THOMAS COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 4p.m. Wednesday in Thomas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Jeep Cherokee driven by Kimberly K. Munk, 49, Oakley, was northbound on U.S. 83 approximately two miles north of U.S. 40&nbsp;

The Jeep was turning left into a&nbsp;&nbsp;private driveway. A southbound 2011 Dodge Charger driven by Sara Wilson, 33,&nbsp;Escanaba, Michigan, and the Jeep collided.

EMS transported Wilson and passengers in the Dodge&nbsp; Susan L. Englert, 68, Rochelle, Illinois; Sharon Wilson, 62, Lamar, Colorado and Levi Wilson, 2,&nbsp;Escanaba, Michigan, to Citizen's Medical Center where Englert was pronounced deceased.

EMS transported Munk and passengers in the Jeep, an 8-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl, to the Logan County Hospital. All seven were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

THOMAS COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 4p.m. Wednesday in Thomas County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Jeep Cherokee driven by Kimberly K. Munk, 49, Oakley, was northbound on U.S. 83 approximately two miles north of U.S. 40&nbsp;The Jeep was turning left into a&nbsp;&nbsp;private driveway. A southbound 2011 Dodge Charger driven by Sara Wilson, 33,&nbsp;Escanaba, Michigan, and the Jeep collided.EMS transported Wilson and passengers in the Dodge&nbsp; Susan L. Englert, 68, Rochelle, Illinois; Sharon Wilson, 62, Lamar, Colorado and Levi Wilson, 2,&nbsp;Escanaba, Michigan, to Citizen's Medical Center where Englert was pronounced deceased.EMS transported Munk and passengers in the Jeep, an 8-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl, to the Logan County Hospital. All seven were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Woman dead, 3 adults and 3 children injured in  Kansas crash

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The United States and Britain pledged nearly $1.5 billion in additional aid to Ukraine on Wednesday during a visit to Kyiv by their top diplomats as Ukrainian officials renewed their pleas to use Western-provided missiles against targets deeper inside Russia.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced more than $700 million in humanitarian aid, while British Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that his country would provide another $782 million in assistance and loan guarantees. Much of the effort was aimed at bolstering the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-energy-shutdowns-fc9f910c255ef5bd36e7f1782f073949">energy grid that Russia has repeatedly pounded</a>&nbsp;ahead of an expected difficult winter.

Blinken and Lammy traveled together to the Ukrainian capital on a rare joint tour to underscore their commitment to the country in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war</a>. Air-raid sirens sounded repeatedly during the visit, causing delays in their schedule and forcing them to cancel a wreath-laying ceremony.

Blinken said he would bring the discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the missiles “back to Washington to brief the president.” Blinken said U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will “no doubt” talk about the issue when they meet Friday in Washington.

“Speaking for the United States, we have adjusted and adapted as needs have changed, as the battlefield has changed. And I have no doubt that we’ll continue to do that as this evolves,” Blinken told a news conference.

The diplomatic visit unfolded as Russia’s bigger and better-equipped army bears down on Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-pokrovsk-df997d0f23bd7dcdfc6f20080ab133e7">eastern Donetsk region</a>&nbsp;and conducts aerial attacks on cities across the country using missiles, glide bombs and drones that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-missile-strike-poltava-region-a53f1a4500ef52e4bf8217ee0e8bca84">claim many civilian casualties</a>.

Lammy said the 2 1/2-year conflict is at a “critical” juncture following Ukraine's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-kursk-incursion-ca6d18d06606794580bdc779d2c98134">daring incursion</a>&nbsp;last month into Russia’s Kursk region.

"We convey the deepest condolences for the shocking attacks that we have seen, over the loss of civilian life, particularly women and children — horrific, barbaric, unbelievable,” Lammy said.

But relations between Ukraine and its Western partners have been increasingly strained by Kyiv’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-military-aid-zelenskyy-cf8addbd055e518a7a10a73d3d4353cd">repeated appeals</a>&nbsp;for the West’s authorization to use long-range weapons from the United States and other allies to strike targets deeper inside Russia.

That issue took on added urgency after Russia’s latest reported acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran, but Western leaders have so far balked at Ukraine's request, fearing that, if granted, it could escalate the war.

Biden has allowed Ukraine to fire U.S.-provided missiles across the border into Russia in self-defense, but has largely limited the distance they can be fired.

Zelenskyy said he hoped for changes to those limitations.

“Let’s count on some strong decisions, at least,” he said. “For us, it’s very important.”

He said he hoped to speak to Biden later this month, noting that U.S. military and financial support is crucial.

“We rely heavily on it, and frankly, we can’t prevail without it,” Zelenskyy said.

However, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week pushed back on the idea that long-range strikes would be a game-changer.

“I don’t believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment,” Austin said at a meeting of allied military leaders in Germany. The Ukrainians have other means to strike long-range targets, he added.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told Lammy he hoped an agreement on using long-range assets “for strikes on the territory of our enemy” could be reached. “We hope for your help and support in this issue.”

A hard winter likely lies ahead for Ukraine. Its power grid is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-energy-shutdowns-fc9f910c255ef5bd36e7f1782f073949">under severe strain</a>&nbsp;after Russian missiles and drones knocked out around 70% of the country’s generation capacity.

Kyiv officials will also have to navigate the outcome of the U.S. election in November, which could produce important policy shifts in Washington. Former President Donald Trump said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/harris-trump-debate-election-2024-updates">presidential debate</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that he wants the war to end but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-ukraine-russia-war-putin-98aed0b4ffd785c7865ee17f66030a1d">did not clearly say</a>&nbsp;he wants Ukraine to win.

“We remain committed to Ukraine’s victory,” Blinken said. “The bottom line is this: We want Ukraine to win.”

Ukrainian officials politely sidestepped making any comment on the debate. Zelenskyy said he did not watch it, while Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, insisted U.S. policy was ultimately unlikely to change.

“Yes, it’s clear that there will be a new president. But we believe, and are convinced, in the strong support of the American people,” Sybiha said. “We are firmly, firmly convinced that this support will continue.”

The latest American aid package includes $325 million in energy support to help repair and restore Ukraine’s power generation facilities, provide emergency backup power for critical services and strengthen the physical security of energy infrastructure.

Some $290 million will fund food, water, shelter, health care and education programs for Ukrainians in need in the country and refugees outside the country. The remaining $102 million will be used for mine-removal work.

Late last week, the U.S. announced it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-military-aid-zelenskyy-cf8addbd055e518a7a10a73d3d4353cd">send $250 million more in weapons to Ukraine</a>, including air-defense missiles and artillery.

Wednesday’s visit was, unusually, announced in advance — a public signal of American and British support for Ukraine.

The British diplomats reached the Ukrainian capital by train from Poland. Blinken traveled from London, where he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-britain-blinken-ukraine-iran-ballistic-missiles-russia-a2c3f92e213518063ccd5ad890105560">accused Iran of providing Russia</a>&nbsp;with Fath-360&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-ukraine-ballistic-missiles-us-intelligence-1e637abe11396989c641fa5bf3f57b24">short-range ballistic missiles,</a>&nbsp;calling the move a “dramatic escalation” of the war.

Referring to those missiles, Shmyhal added: “Russia’s use of weapons from its terrorist allies to strike at Ukraine continues their genocidal war and terrorism on our territory. We must be able to respond to such terrorism in kind by destroying military targets on their territory to ensure greater safety for our citizens.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726099008305.png" alt="Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote on his social media,"Together with our UK Ally, the United States continues our enduring support for Ukraine and its territorial integrity. In our meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Wednesday, we reiterated that we stand with Ukraine today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes.-courtesy&nbsp; photo" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote on his social media,"Together with our UK Ally, the United States continues our enduring support for Ukraine and its territorial integrity. In our meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Wednesday, we reiterated that we stand with Ukraine today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes.-courtesy&nbsp; photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The United States and Britain pledged nearly $1.5 billion in additional aid to Ukraine on Wednesday during a visit to Kyiv by their top diplomats as Ukrainian officials renewed their pleas to use Western-provided missiles against targets deeper inside Russia.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced more than $700 million in humanitarian aid, while British Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that his country would provide another $782 million in assistance and loan guarantees. Much of the effort was aimed at bolstering the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-energy-shutdowns-fc9f910c255ef5bd36e7f1782f073949">energy grid that Russia has repeatedly pounded</a>&nbsp;ahead of an expected difficult winter.Blinken and Lammy traveled together to the Ukrainian capital on a rare joint tour to underscore their commitment to the country in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war</a>. Air-raid sirens sounded repeatedly during the visit, causing delays in their schedule and forcing them to cancel a wreath-laying ceremony.Blinken said he would bring the discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the missiles “back to Washington to brief the president.” Blinken said U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will “no doubt” talk about the issue when they meet Friday in Washington.“Speaking for the United States, we have adjusted and adapted as needs have changed, as the battlefield has changed. And I have no doubt that we’ll continue to do that as this evolves,” Blinken told a news conference.The diplomatic visit unfolded as Russia’s bigger and better-equipped army bears down on Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-pokrovsk-df997d0f23bd7dcdfc6f20080ab133e7">eastern Donetsk region</a>&nbsp;and conducts aerial attacks on cities across the country using missiles, glide bombs and drones that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-missile-strike-poltava-region-a53f1a4500ef52e4bf8217ee0e8bca84">claim many civilian casualties</a>.Lammy said the 2 1/2-year conflict is at a “critical” juncture following Ukraine's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-kursk-incursion-ca6d18d06606794580bdc779d2c98134">daring incursion</a>&nbsp;last month into Russia’s Kursk region."We convey the deepest condolences for the shocking attacks that we have seen, over the loss of civilian life, particularly women and children — horrific, barbaric, unbelievable,” Lammy said.But relations between Ukraine and its Western partners have been increasingly strained by Kyiv’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-military-aid-zelenskyy-cf8addbd055e518a7a10a73d3d4353cd">repeated appeals</a>&nbsp;for the West’s authorization to use long-range weapons from the United States and other allies to strike targets deeper inside Russia.That issue took on added urgency after Russia’s latest reported acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran, but Western leaders have so far balked at Ukraine's request, fearing that, if granted, it could escalate the war.Biden has allowed Ukraine to fire U.S.-provided missiles across the border into Russia in self-defense, but has largely limited the distance they can be fired.Zelenskyy said he hoped for changes to those limitations.“Let’s count on some strong decisions, at least,” he said. “For us, it’s very important.”He said he hoped to speak to Biden later this month, noting that U.S. military and financial support is crucial.“We rely heavily on it, and frankly, we can’t prevail without it,” Zelenskyy said.However, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last week pushed back on the idea that long-range strikes would be a game-changer.“I don’t believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment,” Austin said at a meeting of allied military leaders in Germany. The Ukrainians have other means to strike long-range targets, he added.Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told Lammy he hoped an agreement on using long-range assets “for strikes on the territory of our enemy” could be reached. “We hope for your help and support in this issue.”A hard winter likely lies ahead for Ukraine. Its power grid is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-energy-shutdowns-fc9f910c255ef5bd36e7f1782f073949">under severe strain</a>&nbsp;after Russian missiles and drones knocked out around 70% of the country’s generation capacity.Kyiv officials will also have to navigate the outcome of the U.S. election in November, which could produce important policy shifts in Washington. Former President Donald Trump said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/harris-trump-debate-election-2024-updates">presidential debate</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that he wants the war to end but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-ukraine-russia-war-putin-98aed0b4ffd785c7865ee17f66030a1d">did not clearly say</a>&nbsp;he wants Ukraine to win.“We remain committed to Ukraine’s victory,” Blinken said. “The bottom line is this: We want Ukraine to win.”Ukrainian officials politely sidestepped making any comment on the debate. Zelenskyy said he did not watch it, while Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, insisted U.S. policy was ultimately unlikely to change.“Yes, it’s clear that there will be a new president. But we believe, and are convinced, in the strong support of the American people,” Sybiha said. “We are firmly, firmly convinced that this support will continue.”The latest American aid package includes $325 million in energy support to help repair and restore Ukraine’s power generation facilities, provide emergency backup power for critical services and strengthen the physical security of energy infrastructure.Some $290 million will fund food, water, shelter, health care and education programs for Ukrainians in need in the country and refugees outside the country. The remaining $102 million will be used for mine-removal work.Late last week, the U.S. announced it would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-military-aid-zelenskyy-cf8addbd055e518a7a10a73d3d4353cd">send $250 million more in weapons to Ukraine</a>, including air-defense missiles and artillery.Wednesday’s visit was, unusually, announced in advance — a public signal of American and British support for Ukraine.The British diplomats reached the Ukrainian capital by train from Poland. Blinken traveled from London, where he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-britain-blinken-ukraine-iran-ballistic-missiles-russia-a2c3f92e213518063ccd5ad890105560">accused Iran of providing Russia</a>&nbsp;with Fath-360&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-ukraine-ballistic-missiles-us-intelligence-1e637abe11396989c641fa5bf3f57b24">short-range ballistic missiles,</a>&nbsp;calling the move a “dramatic escalation” of the war.Referring to those missiles, Shmyhal added: “Russia’s use of weapons from its terrorist allies to strike at Ukraine continues their genocidal war and terrorism on our territory. We must be able to respond to such terrorism in kind by destroying military targets on their territory to ensure greater safety for our citizens.”___

U.S. pledges another $717 million in new economic aid to Ukraine

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One. person died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Wednesday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Toyota Camry driven by&nbsp; Katelyn N.&nbsp;Heier, 21, Sedgwick ,was northbound on Interstate 135&nbsp; just north of E 85th Street N in Wichita in the right lane in heavy traffic.

&nbsp;The car rear-ended a 2006 Honda Accord driven by Matthew K. Pabst, 46, Bentonville, Arkansas.

The impact pushed the Honda into the median where it stopped.&nbsp; The Toyota continued into the median, crossed into the southbound lanes, and struck 2018 Ford F450 driven by Fernando Rocha, 39, Wichita, head-on.

Heier was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center. Pabst and Rocha were not injured and passengers in their vehicles were not injured. Heier was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726107377149.png" alt="Image KanDrive" />
 <figcaption>Image KanDrive</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —One. person died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Wednesday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Toyota Camry driven by&nbsp; Katelyn N.&nbsp;Heier, 21, Sedgwick ,was northbound on Interstate 135&nbsp; just north of E 85th Street N in Wichita in the right lane in heavy traffic.&nbsp;The car rear-ended a 2006 Honda Accord driven by Matthew K. Pabst, 46, Bentonville, Arkansas.The impact pushed the Honda into the median where it stopped.&nbsp; The Toyota continued into the median, crossed into the southbound lanes, and struck 2018 Ford F450 driven by Fernando Rocha, 39, Wichita, head-on.Heier was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center. Pabst and Rocha were not injured and passengers in their vehicles were not injured. Heier was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after 3-vehicle crash

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Sheriff's Office made an arrest Wednesday morning after a chase and a short standoff.

8 a.m. Wednesday, deputies attempted to stop a maroon 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe in the area of 4th and K-61 that was displaying a stolen tag out of Wichita, according to a media release.

The vehicle fled from deputies in an attempt to escape.

The vehicle exited off K-61 on to Avenue A. Deputies were authorized to perform a tactical vehicle intervention before the Tahoe got to HMS-7.

A successful TVI was executed near Avenue A and Pershing. The vehicle continued through yards, alleyways and sidewalks before crashing into a backyard of 1207 East Avenue B.&nbsp;

A short standoff ensued, as the driver refused to follow commands and threatened deputies and officers. Chemical munitions and less lethal options were used to take the suspect into custody.

The driver was identified as 54-year-old Robbie Lee Miller of Wichita.&nbsp;

Miller was booked into the Reno County Correctional Facility on requested drug charges and charges related to the chase.&nbsp;

Miller has over a dozen convictions that include theft, criminal threat, flee and elude and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Hutchinson Police and Reno County EMS assisted in the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726091969017.png" alt="Miller has over a dozen convictions that include theft, criminal threat, flee and elude and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Miller has over a dozen convictions that include theft, criminal threat, flee and elude and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Sheriff's Office made an arrest Wednesday morning after a chase and a short standoff.8 a.m. Wednesday, deputies attempted to stop a maroon 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe in the area of 4th and K-61 that was displaying a stolen tag out of Wichita, according to a media release.The vehicle fled from deputies in an attempt to escape.The vehicle exited off K-61 on to Avenue A. Deputies were authorized to perform a tactical vehicle intervention before the Tahoe got to HMS-7.A successful TVI was executed near Avenue A and Pershing. The vehicle continued through yards, alleyways and sidewalks before crashing into a backyard of 1207 East Avenue B.&nbsp;A short standoff ensued, as the driver refused to follow commands and threatened deputies and officers. Chemical munitions and less lethal options were used to take the suspect into custody.The driver was identified as 54-year-old Robbie Lee Miller of Wichita.&nbsp;Miller was booked into the Reno County Correctional Facility on requested drug charges and charges related to the chase.&nbsp;Miller has over a dozen convictions that include theft, criminal threat, flee and elude and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Hutchinson Police and Reno County EMS assisted in the case.

Police use chemical munitions to capture Kan. felon after chase 

WICHITA —Trevawn Strong Jr. has been located and is safe with the Wichita Police Department, according to the KBI. The Amber Alert is canceled.&nbsp; Law enforcement also located the suspect 30-year-old&nbsp;Trevawn Strong Sr.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

WICHITA —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has issued an Amber Alert for a. missing&nbsp;

At 4:56 p.m., Trevawn Strong Jr. was forcibly taken from his mother by his father Trevawn Strong Sr. utilizing a knife and firearm during a domestic incident at their residence at 2025 S. Grove, Wichita, according to police.

&nbsp;Strong&nbsp; threatened to kill his son, stabbed his mother, and took the child. Strong is a black male, 30-years-old with long dark hair, facial hair, and tattoos on his arms, chest, neck and under his eye. Strong is 5 ft. 8 inches tall and weighs around 175 pounds. He was last known wearing a white t-shirt, gray shorts and red shoes.&nbsp;

Trevawn Jr. is in imminent danger. The suspect left in a vehicle, but that vehicle has been recovered in the 1900 block of N. Woodlawn in Wichita, Kansas.

The child was last seen wearing wearing a white t-shirt, black shorts, black shoes and his hair is in a ponytail.

Call 911 immediately if you have seen the missing child or suspect. If you have other information on the missing child, call 911 or 316-383-4661

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726102913658.png" alt="Strong photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Strong photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —Trevawn Strong Jr. has been located and is safe with the Wichita Police Department, according to the KBI. The Amber Alert is canceled.&nbsp; Law enforcement also located the suspect 30-year-old&nbsp;Trevawn Strong Sr.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.---------WICHITA —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has issued an Amber Alert for a. missing&nbsp;At 4:56 p.m., Trevawn Strong Jr. was forcibly taken from his mother by his father Trevawn Strong Sr. utilizing a knife and firearm during a domestic incident at their residence at 2025 S. Grove, Wichita, according to police.&nbsp;Strong&nbsp; threatened to kill his son, stabbed his mother, and took the child. Strong is a black male, 30-years-old with long dark hair, facial hair, and tattoos on his arms, chest, neck and under his eye. Strong is 5 ft. 8 inches tall and weighs around 175 pounds. He was last known wearing a white t-shirt, gray shorts and red shoes.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726103283031.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trevawn Jr. is in imminent danger. The suspect left in a vehicle, but that vehicle has been recovered in the 1900 block of N. Woodlawn in Wichita, Kansas.The child was last seen wearing wearing a white t-shirt, black shorts, black shoes and his hair is in a ponytail.Call 911 immediately if you have seen the missing child or suspect. If you have other information on the missing child, call 911 or 316-383-4661

Amber Alert canceled: Police locate 5-year-old Kan. boy, suspect

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

The parents of a young child killed as a result of child abuse in May 2015 in Hays will both serve a year of probation.

According to court documents, the 4-month-old child of Ahmed Keita and Kassie Day was hospitalized on May 16, 2015, with retinal hemorrhages and bruises on her cheek. The child was pronounced brain dead two days later and died at a Wichita hospital.

The Sedgwick County district coroner performed an autopsy and ruled the death a homicide.

Court documents showed the coroner’s report found bruising, hemorrhaging and damage to the spinal cord.

The case then lay dormant until Ellis County Attorney Robert Anderson convened a grand jury in August 2023.

Fourteen of the 15 members of the grand jury returned an indictment charging both Keita and Day with felony first-degree murder.

During pretrial negotiations, Day told the prosecutor that she believed Keita was responsible for the child’s death and agreed to testify against him.

Day recalled an incident in which she believed that Keita was shaking the baby when she entered the room. Another time, the child was left alone with Keita. When Day returned, she said the child was experiencing unusual behavior. Keita also tried to stop Day from taking the child to the emergency room after the incident.

Finally, according to court documents, when the couple learned of the baby’s death from abuse, Day claimed Keita did not show the same emotions she did.

As a result of her plea agreement, Day agreed to testify against Keita, and she pled no contest to aggravated endangering a child, a level nine person felony and interference with law enforcement — falsely reporting information, a severity level nine nonperson felony on Oct. 24, 2023. A conviction on both charges carries a sentence of presumptive probation.

In May 2024, Keita entered into a plea agreement with the Ellis County Attorney’s office.

He pled to two misdemeanors, including endangerment, a misdemeanor and interference with law enforcement, a misdemeanor.

Both charges were not as serious as the ones that Day pled no contest to.

Keita was sentenced to 12 months unsupervised probation with an underlying sentence of 10 months on May 3, 2024.

Day, according to court documents, was upset with the Keita plea deal and wanted to testify against Keita at trial, “holding him (Keita) accountable for what he had done to their daughter.”

She initially asked for her pleas to be withdrawn and requested that the state drop the charges. When that did not happen, she accepted the same plea agreement that Keita had received, which included misdemeanor charges of endangerment and interference.

The judge in the case accepted Day’s motion to withdraw her initial plea and accepted a guilty plea at a hearing on Aug. 30. Day was sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation with an underlying prison sentence of 10 months.

According to court documents, Day continues to maintain her innocence in the case. She accepted the misdemeanor plea because “she does not want to risk a conviction and a lifetime in prison.”

In documents filed in Ellis County District Court, Attorney Robert Anderson said he believed that Keita was responsible for the child’s death, but the primary investigator in the case believed Day was the responsible party.

Anderson, who did not offer comment on the case, said in court filings, “During the pendency of both cases, the Ellis County Attorney struggled with competing interests.”

"Ultimately, the undersigned counsel could not have in good conscience stood in front of a jury and asked them to find, based upon the evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt, that either or both of these parents were guilty of 'felony murder.'"

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693090448638.png" alt="Day photo Ellis Co." />
 <figcaption>Day photo Ellis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostThe parents of a young child killed as a result of child abuse in May 2015 in Hays will both serve a year of probation.According to court documents, the 4-month-old child of Ahmed Keita and Kassie Day was hospitalized on May 16, 2015, with retinal hemorrhages and bruises on her cheek. The child was pronounced brain dead two days later and died at a Wichita hospital.The Sedgwick County district coroner performed an autopsy and ruled the death a homicide.Court documents showed the coroner’s report found bruising, hemorrhaging and damage to the spinal cord.The case then lay dormant until Ellis County Attorney Robert Anderson convened a grand jury in August 2023.Fourteen of the 15 members of the grand jury returned an indictment charging both Keita and Day with felony first-degree murder.During pretrial negotiations, Day told the prosecutor that she believed Keita was responsible for the child’s death and agreed to testify against him.Day recalled an incident in which she believed that Keita was shaking the baby when she entered the room. Another time, the child was left alone with Keita. When Day returned, she said the child was experiencing unusual behavior. Keita also tried to stop Day from taking the child to the emergency room after the incident.Finally, according to court documents, when the couple learned of the baby’s death from abuse, Day claimed Keita did not show the same emotions she did.As a result of her plea agreement, Day agreed to testify against Keita, and she pled no contest to aggravated endangering a child, a level nine person felony and interference with law enforcement — falsely reporting information, a severity level nine nonperson felony on Oct. 24, 2023. A conviction on both charges carries a sentence of presumptive probation.In May 2024, Keita entered into a plea agreement with the Ellis County Attorney’s office.He pled to two misdemeanors, including endangerment, a misdemeanor and interference with law enforcement, a misdemeanor.Both charges were not as serious as the ones that Day pled no contest to.Keita was sentenced to 12 months unsupervised probation with an underlying sentence of 10 months on May 3, 2024.Day, according to court documents, was upset with the Keita plea deal and wanted to testify against Keita at trial, “holding him (Keita) accountable for what he had done to their daughter.”She initially asked for her pleas to be withdrawn and requested that the state drop the charges. When that did not happen, she accepted the same plea agreement that Keita had received, which included misdemeanor charges of endangerment and interference.The judge in the case accepted Day’s motion to withdraw her initial plea and accepted a guilty plea at a hearing on Aug. 30. Day was sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation with an underlying prison sentence of 10 months.According to court documents, Day continues to maintain her innocence in the case. She accepted the misdemeanor plea because “she does not want to risk a conviction and a lifetime in prison.”In documents filed in Ellis County District Court, Attorney Robert Anderson said he believed that Keita was responsible for the child’s death, but the primary investigator in the case believed Day was the responsible party.Anderson, who did not offer comment on the case, said in court filings, “During the pendency of both cases, the Ellis County Attorney struggled with competing interests.”"Ultimately, the undersigned counsel could not have in good conscience stood in front of a jury and asked them to find, based upon the evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt, that either or both of these parents were guilty of 'felony murder.'"

NW Kansas couple get plea deal in death of 4-month-old

Clarification: An earlier headline on this story mentioned a weapon. The charges as filed by the Brown County Attorney do not include a gun charge.

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.

Just before 2a.m. Tuesday, based on an investigation, the Brown County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force initiated a search warrant at 310 N. 8th in the city of Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

&nbsp; Upon completion of the warrant, Joshua Kasemeyer, 46, Osceola, Missouri was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Hallucinogenic Drug, Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Distribute, No Drug Tax Stamp and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp;

 Taylor Garcia 30, Hiawatha was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Hallucinogenic, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725996133339.png" alt="Kasemeyer photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Kasemeyer photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Clarification: An earlier headline on this story mentioned a weapon. The charges as filed by the Brown County Attorney do not include a gun charge.BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.Just before 2a.m. Tuesday, based on an investigation, the Brown County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force initiated a search warrant at 310 N. 8th in the city of Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725996107320.png" alt="Garcia photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Garcia photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; Upon completion of the warrant, Joshua Kasemeyer, 46, Osceola, Missouri was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Hallucinogenic Drug, Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Distribute, No Drug Tax Stamp and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; Taylor Garcia 30, Hiawatha was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Hallucinogenic, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Two arrested on drug charges

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Wednesday he will not endorse either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, even as the former president continued to call Mahomes' wife, Brittany, a supporter of his campaign.

“I don't want my place and my platform to be used to endorse a candidate or do whatever, either way," Mahomes said before heading out to practice for Sunday's game against Cincinnati. "I think my place is to inform people to get registered to vote. It's to inform people to do their own research and then make the best decision for them and their family.”

The comments from the three-time Super Bowl champion came less than a day after Taylor Swift,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ravens-chiefs-taylor-swift-nfl-9f78a6dad40ff62993c2462e9c653964">who is dating his Chiefs teammate Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;and has become friends with the Mahomes family, endorsed Harris for the presidency.

Swift's endorsement led Trump to say in a phone interview with Fox News on Wednesday: "I actually like Mrs. Mahomes much better, if you want to know the truth. She's a big Trump fan. I like Brittany. I think Brittany is great.”

Trump began referencing Brittany Mahomes last month, after she had liked — and then unliked — an Instagram post by the Republican presidential nominee outlining the “2024 GOP platform.” Trump posted soon afterward on Truth Social: “I want to thank beautiful Brittany Mahomes for so strongly defending me.”

Brittany Mahomes has since stayed out of the political spotlight except to respond to critics on social media, saying in a post: “To be a hater as an adult, you have to have some deep rooted issues you refuse to heal from childhood.”

Patrick Mahomes sidestepped a question Wednesday specifically about Trump's references to his wife, saying instead that “at the end of the day, it's about me and my family and how we treat other people.”

“I think you see Brittany does a lot in the community. I do a lot in the community to help bring people up, and give people an opportunity to use their voice,” he said. “In political times people are going to use stuff here and there, but I can't let that affect how I go about my business every single day of my life, and trying to live it to the best of my ability.”

Swift became close with the Mahomes family last year, when she began to date Kelce, often sharing the same suite during games at Arrowhead Stadium. Some thought a rift had developed between them when they were not seen together during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ravens-chiefs-taylor-swift-nfl-9f78a6dad40ff62993c2462e9c653964">Chiefs' season-opening win over the Ravens</a>&nbsp;last week, but they showed up together in New York last weekend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-taylor-swift-4f92f1af167f695f0a196bb61b7ddf52">to watch the U.S. Open.</a>

“Whenever I'm hanging out with whoever, I'm not thinking about their political views or anything like that,” Patrick Mahomes said. “I'm thinking about the people and how they treat other people, and I was with a lot of great people this week.”

Swift offered her support to Harris shortly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=apnews+debate&amp;rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1085US1085&amp;oq=apnews+debate&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggAEEUYOzIGCAAQRRg7MgkIARAAGAoYgAQyCggCEAAYChgWGB4yDQgDEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyCggEEAAYgAQYogQyCggFEAAYgAQYogQyCggGEAAYgAQYogQyBggHEEUYQNIBCTI2MTFqMGoxNagCCLACAQ&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">after the presidential debate ended</a>&nbsp;Tuesday night, a potentially significant coup for the Democratic nominee given Swift's dedicated following among young women, an important demographic for the November election. The endorsement also came after Trump's campaign&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/112984762512136574">shared a collage</a>&nbsp;of AI-generated images purporting to show Swift fans supporting him.

“I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_wtAOKOW1z/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D">an Instagram post</a>, which had been liked more than 9 million times by Wednesday afternoon.

Trump’s posts “brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter,” Swift wrote. She added that “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.”

Mahomes declined to speak specifically about his own political beliefs, instead talking more broadly about national unity.

“You've seen my history. I've come up with people from every aspect of life, from every background,” the Chiefs quarterback said, “and the best thing about football locker rooms and kind of how I've grown up in baseball locker rooms is people can come together and achieve something, and achieve a common goal. We talked about it a while back. If we can do that as a nation, we can get the best out of each other, so that's something I do every single day.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724461026275.png" alt="File photo Brittany Mahomes (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)" />
 <figcaption>File photo Brittany Mahomes (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Wednesday he will not endorse either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, even as the former president continued to call Mahomes' wife, Brittany, a supporter of his campaign.“I don't want my place and my platform to be used to endorse a candidate or do whatever, either way," Mahomes said before heading out to practice for Sunday's game against Cincinnati. "I think my place is to inform people to get registered to vote. It's to inform people to do their own research and then make the best decision for them and their family.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724460634025.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The comments from the three-time Super Bowl champion came less than a day after Taylor Swift,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ravens-chiefs-taylor-swift-nfl-9f78a6dad40ff62993c2462e9c653964">who is dating his Chiefs teammate Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;and has become friends with the Mahomes family, endorsed Harris for the presidency.Swift's endorsement led Trump to say in a phone interview with Fox News on Wednesday: "I actually like Mrs. Mahomes much better, if you want to know the truth. She's a big Trump fan. I like Brittany. I think Brittany is great.”Trump began referencing Brittany Mahomes last month, after she had liked — and then unliked — an Instagram post by the Republican presidential nominee outlining the “2024 GOP platform.” Trump posted soon afterward on Truth Social: “I want to thank beautiful Brittany Mahomes for so strongly defending me.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724460661858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Brittany Mahomes has since stayed out of the political spotlight except to respond to critics on social media, saying in a post: “To be a hater as an adult, you have to have some deep rooted issues you refuse to heal from childhood.”Patrick Mahomes sidestepped a question Wednesday specifically about Trump's references to his wife, saying instead that “at the end of the day, it's about me and my family and how we treat other people.”“I think you see Brittany does a lot in the community. I do a lot in the community to help bring people up, and give people an opportunity to use their voice,” he said. “In political times people are going to use stuff here and there, but I can't let that affect how I go about my business every single day of my life, and trying to live it to the best of my ability.”Swift became close with the Mahomes family last year, when she began to date Kelce, often sharing the same suite during games at Arrowhead Stadium. Some thought a rift had developed between them when they were not seen together during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ravens-chiefs-taylor-swift-nfl-9f78a6dad40ff62993c2462e9c653964">Chiefs' season-opening win over the Ravens</a>&nbsp;last week, but they showed up together in New York last weekend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-taylor-swift-4f92f1af167f695f0a196bb61b7ddf52">to watch the U.S. Open.</a>“Whenever I'm hanging out with whoever, I'm not thinking about their political views or anything like that,” Patrick Mahomes said. “I'm thinking about the people and how they treat other people, and I was with a lot of great people this week.”Swift offered her support to Harris shortly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=apnews+debate&amp;rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1085US1085&amp;oq=apnews+debate&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggAEEUYOzIGCAAQRRg7MgkIARAAGAoYgAQyCggCEAAYChgWGB4yDQgDEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyCggEEAAYgAQYogQyCggFEAAYgAQYogQyCggGEAAYgAQYogQyBggHEEUYQNIBCTI2MTFqMGoxNagCCLACAQ&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">after the presidential debate ended</a>&nbsp;Tuesday night, a potentially significant coup for the Democratic nominee given Swift's dedicated following among young women, an important demographic for the November election. The endorsement also came after Trump's campaign&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/112984762512136574">shared a collage</a>&nbsp;of AI-generated images purporting to show Swift fans supporting him.“I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_wtAOKOW1z/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D">an Instagram post</a>, which had been liked more than 9 million times by Wednesday afternoon.Trump’s posts “brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter,” Swift wrote. She added that “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.”Mahomes declined to speak specifically about his own political beliefs, instead talking more broadly about national unity.“You've seen my history. I've come up with people from every aspect of life, from every background,” the Chiefs quarterback said, “and the best thing about football locker rooms and kind of how I've grown up in baseball locker rooms is people can come together and achieve something, and achieve a common goal. We talked about it a while back. If we can do that as a nation, we can get the best out of each other, so that's something I do every single day.”

Patrick Mahomes comments on the 2024 race for President

WILSON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 6:30a.m. Wednesday in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by Donald J.&nbsp; Christeson, 76, Liberty, Kansas, was westbound on U.S. 400 a mile and one half south of Kansas 47 highway.

The car struck the trailer axel on a southbound 2000 Freightliner semi driven by 74-year-old Carl J.  Studebaker of Fredonia, who made a left turn onto eastbound U.S. 400 from Jewell Road and failed to yield, according to the KHP.

&nbsp;Christeson and a passenger in the car identified as Teresa J.&nbsp;Mansfield, 61, Independence, Kansas, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Studebaker was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

WILSON COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 6:30a.m. Wednesday in Wilson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by Donald J.&nbsp; Christeson, 76, Liberty, Kansas, was westbound on U.S. 400 a mile and one half south of Kansas 47 highway.The car struck the trailer axel on a southbound 2000 Freightliner semi driven by 74-year-old Carl J. Studebaker of Fredonia, who made a left turn onto eastbound U.S. 400 from Jewell Road and failed to yield, according to the KHP.&nbsp;Christeson and a passenger in the car identified as Teresa J.&nbsp;Mansfield, 61, Independence, Kansas, were pronounced dead at the scene.Studebaker was not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man and woman dead after car, semi crash

By BRENT MARTIN St. Joseph Post

A Savannah, Missouri police officer has been fired in wake of being charged in the death of Savannah K-9 Officer Horus.

Savannah Police Lt. Daniel Zeigler has been charged with a misdemeanor in the death of Horus, left in a hot patrol car June 20th. An investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol determined Horus died of heat exhaustion. The report also found a safety measure in the car that could have prevented the death had been disabled.

The Savannah Board of Alderman voted to terminate Zeigler’s employment Tuesday.

The misdemeanor charge carries a punishment of up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720202220440.png" alt="Horus courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Horus courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN St. Joseph PostA Savannah, Missouri police officer has been fired in wake of being charged in the death of Savannah K-9 Officer Horus.Savannah Police Lt. Daniel Zeigler has been charged with a misdemeanor in the death of Horus, left in a hot patrol car June 20th. An investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol determined Horus died of heat exhaustion. The report also found a safety measure in the car that could have prevented the death had been disabled.The Savannah Board of Alderman voted to terminate Zeigler’s employment Tuesday.The misdemeanor charge carries a punishment of up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,000.

Officer fired after charges filed for police dog's hot car death

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — More details were released Wednesday afternoon on the incident at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

&nbsp;Just after 6p.m. Tuesday, Hutchinson Fire Department was dispatched to the report of a fire at the “Fry Shack”, located at 500 20th Avenue on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

&nbsp;Crews arrived to find the concession trailer owned by D Dusek Concessions that appeared to have had a small explosion.&nbsp;&nbsp;The State Fire Marshal responded on scene with four agents to assist the Hutchinson Fire Department who had one truck, one fire engine, and three Staff Chiefs on scene.

Upon conclusion of the investigation, it was determined that the cause of the incident was an overpressure of a canned food product which had been stored in the vicinity of a food warmer. The canned food item got too hot, causing the small explosion.

Reno County EMS responded to six injured people. Three declined medical assistance and one declined medical evaluation. Two were transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where they were treated for lacerations and discharged that same evening.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726018316320.jpeg" alt="A food trailer was damaged in what firefighters called a 'small explosion' at the Kansas State Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Submitted Photo." />
 <figcaption>A food trailer was damaged in what firefighters called a 'small explosion' at the Kansas State Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Submitted Photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — More details were released Wednesday afternoon on the incident at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.&nbsp;Just after 6p.m. Tuesday, Hutchinson Fire Department was dispatched to the report of a fire at the “Fry Shack”, located at 500 20th Avenue on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.&nbsp;Crews arrived to find the concession trailer owned by D Dusek Concessions that appeared to have had a small explosion.&nbsp;&nbsp;The State Fire Marshal responded on scene with four agents to assist the Hutchinson Fire Department who had one truck, one fire engine, and three Staff Chiefs on scene.Upon conclusion of the investigation, it was determined that the cause of the incident was an overpressure of a canned food product which had been stored in the vicinity of a food warmer. The canned food item got too hot, causing the small explosion.Reno County EMS responded to six injured people. Three declined medical assistance and one declined medical evaluation. Two were transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where they were treated for lacerations and discharged that same evening.

Fire Marshal determines cause of explosion at State Fair food trailer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taylor Swift, one of the music industry's biggest stars, endorsed Kamala Harris for president shortly&nbsp;after the presidential debate ended.

“I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift wrote late Tuesday in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_wtAOKOW1z/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D">an Instagram post</a>, which included a link to a voter registration website.

Swift has a dedicated following among young women, a key demographic in the November election, and her latest tour has generated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-billion-dollar-record-52945111233438b1f2166aa19eee365f">more than $1 billion</a>&nbsp;in ticket sales. In a half hour, the post received more than 2.3 million likes.

She included a picture of herself holding her cat Benjamin Button, and she signed the message “Childless Cat Lady.” The remark is a reference to three-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-kamala-harris-childless-trump-0a37e991097b66c52bff5bf7ecf8de7b">comments made by JD Vance</a>, Donald Trump's running mate, about women without children not having an equal stake in the country's future.

A Harris senior campaign official said the endorsement was not coordinated with the campaign. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, appeared to learn about the endorsement in the middle of a live interview on MSNBC. As Rachel Maddow read the text, Walz broke into a smile and patted his chest.

“That was eloquent. And it was clear," Walz said. "And that’s the kind of courage we need in America to stand up.”

Swift wrote that her endorsement was partially prompted by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-taylor-swift-fake-endorsement-ai-fec99c412d960932839e3eab8d49fd5f">Trump’s decision to post artificial intelligence-generated pictures</a>&nbsp;suggesting that she had endorsed him. One showed Swift dressed as Uncle Sam, and the text said “Taylor wants YOU to VOTE for DONALD TRUMP.”

Trump's posts “brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter,” Swift wrote. She added that "I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice."

Trump said Wednesday that Swift's move “was just a question of time.” He told “Fox &amp; Friends” that Swift is “a very liberal person” who “seems to always endorse a Democrat and she'll probably pay a price in the marketplace.”

In 2020, she&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/taylorswift13/status/1313938080290803715?s=20">supported Democrat Joe Biden</a>, and she cheered for Harris in her debate against then-Vice President Mike Pence. She also was openly critical of Trump, saying he had stoked “the fires of white supremacy and racism.”

Swift is a popular figure nationwide, but especially among Democrats. An October 2023 Fox News poll found that 55% of voters overall, including 68% of Democrats, said they had a favorable view of Swift. Republicans were divided, with 43% having a favorable opinion and 45% an unfavorable one.

AP VoteCast suggests that a partisan divide on Swift was apparent as early as 2018. That’s the year Swift made her first political endorsement, supporting Tennessee Democrat Phil Bredesen for Senate over Republican Marsha Blackburn.

VoteCast found that among Tennessee voters that year, 55% of Democrats and just 19% of Republicans said they had a favorable opinion of Swift. Blackburn won by a comfortable margin in the deep red state.

Swift is the leading nominee at Wednesday’s MTV Video Music Awards. While it’s unclear whether Swift will attend the show in New York, she could use any acceptance speeches to elaborate on her support of Harris.

The event was shifted a day later to accommodate Tuesday’s debate. MTV has a long history of encouraging voter participation.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taylor Swift, one of the music industry's biggest stars, endorsed Kamala Harris for president shortly&nbsp;after the presidential debate ended.<div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_wtAOKOW1z/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_wtAOKOW1z/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_wtAOKOW1z/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)</a></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>“I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift wrote late Tuesday in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_wtAOKOW1z/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D">an Instagram post</a>, which included a link to a voter registration website.Swift has a dedicated following among young women, a key demographic in the November election, and her latest tour has generated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-billion-dollar-record-52945111233438b1f2166aa19eee365f">more than $1 billion</a>&nbsp;in ticket sales. In a half hour, the post received more than 2.3 million likes.She included a picture of herself holding her cat Benjamin Button, and she signed the message “Childless Cat Lady.” The remark is a reference to three-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-kamala-harris-childless-trump-0a37e991097b66c52bff5bf7ecf8de7b">comments made by JD Vance</a>, Donald Trump's running mate, about women without children not having an equal stake in the country's future.A Harris senior campaign official said the endorsement was not coordinated with the campaign. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, appeared to learn about the endorsement in the middle of a live interview on MSNBC. As Rachel Maddow read the text, Walz broke into a smile and patted his chest.“That was eloquent. And it was clear," Walz said. "And that’s the kind of courage we need in America to stand up.”Swift wrote that her endorsement was partially prompted by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-taylor-swift-fake-endorsement-ai-fec99c412d960932839e3eab8d49fd5f">Trump’s decision to post artificial intelligence-generated pictures</a>&nbsp;suggesting that she had endorsed him. One showed Swift dressed as Uncle Sam, and the text said “Taylor wants YOU to VOTE for DONALD TRUMP.”Trump's posts “brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter,” Swift wrote. She added that "I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice."Trump said Wednesday that Swift's move “was just a question of time.” He told “Fox &amp; Friends” that Swift is “a very liberal person” who “seems to always endorse a Democrat and she'll probably pay a price in the marketplace.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726077918382.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In 2020, she&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/taylorswift13/status/1313938080290803715?s=20">supported Democrat Joe Biden</a>, and she cheered for Harris in her debate against then-Vice President Mike Pence. She also was openly critical of Trump, saying he had stoked “the fires of white supremacy and racism.”Swift is a popular figure nationwide, but especially among Democrats. An October 2023 Fox News poll found that 55% of voters overall, including 68% of Democrats, said they had a favorable view of Swift. Republicans were divided, with 43% having a favorable opinion and 45% an unfavorable one.AP VoteCast suggests that a partisan divide on Swift was apparent as early as 2018. That’s the year Swift made her first political endorsement, supporting Tennessee Democrat Phil Bredesen for Senate over Republican Marsha Blackburn.VoteCast found that among Tennessee voters that year, 55% of Democrats and just 19% of Republicans said they had a favorable opinion of Swift. Blackburn won by a comfortable margin in the deep red state.Swift is the leading nominee at Wednesday’s MTV Video Music Awards. While it’s unclear whether Swift will attend the show in New York, she could use any acceptance speeches to elaborate on her support of Harris.The event was shifted a day later to accommodate Tuesday’s debate. MTV has a long history of encouraging voter participation.___

Trump responds to Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris

SALINE COUNTY —USD 305 Salina is actively investigating a report of a student injury that occurred during class in a weight room within Salina Public Schools, according to a statement from the school district.

&nbsp;"The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority. In accordance with district procedures, the teacher involved has been placed on administrative leave. We are committed to conducting a thorough review," the district wrote in a statement on the incident.

&nbsp;The student received medical care under the supervision of parents/guardians

Due to the investigation, USD 305 said it was unable to provide further details including the name of the teacher or the injury to the student.l.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694639848087.jpeg" alt="USD 305 Salina Public Schools District Office&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>USD 305 Salina Public Schools District Office&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —USD 305 Salina is actively investigating a report of a student injury that occurred during class in a weight room within Salina Public Schools, according to a statement from the school district.&nbsp;"The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority. In accordance with district procedures, the teacher involved has been placed on administrative leave. We are committed to conducting a thorough review," the district wrote in a statement on the incident.&nbsp;The student received medical care under the supervision of parents/guardiansDue to the investigation, USD 305 said it was unable to provide further details including the name of the teacher or the injury to the student.l.&nbsp;&nbsp;Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Kan. teacher placed on leave after student injured in weight room

WASHINGTON (AP) — The post-pandemic spike in U.S. inflation eased further last month as year-over-year price increases reached a three-year low, clearing the way for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates and likely shaping the economic debate in the final weeks of the presidential race.

Wednesday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf">report</a>&nbsp;from the Labor Department showed that consumer prices rose 2.5% in August from a year earlier, down from 2.9% in July. It was the fifth straight annual drop and the smallest since February 2021. From July to August, prices rose just 0.2%.

Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called core prices rose 3.2% in August from a year ago, the same as in July. On a month-to-month basis, core prices rose 0.3%, a slight pickup from July's 0.2% increase. Economists closely watch core prices, which typically provide a better read of future inflation trends.

“Today’s report will add to confidence within the Fed that inflation is indeed on a sustainable path towards 2%,” the Fed's target level, Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, wrote in a note to clients.

For months, cooling inflation has provided gradual relief to America’s consumers, who were stung by the price surges that erupted three years ago, particularly for food, gas, rent and other necessities. Inflation peaked in mid-2022 at 9.1%, the highest rate in four decades.

And Americans’ paychecks have risen steadily for the past three years. Overall incomes have even outpaced inflation for roughly the past 18 months, helping more households handle elevated prices. On Tuesday, the Census Bureau&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/income-inflation-prices-pay-economy-poverty-4407a4a4b631f990f91cb0a0990eb710">reported</a>&nbsp;that the median inflation-adjusted household income rose 4% last year to above $80,000, essentially matching the 2019 peak.

Wednesday's inflation figures followed a presidential debate Tuesday night in which former President Donald Trump attacked Vice President Kamala Harris for the price spikes that began a few months after the Biden-Harris administration took office, when global supply chains seized up and caused severe shortages of parts and labor.

During the debate, Trump falsely characterized the scope of the inflation surge when he claimed, “They had the highest inflation perhaps in the history of our country.” In 1980, inflation reached 14.6% — much higher than the 2022 peak.

A key reason for last month's drop in overall inflation was the third drop in gas prices in the past four months: Average gas prices fell 0.6% from July to August and are down 10.6% from a year ago. And used cars fell 1% last month. Measured from a year earlier, used car prices have tumbled 10.4%.

Grocery prices were unchanged from July to August, extending a cool-down in food costs even though they remain much higher than they were three years ago. Over the past year, grocery prices have ticked up just 0.9%, similar to the pace of pre-pandemic food inflation.

Still, many Americans are taking steps to try to stretch their budgets. Kelsey Aubrey, who lives in North Palm Beach, Florida, and was shopping at the discount grocer Aldi on Tuesday, said she typically visits up to four or five stores in her search for the lowest grocery prices.

“We hop from store to store, trying to save where we can,” she said. “Our bills are still pretty high. And we’re working a ton to pay the bills.”

The tick-up in core inflation from July to August reflected an acceleration in housing costs and some spikes in the prices of air fares and hotel rooms, which are likely to prove temporary. Airline fares jumped 3.9% just from July to August after having dropped the previous five months. Hotel room prices climbed 1.8% last month; they had fallen in two of the previous three months.

Fed officials, who are watching housing costs closely, expect them to cool more consistently. According to the real estate brokerage Redfin, the median rent for a new lease rose just 0.9% in August from a year earlier, to $1,645 a month. But the government’s measure includes all rents, including those for people who have been in their apartments for years. It takes time for the slowdown in new rents to show up in the government’s data. Last month, rental costs rose 5.2% from a year ago, according to the government’s consumer price index.

The Fed's policymakers have signaled that they’re increasingly confident that inflation is falling back to their 2% target and are now shifting their focus to supporting the job market, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-hiring-federal-reserve-inflation-unemployment-economy-bac1b453d3873d5f23f2061344d28fd9">steadily cooling</a>. As a result, they are poised to begin cutting their benchmark interest rate next week from its 23-year high in hopes of bolstering growth and hiring.

A modest quarter-point cut is widely expected. The pickup in core inflation makes it unlikely that the Fed would consider cutting its key rate by a larger-than-usual half-point next week, as some Wall Street traders had hoped.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-economy-fed-rates-fb258e6f83db5796c442f48463c6bfdf">Stock prices slid</a>&nbsp;as a result, with the broad S&amp;P 500 index falling about 1.6% in mid-morning trading.

Still, over time, a series of Fed rate cuts should reduce the cost of borrowing across the economy, including for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards.

During the presidential campaign, Harris has proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-economy-taxes-homes-food-prices-insurance-e1ad3f26f2ce8e6cb365a4ffe2ca3e6b">subsidies for home buyers</a>&nbsp;and builders in an effort to ease housing costs. She also backs a federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-price-gouging-ban-inflation-65dc8844bb41159d76886f752b6cab28">ban on price-gouging</a>&nbsp;for groceries. Trump has said he would boost energy production to try to reduce overall inflation.

A number of trends suggest that inflation will keep slowing. Those signs include a drop in oil prices to roughly $67 a barrel early Wednesday, down from a high of $80 last month.

Americans’ paychecks are also growing more slowly — an average of about 3.5% annually, still a solid pace — which reduces inflationary pressures. Two years ago, wage growth was topping 5%, a level that can force businesses to sharply raise prices to cover their higher labor costs.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/interest-rates-prices-inflation-federal-reserve-economy-2cd182eb34a7d6772ff573bec0bcf64d">high-profile speech</a>&nbsp;last month, Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that inflation was coming under control and suggested that the job market was unlikely to be a source of inflationary pressure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642689710083.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The post-pandemic spike in U.S. inflation eased further last month as year-over-year price increases reached a three-year low, clearing the way for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates and likely shaping the economic debate in the final weeks of the presidential race.Wednesday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf">report</a>&nbsp;from the Labor Department showed that consumer prices rose 2.5% in August from a year earlier, down from 2.9% in July. It was the fifth straight annual drop and the smallest since February 2021. From July to August, prices rose just 0.2%.Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called core prices rose 3.2% in August from a year ago, the same as in July. On a month-to-month basis, core prices rose 0.3%, a slight pickup from July's 0.2% increase. Economists closely watch core prices, which typically provide a better read of future inflation trends.“Today’s report will add to confidence within the Fed that inflation is indeed on a sustainable path towards 2%,” the Fed's target level, Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics, wrote in a note to clients.For months, cooling inflation has provided gradual relief to America’s consumers, who were stung by the price surges that erupted three years ago, particularly for food, gas, rent and other necessities. Inflation peaked in mid-2022 at 9.1%, the highest rate in four decades.And Americans’ paychecks have risen steadily for the past three years. Overall incomes have even outpaced inflation for roughly the past 18 months, helping more households handle elevated prices. On Tuesday, the Census Bureau&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/income-inflation-prices-pay-economy-poverty-4407a4a4b631f990f91cb0a0990eb710">reported</a>&nbsp;that the median inflation-adjusted household income rose 4% last year to above $80,000, essentially matching the 2019 peak.Wednesday's inflation figures followed a presidential debate Tuesday night in which former President Donald Trump attacked Vice President Kamala Harris for the price spikes that began a few months after the Biden-Harris administration took office, when global supply chains seized up and caused severe shortages of parts and labor.During the debate, Trump falsely characterized the scope of the inflation surge when he claimed, “They had the highest inflation perhaps in the history of our country.” In 1980, inflation reached 14.6% — much higher than the 2022 peak.A key reason for last month's drop in overall inflation was the third drop in gas prices in the past four months: Average gas prices fell 0.6% from July to August and are down 10.6% from a year ago. And used cars fell 1% last month. Measured from a year earlier, used car prices have tumbled 10.4%.Grocery prices were unchanged from July to August, extending a cool-down in food costs even though they remain much higher than they were three years ago. Over the past year, grocery prices have ticked up just 0.9%, similar to the pace of pre-pandemic food inflation.Still, many Americans are taking steps to try to stretch their budgets. Kelsey Aubrey, who lives in North Palm Beach, Florida, and was shopping at the discount grocer Aldi on Tuesday, said she typically visits up to four or five stores in her search for the lowest grocery prices.“We hop from store to store, trying to save where we can,” she said. “Our bills are still pretty high. And we’re working a ton to pay the bills.”The tick-up in core inflation from July to August reflected an acceleration in housing costs and some spikes in the prices of air fares and hotel rooms, which are likely to prove temporary. Airline fares jumped 3.9% just from July to August after having dropped the previous five months. Hotel room prices climbed 1.8% last month; they had fallen in two of the previous three months.Fed officials, who are watching housing costs closely, expect them to cool more consistently. According to the real estate brokerage Redfin, the median rent for a new lease rose just 0.9% in August from a year earlier, to $1,645 a month. But the government’s measure includes all rents, including those for people who have been in their apartments for years. It takes time for the slowdown in new rents to show up in the government’s data. Last month, rental costs rose 5.2% from a year ago, according to the government’s consumer price index.The Fed's policymakers have signaled that they’re increasingly confident that inflation is falling back to their 2% target and are now shifting their focus to supporting the job market, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-hiring-federal-reserve-inflation-unemployment-economy-bac1b453d3873d5f23f2061344d28fd9">steadily cooling</a>. As a result, they are poised to begin cutting their benchmark interest rate next week from its 23-year high in hopes of bolstering growth and hiring.A modest quarter-point cut is widely expected. The pickup in core inflation makes it unlikely that the Fed would consider cutting its key rate by a larger-than-usual half-point next week, as some Wall Street traders had hoped.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-economy-fed-rates-fb258e6f83db5796c442f48463c6bfdf">Stock prices slid</a>&nbsp;as a result, with the broad S&amp;P 500 index falling about 1.6% in mid-morning trading.Still, over time, a series of Fed rate cuts should reduce the cost of borrowing across the economy, including for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards.During the presidential campaign, Harris has proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-economy-taxes-homes-food-prices-insurance-e1ad3f26f2ce8e6cb365a4ffe2ca3e6b">subsidies for home buyers</a>&nbsp;and builders in an effort to ease housing costs. She also backs a federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-price-gouging-ban-inflation-65dc8844bb41159d76886f752b6cab28">ban on price-gouging</a>&nbsp;for groceries. Trump has said he would boost energy production to try to reduce overall inflation.A number of trends suggest that inflation will keep slowing. Those signs include a drop in oil prices to roughly $67 a barrel early Wednesday, down from a high of $80 last month.Americans’ paychecks are also growing more slowly — an average of about 3.5% annually, still a solid pace — which reduces inflationary pressures. Two years ago, wage growth was topping 5%, a level that can force businesses to sharply raise prices to cover their higher labor costs.In a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/interest-rates-prices-inflation-federal-reserve-economy-2cd182eb34a7d6772ff573bec0bcf64d">high-profile speech</a>&nbsp;last month, Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that inflation was coming under control and suggested that the job market was unlikely to be a source of inflationary pressure.

US inflation reaches a 3-year low as Fed prepares to cut interest rates

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a detention deputy after a weekend arrest.

On Saturday, Maize Police arrested&nbsp;Off-duty Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Detention Deputy 28-year-old Nieka Rasberry on on a requested charge of of Domestic Battery, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.

Rasberry has been employed by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since October 2023 as a detention deputy.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rasberry is currently suspended from duty, pending the outcome of the criminal case and an internal investigation.

After meeting the requirement of bond, she is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726002792299.png" alt="Rasberry photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Rasberry photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a detention deputy after a weekend arrest.On Saturday, Maize Police arrested&nbsp;Off-duty Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Detention Deputy 28-year-old Nieka Rasberry on on a requested charge of of Domestic Battery, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.Rasberry has been employed by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since October 2023 as a detention deputy.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rasberry is currently suspended from duty, pending the outcome of the criminal case and an internal investigation.After meeting the requirement of bond, she is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Kansas jail deputy held in jail where she worked

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. is remembering the lives taken and those reshaped by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/9-11-a-world-changed">9/11</a>, marking an anniversary laced with presidential campaign politics as President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris stood together in the plaza where the twin towers once stood.

Sept. 11 — the date when hijacked plane attacks killed nearly 3,000 people in 2001 — falls in the thick of the presidential election season every four years, and it comes at an especially pointed moment this time.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-trump-debate-tuesday-6ad8c03f6bf1ae88870b7db26276236e">Fresh off their first-ever debate</a>&nbsp;Tuesday night,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Harris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;met again at the 9/11 observances at the World Trade Center in New York and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.

Trump and running mate Sen. JD Vance arrived at the trade center site around 8 a.m. and posed for photographs with some in the audience. Harris arrived with Biden about a half-hour later, to cheers of “Kamala!” from some audience members.

Biden and Trump shook hands, and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared to facilitate a handshake between Harris and Trump. Then the Democratic and Republican nominees stood only a few feet apart, with Biden and Bloomberg between them.

But the political backdrop wasn't top-of-mind for victims' relatives such as Cathy Naughton, who came to the ceremony to honor her cousin Michael Roberts, one of hundreds of firefighters killed in the attack.

Twenty-three years later, “it’s just so raw,” she said. “We want to make sure people remember always, and say the names always and never forget.”

“Every year, it just doesn’t get easier,” she added.

Regardless of the campaign calendar, organizers of anniversary ceremonies have long taken pains to try to keep the focus on victims. For years, politicians have been only observers at ground zero observances, with the microphone going instead to relatives who read victims’ names aloud.

If politicians “care about what's actually going on, great. Be here,” Korryn Bishop, who lost her cousin John F. McDowell Jr., said on her way into the ceremony. “If they're just here for political clout, that upsets me.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>, on the last Sept. 11 of his term and likely his half-century political career, was headed with Harris later to ceremonies in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon, the three sites where commercial jets crashed after al-Qaida operatives took them over on Sept. 11, 2001. Trump also was due at the Flight 93 National Memorial near rural Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Officials later concluded that the aircraft that crashed there was headed toward Washington. It went down after crew members and passengers tried to wrest control from the hijackers.

The attacks killed 2,977 people and left thousands of bereaved relatives and scarred survivors. The planes carved a gash in the Pentagon, the U.S. military headquarters, and brought down the trade center's twin towers, which were among the world's tallest buildings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726058811220.png" alt="Vice President Kamala Harris, President Biden and Former President Trump in New York Wednesday morning Image courtesy CSPAN video" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Kamala Harris, President Biden and Former President Trump in New York Wednesday morning Image courtesy CSPAN video</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. is remembering the lives taken and those reshaped by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/9-11-a-world-changed">9/11</a>, marking an anniversary laced with presidential campaign politics as President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris stood together in the plaza where the twin towers once stood.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden, Vice President Harris, former President Trump, Sen. JD Vance and Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg at 9/11 Ceremony in New York. <a href="https://t.co/nK19YKABjB">pic.twitter.com/nK19YKABjB</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1833848762579751392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Sept. 11 — the date when hijacked plane attacks killed nearly 3,000 people in 2001 — falls in the thick of the presidential election season every four years, and it comes at an especially pointed moment this time.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-trump-debate-tuesday-6ad8c03f6bf1ae88870b7db26276236e">Fresh off their first-ever debate</a>&nbsp;Tuesday night,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Harris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;met again at the 9/11 observances at the World Trade Center in New York and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.Trump and running mate Sen. JD Vance arrived at the trade center site around 8 a.m. and posed for photographs with some in the audience. Harris arrived with Biden about a half-hour later, to cheers of “Kamala!” from some audience members.Biden and Trump shook hands, and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg appeared to facilitate a handshake between Harris and Trump. Then the Democratic and Republican nominees stood only a few feet apart, with Biden and Bloomberg between them.But the political backdrop wasn't top-of-mind for victims' relatives such as Cathy Naughton, who came to the ceremony to honor her cousin Michael Roberts, one of hundreds of firefighters killed in the attack.Twenty-three years later, “it’s just so raw,” she said. “We want to make sure people remember always, and say the names always and never forget.”“Every year, it just doesn’t get easier,” she added.Regardless of the campaign calendar, organizers of anniversary ceremonies have long taken pains to try to keep the focus on victims. For years, politicians have been only observers at ground zero observances, with the microphone going instead to relatives who read victims’ names aloud.If politicians “care about what's actually going on, great. Be here,” Korryn Bishop, who lost her cousin John F. McDowell Jr., said on her way into the ceremony. “If they're just here for political clout, that upsets me.”<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>, on the last Sept. 11 of his term and likely his half-century political career, was headed with Harris later to ceremonies in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon, the three sites where commercial jets crashed after al-Qaida operatives took them over on Sept. 11, 2001. Trump also was due at the Flight 93 National Memorial near rural Shanksville, Pennsylvania.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">American flag unfurled at the Pentagon. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/September11?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#September11</a> <a href="https://t.co/2l1Gb0vCdQ">pic.twitter.com/2l1Gb0vCdQ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1833822662818238486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Officials later concluded that the aircraft that crashed there was headed toward Washington. It went down after crew members and passengers tried to wrest control from the hijackers.The attacks killed 2,977 people and left thousands of bereaved relatives and scarred survivors. The planes carved a gash in the Pentagon, the U.S. military headquarters, and brought down the trade center's twin towers, which were among the world's tallest buildings.The catastrophe also altered U.S. foreign policy, domestic security practices and the mindset of many Americans who had not previously felt vulnerable to attacks by foreign extremists.Effects rippled around the world and through generations as the U.S. responded by leading a “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/077ff9b545584e4d8936e12cde859192">Global War on Terrorism</a>,” which included invasions of Afghanistan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-anniversary-refugee-asylum-debf2c74a9f5acc5d6562647d2bef94f">Iraq</a>. Those operations killed hundreds of thousands of Afghans and Iraqis and thousands of American troops, and Afghanistan became the site of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-e10e038baea732dae879c11234507f81">the United States' longest war</a>.As the complex legacy of 9/11 continues to evolve, communities around the country have developed remembrance traditions that range from laying wreaths to displaying flags, from marches to police radio messages. Volunteer projects also mark the anniversary, which Congress has titled both Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance.At ground zero, presidents and other officeholders read poems, parts of the Declaration of Independence and other texts during the first several anniversaries.But that ended after the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum decided in 2012 to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/sep/10/at-ground-zero-can-there-be-a-politics-free-911/">limit the ceremony to relatives reading</a>&nbsp;victims’ names. Bloomberg was board chairman at the time and still is.Politicians and candidates still have been able to attend the event. Many do, especially New Yorkers who held office during the attacks, such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was then a U.S. senator.She and Trump overlapped at the ground zero 9/11 remembrance in 2016, and it became a fraught chapter in the narrative of that year's presidential campaign.Clinton, then the Democratic nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1ddcfcb398d54f498bc4f5dd6fabca93">abruptly left the ceremony</a>, stumbled while awaiting her motorcade and later disclosed that she had been diagnosed with pneumonia a couple of days earlier. The episode&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/ec708cee5b7346cdba628d32c7739fd7">stirred fresh attention</a>&nbsp;to her health, which Trump had been questioning for months.In 2008, then-senators and presidential campaign rivals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/john-mccain">John McCain</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a>&nbsp;made a visible effort to put politics aside on the anniversary. They visited ground zero together to pay their respects and lay flowers in a reflecting pool at what was then still a pit.To be sure, victims' family members occasionally send their own political messages at the ceremony, where readers generally make brief remarks after finishing their assigned set of names.Some relatives have used the forum to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-government-and-politics-c5e1bcbcf3327938bb3c1a34e4807a5d">bemoan Americans' divisions</a>, exhort leaders to prioritize national security, acknowledge the casualties of the war on terror,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-pa-state-wire-north-america-96061fe9fea44e5389a431458b46955f">complain that officials are politicizing 9/11</a>&nbsp;and even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-pa-state-wire-michael-pence-11da60ef711f4c52bb766a8f83fa1bd1">criticize individual officeholders</a>.But most readers stick to tributes and personal reflections. Increasingly they come from children and young adults who were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sept-11-anniversary-ceremony-children-reading-names-ed7dcd42524dca1c5098b6b3364aca91">born after the attacks</a>&nbsp;killed a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle.“Even though I never got to meet you, I feel like I’ve known you forever,” Annabella Sanchez said last year of her grandfather, Edward Joseph Papa. “We will always remember and honor you, every day.“We love you, Grandpa Eddie.”___Then-senators and presidential campaign rivals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/john-mccain">John McCain</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a>&nbsp;made a visible effort to put politics aside on the 2008 anniversary. They visited ground zero together to pay their respects and lay flowers in a reflecting pool at what was then still a pit.It’s not yet clear whether Harris and Trump even will cross paths. If they do, it would be an extraordinary encounter at a somber ceremony hours after they faced off on the debate stage.Regardless of the campaign calendar, organizers of anniversary ceremonies have long taken pains to try to keep the focus on victims. For years, politicians have been only observers at ground zero observances, with the microphone going instead to relatives who read victims’ names aloud.“You’re around the people that are feeling the grief, feeling proud or sad — what it’s all about that day, and what these loved ones meant to you. It’s not political,” said Melissa Tarasiewicz, who lost her father, New York City firefighter Allan Tarasiewicz.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>, on the last Sept. 11 of his term and likely his half-century political career, was headed with Harris to the ceremonies in New York, in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon, the three sites where commercial jets crashed after al-Qaida operatives took them over on Sept. 11, 2001.Officials later concluded that the aircraft that crashed near rural Shanksville, Pennsylvania, was headed toward Washington. It went down after crew members and passengers tried to wrest control from the hijackers.The attacks killed 2,977 people and left thousands of bereaved relatives and scarred survivors. The planes carved a gash in the Pentagon, the U.S. military headquarters, and brought down the trade center's twin towers, which were among the world's tallest buildings.The catastrophe also altered U.S. foreign policy, domestic security practices and the mindset of many Americans who had not previously felt vulnerable to attacks by foreign extremists.Effects rippled around the world and through generations as the U.S. responded by leading a “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/077ff9b545584e4d8936e12cde859192">Global War on Terrorism</a>,” which included invasions of Afghanistan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-anniversary-refugee-asylum-debf2c74a9f5acc5d6562647d2bef94f">Iraq</a>. Those operations killed hundreds of thousands of Afghans and Iraqis and thousands of American troops, and Afghanistan became the site of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-e10e038baea732dae879c11234507f81">the United States' longest war</a>.As the complex legacy of 9/11 continues to evolve, communities around the country have developed remembrance traditions that range from laying wreaths to displaying flags, from marches to police radio messages. Volunteer projects also mark the anniversary, which Congress has titled both Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance.At ground zero, presidents and other officeholders read poems, parts of the Declaration of Independence and other texts during the first several anniversaries.But that ended after the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum decided in 2012 to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/sep/10/at-ground-zero-can-there-be-a-politics-free-911/">limit the ceremony to relatives reading</a>&nbsp;victims’ names. Then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg was board chairman at the time and still is.Politicians and candidates still have been able to attend the event. Many do, especially New Yorkers who held office during the attacks, such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was then a U.S. senator.She and Trump overlapped at the ground zero 9/11 remembrance in 2016, and it became a fraught chapter in the narrative of that year's presidential campaign.Clinton, then the Democratic nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1ddcfcb398d54f498bc4f5dd6fabca93">abruptly left the ceremony</a>, stumbled while awaiting her motorcade and later disclosed that she had been diagnosed with pneumonia a couple of days earlier. The episode&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/ec708cee5b7346cdba628d32c7739fd7">stirred fresh attention</a>&nbsp;to her health, which Trump had been questioning for months.To be sure, victims' family members occasionally send their own political messages at the ceremony, where readers generally make brief remarks after finishing their assigned set of names.Some relatives have used the forum to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-government-and-politics-c5e1bcbcf3327938bb3c1a34e4807a5d">bemoan Americans' divisions</a>, exhort leaders to prioritize national security, acknowledge the casualties of the war on terror,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-pa-state-wire-north-america-96061fe9fea44e5389a431458b46955f">complain that officials are politicizing 9/11</a>&nbsp;and even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-pa-state-wire-michael-pence-11da60ef711f4c52bb766a8f83fa1bd1">criticize individual officeholders</a>.But most readers stick to tributes and personal reflections. Increasingly they come from children and young adults who were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sept-11-anniversary-ceremony-children-reading-names-ed7dcd42524dca1c5098b6b3364aca91">born after the attacks</a>&nbsp;killed a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle.“Even though I never got to meet you, I feel like I’ve known you forever,” Annabella Sanchez said last year of her grandfather, Edward Joseph Papa. “We will always remember and honor you, every day.“We love you, Grandpa Eddie.”