SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas toddler was injured during an incident Tuesday at a home daycare.

Just before 1:30p.m. first responders received a&nbsp;the call of a possible drowning at a home in the 9700 block of south Ridge Road, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

&nbsp;A home daycare provider was swimming in an above ground pool with several children when she noticed a 16-month-old face down in the pool. 

She quickly pulled the toddler from the pool, performed CPR and called 911.&nbsp;When deputies arrived girl was conscious and alert. EMS transported the child to a hospital for observation, according to Blick.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629811336047.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas toddler was injured during an incident Tuesday at a home daycare.Just before 1:30p.m. first responders received a&nbsp;the call of a possible drowning at a home in the 9700 block of south Ridge Road, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.&nbsp;A home daycare provider was swimming in an above ground pool with several children when she noticed a 16-month-old face down in the pool. She quickly pulled the toddler from the pool, performed CPR and called 911.&nbsp;When deputies arrived girl was conscious and alert. EMS transported the child to a hospital for observation, according to Blick.

16-month-old pulled from pool at Kansas home day care

By JENNIFER SHUTT <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/26/gop-support-for-same-sex-marriage-protections-builds-in-u-s-senate/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate appears 
on track to send President Joe Biden a bill in the coming weeks that 
would guarantee that same-sex and interracial couples can marry, even if
 the Supreme Court overturns the landmark cases that enshrined those 
rights.&nbsp;

“I think we’re very close,” Maine 
Republican Sen. Susan Collins said Tuesday of efforts to get at least 10
 GOP senators on board with the House-passed legislation. Sixty senators
 in the evenly divided Senate would be needed to advance the bill past a
 filibuster and to a final vote.

“I’ve had a number of conversations 
with my colleagues. And this bill is very straightforward,” Collins 
continued. “All it does is put in to federal law the protection for the 
million same-sex marriages that are out there today.”

Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy 
Baldwin, tasked by her party with getting the necessary GOP votes, said 
that the bill is gaining more support each day and that she doesn’t 
expect it would be held over until closer to the election so that 
Democrats could make a political point.&nbsp;

“I don’t want this to be 
politicized,” Baldwin said. “I think that we simply have to codify 
Obergefell because there’s such uncertainty since Roe v. Wade was 
overturned about most people’s marriages. But we’ll do it when we have 
the votes and the time.”

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling 
overturning the nationwide right to an abortion last month included a 
separate opinion from Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, in which he 
wrote the justices “should reconsider all of this Court’s substantive 
due process precedents” that applied the same legal reasoning that was 
used in Roe v. Wade.&nbsp;

Thomas specified three cases he 
believes are ripe to be overturned, including Griswold v. Connecticut, 
which recognized a married couple’s right to use contraception; Lawrence
 v. Texas, which legalized adult private consensual sexual 
relationships; and Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex 
marriage.&nbsp;

The Thomas opinion raised alarm bells
 with women’s rights and LGBTQ groups over how the current 6-3 
conservative-dominated Supreme Court might undo other rights and led 
Democratic lawmakers to bring up legislation that would ensure those 
rights.&nbsp;

Baldwin said on Tuesday the timing of
 the Senate vote on the marriage equality bill might depend less on when
 there’s enough bipartisan support and more on the number of Democrats 
and GOP supporters who are absent due to COVID-19.&nbsp;

Both West Virginia Democratic Sen. 
Joe Manchin III and Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced 
Monday they’d be isolating after testing positive. Murkowski, who<a target="_blank" href="https://alaskabeacon.com/2022/07/22/murkowski-favors-congressional-vote-on-same-sex-marriage-protections-while-sullivan-is-noncommittal/"> told CNN</a> she is in favor of the legislation, has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/senator-lisa-murkowski-endorses-marriage-equality">long supported</a> marriage equality.&nbsp;

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer,
 a New York Democrat, said Tuesday the bill remains a priority, though 
he didn’t say if he’d bring it up before the chamber breaks for its 
August recess at the end of next week.

“The bottom line is that we care very
 much about the marriage equality act,” Schumer said. “We are working 
real hard to get 10 Republican senators. Between that and the illnesses,
 we’re not there yet.”

So far, most Senate Republicans are remaining quiet about how they’d vote on the bill.&nbsp;

North Carolina Republican Sen. 
Richard Burr said Tuesday that he hasn’t decided how he’ll actually 
vote, even though he said last week that he “was leaning in opposition 
to” the bill.&nbsp;

When asked what more he needed to 
know before making a decision, Burr responded: “I don’t even know if 
it’s coming up. Is that too much to ask?”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch 
McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said Tuesday he didn’t want to make 
“an observation” on the bill until it’s actually brought to the floor.

Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines 
came out forcefully against the bill this week, saying he believes 
“marriage is between a man and a woman.”&nbsp;

“I’m opposed to this bill and believe
 it’s another attempt by Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats to distract 
the American people from the inflation crisis, energy crisis and the 
southern border crisis they’ve created,” Daines said in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-democrats-same-sex-marriage-bill-is-just-a-distraction-from-the-crises-caused-by-biden-the-left">statement</a>.

The U.S. House vote on the bill was broadly bipartisan, with 267 members, including 47 Republicans, voting to<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-bipartisan-vote-passes-bill-protecting-right-same-sex-marriage"> approve</a> the measure last week.

The<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8404?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22H.R.+8404%22%2C%22H.R.%22%2C%228404%22%5D%7D&amp;s=3&amp;r=1"> legislation</a>,
 known as the Respect for Marriage Act, would repeal a 1996 federal law 
known as the Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as between 
one man and one woman.

The bill would also ensure that if 
the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1967 Loving v. Virginia opinion 
that legalized interracial marriages or the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling 
from 2015 that legalized same-sex marriages, states would have to 
recognize out-of-state marriages from states where same-sex or 
interracial marriages remained legal.&nbsp;

But the bill wouldn’t ensure same-sex
 and interracial couples have the exact same rights that they have under
 the two Supreme Court rulings.&nbsp;

David Stacy, government affairs 
director at the Human Rights Campaign, said while “Congress can’t 
technically codify Obergefell without a constitutional amendment,” the 
marriage equality bill would do three important things.&nbsp;

It would repeal the Defense of 
Marriage Act, it would set a “state of celebration” standard for the 
federal government to recognize same-sex marriages for federal benefits 
such as Social Security, and it would try to get states to recognize 
marriages from other states.&nbsp;

The state recognition issue, however, might be somewhat tricky.&nbsp;

The Full Faith and Credit Clause of 
the Constitution, Stacy said, requires states to recognize judicial 
decisions from other states — but there is a public policy exception.&nbsp;

For example, if a state doesn’t allow
 people to legally marry until 18, a couple can travel to another state 
where they can legally marry at 16. But after couples return to their 
home state, the state government can choose not to recognize that 
marriage under the public policy exception, Stacy said.&nbsp;

“Obviously, the courts would still 
have to determine whether a state has a valid public policy exception 
reason for this,” Stacy said. “But [the bill] would provide a mechanism 
to get an answer to those questions quickly. And we think ultimately the
 courts would determine that those should be recognized. But obviously 
it’s not an ironclad guarantee.”

Same-sex couples, he said, would once
 again be required to travel to get married, if the Supreme Court 
overturned Obergefell and if their home state choses not to allow those 
marriages.&nbsp;

“You would have to travel, which is 
obviously suboptimal,” Stacy. “And then, of course, those states would 
not recognize those marriages, presumably for state benefits. So there’s
 lots of obvious benefits that flow from state law, and rights and 
responsibilities that flow from state law. And so we’d be back to a 
patchwork of protections.”

Adoptions could also become problematic, he noted.&nbsp;

“It would be a really complicated 
legal landscape, and it would depend on the state and what that looks 
like,” Stacy said. “And that’s one of the reasons why marriage equality 
is really so important.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658869695319.png" alt="U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, talks with reporters about the Respect for Marriage Act, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Jennifer Shutt)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, talks with reporters about the Respect for Marriage Act, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Jennifer Shutt)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JENNIFER SHUTT <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/07/26/gop-support-for-same-sex-marriage-protections-builds-in-u-s-senate/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate appears 
on track to send President Joe Biden a bill in the coming weeks that 
would guarantee that same-sex and interracial couples can marry, even if
 the Supreme Court overturns the landmark cases that enshrined those 
rights.&nbsp;“I think we’re very close,” Maine 
Republican Sen. Susan Collins said Tuesday of efforts to get at least 10
 GOP senators on board with the House-passed legislation. Sixty senators
 in the evenly divided Senate would be needed to advance the bill past a
 filibuster and to a final vote.“I’ve had a number of conversations 
with my colleagues. And this bill is very straightforward,” Collins 
continued. “All it does is put in to federal law the protection for the 
million same-sex marriages that are out there today.”Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy 
Baldwin, tasked by her party with getting the necessary GOP votes, said 
that the bill is gaining more support each day and that she doesn’t 
expect it would be held over until closer to the election so that 
Democrats could make a political point.&nbsp;“I don’t want this to be 
politicized,” Baldwin said. “I think that we simply have to codify 
Obergefell because there’s such uncertainty since Roe v. Wade was 
overturned about most people’s marriages. But we’ll do it when we have 
the votes and the time.”<h2>Thomas opinion</h2>The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling 
overturning the nationwide right to an abortion last month included a 
separate opinion from Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, in which he 
wrote the justices “should reconsider all of this Court’s substantive 
due process precedents” that applied the same legal reasoning that was 
used in Roe v. Wade.&nbsp;Thomas specified three cases he 
believes are ripe to be overturned, including Griswold v. Connecticut, 
which recognized a married couple’s right to use contraception; Lawrence
 v. Texas, which legalized adult private consensual sexual 
relationships; and Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex 
marriage.&nbsp;The Thomas opinion raised alarm bells
 with women’s rights and LGBTQ groups over how the current 6-3 
conservative-dominated Supreme Court might undo other rights and led 
Democratic lawmakers to bring up legislation that would ensure those 
rights.&nbsp;<h2>Murkowski absent due to COVID-19&nbsp;</h2>Baldwin said on Tuesday the timing of
 the Senate vote on the marriage equality bill might depend less on when
 there’s enough bipartisan support and more on the number of Democrats 
and GOP supporters who are absent due to COVID-19.&nbsp;Both West Virginia Democratic Sen. 
Joe Manchin III and Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced 
Monday they’d be isolating after testing positive. Murkowski, who<a target="_blank" href="https://alaskabeacon.com/2022/07/22/murkowski-favors-congressional-vote-on-same-sex-marriage-protections-while-sullivan-is-noncommittal/"> told CNN</a> she is in favor of the legislation, has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/senator-lisa-murkowski-endorses-marriage-equality">long supported</a> marriage equality.&nbsp;Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer,
 a New York Democrat, said Tuesday the bill remains a priority, though 
he didn’t say if he’d bring it up before the chamber breaks for its 
August recess at the end of next week.“The bottom line is that we care very
 much about the marriage equality act,” Schumer said. “We are working 
real hard to get 10 Republican senators. Between that and the illnesses,
 we’re not there yet.”So far, most Senate Republicans are remaining quiet about how they’d vote on the bill.&nbsp;North Carolina Republican Sen. 
Richard Burr said Tuesday that he hasn’t decided how he’ll actually 
vote, even though he said last week that he “was leaning in opposition 
to” the bill.&nbsp;When asked what more he needed to 
know before making a decision, Burr responded: “I don’t even know if 
it’s coming up. Is that too much to ask?”Senate Minority Leader Mitch 
McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said Tuesday he didn’t want to make 
“an observation” on the bill until it’s actually brought to the floor.Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines 
came out forcefully against the bill this week, saying he believes 
“marriage is between a man and a woman.”&nbsp;“I’m opposed to this bill and believe
 it’s another attempt by Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats to distract 
the American people from the inflation crisis, energy crisis and the 
southern border crisis they’ve created,” Daines said in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-democrats-same-sex-marriage-bill-is-just-a-distraction-from-the-crises-caused-by-biden-the-left">statement</a>.The U.S. House vote on the bill was broadly bipartisan, with 267 members, including 47 Republicans, voting to<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-bipartisan-vote-passes-bill-protecting-right-same-sex-marriage"> approve</a> the measure last week.<h2>States and marriages</h2>The<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8404?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22H.R.+8404%22%2C%22H.R.%22%2C%228404%22%5D%7D&amp;s=3&amp;r=1"> legislation</a>,
 known as the Respect for Marriage Act, would repeal a 1996 federal law 
known as the Defense of Marriage Act that defined marriage as between 
one man and one woman.The bill would also ensure that if 
the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1967 Loving v. Virginia opinion 
that legalized interracial marriages or the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling 
from 2015 that legalized same-sex marriages, states would have to 
recognize out-of-state marriages from states where same-sex or 
interracial marriages remained legal.&nbsp;But the bill wouldn’t ensure same-sex
 and interracial couples have the exact same rights that they have under
 the two Supreme Court rulings.&nbsp;David Stacy, government affairs 
director at the Human Rights Campaign, said while “Congress can’t 
technically codify Obergefell without a constitutional amendment,” the 
marriage equality bill would do three important things.&nbsp;It would repeal the Defense of 
Marriage Act, it would set a “state of celebration” standard for the 
federal government to recognize same-sex marriages for federal benefits 
such as Social Security, and it would try to get states to recognize 
marriages from other states.&nbsp;The state recognition issue, however, might be somewhat tricky.&nbsp;The Full Faith and Credit Clause of 
the Constitution, Stacy said, requires states to recognize judicial 
decisions from other states — but there is a public policy exception.&nbsp;For example, if a state doesn’t allow
 people to legally marry until 18, a couple can travel to another state 
where they can legally marry at 16. But after couples return to their 
home state, the state government can choose not to recognize that 
marriage under the public policy exception, Stacy said.&nbsp;“Obviously, the courts would still 
have to determine whether a state has a valid public policy exception 
reason for this,” Stacy said. “But [the bill] would provide a mechanism 
to get an answer to those questions quickly. And we think ultimately the
 courts would determine that those should be recognized. But obviously 
it’s not an ironclad guarantee.”Same-sex couples, he said, would once
 again be required to travel to get married, if the Supreme Court 
overturned Obergefell and if their home state choses not to allow those 
marriages.&nbsp;“You would have to travel, which is 
obviously suboptimal,” Stacy. “And then, of course, those states would 
not recognize those marriages, presumably for state benefits. So there’s
 lots of obvious benefits that flow from state law, and rights and 
responsibilities that flow from state law. And so we’d be back to a 
patchwork of protections.”Adoptions could also become problematic, he noted.&nbsp;“It would be a really complicated 
legal landscape, and it would depend on the state and what that looks 
like,” Stacy said. “And that’s one of the reasons why marriage equality 
is really so important.”

GOP Senate support for same-sex marriage protection builds

Back-to-school season means shopping, whether your children learn at home or head to school in person.&nbsp;

Before determining what students may need for the year, <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/4666-create-a-budget-and-stick-to-it" target="_blank">set a budget</a>. Planning ahead as much as possible will help keep expenses to a minimum and help everyone involved stay on task.

Most retailers have dropped mask mandates, but some pharmacies or local stores may still have them. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26584-supply-chain-challenges-coping-strategies-for-consumers-and-businesses" target="_blank">Supply chain issues</a>
 could also impact shopping. When getting ready to shop, contact the 
store directly if you have questions about hours, policies, or to see if
 supplies are in stock.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Whether
 your children are learning in-person at school or online from home, 
technology has come to the forefront over the past two years. When 
buying new equipment, check with your child's school to learn about any 
technical requirements and determine if any changes are necessary to the
 home's high-speed internet.&nbsp;

Before purchasing an expensive 
laptop, tablet or another computer accessory, research the brands, 
warranty, customer reviews and prices at various stores to make sure the
 best deal can be had. Also, look up the retailer's reputation on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">BBB.org</a>.

Shop smart with&nbsp;sales and tax-free weekends

Compare
 prices between different retail stores, save coupons, sign up for email
 alerts and redeem any cash-back or rebate offers. This will help get 
the best deals and stay within budget. Also, your state may have a 
tax-free weekend, enabling you to buy clothes, school supplies and other
 items without paying sales tax. Check out <a href="https://www.taxadmin.org/2022-sales-tax-holiday" target="_blank">this resource from the Federation of Tax Administrators</a> to see what your state offers.&nbsp;

Many
 stores and software companies offer discounts. Some are available to 
students with either a ".edu" email address or a student ID. Others may 
have a discount for signing up for marketing materials or surf the 
internet for online coupons and discounts (make sure they are affiliated
 with the retailer). It doesn't hurt to ask, even if you don’t see a 
deal advertised at the store.

If
 meeting in person, some teachers may ask parents to buy bulk items 
(paper towels, tissues, wipes, hand sanitizer) for the entire classroom 
to use throughout the year. Compare lists with other parents and see if 
costs can be shared.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">When shopping online</a>,
 be wary of "clickbait" ads that feature items that imply that you may 
want or need them based on your search history. Scammers could be trying
 to drive you to a different website to potentially steal personal 
information. Take note of the ad and go to the store's website by 
directly typing into the search bar. Make note of the website's privacy 
policy, and contact information, and always use a credit card when 
making a purchase.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/back-to-school" target="_blank">BBB Back to School HQ</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658937573221.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>Back-to-school season means shopping, whether your children learn at home or head to school in person.&nbsp;Before determining what students may need for the year, <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/4666-create-a-budget-and-stick-to-it" target="_blank">set a budget</a>. Planning ahead as much as possible will help keep expenses to a minimum and help everyone involved stay on task.Here are some useful&nbsp; tips:In-person shoppingMost retailers have dropped mask mandates, but some pharmacies or local stores may still have them. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26584-supply-chain-challenges-coping-strategies-for-consumers-and-businesses" target="_blank">Supply chain issues</a>
 could also impact shopping. When getting ready to shop, contact the 
store directly if you have questions about hours, policies, or to see if
 supplies are in stock.&nbsp;&nbsp;Research big ticket itemsWhether
 your children are learning in-person at school or online from home, 
technology has come to the forefront over the past two years. When 
buying new equipment, check with your child's school to learn about any 
technical requirements and determine if any changes are necessary to the
 home's high-speed internet.&nbsp;Before purchasing an expensive 
laptop, tablet or another computer accessory, research the brands, 
warranty, customer reviews and prices at various stores to make sure the
 best deal can be had. Also, look up the retailer's reputation on <a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">BBB.org</a>.Shop smart with&nbsp;sales and tax-free weekendsCompare
 prices between different retail stores, save coupons, sign up for email
 alerts and redeem any cash-back or rebate offers. This will help get 
the best deals and stay within budget. Also, your state may have a 
tax-free weekend, enabling you to buy clothes, school supplies and other
 items without paying sales tax. Check out <a href="https://www.taxadmin.org/2022-sales-tax-holiday" target="_blank">this resource from the Federation of Tax Administrators</a> to see what your state offers.&nbsp;Ask for discountsMany
 stores and software companies offer discounts. Some are available to 
students with either a ".edu" email address or a student ID. Others may 
have a discount for signing up for marketing materials or surf the 
internet for online coupons and discounts (make sure they are affiliated
 with the retailer). It doesn't hurt to ask, even if you don’t see a 
deal advertised at the store.Consider buying in bulkIf
 meeting in person, some teachers may ask parents to buy bulk items 
(paper towels, tissues, wipes, hand sanitizer) for the entire classroom 
to use throughout the year. Compare lists with other parents and see if 
costs can be shared.&nbsp;Shop wisely, safely online<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/14040-bbb-tip-smart-shopping-online" target="_blank">When shopping online</a>,
 be wary of "clickbait" ads that feature items that imply that you may 
want or need them based on your search history. Scammers could be trying
 to drive you to a different website to potentially steal personal 
information. Take note of the ad and go to the store's website by 
directly typing into the search bar. Make note of the website's privacy 
policy, and contact information, and always use a credit card when 
making a purchase.&nbsp;<h2>For more information</h2><a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/back-to-school" target="_blank">BBB Back to School HQ</a>

Online or in-person: Back-to-school shopping tips

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Police have arrested a 29-year-old man they say fired at officers who were responding to a disturbance at a home in suburban Denver on Sunday night.

Police said Monday that the 29-year-old was arrested “for his role shooting at police officers last night.”

Police did not specifically mention the 29-year-old man in their initial statement on the shooting. In it, they said officers were met with gunfire when they responded to the home and shot at the person who was firing at them. They said a 22-year-old man was killed as a result of the incident but have not explained his role, including whether he fired any shots.

A police spokesman, Investigator Scot Allen, said he could not comment on his role because the shooting is under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658854965441.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Police have arrested a 29-year-old man they say fired at officers who were responding to a disturbance at a home in suburban Denver on Sunday night.Police said Monday that the 29-year-old was arrested “for his role shooting at police officers last night.”Police did not specifically mention the 29-year-old man in their initial statement on the shooting. In it, they said officers were met with gunfire when they responded to the home and shot at the person who was firing at them. They said a 22-year-old man was killed as a result of the incident but have not explained his role, including whether he fired any shots.A police spokesman, Investigator Scot Allen, said he could not comment on his role because the shooting is under investigation.

Man arrested for allegedly firing at suburban Denver police

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has improved enough from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-e29cb0a0a2135f9cc9ecd0967a2bc345">his coronavirus infection</a>&nbsp;that he’s able to resume his regular exercise routine, according to an update Tuesday from his doctor.

Dr. Kevin O’Connor wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Update-7.26.pdf">a new note</a>&nbsp;that Biden’s COVID-19 symptoms “have now almost completely resolved,” and all of his vital signs are good.

Biden took his fifth and final dose of Paxlovid, which is intended to prevent severe symptoms from COVID-19, on Monday night.

Tuesday is Biden's fifth full day of isolation, and he plans to test for the virus on Wednesday.

If he tests negative, he will return to working in person.

“The moment that he turns negative, he’ll return to work,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, during Monday's briefing at the White House.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658854706773.png" alt="Tuesday is Biden's fifth full day of isolation, and he plans to test for the virus on Wednesday.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Tuesday is Biden's fifth full day of isolation, and he plans to test for the virus on Wednesday.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has improved enough from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-e29cb0a0a2135f9cc9ecd0967a2bc345">his coronavirus infection</a>&nbsp;that he’s able to resume his regular exercise routine, according to an update Tuesday from his doctor.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658854614980.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Kevin O’Connor wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Update-7.26.pdf">a new note</a>&nbsp;that Biden’s COVID-19 symptoms “have now almost completely resolved,” and all of his vital signs are good.Biden took his fifth and final dose of Paxlovid, which is intended to prevent severe symptoms from COVID-19, on Monday night.Tuesday is Biden's fifth full day of isolation, and he plans to test for the virus on Wednesday.If he tests negative, he will return to working in person.“The moment that he turns negative, he’ll return to work,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator, during Monday's briefing at the White House.

Doctor: Biden's COVID symptoms 'almost completely resolved'

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/another-suspected-monkeypox-case-reported-in-douglas-county/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

The Douglas County Health Department 
on Monday reported that it is investigating the county’s fourth 
suspected case of monkeypox.

That report raises <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/presumed-monkeypox-caseload-rises-in-nebraska/">the state’s total</a>
 of presumed monkeypox cases to six — and marks the first case in 
Nebraska since the World Health Organization over the weekend declared 
the monkeypox virus a global health emergency.

A statement from Lindsay Huse, 
Douglas County health director, said that a process has started to trace
 the latest patient’s contacts. But the county will not release any more
 details on the person in an effort to protect privacy.

The risk to the public remains low, 
the county statement said. Anyone with the characteristic rash that 
looks like pimples or blisters should contact a health care provider or 
the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.douglascountyhealth.com/">Health Department</a>.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html">The disease</a>
 sometimes starts with a fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph 
nodes and exhaustion. It is spread through direct contact with an 
infected person’s rash, scabs or body fluids or respiratory secretions 
during prolonged intimate contact.

The current outbreak has 
disproportionately affected men who have sex with men and individuals 
meeting partners through online websites or social events, the county 
said, adding that it is important to know that anyone having several 
minutes of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person is at risk.

More than 16,000 cases of monkeypox 
have been reported worldwide, and more than 2,800 cases have been 
reported in the U.S. and its territories.

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/another-suspected-monkeypox-case-reported-in-douglas-county/">Nebraska Examiner</a>The Douglas County Health Department 
on Monday reported that it is investigating the county’s fourth 
suspected case of monkeypox.That report raises <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/presumed-monkeypox-caseload-rises-in-nebraska/">the state’s total</a>
 of presumed monkeypox cases to six — and marks the first case in 
Nebraska since the World Health Organization over the weekend declared 
the monkeypox virus a global health emergency.A statement from Lindsay Huse, 
Douglas County health director, said that a process has started to trace
 the latest patient’s contacts. But the county will not release any more
 details on the person in an effort to protect privacy.The risk to the public remains low, 
the county statement said. Anyone with the characteristic rash that 
looks like pimples or blisters should contact a health care provider or 
the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.douglascountyhealth.com/">Health Department</a>.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html">The disease</a>
 sometimes starts with a fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph 
nodes and exhaustion. It is spread through direct contact with an 
infected person’s rash, scabs or body fluids or respiratory secretions 
during prolonged intimate contact.The current outbreak has 
disproportionately affected men who have sex with men and individuals 
meeting partners through online websites or social events, the county 
said, adding that it is important to know that anyone having several 
minutes of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person is at risk.More than 16,000 cases of monkeypox 
have been reported worldwide, and more than 2,800 cases have been 
reported in the U.S. and its territories.

Another suspected monkeypox case reported in Douglas County

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas jail deputy arrested last week&nbsp; and charged with two counts of felony official misconduct for crimes related to a security breach at the Sedgwick County Jail is facing new charges.

Two female inmates have reported inappropriate sexual contact with 22-year-old Dustin Burnett, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick. The alleged sexual contact occurred on July 17.

Detectives investigated the allegations and added three requested counts of Unlawful Sexual Relations to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20076697">Burnett’s current charges.</a>

While investigating a security breach at Sedgwick County Jail last week, investigators learned Burnett, the on-duty deputy in that area of the jail, observed inmates break a window, bring the contraband into the facility and didn't stop it or inform anyone it occurred. He also did not give investigators the full story about the incident when confronted about it, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.&nbsp;

On Friday, Burnett was charged with the two counts of official misconduct, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. Both are felonies. 

Burnett had been employed by the jail since January and was terminated upon his arrest. <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20076697">He remains jailed </a>on a $150,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658429257903.png" alt="Burnett-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Burnett-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas jail deputy arrested last week&nbsp; and charged with two counts of felony official misconduct for crimes related to a security breach at the Sedgwick County Jail is facing new charges.Two female inmates have reported inappropriate sexual contact with 22-year-old Dustin Burnett, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick. The alleged sexual contact occurred on July 17.Detectives investigated the allegations and added three requested counts of Unlawful Sexual Relations to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20076697">Burnett’s current charges.</a><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSedgwickCountySheriff%2Fvideos%2F5513627518658845%2F&show_text=false&width=267&t=118" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>While investigating a security breach at Sedgwick County Jail last week, investigators learned Burnett, the on-duty deputy in that area of the jail, observed inmates break a window, bring the contraband into the facility and didn't stop it or inform anyone it occurred. He also did not give investigators the full story about the incident when confronted about it, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.&nbsp;On Friday, Burnett was charged with the two counts of official misconduct, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. Both are felonies. Burnett had been employed by the jail since January and was terminated upon his arrest. <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20076697">He remains jailed </a>on a $150,000 bond.

🎥Kansas jail deputy accused of sex with inmates

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is opening lower Tuesday, dragged down by weak profit reports from some of the biggest names in corporate America. 

The S&amp;P 500 is down almost half a percent at the open and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is also falling slightly. The Nasdaq Composite is heading for a bigger drop. 

Walmart shares are plunging after the nation's biggest retailer lowered its profit forecast and said surging inflation on basics like food that is making shoppers cut back. GM is down 4% after saying computer chip and parts shortages hobbled factory output in the second quarter.

U.S. markets headed toward a lower open Tuesday ahead of what is expected to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-consumer-spending-prices-40b1f6e1335580620ee7d286072c20f6">another sharp interest rate hike</a>&nbsp;by the Federal Reserve this week and troublesome news from Walmart which is considered a bellwether for consumer spending as well as the broader retail sector.

Futures for the Dow Jones industrials fell 0.4% as did futures for the S&amp;P 500. Global shares were mixed and oil prices rose.

The Fed is expected to announce a rate hike of up to three-quarters of a percentage point on Wednesday, triple the usual margin, as the central bank continues an aggressive campaign to stem four-decade high inflation. That would put the Fed’s benchmark rate in a range of 2.25% to 2.5%, the highest since 2018 before the coronavirus pandemic.

Late Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-doug-mcmillon-607096fa98a6fe0a7c67987401412e4d">Walmart lowered its profit outlook</a>&nbsp;in the middle of the quarter, something it rarely does. The world's largest retailer said rising prices for food and gas are forcing shoppers to cut back on discretionary items, particularly clothing, that carry higher profit margins.

In May, Walmart, Target and other retailers reported that a faster-than-expected shift by customers away from items that were popular in the height of the pandemic, such as casual clothing and home goods, left them with piles of inventory that forced them to slash prices.

Walmart shares are down more than 9% before the opening bell Tuesday and the entire retail sector is under pressure. Target, Macy’s and Kohl’s are all down about 5%.

In midday trading in Europe, the FTSE 100 in London advanced 0.6%, the DAX in Frankfurt lost 0.7% and the CAC 40 in Paris shed 0.3%.

In Asia, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.8% to 3,277.44 while the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo shed 0.2% to 27,655.21.

The Hang Seng in Hong Kong gained 1.7% to 20,905.88 after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-china-beijing-hong-kong-a0e66aafc3505ec545e55f2ad41cebb0">Alibaba Group, the world's biggest e-commerce company,</a>&nbsp;announced plans to change the status of its Hong Kong-traded shares to make them more accessible to mainland Chinese buyers.

Alibaba went public in New York in September 2014 and completed a secondary listing in Hong Kong in November 2019. The proposed change would upgrade Alibaba's Hong Kong status to a primary listing along with New York, making the shares eligible for purchase through mainland brokerages.

The Kospi in Seoul added 0.4% to 2,412.96 after data showed the South Korean economy grew by a stronger-than-expected 0.7% over the previous quarter in the three months ending in June.

Sydney's S&amp;P-ASX 200 was 0.3% higher at 6,807.30.

India's Sensex lost 0.7% at 55,384.00. New Zealand and Bangkok retreated while Singapore and Jakarta gained.

Investors worry aggressive rate hikes by the Fed to contain inflation that is at four-decade highs and similar action by central banks in Europe and Asia might derail global economic growth.

U.S. inflation has accelerated to 9.1%, its highest since 1981.

The U.S. economy is slowing, but healthy hiring shows it isn’t in recession, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Sunday. Fed officials who publicly support a rate hike also cite a strong job market as evidence the economy can stand higher borrowing costs.

On Thursday, the Commerce Department is due to release U.S. economic growth estimate for the thee months ending in June. Some forecasters expect a second quarter of contraction after output shrank 1.6% in the three months ending in March.

In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude rose $1.81 to $98.51 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract gained $2 to $96.70 on Monday. Brent crude, the price basis for international trading, advanced $1.73 to $101.92 per barrel in London. It added $1.95 the previous session to $105.15.

The dollar was unchanged from Monday's 136.72 yen. The euro inched back to $1.0119.

Shares in McDonald's and Coca-Cola rose while General Motors fell after the companies reported earnings before the bell Tuesday.

Also, this week, tech heavyweights Apple, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon are due to report results.

<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1567593718434.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSNEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is opening lower Tuesday, dragged down by weak profit reports from some of the biggest names in corporate America. The S&amp;P 500 is down almost half a percent at the open and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is also falling slightly. The Nasdaq Composite is heading for a bigger drop. Walmart shares are plunging after the nation's biggest retailer lowered its profit forecast and said surging inflation on basics like food that is making shoppers cut back. GM is down 4% after saying computer chip and parts shortages hobbled factory output in the second quarter.U.S. markets headed toward a lower open Tuesday ahead of what is expected to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-consumer-spending-prices-40b1f6e1335580620ee7d286072c20f6">another sharp interest rate hike</a>&nbsp;by the Federal Reserve this week and troublesome news from Walmart which is considered a bellwether for consumer spending as well as the broader retail sector.Futures for the Dow Jones industrials fell 0.4% as did futures for the S&amp;P 500. Global shares were mixed and oil prices rose.The Fed is expected to announce a rate hike of up to three-quarters of a percentage point on Wednesday, triple the usual margin, as the central bank continues an aggressive campaign to stem four-decade high inflation. That would put the Fed’s benchmark rate in a range of 2.25% to 2.5%, the highest since 2018 before the coronavirus pandemic.Late Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-doug-mcmillon-607096fa98a6fe0a7c67987401412e4d">Walmart lowered its profit outlook</a>&nbsp;in the middle of the quarter, something it rarely does. The world's largest retailer said rising prices for food and gas are forcing shoppers to cut back on discretionary items, particularly clothing, that carry higher profit margins.In May, Walmart, Target and other retailers reported that a faster-than-expected shift by customers away from items that were popular in the height of the pandemic, such as casual clothing and home goods, left them with piles of inventory that forced them to slash prices.Walmart shares are down more than 9% before the opening bell Tuesday and the entire retail sector is under pressure. Target, Macy’s and Kohl’s are all down about 5%.In midday trading in Europe, the FTSE 100 in London advanced 0.6%, the DAX in Frankfurt lost 0.7% and the CAC 40 in Paris shed 0.3%.In Asia, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.8% to 3,277.44 while the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo shed 0.2% to 27,655.21.The Hang Seng in Hong Kong gained 1.7% to 20,905.88 after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-china-beijing-hong-kong-a0e66aafc3505ec545e55f2ad41cebb0">Alibaba Group, the world's biggest e-commerce company,</a>&nbsp;announced plans to change the status of its Hong Kong-traded shares to make them more accessible to mainland Chinese buyers.Alibaba went public in New York in September 2014 and completed a secondary listing in Hong Kong in November 2019. The proposed change would upgrade Alibaba's Hong Kong status to a primary listing along with New York, making the shares eligible for purchase through mainland brokerages.The Kospi in Seoul added 0.4% to 2,412.96 after data showed the South Korean economy grew by a stronger-than-expected 0.7% over the previous quarter in the three months ending in June.Sydney's S&amp;P-ASX 200 was 0.3% higher at 6,807.30.India's Sensex lost 0.7% at 55,384.00. New Zealand and Bangkok retreated while Singapore and Jakarta gained.Investors worry aggressive rate hikes by the Fed to contain inflation that is at four-decade highs and similar action by central banks in Europe and Asia might derail global economic growth.U.S. inflation has accelerated to 9.1%, its highest since 1981.The U.S. economy is slowing, but healthy hiring shows it isn’t in recession, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Sunday. Fed officials who publicly support a rate hike also cite a strong job market as evidence the economy can stand higher borrowing costs.On Thursday, the Commerce Department is due to release U.S. economic growth estimate for the thee months ending in June. Some forecasters expect a second quarter of contraction after output shrank 1.6% in the three months ending in March.In energy markets, benchmark U.S. crude rose $1.81 to $98.51 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract gained $2 to $96.70 on Monday. Brent crude, the price basis for international trading, advanced $1.73 to $101.92 per barrel in London. It added $1.95 the previous session to $105.15.The dollar was unchanged from Monday's 136.72 yen. The euro inched back to $1.0119.Shares in McDonald's and Coca-Cola rose while General Motors fell after the companies reported earnings before the bell Tuesday.Also, this week, tech heavyweights Apple, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon are due to report results.<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mOfCt74XiABF6NHi5mz_6Tu_1KfzDtwkhu58qOR9R_Ry6b_ftTSyYgvFbBSFodQMFctqKC0G8DYAbSKgSMC9Zg_HeLBSE0l-bnTwxGy166DcrOGJLBT9D-_b5BVznSdNrzHLuHF0Iw7Odi0ng8JEkw" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Grim news from Walmart sends US markets tumbling

OMAHA, Neb.-Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Brendan J. Joray, age 24, of Bellevue, was sentenced July 22 by the Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, United States District Judge, to 36 months imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release.&nbsp; Joray pled guilty in April 2022 to Interstate Travel to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct and agreed to be discharged from the Air Force.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In about November 2020, Joray “met” a minor online.&nbsp; Joray was an Airman at Offutt Air Force Base at the time, and the minor resided in New York.&nbsp; The pair spoke, sent images and texted daily over several platforms.&nbsp; Soon after meeting, they had regular video or audio “sex calls”, during which each engaged in sexual conduct.&nbsp; In February 2021, Joray agreed to transport the minor to Nebraska, where the minor would share a bedroom with Joray.&nbsp; On or about February 16, 2021, Joray picked the minor up outside the minor’s home at about 1 am and drove toward Nebraska.&nbsp; While attempting to locate Joray and the minor, law enforcement officers spoke with Joray’s roommate in Nebraska.&nbsp; The roommate texted Joray, and Joray called police shortly thereafter in Illinois and waited for police to arrive.&nbsp; At the time of these events, Joray was 23 years of age.&nbsp; The minor told police that she was 16 years old, but in fact, she was 15.&nbsp;

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/" target="_blank">www.projectsafechildhood.gov</a>.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Papillion Police Department.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574122756866.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By UNITED STATES ATTORNEY-OMAHAOMAHA, Neb.-Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Brendan J. Joray, age 24, of Bellevue, was sentenced July 22 by the Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, United States District Judge, to 36 months imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release.&nbsp; Joray pled guilty in April 2022 to Interstate Travel to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct and agreed to be discharged from the Air Force.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In about November 2020, Joray “met” a minor online.&nbsp; Joray was an Airman at Offutt Air Force Base at the time, and the minor resided in New York.&nbsp; The pair spoke, sent images and texted daily over several platforms.&nbsp; Soon after meeting, they had regular video or audio “sex calls”, during which each engaged in sexual conduct.&nbsp; In February 2021, Joray agreed to transport the minor to Nebraska, where the minor would share a bedroom with Joray.&nbsp; On or about February 16, 2021, Joray picked the minor up outside the minor’s home at about 1 am and drove toward Nebraska.&nbsp; While attempting to locate Joray and the minor, law enforcement officers spoke with Joray’s roommate in Nebraska.&nbsp; The roommate texted Joray, and Joray called police shortly thereafter in Illinois and waited for police to arrive.&nbsp; At the time of these events, Joray was 23 years of age.&nbsp; The minor told police that she was 16 years old, but in fact, she was 15.&nbsp;This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/" target="_blank">www.projectsafechildhood.gov</a>.This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Papillion Police Department.&nbsp;<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mOfCt74XiABF6NHi5mz_6Tu_1KfzDtwkhu58qOR9R_Ry6b_ftTSyYgvFbBSFodQMFctqKC0G8DYAbSKgSMC9Zg_HeLBSE0l-bnTwxGy166DcrOGJLBT9D-_b5BVznSdNrzHLuHF0Iw7Odi0ng8JEkw" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Former Offutt Air Force Base airman sentenced to prison for sex crime

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;will return to Washington on Tuesday for the first time since leaving office, delivering a policy speech before an allied think tank that has been crafting an agenda for a possible second term.

Trump will address the America First Policy Institute's two-day America First Agenda Summit as some advisers urge him to spend more time talking about his vision for the future and less time&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">relitigating the 2020 election</a>&nbsp;as he prepares to announce an expected 2024 White House campaign.

“I believe it will be a very policy-focused, forward-leaning speech, very much like a State of the Union 5.0," said Brooke Rollins, AFPI's president. Composed of former Trump administration officials and allies, the nonprofit is widely seen as an “administration in waiting” that could quickly move to the West Wing if Trump were to run again and win.

Trump's appearance in Washington — his first trip back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-leaves-white-house-ad718c0048c341d0044c4709fb23c8dd">since Jan. 20, 2021</a>, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-inauguration-a01d1ffa7862661914cb92b22e359854">President Joe Biden was sworn into office</a>&nbsp;— comes as his potential 2024 rivals have been taking increasingly overt steps to challenge his status as the party's standard-bearer. They include former Vice President Mike Pence, who has been touting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-immigration-business-campaigns-presidential-elections-f6e52e26f6a164b2f9299bbaced7e79e">his own “Freedom Agenda”</a>&nbsp;in speeches that serve as an implicit contrast with Trump.

“Some people may choose to focus on the past, but I believe conservatives must focus on the future. If we do, we won’t just win the next election, we will change the course of American history for generations,” Pence had planned to say in a speech at the Heritage Foundation in Washington on the eve of Trump’s visit. Pence's appearance was postponed because of bad weather, but he will be delivering his own speech Tuesday morning before the Young America’s Foundation not far from the AFPI meeting.

Trump has spent much of his time since leaving office fixated on the 2020 election and spreading lies about his loss to sow doubt about Biden's victory. Indeed, even as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the Jan. 6 committee</a>&nbsp;was laying bare his desperate and potentially illegal attempts to remain in power and his refusal to call off a violent mob of his supporters as they tried to halt the peaceful transition of power, Trump continued to try to pressure officials to overturn Biden's win,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-covid-health-wisconsin-9f415373663df369587552b0b3109a6f">despite there being no legal means to decertify the past election</a>.

On Tuesday, he plans to focus on public safety.

“President Trump sees a nation in decline that is driven, in part, by rising crime and communities becoming less safe under Democrat policies," said his spokesman, Taylor Budowich. “His remarks will highlight the policy failures of Democrats, while laying out an America First vision for public safety that will surely be a defining issue during the midterms and beyond.”

Beyond the summit, staff at the America First Policy Institute have been laying their own groundwork for the future, “making sure we do have the policies, personnel and process nailed down for every key agency when we do take the White House back,” Rollins said.

The nonprofit developed, she said, from efforts to avoid the chaotic early days of Trump's first term, when he arrived at the White House unprepared, with no clear plans ready to put in place. As Trump was running for reelection, Rollins, then the head of Trump's Domestic Policy Council, began to sketch out a second-term agenda with fellow administration officials, including top economic policy adviser Larry Kudlow and national security adviser Robert O'Brien.

When it became clear Trump would be leaving the White House, she said, AFPI was created to continue that work ”organized around that second term agenda that we never released."

The organization, once dismissed as a landing zone for ex-Trump administration officials shut out of more lucrative jobs, has grown into a behemoth, with an operating budget of around $25 million and 150 staff, including 17 former senior White Houses officials and nine former Cabinet members.

The group also has more than 20 policy centers and has tried to extend its reach beyond Washington with efforts to influence local legislatures and school boards. An “American leadership initiative,” led by the former head of the Office of Personnel Management, Michael Rigas, launched several weeks ago to identify future staff loyal to Trump and his “America First” approach who could be hired as part of a larger effort to replace large swaths of the civil service, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/22/trump-2025-radical-plan-second-term">Axios recently reported</a>.

The group is one of several Trump-allied organizations that have continued to push his polices in his absence, including America First Legal, dedicated to fighting Biden's agenda through the court system, the Center for Renewing America and the Conservative Partnership Institute.

The summit is intended to highlight AFPI's “America First Agenda," centered around 10 key policy areas including the economy, health care and election security. It includes many of Trump's signature issues, like continuing to build a wall along the southern border and a plan to “dismantle the administrative state."

In a speech Monday, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, whose “Contract with America” has been credited with helping Republicans sweep the 1994 midterm elections, praised the effort as key to future GOP victory.

“The American people want solutions,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658834645574.jpeg" alt="Former President Donald Trump points to the crowd as he arrives to speak at a rally July 22, 2022, in Prescott, Ariz. Trump is returning to Washington for the first time since leaving office to deliver a policy speech Tuesday night, July 26 before allies who have been crafting an agenda for a possible second term. Trump will address the America First Policy Institute's two-day America First Agenda Summit. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)" />
 <figcaption>Former President Donald Trump points to the crowd as he arrives to speak at a rally July 22, 2022, in Prescott, Ariz. Trump is returning to Washington for the first time since leaving office to deliver a policy speech Tuesday night, July 26 before allies who have been crafting an agenda for a possible second term. Trump will address the America First Policy Institute's two-day America First Agenda Summit. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSWASHINGTON (AP) — Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;will return to Washington on Tuesday for the first time since leaving office, delivering a policy speech before an allied think tank that has been crafting an agenda for a possible second term.Trump will address the America First Policy Institute's two-day America First Agenda Summit as some advisers urge him to spend more time talking about his vision for the future and less time&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">relitigating the 2020 election</a>&nbsp;as he prepares to announce an expected 2024 White House campaign.“I believe it will be a very policy-focused, forward-leaning speech, very much like a State of the Union 5.0," said Brooke Rollins, AFPI's president. Composed of former Trump administration officials and allies, the nonprofit is widely seen as an “administration in waiting” that could quickly move to the West Wing if Trump were to run again and win.Trump's appearance in Washington — his first trip back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-leaves-white-house-ad718c0048c341d0044c4709fb23c8dd">since Jan. 20, 2021</a>, when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-inauguration-a01d1ffa7862661914cb92b22e359854">President Joe Biden was sworn into office</a>&nbsp;— comes as his potential 2024 rivals have been taking increasingly overt steps to challenge his status as the party's standard-bearer. They include former Vice President Mike Pence, who has been touting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-immigration-business-campaigns-presidential-elections-f6e52e26f6a164b2f9299bbaced7e79e">his own “Freedom Agenda”</a>&nbsp;in speeches that serve as an implicit contrast with Trump.“Some people may choose to focus on the past, but I believe conservatives must focus on the future. If we do, we won’t just win the next election, we will change the course of American history for generations,” Pence had planned to say in a speech at the Heritage Foundation in Washington on the eve of Trump’s visit. Pence's appearance was postponed because of bad weather, but he will be delivering his own speech Tuesday morning before the Young America’s Foundation not far from the AFPI meeting.Trump has spent much of his time since leaving office fixated on the 2020 election and spreading lies about his loss to sow doubt about Biden's victory. Indeed, even as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the Jan. 6 committee</a>&nbsp;was laying bare his desperate and potentially illegal attempts to remain in power and his refusal to call off a violent mob of his supporters as they tried to halt the peaceful transition of power, Trump continued to try to pressure officials to overturn Biden's win,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-covid-health-wisconsin-9f415373663df369587552b0b3109a6f">despite there being no legal means to decertify the past election</a>.On Tuesday, he plans to focus on public safety.“President Trump sees a nation in decline that is driven, in part, by rising crime and communities becoming less safe under Democrat policies," said his spokesman, Taylor Budowich. “His remarks will highlight the policy failures of Democrats, while laying out an America First vision for public safety that will surely be a defining issue during the midterms and beyond.”Beyond the summit, staff at the America First Policy Institute have been laying their own groundwork for the future, “making sure we do have the policies, personnel and process nailed down for every key agency when we do take the White House back,” Rollins said.The nonprofit developed, she said, from efforts to avoid the chaotic early days of Trump's first term, when he arrived at the White House unprepared, with no clear plans ready to put in place. As Trump was running for reelection, Rollins, then the head of Trump's Domestic Policy Council, began to sketch out a second-term agenda with fellow administration officials, including top economic policy adviser Larry Kudlow and national security adviser Robert O'Brien.When it became clear Trump would be leaving the White House, she said, AFPI was created to continue that work ”organized around that second term agenda that we never released."The organization, once dismissed as a landing zone for ex-Trump administration officials shut out of more lucrative jobs, has grown into a behemoth, with an operating budget of around $25 million and 150 staff, including 17 former senior White Houses officials and nine former Cabinet members.The group also has more than 20 policy centers and has tried to extend its reach beyond Washington with efforts to influence local legislatures and school boards. An “American leadership initiative,” led by the former head of the Office of Personnel Management, Michael Rigas, launched several weeks ago to identify future staff loyal to Trump and his “America First” approach who could be hired as part of a larger effort to replace large swaths of the civil service, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/22/trump-2025-radical-plan-second-term">Axios recently reported</a>.The group is one of several Trump-allied organizations that have continued to push his polices in his absence, including America First Legal, dedicated to fighting Biden's agenda through the court system, the Center for Renewing America and the Conservative Partnership Institute.The summit is intended to highlight AFPI's “America First Agenda," centered around 10 key policy areas including the economy, health care and election security. It includes many of Trump's signature issues, like continuing to build a wall along the southern border and a plan to “dismantle the administrative state."In a speech Monday, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, whose “Contract with America” has been credited with helping Republicans sweep the 1994 midterm elections, praised the effort as key to future GOP victory.“The American people want solutions,” he said.<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mOfCt74XiABF6NHi5mz_6Tu_1KfzDtwkhu58qOR9R_Ry6b_ftTSyYgvFbBSFodQMFctqKC0G8DYAbSKgSMC9Zg_HeLBSE0l-bnTwxGy166DcrOGJLBT9D-_b5BVznSdNrzHLuHF0Iw7Odi0ng8JEkw" alt="" />
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Trump returning to Washington to deliver policy speech

Platte River State Park will celebrate its 40th&nbsp;anniversary Aug. 13 with a daylong event for the entire family.

There will be a bison stew cookout and Dutch oven desserts to sample, as well as food to purchase, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ball field. Live classic country and country swing music will be playing.

The amphitheater will be site of presentations at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The first will be on Native American history of the Plains Indians, the second on early settlement in Otoe County, and the third will honor past employees of the park.

Naturalist activities, family campground games, and water games for youth will be at the tennis court area from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A 1- and 3-mile trail run will start at 8 a.m. at the tennis courts. To get a T-shirt, register by July 30 in the calendar event entry at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA3MjUuNjEyNzcxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2xua3MuZ2QvbC9leUpoYkdjaU9pSklVekkxTmlKOS5leUppZFd4c1pYUnBibDlzYVc1clgybGtJam94TURJc0luVnlhU0k2SW1Kd01qcGpiR2xqYXlJc0ltSjFiR3hsZEdsdVgybGtJam9pTWpBeU1qQTNNakV1TmpFd09ESTVNREVpTENKMWNtd2lPaUpvZEhSd2N6b3ZMMk5oYkdWdVpHRnlMbTkxZEdSdmIzSnVaV0p5WVhOcllTNW5iM1l2SW4wLllKU1c2SXlzOTFSMkVIQ2lSanNYYWFkcjJDYXJKRWZNNWpFd0tvWlZ6Vjgvcy81NTk2NzAxOTAvYnIvMTQxMzgzMTg3NzkwLWwifQ.ECrf9EImUsFDbD-0nH8lUcZBsaiiyCkC7UPAJKUGstE/s/1372948182/br/141560365983-l" target="_blank">calendar.outdoornebraska.gov</a>. Otherwise, race-day registrations with no T-shirt will be accepted at the check-in station.

Guests of all ages can participate in the Platte River Anniversary Quest. This is a series of activities they must complete – and record on a form – to become eligible for a prize drawing. Forms may be picked up at the park office starting Aug. 12 and submitted complete by 10 a.m. on Aug. 14.

For more information, call the park at 402-234-2217.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658832742518.png" alt="Platte River State Park (Photo: Nebraska Game and Parks)" />
 <figcaption>Platte River State Park (Photo: Nebraska Game and Parks)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKSPlatte River State Park will celebrate its 40th&nbsp;anniversary Aug. 13 with a daylong event for the entire family.There will be a bison stew cookout and Dutch oven desserts to sample, as well as food to purchase, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ball field. Live classic country and country swing music will be playing.The amphitheater will be site of presentations at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The first will be on Native American history of the Plains Indians, the second on early settlement in Otoe County, and the third will honor past employees of the park.Naturalist activities, family campground games, and water games for youth will be at the tennis court area from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.A 1- and 3-mile trail run will start at 8 a.m. at the tennis courts. To get a T-shirt, register by July 30 in the calendar event entry at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA3MjUuNjEyNzcxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2xua3MuZ2QvbC9leUpoYkdjaU9pSklVekkxTmlKOS5leUppZFd4c1pYUnBibDlzYVc1clgybGtJam94TURJc0luVnlhU0k2SW1Kd01qcGpiR2xqYXlJc0ltSjFiR3hsZEdsdVgybGtJam9pTWpBeU1qQTNNakV1TmpFd09ESTVNREVpTENKMWNtd2lPaUpvZEhSd2N6b3ZMMk5oYkdWdVpHRnlMbTkxZEdSdmIzSnVaV0p5WVhOcllTNW5iM1l2SW4wLllKU1c2SXlzOTFSMkVIQ2lSanNYYWFkcjJDYXJKRWZNNWpFd0tvWlZ6Vjgvcy81NTk2NzAxOTAvYnIvMTQxMzgzMTg3NzkwLWwifQ.ECrf9EImUsFDbD-0nH8lUcZBsaiiyCkC7UPAJKUGstE/s/1372948182/br/141560365983-l" target="_blank">calendar.outdoornebraska.gov</a>. Otherwise, race-day registrations with no T-shirt will be accepted at the check-in station.Guests of all ages can participate in the Platte River Anniversary Quest. This is a series of activities they must complete – and record on a form – to become eligible for a prize drawing. Forms may be picked up at the park office starting Aug. 12 and submitted complete by 10 a.m. on Aug. 14.For more information, call the park at 402-234-2217.A vehicle park entry permit is required.<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mOfCt74XiABF6NHi5mz_6Tu_1KfzDtwkhu58qOR9R_Ry6b_ftTSyYgvFbBSFodQMFctqKC0G8DYAbSKgSMC9Zg_HeLBSE0l-bnTwxGy166DcrOGJLBT9D-_b5BVznSdNrzHLuHF0Iw7Odi0ng8JEkw" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Platte River State Park’s 40th anniversary celebration is Aug. 13

BEIJING (AP) — Taiwan’s capital staged air raid drills Monday and its military mobilized for routine defense exercises, coinciding with concerns over a forceful Chinese response to a possible visit to the island by U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

While there was no direct link between China’s renewed threats and Taiwan’s defensive moves, they underscore the possibility of a renewed crisis in the Taiwan Strait, considered a potential hotspot for conflict that could envelop the entire region.

Air raid sirens were sounded in the capital Taipei and the military was holding its annual multi-day Han Kuang drills, including joint air and sea exercises and the mobilization of tanks and troops.

In Taipei, police directed people to shelters when a siren went off shortly after lunchtime. Streets emptied and shops closed.

“In recent years,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-army-taiwan-air-force-df5ce025994309b138a015c8e0526a1f">Chinese military planes</a>&nbsp;have frequently harassed Taiwan, and the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out in February this year,” Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je told reporters, referencing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-china-taiwan-8a0b9cf325f5b1f4c5e49a5be58b013f">concerns that a similar conflict</a>&nbsp;could break out in East Asia. “All these things make us understand the importance of being vigilant in times of peace and we need to be prepared if there is war.”

Pelosi has not confirmed when, or even if, she will visit, but President Joe Biden last week told reporters that U.S. military officials believed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-beijing-nancy-pelosi-taiwan-c2f23ad7108853d33b6d41456eb4d0c5">such a trip was “not a good idea.”</a>&nbsp;Administration officials are believed to be critical of a possible trip, both for the problematic timing and the lack of coordination with the White House.

China’s authoritarian ruling Communist Party considers democratic, self-ruling Taiwan its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary, and regularly advertises that threat by staging military exercises and flying warplanes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone or across the center line of the 180-kilometer (100-mile) -wide Taiwan Strait.

Beijing says those actions are aimed at deterring advocates of the island’s formal independence and foreign allies — principally the U.S. — from interfering, more than 70 years after the sides split amid civil war. Surveys routinely show that Taiwan’s 23 million people reject China’s assertions that the island is a Chinese province that has strayed and must be brought under Beijing’s control.

Pelosi, long a sharp critic of Beijing, is second in line to the White House. She is viewed as a Biden proxy by China, which demands members of Congress follow the commitments made by previous administrations.

Taiwan is among the few issues that enjoys broad bipartisan support among lawmakers and within the administration, with Biden stating earlier this year that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-taiwan-china-4fb0ad0567ed5bbe46c01dd758e6c62b">the U.S. would defend Taiwan</a>&nbsp;if it came under attack.

U.S. law requires Washington provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself and treat all threats to the island as matters of “grave concern,” but remains ambiguous on whether it would commit forces in response to an attack from China.

Though the sides lack formal diplomatic ties, the U.S. is Taiwan’s chief provider of outside defense assistance and political support, in a reflection of its desire to limit China’s growing influence and maintain a robust American presence in the Western Pacific.

During a visit to Indonesia on Sunday, U.S. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-china-indonesia-jakarta-joint-chiefs-of-staff-9d5172dafc703b7dccc4ac175a984c91">Chinese military has become significantly more aggressive</a>&nbsp;and dangerous over the past five years.

Milley’s Chinese counterpart, Gen. Li Zuocheng, told him in a call earlier this month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-beijing-taiwan-joint-chiefs-of-staff-c65148f1ebccf639f3db91cd359086c5">Beijing had “no room for compromise”</a>&nbsp;on issues such as Taiwan.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Beijing had repeatedly expressed its “solemn position” over a potential visit by Pelosi, who would be the highest-ranking U.S. elected official to visit Taiwan since 1997.

“We are fully prepared,” Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing. “If the U.S. is bent on going its own way, China will take firm and strong measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

China has not said what specific actions it would take, although speculation has centered on a new round of threatening military exercises or even an attempt to prevent Pelosi’s plane from landing by declaring a no-fly zone over Taiwan.

“If the U.S. is determined to make (a visit) happen, they know China will take unprecedented tough measures and the U.S. must make military preparations,” said Shi Yinhong, an international relations expert at Beijing’s Renmin University.

“Expect huffing and puffing, maybe some fire-breathing, military posturing, and perhaps economic punishment of Taiwan,” said Michael Mazza, a defense and China expert at the American Enterprise Institute.

The timing of a Pelosi visit, which could happen sometime in early August, is especially sensitive, hinging on multiple factors. Among them is the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army — the military branch of the ruling Communist Party — which falls on Aug. 1, a date used to stoke nationalism and rally the troops.

Chinese leaders are also under pressure from hardline nationalist forces within the party ranks.

That harkens back to the Taiwan Strait crisis of 1995 and 1996, when China held exercises and launched missiles into waters north and south of the island in response to a U.S. visit by the island’s then-president Lee Teng-hui. The U.S. responded by dispatching two aircraft carrier battle groups to the area, a move that helped spur China’s massive military upgrading in the years since that has radically changed the balance of power in Asia.

Xi is meanwhile seeking a third five-year term as party leader at a congress later this year and needs to show he is in charge amid a slowing economy and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-beijing-economy-guangzhou-6f3b44ff1f550b74844b9569070de024">public backlash against his “zero-COVID” policy</a>.

Overall, the situation appears to be more serious than in 1995-96, said Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

“If the Chinese want to demonstrate resolve they have many ways to do so,” Glaser said.

China doesn’t want to create a “crisis for crisis’ sake,” but could try to use the possibility of a Pelosi visit to advance its agenda, said Oriana Skylar Mastro, an expert on Chinese military affairs and foreign policy at Stanford University.

China might take the opportunity to test out capabilities through a large-scale amphibious exercise, which it would justify as a response to an “aggressive move” by the U.S., Mastro said.

“So I think they’ll use it as an opportunity to make advances that could be problematic, but (which) they wanted to do anyway regardless of the Pelosi visit,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658713063143.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been a staunch critic of China throughout her more than three decades in Congress, once unfurling a banner on Beijing's Tiananmen Square memorializing those killed in the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1989. She was also a strong supporter of 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, making her a target of caustic criticism from Beijing.-photo courtesy House Speaker's office" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been a staunch critic of China throughout her more than three decades in Congress, once unfurling a banner on Beijing's Tiananmen Square memorializing those killed in the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1989. She was also a strong supporter of 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, making her a target of caustic criticism from Beijing.-photo courtesy House Speaker's office</figcaption>
 </figure>BEIJING (AP) — Taiwan’s capital staged air raid drills Monday and its military mobilized for routine defense exercises, coinciding with concerns over a forceful Chinese response to a possible visit to the island by U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.While there was no direct link between China’s renewed threats and Taiwan’s defensive moves, they underscore the possibility of a renewed crisis in the Taiwan Strait, considered a potential hotspot for conflict that could envelop the entire region.Air raid sirens were sounded in the capital Taipei and the military was holding its annual multi-day Han Kuang drills, including joint air and sea exercises and the mobilization of tanks and troops.In Taipei, police directed people to shelters when a siren went off shortly after lunchtime. Streets emptied and shops closed.“In recent years,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-army-taiwan-air-force-df5ce025994309b138a015c8e0526a1f">Chinese military planes</a>&nbsp;have frequently harassed Taiwan, and the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out in February this year,” Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je told reporters, referencing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-china-taiwan-8a0b9cf325f5b1f4c5e49a5be58b013f">concerns that a similar conflict</a>&nbsp;could break out in East Asia. “All these things make us understand the importance of being vigilant in times of peace and we need to be prepared if there is war.”Pelosi has not confirmed when, or even if, she will visit, but President Joe Biden last week told reporters that U.S. military officials believed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-beijing-nancy-pelosi-taiwan-c2f23ad7108853d33b6d41456eb4d0c5">such a trip was “not a good idea.”</a>&nbsp;Administration officials are believed to be critical of a possible trip, both for the problematic timing and the lack of coordination with the White House.China’s authoritarian ruling Communist Party considers democratic, self-ruling Taiwan its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary, and regularly advertises that threat by staging military exercises and flying warplanes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone or across the center line of the 180-kilometer (100-mile) -wide Taiwan Strait.Beijing says those actions are aimed at deterring advocates of the island’s formal independence and foreign allies — principally the U.S. — from interfering, more than 70 years after the sides split amid civil war. Surveys routinely show that Taiwan’s 23 million people reject China’s assertions that the island is a Chinese province that has strayed and must be brought under Beijing’s control.Pelosi, long a sharp critic of Beijing, is second in line to the White House. She is viewed as a Biden proxy by China, which demands members of Congress follow the commitments made by previous administrations.Taiwan is among the few issues that enjoys broad bipartisan support among lawmakers and within the administration, with Biden stating earlier this year that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-taiwan-china-4fb0ad0567ed5bbe46c01dd758e6c62b">the U.S. would defend Taiwan</a>&nbsp;if it came under attack.U.S. law requires Washington provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself and treat all threats to the island as matters of “grave concern,” but remains ambiguous on whether it would commit forces in response to an attack from China.Though the sides lack formal diplomatic ties, the U.S. is Taiwan’s chief provider of outside defense assistance and political support, in a reflection of its desire to limit China’s growing influence and maintain a robust American presence in the Western Pacific.During a visit to Indonesia on Sunday, U.S. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-china-indonesia-jakarta-joint-chiefs-of-staff-9d5172dafc703b7dccc4ac175a984c91">Chinese military has become significantly more aggressive</a>&nbsp;and dangerous over the past five years.Milley’s Chinese counterpart, Gen. Li Zuocheng, told him in a call earlier this month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-beijing-taiwan-joint-chiefs-of-staff-c65148f1ebccf639f3db91cd359086c5">Beijing had “no room for compromise”</a>&nbsp;on issues such as Taiwan.On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Beijing had repeatedly expressed its “solemn position” over a potential visit by Pelosi, who would be the highest-ranking U.S. elected official to visit Taiwan since 1997.“We are fully prepared,” Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing. “If the U.S. is bent on going its own way, China will take firm and strong measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”China has not said what specific actions it would take, although speculation has centered on a new round of threatening military exercises or even an attempt to prevent Pelosi’s plane from landing by declaring a no-fly zone over Taiwan.“If the U.S. is determined to make (a visit) happen, they know China will take unprecedented tough measures and the U.S. must make military preparations,” said Shi Yinhong, an international relations expert at Beijing’s Renmin University.“Expect huffing and puffing, maybe some fire-breathing, military posturing, and perhaps economic punishment of Taiwan,” said Michael Mazza, a defense and China expert at the American Enterprise Institute.The timing of a Pelosi visit, which could happen sometime in early August, is especially sensitive, hinging on multiple factors. Among them is the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army — the military branch of the ruling Communist Party — which falls on Aug. 1, a date used to stoke nationalism and rally the troops.Chinese leaders are also under pressure from hardline nationalist forces within the party ranks.That harkens back to the Taiwan Strait crisis of 1995 and 1996, when China held exercises and launched missiles into waters north and south of the island in response to a U.S. visit by the island’s then-president Lee Teng-hui. The U.S. responded by dispatching two aircraft carrier battle groups to the area, a move that helped spur China’s massive military upgrading in the years since that has radically changed the balance of power in Asia.Xi is meanwhile seeking a third five-year term as party leader at a congress later this year and needs to show he is in charge amid a slowing economy and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-beijing-economy-guangzhou-6f3b44ff1f550b74844b9569070de024">public backlash against his “zero-COVID” policy</a>.Overall, the situation appears to be more serious than in 1995-96, said Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.“If the Chinese want to demonstrate resolve they have many ways to do so,” Glaser said.China doesn’t want to create a “crisis for crisis’ sake,” but could try to use the possibility of a Pelosi visit to advance its agenda, said Oriana Skylar Mastro, an expert on Chinese military affairs and foreign policy at Stanford University.China might take the opportunity to test out capabilities through a large-scale amphibious exercise, which it would justify as a response to an “aggressive move” by the U.S., Mastro said.“So I think they’ll use it as an opportunity to make advances that could be problematic, but (which) they wanted to do anyway regardless of the Pelosi visit,” she said.

China warns U.S. again over Pelosi visit; Taiwan holds invasion drills  

(AP)-The question at the center of an investigation into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-shootings-iowa-13ccc3d47f39642da299278c604fbd8c">killings of three family members</a>&nbsp;— including a 6-year-old girl — at an eastern Iowa state park campground is: Why?

It’s a question that, so far, investigators haven’t been able to answer as they look for any connection between the family and the suspected shooter. They have uncovered little to establish a motive, noting they have not turned up any connection between Anthony Sherwin and those investors say he killed.

What police have said is that Sherwin, 23, of the Omaha suburb of La Vista, had no criminal history prior to the attack, and investigators said he appeared to target the victims at random. The man’s parents, who had been camping with their son, expressed incomprehension that he would carry out such an attack.

The shooting happened early Friday morning, when the victims from Cedar Falls, Iowa, were found shot to death in their tent at the Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, about 180 miles east of Des Moines. Police have said Tyler Schmidt, 42; his 42-year-old wife, Sarah Schmidt; and their 6-year-old daughter, Lula Schmidt, all died in the attack.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-nebraska-des-moines-sarah-schmidt-79dc29d592802e9f3cade5c093aa4559">couple’s 9-year-old son, Arlo,</a>&nbsp;survived the attack without physical injury, but police have not said whether he was in the tent when the shootings happened. Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, said Monday that investigators have spoken to the boy, but declined to reveal what the child said.

“At this time, there’s been nothing discovered as far as anything that precipitated the attack” at the campground, Mortvedt said.

Sherwin's parents had suggested that he might have heard the shots and grabbed a firearm in the family’s vehicle for self-protection, but Mortvedt discounted that theory.

"Without getting into the fine details of it, with everything that we have learned, we are confident that everything we have reported is how it played out and that he is responsible,” Mortvedt said.

Autopsies on the Schmidts and Sherwin began Sunday and were continuing on Monday, Mortvedt said.

The La Vista Police Department in Nebraska released records Monday showing that it had only one prior contact with Sherwin, when he walked into a police station in July 2017 to report someone had tried to use his insurance to get dental work done in Oklahoma. Sherwin later called police to inform them his insurance company had mistakenly sent him someone else's bill.

Sherwin's mother, Cecilia Sherwin, in a statement emailed to The Associated Press described her son as kind, sensitive, an exceptional student and an aspiring businessman.

“We just arrived home and are trying to absorb the loss of our son and arriving home without him which is unfathomable,” she said. “I didn’t think we had any tears left, but we still find ourselves breaking down and care deeply for the little boy and the loss of his family.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658786553022.png" alt="Sherwin" />
 <figcaption>Sherwin</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS(AP)-The question at the center of an investigation into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-shootings-iowa-13ccc3d47f39642da299278c604fbd8c">killings of three family members</a>&nbsp;— including a 6-year-old girl — at an eastern Iowa state park campground is: Why?It’s a question that, so far, investigators haven’t been able to answer as they look for any connection between the family and the suspected shooter. They have uncovered little to establish a motive, noting they have not turned up any connection between Anthony Sherwin and those investors say he killed.What police have said is that Sherwin, 23, of the Omaha suburb of La Vista, had no criminal history prior to the attack, and investigators said he appeared to target the victims at random. The man’s parents, who had been camping with their son, expressed incomprehension that he would carry out such an attack.The shooting happened early Friday morning, when the victims from Cedar Falls, Iowa, were found shot to death in their tent at the Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, about 180 miles east of Des Moines. Police have said Tyler Schmidt, 42; his 42-year-old wife, Sarah Schmidt; and their 6-year-old daughter, Lula Schmidt, all died in the attack.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-nebraska-des-moines-sarah-schmidt-79dc29d592802e9f3cade5c093aa4559">couple’s 9-year-old son, Arlo,</a>&nbsp;survived the attack without physical injury, but police have not said whether he was in the tent when the shootings happened. Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, said Monday that investigators have spoken to the boy, but declined to reveal what the child said.“At this time, there’s been nothing discovered as far as anything that precipitated the attack” at the campground, Mortvedt said.Sherwin's parents had suggested that he might have heard the shots and grabbed a firearm in the family’s vehicle for self-protection, but Mortvedt discounted that theory."Without getting into the fine details of it, with everything that we have learned, we are confident that everything we have reported is how it played out and that he is responsible,” Mortvedt said.Autopsies on the Schmidts and Sherwin began Sunday and were continuing on Monday, Mortvedt said.The La Vista Police Department in Nebraska released records Monday showing that it had only one prior contact with Sherwin, when he walked into a police station in July 2017 to report someone had tried to use his insurance to get dental work done in Oklahoma. Sherwin later called police to inform them his insurance company had mistakenly sent him someone else's bill.Sherwin's mother, Cecilia Sherwin, in a statement emailed to The Associated Press described her son as kind, sensitive, an exceptional student and an aspiring businessman.“We just arrived home and are trying to absorb the loss of our son and arriving home without him which is unfathomable,” she said. “I didn’t think we had any tears left, but we still find ourselves breaking down and care deeply for the little boy and the loss of his family.”

Suspected gunman's motive in Iowa park killings a mystery

WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Joe Biden continues to recover from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-karine-jean-pierre-government-and-politics-d9dbee6cc390f648396c46dd504c31c3">coronavirus infection</a>, the White House plans to hold a summit on Tuesday to discuss developing a new generation of vaccines that could more effectively guard against contagious variants.

The summit, which involves top administration officials, scientists and pharmaceutical executives, comes as the country faces a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-rochelle-walensky-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-government-politics-0bd2ccf19f1c27379f312b9edf5f3634">surge of infections</a>&nbsp;from BA.5, a variant that’s an offshoot of the omicron strain.

Although the current generation of vaccines, plus antiviral drugs, have helped prevent hospitalizations and deaths, there are hopes that new versions could provide more durable protection against disruptive infections.

Biden was likely infected by the BA.5 variant, and he tested positive on Thursday.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22120743-biden-covid-update" target="_blank">A new note</a>&nbsp;from his doctor, released on Monday, said his symptoms have “almost completely resolved.”

Although he still has some nasal congestion and hoarseness, his vital signs remain “absolutely normal,” wrote Dr. Kevin O’Connor.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-e7a24a9dfb0cacd26937286cb0a2b625">Biden has been taking</a>&nbsp;the antiviral drug Paxlovid, and he plans to remain isolated in the White House residence.

“He continues to be very specifically conscientious to protect any of the Executive Residence, White House, Secret Service and other staff whose duties require any (albeit socially distanced) proximity to him,” O’Connor wrote.

On Monday afternoon, Biden is scheduled to deliver virtual remarks to the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives conference in Orlando, Fla. He’s also expected to participate in a virtual meeting with business executives and labor leaders to discuss the Chips Act, a proposal to bolster domestic manufacturing.

Biden has held no public events since Friday, when he held another virtual meeting with economic advisers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658779255130.png" alt="President Biden took some calls Monday morning "with man’s best co-worker."-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden took some calls Monday morning "with man’s best co-worker."-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Joe Biden continues to recover from his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-karine-jean-pierre-government-and-politics-d9dbee6cc390f648396c46dd504c31c3">coronavirus infection</a>, the White House plans to hold a summit on Tuesday to discuss developing a new generation of vaccines that could more effectively guard against contagious variants.The summit, which involves top administration officials, scientists and pharmaceutical executives, comes as the country faces a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-rochelle-walensky-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-government-politics-0bd2ccf19f1c27379f312b9edf5f3634">surge of infections</a>&nbsp;from BA.5, a variant that’s an offshoot of the omicron strain.Although the current generation of vaccines, plus antiviral drugs, have helped prevent hospitalizations and deaths, there are hopes that new versions could provide more durable protection against disruptive infections.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658779236763.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Biden was likely infected by the BA.5 variant, and he tested positive on Thursday.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22120743-biden-covid-update" target="_blank">A new note</a>&nbsp;from his doctor, released on Monday, said his symptoms have “almost completely resolved.”Although he still has some nasal congestion and hoarseness, his vital signs remain “absolutely normal,” wrote Dr. Kevin O’Connor.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-covid-health-government-and-politics-e7a24a9dfb0cacd26937286cb0a2b625">Biden has been taking</a>&nbsp;the antiviral drug Paxlovid, and he plans to remain isolated in the White House residence.“He continues to be very specifically conscientious to protect any of the Executive Residence, White House, Secret Service and other staff whose duties require any (albeit socially distanced) proximity to him,” O’Connor wrote.On Monday afternoon, Biden is scheduled to deliver virtual remarks to the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives conference in Orlando, Fla. He’s also expected to participate in a virtual meeting with business executives and labor leaders to discuss the Chips Act, a proposal to bolster domestic manufacturing.Biden has held no public events since Friday, when he held another virtual meeting with economic advisers.