JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas middle school teacher has reached a plea agreement for child sex crimes.

On August 14, Keil Hileman, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted unlawful sexual relations, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

As part of the plea agreement, the State of Kansas will dismiss&nbsp; four additional sex crime charges against him, according to court documents.

In October of 2022, the Johnson County District Attorney’s office charged Hileman, at the time a Monticello Trails Middle School, USD 232 DeSoto teacher, alleging criminal conduct involving his role as an educator," the district said in the letter to families.

In 2004, Hileman was named Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a finalists for the National Teacher of the Year. He is scheduled for sentencing in November, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723922874998.png" alt="Hileman-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hileman-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas middle school teacher has reached a plea agreement for child sex crimes.On August 14, Keil Hileman, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted unlawful sexual relations, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.As part of the plea agreement, the State of Kansas will dismiss&nbsp; four additional sex crime charges against him, according to court documents.In October of 2022, the Johnson County District Attorney’s office charged Hileman, at the time a Monticello Trails Middle School, USD 232 DeSoto teacher, alleging criminal conduct involving his role as an educator," the district said in the letter to families.In 2004, Hileman was named Kansas Teacher of the Year and was a finalists for the National Teacher of the Year. He is scheduled for sentencing in November, according to the district attorney's office.

Plea deal: Kan. middle school teacher accused of child sex crimes

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — George Santos, the former New York congressman who spun lies into a brief political career, pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, acknowledging that he allowed his ambitions to cloud his judgment.

Santos, 36, is likely to spend at least six years in prison and owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution. His federal fraud case, which led to his expulsion from Congress, was just weeks away from going to trial.

“I betrayed the trust of my constituents and supporters. I deeply regret my conduct,” the New York Republican said, his voice trembling as he entered the plea in a Long Island courtroom.

Santos, 36, said he accepted responsibility for his crimes and intends to make amends. He faces more than six years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines and owes at least $370,000 in restitution.

Senior Federal Judge Joanna Seybert scheduled sentencing for Feb. 7.

Santos was indicted on felony charges that he stole from political donors, used campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses, lied to Congress about his wealth and collected unemployment benefits while actually working.

Santos was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-expulsion-vote-ethics-investigation-fd0f1524065883c6b2fe3e6f9afd84db">expelled from the U.S. House</a>&nbsp;after an ethics investigation found “overwhelming evidence” that he had broken the law and exploited his public position for his own profit.

The case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-case-hearing-e28226562b4bd71327415ba8e4f65b50">has been set to go to trial</a>&nbsp;in early September. If that had happened, federal prosecutors said Monday that they were prepared to call some 40 witnesses, including members of Santos' campaign, employers and family members.

Santos was once touted as a rising political star after he flipped the suburban district that covers the affluent North Shore of Long Island and a slice of the New York City borough of Queens in 2022.

But his life story began unraveling even before he was sworn into office. At the time, reports emerged that he had lied about having a career at top Wall Street firms and a college degree along with other questions swirling about his biography.

New&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-district-of-columbia-congress-george-santos-campaign-finance-f58dc7242796327d81738559885e9078">questions then emerged</a>&nbsp;about his campaign funds.

He was first indicted on federal charges in May 2023, but refused to resign from office.

Santos had previously maintained his innocence, though he said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-trial-plea-new-york-6ecf3896ae1de466bef442dc0409fc15">in an interview</a>&nbsp;in December that a plea deal with prosecutors was “not off the table.”

Asked if he was afraid of going to prison, he told CBS 2 at the time: “I think everybody should be afraid of going to jail, it’s not a pretty place and uh, I definitely want to work very hard to avoid that as best as possible.”

Separately Monday, in Manhattan federal court, Judge Denise Cote tossed out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-jimmy-kimmel-copyright-lawsuit-41e1c2951945e11c069a41f9ea62281d">a lawsuit in which Santos claimed</a>&nbsp;that late-night host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jimmy-kimmel">Jimmy Kimmel</a>, ABC and Disney committed copyright infringement and unjustly enriched themselves at his expense by using videos he made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-cameo-video-7aa0cf8ed6303a1e18da0b7a108e341c">on the Cameo app</a>&nbsp;for a “Jimmy Kimmel Live” segment. The judge said it was clear that Kimmel used the clips, which were also posted to YouTube, for the purposes of criticism and commentary, which is fair use.

Santos had begun selling personalized videos on Cameo in December shortly after his ouster from Congress. He subsequently launched,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-congress-campaign-a4c4cc2ea7cb52a13ec9f8dfc5ede86c">then quickly abandoned</a>, a longshot bid to return to Congress as an independent earlier this year.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://wabcradio.com/show/cindy-adams/">a radio interview</a>&nbsp;that aired Sunday, Santos said he has taken comfort in being a “somewhat private civilian” again.

“I really don’t miss the rubber chicken dinners and the rah-rah-rah parties and fundraisers," he said of his former life.

With his criminal trial looming, he had said in the WABC interview that he was “terrified.”

“This is not absolutely an easy process to go through. It really hurts and it really messes with your psychological health,” he told host Cindy Adams.

As the trial date neared in recent weeks, Santos&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-case-charges-8f869a6afbd97be3bed20db0be523809">had sought</a>&nbsp;to have a partially anonymous jury, with his lawyers arguing in court papers that "the mere risk of public ridicule could influence the individual jurors ability to decide Santos’ case solely on the facts and law as presented in Court.”

He also wanted potential jurors to fill out a written questionnaire gauging their opinions of him. His lawyers argued the survey was needed because “for all intents and purposes, Santos has already been found guilty in the court of public opinion.”

Judge Joanna Seybert agreed to keep jurors’ identities public but said no to the questionnaire.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, had been seeking to admit as evidence some of the financial falsehoods Santos told during his campaign, including that he’d worked at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs and that he had operated a family-run firm with approximately $80 million in assets,

Two Santos campaign aides previously pleaded guilty to crimes related to the former congressman’s campaign.

His ex-treasurer, Nancy Marks,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-nancy-marks-4d249e9d5e83fd25ed1a19a9e13d3246">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;in October to a fraud conspiracy charge, implicating Santos in an alleged scheme to embellish his campaign finance reports with a fake loan and fake donors. A lawyer for Marks said at the time his client would be willing to testify against Santos if asked.

Sam Miele, a former fundraiser for Santos,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-campaign-fundraiser-guilty-plea-c89ec5a84d7965e82946b10c24312275">pleaded guilty a month later</a>&nbsp;to a federal wire fraud charge, admitting he impersonated a high-ranking congressional aide while raising money for Santos’ campaign.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701436899802.png" alt="Image from the day Santos left office -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image from the day Santos left office -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — George Santos, the former New York congressman who spun lies into a brief political career, pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, acknowledging that he allowed his ambitions to cloud his judgment.Santos, 36, is likely to spend at least six years in prison and owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution. His federal fraud case, which led to his expulsion from Congress, was just weeks away from going to trial.“I betrayed the trust of my constituents and supporters. I deeply regret my conduct,” the New York Republican said, his voice trembling as he entered the plea in a Long Island courtroom.Santos, 36, said he accepted responsibility for his crimes and intends to make amends. He faces more than six years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines and owes at least $370,000 in restitution.Senior Federal Judge Joanna Seybert scheduled sentencing for Feb. 7.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701465529625.png" alt="On Dec. 1,&nbsp; the House voted on to expel Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-santos.">George Santos</a>&nbsp;of New York after a critical ethics report on his conduct that accused him of converting campaign donations for his own use. He was just the&nbsp;<a href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/">sixth member</a>&nbsp;in the chamber's history to be ousted by colleagues.&nbsp; The sign on his office was immediately removed." />
 <figcaption>On Dec. 1,&nbsp; the House voted on to expel Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-santos.">George Santos</a>&nbsp;of New York after a critical ethics report on his conduct that accused him of converting campaign donations for his own use. He was just the&nbsp;<a href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/">sixth member</a>&nbsp;in the chamber's history to be ousted by colleagues.&nbsp; The sign on his office was immediately removed.</figcaption>
 </figure>Santos was indicted on felony charges that he stole from political donors, used campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses, lied to Congress about his wealth and collected unemployment benefits while actually working.Santos was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-expulsion-vote-ethics-investigation-fd0f1524065883c6b2fe3e6f9afd84db">expelled from the U.S. House</a>&nbsp;after an ethics investigation found “overwhelming evidence” that he had broken the law and exploited his public position for his own profit.The case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-case-hearing-e28226562b4bd71327415ba8e4f65b50">has been set to go to trial</a>&nbsp;in early September. If that had happened, federal prosecutors said Monday that they were prepared to call some 40 witnesses, including members of Santos' campaign, employers and family members.Santos was once touted as a rising political star after he flipped the suburban district that covers the affluent North Shore of Long Island and a slice of the New York City borough of Queens in 2022.But his life story began unraveling even before he was sworn into office. At the time, reports emerged that he had lied about having a career at top Wall Street firms and a college degree along with other questions swirling about his biography.New&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-district-of-columbia-congress-george-santos-campaign-finance-f58dc7242796327d81738559885e9078">questions then emerged</a>&nbsp;about his campaign funds.He was first indicted on federal charges in May 2023, but refused to resign from office.Santos had previously maintained his innocence, though he said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-trial-plea-new-york-6ecf3896ae1de466bef442dc0409fc15">in an interview</a>&nbsp;in December that a plea deal with prosecutors was “not off the table.”Asked if he was afraid of going to prison, he told CBS 2 at the time: “I think everybody should be afraid of going to jail, it’s not a pretty place and uh, I definitely want to work very hard to avoid that as best as possible.”Separately Monday, in Manhattan federal court, Judge Denise Cote tossed out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-jimmy-kimmel-copyright-lawsuit-41e1c2951945e11c069a41f9ea62281d">a lawsuit in which Santos claimed</a>&nbsp;that late-night host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jimmy-kimmel">Jimmy Kimmel</a>, ABC and Disney committed copyright infringement and unjustly enriched themselves at his expense by using videos he made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-cameo-video-7aa0cf8ed6303a1e18da0b7a108e341c">on the Cameo app</a>&nbsp;for a “Jimmy Kimmel Live” segment. The judge said it was clear that Kimmel used the clips, which were also posted to YouTube, for the purposes of criticism and commentary, which is fair use.Santos had begun selling personalized videos on Cameo in December shortly after his ouster from Congress. He subsequently launched,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-congress-campaign-a4c4cc2ea7cb52a13ec9f8dfc5ede86c">then quickly abandoned</a>, a longshot bid to return to Congress as an independent earlier this year.In&nbsp;<a href="https://wabcradio.com/show/cindy-adams/">a radio interview</a>&nbsp;that aired Sunday, Santos said he has taken comfort in being a “somewhat private civilian” again.“I really don’t miss the rubber chicken dinners and the rah-rah-rah parties and fundraisers," he said of his former life.With his criminal trial looming, he had said in the WABC interview that he was “terrified.”“This is not absolutely an easy process to go through. It really hurts and it really messes with your psychological health,” he told host Cindy Adams.As the trial date neared in recent weeks, Santos&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-case-charges-8f869a6afbd97be3bed20db0be523809">had sought</a>&nbsp;to have a partially anonymous jury, with his lawyers arguing in court papers that "the mere risk of public ridicule could influence the individual jurors ability to decide Santos’ case solely on the facts and law as presented in Court.”He also wanted potential jurors to fill out a written questionnaire gauging their opinions of him. His lawyers argued the survey was needed because “for all intents and purposes, Santos has already been found guilty in the court of public opinion.”Judge Joanna Seybert agreed to keep jurors’ identities public but said no to the questionnaire.Prosecutors, meanwhile, had been seeking to admit as evidence some of the financial falsehoods Santos told during his campaign, including that he’d worked at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs and that he had operated a family-run firm with approximately $80 million in assets,Two Santos campaign aides previously pleaded guilty to crimes related to the former congressman’s campaign.His ex-treasurer, Nancy Marks,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-nancy-marks-4d249e9d5e83fd25ed1a19a9e13d3246">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;in October to a fraud conspiracy charge, implicating Santos in an alleged scheme to embellish his campaign finance reports with a fake loan and fake donors. A lawyer for Marks said at the time his client would be willing to testify against Santos if asked.Sam Miele, a former fundraiser for Santos,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-campaign-fundraiser-guilty-plea-c89ec5a84d7965e82946b10c24312275">pleaded guilty a month later</a>&nbsp;to a federal wire fraud charge, admitting he impersonated a high-ranking congressional aide while raising money for Santos’ campaign.

Disgraced former Congressman offers apology, reaches plea deal

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>

WASHINGTON — Just a little over a month after she became a candidate for president in the biggest shakeup in generations of presidential politics, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday will deliver a widely anticipated speech accepting the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in Chicago.

Harris’ ascent to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden changed course and said he would not seek reelection has breathed new life into the Democratic bid, with polls showing Harris — who is already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-will-be-democratic-presidential-nominee-dnc-announces" target="_blank">the party’s official nominee</a>&nbsp;after a virtual roll call earlier this month — faring much better than Biden was against Republican rival Donald Trump.

Over the course of four days, Democrats will look to capitalize on their base’s newfound enthusiasm for the campaign, with leading speakers aiming to rally the faithful around the party’s positions on reproductive rights, gun safety and voting rights, while<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/harris-ballot-democrats-work-build-momentum-bigger-youth-vote" target="_blank">&nbsp;making a strong pitch to young voters</a>. Harris will also be expected to further lay out her policy positions.

Harris’ nomination is historic. The daughter of immigrants, Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman selected to lead a major party ticket. She would be the first woman of any race to guide the nation as chief executive.

The party has not released an official detailed schedule of speakers, but a convention official confirmed that “current and past presidents are expected to participate in convention programming.” Biden and two former presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as former nominee Hillary Clinton, will all speak,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/us/politics/dnc-speakers-biden-obama-clinton.html" target="_blank">according to the New York Times.</a>

Vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is expected to address the convention Wednesday evening, with Harris’ acceptance speech closing out the convention Thursday, the convention official said.

The evening programming block will run from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. the rest of the week.

In addition to the usual television broadcasts, the convention will livestream on several social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Instagram and TikTok. The official live stream will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://demconvention.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d68a84b1a4b0303a9452770cd&amp;id=e86e03e670&amp;e=a21b6b7198" target="_blank">DemConvention.com</a>.

Scores of Democratic caucus and council meetings, as well as state delegation breakfasts and gatherings, are also scheduled throughout the week’s daytime hours. Media organizations and outside groups are also holding daytime events that will feature Democratic officeholders and candidates.

Protests are also expected over the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/04/08/israel-hamas-war-sets-progressive-and-young-voters-on-collision-course-with-white-house/" target="_blank">delegation of uncommitted voters</a>&nbsp;who oppose the war.

As many as 25,000 protestors are expected over the course of the convention, according to DemList, a newsletter for Democratic officials and allies.

Harris’ entry into the race, nearly immediately after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/president-joe-biden-bows-out-reelection-campaign-harris-vows-win-nomination-8" target="_blank">announced on July 21</a>&nbsp;he would no longer seek reelection, energized Democrats distressed over Biden’s poor showings in polls against Trump, whose reelection bid Biden turned back in 2020.

A Monmouth University&nbsp;<a href="https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_US_081424/" target="_blank">poll published Aug. 14</a>&nbsp;showed a huge jump in enthusiasm for Democrats. The survey found 85% of Democratic respondents were excited about the Harris-Trump race. By comparison, only 46% of Democratic respondents said in June they were excited about a Biden-Trump race.

Harris is also seeing better polling numbers in matchups against Trump, with battleground-state and national surveys consistently shifting toward the Democratic ticket since Biden left the race.

Polls of seven battleground states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/survey-research/2024-swing-state-project/fight-redefine-2024-race-president" target="_blank">published</a>&nbsp;by The Cook Political Report With Amy Walter on Aug. 14 showed Harris narrowly leading in five states —&nbsp;Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and&nbsp;tied in Georgia and trailing in Nevada. All were improvements from Biden’s standing in the same poll in May.

<a href="https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3902" target="_blank">An Aug. 14 survey from Quinnipiac University</a>&nbsp;showed Harris with a 48%-45% edge in Pennsylvania. The 3-point advantage for Harris was within the poll’s margin of error.

Democrats hope to carry the momentum through the convention. Polls typically favor a party during and immediately after its national party gathering.

Despite the recent polling, Harris and Walz continue to describe themselves&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkwZ_A49hb8" target="_blank">as underdogs in the race</a>.

In her short time on the campaign trail, Harris has emphasized a few core messages.

She’s made reproductive rights a central focus, including the slogan “We are not going back” in her stump speech after describing Republicans’ position on abortion. Additionally, a Texas woman who had to leave the state for an emergency abortion will speak at the DNC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-woman-who-left-state-abortion-back-harris-convention-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters.</a>

Harris has also played up her background as a prosecutor, drawing a contrast with Trump’s legal troubles.

Walz has highlighted his working-class background and military service, while attacking Republican positions to restrict reproductive rights and ban certain books in schools.

Walz’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/walz-first-solo-speech-vp-candidate-touts-dem-tickets-labor-union-ties" target="_blank">first solo campaign stop</a>&nbsp;since Harris selected him as her running mate was at a union convention, where he emphasized his union background as a high school teacher.

Walz was not initially considered the favorite to be Harris’ running mate, but his appeal as a Midwesterner with a record of winning tough elections and enacting progressive policies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-picked-harris-her-running-mate-democratic-ticket" target="_blank">led to his selection</a>&nbsp;Aug. 6.

Harris has faced criticism for not sitting down for a formal media interview or holding a press conference since she became a candidate.

Democrats have not finalized their platform for 2024. Adopting a party platform is generally among the official items at a convention.

The party set&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-releases-2024-party-platform-draft-outlining-historic-record-and-bold-agenda-for-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-to-finish-the-job/" target="_blank">a draft platform</a>&nbsp;in July just eight days before Biden dropped his reelection bid. The document centered on the theme of “finishing the job” and mentioned Biden, then the presumptive nominee, 50 times and Harris 12.

Party spokespeople did not respond to an inquiry this week about plans for an update to the platform.

Reproductive rights will likely be a focus point of any policy wishlist.

Harris, during her time as vice president, has led the administration’s messaging on reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in the summer of 2022.

In her campaign speeches, she has often stressed the need to “trust women” and that the government should not be deciding reproductive health.

Harris has often promised that if she is elected, she will restore those reproductive rights, but unless Democrats control a majority in the U.S. House and 60 Senate votes, it’s unlikely she would be able to achieve that promise.

Since&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2022/06/24/updated-u-s-supreme-court-overturns-right-to-abortion-in-landmark-decision/" target="_blank">Roe v. Wade was overturned</a>&nbsp;in that Supreme Court decision, Democrats have campaigned on reproductive rights that expand beyond abortion and include protections for in vitro fertilization.

<a href="https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/" target="_blank">The 2020 party platform</a>&nbsp;focused on recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, quality health care, investing in education, protecting democracy and combating climate change.

Democrats are likely to continue to criticize the Project 2025 playbook — a blueprint by the Heritage Foundation, a think tank, to implement conservative policies across the federal government should Trump win in November.

Trump has disavowed the document, but has not detailed his own policy plans.

The Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago, a city with a long history of hosting the event. Democrats have held their convention in Chicago 11 times, first in 1864 and most recently in 1996.

This year’s will be the first in-person Democratic National Convention since 2016. It was upended due to the coronavirus pandemic and held virtually in 2020.

Throughout the four-day convention, there will be speeches and side events hosted by state Democratic party leaders.

The ceremonial roll call vote with delegates on the convention floor will take place Tuesday. The vice presidential nomination speech by Walz will be Wednesday night and on Thursday night, Harris will give her nomination acceptance speech.

The city is also preparing for massive protests from several groups on reproductive rights, LGBTQ protections, housing and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbez.org/government-politics/dnc-2024/2024/08/12/dnc-democratic-national-convention-protests-kamala-harris-israel-gaza-lgbtq-reproductive-rights-cpd-police" target="_blank">according to WBEZ News.&nbsp;</a>

The City Council of Chicago in January approved a ceasefire resolution, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson the tiebreaker, making it the largest city to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, in which<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-hamas-dead-graves-40000-988d16b648e06e222f04964dc9440da0?taid=66bdedd74b96700001cc25c8&amp;utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&amp;utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than 40,000 Palestinians have died</a>.

The war followed an Oct. 7 attack from Hamas, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2023/10/9/israel-hamas-war-in-maps-and-charts-live-tracker" target="_blank">nearly 1,200 people</a>&nbsp;were killed in Israel and hundreds taken hostage.

Harris’ acceptance speech will cap a five-year journey to her party’s nomination.

In 2019, the California senator announced a bid for president in the next year’s election, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/03/784443227/kamala-harris-drops-out-of-presidential-race" target="_blank">dropped out</a>&nbsp;before the first primary or caucus votes were cast after she failed to catch on with Democratic voters.

Biden later picked her as a running mate, and the two defeated Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence in the 2020 election.

Biden launched a reelection campaign for 2024, but stepped aside after a disastrous debate performance in June spurred questions about his ability to campaign and serve for another four-year term.

After Biden bowed out, Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">quickly secured 99%</a>&nbsp;of delegates&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-officially-becomes-democratic-presidential-nominee" target="_blank">to become the party’s likely nominee</a>. The virtual five-day vote secured her official nomination.

With less than three months until Election Day, Harris and Walz already have sprinted through battleground states including Arizona, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Their campaign has also pulled in more than $300 million, according to the campaign. Official Federal Election Commission records will be released in mid-October.

Harris and Trump have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/08/trump-agrees-to-sept-10-debate-with-harris-claims-two-more-upcoming/" target="_blank">agreed to a Sept. 10&nbsp;</a>debate hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia. Trump proposed two more debates, and Harris has said she would be open to another one between the first debate and Election Day.

Walz and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/mark-your-calendar-vp-candidates-walz-and-vance-debate-oct-1" target="_blank">agreed to an Oct. 1</a>&nbsp;debate on CBS News, in New York City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724014226536.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>WASHINGTON — Just a little over a month after she became a candidate for president in the biggest shakeup in generations of presidential politics, Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday will deliver a widely anticipated speech accepting the Democratic nomination at the party’s convention in Chicago.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724014466626.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Harris’ ascent to the top of the ticket after President Joe Biden changed course and said he would not seek reelection has breathed new life into the Democratic bid, with polls showing Harris — who is already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-will-be-democratic-presidential-nominee-dnc-announces" target="_blank">the party’s official nominee</a>&nbsp;after a virtual roll call earlier this month — faring much better than Biden was against Republican rival Donald Trump.Over the course of four days, Democrats will look to capitalize on their base’s newfound enthusiasm for the campaign, with leading speakers aiming to rally the faithful around the party’s positions on reproductive rights, gun safety and voting rights, while<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/harris-ballot-democrats-work-build-momentum-bigger-youth-vote" target="_blank">&nbsp;making a strong pitch to young voters</a>. Harris will also be expected to further lay out her policy positions.Harris’ nomination is historic. The daughter of immigrants, Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman selected to lead a major party ticket. She would be the first woman of any race to guide the nation as chief executive.The party has not released an official detailed schedule of speakers, but a convention official confirmed that “current and past presidents are expected to participate in convention programming.” Biden and two former presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as former nominee Hillary Clinton, will all speak,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/us/politics/dnc-speakers-biden-obama-clinton.html" target="_blank">according to the New York Times.</a>Vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is expected to address the convention Wednesday evening, with Harris’ acceptance speech closing out the convention Thursday, the convention official said.The evening programming block will run from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. the rest of the week.In addition to the usual television broadcasts, the convention will livestream on several social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Instagram and TikTok. The official live stream will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://demconvention.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d68a84b1a4b0303a9452770cd&amp;id=e86e03e670&amp;e=a21b6b7198" target="_blank">DemConvention.com</a>.Scores of Democratic caucus and council meetings, as well as state delegation breakfasts and gatherings, are also scheduled throughout the week’s daytime hours. Media organizations and outside groups are also holding daytime events that will feature Democratic officeholders and candidates.Protests are also expected over the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/04/08/israel-hamas-war-sets-progressive-and-young-voters-on-collision-course-with-white-house/" target="_blank">delegation of uncommitted voters</a>&nbsp;who oppose the war.As many as 25,000 protestors are expected over the course of the convention, according to DemList, a newsletter for Democratic officials and allies.<h2>A contest transformed</h2>Harris’ entry into the race, nearly immediately after Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/president-joe-biden-bows-out-reelection-campaign-harris-vows-win-nomination-8" target="_blank">announced on July 21</a>&nbsp;he would no longer seek reelection, energized Democrats distressed over Biden’s poor showings in polls against Trump, whose reelection bid Biden turned back in 2020.A Monmouth University&nbsp;<a href="https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_US_081424/" target="_blank">poll published Aug. 14</a>&nbsp;showed a huge jump in enthusiasm for Democrats. The survey found 85% of Democratic respondents were excited about the Harris-Trump race. By comparison, only 46% of Democratic respondents said in June they were excited about a Biden-Trump race.Harris is also seeing better polling numbers in matchups against Trump, with battleground-state and national surveys consistently shifting toward the Democratic ticket since Biden left the race.Polls of seven battleground states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/survey-research/2024-swing-state-project/fight-redefine-2024-race-president" target="_blank">published</a>&nbsp;by The Cook Political Report With Amy Walter on Aug. 14 showed Harris narrowly leading in five states —&nbsp;Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and&nbsp;tied in Georgia and trailing in Nevada. All were improvements from Biden’s standing in the same poll in May.<a href="https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3902" target="_blank">An Aug. 14 survey from Quinnipiac University</a>&nbsp;showed Harris with a 48%-45% edge in Pennsylvania. The 3-point advantage for Harris was within the poll’s margin of error.Democrats hope to carry the momentum through the convention. Polls typically favor a party during and immediately after its national party gathering.Despite the recent polling, Harris and Walz continue to describe themselves&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkwZ_A49hb8" target="_blank">as underdogs in the race</a>.<h2>Campaign themes</h2>In her short time on the campaign trail, Harris has emphasized a few core messages.She’s made reproductive rights a central focus, including the slogan “We are not going back” in her stump speech after describing Republicans’ position on abortion. Additionally, a Texas woman who had to leave the state for an emergency abortion will speak at the DNC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-woman-who-left-state-abortion-back-harris-convention-2024-08-15/" target="_blank">according to Reuters.</a>Harris has also played up her background as a prosecutor, drawing a contrast with Trump’s legal troubles.Walz has highlighted his working-class background and military service, while attacking Republican positions to restrict reproductive rights and ban certain books in schools.Walz’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/walz-first-solo-speech-vp-candidate-touts-dem-tickets-labor-union-ties" target="_blank">first solo campaign stop</a>&nbsp;since Harris selected him as her running mate was at a union convention, where he emphasized his union background as a high school teacher.Walz was not initially considered the favorite to be Harris’ running mate, but his appeal as a Midwesterner with a record of winning tough elections and enacting progressive policies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-picked-harris-her-running-mate-democratic-ticket" target="_blank">led to his selection</a>&nbsp;Aug. 6.Harris has faced criticism for not sitting down for a formal media interview or holding a press conference since she became a candidate.<h2>Platform in flux</h2>Democrats have not finalized their platform for 2024. Adopting a party platform is generally among the official items at a convention.The party set&nbsp;<a href="https://democrats.org/news/dnc-releases-2024-party-platform-draft-outlining-historic-record-and-bold-agenda-for-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris-to-finish-the-job/" target="_blank">a draft platform</a>&nbsp;in July just eight days before Biden dropped his reelection bid. The document centered on the theme of “finishing the job” and mentioned Biden, then the presumptive nominee, 50 times and Harris 12.Party spokespeople did not respond to an inquiry this week about plans for an update to the platform.Reproductive rights will likely be a focus point of any policy wishlist.Harris, during her time as vice president, has led the administration’s messaging on reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in the summer of 2022.In her campaign speeches, she has often stressed the need to “trust women” and that the government should not be deciding reproductive health.Harris has often promised that if she is elected, she will restore those reproductive rights, but unless Democrats control a majority in the U.S. House and 60 Senate votes, it’s unlikely she would be able to achieve that promise.Since&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2022/06/24/updated-u-s-supreme-court-overturns-right-to-abortion-in-landmark-decision/" target="_blank">Roe v. Wade was overturned</a>&nbsp;in that Supreme Court decision, Democrats have campaigned on reproductive rights that expand beyond abortion and include protections for in vitro fertilization.<a href="https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/" target="_blank">The 2020 party platform</a>&nbsp;focused on recovering from the coronavirus pandemic, the economy, quality health care, investing in education, protecting democracy and combating climate change.Democrats are likely to continue to criticize the Project 2025 playbook — a blueprint by the Heritage Foundation, a think tank, to implement conservative policies across the federal government should Trump win in November.Trump has disavowed the document, but has not detailed his own policy plans.<h2>Chicago conventions</h2>The Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago, a city with a long history of hosting the event. Democrats have held their convention in Chicago 11 times, first in 1864 and most recently in 1996.This year’s will be the first in-person Democratic National Convention since 2016. It was upended due to the coronavirus pandemic and held virtually in 2020.Throughout the four-day convention, there will be speeches and side events hosted by state Democratic party leaders.The ceremonial roll call vote with delegates on the convention floor will take place Tuesday. The vice presidential nomination speech by Walz will be Wednesday night and on Thursday night, Harris will give her nomination acceptance speech.The city is also preparing for massive protests from several groups on reproductive rights, LGBTQ protections, housing and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbez.org/government-politics/dnc-2024/2024/08/12/dnc-democratic-national-convention-protests-kamala-harris-israel-gaza-lgbtq-reproductive-rights-cpd-police" target="_blank">according to WBEZ News.&nbsp;</a>The City Council of Chicago in January approved a ceasefire resolution, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson the tiebreaker, making it the largest city to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, in which<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-war-hamas-dead-graves-40000-988d16b648e06e222f04964dc9440da0?taid=66bdedd74b96700001cc25c8&amp;utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&amp;utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank">&nbsp;more than 40,000 Palestinians have died</a>.The war followed an Oct. 7 attack from Hamas, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2023/10/9/israel-hamas-war-in-maps-and-charts-live-tracker" target="_blank">nearly 1,200 people</a>&nbsp;were killed in Israel and hundreds taken hostage.<h2>Road to nomination</h2>Harris’ acceptance speech will cap a five-year journey to her party’s nomination.In 2019, the California senator announced a bid for president in the next year’s election, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/03/784443227/kamala-harris-drops-out-of-presidential-race" target="_blank">dropped out</a>&nbsp;before the first primary or caucus votes were cast after she failed to catch on with Democratic voters.Biden later picked her as a running mate, and the two defeated Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence in the 2020 election.Biden launched a reelection campaign for 2024, but stepped aside after a disastrous debate performance in June spurred questions about his ability to campaign and serve for another four-year term.After Biden bowed out, Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-delegates-swiftly-give-harris-enough-support-clinch-presidential-nomination" target="_blank">quickly secured 99%</a>&nbsp;of delegates&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kamala-harris-officially-becomes-democratic-presidential-nominee" target="_blank">to become the party’s likely nominee</a>. The virtual five-day vote secured her official nomination.With less than three months until Election Day, Harris and Walz already have sprinted through battleground states including Arizona, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.Their campaign has also pulled in more than $300 million, according to the campaign. Official Federal Election Commission records will be released in mid-October.Harris and Trump have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/08/08/trump-agrees-to-sept-10-debate-with-harris-claims-two-more-upcoming/" target="_blank">agreed to a Sept. 10&nbsp;</a>debate hosted by ABC News in Philadelphia. Trump proposed two more debates, and Harris has said she would be open to another one between the first debate and Election Day.Walz and Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/mark-your-calendar-vp-candidates-walz-and-vance-debate-oct-1" target="_blank">agreed to an Oct. 1</a>&nbsp;debate on CBS News, in New York City.

Big moment arrives for Harris: Democratic convention kicks off in Chicago

Herman J. Leiker, 85, Munjor, died Sunday, August 18, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born March 16, 1939 on the family farm in south of Munjor, Kansas the son of Romuald and Genevieve (Urban) Leiker.&nbsp; When Herman was three hours old his mother died from complications of childbirth.&nbsp; Herman was raised by his uncle and aunt, Frank and Katie (Leiker) Pfannenstiel.&nbsp; He attended Munjor Grade School, graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy in 1957, and he served two years in the U.S. Army from 1961 until 1963.&nbsp; On October 22, 1966, he was united in marriage to Rosie Walter in Catharine, and they celebrated nearly 58 years of marriage.&nbsp; Herman was a cat skinner and pumper for Dreiling Oil in Victoria for 42 years, retiring in 2012.&nbsp; He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor and the St. Francis Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #11492.&nbsp; He enjoyed working in his garage, attending his grandchildren’s activities, and evening walks to the cemetery with Rosie where they prayed the rosary.

Survivors include his wife Rosie of Munjor, two sons, Francis Leiker and Susan Case of Hays, and Fabian Leiker and wife Linda of Mount Pleasant, SC, three daughters, Kathleen Huser and husband Kevin of Victoria, Kayleen Knoll and husband Shawn of Omaha, NE, and Kolleen Dome and husband Aaron of Hays, a daughter-in-law, Amy Leiker of Hays, three sisters, Janet Pfannenstiel of Pueblo, CO, Agnese Moore of Gold Canyon, AZ, and Zita Riedel of Kansas City, a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Warren of Wichita, a brother-in-law, Dick Moore of Great Bend, 16 grandchildren, Kasandra Bliss and husband Taylor, Kirk and Kyle Huser, Joshua Case, Ashli, Vivian, Kaitlin, Haili, Jessica, and Jake Leiker, Brianna Leiker and fiancé Kaden Scheel, Morgan Slipke and husband Easton, Thomas Leiker, Alex Knoll, Valerie and Benjamin Dome, five great grandchildren, Nash, Linkoln, Wyatt, Natalie, and Jordie, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Romuald and Genevieve Leiker and Frank and Katie Pfannenstiel, his son, Farron Lee Leiker, three brothers, Ralph Leiker and wife Leona, Bill Leiker and wife Irma, and Jim Leiker, two sisters, Henrietta Robben and husband Philip, and Georgina Wulff and husband Norbert, and infant brother and two infant sisters, and a brother-in-law, Celly Riedel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, August 23, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the church cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:30 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a Third Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Thursday at the funeral home.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested for masses.&nbsp; Condolence and memories of Herman may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724019350172.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Herman J. Leiker, 85, Munjor, died Sunday, August 18, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.He was born March 16, 1939 on the family farm in south of Munjor, Kansas the son of Romuald and Genevieve (Urban) Leiker.&nbsp; When Herman was three hours old his mother died from complications of childbirth.&nbsp; Herman was raised by his uncle and aunt, Frank and Katie (Leiker) Pfannenstiel.&nbsp; He attended Munjor Grade School, graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy in 1957, and he served two years in the U.S. Army from 1961 until 1963.&nbsp; On October 22, 1966, he was united in marriage to Rosie Walter in Catharine, and they celebrated nearly 58 years of marriage.&nbsp; Herman was a cat skinner and pumper for Dreiling Oil in Victoria for 42 years, retiring in 2012.&nbsp; He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor and the St. Francis Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #11492.&nbsp; He enjoyed working in his garage, attending his grandchildren’s activities, and evening walks to the cemetery with Rosie where they prayed the rosary.Survivors include his wife Rosie of Munjor, two sons, Francis Leiker and Susan Case of Hays, and Fabian Leiker and wife Linda of Mount Pleasant, SC, three daughters, Kathleen Huser and husband Kevin of Victoria, Kayleen Knoll and husband Shawn of Omaha, NE, and Kolleen Dome and husband Aaron of Hays, a daughter-in-law, Amy Leiker of Hays, three sisters, Janet Pfannenstiel of Pueblo, CO, Agnese Moore of Gold Canyon, AZ, and Zita Riedel of Kansas City, a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Warren of Wichita, a brother-in-law, Dick Moore of Great Bend, 16 grandchildren, Kasandra Bliss and husband Taylor, Kirk and Kyle Huser, Joshua Case, Ashli, Vivian, Kaitlin, Haili, Jessica, and Jake Leiker, Brianna Leiker and fiancé Kaden Scheel, Morgan Slipke and husband Easton, Thomas Leiker, Alex Knoll, Valerie and Benjamin Dome, five great grandchildren, Nash, Linkoln, Wyatt, Natalie, and Jordie, and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, Romuald and Genevieve Leiker and Frank and Katie Pfannenstiel, his son, Farron Lee Leiker, three brothers, Ralph Leiker and wife Leona, Bill Leiker and wife Irma, and Jim Leiker, two sisters, Henrietta Robben and husband Philip, and Georgina Wulff and husband Norbert, and infant brother and two infant sisters, and a brother-in-law, Celly Riedel.Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, August 23, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor.&nbsp; Burial will follow in the church cemetery.&nbsp; Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:30 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.&nbsp; A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a Third Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Thursday at the funeral home.&nbsp; Memorials are suggested for masses.&nbsp; Condolence and memories of Herman may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com

Herman J. Leiker

Graham County resident, Dani Roeder is looking forward to the Nicodemus Township History Trail Bike Tour scheduled for October 12, 2024.&nbsp; Dani will be serving as a volunteer at the second SAG (Support and Gear) station.

No stranger to volunteering, Dani served as a volunteer First Responder on the Graham County Fire Department for over 15 years.&nbsp; Similar to many western Kansas residents, Dani is an avid outdoor enthusiast and knows the importance of proper nutrition and hydration while participating in outdoor activities.&nbsp; Dani will bring this knowledge while staffing one of four SAG stops providing plenty of high caloric snacks and electrolyte replacement fluids. Dani is also aware of the need to practice good hygiene and will be encouraging hand sanitizing prior to allriders eating or drinking at the rest stops.

Ms. Roeder shared that she is very excited to be a part of this inaugural event showcasing the various historical signs of these early residents of western Kansas. The historical signs will describe and provide information as to the development and what happened in the Nicodemus Township and surrounding areas.&nbsp; Topics of the signs include numerous schools, churches, mercantile business, sporting events and multiple cemeteries.&nbsp; Aside from the historical significance of the ride, Dani would like to encourage others to participate by listing the amenities included:&nbsp; the option of a short (21 mile) which will hit 11 historical signs or the long (33 mile) ride which will include all 14 signs.&nbsp; Participants will receive a cool T-Shirt, meal, live music and a viewing of the documentary “Ellis Trail To Nicodemus”.&nbsp; Other benefits include the beautiful Nicodemus historic scenery, exercise and of course, the companionship of other participants.&nbsp;&nbsp; Dani said, stop to take a break and she will be happy to hang out with you.

To learn more about the ride and our history follow us on Facebook.&nbsp; Interested riders should register via the Nicodemus Historical Society’s website at:&nbsp; nicodemushistoricalsociety.org .&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723742940224.png" alt="(Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROBIN HARDMANGraham County resident, Dani Roeder is looking forward to the Nicodemus Township History Trail Bike Tour scheduled for October 12, 2024.&nbsp; Dani will be serving as a volunteer at the second SAG (Support and Gear) station.No stranger to volunteering, Dani served as a volunteer First Responder on the Graham County Fire Department for over 15 years.&nbsp; Similar to many western Kansas residents, Dani is an avid outdoor enthusiast and knows the importance of proper nutrition and hydration while participating in outdoor activities.&nbsp; Dani will bring this knowledge while staffing one of four SAG stops providing plenty of high caloric snacks and electrolyte replacement fluids. Dani is also aware of the need to practice good hygiene and will be encouraging hand sanitizing prior to allriders eating or drinking at the rest stops.Ms. Roeder shared that she is very excited to be a part of this inaugural event showcasing the various historical signs of these early residents of western Kansas. The historical signs will describe and provide information as to the development and what happened in the Nicodemus Township and surrounding areas.&nbsp; Topics of the signs include numerous schools, churches, mercantile business, sporting events and multiple cemeteries.&nbsp; Aside from the historical significance of the ride, Dani would like to encourage others to participate by listing the amenities included:&nbsp; the option of a short (21 mile) which will hit 11 historical signs or the long (33 mile) ride which will include all 14 signs.&nbsp; Participants will receive a cool T-Shirt, meal, live music and a viewing of the documentary “Ellis Trail To Nicodemus”.&nbsp; Other benefits include the beautiful Nicodemus historic scenery, exercise and of course, the companionship of other participants.&nbsp;&nbsp; Dani said, stop to take a break and she will be happy to hang out with you.To learn more about the ride and our history follow us on Facebook.&nbsp; Interested riders should register via the Nicodemus Historical Society’s website at:&nbsp; nicodemushistoricalsociety.org .&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nicodemus Township History Trail Bike Tour Interview Series: Dani Roeder

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the name of consumer protection, a slew of U.S. federal agencies are working to make it easier for Americans to click the unsubscribe button for unwanted memberships and recurring payment services.

A broad new government initiative, dubbed “Time Is Money," includes a rollout of new regulations and the promise of more for industries spanning from healthcare and fitness memberships to media subscriptions.

“The administration is cracking down on all the ways that companies, through paperwork, hold times and general aggravation waste people's money and waste people's time and really hold onto their money,” Neera Tanden, White House domestic policy adviser, told reporters Friday in advance of the announcement.

“Essentially in all of these practices, companies are delaying services to you or really trying to make it so difficult for you to cancel the service that they get to hold onto your money for longer and longer," Tanden said. "These seemingly small inconveniences don't happen by accident — they have huge financial consequences.”

Efforts rolled out this week include a new Federal Communications Commission inquiry into whether to impose requirements on communications companies that would make it as easy to cancel a subscription or service as it was to sign up for one.

The Federal Trade Commission in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/03/federal-trade-commission-proposes-rule-provision-making-it-easier-consumers-click-cancel-recurring">March 2023 initiated</a>&nbsp;“click to cancel” rulemaking requiring companies to let customers end subscriptions as easily as they started them.

Also Monday, the heads of the departments of Labor and of Health and Human Services are asking health insurance companies and group health plans to make improvements to customer interactions with their health coverage, and “in the coming months will identify additional opportunities to improve consumers’ interactions with the health care system," according to a White House summary.

The government already has launched several initiatives aimed at improving the consumer experience.

In October, the FTC announced a proposed rule to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-junk-fees-ftc-hidden-bogus-80e5c17dc7607b99aa92c6c816b96e52">ban hidden and bogus junk fees</a>, which can mask the total cost of concert tickets, hotel rooms and utility bills.

In April, the Transportation Department finalized rules that would require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and to better disclose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-airlines-points-raising-bag-fees-1530a7ba48a0c6685ce2ef7da58a983a">fees for baggage</a>&nbsp;or reservation cancellations.

The department also has taken actions against individual companies accused of misleading customers.

In June, the Justice Department, referred by the FTC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/040-UnredactedComplaint.pdf">filed a lawsuit against software maker Adobe</a>&nbsp;and two of its executives, Maninder Sawhney and David Wadhwani, for allegedly pushing consumers toward the firm's “annual paid monthly” subscription without properly disclosing that canceling the plan in the first year could cost hundreds of dollars.

Dana Rao, Adobe's general counsel, said in an emailed statement that Adobe disagrees with the lawsuit’s characterization of its business and “we will refute the FTC’s claims in court.”

“The early termination fees equate to minimal impact to our revenue, accounting for less than half a percent of our total revenue globally, but is an important part of our ability to offer customers a choice in plans that balance cost and commitment,” Rao said.

Some business advocates are not a fan of the government's overall efforts to crack down on junk fees.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the name of consumer protection, a slew of U.S. federal agencies are working to make it easier for Americans to click the unsubscribe button for unwanted memberships and recurring payment services.A broad new government initiative, dubbed “Time Is Money," includes a rollout of new regulations and the promise of more for industries spanning from healthcare and fitness memberships to media subscriptions.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden and Vice President Harris are cracking down on companies that rob families of their time and hard-earned money. Here’s how: <a href="https://t.co/1y73sxJ7PE">pic.twitter.com/1y73sxJ7PE</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1823125775261880323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The administration is cracking down on all the ways that companies, through paperwork, hold times and general aggravation waste people's money and waste people's time and really hold onto their money,” Neera Tanden, White House domestic policy adviser, told reporters Friday in advance of the announcement.“Essentially in all of these practices, companies are delaying services to you or really trying to make it so difficult for you to cancel the service that they get to hold onto your money for longer and longer," Tanden said. "These seemingly small inconveniences don't happen by accident — they have huge financial consequences.”Efforts rolled out this week include a new Federal Communications Commission inquiry into whether to impose requirements on communications companies that would make it as easy to cancel a subscription or service as it was to sign up for one.The Federal Trade Commission in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/03/federal-trade-commission-proposes-rule-provision-making-it-easier-consumers-click-cancel-recurring">March 2023 initiated</a>&nbsp;“click to cancel” rulemaking requiring companies to let customers end subscriptions as easily as they started them.Also Monday, the heads of the departments of Labor and of Health and Human Services are asking health insurance companies and group health plans to make improvements to customer interactions with their health coverage, and “in the coming months will identify additional opportunities to improve consumers’ interactions with the health care system," according to a White House summary.The government already has launched several initiatives aimed at improving the consumer experience.In October, the FTC announced a proposed rule to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-junk-fees-ftc-hidden-bogus-80e5c17dc7607b99aa92c6c816b96e52">ban hidden and bogus junk fees</a>, which can mask the total cost of concert tickets, hotel rooms and utility bills.In April, the Transportation Department finalized rules that would require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things like delayed flights and to better disclose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-airlines-points-raising-bag-fees-1530a7ba48a0c6685ce2ef7da58a983a">fees for baggage</a>&nbsp;or reservation cancellations.The department also has taken actions against individual companies accused of misleading customers.In June, the Justice Department, referred by the FTC,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/040-UnredactedComplaint.pdf">filed a lawsuit against software maker Adobe</a>&nbsp;and two of its executives, Maninder Sawhney and David Wadhwani, for allegedly pushing consumers toward the firm's “annual paid monthly” subscription without properly disclosing that canceling the plan in the first year could cost hundreds of dollars.Dana Rao, Adobe's general counsel, said in an emailed statement that Adobe disagrees with the lawsuit’s characterization of its business and “we will refute the FTC’s claims in court.”“The early termination fees equate to minimal impact to our revenue, accounting for less than half a percent of our total revenue globally, but is an important part of our ability to offer customers a choice in plans that balance cost and commitment,” Rao said.Some business advocates are not a fan of the government's overall efforts to crack down on junk fees.

 US government wants to make it easier for you to click the 'unsubscribe' button

Some dispensaries and facilities are still quarantining recalled products from last year

State regulators issued two cannabis recall notices last week involving 135,000 marijuana products — more than double&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/16/state-faces-pushback-from-missouri-marijuana-industry-over-product-recall/">Missouri’s first massive cannabis product recall</a>&nbsp;exactly one year ago.

“I’ve never seen recalls of this magnitude in any other state,” said Nick Rinella, CEO of Hippos Cannabis. “This is kind of unprecedented.”

Since the announcement, Rinella and facility owners around the state have scrambled to quarantine thousands of vapes, edibles and pre-rolled joints in their secure vaults. Now they’ll wait until state regulators tell them what to do with those products.

Problem is, some of them are still holding products from last year’s recall, which centered around&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/missouri-company-at-center-of-cannabis-recall-used-hemp-instead-of-marijuana-in-products/">Robertsville-based manufacturer Delta Extraction</a>, because that recall is still being challenged. However, others opted to work with the state to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/06/companies-can-now-work-with-state-to-destroy-recalled-missouri-marijuana-products/">destroy those products</a>.

That’s where “the stress comes from,” said Mark Hendren, president of Flora Farms cannabis company.&nbsp;

If a dispensary or facility has a small vault, he said, “and you have product that you have to quarantine, it makes it difficult space wise for you to bring in other inventory to keep the business moving.”

The first recall notice came on the night of Aug. 6, stating the Division of Cannabis Regulation was working “in partnership” with Marceline-based cultivation facility NGWMO LLC to “alert to patients and consumers about a mandatory product recall.”

The grow facility is run by Nature’s Grace and Wellness, which founded a family-owned farm in Vermont, Ill., in 2014 after the state passed medical marijuana. Tim O’Hern, COO and general counsel of Nature’s Grace, is listed as the designated contact for the facility.

This recall involves 2,650 products and has to do with the products being tested too soon in the process.

“The recalled marijuana products were not compliantly tested prior to being sold to patients and consumers,” the notice states. “The recalled marijuana product was tested at the unprocessed bud/flower stage rather than being tested at the final marijuana product stage…”

The second notice came two days later for the Springfield-based manufacturing facility C&amp;C Manufacturing LLC. Notably, it didn’t include the “in partnership” language.&nbsp;

It lists about 133,000 products, which regulators said were not properly tracked in the state’s “seed to sale” tracing system called Metrc.

“Therefore,” the notice states, “DCR cannot verify compliance with health and safety requirements.”&nbsp;

However, the division emphasized that no adverse reactions involving recalled products have been reported.

Matt Cummins, CEO of GOAT Extracts, is listed as the designated contact for the facility and a number of GOAT products are on the list.&nbsp;

The Independent reached out to both companies for comment and did not receive a response.

Adrienne Scales-Williams, owner of St. Louis dispensary Luxury Leaf, agreed that storage space for the recalled products is challenging. And while there’s uncertainty on how long the products will need to be contained, she said she trusts the state is doing their due diligence to investigate the issue.&nbsp;

“We’ve been through this before,” Scales-Williams said. “When it’s not your first ride in the rodeo, you just handle it.”

The recall for the Springfield manufacturer is so widespread because the company specializes in making distillate, or THC concentrate&nbsp;that produces a high in edibles and vape pens.

Other manufacturers statewide&nbsp;bought the distillate and used it to make numerous brands of vapes, edibles or pre-rolled joints, including&nbsp;Rove, Zen and Packarillos.&nbsp;

The recall time frame is also quite wide. It goes back&nbsp;to&nbsp;last year when companies were trying to ramp up for recreational marijuana sales, Rinella said.&nbsp;

Rinella bought some of C&amp;C’s distillate in October when Hippos’ own supply was low at its grow and manufacturing facilities, he said.

But he emphasized that this recall is not because of lack of testing. Once Rinella and other manufacturers got the distillate and made products with it, those were “properly tested” before they went on the shelves, he said.

“We can feel confident that those products were safe,” he said. “They passed all the tests, and we have some of the most stringent tests in the country.”

The division<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/recalls.php" target="_blank">&nbsp;lists the recalled products&nbsp;</a>in two Excel sheets. One is “product recall list,” which includes the identifiers that the manufacturers use to track products. The division also posted a “consumer recall list” that includes numbers that customers are more likely to see on their products.&nbsp;

The division advises patients and consumers to stop using the products and return them to the dispensary. “Returned products will not count toward a patient’s purchase limit,” it states.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also any adverse reactions should be reported to the&nbsp;<a href="mailto:CannabisComplaints@health.mo.gov">division of cannabis by email</a>&nbsp; or through<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/580-3338s.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;an online complaint form</a>.&nbsp;

Just like C&amp;C Manufacturing, the state’s first recall on Aug. 2, 2023 centered around a distillate that was sold to numerous other manufacturers.

Also similarly, Delta Extraction’s products were recalled due to the state’s inability to track the ingredients to make the distillate on Metrc, which starts tracking marijuana plants from the moment they’re planted in Missouri.

In that case, Delta was selling a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/missouri-cannabis-recall-hemp/">distillate that was mostly made up of hemp-derived THC</a>, using hemp that wasn’t grown in Missouri and couldn’t be tracked.&nbsp;

Delta mixed it with a small amount of THC from marijuana grown in Missouri. It’s much less expensive to make distillate from out-state hemp than Missouri-grown marijuana, but Delta’s consumers still paid marijuana prices.&nbsp;

<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/11/farm-bill-debate-includes-hemp-regulation-as-issue-takes-center-stage-in-missouri-recall/">Hemp isn’t a controlled substance</a>&nbsp;and can legally cross state lines, unlike marijuana.

The company appealed both the recall and the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/16/cannabis-regulators-to-revoke-license-of-missouri-company-at-center-of-recall/">revocation of their cannabis business license</a>&nbsp;before the Administrative Hearing Commission, challenging whether or not the state has the authority to regulate hemp products.&nbsp;

In March, Commissioner Carol Illes&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/07/three-day-hearing-reveals-behind-the-scenes-details-of-missouri-marijuana-recall/">heard three days of testimony and evidence</a>&nbsp;and has yet to release her decision.&nbsp;

Days before the two recent recalls, Gov. Mike Parson&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/12/hemp-industry-leaders-call-missouri-governors-order-banning-thc-products-an-overreach/">signed an executive order</a>&nbsp;banning intoxicating hemp products and threatening penalties to any establishment with a Missouri liquor license or that sells food products for selling them.&nbsp;

According to the order, licensed cannabis dispensaries can’t sell these products either because the hemp used to make them has to be grown in Missouri and tracked through Metrc. Nearly all of these products currently on the market — and the ones that Delta used — are made from hemp grown in other states.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723840539777.png" alt="Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation has issued a product recall for marijuana products sold by C&amp;C Manufacturing, LLC and NGWMO LLC (Courtesy of DHSS)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation has issued a product recall for marijuana products sold by C&amp;C Manufacturing, LLC and NGWMO LLC (Courtesy of DHSS).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Some dispensaries and facilities are still quarantining recalled products from last year</h2>State regulators issued two cannabis recall notices last week involving 135,000 marijuana products — more than double&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/16/state-faces-pushback-from-missouri-marijuana-industry-over-product-recall/">Missouri’s first massive cannabis product recall</a>&nbsp;exactly one year ago.“I’ve never seen recalls of this magnitude in any other state,” said Nick Rinella, CEO of Hippos Cannabis. “This is kind of unprecedented.”Since the announcement, Rinella and facility owners around the state have scrambled to quarantine thousands of vapes, edibles and pre-rolled joints in their secure vaults. Now they’ll wait until state regulators tell them what to do with those products.Problem is, some of them are still holding products from last year’s recall, which centered around&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/11/missouri-company-at-center-of-cannabis-recall-used-hemp-instead-of-marijuana-in-products/">Robertsville-based manufacturer Delta Extraction</a>, because that recall is still being challenged. However, others opted to work with the state to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/06/companies-can-now-work-with-state-to-destroy-recalled-missouri-marijuana-products/">destroy those products</a>.That’s where “the stress comes from,” said Mark Hendren, president of Flora Farms cannabis company.&nbsp;If a dispensary or facility has a small vault, he said, “and you have product that you have to quarantine, it makes it difficult space wise for you to bring in other inventory to keep the business moving.”The first recall notice came on the night of Aug. 6, stating the Division of Cannabis Regulation was working “in partnership” with Marceline-based cultivation facility NGWMO LLC to “alert to patients and consumers about a mandatory product recall.”The grow facility is run by Nature’s Grace and Wellness, which founded a family-owned farm in Vermont, Ill., in 2014 after the state passed medical marijuana. Tim O’Hern, COO and general counsel of Nature’s Grace, is listed as the designated contact for the facility.This recall involves 2,650 products and has to do with the products being tested too soon in the process.“The recalled marijuana products were not compliantly tested prior to being sold to patients and consumers,” the notice states. “The recalled marijuana product was tested at the unprocessed bud/flower stage rather than being tested at the final marijuana product stage…”The second notice came two days later for the Springfield-based manufacturing facility C&amp;C Manufacturing LLC. Notably, it didn’t include the “in partnership” language.&nbsp;It lists about 133,000 products, which regulators said were not properly tracked in the state’s “seed to sale” tracing system called Metrc.“Therefore,” the notice states, “DCR cannot verify compliance with health and safety requirements.”&nbsp;However, the division emphasized that no adverse reactions involving recalled products have been reported.Matt Cummins, CEO of GOAT Extracts, is listed as the designated contact for the facility and a number of GOAT products are on the list.&nbsp;The Independent reached out to both companies for comment and did not receive a response.Adrienne Scales-Williams, owner of St. Louis dispensary Luxury Leaf, agreed that storage space for the recalled products is challenging. And while there’s uncertainty on how long the products will need to be contained, she said she trusts the state is doing their due diligence to investigate the issue.&nbsp;“We’ve been through this before,” Scales-Williams said. “When it’s not your first ride in the rodeo, you just handle it.”<h2>The impact</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723840480955.png" alt=" (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>The recall for the Springfield manufacturer is so widespread because the company specializes in making distillate, or THC concentrate&nbsp;that produces a high in edibles and vape pens.Other manufacturers statewide&nbsp;bought the distillate and used it to make numerous brands of vapes, edibles or pre-rolled joints, including&nbsp;Rove, Zen and Packarillos.&nbsp;The recall time frame is also quite wide. It goes back&nbsp;to&nbsp;last year when companies were trying to ramp up for recreational marijuana sales, Rinella said.&nbsp;Rinella bought some of C&amp;C’s distillate in October when Hippos’ own supply was low at its grow and manufacturing facilities, he said.But he emphasized that this recall is not because of lack of testing. Once Rinella and other manufacturers got the distillate and made products with it, those were “properly tested” before they went on the shelves, he said.“We can feel confident that those products were safe,” he said. “They passed all the tests, and we have some of the most stringent tests in the country.”The division<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/recalls.php" target="_blank">&nbsp;lists the recalled products&nbsp;</a>in two Excel sheets. One is “product recall list,” which includes the identifiers that the manufacturers use to track products. The division also posted a “consumer recall list” that includes numbers that customers are more likely to see on their products.&nbsp;The division advises patients and consumers to stop using the products and return them to the dispensary. “Returned products will not count toward a patient’s purchase limit,” it states.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also any adverse reactions should be reported to the&nbsp;<a href="mailto:CannabisComplaints@health.mo.gov">division of cannabis by email</a>&nbsp; or through<a href="https://health.mo.gov/safety/cannabis/pdf/580-3338s.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;an online complaint form</a>.&nbsp;<h2>Delta Extraction</h2>Just like C&amp;C Manufacturing, the state’s first recall on Aug. 2, 2023 centered around a distillate that was sold to numerous other manufacturers.Also similarly, Delta Extraction’s products were recalled due to the state’s inability to track the ingredients to make the distillate on Metrc, which starts tracking marijuana plants from the moment they’re planted in Missouri.In that case, Delta was selling a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/25/missouri-cannabis-recall-hemp/">distillate that was mostly made up of hemp-derived THC</a>, using hemp that wasn’t grown in Missouri and couldn’t be tracked.&nbsp;Delta mixed it with a small amount of THC from marijuana grown in Missouri. It’s much less expensive to make distillate from out-state hemp than Missouri-grown marijuana, but Delta’s consumers still paid marijuana prices.&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/10/11/farm-bill-debate-includes-hemp-regulation-as-issue-takes-center-stage-in-missouri-recall/">Hemp isn’t a controlled substance</a>&nbsp;and can legally cross state lines, unlike marijuana.The company appealed both the recall and the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/16/cannabis-regulators-to-revoke-license-of-missouri-company-at-center-of-recall/">revocation of their cannabis business license</a>&nbsp;before the Administrative Hearing Commission, challenging whether or not the state has the authority to regulate hemp products.&nbsp;In March, Commissioner Carol Illes&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/03/07/three-day-hearing-reveals-behind-the-scenes-details-of-missouri-marijuana-recall/">heard three days of testimony and evidence</a>&nbsp;and has yet to release her decision.&nbsp;Days before the two recent recalls, Gov. Mike Parson&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/12/hemp-industry-leaders-call-missouri-governors-order-banning-thc-products-an-overreach/">signed an executive order</a>&nbsp;banning intoxicating hemp products and threatening penalties to any establishment with a Missouri liquor license or that sells food products for selling them.&nbsp;According to the order, licensed cannabis dispensaries can’t sell these products either because the hemp used to make them has to be grown in Missouri and tracked through Metrc. Nearly all of these products currently on the market — and the ones that Delta used — are made from hemp grown in other states.

‘Unprecedented’: Second massive Missouri cannabis recall leaves some companies scrambling

Thomas Gerard Schandler was born on October 26, 1960 in Manhattan Ks. He was adopted into Eugene and Pat Schandler's family in 1960 from Catholic Charities in Salina, Ks. A younger brother,Jerald (Damien), joined the family in 1964. Tom attended grade school in Densmore and Logan, then graduated from Logan High School in 1978.

Tom attended Goodland Vo-Tech (in auto body restoration) after high school, then worked in Norton ata body shop for 10 years. When the opportunity arose, he began building bridges for Bridges Inc. in Newton, Ks.

In 1991, Tom met his future wife, Sue Dondlinger. Tom accepted Sue's two sons, Nick (7) and Jordan (3) as his own. They married one year later on June 6, 1992 at the Logan Methodist Church. Tom and Sue lived north of Logan until 2000, when they moved into town.&nbsp;

In 2008, Tom went into business for himself and ran Squeaky's Metal Polishing at his dad's farm. Eventually, he had to put his business aside, and help his dad run the family farm, amidst many medical issues of his own. Many of Tom's dear friends helped him out with the farm during those years.

The biggest influence of his life was The Free Tomorrow Motorcycle Club that he belonged to for over 40 years. Lifelong friends were made there. Tom was a strong presence wherever he went. Tom was a “renegade”. He lived life like he wanted! He did it his way!

Tom lost his mother in 2017, due to unforeseen illness. His dad, Eugene, lived alone out on the farm until February 2022. At that time Eugene entered Logan Manor, and Tom and Sue moved out to thefarm. As Tom's health declined, he relied on friends and family once again.

On August 11, 2024, Tom died at his home, with his loving wife at his side. Tom will be greatly missed by all his friends and family. Tom would want everyone to celebrate his life, not mourn his death.

Preceding him in death were his mother Pat and his brother Damien. Tom is survived by his wife, Sue; sons, Nick, and Jordan and his wife, Jessalyn; five grandchildren; and his father, Eugene.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 20, at 10:30am at St. John Catholic Church in Logan, Ks. Fr. Trinity and Fr. Kerry Ninemire will be co-officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 3-9pm at the Logan Funeral Home, with a rosary at 6:30pm. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow at the church hall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1723834218667.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Thomas Gerard Schandler was born on October 26, 1960 in Manhattan Ks. He was adopted into Eugene and Pat Schandler's family in 1960 from Catholic Charities in Salina, Ks. A younger brother,Jerald (Damien), joined the family in 1964. Tom attended grade school in Densmore and Logan, then graduated from Logan High School in 1978.Tom attended Goodland Vo-Tech (in auto body restoration) after high school, then worked in Norton ata body shop for 10 years. When the opportunity arose, he began building bridges for Bridges Inc. in Newton, Ks.In 1991, Tom met his future wife, Sue Dondlinger. Tom accepted Sue's two sons, Nick (7) and Jordan (3) as his own. They married one year later on June 6, 1992 at the Logan Methodist Church. Tom and Sue lived north of Logan until 2000, when they moved into town.&nbsp;In 2008, Tom went into business for himself and ran Squeaky's Metal Polishing at his dad's farm. Eventually, he had to put his business aside, and help his dad run the family farm, amidst many medical issues of his own. Many of Tom's dear friends helped him out with the farm during those years.The biggest influence of his life was The Free Tomorrow Motorcycle Club that he belonged to for over 40 years. Lifelong friends were made there. Tom was a strong presence wherever he went. Tom was a “renegade”. He lived life like he wanted! He did it his way!Tom lost his mother in 2017, due to unforeseen illness. His dad, Eugene, lived alone out on the farm until February 2022. At that time Eugene entered Logan Manor, and Tom and Sue moved out to thefarm. As Tom's health declined, he relied on friends and family once again.On August 11, 2024, Tom died at his home, with his loving wife at his side. Tom will be greatly missed by all his friends and family. Tom would want everyone to celebrate his life, not mourn his death.Preceding him in death were his mother Pat and his brother Damien. Tom is survived by his wife, Sue; sons, Nick, and Jordan and his wife, Jessalyn; five grandchildren; and his father, Eugene.Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 20, at 10:30am at St. John Catholic Church in Logan, Ks. Fr. Trinity and Fr. Kerry Ninemire will be co-officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 3-9pm at the Logan Funeral Home, with a rosary at 6:30pm. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow at the church hall.

Thomas Gerard Schandler

Arlen LeRoy Olmsted passed away peacefully on Sunday March 10, 2024 at Memorial Community Care Center in Aurora, NE, having moved there from Norton, KS in October of 2022.

He was born Dec 9, 1931 to his parents, Everett G and Esther Allen Olmsted in Arapahoe, NE. The family moved to the Olmsted property just south of Beaver City, NE when he was a young boy. Arlen attended country school and graduated from Beaver City High School, class of 1949, where he met his future wife Arliena Mae Collins.

They married June 10, 1951 and Arlen enlisted in the Navy. He served four years of Active Duty during the Korean Conflict, as a radio specialist, stationed in Alaska. Honorably discharged in 1955, Arlen returned home to his wife and young family residing in Beaver City where he joined his father in the family farm/ranching operation.

Arlen was conservation minded and greatly improved the family agriculture operation, through terracing, sound farming methods, planted windbreaks for the wildlife and he expanded the cattle operation by raising Angus Beef.

He was active in community service in Beaver City as a member of the Jaycees and was a school bus driver, along with being a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Arlen was a caring individual, loving husband and father who was always willing to extend a helping hand to his friends and acquaintances in times of need.

When he had down time during winters from the agriculture duties, Arlen was a successful Insurance Agent for American Family Insurance Co in Lincoln, NE along with being a lifetime member of the American Legion. He earned the highest degree with the Shriners and also was an active Mason. He put great value on education, was well read, and enjoyed traveling with the family throughout the US. He loved a good game of cribbage, board and card games and was a faithful fan of Nebraska Cornhusker Sports. He was an active HAM operator and his call sign was K0PEB.

Arlen retired from agriculture in the early 1980’s, he and Arliena relocated to Yakima WA. Arlen began a new career, through his commitment to Alcoholics Anonymous. While his wife, Arliena taught as an elementary educator, Arlen worked tirelessly with the AA organization and Sundown M Ranch, the recovery center in Yakima, WA. He was most proud of his 42+ year association with the AA organization and discipline. Arlen &amp; Arliena traveled extensively throughout the US to visit family and friends; rarely did they miss the BCHS Annual Memorial Day Alumni Banquet.

Losing his spouse of 64 years in May of 2015, Arlen continued to reside in the Yakima Valley area until mid-2019 when he moved back to Norton KS. In October of 2022, Arlen was moved to an Assisted Care Facility in Aurora NE to be closer to family in Lincoln &amp; Omaha.

Arlen was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arliena Mae (Collins) Olmsted; his parents: Everett &amp; Esther (Allen) Olmsted, and sisters: Eleanor Olmsted and Bona McIntyre. He is survived by his daughters and their spouses: Sylvia VanZandt (Olan), Omaha NE, Debra Jones (Dr David), Guymon OK, Denise Pape (Gerrett), Green Valley, AZ, grandson: Jay Arlen Bennett, Lincoln, NE. Also, his sister, LaRee (O’Connor) Witt, Lincoln, NE and brother-in-law, Horace Collins Jr., Norton KS and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

Cremation has taken place, the inurnment at Norton Cemetery is scheduled for the morning of Wednesday September 4th, 2024 at 10:30 am. The family would request no flowers and any memorials be directed to: The Valley Hope Foundation, PO Box 59, Norton KS. 67654. Arrangements by: Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com

Arlen LeRoy Olmsted passed away peacefully on Sunday March 10, 2024 at Memorial Community Care Center in Aurora, NE, having moved there from Norton, KS in October of 2022.He was born Dec 9, 1931 to his parents, Everett G and Esther Allen Olmsted in Arapahoe, NE. The family moved to the Olmsted property just south of Beaver City, NE when he was a young boy. Arlen attended country school and graduated from Beaver City High School, class of 1949, where he met his future wife Arliena Mae Collins.They married June 10, 1951 and Arlen enlisted in the Navy. He served four years of Active Duty during the Korean Conflict, as a radio specialist, stationed in Alaska. Honorably discharged in 1955, Arlen returned home to his wife and young family residing in Beaver City where he joined his father in the family farm/ranching operation.Arlen was conservation minded and greatly improved the family agriculture operation, through terracing, sound farming methods, planted windbreaks for the wildlife and he expanded the cattle operation by raising Angus Beef.He was active in community service in Beaver City as a member of the Jaycees and was a school bus driver, along with being a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Arlen was a caring individual, loving husband and father who was always willing to extend a helping hand to his friends and acquaintances in times of need.When he had down time during winters from the agriculture duties, Arlen was a successful Insurance Agent for American Family Insurance Co in Lincoln, NE along with being a lifetime member of the American Legion. He earned the highest degree with the Shriners and also was an active Mason. He put great value on education, was well read, and enjoyed traveling with the family throughout the US. He loved a good game of cribbage, board and card games and was a faithful fan of Nebraska Cornhusker Sports. He was an active HAM operator and his call sign was K0PEB.Arlen retired from agriculture in the early 1980’s, he and Arliena relocated to Yakima WA. Arlen began a new career, through his commitment to Alcoholics Anonymous. While his wife, Arliena taught as an elementary educator, Arlen worked tirelessly with the AA organization and Sundown M Ranch, the recovery center in Yakima, WA. He was most proud of his 42+ year association with the AA organization and discipline. Arlen &amp; Arliena traveled extensively throughout the US to visit family and friends; rarely did they miss the BCHS Annual Memorial Day Alumni Banquet.Losing his spouse of 64 years in May of 2015, Arlen continued to reside in the Yakima Valley area until mid-2019 when he moved back to Norton KS. In October of 2022, Arlen was moved to an Assisted Care Facility in Aurora NE to be closer to family in Lincoln &amp; Omaha.Arlen was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arliena Mae (Collins) Olmsted; his parents: Everett &amp; Esther (Allen) Olmsted, and sisters: Eleanor Olmsted and Bona McIntyre. He is survived by his daughters and their spouses: Sylvia VanZandt (Olan), Omaha NE, Debra Jones (Dr David), Guymon OK, Denise Pape (Gerrett), Green Valley, AZ, grandson: Jay Arlen Bennett, Lincoln, NE. Also, his sister, LaRee (O’Connor) Witt, Lincoln, NE and brother-in-law, Horace Collins Jr., Norton KS and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.Cremation has taken place, the inurnment at Norton Cemetery is scheduled for the morning of Wednesday September 4th, 2024 at 10:30 am. The family would request no flowers and any memorials be directed to: The Valley Hope Foundation, PO Box 59, Norton KS. 67654. Arrangements by: Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com

Arlen LeRoy Olmsted

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/suzanneking/">SUZANNE KING</a>&nbsp;

Last year, when COVID vaccines were still free, barely one in five Americans rolled up their sleeves for the latest dose.

Now that some people will have to pay $100-plus for the shot, health officials expect even weaker demand when the next version of the vaccine comes out this fall.

Meanwhile, a surprisingly strong summer surge of COVID cases sweeps across Kansas and Missouri.

As students head back to school, more people are testing positive, ending up in emergency rooms and getting hospitalized with the virus,&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home" target="_blank">according</a>&nbsp;to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Kansas City, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/health/weekly-covid-19-snapshots" target="_blank">reported case rate</a>&nbsp;at the end of July was more than double the same week last year and edging toward last winter’s rate. At the same time, wastewater testing in Kansas and Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-statetrend.html" target="_blank">showed</a>&nbsp;viral activity that surpassed national and regional levels.

Of course, the virus is nothing like it used to be. At the height of the pandemic in January of 2021, the CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_weeklypctdeaths_00" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that almost 30% of weekly deaths in the U.S. could be attributed to COVID. For the week of Aug. 3, the disease was blamed for 1.5% of U.S. deaths.

But the picture would look quite different without the vaccine, experts said. At the same time, some health professionals trace August’s surge to low vaccination rates last September and October.

“The urgency of COVID has obviously gone down,” said Cecelia Thomas, a health policy consultant with Washington-based Venn Strategies. “People are now getting it or they’re seeing people get it and it’s like a cold. Not even a bad cold. But I don’t think they’re realizing that it’s not as bad because they are vaccinated.”

Immunity wanes over time as the virus mutates. Getting an updated COVID shot every year, doctors advise, helps your immune system keep pace with changes. But last year, as life seemed to have returned to normal for most people, many Americans took a pass on the COVID shot.

At the start of December, the height of vaccine season, only 16% of adults had&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2023/12/11/new-covid-vaccine-no-interest/" target="_blank">gotten</a>&nbsp;the updated shot. The rate had only ticked up to 22.5% by the middle of May.

Scientists have come to expect a summer rise in COVID cases because the virus is cyclical, ebbing and waning in temperate climates as seasons change. But the current COVID surge has caught some health experts by surprise. It’s infecting more people and sending more patients to hospitals.

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, blames the higher than expected number of cases on last year’s lackluster vaccination rates.

“Many of the people being hospitalized today did not receive the vaccine last fall,” he said.

Hospitals&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/05/10/hospitals-can-stop-reporting-covid-data/" target="_blank">no longer report</a>&nbsp;the number of patients admitted with COVID. But at least anecdotally, doctors say, they’re seeing more people getting sick with the virus. And some people most at risk are getting really sick.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, an infectious-disease doctor at the University of Kansas Health System, said people should be aware of the current risk, especially if their age or underlying health puts them at higher risk for getting severely ill.

“Have a plan,” he said, “especially if you are at high risk.”

That can include wearing a mask in crowded places, being careful about hand hygiene, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth when in public and, of course, getting up to date on your vaccine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702563571528.png" alt="File photo A COVID-19 vacation appointments sign&nbsp; (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)" />
 <figcaption>File photo A COVID-19 vacation appointments sign&nbsp; (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/suzanneking/">SUZANNE KING</a>&nbsp;Last year, when COVID vaccines were still free, barely one in five Americans rolled up their sleeves for the latest dose.Now that some people will have to pay $100-plus for the shot, health officials expect even weaker demand when the next version of the vaccine comes out this fall.Meanwhile, a surprisingly strong summer surge of COVID cases sweeps across Kansas and Missouri.As students head back to school, more people are testing positive, ending up in emergency rooms and getting hospitalized with the virus,&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home" target="_blank">according</a>&nbsp;to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.In Kansas City, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/health/weekly-covid-19-snapshots" target="_blank">reported case rate</a>&nbsp;at the end of July was more than double the same week last year and edging toward last winter’s rate. At the same time, wastewater testing in Kansas and Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-statetrend.html" target="_blank">showed</a>&nbsp;viral activity that surpassed national and regional levels.Of course, the virus is nothing like it used to be. At the height of the pandemic in January of 2021, the CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_weeklypctdeaths_00" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that almost 30% of weekly deaths in the U.S. could be attributed to COVID. For the week of Aug. 3, the disease was blamed for 1.5% of U.S. deaths.But the picture would look quite different without the vaccine, experts said. At the same time, some health professionals trace August’s surge to low vaccination rates last September and October.“The urgency of COVID has obviously gone down,” said Cecelia Thomas, a health policy consultant with Washington-based Venn Strategies. “People are now getting it or they’re seeing people get it and it’s like a cold. Not even a bad cold. But I don’t think they’re realizing that it’s not as bad because they are vaccinated.”Immunity wanes over time as the virus mutates. Getting an updated COVID shot every year, doctors advise, helps your immune system keep pace with changes. But last year, as life seemed to have returned to normal for most people, many Americans took a pass on the COVID shot.At the start of December, the height of vaccine season, only 16% of adults had&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2023/12/11/new-covid-vaccine-no-interest/" target="_blank">gotten</a>&nbsp;the updated shot. The rate had only ticked up to 22.5% by the middle of May.<h2>Surprise summer surge</h2>Scientists have come to expect a summer rise in COVID cases because the virus is cyclical, ebbing and waning in temperate climates as seasons change. But the current COVID surge has caught some health experts by surprise. It’s infecting more people and sending more patients to hospitals.Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, blames the higher than expected number of cases on last year’s lackluster vaccination rates.“Many of the people being hospitalized today did not receive the vaccine last fall,” he said.Hospitals&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/05/10/hospitals-can-stop-reporting-covid-data/" target="_blank">no longer report</a>&nbsp;the number of patients admitted with COVID. But at least anecdotally, doctors say, they’re seeing more people getting sick with the virus. And some people most at risk are getting really sick.Dr. Dana Hawkinson, an infectious-disease doctor at the University of Kansas Health System, said people should be aware of the current risk, especially if their age or underlying health puts them at higher risk for getting severely ill.“Have a plan,” he said, “especially if you are at high risk.”That can include wearing a mask in crowded places, being careful about hand hygiene, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth when in public and, of course, getting up to date on your vaccine.An updated COVID vaccine, recommended annually for anyone 6 months and older, can prevent severe illness and reduce the chances that you’ll end up with long COVID.But getting a current vaccine is about to get a lot harder, especially for patients who are uninsured.<h2>COVID vaccines will likely cost more this fall</h2>During the height of the pandemic, COVID vaccinations were free to everyone. People only needed to sign up for an appointment online and walk into a nearby pharmacy. No cash needed.When the federal government lifted the Public Health Emergency in May of 2023, people covered by Medicare or Medicaid and most people with private insurance could still get the shot without paying a copay. People without insurance got free shots through the $1 billion federal Bridge Access Program.That was meant to cover the gap so all COVID shots remained free through the end of 2024. In the meantime, the CDC promised to establish a new program to make sure uninsured adults could continue getting free COVID vaccines. It was to be modeled after the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-for-children/about/index.html" target="_blank">Vaccines for Children</a>&nbsp;program, which pays for vaccines for minors whose families can’t afford them.But that program hasn’t come to fruition. And, thanks to congressional budget cuts, funding for the Bridge Access Program is running out early. Meanwhile, people with private insurance may have to pay a copay to get the shot.For someone without insurance, the shot can cost more than $100. The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment’s website lists the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jocogov.org/department/health/respiratory-illness-guidance/covid-19-vaccine" target="_blank">out-of-pocket cost</a>&nbsp;for a COVID shot as $160.Even when a shot is covered by insurance, many health departments charge an administration fee. In Johnson County and for the Wyandotte County Public Health Department, that amounts to $20 for COVID or any other vaccine.<h2>Vaccine access will vary by health department</h2>Public health officials around the Kansas City area are varied in how they plan to handle the lack of federal funding for COVID shots.The Wyandotte County Public Health Department won’t offer any free COVID vaccines for adults this fall. Jackson County Public Health has allocated American Rescue Plan funds to cover the cost of offering free vaccines to uninsured adults through the end of the year. And Platte County is weighing how to allocate expected state funding for COVID and flu vaccines.Money won’t stretch as far if the county chooses to offer the COVID shot, which is much more costly than the flu vaccine, said Aaron Smullin, Platte County Health Department spokesman.“We are evaluating data on COVID/flu hospitalizations and deaths to decide how to allocate our resources,” Smullin wrote in an email response. “Without current (Bridge) funding, we face the difficult choice of whether to immunize 500 people against flu or 125 against COVID.”Public health officials fear that any added expense and complication will lead many people to forego the shot again this fall. And that could mean more infections and hospitalizations during future a COVID surge.The current strains of COVID infecting most people this summer — known as FLiRT variants — are related to Omicron, the version of the virus that swept across the world in late 2021. The variants are highly contagious and spread readily.They are also still mild for most people who test positive. That’s because most people have immunity, either from previous infections or from getting the vaccine. But the evolving virus could still become more dangerous again, scientists said, which is why vaccines are so important.“These vaccines have saved millions of lives around the world, including in the United States,” Schaffner said. “But you can’t get protected if the vaccine is in the refrigerator. It’s got to be in your arm to work.”In addition to getting vaccinated, public health officials warn that people should test if they have symptoms and isolate and take other precautions like wearing a mask to avoid spreading the virus if they get sick. When someone tests positive, a doctor can prescribe an antiviral medication to prevent severe disease.<a href="https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/" target="_blank">No-cost testing</a>&nbsp;is still available at some pharmacies for people without insurance who have been exposed to COVID or have symptoms. And people who are infected, can&nbsp;<a href="https://treatments.hhs.gov/" target="_blank">apply</a>&nbsp;for free access to antiviral medication treatments like Paxlovid.This&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2024/08/14/health-officials-warn-of-worsening-covid-surge-without-free-vaccines/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/" target="_blank">Beacon: Kansas City</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<figure>
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