JOHNSON COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for violent child sex crimes.

This week, Judge T. Kelly Ryan sentenced 36-year-old Timothy Ryan Hugo to Life without the possibility of parole for 25-years for aggravated indecent liberties, rape of a child under 14 and aggravated criminal sodomy, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office. The crimes were committed in 2019, according to online jail records.

In July, a jury found Hugo guilty of two counts of aggravated indecent liberties, two counts of rape of a child under 14 and aggravated sodomy. He has in the Johnson County Detention Center since October 2021, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722275116463.png" alt="Hugo-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hugo-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for violent child sex crimes.This week, Judge T. Kelly Ryan sentenced 36-year-old Timothy Ryan Hugo to Life without the possibility of parole for 25-years for aggravated indecent liberties, rape of a child under 14 and aggravated criminal sodomy, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office. The crimes were committed in 2019, according to online jail records.He registered a sex offender this week.In July, a jury found Hugo guilty of two counts of aggravated indecent liberties, two counts of rape of a child under 14 and aggravated sodomy. He has in the Johnson County Detention Center since October 2021, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

Kansas man going to prison for violent child sex crimes

GRANT COUNTY, Nebraska —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 5:30 p.m. October 24, while working traffic North of Hyannis on Hwy 61, a Grant County Deputy stopped a Kansas registered vehicle traveling south bound doing 75 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to a media release.

An investigation revealed a 38- year old man from Wichita was in possession of suspected large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana, cash and paraphernalia.

With the assistance of Nebraska State Patrol and Box Butte County Sheriff's Office, the man was arrested for multiple drug charges and transported to the Box Butte County Jail without incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729785025424.jpeg" alt="Photos Grant Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Grant Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>GRANT COUNTY, Nebraska —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man on drug allegations after a traffic stop.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729785041197.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 5:30 p.m. October 24, while working traffic North of Hyannis on Hwy 61, a Grant County Deputy stopped a Kansas registered vehicle traveling south bound doing 75 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729785056243.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>An investigation revealed a 38- year old man from Wichita was in possession of suspected large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamines, marijuana, cash and paraphernalia.With the assistance of Nebraska State Patrol and Box Butte County Sheriff's Office, the man was arrested for multiple drug charges and transported to the Box Butte County Jail without incident.

Kan. man, driving 75mph in a 60,  caught with large quantities of cocaine

Missouri Southern (1-7, 0-6 MIAA) at RV/- Fort Hays State (5-3, 3-3 MIAA) Saturday, October 26 – 1 p.m. Hays, Kan. – Lewis Field

Radio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>

Promotions Senior Day – Tiger Seniors will be recognized 30 minutes before kickoff Hall of Fame Game – Newest members of the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame recognized at halftime

Fort Hays State Football will play its final home game of the regular season on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. as the Tigers take on Missouri Southern. It's Senior Day as 23 student-athletes on the football team will be recognized 30 minutes before the game. It is also the Hall of Fame Game this year as the newest members of the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame will be honored at halftime.

The Tigers are coming off a tough one-point loss to a Top-10 ranked Pittsburg State team last week in Pittsburg. The Tigers never trailed in the game until the final minute when the Gorillas scored a touchdown to go ahead by one. It was the first game this year in which FHSU scored less than 20 points, falling 18-17.The Tigers are seeking their first unbeaten season at home since 2018 when they finished 6-0 at Lewis Field Stadium. The Tigers are 5-0 at home so far this season with a pair of wins over AFCA Top 25 ranked teams.

Fort Hays State has won nine of the last 10 meetings with Missouri Southern and now holds a 19-14-1 advantage in the all-time series. A 25-24 win by the Lions in Hays in 2022 stopped an eight-game win streak by the Tigers. FHSU has averaged 39.0 points per game in its last 10 contests against Missouri Southern.

Missouri Southern is coming off a 42-21 loss at Washburn. The Lions have lost their last three games after claiming a 27-20 win at Northeastern State back on September 28. The Lions are allowing an average of 40.5 points per game this season. Five opponents this year have scored at least 40 against the Lions. Even though the Lions are 1-7 overall, two of their losses were one-score games.

Fort Hays State won last year's meeting with Missouri Southern by a score of 35-22 in Joplin. The Lions were within six points of the Tigers early in the fourth quarter, but sealed the win on a touchdown with 3:39 remaining in the game.

The Tigers own an 11-4 advantage in the series history between the teams in MIAA play. That includes a 5-3 mark in Hays and 6-1 mark in Joplin. FHSU won the last six games contested between the schools in Joplin.

Fort Hays State owns the third-best redzone defense in NCAA Division II, allowing opponents to score only 55 percent of the time. The Tigers rank fourth nationally in fumbles recovered with eight this year.

Shane Watts&nbsp;leads the Tigers in rushing with 677 yards. His 11 total touchdowns for the season (9 rushing, 2 receiving) puts him second in the MIAA in scoring with 66 points. Jayden Horace&nbsp;leads in receiving with 39 catches for 490 yards and five touchdowns. He now has 2,337 receiving yards in his career with 24 touchdowns, which includes two years at Allen University and two at Fort Hays State.

Defensively, Makel Williams continues to lead the Tiger and the MIAA in tackles with 70. He has reached double figures in tackles in four games this season. Myles Menges&nbsp;leads the Tigers and is tied for the MIAA lead in sacks with 5.0. FHSU has the third-best scoring defense in the MIAA, allowing just 18.8 points per game.

Fort Hays State has 23 players being recognized for Senior Day. The group includes Carson Arndt, Diego Barroso, Garrett Bishop, Sam Brandt, Ty Cooper, Jack Dawson, Sloan Hayden, Logan Heigele, Jayden Horace, Parker Janky, Myles Menges, Trevion Mitcherll, Mason Perez, Dawson Reynolds, Kobe Rome, Demetri Scott, Hunter Trail, Shane Watts, Ryley Wheat, Benyon Williams, Makel Williams and Kamren&nbsp; Xaysongkham.

The seven individuals being inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday morning include Gary Grubb (Track and Field, 1974-75), Randy Hill (Wrestling, 1975-79), Don Carter (Track and Field, 1985-87), Chris Capettini (Football, 1988-91), Darcie Schmitz (Track and Field, 2009-11), Dominique Jones (Men's Basketball (2009-11), and Kate Lehman (Women's Basketball, 2011-15).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729915582464.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU AthleticsMissouri Southern (1-7, 0-6 MIAA) at RV/- Fort Hays State (5-3, 3-3 MIAA) Saturday, October 26 – 1 p.m. Hays, Kan. – Lewis FieldRadio:&nbsp;KJLS (103.3)&nbsp;<a href="https://mix103fm.com/">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN</a> Video:&nbsp;MIAA Network:&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/fhsutigers/">CLICK HERE TO WATCH ($)</a>Promotions Senior Day – Tiger Seniors will be recognized 30 minutes before kickoff Hall of Fame Game – Newest members of the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame recognized at halftimeFort Hays State Football will play its final home game of the regular season on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. as the Tigers take on Missouri Southern. It's Senior Day as 23 student-athletes on the football team will be recognized 30 minutes before the game. It is also the Hall of Fame Game this year as the newest members of the Tiger Sports Hall of Fame will be honored at halftime.The Tigers are coming off a tough one-point loss to a Top-10 ranked Pittsburg State team last week in Pittsburg. The Tigers never trailed in the game until the final minute when the Gorillas scored a touchdown to go ahead by one. It was the first game this year in which FHSU scored less than 20 points, falling 18-17.The Tigers are seeking their first unbeaten season at home since 2018 when they finished 6-0 at Lewis Field Stadium. The Tigers are 5-0 at home so far this season with a pair of wins over AFCA Top 25 ranked teams.Fort Hays State has won nine of the last 10 meetings with Missouri Southern and now holds a 19-14-1 advantage in the all-time series. A 25-24 win by the Lions in Hays in 2022 stopped an eight-game win streak by the Tigers. FHSU has averaged 39.0 points per game in its last 10 contests against Missouri Southern.Missouri Southern is coming off a 42-21 loss at Washburn. The Lions have lost their last three games after claiming a 27-20 win at Northeastern State back on September 28. The Lions are allowing an average of 40.5 points per game this season. Five opponents this year have scored at least 40 against the Lions. Even though the Lions are 1-7 overall, two of their losses were one-score games.Fort Hays State won last year's meeting with Missouri Southern by a score of 35-22 in Joplin. The Lions were within six points of the Tigers early in the fourth quarter, but sealed the win on a touchdown with 3:39 remaining in the game.The Tigers own an 11-4 advantage in the series history between the teams in MIAA play. That includes a 5-3 mark in Hays and 6-1 mark in Joplin. FHSU won the last six games contested between the schools in Joplin.Fort Hays State owns the third-best redzone defense in NCAA Division II, allowing opponents to score only 55 percent of the time. The Tigers rank fourth nationally in fumbles recovered with eight this year.Shane Watts&nbsp;leads the Tigers in rushing with 677 yards. His 11 total touchdowns for the season (9 rushing, 2 receiving) puts him second in the MIAA in scoring with 66 points. Jayden Horace&nbsp;leads in receiving with 39 catches for 490 yards and five touchdowns. He now has 2,337 receiving yards in his career with 24 touchdowns, which includes two years at Allen University and two at Fort Hays State.Defensively, Makel Williams continues to lead the Tiger and the MIAA in tackles with 70. He has reached double figures in tackles in four games this season. Myles Menges&nbsp;leads the Tigers and is tied for the MIAA lead in sacks with 5.0. FHSU has the third-best scoring defense in the MIAA, allowing just 18.8 points per game.Fort Hays State has 23 players being recognized for Senior Day. The group includes Carson Arndt, Diego Barroso, Garrett Bishop, Sam Brandt, Ty Cooper, Jack Dawson, Sloan Hayden, Logan Heigele, Jayden Horace, Parker Janky, Myles Menges, Trevion Mitcherll, Mason Perez, Dawson Reynolds, Kobe Rome, Demetri Scott, Hunter Trail, Shane Watts, Ryley Wheat, Benyon Williams, Makel Williams and Kamren&nbsp; Xaysongkham.The seven individuals being inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday morning include Gary Grubb (Track and Field, 1974-75), Randy Hill (Wrestling, 1975-79), Don Carter (Track and Field, 1985-87), Chris Capettini (Football, 1988-91), Darcie Schmitz (Track and Field, 2009-11), Dominique Jones (Men's Basketball (2009-11), and Kate Lehman (Women's Basketball, 2011-15).

🏈🎧 LISTEN: Tigers host Lions for Senior Day / Hall of Fame Game

Saturday, October 26
 KJLS: Fort Hays State FB vs. Missouri Southern State,
12:00pm
 KAYS: Kansas FB at Kansas State, TBD

Sunday, October 27
 KFIX: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Vegas Raiders,
2:00pm

Saturday, October 26
 KJLS: Fort Hays State FB vs. Missouri Southern State,
12:00pm
 KAYS: Kansas FB at Kansas State, TBDSunday, October 27
 KFIX: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Vegas Raiders,
2:00pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;centered their attention on Texas on Friday with both presidential candidates holding events in the staunchly Republican state. The vice president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-abortion-rights-2024-election-democrats-f228eedd3308dab2e1125fdf6029a4a2">teamed up with Beyoncé</a>&nbsp;for a rally aimed at highlighting the perilous medical fallout from the state’s strict abortion ban and putting the blame squarely on Trump.

Meanwhile, the former president held a news conference in Austin on Friday afternoon and sat down with podcaster Joe Rogan later in the day.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;visited a reservation in Arizona, a long-promised trip to Indian Country that Democrats hope could boost Harris' turnout effort in a key battleground state.

Trump’s three-hour interview with podcaster Joe Rogan has been released

The nation’s most listened-to podcaster pressed the former president on whether he’s “completely committed” to bringing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., into his administration.

“Oh, I completely am,” Trump responded. “But the only thing I want to be a little careful about with him is the environmental. Because he doesn’t like oil, I love oil and gas.”

He said he’ll tell Kennedy to “focus on health, do whatever you want.” Trump said he’s faced pressure not to work with Kennedy, citing “big Pharma” as one example.

Kennedy has been instrumental in spreading skepticism about vaccines, rejecting the overwhelming consensus among scientists that the benefits of inoculations outweigh the rare risk of side effects.

He also claims pharmaceutical companies conspire to prevent health improvements because they make so much money selling drugs to people with chronic illnesses.

Rogan also is skeptical of vaccines. Trump noted that “they’ve come up with some amazing things” such as the polio vaccine.

After embracing Beyoncé and Rowland, Harris took her spot at the mic, as the crowd cheered her name.

“It’s good to be back in Texas,” she said.

Harris started speaking at 10:20p ET, nearly an hour later than scheduled.

In her hometown of Houston, Beyoncé gave the city’s neighborhoods shoutouts, to raucous cheers from the crowd.

“We are all part of something much bigger,” she said. “We must vote, and we need you.”

“Our moment right now. it’s time for America to sing a new song. Our voices sing a chorus of unity,” she said, casting her remarks forward, and introducing Harris. “Are y’all ready to add your voice to the new American song? So let’s do this, ladies and gentlemen.”

Beyonce and Kelly Rowland take stage at Harris rally

Hometown hero&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/beyonce-knowles">Beyoncé</a>&nbsp;showed up at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris’</a>&nbsp;presidential campaign rally in Houston on Friday night. Her mother, Tina Knowles, introduced Beyoncé and her Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, who took the stage.

Rowland kicked things off, describing this as “a moment where we grab back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story of division and hatred,” she said. “We are grabbing back the pen.” She concluded, “Now Houston, you’ve already had a hand in creating destiny. So do what you do, and do this thing again.”

Texas Senate candidate Colin Allred takes stage at Harris rally

Allred thanked Harris for “coming to Texas and shining a light on what’s happening to Texas families and Texas women.”

The crowd broke out in cheers of “beat Ted Cruz” after the Democratic congressman said that, “with y’all’s help and God’s grace, we’re gonna beat Ted Cruz.”

“Do you hear that, Ted?” Allred asked.

Allred likened both his opponent and Trump to being too “small” to be effective leaders.

“Everything is bigger in Texas, but Ted Cruz is too small for Texas,” Allred said, eliciting cheers and laughter from the crowd.

Allred also remembered being at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when he said he “was going to defend the House floor from that mob,” while “Ted Cruz was hiding in a supply closet.

“I went to public school in Texas,” the former football linebacker said. “I’m not just going to sit there.”

Actress Jessica Alba kicks off Harris’ rally in Houston

Actress Jessica Alba kicked off Harris’ star-studded rally in Houston on Friday evening to praise the Democratic nominee as someone who “protects our freedoms and creates a brighter future, a more inclusive future for all.”

Harris is expected to focus her rally on abortion restrictions in the state and the consequences of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

Alba said: “As a woman I know we need a leader like Kamala Harris who is dedicated to protecting reproductive freedom, ensuring that decisions about your body are made by you, never by the government, because Kamala Harris understands that protecting reproductive freedom isn’t about politics, it’s about our right to choose.”

There doesn’t seem to be an empty seat at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, the site of Harris’ rally with Beyonce.

The more than 20,000-seat stadium is awash in light: flashing red, white and blue lights held by supporters in the stands and strobe lights. Large screens are flashing messages that say “Reproductive Freedom,” “Vote, “Trust Women,” Freedom” and “Vote for Reproductive Freedom.”

Harris is scheduled to speak at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Attendees are leaving Trump’s rally en masse as word spread the former president will be arriving late

Trump’s plane did not leave Austin, where he was taping a podcast interview, until not long before the rally was set to start.

It’s a chilly night, with temperatures in the low 50’s.

“Well, we rather they were on time,” said Medine Dahlquist from Bay City, Michigan. But, she said, it’s “worth the wait.”

Roughly 35 million people have voted early as of today

About 35 million people have voted early in the 2024 presidential election.

That’s roughly one-fifth the number of people who cast ballots in 2020. The robust total is due to Republicans voting ahead of time after largely refusing to do so the prior two elections because former President Donald Trump criticized the process.

Now, Trump wants his supporters to vote early.

Remember, early vote statistics don’t tell you who won, merely who showed up. We won’t see who they picked until votes are tallied after polls close on Nov. 5.

▶ Find out how many early votes have been cast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/2024-early-voting-tracker/">in your state</a>

Appeals court in Georgia declines to expedite review election ruling

An appeals court in the battleground state of Georgia has declined Friday to expedite the review of an appeal of a judge’s order that county election officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-rules-certification-03f6bc623d9f6aeeb3f9dc47823d03f9">must vote to certify results</a>&nbsp;by the deadline set in law.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled this month that county election officials cannot refuse to certify election results. His ruling came in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-elections-fulton-county-julie-adams-79c93a5820eb8a9ecf6856171db72c10">lawsuit filed by Julie Adams</a>&nbsp;a Republican member of the election board in Fulton County, which includes most of Atlanta and is a Democratic stronghold.

Adams appealed that order Wednesday and asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to hear it on an expedited basis.

But the appeals court’s decision means that McBurney’s order will almost certainly remain in effect through the deadline for county officials to certify results, which this year falls on Nov. 12.

South Carolina judge rules it’s too late to re-open voter registration after DMV mishap

A judge in South Carolina ruled Friday it is too late for the state to reopen voter registration for nearly 1,900 teens after the state Department of Motor Vehicles failed to notify election officials that they checked the box to register as they got their driver’s licenses.

The teens were 17 at the time they went to the DMV, but would be 18 by Election Day.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit to reopen registration Tuesday, a day after early voting started in South Carolina.

Lawyers for the DMV, election officials and lawmakers say they are sympathetic toward the teens, but it would be chaotic to reopen registration this close to Election Day.

Judge Daniel Coble’s decision came about six hours after he heard arguments in the case.

Early voting started on Monday in South Carolina and in the first four days, more than 500,000 votes have been cast.

“Our government failed these young voters, and now the same government is making excuses rather than making things right. When ‘It’s too hard to fix’ becomes an acceptable reason to disenfranchise voters, we know that there’s work to do,” ACLU of South Carolina Legal Director Allen Chaney said in a statement after the ruling.

Trump meets execs from Bezos-owned Blue Origin

After he spoke in Austin, Trump greeted executives from Blue Origin, the space exploration company owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos.

Bezos is the founder of Amazon and the owner of The Washington Post, which reported Friday that its editorial board won’t endorse a candidate for president. The decision was framed as a return to earlier tradition, but it sparked speculation that Bezos wants to avoid antagonizing Trump, who has vowed retribution against his enemies and critics if he returns to the White House.

The Post editorial board endorsed Trump’s Democratic rivals in 2016 and 2020, and the former president has often railed against critical news coverage by the newspaper.

Trump spoke briefly with Blue Origin’s CEO, David Limp, and vice president of government relations, Megan Mitchell, as he left a hangar where he spoke to supporters and journalists at the Austin airport.

The conversation underscores the web of diverse and competing interests in the Bezos business empire. Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to questions about whether the conversation had been planned and whether they had attended the event.

Bezos bought the Washington Post in 2013. He made the purchase as an individual and&nbsp;<a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a>&nbsp;Inc. was not involved. Bezos&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeff-bezos-steps-down-amazon-ceo-a5af30868a90cd300dd616796bc1aec2">stepped down</a>&nbsp;as Amazon CEO in 2021 but remains the company’s executive chairman and largest shareholder.

Officials with Seattle-based Blue Origin did not immediately respond to a message from The Associated Press.

Several bands, including Mumford &amp; Sons, will join Harris at a get-out-the-vote rally in Wisconsin

Vice President Kamala Harris will be joined by several musicians, including Mumford &amp; Sons, for a get-out-the-vote rally Wednesday on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, the campaign announced on Friday.

The rally will take place just before former President Donald Trump will be about two hours away for a rally in Green Bay.

Both campaigns are hitting the swing state hard in the final days of the race.

The Harris rally will include two members of the indie rock band The National, Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner, along with singer-songwriters Gracie Abrams and Remi Wolf. They are performing as part of the “When We Vote We Win” GOTV Concert and Rally Series, the campaign said.

Trump wraps remarks in Austin without taking questions from reporters

Donald Trump has concluded his remarks in Austin, Texas.

He spoke for about 45 minutes, with a heavy emphasis on immigration.

Trump did not take questions from reporters while speaking, and he didn’t answer shouted questions afterward.

Both major presidential candidates are in Texas on Friday. Kamala Harris took questions from reporters ahead of her rally later this evening with Beyoncé in Houston.

Trump predicts he’ll break records for deportations if he wins the election

Donald Trump is predicting he’ll break records for the number of people deported from the United States if he wins the election.

At an appearance in Texas, Trump praised President Dwight D. Eisenhower for overseeing mass deportations as part of a sweeping plan known by the racist title “Operation Wetback.” Trump has made mass deportation a centerpiece of his campaign for a second term in the White House.

“I think we’ll break that record,” Trump said of Eisenhower’s deportations. “Not that I want to break it, but I think we have no choice.”

He said his administration will put “these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail or kick them the hell out of the country.”

Leonardo DiCaprio endorses Harris for president

Leonardo DiCaprio is endorsing Kamala Harris for president, with the Oscar-winning actor expressing support for the Democratic nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/leonardo-dicaprio-endorses-kamala-harris-election-2024-40bf7286e7219dfd59957bf28d34f578">in a video Friday</a>.

“Climate change is killing the earth and ruining our economy. We need a bold step forward to save our economy, our planet and ourselves,” DiCaprio said. “That’s why I’m voting for Kamala Harris.”

DiCaprio, long an outspoken advocate for addressing the climate crisis, has supported Democratic candidates in the past. In early 2020, he attended a fundraiser for Joe Biden at the home of former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing.

With less than two weeks until Election Day, Harris has received the support of many high-profile entertainers including Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Chris Rock and George Clooney.

Republican nominee Donald Trump’s celebrity supporters include Elon Musk, Dennis Quaid, Roseanne Barr and Kid Rock.

In December 2016, DiCaprio and the head of his eponymous foundation met with Trump, then president-elect, to discuss how jobs centered on preserving the environment could boost the economy.

Trump again likens the US to a ‘garbage can’

AUSTIN, Texas — Former President Donald Trump is doubling — and tripling — down on likening the United States to a trash receptacle.

“We’re like a garbage can. We’re like a garbage can,” he said Friday. He noted that, “The first time I said it was last night.”

During a Thursday night event, Trump had declared that the U.S. was “like a garbage can for the world.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, in response on Friday, called that comment, “Another example of how he really belittles our country.”

Moments after her reaction, Trump said it twice more during an appearance in Texas.

Trump derides Harris’ rally with Beyoncé as ‘rubbing shoulders’ with ‘woke celebrities’

Trump sits down with Joe Rogan, Harris rallies with Beyoncé

JOHNSON COUNTY — Emporia State University placed a professor on administrative leave following an arrest for alleged child sex crimes.

On Wednesday Howard Pitler, 72, was booked into the Johnson County jail on requested charges of&nbsp; electronic solicitation of a child under 14 years old, according to online jail records. He met the requirements of a $25,000 bond and is no longer in&nbsp; custody.

According to Emporia State, "Upon being made aware of the arrest of Howard Pitler, the university responded immediately and placed Pitler on administrative leave. With our rich tradition as a premier Teachers College, the care and safety of students of all ages is of the utmost importance. Pitler taught fully online master’s level courses as an associate professor of School Leadership, Middle &amp; Secondary Teacher Education in The Teachers College. He has been at ESU since 2018. Emporia State will cooperate fully with authorities. We cannot comment further on an ongoing investigation."

Pitler is scheduled to return to court October 31, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729898976418.png" alt="Pitler photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Pitler photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — Emporia State University placed a professor on administrative leave following an arrest for alleged child sex crimes.On Wednesday Howard Pitler, 72, was booked into the Johnson County jail on requested charges of&nbsp; electronic solicitation of a child under 14 years old, according to online jail records. He met the requirements of a $25,000 bond and is no longer in&nbsp; custody.According to Emporia State, "Upon being made aware of the arrest of Howard Pitler, the university responded immediately and placed Pitler on administrative leave. With our rich tradition as a premier Teachers College, the care and safety of students of all ages is of the utmost importance. Pitler taught fully online master’s level courses as an associate professor of School Leadership, Middle &amp; Secondary Teacher Education in The Teachers College. He has been at ESU since 2018. Emporia State will cooperate fully with authorities. We cannot comment further on an ongoing investigation."Pitler is scheduled to return to court October 31, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

Emporia State University professor accused of child sex crime

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel pounded Iran with a series of airstrikes early Saturday, saying it was targeting military targets in retaliation for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">barrage of ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier this month. Explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, though there was no immediate information on damage or casualties.

The attack risks pushing the archenemies closer to all-out war at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-one-year-anniversary-cf123f95609051e8e8eaf6aebe661b6a">spiraling violence across the Middle East</a>, where militant groups backed by Iran – including Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon – are already at war with Israel.

The Israeli military said Saturday it had launched “precise strikes on military targets” and, according to two Israeli officials, it was not targeting nuclear or oil facilities. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the ongoing operation with the media.

“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since Oct. 7 ... including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a prerecorded video statement early Saturday. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.”

Initially, nuclear facilities and oil installations all had been seen as possible targets for Israel’s response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack, but in mid-October the Biden administration believed it had won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-oil-nuclear-sites-biden-f5dd702de7d990dd1d00f665e1484dee">assurances from Israel</a>&nbsp;that it would not hit such targets.

Iran’s state-run media acknowledged blasts that could be heard in Tehran and said some of the sounds came from air defense systems around the city.

But beyond a brief reference, Iranian state television offered no other details and even began showing what it described as live footage of men loading trucks at a vegetable market in Tehran in an attempt to downplay the assault.

A Tehran resident told The Associated Press that at least seven explosions could be heard, which rattled the surrounding area. The resident spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

People in Tehran could see what appeared to be tracer fire light up the sky as the blasts could be heard. Other footage showed what appeared to be surface-to-air missiles launching up to the sky and other detonations.

Iran closed the country’s airspace early Saturday, and flight-tracking data analyzed by the Associated Press showed commercial airlines had broadly left the skies over Iran, and across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed and would continue to receive updates.

In Syria, the state news agency SANA, citing an unnamed military official, reported missile fire targeting military sites in the country’s central and southern region. It said that Syria’s air defenses had shot some of the missiles down. There was no immediate information on casualties.

Iran has launched two ballistic missile attacks on Israel in recent months amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that began with the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. That initial attack killed some 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage back to the seaside enclave.

In the time since, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health officials who don’t delineate between civilians and combatants. The U.N. has said hundreds of thousands of people have been trapped with little food or supplies as Israeli forces close in on the northern Gaza town of Jabaliya, while food and other aid remains scarce in the enclave. Israeli military operations in the West Bank in the time since have killed hundreds more.

Israel also has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon and a series of punishing airstrikes that have rattled that country.

The strike Saturday happened just as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was arriving back in the U.S. after a tour of the Middle East where he and other U.S. officials had warned Israel to tender a response that would not further escalate the conflict in the region and exclude nuclear sites in Iran.

White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement that “we understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran” and referred reporters to the Israeli government for more details on their operation.

Two U.S. officials said the U.S. was notified by Israel in advance of the strikes. They said there was no U.S. involvement in the operation. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.

Israel had vowed to hit Iran hard following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">massive Iranian missile barrage</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 1. Iran said its barrage was in response to deadly Israeli&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-conflict-military-strategy-cce53839bbcf0a9a36af45ed2fa7dbb4">attacks against its proxy in Lebanon,</a>&nbsp;Hezbollah, and it has promised to respond to any retaliatory strikes.

Israel and Iran have been bitter foes since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing its leaders’ calls for Israel’s destruction, their support for anti-Israel militant groups and the country’s nuclear program.

Israel and Iran have been locked in a yearslong shadow war. A suspected Israeli assassination campaign has killed top Iranian nuclear scientists. Iranian nuclear installations have been hacked or sabotaged, all in mysterious attacks blamed on Israel. Meanwhile, Iran has been blamed for a series of attacks on shipping in the Middle East in recent years, which later grew into the attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on shipping through the Red Sea corridor.

But since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, the battle has increasingly moved into the open. Israel has recently turned its attention to Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets into Israel since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;began. Throughout the year, a number of top Iranian military figures have been killed in Israeli strikes in Syria and Lebanon.

Iran fired a wave of missiles and drones at Israel last April after two Iranian generals were killed in an apparent Israeli airstrike in Syria on an Iranian diplomatic post. The missiles and drones caused minimum damage, and Israel — under pressure from Western countries to show restraint — responded with a limited strike.

But after Iran’s early October missile strike, Israel promised a tougher response.

Meanwhile Friday, Israeli strikes on residential areas in southern Gaza killed 38 people, including 13 children from the same extended family, Palestinian health officials said.

In northern Gaza, health officials reported that Israeli forces had raided Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few medical facilities still functioning in the area. Israel has renewed its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">offensive against Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the north in recent weeks, and aid groups are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-generals-plan-eiland-gaza-219d7eb9a3050e281ccc032d5a56263c">sounding the alarm</a>&nbsp;over dire humanitarian conditions.

In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on the country’s southeast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/journalists-killed-lebanon-israel-c89cf1109daaf3e6e7b766584710234d">killed three journalists</a>&nbsp;working for news outlets that are considered to be aligned with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-lebanon-hezbollah-news-10-08-2024-0bc0a8970c066c048ee1875bcdc8df79">Hezbollah</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713493747235.png" alt="Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel pounded Iran with a series of airstrikes early Saturday, saying it was targeting military targets in retaliation for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">barrage of ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier this month. Explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, though there was no immediate information on damage or casualties.The attack risks pushing the archenemies closer to all-out war at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-one-year-anniversary-cf123f95609051e8e8eaf6aebe661b6a">spiraling violence across the Middle East</a>, where militant groups backed by Iran – including Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon – are already at war with Israel.The Israeli military said Saturday it had launched “precise strikes on military targets” and, according to two Israeli officials, it was not targeting nuclear or oil facilities. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the ongoing operation with the media.“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since Oct. 7 ... including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a prerecorded video statement early Saturday. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.”Initially, nuclear facilities and oil installations all had been seen as possible targets for Israel’s response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack, but in mid-October the Biden administration believed it had won&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-oil-nuclear-sites-biden-f5dd702de7d990dd1d00f665e1484dee">assurances from Israel</a>&nbsp;that it would not hit such targets.Iran’s state-run media acknowledged blasts that could be heard in Tehran and said some of the sounds came from air defense systems around the city.But beyond a brief reference, Iranian state television offered no other details and even began showing what it described as live footage of men loading trucks at a vegetable market in Tehran in an attempt to downplay the assault.A Tehran resident told The Associated Press that at least seven explosions could be heard, which rattled the surrounding area. The resident spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.People in Tehran could see what appeared to be tracer fire light up the sky as the blasts could be heard. Other footage showed what appeared to be surface-to-air missiles launching up to the sky and other detonations.Iran closed the country’s airspace early Saturday, and flight-tracking data analyzed by the Associated Press showed commercial airlines had broadly left the skies over Iran, and across Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed and would continue to receive updates.In Syria, the state news agency SANA, citing an unnamed military official, reported missile fire targeting military sites in the country’s central and southern region. It said that Syria’s air defenses had shot some of the missiles down. There was no immediate information on casualties.Iran has launched two ballistic missile attacks on Israel in recent months amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that began with the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. That initial attack killed some 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage back to the seaside enclave.In the time since, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health officials who don’t delineate between civilians and combatants. The U.N. has said hundreds of thousands of people have been trapped with little food or supplies as Israeli forces close in on the northern Gaza town of Jabaliya, while food and other aid remains scarce in the enclave. Israeli military operations in the West Bank in the time since have killed hundreds more.Israel also has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon and a series of punishing airstrikes that have rattled that country.The strike Saturday happened just as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was arriving back in the U.S. after a tour of the Middle East where he and other U.S. officials had warned Israel to tender a response that would not further escalate the conflict in the region and exclude nuclear sites in Iran.White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement that “we understand that Israel is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran” and referred reporters to the Israeli government for more details on their operation.Two U.S. officials said the U.S. was notified by Israel in advance of the strikes. They said there was no U.S. involvement in the operation. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.Israel had vowed to hit Iran hard following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-gaza-news-10-01-2024-eb175dff6e46906caea8b9e43dfbd3da">massive Iranian missile barrage</a>&nbsp;on Oct. 1. Iran said its barrage was in response to deadly Israeli&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-conflict-military-strategy-cce53839bbcf0a9a36af45ed2fa7dbb4">attacks against its proxy in Lebanon,</a>&nbsp;Hezbollah, and it has promised to respond to any retaliatory strikes.Israel and Iran have been bitter foes since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing its leaders’ calls for Israel’s destruction, their support for anti-Israel militant groups and the country’s nuclear program.Israel and Iran have been locked in a yearslong shadow war. A suspected Israeli assassination campaign has killed top Iranian nuclear scientists. Iranian nuclear installations have been hacked or sabotaged, all in mysterious attacks blamed on Israel. Meanwhile, Iran has been blamed for a series of attacks on shipping in the Middle East in recent years, which later grew into the attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on shipping through the Red Sea corridor.But since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, the battle has increasingly moved into the open. Israel has recently turned its attention to Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets into Israel since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;began. Throughout the year, a number of top Iranian military figures have been killed in Israeli strikes in Syria and Lebanon.Iran fired a wave of missiles and drones at Israel last April after two Iranian generals were killed in an apparent Israeli airstrike in Syria on an Iranian diplomatic post. The missiles and drones caused minimum damage, and Israel — under pressure from Western countries to show restraint — responded with a limited strike.But after Iran’s early October missile strike, Israel promised a tougher response.Meanwhile Friday, Israeli strikes on residential areas in southern Gaza killed 38 people, including 13 children from the same extended family, Palestinian health officials said.In northern Gaza, health officials reported that Israeli forces had raided Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few medical facilities still functioning in the area. Israel has renewed its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">offensive against Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the north in recent weeks, and aid groups are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-generals-plan-eiland-gaza-219d7eb9a3050e281ccc032d5a56263c">sounding the alarm</a>&nbsp;over dire humanitarian conditions.In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on the country’s southeast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/journalists-killed-lebanon-israel-c89cf1109daaf3e6e7b766584710234d">killed three journalists</a>&nbsp;working for news outlets that are considered to be aligned with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-lebanon-hezbollah-news-10-08-2024-0bc0a8970c066c048ee1875bcdc8df79">Hezbollah</a>.

Israel launches attack on Iran, risking escalation in Mideast wars

LAVEEN VILLAGE, Ariz. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Friday formally apologized to Native Americans for the “sin” of a government-run boarding school system that for decades forcibly separated Indian children from their parents, calling it “blot on American history” in his first visit to Native Country.

“It's a sin on our soul,” said Biden, his voice full of anger and emotion. “Quite frankly, there’s no excuse that this apology took 50 years to make.”

Biden spoke of the abuses and deaths of native children that resulted from the federal government's policies, as he noted that the shameful history remained unknown and needed to be told. The president detailed how his policies have sought to support Native Americans with jobs and new infrastructure.

Democrats hope Biden's visit to the Gila River Indian Community’s land on the outskirts of metro Phoenix in Arizona will also provide a boost to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris'</a>&nbsp;turnout effort in a key battleground state.

Biden, whose presidency is winding down, had promised tribal leaders nearly two years ago that he would make a visit to Indian Country.

The president, in an exchange with reporters Thursday before departing for Arizona, said an apology for the U.S. government’s role in the abuse and neglect of Native children was “something that should have been done a long time ago." For decades, federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/native-american-boarding-schools-legacy-map-b649ea0a2d616ec65c454232842a0a7a">boarding schools</a>&nbsp;were used to assimilate children into white society, according to the White House.

The moment will also give Biden a chance to spotlight his and Harris' support for tribal nations, a group that historically has favored Democrats, in a state he won just by 10,000 votes in 2020.

The race between Harris and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is expected to be similarly close, and both campaigns are doing whatever they can to improve turnout among bedrock supporters.

“The race is now a turnout grab,” said Mike O’Neil, a non-partisan pollster based in Arizona. “The trendlines throughout have been remarkably steady. The question is which candidate is going to be able to turn out their voters in a race that seems to be destined to be decided by narrow margins.”

Biden has been used sparingly on the campaign trail by Harris and other Democrats since he ended his reelection campaign in July.

But analysts say Biden could help Harris in her appeal with Native American voters — a group that has trailed others in turnout rates.

In 2020, there was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/native-american-votes-helped-secure-bidens-win-in-arizona-fa452fbd546fa00535679d78ac40b890">surge in voter turnout</a>&nbsp;on some tribal land in Arizona as Biden beat Trump and became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state since Bill Clinton in 1996.

Biden is making the visit in his official capacity, and a formal apology — something tribes have long sought — seems certain to garner attention among Native Americans across the country.

At least 973 Native American children died in the U.S. government’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-native-americans-south-dakota-762797ee44f94d06e2f7776599bef374">abusive boarding school system</a>&nbsp;over a 150-year period that ended in 1969, according to an Interior Department investigation that called for a U.S. government apology.

At least 18,000 children, some as young as 4, were taken from their parents and forced to attend schools that sought to assimilate them.

“President Biden deserves credit for finally putting attention on the issue and other issues impacting the community,” said Ramona Charette Klein, 77, a boarding school survivor and an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. “I do think that will reflect well on Vice President Harris, and I hope this momentum will continue.”

She added that whoever is the next president must follow up with concrete action and begin making amends for the devastation the boarding schools wrought on tribes.

Democrats have stepped up outreach to Native American communities.

Both Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tim-walz">Tim Walz</a>, met with tribal leaders in Arizona and Nevada this month. And Clinton, who has been serving as a surrogate for Harris, last week met in North Carolina with the chairman of the Lumbee Tribe.

The Democratic National Committee recently&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-marks-indigenous-peoples-day-with-a-six-figure-ad-campaign-reaching-native-voters/">launched</a>&nbsp;a six-figure ad campaign targeting Native American voters in Arizona, North Carolina, Montana and Alaska through digital, print and radio ads.

Democratic Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ruben-gallego">Ruben Gallego</a>, who is locked in a competitive race with Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kari-lake">Kari Lake</a>&nbsp;for Arizona's open Senate seat, has visited all 22 of Arizona's federally recognized tribes.

Harris started a recent campaign rally in Chandler, near where the Gila River reservation is located, with a shoutout to the tribe's leader.

She also reminded the crowd that she was the first vice president to visit the reservation. She and husband Doug Emhoff visited the community last year.

“I strongly believe that the relationship between tribal nations and the United States is sacred ... and that we must honor tribal sovereignty, embrace our trust in treaty obligations, and ensure tribal self-determination,” Harris said.

The White House says Biden and Harris have built a substantial track record with Native Americans over the last four years.

He designated the sacred&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-travel-mountains-arizona-las-vegas-ca156c74cf5b1d5778dda292e52fa57e">Avi Kwa Ame,</a>&nbsp;a desert mountain in Nevada and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon in Arizona as national monuments and restored the boundaries for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-lifestyle-business-environment-1d8b5a0ff3814f78c5e8bc97c37fc32e">Bears Ears National Monument</a>&nbsp;in Utah.

In addition, the administration has directed nearly $46 billion in federal spending to tribal nations. The money has helped bring electricity to a reservation that never had electricity, expand access to high-speed internet, improve water sanitation, build roadways and more.

Biden picked former New Mexico Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/debra-haaland">Deb Haaland</a>&nbsp;to serve as his Interior secretary, the first Native American to be appointed to a Cabinet position. Haaland is a member of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico.

She, in turn, ordered the comprehensive review in June 2021 of the troubled legacy of the federal government's boarding school policies that is leading Biden to deliver the formal apology.

“He made commitments to Indian Country, and he has followed through on every single one of those commitments,” Haaland said.

Thom Reilly, co-director of the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University, said both Harris' and Trump's campaigns — and their allies — have put a remarkable amount of effort into micro-targeting in Arizona.

Harris, Reilly noted, has also focused on whittling away at Trump's advantage among Mormon voters in the state, a group that historically has favored Republicans. Trump, meanwhile, has put special focus on young men as the campaign tries to narrow Democrats' advantage with younger voters.

“They are pulling out every stop just to see if they could wrangle a few more votes here and there,” Reilly said. “The Indian community is one of those groups that Harris is hoping will overperform and help make the difference.”

LAVEEN VILLAGE, Ariz. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Friday formally apologized to Native Americans for the “sin” of a government-run boarding school system that for decades forcibly separated Indian children from their parents, calling it “blot on American history” in his first visit to Native Country.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on treatment of Native Americans in Federal Indian Boarding Schools: &quot;The federal government has never apologized for what happened, until today. I formally apologize as President of the United States for what we did. I formally apologize and it&#39;s long overdue.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/tc23qr79Go">pic.twitter.com/tc23qr79Go</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1849875930501513537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It's a sin on our soul,” said Biden, his voice full of anger and emotion. “Quite frankly, there’s no excuse that this apology took 50 years to make.”Biden spoke of the abuses and deaths of native children that resulted from the federal government's policies, as he noted that the shameful history remained unknown and needed to be told. The president detailed how his policies have sought to support Native Americans with jobs and new infrastructure.Democrats hope Biden's visit to the Gila River Indian Community’s land on the outskirts of metro Phoenix in Arizona will also provide a boost to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris'</a>&nbsp;turnout effort in a key battleground state.Biden, whose presidency is winding down, had promised tribal leaders nearly two years ago that he would make a visit to Indian Country.The president, in an exchange with reporters Thursday before departing for Arizona, said an apology for the U.S. government’s role in the abuse and neglect of Native children was “something that should have been done a long time ago." For decades, federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/native-american-boarding-schools-legacy-map-b649ea0a2d616ec65c454232842a0a7a">boarding schools</a>&nbsp;were used to assimilate children into white society, according to the White House.The moment will also give Biden a chance to spotlight his and Harris' support for tribal nations, a group that historically has favored Democrats, in a state he won just by 10,000 votes in 2020.The race between Harris and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is expected to be similarly close, and both campaigns are doing whatever they can to improve turnout among bedrock supporters.“The race is now a turnout grab,” said Mike O’Neil, a non-partisan pollster based in Arizona. “The trendlines throughout have been remarkably steady. The question is which candidate is going to be able to turn out their voters in a race that seems to be destined to be decided by narrow margins.”Biden has been used sparingly on the campaign trail by Harris and other Democrats since he ended his reelection campaign in July.But analysts say Biden could help Harris in her appeal with Native American voters — a group that has trailed others in turnout rates.In 2020, there was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/native-american-votes-helped-secure-bidens-win-in-arizona-fa452fbd546fa00535679d78ac40b890">surge in voter turnout</a>&nbsp;on some tribal land in Arizona as Biden beat Trump and became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state since Bill Clinton in 1996.Biden is making the visit in his official capacity, and a formal apology — something tribes have long sought — seems certain to garner attention among Native Americans across the country.At least 973 Native American children died in the U.S. government’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-native-americans-south-dakota-762797ee44f94d06e2f7776599bef374">abusive boarding school system</a>&nbsp;over a 150-year period that ended in 1969, according to an Interior Department investigation that called for a U.S. government apology.At least 18,000 children, some as young as 4, were taken from their parents and forced to attend schools that sought to assimilate them.“President Biden deserves credit for finally putting attention on the issue and other issues impacting the community,” said Ramona Charette Klein, 77, a boarding school survivor and an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. “I do think that will reflect well on Vice President Harris, and I hope this momentum will continue.”She added that whoever is the next president must follow up with concrete action and begin making amends for the devastation the boarding schools wrought on tribes.Democrats have stepped up outreach to Native American communities.Both Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tim-walz">Tim Walz</a>, met with tribal leaders in Arizona and Nevada this month. And Clinton, who has been serving as a surrogate for Harris, last week met in North Carolina with the chairman of the Lumbee Tribe.The Democratic National Committee recently&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-marks-indigenous-peoples-day-with-a-six-figure-ad-campaign-reaching-native-voters/">launched</a>&nbsp;a six-figure ad campaign targeting Native American voters in Arizona, North Carolina, Montana and Alaska through digital, print and radio ads.Democratic Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ruben-gallego">Ruben Gallego</a>, who is locked in a competitive race with Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kari-lake">Kari Lake</a>&nbsp;for Arizona's open Senate seat, has visited all 22 of Arizona's federally recognized tribes.Harris started a recent campaign rally in Chandler, near where the Gila River reservation is located, with a shoutout to the tribe's leader.She also reminded the crowd that she was the first vice president to visit the reservation. She and husband Doug Emhoff visited the community last year.“I strongly believe that the relationship between tribal nations and the United States is sacred ... and that we must honor tribal sovereignty, embrace our trust in treaty obligations, and ensure tribal self-determination,” Harris said.The White House says Biden and Harris have built a substantial track record with Native Americans over the last four years.He designated the sacred&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-travel-mountains-arizona-las-vegas-ca156c74cf5b1d5778dda292e52fa57e">Avi Kwa Ame,</a>&nbsp;a desert mountain in Nevada and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon in Arizona as national monuments and restored the boundaries for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-lifestyle-business-environment-1d8b5a0ff3814f78c5e8bc97c37fc32e">Bears Ears National Monument</a>&nbsp;in Utah.In addition, the administration has directed nearly $46 billion in federal spending to tribal nations. The money has helped bring electricity to a reservation that never had electricity, expand access to high-speed internet, improve water sanitation, build roadways and more.Biden picked former New Mexico Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/debra-haaland">Deb Haaland</a>&nbsp;to serve as his Interior secretary, the first Native American to be appointed to a Cabinet position. Haaland is a member of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico.She, in turn, ordered the comprehensive review in June 2021 of the troubled legacy of the federal government's boarding school policies that is leading Biden to deliver the formal apology.“He made commitments to Indian Country, and he has followed through on every single one of those commitments,” Haaland said.Thom Reilly, co-director of the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University, said both Harris' and Trump's campaigns — and their allies — have put a remarkable amount of effort into micro-targeting in Arizona.Harris, Reilly noted, has also focused on whittling away at Trump's advantage among Mormon voters in the state, a group that historically has favored Republicans. Trump, meanwhile, has put special focus on young men as the campaign tries to narrow Democrats' advantage with younger voters.“They are pulling out every stop just to see if they could wrangle a few more votes here and there,” Reilly said. “The Indian community is one of those groups that Harris is hoping will overperform and help make the difference.”

🎥Biden apologizes for forced Native American boarding school system

Kori Bigge, 49, Stockton, Kansas, was born August 2, 1975,
in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Tim and Marlyn Karstetter. Kori passed away
October 16, 2024, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri after a brief
illness.

She grew up in McPherson, Kansas and graduated from
McPherson High School in 1993. Kori attended Pittsburg State University and
graduated with a minor in psychology in 1997 and a master’s degree in
psychology in 1999. After graduation Kori moved to Hays, Kansas to work for the
High Plains Mental Health Center. She also worked for Westside Alternative
School. While she was in court representing children from Westside School, she
met her future husband, Doug Bigge. They were married June 14, 2003, in
McPherson. To this union two children were born, Kourtney Danica and Dena Kail.

In 2008, after the death of Dena, Kori suffered a massive
heart attack which eventually led to a heart transplant at the University of
Utah Hospital in 2013. Although suffering from three strokes between 2008 and
2013, Kori still lived her life. Kori was no longer able to work, but she was
able to navigate around Plainville and Stockton in her trusty golf cart, often
seen with her companion dogs as passengers. Kori truly made lemonade out of
lemons. She enjoyed her women's groups and took up sewing and quilting. She took
her quilts to the Rooks County Free Fair. Kori enjoyed watching Kourtney grow
up and show her different animals at the fair. Also, Kori began listening to
audio books. In 2023 she listened to an average of one and a half books a day. Kori
and her family are eternally grateful to the University of Utah Heart
Transplant team for giving Kori another 16 years of life.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Dena Bigge and
father-in-law Tom Bigge. Kori is survived by her husband Doug Bigge; daughter
Kourtney Bigge; parents Tim and Marlyn Karstetter; sisters Kim Woyski (Ryan)
and Kristi Hatfield (Tad); brother Matt Karstetter; mother-in-law Ruth Ann
Bigge; sisters-in -law Beth Pfeifer (Jason) and Holly Beaton (Aaron);
brother-in-law Stephen Bigge (Melissa) and nephews and nieces Caden Pfeifer,
Kalli Windholz, Teagen Pfeifer, Kiaya Hatfield, Kyler Hatfield, Deklen Woyski,
Kolton Woyski, Landry Beaton, Drylan Beaton and Kyan Bigge.&nbsp;Kori also had
three fur babies at home that dearly miss her: Kody, Kit Kat and Ruger.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Kori's life will be
held at 1:30 pm, Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the Stockton Church of
Restoration, 204 N. Elm, Stockton, Kansas. A luncheon will be held prior to the
service at noon at the church. Memorials are suggested to: University of Utah
Heart Transplant program, St. Luke's Cardiovascular ICU program, Rooks County
4-H Dog Program or the Women Who Lead for Matthew's Gift Bags. Memorials may be
sent to Doug Bigge, 325 Gracie St, Stockton, KS 67669 or to the Farmers
National Bank, PO Box 522, Stockton, KS 67669. Arrangements by Stinemetz
Funeral Home, Hill City - condolences for the family may be left at
www.stinemetzfh.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729878623342.jpeg" alt="Kori Bigge" />
 <figcaption>Kori Bigge</figcaption>
 </figure>Kori Bigge, 49, Stockton, Kansas, was born August 2, 1975,
in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Tim and Marlyn Karstetter. Kori passed away
October 16, 2024, at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri after a brief
illness.She grew up in McPherson, Kansas and graduated from
McPherson High School in 1993. Kori attended Pittsburg State University and
graduated with a minor in psychology in 1997 and a master’s degree in
psychology in 1999. After graduation Kori moved to Hays, Kansas to work for the
High Plains Mental Health Center. She also worked for Westside Alternative
School. While she was in court representing children from Westside School, she
met her future husband, Doug Bigge. They were married June 14, 2003, in
McPherson. To this union two children were born, Kourtney Danica and Dena Kail.In 2008, after the death of Dena, Kori suffered a massive
heart attack which eventually led to a heart transplant at the University of
Utah Hospital in 2013. Although suffering from three strokes between 2008 and
2013, Kori still lived her life. Kori was no longer able to work, but she was
able to navigate around Plainville and Stockton in her trusty golf cart, often
seen with her companion dogs as passengers. Kori truly made lemonade out of
lemons. She enjoyed her women's groups and took up sewing and quilting. She took
her quilts to the Rooks County Free Fair. Kori enjoyed watching Kourtney grow
up and show her different animals at the fair. Also, Kori began listening to
audio books. In 2023 she listened to an average of one and a half books a day. Kori
and her family are eternally grateful to the University of Utah Heart
Transplant team for giving Kori another 16 years of life.She was preceded in death by her daughter Dena Bigge and
father-in-law Tom Bigge. Kori is survived by her husband Doug Bigge; daughter
Kourtney Bigge; parents Tim and Marlyn Karstetter; sisters Kim Woyski (Ryan)
and Kristi Hatfield (Tad); brother Matt Karstetter; mother-in-law Ruth Ann
Bigge; sisters-in -law Beth Pfeifer (Jason) and Holly Beaton (Aaron);
brother-in-law Stephen Bigge (Melissa) and nephews and nieces Caden Pfeifer,
Kalli Windholz, Teagen Pfeifer, Kiaya Hatfield, Kyler Hatfield, Deklen Woyski,
Kolton Woyski, Landry Beaton, Drylan Beaton and Kyan Bigge.&nbsp;Kori also had
three fur babies at home that dearly miss her: Kody, Kit Kat and Ruger.A Memorial Service and Celebration of Kori's life will be
held at 1:30 pm, Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the Stockton Church of
Restoration, 204 N. Elm, Stockton, Kansas. A luncheon will be held prior to the
service at noon at the church. Memorials are suggested to: University of Utah
Heart Transplant program, St. Luke's Cardiovascular ICU program, Rooks County
4-H Dog Program or the Women Who Lead for Matthew's Gift Bags. Memorials may be
sent to Doug Bigge, 325 Gracie St, Stockton, KS 67669 or to the Farmers
National Bank, PO Box 522, Stockton, KS 67669. Arrangements by Stinemetz
Funeral Home, Hill City - condolences for the family may be left at
www.stinemetzfh.com