ATLANTA (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;says he will surrender to authorities in Georgia on Thursday to face charges in the case accusing him of illegally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-grand-jury-willis-d39562cedfc60d64948708de1b011ed3">scheming to overturn his 2020 election loss</a>&nbsp;in the state.

“Can you believe it? I’ll be going to Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday to be ARRESTED,” Trump wrote on his social media network Monday night, hours after his bond was set at $200,000.

It will be Trump’s fourth arrest since April, when he became the first former president in U.S. history to face indictment. Since then, Trump, who remains the leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, has had what has seemed like an endless procession of bookings and arraignments in jurisdictions across the country. His appearances in New York, Florida and Washington, D.C., have drawn enormous media attention, with news helicopters tracking his every move.

Trump's announcement came hours after his attorneys met with prosecutors in Atlanta to discuss the details of his release on bond. The former president is barred from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case — including on social media — according to the bond agreement signed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Trump’s defense attorneys and the judge. It explicitly includes “posts on social media or reposts of posts” made by others.

Trump has repeatedly used social media to attack people involved in the criminal cases against him as he campaigns to reclaim the White House in 2024. He has been railing against Willis since before he was indicted, and singled out Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp — a Republican who rebuffed his efforts to overturn the election — by name in a social media post Monday morning.

The agreement also prohibits the former president from making any “direct or indirect threat of any nature” against witnesses or co-defendants, and from communicating in any way about the facts of the case with them, except through attorneys.

The order sets Trump's bond for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-trump-election-investigation-indictment-rico-willis-2b18a1c1ed6a4ce22b1a2ca88ea861e3">Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations</a>&nbsp;— or RICO — charge at $80,000, and adds $10,000 for each of the 12 other counts he is facing. Bond is the amount defendants must pay as a form of collateral to ensure they show up for required court appearances.

Willis set a deadline of noon Friday for Trump and his 18 co-defendants to turn themselves in to be booked. The prosecutor has proposed that arraignments for the defendants follow during the week of Sept. 5. She has said she wants to try the defendants collectively and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-georgia-election-willis-892156d8658d9fe86d47ae3828c54cb9">bring the case to trial in March of next year,</a>&nbsp;which would put it in the heat of the presidential nominating season.

A Trump spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the filing. A phone message seeking comment was also left for an attorney for the former president.

Trump's appearance in Georgia will come a day after the first Republican primary debate, which he has decided to skip.

He is expected to turn himself in at the Fulton County jail, which has long been plagued with problems. The Department of Justice last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-fulton-county-jail-investigation-6851ae2610d8265ce793abde99695fd8">opened a civil rights investigation</a>&nbsp;into conditions, citing filthy cells, violence and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects in the main jail’s psychiatric wing. Three people have died in Fulton County custody in the past month.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Monday afternoon that when Trump surrenders there will be a “hard lockdown” of the area surrounding the jail.

But Trump is not expected to spend much time there.

When defendants arrive at the building, they typically pass through a security checkpoint before checking in for formal booking in the lobby. During the booking process, defendants are typically photographed and fingerprinted and asked to provide certain personal information. Since Trump’s bond has already been set, he will be released from custody once the booking process is complete.

Unlike in other jurisdictions, in Fulton County, arraignments — where a defendant first appears in court — are generally set after a defendant completes the booking process and do not happen on the same day.

Booking a former president, who still has 24-hour Secret Service protection, has created myriad security and logistical issues in other jurisdictions.

In his past appearances in a New York state court and federal courts in Miami and Washington, Trump was not handcuffed while in custody. He was also not required to pose for a mugshot, with officials instead using existing photographs of the former president.

Georgia officials have said Trump will be treated like others charged with crimes in their state.

“Unless somebody tells me differently, we are following our normal practices, and so it doesn’t matter your status, we’ll have a mugshot ready for you,” Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat said at a news conference earlier this month.

Trump was charged last week in the case alongside a slew of allies, who prosecutors say conspired to subvert the will of voters in a desperate bid to keep the Republican in the White House after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing, and he characterizes the case — and the three others he is facing — as efforts to hurt his 2024 presidential campaign. He has regularly used his Truth Social platform to single out prosecutors and others involved in his cases, and to continue to spread falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

In a post on Monday, Trump called the Fulton County district attorney “crooked, incompetent, &amp; highly partisan.” He also attacked Kemp, whom he has long targeted for the governor's refusal to intervene after the 2020 election. Kemp has been outspoken in pushing back against Trump, writing in social media last week: “The 2020 election in Georgia was not stolen."

Bond was also set Monday for three lawyers who were indicted along with Trump. For each of them, the bond for the RICO charge was set at $20,000, with varying amounts for the other charges they face. John Eastman and Kenneth Chesebro each had a bond set at $100,000, while Ray Smith’s bond is $50,000.

Bail bondsman Scott Hall, who was accused of participating in a breach of election equipment in rural Coffee County, had his bond set at $10,000.

Other defendants include former White House chief of staff&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mark-meadows">Mark Meadows</a>; Trump attorney and former New York City Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rudolph-giuliani">Rudy Giuliani</a>, and a Trump administration Justice Department official, Jeffrey Clark, who aided the then-president’s efforts to undo his election loss in Georgia.

The Georgia indictment came just two weeks after the Justice Department special counsel charged Trump in a separate case in a vast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">conspiracy to overturn the election</a>. Besides the two election-related cases, Trump faces a federal indictment accusing him of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-documents-maralago-politics-florida-charges-bee867f48da593d351c5a91e87c356a9">illegally hoarding classified documents</a>&nbsp;as well as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-florida-hush-money-election-764309dce49f81a50bf9f610ffd5ceb6">New York state case</a>&nbsp;charging him with falsifying business records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686700913232.png" alt="Trump has repeatedly used social media to attack people involved in the criminal cases against him as he campaigns to reclaim the White House -AP photo" />
 <figcaption>Trump has repeatedly used social media to attack people involved in the criminal cases against him as he campaigns to reclaim the White House -AP photo</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;says he will surrender to authorities in Georgia on Thursday to face charges in the case accusing him of illegally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-grand-jury-willis-d39562cedfc60d64948708de1b011ed3">scheming to overturn his 2020 election loss</a>&nbsp;in the state.“Can you believe it? I’ll be going to Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday to be ARRESTED,” Trump wrote on his social media network Monday night, hours after his bond was set at $200,000.<figure>
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 </figure>It will be Trump’s fourth arrest since April, when he became the first former president in U.S. history to face indictment. Since then, Trump, who remains the leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, has had what has seemed like an endless procession of bookings and arraignments in jurisdictions across the country. His appearances in New York, Florida and Washington, D.C., have drawn enormous media attention, with news helicopters tracking his every move.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692701458714.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trump's announcement came hours after his attorneys met with prosecutors in Atlanta to discuss the details of his release on bond. The former president is barred from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case — including on social media — according to the bond agreement signed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, Trump’s defense attorneys and the judge. It explicitly includes “posts on social media or reposts of posts” made by others.Trump has repeatedly used social media to attack people involved in the criminal cases against him as he campaigns to reclaim the White House in 2024. He has been railing against Willis since before he was indicted, and singled out Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp — a Republican who rebuffed his efforts to overturn the election — by name in a social media post Monday morning.The agreement also prohibits the former president from making any “direct or indirect threat of any nature” against witnesses or co-defendants, and from communicating in any way about the facts of the case with them, except through attorneys.The order sets Trump's bond for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-trump-election-investigation-indictment-rico-willis-2b18a1c1ed6a4ce22b1a2ca88ea861e3">Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations</a>&nbsp;— or RICO — charge at $80,000, and adds $10,000 for each of the 12 other counts he is facing. Bond is the amount defendants must pay as a form of collateral to ensure they show up for required court appearances.Willis set a deadline of noon Friday for Trump and his 18 co-defendants to turn themselves in to be booked. The prosecutor has proposed that arraignments for the defendants follow during the week of Sept. 5. She has said she wants to try the defendants collectively and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-georgia-election-willis-892156d8658d9fe86d47ae3828c54cb9">bring the case to trial in March of next year,</a>&nbsp;which would put it in the heat of the presidential nominating season.A Trump spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the filing. A phone message seeking comment was also left for an attorney for the former president.Trump's appearance in Georgia will come a day after the first Republican primary debate, which he has decided to skip.He is expected to turn himself in at the Fulton County jail, which has long been plagued with problems. The Department of Justice last month&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-fulton-county-jail-investigation-6851ae2610d8265ce793abde99695fd8">opened a civil rights investigation</a>&nbsp;into conditions, citing filthy cells, violence and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects in the main jail’s psychiatric wing. Three people have died in Fulton County custody in the past month.The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Monday afternoon that when Trump surrenders there will be a “hard lockdown” of the area surrounding the jail.But Trump is not expected to spend much time there.When defendants arrive at the building, they typically pass through a security checkpoint before checking in for formal booking in the lobby. During the booking process, defendants are typically photographed and fingerprinted and asked to provide certain personal information. Since Trump’s bond has already been set, he will be released from custody once the booking process is complete.Unlike in other jurisdictions, in Fulton County, arraignments — where a defendant first appears in court — are generally set after a defendant completes the booking process and do not happen on the same day.Booking a former president, who still has 24-hour Secret Service protection, has created myriad security and logistical issues in other jurisdictions.In his past appearances in a New York state court and federal courts in Miami and Washington, Trump was not handcuffed while in custody. He was also not required to pose for a mugshot, with officials instead using existing photographs of the former president.Georgia officials have said Trump will be treated like others charged with crimes in their state.“Unless somebody tells me differently, we are following our normal practices, and so it doesn’t matter your status, we’ll have a mugshot ready for you,” Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat said at a news conference earlier this month.Trump was charged last week in the case alongside a slew of allies, who prosecutors say conspired to subvert the will of voters in a desperate bid to keep the Republican in the White House after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.Trump has denied any wrongdoing, and he characterizes the case — and the three others he is facing — as efforts to hurt his 2024 presidential campaign. He has regularly used his Truth Social platform to single out prosecutors and others involved in his cases, and to continue to spread falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen from him.In a post on Monday, Trump called the Fulton County district attorney “crooked, incompetent, &amp; highly partisan.” He also attacked Kemp, whom he has long targeted for the governor's refusal to intervene after the 2020 election. Kemp has been outspoken in pushing back against Trump, writing in social media last week: “The 2020 election in Georgia was not stolen."Bond was also set Monday for three lawyers who were indicted along with Trump. For each of them, the bond for the RICO charge was set at $20,000, with varying amounts for the other charges they face. John Eastman and Kenneth Chesebro each had a bond set at $100,000, while Ray Smith’s bond is $50,000.Bail bondsman Scott Hall, who was accused of participating in a breach of election equipment in rural Coffee County, had his bond set at $10,000.Other defendants include former White House chief of staff&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mark-meadows">Mark Meadows</a>; Trump attorney and former New York City Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rudolph-giuliani">Rudy Giuliani</a>, and a Trump administration Justice Department official, Jeffrey Clark, who aided the then-president’s efforts to undo his election loss in Georgia.The Georgia indictment came just two weeks after the Justice Department special counsel charged Trump in a separate case in a vast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">conspiracy to overturn the election</a>. Besides the two election-related cases, Trump faces a federal indictment accusing him of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-documents-maralago-politics-florida-charges-bee867f48da593d351c5a91e87c356a9">illegally hoarding classified documents</a>&nbsp;as well as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-florida-hush-money-election-764309dce49f81a50bf9f610ffd5ceb6">New York state case</a>&nbsp;charging him with falsifying business records.____

Read Trump’s $200K bond deal and social media restrictions

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide in Wichita.

Just after 12 a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to the 1200 Block of N. Broadway in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan

First responders located a man lying on the ground unresponsive. Life-saving measures were performed on the victim until EMS arrived on the scene, but ultimately the victim would be pronounced deceased.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim sustained fatal injuries and the cause is still unknown. Police have not released his name or any suspect details.

Investigators are following up on promising leads and have been working on this case since the early hours of Monday morning.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide in Wichita.Just after 12 a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to the 1200 Block of N. Broadway in Wichita, according to Officer Kris GupilanFirst responders located a man lying on the ground unresponsive. Life-saving measures were performed on the victim until EMS arrived on the scene, but ultimately the victim would be pronounced deceased.The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim sustained fatal injuries and the cause is still unknown. Police have not released his name or any suspect details.Investigators are following up on promising leads and have been working on this case since the early hours of Monday morning.

Homicide: Police working to determine how Kansas man died

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Monday told survivors of Hawaii's wildfires that the nation “grieves with you” and promised that the federal government will help Maui “for as long as it takes” to recover after touring damage caused by the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century.

Biden arrived in Maui 13 days after the wildfires that have taken at least 114 lives ravaged the western part of the island. As many as 850 people are still unaccounted for, according to Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen.

Standing near a severely burned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lahaina-hawaii-fires-banyan-tree-3a9c76dcbdb01386691cc24b54c8ef15">150-year-old banyan tree</a>, the president acknowledged the “overwhelming” devastation but said that Maui would persevere through the tragedy.

“Today it’s burned but it’s still standing," Biden said of the tree. "The tree survived for a reason. I believe it's a very powerful symbol of what we can and will do to get through this crisis.”

Biden and first lady Jill Biden got a close look at the devastation, seeing for themselves the hollowed homes, structures, charred cars and singed trees left in the wake of the blaze.

The Bidens lingered briefly on the tarmac after arriving at Kahului Airport to console Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and his wife Jaime Green as well as members of Hawaii's congressional delegation who came to the airport to greet them. The president and first lady embraced each of their greeters before boarding Marine One for an aerial tour of the damage.

They spent most of their visit in Lahaina,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wildfire-hawaii-lahaina-historic-kindom-capital-396463f6eba6580bfc80d75538b0adf3">a historic town</a>&nbsp;of 13,000 people that was virtually destroyed by the flames. His motorcade wound through the community of block upon block of hollowed out homes and structures, palm trees burnt to a crisp and endless debris.

The Bidens also met with first responders and were briefed by state and local officials about the ongoing response. They also took part in a blessing by island elders of his visit.

The Bidens interrupted a weeklong vacation in the Lake Tahoe area for the five-hour flight to Lahaina.

The White House announced Monday that Biden has named Bob Fenton, a regional leader at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to be the chief federal response coordinator for the Maui wildfires, ensuring that someone from his administration will be responsible for long-term recovery efforts. It will take years to rebuild Lahaina, where just about every building was obliterated.

“We’re going to rebuild the way the people of Maui want to rebuild,” said Biden, adding that his administration would be focused on respecting sacred lands, cultures and traditions.

Dozens gathered on the streets of Lahaina to watch Biden's motorcade wind its way through the streets. Some greeted the president enthusiastically, but others appeared to be waving their middle fingers at the motorcade. Other island residents held up signs urging Biden “to listen to the people of Lahaina” and to send more aid to the island.

During a community event at the Lahaina civic center, Biden praised the “remarkable resilience” among community members he had witnessed during his few hours on the ground.

The president also spoke, as he often does when addressing communities impacted by tragedy, of understanding the personal weight of devastating loss and the slow and painful process of recovering. Biden's wife Neilia Hunter Biden and one-year-old daughter, Naomi, died in a car accident in 1972.

“When things look the most bleak, that’s when we need faith," Biden said.

Biden has faced criticism from Republicans, including 2024 Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, for saying too little during the first days after the catastrophe. The White House, however, has pushed back against the criticism, saying the president kept in close touch with the governor and other emergency officials throughout the unfolding crisis.

Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/brian-schatz">Brian Schatz</a>, D-Hawaii, said that as of Sunday about 85% of the affected area had been searched and nearly 2,000 people remained without power and 10,000 were without telecom connectivity. Water in parts of west Maui is not safe to drink.

While immediate aid such as water, food and blankets has been readily distributed to residents, Schatz said cellphones, ID and other documents that people would need to help them enroll in longer-term aid programs were burned in the fires, adding more challenges to the application process.

During his tour, Biden walked down a road from which many Lahaina residents made their harrowing escape from the flames.

An army of search and rescue teams with dozens of dogs have blanketed the affected area to try to recover the remains of some 500 to 800 people who are unaccounted for, said White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall. Mayor Richard Bissen earlier Monday put the number of unaccounted for at 850. Sherwood-Randall added that the FBI has dispatched specialists to Maui to help assist the identification efforts.

She added that Biden, who has repeatedly visited communities ravaged by extreme weather disasters during his presidency, was focused during the visit “on the human experience,” and is “very impatient with bureaucracy.”

“How fast can we move to help people in need, and in particular, how can we help those in need who have the hardest time getting access to that help?" Sherwood-Randall said of Biden's focus.

More than 1,000 federal officials remain on the ground to respond to the wildfires in Hawaii, according to the White House. The administration has distributed more than $8.5 million in aid to some 8,000 affected families, including $3.6 million in rental assistance, said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.

Schatz, who joined Biden on Monday, stressed that officials were “still responding to the disaster" and "we are not yet in a recovery phase.”

“As bad as this looks, it’s actually worse,” he said in a phone interview on Sunday. “What you can’t see is the damage to utility infrastructure. What you can’t see is the thousands of kids who are trying to figure out how to go to school this fall. What you can’t see is the first responders who went into the flames without regard for their own safety and had their own homes burned down.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692667220568.png" alt="The Bidens&nbsp; met with first responders and were briefed by state and local officials about the ongoing response. They also took part in a blessing by island elders of his visit.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The Bidens&nbsp; met with first responders and were briefed by state and local officials about the ongoing response. They also took part in a blessing by island elders of his visit.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Monday told survivors of Hawaii's wildfires that the nation “grieves with you” and promised that the federal government will help Maui “for as long as it takes” to recover after touring damage caused by the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on the federal response to Maui wildfires. Watch his full remarks here: <a href="https://t.co/LTx6vGgZM2">https://t.co/LTx6vGgZM2</a> <a href="https://t.co/689KeeUFan">pic.twitter.com/689KeeUFan</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1693772975940726841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden arrived in Maui 13 days after the wildfires that have taken at least 114 lives ravaged the western part of the island. As many as 850 people are still unaccounted for, according to Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen.Standing near a severely burned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lahaina-hawaii-fires-banyan-tree-3a9c76dcbdb01386691cc24b54c8ef15">150-year-old banyan tree</a>, the president acknowledged the “overwhelming” devastation but said that Maui would persevere through the tragedy.“Today it’s burned but it’s still standing," Biden said of the tree. "The tree survived for a reason. I believe it's a very powerful symbol of what we can and will do to get through this crisis.”Biden and first lady Jill Biden got a close look at the devastation, seeing for themselves the hollowed homes, structures, charred cars and singed trees left in the wake of the blaze.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Earlier today, Jill and I paid our respects at the sacred site of Mokuʻula and participated in a blessing ceremony with Native Hawaiian leaders. In times like these, marred by struggle and strife, we turn to prayer to seek guidance, bolster our faith, and brace our spirts. <a href="https://t.co/v2IzAgxkm2">pic.twitter.com/v2IzAgxkm2</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1693802279617310891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Bidens lingered briefly on the tarmac after arriving at Kahului Airport to console Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and his wife Jaime Green as well as members of Hawaii's congressional delegation who came to the airport to greet them. The president and first lady embraced each of their greeters before boarding Marine One for an aerial tour of the damage.They spent most of their visit in Lahaina,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wildfire-hawaii-lahaina-historic-kindom-capital-396463f6eba6580bfc80d75538b0adf3">a historic town</a>&nbsp;of 13,000 people that was virtually destroyed by the flames. His motorcade wound through the community of block upon block of hollowed out homes and structures, palm trees burnt to a crisp and endless debris.The Bidens also met with first responders and were briefed by state and local officials about the ongoing response. They also took part in a blessing by island elders of his visit.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692667130648.png" alt="President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>The Bidens interrupted a weeklong vacation in the Lake Tahoe area for the five-hour flight to Lahaina.The White House announced Monday that Biden has named Bob Fenton, a regional leader at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to be the chief federal response coordinator for the Maui wildfires, ensuring that someone from his administration will be responsible for long-term recovery efforts. It will take years to rebuild Lahaina, where just about every building was obliterated.“We’re going to rebuild the way the people of Maui want to rebuild,” said Biden, adding that his administration would be focused on respecting sacred lands, cultures and traditions.Dozens gathered on the streets of Lahaina to watch Biden's motorcade wind its way through the streets. Some greeted the president enthusiastically, but others appeared to be waving their middle fingers at the motorcade. Other island residents held up signs urging Biden “to listen to the people of Lahaina” and to send more aid to the island.During a community event at the Lahaina civic center, Biden praised the “remarkable resilience” among community members he had witnessed during his few hours on the ground.The president also spoke, as he often does when addressing communities impacted by tragedy, of understanding the personal weight of devastating loss and the slow and painful process of recovering. Biden's wife Neilia Hunter Biden and one-year-old daughter, Naomi, died in a car accident in 1972.“When things look the most bleak, that’s when we need faith," Biden said.Biden has faced criticism from Republicans, including 2024 Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, for saying too little during the first days after the catastrophe. The White House, however, has pushed back against the criticism, saying the president kept in close touch with the governor and other emergency officials throughout the unfolding crisis.Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/brian-schatz">Brian Schatz</a>, D-Hawaii, said that as of Sunday about 85% of the affected area had been searched and nearly 2,000 people remained without power and 10,000 were without telecom connectivity. Water in parts of west Maui is not safe to drink.While immediate aid such as water, food and blankets has been readily distributed to residents, Schatz said cellphones, ID and other documents that people would need to help them enroll in longer-term aid programs were burned in the fires, adding more challenges to the application process.During his tour, Biden walked down a road from which many Lahaina residents made their harrowing escape from the flames.An army of search and rescue teams with dozens of dogs have blanketed the affected area to try to recover the remains of some 500 to 800 people who are unaccounted for, said White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall. Mayor Richard Bissen earlier Monday put the number of unaccounted for at 850. Sherwood-Randall added that the FBI has dispatched specialists to Maui to help assist the identification efforts.She added that Biden, who has repeatedly visited communities ravaged by extreme weather disasters during his presidency, was focused during the visit “on the human experience,” and is “very impatient with bureaucracy.”“How fast can we move to help people in need, and in particular, how can we help those in need who have the hardest time getting access to that help?" Sherwood-Randall said of Biden's focus.More than 1,000 federal officials remain on the ground to respond to the wildfires in Hawaii, according to the White House. The administration has distributed more than $8.5 million in aid to some 8,000 affected families, including $3.6 million in rental assistance, said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.Schatz, who joined Biden on Monday, stressed that officials were “still responding to the disaster" and "we are not yet in a recovery phase.”“As bad as this looks, it’s actually worse,” he said in a phone interview on Sunday. “What you can’t see is the damage to utility infrastructure. What you can’t see is the thousands of kids who are trying to figure out how to go to school this fall. What you can’t see is the first responders who went into the flames without regard for their own safety and had their own homes burned down.”___

🎥Bidens visit fire-ravaged Maui; 800 people still missing

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug allegations.&nbsp;

Just after 9:30 p.m. Friday, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotic search warrant on a residence in the 1100 block of East 301st Street, near Melvern, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

The sheriff's office took three subjects into custody and transported them the Osage County Jail. Terry J. Criqui, 69, of Melvern, is being held on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Cultivation/distribution of controlled substance,&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of drug paraphernalia to cultivate controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia and No drug tax stamp

Christopher L. Winters, 55, of Melvern is being held on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Cultivation/distribution of controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia to cultivate controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia, No drug tax stamp and Possession of marijuana

Kim L. Salzman, 66, of Melvern is jailed on requested charges of , Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana and No drug tax stamp.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692540372687.png" alt="Criqui-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Criqui-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug allegations.&nbsp;Just after 9:30 p.m. Friday, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotic search warrant on a residence in the 1100 block of East 301st Street, near Melvern, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.The sheriff's office took three subjects into custody and transported them the Osage County Jail. Terry J. Criqui, 69, of Melvern, is being held on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Cultivation/distribution of controlled substance,&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of drug paraphernalia to cultivate controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia and No drug tax stamp<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692540565209.png" alt="Winters-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Winters-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Christopher L. Winters, 55, of Melvern is being held on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Cultivation/distribution of controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia to cultivate controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia, No drug tax stamp and Possession of marijuana<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692540298348.png" alt="Salzman" />
 <figcaption>Salzman</figcaption>
 </figure>Kim L. Salzman, 66, of Melvern is jailed on requested charges of , Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana and No drug tax stamp.

Sheriff: 3 accused of growing, selling drugs from Kansas home

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a weekend chase.

Just after 3:30 p.m. August 19, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 1996 Ford Ranger in the 1500 block of Susank Road, north of Hoisington, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The deputy contacted the driver identified as 67-year-old Murle Amador of St. John.

Amador was the only occupant of the vehicle. During the course of the traffic stop, the deputy became suspicious of illegal drug activity and Barton County Sheriff’s Officer K9 Maxx was deployed. Maxx indicated the odor of controlled substances emanating from the vehicle.

When deputies told Amador to exit the vehicle, he started the truck and sped away nearly striking the deputy. Sheriff’s deputies pursued Amador north into Russell County. After pursuing the suspect vehicle for several miles, Amador returned to Barton County. While chasing Amador, deputies observed suspected methamphetamine falling from the vehicle. 

It was later discovered Amador was dropping bags through a hole in the floorboard. Amador then attempted to turn into the driveway at a residence in Susank where he was blocked by a deputy and taken into custody.

Amador was arrested without incident and transported to the Barton County Jail. During the course of the investigation, more suspected methamphetamine was found in the vehicle. Amador’s being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, aggravated assault of law enforcement officer, felony flee and elude, interference with law enforcement officer, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He’s being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692631551524.jpeg" alt="Amador-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Amador-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a weekend chase.Just after 3:30 p.m. August 19, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 1996 Ford Ranger in the 1500 block of Susank Road, north of Hoisington, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.The deputy contacted the driver identified as 67-year-old Murle Amador of St. John.Amador was the only occupant of the vehicle. During the course of the traffic stop, the deputy became suspicious of illegal drug activity and Barton County Sheriff’s Officer K9 Maxx was deployed. Maxx indicated the odor of controlled substances emanating from the vehicle.When deputies told Amador to exit the vehicle, he started the truck and sped away nearly striking the deputy. Sheriff’s deputies pursued Amador north into Russell County. After pursuing the suspect vehicle for several miles, Amador returned to Barton County. While chasing Amador, deputies observed suspected methamphetamine falling from the vehicle. It was later discovered Amador was dropping bags through a hole in the floorboard. Amador then attempted to turn into the driveway at a residence in Susank where he was blocked by a deputy and taken into custody.Amador was arrested without incident and transported to the Barton County Jail. During the course of the investigation, more suspected methamphetamine was found in the vehicle. Amador’s being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, aggravated assault of law enforcement officer, felony flee and elude, interference with law enforcement officer, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He’s being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Pickup almost hit Kansas deputy in run from traffic stop

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and have identified the victim.

Just before 1:30 a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 7000 Eastwood Trafficway in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.&nbsp;&nbsp; First responders located a man later identified as 31-year-old Stephen C. Carter, lying in the parking lot of the laundry mat suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp;

Officers administered life saving measures until EMS arrived on scene. EMS pronounced Carter deceased on scene. The circumstances leading up to the homicide are unknown.&nbsp; No one is in custody at this time. Police have no reason to believe there is an immediate risk to the public.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and have identified the victim.Just before 1:30 a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a shooting at 7000 Eastwood Trafficway in Kansas City, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.&nbsp;&nbsp; First responders located a man later identified as 31-year-old Stephen C. Carter, lying in the parking lot of the laundry mat suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Officers administered life saving measures until EMS arrived on scene. EMS pronounced Carter deceased on scene. The circumstances leading up to the homicide are unknown.&nbsp; No one is in custody at this time. Police have no reason to believe there is an immediate risk to the public.

Police: Man found dead in parking lot of KC laundromat 

ATLANTA (AP) —Donald Trump’s bond has been set at $200,000 in the Georgia case accusing the former president of scheming to overturn his 2020 election loss, according to court papers filed Monday.

<a href="https://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/editorialfiles/2023/08/14/23SC188947_-_CRIMINAL_INDICTMENT.pdf">Click here to read the full</a>&nbsp;indictment in Georgia

The bond agreement, outlined in a court filing signed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Trump’s defense attorneys, also bars Trump from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case — including on social media.

He is also prohibited from communicating “in any way, directly or indirectly” about the facts of the case with any co-defendant or witness, except through attorneys.

Trump was charged last week in the case alongside 18 allies who prosecutors say conspired to subvert the will of voters in a desperate bid to keep the Republican in the White House after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing. He has been railing against the case since before he was indicted and singled out Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican who rebuffed his efforts to overturn the election, by name in a social media post as recently as Monday morning.

Willis has already set a deadline of noon Friday for all the defendants to turn themselves in at the Fulton County Jail to be booked. She has proposed that arraignments for the defendants happen the week of Sept. 5 and that the case go to trial in March.

It’s the fourth criminal case against the former president who is campaigning to reclaim the White House in 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680634182015.png" alt="File photo-The bond agreement, outlined in a court filing signed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Trump’s defense attorneys, also bars Trump from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case — including on social media.. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)" />
 <figcaption>File photo-The bond agreement, outlined in a court filing signed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Trump’s defense attorneys, also bars Trump from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case — including on social media.. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) —Donald Trump’s bond has been set at $200,000 in the Georgia case accusing the former president of scheming to overturn his 2020 election loss, according to court papers filed Monday.<a href="https://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/editorialfiles/2023/08/14/23SC188947_-_CRIMINAL_INDICTMENT.pdf">Click here to read the full</a>&nbsp;indictment in GeorgiaThe bond agreement, outlined in a court filing signed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Trump’s defense attorneys, also bars Trump from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case — including on social media.He is also prohibited from communicating “in any way, directly or indirectly” about the facts of the case with any co-defendant or witness, except through attorneys.Trump was charged last week in the case alongside 18 allies who prosecutors say conspired to subvert the will of voters in a desperate bid to keep the Republican in the White House after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.Trump has denied any wrongdoing. He has been railing against the case since before he was indicted and singled out Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican who rebuffed his efforts to overturn the election, by name in a social media post as recently as Monday morning.Willis has already set a deadline of noon Friday for all the defendants to turn themselves in at the Fulton County Jail to be booked. She has proposed that arraignments for the defendants happen the week of Sept. 5 and that the case go to trial in March.It’s the fourth criminal case against the former president who is campaigning to reclaim the White House in 2024.

Donald Trump’s bond is set at $200,000 in Georgia case

BY: TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly said infusion of government funding contributed to an increase of more than 6,800 child-care slots in Kansas over a 14-month period following erosion of services statewide amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The expansion from May 2022 to July of this year included new positions at licensed daycare homes, group daycare homes, preschools, child care centers and drop-in programs. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported a 400% increase in applications from providers of child care from October 2022 to May 2023.

“We know the Kansas child care slot supply was not adequate before 2020, but our current numbers speak to our work to steady and rebuild child care availability across the state,” Kelly said.

Lack of available child care spaces in the United States had a pronounced influence on&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;families, businesses and local economies. A barrier to adding capacity has been lack of early childhood care and education professionals in the workforce.

The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund awarded $43 million in grants to 52 organizations to support broadening of child care.

“We must continue to invest in our state’s early learning and child care programs,” the governor said. “The long term benefits of investments are clear: stronger families, safe, stable nurturing relationships, improved outcomes for children and a more robust economy.”

The&nbsp;Kansas Department of Children and Families&nbsp;launched a recruiting campaign with information about child care assistance for families and how individuals could become a provider.&nbsp;Kansas suspended fees for applications and background checks in a bid to broaden services.

KDHE secretary Janet Stanek said the agency would continue to work with new providers to narrow the gap between demand and supply.

“The increase in child care slots and applications for child care providers lifted some areas out of ‘child care deserts,’ which is defined as an area with more than three children ages 5 and younger for every licensed child care slot or no licensed slots at all,” she said.

Meanwhile, the state awarded $5 million to Kansas State University to increase the early childhood care and education workforce. Development of a competency-based career pathway initiative was part of a strategic plan tied to funding from the Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.

“The early childhood career pathways initiative ensures the state expands the workforce needed to provide quality child care and education,” said Bronwyn Fees, a Kansas State professor of applied human sciences.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692646198646.png" alt="Kansas State University researchers are collaborating on a $5 million program to increase the early childhood care and education workforce statewide by developing a competency-based career pathway initiative. Kansas added 6,800 child care slots since May 2022, but a shortage exacerbated by COVID-19 remained. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of image from Kansas State University)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State University researchers are collaborating on a $5 million program to increase the early childhood care and education workforce statewide by developing a competency-based career pathway initiative. Kansas added 6,800 child care slots since May 2022, but a shortage exacerbated by COVID-19 remained. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of image from Kansas State University)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY: TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly said infusion of government funding contributed to an increase of more than 6,800 child-care slots in Kansas over a 14-month period following erosion of services statewide amid the COVID-19 pandemic.The expansion from May 2022 to July of this year included new positions at licensed daycare homes, group daycare homes, preschools, child care centers and drop-in programs. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported a 400% increase in applications from providers of child care from October 2022 to May 2023.“We know the Kansas child care slot supply was not adequate before 2020, but our current numbers speak to our work to steady and rebuild child care availability across the state,” Kelly said.Lack of available child care spaces in the United States had a pronounced influence on&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;families, businesses and local economies. A barrier to adding capacity has been lack of early childhood care and education professionals in the workforce.The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund awarded $43 million in grants to 52 organizations to support broadening of child care.“We must continue to invest in our state’s early learning and child care programs,” the governor said. “The long term benefits of investments are clear: stronger families, safe, stable nurturing relationships, improved outcomes for children and a more robust economy.”The&nbsp;Kansas Department of Children and Families&nbsp;launched a recruiting campaign with information about child care assistance for families and how individuals could become a provider.&nbsp;Kansas suspended fees for applications and background checks in a bid to broaden services.KDHE secretary Janet Stanek said the agency would continue to work with new providers to narrow the gap between demand and supply.“The increase in child care slots and applications for child care providers lifted some areas out of ‘child care deserts,’ which is defined as an area with more than three children ages 5 and younger for every licensed child care slot or no licensed slots at all,” she said.Meanwhile, the state awarded $5 million to Kansas State University to increase the early childhood care and education workforce. Development of a competency-based career pathway initiative was part of a strategic plan tied to funding from the Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.“The early childhood career pathways initiative ensures the state expands the workforce needed to provide quality child care and education,” said Bronwyn Fees, a Kansas State professor of applied human sciences.

Gov. lauds growth of child-care slots across Kansas since mid-2022

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accident that occurred just after 11a.m. Saturday and have made an arrest.

A 2013 Dodge Avenger was southbound at the intersection of S. Scenic and Skyway Drive in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

The car struck the curb of the roundabout, went airborne, and came to a rest on top of the raised barrier. Officers were advised on scene by witnesses the driver had run away from the scene after the crash leaving a 3-year-old child in the car.

No serious injuries were reported. Officers were unable to initially locate the driver of the car.

At approximately 8 p.m., police located the driver, Elijah McLeroy, 22, of Junction City, near the Stagg Hill Golf Course and arrested him on requested charges of interference with law enforcement, failure to render aid, no proof of motor vehicle liability, driving while suspended, and aggravated endangering a child. McLeroy remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $15,000.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accident that occurred just after 11a.m. Saturday and have made an arrest.A 2013 Dodge Avenger was southbound at the intersection of S. Scenic and Skyway Drive in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.The car struck the curb of the roundabout, went airborne, and came to a rest on top of the raised barrier. Officers were advised on scene by witnesses the driver had run away from the scene after the crash leaving a 3-year-old child in the car.No serious injuries were reported. Officers were unable to initially locate the driver of the car.At approximately 8 p.m., police located the driver, Elijah McLeroy, 22, of Junction City, near the Stagg Hill Golf Course and arrested him on requested charges of interference with law enforcement, failure to render aid, no proof of motor vehicle liability, driving while suspended, and aggravated endangering a child. McLeroy remains confined in the Riley County Jail with a total bond of $15,000.

Kansas man ran from car crash, left 3-year-old in the car

By JENNIFER SHUTT&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund is in desperate need of cash, with the agency projecting at least a $4 billion deficit in the weeks ahead — even as the government responds to devastating fires in Hawaii and hurricane season continues.

FEMA, however, won’t simply stop the response and recovery activities funded by the disaster relief fund when the account’s balance becomes low. Unlike many other accounts within the federal government, FEMA is able to pause funding on some projects and divert that money to lifesaving and life-sustaining activities.

FEMA is preparing to lean on that Immediate Needs Funding safety net, as Congress debates whether to provide the agency with $12 billion in additional funding that the Biden administration&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-asks-congress-40b-ukraine-aid-us-disaster-response-border-security">asked&nbsp;</a>for last week, with the prospect that more may be needed hinted at by the agency’s administrator.

That back-up plan of sorts allows FEMA to temporarily pause “funding for long-term recovery projects and hazard mitigation projects that FEMA does not have in its system,” according to a Congressional Research Service&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45484">report</a>.

“These INF restrictions do not affect individual assistance, or public assistance programs that reimburse emergency response work and protective measures carried out by state and local authorities,” according to CRS.

FEMA used that Immediate Needs Funding back in August 2017 after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas and Hurricane Irma began approaching the coast.

FEMA implemented immediate needs after the disaster relief fund’s balance dropped below $2.8 billion. The agency lifted the framework on Oct. 2, 2017 after Congress refilled the disaster relief fund, according to CRS.

FEMA also used immediate needs funding to help with low cash flow in the disaster relief fund during fiscal years 2003 through 2006 and in fiscal 2010, according to CRS.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/fema-disaster-relief-fund-faces-august-shortfall-feds-scramble-find-cash">warned Congress last month</a>&nbsp;that the agency’s disaster relief fund would begin running a deficit as soon as August. That hearing came before several new disaster declarations, including one for the deadly wildfires in Hawaii.

Criswell said during a briefing from the White House on Wednesday that FEMA has “enough funding to support the ongoing response efforts because we take events like (the wildfires on Maui) into consideration.”

But, she said, if FEMA doesn’t receive more funding from Congress, the agency would have to delay “some of the recovery projects and push them into next year.”

Given the widespread destruction of the Hawaii wildfires as well as dozens of other natural disasters this year, Criswell said, the agency may need more than the $12 billion the Biden administration has requested from Congress.

“We may potentially need more beyond that, and my team is assessing that now,” Criswell said.

A FEMA spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday that once the disaster relief fund reaches a “critical threshold,” FEMA will begin using its Immediate Needs Funding guidance “to prioritize available funding to critical ongoing disaster operations and reserve funding for initial response and recovery activities for a new significant event.”

“Under INF, new obligations for non-lifesaving and life-sustaining activities would be paused until the DRF is sufficiently funded,” the spokesperson said. “This would allow FEMA to continue its focus on response and urgent recovery efforts without interruption. To be clear, all obligations will be met, but reimbursement for non-lifesaving or life-sustaining expenses will be delayed.”

The spokesperson said that FEMA plans to “work with stakeholders to communicate how INF may affect their projects.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692384564424.png" alt="FEMA officials working on Maui last week -photo Dept. of Defense" />
 <figcaption>FEMA officials working on Maui last week -photo Dept. of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>By JENNIFER SHUTT&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund is in desperate need of cash, with the agency projecting at least a $4 billion deficit in the weeks ahead — even as the government responds to devastating fires in Hawaii and hurricane season continues.FEMA, however, won’t simply stop the response and recovery activities funded by the disaster relief fund when the account’s balance becomes low. Unlike many other accounts within the federal government, FEMA is able to pause funding on some projects and divert that money to lifesaving and life-sustaining activities.FEMA is preparing to lean on that Immediate Needs Funding safety net, as Congress debates whether to provide the agency with $12 billion in additional funding that the Biden administration&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-asks-congress-40b-ukraine-aid-us-disaster-response-border-security">asked&nbsp;</a>for last week, with the prospect that more may be needed hinted at by the agency’s administrator.That back-up plan of sorts allows FEMA to temporarily pause “funding for long-term recovery projects and hazard mitigation projects that FEMA does not have in its system,” according to a Congressional Research Service&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45484">report</a>.“These INF restrictions do not affect individual assistance, or public assistance programs that reimburse emergency response work and protective measures carried out by state and local authorities,” according to CRS.FEMA used that Immediate Needs Funding back in August 2017 after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas and Hurricane Irma began approaching the coast.FEMA implemented immediate needs after the disaster relief fund’s balance dropped below $2.8 billion. The agency lifted the framework on Oct. 2, 2017 after Congress refilled the disaster relief fund, according to CRS.FEMA also used immediate needs funding to help with low cash flow in the disaster relief fund during fiscal years 2003 through 2006 and in fiscal 2010, according to CRS.<h2>Warning to Congress</h2>FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/fema-disaster-relief-fund-faces-august-shortfall-feds-scramble-find-cash">warned Congress last month</a>&nbsp;that the agency’s disaster relief fund would begin running a deficit as soon as August. That hearing came before several new disaster declarations, including one for the deadly wildfires in Hawaii.Criswell said during a briefing from the White House on Wednesday that FEMA has “enough funding to support the ongoing response efforts because we take events like (the wildfires on Maui) into consideration.”But, she said, if FEMA doesn’t receive more funding from Congress, the agency would have to delay “some of the recovery projects and push them into next year.”Given the widespread destruction of the Hawaii wildfires as well as dozens of other natural disasters this year, Criswell said, the agency may need more than the $12 billion the Biden administration has requested from Congress.“We may potentially need more beyond that, and my team is assessing that now,” Criswell said.A FEMA spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday that once the disaster relief fund reaches a “critical threshold,” FEMA will begin using its Immediate Needs Funding guidance “to prioritize available funding to critical ongoing disaster operations and reserve funding for initial response and recovery activities for a new significant event.”“Under INF, new obligations for non-lifesaving and life-sustaining activities would be paused until the DRF is sufficiently funded,” the spokesperson said. “This would allow FEMA to continue its focus on response and urgent recovery efforts without interruption. To be clear, all obligations will be met, but reimbursement for non-lifesaving or life-sustaining expenses will be delayed.”The spokesperson said that FEMA plans to “work with stakeholders to communicate how INF may affect their projects.”

FEMA’s disaster relief fund is running low on cash. What happens now?

PAWNEE COUNTY – A woman charged in connection with the escape of John Freeman Colt from the sex offender treatment program at the Larned State Hospital entered a plea agreement Thursday.

Rachel Rena Perez, 52 of Larned, appeared on bond in the Pawnee County District Court Thursday afternoon before District Judge Bruce Gatterman for a Felony Scheduling Conference. She previously entered a not guilty plea to a fifteen count felony complaint and requested a jury trial.

&nbsp;Rachel Rena Perez, 52, Larned, who originally pleaded not guilty to 15 Felony counts, changed her plea to no contest to three felonies that included Obstructing in the Apprehension or Prosecution of a Registered Sex Offender, Unlawful Sexual Relations with a patient while employed by Kansas Dept. of Aging and Disability Services and Conspiracy to Escape from the Sexual Predator Treatment Program, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

In exchange for the plea, the State agreed to dismiss the remaining charges and Perez will be sentenced to a prison term consistent with a previously sentenced co-defendant Liliana Guadalupe Houser, 45 of Garden City. Houser was sentenced to 16-years in prison after a similar plea agreement in the case.

The charges stem from an investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department following the June 30, 2021, escape of Colt from the Sexual Predator Treatment Program (SPTP) located on the campus of Larned State Hospital. Colt was later captured in Wayne Country Utah on September 27, 2021. He is currently back in the custody and is charged with Aggravated Escape from Custody and three&nbsp; counts of Aggravated Violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act. A preliminary hearing on his charges is scheduled for October 11.. If convicted, under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines Colt faces between 55 months and 247 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections depending on his criminal history.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634076399777.png" alt="Perez-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Perez-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY – A woman charged in connection with the escape of John Freeman Colt from the sex offender treatment program at the Larned State Hospital entered a plea agreement Thursday.Rachel Rena Perez, 52 of Larned, appeared on bond in the Pawnee County District Court Thursday afternoon before District Judge Bruce Gatterman for a Felony Scheduling Conference. She previously entered a not guilty plea to a fifteen count felony complaint and requested a jury trial.&nbsp;Rachel Rena Perez, 52, Larned, who originally pleaded not guilty to 15 Felony counts, changed her plea to no contest to three felonies that included Obstructing in the Apprehension or Prosecution of a Registered Sex Offender, Unlawful Sexual Relations with a patient while employed by Kansas Dept. of Aging and Disability Services and Conspiracy to Escape from the Sexual Predator Treatment Program, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.In exchange for the plea, the State agreed to dismiss the remaining charges and Perez will be sentenced to a prison term consistent with a previously sentenced co-defendant Liliana Guadalupe Houser, 45 of Garden City. Houser was sentenced to 16-years in prison after a similar plea agreement in the case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626191603052.jpeg" alt="Colt as seen on security cameras as he made his escape-photo Pawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Colt as seen on security cameras as he made his escape-photo Pawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>The charges stem from an investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department following the June 30, 2021, escape of Colt from the Sexual Predator Treatment Program (SPTP) located on the campus of Larned State Hospital. Colt was later captured in Wayne Country Utah on September 27, 2021. He is currently back in the custody and is charged with Aggravated Escape from Custody and three&nbsp; counts of Aggravated Violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act. A preliminary hearing on his charges is scheduled for October 11.. If convicted, under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines Colt faces between 55 months and 247 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections depending on his criminal history.

Plea deal for Kan. state hospital employee in sex offender's escape

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A difficult first day of classes on Monday at Wichita State University.

Just after 9a.m., the university announced on the their web site and on social media, "Attention Shockers: WSU is experiencing a network outage. IT personnel are working on the issue, and it will be restored as soon as possible."

Just before noon, the university reported "Network issues have been resolved. Login issues for some systems may still be affected. ITS continues to work to resolve remaining issues.&nbsp; If you experience any issues, please contact the ITS Help Desk."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611092644532.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A difficult first day of classes on Monday at Wichita State University.Just after 9a.m., the university announced on the their web site and on social media, "Attention Shockers: WSU is experiencing a network outage. IT personnel are working on the issue, and it will be restored as soon as possible."Just before noon, the university reported "Network issues have been resolved. Login issues for some systems may still be affected. ITS continues to work to resolve remaining issues.&nbsp; If you experience any issues, please contact the ITS Help Desk."

Internet problems on first day of classes at Wichita State

WABAUNSEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating six suspects after a weekend drug bust.

Just after 9a.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies executed a residential search warrant at a residence located on Lake View Circle, Lake Wabaunsee, according to the Wabaunsee County Sheriff's offe. 

Deputies found six individuals at the residence and they were arrested on scene without incident and transported to the county jail where they remain confined pending bond:

Amber M. Taylor, 28, of Alma, was booked on requested charges of Narcotics Possession w/prior conviction and paraphernalia.

Hollie D. West, 36, of Burlingame, is being held on requested charges of Narcotics Possession and&nbsp; paraphernalia.

&nbsp;Jager D. Simmons, 30, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of Narcotics use/possession and paraphernalia.

&nbsp;Jessica M. Lawrence, 32, of Eskridge, was arrested on requested charges of Narcotics Possession. 

Michael Hobsin, 32, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of Narcotics Possession and held on outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear. 

John M. Rose, 32, of Lawrence, was arrested on requested charges of Narcotics use / possession and  paraphernalia..

A 13-year-old child was located in the house, was made safe and taken to the Sheriff's Office as Child in Need of Care. The child has been transferred to the custody of his family.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692627333373.png" alt="Simmons fron an earlier arrest in Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Simmons fron an earlier arrest in Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WABAUNSEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating six suspects after a weekend drug bust.Just after 9a.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies executed a residential search warrant at a residence located on Lake View Circle, Lake Wabaunsee, according to the Wabaunsee County Sheriff's offe. Deputies found six individuals at the residence and they were arrested on scene without incident and transported to the county jail where they remain confined pending bond:Amber M. Taylor, 28, of Alma, was booked on requested charges of Narcotics Possession w/prior conviction and paraphernalia.Hollie D. West, 36, of Burlingame, is being held on requested charges of Narcotics Possession and&nbsp; paraphernalia.&nbsp;Jager D. Simmons, 30, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of Narcotics use/possession and paraphernalia.&nbsp;Jessica M. Lawrence, 32, of Eskridge, was arrested on requested charges of Narcotics Possession. Michael Hobsin, 32, of Topeka, was arrested on requested charges of Narcotics Possession and held on outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear. John M. Rose, 32, of Lawrence, was arrested on requested charges of Narcotics use / possession and paraphernalia..A 13-year-old child was located in the house, was made safe and taken to the Sheriff's Office as Child in Need of Care. The child has been transferred to the custody of his family.

6 arrested, 13-year-old made safe after rural Kan. drug bust

CRAWFORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.

Just after 1a.m. Sunday police were dispatched to a shooting at 202 N. Locust Street in Pittsburg, Kansas, according to a media release.

First responders found that a man later identified as&nbsp;36-year-old Justin E. Krogen, of Pittsburg,&nbsp; had been shot outside of a local bar. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp; His body was sent to Kansas City for an autopsy, according to police.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting. Investigators believe this to be an isolated incident, and believe it may have stemmed from an argument.&nbsp; Police released no suspect details and have not reported an arrest.

CRAWFORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.Just after 1a.m. Sunday police were dispatched to a shooting at 202 N. Locust Street in Pittsburg, Kansas, according to a media release.First responders found that a man later identified as&nbsp;36-year-old Justin E. Krogen, of Pittsburg,&nbsp; had been shot outside of a local bar. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp; His body was sent to Kansas City for an autopsy, according to police.The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting. Investigators believe this to be an isolated incident, and believe it may have stemmed from an argument.&nbsp; Police released no suspect details and have not reported an arrest.

Police: Kansas man dies after shooting outside bar

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend armed robbery.

Just after 4:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to an armed robbery at the Kwik Shop in the 6300 block of E. 13th Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

 The clerk, while engaging with a customer, noticed two people wearing ski masks walk in and proceeded to the bathroom. The clerk had a suspicious feeling and walked out of the store to call 911. The clerk was forced back inside the store to open the registers at gunpoint.

 The suspects, described as unknown race males in their late teens to early thirties, stole approximately $200 cash from the registers and fled towards 12th Street. 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend armed robbery.Just after 4:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to an armed robbery at the Kwik Shop in the 6300 block of E. 13th Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo. The clerk, while engaging with a customer, noticed two people wearing ski masks walk in and proceeded to the bathroom. The clerk had a suspicious feeling and walked out of the store to call 911. The clerk was forced back inside the store to open the registers at gunpoint. The suspects, described as unknown race males in their late teens to early thirties, stole approximately $200 cash from the registers and fled towards 12th Street.

Suspects in ski masks took $200 cash from Kan. convenience store

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;confirmed Sunday that he will be skipping Wednesday's first Republican presidential primary debate — and others as well.

“The public knows who I am &amp; what a successful Presidency I had,” Trump wrote on his social media site. "I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!" His spokesman did not immediately clarify whether he plans to boycott every primary debate or just those that have currently been scheduled.

The former president and early GOP frontrunner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-republican-presidential-debates-e674cab77b1b37e29dcb834563c9b981">had said for months</a>&nbsp;that he saw little upside in joining his GOP rivals on stage when they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-debate-2024-president-august-6cc406eb00c72835f4f59acb30d71e95">gather for the first time</a>&nbsp;in Milwaukee Wednesday, given his commanding lead in the race. And he had made clear to those he had spoken to in recent days that his opinion had not changed.

“Why would I allow people at 1 or 2% and 0% to be hitting me with questions all night?” he said in an interview in June with Fox News host Bret Baier, who will be serving as a moderator. Trump has also repeatedly criticized Fox, the host of the Aug. 23 primetime event, insisting it is a “hostile network” that he believes will not treat him fairly.

Trump had been discussing a number of debate counterprogramming options, including sitting for an interview with ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who has been hosting a show on the website formerly known as Twitter. Carlson was spotted at Trump's Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club ahead of the announcement, according to a person familiar with the visit who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it. The New York Times reported Saturday the interview set to air Wednesday has already been taped.

“We cannot confirm or deny — stay tuned,” said Trump spokesman Steven Cheung.

The idea had been one of several alternatives Trump had floated in conversations in recent weeks. They included possibly showing up in Milwaukee at the last minute or attending but sitting in the audience and offering live commentary on his Truth Social site. He had also discussed potentially calling into different networks to draw viewers from the debate, or holding a rally instead.

The decision marks another chapter in Trump's ongoing feud with Fox, which was once a staunch defender, but is now perceived to be more favorable to his leading rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Fox executives and hosts had lobbied Trump to attend, both privately and on the network's airwaves. But Trump, according to a person close to him, was unswayed, believing executives would not have been wooing him if they weren’t concerned about their ratings.

A person familiar had said earlier Sunday that Trump and his team had not notified the Republican National Committee of his plans.

Meanwhile, Trump's rivals had been goading him to appear and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-republican-president-trump-pence-haley-desantis-d3192137ee265d8455ff8af64a5f88ef">preparing in the hopes that he might</a>, concerned that a no-show might make them appear like second-tier candidates and deny them the opportunity to land a knockout blow against the race's Goliath that could change the trajectory of the race.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, one of the few candidates willing to directly take on Trump, has been accusing the former president of lacking “the guts to show up" and calling him “a coward” if he doesn't.

A super PAC supporting DeSantis released an ad in which the narrator says: “We can’t afford a nominee who is too weak to debate.” And in a posting Sunday on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, DeSantis campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo said the Florida governor looked forward to sharing his vision Wednesday on what he'll do as president because “no one is entitled to this nomination, including Donald Trump. You have to show up and earn it."

Trump has pushed back on the attacks, telling Newsmax’s Eric Bolling that he saw little benefit in participating when he’s already leading by a wide margin.

“It's not a question of guts. It’s a question of intelligence,” he said.

Trump has also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-republican-loyalty-pledge-gop-debate-a3d63a73ef60a2afb1f7aaec68a6d585#:~:text=Former%20President%20Donald%20Trump%20said,the%20conservative%20cable%20network%20Newsmax.">said</a>&nbsp;that he will not sign a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee if he loses the nomination — a requirement set by the Republican National Committee for appearing on stage.

“Why would I sign it?” he said. “I can name three or four people that I wouldn’t support for president. So right there, there’s a problem.”

Nonetheless, his advisers insisted for weeks that he had yet to make a final decision, even as they acknowledged it was “pretty clear” from his public and private statements that he was unlikely to appear.

It's not the first time Trump has chosen to skip a major GOP debate.

During his 2016 campaign, Trump decided to forgo the final GOP primary face-off before the Iowa caucuses and instead held his own campaign event — a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/-----dbb273322fc740198cf06f3ffd83c678">flashy telethon-style gathering</a>&nbsp;in Iowa that was billed as a fundraiser for veterans.

While the event earned him headlines and drew attention away from his rivals, Trump went on to lose the Iowa caucuses to Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas — a loss some former aides have blamed, at least in part, on his decision to skip the debate.

In 2020, Trump pulled out of the second general election debate against now-President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;after the Commission on Presidential Debates, a nonpartisan group that has hosted general election debates for more than three decades, sought to make it virtual after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-virus-outbreak-7fece2838ff7a9bd91ccf5ac287348b3">tested positive for COVID-19</a>. Trump refused, saying he would only debate on stage.

Trump is not the only candidate who will likely be missing Wednesday's event. Several lesser-known rivals appear unlikely to reach the threshold set by the RNC to participate. To qualify, candidates must have received contributions from at least 40,000 individual donors, with at least 200 unique donors in 20 or more states. They also must poll at at least 1% in three designated national polls, or a mix of national and early-state polls, between July 1 and Aug. 21.

Candidates who have met the qualifications include DeSantis, Christie, former vice president Mike Pence, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.

Beyond the fundraising and polling requirements, the RNC has said candidates must also sign the pledge agreeing to support the eventual party nominee as well as agreeing not to participate in any non-RNC sanctioned debate for the remainder of the election cycle. The RNC is boycotting events organized by the Commission for Presidential Debates, alleging bias.

“I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination of President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee in order to save our country and beat Joe Biden,” reads the pledge, according to a copy posted by DeSantis to the social media site X. Candidates also must pledge not to run as an independent, write-in candidate or third-party nominee.

While several candidates, including Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson have taken issue with the requirement, former Texas Rep. Will Hurd so far is the only one who has said definitively that he will not sign the pledge because he refuses to support Trump if he becomes the eventual nominee. Christie has said he will sign whatever is needed to get him on the stage.

In addition to voicing opposition to the loyalty pledge, Trump has suggested he is opposed to boycotting general election debates hosted by the Commission on Presidential Debates. “You have, really, an obligation to do that," he said in a radio interview this spring.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1691534237207.png" alt="The decision marks another chapter in Trump's ongoing feud with Fox,- File photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The decision marks another chapter in Trump's ongoing feud with Fox,- File photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;confirmed Sunday that he will be skipping Wednesday's first Republican presidential primary debate — and others as well.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692582211518.png" alt="\" />
 <figcaption>\</figcaption>
 </figure>“The public knows who I am &amp; what a successful Presidency I had,” Trump wrote on his social media site. "I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!" His spokesman did not immediately clarify whether he plans to boycott every primary debate or just those that have currently been scheduled.The former president and early GOP frontrunner&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2024-republican-presidential-debates-e674cab77b1b37e29dcb834563c9b981">had said for months</a>&nbsp;that he saw little upside in joining his GOP rivals on stage when they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-debate-2024-president-august-6cc406eb00c72835f4f59acb30d71e95">gather for the first time</a>&nbsp;in Milwaukee Wednesday, given his commanding lead in the race. And he had made clear to those he had spoken to in recent days that his opinion had not changed.“Why would I allow people at 1 or 2% and 0% to be hitting me with questions all night?” he said in an interview in June with Fox News host Bret Baier, who will be serving as a moderator. Trump has also repeatedly criticized Fox, the host of the Aug. 23 primetime event, insisting it is a “hostile network” that he believes will not treat him fairly.Trump had been discussing a number of debate counterprogramming options, including sitting for an interview with ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who has been hosting a show on the website formerly known as Twitter. Carlson was spotted at Trump's Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club ahead of the announcement, according to a person familiar with the visit who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it. The New York Times reported Saturday the interview set to air Wednesday has already been taped.“We cannot confirm or deny — stay tuned,” said Trump spokesman Steven Cheung.The idea had been one of several alternatives Trump had floated in conversations in recent weeks. They included possibly showing up in Milwaukee at the last minute or attending but sitting in the audience and offering live commentary on his Truth Social site. He had also discussed potentially calling into different networks to draw viewers from the debate, or holding a rally instead.The decision marks another chapter in Trump's ongoing feud with Fox, which was once a staunch defender, but is now perceived to be more favorable to his leading rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Fox executives and hosts had lobbied Trump to attend, both privately and on the network's airwaves. But Trump, according to a person close to him, was unswayed, believing executives would not have been wooing him if they weren’t concerned about their ratings.A person familiar had said earlier Sunday that Trump and his team had not notified the Republican National Committee of his plans.Meanwhile, Trump's rivals had been goading him to appear and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debate-republican-president-trump-pence-haley-desantis-d3192137ee265d8455ff8af64a5f88ef">preparing in the hopes that he might</a>, concerned that a no-show might make them appear like second-tier candidates and deny them the opportunity to land a knockout blow against the race's Goliath that could change the trajectory of the race.Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, one of the few candidates willing to directly take on Trump, has been accusing the former president of lacking “the guts to show up" and calling him “a coward” if he doesn't.A super PAC supporting DeSantis released an ad in which the narrator says: “We can’t afford a nominee who is too weak to debate.” And in a posting Sunday on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, DeSantis campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo said the Florida governor looked forward to sharing his vision Wednesday on what he'll do as president because “no one is entitled to this nomination, including Donald Trump. You have to show up and earn it."Trump has pushed back on the attacks, telling Newsmax’s Eric Bolling that he saw little benefit in participating when he’s already leading by a wide margin.“It's not a question of guts. It’s a question of intelligence,” he said.Trump has also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-republican-loyalty-pledge-gop-debate-a3d63a73ef60a2afb1f7aaec68a6d585#:~:text=Former%20President%20Donald%20Trump%20said,the%20conservative%20cable%20network%20Newsmax.">said</a>&nbsp;that he will not sign a pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee if he loses the nomination — a requirement set by the Republican National Committee for appearing on stage.“Why would I sign it?” he said. “I can name three or four people that I wouldn’t support for president. So right there, there’s a problem.”Nonetheless, his advisers insisted for weeks that he had yet to make a final decision, even as they acknowledged it was “pretty clear” from his public and private statements that he was unlikely to appear.It's not the first time Trump has chosen to skip a major GOP debate.During his 2016 campaign, Trump decided to forgo the final GOP primary face-off before the Iowa caucuses and instead held his own campaign event — a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/-----dbb273322fc740198cf06f3ffd83c678">flashy telethon-style gathering</a>&nbsp;in Iowa that was billed as a fundraiser for veterans.While the event earned him headlines and drew attention away from his rivals, Trump went on to lose the Iowa caucuses to Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas — a loss some former aides have blamed, at least in part, on his decision to skip the debate.In 2020, Trump pulled out of the second general election debate against now-President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;after the Commission on Presidential Debates, a nonpartisan group that has hosted general election debates for more than three decades, sought to make it virtual after Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-virus-outbreak-7fece2838ff7a9bd91ccf5ac287348b3">tested positive for COVID-19</a>. Trump refused, saying he would only debate on stage.Trump is not the only candidate who will likely be missing Wednesday's event. Several lesser-known rivals appear unlikely to reach the threshold set by the RNC to participate. To qualify, candidates must have received contributions from at least 40,000 individual donors, with at least 200 unique donors in 20 or more states. They also must poll at at least 1% in three designated national polls, or a mix of national and early-state polls, between July 1 and Aug. 21.Candidates who have met the qualifications include DeSantis, Christie, former vice president Mike Pence, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.Beyond the fundraising and polling requirements, the RNC has said candidates must also sign the pledge agreeing to support the eventual party nominee as well as agreeing not to participate in any non-RNC sanctioned debate for the remainder of the election cycle. The RNC is boycotting events organized by the Commission for Presidential Debates, alleging bias.“I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination of President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee in order to save our country and beat Joe Biden,” reads the pledge, according to a copy posted by DeSantis to the social media site X. Candidates also must pledge not to run as an independent, write-in candidate or third-party nominee.While several candidates, including Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson have taken issue with the requirement, former Texas Rep. Will Hurd so far is the only one who has said definitively that he will not sign the pledge because he refuses to support Trump if he becomes the eventual nominee. Christie has said he will sign whatever is needed to get him on the stage.In addition to voicing opposition to the loyalty pledge, Trump has suggested he is opposed to boycotting general election debates hosted by the Commission on Presidential Debates. “You have, really, an obligation to do that," he said in a radio interview this spring.

Trump explains why he will skip GOP presidential primary debates

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drowning that occurred over the weekend.

Just after 2:30 p.m. Saturday, police responded to the 200 block of N. Crestway in Wichita, according to a media release.

First responders found a 40-years-old man who had been pulled from a pool.&nbsp; EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Police have not released the victim's name or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692613233034.png" alt="Plice on the scene of the emergency response on Saturday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Plice on the scene of the emergency response on Saturday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a drowning that occurred over the weekend.Just after 2:30 p.m. Saturday, police responded to the 200 block of N. Crestway in Wichita, according to a media release.First responders found a 40-years-old man who had been pulled from a pool.&nbsp; EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Police have not released the victim's name or additional details.