NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump tried to illegally influence the 2016 presidential election by preventing damaging stories about his personal life from becoming public, a prosecutor told jurors Monday at the start of the former president's historic hush money trial.

A defense lawyer countered by saying that Trump was “innocent" and by attacking the integrity of the onetime Trump confidant who's now the government's star witness. Trump's attorney said the case should never have been brought.

The opening statements launched the first criminal trial of a former American president, a case unfolding against the backdrop of a closely contested White House race in which Trump is not only the presumptive Republican nominee but also a defendant facing the prospect of a felony conviction and prison.

The trial will offer weeks of salacious and unflattering testimony about an effort by the then-celebrity candidate to stifle story he feared could torpedo his candidacy, including a porn star's claims of an extramarital affair a decade earlier.

Prosecutors at the outset sought to elevate the gravity of the case, the first of four criminal prosecutions against Trump, to reach a jury, by framing it as about election interference. The depiction seemed intended to rebut criticism that the allegations at the heart of the case are less grievous than those of the three other cases, which center on charges of hoarding classified documents and subverting democracy.

“The defendant, Donald Trump, orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election. Then he covered up that criminal conspiracy by lying in his New York business records over and over and over again,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told jurors.

The statements offered the 12-person jury — and the voting public — a roadmap for how to view the allegations at the heart of the case.

They also served as an introduction to the colorful cast of characters that comprise the tawdry saga, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-manhattan-stormy-daniels-michael-cohen-b514cb52bb31a82579cb827c40166173">a porn actor who says she had a sexual encounter with Trump</a>; the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-cohen">lawyer who prosecutors say paid her to keep quiet about it</a>; and the tabloid publisher who agreed to function as the campaign's “eyes and ears.”

Trump faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts of falsifying business records</a>&nbsp;— a charge punishable by up to four years in prison — though it’s not clear if the judge would seek to put him behind bars. A conviction would not preclude Trump from becoming president again, but because it is a state case, he would not be able to attempt to pardon himself if found guilty. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The case brought by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-manhattan-da-bragg-hush-money-trial-a164881f43b1d5064a528b36eada937e">Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg</a>&nbsp;revisits a chapter from Trump’s history when his celebrity past collided with his political ambitions and, prosecutors say, he scrambled to stifle stories that he feared could torpedo his campaign.

In his opening statements, Colangelo traced the origins of the effort to the emergence late in the 2016 campaign of the 2005 “Access Hollywood” recording in which Trump could be heard boasting about grabbing women sexually without their permission.

“The impact of that tape on the campaign was immediate and explosive,” Colangelo said, recounting for jurors how prominent Trump allies withdrew their endorsements and condemned his language.

The prosecutor said evidence will show the Republican National Committee even considered whether it was possible to replace Trump with another candidate.

Within days of the “Access Hollywood” tape becoming public, Colangelo told jurors that The National Enquirer alerted Cohen that porn actor Stormy Daniels was agitating to go public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.

“At Trump’s direction, Cohen negotiated a deal to buy Ms. Daniels’ story to prevent American voters from hearing that story before Election Day,” Colangelo told jurors.

The prosecutor described other payments as well that were part of what's known in the tabloid industry as a “catch-and-kill” ploy — catching a potentially damaging story by buying the rights to it and then suppressing or killing it through agreements that prevent the paid person from telling the story to anyone else.

Colangelo also talked about arrangements made to pay a former Playboy model $150,000 to suppress her claims of a nearly yearlong affair with the married Trump. Colangelo said Trump “desperately did not want this information about Karen McDougal to become public because he was worried about its effect on the election.”

He told jurors they will hear a recording Cohen made in September 2016 of himself briefing Trump on the plan to buy McDougal’s story. The recording was made public in July 2018. Colangelo told jurors they hear Trump in his own voice, saying: “What do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?”

Trump arrived at the courthouse shortly before 9 a.m., minutes after castigating the case in capital letters on social media as “election interference” and a “witch hunt.”

The trial will require him to spend his days in a courtroom rather than on the campaign trail, a reality he complained about Monday when he lamented to reporters that he was “here instead of being able to be in Pennsylvania and Georgia and lots of other places campaigning, and it’s very unfair.”

Just as Trump sat through a jury selection process in which multiple prospective jurors expressed negative opinions about him, he will be forced to remain in court as salacious and potentially unflattering details about his personal life are shared with the jury.

Trump has nonetheless sought to turn his criminal defendant status into an asset for his campaign, fundraising off his legal jeopardy and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harlem-trial-bodega-909f0abee3f1951a2ffdabc8072d61a7">repeatedly railing against a justice system</a>&nbsp;that he has for years claimed is weaponized against him.

Hearing the case is a jury that includes, among others, multiple lawyers, a sales professional, an investment banker and an English teacher. As court began Monday, Judge Juan Merchan disclosed that one of the jurors selected for the case had conveyed reservations about participating, apparently because of the intense media attention. The juror was questioned privately but will remain on the case.

The case will test jurors' ability to set aside any bias but also Trump's ability to abide by the court's restrictions, such as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-gag-order-hush-money-juan-merchan-f182e7d5c27967b86a59277fd24743e4">gag order</a>&nbsp;that bars him from attacking witnesses. Prosecutors are seeking fines against him for alleged violations of that order.

Prosecutors say Trump obscured the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 and is expected to be a star witness for the prosecution.

Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and his lawyers argue that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.

To convict Trump of a felony, prosecutors must show he not only falsified or caused business records to be entered falsely, which would be a misdemeanor,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/175.10">but that he did so to conceal another crime</a>.

The allegations don't accuse Trump of an egregious abuse of power like the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">federal case in Washington charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 presidential election</a>, or of flouting national security protocols like the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-8315a5b23c18f27083ed64eef21efff3">federal case in Florida charging him with hoarding classified documents.</a>

But the New York prosecution has taken on added importance because it may be the only one of the four cases against Trump that reaches trial before the November election.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prosecuted-election-interference-april-immunity-claim-2020-election-7ddd54224350e0fbbf6b71a4461874c7">Appeals</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-election-indictment-fani-willis-trump-60b7dd9642fc9ef7c03d75980692334c">legal wrangling</a>&nbsp;have delayed the other three cases.

NEW YORK (AP) — For the first time in history, prosecutors will present a criminal case against a former American president to a jury Monday as they accuse&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-manhattan-stormy-daniels-michael-cohen-b514cb52bb31a82579cb827c40166173">hush money scheme</a>&nbsp;aimed at preventing damaging stories about his personal life from becoming public.

A 12-person jury in Manhattan is set to hear opening statements from prosecutors and defense lawyers in the first of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/">four criminal cases</a>&nbsp;against the presumptive Republican nominee to reach trial.

The statements are expected to give jurors and the voting public the clearest view yet of the allegations at the heart of the case, as well as insight into Trump's expected defense.

Attorneys will also introduce a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-criminal-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-5fdc819697a76536ed83cbf28d4a523c">colorful cast of characters</a>&nbsp;who are expected to testify about the made-for-tabloids saga, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-manhattan-stormy-daniels-michael-cohen-b514cb52bb31a82579cb827c40166173">a porn actor who says she had a sexual encounter with Trump</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-cohen">lawyer who prosecutors say paid her to keep quiet about it</a>.

Trump is charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts of falsifying business records</a>&nbsp;and could face four years in prison if convicted, though it’s not clear if the judge would seek to put him behind bars. A conviction would not preclude Trump from becoming president again, but because it is a state case, he would not be able to attempt to pardon himself if found guilty. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Unfolding as Trump vies to reclaim the White House, the trial will require him to spend his days in a courtroom rather than the campaign trail. He will have to listen as witnesses recount salacious and potentially unflattering details about his private life.

Hearing the case is a jury that includes, among others, multiple lawyers, a sales professional, an investment banker and an English teacher.

The case brought by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-manhattan-da-bragg-hush-money-trial-a164881f43b1d5064a528b36eada937e">Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg</a>&nbsp;revisits a chapter from Trump’s history when his celebrity past collided with his political ambitions and, prosecutors say, he sought to prevent potentially damaging stories from surfacing through hush money payments.

One such payment was a $130,000 sum that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/michael-cohen">Michael Cohen</a>, Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer, gave to porn actor Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump from emerging into public shortly before the 2016 election.

Here's a look at the key players in the historic first criminal trial of a former U.S. president:

DONALD TRUMP — The former president of the United States and the presumptive Republican nominee, who parlayed his success as reality television star and celebrity businessman and won the presidential election in 2016, becoming America’s 45th president. The trial involves allegations that he falsified his company’s records&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-cohen-stormy-daniels-e40532d3bce7768e296fdaf9591ef05b">to hide the true nature of payments</a>&nbsp;to Cohen, who helped bury negative stories about him during the 2016 presidential campaign. He’s pleaded not guilty.

MICHAEL COHEN — Trump’s former lawyer and fixer. He was once a fierce Trump ally, but now he’s a key prosecution witness against his former boss. Cohen worked for the Trump Organization from 2006 to 2017. He later went to federal prison after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-michael-cohen-74aaf72511d64fceb1d64529207bde64">pleading guilty to campaign finance violations</a>&nbsp;relating to the hush money arrangements and other, unrelated crimes.

STORMY DANIELS — The porn actor who received a $130,000 payment from Cohen as part of his hush-money efforts. Cohen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cohen-stormy-daniels-grand-jury-d48153fc2d3fe7a656e8a24ad1acd082">paid Daniels to keep quiet</a>&nbsp;about what she says was a sexual encounter with Trump years earlier. Trump denies having sex with Daniels.

KAREN MCDOUGAL — A former Playboy model who said she had a 10-month affair with Trump in the mid-2000s. She was paid $150,000 in 2016 by the parent company of the National Enquirer for the rights to her story about the alleged relationship. Trump denies having sex with McDougal.

DAVID PECKER — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazoncom-inc-donald-trump-jeff-bezos-business-ad911dcfadb4441fc3e7d9e0018c1dec">National Enquirer’s former publisher</a>&nbsp;and a longtime Trump friend. Prosecutors say he met with Trump and Cohen at Trump Tower in August 2015 and agreed to help Trump’s campaign identify negative stories about him.

HOPE HICKS — Trump’s former White House communications director. Prosecutors say she spoke with Trump by phone during a frenzied effort to keep allegations of his marital infidelity out of the press after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-access-hollywood-hush-money-new-york-2c52279a45ede2a111ff1fe447d2fdac">infamous “Access Hollywood” tape</a>&nbsp;leaked weeks before the 2016 election. In the tape, from 2005, Trump boasted about grabbing women without permission.

ALVIN BRAGG — A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-manhattan-da-bragg-hush-money-trial-a164881f43b1d5064a528b36eada937e">former civil rights lawyer and law professor</a>, Bragg is a Democrat in his first term as Manhattan’s district attorney. He inherited the Trump investigation when he took office in 2021. He oversaw the prosecution of Trump’s company in an unrelated tax fraud case before moving to indict Trump last year.

MATTHEW COLANGELO — A former high-ranking Justice Department official who was hired by Bragg in 2022 to lead the Trump investigation. They previously worked together on Trump-related matters at the New York attorney general’s office.

JOSHUA STEINGLASS — A Manhattan prosecutor for more than 25 years, he has worked on some of the office’s more high-profile cases, including the Trump Organization's tax fraud conviction in 2022, and cases involving violent crimes.

SUSAN HOFFINGER — The chief of the district attorney's Investigation Division, she returned to the office in 2022 after more than 20 years in private practice with her sister, Fran. She worked with Steinglass on the Trump Organization tax fraud prosecution.

TODD BLANCHE — A former federal prosecutor, Blanche previously represented Trump’s former campaign chairman,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/paul-manafort">Paul Manafort</a>, in a mortgage fraud case — and got it thrown out. Blanche successfully argued that the case, brought by the same prosecutor’s office now taking on Trump, was too similar to one that landed Manafort in federal prison and therefore amounted to double jeopardy.

SUSAN NECHELES — A former Brooklyn prosecutor, Necheles is a respected New York City defense lawyer who represented Trump’s company at its tax fraud trial last year. In the past she served as counsel to the late Genovese crime family underboss Venero Mangano, known as Benny Eggs, and defended John Gotti’s lawyer, Bruce Cutler, in the early 90s.

EMIL BOVE — A star college lacrosse player, Bove was a veteran federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. He was involved in multiple high-profile prosecutions, including a drug-trafficking case against the former Honduran president’s brother, a man who set off a pressure cooker device in Manhattan and a man who sent dozens of mail bombs to prominent targets across the country.

JUAN M. MERCHAN — The judge presiding over the case. He was also the judge in the Trump Organization’s tax fraud trial in 2022 and is overseeing a border wall fraud case against longtime Trump ally Steve Bannon. Merchan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-juan-manuel-merchan-recusal-manhattan-e6ea9180af83bf47443b752fec2c518c">has twice denied requests</a>&nbsp;by Trump’s lawyers that he step aside from the case. They contend he is biased because his daughter runs a political consulting firm that has worked for Democrats, including President Joe Biden. Merchan has said he is certain of his “ability to be fair and impartial.”

History: Opening statements in 1st criminal trial of a former U.S. President

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Terry Anderson, the globe-trotting Associated Press correspondent who became one of America’s longest-held hostages after he was snatched from a street in war-torn Lebanon in 1985 and held for nearly seven years, has died at 76.

Anderson, who chronicled his abduction and torturous imprisonment by Islamic militants in his best-selling 1993 memoir “Den of Lions,” died on Sunday at his home in Greenwood Lake, New York, said his daughter, Sulome Anderson.

The cause of death was unknown, though his daughter said Anderson recently had heart surgery.

“He never liked to be called a hero, but that’s what everyone persisted in calling him,” said Sulome Anderson. “I saw him a week ago and my partner asked him if he had anything on his bucket list, anything that he wanted to do. He said, ‘I’ve lived so much and I’ve done so much. I’m content.’”

After returning to the United States in 1991, Anderson led a peripatetic life, giving public speeches, teaching journalism at several prominent universities and, at various times, operating a blues bar, Cajun restaurant, horse ranch and gourmet restaurant.

He also struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder, won millions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets after a federal court concluded that country played a role in his capture, then lost most of it to bad investments. He filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

Upon retiring from the University of Florida in 2015, Anderson settled on a small horse farm in a quiet, rural section of northern Virginia he had discovered while camping with friends. `

“I live in the country and it’s reasonably good weather and quiet out here and a nice place, so I’m doing all right,” he said with a chuckle during a 2018 interview with The Associated Press.

In 1985 he became one of several Westerners abducted by members of the Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah during a time of war that had plunged Lebanon into chaos.

After his release, he returned to a hero’s welcome at AP’s New York headquarters.

As the AP’s chief Middle East correspondent, Anderson had been reporting for several years on the rising violence gripping Lebanon as the country fought a war with Israel, while Iran funded militant groups trying to topple its government.

On March 16, 1985, a day off, he had taken a break to play tennis with former AP photographer Don Mell and was dropping Mell off at his home when gun-toting kidnappers dragged him from his car.

He was likely targeted, he said, because he was one of the few Westerners still in Lebanon and because his role as a journalist aroused suspicion among members of Hezbollah.

“Because in their terms, people who go around asking questions in awkward and dangerous places have to be spies,“ he told the Virginia newspaper The Review of Orange County in 2018.

What followed was nearly seven years of brutality during which he was beaten, chained to a wall, threatened with death, often had guns held to his head and often was kept in solitary confinement for long periods of time.

Anderson was the longest held of several Western hostages Hezbollah abducted over the years, including Terry Waite, the former envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who had arrived to try to negotiate his release.

By his and other hostages’ accounts, he was also their most hostile prisoner, constantly demanding better food and treatment, arguing religion and politics with his captors, and teaching other hostages sign language and where to hide messages so they could communicate privately.

He managed to retain a quick wit and biting sense of humor during his long ordeal. On his last day in Beirut he called the leader of his kidnappers into his room to tell him he’d just heard an erroneous radio report saying he’d been freed and was in Syria.

“I said, ‘Mahmound, listen to this, I’m not here. I’m gone, babes. I’m on my way to Damascus.’ And we both laughed,” he told Giovanna DellÓrto, author of “AP Foreign Correspondents in Action: World War II to the Present.”

He learned later his release was delayed when a third party who his kidnappers planned to turn him over to left for a tryst with the party's mistress and they had to find someone else.

Anderson’s humor often hid the PTSD he acknowledged suffering for years afterward.

“The AP got a couple of British experts in hostage decompression, clinical psychiatrists, to counsel my wife and myself and they were very useful,” he said in 2018. “But one of the problems I had was I did not recognize sufficiently the damage that had been done.

“So, when people ask me, you know, 'Are you over it?’ Well, I don’t know. No, not really. It’s there. I don’t think about it much these days, it’s not central to my life. But it’s there.”

At the time of his abduction, Anderson was engaged to be married and his future wife was six months pregnant with their daughter, Sulome.

The couple married soon after his release but divorced a few years later, and although they remained on friendly terms Anderson and his daughter were estranged for years.

“I love my dad very much. My dad has always loved me. I just didn’t know that because he wasn’t able to show it to me,” Sulome Anderson told the AP in 2017.

Father and daughter reconciled after the publication of her critically acclaimed 2017 book, “The Hostage’s Daughter,” in which she told of traveling to Lebanon to confront and eventually forgive one of her father’s kidnappers.

“I think she did some extraordinary things, went on a very difficult personal journey, but also accomplished a pretty important piece of journalism doing it,” Anderson said. “She’s now a better journalist than I ever was.”

Terry Alan Anderson was born Oct. 27, 1947. He spent his early childhood years in the small Lake Erie town of Vermilion, Ohio, where his father was a police officer.

After graduating from high school, he turned down a scholarship to the University of Michigan in favor of enlisting in the Marines, where he rose to the rank of staff sergeant while seeing combat during the Vietnam War.

After returning home, he enrolled at Iowa State University where he graduated with a double major in journalism and political science and soon after went to work for the AP. He reported from Kentucky, Japan and South Africa before arriving in Lebanon in 1982, just as the country was descending into chaos.

“Actually, it was the most fascinating job I’ve ever had in my life,” he told The Review. “It was intense. War’s going on — it was very dangerous in Beirut. Vicious civil war, and I lasted about three years before I got kidnapped.”

Anderson was married and divorced three times. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by another daughter, Gabrielle Anderson, from his first marriage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713736544611.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Terry Anderson, the globe-trotting Associated Press correspondent who became one of America’s longest-held hostages after he was snatched from a street in war-torn Lebanon in 1985 and held for nearly seven years, has died at 76.Anderson, who chronicled his abduction and torturous imprisonment by Islamic militants in his best-selling 1993 memoir “Den of Lions,” died on Sunday at his home in Greenwood Lake, New York, said his daughter, Sulome Anderson.The cause of death was unknown, though his daughter said Anderson recently had heart surgery.“He never liked to be called a hero, but that’s what everyone persisted in calling him,” said Sulome Anderson. “I saw him a week ago and my partner asked him if he had anything on his bucket list, anything that he wanted to do. He said, ‘I’ve lived so much and I’ve done so much. I’m content.’”After returning to the United States in 1991, Anderson led a peripatetic life, giving public speeches, teaching journalism at several prominent universities and, at various times, operating a blues bar, Cajun restaurant, horse ranch and gourmet restaurant.He also struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder, won millions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets after a federal court concluded that country played a role in his capture, then lost most of it to bad investments. He filed for bankruptcy in 2009.Upon retiring from the University of Florida in 2015, Anderson settled on a small horse farm in a quiet, rural section of northern Virginia he had discovered while camping with friends. `“I live in the country and it’s reasonably good weather and quiet out here and a nice place, so I’m doing all right,” he said with a chuckle during a 2018 interview with The Associated Press.In 1985 he became one of several Westerners abducted by members of the Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah during a time of war that had plunged Lebanon into chaos.After his release, he returned to a hero’s welcome at AP’s New York headquarters.As the AP’s chief Middle East correspondent, Anderson had been reporting for several years on the rising violence gripping Lebanon as the country fought a war with Israel, while Iran funded militant groups trying to topple its government.On March 16, 1985, a day off, he had taken a break to play tennis with former AP photographer Don Mell and was dropping Mell off at his home when gun-toting kidnappers dragged him from his car.He was likely targeted, he said, because he was one of the few Westerners still in Lebanon and because his role as a journalist aroused suspicion among members of Hezbollah.“Because in their terms, people who go around asking questions in awkward and dangerous places have to be spies,“ he told the Virginia newspaper The Review of Orange County in 2018.What followed was nearly seven years of brutality during which he was beaten, chained to a wall, threatened with death, often had guns held to his head and often was kept in solitary confinement for long periods of time.Anderson was the longest held of several Western hostages Hezbollah abducted over the years, including Terry Waite, the former envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who had arrived to try to negotiate his release.By his and other hostages’ accounts, he was also their most hostile prisoner, constantly demanding better food and treatment, arguing religion and politics with his captors, and teaching other hostages sign language and where to hide messages so they could communicate privately.He managed to retain a quick wit and biting sense of humor during his long ordeal. On his last day in Beirut he called the leader of his kidnappers into his room to tell him he’d just heard an erroneous radio report saying he’d been freed and was in Syria.“I said, ‘Mahmound, listen to this, I’m not here. I’m gone, babes. I’m on my way to Damascus.’ And we both laughed,” he told Giovanna DellÓrto, author of “AP Foreign Correspondents in Action: World War II to the Present.”He learned later his release was delayed when a third party who his kidnappers planned to turn him over to left for a tryst with the party's mistress and they had to find someone else.Anderson’s humor often hid the PTSD he acknowledged suffering for years afterward.“The AP got a couple of British experts in hostage decompression, clinical psychiatrists, to counsel my wife and myself and they were very useful,” he said in 2018. “But one of the problems I had was I did not recognize sufficiently the damage that had been done.“So, when people ask me, you know, 'Are you over it?’ Well, I don’t know. No, not really. It’s there. I don’t think about it much these days, it’s not central to my life. But it’s there.”At the time of his abduction, Anderson was engaged to be married and his future wife was six months pregnant with their daughter, Sulome.The couple married soon after his release but divorced a few years later, and although they remained on friendly terms Anderson and his daughter were estranged for years.“I love my dad very much. My dad has always loved me. I just didn’t know that because he wasn’t able to show it to me,” Sulome Anderson told the AP in 2017.Father and daughter reconciled after the publication of her critically acclaimed 2017 book, “The Hostage’s Daughter,” in which she told of traveling to Lebanon to confront and eventually forgive one of her father’s kidnappers.“I think she did some extraordinary things, went on a very difficult personal journey, but also accomplished a pretty important piece of journalism doing it,” Anderson said. “She’s now a better journalist than I ever was.”Terry Alan Anderson was born Oct. 27, 1947. He spent his early childhood years in the small Lake Erie town of Vermilion, Ohio, where his father was a police officer.After graduating from high school, he turned down a scholarship to the University of Michigan in favor of enlisting in the Marines, where he rose to the rank of staff sergeant while seeing combat during the Vietnam War.After returning home, he enrolled at Iowa State University where he graduated with a double major in journalism and political science and soon after went to work for the AP. He reported from Kentucky, Japan and South Africa before arriving in Lebanon in 1982, just as the country was descending into chaos.“Actually, it was the most fascinating job I’ve ever had in my life,” he told The Review. “It was intense. War’s going on — it was very dangerous in Beirut. Vicious civil war, and I lasted about three years before I got kidnapped.”Anderson was married and divorced three times. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by another daughter, Gabrielle Anderson, from his first marriage.

Terry Anderson, AP reporter held hostage for 7 years, has died

Legislation seeks pledge to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion programs

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rep. Kirk Haskins denounced conservative political attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programs on college campuses in Kansas, but despaired at willingness of House and Senate colleagues to leverage a $36 million appropriation to state universities in an attempt to coerce the governor into signing an anti-DEI bill.

Haskins, a Topeka Democrat and a professor at Baker University in Baldwin City, said he was offended a majority in the Kansas Legislature was so threatened by campus diversity initiatives that they voted to approve budget provisions slashing university funding unless Gov. Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2105 banning DEI in Kansas public higher education. The bill would authorize Attorney General Kris Kobach to file lawsuits for adherence to DEI and seek $10,000 fines for every instance diversity, equity and inclusion programs were linked to faculty hiring or student enrollment.

House and Senate budget negotiators agreed to anchor the $36 million to a requirement university administrators stand before the State Finance Council, a committee of top legislative leaders and the governor, to affirm they had abandoned DEI.

“How do we even tolerate the extortion of funds from our post-secondary institutions?” said Haskins, who argued proponents were intent on undermining decades of work to create college and university safe havens for minority students and faculty and to open campuses to diverse perspectives. “If you continue to restrict higher education, you will see one ideology, one race back into schools.”

The stakes were high if Kelly were to veto the anti-DEI bill or university chief executives balked at personally certifying the demise of DEI. The University of Kansas would lose $8.35 million and the KU Medical Center would forego $5.8 million in the fiscal year starting July 1.

Kansas State University would surrender $6.4 million, while Wichita State University would have to do without $4.9 million. The budget hit for the three other state universities: Fort Hays State, $3.5 million; Emporia State, $1.9 million; and Pittsburg State, $1.8 million.

Rep. Bob Lewis, a Garden City Republican and an attorney, said DEI programs on college campuses should be viewed as vehicles for advancing liberal ideologies of “division, exclusion and intimidation” rather than promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion. Conservative legislators in Kansas and more than a dozen states have argued DEI should be rooted out because it discriminated against certain students and employees.

Lewis compared establishment of university DEI programs to pressure campaigns in the 1950s that compelled Americans to sign anti-communist loyalty oaths.

“That was offensive and found to be unconstitutional,” Lewis said. “Decades later … we have institutions requiring people to essentially swear to a political ideology before they can be hired.”

The governor has a Friday deadline for deciding what to do with HB 2105 requiring termination of DEI programs at state universities and public community colleges and technical colleges. In 2023, Kelly line-item vetoed DEI provisions inserted into the state budget bill.

She must decide by April 25 what to do with pieces of the new state budget associated with the $36 million appropriation to universities. That date would coincide with return of the Legislature to Topeka for what could be the final days of the 2024 session.

On Wednesday, the Kansas Board of Regents approved a change to the higher education system’s diversity and multiculturalism policy to forbid the six universities from compelling anyone seeking to enroll or to be hired to make a statement pledging allegiance to diversity, equity or inclusion.

While declaring responsibility for the educational experience, including multicultural programs, resided with each university, the Board of Regents adopted policy saying “no state university shall on its applications for admission or hiring, reappointing or promoting a faculty member require statements pledging allegiance to, support for or opposition to diversity, equity or inclusion.”

The new policy wouldn’t inhibit the ability of a university to comply with federal or state laws, regulations or grant requirements. The revision adopted by the Board of Regents didn’t include an internal enforcement mechanism.

Board of Regents chairman Jon Rolph said board members took part in conversations with legislators opposed to DEI. He said the state universities had taken steps during the past year to alter DEI initiatives that inspired criticism from lawmakers.

“This is, again, our good-faith effort in trying to listen to the Legislature,” Rolph said of movement against formal DEI policy. “It’s not something central to our practice of wanting student success and trying to fulfill our promises to people when we invite them onto our campuses.”

Other than brief remarks by Rolph, no other member of the Board of Regents and no campus administrator addressed implications of the policy change during the board’s meeting at Fort Hays State University.

An audit performed for the Republican-controlled Legislature determined the state universities in Kansas devoted approximately $45 million annually to DEI. Auditors struggled to compile information for the report because each campus relied on a different definition of DEI.

“I find it strange we’re using a term and we haven’t even identified what that term means,” said Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita. “That part, to me, is just almost inexcusable.”

Under HB 2105, public higher education institutions in Kansas must post to a public website all training materials used for students and faculty on issues of nondiscrimination, DEI, race, ethnicity, sex and bias. The posts would include university or college policies guiding campus communities on those topics.

Rep. Steven Howe, a Salina Republican who chaired a House committee that took the lead on DEI legislation, said the objective was to free the hiring and enrollment processes in Kansas higher education from requirements that people had to make statements of support or opposition to any political ideology or movement, including DEI.

He said the reform shouldn’t be construed as a campaign to restrict academic freedom in teaching, research or in writing for academic publications.

“Our position was much more lenient in the sense that it was very narrow, very balanced and protected academic freedom and freedom of speech on campus,” Howe said.

Howe said enrollment among Black and Native American students in the Kansas Board of Regents’ system declined more than 20% during the past five years despite DEI programs aimed at attracting a more diverse student body.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713547278962.png" alt=" Rep. Kirk Haskins, D-Topeka, said it was wrong for the Legislature to link a $36 million appropriation to the state’s public universities to a requirement Gov. Laura Kelly sign a bill implementing a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Kansas public universities, community colleges and technical colleges. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Kirk Haskins, D-Topeka, said it was wrong for the Legislature to link a $36 million appropriation to the state’s public universities to a requirement Gov. Laura Kelly sign a bill implementing a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Kansas public universities, community colleges and technical colleges. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Legislation seeks pledge to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion programs</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rep. Kirk Haskins denounced conservative political attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programs on college campuses in Kansas, but despaired at willingness of House and Senate colleagues to leverage a $36 million appropriation to state universities in an attempt to coerce the governor into signing an anti-DEI bill.Haskins, a Topeka Democrat and a professor at Baker University in Baldwin City, said he was offended a majority in the Kansas Legislature was so threatened by campus diversity initiatives that they voted to approve budget provisions slashing university funding unless Gov. Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2105 banning DEI in Kansas public higher education. The bill would authorize Attorney General Kris Kobach to file lawsuits for adherence to DEI and seek $10,000 fines for every instance diversity, equity and inclusion programs were linked to faculty hiring or student enrollment.House and Senate budget negotiators agreed to anchor the $36 million to a requirement university administrators stand before the State Finance Council, a committee of top legislative leaders and the governor, to affirm they had abandoned DEI.“How do we even tolerate the extortion of funds from our post-secondary institutions?” said Haskins, who argued proponents were intent on undermining decades of work to create college and university safe havens for minority students and faculty and to open campuses to diverse perspectives. “If you continue to restrict higher education, you will see one ideology, one race back into schools.”The stakes were high if Kelly were to veto the anti-DEI bill or university chief executives balked at personally certifying the demise of DEI. The University of Kansas would lose $8.35 million and the KU Medical Center would forego $5.8 million in the fiscal year starting July 1.Kansas State University would surrender $6.4 million, while Wichita State University would have to do without $4.9 million. The budget hit for the three other state universities: Fort Hays State, $3.5 million; Emporia State, $1.9 million; and Pittsburg State, $1.8 million.Rep. Bob Lewis, a Garden City Republican and an attorney, said DEI programs on college campuses should be viewed as vehicles for advancing liberal ideologies of “division, exclusion and intimidation” rather than promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion. Conservative legislators in Kansas and more than a dozen states have argued DEI should be rooted out because it discriminated against certain students and employees.Lewis compared establishment of university DEI programs to pressure campaigns in the 1950s that compelled Americans to sign anti-communist loyalty oaths.“That was offensive and found to be unconstitutional,” Lewis said. “Decades later … we have institutions requiring people to essentially swear to a political ideology before they can be hired.”The governor has a Friday deadline for deciding what to do with HB 2105 requiring termination of DEI programs at state universities and public community colleges and technical colleges. In 2023, Kelly line-item vetoed DEI provisions inserted into the state budget bill.She must decide by April 25 what to do with pieces of the new state budget associated with the $36 million appropriation to universities. That date would coincide with return of the Legislature to Topeka for what could be the final days of the 2024 session.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713547316710.png" alt=" Rep. Bob Lewis, a Garden City Republican, lauded approval by the Legislature of a bill designed to forbid diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Kansas public higher education. He said DEI programs should be defined as vehicles of “division, exclusion and intimidation” on campuses. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Bob Lewis, a Garden City Republican, lauded approval by the Legislature of a bill designed to forbid diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Kansas public higher education. He said DEI programs should be defined as vehicles of “division, exclusion and intimidation” on campuses. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Board of Regents policy change</h2>On Wednesday, the Kansas Board of Regents approved a change to the higher education system’s diversity and multiculturalism policy to forbid the six universities from compelling anyone seeking to enroll or to be hired to make a statement pledging allegiance to diversity, equity or inclusion.While declaring responsibility for the educational experience, including multicultural programs, resided with each university, the Board of Regents adopted policy saying “no state university shall on its applications for admission or hiring, reappointing or promoting a faculty member require statements pledging allegiance to, support for or opposition to diversity, equity or inclusion.”The new policy wouldn’t inhibit the ability of a university to comply with federal or state laws, regulations or grant requirements. The revision adopted by the Board of Regents didn’t include an internal enforcement mechanism.Board of Regents chairman Jon Rolph said board members took part in conversations with legislators opposed to DEI. He said the state universities had taken steps during the past year to alter DEI initiatives that inspired criticism from lawmakers.“This is, again, our good-faith effort in trying to listen to the Legislature,” Rolph said of movement against formal DEI policy. “It’s not something central to our practice of wanting student success and trying to fulfill our promises to people when we invite them onto our campuses.”Other than brief remarks by Rolph, no other member of the Board of Regents and no campus administrator addressed implications of the policy change during the board’s meeting at Fort Hays State University.<h2>Defining terms</h2>An audit performed for the Republican-controlled Legislature determined the state universities in Kansas devoted approximately $45 million annually to DEI. Auditors struggled to compile information for the report because each campus relied on a different definition of DEI.“I find it strange we’re using a term and we haven’t even identified what that term means,” said Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita. “That part, to me, is just almost inexcusable.”Under HB 2105, public higher education institutions in Kansas must post to a public website all training materials used for students and faculty on issues of nondiscrimination, DEI, race, ethnicity, sex and bias. The posts would include university or college policies guiding campus communities on those topics.Rep. Steven Howe, a Salina Republican who chaired a House committee that took the lead on DEI legislation, said the objective was to free the hiring and enrollment processes in Kansas higher education from requirements that people had to make statements of support or opposition to any political ideology or movement, including DEI.He said the reform shouldn’t be construed as a campaign to restrict academic freedom in teaching, research or in writing for academic publications.“Our position was much more lenient in the sense that it was very narrow, very balanced and protected academic freedom and freedom of speech on campus,” Howe said.Howe said enrollment among Black and Native American students in the Kansas Board of Regents’ system declined more than 20% during the past five years despite DEI programs aimed at attracting a more diverse student body.

Kansas lawmakers dangle $36 million for public universities to secure anti-DEI commitments

Join 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Nate King this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.910kina.com/">910AM 107.5 FM.</a>

Hear highlights about community events, public affairs, and all things happening in Salina. Their approach is friendly, informative, and entertaining. To listen to past 910KINA Saturday Morning Shows head on over to the KINA podcast homepage&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KINA&amp;embedOpened=true&amp;embedOpenedApp=song&amp;embedOpenedSong=910683and6831076845683KINA&amp;embedOpenedArtist=&amp;embedOpenedAlbum=">here.</a>&nbsp;

9:05-9:30 a.m. Jane Anderson, Friends of the River Foundation executive director shares the need to knows about the upcoming Spring Spruce up, and updates on the Smoky Hill River Project

9:30-10:00 a.m. Saline County Commissioner Joe Hay Jr. to discuss the ongoing water crisis at Sundowner Mobile Home and Trailer Park

10:00- 10:30 a.m. Brenda Gutierrez shares information about the Downs Storytelling Festival taking place April 26-27

10:30-11:00 a.m. Brent Curtis, Environmental&nbsp;Education &amp;&nbsp;Enforcement for the City of Salina shares information about E-Waste Recycling Day coming up in May

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591971280271.jpeg" alt="KINA New logo Blue Black" />
 <figcaption>KINA New logo Blue Black</figcaption>
 </figure>Join 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Nate King this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.910kina.com/">910AM 107.5 FM.</a>Hear highlights about community events, public affairs, and all things happening in Salina. Their approach is friendly, informative, and entertaining. To listen to past 910KINA Saturday Morning Shows head on over to the KINA podcast homepage&nbsp;<a href="https://streamdb7web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KINA&amp;embedOpened=true&amp;embedOpenedApp=song&amp;embedOpenedSong=910683and6831076845683KINA&amp;embedOpenedArtist=&amp;embedOpenedAlbum=">here.</a>&nbsp;9:05-9:30 a.m. Jane Anderson, Friends of the River Foundation executive director shares the need to knows about the upcoming Spring Spruce up, and updates on the Smoky Hill River Project9:30-10:00 a.m. Saline County Commissioner Joe Hay Jr. to discuss the ongoing water crisis at Sundowner Mobile Home and Trailer Park10:00- 10:30 a.m. Brenda Gutierrez shares information about the Downs Storytelling Festival taking place April 26-2710:30-11:00 a.m. Brent Curtis, Environmental&nbsp;Education &amp;&nbsp;Enforcement for the City of Salina shares information about E-Waste Recycling Day coming up in May

910 KINA Saturday Morning Show Lineup

NASHVILLE (AP) —Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man,” has died. He was 80.

The Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famer died at his home in Osprey, Florida, David Spero, Betts’ manager of 20 years, confirmed. Betts had been battling cancer for more than a year and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Spero said.

“He was surrounded by his whole family and he passed peacefully. They didn’t think he was in any pain,” Spero said by phone.

Betts shared lead guitar duties with Duane Allman in the original Allman Brothers Band to help give the group its distinctive sound and create a new genre — Southern rock. Acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Kid Rock were influenced by the Allmans’ music, which combined the blues, country, R&amp;B and jazz with ‘60s rock.

Founded in 1969, the Allmans were a pioneering jam band, trampling the traditional notion of three-minute pop songs by performing lengthy compositions in concert and on record. The band was also notable as a biracial group from the Deep South.

Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident in 1971, and founding member Berry Oakley was killed in a motorcycle crash a year later. That left Betts and Allman’s younger brother Gregg as the band’s leaders, but they frequently clashed, and substance abuse caused further dysfunction. The band broke up at least twice before reforming, and has had more than a dozen lineups.

The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2012. Betts left the group for good in 2000, and also played solo and with his own band Great Southern, which included his son, guitarist Duane Betts.

Forrest Richard Betts was born Dec. 12, 1943, and was raised in the Bradenton, Florida, area, near the highway 41 he sang about in “Ramblin’ Man.” His family had lived in area since the mid-19th century.

Betts grew up listening to country, bluegrass and Western swing, and played the ukulele and banjo before focusing on the electric guitar because it impressed girls. At 16 he left home for his first road trip, joining the circus to play in a band.

He returned home, and with bassist Oakley joined a group that became the Jacksonville, Florida-based band Second Coming. One night in 1969 Betts and Oakley jammed with Duane Allman, already a successful session musician, and his younger brother, and together they formed the Allman Brothers Band.

The group moved to Macon, Georgia, and released a self-titled debut album in 1969. A year later came the album “Idlewild South,” highlighted by Betts’ instrumental composition “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” which soon became a concert staple.

The 1971 double album “At Fillmore East,” now considered among the greatest live albums of the classic rock era, was the Allmans’ commercial breakthrough and cemented their performing reputation by showcasing the unique guitar interplay between Allman and Betts. Their styles contrasted, with Allman playing bluesy slide guitar, while Betts’ solos and singing tugged the band toward country. When layered in harmony, their playing was especially distinctive.

The group also had two drummers — “Jaimoe” Johanson, who is Black, and Butch Trucks.

Duane Allman died four days after “Fillmore” was certified as a gold record, but the band carried on and crowds continued to grow. The 1973 album “Brothers and Sisters” rose to No. 1 on the charts and featured “Ramblin' Man,” with Betts singing the lead and bringing twang to the Top 40. The song reached No. 2 on the singles charts and was kept out of the No. 1 spot by "Half Breed" by Cher, who later married Gregg Allman.

The soaring sound of Betts’ guitar on “Ramblin’ Man” reverberated in neighborhood bars around the country for decades, and the song underscored his knack for melodic hooks. “Ramblin’ Man” was the Allmans’ only Top Ten hit, but Betts’ catchy 7½-minute instrumental composition “Jessica,” recorded in 1972, became an FM radio staple.

Betts also wrote or co-wrote some of the band’s other best-loved songs, including “Blue Sky” and “Southbound.” In later years the group remained a successful touring act with Betts and Warren Haynes on guitar. Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks died in 2017.

After leaving the Allmans for good, Betts continued to play with his own group and lived in the Bradenton area with his wife, Donna.

The group also had two drummers — “Jaimoe” Johanson, who is black, and Butch Trucks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713458097441.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NASHVILLE (AP) —Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man,” has died. He was 80.The Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famer died at his home in Osprey, Florida, David Spero, Betts’ manager of 20 years, confirmed. Betts had been battling cancer for more than a year and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Spero said.“He was surrounded by his whole family and he passed peacefully. They didn’t think he was in any pain,” Spero said by phone.Betts shared lead guitar duties with Duane Allman in the original Allman Brothers Band to help give the group its distinctive sound and create a new genre — Southern rock. Acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Kid Rock were influenced by the Allmans’ music, which combined the blues, country, R&amp;B and jazz with ‘60s rock.Founded in 1969, the Allmans were a pioneering jam band, trampling the traditional notion of three-minute pop songs by performing lengthy compositions in concert and on record. The band was also notable as a biracial group from the Deep South.Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident in 1971, and founding member Berry Oakley was killed in a motorcycle crash a year later. That left Betts and Allman’s younger brother Gregg as the band’s leaders, but they frequently clashed, and substance abuse caused further dysfunction. The band broke up at least twice before reforming, and has had more than a dozen lineups.The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2012. Betts left the group for good in 2000, and also played solo and with his own band Great Southern, which included his son, guitarist Duane Betts.Forrest Richard Betts was born Dec. 12, 1943, and was raised in the Bradenton, Florida, area, near the highway 41 he sang about in “Ramblin’ Man.” His family had lived in area since the mid-19th century.Betts grew up listening to country, bluegrass and Western swing, and played the ukulele and banjo before focusing on the electric guitar because it impressed girls. At 16 he left home for his first road trip, joining the circus to play in a band.He returned home, and with bassist Oakley joined a group that became the Jacksonville, Florida-based band Second Coming. One night in 1969 Betts and Oakley jammed with Duane Allman, already a successful session musician, and his younger brother, and together they formed the Allman Brothers Band.The group moved to Macon, Georgia, and released a self-titled debut album in 1969. A year later came the album “Idlewild South,” highlighted by Betts’ instrumental composition “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” which soon became a concert staple.The 1971 double album “At Fillmore East,” now considered among the greatest live albums of the classic rock era, was the Allmans’ commercial breakthrough and cemented their performing reputation by showcasing the unique guitar interplay between Allman and Betts. Their styles contrasted, with Allman playing bluesy slide guitar, while Betts’ solos and singing tugged the band toward country. When layered in harmony, their playing was especially distinctive.The group also had two drummers — “Jaimoe” Johanson, who is Black, and Butch Trucks.Duane Allman died four days after “Fillmore” was certified as a gold record, but the band carried on and crowds continued to grow. The 1973 album “Brothers and Sisters” rose to No. 1 on the charts and featured “Ramblin' Man,” with Betts singing the lead and bringing twang to the Top 40. The song reached No. 2 on the singles charts and was kept out of the No. 1 spot by "Half Breed" by Cher, who later married Gregg Allman.The soaring sound of Betts’ guitar on “Ramblin’ Man” reverberated in neighborhood bars around the country for decades, and the song underscored his knack for melodic hooks. “Ramblin’ Man” was the Allmans’ only Top Ten hit, but Betts’ catchy 7½-minute instrumental composition “Jessica,” recorded in 1972, became an FM radio staple.Betts also wrote or co-wrote some of the band’s other best-loved songs, including “Blue Sky” and “Southbound.” In later years the group remained a successful touring act with Betts and Warren Haynes on guitar. Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks died in 2017.After leaving the Allmans for good, Betts continued to play with his own group and lived in the Bradenton area with his wife, Donna.The 1971 double album “At Fillmore East,” now considered among the greatest live albums of the classic rock era, was the Allmans’ commercial breakthrough and cemented their performing reputation by showcasing the unique guitar interplay between Allman and Betts. Their styles contrasted, with Allman playing bluesy slide guitar, while Betts’ solos and singing tugged the band toward country. When layered in harmony, their playing was especially distinctive.The group also had two drummers — “Jaimoe” Johanson, who is black, and Butch Trucks.Duane Allman died four days after “Fillmore” was certified as a gold record, but the band carried on and crowds continued to grow. The 1973 album “Brothers and Sisters” rose to No. 1 on the charts and featured “Ramblin' Man,” with Betts singing the lead and bringing twang to the Top 40. The song reached No. 2 on the singles charts and was kept out of the No. 1 spot by "Half Breed" by Cher, who later married Gregg Allman.The soaring sound of Betts’ guitar on “Ramblin’ Man” reverberated in neighborhood bars around the country for decades, and the song underscored his knack for melodic hooks. “Ramblin’ Man” was the Allmans’ only Top Ten hit, but Betts’ catchy 7½-minute instrumental composition “Jessica,” recorded in 1972, became an FM radio staple.Betts also wrote or co-wrote some of the band’s other best-loved songs, including “Blue Sky” and “Southbound.” In later years the group remained a successful touring act with Betts and Warren Haynes on guitar. Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks died in 2017.After leaving the Allmans for good, Betts continued to play with his own group and lived in the Bradenton area with his wife, Donna.

Allman Brothers Band co-founder, legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80

U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) will host town halls next Wednesday, April 24, as part of his annual 60-county Mann Listening Tour. The town halls will take place in Rice, Ellsworth, Barton, Pawnee, and Ford counties. All town hall meetings are open to the public and media.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Town Hall Schedule

WHERE: Rice County Courthouse Commission Chambers 101 W. Commercial Street | Lyons, KS 67554 WHEN: 8:00 A.M. CT

WHERE: JH Robbins Memorial Library, Conference Room 219 N. Lincoln Ave | Ellsworth, KS 67439 WHEN:&nbsp;9:15 A.M. CT

WHERE: Claflin City Office, Council Chambers 111 E. Hamilton Street | Claflin, KS 67525 WHEN 10:30 A.M. CT

WHERE: Jordaan Memorial Library 724 Broadway Street | Larned, KS 67550 WHEN: 12:45PM CT

WHERE: Ford County Courthouse* 101 W. Spruce Street | Dodge City, KS67801 WHEN: 3:00 P.M. CT

*Rep. Mann's Congressional Art Competition awards presentation will take place at the beginning of the Ford County town hall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1690912187206.png" alt="Tracey Mann Above Newsletter" />
 <figcaption>Tracey Mann Above Newsletter</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedU.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) will host town halls next Wednesday, April 24, as part of his annual 60-county Mann Listening Tour. The town halls will take place in Rice, Ellsworth, Barton, Pawnee, and Ford counties. All town hall meetings are open to the public and media.Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Town Hall Schedule<h2>Rice County</h2>WHERE: Rice County Courthouse Commission Chambers 101 W. Commercial Street | Lyons, KS 67554 WHEN: 8:00 A.M. CT<h2>Ellsworth County</h2>WHERE: JH Robbins Memorial Library, Conference Room 219 N. Lincoln Ave | Ellsworth, KS 67439 WHEN:&nbsp;9:15 A.M. CT<h2>Barton County</h2>WHERE: Claflin City Office, Council Chambers 111 E. Hamilton Street | Claflin, KS 67525 WHEN 10:30 A.M. CT<h2>Pawnee County</h2>WHERE: Jordaan Memorial Library 724 Broadway Street | Larned, KS 67550 WHEN: 12:45PM CT<h2>Ford County</h2>WHERE: Ford County Courthouse* 101 W. Spruce Street | Dodge City, KS67801 WHEN: 3:00 P.M. CT*Rep. Mann's Congressional Art Competition awards presentation will take place at the beginning of the Ford County town hall.

Rep. Mann hosting five town halls in Central, ﻿Southwest Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — State universities in Kansas are banned from requiring prospective students, potential hires and staffers seeking promotion to disclose their views on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diversity-equity-inclusion-universities-ban-kansas-69ba2c0492944b76772353289e565b19">diversity initiatives</a>&nbsp;under a policy change approved Wednesday by the state's higher education board in response to pressure from the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The Kansas Board of Regents revised policy language that currently emphasizes “multiculturism and diversity” on campus by adding language barring universities from requiring statements “pledging allegiance to, support for or opposition to” diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in applications for admission, hiring or promotion — without setting any penalties for violations. Board members voiced no opposition during a meeting livestreamed from Fort Hays State University in western Kansas.

Regents Chairman Jon Rolph called the change “our good faith effort in trying to listen to the Legislature” and said discussions about it began last summer.

“It’s not something central to our practices around wanting student success and trying to fulfill our promises to people when we invite them onto our campuses,” said Rolph, CEO of a Wichita-based company operating more than 150 restaurants.

The board's action came with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly facing similar pressure to sign the same policy into law. Lawmakers approved a bill with the same restrictions that also would allow a fine of up to $10,000 for a violation.

Separately, the next state budget approved by lawmakers includes provisions that withhold nearly $36 million from the state universities unless they publicly confirm that they don't have such requirements. Kelly has until Friday to act on the bill and until April 25 to act on the budget provisions.

“I don’t think we ever would have had a state law if this was their policy at the outset,” Republican state Sen. J.R. Claeys, the author of the budget provisions, said ahead of Wednesday's board discussion.

Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-state-legislation-diversity-4d80ec7e9d372e74b129efc402ac0b76">in at least 20 states</a>&nbsp;have sought to limit DEI initiatives, arguing that they are discriminatory and enforce a liberal political orthodoxy.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-legislature-dei-2a4d677d7488d45b0188e0d2f6aa6029">Alabama</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-government-college-university-dei-cox-efdf4862d8a2b96d28606dcb8ce30ca8?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">Utah</a>&nbsp;enacted new anti-DEI laws this year, and a ban enacted in Texas last year has led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-texas-university-job-cuts-939b334d85108e498c0f85d2ad44ebc2">more than 100 job cuts</a>&nbsp;on University of Texas campuses.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unc-dei-north-carolina-board-of-governors-873a0d34b86c31ca4b2ba0e9068b3536">North Carolina's</a>&nbsp;governing board for 17 universities, including the University of North Carolina's flagship Chapel Hill campus, could put the jobs of DEI staff on a path toward elimination through a similar policy change next month.

Claeys, who is also an adviser to GOP Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, another DEI critic, said a new regents policy is a positive step because it ensures that all of the universities are following the same guidelines.

But, he added, “I wouldn’t expect them to enact any enforcement on themselves.”

Others say that such policies reflect “a gross misrepresentation” of the purpose behind DEI statements from applicants. The American Psychological Association defines&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/equity-diversity-inclusion">diversity, equity and inclusion</a>&nbsp;as a framework to guide “fair treatment and full participation of all people,” especially those in minority groups.

“The intended purpose is to provide an opportunity for prospective employees to reflect on their experiences and how those experiences complement the mission and values of an institution to support a diverse campus community,” said Paulette Granberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Educations, in an email statement.

It's unclear how widespread required DEI-related statements on applications are. GOP lawmakers have said they are responding to complaints and applications they’d seen online, but Rolph said Wednesday that the practice was mostly abandoned over the past year.

Granberry Russell said she was unaware of any university expecting students, job applicants or employees to actually “pledge allegiance to diversity.”

<a href="https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/reviewing-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-spending-and-foreign-income-at-state-universities/">A legislative audit</a>&nbsp;released in February said that just 1.6% of spending by Kansas’ six state universities — $45 million — went to DEI initiatives but noted that each university defined DEI differently. Besides initiatives traditionally seen as DEI, such as training and recruiting, resources included food pantries for poor students and services for military veterans and disabled students.

Kelly told reporters after a Tuesday event that she has not had time to review&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2105_enrolled.pdf">the anti-DEI bill</a>. While the bill specifically mentions diversity, equity and inclusion, it also says universities cannot require a statement about “any political ideology or movement.”

Last year, Kelly used her power under the state constitution to veto individual budget provisions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/culture-war-kansas-abortion-diversity-eb8c355ac54b19c5efc80090accb9ce9">to scuttle anti-DEI provisions</a>&nbsp;in the current budget, and GOP lawmakers did not have the two-thirds majorities necessary in both chambers to override her actions.

But Kelly also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/esg-woke-investing-kansas-culture-war-vetoes-20842bdda84432add49f267adb897df3">signed legislation</a>&nbsp;last year that bars Kansas officials from using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-esg-investing-3a98b6f584357b8e10c31b1ff93ce4b6">environmental, social and governance</a>&nbsp;factors in investing public funds or deciding who receives government contracts.

“Sometimes those bills, you know, they really don’t do much, and the universities can continue to function the way they need to function,” Kelly said Tuesday. “So, I need to figure out or look at how impactful that will be.”

By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — State universities in Kansas are banned from requiring prospective students, potential hires and staffers seeking promotion to disclose their views on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diversity-equity-inclusion-universities-ban-kansas-69ba2c0492944b76772353289e565b19">diversity initiatives</a>&nbsp;under a policy change approved Wednesday by the state's higher education board in response to pressure from the Republican-controlled Legislature.The Kansas Board of Regents revised policy language that currently emphasizes “multiculturism and diversity” on campus by adding language barring universities from requiring statements “pledging allegiance to, support for or opposition to” diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in applications for admission, hiring or promotion — without setting any penalties for violations. Board members voiced no opposition during a meeting livestreamed from Fort Hays State University in western Kansas.Regents Chairman Jon Rolph called the change “our good faith effort in trying to listen to the Legislature” and said discussions about it began last summer.“It’s not something central to our practices around wanting student success and trying to fulfill our promises to people when we invite them onto our campuses,” said Rolph, CEO of a Wichita-based company operating more than 150 restaurants.The board's action came with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly facing similar pressure to sign the same policy into law. Lawmakers approved a bill with the same restrictions that also would allow a fine of up to $10,000 for a violation.Separately, the next state budget approved by lawmakers includes provisions that withhold nearly $36 million from the state universities unless they publicly confirm that they don't have such requirements. Kelly has until Friday to act on the bill and until April 25 to act on the budget provisions.“I don’t think we ever would have had a state law if this was their policy at the outset,” Republican state Sen. J.R. Claeys, the author of the budget provisions, said ahead of Wednesday's board discussion.Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-state-legislation-diversity-4d80ec7e9d372e74b129efc402ac0b76">in at least 20 states</a>&nbsp;have sought to limit DEI initiatives, arguing that they are discriminatory and enforce a liberal political orthodoxy.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-legislature-dei-2a4d677d7488d45b0188e0d2f6aa6029">Alabama</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-government-college-university-dei-cox-efdf4862d8a2b96d28606dcb8ce30ca8?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">Utah</a>&nbsp;enacted new anti-DEI laws this year, and a ban enacted in Texas last year has led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-texas-university-job-cuts-939b334d85108e498c0f85d2ad44ebc2">more than 100 job cuts</a>&nbsp;on University of Texas campuses.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unc-dei-north-carolina-board-of-governors-873a0d34b86c31ca4b2ba0e9068b3536">North Carolina's</a>&nbsp;governing board for 17 universities, including the University of North Carolina's flagship Chapel Hill campus, could put the jobs of DEI staff on a path toward elimination through a similar policy change next month.Claeys, who is also an adviser to GOP Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, another DEI critic, said a new regents policy is a positive step because it ensures that all of the universities are following the same guidelines.But, he added, “I wouldn’t expect them to enact any enforcement on themselves.”Others say that such policies reflect “a gross misrepresentation” of the purpose behind DEI statements from applicants. The American Psychological Association defines&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/equity-diversity-inclusion">diversity, equity and inclusion</a>&nbsp;as a framework to guide “fair treatment and full participation of all people,” especially those in minority groups.“The intended purpose is to provide an opportunity for prospective employees to reflect on their experiences and how those experiences complement the mission and values of an institution to support a diverse campus community,” said Paulette Granberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Educations, in an email statement.It's unclear how widespread required DEI-related statements on applications are. GOP lawmakers have said they are responding to complaints and applications they’d seen online, but Rolph said Wednesday that the practice was mostly abandoned over the past year.Granberry Russell said she was unaware of any university expecting students, job applicants or employees to actually “pledge allegiance to diversity.”<a href="https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/reviewing-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-spending-and-foreign-income-at-state-universities/">A legislative audit</a>&nbsp;released in February said that just 1.6% of spending by Kansas’ six state universities — $45 million — went to DEI initiatives but noted that each university defined DEI differently. Besides initiatives traditionally seen as DEI, such as training and recruiting, resources included food pantries for poor students and services for military veterans and disabled students.Kelly told reporters after a Tuesday event that she has not had time to review&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2105_enrolled.pdf">the anti-DEI bill</a>. While the bill specifically mentions diversity, equity and inclusion, it also says universities cannot require a statement about “any political ideology or movement.”Last year, Kelly used her power under the state constitution to veto individual budget provisions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/culture-war-kansas-abortion-diversity-eb8c355ac54b19c5efc80090accb9ce9">to scuttle anti-DEI provisions</a>&nbsp;in the current budget, and GOP lawmakers did not have the two-thirds majorities necessary in both chambers to override her actions.But Kelly also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/esg-woke-investing-kansas-culture-war-vetoes-20842bdda84432add49f267adb897df3">signed legislation</a>&nbsp;last year that bars Kansas officials from using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-esg-investing-3a98b6f584357b8e10c31b1ff93ce4b6">environmental, social and governance</a>&nbsp;factors in investing public funds or deciding who receives government contracts.“Sometimes those bills, you know, they really don’t do much, and the universities can continue to function the way they need to function,” Kelly said Tuesday. “So, I need to figure out or look at how impactful that will be.”

Kansas' higher ed board adopts an anti-DEI policy after pressure from GOP legislators

Kenneth Meral Monroe II March 8, 1945 ~ April 15, 2024

Kenneth Meral Monroe II, son of Kenneth M and Betty J. (Farmer) Monroe, was born in Fort Scott, Kansas on March 8, 1945. He and his sister Jo Anell were children born to this union. Kenneth is preceded in death by his father Kenneth Monroe and Mother Betty (Farmer) Monroe, Grandparents Raymond and Anna Farmer, Sam and Nellie Monroe, Aunts, and Uncles. Kenneth was united in marriage to Loretta Brobst on January 13, 1963, in Wichita Kansas. The young couple established their first home together in Wichita, Kansas and later lived in Union Town, Marion, and Hutchinson, Kansas. Upon retiring from the Kansas Highway Patrol they lived in Kingsland, Texas for several years. This union was blessed with three daughters, Jo Whitley, Tomi Gasper, and Robin Blazek. Kenneth leaves behind his wife Loretta Monroe and three daughters, one grandson, five granddaughters, seven great grandsons, and one great granddaughter. He was blessed with a sister Jo Myers, nieces Brandy McCarty and Danielle Lewis and lifelong friend Richard Turner. Kenneth served in the United States Navy, was a Vietnam Veteran and a Master Mason. Kenneth was a letter carrier for the post office in Wichita, Kansas before joining the Kansas Highway Patrol. Kenneth served as a State Trooper for the Kansas Highway Patrol for 23 years stationed in Marion, Kansas until his retirement in 1994. Kenneth spoke highly of his Highway Patrol Partners, K366 Trooper Dave, Ollenburger (classmate at KHP Academy), K296 Trooper Rob Craft who later served as Marion County Sheriff, K162 Trooper Frank Boyle (training officer) and K308 Trooper John Stultz. Kenneth was a loving husband and father, he could be heard saying often “It had been a great ride, all because of Loretta. She was the love of his life.” He was a part of the 2022 Kansas Honor Flight to Washington DC.&nbsp; Kenneth enjoyed listening to music, tinkering with his hobbies, he enjoyed working with leather making jewelry and fishing. Kenneth wanted this day to not be a sad occasion, but a celebration of life. &nbsp;Memorial Service will be held on Monday April 22, 2024, at 3 p.m. at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion. &nbsp;Memorials are to be directed to Tunnels to Towers Foundation. &nbsp; Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Kenneth at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.yazelmeglifh.com/">www.yazelmeglifh.com</a>.&nbsp;

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/468bc8ee-a938-49e5-aa9d-286e2f02e11d">AJ Honey Farms — leading local beekeepers toward success</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713447902014.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kenneth Meral Monroe II March 8, 1945 ~ April 15, 2024Kenneth Meral Monroe II, son of Kenneth M and Betty J. (Farmer) Monroe, was born in Fort Scott, Kansas on March 8, 1945. He and his sister Jo Anell were children born to this union. Kenneth is preceded in death by his father Kenneth Monroe and Mother Betty (Farmer) Monroe, Grandparents Raymond and Anna Farmer, Sam and Nellie Monroe, Aunts, and Uncles. Kenneth was united in marriage to Loretta Brobst on January 13, 1963, in Wichita Kansas. The young couple established their first home together in Wichita, Kansas and later lived in Union Town, Marion, and Hutchinson, Kansas. Upon retiring from the Kansas Highway Patrol they lived in Kingsland, Texas for several years. This union was blessed with three daughters, Jo Whitley, Tomi Gasper, and Robin Blazek. Kenneth leaves behind his wife Loretta Monroe and three daughters, one grandson, five granddaughters, seven great grandsons, and one great granddaughter. He was blessed with a sister Jo Myers, nieces Brandy McCarty and Danielle Lewis and lifelong friend Richard Turner. Kenneth served in the United States Navy, was a Vietnam Veteran and a Master Mason. Kenneth was a letter carrier for the post office in Wichita, Kansas before joining the Kansas Highway Patrol. Kenneth served as a State Trooper for the Kansas Highway Patrol for 23 years stationed in Marion, Kansas until his retirement in 1994. Kenneth spoke highly of his Highway Patrol Partners, K366 Trooper Dave, Ollenburger (classmate at KHP Academy), K296 Trooper Rob Craft who later served as Marion County Sheriff, K162 Trooper Frank Boyle (training officer) and K308 Trooper John Stultz. Kenneth was a loving husband and father, he could be heard saying often “It had been a great ride, all because of Loretta. She was the love of his life.” He was a part of the 2022 Kansas Honor Flight to Washington DC.&nbsp; Kenneth enjoyed listening to music, tinkering with his hobbies, he enjoyed working with leather making jewelry and fishing. Kenneth wanted this day to not be a sad occasion, but a celebration of life. &nbsp;Memorial Service will be held on Monday April 22, 2024, at 3 p.m. at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion. &nbsp;Memorials are to be directed to Tunnels to Towers Foundation. &nbsp; Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Kenneth at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.yazelmeglifh.com/">www.yazelmeglifh.com</a>.&nbsp;READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/468bc8ee-a938-49e5-aa9d-286e2f02e11d">AJ Honey Farms — leading local beekeepers toward success</a>

Kenneth Meral Monroe II

By MARK R. JOSLYN Professor of Political Science University of Kansas

The presidential primaries are unfolding quietly.&nbsp; Having&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/2024-election/results/president/" target="_blank">clinched</a>&nbsp;their party nominations early, Biden and Trump have shifted focus toward the general election.&nbsp; &nbsp;

From the start, a stubborn and sizeable percentage of Democrat and Republican primary voters have refused to endorse the front runners.&nbsp; Instead, they have voted for the alternatives.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The significance of these votes becomes clear in battleground states where lingering inter-party divisions could determine the general election outcome.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the two crucial swing states of Georgia and Wisconsin, nearly 15 percent of Republican primary voters supported Nikki Haley.&nbsp;

This&nbsp;after&nbsp;she had quit the race.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Prior to that, Haley won 43 percent in New Hampshire, 27 percent in Michigan, and defeated Trump in Vermont.

Haley’s success was credited to open primaries where Independents and Democrats can participate.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

However, in Arizona’s closed primary Haley still captured nearly 18 percent.&nbsp; And in the Florida and&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;closed primaries, she locked up 14 and 16 percent, respectively.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In four of the five most populous&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;counties, Haley’s percentages increased.&nbsp; She won 22 percent in Johnson, 18 percent in Sedgwick, 22 percent in Shawnee, and 26 percent in Douglas.

Adding in “none of the names shown” category, the statewide anti-Trump&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;vote reached 21 percent or just over 20,000 GOP voters.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a parallel trend is taking place among Democrats.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Biden’s decision to skip New Hampshire and award South Carolina the first primary spot disappointed many Granite State voters.&nbsp; As a result, Dean Phillips secured nearly 20 percent of the vote.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

A few weeks later, over 100,000 Michigan Democrats casted uncommitted ballots protesting Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

In North Carolina the “no preference” option garnered nearly 90,000 votes.&nbsp; And in&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;the “none of the names shown” option came in second place at 10 percent.&nbsp; The tally included almost 15 percent in solidly blue Douglas County, and 8 percent in Johnson and Sedgwick counties.&nbsp; &nbsp;

More recently, in pivotal swing state Wisconsin, 48,000 Democrats voted “<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/wisconsin-uninstructed-vote-shows-democratic-frustration-with-joe-biden/ar-BB1l1P41" target="_blank">uninstructed</a>”, twice the goal of the grassroots group&nbsp;<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/wisconsin-uninstructed-vote-shows-democratic-frustration-with-joe-biden/ar-BB1l1P41" target="_blank">Listen to Wisconsin</a>&nbsp;that demanded policy changes over the war in Gaza.&nbsp; Another 17,000 voted for Phillips, who ended his campaign weeks before.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Clearly, thousands of Democrats and Republicans are using presidential primaries to express their dissatisfaction.&nbsp;

Yet neither nominee appears eager to reach out to the disaffected.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Trump remains steadfast in his unapologetic style that does not sit well with moderate Republicans but resonates with some Democrat leaning groups including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/11/04/new-republican-party-working-class-coalition-00122822" target="_blank">working-class whites</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/stories/analysis/will-blacks-vote-republican-a-political-science-perspective" target="_blank">Blacks</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/09/biden-approval-drops-democrat-popularity-rises-latino-voters" target="_blank">Latinos</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695215697316.png" alt="Dr. Mark Joslyn" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Mark Joslyn</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARK R. JOSLYN Professor of Political Science University of KansasThe presidential primaries are unfolding quietly.&nbsp; Having&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/2024-election/results/president/" target="_blank">clinched</a>&nbsp;their party nominations early, Biden and Trump have shifted focus toward the general election.&nbsp; &nbsp;Yet all is not well.&nbsp;From the start, a stubborn and sizeable percentage of Democrat and Republican primary voters have refused to endorse the front runners.&nbsp; Instead, they have voted for the alternatives.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The significance of these votes becomes clear in battleground states where lingering inter-party divisions could determine the general election outcome.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the two crucial swing states of Georgia and Wisconsin, nearly 15 percent of Republican primary voters supported Nikki Haley.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582312931775.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>This&nbsp;after&nbsp;she had quit the race.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Prior to that, Haley won 43 percent in New Hampshire, 27 percent in Michigan, and defeated Trump in Vermont.Haley’s success was credited to open primaries where Independents and Democrats can participate.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;However, in Arizona’s closed primary Haley still captured nearly 18 percent.&nbsp; And in the Florida and&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;closed primaries, she locked up 14 and 16 percent, respectively.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In four of the five most populous&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;counties, Haley’s percentages increased.&nbsp; She won 22 percent in Johnson, 18 percent in Sedgwick, 22 percent in Shawnee, and 26 percent in Douglas.Adding in “none of the names shown” category, the statewide anti-Trump&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;vote reached 21 percent or just over 20,000 GOP voters.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, a parallel trend is taking place among Democrats.&nbsp; &nbsp;Biden’s decision to skip New Hampshire and award South Carolina the first primary spot disappointed many Granite State voters.&nbsp; As a result, Dean Phillips secured nearly 20 percent of the vote.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;A few weeks later, over 100,000 Michigan Democrats casted uncommitted ballots protesting Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;In North Carolina the “no preference” option garnered nearly 90,000 votes.&nbsp; And in&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;the “none of the names shown” option came in second place at 10 percent.&nbsp; The tally included almost 15 percent in solidly blue Douglas County, and 8 percent in Johnson and Sedgwick counties.&nbsp; &nbsp;More recently, in pivotal swing state Wisconsin, 48,000 Democrats voted “<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/wisconsin-uninstructed-vote-shows-democratic-frustration-with-joe-biden/ar-BB1l1P41" target="_blank">uninstructed</a>”, twice the goal of the grassroots group&nbsp;<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/wisconsin-uninstructed-vote-shows-democratic-frustration-with-joe-biden/ar-BB1l1P41" target="_blank">Listen to Wisconsin</a>&nbsp;that demanded policy changes over the war in Gaza.&nbsp; Another 17,000 voted for Phillips, who ended his campaign weeks before.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Clearly, thousands of Democrats and Republicans are using presidential primaries to express their dissatisfaction.&nbsp;Yet neither nominee appears eager to reach out to the disaffected.&nbsp; &nbsp;Trump remains steadfast in his unapologetic style that does not sit well with moderate Republicans but resonates with some Democrat leaning groups including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/11/04/new-republican-party-working-class-coalition-00122822" target="_blank">working-class whites</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.realclearpolling.com/stories/analysis/will-blacks-vote-republican-a-political-science-perspective" target="_blank">Blacks</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/09/biden-approval-drops-democrat-popularity-rises-latino-voters" target="_blank">Latinos</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Biden campaign seems focused on capturing the Haley block, investing in ads that showcase Trump’s offensive comments directed at Haley.&nbsp; &nbsp;The reality is few disaffected primary voters will cross party lines.&nbsp; In matters of ideology and policy they are still closer to their party nominee than the opposition.&nbsp;However, it’s possible they stay home on election day or continue to protest by other means.&nbsp;If protests occur&nbsp; during the summer – possibility at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democratic-tensions-over-israel-threaten-to-boil-over-at-chicago-convention/ar-BB1ld4K9" target="_blank">party conventions</a>, it could spell real trouble.&nbsp;&nbsp;So as the primaries near their conclusion, let’s see whether Biden and Trump take the necessary steps to unify their parties.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;Copyright © 2024 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.