SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.

On Tuesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 1800 Block of SW Burnett Road related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police LT Ronnie Connell.

While conducting the search warrant, officers located cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a firearm.

As a result, Torrez Parker, 45 years of age, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Distribution of opiate/opium/narc within 1000 ft. from a school, Distribution of marijuana within 1000 ft. from a school, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent of distribution within 1000 ft. from a school and Criminal use of a weapon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659478205546.png" alt="Parker-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Parker-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations.On Tuesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 1800 Block of SW Burnett Road related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police LT Ronnie Connell.While conducting the search warrant, officers located cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a firearm.As a result, Torrez Parker, 45 years of age, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Distribution of opiate/opium/narc within 1000 ft. from a school, Distribution of marijuana within 1000 ft. from a school, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent of distribution within 1000 ft. from a school and Criminal use of a weapon.

Police: Kansas man was allegedly selling cocaine near school

TOPEKA (AP) —Two Kansas lawmakers who faced legal issues during their time in the Legislature have been soundly defeated in their bids for reelection.

Freshman Rep. Aaron Coleman, of Turner, lost a three-way race to Melissa Oropeza, of Kansas City, Kansas, in Tuesday's Democratic primary. And Republican Rep. Mark Samsel, of Wellsville, who has served in the Legislature since 2019, was defeated by conservative Carrie Barth, of Baldwin City.

Coleman has been ensnared in controversy since running for election in 2020. He agreed in March to undergo mental health counseling and a domestic violence assessment to avoid prosecution on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-cad353ffd3afe3583df3d267ebb535a5">misdemeanor domestic battery charge</a>&nbsp;involving his brother.

Coleman had previously admitted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-election-2020-kansas-d6ea4066903abd8ef70d60bebe6c8a3c">abuse of young women and girls</a>&nbsp;before he was elected, including circulating revenge porn and slapping and choking an ex-girlfriend. Gov. Laura Kelly and other Democrats said Coleman should resign and the House issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-legislature-kansas-city-kansas-topeka-768126190ab7c98965245d7808a2bf58">a written reprimand</a>. Coleman also faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-topeka-47d594a1472cc0786048c81d073694e9">two traffic charges</a>&nbsp;after he was arrested in November.

Coleman received only 321 votes, or 13.1%, while Oropeza won with 1,203 votes, 49.2%, and Faith Rivera received 923 votes, or 37.7% of the vote.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Coleman congratulated Oropeza and thanked his supporters. “I hope this decision is the best for everyone,” he wrote. Coleman did not respond to messages Wednesday seeking further comment.

Samsel, an attorney, was placed on a year of probation after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-media-social-media-kansas-topeka-3c076c31d41d2849b151d27c41775251">he pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;in September to three misdemeanor charges of battery after he was accused of angry interactions with two students, ages 15 or 16, while he was working as a substitute teacher at the high school in his hometown of Wellsville.

Barth received 2,769 votes, or 63.4%, to Samsel's 1,599, or 36.6%. Samsel did not return a message Wednesday seeking comment.

Videos shot by students on April 28 and provided by a parent showed Samsel talking about suicide, God and sex in a noisy classroom. He was accused of kicking a boy in the testicles. Samsel said he only “demonstrated a kick” for one boy who had disrupted class but did not kick him, according to a deputy's affidavit.

Samsel said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-stress-4aa77a2a880b0a3b9837e80dd3f3b7d9">in a Facebook post</a>&nbsp;that he was under extreme stress at the time, which caused him to have “an isolated episode of mania with psychotic features” in a classroom. He said he was undergoing mental health treatment and surrendered his state substitute teacher’s license.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635804497310.png" alt="Coleman's booking photo from Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Coleman's booking photo from Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA (AP) —Two Kansas lawmakers who faced legal issues during their time in the Legislature have been soundly defeated in their bids for reelection.Freshman Rep. Aaron Coleman, of Turner, lost a three-way race to Melissa Oropeza, of Kansas City, Kansas, in Tuesday's Democratic primary. And Republican Rep. Mark Samsel, of Wellsville, who has served in the Legislature since 2019, was defeated by conservative Carrie Barth, of Baldwin City.Coleman has been ensnared in controversy since running for election in 2020. He agreed in March to undergo mental health counseling and a domestic violence assessment to avoid prosecution on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-cad353ffd3afe3583df3d267ebb535a5">misdemeanor domestic battery charge</a>&nbsp;involving his brother.Coleman had previously admitted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-election-2020-kansas-d6ea4066903abd8ef70d60bebe6c8a3c">abuse of young women and girls</a>&nbsp;before he was elected, including circulating revenge porn and slapping and choking an ex-girlfriend. Gov. Laura Kelly and other Democrats said Coleman should resign and the House issued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-legislature-kansas-city-kansas-topeka-768126190ab7c98965245d7808a2bf58">a written reprimand</a>. Coleman also faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kansas-city-kansas-topeka-47d594a1472cc0786048c81d073694e9">two traffic charges</a>&nbsp;after he was arrested in November.Coleman received only 321 votes, or 13.1%, while Oropeza won with 1,203 votes, 49.2%, and Faith Rivera received 923 votes, or 37.7% of the vote.In a statement posted on Twitter, Coleman congratulated Oropeza and thanked his supporters. “I hope this decision is the best for everyone,” he wrote. Coleman did not respond to messages Wednesday seeking further comment.Samsel, an attorney, was placed on a year of probation after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-media-social-media-kansas-topeka-3c076c31d41d2849b151d27c41775251">he pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;in September to three misdemeanor charges of battery after he was accused of angry interactions with two students, ages 15 or 16, while he was working as a substitute teacher at the high school in his hometown of Wellsville.Barth received 2,769 votes, or 63.4%, to Samsel's 1,599, or 36.6%. Samsel did not return a message Wednesday seeking comment.Videos shot by students on April 28 and provided by a parent showed Samsel talking about suicide, God and sex in a noisy classroom. He was accused of kicking a boy in the testicles. Samsel said he only “demonstrated a kick” for one boy who had disrupted class but did not kick him, according to a deputy's affidavit.Samsel said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-stress-4aa77a2a880b0a3b9837e80dd3f3b7d9">in a Facebook post</a>&nbsp;that he was under extreme stress at the time, which caused him to have “an isolated episode of mania with psychotic features” in a classroom. He said he was undergoing mental health treatment and surrendered his state substitute teacher’s license.

2 Kansas state lawmakers who faced legal issues ousted

BARTON COUNTY, Missouri —A Kansas teen died in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Wednesday in Barton County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Subaru Outback driven by Austin P. Vander-Meer, 24, Pittsburg, Kansas, was eastbound on SW 6th Road five miles south of Mindenmines, Missouri.

The SUV traveled off the road, struck a tree and overturned

A&nbsp; passenger 19-year-old Tristan R. Davis of Mulberry, Kansas, was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Chappel Funeral Home in Webb City.

Vander-Meer was airlifted to Freeman West in Joplin.&nbsp; EMS transported a second passenger 21-year-old Kameron J. Reece to Via Christi

BARTON COUNTY, Missouri —A Kansas teen died in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Wednesday in Barton County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Subaru Outback driven by Austin P. Vander-Meer, 24, Pittsburg, Kansas, was eastbound on SW 6th Road five miles south of Mindenmines, Missouri.The SUV traveled off the road, struck a tree and overturnedA&nbsp; passenger 19-year-old Tristan R. Davis of Mulberry, Kansas, was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Chappel Funeral Home in Webb City.Vander-Meer was airlifted to Freeman West in Joplin.&nbsp; EMS transported a second passenger 21-year-old Kameron J. Reece to Via Christi

Kansas teen dead, 2 hospitalized after SUV strikes a tree

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman arrested July 30 in connection with the death of a 1-year-old boy made her first court appearance Tuesday.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069445">Xjohnna Hannah,</a>&nbsp;25,&nbsp;Wichita, was charged with one count of 1st degree murder, abuse of a child and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On July 30, police responded to a child abuse report at a Wichita area hospital, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;

When officers arrived at the hospital, they were told a family member and guardian of 1-year-old Lasiah Williams brought him to the hospital unresponsive. Doctors pronounced the boy deceased.

Investigators learned Lasisah had been with his Father 25-year-old Kentrell Willingham and girlfriend <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069445">Xjohnna Hannah,</a> for a few days. A family member of the child met Kentrell, Thursday in the 1600 hundred block of South Oliver to exchange custody.

The family member left with Lasiah and a short time later would realize the child was unresponsive. The family member and Lasiah’s legal guardian immediately drove to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. 

Police arrested Willingham and his girlfriend <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069445">&nbsp;Hannah,</a> both of Wichita. Willingham has bonded out of jail and will appear in court August 15, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp;

Hannah remains jailed on a $250,000 bond and will return to court August 15. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659122621318.png" alt="Willingham-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Willingham-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman arrested July 30 in connection with the death of a 1-year-old boy made her first court appearance Tuesday.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069445">Xjohnna Hannah,</a>&nbsp;25,&nbsp;Wichita, was charged with one count of 1st degree murder, abuse of a child and aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On July 30, police responded to a child abuse report at a Wichita area hospital, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;When officers arrived at the hospital, they were told a family member and guardian of 1-year-old Lasiah Williams brought him to the hospital unresponsive. Doctors pronounced the boy deceased.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659123012533.png" alt="Hannah photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Hannah photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators learned Lasisah had been with his Father 25-year-old Kentrell Willingham and girlfriend <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069445">Xjohnna Hannah,</a> for a few days. A family member of the child met Kentrell, Thursday in the 1600 hundred block of South Oliver to exchange custody. The family member left with Lasiah and a short time later would realize the child was unresponsive. The family member and Lasiah’s legal guardian immediately drove to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Police arrested Willingham and his girlfriend <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20069445">&nbsp;Hannah,</a> both of Wichita. Willingham has bonded out of jail and will appear in court August 15, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp;Hannah remains jailed on a $250,000 bond and will return to court August 15. &nbsp;

Kan. woman charged in the death of boyfriend's 1-year-old son

SHANNON COUNTY —Authorities recovered the body of a Kansas man who drowned Tuesday in Shannon County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 48-year-old Dee A. Hodges of Wichita went missing while floating on the Current River at Cave Spring.

Authorities located his body just before noon. The Shannon County Coroner pronounced him dead at the scene. The river is approximately 5 hours southeast of Kansas City.

SHANNON COUNTY —Authorities recovered the body of a Kansas man who drowned Tuesday in Shannon County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 48-year-old Dee A. Hodges of Wichita went missing while floating on the Current River at Cave Spring.Authorities located his body just before noon. The Shannon County Coroner pronounced him dead at the scene. The river is approximately 5 hours southeast of Kansas City.

Patrol IDs Kansas man who drowned on river trip in Missouri

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —A pursuit that began in Salina early Wednesday ended with stop spikes in Ellsworth County.

Just after 2a.m., an Audi 7 driven by Kaleb Beaugh, 29, of rural Saline County, was northbound on N. College Avenue when he failed to signal a turn west onto W. Ash Street, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester.

An officer followed the car, and once it turned south onto N. Broadway Boulevard, another officer attempted to stop the car, but Beaugh took off west on State Street to Kansas Highway 140, then north on N. Halstead Road, and west on State Street.

The car reached speeds of more than 100 mph on K-140, and the officers terminated their pursuit in the 3900 block of State Street because of the excessive speed, according to Forrester.

A short time later, a deputy spotted the car and attempted to stop it in the 8800 block of W. Crawford Street, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. The Audi took off again, sometimes reaching speeds of up to 130 mph on K-140.

The Audi was finally stopped when stop spikes were deployed on K-140 inside Ellsworth County. Deputies arrested Beaugh and booked him on requested charges of possession of cocaine, meth and marijuana. He also booked on requested charges of possession of a firearm while under the influence, flee and elude, driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and driving while a habitual violator.&nbsp;

Beaugh has previous convictions for theft, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement,  fleeing law enforcement, reckless driving and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. He had been out of prison since June of 2019.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650721136802.jpeg" alt="Kaleb Beaugh has previous convictions for theft, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement,&nbsp; fleeing law enforcement, reckless driving and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;PhotoSaline County&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kaleb Beaugh has previous convictions for theft, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement,&nbsp; fleeing law enforcement, reckless driving and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;PhotoSaline County&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —A pursuit that began in Salina early Wednesday ended with stop spikes in Ellsworth County.Just after 2a.m., an Audi 7 driven by Kaleb Beaugh, 29, of rural Saline County, was northbound on N. College Avenue when he failed to signal a turn west onto W. Ash Street, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester.An officer followed the car, and once it turned south onto N. Broadway Boulevard, another officer attempted to stop the car, but Beaugh took off west on State Street to Kansas Highway 140, then north on N. Halstead Road, and west on State Street.The car reached speeds of more than 100 mph on K-140, and the officers terminated their pursuit in the 3900 block of State Street because of the excessive speed, according to Forrester.A short time later, a deputy spotted the car and attempted to stop it in the 8800 block of W. Crawford Street, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan. The Audi took off again, sometimes reaching speeds of up to 130 mph on K-140.The Audi was finally stopped when stop spikes were deployed on K-140 inside Ellsworth County. Deputies arrested Beaugh and booked him on requested charges of possession of cocaine, meth and marijuana. He also booked on requested charges of possession of a firearm while under the influence, flee and elude, driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and driving while a habitual violator.&nbsp;Beaugh has previous convictions for theft, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement, fleeing law enforcement, reckless driving and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. He had been out of prison since June of 2019.

Kan. felon transporting drugs caught after 130mph chase

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-offers-free-drawings-for-special-hunts-in-restricted-areas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Former U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp is behind the false text message about the constitutional amendment that enraged Democrats on Monday,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/08/02/kansas-abortion-texts/">the Washington Post reports</a>.

The newspaper traced the unsolicited text messages to a political tech firm called Alliance Forge and identified Huelskamp’s Do Right PAC as the client behind the campaign.

Huelskamp, a Republican who represented the state in Congress from 2011 to 2017, didn’t immediately respond to a phone call and voice message from Kansas Reflector seeking comment for this story.

State officials said the use of voter registration data to deliberately mislead voters doesn’t violate state law because lying is allowed in election advertisements, and unsolicited text messages about ballot questions don’t require senders to reveal their identities.

Twilio, the company whose services were used to send the message, says its fraud team was investigating and taking “appropriate actions” to stop the spread of misinformation.

Democrats were infuriated by the text message they received Monday, which inaccurately said that “voting YES on the amendment will give women a choice.” A yes vote would actually end the right to terminate a pregnancy in Kansas and give the Legislature the authority to pass a total ban on abortion. A no vote would preserve the status quo, in which abortion is heavily regulated and legal through 22 weeks of gestation.

“This is as dirty as you can get,” said Davis Hammet, a voting rights advocate, in a tweet. “The anti-abortion coalition is sending out a last minute mass text to Kansas pro-choice voters blatantly lying about the abortion amendment so they vote the wrong way.”

Bryan Caskey, the state elections director, says the Secretary of State’s Office has fielded dozens of complaints about the text message but that the office doesn’t have the authority under Kansas law to investigate the matter.

Political operatives can purchase the voter registration file from the secretary of state’s office, a public record that includes names, party affiliation and contact information for voters. They can separately purchase a daily update of individuals who have cast advanced ballots.

State law prohibits the use of this information for commercial purposes, but campaigns can use it to encourage select voters to go to the polls.

“The use of voter registration data for this type of communication is not something that we believe violates the law,” Caskey said.

The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, in a statement responding to complaints about the text, said state law doesn’t require text messages to say who paid for them if the messages are about a ballot question. Additionally, state law specifically allows misleading advertising for elections, the ethics commission said.

In a series of Twitter statements responding to complaints about the false information on the abortion amendment, Twilio said it is “working diligently to ensure this is handled correctly.”

“Spreading misinformation is a direct violation of our Terms of Service so although we don’t have an update to share, we assure you that we take misinformation very seriously,” the company said.

According to the Washington Post, Twilio confirmed the numbers used to send the text messages were leased to Nevada-based Alliance Forge. The CEO for Alliance Forge said the company was notified Monday night of a “possible content violation” and began working with Twilio to identify the source of the text messages. The CEO said the company “did not consult on this message’s messaging strategy or content,” the Washington Post reported.

<a target="_blank" href="https://kssos.org/utilities/cmPdfViewer.aspx?SN=B22207AAAE6.tiff">Campaign finance reports</a>&nbsp;show Huelskamp’s PAC has spent more than $200,000 in support of the amendment, including $26,000 on services from Alliance Forge between June 29 and July 11.

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/P8021095-1024x576.jpg" alt="Democrats in Kansas received this unsolicited text message on Monday, which falsely claims that a “yes” vote protects reproductive rights. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Democrats in Kansas received this unsolicited text message on Monday, which falsely claims that a “yes” vote protects reproductive rights. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-offers-free-drawings-for-special-hunts-in-restricted-areas/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Former U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp is behind the false text message about the constitutional amendment that enraged Democrats on Monday,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/08/02/kansas-abortion-texts/">the Washington Post reports</a>.The newspaper traced the unsolicited text messages to a political tech firm called Alliance Forge and identified Huelskamp’s Do Right PAC as the client behind the campaign.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659476569320.png" alt="Former Rep. Tim Huelskamp -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Former Rep. Tim Huelskamp -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Huelskamp, a Republican who represented the state in Congress from 2011 to 2017, didn’t immediately respond to a phone call and voice message from Kansas Reflector seeking comment for this story.State officials said the use of voter registration data to deliberately mislead voters doesn’t violate state law because lying is allowed in election advertisements, and unsolicited text messages about ballot questions don’t require senders to reveal their identities.Twilio, the company whose services were used to send the message, says its fraud team was investigating and taking “appropriate actions” to stop the spread of misinformation.Democrats were infuriated by the text message they received Monday, which inaccurately said that “voting YES on the amendment will give women a choice.” A yes vote would actually end the right to terminate a pregnancy in Kansas and give the Legislature the authority to pass a total ban on abortion. A no vote would preserve the status quo, in which abortion is heavily regulated and legal through 22 weeks of gestation.“This is as dirty as you can get,” said Davis Hammet, a voting rights advocate, in a tweet. “The anti-abortion coalition is sending out a last minute mass text to Kansas pro-choice voters blatantly lying about the abortion amendment so they vote the wrong way.”Bryan Caskey, the state elections director, says the Secretary of State’s Office has fielded dozens of complaints about the text message but that the office doesn’t have the authority under Kansas law to investigate the matter.Political operatives can purchase the voter registration file from the secretary of state’s office, a public record that includes names, party affiliation and contact information for voters. They can separately purchase a daily update of individuals who have cast advanced ballots.State law prohibits the use of this information for commercial purposes, but campaigns can use it to encourage select voters to go to the polls.“The use of voter registration data for this type of communication is not something that we believe violates the law,” Caskey said.The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, in a statement responding to complaints about the text, said state law doesn’t require text messages to say who paid for them if the messages are about a ballot question. Additionally, state law specifically allows misleading advertising for elections, the ethics commission said.In a series of Twitter statements responding to complaints about the false information on the abortion amendment, Twilio said it is “working diligently to ensure this is handled correctly.”“Spreading misinformation is a direct violation of our Terms of Service so although we don’t have an update to share, we assure you that we take misinformation very seriously,” the company said.According to the Washington Post, Twilio confirmed the numbers used to send the text messages were leased to Nevada-based Alliance Forge. The CEO for Alliance Forge said the company was notified Monday night of a “possible content violation” and began working with Twilio to identify the source of the text messages. The CEO said the company “did not consult on this message’s messaging strategy or content,” the Washington Post reported.<a target="_blank" href="https://kssos.org/utilities/cmPdfViewer.aspx?SN=B22207AAAE6.tiff">Campaign finance reports</a>&nbsp;show Huelskamp’s PAC has spent more than $200,000 in support of the amendment, including $26,000 on services from Alliance Forge between June 29 and July 11.

Former congressman connected to false text about Kan. abortion amendment

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden still has an occasional “loose cough” as he battles a rebound case of COVID-19, his doctor said Wednesday, though he “continues to feel well.”

White House physician Kevin O’Connor provided the update on the president’s condition as he continues to test positive for the virus. He said Biden “remains fever-free,” and that his temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation “remain entirely normal.”

Still, Biden is required to remain in isolation through at least Thursday under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines — and perhaps longer under tougher White House protocols if he continues to test positive.

Biden’s rebound case — labeled such because he tested positive on Saturday just three days after being cleared from isolation during his initial bout of the virus with two negative tests last Tuesday and Wednesday — has left him eager to return to a normal schedule.

During his first go-around with the virus, Biden, 79, was treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid, and his primary symptoms were a runny nose, fatigue and a loose cough, his doctor said at the time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659545534855.png" alt="Wednesday morning, President Biden held a secure phone call with his national security team.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday morning, President Biden held a secure phone call with his national security team.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden still has an occasional “loose cough” as he battles a rebound case of COVID-19, his doctor said Wednesday, though he “continues to feel well.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659544974073.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>White House physician Kevin O’Connor provided the update on the president’s condition as he continues to test positive for the virus. He said Biden “remains fever-free,” and that his temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation “remain entirely normal.”Still, Biden is required to remain in isolation through at least Thursday under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines — and perhaps longer under tougher White House protocols if he continues to test positive.Biden’s rebound case — labeled such because he tested positive on Saturday just three days after being cleared from isolation during his initial bout of the virus with two negative tests last Tuesday and Wednesday — has left him eager to return to a normal schedule.During his first go-around with the virus, Biden, 79, was treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid, and his primary symptoms were a runny nose, fatigue and a loose cough, his doctor said at the time.

Doctor: Biden’s COVID symptoms continue, in ‘good spirits’

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal July 16 shooting continue asking the public for help to locate a Kansas felon.

Just after 9:30 p.m. July 16, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 Block of SW 8th Street in Topeka, according to Police LT Ronnie Connell.

First responders found 34-year-old&nbsp; Kirk Sexton suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Topeka Police Department wants to speak with Emmanuel Rashad Walker, 35, of Topeka in reference to this homicide investigation.

 Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault in 2009 and for, obstruction and drug possession in 2019, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Emmanuel Rashad Walker should call police or 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658512386623.png" alt="&nbsp;Emmanuel Rashad Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault, obstruction and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Emmanuel Rashad Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault, obstruction and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal July 16 shooting continue asking the public for help to locate a Kansas felon.Just after 9:30 p.m. July 16, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 Block of SW 8th Street in Topeka, according to Police LT Ronnie Connell.First responders found 34-year-old&nbsp; Kirk Sexton suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.The Topeka Police Department wants to speak with Emmanuel Rashad Walker, 35, of Topeka in reference to this homicide investigation. Walker has previous convictions for aggravated assault in 2009 and for, obstruction and drug possession in 2019, according to the Kansas Department of CorrectionsAnyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Emmanuel Rashad Walker should call police or 911.

Search continues for Kansas felon wanted for murder 

WASHINGTON — In one of the biggest days of this year's primary campaign season, red-state Kansas rejected a measure that would have made it easier to restrict abortion.

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. – an OBGYN who delivered more than 5,000 babies issued a statement on the result of the Value Them both Amendment outcome.

“Words could never express the sadness and emotion myself and many Kansans are feeling after the Value Them Both amendment was not adopted. This is an enormous blow to efforts to protect the sanctity of life in Kansas."

“Too many times I’ve seen sadness and hurt, without an explanation why — this is one of those moments. While I don’t have an answer, I do know that God works all things for good for those who trust him."

“I want to thank everybody in the pro-life community who worked so hard to get this amendment passed. Tonight, we must still go to bed with faith and hope, for tomorrow we must be as dedicated to the sanctity of life, and to the fight to protect the lives of moms and unborn babies."

“Each of us will have to pray and look in our hearts to see what’s next. However, we must not rest as there is much work to be done to support moms who are contemplating abortion, and decide instead for life. Let us all reach out and give them all the help and hope we can."

“As an OBGYN who delivered more than 5,000 babies and fought each day of my more than 25 year career to protect moms and babies, I remain as dedicated as ever to doing everything in my power as a U.S. Senator to protect life at all costs.”

Kansas may seem like an unlikely place for abortion rights supporters to notch a major victory.

But on Tuesday, voters in the conservative state resoundingly rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the Legislature to ban abortion. It was the first major test of voter sentiment since the Supreme Court ruling in June to rescind the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

The amendment would have allowed the Legislature to overturn a 2019 state Supreme Court decision declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state constitution.

Its failure at the ballot in a state Donald Trump won by nearly 15 points issues a stark warning to Republicans, who have downplayed the political impact of the high court's ruling. It also hands a considerable win to Democrats, who are feeling newly energized heading into what was expected to be a tough&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterm election season</a>&nbsp;for them.

Kansas currently allows abortion until the 22nd week of pregnancy. After that, abortion is allowed only to save a patient’s life or to prevent “a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.”

Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat who supports abortion rights, has warned that the Republican-led Legislature's efforts to ban abortion would hurt the state. On Tuesday it became clear that many voters agree with her.

WASHINGTON — In one of the biggest days of this year's primary campaign season, red-state Kansas rejected a measure that would have made it easier to restrict abortion.U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. – an OBGYN who delivered more than 5,000 babies issued a statement on the result of the Value Them both Amendment outcome.“Words could never express the sadness and emotion myself and many Kansans are feeling after the Value Them Both amendment was not adopted. This is an enormous blow to efforts to protect the sanctity of life in Kansas."“Too many times I’ve seen sadness and hurt, without an explanation why — this is one of those moments. While I don’t have an answer, I do know that God works all things for good for those who trust him."“I want to thank everybody in the pro-life community who worked so hard to get this amendment passed. Tonight, we must still go to bed with faith and hope, for tomorrow we must be as dedicated to the sanctity of life, and to the fight to protect the lives of moms and unborn babies."“Each of us will have to pray and look in our hearts to see what’s next. However, we must not rest as there is much work to be done to support moms who are contemplating abortion, and decide instead for life. Let us all reach out and give them all the help and hope we can."“As an OBGYN who delivered more than 5,000 babies and fought each day of my more than 25 year career to protect moms and babies, I remain as dedicated as ever to doing everything in my power as a U.S. Senator to protect life at all costs.”Kansas may seem like an unlikely place for abortion rights supporters to notch a major victory.But on Tuesday, voters in the conservative state resoundingly rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the Legislature to ban abortion. It was the first major test of voter sentiment since the Supreme Court ruling in June to rescind the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.The amendment would have allowed the Legislature to overturn a 2019 state Supreme Court decision declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state constitution.Its failure at the ballot in a state Donald Trump won by nearly 15 points issues a stark warning to Republicans, who have downplayed the political impact of the high court's ruling. It also hands a considerable win to Democrats, who are feeling newly energized heading into what was expected to be a tough&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterm election season</a>&nbsp;for them.Kansas currently allows abortion until the 22nd week of pregnancy. After that, abortion is allowed only to save a patient’s life or to prevent “a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.”Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat who supports abortion rights, has warned that the Republican-led Legislature's efforts to ban abortion would hurt the state. On Tuesday it became clear that many voters agree with her.

Sen. Marshall remains dedicated to "protect life at all costs"

JEFFERSON COUNTY—Kansas game wardens are being recognized for their effort to make a water rescue on the final weekend of July.

Just before 4 p.m. July 30, the Jefferson County Sheriff's office reported 4 overturned canoes in the Kansas River that needed help, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.&nbsp;

Wardens Entwhistle, Arnold, Porterfield and Cook responded to the area with one of the KDWP Rescue Airboats. The four individuals&nbsp; in canoes had traveled over a low water dam when their canoes capsized. 

The all had on life jackets and were able to make it to the bank. The wardens located them and they were safe with only some minor scrapes and cuts. 

The wardens were able to transport the four individuals as well as their canoes back to safety.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659531582597.png" alt="Photo courtesy KDWP Game Wardens" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KDWP Game Wardens</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON COUNTY—Kansas game wardens are being recognized for their effort to make a water rescue on the final weekend of July.Just before 4 p.m. July 30, the Jefferson County Sheriff's office reported 4 overturned canoes in the Kansas River that needed help, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.&nbsp;Wardens Entwhistle, Arnold, Porterfield and Cook responded to the area with one of the KDWP Rescue Airboats. The four individuals&nbsp; in canoes had traveled over a low water dam when their canoes capsized. The all had on life jackets and were able to make it to the bank. The wardens located them and they were safe with only some minor scrapes and cuts. The wardens were able to transport the four individuals as well as their canoes back to safety.

Kansas game wardens rescue 4 from Kansas River

WASHINGTON (AP) — In one of the biggest days of this year's primary campaign season, voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">rejected a measure</a>&nbsp;that would have made it easier to restrict abortion rights in red-state Kansas.

The President's said in a statement on the White House web site, "The Supreme Court’s extreme decision to overturn&nbsp;Roe v. Wade&nbsp;put women’s health and lives at risk. Tonight, the American people had something to say about it. Voters in Kansas turned out in record numbers to reject extreme efforts to amend the state constitution to take away a woman’s right to choose and open the door for a state-wide ban. This vote makes clear what we know: the majority of Americans agree that women should have access to abortion and should have the right to make their own health care decisions." "Congress should listen to the will of the American people and restore the protections of&nbsp;Roe&nbsp;as federal law. While that is the only way to secure a woman’s right to choose, my Administration will continue to take meaningful action to protect women’s access to reproductive health care. We will continue to act where we can to protect women’s reproductive rights and access to care.&nbsp; And, the American people must continue to use their voices to protect the right to women’s health care, including abortion."

Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat who supports abortion rights, has warned that the Republican-led Legislature's efforts to ban abortion would hurt the state. On Tuesday it became clear than many voters agree with her.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659522141119.png" alt="President Biden, in isolation due to COVID said, "Congress should listen to the will of the American people and restore the protections of Roe as federal law."" />
 <figcaption>President Biden, in isolation due to COVID said, "Congress should listen to the will of the American people and restore the protections of Roe as federal law."</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — In one of the biggest days of this year's primary campaign season, voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">rejected a measure</a>&nbsp;that would have made it easier to restrict abortion rights in red-state Kansas.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tonight, Kansans used their voices to protect women’s right to choose and access reproductive health care. It’s an important victory for Kansas, but also for every American who believes that women should be able to make their own health decisions without government interference.&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1554675997399810051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The President's said in a statement on the White House web site, "The Supreme Court’s extreme decision to overturn&nbsp;Roe v. Wade&nbsp;put women’s health and lives at risk. Tonight, the American people had something to say about it. Voters in Kansas turned out in record numbers to reject extreme efforts to amend the state constitution to take away a woman’s right to choose and open the door for a state-wide ban. This vote makes clear what we know: the majority of Americans agree that women should have access to abortion and should have the right to make their own health care decisions." "Congress should listen to the will of the American people and restore the protections of&nbsp;Roe&nbsp;as federal law. While that is the only way to secure a woman’s right to choose, my Administration will continue to take meaningful action to protect women’s access to reproductive health care. We will continue to act where we can to protect women’s reproductive rights and access to care.&nbsp; And, the American people must continue to use their voices to protect the right to women’s health care, including abortion."Kansas may seem like an unlikely place for abortion rights supporters to notch a major victory.But on Tuesday, voters in the conservative state resoundingly rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed the Legislature to ban abortion. It was the first major test of voter sentiment since the Supreme Court ruling in June to rescind the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.The amendment would have allowed the Legislature to overturn a 2019 state Supreme Court decision declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state constitution.Its failure at the ballot in a state Donald Trump won by nearly 15 points issues a stark warning to Republicans, who have downplayed the political impact of the high court's ruling. It also hands a considerable win to Democrats, who are feeling newly energized heading into what was expected to be a tough&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">midterm election season</a>&nbsp;for them.Kansas currently allows abortion until the 22nd week of pregnancy. After that, abortion is allowed only to save a patient’s life or to prevent “a substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.”Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat who supports abortion rights, has warned that the Republican-led Legislature's efforts to ban abortion would hurt the state. On Tuesday it became clear than many voters agree with her.

Biden: Tuesday's election an important victory for Kansas

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi left Taiwan after a visit that heightened tensions with China, saying Wednesday that she and other members of Congress in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-asia-beijing-malaysia-a5a6acc391511c99b1b4c2d69e67b133">her delegation</a>&nbsp;showed they will not abandon their commitment to the self-governing island.

Pelosi, the first U.S. speaker to visit the island in more than 25 years, courted Beijing's wrath with the visit and set off more than a week of debate over whether it was a good idea after news of it leaked. In Taipei she remained calm but defiant.

“Today the world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy,” she said in a short speech during a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. “America’s determination to preserve democracy, here in Taiwan and around the world, remains ironclad.”

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and opposes any engagement by Taiwanese officials with foreign governments, announced multiple military exercises around the island, parts of which will enter Taiwanese waters, and issued a series of harsh statements after the delegation touched down Tuesday night in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei.

Taiwan decried the planned actions, saying they violated the island's sovereignty.

“Such an act equals to sealing off Taiwan by air and sea, such an act covers our country’s territory and territorial waters, and severely violates our country’s territorial sovereignty,” Capt. Jian-chang Yu said at a briefing by the National Defense Ministry.

The Chinese military exercises, including live fire, are to start Thursday and be the largest aimed at Taiwan since 1995, when China fired missiles in a large-scale exercise to show its displeasure at a visit by then-Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui to the U.S.

Taiwanese President Tsai responded firmly Wednesday to Beijing’s military intimidation.

“Facing deliberately heightened military threats, Taiwan will not back down,” Tsai said at her meeting with Pelosi. “We will firmly uphold our nation’s sovereignty and continue to hold the line of defense for democracy.”

China's official Xinhua News Agency announced the military actions Tuesday night, along with a map outlining six different areas around Taiwan. Arthur Zhin-Sheng Wang, a defense studies expert at Taiwan’s Central Police University, said three of the areas infringe on Taiwanese waters, meaning they are within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) of shore.

Using live fire in a country's territorial airspace or waters is risky, said Wang, adding that "according to international rules of engagement, this can possibly be seen as an act of war."

Pelosi's trip has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-biden-asia-united-states-beijing-e3a6ea22e004f21e6b2a28b0f28ec4c5">heightened U.S.-China tensions</a>&nbsp;more than visits by other members of Congress because of her high-level position as leader of the House of Representatives. She is the first speaker of the House to visit Taiwan in 25 years, since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-beijing-xi-jinping-hong-kong-2c2b95758dd6faa6eed87a7c5cf298d4">Newt Gingrich in 1997</a>. However, other members of Congress have visited Taiwan in the past year.

Tsai, thanking Pelosi for her decades of support for Taiwan, presented the speaker with a civilian honor, the Order of the Propitious Clouds.

China's response has been loud and has come on multiple fronts: diplomatic, economic and military.

Shortly after Pelosi landed Tuesday night, China announced live-fire drills that reportedly started that night, as well as the four-day exercises starting Thursday.

The People's Liberation Army Air Force also flew a contingent of 21 war planes Tuesday night, including fighter jets, toward Taiwan. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng also summoned the U.S. ambassador in Beijing, Nicholas Burns, to convey the country's protests the same night.

On Wednesday, China also banned some imports from Taiwan, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-technology-health-asia-china-4e66d6d2944204a5261b4bfbe0048688">citrus fruit and fish.</a>

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV published images of PLA drills and video Wednesday, although it was unclear where they were being conducted.

Pelosi addressed Beijing’s threats Wednesday morning, saying she hopes it’s clear that while China has prevented Taiwan from attending certain international meetings, "that they understand they will not stand in the way of people coming to Taiwan as a show of friendship and of support.”

She noted that support for Taiwan is bipartisan in Congress and praised the island’s democracy. She stopped short of saying that the U.S would defend Taiwan militarily, emphasizing that Congress is “committed to the security of Taiwan, in order to have Taiwan be able to most effectively defend themselves.”

Her focus has always been the same, she said, going back to her 1991 visit to Beijing's Tiananmen Square, when she and other lawmakers unfurled a small banner supporting democracy two years after a bloody military crackdown on protesters at the square. That visit was also about human rights and what she called dangerous technology transfers to “rogue countries.”

Pelosi visited a human rights museum in Taipei that details the history of the island's martial law era and met with some of Taiwan's most prominent rights activists, including an exiled former Hong Kong bookseller who was detained by Chinese authorities, Lam Wing-kee.

Pelosi, who is leading the trip with five other members of Congress, also met with representatives from Taiwan’s legislature.

“Madam Speaker’s visit to Taiwan with the delegation, without fear, is the strongest defense of upholding human rights and consolidation of the values of democracy and freedom,” Tsai Chi-chang, vice president of Taiwan’s legislature, said in welcome.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to tone down the volume on the visit, insisting there’s no change in America’s longstanding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-biden-asia-united-states-beijing-e3a6ea22e004f21e6b2a28b0f28ec4c5">“one-China policy,”</a>&nbsp;which recognizes Beijing but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei.

Pelosi said her delegation has “heft," including Gregory Meeks, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Raja Krishnamoorthi from the House Intelligence Committee. Reps. Andy Kim and Mark Takano are also in the delegation.

She also mentioned Rep. Suzan DelBene, whom Pelosi said was instrumental in the passage of a $280 billion bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-science-technology-united-states-economy-2fa651c540c9869890dfe670bcdcb7ea">aimed at boosting American manufacturing</a>&nbsp;and research in semiconductor chips — an industry that Taiwan dominates and is vital for modern electronics.

She departed Wednesday evening for South Korea, the next stop on an Asia tour that also included Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi left Taiwan after a visit that heightened tensions with China, saying Wednesday that she and other members of Congress in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-asia-beijing-malaysia-a5a6acc391511c99b1b4c2d69e67b133">her delegation</a>&nbsp;showed they will not abandon their commitment to the self-governing island.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our delegation had the distinct privilege of meeting with the President of Taiwan <a href="https://twitter.com/iingwen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Iingwen</a> today. We discussed how America &amp; Taiwan can deepen our economic ties, further strengthen our security partnership &amp; defend our shared democratic values. <a href="https://t.co/VL509UYK4x">pic.twitter.com/VL509UYK4x</a>&mdash; Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1554757908730101762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Pelosi, the first U.S. speaker to visit the island in more than 25 years, courted Beijing's wrath with the visit and set off more than a week of debate over whether it was a good idea after news of it leaked. In Taipei she remained calm but defiant.“Today the world faces a choice between democracy and autocracy,” she said in a short speech during a meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. “America’s determination to preserve democracy, here in Taiwan and around the world, remains ironclad.”China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and opposes any engagement by Taiwanese officials with foreign governments, announced multiple military exercises around the island, parts of which will enter Taiwanese waters, and issued a series of harsh statements after the delegation touched down Tuesday night in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei.Taiwan decried the planned actions, saying they violated the island's sovereignty.“Such an act equals to sealing off Taiwan by air and sea, such an act covers our country’s territory and territorial waters, and severely violates our country’s territorial sovereignty,” Capt. Jian-chang Yu said at a briefing by the National Defense Ministry.The Chinese military exercises, including live fire, are to start Thursday and be the largest aimed at Taiwan since 1995, when China fired missiles in a large-scale exercise to show its displeasure at a visit by then-Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui to the U.S.Taiwanese President Tsai responded firmly Wednesday to Beijing’s military intimidation.“Facing deliberately heightened military threats, Taiwan will not back down,” Tsai said at her meeting with Pelosi. “We will firmly uphold our nation’s sovereignty and continue to hold the line of defense for democracy.”China's official Xinhua News Agency announced the military actions Tuesday night, along with a map outlining six different areas around Taiwan. Arthur Zhin-Sheng Wang, a defense studies expert at Taiwan’s Central Police University, said three of the areas infringe on Taiwanese waters, meaning they are within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) of shore.Using live fire in a country's territorial airspace or waters is risky, said Wang, adding that "according to international rules of engagement, this can possibly be seen as an act of war."Pelosi's trip has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-biden-asia-united-states-beijing-e3a6ea22e004f21e6b2a28b0f28ec4c5">heightened U.S.-China tensions</a>&nbsp;more than visits by other members of Congress because of her high-level position as leader of the House of Representatives. She is the first speaker of the House to visit Taiwan in 25 years, since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-beijing-xi-jinping-hong-kong-2c2b95758dd6faa6eed87a7c5cf298d4">Newt Gingrich in 1997</a>. However, other members of Congress have visited Taiwan in the past year.Tsai, thanking Pelosi for her decades of support for Taiwan, presented the speaker with a civilian honor, the Order of the Propitious Clouds.China's response has been loud and has come on multiple fronts: diplomatic, economic and military.Shortly after Pelosi landed Tuesday night, China announced live-fire drills that reportedly started that night, as well as the four-day exercises starting Thursday.The People's Liberation Army Air Force also flew a contingent of 21 war planes Tuesday night, including fighter jets, toward Taiwan. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng also summoned the U.S. ambassador in Beijing, Nicholas Burns, to convey the country's protests the same night.On Wednesday, China also banned some imports from Taiwan, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-technology-health-asia-china-4e66d6d2944204a5261b4bfbe0048688">citrus fruit and fish.</a>Chinese state broadcaster CCTV published images of PLA drills and video Wednesday, although it was unclear where they were being conducted.Pelosi addressed Beijing’s threats Wednesday morning, saying she hopes it’s clear that while China has prevented Taiwan from attending certain international meetings, "that they understand they will not stand in the way of people coming to Taiwan as a show of friendship and of support.”She noted that support for Taiwan is bipartisan in Congress and praised the island’s democracy. She stopped short of saying that the U.S would defend Taiwan militarily, emphasizing that Congress is “committed to the security of Taiwan, in order to have Taiwan be able to most effectively defend themselves.”Her focus has always been the same, she said, going back to her 1991 visit to Beijing's Tiananmen Square, when she and other lawmakers unfurled a small banner supporting democracy two years after a bloody military crackdown on protesters at the square. That visit was also about human rights and what she called dangerous technology transfers to “rogue countries.”Pelosi visited a human rights museum in Taipei that details the history of the island's martial law era and met with some of Taiwan's most prominent rights activists, including an exiled former Hong Kong bookseller who was detained by Chinese authorities, Lam Wing-kee.Pelosi, who is leading the trip with five other members of Congress, also met with representatives from Taiwan’s legislature.“Madam Speaker’s visit to Taiwan with the delegation, without fear, is the strongest defense of upholding human rights and consolidation of the values of democracy and freedom,” Tsai Chi-chang, vice president of Taiwan’s legislature, said in welcome.The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to tone down the volume on the visit, insisting there’s no change in America’s longstanding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-biden-asia-united-states-beijing-e3a6ea22e004f21e6b2a28b0f28ec4c5">“one-China policy,”</a>&nbsp;which recognizes Beijing but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei.Pelosi said her delegation has “heft," including Gregory Meeks, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Raja Krishnamoorthi from the House Intelligence Committee. Reps. Andy Kim and Mark Takano are also in the delegation.She also mentioned Rep. Suzan DelBene, whom Pelosi said was instrumental in the passage of a $280 billion bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-science-technology-united-states-economy-2fa651c540c9869890dfe670bcdcb7ea">aimed at boosting American manufacturing</a>&nbsp;and research in semiconductor chips — an industry that Taiwan dominates and is vital for modern electronics.She departed Wednesday evening for South Korea, the next stop on an Asia tour that also included Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.

Pelosi departs Taiwan after visit that fueled US-China rift

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans on Tuesday nominated Kris Kobach for Kansas attorney general, keeping alive the polarizing conservative’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-immigration-election-2020-cabinet-d2729ad665df9200513f7e3159168ada">bid for a political comeback</a>&nbsp;following his losses in a governor’s race and U.S. Senate primary over the past four years.

Kobach, a former Kansas secretary of state who built a national profile by advocating tough immigration policies and questioning the integrity of elections, defeated two lesser-known rivals in the primary. He won a close race, overcoming many Republicans’ qualms over his losses to Democrat Laura Kelly in the 2018 governor’s race and to Roger Marshall in the 2020 Senate primary.

After his win, he sought to reassure the Republican base about his chances in November, telling The Associated Press by phone that the depiction of him as a perpetual loser was overblown and noting that one of his losses happened in 2018, which he described as a “bloodbath for Republicans.”

“2022 is going to be a very strong year for Republicans,” he said. “Conditions will be different.”

He also said he was disappointed that&nbsp;<a>voters rejected a ballot measure</a>&nbsp;that would have amended the state constitution to specify that it doesn’t ensure the right to abortion, which would have allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature to further restrict abortion or ban it outright.

Kobach’s backers argued that this year’s elections are likely to see a surge in conservative voters in November because of anger over inflation, gas prices and COVID-19 restrictions. The Democratic nominee is first-time candidate Chris Mann, a private practice attorney who previously worked as a police officer and prosecutor.

Many Republican critics of Kobach had put their hopes in state Sen. Kellie Warren, a Kansas City-area attorney who was outspoken in legislative efforts to add anti-abortion language to the state constitution and to limit the power of state and local officials to close businesses and impose other restrictions during pandemics.

Warren, who traded the lead repeatedly with Kobach throughout the night, conceded defeat just before midnight in a statement that thanked her supporters.

Kobach promoted election fraud as a big issue a decade before former President Donald Trump pressed his false claims that fraud cost him reelection in 2020. Kobach was the first prominent Kansas elected official to endorse Trump in 2016 and served as vice chairman of a Trump commission on election fraud. He is promising to pursue such cases if he’s elected attorney general.

But Kobach’s bigger pitch to Republican voters was that he will look for ways to sue Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration and will file lawsuits even when he believes victory is far from guaranteed.

Warren had the backing of the politically influential Kansas Chamber of Commerce, as well as the small-government, low-tax group Americans for Prosperity. She attacked Kobach for his election losses and questioned his abilities as a lawyer, while he mocked her as a lawyer with little actual courtroom experience.

A third candidate, former federal prosecutor Tony Mattivi, trailed Kobach and Warren by a wide margin. During his campaign, Mattivi touted his experience as a prosecutor and argued that the attorney general’s biggest job was to keep Kansas residents safe. But the campaign never gained traction.

Kobach is a former University of Missouri-Kansas City law professor who served in the U.S. Justice Department before losing a race for Congress in 2004. He won the Kansas secretary of state’s office in 2010, defeating two lesser-known candidates in the primary and riding a Republican midterm wave that year to oust a Democratic incumbent appointed to fill a vacancy only months before.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans on Tuesday nominated Kris Kobach for Kansas attorney general, keeping alive the polarizing conservative’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-immigration-election-2020-cabinet-d2729ad665df9200513f7e3159168ada">bid for a political comeback</a>&nbsp;following his losses in a governor’s race and U.S. Senate primary over the past four years.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’m truly grateful to the Republican voters of Kansas for putting their trust in me. While I was not the choice of the political establishment, I will be an attorney general for all Kansans. I look forward to earning your vote in the fall. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/cOws81EOrF">pic.twitter.com/cOws81EOrF</a>&mdash; Kris W. Kobach (@KrisKobach1787) <a href="https://twitter.com/KrisKobach1787/status/1554696891333591040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kobach, a former Kansas secretary of state who built a national profile by advocating tough immigration policies and questioning the integrity of elections, defeated two lesser-known rivals in the primary. He won a close race, overcoming many Republicans’ qualms over his losses to Democrat Laura Kelly in the 2018 governor’s race and to Roger Marshall in the 2020 Senate primary.After his win, he sought to reassure the Republican base about his chances in November, telling The Associated Press by phone that the depiction of him as a perpetual loser was overblown and noting that one of his losses happened in 2018, which he described as a “bloodbath for Republicans.”“2022 is going to be a very strong year for Republicans,” he said. “Conditions will be different.”He also said he was disappointed that&nbsp;<a>voters rejected a ballot measure</a>&nbsp;that would have amended the state constitution to specify that it doesn’t ensure the right to abortion, which would have allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature to further restrict abortion or ban it outright.Kobach’s backers argued that this year’s elections are likely to see a surge in conservative voters in November because of anger over inflation, gas prices and COVID-19 restrictions. The Democratic nominee is first-time candidate Chris Mann, a private practice attorney who previously worked as a police officer and prosecutor.Many Republican critics of Kobach had put their hopes in state Sen. Kellie Warren, a Kansas City-area attorney who was outspoken in legislative efforts to add anti-abortion language to the state constitution and to limit the power of state and local officials to close businesses and impose other restrictions during pandemics.Warren, who traded the lead repeatedly with Kobach throughout the night, conceded defeat just before midnight in a statement that thanked her supporters.Kobach promoted election fraud as a big issue a decade before former President Donald Trump pressed his false claims that fraud cost him reelection in 2020. Kobach was the first prominent Kansas elected official to endorse Trump in 2016 and served as vice chairman of a Trump commission on election fraud. He is promising to pursue such cases if he’s elected attorney general.But Kobach’s bigger pitch to Republican voters was that he will look for ways to sue Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration and will file lawsuits even when he believes victory is far from guaranteed.Warren had the backing of the politically influential Kansas Chamber of Commerce, as well as the small-government, low-tax group Americans for Prosperity. She attacked Kobach for his election losses and questioned his abilities as a lawyer, while he mocked her as a lawyer with little actual courtroom experience.A third candidate, former federal prosecutor Tony Mattivi, trailed Kobach and Warren by a wide margin. During his campaign, Mattivi touted his experience as a prosecutor and argued that the attorney general’s biggest job was to keep Kansas residents safe. But the campaign never gained traction.Kobach is a former University of Missouri-Kansas City law professor who served in the U.S. Justice Department before losing a race for Congress in 2004. He won the Kansas secretary of state’s office in 2010, defeating two lesser-known candidates in the primary and riding a Republican midterm wave that year to oust a Democratic incumbent appointed to fill a vacancy only months before.

Kansas GOP nominates Kobach for AG, advancing comeback bid

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas voters on Tuesday sent a resounding message about their desire to protect abortion rights, rejecting a ballot measure in a conservative state with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement that would have allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature to tighten restrictions or ban the procedure outright.

It was the first test of voter sentiment after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision</a>&nbsp;in June that overturned the constitutional right to abortion, providing an unexpected result with potential implications for the coming midterm elections.

While it was just one state, the heavy turnout for an August primary that typically favors Republicans was a major victory for abortion rights advocates and provided a dash of hope for Democrats nationwide grasping for a game-changer during an election year otherwise filled with dark omens for their prospects in November.

It also provided a warning to Republicans who had celebrated the Supreme Court ruling and were moving swiftly with abortion bans or near-bans in nearly half the states.

“Kansans bluntly rejected anti-abortion politicians’ attempts at creating a reproductive police state,” said Kimberly Inez McGuire, executive director of Unite for Reproductive &amp; Gender Equity. ”Today’s vote was a powerful rebuke and a promise of the mounting resistance.”

The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5003_00_0000.pdf">proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution</a>&nbsp;would have added language stating that it does not grant the right to abortion. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">2019 state Supreme Court decision</a>&nbsp;declared that access to abortion is a “fundamental” right under the state’s Bill of Rights, preventing a ban and potentially thwarting legislative efforts to enact new restrictions.

The referendum was closely watched as a barometer of liberal and moderate voters’ anger over the Supreme Court's ruling scrapping the nationwide right to abortion.

The measure’s failure also was significant because of Kansas' connections to anti-abortion activists. Anti-abortion “Summer of Mercy” protests in 1991 inspired abortion opponents to take over the Kansas Republican Party and make the Legislature more conservative. They were there because Dr. George Tiller's clinic was among the few in the U.S. known to do abortions late in pregnancy, and he was murdered in 2009 by an anti-abortion extremist.

Anti-abortion lawmakers wanted to have the vote coincide with the state's August primary, arguing they wanted make sure it got the focus, though others saw it as an obvious attempt to boost their chances of winning. Twice as many Republicans as Democrats have voted in the state's August primaries in the decade leading up to Tuesday's election.

The electorate in Tuesday’s vote wasn’t typical for a Kansas primary, particularly because tens of thousands of unaffiliated voters cast ballots.

Kansas Republican Party Chair Mike Kuckelman said opponents of the proposed amendment were effective in portraying it as a ban. But he predicted that Kansas will become a destination for abortion, and voters will not stand for that.

“This issue will come up again,” he said during an interview on KSNT-TV.

Kristy Winter, 52, a Kansas City-area teacher and unaffiliated voter, voted against the measure and brought her 16-year-old daughter with her to her polling place.

“I want her to have the same right to do what she feels is necessary, mostly in the case of rape or incest,” she said. “I want her to have the same rights my mother has had most of her life.”

Opponents of the measure predicted that the anti-abortion groups and lawmakers behind the measure would push quickly for an abortion ban if voters approved it. Before the vote, the measure’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-us-supreme-court-health-government-and-politics-ee885ee70503518fa02f982a7ffff464">supporters refused to say</a>&nbsp;whether they would pursue a ban as they appealed to voters who supported both some restrictions and some access to abortion.

Stephanie Kostreva, a 40-year-old school nurse from the Kansas City area and a Democrat, said she voted in favor of the measure because she is a Christian and believes life begins at conception.

“I’m not full scale that there should never be an abortion,” she said. “I know there are medical emergencies, and when the mother’s life is in danger there is no reason for two people to die.”

An anonymous group sent a misleading text Monday to Kansas voters telling them to “vote yes” to protect choice, but it was suspended late Monday from the Twilio messaging platform it was using, a spokesperson said. Twilio did not identify the sender.

The 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision protecting abortion rights blocked a law that banned the most common second-trimester procedure, and another law imposing special health regulations on abortion providers also is on hold. Abortion opponents argued that all of the state’s existing restrictions were in danger, though some legal scholars found that argument dubious. Kansas doesn’t ban most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy.

The Kansas vote is the start of what could be a long-running series of legal battles playing out where lawmakers are more conservative on abortion than governors or state courts. Kentucky will vote in November on whether to add language similar to Kansas’ to its state constitution.

Meanwhile, Vermont will decide in November whether to add an abortion rights provision to its constitution. A similar question is likely headed to the November ballot in Michigan.

In Kansas, both sides together spent more than $14 million on their campaigns. Abortion providers and abortion rights groups were key donors to the “no” side, while Catholic dioceses heavily funded the “yes” campaign.

The state has had strong anti-abortion majorities in its Legislature for 30 years, but voters have regularly elected Democratic governors, including Laura Kelly in 2018. She opposed the proposed amendment, saying changing the state constitution would “throw the state back into the Dark Ages.”

State Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican hoping to unseat Kelly, supported the proposed constitutional amendment. He told the Catholic television network EWTN before the election that “there’s still room for progress” in decreasing abortions, without spelling out what he would sign as governor.

Although abortion opponents pushed almost annually for new restrictions until the 2019 state Supreme Court ruling, they felt constrained by past court rulings and Democratic governors like Kelly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659488715266.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas voters on Tuesday sent a resounding message about their desire to protect abortion rights, rejecting a ballot measure in a conservative state with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement that would have allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature to tighten restrictions or ban the procedure outright.It was the first test of voter sentiment after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision</a>&nbsp;in June that overturned the constitutional right to abortion, providing an unexpected result with potential implications for the coming midterm elections.While it was just one state, the heavy turnout for an August primary that typically favors Republicans was a major victory for abortion rights advocates and provided a dash of hope for Democrats nationwide grasping for a game-changer during an election year otherwise filled with dark omens for their prospects in November.It also provided a warning to Republicans who had celebrated the Supreme Court ruling and were moving swiftly with abortion bans or near-bans in nearly half the states.“Kansans bluntly rejected anti-abortion politicians’ attempts at creating a reproductive police state,” said Kimberly Inez McGuire, executive director of Unite for Reproductive &amp; Gender Equity. ”Today’s vote was a powerful rebuke and a promise of the mounting resistance.”The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5003_00_0000.pdf">proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution</a>&nbsp;would have added language stating that it does not grant the right to abortion. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">2019 state Supreme Court decision</a>&nbsp;declared that access to abortion is a “fundamental” right under the state’s Bill of Rights, preventing a ban and potentially thwarting legislative efforts to enact new restrictions.The referendum was closely watched as a barometer of liberal and moderate voters’ anger over the Supreme Court's ruling scrapping the nationwide right to abortion.The measure’s failure also was significant because of Kansas' connections to anti-abortion activists. Anti-abortion “Summer of Mercy” protests in 1991 inspired abortion opponents to take over the Kansas Republican Party and make the Legislature more conservative. They were there because Dr. George Tiller's clinic was among the few in the U.S. known to do abortions late in pregnancy, and he was murdered in 2009 by an anti-abortion extremist.Anti-abortion lawmakers wanted to have the vote coincide with the state's August primary, arguing they wanted make sure it got the focus, though others saw it as an obvious attempt to boost their chances of winning. Twice as many Republicans as Democrats have voted in the state's August primaries in the decade leading up to Tuesday's election.The electorate in Tuesday’s vote wasn’t typical for a Kansas primary, particularly because tens of thousands of unaffiliated voters cast ballots.Kansas Republican Party Chair Mike Kuckelman said opponents of the proposed amendment were effective in portraying it as a ban. But he predicted that Kansas will become a destination for abortion, and voters will not stand for that.“This issue will come up again,” he said during an interview on KSNT-TV.Kristy Winter, 52, a Kansas City-area teacher and unaffiliated voter, voted against the measure and brought her 16-year-old daughter with her to her polling place.“I want her to have the same right to do what she feels is necessary, mostly in the case of rape or incest,” she said. “I want her to have the same rights my mother has had most of her life.”Opponents of the measure predicted that the anti-abortion groups and lawmakers behind the measure would push quickly for an abortion ban if voters approved it. Before the vote, the measure’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-us-supreme-court-health-government-and-politics-ee885ee70503518fa02f982a7ffff464">supporters refused to say</a>&nbsp;whether they would pursue a ban as they appealed to voters who supported both some restrictions and some access to abortion.Stephanie Kostreva, a 40-year-old school nurse from the Kansas City area and a Democrat, said she voted in favor of the measure because she is a Christian and believes life begins at conception.“I’m not full scale that there should never be an abortion,” she said. “I know there are medical emergencies, and when the mother’s life is in danger there is no reason for two people to die.”An anonymous group sent a misleading text Monday to Kansas voters telling them to “vote yes” to protect choice, but it was suspended late Monday from the Twilio messaging platform it was using, a spokesperson said. Twilio did not identify the sender.The 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision protecting abortion rights blocked a law that banned the most common second-trimester procedure, and another law imposing special health regulations on abortion providers also is on hold. Abortion opponents argued that all of the state’s existing restrictions were in danger, though some legal scholars found that argument dubious. Kansas doesn’t ban most abortions until the 22nd week of pregnancy.The Kansas vote is the start of what could be a long-running series of legal battles playing out where lawmakers are more conservative on abortion than governors or state courts. Kentucky will vote in November on whether to add language similar to Kansas’ to its state constitution.Meanwhile, Vermont will decide in November whether to add an abortion rights provision to its constitution. A similar question is likely headed to the November ballot in Michigan.In Kansas, both sides together spent more than $14 million on their campaigns. Abortion providers and abortion rights groups were key donors to the “no” side, while Catholic dioceses heavily funded the “yes” campaign.The state has had strong anti-abortion majorities in its Legislature for 30 years, but voters have regularly elected Democratic governors, including Laura Kelly in 2018. She opposed the proposed amendment, saying changing the state constitution would “throw the state back into the Dark Ages.”State Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican hoping to unseat Kelly, supported the proposed constitutional amendment. He told the Catholic television network EWTN before the election that “there’s still room for progress” in decreasing abortions, without spelling out what he would sign as governor.Although abortion opponents pushed almost annually for new restrictions until the 2019 state Supreme Court ruling, they felt constrained by past court rulings and Democratic governors like Kelly.

Kansas voters resoundingly protect access to abortion

TOPEKA (AP) —The top state elections official in Kansas beat back a far-right challenger who promoted conspiracy theories in one of several primaries Tuesday featuring candidates for secretary of state who have expressed skepticism of elections or promoted lies about the 2020 presidential election.

Kansas had no significant problems with its 2020 elections and former President Donald Trump carried the state handily. Yet Secretary of State Scott Schwab found himself on sometimes tricky ground politically because many Republicans have embraced Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">baseless claims</a>&nbsp;that massive fraud cost him the race nationally.

Schwab has repeatedly vouched for the safety of Kansas elections and touted new GOP-pushed laws, including ones that restrict the delivery of ballots by third parties. He’s also said he can’t vouch for other states’ elections.

The message worked well for him in his primary against Mike Brown, a construction contractor and former county commissioner in the Kansas City area. Brown embraced election conspiracy theories and promised to rid the state of ballot drop boxes.

In November, Schwab will face Democrat Jenna Repass, who was unopposed in her party’s primary.

The Kansas race was one of three races for secretary of state Tuesday in which primary voters were deciding whether to elevate election skeptics. Arizona’s Republican primary features two candidates who repeat Trump’s false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Voters in Washington state were choosing from a mix of Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated candidates in that state’s top-two primary.

The GOP primary elections for secretary of state are the latest this year to feature candidates who doubt the security of their states’ elections despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/top-officials-elections-most-secure-66f9361084ccbc461e3bbf42861057a5">the lack of evidence of any problems</a>&nbsp;widespread enough to change the results. Republican voters elsewhere have split on sending those candidates to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">the November ballot</a>.

A secretary of state primary in Washington includes several Republican and unaffiliated candidates, including one who has made voter fraud claims without evidence. Washington state has a primary system in which the top two vote-getters make it to the general election regardless of party affiliation.

The Democratic candidates in all three states reject the premise of a stolen 2020 presidential election and warn that victories in November by any of those who promote conspiracies would endanger free and fair elections. In all three states, the secretary of state is the top election official.

In Arizona, a major battleground for president and the U.S. Senate, two of the four GOP candidates contend the election was stolen from Trump and plan to push major changes if they win the primary and the November general election.

They include state Rep. Mark Finchem, who attended Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021, rally that led to the attack on the U.S. Capitol. He tried this year to get the Republican-controlled Legislature to notify Congress that Arizona wanted to decertify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">Democrat Joe Biden’s election win</a>.

The other Republican backing Trump’s claims also is a member of the Arizona House. Rep. Shawnna Bolick introduced a bill last year that would allow a simple majority of the Legislature to overturn presidential election results. Republicans control the Legislature in Arizona.

Two other Republican candidates are on Arizona’s ballot: state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who acknowledges Biden’s victory but has worked for a decade to tighten election laws, and businessman Beau Lane, who is backed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/doug-ducey">GOP Gov. Doug Ducey</a>.

Finchem is endorsed by Trump and said in a recent interview that worries about the effect of his potential victory on free and fair elections are unfounded. He said he will just enforce laws as written.

“I think it’s interesting that there are people, particularly Democrats out there, claiming, ’Oh, he’s going to ruin the system. He’s going to do this, he’s a threat to democracy,’” Finchem said. Still, he contends tens of thousands of fake ballots led to Biden’s win, a claim for which there is no credible evidence.

Two Democrats, House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding and former Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, are seeking their party’s nomination.

Washington state’s top-two primary features the incumbent, Democratic Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. He was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee last November and hopes to retain his seat for the remaining two years of former Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman’s four-year term.

Hobbs faces several Republican and unaffiliated challengers, including Tamborine Borrelli, an “America First” candidate who was fined by the state Supreme Court earlier this summer for making meritless claims alleging widespread voter fraud.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586715324051.jpeg" alt=" Republican Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab. Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Republican Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab. Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA (AP) —The top state elections official in Kansas beat back a far-right challenger who promoted conspiracy theories in one of several primaries Tuesday featuring candidates for secretary of state who have expressed skepticism of elections or promoted lies about the 2020 presidential election.Kansas had no significant problems with its 2020 elections and former President Donald Trump carried the state handily. Yet Secretary of State Scott Schwab found himself on sometimes tricky ground politically because many Republicans have embraced Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">baseless claims</a>&nbsp;that massive fraud cost him the race nationally.Schwab has repeatedly vouched for the safety of Kansas elections and touted new GOP-pushed laws, including ones that restrict the delivery of ballots by third parties. He’s also said he can’t vouch for other states’ elections.The message worked well for him in his primary against Mike Brown, a construction contractor and former county commissioner in the Kansas City area. Brown embraced election conspiracy theories and promised to rid the state of ballot drop boxes.In November, Schwab will face Democrat Jenna Repass, who was unopposed in her party’s primary.The Kansas race was one of three races for secretary of state Tuesday in which primary voters were deciding whether to elevate election skeptics. Arizona’s Republican primary features two candidates who repeat Trump’s false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Voters in Washington state were choosing from a mix of Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated candidates in that state’s top-two primary.The GOP primary elections for secretary of state are the latest this year to feature candidates who doubt the security of their states’ elections despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/top-officials-elections-most-secure-66f9361084ccbc461e3bbf42861057a5">the lack of evidence of any problems</a>&nbsp;widespread enough to change the results. Republican voters elsewhere have split on sending those candidates to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections">the November ballot</a>.A secretary of state primary in Washington includes several Republican and unaffiliated candidates, including one who has made voter fraud claims without evidence. Washington state has a primary system in which the top two vote-getters make it to the general election regardless of party affiliation.The Democratic candidates in all three states reject the premise of a stolen 2020 presidential election and warn that victories in November by any of those who promote conspiracies would endanger free and fair elections. In all three states, the secretary of state is the top election official.In Arizona, a major battleground for president and the U.S. Senate, two of the four GOP candidates contend the election was stolen from Trump and plan to push major changes if they win the primary and the November general election.They include state Rep. Mark Finchem, who attended Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021, rally that led to the attack on the U.S. Capitol. He tried this year to get the Republican-controlled Legislature to notify Congress that Arizona wanted to decertify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-wins-white-house-ap-fd58df73aa677acb74fce2a69adb71f9">Democrat Joe Biden’s election win</a>.The other Republican backing Trump’s claims also is a member of the Arizona House. Rep. Shawnna Bolick introduced a bill last year that would allow a simple majority of the Legislature to overturn presidential election results. Republicans control the Legislature in Arizona.Two other Republican candidates are on Arizona’s ballot: state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who acknowledges Biden’s victory but has worked for a decade to tighten election laws, and businessman Beau Lane, who is backed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/doug-ducey">GOP Gov. Doug Ducey</a>.Finchem is endorsed by Trump and said in a recent interview that worries about the effect of his potential victory on free and fair elections are unfounded. He said he will just enforce laws as written.“I think it’s interesting that there are people, particularly Democrats out there, claiming, ’Oh, he’s going to ruin the system. He’s going to do this, he’s a threat to democracy,’” Finchem said. Still, he contends tens of thousands of fake ballots led to Biden’s win, a claim for which there is no credible evidence.Two Democrats, House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding and former Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, are seeking their party’s nomination.Washington state’s top-two primary features the incumbent, Democratic Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. He was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee last November and hopes to retain his seat for the remaining two years of former Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman’s four-year term.Hobbs faces several Republican and unaffiliated challengers, including Tamborine Borrelli, an “America First” candidate who was fined by the state Supreme Court earlier this summer for making meritless claims alleging widespread voter fraud.Hobbs and Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson, who is running as a nonpartisan and said she is the most experienced in running elections, have raised the most money. Republicans in the race include former state Sen. Mark Miloscia and current Sen. Keith Wagoner.Under Washington’s primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election in November, regardless of party. Results will likely take days to tally because it’s an all-mail election.