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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

🎥Harris and Trump squabble over rules for upcoming debate

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just before 2a.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the area of 82nd and Holmes Road on reported sound of shots call, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte.'

First responders began searching for possible victims or a crime scene. While canvassing the area, police found a man later identified as 21-year-old Treshaun Wright, inside a vehicle suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

If you or anyone you know has information regarding the homicide, police ask that you call detectives directly at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at (826) 474-8477.

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just before 2a.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the area of 82nd and Holmes Road on reported sound of shots call, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte.'First responders began searching for possible victims or a crime scene. While canvassing the area, police found a man later identified as 21-year-old Treshaun Wright, inside a vehicle suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.If you or anyone you know has information regarding the homicide, police ask that you call detectives directly at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at (826) 474-8477.

Police ID homicide victim found in car in Kansas City

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the discovery of a body on the railroad tracks in rural Cowley County.

Just after 2:30p.m. Sunday, Cowley County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the railroad tracks west of the Kansas 15 and U.S. 77 Highway junction for the remains of a human body on the tracks, according to Sheriff Dave Faletti.

A Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad employee found the body. Deputies notified the coroner. An autopsy has been requested by the Coroner at the Kansas Forensic Science Center to identify the remains. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724684820865.png" alt="Rail line in Cowley County-Google image" />
 <figcaption>Rail line in Cowley County-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the discovery of a body on the railroad tracks in rural Cowley County.Just after 2:30p.m. Sunday, Cowley County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the railroad tracks west of the Kansas 15 and U.S. 77 Highway junction for the remains of a human body on the tracks, according to Sheriff Dave Faletti.A Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad employee found the body. Deputies notified the coroner. An autopsy has been requested by the Coroner at the Kansas Forensic Science Center to identify the remains.

Sheriff working to ID body found on rural Kan. railroad tracks

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 1p.m.&nbsp; Friday, a Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 Highway in Osage County for a traffic violation according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

The deputy found illegal narcotics were located during the stop and took Jacob B. Lester, 25, of Scranton into custody. Lester is being held on requested charges of Possession of cocaine and an illegal registration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724589374868.png" alt="Lester-photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Lester-photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 1p.m.&nbsp; Friday, a Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 Highway in Osage County for a traffic violation according to Sheriff Chris Wells.The deputy found illegal narcotics were located during the stop and took Jacob B. Lester, 25, of Scranton into custody. Lester is being held on requested charges of Possession of cocaine and an illegal registration.

Sheriff's K9 deputy caught Kan. man transporting cocaine

NEW YORK (AP) —The largest proposed grocery store merger in U.S. history is going to court.

On one side are supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons, which say their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-albertsons-companies-inc-0cfbd68f81ba8aab7c1d3012c69804d9">planned merger</a>&nbsp;will help them compete against rivals like Costco. On the other side are antitrust regulators from the Federal Trade Commission, who say the merger would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-antitrust-grocery-merger-competition-71b47dc86ec7449f29b2b488c1d3f9de">eliminate competition</a>&nbsp;and raise grocery prices in a time of already high&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-price-gouging-ban-inflation-65dc8844bb41159d76886f752b6cab28">food price inflation</a>.

Starting Monday, a federal district court judge in Portland, Oregon, will consider both sides and decide whether to grant the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction. An injunction would delay the merger while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/federal-trade-commission">the FTC</a>&nbsp;conducts an in-house case against the deal before an administrative law judge.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/opioid-crisis-settlement-kroger-79356d42ded9c5099e1c2b88d3ffc061">Kroger</a>, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,800 stores in Kansas and 34 other states, including brands like Dillons,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralphs-supermarkets-california-job-applicants-46a287ac76515ffbbd196202c4ee3c38">Ralphs</a>, Smith’s and Harris Teeter.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-dividends-8c6e67bf9fb0cc3da523c672a6ca9141">Albertsons</a>, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,273 stores in 34 states, including brands like Safeway, Jewel Osco and Shaw’s. Together, the companies employ around 710,000 people.

Here’s what to know ahead of the hearing, which is expected to last until Sept. 13.

Why do Kroger and Albertsons want to merge?

Kroger and Albertsons – two of the largest grocery chains in the U.S. – announced in October 2022 that they planned to merge. The companies say the $24.6 billion deal would hold down prices by giving them more leverage&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grocery-store-supply-chain-issues-166cc40b0ff095af9d0bf4041fa1b5fc">with suppliers</a>&nbsp;and allowing them to combine their store brands. They say a merger also would help them compete with big rivals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-settlement-weighted-grocery-class-action-62405b8c5fda5e63f0b0e4f1f64949e6">like Walmart</a>, which now controls around 22% of U.S. grocery sales. Combined, Kroger and Albertsons would control around 13%.

Why does the FTC want to block the merger?

Antitrust regulators say the proposed merger would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-federal-trade-commission-2fda44d9d8b82ef20d6c7e7cffb2ccc3">eliminate competition</a>, leading to higher prices, poorer quality and lower wages and benefits&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-contract-west-virginia-471b61f4212e4a803e0777c9a6b0ab67">for workers</a>. In February, the FTC issued a complaint seeking to block the merger before an administrative judge at the FTC. At the same time, the FTC filed the lawsuit in federal court in Oregon seeking the preliminary injunction. The attorneys general of Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming all joined the federal lawsuit.

Will Kroger and Albertsons close some stores if they merge?

They say no. If the merger is approved, Kroger and Albertsons have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-cs-grocery-9a1d40ba06f752d3c5c3d5db78fede4c">agreed to sell 579 stores</a>&nbsp;in places where their stores overlap. The buyer would be C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly store brands. Kroger and Albertsons&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-cs-wholesale-grocer-401520f2a25ea2ae5fd06be4973b7c48">initially planned</a>&nbsp;to divest 413 stores, but the FTC said that plan would not have allowed C&amp;S to be a robust competitor. Kroger and Albertsons agreed to divest additional stores in April. Washington has the most stores that would be divested, with 124, followed by Colorado with 91 and California with 63.

What happens if the Oregon judge issues a preliminary injunction?

If the preliminary injunction is approved, Kroger and Albertsons would likely appeal to a higher court, said Mike Keeley, a partner and antitrust chair at Axinn, Veltrop &amp; Harkrider, a Washington law firm. The case could then move through the FTC’s own judicial system, but since that can take a year or more, companies often abandon a deal before going through the process, Keeley said. Kroger sued the FTC this month, alleging the agency's internal proceedings are unconstitutional and saying it wants the merger's merits decided in federal court. In that case, filed in Ohio, Kroger cited a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-regulatory-agencies-sec-36f16444b1d4fc52985fdb68896362bb">recent Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;that limited the power of the Securities and Exchange Commission to try some civil fraud complaints within the agency instead of in court.

What happens if the Oregon judge agrees with Kroger and Albertsons?

The FTC would likely appeal the ruling, but Keeley said it's rare for an appeals court to reverse a lower court's ruling on a merger, so the FTC might decide to drop the challenge. The case could still proceed through the FTC's administrative process. It's unclear what impact the presidential election could have on the case. The Biden administration has been particularly aggressive in challenging mergers that it considered anti-competitive, but lawmakers from both parties&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-prices-alex-padilla-congress-rodney-mcmullen-54929ed8d702642fbc33269fb69b0373">expressed skepticism</a>&nbsp;about the merger in a 2022 hearing.

If the federal court lets the merger proceed, could state courts still prevent it?

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-colorado-06a59a420139ef8f4400b128778d408d">Colorado</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-washington-lawsuit-35681b212a416d19d24d1a3a8126f4ca">Washington</a>&nbsp;have separately sued to block&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-colorado-06a59a420139ef8f4400b128778d408d">the merger</a>&nbsp;in state courts. That's an unusual situation; normally states are co-plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit. But both states believe they have a lot at stake. Colorado has more than 200 Kroger and Albertsons stores, while Washington has more than 300. Keeley said both states could seek their own injunctions from a different court if the FTC loses, but it would be surprising for another court to block the merger if Kroger and Albertsons are successful in the federal case.

NEW YORK (AP) —The largest proposed grocery store merger in U.S. history is going to court.On one side are supermarket chains Kroger and Albertsons, which say their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-albertsons-companies-inc-0cfbd68f81ba8aab7c1d3012c69804d9">planned merger</a>&nbsp;will help them compete against rivals like Costco. On the other side are antitrust regulators from the Federal Trade Commission, who say the merger would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-antitrust-grocery-merger-competition-71b47dc86ec7449f29b2b488c1d3f9de">eliminate competition</a>&nbsp;and raise grocery prices in a time of already high&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-price-gouging-ban-inflation-65dc8844bb41159d76886f752b6cab28">food price inflation</a>.Starting Monday, a federal district court judge in Portland, Oregon, will consider both sides and decide whether to grant the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction. An injunction would delay the merger while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/federal-trade-commission">the FTC</a>&nbsp;conducts an in-house case against the deal before an administrative law judge.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/opioid-crisis-settlement-kroger-79356d42ded9c5099e1c2b88d3ffc061">Kroger</a>, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,800 stores in Kansas and 34 other states, including brands like Dillons,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralphs-supermarkets-california-job-applicants-46a287ac76515ffbbd196202c4ee3c38">Ralphs</a>, Smith’s and Harris Teeter.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-dividends-8c6e67bf9fb0cc3da523c672a6ca9141">Albertsons</a>, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,273 stores in 34 states, including brands like Safeway, Jewel Osco and Shaw’s. Together, the companies employ around 710,000 people.Here’s what to know ahead of the hearing, which is expected to last until Sept. 13.<h2>Why do Kroger and Albertsons want to merge?</h2>Kroger and Albertsons – two of the largest grocery chains in the U.S. – announced in October 2022 that they planned to merge. The companies say the $24.6 billion deal would hold down prices by giving them more leverage&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grocery-store-supply-chain-issues-166cc40b0ff095af9d0bf4041fa1b5fc">with suppliers</a>&nbsp;and allowing them to combine their store brands. They say a merger also would help them compete with big rivals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/walmart-settlement-weighted-grocery-class-action-62405b8c5fda5e63f0b0e4f1f64949e6">like Walmart</a>, which now controls around 22% of U.S. grocery sales. Combined, Kroger and Albertsons would control around 13%.<h2>Why does the FTC want to block the merger?</h2>Antitrust regulators say the proposed merger would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-federal-trade-commission-2fda44d9d8b82ef20d6c7e7cffb2ccc3">eliminate competition</a>, leading to higher prices, poorer quality and lower wages and benefits&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-contract-west-virginia-471b61f4212e4a803e0777c9a6b0ab67">for workers</a>. In February, the FTC issued a complaint seeking to block the merger before an administrative judge at the FTC. At the same time, the FTC filed the lawsuit in federal court in Oregon seeking the preliminary injunction. The attorneys general of Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming all joined the federal lawsuit.<h2>Will Kroger and Albertsons close some stores if they merge?</h2>They say no. If the merger is approved, Kroger and Albertsons have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-cs-grocery-9a1d40ba06f752d3c5c3d5db78fede4c">agreed to sell 579 stores</a>&nbsp;in places where their stores overlap. The buyer would be C&amp;S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly store brands. Kroger and Albertsons&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-cs-wholesale-grocer-401520f2a25ea2ae5fd06be4973b7c48">initially planned</a>&nbsp;to divest 413 stores, but the FTC said that plan would not have allowed C&amp;S to be a robust competitor. Kroger and Albertsons agreed to divest additional stores in April. Washington has the most stores that would be divested, with 124, followed by Colorado with 91 and California with 63.<h2>What happens if the Oregon judge issues a preliminary injunction?</h2>If the preliminary injunction is approved, Kroger and Albertsons would likely appeal to a higher court, said Mike Keeley, a partner and antitrust chair at Axinn, Veltrop &amp; Harkrider, a Washington law firm. The case could then move through the FTC’s own judicial system, but since that can take a year or more, companies often abandon a deal before going through the process, Keeley said. Kroger sued the FTC this month, alleging the agency's internal proceedings are unconstitutional and saying it wants the merger's merits decided in federal court. In that case, filed in Ohio, Kroger cited a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-regulatory-agencies-sec-36f16444b1d4fc52985fdb68896362bb">recent Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;that limited the power of the Securities and Exchange Commission to try some civil fraud complaints within the agency instead of in court.<h2>What happens if the Oregon judge agrees with Kroger and Albertsons?</h2>The FTC would likely appeal the ruling, but Keeley said it's rare for an appeals court to reverse a lower court's ruling on a merger, so the FTC might decide to drop the challenge. The case could still proceed through the FTC's administrative process. It's unclear what impact the presidential election could have on the case. The Biden administration has been particularly aggressive in challenging mergers that it considered anti-competitive, but lawmakers from both parties&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-prices-alex-padilla-congress-rodney-mcmullen-54929ed8d702642fbc33269fb69b0373">expressed skepticism</a>&nbsp;about the merger in a 2022 hearing.<h2>If the federal court lets the merger proceed, could state courts still prevent it?</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-colorado-06a59a420139ef8f4400b128778d408d">Colorado</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-washington-lawsuit-35681b212a416d19d24d1a3a8126f4ca">Washington</a>&nbsp;have separately sued to block&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-colorado-06a59a420139ef8f4400b128778d408d">the merger</a>&nbsp;in state courts. That's an unusual situation; normally states are co-plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit. But both states believe they have a lot at stake. Colorado has more than 200 Kroger and Albertsons stores, while Washington has more than 300. Keeley said both states could seek their own injunctions from a different court if the FTC loses, but it would be surprising for another court to block the merger if Kroger and Albertsons are successful in the federal case.

Kroger and Albertsons head to court to defend merger plan

NEOSHO COUNTY —A college student swimming with friends drowned Saturday.

Just after&nbsp;&nbsp;6:00 p.m August 24, Sheriff's Deputies along with the Chanute Fire Department and Kansas Game Wardens were dispatched to Detners Dam at 207th Road and Grady after report of a drowning, according to Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor.

The victim was 21-year-old male international student from Fiji, who has been attending the Neosho County Community College. 

He had been swimming with friends in the Neosho River. Witnesses stated the man jumped off of the dam and became caught in the current and drowned. The victims body has been recovered and sent for an autopsy.&nbsp; The man’s name is being withheld pending notification to family. 

NEOSHO COUNTY —A college student swimming with friends drowned Saturday.Just after&nbsp;&nbsp;6:00 p.m August 24, Sheriff's Deputies along with the Chanute Fire Department and Kansas Game Wardens were dispatched to Detners Dam at 207th Road and Grady after report of a drowning, according to Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor.The victim was 21-year-old male international student from Fiji, who has been attending the Neosho County Community College. He had been swimming with friends in the Neosho River. Witnesses stated the man jumped off of the dam and became caught in the current and drowned. The victims body has been recovered and sent for an autopsy.&nbsp; The man’s name is being withheld pending notification to family.

Sheriff: College student drowns swimming in Kansas river

Editor's note: The KHP crash log originally indicated the child had died. The story has been updated.

ATCHISON COUNTY—A child was critically injured an accident during a police pursuit just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Atchison County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Toyota Corolla driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Maria&nbsp; Papalas, 28, Atchison, was southbound on Sherman Road at&nbsp; 244th Road five miles south of Atchison at a high rate of speed. 

The driver was attempting to elude law enforcement. Due to the speed, the driver lost control on a curve. The car entered the west ditch and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its top.

EMS transported a passenger identified as 1-year-old Mixalis&nbsp;Papalas-Schulpz of Atchison to Children's Mercy for treatment of critical injuries.

&nbsp;EMS transported Papalas to Stormont Vail for treatment of minor injuries.&nbsp; She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Editor's note: The KHP crash log originally indicated the child had died. The story has been updated.ATCHISON COUNTY—A child was critically injured an accident during a police pursuit just after 5:30p.m. Sunday in Atchison County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Toyota Corolla driven by&nbsp; &nbsp;Maria&nbsp; Papalas, 28, Atchison, was southbound on Sherman Road at&nbsp; 244th Road five miles south of Atchison at a high rate of speed. The driver was attempting to elude law enforcement. Due to the speed, the driver lost control on a curve. The car entered the west ditch and rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its top.EMS transported a passenger identified as 1-year-old Mixalis&nbsp;Papalas-Schulpz of Atchison to Children's Mercy for treatment of critical injuries.&nbsp;EMS transported Papalas to Stormont Vail for treatment of minor injuries.&nbsp; She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

1-year-old Kan. boy hospitalized after crash during police chase

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – Ten people received minor injuries Sunday during the slow-moving wet microburst that brought heavy winds, lightning and rain to McConnell Air Force Base.

Six of the individuals were military medical personnel and four were civilian vendors, who each received minor injuries.&nbsp; One civilian male was transported to a local hospital. Another Airman was also transported to the hospital, but has since been discharged.&nbsp; All were outside on the flightline when the damaging winds occurred. Due to the timing of the inclement weather, spectators had not entered the event area.

Sunday's portion of the McConnell Frontiers in Flight Airshow had to be cancelled after a slow-moving wet microburst lingered over the base early Sunday morning.&nbsp; That microburst brought wind gusts of up to 54 mph to the McConnell flightline.

Because of damage to services, the base was unable to execute a safe airshow, and had to make the decision to cancel the airshow. Safety is always our first priority at McConnell, especially when it comes to hosting the community for an airshow.&nbsp;

Saturday’s session of McConnell’s Frontiers in Flight Airshow attracted more than 65,000 visitors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724616021735.png" alt="Photo Kansas Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – Ten people received minor injuries Sunday during the slow-moving wet microburst that brought heavy winds, lightning and rain to McConnell Air Force Base.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724616069059.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>Six of the individuals were military medical personnel and four were civilian vendors, who each received minor injuries.&nbsp; One civilian male was transported to a local hospital. Another Airman was also transported to the hospital, but has since been discharged.&nbsp; All were outside on the flightline when the damaging winds occurred. Due to the timing of the inclement weather, spectators had not entered the event area.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724616154182.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sunday's portion of the McConnell Frontiers in Flight Airshow had to be cancelled after a slow-moving wet microburst lingered over the base early Sunday morning.&nbsp; That microburst brought wind gusts of up to 54 mph to the McConnell flightline.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724615907118.png" alt="Photo McConnell Air Force Base" />
 <figcaption>Photo McConnell Air Force Base</figcaption>
 </figure>Because of damage to services, the base was unable to execute a safe airshow, and had to make the decision to cancel the airshow. Safety is always our first priority at McConnell, especially when it comes to hosting the community for an airshow.&nbsp;Saturday’s session of McConnell’s Frontiers in Flight Airshow attracted more than 65,000 visitors.

Injuries reported after microburst that ended Kansas air show

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement in Overland Park requested assistance in locating a citizen and their dog involved in a dog bite incident.

The incident occurred just after noon on Sunday at the the playground at Young's Park, 7701 Antioch Road, in Overland Park, according to a media release. The dog is a medium size terrier- shepherd mix with smooth, short brown fur and pointy ears. The dog was off leash and with a 60-70-year-old white male who was wearing a blue shirt and red shorts.

If you have any information, please contact Overland Park Police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724636854410.png" alt="Photo Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement in Overland Park requested assistance in locating a citizen and their dog involved in a dog bite incident.The incident occurred just after noon on Sunday at the the playground at Young's Park, 7701 Antioch Road, in Overland Park, according to a media release. The dog is a medium size terrier- shepherd mix with smooth, short brown fur and pointy ears. The dog was off leash and with a 60-70-year-old white male who was wearing a blue shirt and red shorts.If you have any information, please contact Overland Park Police.

Police ask for help to locate dog in bite incident at Kan. park

WASHINGTON —While talks continue to accomplish a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, U.S. forces continue to face attacks in the Red Sea and Yemen.

On Friday&nbsp;U.S. forces killed&nbsp;Abu-’Abd al-Rahman al-Makki, a senior leader and commander with the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group, Hurras al-Din, in a U.S. drone Strike in northwestern Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

He was responsible for overseeing terrorist operations from Syria.

Also on Friday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi missile system in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen and on August 22, destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi drones over the Red Sea and and another in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.  

On August 21, U.S. forces successfully destroyed an Iranian-backed Houthi surface-to-air missile and radar system in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.

WASHINGTON —While talks continue to accomplish a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, U.S. forces continue to face attacks in the Red Sea and Yemen.On Friday&nbsp;U.S. forces killed&nbsp;Abu-’Abd al-Rahman al-Makki, a senior leader and commander with the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group, Hurras al-Din, in a U.S. drone Strike in northwestern Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.He was responsible for overseeing terrorist operations from Syria.Also on Friday, U.S. forces successfully destroyed one Iranian-backed Houthi missile system in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen and on August 22, destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi drones over the Red Sea and and another in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. On August 21, U.S. forces successfully destroyed an Iranian-backed Houthi surface-to-air missile and radar system in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen.

Deadly week for U.S. forces in the Middle East

BATES COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a violent incident involving a child.

On August 20, Sheriffs Deputies responded to a home in rural Butler, Missouri after a juvenile called in and reported a man assaulted him with a tomahawk.

Deputies learned that the juvenile had been hit in the face with a hatchet style weapon by 39-year-old Michael L. Richards at the residence. When deputies collected identifying information from Richards, they discovered that Richards was wanted by U.S. Marshals on a federal warrant for violation of the conditions of probation and/or supervised released. 

Deputies also spoke to the Marshal Service who advised Deputies that during a prior encounter with Richards, he had reportedly shot at the Marshals and was reported to be an absconder. Richards was taken into custody for his active warrant. Charges stemming from the assault on the juvenile with a deadly weapon were submitted to the Bates County Prosecutor for review. Additional charges are expected.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724499840744.png" alt="Richards-photo Bates County" />
 <figcaption>Richards-photo Bates County</figcaption>
 </figure>BATES COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a violent incident involving a child.On August 20, Sheriffs Deputies responded to a home in rural Butler, Missouri after a juvenile called in and reported a man assaulted him with a tomahawk.Deputies learned that the juvenile had been hit in the face with a hatchet style weapon by 39-year-old Michael L. Richards at the residence. When deputies collected identifying information from Richards, they discovered that Richards was wanted by U.S. Marshals on a federal warrant for violation of the conditions of probation and/or supervised released. Deputies also spoke to the Marshal Service who advised Deputies that during a prior encounter with Richards, he had reportedly shot at the Marshals and was reported to be an absconder. Richards was taken into custody for his active warrant. Charges stemming from the assault on the juvenile with a deadly weapon were submitted to the Bates County Prosecutor for review. Additional charges are expected.

Man arrested after juvenile injured by tomahawk

KANSAS CITY —Two Kansas City men have been charged in connection with several armed robberies of local businesses this summer, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Richard Canton, 20,&nbsp; faces three counts of Robbery in the 1st Degree and three counts of Armed Criminal Action for robberies of businesses on Aug. 13, 15 and 16, while Dimitri DeCarlo McGill, 20,&nbsp; faces charges of Robbery in the 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action for the Aug. 16 business robbery.

According to court records, Kansas City police, responding on Aug. 16, to a robbery of a chain drug store, were told by a clerk that a man later identified as McGill pointed a handgun at her and demanded money from her register. 

She also saw a man later determined to be Canton walk around the store, then out toward the direction that McGill left. Detectives identified Canton from clothing he wore while he was captured on surveillance. In addition, evidence obtained from a search of an associate's residence linked the suspects to other robberies that will require more investigation.

Prosecutors noted that KCPD detectives used surveillance and police intelligence to quickly solve these robberies so these defendants could face charges.

Prosecutors requested a $200,000 cash-only bond for Canton and $100,000 for McGill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724337803209.png" alt="McGill photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>McGill photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Two Kansas City men have been charged in connection with several armed robberies of local businesses this summer, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Richard Canton, 20,&nbsp; faces three counts of Robbery in the 1st Degree and three counts of Armed Criminal Action for robberies of businesses on Aug. 13, 15 and 16, while Dimitri DeCarlo McGill, 20,&nbsp; faces charges of Robbery in the 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action for the Aug. 16 business robbery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724337738453.png" alt="Canton photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Canton photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>According to court records, Kansas City police, responding on Aug. 16, to a robbery of a chain drug store, were told by a clerk that a man later identified as McGill pointed a handgun at her and demanded money from her register. She also saw a man later determined to be Canton walk around the store, then out toward the direction that McGill left. Detectives identified Canton from clothing he wore while he was captured on surveillance. In addition, evidence obtained from a search of an associate's residence linked the suspects to other robberies that will require more investigation.Prosecutors noted that KCPD detectives used surveillance and police intelligence to quickly solve these robberies so these defendants could face charges.Prosecutors requested a $200,000 cash-only bond for Canton and $100,000 for McGill.

Police surveillance helped catch two KC armed robbery suspects

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/caseyquinlan/">CASEY QUINLAN</a>&nbsp; State's Newsroom

Americans are racking up credit card debt as they struggle to keep up with the cost of living, and experts say those who earn the least are the hardest hit.

Total credit card balances rose 5.8% from a year ago, to $1.14 trillion,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/hhdc" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;a recent New York Fed report. Equifax credit files through June show that credit card delinquency is still rising but that delinquency on consumer finance loans and retail cards fell and auto loan delinquency was flat.

People use credit cards for all kinds of purchases, and despite the stereotype of consumers getting themselves into too much credit card debt so that they could buy a few extra flashy clothes or vacations, many of them are for necessities.

So what does it mean for the economy that the average rate for people with a credit card balance was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/current/" target="_blank">22.76%</a>&nbsp;in May, that there is an expansion of financial tech products like “buy now, pay later,” and that many Americans find themselves unable to pay off that debt? It depends on your role in the economy, financial experts and economists say.

“If you’re in that half who’s paying your cards in full and taking full advantage of rewards and buyer protections, life is great for you. That’s a very different story from someone who’s trapped in that expensive cycle of 20 to 25 to 30% interest month after month,” said Ted Rossman, Bankrate senior industry analyst.

Still, the rate of growth in credit card debt has accelerated, which Rossman calls “potentially troublesome.”

It’s impossible to look at rising credit card debt without acknowledging the high cost of living, such as housing prices. The Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation, showed that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm" target="_blank">in July</a>, shelter increased 0.4% and made up 90% of that month’s rise in the all items index.

“Inflation is definitely contributing to higher balances. Even if it’s a category like rent, which most people are not putting on a credit card, if you’re getting squeezed on rent, you have less money to go around for groceries and gas and other things that maybe you are putting on a credit card now,” he said.

The Federal Reserve’s campaign to raise interest rates to bring down inflation also affects credit card debt and some economists say it is fueling economic inequality. Although the Fed paused rates last year, they are still fairly high and influence credit card rates. The Fed may cut rates in its September meeting if it continues to see cooling inflation data.

“People who rely on credit cards and other forms of borrowing to finance all sorts of things in their lives, whether that’s food or purchases for investments in their education or purchases for their home or their children, disproportionately folks who are poor – they’re really hurting because interest rates are really high,” said Rakeen Mabud, chief economist and a senior fellow at Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive think tank. “These interest rates are really taking a toll on people’s day-to-day ability to live and finance their lives. It looks to me that the high interest rates at this point are actually causing more pain than the inflation that it is trying to combat.”

In addition to the impact of the federal funds rate on credit cards, consumers are facing high annual percentage rate margins, or APR margins, which the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said were an all-time high in a February&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/credit-card-interest-rate-margins-at-all-time-high/" target="_blank">report</a>. The agency said rising APR margins are driving people into persistent debt and delinquency.

“Credit card companies are gouging consumers with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/credit-card-interest-rate-margins-at-all-time-high/" target="_blank">record high</a>&nbsp;APR margins, which sit on top of the Fed’s already high interest rates. Profiteering by credit card companies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/credit-card-interest-rate-margins-at-all-time-high/" target="_blank">cost</a>&nbsp;people an extra $25 billion last year and is yet another example of corporations using inflation as a cover to rip people off,” Mabud said.

A lack of competition in the credit industry doesn’t help matters for those struggling with credit card debt, added Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, which provides financial intelligence products.

“There is some evidence that there’s less competition in that market and that’s allowing credit card lenders to enjoy wide margins,” he said.

Mitria Wilson-Spotser, vice president and federal policy director at the Center for Responsible Lending, said she partly attributes the rise in credit card debt to some major credit card companies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/why-the-largest-credit-card-companies-are-suppressing-actual-payment-data-on-your-credit-report/" target="_blank">not reporting</a>&nbsp;payment data, which does not make it to their credit reports, hurting their credit score and leaving them with higher credit card rates or extending credit without basing it on an ability to repay.

Consumers also have access to more financial tech products, like earned wage access programs, which let employees access their pay earlier for a fee, and buy now pay later products, said Wilson-Spotser. These products are not regulated in the same way as credit cards. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-takes-action-to-ensure-consumers-can-dispute-charges-and-obtain-refunds-on-buy-now-pay-later-loans/" target="_blank">issued a rule</a>&nbsp;in May to apply the same regulations to “buy now pay later” lenders as traditional credit cards.

“There’s no obligation to ensure an ability to repay for the consumer, so that debt, which is kind of this phantom in the room, is combining with credit card debt, which I think is probably one of the reasons why we’re seeing an increase in delinquency among some consumers,” she said.

Zandi said the people most likely to suffer financially from their credit card debt, lower-income people, only account for a sliver of the consumer spending driving the economy.

“[High interest rates] is adding to the pressure on households who have revolving debt, that aren’t paying off their cards and are using the card as a way to borrow money and have outstanding debt. So that’s a real problem for those households,” he said. “… The economy can move forward and be just fine even if the folks in the bottom third are struggling. The economy can’t flourish but it can do what it’s doing.”

That doesn’t mean the impact of the harms of high credit card rates and inflation, which is cooling but has done damage to households, will go unnoticed, however, Zandi said, alluding to building political pressure to improve people’s economic well-being.

“But the political and social implications are enormous. You can see it in our fracture of politics and what’s going on in terms of the presidential election,” he said. “… Politics has been affected by the fact that lower-income households have seen their share of the economic pie decline from where it was when it was at its peak back in the late 70s, early 80s.”

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/caseyquinlan/">CASEY QUINLAN</a>&nbsp; State's Newsroom Americans are racking up credit card debt as they struggle to keep up with the cost of living, and experts say those who earn the least are the hardest hit.Total credit card balances rose 5.8% from a year ago, to $1.14 trillion,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/hhdc" target="_blank">according to</a>&nbsp;a recent New York Fed report. Equifax credit files through June show that credit card delinquency is still rising but that delinquency on consumer finance loans and retail cards fell and auto loan delinquency was flat.People use credit cards for all kinds of purchases, and despite the stereotype of consumers getting themselves into too much credit card debt so that they could buy a few extra flashy clothes or vacations, many of them are for necessities.So what does it mean for the economy that the average rate for people with a credit card balance was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/current/" target="_blank">22.76%</a>&nbsp;in May, that there is an expansion of financial tech products like “buy now, pay later,” and that many Americans find themselves unable to pay off that debt? It depends on your role in the economy, financial experts and economists say.“If you’re in that half who’s paying your cards in full and taking full advantage of rewards and buyer protections, life is great for you. That’s a very different story from someone who’s trapped in that expensive cycle of 20 to 25 to 30% interest month after month,” said Ted Rossman, Bankrate senior industry analyst.Still, the rate of growth in credit card debt has accelerated, which Rossman calls “potentially troublesome.”It’s impossible to look at rising credit card debt without acknowledging the high cost of living, such as housing prices. The Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation, showed that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm" target="_blank">in July</a>, shelter increased 0.4% and made up 90% of that month’s rise in the all items index.“Inflation is definitely contributing to higher balances. Even if it’s a category like rent, which most people are not putting on a credit card, if you’re getting squeezed on rent, you have less money to go around for groceries and gas and other things that maybe you are putting on a credit card now,” he said.The Federal Reserve’s campaign to raise interest rates to bring down inflation also affects credit card debt and some economists say it is fueling economic inequality. Although the Fed paused rates last year, they are still fairly high and influence credit card rates. The Fed may cut rates in its September meeting if it continues to see cooling inflation data.“People who rely on credit cards and other forms of borrowing to finance all sorts of things in their lives, whether that’s food or purchases for investments in their education or purchases for their home or their children, disproportionately folks who are poor – they’re really hurting because interest rates are really high,” said Rakeen Mabud, chief economist and a senior fellow at Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive think tank. “These interest rates are really taking a toll on people’s day-to-day ability to live and finance their lives. It looks to me that the high interest rates at this point are actually causing more pain than the inflation that it is trying to combat.”In addition to the impact of the federal funds rate on credit cards, consumers are facing high annual percentage rate margins, or APR margins, which the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said were an all-time high in a February&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/credit-card-interest-rate-margins-at-all-time-high/" target="_blank">report</a>. The agency said rising APR margins are driving people into persistent debt and delinquency.“Credit card companies are gouging consumers with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/credit-card-interest-rate-margins-at-all-time-high/" target="_blank">record high</a>&nbsp;APR margins, which sit on top of the Fed’s already high interest rates. Profiteering by credit card companies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/credit-card-interest-rate-margins-at-all-time-high/" target="_blank">cost</a>&nbsp;people an extra $25 billion last year and is yet another example of corporations using inflation as a cover to rip people off,” Mabud said.A lack of competition in the credit industry doesn’t help matters for those struggling with credit card debt, added Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, which provides financial intelligence products.“There is some evidence that there’s less competition in that market and that’s allowing credit card lenders to enjoy wide margins,” he said.Mitria Wilson-Spotser, vice president and federal policy director at the Center for Responsible Lending, said she partly attributes the rise in credit card debt to some major credit card companies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/why-the-largest-credit-card-companies-are-suppressing-actual-payment-data-on-your-credit-report/" target="_blank">not reporting</a>&nbsp;payment data, which does not make it to their credit reports, hurting their credit score and leaving them with higher credit card rates or extending credit without basing it on an ability to repay.Consumers also have access to more financial tech products, like earned wage access programs, which let employees access their pay earlier for a fee, and buy now pay later products, said Wilson-Spotser. These products are not regulated in the same way as credit cards. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-takes-action-to-ensure-consumers-can-dispute-charges-and-obtain-refunds-on-buy-now-pay-later-loans/" target="_blank">issued a rule</a>&nbsp;in May to apply the same regulations to “buy now pay later” lenders as traditional credit cards.“There’s no obligation to ensure an ability to repay for the consumer, so that debt, which is kind of this phantom in the room, is combining with credit card debt, which I think is probably one of the reasons why we’re seeing an increase in delinquency among some consumers,” she said.Zandi said the people most likely to suffer financially from their credit card debt, lower-income people, only account for a sliver of the consumer spending driving the economy.“[High interest rates] is adding to the pressure on households who have revolving debt, that aren’t paying off their cards and are using the card as a way to borrow money and have outstanding debt. So that’s a real problem for those households,” he said. “… The economy can move forward and be just fine even if the folks in the bottom third are struggling. The economy can’t flourish but it can do what it’s doing.”That doesn’t mean the impact of the harms of high credit card rates and inflation, which is cooling but has done damage to households, will go unnoticed, however, Zandi said, alluding to building political pressure to improve people’s economic well-being.“But the political and social implications are enormous. You can see it in our fracture of politics and what’s going on in terms of the presidential election,” he said. “… Politics has been affected by the fact that lower-income households have seen their share of the economic pie decline from where it was when it was at its peak back in the late 70s, early 80s.”

US credit card debt continues to rise as housing and other costs remain high for the lowest earners

WASHINGTON (AP) — Recent polls show that Republicans are more likely than Democrats to have a favorable opinion of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who suspended his presidential campaign on Friday and gave his support to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

During a speech made in Arizona, Kennedy cited concerns that continuing his campaign would help Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Kennedy’s support appeared to have declined in recent polls as he struggled to find his political lane in a race reshaped by the departure of Democratic President Joe Biden and Harris’ nomination in his place. The developments left relatively narrow room for Kennedy’s presence — or departure — to make a difference in the election outcome. Recent polls don’t give a clear indication that Kennedy’s presence in the race had an outsized impact on support for either major-party candidate.

While some polls earlier in the year put Kennedy’s support in the double digits, his support hovered in&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/harris-trump-poll-election-issues/story?id=112865487">the mid-single digits</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/08/14/harris-energizes-democrats-in-transformed-presidential-race/">most recent polls</a>. It’s unclear if Kennedy would have even received that level of support in the general election, since third-party candidates frequently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-biden-trump-third-party-2024-election-71ffff6d34b0bad8b92cb8e82369d2e8">don’t live up to their early poll numbers</a>&nbsp;when voters actually cast their ballots.

In recent months, Americans overall have been split in their views of Kennedy, 70, the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.

About as many people had a favorable as unfavorable view of Kennedy, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/July-2024-W1-topline.pdf">July AP-NORC poll</a>&nbsp;that was conducted before Biden dropped out of the presidential race last month. That marked a decline from February, when more had a positive than negative view of Kennedy, and about 3 in 10 did not have an opinion.

In the most recent poll, about 2 in 10 U.S. adults didn’t know enough about Kennedy to give an opinion.

Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats and independents to have a favorable view of Kennedy. And those with a positive impression of Kennedy were more likely to also have a favorable view of Trump (52%) than Harris (37%).

Kennedy also struggled to endear himself to political independents. Although he was running as an independent presidential candidate, polling showed about 4 in 10 independents did not know enough to form an opinion. Those who did were divided equally between favorable and unfavorable opinions.

Kennedy's appeal largely rested on being an alternative to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-immigration-economy-inflation-abortion-21b95914866c2af3a1e7af8e302dbe27">match-up many Americans dreaded</a>&nbsp;when Biden was facing Trump in a rematch of the 2020 election won by Biden. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/07/PP_2024.7.29_ukraine_REPORT.pdf#page=20">Pew Research Center poll from July</a>&nbsp;found that about half of voters who were supporting Kennedy said the main reason they backed him was because he was neither Biden nor Trump, compared with about 3 in 10 who listed Kennedy's characteristics or policies.

Harris’ move to the top of the Democratic ticket may have further harmed Kennedy’s prospects. An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/08/14/harris-energizes-democrats-in-transformed-presidential-race/">August Pew poll</a>&nbsp;suggested that Harris had gained support at Kennedy’s expense. She appeared to have received the support of some women and non-white voters who previously were considering Kennedy.

Kennedy’s initial pitch was largely focused on his family name and his relation to other famed Kennedys, including his father and his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy.&nbsp;<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23825119/cnn-poll-2024-democratic-primary.pdf#page=12">CNN polling conducted last summer</a>&nbsp;when RFK Jr. was running for the Democratic nomination found that many Democrats said they’d consider supporting him because of the Kennedy name or his family connections. Many members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kennedy-rfk-trump-pennsylvania-b411e744d3b13fc6365029cb3dfd00c4">Kennedy family endorsed Biden</a>&nbsp;before he withdrew from the race.

John F. Kennedy remains the most highly rated former president in&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/508625/retrospective-approval-jfk-rises-trump.aspx">Gallup’s retrospective approval ratings</a>, and his appeal crosses party lines. Nine in 10 Americans approve of how Kennedy, a Democrat, handled his job as president, according to data from last summer, with Democrats, independents and Republicans in agreement.

News of Robert Kennedy’s withdrawal comes a little over a week since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-rfk-jr-ballot-new-york-residency-faaf0c8d7638cdfcdbe3c4eb7b542eef">a New York judge ruled</a>&nbsp;that he should not appear on the ballot in the state because he listed a “sham” address on nominating petitions. Kennedy appealed the ruling, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-rfk-jr-ballot-new-york-residency-states-f96d46318524fad967271fed292aa212">has faced several similar challenges</a>&nbsp;around the country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724461649763.png" alt="RJK, Jr. and Donald Trump during a rally Friday night -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>RJK, Jr. and Donald Trump during a rally Friday night -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Recent polls show that Republicans are more likely than Democrats to have a favorable opinion of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who suspended his presidential campaign on Friday and gave his support to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am sharing a personal statement that my family and I have made in response to my brother’s announcement. <a href="https://t.co/j7vTTabNYZ">pic.twitter.com/j7vTTabNYZ</a>&mdash; Kerry Kennedy (@KerryKennedyRFK) <a href="https://twitter.com/KerryKennedyRFK/status/1827061350452887816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>During a speech made in Arizona, Kennedy cited concerns that continuing his campaign would help Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Kennedy’s support appeared to have declined in recent polls as he struggled to find his political lane in a race reshaped by the departure of Democratic President Joe Biden and Harris’ nomination in his place. The developments left relatively narrow room for Kennedy’s presence — or departure — to make a difference in the election outcome. Recent polls don’t give a clear indication that Kennedy’s presence in the race had an outsized impact on support for either major-party candidate.While some polls earlier in the year put Kennedy’s support in the double digits, his support hovered in&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/harris-trump-poll-election-issues/story?id=112865487">the mid-single digits</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/08/14/harris-energizes-democrats-in-transformed-presidential-race/">most recent polls</a>. It’s unclear if Kennedy would have even received that level of support in the general election, since third-party candidates frequently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-biden-trump-third-party-2024-election-71ffff6d34b0bad8b92cb8e82369d2e8">don’t live up to their early poll numbers</a>&nbsp;when voters actually cast their ballots.<h2>Partisan appeal</h2>In recent months, Americans overall have been split in their views of Kennedy, 70, the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.About as many people had a favorable as unfavorable view of Kennedy, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/July-2024-W1-topline.pdf">July AP-NORC poll</a>&nbsp;that was conducted before Biden dropped out of the presidential race last month. That marked a decline from February, when more had a positive than negative view of Kennedy, and about 3 in 10 did not have an opinion.In the most recent poll, about 2 in 10 U.S. adults didn’t know enough about Kennedy to give an opinion.Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats and independents to have a favorable view of Kennedy. And those with a positive impression of Kennedy were more likely to also have a favorable view of Trump (52%) than Harris (37%).Kennedy also struggled to endear himself to political independents. Although he was running as an independent presidential candidate, polling showed about 4 in 10 independents did not know enough to form an opinion. Those who did were divided equally between favorable and unfavorable opinions.<h2>The base of support</h2>Kennedy's appeal largely rested on being an alternative to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-immigration-economy-inflation-abortion-21b95914866c2af3a1e7af8e302dbe27">match-up many Americans dreaded</a>&nbsp;when Biden was facing Trump in a rematch of the 2020 election won by Biden. A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/07/PP_2024.7.29_ukraine_REPORT.pdf#page=20">Pew Research Center poll from July</a>&nbsp;found that about half of voters who were supporting Kennedy said the main reason they backed him was because he was neither Biden nor Trump, compared with about 3 in 10 who listed Kennedy's characteristics or policies.Harris’ move to the top of the Democratic ticket may have further harmed Kennedy’s prospects. An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/08/14/harris-energizes-democrats-in-transformed-presidential-race/">August Pew poll</a>&nbsp;suggested that Harris had gained support at Kennedy’s expense. She appeared to have received the support of some women and non-white voters who previously were considering Kennedy.<h2>About that family name</h2>Kennedy’s initial pitch was largely focused on his family name and his relation to other famed Kennedys, including his father and his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy.&nbsp;<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23825119/cnn-poll-2024-democratic-primary.pdf#page=12">CNN polling conducted last summer</a>&nbsp;when RFK Jr. was running for the Democratic nomination found that many Democrats said they’d consider supporting him because of the Kennedy name or his family connections. Many members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kennedy-rfk-trump-pennsylvania-b411e744d3b13fc6365029cb3dfd00c4">Kennedy family endorsed Biden</a>&nbsp;before he withdrew from the race.John F. Kennedy remains the most highly rated former president in&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/508625/retrospective-approval-jfk-rises-trump.aspx">Gallup’s retrospective approval ratings</a>, and his appeal crosses party lines. Nine in 10 Americans approve of how Kennedy, a Democrat, handled his job as president, according to data from last summer, with Democrats, independents and Republicans in agreement.News of Robert Kennedy’s withdrawal comes a little over a week since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-rfk-jr-ballot-new-york-residency-faaf0c8d7638cdfcdbe3c4eb7b542eef">a New York judge ruled</a>&nbsp;that he should not appear on the ballot in the state because he listed a “sham” address on nominating petitions. Kennedy appealed the ruling, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-rfk-jr-ballot-new-york-residency-states-f96d46318524fad967271fed292aa212">has faced several similar challenges</a>&nbsp;around the country.__

What polling shows about Americans' views of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – The portion of the McConnell Frontiers in Flight Airshow for Sunday has been cancelled, according to a statement from the air base.

A slow-moving storm brought wind gusts in excess of 50mph to the McConnell flightline.&nbsp; Because of damage to services, we are unable to execute a safe airshow.

The pyrotechnics planned for use in Sunday's airshow will be detonated&nbsp; by McConnell’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, between noon and 4 p.m.

There will be multiple detonations planned and those will sound louder than normal, with the low cloud coverage potentially reflecting the sound.

"While we apologize for this late cancellation and regret having to make this decision, Safety is always our first priority at McConnell, especially when it comes to hosting the public for an airshow."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724615907118.png" alt="Photo McConnell Air Force Base" />
 <figcaption>Photo McConnell Air Force Base</figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – The portion of the McConnell Frontiers in Flight Airshow for Sunday has been cancelled, according to a statement from the air base.A slow-moving storm brought wind gusts in excess of 50mph to the McConnell flightline.&nbsp; Because of damage to services, we are unable to execute a safe airshow.The pyrotechnics planned for use in Sunday's airshow will be detonated&nbsp; by McConnell’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, between noon and 4 p.m.There will be multiple detonations planned and those will sound louder than normal, with the low cloud coverage potentially reflecting the sound."While we apologize for this late cancellation and regret having to make this decision, Safety is always our first priority at McConnell, especially when it comes to hosting the public for an airshow."

Storm damage forces cancellation of Sunday McConnell Airshow 

WICHITA (AP) —A federal judge in Kansas has tossed out a machine gun possession charge and questioned if bans on the weapons violate the Second Amendment.

If upheld on appeal, the ruling by U.S. District Judge John W. Broomes in Wichita could have a sweeping impact on the regulation of machine guns, including homemade automatic weapons that many police and prosecutors blame for fueling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bureau-of-alcohol-tobacco-firearms-and-explosives-crime-5797d08e27b4904c4a6b68d88cf544c1">gun violence.</a>

Broomes, an appointee of President Donald Trump, on Wednesday dismissed two machine gun possession counts against Tamori Morgan, who was indicted last year. Morgan was accused of possessing a model AM-15 .300-caliber machine gun and a machine gun conversion device known as a “Glock switch” that can make a semi-automatic weapon fire like a machine gun.

“The court finds that the Second Amendment applies to the weapons charged because they are ‘bearable arms’ within the original meaning of the amendment,” Broomes wrote. He added that the government “has the burden to show that the regulation is consistent with this nation’s historical firearm regulation tradition.”

As of Friday, no appeal had been filed. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Wichita declined comment.

Federal prosecutors in the case said in earlier court filings that the “Supreme Court has made clear that regulations of machineguns fall outside the Second Amendment.”

A June 2022 Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle &amp; Pistol Association v. Bruen was seen as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-guns-decision-58d01ef8bd48e816d5f8761ffa84e3e8">major expansion of gun rights</a>. The ruling said Americans have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense.

Jacob Charles, an associate law professor at Pepperdine University who tracks Second Amendment cases, said the Kansas ruling is direct fallout from the Bruen decision.

“It gives lower court judges the ability to pick and choose the historical record in a way that they think the Second Amendment should be read,” Charles said.

Charles expects Broomes' ruling to be overturned, citing Supreme Court precedent allowing for regulation of machine guns.

Eric Ruben, a fellow at the Brennan Center and an associate law professor of Southern Methodist University, agreed.

“As far as I know, this is the first time in American history that a machine gun ban has been found unconstitutional in its application,” Ruben said.

Shira Feldman of Brady United Against Gun Violence, called the ruling “an incredibly dangerous decision, and it’s inconsistent with what the Supreme Court has said the Second Amendment means.”

A message left Friday with the National Rifle Association wasn't immediately returned.

Communities across the U.S. have dealt with a surge of shootings carried out with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/machine-guns-modified-illegal-switches-gun-violence-ddc2e9b6602ee1eb62e75732bbd54784">weapons converted to fully automatic</a>&nbsp;in recent years. These weapons are typically converted using small pieces of metal made with a 3D printer or ordered online.

Guns with conversion devices have been used in several mass shootings, including one that left four dead at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-sweet-16-party-shooting-1f3435fc2c4666d5338ee15f4d03bb79">Sweet Sixteen party</a>&nbsp;in Alabama last year and another that left six people dead in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-california-sacramento-homicide-arrests-f51504d50dce632d0c10424ffbe03e47">bar district in Sacramento, California</a>, in 2022. In Houston,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-305708b538b334df1a529c4f15eb689b">police officer William Jeffrey</a>&nbsp;died in 2021 after being shot with a converted gun while serving a warrant.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reported a 570% increase in the number of conversion devices collected by police departments between 2017 and 2021, the most recent data available, The Associated Press reported in March.

By JIM SALTERWICHITA (AP) —A federal judge in Kansas has tossed out a machine gun possession charge and questioned if bans on the weapons violate the Second Amendment.If upheld on appeal, the ruling by U.S. District Judge John W. Broomes in Wichita could have a sweeping impact on the regulation of machine guns, including homemade automatic weapons that many police and prosecutors blame for fueling&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bureau-of-alcohol-tobacco-firearms-and-explosives-crime-5797d08e27b4904c4a6b68d88cf544c1">gun violence.</a>Broomes, an appointee of President Donald Trump, on Wednesday dismissed two machine gun possession counts against Tamori Morgan, who was indicted last year. Morgan was accused of possessing a model AM-15 .300-caliber machine gun and a machine gun conversion device known as a “Glock switch” that can make a semi-automatic weapon fire like a machine gun.“The court finds that the Second Amendment applies to the weapons charged because they are ‘bearable arms’ within the original meaning of the amendment,” Broomes wrote. He added that the government “has the burden to show that the regulation is consistent with this nation’s historical firearm regulation tradition.”As of Friday, no appeal had been filed. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Wichita declined comment.Federal prosecutors in the case said in earlier court filings that the “Supreme Court has made clear that regulations of machineguns fall outside the Second Amendment.”A June 2022 Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle &amp; Pistol Association v. Bruen was seen as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-guns-decision-58d01ef8bd48e816d5f8761ffa84e3e8">major expansion of gun rights</a>. The ruling said Americans have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense.Jacob Charles, an associate law professor at Pepperdine University who tracks Second Amendment cases, said the Kansas ruling is direct fallout from the Bruen decision.“It gives lower court judges the ability to pick and choose the historical record in a way that they think the Second Amendment should be read,” Charles said.Charles expects Broomes' ruling to be overturned, citing Supreme Court precedent allowing for regulation of machine guns.Eric Ruben, a fellow at the Brennan Center and an associate law professor of Southern Methodist University, agreed.“As far as I know, this is the first time in American history that a machine gun ban has been found unconstitutional in its application,” Ruben said.Shira Feldman of Brady United Against Gun Violence, called the ruling “an incredibly dangerous decision, and it’s inconsistent with what the Supreme Court has said the Second Amendment means.”A message left Friday with the National Rifle Association wasn't immediately returned.Communities across the U.S. have dealt with a surge of shootings carried out with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/machine-guns-modified-illegal-switches-gun-violence-ddc2e9b6602ee1eb62e75732bbd54784">weapons converted to fully automatic</a>&nbsp;in recent years. These weapons are typically converted using small pieces of metal made with a 3D printer or ordered online.Guns with conversion devices have been used in several mass shootings, including one that left four dead at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-sweet-16-party-shooting-1f3435fc2c4666d5338ee15f4d03bb79">Sweet Sixteen party</a>&nbsp;in Alabama last year and another that left six people dead in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-california-sacramento-homicide-arrests-f51504d50dce632d0c10424ffbe03e47">bar district in Sacramento, California</a>, in 2022. In Houston,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-305708b538b334df1a529c4f15eb689b">police officer William Jeffrey</a>&nbsp;died in 2021 after being shot with a converted gun while serving a warrant.The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reported a 570% increase in the number of conversion devices collected by police departments between 2017 and 2021, the most recent data available, The Associated Press reported in March.

Kan. judge throws out machine gun possession charge, cites 2nd Amendment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WYANDOTTE COUNTY— Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and another with critical injuries.

Just before 1:30 a.m., police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 block of Washington Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.

First responders found a man outside and alert. EMS transported him to hospital for treatment of critical injuries.

A short time later,&nbsp; police discovered a second victim&nbsp; near the 800 block of Washington Boulevard. He was taken to a hospital, but he later died from his injuries.

According to KCKPD, this case is currently under investigation, and anyone with information regarding the deadly shooting is encouraged to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY— Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and another with critical injuries.Just before 1:30 a.m., police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 block of Washington Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.First responders found a man outside and alert. EMS transported him to hospital for treatment of critical injuries.A short time later,&nbsp; police discovered a second victim&nbsp; near the 800 block of Washington Boulevard. He was taken to a hospital, but he later died from his injuries.According to KCKPD, this case is currently under investigation, and anyone with information regarding the deadly shooting is encouraged to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.