FATIMA, Portugal (AP) — Pope Francis visited the Portuguese town of Fatima on Saturday to pray for peace at a shrine known for apocalyptic prophesies of hell, peace and Soviet communism that have found new relevance with Russia’s war in Ukraine.

But for the third time of his trip to Portugal for World Youth Day, Francis ditched his prepared remarks and didn’t even recite a prayer written for the occasion pleading for peace. The prayer had been expected to be a highlight of Francis’ visit to Fatima, given the shrine’s century-old affiliation with exhortations of peace and conversion in Russia.

Francis instead “prayed silently for peace, with pain,” while meditating for a long period before a statue of the Virgin Mary, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said. And the Vatican later tweeted the prayer.

The unusual morning unfolded at the shrine where,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-europe-religion-prayer-communism-9df80314be754c4aa3de4403cd5ecced">according to legend,</a>&nbsp;three young peasant children in 1917 saw visions of the Madonna. The apparitions turned the small town nestled in the fields of vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards north of Lisbon into one of the most popular Marian pilgrimage sites in the world, drawing millions of visitors each year.

On Saturday, an estimated 200,000 turned out for Francis’ visit, packing the central esplanade long before the red-tinted moon set and the sun rose. Nearby wildfires turned the sky smoky black and sent ash snowing down on the crowd.

Francis’ visit marked a side trip from his main program in Lisbon to preside over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-portugal-students-economic-justice-environment-bb708ed61f35b54ddb28a04b43bcd9e1">World Youth Day Catholic festival.</a>&nbsp;The featured protagonists in Fatima were also young, including some young people with disabilities who read aloud prayers and young inmates who were allowed to attend. Babies were out in force, as parents offered them up to Francis to bless as he looped through the crowd in his popemobile.

“We are here with great joy," said Maria Florido, a 24-year-old Spaniard who also saw Francis in Lisbon. "We woke up very early to come here and see the pope ... and we’re here with great enthusiasm.”

The Fatima story dates back to 1917, when according to tradition, Portuguese siblings Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucia said the Virgin Mary appeared to them six times and confided to them three secrets. The first two described an apocalyptic image of hell, foretold the end of World War I and the start of World War II, and portended the rise and fall of Soviet communism.

In 2000, the Vatican disclosed the long-awaited third secret, describing it as foretelling the May 13, 1981, assassination attempt against St. John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square, which fell on the anniversary of the original vision.

According to later writings by Lucia, who became a nun and died in 2005, Russia would be converted and peace would reign if the pope and all the bishops of the world consecrated Russia to the “Immaculate Heart of Mary.” Lucia later claimed that John Paul fulfilled that prophecy during a 1984 Mass, even though he never specified Russia in the prayer.

Fatima has long captivated Catholics, because of its blending of mystical, Marian apparitions, apocalyptic prophesies about the rise and fall of Soviet communism and the death of a pope. While Saturday’s wildfires and related ashfall were easily explained, they also harked back to another element of the Fatima phenomenon, an unusual weather phenomenon known as the “Miracle of the Sun.”

According to legend, on Oct. 13, 1917, the Fatima “seers” predicted that the Virgin would perform a miracle that day, and tens of thousands of people flocked to Fatima. They saw what witnesses reported was a vision of the sun “spinning” in the sky and zigzagging toward Earth.

Francis’ visit to Fatima fell on the anniversary of another odd weather phenomenon at a Marian church closely related to Fatima: According to that church legend, on Aug. 5, 1655, it actually snowed outside St. Mary Major basilica in Rome, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6aff551d2b3346aba439decd43ee8b44">Francis always goes to pray</a>&nbsp;before an icon of Mary at the end of each trip.

Vatican Media had said before the trip that Francis would pray for peace in Ukraine and the world while in Fatima. It seemed logical, given Francis had already consecrated both Russia and Ukraine to Mary in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-pope-francis-prayer-europe-portugal-723d6b846d4c3e535cbb321de79304b8">a prayer for peace</a>&nbsp;following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, essentially fulfilling Sr. Lucia's exhortation.

In the prayer tweeted by the @Pontifex account but not read aloud, Francis didn’t name either country but consecrated the church and world, “especially those countries at war,” to Mary. “Open paths where it seems that none exist,” he wrote. “Loosen the tangles of self-centeredness and the snares of power.”

Fatima Bishop Jose Ornelas made a prayer for Ukraine explicit in his remarks. “We associate ourselves to Your Holiness’ prayer for peace, for which this sanctuary is profoundly identified, thinking in particular of the war in Ukraine and so many other conflicts in the world,” he said.

In explaining the changes, Vatican spokesman Bruni said Francis “always addresses firstly the people he meets, as a shepherd, and speaks accordingly.” The 86-year-old Francis often deviates from his prepared remarks, even more when speaking in his native Spanish. Bruni denied the changes had any other serious reason, including with his eyesight.

Francis has been hospitalized twice this year, including in June when he spent nine days in the hospital recovering from abdominal surgery to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-health-758c3d7b07e6d6f242c4a5ea6f2de154">repair a hernia and remove scar tissue</a>&nbsp;on his intestine. Saturday was perhaps the most grueling day of his five-day visit to Portugal, given the round-trip helicopter ride to Fatima and a planned prayer vigil that wasn’t expected to begin until his usual bedtime in Rome.

To give him more rest before the vigil, the Vatican planned to move up an afternoon encounter with his fellow Jesuits, Bruni said.

On Sunday morning, Francis is to preside over a final, outdoor Mass – on a day when temperatures in Lisbon are expected to top 40 degrees C (104F) – before returning to the Vatican.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691249361207.png" alt="Pope Francis arrives surrounded by bodyguards at Our Lady of Fatima shrine in Fatima, central Portugal Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. Pope Francis is in Portugal through the weekend into Sunday's 37th World Youth Day to preside over the jamboree that St. John Paul II launched in the 1980s to encourage young Catholics in their faith. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)" />
 <figcaption>Pope Francis arrives surrounded by bodyguards at Our Lady of Fatima shrine in Fatima, central Portugal Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. Pope Francis is in Portugal through the weekend into Sunday's 37th World Youth Day to preside over the jamboree that St. John Paul II launched in the 1980s to encourage young Catholics in their faith. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)</figcaption>
 </figure>FATIMA, Portugal (AP) — Pope Francis visited the Portuguese town of Fatima on Saturday to pray for peace at a shrine known for apocalyptic prophesies of hell, peace and Soviet communism that have found new relevance with Russia’s war in Ukraine.But for the third time of his trip to Portugal for World Youth Day, Francis ditched his prepared remarks and didn’t even recite a prayer written for the occasion pleading for peace. The prayer had been expected to be a highlight of Francis’ visit to Fatima, given the shrine’s century-old affiliation with exhortations of peace and conversion in Russia.Francis instead “prayed silently for peace, with pain,” while meditating for a long period before a statue of the Virgin Mary, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said. And the Vatican later tweeted the prayer.The unusual morning unfolded at the shrine where,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-europe-religion-prayer-communism-9df80314be754c4aa3de4403cd5ecced">according to legend,</a>&nbsp;three young peasant children in 1917 saw visions of the Madonna. The apparitions turned the small town nestled in the fields of vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards north of Lisbon into one of the most popular Marian pilgrimage sites in the world, drawing millions of visitors each year.On Saturday, an estimated 200,000 turned out for Francis’ visit, packing the central esplanade long before the red-tinted moon set and the sun rose. Nearby wildfires turned the sky smoky black and sent ash snowing down on the crowd.Francis’ visit marked a side trip from his main program in Lisbon to preside over the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-portugal-students-economic-justice-environment-bb708ed61f35b54ddb28a04b43bcd9e1">World Youth Day Catholic festival.</a>&nbsp;The featured protagonists in Fatima were also young, including some young people with disabilities who read aloud prayers and young inmates who were allowed to attend. Babies were out in force, as parents offered them up to Francis to bless as he looped through the crowd in his popemobile.“We are here with great joy," said Maria Florido, a 24-year-old Spaniard who also saw Francis in Lisbon. "We woke up very early to come here and see the pope ... and we’re here with great enthusiasm.”The Fatima story dates back to 1917, when according to tradition, Portuguese siblings Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucia said the Virgin Mary appeared to them six times and confided to them three secrets. The first two described an apocalyptic image of hell, foretold the end of World War I and the start of World War II, and portended the rise and fall of Soviet communism.In 2000, the Vatican disclosed the long-awaited third secret, describing it as foretelling the May 13, 1981, assassination attempt against St. John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square, which fell on the anniversary of the original vision.According to later writings by Lucia, who became a nun and died in 2005, Russia would be converted and peace would reign if the pope and all the bishops of the world consecrated Russia to the “Immaculate Heart of Mary.” Lucia later claimed that John Paul fulfilled that prophecy during a 1984 Mass, even though he never specified Russia in the prayer.Fatima has long captivated Catholics, because of its blending of mystical, Marian apparitions, apocalyptic prophesies about the rise and fall of Soviet communism and the death of a pope. While Saturday’s wildfires and related ashfall were easily explained, they also harked back to another element of the Fatima phenomenon, an unusual weather phenomenon known as the “Miracle of the Sun.”According to legend, on Oct. 13, 1917, the Fatima “seers” predicted that the Virgin would perform a miracle that day, and tens of thousands of people flocked to Fatima. They saw what witnesses reported was a vision of the sun “spinning” in the sky and zigzagging toward Earth.Francis’ visit to Fatima fell on the anniversary of another odd weather phenomenon at a Marian church closely related to Fatima: According to that church legend, on Aug. 5, 1655, it actually snowed outside St. Mary Major basilica in Rome, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6aff551d2b3346aba439decd43ee8b44">Francis always goes to pray</a>&nbsp;before an icon of Mary at the end of each trip.Vatican Media had said before the trip that Francis would pray for peace in Ukraine and the world while in Fatima. It seemed logical, given Francis had already consecrated both Russia and Ukraine to Mary in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-pope-francis-prayer-europe-portugal-723d6b846d4c3e535cbb321de79304b8">a prayer for peace</a>&nbsp;following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, essentially fulfilling Sr. Lucia's exhortation.In the prayer tweeted by the @Pontifex account but not read aloud, Francis didn’t name either country but consecrated the church and world, “especially those countries at war,” to Mary. “Open paths where it seems that none exist,” he wrote. “Loosen the tangles of self-centeredness and the snares of power.”Fatima Bishop Jose Ornelas made a prayer for Ukraine explicit in his remarks. “We associate ourselves to Your Holiness’ prayer for peace, for which this sanctuary is profoundly identified, thinking in particular of the war in Ukraine and so many other conflicts in the world,” he said.In explaining the changes, Vatican spokesman Bruni said Francis “always addresses firstly the people he meets, as a shepherd, and speaks accordingly.” The 86-year-old Francis often deviates from his prepared remarks, even more when speaking in his native Spanish. Bruni denied the changes had any other serious reason, including with his eyesight.Francis has been hospitalized twice this year, including in June when he spent nine days in the hospital recovering from abdominal surgery to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-health-758c3d7b07e6d6f242c4a5ea6f2de154">repair a hernia and remove scar tissue</a>&nbsp;on his intestine. Saturday was perhaps the most grueling day of his five-day visit to Portugal, given the round-trip helicopter ride to Fatima and a planned prayer vigil that wasn’t expected to begin until his usual bedtime in Rome.To give him more rest before the vigil, the Vatican planned to move up an afternoon encounter with his fellow Jesuits, Bruni said.On Sunday morning, Francis is to preside over a final, outdoor Mass – on a day when temperatures in Lisbon are expected to top 40 degrees C (104F) – before returning to the Vatican.

Pope visits shrine known for apocalyptic prophesy 

KANSAS CITY —The FBI, working with its state and local partners, identified and located 200 victims of sex trafficking during a nationwide enforcement campaign, called "Operation Cross Country," according to a media release from the agency this week.

 The operation also led to identification or arrest of 126 suspects of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking offenses and 68 suspects of trafficking were identified or arrested.&nbsp;

FBI agents from the Kansas City Field Office worked with law enforcement partners from Wichita Police, Overland Park, Kansas Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Sedgwick County, Kansas Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, KCMO Police and many other regional law enforcement agencies.

Through targeted operations and collaborative efforts, Operation Cross Country achieved significant milestones in recovering victims, apprehending offenders, and raising public awareness about these heinous crimes. The FBI and its partners located 59 minor victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation offenses and located 59 actively missing children during its 2-week operation in July.

"Sex traffickers exploit and endanger some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "This operation, which located 59 actively missing children, builds on the tremendous work the FBI has undertaken over many years to rescue minor victims and arrest those responsible for these unspeakable crimes. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to prevent human trafficking; increase detection, investigation, and prosecution of human trafficking crimes; and expand support and services to protect and empower survivors."

The FBI-led nationwide initiative, in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), focused on identifying and locating victims of sex trafficking and investigating and arresting individuals and criminal enterprises involved in both child sex and human trafficking. Law enforcement agencies conducted targeted operations to identify and apprehend offenders, dismantling criminal networks and preventing further harm to victims. Those suspects identified will be subject to additional investigation for potential charges.

"Human traffickers prey on the most vulnerable members of our society, and their crimes scar victims—many of them children—for life. The FBI's commitment to combatting this threat will never waver, and we will continue to send our message that these atrocities will not be tolerated," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "This operation would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration from our state and local law enforcement partners, and it demonstrates our continued focus on actively pursuing the criminals responsible for these heinous violations and connecting those impacted with dedicated victim services and resources."

A multidisciplinary team (MDT), to include victim specialists, child/adolescent forensic interviewers, and other victim service personnel, in addition to special agents, ensures a victim-centered, culturally responsive, trauma-informed investigative response. The FBI MDT works with state and local partners to make resources available to meet the unique needs of trafficking victims.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Victim specialists provide services based on the individual needs of human trafficking victims, to include crisis intervention, emergency food and clothing, transportation to receive emergency services, and locating shelter or housing. The victim specialists also serve as conduit between the victims and the investigative team to help ensure they are receiving case updates, as appropriate.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Behind every statistic, there is a person with dreams, aspirations, and the right to live a life free from child sex trafficking and exploitation. As a society we must work together to ensure the protection, support, and empowerment of those impacted by this heinous crime." said Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing &amp; Exploited Children. "We applaud the FBI and their partner law enforcement agencies for their unwavering dedication to protecting children. Their tireless efforts in combatting crimes against children sends a powerful message that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated."

The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to combatting child exploitation and human trafficking. Operation Cross Country is just one facet of the Bureau's ongoing efforts to protect the most vulnerable members of society and hold offenders accountable. The FBI encourages continued vigilance, cooperation, and reporting from the public to help identify and recover victims and bring perpetrators to justice.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691101172618.png" alt="Image from video footage of Operation Cross Country 13, an FBI-led nationwide law enforcement initiative—now in its 13th year. The coordinated operation, which included other federal agencies, state and local police, and social services agencies across the country, aims to find and assist victims of human trafficking, particularly child victims." />
 <figcaption>Image from video footage of Operation Cross Country 13, an FBI-led nationwide law enforcement initiative—now in its 13th year. The coordinated operation, which included other federal agencies, state and local police, and social services agencies across the country, aims to find and assist victims of human trafficking, particularly child victims.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The FBI, working with its state and local partners, identified and located 200 victims of sex trafficking during a nationwide enforcement campaign, called "Operation Cross Country," according to a media release from the agency this week. The operation also led to identification or arrest of 126 suspects of child sexual exploitation and human trafficking offenses and 68 suspects of trafficking were identified or arrested.&nbsp;FBI agents from the Kansas City Field Office worked with law enforcement partners from Wichita Police, Overland Park, Kansas Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Sedgwick County, Kansas Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, KCMO Police and many other regional law enforcement agencies.Through targeted operations and collaborative efforts, Operation Cross Country achieved significant milestones in recovering victims, apprehending offenders, and raising public awareness about these heinous crimes. The FBI and its partners located 59 minor victims of child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation offenses and located 59 actively missing children during its 2-week operation in July."Sex traffickers exploit and endanger some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "This operation, which located 59 actively missing children, builds on the tremendous work the FBI has undertaken over many years to rescue minor victims and arrest those responsible for these unspeakable crimes. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to prevent human trafficking; increase detection, investigation, and prosecution of human trafficking crimes; and expand support and services to protect and empower survivors."The FBI-led nationwide initiative, in partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), focused on identifying and locating victims of sex trafficking and investigating and arresting individuals and criminal enterprises involved in both child sex and human trafficking. Law enforcement agencies conducted targeted operations to identify and apprehend offenders, dismantling criminal networks and preventing further harm to victims. Those suspects identified will be subject to additional investigation for potential charges."Human traffickers prey on the most vulnerable members of our society, and their crimes scar victims—many of them children—for life. The FBI's commitment to combatting this threat will never waver, and we will continue to send our message that these atrocities will not be tolerated," said FBI Director Christopher Wray. "This operation would not be possible without the commitment and collaboration from our state and local law enforcement partners, and it demonstrates our continued focus on actively pursuing the criminals responsible for these heinous violations and connecting those impacted with dedicated victim services and resources."A multidisciplinary team (MDT), to include victim specialists, child/adolescent forensic interviewers, and other victim service personnel, in addition to special agents, ensures a victim-centered, culturally responsive, trauma-informed investigative response. The FBI MDT works with state and local partners to make resources available to meet the unique needs of trafficking victims.&nbsp;&nbsp;Victim specialists provide services based on the individual needs of human trafficking victims, to include crisis intervention, emergency food and clothing, transportation to receive emergency services, and locating shelter or housing. The victim specialists also serve as conduit between the victims and the investigative team to help ensure they are receiving case updates, as appropriate.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Behind every statistic, there is a person with dreams, aspirations, and the right to live a life free from child sex trafficking and exploitation. As a society we must work together to ensure the protection, support, and empowerment of those impacted by this heinous crime." said Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing &amp; Exploited Children. "We applaud the FBI and their partner law enforcement agencies for their unwavering dedication to protecting children. Their tireless efforts in combatting crimes against children sends a powerful message that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated."The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to combatting child exploitation and human trafficking. Operation Cross Country is just one facet of the Bureau's ongoing efforts to protect the most vulnerable members of society and hold offenders accountable. The FBI encourages continued vigilance, cooperation, and reporting from the public to help identify and recover victims and bring perpetrators to justice.&nbsp;

FBI sweep targets sex traffickers, recovers dozens of minor victims

JOHNSON COUNTY—A Kansas man injured in a bicycle vs. motor vehicle crash has died that occurred last month has died of his injuries.&nbsp;The bicyclist has been identified as 41-year-old Noah Anderson of Overland Park, according to police spokesman Office John Lacy.

Just before 10:30&nbsp;p.m. July 30, a vehicle was northbound on Antioch and did not see the bicyclist on the roadway. The vehicle struck the bicyclist from the rear. 

EMS transported the bicyclist to a local hospital with a severe head injury where days later he succumbed to his injuries. 

This crash is still under investigation by the Overland Park Police Traffic Unit, according to Lacy.

JOHNSON COUNTY—A Kansas man injured in a bicycle vs. motor vehicle crash has died that occurred last month has died of his injuries.&nbsp;The bicyclist has been identified as 41-year-old Noah Anderson of Overland Park, according to police spokesman Office John Lacy.Just before 10:30&nbsp;p.m. July 30, a vehicle was northbound on Antioch and did not see the bicyclist on the roadway. The vehicle struck the bicyclist from the rear. EMS transported the bicyclist to a local hospital with a severe head injury where days later he succumbed to his injuries. This crash is still under investigation by the Overland Park Police Traffic Unit, according to Lacy.

Kansas bicyclist injured in crash with vehicle has died

Des Moines (AP) —Another Mega Millions drawing, another night without a jackpot winner.

The numbers drawn Friday night were: 11, 30, 45, 52, 56 and the gold ball 20.

Because no one matched all six numbers and won the estimated $1.35 billion jackpot, the top prize increased to $1.55 billion for the next drawing Tuesday night.

There now have been 31 straight drawings without a jackpot winner. The last time someone won the Mega Millions jackpot was April 18.

The $1.55 billion prize would be for a sole winner who chooses the annuity option with payment stretched over 30 years. Most winners opt for a lump-sum payment, which would be an estimated $757.2 million on Tuesday.

A big slice of those winnings would go toward federal taxes, while many states also tax lottery payouts.

The jackpot is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">so hard to win</a>&nbsp;because of the 1 in 302.6 million odds of matching the numbers on five white balls and a separate mega ball. The odds are better to win smaller prizes, which start at $2.

Mega Millions is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-alabama-alaska-lotteries-business-86424cf8e2b7cccf8ae9d06f6652d559">played in 45 states</a>, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Des Moines (AP) —Another Mega Millions drawing, another night without a jackpot winner.The numbers drawn Friday night were: 11, 30, 45, 52, 56 and the gold ball 20.Because no one matched all six numbers and won the estimated $1.35 billion jackpot, the top prize increased to $1.55 billion for the next drawing Tuesday night.There now have been 31 straight drawings without a jackpot winner. The last time someone won the Mega Millions jackpot was April 18.The $1.55 billion prize would be for a sole winner who chooses the annuity option with payment stretched over 30 years. Most winners opt for a lump-sum payment, which would be an estimated $757.2 million on Tuesday.A big slice of those winnings would go toward federal taxes, while many states also tax lottery payouts.The jackpot is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">so hard to win</a>&nbsp;because of the 1 in 302.6 million odds of matching the numbers on five white balls and a separate mega ball. The odds are better to win smaller prizes, which start at $2.Mega Millions is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-alabama-alaska-lotteries-business-86424cf8e2b7cccf8ae9d06f6652d559">played in 45 states</a>, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Mega Millions players spurned again as jackpot climbs to $1.55 billion

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A national summer uptick in COVID-19 cases has arrived, but Kansas physicians are still waiting to see if cases in the state follow national trends.

Across the U.S., hospitalizations&nbsp;have been on the rise since the beginning of July, the first increase seen this year, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_new-admissions-rate-county">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data</a>. The organization reported 8,035 new hospital admissions for the week ending July 22, marking a 12.1% increase compared to the week prior. The CDC has stopped tracking cases of infection, so hospitalizations are now the primary indicator of COVID-19 spread.

For the past three years, summer surges in COVID-19 have happened because of increased movement and travel.&nbsp;While the increase in cases isn’t near the levels seen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, state physicians recommend taking summer booster shots.

The University of Kansas Health System reported treating 15 COVID-19 patients this week. Dana Hawkinson, director of infection prevention and control at the system, said it may be too soon to say there was an overall “summer surge” in Kansas.

“Whatever community you’re living in may be different than the next community over, or something that is further away from you, so I think we just need to wait about that, as far as the overall numbers,” Hawkinson said during a Friday news briefing.

New Kansas COVID-19 cases haven’t been widely documented since the end of the federal COVID-19 emergency declaration in May, when the state stopped updating statistics, but the vaccination rate is still tracked on a monthly basis.

<a target="_blank" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-people-booster-percent-pop5">CDC data</a>&nbsp;show 65.6% of Kansans, including 76.3% of adults, have completed a primary vaccination series for COVID-19. And 15.9% of Kansans, including 19.6% of adults, have received a booster shot.

Hawkinson said elderly Kansans, along with residents who have pre-existing conditions, remain the most vulnerable to infection.

“This disease has really started to become a disease of those most at risk — certainly age, those with immunocompromising conditions,” Hawkinson said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618856566652.jpg" alt="Medical officials are calling the national uptick in COVID-19 cases a "summer surge." />
 <figcaption>Medical officials are calling the national uptick in COVID-19 cases a "summer surge.</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A national summer uptick in COVID-19 cases has arrived, but Kansas physicians are still waiting to see if cases in the state follow national trends.Across the U.S., hospitalizations&nbsp;have been on the rise since the beginning of July, the first increase seen this year, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_new-admissions-rate-county">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data</a>. The organization reported 8,035 new hospital admissions for the week ending July 22, marking a 12.1% increase compared to the week prior. The CDC has stopped tracking cases of infection, so hospitalizations are now the primary indicator of COVID-19 spread.For the past three years, summer surges in COVID-19 have happened because of increased movement and travel.&nbsp;While the increase in cases isn’t near the levels seen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, state physicians recommend taking summer booster shots.The University of Kansas Health System reported treating 15 COVID-19 patients this week. Dana Hawkinson, director of infection prevention and control at the system, said it may be too soon to say there was an overall “summer surge” in Kansas.“Whatever community you’re living in may be different than the next community over, or something that is further away from you, so I think we just need to wait about that, as far as the overall numbers,” Hawkinson said during a Friday news briefing.New Kansas COVID-19 cases haven’t been widely documented since the end of the federal COVID-19 emergency declaration in May, when the state stopped updating statistics, but the vaccination rate is still tracked on a monthly basis.<a target="_blank" href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-people-booster-percent-pop5">CDC data</a>&nbsp;show 65.6% of Kansans, including 76.3% of adults, have completed a primary vaccination series for COVID-19. And 15.9% of Kansans, including 19.6% of adults, have received a booster shot.Hawkinson said elderly Kansans, along with residents who have pre-existing conditions, remain the most vulnerable to infection.“This disease has really started to become a disease of those most at risk — certainly age, those with immunocompromising conditions,” Hawkinson said.

Hospitalizations in Kansas, nationwide signal ‘summer surge’ of COVID-19

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

Just before 1 p.m. Tuesday, an Osage County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop at East 341st Street and South K-31 Highway, near Melvern, for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

During the stop, a K-9 was deployed, and illegal narcotics were located.

Two subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility.

The driver of the vehicle, Gregory A. Wendt, 60, of Melvern is being held on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine and&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of drug paraphernalia.

A passenger in the vehicle, Holly D. McGinnis, 52, of Melvern, is being held on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Traffic in contraband in a correctional facility.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690973009357.png" alt="Wendt-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Wendt-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.Just before 1 p.m. Tuesday, an Osage County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop at East 341st Street and South K-31 Highway, near Melvern, for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.During the stop, a K-9 was deployed, and illegal narcotics were located.Two subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility.The driver of the vehicle, Gregory A. Wendt, 60, of Melvern is being held on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine and&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690972970559.png" alt="McGinnis-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>McGinnis-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A passenger in the vehicle, Holly D. McGinnis, 52, of Melvern, is being held on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Traffic in contraband in a correctional facility.

Sheriff: Kansas couple accused of transporting meth

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Porch Pirates are again operating in Kansas.

Just after 6p.m. Thursday, the individual seen in security camera images took packages left on the porch of a residence in the 11000 block of West Sondra in the city of Maize, according to a social media report from police.

Anyone having information about this theft or the identity of the suspect(s) involved is asked to call Maize Detective Jeff Piper at 316-425-3356 or you may submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=217&amp;fbclid=IwAR38bm6gyyu9cOy_1KKhKYTxTOm53Q1T_a3brO6hcaeJLkssSF-841Z25BI" target="_blank">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=217</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691180365684.png" alt="photos Maize Police" />
 <figcaption>photos Maize Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Porch Pirates are again operating in Kansas.Just after 6p.m. Thursday, the individual seen in security camera images took packages left on the porch of a residence in the 11000 block of West Sondra in the city of Maize, according to a social media report from police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691180397601.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Anyone having information about this theft or the identity of the suspect(s) involved is asked to call Maize Detective Jeff Piper at 316-425-3356 or you may submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=217&amp;fbclid=IwAR38bm6gyyu9cOy_1KKhKYTxTOm53Q1T_a3brO6hcaeJLkssSF-841Z25BI" target="_blank">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=217</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police: Porch pirates operating again in Kansas

ST. JOSEPH —A fan who died at Chiefs Training Camp died of natural causes,
according to the Buchanan County Medical Examiner’s Office.

County Medical Examiner, Dr. Adam Wineinger, has ruled that
Jessica Tangen died of natural causes Sunday while attending the
Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp on the Missouri Western State University campus
in St. Joseph.

The family of Tangen, who was from Riverside, says she was a
life-long Chiefs fan. Tangen was 43.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691176069142.jpeg" alt="Jessica Tangen pictured with (l-r) daughter Kyla and mother, Lee/Photo provided by Mosaic Life Care" />
 <figcaption>Jessica Tangen pictured with (l-r) daughter Kyla and mother, Lee/Photo provided by Mosaic Life Care</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostST. JOSEPH —A fan who died at Chiefs Training Camp died of natural causes,
according to the Buchanan County Medical Examiner’s Office.County Medical Examiner, Dr. Adam Wineinger, has ruled that
Jessica Tangen died of natural causes Sunday while attending the
Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp on the Missouri Western State University campus
in St. Joseph.The family of Tangen, who was from Riverside, says she was a
life-long Chiefs fan. Tangen was 43.

Medical examiner on cause of fan's death at Chiefs training camp

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

ELLSWORTH COUNTY —Regardless of Tuesday's Primary Election vote in Ellsworth, Barton, and Rice counties, the students that made up the Wilson High School Class of 2024 were headed elsewhere. 

The USD 112 Central Plains Board of Education voted to close the school at the close of the 2023 school year, and WHS supporters thought disorganization of the district was the only way to keep the school open. With that option decided by Tuesday's vote, Wilson High School Future Committee Member Michael Kratky said former WHS students now have the choice to leave the district's other option of Central Plains High School.

"It's too far away and the animosity that was created, they're not going there," he said. "Some are going to Ellsworth, some are going to Russell, and some are going to Sylvan, so they're split three ways. A single class in Wilson may be in three schools next year."

The Wilson High Alumni met in May and determined that former Wilson students who were set to graduate from the high school prior to its closing, will still be honored as WHS alumni.

"Most of the kids started in kindergarten here, if not preschool, " Kratky said. "The hardest thing is if they're a junior here, they won't graduate together and they won't graduate in the school they hoped to graduate from and they originally thought."

Unofficial results from Ellsworth County showed 67 percent of votes in USD 112 voted against disorganization, which would have put the district's fate into the hands of the state board of education. In Barton County, 643 patrons voted against disorganization compared to 17 patrons for.

"We probably would have been surprised if it had passed," said Kratky. "We had anticipation, but it doesn't change anything for the time being. We will continue to look at ways to leave the district."

The WHS future committee plans to continue looking for ways to keep the high school open, and members plan to continue advocating for small schools before the state legislature in Topeka.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689420894228.png" alt=" A sign placed in a Wilson gas station tells residents to “vote yes” on the Aug. 1, 2023, petition to disorganize. (Rachel Mipro)" />
 <figcaption> A sign placed in a Wilson gas station tells residents to “vote yes” on the Aug. 1, 2023, petition to disorganize. (Rachel Mipro)</figcaption>
 </figure> By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostELLSWORTH COUNTY —Regardless of Tuesday's Primary Election vote in Ellsworth, Barton, and Rice counties, the students that made up the Wilson High School Class of 2024 were headed elsewhere. The USD 112 Central Plains Board of Education voted to close the school at the close of the 2023 school year, and WHS supporters thought disorganization of the district was the only way to keep the school open. With that option decided by Tuesday's vote, Wilson High School Future Committee Member Michael Kratky said former WHS students now have the choice to leave the district's other option of Central Plains High School."It's too far away and the animosity that was created, they're not going there," he said. "Some are going to Ellsworth, some are going to Russell, and some are going to Sylvan, so they're split three ways. A single class in Wilson may be in three schools next year."The Wilson High Alumni met in May and determined that former Wilson students who were set to graduate from the high school prior to its closing, will still be honored as WHS alumni."Most of the kids started in kindergarten here, if not preschool, " Kratky said. "The hardest thing is if they're a junior here, they won't graduate together and they won't graduate in the school they hoped to graduate from and they originally thought."Unofficial results from Ellsworth County showed 67 percent of votes in USD 112 voted against disorganization, which would have put the district's fate into the hands of the state board of education. In Barton County, 643 patrons voted against disorganization compared to 17 patrons for."We probably would have been surprised if it had passed," said Kratky. "We had anticipation, but it doesn't change anything for the time being. We will continue to look at ways to leave the district."The WHS future committee plans to continue looking for ways to keep the high school open, and members plan to continue advocating for small schools before the state legislature in Topeka.

Some searching for options after Kan. school district primary election

By ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court on Thursday decided to allow the Biden administration to keep in place a temporary two-year rule that restricts asylum at the U.S. border, while the legal challenges to a lower court’s ruling play out.

The decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals aids the Biden administration, which argued that the rule is needed as an immigration enforcement policy after the end of Title 42. That pandemic-era tool was used by the administration to bar migrants from claiming asylum and to quickly expel them.

Thursday’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aclu.org/documents/east-bay-sanctuary-covenant-v-biden-ca9-stay-order">order</a>&nbsp;was a 2-1 decision by Judges William Fletcher and Richard Paez, who ruled in favor of the stay — both appointed by President Bill Clinton — and Judge Lawrence VanDyke, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, dissenting.

The order also expedites a hearing on the Biden administration rule, with both sides expected to send their arguments to the court by Sept. 14. A date for the hearing has not been scheduled yet.

Fletcher and Paez did not give any reasoning for their decision, but VanDyke in his dissent argued that the rule seemed similar to a Trump-era rule that was also struck down by the same appeals court.

“The Biden administration’s ‘Pathways Rule’ before us in this appeal is not meaningfully different from the prior administration’s rules that were backhanded by my two colleagues,” he wrote. “This new rule looks like the Trump administration’s Port of Entry Rule and Transit Rule got together, had a baby, and then dolled it up in a stylish modern outfit, complete with a phone app.”

Under the Biden administration’s rule, in order for migrants to claim asylum in the U.S., they would first have to schedule an appointment at a U.S. port of entry and apply for a legal pathway in the country they traveled through.

The number of asylum cases is at a historic high, with more than 1.5 million pending, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://trac.syr.edu/whatsnew/email.221222.html">the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University.</a>

Once the rule went in place, it was quickly challenged by civil rights groups and immigration advocates, who argued that it mirrored a Trump-era immigration policy that was a near-total ban on asylum.

In late July,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/07/25/federal-judge-blocks-biden-rule-that-limits-asylum-for-migrants-at-the-border/">a federal judge blocked the Biden rule</a>&nbsp;on the grounds that it violated federal law that allows for anyone to claim asylum on U.S. soil. That same judge also struck down the Trump-era rule that banned asylum.

Katrina Eiland, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, who argued the case, praised the decision from the appeals court.

“The stay ruling doesn’t say anything about the legality of the ban, and we are confident that we will prevail when the court has a full opportunity to consider the claims,” Eiland said.

“We are pleased the court placed the appeal on an expedited schedule so that it can be decided quickly, because each day the Biden administration prolongs its efforts to preserve its illegal ban, people fleeing grave danger are put in harm’s way.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691163209612.png" alt="Migrants wait throughout the night on May 10, 2023, in a dust storm at Gate 42, on land between the Rio Grande and the border wall, hoping they will be processed by immigration authorities before the expiration of Title 42 (Corrie Boudreaux for Source NM)." />
 <figcaption>Migrants wait throughout the night on May 10, 2023, in a dust storm at Gate 42, on land between the Rio Grande and the border wall, hoping they will be processed by immigration authorities before the expiration of Title 42 (Corrie Boudreaux for Source NM).</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court on Thursday decided to allow the Biden administration to keep in place a temporary two-year rule that restricts asylum at the U.S. border, while the legal challenges to a lower court’s ruling play out.The decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals aids the Biden administration, which argued that the rule is needed as an immigration enforcement policy after the end of Title 42. That pandemic-era tool was used by the administration to bar migrants from claiming asylum and to quickly expel them.Thursday’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aclu.org/documents/east-bay-sanctuary-covenant-v-biden-ca9-stay-order">order</a>&nbsp;was a 2-1 decision by Judges William Fletcher and Richard Paez, who ruled in favor of the stay — both appointed by President Bill Clinton — and Judge Lawrence VanDyke, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, dissenting.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690239152931.png" alt="The floating barrier buoys are&nbsp;the latest escalation of Texas’ border security operation&nbsp;that also includes razor-wire fencing.-photo Texas Department of Public Safety" />
 <figcaption>The floating barrier buoys are&nbsp;the latest escalation of Texas’ border security operation&nbsp;that also includes razor-wire fencing.-photo Texas Department of Public Safety</figcaption>
 </figure>The order also expedites a hearing on the Biden administration rule, with both sides expected to send their arguments to the court by Sept. 14. A date for the hearing has not been scheduled yet.Fletcher and Paez did not give any reasoning for their decision, but VanDyke in his dissent argued that the rule seemed similar to a Trump-era rule that was also struck down by the same appeals court.“The Biden administration’s ‘Pathways Rule’ before us in this appeal is not meaningfully different from the prior administration’s rules that were backhanded by my two colleagues,” he wrote. “This new rule looks like the Trump administration’s Port of Entry Rule and Transit Rule got together, had a baby, and then dolled it up in a stylish modern outfit, complete with a phone app.”Under the Biden administration’s rule, in order for migrants to claim asylum in the U.S., they would first have to schedule an appointment at a U.S. port of entry and apply for a legal pathway in the country they traveled through.The number of asylum cases is at a historic high, with more than 1.5 million pending, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://trac.syr.edu/whatsnew/email.221222.html">the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University.</a>Once the rule went in place, it was quickly challenged by civil rights groups and immigration advocates, who argued that it mirrored a Trump-era immigration policy that was a near-total ban on asylum.In late July,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/07/25/federal-judge-blocks-biden-rule-that-limits-asylum-for-migrants-at-the-border/">a federal judge blocked the Biden rule</a>&nbsp;on the grounds that it violated federal law that allows for anyone to claim asylum on U.S. soil. That same judge also struck down the Trump-era rule that banned asylum.Katrina Eiland, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, who argued the case, praised the decision from the appeals court.“The stay ruling doesn’t say anything about the legality of the ban, and we are confident that we will prevail when the court has a full opportunity to consider the claims,” Eiland said.“We are pleased the court placed the appeal on an expedited schedule so that it can be decided quickly, because each day the Biden administration prolongs its efforts to preserve its illegal ban, people fleeing grave danger are put in harm’s way.”

Court allows Biden rule limiting asylum at the border to be kept in place

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police have identified the man who drowned on Thursday as 22-year-old Kyler Rutherford from Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Just after 3:30p.m. Thursday, the fire department responded to a submersion call at the lake in the 2600 block of South West Street in Wichita, according to a social media report from Wichita Fire.

First arriving fire companies met with the calling party and eye witnesses where Rutherford was last seen. Water rescue teams conducted a two hour search and rescue operation before transitioning to a recovery operation.

Search crews recovered his body just before 9p..m.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita Fire Department and Sedgwick County water rescue teams recovered the body of drowning victim just before 9p..m. Thursday.

Just after 3:30p.m., the fire department responded to&nbsp;a submersion call at the lake&nbsp;in the 2600 block of South West Street in Wichita, according to a social media report from Wichita Fire.

 First arriving fire companies met with the calling party and eye witnesses where the victim was last seen. Water rescue teams conducted a two hour search and rescue operation before transitioning to a recovery operation.

Authorities have not released the victim's name or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691111356650.png" alt="Photo Wichita Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>Photo Wichita Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police have identified the man who drowned on Thursday as 22-year-old Kyler Rutherford from Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Just after 3:30p.m. Thursday, the fire department responded to a submersion call at the lake in the 2600 block of South West Street in Wichita, according to a social media report from Wichita Fire.First arriving fire companies met with the calling party and eye witnesses where Rutherford was last seen. Water rescue teams conducted a two hour search and rescue operation before transitioning to a recovery operation.Search crews recovered his body just before 9p..m.-------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita Fire Department and Sedgwick County water rescue teams recovered the body of drowning victim just before 9p..m. Thursday.Just after 3:30p.m., the fire department responded to&nbsp;a submersion call at the lake&nbsp;in the 2600 block of South West Street in Wichita, according to a social media report from Wichita Fire.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691145172740.png" alt="photo Wichita Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>photo Wichita Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure> First arriving fire companies met with the calling party and eye witnesses where the victim was last seen. Water rescue teams conducted a two hour search and rescue operation before transitioning to a recovery operation.Authorities have not released the victim's name or additional details.

Police ID Kansas man who drowned in lake

FORD COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just after 2a.m. Friday in Ford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Ford F350 driven by Chaten Patrick&nbsp;Tasset, 21, Spearville, was southbound on&nbsp;&nbsp;126 Road just south of Jewell Road.

The pickup entered the east ditch, returned to the the roadway, entered the west ditch, rolled and came to rest on its top.

Tasset and a passenger identified as Hadley Garrett Fisher, 19, Spearville, were pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

EMS transported a second passenger Isaac Juan&nbsp;Melendez, 20, Spearville, to St. Catherine's Hospital. Tasset and Fisher were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

FORD COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just after 2a.m. Friday in Ford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Ford F350 driven by Chaten Patrick&nbsp;Tasset, 21, Spearville, was southbound on&nbsp;&nbsp;126 Road just south of Jewell Road.The pickup entered the east ditch, returned to the the roadway, entered the west ditch, rolled and came to rest on its top.Tasset and a passenger identified as Hadley Garrett Fisher, 19, Spearville, were pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;EMS transported a second passenger Isaac Juan&nbsp;Melendez, 20, Spearville, to St. Catherine's Hospital. Tasset and Fisher were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

2 SW Kansas men dead, 1 injured after pickup rollover crash

PRATT—Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at Woody's Sports Bar and Grill at 418 S. Main Street in Pratt.

Fire crews responded at 11:31 p.m. Thursday, according to a social media post from the Pratt Fire Department. The business a total loss.

Pratt Fire thanked the many assisting departments for their help. There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691160015260.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>PRATT—Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at Woody's Sports Bar and Grill at 418 S. Main Street in Pratt.Fire crews responded at 11:31 p.m. Thursday, according to a social media post from the Pratt Fire Department. The business a total loss.Pratt Fire thanked the many assisting departments for their help. There were no injuries reported.

Kansas sports bar, grill destroyed in fire

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A prosecutor is stepping in after Missouri’s attorney general asked an appeals court to reverse the conviction of a former Missouri police officer who is white and killed a Black man in 2019.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker this week asked the state Western District Court of Appeals to let her handle the appeal of former Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-race-and-ethnicity-kansas-city-933d3aba9b37c83145fba5818d557c02">was convicted</a>&nbsp;of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the November 2021 of killing 26-year-old Cameron Lamb. Lamb was shot as he backed his truck into his garage.

Typically, Missouri’s attorney general handles all appeals of criminal cases. But Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey in June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/detective-fatal-shooting-attorney-general-appeal-16957c1b9f09d91e17e3a3cfb75c1a07">asked the appeals court</a>&nbsp;to reverse DeValkenaere’s conviction, arguing that DeValkenaere was justified because he believed Lamb was going to shoot his partner.

Peters Baker originally secured DeValkenaere's conviction.

The attorney general “accepts an alternative view of the facts in this case,” Peters Baker wrote in a brief asking the appeals court to allow her to defend the conviction.

Police said DeValkenaere and his partner, Troy Schwalm, went to Lamb’s home after reports that Lamb was involved in a car chase with his girlfriend on residential streets.

Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge J. Dale Youngs, who convicted the former detective after a bench trial,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-cdc43324871862f01222a6ca29ef317f">sentenced</a>&nbsp;DeValkenaere to prison — three years for involuntary manslaughter and six years for armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively.

Youngs later ruled that DeValkenaere&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-cdc43324871862f01222a6ca29ef317f">could remain free</a>&nbsp;while his conviction is appealed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666641520630.png" alt="Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker" />
 <figcaption>Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A prosecutor is stepping in after Missouri’s attorney general asked an appeals court to reverse the conviction of a former Missouri police officer who is white and killed a Black man in 2019.Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker this week asked the state Western District Court of Appeals to let her handle the appeal of former Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-race-and-ethnicity-kansas-city-933d3aba9b37c83145fba5818d557c02">was convicted</a>&nbsp;of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the November 2021 of killing 26-year-old Cameron Lamb. Lamb was shot as he backed his truck into his garage.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592994941014.png" alt="DeValkenaere photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>DeValkenaere photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>Typically, Missouri’s attorney general handles all appeals of criminal cases. But Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey in June&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/detective-fatal-shooting-attorney-general-appeal-16957c1b9f09d91e17e3a3cfb75c1a07">asked the appeals court</a>&nbsp;to reverse DeValkenaere’s conviction, arguing that DeValkenaere was justified because he believed Lamb was going to shoot his partner.Peters Baker originally secured DeValkenaere's conviction.The attorney general “accepts an alternative view of the facts in this case,” Peters Baker wrote in a brief asking the appeals court to allow her to defend the conviction.Police said DeValkenaere and his partner, Troy Schwalm, went to Lamb’s home after reports that Lamb was involved in a car chase with his girlfriend on residential streets.Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge J. Dale Youngs, who convicted the former detective after a bench trial,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-cdc43324871862f01222a6ca29ef317f">sentenced</a>&nbsp;DeValkenaere to prison — three years for involuntary manslaughter and six years for armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively.Youngs later ruled that DeValkenaere&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-police-shootings-kansas-city-kansas-cdc43324871862f01222a6ca29ef317f">could remain free</a>&nbsp;while his conviction is appealed.

Prosecutor wants to defend conviction of former KC detective who killed Black man

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Two U.S. Navy sailors were charged Thursday with providing sensitive military information to China — including details on wartime exercises, naval operations and critical technical material.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-08/wei_indictment.pdf">Click here to read</a> the indictment

The two sailors, both based in California, were charged with similar moves to provide sensitive intelligence to the Chinese. But they were separate cases, and it wasn’t clear if the two were courted or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer as part of a larger scheme. Federal officials at a news conference in San Diego declined to specify whether the sailors were aware of each other's actions.

Both men pleaded not guilty in federal courts in San Diego and Los Angeles. They were ordered to be held until their detention hearings, which will take place Aug. 8 in those same cities.

U.S. officials have for years expressed concern about the espionage threat they say the Chinese government poses, bringing criminal cases in recent years against Beijing intelligence operatives who have stolen sensitive government and commercial information, including through illegal hacking.

The pair of cases also comes on the heels of another insider-threat prosecution tied to the U.S. military, with the Justice Department in April arresting a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman on charges of leaking classified military documents about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war in Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and other sensitive national security topics on Discord, a social media platform popular with people playing online games.

U.S. officials said the cases exemplify China’s brazenness in trying to obtain insight into U.S. military operations.

“Through the alleged crimes committed by these defendants, sensitive military information ended up in the hands of the People’s Republic of China,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California. He added that the charges demonstrate the Chinese government’s “determination to obtain information that is critical to our national defense by any means, so it could be used to their advantage.”

Jinchao Wei, a 22-year-old sailor assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex, was arrested Wednesday while boarding the ship. He is accused of passing detailed information on the weapons systems and aircraft aboard the Essex and other amphibious assault ships that act as small aircraft carriers.

Prosecutors said Wei, who was born in China, was approached by a Chinese intelligence officer in February 2022 while he was applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, and admitted to the officer that he knew the arrangement could affect his application. Even so, at the officer’s request, Wei provided photographs and videos of Navy ships, including the USS Essex, which can carry an array of helicopters, including the MV-22 Ospreys, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.

The indictment alleges Wei included as many as 50 manuals containing technical and mechanical data about Navy ships as well as details about the number and training of Marines during an upcoming exercise.

Wei continued to send sensitive U.S. military information multiple times over the course of a year and even was congratulated by the Chinese officer once Wei became a U.S. citizen, Grossman said. He added that Wei “chose to turn his back on his newly adopted country” for greed.

The Justice Department charged Wei under a rarely-used Espionage Act statute that makes it a crime to gather or deliver information to aid a foreign government.

After pleading not guilty in San Diego, Wei was assigned a new public defender who declined to comment following the hearing. Wei did not visibly react when read the charges.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Sheppard told the judge that Wei had passed information to Chinese intelligence as recently as two days ago. He said Wei, who also went by the name Patrick Wei, told a fellow sailor in February 2022 that he was “being recruited for what quite obviously is (expletive) espionage.”

Sheppard said Wei has made $10,000 to $15,000 in the past year from the arrangement with the unnamed Chinese inelligence officer. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

The officer instructed Wei not to discuss their relationship, to share sensitive information and to destroy evidence to help them cover their tracks, officials said.

The Justice Department also charged sailor Wenheng Zhao, 26, based at Naval Base Ventura County, north of San Diego, with conspiring to collect nearly $15,000 in bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for U.S. naval exercise plans, operational orders and photos and videos of electrical systems at Navy facilities between August 2021 through at least this May.

The information included operational plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, which detailed the location and timing of naval force movements.

The Associated Press was unable to reach the federal public defender assigned to Zhao, who pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles.

The indictment further alleges that Zhao photographed electrical diagrams and blueprints for a radar system stationed on a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan.

Prosecutors say Zhao, who also went by the name Thomas Zhao, also surreptitiously recorded information that he handed over. If convicted, Zhao could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

It was unclear if federal officials were looking at other U.S. sailors and if the investigation was ongoing.

At the Pentagon, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that, “I think we have clear policies and procedures in place when it comes to safeguarding and protecting sensitive information. And so if those rules are violated, appropriate action will be taken.” He declined to discuss any specifics of the cases.

U.S. Attorney Grossman said the charges reflect that China “stands apart in terms of the threat that its government poses to the United States. China is unrivaled in its audacity and the range of its maligned efforts to subvert our laws.”

He added that the U.S. will use “every tool in our arsenal to counter the threat and to deter China and those who have violated the rule of law and threaten our national security.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691150192766.png" alt="U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California during a Thursday news conference on the arrests&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California during a Thursday news conference on the arrests&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SAN DIEGO (AP) — Two U.S. Navy sailors were charged Thursday with providing sensitive military information to China — including details on wartime exercises, naval operations and critical technical material.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-08/wei_indictment.pdf">Click here to read</a> the indictmentThe two sailors, both based in California, were charged with similar moves to provide sensitive intelligence to the Chinese. But they were separate cases, and it wasn’t clear if the two were courted or paid by the same Chinese intelligence officer as part of a larger scheme. Federal officials at a news conference in San Diego declined to specify whether the sailors were aware of each other's actions.Both men pleaded not guilty in federal courts in San Diego and Los Angeles. They were ordered to be held until their detention hearings, which will take place Aug. 8 in those same cities.U.S. officials have for years expressed concern about the espionage threat they say the Chinese government poses, bringing criminal cases in recent years against Beijing intelligence operatives who have stolen sensitive government and commercial information, including through illegal hacking.The pair of cases also comes on the heels of another insider-threat prosecution tied to the U.S. military, with the Justice Department in April arresting a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman on charges of leaking classified military documents about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war in Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and other sensitive national security topics on Discord, a social media platform popular with people playing online games.U.S. officials said the cases exemplify China’s brazenness in trying to obtain insight into U.S. military operations.“Through the alleged crimes committed by these defendants, sensitive military information ended up in the hands of the People’s Republic of China,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California. He added that the charges demonstrate the Chinese government’s “determination to obtain information that is critical to our national defense by any means, so it could be used to their advantage.”Jinchao Wei, a 22-year-old sailor assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex, was arrested Wednesday while boarding the ship. He is accused of passing detailed information on the weapons systems and aircraft aboard the Essex and other amphibious assault ships that act as small aircraft carriers.Prosecutors said Wei, who was born in China, was approached by a Chinese intelligence officer in February 2022 while he was applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, and admitted to the officer that he knew the arrangement could affect his application. Even so, at the officer’s request, Wei provided photographs and videos of Navy ships, including the USS Essex, which can carry an array of helicopters, including the MV-22 Ospreys, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.The indictment alleges Wei included as many as 50 manuals containing technical and mechanical data about Navy ships as well as details about the number and training of Marines during an upcoming exercise.Wei continued to send sensitive U.S. military information multiple times over the course of a year and even was congratulated by the Chinese officer once Wei became a U.S. citizen, Grossman said. He added that Wei “chose to turn his back on his newly adopted country” for greed.The Justice Department charged Wei under a rarely-used Espionage Act statute that makes it a crime to gather or deliver information to aid a foreign government.After pleading not guilty in San Diego, Wei was assigned a new public defender who declined to comment following the hearing. Wei did not visibly react when read the charges.Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Sheppard told the judge that Wei had passed information to Chinese intelligence as recently as two days ago. He said Wei, who also went by the name Patrick Wei, told a fellow sailor in February 2022 that he was “being recruited for what quite obviously is (expletive) espionage.”Sheppard said Wei has made $10,000 to $15,000 in the past year from the arrangement with the unnamed Chinese inelligence officer. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.The officer instructed Wei not to discuss their relationship, to share sensitive information and to destroy evidence to help them cover their tracks, officials said.The Justice Department also charged sailor Wenheng Zhao, 26, based at Naval Base Ventura County, north of San Diego, with conspiring to collect nearly $15,000 in bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for U.S. naval exercise plans, operational orders and photos and videos of electrical systems at Navy facilities between August 2021 through at least this May.The information included operational plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, which detailed the location and timing of naval force movements.The Associated Press was unable to reach the federal public defender assigned to Zhao, who pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles.The indictment further alleges that Zhao photographed electrical diagrams and blueprints for a radar system stationed on a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan.Prosecutors say Zhao, who also went by the name Thomas Zhao, also surreptitiously recorded information that he handed over. If convicted, Zhao could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.It was unclear if federal officials were looking at other U.S. sailors and if the investigation was ongoing.At the Pentagon, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that, “I think we have clear policies and procedures in place when it comes to safeguarding and protecting sensitive information. And so if those rules are violated, appropriate action will be taken.” He declined to discuss any specifics of the cases.U.S. Attorney Grossman said the charges reflect that China “stands apart in terms of the threat that its government poses to the United States. China is unrivaled in its audacity and the range of its maligned efforts to subvert our laws.”He added that the U.S. will use “every tool in our arsenal to counter the threat and to deter China and those who have violated the rule of law and threaten our national security.”

Two U.S. Navy sailors accused of passing secrets to China

WASHINGTON (AP) Former President Donald Trump said it was a “very sad day for America” after pleading not guilty in Washington’s federal court to charges that he conspired to overturn the 2020 election.

Trump addressed the proceedings in a brief statement on a drizzly tarmac before he boarded his plane back to New Jersey, characterizing the case as a “persecution” designed to hurt his 2024 presidential campaign.

“We can’t let this happen in America,” Trump said.

Trump pleaded not guilty to four federal counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States. He is accused of brazenly conspiring with allies to spread falsehoods and concoct schemes intended to overturn his election loss to President Joe Biden.

The former president appeared before a magistrate judge in Washington’s federal courthouse two days after being indicted by Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">special counsel Jack Smith</a>. Of the three criminal cases he's facing, the most recent charges are especially historic since they focus on Trump's efforts as president to subvert the will of voters and obstruct the certification of Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden’s</a>&nbsp;victory. His refusal to accept defeat and his lies about widespread election fraud helped fuel the violent riot on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Trump, who is now the early front-runner in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-presidential-candidates-who-is-running-e89fbfee94e7e7980594a9ce3994fec7">the 2024 Republican presidential primary</a>, sat stern-faced with his hands folded, shaking his head at times as he conferred with an attorney and occasionally glancing around the courtroom as his court appearance began. He stood up to enter his “not guilty” plea, answered perfunctory questions from the judge and thanked her at the conclusion of the arraignment.

His appearance Thursday unfolded — as will the rest of the case — in a downtown courthouse between the Capitol and the White House and in a building where more than 1,000 of the Capitol rioters have been charged by the Justice Department, which last November appointed Smith to lead a probe into the role of Trump and his allies in the events of that day.

<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;

The indictment charges Trump with four felony counts related to his efforts to undo&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">his presidential election loss</a>, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. The charges could lead to a lengthy prison sentence in the event of a conviction, with the most serious counts calling for up to 20 years.

Smith himself attended the arraignment, sitting in the courtroom's front row behind the prosecutors handling the case and about 20 feet away from Trump. He looked at times in Trump's direction, though neither appeared to gesture at or talk to each other.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya set the next court date for Aug. 28, when a tentative trial date will be set, and directed Trump not to communicate directly about the facts of case with any individual known to be a witness.

Three police officers who defended the Capitol that day were also seen entering the courthouse. One of them, Aquilino Gonell, who retired from the Capitol Police after suffering injuries, took stock of the location's symbolism, noting that it was “the same court in which hundreds of rioters have been sentenced. It's the same court former President Trump is being arraigned in today for his alleged involvement before, during, and after the siege.”

Trump has said he is innocent. His legal team has characterized the latest case as an attack on his right to free speech and his right to challenge an election that he believed had been stolen.

One early point of contention emerged Thursday when defense lawyers bristled at the idea that a trial could be rapidly scheduled. Prosecutors said they would move quickly to provide Trump's lawyers with the information they'd need to prepare a defense, but defense attorney John Lauro said it was “somewhat absurd” that the case could be ready for trial anytime soon.

"These are weighty issues. Obviously, the U.S. has had three years to investigate this matter,” Lauro said.

The election theft case is part of escalating legal troubles for the ex-president, coming nearly two months after Trump pleaded not guilty to dozens of federal felony counts accusing him of hoarding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-justice-department-special-counsel-2025feb3f0f4e3820d14387c67ce4316">classified documents</a>&nbsp;at his Florida estate and thwarting government efforts to retrieve them. That case is set for trial next May.

He also was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">charged in New York</a>&nbsp;with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment to a porn actor during the 2016 presidential campaign, a case scheduled for trial next March. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-fani-willis-046726b66d601cc9a5b8d5e1cbc3d8cb">prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia,</a>&nbsp;are expected in the coming weeks to announce charging decisions in an investigation into efforts to subvert election results in that state.

Thursday's arraignment was part of a now-familiar but nonetheless stunning ritual for Trump, requiring him to hit pause on his presidential campaign and play the role of criminal defendant. He was flown by private plane from New Jersey to Washington, where his motorcade with lights and sirens made its way through the nation's capital — a journey documented in wall-to-wall cable coverage once again.

His appearance represented a relatively rare return to Washington since he left the White House. After a trip that took him through a highway tunnel and District streets, Trump lamented what he called the "filth and the decay" of the city, which he claimed was worse than when he ended his term. But that overlooks the fact that when he left office, some businesses were boarded up and military presence in the city was ramped up in the aftermath of the insurrection sparked by his own election lies.

Federal and state election officials and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/barr-no-widespread-election-fraud-b1f1488796c9a98c4b1a9061a6c7f49d">Trump’s own attorney general</a>&nbsp;have said there is no credible evidence the election was tainted. The former president's allegations of fraud were also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-courts-election-results-e1297d874f45d2b14bc99c403abd0457">roundly rejected by courts</a>, including by judges Trump appointed.

The courtroom Thursday filled with spectators who included several federal judges, including Chief District Court Judge James Boasberg — presumably there to observe the momentous event.

The indictment chronicles how Trump and his Republican allies, in what Smith described as an attack on a “bedrock function of the U.S. government,” repeatedly lied about the results in the two months after he lost the election and pressured his vice president,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-jan-6-trump-indictment-ab36fd360a0850562a07d1b404f15d69">Mike Pence</a>, and state election officials to take action to help him cling to power.

The former president was the only person charged in the case, though prosecutors referenced six unnamed co-conspirators, mostly lawyers, they say he plotted with, including in a scheme to enlist fake electors in seven battleground states won by Biden to submit false certificates to the federal government.

The indictment also relies on testimony from a broad cross-section of Trump's aides and state election officials, and cites contemporaneous notes that prosecutors say were taken by Pence.

The legal proceedings going forward will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, an appointee of President Barack Obama who has stood out as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-only-on-ap-donald-trump-government-and-politics-sentencing-de394dd56b3251aac5a50014f4d6afa7">one of the toughest punishers of rioters</a>.

WASHINGTON (AP) Former President Donald Trump said it was a “very sad day for America” after pleading not guilty in Washington’s federal court to charges that he conspired to overturn the 2020 election.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump statement after pleading not guilty at arraignment: &quot;This is a very sad day for America...When you look at what&#39;s happening, this is a persecution of a political opponent.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cKhR9qVrkv">pic.twitter.com/cKhR9qVrkv</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1687210806793097221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump addressed the proceedings in a brief statement on a drizzly tarmac before he boarded his plane back to New Jersey, characterizing the case as a “persecution” designed to hurt his 2024 presidential campaign.“We can’t let this happen in America,” Trump said.Trump pleaded not guilty to four federal counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States. He is accused of brazenly conspiring with allies to spread falsehoods and concoct schemes intended to overturn his election loss to President Joe Biden.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691091873212.png" alt="A view outside the United State's Courthouse in Washington during the Trump arraignment-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>A view outside the United State's Courthouse in Washington during the Trump arraignment-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>The former president appeared before a magistrate judge in Washington’s federal courthouse two days after being indicted by Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">special counsel Jack Smith</a>. Of the three criminal cases he's facing, the most recent charges are especially historic since they focus on Trump's efforts as president to subvert the will of voters and obstruct the certification of Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden’s</a>&nbsp;victory. His refusal to accept defeat and his lies about widespread election fraud helped fuel the violent riot on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.Trump, who is now the early front-runner in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-presidential-candidates-who-is-running-e89fbfee94e7e7980594a9ce3994fec7">the 2024 Republican presidential primary</a>, sat stern-faced with his hands folded, shaking his head at times as he conferred with an attorney and occasionally glancing around the courtroom as his court appearance began. He stood up to enter his “not guilty” plea, answered perfunctory questions from the judge and thanked her at the conclusion of the arraignment.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691091392217.png" alt="Former Presiden Donald Trump as he arrives Thursday in Washington for the arraignment-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Former Presiden Donald Trump as he arrives Thursday in Washington for the arraignment-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>His appearance Thursday unfolded — as will the rest of the case — in a downtown courthouse between the Capitol and the White House and in a building where more than 1,000 of the Capitol rioters have been charged by the Justice Department, which last November appointed Smith to lead a probe into the role of Trump and his allies in the events of that day.<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;The indictment charges Trump with four felony counts related to his efforts to undo&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">his presidential election loss</a>, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. The charges could lead to a lengthy prison sentence in the event of a conviction, with the most serious counts calling for up to 20 years.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691091690627.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Smith himself attended the arraignment, sitting in the courtroom's front row behind the prosecutors handling the case and about 20 feet away from Trump. He looked at times in Trump's direction, though neither appeared to gesture at or talk to each other.U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya set the next court date for Aug. 28, when a tentative trial date will be set, and directed Trump not to communicate directly about the facts of case with any individual known to be a witness.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691093099558.png" alt="Law enforcement across the street from the courthouse on Thursday afternoon -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement across the street from the courthouse on Thursday afternoon -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Three police officers who defended the Capitol that day were also seen entering the courthouse. One of them, Aquilino Gonell, who retired from the Capitol Police after suffering injuries, took stock of the location's symbolism, noting that it was “the same court in which hundreds of rioters have been sentenced. It's the same court former President Trump is being arraigned in today for his alleged involvement before, during, and after the siege.”Trump has said he is innocent. His legal team has characterized the latest case as an attack on his right to free speech and his right to challenge an election that he believed had been stolen.One early point of contention emerged Thursday when defense lawyers bristled at the idea that a trial could be rapidly scheduled. Prosecutors said they would move quickly to provide Trump's lawyers with the information they'd need to prepare a defense, but defense attorney John Lauro said it was “somewhat absurd” that the case could be ready for trial anytime soon."These are weighty issues. Obviously, the U.S. has had three years to investigate this matter,” Lauro said.The election theft case is part of escalating legal troubles for the ex-president, coming nearly two months after Trump pleaded not guilty to dozens of federal felony counts accusing him of hoarding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-justice-department-special-counsel-2025feb3f0f4e3820d14387c67ce4316">classified documents</a>&nbsp;at his Florida estate and thwarting government efforts to retrieve them. That case is set for trial next May.He also was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">charged in New York</a>&nbsp;with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment to a porn actor during the 2016 presidential campaign, a case scheduled for trial next March. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-fani-willis-046726b66d601cc9a5b8d5e1cbc3d8cb">prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia,</a>&nbsp;are expected in the coming weeks to announce charging decisions in an investigation into efforts to subvert election results in that state.Thursday's arraignment was part of a now-familiar but nonetheless stunning ritual for Trump, requiring him to hit pause on his presidential campaign and play the role of criminal defendant. He was flown by private plane from New Jersey to Washington, where his motorcade with lights and sirens made its way through the nation's capital — a journey documented in wall-to-wall cable coverage once again.His appearance represented a relatively rare return to Washington since he left the White House. After a trip that took him through a highway tunnel and District streets, Trump lamented what he called the "filth and the decay" of the city, which he claimed was worse than when he ended his term. But that overlooks the fact that when he left office, some businesses were boarded up and military presence in the city was ramped up in the aftermath of the insurrection sparked by his own election lies.Federal and state election officials and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/barr-no-widespread-election-fraud-b1f1488796c9a98c4b1a9061a6c7f49d">Trump’s own attorney general</a>&nbsp;have said there is no credible evidence the election was tainted. The former president's allegations of fraud were also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-courts-election-results-e1297d874f45d2b14bc99c403abd0457">roundly rejected by courts</a>, including by judges Trump appointed.The courtroom Thursday filled with spectators who included several federal judges, including Chief District Court Judge James Boasberg — presumably there to observe the momentous event.The indictment chronicles how Trump and his Republican allies, in what Smith described as an attack on a “bedrock function of the U.S. government,” repeatedly lied about the results in the two months after he lost the election and pressured his vice president,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pence-jan-6-trump-indictment-ab36fd360a0850562a07d1b404f15d69">Mike Pence</a>, and state election officials to take action to help him cling to power.The former president was the only person charged in the case, though prosecutors referenced six unnamed co-conspirators, mostly lawyers, they say he plotted with, including in a scheme to enlist fake electors in seven battleground states won by Biden to submit false certificates to the federal government.The indictment also relies on testimony from a broad cross-section of Trump's aides and state election officials, and cites contemporaneous notes that prosecutors say were taken by Pence.The legal proceedings going forward will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, an appointee of President Barack Obama who has stood out as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-only-on-ap-donald-trump-government-and-politics-sentencing-de394dd56b3251aac5a50014f4d6afa7">one of the toughest punishers of rioters</a>._____

🎥 Trump: It was a very sad day for America

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 12:30a.m. Friday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Suzuki SX4 driven by Kassandra A.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ramos, 22, Wichita, was northbound on Interstate 235 just south of Central Avenue.

The car crossed the median. A southbound 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by April R. Fisher, 38, Newton, struck the Suzuki

Ramos was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the county forensics center.&nbsp; Fisher had minor injuries. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 12:30a.m. Friday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Suzuki SX4 driven by Kassandra A.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ramos, 22, Wichita, was northbound on Interstate 235 just south of Central Avenue.The car crossed the median. A southbound 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by April R. Fisher, 38, Newton, struck the SuzukiRamos was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the county forensics center.&nbsp; Fisher had minor injuries. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.