JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the death of his mother at her home in Olathe has been charged for the crime.

Last week, 40-year-old Brian Christopher Thode was charged with first degree murder and cruelty to animals, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office. The charges are in connection with the June 29, death of 72-year-old Nancy Thode.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just before 6 p.m. June 29, police were dispatched to the 1000 block of East Oakview Street in Olathe for a death investigation, according to&nbsp;Police Sergeant John Moncayo.

Officers arrived and discovered Nancy Thode unresponsive with significant injuries. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Brian Thode also “unlawfully, knowingly, maliciously and feloniously” killed a cat and a bird, according to a charging document in the case. Thode remains jailed on a $3,000,000.00 bond. He is due back in court July 17, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720003596616.png" alt="Thode-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Thode-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the death of his mother at her home in Olathe has been charged for the crime.Last week, 40-year-old Brian Christopher Thode was charged with first degree murder and cruelty to animals, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office. The charges are in connection with the June 29, death of 72-year-old Nancy Thode.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just before 6 p.m. June 29, police were dispatched to the 1000 block of East Oakview Street in Olathe for a death investigation, according to&nbsp;Police Sergeant John Moncayo.Officers arrived and discovered Nancy Thode unresponsive with significant injuries. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;Brian Thode also “unlawfully, knowingly, maliciously and feloniously” killed a cat and a bird, according to a charging document in the case. Thode remains jailed on a $3,000,000.00 bond. He is due back in court July 17, according to online jail records.

Kan. man charged with his mother's murder, animal cruelty

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just after 9:30p.m. July 3, a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle on 150th near U.S. Highway 75 for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The driver Kathy Lynn Jauch, 56, of Golden, Colorado, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720316459572.png" alt="Jauch photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Jauch photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just after 9:30p.m. July 3, a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle on 150th near U.S. Highway 75 for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The driver Kathy Lynn Jauch, 56, of Golden, Colorado, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Colo. woman was transporting meth in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, in an open&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24794149-biden-letter-to-congressional-democrats">letter to congressional Democrats</a>, stood firm Monday against calls for him to drop his reelection candidacy and called for an end to the intraparty drama that has torn apart Democrats since his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-campaigning-pennsylvania-democratic-doubts-election-77b050b1c5c39aec2ef633281d082566">dismal public debate performance</a>.

Biden's efforts to shore up a deeply anxious Democratic Party came as lawmakers returned to Washington confronting a choice: Work to revive his campaign or try to edge out the party leader, a make-or-break time for his campaign and their own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">political futures</a>.

Biden wrote in the two-page letter that “the question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end.” He stressed that the party has “one job,” which is to defeat presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in November.

<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24794331-bidenletterjuly8">Click here to read the full letter</a> from Biden.

“We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election,” Biden said in the letter, distributed by his reelection campaign. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”

Anxiety is running high as top-ranking Democratic lawmakers are joining calls for Biden to step aside despite his defiance. At the same time, some of the president’s most staunch supporters are redoubling the fight for Biden’s presidency, insisting there’s no one better to beat Trump in what many see as among the most important elections of a lifetime.

Biden followed up the letter with a phone interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show, in which he insisted that “average Democrats” want him to stay in the race and said he was frustrated by the calls from party officials for him to step aside.

“They’re big names, but I don’t care what those big names think,” Biden said.

He threw the gauntlet at his critics, saying if they’re serious they ought to “announce for president, challenge me at the convention” or rally behind him against Trump. Later, Biden joined a call with members of his national finance committee, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-veterans-north-carolina-florida-georgia-7cfa60e967da9ce9514f89841fc2addc">first lady Jill Biden</a>&nbsp;campaigned for her husband in a three-state swing focused on engaging veterans and military families.

“For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he’s all in,” she told a military crowd in Wilmington, North Carolina. “That’s the decision that he’s made, and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in, too."

Democratic voters are split on whether Biden should remain the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, or whether there should be a different Democratic nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/03/us/elections/times-siena-poll-registered-voter-crosstabs.html">according to a New York Times/Siena College poll</a>.

More voices spoke up Monday, including the chair of the House’s Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who was not ready to cast aside Biden, saying that the threat of a second Trump presidency remains too high. Yet one of the most endangered Democrats this election cycle, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, said in a statement, “President Biden has got to prove to the American people—including me—that he’s up to the job for another four years.”

However, Biden’s letter left some House Democrats, who want to hear directly from Biden himself, furious, according to one House aide granted anonymity to discuss the situation. Lawmakers particularly bristled at being cast as out of touch with voters since representatives in particular have been home in their districts listening to voters.

A person familiar with the matter said Biden would meet virtually Monday with the Congressional Black Caucus. The White House would not say whether Biden would meet with all Democratic lawmakers in person at the Capitol this week.

(click below to watch the complete Monday White House Press briefing)

Meanwhile, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden had undergone three neurological exams while in the White House as part of his annual physical exams — and no more — and said the president has not been diagnosed with or treated for Parkinson’s.

It’s a tenuous and highly volatile juncture for the president’s party. Democrats who have worked alongside Biden for years — if not decades — and cherished his life's work on policy priorities are now entertaining uncomfortable questions about his political future. And it's unfolding as Biden hosts world leaders for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-summit-trump-biden-europe-ukraine-e45273ef1bd408d72245f8f7fd1ec5c0">the NATO summit</a>&nbsp;this week in Washington.

The drama is playing out with just over a month until the Democratic National Convention and just a week before Republicans gather in Milwaukee to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-biden-9d372469033d23e1e3aef5cf0470a2e6">renominate Trump</a>&nbsp;as their presidential pick. Many Democrats are arguing the attention needs to be focused not on Biden but on the former president's felony conviction in the hush money case and pending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">federal charges</a>&nbsp;in his effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">overturn the 2020 election</a>.

In an effort to “get on the same page,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is convening lawmakers for private meetings before he shows his own preference, according to a person familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it. He planned to gather on Monday some Democrats whose bids for reelection are most vulnerable.

A private call Sunday including some 15 top House committee members exposed the deepening divide as at least four more Democrats — Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state and Rep. Mark Takano of California — privately said Biden should step aside.

Nadler, as one of the more senior members on the call, was the first, according to a person familiar with the call who was granted anonymity to discuss it. He did so aware that seniority would allow others to join him.

Many others on the call raised concerns about Biden’s capability and chance of winning reelection, even if they stopped short of saying Biden should step out of the race.

Still other members, including Rep. Maxine Waters of California and Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, both leaders in the Congressional Black Caucus, spoke forcefully in support of Biden, as did Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

Neal said afterward that the bottom line is Biden beat Trump in 2020 and “he’ll do it again in November.”

Behind the scenes is Speaker Emerita&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>, who continues to field calls from lawmakers seeking advice about the situation and is widely viewed as the one to watch for any ultimate decision on Biden's future because of her proximity to the president and vote-counting skills in party politics.

Pelosi spoke up last week, saying Biden's debate performance raised “legitimate” questions he needed to answer.

But when Biden's prime-time ABC interview on Friday appeared to do little to calm worried Democrats, and some said made the situation worse, Pelosi stepped forward to praise him on social media as a “great President who continues to deliver for America’s kitchen table.” She added, "and we're not done yet!”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would not answer questions about Biden’s reelection as he entered the Capitol on Monday, but he told reporters: “As I’ve said before, I’m for Joe.”

The Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, was more cautious.

“I watched the debate, it raised a lot of questions,” Durbin said. “He is trying to answer those questions. In some respects he’s done it very effectively, in other respects not as effectively.”

One Democrat, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, had intended to gather senators Monday to discuss Biden privately, but a person familiar with his thinking said those conversations will take place in Tuesday’s regular caucus luncheon with all Democratic senators.

Another Democrat, Sen. Alex Padilla of California, said it was “time to quit the hand-wringing and get back to door knocking.”

While some deep-pocketed donors may be showing discomfort, strategists working on House and Senate races said they have posted record fundraising as donors view congressional Democrats as a “firewall” and last line of defense against Trump.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720469721880.png" alt="Reporters during tense White House press briefing on Monday-image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>Reporters during tense White House press briefing on Monday-image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, in an open&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24794149-biden-letter-to-congressional-democrats">letter to congressional Democrats</a>, stood firm Monday against calls for him to drop his reelection candidacy and called for an end to the intraparty drama that has torn apart Democrats since his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-campaigning-pennsylvania-democratic-doubts-election-77b050b1c5c39aec2ef633281d082566">dismal public debate performance</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a> Karine Jean-Pierre to <a href="https://twitter.com/edokeefe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@edokeefe</a>: &quot;It doesn&#39;t matter how hard you push me. It doesn&#39;t matter how angry you get with me. I&#39;m not going to confirm a name...What I can say share with you is that the president has seen a neurologist for his physical three times.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/oZQjMiIOPv">pic.twitter.com/oZQjMiIOPv</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1810397009150619756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden's efforts to shore up a deeply anxious Democratic Party came as lawmakers returned to Washington confronting a choice: Work to revive his campaign or try to edge out the party leader, a make-or-break time for his campaign and their own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">political futures</a>.Biden wrote in the two-page letter that “the question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end.” He stressed that the party has “one job,” which is to defeat presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in November.<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24794331-bidenletterjuly8">Click here to read the full letter</a> from Biden.“We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election,” Biden said in the letter, distributed by his reelection campaign. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”Anxiety is running high as top-ranking Democratic lawmakers are joining calls for Biden to step aside despite his defiance. At the same time, some of the president’s most staunch supporters are redoubling the fight for Biden’s presidency, insisting there’s no one better to beat Trump in what many see as among the most important elections of a lifetime.Biden followed up the letter with a phone interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show, in which he insisted that “average Democrats” want him to stay in the race and said he was frustrated by the calls from party officials for him to step aside.“They’re big names, but I don’t care what those big names think,” Biden said.He threw the gauntlet at his critics, saying if they’re serious they ought to “announce for president, challenge me at the convention” or rally behind him against Trump. Later, Biden joined a call with members of his national finance committee, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-veterans-north-carolina-florida-georgia-7cfa60e967da9ce9514f89841fc2addc">first lady Jill Biden</a>&nbsp;campaigned for her husband in a three-state swing focused on engaging veterans and military families.“For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he’s all in,” she told a military crowd in Wilmington, North Carolina. “That’s the decision that he’s made, and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in, too."Democratic voters are split on whether Biden should remain the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, or whether there should be a different Democratic nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/03/us/elections/times-siena-poll-registered-voter-crosstabs.html">according to a New York Times/Siena College poll</a>.More voices spoke up Monday, including the chair of the House’s Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who was not ready to cast aside Biden, saying that the threat of a second Trump presidency remains too high. Yet one of the most endangered Democrats this election cycle, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, said in a statement, “President Biden has got to prove to the American people—including me—that he’s up to the job for another four years.”However, Biden’s letter left some House Democrats, who want to hear directly from Biden himself, furious, according to one House aide granted anonymity to discuss the situation. Lawmakers particularly bristled at being cast as out of touch with voters since representatives in particular have been home in their districts listening to voters.A person familiar with the matter said Biden would meet virtually Monday with the Congressional Black Caucus. The White House would not say whether Biden would meet with all Democratic lawmakers in person at the Capitol this week.(click below to watch the complete Monday White House Press briefing)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F495556559822359%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=2259" 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>Meanwhile, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden had undergone three neurological exams while in the White House as part of his annual physical exams — and no more — and said the president has not been diagnosed with or treated for Parkinson’s.It’s a tenuous and highly volatile juncture for the president’s party. Democrats who have worked alongside Biden for years — if not decades — and cherished his life's work on policy priorities are now entertaining uncomfortable questions about his political future. And it's unfolding as Biden hosts world leaders for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-summit-trump-biden-europe-ukraine-e45273ef1bd408d72245f8f7fd1ec5c0">the NATO summit</a>&nbsp;this week in Washington.The drama is playing out with just over a month until the Democratic National Convention and just a week before Republicans gather in Milwaukee to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-biden-9d372469033d23e1e3aef5cf0470a2e6">renominate Trump</a>&nbsp;as their presidential pick. Many Democrats are arguing the attention needs to be focused not on Biden but on the former president's felony conviction in the hush money case and pending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">federal charges</a>&nbsp;in his effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">overturn the 2020 election</a>.In an effort to “get on the same page,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is convening lawmakers for private meetings before he shows his own preference, according to a person familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it. He planned to gather on Monday some Democrats whose bids for reelection are most vulnerable.A private call Sunday including some 15 top House committee members exposed the deepening divide as at least four more Democrats — Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state and Rep. Mark Takano of California — privately said Biden should step aside.Nadler, as one of the more senior members on the call, was the first, according to a person familiar with the call who was granted anonymity to discuss it. He did so aware that seniority would allow others to join him.Many others on the call raised concerns about Biden’s capability and chance of winning reelection, even if they stopped short of saying Biden should step out of the race.Still other members, including Rep. Maxine Waters of California and Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, both leaders in the Congressional Black Caucus, spoke forcefully in support of Biden, as did Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.Neal said afterward that the bottom line is Biden beat Trump in 2020 and “he’ll do it again in November.”Behind the scenes is Speaker Emerita&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>, who continues to field calls from lawmakers seeking advice about the situation and is widely viewed as the one to watch for any ultimate decision on Biden's future because of her proximity to the president and vote-counting skills in party politics.Pelosi spoke up last week, saying Biden's debate performance raised “legitimate” questions he needed to answer.But when Biden's prime-time ABC interview on Friday appeared to do little to calm worried Democrats, and some said made the situation worse, Pelosi stepped forward to praise him on social media as a “great President who continues to deliver for America’s kitchen table.” She added, "and we're not done yet!”Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would not answer questions about Biden’s reelection as he entered the Capitol on Monday, but he told reporters: “As I’ve said before, I’m for Joe.”The Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, was more cautious.“I watched the debate, it raised a lot of questions,” Durbin said. “He is trying to answer those questions. In some respects he’s done it very effectively, in other respects not as effectively.”One Democrat, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, had intended to gather senators Monday to discuss Biden privately, but a person familiar with his thinking said those conversations will take place in Tuesday’s regular caucus luncheon with all Democratic senators.Another Democrat, Sen. Alex Padilla of California, said it was “time to quit the hand-wringing and get back to door knocking.”While some deep-pocketed donors may be showing discomfort, strategists working on House and Senate races said they have posted record fundraising as donors view congressional Democrats as a “firewall” and last line of defense against Trump.__

🎥Tense White House press briefing on President Biden's health

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack on a woman and have made an arrest.

Just after 7p.m. July 6, police were called&nbsp;to a residence in the 1200 block of Cloud Circle in Salina where they met a 21-year-old woman with blood stains on her shirt and a bloody nose, according Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

She told officers that a man attacked her and threatened to kill her.

"She indicated that while at the residence, she got into a disturbance with 20-year-old Christian Lasso Olivas,"

According to Feldman, Olivas became upset with the victim and began yelling at her. He then got on top of her and began strangling her. He kept telling her that he was going to kill her and her family.

Feldman said the victim was able to push Olivas off of her, but he then dragged her into another room and pushed her onto the bed. There, he allegedly continued the verbal assault and began striking her in the face.

The victim attempted to get away from him — he then put a pillow on top of her head and pushed her into the bed, according to Feldman.

 "As she was bleeding, she was able to ask if she could clean up the blood, he said no. She tried to get away from him but was able to keep her in the room. She then was able to get away into the kitchen where she grabbed a knife to protect herself.

Lasso Olivas had possession of the victim's phone, so the victim demanded that he return the phone to her, which he refused. He allegedly threatened to kill her again if she called the police.

Feldman said Olivas then reached for the victim, and she slashed his hand with the knife. This caused Olivas to drop the victim's phone, allowing her to call 9-1-1 for assistance.

"Officers were able to take him into custody without incident," Feldman said.

EMS transported the victim to Salina Regional Health Center to care for her injuries. The cut on Olivas' hand did not require medical attention.

&nbsp;Olivas is being held in the Saline County jail on requested charges of attempted voluntary manslaughter,&nbsp; aggravated domestic battery, aggravated kidnapping, criminal threat, domestic battery and criminal deprivation of property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720357277324.jpeg" alt="Christian Ivan&nbsp;Lasso Olivas -photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Christian Ivan&nbsp;Lasso Olivas -photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack on a woman and have made an arrest.Just after 7p.m. July 6, police were called&nbsp;to a residence in the 1200 block of Cloud Circle in Salina where they met a 21-year-old woman with blood stains on her shirt and a bloody nose, according Salina Police Captain James Feldman.She told officers that a man attacked her and threatened to kill her."She indicated that while at the residence, she got into a disturbance with 20-year-old Christian Lasso Olivas,"According to Feldman, Olivas became upset with the victim and began yelling at her. He then got on top of her and began strangling her. He kept telling her that he was going to kill her and her family.Feldman said the victim was able to push Olivas off of her, but he then dragged her into another room and pushed her onto the bed. There, he allegedly continued the verbal assault and began striking her in the face.The victim attempted to get away from him — he then put a pillow on top of her head and pushed her into the bed, according to Feldman. "As she was bleeding, she was able to ask if she could clean up the blood, he said no. She tried to get away from him but was able to keep her in the room. She then was able to get away into the kitchen where she grabbed a knife to protect herself.Lasso Olivas had possession of the victim's phone, so the victim demanded that he return the phone to her, which he refused. He allegedly threatened to kill her again if she called the police.Feldman said Olivas then reached for the victim, and she slashed his hand with the knife. This caused Olivas to drop the victim's phone, allowing her to call 9-1-1 for assistance."Officers were able to take him into custody without incident," Feldman said.EMS transported the victim to Salina Regional Health Center to care for her injuries. The cut on Olivas' hand did not require medical attention.&nbsp;Olivas is being held in the Saline County jail on requested charges of attempted voluntary manslaughter,&nbsp; aggravated domestic battery, aggravated kidnapping, criminal threat, domestic battery and criminal deprivation of property.

Kan. suspect jailed after alleged violent attack on a woman

KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Fire Department is investigating a construction site incident that critically injured a worker.

Just before 8a.m. Monday, crews with the Kansas City Fire Department&nbsp;responded to a reported man trapped in a sewer pipe in the 9200 block of Old Santa Fe Road, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

First responders found the man unconscious and face down in approximately 6 to 8 inches of water. 

The first company on the scene immediately put on a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and entered the drain. The man was quickly evaluated and found to have no pulse.&nbsp; A rope was secured around the victim and he was removed from the sewer and CPR was initiated. He was transported to a local hospital. At last report the approximately 30-year-old man was alive and breathing on his own but in critical condition. 

&nbsp;After the victim was removed and transported a Hazmat team member was sent into the sewer to monitor the air to determine a cause.&nbsp; No significant toxic substances were found. However, oxygen levels were very low at 11 %, according to Hopkins.&nbsp; Twenty-one percent is normal atmospheric oxygen levels, and anything under 19.5 % is dangerous, according to Hopkins.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720469191181.png" alt="Site of the sewer pipe incident photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Site of the sewer pipe incident photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Fire Department is investigating a construction site incident that critically injured a worker.Just before 8a.m. Monday, crews with the Kansas City Fire Department&nbsp;responded to a reported man trapped in a sewer pipe in the 9200 block of Old Santa Fe Road, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.First responders found the man unconscious and face down in approximately 6 to 8 inches of water. The first company on the scene immediately put on a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and entered the drain. The man was quickly evaluated and found to have no pulse.&nbsp; A rope was secured around the victim and he was removed from the sewer and CPR was initiated. He was transported to a local hospital. At last report the approximately 30-year-old man was alive and breathing on his own but in critical condition. &nbsp;After the victim was removed and transported a Hazmat team member was sent into the sewer to monitor the air to determine a cause.&nbsp; No significant toxic substances were found. However, oxygen levels were very low at 11 %, according to Hopkins.&nbsp; Twenty-one percent is normal atmospheric oxygen levels, and anything under 19.5 % is dangerous, according to Hopkins.

Worker rescued from sewer pipe at KC area construction site

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly 4th of July shooting in Kansas City have identified the victim as 32-year-old Cortez Caples.

Just before 3:00pm Thursday, police responded to a shooting in the 2200 block of E. 69th Terrace, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders located Caples unresponsive on the sidewalk in front of a home.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

An investigation determined Caples had an interaction with one or more unknown suspects that resulted in gunfire.

Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect information.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720133624393.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly 4th of July shooting in Kansas City have identified the victim as 32-year-old Cortez Caples. Just before 3:00pm Thursday, police responded to a shooting in the 2200 block of E. 69th Terrace, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720133597687.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located Caples unresponsive on the sidewalk in front of a home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;An investigation determined Caples had an interaction with one or more unknown suspects that resulted in gunfire.Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect information.&nbsp;

KCPD IDs victim in Fourth of July shooting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — An assistant fire chief in central Missouri died early Monday when the boat he was in capsized during a water rescue in a flash flood.

The Boone County Fire Protection District said Matthew Tobben and another firefighter had just rescued two people from flooded Bear Creek in Columbia when the boat overturned. The other firefighter and the two rescued people were OK after being pulled from the water, but Tobben drowned, the district said in a Facebook posting.

Heavy rain led to several water rescues in the Columbia area. Rivers and creeks were already high after a rainy early summer. More rain is expected through Tuesday as the remnant of Tropical Storm Beryl makes it into Missouri.

Fire officials said the boat Tobben was in lost power, but it wasn't immediately clear why it capsized.

Tobben's death was the second blamed on flash flooding in Boone County in about a week. A woman died Wednesday when the car she was in became trapped in floodwater.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720463882385.png" alt="Photo courtesy KOMU TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KOMU TV</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — An assistant fire chief in central Missouri died early Monday when the boat he was in capsized during a water rescue in a flash flood.The Boone County Fire Protection District said Matthew Tobben and another firefighter had just rescued two people from flooded Bear Creek in Columbia when the boat overturned. The other firefighter and the two rescued people were OK after being pulled from the water, but Tobben drowned, the district said in a Facebook posting.Heavy rain led to several water rescues in the Columbia area. Rivers and creeks were already high after a rainy early summer. More rain is expected through Tuesday as the remnant of Tropical Storm Beryl makes it into Missouri.Fire officials said the boat Tobben was in lost power, but it wasn't immediately clear why it capsized.Tobben's death was the second blamed on flash flooding in Boone County in about a week. A woman died Wednesday when the car she was in became trapped in floodwater.

Fire official dies when boat he was in capsizes during water rescue

ROME (AP) — The Vatican on Friday excommunicated its former ambassador to Washington after finding him guilty of schism, an inevitable outcome for Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano. The conservative had became one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;' most ardent critics and a symbol of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-7078a805c9ea4585874cd22559f0046a">polarized Catholic Church in the United States and beyond.</a>

While once enjoying support in the Vatican and U.S. church hierarchies, the Italian archbishop alienated many as he developed a fringe following while delving deeper into conspiracy theories on everything — from the coronavirus pandemic to what he called the “Great Reset” and Russia's war in Ukraine.

The Vatican's doctrine office announced the penalty after a meeting of its members and informed Vigano of its decision on Friday.

It cited Vigano's public “refusal to recognize and submit to the Supreme Pontiff, his rejection of communion with the members of the church subject to him, and of the legitimacy and magisterial authority of the Second Vatican Council.”

The excommunication, which Vigano incurred automatically with his positions, means he is formally outside communion with the church, and cannot celebrate or receive its sacraments. The crime of schism occurs when someone withdraws submission to the pope or from the communion of Catholics who are subject to him.

Unlike defrocking, a punitive measure that makes a priest a layman again, excommunication is considered a “medicinal” penalty and is declared in hope those who incurred it would repent and come back into communion. If that happens, the Holy See can lift the penalty.

Schisms, which have been regular in the church's 2,000-year history, are considered particularly dangerous as they threaten the unity of the church.

Vigano’s dire pronunciations about the current state of the church, amplified on Catholic social media and by ideologically friendly bloggers on both sides of the Atlantic, were an exaggerated version of the chasm between U.S. ultra-conservatives and Francis. And while Vigano enjoyed mainstream support among bishops early in his career, many quietly distanced themselves as his ideas became more extreme.

The Italian prelate, who has not been seen publicly since before 2018, knew the schism declaration was coming after the Vatican informed him of the penal process launched against him last month. He defiantly called it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-vigano-schism-9dee2819028e8ab66bcbd079b5b42614">“an honor,” and refused to appear in person</a>&nbsp;or defend himself or submit a written defense.

On June 20, Vigano issued a lengthy public statement refusing to recognize the authority of the Vatican's doctrinal office “that claims to judge me, nor of its prefect, nor of the one who appointed him.”

He did not directly respond to the schism declaration on Friday on X, his usual forum. Shortly before the Vatican decree was made public, he announced he would be celebrating a Mass on Friday for those who have been supporting him and asked for donations.

Vigano burst onto the public scene in 2012, during the first so-called Vatileaks scandal, when Pope Benedict XVI’s butler leaked the pontiff’s private papers to an Italian journalist to try to draw attention to corruption in the Holy See.

In some of the leaked letters, Vigano, then the No. 2 in the Vatican City State administration, begged the pope not to be transferred after exposing corruption in the awarding of Vatican contracts that cost the Holy See millions of euros (dollars).

The entreaties did not work. By the time the letters were published, Vigano was appointed the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S. — a prestigious post but one that took him far from Rome and out of the running to one day be a cardinal.

Vigano reappeared on the scene during Francis’ 2015 visit to the U.S., which as nuncio he helped organize. Everything was going fine until Vigano arranged for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kim-davis-marriage-licenses-rowan-county-b99cdf7b93a1e144fdff2c3b24d96c2c">Kim Davis, a Kentucky clerk at the center of the U.S. gay marriage debate</a>, to be present at the Vatican residence to greet Francis, along with many other people.

After the visit, Davis and her lawyers claimed the encounter with Francis amounted to an affirmation of her cause denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The Vatican later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-international-news-f27eb8dd7bf744aa9fb11572c15748f4">turned the tables on Davis' claim</a>, saying she had merely been among a group of well-wishers but that the “only” private audience Francis had in Washington was with a small group of people that included a gay couple.

But Vigano’s deception in inviting Davis to meet the pope put the prelate and the pontiff on a collision course that exploded in August 2018.

At the time, the U.S. church was reeling from a new chapter in its clergy sex abuse scandal: One of the most senior U.S. churchmen, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, was accused of molesting a minor and a Pennsylvania grand jury issued a devastating investigation into decades of abuse and cover-up.

As Francis was wrapping up a tense visit to Ireland, Vigano&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ad7d52030c90472eafeacef7ba2d9d39">published an 11-page screed</a>&nbsp;accusing him and a long string of U.S. and Vatican officials of covering for McCarrick. Specifically, Vigano accused Francis of rehabilitating McCarrick from sanctions imposed by Pope Benedict, and called on him to resign — accusations that created the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c7786459105b41639033c183e1a6ddb5">greatest crisis of Francis’ then-young pontificate.</a>

Francis quickly authorized an in-house investigation into McCarrick. The report, released in 2020, confirmed that a generation of church officials, including Pope John Paul II, had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/theodore-mccarrick-vatican-investigation-0204b0d67e0685d658bae71cf558383a">turned a blind eye to McCarrick’s misconduct</a>. It largely spared Francis, who eventually defrocked the churchman.

But the report also faulted Vigano for not looking into new claims against McCarrick or enforcing Vatican restrictions on him when specifically ordered to do so by the Vatican.

At that point, Vigano’s claims against Francis became more unhinged, endorsing conspiracy theories about the coronavirus vaccines, appearing at far-right U.S. political rallies via video, backing Russia in its war on Ukraine, and eventually, refusing to recognize Francis as pope.

Massimo Faggioli, a theologian at Villanova University, said while a good number of U.S. bishops vouched for Vigano's integrity when he first made his claims about McCarrick in 2018, his declarations in the ensuing years “led some of them to more prudent positions.”

In an essay in the French daily La Croix, Faggioli also noted that Vigano had had a seeming unintended effect of mainstreaming another schismatic group, the Society of St. Pius X, which also rejects the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the 1960s meetings that modernized the church.

However, the society known as SSPX founded by the late French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1969, distanced itself from Vigano and his rejection of the legitimacy of Francis' pontificate, saying they “have not ventured down that perilous road.”

Vigano's positions make Lefebvre and the SSPX "look like right-of-center Catholics, and not like the extreme traditionalists they actually are," Faggioli wrote. "This says something about the ground shifting under the feet of Vatican II Catholics.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718390145622.png" alt="File photo Pope Francis courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Pope Francis courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) — The Vatican on Friday excommunicated its former ambassador to Washington after finding him guilty of schism, an inevitable outcome for Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano. The conservative had became one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;' most ardent critics and a symbol of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-7078a805c9ea4585874cd22559f0046a">polarized Catholic Church in the United States and beyond.</a>While once enjoying support in the Vatican and U.S. church hierarchies, the Italian archbishop alienated many as he developed a fringe following while delving deeper into conspiracy theories on everything — from the coronavirus pandemic to what he called the “Great Reset” and Russia's war in Ukraine.The Vatican's doctrine office announced the penalty after a meeting of its members and informed Vigano of its decision on Friday.It cited Vigano's public “refusal to recognize and submit to the Supreme Pontiff, his rejection of communion with the members of the church subject to him, and of the legitimacy and magisterial authority of the Second Vatican Council.”The excommunication, which Vigano incurred automatically with his positions, means he is formally outside communion with the church, and cannot celebrate or receive its sacraments. The crime of schism occurs when someone withdraws submission to the pope or from the communion of Catholics who are subject to him.Unlike defrocking, a punitive measure that makes a priest a layman again, excommunication is considered a “medicinal” penalty and is declared in hope those who incurred it would repent and come back into communion. If that happens, the Holy See can lift the penalty.Schisms, which have been regular in the church's 2,000-year history, are considered particularly dangerous as they threaten the unity of the church.Vigano’s dire pronunciations about the current state of the church, amplified on Catholic social media and by ideologically friendly bloggers on both sides of the Atlantic, were an exaggerated version of the chasm between U.S. ultra-conservatives and Francis. And while Vigano enjoyed mainstream support among bishops early in his career, many quietly distanced themselves as his ideas became more extreme.The Italian prelate, who has not been seen publicly since before 2018, knew the schism declaration was coming after the Vatican informed him of the penal process launched against him last month. He defiantly called it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-vigano-schism-9dee2819028e8ab66bcbd079b5b42614">“an honor,” and refused to appear in person</a>&nbsp;or defend himself or submit a written defense.On June 20, Vigano issued a lengthy public statement refusing to recognize the authority of the Vatican's doctrinal office “that claims to judge me, nor of its prefect, nor of the one who appointed him.”He did not directly respond to the schism declaration on Friday on X, his usual forum. Shortly before the Vatican decree was made public, he announced he would be celebrating a Mass on Friday for those who have been supporting him and asked for donations.Vigano burst onto the public scene in 2012, during the first so-called Vatileaks scandal, when Pope Benedict XVI’s butler leaked the pontiff’s private papers to an Italian journalist to try to draw attention to corruption in the Holy See.In some of the leaked letters, Vigano, then the No. 2 in the Vatican City State administration, begged the pope not to be transferred after exposing corruption in the awarding of Vatican contracts that cost the Holy See millions of euros (dollars).The entreaties did not work. By the time the letters were published, Vigano was appointed the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S. — a prestigious post but one that took him far from Rome and out of the running to one day be a cardinal.Vigano reappeared on the scene during Francis’ 2015 visit to the U.S., which as nuncio he helped organize. Everything was going fine until Vigano arranged for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kim-davis-marriage-licenses-rowan-county-b99cdf7b93a1e144fdff2c3b24d96c2c">Kim Davis, a Kentucky clerk at the center of the U.S. gay marriage debate</a>, to be present at the Vatican residence to greet Francis, along with many other people.After the visit, Davis and her lawyers claimed the encounter with Francis amounted to an affirmation of her cause denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The Vatican later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-international-news-f27eb8dd7bf744aa9fb11572c15748f4">turned the tables on Davis' claim</a>, saying she had merely been among a group of well-wishers but that the “only” private audience Francis had in Washington was with a small group of people that included a gay couple.But Vigano’s deception in inviting Davis to meet the pope put the prelate and the pontiff on a collision course that exploded in August 2018.At the time, the U.S. church was reeling from a new chapter in its clergy sex abuse scandal: One of the most senior U.S. churchmen, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, was accused of molesting a minor and a Pennsylvania grand jury issued a devastating investigation into decades of abuse and cover-up.As Francis was wrapping up a tense visit to Ireland, Vigano&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ad7d52030c90472eafeacef7ba2d9d39">published an 11-page screed</a>&nbsp;accusing him and a long string of U.S. and Vatican officials of covering for McCarrick. Specifically, Vigano accused Francis of rehabilitating McCarrick from sanctions imposed by Pope Benedict, and called on him to resign — accusations that created the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c7786459105b41639033c183e1a6ddb5">greatest crisis of Francis’ then-young pontificate.</a>Francis quickly authorized an in-house investigation into McCarrick. The report, released in 2020, confirmed that a generation of church officials, including Pope John Paul II, had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/theodore-mccarrick-vatican-investigation-0204b0d67e0685d658bae71cf558383a">turned a blind eye to McCarrick’s misconduct</a>. It largely spared Francis, who eventually defrocked the churchman.But the report also faulted Vigano for not looking into new claims against McCarrick or enforcing Vatican restrictions on him when specifically ordered to do so by the Vatican.At that point, Vigano’s claims against Francis became more unhinged, endorsing conspiracy theories about the coronavirus vaccines, appearing at far-right U.S. political rallies via video, backing Russia in its war on Ukraine, and eventually, refusing to recognize Francis as pope.Massimo Faggioli, a theologian at Villanova University, said while a good number of U.S. bishops vouched for Vigano's integrity when he first made his claims about McCarrick in 2018, his declarations in the ensuing years “led some of them to more prudent positions.”In an essay in the French daily La Croix, Faggioli also noted that Vigano had had a seeming unintended effect of mainstreaming another schismatic group, the Society of St. Pius X, which also rejects the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the 1960s meetings that modernized the church.However, the society known as SSPX founded by the late French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1969, distanced itself from Vigano and his rejection of the legitimacy of Francis' pontificate, saying they “have not ventured down that perilous road.”Vigano's positions make Lefebvre and the SSPX "look like right-of-center Catholics, and not like the extreme traditionalists they actually are," Faggioli wrote. "This says something about the ground shifting under the feet of Vatican II Catholics.”

Vatican excommunicates a former ambassador to the US 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—A police officer is recovering after a stabbing late Sunday in Kansas City, Kansas.

Just before 10p.m., a KCK Police officer was beginning his shift near 47th and State Avenue, according to a media release.&nbsp; An individual who was described as acting bizarre approached the officer in a parking lot.

Without warning, the individual produced a sharp object and attacked the officer. During the altercation, the suspect stabbed the officer twice and ran northbound from the location. Police have not reported they found the suspect.

The officer's injuries were reported a non-life-threatening.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—A police officer is recovering after a stabbing late Sunday in Kansas City, Kansas.Just before 10p.m., a KCK Police officer was beginning his shift near 47th and State Avenue, according to a media release.&nbsp; An individual who was described as acting bizarre approached the officer in a parking lot.Without warning, the individual produced a sharp object and attacked the officer. During the altercation, the suspect stabbed the officer twice and ran northbound from the location. Police have not reported they found the suspect.The officer's injuries were reported a non-life-threatening.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Search underway for suspect who stabbed Kansas officer, ran

FINNEY COUNTY —As the investigation into the June 15, home explosion in Garden City continues, investigators determined that the explosion was caused by a natural gas leak, according to a media release from the Garden City fire department.

The gas leak was ignited when the 19-year-old victim turned on the stove. The issue was isolated to the gas line in the home.&nbsp; 

A friend established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-milos-recovery-and-home-rebuild">an online fundraiser</a> to assist the family.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-milos-recovery-and-home-rebuild">Click here</a> to view the fundraiser.

Just after 7p.m. on June 15, the Garden City Fire Department was dispatched to the report of an explosion at 802 West Fair Street, Garden City.

Upon arrival, fire personnel found one home that had significant damage due to an explosion with a large debris field surrounding the site. Finney County EMS transported the 19-year-old victim to St. Catherine Hospital.&nbsp; He remains in a Wichita hospital, according to the fire department. Officials have not release any&nbsp; updated information on his condition.

According to the GoFundMe page, "Our lives were shattered by a devastating house explosion that left Milo, our beloved Nephew, critically injured.&nbsp; The blast not only destroyed our home but also resulted in extensive medical bills as Milo fights for recovery in the hospital."

"The road to healing will be long and challenging, both emotionally and financially."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719671268273.png" alt="Photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —As the investigation into the June 15, home explosion in Garden City continues, investigators determined that the explosion was caused by a natural gas leak, according to a media release from the Garden City fire department.The gas leak was ignited when the 19-year-old victim turned on the stove. The issue was isolated to the gas line in the home.&nbsp; A friend established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-milos-recovery-and-home-rebuild">an online fundraiser</a> to assist the family.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-milos-recovery-and-home-rebuild">Click here</a> to view the fundraiser.Just after 7p.m. on June 15, the Garden City Fire Department was dispatched to the report of an explosion at 802 West Fair Street, Garden City.Upon arrival, fire personnel found one home that had significant damage due to an explosion with a large debris field surrounding the site. Finney County EMS transported the 19-year-old victim to St. Catherine Hospital.&nbsp; He remains in a Wichita hospital, according to the fire department. Officials have not release any&nbsp; updated information on his condition.According to the GoFundMe page, "Our lives were shattered by a devastating house explosion that left Milo, our beloved Nephew, critically injured.&nbsp; The blast not only destroyed our home but also resulted in extensive medical bills as Milo fights for recovery in the hospital.""The road to healing will be long and challenging, both emotionally and financially."

Teen continues recovery after SW Kansas home explosion

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp; —Authorities investigating a fatal helicopter crash that occurred just after 8a.m. Friday have identified the man who died as 70-year-old Vincent Faber of Andale, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff Lt. Nathan Gibbs.

The National Transportation Safety Board continues investigating the&nbsp; crash of the RotorWay Scorpion 133 in the&nbsp;in the 5700 block of North 255th Street West.

An NTSB investigator&nbsp;arrived on scene Saturday, according to a statement from the agency. On scene, the investigator is documenting the scene and examining the&nbsp;wreckage.

NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.

Witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:witness@ntsb.gov">witness@ntsb.gov</a>.&nbsp;

The NTSB will issue&nbsp; a preliminary report on the crash within 30 days.

The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A probable cause of the crash along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the final report, which is expected in 12-24 months. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720384018080.png" alt="First responders on the scene -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp; —Authorities investigating a fatal helicopter crash that occurred just after 8a.m. Friday have identified the man who died as 70-year-old Vincent Faber of Andale, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff Lt. Nathan Gibbs.The National Transportation Safety Board continues investigating the&nbsp; crash of the RotorWay Scorpion 133 in the&nbsp;in the 5700 block of North 255th Street West.An NTSB investigator&nbsp;arrived on scene Saturday, according to a statement from the agency. On scene, the investigator is documenting the scene and examining the&nbsp;wreckage.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720189143245.png" alt="Google map" />
 <figcaption>Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.Witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:witness@ntsb.gov">witness@ntsb.gov</a>.&nbsp;The NTSB will issue&nbsp; a preliminary report on the crash within 30 days.The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A probable cause of the crash along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the final report, which is expected in 12-24 months. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Sheriff IDs Kansas pilot who died in helicopter crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;wants Democrats in Congress to know he has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-campaign-house-democrats-senate-16c222f825558db01609605b3ad9742a">no intention of exiting this year's election</a>, sending them a letter on Monday on his personal letterhead.

Here is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24794149-biden-letter-to-congressional-democrats">Biden's letter</a>&nbsp;to the congressional Democrats whose backing he likely needs:

Now that you have returned from the July 4th recess, I want you to know that despite all the speculation in the press and elsewhere, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump.

I have had extensive conversations with the leadership of the party, elected officials, rank and file members, and most importantly, Democratic voters over these past 10 days or so. I have heard the concerns that people have — their good faith fears and worries about what is at stake in this election. I am not blind to them. Believe me, I know better than anyone the responsibility and the burden the nominee of our party carries. I carried it in 2020 when the fate of our nation was at stake. I also know these concerns come from a place of real respect for my lifetime of public service and my record as President, and I have been moved by the expressions of affection for me from so many who have known me well and supported me over the course of my public life. I’ve been grateful for the rock-solid, steadfast support from so many elected Democrats in Congress and all across the country and taken great strength from the resolve and determination I’ve seen from so many voters and grassroots supporters even in the hardest of weeks.

I can respond to all this by saying clearly and unequivocally: I wouldn’t be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024.

We had a Democratic nomination process and the voters have spoken clearly and decisively. I received over 14 million votes, 87% of the votes cast across the entire nominating process. I have nearly 3,000 delegates, making me the presumptive nominee of our party by a wide margin.

This was a process open to anyone who wanted to run. Only three people chose to challenge me. One fared so badly that he left the primaries to run as an independent. Another attacked me for being too old and was soundly defeated. The voters of the Democratic Party have voted. They have chosen me to be the nominee of the party.

Do we now just say this process didn’t matter? That the voters don’t have a say?

I decline to do that. I feel a deep obligation to the faith and the trust the voters of the Democratic Party have placed in me to run this year. It was their decision to make. Not the press, not the pundits, not the big donors, not any selected group of individuals, no matter how well intentioned. The voters — and the voters alone — decide the nominee of the Democratic Party. How can we stand for democracy in our nation if we ignore it in our own party? I cannot do that. I will not do that.

I have no doubt that I — and we — can and will beat Donald Trump. We have an historic record of success to run on. From creating over 15 million jobs (including 200,000 just last month), reaching historic lows on unemployment, to revitalizing American manufacturing with 800,000 jobs, to protecting and expanding affordable health care, to rebuilding America’s roads, bridges, highways, ports and airports, and water systems, to beating Big Pharma and lowering the cost of prescription drugs, including $35 a month insulin for seniors, to providing student debt relief for nearly 5 million Americans to an historic investment in combatting climate change.

More importantly, we have an economic vision to run on that soundly beats Trump and the MAGA Republicans. They are siding with the wealthy and the big corporations and we are siding with the working people of America. It wasn’t an isolated moment for Trump to stand at Mar-A-Lago and tell the oil industry they should give him $1 billion and he will do whatever they want.

That’s whose side Trump and the MAGA Republicans are on. Trump and the MAGA Republicans want another $5 trillion in tax cuts for rich people so they can cut Social Security and Medicare. We will never let that happen. Its trickle-down economics on steroids. We know the way to build the economy is from the middle out and the bottom up, not the top down. We are finally going to make the rich and big corporations pay their fair share of taxes in this country. The MAGA party is also still determined to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which could throw 45 million Americans off their coverage. We will never let that happen either. Trump got rich denying rental housing to Black people. We have a plan to build 2 million new housing units in America. They want to let Big Pharma charge as much as they want again. What do you think America’s seniors will think when they know Trump and the MAGA Republicans want to take away their $35 insulin — as well as the $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket prescription costs we Democrats just got them? Or what do you think American families are going to think when they find out Trump and the MAGA Republicans want to hit them with a new $2,500 national sales tax on all the imported products they buy.

We are the ones lowering costs for families — from health care to prescription drugs to student debt to housing. We are the ones protecting Social Security and Medicare. Everything they're proposing raises costs for most Americans — except their tax cuts which will go to the rich.

We are protecting the freedoms of Americans. Trump and the MAGA Republicans are taking them away. They have already for the first time in history taken away a fundamental freedom from the American people by overturning Roe v. Wade. They have decided politicians should make the most personal of decisions that should be made by women and their doctors and those closest to them. They have already said they won’t stop there — and are going after everything from contraception to IVF to the right to marry who you love. And they have made it clear they will ban abortion nationwide. We will let none of that happen. I have made it clear that if Kamala and I are reelected, and the nation elects a Democratic House and Senate, we will make Roe v. Wade the law of the land again. We are the ones who will bring real Supreme Court reform; Donald Trump and his majority want more of the same from the Court, and the chance to add to the right-wing majority they built by subverting the norms and principles of the nomination and confirmation process.

And we are standing up for American democracy. After January 6th, Trump has proven that he is unfit to ever hold the office of President. We can never allow him anywhere near that office again. And we never will.

My fellow Democrats — we have the record, the vision, and the fundamental commitment to America’s freedoms and our Democracy to win.

The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end. We have one job. And that is to beat Donald Trump. We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election. Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It is time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.

President of the United States of America

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, in a letter to congressional Democrats, stood firm against calls for him to drop his candidacy and called for an “end” to the intraparty drama that has torn apart Democrats since his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-campaigning-pennsylvania-democratic-doubts-election-77b050b1c5c39aec2ef633281d082566">dismal public debate performance</a>.

Biden's efforts to shore up a deeply anxious Democratic Party came Monday as lawmakers are returning to Washington and confronting a choice: decide whether to work to revive his campaign or edge out the party leader, a make-or-break time for his reelection and their own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">political futures</a>.

He followed up the letter with a phone interview with MSNBC's “Morning Joe” show, on which he insisted that “average Democrats” want him to stay in the race and said he was “frustrated” by the calls from party officials for him to step aside.

“They’re big names, but I don't care what those big names think," Biden said.

He threw the gauntlet at his critics, saying if they're serious they ought to “announce for president, challenge me at the convention” or rally behind him against Trump.

Anxiety is running high as top-ranking Democratic lawmakers are joining calls for Biden to step aside despite his defiance. At the same time, some of the president’s most staunch supporters are redoubling the fight for Biden’s presidency, insisting there's no one better to beat Trump in what many see as among the most important elections of a lifetime.

As lawmakers weigh whether Biden should&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-election-abc-debate-age-trump-25a863ba1ca3d6d01d8cc69a61274321">stay or go</a>, there appear to be no easy answers.

Time is not on their side, almost a month from the Democratic National Convention and just a week before Republicans gather in Milwaukee to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-biden-9d372469033d23e1e3aef5cf0470a2e6">renominate Trump</a>&nbsp;as their presidential pick. Many Democrats are arguing the attention needs to be focused instead on the former president's felony conviction in the hush money case and pending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">federal charges</a>&nbsp;in his effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">overturn the 2020 election</a>.

It's what Biden himself might call an inflection point. As he defiantly says he will only step aside if the Lord almighty comes and tells him to, Democrats in the House and Senate are deciding how hard they want to fight the president to change course, or if they want to change course at all.

In an effort to “get on the same page,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is convening lawmakers for private meetings before he shows his own preference, according to a person familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it. He plans to gather Democrats on Monday whose bids for reelection are most vulnerable.

But a private call Sunday of some 15 top House committee members exposed the deepening divide as at least four more Democrats — Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state and Rep. Mark Takano of California — privately said Biden should step aside.

Nadler, as the most senior ranking member on the call, was the first person to speak up and say that Biden should step aside, according to a person familiar with the call who was granted anonymity to discuss it. He did so aware of his seniority and that it would allow others to join him.

And several lawmakers appeared frustrated that leadership was not providing direction or a path forward, according to people familiar with the call. One Democratic lawmaker said regardless of the decision, the situation has to “end now,” one of the people said.

The upheaval also is testing a new generation of leaders, headed by Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Both New Yorkers have refrained from publicly directing lawmakers on a path forward as they balance diverse opinions in their ranks.

Behind the scenes is Speaker Emerita&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>, who continues to field calls from lawmakers seeking advice about the situation, and is widely viewed as the one to watch for any ultimate decision on Biden's future because of her proximity to the president and vote-counting skills in party politics.

Pelosi spoke up last week, saying Biden's debate performance raised “legitimate” questions he needed to answer, but she has remained supportive of the president. And Biden called her last week when he reached out to other party leaders.

When Biden's prime-time ABC interview on Friday appeared to do little to calm worried Democrats, and some said made the situation worse, Pelosi stepped forward to publicly praise Biden on social media as a “great President who continues to deliver for America’s kitchen table.” She added, "and we're not done yet!”

Schumer has kept a lower profile throughout the ordeal but will convene Democratic senators Tuesday for their weekly lunch when senators are certain to air many views.

Padilla spoke with Biden over the weekend, and urged his campaign to “let Joe be Joe.”

“Given the debate, I think the campaign has no choice,” Padilla said Sunday, explaining that Biden needs to hold town halls and unscripted events to show voters “the Joe Biden I know, and that most people in American have come to grow and love.”

While some deep-pocketed donors may be showing discomfort, strategists working on House and Senate races said they posted record fundraising as donors view congressional Democrats as a “firewall” and last line of defense against Trump.

House Democrats have had some of their better fundraising days yet, including a $3 million haul last Friday night after the debate at an event with former President Barack Obama and Jeffries in New York City. That’s on top of $1.3 million that rolled into the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the debate and its immediate aftermath.

Senate Democrats are also seeing a “surge” of support, according to a national Democrat with knowledge of Senate races.

As Democratic candidates campaign alongside Biden, the advice has been to focus on building their own brands and amplifying the way the work that’s done in Congress affects their local districts.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Deeply torn over President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden’s</a>&nbsp;candidacy, Democratic lawmakers return to Washington at a pivotal moment as they decide whether to work to revive his campaign or edge out the party leader, a make-or-break time for his reelection and their own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">political futures</a>.

Anxiety is running high as top-ranking Democratic lawmakers are joining calls for Biden to step aside after his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-campaigning-pennsylvania-democratic-doubts-election-77b050b1c5c39aec2ef633281d082566">dismal public debate performance</a>&nbsp;and defiant response to the uproar. At the same time, some of the president’s most staunch supporters are redoubling the fight for Biden’s presidency, insisting there is no one better to beat Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;in what many see as among the most important elections of a lifetime.

As lawmakers weigh whether Biden should&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-2024-election-abc-debate-age-trump-25a863ba1ca3d6d01d8cc69a61274321">stay or go</a>, there appear to be no easy answers in sight.

It’s a tenuous and highly volatile juncture for the president’s party. Democrats who have worked alongside Biden for years — if not decades — and cherished his life's work on policy priorities are now entertaining uncomfortable questions about his political future. And it's unfolding as Biden hosts world leaders for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-summit-trump-biden-europe-ukraine-e45273ef1bd408d72245f8f7fd1ec5c0">NATO summit</a>&nbsp;this week in Washington.

Read Biden's new letter to Hill Democrats: 'End the drama'

KANSAS CITY—Fire crews were busy with an unusual call early Sunday to rescue two people lost for over 5-hours in the cave system near Kansas City.

Just after 4 a.m. a man and woman became lost while exploring the caves off of Coalmine Road, according to KCFD Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 They entered the caves just after 11 p.m. After becoming disoriented and unable to find their way out. They were able to find a spot with enough signal to call 911. 

KCFD rescue division responded. Using ropes for guidance the Rescue crews descended approximately 2000 to 2500 feet into the cave system where they located both victims. 

Both victims were removed unharmed and refused medical treatment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720384593882.png" alt="Google map" />
 <figcaption>Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Fire crews were busy with an unusual call early Sunday to rescue two people lost for over 5-hours in the cave system near Kansas City.Just after 4 a.m. a man and woman became lost while exploring the caves off of Coalmine Road, according to KCFD Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. They entered the caves just after 11 p.m. After becoming disoriented and unable to find their way out. They were able to find a spot with enough signal to call 911. KCFD rescue division responded. Using ropes for guidance the Rescue crews descended approximately 2000 to 2500 feet into the cave system where they located both victims. Both victims were removed unharmed and refused medical treatment.

Couple rescued after 5 hours in a cave near Kansas City

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide&nbsp; are asking for the public’s help in locating 19-year-old Nassir Gill of Topeka, according to a media release from police.

 Gill is a person of interest in the homicide of Brian M. Wright Jr., 23, that occurred on June 21, in the 3100 block of SW Westover Road in Topeka.

Gill is described as 5-foot-6 and weighs approximately 160 pounds. He may no longer have blue/green hair, as seen in the photo released by police.

If you see or know where Gill may be, please call or email investigators at 785-368-9551 and telltpd@topeka.org. You can also report anonymously to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or online at www.p3tips.com/128.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719693545861.png" alt="Gill is described as 5-foot-6 and weighs approximately 160 pounds. He may no longer have blue/green hair, as seen in the photo released by police." />
 <figcaption>Gill is described as 5-foot-6 and weighs approximately 160 pounds. He may no longer have blue/green hair, as seen in the photo released by police.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide&nbsp; are asking for the public’s help in locating 19-year-old Nassir Gill of Topeka, according to a media release from police. Gill is a person of interest in the homicide of Brian M. Wright Jr., 23, that occurred on June 21, in the 3100 block of SW Westover Road in Topeka.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719001082126.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Gill is described as 5-foot-6 and weighs approximately 160 pounds. He may no longer have blue/green hair, as seen in the photo released by police.If you see or know where Gill may be, please call or email investigators at 785-368-9551 and telltpd@topeka.org. You can also report anonymously to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or online at www.p3tips.com/128.

Kansas teen homicide suspect still missing

WASHINGTON (AP) —Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge stemming from two crashes of 737 Max jetliners that killed 346 people after the government determined the company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-justice-department-737-max-82145b25ed988cd8cae0bce3de79ce9d">violated an agreement</a>&nbsp;that had protected it from prosecution for more than three years, the Justice Department said Sunday night.

Federal prosecutors gave Boeing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-criminal-charges-plea-deal-861175435e04039112fde0ac6bdbf75a">the choice</a>&nbsp;last week of entering a guilty plea and paying a fine as part of its sentence or facing a trial on the felony criminal charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Prosecutors accused the American aerospace giant of deceiving regulators who approved the airplane and pilot-training requirements for it.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-crash-plea-deal-fraud-d0531d9e9858689bf0d572584dc36b83">plea deal</a>, which still must receive the approval of a federal judge to take effect, calls for Boeing to pay an additional $243.6 million fine. That was the same amount it paid under the 2021 settlement that the Justice Department said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-justice-department-737-max-82145b25ed988cd8cae0bce3de79ce9d">the company breached</a>. An independent monitor would be named to oversee Boeing's safety and quality procedures for three years. The deal also requires Boeing to invest at least $455 million in its compliance and safety programs.

The plea deal covers only wrongdoing by Boeing before the crashes, which killed all 346 passengers and crew members aboard two new Max jets. It does not give Boeing immunity for other incidents, including a panel that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-max-emergency-landing-alaska-airlines-79bc1ea98ee7fbc6edf46aff9319775b">blew off</a>&nbsp;a Max jetliner during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, a Justice Department official said.

The deal also does not cover any current or former Boeing officials, only the corporation. In a statement, Boeing confirmed it had reached the deal with the Justice Department but had no further comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718741633288.png" alt="During a Senate hearing in June Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun apologized to families in the audience of Boeing's Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash victims.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>During a Senate hearing in June Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun apologized to families in the audience of Boeing's Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash victims.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge stemming from two crashes of 737 Max jetliners that killed 346 people after the government determined the company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-justice-department-737-max-82145b25ed988cd8cae0bce3de79ce9d">violated an agreement</a>&nbsp;that had protected it from prosecution for more than three years, the Justice Department said Sunday night.Federal prosecutors gave Boeing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-criminal-charges-plea-deal-861175435e04039112fde0ac6bdbf75a">the choice</a>&nbsp;last week of entering a guilty plea and paying a fine as part of its sentence or facing a trial on the felony criminal charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States.Prosecutors accused the American aerospace giant of deceiving regulators who approved the airplane and pilot-training requirements for it.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun apologizes to families in the audience of Boeing&#39;s Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash victims. <a href="https://t.co/2PJphR051S">pic.twitter.com/2PJphR051S</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1803140939575161269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-crash-plea-deal-fraud-d0531d9e9858689bf0d572584dc36b83">plea deal</a>, which still must receive the approval of a federal judge to take effect, calls for Boeing to pay an additional $243.6 million fine. That was the same amount it paid under the 2021 settlement that the Justice Department said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-justice-department-737-max-82145b25ed988cd8cae0bce3de79ce9d">the company breached</a>. An independent monitor would be named to oversee Boeing's safety and quality procedures for three years. The deal also requires Boeing to invest at least $455 million in its compliance and safety programs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718741575107.png" alt="Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun during testimony before a Senate Committee in June" />
 <figcaption>Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun during testimony before a Senate Committee in June</figcaption>
 </figure>The plea deal covers only wrongdoing by Boeing before the crashes, which killed all 346 passengers and crew members aboard two new Max jets. It does not give Boeing immunity for other incidents, including a panel that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-max-emergency-landing-alaska-airlines-79bc1ea98ee7fbc6edf46aff9319775b">blew off</a>&nbsp;a Max jetliner during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, a Justice Department official said.The deal also does not cover any current or former Boeing officials, only the corporation. In a statement, Boeing confirmed it had reached the deal with the Justice Department but had no further comment.In a court filing Sunday night, the Justice Department said it expected to file the written plea agreement with the court by July 19. Lawyers for some of the relatives of those who died in the two crashes have said they will ask the judge to reject the agreement.“This sweetheart deal fails to recognize that because of Boeing’s conspiracy, 346 people died. Through crafty lawyering between Boeing and DOJ, the deadly consequences of Boeing’s crime are being hidden,” said Paul Cassell, a lawyer for some of the families.Federal prosecutors alleged Boeing committed conspiracy to defraud the government by misleading regulators about a flight-control system that was implicated in the crashes, which took place&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7c145dc3564045cea21cd387afebe5be">in Indonesia</a>&nbsp;in October 2018 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/1108708781ba46808a16843bda8cc079">in Ethiopia</a>&nbsp;less five months later.As part of the January 2021 settlement, the Justice Department said it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-department-of-justice-texas-business-fraud-57db69f33fda9f62785e1fe5d3b2f538">would not prosecute</a>&nbsp;Boeing on the charge if the company complied with certain conditions for three years. Prosecutors last month alleged Boeing had breached the terms of that agreement.The company’s guilty plea will be entered in U.S. District Court in Texas. The judge overseeing the case, who has criticized what he called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/accidents-fort-worth-business-fraud-6c6e5e7de01c9b0b6f74db8057431627">“Boeing’s egregious criminal conduct,”</a>&nbsp;could accept the plea and the sentence that prosecutors offered with it or he could reject the agreement, likely leading to new negotiations between the Justice Department and Boeing.The case goes back to the crashes in Indonesia and in Ethiopia. The Lion Air pilots in the first crash did not know about flight-control software that could push the nose of the plane down without their input. The pilots for Ethiopian Airlines knew about it but were unable to control the plane when the software activated based on information from a faulty sensor.The Justice Department charged Boeing in 2021 with deceiving FAA regulators about the software, which did not exist in older 737s, and about how much training pilots would need to fly the plane safely. The department agreed not to prosecute Boeing at the time, however, if the company paid a $2.5 billion settlement, including the $243.6 million fine, and took steps to comply with anti-fraud laws for three years.Boeing, which blamed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-texas-fort-worth-federal-aviation-administration-boeing-co-db0e14a239e43406d34d7dde99022089">two low-level employees</a>&nbsp;for misleading the regulators, tried to put the crashes behind it. After grounding Max jets for 20 months, regulators let them fly again after the Boeing reduced the power of the flight software. Max jets logged thousands of safe flights and orders from airlines picked up, increasing to about 750 in 2021, about 700 more in 2022 and nearly 1,000 in 2023.The company based in Arlington, Virginia, has dozens of airline customers spanning the globe. The best customers for the 737 Max include Southwest, United, American, Alaska, Ryanair and flydubai.That changed in January, when a panel covering an unused emergency exit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-max-emergency-landing-alaska-airlines-79bc1ea98ee7fbc6edf46aff9319775b">blew off</a>&nbsp;a Max during the Alaska Airlines flight over Oregon.Pilots landed the 737 Max safely and no one was seriously injured, but the incident led to closer scrutiny of the company. The Justice Department opened a new investigation, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-fbi-investigation-crime-lawsuit-oregon-a4ffddc43f2000dd9d9466a335df6a93">FBI told passengers</a>&nbsp;on the Alaska plane that they might be victims of a crime and the FAA said it was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-investigation-faa-panel-blowout-monitoring-06b098e57a8c65bdb0ba377f99290d32">stepping up oversight</a>&nbsp;of Boeing.A criminal conviction could jeopardize Boeing’s status as a federal contractor, according to some legal experts. The plea announced Sunday does not address that question, leaving it to each government agency whether to bar Boeing.The Air Force cited “compelling national interest” in letting Boeing continue competing for contracts after the company paid a $615 million fine in 2006 to settle criminal and civil charges, including that it used information stolen from a rival to win a space-launch contract.The company has 170,000 employees and 37% of its revenue last year came from U.S. government contracts. Most of it was defense work, including military sales that Washington arranged for other countries.Boeing also makes a capsule for NASA. Two astronauts will remain at the International Space Station longer than expected while Boeing and NASA engineers troubleshoot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-starliner-nasa-astronauts-space-station-2fe81a09bcd77563dadae2f86d4275fe">problems with the propulsion system</a>&nbsp;used to maneuver the capsule.Even some Boeing critics have worried about crippling a key defense contractor.“We want Boeing to succeed,” Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, said during a Senate hearing last month on what he termed the company’s broken safety culture. “Boeing needs to succeed for the sake of the jobs it provides, for the sake of local economies it supports, for the sake of the American traveling public, for the sake of our military.”Relatives of the Max crash victims have pushed for a criminal trial that might illuminate what people inside Boeing knew about deceiving the FAA. They also want the Justice Department to prosecute top Boeing officials, not just the company.“Boeing has paid fines many a time, and it doesn’t seem to make any change,” said Ike Riffel of Redding, California,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-plane-crashes-737-max-justice-department-da2977c487811e873be2d118b3c5e529">whose sons</a>&nbsp;Melvin and Bennett died in the Ethiopian Airlines crash. “When people start going to prison, that’s when you are going to see a change.”At a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-ceo-calhoun-safety-senate-investigations-de6a273e5ad69764f4e666cc4afda2c1">Senate hearing</a>, Boeing CEO David Calhoun defended the company’s safety record after turning and apologizing to Max crash victims’ relatives seated in the rows behind him “for the grief that we have caused.”Hours before the hearing, the Senate investigations subcommittee released a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024.06.17-PSI-Majority-Staff-Memorandum.pdf">204-page report</a>&nbsp;with new allegations from a whistleblower who said he worried that defective parts could be going into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-max-jet-incident-crashes-f73fb7b9eaff7f6549c88e958f7b8b38">737s</a>. The whistleblower was the latest in a string of current and former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-whistleblower-death-apparent-suicide-south-carolina-f7c8b8a614b069942a5f2e4773b99487">Boeing employees</a>&nbsp;who have raised safety concerns about the company and claimed they faced retaliation as a result.___