VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis' yearslong process to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-reform-women-lgbtq-f8b42b57dcf7ef77dbd3f406780217ed">reform the Catholic Church</a>&nbsp;closed Saturday with recommendations that fell short of giving women more equity as hoped, but reflected the pope’s aims for a church that at least listens more to its followers.

In a significant move, the pope said he would not issue a teaching document from the recommendations, which called for women to be allowed all opportunities that Church law already provides while leaving open the contentious question of permitting women to be ordained as deacons.

As a result, it remains unclear what if any authority or impact the synod’s final recommendations will have, given the purpose of the exercise was to provide the pope with specific proposals on reform.

“In this time of war, we must be witnesses to peace” and give an example of living with differences, the pope said in explaining his decision.

Francis said he would continue to listen to the bishops' counsel, adding “this is not a classic way of endlessly delaying decisions."

Deacons perform many of the same functions as priests, such as presiding over baptisms, weddings and funerals, but they cannot celebrate Mass. Advocates say allowing women to be deacons would help offset the shortage of priests. Opponents say it would signal the start of a slippery slope toward ordaining women to the all-male priesthood that Francis has repeatedly reaffirmed.

Earlier this week, the Vatican's top doctrinal officer, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, told the extraordinary assembly of 368 bishops and laypeople — including women — that Francis had said the moment “is not ripe” for allowing ordination of women as deacons. He did not respond directly to a request to define what would determine “ripeness” for a greater role for women.

The multi-year synod process had sparked great hopes for change, especially for women, who have long complained that they are treated as second-class citizens in the church. Women are barred from the church's highest ministerial positions, yet do the lion’s share of the work running Catholic hospitals and schools and passing the faith onto future generations.

Speaking to the synod on Thursday, Fernandez explained that a special working group would continue beyond the closing of the meeting, but that its focus would be on discussing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-reform-women-synod-catholic-church-a6131cb8409f5bc91411f35b493652de">role of women in the church</a>&nbsp;— not in the diaconate, or the office of deacon. He added that while working with women in previous pastoral roles, “most did not ask for or want the diaconate, which would be cumbersome for their lay work.”

The meeting asked for “full implementation of all the opportunities already provided for in Canon Law with regard to the role of women, particularly in those places where they remain under-explored.” It leaves open “the question of women's access to diaconal ministry.”

It was the most contested paragraph of the final document, with 258 votes for and 97 against. It was not clear if the “no” votes were because the language went too far or not far enough.

Phyllis Zagano, a leading scholar on women deacons, said the "no” votes could indicate it is time for a decision to be made.

The outcome is a disappointment for Catholics who have been campaigning for recognition that women share a spiritual calling that is no different than a man’s. They also noted that despite the inclusion of women in the synodal process, the working group that is guiding discussions on women’s role is being run by the Roman curia, operating outside the synod.

“I think the final document will be received with much disappointment and frustration by many women around the world who are hoping for concrete changes,'' said Kate McElwee, the executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference.

While she acknowledged a “cultural shift,” she said "the pace of that shift is perhaps too slow for many women.”

Gay rights activists also expressed disappointment, noting the failure to include LGBTQ+ issues in the final documents. “The laity of the church must now become louder and more vigorous than ever in advocating for reform,'' said Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-women-synod-pope-bfe024ad3234a9511738b9fd5c598ef7">first phase of the synod process</a>&nbsp;ended last year by concluding it was “urgent” to guarantee fuller participation by women in church governance positions, and calling for theological and pastoral research to continue about allowing women to be deacons.

If before the synod the idea of allowing women to be deacons was a fringe proposal pushed by Western progressives, the idea gained attention during the debate. It became something of a litmus test of how far the church was going to go, or not, to address demands of women for greater equality and representation in the church's highest ranks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718390317432.png" alt="File photo Pope Francis courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Pope Francis courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis' yearslong process to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-reform-women-lgbtq-f8b42b57dcf7ef77dbd3f406780217ed">reform the Catholic Church</a>&nbsp;closed Saturday with recommendations that fell short of giving women more equity as hoped, but reflected the pope’s aims for a church that at least listens more to its followers.In a significant move, the pope said he would not issue a teaching document from the recommendations, which called for women to be allowed all opportunities that Church law already provides while leaving open the contentious question of permitting women to be ordained as deacons.As a result, it remains unclear what if any authority or impact the synod’s final recommendations will have, given the purpose of the exercise was to provide the pope with specific proposals on reform.“In this time of war, we must be witnesses to peace” and give an example of living with differences, the pope said in explaining his decision.Francis said he would continue to listen to the bishops' counsel, adding “this is not a classic way of endlessly delaying decisions."Deacons perform many of the same functions as priests, such as presiding over baptisms, weddings and funerals, but they cannot celebrate Mass. Advocates say allowing women to be deacons would help offset the shortage of priests. Opponents say it would signal the start of a slippery slope toward ordaining women to the all-male priesthood that Francis has repeatedly reaffirmed.Earlier this week, the Vatican's top doctrinal officer, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, told the extraordinary assembly of 368 bishops and laypeople — including women — that Francis had said the moment “is not ripe” for allowing ordination of women as deacons. He did not respond directly to a request to define what would determine “ripeness” for a greater role for women.The multi-year synod process had sparked great hopes for change, especially for women, who have long complained that they are treated as second-class citizens in the church. Women are barred from the church's highest ministerial positions, yet do the lion’s share of the work running Catholic hospitals and schools and passing the faith onto future generations.Speaking to the synod on Thursday, Fernandez explained that a special working group would continue beyond the closing of the meeting, but that its focus would be on discussing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-reform-women-synod-catholic-church-a6131cb8409f5bc91411f35b493652de">role of women in the church</a>&nbsp;— not in the diaconate, or the office of deacon. He added that while working with women in previous pastoral roles, “most did not ask for or want the diaconate, which would be cumbersome for their lay work.”The meeting asked for “full implementation of all the opportunities already provided for in Canon Law with regard to the role of women, particularly in those places where they remain under-explored.” It leaves open “the question of women's access to diaconal ministry.”It was the most contested paragraph of the final document, with 258 votes for and 97 against. It was not clear if the “no” votes were because the language went too far or not far enough.Phyllis Zagano, a leading scholar on women deacons, said the "no” votes could indicate it is time for a decision to be made.The outcome is a disappointment for Catholics who have been campaigning for recognition that women share a spiritual calling that is no different than a man’s. They also noted that despite the inclusion of women in the synodal process, the working group that is guiding discussions on women’s role is being run by the Roman curia, operating outside the synod.“I think the final document will be received with much disappointment and frustration by many women around the world who are hoping for concrete changes,'' said Kate McElwee, the executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference.While she acknowledged a “cultural shift,” she said "the pace of that shift is perhaps too slow for many women.”Gay rights activists also expressed disappointment, noting the failure to include LGBTQ+ issues in the final documents. “The laity of the church must now become louder and more vigorous than ever in advocating for reform,'' said Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-women-synod-pope-bfe024ad3234a9511738b9fd5c598ef7">first phase of the synod process</a>&nbsp;ended last year by concluding it was “urgent” to guarantee fuller participation by women in church governance positions, and calling for theological and pastoral research to continue about allowing women to be deacons.If before the synod the idea of allowing women to be deacons was a fringe proposal pushed by Western progressives, the idea gained attention during the debate. It became something of a litmus test of how far the church was going to go, or not, to address demands of women for greater equality and representation in the church's highest ranks.

Pope Francis' Catholic church reform process ends without giving more equity to women

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;centered their attention on Texas on Friday with both presidential candidates holding events in the staunchly Republican state. The vice president&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-abortion-rights-2024-election-democrats-f228eedd3308dab2e1125fdf6029a4a2">teamed up with Beyoncé</a>&nbsp;for a rally aimed at highlighting the perilous medical fallout from the state’s strict abortion ban and putting the blame squarely on Trump.

Meanwhile, the former president held a news conference in Austin on Friday afternoon and sat down with podcaster Joe Rogan later in the day.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;visited a reservation in Arizona, a long-promised trip to Indian Country that Democrats hope could boost Harris' turnout effort in a key battleground state.

Trump’s three-hour interview with podcaster Joe Rogan has been released

The nation’s most listened-to podcaster pressed the former president on whether he’s “completely committed” to bringing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., into his administration.

“Oh, I completely am,” Trump responded. “But the only thing I want to be a little careful about with him is the environmental. Because he doesn’t like oil, I love oil and gas.”

He said he’ll tell Kennedy to “focus on health, do whatever you want.” Trump said he’s faced pressure not to work with Kennedy, citing “big Pharma” as one example.

Kennedy has been instrumental in spreading skepticism about vaccines, rejecting the overwhelming consensus among scientists that the benefits of inoculations outweigh the rare risk of side effects.

He also claims pharmaceutical companies conspire to prevent health improvements because they make so much money selling drugs to people with chronic illnesses.

Rogan also is skeptical of vaccines. Trump noted that “they’ve come up with some amazing things” such as the polio vaccine.

After embracing Beyoncé and Rowland, Harris took her spot at the mic, as the crowd cheered her name.

“It’s good to be back in Texas,” she said.

Harris started speaking at 10:20p ET, nearly an hour later than scheduled.

In her hometown of Houston, Beyoncé gave the city’s neighborhoods shoutouts, to raucous cheers from the crowd.

“We are all part of something much bigger,” she said. “We must vote, and we need you.”

“Our moment right now. it’s time for America to sing a new song. Our voices sing a chorus of unity,” she said, casting her remarks forward, and introducing Harris. “Are y’all ready to add your voice to the new American song? So let’s do this, ladies and gentlemen.”

Beyonce and Kelly Rowland take stage at Harris rally

Hometown hero&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/beyonce-knowles">Beyoncé</a>&nbsp;showed up at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris’</a>&nbsp;presidential campaign rally in Houston on Friday night. Her mother, Tina Knowles, introduced Beyoncé and her Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, who took the stage.

Rowland kicked things off, describing this as “a moment where we grab back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story of division and hatred,” she said. “We are grabbing back the pen.” She concluded, “Now Houston, you’ve already had a hand in creating destiny. So do what you do, and do this thing again.”

Texas Senate candidate Colin Allred takes stage at Harris rally

Allred thanked Harris for “coming to Texas and shining a light on what’s happening to Texas families and Texas women.”

The crowd broke out in cheers of “beat Ted Cruz” after the Democratic congressman said that, “with y’all’s help and God’s grace, we’re gonna beat Ted Cruz.”

“Do you hear that, Ted?” Allred asked.

Allred likened both his opponent and Trump to being too “small” to be effective leaders.

“Everything is bigger in Texas, but Ted Cruz is too small for Texas,” Allred said, eliciting cheers and laughter from the crowd.

Allred also remembered being at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when he said he “was going to defend the House floor from that mob,” while “Ted Cruz was hiding in a supply closet.

“I went to public school in Texas,” the former football linebacker said. “I’m not just going to sit there.”

Actress Jessica Alba kicks off Harris’ rally in Houston

Actress Jessica Alba kicked off Harris’ star-studded rally in Houston on Friday evening to praise the Democratic nominee as someone who “protects our freedoms and creates a brighter future, a more inclusive future for all.”

Harris is expected to focus her rally on abortion restrictions in the state and the consequences of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

Alba said: “As a woman I know we need a leader like Kamala Harris who is dedicated to protecting reproductive freedom, ensuring that decisions about your body are made by you, never by the government, because Kamala Harris understands that protecting reproductive freedom isn’t about politics, it’s about our right to choose.”

There doesn’t seem to be an empty seat at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, the site of Harris’ rally with Beyonce.

The more than 20,000-seat stadium is awash in light: flashing red, white and blue lights held by supporters in the stands and strobe lights. Large screens are flashing messages that say “Reproductive Freedom,” “Vote, “Trust Women,” Freedom” and “Vote for Reproductive Freedom.”

Harris is scheduled to speak at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Attendees are leaving Trump’s rally en masse as word spread the former president will be arriving late

Trump’s plane did not leave Austin, where he was taping a podcast interview, until not long before the rally was set to start.

It’s a chilly night, with temperatures in the low 50’s.

“Well, we rather they were on time,” said Medine Dahlquist from Bay City, Michigan. But, she said, it’s “worth the wait.”

Roughly 35 million people have voted early as of today

About 35 million people have voted early in the 2024 presidential election.

That’s roughly one-fifth the number of people who cast ballots in 2020. The robust total is due to Republicans voting ahead of time after largely refusing to do so the prior two elections because former President Donald Trump criticized the process.

Now, Trump wants his supporters to vote early.

Remember, early vote statistics don’t tell you who won, merely who showed up. We won’t see who they picked until votes are tallied after polls close on Nov. 5.

▶ Find out how many early votes have been cast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2024/2024-early-voting-tracker/">in your state</a>

Appeals court in Georgia declines to expedite review election ruling

An appeals court in the battleground state of Georgia has declined Friday to expedite the review of an appeal of a judge’s order that county election officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-rules-certification-03f6bc623d9f6aeeb3f9dc47823d03f9">must vote to certify results</a>&nbsp;by the deadline set in law.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled this month that county election officials cannot refuse to certify election results. His ruling came in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-elections-fulton-county-julie-adams-79c93a5820eb8a9ecf6856171db72c10">lawsuit filed by Julie Adams</a>&nbsp;a Republican member of the election board in Fulton County, which includes most of Atlanta and is a Democratic stronghold.

Adams appealed that order Wednesday and asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to hear it on an expedited basis.

But the appeals court’s decision means that McBurney’s order will almost certainly remain in effect through the deadline for county officials to certify results, which this year falls on Nov. 12.

South Carolina judge rules it’s too late to re-open voter registration after DMV mishap

A judge in South Carolina ruled Friday it is too late for the state to reopen voter registration for nearly 1,900 teens after the state Department of Motor Vehicles failed to notify election officials that they checked the box to register as they got their driver’s licenses.

The teens were 17 at the time they went to the DMV, but would be 18 by Election Day.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit to reopen registration Tuesday, a day after early voting started in South Carolina.

Lawyers for the DMV, election officials and lawmakers say they are sympathetic toward the teens, but it would be chaotic to reopen registration this close to Election Day.

Judge Daniel Coble’s decision came about six hours after he heard arguments in the case.

Early voting started on Monday in South Carolina and in the first four days, more than 500,000 votes have been cast.

“Our government failed these young voters, and now the same government is making excuses rather than making things right. When ‘It’s too hard to fix’ becomes an acceptable reason to disenfranchise voters, we know that there’s work to do,” ACLU of South Carolina Legal Director Allen Chaney said in a statement after the ruling.

Trump meets execs from Bezos-owned Blue Origin

After he spoke in Austin, Trump greeted executives from Blue Origin, the space exploration company owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos.

Bezos is the founder of Amazon and the owner of The Washington Post, which reported Friday that its editorial board won’t endorse a candidate for president. The decision was framed as a return to earlier tradition, but it sparked speculation that Bezos wants to avoid antagonizing Trump, who has vowed retribution against his enemies and critics if he returns to the White House.

The Post editorial board endorsed Trump’s Democratic rivals in 2016 and 2020, and the former president has often railed against critical news coverage by the newspaper.

Trump spoke briefly with Blue Origin’s CEO, David Limp, and vice president of government relations, Megan Mitchell, as he left a hangar where he spoke to supporters and journalists at the Austin airport.

The conversation underscores the web of diverse and competing interests in the Bezos business empire. Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to questions about whether the conversation had been planned and whether they had attended the event.

Bezos bought the Washington Post in 2013. He made the purchase as an individual and&nbsp;<a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a>&nbsp;Inc. was not involved. Bezos&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeff-bezos-steps-down-amazon-ceo-a5af30868a90cd300dd616796bc1aec2">stepped down</a>&nbsp;as Amazon CEO in 2021 but remains the company’s executive chairman and largest shareholder.

Officials with Seattle-based Blue Origin did not immediately respond to a message from The Associated Press.

Several bands, including Mumford &amp; Sons, will join Harris at a get-out-the-vote rally in Wisconsin

Vice President Kamala Harris will be joined by several musicians, including Mumford &amp; Sons, for a get-out-the-vote rally Wednesday on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, the campaign announced on Friday.

The rally will take place just before former President Donald Trump will be about two hours away for a rally in Green Bay.

Both campaigns are hitting the swing state hard in the final days of the race.

The Harris rally will include two members of the indie rock band The National, Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner, along with singer-songwriters Gracie Abrams and Remi Wolf. They are performing as part of the “When We Vote We Win” GOTV Concert and Rally Series, the campaign said.

Trump wraps remarks in Austin without taking questions from reporters

Donald Trump has concluded his remarks in Austin, Texas.

He spoke for about 45 minutes, with a heavy emphasis on immigration.

Trump did not take questions from reporters while speaking, and he didn’t answer shouted questions afterward.

Both major presidential candidates are in Texas on Friday. Kamala Harris took questions from reporters ahead of her rally later this evening with Beyoncé in Houston.

Trump predicts he’ll break records for deportations if he wins the election

Donald Trump is predicting he’ll break records for the number of people deported from the United States if he wins the election.

At an appearance in Texas, Trump praised President Dwight D. Eisenhower for overseeing mass deportations as part of a sweeping plan known by the racist title “Operation Wetback.” Trump has made mass deportation a centerpiece of his campaign for a second term in the White House.

“I think we’ll break that record,” Trump said of Eisenhower’s deportations. “Not that I want to break it, but I think we have no choice.”

He said his administration will put “these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail or kick them the hell out of the country.”

Leonardo DiCaprio endorses Harris for president

Leonardo DiCaprio is endorsing Kamala Harris for president, with the Oscar-winning actor expressing support for the Democratic nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/leonardo-dicaprio-endorses-kamala-harris-election-2024-40bf7286e7219dfd59957bf28d34f578">in a video Friday</a>.

“Climate change is killing the earth and ruining our economy. We need a bold step forward to save our economy, our planet and ourselves,” DiCaprio said. “That’s why I’m voting for Kamala Harris.”

DiCaprio, long an outspoken advocate for addressing the climate crisis, has supported Democratic candidates in the past. In early 2020, he attended a fundraiser for Joe Biden at the home of former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing.

With less than two weeks until Election Day, Harris has received the support of many high-profile entertainers including Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Chris Rock and George Clooney.

Republican nominee Donald Trump’s celebrity supporters include Elon Musk, Dennis Quaid, Roseanne Barr and Kid Rock.

In December 2016, DiCaprio and the head of his eponymous foundation met with Trump, then president-elect, to discuss how jobs centered on preserving the environment could boost the economy.

Trump again likens the US to a ‘garbage can’

AUSTIN, Texas — Former President Donald Trump is doubling — and tripling — down on likening the United States to a trash receptacle.

“We’re like a garbage can. We’re like a garbage can,” he said Friday. He noted that, “The first time I said it was last night.”

During a Thursday night event, Trump had declared that the U.S. was “like a garbage can for the world.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, in response on Friday, called that comment, “Another example of how he really belittles our country.”

Moments after her reaction, Trump said it twice more during an appearance in Texas.

Trump derides Harris’ rally with Beyoncé as ‘rubbing shoulders’ with ‘woke celebrities’

Trump sits down with Joe Rogan, Harris rallies with Beyoncé

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) — Jack Jones, a Grammy-winning crooner known for “The Love Boat” television show theme song, has died. He was 86.

Jones died Wednesday night at a hospital in Rancho Mirage, California, after battling leukemia for more than two years, according to a statement from his manager, Milt Suchin.

Jones began his singing career in the 1950s and in the 1960s won two Grammy Awards for best vocal performance, one on the song “Lollipops And Roses" and one on the song “Wives and Lovers.”

He was nominated for several other Grammys in later years, including for the album "Jack Jones Paints A Tribute To Tony Bennett" in 1999.

In 1980, his “Love Boat” television show theme song rose to No. 37 on the Billboard U.S. Adult Contemporary songs chart. Jones was also a frequent guest on the popular romantic comedy show in which guest stars, ranging from Gene Kelly to Janet Jackson, would come aboard for a cruise and fall in love with one another.

A social media account for “The Ed Sullivan Show,” an American television variety show that aired for decades, posted on X on Thursday that Jones lit up the show with smooth vocals and unforgettable performances.

“His music will forever inspire us,” the post said. “Thank you for the memories, Jack. Rest in peace.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729850482742.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) — Jack Jones, a Grammy-winning crooner known for “The Love Boat” television show theme song, has died. He was 86.Jones died Wednesday night at a hospital in Rancho Mirage, California, after battling leukemia for more than two years, according to a statement from his manager, Milt Suchin.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My longtime buddy since we went to Unihi. Jonesey was an 18 year old senior and I was a lowly freshman. He has left the earth and I’m so sad. His beautiful voice will linger and linger as long as people need to listen to good music. Happy trails and following seas, dear treasured… <a href="https://t.co/eaGiKySxnI">pic.twitter.com/eaGiKySxnI</a>&mdash; Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) <a href="https://twitter.com/NancySinatra/status/1849633212294746128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Jones began his singing career in the 1950s and in the 1960s won two Grammy Awards for best vocal performance, one on the song “Lollipops And Roses" and one on the song “Wives and Lovers.”He was nominated for several other Grammys in later years, including for the album "Jack Jones Paints A Tribute To Tony Bennett" in 1999.In 1980, his “Love Boat” television show theme song rose to No. 37 on the Billboard U.S. Adult Contemporary songs chart. Jones was also a frequent guest on the popular romantic comedy show in which guest stars, ranging from Gene Kelly to Janet Jackson, would come aboard for a cruise and fall in love with one another.A social media account for “The Ed Sullivan Show,” an American television variety show that aired for decades, posted on X on Thursday that Jones lit up the show with smooth vocals and unforgettable performances.“His music will forever inspire us,” the post said. “Thank you for the memories, Jack. Rest in peace.”

Grammy-winning crooner Jack Jones, singer of 'Love Boat' theme, dies At 86

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, just a real quick injury update. Obviously, we’ve put Skyy (Moore) down (to IR). Skyy came in yesterday with a core muscle injury. We had him evaluated and he’s going to need that fixed. He will be put down there on IR. Then, as far as JuJu (Smith-Schuster) and Mike Danna go, both are making progress and so on and so forth there. Then, DeAndre Hopkins – (I will) take a few questions on that but we’re excited to have him here and join in with that receiving corp. Again, he’s been a proven player, and he’ll work in those spots that JuJu and Rashee (Rice) did.”

Q:&nbsp;Is there something specifically that DeAndre Hopkins does well that you feel like you guys have been lacking?

REID:&nbsp;“Well, I think – not necessarily lacking, but I think he’s (DeAndre Hopkins) a good – he’s a veteran player. You’ve seen just about everything over 12 years. He’s a good space player, so he’s very good at understanding how to work in space. At the same time, he’s a tough matchup because of his size, arm length – (he’s a) big body that knows how to kind of play that low post area.”

Q:&nbsp;What is the timetable for him playing?

REID:&nbsp;“Well, it could be this weekend. We’ll see how he (DeAndre Hopkins) picks up (laughter) – we have to get him on the practice field. I mean, why wait, right? If he can handle it without putting him in a bad position.”

Q:&nbsp;How much will DeAndre Hopkins’ football knowledge mean in this process?

REID:&nbsp;“He’s (DeAndre Hopkins) a smart guy. He understands football, likewise. Justin (Reid) knows him probably better than anybody just having been with him those years (in Houston), so that’s exciting. I mean, that’s a good thing. We’ve got a lot in right now and we’re just trying to get him acclimated with meetings here. We’ll see how things go at practice, but you can tell he’s a very focused guy and he’s intelligent.”

Q:&nbsp;How many additional hours would DeAndre Hopkins have to put in in order to play this week?

REID:&nbsp;“Well you start counting from the bottom of just the snap count part of it and work your way up through, but he’s (DeAndre Hopkins) seen enough. He’s been around it long enough to where it’s more (of) a dialect than a language that he has to learn.”

Q:&nbsp;Are you done making moves at wide receiver with the trade deadline approaching?

REID:&nbsp;“Only if you want to jump in and take a few reps (laughter).”

Q:&nbsp;Do you need to adjust the offense to fit DeAndre Hopkins’ skill set or will he need to adjust to what you guys are already doing?

REID:&nbsp;“Listen, we do this so often. We try to utilize their strengths and work them in to what we do without completely changing everything. I mean, we have a little of everything in the offense, but he’s (DeAndre Hopkins) similar in his awareness in space as JuJu (Smith-Schuster) and (what) Rashee (Rice) was developing into. That’s a good thing in this offense to be able to do.”

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUB

Q: On Trent McDuffie’s block on special teams during Mecole Hardman’s 55-yard punt return.

TOUB: “I had all those guys before so when they get out there on that play, they have a chance to make a play on special teams, he (Trent McDuffie) takes it really serious. You know, like just the other day he stuck his head in my office (and said), ‘Hey, did you see my knockdown?’ I said ‘Yeah, I saw your knockdown (laughter).’ It’s awesome, I mean all those guys, Turk (Tershawn Wharton) and everybody out there, (Nick) Bolton, every one of them is working real hard to get blocks and that’s why that play worked. You have defensive guys that are starting that are playing their butt off for you on special teams, so I mean that’s what we have going right now.”

Q: Do you trust Mecole Hardman as the punt returner?

TOUB: “The punt returner, I’ve said this a lot of times, the punt returner is – besides the quarterback – is probably the hardest thing to do in my opinion, on the football field. It’s hard. You have guys coming down on you, you have to make a lot of quick decisions, you have to catch the ball (laughter), it’s tough. I have a lot of trust in him (Mecole Hardman), he has the great experience and he’s gotten better and better. He’s really taking it serious this year. I mean, because it’s a big part of his role right now is being that guy.”

Q: What have you learned about Chris Roland-Wallace?

TOUB: “He’s (Chris Roland-Wallace) just a solid player that – a rookie that’s kind of (that) unsung hero kind of guy. He’s a lot like (Jaden) Hicks, I have a lot of trust in him. (He) does a lot of important things for us. Singled up gunners as a corner and singles up guys and runs with them. Great effort, you know he’s a smart, instinctive football player that’s really stepped up for us. Our young guys (are) doing a great job.”

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLO

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“I know you (the media) just got done with (Head) Coach (Andy Reid) and (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator) Coach (Dave) Toub. We had one day of practice yesterday for this team (and I’m) anxious to get another one in here, so with that I’ll just kind of open it up.”

Q:&nbsp;What’s was the difficulty like of playing against DeAndre Hopkins?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“(DeAndre Hopkins is a) big wide receiver that has a huge catch radius, right? (He) catches everything. (I have) a lot of respect for him (and) I’m glad he’s on our team now (laughs). That’s a good thing.”

Q:&nbsp;How has Chris Roland-Wallace developed and how is he fitting into what you’re doing with the defense?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Listen, C-Ro (Chris Roland-Wallace) is one of those guys that – he came here as a free agent. He earned everything he’s gotten right now. He made the team, made the roster, made the 53. He’s earned playing time. I don’t know if you know – (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator) Dave (Toub) and I talked every week about trying to get him in there in games. We got him in there last week. I think before Jaylen (Watson) got hurt, I can’t even remember, but we’ve been talking about it a lot. I guess what I’m trying to say is he’s kind of earned the right to get some playing time, so you’ll see him in and out of there and we’re going to have to use him as one guy goes down – other guys, our responsibilities go up so that’ll happen to Chris.”

Q:&nbsp; What do you remember most about that last game against the Raiders?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“The thing that I remember most is we were in there swinging away, right? It was a pretty tight game but where we kind of were disappointing as a group was when we had to stop them at the end, right? I think we had enough time outs, and we call it four-minute defense, right? We didn’t get that done. They ripped off a couple of long runs to kind of ice the game which is what you want your offense to do if you’re on their sideline, but we would’ve liked to have rose up somehow and got the ball back to Patrick (Mahomes) one more time. Am I right in saying it was a 20-14 final? Yeah, so if we could’ve got it back to Pat one more time – that’s what I remember. Now, I thought we played for the most part pretty good. I think we only gave up six points. Weren’t there were a couple of pick-sixes? Yeah, but when you finish like that, it’s just kind of a bad taste so we’re going to remember that and hopefully not let that happen.”

Q: What have your early conversations with DeAndre Hopkins been like and how is he meshing with the guys?

NAGY:&nbsp;“It’s exciting – I think for everybody. You get a guy (DeAndre Hopkins) that’s super experienced, he’s been in this league a long time (and) he’s had a lot of success. So, you look at both situations and I feel like it’s really a win-win type (of) deal, but he came in this morning and (he’s) ready to rock and roll. Everything is a first time now for him so he’s getting in here the first time trying to figure out where to sit in the meetings, first time to go in walk-throughs and figure out how we do walk-throughs. (His) first time to go out and figure out what practice tempo’s like, there’s a lot of firsts. Sometimes, it can get to thinking it’s just like plug-and-play (but) there’s a process to it, so we want to make sure we do that the right way and (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid’s been great with that.”

Q: Is there something that DeAndre Hopkins does specifically well that can help you guys offensively?

NAGY:&nbsp;“I’d say, Adam (Teicher), the biggest thing right now is the – his (DeAndre Hopkins) hands are phenomenal, he has really, really good hands. I think he’s got some of the least amount of drops in the history of the NFL. The experience that he has, which comes I think with that, is trust. So, he’s played in a lot of games, he understands and he’s seen a bunch of different defenses, that’s valuable. Whether it’s zone or man (coverage), he’s a very good route runner, he understands leverages. One of the things – just getting it kind of – you see it on tape, you see it in interviews but then when he’s here, up close and live and in person, you see the confidence and the swagger that he has. I think that confidence can really penetrate, and you feel that with the other players – you’ve got to go out and do it. It’s just that we’re at the beginning stages but he’s does a lot of good things in zones, too.”

Q: What do you hope that the other receivers learn from DeAndre Hopkins?

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid QuotesOctober 24, 2024HEAD COACH ANDY REIDOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Alright, just a real quick injury update. Obviously, we’ve put Skyy (Moore) down (to IR). Skyy came in yesterday with a core muscle injury. We had him evaluated and he’s going to need that fixed. He will be put down there on IR. Then, as far as JuJu (Smith-Schuster) and Mike Danna go, both are making progress and so on and so forth there. Then, DeAndre Hopkins – (I will) take a few questions on that but we’re excited to have him here and join in with that receiving corp. Again, he’s been a proven player, and he’ll work in those spots that JuJu and Rashee (Rice) did.”Q:&nbsp;Is there something specifically that DeAndre Hopkins does well that you feel like you guys have been lacking?REID:&nbsp;“Well, I think – not necessarily lacking, but I think he’s (DeAndre Hopkins) a good – he’s a veteran player. You’ve seen just about everything over 12 years. He’s a good space player, so he’s very good at understanding how to work in space. At the same time, he’s a tough matchup because of his size, arm length – (he’s a) big body that knows how to kind of play that low post area.”Q:&nbsp;What is the timetable for him playing?REID:&nbsp;“Well, it could be this weekend. We’ll see how he (DeAndre Hopkins) picks up (laughter) – we have to get him on the practice field. I mean, why wait, right? If he can handle it without putting him in a bad position.”Q:&nbsp;How much will DeAndre Hopkins’ football knowledge mean in this process?REID:&nbsp;“He’s (DeAndre Hopkins) a smart guy. He understands football, likewise. Justin (Reid) knows him probably better than anybody just having been with him those years (in Houston), so that’s exciting. I mean, that’s a good thing. We’ve got a lot in right now and we’re just trying to get him acclimated with meetings here. We’ll see how things go at practice, but you can tell he’s a very focused guy and he’s intelligent.”Q:&nbsp;How many additional hours would DeAndre Hopkins have to put in in order to play this week?REID:&nbsp;“Well you start counting from the bottom of just the snap count part of it and work your way up through, but he’s (DeAndre Hopkins) seen enough. He’s been around it long enough to where it’s more (of) a dialect than a language that he has to learn.”Q:&nbsp;Are you done making moves at wide receiver with the trade deadline approaching?REID:&nbsp;“Only if you want to jump in and take a few reps (laughter).”Q:&nbsp;Do you need to adjust the offense to fit DeAndre Hopkins’ skill set or will he need to adjust to what you guys are already doing?REID:&nbsp;“Listen, we do this so often. We try to utilize their strengths and work them in to what we do without completely changing everything. I mean, we have a little of everything in the offense, but he’s (DeAndre Hopkins) similar in his awareness in space as JuJu (Smith-Schuster) and (what) Rashee (Rice) was developing into. That’s a good thing in this offense to be able to do.”Chiefs Coordinator QuotesOctober 24, 2024ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUBQ: On Trent McDuffie’s block on special teams during Mecole Hardman’s 55-yard punt return.TOUB: “I had all those guys before so when they get out there on that play, they have a chance to make a play on special teams, he (Trent McDuffie) takes it really serious. You know, like just the other day he stuck his head in my office (and said), ‘Hey, did you see my knockdown?’ I said ‘Yeah, I saw your knockdown (laughter).’ It’s awesome, I mean all those guys, Turk (Tershawn Wharton) and everybody out there, (Nick) Bolton, every one of them is working real hard to get blocks and that’s why that play worked. You have defensive guys that are starting that are playing their butt off for you on special teams, so I mean that’s what we have going right now.”Q: Do you trust Mecole Hardman as the punt returner?TOUB: “The punt returner, I’ve said this a lot of times, the punt returner is – besides the quarterback – is probably the hardest thing to do in my opinion, on the football field. It’s hard. You have guys coming down on you, you have to make a lot of quick decisions, you have to catch the ball (laughter), it’s tough. I have a lot of trust in him (Mecole Hardman), he has the great experience and he’s gotten better and better. He’s really taking it serious this year. I mean, because it’s a big part of his role right now is being that guy.”Q: What have you learned about Chris Roland-Wallace?TOUB: “He’s (Chris Roland-Wallace) just a solid player that – a rookie that’s kind of (that) unsung hero kind of guy. He’s a lot like (Jaden) Hicks, I have a lot of trust in him. (He) does a lot of important things for us. Singled up gunners as a corner and singles up guys and runs with them. Great effort, you know he’s a smart, instinctive football player that’s really stepped up for us. Our young guys (are) doing a great job.”DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLOOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“I know you (the media) just got done with (Head) Coach (Andy Reid) and (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator) Coach (Dave) Toub. We had one day of practice yesterday for this team (and I’m) anxious to get another one in here, so with that I’ll just kind of open it up.”Q:&nbsp;What’s was the difficulty like of playing against DeAndre Hopkins?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“(DeAndre Hopkins is a) big wide receiver that has a huge catch radius, right? (He) catches everything. (I have) a lot of respect for him (and) I’m glad he’s on our team now (laughs). That’s a good thing.”Q:&nbsp;How has Chris Roland-Wallace developed and how is he fitting into what you’re doing with the defense?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“Listen, C-Ro (Chris Roland-Wallace) is one of those guys that – he came here as a free agent. He earned everything he’s gotten right now. He made the team, made the roster, made the 53. He’s earned playing time. I don’t know if you know – (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator) Dave (Toub) and I talked every week about trying to get him in there in games. We got him in there last week. I think before Jaylen (Watson) got hurt, I can’t even remember, but we’ve been talking about it a lot. I guess what I’m trying to say is he’s kind of earned the right to get some playing time, so you’ll see him in and out of there and we’re going to have to use him as one guy goes down – other guys, our responsibilities go up so that’ll happen to Chris.”Q:&nbsp; What do you remember most about that last game against the Raiders?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“The thing that I remember most is we were in there swinging away, right? It was a pretty tight game but where we kind of were disappointing as a group was when we had to stop them at the end, right? I think we had enough time outs, and we call it four-minute defense, right? We didn’t get that done. They ripped off a couple of long runs to kind of ice the game which is what you want your offense to do if you’re on their sideline, but we would’ve liked to have rose up somehow and got the ball back to Patrick (Mahomes) one more time. Am I right in saying it was a 20-14 final? Yeah, so if we could’ve got it back to Pat one more time – that’s what I remember. Now, I thought we played for the most part pretty good. I think we only gave up six points. Weren’t there were a couple of pick-sixes? Yeah, but when you finish like that, it’s just kind of a bad taste so we’re going to remember that and hopefully not let that happen.”OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR MATT NAGYQ: What have your early conversations with DeAndre Hopkins been like and how is he meshing with the guys?NAGY:&nbsp;“It’s exciting – I think for everybody. You get a guy (DeAndre Hopkins) that’s super experienced, he’s been in this league a long time (and) he’s had a lot of success. So, you look at both situations and I feel like it’s really a win-win type (of) deal, but he came in this morning and (he’s) ready to rock and roll. Everything is a first time now for him so he’s getting in here the first time trying to figure out where to sit in the meetings, first time to go in walk-throughs and figure out how we do walk-throughs. (His) first time to go out and figure out what practice tempo’s like, there’s a lot of firsts. Sometimes, it can get to thinking it’s just like plug-and-play (but) there’s a process to it, so we want to make sure we do that the right way and (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid’s been great with that.”Q: Is there something that DeAndre Hopkins does specifically well that can help you guys offensively?NAGY:&nbsp;“I’d say, Adam (Teicher), the biggest thing right now is the – his (DeAndre Hopkins) hands are phenomenal, he has really, really good hands. I think he’s got some of the least amount of drops in the history of the NFL. The experience that he has, which comes I think with that, is trust. So, he’s played in a lot of games, he understands and he’s seen a bunch of different defenses, that’s valuable. Whether it’s zone or man (coverage), he’s a very good route runner, he understands leverages. One of the things – just getting it kind of – you see it on tape, you see it in interviews but then when he’s here, up close and live and in person, you see the confidence and the swagger that he has. I think that confidence can really penetrate, and you feel that with the other players – you’ve got to go out and do it. It’s just that we’re at the beginning stages but he’s does a lot of good things in zones, too.”Q: What do you hope that the other receivers learn from DeAndre Hopkins?

Chiefs Quotes: 10-24-24

Click the link above to view the entire 2024 Salina League of Women Voters Candidate Forum.&nbsp;

By NATE KING Salina Post

With Election Day fast approaching, the <a href="https://www.lwvsalina.org/">Salina League of Women Voters</a>&nbsp; held a candidate forum on Sunday, just one day before hundreds of voters went to the ballot box on the first day of early voting.&nbsp;

Local and state candidates addressed critical issues, including abortion, Medicaid expansion, county facility needs, homelessness, school safety, marijuana legalization, and more. 

The forum, held at the Stiefel Theatre Watson Room on Oct. 20 at 1:30 p.m., began with each candidate delivering one-minute opening remarks. Questions were then alternated among the candidates, starting with those from a media panel, followed by questions from the audience.

Candidates were allowed one minute responses.&nbsp;

READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/3e18ce05-a2c7-4175-91a2-fb92623a7075">Candidate responses to LWV questionnaire&nbsp;</a>

Candidates present at the League of Women Voters forum included:

Candidates for the Kansas House&nbsp;— 69th District Incumbent, Rep. Clarke Sanders, Republican; Lori Blake, Democrat

Candidate for Kansas Senate&nbsp;— 24th John Baker, Democrat&nbsp;

Candidates for Saline County Commission District Two Open Seat&nbsp;— Annie Grevas, Republican Primary Winner; Kathleen Malone Crouch, Write-In Candidate, Republican

JR Claeys, incumbent for the 24th Senate District, did not attend.

The Salina Post newsroom called Senator Claeys for comment on his vision and policy positions but has not received a response.

Abortion was the first topic asked about during the conversation between candidates and voters. Sanders, a firm supporter of pro-life initiatives, spoke about his legislative efforts following the failure of the 2022 Value Them Both constitutional amendment.

"From my perspective, unfortunately, Value Them Both failed," Sanders said. "So we now have to find ways to do what we can in the pro-life movement. One of the things I did in 2023 was offer the Infant Born Alive Protection Act. We also, this past session, passed help for pregnancy service centers, which provide services for moms and dads, both before and after the baby is born."

Sanders also advocated for legislation that would give men more say in abortion decisions. 

"We need to get some legislation that gives some power to men because as it stands right now, they have no say in the abortion issue," Sanders noted. "Even if they're a husband, they can't. They have no say, and she didn't create the baby on her own."

In contrast, Blake, a pro-choice candidate, argued against government interference in personal medical decisions.

"I believe that our voters have spoken on this issue," Blake said. "I am personally opposed to the government being in my medical room making personal decisions about my body. I trust women to include the fathers of their children in those decisions, and that's a decision that those people should be making with their medical providers."

Medicaid expansion also divided the candidates. Baker strongly supported expanding Medicaid in Kansas, citing both economic and moral reasons.

"I fully support the expansion of Medicaid in the state of Kansas," Baker stated. "We send out, I think it's over $6 billion at this point to other states who have expanded their programs. Expanding Medicaid could also serve as a lifeline to our rural communities, which are honestly dying, and it's scary."

Baker also emphasized the importance of improving access to healthcare.

"People need health care services. Somebody shouldn't have to drive multiple hours to receive the care that they need," Baker said.&nbsp;

Sanders, however, voiced his opposition to Medicaid expansion, citing concerns about its impact on current beneficiaries and state finances.

"I'm opposed to the expansion of Medicaid," Sanders said. "What it would do is add 140,000 to 150,000 able-bodied, 19 to 60-year-olds to the Medicaid rolls. There are already people that are back in line, and that would just push them further back. We don't know what it would cost."

Blake countered by discussing the importance of expanding Medicaid for children and low-income families.

"Since January, there have been 57,000 children removed from our Medicaid rolls because of the COVID eligibility," Blake said. "Those 57,000 children would be captured in this Medicaid expansion, along with another 150,000. A family of four to qualify currently is $11,856. These are impoverished people."

County facility needs and unused buildings

The discussion then turned to the needs of Saline County and the City of Salina, particularly in addressing facility issues such as the health department and abandoned buildings.

Grevas, who worked for the county for 35 years, emphasized the need to repurpose existing buildings, specifically the health department and the old jail.

"This is one of my top priorities, abandoned buildings, repurposing existing buildings," Grevas said. "The health department needs a new space. It's got a leaky roof, and it's been that way for a long time. People want the jail to be repurposed, but it is going to take several million dollars to do that."

Malone Crouch agreed but raised concerns about the condition of some buildings.

"I agree there are buildings that we should be using," Crouch said. "However, having worked in the basement of that building that the old jail is in, I know that when it rained, the basement flooded, and that's not how we need to spend our time."

On the issue of growing unhoused populations in Kansas, Baker stressed the importance of addressing the housing crisis and the need for mental health services.

"Housing is extremely expensive right now. I'm a professional. My wife is a professional, and we're not in a position to buy a home right now because the prices are outrageous," Baker said. "I think we need much greater access to mental health resources in our communities. A lot of people who are homeless struggle with addiction and substance abuse."

Sanders agreed that homelessness is a complex issue but focused on addiction as a key factor.

"Homelessness is a really big and tough issue," Sanders said. "If there were simple solutions, people would have come up with them by now. One thing we should pass is legislation that says one unit of government can't ship their homelessness to another county."

Blake took a more collaborative approach, highlighting Saline County's ability to use public and private resources effectively.

"I think Salina and Saline County are a beacon of hope for our state in how we work together," Blake said. "We should look at putting together a pool of grants that could be competitive, as we did with COVID dollars."

The candidates also discussed the legalization of marijuana, with differing opinions on how the state should proceed. Sanders expressed his support for medical marijuana but remained opposed to recreational use.

"I'm opposed to legalizing or decriminalizing recreational use of marijuana," Sanders said. "But as far as medical goes, I think there's ample evidence that it could do a lot of good. It needs to be dispensed through pharmacies, not dispensaries."