BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/sofia-resnick/">SOFIA RESNICK</a>

The 2024 election results created complicated new realities for reproductive rights in the U.S., with Americans even in a few red states overwhelmingly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/voters-seven-states-restore-reproductive-rights" target="_blank">voting to protect</a>&nbsp;the right to have an abortion while also overwhelmingly electing anti-abortion representatives in state houses, courts, Congress and the White House.

With a Republican trifecta coming to the nation’s capital in January, anti-abortion activist groups are planning for the first potentially friendly presidential administration since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated a 50-year federal right to terminate a pregnancy.

They aim to end other federal and state protections while vastly expanding restrictions on reproductive health care.

Though many anti-abortion leaders are skeptical of President-elect Donald Trump’s commitment to their cause, they say they are willing to compromise to maintain influence in his administration. Some groups are strategizing how to end-run Trump’s campaign pledge not to enact any federal abortion bans — by heavily restricting medication abortion or trying to ban a common abortion procedure.

“I don’t think we have a champion here for pro-life causes,” said the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, longtime anti-abortion organizer. “What we have here is someone who will not work against us and try to crush us. We will not see pro-choice federal judges.”

Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition and the chief strategy officer of Stanton Public Policy Center, told States Newsroom that he is not a supporter of Trump and disagrees with his rhetoric on immigrants.

But he is happy Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris lost. The vice president had vowed to try to restore federal abortion rights and throughout her career has advocated for reproductive rights. As California attorney general, she&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-attorney-general-seizes-planned-parenthood-videos-20160405-story.html" target="_blank">prosecuted anti-abortion activists</a>&nbsp;charged with illegally recording abortion providers about a decade ago.

“We can have an opportunity now to begin the second phase after Roe was overturned,” Mahoney said. “We knew overturning Roe was only a starting line, not a finishing line.”

Lila Rose, president of Live Action, was one of the few prominent anti-abortion leaders who called out Trump before the election, after he criticized Florida’s six-week abortion ban and vowed to veto a federal ban. In late August, Rose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/08/29/lila-rose-abortion-trump-interview-00176619" target="_blank">told Politico</a>&nbsp;she would write in a presidential candidate and would encourage her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncregister.com/interview/fighting-for-life-lila-rose-s-mission-to-save-the-unborn" target="_blank">millions of followers</a>&nbsp;to do the same if Trump did not change course.

On her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSgwXPGviUA" target="_blank">podcast</a>, the millennial activist recently revealed that she met with Trump and asked him to say he would vote against Florida’s abortion-rights amendment, which he did. Days before the election, Rose&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LilaGraceRose/status/1852731859815542991" target="_blank">endorsed Trump on X</a>.

Live Action did not respond to an interview request.

Nationally,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/voters-seven-states-restore-reproductive-rights" target="_blank">three out of 10 abortion-rights measures</a>&nbsp;failed: Florida’s proposed amendment had the highest threshold to clear, but got 57% out of the required 60% of the vote. It would have reversed the ban that reproductive rights advocates say has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/reproductive-health-care-southeast-hinges-florida-abortion-rights-ballot-measure-doctors" target="_blank">decimated abortion access in the Southeast</a>.

Another anti-abortion leader willing to compromise with the incoming president and Congress is Steven Aden, general counsel at Americans United for Life, the policy shop behind many state and federal abortion restrictions. Aden said he was disappointed the Republican Party removed from its platform a&nbsp;<a href="https://prod-cdn-static.gop.com/media/documents/DRAFT_12_FINAL%5B1%5D-ben_1468872234.pdf" target="_blank">previous commitment</a>&nbsp;to a federal ban.

However, he said his group was still able to inject critical language into the&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn.nucleusfiles.com/be/beb1a388-1d88-4389-a67d-c1e2d7f8bedf/2024-gop-platform-july-7-final.pdf?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=ncl_amplify&amp;utm_campaign=240708-2024_gop_platform_make_america_great_again&amp;utm_content=ncl-4NsN8UE5x2&amp;_nlid=4NsN8UE5x2&amp;_nhids=g95bUYd" target="_blank">current platform</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/rnc-approves-platform-would-give-rights-fetuses-endangering-abortion-ivf" target="_blank">effectively supports states establishing fetal personhood</a>&nbsp;through the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which grants equal protection under the law. The platform also says Republicans “will oppose Late Term Abortion,” a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/political-rhetoric-about-third-trimester-abortion-misleading-experts-say" target="_blank">political term</a>&nbsp;used to refer to abortions in the second and third trimesters, the rarest but most restricted types of abortions in the U.S.

“We had direct input into the Trump campaign and framing the pro-life language in the party platform,” Aden told States Newsroom. “The platform language was much pared down, but we believe that the pro-life language preserves the essence of the party’s position on the pro-life issue, and we’re proud of that, and look forward to continuing to work with the incoming Trump administration.”

Federal reproductive rights protections in question

Early into his term, Democratic President Joe Biden began reversing blocks on federal funding domestically and globally for reproductive health organizations that also provide or refer for abortions. Leading up to and following the Dobbs decision, the Biden administration loosened restrictions to the medication abortion regimen, a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, which has become the most common way of terminating pregnancy in the U.S. during the first trimester.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed abortion medication to be obtained via telemedicine and dispensed directly at pharmacies.

Nearly half the country has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/see-data-reproductive-rights" target="_blank">partially or fully banned abortions</a>. But abortion numbers have risen since before Dobbs, researchers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/2024/03/despite-bans-number-abortions-united-states-increased-2023#:~:text=New%20findings%20from%20the%20Monthly,Organization%20overturned%20Roe%20v.%20Wade." target="_blank">have reported</a>, attributing the increase in part to expanded access to telemedicine abortion and to more people using online abortion clinics that mail abortion drugs from states with so-called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/telehealth-abortion-still-rise-especially-states-shield-laws-report-shows" target="_blank">shield laws</a>&nbsp;to those with bans.

Anti-abortion groups&nbsp;<a href="https://sbaprolife.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/win-memo.pdf" target="_blank">Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.studentsforlifeaction.org/roadmap/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=Time%20for%20a%20Pro-Life%20New%20Deal%20%F0%9F%A4%9D&amp;utm_campaign=PLG%3A%202024%20Primary%20Wins%3A%20KJH%20Op-Ed%20Email%20%28Nov%20%20%2024%29#form" target="_blank">Students for Life of America</a>&nbsp;recently unveiled memos asking the Trump administration to pull&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/health-experts-outline-how-trump-administration-could-affect-abortion-contraception-access" target="_blank">regulatory levers</a>&nbsp;that especially target abortion drugs.

Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, regulations could include:

When asked about stories of alleged&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/women-serious-pregnancy-complications-sue-over-state-abortion-bans-2" target="_blank">denied care</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/texas-woman-died-after-hospital-said-it-would-be-crime-intervene-her-miscarriage" target="_blank">maternal deaths</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/texas-ob-gyns-urge-lawmakers-change-abortion-laws-after-reports-pregnant-womens-deaths" target="_blank">doctor confusion</a>&nbsp;related to state abortion bans, Aden chalked up the problem to a misinterpretation of state laws, which he said should be clarified to address these problems, while noting several times, “I’m not a doctor.” Americans United for Life’s&nbsp;<a href="https://aul.org/2022/11/09/introducing-the-abortion-abolition-amendment/" target="_blank">recommended health-exception language</a>&nbsp;in part says abortion should be allowed “to preserve the life of a pregnant woman or to address a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.”

“That’s a health exception with teeth,” Aden said. “It doesn’t allow for a free-ranging, quote unquote, ‘mental health’ exception that would swallow the rule.”

Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-picks-dr-oz-run-mammoth-centers-medicare-and-medicaid-services" target="_blank">pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services</a>, which manages the country’s largest health programs, is Dr. Mehmet Oz, who&nbsp;<a href="https://19thnews.org/2024/11/trump-picks-dr-oz-celebrity-tv-doctor-medicare-medicaid/" target="_blank">opposes abortion</a>.

The U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs could:

The U.S. Agency for International Development could:

As they brace for the potential impact of Dobbs without a federal safety net, reproductive justice activists are working to expand access and fight anti-abortion laws, while also protecting new state wins. The election results did not change the fact that most people want abortion access, said Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, during a recent media press briefing organized by the progressive Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

“Donald Trump won the election, but so did abortion, and people need to hold this incoming administration to its word that it would not restrict abortion,” Graves said. “We have to square the idea that millions of people in the United States voted for reproductive freedom … but they also will be experiencing a situation that will become even more dire, and that people will feel scared and hopeless in this period.”

Aden said AUL would support a federal “dismemberment” bill, referring to a proposed ban on a common second-trimester abortion procedure known as&nbsp;<a href="https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.dilation-and-evacuation-d-e.tw2462" target="_blank">dilation and evacuation</a>, or D&amp;E. This procedure involves dilating the cervix and removing the contents of the uterus, typically performed beginning around 12 weeks. It would be a way to effectively get a 12- or 15-week ban without calling it that.

Despite its safety and efficacy record, the D&amp;E procedure has been banned in several states, over the objection of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/population-care/ban-standard-de-abortion-procedure-unsafe-unwarranted" target="_blank">American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists</a>. It’s part of an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/political-rhetoric-about-third-trimester-abortion-misleading-experts-say" target="_blank">old anti-abortion playbook</a>, which under Republican President George W. Bush resulted in a federal ban on another later abortion procedure — dilation and extraction, or D&amp;X — by reframing it as “partial-birth” abortion, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 2007’s Gonzales v. Carhart decision.

Abortion foes describe D&amp;Es as a gruesome procedure, or as Aden puts it, “tearing 13-week-old humans apart limb from limb.” Anti-abortion doctors&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/anti-abortion-researchers-back-riskier-procedures-when-pregnancy-termination-needed-experts" target="_blank">recommend more risky and invasive</a>&nbsp;procedures like C-sections, even when the abortion is medically indicated.

If D&amp;Es are banned, there would be fewer options for later abortions, which are sometimes necessary, said reproductive-health legal expert Rachel Rebouché, dean of Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia. She noted that some of the U.S. Supreme Court justices have indicated support for abortion restrictions for reasons of preserving fetal dignity rather than preserving maternal health.

“That litigation, from the anti-abortion perspective, depends on saying the fetus is a person with rights that attach at a certain point, if not from conception,” Rebouché told States Newsroom. “Dobbs opens the door wide open for those kinds of regulations. … But the question is, is there a role for the federal government to enact a nationwide ban that would curtail the rights of states that have not gone the way of Idaho or Texas or others?”

Aden said that for now AUL will be more focused on the incremental approach to abortion restrictions, as well as calling for expanded child and prenatal tax credits and other social supports.

The attorney, who was 11 when Roe was decided in 1973, is expecting another half-century of litigation over abortion with the hopes that one day the U.S. Constitution gives personhood rights to the unborn, regardless of the stage of that pregnancy. Aden said a so-called Human Life Amendment is likely impossible in the near term, needing approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress. He said U.S. culture is not there yet.

“It would require a cultural sea change in the way that the majority of Americans view human life in the womb,” Aden said. “That’s our second generational goal. Having won our first generational goal of overturning Roe, we’d love to see the day when every life is welcomed and protected in law. And if that’s through a constitutional amendment, then we’re here for that.”

Abortion foes strategize to get Trump to ban some abortions while keeping his pledge

WASHINGTON— Tons of ground beef have been recalled due to possible E. coli contamination,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/wolverine-packing-co--recalls-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e--coli-o157h7">according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>&nbsp;(USDA).

Wolverine Packing Co., a Detroit, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Thursday. The product was shipped to restaurants across the nation.

The fresh products have a “use by” date of 11/14/2024 and the frozen products are labeled with production date 10 22 24. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/Recall-031-2024-Product-List.pdf">here to view full product list</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/food_label_pdf/2024-11/Recall-031-2024-Labels.pdf">Click here to view labels</a>.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to restaurant locations nationwide.&nbsp;

The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of a group of ill persons who had reported that they consumed ground beef prior to their illness.

FSIS was notified of illnesses on November 13, 2024, and working in conjunction with Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health, FSIS determined that there was a link between the ground beef products from Wolverine Packing Co. and this illness cluster. On November 20, 2024, a ground beef sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as part of an outbreak investigation tested positive for&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157. To date, 15 case-patients have been identified in one state with illness onset dates ranging from November 2, 2024, to November 10, 2024. FSIS continues to work with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health on this investigation.

Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. Restaurants are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their&nbsp;customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart</a>.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Don Tanner, company representative at 248-762-1533.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732280999875.png" alt="USDA image" />
 <figcaption>USDA image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON— Tons of ground beef have been recalled due to possible E. coli contamination,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/wolverine-packing-co--recalls-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e--coli-o157h7">according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>&nbsp;(USDA).Wolverine Packing Co., a Detroit, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Thursday. The product was shipped to restaurants across the nation.The fresh products have a “use by” date of 11/14/2024 and the frozen products are labeled with production date 10 22 24. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/documents/Recall-031-2024-Product-List.pdf">here to view full product list</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/food_label_pdf/2024-11/Recall-031-2024-Labels.pdf">Click here to view labels</a>.The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 2574B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to restaurant locations nationwide.&nbsp;The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of a group of ill persons who had reported that they consumed ground beef prior to their illness.FSIS was notified of illnesses on November 13, 2024, and working in conjunction with Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health, FSIS determined that there was a link between the ground beef products from Wolverine Packing Co. and this illness cluster. On November 20, 2024, a ground beef sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as part of an outbreak investigation tested positive for&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157. To date, 15 case-patients have been identified in one state with illness onset dates ranging from November 2, 2024, to November 10, 2024. FSIS continues to work with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health on this investigation.Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.&nbsp;E. coli&nbsp;O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.FSIS is concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. Restaurants are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their&nbsp;customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart">https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart</a>.Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Don Tanner, company representative at 248-762-1533.

USDA: 160,000 pounds of ground beef recalled due to E. coli risk

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>

WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina led a charge Monday to try to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings, following the election of a transgender lawmaker.

The move, which the House Democratic leader characterized as attempting to “bully” another member, came as Democrat Sarah McBride of Delaware will soon be sworn in as the&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/08/21/transgender-congress/" target="_blank">first openly transgender member&nbsp;</a>of Congress. Republicans also have undertaken broader efforts to bar transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity.

“Biological men do not belong in private women’s spaces,” Mace wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858659671910817924" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;alongside the resolution she is pushing. “Period. Full stop. End of story.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hres1579/BILLS-118hres1579ih.pdf" target="_blank">resolution would prohibit</a>&nbsp;members of Congress, officers and employees of the House from using “single-sex facilities” other than those corresponding to their “biological sex.”

It reads: “A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not use a single-sex facility (including a restroom, changing&nbsp; room, or locker room) in the Capitol or House Office Buildings, other than those corresponding to the biological sex of such individual.”

The House sergeant-at-arms would be tasked with enforcement, according to the resolution, so it appears it would apply only to bathrooms on the House side of the Capitol and not the Senate.

Mace told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/1403136/exclusive-rep-nancy-mace-on-why-she-supports-lgbt-rights-religious-liberty-compromise-legislation/" target="_blank">Washington Examiner</a>&nbsp;in 2021 that she strongly supports LGBTQ rights and equality and said “no one should be discriminated against.”

The South Carolina Republican co-sponsored a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1440/text" target="_blank">Republican alternative</a>&nbsp;to the&nbsp; Democratic-backed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5/cosponsors" target="_blank">Equality Act</a>&nbsp;in 2021. The GOP effort sought to “prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and to protect the free exercise of religion.”&nbsp;

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SarahEMcBride/status/1858671704718868652" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;Monday appearing to respond to Mace’s push, McBride said “every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness.”

“This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing,” McBride added.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Mace’s resolution “doesn’t go far enough” and “we need something more binding” while speaking to reporters Tuesday.

The Georgia Republican, who referred to McBride as a “biological man,” said “America’s fed up with the trans ideology being shoved into our face.”

Greene said she asked U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson at the House GOP conference meeting Tuesday “what the men in our leadership are going to do about this, because this has to be stopped.”

According to Greene, the Louisiana Republican committed to her that McBride “will not be using our restrooms.”

However, at a Tuesday press conference following that GOP meeting, Johnson would not specify how he would respond to Mace’s resolution.

“This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before,” Johnson said, while also noting that “it’s a command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect.”

“We’ll provide appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress,” he added.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned House Republicans’ priorities Tuesday regarding Mace’s effort.

“This is your priority — that you want to bully a member of Congress as opposed to welcoming her to join this body so that all of us can work together to get things done and deliver real results for the American people?” said the New York Democrat at a Tuesday news conference.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732047919198.png" alt="Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Delaware will become the first openly transgender member of Congress-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Delaware will become the first openly transgender member of Congress-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina led a charge Monday to try to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings, following the election of a transgender lawmaker.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I never thought we would need a sign for this, but women&#39;s restrooms are for BIOLOGICAL women. Not men. <a href="https://t.co/42lOMhqHFT">pic.twitter.com/42lOMhqHFT</a>&mdash; Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858997448418496978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The move, which the House Democratic leader characterized as attempting to “bully” another member, came as Democrat Sarah McBride of Delaware will soon be sworn in as the&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/08/21/transgender-congress/" target="_blank">first openly transgender member&nbsp;</a>of Congress. Republicans also have undertaken broader efforts to bar transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Biological men do not belong in private women’s spaces. Period. Full stop. End of story. <a href="https://t.co/IhR7kExkBU">pic.twitter.com/IhR7kExkBU</a>&mdash; Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858659671910817924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Biological men do not belong in private women’s spaces,” Mace wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858659671910817924" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;alongside the resolution she is pushing. “Period. Full stop. End of story.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Is freshman-elect Sarah McBride a man or a woman?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a>: &quot;Look, I’m not going to get into this...We treat all persons with dignity and respect. We will. I&#39;m not going to engage is silly debates about this. There&#39;s a concern about uses of restroom facilities...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/fMtlV3hYxW">pic.twitter.com/fMtlV3hYxW</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1858904341718958328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hres1579/BILLS-118hres1579ih.pdf" target="_blank">resolution would prohibit</a>&nbsp;members of Congress, officers and employees of the House from using “single-sex facilities” other than those corresponding to their “biological sex.”It reads: “A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not use a single-sex facility (including a restroom, changing&nbsp; room, or locker room) in the Capitol or House Office Buildings, other than those corresponding to the biological sex of such individual.”The House sergeant-at-arms would be tasked with enforcement, according to the resolution, so it appears it would apply only to bathrooms on the House side of the Capitol and not the Senate.Mace told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/1403136/exclusive-rep-nancy-mace-on-why-she-supports-lgbt-rights-religious-liberty-compromise-legislation/" target="_blank">Washington Examiner</a>&nbsp;in 2021 that she strongly supports LGBTQ rights and equality and said “no one should be discriminated against.”The South Carolina Republican co-sponsored a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1440/text" target="_blank">Republican alternative</a>&nbsp;to the&nbsp; Democratic-backed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5/cosponsors" target="_blank">Equality Act</a>&nbsp;in 2021. The GOP effort sought to “prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and to protect the free exercise of religion.”&nbsp;In a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SarahEMcBride/status/1858671704718868652" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;Monday appearing to respond to Mace’s push, McBride said “every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness.”“This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing,” McBride added.Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Mace’s resolution “doesn’t go far enough” and “we need something more binding” while speaking to reporters Tuesday.The Georgia Republican, who referred to McBride as a “biological man,” said “America’s fed up with the trans ideology being shoved into our face.”Greene said she asked U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson at the House GOP conference meeting Tuesday “what the men in our leadership are going to do about this, because this has to be stopped.”According to Greene, the Louisiana Republican committed to her that McBride “will not be using our restrooms.”However, at a Tuesday press conference following that GOP meeting, Johnson would not specify how he would respond to Mace’s resolution.“This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before,” Johnson said, while also noting that “it’s a command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect.”“We’ll provide appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress,” he added.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned House Republicans’ priorities Tuesday regarding Mace’s effort.“This is your priority — that you want to bully a member of Congress as opposed to welcoming her to join this body so that all of us can work together to get things done and deliver real results for the American people?” said the New York Democrat at a Tuesday news conference.&nbsp;

U.S. House GOP urged to bar transgender women from using women’s bathrooms at the Capitol

Washington, D.C.-&nbsp; Kansas&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and other members of the Senate Ag committee are not happy with Democrat Senate Agriculture Chairman Debbie&nbsp;Stabenow. According to Marshall, she blindsided the Republicans on the bipartisan Ag committee dropping a 1,400-page Farm Bill with no advance notice or cooperation."

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/rural_prosperity_and_food_security_act_of_2024.pdf">here to read&nbsp; the full text of the bill</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/summary_of_the_rural_prosperity_and_food_security_act.pdf">here to read the summary</a>

“This morning, Chairwoman Stabenow released her Farm Bill text—a 1,400-page document that no Republican committee member has reviewed or had the opportunity to collaborate on. This is not a sincere or transparent effort to address the urgent needs of Rural America. Instead, it is a last-minute power play in the final hours- manipulating her majority power in the Senate Ag Committee before losing the gavel. Today's move shows that Senate Democrats have walked away from meaningful bipartisan negotiations that are a tradition in this committee and have opted to play politics with the livelihoods of hard-working farmers and ranchers at a time when Rural America needs real solutions.”&nbsp;

Senator Marshall continued, “Thoughtful negotiation and bipartisan cooperation are essential to delivering a&nbsp;Farmers First&nbsp;Farm Bill that Kansans deserves. Despite Stabenow's attempt to upend the process, as a member of the Senate Ag Committee representing Kansas agriculture, I remain committed to reviewing this bill and advocating for the needs of our farmers and ranchers. With farmers facing record decreases in net farm income, we must put&nbsp;FARM back in the Farm Bill&nbsp;by increasing crop insurance coverage and reference prices for the American farmer.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731969781719.png" alt="Senate Ag Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow of Michigan- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Senate Ag Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow of Michigan- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C.-&nbsp; Kansas&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and other members of the Senate Ag committee are not happy with Democrat Senate Agriculture Chairman Debbie&nbsp;Stabenow. According to Marshall, she blindsided the Republicans on the bipartisan Ag committee dropping a 1,400-page Farm Bill with no advance notice or cooperation."Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/rural_prosperity_and_food_security_act_of_2024.pdf">here to read&nbsp; the full text of the bill</a>&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/summary_of_the_rural_prosperity_and_food_security_act.pdf">here to read the summary</a>“This morning, Chairwoman Stabenow released her Farm Bill text—a 1,400-page document that no Republican committee member has reviewed or had the opportunity to collaborate on. This is not a sincere or transparent effort to address the urgent needs of Rural America. Instead, it is a last-minute power play in the final hours- manipulating her majority power in the Senate Ag Committee before losing the gavel. Today's move shows that Senate Democrats have walked away from meaningful bipartisan negotiations that are a tradition in this committee and have opted to play politics with the livelihoods of hard-working farmers and ranchers at a time when Rural America needs real solutions.”&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Disappointed Congress is unable to deliver certainty to Kansas farmers &amp; ranchers by passing a new Farm Bill. Chairwoman Stabenow’s legislation is over a year late and missed the opportunity for bipartisan outcomes. We now focus fully on the Senate Appropriations Committee to…&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1858882846242251086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Senator Marshall continued, “Thoughtful negotiation and bipartisan cooperation are essential to delivering a&nbsp;Farmers First&nbsp;Farm Bill that Kansans deserves. Despite Stabenow's attempt to upend the process, as a member of the Senate Ag Committee representing Kansas agriculture, I remain committed to reviewing this bill and advocating for the needs of our farmers and ranchers. With farmers facing record decreases in net farm income, we must put&nbsp;FARM back in the Farm Bill&nbsp;by increasing crop insurance coverage and reference prices for the American farmer.”

Read the latest Farm Bill proposal that has Kan. U.S. Senators unhappy

Almost 10,000 votes not reported on Election Day in Christian County go heavily against Amendment 2, while small changes elsewhere in the state add to majority.

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

A late report adding nearly 10,000 votes to Christian County’s election results has narrowed the margin&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/06/missouri-voters-narrowly-approve-sports-betting-amendment/">for Missouri’s sports betting amendment</a>&nbsp;and put it in range for a possible recount.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://ccmoelections.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/OFFICIAL_Election_Summary.pdf" target="_blank">official results</a>&nbsp;from Christian County, certified last week, increased the county’s vote total on Amendment 2 by 9,653, with a margin of 3,995 votes against sports betting among the additional ballots. Added to the statewide tally maintained by the Secretary of State’s office, just that change would shrink the statewide margin from a 4,363-vote majority on Election Day to a mere 368 votes as of Monday out of nearly 3 million votes cast.

But other changes will be made as the 116 election jurisdictions around the state certify their results, a process that must be completed by Tuesday. The Independent checked websites for the 50 counties with the highest number of votes on Amendment 2, finding official results in 25.

In most of those jurisdictions, a few dozen, or at most, a few hundred additional votes were reported in the final tallies. With those votes included, the majority for Amendment 2 stood at 720 votes.

That would be well within the 0.5% margin for a recount if it is requested. A recount would not be automatic.

None of the eight largest voting jurisdictions, representing half the total statewide vote, have certified final results. All eight passed Amendment 2 by strong majorities.

Final state certification of the results must occur by Dec. 10. Any recount would take place after that certification.

Jack Cardetti, spokesman for Winning for Missouri Education, which backed Amendment 2, said the campaign is confident the margin will hold up. The counties that have certified the Nov. 5 results include many where the majority went against the amendment but the additional votes reported favor the proposal.

“The fact that even the provisional ballots are coming in on the net side for us is good, so you can imagine what St. Louis and Kansas City will show,” Cardetti said.

The campaign is monitoring the final certifications, he said.

“We’re gonna watch them very carefully today and tomorrow as they come in,” he said.

The reason Christian County reported 40,622 ballots for Amendment 2 on election night and 50,275 in the official results is because of the huge volume of early votes received and limitations imposed by the ballot counting equipment, said Eryn Flood, deputy clerk and director of elections.

County clerks must accept ballots from overseas military voters that arrive by the Friday after an election as well as tallying any provisional ballots determined to be valid, Flood said.

“With us having such a high volume of absentees, we were running out of machines, and so we had to keep three machines open to ensure that we had enough room for Friday,” Flood said.

This was the first presidential election where Missourians had two weeks of “<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/30/increasing-every-day-voters-line-up-across-missouri-for-chance-to-cast-ballot-early/">no excuse absentee voting</a>” to cast ballots before Election Day. Hundreds of thousands of voters took advantage of the law.

“We might have to look into, for presidential elections at least, having more machines,” Flood said. “I don’t think the entire state of Missouri was ready for the amount of people coming in their offices to vote.”

Of the counties that have certified their results, the largest number of additional votes for Amendment 2 were reported in Boone County, where an additional 243 “yes” votes were reported against 115 additional “no” votes.

If the margin remains at about 700 votes, that would be a majority of 0.03% of the statewide vote, well within the 0.5% margin that would&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=115.601&amp;bid=6240&amp;hl=" target="_blank">qualify it for a recount</a>. JoDonn Chaney, spokesman for Secretary of State Jay Aschcroft, said Monday that the recount must be requested by someone representing the campaign against the amendment.

“Only certain groups, not anybody, can request it,” Chaney said.

In an email, Chaney said Ashcroft and previous secretaries have interpreted the law to mean only people with a direct interest in the issue can request a recount.

“As we are not an adjudicatory body, any change in this interpretation would need to come from the courts,” Chaney said.

Winning for Missouri Education raised the most money in Missouri history for a ballot measure, spending nearly $40 million to get on the ballot and advertise during the fall campaign. The opposition, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, raised $15 million to defeat it but&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/opponents-of-missouri-sports-betting-amendment-pull-tv-ads-in-campaigns-homestretch/">pulled its ads</a>&nbsp;three weeks before the election.

“We have no plans to request a recount at this time,” Brooke Foster, spokeswoman for the opponents, said Monday.

The language in state law, however, doesn’t limit recount requests to groups formally organized to oppose a ballot measure. The last statewide recount of a ballot measure was in 2014, when Amendment 1, known as the Right to Farm amendment, passed by 2,490 votes during the Aug. 5, 2014, primary.

Wes Shoemyer, a former state lawmaker, was the treasurer for Missouri’s Food for America, which opposed the Right to Farm amendment. He&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/ElectionResultsStatistics/RecountRequest.pdf" target="_blank">requested a recount</a>, but it was based on his status as a voter who opposed the measure, not his position with the opposition campaign.

“The voter has more rights than the treasurer,” Shoemyer said. “Anybody who wants to come out and say they voted no can ask for it.”

Recounts rarely change the outcome of an election but it was important to make sure, Shoemyer said. On the Right to Farm amendment, the majority&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/ElectionResultsStatistics/RecountCertification.pdf" target="_blank">narrowed to 2,375 votes</a>.

“You might get lucky, man,” Shoemyer said. “We were less than one quarter of 1%, and things have been counted wrong. You know, mistakes have been made.”

The backers of Amendment 2 are confident they will prevail in the official tallies and any recount&nbsp;

“We’re watching the votes come in extremely carefully here, but we feel really good about where we’re at,” Cardetti said. “We’re going to win this election when every last vote comes in.”

<h2>Almost 10,000 votes not reported on Election Day in Christian County go heavily against Amendment 2, while small changes elsewhere in the state add to majority.</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A late report adding nearly 10,000 votes to Christian County’s election results has narrowed the margin&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/06/missouri-voters-narrowly-approve-sports-betting-amendment/">for Missouri’s sports betting amendment</a>&nbsp;and put it in range for a possible recount.The&nbsp;<a href="https://ccmoelections.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/OFFICIAL_Election_Summary.pdf" target="_blank">official results</a>&nbsp;from Christian County, certified last week, increased the county’s vote total on Amendment 2 by 9,653, with a margin of 3,995 votes against sports betting among the additional ballots. Added to the statewide tally maintained by the Secretary of State’s office, just that change would shrink the statewide margin from a 4,363-vote majority on Election Day to a mere 368 votes as of Monday out of nearly 3 million votes cast.But other changes will be made as the 116 election jurisdictions around the state certify their results, a process that must be completed by Tuesday. The Independent checked websites for the 50 counties with the highest number of votes on Amendment 2, finding official results in 25.In most of those jurisdictions, a few dozen, or at most, a few hundred additional votes were reported in the final tallies. With those votes included, the majority for Amendment 2 stood at 720 votes.That would be well within the 0.5% margin for a recount if it is requested. A recount would not be automatic.None of the eight largest voting jurisdictions, representing half the total statewide vote, have certified final results. All eight passed Amendment 2 by strong majorities.Final state certification of the results must occur by Dec. 10. Any recount would take place after that certification.Jack Cardetti, spokesman for Winning for Missouri Education, which backed Amendment 2, said the campaign is confident the margin will hold up. The counties that have certified the Nov. 5 results include many where the majority went against the amendment but the additional votes reported favor the proposal.“The fact that even the provisional ballots are coming in on the net side for us is good, so you can imagine what St. Louis and Kansas City will show,” Cardetti said.The campaign is monitoring the final certifications, he said.“We’re gonna watch them very carefully today and tomorrow as they come in,” he said.The reason Christian County reported 40,622 ballots for Amendment 2 on election night and 50,275 in the official results is because of the huge volume of early votes received and limitations imposed by the ballot counting equipment, said Eryn Flood, deputy clerk and director of elections.County clerks must accept ballots from overseas military voters that arrive by the Friday after an election as well as tallying any provisional ballots determined to be valid, Flood said.“With us having such a high volume of absentees, we were running out of machines, and so we had to keep three machines open to ensure that we had enough room for Friday,” Flood said.This was the first presidential election where Missourians had two weeks of “<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/30/increasing-every-day-voters-line-up-across-missouri-for-chance-to-cast-ballot-early/">no excuse absentee voting</a>” to cast ballots before Election Day. Hundreds of thousands of voters took advantage of the law.“We might have to look into, for presidential elections at least, having more machines,” Flood said. “I don’t think the entire state of Missouri was ready for the amount of people coming in their offices to vote.”Of the counties that have certified their results, the largest number of additional votes for Amendment 2 were reported in Boone County, where an additional 243 “yes” votes were reported against 115 additional “no” votes.If the margin remains at about 700 votes, that would be a majority of 0.03% of the statewide vote, well within the 0.5% margin that would&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=115.601&amp;bid=6240&amp;hl=" target="_blank">qualify it for a recount</a>. JoDonn Chaney, spokesman for Secretary of State Jay Aschcroft, said Monday that the recount must be requested by someone representing the campaign against the amendment.“Only certain groups, not anybody, can request it,” Chaney said.In an email, Chaney said Ashcroft and previous secretaries have interpreted the law to mean only people with a direct interest in the issue can request a recount.“As we are not an adjudicatory body, any change in this interpretation would need to come from the courts,” Chaney said.Winning for Missouri Education raised the most money in Missouri history for a ballot measure, spending nearly $40 million to get on the ballot and advertise during the fall campaign. The opposition, Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment, raised $15 million to defeat it but&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/opponents-of-missouri-sports-betting-amendment-pull-tv-ads-in-campaigns-homestretch/">pulled its ads</a>&nbsp;three weeks before the election.“We have no plans to request a recount at this time,” Brooke Foster, spokeswoman for the opponents, said Monday.The language in state law, however, doesn’t limit recount requests to groups formally organized to oppose a ballot measure. The last statewide recount of a ballot measure was in 2014, when Amendment 1, known as the Right to Farm amendment, passed by 2,490 votes during the Aug. 5, 2014, primary.Wes Shoemyer, a former state lawmaker, was the treasurer for Missouri’s Food for America, which opposed the Right to Farm amendment. He&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/ElectionResultsStatistics/RecountRequest.pdf" target="_blank">requested a recount</a>, but it was based on his status as a voter who opposed the measure, not his position with the opposition campaign.“The voter has more rights than the treasurer,” Shoemyer said. “Anybody who wants to come out and say they voted no can ask for it.”Recounts rarely change the outcome of an election but it was important to make sure, Shoemyer said. On the Right to Farm amendment, the majority&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/ElectionResultsStatistics/RecountCertification.pdf" target="_blank">narrowed to 2,375 votes</a>.“You might get lucky, man,” Shoemyer said. “We were less than one quarter of 1%, and things have been counted wrong. You know, mistakes have been made.”The backers of Amendment 2 are confident they will prevail in the official tallies and any recount&nbsp;“We’re watching the votes come in extremely carefully here, but we feel really good about where we’re at,” Cardetti said. “We’re going to win this election when every last vote comes in.”

Margin on Missouri sports betting amendment narrows as counties tally official results

WASHINGTON — A measure to ensure the federal student aid form opens up annually by Oct. 1 passed the U.S. House Friday with overwhelming bipartisan support.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118hr8932rh/pdf/BILLS-118hr8932rh.pdf" target="_blank">effort</a>&nbsp;— which passed 381-1 — came after the U.S. Department of Education faced major backlash over the botched rollout of the 2024-25&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/dont-give-fafsa-advocates-student-financial-aid-urge" target="_blank">Free Application for Federal Student Aid</a>, or FAFSA. California Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren was the only lawmaker to vote against the bill.&nbsp;

Though the form got a makeover after Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act in late 2020, users faced multiple glitches and technical errors throughout the form’s soft launch in December and past its full debut in January, prompting processing delays and gaps in submissions.

The department has worked to correct these glitches and close that gap while also fixing major issues that prevented parents without Social Security numbers from completing the form.

Adding another complication, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-education-department-gradually-roll-out-new-fafsa-form-dec-1" target="_blank">department said in August</a>&nbsp;it would use a phased rollout of the 2025-26 form in an attempt to address any errors that might arise before it opens up to everyone — making the application fully available two months later than usual.

Though the department legally has until Jan. 1 to roll out the form, it typically launches Oct. 1.

U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, an Indiana Republican and member of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, in July&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8932" target="_blank">introduced the bill</a>&nbsp;to standardize that deadline.

“I’m especially frustrated considering the Department of Education has had three years to simplify the FAFSA as Congress has dictated,” Houchin said during floor debate Friday.

She also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gaps-fafsa-rollout-are-closing-watchdog-tells-us-house-panel" target="_blank">referenced recent findings</a>&nbsp;from the Government Accountability Office, including that nearly three-quarters of all calls to the call center went unanswered in the first five months of the 2024-25 rollout.

“We want this program to work — we want to make sure that children and families that want to send their kids to college have the availability to do that and that the FAFSA is available and workable,” she added.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, ranking member of the House education panel, echoed his support during the floor debate, saying the measure will “help ensure that even more students have the information they need in a timelier manner to access Pell Grants and other vital student aid.”

Scott initially opposed the effort when the committee took it up in July out of concerns that the implementation deadline could force the department to roll out an incomplete form on Oct. 1 of this year.

“However, because we’re now considering the bill after Oct. 1, the deadline will apply next year, 2025, and that gives the department ample time to make improvements and fix any lingering issues,” the Virginia Democrat said.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4632" target="_blank">introduced a companion bill</a>&nbsp;in July.

The bill was referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, where Cassidy serves as ranking member. After Republicans won a Senate majority in the Nov. 5 elections,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.help.senate.gov/ranking/newsroom/press/cassidy-to-chair-help-committee-in-119th-congress" target="_blank">Cassidy is in line</a>&nbsp;to chair the panel next year.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727807641728.png" alt=" A sign reminding people to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — better known as FAFSA — appears on a bus near Union Station in Washington, D.C. (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption> A sign reminding people to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — better known as FAFSA — appears on a bus near Union Station in Washington, D.C. (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — A measure to ensure the federal student aid form opens up annually by Oct. 1 passed the U.S. House Friday with overwhelming bipartisan support.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118hr8932rh/pdf/BILLS-118hr8932rh.pdf" target="_blank">effort</a>&nbsp;— which passed 381-1 — came after the U.S. Department of Education faced major backlash over the botched rollout of the 2024-25&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/dont-give-fafsa-advocates-student-financial-aid-urge" target="_blank">Free Application for Federal Student Aid</a>, or FAFSA. California Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren was the only lawmaker to vote against the bill.&nbsp;Though the form got a makeover after Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act in late 2020, users faced multiple glitches and technical errors throughout the form’s soft launch in December and past its full debut in January, prompting processing delays and gaps in submissions.The department has worked to correct these glitches and close that gap while also fixing major issues that prevented parents without Social Security numbers from completing the form.Adding another complication, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-education-department-gradually-roll-out-new-fafsa-form-dec-1" target="_blank">department said in August</a>&nbsp;it would use a phased rollout of the 2025-26 form in an attempt to address any errors that might arise before it opens up to everyone — making the application fully available two months later than usual.<h2>Codified deadline</h2>Though the department legally has until Jan. 1 to roll out the form, it typically launches Oct. 1.U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, an Indiana Republican and member of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, in July&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8932" target="_blank">introduced the bill</a>&nbsp;to standardize that deadline.“I’m especially frustrated considering the Department of Education has had three years to simplify the FAFSA as Congress has dictated,” Houchin said during floor debate Friday.She also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gaps-fafsa-rollout-are-closing-watchdog-tells-us-house-panel" target="_blank">referenced recent findings</a>&nbsp;from the Government Accountability Office, including that nearly three-quarters of all calls to the call center went unanswered in the first five months of the 2024-25 rollout.“We want this program to work — we want to make sure that children and families that want to send their kids to college have the availability to do that and that the FAFSA is available and workable,” she added.U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, ranking member of the House education panel, echoed his support during the floor debate, saying the measure will “help ensure that even more students have the information they need in a timelier manner to access Pell Grants and other vital student aid.”Scott initially opposed the effort when the committee took it up in July out of concerns that the implementation deadline could force the department to roll out an incomplete form on Oct. 1 of this year.“However, because we’re now considering the bill after Oct. 1, the deadline will apply next year, 2025, and that gives the department ample time to make improvements and fix any lingering issues,” the Virginia Democrat said.U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4632" target="_blank">introduced a companion bill</a>&nbsp;in July.The bill was referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, where Cassidy serves as ranking member. After Republicans won a Senate majority in the Nov. 5 elections,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.help.senate.gov/ranking/newsroom/press/cassidy-to-chair-help-committee-in-119th-congress" target="_blank">Cassidy is in line</a>&nbsp;to chair the panel next year.&nbsp;

U.S. House passes bill to move up annual FAFSA release deadline

WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– Republicans on Wednesday used a secret ballot and elected South Dakota Sen.&nbsp;John Thune&nbsp;as the next Senate majority leader.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a statement from his office, Kansas Senior U.S. Senator Jerry Moran wrote, “I congratulate Sen. John Thune on being selected as the new Senate Majority Leader. I stand ready to work with John and President Trump to lower prices, secure the southern border, promote domestic energy production and bolster our national security.

Moran continued, “I appreciate Sen. Cornyn and Sen. Scott’s willingness to serve their colleagues and the American people and have no doubt they will continue to be valuable members of the Senate.”

Moran and Marshall have not indicated how they voted. Moran and Thune were both members of the freshman class in Congress in 1996 which may indicate how Moran voted.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731512616861.png" alt="President-elect Trump during a meeting with House Republicans at the Capitol on Wednesday -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President-elect Trump during a meeting with House Republicans at the Capitol on Wednesday -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON, D.C.&nbsp;– Republicans on Wednesday used a secret ballot and elected South Dakota Sen.&nbsp;John Thune&nbsp;as the next Senate majority leader.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a statement from his office, Kansas Senior U.S. Senator Jerry Moran wrote, “I congratulate Sen. John Thune on being selected as the new Senate Majority Leader. I stand ready to work with John and President Trump to lower prices, secure the southern border, promote domestic energy production and bolster our national security.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congratulations to Leader <a href="https://twitter.com/SenJohnThune?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenJohnThune</a> and all of the newly elected Senate Republican Leadership. Senate Republicans are united and ready to work with Leader Thune to execute President Trump&#39;s America First agenda and fight for America&#39;s workers, families&#39; economic security, and…&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1856808284314878058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Moran continued, “I appreciate Sen. Cornyn and Sen. Scott’s willingness to serve their colleagues and the American people and have no doubt they will continue to be valuable members of the Senate.”Moran and Marshall have not indicated how they voted. Moran and Thune were both members of the freshman class in Congress in 1996 which may indicate how Moran voted.&nbsp;

After secret ballot, Kan. U.S. Senators show support for Trump, new Majority Leader

JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas middle school teacher is going to prison for child sex crimes.

On November 8, Judge Neil Foth sentenced 55-year-old Keil Hileman to 24-months in prison. He must also register as a sex offender for 25-years.

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

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

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

In 2004, Hileman was named Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a finalists for the National Teacher of the Year.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731165443157.png" alt="Hileman photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Hileman photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas middle school teacher is going to prison for child sex crimes.On November 8, Judge Neil Foth sentenced 55-year-old Keil Hileman to 24-months in prison. He must also register as a sex offender for 25-years.On August 14,&nbsp; Hileman pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted unlawful sexual relations, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.As part of the plea agreement, the State of Kansas dismissed&nbsp; four additional sex crime charges against him, according to court documents.In October of 2022, the Johnson County District Attorney’s office charged Hileman, at the time a Monticello Trails Middle School, USD 232 DeSoto teacher, alleging criminal conduct involving his role as an educator," the district said in the letter to families.In 2004, Hileman was named Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a finalists for the National Teacher of the Year.&nbsp;

Former Kan. teacher of the year sentenced for child sex crimes

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/11/04/advocates-of-imperiled-lesser-prairie-chicken-say-market-incentives-key-to-expanding-habitat/">Kansas Reflector</a>

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has several choices to make in the coming months about whether his second administration will keep access to contraception and abortion as it is now or implement changes.

While Trump cannot on his own enact nationwide laws or abortion bans without Congress, he and the people he picks for key posts throughout the federal government will have significant influence on reproductive rights nationwide.

During Trump’s first term in office he barred health care organizations that perform or refer patients for abortions from receiving Title X family planning grants, even though there’s a moratorium on using federal funds for abortions unless it’s the result of rape or incest, or the life of the woman is at risk.

Alina Salganicoff, senior vice president and director for women’s health policy at the nonpartisan health research organization KFF, said on a call with reporters Friday that about a quarter of providers withdrew or were disqualified from receiving federal family planning grants as a result of that policy.

“The Title X program basically funds family planning services for low-income people,” Salganicoff explained. “It’s basically a small program, it’s around under $300 million — but it is a critical program to people who don’t otherwise have insurance.”

Trump will also have to decide whether to leave in place guidance from the Biden administration that says a federal law from the 1980s protects health care providers who perform abortions as stabilizing care during an emergency that would affect a woman’s health or life.

That law, known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, became one point of disagreement between the Biden administration and Republican states that implemented abortion bans or strict restrictions after the Supreme Court ended the nationwide right to an abortion.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/state-bans-abortion-dont-apply-emergency-health-care-white-house-reminds-providers" target="_blank">wrote in a letter&nbsp;</a>released in July 2022 that under the federal “law, no matter where you live, women have the right to emergency care — including abortion care.”

EMTALA is at the center of an&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/federal-court-sets-date-for-emtala-oral-argument-hearing-in-idaho-based-case/" target="_blank">ongoing lawsuit&nbsp;</a>between the Biden administration and Idaho over that state’s abortion law. Oral arguments in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals are set for early December.

The future of medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation that’s used in about 63% of abortions nationwide, will be another area the Trump administration could alter without congressional approval.

Salganicoff said there’s no way to know just yet if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will seek to change prescribing guidelines for medication abortion or revoke the 2000 approval of mifepristone altogether.

“We don’t know whether they’re going to actually review the approval, but I will tell you that it is likely that they will revisit the conditions in which medication abortions, which now account for nearly two-thirds of all abortions in this country, can be provided,” Salganicoff said.

The Trump administration, she said, is likely to focus on revisions made during the Biden administration that allow doctors or other qualified health care providers to prescribe the two-drug medication abortion regimen via telehealth and then have mifepristone and misoprostol mailed to the patient.

Salganicoff anticipates anti-abortion organizations will also encourage the Trump administration to address recent findings from the We Count Project, showing 1 in 10 abortions take place after medication abortion is mailed to people in states with bans or significant restrictions from states that have shield laws.

“This FDA protocol is legal to do that, but clearly this is going to be a target,” she said.

The Comstock Act,<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/1873-law-banned-mailing-boxing-photos-could-it-block-abortion-pills-too" target="_blank">&nbsp;an anti-obscenity law from the late 19th century</a>&nbsp;that once banned the mailing of boxing photographs, pornography and contraception, will also be front and center after Trump takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.

The law, which is still on the books despite not being enforced in decades, could potentially allow the U.S. Postal Service to prevent the mailing of abortion medications or any other instrument or tool used in abortions.

“The Biden administration’s Department of Justice did a review and said that they are not going to enforce Comstock,” Salganicoff said. “Project 2025 sees it very differently, and even though President-elect Trump has said that he is not going to enforce Comstock, it’s not clear, and there will likely be a lot of pressure to do that.”

Project 2025 is a policy map for a Trump presidency published by the Heritage Foundation. Trump has disavowed any connection with it, although former members of his first administration helped develop it.

Salganicoff said enforcing the Comstock Act would affect access to medication abortion throughout the country, even in states that have reinforced reproductive rights during the last two years.

“Clearly that’s going to tee up a lot of litigation and challenges,” Salganicoff said.

Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, said during the call that the Trump administration’s possible elevation of people who spread misinformation or disinformation could lead to more confusion about research-based health care.

“I think one thing, particularly with the rise in prominence of RFK Jr., you know, is the potential for misinformation,” Levitt said, referring to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a prominent vaccine opponent who endorsed Trump and campaigned extensively with him.

“We turn to the government for reliable data, public health information and scientific information,” Levitt said. “And there’s the potential now, for the government to be not only not an effective source for health information, but in fact, an accelerant for misinformation.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="Photo Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>Photo Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/11/04/advocates-of-imperiled-lesser-prairie-chicken-say-market-incentives-key-to-expanding-habitat/">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has several choices to make in the coming months about whether his second administration will keep access to contraception and abortion as it is now or implement changes.While Trump cannot on his own enact nationwide laws or abortion bans without Congress, he and the people he picks for key posts throughout the federal government will have significant influence on reproductive rights nationwide.During Trump’s first term in office he barred health care organizations that perform or refer patients for abortions from receiving Title X family planning grants, even though there’s a moratorium on using federal funds for abortions unless it’s the result of rape or incest, or the life of the woman is at risk.Alina Salganicoff, senior vice president and director for women’s health policy at the nonpartisan health research organization KFF, said on a call with reporters Friday that about a quarter of providers withdrew or were disqualified from receiving federal family planning grants as a result of that policy.“The Title X program basically funds family planning services for low-income people,” Salganicoff explained. “It’s basically a small program, it’s around under $300 million — but it is a critical program to people who don’t otherwise have insurance.”<h2>Abortions as stabilizing care</h2>Trump will also have to decide whether to leave in place guidance from the Biden administration that says a federal law from the 1980s protects health care providers who perform abortions as stabilizing care during an emergency that would affect a woman’s health or life.That law, known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA, became one point of disagreement between the Biden administration and Republican states that implemented abortion bans or strict restrictions after the Supreme Court ended the nationwide right to an abortion.U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/state-bans-abortion-dont-apply-emergency-health-care-white-house-reminds-providers" target="_blank">wrote in a letter&nbsp;</a>released in July 2022 that under the federal “law, no matter where you live, women have the right to emergency care — including abortion care.”EMTALA is at the center of an&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/federal-court-sets-date-for-emtala-oral-argument-hearing-in-idaho-based-case/" target="_blank">ongoing lawsuit&nbsp;</a>between the Biden administration and Idaho over that state’s abortion law. Oral arguments in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals are set for early December.<h2>Abortion pill</h2>The future of medication abortion, a two-drug regimen approved for up to 10 weeks gestation that’s used in about 63% of abortions nationwide, will be another area the Trump administration could alter without congressional approval.Salganicoff said there’s no way to know just yet if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will seek to change prescribing guidelines for medication abortion or revoke the 2000 approval of mifepristone altogether.“We don’t know whether they’re going to actually review the approval, but I will tell you that it is likely that they will revisit the conditions in which medication abortions, which now account for nearly two-thirds of all abortions in this country, can be provided,” Salganicoff said.The Trump administration, she said, is likely to focus on revisions made during the Biden administration that allow doctors or other qualified health care providers to prescribe the two-drug medication abortion regimen via telehealth and then have mifepristone and misoprostol mailed to the patient.Salganicoff anticipates anti-abortion organizations will also encourage the Trump administration to address recent findings from the We Count Project, showing 1 in 10 abortions take place after medication abortion is mailed to people in states with bans or significant restrictions from states that have shield laws.“This FDA protocol is legal to do that, but clearly this is going to be a target,” she said.<h2>Mailing of abortion medication</h2>The Comstock Act,<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/1873-law-banned-mailing-boxing-photos-could-it-block-abortion-pills-too" target="_blank">&nbsp;an anti-obscenity law from the late 19th century</a>&nbsp;that once banned the mailing of boxing photographs, pornography and contraception, will also be front and center after Trump takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.The law, which is still on the books despite not being enforced in decades, could potentially allow the U.S. Postal Service to prevent the mailing of abortion medications or any other instrument or tool used in abortions.“The Biden administration’s Department of Justice did a review and said that they are not going to enforce Comstock,” Salganicoff said. “Project 2025 sees it very differently, and even though President-elect Trump has said that he is not going to enforce Comstock, it’s not clear, and there will likely be a lot of pressure to do that.”Project 2025 is a policy map for a Trump presidency published by the Heritage Foundation. Trump has disavowed any connection with it, although former members of his first administration helped develop it.Salganicoff said enforcing the Comstock Act would affect access to medication abortion throughout the country, even in states that have reinforced reproductive rights during the last two years.“Clearly that’s going to tee up a lot of litigation and challenges,” Salganicoff said.Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF, said during the call that the Trump administration’s possible elevation of people who spread misinformation or disinformation could lead to more confusion about research-based health care.“I think one thing, particularly with the rise in prominence of RFK Jr., you know, is the potential for misinformation,” Levitt said, referring to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a prominent vaccine opponent who endorsed Trump and campaigned extensively with him.“We turn to the government for reliable data, public health information and scientific information,” Levitt said. “And there’s the potential now, for the government to be not only not an effective source for health information, but in fact, an accelerant for misinformation.”&nbsp;

Health experts outline how Trump admin. could affect abortion, contraception access

DOUGLAS COUNTY —A 34-year-old man is in custody following a fight&nbsp; that left a 40-year-old man unconscious and requiring transport to the hospital. Two other suspects are still a large.

Just after 3:30p.m. Saturday, police were called to the 700 block of Vermont Street in Lawrence, according to a media release.

&nbsp;Witnesses reported an unconscious man on the ground. Officers were on scene quickly and contacted several involved parties. Initially, the information provided indicated the injured man had started an altercation that involved several people physically fighting on the east sidewalk.

 The involved participants were interviewed and released pending further investigation. However, the injured man was later able to provide a statement at the hospital that contradicted the information officers received on scene. 

Additionally, officers were able to locate video and more witnesses that corroborated the injured man's version of events, which showed he was punched and kicked repeatedly, including after being knocked unconscious. 

Officers were able to track down one of the involved suspects and arrested him, but still seek to arrest two others. The arrested man was booked into the Douglas County Correctional Facility on suspicion of Aggravated Battery.

 A 37-year-old man and a 36-year-old man remain at large. The hospitalized man was released after receiving care.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —A 34-year-old man is in custody following a fight&nbsp; that left a 40-year-old man unconscious and requiring transport to the hospital. Two other suspects are still a large.Just after 3:30p.m. Saturday, police were called to the 700 block of Vermont Street in Lawrence, according to a media release.&nbsp;Witnesses reported an unconscious man on the ground. Officers were on scene quickly and contacted several involved parties. Initially, the information provided indicated the injured man had started an altercation that involved several people physically fighting on the east sidewalk. The involved participants were interviewed and released pending further investigation. However, the injured man was later able to provide a statement at the hospital that contradicted the information officers received on scene. Additionally, officers were able to locate video and more witnesses that corroborated the injured man's version of events, which showed he was punched and kicked repeatedly, including after being knocked unconscious. Officers were able to track down one of the involved suspects and arrested him, but still seek to arrest two others. The arrested man was booked into the Douglas County Correctional Facility on suspicion of Aggravated Battery. A 37-year-old man and a 36-year-old man remain at large. The hospitalized man was released after receiving care.

3 accused of assaulting unconscious 40-year-old Kan. man

WASHINGTON —&nbsp;President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris&nbsp; honored veterans on Monday with a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.&nbsp;It is the first time the President and Vice President have been seen together since before the election.

Click below to watch President Biden's remarks at Arlington National Cemetery’s amphitheater.

WASHINGTON —&nbsp;President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris&nbsp; honored veterans on Monday with a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.&nbsp;It is the first time the President and Vice President have been seen together since before the election.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden participates in a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at <a href="https://twitter.com/ArlingtonNatl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArlingtonNatl</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VeteransDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VeteransDay</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Rsfyd4aXLq">pic.twitter.com/Rsfyd4aXLq</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1856009432422822265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Click below to watch President Biden's remarks at Arlington National Cemetery’s amphitheater.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1802956127113768%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=3222" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>

🎥Harris joins Biden for wreath-laying at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations after an arrest.

Just after 11p.m. Nov. 4, sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 49 at the Passaic exit, approximately 25 miles east of Lacygne Kansas, according to a media release.

The Deputy made contact with the occupants and identified the two as 40-year-old Ashley C. Alexander (Burris) of Montrose and 40-year-old Amber R. Jefferies of Butler.

  During the traffic stop a K9 unit responded to the scene.  During a free air sniff of the vehicle, K9 Griff alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle.  During the subsequent search a fake soda can was located with a false compartment that contained approximately 6 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 7 grams of fentanyl.

  Several items of drug paraphernalia were also located in the vehicle.&nbsp; Under Missouri law, possession of 20 milligrams of fentanyl is considered 1st degree trafficking narcotics, a class A felony. 

  These two were in possession of over 7,000 milligrams of fentanyl.

According to <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2FDEA.gov%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0ydJB5TftUCxDiL-ojSXZ58k0BDlapXdhFnY0x0uO1b2IrPWGzxyT72Cs_aem_rxjgNOgAaim27yCOOo11XQ&amp;h=AT3oRdrUIp0F3LDhbSJIc_kdkt3GKQPKYiinnptARzTD9j9DE39jEKXdV0l_4zmeG24TT7xLNFIh429-QWSfFC1MTWrUhyzD8eSXNcXw796resals_4VSCR8mfC-vVYmziBh2HU&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT3CWTK82SnMBx7soIYY2MRx3akYX6W-iA76Yq1-JELSBAwhh3C8LKG6dvfZBo8GjpIQKDuXPEpDET_eYbJEwftWje-LYlmg_D0jBgdHCbkTkaWqf9zJCKkb-0XTWu3a1tdmnlfRnsq_12z3qiWQ1QsE3GGw5dzQ6slc7dBVA-sIlH46L67cGT5T6mmPr48ZvH61lam5WNWXbcU-8GyFYSi3bw" target="_blank">DEA.gov</a>, approximately 2 milligrams of fentanyl is fatal to the average person. Potentially, these two had enough fentanyl to kill the every person in the City of Adrian and Rich Hill combined.

 Both Jeffries and Alexander have been charged with one count of Trafficking drugs in the first degree and possession of methamphetamine.  Bonds were set at $150,000 cash only. 

  These two have an extensive criminal history related to narcotics in the region, according to the Sheriff's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730979119755.png" alt="Jeffries-photo Bates County" />
 <figcaption>Jeffries-photo Bates County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations after an arrest.Just after 11p.m. Nov. 4, sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 49 at the Passaic exit, approximately 25 miles east of Lacygne Kansas, according to a media release.The Deputy made contact with the occupants and identified the two as 40-year-old Ashley C. Alexander (Burris) of Montrose and 40-year-old Amber R. Jefferies of Butler.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730979082801.png" alt="Alexander photo Bates Co." />
 <figcaption>Alexander photo Bates Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> During the traffic stop a K9 unit responded to the scene. During a free air sniff of the vehicle, K9 Griff alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle. During the subsequent search a fake soda can was located with a false compartment that contained approximately 6 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 7 grams of fentanyl. Several items of drug paraphernalia were also located in the vehicle.&nbsp; Under Missouri law, possession of 20 milligrams of fentanyl is considered 1st degree trafficking narcotics, a class A felony. These two were in possession of over 7,000 milligrams of fentanyl. According to <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2FDEA.gov%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0ydJB5TftUCxDiL-ojSXZ58k0BDlapXdhFnY0x0uO1b2IrPWGzxyT72Cs_aem_rxjgNOgAaim27yCOOo11XQ&amp;h=AT3oRdrUIp0F3LDhbSJIc_kdkt3GKQPKYiinnptARzTD9j9DE39jEKXdV0l_4zmeG24TT7xLNFIh429-QWSfFC1MTWrUhyzD8eSXNcXw796resals_4VSCR8mfC-vVYmziBh2HU&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT3CWTK82SnMBx7soIYY2MRx3akYX6W-iA76Yq1-JELSBAwhh3C8LKG6dvfZBo8GjpIQKDuXPEpDET_eYbJEwftWje-LYlmg_D0jBgdHCbkTkaWqf9zJCKkb-0XTWu3a1tdmnlfRnsq_12z3qiWQ1QsE3GGw5dzQ6slc7dBVA-sIlH46L67cGT5T6mmPr48ZvH61lam5WNWXbcU-8GyFYSi3bw" target="_blank">DEA.gov</a>, approximately 2 milligrams of fentanyl is fatal to the average person. Potentially, these two had enough fentanyl to kill the every person in the City of Adrian and Rich Hill combined. Both Jeffries and Alexander have been charged with one count of Trafficking drugs in the first degree and possession of methamphetamine. Bonds were set at $150,000 cash only. These two have an extensive criminal history related to narcotics in the region, according to the Sheriff's office.

Deputies found enough fentanyl to kill hundreds

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

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on Monday hopscotched across swing states and prepared for what could be an exceedingly tense election night watch as the 2024 presidential election sped to a close.

So far, more than 80.6 million Americans have voted, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://election.lab.ufl.edu/early-vote/2024-early-voting/" target="_blank">the University of Florida’s Election Lab.</a>

In a presidential contest that pollsters say is virtually a toss-up, seven battleground states likely will determine the outcome of the election. The results could take days, election officials repeatedly&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/article/final-results-may-lag-deadlocked-presidential-contest-anxious-election-officials-warn">have warned</a>&nbsp;and stressed again Monday. The 2020 presidential race was called for President Joe Biden the Saturday following Election Day.

“Election Day is not results day,” said&nbsp;Quentin Turner, the Common Cause Michigan executive director, during a Monday webinar.

Jen O’Malley Dillon, chair of the Harris-Walz campaign, made similar remarks during a Monday call with reporters, but still issued predictions as to when the campaign expects to know some results from key states.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730773867298.png" alt="Vice President Harris knocked on doors in Pennsylvania Monday night-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Harris knocked on doors in Pennsylvania Monday night-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on Monday hopscotched across swing states and prepared for what could be an exceedingly tense election night watch as the 2024 presidential election sped to a close.So far, more than 80.6 million Americans have voted, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://election.lab.ufl.edu/early-vote/2024-early-voting/" target="_blank">the University of Florida’s Election Lab.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730814909704.png" alt="Former President Donald Trump with his family on stage late Monday in Michigan. Image courtesy Margo Martin Deputy Director of Communications" />
 <figcaption>Former President Donald Trump with his family on stage late Monday in Michigan. Image courtesy Margo Martin Deputy Director of Communications</figcaption>
 </figure>In a presidential contest that pollsters say is virtually a toss-up, seven battleground states likely will determine the outcome of the election. The results could take days, election officials repeatedly&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/article/final-results-may-lag-deadlocked-presidential-contest-anxious-election-officials-warn">have warned</a>&nbsp;and stressed again Monday. The 2020 presidential race was called for President Joe Biden the Saturday following Election Day.“Election Day is not results day,” said&nbsp;Quentin Turner, the Common Cause Michigan executive director, during a Monday webinar.Jen O’Malley Dillon, chair of the Harris-Walz campaign, made similar remarks during a Monday call with reporters, but still issued predictions as to when the campaign expects to know some results from key states.She said the campaign understands that results could take a while based on each state’s law. Some states begin counting votes after the polls close, some as they come in.O’Malley Dillon said because of that, the campaign expects on election night to have “near complete results” for North Carolina, Michigan and Georgia, “and then partial results from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Arizona.”She said the campaign expects by Wednesday morning to have most of the “results in from Wisconsin and additional results from Pennsylvania and potentially Michigan.”“And then on Wednesday and beyond, we expect additional results from Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada,” she said. “So we think some of this stuff will trickle in, but keep in mind that some ballots will continue to be counted for many days.”Democracy groups like Common Cause said during the webinar that they are prepared for high voter turnout on Election Day.Bob Phillips, the Common Cause North Carolina executive director, said he expects about 1 to 1.5 million voters in his state on Election Day.“For the most part, we’ve seen a lot of voter enthusiasm,” he said.He added that there have been more calls on the voter help hotline than in the previous elections.“There is definitely higher tension, more emotion, particularly among the electioneering that goes on outside the precincts, as well as some issues since this is our first major election where we’ve had the voter ID requirements,”&nbsp;Phillips said.<h2>It’s all about Pennsylvania (almost)</h2>Harris is closing out her campaign in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, which offers the most electoral votes of the swing states at 19.O’Malley Dillon said the campaign will have get-out-the-vote rallies late Monday night in the seven swing states with Harris and surrogates.&nbsp;“We’ve believed all along this race is going to be incredibly close, and so it’s really going to come down to mobilization, and that’s why an event like tonight matters so much,” she said.Harris will head to Scranton and then to Allentown, a city with a large Puerto Rican population that Democrats have courted following racist remarks by a comedian at a Trump rally that referred to the island of Puerto Rico as “garbage.” She’ll then rally in Philadelphia with musical performances from The Roots and Lady Gaga among others.Trump will make four stops in three states — starting in Raleigh, North Carolina, stopping twice in Pennsylvania at&nbsp;Reading and Pittsburgh and finishing in Grand Rapids, Michigan.<a href="https://ncnewsline.com/2024/11/04/trump-in-final-nc-rally-looks-for-a-third-straight-win-harris-barnstorms-pennsylvania/" target="_blank">While at his first campaign stop in North Carolina</a>&nbsp;on Monday, he told supporters that if he wins another term he will levy a 25% tariff on Mexico if migrants continue to head from that country to the U.S.-Mexico border.“You’re the first I’ve told this to,” Trump told the crowd. “And if that doesn’t work, we’ll go up to 50. And if that doesn’t work, we’ll go to 75.”Trump will hold his election night watch party at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. Harris will have hers at her alma mater at Howard University in Washington, D.C.<h2>Polling puzzles</h2>Polls published over the weekend still showed a tight race, but one in Iowa&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/article/harris-takes-slim-lead-over-trump-final-iowa-poll-2024-election">rattled the Trump campaign</a>, showing that Harris had a lead in a state that the former president easily won in 2016 and 2020.The highly regarded pollster — somewhat of a Midwestern oracle — showed that independent and women voters were breaking for Harris.Both candidates are within the margin of error in all seven swing states meaning any of the states — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin — could tip to either one.Over the weekend, Harris appeared on NBC’s live sketch comedy show, “Saturday Night Live.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/nbc-donald-trump-campaign-free-ad-time-nascar-race-kamala-harris-snl-sketch-1236052709/" target="_blank">Trump also appeared</a>&nbsp;on a free commercial during NBC’s broadcast of a Sunday NASCAR race in compliance with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/political_programming_fact_sheet.pdf" target="_blank">FCC’s Equal Time rule.</a><a href="https://michiganadvance.com/2024/11/04/harris-vows-to-end-war-in-gaza-during-final-michigan-rally-at-msu/" target="_blank">On Sunday, while at Michigan State University,</a>&nbsp;Harris pledged that she would do “everything in her power” to end the war in Gaza if she were to win the White House. Michigan has a high Arab American population that has been critical of Democrats’ handling of the Israel-Hamas war, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2023/10/9/israel-hamas-war-in-maps-and-charts-live-tracker" target="_blank">more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed.</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/article/harris-takes-slim-lead-over-trump-final-iowa-poll-2024-election">During a Sunday rally</a>&nbsp;in Pennsylvania, Trump told supporters that he shouldn’t have left the White House after losing the 2020 presidential race and then he joked about not minding if journalists were shot while covering his campaign event.&nbsp;

Kbct