COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Monday chose U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vice-president-vance-rubio-burgum-rnc-6cc438a8370a21b2631f5a53b06b71d0">Sen. JD Vance of Ohio</a>&nbsp;to be his running mate as he looks to return to the White House.

Two members of the Kansas congressional delegation used social media to show their support for the choice.

Here are some things to know about Vance, a 39-year-old Republican now in his first term in the Senate:

Vance rose to prominence with the memoir ‘Hillbilly Elegy’

Vance was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio. He joined the Marines and served in Iraq, and later earned degrees from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He also worked as a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley.

Vance made a name for himself with his memoir, the 2016 bestseller&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-business-arts-and-ohio-8c7a70bad96c48df9544049a38584cb8">“Hillbilly Elegy</a>," which was published as Trump was first running for president. The book earned Vance a reputation as someone who could help explain the maverick New York businessman’s appeal in middle America, especially among the working class, rural white voters who helped Trump win the presidency.

“Hillbilly Elegy” also introduced Vance to the Trump family. Donald Trump Jr. loved the book and knew of Vance when he went to launch his political career. The two hit it off and have remained friends.

He was first elected to public office in 2022

After Donald Trump won the 2016 election, Vance&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9f3517a87604417eab5e9ad0063cd589">returned to his native Ohio</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/took%20to%20the%20lecture%20circuit">set up an anti-opioid charity</a>. He also took to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-business-ohio-education-186ca3f092a60603891b60e199a3fa02">lecture circuit</a>&nbsp;and was a favored guest at Republican Lincoln Day dinners where his personal story — including the hardship Vance endured because of his mother’s drug addiction — resonated.

Vance's appearances were opportunities to sell his ideas for fixing the country and helped lay the groundwork for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arts-and-entertainment-government-and-politics-83e8bf8e1c90d88164b5a51fb1baf3c7">entering politics in 2021</a>, when he sought the Senate seat vacated by Republican Rob Portman, who retired.

Trump endorsed Vance. Vance went on to win&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-ohio-senate-9eeeed38cff92dbd88f1a7d48dcbfefc">a crowded Republican primary</a>&nbsp;and the general election.

Personal relationships are extremely important to the former president and he and Vance have developed a strong rapport over years, speaking on the phone regularly.

Trump has also complimented Vance’s beard, saying he “looks like a young Abraham Lincoln.”

Vance went from never-Trumper to fierce ally

Vance was a “never Trump” Republican in 2016. He called Trump “dangerous” and “unfit” for office. Vance, whose wife, lawyer Usha Chilukuri Vance, is Indian American and the mother of their three children, also criticized Trump’s racist rhetoric, saying he could be “America’s Hitler.”

But by the time Vance met Trump in 2021, he had reversed his opinion, citing Trump’s accomplishments as president. Both men downplayed Vance's past scathing criticism.

Once elected, Vance became a fierce Trump ally on Capitol Hill, unceasingly defending Trump’s policies and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-court-allies-jd-vance-2666cc432e5291e8fa7dd7fba9c2ffad">behavior</a>.

Kevin Roberts, president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, called Vance a leading voice for the conservative movement, on key issues including a shift away from interventionist foreign policy, free market economics and “American culture writ large.”

Democrats call him an extremist, citing provocative positions Vance has taken but sometimes later amended. Vance signaled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-tim-ryan-biden-6b00b57614dff12903d4228e74c37ac8">support for a national 15-week abortion ban</a>&nbsp;during his Senate run, for instance, then softened that stance once&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-amendment-election-2023-fe3e06747b616507d8ca21ea26485270">Ohio voters overwhelmingly backed</a>&nbsp;a 2023 abortion rights amendment.

Vance has adopted Trump's rhetoric about Jan. 6

On the 2020 election, he said he wouldn't have certified the results immediately if he had been vice president and said Trump had “a very legitimate grievance.” He has put conditions on honoring the results of the 2024 election that echo&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-election-lies-voter-fraud-biden-f3f3691c2ea0667ad694e3bee577d802">Trump's</a>. A litany of government and outside investigations have not found any election fraud that could have swung the outcome of Trump's 2020 loss to Democratic President Joe Biden.

In the Senate, Vance sometimes embraces bipartisanship. He and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-senate-legislation-brown-vance-82c55dc95aca9524d6ae8e6d01336dbe">Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown</a>&nbsp;co-sponsored a railway safety bill following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">fiery train derailment in the Ohio village of East Palestine</a>. He's sponsored legislation extending and increasing funding for Great Lakes restoration, and supported bipartisan legislation boosting workers and families.

People familiar with the vice presidential vetting process said Vance would bring to the GOP ticket debating skills and the ability to articulate Trump’s vision.

Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative activist group Turning Point USA, said Vance compellingly articulates the America First world view and could help Trump in states he closely lost in 2020, such as Michigan and Wisconsin, that share Ohio’s values, demographics and economy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721141641503.png" alt="Trump greeting Vance during the RNC Monday night-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Trump greeting Vance during the RNC Monday night-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Monday chose U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vice-president-vance-rubio-burgum-rnc-6cc438a8370a21b2631f5a53b06b71d0">Sen. JD Vance of Ohio</a>&nbsp;to be his running mate as he looks to return to the White House.Two members of the Kansas congressional delegation used social media to show their support for the choice.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I couldn’t be more proud of <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JDVance1</a>. Trump made the perfect choice. JD is not only a colleague of mine, but he’s become a trusted friend that I have gotten to know very well. At this hour in America, we need a new generation of fighters, and there&#39;s no better name to aid…&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1812927349320786304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump has chosen a vice president that will get our country back on track. <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JDVance1</a> will fight for Main Street and our American values. Congratulations, Senator &amp; congratulations President Trump on an incredible pick. I’m looking forward to November! <a href="https://t.co/4ClYjsrrR3">pic.twitter.com/4ClYjsrrR3</a>&mdash; Tracey Mann (@RepMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMann/status/1812953820135367148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Here are some things to know about Vance, a 39-year-old Republican now in his first term in the Senate:<h2>Vance rose to prominence with the memoir ‘Hillbilly Elegy’</h2>Vance was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio. He joined the Marines and served in Iraq, and later earned degrees from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He also worked as a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley.Vance made a name for himself with his memoir, the 2016 bestseller&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-business-arts-and-ohio-8c7a70bad96c48df9544049a38584cb8">“Hillbilly Elegy</a>," which was published as Trump was first running for president. The book earned Vance a reputation as someone who could help explain the maverick New York businessman’s appeal in middle America, especially among the working class, rural white voters who helped Trump win the presidency.“Hillbilly Elegy” also introduced Vance to the Trump family. Donald Trump Jr. loved the book and knew of Vance when he went to launch his political career. The two hit it off and have remained friends.<h2>He was first elected to public office in 2022</h2>After Donald Trump won the 2016 election, Vance&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9f3517a87604417eab5e9ad0063cd589">returned to his native Ohio</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/took%20to%20the%20lecture%20circuit">set up an anti-opioid charity</a>. He also took to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-business-ohio-education-186ca3f092a60603891b60e199a3fa02">lecture circuit</a>&nbsp;and was a favored guest at Republican Lincoln Day dinners where his personal story — including the hardship Vance endured because of his mother’s drug addiction — resonated.Vance's appearances were opportunities to sell his ideas for fixing the country and helped lay the groundwork for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arts-and-entertainment-government-and-politics-83e8bf8e1c90d88164b5a51fb1baf3c7">entering politics in 2021</a>, when he sought the Senate seat vacated by Republican Rob Portman, who retired.Trump endorsed Vance. Vance went on to win&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-ohio-senate-9eeeed38cff92dbd88f1a7d48dcbfefc">a crowded Republican primary</a>&nbsp;and the general election.<h2>He and Trump have personal chemistry</h2>Personal relationships are extremely important to the former president and he and Vance have developed a strong rapport over years, speaking on the phone regularly.Trump has also complimented Vance’s beard, saying he “looks like a young Abraham Lincoln.”<h2>Vance went from never-Trumper to fierce ally</h2>Vance was a “never Trump” Republican in 2016. He called Trump “dangerous” and “unfit” for office. Vance, whose wife, lawyer Usha Chilukuri Vance, is Indian American and the mother of their three children, also criticized Trump’s racist rhetoric, saying he could be “America’s Hitler.”But by the time Vance met Trump in 2021, he had reversed his opinion, citing Trump’s accomplishments as president. Both men downplayed Vance's past scathing criticism.Once elected, Vance became a fierce Trump ally on Capitol Hill, unceasingly defending Trump’s policies and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-court-allies-jd-vance-2666cc432e5291e8fa7dd7fba9c2ffad">behavior</a>.<h2>He is a leading conservative voice</h2>Kevin Roberts, president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, called Vance a leading voice for the conservative movement, on key issues including a shift away from interventionist foreign policy, free market economics and “American culture writ large.”Democrats call him an extremist, citing provocative positions Vance has taken but sometimes later amended. Vance signaled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-tim-ryan-biden-6b00b57614dff12903d4228e74c37ac8">support for a national 15-week abortion ban</a>&nbsp;during his Senate run, for instance, then softened that stance once&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-amendment-election-2023-fe3e06747b616507d8ca21ea26485270">Ohio voters overwhelmingly backed</a>&nbsp;a 2023 abortion rights amendment.<h2>Vance has adopted Trump's rhetoric about Jan. 6</h2>On the 2020 election, he said he wouldn't have certified the results immediately if he had been vice president and said Trump had “a very legitimate grievance.” He has put conditions on honoring the results of the 2024 election that echo&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-election-lies-voter-fraud-biden-f3f3691c2ea0667ad694e3bee577d802">Trump's</a>. A litany of government and outside investigations have not found any election fraud that could have swung the outcome of Trump's 2020 loss to Democratic President Joe Biden.In the Senate, Vance sometimes embraces bipartisanship. He and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-senate-legislation-brown-vance-82c55dc95aca9524d6ae8e6d01336dbe">Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown</a>&nbsp;co-sponsored a railway safety bill following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">fiery train derailment in the Ohio village of East Palestine</a>. He's sponsored legislation extending and increasing funding for Great Lakes restoration, and supported bipartisan legislation boosting workers and families.<h2>Vance can articulate Trump's vision</h2>People familiar with the vice presidential vetting process said Vance would bring to the GOP ticket debating skills and the ability to articulate Trump’s vision.Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative activist group Turning Point USA, said Vance compellingly articulates the America First world view and could help Trump in states he closely lost in 2020, such as Michigan and Wisconsin, that share Ohio’s values, demographics and economy.

2 Kansas lawmakers like Trump's choice for Vice President

DOUGLAS COUNTY — Members of the Douglas County Underwater Search and Recovery Team recovered the body of 23-year-old Cesar Cardenas Olivas at Clinton Lake Saturday evening, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.

Just before 7p.m. Saturday, deputies and first responders were called to the lake after a report that friends saw Olivas struggling in the water.

The Doughals County Underwater Search and Recovery Team responded to the Bloomington Beach area.&nbsp; According to preliminary information, Olivas and his friends, about 5p.m., were in the area recommended to be closed to swimmers due to flooding before he went missing.

Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical and game wardens with Kansas Wildlife and Parks also responded to the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703204320774.png" alt="File photo Douglas County Underwater Search and Recovery Team" />
 <figcaption>File photo Douglas County Underwater Search and Recovery Team</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY — Members of the Douglas County Underwater Search and Recovery Team recovered the body of 23-year-old Cesar Cardenas Olivas at Clinton Lake Saturday evening, according to Sheriff's Department spokesman&nbsp;George Diepenbrock.Just before 7p.m. Saturday, deputies and first responders were called to the lake after a report that friends saw Olivas struggling in the water.The Doughals County Underwater Search and Recovery Team responded to the Bloomington Beach area.&nbsp; According to preliminary information, Olivas and his friends, about 5p.m., were in the area recommended to be closed to swimmers due to flooding before he went missing.Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical and game wardens with Kansas Wildlife and Parks also responded to the scene.

Sheriff IDs Kan. drowning victim who was in area closed to swimmers

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is ready to propose a 5% cap on annual rent increases for tenants of major landlords as he tries to show he’s doing something about the high cost of housing, according to a person familiar with the plan.

The proposal, to be announced while the president visits Nevada on Tuesday, is being championed by Biden in the middle of a tense presidential campaign and a time when housing costs have been a major driver of overall inflation.

But the plan would require solid Democratic control of Congress to become law. Additionally, most policymakers have said the best way to limit housing costs would be through more construction and changes to land use regulations.

The person familiar with the plan spoke on the condition of anonymity because the proposal has not yet been formally announced.

Biden himself previewed the announcement at his NATO news conference Thursday, folding it into comments that blamed inflation on companies trying to maximize their profits in the aftermath of the pandemic.

“It’s time things get back in order a little bit,” Biden said. “If I’m reelected, we’re going to make sure that rents are kept at 5% increase.”

The Washington Post first reported Monday the details of the plan, which would only apply to landlords who own 50 or more units. The price cap would not apply to units that have yet to be built.

White House officials declined to comment.

The median national rent was $1,411 a month in June, up from roughly $1,150 in early 2021 when Biden became president, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartmentlist.com/research/national-rent-data" target="_blank">Apartment List</a>.

Asking prices for rentals jumped in the aftermath of the pandemic and have since cooled, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/americas-rental-housing-2024" target="_blank">Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies</a>&nbsp;found in its most recent report that half of renters were “cost burdened” because they spend more than 30% of their income on housing and utilities.

In recent months, housing has been a primary contributor to keeping the consumer price index elevated at 3% annually. Inflation has been a fundamental obstacle for Biden politically as he competes against Donald Trump, the former president and Republican nominee.

The president has proposed policies designed to increase home construction, but industry representatives were quick to criticize the rent cap as ineffective for addressing the overall shortage and possibly leading to fewer habitable units than the country would otherwise have.

“This is not going to create a single unit of housing — which is what is needed to create more housing opportunities for Americans,” said Sharon Wilson Géno, CEO of the National Multifamily Housing Council. “This is really a campaign-driven piece of rhetoric.”

Géno noted that landlords need to be able to keep up with costs such as maintenance, insurance and state and local taxes. If those costs exceed what they can charge for rent, the risk is that landlords will do less to maintain their properties and tenants could be worse off.

“What does that mean — the quality of the housing suffers,” she said.

But affordable housing advocates said that if Biden’s proposal had already been in effect, it would have likely reduced evictions and homelessness.

“The recent unprecedented increases in homelessness in communities across the country are the result of those equally unprecedented — and unjustified — rent hikes of a couple years ago,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “Had such protections against rent gouging been in place then, many families could have avoided homelessness and stayed stably housed.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is ready to propose a 5% cap on annual rent increases for tenants of major landlords as he tries to show he’s doing something about the high cost of housing, according to a person familiar with the plan.The proposal, to be announced while the president visits Nevada on Tuesday, is being championed by Biden in the middle of a tense presidential campaign and a time when housing costs have been a major driver of overall inflation.But the plan would require solid Democratic control of Congress to become law. Additionally, most policymakers have said the best way to limit housing costs would be through more construction and changes to land use regulations.The person familiar with the plan spoke on the condition of anonymity because the proposal has not yet been formally announced.Biden himself previewed the announcement at his NATO news conference Thursday, folding it into comments that blamed inflation on companies trying to maximize their profits in the aftermath of the pandemic.“It’s time things get back in order a little bit,” Biden said. “If I’m reelected, we’re going to make sure that rents are kept at 5% increase.”The Washington Post first reported Monday the details of the plan, which would only apply to landlords who own 50 or more units. The price cap would not apply to units that have yet to be built.White House officials declined to comment.The median national rent was $1,411 a month in June, up from roughly $1,150 in early 2021 when Biden became president, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartmentlist.com/research/national-rent-data" target="_blank">Apartment List</a>.Asking prices for rentals jumped in the aftermath of the pandemic and have since cooled, but the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/americas-rental-housing-2024" target="_blank">Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies</a>&nbsp;found in its most recent report that half of renters were “cost burdened” because they spend more than 30% of their income on housing and utilities.In recent months, housing has been a primary contributor to keeping the consumer price index elevated at 3% annually. Inflation has been a fundamental obstacle for Biden politically as he competes against Donald Trump, the former president and Republican nominee.The president has proposed policies designed to increase home construction, but industry representatives were quick to criticize the rent cap as ineffective for addressing the overall shortage and possibly leading to fewer habitable units than the country would otherwise have.“This is not going to create a single unit of housing — which is what is needed to create more housing opportunities for Americans,” said Sharon Wilson Géno, CEO of the National Multifamily Housing Council. “This is really a campaign-driven piece of rhetoric.”Géno noted that landlords need to be able to keep up with costs such as maintenance, insurance and state and local taxes. If those costs exceed what they can charge for rent, the risk is that landlords will do less to maintain their properties and tenants could be worse off.“What does that mean — the quality of the housing suffers,” she said.But affordable housing advocates said that if Biden’s proposal had already been in effect, it would have likely reduced evictions and homelessness.“The recent unprecedented increases in homelessness in communities across the country are the result of those equally unprecedented — and unjustified — rent hikes of a couple years ago,” said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “Had such protections against rent gouging been in place then, many families could have avoided homelessness and stayed stably housed.”

Biden to call for 5% cap on annual rent increases

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Just before 5a.m. Monday, police in Wichita reported they located a 2-year-old boy, the subject of an Amber Alert, who was now safe and the boy's father 25-year-old <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=749526">Richard Ramones was custody. </a>

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation then canceled the Amber Alert.&nbsp;Some members of the public who received the Amber Alert message wondered why the alert was not sent earlier.&nbsp;

&nbsp;According to the KBI, at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, the boy was physically taken from his mother by Ramones, who assaulted the mother. She was holding boy at the time of the assault and the father fell into furniture with the child, possibly causing injury to him.&nbsp;The child was believed to be injured and in imminent danger.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation explained the delay. "Wichita Police contacted KBI at 3 a.m. Monday related to this incident. Just before 3:40 a.m. it was decided that the abduction met the Department of Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AMBERalert?__cft__[0]=AZU1kAkO4kM3-JBIR9cWYdjqRQi5Rq_MBUA6Yl2q2taLaxGmYKlakt1fAMuYTR4vMqSbPZwhHPEf5a8i-6PCCL1itcT8UIQv5rKzdsPp8H7cpo-vkw9YhqUNstQDa4ITx4GumKOQO0hwQrSrPq0e0gTQS4EIVLYoHbBTz_GrEdysS_InRLyEFE8U6yB4awkp-LDICe_eVurbiZWkl1GBFypz&amp;__tn__=R]-R">AMBER Alert</a>&nbsp;criteria. Then at 4:03 a.m. the KBI sent notifications to media and other subscribers&nbsp;of the AMBER alert."

"Between 3 and 4 a.m., KBI gained and reviewed case facts, obtained necessary info about the child and suspects (including their photographs) and entered it into multiple AMBER alert systems to coordinate the WEA, EAS, website, social media and more."

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=749526">Ramones remains jailed on</a> requested charges of domestic battery and aggravated endangering a child, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721095041684.png" alt="Ramones-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Ramones-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Just before 5a.m. Monday, police in Wichita reported they located a 2-year-old boy, the subject of an Amber Alert, who was now safe and the boy's father 25-year-old <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=749526">Richard Ramones was custody. </a>The Kansas Bureau of Investigation then canceled the Amber Alert.&nbsp;Some members of the public who received the Amber Alert message wondered why the alert was not sent earlier.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the KBI, at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, the boy was physically taken from his mother by Ramones, who assaulted the mother. She was holding boy at the time of the assault and the father fell into furniture with the child, possibly causing injury to him.&nbsp;The child was believed to be injured and in imminent danger.The Kansas Bureau of Investigation explained the delay. "Wichita Police contacted KBI at 3 a.m. Monday related to this incident. Just before 3:40 a.m. it was decided that the abduction met the Department of Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AMBERalert?__cft__[0]=AZU1kAkO4kM3-JBIR9cWYdjqRQi5Rq_MBUA6Yl2q2taLaxGmYKlakt1fAMuYTR4vMqSbPZwhHPEf5a8i-6PCCL1itcT8UIQv5rKzdsPp8H7cpo-vkw9YhqUNstQDa4ITx4GumKOQO0hwQrSrPq0e0gTQS4EIVLYoHbBTz_GrEdysS_InRLyEFE8U6yB4awkp-LDICe_eVurbiZWkl1GBFypz&amp;__tn__=R]-R">AMBER Alert</a>&nbsp;criteria. Then at 4:03 a.m. the KBI sent notifications to media and other subscribers&nbsp;of the AMBER alert." "Between 3 and 4 a.m., KBI gained and reviewed case facts, obtained necessary info about the child and suspects (including their photographs) and entered it into multiple AMBER alert systems to coordinate the WEA, EAS, website, social media and more."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721037613565.png" alt="Photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=749526">Ramones remains jailed on</a> requested charges of domestic battery and aggravated endangering a child, according to online jail records.

KBI explains timing of Amber Alert on Monday

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident during a police chase just after 8:30p.m. Monday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Econoline van driven by Derrick&nbsp;Easter, 42, Madison, North Carolina, was&nbsp; fleeing from Law Enforcement at the intersection of 11th and Meridian.

The driver lost control of the van and it rolled. EMS transported Easter and a passenger Catherine Denise Henry, 52,&nbsp;Owasso, Oklahoma, to St. Francis Medical Center. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The KHP did not report what prompted the chase.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721124928401.png" alt="The KHP did not report what prompted the chase. photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>The KHP did not report what prompted the chase. photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident during a police chase just after 8:30p.m. Monday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Econoline van driven by Derrick&nbsp;Easter, 42, Madison, North Carolina, was&nbsp; fleeing from Law Enforcement at the intersection of 11th and Meridian.The driver lost control of the van and it rolled. EMS transported Easter and a passenger Catherine Denise Henry, 52,&nbsp;Owasso, Oklahoma, to St. Francis Medical Center. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The KHP did not report what prompted the chase.

2 hospitalized after crash during police chase

WASHINGTON (AP) —Congressional committees are moving quickly to investigate the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

The House Committee on Oversight and Investigation has already scheduled a hearing for July 22 with the director of the U.S. Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, set to testify.

Rep. James Comer, the committee’s Republican chairman, said the Secret Service has a no-fail mission, “yet it failed on Saturday.” He said lawmakers are grateful to the agents who acted quickly to protect Trump, “but questions remain about how a rooftop within proximity to President Trump was left unsecure.”

Meanwhile, the leaders of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee also announced Monday the committee would conduct an investigation and plan to hold a hearing on security failures that led to the attempted assassination.

They’re requesting an urgent briefing for committee members followed by a public hearing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720972888448.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Congressional committees are moving quickly to investigate the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.The House Committee on Oversight and Investigation has already scheduled a hearing for July 22 with the director of the U.S. Secret Service, Kimberly Cheatle, set to testify.Rep. James Comer, the committee’s Republican chairman, said the Secret Service has a no-fail mission, “yet it failed on Saturday.” He said lawmakers are grateful to the agents who acted quickly to protect Trump, “but questions remain about how a rooftop within proximity to President Trump was left unsecure.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721076262082.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Meanwhile, the leaders of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee also announced Monday the committee would conduct an investigation and plan to hold a hearing on security failures that led to the attempted assassination.They’re requesting an urgent briefing for committee members followed by a public hearing.

Congress moving quickly to investigate assassination attempt against Trump

FINNEY COUNTY—A family pet died in a house fire in southwest Kansas over the weekend.

Just before 4:30 a.m. July 13, crews responded to a house fire at 2706 Belmont Place in Garden City, according to a media release. 

All members of the family were reported to have evacuated but were unsure of the location of their two dogs.

First responders observed the single-family residence with heavy smoke and fire showing on the back side of the structure. Fire personnel from Engine 1 and Engine 2 began fire attack at the rear of the structure.

Personnel from Tower 1 completed primary and secondary search operations and successfully removed one dog to safety. Despite rescue efforts, the second dog was found dead. An Animal Control Officer (ACO) was requested to assist with the animal.

The fire was called under control at approximately 5:05 a.m. Fire Marshal Gene Robertson determined the cause of the fire to be accidental. Authorities did not release a damage estimate.

FINNEY COUNTY—A family pet died in a house fire in southwest Kansas over the weekend.Just before 4:30 a.m. July 13, crews responded to a house fire at 2706 Belmont Place in Garden City, according to a media release. All members of the family were reported to have evacuated but were unsure of the location of their two dogs.First responders observed the single-family residence with heavy smoke and fire showing on the back side of the structure. Fire personnel from Engine 1 and Engine 2 began fire attack at the rear of the structure.Personnel from Tower 1 completed primary and secondary search operations and successfully removed one dog to safety. Despite rescue efforts, the second dog was found dead. An Animal Control Officer (ACO) was requested to assist with the animal.The fire was called under control at approximately 5:05 a.m. Fire Marshal Gene Robertson determined the cause of the fire to be accidental. Authorities did not release a damage estimate.

One family pet dies, one rescued from SW Kansas house fire

KANSAS CITY —One adult and four children were injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Monday in Kansas City.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a Chevrolet Suburban was southbound on Blue Ridge Boulevard at a high rate of speed., according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

The Chevrolet struck a Honda Ridgeline that was stopped for the red traffic control signal to make a left turn onto eastbound Interstate 470 from Blue Ridge. 

After striking the Honda, the Chevrolet continued southbound, traveling up over the concrete median, striking two traffic control signals before coming to rest. 

The driver of the Honda was uninjured in the collision.

EMS transported the driver of the Chevrolet to a local hospital with critical injuries. A juvenile male who was sitting in an unrestrained car seat inside the Chevrolet was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. 

The three other juvenile passengers of the Chevrolet were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet and all of the juvenile passengers were reported in stable condition Monday evening, according to DiMartino.

 The investigation, to include suspected impairment on the behalf of the Chevrolet driver, is ongoing.

KANSAS CITY —One adult and four children were injured in an accident just after 5p.m. Monday in Kansas City.Preliminary investigation revealed that a Chevrolet Suburban was southbound on Blue Ridge Boulevard at a high rate of speed., according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.The Chevrolet struck a Honda Ridgeline that was stopped for the red traffic control signal to make a left turn onto eastbound Interstate 470 from Blue Ridge. After striking the Honda, the Chevrolet continued southbound, traveling up over the concrete median, striking two traffic control signals before coming to rest. The driver of the Honda was uninjured in the collision.EMS transported the driver of the Chevrolet to a local hospital with critical injuries. A juvenile male who was sitting in an unrestrained car seat inside the Chevrolet was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. The three other juvenile passengers of the Chevrolet were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet and all of the juvenile passengers were reported in stable condition Monday evening, according to DiMartino. The investigation, to include suspected impairment on the behalf of the Chevrolet driver, is ongoing.

KCPD: Adult, 4 children hospitalized after violent crash

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Two days after surviving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-cdfd3f4b163f7f91b05eeefe21caa45a">an attempted assassination</a>, former President Donald Trump appeared triumphantly at the Republican National Convention's opening night with a bandage over his right ear, the latest compelling scene in a presidential campaign already defined by dramatic turns.

GOP delegates cheered wildly when Trump appeared onscreen backstage and then emerged in the arena, visibly emotional, as musician Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA." That was hours after the convention had formally nominated the former president to head the Republican ticket in November against President Joe Biden.

Trump, accompanied by a wall of Secret Service agents, did not address the hall — with his acceptance speech scheduled for Thursday — but smiled silently and occasionally waved as Greenwood sang. He eventually joined his newly announced running mate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vice-president-vance-rubio-burgum-rnc-6cc438a8370a21b2631f5a53b06b71d0">Ohio Sen. JD Vance</a>, to listen to the night’s remaining speeches, often with a subdued expression and muted reactions uncharacteristic for the unabashed showman.

The raucous welcome underscored the depth of the crowd's affection for the man who won the 2016 nomination as an outsider, at odds with the party establishment, but has vanquished all Republican rivals, silenced most conservative critics and now commands loyalty up and down the party ranks.

“We must unite as a party, and we must unite as a nation,” said Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley, Trump’s handpicked party leader, as he opened Monday's prime-time national convention session. “We must show the same strength and resilience as President Trump and lead this nation to a greater future.”

But Whatley and other Republican leaders made clear that their calls for harmony did not extend to Biden and Democrats, who find themselves still riven by worries that the 81-year-old question is not up to the job of defeating Trump.

“Their policies are a clear and present danger to America, to our institutions, our values and our people,” said Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, welcoming the party to his battleground state, which Trump won in 2016 but lost to Biden four years ago.

Saturday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-what-happened-734900d303fcfbf349162047f8059601">shooting at a Pennsylvania rally</a>, where Trump was injured and one man died, were clearly in mind, but the proceedings were celebratory — a stark contrast to the anger and anxiety that had marked the previous few days. Some delegates chanted “fight, fight, fight” — the same words that Trump was seen shouting to the crowd Saturday as the Secret Service ushered him off the stage, his fist raised and face bloodied.

“We should all be thankful right now that we are able to cast our votes for President Donald J. Trump after what took place on Saturday,” said New Jersey state Sen. Michael Testa as he announced all of his state’s 12 delegates for Trump.

When Trump cleared the necessary number of delegates, video screens in the arena read “OVER THE TOP” while the song “Celebration” played and delegates danced and waved Trump signs. Throughout the voting, delegates flanked by “Make America Great Again” signs applauded as state after state voted their support for a second Trump term.

Multiple speakers invoked religious imagery to discuss Trump and the assassination attempt.

“The devil came to Pennsylvania holding a rifle,” said Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. “But an American lion got back up on his feet!”

Wyoming delegate Sheryl Foland was among those who adopted the “fight” chant after seeing Trump survive Saturday in what she called “monumental photos and video.”

“We knew then we were going to adopt that as our chant,” added Foland, a child trauma mental health counselor. “Not just because we wanted him to fight, and that God was fighting for him. We thought, isn’t it our job to accept that challenge and fight for our country?”

“It’s bigger than Trump,” Foland said. “It’s a mantra for our country.”

Another well-timed development boosted the mood on the convention floor Monday: The federal judge presiding over Trump’s classified documents case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-smith-c66d5ffb7ba86c1b991f95e89bdeba0c">dismissed the prosecution</a>&nbsp;because of concerns over the appointment of the prosecutor who brought the case, handing the former president a major court victory.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721096414787.png" alt="Image from RNC video" />
 <figcaption>Image from RNC video</figcaption>
 </figure>MILWAUKEE (AP) — Two days after surviving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-shooting-butler-police-cdfd3f4b163f7f91b05eeefe21caa45a">an attempted assassination</a>, former President Donald Trump appeared triumphantly at the Republican National Convention's opening night with a bandage over his right ear, the latest compelling scene in a presidential campaign already defined by dramatic turns.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Donald Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/GOPconvention?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GOPconvention</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RNCinMKE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RNCinMKE</a> <a href="https://t.co/deqhL9jKIh">pic.twitter.com/deqhL9jKIh</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1813033431749517717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Donald Trump enters 2024 Republican National Convention. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RNCinMKE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RNCinMKE</a> <a href="https://t.co/SmxXjN2pdu">pic.twitter.com/SmxXjN2pdu</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1813036533814829429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>GOP delegates cheered wildly when Trump appeared onscreen backstage and then emerged in the arena, visibly emotional, as musician Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA." That was hours after the convention had formally nominated the former president to head the Republican ticket in November against President Joe Biden.Trump, accompanied by a wall of Secret Service agents, did not address the hall — with his acceptance speech scheduled for Thursday — but smiled silently and occasionally waved as Greenwood sang. He eventually joined his newly announced running mate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vice-president-vance-rubio-burgum-rnc-6cc438a8370a21b2631f5a53b06b71d0">Ohio Sen. JD Vance</a>, to listen to the night’s remaining speeches, often with a subdued expression and muted reactions uncharacteristic for the unabashed showman.The raucous welcome underscored the depth of the crowd's affection for the man who won the 2016 nomination as an outsider, at odds with the party establishment, but has vanquished all Republican rivals, silenced most conservative critics and now commands loyalty up and down the party ranks.“We must unite as a party, and we must unite as a nation,” said Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley, Trump’s handpicked party leader, as he opened Monday's prime-time national convention session. “We must show the same strength and resilience as President Trump and lead this nation to a greater future.”But Whatley and other Republican leaders made clear that their calls for harmony did not extend to Biden and Democrats, who find themselves still riven by worries that the 81-year-old question is not up to the job of defeating Trump.“Their policies are a clear and present danger to America, to our institutions, our values and our people,” said Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, welcoming the party to his battleground state, which Trump won in 2016 but lost to Biden four years ago.Saturday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-what-happened-734900d303fcfbf349162047f8059601">shooting at a Pennsylvania rally</a>, where Trump was injured and one man died, were clearly in mind, but the proceedings were celebratory — a stark contrast to the anger and anxiety that had marked the previous few days. Some delegates chanted “fight, fight, fight” — the same words that Trump was seen shouting to the crowd Saturday as the Secret Service ushered him off the stage, his fist raised and face bloodied.“We should all be thankful right now that we are able to cast our votes for President Donald J. Trump after what took place on Saturday,” said New Jersey state Sen. Michael Testa as he announced all of his state’s 12 delegates for Trump.When Trump cleared the necessary number of delegates, video screens in the arena read “OVER THE TOP” while the song “Celebration” played and delegates danced and waved Trump signs. Throughout the voting, delegates flanked by “Make America Great Again” signs applauded as state after state voted their support for a second Trump term.Multiple speakers invoked religious imagery to discuss Trump and the assassination attempt.“The devil came to Pennsylvania holding a rifle,” said Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. “But an American lion got back up on his feet!”Wyoming delegate Sheryl Foland was among those who adopted the “fight” chant after seeing Trump survive Saturday in what she called “monumental photos and video.”“We knew then we were going to adopt that as our chant,” added Foland, a child trauma mental health counselor. “Not just because we wanted him to fight, and that God was fighting for him. We thought, isn’t it our job to accept that challenge and fight for our country?”“It’s bigger than Trump,” Foland said. “It’s a mantra for our country.”Another well-timed development boosted the mood on the convention floor Monday: The federal judge presiding over Trump’s classified documents case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-smith-c66d5ffb7ba86c1b991f95e89bdeba0c">dismissed the prosecution</a>&nbsp;because of concerns over the appointment of the prosecutor who brought the case, handing the former president a major court victory.

🎥Trump gets emotional as he enters the Republican Convention

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a weekend murder have a suspect in custody.

Just before 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 1200 Block of NE Monroe in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

First responders located 47-year-old&nbsp;Richard E. Hernandez&nbsp; suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. .

As a result of the investigation police arrested 43-year-old John E. Kyhnell and 39-year-old Steve A. Devries both of Topeka.

Kyhnell is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Kyhnell is jailed on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. He has previous convictions for aggravated assault, aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Devries was originally jailed on a requested charge of Murder in the 1st degree. He is no longer in custody.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a weekend murder have a suspect in custody.Just before 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 1200 Block of NE Monroe in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721043474126.png" alt="Kyhnell -photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kyhnell -photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located 47-year-old&nbsp;Richard E. Hernandez&nbsp; suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. .As a result of the investigation police arrested 43-year-old John E. Kyhnell and 39-year-old Steve A. Devries both of Topeka.Kyhnell is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Kyhnell is jailed on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. He has previous convictions for aggravated assault, aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Devries was originally jailed on a requested charge of Murder in the 1st degree. He is no longer in custody.

Kan. man with a history of crime accused of weekend murder

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.

Just after 10p.m. July 9, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop near 150th and Q Road in rural Jackson County on an Oldsmobile Regency for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

During the traffic stop, the deputy discovered crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. 

The front seat passenger, Lisa Ann Tisdale, 59, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720659255090.png" alt="Tisdale photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Tisdale photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.Just after 10p.m. July 9, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop near 150th and Q Road in rural Jackson County on an Oldsmobile Regency for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.During the traffic stop, the deputy discovered crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia. The front seat passenger, Lisa Ann Tisdale, 59, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container.

Kansas deputy found crack cocaine during traffic stop

MILWAUKEE(AP) —Donald Trump&nbsp;has become the official Republican presidential nominee after receiving the votes of enough delegates at the Republican National Convention on Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Mike Brown, chairman of the Republican Party of Kansas, announced all the state's 39 votes for Donald Trump as former Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer stood nearby. Brown announced Kansas as the breadbasket of the world, the air capitol and home of Bob Dole and Dwight Eisenhower.

Donald Trump has been the presumptive nominee for months. But it was the vote of RNC delegates in Milwaukee that made it official Monday afternoon.

Trump hit the necessary threshold with votes from his home state of Florida.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721074515136.png" alt="With former Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer looking on, Mike Brown, chairman of the Republican Party of Kansas announced all the state's 39 votes for Donald Trump" />
 <figcaption>With former Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer looking on, Mike Brown, chairman of the Republican Party of Kansas announced all the state's 39 votes for Donald Trump</figcaption>
 </figure>MILWAUKEE(AP) —Donald Trump&nbsp;has become the official Republican presidential nominee after receiving the votes of enough delegates at the Republican National Convention on Monday afternoon.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721075462529.png" alt="View from the video provided by the Republic National Committee" />
 <figcaption>View from the video provided by the Republic National Committee</figcaption>
 </figure>Mike Brown, chairman of the Republican Party of Kansas, announced all the state's 39 votes for Donald Trump as former Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer stood nearby. Brown announced Kansas as the breadbasket of the world, the air capitol and home of Bob Dole and Dwight Eisenhower.Donald Trump has been the presumptive nominee for months. But it was the vote of RNC delegates in Milwaukee that made it official Monday afternoon.Trump hit the necessary threshold with votes from his home state of Florida.

Kansas gives all 39 votes for Trump at Republican National Convention

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Joe Biden has ordered the U.S. Secret Service to protect independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

On Social media Trump demanded Kennedy get the protection. On his social media page Trump wrote, "In light of what is going on in the world today, I believe it is imperative that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. receive Secret Service protection — immediately. Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!"

Kennedy is a longshot to win Electoral College votes, much less the presidency. But his campaign events have drawn large crowds of supporters and people interested in his message.

Trump was not seriously injured in the shooting over the weekend in Pennsylvania. There is an independent review of the attack.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715712591224.png" alt="File photo Robert F. Kennedy campaign" />
 <figcaption>File photo Robert F. Kennedy campaign</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —President Joe Biden has ordered the U.S. Secret Service to protect independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.On Social media Trump demanded Kennedy get the protection. On his social media page Trump wrote, "In light of what is going on in the world today, I believe it is imperative that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. receive Secret Service protection — immediately. Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!"<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecMayorkas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecMayorkas</a>: &quot;In light of this weekend&#39;s events, the president has directed me to work with the Secret Service to provide protection to Robert Kennedy, Jr.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/i2IjKcPTwk">pic.twitter.com/i2IjKcPTwk</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1812926991169122524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kennedy is a longshot to win Electoral College votes, much less the presidency. But his campaign events have drawn large crowds of supporters and people interested in his message.Trump was not seriously injured in the shooting over the weekend in Pennsylvania. There is an independent review of the attack.

🎥 Biden: Secret Service to protect candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting in Wichita have identified the victim as&nbsp;29-year-old Deontre Lawrence of Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.

Just before 6p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4800 block of South Gordon in Wichita.&nbsp;While en route to that location, officers encountered another shooting victim in a vehicle at the intersection of 47th and Seneca.

It was later discovered that this incident was connected to the shooting that occurred at 4800 S. Gordon. All four injured victims were transported to a local hospital and are expected to survive their injuries.

The incident is currently under investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting. One victim previously considered a person of interest is no longer being considered. 

All the parties involved are known to each other, according to Ford. The details of this case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720833197351.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal shooting investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting in Wichita have identified the victim as&nbsp;29-year-old Deontre Lawrence of Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.Just before 6p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4800 block of South Gordon in Wichita.&nbsp;While en route to that location, officers encountered another shooting victim in a vehicle at the intersection of 47th and Seneca.It was later discovered that this incident was connected to the shooting that occurred at 4800 S. Gordon. All four injured victims were transported to a local hospital and are expected to survive their injuries.The incident is currently under investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting. One victim previously considered a person of interest is no longer being considered. All the parties involved are known to each other, according to Ford. The details of this case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office.

Police: Victim in Kan. shooting no longer a suspect

MILWAUKEE (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;named&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">Sen. JD Vance</a>&nbsp;of Ohio as his running mate on Monday, choosing a onetime critic who became a loyal ally and is now the first millennial to join a major-party ticket at a time of deep concern about the advanced age of America’s political leaders.

“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network.

The 39-year-old Vance rose to national fame with the 2016 publication of his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” He was elected to the Senate in 2022 and has become one of the staunchest champions of the former president’s “Make America Great Again” agenda, particularly on trade, foreign policy and immigration.

But he is largely untested in national politics and is joining the Trump ticket at an extraordinary moment. An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">attempted assassination</a>&nbsp;of Trump at a rally Saturday has shaken the campaign, bringing new attention to the nation’s coarse political rhetoric and reinforcing the importance of those who are one heartbeat away from the presidency.

Vance himself faced criticism in the wake of the shooting for a post on X that suggested President Joe Biden was to blame for the violence.

“The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President&nbsp;<a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump/">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” Vance wrote. “That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”

Law enforcement has not yet specified a motivation for the shooting. Still, the pick is sure to energize Trump’s loyal base. Vance has become a fixture on the conservative media circuit and frequently spars with reporters on Capitol Hill, helping establish him as the kind of leader who could carry Trump’s mantle into the future, beginning with the next presidential election in 2028.

But the pick also means that two white men will now lead the Republican ticket at a time when Trump has sought to make inroads with Black and Latino voters.

In “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance detailed life in Appalachian communities that drifted from a Democratic Party many residents found disconnected from their daily travails. While the book was a bestseller, it was also criticized for sometimes oversimplifying rural life and ignoring the role of racism in modern politics.

Vance’s fame grew in tandem with Trump’s unlikely rise from a reality television star to Republican presidential nominee and eventually president. During the early stages of Trump’s political career, Vance cast him as “a total fraud,” “a moral disaster” and “America’s Hitler.”

But like many Republicans who sought relevance in the Trump era, Vance eventually shifted his tone. He said he was proved wrong by Trump’s performance in office and evolved into one of his most steadfast defenders.

“I didn’t think he was going to be a good president,” Vance recently told Fox News Channel. “He was a great president. And it’s one of the reasons why I’m working so hard to make sure he gets a second term.”

Vance was rewarded for his turnaround during his bid for an open Senate seat in 2022, during which he landed Trump’s coveted endorsement and rode it to victory in a crowded Republican primary and a general election hard fought by Democrats. He is close to Trump’s son Donald Jr.

Vance is now a Trump loyalist who has challenged the legitimacy of criminal prosecutions and civil verdicts against him and questions the results of the 2020 election.

He told ABC News in February that, if he had been vice president on Jan. 6, 2021, he would have told states where Trump disputed Biden wins “that we needed to have multiple slates of electors, and I think the U.S. Congress should have fought over it from there.”

“That is the legitimate way to deal with an election that a lot of folks, including me, think had a lot of problems in 2020,” he said.

Many states adopted emergency measures four years ago to allow people to vote safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. But judges, election officials in both parties and Trump’s own attorney general have concluded there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.

The relationship between Vance and Trump has been symbiotic.

Vance’s book — subtitled “A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” — was embraced for its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-business-arts-and-ohio-8c7a70bad96c48df9544049a38584cb8">insights into Trump’s appeal in middle America</a>, where manufacturing job losses and the opioid crisis had driven many families like his into poverty, abuse and addiction.

The tale of Vance’s hardscrabble childhood in Middletown, Ohio, where he was born, and his familial eastern Kentucky hills region also captivated Hollywood. Ron Howard made it into a 2020 movie starring Amy Adams as Vance’s mother and Glenn Close as his beloved “Mamaw.”

With his grandmother’s encouragement, Vance went on to serve in the Marine Corps, including in Iraq, and to graduate from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. From there, he joined a Silicon Valley investment firm before returning to Ohio to launch a nonprofit that he said would aim to develop opioid addiction treatments that might be “scaled nationally.”

Ultimately, Our Ohio Renewal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-entertainment-health-175153d8a80d93b2c9c6654a6a730de9">failed at that mission</a>&nbsp;and was shuttered. During the 2022 campaign, then-U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, his Democratic rival, charged that the charity was little more than a front for Vance’s political ambitions. Ryan pointed to reports that the organization made payments to a Vance political adviser and conducted public opinion polling, even as its actual efforts to address addiction largely floundered. Vance denied the characterization.

As a senator, Vance has shown some willingness to work across the aisle. He and Ohio’s senior senator, Democrat Sherrod Brown, have teamed up on a number of issues important to the state, including fighting for funding for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-lifestyle-games-video-games-cb3e3a36f48416a25b5d00baa405f91a">$20 billion chip facility Intel is building</a>&nbsp;in central Ohio and introducing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-senate-legislation-brown-vance-82c55dc95aca9524d6ae8e6d01336dbe">rail safety legislation</a>&nbsp;in response to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">fiery derailment in East Palestine, Ohio</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721071246145.png" alt="File photo Senator JD Vance -courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Senator JD Vance -courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>MILWAUKEE (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;named&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">Sen. JD Vance</a>&nbsp;of Ohio as his running mate on Monday, choosing a onetime critic who became a loyal ally and is now the first millennial to join a major-party ticket at a time of deep concern about the advanced age of America’s political leaders.“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721072505896.png" alt="Photo courtesy Trump campaign" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Trump campaign</figcaption>
 </figure>The 39-year-old Vance rose to national fame with the 2016 publication of his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” He was elected to the Senate in 2022 and has become one of the staunchest champions of the former president’s “Make America Great Again” agenda, particularly on trade, foreign policy and immigration.But he is largely untested in national politics and is joining the Trump ticket at an extraordinary moment. An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">attempted assassination</a>&nbsp;of Trump at a rally Saturday has shaken the campaign, bringing new attention to the nation’s coarse political rhetoric and reinforcing the importance of those who are one heartbeat away from the presidency.Vance himself faced criticism in the wake of the shooting for a post on X that suggested President Joe Biden was to blame for the violence.“The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President&nbsp;<a href="https://thehill.com/people/donald-trump/">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” Vance wrote. “That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”Law enforcement has not yet specified a motivation for the shooting. Still, the pick is sure to energize Trump’s loyal base. Vance has become a fixture on the conservative media circuit and frequently spars with reporters on Capitol Hill, helping establish him as the kind of leader who could carry Trump’s mantle into the future, beginning with the next presidential election in 2028.But the pick also means that two white men will now lead the Republican ticket at a time when Trump has sought to make inroads with Black and Latino voters.In “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance detailed life in Appalachian communities that drifted from a Democratic Party many residents found disconnected from their daily travails. While the book was a bestseller, it was also criticized for sometimes oversimplifying rural life and ignoring the role of racism in modern politics.Vance’s fame grew in tandem with Trump’s unlikely rise from a reality television star to Republican presidential nominee and eventually president. During the early stages of Trump’s political career, Vance cast him as “a total fraud,” “a moral disaster” and “America’s Hitler.”But like many Republicans who sought relevance in the Trump era, Vance eventually shifted his tone. He said he was proved wrong by Trump’s performance in office and evolved into one of his most steadfast defenders.“I didn’t think he was going to be a good president,” Vance recently told Fox News Channel. “He was a great president. And it’s one of the reasons why I’m working so hard to make sure he gets a second term.”Vance was rewarded for his turnaround during his bid for an open Senate seat in 2022, during which he landed Trump’s coveted endorsement and rode it to victory in a crowded Republican primary and a general election hard fought by Democrats. He is close to Trump’s son Donald Jr.Vance is now a Trump loyalist who has challenged the legitimacy of criminal prosecutions and civil verdicts against him and questions the results of the 2020 election.He told ABC News in February that, if he had been vice president on Jan. 6, 2021, he would have told states where Trump disputed Biden wins “that we needed to have multiple slates of electors, and I think the U.S. Congress should have fought over it from there.”“That is the legitimate way to deal with an election that a lot of folks, including me, think had a lot of problems in 2020,” he said.Many states adopted emergency measures four years ago to allow people to vote safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. But judges, election officials in both parties and Trump’s own attorney general have concluded there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.The relationship between Vance and Trump has been symbiotic.Vance’s book — subtitled “A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” — was embraced for its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-business-arts-and-ohio-8c7a70bad96c48df9544049a38584cb8">insights into Trump’s appeal in middle America</a>, where manufacturing job losses and the opioid crisis had driven many families like his into poverty, abuse and addiction.The tale of Vance’s hardscrabble childhood in Middletown, Ohio, where he was born, and his familial eastern Kentucky hills region also captivated Hollywood. Ron Howard made it into a 2020 movie starring Amy Adams as Vance’s mother and Glenn Close as his beloved “Mamaw.”With his grandmother’s encouragement, Vance went on to serve in the Marine Corps, including in Iraq, and to graduate from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. From there, he joined a Silicon Valley investment firm before returning to Ohio to launch a nonprofit that he said would aim to develop opioid addiction treatments that might be “scaled nationally.”Ultimately, Our Ohio Renewal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-entertainment-health-175153d8a80d93b2c9c6654a6a730de9">failed at that mission</a>&nbsp;and was shuttered. During the 2022 campaign, then-U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, his Democratic rival, charged that the charity was little more than a front for Vance’s political ambitions. Ryan pointed to reports that the organization made payments to a Vance political adviser and conducted public opinion polling, even as its actual efforts to address addiction largely floundered. Vance denied the characterization.As a senator, Vance has shown some willingness to work across the aisle. He and Ohio’s senior senator, Democrat Sherrod Brown, have teamed up on a number of issues important to the state, including fighting for funding for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-lifestyle-games-video-games-cb3e3a36f48416a25b5d00baa405f91a">$20 billion chip facility Intel is building</a>&nbsp;in central Ohio and introducing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-senate-legislation-brown-vance-82c55dc95aca9524d6ae8e6d01336dbe">rail safety legislation</a>&nbsp;in response to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">fiery derailment in East Palestine, Ohio</a>.

Trump picks Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his GOP running mate

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/camikoons/">CAMI KOONS</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Early this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/29/1227574179/amelia-earharts-lost-plane-howland-island" target="_blank">news outlets circulated&nbsp;</a>a sonar image of what explorers believe to be Amelia Earhart’s lost Lockheed Electra plane.

Earhart enthusiasts in Atchison were excited to see the discovery, and also to see the expedition’s leader, Tony Romeo, sporting a T-shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum.

The founder of Deep Sea Vision, the exploration company that took the sonar image at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, had visited the Atchison museum to see Muriel, a plane identical to the one Earhart took on her last flight.

Romeo will return July 19-20 to Atchison with a slate of other explorers, Earhart theorists and a Smithsonian curator for a panel discussion.

The events are presented by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum</a>&nbsp;as part of the annual Amelia Earhart Festival.

“It’s very exciting to get internationally known people searching for Amelia’s plane into Atchison, where she was born,” said Karen Seaberg, the museum’s founder.

“Adventure Amelia: A Conversation with Explorers in the Search for Amelia Earhart” will be moderated by Dorothy Cochrane, a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Romeo and his brother, Lloyd Romeo, are panelists alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-links-search-for-amelia-earhart-s-plane-with-iss-crew-classroom" target="_blank">Rod Blocksome</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://earharttruth.wordpress.com/tag/gary-lapook/" target="_blank">Gary LaPook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.datelinetheory.com/p/about-author.html" target="_blank">Liz Smith</a>.

Seaberg said the explorers and theorists might have a little bit of competitive tension as they take the stage at 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Atchison.

“The panel itself is going to be fun, because all of these people are searching, or have ideas about Amelia Earhart’s lost plane, but they all are going about it a little different way,” Seaberg said.

At 9 a.m. July 20, Tony and Lloyd Romeo will share more about their expedition, which used marine robotics to scan more than 5,200 square miles of the Pacific Ocean floor.

This conversation at the O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium at Benedictine College will be moderated by pilot and author Amelia Rose Earhart, who circumnavigated the globe in 2014.

Tickets are free but limited, so Seaberg urges folks to&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/event/adventure-amelia/" target="_blank">register online</a>.

In addition to the panels, the<a href="https://visitatchison.com/listing/amelia-earhart-festival" target="_blank">&nbsp;Amelia Earhart Festival&nbsp;</a>offers craft vendors, live music, an airshow and fireworks above the Missouri River.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720819312481.png" alt="Tony Romeo shows off his shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum while on his 90-day expedition searching for Amelia Earhart’s lost plane. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>Tony Romeo shows off his shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum while on his 90-day expedition searching for Amelia Earhart’s lost plane. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/camikoons/">CAMI KOONS</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>Early this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/29/1227574179/amelia-earharts-lost-plane-howland-island" target="_blank">news outlets circulated&nbsp;</a>a sonar image of what explorers believe to be Amelia Earhart’s lost Lockheed Electra plane.Earhart enthusiasts in Atchison were excited to see the discovery, and also to see the expedition’s leader, Tony Romeo, sporting a T-shirt from the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum.The founder of Deep Sea Vision, the exploration company that took the sonar image at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, had visited the Atchison museum to see Muriel, a plane identical to the one Earhart took on her last flight.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720819354535.png" alt="Sonar images of the floor of the Pacific Ocean reveal an object that looks to be around the shape and size of the Lockheed Electra 10-E that Amelia Earhart took on her fated attempt to circumnavigate the globe. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption>Sonar images of the floor of the Pacific Ocean reveal an object that looks to be around the shape and size of the Lockheed Electra 10-E that Amelia Earhart took on her fated attempt to circumnavigate the globe. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>Romeo will return July 19-20 to Atchison with a slate of other explorers, Earhart theorists and a Smithsonian curator for a panel discussion.The events are presented by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum</a>&nbsp;as part of the annual Amelia Earhart Festival.“It’s very exciting to get internationally known people searching for Amelia’s plane into Atchison, where she was born,” said Karen Seaberg, the museum’s founder.“Adventure Amelia: A Conversation with Explorers in the Search for Amelia Earhart” will be moderated by Dorothy Cochrane, a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Romeo and his brother, Lloyd Romeo, are panelists alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-links-search-for-amelia-earhart-s-plane-with-iss-crew-classroom" target="_blank">Rod Blocksome</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://earharttruth.wordpress.com/tag/gary-lapook/" target="_blank">Gary LaPook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.datelinetheory.com/p/about-author.html" target="_blank">Liz Smith</a>.Seaberg said the explorers and theorists might have a little bit of competitive tension as they take the stage at 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at the historic Fox Theatre in downtown Atchison.“The panel itself is going to be fun, because all of these people are searching, or have ideas about Amelia Earhart’s lost plane, but they all are going about it a little different way,” Seaberg said.At 9 a.m. July 20, Tony and Lloyd Romeo will share more about their expedition, which used marine robotics to scan more than 5,200 square miles of the Pacific Ocean floor.This conversation at the O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium at Benedictine College will be moderated by pilot and author Amelia Rose Earhart, who circumnavigated the globe in 2014.Tickets are free but limited, so Seaberg urges folks to&nbsp;<a href="https://ameliaearharthangarmuseum.org/event/adventure-amelia/" target="_blank">register online</a>.In addition to the panels, the<a href="https://visitatchison.com/listing/amelia-earhart-festival" target="_blank">&nbsp;Amelia Earhart Festival&nbsp;</a>offers craft vendors, live music, an airshow and fireworks above the Missouri River.

High-profile Amelia Earhart explorers coming to Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman with previous convictions of forgery on new forgery allegaions.

On&nbsp;July 10, police responded to a reported fraudulent check at Azura Credit Union, 1129 S Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

The bank reported Tina M. Funk, 31, of Topeka, was attempting to cash a check that was fraudulent.

It was then found that Funk had four outstanding warrants. As a result of the investigation, Funk was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Forgery; Making or altering a written instrument; unknown conviction, Identity theft, Theft by deception; Value less than $1,500, Theft by deception; Value $1,500 to $25,000 and the Warrants.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Funk has previous forgery convictions in Atchison and Jefferson County. She has an ID theft conviction in Morris County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720815041351.png" alt="Funk photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Funk photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman with previous convictions of forgery on new forgery allegaions.On&nbsp;July 10, police responded to a reported fraudulent check at Azura Credit Union, 1129 S Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.The bank reported Tina M. Funk, 31, of Topeka, was attempting to cash a check that was fraudulent.It was then found that Funk had four outstanding warrants. As a result of the investigation, Funk was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Forgery; Making or altering a written instrument; unknown conviction, Identity theft, Theft by deception; Value less than $1,500, Theft by deception; Value $1,500 to $25,000 and the Warrants.&nbsp;&nbsp;Funk has previous forgery convictions in Atchison and Jefferson County. She has an ID theft conviction in Morris County, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. woman with forgery convictions stopped while cashing a check 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal judge presiding over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in Florida dismissed the prosecution on Monday, siding with defense lawyers who said the special counsel who filed the charges was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.

<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flsd.648652/gov.uscourts.flsd.648652.672.0_2.pdf">Click here to read</a> the full ruling

<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24807236-trump-classified-documents-case-dismissed">The decision</a>&nbsp;by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, which can be appealed and may be overruled by a higher court, brings at least for now a stunning and abrupt conclusion to a criminal case that at the time it was filed was widely regarded as the most perilous of all the legal threats the Republican former president confronted.

Though the case had long been stalled, and the prospect of a trial before the November election already was an unrealistic scenario, the judge's order is a mammoth legal victory for Trump as he recovers from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">a weekend assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;and prepares to accept the Republican nomination in Milwaukee this week.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">one of four criminal cases against Trump</a>, he had faced dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing FBI efforts to get them back. He had pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.

Defense lawyers filed multiple challenges to the case, including a legally technical one that asserted that special counsel Jack Smith had been illegally appointed under the Constitution's Appointments Clause because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-donald-trump-merrick-garland-government-and-550c01de053c08db4d53ca57f315feb6">he was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland</a>, rather than being confirmed by Congress, and that his office was improperly funded by the Justice Department.

“The Special Counsel’s position effectively usurps that important legislative authority, transferring it to a Head of Department, and in the process threatening the structural liberty inherent in the separation of powers,” Cannon wrote in a 93-page order granting a defense request to dismiss the case.

“If the political branches wish to grant the Attorney General power to appoint Special Counsel Smith to investigate and prosecute this action with the full powers of a United States Attorney, there is a valid means by which to do so," she added.

That mechanism is through congressional approval, she said.

The order is the latest example of Cannon, a Trump appointee, handling the case in ways that have benefited the ex-president.

She generated intense scrutiny during the FBI's investigation when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-bc980316f80f88620b92e5666f96251c">she appointed an independent arbiter</a>&nbsp;to inspect the classified documents recovered during the August 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago, a decision that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-criminal-investigations-government-and-politics-16748b82a502c0eec977d3ec51390027">was overturned months later by a unanimous federal appeals panel</a>.

Since then, she has been slow to issue rulings — favoring Trump's strategy of securing delays — and has entertained defense arguments that experts said other judges would have dismissed without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues.

Smith's team had vigorously contested the Appointments Clause argument during hearings before Cannon last month and told the judge that even if she ruled in the defense team's favor, the proper correction would not be to dismiss the case. Smith's team had also noted that the position had been rejected in other courts involving other prosecutions brought by other Justice Department special counsels.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661941600753.jpeg" alt="FILE This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The Justice Department says it has uncovered efforts to obstruct its investigation into the discovery of classified records at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate. (Department of Justice via AP)" />
 <figcaption>FILE This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 8 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The Justice Department says it has uncovered efforts to obstruct its investigation into the discovery of classified records at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate. (Department of Justice via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal judge presiding over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in Florida dismissed the prosecution on Monday, siding with defense lawyers who said the special counsel who filed the charges was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flsd.648652/gov.uscourts.flsd.648652.672.0_2.pdf">Click here to read</a> the full ruling<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721052323058.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24807236-trump-classified-documents-case-dismissed">The decision</a>&nbsp;by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, which can be appealed and may be overruled by a higher court, brings at least for now a stunning and abrupt conclusion to a criminal case that at the time it was filed was widely regarded as the most perilous of all the legal threats the Republican former president confronted.Though the case had long been stalled, and the prospect of a trial before the November election already was an unrealistic scenario, the judge's order is a mammoth legal victory for Trump as he recovers from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-thomas-matthew-crooks-shooter-881581c46c07025898027143fc9132e5">a weekend assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;and prepares to accept the Republican nomination in Milwaukee this week.In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">one of four criminal cases against Trump</a>, he had faced dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing FBI efforts to get them back. He had pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.Defense lawyers filed multiple challenges to the case, including a legally technical one that asserted that special counsel Jack Smith had been illegally appointed under the Constitution's Appointments Clause because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-donald-trump-merrick-garland-government-and-550c01de053c08db4d53ca57f315feb6">he was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland</a>, rather than being confirmed by Congress, and that his office was improperly funded by the Justice Department.“The Special Counsel’s position effectively usurps that important legislative authority, transferring it to a Head of Department, and in the process threatening the structural liberty inherent in the separation of powers,” Cannon wrote in a 93-page order granting a defense request to dismiss the case.“If the political branches wish to grant the Attorney General power to appoint Special Counsel Smith to investigate and prosecute this action with the full powers of a United States Attorney, there is a valid means by which to do so," she added.That mechanism is through congressional approval, she said.The order is the latest example of Cannon, a Trump appointee, handling the case in ways that have benefited the ex-president.She generated intense scrutiny during the FBI's investigation when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-bc980316f80f88620b92e5666f96251c">she appointed an independent arbiter</a>&nbsp;to inspect the classified documents recovered during the August 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago, a decision that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-criminal-investigations-government-and-politics-16748b82a502c0eec977d3ec51390027">was overturned months later by a unanimous federal appeals panel</a>.Since then, she has been slow to issue rulings — favoring Trump's strategy of securing delays — and has entertained defense arguments that experts said other judges would have dismissed without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues.Smith's team had vigorously contested the Appointments Clause argument during hearings before Cannon last month and told the judge that even if she ruled in the defense team's favor, the proper correction would not be to dismiss the case. Smith's team had also noted that the position had been rejected in other courts involving other prosecutions brought by other Justice Department special counsels.But Cannon remained unpersuaded, and she called the prosecution's claims “strained.”“Both the Appointments and Appropriations challenges as framed in the Motion raise the following threshold question: is there a statute in the United States Code that authorizes the appointment of Special Counsel Smith to conduct this prosecution?” she said. “After careful study of this seminal issue, the answer is no.”