WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden used his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-press-conference-nato-campaign-f213c40509e35ed485ed3c57277ee911">highly anticipated news conference</a>&nbsp;Thursday to deliver a forceful defense of his foreign and domestic policies, and batted away questions about his ability to serve another four years even as he flubbed a reference to Donald Trump in one of his first answers.

(Click below to watch a replay of the news conferenc)

“I’m not in this for my legacy. I’m in this to complete the job I started,” Biden said as he insisted his support among the electorate was strong and he would stay in the race and would win.

Fumbles notwithstanding, the president pushed back at every suggestion that was slowing down or showing noticeable signs of decline, or that he was not in command of the job. But he was facing a growing chorus of calls from lawmakers, celebrities and other prominent Democrats to step aside from the 2024 race.

“My schedule has been full bore,” he declared. “So if I slow down and I cant get the job done, that’s a sign that I shouldn’t be doing it. But there’s no indication of that yet — none.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/live/election-biden-trump-campaign-updates-07-11-2024">Democrats are facing</a>&nbsp;an intractable problem. Top donors, supporters and key lawmakers are doubtful of Biden’s abilities to carry on his reelection bid after his disastrous June 27 debate performance, but the hard-fighting 81-year-old president refuses to give up as he prepares to take on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;in a rematch.

The first questioner of Biden’s press conference asked about him losing support among many of his fellow Democrats and unionists, and asked about Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden was at first defiant, saying the “UAW endorsed me, but go ahead,” meaning the United Auto Workers. But then he mixed up Harris and Trump, saying, “I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be Vice President if she wasn’t qualified."

As of Thursday evening, a dozen House Democrats had called for him to exit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">the race</a>. The press conference was an effort to show he's up for another four years; voters are watching and elected officials are deciding whether to press for another choice.

Trump weighed in live on Biden’s news conference with a post on his social media network of a video clip of the president saying “Vice President Trump.”

Trump added sarcastically, “Great job, Joe!”

Earlier, Biden's campaign laid out what it sees as its path to keeping the White House in a new memo, saying that winning the “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan is the “clearest pathway” to victory. And it declared no other Democrat would do better against Trump.

“There is also no indication that anyone else would outperform the president vs. Trump,” said the memo from campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon and campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez that was obtained by The Associated Press.

The memo sought to brush back “hypothetical polling of alternative nominees ” as unreliable and it said such surveys “do not take into account the negative media environment that any Democratic nominee will encounter.”

Meanwhile, the campaign has been quietly surveying voters on Vice President Kamala Harris to determine how she’s viewed among the electorate, according to two people with knowledge of the campaign who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to talk about internal matters.

The people said the polling was not necessarily to show that she could be the nominee in Biden’s place, but rather to better understand how she’s viewed. The research came after Trump stepped up his attacks against Harris following the debate, according to another person familiar with the effort. The survey was first reported by The New York Times.

“I think I’m the best qualified person to do the job,” he said Thursday.

While Biden has expressed confidence in his chances, his campaign on Thursday acknowledged he is behind, and a growing number of the president’s aides in the White House and the campaign privately harbor doubts that he can turn things around.

But they’re taking their cues from Biden, expressing that he is in 100% unless and until he isn’t, and there appears to be no organized internal effort to persuade the president to step aside. His allies were well aware heading into the week there would be more calls for him to step down, and they were prepared for it.

But in announcing a compact that would bring together NATO countries to support Ukraine, Biden referred to the nation’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” to audible gasps in the room. He quickly returned to the microphone: “President Putin - he’s going to beat President Putin ... President Zelenskyy,” Biden said.

Then he said: “I’m so focused on beating Putin,” in an effort to explain the gaffe.

“I’m better” Zelenskyy replied. “You’re a hell of a lot better,” Biden said back.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer invited Biden’s team to meet with senators privately at the lunch hour to discuss concerns and the path forward, but some senators groused they would prefer to hear from the president himself. In the Senate, only Peter Welch of Vermont has so far called for Biden to step out of the race.

The 90-minute conversation with the president's team, which one person said included no new data, polling or game plan on how Biden would beat Trump, did not appear to change senators' minds. The person was granted anonymity to discuss the closed door session.

The meeting was frank, angry at times and also somewhat painful, since many in the room know and love Biden, said one senator who requested anonymity to discuss the private briefing. Senators confronted the advisers over Biden’s performance at the debate and the effect on Senate races this year

One Democrat, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, said afterward, “My belief is that the president can win, but he’s got to be able to go out and answer voters' concerns. He’s got to be able to talk to voters directly over the next few day."

At the same time, influential senators are standing strongly with Biden, leaving the party at an impasse.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent, told AP he thinks Biden "is going to win this election. I think he has a chance to win it big.”

Sanders said he has been publicly critical of the campaign, and said Biden needs to talk more about the future and his plans for the country. “As we come closer to Election Day, the choices are very clear," he said.

__ Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Colleen Long, Mary Clare Jalonick, Kevin Freking, Farnoush Amiri and Linley Sanders contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720742007717.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden used his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-press-conference-nato-campaign-f213c40509e35ed485ed3c57277ee911">highly anticipated news conference</a>&nbsp;Thursday to deliver a forceful defense of his foreign and domestic policies, and batted away questions about his ability to serve another four years even as he flubbed a reference to Donald Trump in one of his first answers.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;What concerns do you have about Vice President Harris&#39; ability to beat Donald Trump if she were at the top of the ticket? President Biden: Look, I wouldn&#39;t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if I didn&#39;t think she was not qualified to be vice president. <a href="https://t.co/TqqSKBsyQu">pic.twitter.com/TqqSKBsyQu</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1811546437567586658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>(Click below to watch a replay of the news conferenc)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4YF3ksozMBw?si=3XavzsHKEhlly8DY&amp;start=4321" 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>“I’m not in this for my legacy. I’m in this to complete the job I started,” Biden said as he insisted his support among the electorate was strong and he would stay in the race and would win.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden: &quot;I always have an inclination...just to keep going. I just got to pace myself a bit more.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/vYsoeTip1J">pic.twitter.com/vYsoeTip1J</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1811559314382868719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden: &quot;I am not opposed if my doctors tell me I should have another neurological exam, I&#39;ll do it.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/7glZeatRyP">pic.twitter.com/7glZeatRyP</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1811559403511824708?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on <a href="https://twitter.com/NATO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NATO</a> Summit: &quot;I thought it was the most successful conference I&#39;ve attended in a long time and find me a world leader who didn&#39;t think it was.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/7rZDnwXhGv">pic.twitter.com/7rZDnwXhGv</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1811549885809783207?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden: &quot;I will not bow down to Putin. I will not walk away from Ukraine. I will keep NATO strong. That&#39;s exactly what we did and exactly what we will continue to do.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/LSDp2dPd7G">pic.twitter.com/LSDp2dPd7G</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1811550403399463028?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PeterAlexander?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PeterAlexander</a>: &quot;You referred to Vice President Harris as Vice President Trump. Right now Donald Trump is using that to mock your age and your memory. How do you combat that criticism from tonight? President Biden: &quot;Listen to him.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/hJPpXbvDFi">pic.twitter.com/hJPpXbvDFi</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1811560186022142094?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Fumbles notwithstanding, the president pushed back at every suggestion that was slowing down or showing noticeable signs of decline, or that he was not in command of the job. But he was facing a growing chorus of calls from lawmakers, celebrities and other prominent Democrats to step aside from the 2024 race.“My schedule has been full bore,” he declared. “So if I slow down and I cant get the job done, that’s a sign that I shouldn’t be doing it. But there’s no indication of that yet — none.”<a href="https://apnews.com/live/election-biden-trump-campaign-updates-07-11-2024">Democrats are facing</a>&nbsp;an intractable problem. Top donors, supporters and key lawmakers are doubtful of Biden’s abilities to carry on his reelection bid after his disastrous June 27 debate performance, but the hard-fighting 81-year-old president refuses to give up as he prepares to take on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;in a rematch.The first questioner of Biden’s press conference asked about him losing support among many of his fellow Democrats and unionists, and asked about Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden was at first defiant, saying the “UAW endorsed me, but go ahead,” meaning the United Auto Workers. But then he mixed up Harris and Trump, saying, “I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be Vice President if she wasn’t qualified."As of Thursday evening, a dozen House Democrats had called for him to exit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">the race</a>. The press conference was an effort to show he's up for another four years; voters are watching and elected officials are deciding whether to press for another choice.Trump weighed in live on Biden’s news conference with a post on his social media network of a video clip of the president saying “Vice President Trump.”Trump added sarcastically, “Great job, Joe!”Earlier, Biden's campaign laid out what it sees as its path to keeping the White House in a new memo, saying that winning the “blue wall” states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan is the “clearest pathway” to victory. And it declared no other Democrat would do better against Trump.“There is also no indication that anyone else would outperform the president vs. Trump,” said the memo from campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon and campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez that was obtained by The Associated Press.The memo sought to brush back “hypothetical polling of alternative nominees ” as unreliable and it said such surveys “do not take into account the negative media environment that any Democratic nominee will encounter.”Meanwhile, the campaign has been quietly surveying voters on Vice President Kamala Harris to determine how she’s viewed among the electorate, according to two people with knowledge of the campaign who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to talk about internal matters.The people said the polling was not necessarily to show that she could be the nominee in Biden’s place, but rather to better understand how she’s viewed. The research came after Trump stepped up his attacks against Harris following the debate, according to another person familiar with the effort. The survey was first reported by The New York Times.“I think I’m the best qualified person to do the job,” he said Thursday.While Biden has expressed confidence in his chances, his campaign on Thursday acknowledged he is behind, and a growing number of the president’s aides in the White House and the campaign privately harbor doubts that he can turn things around.But they’re taking their cues from Biden, expressing that he is in 100% unless and until he isn’t, and there appears to be no organized internal effort to persuade the president to step aside. His allies were well aware heading into the week there would be more calls for him to step down, and they were prepared for it.But in announcing a compact that would bring together NATO countries to support Ukraine, Biden referred to the nation’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” to audible gasps in the room. He quickly returned to the microphone: “President Putin - he’s going to beat President Putin ... President Zelenskyy,” Biden said.Then he said: “I’m so focused on beating Putin,” in an effort to explain the gaffe.“I’m better” Zelenskyy replied. “You’re a hell of a lot better,” Biden said back.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer invited Biden’s team to meet with senators privately at the lunch hour to discuss concerns and the path forward, but some senators groused they would prefer to hear from the president himself. In the Senate, only Peter Welch of Vermont has so far called for Biden to step out of the race.The 90-minute conversation with the president's team, which one person said included no new data, polling or game plan on how Biden would beat Trump, did not appear to change senators' minds. The person was granted anonymity to discuss the closed door session.The meeting was frank, angry at times and also somewhat painful, since many in the room know and love Biden, said one senator who requested anonymity to discuss the private briefing. Senators confronted the advisers over Biden’s performance at the debate and the effect on Senate races this yearOne Democrat, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, said afterward, “My belief is that the president can win, but he’s got to be able to go out and answer voters' concerns. He’s got to be able to talk to voters directly over the next few day."At the same time, influential senators are standing strongly with Biden, leaving the party at an impasse.Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent, told AP he thinks Biden "is going to win this election. I think he has a chance to win it big.”Sanders said he has been publicly critical of the campaign, and said Biden needs to talk more about the future and his plans for the country. “As we come closer to Election Day, the choices are very clear," he said.__ Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Colleen Long, Mary Clare Jalonick, Kevin Freking, Farnoush Amiri and Linley Sanders contributed to this report.

🎥Highlights from President Biden's first news conference in 8 months

Click the play button above to listen to Nate's interview with Lori Trow.

In this episode of King in the Community, Salina Post News Director Nate King interviews Lori Trow, president of the Sa<a href="https://www.lwvsalina.org/">lina League of Women Voters</a>. Lori discusses the League's mission to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented. She explains how the local chapter empowers voters through advocacy, education, and litigation.

Lori also shares the need-to-know information for the upcoming Salina League of Women Voters "Speed Dating with the Candidate" event scheduled to take place on Sunday July 14 at from 3-5 p.m. at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 825 East Beloit.&nbsp;Primary candidates with opponents on the August 6 primary ballot are invited to the two-hour event.&nbsp; They are: U.S. House District 1, Kansas House District 107, Saline County Commission Districts 2 and 3, Saline County Register of Deeds and Saline County Attorney.

The program will follow the speed dating format, which offers candidates and voters the opportunity to quickly meet, ask questions and exchange ideas. Candidates will answer questions with those sitting at a table for 10 minutes, then move to the next table, and the next, until they meet with people at all tables in the room. They will also make opening and closing statements and may meet individually with citizens afterwards.

Trow said the local league chose to repeat the Speed Dating with the Candidates format based on favorable comments for a similar event last October.&nbsp;

Refreshments will be served at the program, which is free and open to all.

Listen in for reminders of crucial dates and deadlines for the 2024 primary and general elections in Salina, Kansas. Additionally, Lori addresses recent changes in local government proclamation procedures and shares her perspective on the impact these changes may have on citizen participation in meetings. 

Tune in for an informative discussion on voter involvement and local government.

<div><iframe title="Lori Trow, president of Salina League of Women Voters" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=k4ymz-166380c-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=60a0c8" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>Click the play button above to listen to Nate's interview with Lori Trow.By SALINA POSTIn this episode of King in the Community, Salina Post News Director Nate King interviews Lori Trow, president of the Sa<a href="https://www.lwvsalina.org/">lina League of Women Voters</a>. Lori discusses the League's mission to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented. She explains how the local chapter empowers voters through advocacy, education, and litigation.Lori also shares the need-to-know information for the upcoming Salina League of Women Voters "Speed Dating with the Candidate" event scheduled to take place on Sunday July 14 at from 3-5 p.m. at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 825 East Beloit.&nbsp;Primary candidates with opponents on the August 6 primary ballot are invited to the two-hour event.&nbsp; They are: U.S. House District 1, Kansas House District 107, Saline County Commission Districts 2 and 3, Saline County Register of Deeds and Saline County Attorney.The program will follow the speed dating format, which offers candidates and voters the opportunity to quickly meet, ask questions and exchange ideas. Candidates will answer questions with those sitting at a table for 10 minutes, then move to the next table, and the next, until they meet with people at all tables in the room. They will also make opening and closing statements and may meet individually with citizens afterwards.Trow said the local league chose to repeat the Speed Dating with the Candidates format based on favorable comments for a similar event last October.&nbsp;Refreshments will be served at the program, which is free and open to all.Listen in for reminders of crucial dates and deadlines for the 2024 primary and general elections in Salina, Kansas. Additionally, Lori addresses recent changes in local government proclamation procedures and shares her perspective on the impact these changes may have on citizen participation in meetings. Tune in for an informative discussion on voter involvement and local government.<h2>More from King in the Community</h2><div><iframe title="King in the Community" allowtransparency="true" height="315" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:315px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=skmut-558a99-pbblog-playlist&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&order=episodic&limit=11&filter=publish_time&publish_start=2024-01-01&publish_end=2024-07-08&ss=1412047e5eb0022ae7bf983c408f5f5b&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

🎙King in the Community — Lori Trow, president of Salina League of Women Voters

KANSAS CITY (AP)—A Missouri man accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kidnapping-missouri-fb3dd5739aaa2a2d037f858163adb322">keeping a woman hidden in his basement</a>&nbsp;while repeatedly sexually assaulting her was indicted Tuesday for allegedly murdering another woman.

Clay County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said Timothy M. Haslett was charged with murder in connection with 36-year-old Jaynie Crosdale’s death, adding that she was killed “by an act of homicidal violence.” He said her remains showed impact wounds consistent with a gunshot.

Haslett, of Excelsior Springs,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indictments-child-endangerment-missouri-crime-kidnapping-e666d09d04a08170ca843eb6863a080e">previously was indicted</a>&nbsp;on one count of rape, four counts of sodomy, two counts of second-degree assault and one count each of kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.

He is being held in the Clay County Detention Center on $5 million bond.

Haslett’s public defender, Tiffany Leuty, did not immediately return an Associated Press call and email seeking comment Tuesday.

Police arrested Haslett in October 2022 after a woman told law enforcement that she had escaped from weeks of torture in his locked basement, according to a probable cause statement. She fled to a neighbor's house wearing a trash bag, a padlocked collar around her neck, and duct tape.

The survivor said Haslett had offered her money, and she agreed to go with him to his home. Once she was in his pickup truck, the woman told law enforcement that he held a gun to her, raped her and forced her to take narcotics.

He then took her to his basement, restrained her arms and legs, and raped, whipped, tortured and choked her every day for weeks, according to the probable cause statement. She escaped after slipping out of the chains while she believed he was taking his child to school.

The woman who survived also told authorities that Haslett had described killing two other women he previously kidnapped: one by suffocating her with a gas mask, and another who died after violent sexual torture.

He told her “if she did not listen to him, he would suffocate her and put her in a barrel like the rest of 'them,” according to the probable cause statement.

Thompson had said law enforcement officers followed more than 100 leads and spent more than 1,200 hours on the case, including searching for Crosdale and posting a missing person billboard with her photo in Kansas City.

Police made progress after kayakers in June 2023 found a blue, 30-gallon barrel with a skeleton inside while camping off the Missouri River in Saline County, according to police.

The remains were identified as Crosdale in July 2023, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article277830363.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.

The charges filed Tuesday are based on the evidence authorities currently have, Thompson said. He said the investigation is ongoing, and he urged anyone with information to come forward.

“Today’s indictment represents the next step in our pursuit of justice for the victims, the families and our community,” he said. “The physical, psychological and sexual torture described by the defendant’s surviving victim is brutal and barbaric.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665352038142.png" alt="Haslett-photo Clay County" />
 <figcaption>Haslett-photo Clay County</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUMMER BALLENTINE&nbsp;KANSAS CITY (AP)—A Missouri man accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-arrests-kidnapping-missouri-fb3dd5739aaa2a2d037f858163adb322">keeping a woman hidden in his basement</a>&nbsp;while repeatedly sexually assaulting her was indicted Tuesday for allegedly murdering another woman.Clay County, Missouri Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said Timothy M. Haslett was charged with murder in connection with 36-year-old Jaynie Crosdale’s death, adding that she was killed “by an act of homicidal violence.” He said her remains showed impact wounds consistent with a gunshot.Haslett, of Excelsior Springs,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indictments-child-endangerment-missouri-crime-kidnapping-e666d09d04a08170ca843eb6863a080e">previously was indicted</a>&nbsp;on one count of rape, four counts of sodomy, two counts of second-degree assault and one count each of kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child.He is being held in the Clay County Detention Center on $5 million bond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720608172237.png" alt="Charges listed against Haslett as listed by the Clay County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Charges listed against Haslett as listed by the Clay County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Haslett’s public defender, Tiffany Leuty, did not immediately return an Associated Press call and email seeking comment Tuesday.Police arrested Haslett in October 2022 after a woman told law enforcement that she had escaped from weeks of torture in his locked basement, according to a probable cause statement. She fled to a neighbor's house wearing a trash bag, a padlocked collar around her neck, and duct tape.The survivor said Haslett had offered her money, and she agreed to go with him to his home. Once she was in his pickup truck, the woman told law enforcement that he held a gun to her, raped her and forced her to take narcotics.He then took her to his basement, restrained her arms and legs, and raped, whipped, tortured and choked her every day for weeks, according to the probable cause statement. She escaped after slipping out of the chains while she believed he was taking his child to school.The woman who survived also told authorities that Haslett had described killing two other women he previously kidnapped: one by suffocating her with a gas mask, and another who died after violent sexual torture.He told her “if she did not listen to him, he would suffocate her and put her in a barrel like the rest of 'them,” according to the probable cause statement.Thompson had said law enforcement officers followed more than 100 leads and spent more than 1,200 hours on the case, including searching for Crosdale and posting a missing person billboard with her photo in Kansas City.Police made progress after kayakers in June 2023 found a blue, 30-gallon barrel with a skeleton inside while camping off the Missouri River in Saline County, according to police.The remains were identified as Crosdale in July 2023, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article277830363.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.The charges filed Tuesday are based on the evidence authorities currently have, Thompson said. He said the investigation is ongoing, and he urged anyone with information to come forward.“Today’s indictment represents the next step in our pursuit of justice for the victims, the families and our community,” he said. “The physical, psychological and sexual torture described by the defendant’s surviving victim is brutal and barbaric.”

Man accused of imprisoning, torturing a woman indicted for murder

KANSAS CITY —During the Independence holiday weekend, three officers helped save a woman's life, the Kansas City Police Department reported Tuesday.

For 30 minutes, they talked with a woman who was threatening to jump from a downtown building. The officers listened to her, relating with her until she agreed to let them help her to safety. 

The KCPD recognized the officers, "well done, Sergeant Stephanie Chandler, Officer Joseph Wright and Officer Hayden Miller."&nbsp; If you or someone you know is in crisis or emotional distress, there is help. You can call or text 988.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720562990636.png" alt="Photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —During the Independence holiday weekend, three officers helped save a woman's life, the Kansas City Police Department reported Tuesday.For 30 minutes, they talked with a woman who was threatening to jump from a downtown building. The officers listened to her, relating with her until she agreed to let them help her to safety. The KCPD recognized the officers, "well done, Sergeant Stephanie Chandler, Officer Joseph Wright and Officer Hayden Miller."&nbsp; If you or someone you know is in crisis or emotional distress, there is help. You can call or text 988.&nbsp;

KCPD officers save woman threatening to jump from building

By KIM BALDWIN McPherson County farmer and rancher

A few months ago, I registered my two children for two weeks of swimming lessons at our town’s pool. Registering my 8-year-old daughter for lessons was a nonnegotiable. She needs to continue learning skills that’ll help her keep her head above water while also gaining strength as a swimmer. My son, on the other hand, had a choice of taking lessons or not. 

When I presented him with the option of lessons, I warned him that he’d probably be the oldest kid in his swim level. I told him I’d again register him for the highest level offered at the pool. He easily met all of the required swim skills in that same level last summer, so this would be more like a review rather than an assessment. I half thought he’d decide to pass on lessons because of my warning. 

After a few minutes of contemplation, my son announced that if taking 45-minute swimming lessons guaranteed him pool time for two weeks, he’d do it!

Summer for my family is definitely spent a little differently than others. Yes, there’s guaranteed pool time in the form of swimming lessons for two weeks. Yes, there’s summer ball games with friends, and occasionally there’s a friend that can come over to play or spend the night. But summer for my family also means a steady flow of farmwork, and the kids are an active part of it all. Because of that, we generally experience long summer days and sleep hard at night before getting up and starting the day before it gets too hot.

Between wheat harvest, planting of fall crops, irrigation chores, checking livestock and debris cleanup following summer storms, my two kids will always have a different summertime story compared to their classmates. 

There have been times I have questioned my decision to haul the kids to town every day for two weeks during our busiest time of the year. Scheduling swim lessons in the middle of winter would work better with our farming schedule. However, I have to remind myself they need to experience the joys of summer as children. 

Yes, they need to understand the value of work. Yes, they need to be given responsibilities. Yes, they need to see that being part of a farming family includes helping when needed.

And honestly, leaving the farm and driving to town so the kids can get their guaranteed pool time also means that I have an opportunity to relax in the shade and read a book or listen to a podcast for 45 minutes by myself – something I might not do without this intentionally built-in time during the summer. It’s been a pleasant opportunity to pause and enjoy short breaks during an otherwise very busy time of the year.

The joys of summer can be had at any age, it’s just a matter of recognizing when the opportunity presents itself and making the time to take advantage of those moments.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573617414005.jpeg" alt="Kim-Baldwin Insight" />
 <figcaption>Kim-Baldwin Insight</figcaption>
 </figure>By KIM BALDWIN McPherson County farmer and rancherA few months ago, I registered my two children for two weeks of swimming lessons at our town’s pool. Registering my 8-year-old daughter for lessons was a nonnegotiable. She needs to continue learning skills that’ll help her keep her head above water while also gaining strength as a swimmer. My son, on the other hand, had a choice of taking lessons or not. When I presented him with the option of lessons, I warned him that he’d probably be the oldest kid in his swim level. I told him I’d again register him for the highest level offered at the pool. He easily met all of the required swim skills in that same level last summer, so this would be more like a review rather than an assessment. I half thought he’d decide to pass on lessons because of my warning. After a few minutes of contemplation, my son announced that if taking 45-minute swimming lessons guaranteed him pool time for two weeks, he’d do it!Summer for my family is definitely spent a little differently than others. Yes, there’s guaranteed pool time in the form of swimming lessons for two weeks. Yes, there’s summer ball games with friends, and occasionally there’s a friend that can come over to play or spend the night. But summer for my family also means a steady flow of farmwork, and the kids are an active part of it all. Because of that, we generally experience long summer days and sleep hard at night before getting up and starting the day before it gets too hot.Between wheat harvest, planting of fall crops, irrigation chores, checking livestock and debris cleanup following summer storms, my two kids will always have a different summertime story compared to their classmates. There have been times I have questioned my decision to haul the kids to town every day for two weeks during our busiest time of the year. Scheduling swim lessons in the middle of winter would work better with our farming schedule. However, I have to remind myself they need to experience the joys of summer as children. Yes, they need to understand the value of work. Yes, they need to be given responsibilities. Yes, they need to see that being part of a farming family includes helping when needed.And honestly, leaving the farm and driving to town so the kids can get their guaranteed pool time also means that I have an opportunity to relax in the shade and read a book or listen to a podcast for 45 minutes by myself – something I might not do without this intentionally built-in time during the summer. It’s been a pleasant opportunity to pause and enjoy short breaks during an otherwise very busy time of the year.The joys of summer can be had at any age, it’s just a matter of recognizing when the opportunity presents itself and making the time to take advantage of those moments."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service. Copyright © 2024 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.News from Kansas Farm Bureau

Insight Kansas — The joys of summer

Douglas Jay Hein September 5, 1962 ~&nbsp;June 26, 2024

Douglas Jay Hein, son of Harold James and Beverly Marie (Laubhan) Hein was born September 5, 1962, in Marion, KS.&nbsp; Doug attended McPherson, KS schools and graduated from McPherson High School.

Doug’s passion was collecting cars and trucks, especially later models.&nbsp; He would spend hours putting together model kits and painting them.&nbsp; He loved Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. Most of them are still displayed in their original boxes.&nbsp; Doug also loved playing card games like UNO and Solitaire and taking short drives while listening to country music.&nbsp; In his younger years, he was always seen driving late model cars, like a Camaro or El Camino.&nbsp;

Doug loved his sister, Janet and her husband, Greg, his nieces, Megan, Mollie, and Meranda, his great-nieces, Peyton and Kaelynn, and great-nephews, Kendrick, Karston, Logan, and Karter.&nbsp;

Doug died unexpectedly on June 26, 2024, at his home at the age of 61.&nbsp;

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and a niece Melissa Lynn Thompson.

Surviving family members include his sister, Janet Thompson and her husband, Greg; a niece, Megan Shaw and children, Kendrick Niemeyer, Kaelynn Shaw, Karston Shaw, and Karter Shaw; a niece, Mollie Klein and her husband, Ross, and children, Peyton Klein and Logan Klein; a niece, Meranda Thompson; and several close family members in Dallas, TX and surrounded areas.

A private family graveside service will be held in McPherson Cemetery at a later date.&nbsp;

Arrangements are with Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.

Personal condolences may be sent to the family at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stockhamfamily.com/">www.stockhamfamily.com</a>.

READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/edcd5204-f723-4e8e-9956-0a17c6565c48">📸 Daddy Bud Day celebrates Salina's history and community</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1560792573667.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Douglas Jay Hein September 5, 1962 ~&nbsp;June 26, 2024 Douglas Jay Hein, son of Harold James and Beverly Marie (Laubhan) Hein was born September 5, 1962, in Marion, KS.&nbsp; Doug attended McPherson, KS schools and graduated from McPherson High School.Doug’s passion was collecting cars and trucks, especially later models.&nbsp; He would spend hours putting together model kits and painting them.&nbsp; He loved Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. Most of them are still displayed in their original boxes.&nbsp; Doug also loved playing card games like UNO and Solitaire and taking short drives while listening to country music.&nbsp; In his younger years, he was always seen driving late model cars, like a Camaro or El Camino.&nbsp;Doug loved his sister, Janet and her husband, Greg, his nieces, Megan, Mollie, and Meranda, his great-nieces, Peyton and Kaelynn, and great-nephews, Kendrick, Karston, Logan, and Karter.&nbsp;Doug died unexpectedly on June 26, 2024, at his home at the age of 61.&nbsp;He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and a niece Melissa Lynn Thompson.Surviving family members include his sister, Janet Thompson and her husband, Greg; a niece, Megan Shaw and children, Kendrick Niemeyer, Kaelynn Shaw, Karston Shaw, and Karter Shaw; a niece, Mollie Klein and her husband, Ross, and children, Peyton Klein and Logan Klein; a niece, Meranda Thompson; and several close family members in Dallas, TX and surrounded areas.A private family graveside service will be held in McPherson Cemetery at a later date.&nbsp;Arrangements are with Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.Personal condolences may be sent to the family at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stockhamfamily.com/">www.stockhamfamily.com</a>.READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/edcd5204-f723-4e8e-9956-0a17c6565c48">📸 Daddy Bud Day celebrates Salina's history and community</a>

Douglas J. Hein

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, in an open&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24794149-biden-letter-to-congressional-democrats">letter to congressional Democrats</a>, stood firm Monday against calls for him to drop his reelection candidacy and called for an end to the intraparty drama that has torn apart Democrats since his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-campaigning-pennsylvania-democratic-doubts-election-77b050b1c5c39aec2ef633281d082566">dismal public debate performance</a>.

Biden's efforts to shore up a deeply anxious Democratic Party came as lawmakers returned to Washington confronting a choice: Work to revive his campaign or try to edge out the party leader, a make-or-break time for his campaign and their own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">political futures</a>.

Biden wrote in the two-page letter that “the question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end.” He stressed that the party has “one job,” which is to defeat presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in November.

<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24794331-bidenletterjuly8">Click here to read the full letter</a> from Biden.

“We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election,” Biden said in the letter, distributed by his reelection campaign. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”

Anxiety is running high as top-ranking Democratic lawmakers are joining calls for Biden to step aside despite his defiance. At the same time, some of the president’s most staunch supporters are redoubling the fight for Biden’s presidency, insisting there’s no one better to beat Trump in what many see as among the most important elections of a lifetime.

Biden followed up the letter with a phone interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show, in which he insisted that “average Democrats” want him to stay in the race and said he was frustrated by the calls from party officials for him to step aside.

“They’re big names, but I don’t care what those big names think,” Biden said.

He threw the gauntlet at his critics, saying if they’re serious they ought to “announce for president, challenge me at the convention” or rally behind him against Trump. Later, Biden joined a call with members of his national finance committee, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-veterans-north-carolina-florida-georgia-7cfa60e967da9ce9514f89841fc2addc">first lady Jill Biden</a>&nbsp;campaigned for her husband in a three-state swing focused on engaging veterans and military families.

“For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he’s all in,” she told a military crowd in Wilmington, North Carolina. “That’s the decision that he’s made, and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in, too."

Democratic voters are split on whether Biden should remain the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, or whether there should be a different Democratic nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/03/us/elections/times-siena-poll-registered-voter-crosstabs.html">according to a New York Times/Siena College poll</a>.

More voices spoke up Monday, including the chair of the House’s Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who was not ready to cast aside Biden, saying that the threat of a second Trump presidency remains too high. Yet one of the most endangered Democrats this election cycle, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, said in a statement, “President Biden has got to prove to the American people—including me—that he’s up to the job for another four years.”

However, Biden’s letter left some House Democrats, who want to hear directly from Biden himself, furious, according to one House aide granted anonymity to discuss the situation. Lawmakers particularly bristled at being cast as out of touch with voters since representatives in particular have been home in their districts listening to voters.

A person familiar with the matter said Biden would meet virtually Monday with the Congressional Black Caucus. The White House would not say whether Biden would meet with all Democratic lawmakers in person at the Capitol this week.

(click below to watch the complete Monday White House Press briefing)

Meanwhile, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden had undergone three neurological exams while in the White House as part of his annual physical exams — and no more — and said the president has not been diagnosed with or treated for Parkinson’s.

It’s a tenuous and highly volatile juncture for the president’s party. Democrats who have worked alongside Biden for years — if not decades — and cherished his life's work on policy priorities are now entertaining uncomfortable questions about his political future. And it's unfolding as Biden hosts world leaders for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-summit-trump-biden-europe-ukraine-e45273ef1bd408d72245f8f7fd1ec5c0">the NATO summit</a>&nbsp;this week in Washington.

The drama is playing out with just over a month until the Democratic National Convention and just a week before Republicans gather in Milwaukee to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-biden-9d372469033d23e1e3aef5cf0470a2e6">renominate Trump</a>&nbsp;as their presidential pick. Many Democrats are arguing the attention needs to be focused not on Biden but on the former president's felony conviction in the hush money case and pending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">federal charges</a>&nbsp;in his effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">overturn the 2020 election</a>.

In an effort to “get on the same page,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is convening lawmakers for private meetings before he shows his own preference, according to a person familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it. He planned to gather on Monday some Democrats whose bids for reelection are most vulnerable.

A private call Sunday including some 15 top House committee members exposed the deepening divide as at least four more Democrats — Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state and Rep. Mark Takano of California — privately said Biden should step aside.

Nadler, as one of the more senior members on the call, was the first, according to a person familiar with the call who was granted anonymity to discuss it. He did so aware that seniority would allow others to join him.

Many others on the call raised concerns about Biden’s capability and chance of winning reelection, even if they stopped short of saying Biden should step out of the race.

Still other members, including Rep. Maxine Waters of California and Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, both leaders in the Congressional Black Caucus, spoke forcefully in support of Biden, as did Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

Neal said afterward that the bottom line is Biden beat Trump in 2020 and “he’ll do it again in November.”

Behind the scenes is Speaker Emerita&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>, who continues to field calls from lawmakers seeking advice about the situation and is widely viewed as the one to watch for any ultimate decision on Biden's future because of her proximity to the president and vote-counting skills in party politics.

Pelosi spoke up last week, saying Biden's debate performance raised “legitimate” questions he needed to answer.

But when Biden's prime-time ABC interview on Friday appeared to do little to calm worried Democrats, and some said made the situation worse, Pelosi stepped forward to praise him on social media as a “great President who continues to deliver for America’s kitchen table.” She added, "and we're not done yet!”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would not answer questions about Biden’s reelection as he entered the Capitol on Monday, but he told reporters: “As I’ve said before, I’m for Joe.”

The Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, was more cautious.

“I watched the debate, it raised a lot of questions,” Durbin said. “He is trying to answer those questions. In some respects he’s done it very effectively, in other respects not as effectively.”

One Democrat, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, had intended to gather senators Monday to discuss Biden privately, but a person familiar with his thinking said those conversations will take place in Tuesday’s regular caucus luncheon with all Democratic senators.

Another Democrat, Sen. Alex Padilla of California, said it was “time to quit the hand-wringing and get back to door knocking.”

While some deep-pocketed donors may be showing discomfort, strategists working on House and Senate races said they have posted record fundraising as donors view congressional Democrats as a “firewall” and last line of defense against Trump.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720469721880.png" alt="Reporters during tense White House press briefing on Monday-image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>Reporters during tense White House press briefing on Monday-image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, in an open&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24794149-biden-letter-to-congressional-democrats">letter to congressional Democrats</a>, stood firm Monday against calls for him to drop his reelection candidacy and called for an end to the intraparty drama that has torn apart Democrats since his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-campaigning-pennsylvania-democratic-doubts-election-77b050b1c5c39aec2ef633281d082566">dismal public debate performance</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a> Karine Jean-Pierre to <a href="https://twitter.com/edokeefe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@edokeefe</a>: &quot;It doesn&#39;t matter how hard you push me. It doesn&#39;t matter how angry you get with me. I&#39;m not going to confirm a name...What I can say share with you is that the president has seen a neurologist for his physical three times.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/oZQjMiIOPv">pic.twitter.com/oZQjMiIOPv</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1810397009150619756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden's efforts to shore up a deeply anxious Democratic Party came as lawmakers returned to Washington confronting a choice: Work to revive his campaign or try to edge out the party leader, a make-or-break time for his campaign and their own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">political futures</a>.Biden wrote in the two-page letter that “the question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end.” He stressed that the party has “one job,” which is to defeat presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in November.<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24794331-bidenletterjuly8">Click here to read the full letter</a> from Biden.“We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election,” Biden said in the letter, distributed by his reelection campaign. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”Anxiety is running high as top-ranking Democratic lawmakers are joining calls for Biden to step aside despite his defiance. At the same time, some of the president’s most staunch supporters are redoubling the fight for Biden’s presidency, insisting there’s no one better to beat Trump in what many see as among the most important elections of a lifetime.Biden followed up the letter with a phone interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show, in which he insisted that “average Democrats” want him to stay in the race and said he was frustrated by the calls from party officials for him to step aside.“They’re big names, but I don’t care what those big names think,” Biden said.He threw the gauntlet at his critics, saying if they’re serious they ought to “announce for president, challenge me at the convention” or rally behind him against Trump. Later, Biden joined a call with members of his national finance committee, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jill-biden-veterans-north-carolina-florida-georgia-7cfa60e967da9ce9514f89841fc2addc">first lady Jill Biden</a>&nbsp;campaigned for her husband in a three-state swing focused on engaging veterans and military families.“For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he’s all in,” she told a military crowd in Wilmington, North Carolina. “That’s the decision that he’s made, and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in, too."Democratic voters are split on whether Biden should remain the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, or whether there should be a different Democratic nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/03/us/elections/times-siena-poll-registered-voter-crosstabs.html">according to a New York Times/Siena College poll</a>.More voices spoke up Monday, including the chair of the House’s Congressional Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who was not ready to cast aside Biden, saying that the threat of a second Trump presidency remains too high. Yet one of the most endangered Democrats this election cycle, Sen. Jon Tester of Montana, said in a statement, “President Biden has got to prove to the American people—including me—that he’s up to the job for another four years.”However, Biden’s letter left some House Democrats, who want to hear directly from Biden himself, furious, according to one House aide granted anonymity to discuss the situation. Lawmakers particularly bristled at being cast as out of touch with voters since representatives in particular have been home in their districts listening to voters.A person familiar with the matter said Biden would meet virtually Monday with the Congressional Black Caucus. The White House would not say whether Biden would meet with all Democratic lawmakers in person at the Capitol this week.(click below to watch the complete Monday White House Press briefing)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F495556559822359%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=2259" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>
</div>Meanwhile, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden had undergone three neurological exams while in the White House as part of his annual physical exams — and no more — and said the president has not been diagnosed with or treated for Parkinson’s.It’s a tenuous and highly volatile juncture for the president’s party. Democrats who have worked alongside Biden for years — if not decades — and cherished his life's work on policy priorities are now entertaining uncomfortable questions about his political future. And it's unfolding as Biden hosts world leaders for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-summit-trump-biden-europe-ukraine-e45273ef1bd408d72245f8f7fd1ec5c0">the NATO summit</a>&nbsp;this week in Washington.The drama is playing out with just over a month until the Democratic National Convention and just a week before Republicans gather in Milwaukee to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-project-2025-biden-9d372469033d23e1e3aef5cf0470a2e6">renominate Trump</a>&nbsp;as their presidential pick. Many Democrats are arguing the attention needs to be focused not on Biden but on the former president's felony conviction in the hush money case and pending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">federal charges</a>&nbsp;in his effort to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/trump-election-2020-indictment">overturn the 2020 election</a>.In an effort to “get on the same page,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is convening lawmakers for private meetings before he shows his own preference, according to a person familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it. He planned to gather on Monday some Democrats whose bids for reelection are most vulnerable.A private call Sunday including some 15 top House committee members exposed the deepening divide as at least four more Democrats — Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state and Rep. Mark Takano of California — privately said Biden should step aside.Nadler, as one of the more senior members on the call, was the first, according to a person familiar with the call who was granted anonymity to discuss it. He did so aware that seniority would allow others to join him.Many others on the call raised concerns about Biden’s capability and chance of winning reelection, even if they stopped short of saying Biden should step out of the race.Still other members, including Rep. Maxine Waters of California and Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, both leaders in the Congressional Black Caucus, spoke forcefully in support of Biden, as did Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.Neal said afterward that the bottom line is Biden beat Trump in 2020 and “he’ll do it again in November.”Behind the scenes is Speaker Emerita&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>, who continues to field calls from lawmakers seeking advice about the situation and is widely viewed as the one to watch for any ultimate decision on Biden's future because of her proximity to the president and vote-counting skills in party politics.Pelosi spoke up last week, saying Biden's debate performance raised “legitimate” questions he needed to answer.But when Biden's prime-time ABC interview on Friday appeared to do little to calm worried Democrats, and some said made the situation worse, Pelosi stepped forward to praise him on social media as a “great President who continues to deliver for America’s kitchen table.” She added, "and we're not done yet!”Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would not answer questions about Biden’s reelection as he entered the Capitol on Monday, but he told reporters: “As I’ve said before, I’m for Joe.”The Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, was more cautious.“I watched the debate, it raised a lot of questions,” Durbin said. “He is trying to answer those questions. In some respects he’s done it very effectively, in other respects not as effectively.”One Democrat, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, had intended to gather senators Monday to discuss Biden privately, but a person familiar with his thinking said those conversations will take place in Tuesday’s regular caucus luncheon with all Democratic senators.Another Democrat, Sen. Alex Padilla of California, said it was “time to quit the hand-wringing and get back to door knocking.”While some deep-pocketed donors may be showing discomfort, strategists working on House and Senate races said they have posted record fundraising as donors view congressional Democrats as a “firewall” and last line of defense against Trump.__

🎥Tense White House press briefing on President Biden's health

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Joe Biden,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-trump-debate-democrats-withdraw-campaign-8866379e91fdb1425bbd2eb5344655c5">fighting</a>&nbsp;to save his endangered reelection effort, used a highly anticipated TV interview Friday to repeatedly reject taking an independent medical evaluation that would show voters he is up for serving another term in office while blaming his disastrous debate performance on a “bad episode” and saying there were “no indications of any serious condition."

“Look, I have a cognitive test every single day,” Biden told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, referring to the tasks he faces daily in a rigorous job. “Every day, I have that test. Everything I do. You know, not only am I campaigning, but I’m running the world.”

The 81-year-old Biden made it through the 22-minute interview without any major blunders that would inflict further damage to his imperiled candidacy, but it appeared unlikely to fully tamp down concerns about his age and fitness for another four years and his ability to defeat Donald Trump in November.

It left Biden in a standoff against a not-insignificant faction of his party with four months to go until Election Day, and with just weeks until the Democratic National Convention. The drawn-out spectacle could benefit Biden’s efforts to remain in the race by limiting the party’s options to replace him. But it also could be a distraction from vital efforts to frame the 2024 race as a referendum on Trump.

During the interview, Biden insisted he was not more frail than earlier in his presidency. He said he undergoes “ongoing assessment” by his personal doctors and they “don't hesitate to tell me” if something is wrong.

“Can I run the 100 in 10 flat? No. But I’m still in good shape,” Biden said.

As for the debate, “I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing,” Biden said.

Biden suggested that Trump’s disruptions — from just a few feet away — had flustered him: “I realized that, even when I was answering a question and they turned his mic off, he was still shouting and I let it distract me. I’m not blaming it on that. But I realized that I just wasn’t in control.”

At times, Biden rambled during the interview, which ABC said aired in full and without edits. At one point, he started to explain his debate performance, then veered to a New York Times poll, then pivoted to the lies Trump told during the debate. Biden also referred to the midterm “red wave” as occurring in 2020, rather than 2022.

Asked how he might turn the race around, Biden argued that one key would be large and energetic rallies like the one he held Friday in Wisconsin. When reminded that Trump routinely draws larger crowds, the president laid into his opponent.

“Trump is a pathological liar,” Biden said, accusing Trump of bungling the federal response to the COVID pandemic and failing to create jobs. “You ever see something that Trump did that benefited someone else and not him?”

Biden also insisted he was the “most qualified” to lead Democrats against Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

The interview, paired with a weekend campaign in battleground Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, was part of Biden's rigorous effort to course correct from his rocky debate performance. But internal party frustrations continue to fester, with one influential Democratic senator working on a nascent push to encourage the president to exit the race and Democrats quietly chatting about where they would go next if the president drops out — or what it would mean if he stays in.

“It’s President Biden’s decision whether or not he remains in the race. Voters select our nominee and they chose him," said California Rep. Ro Khanna, a member of the Biden campaign's national advisory board that works as a gathering of his top surrogates. "Now, he needs to prove to those voters that he is up to the job and that will require more than just this one interview.”

One Democrat who watched said they found Biden to be still shaky under controlled conditions and predicted more will call on him to leave the race.

Still, in Wisconsin, Biden was focused on proving his capacity to serve another term. When asked whether he would halt his campaign, he told reporters he was “completely ruling that out” and said he is “positive” he could serve another four years. At a rally in front of hundreds of supporters he acknowledged his subpar debate performance but insisted, “I am running, and I'm going to win again.”

“I beat Donald Trump,” a forceful Biden said, as the crowd gathered in a middle school cheered and waved campaign signs. “I will beat him again.”

While private angst among Democratic lawmakers, donors and strategists has been running deep since the debate, most in the party have held public fire as they wait to see if the president can restore confidence with his weekend travel and his handling of the interview.

To that end, Sen. Mark Warner reached out to fellow senators throughout this week to discuss whether to ask Biden to exit the race, according to three people familiar with the effort who requested anonymity to talk about private conversations. The Virginia Democrat’s moves are notable given his chairmanship of the Senate Intelligence Committee and his reputation as a lawmaker who is supportive of Biden and has working relationships with colleagues in both parties. Warner’s effort was first reported by The Washington Post.

The strategy remains fluid. One of the people with knowledge of Warner's effort said there are enough Senate Democrats concerned enough about Biden's capacity to run for reelection to take some sort of action, although there was yet no consensus on what that plan would be. Some of the Democratic senators could meet as soon as Monday on how to move forward.

The top Democrats on House committees are planning to meet virtually Sunday to discuss the situation, according to a person familiar with the gathering granted anonymity to talk about it.

At least four House Democrats have called for Biden to step down as the nominee. While not going that far, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said in a carefully worded statement Friday that Biden now has a decision to make on “the best way forward.”

“I urge him to listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump,” Healey said.

In the interview, Biden was asked how he might be persuaded to leave the race. He laughed and replied, “If the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I might do that.”

There were also a few signs of discontent at Biden's campaign rally Friday, with one person onstage waving a sign that read “Pass the torch Joe” as the president came out. His motorcade was also greeted at the middle school by a few people urging him to move on.

But Rebecca Green, a 52-year-old environmental scientist from Madison, said she found Biden’s energy reassuring. “We were just waiting for him to come out strong and fighting again, the way we know he is."

Many Democratic lawmakers, who are hearing from constituents at home during the holiday week, are deeply frustrated and split on whether Biden should stay or go. Privately, discussions among the House Democrats flared this week as word spread that some of them were drafting public letters suggesting the president should quit the race.

Biden appears to have pulled his family closer while attempting to prove that he's still the Democrats' best option.

The ubiquitous presence of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;in the West Wing since the debate has become an uncomfortable dynamic for many staffers, according to two Democrats close to the White House who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.

For many staffers, the sight of Hunter Biden, just weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-gun-trial-federal-charges-delaware-5dd8a9380235c6360a1ddb691ef24a06">his conviction on felony gun charges</a>, taking a larger role in advising his father has been unsettling and a questionable choice, they said.

In a hastily organized gathering with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-white-house-jeff-zients-7794155c12bc78c084e4b964545e2b7f">more than 20 Democratic governors</a>&nbsp;Wednesday evening, Biden acknowledged he needs to sleep more and limit evening events so he can be rested for the job. In trying to explain away those comments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stressed that Biden “works around the clock” but that he “also recognizes the importance of striking a balance and taking care of himself.”

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who attended the meeting, said Biden “certainly engaged with us on complicated matters.”

“But then again, this is something that he needs to not just reassure Democratic governors on, but he needs to reassure the American people," Beshear said.

Kim reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Todd Richmond in Madison, Joey Cappelletti in Saugatuck, Michigan, Dylan Lovan in Louisville, Kentucky, and Will Weissert, Zeke Miller, Mary Clare Jalonick, Aamer Madhani, Lisa Mascaro and Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Joe Biden,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-trump-debate-democrats-withdraw-campaign-8866379e91fdb1425bbd2eb5344655c5">fighting</a>&nbsp;to save his endangered reelection effort, used a highly anticipated TV interview Friday to repeatedly reject taking an independent medical evaluation that would show voters he is up for serving another term in office while blaming his disastrous debate performance on a “bad episode” and saying there were “no indications of any serious condition."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">When I first ran for president, I wanted to do three things: restore some decency to the office, restore support for the middle class instead of trickle-down economics, and unite our country. We were told it couldn’t be done. But we got it done. <a href="https://t.co/nIUiwBVy8G">pic.twitter.com/nIUiwBVy8G</a>&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1809382384007008585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Look, I have a cognitive test every single day,” Biden told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, referring to the tasks he faces daily in a rigorous job. “Every day, I have that test. Everything I do. You know, not only am I campaigning, but I’m running the world.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’m optimistic about this country. I don’t think we’re a country of losers like Donald Trump says. We’ve made great progress. We can do this. <a href="https://t.co/AdtsK9omSU">pic.twitter.com/AdtsK9omSU</a>&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1809382839957311797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden in Madison, WI: &quot;They&#39;re trying to push me out of the race. Well, let me say this as clearly as I can; I&#39;m staying in the race! I&#39;ll beat Donald Trump. I will beat him again in 2020 and by the way we&#39;re&#39; going to do it again in 2024.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/T1xJ7NAThj">pic.twitter.com/T1xJ7NAThj</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1809367605334966587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The 81-year-old Biden made it through the 22-minute interview without any major blunders that would inflict further damage to his imperiled candidacy, but it appeared unlikely to fully tamp down concerns about his age and fitness for another four years and his ability to defeat Donald Trump in November.It left Biden in a standoff against a not-insignificant faction of his party with four months to go until Election Day, and with just weeks until the Democratic National Convention. The drawn-out spectacle could benefit Biden’s efforts to remain in the race by limiting the party’s options to replace him. But it also could be a distraction from vital efforts to frame the 2024 race as a referendum on Trump.During the interview, Biden insisted he was not more frail than earlier in his presidency. He said he undergoes “ongoing assessment” by his personal doctors and they “don't hesitate to tell me” if something is wrong.“Can I run the 100 in 10 flat? No. But I’m still in good shape,” Biden said.As for the debate, “I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing,” Biden said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Let me say this as clearly as I can: I’m the sitting President of the United States. I’m the nominee of the Democratic party. I’m staying in the race.&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1809310761933525304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden suggested that Trump’s disruptions — from just a few feet away — had flustered him: “I realized that, even when I was answering a question and they turned his mic off, he was still shouting and I let it distract me. I’m not blaming it on that. But I realized that I just wasn’t in control.”At times, Biden rambled during the interview, which ABC said aired in full and without edits. At one point, he started to explain his debate performance, then veered to a New York Times poll, then pivoted to the lies Trump told during the debate. Biden also referred to the midterm “red wave” as occurring in 2020, rather than 2022.Asked how he might turn the race around, Biden argued that one key would be large and energetic rallies like the one he held Friday in Wisconsin. When reminded that Trump routinely draws larger crowds, the president laid into his opponent.“Trump is a pathological liar,” Biden said, accusing Trump of bungling the federal response to the COVID pandemic and failing to create jobs. “You ever see something that Trump did that benefited someone else and not him?”Biden also insisted he was the “most qualified” to lead Democrats against Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.The interview, paired with a weekend campaign in battleground Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, was part of Biden's rigorous effort to course correct from his rocky debate performance. But internal party frustrations continue to fester, with one influential Democratic senator working on a nascent push to encourage the president to exit the race and Democrats quietly chatting about where they would go next if the president drops out — or what it would mean if he stays in.“It’s President Biden’s decision whether or not he remains in the race. Voters select our nominee and they chose him," said California Rep. Ro Khanna, a member of the Biden campaign's national advisory board that works as a gathering of his top surrogates. "Now, he needs to prove to those voters that he is up to the job and that will require more than just this one interview.”One Democrat who watched said they found Biden to be still shaky under controlled conditions and predicted more will call on him to leave the race.Still, in Wisconsin, Biden was focused on proving his capacity to serve another term. When asked whether he would halt his campaign, he told reporters he was “completely ruling that out” and said he is “positive” he could serve another four years. At a rally in front of hundreds of supporters he acknowledged his subpar debate performance but insisted, “I am running, and I'm going to win again.”“I beat Donald Trump,” a forceful Biden said, as the crowd gathered in a middle school cheered and waved campaign signs. “I will beat him again.”While private angst among Democratic lawmakers, donors and strategists has been running deep since the debate, most in the party have held public fire as they wait to see if the president can restore confidence with his weekend travel and his handling of the interview.To that end, Sen. Mark Warner reached out to fellow senators throughout this week to discuss whether to ask Biden to exit the race, according to three people familiar with the effort who requested anonymity to talk about private conversations. The Virginia Democrat’s moves are notable given his chairmanship of the Senate Intelligence Committee and his reputation as a lawmaker who is supportive of Biden and has working relationships with colleagues in both parties. Warner’s effort was first reported by The Washington Post.The strategy remains fluid. One of the people with knowledge of Warner's effort said there are enough Senate Democrats concerned enough about Biden's capacity to run for reelection to take some sort of action, although there was yet no consensus on what that plan would be. Some of the Democratic senators could meet as soon as Monday on how to move forward.The top Democrats on House committees are planning to meet virtually Sunday to discuss the situation, according to a person familiar with the gathering granted anonymity to talk about it.At least four House Democrats have called for Biden to step down as the nominee. While not going that far, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said in a carefully worded statement Friday that Biden now has a decision to make on “the best way forward.”“I urge him to listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump,” Healey said.In the interview, Biden was asked how he might be persuaded to leave the race. He laughed and replied, “If the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I might do that.”There were also a few signs of discontent at Biden's campaign rally Friday, with one person onstage waving a sign that read “Pass the torch Joe” as the president came out. His motorcade was also greeted at the middle school by a few people urging him to move on.But Rebecca Green, a 52-year-old environmental scientist from Madison, said she found Biden’s energy reassuring. “We were just waiting for him to come out strong and fighting again, the way we know he is."Many Democratic lawmakers, who are hearing from constituents at home during the holiday week, are deeply frustrated and split on whether Biden should stay or go. Privately, discussions among the House Democrats flared this week as word spread that some of them were drafting public letters suggesting the president should quit the race.Biden appears to have pulled his family closer while attempting to prove that he's still the Democrats' best option.The ubiquitous presence of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;in the West Wing since the debate has become an uncomfortable dynamic for many staffers, according to two Democrats close to the White House who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.For many staffers, the sight of Hunter Biden, just weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-gun-trial-federal-charges-delaware-5dd8a9380235c6360a1ddb691ef24a06">his conviction on felony gun charges</a>, taking a larger role in advising his father has been unsettling and a questionable choice, they said.In a hastily organized gathering with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-white-house-jeff-zients-7794155c12bc78c084e4b964545e2b7f">more than 20 Democratic governors</a>&nbsp;Wednesday evening, Biden acknowledged he needs to sleep more and limit evening events so he can be rested for the job. In trying to explain away those comments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stressed that Biden “works around the clock” but that he “also recognizes the importance of striking a balance and taking care of himself.”Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who attended the meeting, said Biden “certainly engaged with us on complicated matters.”“But then again, this is something that he needs to not just reassure Democratic governors on, but he needs to reassure the American people," Beshear said.___Kim reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Todd Richmond in Madison, Joey Cappelletti in Saugatuck, Michigan, Dylan Lovan in Louisville, Kentucky, and Will Weissert, Zeke Miller, Mary Clare Jalonick, Aamer Madhani, Lisa Mascaro and Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

🎥 Biden discusses age questions in TV interview as he fights to stay in race

Join 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Olivia Bergmeier this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. on 910AM 107.5 FM.

Hear highlights about community events, public affairs, and all things happening in Salina. Their approach is friendly, informative, and entertaining. To listen to past 910KINA Saturday Morning Shows head on over to the KINA podcast homepage&nbsp;<a href="http://910kina.com/">here.</a>&nbsp;

9:00 a.m.- 9:15 a.m. Cash Hollistah, James Curtis shares information about the Dadd Bud Day, taking place July 6 at 10 a.m. at Pacific Park in Salina.

9:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Lori Trow, President of the League of Women Voters (LWV) talks about the upcoming speed dating with the candidate event taking place on July 14.&nbsp;

9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Maggie Spicer Brown, Director at the Center for Theatre Arts talks about the opening weekend of Shrek The Musical Jr.

10 a.m.-10:30 a.m.  Master Sergeant David Medina Jr., with the Kansas National Guard’s 235th Regiment&nbsp;

10:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.  Leslie Manning, Tri-Rivers Fair Board Member

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591971280271.jpeg" alt="KINA New logo Blue Black" />
 <figcaption>KINA New logo Blue Black</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTJoin 910KINA's Saturday Morning Show hosts Dave Foor and Olivia Bergmeier this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. on 910AM 107.5 FM.Hear highlights about community events, public affairs, and all things happening in Salina. Their approach is friendly, informative, and entertaining. To listen to past 910KINA Saturday Morning Shows head on over to the KINA podcast homepage&nbsp;<a href="http://910kina.com/">here.</a>&nbsp;9:00 a.m.- 9:15 a.m. Cash Hollistah, James Curtis shares information about the Dadd Bud Day, taking place July 6 at 10 a.m. at Pacific Park in Salina.9:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Lori Trow, President of the League of Women Voters (LWV) talks about the upcoming speed dating with the candidate event taking place on July 14.&nbsp;9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Maggie Spicer Brown, Director at the Center for Theatre Arts talks about the opening weekend of Shrek The Musical Jr.10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Master Sergeant David Medina Jr., with the Kansas National Guard’s 235th Regiment&nbsp;10:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. Leslie Manning, Tri-Rivers Fair Board Member

910 KINA Saturday Morning Show lineup

Get ready for a star-spangled celebration as Abilene invites everyone to an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July event at Eisenhower Park this Thursday. 

The family-friendly celebration is packed with activities and entertainment for all ages, promising a full day of fun, laughter, and community spirit.

The day kicks off at 7:00 a.m. with tournament registrations. Whether you're a sports enthusiast or just looking for some competitive fun, there's something for everyone. At 7:45 a.m., the patriotic spirit of Independence Day will be honored with a flag-raising ceremony.

At 8:00 a.m., the tournaments begin. Children aged 4-12 can join the Pedal Power Tractor Pull at the Show Barn. Sports fans can participate in the 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament ($20 per team), Mud Volleyball Tournament ($30 per team), Cornhole Tournament ($10 per team), and Pickleball Tournament ($10 per team).

At 9:00 a.m., the Baby Beauty Registration ($5/child) will open at the Bandshell, followed by the 4 on 4 Sand Volleyball Tournament ($20 per team).

By 10:00 a.m., the Baby Beauty Contest and face painting by Color Me Crazy Face Painting begins, entertaining the little ones.

At 11:30 a.m., Hot Wheel Races will see miniature cars zooming down the track in a thrilling competition.

At noon, dive into the fun with pool activities at the Abilene Municipal Pool, with no pre-registration required. From 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., attendees can cool off and enjoy a refreshing swim during the free swim hours at the pool.

The evening festivities start at 8:00 p.m. with a performance by the City Band at the Bandshell. Relax and enjoy classic tunes and patriotic favorites played by talented local musicians.

The day will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from the Rodeo Stadium Grounds, lighting up the night sky in a dazzling display of red, white, and blue. For an enhanced experience, listeners can tune into the music accompanying the fireworks at <a href="https://pyrocast.page.link/6hKx61pqYtMznPA66">Pyrocast</a>.

For more details, visit the <a href="https://abilenekansas.org/">Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau website </a>or contact them directly.

READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/20056adf-6803-4ff7-9120-3ed6719dfe32">Kansas is losing its state reptile, RHZ's conservation efforts to help save the species</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720017322933.jpeg" alt="Old Fashioned Fourth of July" />
 <figcaption>Old Fashioned Fourth of July</figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTGet ready for a star-spangled celebration as Abilene invites everyone to an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July event at Eisenhower Park this Thursday. The family-friendly celebration is packed with activities and entertainment for all ages, promising a full day of fun, laughter, and community spirit.<h2>Early Morning Excitement</h2>The day kicks off at 7:00 a.m. with tournament registrations. Whether you're a sports enthusiast or just looking for some competitive fun, there's something for everyone. At 7:45 a.m., the patriotic spirit of Independence Day will be honored with a flag-raising ceremony.<h2>Morning Activities</h2>At 8:00 a.m., the tournaments begin. Children aged 4-12 can join the Pedal Power Tractor Pull at the Show Barn. Sports fans can participate in the 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament ($20 per team), Mud Volleyball Tournament ($30 per team), Cornhole Tournament ($10 per team), and Pickleball Tournament ($10 per team).At 9:00 a.m., the Baby Beauty Registration ($5/child) will open at the Bandshell, followed by the 4 on 4 Sand Volleyball Tournament ($20 per team).By 10:00 a.m., the Baby Beauty Contest and face painting by Color Me Crazy Face Painting begins, entertaining the little ones.<h2>Mid-Morning Merriment</h2>At 11:30 a.m., Hot Wheel Races will see miniature cars zooming down the track in a thrilling competition.<h2>Afternoon Splash</h2>At noon, dive into the fun with pool activities at the Abilene Municipal Pool, with no pre-registration required. From 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., attendees can cool off and enjoy a refreshing swim during the free swim hours at the pool.<h2>Evening Entertainment</h2>The evening festivities start at 8:00 p.m. with a performance by the City Band at the Bandshell. Relax and enjoy classic tunes and patriotic favorites played by talented local musicians.The day will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from the Rodeo Stadium Grounds, lighting up the night sky in a dazzling display of red, white, and blue. For an enhanced experience, listeners can tune into the music accompanying the fireworks at <a href="https://pyrocast.page.link/6hKx61pqYtMznPA66">Pyrocast</a>.For more details, visit the <a href="https://abilenekansas.org/">Abilene Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau website </a>or contact them directly.READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/20056adf-6803-4ff7-9120-3ed6719dfe32">Kansas is losing its state reptile, RHZ's conservation efforts to help save the species</a>

Abilene's Old-Fashioned Fourth of July celebration at Eisenhower Park

Earlier today, Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, alongside leaders from across the state, unveiled the <a href="https://lovekansas.com/">"Love, Kansas"</a> talent attraction campaign. The initiative aims to boost Kansas' population by inviting past residents to choose the Sunflower State as their future home.

Wyatt Thompson, voice of the K-State Wildcats, hyped up the crowd of Kansans and served as emcee for the event held on Monday, July 1.&nbsp;

"Today we are launching a new campaign that is going to bring these people home to Kansas by helping them rediscover why this state is the best place to call home," Thompson said.&nbsp;

During the campaign launch at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan, Lt. Gov. Toland shared his personal journey about coming back to Kansas after he was inspired by a phone call from a family friend.

"I am a 1995 graduate of Iola High School in Allen County. I have two degrees from KU, I married a girl at KU who is from Pittsburg and as soon as we finished graduate school, we moved out of the state," Toland said. "We went to the East Coast and we were there for the better part of a decade."

READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/e1179189-0804-48cd-9688-6ee8ab5892c7">Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad participating in Kansas Sunflower Summer program</a>

Toland said after the birth of their daughter Caroline, he and his wife decided to come back home to Kansas.

"Caroline was learning to walk in our 16-foot wide row house, when one night, I got a phone call from somebody back in Iola, a friend who said, 'I'm sure you've never considered this. It's kind of a crazy idea. You'd have to move.' and&nbsp; he said, 'Well, I wonder if you would ever consider coming back to Kansas, and specifically to Iola.'"

Toland, a seventh-generation Kansan, said he felt that Kansas has always been in his heart but wasn't always in his mind as a place that had opportunity.&nbsp;

"It wasn't until that phone call that it clicked and I realized that we should be back home. We should be building our life for our daughter back in Kansas," Toland said. "And that's just what we did. It's been 16 years, and that was the best decision we've ever made."

Click the play button above to learn more about the Love Kansas initiative.

Love Kansas' goal is to highlight Kansas as an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family, with a special emphasis on "boomerangs" - individuals with previous ties to the state.

Love Kansas focuses on the state's abundant job opportunities, high quality of life, excellent education system and affordable communities. The campaign is locally driven but strategically targets key markets across the U.S., with a strong focus on digital and social media platforms. 

"It's simple: we need more humans in Kansas to keep up with the phenomenal economic growth our state is experiencing," Lt. Gov. Toland said. "The best way to do that is to first approach Kansans who left the state for economic opportunities elsewhere and invite them to build a life in a place they know and have connections to, whether in their hometown or elsewhere in the state. With the Love, Kansas campaign, we aren't just extending an invitation to those who once called Kansas home to come back--we re also inviting families from around the country to build their lives in the Sunflower State."

During the launch event, Toland announced that the first 50 communities to partner with Love Kansas will be eligible for a $5,000 grant to assist in their efforts to attract new residents to their community. Nineteen pilot communities and seven universities already joined the initiative and are planning events that align with the campaign's theme.

LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/67ca4f22-e961-4739-a30d-6e6ecf5bbaa2">🎙King in the Community — Kansas Lt. Gov./Secretary of Commerce, David Toland</a>

Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Renee Duxler, Salina Downtown Inc. Executive Director Leslie Bishop, and Salina Community Economic Developement Coorporation Executive Director Mitch Robinson all attended the event. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719864760130.jpeg" alt="Volunteers dump balloons and empty letters on attendees of the kickoff event for the Love Kansas campaign that aims to bring Kansans back to the state who have moved away, on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Following the announcement, event attendees wrote letters to previous residents of Kansas, asking them to move back to the state.&nbsp;Photo by Olivia Bergmeier " />
 <figcaption>Volunteers dump balloons and empty letters on attendees of the kickoff event for the Love Kansas campaign that aims to bring Kansans back to the state who have moved away, on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Following the announcement, event attendees wrote letters to previous residents of Kansas, asking them to move back to the state.&nbsp;Photo by Olivia Bergmeier </figcaption>
 </figure>By SALINA POSTEarlier today, Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, alongside leaders from across the state, unveiled the <a href="https://lovekansas.com/">"Love, Kansas"</a> talent attraction campaign. The initiative aims to boost Kansas' population by inviting past residents to choose the Sunflower State as their future home.Wyatt Thompson, voice of the K-State Wildcats, hyped up the crowd of Kansans and served as emcee for the event held on Monday, July 1.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719864954195.jpeg" alt="Wyatt Thompson, K-State Sports Voice of the Wildcats introduces the kick off event for the new Love Kansas campaign on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Wyatt Thompson, K-State Sports Voice of the Wildcats introduces the kick off event for the new Love Kansas campaign on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>"Today we are launching a new campaign that is going to bring these people home to Kansas by helping them rediscover why this state is the best place to call home," Thompson said.&nbsp;During the campaign launch at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan, Lt. Gov. Toland shared his personal journey about coming back to Kansas after he was inspired by a phone call from a family friend."I am a 1995 graduate of Iola High School in Allen County. I have two degrees from KU, I married a girl at KU who is from Pittsburg and as soon as we finished graduate school, we moved out of the state," Toland said. "We went to the East Coast and we were there for the better part of a decade."READ MORE: <a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/e1179189-0804-48cd-9688-6ee8ab5892c7">Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad participating in Kansas Sunflower Summer program</a>Toland said after the birth of their daughter Caroline, he and his wife decided to come back home to Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719864857581.jpeg" alt="Kansas Lieutenant Governor/Secretary of Commerce&nbsp;David Toland addresses the room of attendees to kick off the new Love Kansas campaign on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Lieutenant Governor/Secretary of Commerce&nbsp;David Toland addresses the room of attendees to kick off the new Love Kansas campaign on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>"Caroline was learning to walk in our 16-foot wide row house, when one night, I got a phone call from somebody back in Iola, a friend who said, 'I'm sure you've never considered this. It's kind of a crazy idea. You'd have to move.' and&nbsp; he said, 'Well, I wonder if you would ever consider coming back to Kansas, and specifically to Iola.'"Toland, a seventh-generation Kansan, said he felt that Kansas has always been in his heart but wasn't always in his mind as a place that had opportunity.&nbsp;"It wasn't until that phone call that it clicked and I realized that we should be back home. We should be building our life for our daughter back in Kansas," Toland said. "And that's just what we did. It's been 16 years, and that was the best decision we've ever made."<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mPPk35Ld8hQ?si=720o5Gjt_8FiChgE" 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>Click the play button above to learn more about the Love Kansas initiative.Love Kansas' goal is to highlight Kansas as an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family, with a special emphasis on "boomerangs" - individuals with previous ties to the state.Love Kansas focuses on the state's abundant job opportunities, high quality of life, excellent education system and affordable communities. The campaign is locally driven but strategically targets key markets across the U.S., with a strong focus on digital and social media platforms. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719862504244.png" alt="Kansas by the numbers. Image Courtesy Kansas Department of Commerce" />
 <figcaption>Kansas by the numbers. Image Courtesy Kansas Department of Commerce</figcaption>
 </figure>"It's simple: we need more humans in Kansas to keep up with the phenomenal economic growth our state is experiencing," Lt. Gov. Toland said. "The best way to do that is to first approach Kansans who left the state for economic opportunities elsewhere and invite them to build a life in a place they know and have connections to, whether in their hometown or elsewhere in the state. With the Love, Kansas campaign, we aren't just extending an invitation to those who once called Kansas home to come back--we re also inviting families from around the country to build their lives in the Sunflower State."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719865112662.jpeg" alt="Representatives from rural pilot communities for the Love Kansas campaign cheer as Wyatt Thomspon, Voice of the K-State Wildcats, announce the name of their counties during the kickoff event for Love Kansas on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Representatives from rural pilot communities for the Love Kansas campaign cheer as Wyatt Thomspon, Voice of the K-State Wildcats, announce the name of their counties during the kickoff event for Love Kansas on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719876926456.jpeg" alt="Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School cheer squad. Front Row from left to right: Felis DeLaCruz, Breckyn Rush, Nell Goss, Brooklyn Legette, Abigail Taylor, Danica Hicks, Stacie Schmidt, Hadleigh Hicks, Leah Howard. Photo Courtesy Brittany Kasper" />
 <figcaption>Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School cheer squad. Front Row from left to right: Felis DeLaCruz, Breckyn Rush, Nell Goss, Brooklyn Legette, Abigail Taylor, Danica Hicks, Stacie Schmidt, Hadleigh Hicks, Leah Howard. Photo Courtesy Brittany Kasper</figcaption>
 </figure>During the launch event, Toland announced that the first 50 communities to partner with Love Kansas will be eligible for a $5,000 grant to assist in their efforts to attract new residents to their community. Nineteen pilot communities and seven universities already joined the initiative and are planning events that align with the campaign's theme. LISTEN:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/67ca4f22-e961-4739-a30d-6e6ecf5bbaa2">🎙King in the Community — Kansas Lt. Gov./Secretary of Commerce, David Toland</a>Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Renee Duxler, Salina Downtown Inc. Executive Director Leslie Bishop, and Salina Community Economic Developement Coorporation Executive Director Mitch Robinson all attended the event. Duxler said the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce is working to create a local, grassroots collaborative in Saline County to bring this initiative to fruition.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719870018091.jpeg" alt="Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Renee Duxler (left) and Salina Downtown Inc., Executive Director Leslie Bishop (center) chat with Kansas Lt. Gov. David Toland during the kickoff event for the Love Kansas Campaign at the Flint Hills Discover Center on Monday, July 1, in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Salina Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Renee Duxler (left) and Salina Downtown Inc., Executive Director Leslie Bishop (center) chat with Kansas Lt. Gov. David Toland during the kickoff event for the Love Kansas Campaign at the Flint Hills Discover Center on Monday, July 1, in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>"We're working on creating a collaborative among all of our community and organizations that includes Salina Downtown, Salina Community Economic Developement Organization, the City of Salina, Saline County," Duxler said. "We're all selling the same asset. We're going to have this collaborative marketing, that we will all be able to utilize."Duxler said the $5,000 grant awarded to Salina from the Love Kansas program will be used to create marketing and outreach campaigns to target Salina's own boomerangs."It's easier, as the lieutenant governor said, than casting this wide net on everybody in the United States," Duxler said. "The people that we know are familiar with us [Kansas] and might want to come back to raise a family or be with their family."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719865031911.jpeg" alt="Mascots from the pilot schools for Love Kansas dance outside the Flint Hills Discover Center with the Topeka High School Drumline on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Mascots from the pilot schools for Love Kansas dance outside the Flint Hills Discover Center with the Topeka High School Drumline on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>Influencer and journalist engagement and targeted in-person events both within and outside of Kansas play a crucial role in reaching potential boomerangs.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_aXdU0YTfDU?si=rZVpvB-X25wmYbWK" 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>Bishop, who is a boomerang resident herself, said she was encouraged and motivated by the enthusiasm and energy at the kick off event."It's incredible. I feel like Kansas is finally getting the recognition it deserves to be a great state to live in, work, play, raise your family," Bishop said. "I'm a boomerang resident, and I left and was never going to come back and here I am today. All of us who live here in Kansas, wherever you are, know how wonderful this state really is. We are not a flyover state anymore."After graduating from Salina Central High School in 1982, Bishop moved to Park City, Utah, and was in the hotel business there for six years and lived in a ski resort town."Then I came back because my mom opened up a local business and my dad, had a local real estate office, "Bishop said. "It was great to be back and we raised our son here. There's a lot to do in Salina. We have a great community, there's work to be done. But together, we can do it."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719865154626.jpeg" alt="Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland inserts the first letter to a boomerang resident to kick off the Love Kansas campaign on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Attendees were invited to send a letter, text or call a family member or friend and ask them to consider moving back to Kansas.&nbsp;Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland inserts the first letter to a boomerang resident to kick off the Love Kansas campaign on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Attendees were invited to send a letter, text or call a family member or friend and ask them to consider moving back to Kansas.&nbsp;Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure> A primary goal for the campaign is for communities across the state to do direct outreach to past residents they have a personal connection with, inviting them to return home."The collaboration already on display between so many partners underscores the enthusiasm for this campaign," Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. "There are so many amazing things happening in Kansas right now; Love, Kansas gives us the chance to let people throughout the country know about them."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719866665325.jpeg" alt="Kansas State University mascot Willie the Wildcat encourages the crowd to yell, "K-S-U!" during the kickoff event for the Love Kansas campaign on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Kansas State University mascot Willie the Wildcat encourages the crowd to yell, "K-S-U!" during the kickoff event for the Love Kansas campaign on Monday, July 1, at the Flint Hills Discover Center in Manhattan, Kan. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>In his closing remarks at the announcement, Toland asked all Kansans to call up a friend or family member and make the pitch for them to return to the state they once called home.&nbsp;"The most important thing for you to say might just be, 'Hey, there's good things happening in town and we miss you,'" Toland said. "We want you to come home. We want you to love Kansas. That's what's most important. Make that call. Send that text. Get out there and together we're gonna change Kansas."