abortion-back-harris-convention-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters.</a>

Harris has also played up her background as a prosecutor, drawing a contrast with Trump’s legal troubles.

Walz has highlighted his working-class background and military service, while attacking Republican positions to restrict reproductive rights and ban certain books in schools.

Walz’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/walz-first-solo-speech-vp-candidate-touts-dem-tickets-labor-union-ties" target="_blank">first solo campaign stop</a>&nbsp;since Harris selected him as her running mate was at a union convention, where he emphasized his union background as a high school teacher.

Walz was not initially considered the favorite to be Harris’ running mate, but his appeal as a Midwesterner with a record of winning tough elections and enacting progressive policies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-picked-harris-her-running-mate-democratic-ticket" target="_blank">led to his selection</a>&nbsp;Aug. 6.

Harris has faced criticism for not sitting down for a formal media interview or holding a press conference since she became a candidate.

Democrats have not finalized their platform for 2024. Adopting a party platform is generally among the official items at a convention.

The party set&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-releases-2024-party-platform-draft-outlining-historic-record-and-bold-agenda-for-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-to-finish-the-job/" target="_blank">a draft platform</a>&nbsp;in July just eight days before Biden dropped his reelection bid. The document centered on the theme of “finishing the job” and mentioned Biden, then the presumptive nominee, 50 times and Harris 12.

Party spokespeople did not respond to an inquiry this week about plans for an update to the platform.

Reproductive rights will likely be a focus point of any policy wishlist.

Harris, during her time as vice president, has led the administration’s messaging on reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in the summer of 2022.

In her campaign speeches, she has often stressed the need to “trust women” and that the government should not be deciding reproductive health.

Harris has often promised that if she is elected, she will restore those reproductive rights, but unless Democrats control a majority in the U.S. House and 60 Senate votes, it’s unlikely she would be able to achieve that promise.

Since&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2022/06/24/updated-u-s-supreme-court-overturns-right-to-abortion-in-landmark-decision/" target="_blank">Roe v. Wade was overturned</a>&nbsp;in that Supreme Court decision, Democrats have campaigned on reproductive rights that expand beyond abortion and include protections for in vitro fertilization.

<a href="https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/" target="_blank">The 2020 party platform</a>&nbsp;focused on recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, quality health care, investing in education, protecting democracy and combating climate change.

Democrats are likely to continue to criticize the Project 2025 playbook — a blueprint by the Heritage Foundation, a think tank, to implement conservative policies across the federal government should Trump win in November.

Trump has disavowed the document, but has not detailed his own policy plans.

The Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago, a city with a long history of hosting the event. Democrats have held their convention in Chicago 11 times, first in 1864 and most recently in 1996.

This year’s will be the first in-person Democratic National Convention since 2016. It was upended due to the coronavirus pandemic and held virtually in 2020.

Throughout the four-day convention, there will be speeches and side events hosted by state Democratic party leaders.

The ceremonial roll call vote with delegates on the convention floor will take place Tuesday. The vice presidential nomination speech by Walz will be Wednesday night and on Thursday night, Harris will give her nomination acceptance speech.

The city is also preparing for massive protests from several groups on reproductive rights, LGBTQ protections, housing and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbez.org/government-politics/dnc-2024/2024/08/12/dnc-democratic-national-convention-protests-kamala-harris-israel-gaza-lgbtq-reproductive-rights-cpd-police" target="_blank">according to WBEZ News.&nbsp;</a>

The City Council of Chicago in January approved a ceasefire resolution, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson the tiebreaker, making it the largest city to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, in which<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-hamas-dead-graves-40000-988d16b648e06e222f04964dc9440da0?taid=66bdedd74b96700001cc25c8&amp;utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&amp;utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than 40,000 Palestinians have died</a>.

The war followed an Oct. 7 attack from Hamas, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2023/10/9/israel-hamas-war-in-maps-and-charts-live-tracker" target="_blank">nearly 1,200 people</a>&nbsp;were killed in Israel and hundreds taken hostage.

Harris’ acceptance speech will cap a five-year journey to her party’s nomination.

In 2019, the California senator announced a bid for president in the next year’s election, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/03/784443227/kamala-harris-drops-out-of-presidential-race" target="_blank">dropped out</a>&nbsp;before the first primary or caucus votes were cast after she failed to catch on with Democratic voters.

Biden later picked her as a running mate, and the two defeated Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence in the 2020 election.

Biden launched a reelection campaign for 2024, but stepped aside after a disastrous debate performance in June spurred questions about his ability to campaign and serve for another four-year term.

After Biden bowed out, Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">quickly secured 99%</a>&nbsp;of delegates&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-officially-becomes-democratic-presidential-nominee" target="_blank">to become the party’s likely nominee</a>. The virtual five-day vote secured her official nomination.

With less than three months until Election Day, Harris and Walz already have sprinted through battleground states including Arizona, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Their campaign has also pulled in more than $300 million, according to the campaign. Official Federal Election Commission records will be released in mid-October.

Harris and Trump have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/08/trump-agrees-to-sept-10-debate-with-harris-claims-two-more-upcoming/" target="_blank">agreed to a Sept. 10&nbsp;</a>debate hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia. Trump proposed two more debates, and Harris has said she would be open to another one between the first debate and Election Day.

Walz and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/mark-your-calendar-vp-candidates-walz-and-vance-debate-oct-1" target="_blank">agreed to an Oct. 1</a>&nbsp;debate on CBS News, in New York City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724014226536.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>WASHINGTON — Just a little over a month after she became a candidate for president in the biggest shakeup in generations of presidential politics, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday will deliver a widely anticipated speech accepting the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in Chicago.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724014466626.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Harris’ ascent to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden changed course and said he would not seek reelection has breathed new life into the Democratic bid, with polls showing Harris — who is already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-will-be-democratic-presidential-nominee-dnc-announces" target="_blank">the party’s official nominee</a>&nbsp;after a virtual roll call earlier this month — faring much better than Biden was against Republican rival Donald Trump.Over the course of four days, Democrats will look to capitalize on their base’s newfound enthusiasm for the campaign, with leading speakers aiming to rally the faithful around the party’s positions on reproductive rights, gun safety and voting rights, while<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/harris-ballot-democrats-work-build-momentum-bigger-youth-vote" target="_blank">&nbsp;making a strong pitch to young voters</a>. Harris will also be expected to further lay out her policy positions.Harris’ nomination is historic. The daughter of immigrants, Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman selected to lead a major party ticket. She would be the first woman of any race to guide the nation as chief executive.The party has not released an official detailed schedule of speakers, but a convention official confirmed that “current and past presidents are expected to participate in convention programming.” Biden and two former presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as former nominee Hillary Clinton, will all speak,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/us/politics/dnc-speakers-biden-obama-clinton.html" target="_blank">according to the New York Times.</a>Vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is expected to address the convention Wednesday evening, with Harris’ acceptance speech closing out the convention Thursday, the convention official said.The evening programming block will run from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. the rest of the week.In addition to the usual television broadcasts, the convention will livestream on several social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Instagram and TikTok. The official live stream will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://demconvention.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d68a84b1a4b0303a9452770cd&amp;id=e86e03e670&amp;e=a21b6b7198" target="_blank">DemConvention.com</a>.Scores of Democratic caucus and council meetings, as well as state delegation breakfasts and gatherings, are also scheduled throughout the week’s daytime hours. Media organizations and outside groups are also holding daytime events that will feature Democratic officeholders and candidates.Protests are also expected over the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/04/08/israel-hamas-war-sets-progressive-and-young-voters-on-collision-course-with-white-house/" target="_blank">delegation of uncommitted voters</a>&nbsp;who oppose the war.As many as 25,000 protestors are expected over the course of the convention, according to DemList, a newsletter for Democratic officials and allies.<h2>A contest transformed</h2>Harris’ entry into the race, nearly immediately after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/president-joe-biden-bows-out-reelection-campaign-harris-vows-win-nomination-8" target="_blank">announced on July 21</a>&nbsp;he would no longer seek reelection, energized Democrats distressed over Biden’s poor showings in polls against Trump, whose reelection bid Biden turned back in 2020.A Monmouth University&nbsp;<a href="https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_US_081424/" target="_blank">poll published Aug. 14</a>&nbsp;showed a huge jump in enthusiasm for Democrats. The survey found 85% of Democratic respondents were excited about the Harris-Trump race. By comparison, only 46% of Democratic respondents said in June they were excited about a Biden-Trump race.Harris is also seeing better polling numbers in matchups against Trump, with battleground-state and national surveys consistently shifting toward the Democratic ticket since Biden left the race.Polls of seven battleground states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/survey-research/2024-swing-state-project/fight-redefine-2024-race-president" target="_blank">published</a>&nbsp;by The Cook Political Report With Amy Walter on Aug. 14 showed Harris narrowly leading in five states —&nbsp;Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and&nbsp;tied in Georgia and trailing in Nevada. All were improvements from Biden’s standing in the same poll in May.<a href="https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3902" target="_blank">An Aug. 14 survey from Quinnipiac University</a>&nbsp;showed Harris with a 48%-45% edge in Pennsylvania. The 3-point advantage for Harris was within the poll’s margin of error.Democrats hope to carry the momentum through the convention. Polls typically favor a party during and immediately after its national party gathering.Despite the recent polling, Harris and Walz continue to describe themselves&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkwZ_A49hb8" target="_blank">as underdogs in the race</a>.<h2>Campaign themes</h2>In her short time on the campaign trail, Harris has emphasized a few core messages.She’s made reproductive rights a central focus, including the slogan “We are not going back” in her stump speech after describing Republicans’ position on abortion. Additionally, a Texas woman who had to leave the state for an emergency abortion will speak at the DNC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-woman-who-left-state-abortion-back-harris-convention-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters.</a>Harris has also played up her background as a prosecutor, drawing a contrast with Trump’s legal troubles.Walz has highlighted his working-class background and military service, while attacking Republican positions to restrict reproductive rights and ban certain books in schools.Walz’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/walz-first-solo-speech-vp-candidate-touts-dem-tickets-labor-union-ties" target="_blank">first solo campaign stop</a>&nbsp;since Harris selected him as her running mate was at a union convention, where he emphasized his union background as a high school teacher.Walz was not initially considered the favorite to be Harris’ running mate, but his appeal as a Midwesterner with a record of winning tough elections and enacting progressive policies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-picked-harris-her-running-mate-democratic-ticket" target="_blank">led to his selection</a>&nbsp;Aug. 6.Harris has faced criticism for not sitting down for a formal media interview or holding a press conference since she became a candidate.<h2>Platform in flux</h2>Democrats have not finalized their platform for 2024. Adopting a party platform is generally among the official items at a convention.The party set&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-releases-2024-party-platform-draft-outlining-historic-record-and-bold-agenda-for-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-to-finish-the-job/" target="_blank">a draft platform</a>&nbsp;in July just eight days before Biden dropped his reelection bid. The document centered on the theme of “finishing the job” and mentioned Biden, then the presumptive nominee, 50 times and Harris 12.Party spokespeople did not respond to an inquiry this week about plans for an update to the platform.Reproductive rights will likely be a focus point of any policy wishlist.Harris, during her time as vice president, has led the administration’s messaging on reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in the summer of 2022.In her campaign speeches, she has often stressed the need to “trust women” and that the government should not be deciding reproductive health.Harris has often promised that if she is elected, she will restore those reproductive rights, but unless Democrats control a majority in the U.S. House and 60 Senate votes, it’s unlikely she would be able to achieve that promise.Since&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2022/06/24/updated-u-s-supreme-court-overturns-right-to-abortion-in-landmark-decision/" target="_blank">Roe v. Wade was overturned</a>&nbsp;in that Supreme Court decision, Democrats have campaigned on reproductive rights that expand beyond abortion and include protections for in vitro fertilization.<a href="https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/" target="_blank">The 2020 party platform</a>&nbsp;focused on recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, quality health care, investing in education, protecting democracy and combating climate change.Democrats are likely to continue to criticize the Project 2025 playbook — a blueprint by the Heritage Foundation, a think tank, to implement conservative policies across the federal government should Trump win in November.Trump has disavowed the document, but has not detailed his own policy plans.<h2>Chicago conventions</h2>The Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago, a city with a long history of hosting the event. Democrats have held their convention in Chicago 11 times, first in 1864 and most recently in 1996.This year’s will be the first in-person Democratic National Convention since 2016. It was upended due to the coronavirus pandemic and held virtually in 2020.Throughout the four-day convention, there will be speeches and side events hosted by state Democratic party leaders.The ceremonial roll call vote with delegates on the convention floor will take place Tuesday. The vice presidential nomination speech by Walz will be Wednesday night and on Thursday night, Harris will give her nomination acceptance speech.The city is also preparing for massive protests from several groups on reproductive rights, LGBTQ protections, housing and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbez.org/government-politics/dnc-2024/2024/08/12/dnc-democratic-national-convention-protests-kamala-harris-israel-gaza-lgbtq-reproductive-rights-cpd-police" target="_blank">according to WBEZ News.&nbsp;</a>The City Council of Chicago in January approved a ceasefire resolution, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson the tiebreaker, making it the largest city to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, in which<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-hamas-dead-graves-40000-988d16b648e06e222f04964dc9440da0?taid=66bdedd74b96700001cc25c8&amp;utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&amp;utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than 40,000 Palestinians have died</a>.The war followed an Oct. 7 attack from Hamas, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2023/10/9/israel-hamas-war-in-maps-and-charts-live-tracker" target="_blank">nearly 1,200 people</a>&nbsp;were killed in Israel and hundreds taken hostage.<h2>Road to nomination</h2>Harris’ acceptance speech will cap a five-year journey to her party’s nomination.In 2019, the California senator announced a bid for president in the next year’s election, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/03/784443227/kamala-harris-drops-out-of-presidential-race" target="_blank">dropped out</a>&nbsp;before the first primary or caucus votes were cast after she failed to catch on with Democratic voters.Biden later picked her as a running mate, and the two defeated Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence in the 2020 election.Biden launched a reelection campaign for 2024, but stepped aside after a disastrous debate performance in June spurred questions about his ability to campaign and serve for another four-year term.After Biden bowed out, Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">quickly secured 99%</a>&nbsp;of delegates&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-officially-becomes-democratic-presidential-nominee" target="_blank">to become the party’s likely nominee</a>. The virtual five-day vote secured her official nomination.With less than three months until Election Day, Harris and Walz already have sprinted through battleground states including Arizona, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.Their campaign has also pulled in more than $300 million, according to the campaign. Official Federal Election Commission records will be released in mid-October.Harris and Trump have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/08/trump-agrees-to-sept-10-debate-with-harris-claims-two-more-upcoming/" target="_blank">agreed to a Sept. 10&nbsp;</a>debate hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia. Trump proposed two more debates, and Harris has said she would be open to another one between the first debate and Election Day.Walz and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/mark-your-calendar-vp-candidates-walz-and-vance-debate-oct-1" target="_blank">agreed to an Oct. 1</a>&nbsp;debate on CBS News, in New York City.

Big moment arrives for Harris: Democratic convention kicks off in Chicago

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas.&nbsp;

Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police responded to report of shots fired into a vehicle in 300 block of Maple Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.&nbsp; The vehicle fled the scene of the shooting.

Moments later, officers responded to Smart and Bales Avenue on reports of a shooting and first responders located the two men who had been shot, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;

&nbsp;One victim was located unresponsive in the vehicle. He was identified as 22-year-old&nbsp; David C. Crowell, according to Becchina. Crowell was pronounced dead at the scene. The other man was outside the vehicle. EMS transported him to a local hospital.

Detectives have made progress identifying subjects of interest and will be subsequently working with prosecutors to share investigative findings for any charges determination, according Becchina.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723945001419.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a weekend homicide in Kansas.&nbsp;Just after 4p.m. Saturday, police responded to report of shots fired into a vehicle in 300 block of Maple Boulevard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.&nbsp; The vehicle fled the scene of the shooting.Moments later, officers responded to Smart and Bales Avenue on reports of a shooting and first responders located the two men who had been shot, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;&nbsp;One victim was located unresponsive in the vehicle. He was identified as 22-year-old&nbsp; David C. Crowell, according to Becchina. Crowell was pronounced dead at the scene. The other man was outside the vehicle. EMS transported him to a local hospital.Detectives have made progress identifying subjects of interest and will be subsequently working with prosecutors to share investigative findings for any charges determination, according Becchina.&nbsp;

KCPD: Fatal shots fired into vehicle that left the scene of the crime

SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see&nbsp; drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.

On Friday, KHP Lt. Hammond stopped a couple of motorists for driving over 100mph on the Kansas Turnpike within a couple hours, according to a social media report.

On Sunday, KHP Trooper J. Davis issued a citation in Ottawa County, on U.S. 81 at milepost 178 northbound. The driver was clocked at 104 mph, far exceeding the 70 mph speed limit. For those wondering, a ticket like this totals $363 in fines.

Report aggressive drivers on the highways to *47 or *582 on the Kansas Turnpike.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723902949658.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see&nbsp; drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.On Friday, KHP Lt. Hammond stopped a couple of motorists for driving over 100mph on the Kansas Turnpike within a couple hours, according to a social media report.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724033883094.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>On Sunday, KHP Trooper J. Davis issued a citation in Ottawa County, on U.S. 81 at milepost 178 northbound. The driver was clocked at 104 mph, far exceeding the 70 mph speed limit. For those wondering, a ticket like this totals $363 in fines.Report aggressive drivers on the highways to *47 or *582 on the Kansas Turnpike.

Driver clocked traveling 102mph on the Kansas Turnpike

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 at large

JERUSALEM —U.S. forces in the the middle east continue to face almost daily threats.

On Sunday, forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed terrorist drone in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

In addition since August 13, U.S. forces&nbsp;successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi vessels and on&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned surface vessel  in the Red Sea and destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi ground control station in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701138062166.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —U.S. forces in the the middle east continue to face almost daily threats.On Sunday, forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed terrorist drone in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.In addition since August 13, U.S. forces&nbsp;successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi vessels and on&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned surface vessel in the Red Sea and destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi ground control station in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.U.S. officials determined the weapons or ground control stations presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

U.S. forces make more defensive strikes in the Red Sea, Yemen

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating the dead of a Kansas City man after the body of 23-year-old Breyden Hensley was located Sunday evening near 29th and Summit, according to the Kansas City Police.

On Wednesday, police reported Hensley missing and was last known to be in the area of Walmart at 11601 East 40 Highway August 11, around 6p.m.

The cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner, however there appear to be no signs of foul play.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724033653204.png" alt="Hensley courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Hensley courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating the dead of a Kansas City man after the body of 23-year-old Breyden Hensley was located Sunday evening near 29th and Summit, according to the Kansas City Police.On Wednesday, police reported Hensley missing and was last known to be in the area of Walmart at 11601 East 40 Highway August 11, around 6p.m.The cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner, however there appear to be no signs of foul play.

Death investigation: Body of missing man located in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident that occurred just before 1a.m. Sunday in Kansas City.

A&nbsp; Ford Fusion was stopped at the red traffic signal, from northbound U.S. 169 Highway exit ramp at Barry Road, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

As the light turned green, the car&nbsp; moved forward. An eastbound Harley Davidson motorcycle, traveling at a very high rate of speed, according to Becchina, failed to stop at the red traffic signal. The motorcycle struck the left side of the car. The motorcycle rider was ejected over the top of the car.&nbsp;&nbsp;

EMS transported the rider to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. He died a few hours later, according to Becchina. The driver and passenger in the car were not injured. The name of the motorcycle rider has not been released. He was not wearing a helmet, according to Becchina.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident that occurred just before 1a.m. Sunday in Kansas City.A&nbsp; Ford Fusion was stopped at the red traffic signal, from northbound U.S. 169 Highway exit ramp at Barry Road, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.As the light turned green, the car&nbsp; moved forward. An eastbound Harley Davidson motorcycle, traveling at a very high rate of speed, according to Becchina, failed to stop at the red traffic signal. The motorcycle struck the left side of the car. The motorcycle rider was ejected over the top of the car.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported the rider to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. He died a few hours later, according to Becchina. The driver and passenger in the car were not injured. The name of the motorcycle rider has not been released. He was not wearing a helmet, according to Becchina.

KCPD: Man injured in motorcycle, car crash has died

KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City man is going to prison for a deadly shooting in the Westport area of Kansas City.

Last week, a judge sentenced 24-year-old Kershmire Ralls, 24, of Kansas City, to 20 years in prison, according to the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney's office.

Ralls pled guilty to second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the 2021 shooting death of Jabraughn James Jr.&nbsp; Additional charges were dismissed.

In December 2021, Ralls followed and chased the three victims, who he saw earlier at a bar in Westport.&nbsp; He eventually used an alley, waited for the victims to walk toward him and opened fire, according to police.&nbsp;

First responders found Jabraughn James when they arrived. He later died of his injuries at a hospital.

One of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries and the third was shot in the leg.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645141035888.png" alt="Ralls photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Ralls photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — A Kansas City man is going to prison for a deadly shooting in the Westport area of Kansas City.Last week, a judge sentenced 24-year-old Kershmire Ralls, 24, of Kansas City, to 20 years in prison, according to the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney's office.Ralls pled guilty to second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the 2021 shooting death of Jabraughn James Jr.&nbsp; Additional charges were dismissed.In December 2021, Ralls followed and chased the three victims, who he saw earlier at a bar in Westport.&nbsp; He eventually used an alley, waited for the victims to walk toward him and opened fire, according to police.&nbsp;First responders found Jabraughn James when they arrived. He later died of his injuries at a hospital.One of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries and the third was shot in the leg.

Kansas City man chased victims in deadly shooting

NEWTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Sunday in Newton County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Harley Davidson driven by Joshua A. Westfall, 46, Neosho, was northbound on Falcon Road five miles northwest of Neosho.&nbsp;

The motorcycle traveled off the road, overturned and the rider was ejected.

Westfall was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Clark's Funeral Home. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

NEWTON COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30p.m. Sunday in Newton County.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Harley Davidson driven by Joshua A. Westfall, 46, Neosho, was northbound on Falcon Road five miles northwest of Neosho.&nbsp;The motorcycle traveled off the road, overturned and the rider was ejected.Westfall was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Clark's Funeral Home. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after motorcycle crash

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.

On August 15, Sheriff’s Deputies served a search warrant on a residence at&nbsp;22321 Q. Road south of Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested&nbsp;Duncan Orion Benedict, 39 and Jade Graf, 32, both of Holton. They were booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia and&nbsp;interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723815842155.png" alt="Benedict photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Benedict photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.On August 15, Sheriff’s Deputies served a search warrant on a residence at&nbsp;22321 Q. Road south of Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723815810117.png" alt="Graf photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Graf photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>As a result of the investigation, deputies arrested&nbsp;Duncan Orion Benedict, 39 and Jade Graf, 32, both of Holton. They were booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia and&nbsp;interference with law enforcement.

Sheriff: Couple were selling meth from Kansas home

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HEATHER%20HOLLINGSWORTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Associated Press</a>

Christina Westman dreamed of working with Parkinson’s disease and stroke patients as a music therapist when she started studying at St. Cloud State University.

But her schooling was upended in May when administrators at the Minnesota college announced a plan to eliminate its music department as it slashes 42 degree programs and 50 minors.

It’s part of a wave of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-university-academic-faculty-cuts-245527c044cc2cfe80bcbe8c2eda7e98">program cuts</a>&nbsp;in recent months, as U.S. colleges large and small try to make ends meet. Among their budget challenges: Federal COVID relief money is now gone, operational costs are rising and fewer high school graduates are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skipping-college-student-loans-trade-jobs-efc1f6d6067ab770f6e512b3f7719cc0">going straight to college</a>.

The cuts mean more than just savings, or even job losses. Often, they create&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-closing-university-of-arts-philadelphia-7c884439f16f24d99a61544381f49c23">turmoil for students</a>&nbsp;who chose a campus because of certain degree programs and then wrote checks or signed up for student loans.

“For me, it’s really been anxiety-ridden,” said Westman, 23, as she began the effort that ultimately led her to transfer to Augsburg University in Minneapolis. “It’s just the fear of the unknown.”

At St. Cloud State, most students will be able to finish their degrees before cuts kick in, but Westman’s music therapy major was a new one that hadn’t officially started. She has spent the past three months in a mad dash to find work in a new city and sublet her apartment in St. Cloud after she had already signed a lease. She was moving into her new apartment Friday.

For years, many colleges held off making cuts, said Larry Lee, who was acting president of St. Cloud State but left last month to lead Blackburn College in Illinois.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-race-and-ethnicity-coronavirus-pandemic-phoenix-b2e2ec55b3ed43c4b64c192b0eced089">College enrollment declined</a>&nbsp;during the pandemic, but officials hoped the figures would recover to pre-COVID levels and had used federal relief money to prop up their budgets in the meantime, he said.

“They were holding on, holding on,” Lee said, noting colleges must now face their new reality.

Higher education made up some ground last fall and in the spring semester, largely as community college enrollment&nbsp;<a href="https://nscresearchcenter.org/current-term-enrollment-estimates/">began to rebound</a>, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data showed.

But the trend for four-year colleges remains worrisome. Even without growing concerns about the cost of college and the long-term burden of student debt, the pool of young adults is shrinking.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/census-demographics-population-age-race-ethnicity-3bf63785a69db2a96a13eb70767c5f5e">Birth rates fell</a>&nbsp;during the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009 and never recovered. Now those smaller classes are preparing to graduate and head off to college.

“It’s very difficult math to overcome,” said Patrick Lane, vice president at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a leading authority on student demographics.

Complicating the situation: the federal government’s chaotic overhaul of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c0ca9199237bb12cd8313b060f90d40f">financial aid application</a>. Millions of students entered summer break still wondering where they were going to college this fall and how they would pay for it. With jobs still plentiful, although&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-unemployment-federal-reserve-inflation-22095766804d9c1532b4fcc29565be49">not as much as last year</a>, some experts fear students&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skipping-college-student-loans-trade-jobs-efc1f6d6067ab770f6e512b3f7719cc0">won’t bother to enroll at all</a>.

“This year going into next fall, it’s going to be bad,” said Katharine Meyer, a fellow in the Governance Studies program for the Brown Center on Education Policy at the nonprofit Brookings Institution. “I think a lot of colleges are really concerned they’re not going to make their enrollment targets.”

Many colleges like St. Cloud State already had started plowing through their budget reserves. The university’s enrollment rose to around 18,300 students in fall 2020 before steadily falling to about 10,000 students in fall 2023.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HEATHER%20HOLLINGSWORTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Associated Press</a>Christina Westman dreamed of working with Parkinson’s disease and stroke patients as a music therapist when she started studying at St. Cloud State University.But her schooling was upended in May when administrators at the Minnesota college announced a plan to eliminate its music department as it slashes 42 degree programs and 50 minors.It’s part of a wave of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-university-academic-faculty-cuts-245527c044cc2cfe80bcbe8c2eda7e98">program cuts</a>&nbsp;in recent months, as U.S. colleges large and small try to make ends meet. Among their budget challenges: Federal COVID relief money is now gone, operational costs are rising and fewer high school graduates are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skipping-college-student-loans-trade-jobs-efc1f6d6067ab770f6e512b3f7719cc0">going straight to college</a>.The cuts mean more than just savings, or even job losses. Often, they create&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-closing-university-of-arts-philadelphia-7c884439f16f24d99a61544381f49c23">turmoil for students</a>&nbsp;who chose a campus because of certain degree programs and then wrote checks or signed up for student loans.“For me, it’s really been anxiety-ridden,” said Westman, 23, as she began the effort that ultimately led her to transfer to Augsburg University in Minneapolis. “It’s just the fear of the unknown.”At St. Cloud State, most students will be able to finish their degrees before cuts kick in, but Westman’s music therapy major was a new one that hadn’t officially started. She has spent the past three months in a mad dash to find work in a new city and sublet her apartment in St. Cloud after she had already signed a lease. She was moving into her new apartment Friday.For years, many colleges held off making cuts, said Larry Lee, who was acting president of St. Cloud State but left last month to lead Blackburn College in Illinois.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-race-and-ethnicity-coronavirus-pandemic-phoenix-b2e2ec55b3ed43c4b64c192b0eced089">College enrollment declined</a>&nbsp;during the pandemic, but officials hoped the figures would recover to pre-COVID levels and had used federal relief money to prop up their budgets in the meantime, he said.“They were holding on, holding on,” Lee said, noting colleges must now face their new reality.Higher education made up some ground last fall and in the spring semester, largely as community college enrollment&nbsp;<a href="https://nscresearchcenter.org/current-term-enrollment-estimates/">began to rebound</a>, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data showed.But the trend for four-year colleges remains worrisome. Even without growing concerns about the cost of college and the long-term burden of student debt, the pool of young adults is shrinking.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/census-demographics-population-age-race-ethnicity-3bf63785a69db2a96a13eb70767c5f5e">Birth rates fell</a>&nbsp;during the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009 and never recovered. Now those smaller classes are preparing to graduate and head off to college.“It’s very difficult math to overcome,” said Patrick Lane, vice president at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a leading authority on student demographics.Complicating the situation: the federal government’s chaotic overhaul of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c0ca9199237bb12cd8313b060f90d40f">financial aid application</a>. Millions of students entered summer break still wondering where they were going to college this fall and how they would pay for it. With jobs still plentiful, although&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-unemployment-federal-reserve-inflation-22095766804d9c1532b4fcc29565be49">not as much as last year</a>, some experts fear students&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skipping-college-student-loans-trade-jobs-efc1f6d6067ab770f6e512b3f7719cc0">won’t bother to enroll at all</a>.“This year going into next fall, it’s going to be bad,” said Katharine Meyer, a fellow in the Governance Studies program for the Brown Center on Education Policy at the nonprofit Brookings Institution. “I think a lot of colleges are really concerned they’re not going to make their enrollment targets.”Many colleges like St. Cloud State already had started plowing through their budget reserves. The university’s enrollment rose to around 18,300 students in fall 2020 before steadily falling to about 10,000 students in fall 2023.St. Cloud State’s student population has now stabilized, Lee said, but spending was far too high for the reduced number of students. The college’s budget shortfall totaled $32 million over the past two years, forcing the sweeping cuts.Some colleges have taken more extreme steps,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-closing-university-of-arts-philadelphia-7c884439f16f24d99a61544381f49c23">closing</a>&nbsp;their doors. That happened at the 1,000-student&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birmingham-southern-college-closure-alabama-60639f073d7f22bbbc2a1b44a891aa54">Birmingham-Southern College</a>&nbsp;in Alabama, the 900-student&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fontbonne-university-to-close-2025-c2397d8ff4120d4533bc08c16dfb15a3">Fontbonne University</a>&nbsp;in Missouri, the 350-student Wells College in New York and the 220-student Goddard College in Vermont.Cuts, however, appear to be more commonplace. Two of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unc-board-of-governors-degree-staff-cuts-a936a0cec9162971d6b3b32debf4535f">North Carolina’s public universities</a>&nbsp;got the green light last month to eliminate more than a dozen degree programs ranging from ancient Mediterranean studies to&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/I%20updated%20this%20and%20added%20a%20hyperlink%20to%20the%20story%20we%20had%20when%20the%20cuts%20were%20finalized.">physics</a>.Arkansas State University announced last fall it was phasing out nine programs. Three of the 64 colleges in the State University of New York system have cut programs amid low enrollment and budget woes.Other schools slashing and phasing out programs include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-university-program-cuts-budget-tuition-db0aea1508668ae6653247a740f62b4d">West Virginia University</a>, Drake University in Iowa, the University of Nebraska campus in Kearney, North Dakota State University and, on the other side of the state, Dickinson State University.Experts say it’s just the beginning. Even schools that aren’t immediately making cuts are reviewing their degree offerings. At Pennsylvania State University, officials are looking for duplicative and under-enrolled academic programs as the number of students shrinks at its branch campuses.Particularly affected are students in smaller programs and those in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-university-academic-faculty-cuts-245527c044cc2cfe80bcbe8c2eda7e98">humanities</a>, which now&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/(((Students%20also%20appear%20to%20be%20turning%20away%20from%20the%20humanities:%20Data%20from%20the%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Education%E2%80%99s%20National%20Center%20for%20Education%20Statistics%20shows%20that%20the%20percentage%20of%20bachelor%E2%80%99s%20degrees%20conferred%20by%20four-year%20institutions%20in%20the%20humanities%20dropped%20from%2016.8%%20of%20all%20degrees%20in%20the%202010-11%20school%20year%20to%2012.8%%20in%202020-2021.))))">graduate</a>&nbsp;a smaller share of students than 15 years ago.“It’s a humanitarian disaster for all of the faculty and staff involved, not to mention the students who want to pursue this stuff,” said Bryan Alexander, a Georgetown University senior scholar who has written on higher education. “It’s an open question to what extent colleges and universities can cut their way to sustainability.”For Terry Vermillion, who just retired after 34 years as a music professor at St. Cloud State, the cuts are hard to watch. The nation’s music programs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/online-school-covid-learning-loss-7c162ec1b4ce4d5219d5210aaac8f1ae">took a hit during the pandemic</a>, he said, with Zoom band nothing short of “disastrous” for many public school programs.“We were just unable to really effectively teach music online, so there’s a gap,” he said. “And, you know, we’re just starting to come out of that gap and we’re just starting to rebound a little bit. And then the cuts are coming.”For St. Cloud State music majors such as Lilly Rhodes, the biggest fear is what will happen as the program is phased out. New students won’t be admitted to the department and her professors will look for new jobs.“When you suspend the whole music department, it’s awfully difficult to keep ensembles alive,” she said. “There’s no musicians coming in, so when our seniors graduate, they go on, and our ensembles just keep getting smaller and smaller.“It’s a little difficult to keep going if it’s like this,” she said.