By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and a bipartisan group of Kansas legislative leaders agreed Friday to designate $170,000 to cover the cost of deploying hazmat teams in Kansas after an anonymous person mailed letters contained white powder and hostile text to about 100 politicians in the state.

(click below to watch a replay of the meeting)

The State Finance Council, which includes Republicans and Democrats from the House and Senate, unanimously approved the expenditure sought by state fire marshal Doug Jorgensen. He said the request was necessary because he lacked authority to spend more than $25,000 per incident from the agency’s emergency response fund without consent of the State Finance Council.

“In the recent event,” Jorgensen said, “we had eight of those hazmat teams active.”

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation in mid-June began an inquiry of suspicious letters sent legislators and public officials in Kansas, including Attorney General Kris Kobach. The KBI had 60 special agents, forensic scientists and colleagues working to collect, screen, manage and track evidence.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said preliminary testing showed the white substance was presumptively negative for dangerous biological agents.

Delivery of similar letters in Tennessee and Montana prompted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to take the lead role in the inquiry on June 20. So far, more than 120 Republicans in the three states have received the bizarre letters.

Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who received one of the letters, said after the State Finance Council’s vote that he was pleased Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, denounced individuals responsible for mailing the letters.

“I appreciate what she did,” Hawkins said. “I sure wished I would have heard from our governor about that.”

Kelly said she appreciated the House speaker’s point of view and promised to issue a formal statement when the federal and state investigation concluded.

“You can rest assured that there is no way in the world that I would approve or condone this kind of action,” the Democratic governor said. “I am waiting for the KBI and FBI to complete their investigation so we can know all the facts in the case.”

After inviting the governor to comment and listening to her remarks during the State Finance Council meeting, Hawkins issued a statement faulting Kelly’s approach to an investigation that hadn’t produced an arrest in Kansas or elsewhere. Hawkins said the governor’s decision to await outcome of the investigation was an “excuse” to sidestep talking about what he considered an “act of terror.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688838952944.png" alt="The State Finance Council approved expenditure of $170,000 by state fire marshal Doug Jorgensen in response to about 100 letters containing a white powder sent to Kansas political figures in June. House Speaker Dan Hawkins criticized Gov. Laura Kelly for not publicly denouncing the letters. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from State Finance Council’s YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>The State Finance Council approved expenditure of $170,000 by state fire marshal Doug Jorgensen in response to about 100 letters containing a white powder sent to Kansas political figures in June. House Speaker Dan Hawkins criticized Gov. Laura Kelly for not publicly denouncing the letters. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from State Finance Council’s YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and a bipartisan group of Kansas legislative leaders agreed Friday to designate $170,000 to cover the cost of deploying hazmat teams in Kansas after an anonymous person mailed letters contained white powder and hostile text to about 100 politicians in the state.(click below to watch a replay of the meeting)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UTtYD21s7i4?start=3" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The State Finance Council, which includes Republicans and Democrats from the House and Senate, unanimously approved the expenditure sought by state fire marshal Doug Jorgensen. He said the request was necessary because he lacked authority to spend more than $25,000 per incident from the agency’s emergency response fund without consent of the State Finance Council.“In the recent event,” Jorgensen said, “we had eight of those hazmat teams active.”The Kansas Bureau of Investigation in mid-June began an inquiry of suspicious letters sent legislators and public officials in Kansas, including Attorney General Kris Kobach. The KBI had 60 special agents, forensic scientists and colleagues working to collect, screen, manage and track evidence.The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said preliminary testing showed the white substance was presumptively negative for dangerous biological agents.Delivery of similar letters in Tennessee and Montana prompted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to take the lead role in the inquiry on June 20. So far, more than 120 Republicans in the three states have received the bizarre letters.Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who received one of the letters, said after the State Finance Council’s vote that he was pleased Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, denounced individuals responsible for mailing the letters.“I appreciate what she did,” Hawkins said. “I sure wished I would have heard from our governor about that.”Kelly said she appreciated the House speaker’s point of view and promised to issue a formal statement when the federal and state investigation concluded.“You can rest assured that there is no way in the world that I would approve or condone this kind of action,” the Democratic governor said. “I am waiting for the KBI and FBI to complete their investigation so we can know all the facts in the case.”After inviting the governor to comment and listening to her remarks during the State Finance Council meeting, Hawkins issued a statement faulting Kelly’s approach to an investigation that hadn’t produced an arrest in Kansas or elsewhere. Hawkins said the governor’s decision to await outcome of the investigation was an “excuse” to sidestep talking about what he considered an “act of terror.”

🎥Kan. House Speaker critical of governor for not speaking out on ‘white powder’ letters

PETTIS COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 1a.m. Monday in Pettis County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a westbound vehicle on Highway 50 just west of Sadie Lane struck a pedestrian identified as Ethan K. Dillon, 22, Warsaw, who was in the road. The vehicle then fled the scene.

Dillon was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Pettis County Morgue.&nbsp; The MSHP reported no additional details.

PETTIS COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 1a.m. Monday in Pettis County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a westbound vehicle on Highway 50 just west of Sadie Lane struck a pedestrian identified as Ethan K. Dillon, 22, Warsaw, who was in the road. The vehicle then fled the scene.Dillon was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Pettis County Morgue.&nbsp; The MSHP reported no additional details.

Missouri man dies after struck by hit-and-run vehicle

TAMPA, Fla.&nbsp;– On Saturday, the U.S. Central Command conducted a strike in Syria that resulted in the death of Usamah al-Muhajir, an ISIS leader in eastern Syria, according to a media release from the agency.

“We have made it clear that we remain committed to the defeat of ISIS throughout the region,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. “ISIS remains a threat, not only to the region but well beyond.”

There are no indications that any civilians were killed in this strike, and the coalition is assessing reports of a civilian injury.

This will disrupt and degrade ISIS’s ability to plan and conduct terror attacks. However, CENTCOM’s operations against ISIS, alongside partner forces in Iraq and Syria, will continue in order to achieve the group’s enduring defeat.

The strike on Friday was conducted by the same MQ-9s that had, earlier in the day, been harassed by Russian aircraft in an encounter that had lasted almost two hours.

TAMPA, Fla.&nbsp;– On Saturday, the U.S. Central Command conducted a strike in Syria that resulted in the death of Usamah al-Muhajir, an ISIS leader in eastern Syria, according to a media release from the agency.“We have made it clear that we remain committed to the defeat of ISIS throughout the region,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. “ISIS remains a threat, not only to the region but well beyond.”There are no indications that any civilians were killed in this strike, and the coalition is assessing reports of a civilian injury.This will disrupt and degrade ISIS’s ability to plan and conduct terror attacks. However, CENTCOM’s operations against ISIS, alongside partner forces in Iraq and Syria, will continue in order to achieve the group’s enduring defeat.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Regarding Russia&#39;s unprofessional behavior while reacting with U.S. aircraft over Syria, please see the video of today&#39;s encounter. For the full statement by Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, Commander, 9th AF (AFCENT) visit<a href="https://t.co/WKDYPiPT96">https://t.co/WKDYPiPT96</a><a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CENTCOM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DeptofDefense?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeptofDefense</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/usairforce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usairforce</a> <a href="https://t.co/nmSSBxUojO">pic.twitter.com/nmSSBxUojO</a>&mdash; US AFCENT (@USAFCENT) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAFCENT/status/1676712564686831619?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The strike on Friday was conducted by the same MQ-9s that had, earlier in the day, been harassed by Russian aircraft in an encounter that had lasted almost two hours.

🎥US drones 'harassed' by Russian jets kill Islamic State leader 

BATES COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Saturday in Bates County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Polaris ATV driven by Kayla D. Carroll, 34, Butler, was southbound on NW 7001 Road south of Highway 52.

The ATV traveled off the left side of the road, struck a fence, overturned and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; Carroll was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the county coroner's office.

BATES COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 11:30p.m. Saturday in Bates County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Polaris ATV driven by Kayla D. Carroll, 34, Butler, was southbound on NW 7001 Road south of Highway 52.The ATV traveled off the left side of the road, struck a fence, overturned and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; Carroll was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the county coroner's office.

Missouri woman dies after ATV strikes a fence, overturns

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on drug and weapons allegations.

On Thursday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 1500 Block of SE Quincy Avenue in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell.

While conducting the search warrant, officers located LSD, marijuana, methamphetamine, firearms, stolen property and drug paraphernalia.

Officers arrested 29-year-old Autumn Eastman on requested charges of&nbsp; Aggravated child endangerment, Distribution of methamphetamine within 1000’ of a school, Distribution of marijuana within 1000’ of a school,&nbsp;Possession of hallucinogenic drug, Criminal use of a weapon by a felon, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688726524597.png" alt="Eastman-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Eastman-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on drug and weapons allegations.On Thursday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 1500 Block of SE Quincy Avenue in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell.While conducting the search warrant, officers located LSD, marijuana, methamphetamine, firearms, stolen property and drug paraphernalia.Officers arrested 29-year-old Autumn Eastman on requested charges of&nbsp; Aggravated child endangerment, Distribution of methamphetamine within 1000’ of a school, Distribution of marijuana within 1000’ of a school,&nbsp;Possession of hallucinogenic drug, Criminal use of a weapon by a felon, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute

Police found LSD, meth, guns and kids at Kan. home

CHEROKEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating report of a stolen vehicle and continue a search for&nbsp; 61-year-old Charles L. "Larry" Amos, according to&nbsp; Cherokee County Kansas Sheriff David Groves.

Just before 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to an area northwest of Columbus, near the Labette County, Kansas line after a man discovered his farm truck had been stolen. 

The owner located the stolen truck and Amos nearby.&nbsp; Amos stopped to siphon fuel from the truck into a nearby van, which had been previously stolen in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

When the owner of the stolen farm truck and family members of the owner confronted Amos, he allegedly discharged rounds from a shotgun at them, then fled in one of the family members' white 2015 Chevy four-door truck.&nbsp; Amos and stolen vehicle were confirmed traveling westbound through Coffeyville on US 166 at 2:11pm on Sunday, according to the Sheriff's office.

Anyone with information as to Amos' whereabouts should consider him armed and dangerous and contact local law enforcement authorities.

Information can be provided to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at 620-429-3992 or by texting 888777. Tipsters can just type 'tip cherokee' followed by whatever information they are able to provide.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688948605655.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CHEROKEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating report of a stolen vehicle and continue a search for&nbsp; 61-year-old Charles L. "Larry" Amos, according to&nbsp; Cherokee County Kansas Sheriff David Groves.Just before 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to an area northwest of Columbus, near the Labette County, Kansas line after a man discovered his farm truck had been stolen. The owner located the stolen truck and Amos nearby.&nbsp; Amos stopped to siphon fuel from the truck into a nearby van, which had been previously stolen in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.When the owner of the stolen farm truck and family members of the owner confronted Amos, he allegedly discharged rounds from a shotgun at them, then fled in one of the family members' white 2015 Chevy four-door truck.&nbsp; Amos and stolen vehicle were confirmed traveling westbound through Coffeyville on US 166 at 2:11pm on Sunday, according to the Sheriff's office.Anyone with information as to Amos' whereabouts should consider him armed and dangerous and contact local law enforcement authorities.Information can be provided to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at 620-429-3992 or by texting 888777. Tipsters can just type 'tip cherokee' followed by whatever information they are able to provide.

Sheriff: Kan. suspect fired shotgun at owner, stole pickup

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas CIty man was sentenced to prison for the kidnapping and murder in May 2021 of Gilberto Gutierrez, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

A Jackson County judge sentenced&nbsp; 33-year-old Ahmad R. Herring to life in prison or 30 years in prison for a Murder 2nd Degree conviction and 16 additional years in prison for convictions of Kidnapping 1st Degree, Robbery 1st Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action where Prosecutors had requested more than 60 years after a Jackson County jury convicted the defendant.

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on May 11, 2021, on a reported missing person and the victim's family told them they had not heard from their father.&nbsp; But bloody clothing of the victim had been found. 

On May 17, 2021,&nbsp; Gutierrez's body was discovered.&nbsp; Tt was wrapped in a tarp and found near 56th and Elmwood. He died from several stab wounds and blunt force trauma.

 During a search of a vehicle associated with the defendant, police detectives found receipts for drop cloths and bleach. Several cellphones also were recovered. Tests for DNA showed Herring's DNA on a zip tie recovered near the victim. The victim died from several stab wounds and blunt force trauma.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647428374611.png" alt="Herring-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Herring-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas CIty man was sentenced to prison for the kidnapping and murder in May 2021 of Gilberto Gutierrez, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.A Jackson County judge sentenced&nbsp; 33-year-old Ahmad R. Herring to life in prison or 30 years in prison for a Murder 2nd Degree conviction and 16 additional years in prison for convictions of Kidnapping 1st Degree, Robbery 1st Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action where Prosecutors had requested more than 60 years after a Jackson County jury convicted the defendant.According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched on May 11, 2021, on a reported missing person and the victim's family told them they had not heard from their father.&nbsp; But bloody clothing of the victim had been found. On May 17, 2021,&nbsp; Gutierrez's body was discovered.&nbsp; Tt was wrapped in a tarp and found near 56th and Elmwood. He died from several stab wounds and blunt force trauma. During a search of a vehicle associated with the defendant, police detectives found receipts for drop cloths and bleach. Several cellphones also were recovered. Tests for DNA showed Herring's DNA on a zip tie recovered near the victim. The victim died from several stab wounds and blunt force trauma.

 Kansas City man sentenced for violent, deadly kidnapping

TROY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri deputy died when his motorcycle was struck by a man suspected of drunk-driving, authorities said.

Steven Tucker, 60, of Troy, Missouri, was off-duty riding his Harley-Davidson around 7:25 p.m. Saturday on a two-lane road when a car crossed the center line and struck the motorcycle head-on. Tucker had just joined the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office earlier this year.

The 35-year-old driver of the car was hospitalized with serious injuries.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating. The sheriff's office said on Facebook that the car's driver was drunk, and urged people never to get behind the wheel when they've been drinking.

TROY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri deputy died when his motorcycle was struck by a man suspected of drunk-driving, authorities said.Steven Tucker, 60, of Troy, Missouri, was off-duty riding his Harley-Davidson around 7:25 p.m. Saturday on a two-lane road when a car crossed the center line and struck the motorcycle head-on. Tucker had just joined the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office earlier this year.The 35-year-old driver of the car was hospitalized with serious injuries.The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating. The sheriff's office said on Facebook that the car's driver was drunk, and urged people never to get behind the wheel when they've been drinking.As of Sunday, no arrest has been made.

Off-duty Mo. deputy dies when motorcycle is struck by suspected drunk-driver

By Jared Strong <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/woman-who-shouted-shame-following-critical-gun-bill-passage-is-banned-from-nebraska-capitol/">States Newsroom&nbsp;</a>

COUNCIL BLUFFS — Former President Donald Trump claimed he is the “most pro-farmer president that you’ve ever had” during a campaign stop in Iowa and joked that his payments to them during a trade war with China should guarantee he will win the state’s caucuses.

“How the hell can I not? I gave the farmers $28 billion,” he said Friday in a ballroom of the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.

Trump was referring to bailout money paid to farmers in 2019 amid his efforts to rework the country’s trade policies, which included imposing tariffs on Chinese products. The country retaliated, in part, by imposing its own tariffs on soybeans, crippling an important export market for Iowa farmers.

Last year, the United States exported about $154 billion of goods to China, up about 19% from 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Exports dropped to about $107 billion during the trade war in 2019.

Trump said farmers benefited from the dispute and his trade renegotiations with other countries such as Canada and Mexico. He said farmers also benefited from tax cuts implemented by Congress during his administration, along with a temporary increase in the exemption to the federal tax that is levied on the estates of wealthy people after they die.

“A lot of times they lose the farm,” he said of children of farmers who can’t afford to pay.

Further, Trump said his administration supported the ethanol industry by allowing summertime sales of E15 — a gasoline blend with 15% ethanol. A&nbsp;federal judge later reversed that action, saying the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did not have the authority to lift restrictions on its sales without approval from Congress.

Trump said he would continue to negotiate better trade deals for farmers if reelected and would prevent Chinese ownership of American farmland.

State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, a Wilton Republican who is a senior adviser to Trump’s campaign in Iowa, launched the Friday event with a panel discussion about agriculture that included talks about water quality restrictions, farm subsidies and other issues.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Donald Trump has been the single best president in United States history for Iowa agriculture and farmers in general,” Kaufmann said. “I mean, look, he brought the rain today.”

Rally attendees had long waits in sometimes heavy rain to get into the venue, which was considerably smaller than the large-scale rallies for which Trump is known. Staff at the Mid-America Center said the ballroom could accommodate about 2,000 people.

As they waited inside, there were periodic chants of “Trump! Trump! Trump!” and “Build the wall!” There was also an impromptu recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

It was the Republican frontrunner’s first appearance in Iowa since&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/06/09/the-indictment-is-unsealed-trump-faces-37-felony-counts-in-classified-documents-probe/">his 37-count federal indictment</a>&nbsp;last month that accuses Trump of scheming to keep classified documents from his time as president.

“It’s all bull—,” Trump said Friday. “I’m the only person who ever got indicted that got more popular.”

Trump, as a presidential candidate seven years ago, made repeated statements about the importance of protecting classified information, according to the indictment: “No one will be above the law,” he said in August 2016.

But he has pivoted to claim he is being unfairly targeted by the federal government for political reasons and that others — including President Joe Biden and his first presidential opponent Hillary Clinton — are guilty of similar offenses.

However, the accusations against Trump stand apart in that he allegedly took more than 100 classified documents from his former presidency to his resort and home in Florida, stored them haphazardly, and disclosed some of the information they contained to people without appropriate security clearances.

That doesn’t matter to Travis Humbert, of Underwood, who attended the rally with his 13-year-old son.

“It could be true,” said Humbert, who voted twice in presidential elections for Trump and plans to again. “But people are stuck in the past. Who cares? We all have a past. Let’s move on. He’s a businessman, not a politician, and he’s actually trying to work for the American people.”

The federal indictment is the second criminal allegation against him that has yielded formal charges this year. In April, a New York grand jury indicted Trump&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/03/30/trump-indicted-by-manhattan-grand-jury-according-to-reports/">for falsifying business records</a>. The state indictment targets Trump’s claims that certain payments to an attorney were for legal fees, while investigators allege they were reimbursements for a hush-money payment to an adult film actress.

And there are two pending investigations into whether Trump attempted to interfere with the 2020 election in Georgia — a state Biden narrowly won — and into Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack of the U.S. Capitol.

“It’s a joke — a total joke,” Patty Murray, of Omaha, said of the criminal inquiries into Trump.

Murray wants Trump to get a second term so that he can finish building a wall at the country’s southern border with Mexico, promote international peace and bolster the economy.

She said the investigations and indictments have done little to diminish Trump’s credibility with his supporters.

“It’s helped him,” Murray said. “Everybody says it’s a joke.”

Jeanne Greisen, a Lincoln, Nebraska,resident who volunteered at Friday’s rally, agreed: “People like to support somebody that’s being attacked and doing the right thing. They like to back the small guy.”

Trump pledged last month to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden and his family if he is elected president again. Greisen hesitated to express support for politically motivated investigations but said: “I think it just needs to be fair across the board. The same law needs to be applied to every person.”

Greisen said she will vote for Trump, hoping in a second term he can require public school children to learn more about the U.S. Constitution, lessen the prevalence of human trafficking and reduce the size and scope of government.

Greisen, Murray and Humbert also said that the economy has suffered under Biden’s leadership and that inflation is still a major problem.

“Gas prices need to come back down,” said Humbert, of Woodward.

<a target="_blank" href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-primary-r/2024/iowa/">Recent polls</a>&nbsp;of potential Republican caucus voters in Iowa show Trump with double-digit percentage point leads over his nearest competitor, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Nationally, pollsters show a wider margin of support for Trump, with Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, in a distant third.

Trump lobbed numerous personal attacks at DeSantis for being a “lousy candidate” for governor who was only elected because of Trump’s support in 2018.

Trump said that his status as the clear frontrunner is what made him a target for criminal investigations and that he is acting as a shield for the nation’s citizens.

“They want to take away my freedom because I sure as hell won’t let them take your freedom,” he said to rapturous applause. He later added: “In the end, they’re not after me. They’re after you, and I just happen to be standing in the way.”

He was not more specific about who was planning to take freedoms from citizens nor what specific freedoms they are.

Iowa Auditor Rob Sand, the state’s sole elected Democrat to currently hold a statewide office, criticized Trump at a news conference in Des Moines on Friday before the former president’s Council Bluffs event.

Sand said Trump is advocating for the same “extremist” policies that Iowa Republican lawmakers and Gov. Kim Reynolds advocate for. He pointed to Reynolds’&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/07/05/reynolds-announces-special-session-on-abortion-for-july-11/">call for a special session</a>&nbsp;Tuesday, July 11, to pass abortion legislation following the Iowa Supreme Court decision not allowing enforcement of the state’s 2018 six-week abortion ban.

“So as Donald Trump comes to Iowa today, it’s important to remember that he bragged about being the one to get Roe overturned,” Sand said. “It’s important to remember that they are paving the way for the legislative bans that Republicans are going to do right here in Iowa.”

Trump mentioned abortion briefly and said the Supreme Court decision gives abortion opponents more leverage to negotiate for regulations that are less extreme than what he said Democrats want. He said he supports exceptions for rape, incest and to protect the life of the mother.

Of the court decision to eliminate a right to abortion at the federal level: “Good things are going to come about it, and you move it back to the states where all the legal scholars said it should be,” Trump said.

This article first appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/07/07/trump-appeals-to-farmers-in-iowa-campaign-visit/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>,&nbsp;a sister&nbsp;site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688866742399.png" alt="Former President Donald Trump said he is a champion of farmers in a campaign visit to Council Bluffs on July 7, 2023. (Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)" />
 <figcaption>Former President Donald Trump said he is a champion of farmers in a campaign visit to Council Bluffs on July 7, 2023. (Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)</figcaption>
 </figure>By Jared Strong <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/woman-who-shouted-shame-following-critical-gun-bill-passage-is-banned-from-nebraska-capitol/">States Newsroom&nbsp;</a>COUNCIL BLUFFS — Former President Donald Trump claimed he is the “most pro-farmer president that you’ve ever had” during a campaign stop in Iowa and joked that his payments to them during a trade war with China should guarantee he will win the state’s caucuses.“How the hell can I not? I gave the farmers $28 billion,” he said Friday in a ballroom of the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.Trump was referring to bailout money paid to farmers in 2019 amid his efforts to rework the country’s trade policies, which included imposing tariffs on Chinese products. The country retaliated, in part, by imposing its own tariffs on soybeans, crippling an important export market for Iowa farmers.Last year, the United States exported about $154 billion of goods to China, up about 19% from 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Exports dropped to about $107 billion during the trade war in 2019.Trump said farmers benefited from the dispute and his trade renegotiations with other countries such as Canada and Mexico. He said farmers also benefited from tax cuts implemented by Congress during his administration, along with a temporary increase in the exemption to the federal tax that is levied on the estates of wealthy people after they die.“A lot of times they lose the farm,” he said of children of farmers who can’t afford to pay.Further, Trump said his administration supported the ethanol industry by allowing summertime sales of E15 — a gasoline blend with 15% ethanol. A&nbsp;federal judge later reversed that action, saying the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did not have the authority to lift restrictions on its sales without approval from Congress.Trump said he would continue to negotiate better trade deals for farmers if reelected and would prevent Chinese ownership of American farmland.State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, a Wilton Republican who is a senior adviser to Trump’s campaign in Iowa, launched the Friday event with a panel discussion about agriculture that included talks about water quality restrictions, farm subsidies and other issues.“There is no doubt in my mind that Donald Trump has been the single best president in United States history for Iowa agriculture and farmers in general,” Kaufmann said. “I mean, look, he brought the rain today.”Rally attendees had long waits in sometimes heavy rain to get into the venue, which was considerably smaller than the large-scale rallies for which Trump is known. Staff at the Mid-America Center said the ballroom could accommodate about 2,000 people.As they waited inside, there were periodic chants of “Trump! Trump! Trump!” and “Build the wall!” There was also an impromptu recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.<h2>Shadow of indictments</h2>It was the Republican frontrunner’s first appearance in Iowa since&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/06/09/the-indictment-is-unsealed-trump-faces-37-felony-counts-in-classified-documents-probe/">his 37-count federal indictment</a>&nbsp;last month that accuses Trump of scheming to keep classified documents from his time as president.“It’s all bull—,” Trump said Friday. “I’m the only person who ever got indicted that got more popular.”Trump, as a presidential candidate seven years ago, made repeated statements about the importance of protecting classified information, according to the indictment: “No one will be above the law,” he said in August 2016.But he has pivoted to claim he is being unfairly targeted by the federal government for political reasons and that others — including President Joe Biden and his first presidential opponent Hillary Clinton — are guilty of similar offenses.However, the accusations against Trump stand apart in that he allegedly took more than 100 classified documents from his former presidency to his resort and home in Florida, stored them haphazardly, and disclosed some of the information they contained to people without appropriate security clearances.That doesn’t matter to Travis Humbert, of Underwood, who attended the rally with his 13-year-old son.“It could be true,” said Humbert, who voted twice in presidential elections for Trump and plans to again. “But people are stuck in the past. Who cares? We all have a past. Let’s move on. He’s a businessman, not a politician, and he’s actually trying to work for the American people.”The federal indictment is the second criminal allegation against him that has yielded formal charges this year. In April, a New York grand jury indicted Trump&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/03/30/trump-indicted-by-manhattan-grand-jury-according-to-reports/">for falsifying business records</a>. The state indictment targets Trump’s claims that certain payments to an attorney were for legal fees, while investigators allege they were reimbursements for a hush-money payment to an adult film actress.And there are two pending investigations into whether Trump attempted to interfere with the 2020 election in Georgia — a state Biden narrowly won — and into Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack of the U.S. Capitol.“It’s a joke — a total joke,” Patty Murray, of Omaha, said of the criminal inquiries into Trump.Murray wants Trump to get a second term so that he can finish building a wall at the country’s southern border with Mexico, promote international peace and bolster the economy.She said the investigations and indictments have done little to diminish Trump’s credibility with his supporters.“It’s helped him,” Murray said. “Everybody says it’s a joke.”Jeanne Greisen, a Lincoln, Nebraska,resident who volunteered at Friday’s rally, agreed: “People like to support somebody that’s being attacked and doing the right thing. They like to back the small guy.”Trump pledged last month to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden and his family if he is elected president again. Greisen hesitated to express support for politically motivated investigations but said: “I think it just needs to be fair across the board. The same law needs to be applied to every person.”Greisen said she will vote for Trump, hoping in a second term he can require public school children to learn more about the U.S. Constitution, lessen the prevalence of human trafficking and reduce the size and scope of government.Greisen, Murray and Humbert also said that the economy has suffered under Biden’s leadership and that inflation is still a major problem.“Gas prices need to come back down,” said Humbert, of Woodward.<a target="_blank" href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-primary-r/2024/iowa/">Recent polls</a>&nbsp;of potential Republican caucus voters in Iowa show Trump with double-digit percentage point leads over his nearest competitor, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Nationally, pollsters show a wider margin of support for Trump, with Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, in a distant third.Trump lobbed numerous personal attacks at DeSantis for being a “lousy candidate” for governor who was only elected because of Trump’s support in 2018.Trump said that his status as the clear frontrunner is what made him a target for criminal investigations and that he is acting as a shield for the nation’s citizens.“They want to take away my freedom because I sure as hell won’t let them take your freedom,” he said to rapturous applause. He later added: “In the end, they’re not after me. They’re after you, and I just happen to be standing in the way.”He was not more specific about who was planning to take freedoms from citizens nor what specific freedoms they are.<h2>Democrats point to Roe</h2>Iowa Auditor Rob Sand, the state’s sole elected Democrat to currently hold a statewide office, criticized Trump at a news conference in Des Moines on Friday before the former president’s Council Bluffs event.Sand said Trump is advocating for the same “extremist” policies that Iowa Republican lawmakers and Gov. Kim Reynolds advocate for. He pointed to Reynolds’&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/07/05/reynolds-announces-special-session-on-abortion-for-july-11/">call for a special session</a>&nbsp;Tuesday, July 11, to pass abortion legislation following the Iowa Supreme Court decision not allowing enforcement of the state’s 2018 six-week abortion ban.“So as Donald Trump comes to Iowa today, it’s important to remember that he bragged about being the one to get Roe overturned,” Sand said. “It’s important to remember that they are paving the way for the legislative bans that Republicans are going to do right here in Iowa.”Trump mentioned abortion briefly and said the Supreme Court decision gives abortion opponents more leverage to negotiate for regulations that are less extreme than what he said Democrats want. He said he supports exceptions for rape, incest and to protect the life of the mother.Of the court decision to eliminate a right to abortion at the federal level: “Good things are going to come about it, and you move it back to the states where all the legal scholars said it should be,” Trump said.This article first appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/07/07/trump-appeals-to-farmers-in-iowa-campaign-visit/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>,&nbsp;a sister&nbsp;site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.

Trump appeals to farmers in campaign appearance

More than 6,000 United Methodist congregations — a fifth of the U.S. total — have now received permission to leave the denomination&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8">amid a schism</a>&nbsp;over theology and the role of LGBTQ people in the nation's second-largest Protestant denomination.

Those figures emerge following the close of regular meetings in June for the denomination's regional bodies, known as annual conferences. The departures began with a trickle in 2019 — when the church created a four-year window of opportunity for U.S. congregations to depart over LGBTQ-related issues — and cascaded to its highest level this year.

Church law forbids the marriage or ordination of “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals,” but many conservatives have chosen to leave amid a growing defiance of those bans in many U.S. churches and conferences.

Many of the departing congregations are joining the Global Methodist Church, a denomination created last year by conservatives breaking from the UMC, while others are going independent or joining different denominations.

Some 6,182 congregations have received approval to disaffiliate since 2019, according to an unofficial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/disaffiliations-approved-by-annual-conferences">tally by United Methodist News Service</a>, which has been tracking votes by annual conferences. That figure is 4,172 for this year alone, it reported.

Some annual conferences may approve more departures at special sessions later this year, according to the Rev. Jay Therrell, president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, a conservative caucus that has advocated for the exiting churches. While most UMC congregations are remaining, many of the departing congregations are large, and denominational officials are bracing for significant budget cuts in 2024.

The numbers of exiting churches are higher than conservatives originally estimated, Therrell said.

Legal wrangles have largely been resolved over how much compensation the departing congregations must pay for their property and other financial obligations.

“For the most part, bishops and other annual conference leaders have been very gracious, and I deeply appreciate that,” Therrell said. “There have been some small exceptions to that, and those are unfortunate, but we’re grateful that cooler and calmer heads have prevailed.”

Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the UMC’s Council of Bishops, said the departures were disappointing.

“I don’t think any of us want to see any of our churches leave,” he said. “We're called to be the body of Christ, we're called to be unified. There’s never been a time when the church has not been without conflict, but there’s been a way we’ve worked through that.”

But for those who want “to go and live out their Christian faith in a new expression, we wish God’s blessings on them,” he said.

The split has been long in the making, mirroring controversies that have led to splits in other mainline Protestant denominations. United Methodist legislative bodies, known as general conferences, have repeatedly reinforced bans on LGBTQ marriage and ordination, on the strength of coalitions of conservatives in U.S. and overseas churches.

But amid increased defiance of those bans in many U.S. churches, many conservatives decided to launch the separate Global Methodist Church, saying they believed the sexuality issues reflected deeper theological differences.

The departures have been particularly large in the South and Midwest, with states such as Texas, Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio each losing hundreds of congregations.

In some areas, United Methodists have designated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodists-schism-disaffiliation-lgbtq-44fd14d471124d23e1fd5677a8f2b1d9">“lighthouse” or similarly named congregations,</a>&nbsp;with a mission for receiving members who wanted to stay United Methodists but whose churches were leaving. The GMC has begun planting new churches, including in areas where United Methodist congregations have remained in that denomination.

With these departures, progressives are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-marriage-1ed8df15ecbb36700cbe638b29dc6617">expected to propose changing church law</a>&nbsp;at the next General Conference in 2024 to allow for same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ people.

The United Methodist Church has about 6.5 million members in the United States and at least that many abroad, according to its website. The U.S. membership has been in steady decline, while the overseas membership has grown, particularly in Africa.

Therrell said there will be efforts at the 2024 General Conference to provide overseas churches a legal way to disaffiliate, similar to what U.S. congregations have had.

The GMC says about 3,000 churches so far have affiliated with the new denomination, with more expected.

Bickerton said it's time for United Methodists remaining in the denomination to refocus their work.

“Quite often, when you’re pressed, you begin to exhibit creativity,” he said. “We’re pivoting away from what we were into what our next expression is going to be." Budgets will be smaller, but "this is our opportunity to refashion the church for relevance in the 21st century and really focus on evangelism.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688661428812.png" alt="Photo Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Photo Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>By PETER SMITH Associated PressMore than 6,000 United Methodist congregations — a fifth of the U.S. total — have now received permission to leave the denomination&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8">amid a schism</a>&nbsp;over theology and the role of LGBTQ people in the nation's second-largest Protestant denomination.Those figures emerge following the close of regular meetings in June for the denomination's regional bodies, known as annual conferences. The departures began with a trickle in 2019 — when the church created a four-year window of opportunity for U.S. congregations to depart over LGBTQ-related issues — and cascaded to its highest level this year.Church law forbids the marriage or ordination of “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals,” but many conservatives have chosen to leave amid a growing defiance of those bans in many U.S. churches and conferences.Many of the departing congregations are joining the Global Methodist Church, a denomination created last year by conservatives breaking from the UMC, while others are going independent or joining different denominations.Some 6,182 congregations have received approval to disaffiliate since 2019, according to an unofficial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/disaffiliations-approved-by-annual-conferences">tally by United Methodist News Service</a>, which has been tracking votes by annual conferences. That figure is 4,172 for this year alone, it reported.Some annual conferences may approve more departures at special sessions later this year, according to the Rev. Jay Therrell, president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, a conservative caucus that has advocated for the exiting churches. While most UMC congregations are remaining, many of the departing congregations are large, and denominational officials are bracing for significant budget cuts in 2024.The numbers of exiting churches are higher than conservatives originally estimated, Therrell said.Legal wrangles have largely been resolved over how much compensation the departing congregations must pay for their property and other financial obligations.“For the most part, bishops and other annual conference leaders have been very gracious, and I deeply appreciate that,” Therrell said. “There have been some small exceptions to that, and those are unfortunate, but we’re grateful that cooler and calmer heads have prevailed.”Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the UMC’s Council of Bishops, said the departures were disappointing.“I don’t think any of us want to see any of our churches leave,” he said. “We're called to be the body of Christ, we're called to be unified. There’s never been a time when the church has not been without conflict, but there’s been a way we’ve worked through that.”But for those who want “to go and live out their Christian faith in a new expression, we wish God’s blessings on them,” he said.The split has been long in the making, mirroring controversies that have led to splits in other mainline Protestant denominations. United Methodist legislative bodies, known as general conferences, have repeatedly reinforced bans on LGBTQ marriage and ordination, on the strength of coalitions of conservatives in U.S. and overseas churches.But amid increased defiance of those bans in many U.S. churches, many conservatives decided to launch the separate Global Methodist Church, saying they believed the sexuality issues reflected deeper theological differences.The departures have been particularly large in the South and Midwest, with states such as Texas, Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio each losing hundreds of congregations.In some areas, United Methodists have designated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodists-schism-disaffiliation-lgbtq-44fd14d471124d23e1fd5677a8f2b1d9">“lighthouse” or similarly named congregations,</a>&nbsp;with a mission for receiving members who wanted to stay United Methodists but whose churches were leaving. The GMC has begun planting new churches, including in areas where United Methodist congregations have remained in that denomination.With these departures, progressives are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-marriage-1ed8df15ecbb36700cbe638b29dc6617">expected to propose changing church law</a>&nbsp;at the next General Conference in 2024 to allow for same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ people.The United Methodist Church has about 6.5 million members in the United States and at least that many abroad, according to its website. The U.S. membership has been in steady decline, while the overseas membership has grown, particularly in Africa.Therrell said there will be efforts at the 2024 General Conference to provide overseas churches a legal way to disaffiliate, similar to what U.S. congregations have had.The GMC says about 3,000 churches so far have affiliated with the new denomination, with more expected.Bickerton said it's time for United Methodists remaining in the denomination to refocus their work.“Quite often, when you’re pressed, you begin to exhibit creativity,” he said. “We’re pivoting away from what we were into what our next expression is going to be." Budgets will be smaller, but "this is our opportunity to refashion the church for relevance in the 21st century and really focus on evangelism.”___

LGBTQ bans: United Methodists lose a fifth of US churches 

MORGANTOWN (AP)—Bob Huggins says he never&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huggins-arrested-dui-pittsburgh-west-virginia-fb441762888b47bade5efb1b4e247da0">resigned as West Virginia's basketball coach</a>&nbsp;following a drunken-driving arrest and wants his job back, according to a letter from his attorney to the university.

Huggins' Cleveland-based attorney, David A. Campbell, wrote to the university Friday that Huggins “never signed a resignation letter and never communicated a resignation to anyone at WVU,” according to the letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press on Saturday.

The letter threatens a lawsuit if Huggins isn’t reinstated. Huggins’ demands were first reported by West Virginia network MetroNews.

Huggins was charged with driving under the influence in Pittsburgh on June 16. A breath test determined Huggins’ blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. His resignation was announced by the university the following night. A week later,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-huggins-eilert-interim-94a2217e3fb59ec0d70b1f51afb12527">assistant coach Josh Eilert was promoted</a>&nbsp;to interim head coach for the 2023-24 season.

Campbell’s letter said the university announced Huggins’ resignation “based on a text message from Coach Huggins’ wife” to Steve Uryasz, West Virginia’s deputy athletic director.

The university responded to Campbell in a letter Saturday that read, in part: “We are frankly confused by the allegations within the letter.”

WVU said Huggins met with his players and members of the basketball staff on June 17 “to announce that he would no longer be coaching the team.” It said Huggins “clearly” communicated his resignation and retirement in writing and that “both parties have reasonably relied on that resignation and retirement notification in a number of ways since then.”

The university provided The AP with a copy of a notice sent by Huggins' wife, June, that same day. It read: “Please accept this correspondence as my formal notice of resignation as WVU Head Basketball Coach and as notice of my retirement from West Virginia University, effective immediately.”

The notice was sent from an email address associated with June Huggins, with a signature indicating it was sent via iPhone. It was sent to Uryasz's email address and did not appear to be a text message, as Campbell claimed.

West Virginia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-wren-baker-huggins-0cadbf17b240077c03fbe2ba6b1bf3cd">athletic director Wren Baker</a>&nbsp;responded an hour later by writing, “We accept your resignation and wish you the best in retirement. We appreciate your many years of dedication to WVU.”

Less than an hour after that, the university released two statements. One announced Huggins' resignation.

The other was titled “A Message from Bob Huggins to the WVU Community” and began, “Today, I have submitted a letter to President Gordon Gee and Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker informing them of my resignation and intention to retire as head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University effective immediately.”

The resignation was announced a month after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huggins-homophobic-slur-west-virginia-xavier-77ce70b41112a0062421ad9405558473">university gave Huggins a three-game suspension</a>&nbsp;for using an anti-gay slur while also denigrating Catholics during a radio interview.

Several of Huggins' players have already entered the transfer portal, and some have found new teams.

Campbell said Huggins’ contract required the coach to send a notice in writing by registered or certified mail to the athletic director and university general counsel.

Despite the threat of a lawsuit, Campbell’s letter said Huggins “does not desire litigation. Rather, he is simply looking for the correction of a clear breach of his employment agreement with WVU.”

The 69-year-old Huggins was the third-winningest coach all-time in Division I with 935 victories, trailing only Mike Krzyzewski of Duke (1,202) and Jim Boeheim of Syracuse (1,015), both of whom are retired.

Unlike the others, Huggins did not win a national title. He took Cincinnati to the Final Four in 1992 and West Virginia in 2010. Huggins entered the Basketball Hall of Fame last September. In 41 seasons, his teams went to 25 NCAA Tournaments and finished ranked in the AP top 10 seven times. The Mountaineers made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances under Huggins.

MORGANTOWN (AP)—Bob Huggins says he never&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huggins-arrested-dui-pittsburgh-west-virginia-fb441762888b47bade5efb1b4e247da0">resigned as West Virginia's basketball coach</a>&nbsp;following a drunken-driving arrest and wants his job back, according to a letter from his attorney to the university.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688905122016.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688905144879.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Huggins' Cleveland-based attorney, David A. Campbell, wrote to the university Friday that Huggins “never signed a resignation letter and never communicated a resignation to anyone at WVU,” according to the letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press on Saturday.The letter threatens a lawsuit if Huggins isn’t reinstated. Huggins’ demands were first reported by West Virginia network MetroNews.Huggins was charged with driving under the influence in Pittsburgh on June 16. A breath test determined Huggins’ blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. His resignation was announced by the university the following night. A week later,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-huggins-eilert-interim-94a2217e3fb59ec0d70b1f51afb12527">assistant coach Josh Eilert was promoted</a>&nbsp;to interim head coach for the 2023-24 season.Campbell’s letter said the university announced Huggins’ resignation “based on a text message from Coach Huggins’ wife” to Steve Uryasz, West Virginia’s deputy athletic director.The university responded to Campbell in a letter Saturday that read, in part: “We are frankly confused by the allegations within the letter.”WVU said Huggins met with his players and members of the basketball staff on June 17 “to announce that he would no longer be coaching the team.” It said Huggins “clearly” communicated his resignation and retirement in writing and that “both parties have reasonably relied on that resignation and retirement notification in a number of ways since then.”The university provided The AP with a copy of a notice sent by Huggins' wife, June, that same day. It read: “Please accept this correspondence as my formal notice of resignation as WVU Head Basketball Coach and as notice of my retirement from West Virginia University, effective immediately.”The notice was sent from an email address associated with June Huggins, with a signature indicating it was sent via iPhone. It was sent to Uryasz's email address and did not appear to be a text message, as Campbell claimed.West Virginia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-virginia-wren-baker-huggins-0cadbf17b240077c03fbe2ba6b1bf3cd">athletic director Wren Baker</a>&nbsp;responded an hour later by writing, “We accept your resignation and wish you the best in retirement. We appreciate your many years of dedication to WVU.”Less than an hour after that, the university released two statements. One announced Huggins' resignation.The other was titled “A Message from Bob Huggins to the WVU Community” and began, “Today, I have submitted a letter to President Gordon Gee and Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker informing them of my resignation and intention to retire as head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University effective immediately.”The resignation was announced a month after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huggins-homophobic-slur-west-virginia-xavier-77ce70b41112a0062421ad9405558473">university gave Huggins a three-game suspension</a>&nbsp;for using an anti-gay slur while also denigrating Catholics during a radio interview.Several of Huggins' players have already entered the transfer portal, and some have found new teams.Campbell said Huggins’ contract required the coach to send a notice in writing by registered or certified mail to the athletic director and university general counsel.Despite the threat of a lawsuit, Campbell’s letter said Huggins “does not desire litigation. Rather, he is simply looking for the correction of a clear breach of his employment agreement with WVU.”The 69-year-old Huggins was the third-winningest coach all-time in Division I with 935 victories, trailing only Mike Krzyzewski of Duke (1,202) and Jim Boeheim of Syracuse (1,015), both of whom are retired.Unlike the others, Huggins did not win a national title. He took Cincinnati to the Final Four in 1992 and West Virginia in 2010. Huggins entered the Basketball Hall of Fame last September. In 41 seasons, his teams went to 25 NCAA Tournaments and finished ranked in the AP top 10 seven times. The Mountaineers made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances under Huggins.___

Read Bob Huggins letter demanding coaching job back; says he never resigned 

New laws that went into effect this month in Kansas could have a significant impact on the lives of residents. But some may still face the scrutiny of a court challenge.

By DYLAN LYSEN&nbsp; <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-02-23/kansas-lawmakers-vote-to-restrict-transgender-athletes-and-doctors-treating-gender-identity">Kansas News Service</a>

New laws that range from the definition of male and female to testing for a lethal drug to abortion pill regulations took effect in Kansas this month.

It’s unclear how many of them will survive likely court challenges.

The fresh statutes reflect the Legislature’s increasingly aggressive approach to America’s culture wars — with a particular focus to restrict, rather than recognize, transgender rights — over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s sometimes toothless objections.

But lawmakers also found some ways to find bipartisan bargains, like one change in law that legalized fentanyl test strips as a way to reduce overdose deaths.

Here are some of the most consequential new laws in Kansas:

Men and women are now defined by their sex assigned at birth.

But it appears the true ramifications of the law will need to be resolved in court.

Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach said he plans to sue Kelly’s administration after the governor announced the law would not change how Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department or Revenue issue identification.

The state agencies will continue to allow residents&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/2023-06-29/kelly-kobach-split-over-what-a-new-law-means-for-transgender-kansans-ids" target="_blank">to change the gender on their birth certificates and IDs</a>. Kobach had previously said the new law meant the state must reverse gender changes on both.

However, the new law appears to contradict a 2019 federal ruling. In that case, the court ordered Kansas to allow transgender residents to change their IDs.

Transgender girls will no longer be allowed to participate in girls sports for schools and colleges.

Republican lawmakers argued the law was needed because student athletes assigned male at birth have a biological advantage in sports over girls. (Experts say that physical advantage&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/05/24/999897243/this-researcher-is-trying-to-settle-the-transgender-athlete-debate-using-science" target="_blank">subsides with hormone therapy</a>, particularly if it begins before puberty.)

Kelly initially vetoed the bill — the third time she’d rejected similar legislation in three years. But Republicans rallied enough votes — including one from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-05-25/this-kansas-democrat-helped-pass-transgender-restrictions-he-still-enjoys-support-in-his-district" target="_blank">Democratic Rep. Marvin Robinson</a>&nbsp;— to enact the law. But the law may also be challenged in court.

Meanwhile, the change is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-05/kansas-lawmakers-override-democratic-governors-veto-enacting-ban-on-transgender-athletes" target="_blank">not expected to have a widespread impact</a>&nbsp;on Kansas student athletes.

Jeremy Holaday, a spokesperson for the Kansas State High School Activities Association, said of the 106,000 students participating in the organization’s sports and activities during the 2022-23 school year, only one of the students would still be when it went into effect.

&nbsp;Fentanyl test strips are no longer considered drug paraphernalia. That allows them to be used to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-05-28/fentanyl-test-strips-will-finally-be-legal-in-kansas-helping-protect-people-from-a-deadly-poison" target="_blank">detect whether other drugs are laced with deadly fentanyl</a>.

Several attempts to legalize the test strips failed in recent years. But this year, lawmakers heard gut-wrenching testimony from Kansas parents who lost children to drug overdoses.

The change received broad bipartisan support. When the bill was signed into law, Republican Rep. Stephen Owens said the test strips can help save lives.

“These issues that are so critical,” Owens said, “can be bipartisan issues that we can move forward together to make Kansas a better place.”

Statute of limitations for child sex crimes

Prosecutions of child sex crimes no longer have a statute of limitations. Similar to murder and rape cases, prosecutors can now bring cases to trial decades after the crime.

Additionally, victims of child sex abuse have until they are 31 years old to pursue civil lawsuits against abusers. Previously, the state required those lawsuits to be filed before the victim turned 21 years old.

Lawmakers considered the change after a Kansas Bureau of Investigation report<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-06/report-finds-catholic-church-in-kansas-covered-up-sexual-abuse-of-children-by-priests-for-decades" target="_blank">&nbsp;documented decades of sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;by Catholic priests in the state. The agency also concluded that the state’s statute of limitations hindered criminal prosecutions.

The new law received unanimous support in the Legislature.

Doctors are now required to provide abortion patients with information about the reversibility of the abortion pill mifepristone. The information is medically unsubstantiated and medical groups argue studies supporting the idea are flawed.

Although the law is on the books, the state won’t enforce it until a court weighs in.

Kobcah reached an agreement with abortion providers to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-06-20/kobach-and-kansas-clinics-agree-to-delay-enforcement-of-abortion-pill-reversal-law" target="_blank">wait until the court rules on a request for a temporary injunction</a>. Abortion providers are challenging the law and several others for violating the state constitutional right to an abortion.

Laws restricting abortion access in Kansas are likely to face scrutiny from the Kansas Supreme Court, which ruled in 2019 that the state constitution protects the right to an abortion. Kansas voters also reaffirmed that ruling when they&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-08-02/kansas-voters-rejected-an-amendment-that-would-have-stripped-away-abortion-rights" target="_blank">overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;last year that would have effectively reversed the court’s ruling.

<h2>New laws that went into effect this month in Kansas could have a significant impact on the lives of residents. But some may still face the scrutiny of a court challenge.</h2>By DYLAN LYSEN&nbsp; <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-02-23/kansas-lawmakers-vote-to-restrict-transgender-athletes-and-doctors-treating-gender-identity">Kansas News Service</a>New laws that range from the definition of male and female to testing for a lethal drug to abortion pill regulations took effect in Kansas this month.It’s unclear how many of them will survive likely court challenges.The fresh statutes reflect the Legislature’s increasingly aggressive approach to America’s culture wars — with a particular focus to restrict, rather than recognize, transgender rights — over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s sometimes toothless objections.But lawmakers also found some ways to find bipartisan bargains, like one change in law that legalized fentanyl test strips as a way to reduce overdose deaths.Here are some of the most consequential new laws in Kansas:<h2>Women’s Bill of Rights</h2>Men and women are now defined by their sex assigned at birth.But it appears the true ramifications of the law will need to be resolved in court.Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach said he plans to sue Kelly’s administration after the governor announced the law would not change how Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department or Revenue issue identification.The state agencies will continue to allow residents&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/2023-06-29/kelly-kobach-split-over-what-a-new-law-means-for-transgender-kansans-ids" target="_blank">to change the gender on their birth certificates and IDs</a>. Kobach had previously said the new law meant the state must reverse gender changes on both.However, the new law appears to contradict a 2019 federal ruling. In that case, the court ordered Kansas to allow transgender residents to change their IDs.<h2>Fairness in Women’s Sports Act</h2>Transgender girls will no longer be allowed to participate in girls sports for schools and colleges.Republican lawmakers argued the law was needed because student athletes assigned male at birth have a biological advantage in sports over girls. (Experts say that physical advantage&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/05/24/999897243/this-researcher-is-trying-to-settle-the-transgender-athlete-debate-using-science" target="_blank">subsides with hormone therapy</a>, particularly if it begins before puberty.)Kelly initially vetoed the bill — the third time she’d rejected similar legislation in three years. But Republicans rallied enough votes — including one from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-05-25/this-kansas-democrat-helped-pass-transgender-restrictions-he-still-enjoys-support-in-his-district" target="_blank">Democratic Rep. Marvin Robinson</a>&nbsp;— to enact the law. But the law may also be challenged in court.Meanwhile, the change is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-05/kansas-lawmakers-override-democratic-governors-veto-enacting-ban-on-transgender-athletes" target="_blank">not expected to have a widespread impact</a>&nbsp;on Kansas student athletes.Jeremy Holaday, a spokesperson for the Kansas State High School Activities Association, said of the 106,000 students participating in the organization’s sports and activities during the 2022-23 school year, only one of the students would still be when it went into effect.<h2>Legalizing fentanyl test strips</h2>&nbsp;Fentanyl test strips are no longer considered drug paraphernalia. That allows them to be used to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-05-28/fentanyl-test-strips-will-finally-be-legal-in-kansas-helping-protect-people-from-a-deadly-poison" target="_blank">detect whether other drugs are laced with deadly fentanyl</a>.Several attempts to legalize the test strips failed in recent years. But this year, lawmakers heard gut-wrenching testimony from Kansas parents who lost children to drug overdoses.The change received broad bipartisan support. When the bill was signed into law, Republican Rep. Stephen Owens said the test strips can help save lives.“These issues that are so critical,” Owens said, “can be bipartisan issues that we can move forward together to make Kansas a better place.”<h2>Statute of limitations for child sex crimes</h2>Prosecutions of child sex crimes no longer have a statute of limitations. Similar to murder and rape cases, prosecutors can now bring cases to trial decades after the crime.Additionally, victims of child sex abuse have until they are 31 years old to pursue civil lawsuits against abusers. Previously, the state required those lawsuits to be filed before the victim turned 21 years old.Lawmakers considered the change after a Kansas Bureau of Investigation report<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-06/report-finds-catholic-church-in-kansas-covered-up-sexual-abuse-of-children-by-priests-for-decades" target="_blank">&nbsp;documented decades of sexual abuse</a>&nbsp;by Catholic priests in the state. The agency also concluded that the state’s statute of limitations hindered criminal prosecutions.The new law received unanimous support in the Legislature.<h2>Abortion pill reversal</h2>Doctors are now required to provide abortion patients with information about the reversibility of the abortion pill mifepristone. The information is medically unsubstantiated and medical groups argue studies supporting the idea are flawed.Although the law is on the books, the state won’t enforce it until a court weighs in.Kobcah reached an agreement with abortion providers to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-06-20/kobach-and-kansas-clinics-agree-to-delay-enforcement-of-abortion-pill-reversal-law" target="_blank">wait until the court rules on a request for a temporary injunction</a>. Abortion providers are challenging the law and several others for violating the state constitutional right to an abortion.Laws restricting abortion access in Kansas are likely to face scrutiny from the Kansas Supreme Court, which ruled in 2019 that the state constitution protects the right to an abortion. Kansas voters also reaffirmed that ruling when they&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-08-02/kansas-voters-rejected-an-amendment-that-would-have-stripped-away-abortion-rights" target="_blank">overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;last year that would have effectively reversed the court’s ruling.

New abortion, gender and drug laws are now in effect in Kansas

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident that occurred just after 8:30 Friday in Kansas City.

According to Police Captain Corey Carlisle, a black Ford F150 was parked in the apartment complex parking lot at 8705 E. 61st Terrace with the vehicle left in drive. 

The driver of the pickup was partially inside the vehicle, when it suddenly accelerated out of the parking space and into a tree line.

The driver was pinned between a medium sized tree and the driver door of the pickup.&nbsp; The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Carlisle.&nbsp; Police have not released the driver's name or additional details.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident that occurred just after 8:30 Friday in Kansas City.According to Police Captain Corey Carlisle, a black Ford F150 was parked in the apartment complex parking lot at 8705 E. 61st Terrace with the vehicle left in drive. The driver of the pickup was partially inside the vehicle, when it suddenly accelerated out of the parking space and into a tree line.The driver was pinned between a medium sized tree and the driver door of the pickup.&nbsp; The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Carlisle.&nbsp; Police have not released the driver's name or additional details.

KCPD: Driver dies after pinned between pickup door and tree

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who offered women rides and then sexually assaulted them has been sentenced. 

District Judge Seth Rundle sentenced Marlon Montoya, 41 of Wichita, to just over 7-years in prison.&nbsp; In April Montoya pled guilty&nbsp; to two counts of aggravated sexual battery.

On December 31, 2021, a 54-year-old woman said Montoya sexually assaulted her in a parking lot in northeast Wichita. The woman told police she had been walking and decided to get into Montoya’s car. Montoya drove to the lot in the 1000 block of N. Topeka and forced her to have sex at knifepoint.

In January of 2022, Montoya picked up a 63-year old-woman. He sexually assaulted her in a park on east 16th St. North.&nbsp;

On January 27, 2021, police located Montoya in 1000 block of E MacArthur in Wichita and took him into custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643404495160.png" alt="Montoya-photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Montoya-photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man who offered women rides and then sexually assaulted them has been sentenced. District Judge Seth Rundle sentenced Marlon Montoya, 41 of Wichita, to just over 7-years in prison.&nbsp; In April Montoya pled guilty&nbsp; to two counts of aggravated sexual battery.On December 31, 2021, a 54-year-old woman said Montoya sexually assaulted her in a parking lot in northeast Wichita. The woman told police she had been walking and decided to get into Montoya’s car. Montoya drove to the lot in the 1000 block of N. Topeka and forced her to have sex at knifepoint.In January of 2022, Montoya picked up a 63-year old-woman. He sexually assaulted her in a park on east 16th St. North.&nbsp;On January 27, 2021, police located Montoya in 1000 block of E MacArthur in Wichita and took him into custody.

Kan. man sentenced for rape of women he gave rides

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged drug distribution.&nbsp;

Just after 1p.m. Thursday, a deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a black Lexus&nbsp;near&nbsp;SW 29th&nbsp;Street&nbsp;and SW Wanamaker Road for an improper turn, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The driver had a suspended driver’s license.

During the investigation, the deputy found illegal narcotics.

Shortly before 2 pm, a subsequent narcotics related search warrant was executed in the 6100 block of SW 26th&nbsp;Court. Additional illegal narcotics and paraphernalia were located.

Deputies arrested Julian L. Williams, 55, of Topeka and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, driving while license suspended and improperly making a left turn.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688726133038.png" alt="Williams-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged drug distribution.&nbsp;Just after 1p.m. Thursday, a deputy with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a black Lexus&nbsp;near&nbsp;SW 29th&nbsp;Street&nbsp;and SW Wanamaker Road for an improper turn, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The driver had a suspended driver’s license.During the investigation, the deputy found illegal narcotics.Shortly before 2 pm, a subsequent narcotics related search warrant was executed in the 6100 block of SW 26th&nbsp;Court. Additional illegal narcotics and paraphernalia were located.Deputies arrested Julian L. Williams, 55, of Topeka and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, driving while license suspended and improperly making a left turn.

Kansas man accused of selling cocaine

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the July 2, mass shooting at the City Nightz club in Wichita's Old Town are asking the public for help to locate&nbsp;23-year-old Jaylen Thomas of Wichita for questioning in connection to the incident.

On Friday police arrested 19-year-old Ameir King-Ingram and booked him into the Sedgwick County jail for his role in the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688849063007.png" alt="Thomas-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Thomas-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the July 2, mass shooting at the City Nightz club in Wichita's Old Town are asking the public for help to locate&nbsp;23-year-old Jaylen Thomas of Wichita for questioning in connection to the incident.On Friday police arrested 19-year-old Ameir King-Ingram and booked him into the Sedgwick County jail for his role in the shooting.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1688300318332.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation July 2, -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation July 2, -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 1a.m. July 2, police responded to the club in the 200 Block of North Washington, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses.There were nine people with gunshot wounds and two people were trampled during the mass exodus out of the club.&nbsp;&nbsp;No one was killed but one person was critically injured.&nbsp; Police originally arrested a Missouri man as a suspect.&nbsp;He was released from jail after the Sedgwick County District Attorney determined he was acting in self defense.The investigation indicates there were at least four firearms discharged inside the club. Police&nbsp; also seized an additional four firearms as part of the investigation.The shooting victims included a 21-year-old man, 26-year-old man, 24-year-old woman, 34-year-old man, 21-year-old woman, 30-year-old man, 24-year-old man. The traumatic injury victims were a 31-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, according to Moses. Two additional gunshot victims checked into the hospital later Sunday.King-Ingram is being held on requested charges that include two counts of aggravated battery and one count of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.