WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has asserted executive privilege over audio of his interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-beau-special-counsel-80eaaee6de62c0c7b455c03d39502ecb">special counsel Robert Hur</a>&nbsp;that's at the center a Republican effort to hold&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/merrick-garland">Attorney General Merrick Garland</a>&nbsp;in contempt of Congress, the Justice Department told lawmakers in a letter publicly released on Thursday.

<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24476201/biden1-copy.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;transcript of&nbsp;day 1 interview with President Biden.

<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24476203/biden-2-copy.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;transcript of day 2 interview with President Biden

It comes as the the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and the Judiciary Committee are each expected to hold a hearing to recommend that the full House refer Garland to the Justice Department for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-classified-documents-congress-garland-contempt-7db112d63dd1e8159593c32981caa85d">the contempt charges</a>&nbsp;over the department's refusal to hand over the audio.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/storage/report-from-special-counsel-robert-k-hur-february-2024.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the 345 page report following the interview

Garland advised Biden in a letter on Thursday that the audio falls within the scope of executive privilege. Garland told the Democratic president that the “committee's needs are plainly insufficient to outweigh the deleterious effects that the production of the recordings would have on the integrity and effectiveness of similar law enforcement investigations in the future."

Assistant Attorney General Carlos Felipe Uriarte urged lawmakers not to proceed with the contempt effort to avoid “unnecessary and unwarranted conflict.”

“It is the longstanding position of the executive branch held by administrations of both parties that an official who asserts the president's claim of executive privilege cannot be held in contempt of Congress,” Uriarte wrote.

White House Counsel Ed Siskel wrote in a separate, scathing letter to Congress on Thursday that lawmakers' effort to obtain the recording was absent any legitimate purpose and lays bare their likely goal — "to chop them up, distort them, and use them for partisan political purposes.”

The White House letter is a tacit admission that there are moments from the Hur interview it fears portray Biden in a negative light in an election year — and that could be exacerbated by the release, or selective release, of the audio.

The transcript of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-classified-documents-age-trump-2024-4791639cc06cc0affee55aba80c7e6b3">the Hur interview</a>&nbsp;showed Biden struggling to recall some dates and occasionally confusing some details — something longtime aides says he’s done for years in both public and private — but otherwise showing deep recall in other areas. Biden and his aides are particularly sensitive to questions about his age. At 81, he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-birthday-81-age-trump-axelrod-polling-3325ad9d260c17be97d5608349378a91">the oldest ever president</a>, and he's seeking another four-year term.

Hur,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-hur-special-counsel-biden-d715ffd26adc75f2ba740d1960936a09">a former senior official in the Trump administration Justice Department</a>, was appointed as a special counsel in January 2023 following the discovery of classified documents in multiple locations tied to Biden.

<a href="https://apnews.com/joe-biden-special-counsel-report">Hur’s report</a>&nbsp;said many of the documents recovered at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, in parts of Biden’s Delaware home and in his Senate papers at the University of Delaware were retained by “mistake.”

But investigators did find evidence of willful retention and disclosure related a subset of records found in Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware, house, including in a garage, an office and a basement den.

The files pertain to a troop surge in Afghanistan during the Obama administration that Biden had vigorously opposed. Biden kept records that documented his position, including a classified letter to Obama during the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday. Some of that information was shared with a ghostwriter with whom he published memoirs in 2007 and 2017.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715865284940.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has asserted executive privilege over audio of his interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-beau-special-counsel-80eaaee6de62c0c7b455c03d39502ecb">special counsel Robert Hur</a>&nbsp;that's at the center a Republican effort to hold&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/merrick-garland">Attorney General Merrick Garland</a>&nbsp;in contempt of Congress, the Justice Department told lawmakers in a letter publicly released on Thursday.<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24476201/biden1-copy.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;transcript of&nbsp;day 1 interview with President Biden.<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24476203/biden-2-copy.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;transcript of day 2 interview with President BidenIt comes as the the House Oversight and Accountability Committee and the Judiciary Committee are each expected to hold a hearing to recommend that the full House refer Garland to the Justice Department for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-classified-documents-congress-garland-contempt-7db112d63dd1e8159593c32981caa85d">the contempt charges</a>&nbsp;over the department's refusal to hand over the audio.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/storage/report-from-special-counsel-robert-k-hur-february-2024.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the 345 page report following the interview<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707478982378.png" alt="Page from the special counsel's report that highlight's Biden's memory challenges.- U.S. Department of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Page from the special counsel's report that highlight's Biden's memory challenges.- U.S. Department of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>Garland advised Biden in a letter on Thursday that the audio falls within the scope of executive privilege. Garland told the Democratic president that the “committee's needs are plainly insufficient to outweigh the deleterious effects that the production of the recordings would have on the integrity and effectiveness of similar law enforcement investigations in the future."Assistant Attorney General Carlos Felipe Uriarte urged lawmakers not to proceed with the contempt effort to avoid “unnecessary and unwarranted conflict.”“It is the longstanding position of the executive branch held by administrations of both parties that an official who asserts the president's claim of executive privilege cannot be held in contempt of Congress,” Uriarte wrote.White House Counsel Ed Siskel wrote in a separate, scathing letter to Congress on Thursday that lawmakers' effort to obtain the recording was absent any legitimate purpose and lays bare their likely goal — "to chop them up, distort them, and use them for partisan political purposes.”The White House letter is a tacit admission that there are moments from the Hur interview it fears portray Biden in a negative light in an election year — and that could be exacerbated by the release, or selective release, of the audio.The transcript of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-classified-documents-age-trump-2024-4791639cc06cc0affee55aba80c7e6b3">the Hur interview</a>&nbsp;showed Biden struggling to recall some dates and occasionally confusing some details — something longtime aides says he’s done for years in both public and private — but otherwise showing deep recall in other areas. Biden and his aides are particularly sensitive to questions about his age. At 81, he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-birthday-81-age-trump-axelrod-polling-3325ad9d260c17be97d5608349378a91">the oldest ever president</a>, and he's seeking another four-year term.Hur,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-hur-special-counsel-biden-d715ffd26adc75f2ba740d1960936a09">a former senior official in the Trump administration Justice Department</a>, was appointed as a special counsel in January 2023 following the discovery of classified documents in multiple locations tied to Biden.<a href="https://apnews.com/joe-biden-special-counsel-report">Hur’s report</a>&nbsp;said many of the documents recovered at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, in parts of Biden’s Delaware home and in his Senate papers at the University of Delaware were retained by “mistake.”But investigators did find evidence of willful retention and disclosure related a subset of records found in Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware, house, including in a garage, an office and a basement den.The files pertain to a troop surge in Afghanistan during the Obama administration that Biden had vigorously opposed. Biden kept records that documented his position, including a classified letter to Obama during the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday. Some of that information was shared with a ghostwriter with whom he published memoirs in 2007 and 2017.

Why audio recording of Biden’s special counsel interview will not be released

KANSAS CITY—The Kansas City Mayor and the city apologized after a tweet from the city's official account about Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.

&nbsp;Butker is getting attention for comments he made during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend in which he railed against Pride month along with President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his stance on abortion.

(click below to watch Butker's commencement address)

Butker also congratulated the women receiving degrees, but then said most were probably more excited to get married and have children.

“I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you,” Butker said.

“Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world. I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother,” he said.

Butker said that his wife embraced “one of the most important titles of all. Homemaker."

He also criticized as disparaging to the Catholic Church an article by The Associated Press highlighting a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">shift toward conservativism</a>&nbsp;in some parts of the church.

The three-time Super Bowl champion delivered his roughly 20-minute address Saturday at the Catholic private liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, which is located about 60 miles miles north of Kansas City. He received a standing ovation from graduates and other attendees.

Butker, 28, referred to a “deadly sin sort of pride that has a month dedicated to it” in an oblique reference to Pride month. Butler also took aim at Biden's policies, including his condemnation of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court's reversal</a>&nbsp;of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and advocacy for freedom of choice — a key campaign issue in the 2024 presidential race.

Biden, who is Catholic, has a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-2024-reproductive-rights-harris-494af752992ba88fa6e3d53fbd54f716">fraught history</a>&nbsp;on the issue. He initially opposed the Roe v. Wade decision, saying it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonian.com/1974/06/01/joe-biden-kitty-kelley-1974-profile-death-and-the-all-american-boy/">went too far</a>. He also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6127591-biden77letter.html">opposed federal funding</a>&nbsp;for abortions and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2023-abortion-amendment-ohio-strategy-610e427f753a6803e4a59b7af8aa744f">supported restrictions on abortions</a>&nbsp;later in pregnancy.

Butker also tackled Biden's response to COVID-19, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique,” he said. “Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media all stem from pervasiveness of disorder.”

Graduates had mixed views on the speech. ValerieAnne Volpe, 20, who graduated with an art degree, lauded Butker for saying things that “people are scared to say.”

“You can just hear that he loves his wife. You can hear that he loves his family,” she said.

Elle Wilbers, 22, who is heading to medical school, said she was shocked by Butker’s criticism of priests and bishops and his reference to the LGBTQ+ community, one that she described as “horrible.”

“We should have compassion for the people who have been told all their life that the person they love is like, it’s not OK to love that person,” Wilbers said.

Kassidy Neuner, 22, who will spend a gap year teaching before going to law school, said being a stay-at-home parent is “a wonderful decision.”

“And it’s also not for everybody,” Neuner added, saying, "I think that he should have addressed more that it’s not always an option. And, if it is your option in life, that’s amazing for you. But there’s also the option to be a mother and a career woman.”

The Chiefs declined to comment on Butker's commencement address.

The 2017 seventh-round pick out of Georgia Tech has become of the NFL's best kickers, breaking the Chiefs' franchise record with a 62-yard field goal in 2022. Butker helped them win their first Super Bowl in 50 years in 2020, added a second Lombardi Trophy in 2023, and he kicked the field goal that forced overtime in a Super Bowl win over San Francisco in February.

-The Associated Press contributed to this article

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715857000440.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—The Kansas City Mayor and the city apologized after a tweet from the city's official account about Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A message appeared earlier this evening from a City public account. The message was clearly inappropriate for a public account. The City has correctly apologized for the error, will review account access, and ensure nothing like it is shared in the future from public channels.&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1790920537511805434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;Butker is getting attention for comments he made during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend in which he railed against Pride month along with President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his stance on abortion.(click below to watch Butker's commencement address)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-JS7RIKSaCc?si=Q1P_CN2_FTQ-1GMv" 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>Butker also congratulated the women receiving degrees, but then said most were probably more excited to get married and have children.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We apologies for our previous tweet. It was shared in error.&mdash; Kansas City (@KansasCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansasCity/status/1790915326944641269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you,” Butker said.“Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world. I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother,” he said.Butker said that his wife embraced “one of the most important titles of all. Homemaker."He also criticized as disparaging to the Catholic Church an article by The Associated Press highlighting a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">shift toward conservativism</a>&nbsp;in some parts of the church.The three-time Super Bowl champion delivered his roughly 20-minute address Saturday at the Catholic private liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, which is located about 60 miles miles north of Kansas City. He received a standing ovation from graduates and other attendees.Butker, 28, referred to a “deadly sin sort of pride that has a month dedicated to it” in an oblique reference to Pride month. Butler also took aim at Biden's policies, including his condemnation of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court's reversal</a>&nbsp;of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and advocacy for freedom of choice — a key campaign issue in the 2024 presidential race.Biden, who is Catholic, has a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-2024-reproductive-rights-harris-494af752992ba88fa6e3d53fbd54f716">fraught history</a>&nbsp;on the issue. He initially opposed the Roe v. Wade decision, saying it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonian.com/1974/06/01/joe-biden-kitty-kelley-1974-profile-death-and-the-all-american-boy/">went too far</a>. He also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6127591-biden77letter.html">opposed federal funding</a>&nbsp;for abortions and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2023-abortion-amendment-ohio-strategy-610e427f753a6803e4a59b7af8aa744f">supported restrictions on abortions</a>&nbsp;later in pregnancy.Butker also tackled Biden's response to COVID-19, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique,” he said. “Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media all stem from pervasiveness of disorder.”Graduates had mixed views on the speech. ValerieAnne Volpe, 20, who graduated with an art degree, lauded Butker for saying things that “people are scared to say.”“You can just hear that he loves his wife. You can hear that he loves his family,” she said.Elle Wilbers, 22, who is heading to medical school, said she was shocked by Butker’s criticism of priests and bishops and his reference to the LGBTQ+ community, one that she described as “horrible.”“We should have compassion for the people who have been told all their life that the person they love is like, it’s not OK to love that person,” Wilbers said.Kassidy Neuner, 22, who will spend a gap year teaching before going to law school, said being a stay-at-home parent is “a wonderful decision.”“And it’s also not for everybody,” Neuner added, saying, "I think that he should have addressed more that it’s not always an option. And, if it is your option in life, that’s amazing for you. But there’s also the option to be a mother and a career woman.”The Chiefs declined to comment on Butker's commencement address.The 2017 seventh-round pick out of Georgia Tech has become of the NFL's best kickers, breaking the Chiefs' franchise record with a 62-yard field goal in 2022. Butker helped them win their first Super Bowl in 50 years in 2020, added a second Lombardi Trophy in 2023, and he kicked the field goal that forced overtime in a Super Bowl win over San Francisco in February.-The Associated Press contributed to this article

KC mayor, city apologize for tweet about Chiefs Harrison Butker

SEWARD COUNTY—Law enforcement canceled an Amber Alert late Wednesday for&nbsp;14-year-old Marisheila Luis De La Cruz, according to the Liberal Police Department.&nbsp; The teen was located by authorities in Texas and is safe.

Just before 7p.m. Wednesday, police reported&nbsp;De La Crus was seen at Mary Frame Park, 298 E Pancake Boulevard, in Liberal wearing a black shirt, blue jeans and pink sandals.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police reported she may have been abducted by a Hispanic male with black hair, a black shirt and black pants driving a black 2007 Tahoe with Texas tag TTJ8135.

A relative said they saw De La Cruz inside the Tahoe with a man they did not recognize and say she was screaming and crying.&nbsp;

Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715856422516.png" alt="Photo Liberal Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Liberal Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEWARD COUNTY—Law enforcement canceled an Amber Alert late Wednesday for&nbsp;14-year-old Marisheila Luis De La Cruz, according to the Liberal Police Department.&nbsp; The teen was located by authorities in Texas and is safe.Just before 7p.m. Wednesday, police reported&nbsp;De La Crus was seen at Mary Frame Park, 298 E Pancake Boulevard, in Liberal wearing a black shirt, blue jeans and pink sandals.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police reported she may have been abducted by a Hispanic male with black hair, a black shirt and black pants driving a black 2007 Tahoe with Texas tag TTJ8135.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/61owCqS7l0">pic.twitter.com/61owCqS7l0</a>&mdash; Kansas AMBER Alert (@ksamberalert) <a href="https://twitter.com/ksamberalert/status/1790933451119468731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A relative said they saw De La Cruz inside the Tahoe with a man they did not recognize and say she was screaming and crying.&nbsp;Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

Kansas Amber Alert victim found safe in Texas

WASHINGTON —The United States Capitol Police (USCP) is investigating a roughly one-inch by one-inch zip lock bag with a small amount of a white powdery substance, which field tested positive for cocaine, according to a statement from the agenc.

The small bag was found on the floor of a hallway inside USCP headquarters.&nbsp;The hallway is on the second floor in an area that has been a staging spot for furniture and supplies. The area is heavily trafficked by various contractors and employees. It is also near offices such as&nbsp;Prisoner Processing, Crime Scene, Intel and Reports Processing.

The baggie was found in the middle of the floor just before 1:00 p.m. by an officer, who immediately reported it to a supervisor. The residue was field tested and came back positive for cocaine.&nbsp;The USCP Investigations Division has opened an investigation, which will include further testing, including DNA testing of the baggie.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715820270933.png" alt="Photo USCP" />
 <figcaption>Photo USCP</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —The United States Capitol Police (USCP) is investigating a roughly one-inch by one-inch zip lock bag with a small amount of a white powdery substance, which field tested positive for cocaine, according to a statement from the agenc.The small bag was found on the floor of a hallway inside USCP headquarters.&nbsp;The hallway is on the second floor in an area that has been a staging spot for furniture and supplies. The area is heavily trafficked by various contractors and employees. It is also near offices such as&nbsp;Prisoner Processing, Crime Scene, Intel and Reports Processing.The baggie was found in the middle of the floor just before 1:00 p.m. by an officer, who immediately reported it to a supervisor. The residue was field tested and came back positive for cocaine.&nbsp;The USCP Investigations Division has opened an investigation, which will include further testing, including DNA testing of the baggie.&nbsp;

Cocaine found in hallway of U.S. Capitol Police headquarters

SHAWNEE COUNTY—A firefighter was injured fighting a house fire Wednesday in Topeka.

Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, crews responded to a reported&nbsp; fire at a home at 726 SW Clay Street in Topeka, according to spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

They found smoke and&nbsp;flames coming from&nbsp; the two-story residence. As crews were working to suppress the fire, a firefighter fell through the floor. The firefighter was treated on scene for minor injuries. Crews were able to extinguish the fire.&nbsp;

All occupants were able to exit safely.&nbsp;No other injuries have been reported.&nbsp; The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials have not released a damage estimate or additional information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715820896579.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—A firefighter was injured fighting a house fire Wednesday in Topeka.Just after 11a.m. Wednesday, crews responded to a reported&nbsp; fire at a home at 726 SW Clay Street in Topeka, according to spokesperson Rosie Nichols.They found smoke and&nbsp;flames coming from&nbsp; the two-story residence. As crews were working to suppress the fire, a firefighter fell through the floor. The firefighter was treated on scene for minor injuries. Crews were able to extinguish the fire.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715820871721.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>All occupants were able to exit safely.&nbsp;No other injuries have been reported.&nbsp; The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials have not released a damage estimate or additional information.

Firefighter injured  battling two-story Kansas house fire

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military finished installing a floating pier for the Gaza Strip on Thursday, with officials poised to begin ferrying badly needed humanitarian aid into the enclave besieged over seven months of intense fighting in the Israel-Hamas war.

The final, overnight construction sets up a complicated delivery process more than two months after U.S. President Joe Biden ordered it to help Palestinians facing starvation as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-aid-deliveries-us-pier-dangers-israel-f7b351934c22d58d94a48eb6ca5d60ff">food and other supplies fail to make it</a>&nbsp;in as Israel recently seized the key Rafah border crossing in its push on that southern city on the Egyptian border.

Fraught with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-aid-port-eb8a701b3a7dc8f946422c04323ff913">logistical, weather and security challenges</a>, the maritime route is designed to bolster the amount of aid getting into the Gaza Strip, but it is not considered a substitute for far cheaper land-based deliveries that aid agencies say are much more sustainable. The boatloads of aid will be deposited at a port facility built by the Israelis just southwest of Gaza City and then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-aid-pier-us-military-e988256270fc0067d2f5524fd542a475">distributed by aid groups</a>.

Heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants on the outskirts of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-rafah-palestinians-evacuees-refugees-2f4e37cb3e40560f4980d8a70baaa81e">Rafah</a>&nbsp;has displaced some 600,000 people, a quarter of Gaza’s population, U.N. officials say. Another 100,000 civilians have fled parts of northern Gaza now that the Israeli military has restarted combat operations there.

Pentagon officials said the fighting in Gaza wasn’t threatening the new shoreline aid distribution area, but they have made it clear that security conditions will be monitored closely and could prompt a shutdown of the maritime route, even just temporarily. Already, the site has been targeted by mortar fire during its construction and Hamas has threatened to target any foreign forces who “occupy” the Gaza Strip.

The “protection of U.S. forces participating is a top priority. And as such, in the last several weeks, the United States and Israel have developed an integrated security plan to protect all the personnel," said Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, a deputy commander at the U.S. military's Central Command. "We are confident in the ability of this security arrangement to protect those involved.”

U.S. troops anchored the pier at 7:40 a.m. local time Thursday, the military's Central Command said, stressing that none of its forces entered the Gaza Strip and would not during the pier's operations.

“Trucks carrying humanitarian assistance are expected to begin moving ashore in the coming days,” the command said. “The United Nations will receive the aid and coordinate its distribution into Gaza.”

It wasn't immediately clear which U.N. agency would be involved.

Israeli forces will be in charge of security on the shore, but there are also two U.S. Navy warships near the area in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the USS Arleigh Burke and the USS Paul Ignatius. Both ships are destroyers equipped with a wide range of weapons and capabilities to protect American troops off shore and allies on the beach.

Aid agencies say they are running out of food in southern Gaza and fuel is dwindling, which will force hospitals to shut down critical operations and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-war-hamas-aid-trucks-unrwa-30173642b5c298c829f1457db357071e">halt truck deliveries of aid</a>. The U.N. and others have warned for weeks that an Israel assault on Rafah would cripple humanitarian operations and cause a disastrous surge in civilian casualties.

More than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rafah-israel-gaza-war-hamas-evacuation-e0754cdae0f3786982038e80feaa159e">1.4 million Palestinians — half of Gaza’s population —</a>&nbsp;have been sheltering in Rafah, most after fleeing Israel’s offensives elsewhere.

The first cargo ship loaded with 475 pallets of food left Cyprus last week to rendezvous with a U.S. military ship, the Roy P. Benavidez, which is off the coast of Gaza. The pallets of aid on the MV Sagamore were moved onto the Benavidez. The Pentagon said moving the aid between ships was an effort to be ready so it could flow quickly once the pier and the causeway were installed.

The installation of the pier several miles (kilometers) off the coast and of the causeway, which is now anchored to the beach, was delayed for nearly two weeks because of bad weather. The sea conditions made it too dangerous for U.S. and Israeli troops to secure the causeway to the shore, U.S. officials said.

Military leaders have said the deliveries of aid will begin slowly to ensure the system works. They will start with about 90 truckloads of aid a day through the sea route, and that number will quickly grow to about 150 a day. But aid agencies say that isn't enough to avert impending famine in Gaza and must be just one part of a broader Israeli effort to open land corridors.

Because land crossings could bring in all the needed aid if Israeli officials allowed, the U.S.-built pier-and-sea route “is a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist,” said Scott Paul, an associate director of the Oxfam humanitarian organization.

Biden used his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-07-24-5657eedc005040694a9ab935ce3e39e5">State of the Union address</a>&nbsp;on March 7 to order the military to set up a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza, establishing a sea route to deliver food and other aid. Food shipments have been backed up at land crossings amid Israeli restrictions and intensifying fighting.

Under the new sea route, humanitarian aid is dropped off in Cyprus where it will undergo inspection and security checks at Larnaca port. It is then loaded onto ships — mainly commercial vessels — and taken about 200 miles (320 kilometers) to the large floating pier built by the U.S. military off the Gaza coast.

There, the pallets are transferred onto trucks, driven onto smaller Army boats and then shuttled several miles (kilometers) to the floating causeway, which has been anchored onto the beach by the Israeli military. The trucks, which are being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/britain-gaza-pier-92b6986eed29cec9ab33e40584f22543">driven by personnel from another country</a>, will go down the causeway into a secure area on land where they will drop off the aid and immediately turn around and return to the boats.

Aid groups will collect the supplies for distribution on shore, with the U.N. working with the U.S. Agency for International Development to set up the logistics hub on the beach.

Sabrina Singh, Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-aid-gaza-us-port-pier-d4d9ea94550aed2d24a258dfd98d866e">project will cost at least $320 million</a>, including the transportation of the equipment and pier sections from the United States to the coast of Gaza, as well as the construction and aid delivery operations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714471004272.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military finished installing a floating pier for the Gaza Strip on Thursday, with officials poised to begin ferrying badly needed humanitarian aid into the enclave besieged over seven months of intense fighting in the Israel-Hamas war.The final, overnight construction sets up a complicated delivery process more than two months after U.S. President Joe Biden ordered it to help Palestinians facing starvation as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-aid-deliveries-us-pier-dangers-israel-f7b351934c22d58d94a48eb6ca5d60ff">food and other supplies fail to make it</a>&nbsp;in as Israel recently seized the key Rafah border crossing in its push on that southern city on the Egyptian border.Fraught with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-aid-port-eb8a701b3a7dc8f946422c04323ff913">logistical, weather and security challenges</a>, the maritime route is designed to bolster the amount of aid getting into the Gaza Strip, but it is not considered a substitute for far cheaper land-based deliveries that aid agencies say are much more sustainable. The boatloads of aid will be deposited at a port facility built by the Israelis just southwest of Gaza City and then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-aid-pier-us-military-e988256270fc0067d2f5524fd542a475">distributed by aid groups</a>.Heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants on the outskirts of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-rafah-palestinians-evacuees-refugees-2f4e37cb3e40560f4980d8a70baaa81e">Rafah</a>&nbsp;has displaced some 600,000 people, a quarter of Gaza’s population, U.N. officials say. Another 100,000 civilians have fled parts of northern Gaza now that the Israeli military has restarted combat operations there.Pentagon officials said the fighting in Gaza wasn’t threatening the new shoreline aid distribution area, but they have made it clear that security conditions will be monitored closely and could prompt a shutdown of the maritime route, even just temporarily. Already, the site has been targeted by mortar fire during its construction and Hamas has threatened to target any foreign forces who “occupy” the Gaza Strip.The “protection of U.S. forces participating is a top priority. And as such, in the last several weeks, the United States and Israel have developed an integrated security plan to protect all the personnel," said Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, a deputy commander at the U.S. military's Central Command. "We are confident in the ability of this security arrangement to protect those involved.”U.S. troops anchored the pier at 7:40 a.m. local time Thursday, the military's Central Command said, stressing that none of its forces entered the Gaza Strip and would not during the pier's operations.“Trucks carrying humanitarian assistance are expected to begin moving ashore in the coming days,” the command said. “The United Nations will receive the aid and coordinate its distribution into Gaza.”It wasn't immediately clear which U.N. agency would be involved.Israeli forces will be in charge of security on the shore, but there are also two U.S. Navy warships near the area in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the USS Arleigh Burke and the USS Paul Ignatius. Both ships are destroyers equipped with a wide range of weapons and capabilities to protect American troops off shore and allies on the beach.Aid agencies say they are running out of food in southern Gaza and fuel is dwindling, which will force hospitals to shut down critical operations and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-war-hamas-aid-trucks-unrwa-30173642b5c298c829f1457db357071e">halt truck deliveries of aid</a>. The U.N. and others have warned for weeks that an Israel assault on Rafah would cripple humanitarian operations and cause a disastrous surge in civilian casualties.More than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rafah-israel-gaza-war-hamas-evacuation-e0754cdae0f3786982038e80feaa159e">1.4 million Palestinians — half of Gaza’s population —</a>&nbsp;have been sheltering in Rafah, most after fleeing Israel’s offensives elsewhere.The first cargo ship loaded with 475 pallets of food left Cyprus last week to rendezvous with a U.S. military ship, the Roy P. Benavidez, which is off the coast of Gaza. The pallets of aid on the MV Sagamore were moved onto the Benavidez. The Pentagon said moving the aid between ships was an effort to be ready so it could flow quickly once the pier and the causeway were installed.The installation of the pier several miles (kilometers) off the coast and of the causeway, which is now anchored to the beach, was delayed for nearly two weeks because of bad weather. The sea conditions made it too dangerous for U.S. and Israeli troops to secure the causeway to the shore, U.S. officials said.Military leaders have said the deliveries of aid will begin slowly to ensure the system works. They will start with about 90 truckloads of aid a day through the sea route, and that number will quickly grow to about 150 a day. But aid agencies say that isn't enough to avert impending famine in Gaza and must be just one part of a broader Israeli effort to open land corridors.Because land crossings could bring in all the needed aid if Israeli officials allowed, the U.S.-built pier-and-sea route “is a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist,” said Scott Paul, an associate director of the Oxfam humanitarian organization.Biden used his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-07-24-5657eedc005040694a9ab935ce3e39e5">State of the Union address</a>&nbsp;on March 7 to order the military to set up a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza, establishing a sea route to deliver food and other aid. Food shipments have been backed up at land crossings amid Israeli restrictions and intensifying fighting.Under the new sea route, humanitarian aid is dropped off in Cyprus where it will undergo inspection and security checks at Larnaca port. It is then loaded onto ships — mainly commercial vessels — and taken about 200 miles (320 kilometers) to the large floating pier built by the U.S. military off the Gaza coast.There, the pallets are transferred onto trucks, driven onto smaller Army boats and then shuttled several miles (kilometers) to the floating causeway, which has been anchored onto the beach by the Israeli military. The trucks, which are being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/britain-gaza-pier-92b6986eed29cec9ab33e40584f22543">driven by personnel from another country</a>, will go down the causeway into a secure area on land where they will drop off the aid and immediately turn around and return to the boats.Aid groups will collect the supplies for distribution on shore, with the U.N. working with the U.S. Agency for International Development to set up the logistics hub on the beach.Sabrina Singh, Pentagon spokeswoman, told reporters that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-aid-gaza-us-port-pier-d4d9ea94550aed2d24a258dfd98d866e">project will cost at least $320 million</a>, including the transportation of the equipment and pier sections from the United States to the coast of Gaza, as well as the construction and aid delivery operations.

U.S. military finishes installing offshore pier to provide aid to Gaza

FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR—A Kansas man hiding in Alaska to avoid drug charges is in jail.

According to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the Alaska State Troopers Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU) in Fairbanks received information last week that Levi Hart, 39, of Montgomery County, Kansas was a Fugitive from Justice and residing in the Fairbanks area.

Hart had multiple outstanding felony warrants from Kansas, one for Failure to Appear on the original charge of Distribution of Opiates Greater than a Kilogram and Possession, and Failure to Appear on the original charge of Interference with Judicial Process. Hart's warrant carried full extradition to Kansas.

Troopers located Hart near the Old Steese Highway and College Road and performed a takedown in a nearby parking lot.&nbsp;Following a brief standoff with Troopers, Hart was&nbsp;taken into custody. Hart is being held in the Fairbanks Correctional Center where he was charged with Fugitive from Justice and will await extradition to Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715791097940.png" alt="Hart as shown in a booking photo before he bonded out of Montgomery County." />
 <figcaption>Hart as shown in a booking photo before he bonded out of Montgomery County.</figcaption>
 </figure>FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR—A Kansas man hiding in Alaska to avoid drug charges is in jail.According to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the Alaska State Troopers Criminal Suppression Unit (CSU) in Fairbanks received information last week that Levi Hart, 39, of Montgomery County, Kansas was a Fugitive from Justice and residing in the Fairbanks area.Hart had multiple outstanding felony warrants from Kansas, one for Failure to Appear on the original charge of Distribution of Opiates Greater than a Kilogram and Possession, and Failure to Appear on the original charge of Interference with Judicial Process. Hart's warrant carried full extradition to Kansas.Troopers located Hart near the Old Steese Highway and College Road and performed a takedown in a nearby parking lot.&nbsp;Following a brief standoff with Troopers, Hart was&nbsp;taken into custody. Hart is being held in the Fairbanks Correctional Center where he was charged with Fugitive from Justice and will await extradition to Kansas.

Alleged Kansas drug dealer hid in Alaska to avoid charges  

HARVEY COUNTY — A Kansas teen is going to prison for sex crimes. On May 13, District Judge Jason Lane sentenced Le’Rhon A. Hamilton, 19, Newton, to just over 22-years in prison, according to the Harvey County Attorney's office.

In January, Hamilton pled guilty to Rape, Attempted Criminal Sodomy and Aggravated Residential Burglary

The convictions in this case are based upon the following facts:

On July 21, 2023, the victim, a 66-year-old woman suffering from dementia, reported an unknown individual came into her house in the late evening hours and assaulted her. She was transported to the hospital where her injuries were treated and evidence was collected.

On August 6, 2023, in the early morning hours an unknown individual was recorded breaking into her home but she was not there and the suspect left without taking any items. The victim identified the male in the video as the one who attacked her.

On August 9, 2023, Le’Rhon Hamilton was observed by Newton Police and detained. The officer observed that his age, build, and general characteristics matched that of the individual in the video from August 6, 2023. 

Additionally, he had damage to his glasses that matched damage observed in the video and officers were able to match his tattoos to ones observed in the video.

Hamilton’s DNA was obtained sent to the KBI lab for comparison. KBI results indicate that Hamilton’s DNA was consistent with the seminal fluid evidence collected from the victim.

In addition to serving his prison sentence, he was ordered to serve lifetime post release and register for life as a sex offender.

Lifetime post release requires the Kansas Department of Corrections to monitor him the rest of his life.&nbsp; Hamilton is subject to conditions on release. If he violates those conditions, he could be sent back to prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715813743355.png" alt="Hamilton-photo Harvey County" />
 <figcaption>Hamilton-photo Harvey County</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY — A Kansas teen is going to prison for sex crimes. On May 13, District Judge Jason Lane sentenced Le’Rhon A. Hamilton, 19, Newton, to just over 22-years in prison, according to the Harvey County Attorney's office.In January, Hamilton pled guilty to Rape, Attempted Criminal Sodomy and Aggravated Residential BurglaryThe convictions in this case are based upon the following facts:On July 21, 2023, the victim, a 66-year-old woman suffering from dementia, reported an unknown individual came into her house in the late evening hours and assaulted her. She was transported to the hospital where her injuries were treated and evidence was collected.On August 6, 2023, in the early morning hours an unknown individual was recorded breaking into her home but she was not there and the suspect left without taking any items. The victim identified the male in the video as the one who attacked her.On August 9, 2023, Le’Rhon Hamilton was observed by Newton Police and detained. The officer observed that his age, build, and general characteristics matched that of the individual in the video from August 6, 2023. Additionally, he had damage to his glasses that matched damage observed in the video and officers were able to match his tattoos to ones observed in the video.Hamilton’s DNA was obtained sent to the KBI lab for comparison. KBI results indicate that Hamilton’s DNA was consistent with the seminal fluid evidence collected from the victim.In addition to serving his prison sentence, he was ordered to serve lifetime post release and register for life as a sex offender.Lifetime post release requires the Kansas Department of Corrections to monitor him the rest of his life.&nbsp; Hamilton is subject to conditions on release. If he violates those conditions, he could be sent back to prison.

Video helps convict Kansas rape, burglary suspect

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump's attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-cohen-hush-money-stormy-daniels-735aadfd1ce015e05ba955c203a96f1b">started grilling prosecutors' star witness</a>&nbsp;in his hush money trial Tuesday, portraying former attorney Michael Cohen as a media-obsessed liar who's determined to see the former president behind bars.

<a href="https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/5-13-2024/00045.html">Click here to read Day 1 </a>transcript of Michael Cohen's testimony

Cohen endured intense questioning by defense attorney Todd Blanche after providing pivotal testimony tying the presumptive Republican presidential nominee directly to the hush money scheme at the heart of the case.

Trump's former fixer will return to the witness stand Thursday for more cross-examination before prosecutors rest their case alleging a scheme to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-opening-stormy-daniels-6beee9b99114898ee0dd60185d43bac5">illegally influence the 2016 election</a>&nbsp;by silencing women who alleged sexual encounters with him. Trump denies that he had sex with the women and denies wrongdoing in the case.

Here are some key takeaways from Tuesday's proceedings:

Prosecutors confronted Cohen's history of falsehoods head-on in an attempt to get ahead of an issue Trump lawyers are seizing on to attack the now-disbarred lawyer's credibility. Prosecutors also sought to paint Cohen as a devoted Trump loyalist, whose crimes were committed on the former president’s behalf.

Under questioning from prosecutor Susan Hoffinger, Cohen admitted that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-d08fc20ad50f432886351beaff7bfc7e">he lied to Congress</a>&nbsp;during an investigation into potential ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-politics-north-america-28301de8eaa94cc796c5279fc28c1fdb">Cohen pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, admitting that he lied, among other things, about the number of times he spoke with Trump about a real estate project in Moscow.

Hoffinger also asked Cohen about concerns that he may have lied on the witness stand at the former president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-civil-fraud-trial-feb0593a5bbd3837edc0db195554eda1">civil fraud trial last year</a>. In that trial, Cohen insisted he didn't commit tax evasion, and said he had lied to the judge who accepted his guilty plea on the charge in 2018.

Cohen told Hoffinger he did not dispute the facts of his guilty plea, but that he didn’t think he should’ve been charged with a crime “as a first-time offender who always paid his taxes on the due date.”

Cohen also told jurors he lied repeatedly for Trump, including after Cohen paid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-gag-order-d853768fff5fafbdee55623579889140">porn actor Stormy Daniels</a>&nbsp;$130,000 to keep her from going public right before the 2016 election with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump.

Asked by Hoffinger why he would do so, Cohen said: “Out of loyalty and in order to protect him.”

Cohen described to jurors how his life and relationship with Trump were upended after the FBI raided his office, apartment and hotel room in 2018. That would lead to Cohen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-general-news-ed1aead5539b4fc6b7e42cdd6cb8fd3d">pleading guilty to federal charges</a>&nbsp;and implicating Trump in the hush money scheme. Trump was never charged with any crime related to that federal investigation.

Asked by the prosecutor how he felt at the time, Cohen said: “How to describe your life being turned upside-down? Concerned. Despondent. Angry."

Initially, Cohen said he felt comforted because Trump, who was in the White House at the time, assured him not to worry. Trump’s lawyers were also continuing to pay his legal fees and he remained part of a joint-defense agreement with Trump and his lawyers, he testified.

But his family eventually convinced him to turn on Trump, Cohen said.

“My family, my wife, my daughter, my son, all said to me: ‘Why are you holding onto this loyalty? What are you doing? We’re supposed to be your first loyalty,’” Cohen told jurors.

After Cohen’s guilty plea, Trump bashed him on Twitter, writing: “If anyone is looking for a good lawyer I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!”

Trump's team opened their cross-examination by pressing Cohen about critical comments and vulgar social media posts he's made about the former president since the trial began. The defense's questions Tuesday didn't address the facts at the heart of the case but were designed to portray Cohen as a Trump-fixated loyalist who, spurned by his ex-boss, is now on a mission to get fame and revenge.

“Is it fair to say you’re motivated by fame?” Blanche, Trump's lawyer, asked Cohen.

“No sir, I don’t think that’s fair to say,” Cohen replied. Later he added — in response to a question about whether he was motivated by publicity — that he is "motivated by many things.”

Blanche asked Cohen to listen through headphones to an October 2020 podcast episode in which the former lawyer said Trump needs to wear handcuffs and that “people will not be satisfied until this man is sitting inside a cell.”

Cohen told Blanche he didn’t recall saying that, but added: "I wouldn’t put it past me.”

Blanche also pressed Cohen on whether he wants to see Trump convicted in the case. Cohen initially hedged, saying: “I would like to see accountability. It’s not for me. It’s for the jury and this court.”

But asked again, Cohen responded: “Sure.”

While jurors were hearing testimony from Cohen, Trump suffered another legal blow when an appeals court upheld&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-gag-order-fae616037d3606cc60abbffb0e91f7ee">a gag order</a>&nbsp;that limits what he can say about the case.

Trump had challenged the gag order, which bars the former president from commenting publicly about jurors, witnesses and others connected to the case, including the judge’s family and prosecutors other than District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

The appeals court ruled that Judge Juan M. Merchan “properly determined” that Trump’s public statements “posed a significant threat to the integrity of the testimony of witnesses and potential witnesses.”

Trump challenged restrictions on his ability to comment about Matthew Colangelo, a former Justice Department official who is a part of the prosecution team, and Merchan’s daughter, the head of a political consulting firm that has worked for Trump’s rival Joe Biden and other Democratic candidates.

Trump’s lawyers argued the gag order is an unconstitutional curb on the presumptive Republican nominee’s free speech rights while he’s campaigning for president and fighting criminal charges. The judge has fined Trump for repeatedly violating the gag order and&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/$1,000%20on%20Monday%20and,%20in%20his%20sternest%20warning%20yet,%20told%20the%20former%20president%20that%20future%20gag%20order%20violations%20could%20send%20him%20to%20jail.">has warned the former president</a>&nbsp;that future violations could send him to jail.

Limited by what he can say publicly about the case, Trump has been joined at the courthouse by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-daniels-trial-rick-scott-3ae0d6eddb94d2ca1155b0266dc9d35c">a growing entourage</a>&nbsp;of Republican supporters who echo his complaints about the prosecution. U.S. House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;was the latest to do so Tuesday, attacking the legal system as “corrupt” and the case against Trump a “sham.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-speaker-mike-johnson-court-09aef3de395fa77843f2600f40da6ac3">It was a striking moment</a>, underscoring Trump's political power even as he stands trial on criminal charges.

In remarks to reporters outside the courthouse, Johnson slammed Cohen as a man who has “trouble with the truth” and is “clearly on a mission for personal revenge.” Painting Trump as the victim of a politically motivated legal system, Johnson said the case is “not about justice."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715808528947.png" alt="An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court" />
 <figcaption>An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump's attorneys&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-cohen-hush-money-stormy-daniels-735aadfd1ce015e05ba955c203a96f1b">started grilling prosecutors' star witness</a>&nbsp;in his hush money trial Tuesday, portraying former attorney Michael Cohen as a media-obsessed liar who's determined to see the former president behind bars.<a href="https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/5-13-2024/00045.html">Click here to read Day 1 </a>transcript of Michael Cohen's testimonyCohen endured intense questioning by defense attorney Todd Blanche after providing pivotal testimony tying the presumptive Republican presidential nominee directly to the hush money scheme at the heart of the case.Trump's former fixer will return to the witness stand Thursday for more cross-examination before prosecutors rest their case alleging a scheme to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-opening-stormy-daniels-6beee9b99114898ee0dd60185d43bac5">illegally influence the 2016 election</a>&nbsp;by silencing women who alleged sexual encounters with him. Trump denies that he had sex with the women and denies wrongdoing in the case.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715809011875.png" alt="An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court" />
 <figcaption>An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court</figcaption>
 </figure>Here are some key takeaways from Tuesday's proceedings:ALL OF COHEN'S LIESProsecutors confronted Cohen's history of falsehoods head-on in an attempt to get ahead of an issue Trump lawyers are seizing on to attack the now-disbarred lawyer's credibility. Prosecutors also sought to paint Cohen as a devoted Trump loyalist, whose crimes were committed on the former president’s behalf.Under questioning from prosecutor Susan Hoffinger, Cohen admitted that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-d08fc20ad50f432886351beaff7bfc7e">he lied to Congress</a>&nbsp;during an investigation into potential ties between Russia and the 2016 Trump campaign.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ap-top-news-elections-politics-north-america-28301de8eaa94cc796c5279fc28c1fdb">Cohen pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, admitting that he lied, among other things, about the number of times he spoke with Trump about a real estate project in Moscow.Hoffinger also asked Cohen about concerns that he may have lied on the witness stand at the former president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-civil-fraud-trial-feb0593a5bbd3837edc0db195554eda1">civil fraud trial last year</a>. In that trial, Cohen insisted he didn't commit tax evasion, and said he had lied to the judge who accepted his guilty plea on the charge in 2018.Cohen told Hoffinger he did not dispute the facts of his guilty plea, but that he didn’t think he should’ve been charged with a crime “as a first-time offender who always paid his taxes on the due date.”Cohen also told jurors he lied repeatedly for Trump, including after Cohen paid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-gag-order-d853768fff5fafbdee55623579889140">porn actor Stormy Daniels</a>&nbsp;$130,000 to keep her from going public right before the 2016 election with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump.Asked by Hoffinger why he would do so, Cohen said: “Out of loyalty and in order to protect him.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715808638156.png" alt="An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court" />
 <figcaption>An item of evidence for the defense and released from the New York Court</figcaption>
 </figure>NO LONGER LOYALCohen described to jurors how his life and relationship with Trump were upended after the FBI raided his office, apartment and hotel room in 2018. That would lead to Cohen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-general-news-ed1aead5539b4fc6b7e42cdd6cb8fd3d">pleading guilty to federal charges</a>&nbsp;and implicating Trump in the hush money scheme. Trump was never charged with any crime related to that federal investigation.Asked by the prosecutor how he felt at the time, Cohen said: “How to describe your life being turned upside-down? Concerned. Despondent. Angry."Initially, Cohen said he felt comforted because Trump, who was in the White House at the time, assured him not to worry. Trump’s lawyers were also continuing to pay his legal fees and he remained part of a joint-defense agreement with Trump and his lawyers, he testified.But his family eventually convinced him to turn on Trump, Cohen said.“My family, my wife, my daughter, my son, all said to me: ‘Why are you holding onto this loyalty? What are you doing? We’re supposed to be your first loyalty,’” Cohen told jurors.After Cohen’s guilty plea, Trump bashed him on Twitter, writing: “If anyone is looking for a good lawyer I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!”DEFENSE'S TURN TO GRILLTrump's team opened their cross-examination by pressing Cohen about critical comments and vulgar social media posts he's made about the former president since the trial began. The defense's questions Tuesday didn't address the facts at the heart of the case but were designed to portray Cohen as a Trump-fixated loyalist who, spurned by his ex-boss, is now on a mission to get fame and revenge.“Is it fair to say you’re motivated by fame?” Blanche, Trump's lawyer, asked Cohen.“No sir, I don’t think that’s fair to say,” Cohen replied. Later he added — in response to a question about whether he was motivated by publicity — that he is "motivated by many things.”Blanche asked Cohen to listen through headphones to an October 2020 podcast episode in which the former lawyer said Trump needs to wear handcuffs and that “people will not be satisfied until this man is sitting inside a cell.”Cohen told Blanche he didn’t recall saying that, but added: "I wouldn’t put it past me.”Blanche also pressed Cohen on whether he wants to see Trump convicted in the case. Cohen initially hedged, saying: “I would like to see accountability. It’s not for me. It’s for the jury and this court.”But asked again, Cohen responded: “Sure.”GAG ORDER UPHELDWhile jurors were hearing testimony from Cohen, Trump suffered another legal blow when an appeals court upheld&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hush-money-trial-gag-order-fae616037d3606cc60abbffb0e91f7ee">a gag order</a>&nbsp;that limits what he can say about the case.Trump had challenged the gag order, which bars the former president from commenting publicly about jurors, witnesses and others connected to the case, including the judge’s family and prosecutors other than District Attorney Alvin Bragg.The appeals court ruled that Judge Juan M. Merchan “properly determined” that Trump’s public statements “posed a significant threat to the integrity of the testimony of witnesses and potential witnesses.”Trump challenged restrictions on his ability to comment about Matthew Colangelo, a former Justice Department official who is a part of the prosecution team, and Merchan’s daughter, the head of a political consulting firm that has worked for Trump’s rival Joe Biden and other Democratic candidates.Trump’s lawyers argued the gag order is an unconstitutional curb on the presumptive Republican nominee’s free speech rights while he’s campaigning for president and fighting criminal charges. The judge has fined Trump for repeatedly violating the gag order and&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/$1,000%20on%20Monday%20and,%20in%20his%20sternest%20warning%20yet,%20told%20the%20former%20president%20that%20future%20gag%20order%20violations%20could%20send%20him%20to%20jail.">has warned the former president</a>&nbsp;that future violations could send him to jail.TRUMP'S SUPPORTERSLimited by what he can say publicly about the case, Trump has been joined at the courthouse by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-daniels-trial-rick-scott-3ae0d6eddb94d2ca1155b0266dc9d35c">a growing entourage</a>&nbsp;of Republican supporters who echo his complaints about the prosecution. U.S. House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;was the latest to do so Tuesday, attacking the legal system as “corrupt” and the case against Trump a “sham.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-speaker-mike-johnson-court-09aef3de395fa77843f2600f40da6ac3">It was a striking moment</a>, underscoring Trump's political power even as he stands trial on criminal charges.In remarks to reporters outside the courthouse, Johnson slammed Cohen as a man who has “trouble with the truth” and is “clearly on a mission for personal revenge.” Painting Trump as the victim of a politically motivated legal system, Johnson said the case is “not about justice."___

Read the transcript: Michael Cohen's testimony in Trump trial

KANSAS CITY, Kan. –Law enforcement authorities investigating a car theft that led to a chase and fatal Kansas officer shooting continue to search for a suspect who ran from police.

Just before 11:30p.m. May 10,&nbsp;Kansas City Kansas Police learned a reported stolen&nbsp;silver Hyundai Sonata was in the area of S. 7th&nbsp;Street Trafficway and Interstate 35. 

&nbsp;A citizen called 911 to report that a silver car had stopped in the 1500 block of S. 7th&nbsp;Street Trafficway and subjects were running from it. At nearly the same time, an officer arrived and observed three suspects fleeing from the car. 

The officer ran after the suspects up the Interstate 35 South on-ramp. During the pursuit, one of the suspects hid in thick brush and fired at the officer from behind. The KCKPD officer returned fire, striking the suspect later identified as&nbsp;Jordan Cole, 18, of Kansas City, Kansas, multiple times. Cole was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officer and a second responding officer were then able to take a 16-year-old boy into custody. The police officers involved in the exchange of gunfire were not injured.

On Tuesday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation reported the third suspect who ran from the car has not yet been identified or apprehended.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. –Law enforcement authorities investigating a car theft that led to a chase and fatal Kansas officer shooting continue to search for a suspect who ran from police.Just before 11:30p.m. May 10,&nbsp;Kansas City Kansas Police learned a reported stolen&nbsp;silver Hyundai Sonata was in the area of S. 7th&nbsp;Street Trafficway and Interstate 35. &nbsp;A citizen called 911 to report that a silver car had stopped in the 1500 block of S. 7th&nbsp;Street Trafficway and subjects were running from it. At nearly the same time, an officer arrived and observed three suspects fleeing from the car. The officer ran after the suspects up the Interstate 35 South on-ramp. During the pursuit, one of the suspects hid in thick brush and fired at the officer from behind. The KCKPD officer returned fire, striking the suspect later identified as&nbsp;Jordan Cole, 18, of Kansas City, Kansas, multiple times. Cole was pronounced dead at the scene.The officer and a second responding officer were then able to take a 16-year-old boy into custody. The police officers involved in the exchange of gunfire were not injured.On Tuesday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation reported the third suspect who ran from the car has not yet been identified or apprehended.

Suspect who ran before deadly Kan. officer shooting is still at large

TOPEKA—&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly today signed&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIzXzI0L21lYXN1cmVzL3NiMzg3LyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA1MTUuOTQ4NDQ1NjEifQ.4FW1pMZPe7mYH24TWsoTA3MJQP47KC-DdfJBbl3AQkA/s/1303160919/br/242492107990-l" target="_blank">House Substitute for Senate Bill 387</a>, fully funding K-12 education for the sixth consecutive year and making the initial investment into fully funding special education, according to a media release from her office.

 The bill builds on Governor Kelly’s commitment to fully funding public schools and providing the resources needed to ensure Kansas students are prepared for lifelong learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Kansas' public schools and students are foundational to ensuring our state has a bright future,"&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. "I am proud to fully fund our public schools for the sixth consecutive year. By collaborating in a bipartisan manner,&nbsp;we're&nbsp;equipping&nbsp;all of&nbsp;our students and educators with the resources they need to succeed in the classroom."

Critically, House Substitute for Senate Bill 387 provides $75.5 million in additional funding for special education state aid. This includes $65.5 million in new State General Fund support, $2.5 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, and $7.5 million appropriated in 2023 for the upcoming school year. With this increased funding, districts will be better positioned to recruit and retain special education staff and ensure adequate services are provided to students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs). This funding represents the first year of a phased-in approach to fully funding special education in accordance with state’s statutory obligation.&nbsp;

"Fully funding special education benefits each and every student and shows that Kansas supports and values our educators,"&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. "I appreciate the Legislature’s willingness to collaborate in a bipartisan manner to secure this increased funding. This is only the first step, as we must continue increasing special education funding in future years to meet the state’s obligation."&nbsp;&nbsp;

In addition to fully funding K-12 education, House Substitute for Senate Bill 387 also:&nbsp;

"It was an honor to chair the House and Senate School Funding Conference Committee,"&nbsp;said Kansas State Senator Molly Baumgardner, District 37.  "We focused on crafting increased school funding that better addresses the needs of our Kansas students and our dedicated teachers and staff members. Our commitment to distributing increased special education funding in a more equitable way to Kansas school districts was accomplished by collaborating directly with the Department of Education leadership team. This is an important change for children that receive these special services."

"Investing in public education is the best investment we can make for our economy, our state, and the future for Kansas kids,"&nbsp;said Kansas Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes, District 21. "This budget ensures every student has the resources they need to be successful by fully funding Kansas’ K-12 public schools for the sixth year in a row. This is the right thing to do for Kansas students, teachers, and communities."

"I am pleased that the Kansas Legislature agreed to continue to constitutionally fund public education, provide more than $75 million of new money for special education, and to insure accountability for targeted funds,"&nbsp;said Kansas House Assistant Minority Leader Valdenia Winn, District 34.&nbsp;"I look forward in the future to developing more policies that support increased student achievement."

Additionally, Governor Kelly line-item vetoed a provision that would have altered the School Safety and Security Grant Program into a no-bid contract for one company to provide services to schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Governor Kelly’s full message to the Legislature and more information about her line-item veto can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA1LzE1L2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjg3ODQxMS9Hb3YuJTIwS2VsbHklMjBNZXNzYWdlJTIwb24lMjBIb3VzZSUyMFN1YiUyMGZvciUyMFNCJTIwMzg3LnBkZiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA1MTUuOTQ4NDQ1NjEifQ.CZc9nqgAhelXbnvmTY715sAhrO-vJlaeMC4kf-3Tsik/s/1303160919/br/242492107990-l" target="_blank">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704982694284.png" alt=""Kansas' public schools and students are foundational to ensuring our state has a bright future," Governor Laura Kelly said.-file photo" />
 <figcaption>"Kansas' public schools and students are foundational to ensuring our state has a bright future," Governor Laura Kelly said.-file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA—&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly today signed&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIzXzI0L21lYXN1cmVzL3NiMzg3LyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA1MTUuOTQ4NDQ1NjEifQ.4FW1pMZPe7mYH24TWsoTA3MJQP47KC-DdfJBbl3AQkA/s/1303160919/br/242492107990-l" target="_blank">House Substitute for Senate Bill 387</a>, fully funding K-12 education for the sixth consecutive year and making the initial investment into fully funding special education, according to a media release from her office. The bill builds on Governor Kelly’s commitment to fully funding public schools and providing the resources needed to ensure Kansas students are prepared for lifelong learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Kansas' public schools and students are foundational to ensuring our state has a bright future,"&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. "I am proud to fully fund our public schools for the sixth consecutive year. By collaborating in a bipartisan manner,&nbsp;we're&nbsp;equipping&nbsp;all of&nbsp;our students and educators with the resources they need to succeed in the classroom."Critically, House Substitute for Senate Bill 387 provides $75.5 million in additional funding for special education state aid. This includes $65.5 million in new State General Fund support, $2.5 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, and $7.5 million appropriated in 2023 for the upcoming school year. With this increased funding, districts will be better positioned to recruit and retain special education staff and ensure adequate services are provided to students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs). This funding represents the first year of a phased-in approach to fully funding special education in accordance with state’s statutory obligation.&nbsp;"Fully funding special education benefits each and every student and shows that Kansas supports and values our educators,"&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. "I appreciate the Legislature’s willingness to collaborate in a bipartisan manner to secure this increased funding. This is only the first step, as we must continue increasing special education funding in future years to meet the state’s obligation."&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to fully funding K-12 education, House Substitute for Senate Bill 387 also:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Expands Access to Child Care: The bill provides $5 million for the creation of a public-private partnership that supports child care providers in rural and frontier communities in northwest Kansas. This partnership with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and Patterson Family Foundation will create a new endowment that will award operational grants to child care providers and combat the growth of child care deserts.</li><li>Invests in Early Childhood Education and Literacy: The bill includes $23.7 million from the Children’s Initiatives Fund for the Early Childhood Block Grant, which provides funding to programs supporting the healthy development of Kansas children. The bill also continues to fund the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program, which gifts books to children from birth to five years old.</li><li>Supports the Teacher Workforce: The bill includes $1.3 million for a mentorship program for early-career educators and $1.8 million to support teacher professional development.</li><li>Continues Commitment to School Safety: The bill includes $5 million in grants for schools to make physical improvements, purchase equipment, and hire school resource officers to improve the safety and security of schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>"It was an honor to chair the House and Senate School Funding Conference Committee,"&nbsp;said Kansas State Senator Molly Baumgardner, District 37.  "We focused on crafting increased school funding that better addresses the needs of our Kansas students and our dedicated teachers and staff members. Our commitment to distributing increased special education funding in a more equitable way to Kansas school districts was accomplished by collaborating directly with the Department of Education leadership team. This is an important change for children that receive these special services.""Investing in public education is the best investment we can make for our economy, our state, and the future for Kansas kids,"&nbsp;said Kansas Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes, District 21. "This budget ensures every student has the resources they need to be successful by fully funding Kansas’ K-12 public schools for the sixth year in a row. This is the right thing to do for Kansas students, teachers, and communities.""I am pleased that the Kansas Legislature agreed to continue to constitutionally fund public education, provide more than $75 million of new money for special education, and to insure accountability for targeted funds,"&nbsp;said Kansas House Assistant Minority Leader Valdenia Winn, District 34.&nbsp;"I look forward in the future to developing more policies that support increased student achievement."Additionally, Governor Kelly line-item vetoed a provision that would have altered the School Safety and Security Grant Program into a no-bid contract for one company to provide services to schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;Governor Kelly’s full message to the Legislature and more information about her line-item veto can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA1LzE1L2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjg3ODQxMS9Hb3YuJTIwS2VsbHklMjBNZXNzYWdlJTIwb24lMjBIb3VzZSUyMFN1YiUyMGZvciUyMFNCJTIwMzg3LnBkZiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA1MTUuOTQ4NDQ1NjEifQ.CZc9nqgAhelXbnvmTY715sAhrO-vJlaeMC4kf-3Tsik/s/1303160919/br/242492107990-l" target="_blank">here</a>.

Kan. governer signs bill that fully funds K-12 education for 6th straight year 

WASHINGTON (AP) —Eight TikTok content creators sued the U.S. government on Tuesday, issuing another challenge to the new federal law that would ban the popular social media platform nationwide if its China-based parent company doesn’t sell its stakes within a year.

Attorneys for the creators argue in the lawsuit that the law violates users’ First Amendment rights to free speech, echoing arguments made by TikTok in a separate lawsuit filed by the company last week. The legal challenge could end up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-lawsuit-biden-386e6d81e2eef61a756bcdea96cd0aef">before the Supreme Court</a>.

The complaint filed Tuesday comes from a diverse set of content creators, including a Texas-based rancher who has previously appeared in a TikTok commercial, a creator in Arizona who uses TikTok to show his daily life and spread awareness about LGBTQ issues, as well as a business owner who sells skincare products on TikTok Shop, the e-commerce arm of the platform.

The lawsuit says the creators “rely on TikTok to express themselves, learn, advocate for causes, share opinions, create communities, and even make a living.”

“They have found their voices, amassed significant audiences, made new friends, and encountered new and different ways of thinking — all because of TikTok’s novel way of hosting, curating, and disseminating speech,” it added, arguing the new law would deprive them and the rest of the country “of this distinctive means of expression and communication.”

A spokesperson for TikTok said the company was covering the legal costs for the lawsuit, which was filed in a Washington appeals court. It is being led by the same law firm that represented creators who challenged Montana’s statewide ban on the platform last year. In November, a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/montana-tiktok-ban-25c561396e85fee8926309daf4ad4b4f">blocked that law</a>&nbsp;from going into effect.

The Department of Justice said that the legislation that could ban TikTok "addresses critical national security concerns in a manner that is consistent with the First Amendment and other constitutional limitations. We look forward to defending the legislation in court.”

The federal law comes at a time of intense strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China on a host of issues and as the two butt heads over sensitive geopolitical topics like China’s support for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. U.S. lawmakers and administration officials have aired concerns about how well TikTok can protect users’ data from Chinese authorities and have argued its algorithm could be used to spread pro-China propaganda, which TikTok disputes.

Under the law, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance would be required to sell the platform to an approved buyer within nine months. If a sale is in progress, the company will get a three-month extension to complete the deal.

However, TikTok and ByteDance said in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-3b4c1fa44c89d4568d26f1c7caf303ec">their lawsuit last week</a>&nbsp;that they would still have no choice but to shut down by Jan. 19 because continuing to operate in the U.S. wouldn’t be commercially, technologically or legally possible.

They assert it would be impossible for ByteDance to divest its U.S. TikTok platform as a separate entity from the rest of TikTok, which has 1 billion users worldwide — most of them outside of the United States. A U.S.-only TikTok would operate as an island detached from the rest of the world, the lawsuit argues. It also says the Chinese government — which would need to approve such a sale — has “made clear” it would not permit a sale of the recommendation algorithm that populates users’ feeds and has been the “key to the success of TikTok in the United States.”

In an interview, Brian Firebaugh, the Hubbard, Texas-based rancher who is part of the creator lawsuit, said he started his TikTok account in 2020 to help establish his brand and market the cattle-related products that he sells online. That decision allowed him to quit his full-time job and live off the income he was making from TikTok, where he currently has more than 430,000 followers.

Firebaugh, 44, said TikTok has also helped him build an online community with other ranchers and gave him the opportunity to participate in a Netflix reality show where his winnings allowed him and his wife to afford the adoption process for their son. Losing TikTok, he said, would disrupt everything.

“One hundred percent of our customers come from TikTok,” Firebaugh said. “For that to go away, you’re now stealing money out of my family’s mouths.”

Chloe Joy Sexton, a 29-year-old content creator who lives in Memphis, Tennessee, and runs a cookie business called Chloe’s Giant Cookies, said she started experimenting with TikTok four years ago after losing her prior job. Sexton said she had been posting content on other social media platforms, but only TikTok created a viral trajectory for her baking. Today, she has more than 2 million followers on the app, where she has also shared more intimate details about her life, such as losing her mother to brain cancer and subsequently adopting her little sister.

“There has been no evidence whatsoever that my information is in danger or anybody else’s,” said Sexton, who is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. “Nobody has provided that — not the government, not anybody else. And to base this purchase, this tug of war that changes my life off of a hypothetical is so hurtful to me personally, because my government at that point is not protecting me.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708714541315.png" alt="Image from Joe Biden's TikTok account" />
 <figcaption>Image from Joe Biden's TikTok account</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Eight TikTok content creators sued the U.S. government on Tuesday, issuing another challenge to the new federal law that would ban the popular social media platform nationwide if its China-based parent company doesn’t sell its stakes within a year.Attorneys for the creators argue in the lawsuit that the law violates users’ First Amendment rights to free speech, echoing arguments made by TikTok in a separate lawsuit filed by the company last week. The legal challenge could end up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-lawsuit-biden-386e6d81e2eef61a756bcdea96cd0aef">before the Supreme Court</a>.The complaint filed Tuesday comes from a diverse set of content creators, including a Texas-based rancher who has previously appeared in a TikTok commercial, a creator in Arizona who uses TikTok to show his daily life and spread awareness about LGBTQ issues, as well as a business owner who sells skincare products on TikTok Shop, the e-commerce arm of the platform.The lawsuit says the creators “rely on TikTok to express themselves, learn, advocate for causes, share opinions, create communities, and even make a living.”“They have found their voices, amassed significant audiences, made new friends, and encountered new and different ways of thinking — all because of TikTok’s novel way of hosting, curating, and disseminating speech,” it added, arguing the new law would deprive them and the rest of the country “of this distinctive means of expression and communication.”A spokesperson for TikTok said the company was covering the legal costs for the lawsuit, which was filed in a Washington appeals court. It is being led by the same law firm that represented creators who challenged Montana’s statewide ban on the platform last year. In November, a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/montana-tiktok-ban-25c561396e85fee8926309daf4ad4b4f">blocked that law</a>&nbsp;from going into effect.The Department of Justice said that the legislation that could ban TikTok "addresses critical national security concerns in a manner that is consistent with the First Amendment and other constitutional limitations. We look forward to defending the legislation in court.”The federal law comes at a time of intense strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China on a host of issues and as the two butt heads over sensitive geopolitical topics like China’s support for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. U.S. lawmakers and administration officials have aired concerns about how well TikTok can protect users’ data from Chinese authorities and have argued its algorithm could be used to spread pro-China propaganda, which TikTok disputes.Under the law, TikTok’s parent company ByteDance would be required to sell the platform to an approved buyer within nine months. If a sale is in progress, the company will get a three-month extension to complete the deal.However, TikTok and ByteDance said in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-3b4c1fa44c89d4568d26f1c7caf303ec">their lawsuit last week</a>&nbsp;that they would still have no choice but to shut down by Jan. 19 because continuing to operate in the U.S. wouldn’t be commercially, technologically or legally possible.They assert it would be impossible for ByteDance to divest its U.S. TikTok platform as a separate entity from the rest of TikTok, which has 1 billion users worldwide — most of them outside of the United States. A U.S.-only TikTok would operate as an island detached from the rest of the world, the lawsuit argues. It also says the Chinese government — which would need to approve such a sale — has “made clear” it would not permit a sale of the recommendation algorithm that populates users’ feeds and has been the “key to the success of TikTok in the United States.”In an interview, Brian Firebaugh, the Hubbard, Texas-based rancher who is part of the creator lawsuit, said he started his TikTok account in 2020 to help establish his brand and market the cattle-related products that he sells online. That decision allowed him to quit his full-time job and live off the income he was making from TikTok, where he currently has more than 430,000 followers.Firebaugh, 44, said TikTok has also helped him build an online community with other ranchers and gave him the opportunity to participate in a Netflix reality show where his winnings allowed him and his wife to afford the adoption process for their son. Losing TikTok, he said, would disrupt everything.“One hundred percent of our customers come from TikTok,” Firebaugh said. “For that to go away, you’re now stealing money out of my family’s mouths.”Chloe Joy Sexton, a 29-year-old content creator who lives in Memphis, Tennessee, and runs a cookie business called Chloe’s Giant Cookies, said she started experimenting with TikTok four years ago after losing her prior job. Sexton said she had been posting content on other social media platforms, but only TikTok created a viral trajectory for her baking. Today, she has more than 2 million followers on the app, where she has also shared more intimate details about her life, such as losing her mother to brain cancer and subsequently adopting her little sister.“There has been no evidence whatsoever that my information is in danger or anybody else’s,” said Sexton, who is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. “Nobody has provided that — not the government, not anybody else. And to base this purchase, this tug of war that changes my life off of a hypothetical is so hurtful to me personally, because my government at that point is not protecting me.”

TikTok ban: Content creators sue US to prevent ban

POTOSI, Mo. (AP) — A man convicted of killing six women 20 years ago in Kansas City, Missouri, has died, the Missouri Department of Corrections said.

Terry Blair, 62, was imprisoned at the Potosi Correctional Center on six counts of first-degree murder. He was taken to a hospital Saturday morning after being found unresponsive in his jail cell. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, the corrections department said.

Blair had a long history of violence. He was convicted of killing a woman in 1982, and served 21 years.

He was on probation when he was arrested in the deaths of six women who were killed in the period of July to September 2004. Their bodies were found in an area of Kansas City frequented by drug dealers and prostitutes.

Blair also was suspected in the deaths of two other women, but those charges were dropped.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715770478985.png" alt="Blair photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Blair photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>POTOSI, Mo. (AP) — A man convicted of killing six women 20 years ago in Kansas City, Missouri, has died, the Missouri Department of Corrections said.Terry Blair, 62, was imprisoned at the Potosi Correctional Center on six counts of first-degree murder. He was taken to a hospital Saturday morning after being found unresponsive in his jail cell. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, the corrections department said.An autopsy was planned.Blair had a long history of violence. He was convicted of killing a woman in 1982, and served 21 years.He was on probation when he was arrested in the deaths of six women who were killed in the period of July to September 2004. Their bodies were found in an area of Kansas City frequented by drug dealers and prostitutes.Blair also was suspected in the deaths of two other women, but those charges were dropped.

Man convicted of killing six women in Kansas City dies in prison

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on Wednesday agreed to hold two campaign debates in June and September — the first on June 27 hosted by CNN — but their camps appeared far apart on key details like the ground rules for the presidential face-offs.

The quick agreement on the timetable to meet followed the Democrat's announcement that he will not participate in fall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/political-debates">presidential debates</a>&nbsp;sponsored by the nonpartisan commission that has organized them for more than three decades. Biden's campaign instead proposed that media outlets directly organize the debates with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/presumptive-nominee-biden-trump-6b2a3beb31896894ded9e96aa30cfcec">the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees</a>, with the first to be held in late June and the second in September before early voting begins. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social site, said he was “Ready and Willing to Debate” Biden at the proposed times.

Hours later, Biden said he accepted an invitation from CNN to a debate on June 27, adding, “Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, anytime, any place.” Trump told Fox News Digital he accepted the invitation: “I’ll be there,” he told the outlet.

Still, the two sides appeared to be hold significant differences on key questions of how to organize the debates, including agreeing on media partners, moderators, location and rules — some of the very questions that prompted the formation of the Commission on Presidential Debates in 1987. Biden's proposal would exclude third-party candidates, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>

Trump’s team did not immediately weigh in on the details of the Biden proposal, but Trump expressed his desire for a large live audience.

“I would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds - That’s only because he doesn’t get them,” Trump said. “Just tell me when, I’ll be there.”

Trump has been pushing for more debates and earlier debates, arguing voters should be able to see the two men face off well before early voting begins in September. He has repeatedly said he will debate Biden “anytime, anywhere, any place,”&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/hGDMG0MM6F4?feature=shared">even proposing the two men face off</a>&nbsp;outside the Manhattan courthouse where he is currently on criminal trial in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-stormy-daniels-michael-cohen-hush-money-f96dd7289cf952145cdd6737b29add3d">a hush money case</a>. He also has been taunting Biden with an empty lectern at some of his rallies.

Biden’s campaign has long held a grudge against the nonpartisan commission for failing to evenly apply its rules during the 2020 Biden-Trump matchups — most notably when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-donald-trump-joe-biden-health-campaigns-0f7315791a3ead1919842c894bedb68f">didn’t enforce its COVID-19 testing rules on Trump</a>&nbsp;and his entourage — and Biden’s team has held talks with television networks and some Republicans about ways to circumvent the commission’s grip on presidential debates.

Biden campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon on Wednesday sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates to say that Biden’s campaign objected to the fall dates selected by the commission, which come after some Americans begin to vote, repeating a complaint also voiced by the Trump campaign. She also voiced frustrations over the rule violations and the commission's insistence on holding the debates before a live audience.

“The debates should be conducted for the benefit of the American voters, watching on television and at home — not as entertainment for an in-person audience with raucous or disruptive partisans and donors," she said. ”As was the case with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/today-in-history-covid-health-middle-east-ts-eliot-90ea2a57ca484c41565b1c1a257fc1d9">the original televised debates in 1960</a>, a television studio with just the candidates and moderators is a better, more cost-efficient way to proceed: focused solely on the interests of voters."

There was little love lost for the commission as well from Trump, who objected to technical issues at his first debate with Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 and was upset after a debate with Biden was canceled in 2020 after the Republican came down with COVID-19. The Republican National Committee had already promised not to work with commission on the 2024 contests.

The commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

The Trump campaign issued a statement on May 1 that objected to the scheduled debates by the commission, saying that the schedule “begins AFTER early voting” and that “this is unacceptable” because voters deserve to hear from the candidates before ballots are cast.

Under the debate commission's rules, Kennedy or other third-party candidates could qualify if they secured ballot access sufficient to claim 270 Electoral Votes and polled at 15% or higher in a selection of national polls.

O’Malley Dillon said the debates "should be one-on-one, allowing voters to compare the only two candidates with any statistical chance of prevailing in the Electoral College – and not squandering debate time on candidates with no prospect of becoming President.”

The Biden campaign also proposed that the Biden-Trump debates this year be hosted by “any broadcast organization that hosted a Republican Primary debate in 2016 in which Donald Trump participated, and a Democratic primary debate in 2020 in which President Biden participated — so neither campaign can assert that the sponsoring organization is obviously unacceptable: if both candidates have previously debated on their airwaves, then neither could object to such venue."

Those criteria would eliminate Fox News, which did not host a Democratic primary debate in 2020, and potentially NBC News, which did not host a GOP one in 2016 — though its corporate affiliates CNBC and Telmundo were co-hosts of one debate each that year.

In teeing up the debates, both Biden and Trump traded barbs on social media — each claiming victory the last time they faced-off in 2020.

“Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020, since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate,' Biden said in a post on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. "Now he’s acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal.”

Trump, for his part, said Biden was the “WORST debater I have ever faced - He can’t put two sentences together!”

The Democrat suggested that the two candidates could pick some dates, taking a dig at Trump’s ongoing New York hush money trial by noting that the Republican is “free on Wednesdays,” the usual day off in the trial.

The president first indicated he would be willing to debate Trump during an interview with the radio host Howard Stern last month, telling him that “I am, somewhere. I don’t know when. But I’m happy to debate him.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on Wednesday agreed to hold two campaign debates in June and September — the first on June 27 hosted by CNN — but their camps appeared far apart on key details like the ground rules for the presidential face-offs.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate. Now he’s acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. <a href="https://t.co/AkPmvs2q4u">pic.twitter.com/AkPmvs2q4u</a>&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1790713878248038478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The quick agreement on the timetable to meet followed the Democrat's announcement that he will not participate in fall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/political-debates">presidential debates</a>&nbsp;sponsored by the nonpartisan commission that has organized them for more than three decades. Biden's campaign instead proposed that media outlets directly organize the debates with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/presumptive-nominee-biden-trump-6b2a3beb31896894ded9e96aa30cfcec">the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees</a>, with the first to be held in late June and the second in September before early voting begins. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social site, said he was “Ready and Willing to Debate” Biden at the proposed times.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715783969577.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Hours later, Biden said he accepted an invitation from CNN to a debate on June 27, adding, “Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, anytime, any place.” Trump told Fox News Digital he accepted the invitation: “I’ll be there,” he told the outlet.Still, the two sides appeared to be hold significant differences on key questions of how to organize the debates, including agreeing on media partners, moderators, location and rules — some of the very questions that prompted the formation of the Commission on Presidential Debates in 1987. Biden's proposal would exclude third-party candidates, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rfk-097ac973a32ddf2e8e4edecd6a8f3153">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>Trump’s team did not immediately weigh in on the details of the Biden proposal, but Trump expressed his desire for a large live audience.“I would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds - That’s only because he doesn’t get them,” Trump said. “Just tell me when, I’ll be there.”Trump has been pushing for more debates and earlier debates, arguing voters should be able to see the two men face off well before early voting begins in September. He has repeatedly said he will debate Biden “anytime, anywhere, any place,”&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/hGDMG0MM6F4?feature=shared">even proposing the two men face off</a>&nbsp;outside the Manhattan courthouse where he is currently on criminal trial in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-stormy-daniels-michael-cohen-hush-money-f96dd7289cf952145cdd6737b29add3d">a hush money case</a>. He also has been taunting Biden with an empty lectern at some of his rallies.Biden’s campaign has long held a grudge against the nonpartisan commission for failing to evenly apply its rules during the 2020 Biden-Trump matchups — most notably when it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-donald-trump-joe-biden-health-campaigns-0f7315791a3ead1919842c894bedb68f">didn’t enforce its COVID-19 testing rules on Trump</a>&nbsp;and his entourage — and Biden’s team has held talks with television networks and some Republicans about ways to circumvent the commission’s grip on presidential debates.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">JUST ANNOUNCED: CNN will host a 2024 Presidential Debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in Atlanta, GA. The debate will air live on 6/27 at 9pET on <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNN</a>, CNN Max and without a cable login on <a href="https://t.co/dOLGQHu7eC">https://t.co/dOLGQHu7eC</a>. More: <a href="https://t.co/rjbaLohxLs">https://t.co/rjbaLohxLs</a> <a href="https://t.co/g3PCztJInt">pic.twitter.com/g3PCztJInt</a>&mdash; CNN Communications (@CNNPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNPR/status/1790757195455324413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon on Wednesday sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates to say that Biden’s campaign objected to the fall dates selected by the commission, which come after some Americans begin to vote, repeating a complaint also voiced by the Trump campaign. She also voiced frustrations over the rule violations and the commission's insistence on holding the debates before a live audience.“The debates should be conducted for the benefit of the American voters, watching on television and at home — not as entertainment for an in-person audience with raucous or disruptive partisans and donors," she said. ”As was the case with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/today-in-history-covid-health-middle-east-ts-eliot-90ea2a57ca484c41565b1c1a257fc1d9">the original televised debates in 1960</a>, a television studio with just the candidates and moderators is a better, more cost-efficient way to proceed: focused solely on the interests of voters."There was little love lost for the commission as well from Trump, who objected to technical issues at his first debate with Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 and was upset after a debate with Biden was canceled in 2020 after the Republican came down with COVID-19. The Republican National Committee had already promised not to work with commission on the 2024 contests.The commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.The Trump campaign issued a statement on May 1 that objected to the scheduled debates by the commission, saying that the schedule “begins AFTER early voting” and that “this is unacceptable” because voters deserve to hear from the candidates before ballots are cast.Under the debate commission's rules, Kennedy or other third-party candidates could qualify if they secured ballot access sufficient to claim 270 Electoral Votes and polled at 15% or higher in a selection of national polls.O’Malley Dillon said the debates "should be one-on-one, allowing voters to compare the only two candidates with any statistical chance of prevailing in the Electoral College – and not squandering debate time on candidates with no prospect of becoming President.”The Biden campaign also proposed that the Biden-Trump debates this year be hosted by “any broadcast organization that hosted a Republican Primary debate in 2016 in which Donald Trump participated, and a Democratic primary debate in 2020 in which President Biden participated — so neither campaign can assert that the sponsoring organization is obviously unacceptable: if both candidates have previously debated on their airwaves, then neither could object to such venue."Those criteria would eliminate Fox News, which did not host a Democratic primary debate in 2020, and potentially NBC News, which did not host a GOP one in 2016 — though its corporate affiliates CNBC and Telmundo were co-hosts of one debate each that year.In teeing up the debates, both Biden and Trump traded barbs on social media — each claiming victory the last time they faced-off in 2020.“Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020, since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate,' Biden said in a post on X, the site formerly known as Twitter. "Now he’s acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal.”Trump, for his part, said Biden was the “WORST debater I have ever faced - He can’t put two sentences together!”The Democrat suggested that the two candidates could pick some dates, taking a dig at Trump’s ongoing New York hush money trial by noting that the Republican is “free on Wednesdays,” the usual day off in the trial.The president first indicated he would be willing to debate Trump during an interview with the radio host Howard Stern last month, telling him that “I am, somewhere. I don’t know when. But I’m happy to debate him.”------------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he will not participate in fall&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/political-debates">presidential debates</a>&nbsp;sponsored by the nonpartisan commission that has organized them for more than three decades and instead proposed two debates with former President Donald Trump to be held earlier in the year.Biden's campaign proposed that the first debate between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/presumptive-nominee-biden-trump-6b2a3beb31896894ded9e96aa30cfcec">the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees</a>&nbsp;be held in late June and the second in September before early voting begins. Trump responded to the letter in an interview with Fox News digital, calling the proposed dates “fully acceptable to me” and joked about providing his own transportation.Biden, in a post on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, sought to needle his rival, saying, “Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020, since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate. Now he’s acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal.”The Democrat suggested that the two candidates could pick some dates, taking a dig at Trump’s ongoing New York hush money trial by noting that the Republican is “free on Wednesdays,” the usual day off in the trial.Biden campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon on Wednesday sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates to say that Biden would not participate in its announced debates, choosing instead to participate in debates hosted by news organizations. The Biden campaign objected to the fall dates selected by the commission — which come after some Americans begin to vote — repeating a complaint also raised by the Trump campaign.Biden's campaign has long-held a grudge against the nonpartisan commission for failing to evenly apply its rules during the 2020 Biden-Trump matchups — most notably when it didn't enforce its COVID-19 testing rules on Trump and his entourage — and Biden's team has held talks with television networks and some Republicans about ways to circumvent the commission's grip on presidential debates.The president first indicated he would be willing to debate Trump during an interview with the radio host Howard Stern last month, telling him that “I am, somewhere. I don’t know when. But I’m happy to debate him.”Biden indicated again last week that he was preparing to debate, telling reporters as he was leaving a White House event: “Set it up.”Trump has repeatedly dared Biden to debate him, keeping a second podium open at rallies and claiming that his rival would not be up for the task.Trump, too, has taken issue with the debate commission, but he and his team have maintained that they don’t care who hosts the debates as long as they happen.The Trump campaign issued a statement on May 1 that objected to the scheduled debates by the Commission on Presidential Debates, saying that the schedule “begins AFTER early voting” and that “this is unacceptable” because voters deserve to hear from the candidates before ballots are cast.Trump said at a Pennsylvania rally before his hush money trial began that the debates were needed.