The Salina community is gearing up for the inaugural Guns and Hoses Pickleball Tournament set to take place on September 28, 2024, at Oakdale Park.&nbsp;

Participants must register by 11:59 p.m. today September 23, and entry fees will be collected on the tournament day. To register <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12uaNruc5T5VeYHZGPfOloUeb2GBzud8iJeLczTOGmUk/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawFeS_FleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHd-iRiO-Rq48tsF4GQYy7BBVIS8iu_4X3L6JryBp2-f4dziI3eoo2mBM5g_aem_72d68b1WpikID5H8HkRiaA&amp;edit_requested=true">click here</a>.&nbsp;

Guns and Hoses is a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and deputies. This year marks the first year the organization will host a pickleball tournament. 

The event is organized to support young Tate Flax and his ongoing battle with Dravet Syndrome. Tate, who will be two years old in October, was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome after genetic testing revealed a mutation in his SCN1A gene. This severe form of epilepsy has caused him to experience frequent, hard-to-treat seizures, leading his family on regular trips to Kansas City for medical treatment, including a recent surgery trip in June for a Vagus Nerve Stimulation implant.

The tournament features a lineup of men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and a beginner category, ensuring opportunities for players of all skill levels. Registration fees are set at $20 for participants 16 and older, and $10 for those under 16, with all proceeds going towards supporting Tate's medical and travel expenses.

The event starts at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, with teams competing in pool play to establish rankings for the single elimination bracket. Each team is assured at least three pool play games and one bracket game. Pool play matches are set to 15 points, requiring a win by two, while bracket games are best two out of three, played to 11 points, also requiring a win by two.

Teams will use Rock-Paper Scissors to decide the initial serve or court side. Self-officiating is expected, with the tournament director having the final say in disputes. All games will adhere to the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, available for reference at the <a href="https://usapickleball.org/">USA Pickleball website</a>.

Prizes include $100 per team for winners in the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles categories, and $50 for the beginner division champions.

The event is sponsored by Oral Facial and Implant Surgery&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090527923120&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">785 Aesthetic Med Spa</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/rescuespecialists?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Rescue Specialists</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088234921780&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">The Cellar Wine &amp; Whiskey Bar </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jriusa?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">JRI Hospitality</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/greatplainsmfg?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Great Plains Manufacturing</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PECsalina?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Precision Electrical Contractors LLC</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalinaFirefighters?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Salina Professional Firefighters Local #782</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090213062808&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Salina Urology Associates PA</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JeffWellsAgency?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Jeff Wells Agency, Inc. - American Family Insurance</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/heritagesalina?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Heritage Real Estate Advisors LLC</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054609933038&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">First Alarm Heating &amp; Cooling</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/iveylocksmith?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Ivey Locksmith and Security</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/messengerclothingco?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Messenger Clothing Company</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/homewoodsuitesbyhiltonsalinadowntown?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Homewood Suites by Hilton Salina Downtown</a> Southern Heights Properties&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saline County Sheriff Deputy Lt. Mike Ascher and&nbsp;SFD Division Chief Andrew Sprague stopped by the 910 KINA radio Studio&nbsp; to share more about the event during the Saturday Morning Show on Sept. 21.

Ascher said in years past the organization hosted a friendly football competition between SFD and Saline County Sheriff's Office and SPD. The COVID-19 Pandemic caused the game to be canceled for 2020 and 2021, but why pickleball?

"It's just becoming so popular. I mean, there's YouTube channels, there's channels on TV that you can just watch pickleball tournaments," Sprague said. "It's fun to play if you've never played it. I tell you what it's not tennis, it's not racquetball, but it's a mixture. And it really is a blast."

To listen to the full conversation with Sprague and Ascher&nbsp;<a href="https://910kina.com/">click here.&nbsp;</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727098775831.jpeg" alt="Flyer Pickleball" />
 <figcaption>Flyer Pickleball</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTThe Salina community is gearing up for the inaugural Guns and Hoses Pickleball Tournament set to take place on September 28, 2024, at Oakdale Park.&nbsp;Participants must register by 11:59 p.m. today September 23, and entry fees will be collected on the tournament day. To register <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12uaNruc5T5VeYHZGPfOloUeb2GBzud8iJeLczTOGmUk/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawFeS_FleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHd-iRiO-Rq48tsF4GQYy7BBVIS8iu_4X3L6JryBp2-f4dziI3eoo2mBM5g_aem_72d68b1WpikID5H8HkRiaA&amp;edit_requested=true">click here</a>.&nbsp;Guns and Hoses is a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and deputies. This year marks the first year the organization will host a pickleball tournament. The event is organized to support young Tate Flax and his ongoing battle with Dravet Syndrome. Tate, who will be two years old in October, was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome after genetic testing revealed a mutation in his SCN1A gene. This severe form of epilepsy has caused him to experience frequent, hard-to-treat seizures, leading his family on regular trips to Kansas City for medical treatment, including a recent surgery trip in June for a Vagus Nerve Stimulation implant.The tournament features a lineup of men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and a beginner category, ensuring opportunities for players of all skill levels. Registration fees are set at $20 for participants 16 and older, and $10 for those under 16, with all proceeds going towards supporting Tate's medical and travel expenses.The event starts at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, with teams competing in pool play to establish rankings for the single elimination bracket. Each team is assured at least three pool play games and one bracket game. Pool play matches are set to 15 points, requiring a win by two, while bracket games are best two out of three, played to 11 points, also requiring a win by two.Teams will use Rock-Paper Scissors to decide the initial serve or court side. Self-officiating is expected, with the tournament director having the final say in disputes. All games will adhere to the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, available for reference at the <a href="https://usapickleball.org/">USA Pickleball website</a>.Prizes include $100 per team for winners in the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles categories, and $50 for the beginner division champions.The event is sponsored by Oral Facial and Implant Surgery&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090527923120&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">785 Aesthetic Med Spa</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/rescuespecialists?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Rescue Specialists</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088234921780&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">The Cellar Wine &amp; Whiskey Bar </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jriusa?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">JRI Hospitality</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/greatplainsmfg?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Great Plains Manufacturing</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PECsalina?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Precision Electrical Contractors LLC</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalinaFirefighters?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Salina Professional Firefighters Local #782</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090213062808&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Salina Urology Associates PA</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JeffWellsAgency?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Jeff Wells Agency, Inc. - American Family Insurance</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/heritagesalina?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Heritage Real Estate Advisors LLC</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054609933038&amp;__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">First Alarm Heating &amp; Cooling</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/iveylocksmith?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Ivey Locksmith and Security</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/messengerclothingco?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Messenger Clothing Company</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/homewoodsuitesbyhiltonsalinadowntown?__cft__[0]=AZXqkPn_T-bz6ByRwmg87ZcoRRglckLLPTnlOT0RBVYLzOI40vlRIAN12BcOVvO8nKVngeP991ozdOI8au7JIHNsPfUJNQWBIoJF12k9YGf-iw6TrWyEhm_f9yfWiFDdug6k1TLA-DmD8JU4ejjBnRoQjX0_s1DNM0Fw-mFs2KecjghaMKZiWahJI-bc7ltXqK8&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Homewood Suites by Hilton Salina Downtown</a> Southern Heights Properties&nbsp;&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff Deputy Lt. Mike Ascher and&nbsp;SFD Division Chief Andrew Sprague stopped by the 910 KINA radio Studio&nbsp; to share more about the event during the Saturday Morning Show on Sept. 21.Ascher said in years past the organization hosted a friendly football competition between SFD and Saline County Sheriff's Office and SPD. The COVID-19 Pandemic caused the game to be canceled for 2020 and 2021, but why pickleball?"It's just becoming so popular. I mean, there's YouTube channels, there's channels on TV that you can just watch pickleball tournaments," Sprague said. "It's fun to play if you've never played it. I tell you what it's not tennis, it's not racquetball, but it's a mixture. And it really is a blast." To listen to the full conversation with Sprague and Ascher&nbsp;<a href="https://910kina.com/">click here.&nbsp;</a>

Guns and Hoses Pickleball Tournament to support local family; Registration deadline is today

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

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="http://910kina.com/">here.</a>

Alyssa Sanchez, Saline County Emergency Management discusses National Preparedness Month and ways residents can stay aware and ready when disaster strikes

Jason Graves, K-State Research and Extension Central District Horticulturalist shares lawn and garden best practices as we move into fall.&nbsp;

Lt. Michael Ascher, Saline County Sheriff's Office, and SFD Division Chief Andrew Sprague discuss the Guns N' Hoses pickleball tournament raising funds for a child in our community.&nbsp;

10:30-10:40 a.m. Leslie Bishop, Salina Downtown Inc. Executive Director shares how the farm and art market went this summer

10:40-11 a.m. Susan Hawksworth shares need-to-know information for the upcoming Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair on Sept. 28

<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>By SALINA POSTJoin 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Nate King this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.&nbsp;<a href="http://910kina.com/">on 910AM</a>/107.5 FM.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="http://910kina.com/">here.</a>9:05-9:30 a.m.&nbsp;Alyssa Sanchez, Saline County Emergency Management discusses National Preparedness Month and ways residents can stay aware and ready when disaster strikes9:30-10:00 a.m.Jason Graves, K-State Research and Extension Central District Horticulturalist shares lawn and garden best practices as we move into fall.&nbsp;10:05-10:30 a.mLt. Michael Ascher, Saline County Sheriff's Office, and SFD Division Chief Andrew Sprague discuss the Guns N' Hoses pickleball tournament raising funds for a child in our community.&nbsp;10:30-10:40 a.m. Leslie Bishop, Salina Downtown Inc. Executive Director shares how the farm and art market went this summer10:40-11 a.m. Susan Hawksworth shares need-to-know information for the upcoming Smoky Hill Museum Street Fair on Sept. 28

910 KINA Saturday Morning Show Lineup

WASHINGTON (AP) — When the FBI said this week that Iran had tried to provide Democrats with material stolen from Donald Trump’s campaign, it was only the latest allegation of foreign interference with the U.S. election.

The 2024 presidential campaign is encountering a spate of efforts by adversaries to weaken faith in the outcome and potentially alter the results. While much of the attention has been focused on Iran, Russia is still seen as the biggest threat.

The Biden administration has moved aggressively in recent weeks to call out the operations in hopes of alerting Americans so they remain vigilant to wide-ranging, often hidden, foreign efforts to influence their positions on hot-button positions and the candidates.

A look at the latest development and broader concerns about foreign election meddling:

Iranian operatives stand accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fbi-trump-intelligence-community-52641cd66412d7c01d73876acab3d989">hacking the Trump campaign</a>&nbsp;and attempting to spread the internal communications they pilfered. They also sought access to the Democratic presidential campaign, but there's no indication those efforts were successful.

Several media organizations said last month they received apparently stolen information but declined to publish it. Politico, for instance, reported that it began receiving emails in July from an anonymous AOL account identified only as “Robert” that passed along what appeared to be a research dossier the campaign had apparently done on the Republican vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>.

The latest revelation came Wednesday when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fbi-election-interference-dni-ae96f57f438772dac08e076be7aa4904">intelligence officials disclosed that Iranian operatives</a>&nbsp;had offered people associated with the Biden campaign information stolen from the Trump side.

The FBI said a few people connected to Biden's reelection effort received unsolicited emails in late June and early July, before he dropped out of the race, that contained an excerpt “taken from stolen, non-public material” from the Trump campaign.

The outreach to both the media and to Biden campaign associates suggests Iran was trying to pull off a hack-and-leak operation reminiscent of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/events-united-states-presidential-election-general-news-9510aae4cadd4f26bd577e87bc71035d">Russian election interference</a>&nbsp;that was meant to benefit Trump during his 2016 race against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

No signs Democrats accessed the stolen material

The effort fell flat: There’s no evidence anyone ever even responded to the emails.

Morgan Finkelstein, a spokeswoman for Democrat Kamala Harris' campaign, said in a statement that the material was not sent directly to the campaign but rather to just a few people associated with the campaign and that the emails looked like a phishing attempt or spam.

She said the campaign has cooperated with law enforcement ever since being made aware that Biden associates were “among the intended victims of this foreign influence operation.”

“We condemn in the strongest terms any effort by foreign actors to interfere in U.S. elections including this unwelcome and unacceptable malicious activity,” she said.

Despite the lack of evidence that anyone connected to the Biden or Harris campaigns tried to take advantage of the stolen material, Trump has seized on the FBI announcement. He falsely claimed on his Truth Social platform that the Harris campaign had been caught “illegally spying on me.”

"This is real election interference, not the phony crap they’ve been trying to pin on me with Russia, Russia, Russia for years,” Trump said in a Wednesday night campaign appearance.

That's a reference to an FBI investigation into whether the Trump campaign had coordinated with Russian operatives to tip the outcome of the 2016 election.

Though the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-politics-north-america-ea617240fe264947a967f8d13ed9a9a5">investigation did not establish a criminal conspiracy</a>, officials did determine that Trump associates actively welcomed the Russian assistance and hoped to exploit the help for political gain. That includes Trump, who on July 27, 2016, memorably said: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press,”

That was a reference to the 30,000 emails reportedly stored on the private server that Clinton, his opponent, used as secretary of state. Within hours of his statement, Russian hackers for the first time targeted Clinton's personal office.

One goal, according to U.S. intelligence officials, is to stoke discord in the United States and to undermine public confidence in the integrity of an election that Tehran sees as consequential for its own security interests.

It's also not the first time, either. In 2020, American officials linked Iran to “a multi-pronged covert influence campaign intended to undercut former President Trump’s reelection prospects” that was likely authorized by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and implemented by Iran's military and intelligence services.

Intelligence officials have said Iran opposes Trump’s reelection, seeing him as more likely to increase tension between Washington and Tehran.

Trump’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-iran-cead755353a1455bbef08ef289448994">ended a nuclear deal with Iran</a>, reimposed sanctions and ordered the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-politics-government-iraq-qassim-soleimani-3353602bd30e683afec45d8c78196886">killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani</a>, an act that prompted Iran’s leaders to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-tehran-international-news-iraq-e36db7c72c1adba1a6cae75091bc273d">vow revenge</a>. A Pakistani man who spent time in Iran was recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-pakistan-murderforhire-trump-justice-department-5a3abe0895ae7c2be14f89fc4e49bc53">charged in a plot to carry out political assassinations on U.S. soil</a>, including potentially of Trump.

What other acts of interference have been detected?

Despite all the news around Iran, the U.S. government still regards Russia as the primary threat to the integrity of the election.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-justice-department-election-foreign-influence-4888f4bfc61e46173101060ad0321d2f">The Justice Department announced a pair of criminal cases</a>&nbsp;this month that officials say expose the lengths that Russia is prepared to go to influence the election.

One case involved two employees of RT, a Russian state media company, of funneling millions of dollars through shell companies to a Tennessee-based content creation firm to churn out English-language, pro-Russia videos, which have generated millions of views. Right-wing influencers linked to the Tennessee firm, Tenet Media, were kept in the dark about the Russian funding and worked unknowingly for a company that was a front for a Russian influence operation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714052563813.png" alt="File photo Donald Trump image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Donald Trump image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — When the FBI said this week that Iran had tried to provide Democrats with material stolen from Donald Trump’s campaign, it was only the latest allegation of foreign interference with the U.S. election.The 2024 presidential campaign is encountering a spate of efforts by adversaries to weaken faith in the outcome and potentially alter the results. While much of the attention has been focused on Iran, Russia is still seen as the biggest threat.The Biden administration has moved aggressively in recent weeks to call out the operations in hopes of alerting Americans so they remain vigilant to wide-ranging, often hidden, foreign efforts to influence their positions on hot-button positions and the candidates.A look at the latest development and broader concerns about foreign election meddling:<h2>What Iran is alleged to have done</h2>Iranian operatives stand accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fbi-trump-intelligence-community-52641cd66412d7c01d73876acab3d989">hacking the Trump campaign</a>&nbsp;and attempting to spread the internal communications they pilfered. They also sought access to the Democratic presidential campaign, but there's no indication those efforts were successful.Several media organizations said last month they received apparently stolen information but declined to publish it. Politico, for instance, reported that it began receiving emails in July from an anonymous AOL account identified only as “Robert” that passed along what appeared to be a research dossier the campaign had apparently done on the Republican vice presidential nominee, Ohio Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>.The latest revelation came Wednesday when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fbi-election-interference-dni-ae96f57f438772dac08e076be7aa4904">intelligence officials disclosed that Iranian operatives</a>&nbsp;had offered people associated with the Biden campaign information stolen from the Trump side.The FBI said a few people connected to Biden's reelection effort received unsolicited emails in late June and early July, before he dropped out of the race, that contained an excerpt “taken from stolen, non-public material” from the Trump campaign.The outreach to both the media and to Biden campaign associates suggests Iran was trying to pull off a hack-and-leak operation reminiscent of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/events-united-states-presidential-election-general-news-9510aae4cadd4f26bd577e87bc71035d">Russian election interference</a>&nbsp;that was meant to benefit Trump during his 2016 race against Democrat Hillary Clinton.<h2>No signs Democrats accessed the stolen material</h2>The effort fell flat: There’s no evidence anyone ever even responded to the emails.Morgan Finkelstein, a spokeswoman for Democrat Kamala Harris' campaign, said in a statement that the material was not sent directly to the campaign but rather to just a few people associated with the campaign and that the emails looked like a phishing attempt or spam.She said the campaign has cooperated with law enforcement ever since being made aware that Biden associates were “among the intended victims of this foreign influence operation.”“We condemn in the strongest terms any effort by foreign actors to interfere in U.S. elections including this unwelcome and unacceptable malicious activity,” she said.<h2>Trump's unsupported claims</h2>Despite the lack of evidence that anyone connected to the Biden or Harris campaigns tried to take advantage of the stolen material, Trump has seized on the FBI announcement. He falsely claimed on his Truth Social platform that the Harris campaign had been caught “illegally spying on me.”"This is real election interference, not the phony crap they’ve been trying to pin on me with Russia, Russia, Russia for years,” Trump said in a Wednesday night campaign appearance.That's a reference to an FBI investigation into whether the Trump campaign had coordinated with Russian operatives to tip the outcome of the 2016 election.Though the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-politics-north-america-ea617240fe264947a967f8d13ed9a9a5">investigation did not establish a criminal conspiracy</a>, officials did determine that Trump associates actively welcomed the Russian assistance and hoped to exploit the help for political gain. That includes Trump, who on July 27, 2016, memorably said: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press,”That was a reference to the 30,000 emails reportedly stored on the private server that Clinton, his opponent, used as secretary of state. Within hours of his statement, Russian hackers for the first time targeted Clinton's personal office.<h2>Why might Iran be doing this?</h2>One goal, according to U.S. intelligence officials, is to stoke discord in the United States and to undermine public confidence in the integrity of an election that Tehran sees as consequential for its own security interests.It's also not the first time, either. In 2020, American officials linked Iran to “a multi-pronged covert influence campaign intended to undercut former President Trump’s reelection prospects” that was likely authorized by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and implemented by Iran's military and intelligence services.Intelligence officials have said Iran opposes Trump’s reelection, seeing him as more likely to increase tension between Washington and Tehran.Trump’s administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-iran-cead755353a1455bbef08ef289448994">ended a nuclear deal with Iran</a>, reimposed sanctions and ordered the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-politics-government-iraq-qassim-soleimani-3353602bd30e683afec45d8c78196886">killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani</a>, an act that prompted Iran’s leaders to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-tehran-international-news-iraq-e36db7c72c1adba1a6cae75091bc273d">vow revenge</a>. A Pakistani man who spent time in Iran was recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-pakistan-murderforhire-trump-justice-department-5a3abe0895ae7c2be14f89fc4e49bc53">charged in a plot to carry out political assassinations on U.S. soil</a>, including potentially of Trump.<h2>What other acts of interference have been detected?</h2>Despite all the news around Iran, the U.S. government still regards Russia as the primary threat to the integrity of the election.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-justice-department-election-foreign-influence-4888f4bfc61e46173101060ad0321d2f">The Justice Department announced a pair of criminal cases</a>&nbsp;this month that officials say expose the lengths that Russia is prepared to go to influence the election.One case involved two employees of RT, a Russian state media company, of funneling millions of dollars through shell companies to a Tennessee-based content creation firm to churn out English-language, pro-Russia videos, which have generated millions of views. Right-wing influencers linked to the Tennessee firm, Tenet Media, were kept in the dark about the Russian funding and worked unknowingly for a company that was a front for a Russian influence operation.

What FBI says Iran sent to Democrats from Trump campaign

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUB

Q: What can special teams do for Jaden Hicks down the road?

TOUB: “He’s (Jaden Hicks) in a lot of key spots for us right now. He’s our PP (personal protector) on punt which he’s making all the calls and he’s also the Mike on punt returns. He’s responsible if a team ran a fake to be able to stop that just like we used (Former Chiefs Safety Daniel) Sorensen in the past so he’s in a lot of key roles for us and it’s going to help him develop as a safety learning football instincts and the speed of the game. He gets better and better each week. He doesn’t make the same mistake twice that’s what I’m really happy about having him.”

Q: Regarding roster decisions, how much direct contact do you have with General Manager Brett Veach?

TOUB: “A lot, yeah, we talk about it. You know, he comes to my office, we talk about it – (Head Coach) Andy (Reid), we get on a three-way call, like early on Monday, we talk about all of that stuff.”

Q: How much better has Matt Araiza gotten already?

TOUB: “Yeah, he’s (Matt Araiza) only had five punts so far in two games but his first game with the three punts, he had two touchbacks and then he had come up with the third punt which was a great punt the 4.94 that we tackled for a two-yard gain. This game he only had two and the goal this past week was no touchbacks, and he did that. Then, Josh (Williams) made a great play on the goal line obviously knocking that ball back for us, that was a huge play. The combination of him hanging the ball up and then the coverage getting down there doing their job, it’s going to make his job that much easier. He did make an improvement from game one to game two.”

Q: On the Ravens and Bengals defending Rashee Rice differently.

NAGY:&nbsp;“Every week is probably going to be a little bit different, with him (Rashee Rice) and these players (that) we have and that’s a good thing. We like the way that they’re playing, they’re playing fast. I think it’s the – the biggest part of the process is going to be us just being able to – us, as coaches – being able to make sure that we try to get them open in different ways and then the players adjusting.”

Q: How does losing Isiah Pacheco for a while change the operation for you guys?

NAGY:&nbsp;“It’s certainly a little bit different but that’s expected. Pop (Isiah Pacheco) is doing a good job recovering and part of this game is injuries, but we know how much he wanted to be out there. For us, football-wise, and the x’s and o’s part, I think the guys that we have here now have really been able to get a chance to be in this offense (and) get some valuable reps – whether it be at training camp or (in) preseason. Now, it’s the next man up mentality. You guys (the media) know who the guys are that are here and for us, the biggest thing is just making sure that we put them in optimum situations and probably don’t try to do too much, one way or the other with any of them. Understand too that this is going to be – it’s a little new to these guys and that’s okay. We just help them through the process but there’s also a lot of excitement for them, too.”

Q: What are the challenges of the Falcons defense?

NAGY:&nbsp;“Well, I just think they (the Falcons defense) play hard. They really play hard. They’re a defense that they keep a lot of things in front of them. You saw that game the other night with Philadelphia, and they did a really good job of tackling, they’re physical (and) they understand the scheme. It’s a great scheme that they have, and they’ve got good football players. For us, the biggest thing is how do we play fast? Then, understand they’re a good football team. It’s obviously a primetime game so they’ll be juiced up, we’ll be juiced up, but I think (Falcons Head) Coach (Raheem) Morris has done a great job and their defense, in general, and he always has.”

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLO

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Okay, we’re ready to go. On to the next one. They don’t get any easier. We’ve got another tough opponent but with that, I’m just going to open it up.”

Q: How quickly do you feel like you’ll be able to get Cameron Thomas and Marlon Tuipulotu up to speed and in the game?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“We’re getting there. We talk about it every week. (General Manager) Brett (Veach) always comes in and asks, and (Defensive Line Coach) Joe’s (Cullen) been – Joe and (Assistant Defensive Line Coach) Terry (Bradden) have spent a lot of extra time with both Cam (Cameron Thomas) and Marlon (Tuipulotu) and they’re both great about it. I mean, they’re the first guys in here. They’re chomping at the bit to get in there and we’ll see where that goes. It’d be nice to get more than eight (defensive linemen) but there’s only so many numbers, so we’ll see what happens.”

Q: What stands out about the way Chris Jones influences the game?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“He’s (Chris Jones) attracting a lot of double teams right now. You guys (the media) have probably done your film study so you can see that, right? Yeah, he does. I mean, we try as much as we can to get him on one person, but that’s hard to do. People tend not to let that happen. One of the things we probably need to do a better job of is get into some longer third downs. I was sharing with the (defensive) unit this morning that, if I did my math right, I think we’ve only had 19 third-and-two plus (situations). That’s really not enough in the game. That’s only nine and a half a game, but that means you have to play better on first and second down. That’s where this team (Atlanta Falcons) is going to become really challenging because we know they run the ball really well.”

Q: What characteristics do you have to have to be a blitzer in your defense?

SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“When I do evaluate DB’s and linebackers as well, I’m always looking for guys that can blitz. I’ll tell you one thing that I always look at is a vertical jump because I just think that signifies explosive traits. Chamarri (Conner) has a – it’s over 40, I don’t know exactly (how high)– he’d know exactly what it is, and they all know exactly (laughter) – but that’s one thing I do like, guys that can go from a standstill to really fast to me are the guys that are the best blitzers. Trent (McDuffie) can do it, Chamarri’s done it, LJ (Tennessee Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed) used to do it, we have a lot of guys that can do it. Some guys have to time it up and be moving forward, other guys can go (snaps) from a standstill.”

Q: What was your assessment of Kingsley Suamataia’s second half?

HECK: “In the second half, he (Kingsley Suamataia) had a couple breakdowns in technique, and he had one or two mental errors there. I think it was earlier in the game that those occurred, but stuff that he was able to look at, we’re able to make corrections in our meeting and stuff he’s working on this week.”

Q: Are these some of the growing pains that come with putting a rookie at left tackle?

HECK: “Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think every rookie will go through those ups and downs. Let’s not forget who he’s (Kingsley Suamataia) playing against – an elite pass rusher there (in Cincinnati). It’s a good lesson, good opportunity to learn and grow, so by no means am I down on Kingsley, I’ve got a lot of faith in him.”

Q: How much does your run blocking scheme change when you’re shifting personnel when it comes to the running back?

HECK: “I’d say not much. One of the things that we try to do is we do a lot of different kinds of run schemes – inside zone, mid zone, gap schemes and so we usually carry a mixture of all those things, and we ask our backs to learn them all so that’s a tall order. It’s true some backs are better at this than that, but really, we work hard at, ‘Hey, let’s be good at all these things because if this is drying up, let’s go to this.’”

DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH DAVE MERRITT

Q: What has impressed you the most about Trent McDuffie so far this season?

MERRITT: “His (Trent McDuffie) ability to be calm no matter where we put him on the defense. Whether he’s going to the corner position, whether he’s sliding into the nickel position – just his ability to be able to move around because last year he didn’t have to necessarily travel around as much. He’s just a good guy that you can talk to about, ‘Hey, this is what we would like to do.’ Whether it’s bunch, stacks (or) whether it’s a particular wide receiver and Trent just never bats an eye.”

Q: With a dynamic running back like Falcons RB Bijan Robinson that is effective in the run and pass game, what does the secondary have to be mindful of?

MERRITT: “You have to ready to – number one – not only the running back (Falcons RB Bijan Robinson), you have to be ready to defeat blocks, first. (Falcons WR) Drake (London) is a pretty doggone good blocker. He reminds me of an old (Former NFL WR) Hines Ward, throwback type (of) blocker as far as this young man is (a) big body guy. The number one thing that we’ve been working on all week is making sure we take care of the first contact, which is our pressure key, then we can get to the running back next. Understanding that five (Falcons WR Drake London) is the guy that does a lot of the heavy lifting in being ready to crack-replace and if he’s getting ready to block you, you better make sure you bring your lunch pail. Then, you have to deal with the (running) back next. I think a lot of people when they are looking at this run scheme – their eyes are so focused on the (running) back that all of a sudden, they’re getting cracked (or) they’re getting walled off, so if you don’t take off the first line of defense first, as far as offensive lineman cutting, as well as wide receivers blocking, it’s going to be a long day.”

Q: Nazeeh Johnson got a lot of work on Sunday, too. Is that just a matter of getting him back into football shape?

MERRITT: “That’s exactly right. I mean, Nazeeh Johnson, you’re talking – you cannot – there’s not a better human being in that locker room, in my opinion, than Nazeeh Johnson. He’s always positive (and) he’s always smiling. ‘Brotha -man’ is his word – ‘What’s up, brotha-man’ so Nazeeh is one of those guys – to be able to get him going and playing in some of his first time NFL games. If you think about it, he’s been a special teamer and when I say playing, I mean playing the corner position. Nazeeh is doing a great job for us and he’s going to continue to learn. He had the touchdown that he gave up the other day in the redzone, but he’ll learn from that. He’s just a great young man who we’re happy that (he is a) part of the fab five (and) that he’s one of the fifth pieces of that puzzle that’s stepping up for us.”

Q: What do you see from Carson Steele going into this week?

PINKSTON: “Carson (Steele) is going in just being confident. You can see his work ethic and (the) things that he’s doing are very impressive.”

Q: How has Samaje Perine grown since he first got here, and do you think he’s ready for a 100% workload?

PINKSTON: “He’s (Samaje Perine) a smart vet, he’s been around, he’s been in the game for a long time. He’ll be ready to go, (the) guy (has) prepared well.”

Q: What have you seen from Isiah Pacheco since his injury?

PINKSTON: “His (Isiah Pacheco) mental toughness. He’s a guy that wants to be out there regardless of what he has going on. That’s one thing about Isiah (Pacheco) is he’s going to bring the energy, he’s going to go 100 miles to nothing, every play and that’s something that he’s still going to bring once he starts his PT (physical therapy).”

Q: Has there been an increase in teams double teaming you? Did the Bengals increase their pressure on you?

JONES: “It’s normal, (I’m) used to it. I expected it.&nbsp; So, for me, I don’t really count the double teams, we just make the most of it.”

Q: Regarding sacks, what does it mean to you to be in range of catching former Chiefs like Tamba Hali, Neil Smith and Justin Houston?

JONES: “Listen, those are the guys that came in here and laid the foundation for me to look forward to and try to one day even get close to their names and stuff. When you go from players like (Chiefs 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee) Tamba Hali, (Former NFL player) Justin Houston, most importantly (PFHOF) Derrick Thomas who is the all-time (sack) leader, I think at 126.5 (sacks) – but who’s counting. You know, you look up to those type of guys because they set the foundation of what greatness should look like and what to be superior looks like. When my name is even mentioned at the bottom of that category, it’s an honor but there’s still a lot of more work to do.”

Q: How do you see the rest of the defensive line take advantage of you being double and/or triple teamed?

Chiefs Coordinator QuotesSeptember 19, 2024ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR DAVE TOUBQ: What can special teams do for Jaden Hicks down the road?TOUB: “He’s (Jaden Hicks) in a lot of key spots for us right now. He’s our PP (personal protector) on punt which he’s making all the calls and he’s also the Mike on punt returns. He’s responsible if a team ran a fake to be able to stop that just like we used (Former Chiefs Safety Daniel) Sorensen in the past so he’s in a lot of key roles for us and it’s going to help him develop as a safety learning football instincts and the speed of the game. He gets better and better each week. He doesn’t make the same mistake twice that’s what I’m really happy about having him.”Q: Regarding roster decisions, how much direct contact do you have with General Manager Brett Veach?TOUB: “A lot, yeah, we talk about it. You know, he comes to my office, we talk about it – (Head Coach) Andy (Reid), we get on a three-way call, like early on Monday, we talk about all of that stuff.”Q: How much better has Matt Araiza gotten already?TOUB: “Yeah, he’s (Matt Araiza) only had five punts so far in two games but his first game with the three punts, he had two touchbacks and then he had come up with the third punt which was a great punt the 4.94 that we tackled for a two-yard gain. This game he only had two and the goal this past week was no touchbacks, and he did that. Then, Josh (Williams) made a great play on the goal line obviously knocking that ball back for us, that was a huge play. The combination of him hanging the ball up and then the coverage getting down there doing their job, it’s going to make his job that much easier. He did make an improvement from game one to game two.”OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR MATT NAGYQ: On the Ravens and Bengals defending Rashee Rice differently.NAGY:&nbsp;“Every week is probably going to be a little bit different, with him (Rashee Rice) and these players (that) we have and that’s a good thing. We like the way that they’re playing, they’re playing fast. I think it’s the – the biggest part of the process is going to be us just being able to – us, as coaches – being able to make sure that we try to get them open in different ways and then the players adjusting.”Q: How does losing Isiah Pacheco for a while change the operation for you guys?NAGY:&nbsp;“It’s certainly a little bit different but that’s expected. Pop (Isiah Pacheco) is doing a good job recovering and part of this game is injuries, but we know how much he wanted to be out there. For us, football-wise, and the x’s and o’s part, I think the guys that we have here now have really been able to get a chance to be in this offense (and) get some valuable reps – whether it be at training camp or (in) preseason. Now, it’s the next man up mentality. You guys (the media) know who the guys are that are here and for us, the biggest thing is just making sure that we put them in optimum situations and probably don’t try to do too much, one way or the other with any of them. Understand too that this is going to be – it’s a little new to these guys and that’s okay. We just help them through the process but there’s also a lot of excitement for them, too.”Q: What are the challenges of the Falcons defense?NAGY:&nbsp;“Well, I just think they (the Falcons defense) play hard. They really play hard. They’re a defense that they keep a lot of things in front of them. You saw that game the other night with Philadelphia, and they did a really good job of tackling, they’re physical (and) they understand the scheme. It’s a great scheme that they have, and they’ve got good football players. For us, the biggest thing is how do we play fast? Then, understand they’re a good football team. It’s obviously a primetime game so they’ll be juiced up, we’ll be juiced up, but I think (Falcons Head) Coach (Raheem) Morris has done a great job and their defense, in general, and he always has.”DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR STEVE SPAGNUOLOOPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“Okay, we’re ready to go. On to the next one. They don’t get any easier. We’ve got another tough opponent but with that, I’m just going to open it up.”Q: How quickly do you feel like you’ll be able to get Cameron Thomas and Marlon Tuipulotu up to speed and in the game?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“We’re getting there. We talk about it every week. (General Manager) Brett (Veach) always comes in and asks, and (Defensive Line Coach) Joe’s (Cullen) been – Joe and (Assistant Defensive Line Coach) Terry (Bradden) have spent a lot of extra time with both Cam (Cameron Thomas) and Marlon (Tuipulotu) and they’re both great about it. I mean, they’re the first guys in here. They’re chomping at the bit to get in there and we’ll see where that goes. It’d be nice to get more than eight (defensive linemen) but there’s only so many numbers, so we’ll see what happens.”Q: What stands out about the way Chris Jones influences the game?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“He’s (Chris Jones) attracting a lot of double teams right now. You guys (the media) have probably done your film study so you can see that, right? Yeah, he does. I mean, we try as much as we can to get him on one person, but that’s hard to do. People tend not to let that happen. One of the things we probably need to do a better job of is get into some longer third downs. I was sharing with the (defensive) unit this morning that, if I did my math right, I think we’ve only had 19 third-and-two plus (situations). That’s really not enough in the game. That’s only nine and a half a game, but that means you have to play better on first and second down. That’s where this team (Atlanta Falcons) is going to become really challenging because we know they run the ball really well.”Q: What characteristics do you have to have to be a blitzer in your defense?SPAGNUOLO:&nbsp;“When I do evaluate DB’s and linebackers as well, I’m always looking for guys that can blitz. I’ll tell you one thing that I always look at is a vertical jump because I just think that signifies explosive traits. Chamarri (Conner) has a – it’s over 40, I don’t know exactly (how high)– he’d know exactly what it is, and they all know exactly (laughter) – but that’s one thing I do like, guys that can go from a standstill to really fast to me are the guys that are the best blitzers. Trent (McDuffie) can do it, Chamarri’s done it, LJ (Tennessee Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed) used to do it, we have a lot of guys that can do it. Some guys have to time it up and be moving forward, other guys can go (snaps) from a standstill.”OFFENSIVE LINE COACH ANDY HECKQ: What was your assessment of Kingsley Suamataia’s second half?HECK: “In the second half, he (Kingsley Suamataia) had a couple breakdowns in technique, and he had one or two mental errors there. I think it was earlier in the game that those occurred, but stuff that he was able to look at, we’re able to make corrections in our meeting and stuff he’s working on this week.”Q: Are these some of the growing pains that come with putting a rookie at left tackle?HECK: “Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think every rookie will go through those ups and downs. Let’s not forget who he’s (Kingsley Suamataia) playing against – an elite pass rusher there (in Cincinnati). It’s a good lesson, good opportunity to learn and grow, so by no means am I down on Kingsley, I’ve got a lot of faith in him.”Q: How much does your run blocking scheme change when you’re shifting personnel when it comes to the running back?HECK: “I’d say not much. One of the things that we try to do is we do a lot of different kinds of run schemes – inside zone, mid zone, gap schemes and so we usually carry a mixture of all those things, and we ask our backs to learn them all so that’s a tall order. It’s true some backs are better at this than that, but really, we work hard at, ‘Hey, let’s be good at all these things because if this is drying up, let’s go to this.’”DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH DAVE MERRITTQ: What has impressed you the most about Trent McDuffie so far this season?MERRITT: “His (Trent McDuffie) ability to be calm no matter where we put him on the defense. Whether he’s going to the corner position, whether he’s sliding into the nickel position – just his ability to be able to move around because last year he didn’t have to necessarily travel around as much. He’s just a good guy that you can talk to about, ‘Hey, this is what we would like to do.’ Whether it’s bunch, stacks (or) whether it’s a particular wide receiver and Trent just never bats an eye.”Q: With a dynamic running back like Falcons RB Bijan Robinson that is effective in the run and pass game, what does the secondary have to be mindful of?MERRITT: “You have to ready to – number one – not only the running back (Falcons RB Bijan Robinson), you have to be ready to defeat blocks, first. (Falcons WR) Drake (London) is a pretty doggone good blocker. He reminds me of an old (Former NFL WR) Hines Ward, throwback type (of) blocker as far as this young man is (a) big body guy. The number one thing that we’ve been working on all week is making sure we take care of the first contact, which is our pressure key, then we can get to the running back next. Understanding that five (Falcons WR Drake London) is the guy that does a lot of the heavy lifting in being ready to crack-replace and if he’s getting ready to block you, you better make sure you bring your lunch pail. Then, you have to deal with the (running) back next. I think a lot of people when they are looking at this run scheme – their eyes are so focused on the (running) back that all of a sudden, they’re getting cracked (or) they’re getting walled off, so if you don’t take off the first line of defense first, as far as offensive lineman cutting, as well as wide receivers blocking, it’s going to be a long day.”Q: Nazeeh Johnson got a lot of work on Sunday, too. Is that just a matter of getting him back into football shape?MERRITT: “That’s exactly right. I mean, Nazeeh Johnson, you’re talking – you cannot – there’s not a better human being in that locker room, in my opinion, than Nazeeh Johnson. He’s always positive (and) he’s always smiling. ‘Brotha -man’ is his word – ‘What’s up, brotha-man’ so Nazeeh is one of those guys – to be able to get him going and playing in some of his first time NFL games. If you think about it, he’s been a special teamer and when I say playing, I mean playing the corner position. Nazeeh is doing a great job for us and he’s going to continue to learn. He had the touchdown that he gave up the other day in the redzone, but he’ll learn from that. He’s just a great young man who we’re happy that (he is a) part of the fab five (and) that he’s one of the fifth pieces of that puzzle that’s stepping up for us.”RUNNING BACKS COACH TODD PINKSTONQ: What do you see from Carson Steele going into this week?PINKSTON: “Carson (Steele) is going in just being confident. You can see his work ethic and (the) things that he’s doing are very impressive.”Q: How has Samaje Perine grown since he first got here, and do you think he’s ready for a 100% workload?PINKSTON: “He’s (Samaje Perine) a smart vet, he’s been around, he’s been in the game for a long time. He’ll be ready to go, (the) guy (has) prepared well.”Q: What have you seen from Isiah Pacheco since his injury?PINKSTON: “His (Isiah Pacheco) mental toughness. He’s a guy that wants to be out there regardless of what he has going on. That’s one thing about Isiah (Pacheco) is he’s going to bring the energy, he’s going to go 100 miles to nothing, every play and that’s something that he’s still going to bring once he starts his PT (physical therapy).”Chiefs Player QuotesSeptember 19, 2024DT CHRIS JONESQ: Has there been an increase in teams double teaming you? Did the Bengals increase their pressure on you?JONES: “It’s normal, (I’m) used to it. I expected it.&nbsp; So, for me, I don’t really count the double teams, we just make the most of it.”Q: Regarding sacks, what does it mean to you to be in range of catching former Chiefs like Tamba Hali, Neil Smith and Justin Houston?JONES: “Listen, those are the guys that came in here and laid the foundation for me to look forward to and try to one day even get close to their names and stuff. When you go from players like (Chiefs 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee) Tamba Hali, (Former NFL player) Justin Houston, most importantly (PFHOF) Derrick Thomas who is the all-time (sack) leader, I think at 126.5 (sacks) – but who’s counting. You know, you look up to those type of guys because they set the foundation of what greatness should look like and what to be superior looks like. When my name is even mentioned at the bottom of that category, it’s an honor but there’s still a lot of more work to do.”Q: How do you see the rest of the defensive line take advantage of you being double and/or triple teamed?

Chiefs Quotes: 9-19-24

Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Quotes

OPENING STATEMENT:&nbsp;“As far as the injuries go, really, (Isiah) Pacheco’s the only one to announce. He’s been put on IR (and) he’s having surgery today. I can’t give you a time when he’ll return. We’ll just see if it’s this season or next season. We’ll see how he does as he goes here. Other than that, there are no other injuries – everybody else will practice today. (We) look forward to the challenge of playing the Falcons. That’s a great environment down there at their stadium and (Falcons Head Coach) Raheem’s (Morris) done a heck of a job with that group, which was obvious Monday night. Between (Falcons Defensive Coordinator) Jimmy (Lake) and (Falcons Offensive Coordinator) Zac (Robinson) and (Falcons Special Teams Coordinator) Marquice (Williams), they’ve got great coordinators and coaches, and they’ve got good players on top of that (laughs). We need to have a good week of practice, starting today and I know our guys are looking forward to the challenge of playing a good football team like this. With that, time’s yours.”

Q: What are your plans for Kareem Hunt?

REID:&nbsp;“We’ll get him (Kareem Hunt) in here and get (him) some work. Kind of get him back into the swing of playing and then we’ll just see. As the game gets closer, we’ll see how things go there and so on, but we’ll try to get him in a position where he’s ready to play either this week, next week or the following week. We’ll just see how long it takes.”

Q: So, there’s a chance that Kareem Hunt can play against Atlanta?

REID:&nbsp;“Yeah, there’s a chance. (We’re) going to try and see where we’re at as far as the other part but we’ve got other guys that can jump in and play for him.”

Q: The Chiefs released Kareem Hunt pretty quickly after the incident a few years ago. How do you reconcile that action with bringing him back now?

REID:&nbsp;“It’s really – what we told him (Kareem Hunt) and probably – we just thought he needed a change a scenery and to get some help and (to) take care of business there. We felt like he did that, and he did a nice job in Cleveland. We talked to the people there (in Cleveland) and there were no issues there and we felt okay by bringing him back. He’s 29 years old now so – time flies but he’s 29 years old and looks like he’s grown up some.”

Q: Is this the first time that you’ve had the conversation about bringing Kareem Hunt back?

REID:&nbsp;“Where it was real, yes.”

Q: What we’re your conversations like when you were deciding to bring him back?

REID:&nbsp;“Just calling around and making sure things were okay – Pat (Mahomes) stayed good friends with him (Kareem Hunt), so he was at Pat’s wedding. Those two (Patrick Mahomes and Kareem Hunt) came out in the same (draft) class and developed a friendship here. Then, their (the Cleveland Browns) General Manager (Andrew Berry) spoke highly of him – coaches and so on, so we felt good about it.”

Q: Did you need to have specific conversation points with Kareem Hunt?

REID:&nbsp;“I was at the wedding (Patrick Mahomes’ wedding), I talked to him (Kareem Hunt) there. I also talked to him there and then I also talked to him before he got here and when he got here.”

Q: Were the conversations with Kareem Hunt the type of conversations where you felt like you needed to speak about the past?

REID:&nbsp;“Just make sure that you keep your nose clean, right? That’s the important part and go play football. I think people deserve a second chance if they’ve done something to work on the first part of it.”

Q: If everything goes well on the field with Kareem Hunt, is there a specific role that you see him taking on?

REID:&nbsp;“I want to see where he’s (Kareem Hunt) at. I want to see him out there working today and where he’s at. I’ll probably have him doing more scout team stuff today than actually in with the group but let’s see where he’s at and I’ll be able to judge it from there. He’ll have some retention from the stuff that we’ve done here and he’s a sharp kid. He can pick everything up that’s new but let’s get him started first and kind of see where we’re at with him.”

Q: It’s been a tough 10 days or so with the injury news. What’s the message to the guys that are left to play and moving forward?

REID:&nbsp;“Listen, our hearts go out for those kids first. Both of those guys (Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco) love to play the game but we’re also fortunate to have good players here that can step in, and we expect them to step up and play. That’s a tribute to (General Manager) Brett (Veach) and his staff.

Q: You elevated Keaontay Ingram to the active roster. What do you like about him?

REID:&nbsp;“He (Keaontay Ingram) had a really good camp for us. (We) felt comfortable with him moving up. Like I said, if you’re moved up, you’re expected to be ready to play and I think he’s done that. He’s worked hard on the scout team part of it, stayed in tuned with the offense (and) he’s in all the meetings so felt he was ready for that.”

Q: How quickly can Kareem Hunt pick up the playbook since it’s been a while since he’s been here?

REID:&nbsp;“He’ll (Kareem Hunt) know the base protections (and) he’ll know the base runs. Some of the routes are a bit new but we’re not flexing him out and making him do all that, so he’s just got to – some of the terminology – he’s just got to hear some of the route terminology. Right now, it’s job specific for that team. It’s not like you’re coming into training camp, and you’ve got 300 plays (to learn), so he’s just got to make sure he stays in tune with that.”

Q: You’ve been really good on the road. What are the conditions that you’ve created to have the mindset to be successful on the road?

REID:&nbsp;“Well, this is a loud venue (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), so you’ve got to be able to handle the noise. Then, you have to come in with the right attitude. I mean, that’s how it is. We try to keep it as consistent as we can with the travel part and times for meetings and such. That’s what we do. Every game’s a challenge in itself so whatever we did before doesn’t matter for right now. We’ve just got to make sure that we prepare ourselves for it.”

Q: A lot of teams around the league are passing the ball short. What are the benefits of short passes? What’s the explanation for it?

REID:&nbsp;“Some of it’s the matchups according to coverage, depending on what teams do. Our run game was effective this past week, so we used that more than the down the field stuff. It just depends on the matchups. I think most people will tell you that. Some of the teams that are throwing down the field had a little bit more space and different coverages to work with where they could do that.”

Q: What did you see on tape from Kareem Hunt last year? What about from the workout that you guys had with him?

REID:&nbsp;“He (Kareem Hunt) had had a sports hernia surgery done a bit ago, so I think he was probably affected by that a little bit, just coming back off of that. I still saw the burst (and) the toughness when he got back in there and then we worked him out here and felt good about it. We’ll see – he’s getting up there (in age). The running backs they – he’s 29 years old, that’s – for a running back, that’s old.”

Q: Before Isiah Pacheco’s injury, was there ever a thought that you might be able to coach Kareem Hunt again?

REID: “No, but I think we meant what we said that you know, you need to take care of this. This isn’t good as you go through life for anybody. It seems like he has a grasp on that, and I know he’s done good here since that point and I anticipate that that continues. If that wasn’t the case, we wouldn’t have brought him back.”

Q: Terrell Owens had the same injury that Isiah Pacheco had, what do you remember about his journey coming back that same season?

REID: “I thought that T.O. (Terrell Owens) attacked it. He was going to play in the Super Bowl, I mean that’s what he was going to do. No matter what, he was going to play in that Super Bowl. Between the chamber he was sleeping in and living basically with (VP of Sports Medicine &amp; Performance) Rick (Burkholder) all day, he was able to come back relatively quick. The thing you can learn from that is you attack the injury to stay positive with it. Everybody is different but the fact that he wasn’t going to be denied that opportunity. (Isiah) Pacheco like T.O., Pacheco is one of those guys that you have to back off and I know this is how he’ll do. He wasn’t going to allow anybody to get him off that field. Even if he had to crawl off of there, he was going to get off the field. That’s just how he’s wired but I would tell you that within reason and the guidance of Rick, I know he’ll get himself back and ready to go whenever that is, as fast as he can.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Q: It’s National Cheeseburger Day, are you going to celebrate?

REID: “Yeah, (Pat) McAfee just sent me a cheeseburger from McDonalds. I thought that was unique. McAfee’s unique so I can’t wait to enjoy it.”

Q:&nbsp;What has Kareem Hunt’s journey been like from your perspective since he left here?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Obviously, Kareem (Hunt) was a close friend of mine while he was here, just being in the same draft class (and) everything like that – (he) came to my wedding. But obviously, he went to Cleveland, has had a good career there, has learned and become a better person and I’m glad to have him back now. Let’s get him accustomed to the offense and see how fast we can get him out there.”

Q:&nbsp;What have conversations been like with Kareem Hunt over the past few days?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I knew he (Kareem Hunt) was coming into the building. Obviously, I know he had to go through his workout process and meeting with the coaches and (General Manager Brett) Veach and everybody. At the end of the day, man, I just root for the person to keep becoming a better and better person and the football is secondary, but I’m glad to have him back and in the building. I gave him a high five and a hug when I saw him because it’s a person that I used to spend a lot of time with a long time ago.”

Q:&nbsp;What was it like to experience those past behavioral issues as Kareem Hunt’s friend and teammate?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Anyone – everybody has friends that make mistakes and obviously, some are bigger than others, but at the same time, you want to make the person better, and you want to see them taking the right steps to become a better person for themselves, their family and the rest of society. I think you’ve seen that with Kareem (Hunt). I’ve stayed in touch with him just to see how he’s doing, how his family’s doing and everything like that. He’s been able to carve out a great career in the NFL, but you’ve seen (how) he’s been able to keep his nose clean and be a better person and that’s what you want in order to make everybody better people.”

Q:&nbsp;What can you expect, production wise, from Kareem Hunt on the field once he gets caught up with the playbook?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“A guy that plays hard, plays physical, catches the ball out of the backfield, still has explosion in between the tackles. We have a lot of guys in that running back room now that are going to have a chance to kind of take up some of that role while Isiah (Pacheco) is out. They’re ready for it and I’m glad that (General Manager Brett) Veach has built such a great running back room and adding Kareem (Hunt) is just going to be another step in that of taking a vital role of this team until we can get Pop (Isiah Pacheco) back.”

Q:&nbsp;Who do you expect to start at left tackle?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I don’t make those decisions. At the end of the day, I have a lot of trust in both those guys. I though Kingsley (Suamataia) had good snaps (and) had bad snaps. It’s just part of the process of being a rookie going up against a great pass rusher. I think you saw he took accountability, he’s learning from it, and then Wanya (Morris) has played snaps as well and he’s done great things and he’s getting better and better. I think the coaches will at the end of the day make a determination (that) they think is best for the team, but I trust both those guys - whoever’s out there.”

Q:&nbsp;How do you replicate the pop and energy that Isiah Pacheco brings to the offense?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“That’s going to everybody. That’s not going to be just that running back room. You said it, the energy that he brings, the way he runs the football, the way he pops up, he’s always (in a) positive mindset. That’s going to take other guys to step up with (and) it starts with me. I have to bring that mindset. I have to play better football (and) put guys in better positions, but at the same time, I have to keep the energy going. That’s a special thing that Pop (Isiah Pacheco) does. I don’t think one person can do that (and) have that amount of energy and play that hard. I mean, it really is a special characteristic of him. I think the whole team can come together and bring that energy in his absence.”

Q:&nbsp;What was your message to Isiah Pacheco on how to deal with that injury?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“He (Isiah Pacheco) loves the game, so he wants to be out there, and he puts so much work into it. I think at first, you obviously are upset that you have the injury, but if I know anything, I know that man is going to be getting after it. It’s going to be more about the trainers having to hold him back than him not getting in and getting the work because he loves it so much, man. He’s in the building, he’s working. I’m excited for the comeback, man, because he’s going to comeback ready to go whenever he gets back.”

Q:&nbsp;On Isiah Pacheco not letting anyone help him off the field.

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I didn’t see the tackle because of the angle that I was at. I’ve seen it obviously now. The fact that he (Isiah Pacheco) popped up and he was like running off the field – I think he was trying to get back on the field and that just speaks to the kind of competitor that he is. I didn’t realize it was as serious of an injury until after the game (because) of the moment that we were in. Like I said, he’s going to attack it, man. He’ll be back sooner rather than later.”

Q: What’s the mindset required to have success on the road? Is it different than any other game?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think the mindset is that you have to just come in with the mentality and really sharpen up on your details which I think offensively we have to do anyways, starting with me. This is a good team, a lot of great players. I’ve played against a lot of these guys that are all in one spot now with a great defensive scheme and it’s going to be a great environment, Sunday Night Football in Atlanta. We’re going to have to sharpen up our stuff offensively, defense is playing great, they’re going to keep playing good. We have to continue to get better and better at the little things so that we can go out there and just play free when we get there.”

Q: What are the challenges of going up against Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris’ defense?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“First off, his (Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris) schemes – he has really a good scheme. He has a good understanding of defenses and what the offense is trying to attack in his defense. I think that, along with he’s very gameplan specific so even though he has his scheme and has things that he works on, he tries to take away what you’re best at. That’s what all the best defensive coordinators do and now he’s a head coach and you can see just from the little interaction I’ve had with him and the interactions I’ve seen, he’s a great leader. I think that’s something that every player that you see that’s played on one of his teams, offense or defensively has said. It’s going to be a great challenge for us, man and I’m excited for it.”

Q: You’ve thrown a lot of passes that are either at or behind the line of scrimmage and it seems to have become a league wide thing. What do you think attributes to this?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“I think this last week in general I didn’t play to my standard, so I think I have to be better. There were some opportunities down the middle areas of the field that I think I missed. We hit obviously the deep one to Rashee (Rice) but whenever teams take away the deep stuff, you have to throw it underneath, but you still have to have the ability to threaten the middle of the field so that’s something that I will continue to get better at and then limiting mistakes from myself. I think across the league, teams are going to make you drive the entire field. I think that’s just kind of the thought process and then trying not to let you score in the redzone but there are opportunities out there and you just have to execute it at a higher level, there’s not as many as maybe I’ve had previously.”

Q: You mentioned that you have to get better with the details, is that just your selection of where to put the ball?

MAHOMES:&nbsp;“Yeah, that – just with the tight zone coverages kind of the match zone coverages that you’re playing, the windows aren’t big. You have to be on time, even if you look at the first interception I threw, I think Travis (Kelce) had a window there, I was just late to that window. Just being on time and if you don’t, the defenses are collapsing those windows quick. There’s just the little things that I have to be better at – at getting the ball there on time, accurately and not making the mistakes at the same time. It’s just stuff that you have to continue to work on throughout the season. We have to be better; I have to be better as the season goes on.”

Q: How do you think you are doing now that you are the go-to guy?

MCDUFFIE: “I think I’m doing my job good. Definitely things that I have to clean up on the backend as far as communication, as far as technique wise. (I’m) kind of still getting comfortable out there at the corner position and playing that role that (Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) wants me to play. I thought I did a good job at just making sure everybody knows where I’m at on the field. Having to travel, a lot of guys have to go to different places so just being vocal about that and just letting people know where I’m at on the field is kind of something that I’m trying to work on a little bit better.”

Q: Can you sum up how you guys are so effective on the last couple drives of the games?

MCDUFFIE: “Man, (Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) always talks about the four most important drives of a game and it’s the first drive coming out of the first quarter, third quarter and then the end of the game, second half and first half. When you get to that fourth quarter, I mean that’s where you win games, no matter how much you’re down, no matter how much you’re up, it all comes down to the last few drives because that’s where the offense is going to give you their best plays, that’s where all your mistakes kind of get cleaned up and all your checks after halftime come in so really just focusing on being at your best in the fourth quarter, I think, is what we’ve done a great job at here and something that we continue to work on each and every year.”

Chiefs Quotes: 9-18-24

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday made his first public appearance since Sunday’s second&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-gunshots-florida-f62f8378d3a8ce7b2e99d6a8fb40aba9">apparent assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;against him, speaking to an crowd chanting “God bless Trump!” and “Fight, Fight, Fight” as U.S. Secret Service agents surrounded the stage to protect him.

“It’s been a great experience,” the Republican presidential nominee said in an evening town hall in Flint, Michigan, about holding events with thousands of supporters. But he also went on to call running for president “a dangerous business” akin to car racing or bull riding.

“Only consequential presidents get shot at,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;struck a measured tone, even steering clear of mentioning Trump by name in an interview with Black journalists that starkly contrasted with the former president’s own highly contentious appearance before the same group.

The two candidates briefly put their differences aside in a phone call Trump described as “very, very nice” even as crowds booed when he mentioned Harris by her first name. Harris said earlier in the day that she told Trump “there’s no place for political violence in our country.”

Both sides are ramping up campaigning with no changes to Trump’s calendar despite the apparent assassination attempt at one of his Florida golf courses, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-2024-election-assassination-attempt-836523f3bbecf4a183dc46fbefd8230a">renewed accusations by Republicans</a>&nbsp;that Democrats’ criticism against Trump is inspiring violent attacks. Democrats have accused Trump in the past for his long history of inflammatory campaign rhetoric and advocacy for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-wisconsin-election-economy-a6923d6c5758dabb6d959417ea9d7d12">jailing or prosecuting his political enemies</a>. But Harris was treading more carefully in the aftermath of the latest incident.

Her session with the National Association of Black Journalists was one of the few extensive sit-down interviews Harris has done since replacing President Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket in July. She repeatedly criticized Trump on issues including his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and opposition to abortion access, but was careful to refer to him as the former president and in other ways that avoided naming him directly.

Trump re-upped his past retaliation threats against election workers, donors and others as he tries to stoke fears about the integrity of the upcoming 2024 election.

He posted Tuesday on his social media site, “Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before.”

The Michigan town hall was billed as focusing on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-auto-industry-tariffs-false-chinese-factories-0f024d98e25a361db35761b2fb740e3b">the auto industry</a>, a pillar of the battleground state. Trump alleged Democrats would undercut American car manufacturing by pushing for the adoption of electric vehicles and repeated false claims that Chinese automakers are building large factories across the border in Mexico to flood the U.S. with vehicles.

Trump has appearances later in the week in New York, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina.

Harris has her own stops in Washington as well as Michigan and Wisconsin in the coming days, with the two candidates overlapping in concentrating on the industrial Midwest, Pennsylvania and North Carolina — all swing areas that could decide an election expected to be exceedingly close.

Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-nabj-black-voters-trump-philadelphia-election-vance-walz-f40ec2b5833155562463efa05df6a03f">answered questions from three association journalists</a>&nbsp;at a small, relatively quiet venue at the Philadelphia studios of public radio station WHYY. That was very different from Trump’s addressing the NABJ conference in Chicago in July, when he was antagonistic to the moderators and sparked an uproar by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-black-journalists-convention-nabj-1e96aa530e88013ed6f577feaf89ccb6">questioning the vice president’s racial identity</a>.

Her manner was a departure from her campaign rallies, where Harris often receives some of her loudest applause by declaring that her professional background as a prosecutor means, “I know Donald Trump’s type.”

Pressed about reports of eroding support among Black male voters, Harris said she wasn’t “assuming I’m gonna have it because I’m Black.” She ducked a question about whether she’d support efforts by some congressional Democrats for reparations from the government to compensate descendants of slaves for years of unpaid labor by their ancestors. Biden has backed the idea of at least studying reparations.

So far, Biden and Harris have tried to avoid politics in their responses to Sunday’s incident, instead condemning political violence of all kinds. The president also urged Congress to increase funding to the Secret Service.

Trump has claimed, without evidence, that months of criticism against him by Harris and Biden, who call him a threat to American democracy,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-2024-election-assassination-attempt-836523f3bbecf4a183dc46fbefd8230a">inspired the latest attack</a>.

“I really believe that the rhetoric from the Democrats” is “making the bullets fly. And it’s very dangerous. Dangerous for them. It’s dangerous for both sides,” Trump said in an interview with The Washington Post.

Authorities say&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-suspect-ukraine-f76ed09f256f6bd21727a10901d92af7">Ryan Wesley Routh</a>&nbsp;camped outside the golf course in West Palm Beach, where Trump was playing Sunday, for nearly 12 hours with food and a rifle but fled without firing shots when a Secret Service agent spotted and shot at him. He was subsequently arrested as he drove on the highway.

Routh’s past online posts suggest he has not been consistent about his politics in terms of supporting Democrats or Republicans. The attack came barely two months after Trump was wounded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-trump-assassination-attempt-city-8c62803f8a57f569a2a5639172a6c783">during a rally in Pennsylvania</a>.

Trump also met Tuesday with sheriff’s office deputies who activated the highway traffic stop that took Routh into custody.

Trump’s running mate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-kemp-faith-freedom-c808cd8c56b63cba44fe0e0349d432e3">Ohio Sen. JD Vance</a>, said at a Georgia Faith &amp; Freedom Coalition event on Monday that “it’s popular on a lot of corners of the left to say that we have a both sides problem.” But “no one has tried to kill Kamala Harris in the last couple of months, and two people now have tried to kill Donald Trump.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during her briefing with reporters Tuesday that there should be zero tolerance for violence-inciting rhetoric. She bristled at the suggestion that Biden and Harris have stoked division by calling Trump a threat to democracy, saying there were concrete examples of the former president being that — such as when he helped incite an attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

In response to Vance’s comments, Jean-Pierre said, “When you have that type of language out there it’s dangerous. It’s dangerous because people look up to that particular national leader, and they listen to you.” She said such comments open the door for “people to take you very seriously.”

Dan Curry, 44, of Saginaw, Michigan, attended the town hall Tuesday and said he is worried about the prospect of more violence against Trump.

“They say the Republicans are the gun-crazed lunatics trying to shoot people, but you don’t see us going after them,” said Curry, while adding these attacks may mobilize more support for Trump.

“It energizes his base,” he said. “How could it not?”

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday made his first public appearance since Sunday’s second&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-gunshots-florida-f62f8378d3a8ce7b2e99d6a8fb40aba9">apparent assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;against him, speaking to an crowd chanting “God bless Trump!” and “Fight, Fight, Fight” as U.S. Secret Service agents surrounded the stage to protect him.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VP <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a> says she spoke with former President Trump today: &quot;I checked to see if he was OK. I told him what I have said publicly, there is no place for political violence in our country.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/sS1hffXE5O">pic.twitter.com/sS1hffXE5O</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1836127462868082714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It’s been a great experience,” the Republican presidential nominee said in an evening town hall in Flint, Michigan, about holding events with thousands of supporters. But he also went on to call running for president “a dangerous business” akin to car racing or bull riding.“Only consequential presidents get shot at,” he said.Earlier in the day, Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;struck a measured tone, even steering clear of mentioning Trump by name in an interview with Black journalists that starkly contrasted with the former president’s own highly contentious appearance before the same group.The two candidates briefly put their differences aside in a phone call Trump described as “very, very nice” even as crowds booed when he mentioned Harris by her first name. Harris said earlier in the day that she told Trump “there’s no place for political violence in our country.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Donald Trump on assassination attempt this past Sunday: &quot;Secret Service did a hell of a job. They really did.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/7earysPTMb">pic.twitter.com/7earysPTMb</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1836201443922936266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Both sides are ramping up campaigning with no changes to Trump’s calendar despite the apparent assassination attempt at one of his Florida golf courses, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-2024-election-assassination-attempt-836523f3bbecf4a183dc46fbefd8230a">renewed accusations by Republicans</a>&nbsp;that Democrats’ criticism against Trump is inspiring violent attacks. Democrats have accused Trump in the past for his long history of inflammatory campaign rhetoric and advocacy for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-wisconsin-election-economy-a6923d6c5758dabb6d959417ea9d7d12">jailing or prosecuting his political enemies</a>. But Harris was treading more carefully in the aftermath of the latest incident.Her session with the National Association of Black Journalists was one of the few extensive sit-down interviews Harris has done since replacing President Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket in July. She repeatedly criticized Trump on issues including his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and opposition to abortion access, but was careful to refer to him as the former president and in other ways that avoided naming him directly.Trump re-upped his past retaliation threats against election workers, donors and others as he tries to stoke fears about the integrity of the upcoming 2024 election.He posted Tuesday on his social media site, “Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before.”The Michigan town hall was billed as focusing on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-auto-industry-tariffs-false-chinese-factories-0f024d98e25a361db35761b2fb740e3b">the auto industry</a>, a pillar of the battleground state. Trump alleged Democrats would undercut American car manufacturing by pushing for the adoption of electric vehicles and repeated false claims that Chinese automakers are building large factories across the border in Mexico to flood the U.S. with vehicles.Trump has appearances later in the week in New York, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina.Harris has her own stops in Washington as well as Michigan and Wisconsin in the coming days, with the two candidates overlapping in concentrating on the industrial Midwest, Pennsylvania and North Carolina — all swing areas that could decide an election expected to be exceedingly close.Harris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-nabj-black-voters-trump-philadelphia-election-vance-walz-f40ec2b5833155562463efa05df6a03f">answered questions from three association journalists</a>&nbsp;at a small, relatively quiet venue at the Philadelphia studios of public radio station WHYY. That was very different from Trump’s addressing the NABJ conference in Chicago in July, when he was antagonistic to the moderators and sparked an uproar by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-black-journalists-convention-nabj-1e96aa530e88013ed6f577feaf89ccb6">questioning the vice president’s racial identity</a>.Her manner was a departure from her campaign rallies, where Harris often receives some of her loudest applause by declaring that her professional background as a prosecutor means, “I know Donald Trump’s type.”Pressed about reports of eroding support among Black male voters, Harris said she wasn’t “assuming I’m gonna have it because I’m Black.” She ducked a question about whether she’d support efforts by some congressional Democrats for reparations from the government to compensate descendants of slaves for years of unpaid labor by their ancestors. Biden has backed the idea of at least studying reparations.So far, Biden and Harris have tried to avoid politics in their responses to Sunday’s incident, instead condemning political violence of all kinds. The president also urged Congress to increase funding to the Secret Service.Trump has claimed, without evidence, that months of criticism against him by Harris and Biden, who call him a threat to American democracy,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-2024-election-assassination-attempt-836523f3bbecf4a183dc46fbefd8230a">inspired the latest attack</a>.“I really believe that the rhetoric from the Democrats” is “making the bullets fly. And it’s very dangerous. Dangerous for them. It’s dangerous for both sides,” Trump said in an interview with The Washington Post.Authorities say&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-assassination-attempt-suspect-ukraine-f76ed09f256f6bd21727a10901d92af7">Ryan Wesley Routh</a>&nbsp;camped outside the golf course in West Palm Beach, where Trump was playing Sunday, for nearly 12 hours with food and a rifle but fled without firing shots when a Secret Service agent spotted and shot at him. He was subsequently arrested as he drove on the highway.Routh’s past online posts suggest he has not been consistent about his politics in terms of supporting Democrats or Republicans. The attack came barely two months after Trump was wounded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-trump-assassination-attempt-city-8c62803f8a57f569a2a5639172a6c783">during a rally in Pennsylvania</a>.Trump also met Tuesday with sheriff’s office deputies who activated the highway traffic stop that took Routh into custody.Trump’s running mate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-kemp-faith-freedom-c808cd8c56b63cba44fe0e0349d432e3">Ohio Sen. JD Vance</a>, said at a Georgia Faith &amp; Freedom Coalition event on Monday that “it’s popular on a lot of corners of the left to say that we have a both sides problem.” But “no one has tried to kill Kamala Harris in the last couple of months, and two people now have tried to kill Donald Trump.”White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during her briefing with reporters Tuesday that there should be zero tolerance for violence-inciting rhetoric. She bristled at the suggestion that Biden and Harris have stoked division by calling Trump a threat to democracy, saying there were concrete examples of the former president being that — such as when he helped incite an attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.In response to Vance’s comments, Jean-Pierre said, “When you have that type of language out there it’s dangerous. It’s dangerous because people look up to that particular national leader, and they listen to you.” She said such comments open the door for “people to take you very seriously.”Dan Curry, 44, of Saginaw, Michigan, attended the town hall Tuesday and said he is worried about the prospect of more violence against Trump.“They say the Republicans are the gun-crazed lunatics trying to shoot people, but you don’t see us going after them,” said Curry, while adding these attacks may mobilize more support for Trump.“It energizes his base,” he said. “How could it not?”<h2>___</h2>

🎥Harris describes phone call to Trump following 2nd assassination attempt

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sean-diddy-combs">Sean “Diddy” Combs</a>&nbsp;presided over a sordid empire of sexual crimes, coercing and abusing women for years while using blackmail and shocking acts of violence to keep his victims in line, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.

<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iSrpU9eql323koZY7Omi0TmOWzrIOpSQ/view">Click here to read the full&nbsp;</a>14 page indictment&nbsp;

The music mogul pleaded not guilty, standing to speak, after listening to the allegations while showing little reaction, his uncuffed hands folded in his lap.

Federal prosecutors called Combs dangerous and urged that he be jailed without bail.

“Mr. Combs physically and sexually abused victims for decades. He used the vast resources of his company to facilitate his abuse and cover up his crimes. Simply put, he is a serial abuser and a serial obstructor,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson told a court. She also said he had “extensive and exhaustive history of obstruction of justice,” including alleged bribery and witness intimidation.

His lawyers, meanwhile, proposed in court papers that he be released on a $50 million bond to home detention with electronic monitoring.

The racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking indictment described Combs inducing female victims and male sex workers into drugged-up, sometimes dayslong sexual performances dubbed “Freak Offs."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726573364033.png" alt="Sean 'Diddy' Combs" />
 <figcaption>Sean 'Diddy' Combs</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sean-diddy-combs">Sean “Diddy” Combs</a>&nbsp;presided over a sordid empire of sexual crimes, coercing and abusing women for years while using blackmail and shocking acts of violence to keep his victims in line, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iSrpU9eql323koZY7Omi0TmOWzrIOpSQ/view">Click here to read the full&nbsp;</a>14 page indictment&nbsp;The music mogul pleaded not guilty, standing to speak, after listening to the allegations while showing little reaction, his uncuffed hands folded in his lap.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726583216599.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Federal prosecutors called Combs dangerous and urged that he be jailed without bail.“Mr. Combs physically and sexually abused victims for decades. He used the vast resources of his company to facilitate his abuse and cover up his crimes. Simply put, he is a serial abuser and a serial obstructor,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson told a court. She also said he had “extensive and exhaustive history of obstruction of justice,” including alleged bribery and witness intimidation.His lawyers, meanwhile, proposed in court papers that he be released on a $50 million bond to home detention with electronic monitoring.The racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking indictment described Combs inducing female victims and male sex workers into drugged-up, sometimes dayslong sexual performances dubbed “Freak Offs."It also refers obliquely to an attack on his former girlfriend, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-cassie-lawsuit-e3681f1abbe38c11d829c269c9a89260">R&amp;B singer Cassie</a>, that was captured on video.The 54-year-old founder of Bad Boy Records is accused of striking, punching and dragging women, throwing objects and kicking them — and getting his personal assistants, security and household staff to help him hide it all.Prosecutors said in court papers that they had interviewed more than 50 victims and witnesses and expect the number to grow. They said they would use financial, travel and billing records, electronic data and communications and videos of the “Freak Offs” to prove their case.Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said outside the courthouse Tuesday that Combs is innocent.“His spirits are good. He’s confident,” said the attorney, who said Combs came to New York voluntarily to “engage the court system and start the case.”Combs' three sons also arrived at the courthouse to observe.Combs was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-diddy-combs-arrested-93831d646c5cf36add77a91ba668ae84">arrested late Monday</a>&nbsp;in Manhattan, roughly six months after federal authorities conducting a sex trafficking investigation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-sex-trafficking-raids-feds-74a31ab6d1778ef84f1b97e7578dc906">raided his luxurious homes</a>&nbsp;in Los Angeles and Miami.A conviction on every charge in the indictment would require a mandatory 15 years in prison with the possibility of a life sentence.The indictment describes Combs as the head of a criminal enterprise that engaged or attempted to engage in sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, drug offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.Combs and his associates wielded his “power and prestige” to intimidate and lure women into his orbit, “often under the pretense of a romantic relationship,” the indictment says.It says he then would use force, threats and coercion to get the women to engage with male sex workers in the “Freak Offs” — “elaborate and produced sex performances” that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during and often recorded, creating dozens of videos.He sometimes arranged to fly the women in and ensured their participation by procuring and providing drugs, controlling their careers, leveraging his financial support and using intimidation and violence, according to the indictment.The events could last for days, and Combs and victims would often receive IV fluids to recover from the exertion and drug use, the indictment said.It said his employees facilitated “Freak Offs” by arranging travel, booking hotel rooms, stocking them with such supplies as drugs and baby oil, scheduling the delivery of IV fluids and cleaning the rooms afterward.During the searches of Combs’ homes earlier this year, law enforcement seized narcotics, videos of the “Freak Offs” and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, according to prosecutors. They said agents also seized firearms and ammunition, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers — two of them, broken into parts, in his bedroom closet in Miami.The indictment portrays Combs as a violent man who choked and shoved people, hit and kicked victims and sometimes dragged them by their hair, causing injuries that often took days or weeks to heal. His employees and associates sometimes witnessed his violence and kept victims from leaving or tracked down those who tried, the indictment said.It alleges that Combs sometimes kept videos of victims engaging in sex acts and used the recordings as “collateral" to ensure the women's continued obedience and silence. He also exerted control over victims by promising career opportunities, providing and threatening to withhold financial support, dictating how they looked, monitoring their health records and controlling where they lived, according to the indictment.In a court filing, prosecutors accused Combs and an unidentified co-conspirator of kidnapping someone at gunpoint a few days before Christmas in 2011 in order to facilitate a break-in at another person’s home. Two weeks later, they wrote, Combs set fire to someone’s vehicle by slicing open its convertible top and dropping in a Molotov cocktail.All of this, prosecutors allege, was happening behind the facade of Combs’ global music, lifestyle and clothing business.“A year ago, Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City. Today, he’s been indicted and will face justice," Manhattan-based U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said at a news conference Tuesday.Combs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-diddy-combs-cassie-key-to-nyc-bf222c354facd571d1be73fca2ec7f4c">returned the key</a>&nbsp;in June after Mayor Eric Adams requested it back.Combs was recognized as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop before a flood of allegations emerged over the past year.As the threat of criminal charges loomed, Combs and his associates pressured witnesses and victims to stay silent, offering bribes and supplying false narratives of what happened, the indictment says.In November, Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-diddy-combs-rape-lawsuit-53e664171385e8704a9c4135262b888a">saying he had beaten and raped her for years</a>. She accused Combs of coercing her, and others, into unwanted sex in drug-fueled settings.The suit was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-combs-cassie-lawsuit-2d2a4c8938eb82c34b62c01a30969554">settled in one day</a>, but months later, CNN aired hotel security footage showing Combs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-cassie-hotel-video-beating-6f8c82b8c4cadd204ddbf33196cb45d4">punching and kicking Ventura</a>&nbsp;and throwing her on a floor. After the video aired,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-apology-cassie-video-4e6a81d3e9ab40fa229edef2fb8ad357">Combs apologized</a>, saying, “I was disgusted when I did it.”The indictment refers to the attack, without naming Ventura, and says Combs tried to bribe a hotel security staffer to stay mum about it.Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Ventura, declined to comment Tuesday.Combs and his attorneys denied similar allegations made by others in a string of lawsuits.A woman said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-diddy-combs-rape-lawsuit-53e664171385e8704a9c4135262b888a">Combs raped her</a>&nbsp;two decades ago when she was 17. A music producer sued, saying Combs forced him to have sex with prostitutes. Another woman,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-sexual-assault-lawsuit-3a64e5b28d87fb76051865b9e47eba67">April Lampros,</a>&nbsp;said Combs subjected her to “terrifying sexual encounters,” starting when she was a college student in 1994.The AP does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Ventura and Lampros did.-------------NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sean-diddy-combs">Sean “Diddy” Combs</a>&nbsp;presided over a sordid empire of sexual crimes, coercing and abusing women for years, threatening them to keep them in line and enlisting a cast of aides to cover it up, according to an indictment unsealed Tuesday.<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iSrpU9eql323koZY7Omi0TmOWzrIOpSQ/view">Click here to read the full </a>14 page indictment&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726583216599.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The music mogul “engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals," including physical violence, in order "to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct, the indictment said.It describes him inducing female victims and male sex workers into drugged-up, sometimes dayslong sexual performances dubbed “Freak Offs.” It also refers obliquely to an attack on his former girlfriend, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-cassie-lawsuit-e3681f1abbe38c11d829c269c9a89260">R&amp;B singer Cassie</a>, that was captured on video.Combs was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-diddy-combs-arrested-93831d646c5cf36add77a91ba668ae84">arrested late Monday</a>&nbsp;in Manhattan, roughly six months after federal authorities conducting a sex trafficking investigation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-sex-trafficking-raids-feds-74a31ab6d1778ef84f1b97e7578dc906">raided his luxurious homes</a>&nbsp;in Los Angeles and Miami. He was due in court Tuesday afternoon, and his three sons arrived at the courthouse Tuesday morning to observe.Prosecutors said they would seek to have Combs detained pending trial. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said outside the courthouse Tuesday morning that he'd fight to keep him free, and that Combs is innocent and would plead not guilty.“His spirits are good. He’s confident," said the attorney, who said Combs came to New York voluntarily to "engage the court system and start the case.”The indictment describes Combs, the 54-year-old founder of Bad Boy Records, as the head of a criminal enterprise that engaged or attempted to engage in sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, drug offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.He's accused of striking, punching and dragging women, throwing objects and kicking them — and getting his personal assistants, security and household staff to help him hide it all.“The evidence in this case is incredibly powerful,” prosecutors said in a document seeking Combs' detention. They said they had interviewed over 50 victims and witnesses and expect the number to grow.Combs and his associates wielded his “power and prestige” to intimidate and lure women into his orbit, “often under the pretense of a romantic relationship,” the indictment says. It says he then would use force, threats and coercion to get the women to engage with male sex workers in the “Freak Offs” — “elaborate and produced sex performances” that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during and often recorded, creating dozens of videos.He sometimes arranged to fly the women in and ensured their participation by procuring and providing drugs, controlling their careers, leveraging his financial support and using intimidation and violence, according to the indictment.The events could last for days, and Combs and victims would often receive IV fluids to recover from the exertion and drug use, the indictment said. It said his employees facilitated “Freak Offs” by arranging travel, booking hotel rooms, stocking them with such supplies as drugs and baby oil, scheduling the delivery of IV fluids and cleaning the rooms afterward.During a search of Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles this year, law enforcement seized narcotics, videos of the “Freak Offs” and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, according to prosecutors. They said agents also seized firearms and ammunition, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers — two of them, broken into parts, in his bedroom closet in Miami.The indictment portrays Combs as a violent man who choked and shoved people, hit and kicked victims and sometimes dragged them by their hair, causing injuries that often took days or weeks to heal. His employees and associates sometimes witnessed his violence and kept victims from leaving or tracked down those who tried, the indictment said.It alleges that Combs sometimes kept videos of victims engaging in sex acts and used the recordings as “collateral" to ensure the women's continued obedience and silence. He also exerted control over victims by promising career opportunities, providing and threatening to withhold financial support, dictating how they looked, monitoring their health records and controlling where they lived, according to the indictment.As the threat of criminal charges loomed, Combs and his associates pressured witnesses and victims to stay silent, offering bribes and supplying false narratives of what happened, the indictment says.All of this, prosecutors allege, was happening behind the facade of Combs’ global music, lifestyle and clothing business.“A year ago, Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City. Today, he’s been indicted and will face justice," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said at a news conference Tuesday. His office is bringing the case.Combs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-diddy-combs-cassie-key-to-nyc-bf222c354facd571d1be73fca2ec7f4c">returned the key</a>&nbsp;in June after Mayor Eric Adams requested it back.Combs was recognized as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop before a flood of allegations emerged over the past year.In November, Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-diddy-combs-rape-lawsuit-53e664171385e8704a9c4135262b888a">saying he had beaten and raped her for years</a>. She accused Combs of coercing her, and others, into unwanted sex in drug-fueled settings.The suit was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-combs-cassie-lawsuit-2d2a4c8938eb82c34b62c01a30969554">settled in one day</a>, but months later, CNN aired hotel security footage showing Combs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-cassie-hotel-video-beating-6f8c82b8c4cadd204ddbf33196cb45d4">punching and kicking Ventura</a>&nbsp;and throwing her on a floor. After the video aired,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-apology-cassie-video-4e6a81d3e9ab40fa229edef2fb8ad357">Combs apologized</a>, saying, “I was disgusted when I did it.”The indictment refers to the attack, without naming Ventura, and says Combs tried to bribe a hotel security staffer to stay mum about it.Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Ventura, declined to comment Tuesday.Combs and his attorneys denied similar allegations made by others in a string of lawsuits.A woman said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sean-diddy-combs-rape-lawsuit-53e664171385e8704a9c4135262b888a">Combs raped her</a>&nbsp;two decades ago when she was 17. A music producer sued, saying Combs forced him to have sex with prostitutes. Another woman,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diddy-sean-combs-sexual-assault-lawsuit-3a64e5b28d87fb76051865b9e47eba67">April Lampros,</a>&nbsp;said Combs subjected her to “terrifying sexual encounters,” starting when she was a college student in 1994.The AP does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Ventura and Lampros did.Combs has been in legal trouble before. Notably, he was acquitted in 2001 of weapons charges related to a Manhattan nightclub shooting two years earlier that injured three people.___