JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming (AP) — The continued strength of the U.S. economy could require further interest rate increases, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Friday in a closely watched speech that also highlighted the uncertain nature of the economic outlook.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?529983-1/federal-reserve-chair-economic-outlook-monetary-policy">Click here to watch</a> Powell's statement

Powell noted that the economy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-economy-unemployment-85ac93672416e7e4115f5c9bd8089754">has been growing faster than expected</a>&nbsp;and that consumers have kept spending briskly — trends that could keep inflation pressures high. He reiterated the Fed's determination to keep its benchmark rate elevated until inflation is reduced to its 2% target.

“We are attentive to signs that the economy may not be cooling as expected," Powell said. “We are prepared to raise rates further if appropriate and intend to hold policy at a restrictive level until we are confident that inflation is moving sustainably down toward our objective.”

"Although inflation has moved down from its peak — a welcome development — it remains too high.”

Powell's speech, at an annual conference of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, highlighted the uncertainties surrounding the economy and the complexity of the Fed's response to it. It marked a contrast to his remarks here a year ago, when he bluntly warned that the Fed would continue its campaign of sharp rate hikes to rein in spiking prices.

“When it comes to another rate hike, the chair still very much has his finger on the trigger, even if it’s a bit less itchy than it was last year,” said Omair Sharif, chief economist at Inflation Insights.

Substantially higher loan rates, a direct result of the Fed’s rate hikes, have made it harder for Americans to afford a home or a car or for businesses to finance expansions. At the same time, items like rent, restaurant meals and other services are still getting costlier. “Core” inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, has remained elevated despite the Fed’s streak of 11 rate hikes beginning in March 2022.

The overall economy has nevertheless powered ahead.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-inflation-federal-reserve-def1e5500e2852bf8ec3621b7270cd61">Hiring has remained healthy</a>, confounding economists who had forecast that the spike in rates would cause&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-system-canada-business-2f3096f01c56c76432dce0a51a9dca24">widespread layoffs and a recession</a>. Consumer spending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retail-sales-inflation-economy-spending-f68c3a6b3f749fe8038dfbc357bed9a7">keeps growing at a healthy rate</a>. And the U.S. unemployment rate stands exactly where it did when Powell spoke last year: 3.5%, barely above a half-century low.

“He is still very concerned how rapid the economy is growing because that does actually mean, all else equal, we need higher interest rates just to be restrictive," said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG.

In his speech, Powell did not mention the possibility that the Fed will eventually cut interest rates. Earlier this year, many on Wall Street had expected rate cuts by early next year. Now, most traders envision no interest rate cuts before mid-2024 at the earliest.

Powell said the central bank's policymakers believe their key rate is high enough to restrain the economy and cool growth, hiring and inflation. But he acknowledged that it's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-economy-unemployment-85ac93672416e7e4115f5c9bd8089754">hard to know how high borrowing costs</a>&nbsp;must be to slow the economy, “and thus there is always uncertainty” about how effectively the Fed's policies are in reducing inflation.

The Fed's officials “will proceed carefully as we decide whether to tighten further or, instead, to hold the policy rate constant and await further data,” he said.

Since Powell spoke at last summer’s Jackson Hole conference, the Fed has raised its benchmark rate to a 22-year high of 5.4%. From a peak of 9.1% in June 2022, inflation has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-9ca16040f3824b498a7129e47b65f363">slowed to 3.2%</a>, though still above the Fed’s 2% target.

Powell acknowledged the decline in inflation, which he called “very good news.” Consumer prices, excluding the volatile food and energy categories, have begun to ease.

“But two months of good data," he added, “are only the beginning of what it will take to build confidence that inflation is moving down sustainably toward our goal.”

In June, when the Fed’s 18 policymakers last issued their quarterly projections, they predicted that they would raise rates once more this year. That expectation might have changed, though, in light of milder inflation readings the government has issued in recent weeks. The officials will update their interest rate projections when they next meet Sept. 19-20.

Some Fed officials, including John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, a top official on the interest-rate setting committee, have suggested that the central bank may be nearing the end of its rate hikes.

Many economists have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/recession-economy-inflation-jobs-unemployment-2ad91e65f4c0c79ebd2518e351934605">postponed or reversed their earlier forecasts for a U.S. recession</a>. Optimism that the Fed will pull off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-economy-recession-c08901d250144a322f4c423517112e5e">a difficult “soft landing”</a>&nbsp;— in which it would manage to reduce inflation to its target level without causing a steep recession — has risen.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-economy-federal-reserve-jackson-hole-inflation-892d7da599165d19e9779c9fc456f240">Many traders in the financial markets</a>&nbsp;envision not only a soft landing but an acceleration of growth. Those expectations have helped fuel a surge in bond yields, notably for the 10-year Treasury note, which heavily influences long-term mortgage rates. Accordingly, the average fixed rate on a 30-year mortgage has reached 7.23%,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-interest-housing-real-estate-937725e40ddae95e3d65cd68222f531a">the highest level in 22 years</a>. Auto loans and credit card rates have also shot higher and could weaken borrowing and consumer spending, the lifeblood of the economy.

Emily Roland, co-chief investment strategist at John Hancock Investment Management, is among the analysts who still doubt that the Fed will achieve a soft landing.

“The lag impact of all the tightening that the Fed has done — the most amount that we’ve seen in decades — is likely to bite and tip the economy into a recession," she said. "It’s just taking a while to get there.’’

Likewise, Sonia Meskin, head of U.S. macro at BNY Mellon Investment Management, said she worries that the financial markets are “underestimating the chances of a harder, delayed landing.’’

“Much of the tightening might still be in the pipeline,’’ Meskin said, and the full impact of higher rates might not hit until next year.

Some economists say they think that much higher long-term rates in the bond market might lessen the need for further Fed hikes because by slowing growth, those long-term rates should help cool inflation pressures. Indeed, many economists say they think&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-interest-rates-economy-jobs-47a78ceb285ac50217ef39e2441112ee">the Fed’s July rate increase will prove to be its last</a>.

Even if the Fed imposes no further hikes, it may still feel compelled to keep its benchmark rate elevated well into future to try to contain inflation. This would introduce a new threat: Keeping interest rates at high levels indefinitely would risk weakening the economy so much as to trigger a downturn. It could also endanger many banks by reducing the value of bonds they own — a dynamic that helped cause the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and two other large lenders last spring.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692976595162.png" alt="Powell acknowledged the decline in inflation from its peak, which he called “very good news.” And consumer prices, excluding the volatile food and energy categories, have also begun to ease.-image courtesy Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Powell acknowledged the decline in inflation from its peak, which he called “very good news.” And consumer prices, excluding the volatile food and energy categories, have also begun to ease.-image courtesy Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming (AP) — The continued strength of the U.S. economy could require further interest rate increases, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Friday in a closely watched speech that also highlighted the uncertain nature of the economic outlook.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?529983-1/federal-reserve-chair-economic-outlook-monetary-policy">Click here to watch</a> Powell's statementPowell noted that the economy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-economy-unemployment-85ac93672416e7e4115f5c9bd8089754">has been growing faster than expected</a>&nbsp;and that consumers have kept spending briskly — trends that could keep inflation pressures high. He reiterated the Fed's determination to keep its benchmark rate elevated until inflation is reduced to its 2% target.“We are attentive to signs that the economy may not be cooling as expected," Powell said. “We are prepared to raise rates further if appropriate and intend to hold policy at a restrictive level until we are confident that inflation is moving sustainably down toward our objective.”"Although inflation has moved down from its peak — a welcome development — it remains too high.”Powell's speech, at an annual conference of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, highlighted the uncertainties surrounding the economy and the complexity of the Fed's response to it. It marked a contrast to his remarks here a year ago, when he bluntly warned that the Fed would continue its campaign of sharp rate hikes to rein in spiking prices.“When it comes to another rate hike, the chair still very much has his finger on the trigger, even if it’s a bit less itchy than it was last year,” said Omair Sharif, chief economist at Inflation Insights.Substantially higher loan rates, a direct result of the Fed’s rate hikes, have made it harder for Americans to afford a home or a car or for businesses to finance expansions. At the same time, items like rent, restaurant meals and other services are still getting costlier. “Core” inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, has remained elevated despite the Fed’s streak of 11 rate hikes beginning in March 2022.The overall economy has nevertheless powered ahead.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-inflation-federal-reserve-def1e5500e2852bf8ec3621b7270cd61">Hiring has remained healthy</a>, confounding economists who had forecast that the spike in rates would cause&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-system-canada-business-2f3096f01c56c76432dce0a51a9dca24">widespread layoffs and a recession</a>. Consumer spending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retail-sales-inflation-economy-spending-f68c3a6b3f749fe8038dfbc357bed9a7">keeps growing at a healthy rate</a>. And the U.S. unemployment rate stands exactly where it did when Powell spoke last year: 3.5%, barely above a half-century low.“He is still very concerned how rapid the economy is growing because that does actually mean, all else equal, we need higher interest rates just to be restrictive," said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG.In his speech, Powell did not mention the possibility that the Fed will eventually cut interest rates. Earlier this year, many on Wall Street had expected rate cuts by early next year. Now, most traders envision no interest rate cuts before mid-2024 at the earliest.Powell said the central bank's policymakers believe their key rate is high enough to restrain the economy and cool growth, hiring and inflation. But he acknowledged that it's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-economy-unemployment-85ac93672416e7e4115f5c9bd8089754">hard to know how high borrowing costs</a>&nbsp;must be to slow the economy, “and thus there is always uncertainty” about how effectively the Fed's policies are in reducing inflation.The Fed's officials “will proceed carefully as we decide whether to tighten further or, instead, to hold the policy rate constant and await further data,” he said.Since Powell spoke at last summer’s Jackson Hole conference, the Fed has raised its benchmark rate to a 22-year high of 5.4%. From a peak of 9.1% in June 2022, inflation has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-9ca16040f3824b498a7129e47b65f363">slowed to 3.2%</a>, though still above the Fed’s 2% target.Powell acknowledged the decline in inflation, which he called “very good news.” Consumer prices, excluding the volatile food and energy categories, have begun to ease.“But two months of good data," he added, “are only the beginning of what it will take to build confidence that inflation is moving down sustainably toward our goal.”In June, when the Fed’s 18 policymakers last issued their quarterly projections, they predicted that they would raise rates once more this year. That expectation might have changed, though, in light of milder inflation readings the government has issued in recent weeks. The officials will update their interest rate projections when they next meet Sept. 19-20.Some Fed officials, including John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, a top official on the interest-rate setting committee, have suggested that the central bank may be nearing the end of its rate hikes.Many economists have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/recession-economy-inflation-jobs-unemployment-2ad91e65f4c0c79ebd2518e351934605">postponed or reversed their earlier forecasts for a U.S. recession</a>. Optimism that the Fed will pull off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-interest-rates-economy-recession-c08901d250144a322f4c423517112e5e">a difficult “soft landing”</a>&nbsp;— in which it would manage to reduce inflation to its target level without causing a steep recession — has risen.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-economy-federal-reserve-jackson-hole-inflation-892d7da599165d19e9779c9fc456f240">Many traders in the financial markets</a>&nbsp;envision not only a soft landing but an acceleration of growth. Those expectations have helped fuel a surge in bond yields, notably for the 10-year Treasury note, which heavily influences long-term mortgage rates. Accordingly, the average fixed rate on a 30-year mortgage has reached 7.23%,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-interest-housing-real-estate-937725e40ddae95e3d65cd68222f531a">the highest level in 22 years</a>. Auto loans and credit card rates have also shot higher and could weaken borrowing and consumer spending, the lifeblood of the economy.Emily Roland, co-chief investment strategist at John Hancock Investment Management, is among the analysts who still doubt that the Fed will achieve a soft landing.“The lag impact of all the tightening that the Fed has done — the most amount that we’ve seen in decades — is likely to bite and tip the economy into a recession," she said. "It’s just taking a while to get there.’’Likewise, Sonia Meskin, head of U.S. macro at BNY Mellon Investment Management, said she worries that the financial markets are “underestimating the chances of a harder, delayed landing.’’“Much of the tightening might still be in the pipeline,’’ Meskin said, and the full impact of higher rates might not hit until next year.Some economists say they think that much higher long-term rates in the bond market might lessen the need for further Fed hikes because by slowing growth, those long-term rates should help cool inflation pressures. Indeed, many economists say they think&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-interest-rates-economy-jobs-47a78ceb285ac50217ef39e2441112ee">the Fed’s July rate increase will prove to be its last</a>.Even if the Fed imposes no further hikes, it may still feel compelled to keep its benchmark rate elevated well into future to try to contain inflation. This would introduce a new threat: Keeping interest rates at high levels indefinitely would risk weakening the economy so much as to trigger a downturn. It could also endanger many banks by reducing the value of bonds they own — a dynamic that helped cause the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and two other large lenders last spring.

🎥Fed Chair has more bad news for borrowers 

By JENNIFER SHUTT&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration this week announced a $1.4 billion investment in developing the so-called next generation of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell made the announcement, saying the funding is part of the $5 billion program they hope will help the country get ahead of any future changes in COVID-19.

“This is an investment in expanding our country’s ability to respond to the future variants that we might see coming out of COVID,” Becerra said. “It’s an investment in better protecting all of our community, including those who are immunocompromised, and who don’t respond well to the existing vaccines.”

The $1.4 billion in funding should allow clinical trials for a new monoclonal antibody to start this autumn with clinical trials for a new COVID-19 vaccine starting as soon as the winter, O’Connell said.

“Project NextGen is operationalizing the lessons we’ve learned about the COVID-19 virus to broaden the nation’s medicine cabinet and increase protection for all communities,” O’Connell said.

The Biden administration, she said, expects to announce additional funding for Project NextGen programs before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

An HHS official said the department is in the process of identifying the COVID-19 vaccines that will move into the Phase IIb clinical trials.

Once the vaccines are identified, the HHS official said, the department would be able to “accelerate” their movement into clinical trials since a lot of the preparation to start a clinical trial can be going on before the vaccines are identified.

The HHS official said the timeline for moving the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines to doctors’ offices and pharmacies will be determined by the data and how effective they may be when compared with the current vaccines.

By JENNIFER SHUTT&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — The Biden administration this week announced a $1.4 billion investment in developing the so-called next generation of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell made the announcement, saying the funding is part of the $5 billion program they hope will help the country get ahead of any future changes in COVID-19.“This is an investment in expanding our country’s ability to respond to the future variants that we might see coming out of COVID,” Becerra said. “It’s an investment in better protecting all of our community, including those who are immunocompromised, and who don’t respond well to the existing vaccines.”The $1.4 billion in funding should allow clinical trials for a new monoclonal antibody to start this autumn with clinical trials for a new COVID-19 vaccine starting as soon as the winter, O’Connell said.“Project NextGen is operationalizing the lessons we’ve learned about the COVID-19 virus to broaden the nation’s medicine cabinet and increase protection for all communities,” O’Connell said.The Biden administration, she said, expects to announce additional funding for Project NextGen programs before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.The projects funded on Tuesday include<ul>
 <li>$1 billion for four Phase IIb clinical trial studies on a COVID-19 vaccine. That funding will go to ICON Government and Public Health Solutions, Inc of Hinckley, Ohio; Pharm-Olam, LLC, of Houston, Texas; Technical Resources International (TRI), Inc., of Bethesda, Maryland; and Rho Federal Systems, Inc., Durham, North Carolina.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>$326 million to Regeneron for a monoclonal antibody to prevent COVID-19.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>$100 million to Global Health Investment Corp., a non-profit organization that is managing an investment portfolio known as BARDA Ventures, referring to the federal agency called Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. The portfolio should “expand investments in new technologies that will accelerate responses in the future,” according to a statement from HHS.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>$10 million to Johnson &amp; Johnson Innovation for a competition through Blue Knight, which HHS said in its statement is a partnership between BARDA and JLABS.</li>
 </ul>An HHS official said the department is in the process of identifying the COVID-19 vaccines that will move into the Phase IIb clinical trials.Once the vaccines are identified, the HHS official said, the department would be able to “accelerate” their movement into clinical trials since a lot of the preparation to start a clinical trial can be going on before the vaccines are identified.The HHS official said the timeline for moving the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines to doctors’ offices and pharmacies will be determined by the data and how effective they may be when compared with the current vaccines.

Biden admin. spending $1.4 billion to study improved COVID vaccines:

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run and after asking the public to help have located a vehicle and suspect.

According to Kansas City Police,&nbsp; a white 2-door Dodge Challenger with black rims, a sunroom struck a person in a hit-and-run at Westport and Broadway on August 5.

The suspect&nbsp; is in custody in a neighboring state, has been charged and is awaiting extradition.

The vehicle was also missing the driver side headlight following the incident. Police did not release the name of the suspsect or victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691518007764.png" alt="photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run and after asking the public to help have located a vehicle and suspect.According to Kansas City Police,&nbsp; a white 2-door Dodge Challenger with black rims, a sunroom struck a person in a hit-and-run at Westport and Broadway on August 5.The suspect&nbsp; is in custody in a neighboring state, has been charged and is awaiting extradition.The vehicle was also missing the driver side headlight following the incident. Police did not release the name of the suspsect or victim.

KCPD: Suspect in hit-and-run captured 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp; two armed robberies and have made three arrests.

On August 19, the Kwik Shop in the 6300 block of E. 13th St North in Wichita was robbed at gun point by two masked suspects, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

The suspects left with approximately $200 in cash and fled south towards 12th Street

On August 22, another armed robbery occurred at the Valero gas station in the 200 block of S. Hillside in Wichita. Two masked suspects came into the store and robbed the clerk at gunpoint. 

Officers arrived on the scene and processed it and were able to gather evidence. 

From the evidence gathered, police identified three suspects involved with both armed robberies.

&nbsp;With the joint operation of investigators, police officers, and specialty units they were able to locate and arrest 18-year-old Carlos Meraz of Wichita, a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy both of Wichita for aggravated robbery,

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692913716428.png" alt="Meraz-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Meraz-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp; two armed robberies and have made three arrests.On August 19, the Kwik Shop in the 6300 block of E. 13th St North in Wichita was robbed at gun point by two masked suspects, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.The suspects left with approximately $200 in cash and fled south towards 12th StreetOn August 22, another armed robbery occurred at the Valero gas station in the 200 block of S. Hillside in Wichita. Two masked suspects came into the store and robbed the clerk at gunpoint. Officers arrived on the scene and processed it and were able to gather evidence. From the evidence gathered, police identified three suspects involved with both armed robberies.&nbsp;With the joint operation of investigators, police officers, and specialty units they were able to locate and arrest 18-year-old Carlos Meraz of Wichita, a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy both of Wichita for aggravated robbery,

Police: 3 including 15-year-old accused of Kansas armed robbery 

RILEY COUNTY — A fire at a skilled nursing facility prompted evacuations on Thursday.

Just after 9 p.m.,&nbsp; the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 2121 Meadowlark Rd. #A 157 for a report of a fire in the building, according to a media relaase.

Upon arrival, crews found a small fire in a resident room in the Lyle House and extinguished it with a fire extinguisher. 

Crews then ventilated the building to remove all smoke.&nbsp; Nursing staff evacuated the residents of Lyle House prior to crew's arrival.&nbsp;&nbsp;One staff member was treated, and one resident was evaluated, by Riley County Emergency Medical Services for smoke inhalation.&nbsp;&nbsp; A total of 19 firefighters responded on 6 fire apparatus with the last units clearing just after 10:00 p.m. Lyle House is a skilled nursing household located in Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community.&nbsp; Loss is estimated at $2,000 to contents and $5,000 to the structure. The owner is listed as Manhattan Retirement Foundation Inc. The fire cause is accidental due to a blanket being placed over a lamp.

RILEY COUNTY — A fire at a skilled nursing facility prompted evacuations on Thursday.Just after 9 p.m.,&nbsp; the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 2121 Meadowlark Rd. #A 157 for a report of a fire in the building, according to a media relaase.Upon arrival, crews found a small fire in a resident room in the Lyle House and extinguished it with a fire extinguisher. Crews then ventilated the building to remove all smoke.&nbsp; Nursing staff evacuated the residents of Lyle House prior to crew's arrival.&nbsp;&nbsp;One staff member was treated, and one resident was evaluated, by Riley County Emergency Medical Services for smoke inhalation.&nbsp;&nbsp; A total of 19 firefighters responded on 6 fire apparatus with the last units clearing just after 10:00 p.m. Lyle House is a skilled nursing household located in Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community.&nbsp; Loss is estimated at $2,000 to contents and $5,000 to the structure. The owner is listed as Manhattan Retirement Foundation Inc. The fire cause is accidental due to a blanket being placed over a lamp.

Fire at Kan. skilled nursing home leads to evacuation

ATLANTA (AP) — A scowling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;posed for a mug shot Thursday as he surrendered inside a jail in Atlanta on charges that he illegally schemed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-grand-jury-willis-d39562cedfc60d64948708de1b011ed3" target="_blank">overturn the 2020 election in Georgia</a>, creating a historic and humbling visual underscoring the former president’s escalating legal troubles.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mug-shot-donald-trump-indictment-839920116a244df3e55bdedf33820a80" target="_blank">booking photo</a>&nbsp;instantly becomes part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mug-shot-donald-trump-indictment-839920116a244df3e55bdedf33820a80" target="_blank">former president’s legacy</a>&nbsp;as he confronts criminal charges in four American cities while seeking to reclaim the White House.

His aides swiftly seized on the image, fundraising off the first mug shot in American history of a former president as representative of the persecution they contend Trump is encountering. His opponents, meanwhile, are likely to use it to remind voters of dangers in electing a president facing dozens of felony charges.

Trump was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey, flashing a thumbs-up through the window of his sport utility vehicle as his motorcade left. Unrepentant but subdued after the brief jail visit, he again insisted that he “did nothing wrong” and called the case accusing him of subverting election results a “travesty of justice.”

“If you challenge an election, you should be able to challenge an election,” he told reporters on the airport tarmac.

Trump’s surrender to law enforcement authorities, the fourth time this year, has by now become a familiar election-season routine in a way that belies the unprecedented spectacle of a former president, and current candidate, being booked on criminal charges. But his visit to Atlanta was notably different from the three past surrenders, unfolding at night and requiring him to visit a problem-plagued jail - rather than a courthouse.

And unlike in other cities that did not require him to pose for a mug shot, a booking photo of him was taken. It depicts Trump, wearing a navy suit and red tie, angrily scowling at the camera, his brows furrowed as he stares into the lens.

Before Trump’s plane had crossed North Carolina, his campaign was already using the image to solicit contributions on a fundraising site. And for the first time since Jan. 8, 2021, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-twitter-tweets-return-49594b9f72c68a309758e19bc9cdce0f" target="_blank">made a post on X</a>, the website formerly known as Twitter, issuing a fundraising plea on the platform that prevented him from using his account after he helped spark the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege" target="_blank">violent insurrection</a>&nbsp;at the U.S. Capitol.

“This mugshot will forever go down in history as a symbol of America’s defiance of tyranny,” said a Trump campaign fundraising email.

He also called into conservative TV channel Newsmax to talk about what he said had been “a very sad day for our country.”

His jail visit created a remarkable split-screen visual during a 2024 Republican primary contest in which he remains the leading candidate, swiping the spotlight at least temporarily from his opponents and coming one day after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/first-republican-debate-2024-elections-gop-89812d5aa1ed6a4ebe7373ff36858250" target="_blank">debate in Milwaukee</a>&nbsp;where eight of his leading rivals sought to exploit Trump’s absence by trying to stand out from the pack.

Trump landed in Atlanta around 7 p.m. and was driven to jail for the booking process. He offered a wave and thumbs-up as he descended the steps of his private plane.

He completed the process in a brisk 20 minutes, providing officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Blond or strawberry hair. And Trump, who for four years in the White House reveled in the title of “Mr. President,” was given the inmate number of P01135809.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692965420915.png" alt="<a href="https://secure.winred.com/save-america-joint-fundraising-committee/storefront/?utm_medium=ad&amp;utm_source=ci_d_google&amp;utm_content=merch_sa&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwoqGnBhAcEiwAwK-OkaZiWlh4S9H_vnsbqb5BElRpCKuPZA0HBkU2HP5hBbBP913L2Y6jeBoCtmsQAvD_BwE">MAGA gear on the Trump campaign web site</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://secure.winred.com/save-america-joint-fundraising-committee/storefront/?utm_medium=ad&amp;utm_source=ci_d_google&amp;utm_content=merch_sa&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwoqGnBhAcEiwAwK-OkaZiWlh4S9H_vnsbqb5BElRpCKuPZA0HBkU2HP5hBbBP913L2Y6jeBoCtmsQAvD_BwE">MAGA gear on the Trump campaign web site</a></figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — A scowling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;posed for a mug shot Thursday as he surrendered inside a jail in Atlanta on charges that he illegally schemed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-grand-jury-willis-d39562cedfc60d64948708de1b011ed3" target="_blank">overturn the 2020 election in Georgia</a>, creating a historic and humbling visual underscoring the former president’s escalating legal troubles.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump remarks after Fulton County Jail booking: &quot;If you challenge an election, you should be able to challenge an election. I thought the election was a rigged election, a stolen election and I should have every right to do that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/RF98T5ghb5">pic.twitter.com/RF98T5ghb5</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1694871700968817018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mug-shot-donald-trump-indictment-839920116a244df3e55bdedf33820a80" target="_blank">booking photo</a>&nbsp;instantly becomes part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mug-shot-donald-trump-indictment-839920116a244df3e55bdedf33820a80" target="_blank">former president’s legacy</a>&nbsp;as he confronts criminal charges in four American cities while seeking to reclaim the White House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/MlIKklPSJT">https://t.co/MlIKklPSJT</a> <a href="https://t.co/Mcbf2xozsY">pic.twitter.com/Mcbf2xozsY</a>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1694886846050771321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>His aides swiftly seized on the image, fundraising off the first mug shot in American history of a former president as representative of the persecution they contend Trump is encountering. His opponents, meanwhile, are likely to use it to remind voters of dangers in electing a president facing dozens of felony charges.Trump was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey, flashing a thumbs-up through the window of his sport utility vehicle as his motorcade left. Unrepentant but subdued after the brief jail visit, he again insisted that he “did nothing wrong” and called the case accusing him of subverting election results a “travesty of justice.”“If you challenge an election, you should be able to challenge an election,” he told reporters on the airport tarmac.Trump’s surrender to law enforcement authorities, the fourth time this year, has by now become a familiar election-season routine in a way that belies the unprecedented spectacle of a former president, and current candidate, being booked on criminal charges. But his visit to Atlanta was notably different from the three past surrenders, unfolding at night and requiring him to visit a problem-plagued jail - rather than a courthouse.And unlike in other cities that did not require him to pose for a mug shot, a booking photo of him was taken. It depicts Trump, wearing a navy suit and red tie, angrily scowling at the camera, his brows furrowed as he stares into the lens.Before Trump’s plane had crossed North Carolina, his campaign was already using the image to solicit contributions on a fundraising site. And for the first time since Jan. 8, 2021, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-twitter-tweets-return-49594b9f72c68a309758e19bc9cdce0f" target="_blank">made a post on X</a>, the website formerly known as Twitter, issuing a fundraising plea on the platform that prevented him from using his account after he helped spark the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege" target="_blank">violent insurrection</a>&nbsp;at the U.S. Capitol.“This mugshot will forever go down in history as a symbol of America’s defiance of tyranny,” said a Trump campaign fundraising email.He also called into conservative TV channel Newsmax to talk about what he said had been “a very sad day for our country.”His jail visit created a remarkable split-screen visual during a 2024 Republican primary contest in which he remains the leading candidate, swiping the spotlight at least temporarily from his opponents and coming one day after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/first-republican-debate-2024-elections-gop-89812d5aa1ed6a4ebe7373ff36858250" target="_blank">debate in Milwaukee</a>&nbsp;where eight of his leading rivals sought to exploit Trump’s absence by trying to stand out from the pack.Trump landed in Atlanta around 7 p.m. and was driven to jail for the booking process. He offered a wave and thumbs-up as he descended the steps of his private plane.He completed the process in a brisk 20 minutes, providing officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Blond or strawberry hair. And Trump, who for four years in the White House reveled in the title of “Mr. President,” was given the inmate number of P01135809.

🎥Trump: Travesty of justice, good for fundraising

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an injury crash during a police chase that sent&nbsp;

Just after 7a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a welfare check in the area of 600 W. 30th Street South in Wichita regarding two individuals slumped over in a white Chevy Silverado, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

A Wichita Traffic Motor Officer arrived on the scene and contacted the driver, later identified as Nichilas Grady Shugart, 41, of Wichita, who then accelerated and drove away, striking and running over the officer’s lower leg.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Wichita Police were in pursuit of a Silverado driven by<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=285885">&nbsp;Shugart</a>&nbsp;westbound in the 2400 Block of 15th Street.

The Silverado ran the stop sign at North Meridan and struck a northbound 2000 Dodge Caravan driven by Alicia Reico, 51, Wichita, on the the right front quarter panel.

EMS transported the Wichita Traffic Motor officer and Reico to a local hospital. Both had non-life-threatening injuries. The officer is being released from the hospital, according to Gupilan.

Police arrested Shugart on requested charges of aggravated. battery, failure to stop at an accident, attempt to elude law enforcement and driving while license canceled of suspended, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Police also arrested a passenger in the pickup 27-year-old&nbsp;Odessa Silcott of Wichita, on requested charges of Possession of Narcotics, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Distribute Controlled Substance, Attempted possession of a Hallucinogenic Drug, and a Probation Violation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692900399480.png" alt="Police on the scene of the crash investigation -photo courtesy&nbsp; KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the crash investigation -photo courtesy&nbsp; KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an injury crash during a police chase that sent&nbsp;Just after 7a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a welfare check in the area of 600 W. 30th Street South in Wichita regarding two individuals slumped over in a white Chevy Silverado, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.A Wichita Traffic Motor Officer arrived on the scene and contacted the driver, later identified as Nichilas Grady Shugart, 41, of Wichita, who then accelerated and drove away, striking and running over the officer’s lower leg.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Wichita Police were in pursuit of a Silverado driven by<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=285885">&nbsp;Shugart</a>&nbsp;westbound in the 2400 Block of 15th Street.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692920657940.png" alt="Shugart-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Shugart-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Silverado ran the stop sign at North Meridan and struck a northbound 2000 Dodge Caravan driven by Alicia Reico, 51, Wichita, on the the right front quarter panel.EMS transported the Wichita Traffic Motor officer and Reico to a local hospital. Both had non-life-threatening injuries. The officer is being released from the hospital, according to Gupilan.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692923986306.png" alt="Silcott-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Silcott-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police arrested Shugart on requested charges of aggravated. battery, failure to stop at an accident, attempt to elude law enforcement and driving while license canceled of suspended, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Police also arrested a passenger in the pickup 27-year-old&nbsp;Odessa Silcott of Wichita, on requested charges of Possession of Narcotics, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Distribute Controlled Substance, Attempted possession of a Hallucinogenic Drug, and a Probation Violation.

Suspect drove over Kansas officer's leg ahead of crash

WICHITA —Authorities with USD 259 are investigating a violent incident at West High School, 820 South Osage in Wichita on Thursday.

Just before 1p.m., a group of students got in a fight during lunch, according to school district spokesperson&nbsp;Susan Arensman.

 The school went into lockdown to get students away from the situation to keep them safe. Police also responded to assist.&nbsp; A staff member was injured trying to intervene, according to Arensman.

Just after 2p.m., the school lockdown was lifted

The students involved face serious consequences.&nbsp; The school district reported no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692957761798.png" alt="Police on the scene at Wichita West High on Thursday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene at Wichita West High on Thursday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —Authorities with USD 259 are investigating a violent incident at West High School, 820 South Osage in Wichita on Thursday.Just before 1p.m., a group of students got in a fight during lunch, according to school district spokesperson&nbsp;Susan Arensman. The school went into lockdown to get students away from the situation to keep them safe. Police also responded to assist.&nbsp; A staff member was injured trying to intervene, according to Arensman.Just after 2p.m., the school lockdown was lifted The students involved face serious consequences.&nbsp; The school district reported no additional details.

Staff member injured during student fight at Kansas high school

CAMDEN COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 11p.m. Thursday in Camden County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Dennis N. Harmon, 48, Camdenton, was eastbound on U.S. 54 just east of Route A.&nbsp;

The motorcycle traveled off the left side of the road, struck the median cable barrier and the driver was ejected.

Mercy ambulance transported Harmon to Lake Regional Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

CAMDEN COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 11p.m. Thursday in Camden County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Dennis N. Harmon, 48, Camdenton, was eastbound on U.S. 54 just east of Route A.&nbsp;The motorcycle traveled off the left side of the road, struck the median cable barrier and the driver was ejected.Mercy ambulance transported Harmon to Lake Regional Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after motorcycle strikes median cable barrier

FDA is warning consumers not to purchase and to immediately stop using Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops – Eye Repair due to bacterial contamination, fungal contamination, or both, according to a statement on the agency web site.

Dr. Berne’s products are distributed by Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products; LightEyez’ products are distributed by LightEyez Limited.

FDA recommends consumers properly discard these products&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-disposal-medicines/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know">as FDA describes</a>. Using contaminated eye drops could result in minor to serious vision-threatening infection which could possibly progress to a life-threatening infection.

FDA is not aware of any adverse event reports associated with use of either products at this time. Patients who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection should talk to their health care professional or otherwise seek medical care immediately.

The Dr. Berne’s and LightEyez eye drop products also contain methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) as an active ingredient. These products are unapproved drugs and illegally marketed in the U.S. There are no legally marketed ophthalmic drugs that contain MSM as an active ingredient.

FDA conducted sampling and testing based on these products’ intended use in the eyes, and due to the industry’s recent manufacturing issues with eye drops. FDA’s testing showed the products were contaminated with microbes and were not sterile. Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, eye drops must be sterile to be safe for use. The table below includes examples of specific microbes isolated from FDA testing.

Dr. Berne verbally agreed on August 21, 2023, to voluntary recall the Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution.

FDA emailed LightEyez Limited on August 21, 2023 seeking to discuss FDA’s concerns with LightEyez products distributed in the U.S. and further steps to protect consumers from using the contaminated eye drops. To date, LightEyez has not responded to FDA or taken action to protect consumers.

FDA encourages health care professionals and consumers to report adverse events or quality problems with any medicine to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program">FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting</a>&nbsp;program:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692928228320.png" alt="Lighteyes.com" />
 <figcaption>Lighteyes.com</figcaption>
 </figure>FDA is warning consumers not to purchase and to immediately stop using Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops – Eye Repair due to bacterial contamination, fungal contamination, or both, according to a statement on the agency web site.Dr. Berne’s products are distributed by Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products; LightEyez’ products are distributed by LightEyez Limited.FDA recommends consumers properly discard these products&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-disposal-medicines/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know">as FDA describes</a>. Using contaminated eye drops could result in minor to serious vision-threatening infection which could possibly progress to a life-threatening infection.FDA is not aware of any adverse event reports associated with use of either products at this time. Patients who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection should talk to their health care professional or otherwise seek medical care immediately.The Dr. Berne’s and LightEyez eye drop products also contain methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) as an active ingredient. These products are unapproved drugs and illegally marketed in the U.S. There are no legally marketed ophthalmic drugs that contain MSM as an active ingredient.FDA conducted sampling and testing based on these products’ intended use in the eyes, and due to the industry’s recent manufacturing issues with eye drops. FDA’s testing showed the products were contaminated with microbes and were not sterile. Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, eye drops must be sterile to be safe for use. The table below includes examples of specific microbes isolated from FDA testing.Dr. Berne verbally agreed on August 21, 2023, to voluntary recall the Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution.FDA emailed LightEyez Limited on August 21, 2023 seeking to discuss FDA’s concerns with LightEyez products distributed in the U.S. and further steps to protect consumers from using the contaminated eye drops. To date, LightEyez has not responded to FDA or taken action to protect consumers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692927782961.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FDA encourages health care professionals and consumers to report adverse events or quality problems with any medicine to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program">FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting</a>&nbsp;program:<ul>
 <li>Complete and submit the report online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program">Medwatch</a>; or</li><li>Download and complete the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/85598/download?attachment">form</a>, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.</li>
 </ul>

Eye drops recall: FDA warns discard these brands immediately

ATLANTA (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;surrendered Thursday on charges that he illegally schemed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-grand-jury-willis-d39562cedfc60d64948708de1b011ed3">overturn the 2020 election in Georgia</a>, a brisk 20-minute booking that yielded a historic first: a mug shot of a former American president.

He was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey.

<a href="https://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/editorialfiles/2023/08/14/23SC188947_-_CRIMINAL_INDICTMENT.pdf">Click here to read the full</a>&nbsp;indictment

Trump’s surrender to law enforcement authorities has become by now a familiar election-season routine in a way that belies the unprecedented spectacle of a former president being booked, in four different cities, on felony criminal charges.

But his visit to Atlanta was notably different from the three past surrenders, unfolding at night and requiring him to visit a problem-plagued jail — rather than a courthouse — and not in a liberal bastion like New York or Washington but rather in the heart of a battleground state vital to the 2024 presidential election. And unlike in other cities that did not require him to pose for a mug shot, a booking photo of him was taken, according to a person familiar with the proceedings.

Trump landed in Atlanta shortly after 7 p.m. and was driven, through the city's rush-hour traffic, to jail for the booking process. Wearing his signature white shirt and red tie, he offered a wave and thumbs up as he descended the steps of his private plane.

He completed the process in 20 minutes, providing officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Strawberry or blond hair.

The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-florida-hush-money-election-764309dce49f81a50bf9f610ffd5ceb6">the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted</a>. Since then, he's faced federal charges in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">Florida</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">Washington</a>, and this month he was indicted in Atlanta with 18 others — including his ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former New York Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-giuliani-georgia-election-indictment-fulton-county-203b1e69cbff227a0bf8cc59a6bb645f">Rudy Giuliani</a>&nbsp;— under a racketeering statute normally associated with gang members and organized crime.

Giuliani surrendered on Wednesday and posed for a mug shot. Meadows, who had sought to avoid having to turn himself in while he seeks to move the case to federal court, turned himself in Thursday. Bond was set at $100,000.

The criminal cases have spurred a succession of bookings and arraignments, with Trump making brief court appearances before returning to the 2024 campaign trail. He's turned the appearances into campaign events amid a far lighter schedule than his rivals, with staff delighting in wall-to-wall media coverage that has included news helicopters tracking his every move.

The campaign has also used the appearances to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-jan-6-presidential-race-alabama-805ab1fe729b4cc0b7562b7802ad68ef">solicit fundraising contributions</a>&nbsp;from his supporters as aides paint the charges as part of a politically motivated effort to damage his reelection chances. As Trump was en route from New Jersey to Atlanta, his campaign sent a message saying, “I’m writing to you from Trump Force One, on my way to Atlanta where I will be ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME.”

As afternoon turned to evening, scores of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maga-fans-surrender-jail-atlanta-election-c30e4836e3d9f2c9751cc38a6975c2bb">Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;had gathered outside the jail where the ex-president was to surrender, some waving flags with Trump’s name, as officials tightened security measures.

District Attorney Fani Willis has given all of the defendants until Friday afternoon to turn themselves in at the main Fulton County jail. On Thursday, her office proposed an October 23 trial date, though the complexities of the 19-person case — and potential scheduling conflicts with other Trump prosecutions — would appear to make it all but impossible. The date seemed to be a response to early legal maneuvering by at least one defendant, Kenneth Chesebro, who requested a speedy trial.

Just ahead of his expected surrender, Trump hired a new lead attorney for the Georgia case.

Prominent Atlanta criminal defense attorney Steve Sadow took the place of another high-profile criminal defense attorney, Drew Findling, who had represented Trump as recently as Monday when his bond terms were negotiated. But by Thursday Findling was no longer part of the team, according to a person with knowledge of the change who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Sadow, who has represented a rapper, Gunna,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/music-crime-atlanta-hip-hop-and-rap-2b84724c182d165c1704c4873e9dc6e8">who pleaded guilty last year in a racketeering case also brought by Willis</a>, said in a statement that “the president should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him.”

“We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open minded jury finding the president not guilty," he added. "Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the president have no place in our justice system.”

It’s not the first time this year that Trump has shaken up his legal team either in the run-up to an indictment or in the immediate aftermath. One of his lead lawyers, Tim Parlatore, left the legal team weeks before Trump was indicted in Florida on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-indictment-miami-court-e9412bb71b63ab1b7cfb8e8b122e9809">charges of illegally hoarding classified documents</a>, citing conflicts with a top Trump adviser. Two other lawyers, James Trusty and John Rowley, announced their resignations the morning after that indictment was returned.

Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He said in a social media post this week that he was being prosecuted for what he described in capital letters as a “perfect phone call” in which he asked the Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to help him&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-georgia-elections-a7b4aa4d8ce3bf52301ddbe620c6bff6">“find 11,780 votes”</a>&nbsp;for him to overturn his loss in the state to Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump is expected to turn himself in at the Fulton County jail, which has long been a troubled facility. The Justice Department last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-fulton-county-jail-investigation-6851ae2610d8265ce793abde99695fd8">opened a civil rights investigation</a>&nbsp;into conditions, citing filthy cells, violence and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects in the main jail’s psychiatric wing. Three people have died in Fulton County custody in the past month.

But Trump is not expected to spend much time there.

His attorneys and prosecutors have already agreed to a $200,000 bond, plus conditions that include barring the former president from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case.

When defendants arrive at the jail, they typically pass through a security checkpoint before checking in for formal booking in the lobby. During the booking process, defendants are typically photographed and fingerprinted and asked to provide certain personal information. Since Trump’s bond has already been set, he will be released from custody once the booking process is complete.

Unlike in other jurisdictions, in Fulton County, arraignments — in which a defendant appears in court for the first time — generally happen after a defendant surrenders at the jail and completes the booking process, not on the same day. That means Trump could have to make two trips to Georgia in the coming weeks though the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has said some arraignments in the case may happen virtually if the judge allows, or he could waive Trump's arraignment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692924558227.png" alt="Former President Donald Trump as shown in his Fulton Co. booking photo" />
 <figcaption>Former President Donald Trump as shown in his Fulton Co. booking photo</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;surrendered Thursday on charges that he illegally schemed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-grand-jury-willis-d39562cedfc60d64948708de1b011ed3">overturn the 2020 election in Georgia</a>, a brisk 20-minute booking that yielded a historic first: a mug shot of a former American president.He was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692923629903.png" alt="Former President Donald Trump steps off his plane as he arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. Trump is headed to the Fulton County Jail. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)" />
 <figcaption>Former President Donald Trump steps off his plane as he arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. Trump is headed to the Fulton County Jail. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/editorialfiles/2023/08/14/23SC188947_-_CRIMINAL_INDICTMENT.pdf">Click here to read the full</a>&nbsp;indictmentTrump’s surrender to law enforcement authorities has become by now a familiar election-season routine in a way that belies the unprecedented spectacle of a former president being booked, in four different cities, on felony criminal charges.But his visit to Atlanta was notably different from the three past surrenders, unfolding at night and requiring him to visit a problem-plagued jail — rather than a courthouse — and not in a liberal bastion like New York or Washington but rather in the heart of a battleground state vital to the 2024 presidential election. And unlike in other cities that did not require him to pose for a mug shot, a booking photo of him was taken, according to a person familiar with the proceedings.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former president Trump arrives in Atlanta, Georgia. <a href="https://t.co/P9iyVsE0BV">pic.twitter.com/P9iyVsE0BV</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1694857602835026097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump landed in Atlanta shortly after 7 p.m. and was driven, through the city's rush-hour traffic, to jail for the booking process. Wearing his signature white shirt and red tie, he offered a wave and thumbs up as he descended the steps of his private plane.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former president Trump arrives at Fulton County Jail for booking. <a href="https://t.co/fXSNtxKkWl">pic.twitter.com/fXSNtxKkWl</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1694866936809885897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He completed the process in 20 minutes, providing officials as is customary with his physical measurements: 6 foot 3 inches. 215 pounds. Strawberry or blond hair.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692701458714.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692906724354.png" alt="Meadows-photo Fulton Co." />
 <figcaption>Meadows-photo Fulton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Fulton County prosecution is the fourth criminal case against Trump since March, when he became&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-florida-hush-money-election-764309dce49f81a50bf9f610ffd5ceb6">the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted</a>. Since then, he's faced federal charges in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">Florida</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">Washington</a>, and this month he was indicted in Atlanta with 18 others — including his ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former New York Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-giuliani-georgia-election-indictment-fulton-county-203b1e69cbff227a0bf8cc59a6bb645f">Rudy Giuliani</a>&nbsp;— under a racketeering statute normally associated with gang members and organized crime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692827609455.png" alt="Giuliani-photo Fulton Co." />
 <figcaption>Giuliani-photo Fulton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Giuliani surrendered on Wednesday and posed for a mug shot. Meadows, who had sought to avoid having to turn himself in while he seeks to move the case to federal court, turned himself in Thursday. Bond was set at $100,000.The criminal cases have spurred a succession of bookings and arraignments, with Trump making brief court appearances before returning to the 2024 campaign trail. He's turned the appearances into campaign events amid a far lighter schedule than his rivals, with staff delighting in wall-to-wall media coverage that has included news helicopters tracking his every move.The campaign has also used the appearances to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-jan-6-presidential-race-alabama-805ab1fe729b4cc0b7562b7802ad68ef">solicit fundraising contributions</a>&nbsp;from his supporters as aides paint the charges as part of a politically motivated effort to damage his reelection chances. As Trump was en route from New Jersey to Atlanta, his campaign sent a message saying, “I’m writing to you from Trump Force One, on my way to Atlanta where I will be ARRESTED despite having committed NO CRIME.”As afternoon turned to evening, scores of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maga-fans-surrender-jail-atlanta-election-c30e4836e3d9f2c9751cc38a6975c2bb">Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;had gathered outside the jail where the ex-president was to surrender, some waving flags with Trump’s name, as officials tightened security measures.District Attorney Fani Willis has given all of the defendants until Friday afternoon to turn themselves in at the main Fulton County jail. On Thursday, her office proposed an October 23 trial date, though the complexities of the 19-person case — and potential scheduling conflicts with other Trump prosecutions — would appear to make it all but impossible. The date seemed to be a response to early legal maneuvering by at least one defendant, Kenneth Chesebro, who requested a speedy trial.Just ahead of his expected surrender, Trump hired a new lead attorney for the Georgia case.Prominent Atlanta criminal defense attorney Steve Sadow took the place of another high-profile criminal defense attorney, Drew Findling, who had represented Trump as recently as Monday when his bond terms were negotiated. But by Thursday Findling was no longer part of the team, according to a person with knowledge of the change who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.Sadow, who has represented a rapper, Gunna,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/music-crime-atlanta-hip-hop-and-rap-2b84724c182d165c1704c4873e9dc6e8">who pleaded guilty last year in a racketeering case also brought by Willis</a>, said in a statement that “the president should never have been indicted. He is innocent of all the charges brought against him.”“We look forward to the case being dismissed or, if necessary, an unbiased, open minded jury finding the president not guilty," he added. "Prosecutions intended to advance or serve the ambitions and careers of political opponents of the president have no place in our justice system.”It’s not the first time this year that Trump has shaken up his legal team either in the run-up to an indictment or in the immediate aftermath. One of his lead lawyers, Tim Parlatore, left the legal team weeks before Trump was indicted in Florida on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-indictment-miami-court-e9412bb71b63ab1b7cfb8e8b122e9809">charges of illegally hoarding classified documents</a>, citing conflicts with a top Trump adviser. Two other lawyers, James Trusty and John Rowley, announced their resignations the morning after that indictment was returned.Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He said in a social media post this week that he was being prosecuted for what he described in capital letters as a “perfect phone call” in which he asked the Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, to help him&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-georgia-elections-a7b4aa4d8ce3bf52301ddbe620c6bff6">“find 11,780 votes”</a>&nbsp;for him to overturn his loss in the state to Democrat Joe Biden.Trump is expected to turn himself in at the Fulton County jail, which has long been a troubled facility. The Justice Department last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-fulton-county-jail-investigation-6851ae2610d8265ce793abde99695fd8">opened a civil rights investigation</a>&nbsp;into conditions, citing filthy cells, violence and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects in the main jail’s psychiatric wing. Three people have died in Fulton County custody in the past month.But Trump is not expected to spend much time there.His attorneys and prosecutors have already agreed to a $200,000 bond, plus conditions that include barring the former president from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case.When defendants arrive at the jail, they typically pass through a security checkpoint before checking in for formal booking in the lobby. During the booking process, defendants are typically photographed and fingerprinted and asked to provide certain personal information. Since Trump’s bond has already been set, he will be released from custody once the booking process is complete.Unlike in other jurisdictions, in Fulton County, arraignments — in which a defendant appears in court for the first time — generally happen after a defendant surrenders at the jail and completes the booking process, not on the same day. That means Trump could have to make two trips to Georgia in the coming weeks though the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has said some arraignments in the case may happen virtually if the judge allows, or he could waive Trump's arraignment.

🎥Trump completes Georgia jail booking process in record time

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/darrell-ehrlick/">DARRELL EHRLICK</a>

A federal judge in Virginia will likely stay — or pause — a case regarding medical providers and mifepristone, a drug commonly used as part of chemical abortions, because of similar challenges in Texas and Washington.

Groups from Kansas, Virginia and Montana had filed the suit in the Charlottesville division of Virginia and asked Judge Robert S. Ballou to order the Food and Drug Administration to drop requirements of reporting adverse effects of the drug as well as limiting which providers can prescribe it. The plaintiffs, a group of women’s health providers and clinics, had said an April ruling by a federal judge in Texas would have curtailed their ability to prescribe the drug via telehealth.

However, Ballou pointed out that the Texas case, as well as a different one in Washington state, focus on the FDA, mifepristone and what prescription guidelines should be in place. Those issues are winding their way through other federal courts and will likely land at the U.S. Supreme Court. Ballou said for those reasons, and because most of the legal actions surrounding medical providers’ ability to prescribe mifepristone have been temporarily paused because of the ongoing court action, it was in the best interest to wait or pause the Virginia case until the matter was decided, possibly by the nation’s highest court.

Originally, medical providers pointed to the remarkable track record of safety for the drug, noting that its risk of death was much smaller than some over-the-counter medications, including ibuprofen. However, the organizations bristled at more restrictions being implemented by the FDA without corresponding scientific data. They said that the additional measures were burdensome and limited healthcare for women who were considering an abortion.

“Plaintiffs have offered no evidence that FDA intends to take action to change any of mifepristone’s (tracking and prescribing requirements) or to restrict the access of the drug in Virginia, Kansas or Montana,” Ballou said in a memorandum opinion. “Indeed the FDA has been enjoined from changing (them) at this time in 17 states and the District of Columbia by the Washington court. “

Ballou did point out, though, that the issue may again become ready to litigate in court after a decision by the Supreme Court or an appeals court.

“I agree that the outcome of the (Texas) case could have an impact on plaintiffs, but it is neither necessary nor appropriate to issue a preliminary injunction in anticipation or because of a ruling from another court,” Ballou said.

He ordered all parties to set up a conference to make sure the record in the court case is complete before issuing any final order.

This story was produced by the Daily Montanan, a States Newsroom affiliate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="photo Ap" />
 <figcaption>photo Ap</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/darrell-ehrlick/">DARRELL EHRLICK</a> A federal judge in Virginia will likely stay — or pause — a case regarding medical providers and mifepristone, a drug commonly used as part of chemical abortions, because of similar challenges in Texas and Washington.Groups from Kansas, Virginia and Montana had filed the suit in the Charlottesville division of Virginia and asked Judge Robert S. Ballou to order the Food and Drug Administration to drop requirements of reporting adverse effects of the drug as well as limiting which providers can prescribe it. The plaintiffs, a group of women’s health providers and clinics, had said an April ruling by a federal judge in Texas would have curtailed their ability to prescribe the drug via telehealth.However, Ballou pointed out that the Texas case, as well as a different one in Washington state, focus on the FDA, mifepristone and what prescription guidelines should be in place. Those issues are winding their way through other federal courts and will likely land at the U.S. Supreme Court. Ballou said for those reasons, and because most of the legal actions surrounding medical providers’ ability to prescribe mifepristone have been temporarily paused because of the ongoing court action, it was in the best interest to wait or pause the Virginia case until the matter was decided, possibly by the nation’s highest court.Originally, medical providers pointed to the remarkable track record of safety for the drug, noting that its risk of death was much smaller than some over-the-counter medications, including ibuprofen. However, the organizations bristled at more restrictions being implemented by the FDA without corresponding scientific data. They said that the additional measures were burdensome and limited healthcare for women who were considering an abortion.“Plaintiffs have offered no evidence that FDA intends to take action to change any of mifepristone’s (tracking and prescribing requirements) or to restrict the access of the drug in Virginia, Kansas or Montana,” Ballou said in a memorandum opinion. “Indeed the FDA has been enjoined from changing (them) at this time in 17 states and the District of Columbia by the Washington court. “Ballou did point out, though, that the issue may again become ready to litigate in court after a decision by the Supreme Court or an appeals court.“I agree that the outcome of the (Texas) case could have an impact on plaintiffs, but it is neither necessary nor appropriate to issue a preliminary injunction in anticipation or because of a ruling from another court,” Ballou said.He ordered all parties to set up a conference to make sure the record in the court case is complete before issuing any final order.This story was produced by the Daily Montanan, a States Newsroom affiliate.

Federal judge considers stay in abortion case affecting Kansas 

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge is sealing some court documents in a case against a Tennessee woman who is charged with murder after a car chase ended in a gas station shootout that left a police officer and another suspect dead.

Johnson County Judge Michael P. Joyce ruled Wednesday that the probable cause affidavits explaining the allegations against Andrea Rene Cothran, 32, of Goodlettsville, would not be released. The Associated Press had filed a formal request seeking them.

In addition to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-police-shootout-shooting-car-chase-a3917881554f8f6fdf0735b50d455f26">first-degree murder</a>, Cothran also is charged with reckless driving, felony theft, fleeing law enforcement and aggravated battery in connection with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mission-kansas-police-shooting-stolen-car-chase-fatal-10633b974f48eacc93c2b2844f13472c">Aug. 6</a>&nbsp;car chase that ended in a shootout at a QuikTrip store in Mission, Kansas.

The gunfire left Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-police-shooting-mission-ae658e2fe438bea4976c017b75d61ba8">Jonah Oswald</a>&nbsp;of the Fairway Police Department and car chase suspect Shannon Wayne Marshall dead. Police said previously that Cothran was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-police-shooting-mission-817c8933ca3aff9e7772e8d8aeaafb24">passenger</a>&nbsp;in the fleeing vehicle.

While the state allows probable cause statements to be released, it includes exceptions when they can be withheld. Joyce wrote in his ruling that prosecutors made a good case that the documents did not need to be released because doing so could jeopardize the case and interfere with the investigation or prosecution.

Cothran’s attorney, Joel Rook, did not immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691356366635.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge is sealing some court documents in a case against a Tennessee woman who is charged with murder after a car chase ended in a gas station shootout that left a police officer and another suspect dead.Johnson County Judge Michael P. Joyce ruled Wednesday that the probable cause affidavits explaining the allegations against Andrea Rene Cothran, 32, of Goodlettsville, would not be released. The Associated Press had filed a formal request seeking them.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691521167515.png" alt="Cothran-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Cothran-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>In addition to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-police-shootout-shooting-car-chase-a3917881554f8f6fdf0735b50d455f26">first-degree murder</a>, Cothran also is charged with reckless driving, felony theft, fleeing law enforcement and aggravated battery in connection with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mission-kansas-police-shooting-stolen-car-chase-fatal-10633b974f48eacc93c2b2844f13472c">Aug. 6</a>&nbsp;car chase that ended in a shootout at a QuikTrip store in Mission, Kansas.The gunfire left Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-police-shooting-mission-ae658e2fe438bea4976c017b75d61ba8">Jonah Oswald</a>&nbsp;of the Fairway Police Department and car chase suspect Shannon Wayne Marshall dead. Police said previously that Cothran was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-police-shooting-mission-817c8933ca3aff9e7772e8d8aeaafb24">passenger</a>&nbsp;in the fleeing vehicle.While the state allows probable cause statements to be released, it includes exceptions when they can be withheld. Joyce wrote in his ruling that prosecutors made a good case that the documents did not need to be released because doing so could jeopardize the case and interfere with the investigation or prosecution.Cothran’s attorney, Joel Rook, did not immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Judge seals court docs in car chase that ended in Kan. officer's death

WASHINGTON (AP) — A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that the plane crash presumed to have killed Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was intentionally caused by an explosion, U.S. and Western officials said Thursday as Russian President Vladimir Putin eulogized the man who staged the biggest challenge to his 23-year rule.

One of the officials said the initial assessment determined it was “very likely” Prigozhin was targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putin’s “long history of trying to silence his critics.”

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, did not offer any details on what caused the explosion, which was believed to have also killed several of Prigozhin's lieutenants to avenge a mutiny that challenged the Russian leader’s authority.

U.S. officials had no information to suggest a surface-to-air missile was launched against the private aircraft, according to one official.

Details of the U.S. assessment surfaced as Putin expressed his condolences to the families of those who were reported to be aboard the jet and referred to “serious mistakes" by Prigozhin.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-wagner-prigozhin-jet-crash-05cf962c8a218a685434b2f8a83297cd">founder of the Wagner military company</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f6cf109ccf19fea4cb87993c8f2d6aaa">six other passengers</a>&nbsp;were on the jet that crashed Wednesday soon after taking off from Moscow with a crew of three, according to Russia's civil aviation authority. Rescuers found 10 bodies, and Russian media cited anonymous sources in Wagner who said Prigozhin was dead. But there has been no official confirmation.

President Joe Biden, speaking to reporters Wednesday, said he believed Putin was behind the crash, though he acknowledged that he did not have information verifying his belief.

“I don’t know for a fact what happened, but I’m not surprised," Biden said. “There’s not much that happens in Russia that Putin’s not behind."

The passenger manifest also included Prigozhin's second-in-command, who baptized the group with his nom de guerre, as well as Wagner's logistics chief, a fighter wounded by U.S. airstrikes in Syria and at least one possible bodyguard.

It was not clear why several high-ranking members of Wagner, including top leaders who are normally exceedingly careful about their security, were on the same flight. The purpose of their joint trip to St. Petersburg was unknown.

At Wagner’s headquarters in St. Petersburg, lights were turned on in the shape of a large cross, and Prigozhin supporters built a makeshift memorial, piling red and white flowers outside the building Thursday, along with company flags and candles.

In this first comments on the crash, Putin said the passengers had “made a significant contribution” to the fighting in Ukraine.

“We remember this, we know, and we will not forget,” the president said in a televised interview with the Russian-installed leader of Ukraine’s partially occupied Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin.

Putin recalled that he had known Prigozhin since the early 1990s and described him as “a man of difficult fate” who had “made serious mistakes in life, and he achieved the results he needed — both for himself and, when I asked him about it, for the common cause, as in these last months. He was a talented man, a talented businessman.”

Russian state media have not covered the crash extensively, instead focusing on Putin's remarks to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brics-russia-china-summit-b5900168d165cc78b36d5d5c068b7a50">BRICS summit</a>&nbsp;in Johannesburg via video link and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Several Russian social media channels reported that the bodies were burned or disfigured beyond recognition and would need to be identified by DNA. The reports were picked up by independent Russian media, but The Associated Press was not able to independently confirm them.

Prigozhin supporters claimed on pro-Wagner messaging app channels that the plane was deliberately downed, including suggesting it could have been hit by a missile or targeted by a bomb on board. Those claims could not be independently verified.

Sergei Mironov, the leader of the pro-Kremlin Fair Russia party and former chairman of the upper house of the Russian parliament suggested on his Telegram channel that Prigozhin had been deliberately killed.

“Prigozhin messed with too many people in Russia, Ukraine and the West,” Mironov wrote. It now seems that at some point his number of enemies reached a critical point."

Russian authorities have said the cause of the crash is under investigation.

Kuzhenkino resident Anastasia Bukharova, 27, said she was walking with her children Wednesday when she saw the jet, “and then — boom! — it exploded in the sky and began to fall down.” She said she was scared it would hit houses in the village and ran with the children, but it ended up crashing into a field.

“Something sort of was torn from it in the air, and it began to go down and down,” she added.

Numerous opponents and critics of Putin have been killed or gravely sickened in apparent assassination attempts, and U.S. and other Western officials long expected the Russian leader to go after Prigozhin, despite promising to drop charges in a deal that ended the June 23-24 mutiny.

"It is no coincidence that the whole world immediately looks at the Kremlin when a disgraced ex-confidant of Putin suddenly falls from the sky, two months after he attempted an uprising,” said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, while acknowledging that the facts were still unclear.

“We know this pattern … in Putin’s Russia — deaths and dubious suicides, falls from windows that all ultimately remain unexplained,” she added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also pointed the finger. “We have nothing to do with this. Everyone understands who does,” he said.

Soon after the plane went down, people on social media and news outlets began to report that it was a Wagner plane. Minutes after Russian state news agencies confirmed the crash, they cited the civil aviation authority as saying Prigozhin’s name was on the mainfest.

Prigozhin was long outspoken and critical of how Russian generals were waging the war in Ukraine, where his mercenaries were some of the fiercest fighters for the Kremlin. For a long time, Putin appeared content to allow such infighting — and Prigozhin seemed to have unusual latitude to speak his mind.

But Prigozhin's brief revolt raised the ante.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-war-russia-nuclear-647a545db4e4628676ff7db5b1bded34">His mercenaries</a>&nbsp;swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot. They then drove to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow and downed several military aircraft, killing more than a dozen Russian pilots.

Putin first denounced the rebellion — the most serious challenge to his 23-year rule — as “treason” and a “stab in the back.” He vowed to punish its perpetrators, and the world waited for his next move, particularly since Prigozhin had publicly questioned the Russian leader's justifications for the war in Ukraine.

But instead Putin made a deal that saw an end to the mutiny in exchange for an amnesty for Prigozhin and his mercenaries and permission for them to move to Belarus.

Now many are suggesting the punishment has finally come.

“The downing of the plane was certainly no mere coincidence,” Janis Sarts, director of NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, told Latvian television.

The Institute for the Study of War argued that Russian authorities likely moved against Prigozhin and his top associates as “the final step to eliminate Wagner as an independent organization.”

Abbas Gallyamov, a former speechwriter for President Putin turned political consultant, said Putin had to step in because, by carrying out the mutiny and remaining free, Prigozhin "shoved Putin's face into the dirt front of the whole world.”

Failing to punish Prigozhin would have offered an “open invitation for all potential rebels and troublemakers,” so Putin had to act, Gallyamov said.

Videos shared by the pro-Wagner Telegram channel Grey Zone showed a plane dropping like a stone from a large cloud of smoke, twisting wildly as it fell, one of its wings apparently missing. A free fall like that typically occurs when an aircraft sustains severe damage, and a frame-by-frame AP analysis of two videos was consistent with some sort of explosion mid-flight.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that the plane crash presumed to have killed Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was intentionally caused by an explosion, U.S. and Western officials said Thursday as Russian President Vladimir Putin eulogized the man who staged the biggest challenge to his 23-year rule.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on the death of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin: &quot;I said I would be careful of what I drink and what I rode in. I don&#39;t know for a fact what happened, but I&#39;m not surprised.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/2J8dS8nqe8">pic.twitter.com/2J8dS8nqe8</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1694443355663733109?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>One of the officials said the initial assessment determined it was “very likely” Prigozhin was targeted and that the explosion falls in line with Putin’s “long history of trying to silence his critics.”The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, did not offer any details on what caused the explosion, which was believed to have also killed several of Prigozhin's lieutenants to avenge a mutiny that challenged the Russian leader’s authority.U.S. officials had no information to suggest a surface-to-air missile was launched against the private aircraft, according to one official.Details of the U.S. assessment surfaced as Putin expressed his condolences to the families of those who were reported to be aboard the jet and referred to “serious mistakes" by Prigozhin.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-wagner-prigozhin-jet-crash-05cf962c8a218a685434b2f8a83297cd">founder of the Wagner military company</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f6cf109ccf19fea4cb87993c8f2d6aaa">six other passengers</a>&nbsp;were on the jet that crashed Wednesday soon after taking off from Moscow with a crew of three, according to Russia's civil aviation authority. Rescuers found 10 bodies, and Russian media cited anonymous sources in Wagner who said Prigozhin was dead. But there has been no official confirmation.President Joe Biden, speaking to reporters Wednesday, said he believed Putin was behind the crash, though he acknowledged that he did not have information verifying his belief.“I don’t know for a fact what happened, but I’m not surprised," Biden said. “There’s not much that happens in Russia that Putin’s not behind."The passenger manifest also included Prigozhin's second-in-command, who baptized the group with his nom de guerre, as well as Wagner's logistics chief, a fighter wounded by U.S. airstrikes in Syria and at least one possible bodyguard.It was not clear why several high-ranking members of Wagner, including top leaders who are normally exceedingly careful about their security, were on the same flight. The purpose of their joint trip to St. Petersburg was unknown.At Wagner’s headquarters in St. Petersburg, lights were turned on in the shape of a large cross, and Prigozhin supporters built a makeshift memorial, piling red and white flowers outside the building Thursday, along with company flags and candles.In this first comments on the crash, Putin said the passengers had “made a significant contribution” to the fighting in Ukraine.“We remember this, we know, and we will not forget,” the president said in a televised interview with the Russian-installed leader of Ukraine’s partially occupied Donetsk region, Denis Pushilin.Putin recalled that he had known Prigozhin since the early 1990s and described him as “a man of difficult fate” who had “made serious mistakes in life, and he achieved the results he needed — both for himself and, when I asked him about it, for the common cause, as in these last months. He was a talented man, a talented businessman.”Russian state media have not covered the crash extensively, instead focusing on Putin's remarks to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brics-russia-china-summit-b5900168d165cc78b36d5d5c068b7a50">BRICS summit</a>&nbsp;in Johannesburg via video link and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Several Russian social media channels reported that the bodies were burned or disfigured beyond recognition and would need to be identified by DNA. The reports were picked up by independent Russian media, but The Associated Press was not able to independently confirm them.Prigozhin supporters claimed on pro-Wagner messaging app channels that the plane was deliberately downed, including suggesting it could have been hit by a missile or targeted by a bomb on board. Those claims could not be independently verified.Sergei Mironov, the leader of the pro-Kremlin Fair Russia party and former chairman of the upper house of the Russian parliament suggested on his Telegram channel that Prigozhin had been deliberately killed.“Prigozhin messed with too many people in Russia, Ukraine and the West,” Mironov wrote. It now seems that at some point his number of enemies reached a critical point."Russian authorities have said the cause of the crash is under investigation.Kuzhenkino resident Anastasia Bukharova, 27, said she was walking with her children Wednesday when she saw the jet, “and then — boom! — it exploded in the sky and began to fall down.” She said she was scared it would hit houses in the village and ran with the children, but it ended up crashing into a field.“Something sort of was torn from it in the air, and it began to go down and down,” she added.Numerous opponents and critics of Putin have been killed or gravely sickened in apparent assassination attempts, and U.S. and other Western officials long expected the Russian leader to go after Prigozhin, despite promising to drop charges in a deal that ended the June 23-24 mutiny."It is no coincidence that the whole world immediately looks at the Kremlin when a disgraced ex-confidant of Putin suddenly falls from the sky, two months after he attempted an uprising,” said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, while acknowledging that the facts were still unclear.“We know this pattern … in Putin’s Russia — deaths and dubious suicides, falls from windows that all ultimately remain unexplained,” she added.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also pointed the finger. “We have nothing to do with this. Everyone understands who does,” he said.Soon after the plane went down, people on social media and news outlets began to report that it was a Wagner plane. Minutes after Russian state news agencies confirmed the crash, they cited the civil aviation authority as saying Prigozhin’s name was on the mainfest.Prigozhin was long outspoken and critical of how Russian generals were waging the war in Ukraine, where his mercenaries were some of the fiercest fighters for the Kremlin. For a long time, Putin appeared content to allow such infighting — and Prigozhin seemed to have unusual latitude to speak his mind.But Prigozhin's brief revolt raised the ante.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-war-russia-nuclear-647a545db4e4628676ff7db5b1bded34">His mercenaries</a>&nbsp;swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot. They then drove to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow and downed several military aircraft, killing more than a dozen Russian pilots.Putin first denounced the rebellion — the most serious challenge to his 23-year rule — as “treason” and a “stab in the back.” He vowed to punish its perpetrators, and the world waited for his next move, particularly since Prigozhin had publicly questioned the Russian leader's justifications for the war in Ukraine.But instead Putin made a deal that saw an end to the mutiny in exchange for an amnesty for Prigozhin and his mercenaries and permission for them to move to Belarus.Now many are suggesting the punishment has finally come.“The downing of the plane was certainly no mere coincidence,” Janis Sarts, director of NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, told Latvian television.The Institute for the Study of War argued that Russian authorities likely moved against Prigozhin and his top associates as “the final step to eliminate Wagner as an independent organization.”Abbas Gallyamov, a former speechwriter for President Putin turned political consultant, said Putin had to step in because, by carrying out the mutiny and remaining free, Prigozhin "shoved Putin's face into the dirt front of the whole world.”Failing to punish Prigozhin would have offered an “open invitation for all potential rebels and troublemakers,” so Putin had to act, Gallyamov said.Videos shared by the pro-Wagner Telegram channel Grey Zone showed a plane dropping like a stone from a large cloud of smoke, twisting wildly as it fell, one of its wings apparently missing. A free fall like that typically occurs when an aircraft sustains severe damage, and a frame-by-frame AP analysis of two videos was consistent with some sort of explosion mid-flight.

🎥Biden: Putin behind plane crash that killed Russian rival

LICKING, Mo. (AP) — An investigation continues into the death of a Missouri prison inmate — the third inmate to die at the same lockup this month and the eighth this year.

Michael Hudson, 46, died Tuesday at a hospital after falling ill at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking, about 140 miles southwest of St. Louis. Hudson was serving a life sentence for murder and other crimes in St. Louis.

Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater said an autopsy performed Thursday showed that Hudson had intestinal bleeding and gastritis, but it wasn’t clear if that was the cause of death. Toxicology results will take about three weeks, she said.

Drugs were cited in two other inmates deaths in the past month — those of Logan Ross on July 29 and Bronson Vestal on Aug. 11 — as well as the January death of Alan Lancaster. Four other inmates died this year from what the Missouri Department of Corrections called “natural causes.” Those inmates were Nathan Emery, Wayne Johnston, Roderick Stevenson, and Lanny Sunderland.

Missouri, like much of the central U.S., has been in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/summer-heat-wave-fd19c3995992c93121ef4baedcbcf07e">midst of extreme heat</a>&nbsp;in late August, but corrections department spokeswoman Karen Pojmann said heat was not believed to be a factor in any of the deaths.

Most prisoner deaths listed as natural causes are typically from cancer or heart disease, Pojmann said.

Keeping drugs out of prison is a difficult task, Pojmann said — contraband has been found in baby diapers in the visiting rooms, stuffed inside sporting equipment in the recreation yards, even hidden in toys donated to a program where offenders work with rescue dogs. The dangerous street drug fentanyl is especially difficult to detect, she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692904170358.png" alt="Hudson-photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Hudson-photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>LICKING, Mo. (AP) — An investigation continues into the death of a Missouri prison inmate — the third inmate to die at the same lockup this month and the eighth this year.Michael Hudson, 46, died Tuesday at a hospital after falling ill at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking, about 140 miles southwest of St. Louis. Hudson was serving a life sentence for murder and other crimes in St. Louis.Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater said an autopsy performed Thursday showed that Hudson had intestinal bleeding and gastritis, but it wasn’t clear if that was the cause of death. Toxicology results will take about three weeks, she said.Drugs were cited in two other inmates deaths in the past month — those of Logan Ross on July 29 and Bronson Vestal on Aug. 11 — as well as the January death of Alan Lancaster. Four other inmates died this year from what the Missouri Department of Corrections called “natural causes.” Those inmates were Nathan Emery, Wayne Johnston, Roderick Stevenson, and Lanny Sunderland.Missouri, like much of the central U.S., has been in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/summer-heat-wave-fd19c3995992c93121ef4baedcbcf07e">midst of extreme heat</a>&nbsp;in late August, but corrections department spokeswoman Karen Pojmann said heat was not believed to be a factor in any of the deaths.Most prisoner deaths listed as natural causes are typically from cancer or heart disease, Pojmann said.Keeping drugs out of prison is a difficult task, Pojmann said — contraband has been found in baby diapers in the visiting rooms, stuffed inside sporting equipment in the recreation yards, even hidden in toys donated to a program where offenders work with rescue dogs. The dangerous street drug fentanyl is especially difficult to detect, she said.The corrections department is taking several steps to stop the influx of drugs. Among them: Mail is now scanned and sent to inmates electronically. Pojmann said the department also is expanding a drug treatment program.