8/3: Kansas voters reject a move to remove abortion rights protections. Vin Scully, exalted baseball announcer, dies.

Celebration in Kansas last night, after voters rejected a move to remove abortion rights protections from the state’s constitution. It’s the first referendum on the issue since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. Voters rejected the measure, put forth by republican legislators, nearly 60 to 40 percent. Kansas is just one of five states that held key primary contests yesterday, and some of the GOP candidates backed by former President Trump are celebrating. An overseas trip by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is causing big friction with China this morning. She has just left Taiwan’s capital, after visiting the national legislature and meeting with the country’s president. The move has upset China, which considers Taiwan to be a rogue province. It’s responding with military exercises around the island nation. Hot weather is replacing high water in eastern Kentucky. The deadly flooding is receding, and we’re getting a better look at the disaster. Streets and buildings were filled with two feet of mud on Monday after a storm tore through the area. The death toll in Kentucky stands at 37, and the search for more victims continues. Governor Andy Beshear says most of the hundreds of people reported missing have been found. Record- breaking temperatures are expected across the country over the next few days. Vin Scully, baseball’s most exalted play-by-play announcer, died last night at his home in Los Angeles.

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