NEW YORK (AP) —Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case has been postponed until at least September after the judge agreed Tuesday to weigh the possible impact of a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity</a>.

Trump had been scheduled to face sentencing July 11 on his New York conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. He denies any wrongdoing.

The postponement sets the sentencing for Sept. 18 at the earliest, well after this month's Republican National Convention, where Trump is set formally to accept the party’s nomination for president in this year’s race.

There was no immediate comment from Trump's campaign or Manhattan prosecutors, who brought the case.

A Supreme Court ruling Monday granted broad immunity protections to presidents, while also restricting prosecutors from citing any official acts as evidence in trying to prove a president’s unofficial actions violated the law.

Hours after it was issued, Trump’s attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24787589-20240701-letter-to-justice-merchan-re-immunity-decision?responsive=1&amp;title=1">requested</a>&nbsp;that New York Judge Juan M. Merchan set aside the jury’s guilty verdict and delay the sentencing to consider how the high court’s ruling and could affect the hush money case.

He wrote that he'll rule Sept. 6, and the next date in the case would be Sept. 18, “if such is still necessary.”

In their filing Monday, defense attorneys argued that Manhattan prosecutors had placed “highly prejudicial emphasis on official-acts evidence,” including Trump's social media posts and witness testimony about Oval Office meetings.

Prosecutors said before the judge's ruling Tuesday that they believed those arguments were “without merit” but that they wouldn't oppose adjourning the sentencing for two weeks as the judge considers the matter.

Trump was convicted May 30 on 34 counts of falsifying business records arising from what prosecutors said was an attempt to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.

Daniels claims she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 after meeting him at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. Trump has repeatedly denied that claim, saying at his June 27 debate with President Joe Biden: “I didn’t have sex with a porn star.”

Prosecutors said the Daniels payment was part of a broader scheme to buy the silence of people who might have gone public during the campaign with embarrassing stories alleging he had extramarital sex. Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses.

Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation, a fine or a conditional discharge which would require Trump to stay out of trouble to avoid additional punishment. Trump is the first ex-president convicted of a crime.

NEW YORK (AP) —Manhattan prosecutors said Tuesday they would not oppose Donald Trump’s request to delay the sentencing in his hush money trial as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-supreme-court-immunity-3d97d2e9497a5a208c1309aec7a0cd6a">seeks to have the conviction</a>&nbsp;overturned following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;ruling that granted broad immunity protections to presidents.

In a letter filed with the New York court, prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said they would be open to a delay of at least two weeks in the July 11 sentencing in order to file a response to Trump’s motions.

If granted by Judge Juan M. Merchan, the delay would mean that Trump won’t learn his sentence until after he is formally nominated at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which starts July 15, leaving open the possibility that he could be ordered to jail during a critical stretch of his campaign.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24787590-20240702-people-pml-response-on-immunity-filed?responsive=1&amp;title=1">letter</a>&nbsp;came one day after Trump’s attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24787589-20240701-letter-to-justice-merchan-re-immunity-decision?responsive=1&amp;title=1">requested</a>&nbsp;the judge delay the sentencing as he weighs the high court’s ruling and how it could influence the New York case.

The Supreme Court decision grants broad immunity to presidents for any official acts, while also restricting prosecutors from citing any official acts as evidence in trying to prove a president’s unofficial actions violated the law.

In their filing, defense attorneys argued that Manhattan prosecutors had placed “highly prejudicial emphasis on official-acts evidence,” including Trump's social media posts and witness testimony about Oval Office meetings.

Prosecutors said Tuesday that they believed those arguments were “without merit,” but noted they were not opposed to adjourning the sentencing as the judge considers the matter.

Trump will be required to be present in Merchan’s Manhattan courtroom when he is sentenced.

Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713921168558.png" alt="File photo CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —Former President Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case has been postponed until at least September after the judge agreed Tuesday to weigh the possible impact of a new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity</a>.Trump had been scheduled to face sentencing July 11 on his New York conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. He denies any wrongdoing.The postponement sets the sentencing for Sept. 18 at the earliest, well after this month's Republican National Convention, where Trump is set formally to accept the party’s nomination for president in this year’s race.There was no immediate comment from Trump's campaign or Manhattan prosecutors, who brought the case.A Supreme Court ruling Monday granted broad immunity protections to presidents, while also restricting prosecutors from citing any official acts as evidence in trying to prove a president’s unofficial actions violated the law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719936693746.png" alt="People v. Trump defense letter on immunity- image NY State Courts" />
 <figcaption>People v. Trump defense letter on immunity- image NY State Courts</figcaption>
 </figure>Hours after it was issued, Trump’s attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24787589-20240701-letter-to-justice-merchan-re-immunity-decision?responsive=1&amp;title=1">requested</a>&nbsp;that New York Judge Juan M. Merchan set aside the jury’s guilty verdict and delay the sentencing to consider how the high court’s ruling and could affect the hush money case.He wrote that he'll rule Sept. 6, and the next date in the case would be Sept. 18, “if such is still necessary.”In their filing Monday, defense attorneys argued that Manhattan prosecutors had placed “highly prejudicial emphasis on official-acts evidence,” including Trump's social media posts and witness testimony about Oval Office meetings.Prosecutors said before the judge's ruling Tuesday that they believed those arguments were “without merit” but that they wouldn't oppose adjourning the sentencing for two weeks as the judge considers the matter.Trump was convicted May 30 on 34 counts of falsifying business records arising from what prosecutors said was an attempt to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.Daniels claims she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 after meeting him at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. Trump has repeatedly denied that claim, saying at his June 27 debate with President Joe Biden: “I didn’t have sex with a porn star.”Prosecutors said the Daniels payment was part of a broader scheme to buy the silence of people who might have gone public during the campaign with embarrassing stories alleging he had extramarital sex. Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses.Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation, a fine or a conditional discharge which would require Trump to stay out of trouble to avoid additional punishment. Trump is the first ex-president convicted of a crime.--------NEW YORK (AP) —Manhattan prosecutors said Tuesday they would not oppose Donald Trump’s request to delay the sentencing in his hush money trial as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-supreme-court-immunity-3d97d2e9497a5a208c1309aec7a0cd6a">seeks to have the conviction</a>&nbsp;overturned following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;ruling that granted broad immunity protections to presidents.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719936693746.png" alt="People v. Trump defense letter on immunity- image NY State Courts" />
 <figcaption>People v. Trump defense letter on immunity- image NY State Courts</figcaption>
 </figure>In a letter filed with the New York court, prosecutors with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said they would be open to a delay of at least two weeks in the July 11 sentencing in order to file a response to Trump’s motions.If granted by Judge Juan M. Merchan, the delay would mean that Trump won’t learn his sentence until after he is formally nominated at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which starts July 15, leaving open the possibility that he could be ordered to jail during a critical stretch of his campaign.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24787590-20240702-people-pml-response-on-immunity-filed?responsive=1&amp;title=1">letter</a>&nbsp;came one day after Trump’s attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24787589-20240701-letter-to-justice-merchan-re-immunity-decision?responsive=1&amp;title=1">requested</a>&nbsp;the judge delay the sentencing as he weighs the high court’s ruling and how it could influence the New York case.The Supreme Court decision grants broad immunity to presidents for any official acts, while also restricting prosecutors from citing any official acts as evidence in trying to prove a president’s unofficial actions violated the law.In their filing, defense attorneys argued that Manhattan prosecutors had placed “highly prejudicial emphasis on official-acts evidence,” including Trump's social media posts and witness testimony about Oval Office meetings.Prosecutors said Tuesday that they believed those arguments were “without merit,” but noted they were not opposed to adjourning the sentencing as the judge considers the matter.Trump was convicted May 30 on 34 counts of falsifying business records arising from what prosecutors said was an attempt to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.Daniels claims she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 after meeting him at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. Trump has repeatedly denied that claim, saying at his June 27 debate with President Joe Biden: “I didn’t have sex with a porn star.”Prosecutors said the Daniels payment was part of a broader scheme to buy the silence of people who might have gone public during the campaign with embarrassing stories alleging he had extramarital sex. Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels and was later reimbursed by Trump, whose company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses.Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years behind bars. Other potential sentences include probation, a fine or a conditional discharge which would require Trump to stay out of trouble to avoid additional punishment. Trump is the first ex-president convicted of a crime.Trump will be required to be present in Merchan’s Manhattan courtroom when he is sentenced.Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump's sentencing may be delayed after Supreme Court ruling

PARKER, Colo. – Three Hays
Larks pitches combined on a three-hitter, but the Larks failed to score and
lost 1-0 to the Gameday Angels Monday night at Double Angel Ballpark. It’s the
first time the Larks have been shoutout since July 19, 2023 when they lost 5-0 in the second game of a doubleheader with the Liberal Bee Jays.&nbsp;

The Angels took
advantage of two walks and then scored on an Owen Best single in the bottom of
the second. They would get only one hit past the third inning.

The Larks (17-4, 13-3
RMBL) had their chances, stranding five base runners in the first four innings,
three of which were in scoring position.

Their best scoring
chance came in the sixth&nbsp; after ssngles from Garrett Gruell, Wilbert Espinal and Houston
Russell loaded the bases with no outs but the next three batters struck out to
end the threat.

The Larks threatened
again in the ninth. Kaleb Duncan doubled with two outs then advanced to third
on Kaiden Ashton’s single, but Will Carpenter struck out to end the game.

The Larks out-hit the
Angels 11-3 but stranded 11 base runners, seven of which were in scoring
position.

Logan LaPierre (0-1) allowed
the one run on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks over two innings and
suffered the loss.

Felix Brunner and
Garrett Hicks combined to allow no runs on one hit over six innings of relief.

Kiaden Ashton had three
of the Larks’ 11 hits. Gruell and Russell both had two hits, all singles.

The Larks have out-hit
their opponents in each of the six games of&nbsp;
the road trip but have stranded 10 or more base runners in five of the
six games.

Monday's game was the first time the Larks have been shutout on the road since losing 3-0 in the first game of doubleheader against the Derby Twins on July 14, 2017.

The Larks close out the
seven-game road trip at the Colorado Roughriders Tuesday night. They return for
a non-league game with the Junction City Brigade on July 4.

Hays PostPARKER, Colo. – Three Hays
Larks pitches combined on a three-hitter, but the Larks failed to score and
lost 1-0 to the Gameday Angels Monday night at Double Angel Ballpark. It’s the
first time the Larks have been shoutout since July 19, 2023 when they lost 5-0 in the second game of a doubleheader with the Liberal Bee Jays.&nbsp;The Angels took
advantage of two walks and then scored on an Owen Best single in the bottom of
the second. They would get only one hit past the third inning.The Larks (17-4, 13-3
RMBL) had their chances, stranding five base runners in the first four innings,
three of which were in scoring position.Their best scoring
chance came in the sixth&nbsp; after ssngles from Garrett Gruell, Wilbert Espinal and Houston
Russell loaded the bases with no outs but the next three batters struck out to
end the threat.The Larks threatened
again in the ninth. Kaleb Duncan doubled with two outs then advanced to third
on Kaiden Ashton’s single, but Will Carpenter struck out to end the game.The Larks out-hit the
Angels 11-3 but stranded 11 base runners, seven of which were in scoring
position.Logan LaPierre (0-1) allowed
the one run on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks over two innings and
suffered the loss.Felix Brunner and
Garrett Hicks combined to allow no runs on one hit over six innings of relief.Kiaden Ashton had three
of the Larks’ 11 hits. Gruell and Russell both had two hits, all singles.MISSED OPPORTUNITIESThe Larks have out-hit
their opponents in each of the six games of&nbsp;
the road trip but have stranded 10 or more base runners in five of the
six games.RARE ROAD SHUTOUTMonday's game was the first time the Larks have been shutout on the road since losing 3-0 in the first game of doubleheader against the Derby Twins on July 14, 2017.UP NEXTThe Larks close out the
seven-game road trip at the Colorado Roughriders Tuesday night. They return for
a non-league game with the Junction City Brigade on July 4.

⚾ Larks shutout by Angels

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is seeking to put the focus squarely onto Donald Trump following his uneven debate performance last week.

(click below to watch President Biden's brief statement)

Speaking Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">broad immunity from prosecution</a>&nbsp;to Trump and other presidents, Biden said the high court's ruling had undermined the rule of law. The court's conservative majority ruling makes it all but certain that the Republican will not face trial in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-supreme-court-capitol-riot-trial-72ec35de776315183e1db561257cb108">ahead of the November election over his actions</a>&nbsp;during the violent riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

“No one is above the law, not even the president of the United States," Biden said from the White House.

During his brief remarks he made no mention of last week's debate or his performance, and did not take questions.

Biden seemed relaxed and confident, striking a clear and crisp tone and looking tanned and rested — all of which was in stark contrast to his often halting performance during last week’s debate, when his face was notably pale. The president also had the benefit of a teleprompter for his remarks about the court, something he didn’t have while facing off with Trump.

“I know I will respect the limits of presidential power as I have for the three-and-a-half years, but any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law,” Biden said.

For all the public efforts to shift the focus away from his uneven performance that spooked donors and prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-debate-age-democrats-b93d7ffaad75fd423ea3953fe16287f0">Democratic anxiety</a>, there have been private discussions on what more Biden could do to counteract what Americans saw during the debate, when he gave convoluted answers, trailed off at times, occasionally stared blankly and sounded raspy-voiced.

There has been talk about whether Biden should be seen more in public through town-hall-style events or interviews and press conferences, which he has generally avoided during his time in office.

But most in his orbit are waiting on more substantial polling to come back in order to assess how bad the damage was before altering course in any substantial way. That's according to four Biden advisers who were not authorized to speak publicly about internal discussions and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Biden's team may not alter anything at all. Many think — or hope — the fraught moment will pass, particularly after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-debate-democrats-clyburn-warnock-2024-nominee-01bd3586a2f2da9217a04d031ddd7934">Biden's family encouraged him to stay in the race</a>&nbsp;and keep fighting during a huddle at Camp David on Sunday.

Campaign officials said Monday they had nothing to announce on new events. They said Biden would be campaigning as he has been, hitting battleground states as he has already been doing for months.

An ad released Monday was called “I Know” using clips from Biden's post-debate North Carolina rally, where he said, “When you get knocked down, you get back up.”

Quentin Fulks, Biden’s principal deputy campaign manager, put the focus on Trump in a call with reporters, saying, “When you do see President Biden out on the trail, he will be talking about the reasons why Americans should be scared of Donald Trump, as he has been for months.”

Even before the debate, the age of the 81-year-old Democratic president had been a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-age-poll-trump-2024-620e0a5cfa0039a6448f607c17c7f23e">liability with voters</a>, and the prime-time faceoff put the issue front-and-center before perhaps the largest audience he will have in the four months until Election Day. CNN, which held the debate, said more than 51 million people watched.

“I think his age was baked in, to a large degree, and I know he can do better than he did on Thursday night. I expected to see better. I’m not sure other voters did,” said Jennifer Palmieri, a White House communications director during the Obama administration and a spokesperson for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.

She added that, tactically, the campaign has responded by promoting Biden’s strong speech in North Carolina on Friday and by continuing to post strong fundraising numbers. Palmieri also said Biden might also want to sit for more interviews to continue to show that the debate was an anomaly.

“Their focus needs to be on getting him in front of voters that matter the most, and more interviews should be part of that. Don’t be like Trump in your own little universe,” she said. “For now, we’re early, but what they’re doing is working."

There's a sense that voters may now be watching Biden more closely for signs that show one way or another whether his debate debacle was a blip — whether he is, as he says, capable of doing the job.

Alan Kessler, a lawyer and member of the Biden campaign’s national finance team, has spent days calming jittery donors, telling them what he says he has personally witnessed when he's seen the president — that he's “lucid, strong as he's always been.”

“To the extent it’s necessary, I’m reassuring people,” Kessler said.

Rebecca Katz, a strategist who worked with Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman’s winning campaign in 2022, saw potential parallels in Fetterman's comeback from a shaky debate performance after he had a stroke.

Fetterman's team highlighted especially bombastic comments his opponent made about abortion during that debate, and also had the candidate travel extensively afterward. He did lots of local television interviews to ensure voters in key markets saw him outside of clips from the debate.

“It’s not a perfect comparison but there is a blueprint for the Biden campaign,” Katz said. “You can have a rough debate night and still win.”

Biden expressed interest in doing at least one interview. At a Saturday fundraiser in East Hampton, New York, Biden said he had spoken with the broadcaster Howard Stern, who had interviewed him in April, where he answered open-ended questions mostly about his early years.

The president told the crowd he was ready for another sit-down with Stern, saying: “I had a great time on his show. And I’m actually going to take a chance in going back.”

The Democratic National Committee and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bidendebatetrumpdnc-aa08cc2b556b315e728d1e9c2bf81be9">Biden’s campaign</a>, meanwhile, kept up damage control, holding an evening finance call. Over the weekend, they held calls with donors and one with dozens of committee members across the country — some of the most influential members of the party. They offered a rosy assessment of the path forward and gave no opportunity for others on the call to ask questions.

Multiple committee members on the weekend call, most granted anonymity to talk about the private discussion, described feeling like they were being asked to ignore a serious predicament.

Campaign officials have said there was no discussion “whatsoever” of Biden exiting the race nor of any staff shakeups following the debate.

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania said he thought voters were more concerned with the issues at stake, anyway. “I’ve been at this a while, and I know his work,” Casey said.

The window of opportunity for that is shrinking anyway. The Democratic National Committee has announced that it will use a virtual roll call to formally make him the nominee before the convention begins in Chicago on Aug. 19. But when that will happen and what it will look like is still unclear.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is seeking to put the focus squarely onto Donald Trump following his uneven debate performance last week.(click below to watch President Biden's brief statement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F2453382978190567%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=7" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Speaking Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-immunity-2dc0d1c2368d404adc0054151490f542">broad immunity from prosecution</a>&nbsp;to Trump and other presidents, Biden said the high court's ruling had undermined the rule of law. The court's conservative majority ruling makes it all but certain that the Republican will not face trial in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immunity-supreme-court-capitol-riot-trial-72ec35de776315183e1db561257cb108">ahead of the November election over his actions</a>&nbsp;during the violent riot on Jan. 6, 2021.“No one is above the law, not even the president of the United States," Biden said from the White House.During his brief remarks he made no mention of last week's debate or his performance, and did not take questions.Biden seemed relaxed and confident, striking a clear and crisp tone and looking tanned and rested — all of which was in stark contrast to his often halting performance during last week’s debate, when his face was notably pale. The president also had the benefit of a teleprompter for his remarks about the court, something he didn’t have while facing off with Trump.“I know I will respect the limits of presidential power as I have for the three-and-a-half years, but any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law,” Biden said.For all the public efforts to shift the focus away from his uneven performance that spooked donors and prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-debate-age-democrats-b93d7ffaad75fd423ea3953fe16287f0">Democratic anxiety</a>, there have been private discussions on what more Biden could do to counteract what Americans saw during the debate, when he gave convoluted answers, trailed off at times, occasionally stared blankly and sounded raspy-voiced.There has been talk about whether Biden should be seen more in public through town-hall-style events or interviews and press conferences, which he has generally avoided during his time in office.But most in his orbit are waiting on more substantial polling to come back in order to assess how bad the damage was before altering course in any substantial way. That's according to four Biden advisers who were not authorized to speak publicly about internal discussions and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.Biden's team may not alter anything at all. Many think — or hope — the fraught moment will pass, particularly after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-debate-democrats-clyburn-warnock-2024-nominee-01bd3586a2f2da9217a04d031ddd7934">Biden's family encouraged him to stay in the race</a>&nbsp;and keep fighting during a huddle at Camp David on Sunday.Campaign officials said Monday they had nothing to announce on new events. They said Biden would be campaigning as he has been, hitting battleground states as he has already been doing for months.An ad released Monday was called “I Know” using clips from Biden's post-debate North Carolina rally, where he said, “When you get knocked down, you get back up.”Quentin Fulks, Biden’s principal deputy campaign manager, put the focus on Trump in a call with reporters, saying, “When you do see President Biden out on the trail, he will be talking about the reasons why Americans should be scared of Donald Trump, as he has been for months.”Even before the debate, the age of the 81-year-old Democratic president had been a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-age-poll-trump-2024-620e0a5cfa0039a6448f607c17c7f23e">liability with voters</a>, and the prime-time faceoff put the issue front-and-center before perhaps the largest audience he will have in the four months until Election Day. CNN, which held the debate, said more than 51 million people watched.“I think his age was baked in, to a large degree, and I know he can do better than he did on Thursday night. I expected to see better. I’m not sure other voters did,” said Jennifer Palmieri, a White House communications director during the Obama administration and a spokesperson for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.She added that, tactically, the campaign has responded by promoting Biden’s strong speech in North Carolina on Friday and by continuing to post strong fundraising numbers. Palmieri also said Biden might also want to sit for more interviews to continue to show that the debate was an anomaly.“Their focus needs to be on getting him in front of voters that matter the most, and more interviews should be part of that. Don’t be like Trump in your own little universe,” she said. “For now, we’re early, but what they’re doing is working."There's a sense that voters may now be watching Biden more closely for signs that show one way or another whether his debate debacle was a blip — whether he is, as he says, capable of doing the job.Alan Kessler, a lawyer and member of the Biden campaign’s national finance team, has spent days calming jittery donors, telling them what he says he has personally witnessed when he's seen the president — that he's “lucid, strong as he's always been.”“To the extent it’s necessary, I’m reassuring people,” Kessler said.Rebecca Katz, a strategist who worked with Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman’s winning campaign in 2022, saw potential parallels in Fetterman's comeback from a shaky debate performance after he had a stroke.Fetterman's team highlighted especially bombastic comments his opponent made about abortion during that debate, and also had the candidate travel extensively afterward. He did lots of local television interviews to ensure voters in key markets saw him outside of clips from the debate.“It’s not a perfect comparison but there is a blueprint for the Biden campaign,” Katz said. “You can have a rough debate night and still win.”Biden expressed interest in doing at least one interview. At a Saturday fundraiser in East Hampton, New York, Biden said he had spoken with the broadcaster Howard Stern, who had interviewed him in April, where he answered open-ended questions mostly about his early years.The president told the crowd he was ready for another sit-down with Stern, saying: “I had a great time on his show. And I’m actually going to take a chance in going back.”The Democratic National Committee and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bidendebatetrumpdnc-aa08cc2b556b315e728d1e9c2bf81be9">Biden’s campaign</a>, meanwhile, kept up damage control, holding an evening finance call. Over the weekend, they held calls with donors and one with dozens of committee members across the country — some of the most influential members of the party. They offered a rosy assessment of the path forward and gave no opportunity for others on the call to ask questions.Multiple committee members on the weekend call, most granted anonymity to talk about the private discussion, described feeling like they were being asked to ignore a serious predicament.Campaign officials have said there was no discussion “whatsoever” of Biden exiting the race nor of any staff shakeups following the debate.Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania said he thought voters were more concerned with the issues at stake, anyway. “I’ve been at this a while, and I know his work,” Casey said.The window of opportunity for that is shrinking anyway. The Democratic National Committee has announced that it will use a virtual roll call to formally make him the nominee before the convention begins in Chicago on Aug. 19. But when that will happen and what it will look like is still unclear.___

🎥Biden warns about the power of the presidency after court’s immunity ruling

William W. “Bill” Pickle, 86, passed away June 29, 2024, at Rice Co. District Hospital, Lyons, Kansas. He was born on July 13, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Arthur and Marie (Tucker) Pickle. &nbsp;In 1961, he married Annie Rowland; she passed in April 2003. Bill then married Cheryl Breeden on March 19, 2005. She survives.

He attended Bear Creek School in Jacksonville, Illinois, then proudly served in the United States Army as a mechanic and driver in the 9th Transportation Battalion, 1st Infantry Division during the Vietnam Conflict. Following his time in the service, he landed in Great Bend, and worked for Doonan Truck and Equipment with their tow truck/wrecker department for 38 years prior to his retirement.&nbsp;

Bill was member of the American Legion Post 180, serving as past Post Commander, American Truck Historical Society, and Antique Caterpillar Owners Club of America.

Survivors include his wife of the home; son, Thomas Charles; three daughters, Pam Pennington of Goodland, Missy Seibert and Jennifer Seibert, both of Hutchinson; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.&nbsp;

Bill is preceded in death by a grandson, Jody Allen Charles; his parents; brother, Raymond Pickle; and sister, Lucille Pickle.

Cremation has taken place. Graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Golden Belt Memorial Park, 59 NW 50 Rd., Great Bend, Kansas, with Pastor Bill Johnson presiding. Military rites will be presented by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials have been designated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or American Legion Post #180, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719877984715.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>William W. “Bill” Pickle, 86, passed away June 29, 2024, at Rice Co. District Hospital, Lyons, Kansas. He was born on July 13, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Arthur and Marie (Tucker) Pickle. &nbsp;In 1961, he married Annie Rowland; she passed in April 2003. Bill then married Cheryl Breeden on March 19, 2005. She survives.He attended Bear Creek School in Jacksonville, Illinois, then proudly served in the United States Army as a mechanic and driver in the 9th Transportation Battalion, 1st Infantry Division during the Vietnam Conflict. Following his time in the service, he landed in Great Bend, and worked for Doonan Truck and Equipment with their tow truck/wrecker department for 38 years prior to his retirement.&nbsp;Bill was member of the American Legion Post 180, serving as past Post Commander, American Truck Historical Society, and Antique Caterpillar Owners Club of America.Survivors include his wife of the home; son, Thomas Charles; three daughters, Pam Pennington of Goodland, Missy Seibert and Jennifer Seibert, both of Hutchinson; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.&nbsp;Bill is preceded in death by a grandson, Jody Allen Charles; his parents; brother, Raymond Pickle; and sister, Lucille Pickle.Cremation has taken place. Graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Golden Belt Memorial Park, 59 NW 50 Rd., Great Bend, Kansas, with Pastor Bill Johnson presiding. Military rites will be presented by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials have been designated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or American Legion Post #180, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.

William W. “Bill” Pickle

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Monday ruled for the first time that former presidents have some immunity from prosecution, extending the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss</a>&nbsp;and all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the ruling

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24785411-trump-v-united-states">a historic 6-3 ruling</a>, the justices returned Trump's case to the trial court to determine what is left of special counsel Jack Smith's indictment The outcome means additional delay before Trump could face trial.

The court’s decision in a second major Trump case this term, along with its ruling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-insurrection-election-colorado-51e79c0f03013034c8a042cb278b6446">rejecting efforts to bar him from the ballot</a>&nbsp;because of his actions following the 2020 election, underscores the direct and possibly uncomfortable role the justices are playing in the November election.

“Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power entitles a former president to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. “And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.”

Roberts was joined by the other five conservative justices. The three liberal justices dissented.

In her scathing dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, “Today’s decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law."

Sotomayor, who read a summary of her dissent aloud in the courtroom, said the protection afforded presidents by the court "is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.”

Trump posted in all capital letters on his social media network shortly after the decision was released: “BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”

Smith’s office declined to comment on the ruling.

The justices knocked out one aspect of the indictment. The opinion found Trump is “absolutely immune” from prosecution for alleged conduct involving discussions with the Justice Department.

Trump is also “at least presumptively immune” from allegations that he tried to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to reject certification of Democrat Joe Biden's electoral vote win on Jan. 6, 2021. Prosecutors can try to make the case that Trump's pressure on Pence still can be part of the case against him, Roberts wrote.

The court directed a fact-finding analysis on one of the more striking allegations in the indictment -- that Trump participated in a scheme to enlist fake electors in battleground states won by Biden who would falsely assert that Trump had won. Both sides had dramatically different interpretations as to whether that effort could be construed as official, and the conservative justices said determining which side is correct would require additional analysis at the trial court level.

That work will fall to U.S. District Judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-judge-tanya-chutkan-capitol-riot-9ba5c18d315697d759521425ea203012">Tanya Chutkan</a>, who would preside over Trump's trial.

Trump still could face a trial, said Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller. “But the fact remains that it is almost impossible to happen before the election."

The ruling was the last of the term, and it came more than two months after the court heard arguments, far slower than in other epic high court cases involving the presidency, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/john-dean-richard-nixon-government-and-politics-crime-c7a7b99cca7c685cfc239f5e08b53378">the Watergate tapes case</a>.

The Republican former president has denied doing anything wrong and has said this prosecution and three others are politically motivated to try to keep him from returning to the White House.

In May, Trump became the first former president to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">convicted of a felony</a>, in a New York court. He was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment made during the 2016 presidential election to a porn actor who says she had sex with him, which he denies. He still faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-classified-documents-january-6-a0cb26da1959e2be04a4be2080eba0ad">three other indictments</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">Smith</a>&nbsp;is leading the two federal probes of the former president, both of which have led to criminal charges. The Washington case focuses on Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election after he lost to Biden. The case in Florida revolves around the mishandling of classified documents. A separate case, in Georgia, also turns on Trump’s actions after his defeat in 2020.

If Trump’s Washington trial does not take place before the 2024 election and he is not given another four years in the White House, he presumably would stand trial soon thereafter.

But if he wins, he could appoint an attorney general who would seek the dismissal of this case and the other federal prosecution he faces. He could also attempt to pardon himself if he reclaims the White House. He could not pardon himself for the conviction in state court in New York.

The Supreme Court that heard the case included three justices appointed by Trump — Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh — and two justices who opted not to step aside after questions were raised about their impartiality.

Justice Clarence Thomas’ wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-fraud-mark-meadows-c734294e2810f1240ea7ed1cbf675760">Ginni</a>, attended the rally near the White House where Trump spoke on Jan. 6, 2021, though she did not go the Capitol when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;attacked it soon after. Following the 2020 election, she called the outcome a “heist” and exchanged messages with then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, urging him to stand firm with Trump as he falsely claimed that there was widespread election fraud.

Justice Samuel Alito said there was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alito-flag-supreme-court-roberts-justice-senate-e53c1d1fef7b81f9dc87fa31b1622c4c">no reason for him to step aside</a>&nbsp;from the cases following reports by The New York Times that said flags similar to those carried by the Jan. 6 rioters flew above his homes in Virginia and on the New Jersey shore. His wife, Martha-Ann Alito, was responsible for flying both the inverted American flag in January 2021 and the “Appeal to Heaven” banner in the summer of 2023, he said in letters to Democratic lawmakers responding to their recusal demands.

Trump’s trial had been scheduled to begin March 4, but that was before he sought court-sanctioned delays and a full review of the issue by the nation’s highest court.

Before the Supreme Court got involved, a trial judge and a three-judge appellate panel had ruled unanimously that Trump can be prosecuted for actions undertaken while in the White House and in the run-up to Jan. 6.

“For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant,” the appeals court wrote in February. “But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution.”

Chutkan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388">ruled against Trump’s immunity claim</a>&nbsp;in December. In her ruling, Chutkan said the office of the president “does not confer a lifelong ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ pass.”

“Former Presidents enjoy no special conditions on their federal criminal liability,” Chutkan wrote. “Defendant may be subject to federal investigation, indictment, prosecution, conviction, and punishment for any criminal acts undertaken while in office.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686700913232.png" alt="Photo AP" />
 <figcaption>Photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">The Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Monday ruled for the first time that former presidents have some immunity from prosecution, extending the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss</a>&nbsp;and all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719849152417.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the rulingIn&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24785411-trump-v-united-states">a historic 6-3 ruling</a>, the justices returned Trump's case to the trial court to determine what is left of special counsel Jack Smith's indictment The outcome means additional delay before Trump could face trial.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719857571770.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719857634573.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The court’s decision in a second major Trump case this term, along with its ruling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-insurrection-election-colorado-51e79c0f03013034c8a042cb278b6446">rejecting efforts to bar him from the ballot</a>&nbsp;because of his actions following the 2020 election, underscores the direct and possibly uncomfortable role the justices are playing in the November election.“Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power entitles a former president to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. “And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Supreme Court made the right decision. We must maintain strong presidential immunity protections to ensure our leaders can make tough decisions without fear of political retribution.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1807788510079770685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Roberts was joined by the other five conservative justices. The three liberal justices dissented.In her scathing dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, “Today’s decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law."Sotomayor, who read a summary of her dissent aloud in the courtroom, said the protection afforded presidents by the court "is just as bad as it sounds, and it is baseless.”Trump posted in all capital letters on his social media network shortly after the decision was released: “BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”Smith’s office declined to comment on the ruling.The justices knocked out one aspect of the indictment. The opinion found Trump is “absolutely immune” from prosecution for alleged conduct involving discussions with the Justice Department.Trump is also “at least presumptively immune” from allegations that he tried to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to reject certification of Democrat Joe Biden's electoral vote win on Jan. 6, 2021. Prosecutors can try to make the case that Trump's pressure on Pence still can be part of the case against him, Roberts wrote.The court directed a fact-finding analysis on one of the more striking allegations in the indictment -- that Trump participated in a scheme to enlist fake electors in battleground states won by Biden who would falsely assert that Trump had won. Both sides had dramatically different interpretations as to whether that effort could be construed as official, and the conservative justices said determining which side is correct would require additional analysis at the trial court level.That work will fall to U.S. District Judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-judge-tanya-chutkan-capitol-riot-9ba5c18d315697d759521425ea203012">Tanya Chutkan</a>, who would preside over Trump's trial.Trump still could face a trial, said Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller. “But the fact remains that it is almost impossible to happen before the election."The ruling was the last of the term, and it came more than two months after the court heard arguments, far slower than in other epic high court cases involving the presidency, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/john-dean-richard-nixon-government-and-politics-crime-c7a7b99cca7c685cfc239f5e08b53378">the Watergate tapes case</a>.The Republican former president has denied doing anything wrong and has said this prosecution and three others are politically motivated to try to keep him from returning to the White House.In May, Trump became the first former president to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-testimony-verdict-85558c6d08efb434d05b694364470aa0">convicted of a felony</a>, in a New York court. He was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment made during the 2016 presidential election to a porn actor who says she had sex with him, which he denies. He still faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-classified-documents-january-6-a0cb26da1959e2be04a4be2080eba0ad">three other indictments</a>.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jack-smith-special-counsel-prosecutor-donald-trump-garland-e1fdb71cfc258bc2be48a8b890a9269b">Smith</a>&nbsp;is leading the two federal probes of the former president, both of which have led to criminal charges. The Washington case focuses on Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election after he lost to Biden. The case in Florida revolves around the mishandling of classified documents. A separate case, in Georgia, also turns on Trump’s actions after his defeat in 2020.If Trump’s Washington trial does not take place before the 2024 election and he is not given another four years in the White House, he presumably would stand trial soon thereafter.But if he wins, he could appoint an attorney general who would seek the dismissal of this case and the other federal prosecution he faces. He could also attempt to pardon himself if he reclaims the White House. He could not pardon himself for the conviction in state court in New York.The Supreme Court that heard the case included three justices appointed by Trump — Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh — and two justices who opted not to step aside after questions were raised about their impartiality.Justice Clarence Thomas’ wife,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-fraud-mark-meadows-c734294e2810f1240ea7ed1cbf675760">Ginni</a>, attended the rally near the White House where Trump spoke on Jan. 6, 2021, though she did not go the Capitol when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;attacked it soon after. Following the 2020 election, she called the outcome a “heist” and exchanged messages with then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, urging him to stand firm with Trump as he falsely claimed that there was widespread election fraud.Justice Samuel Alito said there was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alito-flag-supreme-court-roberts-justice-senate-e53c1d1fef7b81f9dc87fa31b1622c4c">no reason for him to step aside</a>&nbsp;from the cases following reports by The New York Times that said flags similar to those carried by the Jan. 6 rioters flew above his homes in Virginia and on the New Jersey shore. His wife, Martha-Ann Alito, was responsible for flying both the inverted American flag in January 2021 and the “Appeal to Heaven” banner in the summer of 2023, he said in letters to Democratic lawmakers responding to their recusal demands.Trump’s trial had been scheduled to begin March 4, but that was before he sought court-sanctioned delays and a full review of the issue by the nation’s highest court.Before the Supreme Court got involved, a trial judge and a three-judge appellate panel had ruled unanimously that Trump can be prosecuted for actions undertaken while in the White House and in the run-up to Jan. 6.“For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant,” the appeals court wrote in February. “But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution.”Chutkan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-capitol-riot-immunity-donald-trump-a98872759762c95fa925ff831df27388">ruled against Trump’s immunity claim</a>&nbsp;in December. In her ruling, Chutkan said the office of the president “does not confer a lifelong ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ pass.”“Former Presidents enjoy no special conditions on their federal criminal liability,” Chutkan wrote. “Defendant may be subject to federal investigation, indictment, prosecution, conviction, and punishment for any criminal acts undertaken while in office.”

History: Trump's statements on Supreme Court immunity decision

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

A Hays man who led law enforcement on a high-speed chase while under the influence of methamphetamine on March 17 was sentenced to 16 months in prison on Monday.

Cody Armbrister, 30, was sentenced in Ellis County District Court to prison on one count of felony fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement. 

Per a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to one count of fleeing and eluding.

Charges of aggravated assault, two more charges of fleeing and eluding, criminal damage to property, stalking, reckless driving and driving while suspended were dismissed.

Armbrister's attorney filed a motion for departure from the sentencing grid. He requested a sentence of probation, which would allow Armbrister to participate in in-patient drug and mental health treatment.

During his allocution, Armbrister told the court he had been placed in the foster care system after his mother went missing in 2004.

He said this trauma had led to mental health issues and a substance abuse problem, which he has never had the opportunity to seek treatment for.

"I want an opportunity to better myself for once," Armbrister said. "I'm asking for one opportunity to attempt to apply myself at treatment."

He said, "I understand I ran, but I was under the influence when I ran, and I was dealing with mental health issues when I ran. I want one chance.&nbsp;

"I'm 30 years old. I cannot continue to keep coming to this place and not dealing with my addiction."

Judge Glenn Braun denied Armbrister's request for a departure.&nbsp;

Armbrister has 16 prior convictions, three of which are felonies. This placed him on the highest box of the sentencing grid. Braun also noted he reoffended only 10 months after he was released from prison on another charge.

"That you were under the influence during a high-speed chase imperiled all of the other law-abiding citizens," Braun said.

"I think we are on the cusp of someone dying," he said. "This has shown that you have little respect for what you said was 'your' law.'"

Braun said he was concerned about the number of fleeing and eluding cases the court has heard during the last two years, calling it an epidemic.

"It's time you face the consequences for your actions," Braun said.

Armbrister was also ordered to serve 12 months of post-release supervision.

Braun urged Armbrister, if he is serious about recovery, to seek treatment once he is released from prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719922571785.png" alt="Armbrister has previous convictions for burglary, aggravated battery and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.- photo Ellis Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Armbrister has previous convictions for burglary, aggravated battery and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.- photo Ellis Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostA Hays man who led law enforcement on a high-speed chase while under the influence of methamphetamine on March 17 was sentenced to 16 months in prison on Monday.Cody Armbrister, 30, was sentenced in Ellis County District Court to prison on one count of felony fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement. Per a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to one count of fleeing and eluding.Charges of aggravated assault, two more charges of fleeing and eluding, criminal damage to property, stalking, reckless driving and driving while suspended were dismissed.Armbrister's attorney filed a motion for departure from the sentencing grid. He requested a sentence of probation, which would allow Armbrister to participate in in-patient drug and mental health treatment.During his allocution, Armbrister told the court he had been placed in the foster care system after his mother went missing in 2004.He said this trauma had led to mental health issues and a substance abuse problem, which he has never had the opportunity to seek treatment for."I want an opportunity to better myself for once," Armbrister said. "I'm asking for one opportunity to attempt to apply myself at treatment."He said, "I understand I ran, but I was under the influence when I ran, and I was dealing with mental health issues when I ran. I want one chance.&nbsp;"I'm 30 years old. I cannot continue to keep coming to this place and not dealing with my addiction."Judge Glenn Braun denied Armbrister's request for a departure.&nbsp;Armbrister has 16 prior convictions, three of which are felonies. This placed him on the highest box of the sentencing grid. Braun also noted he reoffended only 10 months after he was released from prison on another charge."That you were under the influence during a high-speed chase imperiled all of the other law-abiding citizens," Braun said."I think we are on the cusp of someone dying," he said. "This has shown that you have little respect for what you said was 'your' law.'"Braun said he was concerned about the number of fleeing and eluding cases the court has heard during the last two years, calling it an epidemic."It's time you face the consequences for your actions," Braun said.Armbrister was also ordered to serve 12 months of post-release supervision.Braun urged Armbrister, if he is serious about recovery, to seek treatment once he is released from prison.

Hays man sentenced on charge of fleeing, eluding law enforcement

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Rain on-and-off Sunday in Hays yielded 0.62 inch of precipitation as officially measured at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.

The high temperature was unseasonably cool at 76 degrees. One year ago on June 30, it was 89 degrees in Hays.&nbsp;

The Ag Research Center is now reporting 5.37 inches of rain for the month and 11.02 inches of rain year to date. That's just shy of Hays' average precipitation by the end of June of 11.31 inches.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/529b47cb-252a-420c-aba5-09d25afce69c">Today's forecast</a> is calling for a high of nearly 100 degrees with cooler temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683802187138.png" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostRain on-and-off Sunday in Hays yielded 0.62 inch of precipitation as officially measured at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.The high temperature was unseasonably cool at 76 degrees. One year ago on June 30, it was 89 degrees in Hays.&nbsp;The Ag Research Center is now reporting 5.37 inches of rain for the month and 11.02 inches of rain year to date. That's just shy of Hays' average precipitation by the end of June of 11.31 inches.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/529b47cb-252a-420c-aba5-09d25afce69c">Today's forecast</a> is calling for a high of nearly 100 degrees with cooler temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday.

Final June rain brings Hays' average annual moisture to near normal

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — They all had a reason to come back. Every single one of them.

Simone Biles to move past those wrenching two weeks in Japan three years ago, when the gymnastics superstar prioritized her mental health and safety over glory, a decision that inspired some and maddened others.

Suni Lee to prove — perhaps to herself most of all — that the all-around gold medal she earned while Biles watched from the stands wasn't a fluke.

Jordan Chiles to turn the team silver she helped secure at the 2020 Games into gold.

Jade Carey to be an official member of the five-woman Olympic squad after earning her way to Tokyo as an individual qualifier, a pathway not available to the U.S. this time around and frankly, one she had no interest in exploring again anyway.

They're all stepping back into the unique spotlight — oh, and 16-year-old newcomer Hezly Rivera, too — only the sport's biggest stage can provide.&nbsp;<a href="https://members.usagym.org/pages/athletes/nationalTeamWomen.html?id=431412">Leanne Wong,</a>&nbsp;a graduate of&nbsp;Blue Valley High School&nbsp;in Overland Park, Kansas and Joscelyn Roberson are going to Paris as traveling&nbsp; replacement Athletes for the USA Women's team.

Their reasons are deeply personal. Their motivation, however, is not.

“This is definitely our redemption tour,” Biles said after sewing up a third trip to the Olympics by winning the U.S. trials on Sunday night. “I feel like we all have more to give.”

Perhaps no one more than Biles, who at 27 is the oldest American woman to make an Olympic gymnastics team since the 1950s. She never expected to still be doing this nearly a decade after becoming a crossover sensation at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

And here she is. Still working. Still pushing. Not to shut up the critics who still flood her mentions on social media wondering if she'll “quit” again, but because she remains determined to extract everything she can out of her remarkable talent.

“Nobody’s forcing me to do it,” said Biles, who posted a two-day total of 117.225 to claim the all-around by nearly six points over Lee. “I wake up every day and choose to grind in the gym and come out here and perform for myself. Just to remind myself that I can still do it.”

And do it at a level that no one else in her sport — and when she's at her best, maybe sports in general — can match.

A trip to France has never really been in doubt since Biles returned from a two-year break last summer. All she's done over the last 12 months is win a sixth world all-around title and capture her eighth and ninth national championships — both records — while doing the hardest gymnastics of her life.

She will be a prohibitive favorite when she steps onto the Bercy Arena floor though there is plenty to work on before women's qualifying on July 28. Yet there are things to clean up over the next four weeks.

Biles backpedaled after landing her Yurchenko double pike vault, a testament to both the vault's difficulty and the immense power she generates during a skill few male gymnasts try and even fewer land as cleanly.

She hopped off the beam after failing to land her side aerial, though she wasn't quite as frustrated as she was during a sloppy performance on Friday that left her uttering an expletive for all the world to see.

Biles finished with a flourish on floor exercise, her signature event. Though there was a small step out of bounds, there was also the unmatched world-class tumbling that recently drew a shoutout&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/taylorswift13/status/1807200265864450378">from pop star Taylor Swift</a>, whose song “Ready For It” opens Biles' routine.

She stepped off the podium to a standing ovation, then sat down atop the steps to take in the moment in what could be her last competitive round on American soil for quite a while. Maybe ever.

Biles sidestepped questions about what lies ahead. That can wait. It's been a long, winding road back to this moment. She's intent on trying to enjoy it even while being part of a team that will have “a lot of weight on our shoulders.”

She believes she and her teammates are in a better position to handle it. That's the enduring

“It's really nice that Tokyo gave us that opportunity to open up that stage for that talk," Biles said. “And so I think now athletes are a little bit more in tune and we just trust what our gut is saying.”

And Biles’ gut told her that if she wanted to come back, she needed to do it on her terms. That meant taking intentional steps to make sure her life is no longer defined by her gymnastics.

She married Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens in the spring of 2023 and the two are building a house in the northern Houston suburbs they hope to move into shortly after Biles returns from Paris.

Biles heads to France as perhaps the face of the U.S. Olympic movement, though she's well aware that more than a few of the millions that will tune in to watch next month will be checking to see if the demons that derailed her in Tokyo resurface.

And while there are still moments of anxiety — including at last year's world championships — she has put safeguards in place to protect herself. She meets with a therapist weekly, even during competition season, something she didn't do in preparation for the 2020 Games.

The Americans will take their oldest women's team ever to the games, as Biles' unrivaled longevity — she hasn't lost a meet she's started and finished since 2013 — and the easing of rules around name, image and likeness rules at the NCAA level allowed Carey (24), Chiles (23) and Lee (21) to continue to compete while cashing in on their newfound fame at the same time.

They have relied on that experience during a sometimes harrowing meet that saw leading contenders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shilese-jones-gymnastics-olympic-trials-46215fc814931d62b015490aa94b6e70">Shilese Jones</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skye-blakely-gymnastics-olympic-trials-9cb98ca5700e5743b6db48113760f886">Skye Blakely</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kayla-dicello-shilese-jones-gymnastics-olympics-594f867f379e0aaf16548370f0622437">Kayla DiCello</a>&nbsp;exit with leg injuries that took them out of the mix weeks before the potential realization of a lifelong dream.

Watching good friends leave the arena in tears offered a reminder of how thin the line between making it and not making it can be. Biles has been on the right side of that line longer than she ever anticipated. She's going to try and enjoy it, pressure and all.

She may have gotten ahead of herself in 2021. She's intent on not letting that happen this time around.

“I feel like success is just what I make it,” she said. “I feel like right now I’ve been successful of competing at Olympic trials and making the Paris Olympic team. So then we’ll see from there on out.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719828518327.png" alt="<a href="https://members.usagym.org/pages/athletes/nationalTeamWomen.html?id=431412">Leanne Wong,</a>&nbsp;a graduate of&nbsp;Blue Valley High School&nbsp;in Overland Park, Kansas and Joscelyn Roberson are going to Paris as traveling replacement Athletes for the USA Women's gymnastics team- photo courtesy University of Florida" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://members.usagym.org/pages/athletes/nationalTeamWomen.html?id=431412">Leanne Wong,</a>&nbsp;a graduate of&nbsp;Blue Valley High School&nbsp;in Overland Park, Kansas and Joscelyn Roberson are going to Paris as traveling replacement Athletes for the USA Women's gymnastics team- photo courtesy University of Florida</figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — They all had a reason to come back. Every single one of them.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">She&#39;s heading to Paris! 🛫 🐊 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗴 is heading back to the Olympics with <a href="https://twitter.com/USAGym?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USAGym</a> as a replacement athlete! Congratulations Leanne! 🔗 <a href="https://t.co/U6QX5xptZt">https://t.co/U6QX5xptZt</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoGators?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoGators</a> | 🐊🤸‍♀️ | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USAGTrials2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USAGTrials2024</a> <a href="https://t.co/SRTgDooMID">pic.twitter.com/SRTgDooMID</a>&mdash; Gators Gymnastics (@GatorsGym) <a href="https://twitter.com/GatorsGym/status/1807613907856400886?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Simone Biles to move past those wrenching two weeks in Japan three years ago, when the gymnastics superstar prioritized her mental health and safety over glory, a decision that inspired some and maddened others.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">YOUR TEAM 🇺🇸 🔜 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisOlympics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParisOlympics</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MTUSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MTUSA</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USAGTrials24?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USAGTrials24</a> <a href="https://t.co/NIuNsDLrWg">pic.twitter.com/NIuNsDLrWg</a>&mdash; Team USA (@TeamUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamUSA/status/1807620634727321771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Suni Lee to prove — perhaps to herself most of all — that the all-around gold medal she earned while Biles watched from the stands wasn't a fluke.Jordan Chiles to turn the team silver she helped secure at the 2020 Games into gold.Jade Carey to be an official member of the five-woman Olympic squad after earning her way to Tokyo as an individual qualifier, a pathway not available to the U.S. this time around and frankly, one she had no interest in exploring again anyway.They're all stepping back into the unique spotlight — oh, and 16-year-old newcomer Hezly Rivera, too — only the sport's biggest stage can provide.&nbsp;<a href="https://members.usagym.org/pages/athletes/nationalTeamWomen.html?id=431412">Leanne Wong,</a>&nbsp;a graduate of&nbsp;Blue Valley High School&nbsp;in Overland Park, Kansas and Joscelyn Roberson are going to Paris as traveling&nbsp; replacement Athletes for the USA Women's team.Their reasons are deeply personal. Their motivation, however, is not.“This is definitely our redemption tour,” Biles said after sewing up a third trip to the Olympics by winning the U.S. trials on Sunday night. “I feel like we all have more to give.”Perhaps no one more than Biles, who at 27 is the oldest American woman to make an Olympic gymnastics team since the 1950s. She never expected to still be doing this nearly a decade after becoming a crossover sensation at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.And here she is. Still working. Still pushing. Not to shut up the critics who still flood her mentions on social media wondering if she'll “quit” again, but because she remains determined to extract everything she can out of her remarkable talent.“Nobody’s forcing me to do it,” said Biles, who posted a two-day total of 117.225 to claim the all-around by nearly six points over Lee. “I wake up every day and choose to grind in the gym and come out here and perform for myself. Just to remind myself that I can still do it.”And do it at a level that no one else in her sport — and when she's at her best, maybe sports in general — can match.A trip to France has never really been in doubt since Biles returned from a two-year break last summer. All she's done over the last 12 months is win a sixth world all-around title and capture her eighth and ninth national championships — both records — while doing the hardest gymnastics of her life.She will be a prohibitive favorite when she steps onto the Bercy Arena floor though there is plenty to work on before women's qualifying on July 28. Yet there are things to clean up over the next four weeks.Biles backpedaled after landing her Yurchenko double pike vault, a testament to both the vault's difficulty and the immense power she generates during a skill few male gymnasts try and even fewer land as cleanly.She hopped off the beam after failing to land her side aerial, though she wasn't quite as frustrated as she was during a sloppy performance on Friday that left her uttering an expletive for all the world to see.Biles finished with a flourish on floor exercise, her signature event. Though there was a small step out of bounds, there was also the unmatched world-class tumbling that recently drew a shoutout&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/taylorswift13/status/1807200265864450378">from pop star Taylor Swift</a>, whose song “Ready For It” opens Biles' routine.She stepped off the podium to a standing ovation, then sat down atop the steps to take in the moment in what could be her last competitive round on American soil for quite a while. Maybe ever.Biles sidestepped questions about what lies ahead. That can wait. It's been a long, winding road back to this moment. She's intent on trying to enjoy it even while being part of a team that will have “a lot of weight on our shoulders.”She believes she and her teammates are in a better position to handle it. That's the enduring“It's really nice that Tokyo gave us that opportunity to open up that stage for that talk," Biles said. “And so I think now athletes are a little bit more in tune and we just trust what our gut is saying.”And Biles’ gut told her that if she wanted to come back, she needed to do it on her terms. That meant taking intentional steps to make sure her life is no longer defined by her gymnastics.She married Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens in the spring of 2023 and the two are building a house in the northern Houston suburbs they hope to move into shortly after Biles returns from Paris.Biles heads to France as perhaps the face of the U.S. Olympic movement, though she's well aware that more than a few of the millions that will tune in to watch next month will be checking to see if the demons that derailed her in Tokyo resurface.And while there are still moments of anxiety — including at last year's world championships — she has put safeguards in place to protect herself. She meets with a therapist weekly, even during competition season, something she didn't do in preparation for the 2020 Games.The Americans will take their oldest women's team ever to the games, as Biles' unrivaled longevity — she hasn't lost a meet she's started and finished since 2013 — and the easing of rules around name, image and likeness rules at the NCAA level allowed Carey (24), Chiles (23) and Lee (21) to continue to compete while cashing in on their newfound fame at the same time.They have relied on that experience during a sometimes harrowing meet that saw leading contenders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shilese-jones-gymnastics-olympic-trials-46215fc814931d62b015490aa94b6e70">Shilese Jones</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/skye-blakely-gymnastics-olympic-trials-9cb98ca5700e5743b6db48113760f886">Skye Blakely</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kayla-dicello-shilese-jones-gymnastics-olympics-594f867f379e0aaf16548370f0622437">Kayla DiCello</a>&nbsp;exit with leg injuries that took them out of the mix weeks before the potential realization of a lifelong dream.Watching good friends leave the arena in tears offered a reminder of how thin the line between making it and not making it can be. Biles has been on the right side of that line longer than she ever anticipated. She's going to try and enjoy it, pressure and all.She may have gotten ahead of herself in 2021. She's intent on not letting that happen this time around.“I feel like success is just what I make it,” she said. “I feel like right now I’ve been successful of competing at Olympic trials and making the Paris Olympic team. So then we’ll see from there on out.”

Kansas gymnast earns trip to Paris for team USA

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

By the time Mason Younger finished his high school
athletic career, he was one of the most decorated athletes in Ellis High School history,
winning multiple state wrestling championships and a state pole vault title. 

The accolades and hard work eventually earned him a track
and field scholarship to Fort Hays State University. While the journey was
not easy, Younger’s faith never wavered. In fact, his faith made it possible for him to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip that allowed him to share
his faith with others. 

Growing up, Younger thought he would be the
first-ever member of his family to wrestle in college.

Wrestling was always his passion, and after claiming a second-place finish as a sophomore, Younger went on to win back-to-back state championships, becoming the first Ellis Railroader to accomplish that feat.

But after 14 years, he began feeling burnt out and seriously looked elsewhere. There, he found track and field, specifically pole
vault.

“The reason that I chose pole vault over any of the
other events is because I thought it was the most interesting. It's the most unique
event in track and field. There's so many things that go into it, and it's
not that easy to even do let alone to be good at,” Younger said.

“I kind of
just felt like flying through the air. ... I kind of like challenging myself.”

After a rough freshman year, Younger began to focus on
improving at pole vault, and the results started to show.

"Track was always my second sport because I've done
wrestling for 14 years," Younger said. "It wasn't until after my sophomore
year that I actually started taking pole vault and track seriously."

That year, he earned a sixth-place finish at state, but Younger’s competitive nature fueled his desire to be better.

He said it all started to click at the end of his junior
year, culminating in a third-place finish. But that still wasn’t good
enough.

"After I trained through the summer before my senior year, I started going to camps. I started to see myself improve, and when I
started to see myself improve, that's when I was like, I want to do this in
college," Younger said. 

In his senior year, Younger said his goal was to earn
all-state football honors and win a state championship in wrestling and
pole vault.

In his senior season, Younger hauled in 65 passes for 941
yards and 11 touchdowns, earning him 1A Sports in Kansas first-team honors on
the football field.

He followed that with a record of 39-1 and his second
straight state wrestling championship at 144 pounds.

Then, in his first track meet of the season, he broke the school record in pole vault, clearing 13’7”. But after that, he struggled for much of
the season and could never clear the 14’ mark.

"It just wasn't clicking and wasn't making sense to me. Why couldn't I get it, and why wasn't my technique getting down?" Younger
said. "Me and my family ended up just praying about it, and I was like in God's
will and in his control that things will work."

He followed that with a regional performance of 14’6”, his new personal record, which also broke his previous school record.

Younger bettered his regional performance at state and
clinched the elusive 2A state pole vault title with a height of 14’7”.

The new record also worked well for Younger’s
scholarship situation at FHSU. Although he had previously contacted the coaches at
FHSU, it wasn’t until he reached the new height that he secured a
bigger scholarship opportunity.

"It means a lot because Fort Hays is obviously only 15
minutes away from where I live, and both my parents graduated from Fort Hays,"
Younger said. "I know that even my cousins and my aunts and uncles and
grandparents all love watching me and supporting me, so I know that being at Fort
Hays will be even better for them, too, is that they're even close enough that
they could come support and watch me."

He plans to major in health and human performance to become a chiropractor.

Younger is quick to praise God for the athletic success he
has experienced and says that his faith, growing up and attending the Ellis
Baptist Church, is an extremely important part of his life.

His faith is so important to him that he decided to take part in a mission
trip to Africa after the school year.

Younger was part of a group of six people who left the United States at
the end of May and spent two weeks in Africa. His mother, Jenifer, his older sister, Tessa, his best friend, Logan Russell, and a local Ellis teacher also participated in the mission trip.

Russell is also headed to Fort Hays State University next
season. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e58b4363-d4d8-4720-b0ca-04d952f095ef">He has signed to play football for the Tigers. </a>

Their trip took them to Johannesburg, South Africa, and then
to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Younger said they spent the week sharing the gospel there.

"We stayed in a mission house for a week down there and went to many different boys' homes and girls' homes. We went to a dump, which had a
church there, and we ministered that whole week. We talked to many different
people and different groups and gave our testimonies," Younger said.

After a week, they returned to Johannesburg before flying to
Kimberley, South Africa.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719611774562.jpeg" alt="Younger signs with FHSU for track and field.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Younger signs with FHSU for track and field.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostBy the time Mason Younger finished his high school
athletic career, he was one of the most decorated athletes in Ellis High School history,
winning multiple state wrestling championships and a state pole vault title. The accolades and hard work eventually earned him a track
and field scholarship to Fort Hays State University. While the journey was
not easy, Younger’s faith never wavered. In fact, his faith made it possible for him to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip that allowed him to share
his faith with others. Growing up, Younger thought he would be the
first-ever member of his family to wrestle in college.Wrestling was always his passion, and after claiming a second-place finish as a sophomore, Younger went on to win back-to-back state championships, becoming the first Ellis Railroader to accomplish that feat.But after 14 years, he began feeling burnt out and seriously looked elsewhere. There, he found track and field, specifically pole
vault.“The reason that I chose pole vault over any of the
other events is because I thought it was the most interesting. It's the most unique
event in track and field. There's so many things that go into it, and it's
not that easy to even do let alone to be good at,” Younger said.“I kind of
just felt like flying through the air. ... I kind of like challenging myself.”After a rough freshman year, Younger began to focus on
improving at pole vault, and the results started to show."Track was always my second sport because I've done
wrestling for 14 years," Younger said. "It wasn't until after my sophomore
year that I actually started taking pole vault and track seriously."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719610484044.jpeg" alt="Younger became a three time state placer at this year's state track and field championship." />
 <figcaption>Younger became a three time state placer at this year's state track and field championship.</figcaption>
 </figure>That year, he earned a sixth-place finish at state, but Younger’s competitive nature fueled his desire to be better.He said it all started to click at the end of his junior
year, culminating in a third-place finish. But that still wasn’t good
enough."After I trained through the summer before my senior year, I started going to camps. I started to see myself improve, and when I
started to see myself improve, that's when I was like, I want to do this in
college," Younger said. In his senior year, Younger said his goal was to earn
all-state football honors and win a state championship in wrestling and
pole vault.In his senior season, Younger hauled in 65 passes for 941
yards and 11 touchdowns, earning him 1A Sports in Kansas first-team honors on
the football field.He followed that with a record of 39-1 and his second
straight state wrestling championship at 144 pounds.Then, in his first track meet of the season, he broke the school record in pole vault, clearing 13’7”. But after that, he struggled for much of
the season and could never clear the 14’ mark."It just wasn't clicking and wasn't making sense to me. Why couldn't I get it, and why wasn't my technique getting down?" Younger
said. "Me and my family ended up just praying about it, and I was like in God's
will and in his control that things will work."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719610468485.jpeg" alt="Younger capped off the state meet with his best performance.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Younger capped off the state meet with his best performance.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>He followed that with a regional performance of 14’6”, his new personal record, which also broke his previous school record.Younger bettered his regional performance at state and
clinched the elusive 2A state pole vault title with a height of 14’7”.The new record also worked well for Younger’s
scholarship situation at FHSU. Although he had previously contacted the coaches at
FHSU, it wasn’t until he reached the new height that he secured a
bigger scholarship opportunity."It means a lot because Fort Hays is obviously only 15
minutes away from where I live, and both my parents graduated from Fort Hays,"
Younger said. "I know that even my cousins and my aunts and uncles and
grandparents all love watching me and supporting me, so I know that being at Fort
Hays will be even better for them, too, is that they're even close enough that
they could come support and watch me."He plans to major in health and human performance to become a chiropractor.Younger is quick to praise God for the athletic success he
has experienced and says that his faith, growing up and attending the Ellis
Baptist Church, is an extremely important part of his life.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719610493306.jpeg" alt="Younger and the rest of the Ellis group pause for a photo in Africa.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Younger and the rest of the Ellis group pause for a photo in Africa.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>His faith is so important to him that he decided to take part in a mission
trip to Africa after the school year.Younger was part of a group of six people who left the United States at
the end of May and spent two weeks in Africa. His mother, Jenifer, his older sister, Tessa, his best friend, Logan Russell, and a local Ellis teacher also participated in the mission trip.Russell is also headed to Fort Hays State University next
season. <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e58b4363-d4d8-4720-b0ca-04d952f095ef">He has signed to play football for the Tigers. </a>Their trip took them to Johannesburg, South Africa, and then
to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.Younger said they spent the week sharing the gospel there."We stayed in a mission house for a week down there and went to many different boys' homes and girls' homes. We went to a dump, which had a
church there, and we ministered that whole week. We talked to many different
people and different groups and gave our testimonies," Younger said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719610502292.jpeg" alt="The group attended a church located in a landfill in Africa.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The group attended a church located in a landfill in Africa.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>After a week, they returned to Johannesburg before flying to
Kimberley, South Africa.While in Kimberley, Younger said they spent the week on a
farm called Africa for Jesus. There, they were able to help teach lessons and
helped with manual labor.“We helped teach lessons, and I learned a bunch just from
sitting down there and listening,” Younger said. “So, each different part that
we went to was all a completely different experience and a very eye opening
experience.”Younger said that after the initial excitement of the trip wore off, he was a little apprehensive but believed it was worth it."Obviously, it was scary, fully committing to it," Younger
said. "But once we landed, and we met everybody down there, we all got
comfortable down in Africa. It all became way easier because I knew I
was there for God's will and not my own plan."Younger said he’s unsure if he will take part in another
mission trip but will continue to lean on his Christian faith."My faith has been a huge part of my life because I don't
know what I would be or where I would be without having the Lord next to me the
whole time and having him guide my path and lead me into the right direction
that I can never leave myself," Younger said.