The 2024 Kansas Rural Preservation grant committee&nbsp;reviewed 24 grant requests totaling over $2.2 million. On August 9, 2024, the committee recommended and the Historic Sites Board of Review approved funding for 8 projects totalling $750,000.The historic Safeway Building located at 121 E 11th Street in Downtown Hays was awarded a grant for the historic preservation and the expansion of Gella's Diner &amp; Lb. Brewing Co. culinary classroom and event space. To comply with the grant requirements, we are publicly posting this notice to contractors to submit bids.

Property Owner: Gella’s Diner &amp; Lb. Brewing Co., LLC

Property Address: 121 East 11th&nbsp;Street, Hays Kansas

Detailed building condition and scope of work detailed below.

1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Install new storefront windows and doors.

2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sheetrock and finish interior partition walls and repair perimeter plaster walls and paint walls. Trim and molding per specifications.

3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Repair and refinish original hardwood floors. Install flooring in kitchen, bathrooms and storerooms.

Bids will be received by Adam Pray, 116 E 11th&nbsp;Street, Hays, Kansas 67601 until 12:00 PM on November 30, 2024, for the work noted above according to plans approved by the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office. This structure is determined eligible for listing as a contributing property in the Historic Chestnut Street District on the National Register of Historic Places. All work must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s&nbsp;Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Sealed bids will be publicly opened at 12:00 PM on Monday, December 2, 2024 at Platinum Group Office, 116 E 11th&nbsp;Street, Hays KS 67601. Two copies of the bid should be provided.

All inquiries about this Invitation to Bid and requests for copies of the full scope of work / plans may be directed to Adam Pray, phone (785) 650-4029. Bids will be received on a total bid price basis and will include a sum to cover the cost of all items of the contract, including insurance, materials, and performance bonds. Proposals received after the date and time indicated above for opening will be considered late, and therefore will not be considered for award.

The Bid will be awarded on the basis of cost and performance; to the Bidder who, in the Owner’s judgment, is the lowest, most qualified, responsible and responsive Bidder. Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids and to reject the Bid of any Bidder if the Owner believes it would not be in the best interest of the Owner to make an award to that Bidder. The successful Bidder must deliver to the Owner certificates of insurance, performance and materials payment bonds as security for faithful performance and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the contract. The successful firm will be required to comply with all applicable laws and statutory regulations. No Bidder will in any way, directly or indirectly, discriminate against any person because of age, race, color, handicap, sex, national origin or religious creed.

This project has been financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, a division of the United States Department of the Interior and administered by the Kansas Historical Society. The contents and opinions, however, do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the United States Department of the Interior or the Kansas Historical Society. Regulations of the US&nbsp;Department of the Interior strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally Assisted Programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U. S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20240.

Historic Safeway Building/Gella’s Expansion

Building Description: The one-story red brick building at 121 E Eleventh was built ca. 1937 as home to the Safeway Grocery Store. The building is the easternmost structure in a string of one-and two-story buildings with a consistent setback on the north side of E. Eleventh Street, one block off Main Street. The building will be occupied as an expansion of Gella’s Diner &amp; Lb. Brewing Co. in the one-story buildings at 111-119 East Eleventh Street. An alley runs along the north/rear façade and the storefront fronts Eleventh Street on the south with a public sidewalk along the south façade and brick street with parallel parking along E. Eleventh Street.

The storefront is currently boarded with the glass windows missing (wood is visible on the interior). An area above the storefront is also boarded corresponding to the large steel I-beam that spans the storefront opening, supported by one central column). An alternating band of concrete and glass black panels is located on the upper façade framed by buff brick. The recessed entry, extant at the east end, is framed by the brick wall on the west and an angled section of the boarded storefront on the east. A pair of single-light wood doors (one replaced with slab door) serve as the original entrance with a narrow sidelight on the west and a transom panel composed of two horizontal lights about each door. On the interior, no glass is present in the display windows but a short plastered bulkhead is extant. Temporary removal of the wood covering revealed damaged brick tile on the narrow bulkhead.

There are four openings on the rear façade – three windows and a single door. All are punched openings with hidden lintels and windows have header-course brick sills. The original windows were multi-light steel windows, two of which are in place. One window has formerly been removed and a ventilation fan installed in the window opening. From the interior, the rear door is a five-horizontal panel wood door, with a metal covering on the exterior that is visible on the rear façade.

The interior of the building is currently an open space with framed partition walls. The metal barrel trusses and interim wood framing is extant and exposed throughout the interior of the building. The perimeter walls have a plaster finish and remnants of wood baseboards are in place in isolated locations. At existing openings, plaster has a curved return. There is significant deterioration of plaster in some of the areas and peeling paint throughout. The front two-thirds of the space has a hardwood floor exposed. There are some areas of damaged or missing wood flooring but generally the floor appears to be in sound condition. The rear of the space has a concrete slab that is in fair to poor condition.

Project Description for KSHS Rural Preservation Grant: &nbsp;

Detailed floor plans and drawings available upon request for bidding purposes.

● Install new storefront system on the existing concrete curb with new black tile installed at the bulkhead. The configuration will be retained with a recessed entrance on the west end. The existing wood doors will be removed and a pair of two-light aluminum doors, with sidelight, will be installed to meet accessibility requirements. The storefront system will be aluminum with a factory silver aluminum finish with 2-1/2” mullions and clear, low e glass. Display windows will be full height in the original opening; the existing glass block band will be retained above the storefront. Aluminum sheet metal to match the storefront will be used as sheathing at center column and horizontal I-beam/lintel above storefront opening. The lintel band will be used for business signage.

● The new floor plan will have limited walls with bathrooms along the west wall and a kitchen at the rear, maintaining a large open dining room at the storefront. The existing front and rear door openings will be maintained with a vestibule at the front entrance and a corridor against the west wall at the rear. Men’s and women’s accessible restrooms will be partitions on the west wall and a storage room between the restroom and entry vestibule. The kitchen will span the north wall west of the west corridor with a bar/service area in the northeast corner of the open dining room. A mezzanine will be created over the rear kitchen and west restrooms to be used for mechanical equipment and supply storage.

● Plaster will be retained and repaired at perimeter walls, maintaining curved return at the storefront. Wall at the rear opening will be furred for kitchen equipment. Sheetrock may be used at large areas of deteriorated plaster and skim-coated to match adjacent plaster surfaces – this is primarily at areas of former water infiltration on the rear wall where plaster is severely damaged and missing. Plaster walls will have exposed conduit for outlets and switches (painted to match adjacent surface). New partition walls will primarily be sheetrocked on wood studs. Kitchen walls will have stainless/FRP paneled walls for ease of cleaning. Bathrooms will receive porcelain wall and floor tile. New 6” wood baseboards with simple squared profile with eased edge, will be installed at perimeter walls in the dining room. Kitchen will have a rubber/tile base and bathrooms will have tile base/transition at wall/floor tile.

● Any remaining tile or adhesive on the wood floor in the dining room will be removed and the original wood floor will be retained, repaired and refinished with satin finish. Damaged wood will be replaced with wood salvaged from bathrooms and store room on the west wall. Kitchen area will receive an epoxy finish on the concrete floor, as will the west storeroom.

Detailed floor plans available upon request by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:chris@tumbleweedks.com">chris@tumbleweedks.com</a>

● Repair work to be in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Viewable at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standards/rehabilitation.htm">http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standards/rehabilitation.htm</a>

● Certificates of insurance, performance and material payment bonds required as security for faithful performance and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the contract.

● Storage and handling of all materials must be in a manner which prevents additional loss, deterioration, and damage; storage area to be designated by project administrator.

● Construction schedule to be itemized with headings related to the breakdown in payment requests.

● All work subject to review by the Kansas State Historical Society throughout the duration of the project.

● Compliance with all applicable laws and statutory regulations required.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705521337334.jpg" alt="Courtesy Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe 2024 Kansas Rural Preservation grant committee&nbsp;reviewed 24 grant requests totaling over $2.2 million. On August 9, 2024, the committee recommended and the Historic Sites Board of Review approved funding for 8 projects totalling $750,000.The historic Safeway Building located at 121 E 11th Street in Downtown Hays was awarded a grant for the historic preservation and the expansion of Gella's Diner &amp; Lb. Brewing Co. culinary classroom and event space. To comply with the grant requirements, we are publicly posting this notice to contractors to submit bids.NOTICE TO CONTRACTORSINVITATION TO BIDProperty Owner: Gella’s Diner &amp; Lb. Brewing Co., LLCProperty Address: 121 East 11th&nbsp;Street, Hays KansasDetailed building condition and scope of work detailed below.In general, work to be performed:1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Install new storefront windows and doors.2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sheetrock and finish interior partition walls and repair perimeter plaster walls and paint walls. Trim and molding per specifications.3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Repair and refinish original hardwood floors. Install flooring in kitchen, bathrooms and storerooms.Bids will be received by Adam Pray, 116 E 11th&nbsp;Street, Hays, Kansas 67601 until 12:00 PM on November 30, 2024, for the work noted above according to plans approved by the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office. This structure is determined eligible for listing as a contributing property in the Historic Chestnut Street District on the National Register of Historic Places. All work must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s&nbsp;Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.Sealed bids will be publicly opened at 12:00 PM on Monday, December 2, 2024 at Platinum Group Office, 116 E 11th&nbsp;Street, Hays KS 67601. Two copies of the bid should be provided.All inquiries about this Invitation to Bid and requests for copies of the full scope of work / plans may be directed to Adam Pray, phone (785) 650-4029. Bids will be received on a total bid price basis and will include a sum to cover the cost of all items of the contract, including insurance, materials, and performance bonds. Proposals received after the date and time indicated above for opening will be considered late, and therefore will not be considered for award.The Bid will be awarded on the basis of cost and performance; to the Bidder who, in the Owner’s judgment, is the lowest, most qualified, responsible and responsive Bidder. Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids and to reject the Bid of any Bidder if the Owner believes it would not be in the best interest of the Owner to make an award to that Bidder. The successful Bidder must deliver to the Owner certificates of insurance, performance and materials payment bonds as security for faithful performance and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the contract. The successful firm will be required to comply with all applicable laws and statutory regulations. No Bidder will in any way, directly or indirectly, discriminate against any person because of age, race, color, handicap, sex, national origin or religious creed.This project has been financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, a division of the United States Department of the Interior and administered by the Kansas Historical Society. The contents and opinions, however, do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the United States Department of the Interior or the Kansas Historical Society. Regulations of the US&nbsp;Department of the Interior strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally Assisted Programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U. S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20240.Historic Safeway Building/Gella’s ExpansionBuilding Description: The one-story red brick building at 121 E Eleventh was built ca. 1937 as home to the Safeway Grocery Store. The building is the easternmost structure in a string of one-and two-story buildings with a consistent setback on the north side of E. Eleventh Street, one block off Main Street. The building will be occupied as an expansion of Gella’s Diner &amp; Lb. Brewing Co. in the one-story buildings at 111-119 East Eleventh Street. An alley runs along the north/rear façade and the storefront fronts Eleventh Street on the south with a public sidewalk along the south façade and brick street with parallel parking along E. Eleventh Street.The storefront is currently boarded with the glass windows missing (wood is visible on the interior). An area above the storefront is also boarded corresponding to the large steel I-beam that spans the storefront opening, supported by one central column). An alternating band of concrete and glass black panels is located on the upper façade framed by buff brick. The recessed entry, extant at the east end, is framed by the brick wall on the west and an angled section of the boarded storefront on the east. A pair of single-light wood doors (one replaced with slab door) serve as the original entrance with a narrow sidelight on the west and a transom panel composed of two horizontal lights about each door. On the interior, no glass is present in the display windows but a short plastered bulkhead is extant. Temporary removal of the wood covering revealed damaged brick tile on the narrow bulkhead.There are four openings on the rear façade – three windows and a single door. All are punched openings with hidden lintels and windows have header-course brick sills. The original windows were multi-light steel windows, two of which are in place. One window has formerly been removed and a ventilation fan installed in the window opening. From the interior, the rear door is a five-horizontal panel wood door, with a metal covering on the exterior that is visible on the rear façade.The interior of the building is currently an open space with framed partition walls. The metal barrel trusses and interim wood framing is extant and exposed throughout the interior of the building. The perimeter walls have a plaster finish and remnants of wood baseboards are in place in isolated locations. At existing openings, plaster has a curved return. There is significant deterioration of plaster in some of the areas and peeling paint throughout. The front two-thirds of the space has a hardwood floor exposed. There are some areas of damaged or missing wood flooring but generally the floor appears to be in sound condition. The rear of the space has a concrete slab that is in fair to poor condition.SCOPE OF WORKProject Description for KSHS Rural Preservation Grant: &nbsp;Detailed floor plans and drawings available upon request for bidding purposes.Detail of Work to include in bid:● Install new storefront system on the existing concrete curb with new black tile installed at the bulkhead. The configuration will be retained with a recessed entrance on the west end. The existing wood doors will be removed and a pair of two-light aluminum doors, with sidelight, will be installed to meet accessibility requirements. The storefront system will be aluminum with a factory silver aluminum finish with 2-1/2” mullions and clear, low e glass. Display windows will be full height in the original opening; the existing glass block band will be retained above the storefront. Aluminum sheet metal to match the storefront will be used as sheathing at center column and horizontal I-beam/lintel above storefront opening. The lintel band will be used for business signage.● The new floor plan will have limited walls with bathrooms along the west wall and a kitchen at the rear, maintaining a large open dining room at the storefront. The existing front and rear door openings will be maintained with a vestibule at the front entrance and a corridor against the west wall at the rear. Men’s and women’s accessible restrooms will be partitions on the west wall and a storage room between the restroom and entry vestibule. The kitchen will span the north wall west of the west corridor with a bar/service area in the northeast corner of the open dining room. A mezzanine will be created over the rear kitchen and west restrooms to be used for mechanical equipment and supply storage.● Plaster will be retained and repaired at perimeter walls, maintaining curved return at the storefront. Wall at the rear opening will be furred for kitchen equipment. Sheetrock may be used at large areas of deteriorated plaster and skim-coated to match adjacent plaster surfaces – this is primarily at areas of former water infiltration on the rear wall where plaster is severely damaged and missing. Plaster walls will have exposed conduit for outlets and switches (painted to match adjacent surface). New partition walls will primarily be sheetrocked on wood studs. Kitchen walls will have stainless/FRP paneled walls for ease of cleaning. Bathrooms will receive porcelain wall and floor tile. New 6” wood baseboards with simple squared profile with eased edge, will be installed at perimeter walls in the dining room. Kitchen will have a rubber/tile base and bathrooms will have tile base/transition at wall/floor tile.● Any remaining tile or adhesive on the wood floor in the dining room will be removed and the original wood floor will be retained, repaired and refinished with satin finish. Damaged wood will be replaced with wood salvaged from bathrooms and store room on the west wall. Kitchen area will receive an epoxy finish on the concrete floor, as will the west storeroom.Detailed floor plans available upon request by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:chris@tumbleweedks.com">chris@tumbleweedks.com</a>General Conditions:● Repair work to be in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Viewable at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standards/rehabilitation.htm">http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standards/rehabilitation.htm</a>● Certificates of insurance, performance and material payment bonds required as security for faithful performance and the payment of all bills and obligations arising from the contract.● Storage and handling of all materials must be in a manner which prevents additional loss, deterioration, and damage; storage area to be designated by project administrator.● Construction schedule to be itemized with headings related to the breakdown in payment requests.● All work subject to review by the Kansas State Historical Society throughout the duration of the project.● Compliance with all applicable laws and statutory regulations required.

Multiple election offices report receiving mailed ballots misdirected from other states

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>

WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina led a charge Monday to try to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings, following the election of a transgender lawmaker.

The move, which the House Democratic leader characterized as attempting to “bully” another member, came as Democrat Sarah McBride of Delaware will soon be sworn in as the&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/08/21/transgender-congress/" target="_blank">first openly transgender member&nbsp;</a>of Congress. Republicans also have undertaken broader efforts to bar transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity.

“Biological men do not belong in private women’s spaces,” Mace wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858659671910817924" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;alongside the resolution she is pushing. “Period. Full stop. End of story.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hres1579/BILLS-118hres1579ih.pdf" target="_blank">resolution would prohibit</a>&nbsp;members of Congress, officers and employees of the House from using “single-sex facilities” other than those corresponding to their “biological sex.”

It reads: “A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not use a single-sex facility (including a restroom, changing&nbsp; room, or locker room) in the Capitol or House Office Buildings, other than those corresponding to the biological sex of such individual.”

The House sergeant-at-arms would be tasked with enforcement, according to the resolution, so it appears it would apply only to bathrooms on the House side of the Capitol and not the Senate.

Mace told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/1403136/exclusive-rep-nancy-mace-on-why-she-supports-lgbt-rights-religious-liberty-compromise-legislation/" target="_blank">Washington Examiner</a>&nbsp;in 2021 that she strongly supports LGBTQ rights and equality and said “no one should be discriminated against.”

The South Carolina Republican co-sponsored a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1440/text" target="_blank">Republican alternative</a>&nbsp;to the&nbsp; Democratic-backed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5/cosponsors" target="_blank">Equality Act</a>&nbsp;in 2021. The GOP effort sought to “prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and to protect the free exercise of religion.”&nbsp;

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SarahEMcBride/status/1858671704718868652" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;Monday appearing to respond to Mace’s push, McBride said “every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness.”

“This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing,” McBride added.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Mace’s resolution “doesn’t go far enough” and “we need something more binding” while speaking to reporters Tuesday.

The Georgia Republican, who referred to McBride as a “biological man,” said “America’s fed up with the trans ideology being shoved into our face.”

Greene said she asked U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson at the House GOP conference meeting Tuesday “what the men in our leadership are going to do about this, because this has to be stopped.”

According to Greene, the Louisiana Republican committed to her that McBride “will not be using our restrooms.”

However, at a Tuesday press conference following that GOP meeting, Johnson would not specify how he would respond to Mace’s resolution.

“This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before,” Johnson said, while also noting that “it’s a command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect.”

“We’ll provide appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress,” he added.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned House Republicans’ priorities Tuesday regarding Mace’s effort.

“This is your priority — that you want to bully a member of Congress as opposed to welcoming her to join this body so that all of us can work together to get things done and deliver real results for the American people?” said the New York Democrat at a Tuesday news conference.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732047919198.png" alt="Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Delaware will become the first openly transgender member of Congress-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D-Delaware will become the first openly transgender member of Congress-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina led a charge Monday to try to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings, following the election of a transgender lawmaker.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I never thought we would need a sign for this, but women&#39;s restrooms are for BIOLOGICAL women. Not men. <a href="https://t.co/42lOMhqHFT">pic.twitter.com/42lOMhqHFT</a>&mdash; Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858997448418496978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The move, which the House Democratic leader characterized as attempting to “bully” another member, came as Democrat Sarah McBride of Delaware will soon be sworn in as the&nbsp;<a href="https://lailluminator.com/2024/08/21/transgender-congress/" target="_blank">first openly transgender member&nbsp;</a>of Congress. Republicans also have undertaken broader efforts to bar transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Biological men do not belong in private women’s spaces. Period. Full stop. End of story. <a href="https://t.co/IhR7kExkBU">pic.twitter.com/IhR7kExkBU</a>&mdash; Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858659671910817924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Biological men do not belong in private women’s spaces,” Mace wrote in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepNancyMace/status/1858659671910817924" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;alongside the resolution she is pushing. “Period. Full stop. End of story.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Is freshman-elect Sarah McBride a man or a woman?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerJohnson</a>: &quot;Look, I’m not going to get into this...We treat all persons with dignity and respect. We will. I&#39;m not going to engage is silly debates about this. There&#39;s a concern about uses of restroom facilities...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/fMtlV3hYxW">pic.twitter.com/fMtlV3hYxW</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1858904341718958328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hres1579/BILLS-118hres1579ih.pdf" target="_blank">resolution would prohibit</a>&nbsp;members of Congress, officers and employees of the House from using “single-sex facilities” other than those corresponding to their “biological sex.”It reads: “A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not use a single-sex facility (including a restroom, changing&nbsp; room, or locker room) in the Capitol or House Office Buildings, other than those corresponding to the biological sex of such individual.”The House sergeant-at-arms would be tasked with enforcement, according to the resolution, so it appears it would apply only to bathrooms on the House side of the Capitol and not the Senate.Mace told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/1403136/exclusive-rep-nancy-mace-on-why-she-supports-lgbt-rights-religious-liberty-compromise-legislation/" target="_blank">Washington Examiner</a>&nbsp;in 2021 that she strongly supports LGBTQ rights and equality and said “no one should be discriminated against.”The South Carolina Republican co-sponsored a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1440/text" target="_blank">Republican alternative</a>&nbsp;to the&nbsp; Democratic-backed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5/cosponsors" target="_blank">Equality Act</a>&nbsp;in 2021. The GOP effort sought to “prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and to protect the free exercise of religion.”&nbsp;In a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/SarahEMcBride/status/1858671704718868652" target="_blank">post on X</a>&nbsp;Monday appearing to respond to Mace’s push, McBride said “every day Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully, I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness.”“This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing,” McBride added.Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Mace’s resolution “doesn’t go far enough” and “we need something more binding” while speaking to reporters Tuesday.The Georgia Republican, who referred to McBride as a “biological man,” said “America’s fed up with the trans ideology being shoved into our face.”Greene said she asked U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson at the House GOP conference meeting Tuesday “what the men in our leadership are going to do about this, because this has to be stopped.”According to Greene, the Louisiana Republican committed to her that McBride “will not be using our restrooms.”However, at a Tuesday press conference following that GOP meeting, Johnson would not specify how he would respond to Mace’s resolution.“This is an issue that Congress has never had to address before,” Johnson said, while also noting that “it’s a command that we treat all persons with dignity and respect.”“We’ll provide appropriate accommodation for every member of Congress,” he added.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries questioned House Republicans’ priorities Tuesday regarding Mace’s effort.“This is your priority — that you want to bully a member of Congress as opposed to welcoming her to join this body so that all of us can work together to get things done and deliver real results for the American people?” said the New York Democrat at a Tuesday news conference.&nbsp;

U.S. House GOP urged to bar transgender women from using women’s bathrooms at the Capitol

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Hays Police Department arrest log, Nov. 10-16, 2024

Hays native takes leadership role at&nbsp; Patterson Family Foundation

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Patterson Family Foundation is looking to fill gaps in philanthropic support for rural communities such as Hays.

The nonprofit based in Kansas City is a family-led organization dedicated to empowering rural communities to thrive through grants and collaborative efforts.

Maria Flynn, president and CEO of the Patterson Family Foundation, said the foundation works with local groups to meet community needs.

"We work with 501(c)(3) organizations that are established and doing the work by helping them to do more," she said.

The foundation provides grants by considering economic development, health care, education and community development.

The foundation has previously collaborated with Hays, recently awarding a $750,000 grant to support the construction of Fort Hays Tech North Central's new building.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/be309707-284b-444c-a545-a868e648bce1">SEE RELATED: Fort Hays Tech North Central breaks ground on new building</a>

The Patterson Family Foundation provides a range of grants, including program, operational, equipment and capital grants.

"Community foundations are an important area for us to help build capacity and matching grants for things that communities are interested in," Flynn said.

Flynn is from Hays and became president and CEO in September.

Flynn said the foundation will implement changes starting next year regarding the specific guidance it seeks in grant applications.

The Patterson Family Foundation partners with 119 counties in Kansas and western Missouri, focusing on those with populations less than 50,000.

"We take a 50-year outlook of how our regions are evolving," Flynn said. "What financial, network, and time investments can we make to help the trajectory of our communities become great places to live?"

Flynn said 7% of all philanthropic funding reaches rural areas, which drops to about 5% when excluding universities.

The Patterson Foundation allocated $3 million in 2023 to support career and technical education in rural communities and $6.1 million to fund child care centers.

$5.4 million was distributed to rural hospitals and telehealth across 45 counties in Kansas and Missouri.

The nonprofit has supported rural communities since 2007, founded by Neal and Jeanne Patterson. After their passing, their children continue their legacy as the foundation's board of directors.

"I would love to connect more with people," Flynn said. "We really want to spotlight great things happening around these communities."

You can visit the Patterson Family Foundation <a href="https://pattersonfamilyfoundation.org/">website </a>for more information.

You can also follow the Patterson Family Foundation on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pattersonfamilyfoundation/">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/pffkc/">Linkedin</a>&nbsp;for updates.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732045955321.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Hays native takes leadership role at&nbsp; Patterson Family Foundation</h2>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Patterson Family Foundation is looking to fill gaps in philanthropic support for rural communities such as Hays.The nonprofit based in Kansas City is a family-led organization dedicated to empowering rural communities to thrive through grants and collaborative efforts.Maria Flynn, president and CEO of the Patterson Family Foundation, said the foundation works with local groups to meet community needs."We work with 501(c)(3) organizations that are established and doing the work by helping them to do more," she said.The foundation provides grants by considering economic development, health care, education and community development.The foundation has previously collaborated with Hays, recently awarding a $750,000 grant to support the construction of Fort Hays Tech North Central's new building.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/be309707-284b-444c-a545-a868e648bce1">SEE RELATED: Fort Hays Tech North Central breaks ground on new building</a>The Patterson Family Foundation provides a range of grants, including program, operational, equipment and capital grants."Community foundations are an important area for us to help build capacity and matching grants for things that communities are interested in," Flynn said.Flynn is from Hays and became president and CEO in September.Flynn said the foundation will implement changes starting next year regarding the specific guidance it seeks in grant applications.The Patterson Family Foundation partners with 119 counties in Kansas and western Missouri, focusing on those with populations less than 50,000."We take a 50-year outlook of how our regions are evolving," Flynn said. "What financial, network, and time investments can we make to help the trajectory of our communities become great places to live?"Flynn said 7% of all philanthropic funding reaches rural areas, which drops to about 5% when excluding universities.The Patterson Foundation allocated $3 million in 2023 to support career and technical education in rural communities and $6.1 million to fund child care centers.$5.4 million was distributed to rural hospitals and telehealth across 45 counties in Kansas and Missouri.The nonprofit has supported rural communities since 2007, founded by Neal and Jeanne Patterson. After their passing, their children continue their legacy as the foundation's board of directors."I would love to connect more with people," Flynn said. "We really want to spotlight great things happening around these communities."You can visit the Patterson Family Foundation <a href="https://pattersonfamilyfoundation.org/">website </a>for more information.You can also follow the Patterson Family Foundation on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pattersonfamilyfoundation/">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/pffkc/">Linkedin</a>&nbsp;for updates.

Patterson Family Foundation bridges gaps in rural philanthropy

By GERARD WELLBROCK Hays Post

HAYS, Kan. – Shaun Riley scored a career-high 24 points and Kyle Grill added a career-best 21 along with a career-high 7 rebounds to lead Fort Hays State to a 76-52 win over South Dakota Mines in their home opener Tuesday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

The Tigers (1-2) scored the game's first eight points and never trailed. The Hardrockers (0-5) pulled within three at 15-12 but FHSU pushed the lead to double-figures at 24-14 on a 3-point play from Riley. Freshman guard Aiden McDowell scored on a driving layup just before the horn to give FHSU a 34-24 halftime lead.

SDM cut the lead to eight&nbsp; several times early in the second half but a 17-7 FHSU run pushed the lead to 20. Peter Asceric hit a three to finish off the Tigers scoring.

Riley dominated in low for the Tigers, going 10-of-12 from the field. It was his second-straight game setting a new career high in points with FHSU after putting up 18 against Concordia St. Paul back on November 9. He also dished out five assists in the game.

Grill went 7-of-12 from the field and made a pair of 3-point field goals, while adding a 5-of-7 effort at the free-throw line. His seven rebounds led the team.

Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;also reached double figures in scoring for the Tigers with 10, while adding a team-high seven assists.

Fort Hays State shot 58 percent from the field (29-of-50), while holding South Dakota Mines to just 37.8 percent overall.

Guillem Garcia had 13 points, the only player from South Dakota Mines to reach double figures.

Fort Hays State will have another week off before hosting Central Christian College on Tuesday (Nov. 26) in a contest at noon. For a second-straight year, Hays Elementary Schools will attend the game, which will create a unique atmosphere at the coliseum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732076016764.png" alt="Fort Hays State's Kyle Grill drives to the basket in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against South Dakota Mines on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State's Kyle Grill drives to the basket in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against South Dakota Mines on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 in Hays, Kan. (FHSU Athletics photo/Nicole Heitmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>By GERARD WELLBROCK Hays PostHAYS, Kan. – Shaun Riley scored a career-high 24 points and Kyle Grill added a career-best 21 along with a career-high 7 rebounds to lead Fort Hays State to a 76-52 win over South Dakota Mines in their home opener Tuesday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1962452499&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-mbkb-coach-postgame-interview-vs-south-dakota-school-of-mines" title="Mark Johnson Postgame vs. South Dakota Mines (November 19, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Mark Johnson Postgame vs. South Dakota Mines (November 19, 2024)</a></div></div>The Tigers (1-2) scored the game's first eight points and never trailed. The Hardrockers (0-5) pulled within three at 15-12 but FHSU pushed the lead to double-figures at 24-14 on a 3-point play from Riley. Freshman guard Aiden McDowell scored on a driving layup just before the horn to give FHSU a 34-24 halftime lead.SDM cut the lead to eight&nbsp; several times early in the second half but a 17-7 FHSU run pushed the lead to 20. Peter Asceric hit a three to finish off the Tigers scoring.Riley dominated in low for the Tigers, going 10-of-12 from the field. It was his second-straight game setting a new career high in points with FHSU after putting up 18 against Concordia St. Paul back on November 9. He also dished out five assists in the game.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1962452683&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-mbkb-shaun-riley-postgame-interview-vs-south-dakota-school-of-mines-november-19th-24" title="Shaun Riley Postgame vs. South Dakota Mines (November 19, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Shaun Riley Postgame vs. South Dakota Mines (November 19, 2024)</a></div></div>Grill went 7-of-12 from the field and made a pair of 3-point field goals, while adding a 5-of-7 effort at the free-throw line. His seven rebounds led the team.Kaleb Hammeke&nbsp;also reached double figures in scoring for the Tigers with 10, while adding a team-high seven assists.Fort Hays State shot 58 percent from the field (29-of-50), while holding South Dakota Mines to just 37.8 percent overall.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1962452179&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-mbkb-highlights-vs-south-dakota-school-of-mines-november-19th-24" title="Fort Hays State MBB Highlights vs. South Dakota Mines (November 19, 2024)" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Fort Hays State MBB Highlights vs. South Dakota Mines (November 19, 2024)</a></div></div>Guillem Garcia had 13 points, the only player from South Dakota Mines to reach double figures.UP NEXTFort Hays State will have another week off before hosting Central Christian College on Tuesday (Nov. 26) in a contest at noon. For a second-straight year, Hays Elementary Schools will attend the game, which will create a unique atmosphere at the coliseum.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Career nights from Riley and Grill lead Tigers to win in home opener

A Hays man and woman were arrested concerning alleged burglaries.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said stolen property was allegedly discovered on 33-year-old Steven Johnson Jr. and 31-year-old Skylar Kay Johnson.

At about 11 p.m. on Nov. 12, a police officer patrolling the 1300 block of Vine Street noticed a man and a woman walking northbound.

Scheibler said the officer believed the suspects matched the description of the suspects in a reported vehicle burglary on Nov. 7 on East 27th St. Hays Police had obtained video footage showing the suspects in the vicinity.

Steven and Skylar allegedly fled in opposite directions when the officer attempted to make contact, prompting a foot pursuit. The officer managed to apprehend Steven in a nearby trailer park.

Additional officers arrived at the scene and found Skylar hiding in a patch of overgrown weeds in the 1200 block of Vine Street, south of Burger King.

According to Scheibler, officers allegedly found stolen property in their possession, which linked Steven and Skylar to other burglaries in Hays.

Steven was arrested on charges of vehicle burglary and felony interference with a law enforcement officer. Skylar was arrested on charges of vehicle burglary, felony interference with a law enforcement officer, and possession of methamphetamines.

Skylar was also found to have an active warrant from Cheyenne County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732117563671.png" alt="Steven Johnson-photo Ellis Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Steven Johnson-photo Ellis Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostA Hays man and woman were arrested concerning alleged burglaries.Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said stolen property was allegedly discovered on 33-year-old Steven Johnson Jr. and 31-year-old Skylar Kay Johnson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732117532945.png" alt="Skylar Johnson photo Ellis County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Skylar Johnson photo Ellis County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>At about 11 p.m. on Nov. 12, a police officer patrolling the 1300 block of Vine Street noticed a man and a woman walking northbound.Scheibler said the officer believed the suspects matched the description of the suspects in a reported vehicle burglary on Nov. 7 on East 27th St. Hays Police had obtained video footage showing the suspects in the vicinity.Steven and Skylar allegedly fled in opposite directions when the officer attempted to make contact, prompting a foot pursuit. The officer managed to apprehend Steven in a nearby trailer park.Additional officers arrived at the scene and found Skylar hiding in a patch of overgrown weeds in the 1200 block of Vine Street, south of Burger King.According to Scheibler, officers allegedly found stolen property in their possession, which linked Steven and Skylar to other burglaries in Hays.Steven was arrested on charges of vehicle burglary and felony interference with a law enforcement officer. Skylar was arrested on charges of vehicle burglary, felony interference with a law enforcement officer, and possession of methamphetamines.Skylar was also found to have an active warrant from Cheyenne County.Both were booked into Ellis County Jail.

Hays man, woman arrested for alleged vehicle burglaries

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday tapped Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former television talk show host and heart surgeon, to head the agency that oversees health insurance programs for millions of older, poor and disabled Americans and selected Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick to lead the Commerce Department.

“Dr. Oz will be a leader in incentivizing Disease Prevention, so we get the best results in the World for every dollar we spend on Healthcare in our Great Country,” Trump said in a statement. “He will also cut waste and fraud within our Country’s most expensive Government Agency, which is a third of our Nation’s Healthcare spend, and a quarter of our entire National Budget.”

Oz, who ran a failed 2022 bid to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate, has been an outspoken support of Trump and in recent days expressed support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for the nation’s top health agency, the Department of Health and Human Services.

As the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Oz would report to Kennedy. If confirmed by the Senate, Oz would be responsible for the programs — Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act — that more than half the country relies on for health insurance. Medicaid provides nearly-free health care coverage to millions of the poorest children and adults in the U.S. while Medicare gives older Americans and the disabled access to health insurance. The Affordable Care Act is the Obama-era program that offers health insurance plans to millions of Americans who do not qualify for government-assisted health insurance, but do not get insurance through their employer.

“Americans need better research on healthy lifestyle choices from unbiased scientists, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/robertfkennedyjr/">@robertfkennedyjr</a>&nbsp;can help as HHS secretary,” Oz shared in a post on Instagram last week, along with a photo of him and Kennedy together.

Oz has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dr-mehmet-oz-political-career-2022-midterm-f6ecd9ac9f0e95cda41193adc13c8437">accused</a>&nbsp;of hawking dubious medical treatments and products on his defunct TV show. And during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hydroxychloroquine-covid-treatment-campaign-8f136d7e9dc52fd2d8da8854680d6004">pressured</a>&nbsp;government officials to make hydroxychloroquine widely available, despite unresolved questions about its safety and effectiveness.

Lutnick, meanwhile, will have a key role carrying out Trump's plan to raise and enforce tariffs as commerce secretary, Trump said on Tuesday. Lutnick is a cryptocurrency enthusiast and head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald.

Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. In the post, Trump said Lutnick “will lead our Tariff and Trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative."

Lutnick is a co-chair of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-transition-security-e9b282a5861c67573d19ad3667580448">Trump’s transition team</a>, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration.

The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial.

An advocate for imposing wide-ranging tariffs, Lutnick told CNBC in September that “tariffs are an amazing tool for the president to use — we need to protect the American worker." Trump on the campaign trail&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-taxes-imports-inflation-consumers-prices-c2eef295a078a76ce2bb7fedb0c5e58c">proposed a 60% tariff on goods from China</a>&nbsp;— and a tariff of up to 20% on everything else the United States imports.

Mainstream economists are generally skeptical of tariffs, considering them a mostly inefficient way for governments to raise money and promote prosperity.

Lutnick had been considered for treasury secretary, a role that has been at the center of high-profile jockeying within the Trump world. At the same time, the treasury position is closely watched in financial circles, where a disruptive nominee could have immediate negative consequences on the stock market, which Trump watches closely.

The news also comes after billionaire Elon Musk and others in Trump’s orbit called on Trump to dump previous front-runner for treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, in favor of Lutnick. Musk said in his post that “Bessent is a business-as-usual choice, whereas @howardlutnick will actually enact change.”

Lutnick joined Cantor Fitzgerald in 1983 and rose through the ranks to be appointed president and CEO in 1991.

Lutnick also chairs financial technology company BGC Group, Inc. and the commercial real estate services firm Newmark Group, Inc.

Lutnick has donated to both Democrats and Republicans in the past, and once appeared on Trump’s NBC reality show, “The Apprentice.” He has become a part of the president-elect’s inner circle, and has shared the stage with Trump at events in the closing days of his campaign, including a rally at Madison Square Garden.

He came under criticism in the campaign’s final days for an interview with CNN in which he repeated Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s debunked criticisms of vaccines.

— Associated Press writer Matthew Perrone in Washington contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732052071521.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday tapped Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former television talk show host and heart surgeon, to head the agency that oversees health insurance programs for millions of older, poor and disabled Americans and selected Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick to lead the Commerce Department.“Dr. Oz will be a leader in incentivizing Disease Prevention, so we get the best results in the World for every dollar we spend on Healthcare in our Great Country,” Trump said in a statement. “He will also cut waste and fraud within our Country’s most expensive Government Agency, which is a third of our Nation’s Healthcare spend, and a quarter of our entire National Budget.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732051989242.png" alt="Trump" />
 <figcaption>Trump</figcaption>
 </figure>Oz, who ran a failed 2022 bid to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate, has been an outspoken support of Trump and in recent days expressed support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for the nation’s top health agency, the Department of Health and Human Services.As the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Oz would report to Kennedy. If confirmed by the Senate, Oz would be responsible for the programs — Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act — that more than half the country relies on for health insurance. Medicaid provides nearly-free health care coverage to millions of the poorest children and adults in the U.S. while Medicare gives older Americans and the disabled access to health insurance. The Affordable Care Act is the Obama-era program that offers health insurance plans to millions of Americans who do not qualify for government-assisted health insurance, but do not get insurance through their employer.“Americans need better research on healthy lifestyle choices from unbiased scientists, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/robertfkennedyjr/">@robertfkennedyjr</a>&nbsp;can help as HHS secretary,” Oz shared in a post on Instagram last week, along with a photo of him and Kennedy together.Oz has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dr-mehmet-oz-political-career-2022-midterm-f6ecd9ac9f0e95cda41193adc13c8437">accused</a>&nbsp;of hawking dubious medical treatments and products on his defunct TV show. And during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hydroxychloroquine-covid-treatment-campaign-8f136d7e9dc52fd2d8da8854680d6004">pressured</a>&nbsp;government officials to make hydroxychloroquine widely available, despite unresolved questions about its safety and effectiveness.Lutnick, meanwhile, will have a key role carrying out Trump's plan to raise and enforce tariffs as commerce secretary, Trump said on Tuesday. Lutnick is a cryptocurrency enthusiast and head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald.Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. In the post, Trump said Lutnick “will lead our Tariff and Trade agenda, with additional direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative."Lutnick is a co-chair of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-transition-security-e9b282a5861c67573d19ad3667580448">Trump’s transition team</a>, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration.The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial.An advocate for imposing wide-ranging tariffs, Lutnick told CNBC in September that “tariffs are an amazing tool for the president to use — we need to protect the American worker." Trump on the campaign trail&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-taxes-imports-inflation-consumers-prices-c2eef295a078a76ce2bb7fedb0c5e58c">proposed a 60% tariff on goods from China</a>&nbsp;— and a tariff of up to 20% on everything else the United States imports.Mainstream economists are generally skeptical of tariffs, considering them a mostly inefficient way for governments to raise money and promote prosperity.Lutnick had been considered for treasury secretary, a role that has been at the center of high-profile jockeying within the Trump world. At the same time, the treasury position is closely watched in financial circles, where a disruptive nominee could have immediate negative consequences on the stock market, which Trump watches closely.The news also comes after billionaire Elon Musk and others in Trump’s orbit called on Trump to dump previous front-runner for treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, in favor of Lutnick. Musk said in his post that “Bessent is a business-as-usual choice, whereas @howardlutnick will actually enact change.”Lutnick joined Cantor Fitzgerald in 1983 and rose through the ranks to be appointed president and CEO in 1991.Lutnick also chairs financial technology company BGC Group, Inc. and the commercial real estate services firm Newmark Group, Inc.Lutnick has donated to both Democrats and Republicans in the past, and once appeared on Trump’s NBC reality show, “The Apprentice.” He has become a part of the president-elect’s inner circle, and has shared the stage with Trump at events in the closing days of his campaign, including a rally at Madison Square Garden.He came under criticism in the campaign’s final days for an interview with CNN in which he repeated Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s debunked criticisms of vaccines.— Associated Press writer Matthew Perrone in Washington contributed.

Trump chooses TV doctor to lead Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine fired several American-supplied longer-range missiles into Russia, officials said Tuesday, marking the first time Kyiv used the weapons that way in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-1000-days-ade5a60cf2345d694871f85df162d08a">1,000 days of war</a>.

The use of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-biden-what-are-atacms-missiles-8d8621321af8c673bd42a5693c2ad1f4">Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS</a>, came as Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-91f20e0c9b0f9e5eaa3ed97c35789898">formally lowered the threshold</a>&nbsp;for using nuclear weapons, opening the door to a potential nuclear response by Moscow to even a conventional attack by any nation supported by a nuclear power. That could include Ukrainian attacks backed by the U.S.

A Telegram channel affiliated with the Ukrainian military posted a video Tuesday that it says shows U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles being fired from an undisclosed location in Ukraine. The Associated Press could not independently verify the date and location the video was filmed.

According to a U.S. official, Ukraine fired about eight of the missiles, and just two were intercepted by the Russians. The official said that the U.S. was still assessing battle damage, but that the missiles struck an ammunition supply location in Karachev, a city of about 18,000 people in Russia's Bryansk region. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence assessments.

The developments marked a worrying escalation in the conflict that has repeatedly ratcheted up international tensions. U.S. officials recently expressed dismay at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-north-korea-war-735ab717dcf92a718adcb68bfbddc653">Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops</a>&nbsp;to help it fight Ukraine, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-attack-sumy-5cd4f9fe2cee1ae8aed67d63c22b0703">Moscow seethed</a>&nbsp;when Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c">eased restrictions</a>&nbsp;on the ATACMS in recent days.

The 1,000-day mark has magnified scrutiny of how the war is unfolding and how it might end, amid signs that a turning point may be coming with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump entering the White House in about two months’ time. Trump has pledged to swiftly end the war and has criticized the amount the U.S. has spent on supporting Ukraine.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine can sustain the war for a long time, analysts say, though Russia would be able to keep going for longer due to its vaster resources.

Ukraine’s forces are under severe Russian pressure on the battlefield at places on the about 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-f7f56e494df1dbbcdec1853001796c45">its army is stretched thin</a>. Ukrainian civilians, meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-strike-85dea3d9af59589d372333a23de9130a">have repeatedly been attacked</a>&nbsp;by Russian drones and missiles.

Ukraine claimed Tuesday that it hit a military weapons depot in Russia's Bryansk region overnight, though it didn't specify what weapons it used. The Ukrainian General Staff said multiple explosions and detonations were heard in the targeted area around Karachev.

Asked at a news conference if Ukraine had struck the Bryansk region ammunition depot with ATACMS, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declined to provide any details. However, he said, “Ukraine has long-range capabilities, including domestically produced long-range drones … and now we have ATACMS as well."

In a statement carried by Russian news agencies, the Russian Defense Ministry said the military shot down five&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atacms-ukraine-longrange-missiles-5fd95f32449d14da22b82d57d6ccab22">ATACMS</a>&nbsp;missiles and damaged one more. The fragments fell on the territory of an unspecified military facility and sparked a fire, but didn’t cause any damage or casualties, it said.

Neither side's claims could be independently verified.

Karachev is roughly 115 kilometers (70 miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border. Ukraine in the course of the war has been able to reach much deeper into the vast country — but with drones rather than missiles. For instance, Russian officials have reported intercepting Ukrainian drones over Moscow, which is about 500 kilometers (310 miles) from the border and most recently Izhevsk, a city about 1,450 kilometers (900 miles) from the frontier.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ukrainian officials reported a third Russian strike in as many days on a residential area in Ukraine killed at least 12 people, including a child.

The strike by a Shahed drone in the northern Sumy region late Monday hit a dormitory of an educational facility in the town of Hlukhiv and wounded 11 others, including two children, authorities said, adding that more people could be trapped under the rubble.

On Sunday, a Russian ballistic missile with cluster munitions struck a residential area of Sumy in northern Ukraine, killing 11 people and wounding 84 others. On Monday, a Russian missile barrage sparked apartment fires in the southern port of Odesa, killing at least 10 people and wounding 43.

Zelenskyy said that the series of aerial strikes proved that Putin wasn't interested in ending the war.

“Each new attack by Russia only confirms Putin’s true intentions. He wants the war to continue. Talks about peace are not interesting to him. We must force Russia to a just peace by force,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy told European Union lawmakers in a speech via video link that Russia has deployed about 11,000 North Korean troops along Ukraine’s borders and that the number could swell to 100,000.

He appeared in person at the Ukrainian parliament, where he presented what he called a “resilience plan” to dig in against the relentless Russian onslaught. He said he expects pivotal moments to occur in the war next year.

The plan outlines new approaches to army management, including the creation of a military ombudsman position and a new system of handling military contracts.

There are no plans to lower the mobilization age from the current 25, even though Ukraine is short-handed on the front line, especially in infantry.

Ukraine urgently needs to tackle its manpower difficulties on the front, but it can use the longer-range missiles in the meantime to slow the tempo of Russia’s recent advances, said Jack Watling, an analyst at the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank.

“Ukraine’s partners can do little to change the character of the fighting on the line of contact, but by targeting capabilities that are currently giving Russia a battlefield advantage, time can be bought,” Watling wrote Tuesday.

Next year, Zelenskyy said, Ukraine plans to produce at least 30,000 long-range drones and aims to manufacture 3,000 long-range missiles, reducing its dependence on Western military support.

A fuller version of the plan will be presented next month, he said.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Western countries are debating further help for Ukraine — “more aid, more money we have to make available to them, particularly now that the North Koreans have come on board,” he said in Brussels.

Meanwhile, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola led a special plenary session on Ukraine marking “one thousand days of terror, suffering and unimaginable loss. One thousand days of courage, resilience and unbreakable spirits.”

“Your people are an inspiration to all who value freedom around the world,” she told Zelenskyy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732047530088.png" alt="On Tuesday, Zelenskyy addressed the participants of an extraordinary session of the European Parliament marking the 1,000th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.-courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>On Tuesday, Zelenskyy addressed the participants of an extraordinary session of the European Parliament marking the 1,000th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.-courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine fired several American-supplied longer-range missiles into Russia, officials said Tuesday, marking the first time Kyiv used the weapons that way in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-1000-days-ade5a60cf2345d694871f85df162d08a">1,000 days of war</a>.The use of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-biden-what-are-atacms-missiles-8d8621321af8c673bd42a5693c2ad1f4">Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS</a>, came as Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nuclear-doctrine-putin-91f20e0c9b0f9e5eaa3ed97c35789898">formally lowered the threshold</a>&nbsp;for using nuclear weapons, opening the door to a potential nuclear response by Moscow to even a conventional attack by any nation supported by a nuclear power. That could include Ukrainian attacks backed by the U.S.A Telegram channel affiliated with the Ukrainian military posted a video Tuesday that it says shows U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles being fired from an undisclosed location in Ukraine. The Associated Press could not independently verify the date and location the video was filmed.According to a U.S. official, Ukraine fired about eight of the missiles, and just two were intercepted by the Russians. The official said that the U.S. was still assessing battle damage, but that the missiles struck an ammunition supply location in Karachev, a city of about 18,000 people in Russia's Bryansk region. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence assessments.The developments marked a worrying escalation in the conflict that has repeatedly ratcheted up international tensions. U.S. officials recently expressed dismay at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-north-korea-war-735ab717dcf92a718adcb68bfbddc653">Russia’s deployment of North Korean troops</a>&nbsp;to help it fight Ukraine, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-attack-sumy-5cd4f9fe2cee1ae8aed67d63c22b0703">Moscow seethed</a>&nbsp;when Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ukraine-long-range-weapons-russia-52d424158182de2044ecc8bfcf011f9c">eased restrictions</a>&nbsp;on the ATACMS in recent days.The 1,000-day mark has magnified scrutiny of how the war is unfolding and how it might end, amid signs that a turning point may be coming with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump entering the White House in about two months’ time. Trump has pledged to swiftly end the war and has criticized the amount the U.S. has spent on supporting Ukraine.Neither Russia nor Ukraine can sustain the war for a long time, analysts say, though Russia would be able to keep going for longer due to its vaster resources.Ukraine’s forces are under severe Russian pressure on the battlefield at places on the about 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-f7f56e494df1dbbcdec1853001796c45">its army is stretched thin</a>. Ukrainian civilians, meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-missile-strike-85dea3d9af59589d372333a23de9130a">have repeatedly been attacked</a>&nbsp;by Russian drones and missiles.Ukraine claimed Tuesday that it hit a military weapons depot in Russia's Bryansk region overnight, though it didn't specify what weapons it used. The Ukrainian General Staff said multiple explosions and detonations were heard in the targeted area around Karachev.Asked at a news conference if Ukraine had struck the Bryansk region ammunition depot with ATACMS, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declined to provide any details. However, he said, “Ukraine has long-range capabilities, including domestically produced long-range drones … and now we have ATACMS as well."In a statement carried by Russian news agencies, the Russian Defense Ministry said the military shot down five&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/atacms-ukraine-longrange-missiles-5fd95f32449d14da22b82d57d6ccab22">ATACMS</a>&nbsp;missiles and damaged one more. The fragments fell on the territory of an unspecified military facility and sparked a fire, but didn’t cause any damage or casualties, it said.Neither side's claims could be independently verified.Karachev is roughly 115 kilometers (70 miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border. Ukraine in the course of the war has been able to reach much deeper into the vast country — but with drones rather than missiles. For instance, Russian officials have reported intercepting Ukrainian drones over Moscow, which is about 500 kilometers (310 miles) from the border and most recently Izhevsk, a city about 1,450 kilometers (900 miles) from the frontier.Earlier on Tuesday, Ukrainian officials reported a third Russian strike in as many days on a residential area in Ukraine killed at least 12 people, including a child.The strike by a Shahed drone in the northern Sumy region late Monday hit a dormitory of an educational facility in the town of Hlukhiv and wounded 11 others, including two children, authorities said, adding that more people could be trapped under the rubble.On Sunday, a Russian ballistic missile with cluster munitions struck a residential area of Sumy in northern Ukraine, killing 11 people and wounding 84 others. On Monday, a Russian missile barrage sparked apartment fires in the southern port of Odesa, killing at least 10 people and wounding 43.Zelenskyy said that the series of aerial strikes proved that Putin wasn't interested in ending the war.“Each new attack by Russia only confirms Putin’s true intentions. He wants the war to continue. Talks about peace are not interesting to him. We must force Russia to a just peace by force,” Zelenskyy said.Zelenskyy told European Union lawmakers in a speech via video link that Russia has deployed about 11,000 North Korean troops along Ukraine’s borders and that the number could swell to 100,000.He appeared in person at the Ukrainian parliament, where he presented what he called a “resilience plan” to dig in against the relentless Russian onslaught. He said he expects pivotal moments to occur in the war next year.The plan outlines new approaches to army management, including the creation of a military ombudsman position and a new system of handling military contracts.There are no plans to lower the mobilization age from the current 25, even though Ukraine is short-handed on the front line, especially in infantry.Ukraine urgently needs to tackle its manpower difficulties on the front, but it can use the longer-range missiles in the meantime to slow the tempo of Russia’s recent advances, said Jack Watling, an analyst at the Royal United Services Institute, a London think tank.“Ukraine’s partners can do little to change the character of the fighting on the line of contact, but by targeting capabilities that are currently giving Russia a battlefield advantage, time can be bought,” Watling wrote Tuesday.Next year, Zelenskyy said, Ukraine plans to produce at least 30,000 long-range drones and aims to manufacture 3,000 long-range missiles, reducing its dependence on Western military support.A fuller version of the plan will be presented next month, he said.NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Western countries are debating further help for Ukraine — “more aid, more money we have to make available to them, particularly now that the North Koreans have come on board,” he said in Brussels.Meanwhile, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola led a special plenary session on Ukraine marking “one thousand days of terror, suffering and unimaginable loss. One thousand days of courage, resilience and unbreakable spirits.”“Your people are an inspiration to all who value freedom around the world,” she told Zelenskyy.

U.S. confirms Ukraine fires first US-made longer-range missiles into Russia 

NEW YORK (AP) — New York prosecutors oppose any effort to dismiss President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money conviction, but they expressed some openness Tuesday to delaying sentencing until after his impending second term.

In a court filing Tuesday, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said Trump's forthcoming presidency isn't grounds for dropping a case that was already tried. But “given the need to balance competing constitutional interests," prosecutors said, “consideration must be given” to potentially freezing the case until after he's out of office.

The former and future president was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">convicted in May</a>&nbsp;of falsifying business records to cover up a scheme to influence the 2016 election by paying hush money to squelch a story of extramarital sex. Trump denies the allegations.

His sentencing had been set for Nov. 26. But after Trump's election win this month, his lawyers urged Judge Juan M. Merchan to throw out the case. They wrote that it must be scrapped “to facilitate the orderly transition of executive power — and in the interests of justice.”

Merchan gave prosecutors until Tuesday to weigh in on how to proceed.

Manhattan prosecutors said Tuesday they “are mindful of the demands and obligations of the presidency” and realize that Trump’s return to the White House “will raise unprecedented legal questions.”

“We also deeply respect the fundamental role of the jury in our constitutional system,” they added.

No decision has been made, and Merchan has not said when he will rule. Still, Trump spokesperson and incoming White House communications director Steven Cheung cast Tuesday's filing from prosecutors as “a total and definitive victory for President Trump” in a case that he has long deplored as a “witch hunt.”

“President Trump’s legal team is moving to get it dismissed once and for all,” Cheung said in a statement.

The judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-immunity-ruling-1b555b96443f38d35e995b8b4853a32c">last week delayed</a>&nbsp;ruling on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-merchan-stormy-daniels-02e54baf65b233ad7f6875536fb998ea">Trump’s earlier bid to reverse his conviction</a>&nbsp;because of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-supreme-court-capitol-riot-trial-72ec35de776315183e1db561257cb108">U.S. Supreme Court decision</a>&nbsp;in July that gave presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution.

A dismissal would erase Trump’s historic conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record as well as a possible prison sentence.

Merchan could also decide to delay the case for some other length of time, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option.

Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-opening-stormy-daniels-6beee9b99114898ee0dd60185d43bac5">$130,000 hush money payment</a>&nbsp;to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. The payment was made shortly before the 2016 election.

Trump says they did not have sex and denies any wrongdoing.

Prosecutors cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged.

Trump has pledged to appeal the verdict if the case is not dismissed. He and his lawyers said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work.

Trump’s lawyers have been fighting for months to reverse his conviction.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713453574310.png" alt="File photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — New York prosecutors oppose any effort to dismiss President-elect Donald Trump’s hush money conviction, but they expressed some openness Tuesday to delaying sentencing until after his impending second term.In a court filing Tuesday, the Manhattan district attorney’s office said Trump's forthcoming presidency isn't grounds for dropping a case that was already tried. But “given the need to balance competing constitutional interests," prosecutors said, “consideration must be given” to potentially freezing the case until after he's out of office.The former and future president was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">convicted in May</a>&nbsp;of falsifying business records to cover up a scheme to influence the 2016 election by paying hush money to squelch a story of extramarital sex. Trump denies the allegations.His sentencing had been set for Nov. 26. But after Trump's election win this month, his lawyers urged Judge Juan M. Merchan to throw out the case. They wrote that it must be scrapped “to facilitate the orderly transition of executive power — and in the interests of justice.”Merchan gave prosecutors until Tuesday to weigh in on how to proceed.Manhattan prosecutors said Tuesday they “are mindful of the demands and obligations of the presidency” and realize that Trump’s return to the White House “will raise unprecedented legal questions.”“We also deeply respect the fundamental role of the jury in our constitutional system,” they added.No decision has been made, and Merchan has not said when he will rule. Still, Trump spokesperson and incoming White House communications director Steven Cheung cast Tuesday's filing from prosecutors as “a total and definitive victory for President Trump” in a case that he has long deplored as a “witch hunt.”“President Trump’s legal team is moving to get it dismissed once and for all,” Cheung said in a statement.The judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-immunity-ruling-1b555b96443f38d35e995b8b4853a32c">last week delayed</a>&nbsp;ruling on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-merchan-stormy-daniels-02e54baf65b233ad7f6875536fb998ea">Trump’s earlier bid to reverse his conviction</a>&nbsp;because of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-supreme-court-capitol-riot-trial-72ec35de776315183e1db561257cb108">U.S. Supreme Court decision</a>&nbsp;in July that gave presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution.A dismissal would erase Trump’s historic conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record as well as a possible prison sentence.Merchan could also decide to delay the case for some other length of time, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option.Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-opening-stormy-daniels-6beee9b99114898ee0dd60185d43bac5">$130,000 hush money payment</a>&nbsp;to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. The payment was made shortly before the 2016 election.Trump says they did not have sex and denies any wrongdoing.Prosecutors cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged.Trump has pledged to appeal the verdict if the case is not dismissed. He and his lawyers said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work.Trump’s lawyers have been fighting for months to reverse his conviction.A month after the verdict, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">Supreme Court ruled</a>&nbsp;that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-hush-money-new-york-conviction-b67bafcb92b287933c6e6d54fc122117">Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to</a>&nbsp;argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made during his first term.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-new-york-immunity-a6662f61014a7f47400a4af163e01eb3">Prosecutors disagreed</a>&nbsp;and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case.After Trump’s election win, his lawyers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25289985-people-v-djt-joint-application-for-adjournment-11-12-24">redoubled their efforts</a>, arguing that dismissing the case “in the interests of justice” was warranted both under the immunity ruling and because of his status as president-elect.If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump’s punishments would range from a fine or probation to up to four years in prison — but it’s unlikely he’d spend any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies.Some of Trump’s supporters embraced his conviction, showing up to campaign rallies in T-shirts with slogans like “Free Trump” and “I’m Voting For the Convicted Felon.”Because it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes.The hush money case was the only one of Trump’s four criminal indictments to go to trial.Special counsel Jack Smith is taking steps to wind down his two federal cases against the president-elect. One centers on Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, the other on allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold.Trump, a Republican, has decried the hush money verdict as a “rigged, disgraceful” result. He has claimed, without evidence, that the case brought by Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg was part of a Democrat-led “witch hunt” meant to harm his presidential campaign.