By BECKY KISER Hays Post

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064626344476">La Leche League of the Western Plains</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064626344476" target="_blank">,</a>&nbsp;along with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1586943164889168" target="_blank">Ellis County Breastfeeding Coalition,</a>&nbsp;is inviting mothers, mothers-to-be and their supporters to a breastfeeding awareness event from&nbsp;10 to 11 a.m. on&nbsp;Aug. 14 in Massey Park, 17th and Allen, Hays.&nbsp;Refreshments will be served.

"Moms need lots of support, even experienced moms," said Monique Koerner, family and community wellness agent, Cottonwood Extension District and co-leader of the La Leche League of the Western Plains.&nbsp;

"I've worked with moms who have successfully breastfed three babies. But then there is the fourth one—something is different and more difficult with this baby."

Local La Leche League meetings are held at the Hays Public Library every second Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m.

"To be able to sit next to another mom, along with experienced and trained leaders who've gone through it themselves, is very helpful," Koerner said.

Co-leader of the group is Natalie Oborny, Hays.&nbsp;

Breastfeeding information is an important part of prenatal education for pregnant women, Koerner said.

"We have a different informal topic at each meeting. If a mom comes in with a specific question, we start with that. La Leche League helps all moms," she said.

Often, the focus is on reminding moms to take care of themselves.

"It's a support group with mental health awareness and social-emotional benefits, all wrapped up together," Koerner said. La Leche League was started by a bunch of stay-at-home moms, and they've built it into a worldwide campaign for parents."&nbsp;

Thursday was the kickoff of World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation on Monday for Kansans to observe breastfeeding month. The theme this year is "Nourish, Sustain, Thrive."

Breastfeeding positively affects the health of infants and toddlers. "They're less likely to get sick," Koerner said.

There are also lots of positive health impacts for nursing mothers.

Women who breastfeed their children lower their risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, as reported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Other studies show that breastfeeding can help lower the risk of osteoporosis and stroke.  &nbsp;

Breastfeeding also positively impacts families financially and the environment.&nbsp;

Koerner said she benefitted greatly from the group when her children were young.&nbsp;

"I wouldn't be the person I am today without it," she said.

The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8va3NicmVhc3RmZWVkaW5nLm9yZy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyNC8wNC9zdGF0ZW9mQkZpbktTMjAyMy1yZXZfT2N0LnBkZj91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwODAyLjk4NTAzNTUxIn0.ddSn_8Q9Q3bRmuUpOLFPVFlA1NqNRWurK1aYvgUgNYo/s/1305913623/br/246826442443-l">State of Breastfeeding in Kansas 2023 report</a>&nbsp;has the most recent breastfeeding rates for Kansas along with action items and resources for individuals, employers, child care providers, health care professionals and others to support breastfeeding.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Additional information about breastfeeding is available online at:

<a href="https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html">https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html</a>

<a href="https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/">https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722346379715.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostAugust is National Breastfeeding Month, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064626344476">La Leche League of the Western Plains</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064626344476" target="_blank">,</a>&nbsp;along with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1586943164889168" target="_blank">Ellis County Breastfeeding Coalition,</a>&nbsp;is inviting mothers, mothers-to-be and their supporters to a breastfeeding awareness event from&nbsp;10 to 11 a.m. on&nbsp;Aug. 14 in Massey Park, 17th and Allen, Hays.&nbsp;Refreshments will be served."Moms need lots of support, even experienced moms," said Monique Koerner, family and community wellness agent, Cottonwood Extension District and co-leader of the La Leche League of the Western Plains.&nbsp;"I've worked with moms who have successfully breastfed three babies. But then there is the fourth one—something is different and more difficult with this baby."Local La Leche League meetings are held at the Hays Public Library every second Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m."To be able to sit next to another mom, along with experienced and trained leaders who've gone through it themselves, is very helpful," Koerner said.Co-leader of the group is Natalie Oborny, Hays.&nbsp;Breastfeeding information is an important part of prenatal education for pregnant women, Koerner said."We have a different informal topic at each meeting. If a mom comes in with a specific question, we start with that. La Leche League helps all moms," she said.Often, the focus is on reminding moms to take care of themselves."It's a support group with mental health awareness and social-emotional benefits, all wrapped up together," Koerner said. La Leche League was started by a bunch of stay-at-home moms, and they've built it into a worldwide campaign for parents."&nbsp;Thursday was the kickoff of World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722629965157.jpeg" alt="Jeff Usher, Amanda Peterson, Heather Braum, Stephanne Rupnicki, Mandy Chapin, Gov. .Laura Kelly, Danica Pelzel, Trini Murguia, Amy Trollinger and Diana Lady. Photo courtesy Kansas Governor's Office" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Usher, Amanda Peterson, Heather Braum, Stephanne Rupnicki, Mandy Chapin, Gov. .Laura Kelly, Danica Pelzel, Trini Murguia, Amy Trollinger and Diana Lady. Photo courtesy Kansas Governor's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation on Monday for Kansans to observe breastfeeding month. The theme this year is "Nourish, Sustain, Thrive."Breastfeeding positively affects the health of infants and toddlers. "They're less likely to get sick," Koerner said.There are also lots of positive health impacts for nursing mothers.Women who breastfeed their children lower their risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, as reported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Other studies show that breastfeeding can help lower the risk of osteoporosis and stroke. &nbsp;Breastfeeding also positively impacts families financially and the environment.&nbsp;Koerner said she benefitted greatly from the group when her children were young.&nbsp;"I wouldn't be the person I am today without it," she said.The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8va3NicmVhc3RmZWVkaW5nLm9yZy93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyNC8wNC9zdGF0ZW9mQkZpbktTMjAyMy1yZXZfT2N0LnBkZj91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwODAyLjk4NTAzNTUxIn0.ddSn_8Q9Q3bRmuUpOLFPVFlA1NqNRWurK1aYvgUgNYo/s/1305913623/br/246826442443-l">State of Breastfeeding in Kansas 2023 report</a>&nbsp;has the most recent breastfeeding rates for Kansas along with action items and resources for individuals, employers, child care providers, health care professionals and others to support breastfeeding.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additional information about breastfeeding is available online at:<a href="https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html">https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html</a><a href="https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/">https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/</a>&nbsp;

Local La Leche League invites moms to learn about breastfeeding during national awareness month

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

Current and former HaysMed medical staff have raised concerns about the hospital's financial losses, staff treatment, medical staffing levels, medical staff departures and patient care.

Staff members said problems within the hospital have stemmed from the administration's leadership, including CEO Edward Herrman.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a32ac3e2-3d3b-4a77-94b3-9e455da465e1">RELATED STORY: HaysMed losses $5m; current, former staff express concern about care, administration</a>

More members of the medical staff have come forward offering concerns about the hospital administration since the Hays Post published the above story Friday morning.

The Hays Post sent specific questions to HaysMed on Thursday, asking about layoffs and the hospitals' financials and leadership.&nbsp;

The Hays Post also requested a copy of the hospital's annual report and minutes from the board's latest board meeting. Those material were not provided.

However, the hospital issued the following statement Friday afternoon.

At HaysMed, we are guided by one purpose—to ensure everyone has access to high-quality healthcare close to home. Our Associates and Providers are integral to that guiding principle. Our focus is on providing award-winning patient care. As a not-for-profit private hospital, we do not engage in social media discourse or comment on former Associates or Providers.&nbsp;

Our extensive and long-standing credentials, awards and recognitions are evidence of the exceptional quality care provided at HaysMed. These include:

Despite the economic concerns faced by hospitals nationwide, we continue to invest millions in our most valued partners, our Associates.&nbsp;

The healthcare landscape is challenged with escalating operational costs compounded by a lack of increased reimbursement. And these challenges are amplified for rural healthcare providers. The Board and executive team have a responsibility to judicially manage the operations of the hospital to navigate this landscape and allow for long-term sustainability without compromising quality and access to healthcare. We are privileged to serve the healthcare needs of Western Kansans.

As reference to the current healthcare landscape, please see two recent reports: <a href="https://www.aha.org/costsofcaring">Costs of Caring</a> from the <a href="https://ruralhospitals.chqpr.org/">American Hospital Association</a>, and The Crisis in Rural Health Care from the Center for Healthcare Quality &amp; Payment Reform.&nbsp;

Hays Medical Center (HaysMed) is a private, not-for-profit, 200+ bed hospital providing the only tertiary-level services in the region. As the premier provider in western Kansas for specialized care, HaysMed offers a wide variety of specialty programs including cardiology, orthopedics, cancer, surgery (general, minimally invasive and robotic), ENT, pulmonology, critical care and women’s services. HaysMed is a Level III Trauma Center and a certified Primary Stroke Center.

Other services include rehabilitation, hospice, neonatal, intensive care and diagnostic imaging, as well as a Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center and a Sleep and Neurodiagnostic Center. HaysMed is proud to be one of only 20 U.S. hospitals recognized by Vizient in 2023 as a Top Performer in the Complex Care Medical Center cohort. In 2022, HaysMed was named as one of the top 20 rural and community hospitals in the country by the National Rural Health Association. Learn more at <a href="http://haysmed.com">haysmed.com</a>.

Editor's note: This is an emerging story; please watch the Hays Post for more information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694017880043.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostCurrent and former HaysMed medical staff have raised concerns about the hospital's financial losses, staff treatment, medical staffing levels, medical staff departures and patient care.Staff members said problems within the hospital have stemmed from the administration's leadership, including CEO Edward Herrman.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/a32ac3e2-3d3b-4a77-94b3-9e455da465e1">RELATED STORY: HaysMed losses $5m; current, former staff express concern about care, administration</a>More members of the medical staff have come forward offering concerns about the hospital administration since the Hays Post published the above story Friday morning.The Hays Post sent specific questions to HaysMed on Thursday, asking about layoffs and the hospitals' financials and leadership.&nbsp;The Hays Post also requested a copy of the hospital's annual report and minutes from the board's latest board meeting. Those material were not provided.However, the hospital issued the following statement Friday afternoon.<h2>HaysMed statement</h2>At HaysMed, we are guided by one purpose—to ensure everyone has access to high-quality healthcare close to home. Our Associates and Providers are integral to that guiding principle. Our focus is on providing award-winning patient care. As a not-for-profit private hospital, we do not engage in social media discourse or comment on former Associates or Providers.&nbsp;Our extensive and long-standing credentials, awards and recognitions are evidence of the exceptional quality care provided at HaysMed. These include:<ul>
 <li>Five-star quality rating (the highest rating possible) from the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services, with only approximately 10% of hospitals nationwide achieving this distinction</li><li>National designation from US News and World Report as high performing in heart attack care&nbsp;</li><li>Named a Top 100 Rural Hospital in the country</li><li><a href="https://www.haysmed.com/about-us/#/accreditation">View our full list of awards and accreditations here.&nbsp;</a></li>
 </ul>Despite the economic concerns faced by hospitals nationwide, we continue to invest millions in our most valued partners, our Associates.&nbsp;The healthcare landscape is challenged with escalating operational costs compounded by a lack of increased reimbursement. And these challenges are amplified for rural healthcare providers. The Board and executive team have a responsibility to judicially manage the operations of the hospital to navigate this landscape and allow for long-term sustainability without compromising quality and access to healthcare. We are privileged to serve the healthcare needs of Western Kansans.As reference to the current healthcare landscape, please see two recent reports: <a href="https://www.aha.org/costsofcaring">Costs of Caring</a> from the <a href="https://ruralhospitals.chqpr.org/">American Hospital Association</a>, and The Crisis in Rural Health Care from the Center for Healthcare Quality &amp; Payment Reform.&nbsp;About HaysMedHays Medical Center (HaysMed) is a private, not-for-profit, 200+ bed hospital providing the only tertiary-level services in the region. As the premier provider in western Kansas for specialized care, HaysMed offers a wide variety of specialty programs including cardiology, orthopedics, cancer, surgery (general, minimally invasive and robotic), ENT, pulmonology, critical care and women’s services. HaysMed is a Level III Trauma Center and a certified Primary Stroke Center.Other services include rehabilitation, hospice, neonatal, intensive care and diagnostic imaging, as well as a Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center and a Sleep and Neurodiagnostic Center. HaysMed is proud to be one of only 20 U.S. hospitals recognized by Vizient in 2023 as a Top Performer in the Complex Care Medical Center cohort. In 2022, HaysMed was named as one of the top 20 rural and community hospitals in the country by the National Rural Health Association. Learn more at <a href="http://haysmed.com">haysmed.com</a>.Editor's note: This is an emerging story; please watch the Hays Post for more information.

HaysMed issues statement on financial losses

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Chiefs made a splash during free agency signing veteran quarterback Carson Wentz as their new backup to replace Blaine Gabbert who became a free agent.

Wentz, whose been in the league eight years and started for several teams, provides a solid backup option for Patrick Mahomes.

In what he's seen from Mahomes working alongside him, Wentz jokingly made an obvious observation

"He's pretty good, not that I needed to learn that physically being here" Wentz jokes with reporter's post-practice. "Just kind of the way he sees the game is unique and the way he plays and just the anticipation he plays with, sometimes its maybe not the main throw on a play but he's making things work, so it's just cool to kind of see not only the offense come together but just how he sees it maybe a little different at times."

When it comes to backup quarterbacks the Chiefs have had rare misses of late when it comes to guys ready to step up when needed.

Chad Henne, Blaine Gabbert, and this year it's Wentz.

Head coach Andy Reid says he's been pleased with Wentz thus far in the backup role

"Really like what I've seen from him, he's got a real good feel for the game, smart kid, real smart, and has picked it up quickly," Reid says.

Chiefs' fans have been privy to the unique playstyle of Mahomes for a few years now.

Wentz has also known about it and is getting an up-close look during this year's training camp.

Wentz says the outstanding things Mahomes can do is just a kid playing ball

"Playing street ball out there at times is sometimes the joke back there," Wentz explains. "Truthfully I can relate to some of that over my career, that's kind of just how I've seen the game, so it's fun to see it work so well the way he does it."

The Chiefs are off Saturday after a two-hour practice on Friday. They are back on Sunday at 9:15 a.m. There is a $5 admission fee.

One Chiefs player that had been sitting out of practice returned during Friday's practice, and two more were injured but not much else changed from the previous injury report.

Cornerback Jaylen Watson, who has spent all of training camp thus far on the PUP list, was spotted practicing today in pads and a helmet while wearing a yellow non-contact jersey. Watson is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

New to the injury report today was cornerback Kelvin Joseph with a slight hamstring injury. Offensive lineman Wanya Morris left practice on Friday with a shoulder injury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722623132748.jpeg" alt="Carson Wentz during Chiefs Training Camp/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Carson Wentz during Chiefs Training Camp/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph PostST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Chiefs made a splash during free agency signing veteran quarterback Carson Wentz as their new backup to replace Blaine Gabbert who became a free agent.Wentz, whose been in the league eight years and started for several teams, provides a solid backup option for Patrick Mahomes.In what he's seen from Mahomes working alongside him, Wentz jokingly made an obvious observation"He's pretty good, not that I needed to learn that physically being here" Wentz jokes with reporter's post-practice. "Just kind of the way he sees the game is unique and the way he plays and just the anticipation he plays with, sometimes its maybe not the main throw on a play but he's making things work, so it's just cool to kind of see not only the offense come together but just how he sees it maybe a little different at times."When it comes to backup quarterbacks the Chiefs have had rare misses of late when it comes to guys ready to step up when needed.Chad Henne, Blaine Gabbert, and this year it's Wentz.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722623242656.jpeg" alt="Carson Wentz delivers a pass during Chiefs Training Camp/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Carson Wentz delivers a pass during Chiefs Training Camp/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>Head coach Andy Reid says he's been pleased with Wentz thus far in the backup role"Really like what I've seen from him, he's got a real good feel for the game, smart kid, real smart, and has picked it up quickly," Reid says.Chiefs' fans have been privy to the unique playstyle of Mahomes for a few years now.Wentz has also known about it and is getting an up-close look during this year's training camp.Wentz says the outstanding things Mahomes can do is just a kid playing ball"Playing street ball out there at times is sometimes the joke back there," Wentz explains. "Truthfully I can relate to some of that over my career, that's kind of just how I've seen the game, so it's fun to see it work so well the way he does it."The Chiefs are off Saturday after a two-hour practice on Friday. They are back on Sunday at 9:15 a.m. There is a $5 admission fee.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722623348464.jpeg" alt="Chiefs quarterbacks Chris Oladokun (13), Ian Book (2), Patrick Mahomes (15), and Caron Wentz (11) make their way down the hill prior to practice/ Photo by Alexis Starks" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs quarterbacks Chris Oladokun (13), Ian Book (2), Patrick Mahomes (15), and Caron Wentz (11) make their way down the hill prior to practice/ Photo by Alexis Starks</figcaption>
 </figure>Injury ReportOne Chiefs player that had been sitting out of practice returned during Friday's practice, and two more were injured but not much else changed from the previous injury report.Cornerback Jaylen Watson, who has spent all of training camp thus far on the PUP list, was spotted practicing today in pads and a helmet while wearing a yellow non-contact jersey. Watson is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.New to the injury report today was cornerback Kelvin Joseph with a slight hamstring injury. Offensive lineman Wanya Morris left practice on Friday with a shoulder injury.

🏈 Wentz settles into backup quarterback role at Chiefs Training Camp

Free school supplies for families in need are available today until 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall, Hays, through First Call for Help's Backpacks for Kids program.

Ellis County families can pick up backpacks filled with free school supplies and hygiene kits. The school supplies are appropriate to the children's grades in school.

About 700 backpacks were packed for the annual project. More than 400 children were pre-registered.&nbsp;

The community donates the supplies and new backpacks.

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostFree school supplies for families in need are available today until 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall, Hays, through First Call for Help's Backpacks for Kids program.Please go to the southeast door.Ellis County families can pick up backpacks filled with free school supplies and hygiene kits. The school supplies are appropriate to the children's grades in school.About 700 backpacks were packed for the annual project. More than 400 children were pre-registered.&nbsp;The community donates the supplies and new backpacks.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722610055141.jpeg" alt="Laura Shoaff of First Call for Help hands supplies to a child. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Laura Shoaff of First Call for Help hands supplies to a child. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722610081072.jpeg" alt="Former First Call for Help director Linda Mills volunteers at the Backpack for Kids distribution Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Former First Call for Help director Linda Mills volunteers at the Backpack for Kids distribution Friday. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>

Backpack for Kids provides free school supplies; pick up today through 1 p.m.

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

A Russell County candidate for county commission has reported that her campaign signs have been stolen and vandalized but expressed frustration about the response from local law enforcement.

Republican Jamie Gage, a candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5,&nbsp;said in the past month, her promotional materials, ranging from yard signs to large banners, have been stolen or defaced.

"The signs had been written all over with marker, with derogatory nasty comments and displayed them in my hometown Bunker Hill," she said.

In addition, Gage said about 500 defamatory flyers were printed and distributed in businesses and on car windshields in Bunker Hill and Dorrance. The flyers were also mailed.

Gage said two large banners have been stolen, with the most recent theft occurring on Tuesday on 193rd Street in Bunker Hill.

According to Gage, there are eight suspects involved in attempts to undermine her campaign, including family members from outside the county.

"[My mother-in-law] is the one that printed them out and displayed them at a couple of bars in Dorrance, our gas station here in Bunker Hill and a couple of businesses in Russell, one of which was Dollar General," she said.&nbsp;

Gage said she was the alleged victim in a pending assault case from an incident at a bar in Dorrance. She claims that individuals involved in that assault are also allegedly participating in the theft of her campaign signs.

She said she is familiar with the suspects, as she and her husband have previously offered them financial assistance and employment.

"Some of these people involved were people that my husband and I have helped," she said. "It's sad that my husband's family is doing this for no reason. There's absolutely no reason."

Gage said she has received threats and is hesitant to appear in public because of these incidents.

"There's been death threats made on my life to where I can't even go out in public or large crowds," she said.

Gage has filed a report at the Russell County Sheriff's Office, but she said she is dissatisfied with their investigation. While the sheriff's department said it is actively investigating, it did not provide a statement.

Republicans Mitch Driscoll, Kevin Mravinec, Alan Kuntzsch, Anthony Mahoney, and Jamie Gage, along with Democrat Tom Mahoney, are running for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 in the Kansas primary election on Aug. 6.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722556443947.jpeg" alt="Candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 Jamie Gage. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 Jamie Gage. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostA Russell County candidate for county commission has reported that her campaign signs have been stolen and vandalized but expressed frustration about the response from local law enforcement.Republican Jamie Gage, a candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5,&nbsp;said in the past month, her promotional materials, ranging from yard signs to large banners, have been stolen or defaced."The signs had been written all over with marker, with derogatory nasty comments and displayed them in my hometown Bunker Hill," she said.In addition, Gage said about 500 defamatory flyers were printed and distributed in businesses and on car windshields in Bunker Hill and Dorrance. The flyers were also mailed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722556202663.jpeg" alt="Defamatory flyer of candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 Jamie Gage. Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>Defamatory flyer of candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 Jamie Gage. Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722556264617.jpeg" alt="Defamatory sign of candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 Jamie Gage. Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>Defamatory sign of candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 Jamie Gage. Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Gage said two large banners have been stolen, with the most recent theft occurring on Tuesday on 193rd Street in Bunker Hill.According to Gage, there are eight suspects involved in attempts to undermine her campaign, including family members from outside the county."[My mother-in-law] is the one that printed them out and displayed them at a couple of bars in Dorrance, our gas station here in Bunker Hill and a couple of businesses in Russell, one of which was Dollar General," she said.&nbsp;Gage said she was the alleged victim in a pending assault case from an incident at a bar in Dorrance. She claims that individuals involved in that assault are also allegedly participating in the theft of her campaign signs.She said she is familiar with the suspects, as she and her husband have previously offered them financial assistance and employment."Some of these people involved were people that my husband and I have helped," she said. "It's sad that my husband's family is doing this for no reason. There's absolutely no reason."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722556123546.jpeg" alt="Vandalized campaign sign of candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 Jamie Gage. Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>Vandalized campaign sign of candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 Jamie Gage. Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722556348665.jpeg" alt="Vandalized campaign sign of candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 Jamie Gage. Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>Vandalized campaign sign of candidate for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 Jamie Gage. Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Gage said she has received threats and is hesitant to appear in public because of these incidents."There's been death threats made on my life to where I can't even go out in public or large crowds," she said.Gage has filed a report at the Russell County Sheriff's Office, but she said she is dissatisfied with their investigation. While the sheriff's department said it is actively investigating, it did not provide a statement.Republicans Mitch Driscoll, Kevin Mravinec, Alan Kuntzsch, Anthony Mahoney, and Jamie Gage, along with Democrat Tom Mahoney, are running for Russell County Commissioner in District 5 in the Kansas primary election on Aug. 6.

Russell County commissioner campaign signs stolen; candidate alleges death threats

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing journalist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/evan-gershkovich">Evan Gershkovich</a>&nbsp;and fellow American&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/paul-whelan">Paul Whelan</a>, along with dissidents including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vladimir-kara-murza-pulitzer-commentary-column-writing-db7f9cf85d5843c99f287bb240d52389">Vladimir Kara-Murza</a>, in a multinational deal that set two dozen people free.

Gershkovich, Whelan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-kurmasheva-crackdown-journalist-rferl-7a9bfe693edbfc8dd222e24d9baac46e">Alsu Kurmasheva</a>, a journalist with dual U.S.-Russia citizenship, arrived on American soil shortly before midnight for a joyful reunion with their families. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also were at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to greet them and dispense hugs all around.

The trade unfolded despite relations between Washington and Moscow being at their lowest point since the Cold War after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-joe-biden-business-europe-moscow-e88497e7e8d4ad178057b599cc9ec8f6">February 2022 invasion of Ukraine</a>.

Negotiators in backchannel talks at one point explored an exchange involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-navalny-prison-death-swap-ce214909b1088a1d67fa9cd323864f50">Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny</a>, but after his death in February ultimately stitched together a 24-person deal that required significant concessions from European allies, including the release of a Russian assassin, and secured freedom for a cluster of journalists, suspected spies, political prisoners and others.

Biden trumpeted the exchange, by far the largest in a series of swaps with Russia, as a diplomatic feat while welcoming families of the returning Americans to the White House. But the deal, like others before it, reflected an innate imbalance: The U.S. and allies gave up Russians charged or convicted of serious crimes in exchange for Russia releasing journalists, dissidents and others imprisoned by the country's highly politicized legal system on charges seen by the West as trumped-up.

“Deals like this one come with tough calls,” Biden said. He added, “There’s nothing that matters more to me than protecting Americans at home and abroad.”

Under the deal, Russia released Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was jailed in 2023 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evan-gershkovich-russia-espionage-trial-ef2e9fffc44570cf797e97aa6afa50a1#:~:text=YEKATERINBURG%2C%20Russia%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94,government%20have%20rejected%20as%20fabricated.">convicted in July of espionage charges</a>&nbsp;that he and the U.S. government vehemently denied. His family said in a statement released by the newspaper that “we can't wait to give him the biggest hug and see his sweet and brave smile up close." The paper's editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, called it a “joyous day.”

“While we waited for this momentous day, we were determined to be as loud as we could be on Evan’s behalf. We are so grateful for all the voices that were raised when his was silent. We can finally say, in unison, ‘Welcome home, Evan,’” she wrote in a letter posted online.

Also released was Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive jailed since 2018, also on espionage charges he and Washington have denied, and Kurmasheva, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist convicted in July of spreading false information about the Russian military, accusations her family and employer have rejected.

The three flew from Maryland to Texas and landed at Joint Base San Antonio early Friday to begin medical evaluations after spending some time with their family members. If they choose, they can receive treatment the military offers to wrongfully detained Americans.

The dissidents released included Kara-Murza, a Kremlin critic and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer serving 25 years on charges of treason widely seen as politically motivated, as well as multiple associates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/alexei-navalny">of Navalny</a>. Freed Kremlin critics included Oleg Orlov, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-orlov-nobel-sentenced-8539517d8b2c846706607584ba5f9bbb">veteran human rights campaigner convicted of discrediting the Russian military</a>, and Ilya Yashin,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-prisoners-dissident-yashin-06e10d17e2552393b6c517e6022103cf">imprisoned for criticizing the war in Ukraine</a>.

The Russian side got&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/belarus-german-sentenced-krieger-lukashenko-krasikov-f7d3d4c18245487557623c27664aedaf">Vadim Krasikov</a>, who was convicted in Germany in 2021 and sentenced to life in prison for killing a former Chechen rebel in a Berlin park two years earlier, apparently on the orders of Moscow’s security services. Throughout the negotiations, Moscow had been persistent in pressing for his release, with Putin himself raising it.

At the time of Navalny's death, officials were discussing a possible exchange involving Krasikov. But with that prospect erased, senior U.S. officials, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan, made a fresh push to encourage Germany to release Krasikov. In the end, a handful of the prisoners Russia released were either German nationals or dual German-Russian nationals.

Russia also received two alleged sleeper agents jailed in Slovenia, as well as three men charged by federal authorities in the U.S., including Roman Seleznev,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-c5bac679915f486bab26861bd991bc61">a convicted computer hacker and the son of a Russian lawmaker</a>, and Vadim Konoshchenok, a suspected Russian intelligence operative accused of providing American-made electronics and ammunition to the Russian military. Norway returned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norway-russia-brazilian-university-spy-1f93f5ddb7195f4b70fb394bf3403ef3">an academic arrested on suspicions of being a Russian spy</a>; Poland sent back a man it detained on espionage charges.

“Today is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world,” Biden said.

All told, six countries released at least one prisoner and a seventh, Turkey, participated by hosting the location for the swap, in Ankara.

Biden placed securing the release of Americans held wrongfully overseas at the top of his foreign policy agenda for the six months before he leaves office. In an Oval Office address discussing his decision to drop his bid for a second term, Biden said, “We’re also working around the clock to bring home Americans being unjustly detained all around the world.”

At one point Thursday, he grabbed the hand of Whelan's sister, Elizabeth, and said she had practically been living at the White House as the administration tried to free Paul. He then motioned for Kurmasheva’s daughter, Miriam, to come closer and took her hand, telling the room it was her 13th birthday. He asked everyone to sing “Happy Birthday” with him. She wiped tears from her eyes.

The Biden administration has now brought home more than 70 Americans detained in other countries as part of deals that have required the U.S. to give up a broad array of convicted criminals, including for drug and weapons offenses. The swaps, though celebrated with fanfare, have spurred criticism that they incentivize future hostage-taking and give adversaries leverage over the U.S. and its allies.

The U.S. government's top hostage negotiator, Roger Carstens, has sought to defend the deals by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-detainees-gershkovich-russia-venezuela-edeacd5736d0c9ce9c77bf68a6ccd7c8">saying the number of wrongfully detained Americans</a>&nbsp;has actually gone down even as swaps have increased.

Tucker, the Journal's editor-in-chief, acknowledged the debate, writing, “We know the U.S. government is keenly aware, as are we, that the only way to prevent a quickening cycle of arresting innocent people as pawns in cynical geopolitical games is to remove the incentive for Russia and other nations that pursue the same detestable practice."

Though she called for a change to the dynamic, “for now,” she wrote, “we are celebrating the return of Evan.”

Thursday’s swap of 24 prisoners surpassed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apnews.com/78e7f17b47bb445386bb36b92017a375/Spy-swap:-A-look-at-the-4-Russians-freed-in-2010-exchange">a deal involving 14 people</a>&nbsp;that was struck in 2010. In that exchange, Washington freed 10 Russians living in the U.S. as sleepers, while Moscow deported four Russians, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-acf8c155ad744f69aa5741177f0d9459">Sergei Skripal</a>, a double agent working with British intelligence. He and his daughter in 2018 were nearly killed in Britain by nerve agent poisoning blamed on Russian agents.

Speculation had mounted for weeks that a swap was near because of a confluence of unusual developments, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evan-gershkovich-russia-espionage-trial-ef2e9fffc44570cf797e97aa6afa50a1#:~:text=YEKATERINBURG%2C%20Russia%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94,government%20have%20rejected%20as%20fabricated.">a startlingly quick trial for Gershkovich</a>, which Washington regarded as a sham. He was sentenced to 16 years in a maximum-security prison.

In a trial that concluded in two days in secrecy in the same week as Gershkovich’s,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-kurmasheva-crackdown-journalist-rferl-7a9bfe693edbfc8dd222e24d9baac46e">Kurmasheva was convicted</a>&nbsp;on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military that her family, employer and U.S. officials rejected. Also in recent days,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-prisoners-dissident-yashin-06e10d17e2552393b6c517e6022103cf">several other figures imprisoned</a>&nbsp;in Russia for speaking out against the war in Ukraine or over their work with Navalny were moved from prison to unknown locations.

Gershkovich was arrested March 29, 2023, while on a reporting trip to the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg. Authorities claimed, without offering any evidence, that he was gathering secret information for the U.S. The son of Soviet emigres who settled in New Jersey, he moved to Russia in 2017 to work for The Moscow Times newspaper before being hired by the Journal in 2022.

Gershkovich was designated as wrongfully detained, as was Whelan, who was detained in December 2018 after traveling to Russia for a wedding.

Whelan, who was serving a 16-year prison sentence, had been excluded from prior high-profile deals involving Russia, including the April 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trevor-reed-russia-prisoner-marine-ukraine-bdfe9b245571f479c25a09d1872ac726">swap by Moscow of imprisoned Marine veteran Trevor Reed</a>&nbsp;for Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot convicted in a drug trafficking conspiracy. That December, the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-freed-viktor-bout-swap-us-russia-ee51f5c14f35dc4d4cf21224a8e44eaa">released notorious arms trafficker Viktor Bout</a>&nbsp;in exchange for WNBA star Brittney Griner, who had been jailed on drug charges.

“Paul Whelan is free. Our family is grateful to the United States government for making Paul’s freedom a reality,” his family said in a statement.

On a warm and steamy night, the freed Americans lingered on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, soaking up the moment of their return to the U.S. They took selfies with family members and friends, shared hugs with Biden and Harris, and patted loved ones on the back and smothered them with kisses.

At one point, Biden gave Whelan the flag pin off his own lapel.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722592597964.png" alt="President Biden welcomes Paul Whelan home-image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>President Biden welcomes Paul Whelan home-image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing journalist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/evan-gershkovich">Evan Gershkovich</a>&nbsp;and fellow American&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/paul-whelan">Paul Whelan</a>, along with dissidents including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vladimir-kara-murza-pulitzer-commentary-column-writing-db7f9cf85d5843c99f287bb240d52389">Vladimir Kara-Murza</a>, in a multinational deal that set two dozen people free.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Happening Now: President Biden and Vice President Harris greet Americans freed from Russia at Joint Base Andrews. <a href="https://t.co/Z1gP6RUAIW">https://t.co/Z1gP6RUAIW</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1819218084537761849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Gershkovich, Whelan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-kurmasheva-crackdown-journalist-rferl-7a9bfe693edbfc8dd222e24d9baac46e">Alsu Kurmasheva</a>, a journalist with dual U.S.-Russia citizenship, arrived on American soil shortly before midnight for a joyful reunion with their families. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also were at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to greet them and dispense hugs all around.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, three American citizens and one American green-card holder who were unjustly imprisoned in Russia are finally coming home. Since taking office, President Biden and Vice President Harris have made clear that they will not stop working until every American wrongfully… <a href="https://t.co/ZvVVC2TuIh">pic.twitter.com/ZvVVC2TuIh</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1819186562766389632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The trade unfolded despite relations between Washington and Moscow being at their lowest point since the Cold War after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-joe-biden-business-europe-moscow-e88497e7e8d4ad178057b599cc9ec8f6">February 2022 invasion of Ukraine</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722593277039.png" alt="President Biden welcomes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/evan-gershkovich">Evan Gershkovich</a>&nbsp;home-image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>President Biden welcomes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/evan-gershkovich">Evan Gershkovich</a>&nbsp;home-image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>Negotiators in backchannel talks at one point explored an exchange involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-navalny-prison-death-swap-ce214909b1088a1d67fa9cd323864f50">Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny</a>, but after his death in February ultimately stitched together a 24-person deal that required significant concessions from European allies, including the release of a Russian assassin, and secured freedom for a cluster of journalists, suspected spies, political prisoners and others.Biden trumpeted the exchange, by far the largest in a series of swaps with Russia, as a diplomatic feat while welcoming families of the returning Americans to the White House. But the deal, like others before it, reflected an innate imbalance: The U.S. and allies gave up Russians charged or convicted of serious crimes in exchange for Russia releasing journalists, dissidents and others imprisoned by the country's highly politicized legal system on charges seen by the West as trumped-up.“Deals like this one come with tough calls,” Biden said. He added, “There’s nothing that matters more to me than protecting Americans at home and abroad.”Under the deal, Russia released Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was jailed in 2023 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evan-gershkovich-russia-espionage-trial-ef2e9fffc44570cf797e97aa6afa50a1#:~:text=YEKATERINBURG%2C%20Russia%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94,government%20have%20rejected%20as%20fabricated.">convicted in July of espionage charges</a>&nbsp;that he and the U.S. government vehemently denied. His family said in a statement released by the newspaper that “we can't wait to give him the biggest hug and see his sweet and brave smile up close." The paper's editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, called it a “joyous day.”“While we waited for this momentous day, we were determined to be as loud as we could be on Evan’s behalf. We are so grateful for all the voices that were raised when his was silent. We can finally say, in unison, ‘Welcome home, Evan,’” she wrote in a letter posted online.Also released was Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive jailed since 2018, also on espionage charges he and Washington have denied, and Kurmasheva, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist convicted in July of spreading false information about the Russian military, accusations her family and employer have rejected.The three flew from Maryland to Texas and landed at Joint Base San Antonio early Friday to begin medical evaluations after spending some time with their family members. If they choose, they can receive treatment the military offers to wrongfully detained Americans.The dissidents released included Kara-Murza, a Kremlin critic and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer serving 25 years on charges of treason widely seen as politically motivated, as well as multiple associates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/alexei-navalny">of Navalny</a>. Freed Kremlin critics included Oleg Orlov, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-orlov-nobel-sentenced-8539517d8b2c846706607584ba5f9bbb">veteran human rights campaigner convicted of discrediting the Russian military</a>, and Ilya Yashin,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-prisoners-dissident-yashin-06e10d17e2552393b6c517e6022103cf">imprisoned for criticizing the war in Ukraine</a>.The Russian side got&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/belarus-german-sentenced-krieger-lukashenko-krasikov-f7d3d4c18245487557623c27664aedaf">Vadim Krasikov</a>, who was convicted in Germany in 2021 and sentenced to life in prison for killing a former Chechen rebel in a Berlin park two years earlier, apparently on the orders of Moscow’s security services. Throughout the negotiations, Moscow had been persistent in pressing for his release, with Putin himself raising it.At the time of Navalny's death, officials were discussing a possible exchange involving Krasikov. But with that prospect erased, senior U.S. officials, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan, made a fresh push to encourage Germany to release Krasikov. In the end, a handful of the prisoners Russia released were either German nationals or dual German-Russian nationals.Russia also received two alleged sleeper agents jailed in Slovenia, as well as three men charged by federal authorities in the U.S., including Roman Seleznev,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-c5bac679915f486bab26861bd991bc61">a convicted computer hacker and the son of a Russian lawmaker</a>, and Vadim Konoshchenok, a suspected Russian intelligence operative accused of providing American-made electronics and ammunition to the Russian military. Norway returned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norway-russia-brazilian-university-spy-1f93f5ddb7195f4b70fb394bf3403ef3">an academic arrested on suspicions of being a Russian spy</a>; Poland sent back a man it detained on espionage charges.“Today is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world,” Biden said.All told, six countries released at least one prisoner and a seventh, Turkey, participated by hosting the location for the swap, in Ankara.Biden placed securing the release of Americans held wrongfully overseas at the top of his foreign policy agenda for the six months before he leaves office. In an Oval Office address discussing his decision to drop his bid for a second term, Biden said, “We’re also working around the clock to bring home Americans being unjustly detained all around the world.”At one point Thursday, he grabbed the hand of Whelan's sister, Elizabeth, and said she had practically been living at the White House as the administration tried to free Paul. He then motioned for Kurmasheva’s daughter, Miriam, to come closer and took her hand, telling the room it was her 13th birthday. He asked everyone to sing “Happy Birthday” with him. She wiped tears from her eyes.The Biden administration has now brought home more than 70 Americans detained in other countries as part of deals that have required the U.S. to give up a broad array of convicted criminals, including for drug and weapons offenses. The swaps, though celebrated with fanfare, have spurred criticism that they incentivize future hostage-taking and give adversaries leverage over the U.S. and its allies.The U.S. government's top hostage negotiator, Roger Carstens, has sought to defend the deals by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-detainees-gershkovich-russia-venezuela-edeacd5736d0c9ce9c77bf68a6ccd7c8">saying the number of wrongfully detained Americans</a>&nbsp;has actually gone down even as swaps have increased.Tucker, the Journal's editor-in-chief, acknowledged the debate, writing, “We know the U.S. government is keenly aware, as are we, that the only way to prevent a quickening cycle of arresting innocent people as pawns in cynical geopolitical games is to remove the incentive for Russia and other nations that pursue the same detestable practice."Though she called for a change to the dynamic, “for now,” she wrote, “we are celebrating the return of Evan.”Thursday’s swap of 24 prisoners surpassed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apnews.com/78e7f17b47bb445386bb36b92017a375/Spy-swap:-A-look-at-the-4-Russians-freed-in-2010-exchange">a deal involving 14 people</a>&nbsp;that was struck in 2010. In that exchange, Washington freed 10 Russians living in the U.S. as sleepers, while Moscow deported four Russians, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-acf8c155ad744f69aa5741177f0d9459">Sergei Skripal</a>, a double agent working with British intelligence. He and his daughter in 2018 were nearly killed in Britain by nerve agent poisoning blamed on Russian agents.Speculation had mounted for weeks that a swap was near because of a confluence of unusual developments, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evan-gershkovich-russia-espionage-trial-ef2e9fffc44570cf797e97aa6afa50a1#:~:text=YEKATERINBURG%2C%20Russia%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94,government%20have%20rejected%20as%20fabricated.">a startlingly quick trial for Gershkovich</a>, which Washington regarded as a sham. He was sentenced to 16 years in a maximum-security prison.In a trial that concluded in two days in secrecy in the same week as Gershkovich’s,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-kurmasheva-crackdown-journalist-rferl-7a9bfe693edbfc8dd222e24d9baac46e">Kurmasheva was convicted</a>&nbsp;on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military that her family, employer and U.S. officials rejected. Also in recent days,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-prisoners-dissident-yashin-06e10d17e2552393b6c517e6022103cf">several other figures imprisoned</a>&nbsp;in Russia for speaking out against the war in Ukraine or over their work with Navalny were moved from prison to unknown locations.Gershkovich was arrested March 29, 2023, while on a reporting trip to the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg. Authorities claimed, without offering any evidence, that he was gathering secret information for the U.S. The son of Soviet emigres who settled in New Jersey, he moved to Russia in 2017 to work for The Moscow Times newspaper before being hired by the Journal in 2022.Gershkovich was designated as wrongfully detained, as was Whelan, who was detained in December 2018 after traveling to Russia for a wedding.Whelan, who was serving a 16-year prison sentence, had been excluded from prior high-profile deals involving Russia, including the April 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trevor-reed-russia-prisoner-marine-ukraine-bdfe9b245571f479c25a09d1872ac726">swap by Moscow of imprisoned Marine veteran Trevor Reed</a>&nbsp;for Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot convicted in a drug trafficking conspiracy. That December, the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-freed-viktor-bout-swap-us-russia-ee51f5c14f35dc4d4cf21224a8e44eaa">released notorious arms trafficker Viktor Bout</a>&nbsp;in exchange for WNBA star Brittney Griner, who had been jailed on drug charges.“Paul Whelan is free. Our family is grateful to the United States government for making Paul’s freedom a reality,” his family said in a statement.On a warm and steamy night, the freed Americans lingered on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, soaking up the moment of their return to the U.S. They took selfies with family members and friends, shared hugs with Biden and Harris, and patted loved ones on the back and smothered them with kisses.At one point, Biden gave Whelan the flag pin off his own lapel.

🎥3 newly freed Americans are back on US soil after prisoner exchange with Russia

By CRISTINA JANNEY&nbsp; Hays Post

Hays Medical Center has been facing financial difficulty.

According to a report on the American Hospital Directory, HaysMed had an annual loss of $5.6 million as of June 2023.

Although the hospital has cut back staff and relied on traveling nurses to deal with its financial issues, <a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/480972107/202343179349308014/full">its current and former leadership earned more than $2 million in 2022, according to its 990 forms filed with the IRS.</a>

Eddie Herrman, CEO, earned $726,311 in 2022, according to the 990 form.

His contract was recently renewed by the board.

Former HaysMed urologist Wallace Michael Curry took to social media to sharply criticize the hospital's leadership following the contract renewal.

Brain Lang reportedly resigned from the HaysMed board in the wake of the renewal. However, the Hays Post reached out to Lang to confirm his resignation and inquire about his reasons for departing the board, but he did not return phone calls.&nbsp;

The Hays Post also submitted written questions to HaysMed about Lang's reported departure and a list of other concerns Curry addressed, including the hospital's financial health and staffing issues.

HaysMed has not returned any answers to those questions as of the posting of this story.

Wallace is not the only recent doctor to leave HaysMed. Longtime OBGYNs Drs. Lee Hodny and Joel Fort, and Dr. Anthony Acursso, oncologist, also have closed their practices.

Former longtime nurse Carol Groen, who retired in 2021 after 46 years, said the culture at the hospital is not good. She attributes this to the hospital's leadership.

Groen said she loved her job and the people she worked with.

However, she said some of the revelations coming out in the last two days on social media about the hospital have been "shocking."

Groen, who worked in accreditation, said the administration edited her reports to the board.

"There were times I had to take stuff out because that admin team only tells the board what they want the board to know," she said. "You can't always blame the board because they may not always know. But with what is happening now, they have to know what's going on."

"I think they keep things from them because the admin team wants to paint a picture that everything is going OK," she said.

"When I was there, several of us talked about it on a pretty regular basis: until they change that top administrative team, they are going to continue to have problems," Groen said.

Groen, as well as other medical staff who did not want to be named for fear of retaliation, said the hospital has a high turnover in its nursing staff.

She said that even in 2021, nurses were bullied by the administration.

"I felt when I worked there that I couldn't say anything," she said. "I needed my job. My kids were growing up, and my husband and I didn't want to leave this community."

At least three other members of the medical staff, who did not want their names used, said they had quit HaysMed because of issues with management and lack of raises.&nbsp;

Two moved out of state, but said they wanted to move back to be closer to family. A third said he was commuting hours to another community to work.

The hospital is using traveling nurses, which Groen said is not ideal.

"They have agency nurses in charge of floors, people who come in who live miles away from here that don't know our population, that don't know our patients, that don't know our processes."

Groen said she is concerned about the quality of patient care in light of the layoffs and turnover.

A nurse currently employed at the hospital who did not wish to have her name published for fear of retaliation said she also has concerns about patient care.

"You can talk to any nurse or CNA. They say they are all about patient care, but if they were, they would staff the hospital properly," she said, "and they would stop cutting nurses, turning away nurses, and hiring travels."

Hays Post asked HaysMed about the number of layoffs that had occurred at the hospital, but that was part of the questions that have yet to be returned.

A litany of people described instances on social media and contacted the Hays Post directly, alleging issues with their care at HaysMed in the last several years. These ranged from an incorrectly applied cast to death.

The HaysPost hopes to address these concerns in a later story.

Groen said she wants to see the hospital improve for the sake of her family and the community.

"I want Hays Medical Center to step up and make the changes. We deserve that in the community. Because if that place goes under, this town is in bad shape."

Editor's note: This is an emerging story. Please watch the Hays Post for more information as it becomes available. Thank you to all who reached out to the Hays Post. We are still trying to return calls and messages.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592337955905.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY&nbsp; Hays PostHays Medical Center has been facing financial difficulty.According to a report on the American Hospital Directory, HaysMed had an annual loss of $5.6 million as of June 2023.Although the hospital has cut back staff and relied on traveling nurses to deal with its financial issues, <a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/480972107/202343179349308014/full">its current and former leadership earned more than $2 million in 2022, according to its 990 forms filed with the IRS.</a>Eddie Herrman, CEO, earned $726,311 in 2022, according to the 990 form.His contract was recently renewed by the board.Former HaysMed urologist Wallace Michael Curry took to social media to sharply criticize the hospital's leadership following the contract renewal.Brain Lang reportedly resigned from the HaysMed board in the wake of the renewal. However, the Hays Post reached out to Lang to confirm his resignation and inquire about his reasons for departing the board, but he did not return phone calls.&nbsp;The Hays Post also submitted written questions to HaysMed about Lang's reported departure and a list of other concerns Curry addressed, including the hospital's financial health and staffing issues.HaysMed has not returned any answers to those questions as of the posting of this story.Wallace is not the only recent doctor to leave HaysMed. Longtime OBGYNs Drs. Lee Hodny and Joel Fort, and Dr. Anthony Acursso, oncologist, also have closed their practices.Former longtime nurse Carol Groen, who retired in 2021 after 46 years, said the culture at the hospital is not good. She attributes this to the hospital's leadership.Groen said she loved her job and the people she worked with.However, she said some of the revelations coming out in the last two days on social media about the hospital have been "shocking."Groen, who worked in accreditation, said the administration edited her reports to the board."There were times I had to take stuff out because that admin team only tells the board what they want the board to know," she said. "You can't always blame the board because they may not always know. But with what is happening now, they have to know what's going on.""I think they keep things from them because the admin team wants to paint a picture that everything is going OK," she said."When I was there, several of us talked about it on a pretty regular basis: until they change that top administrative team, they are going to continue to have problems," Groen said.Groen, as well as other medical staff who did not want to be named for fear of retaliation, said the hospital has a high turnover in its nursing staff.She said that even in 2021, nurses were bullied by the administration."I felt when I worked there that I couldn't say anything," she said. "I needed my job. My kids were growing up, and my husband and I didn't want to leave this community."At least three other members of the medical staff, who did not want their names used, said they had quit HaysMed because of issues with management and lack of raises.&nbsp;Two moved out of state, but said they wanted to move back to be closer to family. A third said he was commuting hours to another community to work.The hospital is using traveling nurses, which Groen said is not ideal."They have agency nurses in charge of floors, people who come in who live miles away from here that don't know our population, that don't know our patients, that don't know our processes."Groen said she is concerned about the quality of patient care in light of the layoffs and turnover.A nurse currently employed at the hospital who did not wish to have her name published for fear of retaliation said she also has concerns about patient care."You can talk to any nurse or CNA. They say they are all about patient care, but if they were, they would staff the hospital properly," she said, "and they would stop cutting nurses, turning away nurses, and hiring travels."Hays Post asked HaysMed about the number of layoffs that had occurred at the hospital, but that was part of the questions that have yet to be returned.A litany of people described instances on social media and contacted the Hays Post directly, alleging issues with their care at HaysMed in the last several years. These ranged from an incorrectly applied cast to death.The HaysPost hopes to address these concerns in a later story.Groen said she wants to see the hospital improve for the sake of her family and the community."I want Hays Medical Center to step up and make the changes. We deserve that in the community. Because if that place goes under, this town is in bad shape."Editor's note: This is an emerging story. Please watch the Hays Post for more information as it becomes available. Thank you to all who reached out to the Hays Post. We are still trying to return calls and messages.

HaysMed losses $5M; current, former staff express concerns about care, administration

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

WICHITA – Pitching once again led the way as the Hays Larks
advanced to the semifinals of the NBC World Series with a 4-2 win over Tulsa
Sandlot Thursday at Eck Stadium in Wichita.

Larks starter Ismael Cordoba allowed two runs, just one earned,
on four hits in 4 1/3 innings with three walks and four strikeouts. He did not
factor into the decision.

While he was holding the Sandlot bats at bay, the Larks were
able to scored single runs in four of the first six innings of the game.

The Larks got on the board first when Kaiden Ashton
connected on the first of his two triples and then scored on a Kaleb Duncan
infield single putting Hays up 1-0 in the top of the first inning.

In the third inning the Larks loaded the bases, for the
second time in the game, but just like in the first inning, they were held to
just one run. Houston Russell drove in a run with an RBI groundout for a 2-0
Hays lead.

Ashton led off the fourth with an infield single and then
stole second and third base setting up an RBI single for Garrett Gruell giving
Hays a 3-0 lead.

Tulsa cut Hays’ lead to one, scoring two runs in the bottom
of the fifth.

But in the top of the sixth Ashton tripled again and Duncan
drove him home for a second time in the game, with an RBI groundout, putting
Hays up 4-2 and the bullpen did the rest as Hays moved to 4-0 at the NBC and
back to the semifinals for the second time in three years.

Aiden Schmidgall earned the win with 3 2/3 innings scoreless
relief and Garrett Hicks picked up the save with a perfect ninth.

Offensively, Ashton finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored,
two stolen bases and two triples. Duncan drove in two runs and Gruell and Will
Carpenter each collected two hits.

Hays will take on Lonestar and Seattle in the 8:30 p.m.
semifinal game Friday at Eck Stadium.

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostWICHITA – Pitching once again led the way as the Hays Larks
advanced to the semifinals of the NBC World Series with a 4-2 win over Tulsa
Sandlot Thursday at Eck Stadium in Wichita.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1886959962&color=%23294b71&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/frank-leo-postgame-interview-hays-larks-08-01-24" title="Frank Leo Postgame Interview Hays Larks 08 - 01 - 24" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Frank Leo Postgame Interview Hays Larks 08 - 01 - 24</a></div></div>Larks starter Ismael Cordoba allowed two runs, just one earned,
on four hits in 4 1/3 innings with three walks and four strikeouts. He did not
factor into the decision.While he was holding the Sandlot bats at bay, the Larks were
able to scored single runs in four of the first six innings of the game.The Larks got on the board first when Kaiden Ashton
connected on the first of his two triples and then scored on a Kaleb Duncan
infield single putting Hays up 1-0 in the top of the first inning.In the third inning the Larks loaded the bases, for the
second time in the game, but just like in the first inning, they were held to
just one run. Houston Russell drove in a run with an RBI groundout for a 2-0
Hays lead.Ashton led off the fourth with an infield single and then
stole second and third base setting up an RBI single for Garrett Gruell giving
Hays a 3-0 lead.Tulsa cut Hays’ lead to one, scoring two runs in the bottom
of the fifth.But in the top of the sixth Ashton tripled again and Duncan
drove him home for a second time in the game, with an RBI groundout, putting
Hays up 4-2 and the bullpen did the rest as Hays moved to 4-0 at the NBC and
back to the semifinals for the second time in three years.Aiden Schmidgall earned the win with 3 2/3 innings scoreless
relief and Garrett Hicks picked up the save with a perfect ninth.Offensively, Ashton finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored,
two stolen bases and two triples. Duncan drove in two runs and Gruell and Will
Carpenter each collected two hits.Hays will take on Lonestar and Seattle in the 8:30 p.m.
semifinal game Friday at Eck Stadium.

⚾ Larks on to NBC semifinals with win over Tulsa

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Kansas City Chiefs defense is still discovering its identity during training camp, working to replace some key pieces from last year's squad.

With a defense full of new faces, people have had to learn new roles to step in and fill holes left after the losses of guys like L'Jarius Sneed and Willie Gay.

But overall, safety Bryan Cook feels while everything does take time, the defense is developing well.

"Everything that you want to be polishing away so that we can be able to compete at our highest level come the regular season, you're going to take little rinks and kinks," Cook tells reporter's post-practice. "Obviously LJ went on and moved on, and props to him, but now we have the opportunity to come together as a team with new faces and new guys to be brought into the system, so it's a challenge but we're looking pretty good so far."

The Chief's secondary has had their work cut out for them during training camp, being challenged by some speedy receivers

Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, Mecole Hardman, all guys who run a sub 4.5 40.

Cook says being challenged by all that speed has been great.

"4.3, 4.2, 4.3, 4.2, so that's a lot of work on our back end but every day we keep grinding, we get a chance to compete with them on the highest level," Cook explains. "Obviously 15 (Mahomes) throwing the pill the way he is, so just every day is a competition, every day we look forward to it."

In fact, during today's practice Worthy burned past Cook for what would have been a 50-yard score.

The past week of practice has seen Brown, Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Hardman all on the field at the same time making plays.

Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy says they're very optimistic about this year's receiving room, but it's important to get them to work together.

"Being able to put those three guys together in unison schematically, learning how to win versus man, having a great feel and learning how to get open for Pat in zone, Kelce is phenomenal at that versus zone, so they get to watch Kelce in zone," Nagy says. "So, it's important that the three of those guys get together and we can move them around like pieces of the puzzle."

The Chiefs practice again tomorrow at 9:15 a.m.

One new player was added to the injury report during Thursday's practice, while everyone who left practice on Wednesday remained out.

Safety Deon Bush was absent from practice today with an ankle injury. Nick Bolton remained sidelined with an elbow injury and Kadarius Toney sat out practice with an ankle injury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722536779730.jpeg" alt="Chiefs safety Bryan Cook makes a play on a ball during practice on Thursday (Alexis Starks photo)" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs safety Bryan Cook makes a play on a ball during practice on Thursday (Alexis Starks photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph PostST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Kansas City Chiefs defense is still discovering its identity during training camp, working to replace some key pieces from last year's squad.With a defense full of new faces, people have had to learn new roles to step in and fill holes left after the losses of guys like L'Jarius Sneed and Willie Gay.But overall, safety Bryan Cook feels while everything does take time, the defense is developing well."Everything that you want to be polishing away so that we can be able to compete at our highest level come the regular season, you're going to take little rinks and kinks," Cook tells reporter's post-practice. "Obviously LJ went on and moved on, and props to him, but now we have the opportunity to come together as a team with new faces and new guys to be brought into the system, so it's a challenge but we're looking pretty good so far."The Chief's secondary has had their work cut out for them during training camp, being challenged by some speedy receiversHollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, Mecole Hardman, all guys who run a sub 4.5 40.Cook says being challenged by all that speed has been great."4.3, 4.2, 4.3, 4.2, so that's a lot of work on our back end but every day we keep grinding, we get a chance to compete with them on the highest level," Cook explains. "Obviously 15 (Mahomes) throwing the pill the way he is, so just every day is a competition, every day we look forward to it."In fact, during today's practice Worthy burned past Cook for what would have been a 50-yard score.The past week of practice has seen Brown, Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Hardman all on the field at the same time making plays.Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy says they're very optimistic about this year's receiving room, but it's important to get them to work together."Being able to put those three guys together in unison schematically, learning how to win versus man, having a great feel and learning how to get open for Pat in zone, Kelce is phenomenal at that versus zone, so they get to watch Kelce in zone," Nagy says. "So, it's important that the three of those guys get together and we can move them around like pieces of the puzzle."The Chiefs practice again tomorrow at 9:15 a.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722538543069.jpeg" alt="Chiefs receiver Skyy Moore (24) attempts to make a catch while being defended by Joshua Williams (2) during training camp Thursday. (Alexis Starks photo)" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs receiver Skyy Moore (24) attempts to make a catch while being defended by Joshua Williams (2) during training camp Thursday. (Alexis Starks photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>INJURY REPORTOne new player was added to the injury report during Thursday's practice, while everyone who left practice on Wednesday remained out.Safety Deon Bush was absent from practice today with an ankle injury. Nick Bolton remained sidelined with an elbow injury and Kadarius Toney sat out practice with an ankle injury.

🏈 Chiefs secondary put to test by new, speedy receivers

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A look at some of those released Thursday in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-gershkovich-whelan-d803e266cb4e60135ec5d668d684529f">largest East-West civilian prisoner swap</a>&nbsp;since the Cold War:

EVAN GERSHKOVICH,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evan-gershkovich-russia-espionage-trial-ef2e9fffc44570cf797e97aa6afa50a1">a Wall Street Journal reporter</a>, was detained in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in March 2023. Without providing evidence, authorities accused him of “gathering secret information” at the CIA’s behest about a military equipment factory — an allegation that Gershkovich, his employer and the U.S. government vehemently denied. Jailed since then, a court convicted Gershkovich, 32, of espionage in July after a closed trial and sentenced him to 16 years in prison.

PAUL WHELAN, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-politics-paul-whelan-united-states-government-russia-12269e0de0292a5cd590f034b2700b36">corporate security executive</a>&nbsp;from Michigan, was arrested in 2018 in Moscow, where he was attending a friend’s wedding. He was accused of espionage, convicted in 2020 and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Whelan, 54, has rejected the charges as fabricated.

ILYA YASHIN is a prominent Kremlin critic who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/putin-moscow-ukraine-government-ilya-yashin-russia-2967e1e91816f74eaab8cb7cd661eec6">serving an 8 1/2-year sentence</a>&nbsp;for criticizing Russia’s war in Ukraine. Yashin, a former member of a Moscow municipal council, was one of the few well-known opposition activists to stay in Russia since the war.

RICO KRIEGER,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/belarus-german-sentenced-krieger-lukashenko-krasikov-f7d3d4c18245487557623c27664aedaf">a German medical worker</a>, was convicted in Belarus of terrorism charges in June, and sentenced to death. He was pardoned Tuesday by authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.

VADIM KRASIKOV was convicted in 2021 of shooting to death Zelimkhan “Tornike” Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian citizen of Chechen ethnicity, in a Berlin park. The German judges concluded it was an assassination ordered by the Russian security services.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vadim-krasikov-navalny-prisoner-swap-russia-germany-db84e1f39b8c5dc0cbeedf3bcd22860c">Krasikov, 58,</a>&nbsp;was sentenced to life imprisonment. President Vladimir Putin this year hinted at a possible swap for Krasikov.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing journalist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/evan-gershkovich">Evan Gershkovich</a>&nbsp;and fellow American former U.S. Marine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/paul-whelan">Paul Whelan</a>&nbsp;in a multinational deal that set some two dozen people free, according to officials in Turkey, where the exchange took place.

The trade followed years of secretive back-channel negotiations despite relations between Washington and Moscow being at their lowest point since the Cold War after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-joe-biden-business-europe-moscow-e88497e7e8d4ad178057b599cc9ec8f6">February 2022 invasion of Ukraine</a>.

The sprawling deal, the latest in a series of prisoner swaps negotiated between Russia and the U.S. in the last two years but the first to require significant concessions from other countries. But the release of Americans has come at a price: Russia has secured the freedom of its own nationals convicted of serious crimes in the West by trading them for journalists, dissidents and other Westerners convicted and sentenced in a highly politicized legal system on charges the U.S. considers bogus.

In a statement posted online, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty President and CEO Stephen Capus acknowledged media reports that a journalist working for the broadcaster,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-kurmasheva-crackdown-journalist-rferl-7a9bfe693edbfc8dd222e24d9baac46e">Alsu Kurmasheva</a>, would be released as part of the deal.

Capus said the broadcaster welcomed ’’news of Alsu’s imminent release and are grateful to the American government and all who worked tirelessly to end her unjust treatment by Russia.” Kurmasheva, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was convicted in July of spreading false information about the Russian military, accusations her family and employer have rejected.

The deal would be the latest exchange in the last two years between Washington and Moscow, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-middle-east-united-states-government-and-politics-5b4736d2428014066683605731affa8a">a December 2022 trade that brought WNBA star Brittney Griner</a>&nbsp;back to the U.S. in exchange for notorious arms trafficker Viktor Bout and a swap earlier that year of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trevor-reed-russia-prisoner-marine-ukraine-bdfe9b245571f479c25a09d1872ac726">Marine veteran Trevor Reed for Konstantin Yaroshenko</a>, a Russian pilot convicted in a drug trafficking conspiracy.

President Joe Biden placed securing the release of Americans held wrongfully overseas at the top of his foreign policy agenda for the six months before he leaves office. In his Oval Office address to the American people discussing his recent decision to drop his bid for a second term, the Democrat said, “We’re also working around the clock to bring home Americans being unjustly detained all around the world.”

Russia has long been interested in getting back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/belarus-german-sentenced-krieger-lukashenko-krasikov-f7d3d4c18245487557623c27664aedaf">Vadim Krasikov</a>, who was convicted in Germany in 2021 of killing a former Chechen rebel in a Berlin park two years earlier, apparently on the orders of Moscow’s security services.

Speculation had mounted for weeks that a swap was near because of a confluence of unusual developments, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evan-gershkovich-russia-espionage-trial-ef2e9fffc44570cf797e97aa6afa50a1#:~:text=YEKATERINBURG%2C%20Russia%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94,government%20have%20rejected%20as%20fabricated.">a startingly quick trial and conviction for Gershkovich</a>&nbsp;that Washington regarded as a sham. He was sentenced to 16 years in a maximum-security prison.

Also in recent days,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-prisoners-dissident-yashin-06e10d17e2552393b6c517e6022103cf">several other figures imprisoned</a>&nbsp;in Russia for speaking out against the war in Ukraine or over their work with the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny were moved from prison to unknown locations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681820900687.png" alt="File photo Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the Moscow City Court, in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)" />
 <figcaption>File photo Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the Moscow City Court, in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)</figcaption>
 </figure>TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A look at some of those released Thursday in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-gershkovich-whelan-d803e266cb4e60135ec5d668d684529f">largest East-West civilian prisoner swap</a>&nbsp;since the Cold War:<h2>Released by Russia and Belarus</h2>EVAN GERSHKOVICH,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evan-gershkovich-russia-espionage-trial-ef2e9fffc44570cf797e97aa6afa50a1">a Wall Street Journal reporter</a>, was detained in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in March 2023. Without providing evidence, authorities accused him of “gathering secret information” at the CIA’s behest about a military equipment factory — an allegation that Gershkovich, his employer and the U.S. government vehemently denied. Jailed since then, a court convicted Gershkovich, 32, of espionage in July after a closed trial and sentenced him to 16 years in prison.PAUL WHELAN, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-politics-paul-whelan-united-states-government-russia-12269e0de0292a5cd590f034b2700b36">corporate security executive</a>&nbsp;from Michigan, was arrested in 2018 in Moscow, where he was attending a friend’s wedding. He was accused of espionage, convicted in 2020 and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Whelan, 54, has rejected the charges as fabricated.ILYA YASHIN is a prominent Kremlin critic who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/putin-moscow-ukraine-government-ilya-yashin-russia-2967e1e91816f74eaab8cb7cd661eec6">serving an 8 1/2-year sentence</a>&nbsp;for criticizing Russia’s war in Ukraine. Yashin, a former member of a Moscow municipal council, was one of the few well-known opposition activists to stay in Russia since the war.RICO KRIEGER,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/belarus-german-sentenced-krieger-lukashenko-krasikov-f7d3d4c18245487557623c27664aedaf">a German medical worker</a>, was convicted in Belarus of terrorism charges in June, and sentenced to death. He was pardoned Tuesday by authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.<h2>Released by Germany</h2>VADIM KRASIKOV was convicted in 2021 of shooting to death Zelimkhan “Tornike” Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian citizen of Chechen ethnicity, in a Berlin park. The German judges concluded it was an assassination ordered by the Russian security services.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vadim-krasikov-navalny-prisoner-swap-russia-germany-db84e1f39b8c5dc0cbeedf3bcd22860c">Krasikov, 58,</a>&nbsp;was sentenced to life imprisonment. President Vladimir Putin this year hinted at a possible swap for Krasikov.--------------WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing journalist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/evan-gershkovich">Evan Gershkovich</a>&nbsp;and fellow American former U.S. Marine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/paul-whelan">Paul Whelan</a>&nbsp;in a multinational deal that set some two dozen people free, according to officials in Turkey, where the exchange took place.The trade followed years of secretive back-channel negotiations despite relations between Washington and Moscow being at their lowest point since the Cold War after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-joe-biden-business-europe-moscow-e88497e7e8d4ad178057b599cc9ec8f6">February 2022 invasion of Ukraine</a>.The sprawling deal, the latest in a series of prisoner swaps negotiated between Russia and the U.S. in the last two years but the first to require significant concessions from other countries. But the release of Americans has come at a price: Russia has secured the freedom of its own nationals convicted of serious crimes in the West by trading them for journalists, dissidents and other Westerners convicted and sentenced in a highly politicized legal system on charges the U.S. considers bogus.In a statement posted online, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty President and CEO Stephen Capus acknowledged media reports that a journalist working for the broadcaster,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-kurmasheva-crackdown-journalist-rferl-7a9bfe693edbfc8dd222e24d9baac46e">Alsu Kurmasheva</a>, would be released as part of the deal.Capus said the broadcaster welcomed ’’news of Alsu’s imminent release and are grateful to the American government and all who worked tirelessly to end her unjust treatment by Russia.” Kurmasheva, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen, was convicted in July of spreading false information about the Russian military, accusations her family and employer have rejected.The deal would be the latest exchange in the last two years between Washington and Moscow, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brittney-griner-middle-east-united-states-government-and-politics-5b4736d2428014066683605731affa8a">a December 2022 trade that brought WNBA star Brittney Griner</a>&nbsp;back to the U.S. in exchange for notorious arms trafficker Viktor Bout and a swap earlier that year of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trevor-reed-russia-prisoner-marine-ukraine-bdfe9b245571f479c25a09d1872ac726">Marine veteran Trevor Reed for Konstantin Yaroshenko</a>, a Russian pilot convicted in a drug trafficking conspiracy.President Joe Biden placed securing the release of Americans held wrongfully overseas at the top of his foreign policy agenda for the six months before he leaves office. In his Oval Office address to the American people discussing his recent decision to drop his bid for a second term, the Democrat said, “We’re also working around the clock to bring home Americans being unjustly detained all around the world.”Russia has long been interested in getting back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/belarus-german-sentenced-krieger-lukashenko-krasikov-f7d3d4c18245487557623c27664aedaf">Vadim Krasikov</a>, who was convicted in Germany in 2021 of killing a former Chechen rebel in a Berlin park two years earlier, apparently on the orders of Moscow’s security services.Speculation had mounted for weeks that a swap was near because of a confluence of unusual developments, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/evan-gershkovich-russia-espionage-trial-ef2e9fffc44570cf797e97aa6afa50a1#:~:text=YEKATERINBURG%2C%20Russia%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94,government%20have%20rejected%20as%20fabricated.">a startingly quick trial and conviction for Gershkovich</a>&nbsp;that Washington regarded as a sham. He was sentenced to 16 years in a maximum-security prison.Also in recent days,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-prisoners-dissident-yashin-06e10d17e2552393b6c517e6022103cf">several other figures imprisoned</a>&nbsp;in Russia for speaking out against the war in Ukraine or over their work with the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny were moved from prison to unknown locations.Gershkovich was arrested March 29, 2023, while on a reporting trip to the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg. Authorities claimed, without offering any evidence, that he was gathering secret information for the U.S. The son of Soviet emigres who settled in New Jersey, he moved to the country in 2017 to work for The Moscow Times newspaper before being hired by the Journal in 2022.He had more than a dozen closed hearings over the extension of his pretrial detention or appeals for his release. He was taken to the courthouse in handcuffs and appeared in the defendants’ cage, often smiling for the many cameras.U.S. officials last year made an offer to swap Gershkovich that was rejected by Russia, and Biden’s Democratic administration had not made public any possible deals since then.Gershkovich was designated as wrongfully detained, as was Whelan, who was detained in December 2018 after traveling to Russia for a wedding. Whelan was convicted of espionage charges, which he and the U.S. have also said were false and trumped up, and he is serving a 16-year prison sentence.Whelan had been excluded from prior high-profile deals involving Russia, including those involving Reed and Griner.____Litvinova reported from Tallinn, Estonia, and Lee from Mongolia. Associated Press writer Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.