EL DORADO, KAN. –&nbsp;El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) resident Brooks Vonthaer, 40, died Tuesday. Vonthaer was found unresponsive in his cell Tuesday afternoon, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

Vonthaer was serving a 62-month sentence for four convictions of aggravated assault, criminal trespass, theft, and criminal damage in Shawnee County, Kansas.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, the death is under investigation by the agency and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609080609892.png" alt=" Vonthaer from a Dec. 2020 arrest in Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption> Vonthaer from a Dec. 2020 arrest in Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>EL DORADO, KAN. –&nbsp;El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) resident Brooks Vonthaer, 40, died Tuesday. Vonthaer was found unresponsive in his cell Tuesday afternoon, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.Vonthaer was serving a 62-month sentence for four convictions of aggravated assault, criminal trespass, theft, and criminal damage in Shawnee County, Kansas.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, the death is under investigation by the agency and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

Kan. inmate serving time for aggravated assault found dead in his cell

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations following an investigation.

Shortly before 5:00AM on August 24, police officers responded to the area of the 1300 Block North 7th Street in Atchison to investigate a prowler call, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 When they arrived a possible suspect was fleeing the area in a Chevrolet Traverse. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle which fled north of the city on 2nd Street and no contact was made with the driver at that time.

 The investigation determined the driver to be 37-year-old Phillip Roles of Atchison who had a passenger under the age of 18 with him at the time of the fleeing and eluding police officers.

Just before 10:30a.m. Monday, police arrested Roles, 37, Atchison at 5th and Park Street in Atchison on a District Court warrant for fleeing and attempting to elude, aggravated endangering a child, and twelve other counts that include various traffic offenses, according to Wilson.

Roles has previous convictions for battery, drugs, interference with law enforcement, driving while suspended and three previous convictions for fleeing or attempting to elude police, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. Photo Atchison Co. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729609931566.png" alt="Roles has previous convictions for battery, drugs, interference with law enforcement, driving while suspended and three previous convictions for fleeing or attempting to elude police, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. Photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Roles has previous convictions for battery, drugs, interference with law enforcement, driving while suspended and three previous convictions for fleeing or attempting to elude police, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. Photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations following an investigation.Shortly before 5:00AM on August 24, police officers responded to the area of the 1300 Block North 7th Street in Atchison to investigate a prowler call, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. When they arrived a possible suspect was fleeing the area in a Chevrolet Traverse. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle which fled north of the city on 2nd Street and no contact was made with the driver at that time. The investigation determined the driver to be 37-year-old Phillip Roles of Atchison who had a passenger under the age of 18 with him at the time of the fleeing and eluding police officers.Just before 10:30a.m. Monday, police arrested Roles, 37, Atchison at 5th and Park Street in Atchison on a District Court warrant for fleeing and attempting to elude, aggravated endangering a child, and twelve other counts that include various traffic offenses, according to Wilson.Roles has previous convictions for battery, drugs, interference with law enforcement, driving while suspended and three previous convictions for fleeing or attempting to elude police, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. Photo Atchison Co. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.&nbsp;

Police catch Kansas felon who fled arrest with teen in August

MCPHERSON —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a house fire in McPherson.

Just after 11:30a.m. Tuesday, crews responded to a house fire in the 1400 block of Briarwood Lane, according to a media release.

Fire crews encountered heavy fire involvement from a two-car garage attached to the home. Fire crews worked to extinguish the fire in the garage while also extinguishing flames that had spread to the exterior wall of the neighboring house to the north. Fire crews made entry into the house to conduct a search for occupants and extinguish the fire. Crews were able to confirm that the occupants of both residences involved were not at home at the time of the fire.

No injuries were reported. The damage to the house is extensive and will be considered a total loss. T

The Galva and Inman Fire Departments responded to the scene to assist with extinguishment of the fire. McPherson EMS, McPherson Police Department, and McPherson County Emergency Management provided resources and support at the scene as well. Fire crews cleared from the scene shortly after 3 p.m. No foul play is suspected.

MCPHERSON —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a house fire in McPherson.Just after 11:30a.m. Tuesday, crews responded to a house fire in the 1400 block of Briarwood Lane, according to a media release.Fire crews encountered heavy fire involvement from a two-car garage attached to the home. Fire crews worked to extinguish the fire in the garage while also extinguishing flames that had spread to the exterior wall of the neighboring house to the north. Fire crews made entry into the house to conduct a search for occupants and extinguish the fire. Crews were able to confirm that the occupants of both residences involved were not at home at the time of the fire.No injuries were reported. The damage to the house is extensive and will be considered a total loss. TThe Galva and Inman Fire Departments responded to the scene to assist with extinguishment of the fire. McPherson EMS, McPherson Police Department, and McPherson County Emergency Management provided resources and support at the scene as well. Fire crews cleared from the scene shortly after 3 p.m. No foul play is suspected.

Kansas home a total loss after fire

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas man wanted on a warrant is now also facing drug charges.

Just after 9:30a.m. October 20, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;observed a traffic violation by the driver of a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe near NW 35th Street and NWRochester Road, according to Shawnee County Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the passenger had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest and illegal narcotics were located.

Matthew S. Field, 55, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department on requested&nbsp;charges of Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of marijuana, Operating a vehicle without registration, Failure to stop at a stop sign, Driving while license suspended and No vehicle liability insurance

Field also had a warrant for his arrest out of the City of Topeka.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729597706277.png" alt="Fields photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Fields photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas man wanted on a warrant is now also facing drug charges.Just after 9:30a.m. October 20, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;observed a traffic violation by the driver of a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe near NW 35th Street and NWRochester Road, according to Shawnee County Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, it was discovered that the passenger had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest and illegal narcotics were located.Matthew S. Field, 55, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department on requested&nbsp;charges of Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of marijuana, Operating a vehicle without registration, Failure to stop at a stop sign, Driving while license suspended and No vehicle liability insuranceField also had a warrant for his arrest out of the City of Topeka.

Wanted Kansas suspect caught transporting illegal drugs

BUTLER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 10a.m. Tuesday in Butler County.

According to Butler County Undersheriff&nbsp;Daimon Cundiff, a semi pulling an empty flatbed trailer, had pulled up to the railroad crossing at S. Douglas Road and S. Sunset Road, inside HF Sinclair Refinery, in El Dorado and began to cross. 

The semi stopped and&nbsp; the driver tried to reverse, indicating the driver may have realized there was not enough time to cross in front of the southbound train. 

The driver was unable to get off the tracks in time and the train crashed into the passenger side of the semi. The driver of the semi, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;The name of the driver has not been released pending notification of next of kin, according to Cundiff.

There were no hazardous chemicals or materials involved with either the train or the tractor-trailer.

In addition to Butler County Sheriff’s Deputies, Butler County EMS and El Dorado Fire Department assisted at the scene.

BUTLER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 10a.m. Tuesday in Butler County.According to Butler County Undersheriff&nbsp;Daimon Cundiff, a semi pulling an empty flatbed trailer, had pulled up to the railroad crossing at S. Douglas Road and S. Sunset Road, inside HF Sinclair Refinery, in El Dorado and began to cross. The semi stopped and&nbsp; the driver tried to reverse, indicating the driver may have realized there was not enough time to cross in front of the southbound train. The driver was unable to get off the tracks in time and the train crashed into the passenger side of the semi. The driver of the semi, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;The name of the driver has not been released pending notification of next of kin, according to Cundiff.There were no hazardous chemicals or materials involved with either the train or the tractor-trailer.In addition to Butler County Sheriff’s Deputies, Butler County EMS and El Dorado Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Sheriff: Driver dies after train strikes semi at Kan. refinery 

EDITOR'S NOTE: Updates with CDC saying there are 26 cases in Colorado, not 27, as the agency had said previously.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JONEL%20ALECCIA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JONEL ALECCIA AP Health Writer</a>

E. coli food poisoning linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states, including one person who died and 10 who were hospitalized,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html">federal health officials</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday.

The death was reported in an older person in Colorado, and one child has been hospitalized with severe kidney complications, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

Infections were reported between Sept. 27 and Oct. 11, in&nbsp; Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Colorado has the most cases, 26, followed by Nebraska with nine.

Everyone interviewed in connection with the outbreak had reported eating at McDonald's before falling ill and most mentioned eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers, the CDC said. The U.S. Agriculture Department, the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials are also investigating.

The specific ingredient tied to the outbreak has not been identified, but investigators are focused on onions and beef. McDonald's reported to the CDC that it had removed slivered onions and beef patties used for Quarter Pounders from stores in the affected states. The burgers may be temporarily unavailable in those states.

<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/about/index.html">E. coli bacteria</a>&nbsp;are harbored in the guts of animals and found in the environment. Infections can cause severe illness, including fever, stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. People who develop symptoms of E. coli poisoning should seek health care immediately and tell the provider what they ate.

The Associated Press has reached out to McDonald’s for comment.

The news comes in an already tough year for the Chicago-based chain. Its global same-store sales&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-second-quarter-earnings-b4cf6976a8688796b75404f178c5798b">fell for the first time</a>&nbsp;in nearly four years in the second quarter as inflation-weary customers skipped eating out or chose cheaper options. The company responded with a $5 meal deal, which was introduced at U.S. restaurants in late June and was recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-meal-deal-fast-food-f8bff378ff06140cdb5a9e519c33184c">extended through December</a>. The deal doesn’t include the Quarter Pounder.

McDonald’s shares dropped 9% in after-hours trading Tuesday after the CDC’s announcement.

The type of bacteria implicated in this outbreak, E. coli O157:H7, causes about 74,000 infections in the U.S. each year, leading to more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths. Infections are especially dangerous for children younger than 5 and can cause acute kidney failure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729692566058.png" alt="Map shows where people in this E. coli outbreak live. The number is likely higher, as many people recover without medical care and are not tested. Image&nbsp; CDC" />
 <figcaption>Map shows where people in this E. coli outbreak live. The number is likely higher, as many people recover without medical care and are not tested. Image&nbsp; CDC</figcaption>
 </figure>EDITOR'S NOTE: Updates with CDC saying there are 26 cases in Colorado, not 27, as the agency had said previously.<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JONEL%20ALECCIA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JONEL ALECCIA AP Health Writer</a>E. coli food poisoning linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states, including one person who died and 10 who were hospitalized,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html">federal health officials</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday.The death was reported in an older person in Colorado, and one child has been hospitalized with severe kidney complications, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729632590793.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>Infections were reported between Sept. 27 and Oct. 11, in&nbsp; Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Colorado has the most cases, 26, followed by Nebraska with nine.Everyone interviewed in connection with the outbreak had reported eating at McDonald's before falling ill and most mentioned eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers, the CDC said. The U.S. Agriculture Department, the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials are also investigating.The specific ingredient tied to the outbreak has not been identified, but investigators are focused on onions and beef. McDonald's reported to the CDC that it had removed slivered onions and beef patties used for Quarter Pounders from stores in the affected states. The burgers may be temporarily unavailable in those states.<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/about/index.html">E. coli bacteria</a>&nbsp;are harbored in the guts of animals and found in the environment. Infections can cause severe illness, including fever, stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. People who develop symptoms of E. coli poisoning should seek health care immediately and tell the provider what they ate.The Associated Press has reached out to McDonald’s for comment.The news comes in an already tough year for the Chicago-based chain. Its global same-store sales&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-second-quarter-earnings-b4cf6976a8688796b75404f178c5798b">fell for the first time</a>&nbsp;in nearly four years in the second quarter as inflation-weary customers skipped eating out or chose cheaper options. The company responded with a $5 meal deal, which was introduced at U.S. restaurants in late June and was recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-meal-deal-fast-food-f8bff378ff06140cdb5a9e519c33184c">extended through December</a>. The deal doesn’t include the Quarter Pounder.McDonald’s shares dropped 9% in after-hours trading Tuesday after the CDC’s announcement.The type of bacteria implicated in this outbreak, E. coli O157:H7, causes about 74,000 infections in the U.S. each year, leading to more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths. Infections are especially dangerous for children younger than 5 and can cause acute kidney failure.___

E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders in Kansas

KANSAS CITY —&nbsp;&nbsp;Law enforcement are working to identify a suspect in a bank robbery that occurred Monday at the Hawthorn Bank,&nbsp;17430 E. 39th Street in Independence, Missouri, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The suspect entered the bank, approached the teller, made a verbal demand for cash, and brandished a firearm. The suspect fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash on a blue sports bike

According to reports, the suspect is described as older white male, approximately 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-9 tall,&nbsp; short grey hair, black leather jacket with patches, dark pants, grey sneakers dark head covering, Blue surgical mask.

Anyone with info can report a tip online at&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729598346512.png" alt="Photos FBI Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Photos FBI Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —&nbsp;&nbsp;Law enforcement are working to identify a suspect in a bank robbery that occurred Monday at the Hawthorn Bank,&nbsp;17430 E. 39th Street in Independence, Missouri, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.The suspect entered the bank, approached the teller, made a verbal demand for cash, and brandished a firearm. The suspect fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash on a blue sports bike<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729598245884.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>According to reports, the suspect is described as older white male, approximately 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-9 tall,&nbsp; short grey hair, black leather jacket with patches, dark pants, grey sneakers dark head covering, Blue surgical mask.Anyone with info can report a tip online at&nbsp;<a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>.

Suspect fled Kansas City bank robbery on a blue sports bike

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

The Wall That Heals provided a temporary memorial to Vietnam veterans as it made its way through Barton County and Great Bend last May. In December 2023, a small committee of Vietnam veterans approached the Great Bend City Council about installing a permanent memorial at Veterans Memorial Park. Over the weekend, the first pieces of the 50-foot memorial were installed on the north side of the lake. Larry Parsons, a Vietnam veteran and member of the committee, has been pleased with the progress.

"We're really excited it's finally here," he said. "We've been working on this for a little over a year and we're ready to finish it up. I think it's looking pretty good and we're probably about halfway done."

Hoisington's B&amp;B Metal Arts constructed the memorial that features two 25-foot wings and insignia from all branches of the United States armed forces. As of Monday morning, neither the 12-foot 3-D Huey UH-1 chopper above the wall nor the soldiers and elephant plants in front of the wall had been installed. All the materials are stainless steel, similar to the "Play Ball" structure at the Great Bend Sports Complex and the "Breaking the Sod" statue at the intersection of 10th Street and K-96 Highway.

"It's not going to rust," said Parsons. "We're really pleased with it so far and I think it will be an asset to the community. I think it's going to bring some people in. But our emphasis is on the Vietnam veterans."

The memorial carried a price tag of approximately $115,000, most of which has been raised. Parsons said funds are still being collected for a bench and a protective fence. The city of Great Bend will provide irrigation and a sidewalk around the memorial.

Donations for the memorial are tax deductible and can be mailed to the Great Bend Foundation, PO Box 533, Great Bend, Kansas, 67530.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729535743069.jpeg" alt="The 50-foot-wide base of a permanent Vietnam veterans memorial was installed on the north side of Veterans Lake in Great Bend over the weekend. Hoisington's B&amp;B Metal Arts created the stainless-steel memorial." />
 <figcaption>The 50-foot-wide base of a permanent Vietnam veterans memorial was installed on the north side of Veterans Lake in Great Bend over the weekend. Hoisington's B&amp;B Metal Arts created the stainless-steel memorial.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe Wall That Heals provided a temporary memorial to Vietnam veterans as it made its way through Barton County and Great Bend last May. In December 2023, a small committee of Vietnam veterans approached the Great Bend City Council about installing a permanent memorial at Veterans Memorial Park. Over the weekend, the first pieces of the 50-foot memorial were installed on the north side of the lake. Larry Parsons, a Vietnam veteran and member of the committee, has been pleased with the progress."We're really excited it's finally here," he said. "We've been working on this for a little over a year and we're ready to finish it up. I think it's looking pretty good and we're probably about halfway done."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729535827949.jpeg" alt="Several other pieces of the memorial, including a D Huey UH-1 chopper, have yet to be installed." />
 <figcaption>Several other pieces of the memorial, including a D Huey UH-1 chopper, have yet to be installed.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hoisington's B&amp;B Metal Arts constructed the memorial that features two 25-foot wings and insignia from all branches of the United States armed forces. As of Monday morning, neither the 12-foot 3-D Huey UH-1 chopper above the wall nor the soldiers and elephant plants in front of the wall had been installed. All the materials are stainless steel, similar to the "Play Ball" structure at the Great Bend Sports Complex and the "Breaking the Sod" statue at the intersection of 10th Street and K-96 Highway."It's not going to rust," said Parsons. "We're really pleased with it so far and I think it will be an asset to the community. I think it's going to bring some people in. But our emphasis is on the Vietnam veterans."The memorial carried a price tag of approximately $115,000, most of which has been raised. Parsons said funds are still being collected for a bench and a protective fence. The city of Great Bend will provide irrigation and a sidewalk around the memorial.Donations for the memorial are tax deductible and can be mailed to the Great Bend Foundation, PO Box 533, Great Bend, Kansas, 67530.

Installation of permanent Vietnam memorial underway in Great Bend

By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

The largest electric utility in Kansas and western Missouri will add two natural gas plants by the end of 2030, the company announced Monday.

Evergy, which serves 1.6 million customers in the two states, plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://investors.evergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/evergy-announces-two-new-705-mw-high-efficiency-natural-gas" target="_blank">build combined-cycle natural gas plants</a>&nbsp;— each with a 705-megawatt capacity — in two Kansas counties in 2029 and 2030, respectively.

David Campbell, Evergy’s CEO and chairman, said at a news conference in Hutchinson, Kansas, that the plants would “help maintain a diverse energy mix for our state,” ensuring “reliable, affordable, sustainable energy.”

“They’re flexible resources that can ramp production up and ramp production down based on the needs of the grid,” Campbell said, “so they pair very well with Kansas’ abundant renewable generation resources.”

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, lauded the announcement at the Hutchinson news conference, saying the construction of the plants would create 500 construction jobs and 165 permanent jobs. She said the plants would ensure reliable energy, including in emergencies or periods of high demand, like hot summer days.

“As Kansas continues to transition to more sustainable energy, we’re doing it responsibly,” Kelly said. “These plants are much cleaner than traditional coal plants.”

<a href="https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/natural-gas/natural-gas-and-the-environment.php" target="_blank">According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration</a>, burning natural gas to create electricity produces less carbon dioxide than coal. But natural gas leaks release its primary component, methane, into the atmosphere, accounting for more than one-third of U.S. methane emissions. Methane is a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The announcement marks an increasing reliance on natural gas generation by Evergy.

In its long-range plan filed with regulators in 2022, Evergy planned to exclusively add wind and solar facilities over the coming decade.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/06/16/evergy-slashes-planned-renewable-energy-additions-proposes-more-natural-gas/" target="_blank">A year later, it scaled back</a>&nbsp;those planned renewable energy facilities, forecasted plans to add natural gas plants and delayed the retirement of the Lawrence coal plant.

<a href="https://investors.evergy.com/2024IRPUpdate" target="_blank">Evergy’s latest update</a>, filed earlier this year, almost doubles the amount of natural gas generation the utility will add between now and the early 2030s. At the same time, it increased planned wind and solar additions compared to last year’s plan.

Zack Pistora, a lobbyist for the environmental nonprofit Sierra Club, questioned whether Evergy would be able to achieve its goals to reduce emissions given its planned investments in natural gas generation.

“I don’t know how a utility can claim that it’s affordable, reliable or sustainable,” he said, noting that gas prices can be volatile and natural gas outages contributed to rolling blackouts the Midwest experienced in 2021.

Beyond that, he said, burning gas is harmful to the environment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729533611500.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce CEO Debra Teufel speaks to the crowd assembled at the Evergy announcement on Monday at the 1861 Club on the Kansas State Fairgrounds on October 21, 2024. Photo by Nick Gosnell." />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce CEO Debra Teufel speaks to the crowd assembled at the Evergy announcement on Monday at the 1861 Club on the Kansas State Fairgrounds on October 21, 2024. Photo by Nick Gosnell.</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>The largest electric utility in Kansas and western Missouri will add two natural gas plants by the end of 2030, the company announced Monday.Evergy, which serves 1.6 million customers in the two states, plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://investors.evergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/evergy-announces-two-new-705-mw-high-efficiency-natural-gas" target="_blank">build combined-cycle natural gas plants</a>&nbsp;— each with a 705-megawatt capacity — in two Kansas counties in 2029 and 2030, respectively.David Campbell, Evergy’s CEO and chairman, said at a news conference in Hutchinson, Kansas, that the plants would “help maintain a diverse energy mix for our state,” ensuring “reliable, affordable, sustainable energy.”“They’re flexible resources that can ramp production up and ramp production down based on the needs of the grid,” Campbell said, “so they pair very well with Kansas’ abundant renewable generation resources.”Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, lauded the announcement at the Hutchinson news conference, saying the construction of the plants would create 500 construction jobs and 165 permanent jobs. She said the plants would ensure reliable energy, including in emergencies or periods of high demand, like hot summer days.“As Kansas continues to transition to more sustainable energy, we’re doing it responsibly,” Kelly said. “These plants are much cleaner than traditional coal plants.”<a href="https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/natural-gas/natural-gas-and-the-environment.php" target="_blank">According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration</a>, burning natural gas to create electricity produces less carbon dioxide than coal. But natural gas leaks release its primary component, methane, into the atmosphere, accounting for more than one-third of U.S. methane emissions. Methane is a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.The announcement marks an increasing reliance on natural gas generation by Evergy.In its long-range plan filed with regulators in 2022, Evergy planned to exclusively add wind and solar facilities over the coming decade.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/06/16/evergy-slashes-planned-renewable-energy-additions-proposes-more-natural-gas/" target="_blank">A year later, it scaled back</a>&nbsp;those planned renewable energy facilities, forecasted plans to add natural gas plants and delayed the retirement of the Lawrence coal plant.<a href="https://investors.evergy.com/2024IRPUpdate" target="_blank">Evergy’s latest update</a>, filed earlier this year, almost doubles the amount of natural gas generation the utility will add between now and the early 2030s. At the same time, it increased planned wind and solar additions compared to last year’s plan.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729533986696.png" alt="The plant site for the new Evergy plant is near South Hutchinson in Reno County. Graphic courtesy Evergy." />
 <figcaption>The plant site for the new Evergy plant is near South Hutchinson in Reno County. Graphic courtesy Evergy.</figcaption>
 </figure>Zack Pistora, a lobbyist for the environmental nonprofit Sierra Club, questioned whether Evergy would be able to achieve its goals to reduce emissions given its planned investments in natural gas generation.“I don’t know how a utility can claim that it’s affordable, reliable or sustainable,” he said, noting that gas prices can be volatile and natural gas outages contributed to rolling blackouts the Midwest experienced in 2021.Beyond that, he said, burning gas is harmful to the environment.Video of the press event is below.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y_sGnE26DzQ?si=_qHVqdwMkTDq5EQE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Evergy plans to build two new natural gas plants in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of people with private health insurance would be able to pick up over-the-counter methods like condoms, the “morning after” pill and birth control pills for free under a new rule the White House proposed on Monday.

Right now, health insurers must cover the cost of prescribed contraception, including prescription birth control or even condoms that doctors have issued a prescription for. But the new rule would expand that coverage, allowing millions to buy condoms, birth control pills, or “morning after” pills from local storefronts for free without a prescription.

The proposal comes days before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">Election Day</a>, as Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;affixes her presidential campaign to a promise of expanding women's health care access in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to undo nationwide abortion rights two years ago. Harris has sought to craft a distinct contrast from her Republican challenger,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, who appointed some of the judges who issued that ruling.

“The proposed rule we announce today would expand access to birth control at no additional cost for millions of consumers,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. "Bottom line: women should have control over their personal health care decisions. And issuers and providers have an obligation to comply with the law.”

The emergency contraceptives that people on private insurance would be able to access without costs include levonorgestrel, a pill that needs to be taken immediately after sex to prevent pregnancy and is more commonly known by the brand name “Plan B.”

Without a doctor's prescription, women may pay as much as $50 for a pack of the pills. And women who delay buying the medication in order to get a doctor's prescription might jeopardize the pill's effectiveness, since it is most likely to prevent a pregnancy within 72 hours after sex.

If implemented, the new rule would also require insurers to fully bear the cost of the once-a-day Opill, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birth-control-pill-pharmacy-contraceptive-add40fec7589dae8ba26eb29bee36b8b">new over-the-counter birth control pill</a>&nbsp;that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved last year. A one-month supply of the pills costs $20.

Copays prevent some women from purchasing birth control, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in a statement that praised the newly proposed rule.

“Birth control is a critical part of so many of our patients’ lives, but the simple truth is that even with insurance coverage, the cost of copays can be prohibitive for many people," the statement said.

Federal mandates for private health insurance to cover contraceptive care were first introduced with the Affordable Care Act, which required plans to pick up the cost of FDA-approved birth control that had been prescribed by a doctor as a preventative service.

America's Health Insurance Plans, the lobbying group for private health insurers, said Monday it was reviewing the proposal.

The proposed rule would not impact those on Medicaid, the insurance program for the poorest Americans. States are largely left to design their own rules around Medicaid coverage for contraception, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/report/medicaid-coverage-of-family-planning-benefits-findings-from-a-2021-state-survey/">few</a>&nbsp;cover over-the-counter methods like Plan B or condoms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685626036011.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of people with private health insurance would be able to pick up over-the-counter methods like condoms, the “morning after” pill and birth control pills for free under a new rule the White House proposed on Monday.Right now, health insurers must cover the cost of prescribed contraception, including prescription birth control or even condoms that doctors have issued a prescription for. But the new rule would expand that coverage, allowing millions to buy condoms, birth control pills, or “morning after” pills from local storefronts for free without a prescription.The proposal comes days before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">Election Day</a>, as Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;affixes her presidential campaign to a promise of expanding women's health care access in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to undo nationwide abortion rights two years ago. Harris has sought to craft a distinct contrast from her Republican challenger,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, who appointed some of the judges who issued that ruling.“The proposed rule we announce today would expand access to birth control at no additional cost for millions of consumers,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. "Bottom line: women should have control over their personal health care decisions. And issuers and providers have an obligation to comply with the law.”The emergency contraceptives that people on private insurance would be able to access without costs include levonorgestrel, a pill that needs to be taken immediately after sex to prevent pregnancy and is more commonly known by the brand name “Plan B.”Without a doctor's prescription, women may pay as much as $50 for a pack of the pills. And women who delay buying the medication in order to get a doctor's prescription might jeopardize the pill's effectiveness, since it is most likely to prevent a pregnancy within 72 hours after sex.If implemented, the new rule would also require insurers to fully bear the cost of the once-a-day Opill, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birth-control-pill-pharmacy-contraceptive-add40fec7589dae8ba26eb29bee36b8b">new over-the-counter birth control pill</a>&nbsp;that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved last year. A one-month supply of the pills costs $20.Copays prevent some women from purchasing birth control, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in a statement that praised the newly proposed rule.“Birth control is a critical part of so many of our patients’ lives, but the simple truth is that even with insurance coverage, the cost of copays can be prohibitive for many people," the statement said.Federal mandates for private health insurance to cover contraceptive care were first introduced with the Affordable Care Act, which required plans to pick up the cost of FDA-approved birth control that had been prescribed by a doctor as a preventative service.America's Health Insurance Plans, the lobbying group for private health insurers, said Monday it was reviewing the proposal.The proposed rule would not impact those on Medicaid, the insurance program for the poorest Americans. States are largely left to design their own rules around Medicaid coverage for contraception, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/report/medicaid-coverage-of-family-planning-benefits-findings-from-a-2021-state-survey/">few</a>&nbsp;cover over-the-counter methods like Plan B or condoms.

Ahead of election, White House proposes free over-the-counter birth control

FINNEY COUNTY—Fire crews saved a dog during a fire at building in rural southwest Kansas.

On Monday, the Garden City Fire Department reported crews were&nbsp;dispatched just after 8:30 a.m. October 17,  to the report of a building fire at 4552 E. Highway 50 in&nbsp; Garden City, according to a media release.&nbsp;

Command found heavy smoke and fire coming from a single story rural building.&nbsp;

Personnel established a water supply and completed initial knockdown of the fire. Engine 2 personnel completed primary and secondary searches of the structure and successfullym removed one dog to safety.

The fire was called under control at approximately 12:23 p.m.

Fire Investigator Andy Crittenden determined the cause of the fire was was accidental. Authorities have not released a damage estimates. Other than the dog, the building was not occupied.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

FINNEY COUNTY—Fire crews saved a dog during a fire at building in rural southwest Kansas.On Monday, the Garden City Fire Department reported crews were&nbsp;dispatched just after 8:30 a.m. October 17, to the report of a building fire at 4552 E. Highway 50 in&nbsp; Garden City, according to a media release.&nbsp;Command found heavy smoke and fire coming from a single story rural building.&nbsp;Personnel established a water supply and completed initial knockdown of the fire. Engine 2 personnel completed primary and secondary searches of the structure and successfullym removed one dog to safety.The fire was called under control at approximately 12:23 p.m.Fire Investigator Andy Crittenden determined the cause of the fire was was accidental. Authorities have not released a damage estimates. Other than the dog, the building was not occupied.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Crews rescue dog from fire in rural southwest Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three teens on drug allegations.

On&nbsp;October 18, 2024 the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit and Detectives Unit followed up on a tip involving runaway juvenile girls, suspected of using fentanyl and running with adults involved with the distribution and usage of fentanyl, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office.

Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block of SE 10th Street in Topeka.&nbsp; Deputies located a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl inside the vehicle with a large amount of fentanyl pills. 

The juvenile female was identified as Bria R. Ingram, 16, a reported runaway out of Shawnee County. Ingram was taken into custody. Follow up investigation was conducted at a motel in the 3800 block of SW Topeka Boulevard. Additional fentanyl pills were located, as well as another reported runaway, Rhiannon R. Jones, 17. 

Justin A. Ray, 19, was also taken into custody. After medical clearance at a local hospital, Ingram and Jones were booked into the Shawnee County Juvenile Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant;&nbsp;Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body. 

Ray was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on charges of&nbsp;Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant,&nbsp;Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body and&nbsp;Contributing to a child’s misconduct.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729513894785.png" alt="Ray photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Ray photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three teens on drug allegations.On&nbsp;October 18, 2024 the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit and Detectives Unit followed up on a tip involving runaway juvenile girls, suspected of using fentanyl and running with adults involved with the distribution and usage of fentanyl, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office.Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block of SE 10th Street in Topeka.&nbsp; Deputies located a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl inside the vehicle with a large amount of fentanyl pills. The juvenile female was identified as Bria R. Ingram, 16, a reported runaway out of Shawnee County. Ingram was taken into custody. Follow up investigation was conducted at a motel in the 3800 block of SW Topeka Boulevard. Additional fentanyl pills were located, as well as another reported runaway, Rhiannon R. Jones, 17. Justin A. Ray, 19, was also taken into custody. After medical clearance at a local hospital, Ingram and Jones were booked into the Shawnee County Juvenile Department of Corrections on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant;&nbsp;Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body. Ray was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on charges of&nbsp;Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant,&nbsp;Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body and&nbsp;Contributing to a child’s misconduct.

Deputies found runaway teens, fentanyl pills at Kansas motel

A Kansas federal judge decided his court did not have jurisdiction in the case brought by Denton Loudermill of Olathe against state Sens. Rick Brattin, Denny Hoskins and Nick Schroer over social media messages accusing him of being a shooter and an ‘illegal alien’

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 federal judge on Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/04/three-missouri-state-senators-sued-for-defamation-over-posts-about-chiefs-parade-shooting/">dismissed defamation lawsuits</a>&nbsp;against three Missouri state senators who made social media posts incorrectly identifying a Kansas man as an undocumented immigrant and the shooter at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory celebration.

Denton Loudermill,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/29/wrongly-accused-kansas-city-shooting-defamation-missouri/">the plaintiff in the case</a>, had not shown that the Kansas federal court where he filed the lawsuit is the right one, U.S. District Judge John Broomes ruled. In the eight-page decision, almost identical for each case except for changing names, Broomes ruled that Republican state Sens. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Denny Hoskins, of Warrensburg, and Nick Schroer, of Defiance, had shown they had not intended to target Kansas with their posts and therefore should not be sued in a Kansas court.

The decision came just about a month after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/judge-dismisses-kansas-mans-defamation-lawsuit-against-burchett-lawyer-vows-to-file-it-again-in-dc/51-5d03f6f3-3b1f-425c-a12a-47737151280a" target="_blank">Broomes dismissed</a>&nbsp;Loudermill’s lawsuit&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/25/kansas-city-shooting-lawsuit-tennessee-defamation/">against U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee</a>&nbsp;for defamatory social media posts. Broomes gave the same reasons for dismissing the case against the three senators that he did in dismissing the lawsuit against Burchett.

The shooting at the end of the victory celebration left one person dead and at least&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/17/kansas-city-super-bowl-rally-shooting-victims-pick-up-pieces-but-gun-violence-haunts-their-lives/">24 people injured</a>.

Just because a post on the internet can be read in a particular location does not mean that location can claim jurisdiction over the person who made the post, Broomes wrote, quoting appeals court precedent.

“Plaintiff has failed to put forth any evidence from which this court could find that defendant ‘purposefully directed [its] activities at residents of the forum, and the litigation results&nbsp;from alleged injuries that arise out of or relate to those activities,’” Broomes wrote, again quoting another case.

Broomes declined to transfer the case to the Western District of Missouri, which includes the location of the victory celebration and the Missouri Capitol Building in Jefferson City.

The cases are not dead, Arthur Benson, attorney for Loudermill, said in an email to The Independent.

“They will be re-filed soon in Missouri,” he said, declining to give any more information.

In the defense provided to the three senators&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/missouri-ag-will-defend-senators-sued-for-defamation-over-posts-about-chiefs-parade-shooting/">by Attorney General Andrew Bailey</a>, they claimed they wrote the social media posts “while … engaged in … regular duties as a Missouri State Senator in Cole County, Missouri,” Broomes noted.

Broomes did not rule on the claims Brattin, Hoskins and Schroer made that they were immune from being sued for their statements because of their official positions.

Bailey’s office, in a statement, called the decision a victory for the state maintaining jurisdiction over cases involving Missourians.

“Questions of Missouri law belong in Missouri courts, not in remote courts in other states,” spokeswoman Madeline Sieren wrote in an email. “We have said that from Day One. Missourians should rest assured that Attorney General Bailey will always follow the law, even when it’s not easy.”&nbsp;

Bailey’s participation in the case generated its own dispute. In a May letter to the commissioner of the Office of Administration, the state agency that certifies payments from Missouri’s legal expense fund,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/20/parson-orders-state-agency-not-to-pay-legal-expenses-for-legislators-facing-defamation-suit/">Gov. Mike Parson wrote</a>&nbsp;that no payments related to the lawsuits should be certified “without my approval or a court order.”

“I cannot justify money spent in this way,” Parson wrote.

Bailey was protecting a legitimate state interest, Sieren said Monday.

“The state has an interest in ensuring remote courts in other states cannot answer questions of Missouri law,” she said.

The lawsuits grew out of social media posts made soon after shooting erupted after the Feb. 14 Super Bowl victory parade and rally at Union Station in Kansas City. Loudermill, who was born in Kansas and lives there now, was detained briefly because he was too slow to leave the area of the shooting, he told The Independent earlier this year.

A photo of him, seated, with his hands restrained behind his back, was posted on X, formally known as Twitter, by an account with the name Deep Truth Intel. That post incorrectly identified him with a name associated with misinformation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68353305" target="_blank">posted after other shootings</a>&nbsp;and said he was an undocumented immigrant.

Soon after that initial social media post, the Missouri Freedom Caucus, Hoskins, Brattin, Schroer and Burchett posted their own versions, some with the photo, some without.

“These are 3 people arrested at the parade…at least one of those arrested is an illegal immigrant. CLOSE OUR BORDERS!” the Missouri Freedom Caucus posted.&nbsp;

The post was deleted and the Missouri Freedom Caucus also sought to retract its mistake, linking to a KMBC post about Loudermill’s effort to clear his name.

“Denton is an Olathe native, a father of three &amp; a proud @Chiefs fan,” the post states. “He’s not a mass shooter. Images of him being detained for being intoxicated &amp; not moving away from the crime scene at the Chiefs rally have spread online. He just wants to clear his name.”

Hoskins’ version shared a screenshot of the initial anonymous post and blamed President Joe Biden and political leaders of Kansas City for making the shooting possible.

Brattin’s first post linking Loudermill to the shooting, since deleted, demanded “#POTUS CLOSE THE BORDER” and incorporated the deleted anonymous post that kicked everything off.

Schroer was the least certain post about the immigration and arrest status of Loudermill among the three.

Schroer’s post included a link to one from Burchett stating, over Loudermill’s photo, that “One of the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade shooters has been identified as an illegal Alien.”

“Can we get any confirmation or denial of this from local officials or law enforcement?” Schroer wrote. “I’ve been sent videos or stills showing at least 6 different people arrested from yesterday but officially told only 3 still in custody. The people deserve answers.”

Brattin did not respond immediately to a request for comment on the decision.&nbsp;

Hoskins, the Republican nominee for secretary of state, said he was pleased by the decision and now wants to see the people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-super-bowl-shooting-kansas-city-parade-57662b493b2d987288dabca4bc5fd6f1" target="_blank">charged with the shootings</a>&nbsp;brought to trial.

“I will continue to pray for the innocent victims of the Kansas City parade shooting,” Hoskins said.

Schroer said he sees the decision as vindication and that he is considering legal action for defamation against media outlets.

“I am glad that the rule of law has been maintained and these frivolous lawsuits targeting conservative Senators were dismissed,” Schroer said. “Lawmakers absolutely should have the ability to question the validity of claims regarding whether or not criminals murdering our constituents are legal citizens.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718363839545.png" alt="A federal judge on Monday dismissed a defamation lawsuit against state Sens. Rick Brattin, center, speaking,&nbsp;Denny Hoskins, left, and Nick Schroer, second from left, over social media posts about the Kansas City Chiefs victory celebration shooting.(Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>A federal judge on Monday dismissed a defamation lawsuit against state Sens. Rick Brattin, center, speaking,&nbsp;Denny Hoskins, left, and Nick Schroer, second from left, over social media posts about the Kansas City Chiefs victory celebration shooting.(Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A Kansas federal judge decided his court did not have jurisdiction in the case brought by Denton Loudermill of Olathe against state Sens. Rick Brattin, Denny Hoskins and Nick Schroer over social media messages accusing him of being a shooter and an ‘illegal alien’</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 federal judge on Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/04/three-missouri-state-senators-sued-for-defamation-over-posts-about-chiefs-parade-shooting/">dismissed defamation lawsuits</a>&nbsp;against three Missouri state senators who made social media posts incorrectly identifying a Kansas man as an undocumented immigrant and the shooter at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory celebration.Denton Loudermill,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/29/wrongly-accused-kansas-city-shooting-defamation-missouri/">the plaintiff in the case</a>, had not shown that the Kansas federal court where he filed the lawsuit is the right one, U.S. District Judge John Broomes ruled. In the eight-page decision, almost identical for each case except for changing names, Broomes ruled that Republican state Sens. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Denny Hoskins, of Warrensburg, and Nick Schroer, of Defiance, had shown they had not intended to target Kansas with their posts and therefore should not be sued in a Kansas court.The decision came just about a month after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/judge-dismisses-kansas-mans-defamation-lawsuit-against-burchett-lawyer-vows-to-file-it-again-in-dc/51-5d03f6f3-3b1f-425c-a12a-47737151280a" target="_blank">Broomes dismissed</a>&nbsp;Loudermill’s lawsuit&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/25/kansas-city-shooting-lawsuit-tennessee-defamation/">against U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee</a>&nbsp;for defamatory social media posts. Broomes gave the same reasons for dismissing the case against the three senators that he did in dismissing the lawsuit against Burchett.The shooting at the end of the victory celebration left one person dead and at least&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/10/17/kansas-city-super-bowl-rally-shooting-victims-pick-up-pieces-but-gun-violence-haunts-their-lives/">24 people injured</a>.Just because a post on the internet can be read in a particular location does not mean that location can claim jurisdiction over the person who made the post, Broomes wrote, quoting appeals court precedent.“Plaintiff has failed to put forth any evidence from which this court could find that defendant ‘purposefully directed [its] activities at residents of the forum, and the litigation results&nbsp;from alleged injuries that arise out of or relate to those activities,’” Broomes wrote, again quoting another case.Broomes declined to transfer the case to the Western District of Missouri, which includes the location of the victory celebration and the Missouri Capitol Building in Jefferson City.The cases are not dead, Arthur Benson, attorney for Loudermill, said in an email to The Independent.“They will be re-filed soon in Missouri,” he said, declining to give any more information.In the defense provided to the three senators&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/02/missouri-ag-will-defend-senators-sued-for-defamation-over-posts-about-chiefs-parade-shooting/">by Attorney General Andrew Bailey</a>, they claimed they wrote the social media posts “while … engaged in … regular duties as a Missouri State Senator in Cole County, Missouri,” Broomes noted.Broomes did not rule on the claims Brattin, Hoskins and Schroer made that they were immune from being sued for their statements because of their official positions.Bailey’s office, in a statement, called the decision a victory for the state maintaining jurisdiction over cases involving Missourians.“Questions of Missouri law belong in Missouri courts, not in remote courts in other states,” spokeswoman Madeline Sieren wrote in an email. “We have said that from Day One. Missourians should rest assured that Attorney General Bailey will always follow the law, even when it’s not easy.”&nbsp;Bailey’s participation in the case generated its own dispute. In a May letter to the commissioner of the Office of Administration, the state agency that certifies payments from Missouri’s legal expense fund,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/20/parson-orders-state-agency-not-to-pay-legal-expenses-for-legislators-facing-defamation-suit/">Gov. Mike Parson wrote</a>&nbsp;that no payments related to the lawsuits should be certified “without my approval or a court order.”“I cannot justify money spent in this way,” Parson wrote.Bailey was protecting a legitimate state interest, Sieren said Monday.“The state has an interest in ensuring remote courts in other states cannot answer questions of Missouri law,” she said.The lawsuits grew out of social media posts made soon after shooting erupted after the Feb. 14 Super Bowl victory parade and rally at Union Station in Kansas City. Loudermill, who was born in Kansas and lives there now, was detained briefly because he was too slow to leave the area of the shooting, he told The Independent earlier this year.A photo of him, seated, with his hands restrained behind his back, was posted on X, formally known as Twitter, by an account with the name Deep Truth Intel. That post incorrectly identified him with a name associated with misinformation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68353305" target="_blank">posted after other shootings</a>&nbsp;and said he was an undocumented immigrant.Soon after that initial social media post, the Missouri Freedom Caucus, Hoskins, Brattin, Schroer and Burchett posted their own versions, some with the photo, some without.“These are 3 people arrested at the parade…at least one of those arrested is an illegal immigrant. CLOSE OUR BORDERS!” the Missouri Freedom Caucus posted.&nbsp;The post was deleted and the Missouri Freedom Caucus also sought to retract its mistake, linking to a KMBC post about Loudermill’s effort to clear his name.“Denton is an Olathe native, a father of three &amp; a proud @Chiefs fan,” the post states. “He’s not a mass shooter. Images of him being detained for being intoxicated &amp; not moving away from the crime scene at the Chiefs rally have spread online. He just wants to clear his name.”Hoskins’ version shared a screenshot of the initial anonymous post and blamed President Joe Biden and political leaders of Kansas City for making the shooting possible.Brattin’s first post linking Loudermill to the shooting, since deleted, demanded “#POTUS CLOSE THE BORDER” and incorporated the deleted anonymous post that kicked everything off.Schroer was the least certain post about the immigration and arrest status of Loudermill among the three.Schroer’s post included a link to one from Burchett stating, over Loudermill’s photo, that “One of the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade shooters has been identified as an illegal Alien.”“Can we get any confirmation or denial of this from local officials or law enforcement?” Schroer wrote. “I’ve been sent videos or stills showing at least 6 different people arrested from yesterday but officially told only 3 still in custody. The people deserve answers.”Brattin did not respond immediately to a request for comment on the decision.&nbsp;Hoskins, the Republican nominee for secretary of state, said he was pleased by the decision and now wants to see the people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-super-bowl-shooting-kansas-city-parade-57662b493b2d987288dabca4bc5fd6f1" target="_blank">charged with the shootings</a>&nbsp;brought to trial.“I will continue to pray for the innocent victims of the Kansas City parade shooting,” Hoskins said.Schroer said he sees the decision as vindication and that he is considering legal action for defamation against media outlets.“I am glad that the rule of law has been maintained and these frivolous lawsuits targeting conservative Senators were dismissed,” Schroer said. “Lawmakers absolutely should have the ability to question the validity of claims regarding whether or not criminals murdering our constituents are legal citizens.”

Judge dismisses case against Mo. senators over Chiefs parade shooting posts

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Crews battled&nbsp; back to back fires Monday near Mulvane.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Construction workers were cutting rebar and started grass on fire near the Kansas Turnpike at exit 33, according to a social media report from Mulvane Fire&nbsp; and Rescue.

 While that grass fire was going on, a local farmer had an issue with a hot bearing in the rear straw walker.  Farmer thought it was out but the fire soon reoccurred and caught the engine compartment on fire.  The combine was full of diesel fuel.  Thanks to Cowley County Fire District IV for mutual aid on the combine fire!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729593937051.png" alt="Photo Mulvane Fire and Rescue" />
 <figcaption>Photo Mulvane Fire and Rescue</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Crews battled&nbsp; back to back fires Monday near Mulvane.&nbsp;&nbsp;Construction workers were cutting rebar and started grass on fire near the Kansas Turnpike at exit 33, according to a social media report from Mulvane Fire&nbsp; and Rescue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729593735307.png" alt="Photo Mulvane Fire and Rescue" />
 <figcaption>Photo Mulvane Fire and Rescue</figcaption>
 </figure> While that grass fire was going on, a local farmer had an issue with a hot bearing in the rear straw walker. Farmer thought it was out but the fire soon reoccurred and caught the engine compartment on fire. The combine was full of diesel fuel. Thanks to Cowley County Fire District IV for mutual aid on the combine fire!

South-central Kansas fire crews battled back to back fires

With just over two weeks to go before the 2024 presidential election and the race in a dead heat,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;are hitting the campaign trail in strategic battleground states.

The Republican nominee made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-donald-trump-2024-north-carolina-2dea5d3130416a56f21a5c22ce2e4386">three North Carolina stops</a>&nbsp;Monday, including a visit to see storm damage in Asheville.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Harris</a>&nbsp;is out to win over suburban voters in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-election-2024-gop-c584f9860260f48ddff90ab2dca0433a">key Midwestern battleground states</a>&nbsp;and teaming up with Republican Liz Cheney.

Harris has closed her final event of the day

She ended the evening by saying, “I hope to earn your vote, by the way.”

Cheney: ‘We’re better than partisanship’

Cheney says that the U.S. has to be able to say, “We’re better than partisanship,” as she seeks to convince undecided voters to back Harris.

Harris herself says U.S. democracy requires a “two-party system.” She says debates are important and disagreements are, too. “But not name calling.”

She says that Trump wants to focus only on himself and his grievances.

Harris reaches out to Americans who are anti-abortion

Harris says she’s spoken with Americans who are anti-abortion who are surprised and concerned by the post-Roe medical landscape and “did not intend for the harm” that some women are now suffering because of increasing abortion restrictions.

Women in some states have lost access to reproductive care in states with strict abortion laws.

She was asked about reproductive rights by an undecided voter who says she is a conservative Christian but she feels the laws post-Roe are less about the unborn and “more about controlling women.”

Harris is looking to win over Republican voters

Harris — with help from Cheney — is trying to convince Republicans who are concerned about Trump to instead vote for her.

She’s speaking to a small theater of voters in the critical battleground state of Wisconsin — some of those in attendance have never voted for a Democrat, according to the event’s moderator.

Trump wrapped up his speech at a campaign event in Concord, North Carolina where he largely tried to appeal to Christian voters by repeating his criticism about transgender athletes and his proposal to conduct a large-scale deportation operation. Trump said that during his administration, he fought for Christians “like no president has ever fought before.”

Walz says some Republicans want to 'move off the MAGA stuff'

Vice presidential nominee Tim Walz says the Democratic ticket is focused on attracting traditional Republicans to support Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

In an interview with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central's “The Daily Show,” Minnesota Gov. Walz says a lot of the undecided voters he meets on the campaign trail are Republicans.

“It’s a lot of those folks that are trying to get permission to move off the MAGA stuff and move over,” he says. “These are folks that want to find a reason to not vote for Donald Trump. We need to give them that.”

Trump endorses the Republican candidate for Alaska’s only House seat

Trump participated in a telerally late Monday for Republican Nick Begich, who is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola for Alaska’s only House seat.

Trump endorsed Begich after the Republican he’d initially backed withdrew following the primary.

Peltola in 2022 became the first Alaska Native in Congress after winning special and regular elections for the seat, defeating opponents including Begich. Trump dismissed her election as a “fluke.”

There have been repeated affirmations from Trump’s Concord crowd, bursts of applause and standing ovations for some of Trump’s accomplishments like the appointment of three U.S. Supreme Court justices.

Many in the crowd have joined into a one-sided conversation with Trump as he has mentioned Harris, with numerous shouts of “go home, Kamala” and “the enemy” when mentions of Democrats have been made.

Trump reflects on his faith, says Harris is ‘very destructive to religion’

Compared to his typical rallies and town halls, Trump’s faith leader event in Concord, North Carolina, has placed spirituality at the forefront. Supporters have chanted “Jesus” and “Praise God” throughout the night.

Trump spent some time reflecting on the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, where a bullet grazed his ear. Trump shared how his parents used to take him to church in Queens and Manhattan.

“As I look back at my life’s journey and events, I now recognize that it’s been the hand of God leading me to where I am today,” he said. “I would like to think that God saved me for a purpose. And that’s to make our country greater than ever before.”

Trump said his opponent Kamala Harris is “very destructive to religion.”

Biden shouts out Harris while honoring artists at a medal ceremony

At a White House ceremony honoring winners of the National Medals of Arts and National Humanities Medals, Biden took a brief detour in his remarks to give a shoutout to Harris’ run for the White House.

“I know the power of the women in this room to get things done” and boost the next generation, Biden told the crowd that included singer and actress Queen Latifah and poet Joy Harjo. He added that female winners were “proving a woman can do anything a man can do, and then some, that includes being president of the United States of America.”

The line drew a standing ovation from the star-studded crowd that also included directors Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg, and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin.

Biden also told the winners that the moment was a “very consequential time in the arts and humanities in America” because “extreme forces are banning books, trying to erase history, spreading misinformation.”

6 inches of snow delay early voting in Fairbanks, Alaska

Election season has coincided with the first major cold-weather storm, leading to a delayed start for voting in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The state Division of Elections canceled early voting Monday in Fairbanks after more than 6 inches of wet, heavy snow fell overnight. That snow transitioned into rain Monday morning, leaving water on top of super compact, hard snow, said Stephen Dennis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Besides upending the first day of early voting, the ice and snow also prompted the cancelation of all in-person classes at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a plea from city police to avoid unnecessary travel.

The forecast calls for more accumulation Tuesday, with up to 10 inches of snow expected to fall.

Pennsylvania man charged with threatening to kill a state political party employee

The Pennsylvania man has been charged with threatening to kill a state political party employee who was recruiting Election Day poll watchers, the Justice Department said Monday.

Prosecutors say John Courtney Pollard, 62, texted the state political party representative that he was interested in being a poll watcher after the person posted online last month that they were looking for volunteers.

Pollard, of Philadelphia, then sent the person a series of threatening messages, threatening to kill them in one if they didn’t respond and threatening to skin them alive in another, prosecutors allege.

There was no attorney listed in the court docket for Pollard, and a voice message was left on a cellphone listed for him.

The case was brought through the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, which was created in 2021 amid escalating threats of violence against election workers nationwide.

They’re eating gummies, all sorts of things’

In her conversation with Harris, Shriver asked the Democratic nominee about what she is doing to de-stress, saying that Americans say they’re turning off the news, they’re doing yoga, “they’re eating gummies, all sorts of things.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729553617190.png" alt="Vice President Harris and Republican Liz Cheney at a campaign event on Monday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Harris and Republican Liz Cheney at a campaign event on Monday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>With just over two weeks to go before the 2024 presidential election and the race in a dead heat,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;are hitting the campaign trail in strategic battleground states.The Republican nominee made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-donald-trump-2024-north-carolina-2dea5d3130416a56f21a5c22ce2e4386">three North Carolina stops</a>&nbsp;Monday, including a visit to see storm damage in Asheville.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Harris</a>&nbsp;is out to win over suburban voters in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-election-2024-gop-c584f9860260f48ddff90ab2dca0433a">key Midwestern battleground states</a>&nbsp;and teaming up with Republican Liz Cheney.Here’s the latest:<h2>Harris has closed her final event of the day</h2>She ended the evening by saying, “I hope to earn your vote, by the way.”<h2>Cheney: ‘We’re better than partisanship’</h2>Cheney says that the U.S. has to be able to say, “We’re better than partisanship,” as she seeks to convince undecided voters to back Harris.Harris herself says U.S. democracy requires a “two-party system.” She says debates are important and disagreements are, too. “But not name calling.”She says that Trump wants to focus only on himself and his grievances.<h2>Harris reaches out to Americans who are anti-abortion</h2>Harris says she’s spoken with Americans who are anti-abortion who are surprised and concerned by the post-Roe medical landscape and “did not intend for the harm” that some women are now suffering because of increasing abortion restrictions.Women in some states have lost access to reproductive care in states with strict abortion laws.She was asked about reproductive rights by an undecided voter who says she is a conservative Christian but she feels the laws post-Roe are less about the unborn and “more about controlling women.”<h2>Harris is looking to win over Republican voters</h2>Harris — with help from Cheney — is trying to convince Republicans who are concerned about Trump to instead vote for her.She’s speaking to a small theater of voters in the critical battleground state of Wisconsin — some of those in attendance have never voted for a Democrat, according to the event’s moderator.<h2>Trump wraps faith campaign event</h2><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“We ask God to give you strength, comfort, and peace…When I’m President, I will stand with you until the communities are fully rebuilt” <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> <a href="https://t.co/cmSzExICEk">pic.twitter.com/cmSzExICEk</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@margommartin) <a href="https://twitter.com/margommartin/status/1848408324615655754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump wrapped up his speech at a campaign event in Concord, North Carolina where he largely tried to appeal to Christian voters by repeating his criticism about transgender athletes and his proposal to conduct a large-scale deportation operation. Trump said that during his administration, he fought for Christians “like no president has ever fought before.”<h2>Walz says some Republicans want to 'move off the MAGA stuff'</h2>Vice presidential nominee Tim Walz says the Democratic ticket is focused on attracting traditional Republicans to support Vice President Kamala Harris for president.In an interview with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central's “The Daily Show,” Minnesota Gov. Walz says a lot of the undecided voters he meets on the campaign trail are Republicans.“It’s a lot of those folks that are trying to get permission to move off the MAGA stuff and move over,” he says. “These are folks that want to find a reason to not vote for Donald Trump. We need to give them that.”<h2>Trump endorses the Republican candidate for Alaska’s only House seat</h2>Trump participated in a telerally late Monday for Republican Nick Begich, who is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola for Alaska’s only House seat.Trump endorsed Begich after the Republican he’d initially backed withdrew following the primary.Peltola in 2022 became the first Alaska Native in Congress after winning special and regular elections for the seat, defeating opponents including Begich. Trump dismissed her election as a “fluke.”<h2>Trump’s energetic crowd</h2>There have been repeated affirmations from Trump’s Concord crowd, bursts of applause and standing ovations for some of Trump’s accomplishments like the appointment of three U.S. Supreme Court justices.Many in the crowd have joined into a one-sided conversation with Trump as he has mentioned Harris, with numerous shouts of “go home, Kamala” and “the enemy” when mentions of Democrats have been made.<h2>Trump reflects on his faith, says Harris is ‘very destructive to religion’</h2>Compared to his typical rallies and town halls, Trump’s faith leader event in Concord, North Carolina, has placed spirituality at the forefront. Supporters have chanted “Jesus” and “Praise God” throughout the night.Trump spent some time reflecting on the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, where a bullet grazed his ear. Trump shared how his parents used to take him to church in Queens and Manhattan.“As I look back at my life’s journey and events, I now recognize that it’s been the hand of God leading me to where I am today,” he said. “I would like to think that God saved me for a purpose. And that’s to make our country greater than ever before.”Trump said his opponent Kamala Harris is “very destructive to religion.”<h2>Biden shouts out Harris while honoring artists at a medal ceremony</h2>At a White House ceremony honoring winners of the National Medals of Arts and National Humanities Medals, Biden took a brief detour in his remarks to give a shoutout to Harris’ run for the White House.“I know the power of the women in this room to get things done” and boost the next generation, Biden told the crowd that included singer and actress Queen Latifah and poet Joy Harjo. He added that female winners were “proving a woman can do anything a man can do, and then some, that includes being president of the United States of America.”The line drew a standing ovation from the star-studded crowd that also included directors Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg, and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin.Biden also told the winners that the moment was a “very consequential time in the arts and humanities in America” because “extreme forces are banning books, trying to erase history, spreading misinformation.”<h2>6 inches of snow delay early voting in Fairbanks, Alaska</h2>Election season has coincided with the first major cold-weather storm, leading to a delayed start for voting in Fairbanks, Alaska.The state Division of Elections canceled early voting Monday in Fairbanks after more than 6 inches of wet, heavy snow fell overnight. That snow transitioned into rain Monday morning, leaving water on top of super compact, hard snow, said Stephen Dennis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.Besides upending the first day of early voting, the ice and snow also prompted the cancelation of all in-person classes at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a plea from city police to avoid unnecessary travel.The forecast calls for more accumulation Tuesday, with up to 10 inches of snow expected to fall.<h2>Pennsylvania man charged with threatening to kill a state political party employee</h2>The Pennsylvania man has been charged with threatening to kill a state political party employee who was recruiting Election Day poll watchers, the Justice Department said Monday.Prosecutors say John Courtney Pollard, 62, texted the state political party representative that he was interested in being a poll watcher after the person posted online last month that they were looking for volunteers.Pollard, of Philadelphia, then sent the person a series of threatening messages, threatening to kill them in one if they didn’t respond and threatening to skin them alive in another, prosecutors allege.There was no attorney listed in the court docket for Pollard, and a voice message was left on a cellphone listed for him.The case was brought through the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, which was created in 2021 amid escalating threats of violence against election workers nationwide.<h2>They’re eating gummies, all sorts of things’</h2>In her conversation with Harris, Shriver asked the Democratic nominee about what she is doing to de-stress, saying that Americans say they’re turning off the news, they’re doing yoga, “they’re eating gummies, all sorts of things.”The crowd laughed and Harris said: “Not eating gummies,” with a chuckle. Harris said she was having trouble sleeping. She says she wakes up in the middle of the night and she works out in the morning and that her family grounds her.But she also says that Americans should not despair. Everyone in a Democracy has the ability to make a decision about the future through their votes. “Let’s not feel powerless,” she said. “That’s not in our nature.”<h2>Harris: Trump can be manipulated ‘by dictators and autocrats’</h2>Harris says Trump “has been manipulated and is so clearly able to be manipulated by favor and flattery including by dictators and autocrats.”She says if he wins the White House, Ukraine will fall to Russia and that will have terrible consequences globally.Harris praised the bipartisan support for Ukraine in Congress and said she believes it will continue but that she worries about Trump’s embrace of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.<h2>Harris and Cheney haven’t always gotten along</h2>With Liz Cheney becoming one of Harris’ fiercest advocates — the two are currently at a campaign event together — the Trump campaign is resurfacing a 2019 post made by a Harris campaign spokesman criticizing the former Wyoming representative and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney.The post made by Harris spokesman Ian Sams says, “Liz Cheney helped lead us into Iraq from a special State Department Middle East post her dad’s administration created for her.” The post was made in response to Cheney’s then-criticism of Harris.Democrats have long vilified Dick Cheney for his defense of the Iraq War. Liz Cheney was selected in 2005 by then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as principal deputy assistant for near Eastern affairs and to coordinate initiatives in the broader Middle East and North Africa.<h2>Harris continues to reintroduce herself</h2>Harris and Cheney are being interviewed by Maria Shriver, the former first lady of California under Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who says many voters feel they don’t know the vice president, and asked her to speak about herself “to give them a feeling for who you are.”Harris’ truncated campaign — she only started running for the presidency in July when President Biden stepped aside — has limited the time she’s had to introduce herself to the American public.“I am a wife. I am a mother. I am a sister,” she said. “I am a godmother. I love to cook. I started my career as a prosecutor.”<h2>Harris doesn’t find Trump funny</h2>Harris says voters should take Trump’s rhetoric seriously, rather than writing it off as some “sick sense of humor.”“Some people find it humorous, what he says, and it’s just silly,” she said. “But understand how serious it is.”She referenced that retired Gen. Mark A. Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs under Trump, reportedly described him as “fascist to the core.”<h2>Liz Cheney’s message to Republicans</h2>Liz Cheney has a message for GOP voters who don’t want to see Trump in the White House but are scared to go against their party and vote for Harris.She says Americans can “vote your conscience and not ever have to say a word to anybody.”Cheney says she thinks “millions” of Republicans will be quietly casting a vote for the Democrat.Cheney says she’s actively supporting Harris because she believes Trump is dangerous, especially because he tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election and still refuses to admit he lost.<h2>Trump has ended his speech at a rally in Greenville, North Carolina</h2>He thanked SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk for helping him&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-america-pac-donald-trump-344f1ecc9770c4e394fceb7bbbe2b237">campaign in Pennsylvania</a>.<h2>Trump’s attacks against Harris are getting nastier</h2>Trump keeps escalating his attacks on Harris at his Greenville, North Carolina, rally, calling her a “nutjob” and accusing her of lacking compassion and strength.He criticized Harris for being at a fundraiser in San Francisco after Hurricane Helene ravaged the U.S. Southeast.“Kamala Harris does not have the compassion, the smarts or the strength to be the president of the United States,” he said. “She just can’t do the job.”Trump has previously called Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kamala-harris-white-house-election-a38195f876767332c48d12226a6aea2f">“mentally impaired,”</a>&nbsp;and over the weekend he added a profanity when encouraging supporters to vote Democrats out of office.“You have to tell Kamala Harris that you’ve had enough, that you just can’t take it anymore, we can’t stand you anymore, you’re a s— vice president.”<h2>A secret message in the ladies’ room</h2>Harris is campaigning with Republican Liz Cheney at the Royal Oak Theater in Michigan, and inside the ladies’ room, there’s a secret message for women voters.“Woman to woman — your vote is secret,” the notes read. “Support reproductive rights this November.”The pink sticky notes are taped inside every stall.<h2>After Trump’s campaign appearance at a McDonald’s drive-thru, Harris criticized him for not supporting an increase in minimum wage</h2>She said that someone working full time at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 would only make $15,000 a year, which she said are “essentially poverty wages.”Harris also pointed to a nonpartisan analysis that said Trump’s policies would deplete Social Security.“Donald Trump clearly doesn’t understands the needs of working people.”<h2>At a North Carolina rally, Trump said Harris and the Biden administration haven’t done enough to help after Hurricane Helene</h2>At a rally in Greenville, North Carolina, Trump attacked his opponent and the Biden administration, claiming they haven’t properly supported the western part of the state after it was battered by Hurricane Helene last month.He repeated an incorrect claim that the federal government doesn’t have enough money for hurricane victims because it is being used to help immigrants in the country illegally.“They didn’t have any money left for North Carolina,” he said.The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund gets replenished every year by Congress and is used to pay for recovery from natural disasters. The agency said that money is only used for disaster-related efforts and hasn’t been diverted to support border issues.<h2>Harris responded to Trump’s accusations that she never worked at McDonald’s while she was a college student</h2>“Did I?” she said while getting off Air Force Two in Michigan. “I did.”Harris also gave a thumb’s up.<h2>The White House pushed back against statements by Trump that the administration failed to help after Hurricane Helene</h2>White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the Republican nominee’s comments “dangerous” and said they had been debunked on a bipartisan basis.Jean-Pierre noted that 5,500 federal personnel were in North Carolina and Florida after Helene and Hurricane Milton. And she said $2 billion in federal assistance had been approved for those affected in North Carolina.“They are dangerous,” Jean-Pierre said of Trump’s remarks. “They are unhelpful. It is not what leadership looks like.”