DAMASCUS —U.S. forces killed&nbsp;Abu-’Abd al-Rahman al-Makki, a senior leader and commander with the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group, Hurras al-Din,&nbsp; on Friday in a U.S. drone Strike in northwestern Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

Abu-’Abd al-Rahman al-Makki was a Hurras al-Din Shura was responsible for overseeing terrorist operations from Syria.

“CENTCOM remains committed to the enduring defeat of terrorists in the CENTCOM area of responsibility who threaten the United States, its allies and partners, and regional stability," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command. 

Hurras al-Din is an Al Qaeda-associated force based in Syria that shares Al Qaeda’s global aspirations to conduct attacks against U.S. and Western interests.

DAMASCUS —U.S. forces killed&nbsp;Abu-’Abd al-Rahman al-Makki, a senior leader and commander with the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group, Hurras al-Din,&nbsp; on Friday in a U.S. drone Strike in northwestern Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.Abu-’Abd al-Rahman al-Makki was a Hurras al-Din Shura was responsible for overseeing terrorist operations from Syria.“CENTCOM remains committed to the enduring defeat of terrorists in the CENTCOM area of responsibility who threaten the United States, its allies and partners, and regional stability," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command. Hurras al-Din is an Al Qaeda-associated force based in Syria that shares Al Qaeda’s global aspirations to conduct attacks against U.S. and Western interests.

U.S. forces use drone strike in Syria to kill senior terrorist leader 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run incident and have released a security camera image of a pickup involved.

According to Wichita Police, on August 18, a bicyclist was struck by a Nissan Frontier in the area of 47th and Water in Wichita.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived. The pickup has a black, driver's side rear wheel, is missing a portion of the front air spoiler and part of the left rear wheelhouse inner fender cover. Investigators are seeking assistance in locating and identifying the involved Nissan Frontier.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724440717023.png" alt="Photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run incident and have released a security camera image of a pickup involved.According to Wichita Police, on August 18, a bicyclist was struck by a Nissan Frontier in the area of 47th and Water in Wichita.The driver of the vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived. The pickup has a black, driver's side rear wheel, is missing a portion of the front air spoiler and part of the left rear wheelhouse inner fender cover. Investigators are seeking assistance in locating and identifying the involved Nissan Frontier.

Police ask for help to ID pickup involved in Kansas hit-and-run

PHOENIX (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;suspended his independent campaign for president Friday and endorsed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, a late-stage shakeup of the presidential race that could give the former president a modest boost from Kennedy’s supporters.

Kennedy said his internal polls had shown that his presence in the race would hurt Trump and help Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, though recent public polls don’t provide a clear indication that he is having an outsize impact on support for either major-party candidate.

Kennedy cited free speech, the war in Ukraine and “a war on our children” as among the reasons he would try to remove his name from the ballot in battleground states.

“These are the principal causes that persuaded me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent, and now to throw my support to President Trump,” Kennedy said.

However, he made clear that he wasn’t formally ending his bid and said his supporters could continue to back him in the majority of states where they are unlikely to sway the outcome. Kennedy took steps to withdraw his candidacy in at least two states late this week, Arizona and Pennsylvania, but in the battlegrounds of Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin, election officials said it’s too late for him to take his name off the ballot even if he wants to do so.

Kennedy said his actions followed conversations with Trump over the past few weeks. He cast their alliance as “a unity party," an arrangement that would "allow us to disagree publicly and privately and seriously.”

Hours after Kennedy made his announcement in Phoenix, Trump was to hold a rally in neighboring Glendale. Trump’s campaign teased that he would be joined by “a special guest,” though neither campaign responded to messages about whether Kennedy would be that guest.

A year ago, some would have thought it inconceivable that a member of arguably the most storied family in Democratic politics would work with Trump to keep a Democrat out of the White House. Even in recent months, Kennedy has accused Trump of betraying his followers, while Trump has criticized Kennedy as “the most radical left candidate in the race.”

Five of Kennedy’s family members issued a statement on Friday calling his support for Trump “a sad ending to a sad story.”

“We want an America filled with hope and bound together by a shared vision of a brighter future, a future defined by individual freedom, economic promise and national pride,” read the statement, which his sister Kerry Kennedy&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/KerryKennedyRFK/status/1827061350452887816">posted on X</a>. “We believe in Harris and Walz. Our brother Bobby’s decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear.”

Kennedy Jr., the son of the late Attorney General and Sen. Robert Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy, acknowledged his decision had caused tension with his immediate family. He is married to actress Cheryl Hines.

“This decision is agonizing for me because of the difficulties it causes my wife and my children and my friends,” Kennedy said. "But I have the certainty that this is what I’m meant to do. And that certainty gives me internal peace, even in storms.”

The Kennedy and Trump campaigns have ramped up their compliments of each other and engaged in behind-the-scenes discussions in recent weeks, according to those familiar with the efforts. Both campaigns have spent months accusing Democrats of weaponizing the legal system for their own benefit. And both have hinted publicly that they could be open to joining forces, with the shared goal of limiting Harris' chances.

Last month, during the Republican National Convention, Kennedy’s son posted and then quickly deleted a video showing a phone call between Kennedy and Trump, in which the former president appeared to try to talk Kennedy into siding with him.

Talks between the two camps continued, with close Trump allies quietly lobbying Kennedy to drop out of the race and support the Republican nominee, according to a person familiar with the efforts who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

Trump told CNN on Tuesday that he would “love” an endorsement from Kennedy, whom he called a “brilliant guy.” He also said he would “certainly” be open to Kennedy playing a role in his administration if Kennedy dropped out and endorsed him.

Kennedy's running mate, Nicole Shanahan, also suggested on a podcast this week that his campaign might “walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump.” While she clarified that she is not personally in talks with Trump, she entertained the idea that Kennedy could join Trump's administration as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“I think that Bobby in a role like that would be excellent,” Shanahan said. “I fully support it. I have high hopes.”

Earlier Friday, Shanahan posted on X that she isn’t a Kamala Democrat or a Trump Republican.

“I’m an INDEPENDENT American who is endorsing ideas, not a person or a party,” she wrote. “I will continue working to give a voice to the voiceless and bring power back to the people.”

At Kennedy's Phoenix event, 38-year-old Casey Westerman, a Chandler, Arizona, resident who works in software sales, said she trusted Kennedy’s judgment and had planned to vote for him, but would support Trump if Kennedy said that was who he was endorsing.

“My decision would really be based on who he thinks is best suited to run this country,” said Westerman, who wore a “Kennedy 2024” trucker hat and voted for Trump in the last two presidential elections.

Kennedy first entered the 2024 presidential race as a Democrat but left the party last fall to run as an independent. He built an unusually strong base for a third-party bid, fueled in part by anti-establishment voters and vaccine skeptics who have followed his anti-vaccine work since the COVID-19 pandemic. But he has since faced strained campaign finances and mounting legal challenges.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-f-kennedy-jr-polls-rfk-trump-harris-fd8463cfcdd1bb9399466be59ce0db97">Recent polls</a>&nbsp;put his support in the mid-single digits. And it's unclear if he’d get even that in a general election, since third-party candidates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-biden-trump-third-party-2024-election-71ffff6d34b0bad8b92cb8e82369d2e8">frequently don’t live up to their early poll numbers</a>&nbsp;when voters actually cast their ballots.

There's some evidence that Kennedy's staying in the race would hurt Trump more than Harris. According to a July AP-NORC poll, Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to have a favorable view of Kennedy. And those with a positive impression of Kennedy were significantly more likely to also have a favorable view of Trump (52%) than Harris (37%).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724439922965.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>PHOENIX (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;suspended his independent campaign for president Friday and endorsed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, a late-stage shakeup of the presidential race that could give the former president a modest boost from Kennedy’s supporters.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RobertKennedyJr</a> suspends campaign and endorses Trump: &quot;In about 10 battleground states where my presence would be a spoiler I am going to remove my name...&quot; Full video here: <a href="https://t.co/wpxrw1xNWC">https://t.co/wpxrw1xNWC</a> <a href="https://t.co/oDpnO4E4po">pic.twitter.com/oDpnO4E4po</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1827064363565592749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kennedy said his internal polls had shown that his presence in the race would hurt Trump and help Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, though recent public polls don’t provide a clear indication that he is having an outsize impact on support for either major-party candidate.Kennedy cited free speech, the war in Ukraine and “a war on our children” as among the reasons he would try to remove his name from the ballot in battleground states.“These are the principal causes that persuaded me to leave the Democratic Party and run as an independent, and now to throw my support to President Trump,” Kennedy said.However, he made clear that he wasn’t formally ending his bid and said his supporters could continue to back him in the majority of states where they are unlikely to sway the outcome. Kennedy took steps to withdraw his candidacy in at least two states late this week, Arizona and Pennsylvania, but in the battlegrounds of Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin, election officials said it’s too late for him to take his name off the ballot even if he wants to do so.Kennedy said his actions followed conversations with Trump over the past few weeks. He cast their alliance as “a unity party," an arrangement that would "allow us to disagree publicly and privately and seriously.”Hours after Kennedy made his announcement in Phoenix, Trump was to hold a rally in neighboring Glendale. Trump’s campaign teased that he would be joined by “a special guest,” though neither campaign responded to messages about whether Kennedy would be that guest.A year ago, some would have thought it inconceivable that a member of arguably the most storied family in Democratic politics would work with Trump to keep a Democrat out of the White House. Even in recent months, Kennedy has accused Trump of betraying his followers, while Trump has criticized Kennedy as “the most radical left candidate in the race.”Five of Kennedy’s family members issued a statement on Friday calling his support for Trump “a sad ending to a sad story.”“We want an America filled with hope and bound together by a shared vision of a brighter future, a future defined by individual freedom, economic promise and national pride,” read the statement, which his sister Kerry Kennedy&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/KerryKennedyRFK/status/1827061350452887816">posted on X</a>. “We believe in Harris and Walz. Our brother Bobby’s decision to endorse Trump today is a betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear.”Kennedy Jr., the son of the late Attorney General and Sen. Robert Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy, acknowledged his decision had caused tension with his immediate family. He is married to actress Cheryl Hines.“This decision is agonizing for me because of the difficulties it causes my wife and my children and my friends,” Kennedy said. "But I have the certainty that this is what I’m meant to do. And that certainty gives me internal peace, even in storms.”The Kennedy and Trump campaigns have ramped up their compliments of each other and engaged in behind-the-scenes discussions in recent weeks, according to those familiar with the efforts. Both campaigns have spent months accusing Democrats of weaponizing the legal system for their own benefit. And both have hinted publicly that they could be open to joining forces, with the shared goal of limiting Harris' chances.Last month, during the Republican National Convention, Kennedy’s son posted and then quickly deleted a video showing a phone call between Kennedy and Trump, in which the former president appeared to try to talk Kennedy into siding with him.Talks between the two camps continued, with close Trump allies quietly lobbying Kennedy to drop out of the race and support the Republican nominee, according to a person familiar with the efforts who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.Trump told CNN on Tuesday that he would “love” an endorsement from Kennedy, whom he called a “brilliant guy.” He also said he would “certainly” be open to Kennedy playing a role in his administration if Kennedy dropped out and endorsed him.Kennedy's running mate, Nicole Shanahan, also suggested on a podcast this week that his campaign might “walk away right now and join forces with Donald Trump.” While she clarified that she is not personally in talks with Trump, she entertained the idea that Kennedy could join Trump's administration as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.“I think that Bobby in a role like that would be excellent,” Shanahan said. “I fully support it. I have high hopes.”Earlier Friday, Shanahan posted on X that she isn’t a Kamala Democrat or a Trump Republican.“I’m an INDEPENDENT American who is endorsing ideas, not a person or a party,” she wrote. “I will continue working to give a voice to the voiceless and bring power back to the people.”At Kennedy's Phoenix event, 38-year-old Casey Westerman, a Chandler, Arizona, resident who works in software sales, said she trusted Kennedy’s judgment and had planned to vote for him, but would support Trump if Kennedy said that was who he was endorsing.“My decision would really be based on who he thinks is best suited to run this country,” said Westerman, who wore a “Kennedy 2024” trucker hat and voted for Trump in the last two presidential elections.Kennedy first entered the 2024 presidential race as a Democrat but left the party last fall to run as an independent. He built an unusually strong base for a third-party bid, fueled in part by anti-establishment voters and vaccine skeptics who have followed his anti-vaccine work since the COVID-19 pandemic. But he has since faced strained campaign finances and mounting legal challenges.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-f-kennedy-jr-polls-rfk-trump-harris-fd8463cfcdd1bb9399466be59ce0db97">Recent polls</a>&nbsp;put his support in the mid-single digits. And it's unclear if he’d get even that in a general election, since third-party candidates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-biden-trump-third-party-2024-election-71ffff6d34b0bad8b92cb8e82369d2e8">frequently don’t live up to their early poll numbers</a>&nbsp;when voters actually cast their ballots.There's some evidence that Kennedy's staying in the race would hurt Trump more than Harris. According to a July AP-NORC poll, Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to have a favorable view of Kennedy. And those with a positive impression of Kennedy were significantly more likely to also have a favorable view of Trump (52%) than Harris (37%).

🎥 Why RFK Jr. suspended his bid for President, endorsed Trump

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– An abundance of flying activity&nbsp; over the Air Capital this week with the arrival of aircraft for the 2024 Frontiers in Flight Airshow at McConnell Air Force Base. Big crowds are expected to attend.

On Wednesday Doc arrived at McConnell. That B-29 Superfortress will be part of the center display for the airshow, along with two KC-135 Stratotankers and two KC-46 Pegasus tankers.

On Thursday, the Blue Angels arrived. In addition, three Army helicopters from Fort Riley arrived.&nbsp; The helicopters will be on ground display for the airshow.

On Friday, several small aircraft were scheduled to arrive from Stearman Field. The airshows aerial performers were going to conduct a practice airshow starting at noon, with the Blue Angels taking to the skies at 3 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The confirmed aerial performers for the airshow are:

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

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

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724252189685.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– An abundance of flying activity&nbsp; over the Air Capital this week with the arrival of aircraft for the 2024 Frontiers in Flight Airshow at McConnell Air Force Base. Big crowds are expected to attend.On Wednesday Doc arrived at McConnell. That B-29 Superfortress will be part of the center display for the airshow, along with two KC-135 Stratotankers and two KC-46 Pegasus tankers.On Thursday, the Blue Angels arrived. In addition, three Army helicopters from Fort Riley arrived.&nbsp; The helicopters will be on ground display for the airshow.On Friday, several small aircraft were scheduled to arrive from Stearman Field. The airshows aerial performers were going to conduct a practice airshow starting at noon, with the Blue Angels taking to the skies at 3 p.m.On Saturday and Sunday, flying activities begin at noon, and the Blue Angels will again take to the skies at 3 p.m. each day.&nbsp;The airshow runs August 24-25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at McConnell Air Force Base, with both admission and parking being free.&nbsp;All attendees over the age of 18 are required to present a state- or federal government-issued photo ID for entry, such as a driver’s license or passport. Non-U.S. citizen over the age of 18 can use a passport or permanent resident alien card for entry.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hot and humid conditions will return to portions of Kansas this weekend as heat indices ranging from 100 to 110 degrees are expected for both Saturday and Sunday. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/MAgNkjJRQx">pic.twitter.com/MAgNkjJRQx</a>&mdash; NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSWichita/status/1826894755642384433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Guests are allowed and encouraged to bring their own drinking water in a non-glass container, filled, to use and refill throughout the day to help prevent heat injuries.There will be free water fill locations in the general public parking lot and on the airshow ramp for refilling personal water containers. Those locations are marked on the map, along with cooling tents, port-a-potties and first aid stations.Distances<a>While that parking is available, there will still be large distances of walking, given the overall size of the flightline. The airshow area itself measures 0.67 miles north to south, and will be full of parked aircraft, booths and displays.</a>General ParkingParking will be provided off-base, in the fields owned by Cessna, north of McConnell, west of Rock Road and south of Pawnee Street. Distance from the regular parking area to the airshow entrance is approximately 0.5 miles. As such, the base has organized busses to be available at the center of the general parking area to transport people to and from there and the airshow entrance (Entry #1 on the Airshow map). These distances, combined with the typical August temperatures in Kansas and the heat-amplifying effects of concrete runways make hydration especially important for airshow attendees and staff.Accessibility ParkingAccessibility parking is available by filling out the following form online:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility" target="_blank">https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#accessibility</a>Those who are approved for this parking will be e-mailed a parking pass, which they will have to print out. That pass will enable parking at select locations on base.Lost ChildrenFor those bringing small children, wristbands are available at the entry points to the flightline, to allow adults to write a phone number on the band and put it on the child’s wrist. Should the adults and children become separated, that phone number will facilitate a quick reunion with their adults.&nbsp; The Lost Child RV will be located near the Kids Zone and close to the Boeing Dreamlifter.&nbsp; The Dreamlifter will be the largest aircraft on the ramp, on the north end of the runway area and near the STEAM and Kid Zones. Changing stations and a dedicated nursing area will also be nearby.Allowed &amp; Prohibited ItemsA full list of items that guests are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#bring" target="_blank">allowed to bring</a>, as well as a list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/guestinfo#nobring" target="_blank">prohibited items</a>, is available at the airshow website,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.frontiersinflight.com/" target="_blank">www.frontiersinflight.com</a>Aerial Performance TimesAerial performances begin at noon each day. The headline act, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, takes to the skies at approximately 3 p.m. each day of the airshow.Aerial PerformersThe confirmed aerial performers for the airshow are:<ul>
 <li>Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets</li><li>Fat Albert (Blue Angels support C-130J Super Hercules)</li><li>F-35 Lightning Demo Team</li><li>P-51 Heritage Flight</li><li>2x A-10 Thunderbolt II Formation Demo</li><li>Tora Tora Tora</li><li>“Swamp Fox” P-51</li><li>Twin Beech 18 “Matt Younkin”</li><li>Havilland D.H. 115 “Vampire”</li><li>Bill Stien “Edge 540”</li><li>Tom Larkin “Mini Jet”</li><li>Brian Correll “Pitts II”</li><li>KC-135/KC-46 Refuel Demo</li><li>Precision Exotics “Super Cars”</li>
 </ul>ClydesdalesThe Budweiser Clydesdales hitch is scheduled to make an appearance at 11:30 a.m., each day of the airshow.Aircraft on DisplayThe confirmed aircraft on static display are shown on the airshow map, current as of its publication date. Those aircraft on display will be:<ul>
 <li>Doc B-29 Superfortress</li><li>KC-135 Stratotankers</li><li>KC-46 Pegasus</li><li>Fat Albert (C-130J Super Hercules)</li><li>A-10 Thunderbolt IIs</li><li>F-15 Eagles</li><li>F-16 Fighting Falcons</li><li>F-22 Raptors</li><li>F-35 Lightning IIs</li><li>B-1 Lancer</li><li>B-52 Stratofortress</li><li>Navy P-8 Poseidon</li><li>C-17 Globemaster III</li><li>RC-135 Rivet Joint</li><li>T-38 Talons</li><li>T-6 Texans</li><li>T-1A Jayhawk</li><li>T-41 Mescalero (Cessna 172)</li><li>T-53A Kadet II (Cirrus SR-20)</li><li>Boeing Dreamlifter</li><li>A-26 Invader “Lady Liberty”</li><li>LearJet 36A – Around the world&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-07-02/learjet-global-circumnavigation-deemed-world-record" target="_blank">record holder</a></li><li>Stearman Biplanes</li>
 </ul>Army Displays:Wichita’s military presence is more than just Air Force, with a number of Reserve and Guard units in the area from across the military branches. The largest of these locally is the Army Reserve’s 451st&nbsp;Expeditionary Sustainment Command, which is headquartered here. The 451st&nbsp;ESC has coordinated the appearance of several Army aviation and ground assets at the event, bringing a little extra steel and firepower for visitors to see. These will include:<ul>
 <li>Light Medium Tactical Vehicle</li><li>High-Mobility, Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)</li><li>Joint Light Tactical Vehicle</li><li>UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter</li><li>HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter</li><li>CH-47 Chinook helicopter</li>
 </ul><a href="https://www.frontiersinflight.com/">Click here for </a>more information on the air show

Big crowds, hot weather expected for McConnell Airshow this weekend

JOHNSON COUNTY —Ohio Senator and Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance made a campaign fundraising stop in Mission Hills Thursday evening.

Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall shared on social media a photo welcoming Vance to Kansas.

The campaign charged $5,000 per couple to attend the fundraiser and $10,000 per couple for photos.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724374186136.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Ohio Senator and Donald Trump's running mate JD Vance made a campaign fundraising stop in Mission Hills Thursday evening.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724427243614.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall shared on social media a photo welcoming Vance to Kansas.The campaign charged $5,000 per couple to attend the fundraiser and $10,000 per couple for photos.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Trump's running mate makes campaign stop in Kansas

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal house explosion in rural Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

Just after 4:30 a.m. Friday, the Clay County Sheriff's office reported they were contacted about a house that exploded in the 14400 block of Kimberly Drive.

Deputies found the house was completely destroyed, and a fire was burning. The blast could be felt and seen for many miles and blew open the doors of neighbors’ houses.

Two people lived at the home, and initially investigators did not know whether they were home at the time of the blast.

Just after noon Friday the sheriff's office reported deputies and firefighters located two bodies in the rubble of the home, believed to be the residents. 

 Deputies also located a dog that appears to have been killed by the explosion. The Missouri Search and Rescue Canines and the Excelsior Springs Fire Department, assisted in the search for victims.

Investigators have found no evidence of foul play at this point. The Missouri State Fire Marshall’s Office is on scene working to determine the cause. Representatives from the Missouri Propane Safety Commission also are on scene. The house used propane, according to the sheriff's office.&nbsp;Excelsior Springs is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Kansas City.

The Medical Examiner responded to the scene officials will release names of the deceased once their identities have been confirmed and next-of-kin notification is complete.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724431776251.jpeg" alt="Image Clay Couinty Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Image Clay Couinty Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal house explosion in rural Excelsior Springs, Missouri.Just after 4:30 a.m. Friday, the Clay County Sheriff's office reported they were contacted about a house that exploded in the 14400 block of Kimberly Drive.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSheriffClayCo%2Fvideos%2F862240312124026%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Deputies found the house was completely destroyed, and a fire was burning. The blast could be felt and seen for many miles and blew open the doors of neighbors’ houses.Two people lived at the home, and initially investigators did not know whether they were home at the time of the blast.Just after noon Friday the sheriff's office reported deputies and firefighters located two bodies in the rubble of the home, believed to be the residents. Deputies also located a dog that appears to have been killed by the explosion. The Missouri Search and Rescue Canines and the Excelsior Springs Fire Department, assisted in the search for victims.Investigators have found no evidence of foul play at this point. The Missouri State Fire Marshall’s Office is on scene working to determine the cause. Representatives from the Missouri Propane Safety Commission also are on scene. The house used propane, according to the sheriff's office.&nbsp;Excelsior Springs is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Kansas City.The Medical Examiner responded to the scene officials will release names of the deceased once their identities have been confirmed and next-of-kin notification is complete.

🎥Sheriff: KC area house explosion felt for miles; 2 bodies found

JACKSON, Wyoming (AP) — With inflation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-f8de2672173407d3a126cc13493fed85">nearly defeated</a>&nbsp;and the job market cooling, the Federal Reserve is prepared to start cutting its key interest rate from its current 23-year high, Chair Jerome Powell said Friday.

Powell did not say when rate cuts would begin or how large they might be, but the Fed is widely expected to announce a modest quarter-point cut in its benchmark rate when it meets in mid-September.

“The time has come for policy to adjust," Powell said in his keynote speech at the Fed's annual economic conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. “The direction of travel is clear, and the timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks.”

His reference to multiple rate cuts was the only hint that a series of reductions is likely, as economists have forecast. Powell emphasized that inflation, after the worst price spike in four decades inflicted pain on millions of households, appears&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-election-federal-reserve-rates-economy-d8d44ca753aace952831a8f0cb42b97c">largely under control</a>:

“My confidence has grown," he said, “that inflation is on a sustainable path back to 2%.”

According to the Fed’s preferred measure, inflation fell to 2.5% last month, far below its peak of 7.1% two years ago and only slightly above the central bank's 2% target level.

The Fed chair's assurance that rate cuts are coming helped fuel a rally on Wall Street. Bond yields fell and stock indexes were broadly higher, with the S&amp;P 500 index surging more than 1% in late-morning trading.

“The only question remaining for the Sept. 18 meeting is: By how much will the Fed be cutting?” said Joseph LaVorgna, chief economist at SMBC Nikko Securities.

“The outcome of the August employment report," which will be reported Sept. 6, LaVorgna said, "is obviously critical.” If that report shows a second straight month of weak hiring, the Fed may cut its key rate by a more aggressive half-point.

Most economists expect the Fed to cut its benchmark rate by a quarter-point at each of its final three meetings this year. Wall Street traders, though, foresee a one-in-three likelihood that the Fed will cut by a half-point at one of those meetings, according to futures prices. A lower Fed benchmark rate will lead eventually to lower rates for auto loans, mortgages and other forms of consumer borrowing and could also boost stock prices.

In his remarks Friday, the Fed chair suggested that rate cuts should maintain the economy's growth and sustain hiring, which slowed last month. Continued growth could boost Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, even as most Americans say they're dissatisfied with the Biden-Harris administration's economic record, largely because average prices remain far above where they were before the pandemic.

“We will do everything we can," Powell said, “to support a strong labor market as we make further progress toward price stability.”

By cutting rates, he said, “there is good reason to think that the economy will get back to 2% inflation while maintaining a strong labor market.”

A rate cut in mid-September, coming less than two months before the presidential election, could bring some unwelcome political heat on the Fed, which seeks to avoid becoming entangled in election-year politics. Former President Donald Trump has argued that the Fed shouldn’t cut rates so close to an election. But Powell has repeatedly underscored that the central bank would make its rate decisions based purely on economic data, without regard to the political calendar.

In his remarks, Powell said the Fed has grown concerned about slower hiring and a rising unemployment rate, even while it still wants to see inflation fall further. That dual focus is replacing the Fed's previous singular focus on inflation.

“The cooling in labor market conditions is unmistakable,” the Fed chair said. “Job gains remain solid but have slowed this year. ... We do not seek or welcome further cooling in labor market conditions."

In what amounted to something of a victory lap, Powell noted in his speech that the Fed had succeeded in conquering high inflation without causing a recession or a sharp rise in unemployment, which many economists had long predicted. He attributed that outcome to the unraveling of the pandemic's disruptions to supply chains and labor markets and a reduction in job vacancies, which allowed wage growth to cool.

Powell also noted that, according to surveys and financial market gauges, Americans never really expected high inflation to stick. Such expectations can become self-fulfilling: If people expect inflation to stay high, they typically demand ever-higher pay or they accelerate their purchases before prices rise still further. Those steps can perpetuate higher inflation.

But “inflation expectations” rose only modestly and have since largely fallen back to pre-pandemic levels.

“The healing from pandemic distortions,” the Fed’s rate hikes and the fact that Americans did not expect higher inflation, “have worked together to put inflation on what increasingly appears to be a sustainable path to our 2% objective,” the Fed chair said.

Powell also addressed criticism that the Fed was too slow to raise rates even after inflation had begun surging once the pandemic recession ended. Fed officials had initially argued that the price spikes coming out of the pandemic in early 2021 were merely “transitory” and would soon fade as the supply chain disruptions that left some grocery shelves bare and auto lots empty had healed.

Powell acknowledged that the healing of supply disruptions took much longer than the Fed had expected — and so did the persistence of high inflation.

“The good ship transitory was a crowded one, with most mainstream analysts and advanced-economy central bankers on board,” Powell said. “I think I see some ship-mates out there today,” he said, in an ad-libbed remark addressed to the economists and central banks assembled for the conference.

After the government reported this month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-unemployment-federal-reserve-inflation-22095766804d9c1532b4fcc29565be49">hiring in July was much less than expected and that the jobless rate reached 4.3%</a>, the highest in three years, stock prices plunged for two days on fears that the U.S. might fall into a recession. Some economists began speculating about a half-point Fed rate cut in September and perhaps another identical cut in November.

But healthier economic reports last week, including another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-f8de2672173407d3a126cc13493fed85">decline in inflation</a>&nbsp;and a robust gain in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retailers-spending-consumers-inflation-stores-shoppers-economy-7032cf170e9fe2400715097dbffb74ab">retail sales</a>, partly dispelled those concerns.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724424078216.png" alt="“The time has come for policy to adjust," Powell said in his keynote speech at the Fed's annual economic conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>“The time has come for policy to adjust," Powell said in his keynote speech at the Fed's annual economic conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON, Wyoming (AP) — With inflation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-f8de2672173407d3a126cc13493fed85">nearly defeated</a>&nbsp;and the job market cooling, the Federal Reserve is prepared to start cutting its key interest rate from its current 23-year high, Chair Jerome Powell said Friday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/federalreserve?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@federalreserve</a> Chair Jerome Powell: &quot;The time has come for policy to adjust...with an appropriate dialing back of policy restraint there is good reason to think that the economy will get back to 2% inflation while maintaining a strong labor market.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/1QaWmsQbRe">pic.twitter.com/1QaWmsQbRe</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826997847364919537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Powell did not say when rate cuts would begin or how large they might be, but the Fed is widely expected to announce a modest quarter-point cut in its benchmark rate when it meets in mid-September.“The time has come for policy to adjust," Powell said in his keynote speech at the Fed's annual economic conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. “The direction of travel is clear, and the timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks.”His reference to multiple rate cuts was the only hint that a series of reductions is likely, as economists have forecast. Powell emphasized that inflation, after the worst price spike in four decades inflicted pain on millions of households, appears&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-election-federal-reserve-rates-economy-d8d44ca753aace952831a8f0cb42b97c">largely under control</a>:“My confidence has grown," he said, “that inflation is on a sustainable path back to 2%.”According to the Fed’s preferred measure, inflation fell to 2.5% last month, far below its peak of 7.1% two years ago and only slightly above the central bank's 2% target level.The Fed chair's assurance that rate cuts are coming helped fuel a rally on Wall Street. Bond yields fell and stock indexes were broadly higher, with the S&amp;P 500 index surging more than 1% in late-morning trading.“The only question remaining for the Sept. 18 meeting is: By how much will the Fed be cutting?” said Joseph LaVorgna, chief economist at SMBC Nikko Securities.“The outcome of the August employment report," which will be reported Sept. 6, LaVorgna said, "is obviously critical.” If that report shows a second straight month of weak hiring, the Fed may cut its key rate by a more aggressive half-point.Most economists expect the Fed to cut its benchmark rate by a quarter-point at each of its final three meetings this year. Wall Street traders, though, foresee a one-in-three likelihood that the Fed will cut by a half-point at one of those meetings, according to futures prices. A lower Fed benchmark rate will lead eventually to lower rates for auto loans, mortgages and other forms of consumer borrowing and could also boost stock prices.In his remarks Friday, the Fed chair suggested that rate cuts should maintain the economy's growth and sustain hiring, which slowed last month. Continued growth could boost Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, even as most Americans say they're dissatisfied with the Biden-Harris administration's economic record, largely because average prices remain far above where they were before the pandemic.“We will do everything we can," Powell said, “to support a strong labor market as we make further progress toward price stability.”By cutting rates, he said, “there is good reason to think that the economy will get back to 2% inflation while maintaining a strong labor market.”A rate cut in mid-September, coming less than two months before the presidential election, could bring some unwelcome political heat on the Fed, which seeks to avoid becoming entangled in election-year politics. Former President Donald Trump has argued that the Fed shouldn’t cut rates so close to an election. But Powell has repeatedly underscored that the central bank would make its rate decisions based purely on economic data, without regard to the political calendar.In his remarks, Powell said the Fed has grown concerned about slower hiring and a rising unemployment rate, even while it still wants to see inflation fall further. That dual focus is replacing the Fed's previous singular focus on inflation.“The cooling in labor market conditions is unmistakable,” the Fed chair said. “Job gains remain solid but have slowed this year. ... We do not seek or welcome further cooling in labor market conditions."In what amounted to something of a victory lap, Powell noted in his speech that the Fed had succeeded in conquering high inflation without causing a recession or a sharp rise in unemployment, which many economists had long predicted. He attributed that outcome to the unraveling of the pandemic's disruptions to supply chains and labor markets and a reduction in job vacancies, which allowed wage growth to cool.Powell also noted that, according to surveys and financial market gauges, Americans never really expected high inflation to stick. Such expectations can become self-fulfilling: If people expect inflation to stay high, they typically demand ever-higher pay or they accelerate their purchases before prices rise still further. Those steps can perpetuate higher inflation.But “inflation expectations” rose only modestly and have since largely fallen back to pre-pandemic levels.“The healing from pandemic distortions,” the Fed’s rate hikes and the fact that Americans did not expect higher inflation, “have worked together to put inflation on what increasingly appears to be a sustainable path to our 2% objective,” the Fed chair said.Powell also addressed criticism that the Fed was too slow to raise rates even after inflation had begun surging once the pandemic recession ended. Fed officials had initially argued that the price spikes coming out of the pandemic in early 2021 were merely “transitory” and would soon fade as the supply chain disruptions that left some grocery shelves bare and auto lots empty had healed.Powell acknowledged that the healing of supply disruptions took much longer than the Fed had expected — and so did the persistence of high inflation.“The good ship transitory was a crowded one, with most mainstream analysts and advanced-economy central bankers on board,” Powell said. “I think I see some ship-mates out there today,” he said, in an ad-libbed remark addressed to the economists and central banks assembled for the conference.After the government reported this month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-unemployment-federal-reserve-inflation-22095766804d9c1532b4fcc29565be49">hiring in July was much less than expected and that the jobless rate reached 4.3%</a>, the highest in three years, stock prices plunged for two days on fears that the U.S. might fall into a recession. Some economists began speculating about a half-point Fed rate cut in September and perhaps another identical cut in November.But healthier economic reports last week, including another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-interest-rates-economy-federal-reserve-f8de2672173407d3a126cc13493fed85">decline in inflation</a>&nbsp;and a robust gain in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/retailers-spending-consumers-inflation-stores-shoppers-economy-7032cf170e9fe2400715097dbffb74ab">retail sales</a>, partly dispelled those concerns.

🎥Good news for borrowers: Fed Chair says interest rate cuts ahead

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man who cut off his ankle monitor and skipped an August 16, sentencing hearing for his role in a homicide is back in jail.&nbsp;

Just after 9p.m. Thursday, 64-year-old Kevin Harris was arrested in Topeka and booked into the Shawnee County Jail where he awaits transfer back to Sedgwick County, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.

In August of 2023, police arrested Harris of Lawrence after a 16-hour standoff in Lawrence for the death of&nbsp;51-year-old Jose Lumbreras of Wichita.

Just after 11 p.m. August 22, police learned Harris had fled Wichita and was believed to be inside an apartment in the 1400 block of Bristol Terrace in Lawrence, according to Police Sgt. Drew Fennelly

While working to gather more information from Wichita, officers in Lawrence set up a perimeter on the apartment building, and gathered information that led investigators to believe Harris was there.

The Lawrence Police Crisis Response Team was activated and responded to the area, as well our Crisis Response Negotiators and&nbsp; the Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle team.

Crisis Negotiators were able to establish contact with people in the apartment and verified Harris was there. The Lawrence Police tactical team then began methodically evacuating the apartment building when it was clear the suspect was not going to come out, and was allegedly armed.

After multiple hours of discussion, negotiators were able to convince Harris to allow a woman in the apartment to leave.&nbsp; Following multiple additional hours of discussion, negotiators convinced Harris to also leave the apartment and he peacefully surrendered at&nbsp;3:30 p.m., according to Fennelly.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724420271248.png" alt="Harris is being held in Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Harris is being held in Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man who cut off his ankle monitor and skipped an August 16, sentencing hearing for his role in a homicide is back in jail.&nbsp;Just after 9p.m. Thursday, 64-year-old Kevin Harris was arrested in Topeka and booked into the Shawnee County Jail where he awaits transfer back to Sedgwick County, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.In August of 2023, police arrested Harris of Lawrence after a 16-hour standoff in Lawrence for the death of&nbsp;51-year-old Jose Lumbreras of Wichita.Just after 11 p.m. August 22, police learned Harris had fled Wichita and was believed to be inside an apartment in the 1400 block of Bristol Terrace in Lawrence, according to Police Sgt. Drew FennellyWhile working to gather more information from Wichita, officers in Lawrence set up a perimeter on the apartment building, and gathered information that led investigators to believe Harris was there.The Lawrence Police Crisis Response Team was activated and responded to the area, as well our Crisis Response Negotiators and&nbsp; the Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle team.Crisis Negotiators were able to establish contact with people in the apartment and verified Harris was there. The Lawrence Police tactical team then began methodically evacuating the apartment building when it was clear the suspect was not going to come out, and was allegedly armed.After multiple hours of discussion, negotiators were able to convince Harris to allow a woman in the apartment to leave.&nbsp; Following multiple additional hours of discussion, negotiators convinced Harris to also leave the apartment and he peacefully surrendered at&nbsp;3:30 p.m., according to Fennelly.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Police capture Kan. man who cut off ankle monitor, skipped sentencing 

This story has been updated with a statement from the Hutchinson Clinic.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Clinic and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas are still at an impasse when it comes to 2025 rates for customers that have BCBS coverage through an employer.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/f9db6853-fae1-46d6-95c8-d7c3a92fb811">In a letter sent to local companies obtained by Hutch Post earlier this summer</a>, the Hutchinson Clinic announced then it will not be doing business with Blue Cross Blue Shield in-network next year. This decision, if it stands, will effect a little over 26,000 Hutch Clinic patients.

Spokesperson Kristi Zears for Blue Cross Blue Shield emailed Hutch Post Thursday with an update. That statement is below.

"As a long-standing partner with Hutchinson Clinic, we are disappointed with their decision to terminate the contract. This decision, which was shared prior to the release of the 2025 reimbursement rates, limits provider choice for members in the Hutchinson area. We have had continued conversations with Hutchinson Clinic and have provided them an opportunity to reconsider their decision until September 3. We hope they will do what is in the best interest of the community.

"As always, with nearly 100 percent of providers and hospitals in our network, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is committed to serving our members and helping them through their health journeys."

Hutch Clinic was also contacted and sent this response on Friday.

"The Hutchinson Clinic has been working diligently to analyze the complex Fee Schedule received from BCBSKS on July 31. The Clinic has requested a meeting with BCBSKS for the week of Aug. 26 to clarify some outstanding questions. Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, the Hutchinson Clinic will always prioritize patient care. Should we ultimately end up out of network with BCBSKS, the Hutchinson Clinic will provide affordable out-of-network options so our patients can continue seeking treatment with their physicians at our Clinic."

BCBS is still in network for employer-provided coverage through the remainder of 2024. This decision is not connected with Medicare Advantage coverage, as that is under a separate arrangement.

Hutch Clinic was also contacted and had not responded as of the publication of this piece on Friday morning.

This story has been updated with a statement from the Hutchinson Clinic.NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Clinic and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas are still at an impasse when it comes to 2025 rates for customers that have BCBS coverage through an employer.&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/f9db6853-fae1-46d6-95c8-d7c3a92fb811">In a letter sent to local companies obtained by Hutch Post earlier this summer</a>, the Hutchinson Clinic announced then it will not be doing business with Blue Cross Blue Shield in-network next year. This decision, if it stands, will effect a little over 26,000 Hutch Clinic patients.Spokesperson Kristi Zears for Blue Cross Blue Shield emailed Hutch Post Thursday with an update. That statement is below."As a long-standing partner with Hutchinson Clinic, we are disappointed with their decision to terminate the contract. This decision, which was shared prior to the release of the 2025 reimbursement rates, limits provider choice for members in the Hutchinson area. We have had continued conversations with Hutchinson Clinic and have provided them an opportunity to reconsider their decision until September 3. We hope they will do what is in the best interest of the community."As always, with nearly 100 percent of providers and hospitals in our network, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is committed to serving our members and helping them through their health journeys."Hutch Clinic was also contacted and sent this response on Friday."The Hutchinson Clinic has been working diligently to analyze the complex Fee Schedule received from BCBSKS on July 31. The Clinic has requested a meeting with BCBSKS for the week of Aug. 26 to clarify some outstanding questions. Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, the Hutchinson Clinic will always prioritize patient care. Should we ultimately end up out of network with BCBSKS, the Hutchinson Clinic will provide affordable out-of-network options so our patients can continue seeking treatment with their physicians at our Clinic."BCBS is still in network for employer-provided coverage through the remainder of 2024. This decision is not connected with Medicare Advantage coverage, as that is under a separate arrangement.-----HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Clinic and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas are still at an impasse when it comes to 2025 rates for customers that have BCBS coverage through an employer.&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/f9db6853-fae1-46d6-95c8-d7c3a92fb811">In a letter sent to local companies obtained by Hutch Post earlier this summer</a>, the Hutchinson Clinic announced then it will not be doing business with Blue Cross Blue Shield in-network next year. This decision, if it stands, will effect a little over 26,000 Hutch Clinic patients.Spokesperson Kristi Zears for Blue Cross Blue Shield emailed Hutch Post Thursday with an update. That statement is below."As a long-standing partner with Hutchinson Clinic, we are disappointed with their decision to terminate the contract. This decision, which was shared prior to the release of the 2025 reimbursement rates, limits provider choice for members in the Hutchinson area. We have had continued conversations with Hutchinson Clinic and have provided them an opportunity to reconsider their decision until September 3. We hope they will do what is in the best interest of the community."As always, with nearly 100 percent of providers and hospitals in our network, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is committed to serving our members and helping them through their health journeys."Hutch Clinic was also contacted and had not responded as of the publication of this piece on Friday morning.BCBS is still in network for employer-provided coverage through the remainder of 2024. This decision is not connected with Medicare Advantage coverage, as that is under a separate arrangement.

BCBS Kansas and Hutchinson Clinic still at an impasse 

KANSAS CITY — A Former Kansas City Police officer has been charged in a deadly shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of a Walmart in Kansas City.

Taquiza Johnson, 47,&nbsp; is charged with second-degree murder and Armed Criminal Action, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

Just after 4p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a shooting in the 8600 block of North Boardwalk Avenue, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

First responders found a man later identified as 71-year-old Ronald Barnett suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The initial investigation indicates that the shooting followed a verbal dispute in the parking lot of Walmart, according to DiMartino.

Online jail records do not list a bond amount for Johnson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724374780429.png" alt="Johnson-photo Platte&nbsp; Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Platte&nbsp; Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — A Former Kansas City Police officer has been charged in a deadly shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of a Walmart in Kansas City.Taquiza Johnson, 47,&nbsp; is charged with second-degree murder and Armed Criminal Action, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.Just after 4p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a shooting in the 8600 block of North Boardwalk Avenue, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.First responders found a man later identified as 71-year-old Ronald Barnett suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The initial investigation indicates that the shooting followed a verbal dispute in the parking lot of Walmart, according to DiMartino.Online jail records do not list a bond amount for Johnson.

Former KCPD officer jailed for deadly shopping center shooting

COCHISE COUNTY, Arizona —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for a a threat to kill Donald Trump and after a manhunt took him into custody. The former President visited the border Thursday and will hold a rally there Friday.

Early Wednesday, the Cochise County, Arizona Sheriff's office issued an alert&nbsp; and asked for help searching for a 66-year-old Ronald Lee Syvud of Benson, Arizona for threats to kill a presidential candidate, according to a media release.

Late Thursday afternoon the sheriff's office reported Syvrud had been taken into custody without incident in Cochise County.&nbsp;

Syvrud also has outstanding warrants from the state of Wisconsin for DUI / Failure to Appear for DUI and from Graham County Arizona for Hit/Run and Felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office also has an absconder hold for him for failing to register as a sex offender.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724366666958.png" alt="Ronald Lee Syvrud photo Cochise County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Ronald Lee Syvrud photo Cochise County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>COCHISE COUNTY, Arizona —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for a a threat to kill Donald Trump and after a manhunt took him into custody. The former President visited the border Thursday and will hold a rally there Friday.Early Wednesday, the Cochise County, Arizona Sheriff's office issued an alert&nbsp; and asked for help searching for a 66-year-old Ronald Lee Syvud of Benson, Arizona for threats to kill a presidential candidate, according to a media release.Late Thursday afternoon the sheriff's office reported Syvrud had been taken into custody without incident in Cochise County.&nbsp;Syvrud also has outstanding warrants from the state of Wisconsin for DUI / Failure to Appear for DUI and from Graham County Arizona for Hit/Run and Felony Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office also has an absconder hold for him for failing to register as a sex offender.

Sex offender accused of threatening to kill Trump captured after manhunt 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Police investigating a fatal Kansas hit and run have arrested a 23-year-old Christopher Johnson Wichita man on felony allegations, according to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=751504">Sedgwick County booking records.</a>&nbsp;He remains in custody.

Just after 2a.m. Sunday, police responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a motorcycle at 2400 N. Hoover in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders found 43-year-old Thomas Doyle of Wichita who was riding the bike unresponsive. Thomas was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS. 

Investigators determined Doyle was northbound on Hoover when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Johnsaon that then continued driving north.

The case facts will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for formal charging consideration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724409391079.png" alt="Johnson photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Police investigating a fatal Kansas hit and run have arrested a 23-year-old Christopher Johnson Wichita man on felony allegations, according to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=751504">Sedgwick County booking records.</a>&nbsp;He remains in custody.Just after 2a.m. Sunday, police responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a motorcycle at 2400 N. Hoover in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders found 43-year-old Thomas Doyle of Wichita who was riding the bike unresponsive. Thomas was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Sedgwick County EMS. Investigators determined Doyle was northbound on Hoover when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Johnsaon that then continued driving north.The case facts will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for formal charging consideration.

Kansas man arrested for fatal hit-and-run that killed bicyclist

CHICAGO (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;summoned Americans on Thursday to reject political division and instead chart what she called a “new way forward,” as she accepted her party’s nomination while blending biography with warnings about electing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;again to the White House.

Taking the stage to a thunderous standing ovation as she closed out the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the vice president argued that her personal story and background as a prosecutor made her uniquely qualified to protect Americans' interests against a former president she cast as only having his own interests in mind.

“Our nation with this election has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past,” Harris said. “A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.”

The daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, Harris became the first Black woman and person of South Asian descent to accept a major party’s presidential nomination and she would become the first female president if elected. Harris did not explicitly reference the historic firsts she would set in her 40-minute speech, and she only mentioned the words “Democrat” or “Republican” in the context of discussing a bipartisan border bill that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-ukraine-aid-border-security-386dcc54b29a5491f8bd87b727a284f8">Trump helped scuttle</a>&nbsp;earlier this year, which she promised to sign into law if elected.

Her address — and the Democratic convention at large — was intended to appeal to a broad swath of Americans, not just partisans already energized by Harris' ascension after President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">ended his reelection bid</a>. She made several implicit appeals to the large swath of voters who just weeks ago were disaffected with both of their options for the White House, particularly those disaffected with Trump, underscored by the appearances of several people who have broken with the 45th president, while embracing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-political-legacy-presidential-election-5aee4f47ecb317d4f6ef2a2148eba1d8">policies and approach</a>&nbsp;of Biden, the 46th.

She was joined for the traditional balloon drop by a large blended and mixed-race family. Earlier, two of her grandnieces had led the packed United Center in teaching people how to pronounce her name, which means lotus in Sanskrit.

“America, the path that led me here in recent weeks was no doubt unexpected," Harris said. "But I’m no stranger to unlikely journeys."

Raised primarily by her mother in a small apartment in San Francisco’s East Bay after her parents’ divorce, Harris described being reared as well by friends and caregivers who were “family by love.” She also detailed a key part of her political origin story, when Wanda, her best friend from high school, confided in her that she was being abused by her stepfather and came to live with Harris' family.

“That is one of the reasons I became a prosecutor. To protect people like Wanda,” Harris said.

Outlining her work as a prosecutor, state attorney general, senator and now vice president, Harris declared, “My entire career I’ve only had one client: the people." Meanwhile, she said Trump has only ever acted in the interests of "the only client he has ever had: himself.”

As she took the stage, she saw a sea of female delegates and Democratic supporters wearing white — the color of women’s suffrage, the movement that culminated with American women securing the right to vote in 1920.

Harris' address came on her 10th wedding anniversary to her husband, Doug Emhoff, whom she called “Dougie” on stage and who blew her a kiss from the stands at the start of her remarks.

She and other speakers directly appealed to Republicans

Harris made a direct call to Republicans who don't support Trump to put aside party labels and to support her over Trump, who denied his loss to Biden in the 2020 election, which inspired the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

“I know there are people of various political views watching tonight, and I want you to know I promise to be a president for all Americans,” Harris said. “I promise to be a president for all Americans to hold sacred America’s constitutional principles, fundamental principles, from the rule of law and fair elections to the peaceful transfer of power.”

The convention granted a prime speaking slot to former Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a Republican critic of Trump’s who said: “Whatever policies we disagree on pale in comparison with those fundamental matters of principle. Of decency. Of fidelity to this nation. To my fellow Republicans: If you still pledge allegiance to those principles, I suspect you belong here, too.”

Harris invoked her prosecutor's background when she referred several times to Trump's "explicit intent” to free those who assaulted law enforcement officers at the Capitol, jail political opponents and use the military against American citizens.

“Consider what he intends to do if we give him power again,” she added.

Trump, calling into Fox News after Harris’ speech, responded to the speech by asking, “Why didn’t she do the things that she’s complaining about?”

“It was a lot of complaining. She didn’t talk about China. She didn’t talk about fracking. She didn’t talk about crime,” Trump went on, adding, “Other than that it was a nice-looking room.”

Harris promises to defend alliances, abortion access

Delivering her most in-depth remarks on national security since becoming a presidential candidate, Harris promised to strengthen U.S. relationships with NATO allies and said the country must continue to support Ukraine in its war with Russia. Trump and running mate JD Vance have repeatedly questioned U.S. backing for Ukraine.

“I will never waver in defense of America’s security and ideals, because in the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand and I know where the United States belongs," she said.

The vice president also vowed to work toward an end to Israel’s war against Hamas that can stabilize the rest of the region, while not hesitating to protect U.S. forces from aggression by Iran and other adversaries.

While she pledged to “always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself" after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack and pushed for the release of the hostages and the implementation of a cease-fire deal, she highlighted the plight of Palestinian civilians as well. Pro-Palestinian protesters and members of the “uncommitted” movement in the arena sharply criticized convention organizers for not inviting a Palestinian American onstage.

“What has happened in Gaza in the last 10 months is devastating, so many innocent lives lost,” Harris said. “Desperate, hungry people fleeing to safety over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking.”

Pledging to restore nationwide access to abortion after the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/roe-wade-dobbs-anniversary-abortion-states-cadff0d905d1c4d7b9825c8406aadffb">overturned</a>&nbsp;Roe v. Wade, Harris lambasted Trump and Republicans who have enabled abortion bans across two dozen states and have sought to move further.

“They are out of their minds,” Harris proclaimed.

Harris has faced scrutiny in the month since she replaced Biden atop the Democratic ticket for avoiding policy specifics. She offered broad promises in a string of key policy areas, from expanding voting rights to lowering housing costs, passing middle-class tax cuts and bolstering border security.

Harris also emphasized her law enforcement background, including her time as San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general. She was later elected to the U.S. Senate and sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

Her campaign imploded that year before a single primary vote was cast, but Biden chose her as his running mate, catapulting her to the national stage.

Although Harris initially struggled to find her footing as vice president, her reputation grew when she became the administration's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-vice-president-2024-39248af7a1da76a3f679b1c1c973254e">leading advocate for abortion</a>&nbsp;rights after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Democrats harnessed anger over the decision to stem their losses in the last midterm elections.

When&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bidentrumppresidentialdebate-0e7577e9a354a69f50675494fea54ca9">Biden stumbled</a>&nbsp;in his debate with Trump in June,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-joe-biden-debate-election-2024-3b9e6d404fcfd0938c0b576c366ce6aa">Harris defended him</a>&nbsp;until he decided to drop out of the race. With the help of his endorsement, she swiftly unified the Democratic Party behind her candidacy,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-joe-biden-donald-trump-election-90b9d5c6dc5553703af88dfa442a6bac">resetting a presidential race</a>&nbsp;that Trump had appeared on track to win.

Speaking to supporters after her remarks, Harris struck a confident note, but encouraged them to keep campaigning like they were behind.

“Tonight get your party on, for the next 75 days we have a lot of work to do,” she said. “We’re going to win this.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724407153962.png" alt="Photos courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;summoned Americans on Thursday to reject political division and instead chart what she called a “new way forward,” as she accepted her party’s nomination while blending biography with warnings about electing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;again to the White House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Kamala Harris: &quot;So, let get out there, let&#39;s fight for it. Let&#39;s get out there, let&#39;s vote for it. And together let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DNC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ti1hOmcIQs">pic.twitter.com/Ti1hOmcIQs</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826823909674520978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Taking the stage to a thunderous standing ovation as she closed out the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the vice president argued that her personal story and background as a prosecutor made her uniquely qualified to protect Americans' interests against a former president she cast as only having his own interests in mind.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a>: &quot;On behalf of the people, On behalf of every American regardless of party, race, gender or the language your grandmother speaks, On behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey On behalf of Americans like the people I… <a href="https://t.co/FA69bXuNpG">pic.twitter.com/FA69bXuNpG</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826815185111101696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Our nation with this election has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past,” Harris said. “A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.”The daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, Harris became the first Black woman and person of South Asian descent to accept a major party’s presidential nomination and she would become the first female president if elected. Harris did not explicitly reference the historic firsts she would set in her 40-minute speech, and she only mentioned the words “Democrat” or “Republican” in the context of discussing a bipartisan border bill that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-ukraine-aid-border-security-386dcc54b29a5491f8bd87b727a284f8">Trump helped scuttle</a>&nbsp;earlier this year, which she promised to sign into law if elected.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Watch full <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DNC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DNC</a> acceptance speech from Kamala Harris here: <a href="https://t.co/nVTjnKUwh0">https://t.co/nVTjnKUwh0</a> <a href="https://t.co/itZ2l0XuUO">pic.twitter.com/itZ2l0XuUO</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826932646183870806?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Her address — and the Democratic convention at large — was intended to appeal to a broad swath of Americans, not just partisans already energized by Harris' ascension after President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">ended his reelection bid</a>. She made several implicit appeals to the large swath of voters who just weeks ago were disaffected with both of their options for the White House, particularly those disaffected with Trump, underscored by the appearances of several people who have broken with the 45th president, while embracing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-political-legacy-presidential-election-5aee4f47ecb317d4f6ef2a2148eba1d8">policies and approach</a>&nbsp;of Biden, the 46th.She was joined for the traditional balloon drop by a large blended and mixed-race family. Earlier, two of her grandnieces had led the packed United Center in teaching people how to pronounce her name, which means lotus in Sanskrit.“America, the path that led me here in recent weeks was no doubt unexpected," Harris said. "But I’m no stranger to unlikely journeys."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724407562890.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Harris reintroduces herself</h2>Raised primarily by her mother in a small apartment in San Francisco’s East Bay after her parents’ divorce, Harris described being reared as well by friends and caregivers who were “family by love.” She also detailed a key part of her political origin story, when Wanda, her best friend from high school, confided in her that she was being abused by her stepfather and came to live with Harris' family.“That is one of the reasons I became a prosecutor. To protect people like Wanda,” Harris said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724407330969.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Outlining her work as a prosecutor, state attorney general, senator and now vice president, Harris declared, “My entire career I’ve only had one client: the people." Meanwhile, she said Trump has only ever acted in the interests of "the only client he has ever had: himself.”As she took the stage, she saw a sea of female delegates and Democratic supporters wearing white — the color of women’s suffrage, the movement that culminated with American women securing the right to vote in 1920.Harris' address came on her 10th wedding anniversary to her husband, Doug Emhoff, whom she called “Dougie” on stage and who blew her a kiss from the stands at the start of her remarks.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">P!NK (<a href="https://twitter.com/Pink?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pink</a>) preforms at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DNC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DNC</a>. <a href="https://t.co/BG8mCW18MU">pic.twitter.com/BG8mCW18MU</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826800282719658314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>She and other speakers directly appealed to Republicans</h2>Harris made a direct call to Republicans who don't support Trump to put aside party labels and to support her over Trump, who denied his loss to Biden in the 2020 election, which inspired the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.“I know there are people of various political views watching tonight, and I want you to know I promise to be a president for all Americans,” Harris said. “I promise to be a president for all Americans to hold sacred America’s constitutional principles, fundamental principles, from the rule of law and fair elections to the peaceful transfer of power.”The convention granted a prime speaking slot to former Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a Republican critic of Trump’s who said: “Whatever policies we disagree on pale in comparison with those fundamental matters of principle. Of decency. Of fidelity to this nation. To my fellow Republicans: If you still pledge allegiance to those principles, I suspect you belong here, too.”Harris invoked her prosecutor's background when she referred several times to Trump's "explicit intent” to free those who assaulted law enforcement officers at the Capitol, jail political opponents and use the military against American citizens.“Consider what he intends to do if we give him power again,” she added.Trump, calling into Fox News after Harris’ speech, responded to the speech by asking, “Why didn’t she do the things that she’s complaining about?”“It was a lot of complaining. She didn’t talk about China. She didn’t talk about fracking. She didn’t talk about crime,” Trump went on, adding, “Other than that it was a nice-looking room.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Balloon drop at the Democratic National Convention. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DNC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/cRDurOqsGr">pic.twitter.com/cRDurOqsGr</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1826823968579563550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>Harris promises to defend alliances, abortion access</h2>Delivering her most in-depth remarks on national security since becoming a presidential candidate, Harris promised to strengthen U.S. relationships with NATO allies and said the country must continue to support Ukraine in its war with Russia. Trump and running mate JD Vance have repeatedly questioned U.S. backing for Ukraine.“I will never waver in defense of America’s security and ideals, because in the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand and I know where the United States belongs," she said.The vice president also vowed to work toward an end to Israel’s war against Hamas that can stabilize the rest of the region, while not hesitating to protect U.S. forces from aggression by Iran and other adversaries.While she pledged to “always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself" after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack and pushed for the release of the hostages and the implementation of a cease-fire deal, she highlighted the plight of Palestinian civilians as well. Pro-Palestinian protesters and members of the “uncommitted” movement in the arena sharply criticized convention organizers for not inviting a Palestinian American onstage.“What has happened in Gaza in the last 10 months is devastating, so many innocent lives lost,” Harris said. “Desperate, hungry people fleeing to safety over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking.”Pledging to restore nationwide access to abortion after the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/roe-wade-dobbs-anniversary-abortion-states-cadff0d905d1c4d7b9825c8406aadffb">overturned</a>&nbsp;Roe v. Wade, Harris lambasted Trump and Republicans who have enabled abortion bans across two dozen states and have sought to move further.“They are out of their minds,” Harris proclaimed.Harris has faced scrutiny in the month since she replaced Biden atop the Democratic ticket for avoiding policy specifics. She offered broad promises in a string of key policy areas, from expanding voting rights to lowering housing costs, passing middle-class tax cuts and bolstering border security.Harris also emphasized her law enforcement background, including her time as San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general. She was later elected to the U.S. Senate and sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.Her campaign imploded that year before a single primary vote was cast, but Biden chose her as his running mate, catapulting her to the national stage.Although Harris initially struggled to find her footing as vice president, her reputation grew when she became the administration's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-vice-president-2024-39248af7a1da76a3f679b1c1c973254e">leading advocate for abortion</a>&nbsp;rights after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Democrats harnessed anger over the decision to stem their losses in the last midterm elections.When&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bidentrumppresidentialdebate-0e7577e9a354a69f50675494fea54ca9">Biden stumbled</a>&nbsp;in his debate with Trump in June,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-joe-biden-debate-election-2024-3b9e6d404fcfd0938c0b576c366ce6aa">Harris defended him</a>&nbsp;until he decided to drop out of the race. With the help of his endorsement, she swiftly unified the Democratic Party behind her candidacy,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-joe-biden-donald-trump-election-90b9d5c6dc5553703af88dfa442a6bac">resetting a presidential race</a>&nbsp;that Trump had appeared on track to win.Speaking to supporters after her remarks, Harris struck a confident note, but encouraged them to keep campaigning like they were behind.“Tonight get your party on, for the next 75 days we have a lot of work to do,” she said. “We’re going to win this.”___

🎥Highlights from Kamala Harris night at Democratic National Convention

SALINE COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Saline County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 driven by&nbsp; Brandon L&nbsp;Doherty, 37, Salina, was westbound on Kansas 143 just west of U.S. 81&nbsp; at a high rate of speed.&nbsp; The driver lost control of the pickup. It struck a guardrail and overturned into the north ditch.

Doherty was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing seat belt, according to the KHP.

SALINE COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Saline County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 driven by&nbsp; Brandon L&nbsp;Doherty, 37, Salina, was westbound on Kansas 143 just west of U.S. 81&nbsp; at a high rate of speed.&nbsp; The driver lost control of the pickup. It struck a guardrail and overturned into the north ditch.Doherty was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after pickup overturns

KANSAS CITY—A battery and charger are blamed for a fire at a Kansas City home.

Just before 3:30a.m. Thursday, crews responded to a reported house fire in the 8500 block of Conran Court, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

First responders reported smoke from the garage of a one and a half story single family home. 

Searches of the structure came back all clear. The occupants were able to escape due to the operation of working smoke detectors that alerted them to the fire. 

No injuries were reported at this incident. 

After investigation by KCFD,&nbsp; it has been determined that a faulty lithium-ION battery and charger were the cause.

KCFD stressed to never leave a lithium-ION battery or any battery on a charger unattended. If not equipped with a shut off or battery heat detection the batteries can overcharge and cause a fire.

KANSAS CITY—A battery and charger are blamed for a fire at a Kansas City home.Just before 3:30a.m. Thursday, crews responded to a reported house fire in the 8500 block of Conran Court, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.First responders reported smoke from the garage of a one and a half story single family home. Searches of the structure came back all clear. The occupants were able to escape due to the operation of working smoke detectors that alerted them to the fire. No injuries were reported at this incident. After investigation by KCFD,&nbsp; it has been determined that a faulty lithium-ION battery and charger were the cause.KCFD stressed to never leave a lithium-ION battery or any battery on a charger unattended. If not equipped with a shut off or battery heat detection the batteries can overcharge and cause a fire.

Lithium-ion battery on a charger blamed for Kansas City house fire

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused of using online obituary postings to plan residential burglaries was convicted of all counts by a jury on Monday.

Gary Garrett, 50 of Wichita, was charged in three separate cases totaling 27 counts, including three residential burglaries, one attempted residential burglary, one business burglary and multiple counts of theft, forgery and identity theft,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Victims reported losing financial documents, guns and electronics in the residential burglaries, some of which occurred while the families were at the funeral services for their deceased family members. 

Investigators from the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office worked together on the case, and more than 40 witnesses testified during the trial. At the time of Garrett’s arrest in November of last year in the parking lot of an East Wichita Walmart store, Garrett was found to be in possession of a driver’s license belonging to one of the deceased victims. A Wichita Police burglary detective testified at trial that a download of Garrett’s phone showed online searches of obituaries that corresponded to the burglary locations across the city from July to November of 2023.

Garrett also was convicted of using fake IDs to rent and purchase several vehicles during the same timeframe. One of the vehicles rented by Garrett had a GPS location device that placed the vehicle at the scene of several of the burglaries, according to testimony in the trial.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724257794246.png" alt="Garrett photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Garrett photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused of using online obituary postings to plan residential burglaries was convicted of all counts by a jury on Monday.Gary Garrett, 50 of Wichita, was charged in three separate cases totaling 27 counts, including three residential burglaries, one attempted residential burglary, one business burglary and multiple counts of theft, forgery and identity theft,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Victims reported losing financial documents, guns and electronics in the residential burglaries, some of which occurred while the families were at the funeral services for their deceased family members. Investigators from the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office worked together on the case, and more than 40 witnesses testified during the trial. At the time of Garrett’s arrest in November of last year in the parking lot of an East Wichita Walmart store, Garrett was found to be in possession of a driver’s license belonging to one of the deceased victims. A Wichita Police burglary detective testified at trial that a download of Garrett’s phone showed online searches of obituaries that corresponded to the burglary locations across the city from July to November of 2023.Garrett also was convicted of using fake IDs to rent and purchase several vehicles during the same timeframe. One of the vehicles rented by Garrett had a GPS location device that placed the vehicle at the scene of several of the burglaries, according to testimony in the trial.&nbsp;Sentencing is set for October 24, before Judge Bruce Brown, according to the district attorney's office