By SARA KAMALI <a href="https://theconversation.com/former-oath-keeper-reveals-racist-antisemitic-beliefs-of-white-nationalist-group-and-their-plans-to-start-a-civil-war-185006">The Conversation</a>

During his testimony before congressional investigators, former Oath 
Keepers spokesman Jason Van Tatenhove left little doubt about the 
intentions of the white nationalist militia group when its members 
stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Tatenhove explained that Jan. 6 “could have been a spark that started a new civil war.” 

“We need to quit mincing words and just talk about truths,” Tatenhove
 said, “and what it was going to be was an armed revolution.”

During its seventh hearing on July 12, 2022, the House Select 
Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol 
connected the dots between white nationalists and key allies of former 
President Donald Trump and their concerted efforts to overturn the 2020 
election by interrupting the counting of Electoral College votes and <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/21/jan-6-panel-trump-overturn-2020-election-00040816">inserting fake electors</a>.

The committee hearings focused on the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/jan-6-hearings-news-live/card/who-are-the-proud-boys-and-how-are-they-tied-to-jan-6--j3sz1xan8VFzcTDy8704">the Proud Boys</a>, <a href="https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/oath-keepers">the Oath Keepers</a> and their white nationalist allies within the Republican Party, including Trump.

In my book <a href="https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520389687/homegrown-hate">“Homegrown Hate: Why White Nationalists and Militant Islamists Are Waging War against the United States,”</a>,
 I detailed the history, beliefs, groups and manifestos of white 
nationalists in the United States and around the world, including the 
Oath Keepers, Proud Boys, Three Percenters and many of the other 
individuals and groups that attempted a collective coup on Jan. 6, 2021.

As I explore in my book, white nationalists believe that white people
 and identity are under attack worldwide by immigrants, people of color 
and, increasingly, progressives and liberals who do not share their 
racist, religious, anti-government beliefs or conspiracy theories. 

I also discuss the goal of white nationalists around the world to 
reclaim land as a white state governed and inhabited by white people 
only.

Several <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/proud-boys-white-supremacist-group-law-enforcement-agencies">U.S. law enforcement agencies</a> have characterized the Proud Boys as “white supremacists” and “extremists.”

The <a href="https://aninjusticemag.com/black-brown-proud-boys-provide-cover-for-group-s-true-nature-f2f40b18bf51">Proud Boys leader, Enrique Tarrio,</a> cites his Afro-Cuban roots and brown skin color as reasons why <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/former-proud-boys-leader-enrique-tarrio-serves-brown-face-white-n1291949">he can’t be a white nationalist</a>.

Co-founded by <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/06/the-secret-history-of-gavin-mcinnes">Gavin McInnes</a> in 2016, <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys">the Proud Boys</a> have participated in events with white nationalists since the group’s inception, including the <a href="https://time.com/charlottesville-white-nationalist-rally-clashes/">Unite the Right march in 2017</a> and the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol.

<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/06/06/1103364995/proud-boys-leader-tarrio-four-others-charged-with-seditious-conspiracy">Tarrio was arrested two days before Jan. 6</a> in Washington on charges stemming from his involvement in vandalizing a Black church and <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/protesters-rip-set-fire-to-blm-signs-at-two-dc-churches-organizers-respond/2507057/">burning a Black Lives Matter banner</a> during a violent <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/trump-rally-violence-proud-boys/2020/12/14/bf2f5826-3e26-11eb-8bc0-ae155bee4aff_story.html">Dec. 12, 2021, protest</a> in Washington.

While Oath Keepers <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/oathkeepers-stewart-rhodes-leader/2022/01/13/2e17e292-7492-11ec-bc13-18891499c514_story.html">founder Stewart Rhodes</a>
 publicly claims that he has Mexican and Apache heritage, the Oath 
Keepers have consistently taken stances that are racist and have warned 
of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/29/us/republicans-trump-capitol-riot.html">an impending civil war</a> in the United States.

In December 2018, the Oath Keepers website advertised a call to 
action for a “Border Operation” that encouraged paramilitary activity to
 prevent the “invasion” of “illegals” into the country and to provide 
“security for border ranches and families.”

This anti-immigration sentiment and warlike imagery were also found in the Trump White House. 

The <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/stephen-miller">Southern Poverty Law Center</a> details a series of emails sent to the conservative website Breitbart by <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/stephen-miller-splc-extremists-1518619">Stephen Miller</a>, who became a senior policy adviser in the Trump administration.

The <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/presscenter/splc-leaked-emails-expose-key-white-house-aide-stephen-millers-affinity-white">emails promoted white nationalist literature</a>, pushed racist immigration stories and obsessed over the loss of Confederate symbols.

Miller’s white nationalist ideology was at the heart of some of Trump’s most controversial policies, such as <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/07/03/ice-raids-arrest-quotas/">setting arrest quotas</a> for undocumented immigrants, an executive order effectively banning immigration from <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/26/trumps-muslim-ban-really-was-muslim-ban-thats-what-data-suggest/">five Muslim-majority countries</a> and a policy of <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hhs-inspector-general-report-details-psychological-trauma-among-separated-migrant-children/">family separation at refugee resettlement facilities</a>.

Shortly after <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/06/16/1105776617/buffalo-shooting-suspect-says-his-motive-was-to-prevent-eliminating-the-white-ra">the Buffalo supermarket shooting</a>,
 where a self-avowed white supremacist allegedly shot and killed 10 
black people to prevent, in his words, “eliminating the white race,” 
Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming blasted her Republican colleagues.

“The House GOP leadership has enabled white nationalism, white supremacy, and anti-semitism,” Cheney <a href="https://twitter.com/Liz_Cheney/status/1526159124840558592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1526159124840558592%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmybighornbasin.com%2Fliz-cheney-says-gop-leadership-has-enabled-white-nationalism-white-supremacy%2F">wrote in a tweet</a>. “History has taught us that what begins with words ends in far worse.”

Cheney, who is also co-chair of the Jan. 6 congressional select 
committee, then went a step further, calling on Republican leaders to 
“renounce and reject these views and those who hold them.” 

Though Republican leaders like House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3490663-house-gop-leaders-say-white-nationalism-accusations-part-of-a-political-game/">have denounced white supremacy</a>, several prominent Republicans still maintain ties to white nationalist groups.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, former Republican 
congressman Steve King, who represented Iowa in the U.S. House of 
Representatives from 2003 to 2021, is scheduled to attend the annual 
American Renaissance meeting in November 2022. People may remember King <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/here-are-seven-of-steve-kings-most-disturbing-comments-2019-8">for wondering aloud</a> in 2019 when the term “white supremacist” became offensive.

Started by <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/jared-taylor">racist idealogue Jared Taylor</a> in 1994, <a href="https://www.amren.com/">American Renaissance</a> is a website that promotes “racial differences,” and its annual meetings are a haven for neo-Nazis and white nationalists.

Also <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2022/07/06/white-nationalist-conference-lists-former-congressman-and-current-gop-congressional">scheduled to speak</a>
 there is GOP congressional candidate Laura Loomer of Florida, a 
self-described “#ProudIslamophobe” who stands for “pro-white 
nationalism.”

Such appearances at white nationalist gatherings by Republican 
legislators have drawn criticism from GOP leaders and are a potential 
political liability as midterm elections are taking place. 

In February 2022, for instance, GOP Congressmen <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/17/house-republicans-condemn-gop-candidate-racist-videos-325579">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a> of Georgia and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/06/politics/republican-paul-gosar-white-nationalists-kfile/index.html">Paul Gosar of Arizona</a> spoke at the far-right <a href="https://americafirstfoundation.org/afpac/">America First Political Action Conference</a>.

The event was organized by <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/nick-fuentes">Nicholas Fuentes</a>, a white nationalist activist who gained national prominence after he attended the <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/photos/white-nationalists-counterprotesters-clash-charlottesville-49178539/image-56939351">2017 Unite the Right rally</a> in Charlottesville, Virginia.

<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/gop-leaders-denounce-greene-gosar-speaking-white-nationalist-event-rcna18050">GOP leaders quickly denounced them</a> for speaking at the gathering.

But Greene said she had <a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/marjorie-taylor-greene-white-nationalist-no-regrets/">no regrets</a>.

Though GOP leaders deny claims of white supremacy and extremism within their party, their actions tell another story. 

On July 11, 2022, Senate Republicans <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/us-news/2022/05/26/republicans-block-gun-bill-to-battle-white-supremacy-and-domestic-terrorism/">blocked a bill</a>
 that would have authorized federal agencies to monitor domestic 
terrorism within the U.S., including incidents involving white 
supremacy.

Called the <a href="https://www.cbo.gov/publication/58033">Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act</a>,
 the bill fell short of the 60 senators needed to move it forward in 
Congress, as the vote was 47-47 and divided along party lines.

More troubling is the allure of the white nationalist platform to 
elected officials and voters. Many successful local, state and federal 
elections in 2020 centered on perpetuating the Big Lie, the conspiracy 
theory embraced by many white nationalists that the 2020 election was 
stolen from Trump. 

Frank Eathorne is the <a href="https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/wyoming-gop-chair-eathorne-reportedly-seen-on-restricted-u-s-capitol-grounds/article_0a6660b5-f94c-5fda-82dc-74714790b16f.html">chairman of the Wyoming Republican Party</a> and <a href="https://wyofile.com/whistleblower-list-names-wyo-gop-chair-others-as-oath-keepers/">a member</a> of the Oath Keepers.

As such, Eathorne is <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/liz-cheneys-wyoming-nemesis-is-an-oath-keeper-who-was-at-capitol-rally">one of the more influential Republican</a>
 officials in the country as he is presiding over arguably the GOP’s 
highest-profile primary battle of the 2022 election: unseating Cheney 
for her relentless criticism of former Trump’s lies about the 2020 
election.

In February 2021, Eathorne supported a successful effort by the Wyoming GOP to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/02/06/964933035/wyoming-gop-censures-liz-cheney-for-voting-to-impeach-trump">formally censure Cheney</a>. In November, he presided over another successful vote to <a href="https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/wyoming-gop-votes-to-no-longer-recognize-rep-cheney-as-a-republican/article_66c3a62d-7207-54c7-b277-183817c0563c.html">no longer recognize Cheney</a> as a member of the Republican Party.

Not surpisingly, Eathorne is supporting <a href="https://www.eenews.net/articles/meet-the-anti-conservation-republican-vying-to-unseat-cheney/">attorney Harriet Hageman</a> in her primary challenge against Cheney. As is <a href="https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2022-02-17/kevin-mccarthy-endorses-liz-cheney-primary-opponent-trump">House Minority Leader McCarthy</a>.

Republican pushback against claims that the party has been 
infiltrated by white nationalists was made clear during a January 2021 
meeting of the Grand Traverse County (Michigan) Board of Commissioners. 

Keli MacIntosh, a 72-year-old retired nurse and regular attendee of board meetings, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/22/us/michigan-county-commissioner-gun-proud-boys/index.html">asked the board to denounce the Proud Boys</a> after some of its members were allowed to speak on their opposition to gun control.

As MacIntosh was speaking, Board Vice Chair Ron Clous got up, left the meeting, and returned with a large rifle. 

Clous held the rifle to his chest for a moment and then placed it on his desk for the remainder of the meeting. 

The January 6th hearings are making clear that American democracy is 
increasingly threatened by white nationalists in the Republican Party 
who are determined to perpetuate disinformation about the 2020 
presidential election in order to hold onto power through the same 
system they deem illegitimate.

Sara Kamali is an Author &amp; Research Scholar, Orfalea Center for Global &amp; 
International Studies, University of California Santa Barbara.

<h2>Analysis</h2>By SARA KAMALI <a href="https://theconversation.com/former-oath-keeper-reveals-racist-antisemitic-beliefs-of-white-nationalist-group-and-their-plans-to-start-a-civil-war-185006">The Conversation</a><div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/185006/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1"></iframe></div>During his testimony before congressional investigators, former Oath 
Keepers spokesman Jason Van Tatenhove left little doubt about the 
intentions of the white nationalist militia group when its members 
stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.Tatenhove explained that Jan. 6 “could have been a spark that started a new civil war.” “We need to quit mincing words and just talk about truths,” Tatenhove
 said, “and what it was going to be was an armed revolution.”During its seventh hearing on July 12, 2022, the House Select 
Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol 
connected the dots between white nationalists and key allies of former 
President Donald Trump and their concerted efforts to overturn the 2020 
election by interrupting the counting of Electoral College votes and <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/21/jan-6-panel-trump-overturn-2020-election-00040816">inserting fake electors</a>. The committee hearings focused on the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/jan-6-hearings-news-live/card/who-are-the-proud-boys-and-how-are-they-tied-to-jan-6--j3sz1xan8VFzcTDy8704">the Proud Boys</a>, <a href="https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounders/oath-keepers">the Oath Keepers</a> and their white nationalist allies within the Republican Party, including Trump. In my book <a href="https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520389687/homegrown-hate">“Homegrown Hate: Why White Nationalists and Militant Islamists Are Waging War against the United States,”</a>,
 I detailed the history, beliefs, groups and manifestos of white 
nationalists in the United States and around the world, including the 
Oath Keepers, Proud Boys, Three Percenters and many of the other 
individuals and groups that attempted a collective coup on Jan. 6, 2021.
 As I explore in my book, white nationalists believe that white people
 and identity are under attack worldwide by immigrants, people of color 
and, increasingly, progressives and liberals who do not share their 
racist, religious, anti-government beliefs or conspiracy theories. I also discuss the goal of white nationalists around the world to 
reclaim land as a white state governed and inhabited by white people 
only.<h2>Law enforcement warnings</h2>Several <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/01/proud-boys-white-supremacist-group-law-enforcement-agencies">U.S. law enforcement agencies</a> have characterized the Proud Boys as “white supremacists” and “extremists.” The <a href="https://aninjusticemag.com/black-brown-proud-boys-provide-cover-for-group-s-true-nature-f2f40b18bf51">Proud Boys leader, Enrique Tarrio,</a> cites his Afro-Cuban roots and brown skin color as reasons why <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/former-proud-boys-leader-enrique-tarrio-serves-brown-face-white-n1291949">he can’t be a white nationalist</a>. Co-founded by <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/06/the-secret-history-of-gavin-mcinnes">Gavin McInnes</a> in 2016, <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys">the Proud Boys</a> have participated in events with white nationalists since the group’s inception, including the <a href="https://time.com/charlottesville-white-nationalist-rally-clashes/">Unite the Right march in 2017</a> and the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol.<a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/06/06/1103364995/proud-boys-leader-tarrio-four-others-charged-with-seditious-conspiracy">Tarrio was arrested two days before Jan. 6</a> in Washington on charges stemming from his involvement in vandalizing a Black church and <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/protesters-rip-set-fire-to-blm-signs-at-two-dc-churches-organizers-respond/2507057/">burning a Black Lives Matter banner</a> during a violent <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/trump-rally-violence-proud-boys/2020/12/14/bf2f5826-3e26-11eb-8bc0-ae155bee4aff_story.html">Dec. 12, 2021, protest</a> in Washington. While Oath Keepers <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/oathkeepers-stewart-rhodes-leader/2022/01/13/2e17e292-7492-11ec-bc13-18891499c514_story.html">founder Stewart Rhodes</a>
 publicly claims that he has Mexican and Apache heritage, the Oath 
Keepers have consistently taken stances that are racist and have warned 
of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/29/us/republicans-trump-capitol-riot.html">an impending civil war</a> in the United States. In December 2018, the Oath Keepers website advertised a call to 
action for a “Border Operation” that encouraged paramilitary activity to
 prevent the “invasion” of “illegals” into the country and to provide 
“security for border ranches and families.”This anti-immigration sentiment and warlike imagery were also found in the Trump White House. The <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/stephen-miller">Southern Poverty Law Center</a> details a series of emails sent to the conservative website Breitbart by <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/stephen-miller-splc-extremists-1518619">Stephen Miller</a>, who became a senior policy adviser in the Trump administration. The <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/presscenter/splc-leaked-emails-expose-key-white-house-aide-stephen-millers-affinity-white">emails promoted white nationalist literature</a>, pushed racist immigration stories and obsessed over the loss of Confederate symbols.Miller’s white nationalist ideology was at the heart of some of Trump’s most controversial policies, such as <a href="https://theintercept.com/2019/07/03/ice-raids-arrest-quotas/">setting arrest quotas</a> for undocumented immigrants, an executive order effectively banning immigration from <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/09/26/trumps-muslim-ban-really-was-muslim-ban-thats-what-data-suggest/">five Muslim-majority countries</a> and a policy of <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hhs-inspector-general-report-details-psychological-trauma-among-separated-migrant-children/">family separation at refugee resettlement facilities</a>.<h2>White nationalist GOP members</h2>Shortly after <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/06/16/1105776617/buffalo-shooting-suspect-says-his-motive-was-to-prevent-eliminating-the-white-ra">the Buffalo supermarket shooting</a>,
 where a self-avowed white supremacist allegedly shot and killed 10 
black people to prevent, in his words, “eliminating the white race,” 
Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming blasted her Republican colleagues.
 “The House GOP leadership has enabled white nationalism, white supremacy, and anti-semitism,” Cheney <a href="https://twitter.com/Liz_Cheney/status/1526159124840558592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1526159124840558592%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmybighornbasin.com%2Fliz-cheney-says-gop-leadership-has-enabled-white-nationalism-white-supremacy%2F">wrote in a tweet</a>. “History has taught us that what begins with words ends in far worse.”Cheney, who is also co-chair of the Jan. 6 congressional select 
committee, then went a step further, calling on Republican leaders to 
“renounce and reject these views and those who hold them.” Though Republican leaders like House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3490663-house-gop-leaders-say-white-nationalism-accusations-part-of-a-political-game/">have denounced white supremacy</a>, several prominent Republicans still maintain ties to white nationalist groups. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, former Republican 
congressman Steve King, who represented Iowa in the U.S. House of 
Representatives from 2003 to 2021, is scheduled to attend the annual 
American Renaissance meeting in November 2022. People may remember King <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/here-are-seven-of-steve-kings-most-disturbing-comments-2019-8">for wondering aloud</a> in 2019 when the term “white supremacist” became offensive.Started by <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/jared-taylor">racist idealogue Jared Taylor</a> in 1994, <a href="https://www.amren.com/">American Renaissance</a> is a website that promotes “racial differences,” and its annual meetings are a haven for neo-Nazis and white nationalists. Also <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2022/07/06/white-nationalist-conference-lists-former-congressman-and-current-gop-congressional">scheduled to speak</a>
 there is GOP congressional candidate Laura Loomer of Florida, a 
self-described “#ProudIslamophobe” who stands for “pro-white 
nationalism.” Such appearances at white nationalist gatherings by Republican 
legislators have drawn criticism from GOP leaders and are a potential 
political liability as midterm elections are taking place. In February 2022, for instance, GOP Congressmen <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/17/house-republicans-condemn-gop-candidate-racist-videos-325579">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a> of Georgia and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/06/politics/republican-paul-gosar-white-nationalists-kfile/index.html">Paul Gosar of Arizona</a> spoke at the far-right <a href="https://americafirstfoundation.org/afpac/">America First Political Action Conference</a>. The event was organized by <a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/nick-fuentes">Nicholas Fuentes</a>, a white nationalist activist who gained national prominence after he attended the <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/photos/white-nationalists-counterprotesters-clash-charlottesville-49178539/image-56939351">2017 Unite the Right rally</a> in Charlottesville, Virginia.<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/gop-leaders-denounce-greene-gosar-speaking-white-nationalist-event-rcna18050">GOP leaders quickly denounced them</a> for speaking at the gathering. But Greene said she had <a href="https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/marjorie-taylor-greene-white-nationalist-no-regrets/">no regrets</a>. <h2>Whither the GOP?</h2>Though GOP leaders deny claims of white supremacy and extremism within their party, their actions tell another story. On July 11, 2022, Senate Republicans <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/us-news/2022/05/26/republicans-block-gun-bill-to-battle-white-supremacy-and-domestic-terrorism/">blocked a bill</a>
 that would have authorized federal agencies to monitor domestic 
terrorism within the U.S., including incidents involving white 
supremacy.Called the <a href="https://www.cbo.gov/publication/58033">Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act</a>,
 the bill fell short of the 60 senators needed to move it forward in 
Congress, as the vote was 47-47 and divided along party lines. More troubling is the allure of the white nationalist platform to 
elected officials and voters. Many successful local, state and federal 
elections in 2020 centered on perpetuating the Big Lie, the conspiracy 
theory embraced by many white nationalists that the 2020 election was 
stolen from Trump. Frank Eathorne is the <a href="https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/wyoming-gop-chair-eathorne-reportedly-seen-on-restricted-u-s-capitol-grounds/article_0a6660b5-f94c-5fda-82dc-74714790b16f.html">chairman of the Wyoming Republican Party</a> and <a href="https://wyofile.com/whistleblower-list-names-wyo-gop-chair-others-as-oath-keepers/">a member</a> of the Oath Keepers.As such, Eathorne is <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/liz-cheneys-wyoming-nemesis-is-an-oath-keeper-who-was-at-capitol-rally">one of the more influential Republican</a>
 officials in the country as he is presiding over arguably the GOP’s 
highest-profile primary battle of the 2022 election: unseating Cheney 
for her relentless criticism of former Trump’s lies about the 2020 
election.In February 2021, Eathorne supported a successful effort by the Wyoming GOP to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/02/06/964933035/wyoming-gop-censures-liz-cheney-for-voting-to-impeach-trump">formally censure Cheney</a>. In November, he presided over another successful vote to <a href="https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/wyoming-gop-votes-to-no-longer-recognize-rep-cheney-as-a-republican/article_66c3a62d-7207-54c7-b277-183817c0563c.html">no longer recognize Cheney</a> as a member of the Republican Party.Not surpisingly, Eathorne is supporting <a href="https://www.eenews.net/articles/meet-the-anti-conservation-republican-vying-to-unseat-cheney/">attorney Harriet Hageman</a> in her primary challenge against Cheney. As is <a href="https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2022-02-17/kevin-mccarthy-endorses-liz-cheney-primary-opponent-trump">House Minority Leader McCarthy</a>. Republican pushback against claims that the party has been 
infiltrated by white nationalists was made clear during a January 2021 
meeting of the Grand Traverse County (Michigan) Board of Commissioners. Keli MacIntosh, a 72-year-old retired nurse and regular attendee of board meetings, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/22/us/michigan-county-commissioner-gun-proud-boys/index.html">asked the board to denounce the Proud Boys</a> after some of its members were allowed to speak on their opposition to gun control. As MacIntosh was speaking, Board Vice Chair Ron Clous got up, left the meeting, and returned with a large rifle. Clous held the rifle to his chest for a moment and then placed it on his desk for the remainder of the meeting. The January 6th hearings are making clear that American democracy is 
increasingly threatened by white nationalists in the Republican Party 
who are determined to perpetuate disinformation about the 2020 
presidential election in order to hold onto power through the same 
system they deem illegitimate.Sara Kamali is an Author &amp; Research Scholar, Orfalea Center for Global &amp; 
International Studies, University of California Santa Barbara.

Former Oath Keeper reveals racist, antisemitic beliefs — and plans to start civil war

WASHINGTON (AP) —<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pharmacies-guidance.pdf">The Biden administration is warning pharmacies</a>&nbsp;not to discriminate against women who may seek reproductive health prescriptions, including some that might be involved in ending a pregnancy.

The Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that pharmacies receiving federal money from programs such as Medicare and Medicaid cannot discriminate in how they supply medications or advise patients on prescriptions.

The agency noted that discrimination against people based on their pregnancy or related conditions would be a form of sex discrimination.

The announcement comes as the administration seeks to ensure reproductive health services for women following last month’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court decision</a>&nbsp;that ended a constitutional right to abortion.

On Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-government-and-politics-4221f9306a596904b9af2e0d1fad23b9">the administration told hospitals that they “must” provide abortion services</a>&nbsp;if the life of the mother is at risk. The government said federal law on emergency treatment guidelines preempts state laws in jurisdictions that now ban the procedure without any exceptions. Now, all states provide an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-ruling-states-a767801145ad01617100e57410a0a21d">exception for the life of the mother</a>.

President Joe Biden also has signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-us-supreme-court-government-and-politics-0e6496122de46f1039cbb2b5145d6d60">executive order</a>&nbsp;to try to protect some access to the procedure, but he also has acknowledged that his administration is limited in what it can do. He noted earlier this month that an act of Congress would be required to restore nationwide access to abortion services, and he has urged Americans angered by the Supreme Court's ruling to vote in November.

Wednesday’s actions, like those outlined Monday, do not reflect new policy. They aim to remind care providers of their existing obligations under federal law.

“We are committed to ensuring that everyone can access health care, free of discrimination,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “This includes access to prescription medications for reproductive health and other types of care.”

The department's guidance to pharmacies outlined several hypothetical examples of potential discrimination. They include a pharmacy that refuses to fill a prescription of mifepristone followed by misoprostol to help manage complications from a miscarriage after a pregnancy loss.

That combination of drugs also is commonly used in medication abortions.

A pharmacy that refuses to fill a prescription of misoprostol prescribed to help deal with severe stomach ulcer complications may be discriminating based on disability, HHS said. The agency noted that the pharmacy also may be discriminating if it refuses to stock the drug based on its alternate use.

HHS also cited as another example of potential discrimination: a pharmacy that refuses to fill a prescription for methotrexate to halt an ectopic pregnancy, which grows outside the womb and is not viable.

The federal agency said people who believe their rights have been violated should visit an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints/index.html">online portal</a>&nbsp;for the Office for Civil Rights to file a complaint.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657297877179.png" alt="President Biden also has signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-us-supreme-court-government-and-politics-0e6496122de46f1039cbb2b5145d6d60">executive order</a>&nbsp;to try to protect some access to abortion-White House Photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden also has signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-us-supreme-court-government-and-politics-0e6496122de46f1039cbb2b5145d6d60">executive order</a>&nbsp;to try to protect some access to abortion-White House Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/pharmacies-guidance.pdf">The Biden administration is warning pharmacies</a>&nbsp;not to discriminate against women who may seek reproductive health prescriptions, including some that might be involved in ending a pregnancy.The Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that pharmacies receiving federal money from programs such as Medicare and Medicaid cannot discriminate in how they supply medications or advise patients on prescriptions.The agency noted that discrimination against people based on their pregnancy or related conditions would be a form of sex discrimination.The announcement comes as the administration seeks to ensure reproductive health services for women following last month’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court decision</a>&nbsp;that ended a constitutional right to abortion.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Under President Biden’s Executive Order on reproductive health care, this Administration is taking action to provide tangible protections for women across the U.S. – regardless of their state’s abortion bans – whose lives or health may depend on receiving emergency abortion care. <a href="https://t.co/rw6Jyo1WXi">pic.twitter.com/rw6Jyo1WXi</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1547385321972719617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-government-and-politics-4221f9306a596904b9af2e0d1fad23b9">the administration told hospitals that they “must” provide abortion services</a>&nbsp;if the life of the mother is at risk. The government said federal law on emergency treatment guidelines preempts state laws in jurisdictions that now ban the procedure without any exceptions. Now, all states provide an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-abortion-ruling-states-a767801145ad01617100e57410a0a21d">exception for the life of the mother</a>.President Joe Biden also has signed an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-us-supreme-court-government-and-politics-0e6496122de46f1039cbb2b5145d6d60">executive order</a>&nbsp;to try to protect some access to the procedure, but he also has acknowledged that his administration is limited in what it can do. He noted earlier this month that an act of Congress would be required to restore nationwide access to abortion services, and he has urged Americans angered by the Supreme Court's ruling to vote in November.Wednesday’s actions, like those outlined Monday, do not reflect new policy. They aim to remind care providers of their existing obligations under federal law.“We are committed to ensuring that everyone can access health care, free of discrimination,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “This includes access to prescription medications for reproductive health and other types of care.”The department's guidance to pharmacies outlined several hypothetical examples of potential discrimination. They include a pharmacy that refuses to fill a prescription of mifepristone followed by misoprostol to help manage complications from a miscarriage after a pregnancy loss.That combination of drugs also is commonly used in medication abortions.A pharmacy that refuses to fill a prescription of misoprostol prescribed to help deal with severe stomach ulcer complications may be discriminating based on disability, HHS said. The agency noted that the pharmacy also may be discriminating if it refuses to stock the drug based on its alternate use.HHS also cited as another example of potential discrimination: a pharmacy that refuses to fill a prescription for methotrexate to halt an ectopic pregnancy, which grows outside the womb and is not viable.The federal agency said people who believe their rights have been violated should visit an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints/index.html">online portal</a>&nbsp;for the Office for Civil Rights to file a complaint.

Biden admin. warns pharmacies on reproductive health prescriptions

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE —A Kansas man was arrested after a woman's car was burgled early Wednesday morning in north Salina.

The 38-year-old woman told police that at approximately 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, she had gotten into a verbal argument with a man she knew only as "Greg" in a parking lot near the 100 block of N. Wisconsin Street in Salina.

Cameron said that as she was leaving town a bit later, she realized that her Gold Smoke vape pen was missing from her Honda Civic, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

A check of her car revealed that a Razer laptop and a Bluetooth device also were missing. Total loss was estimated at $2,385. Cameron told police that she inadvertently left the car unlocked.

Forrester said a neighbor had surveillance video showing a man entering Cameron's car. An officer was able to identify the man as Gregory Dyrness, 29, of Salina.

Police located Dyrness at his apartment in the 100 block of N. Wisconsin Street and arrested him on a requested charge of vehicle burglary, Forrester said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657812444780.jpeg" alt="Dyrness&nbsp;Photo Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Dyrness&nbsp;Photo Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE —A Kansas man was arrested after a woman's car was burgled early Wednesday morning in north Salina.The 38-year-old woman told police that at approximately 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, she had gotten into a verbal argument with a man she knew only as "Greg" in a parking lot near the 100 block of N. Wisconsin Street in Salina.Cameron said that as she was leaving town a bit later, she realized that her Gold Smoke vape pen was missing from her Honda Civic, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.A check of her car revealed that a Razer laptop and a Bluetooth device also were missing. Total loss was estimated at $2,385. Cameron told police that she inadvertently left the car unlocked.Forrester said a neighbor had surveillance video showing a man entering Cameron's car. An officer was able to identify the man as Gregory Dyrness, 29, of Salina.Police located Dyrness at his apartment in the 100 block of N. Wisconsin Street and arrested him on a requested charge of vehicle burglary, Forrester said.

Police: Surveillance video helps catch Kan. car burglary suspect

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a Thursday morning fire that severely damaged a Kansas City-area church.

Just after 12:30 a.m., crews responded to Impact Church, 13129 U.S. 71 Highway in Grandview, according to a media release.

The church was already engulfed in flames and the roof was sagging when fire crews first arrived. There were no injuries reported.

The building the church has as called home for five years was destroyed in the fire, according to a social media report from the church. The NAM Church Plant was on its 5th year <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/church-fire-relocation?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer">when this devastation occurred.</a> "The store front on the South outer road of 71 Highway and everything church related in it is no more."

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657809929091.png" alt="Cause of the fire is under investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Cause of the fire is under investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a Thursday morning fire that severely damaged a Kansas City-area church.Just after 12:30 a.m., crews responded to Impact Church, 13129 U.S. 71 Highway in Grandview, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657814548523.png" alt="GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>The church was already engulfed in flames and the roof was sagging when fire crews first arrived. There were no injuries reported.The building the church has as called home for five years was destroyed in the fire, according to a social media report from the church. The NAM Church Plant was on its 5th year <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/church-fire-relocation?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer">when this devastation occurred.</a> "The store front on the South outer road of 71 Highway and everything church related in it is no more."Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Fire destroys Kansas City-area church 

WICHITA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly joined the Kansas Black Leadership Council and other community leaders on Wednesday at a luncheon in Wichita to recognize them for the work they have done to advocate for Black Kansans, according to a media release from her office.

Governor Kelly spoke to the importance of voting rights, civil rights, and health care – all of which she has continuously championed throughout her time in public service.&nbsp;

“It was a pleasure to join the Kansas Black Leadership Council and Wichita community leaders to discuss why we must continue our work to expand health care, protect&nbsp;civil rights, and keep voting free, fair, and accessible,”&nbsp;said Governor Kelly.&nbsp;“I’m looking forward to continuing our partnership as we strive for greater racial justice and equity in Kansas.”&nbsp;

Last year, Governor Kelly announced an agreement between a coalition of civil right agencies and the State of Kansas that Kansans will now have expanded opportunities to register to vote or update their voter&nbsp;registration in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act. In addition, she&nbsp;formed the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice&nbsp;to&nbsp;advance&nbsp;the state&nbsp;in the areas of law enforcement, policing, education, economic systems, and health care.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657741349340.png" alt="&nbsp;Governor Kelly spoke to the importance of voting rights, civil rights, and health care-courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Governor Kelly spoke to the importance of voting rights, civil rights, and health care-courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly joined the Kansas Black Leadership Council and other community leaders on Wednesday at a luncheon in Wichita to recognize them for the work they have done to advocate for Black Kansans, according to a media release from her office.Governor Kelly spoke to the importance of voting rights, civil rights, and health care – all of which she has continuously championed throughout her time in public service.&nbsp;“It was a pleasure to join the Kansas Black Leadership Council and Wichita community leaders to discuss why we must continue our work to expand health care, protect&nbsp;civil rights, and keep voting free, fair, and accessible,”&nbsp;said Governor Kelly.&nbsp;“I’m looking forward to continuing our partnership as we strive for greater racial justice and equity in Kansas.”&nbsp;Last year, Governor Kelly announced an agreement between a coalition of civil right agencies and the State of Kansas that Kansans will now have expanded opportunities to register to vote or update their voter&nbsp;registration in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act. In addition, she&nbsp;formed the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice&nbsp;to&nbsp;advance&nbsp;the state&nbsp;in the areas of law enforcement, policing, education, economic systems, and health care.&nbsp;

Kan. Black Leadership Council hears from Gov. on voting rights, health care 

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY —A 23-year-old man has pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to a street car stunt incident in the middle of Interstate 70 in June, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Noah D. Miller pleaded guilty to Assault 2nd Degree and Hindering the Prosecution of a Felony. He will serve 30 days shock time and be placed on probation for 5 years. He will also need to comply with&nbsp;special conditions including no involvement with street racing and making restitution to the victim.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to court records, Miller was one of two Kansas City-area men who were doing car stunts on Interstate 70 after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2022. They allegedly confronted the victims in the case, who were trying to pass through the "side show" in order to get their child to a hospital. Miller and a second defendant pursued the victims for several miles.&nbsp;

A second defendant 23-year-old Nicholas Benkowich continues to face charges in the case.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655585443617.png" alt="Miller-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Miller-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;KANSAS CITY —A 23-year-old man has pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to a street car stunt incident in the middle of Interstate 70 in June, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Noah D. Miller pleaded guilty to Assault 2nd Degree and Hindering the Prosecution of a Felony. He will serve 30 days shock time and be placed on probation for 5 years. He will also need to comply with&nbsp;special conditions including no involvement with street racing and making restitution to the victim.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to court records, Miller was one of two Kansas City-area men who were doing car stunts on Interstate 70 after 2 a.m. on June 12, 2022. They allegedly confronted the victims in the case, who were trying to pass through the "side show" in order to get their child to a hospital. Miller and a second defendant pursued the victims for several miles.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655585565881.png" alt="Nicholas Benkowich-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Nicholas Benkowich-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>A second defendant 23-year-old Nicholas Benkowich continues to face charges in the case.&nbsp;

Driver enters plea for Interstate 70 street car stunt 

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-city-va-clinic-opens-doors-services-include-primary-and-behavioral-care/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Paul Mimms said he wants to honor veterans who lost their vision in battle or when they returned home.

Mimms, the vice president of the 
National Blinded Veterans Association, touted a new Veterans Affairs 
outpatient Clinic in Kansas City for doing just that, providing 
dedicated services. At the opening of the clinic, he presented the 
facility with a Bronze Braille Flag.

He said the flag would be a 
teaching lesson for young blind people who have never seen the U.S. flag
 and show commitment to treating those who fought for it.

“We veterans left our comfortable 
homes and our country to serve underneath that flag,” Mimms said. “Some 
of us came back without vision. Some of us came back and got old and 
lost their vision. Doesn’t matter. As we move forward, we want to bring 
those people with us.”

The new facility is about 5,000 
square feet and services include primary care, lab work, pharmacy 
teleconsultation, virtual care and behavioral health services. There are
 plans to introduce physical therapy, chiropractic care and acupuncture.

Rudy Klopfer, director of VA 
Eastern Kansas Health Care, said the clinic might not be as big as other
 facilities but will provide critical services tailored to veterans.

“It is a building, yes, but what 
goes on in this building, and I’ll say other buildings because we have a
 great telehealth presence here, is healing and can be healing and 
soothing,” Klopfer said.

The clinic opening comes a year after a 23,000-square-foot clinic opened in Lenexa. Last month,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/29/kansas-veterans-and-legislators-wary-of-proposal-to-close-va-clinics-and-cut-emergency-services/">rural veteran health care advocates gained a key victory</a>&nbsp;in
 maintaining veteran services in eastern Kansas, when a group of 
bipartisan U.S. senators blocked a commission reviewing recommendations 
to overhaul the VA health care system.

The clinic will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Kansas Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry 
Moran touted the accessibility this clinic would provide. He said many 
veterans may struggle without a car or access to public transportation.&nbsp;

“Distance matters in Kansas,” 
Moran said. “Distance can be physical. A long way to travel, certainly 
in the part of Kansas where I come from, we have experienced that.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657732038009.png" alt="Paul Mimms, vice president of the National Blinded Veterans Association, touted a new Veterans Affairs outpatient Clinic in Kansas City for honoring and providing services to veterans who lost their vision in battle or after their service. (Screen capture of Topeka VA Medical Center Facebook video)" />
 <figcaption>Paul Mimms, vice president of the National Blinded Veterans Association, touted a new Veterans Affairs outpatient Clinic in Kansas City for honoring and providing services to veterans who lost their vision in battle or after their service. (Screen capture of Topeka VA Medical Center Facebook video)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-city-va-clinic-opens-doors-services-include-primary-and-behavioral-care/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Paul Mimms said he wants to honor veterans who lost their vision in battle or when they returned home.Mimms, the vice president of the 
National Blinded Veterans Association, touted a new Veterans Affairs 
outpatient Clinic in Kansas City for doing just that, providing 
dedicated services. At the opening of the clinic, he presented the 
facility with a Bronze Braille Flag.He said the flag would be a 
teaching lesson for young blind people who have never seen the U.S. flag
 and show commitment to treating those who fought for it.“We veterans left our comfortable 
homes and our country to serve underneath that flag,” Mimms said. “Some 
of us came back without vision. Some of us came back and got old and 
lost their vision. Doesn’t matter. As we move forward, we want to bring 
those people with us.”The new facility is about 5,000 
square feet and services include primary care, lab work, pharmacy 
teleconsultation, virtual care and behavioral health services. There are
 plans to introduce physical therapy, chiropractic care and acupuncture.Rudy Klopfer, director of VA 
Eastern Kansas Health Care, said the clinic might not be as big as other
 facilities but will provide critical services tailored to veterans.“It is a building, yes, but what 
goes on in this building, and I’ll say other buildings because we have a
 great telehealth presence here, is healing and can be healing and 
soothing,” Klopfer said.The clinic opening comes a year after a 23,000-square-foot clinic opened in Lenexa. Last month,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/29/kansas-veterans-and-legislators-wary-of-proposal-to-close-va-clinics-and-cut-emergency-services/">rural veteran health care advocates gained a key victory</a>&nbsp;in
 maintaining veteran services in eastern Kansas, when a group of 
bipartisan U.S. senators blocked a commission reviewing recommendations 
to overhaul the VA health care system.The clinic will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Kansas Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry 
Moran touted the accessibility this clinic would provide. He said many 
veterans may struggle without a car or access to public transportation.&nbsp;“Distance matters in Kansas,” 
Moran said. “Distance can be physical. A long way to travel, certainly 
in the part of Kansas where I come from, we have experienced that.”

New VA clinic opens doors, offering primary and behavioral care

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals will be without 10 of the 26 players on their active roster for their upcoming trip to Toronto due to Canadian restrictions on travelers who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19.

Manager Mike Matheny said Wednesday the club will be without hitters Andrew Benintendi, Hunter Dozier, Cam Gallagher, Kyle Isbel, MJ Melendez, Whit Merrifield and Michael A. Taylor along with pitchers Dylan Coleman, Brad Keller and Brady Singer.

The team is set to play four games in Toronto. The 10 players will be placed on the restricted list and forfeit four days of pay and major league service time in accordance with the terms of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement.

“It’s an individual choice,” Matheny said. “The organization’s done a real good job bringing in professionals and experts to talk guys through tough conversations and then put it in their hands to make the decisions they believe is best for them and their families.”

Benintendi will lose $186,813, Merrifield $153,846, Keller $106,044 and Dozier and Taylor $98,901 each. Among the others, the lost pay for Gallagher will be $19,451, Singer $15,962, Isbel $15,426, Coleman $15,399 and Melendez $15,385.

The club will name their replacements Thursday, along with an announcement about other staff who won’t be traveling with the club.

“Now what it presents is an opportunity for some young guys to step in who wouldn’t normally be here,” Matheny said. “It will affect what we’re doing rotation-wise and that will be another question that we’ll have to answer later. I’m excited about some guys coming in and getting a chance.”

Players cited personal decisions for themselves and their families behind their reasoning to not be vaccinated.

“It was a choice I made talking with my family, talking with my wife,” Merrifield said. “I didn’t think that the risk was worth it, honestly.

“I don’t feel like COVID is a threat to me,” he added.

The unvaccinated players said they felt teammates supported their decisions.

“We’ve talked to these guys, they’re not judging us at all,” Dozier said. “They have our backs. I don’t think we’ve ever dealt with something like this, where we’re being forced to take a vaccine just to go play over in Toronto. It’s just a weird situation. It’s unfortunate.”

“(The) staff, owner, GM, everybody, it’s been really cool to see how they’re handling it,” Coleman said. “Not like forcing it. I feel like we all have our own opinion, so it’s been really good that the higher-ups respect that.”

Merrifield had the majors’ longest active games played streak at 553 before a foot injury kept him out of action Sunday. He said he might change his mind if a similar circumstance presented itself later in the year.

“That might change down the road,” he said. “If something happens and I happen to get on a team that has a chance to go play in Canada in the postseason, maybe that changes. As we sit here right now, I’m comfortable with my decision.”

John Schneider, the Blue Jays’ new manager, said his team won’t take Kansas City lightly.

“A little bit surprising, but the rules are the rules. We live by them and the rest of the league lives by them,” Schneider said in Toronto. “Definitely not a series you’re going to take lightly going into the break. You kind of see who they have, you game plan accordingly, and hopefully build off this two-game series (sweep) against the Phillies.”

Schneider was promoted from bench coach to interim manager for the remainder of the season when Toronto fired Charlie Montoyo on Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621778673766.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals will be without 10 of the 26 players on their active roster for their upcoming trip to Toronto due to Canadian restrictions on travelers who aren’t vaccinated against COVID-19.Manager Mike Matheny said Wednesday the club will be without hitters Andrew Benintendi, Hunter Dozier, Cam Gallagher, Kyle Isbel, MJ Melendez, Whit Merrifield and Michael A. Taylor along with pitchers Dylan Coleman, Brad Keller and Brady Singer.The team is set to play four games in Toronto. The 10 players will be placed on the restricted list and forfeit four days of pay and major league service time in accordance with the terms of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement.“It’s an individual choice,” Matheny said. “The organization’s done a real good job bringing in professionals and experts to talk guys through tough conversations and then put it in their hands to make the decisions they believe is best for them and their families.”Benintendi will lose $186,813, Merrifield $153,846, Keller $106,044 and Dozier and Taylor $98,901 each. Among the others, the lost pay for Gallagher will be $19,451, Singer $15,962, Isbel $15,426, Coleman $15,399 and Melendez $15,385.The club will name their replacements Thursday, along with an announcement about other staff who won’t be traveling with the club.“Now what it presents is an opportunity for some young guys to step in who wouldn’t normally be here,” Matheny said. “It will affect what we’re doing rotation-wise and that will be another question that we’ll have to answer later. I’m excited about some guys coming in and getting a chance.”Players cited personal decisions for themselves and their families behind their reasoning to not be vaccinated.“It was a choice I made talking with my family, talking with my wife,” Merrifield said. “I didn’t think that the risk was worth it, honestly.“I don’t feel like COVID is a threat to me,” he added.The unvaccinated players said they felt teammates supported their decisions.“We’ve talked to these guys, they’re not judging us at all,” Dozier said. “They have our backs. I don’t think we’ve ever dealt with something like this, where we’re being forced to take a vaccine just to go play over in Toronto. It’s just a weird situation. It’s unfortunate.”“(The) staff, owner, GM, everybody, it’s been really cool to see how they’re handling it,” Coleman said. “Not like forcing it. I feel like we all have our own opinion, so it’s been really good that the higher-ups respect that.”Merrifield had the majors’ longest active games played streak at 553 before a foot injury kept him out of action Sunday. He said he might change his mind if a similar circumstance presented itself later in the year.“That might change down the road,” he said. “If something happens and I happen to get on a team that has a chance to go play in Canada in the postseason, maybe that changes. As we sit here right now, I’m comfortable with my decision.”John Schneider, the Blue Jays’ new manager, said his team won’t take Kansas City lightly.“A little bit surprising, but the rules are the rules. We live by them and the rest of the league lives by them,” Schneider said in Toronto. “Definitely not a series you’re going to take lightly going into the break. You kind of see who they have, you game plan accordingly, and hopefully build off this two-game series (sweep) against the Phillies.”Schneider was promoted from bench coach to interim manager for the remainder of the season when Toronto fired Charlie Montoyo on Wednesday.

No COVID vaccination; 10 Kansas City Royals can't play in Toronto 

JERUSALEM (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday opened his first visit to the Mideast since taking office by offering anxious Israeli leaders strong reassurances of his determination to stop&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-iran-nuclear-united-nations-51cb62796ace2c64ba9278197d9b5464">Iran’s growing nuclear program,</a>&nbsp;saying he’d be willing to use force as a "last resort."

The president's comments came in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 taped before he left Washington and broadcast Wednesday, hours after the country's political leaders welcomed him with a red-carpet arrival ceremony at the Tel Aviv airport.

“The only thing worse than the Iran that exists now is an Iran with nuclear weapons,” Biden said. Asked about using military force against Iran, Biden said, “If that was the last resort, yes.”

U.S. ally Israel considers Iran to be its greatest enemy, citing its nuclear program, its calls for Israel’s destruction and its support for hostile militant groups across the region.

The U.S. and Israel are expected Thursday to unveil a joint declaration cementing their close military ties and strengthening past calls to take military action to halt Iran’s nuclear program. A senior Israeli official said before Biden arrived that both countries would commit to “using all elements of their national power against the Iranian nuclear threat.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity pending the formal release of the statement.

Israeli leaders made clear as they marked Biden’s arrival that Iran's nuclear program was the top item on their agenda.

“We will discuss the need to renew a strong global coalition that will stop the Iranian nuclear program,” said Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, as he greeted the Democratic president at the airport ceremony in Tel Aviv.

Biden said he would not remove Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from the U.S. list of terrorist organizations, even if that kept Iran from rejoining the Iran nuclear deal.

Sanctions on the IRGC, which has carried out regional attacks, have been a sticking point in negotiations to bring Iran back into compliance with the agreement meant to keep it from having a nuclear weapon. Iran announced last week that it has enriched uranium to 60% purity, a technical step away from weapons-grade quality.

Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though United Nations experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003.

Biden's visit to Israel follows the collapse of a coalition-led government headed by Naftali Bennett. The president was greeted by Lapid, the caretaker prime minister who is hoping to hang on to power when Israelis hold their fifth election in three years this fall.

Lapid reminded Biden of when they first met roughly eight years earlier. Biden was vice president and Lapid was finance minister.

“You said to me, ‘If only I had hair like yours, I would be president' to which I answered, 'And if only I had your height, I would be Prime Minister,” Lapid said.

Biden made reviving the Iran nuclear deal, brokered by Barack Obama in 2015 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-iran-cead755353a1455bbef08ef289448994">abandoned by Donald Trump in 2018</a>, a key priority as he entered office. Biden said Trump made a “gigantic mistake” by withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal.

“There are those who thought with the last administration we sort of walked away from the Middle East, that we were going to create a vacuum that China and or Russia would fill, and we can’t let that happen," he said.

But indirect talks for the U.S. to reenter the deal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-iran-dubai-nuclear-united-arab-emirates-cb297fc7bbe0f59acf5b20cdefe352a7">have stalled</a>&nbsp;as Iran has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-iran-nuclear-united-nations-51cb62796ace2c64ba9278197d9b5464">made rapid gains</a>&nbsp;in developing its nuclear program. That's left the Biden administration increasingly pessimistic about resurrecting the deal, which placed significant restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

At the airport, Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Biden for championing Israel during his more than 50 years in public office. He then reminded the U.S. president of the “security challenges emanating directly from Iran and its proxies, threatening Israel and its neighbors and endangering our region.”

Israelis seemed determined to underscore the imminent threat from Iran. Soon after he arrived, Biden was briefed on the country’s “Iron Dome” and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-naftali-bennett-israel-middle-east-946f3744cfb6afd59a6ce1b053999ae1">new “Iron Beam” missile defense systems.</a>

The president later visited the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-international-news-israel-ap-top-news-f9158489b5c24b0c80473e8f2fc329dc">Yad Vashem</a>&nbsp;memorial to Holocaust victims in Jerusalem.

Biden, wearing a skullcap, was invited to rekindle the eternal flame in the memorial's Hall of Remembrance. Two Marines placed a wreath on the stone crypt containing the ashes of Holocaust victims and Biden listened as a cantor recited the remembrance prayer.

He then greeted two Holocaust survivors, kissing the women on their cheeks. His eyes welled with tears as he chatted with them.

“My mother would say ’God love you, dear,'” Biden told the women.

One of the survivors, Rena Quint, 86, later said she told Biden how her mother and brothers were killed in a death camp. Quint, who was born in Poland, said she was reunited with her father in a male slave labor factory, where she pretended to be a boy. Her father also was murdered. She later was adopted by a childless Jewish couple after she arrived in the United States in 1946.

“Did you see the president hug me?” she asked “He asked permission to kiss me and he kept on holding my hand and we were told not to touch him.”

Biden is set to meet Thursday with Israeli officials, including Lapid, Herzog and opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He'll meet Friday Friday with Palestinian officials.

Biden said he will emphasize in talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders his continued support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but acknowledged that outcome likely wouldn't be feasible “in the near term.”

He maintained that a two-state solution is the best way to ensure a “future of equal measure of freedom, prosperity and democracy for Israelis and Palestinians alike.” His national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Biden would not offer any proposals during the trip aimed at restarting talks.

The White House has also been frustrated with repeated Iran-sponsored&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-israel-middle-east-iraq-iran-5c6273b14cc07ef68c6a5f4b57645647">attacks on U.S. troops based in Iraq</a>, though the administration says the frequency of such attacks has dropped precipitously over the last two years. Tehran also backs the rebel Houthis in a bloody war with the Saudis in Yemen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-yemen-middle-east-35773313fc24f039977c670376818077">A U.N.-brokered cease-fire</a>&nbsp;has been in place for more than four months, a fragile peace in a war that began in 2015.

Sullivan said this week that the administration believes Russia is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-iran-jake-sullivan-4a9f1b2749893d8f1ed9f039869cf119">turning to Iran</a>&nbsp;to provide it with hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles, including weapons-capable drones, for use in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">its ongoing war in Ukraine</a>. Sullivan said Wednesday that Iranians showing a willingness to assist Russia is something that should be of great concern to the Israelis, Saudis and other Gulf allies that Biden will be meeting with this week.

“We think that this is of interest, to put it mildly, to countries we will be visiting on this trip,” Sullivan said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657763232824.png" alt="The U.S. and Israel are expected Thursday to unveil a joint declaration cementing their close military ties.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The U.S. and Israel are expected Thursday to unveil a joint declaration cementing their close military ties.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday opened his first visit to the Mideast since taking office by offering anxious Israeli leaders strong reassurances of his determination to stop&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-iran-nuclear-united-nations-51cb62796ace2c64ba9278197d9b5464">Iran’s growing nuclear program,</a>&nbsp;saying he’d be willing to use force as a "last resort."The president's comments came in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 taped before he left Washington and broadcast Wednesday, hours after the country's political leaders welcomed him with a red-carpet arrival ceremony at the Tel Aviv airport.“The only thing worse than the Iran that exists now is an Iran with nuclear weapons,” Biden said. Asked about using military force against Iran, Biden said, “If that was the last resort, yes.”U.S. ally Israel considers Iran to be its greatest enemy, citing its nuclear program, its calls for Israel’s destruction and its support for hostile militant groups across the region.The U.S. and Israel are expected Thursday to unveil a joint declaration cementing their close military ties and strengthening past calls to take military action to halt Iran’s nuclear program. A senior Israeli official said before Biden arrived that both countries would commit to “using all elements of their national power against the Iranian nuclear threat.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity pending the formal release of the statement.Israeli leaders made clear as they marked Biden’s arrival that Iran's nuclear program was the top item on their agenda.“We will discuss the need to renew a strong global coalition that will stop the Iranian nuclear program,” said Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, as he greeted the Democratic president at the airport ceremony in Tel Aviv.Biden said he would not remove Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from the U.S. list of terrorist organizations, even if that kept Iran from rejoining the Iran nuclear deal.Sanctions on the IRGC, which has carried out regional attacks, have been a sticking point in negotiations to bring Iran back into compliance with the agreement meant to keep it from having a nuclear weapon. Iran announced last week that it has enriched uranium to 60% purity, a technical step away from weapons-grade quality.Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, though United Nations experts and Western intelligence agencies say Iran had an organized military nuclear program through 2003.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657763210542.png" alt="Officials show President Biden where to walk as he arrives in Israel on Wednesday- White House&nbsp; photo" />
 <figcaption>Officials show President Biden where to walk as he arrives in Israel on Wednesday- White House&nbsp; photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Biden's visit to Israel follows the collapse of a coalition-led government headed by Naftali Bennett. The president was greeted by Lapid, the caretaker prime minister who is hoping to hang on to power when Israelis hold their fifth election in three years this fall.Lapid reminded Biden of when they first met roughly eight years earlier. Biden was vice president and Lapid was finance minister.“You said to me, ‘If only I had hair like yours, I would be president' to which I answered, 'And if only I had your height, I would be Prime Minister,” Lapid said.Biden made reviving the Iran nuclear deal, brokered by Barack Obama in 2015 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-iran-cead755353a1455bbef08ef289448994">abandoned by Donald Trump in 2018</a>, a key priority as he entered office. Biden said Trump made a “gigantic mistake” by withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal.“There are those who thought with the last administration we sort of walked away from the Middle East, that we were going to create a vacuum that China and or Russia would fill, and we can’t let that happen," he said.But indirect talks for the U.S. to reenter the deal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-iran-dubai-nuclear-united-arab-emirates-cb297fc7bbe0f59acf5b20cdefe352a7">have stalled</a>&nbsp;as Iran has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-iran-nuclear-united-nations-51cb62796ace2c64ba9278197d9b5464">made rapid gains</a>&nbsp;in developing its nuclear program. That's left the Biden administration increasingly pessimistic about resurrecting the deal, which placed significant restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.At the airport, Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Biden for championing Israel during his more than 50 years in public office. He then reminded the U.S. president of the “security challenges emanating directly from Iran and its proxies, threatening Israel and its neighbors and endangering our region.”Israelis seemed determined to underscore the imminent threat from Iran. Soon after he arrived, Biden was briefed on the country’s “Iron Dome” and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-naftali-bennett-israel-middle-east-946f3744cfb6afd59a6ce1b053999ae1">new “Iron Beam” missile defense systems.</a>The president later visited the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-international-news-israel-ap-top-news-f9158489b5c24b0c80473e8f2fc329dc">Yad Vashem</a>&nbsp;memorial to Holocaust victims in Jerusalem.Biden, wearing a skullcap, was invited to rekindle the eternal flame in the memorial's Hall of Remembrance. Two Marines placed a wreath on the stone crypt containing the ashes of Holocaust victims and Biden listened as a cantor recited the remembrance prayer.He then greeted two Holocaust survivors, kissing the women on their cheeks. His eyes welled with tears as he chatted with them.“My mother would say ’God love you, dear,'” Biden told the women.One of the survivors, Rena Quint, 86, later said she told Biden how her mother and brothers were killed in a death camp. Quint, who was born in Poland, said she was reunited with her father in a male slave labor factory, where she pretended to be a boy. Her father also was murdered. She later was adopted by a childless Jewish couple after she arrived in the United States in 1946.“Did you see the president hug me?” she asked “He asked permission to kiss me and he kept on holding my hand and we were told not to touch him.”Biden is set to meet Thursday with Israeli officials, including Lapid, Herzog and opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He'll meet Friday Friday with Palestinian officials.Biden said he will emphasize in talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders his continued support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but acknowledged that outcome likely wouldn't be feasible “in the near term.”He maintained that a two-state solution is the best way to ensure a “future of equal measure of freedom, prosperity and democracy for Israelis and Palestinians alike.” His national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Biden would not offer any proposals during the trip aimed at restarting talks.The White House has also been frustrated with repeated Iran-sponsored&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-israel-middle-east-iraq-iran-5c6273b14cc07ef68c6a5f4b57645647">attacks on U.S. troops based in Iraq</a>, though the administration says the frequency of such attacks has dropped precipitously over the last two years. Tehran also backs the rebel Houthis in a bloody war with the Saudis in Yemen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-yemen-middle-east-35773313fc24f039977c670376818077">A U.N.-brokered cease-fire</a>&nbsp;has been in place for more than four months, a fragile peace in a war that began in 2015.Sullivan said this week that the administration believes Russia is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-iran-jake-sullivan-4a9f1b2749893d8f1ed9f039869cf119">turning to Iran</a>&nbsp;to provide it with hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles, including weapons-capable drones, for use in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">its ongoing war in Ukraine</a>. Sullivan said Wednesday that Iranians showing a willingness to assist Russia is something that should be of great concern to the Israelis, Saudis and other Gulf allies that Biden will be meeting with this week.“We think that this is of interest, to put it mildly, to countries we will be visiting on this trip,” Sullivan said.

Biden delivers tough talk on Iran as he opens Mideast visit

KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — Attorney General Eric Schmitt said Wednesday that FBI agents will not be allowed to audit concealed carry permits collected by county sheriffs in Missouri.

In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Schmitt said he had been told that FBI agents planned to visit several county sheriffs departments in August to audit concealed carry weapons permits.

Schmitt, who is a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, said a Missouri law prohibits sharing the confidential lists collected by sheriff departments with federal, state or private entities. He also contended allowing federal agents to access the permit records would violate the Second Amendment.

Schmitt said the concealed carry law passed when he was a state senator included the provision that only elected county sheriffs would have access to the permit records because lawmakers “wanted to leave no doubt that the citizens of Missouri have a right to bear arms, and the federal government has no business poking around to find out their identities.”

FBI representatives in Kansas City, St. Louis and Washington D.C. did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In 2013, the Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gun-politics-missouri-national-rifle-association-jay-nixon-government-and-e995c79811954409a3208d6a883ef6bd">passed a gun law</a>&nbsp;that included a provision transferring responsibility for issuing identification cards for concealed gun permits from driver’s license clerks to local sheriffs after revelations that state agencies provided permit records to federal employees investigating fraud.

KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — Attorney General Eric Schmitt said Wednesday that FBI agents will not be allowed to audit concealed carry permits collected by county sheriffs in Missouri.In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Schmitt said he had been told that FBI agents planned to visit several county sheriffs departments in August to audit concealed carry weapons permits.Schmitt, who is a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, said a Missouri law prohibits sharing the confidential lists collected by sheriff departments with federal, state or private entities. He also contended allowing federal agents to access the permit records would violate the Second Amendment.Schmitt said the concealed carry law passed when he was a state senator included the provision that only elected county sheriffs would have access to the permit records because lawmakers “wanted to leave no doubt that the citizens of Missouri have a right to bear arms, and the federal government has no business poking around to find out their identities.”FBI representatives in Kansas City, St. Louis and Washington D.C. did not immediately respond to requests for comment.In 2013, the Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gun-politics-missouri-national-rifle-association-jay-nixon-government-and-e995c79811954409a3208d6a883ef6bd">passed a gun law</a>&nbsp;that included a provision transferring responsibility for issuing identification cards for concealed gun permits from driver’s license clerks to local sheriffs after revelations that state agencies provided permit records to federal employees investigating fraud.

Missouri AG won't allow FBI to audit concealed carry permits

KANSAS CITY —A judge sentenced a Kansas City man to prison for his murder conviction in the February 2019 fatal shooting of Michael E. Bryan outside a Downtown Kansas City store, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

In April, a judge convicted 45-year-old Timothy Fernandez of Second Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action, after a bench trial in April. 

On Friday, the judge sentenced Fernandez to 27 years on the Murder conviction and five years on the conviction for armed criminal action.

&nbsp;According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to 17th and Grand on the morning of Feb. 5, 2019, regarding a shooting. The victim Michael Bryan was found deceased on the sidewalk. He had suffered gunshot wounds. Surveillance video showed the shooting.

Fernandez and the victim were on the north side of the business. Bryan walked away and the Fernandez drew a gun and shot at him.

 The video also showed the suspect throwing away a tissue after blowing his nose before the shooting. Police recovered the tissue and tested for DNA. 

Police also found a backpack and jacket nearby. DNA from the tissue, and a fingerprint from an item found in the backpack were linked to the suspect and ammunition from the backpack was the same caliber as a bullet recovered from the victim's jacket.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603659651049.png" alt="Fernandez-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Fernandez-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A judge sentenced a Kansas City man to prison for his murder conviction in the February 2019 fatal shooting of Michael E. Bryan outside a Downtown Kansas City store, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.In April, a judge convicted 45-year-old Timothy Fernandez of Second Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action, after a bench trial in April. On Friday, the judge sentenced Fernandez to 27 years on the Murder conviction and five years on the conviction for armed criminal action.The sentences are to run concurrently.&nbsp;According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to 17th and Grand on the morning of Feb. 5, 2019, regarding a shooting. The victim Michael Bryan was found deceased on the sidewalk. He had suffered gunshot wounds. Surveillance video showed the shooting.Fernandez and the victim were on the north side of the business. Bryan walked away and the Fernandez drew a gun and shot at him. The video also showed the suspect throwing away a tissue after blowing his nose before the shooting. Police recovered the tissue and tested for DNA. Police also found a backpack and jacket nearby. DNA from the tissue, and a fingerprint from an item found in the backpack were linked to the suspect and ammunition from the backpack was the same caliber as a bullet recovered from the victim's jacket.&nbsp;

Discarded Kleenex led to 27-years in prison for Kansas City man

BARTON COUNTY —A Kansas man found an unexploded artillery shell in rural Barton County.

Just after 8 p.m. Monday, Barton County 911 was notified an individual had found what appeared to be a live artillery shell.

Several months ago, while conducting haying operations, a citizen discovered the round in a field near the airport west of Great Bend, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.

 It was picked up and put in a pickup truck and basically forgotten about. On Monday evening the citizen contacted a relative who is familiar with explosives. The relative advised him to get it out of the truck and call 911. 

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office was notified and responded to a location in the 200 block of Northwest 130 Avenue where the munition was located in a farm driveway.

Examination of the item revealed no fuse was present in the nose, although the shell was filled with an unknown substance, possibly an explosive charge, and appeared to be sealed. The Wichita Police Department Bomb Squad was contacted, and it was decided the Sheriff's Office would transport the item to the Sheriff’s Office range until the bomb squad would arrive on Tuesday, July 12.

On Tuesday, the item was retrieved by a bomb squad member and taken to Wichita for x-ray examination. As of this time it is unknown if the round contained an explosive charge.

Local World War II historians believe the round is from a 75 mm recoilless rifle, possibly used at the Army Air Base west of Great Bend. Because of military and oilfield operations in Barton County over the years, it is not uncommon for citizens to locate unused explosives or military ordnance. 

If you discover what you believe to be dangerous items, contact 911 or law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657723292171.jpeg" alt="Photos Barton County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Barton County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —A Kansas man found an unexploded artillery shell in rural Barton County.Just after 8 p.m. Monday, Barton County 911 was notified an individual had found what appeared to be a live artillery shell.Several months ago, while conducting haying operations, a citizen discovered the round in a field near the airport west of Great Bend, according to a media release from the sheriff's office. It was picked up and put in a pickup truck and basically forgotten about. On Monday evening the citizen contacted a relative who is familiar with explosives. The relative advised him to get it out of the truck and call 911. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office was notified and responded to a location in the 200 block of Northwest 130 Avenue where the munition was located in a farm driveway.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657723370869.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Examination of the item revealed no fuse was present in the nose, although the shell was filled with an unknown substance, possibly an explosive charge, and appeared to be sealed. The Wichita Police Department Bomb Squad was contacted, and it was decided the Sheriff's Office would transport the item to the Sheriff’s Office range until the bomb squad would arrive on Tuesday, July 12.On Tuesday, the item was retrieved by a bomb squad member and taken to Wichita for x-ray examination. As of this time it is unknown if the round contained an explosive charge.Local World War II historians believe the round is from a 75 mm recoilless rifle, possibly used at the Army Air Base west of Great Bend. Because of military and oilfield operations in Barton County over the years, it is not uncommon for citizens to locate unused explosives or military ordnance. If you discover what you believe to be dangerous items, contact 911 or law enforcement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657723386061.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Sheriff: Bomb squad examines artillery shell found in Kansas field

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Japan’s Panasonic Corp. selected Kansas as the location for a multibillion-dollar mega-factory to produce electric vehicle batteries for Tesla and other carmakers, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday.

The decision comes five months after the Democratic governor and Republican-controlled Legislature rushed to approve a taxpayer-funded incentive package of as much as $1 billion, the state’s largest ever, to attract the company and the promised “thousands of jobs,” even though most of them didn’t know what company was in play. Kelly said Wednesday that the actual incentives will total $829 million over 10 years.

The plant will be located in De Soto, Kansas, a town with about 6,000 people and 30 miles southwest of Kansas City, Missouri.

“People across the country are looking at Kansas as a leader in economic development,” Kelly told a gathering of about 250 state officials and business leaders in downtown Topeka Wednesday.

Japanese broadcaster NHK reported this year that the company was looking to build the factory in Kansas or Oklahoma, close to Texas, where Tesla is building an electric-vehicle plant. The two companies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6ba11f57b5ee420d934ee5868b85c25b">jointly operate a battery plant</a>&nbsp;in Nevada.

Kelly’s administration said the facility it was pursuing would be the largest economic development project in Kansas history. They said the company would employ 4,000 people and that other businesses supplying or supporting it would add several thousand more jobs. They said the company would pay an average of $50,000, which would far exceed Kansas’ median income for individuals of less than $32,000.

Kelly pushed for the permission to offer tax credits, payroll subsidies and training funds to lure what her administration said was a $4 billion project that at least one other state was also pursuing.

The measure requires the state to cut its corporate tax rates by half a percentage point for every big deal closed so that all businesses benefit. That would save companies roughly $100 million a year and drop the state’s top rate to 6% from 7% if two deals close.

Backers of the measure argued that Kansas has lost out on other large projects because it couldn’t offer generous enough incentives.

Oklahoma’s Republican-controlled Legislature approved an incentive package this year to offer rebates of up to nearly $700 million in state funds if Panasonic reached specific benchmarks, including at least a $4.5 billion capital expenditure and the creation of at least 4,000 jobs during the project’s first four years. State officials say that money could be returned to the general fund or used to lure another major project.

Ohio recently offered Intel Corp. incentives worth roughly $2 billion to secure a new $20 billion chipmaking factory. Michigan lawmakers in December approved $1 billion in incentives, two-thirds of it for General Motors for plants to assemble batteries for electric vehicles.

Electric vehicle maker Canoo has announced plans to open a factory in northeastern Oklahoma next year that is expected to create 2,000 jobs.

But Wisconsin scaled back incentives for electronics giant Foxconn. It was supposed to invest $10 billion there and create 13,000 jobs but the deal now is for about 1,450 jobs with an investment of $672 million by 2026.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday&nbsp; that&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA3MTMuNjA3MjY1ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NhcmVlcnMubmEucGFuYXNvbmljLmNvbS9pbmR1c3RyaWVzL3BhbmFzb25pYy1lbmVyZ3ktbm9ydGgtYW1lcmljYSJ9.8Si2mbOd7k3X6dAYry38UotL3Rpz4ov932FlvBJw5JA/s/1303160919/br/140673138329-l" target="_blank">Panasonic&nbsp;Energy Co., Ltd.,</a>&nbsp;plans to build one of the largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facilities of its kind in the United States in Kansas. Pending approval by Panasonic Holdings Corporation Board of Directors, the company has identified a site in De Soto for the potential project.

The planned project is expected to create up to 4,000 new jobs and result in an investment of up to $4 billion, which represents the largest economic development project in Kansas history. The development will have ripple effects throughout the regional and state economy, supporting an estimated 4,000 additional jobs created by suppliers and community businesses and 16,500 construction jobs as cited in an independent Wichita State University economic impact study.

“As the largest private investment in Kansas history and one of the largest EV battery manufacturing plants of its kind in the country, this project will be transformative for our state’s economy, providing in total 8,000 high-quality jobs that will help more Kansans create better lives for themselves and their children,” said&nbsp;Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. “Winning this project shows that Kansas has what it takes to compete on a global scale -- and that our pro-business climate is driving the technological innovation needed to achieve a more prosperous and sustainable future.”

This planned state-of-the-art facility will create and supply lithium-ion batteries and accelerate the future of electric vehicle innovation on a global scale. Panasonic Energy’s current U.S. battery manufacturing operation has shipped more than six billion EV battery cells. Panasonic Energy plans to expand its production of EV batteries as the automotive industry shifts to more sustainable electric technologies. The proposed development would boost the regional economy, creating opportunities for suppliers and community businesses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657752789390.png" alt="“People across the country are looking at Kansas as a leader in economic development,” Kelly told a gathering of about 250 state officials and business leaders in downtown Topeka Wednesday." />
 <figcaption>“People across the country are looking at Kansas as a leader in economic development,” Kelly told a gathering of about 250 state officials and business leaders in downtown Topeka Wednesday.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Japan’s Panasonic Corp. selected Kansas as the location for a multibillion-dollar mega-factory to produce electric vehicle batteries for Tesla and other carmakers, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At 5:00 pm today, I will be making a major announcement. Watch the livestream: <a href="https://t.co/iiH69UjuMm">https://t.co/iiH69UjuMm</a>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1547336210082926592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The decision comes five months after the Democratic governor and Republican-controlled Legislature rushed to approve a taxpayer-funded incentive package of as much as $1 billion, the state’s largest ever, to attract the company and the promised “thousands of jobs,” even though most of them didn’t know what company was in play. Kelly said Wednesday that the actual incentives will total $829 million over 10 years.The plant will be located in De Soto, Kansas, a town with about 6,000 people and 30 miles southwest of Kansas City, Missouri.“People across the country are looking at Kansas as a leader in economic development,” Kelly told a gathering of about 250 state officials and business leaders in downtown Topeka Wednesday.Japanese broadcaster NHK reported this year that the company was looking to build the factory in Kansas or Oklahoma, close to Texas, where Tesla is building an electric-vehicle plant. The two companies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6ba11f57b5ee420d934ee5868b85c25b">jointly operate a battery plant</a>&nbsp;in Nevada.Kelly’s administration said the facility it was pursuing would be the largest economic development project in Kansas history. They said the company would employ 4,000 people and that other businesses supplying or supporting it would add several thousand more jobs. They said the company would pay an average of $50,000, which would far exceed Kansas’ median income for individuals of less than $32,000.Kelly pushed for the permission to offer tax credits, payroll subsidies and training funds to lure what her administration said was a $4 billion project that at least one other state was also pursuing.The measure requires the state to cut its corporate tax rates by half a percentage point for every big deal closed so that all businesses benefit. That would save companies roughly $100 million a year and drop the state’s top rate to 6% from 7% if two deals close.Backers of the measure argued that Kansas has lost out on other large projects because it couldn’t offer generous enough incentives.Oklahoma’s Republican-controlled Legislature approved an incentive package this year to offer rebates of up to nearly $700 million in state funds if Panasonic reached specific benchmarks, including at least a $4.5 billion capital expenditure and the creation of at least 4,000 jobs during the project’s first four years. State officials say that money could be returned to the general fund or used to lure another major project.Ohio recently offered Intel Corp. incentives worth roughly $2 billion to secure a new $20 billion chipmaking factory. Michigan lawmakers in December approved $1 billion in incentives, two-thirds of it for General Motors for plants to assemble batteries for electric vehicles.Electric vehicle maker Canoo has announced plans to open a factory in northeastern Oklahoma next year that is expected to create 2,000 jobs.But Wisconsin scaled back incentives for electronics giant Foxconn. It was supposed to invest $10 billion there and create 13,000 jobs but the deal now is for about 1,450 jobs with an investment of $672 million by 2026.----------TOPEKA&nbsp;– Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday&nbsp; that&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA3MTMuNjA3MjY1ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NhcmVlcnMubmEucGFuYXNvbmljLmNvbS9pbmR1c3RyaWVzL3BhbmFzb25pYy1lbmVyZ3ktbm9ydGgtYW1lcmljYSJ9.8Si2mbOd7k3X6dAYry38UotL3Rpz4ov932FlvBJw5JA/s/1303160919/br/140673138329-l" target="_blank">Panasonic&nbsp;Energy Co., Ltd.,</a>&nbsp;plans to build one of the largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facilities of its kind in the United States in Kansas. Pending approval by Panasonic Holdings Corporation Board of Directors, the company has identified a site in De Soto for the potential project.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At 5:00 pm today, I will be making a major announcement. Watch the livestream: <a href="https://t.co/iiH69UjuMm">https://t.co/iiH69UjuMm</a>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1547336210082926592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The planned project is expected to create up to 4,000 new jobs and result in an investment of up to $4 billion, which represents the largest economic development project in Kansas history. The development will have ripple effects throughout the regional and state economy, supporting an estimated 4,000 additional jobs created by suppliers and community businesses and 16,500 construction jobs as cited in an independent Wichita State University economic impact study.“As the largest private investment in Kansas history and one of the largest EV battery manufacturing plants of its kind in the country, this project will be transformative for our state’s economy, providing in total 8,000 high-quality jobs that will help more Kansans create better lives for themselves and their children,” said&nbsp;Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. “Winning this project shows that Kansas has what it takes to compete on a global scale -- and that our pro-business climate is driving the technological innovation needed to achieve a more prosperous and sustainable future.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657752649274.png" alt="A large crowd attended Wednesday's announcement" />
 <figcaption>A large crowd attended Wednesday's announcement</figcaption>
 </figure>This planned state-of-the-art facility will create and supply lithium-ion batteries and accelerate the future of electric vehicle innovation on a global scale. Panasonic Energy’s current U.S. battery manufacturing operation has shipped more than six billion EV battery cells. Panasonic Energy plans to expand its production of EV batteries as the automotive industry shifts to more sustainable electric technologies. The proposed development would boost the regional economy, creating opportunities for suppliers and community businesses."With the increased electrification of the automotive market, expanding battery production in the U.S. is critical to help meet demand," said&nbsp;Kazuo Tadanobu, President, CEO of Panasonic Energy. "Given our leading technology and depth of experience, we aim to continue driving growth of the lithium-ion battery industry and accelerating towards a net-zero emissions future.”Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland&nbsp;noted competition for this milestone project was strong and required a coordinated effort from the state. A key component of that undertaking was the enactment of the bipartisan Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion (APEX) Act earlier this year.“Once Governor Kelly signed APEX into law,”&nbsp;Toland&nbsp;said, “the state gained the necessary economic development tool to pursue megaprojects that could transform the Kansas economy. Panasonic recognized Kansas as not just a contender, but as the ideal partner for this revolutionary project.”Panasonic Energy selected Kansas due to its business-friendly climate, robust talent pool and workforce skillset, support of technology innovation, strong transportation infrastructure, and central location. This builds on Kansas City’s legacy manufacturing and automotive industry strengths.“With this major development, Kansas is being recognized around the world for our talented workforce, innovative environment, and quality of life,” said&nbsp;U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.). “Panasonic will bring thousands of good-paying, high-quality jobs to our state which will be a massive economic benefit for local businesses and our communities for decades to come. With the goal of making Kansas a destination for industry, defense, education, science, technology, engineering, and innovation, we will keep our students, their knowledge and intellect in Kansas.”Kansas has an established battery manufacturing sector with seven establishments employing approximately 1,300 individuals. The state was ranked second in the nation for employment and wage concentration in the sector in 2021. With the opportunity to potentially add an additional 4,000 jobs, this deal will make Kansas an industry leader at a time when the sector is predicted to grow at an annualized rate of 2.4 percent.“Kansas is proving itself to be an attractive place where entrepreneurs can unleash innovation and create jobs,” said&nbsp;Senator Ty Masterson, President of the Kansas Senate. “The Panasonic announcement shows that attraction is global.”“When the Kansas Legislature passed the APEX legislation, this was the kind of megaproject we had in mind,” said&nbsp;Representative Ron Ryckman, Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives.The proposed Panasonic project is the latest economic development win recently announced by the state:<ul>
 <li>Last month, Governor Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA3MTMuNjA3MjY1ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yva2Fuc2FzLXN1cnBhc3Nlcy05LWJpbGxpb24taW4tbmV3LWVjb25vbWljLWRldmVsb3BtZW50LWludmVzdG1lbnQtc2luY2Utc3RhcnQtb2Yta2VsbHktYWRtaW5pc3RyYXRpb24vIzp-OnRleHQ9SnVuJTIwMjclMkMlMjAyMDIyLSxLYW5zYXMlMjBTdXJwYXNzZXMlMjAlMjQ5JTIwQmlsbGlvbiUyMGluJTIwTmV3JTIwRWNvbm9taWMlMjBEZXZlbG9wbWVudCUyMEludmVzdG1lbnQlMjBTaW5jZSxpbnZlc3RtZW50cyUyMGJ5JTIwcHJpdmF0ZSUyMHNlY3RvciUyMGJ1c2luZXNzZXMuIn0.5nvZPTcmWi2Dcj1qzBWPVTdfo7jeYLvrr4q7RxqzZnE/s/1303160919/br/140673138329-l" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;the state surpassed $9 billion new, private-sector investments since January 2019 resulting in more than 43,500 jobs being created or retained.</li><li>Also in June, Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.Lcej7JwReADlZemSrSsI7dMScosKL6xTj9SqPXmN2bg/s/1303160919/br/140673138329-l" target="_blank">was awarded</a>&nbsp;Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel Award for the second year in a row. The back-to-back wins are unprecedented in state history.</li><li>In March, Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA3MTMuNjA3MjY1ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3YvaWN5bWktdW5kZXItZ292ZXJub3ItbGF1cmEta2VsbHkta2Fuc2FzLXdpbnMtZmlyc3QtZ292ZXJub3JzLWN1cC8ifQ.tdFfi_8zAxwnW0CHr3LEAC0soKNXDJ5qbq-6YDRn9lw/s/1303160919/br/140673138329-l" target="_blank">won</a>&nbsp;the Governor’s Cup from Site Selection Magazine for having the country's most economic development investment per capita.</li>
 </ul>“On behalf of the City Council and the community, I am thrilled to welcome Panasonic Energy to De Soto. The scale of Panasonic Energy’s investment in our community will usher in unprecedented generational economic prosperity for the state and region,” said&nbsp;De Soto Mayor Rick Walker. “We are honored to be part of it.”The Kansas City region is the third fastest-growing tech market in the U.S. and is a nucleus of engineering, technology, and automotive manufacturing expertise. With a strong talent pipeline and cutting-edge training programs, the Kansas City market employs nearly 21,000 workers who contribute to the $19 billion KC transportation manufacturing industry.“Panasonic Energy made the right choice to select the Kansas City region due to our market’s strengths in EV and tech innovation,” said&nbsp;Tim Cowden, President and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “This announcement, alongside FIFA’s selection of KC as 2026 World Cup host city, our new single-terminal airport coming online and global tech companies investing in the market, reinforces the transformational success our region is having on a global scale.”“The electric vehicle industry is expected to grow eight times its size in less than 10 years, which is an incredible opportunity for states, communities and energy partners to support leading, innovative technology companies,” said&nbsp;David Campbell, President and CEO of Evergy. On behalf of our region’s business community, we are very excited to welcome Panasonic Energy to Kansas and the Kansas City Region, and we look forward to supporting your long-term success.”The following organizations supported the recruitment of Panasonic Energy to Kansas: Kansas Department of Commerce; Kansas Department of Transportation; Kansas Department of Health and Environment; Kansas Department of Children and Families; the Honorable Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan; the U.S. Embassy to Tokyo; Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund; City of De Soto; De Soto Economic Development Council; Evergy; Sunflower Development Group; KC SmartPort; Johnson County Community College; Kansas City, Kansas Community College; Peaslee Tech; University of Kansas; Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; and Kansas City Area Development Council.To learn more about the project, its economic impact, and incentives package, read a one-pager&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA3MTMuNjA3MjY1ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjIvMDcvRklOQUwtT05FLVBBR0VSLU9DRUFOLnBkZiJ9.g81VPHDiPT2syu-MmMJFgO8gzChB_uT0w-MtXk_GCw4/s/1303160919/br/140673138329-l" target="_blank">here</a>.