KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County judge on Friday convicted two Kansas City defendants of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with a gun battle on a January afternoon this year inside Crown Center, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

The judge convicted Brian Favela, 23, and Joel Olivas, 24, identified by prosecutors as East Side gang members of two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Class B felonies, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action, as well as three misdemeanor counts of Harassment in the 2nd Degree. The judge dismissed one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action finding not enough evidence was shown to overcome Missouri's self-defense laws on those two counts.

"The verdict points to a level of accountability that this office will seek for individuals who engage in this kind of insidious conduct, even when the defendants are armored with Missouri's very generous self-defense laws," Baker stated. "We will take every step possible to hold offenders accountable for their own criminal behavior. I'm grateful for this trial team who worked so hard and so quickly to get these offenders to trial. And I am so grateful for the management team at Crown Center and Hallmark and the KCPD, who helped in every possible way to get today's verdict."

Jackson County prosecutors Dion Sankar, Kristiane Bryant and Devon Tarantino prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.

The judge set a sentencing hearing for Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709159745533.png" alt="Olivas photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Olivas photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Jackson County judge on Friday convicted two Kansas City defendants of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with a gun battle on a January afternoon this year inside Crown Center, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.The judge convicted Brian Favela, 23, and Joel Olivas, 24, identified by prosecutors as East Side gang members of two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Class B felonies, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action, as well as three misdemeanor counts of Harassment in the 2nd Degree. The judge dismissed one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action finding not enough evidence was shown to overcome Missouri's self-defense laws on those two counts.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705578003872.png" alt="File photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>File photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>"The verdict points to a level of accountability that this office will seek for individuals who engage in this kind of insidious conduct, even when the defendants are armored with Missouri's very generous self-defense laws," Baker stated. "We will take every step possible to hold offenders accountable for their own criminal behavior. I'm grateful for this trial team who worked so hard and so quickly to get these offenders to trial. And I am so grateful for the management team at Crown Center and Hallmark and the KCPD, who helped in every possible way to get today's verdict."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709159804082.png" alt="Favela photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Favela photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Jackson County prosecutors Dion Sankar, Kristiane Bryant and Devon Tarantino prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.The judge set a sentencing hearing for Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.

Judge found KC gang members guilty in Crown Center gunfight

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift returned to Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night to see the Kansas City Chiefs and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after wrapping up the U.S. leg of her record-setting Eras Tour.

It wound up being a good night for both of them.

Swift was able to celebrate Kelce's big night, which included 14 catches for 100 yards in a driving rain, along with a victory for the Chiefs. They trailed by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, scored twice to take the lead, then headed to overtime, where they won the coin toss and drove for a touchdown that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buccaneers-chiefs-score-5efb3014555b148e2a07af73a057102a">gave them a 30-24 win.</a>

Kelce, who had fumbled earlier in the game, had two of his catches on the decisive drive in overtime. His total receptions was a career-best for a regular-season game, matching a 14-catch performance in a 2023 playoff win over Jacksonville, while his 16 targets from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was just one shy of his career high.

“He does a great job of finding space,” Mahomes said, “and I think with having DeAndre (Hopkins) out there, it takes pressure off where not all the attention is on him the entire time. And whenever he gets going, man, he's hard to stop.”

Swift is finally getting a chance to stop herself after playing the last of three shows at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday to conclude the U.S. portion of her tour. The rest of her tour heads to Canada with the first of six shows at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Nov. 14 and three shows in December at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Swift began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-broncos-b08b0e53fdd232dc0a468b5fa43b5b04">her high-profile romance with Kelce</a>&nbsp;last season, when he invited the “Anti-Hero” singer to watch him in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">a September matchup with the Bears</a>. Since then, the two have spent plenty of time together, often with cameras following every move.

Swift's arrival in a black outfit and Chiefs coat Monday night came on the eve of the presidential election, in which the 14-time Grammy winner has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-endorse-kamala-harris-president-3a36b6f9695c20153891bba35c47f21d">thrown her support behind Vice President Kamala Harris</a>. That generated a stir when Harris' rival, Donald Trump, began to reference Swift's friend and Mahomes' wife, Brittany, as a supporter of his campaign.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/patrick-mahomes-wife-donald-trump-chiefs-nfl-b2ba221de1c83138c2fac126223e46bb">Patrick Mahomes has declined to endorse anyone in the election</a>, instead urging people to register to vote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730767045701.jpeg" alt="Singer Taylor Swift enteres the stadium before an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Singer Taylor Swift enteres the stadium before an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift returned to Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night to see the Kansas City Chiefs and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after wrapping up the U.S. leg of her record-setting Eras Tour.It wound up being a good night for both of them.Swift was able to celebrate Kelce's big night, which included 14 catches for 100 yards in a driving rain, along with a victory for the Chiefs. They trailed by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, scored twice to take the lead, then headed to overtime, where they won the coin toss and drove for a touchdown that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buccaneers-chiefs-score-5efb3014555b148e2a07af73a057102a">gave them a 30-24 win.</a>Kelce, who had fumbled earlier in the game, had two of his catches on the decisive drive in overtime. His total receptions was a career-best for a regular-season game, matching a 14-catch performance in a 2023 playoff win over Jacksonville, while his 16 targets from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was just one shy of his career high.“He does a great job of finding space,” Mahomes said, “and I think with having DeAndre (Hopkins) out there, it takes pressure off where not all the attention is on him the entire time. And whenever he gets going, man, he's hard to stop.”Swift is finally getting a chance to stop herself after playing the last of three shows at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday to conclude the U.S. portion of her tour. The rest of her tour heads to Canada with the first of six shows at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Nov. 14 and three shows in December at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.Swift began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-broncos-b08b0e53fdd232dc0a468b5fa43b5b04">her high-profile romance with Kelce</a>&nbsp;last season, when he invited the “Anti-Hero” singer to watch him in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">a September matchup with the Bears</a>. Since then, the two have spent plenty of time together, often with cameras following every move.Swift's arrival in a black outfit and Chiefs coat Monday night came on the eve of the presidential election, in which the 14-time Grammy winner has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-endorse-kamala-harris-president-3a36b6f9695c20153891bba35c47f21d">thrown her support behind Vice President Kamala Harris</a>. That generated a stir when Harris' rival, Donald Trump, began to reference Swift's friend and Mahomes' wife, Brittany, as a supporter of his campaign.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/patrick-mahomes-wife-donald-trump-chiefs-nfl-b2ba221de1c83138c2fac126223e46bb">Patrick Mahomes has declined to endorse anyone in the election</a>, instead urging people to register to vote.

Taylor Swift watches Kelce and the Chiefs beat the Buccaneers after wrapping US leg of Eras Tour

RENO COUNTY —&nbsp;A Kansas woman accused in a violent domestic assault pleaded guilty to lesser charges in the case.

Last week, 55-year-old Cambi Leigh Colley of Hutchinson pleaded guilty&nbsp; to two counts of endangerment, a class A Misdemeanor. She was originally charged with attempted murder. That charge was dismissed.

In January, a complaint was filed against her in Reno County District Court for an incident that occurred January 21 in Reno County. According to the complaint, Colley tried to kill Mavice L Reed-Butters on January 21.

Further, the state alleged that the crime in this case was connected with domestic violence.

Colley will serve 12 months in the Reno County Correctional Facility for each of the counts. The counts will run consecutively for a controlling sentence of 24 months.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710169798216.png" alt="Colley-photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Colley-photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —&nbsp;A Kansas woman accused in a violent domestic assault pleaded guilty to lesser charges in the case.Last week, 55-year-old Cambi Leigh Colley of Hutchinson pleaded guilty&nbsp; to two counts of endangerment, a class A Misdemeanor. She was originally charged with attempted murder. That charge was dismissed.In January, a complaint was filed against her in Reno County District Court for an incident that occurred January 21 in Reno County. According to the complaint, Colley tried to kill Mavice L Reed-Butters on January 21.Further, the state alleged that the crime in this case was connected with domestic violence.Colley will serve 12 months in the Reno County Correctional Facility for each of the counts. The counts will run consecutively for a controlling sentence of 24 months.

Kansas woman takes plea deal for violent domestic attack

WASHINGTON (AP) — Some Republican-led states say they will block the Justice Department's election monitors from going inside polling places on Election Day, pushing back on federal authorities'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-government-and-politics-a6ac1197dd47f784536c410a8d902bea">decades-long practice</a>&nbsp;of watching for violations of federal voting laws.

Officials in&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/FLSecofState/status/1852449643021447625/photo/1">Florida</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TXsecofstate/status/1852511234819596772">Texas</a>&nbsp;have said they won't allow federal election monitors into polling sites on Tuesday. And on Monday, Missouri filed a federal lawsuit seeking a court order to block federal officials from observing inside polling places.

The Justice Department announced last week that it's deploying election monitors in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-monitor-polls-27-states-compliance-federal-voting-rights-laws">86 jurisdictions across 27 states</a>&nbsp;on Election Day. The Justice Department declined to comment on Monday on the Missouri lawsuit and the moves by other Republican-led states.

The race between Democratic nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and Republican nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is a dead heat, and both sides are bracing for potential legal challenges to vote tallies. The Justice Department’s election monitoring effort, a long practice under both Democratic and Republican administrations, is meant to ensure that federal voting rights are being followed.

Here's a look at election monitors and the states' actions:

Election monitors are lawyers who work for the Justice Department, including in the civil rights division and U.S. attorney's offices across the country. They are not law enforcement officers or federal agents.

For decades, the Justice Department's civil rights division has sent attorneys and staff members to monitor polling places across the country in both federal and non-federal elections. The monitors are tasked with ensuring the compliance of federal voting rights laws.

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division enforces a number of statutes protecting the right to vote. That includes Voting Rights Act, which prohibits intimidation and threats against those who are casting ballots or counting votes. And it includes the Americans with Disabilities Act, which mandates that election officials ensure people with disabilities have the full and equal opportunity to vote.

The 86 jurisdictions that the Justice Department will send monitors to on Tuesday include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/maricopa-county-election-2024/">Maricopa County, Arizona</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruby-freeman-shaye-moss-gateway-pundit-settlement-3c55e2c7cf75cf0f8dc6496da14b094e">Fulton County, Georgia,</a>&nbsp;which in 2020 became the center of election conspiracy theories spread by Trump and other Republicans. Another place on the list is Portage County, Ohio, where a sheriff came under fire for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-sheriff-social-media-harris-yard-signs-fb116241e7119cac51f4a03a8b6c4cf1">social media post</a>&nbsp;in which he said people with Harris yard signs should have their addresses recorded so that immigrants can be sent to live with them if the Democrat wins the presidency

Other areas where federal monitors will be sent include Detroit, Michigan; Queens, New York; Providence, Rhode Island; Jackson County, South Dakota; Salem, Massachusetts; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Manassas, Virginia; Cuyahoga County, Ohio and Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska. The Justice Department's monitors will be in St. Louis, Missouri; four jurisdictions in Florida and eight jurisdictions in Texas.

In filing the lawsuit on Monday, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said state law “clearly and specifically limits who may be in polling places." He also accused the federal government of "attempting to illegally interfere in Missouri’s elections.”

The lawsuit states that Missouri law “permits only certain categories of persons to be present in voting locations, including voters, minor children accompanying voters, poll workers, election judges, etc.,” and not federal officials.

The Justice Department also sought to monitor polling places in Missouri in 2022. The agency planned to have officials at Cole County, which includes Jefferson City, the state capital. County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer had said he wouldn’t let them in if they show up.

The federal agency backed down after Ashcroft showed Justice Department officials the state law, Ashcroft said. He says the Justice Department is now “trying to go through the back door" by contacting local election officials for access.

Messages were left Monday with the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners.

The St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners reached a settlement in 2021 with the Justice Department aimed at ensuring people with mobility and vision impairments can access to polling places after federal officials found problems, such as ramps that were too steep and inaccessible parking, according to the court papers. The settlement, which expires next year, says the board must “cooperate fully” with Justice Department's efforts to monitor compliance, “including but not limited to providing the United States with timely access to polling places (including on Election Day).”

In a letter to the Justice Department on Friday, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson said wrote that “Texas law is clear: Justice Department monitors are not permitted inside polling places where ballots are being cast or a central counting station where ballots are being counted.”

“Texas has a robust processes and procedures in place to ensure that eligible voters may participate in a free and fair election," Nelson wrote.

In a similar letter Friday, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd told the Justice Department that Florida law lists who is allowed inside the state's polling places and that Justice Department officials are not included. Byrd said that Florida is sending its own monitors to the four jurisdictions the Justice Department plans to send staff to and they will “ensure there is no interference with the voting process.”

__ Associated Press writer Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee contributed reporting, Salter reported from O’Fallon, Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730677370347.png" alt="Photo Johnson County election office" />
 <figcaption>Photo Johnson County election office</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Some Republican-led states say they will block the Justice Department's election monitors from going inside polling places on Election Day, pushing back on federal authorities'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-government-and-politics-a6ac1197dd47f784536c410a8d902bea">decades-long practice</a>&nbsp;of watching for violations of federal voting laws.Officials in&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/FLSecofState/status/1852449643021447625/photo/1">Florida</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TXsecofstate/status/1852511234819596772">Texas</a>&nbsp;have said they won't allow federal election monitors into polling sites on Tuesday. And on Monday, Missouri filed a federal lawsuit seeking a court order to block federal officials from observing inside polling places.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨BREAKING: I filed suit against the Biden-Harris DOJ for sending unauthorized poll monitors to Missouri polling locations. The law is clear that <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a> can’t just send unvetted individuals into our polling places. It’s illegal and undermines trust in our elections.&mdash; Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGAndrewBailey/status/1853454846088659431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Justice Department announced last week that it's deploying election monitors in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-monitor-polls-27-states-compliance-federal-voting-rights-laws">86 jurisdictions across 27 states</a>&nbsp;on Election Day. The Justice Department declined to comment on Monday on the Missouri lawsuit and the moves by other Republican-led states.The race between Democratic nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and Republican nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is a dead heat, and both sides are bracing for potential legal challenges to vote tallies. The Justice Department’s election monitoring effort, a long practice under both Democratic and Republican administrations, is meant to ensure that federal voting rights are being followed.Here's a look at election monitors and the states' actions:_____<h2>Who are the election monitors?</h2>Election monitors are lawyers who work for the Justice Department, including in the civil rights division and U.S. attorney's offices across the country. They are not law enforcement officers or federal agents.For decades, the Justice Department's civil rights division has sent attorneys and staff members to monitor polling places across the country in both federal and non-federal elections. The monitors are tasked with ensuring the compliance of federal voting rights laws.The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division enforces a number of statutes protecting the right to vote. That includes Voting Rights Act, which prohibits intimidation and threats against those who are casting ballots or counting votes. And it includes the Americans with Disabilities Act, which mandates that election officials ensure people with disabilities have the full and equal opportunity to vote.<h2>Where are election monitors being sent?</h2>The 86 jurisdictions that the Justice Department will send monitors to on Tuesday include&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/maricopa-county-election-2024/">Maricopa County, Arizona</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruby-freeman-shaye-moss-gateway-pundit-settlement-3c55e2c7cf75cf0f8dc6496da14b094e">Fulton County, Georgia,</a>&nbsp;which in 2020 became the center of election conspiracy theories spread by Trump and other Republicans. Another place on the list is Portage County, Ohio, where a sheriff came under fire for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-sheriff-social-media-harris-yard-signs-fb116241e7119cac51f4a03a8b6c4cf1">social media post</a>&nbsp;in which he said people with Harris yard signs should have their addresses recorded so that immigrants can be sent to live with them if the Democrat wins the presidencyOther areas where federal monitors will be sent include Detroit, Michigan; Queens, New York; Providence, Rhode Island; Jackson County, South Dakota; Salem, Massachusetts; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Manassas, Virginia; Cuyahoga County, Ohio and Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska. The Justice Department's monitors will be in St. Louis, Missouri; four jurisdictions in Florida and eight jurisdictions in Texas.<h2>What's happening in Missouri?</h2>In filing the lawsuit on Monday, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said state law “clearly and specifically limits who may be in polling places." He also accused the federal government of "attempting to illegally interfere in Missouri’s elections.”The lawsuit states that Missouri law “permits only certain categories of persons to be present in voting locations, including voters, minor children accompanying voters, poll workers, election judges, etc.,” and not federal officials.The Justice Department also sought to monitor polling places in Missouri in 2022. The agency planned to have officials at Cole County, which includes Jefferson City, the state capital. County Clerk Steve Korsmeyer had said he wouldn’t let them in if they show up.The federal agency backed down after Ashcroft showed Justice Department officials the state law, Ashcroft said. He says the Justice Department is now “trying to go through the back door" by contacting local election officials for access.Messages were left Monday with the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners.The St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners reached a settlement in 2021 with the Justice Department aimed at ensuring people with mobility and vision impairments can access to polling places after federal officials found problems, such as ramps that were too steep and inaccessible parking, according to the court papers. The settlement, which expires next year, says the board must “cooperate fully” with Justice Department's efforts to monitor compliance, “including but not limited to providing the United States with timely access to polling places (including on Election Day).”<h2>What are the other states saying?</h2>In a letter to the Justice Department on Friday, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson said wrote that “Texas law is clear: Justice Department monitors are not permitted inside polling places where ballots are being cast or a central counting station where ballots are being counted.”“Texas has a robust processes and procedures in place to ensure that eligible voters may participate in a free and fair election," Nelson wrote.In a similar letter Friday, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd told the Justice Department that Florida law lists who is allowed inside the state's polling places and that Justice Department officials are not included. Byrd said that Florida is sending its own monitors to the four jurisdictions the Justice Department plans to send staff to and they will “ensure there is no interference with the voting process.”__ Associated Press writer Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee contributed reporting, Salter reported from O’Fallon, Missouri.

Some GOP-led states refuse to let Justice Dept. monitors into polling places

DOUGLAS COUNTY—A 56-year-old man is recovering after a disturbance resulted in him being stabbed, according to police in Lawrence.

Just after 3a.m. Monday, police were called to 3250 Michigan Street in Lawrence where the victim told police a 46-year-old man had slashed his arm with a knife. The victim was transported to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, and he is expected to recover, according to police.

Police asked the public for help locating 46-year-old Rashidi "Rocky" McClelland in connection with the incident. 

If you know where he is, please call the Douglas County Emergency Communications Center at (785)832-7509. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at (785)843-TIPS(8477).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730743188862.png" alt="McClelland photo Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>McClelland photo Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—A 56-year-old man is recovering after a disturbance resulted in him being stabbed, according to police in Lawrence.Just after 3a.m. Monday, police were called to 3250 Michigan Street in Lawrence where the victim told police a 46-year-old man had slashed his arm with a knife. The victim was transported to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, and he is expected to recover, according to police.Police asked the public for help locating 46-year-old Rashidi "Rocky" McClelland in connection with the incident. If you know where he is, please call the Douglas County Emergency Communications Center at (785)832-7509. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at (785)843-TIPS(8477).

Police ask for help to find suspect in Kan. knife attack

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Iranian-American journalist who once worked for a U.S. government-funded broadcaster is believed to have been detained by Iran for months now, authorities said Sunday, further raising the stakes as Tehran threatens to retaliate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-attack-shahroud-guard-base-satellite-photos-b9cdb18b252d6dd9014dc4dcb3dd4b2f">an Israeli attack on the country</a>.

The imprisonment of Reza Valizadeh was confirmed to The Associated Press by the U.S. State Department as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/10e62420e55c4eff9ddb96319f704fbc">Iran marked the 45th anniversary of the takeover of the American Embassy</a>&nbsp;and hostage crisis on Sunday. It also followed a threat by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a day earlier to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bakersfield.com/ap/national/irans-supreme-leader-threatens-israel-and-us-with-a-crushing-response-over-israeli-attack/article_7a23d4f9-73e2-58ae-86b9-119f381e44f6.html">"a crushing response”</a>&nbsp;to Israel and the U.S. as long-range B-52 bombers reached the Middle East in an attempt to deter Tehran.

Valizadeh had worked for Radio Farda, an outlet under Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that's overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media. In February, he wrote on the social platform X that his family members had been detained in an effort to make him return to Iran.

In August, Valizadeh apparently posted two messages suggesting he had returned to Iran despite Radio Farda being viewed by Iran's theocracy as a hostile outlet.

“I arrived in Tehran on March 6, 2024. Before that, I had unfinished negotiations with the (Revolutionary Guard's) intelligence department,” the message read in part. “Eventually I came back to my country after 13 years without any security guarantee, even a verbal one.”

Valizadeh added the name of a man who he claimed belonged to Iran's Intelligence Ministry. The AP could not verify if the person worked for the ministry.

Rumors have been circulating for weeks that Valizadeh had been detained. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, which monitors cases in Iran, said that he had been detained on arrival to the country earlier this year but later released.

He was then rearrested and sent to Evin prison, where he now faces a case in Iran's Revolutionary Court, which routinely holds closed-door hearings in which defendants face secret evidence, the agency reported. Valizadeh had faced arrest in 2007 as well, it said.

The State Department told the AP that it was “aware of reports that this dual U.S.-Iranian citizen has been arrested in Iran" when asked about Valizadeh.

“We are working with our Swiss partners who serve as the protecting power for the United States in Iran to gather more information about this case,” the State Department said. “Iran routinely imprisons U.S. citizens and other countries’ citizens unjustly for political purposes. This practice is cruel and contrary to international law.”

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty separately said that Valizadeh “has been detained in Iran.”

“We have had no official confirmation of the charges against him,” it said in a statement. "Reza, a U.S.-Iranian national, left RFE/RL in November 2022. We are profoundly concerned about the continued arrest, harassment and threats against media professionals by the Iranian regime.”

Iran has not acknowledged detaining Valizadeh. Iran's mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment.

The Voice of America, another U.S. government-funded media outlet overseen by the Agency for Global Media, first reported that the State Department was acknowledging Valizadeh's detention in Iran.

Since the 1979 U.S. Embassy crisis, in which dozens of hostages were released after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations with the world. In September 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoner-swap-sanctions-assets-4e1fa477f8e6af45fb764acd259c2f1a">five Americans detained for years in Iran were freed in exchange</a>&nbsp;for five Iranians in U.S. custody and for $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets to be released by South Korea.

Valizadeh is the first American known to be detained by Iran since then.

Meanwhile, Iranian state television broadcast video Sunday of different cities across the country marking the anniversary of the embassy takeover.

Gen. Hossein Salami, the head of the Guard, also spoke in Tehran, where he repeated a pledge made the day before by Khamenei.

“The resistance front and Iran will equip itself with whatever necessary to confront and defeat the enemy,” he said, referring to militant groups like Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah backed by Tehran.

In Tehran, thousands of people at the gate of the former U.S. Embassy chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” Some burned flags of the countries and effigies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

They also carried images of killed top figures of Iran’s allied militant groups, including Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Palestinian Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The crowd in the state-organized rallies chanted that they were ready to defend the Palestinians.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Iranian-American journalist who once worked for a U.S. government-funded broadcaster is believed to have been detained by Iran for months now, authorities said Sunday, further raising the stakes as Tehran threatens to retaliate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-attack-shahroud-guard-base-satellite-photos-b9cdb18b252d6dd9014dc4dcb3dd4b2f">an Israeli attack on the country</a>.The imprisonment of Reza Valizadeh was confirmed to The Associated Press by the U.S. State Department as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/10e62420e55c4eff9ddb96319f704fbc">Iran marked the 45th anniversary of the takeover of the American Embassy</a>&nbsp;and hostage crisis on Sunday. It also followed a threat by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a day earlier to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bakersfield.com/ap/national/irans-supreme-leader-threatens-israel-and-us-with-a-crushing-response-over-israeli-attack/article_7a23d4f9-73e2-58ae-86b9-119f381e44f6.html">"a crushing response”</a>&nbsp;to Israel and the U.S. as long-range B-52 bombers reached the Middle East in an attempt to deter Tehran.Valizadeh had worked for Radio Farda, an outlet under Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that's overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media. In February, he wrote on the social platform X that his family members had been detained in an effort to make him return to Iran.In August, Valizadeh apparently posted two messages suggesting he had returned to Iran despite Radio Farda being viewed by Iran's theocracy as a hostile outlet.“I arrived in Tehran on March 6, 2024. Before that, I had unfinished negotiations with the (Revolutionary Guard's) intelligence department,” the message read in part. “Eventually I came back to my country after 13 years without any security guarantee, even a verbal one.”Valizadeh added the name of a man who he claimed belonged to Iran's Intelligence Ministry. The AP could not verify if the person worked for the ministry.Rumors have been circulating for weeks that Valizadeh had been detained. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, which monitors cases in Iran, said that he had been detained on arrival to the country earlier this year but later released.He was then rearrested and sent to Evin prison, where he now faces a case in Iran's Revolutionary Court, which routinely holds closed-door hearings in which defendants face secret evidence, the agency reported. Valizadeh had faced arrest in 2007 as well, it said.The State Department told the AP that it was “aware of reports that this dual U.S.-Iranian citizen has been arrested in Iran" when asked about Valizadeh.“We are working with our Swiss partners who serve as the protecting power for the United States in Iran to gather more information about this case,” the State Department said. “Iran routinely imprisons U.S. citizens and other countries’ citizens unjustly for political purposes. This practice is cruel and contrary to international law.”Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty separately said that Valizadeh “has been detained in Iran.”“We have had no official confirmation of the charges against him,” it said in a statement. "Reza, a U.S.-Iranian national, left RFE/RL in November 2022. We are profoundly concerned about the continued arrest, harassment and threats against media professionals by the Iranian regime.”Iran has not acknowledged detaining Valizadeh. Iran's mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment.The Voice of America, another U.S. government-funded media outlet overseen by the Agency for Global Media, first reported that the State Department was acknowledging Valizadeh's detention in Iran.Since the 1979 U.S. Embassy crisis, in which dozens of hostages were released after 444 days in captivity, Iran has used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations with the world. In September 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoner-swap-sanctions-assets-4e1fa477f8e6af45fb764acd259c2f1a">five Americans detained for years in Iran were freed in exchange</a>&nbsp;for five Iranians in U.S. custody and for $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets to be released by South Korea.Valizadeh is the first American known to be detained by Iran since then.Meanwhile, Iranian state television broadcast video Sunday of different cities across the country marking the anniversary of the embassy takeover.Gen. Hossein Salami, the head of the Guard, also spoke in Tehran, where he repeated a pledge made the day before by Khamenei.“The resistance front and Iran will equip itself with whatever necessary to confront and defeat the enemy,” he said, referring to militant groups like Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah backed by Tehran.In Tehran, thousands of people at the gate of the former U.S. Embassy chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” Some burned flags of the countries and effigies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.They also carried images of killed top figures of Iran’s allied militant groups, including Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Palestinian Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The crowd in the state-organized rallies chanted that they were ready to defend the Palestinians.___

US: Iranian-American held in Iran as tensions high following Israeli attack

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>

WASHINGTON — Voters are determining whether the next president enters office with a friendly Congress or a hostile one set on blocking their policies and nominees — and as the election roars into its last moments it’s still very unclear what the makeup of the House and Senate might be.

Most House races are not competitive. But House leaders are closely watching about two dozen toss-up contests to see whether Democrats or Republicans end up with the magic 218 lawmakers needed to control the speaker’s gavel, the agenda and the floor schedule.

The GOP’s razor-thin majority during the last two years created significant obstacles for leadership’s legislative goals and ended Kevin McCarthy’s speakership.

Neither political party is expected to gain a large House majority during the next Congress, set to begin in January. There’s even a possibility the majority party has less wiggle room than the 220-212 split that currently exists, along with three vacancies. Experts warn it may not be known on election night or for some time who’s won the House.

Senate leaders have been equally focused on hard-fought and close campaigns in Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Any one of them could deliver control of the upper chamber.

Republicans are favored to turn over the West Virginia seat occupied by Joe Manchin III, potentially pushing them past the 50-member benchmark if they hold onto seats occupied by incumbents Ted Cruz in Texas, Deb Fischer in Nebraska and Rick Scott in Florida.

If Democrats keep 50 seats, that would mean whichever party holds the vice presidency controls the Senate, making even just one pickup in either direction a priority for both political parties.

The outcome in both the House and Senate will have sweeping implications for the country’s future, including whether the GOP overhauls Obamacare, how lawmakers address core aspects of Republicans’ 2017 tax law set to expire in the coming months and whether the country defaults on its debts for the first time in history.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report with Amy Walter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings" target="_blank">rates</a>&nbsp;four Senate races as toss-ups, meaning there’s a relatively even chance for Democrats or Republicans to win.

While the campaigns have shifted around a bit during the last few months, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are all considered neck and neck heading into Election Day.

Arizona and Nevada are categorized as leaning toward Democrats and Montana is expected to lean toward a Republican pickup, potentially giving the GOP its 51st seat and a narrow majority.

It’s also possible there could be upsets in Republican-held states traditionally considered safer, like Florida, Nebraska and Texas.That could alter the math for both Democrats and Republicans, depending on how things shake out after all the votes are counted, recounts finalized and lawsuits settled in the days and weeks following Nov. 5.

Jessica Taylor, editor for U.S. Senate and Governors at the Cook Political Report, said in a statement released Friday the “battle for the Senate fundamentally ends where the cycle began — with an overwhelmingly favorable map that very likely portends a GOP majority.”

Her projections show the GOP picking up two to five seats, giving the party a majority between 51 and 54 members.

A narrower majority, Taylor said, would allow “moderates like Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins to wield outsized influence in the next Congress.”

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said during an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?539651-1/sen-gary-peters-discusses-senate-races" target="_blank">interview</a>&nbsp;with Washington Post Live in late October that he expects voters in Montana and Ohio will split their tickets.

He acknowledged getting voters to support Democratic Sens. Jon Tester in Montana and Sherrod Brown in Ohio, while also voting for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, will be much more challenging than in the past.

“Certainly, it’s not easy if there’s a lot of political gravity,” Peters said. “I’m not going to sugarcoat that in any way.”

But, he said, both Tester and Brown have been consistently polling within the margin of error against their GOP challengers.

“It’s about who’s going to get their voters out and do the kind of ground campaign necessary to win,” Peters said. “We’re doing that in Montana. We’re doing that in Ohio as well.”

The Senate is more important to the next president than the House, since the upper chamber is responsible for vetting and confirming the next commander-in-chief’s selections for their Cabinet as well as judicial nominees.

A GOP Senate would be a gift for Trump but likely tough for Vice President Kamala Harris.

The opposite could also be true — a Democratic majority in the Senate could put the brakes on many of Trump’s plans for a second term, while it would aid Harris in setting up her administration and potentially confirming a Supreme Court justice or two.

The Senate is the more bipartisan of the two chambers, thanks to the legislative filibuster — the rule requiring at least 60 senators agree to advance legislation toward final passage.

Without bipartisan support, bills and some nominees will be stuck in limbo, regardless of which party runs the Senate or controls the White House.

Philip Wallach, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative-leaning think tank, said a Harris administration and a Republican Senate would need to work out an agreement quickly “or risk going into some kind of protracted standoff over executive branch nominations.”

Both Trump and President Joe Biden had the luxury of same-party Senate control during their full terms and former President Barack Obama had a Democratic Senate during his first six years in office. Harris possibly having to work with the opposing party to establish her Cabinet would be especially challenging, Wallach said in an interview.

“I would expect Republicans to try to come up with some pretty concrete asks as a conference: To say, ‘If we’re going to put any of your nominees up for a vote, here’s what we want in return, and here’s what kind of nominees we will accept.’ And, you know, I expect that would play out as a fairly heated public confrontation,” he said.

Trump and a Republican Senate would likely agree on some nominees and policy goals, though there would be significant differences over issues like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-vows-levy-horrible-tariffs-imports-rejecting-fears-inflation-spike" target="_blank">tariffs</a>.

“I think there are a lot of Republican senators who want to see some real limits to that, who still think of themselves as basically in favor of free trade and making sure that American businesses don’t find themselves on the wrong end of a trade war,” Wallach said. “Especially in the Senate, I just don’t think they’re that eager to just march to Trump’s tune.”

A Trump administration, he said, could also disagree with GOP lawmakers on the specific details of how to address tax policy.

“I think it’s a very live possibility that there could be a much more confrontational kind of dynamic this time around, in part, because Trump and some of the people right around him have this idea that playing nicely in 2017 was a big mistake,” Wallach said.

Control of the 435-member House is more uncertain than the Senate, with 22 races&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings" target="_blank">rated as toss-ups</a>&nbsp;by the Cook Political Report.

Twelve of those are held by Republicans, while 10 are occupied by Democratic lawmakers. At the moment, 205 House seats are at least leaning toward a Democratic win, with 208 districts at least leaning toward Republicans.

The Cook Political Report’s final projections range from Republicans adding five seats to their majority to Democrats picking up 10 seats and taking over the majority again.

“The race for control of the U.S. House remains as close as it’s ever been,”

Erin Covey, editor for the House at CPR, said in a written statement.

“The battleground is confined to a few dozen seats, with neither party having a clear advantage in a majority of seats,” Covey added. “And with several competitive races in West Coast states that take longer to count their ballots, it’s highly possible we won’t know which party has control on election night.”

The House is essential to turning bills into law, though it doesn’t have any role in confirming presidential nominees. And unlike the Senate, there’s no legislative filibuster, which means the majority party can approve any bills it wants without buy-in from the minority party, as long as the leaders in the majority have the votes from their own members.

Republican control of at least one chamber of Congress and a Harris victory would force significant bipartisan compromise on must-pass legislation, like the dozen annual government funding bills and the defense policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act.

It could also lead to the types of bipartisan legislation that Biden made a hallmark of his term in office, including the bipartisan infrastructure law.

That type of divided government is unlikely to produce the sweeping changes to home ownership, prescription drug prices, price gouging and reproductive rights that Harris has highlighted throughout her campaign.

But it could lead Republicans and Democrats to resurrect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bipartisan-border-bill-loses-support-fails-procedural-vote-us-senate" target="_blank">the bipartisan immigration and border security bill</a>&nbsp;that Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford, Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy and Arizona independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema agreed to earlier this year.

Trump in the White House and Democrats holding onto at least one chamber in Congress could also force bipartisan compromise, though likely with a far different tone and approach than under a Harris-Republican Congress scenario.

Trump regaining the presidency along with GOP control of Congress would give the party at least two chances to use the complex budget reconciliation process to pass certain legislation.

The party would likely use one of those opportunities to address provisions in the 2017 Republican tax law that have expired or are about to.

The budget reconciliation process, which has considerable rules and restrictions, is how Republicans passed the tax bill during Trump’s first term in office.

It doesn’t require at least 60 senators to advance the bill. But it does include something known as a vote-a-rama, where the Senate holds dozens of votes on amendments to the bill. The process typically lasts throughout the night and gives the party not in power a chance to force their colleagues across the aisle to vote on tough issues.

Budget reconciliation is the process Republicans used to try to repeal and replace the 2010 health care law that’s often referred to as the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, during Trump’s first term in office.

Speaker Mike Jonson, R-La., said in late October on Fox Business that some of his<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/speaker-johnson-criticizes-obamacare-promises-massive-reform-trump-win-rcna177853" target="_blank">&nbsp;prior comments</a>&nbsp;about overhauling the ACA were taken out of context and that he wants to make changes to the program, but not entirely end it.

“I said the ACA, unfortunately, is deeply ingrained in our health care system now,” he said. “Do we need further improvements? Absolutely. We need to expand quality of care, access to care and obviously lower the cost of health care.”

Johnson said during the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRGW9IVOaP4" target="_blank">interview</a>&nbsp;that he was “convinced” Republicans would gain unified control of government following the election and that he had compiled a “two-hour slide show presentation” detailing what the GOP would do with that power.

“We will secure the border on day one with a President Trump executive order and then legislation to follow, and we will turn immediately to the economy,” Johnson said. “Energy policy will be the center of that as well.”

Deeply conservative House bills might not garner the support needed to overcome the Senate’s legislative filibuster.

Unified Republican control of Congress and the White House would challenge the GOP to address the nation’s debt limit mostly on its own during the first half of next year after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-sends-biden-debt-limit-legislation-ahead-monday-default-deadline" target="_blank">the current law</a>&nbsp;expires.

A default on the nation’s debt is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-hit-debt-limit-much-sooner-expected-thrusting-congress-showdown" target="_blank">vastly different from a partial government shutdown</a>, which takes place when Congress doesn’t pass an appropriations package on time.

Failing to either raise or suspend the nation’s debt limit, before what’s known as extraordinary measures runs out, would likely cause a global financial crisis.

The GOP has been extremely vocal about cutting government spending, but that is separate from addressing the nation’s debt limit, which gives the Treasury Department the borrowing authority to ensure all of the country’s bills are paid in full and on time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720316487639.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>WASHINGTON — Voters are determining whether the next president enters office with a friendly Congress or a hostile one set on blocking their policies and nominees — and as the election roars into its last moments it’s still very unclear what the makeup of the House and Senate might be.Most House races are not competitive. But House leaders are closely watching about two dozen toss-up contests to see whether Democrats or Republicans end up with the magic 218 lawmakers needed to control the speaker’s gavel, the agenda and the floor schedule.The GOP’s razor-thin majority during the last two years created significant obstacles for leadership’s legislative goals and ended Kevin McCarthy’s speakership.Neither political party is expected to gain a large House majority during the next Congress, set to begin in January. There’s even a possibility the majority party has less wiggle room than the 220-212 split that currently exists, along with three vacancies. Experts warn it may not be known on election night or for some time who’s won the House.Senate leaders have been equally focused on hard-fought and close campaigns in Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Any one of them could deliver control of the upper chamber.Republicans are favored to turn over the West Virginia seat occupied by Joe Manchin III, potentially pushing them past the 50-member benchmark if they hold onto seats occupied by incumbents Ted Cruz in Texas, Deb Fischer in Nebraska and Rick Scott in Florida.If Democrats keep 50 seats, that would mean whichever party holds the vice presidency controls the Senate, making even just one pickup in either direction a priority for both political parties.The outcome in both the House and Senate will have sweeping implications for the country’s future, including whether the GOP overhauls Obamacare, how lawmakers address core aspects of Republicans’ 2017 tax law set to expire in the coming months and whether the country defaults on its debts for the first time in history.<h2>Four tense toss-ups in the Senate</h2>The nonpartisan Cook Political Report with Amy Walter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings" target="_blank">rates</a>&nbsp;four Senate races as toss-ups, meaning there’s a relatively even chance for Democrats or Republicans to win.While the campaigns have shifted around a bit during the last few months, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are all considered neck and neck heading into Election Day.Arizona and Nevada are categorized as leaning toward Democrats and Montana is expected to lean toward a Republican pickup, potentially giving the GOP its 51st seat and a narrow majority.It’s also possible there could be upsets in Republican-held states traditionally considered safer, like Florida, Nebraska and Texas.That could alter the math for both Democrats and Republicans, depending on how things shake out after all the votes are counted, recounts finalized and lawsuits settled in the days and weeks following Nov. 5.Jessica Taylor, editor for U.S. Senate and Governors at the Cook Political Report, said in a statement released Friday the “battle for the Senate fundamentally ends where the cycle began — with an overwhelmingly favorable map that very likely portends a GOP majority.”Her projections show the GOP picking up two to five seats, giving the party a majority between 51 and 54 members.A narrower majority, Taylor said, would allow “moderates like Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins to wield outsized influence in the next Congress.”<h2>Will some voters split their tickets?</h2>Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said during an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?539651-1/sen-gary-peters-discusses-senate-races" target="_blank">interview</a>&nbsp;with Washington Post Live in late October that he expects voters in Montana and Ohio will split their tickets.He acknowledged getting voters to support Democratic Sens. Jon Tester in Montana and Sherrod Brown in Ohio, while also voting for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, will be much more challenging than in the past.“Certainly, it’s not easy if there’s a lot of political gravity,” Peters said. “I’m not going to sugarcoat that in any way.”But, he said, both Tester and Brown have been consistently polling within the margin of error against their GOP challengers.“It’s about who’s going to get their voters out and do the kind of ground campaign necessary to win,” Peters said. “We’re doing that in Montana. We’re doing that in Ohio as well.”The Senate is more important to the next president than the House, since the upper chamber is responsible for vetting and confirming the next commander-in-chief’s selections for their Cabinet as well as judicial nominees.A GOP Senate would be a gift for Trump but likely tough for Vice President Kamala Harris.The opposite could also be true — a Democratic majority in the Senate could put the brakes on many of Trump’s plans for a second term, while it would aid Harris in setting up her administration and potentially confirming a Supreme Court justice or two.The Senate is the more bipartisan of the two chambers, thanks to the legislative filibuster — the rule requiring at least 60 senators agree to advance legislation toward final passage.Without bipartisan support, bills and some nominees will be stuck in limbo, regardless of which party runs the Senate or controls the White House.<h2>Possible standoff</h2>Philip Wallach, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative-leaning think tank, said a Harris administration and a Republican Senate would need to work out an agreement quickly “or risk going into some kind of protracted standoff over executive branch nominations.”Both Trump and President Joe Biden had the luxury of same-party Senate control during their full terms and former President Barack Obama had a Democratic Senate during his first six years in office. Harris possibly having to work with the opposing party to establish her Cabinet would be especially challenging, Wallach said in an interview.“I would expect Republicans to try to come up with some pretty concrete asks as a conference: To say, ‘If we’re going to put any of your nominees up for a vote, here’s what we want in return, and here’s what kind of nominees we will accept.’ And, you know, I expect that would play out as a fairly heated public confrontation,” he said.Trump and a Republican Senate would likely agree on some nominees and policy goals, though there would be significant differences over issues like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-vows-levy-horrible-tariffs-imports-rejecting-fears-inflation-spike" target="_blank">tariffs</a>.“I think there are a lot of Republican senators who want to see some real limits to that, who still think of themselves as basically in favor of free trade and making sure that American businesses don’t find themselves on the wrong end of a trade war,” Wallach said. “Especially in the Senate, I just don’t think they’re that eager to just march to Trump’s tune.”A Trump administration, he said, could also disagree with GOP lawmakers on the specific details of how to address tax policy.“I think it’s a very live possibility that there could be a much more confrontational kind of dynamic this time around, in part, because Trump and some of the people right around him have this idea that playing nicely in 2017 was a big mistake,” Wallach said.<h2>House ‘as close as it’s ever been’</h2>Control of the 435-member House is more uncertain than the Senate, with 22 races&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings" target="_blank">rated as toss-ups</a>&nbsp;by the Cook Political Report.Twelve of those are held by Republicans, while 10 are occupied by Democratic lawmakers. At the moment, 205 House seats are at least leaning toward a Democratic win, with 208 districts at least leaning toward Republicans.The Cook Political Report’s final projections range from Republicans adding five seats to their majority to Democrats picking up 10 seats and taking over the majority again.“The race for control of the U.S. House remains as close as it’s ever been,”Erin Covey, editor for the House at CPR, said in a written statement.“The battleground is confined to a few dozen seats, with neither party having a clear advantage in a majority of seats,” Covey added. “And with several competitive races in West Coast states that take longer to count their ballots, it’s highly possible we won’t know which party has control on election night.”The House is essential to turning bills into law, though it doesn’t have any role in confirming presidential nominees. And unlike the Senate, there’s no legislative filibuster, which means the majority party can approve any bills it wants without buy-in from the minority party, as long as the leaders in the majority have the votes from their own members.Republican control of at least one chamber of Congress and a Harris victory would force significant bipartisan compromise on must-pass legislation, like the dozen annual government funding bills and the defense policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act.It could also lead to the types of bipartisan legislation that Biden made a hallmark of his term in office, including the bipartisan infrastructure law.That type of divided government is unlikely to produce the sweeping changes to home ownership, prescription drug prices, price gouging and reproductive rights that Harris has highlighted throughout her campaign.But it could lead Republicans and Democrats to resurrect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bipartisan-border-bill-loses-support-fails-procedural-vote-us-senate" target="_blank">the bipartisan immigration and border security bill</a>&nbsp;that Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford, Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy and Arizona independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema agreed to earlier this year.Trump in the White House and Democrats holding onto at least one chamber in Congress could also force bipartisan compromise, though likely with a far different tone and approach than under a Harris-Republican Congress scenario.<h2>GOP trifecta?</h2>Trump regaining the presidency along with GOP control of Congress would give the party at least two chances to use the complex budget reconciliation process to pass certain legislation.The party would likely use one of those opportunities to address provisions in the 2017 Republican tax law that have expired or are about to.The budget reconciliation process, which has considerable rules and restrictions, is how Republicans passed the tax bill during Trump’s first term in office.It doesn’t require at least 60 senators to advance the bill. But it does include something known as a vote-a-rama, where the Senate holds dozens of votes on amendments to the bill. The process typically lasts throughout the night and gives the party not in power a chance to force their colleagues across the aisle to vote on tough issues.Budget reconciliation is the process Republicans used to try to repeal and replace the 2010 health care law that’s often referred to as the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, during Trump’s first term in office.Speaker Mike Jonson, R-La., said in late October on Fox Business that some of his<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/speaker-johnson-criticizes-obamacare-promises-massive-reform-trump-win-rcna177853" target="_blank">&nbsp;prior comments</a>&nbsp;about overhauling the ACA were taken out of context and that he wants to make changes to the program, but not entirely end it.“I said the ACA, unfortunately, is deeply ingrained in our health care system now,” he said. “Do we need further improvements? Absolutely. We need to expand quality of care, access to care and obviously lower the cost of health care.”Johnson said during the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRGW9IVOaP4" target="_blank">interview</a>&nbsp;that he was “convinced” Republicans would gain unified control of government following the election and that he had compiled a “two-hour slide show presentation” detailing what the GOP would do with that power.“We will secure the border on day one with a President Trump executive order and then legislation to follow, and we will turn immediately to the economy,” Johnson said. “Energy policy will be the center of that as well.”Deeply conservative House bills might not garner the support needed to overcome the Senate’s legislative filibuster.Unified Republican control of Congress and the White House would challenge the GOP to address the nation’s debt limit mostly on its own during the first half of next year after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-sends-biden-debt-limit-legislation-ahead-monday-default-deadline" target="_blank">the current law</a>&nbsp;expires.A default on the nation’s debt is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-hit-debt-limit-much-sooner-expected-thrusting-congress-showdown" target="_blank">vastly different from a partial government shutdown</a>, which takes place when Congress doesn’t pass an appropriations package on time.Failing to either raise or suspend the nation’s debt limit, before what’s known as extraordinary measures runs out, would likely cause a global financial crisis.The GOP has been extremely vocal about cutting government spending, but that is separate from addressing the nation’s debt limit, which gives the Treasury Department the borrowing authority to ensure all of the country’s bills are paid in full and on time.

Will control of Congress shift? The results hinge on a handful of states and races

DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a wanted Kansas felon on multiple allegations after a chase and arrest.

Just after 9:30p.m. Sunday, a sheriff's deputy observed a red Chevrolet pickup in the area of East 6th Street and Pine in Solomon, according to Dickinson County Undersheriff&nbsp;Jeff Vaughan.

The pickup was traveling without any lights and failed to stop at a stop sign. The Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop with the vehicle. The driver accelerated and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The vehicle eventually came to a stop in the area of Old Highway 40 and Deer Road in Dickinson County.

The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody without further incident and identified as Carlito Luis Morales, 34, of Salina. 

It was discovered that Morales had a warrant out of Saline County for his arrest. Morales was transported to the Dickinson County Detention Facility.

Just before 10:30;.m. a Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a call for service regarding damage to property in the 200 Block of West 4th Street in Solomon. It was reported a vehicle earlier in the evening had driven through a yard of a residence, spinning its tires causing damage to the lawn. During the investigation, Morales was developed as the suspect in this case.

Morales is being held in the the Dickinson County Detention Facility for the warrant out of Saline County and requested charges of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, mIgnition Interlock Device; Operate a vehicle without a required device, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Criminal Damage to Property

Morales has previous convictions for burglary, aggravated battery, criminal threat, battery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730742266349.png" alt="Morales has previous convictions for burglary, aggravated battery, criminal threat, battery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Dickinson County" />
 <figcaption>Morales has previous convictions for burglary, aggravated battery, criminal threat, battery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Dickinson County</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a wanted Kansas felon on multiple allegations after a chase and arrest.Just after 9:30p.m. Sunday, a sheriff's deputy observed a red Chevrolet pickup in the area of East 6th Street and Pine in Solomon, according to Dickinson County Undersheriff&nbsp;Jeff Vaughan.The pickup was traveling without any lights and failed to stop at a stop sign. The Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop with the vehicle. The driver accelerated and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The vehicle eventually came to a stop in the area of Old Highway 40 and Deer Road in Dickinson County.The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody without further incident and identified as Carlito Luis Morales, 34, of Salina. It was discovered that Morales had a warrant out of Saline County for his arrest. Morales was transported to the Dickinson County Detention Facility.Just before 10:30;.m. a Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a call for service regarding damage to property in the 200 Block of West 4th Street in Solomon. It was reported a vehicle earlier in the evening had driven through a yard of a residence, spinning its tires causing damage to the lawn. During the investigation, Morales was developed as the suspect in this case.Morales is being held in the the Dickinson County Detention Facility for the warrant out of Saline County and requested charges of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, mIgnition Interlock Device; Operate a vehicle without a required device, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Criminal Damage to PropertyMorales has previous convictions for burglary, aggravated battery, criminal threat, battery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections&nbsp;

Wanted Kansas felon jailed after police chase

BARTON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a fire that destroyed a barn in rural Barton County.

Just before 5p.m. Friday, Barton County Fire District #2 responded to a barn fire around just east of Hoisington, according to a social media report.

Crews found an old cattle barn fully involved and partially collapsed. Due to the size of the shed and the partial collapse, firemen went into defensive mode protecting any surrounding structures and to keep the fire from spreading.&nbsp;

The fire was contained and put out after about two hours.&nbsp; The scene was monitored for any hot spots.&nbsp;The structure was a total loss.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.

Due to the location and size of the structure, mutual aid was requested from Great Bend Fire Department and Claflin Fire Department to bring tanker trucks to help shuttle water.

Barton County Fire District #2 was assisted by Barton County Dispatch, Great Bend Fire Department, Claflin Fire Department, Barton County Sheriffs Department and Western Cooperative Electric.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730739850026.png" alt="-Photo courtesy Barton Co. Fire District 2" />
 <figcaption>-Photo courtesy Barton Co. Fire District 2</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a fire that destroyed a barn in rural Barton County.Just before 5p.m. Friday, Barton County Fire District #2 responded to a barn fire around just east of Hoisington, according to a social media report.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730731240752.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Crews found an old cattle barn fully involved and partially collapsed. Due to the size of the shed and the partial collapse, firemen went into defensive mode protecting any surrounding structures and to keep the fire from spreading.&nbsp;The fire was contained and put out after about two hours.&nbsp; The scene was monitored for any hot spots.&nbsp;The structure was a total loss.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.Due to the location and size of the structure, mutual aid was requested from Great Bend Fire Department and Claflin Fire Department to bring tanker trucks to help shuttle water.Barton County Fire District #2 was assisted by Barton County Dispatch, Great Bend Fire Department, Claflin Fire Department, Barton County Sheriffs Department and Western Cooperative Electric.

Cause of fire that destroyed rural Kan. barn under investigation

JOHNSON COUNTY —Two people are dead and a suspect is in custody after a weekend standoff at a Kansas home.&nbsp;

Just before 8:30p.m. Friday, police responded on the report of an armed disturbance at a home in the 7900 block of Hallet in the city of Lenexa, according to a media release. As officers arrived, they heard multiple gunshots coming from the area of the residence.

Lenexa officers spoke on the phone with the individual suspected of firing shots and learned 53-year-old Todd M. Donovan was inside his residence on Hallet.

Donovan refused to comply with officer’s requests to come outside peacefully and the Lenexa Tactical Team and crisis negotiators responded on the barricade operation. Negotiators spoke with Donovan for nearly two hours before he discontinued dialogue.

Just before 2a.m. Saturday., members of the Lenexa Tactical Team entered the residence and took Donovan into custody. He was taken to an area hospital due to a possible overdose.

Officers located two individuals later identified as Donovan's wife 52-year-old Sheila Donovan and his son 22-year-old Tyler Donovan deceased inside the home. The preliminary investigation indicates that both were shot. As part of this investigation, it was also learned that a neighbor's dog was shot and killed around the same time that officers responded on the initial call.

&nbsp;The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office has charged Donovan with two counts of First-Degree Murder. The deceased victims are related to Donovan. He is scheduled to make a court appearance on Monday afternoon, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730686002368.png" alt="Donovan photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Donovan photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Two people are dead and a suspect is in custody after a weekend standoff at a Kansas home.&nbsp;Just before 8:30p.m. Friday, police responded on the report of an armed disturbance at a home in the 7900 block of Hallet in the city of Lenexa, according to a media release. As officers arrived, they heard multiple gunshots coming from the area of the residence.Lenexa officers spoke on the phone with the individual suspected of firing shots and learned 53-year-old Todd M. Donovan was inside his residence on Hallet.Donovan refused to comply with officer’s requests to come outside peacefully and the Lenexa Tactical Team and crisis negotiators responded on the barricade operation. Negotiators spoke with Donovan for nearly two hours before he discontinued dialogue.Just before 2a.m. Saturday., members of the Lenexa Tactical Team entered the residence and took Donovan into custody. He was taken to an area hospital due to a possible overdose.Officers located two individuals later identified as Donovan's wife 52-year-old Sheila Donovan and his son 22-year-old Tyler Donovan deceased inside the home. The preliminary investigation indicates that both were shot. As part of this investigation, it was also learned that a neighbor's dog was shot and killed around the same time that officers responded on the initial call.&nbsp;The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office has charged Donovan with two counts of First-Degree Murder. The deceased victims are related to Donovan. He is scheduled to make a court appearance on Monday afternoon, according to online jail records.

Police: Kan. man killed wife, son and dog during standoff

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JULIE%20MARCH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JULIE MARCH Associated Press</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is hoping to win Kansas and its six electoral votes for the third consecutive presidential election on Nov. 5. He is running against Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>, who faces an uphill battle in a state that hasn't backed a Democratic presidential candidate for 60 years.

Republicans hold both U.S. Senate seats and three of the four U.S. House seats in the state. Neither Senate seat is on the ballot but three incumbent representatives are up for reelection. Rep. Jake LaTurner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-republican-laturner-retiring-4b080bfe5bd79168c44f6690dc892762">announced his retirement</a>&nbsp;earlier this year so the 2nd Congressional District seat is open.

Despite the run of Republican victories for presidential candidates in Kansas, several Democrats have been elected governor in recent decades, including two-term Gov. Laura Kelly, who isn’t up for election this year.

Trump won 56% of the vote in 2020 and 57% in 2016, sweeping nearly every county in the state.

In the state Legislature, Republicans vastly outnumber Democrats in the state Senate and state House, enough to override any vetoes by Kelly, but Democrats could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/states-legislature-supermajority-election-kansas-f8c35cefd07aed6e34c8ddfd313117cf">break the GOP supermajority</a>&nbsp;by flipping just a few seats in either chamber. All 40 state Senate seats and 125 state House seats are up for election in November.

Voters will also decide several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-nebraska-public-school-teaching-dei-crt-84fb99b50f1e64740016c1d7f0bf665c">races for the State Board of Education</a>. Three of the five races are in open seats, while two Democratic incumbents seek reelection. In District 2, Democratic Melanie Haas faces Republican Fred Postlewait, while Democrat Betty Arnold has Republican Jason Carmichael challenging her bid for another term.

The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it has determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.

Here’s a look at what to expect in the 2024 election in Kansas:

7 p.m. local time. Kansas covers two time zones, so most of the state will start reporting results while some voters in western counties are casting ballots until 7 p.m. MT (9 p.m. ET).

President: Harris (D) vs. Trump (R) vs. Chase Oliver (Libertarian) vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (independent).

U.S. House, state Senate, state House and state Board of Education.

2020: Trump (R) 56%, Biden (D) 42%, AP race call: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, 9:59 p.m. ET.

Registered voters: 1,994,621 (as of Sep. 2024). About 26% Democrats, about 45% Republicans, about 28% unaffiliated.

Voter turnout in 2020 presidential election: 71% of registered voters.

Votes cast before Election Day 2020: about 61% of the total vote.

Votes cast before Election Day 2022: about 40% of the total vote.

Votes cast before Election Day 2024: See AP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/2024-early-voting-tracker/">Advance Vote tracker</a>.

First votes reported, Nov. 3, 2020: 8:07 p.m. ET.

By midnight ET: about 87% of total votes cast were reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730677370347.png" alt="Photos courtesy Johnson Co. election office" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Johnson Co. election office</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JULIE%20MARCH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JULIE MARCH Associated Press</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is hoping to win Kansas and its six electoral votes for the third consecutive presidential election on Nov. 5. He is running against Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>, who faces an uphill battle in a state that hasn't backed a Democratic presidential candidate for 60 years.Republicans hold both U.S. Senate seats and three of the four U.S. House seats in the state. Neither Senate seat is on the ballot but three incumbent representatives are up for reelection. Rep. Jake LaTurner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-republican-laturner-retiring-4b080bfe5bd79168c44f6690dc892762">announced his retirement</a>&nbsp;earlier this year so the 2nd Congressional District seat is open.Despite the run of Republican victories for presidential candidates in Kansas, several Democrats have been elected governor in recent decades, including two-term Gov. Laura Kelly, who isn’t up for election this year.Trump won 56% of the vote in 2020 and 57% in 2016, sweeping nearly every county in the state.In the state Legislature, Republicans vastly outnumber Democrats in the state Senate and state House, enough to override any vetoes by Kelly, but Democrats could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/states-legislature-supermajority-election-kansas-f8c35cefd07aed6e34c8ddfd313117cf">break the GOP supermajority</a>&nbsp;by flipping just a few seats in either chamber. All 40 state Senate seats and 125 state House seats are up for election in November.Voters will also decide several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-nebraska-public-school-teaching-dei-crt-84fb99b50f1e64740016c1d7f0bf665c">races for the State Board of Education</a>. Three of the five races are in open seats, while two Democratic incumbents seek reelection. In District 2, Democratic Melanie Haas faces Republican Fred Postlewait, while Democrat Betty Arnold has Republican Jason Carmichael challenging her bid for another term.The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it has determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730677338424.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Here’s a look at what to expect in the 2024 election in Kansas:<h2>Election Day</h2>Nov. 5.<h2>Poll closing time</h2>7 p.m. local time. Kansas covers two time zones, so most of the state will start reporting results while some voters in western counties are casting ballots until 7 p.m. MT (9 p.m. ET).<h2>Presidential electoral votes</h2>6 awarded to statewide winner.<h2>Key races and candidates</h2>President: Harris (D) vs. Trump (R) vs. Chase Oliver (Libertarian) vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (independent).<h2>Other races of interest</h2>U.S. House, state Senate, state House and state Board of Education.<h2>Past presidential results</h2>2020: Trump (R) 56%, Biden (D) 42%, AP race call: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, 9:59 p.m. ET.<h2>Voter registration and turnout</h2>Registered voters: 1,994,621 (as of Sep. 2024). About 26% Democrats, about 45% Republicans, about 28% unaffiliated.Voter turnout in 2020 presidential election: 71% of registered voters.<h2>Pre-Election Day voting</h2>Votes cast before Election Day 2020: about 61% of the total vote.Votes cast before Election Day 2022: about 40% of the total vote.Votes cast before Election Day 2024: See AP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/2024-early-voting-tracker/">Advance Vote tracker</a>.<h2>How long does vote-counting take?</h2>First votes reported, Nov. 3, 2020: 8:07 p.m. ET.By midnight ET: about 87% of total votes cast were reported.

 What to expect in Kansas on Election Day

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man who admitted his role in a gunfight at a funeral in Wichita is scheduled for sentencing on Monday.

In August, 19-year-old Demetrious Carter pled guilty to aggravated endangering of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; He had&nbsp; originally been charged with with two counts of aggravated assault.

On June 16, 2023.&nbsp; police were dispatched to a shooting call at Life Center Church in the 1100 block of North Oliver in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders encountered a chaotic scene and a crowd of more than 50 people running in different directions. During the initial response officers located an 18-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his right forearm and provided life-saving measures. The 18-year-old victim later identified as Carter was treated for his serious but not life-threatening injuries.

The investigation revealed that several suspects arrived at the parking lot of the church and confronted a large group of people attending a funeral right outside the main door.

After a brief verbal altercation between both groups, an unknown number of people from both groups started to shoot at each other. After initial interviews, officers arrested Carter and transported him to investigations for further questioning before an arrest.

During the incident, several vehicles, and residences around and in front of the church’s parking lot were hit with gunfire. Police also recovered several firearms from the scene.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687431619099.png" alt="Carter photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Carter photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man who admitted his role in a gunfight at a funeral in Wichita is scheduled for sentencing on Monday.In August, 19-year-old Demetrious Carter pled guilty to aggravated endangering of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; He had&nbsp; originally been charged with with two counts of aggravated assault.On June 16, 2023.&nbsp; police were dispatched to a shooting call at Life Center Church in the 1100 block of North Oliver in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727350888967.png" alt="First responders at the church -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the church -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders encountered a chaotic scene and a crowd of more than 50 people running in different directions. During the initial response officers located an 18-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his right forearm and provided life-saving measures. The 18-year-old victim later identified as Carter was treated for his serious but not life-threatening injuries.The investigation revealed that several suspects arrived at the parking lot of the church and confronted a large group of people attending a funeral right outside the main door.After a brief verbal altercation between both groups, an unknown number of people from both groups started to shoot at each other. After initial interviews, officers arrested Carter and transported him to investigations for further questioning before an arrest.During the incident, several vehicles, and residences around and in front of the church’s parking lot were hit with gunfire. Police also recovered several firearms from the scene.&nbsp;

Sentencing Day for gunfight outside funeral in Kansas

LITITZ, Pa. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;delivered a profane and conspiracy-laden speech two days before Tuesday's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">presidential election</a>, talking about reporters being shot and suggesting he “shouldn't have left” the White House after his 2020 loss to Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>.

In remarks Sunday that bore little resemblance to the speech he's been delivering at his recent rallies, the former president repeatedly cast doubt on the integrity of the vote and resurrected old grievances after trying to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">overturn his 2020 election defeat</a>. Trump intensified his verbal attacks on what he cast as a “demonic” Democratic Party and the American media, steering his rally in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at one point to the topic of violence against members of the press.

He noted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vance-north-carolina-60de08931c1a964e8e1fb21d3778d35e">ballistic glass</a>&nbsp;that is used to protect him at outdoor events after a gunman's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/attempted-assassination-of-donald-trump">assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;in July and pointed to openings between the panels.

“I have this piece of glass here,” he said. “But all we have really over here is the fake news. And to get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. And I don’t mind that so much.”

It was the second time in recent days that Trump has talked about guns being pointed at people he considers enemies. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-trump-cheney-war-hawk-14e2037b4fd8d22acf64c8b888ce296d">suggested</a>&nbsp;former Rep. Liz Cheney, a prominent Republican critic, wouldn’t be willing to support foreign wars if she had “nine barrels shooting at her.”

Facing criticism for suggesting violence against the media, Trump's campaign later played down his comments.

LITITZ, Pa. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;delivered a profane and conspiracy-laden speech two days before Tuesday's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">presidential election</a>, talking about reporters being shot and suggesting he “shouldn't have left” the White House after his 2020 loss to Democrat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump on bulletproof glass: &quot;To get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. And I don&#39;t mind that so much.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/4ZgDiRPNds">pic.twitter.com/4ZgDiRPNds</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1853233590936772686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In remarks Sunday that bore little resemblance to the speech he's been delivering at his recent rallies, the former president repeatedly cast doubt on the integrity of the vote and resurrected old grievances after trying to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">overturn his 2020 election defeat</a>. Trump intensified his verbal attacks on what he cast as a “demonic” Democratic Party and the American media, steering his rally in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at one point to the topic of violence against members of the press.He noted the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vance-north-carolina-60de08931c1a964e8e1fb21d3778d35e">ballistic glass</a>&nbsp;that is used to protect him at outdoor events after a gunman's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/attempted-assassination-of-donald-trump">assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;in July and pointed to openings between the panels.“I have this piece of glass here,” he said. “But all we have really over here is the fake news. And to get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. And I don’t mind that so much.”It was the second time in recent days that Trump has talked about guns being pointed at people he considers enemies. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-trump-cheney-war-hawk-14e2037b4fd8d22acf64c8b888ce296d">suggested</a>&nbsp;former Rep. Liz Cheney, a prominent Republican critic, wouldn’t be willing to support foreign wars if she had “nine barrels shooting at her.”Facing criticism for suggesting violence against the media, Trump's campaign later played down his comments.“The President’s statement about protective glass placement has nothing to do with the Media being harmed, or anything else,” Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement. Instead he claimed that Trump was suggesting that reporters were in “great danger themselves, and should have had a glass protective shield, also. There can be no other interpretation of what was said. He was actually looking out for their welfare, far more than his own!”Trump also revived falsehoods about elections and argued that he can only lose to Democrat Kamala Harris if he is cheated, even though polls suggest a very tight race.“It’s a crooked country," Trump railed to his crowd on a chilly airport tarmac, returning to the grievance that had defined the early days of his campaign. “They’ll want to put you in jail because you want to make it straight. Think of it, think of it. They cheat in elections and you call them on it and they want to put you in jail.”Trump was indicted for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in both Washington and Georgia.Some of his allies, notably former chief strategist Steve Bannon, have encouraged Trump to prematurely declare victory on Tuesday night after polls close even if the race is too early to call. That's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jan-6-hearings-day-2-takeaways-5194979c436b3ee567e0dd20c7cc2f2d">what Trump did</a>&nbsp;four years ago, kicking off months of denial and lies that culminated in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.For much of this year, Trump had run a relatively disciplined campaign, emphasizing the issues his aides believe can deliver him victory, even as he clung to false theories about voter fraud and frequently went on digressions, stirring controversy. But that discipline is increasingly collapsing.Trump in recent weeks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-arnold-palmer-closing-arguments-latrobe-pennsylvania-2bea9620c523e531a55259200215284e">has joked about</a>&nbsp;golfer Arnold Palmer's genitalia,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-women-harris-closing-message-gender-gap-c4ba3f564e981aec7cd12f24d390aced">continued using gendered or sexist language</a>&nbsp;in his efforts to win over women and staged a rally at New York's Madison Square Garden with speakers who made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-madison-square-garden-new-york-election-fcfe75be7f8281fde7bffa3adb3bba5d">crude and racist insults</a>&nbsp;that continue to dominate the headlines.The darker and more profane tone of his campaign has comes as the former president, who has long been a fan of the masculine pageantry of the WWE, has been entering his rallies to the ominous tolling bell music once used by the wrestler known as “The Undertaker."Trump had nonetheless been delivering what was a fairly consistent stump speech most days, aided by a series of videos that kept him on script, even as he veered from subject to subject in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/inside-the-weave-how-donald-trumps-rhetoric-has-grown-darker-and-windier/">discursive style he has labeled “the weave.”</a>&nbsp;But outside the Lancaster airport, he completely abandoned his planned remarks, skipping his usual points on the economy, immigration and rote criticisms of Harris.Trump's remarks in Pennsylvania were not planned according to a person familiar with them, who noted Trump is known to ad-lib. While it was unclear exactly what had set Trump off, his campaign had released a memo earlier in the day criticizing new polling from The New York Times again showing the race extremely close in the seven major swing states.Trump had spoken by phone before he took the stage with two reporters who had mentioned polling, including one who had asked him&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-tells-abc-expects-winner-declared-election-night/story?id=115438086">if he thought there was any way he could lose</a>.Trump has been frustrated that the campaign remains locked in a close fight to the finish. He thinks Harris is an unworthy opponent and he cannot understand why he isn't dominating, said one Republican familiar with the dynamics of the campaign who, like others, was granted anonymity to discuss it.Another Republican blamed last-minute anxiety -- and Trump having to trust a system that he believes is rigged against him.Still, several Trump allies applauded his speech, saying that they were glad he was shining a light on concerns about fraud in the race's final stretch.Harris pushed back at Trump's characterizations of U.S. elections, telling reporters on Sunday that Trump's comments are “meant to distract from the fact that we have and support free and fair elections in our country.” Those “good systems” were in place in 2020, Harris said, and “he lost.”The vice president said she trusts the upcoming vote tally and urged voters, “in particular people who have not yet voted to not fall for this tactic, which I think includes suggesting to people that if they vote, their vote won't matter.”Trump, for his part, acknowledged that he was sidestepping his usual approach with his conspiratorial speech. He repeatedly talked about disregarding the advice of his aides, repeating their feedback in a mocking voice and insisting that he had to talk about election fraud despite their objections.In his next appearance a few hours later at an airport in Kinston, North Carolina, Trump returned to much of his usual script, alternating between prepared remarks and familiar stories.At one point, he said, “hopefully, we get rid of Mitch McConnell pretty soon,” undercutting the Senate Republican leader who endorsed Trump earlier this year despite blaming him for the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.“Can you believe he endorsed me?” Trump added a minute later with a laugh. “That must have been a painful day in his life.”He took the stage a third time Sunday night in Macon, Georgia, sticking more closely to his prepared remarks and focusing heavily on immigration.Trump told his supporters that in two days, they were going to “save our country" and that they were “on the verge of the four greatest years in American history.”“You watch. It’s going to be so good. It’s going to be so much fun. It’ll be nasty a little bit at times, and maybe at the beginning, in particular," he said. “But it’s going to be something.”___Cooper reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro in Washington, Darlene Superville in Detroit, Jeff Amy in Macon, Georgia, and Michelle L. Price and Bill Barrow in Washington contributed to this report