Something truly magical is happening in Abilene, Kansas this summer– the Central Kansas Free Fair is celebrating its 100th anniversary. This iconic event is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the heart and soul of the Midwest; with a rich history dating back a century, the fair promises to be bigger, better, and more unforgettable than ever.

A Century of Tradition and Fun in Abilene, Kansas

For 100 years, the Central Kansas Free Fair has been a cherished annual tradition in the heart of Abilene, Kansas, bringing together communities and families across the region. From July 27 to August 4, 2024, the fairgrounds in Abilene will come alive with an exciting atmosphere, offering diverse entertainment and activities for everyone to enjoy.

Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect at this year's fair:

Kick off the celebrations with a spectacular parade that showcases the rich history and vibrant culture of Abilene and Central Kansas.&nbsp;

This year, the parade will be on Tuesday, July 30, at 4 p.m.

Dickinson County is in an Excessive Heat Watch through Thursday.&nbsp;

Explore the creativity and talent of residents at the 4-H and open-class exhibits. Marvel at the arts, crafts, and homegrown produce on display, and walk through the barns to see show-quality animals of all sizes!

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ckff.net/attractions/">LEARN MORE</a>

Shop for unique, handcrafted treasures and delicious treats from various vendors. Find that one-of-a-kind souvenir you won't get anywhere else.

Satisfy your taste buds with classic fair food, from corn dogs and cotton candy to mouthwatering Mexican dishes.

Vendors include Dry Creek Buffalo, Crown Vending, Snow Barn, Collander Concessions, DG's Bavarian Roasted Nutz, Indiana Taco, Blue Dream Snow Cone, Roling' Smoke, Tausha's Little Red Barn, Little Bee's Snow Cones, 100 Acre Woods Catering (breakfast only), Roasted Corn, Yurii's Pizza, 7 Ate 5, Crispy Bites, German Kitchen and Flint Hils Pints.

Experience thrilling rides and games to make you feel like a kid again. The Carnival is open Tuesday, July 30 - Saturday, August 3, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, August 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Armbands are $30 per night, and $20 on Sunday only,

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ckff.net/attractions/carnival/">LEARN MORE</a>

Witness the excitement of the rodeo, where skilled cowboys and cowgirls compete in thrilling events. Schedule:

Monday, July 29: Sponsor Dinner and Buckle Auction

Tuesday, July 30: PRCA Timed Event Slack @ 8 AM

Tuesday, July 30: PRCA Performance @ 7:30 PM

Wednesday, July 31: Bulls Broncs, Barrels and Breakaway @ 7:30 PM

Thursday, August 1: PRCA Performance @ 7:30 PM

Friday, August 2: Spurs &amp; Spikes Golf Tournament 8 AM

Friday, August 2: PRCA Performance @ 7:30 PM

Friday, August 2: Rodeo Dance immediately after the performance

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.wildbillhickokrodeo.com/tickets/">BUY TICKETS ONLINE</a>

Prepare for the ultimate showdown as fearless drivers head-to-head in the Demolition Derby. It's a milestone event that you won't want to miss! The Demo Derby is Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ckff.net/attractions/demolition-derby/">LEARN MORE</a>

With such an exciting event on the horizon, we recommend booking your hotel rooms early to secure your stay in Abilene. Accommodations can fill up quickly during the fair, so plan to make the most of this unforgettable experience.

Note: Abilene's new Holiday Inn Express will be open in time for the 2024 Central Kansas Free Fair!

For the latest information, schedules, and ticket details, visit the Central Kansas Free Fair's official website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://chat.openai.com/c/www.ckff.net">www.ckff.net</a>&nbsp;or follow them on Facebook at <a href="http://Facebook.com/centralksfreefair">Facebook.com/centralksfreefair</a>.

This 100th-anniversary celebration is more than just an event; it's a century of traditions, memories, and the spirit of the heartland. Mark your calendars for July 30 to August 4, 2024, and participate in this occasion in Abilene, Kansas. The Central Kansas Free Fair is a testament to the enduring community spirit of Abilene and Central Kansas, and it's a celebration you won't want to miss!

Stay tuned for more updates, and we'll see you there!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721311366825.jpeg" alt="Abilene Central Kansas Free Fair" />
 <figcaption>Abilene Central Kansas Free Fair</figcaption>
 </figure>Visit Abilene KansasSomething truly magical is happening in Abilene, Kansas this summer– the Central Kansas Free Fair is celebrating its 100th anniversary. This iconic event is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the heart and soul of the Midwest; with a rich history dating back a century, the fair promises to be bigger, better, and more unforgettable than ever.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721311416161.png" alt="Central Kansas Free Fair. Image Courtesy Visit Abilene/ Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum Abilene,KS" />
 <figcaption>Central Kansas Free Fair. Image Courtesy Visit Abilene/ Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum Abilene,KS</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A Century of Tradition and Fun in Abilene, Kansas</h2>For 100 years, the Central Kansas Free Fair has been a cherished annual tradition in the heart of Abilene, Kansas, bringing together communities and families across the region. From July 27 to August 4, 2024, the fairgrounds in Abilene will come alive with an exciting atmosphere, offering diverse entertainment and activities for everyone to enjoy.Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect at this year's fair:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721311494863.jpeg" alt="Central Kansas Free Fair Parade. Image Courtesy Visit Abilene" />
 <figcaption>Central Kansas Free Fair Parade. Image Courtesy Visit Abilene</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Central Kansas Free Fair Parade</h2>Kick off the celebrations with a spectacular parade that showcases the rich history and vibrant culture of Abilene and Central Kansas.&nbsp;This year, the parade will be on Tuesday, July 30, at 4 p.m.Dickinson County is in an Excessive Heat Watch through Thursday.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722113051341.jpeg" alt="Excessive Heat Watch in effect" />
 <figcaption>Excessive Heat Watch in effect</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721311535030.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Visit Abilene" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Visit Abilene</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Exhibits</h2>Explore the creativity and talent of residents at the 4-H and open-class exhibits. Marvel at the arts, crafts, and homegrown produce on display, and walk through the barns to see show-quality animals of all sizes!<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ckff.net/attractions/">LEARN MORE</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721311640170.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Visit Salina" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Visit Salina</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Vendor Booths</h2>Shop for unique, handcrafted treasures and delicious treats from various vendors. Find that one-of-a-kind souvenir you won't get anywhere else.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721311800832.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Visit Abilene" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Visit Abilene</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Fair Food</h2>Satisfy your taste buds with classic fair food, from corn dogs and cotton candy to mouthwatering Mexican dishes.Vendors include Dry Creek Buffalo, Crown Vending, Snow Barn, Collander Concessions, DG's Bavarian Roasted Nutz, Indiana Taco, Blue Dream Snow Cone, Roling' Smoke, Tausha's Little Red Barn, Little Bee's Snow Cones, 100 Acre Woods Catering (breakfast only), Roasted Corn, Yurii's Pizza, 7 Ate 5, Crispy Bites, German Kitchen and Flint Hils Pints.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721311880172.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Visit Abilene" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Visit Abilene</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Carnival Rides</h2>Experience thrilling rides and games to make you feel like a kid again. The Carnival is open Tuesday, July 30 - Saturday, August 3, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, August 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Armbands are $30 per night, and $20 on Sunday only,<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ckff.net/attractions/carnival/">LEARN MORE</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721311921072.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Visit Abilene" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Visit Abilene</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo</h2>Witness the excitement of the rodeo, where skilled cowboys and cowgirls compete in thrilling events. Schedule:Monday, July 29: Steer Roping @ 8 AMMonday, July 29: Sponsor Dinner and Buckle AuctionTuesday, July 30: PRCA Timed Event Slack @ 8 AMTuesday, July 30th: CKFF Parade @ 4 PMTuesday, July 30: PRCA Performance @ 7:30 PMWednesday, July 31: Bulls Broncs, Barrels and Breakaway @ 7:30 PMThursday, August 1: PRCA Performance @ 7:30 PMFriday, August 2: Spurs &amp; Spikes Golf Tournament 8 AMFriday, August 2: PRCA Performance @ 7:30 PMFriday, August 2: Rodeo Dance immediately after the performance<a target="_blank" href="http://www.wildbillhickokrodeo.com/tickets/">BUY TICKETS ONLINE</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721311954075.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Visit Abilene" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Visit Abilene</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>50th Anniversary Demolition Derby</h2>Prepare for the ultimate showdown as fearless drivers head-to-head in the Demolition Derby. It's a milestone event that you won't want to miss! The Demo Derby is Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ckff.net/attractions/demolition-derby/">LEARN MORE</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721311999218.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Visit Abilene" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Visit Abilene</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Book Your Hotel Rooms Early</h2>With such an exciting event on the horizon, we recommend booking your hotel rooms early to secure your stay in Abilene. Accommodations can fill up quickly during the fair, so plan to make the most of this unforgettable experience.Note: Abilene's new Holiday Inn Express will be open in time for the 2024 Central Kansas Free Fair!<h2>Stay Updated</h2>For the latest information, schedules, and ticket details, visit the Central Kansas Free Fair's official website at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://chat.openai.com/c/www.ckff.net">www.ckff.net</a>&nbsp;or follow them on Facebook at <a href="http://Facebook.com/centralksfreefair">Facebook.com/centralksfreefair</a>.<h2>Get Ready to Celebrate</h2>This 100th-anniversary celebration is more than just an event; it's a century of traditions, memories, and the spirit of the heartland. Mark your calendars for July 30 to August 4, 2024, and participate in this occasion in Abilene, Kansas. The Central Kansas Free Fair is a testament to the enduring community spirit of Abilene and Central Kansas, and it's a celebration you won't want to miss!Stay tuned for more updates, and we'll see you there!

Central Kansas Free Fair, July 27-Aug. 4, celebrates 100 years in Abilene

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas long snapper Luke Hosford was named to the Patrick Mannelly Award Preseason Watch List, the organization announced on Monday. The award is annually presented to the best FBS long snapper.

Hosford, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, is one of 30 long snappers named to the preseason watch list, including one of four representatives from the Big 12 Conference (Kansas, TCU, Utah, West Virginia). As a redshirt senior, Hosford has played in 37 career games as a Jayhawk, serving as the primary long snapper in all 13 games in 2023 and all 12 games in 2021.

The Patrick Mannelly Award, created in 2019, benefits Bernie’s Book Bank, a non-profit organization located in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Hosford becomes the second Jayhawk to be named to the Patrick Mannelly Award Preseason Watch List, after Logan Klusman was named to the Watch List in 2020, before he was named a semifinalist for the award.

The ten semifinalists will be announced on November 11, 2024, before narrowing down to the three finalists, which will be announced on November 25, 2024, and the winner selected at the live award ceremony in Lake Bluff, Illinois on December 14, 2024.

Hosford is the third Jayhawk to be named to a Preseason Watch List on Monday, after Devin Neal and Jalon Daniels were named to the Maxwell Award Watch List on Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722276460024.jpeg" alt="Patrick Mannely Award Watch List" />
 <figcaption>Patrick Mannely Award Watch List</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas long snapper Luke Hosford was named to the Patrick Mannelly Award Preseason Watch List, the organization announced on Monday. The award is annually presented to the best FBS long snapper.Hosford, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, is one of 30 long snappers named to the preseason watch list, including one of four representatives from the Big 12 Conference (Kansas, TCU, Utah, West Virginia). As a redshirt senior, Hosford has played in 37 career games as a Jayhawk, serving as the primary long snapper in all 13 games in 2023 and all 12 games in 2021.The Patrick Mannelly Award, created in 2019, benefits Bernie’s Book Bank, a non-profit organization located in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Hosford becomes the second Jayhawk to be named to the Patrick Mannelly Award Preseason Watch List, after Logan Klusman was named to the Watch List in 2020, before he was named a semifinalist for the award.The ten semifinalists will be announced on November 11, 2024, before narrowing down to the three finalists, which will be announced on November 25, 2024, and the winner selected at the live award ceremony in Lake Bluff, Illinois on December 14, 2024.Hosford is the third Jayhawk to be named to a Preseason Watch List on Monday, after Devin Neal and Jalon Daniels were named to the Maxwell Award Watch List on Monday.

Luke Hosford Named to Patrick Mannelly Award preseason watch list

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Barely a week ago, a sense of inevitability hung over the U.S. presidential election.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;allies gleefully predicted a landslide victory during a Republican National Convention that felt more like a coronation for a nominee who had just survived an assassination attempt and was promising to unite the country. Democrats, desperate and listless, feared the worst as a diminished President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;clung to his party's nomination.

But over the last seven days, a week unlike any other in American history, the 2024 presidential contest has been transformed. And now, just 99 days before Election Day, a fundamentally new race is taking shape featuring new candidates, a new issue focus and a new outlook for both parties.

Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;stepped in for Biden last Sunday and quickly smashed fundraising records, took over social media and generated levels of excitement that some Democrats said reminded them of the energy that surrounded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barack-obama">Barack Obama’s</a>&nbsp;historic candidacy nearly two decades ago.

“This is potentially Obama on steroids,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who was among 40,000 participants on a Black Women for Harris call last week.

On the other side, Republicans are suddenly fearful and frustrated as they begin to accept the new reality that Trump's victory is no sure thing. And as their mood sours, the finger pointing has begun. Some prominent conservatives are openly second-guessing Trump's vice presidential pick,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>, a little-known Ohio senator with less than two years in office and a well-documented history of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-kamala-harris-childless-trump-0a37e991097b66c52bff5bf7ecf8de7b">provocative statements</a>.

Just 12 days ago, Vance earned a huge ovation as he addressed the RNC in Milwaukee, where there was a strong belief that Trump could do no wrong in the wake of his near-death experience.

“We’re light years away from where we were in Milwaukee,” said Republican National Committee member Henry Barbour, who just a week ago predicted that the GOP might win the national popular vote this fall for the first time since 2004. He's not so sure anymore.

“The Democrats now have a candidate who can speak, who can attack. They have a weapon," Barbour said. “They have a path.”

The incredible speed with which the election was transformed is a stark reminder that, in the Trump era, little is certain, and the conventional wisdom is often wrong. Even now, the Democrats' newfound confidence may be premature. Early public polling suggests that Harris starts in a slightly better position against Trump than Biden was just before his withdrawal from the race. But the numbers also point to a very close race in a deeply divided nation.

Meanwhile, there are still more questions than answers about the 99-day sprint that lies ahead.

Harris has yet to select a running mate. Trump has introduced new uncertainty about the prospect of the next debate slated for Sept. 10 and hosted by ABC, arguing that was part of a deal arranged with Biden. Third-party candidates could still take the race in unexpected directions. And more than a billion dollars in political advertising has yet to be broadcast as both parties re-think their message, their policies and their path to 270 electoral votes.

But the shift over the last week is undeniable.

Harris raised a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-campaign-fundraising-200-million-5db5d7c5001c87377e4ba11250fff597">record-smashing $200 million</a>&nbsp;in the seven days since taking over Biden's campaign, with two-thirds of the haul coming from first-time contributors, her campaign said on Sunday. Over the same period, more than 170,000 volunteers have signed up to help the de facto Democratic nominee with phone banking, canvassing and other get-out-the-vote efforts.

Democrats up and down the ballot have benefited from the unprecedented surge.

John Anzalone, a former Biden pollster, described Harris’ candidacy as “a defibrillator” for Democrats and swing voters across the nation. “We’re back in the game, baby!”

Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tammy-baldwin">Tammy Baldwin</a>, a Wisconsin Democrat, did not attend Biden's four most recent visits to her state this year. But she was at Harris' side for the vice president's opening political rally last Wednesday.

Similarly in Michigan, Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gretchen-whitmer">Gretchen Whitmer</a>, who was Biden's national campaign co-chair, was unwilling to break away from her book tour to join the president in Michigan at a critical moment earlier in the month. Whitmer will co-headline an event for the Harris campaign in Pennsylvania on Monday, having already campaigned on her behalf in New Hampshire over the weekend.

And the conversation has been profoundly altered.

No longer are Democrats consumed by questions about their nominee's age and mental acuity. Instead, they're leaning into issues that allow them to go on offense. As a woman, Harris has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-abortion-biden-election-congress-0df7d4956b4323b77139f55f7fe22a75">focused on the GOP's fight against abortion rights</a>&nbsp;in a way that Biden could not. And as a former prosecutor, she has seized on Trump's criminal conviction in New York with confidence.

Harris has also leaned into a more folksy and emotional criticism of Trump and Vance; she and her allies have begun to describe the Republican presidential ticket as "just plain weird.”

Meanwhile, a frustrated Trump has abandoned the magnanimous tone he sought to project in the days after an assassin's bullet nearly ended his life.

“They all say, ‘I think he’s changed. I think he’s changed since two weeks ago. Something affected him,’” Trump told a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vance-minnesota-harris-2024-presidential-election-22aee6ecb821032328c1e3d210b27733">massive crowd Saturday night</a>&nbsp;in Minnesota. “No, I haven’t changed. Maybe I’ve gotten worse, because I get angry at the incompetence that I witness every single day.”

For now, the Republican former president and his supporters have adopted a kitchen-sink strategy as they figure out which attacks are most effective against their new Democratic opponent.

Some conservatives, especially in the pro-Trump MAGA wing of the party, are calling Harris a “DEI candidate,” referencing “diversity, equity and inclusion” to suggest Democrats only embraced her as the likely nominee because of her gender and race. House leaders on Capitol Hill have discouraged such criticism, which is largely seen as racist and sexist, but the MAGA movement has not relented.

In Minnesota over the weekend, Trump and Vance described Harris as a “radical left lunatic,” who wants to de-fund the police, destroy the American dream, allow immigrants in the country illegally to vote and ban fracking. Harris' team pushed back against the attacks.

Trump also devoted a substantial amount of his remarks to Biden, seemingly struggling to move on from the opponent he has been fixated on since losing the 2020 election.

Voters who packed into the Minnesota rally were largely upbeat about Trump's chances this fall — even in their state, which Republicans have lost in every presidential election since 1976. Sensing a shift, however, some questioned whether Harris at the top of the ticket might make the race closer.

“That makes me a little nervous,” said Jim Caldwell, a 59-year-old truck driver who lives in a city about 40 minutes away from St. Cloud. He pointed to the historic nature of Harris' candidacy that “might bring out more people.”

“People are going to want the first woman,” he said. “I don’t think she’s the one.”

John Jose, a 56-year-old associate pastor from St. Cloud, said he was optimistic, especially because of the upheaval on the Democratic side. He also described the last week or two as “dramatic.”

“I think we need stability right now," Jose said.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Barely a week ago, a sense of inevitability hung over the U.S. presidential election.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;allies gleefully predicted a landslide victory during a Republican National Convention that felt more like a coronation for a nominee who had just survived an assassination attempt and was promising to unite the country. Democrats, desperate and listless, feared the worst as a diminished President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;clung to his party's nomination.But over the last seven days, a week unlike any other in American history, the 2024 presidential contest has been transformed. And now, just 99 days before Election Day, a fundamentally new race is taking shape featuring new candidates, a new issue focus and a new outlook for both parties.Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;stepped in for Biden last Sunday and quickly smashed fundraising records, took over social media and generated levels of excitement that some Democrats said reminded them of the energy that surrounded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barack-obama">Barack Obama’s</a>&nbsp;historic candidacy nearly two decades ago.“This is potentially Obama on steroids,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who was among 40,000 participants on a Black Women for Harris call last week.On the other side, Republicans are suddenly fearful and frustrated as they begin to accept the new reality that Trump's victory is no sure thing. And as their mood sours, the finger pointing has begun. Some prominent conservatives are openly second-guessing Trump's vice presidential pick,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>, a little-known Ohio senator with less than two years in office and a well-documented history of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-kamala-harris-childless-trump-0a37e991097b66c52bff5bf7ecf8de7b">provocative statements</a>.Just 12 days ago, Vance earned a huge ovation as he addressed the RNC in Milwaukee, where there was a strong belief that Trump could do no wrong in the wake of his near-death experience.“We’re light years away from where we were in Milwaukee,” said Republican National Committee member Henry Barbour, who just a week ago predicted that the GOP might win the national popular vote this fall for the first time since 2004. He's not so sure anymore.“The Democrats now have a candidate who can speak, who can attack. They have a weapon," Barbour said. “They have a path.”<h2>Conventional wisdom is often wrong</h2>The incredible speed with which the election was transformed is a stark reminder that, in the Trump era, little is certain, and the conventional wisdom is often wrong. Even now, the Democrats' newfound confidence may be premature. Early public polling suggests that Harris starts in a slightly better position against Trump than Biden was just before his withdrawal from the race. But the numbers also point to a very close race in a deeply divided nation.Meanwhile, there are still more questions than answers about the 99-day sprint that lies ahead.Harris has yet to select a running mate. Trump has introduced new uncertainty about the prospect of the next debate slated for Sept. 10 and hosted by ABC, arguing that was part of a deal arranged with Biden. Third-party candidates could still take the race in unexpected directions. And more than a billion dollars in political advertising has yet to be broadcast as both parties re-think their message, their policies and their path to 270 electoral votes.But the shift over the last week is undeniable.Harris raised a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-campaign-fundraising-200-million-5db5d7c5001c87377e4ba11250fff597">record-smashing $200 million</a>&nbsp;in the seven days since taking over Biden's campaign, with two-thirds of the haul coming from first-time contributors, her campaign said on Sunday. Over the same period, more than 170,000 volunteers have signed up to help the de facto Democratic nominee with phone banking, canvassing and other get-out-the-vote efforts.Democrats up and down the ballot have benefited from the unprecedented surge.John Anzalone, a former Biden pollster, described Harris’ candidacy as “a defibrillator” for Democrats and swing voters across the nation. “We’re back in the game, baby!”Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tammy-baldwin">Tammy Baldwin</a>, a Wisconsin Democrat, did not attend Biden's four most recent visits to her state this year. But she was at Harris' side for the vice president's opening political rally last Wednesday.Similarly in Michigan, Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gretchen-whitmer">Gretchen Whitmer</a>, who was Biden's national campaign co-chair, was unwilling to break away from her book tour to join the president in Michigan at a critical moment earlier in the month. Whitmer will co-headline an event for the Harris campaign in Pennsylvania on Monday, having already campaigned on her behalf in New Hampshire over the weekend.And the conversation has been profoundly altered.No longer are Democrats consumed by questions about their nominee's age and mental acuity. Instead, they're leaning into issues that allow them to go on offense. As a woman, Harris has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-abortion-biden-election-congress-0df7d4956b4323b77139f55f7fe22a75">focused on the GOP's fight against abortion rights</a>&nbsp;in a way that Biden could not. And as a former prosecutor, she has seized on Trump's criminal conviction in New York with confidence.Harris has also leaned into a more folksy and emotional criticism of Trump and Vance; she and her allies have begun to describe the Republican presidential ticket as "just plain weird.”<h2>Trump has abandoned his magnanimous tone</h2>Meanwhile, a frustrated Trump has abandoned the magnanimous tone he sought to project in the days after an assassin's bullet nearly ended his life.“They all say, ‘I think he’s changed. I think he’s changed since two weeks ago. Something affected him,’” Trump told a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vance-minnesota-harris-2024-presidential-election-22aee6ecb821032328c1e3d210b27733">massive crowd Saturday night</a>&nbsp;in Minnesota. “No, I haven’t changed. Maybe I’ve gotten worse, because I get angry at the incompetence that I witness every single day.”For now, the Republican former president and his supporters have adopted a kitchen-sink strategy as they figure out which attacks are most effective against their new Democratic opponent.Some conservatives, especially in the pro-Trump MAGA wing of the party, are calling Harris a “DEI candidate,” referencing “diversity, equity and inclusion” to suggest Democrats only embraced her as the likely nominee because of her gender and race. House leaders on Capitol Hill have discouraged such criticism, which is largely seen as racist and sexist, but the MAGA movement has not relented.In Minnesota over the weekend, Trump and Vance described Harris as a “radical left lunatic,” who wants to de-fund the police, destroy the American dream, allow immigrants in the country illegally to vote and ban fracking. Harris' team pushed back against the attacks.Trump also devoted a substantial amount of his remarks to Biden, seemingly struggling to move on from the opponent he has been fixated on since losing the 2020 election.Voters who packed into the Minnesota rally were largely upbeat about Trump's chances this fall — even in their state, which Republicans have lost in every presidential election since 1976. Sensing a shift, however, some questioned whether Harris at the top of the ticket might make the race closer.“That makes me a little nervous,” said Jim Caldwell, a 59-year-old truck driver who lives in a city about 40 minutes away from St. Cloud. He pointed to the historic nature of Harris' candidacy that “might bring out more people.”“People are going to want the first woman,” he said. “I don’t think she’s the one.”John Jose, a 56-year-old associate pastor from St. Cloud, said he was optimistic, especially because of the upheaval on the Democratic side. He also described the last week or two as “dramatic.”“I think we need stability right now," Jose said.

Trump and Harris enter 99-day sprint to decide election

WASHINGTON (AP) — Black clergy who know Vice President Kamala Harris,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-democratic-convention-nominee-virtual-voting-78991bcc443e06c000d1d800e0d94cc5">now the frontrunner</a>&nbsp;for the Democratic presidential nomination, marvel at the fusion of traditions and teachings that have molded her religious faith and social justice values.

A Baptist married to a Jewish man, she’s inspired by the work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and influenced by the religious traditions of her mother’s native India as well as the Black Church.

“She’s had the best of two worlds,” says her longtime pastor, the Rev. Amos Brown, who leads Third Baptist Church in San Francisco.

In interviews, religious leaders and theologians told The Associated Press that Harris’ candidacy has special symbolic significance following President Joe Biden’s departure from election campaign. Not only because she would be the nation’s first female president, but she’s a Black American with South Asian roots and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-religion-baptist-f2a91e545f44712a7ea7bd962412bcfe">her two cultures are intrinsically linked</a>.

The clergy and scholars noted that the concept of nonviolent resistance, a critical strategy in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, gained influence under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in India, who was an inspiration for many decades to America’s Black preachers and civil rights leaders.

“It may be through the Negroes that the unadulterated message of nonviolence will be delivered to the world,” Gandhi said in 1935 to a visiting delegation led by prominent Black U.S. theologian Howard Thurman.

Those shared cultural links can be found in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/district-of-columbia-india-government-india-kamala-harris-united-states-government-9b183eb367fc43fc82010d9776b57dc8">Harris’ family history</a>, too. Her maternal grandmother was a community organizer, and her grandfather P.V. Gopalan, was a civil servant who joined the resistance to win India’s independence from Britain.

Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, even met King as a graduate student at the University of California at Berkeley, where she participated in civil rights demonstrations.

“She was conscious of history, conscious of struggle, conscious of inequities. She was born with a sense of justice imprinted on her soul,” Harris wrote of her mother in her 2008 book “Truths We Hold.”

The Black Church tradition also influenced Harris.

“The vice president has a strong Christian faith that she’s talked about a lot,” said Jamal Simmons, a pastor’s son and Harris’ former communications director. As a Democratic strategist, he has helped candidates make inroads with faith communities.

“She was raised in a Christian church, and attended Christian churches throughout her life, and I think that still influences her, her worldview and her ethical commitments,” he said.

The Rev. Freddie D. Haynes III, a pastor in Dallas, first met Harris at Third Baptist in San Francisco, sparking their more than 30-year friendship.

Haynes – whose family has close ties to Third Baptist – was guest preaching at the time while visiting his mother. Harris, then the Alameda County district attorney, had just joined the congregation.

“She has always understood that Jesus and justice go together. So, it’s not hard to see why she chose a church that has that kind of justice DNA,” said Haynes, whose grandfather shaped Third Baptist’s social justice identity as its pastor. Then his father carried it on during his short time in the pulpit.

Through the years, Haynes and Harris connected over their shared faith. Haynes said she admired his ability to blend Black Christian theology in the pulpit with the cadence and rhythm of hip-hop. It was Harris’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable that impressed him.

“Her spirituality has been informed by a sense of justice for those who are othered, disadvantaged, and treated as second-class citizens,” said Haynes, who leads Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas.

As a student at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Harris was immersed in a cultural environment influenced by deep faith. The fellowship and service she learned at her alma mater is key to understanding the spirituality driving her sense of purpose, said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kingdom-fellowship-ame-black-church-maryland-566ac03a1d0aee9fc338d1b3606ceba3">Matthew Watley</a>, pastor of nearby Kingdom Fellowship AME, one of the fastest growing churches in America.

Watley said Howard’s commitment to service through religious passion and academic prowess never leaves its students. Several of Harris’ friends, including a line sister in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-biden-pressure-to-leave-presidential-race-70442d102683f6ae9e3269ab946dfead">Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority</a>&nbsp;Inc., worship at Kingdom Fellowship, where Harris has attended twice in recent years.

Joshua DuBois, former head of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said because of the influence of Eastern and Western cultural and religious traditions, Harris exudes a kind of ecumenism that makes her candidacy appealing to an array of religious voters.

“I think that presidents are grounded in their faith and inspired by their faith in numerous ways. It’s the wellspring that they draw from,” said DuBois, who worked under former President Barack Obama’s administration. “When you know the world is going mad how do you connect to something larger than yourself?”

“I also think faith can help you with prioritization,” he added. “Often times you can only focus on one thing as president and you face the question: Who needs you the most? I think that is certainly how Jesus walked. That’s how Gandhi walked.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-president-black-women-support-bdd0ba0a19697c7cd2f183773e97aa6e">Black women</a>, including clergy and activists who have not stopped organizing and praying since the COVID-19 pandemic, are quickly embracing Harris.

The Rev. Traci Blackmon, who joined 4,000 Black clergy on a recent pro-Harris call, said the outpouring of support for her is connected to the anticipated ugliness and opposition she is bound to face in her sprint against former President Donald Trump.

“She should be president because she’s equipped, prepared and the best candidate for the job,” said Blackmon, a St. Louis-based United Church of Christ minister, who spoke to the AP as Harris gathered delegate support.

The call was organized by the Black Church PAC, co-founded by the Rev. Michael McBride, a longtime Harris supporter and pastor of The Way Christian Center in Berkeley. McBride told the AP that he was still in the pulpit on Sunday when Biden withdrew his candidacy. After the benediction, McBride said, one of the church mothers stood up, shared that news, and asked, in effect, “What do we do now?”

McBride and many other Black pastors who have been calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war will be looking to Harris for leadership that would bring about peace. Brown, her own pastor, was among the Black clergy who visited the White House in recent months to appeal to the Biden administration.

“To me it’s a matter of peace and justice,” Brown said.

On Sunday, after Harris was endorsed by Biden. she sought out Brown with an evening phone call, about an hour before the AP reached him at his home in San Francisco.

“I’m calling my pastor,” Harris said in her typical greeting, referring to the man that staffers in her office are instructed to get to know during their first week on the job.

She wanted her pastor to pray, and pray Brown did, that Harris “would be the quintessential instrument to bring healing, hope and wholeness” to the United States of America.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721917073398.png" alt="File Vice President Harris speaking at the Tyre Nichols funeral in Memphis-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File Vice President Harris speaking at the Tyre Nichols funeral in Memphis-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By DARREN SANDS Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — Black clergy who know Vice President Kamala Harris,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-democratic-convention-nominee-virtual-voting-78991bcc443e06c000d1d800e0d94cc5">now the frontrunner</a>&nbsp;for the Democratic presidential nomination, marvel at the fusion of traditions and teachings that have molded her religious faith and social justice values.A Baptist married to a Jewish man, she’s inspired by the work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and influenced by the religious traditions of her mother’s native India as well as the Black Church.“She’s had the best of two worlds,” says her longtime pastor, the Rev. Amos Brown, who leads Third Baptist Church in San Francisco.In interviews, religious leaders and theologians told The Associated Press that Harris’ candidacy has special symbolic significance following President Joe Biden’s departure from election campaign. Not only because she would be the nation’s first female president, but she’s a Black American with South Asian roots and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-religion-baptist-f2a91e545f44712a7ea7bd962412bcfe">her two cultures are intrinsically linked</a>.The clergy and scholars noted that the concept of nonviolent resistance, a critical strategy in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, gained influence under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in India, who was an inspiration for many decades to America’s Black preachers and civil rights leaders.“It may be through the Negroes that the unadulterated message of nonviolence will be delivered to the world,” Gandhi said in 1935 to a visiting delegation led by prominent Black U.S. theologian Howard Thurman.Those shared cultural links can be found in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/district-of-columbia-india-government-india-kamala-harris-united-states-government-9b183eb367fc43fc82010d9776b57dc8">Harris’ family history</a>, too. Her maternal grandmother was a community organizer, and her grandfather P.V. Gopalan, was a civil servant who joined the resistance to win India’s independence from Britain.Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, even met King as a graduate student at the University of California at Berkeley, where she participated in civil rights demonstrations.“She was conscious of history, conscious of struggle, conscious of inequities. She was born with a sense of justice imprinted on her soul,” Harris wrote of her mother in her 2008 book “Truths We Hold.”The Black Church tradition also influenced Harris.“The vice president has a strong Christian faith that she’s talked about a lot,” said Jamal Simmons, a pastor’s son and Harris’ former communications director. As a Democratic strategist, he has helped candidates make inroads with faith communities.“She was raised in a Christian church, and attended Christian churches throughout her life, and I think that still influences her, her worldview and her ethical commitments,” he said.The Rev. Freddie D. Haynes III, a pastor in Dallas, first met Harris at Third Baptist in San Francisco, sparking their more than 30-year friendship.Haynes – whose family has close ties to Third Baptist – was guest preaching at the time while visiting his mother. Harris, then the Alameda County district attorney, had just joined the congregation.“She has always understood that Jesus and justice go together. So, it’s not hard to see why she chose a church that has that kind of justice DNA,” said Haynes, whose grandfather shaped Third Baptist’s social justice identity as its pastor. Then his father carried it on during his short time in the pulpit.Through the years, Haynes and Harris connected over their shared faith. Haynes said she admired his ability to blend Black Christian theology in the pulpit with the cadence and rhythm of hip-hop. It was Harris’s commitment to serving the most vulnerable that impressed him.“Her spirituality has been informed by a sense of justice for those who are othered, disadvantaged, and treated as second-class citizens,” said Haynes, who leads Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas.As a student at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Harris was immersed in a cultural environment influenced by deep faith. The fellowship and service she learned at her alma mater is key to understanding the spirituality driving her sense of purpose, said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kingdom-fellowship-ame-black-church-maryland-566ac03a1d0aee9fc338d1b3606ceba3">Matthew Watley</a>, pastor of nearby Kingdom Fellowship AME, one of the fastest growing churches in America.Watley said Howard’s commitment to service through religious passion and academic prowess never leaves its students. Several of Harris’ friends, including a line sister in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-biden-pressure-to-leave-presidential-race-70442d102683f6ae9e3269ab946dfead">Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority</a>&nbsp;Inc., worship at Kingdom Fellowship, where Harris has attended twice in recent years.Joshua DuBois, former head of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said because of the influence of Eastern and Western cultural and religious traditions, Harris exudes a kind of ecumenism that makes her candidacy appealing to an array of religious voters.“I think that presidents are grounded in their faith and inspired by their faith in numerous ways. It’s the wellspring that they draw from,” said DuBois, who worked under former President Barack Obama’s administration. “When you know the world is going mad how do you connect to something larger than yourself?”“I also think faith can help you with prioritization,” he added. “Often times you can only focus on one thing as president and you face the question: Who needs you the most? I think that is certainly how Jesus walked. That’s how Gandhi walked.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-president-black-women-support-bdd0ba0a19697c7cd2f183773e97aa6e">Black women</a>, including clergy and activists who have not stopped organizing and praying since the COVID-19 pandemic, are quickly embracing Harris.The Rev. Traci Blackmon, who joined 4,000 Black clergy on a recent pro-Harris call, said the outpouring of support for her is connected to the anticipated ugliness and opposition she is bound to face in her sprint against former President Donald Trump.“She should be president because she’s equipped, prepared and the best candidate for the job,” said Blackmon, a St. Louis-based United Church of Christ minister, who spoke to the AP as Harris gathered delegate support.The call was organized by the Black Church PAC, co-founded by the Rev. Michael McBride, a longtime Harris supporter and pastor of The Way Christian Center in Berkeley. McBride told the AP that he was still in the pulpit on Sunday when Biden withdrew his candidacy. After the benediction, McBride said, one of the church mothers stood up, shared that news, and asked, in effect, “What do we do now?”McBride and many other Black pastors who have been calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war will be looking to Harris for leadership that would bring about peace. Brown, her own pastor, was among the Black clergy who visited the White House in recent months to appeal to the Biden administration.“To me it’s a matter of peace and justice,” Brown said.On Sunday, after Harris was endorsed by Biden. she sought out Brown with an evening phone call, about an hour before the AP reached him at his home in San Francisco.“I’m calling my pastor,” Harris said in her typical greeting, referring to the man that staffers in her office are instructed to get to know during their first week on the job.She wanted her pastor to pray, and pray Brown did, that Harris “would be the quintessential instrument to bring healing, hope and wholeness” to the United States of America.___

Kamala Harris: A Baptist with a Jewish husband and a faith that traces back to MLK and Gandhi

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.

On July 23, Sheriff Deputies spotted a stolen SUV in the parking lot of a grocery store in Liberty, Missouri, according to the Clay County Sheriff. 

Deputies worked with local officers and store employees to locate the driver on store cameras. They saw her apparently shoplifting items. 

Deputies were waiting when she exited the store and took her into custody. She had the keys to the stolen SUV in her possession. Also in her bag were bank cards, a check book and ID cards belonging to at least five other people. In the car, deputies found items that appeared consistent with retail theft, as well as drug paraphernalia. 

The case has been submitted to the Prosecutor's Office for review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721952603882.png" alt="Deputies waiting by the stolen SUV -photo Clay Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Deputies waiting by the stolen SUV -photo Clay Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.On July 23, Sheriff Deputies spotted a stolen SUV in the parking lot of a grocery store in Liberty, Missouri, according to the Clay County Sheriff. Deputies worked with local officers and store employees to locate the driver on store cameras. They saw her apparently shoplifting items. Deputies were waiting when she exited the store and took her into custody. She had the keys to the stolen SUV in her possession. Also in her bag were bank cards, a check book and ID cards belonging to at least five other people. In the car, deputies found items that appeared consistent with retail theft, as well as drug paraphernalia. The case has been submitted to the Prosecutor's Office for review.

KC area woman in stolen SUV caught with bank cards, IDs and more

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon arrested after his 11-month-old daughter was found in the canal in Wichita earlier this week made his first court appearance in the case Friday.

&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">&nbsp;Vincent Perez&nbsp;</a>, 34, is&nbsp;charged with three counts of aggravated endangering a child and two counts of aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 1p.m. Tueday, police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check in the vicinity of Interstate 135 and Pawnee in Wichita after receiving a report of a child in the canal, according to Officer Kristopher Gupilan.

Officers, with the assistance of the Wichita Fire Department, located the child within the canal. She was safely extracted from the canal and transported to a local hospital for precautionary medical evaluation and later placed into police protective custody, according to Gupilan.&nbsp;

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding how the child ended up in the canal continues.

Police believed Perez had information pertinent to the investigation. On Tuesday night, police asked the public for assistance in locating him for questioning. Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, police booked&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">Perez&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;into the Sedgwick County jail.&nbsp; &nbsp;He remains jailed on a&nbsp;$150,000 bond. His next court appearance is August 5, according to the district attorney's office.

Perez has previous convictions for theft, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721927142112.png" alt="Perez photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Perez photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon arrested after his 11-month-old daughter was found in the canal in Wichita earlier this week made his first court appearance in the case Friday.&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">&nbsp;Vincent Perez&nbsp;</a>, 34, is&nbsp;charged with three counts of aggravated endangering a child and two counts of aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 1p.m. Tueday, police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check in the vicinity of Interstate 135 and Pawnee in Wichita after receiving a report of a child in the canal, according to Officer Kristopher Gupilan.Officers, with the assistance of the Wichita Fire Department, located the child within the canal. She was safely extracted from the canal and transported to a local hospital for precautionary medical evaluation and later placed into police protective custody, according to Gupilan.&nbsp;The investigation into the circumstances surrounding how the child ended up in the canal continues.Police believed Perez had information pertinent to the investigation. On Tuesday night, police asked the public for assistance in locating him for questioning. Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, police booked&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">Perez&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;into the Sedgwick County jail.&nbsp; &nbsp;He remains jailed on a&nbsp;$150,000 bond. His next court appearance is August 5, according to the district attorney's office.Perez has previous convictions for theft, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. felon charged after baby daughter rescued from canal

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Police investigating a fire at a home in Topeka have made an arrest.

Just before 7 a.m. Wednesday, crews responded to a reported house fire at 1305 SW Western Avenue in Topeka, according to spokesperson Rosie Nichols. Firefighters found smoke coming from the home and fire in the basement. Crews were able to extinguish the fire and no occupants were located in the house. No injuries have been reported.

A TFD Investigation Unit responded to this fire and later determined it was intentionally set.&nbsp; As result of the investigation, Michael W. Raines, 27, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a requested charge of Aggravated Arson.

Authorities did not release a damage estimate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721990499470.png" alt="Raines-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Raines-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Police investigating a fire at a home in Topeka have made an arrest.Just before 7 a.m. Wednesday, crews responded to a reported house fire at 1305 SW Western Avenue in Topeka, according to spokesperson Rosie Nichols. Firefighters found smoke coming from the home and fire in the basement. Crews were able to extinguish the fire and no occupants were located in the house. No injuries have been reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721846734905.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>A TFD Investigation Unit responded to this fire and later determined it was intentionally set.&nbsp; As result of the investigation, Michael W. Raines, 27, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a requested charge of Aggravated Arson.Authorities did not release a damage estimate.

Man jailed for starting fire in basement of Kansas home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating after an 11-month-old girl was found in the canal in Wichita earlier this week and arrested a Kansas felon in the case&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">34-year-old Vincent Perez&nbsp;</a>.&nbsp; He has been identified as the child's father, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford.

Police believed Perez had information pertinent to the investigation. On Tuesday night, police asked the public for assistance in locating him for questioning. Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, police booked&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">Perez&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;into the Sedgwick County jail on<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">&nbsp;requested charges of</a>&nbsp;endangering a child, aggravated battery and a parole violation, according to online jail records.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721927142112.png" alt="Perez-photo Sedgwick Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Perez-photo Sedgwick Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating after an 11-month-old girl was found in the canal in Wichita earlier this week and arrested a Kansas felon in the case&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">34-year-old Vincent Perez&nbsp;</a>.&nbsp; He has been identified as the child's father, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford.Just after 1p.m. Tueday, police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check in the vicinity of Interstate 135 and Pawnee in Wichita after receiving a report of a child in the canal, according to Officer Kristopher Gupilan.Officers, with the assistance of the Wichita Fire Department, located the child within the canal. She was safely extracted from the canal and transported to a local hospital for precautionary medical evaluation and later placed into police protective custody, according to Gupilan.&nbsp;The investigation into the circumstances surrounding how the child ended up in the canal continues.Police believed Perez had information pertinent to the investigation. On Tuesday night, police asked the public for assistance in locating him for questioning. Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, police booked&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">Perez&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;into the Sedgwick County jail on<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">&nbsp;requested charges of</a>&nbsp;endangering a child, aggravated battery and a parole violation, according to online jail records.&nbsp;&nbsp;Perez has previous convictions for theft, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. felon jailed after baby found in canal is the child's father

On Saturday, July 27, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, the Friends of the Salina Public Library will host a “Drive Up &amp; Donate” event. Community members can donate gently used books and media to support the library’s programs.

The drive, organized by the Friends of the Salina Public Library, will take place at 301 W. Elm, Salina, KS. Donors can drive up to the front of the library, where volunteers will unload the materials. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, a group dedicated to supporting the library’s mission.

Gently used fiction and non-fiction books for all ages, textbooks and travel books less than three years old, and audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and video games. Proceeds from the collected items will fund various library programs and services.

Donating helps the library offer a wide range of educational and recreational opportunities. Every item donated supports the library's resources and programs.

For more information, contact the library or visit their <a href="https://salinapubliclibrary.org/about-us/policies/donations/#:~:text=Donations%20of%20books%20and%20other,be%20in%20usable%20physical%20condition.">website.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689129138193.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Friends of the Salina Library" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Friends of the Salina Library</figcaption>
 </figure>On Saturday, July 27, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, the Friends of the Salina Public Library will host a “Drive Up &amp; Donate” event. Community members can donate gently used books and media to support the library’s programs.The drive, organized by the Friends of the Salina Public Library, will take place at 301 W. Elm, Salina, KS. Donors can drive up to the front of the library, where volunteers will unload the materials. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, a group dedicated to supporting the library’s mission.Acceptable Donations Include:Gently used fiction and non-fiction books for all ages, textbooks and travel books less than three years old, and audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and video games. Proceeds from the collected items will fund various library programs and services.Supporting the LibraryDonating helps the library offer a wide range of educational and recreational opportunities. Every item donated supports the library's resources and programs.For more information, contact the library or visit their <a href="https://salinapubliclibrary.org/about-us/policies/donations/#:~:text=Donations%20of%20books%20and%20other,be%20in%20usable%20physical%20condition.">website.</a>

Friends of Salina Public Library host book donation drive on Saturday

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Recruit Deputy for alleged domestic battery.

On Tuesday, Haysville&nbsp; Police arrested 22-year-old Brandon Fox and he was booked into jail on a requested charge of Domestic Battery and Assault, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.

&nbsp;Fox has been employed by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since February 2024 as a detention deputy. On July 22nd, 2024 Fox began the Sheriff’s Office Commissioned Academy.&nbsp; &nbsp;He is currently suspended from duty, pending the outcome of the criminal case and an internal investigation, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He bonded out of jail approximately 30 minutes after he was booked into jail, according to online records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721852285346.png" alt="Fox photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Fox photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office Recruit Deputy for alleged domestic battery.On Tuesday, Haysville&nbsp; Police arrested 22-year-old Brandon Fox and he was booked into jail on a requested charge of Domestic Battery and Assault, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;Fox has been employed by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since February 2024 as a detention deputy. On July 22nd, 2024 Fox began the Sheriff’s Office Commissioned Academy.&nbsp; &nbsp;He is currently suspended from duty, pending the outcome of the criminal case and an internal investigation, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He bonded out of jail approximately 30 minutes after he was booked into jail, according to online records.

22-year-old Kan. recruit deputy arrested for alleged domestic assault 

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">drop his bid</a>&nbsp;for reelection and throw his support behind&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-campaign-trump-indiana-sorority-031e3afa51f9ed42e0acd979e80019a8">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>.

Insisting that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title,” Biden used his first public address since his announcement Sunday that he was stepping aside to deliver an implicit repudiation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlotte-north-carolina-harris-7c7e6e405fecc8927a63763c76f2db1e">former President Donald Trump</a>. He did not directly call out Trump, whom he has called an existential threat to democracy. The 10-minute address also gave Biden a chance to try to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-legacy-oval-office-address-harris-0f92ccfe6f948770b760e983869fa989">shape how history will remember</a>&nbsp;his one and only term in office.

“Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy,” Biden said, in a somber coda to his 50 years spent in public office. “And that includes personal ambition.”

It was a moment for the history books — a U.S. president reflecting before the nation on why he was taking the rare step of voluntarily handing off power. It hasn’t been done since 1968, when Lyndon Johnson announced he would not seek reelection in the heat of the Vietnam War.

“I revere this office," Biden said. "But I love my country more.”

Trump, just an hour earlier at a campaign rally, revived his baseless claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Biden. His refusal to concede inspired the Capitol insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, which Biden called “the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.”

Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-final-days-of-decision-end-campaign-f891f5a42a70cb616289e874d79eb103">skirted the political reality</a>&nbsp;that brought him to that point: His abysmal performance in a debate against Trump nearly a month ago, where he spoke haltingly, appeared ashen and failed to rebut his predecessor’s attacks, sparked a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-panic-performance-democrats-debate-trump-cnn-fe6546f2c9762e80e6067ba10abedea8">crisis of confidence</a>&nbsp;from Democrats. Lawmakers and ordinary voters questioned not just whether he was capable of beating Trump in November, but also whether, at 81, he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-age-election-debate-trump-7c366fda83a697265d9ecc77e8a32fd1">still fit</a>&nbsp;for the high-pressure job.

Biden, who said he believed his record was deserving of another term in office, tried to outlast the skepticism and quell the concerns with interviews and tepid rallies, but the pressure to end his campaign only mounted from the party’s political elites and from ordinary voters.

“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,” Biden said, saying he wanted to make room for “fresh voices, yes, younger voices.”

He added, “That is the best way to unite our nation.”

It was a belated fulfillment of his 2020 pledge to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders — and a bow to the drumbeat of calls from within his party to step aside.

Biden’s address was carried live by the major broadcast and cable news networks. He spooled out an weighty to-do list for his last six months in office, pledging to remain focused on being president until his term expires at noon on Jan. 20, 2025. He said he would work to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, fight to boost government support to cure cancer, address climate change and push for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-supreme-court-biden-9c1a40b8f989bfa31a08eb3890abb1a7">Supreme Court reform.</a>

The president sought to use the address to outline the stakes in the election, which both Biden and Harris have framed as a choice between freedom and chaos, but he tried to steer clear of overt campaigning from his official office.

“The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule,” Biden said. “The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America — lies in your hands.”

Biden was also making the case for his legacy of sweeping domestic legislation and the renewal of alliances abroad. But the way history will remember his time in office and his historic decision to step aside is intertwined with Harris’ electoral result in November, particularly as the vice president runs tightly on the achievements of the Biden administration.

His advisers say he intends to hold campaign events and fundraisers benefiting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/advertising-presidential-campaign-kamala-harris-trump-aab73a0d9593afebd734c8f708632926">Harris</a>, whom Biden praised as “tough” and “capable," albeit at a far slower pace than if he had remained on the ballot himself.

Harris advisers will ultimately have to decide how to deploy the president, whose popularity sagged as voters in both parties questioned his fitness for office.

Biden, aides say, knows that if Harris loses, he’ll be criticized for staying in the race too long and not giving her or another Democrat time to effectively mount a campaign against Trump. If she wins, she’ll ensure his policy victories are secured and expanded, and he’ll be remembered for a Washingtonian decision to step aside for the next generation of leadership.

Biden said he’s grateful to have served as president — nowhere else would a kid with a stutter grow up to sit in the Oval Office.

“I’ve given my heart and my soul to our nation," he said. “I’ve been blessed a million times in return.”

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that any question of Biden resigning his office before the election — which would allow Harris to run as an incumbent — was “ridiculous.”

Jean-Pierre said Biden has “no regrets” about his decision to stay in the race as long as he did, or his decision to quit it over the weekend. She said Biden's decision had nothing to do with his health.

Trump, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/harris-biden-trump-election-campaign-updates#00000190-e763-dd62-ab9f-f77fe2450000">watched</a>&nbsp;Biden's remarks from his private jet, posted on his social media platform that the president “was barely understandable, and sooo bad!”

As he spoke inside the Oval Office, Biden was joined off-camera by family members, including his wife, Jill, son Hunter, daughter Ashley and several grandchildren. Hundreds of administration aides held a watch party in the White House and gathered in the Rose Garden afterward to hear Biden thank them for their service. Outside the gates, supporters of Biden gathered holding signs that read “We love Joe,” and a brass band played,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Insisting that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday tried to explain in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and to throw his support behind&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-campaign-trump-indiana-sorority-031e3afa51f9ed42e0acd979e80019a8">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>.

The address offered the public their first chance to hear directly from Biden his rationale for dropping out of the 2024 after weeks of insisting he believed himself to be the best candidate to take on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlotte-north-carolina-harris-7c7e6e405fecc8927a63763c76f2db1e">former President Donald Trump</a>, whom he has called an existential threat to the nation's democracy. It also gave Biden a chance to try to shape how history views his one and only term in office.

“The defense of democracy is more important than any title," Biden said. “Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. And that includes personal ambition.”

Said Biden, “I revere this office, but I love my country more.”

Biden's candidacy faced a crisis of confidence from Democrats after his abysmal debate against Trump nearly a month ago, where he spoke haltingly, appeared ashen and failed to rebut his predecessor's attacks. It sparked a mutiny within his party over not just whether he was capable of beating Trump in November, but also whether at 81, he was still fit for the high-pressure job.

Biden tried to outlast the skepticism and quell the concerns with interviews and tepid rallies, but the pressure to step aside only mounted from the party's political elites and from ordinary voters.

On Sunday afternoon, while isolating at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home with COVID-19, Biden finally bowed in a letter posted to his account on X announcing his decision to leave the race, followed up later by an endorsement of Harris.

“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation," Biden said, saying he wanted to make room for “fresh voices, yes, younger voices."

He added, "That is the best way to unite our nation.”

Biden's address was being carried by the major broadcast and cable news networks. He pledge to remain focused on being president until his term expires at noon on Jan. 20, 2025, saying he would work to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, fight to boost government support to cure cancer, and call for Supreme Court reform.

The president was hoping to use the address to outline the stakes in the election, which both Biden and Harris have framed as a choice between freedom and chaos, but he tried to steer clear of overt campaigning from his official office and never mentioned Trump by name.

“The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule," Biden said. "The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America — lies in your hands."

Biden was also looking to make the case for his legacy of sweeping domestic legislation and the renewal of alliances abroad. The way history will remember his time in office and his historic decision to step aside is intertwined with Harris’ electoral result in November, particularly as the vice president runs tightly on the achievements of the Biden administration.

His advisers say he intends to hold campaign events and fundraisers benefiting Harris, albeit at a far slower pace than if he had remained on the ballot himself.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that any question of Biden resigning his office — which would allow Harris to run as an incumbent — was “ridiculous.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Insisting that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday will explain in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and to throw his support behind&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-campaign-trump-indiana-sorority-031e3afa51f9ed42e0acd979e80019a8">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>.

The address will offer the public their first chance to hear directly from Biden his rationale for dropping out of the 2024 after weeks of insisting he believed himself to be the best candidate to take on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlotte-north-carolina-harris-7c7e6e405fecc8927a63763c76f2db1e">former President Donald Trump</a>, whom he has called an existential threat to the nation's democracy. It will also give Biden a chance to try to shape how history views his one and only term in office.

“The defense of democracy is more important than any title," Biden will say according to excerpts released by the White House. "I draw strength, and find joy, in working FOR the American people. But this sacred task of perfecting our Union is not about me. It’s about you. Your families. Your futures. It’s about ‘We the People.’”

On Sunday afternoon while isolating at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home with COVID-19, Biden finally bowed in a letter posted to his account on X announcing his decision to leave the race, followed up later by an endorsement of Harris.

“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation," Biden was set to say Wednesday. "That is the best way to unite our nation.”

Biden's address is being carried by the major television news networks. He is set to pledge to remain focused on being president until his term expires at noon on Jan. 20, 2025.

The president was hoping to use the address to outline the stakes in the election, which both Biden and Harris have framed as a choice between freedom and chaos, but was expected to try to steer clear of overt campaigning from his official office or even mentioning Trump by name.

“The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule," Biden was set to say. "The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America — lies in your hands."

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">drop his bid</a>&nbsp;for reelection and throw his support behind&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-campaign-trump-indiana-sorority-031e3afa51f9ed42e0acd979e80019a8">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>.(click below to watch the address)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/93T8biDlaBc?si=HkDNw-9oDSzeYZ0E" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Insisting that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title,” Biden used his first public address since his announcement Sunday that he was stepping aside to deliver an implicit repudiation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlotte-north-carolina-harris-7c7e6e405fecc8927a63763c76f2db1e">former President Donald Trump</a>. He did not directly call out Trump, whom he has called an existential threat to democracy. The 10-minute address also gave Biden a chance to try to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-legacy-oval-office-address-harris-0f92ccfe6f948770b760e983869fa989">shape how history will remember</a>&nbsp;his one and only term in office.“Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy,” Biden said, in a somber coda to his 50 years spent in public office. “And that includes personal ambition.”It was a moment for the history books — a U.S. president reflecting before the nation on why he was taking the rare step of voluntarily handing off power. It hasn’t been done since 1968, when Lyndon Johnson announced he would not seek reelection in the heat of the Vietnam War.“I revere this office," Biden said. "But I love my country more.”Trump, just an hour earlier at a campaign rally, revived his baseless claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Biden. His refusal to concede inspired the Capitol insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, which Biden called “the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.”Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-final-days-of-decision-end-campaign-f891f5a42a70cb616289e874d79eb103">skirted the political reality</a>&nbsp;that brought him to that point: His abysmal performance in a debate against Trump nearly a month ago, where he spoke haltingly, appeared ashen and failed to rebut his predecessor’s attacks, sparked a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-panic-performance-democrats-debate-trump-cnn-fe6546f2c9762e80e6067ba10abedea8">crisis of confidence</a>&nbsp;from Democrats. Lawmakers and ordinary voters questioned not just whether he was capable of beating Trump in November, but also whether, at 81, he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-age-election-debate-trump-7c366fda83a697265d9ecc77e8a32fd1">still fit</a>&nbsp;for the high-pressure job.Biden, who said he believed his record was deserving of another term in office, tried to outlast the skepticism and quell the concerns with interviews and tepid rallies, but the pressure to end his campaign only mounted from the party’s political elites and from ordinary voters.“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,” Biden said, saying he wanted to make room for “fresh voices, yes, younger voices.”He added, “That is the best way to unite our nation.”It was a belated fulfillment of his 2020 pledge to be a bridge to a new generation of leaders — and a bow to the drumbeat of calls from within his party to step aside.Biden’s address was carried live by the major broadcast and cable news networks. He spooled out an weighty to-do list for his last six months in office, pledging to remain focused on being president until his term expires at noon on Jan. 20, 2025. He said he would work to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, fight to boost government support to cure cancer, address climate change and push for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-supreme-court-biden-9c1a40b8f989bfa31a08eb3890abb1a7">Supreme Court reform.</a>The president sought to use the address to outline the stakes in the election, which both Biden and Harris have framed as a choice between freedom and chaos, but he tried to steer clear of overt campaigning from his official office.“The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule,” Biden said. “The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America — lies in your hands.”Biden was also making the case for his legacy of sweeping domestic legislation and the renewal of alliances abroad. But the way history will remember his time in office and his historic decision to step aside is intertwined with Harris’ electoral result in November, particularly as the vice president runs tightly on the achievements of the Biden administration.His advisers say he intends to hold campaign events and fundraisers benefiting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/advertising-presidential-campaign-kamala-harris-trump-aab73a0d9593afebd734c8f708632926">Harris</a>, whom Biden praised as “tough” and “capable," albeit at a far slower pace than if he had remained on the ballot himself.Harris advisers will ultimately have to decide how to deploy the president, whose popularity sagged as voters in both parties questioned his fitness for office.Biden, aides say, knows that if Harris loses, he’ll be criticized for staying in the race too long and not giving her or another Democrat time to effectively mount a campaign against Trump. If she wins, she’ll ensure his policy victories are secured and expanded, and he’ll be remembered for a Washingtonian decision to step aside for the next generation of leadership.Biden said he’s grateful to have served as president — nowhere else would a kid with a stutter grow up to sit in the Oval Office.“I’ve given my heart and my soul to our nation," he said. “I’ve been blessed a million times in return.”Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that any question of Biden resigning his office before the election — which would allow Harris to run as an incumbent — was “ridiculous.”Jean-Pierre said Biden has “no regrets” about his decision to stay in the race as long as he did, or his decision to quit it over the weekend. She said Biden's decision had nothing to do with his health.Trump, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/harris-biden-trump-election-campaign-updates#00000190-e763-dd62-ab9f-f77fe2450000">watched</a>&nbsp;Biden's remarks from his private jet, posted on his social media platform that the president “was barely understandable, and sooo bad!”As he spoke inside the Oval Office, Biden was joined off-camera by family members, including his wife, Jill, son Hunter, daughter Ashley and several grandchildren. Hundreds of administration aides held a watch party in the White House and gathered in the Rose Garden afterward to hear Biden thank them for their service. Outside the gates, supporters of Biden gathered holding signs that read “We love Joe,” and a brass band played,-------------WASHINGTON (AP) — Insisting that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday tried to explain in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and to throw his support behind&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-campaign-trump-indiana-sorority-031e3afa51f9ed42e0acd979e80019a8">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>.The address offered the public their first chance to hear directly from Biden his rationale for dropping out of the 2024 after weeks of insisting he believed himself to be the best candidate to take on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlotte-north-carolina-harris-7c7e6e405fecc8927a63763c76f2db1e">former President Donald Trump</a>, whom he has called an existential threat to the nation's democracy. It also gave Biden a chance to try to shape how history views his one and only term in office.“The defense of democracy is more important than any title," Biden said. “Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. And that includes personal ambition.”Said Biden, “I revere this office, but I love my country more.”Biden's candidacy faced a crisis of confidence from Democrats after his abysmal debate against Trump nearly a month ago, where he spoke haltingly, appeared ashen and failed to rebut his predecessor's attacks. It sparked a mutiny within his party over not just whether he was capable of beating Trump in November, but also whether at 81, he was still fit for the high-pressure job.Biden tried to outlast the skepticism and quell the concerns with interviews and tepid rallies, but the pressure to step aside only mounted from the party's political elites and from ordinary voters.On Sunday afternoon, while isolating at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home with COVID-19, Biden finally bowed in a letter posted to his account on X announcing his decision to leave the race, followed up later by an endorsement of Harris.“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation," Biden said, saying he wanted to make room for “fresh voices, yes, younger voices."He added, "That is the best way to unite our nation.”Biden's address was being carried by the major broadcast and cable news networks. He pledge to remain focused on being president until his term expires at noon on Jan. 20, 2025, saying he would work to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, fight to boost government support to cure cancer, and call for Supreme Court reform.The president was hoping to use the address to outline the stakes in the election, which both Biden and Harris have framed as a choice between freedom and chaos, but he tried to steer clear of overt campaigning from his official office and never mentioned Trump by name.“The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule," Biden said. "The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America — lies in your hands."Biden was also looking to make the case for his legacy of sweeping domestic legislation and the renewal of alliances abroad. The way history will remember his time in office and his historic decision to step aside is intertwined with Harris’ electoral result in November, particularly as the vice president runs tightly on the achievements of the Biden administration.His advisers say he intends to hold campaign events and fundraisers benefiting Harris, albeit at a far slower pace than if he had remained on the ballot himself.Harris advisers will ultimately have to decide how to deploy the president, whose popularity sagged as voters in both parties questioned his fitness for office.Biden, aides say, knows that if Harris loses, he’ll be criticized for staying in the race too long and not giving her or another Democrat time to effectively mount a campaign against Trump. If she wins, she’ll ensure his policy victories are secured and expanded, and he’ll be remembered for a Washingtonian decision to step aside for the next generation of leadership.Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that any question of Biden resigning his office — which would allow Harris to run as an incumbent — was “ridiculous.”Jean-Pierre said Biden has “no regrets” about his decision to stay in the race as long as he did, or his decision to quit it over the weekend. She said Biden's decision had nothing to do with his health.----------------WASHINGTON (AP) — Insisting that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday will explain in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and to throw his support behind&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-campaign-trump-indiana-sorority-031e3afa51f9ed42e0acd979e80019a8">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>.The address will offer the public their first chance to hear directly from Biden his rationale for dropping out of the 2024 after weeks of insisting he believed himself to be the best candidate to take on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlotte-north-carolina-harris-7c7e6e405fecc8927a63763c76f2db1e">former President Donald Trump</a>, whom he has called an existential threat to the nation's democracy. It will also give Biden a chance to try to shape how history views his one and only term in office.“The defense of democracy is more important than any title," Biden will say according to excerpts released by the White House. "I draw strength, and find joy, in working FOR the American people. But this sacred task of perfecting our Union is not about me. It’s about you. Your families. Your futures. It’s about ‘We the People.’”Biden's candidacy faced a crisis of confidence from Democrats after his abysmal debate against Trump nearly a month ago, where he spoke haltingly, appeared ashen and failed to rebut his predecessor's attacks. It sparked a mutiny within his party over not just whether he was capable of beating Trump in November, but also whether at 81, he was still fit for the high-pressure job.Biden tried to outlast the skepticism and quell the concerns with interviews and tepid rallies, but the pressure to step aside only mounted from the party's political elites and from ordinary voters.On Sunday afternoon while isolating at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, home with COVID-19, Biden finally bowed in a letter posted to his account on X announcing his decision to leave the race, followed up later by an endorsement of Harris.“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation," Biden was set to say Wednesday. "That is the best way to unite our nation.”Biden's address is being carried by the major television news networks. He is set to pledge to remain focused on being president until his term expires at noon on Jan. 20, 2025.The president was hoping to use the address to outline the stakes in the election, which both Biden and Harris have framed as a choice between freedom and chaos, but was expected to try to steer clear of overt campaigning from his official office or even mentioning Trump by name.“The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule," Biden was set to say. "The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America — lies in your hands."Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that any question of Biden resigning his office — which would allow Harris to run as an incumbent — was “ridiculous.”Jean-Pierre said Biden has “no regrets” about his decision to stay in the race as long as he did, or his decision to quit it over the weekend. She said Biden's decision had nothing to do with his health.

🎥History: President Biden explains why he did not seek reelection

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 10:30p.m.&nbsp;July 20, a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a Chevy Impala for a traffic infraction near 118th and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The traffic stop resulted in the search of the vehicle.  The driver, Lisa Marie Rodvelt, 42, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribute methamphetamine more than 3.5 grams, possession of amphetamines, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, use of a communication facility; in the commission of felony drug violation, no drug tax stamp.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721681507618.png" alt="Rodvelt-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Rodvelt-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 10:30p.m.&nbsp;July 20, a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a Chevy Impala for a traffic infraction near 118th and U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The traffic stop resulted in the search of the vehicle. The driver, Lisa Marie Rodvelt, 42, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of distribute methamphetamine more than 3.5 grams, possession of amphetamines, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, use of a communication facility; in the commission of felony drug violation, no drug tax stamp.

Kansas woman accused of selling methamphetamine

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating after an 11-month-old girl was found in the canal in Wichita located a man wanted in connection with the case and have him in custody.

Just after 11a.m. Wednesday morning, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">34-year-old Vincent Perez </a>was booked into the Sedgwick County jail on<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252"> requested charges of</a> endangering a child, aggravated battery and a parole violation, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Police have not reported the relationship between Perez and the baby.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721779759758.png" alt="&nbsp;Police believe Vincent James Perez may have information pertinent to the investigation involving the child in the canal." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Police believe Vincent James Perez may have information pertinent to the investigation involving the child in the canal.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating after an 11-month-old girl was found in the canal in Wichita located a man wanted in connection with the case and have him in custody.Just after 11a.m. Wednesday morning, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252">34-year-old Vincent Perez </a>was booked into the Sedgwick County jail on<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=320252"> requested charges of</a> endangering a child, aggravated battery and a parole violation, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Police have not reported the relationship between Perez and the baby.Just after 1p.m. Tueday, police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check in the vicinity of Interstate 135 and Pawnee in Wichita after receiving a report of a child in the canal, according to Officer Kristopher Gupilan.Officers, with the assistance of the Wichita Fire Department, located the child within the canal. She was safely extracted from the canal and transported to a local hospital for precautionary medical evaluation and later placed into police protective custody, according to Gupilan.&nbsp;The investigation into the circumstances surrounding how the child ended up in the canal is continues.Police believed Perez had information pertinent to the investigation. On Tuesday night, police asked the public for assistance in locating him for questioning. He is now in jail.Perez has previous convictions for theft, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.