By:<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/author/ropshal/">Robin Opsahl</a> <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst announced Tuesday she is officially not running for another term in the U.S. Senate, leaving the seat open heading into the 2026 election cycle.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb9FWd-0Y08" target="_blank">video</a>&nbsp;address, Ernst said it was “no easy decision” to decide not to seek reelection for a third term as senator.

“It has been an honor to dedicate my life to the service of our great state and country, having been raised in a family who has given me so much love and support,” Ernst said. “Now, as our family ages and grows, it’s my time for me to give back to them. After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking reelection in 2026.”

Ernst, who was first elected in 2014 and reelected in 2020, is the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate, having served in the U.S. Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard. Before her time in Congress, she had served in public office as a state senator and Montgomery County auditor.

The Republican said Iowans sent her to Washington “with a mission in mind — to make Washington squeal,” referencing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BgLwe8bFNg" target="_blank">her 2014 campaign ad</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ernst.senate.gov/make-em-squeal" target="_blank">efforts in office</a>&nbsp;to address federal government waste, fraud and abuse. Ernst said she was “proud to say we have delivered” on her “squeal” promises. She also highlighted her work in the U.S. Senate on anti-abortion measures, preventing violence against women and supporting farmers and veterans.

“As a proud Harley rider, you can rest assured, I’m not slowing down anytime soon,” Ernst said. “There is still so much to accomplish before the end of my term, and I’ll keep fighting every single day, as I always have, to make Iowans’ voices heard loud and clear in the halls of Congress.”

Reports&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/08/29/new-report-says-ernst-plans-to-not-seek-reelection-in-2026/">were published Friday</a>&nbsp;from multiple outlets saying that sources close to Ernst expected she would announce her plans for 2026 this week. Though&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/10/joni-ernst-retirement-watch-iowa-senate-seat-00447670" target="_blank">Senate GOP leadership</a>&nbsp;had reportedly encouraged Ernst to run for another term, the senator faced criticism from Republicans for expressing concerns about U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during the nomination process. She also gained national attention for saying “<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/05/30/well-were-all-going-to-die-u-s-sen-joni-ernst-defends-medicaid-cuts-at-heated-town-hall/">well, we all are going to die,”</a>&nbsp;at a May town hall when responding to a person who said GOP-backed Medicaid cuts would cause people to die.

Democrats running for the U.S. Senate seat in the 2026 election, responded that Ernst’s decision not to run was a signal that Republicans’ hold of Iowa’s congressional seats could be at risk. Currently, Iowa’s federal delegation is all Republican, but Iowa’s 1st and 3rd Districts have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings" target="_blank">brought up by political forecasters</a>&nbsp;as pivotal battlegrounds for control of the U.S. House in the upcoming midterms.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings" target="_blank">Cook Political Report</a>&nbsp;rated the race for Iowa’s Senate seat as “likely Republican” — but the race could be more contentious without an incumbent Republican candidate.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Chair Kirsten Gillibrand released a statement responding to Ernst’s announcement, and said her decision shows that “Donald Trump and Senate Republicans’ devastating agenda has put their majority in jeopardy.”

“Republicans can see the writing on the wall: spiking costs and ripping away health care does so much damage to their states that they would rather leave the Senate than defend their actions to voters,” Schumer and Gillibrand said in the statement. “Democrats are in a strong position to win seats and continue fighting for working families.”

State Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, Rep. Josh Turek, D-Council Bluffs, Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris and former Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Director Nathan Sage are currently running to become Iowa’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in 2026.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott said in a statement the Senate GOP campaign arm “is confident Iowans will elect a Republican to continue fighting for them and championing President Trump’s agenda in 2026.” He also thanked Ernst for her service in Washington and in the military.

“Joni Ernst has dedicated her life to serving our nation and improving the lives of Iowans,” Scott said. “Traveling across the Hawkeye State with Joni, I know she loves Iowa, and Iowa loves her. We are grateful for all she has accomplished in helping Iowa families keep more of their hard-earned money and make Washington squeal.”

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said Ernst “dropped out of this race because she knows her support for Medicaid cuts is a nonstarter” — and said whoever becomes the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate will have to contend with “the same toxic Republican agenda that’s harming Iowa families.”

“The energy is on our side heading into the midterms as Iowans are fed up with Washington Republicans spiking costs for working people to deliver tax cuts for billionaires,” Hart said. “In 2026, Iowans will elect a Democrat to the U.S. Senate who will prioritize making Iowa economically prosperous and a healthier state.”

Hinson expected to make a bid for U.S. Senate

There are two Republicans currently running for the nomination: former state lawmaker&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/06/06/republican-jim-carlin-launches-primary-bid-against-u-s-sen-joni-ernst-in-week-of-campaign-kickoffs/">Jim Carlin</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/30/joshua-smith-republican-iowa-senate-joni-ernst/83347040007/" target="_blank">Joshua Smith</a>, a former Libertarian candidate for the state Senate.

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District is also expected to join the race. In a social media post Monday, Hinson thanked Ernst for her service and added that she and her husband will share an announcement soon.

“As we look forward, President Trump needs a fighter in the Senate who will always have his back to continue to cut spending, deport illegal aliens, and put working families first,” Hinson wrote. “I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with the President to pass this America First agenda in the House and I would be his strongest ally in the Senate. Matt and I will have an announcement soon about how we believe we can best serve Iowa, and how we can help President Trump make America great again.”

Hinson has been working on reelection efforts in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District in recent months. There are currently three Democrats running for the seat in 2026,&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/08/19/democrat-lindsay-james-announces-2nd-congressional-district-bid/">state Rep. Lindsay James</a>, D-Dubuque, &nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/22/clint-twedt-ball-founder-of-matthew-25-nonprofit-launches-2nd-district-campaign/">Clint Twedt-Ball</a>, the founder of the nonprofit Matthew 25 and&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/15/democrat-kathy-dolter-launches-bid-for-2nd-congressional-district-rep-lindsay-james-mulls-a-run/">Kathy Dolter</a>, the former dean of nursing at Kirkwood Community College.

Katie Smith, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Hinson’s expected move to the U.S. Senate race in 2026 shows Democrats have a strong chance in the 2nd District race.

“Ashley Hinson is clearly eager to jump off the sinking ship that is her re-election in Iowa’s 2nd district,” Smith said. “Hinson is terrified to face her voters, who’ve had a front row seat as she’s prioritized Washington and billionaires while voting to raise Iowans’ costs. There’s change coming in Iowa: voters are ready for new leadership and no matter what Hinson decides, she will lose her seat.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756840672871.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/author/ropshal/">Robin Opsahl</a> <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a> U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst announced Tuesday she is officially not running for another term in the U.S. Senate, leaving the seat open heading into the 2026 election cycle.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My message to Iowans: <a href="https://t.co/K6mHG6bSuE">pic.twitter.com/K6mHG6bSuE</a>&mdash; Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenJoniErnst/status/1962923952193282085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb9FWd-0Y08" target="_blank">video</a>&nbsp;address, Ernst said it was “no easy decision” to decide not to seek reelection for a third term as senator.“It has been an honor to dedicate my life to the service of our great state and country, having been raised in a family who has given me so much love and support,” Ernst said. “Now, as our family ages and grows, it’s my time for me to give back to them. After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking reelection in 2026.”Ernst, who was first elected in 2014 and reelected in 2020, is the first female combat veteran elected to the U.S. Senate, having served in the U.S. Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard. Before her time in Congress, she had served in public office as a state senator and Montgomery County auditor.The Republican said Iowans sent her to Washington “with a mission in mind — to make Washington squeal,” referencing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BgLwe8bFNg" target="_blank">her 2014 campaign ad</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ernst.senate.gov/make-em-squeal" target="_blank">efforts in office</a>&nbsp;to address federal government waste, fraud and abuse. Ernst said she was “proud to say we have delivered” on her “squeal” promises. She also highlighted her work in the U.S. Senate on anti-abortion measures, preventing violence against women and supporting farmers and veterans.“As a proud Harley rider, you can rest assured, I’m not slowing down anytime soon,” Ernst said. “There is still so much to accomplish before the end of my term, and I’ll keep fighting every single day, as I always have, to make Iowans’ voices heard loud and clear in the halls of Congress.”Reports&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/08/29/new-report-says-ernst-plans-to-not-seek-reelection-in-2026/">were published Friday</a>&nbsp;from multiple outlets saying that sources close to Ernst expected she would announce her plans for 2026 this week. Though&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/10/joni-ernst-retirement-watch-iowa-senate-seat-00447670" target="_blank">Senate GOP leadership</a>&nbsp;had reportedly encouraged Ernst to run for another term, the senator faced criticism from Republicans for expressing concerns about U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during the nomination process. She also gained national attention for saying “<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/05/30/well-were-all-going-to-die-u-s-sen-joni-ernst-defends-medicaid-cuts-at-heated-town-hall/">well, we all are going to die,”</a>&nbsp;at a May town hall when responding to a person who said GOP-backed Medicaid cuts would cause people to die.Democrats running for the U.S. Senate seat in the 2026 election, responded that Ernst’s decision not to run was a signal that Republicans’ hold of Iowa’s congressional seats could be at risk. Currently, Iowa’s federal delegation is all Republican, but Iowa’s 1st and 3rd Districts have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings" target="_blank">brought up by political forecasters</a>&nbsp;as pivotal battlegrounds for control of the U.S. House in the upcoming midterms.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings" target="_blank">Cook Political Report</a>&nbsp;rated the race for Iowa’s Senate seat as “likely Republican” — but the race could be more contentious without an incumbent Republican candidate.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) Chair Kirsten Gillibrand released a statement responding to Ernst’s announcement, and said her decision shows that “Donald Trump and Senate Republicans’ devastating agenda has put their majority in jeopardy.”“Republicans can see the writing on the wall: spiking costs and ripping away health care does so much damage to their states that they would rather leave the Senate than defend their actions to voters,” Schumer and Gillibrand said in the statement. “Democrats are in a strong position to win seats and continue fighting for working families.”State Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, Rep. Josh Turek, D-Council Bluffs, Des Moines School Board Chair Jackie Norris and former Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Director Nathan Sage are currently running to become Iowa’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in 2026.National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott said in a statement the Senate GOP campaign arm “is confident Iowans will elect a Republican to continue fighting for them and championing President Trump’s agenda in 2026.” He also thanked Ernst for her service in Washington and in the military.“Joni Ernst has dedicated her life to serving our nation and improving the lives of Iowans,” Scott said. “Traveling across the Hawkeye State with Joni, I know she loves Iowa, and Iowa loves her. We are grateful for all she has accomplished in helping Iowa families keep more of their hard-earned money and make Washington squeal.”Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said Ernst “dropped out of this race because she knows her support for Medicaid cuts is a nonstarter” — and said whoever becomes the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate will have to contend with “the same toxic Republican agenda that’s harming Iowa families.”“The energy is on our side heading into the midterms as Iowans are fed up with Washington Republicans spiking costs for working people to deliver tax cuts for billionaires,” Hart said. “In 2026, Iowans will elect a Democrat to the U.S. Senate who will prioritize making Iowa economically prosperous and a healthier state.”<h2>Hinson expected to make a bid for U.S. Senate</h2>There are two Republicans currently running for the nomination: former state lawmaker&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/06/06/republican-jim-carlin-launches-primary-bid-against-u-s-sen-joni-ernst-in-week-of-campaign-kickoffs/">Jim Carlin</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/30/joshua-smith-republican-iowa-senate-joni-ernst/83347040007/" target="_blank">Joshua Smith</a>, a former Libertarian candidate for the state Senate.U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District is also expected to join the race. In a social media post Monday, Hinson thanked Ernst for her service and added that she and her husband will share an announcement soon.“As we look forward, President Trump needs a fighter in the Senate who will always have his back to continue to cut spending, deport illegal aliens, and put working families first,” Hinson wrote. “I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with the President to pass this America First agenda in the House and I would be his strongest ally in the Senate. Matt and I will have an announcement soon about how we believe we can best serve Iowa, and how we can help President Trump make America great again.”Hinson has been working on reelection efforts in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District in recent months. There are currently three Democrats running for the seat in 2026,&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/08/19/democrat-lindsay-james-announces-2nd-congressional-district-bid/">state Rep. Lindsay James</a>, D-Dubuque, &nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/22/clint-twedt-ball-founder-of-matthew-25-nonprofit-launches-2nd-district-campaign/">Clint Twedt-Ball</a>, the founder of the nonprofit Matthew 25 and&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/07/15/democrat-kathy-dolter-launches-bid-for-2nd-congressional-district-rep-lindsay-james-mulls-a-run/">Kathy Dolter</a>, the former dean of nursing at Kirkwood Community College.Katie Smith, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Hinson’s expected move to the U.S. Senate race in 2026 shows Democrats have a strong chance in the 2nd District race.“Ashley Hinson is clearly eager to jump off the sinking ship that is her re-election in Iowa’s 2nd district,” Smith said. “Hinson is terrified to face her voters, who’ve had a front row seat as she’s prioritized Washington and billionaires while voting to raise Iowans’ costs. There’s change coming in Iowa: voters are ready for new leadership and no matter what Hinson decides, she will lose her seat.”

🎥U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst explains why she will not seek reelection

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — President Donald Trump's administration violated federal law by sending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-immigration-raid-troops-military-2d81f5c35f9d11db9e32234e03480497">National Guard troops</a>&nbsp;to Southern California during immigration enforcement operations and accompanying protests, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco did not require the several hundred remaining troops to be withdrawn and set his order to go into effect Sept. 12.

The order comes after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/california-pursues-lawsuit-against-trump-over-national-guard-deployment-to-protests-790c2b244cea4dff8cff6815862a9fa9">California sued</a>, saying the troops sent to Los Angeles over the summer were violating a law that prohibits military enforcement of domestic laws. Lawyers for Trump's Republican administration have argued the Posse Comitatus Act doesn’t apply because the troops were protecting federal officers, not enforcing laws. They say the troops were mobilized under an authority that allows the president to deploy them.

The judge's decision comes as Trump has discussed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-trump-federal-intervention-chicago-a206278c6948dfd17f9224be81c440f1">National Guard deployments in Democratic-led cities</a>&nbsp;like Chicago, Baltimore and New York. He has already deployed the guard as part of his unprecedented law enforcement takeover in Washington, where he has direct legal control.

Trump federalized members of the California National Guard and sent them to the second-largest U.S. city over the objections of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and city leaders. Trump did so under a law that allows the president to call the guard into federal service when the country “is invaded,” when “there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government,” or when the president is otherwise unable “to execute the laws of the United States.”

Trump has pushed the bounds of typical military activity on domestic soil, including through the creation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-us-border-militarized-zones-arizona-trump-be3ee9f55a62c323ac5e03b5366f5d25">militarized zones</a>&nbsp;along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Newsom posted on X, in an all-caps reflection of the president’s own social media style, “DONALD TRUMP LOSES AGAIN. The courts agree -- his militarization of our streets and use of the military against US citizens is ILLEGAL.”

The White House and the Defense Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Breyer's scathing ruling accused the Trump administration of “willfully” violating the law, saying it used troops for functions that were barred by their own training materials, refused to “meaningfully coordinate with state and local officials” and “'coached’” federal law enforcement agencies on the language to use when requesting assistance.

“These actions demonstrate that Defendants knew that they were ordering troops to execute domestic law beyond their usual authority,” he wrote. “The evidence at trial established that Defendants systematically used armed soldiers (whose identity was often obscured by protective armor) and military vehicles to set up protective perimeters and traffic blockades, engage in crowd control, and otherwise demonstrate a military presence in and around Los Angeles."

Roughly 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines were deployed to Los Angeles in early June to deal with protests, over the objections of state and local officials. All were pulled back by the end of July except about 250 National Guard troops. The judge noted that the remaining troops got improper training on what they can and cannot do under the law.

Breyer also noted the Trump administration’s possible plans to call National Guard troops into other U.S. cities.

In Los Angeles, National Guard members joined an operation at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-happened-ice-raid-la-macarthur-park-cc04479ed94ed68d11acf807d97914e6">MacArthur Park</a>&nbsp;in downtown Los Angeles intended as a show of force against people in the U.S. illegally and those protesting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. They also accompanied federal immigration officers on raids at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-farm-immigration-raid-cannabis-fbcf4620675523aa7630599331777ec5">two state-licensed marijuana nurseries</a>&nbsp;in Ventura County, Army Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman testified.

Sherman, who initially commanded the troops deployed to Los Angeles, testified during the second day of the trial that he raised concerns the deployment could violate the Posse Comitatus Act.

He said soldiers were trained on the law and given materials that included a list of activities prohibited by the act, including doing security patrols and conducting traffic control, crowd control and riot control.

Sherman said that while the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits troops from carrying out those actions, he was told by his superiors that there was a “constitutional exception” that permitted such activities when the troops are protecting federal property or personnel.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750413132016.jpeg" alt="California National Guard stand in formation guarding the federal building in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)" />
 <figcaption>California National Guard stand in formation guarding the federal building in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)</figcaption>
 </figure>SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — President Donald Trump's administration violated federal law by sending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-immigration-raid-troops-military-2d81f5c35f9d11db9e32234e03480497">National Guard troops</a>&nbsp;to Southern California during immigration enforcement operations and accompanying protests, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">DONALD TRUMP LOSES AGAIN. The courts agree -- his militarization of our streets and use of the military against US citizens is ILLEGAL. <a href="https://t.co/rDq1Li5fug">pic.twitter.com/rDq1Li5fug</a>&mdash; Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) <a href="https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom/status/1962873063223202205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco did not require the several hundred remaining troops to be withdrawn and set his order to go into effect Sept. 12.The order comes after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/california-pursues-lawsuit-against-trump-over-national-guard-deployment-to-protests-790c2b244cea4dff8cff6815862a9fa9">California sued</a>, saying the troops sent to Los Angeles over the summer were violating a law that prohibits military enforcement of domestic laws. Lawyers for Trump's Republican administration have argued the Posse Comitatus Act doesn’t apply because the troops were protecting federal officers, not enforcing laws. They say the troops were mobilized under an authority that allows the president to deploy them.The judge's decision comes as Trump has discussed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-trump-federal-intervention-chicago-a206278c6948dfd17f9224be81c440f1">National Guard deployments in Democratic-led cities</a>&nbsp;like Chicago, Baltimore and New York. He has already deployed the guard as part of his unprecedented law enforcement takeover in Washington, where he has direct legal control.Trump federalized members of the California National Guard and sent them to the second-largest U.S. city over the objections of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and city leaders. Trump did so under a law that allows the president to call the guard into federal service when the country “is invaded,” when “there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government,” or when the president is otherwise unable “to execute the laws of the United States.”Trump has pushed the bounds of typical military activity on domestic soil, including through the creation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-us-border-militarized-zones-arizona-trump-be3ee9f55a62c323ac5e03b5366f5d25">militarized zones</a>&nbsp;along the U.S.-Mexico border.Newsom posted on X, in an all-caps reflection of the president’s own social media style, “DONALD TRUMP LOSES AGAIN. The courts agree -- his militarization of our streets and use of the military against US citizens is ILLEGAL.”The White House and the Defense Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.Breyer's scathing ruling accused the Trump administration of “willfully” violating the law, saying it used troops for functions that were barred by their own training materials, refused to “meaningfully coordinate with state and local officials” and “'coached’” federal law enforcement agencies on the language to use when requesting assistance.“These actions demonstrate that Defendants knew that they were ordering troops to execute domestic law beyond their usual authority,” he wrote. “The evidence at trial established that Defendants systematically used armed soldiers (whose identity was often obscured by protective armor) and military vehicles to set up protective perimeters and traffic blockades, engage in crowd control, and otherwise demonstrate a military presence in and around Los Angeles."Roughly 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines were deployed to Los Angeles in early June to deal with protests, over the objections of state and local officials. All were pulled back by the end of July except about 250 National Guard troops. The judge noted that the remaining troops got improper training on what they can and cannot do under the law.Breyer also noted the Trump administration’s possible plans to call National Guard troops into other U.S. cities.In Los Angeles, National Guard members joined an operation at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-happened-ice-raid-la-macarthur-park-cc04479ed94ed68d11acf807d97914e6">MacArthur Park</a>&nbsp;in downtown Los Angeles intended as a show of force against people in the U.S. illegally and those protesting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. They also accompanied federal immigration officers on raids at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-farm-immigration-raid-cannabis-fbcf4620675523aa7630599331777ec5">two state-licensed marijuana nurseries</a>&nbsp;in Ventura County, Army Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman testified.Sherman, who initially commanded the troops deployed to Los Angeles, testified during the second day of the trial that he raised concerns the deployment could violate the Posse Comitatus Act.He said soldiers were trained on the law and given materials that included a list of activities prohibited by the act, including doing security patrols and conducting traffic control, crowd control and riot control.Sherman said that while the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits troops from carrying out those actions, he was told by his superiors that there was a “constitutional exception” that permitted such activities when the troops are protecting federal property or personnel.___

Calif. Governor taunts Trump after judge's ruling on use of troops in LA

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media

A new government report ranked the states on energy spending, and Kansas is #19. 

The Energy Information Administration added up the total amount of money spent by end users on petroleum, electricity, natural gas and other fuels. 

In the year 2023, the most expensive energy states were Alaska, Wyoming and North Dakota. Alaska residents spent an average of $12,000 each that year. Florida residents enjoyed the lowest energy expenses at about $3,700. Kansans spent more than $5,000. 

Kansas operators discovered five new oil fields in Kansas in June and July. That's 14 new fields so far this year. The Kansas Geological Society recognized two new fields in Gove County, and one each in Graham, Logan and Sheridan counties.

Regulators okayed 20 new drilling locations in Kansas last week, with five new permits in western Kansas and 15 east of Wichita. Three of those are in Haskell County.&nbsp; That's at 478 permits so far this year, down from 664 last year at this time.

Operators in The Sunflower State completed nine wells last week. Five are east of Wichita and four are in western Kansas, including two wells in Barton County and one in Finney County. Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 801 completed wells so far this year, compared to 901 a year ago.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is up 13 percent from a week ago, but down five percent from a month ago, and down 34 percent from a year ago. The tally west of Wichita this week is up two rigs to eleven.

The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes shows a decline of three gas rigs but an increase of one rig drilling for oil.&nbsp; The total in Texas is up one; North Dakota and Louisiana are each down one.

Media analysis of crude oil prices is all over the map. So are prices, but it's a smaller map.&nbsp; 

Crude traders shrugged off "Russia supply fears" on Monday thanks to "India tariff uncertainty" on Tuesday. 

NYMEX crude settled more than a dollar higher Monday, but held underneath a $65 ceiling established three weeks ago. Prices cascaded on Tuesday dropping two percent by lunchtime. Prices this month started within striking distance of $70 a barrel, but by the second week in August had dipped below $65 a barrel, where they remained for the last 16 trading sessions. Prices were flirting with 65 in New York after the holiday break on Tuesday.

India is reportedly curbing its sanctioned oil purchases from Iran and Russia, but China insists it will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve its national interest.&nbsp; The foreign ministry posted on social media that it won't respond to what it called coercion and pressuring, but will instead firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests.

Reuters reports that oil shipments to China from Saudi Arabia are set to fall next month, down from a more than two-year high this month, after the state oil firm raised prices. Saudi Aramco will ship about 43 million barrels or 1.43 million barrels per day to China in September, down from 1.65 million in August.

The government reports lower pre-Labor Day gasoline prices than last year. EIA said the national average of $3.15 per gallon last week was 5% (or 17 cents per gallon) lower than at the same time last year. The government expects that to drop another 35 cents by December, driven by continuing growth in crude supplies.

The government American natural gas consumption is near an all-time high and will likely set a record this year. The Energy Information Administration predicts natural gas consumption will rise one percent to a record 91.4 billion cubic feet per day this year, then dip slightly next year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684775008059.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle MediaA new government report ranked the states on energy spending, and Kansas is #19. The Energy Information Administration added up the total amount of money spent by end users on petroleum, electricity, natural gas and other fuels. In the year 2023, the most expensive energy states were Alaska, Wyoming and North Dakota. Alaska residents spent an average of $12,000 each that year. Florida residents enjoyed the lowest energy expenses at about $3,700. Kansans spent more than $5,000. Kansas operators discovered five new oil fields in Kansas in June and July. That's 14 new fields so far this year. The Kansas Geological Society recognized two new fields in Gove County, and one each in Graham, Logan and Sheridan counties.Regulators okayed 20 new drilling locations in Kansas last week, with five new permits in western Kansas and 15 east of Wichita. Three of those are in Haskell County.&nbsp; That's at 478 permits so far this year, down from 664 last year at this time.Operators in The Sunflower State completed nine wells last week. Five are east of Wichita and four are in western Kansas, including two wells in Barton County and one in Finney County. Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 801 completed wells so far this year, compared to 901 a year ago.The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is up 13 percent from a week ago, but down five percent from a month ago, and down 34 percent from a year ago. The tally west of Wichita this week is up two rigs to eleven.The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes shows a decline of three gas rigs but an increase of one rig drilling for oil.&nbsp; The total in Texas is up one; North Dakota and Louisiana are each down one.Media analysis of crude oil prices is all over the map. So are prices, but it's a smaller map.&nbsp; Crude traders shrugged off "Russia supply fears" on Monday thanks to "India tariff uncertainty" on Tuesday. NYMEX crude settled more than a dollar higher Monday, but held underneath a $65 ceiling established three weeks ago. Prices cascaded on Tuesday dropping two percent by lunchtime. Prices this month started within striking distance of $70 a barrel, but by the second week in August had dipped below $65 a barrel, where they remained for the last 16 trading sessions. Prices were flirting with 65 in New York after the holiday break on Tuesday.India is reportedly curbing its sanctioned oil purchases from Iran and Russia, but China insists it will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve its national interest.&nbsp; The foreign ministry posted on social media that it won't respond to what it called coercion and pressuring, but will instead firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests.Reuters reports that oil shipments to China from Saudi Arabia are set to fall next month, down from a more than two-year high this month, after the state oil firm raised prices. Saudi Aramco will ship about 43 million barrels or 1.43 million barrels per day to China in September, down from 1.65 million in August.The government reports lower pre-Labor Day gasoline prices than last year. EIA said the national average of $3.15 per gallon last week was 5% (or 17 cents per gallon) lower than at the same time last year. The government expects that to drop another 35 cents by December, driven by continuing growth in crude supplies.The government American natural gas consumption is near an all-time high and will likely set a record this year. The Energy Information Administration predicts natural gas consumption will rise one percent to a record 91.4 billion cubic feet per day this year, then dip slightly next year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: Kansas in Top 20 most expensive energy states

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, KEVIN FREKING and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press1

Congressional Republicans scored a massive victory this summer when they passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” of tax and spending cuts</a>&nbsp;without a single Democratic vote. But as they return to Washington this fall after a monthlong August recess, they will have to find a way to work with Democrats — or around them — as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-spending-trump-government-shutdown-democrats-republicans-a282c46016d64c5f4ffb8c3c99c9077e">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;looms.

The annual spending battle will dominate the September agenda, along with a possible effort by Senate Republicans to change their chamber's rules to thwart Democratic stalling tactics on nominations. The Senate is also debating whether to move forward on legislation that would slap steep tariffs on some of Russia’s trading partners as the U.S. pressures Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine.

In the House, Republicans will continue their investigations of former President Joe Biden while Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a split in his conference over whether the Trump administration should release more files in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;investigation.

A look at what Congress will be doing as lawmakers return from the August break:

The most urgent task for Congress is to avoid a government shutdown on Sept. 30, when federal funding runs out. And it’s so far unclear if Republicans and Democrats will be able to agree on how to do that.

Congress will have to pass a short-term spending measure to keep the government funded for a few weeks or months while they try to finish the full-year package. But Republicans will need Democratic votes to pass an extension, and Democrats will want significant concessions. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s vote with Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-gop-chuck-schumer-86385e644239a3dc1558b37d13094234">avoid a shutdown in March</a>&nbsp;prompted furious backlash within his party.

The Trump administration's efforts to claw back previously approved spending could also complicate the negotiations. Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pbs-npr-budget-cuts-trump-republicans-7d29c97c85d0b450549af657e115f0f8">passed legislation this summer that rescinded about $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds</a>&nbsp;and Trump notified Congress again on Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-foreign-aid-pocket-rescission-374c63e6b4004e819a657e33b76f502e">that he will block</a>&nbsp;$4.9 billion in congressionally approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/foreign-aid">foreign aid</a>.

Democrats have warned that such efforts could tank the broader negotiations. “Trump is rooting for a shutdown,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., posted on social media Friday.

Senators are expected to return to Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-confirmations-nominations-trump-schumer-thune-905a63d0046319eeb7c266d5e24e70b6">right where they left off in early August</a>&nbsp;— fighting over Trump’s nominees.

Exasperated Republicans fled Washington for the month after making little headway with Senate Democrats over their nominations blockade, which has forced delays in confirmations and angered Trump as many of his administration’s positions remain unfilled. Republican leaders called it quits after a rare Saturday session that ended with a breakdown in bipartisan negotiations and Trump posting on social media that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/charles-schumer">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;could “GO TO HELL!”

Republicans now say they’re ready to try and change Senate rules to get around the Democratic delays, and they are expected to spend the next several weeks discussing how that might work.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of Trump’s closest congressional allies, has pushed the president for months to support his sweeping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-d1ec6840d4452a0209403e4c4c3ef861">bipartisan sanctions bill</a>&nbsp;that would impose steep tariffs on countries that are fueling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by buying its oil, gas, uranium, and other exports. The legislation has the backing of 85 senators, but Trump has yet to endorse it, and Republican leaders have so far said they won’t move without him.

Graham has stepped up his calls after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-alaska-russia-ukraine-a7b167f17a3e06fbce2f583c93f8bae1">met with Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;and Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy last month in hopes of a peace deal. Since then, Russia has continued to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-attack-23e051f1b7e93308f99b6fdfdd8949f2">step up attacks on Ukraine</a>.

“If we don’t have this thing moving in the right direction by the time we get back, then I think that plan B needs to kick in,” Graham said of his bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-sanctions-ukraine-trump-zelenskyy-war-negotiations-d94711651ab5b96f7b771c1fb3af1179">in an interview with The Associated Press last month.</a>

Health and Human Service Secretary Robert F. Kennedy will appear before the Senate Finance Committee to discuss his health care agenda on Thursday, less than a week after he ousted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-director-susan-monarez-50dfbec849b53b4593755d2e6e616687">Susan Monarez</a>&nbsp;as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Several other top officials also resigned in protest.

Kennedy has tried to advance&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-f-kennedy-vaccines-trump-rfkjr-7f8dcb25de76a5a70710d22bbc63f6fa">anti-vaccine policies</a>&nbsp;that are contradicted by decades of scientific research. Monarez’s lawyers said she refused “to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts.”

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, the Republican chairman of the HELP panel that oversees the CDC and a member of the Finance Committee, has called on the CDC to delay a meeting of outside experts who make recommendations on the use of vaccines until Congress can look into the issue.

The House left Washington in July amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-jeffrey-epstein-trump-f2a03eca247268b14a9e38858338eded">disagreements among Republicans</a>&nbsp;about whether they should force President Donald Trump’s administration to release more information on the sex trafficking investigation into the late Jeffrey Epstein. The pressure for more disclosure could only get more intense when lawmakers return.

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky are pushing the House to take up their bill to force the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigation. They are planning a news conference this week joined by Epstein victims. The House Oversight Committee is also investigating the issue.

Democrats are eager to keep pressing on the Epstein files, especially after the Trump administration reneged on pledges for transparency. The case for years has been the subject of online conspiracy theories and speculation about who may have been involved or aware of the wealthy financier’s abuse.

The House Oversight Committee will return from August recess with a slate of interviews lined up as part of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-biden-election-democrat-midterm-78b6e3998772b987625abbbc9bebf3d0">investigation into former President Joe Biden’s mental state while in office</a>. The committee has already conducted interviews and depositions with nearly a dozen former top Biden aides and members of the president’s inner circle.

The Republican-led committee will hear from former top Biden staffers in September like Jeff Zients, Biden’s final White House chief of staff, Karine Jean-Pierre, the former White House press secretary, and Andrew Bates, a top press aide.

Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., has said public hearings and a full report can be expected sometime in the fall.

Congress has discussed proposals for years to keep lawmakers from engaging in trading individual stocks, nodding to the idea that there’s a potential conflict of interest when they are often privy to information and decisions that can dramatically move markets.

That push is now gaining momentum. A Senate committee has approved legislation from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hawley-pelosi-stocks-insider-trading-ban-cf6200d0ec71fe012bb3b9a916696b37">GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri</a>&nbsp;that would also extend the prohibition on stock trading to future presidents and vice presidents — while notably exempting Trump. In the House, several members are putting forward proposals and even threatening to maneuver around GOP leadership to force a vote.

Still, there is plenty of resistance to the idea, including from many wealthy lawmakers who reap dividends from their portfolios.

Associated Press writers Matt Brown and Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, KEVIN FREKING and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press1Congressional Republicans scored a massive victory this summer when they passed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” of tax and spending cuts</a>&nbsp;without a single Democratic vote. But as they return to Washington this fall after a monthlong August recess, they will have to find a way to work with Democrats — or around them — as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-spending-trump-government-shutdown-democrats-republicans-a282c46016d64c5f4ffb8c3c99c9077e">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;looms.The annual spending battle will dominate the September agenda, along with a possible effort by Senate Republicans to change their chamber's rules to thwart Democratic stalling tactics on nominations. The Senate is also debating whether to move forward on legislation that would slap steep tariffs on some of Russia’s trading partners as the U.S. pressures Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine.In the House, Republicans will continue their investigations of former President Joe Biden while Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a split in his conference over whether the Trump administration should release more files in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;investigation.A look at what Congress will be doing as lawmakers return from the August break:<h2>Keeping the Government Open</h2>The most urgent task for Congress is to avoid a government shutdown on Sept. 30, when federal funding runs out. And it’s so far unclear if Republicans and Democrats will be able to agree on how to do that.Congress will have to pass a short-term spending measure to keep the government funded for a few weeks or months while they try to finish the full-year package. But Republicans will need Democratic votes to pass an extension, and Democrats will want significant concessions. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s vote with Republicans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-gop-chuck-schumer-86385e644239a3dc1558b37d13094234">avoid a shutdown in March</a>&nbsp;prompted furious backlash within his party.The Trump administration's efforts to claw back previously approved spending could also complicate the negotiations. Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pbs-npr-budget-cuts-trump-republicans-7d29c97c85d0b450549af657e115f0f8">passed legislation this summer that rescinded about $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funds</a>&nbsp;and Trump notified Congress again on Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-foreign-aid-pocket-rescission-374c63e6b4004e819a657e33b76f502e">that he will block</a>&nbsp;$4.9 billion in congressionally approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/foreign-aid">foreign aid</a>.Democrats have warned that such efforts could tank the broader negotiations. “Trump is rooting for a shutdown,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., posted on social media Friday.<h2>Senate Nominations Fight</h2>Senators are expected to return to Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-confirmations-nominations-trump-schumer-thune-905a63d0046319eeb7c266d5e24e70b6">right where they left off in early August</a>&nbsp;— fighting over Trump’s nominees.Exasperated Republicans fled Washington for the month after making little headway with Senate Democrats over their nominations blockade, which has forced delays in confirmations and angered Trump as many of his administration’s positions remain unfilled. Republican leaders called it quits after a rare Saturday session that ended with a breakdown in bipartisan negotiations and Trump posting on social media that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/charles-schumer">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;could “GO TO HELL!”Republicans now say they’re ready to try and change Senate rules to get around the Democratic delays, and they are expected to spend the next several weeks discussing how that might work.<h2>Russian Sanctions</h2>Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of Trump’s closest congressional allies, has pushed the president for months to support his sweeping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-d1ec6840d4452a0209403e4c4c3ef861">bipartisan sanctions bill</a>&nbsp;that would impose steep tariffs on countries that are fueling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by buying its oil, gas, uranium, and other exports. The legislation has the backing of 85 senators, but Trump has yet to endorse it, and Republican leaders have so far said they won’t move without him.Graham has stepped up his calls after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-summit-alaska-russia-ukraine-a7b167f17a3e06fbce2f583c93f8bae1">met with Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;and Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy last month in hopes of a peace deal. Since then, Russia has continued to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-attack-23e051f1b7e93308f99b6fdfdd8949f2">step up attacks on Ukraine</a>.“If we don’t have this thing moving in the right direction by the time we get back, then I think that plan B needs to kick in,” Graham said of his bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-sanctions-ukraine-trump-zelenskyy-war-negotiations-d94711651ab5b96f7b771c1fb3af1179">in an interview with The Associated Press last month.</a><h2>Oversight of the CDC</h2>Health and Human Service Secretary Robert F. Kennedy will appear before the Senate Finance Committee to discuss his health care agenda on Thursday, less than a week after he ousted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-director-susan-monarez-50dfbec849b53b4593755d2e6e616687">Susan Monarez</a>&nbsp;as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Several other top officials also resigned in protest.Kennedy has tried to advance&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-f-kennedy-vaccines-trump-rfkjr-7f8dcb25de76a5a70710d22bbc63f6fa">anti-vaccine policies</a>&nbsp;that are contradicted by decades of scientific research. Monarez’s lawyers said she refused “to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts.”Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, the Republican chairman of the HELP panel that oversees the CDC and a member of the Finance Committee, has called on the CDC to delay a meeting of outside experts who make recommendations on the use of vaccines until Congress can look into the issue.<h2>Divisions over Epstein</h2>The House left Washington in July amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-jeffrey-epstein-trump-f2a03eca247268b14a9e38858338eded">disagreements among Republicans</a>&nbsp;about whether they should force President Donald Trump’s administration to release more information on the sex trafficking investigation into the late Jeffrey Epstein. The pressure for more disclosure could only get more intense when lawmakers return.Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky are pushing the House to take up their bill to force the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigation. They are planning a news conference this week joined by Epstein victims. The House Oversight Committee is also investigating the issue.Democrats are eager to keep pressing on the Epstein files, especially after the Trump administration reneged on pledges for transparency. The case for years has been the subject of online conspiracy theories and speculation about who may have been involved or aware of the wealthy financier’s abuse.<h2>Investigating Biden</h2>The House Oversight Committee will return from August recess with a slate of interviews lined up as part of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-biden-election-democrat-midterm-78b6e3998772b987625abbbc9bebf3d0">investigation into former President Joe Biden’s mental state while in office</a>. The committee has already conducted interviews and depositions with nearly a dozen former top Biden aides and members of the president’s inner circle.The Republican-led committee will hear from former top Biden staffers in September like Jeff Zients, Biden’s final White House chief of staff, Karine Jean-Pierre, the former White House press secretary, and Andrew Bates, a top press aide.Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., has said public hearings and a full report can be expected sometime in the fall.<h2>Stock Trading Ban</h2>Congress has discussed proposals for years to keep lawmakers from engaging in trading individual stocks, nodding to the idea that there’s a potential conflict of interest when they are often privy to information and decisions that can dramatically move markets.That push is now gaining momentum. A Senate committee has approved legislation from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hawley-pelosi-stocks-insider-trading-ban-cf6200d0ec71fe012bb3b9a916696b37">GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri</a>&nbsp;that would also extend the prohibition on stock trading to future presidents and vice presidents — while notably exempting Trump. In the House, several members are putting forward proposals and even threatening to maneuver around GOP leadership to force a vote.Still, there is plenty of resistance to the idea, including from many wealthy lawmakers who reap dividends from their portfolios.___Associated Press writers Matt Brown and Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.

Annual spending battle begins as Congress returns from recess

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Rush County Sheriff's Office is rolling out a wave of new programs to keep residents safe and supported.

Rush County Sheriff Mark Knowles said a Bicycle Back-to-School Block Party is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 16 in the 200 block of West Seventh Street in La Crosse, and 84 bikes will be given away.

"One of the best things I wanted to do is start getting the children more involved, but I also wanted to start pushing safety," Knowles said.

Knowles said the event is open to families from surrounding counties to pick up a refurbished bike, thanks to Norton and Ellsworth correctional facilities. Models will range from those with training wheels to full-size adult bicycles.

Helmets will be available in limited supply. Knowles said bicycle education is a key part of the giveaway and will remain a focus throughout the event.

"The last thing I want is 100 kids out here riding bikes and not knowing about bicycle safety," he said.

Knowles said each donated bike will be registered through a bicycle permit program to help ensure lost or stolen bicycles can be returned to their owners.

The event will also feature a DJ, free food with grilling by the La Crosse Fire Department, snow cones from the Family Crisis Center in Great Bend, sidewalk chalk, bubbles and 20 booth spaces for businesses to showcase their work.

The Rush County Sheriff's office has recently initiated several other new projects.

Through a new partnership with the <a href="https://www.familycrisiskansas.com/">Family Crisis Center</a>, the county is offering free items, including diapers, clothing, hygiene products and food to those in need. The program requires a one-time referral from law enforcement.

"My attitude about this is every single resource we offer, even if it helps one person or saves one person's life, then it was worth everything," he said.

The sheriff's office has been working with the crisis center for years, mostly with domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

Knowles said the county has limited resources, and those wishing to donate can contact <a href="https://rushcountykansas.org/rush-county-sheriff/">the sheriff's office, 715 Elm St.</a>, to contribute to Sara's Blessings or choose from other programs to support.

The What3Words app helps first responders pinpoint a person’s location using a unique set of words, a tool especially useful when callers are in rural areas.

"Every three-meter-by-three-meter square in the world has been assigned a unique three-word address," he said. "If they're in the middle of a field or down in a ravine, for example, we're going to be able to know exactly where they are by them giving us those three words."

Knowles said the Rush County Sheriff’s Office is the county’s only full-time law enforcement and first responder agency in Rush County. They work alongside volunteer EMS and the fire department. The app is integrated into their 911 and law enforcement systems.

Knowles said families can also use the app. For example, a child stranded without gas could share their three words with a parent.

What3Words is available for free download on <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/what3words-navigation-maps/id657878530">iOS</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.what3words.android&amp;hl=en_US">Android</a>&nbsp;devices.

The sheriff’s office has partnered with the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging to provide Operation Red File, a program designed to save the lives of residents.

Although the free program is aimed at seniors, Knowles said it is open to anyone and is designed to keep an individual’s medical and emergency information readily accessible in case of an emergency.

Knowles said more than 200 have already been distributed in the county and can assist individuals who are unable to communicate directly with first responders or medical personnel.

Residents are provided with a red folder containing their medical history, a list of medications, emergency contacts, insurance details and optional documents, such as wills or powers of attorney.

Knowles said that first responders are trained to check for the red folder during emergencies, which can be taken with the patient in an ambulance to help EMS and doctors. Folders are available at the Rush County Sheriff’s Office.

The county is also providing seat belt covers for individuals with special or medical needs. The covers store personal information on the inside to protect privacy while ensuring first responders have access to critical details in an emergency.

"If we had a vehicle accident, for example, and the parent is unfortunately unconscious with children in there. Say that they were autistic. It would be a quick way to look at what we are dealing with and make sure that their needs are taken care of," he said.

Knowles said the idea came from a parent who suggested it to the sheriff’s office. He added that the inside pocket can be easily updated if medical providers, emergency contacts or other vital details change.

The covers are available free of charge at the sheriff’s office, with no medical documentation required.

You can learn more about the programs offered by the Rush County Sheriff's Office through the free Sheriff Connect app, available on <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sheriff-connect/id6476424035">iOS</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ocvapps.a986&amp;hl=en_US">Android</a>.

You can also follow the Rush County Sheriff's Office on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572279660679">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756303231476.jpg" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Rush County Sheriff's Office is rolling out a wave of new programs to keep residents safe and supported.Rush County Sheriff Mark Knowles said a Bicycle Back-to-School Block Party is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 16 in the 200 block of West Seventh Street in La Crosse, and 84 bikes will be given away."One of the best things I wanted to do is start getting the children more involved, but I also wanted to start pushing safety," Knowles said.Knowles said the event is open to families from surrounding counties to pick up a refurbished bike, thanks to Norton and Ellsworth correctional facilities. Models will range from those with training wheels to full-size adult bicycles.Helmets will be available in limited supply. Knowles said bicycle education is a key part of the giveaway and will remain a focus throughout the event."The last thing I want is 100 kids out here riding bikes and not knowing about bicycle safety," he said.Knowles said each donated bike will be registered through a bicycle permit program to help ensure lost or stolen bicycles can be returned to their owners.The event will also feature a DJ, free food with grilling by the La Crosse Fire Department, snow cones from the Family Crisis Center in Great Bend, sidewalk chalk, bubbles and 20 booth spaces for businesses to showcase their work.The Rush County Sheriff's office has recently initiated several other new projects.<h2>Sara's Blessings program</h2>Through a new partnership with the <a href="https://www.familycrisiskansas.com/">Family Crisis Center</a>, the county is offering free items, including diapers, clothing, hygiene products and food to those in need. The program requires a one-time referral from law enforcement."My attitude about this is every single resource we offer, even if it helps one person or saves one person's life, then it was worth everything," he said.The sheriff's office has been working with the crisis center for years, mostly with domestic violence and sexual assault victims.Knowles said the county has limited resources, and those wishing to donate can contact <a href="https://rushcountykansas.org/rush-county-sheriff/">the sheriff's office, 715 Elm St.</a>, to contribute to Sara's Blessings or choose from other programs to support.<h2>What3Words app</h2>The What3Words app helps first responders pinpoint a person’s location using a unique set of words, a tool especially useful when callers are in rural areas."Every three-meter-by-three-meter square in the world has been assigned a unique three-word address," he said. "If they're in the middle of a field or down in a ravine, for example, we're going to be able to know exactly where they are by them giving us those three words."Knowles said the Rush County Sheriff’s Office is the county’s only full-time law enforcement and first responder agency in Rush County. They work alongside volunteer EMS and the fire department. The app is integrated into their 911 and law enforcement systems.Knowles said families can also use the app. For example, a child stranded without gas could share their three words with a parent.What3Words is available for free download on <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/what3words-navigation-maps/id657878530">iOS</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.what3words.android&amp;hl=en_US">Android</a>&nbsp;devices.<h2>Operation Red File program</h2>The sheriff’s office has partnered with the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging to provide Operation Red File, a program designed to save the lives of residents.Although the free program is aimed at seniors, Knowles said it is open to anyone and is designed to keep an individual’s medical and emergency information readily accessible in case of an emergency.Knowles said more than 200 have already been distributed in the county and can assist individuals who are unable to communicate directly with first responders or medical personnel.Residents are provided with a red folder containing their medical history, a list of medications, emergency contacts, insurance details and optional documents, such as wills or powers of attorney.Knowles said that first responders are trained to check for the red folder during emergencies, which can be taken with the patient in an ambulance to help EMS and doctors. Folders are available at the Rush County Sheriff’s Office.<h2>Seat belt warning covers</h2>The county is also providing seat belt covers for individuals with special or medical needs. The covers store personal information on the inside to protect privacy while ensuring first responders have access to critical details in an emergency."If we had a vehicle accident, for example, and the parent is unfortunately unconscious with children in there. Say that they were autistic. It would be a quick way to look at what we are dealing with and make sure that their needs are taken care of," he said.Knowles said the idea came from a parent who suggested it to the sheriff’s office. He added that the inside pocket can be easily updated if medical providers, emergency contacts or other vital details change.The covers are available free of charge at the sheriff’s office, with no medical documentation required.You can learn more about the programs offered by the Rush County Sheriff's Office through the free Sheriff Connect app, available on <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sheriff-connect/id6476424035">iOS</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ocvapps.a986&amp;hl=en_US">Android</a>.You can also follow the Rush County Sheriff's Office on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572279660679">Facebook</a>.

Bike giveaway set in Rush County; multiple programs launched

The United Way of Ellis County kicked off its annual fundraising campaign with a goal of $350,000.

Jaden Richardson, board president of United Way of Ellis County, said the campaign focuses on youth opportunity, healthy communities, financial security and community resilience.

"Donating to United Way helps kids succeed, it helps adults secure jobs and you help families become healthier," Richardson said.

Marie Froelich, a board member of the Cancer Council of Ellis County, read a testimonial from a client battling stage 4, non-curable colorectal cancer for more than two years and seven months, with the disease having spread to his lungs and liver.

"I took my 50th round of chemo this month," Foelich read from the testimony. "The Cancer Council has been important along the way. With the added expenses of travel, lodging, meds and especially insurance, it makes a very difficult situation even harder. I can't stress enough how impactful it is for a family to be able to focus on life and treatment and not stress over expenses."

The client also shared that his 6-year-old daughter underwent open-heart surgery at just 8 days old, followed by three additional surgeries and a six-month stay in a Kansas City ICU.

Richardson said United Way currently supports 15 partner agencies, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, High Plains Mental Health Center, The Salvation Army and the Hays Senior Center.

You can <a href="https://liveunited.harnessgiving.org/donate/?selected-method=one-time&amp;amount=50&amp;campaign_id=0">donate to the campaign</a> through one-time or monthly contributions of any amount, as well as round-up donations made via debit or credit cards.

You can also make a payroll deduction through your employer.&nbsp;

Richardson said campaign activities include Pumpkin Packers collecting donations during the three homecoming parades and the mug toss at Oktoberfest.

"We don't get rich on it, but every little bit helps so we can help a child or a family in need," he said.

Richardson said a new United Way executive director has been hired, with a formal announcement expected in the coming weeks.

Other events highlighted at the kick-off are

Reality U, scheduled for Nov. 5 and 6, is a financial literacy event designed for middle and high school students, helping them prepare for adulthood and future employment. Volunteers are needed.

The Dueling Pianos Fundraiser, an evening of food, drinks and live music, is set for Feb. 7. Tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities are available <a href="https://liveunited.harnessgiving.org/events/2308">here</a>.

Sarah Wasinger, president/CEO of The Chamber in Hays, introduced multiple speakers during the event and made several announcements.

She said a high school career experience day is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Oct. 29 at Hays High School to connect students with local career opportunities and encourage them to stay in Ellis County after graduation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687976834535.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe United Way of Ellis County kicked off its annual fundraising campaign with a goal of $350,000.Jaden Richardson, board president of United Way of Ellis County, said the campaign focuses on youth opportunity, healthy communities, financial security and community resilience."Donating to United Way helps kids succeed, it helps adults secure jobs and you help families become healthier," Richardson said.Marie Froelich, a board member of the Cancer Council of Ellis County, read a testimonial from a client battling stage 4, non-curable colorectal cancer for more than two years and seven months, with the disease having spread to his lungs and liver."I took my 50th round of chemo this month," Foelich read from the testimony. "The Cancer Council has been important along the way. With the added expenses of travel, lodging, meds and especially insurance, it makes a very difficult situation even harder. I can't stress enough how impactful it is for a family to be able to focus on life and treatment and not stress over expenses."The client also shared that his 6-year-old daughter underwent open-heart surgery at just 8 days old, followed by three additional surgeries and a six-month stay in a Kansas City ICU.Richardson said United Way currently supports 15 partner agencies, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, High Plains Mental Health Center, The Salvation Army and the Hays Senior Center.You can <a href="https://liveunited.harnessgiving.org/donate/?selected-method=one-time&amp;amount=50&amp;campaign_id=0">donate to the campaign</a> through one-time or monthly contributions of any amount, as well as round-up donations made via debit or credit cards.You can also make a payroll deduction through your employer.&nbsp;Richardson said campaign activities include Pumpkin Packers collecting donations during the three homecoming parades and the mug toss at Oktoberfest."We don't get rich on it, but every little bit helps so we can help a child or a family in need," he said.Richardson said a new United Way executive director has been hired, with a formal announcement expected in the coming weeks.Other events highlighted at the kick-off areReality U, scheduled for Nov. 5 and 6, is a financial literacy event designed for middle and high school students, helping them prepare for adulthood and future employment. Volunteers are needed.The Dueling Pianos Fundraiser, an evening of food, drinks and live music, is set for Feb. 7. Tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities are available <a href="https://liveunited.harnessgiving.org/events/2308">here</a>.Sarah Wasinger, president/CEO of The Chamber in Hays, introduced multiple speakers during the event and made several announcements.She said a high school career experience day is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Oct. 29 at Hays High School to connect students with local career opportunities and encourage them to stay in Ellis County after graduation.

Cancer Council of Ellis County shares story of how United Way helps community at kickoff

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two members of the 2nd&nbsp;American Militia were sentenced last week in federal court for their roles in a 2022 conspiracy to murder U.S. Border Patrol agents and, related to their shooting at FBI agents during the execution of a search warrant, of attempting to murder federal agents, according to the United State's Attorney.

Bryan C. Perry, 39, of Clarksville, Tenn., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a total of 15 consecutive life terms in federal prison without parole for his convictions for one count of conspiracy to murder a federal officer and fourteen counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The court also sentenced Perry to concurrent terms of imprisonment of 20 years for his convictions for seven counts of attempted murder of a federal officer, seven counts of assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and one count of assault of a federal officer that inflicts bodily injury. Perry further received concurrent sentences of varying terms of imprisonment for his convictions for conspiracy to assault a federal officer, conspiracy to injure an officer, assault of a federal officer that involves physical contact, depredation of government property, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of body armor by a violent felon, and communicating a threat to injure. The court also sentenced Perry to five years of supervised release following his incarceration and a restitution amount of $3,717.98.

Jonathan S. O’Dell, 35, of Warsaw, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a total of 165 years in federal prison without parole for one count each of conspiracy to murder a federal officer, conspiracy to assault a federal officer, conspiracy to injure an officer, assault of a federal officer that inflicts bodily injury, depredation of government property, possession of a firearm while subject to a court order of protection, communicating a threat to injure, making a false statement, escape from custody, two counts of assault of a federal officer involving physical contact, seven counts each of attempted murder of a federal officer and assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and 14 counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The Court also sentenced O’Dell to five years of supervised release following his incarceration and a restitution amount of $19,234.63.

On Nov. 7, 2024, Perry and O’Dell were found guilty after a 9-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo. The jury deliberated for about two hours and 23 minutes before returning guilty verdicts, ending a trial that began on Oct. 28, 2024. On the morning of the first day of trial, O’Dell pleaded guilty to one count of illegally possessing a firearm while subject to a court order of protection, one count of making a false statement to a federal agent, and one count of escaping from custody.

Evidence introduced during the trial showed that, throughout the summer, and fall of 2022, Perry and O’Dell recruited and attempted to recruit other individuals to join the 2nd&nbsp;American Militia, a group they co-founded, and join in their plan to travel to the United States-Mexico border to go to war with U.S. Border Patrol. Perry posted several videos on TikTok in an attempt to recruit other members into their conspiracy and they advertised a recruitment event in Warsaw.

On Sept. 5, 2022, Perry, bringing at least two stolen firearms, body armor, and gas masks with him, traveled from Tennessee to Warsaw to live with O’Dell. They used O’Dell’s residence as a staging site as they prepared for their trip to the border and collected firearms, paramilitary gear, ammunition, and other supplies.

On Sept. 12, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he discussed illegal immigrants coming into the United States from Mexico. Perry stated that the U.S. Border Patrol was committing treason by allowing these illegal immigrants to enter the United States, and that the penalty for treason was death. Perry posted another video on TikTok the next day in which he stated that he was “ready to go to war against this government.”

On Sept. 22, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he stated, “we’re out to shoot to kill” and that “our group is gonna go protect this country.” On Oct. 3, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he stated, “we were going out huntin’,” that his group was taking their “full kits,” and that they were leaving for the United States – Mexico border on Oct. 8, 2022.

O’Dell and Perry continued to conduct preparatory steps to further their conspiracy, including continuing to recruit others, attempting to acquire other gear, and practicing shooting at targets with firearms.

On Oct. 7, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at O’Dell’s residence. Federal agents approached the property at about 6 a.m. in vehicles with red and blue lights activated. As the FBI approached, an agent utilized a loudspeaker in the lead armored vehicle, the “Bearcat,” to announce they were with the FBI and that they had a search warrant for the residence. Seven agents were inside or behind the Bearcat. The FBI agent began to repeat the announcement, again stating that they were with the FBI, when gunshots were fired from a front window at the lead FBI vehicle. Perry fired 11 shots from his Voodoo Innovations multi-caliber rifle with an AM-15 lower receiver. Several rounds hit the lead FBI vehicle.

Agents responded by deploying flash bangs around the residence. Agents used the Bearcat to conduct a breach of the front door of the residence using an affixed ram. Agents did not return fire and, after the gunshots ceased, the FBI established a perimeter and began communicating with the persons inside the residence to come out.

O’Dell and his girlfriend came out of the residence and surrendered to authorities. Perry eventually came out of the residence. Perry took down an American flag from the front porch of the residence and walked down the steps while waving the flag. After beginning to walk to the agents, Perry then turned around and moved back to the residence. Agents pursued Perry, who began to fight and swing his fists, striking the agents several times and causing injury to at least one agent before he was taken into custody.

Agents then searched the residence and found six firearms, 23 magazines filled with ammunition, 1,770 rounds of various other ammunition, 11 spent casings, two sets of body armor with corresponding plate carrier vests, one handheld radio, two sniper rests, two gas masks, two ballistic helmets, multiple containers of a binary explosive mixture commonly sold as an exploding target, zip ties, medical supplies, and two 2nd American Militia patches. Agents also found two go-bags that contained food, provisions, and other gear.

Later, on Sept. 29, 2023, while O’Dell was in custody awaiting trial on the charges, he escaped from the Phelps County, Mo. Jail and eventually led authorities on a high-speed chase in Ray County, Mo., before being apprehended.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Clark and Ashley Turner. It was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Phelps County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Ray County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Caldwell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756688125002.png" alt="Perry photo Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Perry photo Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two members of the 2nd&nbsp;American Militia were sentenced last week in federal court for their roles in a 2022 conspiracy to murder U.S. Border Patrol agents and, related to their shooting at FBI agents during the execution of a search warrant, of attempting to murder federal agents, according to the United State's Attorney.Bryan C. Perry, 39, of Clarksville, Tenn., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a total of 15 consecutive life terms in federal prison without parole for his convictions for one count of conspiracy to murder a federal officer and fourteen counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756688021668.png" alt="O'Dell photo Cole Co." />
 <figcaption>O'Dell photo Cole Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The court also sentenced Perry to concurrent terms of imprisonment of 20 years for his convictions for seven counts of attempted murder of a federal officer, seven counts of assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and one count of assault of a federal officer that inflicts bodily injury. Perry further received concurrent sentences of varying terms of imprisonment for his convictions for conspiracy to assault a federal officer, conspiracy to injure an officer, assault of a federal officer that involves physical contact, depredation of government property, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of body armor by a violent felon, and communicating a threat to injure. The court also sentenced Perry to five years of supervised release following his incarceration and a restitution amount of $3,717.98.Jonathan S. O’Dell, 35, of Warsaw, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to a total of 165 years in federal prison without parole for one count each of conspiracy to murder a federal officer, conspiracy to assault a federal officer, conspiracy to injure an officer, assault of a federal officer that inflicts bodily injury, depredation of government property, possession of a firearm while subject to a court order of protection, communicating a threat to injure, making a false statement, escape from custody, two counts of assault of a federal officer involving physical contact, seven counts each of attempted murder of a federal officer and assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and 14 counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The Court also sentenced O’Dell to five years of supervised release following his incarceration and a restitution amount of $19,234.63.On Nov. 7, 2024, Perry and O’Dell were found guilty after a 9-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo. The jury deliberated for about two hours and 23 minutes before returning guilty verdicts, ending a trial that began on Oct. 28, 2024. On the morning of the first day of trial, O’Dell pleaded guilty to one count of illegally possessing a firearm while subject to a court order of protection, one count of making a false statement to a federal agent, and one count of escaping from custody.Evidence introduced during the trial showed that, throughout the summer, and fall of 2022, Perry and O’Dell recruited and attempted to recruit other individuals to join the 2nd&nbsp;American Militia, a group they co-founded, and join in their plan to travel to the United States-Mexico border to go to war with U.S. Border Patrol. Perry posted several videos on TikTok in an attempt to recruit other members into their conspiracy and they advertised a recruitment event in Warsaw.On Sept. 5, 2022, Perry, bringing at least two stolen firearms, body armor, and gas masks with him, traveled from Tennessee to Warsaw to live with O’Dell. They used O’Dell’s residence as a staging site as they prepared for their trip to the border and collected firearms, paramilitary gear, ammunition, and other supplies.On Sept. 12, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he discussed illegal immigrants coming into the United States from Mexico. Perry stated that the U.S. Border Patrol was committing treason by allowing these illegal immigrants to enter the United States, and that the penalty for treason was death. Perry posted another video on TikTok the next day in which he stated that he was “ready to go to war against this government.”On Sept. 22, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he stated, “we’re out to shoot to kill” and that “our group is gonna go protect this country.” On Oct. 3, 2022, Perry posted a video on TikTok in which he stated, “we were going out huntin’,” that his group was taking their “full kits,” and that they were leaving for the United States – Mexico border on Oct. 8, 2022.O’Dell and Perry continued to conduct preparatory steps to further their conspiracy, including continuing to recruit others, attempting to acquire other gear, and practicing shooting at targets with firearms.On Oct. 7, 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at O’Dell’s residence. Federal agents approached the property at about 6 a.m. in vehicles with red and blue lights activated. As the FBI approached, an agent utilized a loudspeaker in the lead armored vehicle, the “Bearcat,” to announce they were with the FBI and that they had a search warrant for the residence. Seven agents were inside or behind the Bearcat. The FBI agent began to repeat the announcement, again stating that they were with the FBI, when gunshots were fired from a front window at the lead FBI vehicle. Perry fired 11 shots from his Voodoo Innovations multi-caliber rifle with an AM-15 lower receiver. Several rounds hit the lead FBI vehicle.Agents responded by deploying flash bangs around the residence. Agents used the Bearcat to conduct a breach of the front door of the residence using an affixed ram. Agents did not return fire and, after the gunshots ceased, the FBI established a perimeter and began communicating with the persons inside the residence to come out.O’Dell and his girlfriend came out of the residence and surrendered to authorities. Perry eventually came out of the residence. Perry took down an American flag from the front porch of the residence and walked down the steps while waving the flag. After beginning to walk to the agents, Perry then turned around and moved back to the residence. Agents pursued Perry, who began to fight and swing his fists, striking the agents several times and causing injury to at least one agent before he was taken into custody.Agents then searched the residence and found six firearms, 23 magazines filled with ammunition, 1,770 rounds of various other ammunition, 11 spent casings, two sets of body armor with corresponding plate carrier vests, one handheld radio, two sniper rests, two gas masks, two ballistic helmets, multiple containers of a binary explosive mixture commonly sold as an exploding target, zip ties, medical supplies, and two 2nd American Militia patches. Agents also found two go-bags that contained food, provisions, and other gear.Later, on Sept. 29, 2023, while O’Dell was in custody awaiting trial on the charges, he escaped from the Phelps County, Mo. Jail and eventually led authorities on a high-speed chase in Ray County, Mo., before being apprehended.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Clark and Ashley Turner. It was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Phelps County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Ray County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Caldwell County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

Prison for conspiracy to kill U.S. Border Patrol officers

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — A lost boy wandering a monorail line high above the crowd at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-travel-c6b18ccccd7b4637a9b0b55d1a218c42">Hersheypark</a>&nbsp;was rescued by a park visitor who climbed onto a building and jumped onto the rails.

The child was reported missing at about 5:05 p.m. Saturday after he became separated from his parents, according to a news release from the chocolate-themed amusement park in Pennsylvania.

While park employees were searching for him, the boy entered a secured area leading to the monorail ride. It was closed and “safeguarded by a chained closure at the entrance and barricaded turnstile at the platform,” according to the park. The boy was in the closed station for about 20 minutes before he wandered onto the tracks.

A video posted to social media shows the boy walking along the tracks as people in the crowd below start waving their arms and yelling directions at him including, “Stop!” and “Keep going!” At that point he covers his ears and begins to walk back the way he came, changes direction again, and then stops. One man climbs onto a nearby building and pulls himself onto the tracks, scooping up the boy to cheers from below.

The rescue took place at about 5:28 p.m., according to the park. The child was unharmed and was safely reunited with his family.

“We are grateful for the vigilance of our guests and the swift response of our team, and we remain committed to maintaining the highest levels of guest safety throughout Hersheypark,” the release reads.

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — A lost boy wandering a monorail line high above the crowd at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-travel-c6b18ccccd7b4637a9b0b55d1a218c42">Hersheypark</a>&nbsp;was rescued by a park visitor who climbed onto a building and jumped onto the rails.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🔥🚨BREAKING: A civilian man named John Samson saved the life of a little boy who was spotted walking on a monorail at Hershey Park in Hershey Pennsylvania. <a href="https://t.co/LX8mVaSCt9">pic.twitter.com/LX8mVaSCt9</a>&mdash; Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) <a href="https://twitter.com/dom_lucre/status/1962184231955661106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The child was reported missing at about 5:05 p.m. Saturday after he became separated from his parents, according to a news release from the chocolate-themed amusement park in Pennsylvania.While park employees were searching for him, the boy entered a secured area leading to the monorail ride. It was closed and “safeguarded by a chained closure at the entrance and barricaded turnstile at the platform,” according to the park. The boy was in the closed station for about 20 minutes before he wandered onto the tracks.A video posted to social media shows the boy walking along the tracks as people in the crowd below start waving their arms and yelling directions at him including, “Stop!” and “Keep going!” At that point he covers his ears and begins to walk back the way he came, changes direction again, and then stops. One man climbs onto a nearby building and pulls himself onto the tracks, scooping up the boy to cheers from below.The rescue took place at about 5:28 p.m., according to the park. The child was unharmed and was safely reunited with his family.“We are grateful for the vigilance of our guests and the swift response of our team, and we remain committed to maintaining the highest levels of guest safety throughout Hersheypark,” the release reads.

🎥Dramatic rescue of lost boy walking on elevated monorail

WASHINGTON (AP) — The agency that oversees Voice of America and other government-funded international broadcasters is eliminating jobs for more than 500 employees, a Trump administration official said. The move could ratchet up a monthslong legal challenge over the news outlets' fate.

Kari Lake, acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, announced the latest round of job cuts late Friday, one day after a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278809/gov.uscourts.dcd.278809.76.0.pdf">blocked her</a>&nbsp;from removing Michael Abramowitz as VOA director.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278809/gov.uscourts.dcd.278809.72.0.pdf">had ruled separately</a>&nbsp;that the Republican administration had failed to show how it was complying with his orders to restore VOA's operations. His order Monday gave the administration “one final opportunity, short of a contempt trial” to demonstrate its compliance. He ordered Lake to sit for a deposition by lawyers for agency employees by Sept. 15.

On Thursday, Lamberth said Abramowitz could not be removed without the approval of the majority of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board. Firing Abramowitz would be “plainly contrary to law,” according to Lamberth, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President Ronald Reagan.

Lake posted a statement on social media that said her agency had initiated a reduction in force, or RIF, eliminating 532 jobs for full-time government employees. She said the agency “will continue to fulfill its statutory mission after this RIF— and will likely improve its ability to function.”

“I look forward to taking additional steps in the coming months to improve the functioning of a very broken agency and make sure America’s voice is heard abroad where it matters most,” she wrote.

A group of agency employees who sued to block VOA's elimination said Lake's move would give their colleagues 30 days until their pay and benefits end.

“We find Lake’s continued attacks on our agency abhorrent,” they said in a statement. “We are looking forward to her deposition to hear whether her plan to dismantle VOA was done with the rigorous review process that Congress requires. So far we have not seen any evidence of that.”

In June,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voice-of-america-layoffs-trump-global-media-7a862bdc530dd3d48657c00d2df54539">layoff notices</a>&nbsp;were sent to more than 600 agency employees. Abramowitz was placed on administrative leave along with almost the entire VOA staff. He was told he would be fired effective Aug. 31.

The administration said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.279211/gov.uscourts.dcd.279211.141.0.pdf">court filing</a>&nbsp;Thursday that it planned to send RIF notices to 486 employees of VOA and 46 other agency employees but intended to retain 158 agency employees and 108 VOA employees. The filing said the global media agency had 137 “active employees” and 62 other employees on administrative leave while VOA had 86 active employees and 512 others administrative leave.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The agency that oversees Voice of America and other government-funded international broadcasters is eliminating jobs for more than 500 employees, a Trump administration official said. The move could ratchet up a monthslong legal challenge over the news outlets' fate.Kari Lake, acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, announced the latest round of job cuts late Friday, one day after a federal judge&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278809/gov.uscourts.dcd.278809.76.0.pdf">blocked her</a>&nbsp;from removing Michael Abramowitz as VOA director.U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278809/gov.uscourts.dcd.278809.72.0.pdf">had ruled separately</a>&nbsp;that the Republican administration had failed to show how it was complying with his orders to restore VOA's operations. His order Monday gave the administration “one final opportunity, short of a contempt trial” to demonstrate its compliance. He ordered Lake to sit for a deposition by lawyers for agency employees by Sept. 15.On Thursday, Lamberth said Abramowitz could not be removed without the approval of the majority of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board. Firing Abramowitz would be “plainly contrary to law,” according to Lamberth, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President Ronald Reagan.Lake posted a statement on social media that said her agency had initiated a reduction in force, or RIF, eliminating 532 jobs for full-time government employees. She said the agency “will continue to fulfill its statutory mission after this RIF— and will likely improve its ability to function.”“I look forward to taking additional steps in the coming months to improve the functioning of a very broken agency and make sure America’s voice is heard abroad where it matters most,” she wrote.A group of agency employees who sued to block VOA's elimination said Lake's move would give their colleagues 30 days until their pay and benefits end.“We find Lake’s continued attacks on our agency abhorrent,” they said in a statement. “We are looking forward to her deposition to hear whether her plan to dismantle VOA was done with the rigorous review process that Congress requires. So far we have not seen any evidence of that.”In June,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voice-of-america-layoffs-trump-global-media-7a862bdc530dd3d48657c00d2df54539">layoff notices</a>&nbsp;were sent to more than 600 agency employees. Abramowitz was placed on administrative leave along with almost the entire VOA staff. He was told he would be fired effective Aug. 31.The administration said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.279211/gov.uscourts.dcd.279211.141.0.pdf">court filing</a>&nbsp;Thursday that it planned to send RIF notices to 486 employees of VOA and 46 other agency employees but intended to retain 158 agency employees and 108 VOA employees. The filing said the global media agency had 137 “active employees” and 62 other employees on administrative leave while VOA had 86 active employees and 512 others administrative leave.

Trump is cutting 500-plus jobs at Voice of America and its parent agency

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 cut the ribbon on its new $115 million high school during its annual Maroon and Gold scrimmage Friday night.

On hand were school administrators, the Hays High staff, six of the seven school board members, and representatives of Nabholz Construction, the district's construction manager, and DLR, the district's architect.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3b3202ac-b780-4569-b28a-5bbe68601ee4">SEE RELATED STORY: New Hays High opens for first day of classes</a>

Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson welcomed the community to the new school.

"My goal five years ago when we started this project was to give our students, staff and community everything they deserved—what they deserved was a modern, safe and inspiring 5A school," he said.

He said he believed the goal has been reached.

He noted the new football field has a "Hays" monument on its north side.&nbsp;

"The Hays monument will no doubt be the site of many photo opportunities for special moments and events that will take place within the school for many, many years. However, I believe these four letters represent more than a bunch of concrete poured into molds to spell out the name of our city," Wilson said.

"What those four letters mean is that it's a symbol to recognize how our Hays community made an investment in our kids," he said.

He said generations of students will likely pose for photos at that sign.

"The most important thing that our Hays monument gives us is that it is a reminder of what great things can be achieved when a community comes together for kids. Thank you, Hays community, for investing in our kids," he said.&nbsp;

He thanked the Hays High staff, who were invited on the new turfed football field. They worked many hours to box up the contents of the former high school and prepare the new building for the start of the school year, he said.

He thanked the school board for its support as well as DLR and Nabholz Construction, whose staff left their families for up to two years to build the new Hays High.

He praised Hays High Principal Shawn Henderson for his work on shaping the plans for the school while also running a 1,000-student high school and earning a High School Principal of the Year Award.

Henderson also praised the staff for their hard work preparing the school for students.&nbsp;

"Their professionalism, care, and concern are unmatched," he said, "and they are truly what make the walls of this school come to life. One of our district's core values is to 'sell the opportunities and possibilities' for our students' futures, and they exemplify that every day."

He thanked the school board and the community for valuing students enough to provide them with an innovative space.

To the students he said, "... It means something to be a graduate of this school, it means something to come from this community, and it means something to consider a return when you're in a position ot choose your zip code moving forward.

"That's why you see the word Hays throughout this building. We want you back here."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756514668442.jpeg" alt="School board members, administrators and representatives of Nabholz Construction and DLR architects cut the ribbon on new Hays High on Friday night. Pictured second from left, board members Curt Vajnar, Ruth Ruder, Ken Brooks, Allen Park, Hays High Principal Shawn Henderson, Student Body Vice-President Senior XX, school board members Jayme Goetz and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp, Hays USD Superintendent Ron Wilson, Brett Collins, Nahbolz Construction and far right,&nbsp;Ishita Banerjii, DLR project manager. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>School board members, administrators and representatives of Nabholz Construction and DLR architects cut the ribbon on new Hays High on Friday night. Pictured second from left, board members Curt Vajnar, Ruth Ruder, Ken Brooks, Allen Park, Hays High Principal Shawn Henderson, Student Body Vice-President Senior XX, school board members Jayme Goetz and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp, Hays USD Superintendent Ron Wilson, Brett Collins, Nahbolz Construction and far right,&nbsp;Ishita Banerjii, DLR project manager. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 cut the ribbon on its new $115 million high school during its annual Maroon and Gold scrimmage Friday night.On hand were school administrators, the Hays High staff, six of the seven school board members, and representatives of Nabholz Construction, the district's construction manager, and DLR, the district's architect.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/3b3202ac-b780-4569-b28a-5bbe68601ee4">SEE RELATED STORY: New Hays High opens for first day of classes</a>Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson welcomed the community to the new school."My goal five years ago when we started this project was to give our students, staff and community everything they deserved—what they deserved was a modern, safe and inspiring 5A school," he said.He said he believed the goal has been reached.He noted the new football field has a "Hays" monument on its north side.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756514733595.jpeg" alt="Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson said the new high school is an investment in students' futures during a ribbon cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays USD 489 Superintendent Ron Wilson said the new high school is an investment in students' futures during a ribbon cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"The Hays monument will no doubt be the site of many photo opportunities for special moments and events that will take place within the school for many, many years. However, I believe these four letters represent more than a bunch of concrete poured into molds to spell out the name of our city," Wilson said."What those four letters mean is that it's a symbol to recognize how our Hays community made an investment in our kids," he said.He said generations of students will likely pose for photos at that sign."The most important thing that our Hays monument gives us is that it is a reminder of what great things can be achieved when a community comes together for kids. Thank you, Hays community, for investing in our kids," he said.&nbsp;He thanked the Hays High staff, who were invited on the new turfed football field. They worked many hours to box up the contents of the former high school and prepare the new building for the start of the school year, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756514811953.jpeg" alt="Hays High School Principal Shawn Henderson praised the school's staff for their work in preparing the school for classes. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays High School Principal Shawn Henderson praised the school's staff for their work in preparing the school for classes. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>He thanked the school board for its support as well as DLR and Nabholz Construction, whose staff left their families for up to two years to build the new Hays High.He praised Hays High Principal Shawn Henderson for his work on shaping the plans for the school while also running a 1,000-student high school and earning a High School Principal of the Year Award.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756514898668.jpeg" alt="Hays High School staff were honored at the school's ribbon cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hays High School staff were honored at the school's ribbon cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Henderson also praised the staff for their hard work preparing the school for students.&nbsp;"Their professionalism, care, and concern are unmatched," he said, "and they are truly what make the walls of this school come to life. One of our district's core values is to 'sell the opportunities and possibilities' for our students' futures, and they exemplify that every day."He thanked the school board and the community for valuing students enough to provide them with an innovative space.To the students he said, "... It means something to be a graduate of this school, it means something to come from this community, and it means something to consider a return when you're in a position ot choose your zip code moving forward."That's why you see the word Hays throughout this building. We want you back here."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756514947553.jpeg" alt="Community members and parents gather in the stands of the new Hays High football field for the ribbon-cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Community members and parents gather in the stands of the new Hays High football field for the ribbon-cutting on Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>He urged parents and community members to tour the many areas of the school that will help students achieve greatness. Some of those included a new performing arts center, athletic fields, art studios, journalism and video production labs, culinary arts kitchen, and collaborative spaces."Now that we have the building, we are going to continue pushing to be the best. We are going to raise the bar and strive towards excellence each and every day," Henderson said.Ishita Banerjii, DLR project manager, said she was pleased to help design a building that will help the Hays students shine for years to come."As Ron said, this is not a school for one generation. It is a school for multiple generations," she said. "We know that we have given you a design that will serve you and that you will be proud of for years to come."Brett Collins of Nabholz said it is truly amazing what can be accomplished when a community comes together and invests in their kids' future.He thanked the Hays community for welcoming Nabholz during the last two years."We couldn't be more proud of this project, and it's been a pleasure to serve you all," he said.The new school, which opened to students on Aug. 20, was opened to the public for tours after the ceremony.The school was funded through a $143.5 million bond issue. The former high school is being remodeled for use as a middle school. Students are set to move into that space in January.The final project in the bond is the renovation of the current high school into a new elementary school.An expansion and renovation are underway at&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/9c9d8521-815b-4f1d-8bf6-ddea11091306" target="_blank">O'Loughlin Elementary School</a>, and an expansion and renovation were completed at&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/4ecf935d-41cb-472c-9754-49c567a9dddc" target="_blank">Roosevelt Elementary School</a>&nbsp;last year.