BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>

CHICAGO — Actress and climate activist Julia Louis-Dreyfus asked eight Democratic women governors Wednesday if she would be ready for public office after playing a vice president and president on the hit cable TV show “Veep.”

“You’re more qualified than Donald Trump, don’t worry about it,” New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul quickly replied, to laughter in the packed room.

Louis-Dreyfus moderated a panel made up of the Democratic women governors at the Democratic National Convention. The political leaders in their roughly hour-long discussion touched on the unique benefits of being a woman in politics, and talked about how they are planning for potential interference and problems in the upcoming presidential elections.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said she’s working closely with the secretary of state and attorney general to ensure that Arizona’s electoral votes are cast and to prepare for “every single scenario that comes our way.”

“I think the challenges that we saw in 2020 are going to look like kindergarten compared to what we see now,” she said. “But we are ready.”

<a href="https://azmirror.com/2024/04/25/who-are-the-five-unindicted-co-conspirators-in-arizonas-fake-elector-criminal-case/" target="_blank">A grand jury indicted 18 people in a fake elector scheme</a>&nbsp;that aimed to install Donald Trump as president after he lost the state of Arizona in the 2020 election.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer faced a similar scenario, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://michiganadvance.com/2024/05/28/exams-begin-for-next-group-of-people-charged-in-fake-electors-scheme/" target="_blank">six individuals now face felony charges</a>&nbsp;for submitting false electoral votes for Trump in 2020.

Whitmer said her state legislature has worked to pass legislation to protect election workers and make it easier for people to partake in early voting.

“We know that there are going to be all sorts of efforts” to influence the results, she said.

Louis-Dreyfus noted during Whitmer’s term she’s had to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, natural disasters and an attempted kidnapping and assassination plot.

“How do you stay afloat … under those circumstances?” she asked.

Whitmer said she keeps a gratitude journal and every day writes down three things that give her joy. She said sometimes the list stretches to 10 items, but other days it is not so long.

“Some days it is just my dog and my bed and tequila,” she said.

Louis-Dreyfus asked why it was important to support women down the ballot, and not just on the national level.

Hobbs said early support is important, and noted that’s how Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, got her start as a San Francisco district attorney in 2003.

“Down ballot races are critical,” Hobbs said.

Several of the governors agreed, noting that’s how they were able to enter politics, through their local elections.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said she got her start in the state legislature. Kotek was the longest-serving speaker in the Oregon House of Representatives and the first openly lesbian speaker, elected in 2013.

“When I became speaker, all the other leadership at the time was male, and you notice when you’re the only one in the room,” she said.

It’s an occurrence that Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey knows, noting last year she became the first woman and open member of the LGBTQ community elected governor in her state.

Whitmer said as a woman in politics, she was often underestimated, which she said she sees as a strength, rather than a limitation.

“There are a lot of different ways that we are treated as compared to male candidates, but I would also say that it is a huge advantage to be underestimated,” she said.

Kansas Gov. and Democratic Governors Association Chair Laura Kelly said she thinks the underestimation that women face in politics “will fade away over time.”

Whitmer nodded: “With President Harris, it will.”

Louis-Dreyfus, who is also a comedian and starred in “Seinfeld,” asked how humor can find a place in politics.

“I think humor is an effective tool when things are hot and tense,” New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said.

Louis-Dreyfus asked the governors why are Republicans “so f****** weird?”

Maine Governor Janet Mills laughed and said she knows Republicans in her state who are planning to vote for Harris because “they don’t have a place to go.”

“They’re not all weird,” she said. “They know the traditional (Republican) party is not about Trump.”

Louis-Dreyfus asked how the overturning of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision has affected abortion access in the governors’ states.

Since the conservative Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to an abortion two years ago, Democrats have campaigned on it at the state and federal level. Reproductive right advocates have also led grassroots campaigns to put measures on state ballots to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.

In four states — California, Michigan, Ohio and Vermont — measures to amend the state constitutions to enshrine abortion protections passed,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/dashboard/ballot-tracker-status-of-abortion-related-state-constitutional-amendment-measures/" target="_blank">according to health policy organization KFF’s abortion ballot tracker.&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>There are currently seven states with citizen-initiated measures on the ballot in November that will protect abortion access, in Arizona, Nevada, Montana, South Dakota, Colorado, Missouri and Florida.

Hochul said that after the Supreme Court’s ruling, the first thing she did was go to a vigil.

Hochul said she called the state legislature back for an emergency session to pass legislation to protect medical professionals and patients who travel to New York to access abortion care.

“We let women from other states know this is a safe harbor for you to come here,” she said. “I’m going to fight like hell to get back (abortion rights) for my granddaughter.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724328694166.png" alt=" Kansas Gov. and DGA chairwoman Laura Kelly during a Democratic Women Governors panel with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Aug. 21, 2024, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago (Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)." />
 <figcaption> Kansas Gov. and DGA chairwoman Laura Kelly during a Democratic Women Governors panel with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Aug. 21, 2024, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago (Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>CHICAGO — Actress and climate activist Julia Louis-Dreyfus asked eight Democratic women governors Wednesday if she would be ready for public office after playing a vice president and president on the hit cable TV show “Veep.”“You’re more qualified than Donald Trump, don’t worry about it,” New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul quickly replied, to laughter in the packed room.Louis-Dreyfus moderated a panel made up of the Democratic women governors at the Democratic National Convention. The political leaders in their roughly hour-long discussion touched on the unique benefits of being a woman in politics, and talked about how they are planning for potential interference and problems in the upcoming presidential elections.<h2>Fake electors</h2>Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said she’s working closely with the secretary of state and attorney general to ensure that Arizona’s electoral votes are cast and to prepare for “every single scenario that comes our way.”“I think the challenges that we saw in 2020 are going to look like kindergarten compared to what we see now,” she said. “But we are ready.”<a href="https://azmirror.com/2024/04/25/who-are-the-five-unindicted-co-conspirators-in-arizonas-fake-elector-criminal-case/" target="_blank">A grand jury indicted 18 people in a fake elector scheme</a>&nbsp;that aimed to install Donald Trump as president after he lost the state of Arizona in the 2020 election.Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer faced a similar scenario, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://michiganadvance.com/2024/05/28/exams-begin-for-next-group-of-people-charged-in-fake-electors-scheme/" target="_blank">six individuals now face felony charges</a>&nbsp;for submitting false electoral votes for Trump in 2020.Whitmer said her state legislature has worked to pass legislation to protect election workers and make it easier for people to partake in early voting.“We know that there are going to be all sorts of efforts” to influence the results, she said.Louis-Dreyfus noted during Whitmer’s term she’s had to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, natural disasters and an attempted kidnapping and assassination plot.“How do you stay afloat … under those circumstances?” she asked.Whitmer said she keeps a gratitude journal and every day writes down three things that give her joy. She said sometimes the list stretches to 10 items, but other days it is not so long.“Some days it is just my dog and my bed and tequila,” she said.<h2>Women in state and local politics</h2>Louis-Dreyfus asked why it was important to support women down the ballot, and not just on the national level.Hobbs said early support is important, and noted that’s how Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, got her start as a San Francisco district attorney in 2003.“Down ballot races are critical,” Hobbs said.Several of the governors agreed, noting that’s how they were able to enter politics, through their local elections.Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said she got her start in the state legislature. Kotek was the longest-serving speaker in the Oregon House of Representatives and the first openly lesbian speaker, elected in 2013.“When I became speaker, all the other leadership at the time was male, and you notice when you’re the only one in the room,” she said.It’s an occurrence that Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey knows, noting last year she became the first woman and open member of the LGBTQ community elected governor in her state.Whitmer said as a woman in politics, she was often underestimated, which she said she sees as a strength, rather than a limitation.“There are a lot of different ways that we are treated as compared to male candidates, but I would also say that it is a huge advantage to be underestimated,” she said.Kansas Gov. and Democratic Governors Association Chair Laura Kelly said she thinks the underestimation that women face in politics “will fade away over time.”Whitmer nodded: “With President Harris, it will.”Louis-Dreyfus, who is also a comedian and starred in “Seinfeld,” asked how humor can find a place in politics.“I think humor is an effective tool when things are hot and tense,” New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said.Louis-Dreyfus asked the governors why are Republicans “so f****** weird?”Maine Governor Janet Mills laughed and said she knows Republicans in her state who are planning to vote for Harris because “they don’t have a place to go.”“They’re not all weird,” she said. “They know the traditional (Republican) party is not about Trump.”<h2>Reproductive rights</h2>Louis-Dreyfus asked how the overturning of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision has affected abortion access in the governors’ states.Since the conservative Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to an abortion two years ago, Democrats have campaigned on it at the state and federal level. Reproductive right advocates have also led grassroots campaigns to put measures on state ballots to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.In four states — California, Michigan, Ohio and Vermont — measures to amend the state constitutions to enshrine abortion protections passed,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/dashboard/ballot-tracker-status-of-abortion-related-state-constitutional-amendment-measures/" target="_blank">according to health policy organization KFF’s abortion ballot tracker.&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>There are currently seven states with citizen-initiated measures on the ballot in November that will protect abortion access, in Arizona, Nevada, Montana, South Dakota, Colorado, Missouri and Florida.Hochul said that after the Supreme Court’s ruling, the first thing she did was go to a vigil.“It broke my heart,” she said.Hochul said she called the state legislature back for an emergency session to pass legislation to protect medical professionals and patients who travel to New York to access abortion care.“We let women from other states know this is a safe harbor for you to come here,” she said. “I’m going to fight like hell to get back (abortion rights) for my granddaughter.”

Democratic women governors showcased at DNC event with ‘Veep’ star Julia Louis-Dreyfus

KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Pet Project Animal Services Division rescued 31 animals from a property in historic northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri, where they were found living in deplorable conditions, according to a social media report.

The animals—8 ducks, 6 roosters, 8 hens, 8 cats, and 1 pigeon—were surrendered by their owner. One duck had to be euthanized due to its injuries, and one kitten passed away. Several of the cats are sick and receiving medical attention. KC Pet Project found placement for most of the birds. There are roosters that are available for adoption.

Animal Services officers responded to complaints about potential neglect of the animals. Their investigation uncovered that the property was littered with trash, animal carcasses, and dead birds. The living animals were found in inadequate housing with no access to water or ventilation and displayed signs of neglect. These circumstances are not only inhumane but also in violation of the city code.

In addition to rescuing the animals, Animal Services will be issuing citations to the owner for multiple violations, including failure to provide adequate care. The owner also has outstanding warrants related to prior animal-related offenses.

“We are grateful to our officers who continued to investigate this case and glad to have these animals in our care now, where they will receive the attention and love they deserve," said Tori Fugate, chief communications officer at KC Pet Project. 

"We set up little pools of water for the ducks and it was a heartwarming scene to see them immediately jump into the water to clean themselves off. This case is another example of why it is important to report any suspected cases of animal neglect to help us protect animals who cannot speak for themselves."

Some of the animals on the property could not be captured, so officers will continue to visit the property to work to capture them. 

If you are interested in adopting the roosters, you may visit them starting August 20th at the KC Campus for Animal Care, located at 7077 Elmwood Avenue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724290125314.png" alt="Photos KC Pet Project" />
 <figcaption>Photos KC Pet Project</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Pet Project Animal Services Division rescued 31 animals from a property in historic northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri, where they were found living in deplorable conditions, according to a social media report.The animals—8 ducks, 6 roosters, 8 hens, 8 cats, and 1 pigeon—were surrendered by their owner. One duck had to be euthanized due to its injuries, and one kitten passed away. Several of the cats are sick and receiving medical attention. KC Pet Project found placement for most of the birds. There are roosters that are available for adoption.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724290257543.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Animal Services officers responded to complaints about potential neglect of the animals. Their investigation uncovered that the property was littered with trash, animal carcasses, and dead birds. The living animals were found in inadequate housing with no access to water or ventilation and displayed signs of neglect. These circumstances are not only inhumane but also in violation of the city code.In addition to rescuing the animals, Animal Services will be issuing citations to the owner for multiple violations, including failure to provide adequate care. The owner also has outstanding warrants related to prior animal-related offenses.“We are grateful to our officers who continued to investigate this case and glad to have these animals in our care now, where they will receive the attention and love they deserve," said Tori Fugate, chief communications officer at KC Pet Project. "We set up little pools of water for the ducks and it was a heartwarming scene to see them immediately jump into the water to clean themselves off. This case is another example of why it is important to report any suspected cases of animal neglect to help us protect animals who cannot speak for themselves."Some of the animals on the property could not be captured, so officers will continue to visit the property to work to capture them. If you are interested in adopting the roosters, you may visit them starting August 20th at the KC Campus for Animal Care, located at 7077 Elmwood Avenue.

31 animals rescued from 'deplorable conditions' in Kansas City

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/skychadde/">SKY CHADDE</a>&nbsp;

Agribusiness giant Bayer won a legal victory last week in long-running litigation over whether its popular Roundup pesticide has caused cancer.

The case started in 2019, when a husband and wife in Pennsylvania sued Missouri-based Monsanto, which Bayer purchased in 2018, and alleged the company had violated state law by not including a cancer warning label on Roundup. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates pesticides, did not make the company add such a warning.

On Aug. 15, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, based in Pennsylvania,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10041458/david-schaffner-jr-v-monsanto-corp/?q=bayer&amp;type=o&amp;order_by=dateFiled%20desc&amp;stat_Precedential=on" target="_blank">ruled</a>&nbsp;the federal law governing pesticides — the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA — requires “nationwide uniformity” over pesticide regulation. The state of Pennsylvania did not have authority in the case, the court decided.

The appeals court decision in Pennsylvania conflicts with another decision made earlier this year in Atlanta,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2024/08/16/bayer-roundup-appeal-victory-compels-review.html" target="_blank">according to the St. Louis Business Journal</a>.

In February, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled FIFRA did not preempt state law. Georgia’s law on warning residents about possible harms from pesticides was “fully consistent with” the federal law, according to the Business Journal.

Because the decisions conflict with each other, that could lead to the U.S. Supreme Court stepping in,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/bayer-wins-victory-us-legal-battle-against-roundup-cancer-claims-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters</a>.

Bayer told Reuters the Supreme Court should “settle this important issue of law.”

In 2020, Bayer settled most of its Roundup litigation for about $10 billion, but some cases still remain active. After news of the legal victory, Bayer’s stock price surged,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/bayer-surges-after-roundup-appeal-wins-in-philadelphia-court/ar-AA1oSmvq" target="_blank">according to Bloomberg</a>. It had been slumping over the past year.

This&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2024/08/19/bayer-notches-win-in-roundup-litigation/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593022262288.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/skychadde/">SKY CHADDE</a>&nbsp;Agribusiness giant Bayer won a legal victory last week in long-running litigation over whether its popular Roundup pesticide has caused cancer.The case started in 2019, when a husband and wife in Pennsylvania sued Missouri-based Monsanto, which Bayer purchased in 2018, and alleged the company had violated state law by not including a cancer warning label on Roundup. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates pesticides, did not make the company add such a warning.On Aug. 15, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, based in Pennsylvania,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10041458/david-schaffner-jr-v-monsanto-corp/?q=bayer&amp;type=o&amp;order_by=dateFiled%20desc&amp;stat_Precedential=on" target="_blank">ruled</a>&nbsp;the federal law governing pesticides — the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA — requires “nationwide uniformity” over pesticide regulation. The state of Pennsylvania did not have authority in the case, the court decided.The appeals court decision in Pennsylvania conflicts with another decision made earlier this year in Atlanta,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2024/08/16/bayer-roundup-appeal-victory-compels-review.html" target="_blank">according to the St. Louis Business Journal</a>.In February, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled FIFRA did not preempt state law. Georgia’s law on warning residents about possible harms from pesticides was “fully consistent with” the federal law, according to the Business Journal.Because the decisions conflict with each other, that could lead to the U.S. Supreme Court stepping in,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/bayer-wins-victory-us-legal-battle-against-roundup-cancer-claims-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters</a>.Bayer told Reuters the Supreme Court should “settle this important issue of law.”In 2020, Bayer settled most of its Roundup litigation for about $10 billion, but some cases still remain active. After news of the legal victory, Bayer’s stock price surged,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/bayer-surges-after-roundup-appeal-wins-in-philadelphia-court/ar-AA1oSmvq" target="_blank">according to Bloomberg</a>. It had been slumping over the past year.This&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2024/08/19/bayer-notches-win-in-roundup-litigation/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<figure>
 <img src="https://investigatemidwest.org/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=747714&amp;ga4=G-R9VE8P61LG" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Bayer notches win in litigation over whether Roundup has caused cancer

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– Flying activity increases this week over the Air Capital with the arrival of aircraft for the 2024 Frontiers in Flight Airshow at McConnell AFB. according to a media release from the air base.

Tuesday and Wednesday, most of McConnell’s aircraft will leave the base for other locations for the week, to perform missions off-station while also making room for airshow activities and setup.

Wednesday marks the arrival of Doc at McConnell. That B-29 Superfortress arrives at approximately 2 p.m.&nbsp; and will be part of the center display for the airshow, along with two KC-135 Stratotankers and two KC-46 Pegasus tankers McConnell.

On Thursday, the Blue Angels arrive at approximately 10 a.m. In addition, a majority of the Airshow’s other aircraft are slated to arrive throughout the day on Thursday. Several of those aircraft are expected to spend extra time flying around the Air Capital, as the base and FAA have worked to open local airspace up to a 10-mile radius around the Dole VA Center, to include the Children’s Hospital, for the pilots to spend time familiarizing themselves with the terrain.

Also on Thursday, at approximately 10:30 p.m., three Army helicopters from Fort Riley are scheduled to arrive, but only after performing night navigation missions en-route to McConnell. The helicopters will be on ground display for the airshow.

On Friday, several small aircraft will arrive from Stearman Field, between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The airshows aerial performers will conduct a practice airshow starting at noon that day, with the Blue Angels taking to the skies at 3 p.m.

On Saturday and Sunday, flying activities begin at noon, and the Blue Angels will again take to the skies at 3 p.m. each day.&nbsp;The airshow runs August 24-25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at McConnell Air Force Base, with both admission and parking being free.&nbsp;

All attendees over the age of 18 are required to present a state- or federal government-issued photo ID for entry, such as a driver’s license or passport. Non-U.S. citizen over the age of 18 can use a passport or permanent resident alien card for entry.

Guests are allowed and encouraged to bring their own drinking water in a non-glass container, filled, to use and refill throughout the day to help prevent heat injuries.

There will be free water fill locations in the general public parking lot and on the airshow ramp for refilling personal water containers. Those locations are marked on the map, along with cooling tents, port-a-potties and first aid stations.

<a>While that parking is available, there will still be large distances of walking, given the overall size of the flightline. The airshow area itself measures 0.67 miles north to south, and will be full of parked aircraft, booths and displays.</a>

Parking will be provided off-base, in the fields owned by Cessna, north of McConnell, west of Rock Road and south of Pawnee Street. Distance from the regular parking area to the airshow entrance is approximately 0.5 miles. As such, the base has organized busses to be available at the center of the general parking area to transport people to and from there and the airshow entrance (Entry #1 on the Airshow map). These distances, combined with the typical August temperatures in Kansas and the heat-amplifying effects of concrete runways make hydration especially important for airshow attendees and staff.

Accessibility parking is available by filling out the following form online:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility" target="_blank">https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility</a>

Those who are approved for this parking will be e-mailed a parking pass, which they will have to print out. That pass will enable parking at select locations on base.

For those bringing small children, wristbands are available at the entry points to the flightline, to allow adults to write a phone number on the band and put it on the child’s wrist. Should the adults and children become separated, that phone number will facilitate a quick reunion with their adults.&nbsp; The Lost Child RV will be located near the Kids Zone and close to the Boeing Dreamlifter.&nbsp; The Dreamlifter will be the largest aircraft on the ramp, on the north end of the runway area and near the STEAM and Kid Zones. Changing stations and a dedicated nursing area will also be nearby.

A full list of items that guests are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#bring" target="_blank">allowed to bring</a>, as well as a list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#nobring" target="_blank">prohibited items</a>, is available at the airshow website,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.frontiersinflight.com/" target="_blank">www.frontiersinflight.com</a>

Aerial performances begin at noon each day. The headline act, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, takes to the skies at approximately 3 p.m. each day of the airshow.

The confirmed aerial performers for the airshow are:

The Budweiser Clydesdales hitch is scheduled to make an appearance at 11:30 a.m., each day of the airshow.

The confirmed aircraft on static display are shown on the airshow map, current as of its publication date. Those aircraft on display will be:

Wichita’s military presence is more than just Air Force, with a number of Reserve and Guard units in the area from across the military branches. The largest of these locally is the Army Reserve’s 451st&nbsp;Expeditionary Sustainment Command, which is headquartered here. The 451st&nbsp;ESC has coordinated the appearance of several Army aviation and ground assets at the event, bringing a little extra steel and firepower for visitors to see. These will include:

<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/">Click here for </a>more information on the air show

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724252189685.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– Flying activity increases this week over the Air Capital with the arrival of aircraft for the 2024 Frontiers in Flight Airshow at McConnell AFB. according to a media release from the air base.Tuesday and Wednesday, most of McConnell’s aircraft will leave the base for other locations for the week, to perform missions off-station while also making room for airshow activities and setup.Wednesday marks the arrival of Doc at McConnell. That B-29 Superfortress arrives at approximately 2 p.m.&nbsp; and will be part of the center display for the airshow, along with two KC-135 Stratotankers and two KC-46 Pegasus tankers McConnell.On Thursday, the Blue Angels arrive at approximately 10 a.m. In addition, a majority of the Airshow’s other aircraft are slated to arrive throughout the day on Thursday. Several of those aircraft are expected to spend extra time flying around the Air Capital, as the base and FAA have worked to open local airspace up to a 10-mile radius around the Dole VA Center, to include the Children’s Hospital, for the pilots to spend time familiarizing themselves with the terrain.Also on Thursday, at approximately 10:30 p.m., three Army helicopters from Fort Riley are scheduled to arrive, but only after performing night navigation missions en-route to McConnell. The helicopters will be on ground display for the airshow.On Friday, several small aircraft will arrive from Stearman Field, between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The airshows aerial performers will conduct a practice airshow starting at noon that day, with the Blue Angels taking to the skies at 3 p.m.On Saturday and Sunday, flying activities begin at noon, and the Blue Angels will again take to the skies at 3 p.m. each day.&nbsp;The airshow runs August 24-25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at McConnell Air Force Base, with both admission and parking being free.&nbsp;All attendees over the age of 18 are required to present a state- or federal government-issued photo ID for entry, such as a driver’s license or passport. Non-U.S. citizen over the age of 18 can use a passport or permanent resident alien card for entry.Guests are allowed and encouraged to bring their own drinking water in a non-glass container, filled, to use and refill throughout the day to help prevent heat injuries.There will be free water fill locations in the general public parking lot and on the airshow ramp for refilling personal water containers. Those locations are marked on the map, along with cooling tents, port-a-potties and first aid stations.Distances<a>While that parking is available, there will still be large distances of walking, given the overall size of the flightline. The airshow area itself measures 0.67 miles north to south, and will be full of parked aircraft, booths and displays.</a>General ParkingParking will be provided off-base, in the fields owned by Cessna, north of McConnell, west of Rock Road and south of Pawnee Street. Distance from the regular parking area to the airshow entrance is approximately 0.5 miles. As such, the base has organized busses to be available at the center of the general parking area to transport people to and from there and the airshow entrance (Entry #1 on the Airshow map). These distances, combined with the typical August temperatures in Kansas and the heat-amplifying effects of concrete runways make hydration especially important for airshow attendees and staff.Accessibility ParkingAccessibility parking is available by filling out the following form online:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility" target="_blank">https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility</a>Those who are approved for this parking will be e-mailed a parking pass, which they will have to print out. That pass will enable parking at select locations on base.Lost ChildrenFor those bringing small children, wristbands are available at the entry points to the flightline, to allow adults to write a phone number on the band and put it on the child’s wrist. Should the adults and children become separated, that phone number will facilitate a quick reunion with their adults.&nbsp; The Lost Child RV will be located near the Kids Zone and close to the Boeing Dreamlifter.&nbsp; The Dreamlifter will be the largest aircraft on the ramp, on the north end of the runway area and near the STEAM and Kid Zones. Changing stations and a dedicated nursing area will also be nearby.Allowed &amp; Prohibited ItemsA full list of items that guests are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#bring" target="_blank">allowed to bring</a>, as well as a list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#nobring" target="_blank">prohibited items</a>, is available at the airshow website,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.frontiersinflight.com/" target="_blank">www.frontiersinflight.com</a>Aerial Performance TimesAerial performances begin at noon each day. The headline act, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, takes to the skies at approximately 3 p.m. each day of the airshow.Aerial PerformersThe confirmed aerial performers for the airshow are:<ul>
 <li>Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets</li><li>Fat Albert (Blue Angels support C-130J Super Hercules)</li><li>F-35 Lightning Demo Team</li><li>P-51 Heritage Flight</li><li>2x A-10 Thunderbolt II Formation Demo</li><li>Tora Tora Tora</li><li>“Swamp Fox” P-51</li><li>Twin Beech 18 “Matt Younkin”</li><li>Havilland D.H. 115 “Vampire”</li><li>Bill Stien “Edge 540”</li><li>Tom Larkin “Mini Jet”</li><li>Brian Correll “Pitts II”</li><li>KC-135/KC-46 Refuel Demo</li><li>Precision Exotics “Super Cars”</li>
 </ul>ClydesdalesThe Budweiser Clydesdales hitch is scheduled to make an appearance at 11:30 a.m., each day of the airshow.Aircraft on DisplayThe confirmed aircraft on static display are shown on the airshow map, current as of its publication date. Those aircraft on display will be:<ul>
 <li>Doc B-29 Superfortress</li><li>KC-135 Stratotankers</li><li>KC-46 Pegasus</li><li>Fat Albert (C-130J Super Hercules)</li><li>A-10 Thunderbolt IIs</li><li>F-15 Eagles</li><li>F-16 Fighting Falcons</li><li>F-22 Raptors</li><li>F-35 Lightning IIs</li><li>B-1 Lancer</li><li>B-52 Stratofortress</li><li>Navy P-8 Poseidon</li><li>C-17 Globemaster III</li><li>RC-135 Rivet Joint</li><li>T-38 Talons</li><li>T-6 Texans</li><li>T-1A Jayhawk</li><li>T-41 Mescalero (Cessna 172)</li><li>T-53A Kadet II (Cirrus SR-20)</li><li>Boeing Dreamlifter</li><li>A-26 Invader “Lady Liberty”</li><li>LearJet 36A – Around the world&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-07-02/learjet-global-circumnavigation-deemed-world-record" target="_blank">record holder</a></li><li>Stearman Biplanes</li>
 </ul>Army Displays:Wichita’s military presence is more than just Air Force, with a number of Reserve and Guard units in the area from across the military branches. The largest of these locally is the Army Reserve’s 451st&nbsp;Expeditionary Sustainment Command, which is headquartered here. The 451st&nbsp;ESC has coordinated the appearance of several Army aviation and ground assets at the event, bringing a little extra steel and firepower for visitors to see. These will include:<ul>
 <li>Light Medium Tactical Vehicle</li><li>High-Mobility, Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)</li><li>Joint Light Tactical Vehicle</li><li>UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter</li><li>HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter</li><li>CH-47 Chinook helicopter</li>
 </ul><a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/">Click here for </a>more information on the air show

Plan ahead if attending McConnell Airshow this weekend

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced Monday to 293 months in prison for using his former position as chief executive officer (CEO) of a bank to embezzle tens of millions of dollars in a cryptocurrency scheme which led the bank to fail at a complete loss of equity for investors, according to the United State's Attorney.

&nbsp;Shan Hanes, 53, of Elkhart pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer, according to court documents.

While the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank (HTSB) in Elkhart, Kansas, Hanes initiated 11 outgoing wire transfers between May 2023 and July 2023 totaling $47.1 million of Heartland’s funds to a cryptocurrency wallet in a cryptocurrency scheme referred to as “pig butchering.” The funds were transferred to multiple cryptocurrency accounts controlled by unidentified third parties during the time HTSB was insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC absorbed the $47.1 million loss. Hanes’ fraudulent actions caused HTSB to fail and the bank investors to lose $9 million.

A federal judge ordered that restitution be finalized at a separate hearing within the next 90 days. “Hanes’ greed knew no bounds. He trespassed his professional obligations, his personal relationships, and federal law. Not only did Shan Hanes betray Heartland Bank and its investors, but his illegal schemes also jeopardized confidence in financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. “Today’s sentence is a measure of justice for the victims, and a statement that the U.S. Department of Justice will hold those accountable who violate positions of trust for their own gain.”

“Mr. Hanes, as the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank, held the trust and confidence of the community of Elkhart, KS, but he violated that trust. He attempted to benefit financially by embezzling funds from the bank. His idea to get rich quick, in all reality, was a pig butchering scheme. His involvement in this scheme ultimately led to the bank’s collapse. His job, the bank’s job was to protect its customers and identify fraudulent scams – not to participate in them,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office.

“As the CEO, the defendant had a duty to conduct business honestly but instead abused that trust and committed insider fraud, contributing to the failure of a bank and causing catastrophic losses to bank customers who relied on the bank for the safekeeping of their savings,” said Korey Brinkman, Special-Agent-in-Charge of FHFA-OIG’s Central Region. “We will continue to vigorously investigate criminal offenses involving frauds that impact the integrity, safety, and soundness of 

Federal Home Loan Banks and member banks. We are proud to partner with our colleagues and the United States Attorney’s Office with this investigation.” “Shan Hanes was sentenced today for his role in a $47.1 million embezzlement scheme that ultimately caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to fail,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin R. Bundy of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG) Kansas City Region. “We are pleased to join our law enforcement partners in bringing Mr. Hanes to justice, and we will continue to investigate and hold accountable bank insiders who violate their positions of trust and threaten to undermine the safety and soundness of our Nation’s financial institutions.”

“Today’s sentencing makes clear that bank executives who undermine the safety and soundness of community banks will be brought to justice,” said Jon Ellwanger, Special Agent in Charge, Western

Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “We are proud to have worked with our federal law enforcement partners to achieve this result, and we thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case and holding Mr. Hanes accountable for his crimes.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Federal Reserve Board - Office of Inspector General (FRB-OIG), and Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General ((FHFA-OIG) investigated the case

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716594323085.png" alt="Shan Hanes&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Shan Hanes&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced Monday to 293 months in prison for using his former position as chief executive officer (CEO) of a bank to embezzle tens of millions of dollars in a cryptocurrency scheme which led the bank to fail at a complete loss of equity for investors, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;Shan Hanes, 53, of Elkhart pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer, according to court documents.While the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank (HTSB) in Elkhart, Kansas, Hanes initiated 11 outgoing wire transfers between May 2023 and July 2023 totaling $47.1 million of Heartland’s funds to a cryptocurrency wallet in a cryptocurrency scheme referred to as “pig butchering.” The funds were transferred to multiple cryptocurrency accounts controlled by unidentified third parties during the time HTSB was insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC absorbed the $47.1 million loss. Hanes’ fraudulent actions caused HTSB to fail and the bank investors to lose $9 million.A federal judge ordered that restitution be finalized at a separate hearing within the next 90 days. “Hanes’ greed knew no bounds. He trespassed his professional obligations, his personal relationships, and federal law. Not only did Shan Hanes betray Heartland Bank and its investors, but his illegal schemes also jeopardized confidence in financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. “Today’s sentence is a measure of justice for the victims, and a statement that the U.S. Department of Justice will hold those accountable who violate positions of trust for their own gain.”“Mr. Hanes, as the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank, held the trust and confidence of the community of Elkhart, KS, but he violated that trust. He attempted to benefit financially by embezzling funds from the bank. His idea to get rich quick, in all reality, was a pig butchering scheme. His involvement in this scheme ultimately led to the bank’s collapse. His job, the bank’s job was to protect its customers and identify fraudulent scams – not to participate in them,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office.“As the CEO, the defendant had a duty to conduct business honestly but instead abused that trust and committed insider fraud, contributing to the failure of a bank and causing catastrophic losses to bank customers who relied on the bank for the safekeeping of their savings,” said Korey Brinkman, Special-Agent-in-Charge of FHFA-OIG’s Central Region. “We will continue to vigorously investigate criminal offenses involving frauds that impact the integrity, safety, and soundness of Federal Home Loan Banks and member banks. We are proud to partner with our colleagues and the United States Attorney’s Office with this investigation.” “Shan Hanes was sentenced today for his role in a $47.1 million embezzlement scheme that ultimately caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to fail,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin R. Bundy of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG) Kansas City Region. “We are pleased to join our law enforcement partners in bringing Mr. Hanes to justice, and we will continue to investigate and hold accountable bank insiders who violate their positions of trust and threaten to undermine the safety and soundness of our Nation’s financial institutions.”“Today’s sentencing makes clear that bank executives who undermine the safety and soundness of community banks will be brought to justice,” said Jon Ellwanger, Special Agent in Charge, WesternRegion, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “We are proud to have worked with our federal law enforcement partners to achieve this result, and we thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case and holding Mr. Hanes accountable for his crimes.”The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), Federal Reserve Board - Office of Inspector General (FRB-OIG), and Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General ((FHFA-OIG) investigated the case

Greed: Former Kan. bank CEO going to prison for crypto scheme

JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas middle school teacher has reached a plea agreement for child sex crimes.

On August 14, Keil Hileman, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted unlawful sexual relations, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

As part of the plea agreement, the State of Kansas will dismiss&nbsp; four additional sex crime charges against him, according to court documents.

In October of 2022, the Johnson County District Attorney’s office charged Hileman, at the time a Monticello Trails Middle School, USD 232 DeSoto teacher, alleging criminal conduct involving his role as an educator," the district said in the letter to families.

In 2004, Hileman was named Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a finalists for the National Teacher of the Year. He is scheduled for sentencing in November, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723922874998.png" alt="Hileman-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hileman-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas middle school teacher has reached a plea agreement for child sex crimes.On August 14, Keil Hileman, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted unlawful sexual relations, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.As part of the plea agreement, the State of Kansas will dismiss&nbsp; four additional sex crime charges against him, according to court documents.In October of 2022, the Johnson County District Attorney’s office charged Hileman, at the time a Monticello Trails Middle School, USD 232 DeSoto teacher, alleging criminal conduct involving his role as an educator," the district said in the letter to families.In 2004, Hileman was named Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a finalists for the National Teacher of the Year. He is scheduled for sentencing in November, according to the district attorney's office.

Plea deal: Kan. middle school teacher accused of child sex crimes

KANSAS CITY – An Akron, Ohio, man was sentenced in federal court last week for transporting more than 27 kilograms of methamphetamine through Kansas City, Mo., aboard a bus, according to the United State's Atorney.

Rogeric Romone Clark, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

On April 11, 2024, Clark pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Members of the Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force (MoWIN) were conducting interdiction activities at a Kansas City, Mo., bus station on, Dec. 5, 2023. As passengers disembarked from a bus that originated in Los Angeles, California, officers used a police drug-sniffing dog, which alerted to a suitcase later identified as belonging to Clark. Investigators later identified another suitcase that belonged to Clark.

A detective contacted Clark, who confirmed a suitcase belonged to him and gave officers consent to open it. As the detective opened the suitcase, Clark fled on foot through the rear parking area. Clark fell during the chase and was taken into custody.

Officers searched both of the suitcases and found 30 one-pound bundles in each suitcase that contained a total of 27.2 kilograms of methamphetamine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724015491937.png" alt="Photo U.S. Department of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Department of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – An Akron, Ohio, man was sentenced in federal court last week for transporting more than 27 kilograms of methamphetamine through Kansas City, Mo., aboard a bus, according to the United State's Atorney.Rogeric Romone Clark, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 12 years in federal prison without parole.On April 11, 2024, Clark pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.Members of the Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force (MoWIN) were conducting interdiction activities at a Kansas City, Mo., bus station on, Dec. 5, 2023. As passengers disembarked from a bus that originated in Los Angeles, California, officers used a police drug-sniffing dog, which alerted to a suitcase later identified as belonging to Clark. Investigators later identified another suitcase that belonged to Clark.A detective contacted Clark, who confirmed a suitcase belonged to him and gave officers consent to open it. As the detective opened the suitcase, Clark fled on foot through the rear parking area. Clark fell during the chase and was taken into custody.Officers searched both of the suitcases and found 30 one-pound bundles in each suitcase that contained a total of 27.2 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Man caught with 27 kilos of meth in suitcases at KC bus station

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>

WASHINGTON — Just a little over a month after she became a candidate for president in the biggest shakeup in generations of presidential politics, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday will deliver a widely anticipated speech accepting the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in Chicago.

Harris’ ascent to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden changed course and said he would not seek reelection has breathed new life into the Democratic bid, with polls showing Harris — who is already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-will-be-democratic-presidential-nominee-dnc-announces" target="_blank">the party’s official nominee</a>&nbsp;after a virtual roll call earlier this month — faring much better than Biden was against Republican rival Donald Trump.

Over the course of four days, Democrats will look to capitalize on their base’s newfound enthusiasm for the campaign, with leading speakers aiming to rally the faithful around the party’s positions on reproductive rights, gun safety and voting rights, while<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/harris-ballot-democrats-work-build-momentum-bigger-youth-vote" target="_blank">&nbsp;making a strong pitch to young voters</a>. Harris will also be expected to further lay out her policy positions.

Harris’ nomination is historic. The daughter of immigrants, Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman selected to lead a major party ticket. She would be the first woman of any race to guide the nation as chief executive.

The party has not released an official detailed schedule of speakers, but a convention official confirmed that “current and past presidents are expected to participate in convention programming.” Biden and two former presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as former nominee Hillary Clinton, will all speak,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/us/politics/dnc-speakers-biden-obama-clinton.html" target="_blank">according to the New York Times.</a>

Vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is expected to address the convention Wednesday evening, with Harris’ acceptance speech closing out the convention Thursday, the convention official said.

The evening programming block will run from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. the rest of the week.

In addition to the usual television broadcasts, the convention will livestream on several social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Instagram and TikTok. The official live stream will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://demconvention.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d68a84b1a4b0303a9452770cd&amp;id=e86e03e670&amp;e=a21b6b7198" target="_blank">DemConvention.com</a>.

Scores of Democratic caucus and council meetings, as well as state delegation breakfasts and gatherings, are also scheduled throughout the week’s daytime hours. Media organizations and outside groups are also holding daytime events that will feature Democratic officeholders and candidates.

Protests are also expected over the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/04/08/israel-hamas-war-sets-progressive-and-young-voters-on-collision-course-with-white-house/" target="_blank">delegation of uncommitted voters</a>&nbsp;who oppose the war.

As many as 25,000 protestors are expected over the course of the convention, according to DemList, a newsletter for Democratic officials and allies.

Harris’ entry into the race, nearly immediately after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/president-joe-biden-bows-out-reelection-campaign-harris-vows-win-nomination-8" target="_blank">announced on July 21</a>&nbsp;he would no longer seek reelection, energized Democrats distressed over Biden’s poor showings in polls against Trump, whose reelection bid Biden turned back in 2020.

A Monmouth University&nbsp;<a href="https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_US_081424/" target="_blank">poll published Aug. 14</a>&nbsp;showed a huge jump in enthusiasm for Democrats. The survey found 85% of Democratic respondents were excited about the Harris-Trump race. By comparison, only 46% of Democratic respondents said in June they were excited about a Biden-Trump race.

Harris is also seeing better polling numbers in matchups against Trump, with battleground-state and national surveys consistently shifting toward the Democratic ticket since Biden left the race.

Polls of seven battleground states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/survey-research/2024-swing-state-project/fight-redefine-2024-race-president" target="_blank">published</a>&nbsp;by The Cook Political Report With Amy Walter on Aug. 14 showed Harris narrowly leading in five states —&nbsp;Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and&nbsp;tied in Georgia and trailing in Nevada. All were improvements from Biden’s standing in the same poll in May.

<a href="https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3902" target="_blank">An Aug. 14 survey from Quinnipiac University</a>&nbsp;showed Harris with a 48%-45% edge in Pennsylvania. The 3-point advantage for Harris was within the poll’s margin of error.

Democrats hope to carry the momentum through the convention. Polls typically favor a party during and immediately after its national party gathering.

Despite the recent polling, Harris and Walz continue to describe themselves&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkwZ_A49hb8" target="_blank">as underdogs in the race</a>.

In her short time on the campaign trail, Harris has emphasized a few core messages.

She’s made reproductive rights a central focus, including the slogan “We are not going back” in her stump speech after describing Republicans’ position on abortion. Additionally, a Texas woman who had to leave the state for an emergency abortion will speak at the DNC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-woman-who-left-state-abortion-back-harris-convention-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters.</a>

Harris has also played up her background as a prosecutor, drawing a contrast with Trump’s legal troubles.

Walz has highlighted his working-class background and military service, while attacking Republican positions to restrict reproductive rights and ban certain books in schools.

Walz’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/walz-first-solo-speech-vp-candidate-touts-dem-tickets-labor-union-ties" target="_blank">first solo campaign stop</a>&nbsp;since Harris selected him as her running mate was at a union convention, where he emphasized his union background as a high school teacher.

Walz was not initially considered the favorite to be Harris’ running mate, but his appeal as a Midwesterner with a record of winning tough elections and enacting progressive policies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-picked-harris-her-running-mate-democratic-ticket" target="_blank">led to his selection</a>&nbsp;Aug. 6.

Harris has faced criticism for not sitting down for a formal media interview or holding a press conference since she became a candidate.

Democrats have not finalized their platform for 2024. Adopting a party platform is generally among the official items at a convention.

The party set&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-releases-2024-party-platform-draft-outlining-historic-record-and-bold-agenda-for-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-to-finish-the-job/" target="_blank">a draft platform</a>&nbsp;in July just eight days before Biden dropped his reelection bid. The document centered on the theme of “finishing the job” and mentioned Biden, then the presumptive nominee, 50 times and Harris 12.

Party spokespeople did not respond to an inquiry this week about plans for an update to the platform.

Reproductive rights will likely be a focus point of any policy wishlist.

Harris, during her time as vice president, has led the administration’s messaging on reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in the summer of 2022.

In her campaign speeches, she has often stressed the need to “trust women” and that the government should not be deciding reproductive health.

Harris has often promised that if she is elected, she will restore those reproductive rights, but unless Democrats control a majority in the U.S. House and 60 Senate votes, it’s unlikely she would be able to achieve that promise.

Since&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2022/06/24/updated-u-s-supreme-court-overturns-right-to-abortion-in-landmark-decision/" target="_blank">Roe v. Wade was overturned</a>&nbsp;in that Supreme Court decision, Democrats have campaigned on reproductive rights that expand beyond abortion and include protections for in vitro fertilization.

<a href="https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/" target="_blank">The 2020 party platform</a>&nbsp;focused on recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, quality health care, investing in education, protecting democracy and combating climate change.

Democrats are likely to continue to criticize the Project 2025 playbook — a blueprint by the Heritage Foundation, a think tank, to implement conservative policies across the federal government should Trump win in November.

Trump has disavowed the document, but has not detailed his own policy plans.

The Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago, a city with a long history of hosting the event. Democrats have held their convention in Chicago 11 times, first in 1864 and most recently in 1996.

This year’s will be the first in-person Democratic National Convention since 2016. It was upended due to the coronavirus pandemic and held virtually in 2020.

Throughout the four-day convention, there will be speeches and side events hosted by state Democratic party leaders.

The ceremonial roll call vote with delegates on the convention floor will take place Tuesday. The vice presidential nomination speech by Walz will be Wednesday night and on Thursday night, Harris will give her nomination acceptance speech.

The city is also preparing for massive protests from several groups on reproductive rights, LGBTQ protections, housing and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbez.org/government-politics/dnc-2024/2024/08/12/dnc-democratic-national-convention-protests-kamala-harris-israel-gaza-lgbtq-reproductive-rights-cpd-police" target="_blank">according to WBEZ News.&nbsp;</a>

The City Council of Chicago in January approved a ceasefire resolution, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson the tiebreaker, making it the largest city to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, in which<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-hamas-dead-graves-40000-988d16b648e06e222f04964dc9440da0?taid=66bdedd74b96700001cc25c8&amp;utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&amp;utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than 40,000 Palestinians have died</a>.

The war followed an Oct. 7 attack from Hamas, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2023/10/9/israel-hamas-war-in-maps-and-charts-live-tracker" target="_blank">nearly 1,200 people</a>&nbsp;were killed in Israel and hundreds taken hostage.

Harris’ acceptance speech will cap a five-year journey to her party’s nomination.

In 2019, the California senator announced a bid for president in the next year’s election, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/03/784443227/kamala-harris-drops-out-of-presidential-race" target="_blank">dropped out</a>&nbsp;before the first primary or caucus votes were cast after she failed to catch on with Democratic voters.

Biden later picked her as a running mate, and the two defeated Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence in the 2020 election.

Biden launched a reelection campaign for 2024, but stepped aside after a disastrous debate performance in June spurred questions about his ability to campaign and serve for another four-year term.

After Biden bowed out, Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">quickly secured 99%</a>&nbsp;of delegates&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-officially-becomes-democratic-presidential-nominee" target="_blank">to become the party’s likely nominee</a>. The virtual five-day vote secured her official nomination.

With less than three months until Election Day, Harris and Walz already have sprinted through battleground states including Arizona, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Their campaign has also pulled in more than $300 million, according to the campaign. Official Federal Election Commission records will be released in mid-October.

Harris and Trump have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/08/trump-agrees-to-sept-10-debate-with-harris-claims-two-more-upcoming/" target="_blank">agreed to a Sept. 10&nbsp;</a>debate hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia. Trump proposed two more debates, and Harris has said she would be open to another one between the first debate and Election Day.

Walz and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/mark-your-calendar-vp-candidates-walz-and-vance-debate-oct-1" target="_blank">agreed to an Oct. 1</a>&nbsp;debate on CBS News, in New York City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724014226536.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>WASHINGTON — Just a little over a month after she became a candidate for president in the biggest shakeup in generations of presidential politics, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday will deliver a widely anticipated speech accepting the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in Chicago.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724014466626.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Harris’ ascent to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden changed course and said he would not seek reelection has breathed new life into the Democratic bid, with polls showing Harris — who is already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-will-be-democratic-presidential-nominee-dnc-announces" target="_blank">the party’s official nominee</a>&nbsp;after a virtual roll call earlier this month — faring much better than Biden was against Republican rival Donald Trump.Over the course of four days, Democrats will look to capitalize on their base’s newfound enthusiasm for the campaign, with leading speakers aiming to rally the faithful around the party’s positions on reproductive rights, gun safety and voting rights, while<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/harris-ballot-democrats-work-build-momentum-bigger-youth-vote" target="_blank">&nbsp;making a strong pitch to young voters</a>. Harris will also be expected to further lay out her policy positions.Harris’ nomination is historic. The daughter of immigrants, Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman selected to lead a major party ticket. She would be the first woman of any race to guide the nation as chief executive.The party has not released an official detailed schedule of speakers, but a convention official confirmed that “current and past presidents are expected to participate in convention programming.” Biden and two former presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as former nominee Hillary Clinton, will all speak,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/us/politics/dnc-speakers-biden-obama-clinton.html" target="_blank">according to the New York Times.</a>Vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is expected to address the convention Wednesday evening, with Harris’ acceptance speech closing out the convention Thursday, the convention official said.The evening programming block will run from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. the rest of the week.In addition to the usual television broadcasts, the convention will livestream on several social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Instagram and TikTok. The official live stream will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://demconvention.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d68a84b1a4b0303a9452770cd&amp;id=e86e03e670&amp;e=a21b6b7198" target="_blank">DemConvention.com</a>.Scores of Democratic caucus and council meetings, as well as state delegation breakfasts and gatherings, are also scheduled throughout the week’s daytime hours. Media organizations and outside groups are also holding daytime events that will feature Democratic officeholders and candidates.Protests are also expected over the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/04/08/israel-hamas-war-sets-progressive-and-young-voters-on-collision-course-with-white-house/" target="_blank">delegation of uncommitted voters</a>&nbsp;who oppose the war.As many as 25,000 protestors are expected over the course of the convention, according to DemList, a newsletter for Democratic officials and allies.<h2>A contest transformed</h2>Harris’ entry into the race, nearly immediately after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/president-joe-biden-bows-out-reelection-campaign-harris-vows-win-nomination-8" target="_blank">announced on July 21</a>&nbsp;he would no longer seek reelection, energized Democrats distressed over Biden’s poor showings in polls against Trump, whose reelection bid Biden turned back in 2020.A Monmouth University&nbsp;<a href="https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_US_081424/" target="_blank">poll published Aug. 14</a>&nbsp;showed a huge jump in enthusiasm for Democrats. The survey found 85% of Democratic respondents were excited about the Harris-Trump race. By comparison, only 46% of Democratic respondents said in June they were excited about a Biden-Trump race.Harris is also seeing better polling numbers in matchups against Trump, with battleground-state and national surveys consistently shifting toward the Democratic ticket since Biden left the race.Polls of seven battleground states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/survey-research/2024-swing-state-project/fight-redefine-2024-race-president" target="_blank">published</a>&nbsp;by The Cook Political Report With Amy Walter on Aug. 14 showed Harris narrowly leading in five states —&nbsp;Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and&nbsp;tied in Georgia and trailing in Nevada. All were improvements from Biden’s standing in the same poll in May.<a href="https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3902" target="_blank">An Aug. 14 survey from Quinnipiac University</a>&nbsp;showed Harris with a 48%-45% edge in Pennsylvania. The 3-point advantage for Harris was within the poll’s margin of error.Democrats hope to carry the momentum through the convention. Polls typically favor a party during and immediately after its national party gathering.Despite the recent polling, Harris and Walz continue to describe themselves&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkwZ_A49hb8" target="_blank">as underdogs in the race</a>.<h2>Campaign themes</h2>In her short time on the campaign trail, Harris has emphasized a few core messages.She’s made reproductive rights a central focus, including the slogan “We are not going back” in her stump speech after describing Republicans’ position on abortion. Additionally, a Texas woman who had to leave the state for an emergency abortion will speak at the DNC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-woman-who-left-state-abortion-back-harris-convention-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters.</a>Harris has also played up her background as a prosecutor, drawing a contrast with Trump’s legal troubles.Walz has highlighted his working-class background and military service, while attacking Republican positions to restrict reproductive rights and ban certain books in schools.Walz’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/walz-first-solo-speech-vp-candidate-touts-dem-tickets-labor-union-ties" target="_blank">first solo campaign stop</a>&nbsp;since Harris selected him as her running mate was at a union convention, where he emphasized his union background as a high school teacher.Walz was not initially considered the favorite to be Harris’ running mate, but his appeal as a Midwesterner with a record of winning tough elections and enacting progressive policies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-picked-harris-her-running-mate-democratic-ticket" target="_blank">led to his selection</a>&nbsp;Aug. 6.Harris has faced criticism for not sitting down for a formal media interview or holding a press conference since she became a candidate.<h2>Platform in flux</h2>Democrats have not finalized their platform for 2024. Adopting a party platform is generally among the official items at a convention.The party set&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-releases-2024-party-platform-draft-outlining-historic-record-and-bold-agenda-for-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-to-finish-the-job/" target="_blank">a draft platform</a>&nbsp;in July just eight days before Biden dropped his reelection bid. The document centered on the theme of “finishing the job” and mentioned Biden, then the presumptive nominee, 50 times and Harris 12.Party spokespeople did not respond to an inquiry this week about plans for an update to the platform.Reproductive rights will likely be a focus point of any policy wishlist.Harris, during her time as vice president, has led the administration’s messaging on reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in the summer of 2022.In her campaign speeches, she has often stressed the need to “trust women” and that the government should not be deciding reproductive health.Harris has often promised that if she is elected, she will restore those reproductive rights, but unless Democrats control a majority in the U.S. House and 60 Senate votes, it’s unlikely she would be able to achieve that promise.Since&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2022/06/24/updated-u-s-supreme-court-overturns-right-to-abortion-in-landmark-decision/" target="_blank">Roe v. Wade was overturned</a>&nbsp;in that Supreme Court decision, Democrats have campaigned on reproductive rights that expand beyond abortion and include protections for in vitro fertilization.<a href="https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/" target="_blank">The 2020 party platform</a>&nbsp;focused on recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, quality health care, investing in education, protecting democracy and combating climate change.Democrats are likely to continue to criticize the Project 2025 playbook — a blueprint by the Heritage Foundation, a think tank, to implement conservative policies across the federal government should Trump win in November.Trump has disavowed the document, but has not detailed his own policy plans.<h2>Chicago conventions</h2>The Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago, a city with a long history of hosting the event. Democrats have held their convention in Chicago 11 times, first in 1864 and most recently in 1996.This year’s will be the first in-person Democratic National Convention since 2016. It was upended due to the coronavirus pandemic and held virtually in 2020.Throughout the four-day convention, there will be speeches and side events hosted by state Democratic party leaders.The ceremonial roll call vote with delegates on the convention floor will take place Tuesday. The vice presidential nomination speech by Walz will be Wednesday night and on Thursday night, Harris will give her nomination acceptance speech.The city is also preparing for massive protests from several groups on reproductive rights, LGBTQ protections, housing and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbez.org/government-politics/dnc-2024/2024/08/12/dnc-democratic-national-convention-protests-kamala-harris-israel-gaza-lgbtq-reproductive-rights-cpd-police" target="_blank">according to WBEZ News.&nbsp;</a>The City Council of Chicago in January approved a ceasefire resolution, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson the tiebreaker, making it the largest city to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, in which<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-hamas-dead-graves-40000-988d16b648e06e222f04964dc9440da0?taid=66bdedd74b96700001cc25c8&amp;utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&amp;utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than 40,000 Palestinians have died</a>.The war followed an Oct. 7 attack from Hamas, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2023/10/9/israel-hamas-war-in-maps-and-charts-live-tracker" target="_blank">nearly 1,200 people</a>&nbsp;were killed in Israel and hundreds taken hostage.<h2>Road to nomination</h2>Harris’ acceptance speech will cap a five-year journey to her party’s nomination.In 2019, the California senator announced a bid for president in the next year’s election, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/03/784443227/kamala-harris-drops-out-of-presidential-race" target="_blank">dropped out</a>&nbsp;before the first primary or caucus votes were cast after she failed to catch on with Democratic voters.Biden later picked her as a running mate, and the two defeated Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence in the 2020 election.Biden launched a reelection campaign for 2024, but stepped aside after a disastrous debate performance in June spurred questions about his ability to campaign and serve for another four-year term.After Biden bowed out, Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">quickly secured 99%</a>&nbsp;of delegates&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-officially-becomes-democratic-presidential-nominee" target="_blank">to become the party’s likely nominee</a>. The virtual five-day vote secured her official nomination.With less than three months until Election Day, Harris and Walz already have sprinted through battleground states including Arizona, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.Their campaign has also pulled in more than $300 million, according to the campaign. Official Federal Election Commission records will be released in mid-October.Harris and Trump have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/08/trump-agrees-to-sept-10-debate-with-harris-claims-two-more-upcoming/" target="_blank">agreed to a Sept. 10&nbsp;</a>debate hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia. Trump proposed two more debates, and Harris has said she would be open to another one between the first debate and Election Day.Walz and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/mark-your-calendar-vp-candidates-walz-and-vance-debate-oct-1" target="_blank">agreed to an Oct. 1</a>&nbsp;debate on CBS News, in New York City.

Big moment arrives for Harris: Democratic convention kicks off in Chicago

JERUSALEM —U.S. forces in the the middle east continue to face almost daily threats.

On Sunday, forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed terrorist drone in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

In addition since August 13, U.S. forces&nbsp;successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi vessels and on&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned surface vessel  in the Red Sea and destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi ground control station in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.

U.S. officials determined the weapons or ground control stations presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701138062166.png" alt="File photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —U.S. forces in the the middle east continue to face almost daily threats.On Sunday, forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed terrorist drone in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.In addition since August 13, U.S. forces&nbsp;successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi vessels and on&nbsp; Iranian-backed Houthi unmanned surface vessel in the Red Sea and destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi ground control station in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.U.S. officials determined the weapons or ground control stations presented an imminent threat to U.S. and coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure.

U.S. forces make more defensive strikes in the Red Sea, Yemen

Some dispensaries and facilities are still quarantining recalled products from last year

State regulators issued two cannabis recall notices last week involving 135,000 marijuana products — more than double&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/16/state-faces-pushback-from-missouri-marijuana-industry-over-product-recall/">Missouri’s first massive cannabis product recall</a>&nbsp;exactly one year ago.

“I’ve never seen recalls of this magnitude in any other state,” said Nick Rinella, CEO of Hippos Cannabis. “This is kind of unprecedented.”

Since the announcement, Rinella and facility owners around the state have scrambled to quarantine thousands of vapes, edibles and pre-rolled joints in their secure vaults. Now they’ll wait until state regulators tell them what to do with those products.

Problem is, some of them are still holding products from last year’s recall, which centered around&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/missouri-company-at-center-of-cannabis-recall-used-hemp-instead-of-marijuana-in-products/">Robertsville-based manufacturer Delta Extraction</a>, because that recall is still being challenged. However, others opted to work with the state to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/06/companies-can-now-work-with-state-to-destroy-recalled-missouri-marijuana-products/">destroy those products</a>.

That’s where “the stress comes from,” said Mark Hendren, president of Flora Farms cannabis company.&nbsp;

If a dispensary or facility has a small vault, he said, “and you have product that you have to quarantine, it makes it difficult space wise for you to bring in other inventory to keep the business moving.”

The first recall notice came on the night of Aug. 6, stating the Division of Cannabis Regulation was working “in partnership” with Marceline-based cultivation facility NGWMO LLC to “alert to patients and consumers about a mandatory product recall.”

The grow facility is run by Nature’s Grace and Wellness, which founded a family-owned farm in Vermont, Ill., in 2014 after the state passed medical marijuana. Tim O’Hern, COO and general counsel of Nature’s Grace, is listed as the designated contact for the facility.

This recall involves 2,650 products and has to do with the products being tested too soon in the process.

“The recalled marijuana products were not compliantly tested prior to being sold to patients and consumers,” the notice states. “The recalled marijuana product was tested at the unprocessed bud/flower stage rather than being tested at the final marijuana product stage…”

The second notice came two days later for the Springfield-based manufacturing facility C&amp;C Manufacturing LLC. Notably, it didn’t include the “in partnership” language.&nbsp;

It lists about 133,000 products, which regulators said were not properly tracked in the state’s “seed to sale” tracing system called Metrc.

“Therefore,” the notice states, “DCR cannot verify compliance with health and safety requirements.”&nbsp;

However, the division emphasized that no adverse reactions involving recalled products have been reported.

Matt Cummins, CEO of GOAT Extracts, is listed as the designated contact for the facility and a number of GOAT products are on the list.&nbsp;

The Independent reached out to both companies for comment and did not receive a response.

Adrienne Scales-Williams, owner of St. Louis dispensary Luxury Leaf, agreed that storage space for the recalled products is challenging. And while there’s uncertainty on how long the products will need to be contained, she said she trusts the state is doing their due diligence to investigate the issue.&nbsp;

“We’ve been through this before,” Scales-Williams said. “When it’s not your first ride in the rodeo, you just handle it.”

The recall for the Springfield manufacturer is so widespread because the company specializes in making distillate, or THC concentrate&nbsp;that produces a high in edibles and vape pens.

Other manufacturers statewide&nbsp;bought the distillate and used it to make numerous brands of vapes, edibles or pre-rolled joints, including&nbsp;Rove, Zen and Packarillos.&nbsp;

The recall time frame is also quite wide. It goes back&nbsp;to&nbsp;last year when companies were trying to ramp up for recreational marijuana sales, Rinella said.&nbsp;

Rinella bought some of C&amp;C’s distillate in October when Hippos’ own supply was low at its grow and manufacturing facilities, he said.

But he emphasized that this recall is not because of lack of testing. Once Rinella and other manufacturers got the distillate and made products with it, those were “properly tested” before they went on the shelves, he said.

“We can feel confident that those products were safe,” he said. “They passed all the tests, and we have some of the most stringent tests in the country.”

The division<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/recalls.php" target="_blank">&nbsp;lists the recalled products&nbsp;</a>in two Excel sheets. One is “product recall list,” which includes the identifiers that the manufacturers use to track products. The division also posted a “consumer recall list” that includes numbers that customers are more likely to see on their products.&nbsp;

The division advises patients and consumers to stop using the products and return them to the dispensary. “Returned products will not count toward a patient’s purchase limit,” it states.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also any adverse reactions should be reported to the&nbsp;<a href="mailto:CannabisComplaints@health.mo.gov">division of cannabis by email</a>&nbsp; or through<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/580-3338s.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;an online complaint form</a>.&nbsp;

Just like C&amp;C Manufacturing, the state’s first recall on Aug. 2, 2023 centered around a distillate that was sold to numerous other manufacturers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723840539777.png" alt="Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation has issued a product recall for marijuana products sold by C&amp;C Manufacturing, LLC and NGWMO LLC (Courtesy of DHSS)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation has issued a product recall for marijuana products sold by C&amp;C Manufacturing, LLC and NGWMO LLC (Courtesy of DHSS).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Some dispensaries and facilities are still quarantining recalled products from last year</h2>State regulators issued two cannabis recall notices last week involving 135,000 marijuana products — more than double&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/16/state-faces-pushback-from-missouri-marijuana-industry-over-product-recall/">Missouri’s first massive cannabis product recall</a>&nbsp;exactly one year ago.“I’ve never seen recalls of this magnitude in any other state,” said Nick Rinella, CEO of Hippos Cannabis. “This is kind of unprecedented.”Since the announcement, Rinella and facility owners around the state have scrambled to quarantine thousands of vapes, edibles and pre-rolled joints in their secure vaults. Now they’ll wait until state regulators tell them what to do with those products.Problem is, some of them are still holding products from last year’s recall, which centered around&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/missouri-company-at-center-of-cannabis-recall-used-hemp-instead-of-marijuana-in-products/">Robertsville-based manufacturer Delta Extraction</a>, because that recall is still being challenged. However, others opted to work with the state to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/06/companies-can-now-work-with-state-to-destroy-recalled-missouri-marijuana-products/">destroy those products</a>.That’s where “the stress comes from,” said Mark Hendren, president of Flora Farms cannabis company.&nbsp;If a dispensary or facility has a small vault, he said, “and you have product that you have to quarantine, it makes it difficult space wise for you to bring in other inventory to keep the business moving.”The first recall notice came on the night of Aug. 6, stating the Division of Cannabis Regulation was working “in partnership” with Marceline-based cultivation facility NGWMO LLC to “alert to patients and consumers about a mandatory product recall.”The grow facility is run by Nature’s Grace and Wellness, which founded a family-owned farm in Vermont, Ill., in 2014 after the state passed medical marijuana. Tim O’Hern, COO and general counsel of Nature’s Grace, is listed as the designated contact for the facility.This recall involves 2,650 products and has to do with the products being tested too soon in the process.“The recalled marijuana products were not compliantly tested prior to being sold to patients and consumers,” the notice states. “The recalled marijuana product was tested at the unprocessed bud/flower stage rather than being tested at the final marijuana product stage…”The second notice came two days later for the Springfield-based manufacturing facility C&amp;C Manufacturing LLC. Notably, it didn’t include the “in partnership” language.&nbsp;It lists about 133,000 products, which regulators said were not properly tracked in the state’s “seed to sale” tracing system called Metrc.“Therefore,” the notice states, “DCR cannot verify compliance with health and safety requirements.”&nbsp;However, the division emphasized that no adverse reactions involving recalled products have been reported.Matt Cummins, CEO of GOAT Extracts, is listed as the designated contact for the facility and a number of GOAT products are on the list.&nbsp;The Independent reached out to both companies for comment and did not receive a response.Adrienne Scales-Williams, owner of St. Louis dispensary Luxury Leaf, agreed that storage space for the recalled products is challenging. And while there’s uncertainty on how long the products will need to be contained, she said she trusts the state is doing their due diligence to investigate the issue.&nbsp;“We’ve been through this before,” Scales-Williams said. “When it’s not your first ride in the rodeo, you just handle it.”<h2>The impact</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723840480955.png" alt=" (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>The recall for the Springfield manufacturer is so widespread because the company specializes in making distillate, or THC concentrate&nbsp;that produces a high in edibles and vape pens.Other manufacturers statewide&nbsp;bought the distillate and used it to make numerous brands of vapes, edibles or pre-rolled joints, including&nbsp;Rove, Zen and Packarillos.&nbsp;The recall time frame is also quite wide. It goes back&nbsp;to&nbsp;last year when companies were trying to ramp up for recreational marijuana sales, Rinella said.&nbsp;Rinella bought some of C&amp;C’s distillate in October when Hippos’ own supply was low at its grow and manufacturing facilities, he said.But he emphasized that this recall is not because of lack of testing. Once Rinella and other manufacturers got the distillate and made products with it, those were “properly tested” before they went on the shelves, he said.“We can feel confident that those products were safe,” he said. “They passed all the tests, and we have some of the most stringent tests in the country.”The division<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/recalls.php" target="_blank">&nbsp;lists the recalled products&nbsp;</a>in two Excel sheets. One is “product recall list,” which includes the identifiers that the manufacturers use to track products. The division also posted a “consumer recall list” that includes numbers that customers are more likely to see on their products.&nbsp;The division advises patients and consumers to stop using the products and return them to the dispensary. “Returned products will not count toward a patient’s purchase limit,” it states.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also any adverse reactions should be reported to the&nbsp;<a href="mailto:CannabisComplaints@health.mo.gov">division of cannabis by email</a>&nbsp; or through<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/580-3338s.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;an online complaint form</a>.&nbsp;<h2>Delta Extraction</h2>Just like C&amp;C Manufacturing, the state’s first recall on Aug. 2, 2023 centered around a distillate that was sold to numerous other manufacturers.Also similarly, Delta Extraction’s products were recalled due to the state’s inability to track the ingredients to make the distillate on Metrc, which starts tracking marijuana plants from the moment they’re planted in Missouri.In that case, Delta was selling a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/missouri-cannabis-recall-hemp/">distillate that was mostly made up of hemp-derived THC</a>, using hemp that wasn’t grown in Missouri and couldn’t be tracked.&nbsp;Delta mixed it with a small amount of THC from marijuana grown in Missouri. It’s much less expensive to make distillate from out-state hemp than Missouri-grown marijuana, but Delta’s consumers still paid marijuana prices.&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/11/farm-bill-debate-includes-hemp-regulation-as-issue-takes-center-stage-in-missouri-recall/">Hemp isn’t a controlled substance</a>&nbsp;and can legally cross state lines, unlike marijuana.The company appealed both the recall and the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/16/cannabis-regulators-to-revoke-license-of-missouri-company-at-center-of-recall/">revocation of their cannabis business license</a>&nbsp;before the Administrative Hearing Commission, challenging whether or not the state has the authority to regulate hemp products.&nbsp;In March, Commissioner Carol Illes&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/07/three-day-hearing-reveals-behind-the-scenes-details-of-missouri-marijuana-recall/">heard three days of testimony and evidence</a>&nbsp;and has yet to release her decision.&nbsp;Days before the two recent recalls, Gov. Mike Parson&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/12/hemp-industry-leaders-call-missouri-governors-order-banning-thc-products-an-overreach/">signed an executive order</a>&nbsp;banning intoxicating hemp products and threatening penalties to any establishment with a Missouri liquor license or that sells food products for selling them.&nbsp;According to the order, licensed cannabis dispensaries can’t sell these products either because the hemp used to make them has to be grown in Missouri and tracked through Metrc. Nearly all of these products currently on the market — and the ones that Delta used — are made from hemp grown in other states.

Kbct