NEW YORK (AP) —The campaigns of Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;are arguing in advance of their high-stakes Sept. 10 debate over whether microphones should be muted except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak.

While it's common for campaigns to quibble beforehand over debate mechanics, both Harris and Trump are under pressure to deliver a strong performance next month in Philadelphia. The first debate during this campaign led to President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a>&nbsp;departure from the race.

Trump on Sunday night raised the possibility that he might not show up on ABC, posting on his Truth Social network that he had watched the network's Sunday show with a “so-called Panel of Trump Haters” and posited, “why would I do the Debate against Kamala Harris on that network?” and urging followers to “Stay tuned!!”

The current dispute centers on the muting of microphones when a candidate isn't speaking, a condition both Biden and Trump accepted for their June debate hosted by CNN. Both sides are accusing the other of gaming the system to protect their candidate.

Biden’s campaign team made microphone muting a condition of its decision to accept any debates this year, and some aides now regret the decision, saying voters were shielded from hearing Trump’s outbursts during the debate. That move likely would not have helped the incumbent Democrat’s disastrous performance.

The Harris campaign now wants microphones to be live all the time, according to Harris spokesman Brian Fallon, who issued a statement needling Trump.

“Trump’s handlers prefer the muted microphone because they don’t think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own,” Fallon said. Harris “is ready to deal with Trump’s constant lies and interruptions in real time. Trump should stop hiding behind the mute button.”

Trump spokesman Jason Miller retorted that the Republican nominee had “accepted the ABC debate under the exact same terms as the CNN debate." He alleged Harris’ representatives sought “a seated debate, with notes, and opening statements.”

Miller then took a shot at Harris not sitting for an interview or holding a news conference since Biden ended his reelection and endorsed her, arguing her campaign now wants “to give her a cheat sheet for the debate.”

The Harris campaign denied Miller's claim that she wanted notes or to be seated during the debate.

“I’d rather have it probably on,” Trump said Monday during a stop in the Washington area, when asked if he wanted microphones muted. “I didn't like it the last time, but it worked out fine,” he added, in terms of the policy during his debate with Biden.

“We agreed to the same rules — same rules, same specifications,” Trump noted, for his Sept. 10 debate with Harris. "And I think that’s probably what it should be.”

Asked how he was preparing for the debate, Trump responded, “I’m not. ... I think my whole life I’ve been preparing for a debate.”

Complicating the negotiations this year is that debates are being orchestrated on an ad hoc basis by host networks, as opposed to the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, through which debate rules were negotiated privately.

Microphones have been unmuted for both candidates for most of televised presidential debate history. The debate commission announced that its October 2020 debate would have microphones muted when candidates were not recognized to speak after the first Biden-Trump contest descended into a shouting match. The second 2020 debate with the microphone muting rules was widely celebrated for being more substantive than the earlier matchup.

Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Colleen Long in Washington, and Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721587521577.png" alt="Photo Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>Photo Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —The campaigns of Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;are arguing in advance of their high-stakes Sept. 10 debate over whether microphones should be muted except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak.While it's common for campaigns to quibble beforehand over debate mechanics, both Harris and Trump are under pressure to deliver a strong performance next month in Philadelphia. The first debate during this campaign led to President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a>&nbsp;departure from the race.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump on Sept. 10 ABC News debate: &quot;We&#39;re thinking about it. They also want to change the rules. You know, the deal was we keep the same rules. Now, all of a sudden they want to make a change in the rules because she can&#39;t answer questions.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/YxaJE6kV3o">pic.twitter.com/YxaJE6kV3o</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1828168021283688868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump on Sunday night raised the possibility that he might not show up on ABC, posting on his Truth Social network that he had watched the network's Sunday show with a “so-called Panel of Trump Haters” and posited, “why would I do the Debate against Kamala Harris on that network?” and urging followers to “Stay tuned!!”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724695187260.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The current dispute centers on the muting of microphones when a candidate isn't speaking, a condition both Biden and Trump accepted for their June debate hosted by CNN. Both sides are accusing the other of gaming the system to protect their candidate.Biden’s campaign team made microphone muting a condition of its decision to accept any debates this year, and some aides now regret the decision, saying voters were shielded from hearing Trump’s outbursts during the debate. That move likely would not have helped the incumbent Democrat’s disastrous performance.The Harris campaign now wants microphones to be live all the time, according to Harris spokesman Brian Fallon, who issued a statement needling Trump.“Trump’s handlers prefer the muted microphone because they don’t think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own,” Fallon said. Harris “is ready to deal with Trump’s constant lies and interruptions in real time. Trump should stop hiding behind the mute button.”Trump spokesman Jason Miller retorted that the Republican nominee had “accepted the ABC debate under the exact same terms as the CNN debate." He alleged Harris’ representatives sought “a seated debate, with notes, and opening statements.”Miller then took a shot at Harris not sitting for an interview or holding a news conference since Biden ended his reelection and endorsed her, arguing her campaign now wants “to give her a cheat sheet for the debate.”The Harris campaign denied Miller's claim that she wanted notes or to be seated during the debate.“I’d rather have it probably on,” Trump said Monday during a stop in the Washington area, when asked if he wanted microphones muted. “I didn't like it the last time, but it worked out fine,” he added, in terms of the policy during his debate with Biden.“We agreed to the same rules — same rules, same specifications,” Trump noted, for his Sept. 10 debate with Harris. "And I think that’s probably what it should be.”Asked how he was preparing for the debate, Trump responded, “I’m not. ... I think my whole life I’ve been preparing for a debate.”Complicating the negotiations this year is that debates are being orchestrated on an ad hoc basis by host networks, as opposed to the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, through which debate rules were negotiated privately.Microphones have been unmuted for both candidates for most of televised presidential debate history. The debate commission announced that its October 2020 debate would have microphones muted when candidates were not recognized to speak after the first Biden-Trump contest descended into a shouting match. The second 2020 debate with the microphone muting rules was widely celebrated for being more substantive than the earlier matchup.___Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Colleen Long in Washington, and Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.___

🎥Harris and Trump squabble over rules for upcoming debate

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Meet Jesse Vincent, the new principal at Ellis Junior-Senior High School, focused on building strong connections and bringing fresh perspectives.

After spending the last several years working in central Kansas, Vincent returns to western Kansas to lead future generations of students and be closer to his family.

"I've always felt that Ellis was a prestigious institution, educationally and athletically, and was excited to put my name in the hat," he said.

Vincent graduated from Abilene High School in 1996 and earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and health from Sterling College.

He continued his studies at Fort Hays State University, earning a master's degree in building leadership in 2017.

Inspired by his physical education teacher, Tom Schwartz, Vincent served as his teacher's aide before stepping into Schwartz's role as the PE teacher, his first job in education.

Schwartz currently serves as the principal of Abilene High School.

"That's where I got my start and desire," Vincent said. "Years down the road, I decided that I wanted to continue and move up into the administration role."

Vincent returns to the area after teaching in the Grinnell School District and serving as the principal at Canton-Galva Junior-Senior High School.

Vincent said Ellis High is in a pristine state and doesn't need significant changes, but is eager to work with staff and teachers.

"I'm excited about the veteran staff that I have," he said. "There's a couple of new teachers that I think are going to be strong and good for us as well."

Vincent's daughter teaches fourth grade in Grinnell and is beginning a master's program to become a principal, with Vincent offering his guidance.

Vincent also has two sons attending Colorado State University, both of whom are on the football team. With his sons out of state, Vincent decided to relocate closer to his parents when the opportunity to lead Ellis High arose.

"I look forward to bringing a fresh perspective to this role," Vincent said. "I'm anxious to build relationships with everyone, share my views for the district, and where we're going to go and how we're getting there."

The Ellis USD 388 school district announced Vincent as the new principal in a <a href="https://www.usd388.com/o/ehs/article/1705509">post</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724099158677.png" alt="Ellis Junior-Senior High School Principal Jesse Vincent. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ellis Junior-Senior High School Principal Jesse Vincent. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostMeet Jesse Vincent, the new principal at Ellis Junior-Senior High School, focused on building strong connections and bringing fresh perspectives.After spending the last several years working in central Kansas, Vincent returns to western Kansas to lead future generations of students and be closer to his family."I've always felt that Ellis was a prestigious institution, educationally and athletically, and was excited to put my name in the hat," he said.Vincent graduated from Abilene High School in 1996 and earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and health from Sterling College.He continued his studies at Fort Hays State University, earning a master's degree in building leadership in 2017.Inspired by his physical education teacher, Tom Schwartz, Vincent served as his teacher's aide before stepping into Schwartz's role as the PE teacher, his first job in education.Schwartz currently serves as the principal of Abilene High School."That's where I got my start and desire," Vincent said. "Years down the road, I decided that I wanted to continue and move up into the administration role."Vincent returns to the area after teaching in the Grinnell School District and serving as the principal at Canton-Galva Junior-Senior High School.Vincent said Ellis High is in a pristine state and doesn't need significant changes, but is eager to work with staff and teachers."I'm excited about the veteran staff that I have," he said. "There's a couple of new teachers that I think are going to be strong and good for us as well."Vincent's daughter teaches fourth grade in Grinnell and is beginning a master's program to become a principal, with Vincent offering his guidance.Vincent also has two sons attending Colorado State University, both of whom are on the football team. With his sons out of state, Vincent decided to relocate closer to his parents when the opportunity to lead Ellis High arose."I look forward to bringing a fresh perspective to this role," Vincent said. "I'm anxious to build relationships with everyone, share my views for the district, and where we're going to go and how we're getting there."The Ellis USD 388 school district announced Vincent as the new principal in a <a href="https://www.usd388.com/o/ehs/article/1705509">post</a>.

Ellis welcomes Jesse Vincent as new high school principal 

Bob was born June 29, 1925 on the land his Grandpa Joe McClelland homesteaded, in the house his Grandpa had built about 1898. His parents were Charles and Emma (Williams) McClelland. He had an older sister, Beth (Bryant) and older brother Kenneth. &nbsp;The McClelland family moved to a farm ½ mile south of Long Island when Bob was a young child. &nbsp;Bob started school there and went there almost the end of third grade. Then they moved back to the family homestead 8 ½ miles northwest of Almena. &nbsp;Bob finished grade school at the Star Country School 1 ½ miles from the farm. &nbsp;Bob attended High School in Almena, graduating in 1943. &nbsp;He helped his Dad on the farm until he was drafted in 1944.

Bob was drafted and sworn into the Army August 4, 1944 at Fort Leavenworth. 26 guys from Norton County were drafted at the same time. &nbsp;From Fort Leavenworth he was sent to Fort Hood Texas for basic training. &nbsp;From there to Fort Lawton, Seattle WA and on to Hawaii on the USS Pickaway. &nbsp;The next stop was to Saipan for more training, then on to Okinawa. &nbsp;The army was deployed by lowering them in a cargo net and slept on the ground the first night.

There were 4 Divisions on the front line in Okinawa. &nbsp;Bob was with the 27th Infantry Division. The invasion began on April 1, 1945. &nbsp;Bob’s unit fought on the front lines until there were only 56 men out of 250 left and on April 29, 1945, the army took those 56 soldiers off the front line, and replaced with a whole other unit of 250 men. &nbsp;April 29th is significant in that it was Hirohito’s (124th Emperor of Japan) birthday. &nbsp;On Hirohito’s birthday the Japanese called for an all-out Banzai attack (which is a mass attack, all-out, usually desperate attack). &nbsp;This attack that night drove our (#250 men) U.S. soldiers back ½ mile North…so badly that the Japanese recovered Moshinawa (Machinato) Air Field. &nbsp;It took the U.S. soldiers 2-3 weeks to regain the ground. &nbsp;Had Bob’s unit of #56 men not been replaced by the #250…those 56 men would have pretty certainly been killed. &nbsp;

Bob’s unit was getting ready to train for invasion when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. &nbsp;3 days later, August 9th, United States military dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki. &nbsp;Japanese leaders then began steps toward surrender. &nbsp;Injuries and death toll from the bombs dropped at Hiroshima and Nagasaki estimated at 130,000. &nbsp; Had the US military carried out the invasion that Bob was getting ready to train for, the estimated loss of life and injuries would have been 500,000…not counting injuries and loss of life for the Japanese army and civilians. &nbsp;

The group stayed in Japan for 11 months. &nbsp;Bob returned to the US on the USS Stetson Victory ship back to Seattle. &nbsp;He received his discharge on August 29, 1945. &nbsp;Bob remembered he rode on the old train arriving back in Norton at 3 am.

After his discharge, he farmed with his Dad and worked other jobs as well.

Donna Schilowsky became the love of Bob’s life. &nbsp;She was a sophomore in high school in Almena when they first got glimpses of each other. &nbsp;He finally met her at a party and they started dating. &nbsp;They were married May 29, 1949 and moved to the farm where Bob was born. &nbsp;They spent all their married life there.

They welcomed 2 children into this union, Janice Kay in 1952 and Dennis Jay in 1958. &nbsp;Then they welcomed grandchildren and great grandchildren through the years. &nbsp;They both enjoyed spending time with the family and friends.

Bob never knew a stranger…he loved to visit and loved to be around people. &nbsp;He loved to drive, loved the mountains, loved to read and could remember names of people like none other! &nbsp;He was quite a history buff too.

In 2006, Bob and Donna were contemplating moving into Almena and started looking at houses. &nbsp;Their love story took a sad turn in 2006 when Donna had a massive cerebral hemorrhage and died. &nbsp;Bob moved into the Wheatridge apartments in Almena. &nbsp;The following year his son, Dennis suddenly died of a stroke as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Bob was a member of the Almena Congregational Church and Almena Bible Church. &nbsp;He knew the Lord Jesus. &nbsp;He believed Christ died for him and paid the penalty for his sins. &nbsp;He loved the Lord and wanted to obey Him. &nbsp;

Bob was able to spend 98 ½ years of his life living independently. &nbsp;Then his health started digressing and he moved to the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg where he died. Bob was ready to go home and be with his Lord and Savior.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Donna McClelland, parents Charles and Emma McClelland, son Dennis McClelland, brother Kenneth McClelland, and sister Beth Bryant.

Survivors include his daughter Jan Long and husband Tom of Phillipsburg, Kansas, daughter-in-law Carla Bruning of Glade, Kansas, grandchildren Tana Christensen and husband Nicholas of Orleans, Nebraska, Kelly Leonard and husband Rustin of Salina, Kansas, Brooke Shikhman and husband Arthur of Brooklyn, New York, Jake McClelland of Phillipsburg, Kansas, and Lori Schiefen of Overland Park, Kansas.

A funeral service for Bob McClelland will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, in Phillipsburg, Kansas, with Harold Rivera officiating. Burial will follow at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Almena, Kansas, with military honors conducted by the Norton American Legion Harmonson-Redd Post 63, and the Fort Riley Honor Guard.

Bob will lie in-state on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a visitation on Monday evening from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Retirement Center or the Almena City Library.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724622055704.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Bob was born June 29, 1925 on the land his Grandpa Joe McClelland homesteaded, in the house his Grandpa had built about 1898. His parents were Charles and Emma (Williams) McClelland. He had an older sister, Beth (Bryant) and older brother Kenneth. &nbsp;The McClelland family moved to a farm ½ mile south of Long Island when Bob was a young child. &nbsp;Bob started school there and went there almost the end of third grade. Then they moved back to the family homestead 8 ½ miles northwest of Almena. &nbsp;Bob finished grade school at the Star Country School 1 ½ miles from the farm. &nbsp;Bob attended High School in Almena, graduating in 1943. &nbsp;He helped his Dad on the farm until he was drafted in 1944.Bob was drafted and sworn into the Army August 4, 1944 at Fort Leavenworth. 26 guys from Norton County were drafted at the same time. &nbsp;From Fort Leavenworth he was sent to Fort Hood Texas for basic training. &nbsp;From there to Fort Lawton, Seattle WA and on to Hawaii on the USS Pickaway. &nbsp;The next stop was to Saipan for more training, then on to Okinawa. &nbsp;The army was deployed by lowering them in a cargo net and slept on the ground the first night.There were 4 Divisions on the front line in Okinawa. &nbsp;Bob was with the 27th Infantry Division. The invasion began on April 1, 1945. &nbsp;Bob’s unit fought on the front lines until there were only 56 men out of 250 left and on April 29, 1945, the army took those 56 soldiers off the front line, and replaced with a whole other unit of 250 men. &nbsp;April 29th is significant in that it was Hirohito’s (124th Emperor of Japan) birthday. &nbsp;On Hirohito’s birthday the Japanese called for an all-out Banzai attack (which is a mass attack, all-out, usually desperate attack). &nbsp;This attack that night drove our (#250 men) U.S. soldiers back ½ mile North…so badly that the Japanese recovered Moshinawa (Machinato) Air Field. &nbsp;It took the U.S. soldiers 2-3 weeks to regain the ground. &nbsp;Had Bob’s unit of #56 men not been replaced by the #250…those 56 men would have pretty certainly been killed. &nbsp;Bob’s unit was getting ready to train for invasion when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. &nbsp;3 days later, August 9th, United States military dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki. &nbsp;Japanese leaders then began steps toward surrender. &nbsp;Injuries and death toll from the bombs dropped at Hiroshima and Nagasaki estimated at 130,000. &nbsp; Had the US military carried out the invasion that Bob was getting ready to train for, the estimated loss of life and injuries would have been 500,000…not counting injuries and loss of life for the Japanese army and civilians. &nbsp;The group stayed in Japan for 11 months. &nbsp;Bob returned to the US on the USS Stetson Victory ship back to Seattle. &nbsp;He received his discharge on August 29, 1945. &nbsp;Bob remembered he rode on the old train arriving back in Norton at 3 am.After his discharge, he farmed with his Dad and worked other jobs as well.Donna Schilowsky became the love of Bob’s life. &nbsp;She was a sophomore in high school in Almena when they first got glimpses of each other. &nbsp;He finally met her at a party and they started dating. &nbsp;They were married May 29, 1949 and moved to the farm where Bob was born. &nbsp;They spent all their married life there.They welcomed 2 children into this union, Janice Kay in 1952 and Dennis Jay in 1958. &nbsp;Then they welcomed grandchildren and great grandchildren through the years. &nbsp;They both enjoyed spending time with the family and friends.Bob never knew a stranger…he loved to visit and loved to be around people. &nbsp;He loved to drive, loved the mountains, loved to read and could remember names of people like none other! &nbsp;He was quite a history buff too.In 2006, Bob and Donna were contemplating moving into Almena and started looking at houses. &nbsp;Their love story took a sad turn in 2006 when Donna had a massive cerebral hemorrhage and died. &nbsp;Bob moved into the Wheatridge apartments in Almena. &nbsp;The following year his son, Dennis suddenly died of a stroke as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;Bob was a member of the Almena Congregational Church and Almena Bible Church. &nbsp;He knew the Lord Jesus. &nbsp;He believed Christ died for him and paid the penalty for his sins. &nbsp;He loved the Lord and wanted to obey Him. &nbsp;Bob was able to spend 98 ½ years of his life living independently. &nbsp;Then his health started digressing and he moved to the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg where he died. Bob was ready to go home and be with his Lord and Savior.He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Donna McClelland, parents Charles and Emma McClelland, son Dennis McClelland, brother Kenneth McClelland, and sister Beth Bryant.Survivors include his daughter Jan Long and husband Tom of Phillipsburg, Kansas, daughter-in-law Carla Bruning of Glade, Kansas, grandchildren Tana Christensen and husband Nicholas of Orleans, Nebraska, Kelly Leonard and husband Rustin of Salina, Kansas, Brooke Shikhman and husband Arthur of Brooklyn, New York, Jake McClelland of Phillipsburg, Kansas, and Lori Schiefen of Overland Park, Kansas.A funeral service for Bob McClelland will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, in Phillipsburg, Kansas, with Harold Rivera officiating. Burial will follow at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Almena, Kansas, with military honors conducted by the Norton American Legion Harmonson-Redd Post 63, and the Fort Riley Honor Guard.Bob will lie in-state on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a visitation on Monday evening from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, Kansas.Memorial contributions may be made to the Phillips County Retirement Center or the Almena City Library.

Robert Richard McClelland

The annual Dog Swim was hosted over the weekend at the Hays Aquatic Park. 

Take a look at this annual tradition that wraps up the summer swimming season in Hays below.

Hays Post The annual Dog Swim was hosted over the weekend at the Hays Aquatic Park. Take a look at this annual tradition that wraps up the summer swimming season in Hays below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724523620057.jpeg" alt="Photos by James Bell/Hays Post" />
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Stop, Sit, Swim: A look at Hays Aquatic Park's annual dog swim

DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to  see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.

Kansas Highway Trooper Rice was in Salina for specialized training at the KHP Academy this week. On his way back east, heading towards his home county, he encountered a vehicle traveling 112 mph in a 75 mph zone on Interstate 70 in Dickinson County, according to a social media report.

Later Saturday, KHP Trooper Fraser ticketed a driver for going 100 mph in a 75 mph zone on Interstate 135 in McPherson County.

"One of the many benefits of being part of the Kansas Highway Patrol is our statewide jurisdiction. Unlike local agencies restricted by city limits or county lines, our enforcement abilities span across the entire state. While we each have specific roles, the most foundational responsibility we all share as troopers is ensuring the safety of our roadways," Trooper Ben Gardner wrote on his social media account.

"Whether it’s our pilots, truck-checking troopers, training instructors, supervisors, K-9 handlers, bomb technicians, or administrative lieutenants—we all work the road. Service comes whenever we’re out driving, committed to keeping you and others safe."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724518531319.png" alt="Photos KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photos KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.Kansas Highway Trooper Rice was in Salina for specialized training at the KHP Academy this week. On his way back east, heading towards his home county, he encountered a vehicle traveling 112 mph in a 75 mph zone on Interstate 70 in Dickinson County, according to a social media report.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724585586787.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Later Saturday, KHP Trooper Fraser ticketed a driver for going 100 mph in a 75 mph zone on Interstate 135 in McPherson County."One of the many benefits of being part of the Kansas Highway Patrol is our statewide jurisdiction. Unlike local agencies restricted by city limits or county lines, our enforcement abilities span across the entire state. While we each have specific roles, the most foundational responsibility we all share as troopers is ensuring the safety of our roadways," Trooper Ben Gardner wrote on his social media account."Whether it’s our pilots, truck-checking troopers, training instructors, supervisors, K-9 handlers, bomb technicians, or administrative lieutenants—we all work the road. Service comes whenever we’re out driving, committed to keeping you and others safe."

Driver ticketed for traveling 112mph on Interstate 70

WASHINGTON (AP) —Kansas, Missouri and 14 other Republican-led states are suing to end a federal program that could potentially give nearly half a million immigrants without legal status who are married to U.S. citizens a path to citizenship.

The coalition&nbsp; filed suit Friday to halt the program launched by President Joe Biden in June, saying in court filings that the administration bypassed Congress to create a pathway to citizenship for “blatant political purposes.”

“This action incentivizes illegal immigration and will irreparably harm the Plaintiff states,” the suit filed in federal court in Tyler, Texas, says.

Under the policy, which started&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-spouses-citizenship-registration-da37d9cbdb45a4baca837f6dc2a09aba">taking applications Monday</a>, many spouses without legal status can apply for something called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-parole-trump-biden-latin-america-hungary-vietnam-cuba-venezuela-6deab463a9cc596b2cd1adc6443da787">“parole in place,”</a>&nbsp;offering permission to stay in the U.S., apply for a green card and eventually get on a path to citizenship.

But the program has been particularly contentious in an election year where immigration is one of the biggest issues, with many Republicans attacking the policy and contending it is essentially a form of amnesty for people who broke the law.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement Friday that the plan "violates the Constitution and actively worsens the illegal immigration disaster that is hurting Texas and our country.”

The suit filed against the Department of Homeland Security, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other Biden administration officials accuses the agency of attempting to parole spouses “en masse,” which the states contend is an abuse of power. The states also filed a motion asking for the program to be put on hold while the lawsuit proceeds.

In a post on X, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said her state is challenging the parole in place policy because she believes the Biden administration “is illegally using ‘parole’ in a systematic way to advance their open-borders agenda.”

The conservative nonprofit America First Legal, which is headed by Stephen Miller, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, is serving as co-counsel in the lawsuit.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Mayra Alejandra said the agency will defend the Keeping Families Together program in court and continues to process already submitted applications as well as accept new applications.

“Keeping Families Together is grounded in well-established legal authority, and its purpose — enabling the families of U.S. Citizens to live without fear of separation — is consistent with fundamental American values,” Alejandra said.

White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández fired back against Republicans “playing politics” and characterized the lawsuit as another form of family separation.

“This lawsuit is seeking to force U.S. citizens and their families, people who have lived in the United States for more than ten years, to continue to live in the shadows,” Fernandez said in a statement.

The bipartisan immigration and criminal justice organization FWD.us said the program is in compliance with the law and noted the timing of the lawsuit — as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic nomination for president.

“The only motivation behind this lawsuit is the cruelty of tearing families apart and the crass politics of hoping a judge might do the bidding of the anti-immigrant movement,” the organization said in a statement.

Karen Tumlin, founder and director of the Justice Action Center, called the legal challenge “unsurprising yet extremely disappointing and cruel.”

“However, it’s important to emphasize that nothing changes for now, and the process is still open and accepting applications,” she said.

To be eligible for the program, immigrants must have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least 10 years, not pose a security threat or have a disqualifying criminal history, and have been married to a citizen by June 17 — the day before the program was announced.

They must pay a $580 fee to apply and fill out a lengthy application, including an explanation of why they deserve humanitarian parole and a long list of supporting documents proving how long they have been in the country.

If approved, applicants have three years to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-immigration-border-immigrants-11486c86ba620a04ae9dc66a3d44f346">seek permanent residency</a>. During that period, they can get work authorization. The administration estimates about 500,000 people could be eligible, plus about 50,000 of their children.

Before this program, it was complicated for people who were in the U.S. illegally to get a green card after marrying an American citizen. They can be required to return to their home country — often for years — and they always face the risk they may not be allowed back in.

The lawsuit contends that states will bear the burden of additional immigrants staying in the country.

Texas, the suit says, spends tens of millions of dollars each year on a program that provides health insurance for children, including those in the country illegally. It says that the state also spends millions each year “for increased law enforcement as its citizens suffer increased crime, unemployment, environmental harm, and social disorder due to illegal immigration.”

Because the program beneficiaries will be entitled to work authorization, those additional workers “will drive down the wages of Texas residents, directly harming the State and its citizens,” the lawsuit says.

Evelyn Wiese, an immigration attorney at Americans for Immigrant Justice, described the lawsuit as an “attack” on mixed status families who have spent years contributing to their communities in the United States.

“Trying to rip apart these families and prevent them from accessing a lawful pathway to status in the U.S. is cruel and reflective of anti-immigrant extremism,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724510077030.png" alt="President Biden during the announcement in June-White House image" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during the announcement in June-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Kansas, Missouri and 14 other Republican-led states are suing to end a federal program that could potentially give nearly half a million immigrants without legal status who are married to U.S. citizens a path to citizenship.The coalition&nbsp; filed suit Friday to halt the program launched by President Joe Biden in June, saying in court filings that the administration bypassed Congress to create a pathway to citizenship for “blatant political purposes.”“This action incentivizes illegal immigration and will irreparably harm the Plaintiff states,” the suit filed in federal court in Tyler, Texas, says.Under the policy, which started&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-spouses-citizenship-registration-da37d9cbdb45a4baca837f6dc2a09aba">taking applications Monday</a>, many spouses without legal status can apply for something called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-parole-trump-biden-latin-america-hungary-vietnam-cuba-venezuela-6deab463a9cc596b2cd1adc6443da787">“parole in place,”</a>&nbsp;offering permission to stay in the U.S., apply for a green card and eventually get on a path to citizenship.But the program has been particularly contentious in an election year where immigration is one of the biggest issues, with many Republicans attacking the policy and contending it is essentially a form of amnesty for people who broke the law.Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement Friday that the plan "violates the Constitution and actively worsens the illegal immigration disaster that is hurting Texas and our country.”The suit filed against the Department of Homeland Security, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other Biden administration officials accuses the agency of attempting to parole spouses “en masse,” which the states contend is an abuse of power. The states also filed a motion asking for the program to be put on hold while the lawsuit proceeds.In a post on X, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said her state is challenging the parole in place policy because she believes the Biden administration “is illegally using ‘parole’ in a systematic way to advance their open-borders agenda.”The conservative nonprofit America First Legal, which is headed by Stephen Miller, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, is serving as co-counsel in the lawsuit.Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Mayra Alejandra said the agency will defend the Keeping Families Together program in court and continues to process already submitted applications as well as accept new applications.“Keeping Families Together is grounded in well-established legal authority, and its purpose — enabling the families of U.S. Citizens to live without fear of separation — is consistent with fundamental American values,” Alejandra said.White House spokesperson Angelo Fernández Hernández fired back against Republicans “playing politics” and characterized the lawsuit as another form of family separation.“This lawsuit is seeking to force U.S. citizens and their families, people who have lived in the United States for more than ten years, to continue to live in the shadows,” Fernandez said in a statement.The bipartisan immigration and criminal justice organization FWD.us said the program is in compliance with the law and noted the timing of the lawsuit — as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic nomination for president.“The only motivation behind this lawsuit is the cruelty of tearing families apart and the crass politics of hoping a judge might do the bidding of the anti-immigrant movement,” the organization said in a statement.Karen Tumlin, founder and director of the Justice Action Center, called the legal challenge “unsurprising yet extremely disappointing and cruel.”“However, it’s important to emphasize that nothing changes for now, and the process is still open and accepting applications,” she said.To be eligible for the program, immigrants must have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least 10 years, not pose a security threat or have a disqualifying criminal history, and have been married to a citizen by June 17 — the day before the program was announced.They must pay a $580 fee to apply and fill out a lengthy application, including an explanation of why they deserve humanitarian parole and a long list of supporting documents proving how long they have been in the country.If approved, applicants have three years to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-immigration-border-immigrants-11486c86ba620a04ae9dc66a3d44f346">seek permanent residency</a>. During that period, they can get work authorization. The administration estimates about 500,000 people could be eligible, plus about 50,000 of their children.Before this program, it was complicated for people who were in the U.S. illegally to get a green card after marrying an American citizen. They can be required to return to their home country — often for years — and they always face the risk they may not be allowed back in.The lawsuit contends that states will bear the burden of additional immigrants staying in the country.Texas, the suit says, spends tens of millions of dollars each year on a program that provides health insurance for children, including those in the country illegally. It says that the state also spends millions each year “for increased law enforcement as its citizens suffer increased crime, unemployment, environmental harm, and social disorder due to illegal immigration.”Because the program beneficiaries will be entitled to work authorization, those additional workers “will drive down the wages of Texas residents, directly harming the State and its citizens,” the lawsuit says.Evelyn Wiese, an immigration attorney at Americans for Immigrant Justice, described the lawsuit as an “attack” on mixed status families who have spent years contributing to their communities in the United States.“Trying to rip apart these families and prevent them from accessing a lawful pathway to status in the U.S. is cruel and reflective of anti-immigrant extremism,” she said.

Kan. joins lawsuit over plan to give immigrant spouses of US citizens legal status

By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN Special to Hays Post

A lot of customers know him by his first name. And while he sells a large variety of produce, many know Randy Evans as the peach guy.

The “peach king” has been bringing fresh fruit and vegetables from Colorado’s Palisade Peach Shack to communities in western Kansas for several decades.

One popular – and profitable – stop for Evans is Hays, America.

For six weeks every summer, people flock to the mall parking lot at Big Creek Crossing in Hays on Wednesday to purchase fresh Colorado peaches, and they often leave with more than peaches.

While waiting in line, customers can check out large boxes of fruit along with tables of vegetables that include beets, corn-on-the-cob, tomatoes, cucumbers and green beans.

Prospective buyers can be seen smelling cantaloupe and tapping watermelons in choosing what they believe is the best pick of the lot.

A venture that started with selling peaches and pears back in the 1970s has turned into a full-fledged vegetable/fruit operation for Evans.

After getting a taste of a good thing, people informed Evans they wanted more.

“I started adding on a little bit as people kept asking,” Evans said. “So I added other fruits and vegetables. I just wanted to pay for my fuel. And then …”

And then he started his business called Out of the Box Biz which now features a full-time market in Dighton.

He watched some peach-seeking customers one Wednesday in Hays as they picked up peaches from the display, turning them over and over before deciding which one to buy.

Others request a flat of a dozen peaches. But one of the most popular items are entire boxes of the scrumptious fruit, many to freeze for the winter.

Just like the produce, customers come in all shapes and sizes and ages – and in a variety of modes of transportation.

Some stand in line with babies in strollers or on their shoulder.

Several show up early to make sure they are the first in line. Others are determined to go home with what they came for, no matter what it takes to get to the end of the line.

Judith Case had a friend of hers drive her to the mall parking lot one Wednesday morning this summer, then used her wheelchair to check out the boxes and tables of goodies herself.

Case said she has been coming to the market for years. She is not only pleased with the quality of the produce but the service as well.

“It’s fresh, and it’s good,” Case said simply when asked exactly what keeps her coming back time after time. “I used to freeze them.”

She smiled at two grade-school age boys helping customers deliver their purchase to their vehicles.

“The kids are so polite and helpful,” Case said.

“It’s nice to see the younger generation helping out like this,” added Case’s friend, Diana Ficken.

Youngsters have learned both good service and hard work from the master of both.

Evans and his entire crew are polite and helpful&nbsp;with their customers no matter what their age.

Even the youngsters are good at chatting up customers.

“This is my last day working, because school starts tomorrow,” Braydon Pollock said as he carried a box of peaches to a customer’s vehicle in mid-August.

Braydon, a fifth-grader at Dighton Grade School, is one of several youngsters who Evans brings along with him.

As far as advertising arrival times each summer, Evans puts out notices through Facebook on his business website at <a href="https://outoftheboxbiz.com/">www.outoftheboxbiz.com</a>.

But the best advertisement is the quality of the produce itself and someone telling their neighbor or friend about them.

Evans said he has enjoyed getting to know a lot of people over the years. And he welcomes first-time customers with the same enthusiasm as he does his regulars.

He smiled while talking about a recent customer who made the hour-long trip from Grinnell to Dighton to pick up $750 dollars worth of produce.

“I think that was the largest purchase ever,” he said.

“Customers are very faithful,” Evans added. “We really appreciate that.”

The business actually began as a request from his own family members about 50 years ago.

Evans was living in the western Colorado town of Delta at the time, and his family from western Kansas asked him to bring back Palisade peaches when he came to visit.

“I started filling the back seat of the car, then the trunk and then a trailer,” said Evans, who ended up buying a semi trailer and a motor&nbsp;coach.

After his late wife, Marsha, fell ill, Evans moved the family to Kansas in 2005. After Marsha passed away in 2008, Evans decided to make his hometown of Dighton his new permanent home.

He remarried in 2010, and his current wife, Marla, and her family are now a big part of the experience.

As this year’s tour winds down for the last trip this week – in Hays on Wednesday, Scott City on Friday and Garden City, Saturday – he sometimes fields the question when he will retire.

He usually replies he isn’t sure because he enjoys meeting – and serving – people.

“I just really like the people,” he said. “It’s really rewarding in that way.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724433296083.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724532704208.jpeg" alt="Although the tents say “fruit,” customers visiting this stand in Hays on six Wednesdays each summer also enjoy a selection of a wide variety of vegetables for purchase. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Although the tents say “fruit,” customers visiting this stand in Hays on six Wednesdays each summer also enjoy a selection of a wide variety of vegetables for purchase. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN Special to Hays PostA lot of customers know him by his first name. And while he sells a large variety of produce, many know Randy Evans as the peach guy.The “peach king” has been bringing fresh fruit and vegetables from Colorado’s Palisade Peach Shack to communities in western Kansas for several decades.One popular – and profitable – stop for Evans is Hays, America.For six weeks every summer, people flock to the mall parking lot at Big Creek Crossing in Hays on Wednesday to purchase fresh Colorado peaches, and they often leave with more than peaches.While waiting in line, customers can check out large boxes of fruit along with tables of vegetables that include beets, corn-on-the-cob, tomatoes, cucumbers and green beans.Prospective buyers can be seen smelling cantaloupe and tapping watermelons in choosing what they believe is the best pick of the lot.A venture that started with selling peaches and pears back in the 1970s has turned into a full-fledged vegetable/fruit operation for Evans.After getting a taste of a good thing, people informed Evans they wanted more.“I started adding on a little bit as people kept asking,” Evans said. “So I added other fruits and vegetables. I just wanted to pay for my fuel. And then …”And then he started his business called Out of the Box Biz which now features a full-time market in Dighton.<h2>‘Picking’ their own</h2>He watched some peach-seeking customers one Wednesday in Hays as they picked up peaches from the display, turning them over and over before deciding which one to buy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724533462825.png" alt="Open a box at this fruit and vegetable stand and one finds peaches as large as, and sometimes larger than, baseballs. Photo courtesy Out of the Box Biz" />
 <figcaption>Open a box at this fruit and vegetable stand and one finds peaches as large as, and sometimes larger than, baseballs. Photo courtesy Out of the Box Biz</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724533910596.jpeg" alt="Randy Evans, trying to keep up with the demand on this day, unloads another pallet of boxed peaches from his refrigerated truck. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Randy Evans, trying to keep up with the demand on this day, unloads another pallet of boxed peaches from his refrigerated truck. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Others request a flat of a dozen peaches. But one of the most popular items are entire boxes of the scrumptious fruit, many to freeze for the winter.Just like the produce, customers come in all shapes and sizes and ages – and in a variety of modes of transportation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724533982965.jpeg" alt="Barry Miller, Hays, a long-time friend of Randy Evans, counts out a dozen ears of corn for customers. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Barry Miller, Hays, a long-time friend of Randy Evans, counts out a dozen ears of corn for customers. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Some stand in line with babies in strollers or on their shoulder.Several show up early to make sure they are the first in line. Others are determined to go home with what they came for, no matter what it takes to get to the end of the line.Judith Case had a friend of hers drive her to the mall parking lot one Wednesday morning this summer, then used her wheelchair to check out the boxes and tables of goodies herself.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724533677070.jpeg" alt="It’s a family affair for the Dighton business as Randy Evans’ stepson, Luke Williams, right, helps out on his summer break from high school. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>It’s a family affair for the Dighton business as Randy Evans’ stepson, Luke Williams, right, helps out on his summer break from high school. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Case said she has been coming to the market for years. She is not only pleased with the quality of the produce but the service as well.“It’s fresh, and it’s good,” Case said simply when asked exactly what keeps her coming back time after time. “I used to freeze them.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724532861948.jpeg" alt="Workers of all ages help deliver produce to customers’ vehicles. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Workers of all ages help deliver produce to customers’ vehicles. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>She smiled at two grade-school age boys helping customers deliver their purchase to their vehicles.“The kids are so polite and helpful,” Case said.“It’s nice to see the younger generation helping out like this,” added Case’s friend, Diana Ficken.Youngsters have learned both good service and hard work from the master of both.Evans and his entire crew are polite and helpful&nbsp;with their customers no matter what their age.Even the youngsters are good at chatting up customers.“This is my last day working, because school starts tomorrow,” Braydon Pollock said as he carried a box of peaches to a customer’s vehicle in mid-August.Braydon, a fifth-grader at Dighton Grade School, is one of several youngsters who Evans brings along with him.<h2>Getting the word out</h2>As far as advertising arrival times each summer, Evans puts out notices through Facebook on his business website at <a href="https://outoftheboxbiz.com/">www.outoftheboxbiz.com</a>.But the best advertisement is the quality of the produce itself and someone telling their neighbor or friend about them.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724533572064.jpeg" alt="Some customers even bring wagons to load up their purchases. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Some customers even bring wagons to load up their purchases. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien, Special to Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>Evans said he has enjoyed getting to know a lot of people over the years. And he welcomes first-time customers with the same enthusiasm as he does his regulars.He smiled while talking about a recent customer who made the hour-long trip from Grinnell to Dighton to pick up $750 dollars worth of produce.“I think that was the largest purchase ever,” he said.“Customers are very faithful,” Evans added. “We really appreciate that.”The business actually began as a request from his own family members about 50 years ago.Evans was living in the western Colorado town of Delta at the time, and his family from western Kansas asked him to bring back Palisade peaches when he came to visit.“I started filling the back seat of the car, then the trunk and then a trailer,” said Evans, who ended up buying a semi trailer and a motor&nbsp;coach.After his late wife, Marsha, fell ill, Evans moved the family to Kansas in 2005. After Marsha passed away in 2008, Evans decided to make his hometown of Dighton his new permanent home.He remarried in 2010, and his current wife, Marla, and her family are now a big part of the experience.As this year’s tour winds down for the last trip this week – in Hays on Wednesday, Scott City on Friday and Garden City, Saturday – he sometimes fields the question when he will retire.He usually replies he isn’t sure because he enjoys meeting – and serving – people.“I just really like the people,” he said. “It’s really rewarding in that way.”

NWester: ‘Peach king’ gets sweet reception in Hays 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA decided Saturday it’s too risky to bring two astronauts back to Earth in Boeing’s troubled new capsule, and they'll have to wait until next year for a ride home with SpaceX. What should have been a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-starliner-nasa-astronauts-launch-e139ce1842e0324942746bb0cdee5c73">weeklong test flight</a>&nbsp;for the pair will now last more than eight months.

(click below to watch the press conference)

The seasoned pilots have been stuck at the International Space Station since the beginning of June. A cascade of vexing thruster&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-starliner-nasa-astronauts-launch-fc55af012efeb32cbeaa4d264ab85e11">failures and helium leaks</a>&nbsp;in the new capsule marred their trip to the space station, and they ended up in a holding pattern as engineers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-spacex-boeing-starliner-astronauts-922b43fa8d0e1f9622022a52f8c8e2ed">conducted tests and debated</a>&nbsp;what to do about the flight back.

After almost three months, the decision finally came down from NASA’s highest ranks on Saturday. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will come back in a SpaceX capsule in February. Their empty Starliner capsule will undock in early September and attempt to return on autopilot with a touchdown in the New Mexico desert.

As Starliner’s test pilots, the pair should have overseen this critical last leg of the journey.

“A test flight by nature is neither safe nor routine,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. The decision "is a result of a commitment to safety.”

Nelson said lessons learned from NASA's two space shuttle accidents played a role. This time, he noted, open dialogue was encouraged rather than crushed.

“This has not been an easy decision, but it is absolutely the right one,” added Jim Free, NASA's associate administrator.

It was a blow to Boeing, adding to the safety concerns plaguing the company on its airplane side. Boeing had counted on Starliner’s first crew trip to revive the troubled spacecraft program after years of delays and ballooning costs. The company had insisted Starliner was safe based on all the recent thruster tests both in space and on the ground.

Boeing did not participate in Saturday's news conference by NASA, but released a statement: “Boeing continues to focus, first and foremost, on the safety of the crew and spacecraft." The company said it is preparing the spacecraft “for a safe and successful return.”

Rand Corp.'s Jan Osburg, a senior engineer who specializes in aerospace and defense, said NASA made the right choice. “But the U.S. is still left with egg on its face due to the Starliner design issues that should have been caught earlier."

Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 58, are both retired Navy captains with previous long-duration spaceflight experience. Before their June 5 launch from Cape Canaveral, Wilmore and Williams said their families bought into the uncertainty and stress of their professional careers decades ago.

During their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-space-astronauts-starliner-nasa-df30b94b0463a20eec72ce494d9bccc4">lone orbital news conference</a>&nbsp;last month, the astronauts said they had trust in the thruster testing being conducted. They had no complaints, they added, and enjoyed pitching in with space station work.

Wilmore's wife, Deanna, was equally stoic in an interview earlier this month with WVLT-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, their home state. She was already bracing for a delay: “You just sort of have to roll with it."

Flight operations director Norm Knight said he talked to the astronauts Saturday and they fully support the decision to postpone their return.

The SpaceX capsule currently parked at the space station is reserved for the four residents who have been there since March. They will return in late September, their routine six-month stay extended a month by the Starliner dilemma. NASA said it would be unsafe to squeeze two more into the capsule, except in an emergency.

The docked Russian Soyuz capsule is even tighter, capable of flying only three — two of them Russians wrapping up a yearlong stint.

So Wilmore and Williams will wait for SpaceX's next taxi flight. It’s due to launch in late September with two astronauts instead of the usual four. NASA is yanking two to make room for Wilmore and Williams on the return flight in late February.

NASA said no serious consideration was given to asking SpaceX for a quick stand-alone rescue. Last year, the Russian Space Agency had to rush up a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-astronaut-space-station-c3a0f36bb3b44d038f9fc0af99425c16">replacement Soyuz capsule</a>&nbsp;for three men whose original craft was damaged by space junk. The switch pushed their six-month mission to just over a year.

Former Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, applauded the decision via X: “Good to err on the side of caution for astronaut lives.” Long missions are “what astronauts work their entire career for. I’d take it in a heartbeat!”

Starliner’s woes began long before its latest flight.

Bad software fouled the first test flight without a crew in 2019, prompting a do-over in 2022. Then parachute and other issues cropped up, including a helium leak in the capsule’s propellant system that nixed a launch attempt in May. The leak eventually was deemed to be isolated and small enough to pose no concern. But more leaks sprouted following liftoff, and five thrusters also failed.

All but one of those small thrusters restarted in flight. But engineers were perplexed by ground testing that showed a thruster seal swelling and obstructing a propellant line. They theorized the seals in orbit may have expanded and then reverted to their normal size. Officials said the results marked the turning point, as their concerns grew.

With all the uncertainty about how the thrusters might perform, “There was too much risk for the crew," Steve Stich, NASA's commercial crew program manager, told reporters.

These 28 thrusters are vital. Besides needed for space station rendezvous, they keep the capsule pointed in the right direction at flight’s end as bigger engines steer the craft out of orbit. Coming in crooked could result in catastrophe.

With the Columbia disaster still fresh in many minds — the shuttle broke apart during reentry in 2003, killing all seven aboard — NASA made an extra effort to embrace open debate over Starliner's return capability.

Despite Saturday's decision, NASA isn’t giving up on Boeing. Nelson said he is “100%” certain that Starliner will fly again.

NASA went into its commercial crew program a decade ago wanting two competing U.S. companies ferrying astronauts in the post-shuttle era. Boeing won the bigger contract: more than $4 billion, compared with SpaceX’s $2.6 billion.

With station supply runs already under its belt, SpaceX aced its first of now nine astronaut flights in 2020, while Boeing got bogged down in design flaws that set the company back more than $1 billion. NASA officials still hold out hope that Starliner’s problems can be corrected in time for another crew flight in another year or so.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724532550650.png" alt="NASA astronaut Suni Williams-photo courtesy NASA" />
 <figcaption>NASA astronaut Suni Williams-photo courtesy NASA</figcaption>
 </figure>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA decided Saturday it’s too risky to bring two astronauts back to Earth in Boeing’s troubled new capsule, and they'll have to wait until next year for a ride home with SpaceX. What should have been a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-starliner-nasa-astronauts-launch-e139ce1842e0324942746bb0cdee5c73">weeklong test flight</a>&nbsp;for the pair will now last more than eight months.(click below to watch the press conference)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AGOswKRSsHc?si=MI1_WtaUumqrYTVM&amp;start=834" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The seasoned pilots have been stuck at the International Space Station since the beginning of June. A cascade of vexing thruster&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-starliner-nasa-astronauts-launch-fc55af012efeb32cbeaa4d264ab85e11">failures and helium leaks</a>&nbsp;in the new capsule marred their trip to the space station, and they ended up in a holding pattern as engineers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-spacex-boeing-starliner-astronauts-922b43fa8d0e1f9622022a52f8c8e2ed">conducted tests and debated</a>&nbsp;what to do about the flight back.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/0WGZKPzHcg">https://t.co/0WGZKPzHcg</a>&mdash; NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1827404736422932734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>After almost three months, the decision finally came down from NASA’s highest ranks on Saturday. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will come back in a SpaceX capsule in February. Their empty Starliner capsule will undock in early September and attempt to return on autopilot with a touchdown in the New Mexico desert.As Starliner’s test pilots, the pair should have overseen this critical last leg of the journey.“A test flight by nature is neither safe nor routine,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. The decision "is a result of a commitment to safety.”Nelson said lessons learned from NASA's two space shuttle accidents played a role. This time, he noted, open dialogue was encouraged rather than crushed.“This has not been an easy decision, but it is absolutely the right one,” added Jim Free, NASA's associate administrator.It was a blow to Boeing, adding to the safety concerns plaguing the company on its airplane side. Boeing had counted on Starliner’s first crew trip to revive the troubled spacecraft program after years of delays and ballooning costs. The company had insisted Starliner was safe based on all the recent thruster tests both in space and on the ground.Boeing did not participate in Saturday's news conference by NASA, but released a statement: “Boeing continues to focus, first and foremost, on the safety of the crew and spacecraft." The company said it is preparing the spacecraft “for a safe and successful return.”Rand Corp.'s Jan Osburg, a senior engineer who specializes in aerospace and defense, said NASA made the right choice. “But the U.S. is still left with egg on its face due to the Starliner design issues that should have been caught earlier."Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 58, are both retired Navy captains with previous long-duration spaceflight experience. Before their June 5 launch from Cape Canaveral, Wilmore and Williams said their families bought into the uncertainty and stress of their professional careers decades ago.During their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-space-astronauts-starliner-nasa-df30b94b0463a20eec72ce494d9bccc4">lone orbital news conference</a>&nbsp;last month, the astronauts said they had trust in the thruster testing being conducted. They had no complaints, they added, and enjoyed pitching in with space station work.Wilmore's wife, Deanna, was equally stoic in an interview earlier this month with WVLT-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, their home state. She was already bracing for a delay: “You just sort of have to roll with it."Flight operations director Norm Knight said he talked to the astronauts Saturday and they fully support the decision to postpone their return.There were few options.The SpaceX capsule currently parked at the space station is reserved for the four residents who have been there since March. They will return in late September, their routine six-month stay extended a month by the Starliner dilemma. NASA said it would be unsafe to squeeze two more into the capsule, except in an emergency.The docked Russian Soyuz capsule is even tighter, capable of flying only three — two of them Russians wrapping up a yearlong stint.So Wilmore and Williams will wait for SpaceX's next taxi flight. It’s due to launch in late September with two astronauts instead of the usual four. NASA is yanking two to make room for Wilmore and Williams on the return flight in late February.NASA said no serious consideration was given to asking SpaceX for a quick stand-alone rescue. Last year, the Russian Space Agency had to rush up a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-astronaut-space-station-c3a0f36bb3b44d038f9fc0af99425c16">replacement Soyuz capsule</a>&nbsp;for three men whose original craft was damaged by space junk. The switch pushed their six-month mission to just over a year.Former Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, applauded the decision via X: “Good to err on the side of caution for astronaut lives.” Long missions are “what astronauts work their entire career for. I’d take it in a heartbeat!”Starliner’s woes began long before its latest flight.Bad software fouled the first test flight without a crew in 2019, prompting a do-over in 2022. Then parachute and other issues cropped up, including a helium leak in the capsule’s propellant system that nixed a launch attempt in May. The leak eventually was deemed to be isolated and small enough to pose no concern. But more leaks sprouted following liftoff, and five thrusters also failed.All but one of those small thrusters restarted in flight. But engineers were perplexed by ground testing that showed a thruster seal swelling and obstructing a propellant line. They theorized the seals in orbit may have expanded and then reverted to their normal size. Officials said the results marked the turning point, as their concerns grew.With all the uncertainty about how the thrusters might perform, “There was too much risk for the crew," Steve Stich, NASA's commercial crew program manager, told reporters.These 28 thrusters are vital. Besides needed for space station rendezvous, they keep the capsule pointed in the right direction at flight’s end as bigger engines steer the craft out of orbit. Coming in crooked could result in catastrophe.With the Columbia disaster still fresh in many minds — the shuttle broke apart during reentry in 2003, killing all seven aboard — NASA made an extra effort to embrace open debate over Starliner's return capability.Despite Saturday's decision, NASA isn’t giving up on Boeing. Nelson said he is “100%” certain that Starliner will fly again.NASA went into its commercial crew program a decade ago wanting two competing U.S. companies ferrying astronauts in the post-shuttle era. Boeing won the bigger contract: more than $4 billion, compared with SpaceX’s $2.6 billion.With station supply runs already under its belt, SpaceX aced its first of now nine astronaut flights in 2020, while Boeing got bogged down in design flaws that set the company back more than $1 billion. NASA officials still hold out hope that Starliner’s problems can be corrected in time for another crew flight in another year or so.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

🎥NASA confirms 2 astronauts stuck in space won't be home for months

Optimism seems to be fading that a cease fire proposed by the United States will be accepted to pause the fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Kansas U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, says these are difficult negotiations between long-time enemies.

“Well, I don’t know, there have been lots of efforts at trying to put in place a cease fire. None of them have worked to date. And it seems both sides are difficult to deal with,” Moran tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during a recent visit to Elwood.

Moran is doubtful this latest attempt by the United States to bring the two sides together will work.

“I hope that there can be some kind of coming together for peace or a better circumstance for people,” Moran says.

Still Moran holds out hope the United States can bring the two sides together this time.

“So, we hope and pray that there’s solution that protects the Israeli citizens and provides a safe and secure place for everyone.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East and had thought Israel and Hamas had agreed to terms for a pause in the fight and the release of hostages.

The conflict ignited after Hamas attacked Israeli citizens in October, killing more than a thousand, taking more than 100 hostage. Israel launched an all-out war against Hamas. It is estimated more than 40,000 have been killed in the war.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700064381613.jpeg" alt="U.S. Sen Jerry Moran visited Israel in November as part of a delegation that met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo courtesy Sen. Moran's office." />
 <figcaption>U.S. Sen Jerry Moran visited Israel in November as part of a delegation that met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo courtesy Sen. Moran's office.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostOptimism seems to be fading that a cease fire proposed by the United States will be accepted to pause the fighting between Israel and Hamas.Kansas U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, says these are difficult negotiations between long-time enemies.“Well, I don’t know, there have been lots of efforts at trying to put in place a cease fire. None of them have worked to date. And it seems both sides are difficult to deal with,” Moran tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during a recent visit to Elwood.Moran is doubtful this latest attempt by the United States to bring the two sides together will work.“I hope that there can be some kind of coming together for peace or a better circumstance for people,” Moran says.Still Moran holds out hope the United States can bring the two sides together this time.“So, we hope and pray that there’s solution that protects the Israeli citizens and provides a safe and secure place for everyone.”Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East and had thought Israel and Hamas had agreed to terms for a pause in the fight and the release of hostages.The conflict ignited after Hamas attacked Israeli citizens in October, killing more than a thousand, taking more than 100 hostage. Israel launched an all-out war against Hamas. It is estimated more than 40,000 have been killed in the war.

Sen. Moran cautious on whether Israel, Hamas cease fire will be reached

Roberta Josephine “Tinker” Jacobs, 89, of Aurora, Colo., passed away on March 28, 2024. She was born July 23, 1934 to Simon and Ida Jacobs, in Hays, one of six children.

A 1952 graduate from Hays High School, Tinker helped blaze a trail for women while becoming a renowned biochemist after earning a B.A. degree at the Fort Hays Kansas State College (now FHSU) in 1956 with a major in biology and minor in zoology.

She spent her career researching immunology possibilities with a focus on finding ways to improve treatments for arthritis and lupus, among other health issues. While working at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in the 1980s, at least three of her research papers were published in the Journal of Immunological Methods. She retired from her career as a research scientist from the University of Colorado Health Science Center in Denver.

Throughout her career, she continued to teach and learn while earning multiple post-graduate degrees. Beginning at the University of Buffalo with an M. Med in medicine (1962), continuing at the University of Kansas with an M. Arts in biology (1966), and concluding at the State University of New York-Buffalo with a Ph.D. in biochemistry (1980), Tinker was focused on helping others.

When not studying or working, Tinker spent time hiking and cycling, honing her photography skills, and caring for a collection of pets, including her beloved ‘Little Guy’ after retiring in the Denver area. While living in Oklahoma City, Okla., she became a handywoman as she worked through the process of fixing problems and making improvements as a homeowner.

She is survived by her sister, Stephanie Schumacher (Leon) of Hays, four nephews, seven nieces, and 12 great-nephews and great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Simon and Ida (Linenberger) Jacobs, brothers David Jacobs, Leroy Jacobs and Norman Jacobs, sister Verna Lou (Jacobs) LaBan, and two nieces, Robin LaBan White and Stacey Schumacher Badger.

A memorial service has been scheduled for October 26, 2024 in Hays, Kansas. This obituary will be updated with more information as it becomes available.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please consider making a donation to the Aurora (Colo.) Animal Shelter. Donations can be sent by mail or made online. To donate by check payable to the Aurora Animal Shelter, mail it to: 15750 E. 32nd Ave., Aurora, CO 80011. To donate online, go to: https://licensepet.com/wl3/don/aurowd/457. Condolences and memories of Tinker may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724525954920.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Roberta Josephine “Tinker” Jacobs, 89, of Aurora, Colo., passed away on March 28, 2024. She was born July 23, 1934 to Simon and Ida Jacobs, in Hays, one of six children.A 1952 graduate from Hays High School, Tinker helped blaze a trail for women while becoming a renowned biochemist after earning a B.A. degree at the Fort Hays Kansas State College (now FHSU) in 1956 with a major in biology and minor in zoology.She spent her career researching immunology possibilities with a focus on finding ways to improve treatments for arthritis and lupus, among other health issues. While working at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in the 1980s, at least three of her research papers were published in the Journal of Immunological Methods. She retired from her career as a research scientist from the University of Colorado Health Science Center in Denver.Throughout her career, she continued to teach and learn while earning multiple post-graduate degrees. Beginning at the University of Buffalo with an M. Med in medicine (1962), continuing at the University of Kansas with an M. Arts in biology (1966), and concluding at the State University of New York-Buffalo with a Ph.D. in biochemistry (1980), Tinker was focused on helping others.When not studying or working, Tinker spent time hiking and cycling, honing her photography skills, and caring for a collection of pets, including her beloved ‘Little Guy’ after retiring in the Denver area. While living in Oklahoma City, Okla., she became a handywoman as she worked through the process of fixing problems and making improvements as a homeowner.She is survived by her sister, Stephanie Schumacher (Leon) of Hays, four nephews, seven nieces, and 12 great-nephews and great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Simon and Ida (Linenberger) Jacobs, brothers David Jacobs, Leroy Jacobs and Norman Jacobs, sister Verna Lou (Jacobs) LaBan, and two nieces, Robin LaBan White and Stacey Schumacher Badger.A memorial service has been scheduled for October 26, 2024 in Hays, Kansas. This obituary will be updated with more information as it becomes available.In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please consider making a donation to the Aurora (Colo.) Animal Shelter. Donations can be sent by mail or made online. To donate by check payable to the Aurora Animal Shelter, mail it to: 15750 E. 32nd Ave., Aurora, CO 80011. To donate online, go to: https://licensepet.com/wl3/don/aurowd/457. Condolences and memories of Tinker may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com

Roberta Josephine “Tinker” Jacobs

WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on this week rejected a Republican push that could have blocked more than 41,000 Arizona voters from casting ballots for president in the closely contested swing state, but allowed some parts of a law requiring proof of citizenship to be enforced.

The 5-4 order came after emergency appeal filed by state and national Republicans. It sought to give full effect to voting measures that were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-us-supreme-court-legislature-elections-9cb2f7395ce3150e0aa6548aa492c138">enacted</a>&nbsp;after President Joe Biden won the state over Republican Donald Trump with less than 11,000 votes. The measures have drawn fierce opposition from voting rights advocates.

The case could be one of multiple election disputes to come before the high court with the November election less than 90 days away.

Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch would have allowed the law to be fully enforced. But Justice Amy Coney Barrett would have joined with the court’s three liberals in fully rejecting the push, the order states.

The justices did not detail their reasoning in a brief order, as is typical in emergency appeals.

Trump applauded the high court’s decision, saying the high court has “great courage in doing what they’re doing.”

The high court's order allows the enforcement of restrictions that bar people from voting in state and local elections if they don’t provide proof of citizenship when they register while the legal fight continues in lower courts.

State voter registration forms submitted without “documentary proof of citizenship” will now be rejected by Arizona counties, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said. People can still register to vote in presidential and congressional elections with a different federal form that requires people to swear they are citizens under penalty of perjury, but does not require proof.

“My concern is that changes to the process should not occur this close to an election, it creates confusion for voters,” Fontes said in a statement. “We respect the Court’s decision and will implement these changes while continuing to protect voter access and make a voting simple process.”

Rick Hasen, an election law expert and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, wrote in a blog post that proof of citizenship laws “matter a lot. They stand to literally disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters for no good reason.”

Proponents say the measure is about eliminating opportunities for fraud. National and state Republicans had asked the Supreme Court to get involved in a legal fight over voter registration restrictions that Republicans enacted in Arizona in 2022 following Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-arizona-phoenix-elections-9638adedbe826b31b5d172ba3a1c7c3a">narrow victory</a>&nbsp;in the state in 2020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718044194207.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on this week rejected a Republican push that could have blocked more than 41,000 Arizona voters from casting ballots for president in the closely contested swing state, but allowed some parts of a law requiring proof of citizenship to be enforced.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724356826324.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The 5-4 order came after emergency appeal filed by state and national Republicans. It sought to give full effect to voting measures that were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-us-supreme-court-legislature-elections-9cb2f7395ce3150e0aa6548aa492c138">enacted</a>&nbsp;after President Joe Biden won the state over Republican Donald Trump with less than 11,000 votes. The measures have drawn fierce opposition from voting rights advocates.The case could be one of multiple election disputes to come before the high court with the November election less than 90 days away.Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch would have allowed the law to be fully enforced. But Justice Amy Coney Barrett would have joined with the court’s three liberals in fully rejecting the push, the order states.The justices did not detail their reasoning in a brief order, as is typical in emergency appeals.Trump applauded the high court’s decision, saying the high court has “great courage in doing what they’re doing.”The high court's order allows the enforcement of restrictions that bar people from voting in state and local elections if they don’t provide proof of citizenship when they register while the legal fight continues in lower courts.State voter registration forms submitted without “documentary proof of citizenship” will now be rejected by Arizona counties, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said. People can still register to vote in presidential and congressional elections with a different federal form that requires people to swear they are citizens under penalty of perjury, but does not require proof.“My concern is that changes to the process should not occur this close to an election, it creates confusion for voters,” Fontes said in a statement. “We respect the Court’s decision and will implement these changes while continuing to protect voter access and make a voting simple process.”Rick Hasen, an election law expert and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, wrote in a blog post that proof of citizenship laws “matter a lot. They stand to literally disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters for no good reason.”Proponents say the measure is about eliminating opportunities for fraud. National and state Republicans had asked the Supreme Court to get involved in a legal fight over voter registration restrictions that Republicans enacted in Arizona in 2022 following Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-arizona-phoenix-elections-9638adedbe826b31b5d172ba3a1c7c3a">narrow victory</a>&nbsp;in the state in 2020.The court’s action came after a lower court had blocked a requirement that called for state voter registration forms to be rejected if they are not accompanied by documents proving U.S. citizenship. A second measure would have prohibited voting in presidential elections or by mail if registrants don’t prove they are U.S. citizens.An appellate panel of three Trump appointees initially blocked the lower court ruling in part and allowed enforcement of a provision dealing with state voter registration forms. But another appellate panel voted 2-1 to keep both provisions on hold, with two Bill Clinton appointees allowing the voter registrations to go forward over the dissent of a Trump appointee.The measures were passed on party-line votes and signed into law by then-Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, amid a wave of proposals that Republicans introduced around the country after Biden’s 2020 victory over Trump, including in Arizona.For state and local elections, voters must provide proof of citizenship when they register or have it on file with the state. Since that isn’t a requirement for federal elections for Congress or president, tens of thousands of voters who haven’t provided proof of citizenship are registered only for federal elections.There were 41,352 of those voters registered as of August 9 in Arizona, Fontes, a Democrat, said.The GOP push to block those voters would most impact military service members, students and Native Americans, Fontes said. About 27% of those voters are registered Democrats and 15% are Republicans. More than half, 54%, are registered independents, according to state data.Voting rights groups and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-us-supreme-court-legislature-arizona-bc2fa3b59f7b7c81d27fde7df9e1ed9b">Biden administration had sued</a>&nbsp;over the Arizona laws.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715730270249.png" alt="Kansas AG Kris Kobach courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas AG Kris Kobach courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach led Republican attorneys general in 24 states in supporting the restrictions.Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, who along with Senate President Warren Petersen had asked the court to take up the issue, said in a statement that Thursday's order was “a step in the right direction to require proof of citizenship in all our elections.” Toma and Petersen are both Republicans.Federal-only voters have been a subject of political wrangling since the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that Arizona cannot require documentary proof of citizenship for people to vote in national elections. The state responded by creating two classes of voters: those who can vote in all races and those who can vote only in federal elections.One of the new laws sought to further divide voters, allowing votes in congressional elections without proof of citizenship, but denying the vote in presidential contests.The Legislature’s own lawyers had said much of the measure was unconstitutional, directly contradicted the earlier Supreme Court decision and was likely to be thrown out in court.Meanwhile, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled on a handful of other election-related cases Thursday, clearing the way for ballot measures that were facing legal challenges to now appear before voters. Arizona voters will have a chance to decide on whether they want to establish open primary elections in which all candidates compete regardless of their party affiliation — changing the state’s primaries from closed to open.The justices bucked two of opponents’ multiple arguments. The measure faces one pending challenge, but if it is not ruled on by early Friday morning, the measure will officially be kept on the ballot.Voters in other states, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-ranked-choice-voting-primary-lawsuit-b0a5923cee968f2f65855d0999e9842e">Idaho</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-dakota-open-primary-ballot-initiative-cdc43a6cee1447fd53d06de79bfb325d">South Dakota</a>&nbsp;and Nevada, will also decide on similar ballot measures concerning open primary elections this November.The high court also ruled the title of a measure to decrease workers’ wages up to 25% per hour if they are tipped was not misleading, placing it on the November ballot.___Billeaud reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writers Mark Sherman in Washington as well as Sejal Govindarao and Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this story.But in a 5-4 order, the high court allowed some enforcement of regulations barring people from voting if they don’t provide proof of citizenship when they register.The justices acted on an emergency appeal filed by state and national Republicans that sought to give full effect to voting measures&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-rights-us-supreme-court-legislature-elections-9cb2f7395ce3150e0aa6548aa492c138">enacted in 2022</a>&nbsp;following Biden's narrow win over Republican Donald Trump.The court did not detail its reasoning in a brief order. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch would have allowed the law to be fully enforced, while Justice Amy Coney Barrett would have joined with the court’s three liberals in fully rejecting the push, the order states.The legal fight will continue in lower courts.National and state Republicans had asked the Supreme Court to get involved in a legal fight over voter registration restrictions that Republicans enacted in Arizona in 2022 following Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-arizona-phoenix-elections-9638adedbe826b31b5d172ba3a1c7c3a">thin victory</a>&nbsp;in the state in 2020.The court’s action came after a lower court had blocked a requirement that called for state voter registration forms to be rejected if they are not accompanied by documents proving U.S. citizenship. A second measure, also not in effect, would have prohibited voting in presidential elections or by mail if registrants don’t prove they are U.S. citizens. Federal law requires voters to swear they are U.S. citizens under penalty of perjury but does not require proof of citizenship either to vote in federal elections in person or cast ballots by mail.An appellate panel of three Trump appointees initially blocked the lower court ruling in part and allowed enforcement of a provision dealing with state voter registration forms. But another appellate panel voted 2-1 to keep both provisions on hold, with two Bill Clinton appointees allowing the voter registrations to go forward over the dissent of a Trump appointee.The measures were passed on party-line votes and signed into law by then-Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, amid a wave of proposals that Republicans introduced around the country after Biden’s 2020 victory over Trump, including in Arizona.For state and local elections, voters must provide proof of citizenship when they register or have it on file with the state. Since that isn’t a requirement for federal elections for Congress or president, tens of thousands of voters who haven’t provided proof of citizenship are registered only for federal elections.There were 41,352 of those voters registered as of August 9 in Arizona, Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said.Fontes warned in a court filing that an order in favor of the state and national Republicans this close to the November election “will create chaos and confusion.”The voters most affected would include military service members, students and Native Americans, Fontes said. About 27% of those voters are registered Democrats and 15% are Republicans. More than half, 54%, are registered independents, according to state data.Voting rights groups and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-us-supreme-court-legislature-arizona-bc2fa3b59f7b7c81d27fde7df9e1ed9b">Biden administration had sued</a>&nbsp;over the Arizona laws.Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach led Republican attorneys general in 24 states in supporting the restrictions, saying the “case threatens to continue chipping away Arizona’s authority to secure its own elections.”Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, who along with Senate President Warren Petersen had asked the court to take up the issue, said in a statement that the order was “a step in the right direction to require proof of citizenship in all our elections.” Toma and Peterson are both Republicans.Federal-only voters have been a subject of political wrangling since the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that Arizona cannot require documentary proof of citizenship for people to vote in national elections. The state responded by creating two classes of voters: those who can vote in all races and those who can vote only in federal elections.One of the new laws sought to further divide voters, allowing votes in congressional elections without proof of citizenship, but denying the vote in presidential contests.The 2022 law has drawn fierce opposition from voting rights advocates, who described the statute as an attempt to get the issue back in front of the now more conservative Supreme Court.Proponents say the measure is about eliminating opportunities for fraud. There is no evidence that the existence of federal-only voters has allowed noncitizens to illegally vote, but Republican skeptics have nonetheless worked aggressively to crack down on federal-only voting.The Legislature’s own lawyers had said much of the measure was unconstitutional, directly contradicted the earlier Supreme Court decision and was likely to be thrown out in court.