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

TOPEKA — Christina Haswood was in 8th grade biology class when she watched Barack Obama get sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

Now, Haswood, a Lawrence Democrat and the Kansas House minority policy chair, has been chosen as an emerging changemaker for the first iteration of Obama Foundation’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.obama.org/programs/leaders/usa/">Leaders USA program</a>. When asked what her younger self would think of where she is now, she said she’s taken back to that moment in biology watching Obama’s inauguration.

“It was just a surreal moment,” Haswood said. “And I really didn’t understand what it meant, but I knew that a person of color was going to be in the White House, and I was like, this is so amazing.”

When asked who her favorite politician was, she would answer Michelle Obama. While she says she knew Michelle wasn’t necessarily a politician, her work on community and childhood health connected with Haswood and what she wanted to pursue.

Launched in 2018, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.obama.org/">Obama Foundation Leaders program</a>&nbsp;gathers leaders from different regions of the world and allows them to share ideas and expand their leadership skills to improve their communities and create positive change. In addition to working with each other, the changemakers will engage with the former president, leadership coaches and experts in various fields, according to a news release announcing the program.

Haswood’s group of 100 is the first batch of leaders to participate in the new United States program. Previously, the leadership programs were only in Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe. Members in the U.S. program include residents of 37 states, Washington, D.C., American Samoa, Guam, and five tribal nations.

Obama said in the news release he is inspired by the diverse group of individuals in the program who are “working on the most pressing issues facing our world.”

“Their ideas and leadership will help strengthen democracy now and in the future,” he said. “These leaders give me hope, and they deserve our support.”

Currently in the second week of the six-month program, Haswood said it’s great to see the group share their diverse experiences and ideas to solve long-standing problems.

“There’s great lessons of compassion and great lessons of what it is to be a leader,” Haswood said. “They’re giving us resources from effective communication to coaching, it’s really a surreal experience, and to just see the diversity and to see the issues that people are working on is so inspiring.”

Growing up as a Navajo Native American in Lawrence, she said while she wasn’t physically near her family and reservation, her parents gave her a depth of knowledge about her culture. She said she loves dressing in traditional Navajo regalia and is glad members of the community have accepted her as an indigenous woman.

“My personal experience of growing up in a western society, in a town that’s not really diverse, has helped me navigate my experiences as a Native American, indigenous young woman in a space that’s predominantly not of color,” Haswood said. “But quite interesting enough in politics, a space that once wanted to kill us off, a space that implemented and had thoughts of genocide towards the indigenous peoples and a country whose political system wanted to get rid of us.”

Haswood was first approached about running for office a month before graduating graduate school. As a 26-year-old with a public health background, she learned along the way, using social media as a way of advertising on a small budget.

Now 29, she recently expanded her use of TikTok to explain politics to young people and show those who don’t have extensive background in law how to find and understand legislative bills. She said as someone who didn’t come from a law background and has only been in office a few years, she understands how scary learning about politics can be and how those outside of the Statehouse may not have time to focus on legislators.

Haswood said she wants young people to know they are needed in politics and their voices are important.

“As we learn how to be civically engaged and politically involved, bring your friends along, build a bench and leave down the ladder,” Haswood said. “Because it’s going to take a community and it’s going to take years and generations to continue to build a more just and equal society.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690998501562.png" alt=" Rep. Christina Haswood questions the fairness of a flat tax proposal that would mainly benefit wealthy Kansans during a legislative hearing in April 2023. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Christina Haswood questions the fairness of a flat tax proposal that would mainly benefit wealthy Kansans during a legislative hearing in April 2023. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SAM BAILEY <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Christina Haswood was in 8th grade biology class when she watched Barack Obama get sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.Now, Haswood, a Lawrence Democrat and the Kansas House minority policy chair, has been chosen as an emerging changemaker for the first iteration of Obama Foundation’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.obama.org/programs/leaders/usa/">Leaders USA program</a>. When asked what her younger self would think of where she is now, she said she’s taken back to that moment in biology watching Obama’s inauguration.“It was just a surreal moment,” Haswood said. “And I really didn’t understand what it meant, but I knew that a person of color was going to be in the White House, and I was like, this is so amazing.”When asked who her favorite politician was, she would answer Michelle Obama. While she says she knew Michelle wasn’t necessarily a politician, her work on community and childhood health connected with Haswood and what she wanted to pursue.Launched in 2018, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.obama.org/">Obama Foundation Leaders program</a>&nbsp;gathers leaders from different regions of the world and allows them to share ideas and expand their leadership skills to improve their communities and create positive change. In addition to working with each other, the changemakers will engage with the former president, leadership coaches and experts in various fields, according to a news release announcing the program.Haswood’s group of 100 is the first batch of leaders to participate in the new United States program. Previously, the leadership programs were only in Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe. Members in the U.S. program include residents of 37 states, Washington, D.C., American Samoa, Guam, and five tribal nations.Obama said in the news release he is inspired by the diverse group of individuals in the program who are “working on the most pressing issues facing our world.”“Their ideas and leadership will help strengthen democracy now and in the future,” he said. “These leaders give me hope, and they deserve our support.”Currently in the second week of the six-month program, Haswood said it’s great to see the group share their diverse experiences and ideas to solve long-standing problems.“There’s great lessons of compassion and great lessons of what it is to be a leader,” Haswood said. “They’re giving us resources from effective communication to coaching, it’s really a surreal experience, and to just see the diversity and to see the issues that people are working on is so inspiring.”Growing up as a Navajo Native American in Lawrence, she said while she wasn’t physically near her family and reservation, her parents gave her a depth of knowledge about her culture. She said she loves dressing in traditional Navajo regalia and is glad members of the community have accepted her as an indigenous woman.“My personal experience of growing up in a western society, in a town that’s not really diverse, has helped me navigate my experiences as a Native American, indigenous young woman in a space that’s predominantly not of color,” Haswood said. “But quite interesting enough in politics, a space that once wanted to kill us off, a space that implemented and had thoughts of genocide towards the indigenous peoples and a country whose political system wanted to get rid of us.”Haswood was first approached about running for office a month before graduating graduate school. As a 26-year-old with a public health background, she learned along the way, using social media as a way of advertising on a small budget.Now 29, she recently expanded her use of TikTok to explain politics to young people and show those who don’t have extensive background in law how to find and understand legislative bills. She said as someone who didn’t come from a law background and has only been in office a few years, she understands how scary learning about politics can be and how those outside of the Statehouse may not have time to focus on legislators.Haswood said she wants young people to know they are needed in politics and their voices are important.“As we learn how to be civically engaged and politically involved, bring your friends along, build a bench and leave down the ladder,” Haswood said. “Because it’s going to take a community and it’s going to take years and generations to continue to build a more just and equal society.”

Kansas lawmaker chosen for Obama leadership program

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide and asked the public for help in identifying the suspect vehicle.&nbsp;

Just before noon Wednesday, police reported the suspect and vehicle are in custody.&nbsp;

The homicide and several shootings occurred just after 8 a.m. Wednesday in the 11900 block of Smalley in the Kansas City suburb of Grandview Missouri, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle. Police do not have a description of the driver of the vehicle. Police initially reported the suspect was Black male in a skull mask.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and asking the public for help&nbsp;in identifying the suspect vehicle.

If anyone has information on the vehicle or its occupants call detectives at 816-234-5227 or 816-474-TIPS.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690992870073.png" alt="&nbsp;The suspect vehicle is a green Dodge Dakota with an extended cab with gray trim, silver wheels, a large sticker in the rear window and a lawnmower in the bed of the truck.Photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;The suspect vehicle is a green Dodge Dakota with an extended cab with gray trim, silver wheels, a large sticker in the rear window and a lawnmower in the bed of the truck.Photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide and asked the public for help in identifying the suspect vehicle.&nbsp;Just before noon Wednesday, police reported the suspect and vehicle are in custody.&nbsp;The homicide and several shootings occurred just after 8 a.m. Wednesday in the 11900 block of Smalley in the Kansas City suburb of Grandview Missouri, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle. Police do not have a description of the driver of the vehicle. Police initially reported the suspect was Black male in a skull mask.----------KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and asking the public for help&nbsp;in identifying the suspect vehicle.The homicide and several shootings occurred just after 8 a.m. Wednesday in the 11900 block of Smalley in the Kansas City suburb of Grandview Missouri, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle. Police do not have a description of the driver of the vehicle. Police initially reported the suspect was Black male in a skull mask.If anyone has information on the vehicle or its occupants call detectives at 816-234-5227 or 816-474-TIPS.&nbsp;

Homicide: KCPD locate vehicle, suspect wanted in 3 shootings

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Tuesday that total tax collections for July 2023 were $681.0 million. That is $13.9 million, or 2.1%, more than the estimate. Total tax collections are up $94.7 million, or 16.2%, from July 2022, according to a media release from her office.

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wOC8wMV9KdWx5X1JldmVudWVfRlkyMDI0XzA4LTAxLTIwMjNfRmluYWwucGRmIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDgwMS44MDUwNDczMSJ9.vMpAACzeGChLGSusQHPGKC4MtyDtzQ-9llJZyErMndk/s/1303160919/br/223537620945-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the July 2023 revenue numbers.&nbsp;

“We are starting this fiscal year on strong financial footing, thanks to my administration’s laser-sharp focus on attracting businesses and growing the state’s economy,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“The numbers are clear: we must put money back in the hands of working Kansans through responsible tax cuts.”&nbsp;

Individual income tax collections were $313.7 million. That is $3.7 million, or 1.2%, more than the estimate, and a $13.2 million, or 4.4%, growth from July 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $44.7 million. That’s $4.7 million, or 11.9%, more than the estimate and up 22.2% from July 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It is important to note that wage withholding, the largest component of the $313.7 million in individual income tax receipts, is 13.4% more than in July 2022. Kansas wage income continues to be strong as the state moves into Fiscal Year 2024,”&nbsp;said Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart.&nbsp;

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $315.3 million, which is $12.3 million, or 4.1%, more than the estimate and up 38.8% from July 2022.&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Tuesday that total tax collections for July 2023 were $681.0 million. That is $13.9 million, or 2.1%, more than the estimate. Total tax collections are up $94.7 million, or 16.2%, from July 2022, according to a media release from her office.Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ292ZXJub3Iua2Fuc2FzLmdvdi93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMy8wOC8wMV9KdWx5X1JldmVudWVfRlkyMDI0XzA4LTAxLTIwMjNfRmluYWwucGRmIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDgwMS44MDUwNDczMSJ9.vMpAACzeGChLGSusQHPGKC4MtyDtzQ-9llJZyErMndk/s/1303160919/br/223537620945-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the July 2023 revenue numbers.&nbsp;“We are starting this fiscal year on strong financial footing, thanks to my administration’s laser-sharp focus on attracting businesses and growing the state’s economy,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“The numbers are clear: we must put money back in the hands of working Kansans through responsible tax cuts.”&nbsp;Individual income tax collections were $313.7 million. That is $3.7 million, or 1.2%, more than the estimate, and a $13.2 million, or 4.4%, growth from July 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $44.7 million. That’s $4.7 million, or 11.9%, more than the estimate and up 22.2% from July 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It is important to note that wage withholding, the largest component of the $313.7 million in individual income tax receipts, is 13.4% more than in July 2022. Kansas wage income continues to be strong as the state moves into Fiscal Year 2024,”&nbsp;said Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart.&nbsp;Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $315.3 million, which is $12.3 million, or 4.1%, more than the estimate and up 38.8% from July 2022.&nbsp;

July total tax receipts in Kansas $13.9M more than estimate

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a double-murder in a Wichita parking garage made his first court appearance.

On Tuesday, 19-year-old&nbsp; <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=741653">Zachary Ramirez</a> of Maize, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the commission of a felony, One count of first-degree murder; intentional and premeditated, One count of first-degree murder; unknown circumstances,&nbsp;Two counts of battery, Aggravated battery and Criminal discharges of a firearm at an occupied vehicle, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before&nbsp; 4a.m. July 27, police responded to the 300 block of North Moore after a a street sweeper operator saw two gunshot victims in a vehicle in a parking garage in Wichita's Old Town and called 911, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

EMS and fire arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the victims identified as 20-year-old Josephina Lerma-Dominguez and 21-year-old Bryan Lara-Hernandez both of Wichita died at the scene.&nbsp;

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=741653">Ramirez remains</a> jailed on a $2 million dollar bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690507120194.png" alt="Ramirez-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Ramirez-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a double-murder in a Wichita parking garage made his first court appearance.On Tuesday, 19-year-old&nbsp; <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=741653">Zachary Ramirez</a> of Maize, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the commission of a felony, One count of first-degree murder; intentional and premeditated, One count of first-degree murder; unknown circumstances,&nbsp;Two counts of battery, Aggravated battery and Criminal discharges of a firearm at an occupied vehicle, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before&nbsp; 4a.m. July 27, police responded to the 300 block of North Moore after a a street sweeper operator saw two gunshot victims in a vehicle in a parking garage in Wichita's Old Town and called 911, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.EMS and fire arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the victims identified as 20-year-old Josephina Lerma-Dominguez and 21-year-old Bryan Lara-Hernandez both of Wichita died at the scene.&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=741653">Ramirez remains</a> jailed on a $2 million dollar bond, according to online jail records.

Kansas man charged for killing couple in parking garage 

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump was indicted on felony charges Tuesday for working&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-hearings-trump-capitol-10351fe6d555eaee7554379ceed8bb24">to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department moving to hold him accountable for an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power.

On Tuesday evening, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized the Department of Justice.

<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.1.0_2.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the latest indictment&nbsp;

Trump has been trying to use the mounting legal troubles to his political advantage, claiming without evidence on social media and at public events that the cases are being driven by Democratic prosecutors out to hurt his 2024 election campaign.

The indictments have helped his campaign raise millions of dollars from supporters, though he raised less after the second than the first, raising questions about whether subsequent charges will have the same impact.

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump was indicted on felony charges Tuesday for working&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-hearings-trump-capitol-10351fe6d555eaee7554379ceed8bb24">to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department moving to hold him accountable for an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power.On Tuesday evening, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized the Department of Justice.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">What happened to equal justice under the law? <a href="https://t.co/eWYg4dQXE0">pic.twitter.com/eWYg4dQXE0</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1686527773563658240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.1.0_2.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the latest indictment&nbsp;Trump has been trying to use the mounting legal troubles to his political advantage, claiming without evidence on social media and at public events that the cases are being driven by Democratic prosecutors out to hurt his 2024 election campaign.The indictments have helped his campaign raise millions of dollars from supporters, though he raised less after the second than the first, raising questions about whether subsequent charges will have the same impact.

Marshall: DOJ nothing more than an agent of Biden crime family

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism in the city of Kechi and made an offer to those responsible in the suburb of Wichita.

On Monday night,&nbsp;teens were reported running around the community causing some issues, according to a social media report from&nbsp; in Kechi.

"The teens pulled up important traffic control signage and discarded them in residential yards. The teens also decided vandalizing the beloved community park was something worthy of their time," Police Chief Braden Moore wrote.

"These actions are very dangerous to the motoring public as well as pedestrians but also unfortunate for many of the citizens who enjoy our parks."

The community is working to fix the issues caused by the vandalism.

According to Moore, "We can chalk this up to teens making a dumb decision and thinking its funny, but the next topic I struggle with, the same teens decided to steal an American flag from someone and throw it upon the ground in the park."

"Let that one marinate for a moment. Many of the men and women in our community and surrounding area fought under that flag. Some did not return home," Moore wrote. 

"I have friends who had to be buried under that flag. Most of us can relate. The amount of disrespect shown to our community Monday night should not sit well with you either.We have leads.&nbsp; It won't be long until we solve the case. Our community is too small to hide such conduct. With that said, I would like to offer the teens who did this a little grace. If you come forward, turn yourself in, we can work through the issues at hand. Likely with no legal recourse."

"The things done will be answered for one way or another, so I am placing the ball in your court. I would like to sit down with you and share some stories from behind that flag, show you what it means to be proud of where you are from, and what it means to do right as well as make things right."

"My door is open and my email is bmoore@kechiks.gov. If you decide to step up and do what is right, you just might sleep a little easier. Should you decide double down on what took place and not take responsibility for your actions... We will handle the consequences on our time and at our will, which is usually very inconvenient for you. "

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690926307984.png" alt="Photo Kechi Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kechi Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism in the city of Kechi and made an offer to those responsible in the suburb of Wichita.On Monday night,&nbsp;teens were reported running around the community causing some issues, according to a social media report from&nbsp; in Kechi."The teens pulled up important traffic control signage and discarded them in residential yards. The teens also decided vandalizing the beloved community park was something worthy of their time," Police Chief Braden Moore wrote."These actions are very dangerous to the motoring public as well as pedestrians but also unfortunate for many of the citizens who enjoy our parks."The community is working to fix the issues caused by the vandalism.According to Moore, "We can chalk this up to teens making a dumb decision and thinking its funny, but the next topic I struggle with, the same teens decided to steal an American flag from someone and throw it upon the ground in the park.""Let that one marinate for a moment. Many of the men and women in our community and surrounding area fought under that flag. Some did not return home," Moore wrote. "I have friends who had to be buried under that flag. Most of us can relate. The amount of disrespect shown to our community Monday night should not sit well with you either.We have leads.&nbsp; It won't be long until we solve the case. Our community is too small to hide such conduct. With that said, I would like to offer the teens who did this a little grace. If you come forward, turn yourself in, we can work through the issues at hand. Likely with no legal recourse." "The things done will be answered for one way or another, so I am placing the ball in your court. I would like to sit down with you and share some stories from behind that flag, show you what it means to be proud of where you are from, and what it means to do right as well as make things right.""My door is open and my email is bmoore@kechiks.gov. If you decide to step up and do what is right, you just might sleep a little easier. Should you decide double down on what took place and not take responsibility for your actions... We will handle the consequences on our time and at our will, which is usually very inconvenient for you. "

Police make offer to Kansas teen vandals

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —The 2023 Primary Election may not have garnered much interest across much of Kansas, but an important matter was decided in Central Kansas as voters in USD 112-Central Plains voted overwhelmingly against disorganizing the school district.

<a href="http://ellsworthcounty.org/residents/elections/index.php'">According to the Ellsworth County Clerk,</a> there were 1179 no votes and&nbsp; 587 yes votes.

The USD 112 school district will stay the same, keeping the tax rate and schools intact.&nbsp;The district covers portions of five counties, including the  communities of Wilson, Holyrood, Bushton, Claflin, Dorrance, Lorraine, Beaver and Odin.

In January, the school board voted to close Wilson Jr. Sr. High School.

Last October, the Wilson High School Future Committee was formed in an effort to keep Wilson High School open. On May 9, the official petition to disorganize the district was filed in Ellsworth County after the USD 112 Board of Education declined a request to keep Wilson High School open for another year.

The results are unofficial until an Aug. 7 canvass.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686337406551.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostELLSWORTH COUNTY —The 2023 Primary Election may not have garnered much interest across much of Kansas, but an important matter was decided in Central Kansas as voters in USD 112-Central Plains voted overwhelmingly against disorganizing the school district.<a href="http://ellsworthcounty.org/residents/elections/index.php'">According to the Ellsworth County Clerk,</a> there were 1179 no votes and&nbsp; 587 yes votes.The USD 112 school district will stay the same, keeping the tax rate and schools intact.&nbsp;The district covers portions of five counties, including the communities of Wilson, Holyrood, Bushton, Claflin, Dorrance, Lorraine, Beaver and Odin.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690942109506.png" alt="File photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>In January, the school board voted to close Wilson Jr. Sr. High School.Last October, the Wilson High School Future Committee was formed in an effort to keep Wilson High School open. On May 9, the official petition to disorganize the district was filed in Ellsworth County after the USD 112 Board of Education declined a request to keep Wilson High School open for another year.The results are unofficial until an Aug. 7 canvass.

'No' vote prevails: USD 112 Central Plains to remain intact

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;was indicted on felony charges Tuesday for working&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-hearings-trump-capitol-10351fe6d555eaee7554379ceed8bb24">to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election in the run-up to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">violent riot</a>&nbsp;by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department acting to hold him accountable for an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power and threaten American democracy.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">four-count indictment</a>, the third criminal case against Trump, provided deeper insight into a dark moment that has already been the subject of exhaustive federal investigations and captivating public hearings. It chronicles a months-long campaign of lies about the election results and says that, even when those falsehoods resulted in a chaotic insurrection at the Capitol, Trump sought to exploit the violence by pointing to it as a reason to further delay the counting of votes that sealed his defeat.

<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.1.0_2.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the indictment

Even in a year of rapid-succession legal reckonings for Trump, Tuesday’s indictment, with charges including conspiring to defraud the United States government that he once led, was stunning in its allegations that a former president assaulted the “bedrock function” of democracy. It’s the first time the defeated president, who is the early front-runner for next year's Republican presidential nomination, is facing legal consequences for his frantic but ultimately failed effort to cling to power.

“The attack on our nation’s Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith</a>, whose office has spent months investigating Trump. “It was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: the nation’s process of collecting counting and certifying the results of the presidential election.”

The Trump campaign called the charges “fake” and asked why it took two-and-a-half years to bring them.

Trump was the only person charged in Tuesday's indictment. But prosecutors obliquely referenced a half-dozen co-conspirators, including lawyers inside and outside of government who they said had worked with Trump to undo the election results. They also advanced legally dubious schemes to enlist slates of fake electors in battleground states won by Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;to falsely claim that Trump had actually won them.

The indictment accuses the defeated president and his allies of trying to “exploit the violence and chaos” by calling lawmakers into the evening on Jan. 6 to delay the certification of Biden’s victory.

It also cites handwritten notes from former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;that give gravitas to Trump’s relentless goading to reject the electoral votes. Pence, who is challenging Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, declined overtures from a House panel that investigated the insurrection and sought to avoid testifying before the special counsel. He appeared only after losing a court fight, with prosecutors learning that Trump in one conversation derided him as “too honest” to stop the certification.

Trump is due in court Thursday, the first step in a legal process that will play out in a courthouse situated between the White House he once controlled and the Capitol his supporters once stormed. The case is already being dismissed by the former president and his supporters — and even some of his rivals — as just another politically motivated prosecution.

Yet the case stems from one of the most serious threats to American democracy in modern history.

The indictment centers on the turbulent two months after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">riot at the Capitol</a>, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes.

In between the election and the riot, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-arts-and-entertainment-elections-georgia-2b27f4c92919556bf6548117648693b7">urged local election officials to undo voting results</a>&nbsp;in their states, pressured Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen — a notion repeatedly rejected by judges. Among those lies, prosecutors say, were claims that more than 10,000 dead voters had voted in Georgia along with tens of thousands of double votes in Nevada. Each claim had been rebutted by courts or state or federal officials, the indictment says.

Prosecutors say Trump knew his claims of having won the election were false but he "repeated and widely disseminated them anyway — to make his knowingly false claims appear legitimate, to create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and to erode public faith in the administration of the election.”

The document carefully outlined arguments that Trump has been making to defend his conduct, that he had every right to challenge the results, to use the courts, even to lie about it in the process. But in stark detail, the indictment outlines how the former president instead took criminal steps to reverse the clear verdict voters had rendered.

The indictment had been expected since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-investigation-2020-election-7caa4d45b9dc287af868aa12f87fe254">Trump said in mid-July</a>&nbsp;that the Justice Department had informed him he was a target of its investigation. A bipartisan House committee that spent months investigating the run-up to the Capitol riot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/january-6-final-hearing-investigation-wraps-0bceb95826c1c836023d2810ccbeccca">also recommended prosecuting Trump</a>&nbsp;on charges, including aiding an insurrection and obstructing an official proceeding.

The indictment includes charges of conspiring to defraud the U.S., conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, obstructing an official proceeding and violating a post-Civil War Reconstruction Era civil rights statute that makes it a crime to conspire to violate rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution — in this case, the right to vote.

The mounting criminal cases are unfolding in the heat of the 2024 race. A conviction in this case, or any other, would not prevent Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president, though Trump as president could theoretically appoint an attorney general to dismiss the charges or potentially try to pardon himself.

In New York,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-florida-hush-money-election-764309dce49f81a50bf9f610ffd5ceb6">state prosecutors have charged Trump</a>&nbsp;with falsifying business records about a hush money payoff to a porn actor before the 2016 election. The trial is set to begin in March.

In Florida, the Justice Department has brought more than three dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">felony counts,</a>&nbsp;accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from investigators. That trial begins in May.

Prosecutors in Georgia are also investigating efforts by Trump and his allies to reverse his election loss to Biden there. The district attorney of Fulton County is expected to announce charging decisions within weeks.

Smith's team has cast a broad net as part of his federal investigation, with his team questioning senior Trump administration officials,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-trump-grand-jury-2020-jan-6-9dac6db37ab8923ff1b0f09f3a9a32c8">including Pence</a>, before a grand jury in Washington. Prosecutors also interviewed election officials in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and other battleground states won by Biden who were pressured by the Trump team to change voting results.

Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who pursued post-election legal challenges,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-giuliani-jan-6-justice-department-324e9537d58c0248806739d43b198d91">spoke voluntarily to prosecutors</a>. Giuliani was not named in the indictment, but appears to match the description of one of the co-conspirators. A spokesman for Giuliani said Tuesday night that Trump had a “good-faith basis” for the actions he took.

Attorney General&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/merrick-garland">Merrick Garland</a>&nbsp;last year appointed Smith, an international war crimes prosecutor who also led the Justice Department’s public corruption section, as special counsel to investigate efforts to undo the election as well as Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump has derided him as “deranged” and called him politically motivated, Smith’s past experience includes overseeing significant prosecutions against high-profile Democrats.

The Justice Department’s investigations began well before Smith’s appointment, proceeding alongside separate criminal probes into the rioters themselves. More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the insurrection, including some with seditious conspiracy.

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;was indicted on felony charges Tuesday for working&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-hearings-trump-capitol-10351fe6d555eaee7554379ceed8bb24">to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election in the run-up to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">violent riot</a>&nbsp;by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department acting to hold him accountable for an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power and threaten American democracy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690930902026.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">four-count indictment</a>, the third criminal case against Trump, provided deeper insight into a dark moment that has already been the subject of exhaustive federal investigations and captivating public hearings. It chronicles a months-long campaign of lies about the election results and says that, even when those falsehoods resulted in a chaotic insurrection at the Capitol, Trump sought to exploit the violence by pointing to it as a reason to further delay the counting of votes that sealed his defeat.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Special Counsel Jack Smith: &quot;Today an indictment was unsealed charging Donald J. Trump with conspiring to defraud the United States, conspiring to disenfranchise voters and conspiring and attempting to obstruct an official proceeding.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/EH0n75BRi3">pic.twitter.com/EH0n75BRi3</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1686502898765791233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.1.0_2.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the indictmentEven in a year of rapid-succession legal reckonings for Trump, Tuesday’s indictment, with charges including conspiring to defraud the United States government that he once led, was stunning in its allegations that a former president assaulted the “bedrock function” of democracy. It’s the first time the defeated president, who is the early front-runner for next year's Republican presidential nomination, is facing legal consequences for his frantic but ultimately failed effort to cling to power.“The attack on our nation’s Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith</a>, whose office has spent months investigating Trump. “It was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: the nation’s process of collecting counting and certifying the results of the presidential election.”The Trump campaign called the charges “fake” and asked why it took two-and-a-half years to bring them.Trump was the only person charged in Tuesday's indictment. But prosecutors obliquely referenced a half-dozen co-conspirators, including lawyers inside and outside of government who they said had worked with Trump to undo the election results. They also advanced legally dubious schemes to enlist slates of fake electors in battleground states won by Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;to falsely claim that Trump had actually won them.The indictment accuses the defeated president and his allies of trying to “exploit the violence and chaos” by calling lawmakers into the evening on Jan. 6 to delay the certification of Biden’s victory.It also cites handwritten notes from former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-pence">Mike Pence</a>&nbsp;that give gravitas to Trump’s relentless goading to reject the electoral votes. Pence, who is challenging Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, declined overtures from a House panel that investigated the insurrection and sought to avoid testifying before the special counsel. He appeared only after losing a court fight, with prosecutors learning that Trump in one conversation derided him as “too honest” to stop the certification.Trump is due in court Thursday, the first step in a legal process that will play out in a courthouse situated between the White House he once controlled and the Capitol his supporters once stormed. The case is already being dismissed by the former president and his supporters — and even some of his rivals — as just another politically motivated prosecution.Yet the case stems from one of the most serious threats to American democracy in modern history.The indictment centers on the turbulent two months after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">riot at the Capitol</a>, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes.In between the election and the riot, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-arts-and-entertainment-elections-georgia-2b27f4c92919556bf6548117648693b7">urged local election officials to undo voting results</a>&nbsp;in their states, pressured Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen — a notion repeatedly rejected by judges. Among those lies, prosecutors say, were claims that more than 10,000 dead voters had voted in Georgia along with tens of thousands of double votes in Nevada. Each claim had been rebutted by courts or state or federal officials, the indictment says.Prosecutors say Trump knew his claims of having won the election were false but he "repeated and widely disseminated them anyway — to make his knowingly false claims appear legitimate, to create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and to erode public faith in the administration of the election.”The document carefully outlined arguments that Trump has been making to defend his conduct, that he had every right to challenge the results, to use the courts, even to lie about it in the process. But in stark detail, the indictment outlines how the former president instead took criminal steps to reverse the clear verdict voters had rendered.The indictment had been expected since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-investigation-2020-election-7caa4d45b9dc287af868aa12f87fe254">Trump said in mid-July</a>&nbsp;that the Justice Department had informed him he was a target of its investigation. A bipartisan House committee that spent months investigating the run-up to the Capitol riot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/january-6-final-hearing-investigation-wraps-0bceb95826c1c836023d2810ccbeccca">also recommended prosecuting Trump</a>&nbsp;on charges, including aiding an insurrection and obstructing an official proceeding.The indictment includes charges of conspiring to defraud the U.S., conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, obstructing an official proceeding and violating a post-Civil War Reconstruction Era civil rights statute that makes it a crime to conspire to violate rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution — in this case, the right to vote.The mounting criminal cases are unfolding in the heat of the 2024 race. A conviction in this case, or any other, would not prevent Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president, though Trump as president could theoretically appoint an attorney general to dismiss the charges or potentially try to pardon himself.In New York,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-florida-hush-money-election-764309dce49f81a50bf9f610ffd5ceb6">state prosecutors have charged Trump</a>&nbsp;with falsifying business records about a hush money payoff to a porn actor before the 2016 election. The trial is set to begin in March.In Florida, the Justice Department has brought more than three dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">felony counts,</a>&nbsp;accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from investigators. That trial begins in May.Prosecutors in Georgia are also investigating efforts by Trump and his allies to reverse his election loss to Biden there. The district attorney of Fulton County is expected to announce charging decisions within weeks.Smith's team has cast a broad net as part of his federal investigation, with his team questioning senior Trump administration officials,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-trump-grand-jury-2020-jan-6-9dac6db37ab8923ff1b0f09f3a9a32c8">including Pence</a>, before a grand jury in Washington. Prosecutors also interviewed election officials in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and other battleground states won by Biden who were pressured by the Trump team to change voting results.Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who pursued post-election legal challenges,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-giuliani-jan-6-justice-department-324e9537d58c0248806739d43b198d91">spoke voluntarily to prosecutors</a>. Giuliani was not named in the indictment, but appears to match the description of one of the co-conspirators. A spokesman for Giuliani said Tuesday night that Trump had a “good-faith basis” for the actions he took.Attorney General&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/merrick-garland">Merrick Garland</a>&nbsp;last year appointed Smith, an international war crimes prosecutor who also led the Justice Department’s public corruption section, as special counsel to investigate efforts to undo the election as well as Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump has derided him as “deranged” and called him politically motivated, Smith’s past experience includes overseeing significant prosecutions against high-profile Democrats.The Justice Department’s investigations began well before Smith’s appointment, proceeding alongside separate criminal probes into the rioters themselves. More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the insurrection, including some with seditious conspiracy.____

🎥Trump campaign responds to latest indictment

HUTCHINSON— The Kansas State Fair is looking for models of all kinds to help tell the story of the 2023 Kansas State Fair in photos and videos from Sept. 8 to 17 in Hutchinson, according to a media release.

No previous modeling experience is required, just a willing personality, and a love of the Fair.

Casting includes: Families-Kids-Seniors-Couples-Teen/Young Adult Groups

Selected models will receive free gate tickets, and be scheduled for a 30 minute shoot with the State Fair media crew.

<a href="https://www.kansasstatefair.com/f/166?fbclid=IwAR0o1EztcdWGmFITsAJZbyp1sgmv-Hg3yQzQcPn-a1lpeVkFBry9iBURzP8">CLICK here </a>to apply here by August 15:&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690915993318.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas State Fair" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas State Fair</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON— The Kansas State Fair is looking for models of all kinds to help tell the story of the 2023 Kansas State Fair in photos and videos from Sept. 8 to 17 in Hutchinson, according to a media release.No previous modeling experience is required, just a willing personality, and a love of the Fair.Casting includes: Families-Kids-Seniors-Couples-Teen/Young Adult GroupsSelected models will receive free gate tickets, and be scheduled for a 30 minute shoot with the State Fair media crew.<a href="https://www.kansasstatefair.com/f/166?fbclid=IwAR0o1EztcdWGmFITsAJZbyp1sgmv-Hg3yQzQcPn-a1lpeVkFBry9iBURzP8">CLICK here </a>to apply here by August 15:&nbsp;

Kansas State Fair looking for models of all ages

Des Moines (AP) —The Mega Millions jackpot increased to an estimated $1.25 billion after no one beat the odds Tuesday night and won the massive lottery prize.

The winning numbers drawn were: 8, 24, 30, 45, 61 and the yellow ball: 12.

No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since April 18, allowing it to grow larger and larger. The $1.25 billion prize for Friday’s drawing is one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/top-10-us-lottery-jackpots-b24950a388d0a0f6544d2276956ff220">largest in U.S. history</a>. Tuesday night’s drawing for $1.1 billion was the 30th straight without a winner.

The lottery drought is due to a combination of poor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">luck and terrible odds</a>, as the chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 302.6 million. The odds of winning smaller prizes, ranging from $2 to $1 million, are significantly better.

The new $1.25 billion jackpot is for a sole winner who chooses to collect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-annuity-vs-cash-0e741f164106c0f4dba89707c5763c99">through an annuity</a>, with annual payments over 30 years. A sole winner who opts for a lump sum payment would receive an estimated $625.3 million.

Winners also would be subject to federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery winnings.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Des Moines (AP) —The Mega Millions jackpot increased to an estimated $1.25 billion after no one beat the odds Tuesday night and won the massive lottery prize.The winning numbers drawn were: 8, 24, 30, 45, 61 and the yellow ball: 12.No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since April 18, allowing it to grow larger and larger. The $1.25 billion prize for Friday’s drawing is one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/top-10-us-lottery-jackpots-b24950a388d0a0f6544d2276956ff220">largest in U.S. history</a>. Tuesday night’s drawing for $1.1 billion was the 30th straight without a winner.The lottery drought is due to a combination of poor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">luck and terrible odds</a>, as the chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 302.6 million. The odds of winning smaller prizes, ranging from $2 to $1 million, are significantly better.The new $1.25 billion jackpot is for a sole winner who chooses to collect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-annuity-vs-cash-0e741f164106c0f4dba89707c5763c99">through an annuity</a>, with annual payments over 30 years. A sole winner who opts for a lump sum payment would receive an estimated $625.3 million.Winners also would be subject to federal taxes, and many states also tax lottery winnings.Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Mega Millions jackpot climbs to $1.25 billion after no one hits top prize

BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) —A man who abducted a 6-year-old Missouri girl and beat her to death at an abandoned factory two decades ago was put to death Tuesday evening, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request to block the execution over arguments he was mentally incompetent.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-august-06f474f368dfd5ff5c4145164b222a3b">Johnny Johnson</a>, 45, received a lethal injection dose of pentobarbital at a state prison in Bonne Terre and was pronounced dead at 6:33 p.m. CDT, authorities said. He was convicted of the July 2002 killing of Casey Williamson in the St. Louis area suburb of Valley Park.

Johnson, who had schizophrenia, expressed remorse in a brief handwritten statement released by the Department of Corrections hours before being executed.

“God Bless. Sorry to the people and family I hurt,” Johnson’s statement said.

As he lay on his back with a sheet up to his neck, Johnson turned his head to the left, appearing to listen to his spiritual adviser shortly before the injection began. He then faced forward with his eyes closed, with no further physical reaction.

Among those witnessing Johnson’s execution were several members of the girl’s family and the former prosecutor and police investigator who handled his case.

The U.S. Supreme Court, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor and two other justices dissenting, rejected a late request to stay the execution.

In recent appeals, Johnson’s attorneys have said the inmate has had delusions about the devil using his death to bring about the end of the world.

“The Court today paves the way to execute a man with documented mental illness before any court meaningfully investigates his competency to be executed,” Sotomayor and the other dissenting justices wrote in a statement when the stay was rejected. "There is no moral victory in executing someone who believes Satan is killing him to bring about the end of the world."

Former St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch called the delusions “nonsense” and said Johnson inflicted “unspeakable horrors” upon Casey.

“He's got some issues — significant issues," McCulloch said moments before witnessing the execution. But “he knew exactly what he was doing.”

The girl's disappearance from her hometown of Valley Park on July 26, 2002, had set off a frantic search before her body was found.

Casey’s mother had been best friends in childhood with Johnson’s older sister and even helped babysit him. After Johnson attended a barbecue the night before the killing, Casey's family let him sleep on a couch in the home where they also were sleeping.

In the morning, Johnson lured the girl — still in her nightgown — to the abandoned glass factory, even carrying her on his shoulders on the walk to the dilapidated site, according to court documents. When he tried to sexually assault her, Casey screamed and tried to break free. He killed her with a brick and a large rock, then washed off in the nearby Meramec River. Johnson confessed that same day to the crimes, according to authorities.

“It was more violent and brutal than any case I've ever seen,” said former St. Louis County homicide investigator Paul Neske, who questioned Johnson at length the day of Casey's murder and witnessed his execution.

After a search by first responders and volunteers, Casey's body was found in a pit, buried under rocks and debris, less than a mile (kilometer) from her home.

At Johnson's trial, defense lawyers presented testimony showing their client — an ex-convict who had been released from a state psychiatric facility six months before the crime — had stopped taking his schizophrenia medication and was acting strangely in the days before the slaying.

In June, the Missouri Supreme Court denied an appeal seeking to block the execution on arguments that Johnson's schizophrenia prevented him from understanding the link between his crime and the punishment. A three-judge federal appeals court panel last week temporary halted execution plans, but the full 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated it. Johnson's attorneys then filed appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court centered around his competency to be executed.

Gov. Mike Parson on Monday denied a request to reduce Johnson's sentence to life in prison. The clemency petition by Johnson's attorneys said Casey's father, Ernie Williamson, opposed the death penalty.

But Casey's great aunt, Della Steele, wrote an emotional plea to the governor urging the execution be carried out to “send the message that it is not okay to terrorize and murder a child.” Steele said grief from Casey's death led to destructive effects among other family members.

“He did something horrible. He took a life away from a completely innocent child, and there have to be consequences for that,” Steele said recently, speaking with The Associated Press.

The family has organized community safety fairs in Casey’s memory, including a July 22 event that drew a couple hundred people. The family gave away dozens of child identification kits along with safety tips involving fire, water and bicycles, among other items.

The execution was the 16th in the U.S. this year, including three previously in Missouri, five in Texas, four in Florida, two in Oklahoma and one in Alabama.

“It’s been a difficult day, and a difficult 21 years,” Steele said in a statement after witnessing the execution. “We will continue to honor our sweet Casey’s memory by doing our best to make a difference in the lives of other children.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690408112630.png" alt="Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) —A man who abducted a 6-year-old Missouri girl and beat her to death at an abandoned factory two decades ago was put to death Tuesday evening, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request to block the execution over arguments he was mentally incompetent.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-august-06f474f368dfd5ff5c4145164b222a3b">Johnny Johnson</a>, 45, received a lethal injection dose of pentobarbital at a state prison in Bonne Terre and was pronounced dead at 6:33 p.m. CDT, authorities said. He was convicted of the July 2002 killing of Casey Williamson in the St. Louis area suburb of Valley Park.Johnson, who had schizophrenia, expressed remorse in a brief handwritten statement released by the Department of Corrections hours before being executed.“God Bless. Sorry to the people and family I hurt,” Johnson’s statement said.As he lay on his back with a sheet up to his neck, Johnson turned his head to the left, appearing to listen to his spiritual adviser shortly before the injection began. He then faced forward with his eyes closed, with no further physical reaction.Among those witnessing Johnson’s execution were several members of the girl’s family and the former prosecutor and police investigator who handled his case.The U.S. Supreme Court, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor and two other justices dissenting, rejected a late request to stay the execution.In recent appeals, Johnson’s attorneys have said the inmate has had delusions about the devil using his death to bring about the end of the world.“The Court today paves the way to execute a man with documented mental illness before any court meaningfully investigates his competency to be executed,” Sotomayor and the other dissenting justices wrote in a statement when the stay was rejected. "There is no moral victory in executing someone who believes Satan is killing him to bring about the end of the world."Former St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch called the delusions “nonsense” and said Johnson inflicted “unspeakable horrors” upon Casey.“He's got some issues — significant issues," McCulloch said moments before witnessing the execution. But “he knew exactly what he was doing.”The girl's disappearance from her hometown of Valley Park on July 26, 2002, had set off a frantic search before her body was found.Casey’s mother had been best friends in childhood with Johnson’s older sister and even helped babysit him. After Johnson attended a barbecue the night before the killing, Casey's family let him sleep on a couch in the home where they also were sleeping.In the morning, Johnson lured the girl — still in her nightgown — to the abandoned glass factory, even carrying her on his shoulders on the walk to the dilapidated site, according to court documents. When he tried to sexually assault her, Casey screamed and tried to break free. He killed her with a brick and a large rock, then washed off in the nearby Meramec River. Johnson confessed that same day to the crimes, according to authorities.“It was more violent and brutal than any case I've ever seen,” said former St. Louis County homicide investigator Paul Neske, who questioned Johnson at length the day of Casey's murder and witnessed his execution.After a search by first responders and volunteers, Casey's body was found in a pit, buried under rocks and debris, less than a mile (kilometer) from her home.At Johnson's trial, defense lawyers presented testimony showing their client — an ex-convict who had been released from a state psychiatric facility six months before the crime — had stopped taking his schizophrenia medication and was acting strangely in the days before the slaying.In June, the Missouri Supreme Court denied an appeal seeking to block the execution on arguments that Johnson's schizophrenia prevented him from understanding the link between his crime and the punishment. A three-judge federal appeals court panel last week temporary halted execution plans, but the full 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated it. Johnson's attorneys then filed appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court centered around his competency to be executed.Gov. Mike Parson on Monday denied a request to reduce Johnson's sentence to life in prison. The clemency petition by Johnson's attorneys said Casey's father, Ernie Williamson, opposed the death penalty.But Casey's great aunt, Della Steele, wrote an emotional plea to the governor urging the execution be carried out to “send the message that it is not okay to terrorize and murder a child.” Steele said grief from Casey's death led to destructive effects among other family members.“He did something horrible. He took a life away from a completely innocent child, and there have to be consequences for that,” Steele said recently, speaking with The Associated Press.The family has organized community safety fairs in Casey’s memory, including a July 22 event that drew a couple hundred people. The family gave away dozens of child identification kits along with safety tips involving fire, water and bicycles, among other items.The execution was the 16th in the U.S. this year, including three previously in Missouri, five in Texas, four in Florida, two in Oklahoma and one in Alabama.“It’s been a difficult day, and a difficult 21 years,” Steele said in a statement after witnessing the execution. “We will continue to honor our sweet Casey’s memory by doing our best to make a difference in the lives of other children.”

Killer of 6-year-old expressed remorse before his execution

JACKSON COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 11p.m. Sunday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspicious individuals in the area of 110th and T. Roads in southeastern Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Deputies stopped a vehicle leaving the area near 126th and T. Roads.  Deputies arrested the driver, identified as 22-year-old Joshua Kenneth Funk Jr., of Valley Falls for driving under the influence, transporting an open container and possession of cocaine. 

 Funk was booked into the Jackson County Jail. The Hoyt Police Department assisted with the incident. Funk is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690899444029.png" alt="Funk-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Funk-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 11p.m. Sunday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspicious individuals in the area of 110th and T. Roads in southeastern Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.Deputies stopped a vehicle leaving the area near 126th and T. Roads. Deputies arrested the driver, identified as 22-year-old Joshua Kenneth Funk Jr., of Valley Falls for driving under the influence, transporting an open container and possession of cocaine. Funk was booked into the Jackson County Jail. The Hoyt Police Department assisted with the incident. Funk is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Kansas man caught transporting cocaine

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump was charged Tuesday in a Justice Department investigation into his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-hearings-trump-capitol-10351fe6d555eaee7554379ceed8bb24">efforts to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 presidential election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol.

<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.1.0_2.pdf">Click here to read</a> the indictment

The charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States government and witness tampering.

The indictment, the third criminal case brought against the former president as he seeks to reclaim the White House in 2024, follows a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-charges-ab1ad197e9abcb3eb9095237b98bee7d">long-running federal investigation</a>&nbsp;into schemes by Trump and his allies to subvert the peaceful transfer of power and keep him in office despite a decisive loss to Joe Biden.

Even in a year of rapid-succession legal reckonings for Trump, Tuesday's criminal case was especially stunning in its allegations that a former president assaulted the underpinnings of democracy in a frantic and ultimately failed effort to cling to power.

Federal prosecutors say Donald Trump was “determined to remain in power” in conspiracies that targeted a “bedrock function of the United States federal government: the nation’s process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election.”

Trump is due in court on Thursday before U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan.

The criminal case comes while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-desantis-2024-rivalry-republican-039d07d08e7fef506bf7b8b1cd40ca75">Trump leads the field of Republicans</a>&nbsp;vying to capture their party’s presidential nomination. It is sure to be dismissed by the former president and his supporters — and even some of his rivals — as just another politically motivated prosecution. Yet the charges stem from one of the most serious threats to American democracy in modern history.

They focus on the turbulent two months after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the U.S. Capitol riot</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes.

In between the election and the riot, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-arts-and-entertainment-elections-georgia-2b27f4c92919556bf6548117648693b7">urged local election officials to undo voting results</a>&nbsp;in their states, pressured former Vice President Mike Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen — a notion repeatedly rejected by judges.

The indictment had been expected since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-investigation-2020-election-7caa4d45b9dc287af868aa12f87fe254">Trump said in mid-July</a>&nbsp;that the Justice Department informed him he was a target of its long-running Jan. 6 investigation. A bipartisan House committee that spent months investigating the run-up to the Capitol riot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/january-6-final-hearing-investigation-wraps-0bceb95826c1c836023d2810ccbeccca">also recommended prosecuting Trump</a>&nbsp;on charges, including aiding an insurrection and obstructing an official proceeding.

The mounting criminal cases against Trump — not to mention multiple civil cases — are unfolding in the heat of the 2024 race. A conviction in this case, or any other, would not prevent Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president.

In New York,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-florida-hush-money-election-764309dce49f81a50bf9f610ffd5ceb6">state prosecutors have charged Trump</a>&nbsp;with falsifying business records about a hush money payoff to a porn actor before the 2016 election. The trial begins in late March.

In Florida, the Justice Department has brought more than three dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">felony counts against Trump</a>&nbsp;accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from the government. The trial begins in late May.

The latest federal indictment against Trump focuses heavily on actions taken in Washington, and the trial will be held there, in a courthouse located between the White House he once occupied and the Capitol his supporters once stormed. No trial date has been set.

Prosecutors in Georgia are investigating efforts by Trump and his allies to reverse his election loss to Biden there in 2020. The district attorney of Fulton County is expected to announce a decision on whether to indict the former president in early August.

The investigation of Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election was led by Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">special counsel Jack Smith</a>. His team of prosecutors has questioned senior Trump administration officials before a grand jury in Washington,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-trump-grand-jury-2020-jan-6-9dac6db37ab8923ff1b0f09f3a9a32c8">including Pence</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-pat-cipollone-12a8357dfec8bc9a245e5e310638aedc">top lawyers from the Trump White House</a>.

Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who pursued post-election legal challenges,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-giuliani-jan-6-justice-department-324e9537d58c0248806739d43b198d91">spoke voluntarily to prosecutors</a>&nbsp;as part of a proffer agreement, in which a person’s statements can’t be used against them in any future criminal case that is brought.

Prosecutors also interviewed election officials in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and elsewhere who came under pressure from Trump and his associates to change voting results in states won by Biden, a Democrat.

Focal points of the Justice Department’s election meddling investigation included the role played by some of Trump’s lawyers, post-election fundraising,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-panel-july-12-hearing-live-updates-78d2471f3788a82290f04d02b2b50520">a chaotic December 2020</a>&nbsp;meeting at the White House in which some Trump aides discussed the possibility of seizing voting machines and the enlistment of fake electors to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-joe-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-electoral-college-311f88768b65f7196f52a4757dc162e4">submit certificates to the National Archives</a>&nbsp;and Congress falsely asserting that Trump, not Biden, had won their states’ votes.

A fundraising committee backing Trump’s candidacy began soliciting contributions just hours after the ex-president revealed he was the focus of the Justice Department’s Jan. 6 investigation, casting it as “just another vicious act of Election Interference on behalf of the Deep State to try and stop the Silent Majority from having a voice in your own country.”

Attorney General Merrick Garland last year appointed Smith, an international war crimes prosecutor who also led the Justice Department’s public corruption section, as special counsel to investigate efforts to undo the 2020 election and Trump’s retention of hundreds of classified documents at his Palm Beach, Florida, home, Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump has derided him as “deranged” and suggested that he is politically motivated, Smith’s past experience includes overseeing significant prosecutions against high-profile Democrats.

The Justice Department’s investigation into the efforts to overturn the 2020 election began well before Smith’s appointment, proceeding alongside separate criminal probes into the Jan. 6 rioters themselves.

More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the insurrection, including some with seditious conspiracy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690927220268.png" alt="In a video released by the&nbsp;White House,&nbsp;President Trump&nbsp;addressed protesters who breached the U.S. Capitol-image CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>In a video released by the&nbsp;White House,&nbsp;President Trump&nbsp;addressed protesters who breached the U.S. Capitol-image CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump was charged Tuesday in a Justice Department investigation into his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-hearings-trump-capitol-10351fe6d555eaee7554379ceed8bb24">efforts to overturn the results</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 presidential election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol.<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149/gov.uscourts.dcd.258149.1.0_2.pdf">Click here to read</a> the indictmentThe charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States government and witness tampering.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690926987746.png" alt="President Trump during the DC&nbsp; Rally on Jan. 6-White House image" />
 <figcaption>President Trump during the DC&nbsp; Rally on Jan. 6-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>The indictment, the third criminal case brought against the former president as he seeks to reclaim the White House in 2024, follows a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-charges-ab1ad197e9abcb3eb9095237b98bee7d">long-running federal investigation</a>&nbsp;into schemes by Trump and his allies to subvert the peaceful transfer of power and keep him in office despite a decisive loss to Joe Biden.Even in a year of rapid-succession legal reckonings for Trump, Tuesday's criminal case was especially stunning in its allegations that a former president assaulted the underpinnings of democracy in a frantic and ultimately failed effort to cling to power.Federal prosecutors say Donald Trump was “determined to remain in power” in conspiracies that targeted a “bedrock function of the United States federal government: the nation’s process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election.”Trump is due in court on Thursday before U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan.The criminal case comes while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-desantis-2024-rivalry-republican-039d07d08e7fef506bf7b8b1cd40ca75">Trump leads the field of Republicans</a>&nbsp;vying to capture their party’s presidential nomination. It is sure to be dismissed by the former president and his supporters — and even some of his rivals — as just another politically motivated prosecution. Yet the charges stem from one of the most serious threats to American democracy in modern history.They focus on the turbulent two months after the November 2020 election in which Trump refused to accept his loss and spread lies that victory was stolen from him. The turmoil resulted in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the U.S. Capitol riot</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump loyalists violently broke into the building, attacked police officers and disrupted the congressional counting of electoral votes.In between the election and the riot, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-joe-biden-arts-and-entertainment-elections-georgia-2b27f4c92919556bf6548117648693b7">urged local election officials to undo voting results</a>&nbsp;in their states, pressured former Vice President Mike Pence to halt the certification of electoral votes and falsely claimed that the election had been stolen — a notion repeatedly rejected by judges.The indictment had been expected since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-investigation-2020-election-7caa4d45b9dc287af868aa12f87fe254">Trump said in mid-July</a>&nbsp;that the Justice Department informed him he was a target of its long-running Jan. 6 investigation. A bipartisan House committee that spent months investigating the run-up to the Capitol riot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/january-6-final-hearing-investigation-wraps-0bceb95826c1c836023d2810ccbeccca">also recommended prosecuting Trump</a>&nbsp;on charges, including aiding an insurrection and obstructing an official proceeding.The mounting criminal cases against Trump — not to mention multiple civil cases — are unfolding in the heat of the 2024 race. A conviction in this case, or any other, would not prevent Trump from pursuing the White House or serving as president.In New York,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-florida-hush-money-election-764309dce49f81a50bf9f610ffd5ceb6">state prosecutors have charged Trump</a>&nbsp;with falsifying business records about a hush money payoff to a porn actor before the 2016 election. The trial begins in late March.In Florida, the Justice Department has brought more than three dozen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">felony counts against Trump</a>&nbsp;accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from the government. The trial begins in late May.The latest federal indictment against Trump focuses heavily on actions taken in Washington, and the trial will be held there, in a courthouse located between the White House he once occupied and the Capitol his supporters once stormed. No trial date has been set.Prosecutors in Georgia are investigating efforts by Trump and his allies to reverse his election loss to Biden there in 2020. The district attorney of Fulton County is expected to announce a decision on whether to indict the former president in early August.The investigation of Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election was led by Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">special counsel Jack Smith</a>. His team of prosecutors has questioned senior Trump administration officials before a grand jury in Washington,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-trump-grand-jury-2020-jan-6-9dac6db37ab8923ff1b0f09f3a9a32c8">including Pence</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-pat-cipollone-12a8357dfec8bc9a245e5e310638aedc">top lawyers from the Trump White House</a>.Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who pursued post-election legal challenges,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-giuliani-jan-6-justice-department-324e9537d58c0248806739d43b198d91">spoke voluntarily to prosecutors</a>&nbsp;as part of a proffer agreement, in which a person’s statements can’t be used against them in any future criminal case that is brought.Prosecutors also interviewed election officials in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and elsewhere who came under pressure from Trump and his associates to change voting results in states won by Biden, a Democrat.Focal points of the Justice Department’s election meddling investigation included the role played by some of Trump’s lawyers, post-election fundraising,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-panel-july-12-hearing-live-updates-78d2471f3788a82290f04d02b2b50520">a chaotic December 2020</a>&nbsp;meeting at the White House in which some Trump aides discussed the possibility of seizing voting machines and the enlistment of fake electors to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-joe-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-electoral-college-311f88768b65f7196f52a4757dc162e4">submit certificates to the National Archives</a>&nbsp;and Congress falsely asserting that Trump, not Biden, had won their states’ votes.Trump has been trying to use the mounting legal troubles to his political advantage, claiming without evidence on social media and at public events that the cases are being driven by Democratic prosecutors out to hurt his 2024 election campaign.The indictments have helped his campaign raise millions of dollars from supporters, though he raised less after the second than the first, raising questions about whether subsequent charges will have the same impact.A fundraising committee backing Trump’s candidacy began soliciting contributions just hours after the ex-president revealed he was the focus of the Justice Department’s Jan. 6 investigation, casting it as “just another vicious act of Election Interference on behalf of the Deep State to try and stop the Silent Majority from having a voice in your own country.”Attorney General Merrick Garland last year appointed Smith, an international war crimes prosecutor who also led the Justice Department’s public corruption section, as special counsel to investigate efforts to undo the 2020 election and Trump’s retention of hundreds of classified documents at his Palm Beach, Florida, home, Mar-a-Lago. Although Trump has derided him as “deranged” and suggested that he is politically motivated, Smith’s past experience includes overseeing significant prosecutions against high-profile Democrats.The Justice Department’s investigation into the efforts to overturn the 2020 election began well before Smith’s appointment, proceeding alongside separate criminal probes into the Jan. 6 rioters themselves.More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the insurrection, including some with seditious conspiracy.____

Read indictment: Trump charged for efforts to overturn 2020 election 

PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. (AP) — A transgender former student sued a Missouri school district on Monday for forcing her to use the boys’ bathrooms or the high school's only single-stall bathroom.

<a href="https://www.aclu-mo.org/sites/default/files/2023-07-31_-_petition.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the petition

The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri sued Platte County R-3 School District on behalf of the transgender female former student, identified in the lawsuit only as R.F.

The former student received detention twice for using the girls' restroom, according to the lawsuit. She said a male classmate harassed her and threatened her with rape when she used the boys' bathroom.

The lawsuit argues the school violated her rights by requiring her to use the bathroom that aligned with her sex assigned at birth or the school's single-stall gender-neutral bathroom.

“Forcing transgender students to use the bathroom or locker room that matches their sex designated at birth is not only discrimination but dangerous and causes serious harm to Missouri’s youth,” said Gillian Wilcox, deputy director of litigation at the ACLU of Missouri, in a statement. “Both through the constitution and by statute the government, a school in this case, is prohibited from discriminating against the people it is supposed to protect on the basis of either their sex or disability.”

Superintendent Jay Harris said in a statement that the district is “in the early stages of evaluating the legal claims” but plans to provide more information soon.

“The District’s focus is, and has always been, providing a safe and caring environment for all students,” Harris said.

KANSAS CITY –The battle over a transgender student using a girls restroom at a Kansas City-area high school is headed to court.

The ACLU of Missouri filed a lawsuit on behalf of a former Platte County High School student challenging the district’s actions that discriminated against her based on her transgender status, her sex&nbsp;designated&nbsp;at birth, and her clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria, according to a media release from the organization.

<a href="https://www.aclu-mo.org/sites/default/files/2023-07-31_-_petition.pdf">Click here to read</a> the petition

The lawsuit is brought under the Missouri Human Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the Missouri Constitution and urges the court to find that the Platte County School District’s practices and policies are unconstitutional and award damages and fees.

“Forcing transgender students to use the bathroom or locker room that matches their sex designated at birth is not only discrimination but dangerous and causes serious harm to Missouri’s youth,” said&nbsp;Gillian Wilcox, Deputy Director of Litigation at the ACLU of Missouri. “Both through the constitution and by statute the government, a school in this case, is prohibited from discriminating against the people it is supposed to protect on the basis of either their sex or disability.”

The student, referred to as R.F. in the lawsuit, identified as female at a very young age She began counseling to start her social and medical transition to female in 2019. Following a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and at the recommendation of counselors and doctors, R.F. was prescribed hormone blockers and, eventually, hormone replacement therapy. R.F. lives as a female and was living as a female when she was denied the use of the girls’ restroom at her school.

At the beginning of her&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;year, R.F. was informed by the assistant principal that the school district required her to use either the restroom of her sex designated at birth or the single gender-neutral restroom at the school. This forced R.F. into the impossible dilemma of using an impractical single-stall restroom where there was often a line as it was used by all students and risk missing or being late to class, using the boys’ restroom even though she is a transgender female, or using one of the many the girls’ restrooms and risk punishment. R.F. preferred to use one of the girls’ restrooms located throughout the school.&nbsp;

The school responded through a series of escalating punishments ranging from verbal warnings to out-of-school suspension. R.F. did use the boys’ restroom upon returning from suspension, where she experienced harassment and a threat of rape from a male classmate.

The prohibition on using the girls’ restroom, as well as the harassment, caused R.F. to experience anxiety and depression, leaving her afraid to attend school because of how she was treated, R.F. completed the last several months of her freshman year virtually.

Platte County School District’s harmful practice and policy of forcing transgender students to use the restroom that corresponds with their sex designated at birth leads to unnecessary discipline and results in anxiety, depression, and harassment for transgender students.

In recent months, the ACLU of Missouri, in partnership with Lambda Legal and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, LLC., has challenged multiple attempts by the government to ban gender affirming care, including last week’s lawsuit&nbsp;challenging&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclu-mo.org/en/news/families-and-medical-providers-sue-missouri-block-transgender-youth-medical-care-ban" target="_blank">Senate Bill 49&nbsp;</a>and an earlier lawsuit challenging the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclu-mo.org/en/news/aclu-missouris-statement-termination-attorney-generals-restrictive-rule-gender-affirming-care" target="_blank">Attorney General’s failed&nbsp;attempt</a>&nbsp;to use the state’s consumer protection laws to ban all gender-affirming care.

The ACLU of Missouri will continue to explore all options to expand the rights of transgender Missourians.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690923567379.png" alt="The ACLU of Missouri filed a lawsuit on behalf of a former Platte County High School student -Google image" />
 <figcaption>The ACLU of Missouri filed a lawsuit on behalf of a former Platte County High School student -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>PLATTE COUNTY, Mo. (AP) — A transgender former student sued a Missouri school district on Monday for forcing her to use the boys’ bathrooms or the high school's only single-stall bathroom.<a href="https://www.aclu-mo.org/sites/default/files/2023-07-31_-_petition.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the petitionThe American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri sued Platte County R-3 School District on behalf of the transgender female former student, identified in the lawsuit only as R.F.The former student received detention twice for using the girls' restroom, according to the lawsuit. She said a male classmate harassed her and threatened her with rape when she used the boys' bathroom.The lawsuit argues the school violated her rights by requiring her to use the bathroom that aligned with her sex assigned at birth or the school's single-stall gender-neutral bathroom.“Forcing transgender students to use the bathroom or locker room that matches their sex designated at birth is not only discrimination but dangerous and causes serious harm to Missouri’s youth,” said Gillian Wilcox, deputy director of litigation at the ACLU of Missouri, in a statement. “Both through the constitution and by statute the government, a school in this case, is prohibited from discriminating against the people it is supposed to protect on the basis of either their sex or disability.”Superintendent Jay Harris said in a statement that the district is “in the early stages of evaluating the legal claims” but plans to provide more information soon.“The District’s focus is, and has always been, providing a safe and caring environment for all students,” Harris said.-------------KANSAS CITY –The battle over a transgender student using a girls restroom at a Kansas City-area high school is headed to court.The ACLU of Missouri filed a lawsuit on behalf of a former Platte County High School student challenging the district’s actions that discriminated against her based on her transgender status, her sex&nbsp;designated&nbsp;at birth, and her clinical diagnosis of gender dysphoria, according to a media release from the organization.<a href="https://www.aclu-mo.org/sites/default/files/2023-07-31_-_petition.pdf">Click here to read</a> the petitionThe lawsuit is brought under the Missouri Human Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the Missouri Constitution and urges the court to find that the Platte County School District’s practices and policies are unconstitutional and award damages and fees.“Forcing transgender students to use the bathroom or locker room that matches their sex designated at birth is not only discrimination but dangerous and causes serious harm to Missouri’s youth,” said&nbsp;Gillian Wilcox, Deputy Director of Litigation at the ACLU of Missouri. “Both through the constitution and by statute the government, a school in this case, is prohibited from discriminating against the people it is supposed to protect on the basis of either their sex or disability.”The student, referred to as R.F. in the lawsuit, identified as female at a very young age She began counseling to start her social and medical transition to female in 2019. Following a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and at the recommendation of counselors and doctors, R.F. was prescribed hormone blockers and, eventually, hormone replacement therapy. R.F. lives as a female and was living as a female when she was denied the use of the girls’ restroom at her school.At the beginning of her&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;year, R.F. was informed by the assistant principal that the school district required her to use either the restroom of her sex designated at birth or the single gender-neutral restroom at the school. This forced R.F. into the impossible dilemma of using an impractical single-stall restroom where there was often a line as it was used by all students and risk missing or being late to class, using the boys’ restroom even though she is a transgender female, or using one of the many the girls’ restrooms and risk punishment. R.F. preferred to use one of the girls’ restrooms located throughout the school.&nbsp;The school responded through a series of escalating punishments ranging from verbal warnings to out-of-school suspension. R.F. did use the boys’ restroom upon returning from suspension, where she experienced harassment and a threat of rape from a male classmate.The prohibition on using the girls’ restroom, as well as the harassment, caused R.F. to experience anxiety and depression, leaving her afraid to attend school because of how she was treated, R.F. completed the last several months of her freshman year virtually.Platte County School District’s harmful practice and policy of forcing transgender students to use the restroom that corresponds with their sex designated at birth leads to unnecessary discipline and results in anxiety, depression, and harassment for transgender students.In recent months, the ACLU of Missouri, in partnership with Lambda Legal and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, LLC., has challenged multiple attempts by the government to ban gender affirming care, including last week’s lawsuit&nbsp;challenging&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclu-mo.org/en/news/families-and-medical-providers-sue-missouri-block-transgender-youth-medical-care-ban" target="_blank">Senate Bill 49&nbsp;</a>and an earlier lawsuit challenging the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aclu-mo.org/en/news/aclu-missouris-statement-termination-attorney-generals-restrictive-rule-gender-affirming-care" target="_blank">Attorney General’s failed&nbsp;attempt</a>&nbsp;to use the state’s consumer protection laws to ban all gender-affirming care.The ACLU of Missouri will continue to explore all options to expand the rights of transgender Missourians.

Lawsuit: Transgender student denied use of girls restroom at KC-area school

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Kansas Humane Society shared a very special owner reclaim on social media Monday.

According to the KHS, Gauge was stolen nearly two years ago, before getting confiscated by&nbsp;Wichita Animal Services with another dog. 

He had fleas all along his back and was diagnosed with alopecia by the humane society vet. All that time, his owner had been looking for him and was able to put an owner reclaim reservation on Gauge through the humane society Intake Department&nbsp;

&nbsp;He had his neuter surgery and was still a little loopy, but he definitely remembered his dad, flopping right in front of him&nbsp;

&nbsp;"The Humane Society wished Gauge and his dad nothing but happy memories."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690894955596.png" alt="photo Kansas Humane Society" />
 <figcaption>photo Kansas Humane Society</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Kansas Humane Society shared a very special owner reclaim on social media Monday.According to the KHS, Gauge was stolen nearly two years ago, before getting confiscated by&nbsp;Wichita Animal Services with another dog. He had fleas all along his back and was diagnosed with alopecia by the humane society vet. All that time, his owner had been looking for him and was able to put an owner reclaim reservation on Gauge through the humane society Intake Department&nbsp;&nbsp;He had his neuter surgery and was still a little loopy, but he definitely remembered his dad, flopping right in front of him&nbsp;&nbsp;"The Humane Society wished Gauge and his dad nothing but happy memories."

Kansas Humane Society: Dog stolen 2 years ago reunited with owner

Child advocacy group presses KDHE for details of application impediments

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

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690891865443.png" alt="Christine Osterlund, deputy chief of operations for Kansas’ Medicaid program, joined U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and Gov. Laura Kelly at a news conference to raise awareness about a challenging application process for thousands of Kansans who might lose KanCare coverage. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Christine Osterlund, deputy chief of operations for Kansas’ Medicaid program, joined U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and Gov. Laura Kelly at a news conference to raise awareness about a challenging application process for thousands of Kansans who might lose KanCare coverage. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Child advocacy group presses KDHE for details of application impediments</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Kansas advocacy organization said state records indicated children comprised two-thirds of the 45,000 people who have lost Medicaid coverage for procedural reasons since the restart in April of eligibility assessments halted during the COVID-19 emergency.Kansas Action for Children, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization in Topeka, said Kansas Department of Health and Environment statistics showed 62.3% of Kansans dropped from KanCare because of application issues were children.“As children’s coverage has been discontinued until their caregivers submit the renewal form or reapply, this will cause a significant disruption to kids receiving time-sensitive health services,” said Heather Braum, health policy Advisor of Kansas Action for Children. “Sadly, their caregivers might not even know coverage has been discontinued until trying to access services for their children.”KAC said the exodus of children from Medicaid appeared most significant in the counties of Chautauqua, Clark, Decatur, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Rawlins, Seward, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas and Wyandotte.In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government suspended eligibility reviews to allow families across the United States to remain on Medicaid. Nationally, Medicaid enrollment surged from 71 million in February 2020 to 93 million in February 2023.In Kansas, nearly 130,000 Kansans were added to KanCare during the three-year suspension. That hiatus in annual eligibility evaluations was lifted in April, which launched a 12-month review cycle in the states and territories. That meant about one-fourth of 530,000 Kansans in KanCare would be drawn into the eligibility process. Magnitude of the assessment bottleneck in Kansas and other states has proven difficult for program administrators.KFF News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News, reported 3.8 million Medicaid enrollees in 39 states and the District of Columbia had been disenrolled from Medicaid as of Monday. Across all states with available data, KFF said, 74% of people disenrolled had coverage terminated for procedural reasons.The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services previously said four of five people dropped from Medicaid lost those benefits due to procedural complications.<h2>The great unwinding</h2>April Holman, executive director of Alliance for Healthy Kansans, said the inability of Kansas to approve eligibility expansion of Medicaid created a coverage gap for low-wage parents and their children who didn’t have alternatives for affordable health care coverage.She said the ongoing Medicaid redetermination process, also referred to as “unwinding,” placed Kansas children at a disadvantage compared to youth in neighboring states.“Though the data available for each state in the unwinding process varies, it is clear that Kansans are in a more precarious position with the Medicaid unwinding than working families in states that have moved forward to ensure access to affordable health care,” Holman said. “Unlike Kansans, individuals in Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Colorado, along with 36 other expansion states, don’t need to worry about falling in the coverage gap.”She said the quickest and most effective way to protect Kansans from losing health coverage under Medicaid was to expand KanCare — the name of Kansas’ Medicaid program. She said the reform could lower rates of infant mortality and raise high school graduation rates. It would narrow racial disparities in health coverage and outcomes while enhancing services for mental and behavioral care, Holman said.“By providing affordable health coverage to low-wage parents, we can protect Kansas children and ensure they have access to the health care they deserve.Braum said information released by KDHE didn’t reveal precisely why individuals were dropped from Medicaid by the agency and placed in a pool of people given 90 days to reapply or otherwise complete applications. While families have the option of continuing the application process, concerns have been raised about individuals not fully understanding their responsibilities in the process.“One thing is clear, though, greater outreach is needed for all KanCare members, especially to families whose children are likely still eligible for coverage even if adults in the household are not,” she said.<h2>Inside the numbers</h2>According to KDHE, at the end of June the agency had sent 275,647 Kansans renewal letters for KanCare. Overall, 29,012 individuals had been renewed and 7,432 were notified they weren’t eligible. At the same time, 45,837 individuals had their Medicaid coverage discontinued for procedural reasons. It’s unclear how many people had submitted renewal forms that had yet to be processed.Kansas officials began by sending renewal notices 30 days before they were due from applicants, but other states granted applicants weeks longer to respond.KDHE didn’t respond to a request Monday for comment about what steps might be taken by the agency to address the large number of discontinuations involving children. KDHE spokesperson Philip Harris said KDHE did temporarily pause procedural disenrollments until June 18 due to mail-service disruptions.That grace period was designed to give the agency an opportunity to find the “permanent solution” to application challenges, said Christine Osterlund, deputy operations chief for the state’s Medicaid office.Kelly said at that time the complexity of the Medicaid unwinding process affirmed the need to expand eligibility for the program in Kansas. The Kansas Legislature, which is led by Republicans in the House and Senate, has fought off attempts by Kelly to gain legislative approval of KanCare expansion.“It will boost our economy, bring hard-earned tax dollars back to our state and, most importantly, save lives,” Kelly said.