When the Missouri Western State University football team takes the field next Saturday, it will honor one young man from Kansas City.

14-year-old Julius Byers suffered an injury on the first play of his high school football career, which left him partially paralyzed. Byers dreamed of playing football at MoWest.

President Elizabeth Kennedy says Byers story caught her attention and others within the athletics department.

"When he was in 8th grade, because he’s a freshman now at high school, but when he was in 8th grade he actually came to MoWest for a visit day, and got to see us, got to learn about us, got to probably see our stadium and what not, and came home from that field trip telling his dad he was going to play football at Missouri Western,” Kennedy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.

Byers suffered his injury during a game against Lee's Summit High School.&nbsp; Three fractures in his neck, a concussion, and an incomplete spinal cord injury that has left both of his arms paralyzed.

Kennedy says during next week's game against Pittsburgh State, Byers will be at the game, serving as an honorary captain for the team

"He’ll have the opportunity to be on the field I believe, and it’s all about hey there are other people that care about you, people that you’ve not met, people that you just need to know are thinking of you and praying for you, and hoping that you have a good recovery,” Kennedy says. “And just sometimes offering hope in that regard can be very uplifting to people.”

Kennedy and head football coach Tyler Fenwick visited Byers and his family, gifting him with a jersey as well as surprising him with the honor of being named a captain.

Kennedy says they always talk at MoWest about being a family, and doing the right thing, and this is one of the ways they can prove it.

"We have tangible acts that we do to show people that we care,” Kennedy explains.

Kennedy says it was it was an amazing opportunity to show the family, they aren't alone

"Sometimes in circumstances like this it can feel very isolating and very lonely for families like this is their own private journey,” Kennedy says. “But just to let them know that you have other people, people that don’t even know you, are pulling for you and rooting for you, and that should hopefully be some inspiration for everyone.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759955085589.jpeg" alt="Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy and head football coach Tyler Fenwick met with 14 year old Julius Byers and his family today. Byers, a freshman at Liberty High School dreamed of playing for the Griffons, but suffered an injury early this season that left him partially paralyzed. Byers will serve as an honorary captain for the Griffon football team on Oct. 18th against Pittsburgh State/ Photo courtesy of MoWest on Facebook" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Western President Elizabeth Kennedy and head football coach Tyler Fenwick met with 14 year old Julius Byers and his family today. Byers, a freshman at Liberty High School dreamed of playing for the Griffons, but suffered an injury early this season that left him partially paralyzed. Byers will serve as an honorary captain for the Griffon football team on Oct. 18th against Pittsburgh State/ Photo courtesy of MoWest on Facebook</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKE St. Joseph PostWhen the Missouri Western State University football team takes the field next Saturday, it will honor one young man from Kansas City.14-year-old Julius Byers suffered an injury on the first play of his high school football career, which left him partially paralyzed. Byers dreamed of playing football at MoWest.President Elizabeth Kennedy says Byers story caught her attention and others within the athletics department."When he was in 8th grade, because he’s a freshman now at high school, but when he was in 8th grade he actually came to MoWest for a visit day, and got to see us, got to learn about us, got to probably see our stadium and what not, and came home from that field trip telling his dad he was going to play football at Missouri Western,” Kennedy tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Byers suffered his injury during a game against Lee's Summit High School.&nbsp; Three fractures in his neck, a concussion, and an incomplete spinal cord injury that has left both of his arms paralyzed.Kennedy says during next week's game against Pittsburgh State, Byers will be at the game, serving as an honorary captain for the team"He’ll have the opportunity to be on the field I believe, and it’s all about hey there are other people that care about you, people that you’ve not met, people that you just need to know are thinking of you and praying for you, and hoping that you have a good recovery,” Kennedy says. “And just sometimes offering hope in that regard can be very uplifting to people.”Kennedy and head football coach Tyler Fenwick visited Byers and his family, gifting him with a jersey as well as surprising him with the honor of being named a captain.Kennedy says they always talk at MoWest about being a family, and doing the right thing, and this is one of the ways they can prove it."We have tangible acts that we do to show people that we care,” Kennedy explains.Kennedy says it was it was an amazing opportunity to show the family, they aren't alone"Sometimes in circumstances like this it can feel very isolating and very lonely for families like this is their own private journey,” Kennedy says. “But just to let them know that you have other people, people that don’t even know you, are pulling for you and rooting for you, and that should hopefully be some inspiration for everyone.”

University honors KC area teen seriously injured in football game

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/josh-funk">JOSH FUNK</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rio-yamat">RIO YAMAT</a>,&nbsp; AP Transportation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Airlines Writers

The federal government shutdown has entered its second week, and already shortages of air traffic controllers have strained operations and disrupted flights at some U.S. airports.

Reagan National Airport became the latest this week to report delays because of staffing issues on Wednesday. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-delays-government-shutdown-air-traffic-3c6f0add8d591119b583b5cc4c581bdf">earlier in the week</a>&nbsp;there were also problems at airports in Chicago, Newark, Denver and Nashville, and the tower even had to shut down for several hours in Burbank, California.

Experts, as well as union leaders representing air traffic controllers and security screeners, warn that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-traffic-controllers-duffy-shutdown-stress-3bc9c88f7b2af413dee41720f6980b5d">the impact</a>&nbsp;could grow significantly worse if the shutdown continues and employees start to miss paychecks.

Here is what to know about your rights as a passenger and what you can do if delays and cancellations start piling up:

It is better to be stuck at home or in a hotel than to be stranded in an airport terminal, so use the airline’s app or flight websites to make sure that your flight is still on before heading to the airport. This&nbsp;<a href="https://nasstatus.faa.gov/" target="_blank">FAA site</a>&nbsp;can be checked to see if there are widespread delays at your airport.

Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, suggests also closely monitoring the news if you have upcoming travel plans.

“A deal, in theory, could come through Congress any day now, and that could put all of this doubt lingering over air travel to an end pretty quickly,” Potter said.

If you are already at the airport, it is time to find another flight. Get in line to speak to a customer service representative, and call or go online to connect to the airline’s reservations staff. It also helps to reach out on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, because airlines might respond quickly there.

Airlines will rebook you on a later flight for no additional charge. The good news right now is that this is not a peak travel time, so travelers stand a better chance of finding seats. But the busy holiday season is right around the corner, and at those peak times, passengers might have to wait days for a seat on a new flight.

If these problems do become more widespread, you might consider whether it makes sense to travel by train, car or bus instead. But there is really no way to predict when and where a staff shortage might happen, and the ongoing shortage of controllers is so critical that even a small number of absences can cause problems.

Potter said the shutdown is different from when a single airline is having problems and travelers can just pick another carrier. This is creating problems for entire airports at once.

“As these problems expand and spread the longer the shutdown drags on, it’s unlikely that there will be one airline running on time if the rest of the them are failing,” he said. “It’s going to affect the entire system over time.”

Can I ask to be booked on another airline?

You can, but airlines aren’t required to put you on another carrier’s flight. Some airlines, including the biggest ones except Southwest and the discount airlines, say they can put you on a partner airline. But even then it is often hit or miss.

Jeff Klee, the CEO of CheapAir.com, has recommended researching alternate flights while you wait to talk to an agent.

If you no longer want to take the trip, or have found another way of getting to your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money, even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled.

“If the airline cancels your flight, you can say, ‘Alright. I will take a refund and get my money back,’ ” Potter said. “The important piece is that you get your payment returned to you. You’re not just settling for an airline voucher that may expire in a year or less.”

You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use.

U.S. airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation and cover lodging and meals for passengers who are stranded, even if a flight cancellation or a severe delay is the airline’s fault.

The Biden administration had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-compensation-biden-administration-rules-3e1d8f6c47328c274161a4cdb0910c64">proposed a rule</a>&nbsp;that would have changed that and required airlines to pay passengers for delays and cancellations in more circumstances, with compensation proposed between about $200 and as high as $775. But the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-delays-cancellations-compensation-52d65b39d2cf063c43885e71bf88317c">scrapped that last month</a>, and the airlines praised him for doing so.

Each airline is different. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a site that lets consumers see the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-customer-service-dashboard" target="_blank">commitments that each carrier makes</a>&nbsp;for refunds and covering other expenses when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.

Travel insurance might help if you bought a policy when you booked or used a travel credit card that offers that product, but Potter said you shouldn’t assume you will be covered even if you have insurance. Check the fine print to see if you are covered in situations like this when a shortage of workers causes flight disruptions.

If many flights are canceled, airline agents will soon be overwhelmed by requests. If you’re traveling in a group with someone who has a higher status in the airline’s loyalty program, call using their frequent flyer number. You may get quicker service.

You also can try calling your airline’s international support number, which is usually listed online and may have shorter wait times.

Be nice. The agent is likely helping other frustrated travelers, too, and yelling won’t make them more willing to help. Remember, the cancellation isn’t their fault.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758745641926.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/josh-funk">JOSH FUNK</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rio-yamat">RIO YAMAT</a>,&nbsp; AP Transportation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Airlines WritersThe federal government shutdown has entered its second week, and already shortages of air traffic controllers have strained operations and disrupted flights at some U.S. airports.Reagan National Airport became the latest this week to report delays because of staffing issues on Wednesday. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-delays-government-shutdown-air-traffic-3c6f0add8d591119b583b5cc4c581bdf">earlier in the week</a>&nbsp;there were also problems at airports in Chicago, Newark, Denver and Nashville, and the tower even had to shut down for several hours in Burbank, California.Experts, as well as union leaders representing air traffic controllers and security screeners, warn that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/air-traffic-controllers-duffy-shutdown-stress-3bc9c88f7b2af413dee41720f6980b5d">the impact</a>&nbsp;could grow significantly worse if the shutdown continues and employees start to miss paychecks.Here is what to know about your rights as a passenger and what you can do if delays and cancellations start piling up:<h2>Check before going to the airport</h2>It is better to be stuck at home or in a hotel than to be stranded in an airport terminal, so use the airline’s app or flight websites to make sure that your flight is still on before heading to the airport. This&nbsp;<a href="https://nasstatus.faa.gov/" target="_blank">FAA site</a>&nbsp;can be checked to see if there are widespread delays at your airport.Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, suggests also closely monitoring the news if you have upcoming travel plans.“A deal, in theory, could come through Congress any day now, and that could put all of this doubt lingering over air travel to an end pretty quickly,” Potter said.<h2>My flight was canceled. Now what?</h2>If you are already at the airport, it is time to find another flight. Get in line to speak to a customer service representative, and call or go online to connect to the airline’s reservations staff. It also helps to reach out on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, because airlines might respond quickly there.Airlines will rebook you on a later flight for no additional charge. The good news right now is that this is not a peak travel time, so travelers stand a better chance of finding seats. But the busy holiday season is right around the corner, and at those peak times, passengers might have to wait days for a seat on a new flight.<h2>Consider other travel options</h2>If these problems do become more widespread, you might consider whether it makes sense to travel by train, car or bus instead. But there is really no way to predict when and where a staff shortage might happen, and the ongoing shortage of controllers is so critical that even a small number of absences can cause problems.Potter said the shutdown is different from when a single airline is having problems and travelers can just pick another carrier. This is creating problems for entire airports at once.“As these problems expand and spread the longer the shutdown drags on, it’s unlikely that there will be one airline running on time if the rest of the them are failing,” he said. “It’s going to affect the entire system over time.”<h2>Can I ask to be booked on another airline?</h2>You can, but airlines aren’t required to put you on another carrier’s flight. Some airlines, including the biggest ones except Southwest and the discount airlines, say they can put you on a partner airline. But even then it is often hit or miss.Jeff Klee, the CEO of CheapAir.com, has recommended researching alternate flights while you wait to talk to an agent.<h2>Am I owed a refund?</h2>If you no longer want to take the trip, or have found another way of getting to your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money, even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled.“If the airline cancels your flight, you can say, ‘Alright. I will take a refund and get my money back,’ ” Potter said. “The important piece is that you get your payment returned to you. You’re not just settling for an airline voucher that may expire in a year or less.”You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use.<h2>Can I get compensation?</h2>U.S. airlines are not required to pay additional cash compensation and cover lodging and meals for passengers who are stranded, even if a flight cancellation or a severe delay is the airline’s fault.The Biden administration had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-compensation-biden-administration-rules-3e1d8f6c47328c274161a4cdb0910c64">proposed a rule</a>&nbsp;that would have changed that and required airlines to pay passengers for delays and cancellations in more circumstances, with compensation proposed between about $200 and as high as $775. But the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flight-delays-cancellations-compensation-52d65b39d2cf063c43885e71bf88317c">scrapped that last month</a>, and the airlines praised him for doing so.<h2>What airlines will cover</h2>Each airline is different. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a site that lets consumers see the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-customer-service-dashboard" target="_blank">commitments that each carrier makes</a>&nbsp;for refunds and covering other expenses when flights are canceled or significantly delayed.<h2>Other tips</h2>Travel insurance might help if you bought a policy when you booked or used a travel credit card that offers that product, but Potter said you shouldn’t assume you will be covered even if you have insurance. Check the fine print to see if you are covered in situations like this when a shortage of workers causes flight disruptions.If many flights are canceled, airline agents will soon be overwhelmed by requests. If you’re traveling in a group with someone who has a higher status in the airline’s loyalty program, call using their frequent flyer number. You may get quicker service.You also can try calling your airline’s international support number, which is usually listed online and may have shorter wait times.Be nice. The agent is likely helping other frustrated travelers, too, and yelling won’t make them more willing to help. Remember, the cancellation isn’t their fault.

What to do if your flight is delayed or canceled during the US government shutdown

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in vehicle crash and fire that left a passenger dead is due back in court on Thursday.&nbsp;

Christian Sheppard, 33 of Wichita, is charged with 2nd degree murder and is scheduled to attend a arraignment hearing before Judge Tyler Roush, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He may enter a plea in the case.

On Dec. 29, police responded to a collision in the 200 block of N. Charles Street in Wichita, according to a media release. First responders found the vehicle that struck a tree and fence and caught fire. A passenger, identified as 32-year-old Chekiel Wright, died, and the driver, later identified as Sheppard was seriously injured.

On May 21, police arrested Sheppard.&nbsp; He met the requirement of a $250,000 bond and was released from custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747917397070.png" alt="Sheppard photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Sheppard photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in vehicle crash and fire that left a passenger dead is due back in court on Thursday.&nbsp;Christian Sheppard, 33 of Wichita, is charged with 2nd degree murder and is scheduled to attend a arraignment hearing before Judge Tyler Roush, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He may enter a plea in the case.On Dec. 29, police responded to a collision in the 200 block of N. Charles Street in Wichita, according to a media release. First responders found the vehicle that struck a tree and fence and caught fire. A passenger, identified as 32-year-old Chekiel Wright, died, and the driver, later identified as Sheppard was seriously injured.On May 21, police arrested Sheppard.&nbsp; He met the requirement of a $250,000 bond and was released from custody, according to online jail records.

Arraignment hearing for Kansas driver in fatal crash and fire 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voted down legislation Wednesday that would have put a check on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;ability to use deadly military force against drug cartels after Democrats tried to counter the administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">extraordinary assertion of presidential war powers</a>&nbsp;to destroy vessels in the Caribbean.

The vote fell mostly along party lines, 48-51, with two Republicans, Sens. Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski, voting in favor and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voting against. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted against the measure.

It was the first vote in Congress on Trump’s military campaign, which according to the White House has so far&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-venezuela-drug-cartels-unlawful-combatants-1848b02febe08acacb82979d7da47dfb">destroyed four vessels</a>, killed at least 21 people and stopped narcotics from reaching the U.S.. The war powers resolution would have required the president to seek authorization from Congress before further military strikes on the cartels.

The Trump administration has asserted that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-indictments-armed-forces-united-states-miami-d82797206561db03851e47df125c243f">drug traffickers</a>&nbsp;are armed combatants threatening the United States, creating justification to use military force. But that assertion has been met with some unease on Capitol Hill.

Some Republicans are asking the White House for more clarification on its legal justification and specifics on how the strikes are conducted, while Democrats insist they are violations of U.S. and international law. It’s a clash that could redefine how the world’s most powerful military uses lethal force and set the tone for future global conflict.

The White House had indicated Trump would veto the legislation, and even though the Senate vote failed it gave lawmakers an opportunity to go on the record with their objections to Trump’s declaration that the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with drug cartels.

“It sends a message when a significant number of legislators say, ‘Hey, this is a bad idea,’” said Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat who pushed the resolution alongside Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California.

Wednesday's vote was brought under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which was intended to reassert congressional power over the declaration of war.

“Congress must not allow the executive branch to become judge, jury and executioner,” Paul, a Kentucky Republican who has long pushed for greater congressional oversight of war powers, said during a floor speech.

Paul was the only Republican to publicly speak in favor of the resolution before the vote, but a number of GOP senators have questioned the strikes on vessels and said they are not receiving enough information from the administration.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, acknowledged “there may be some concern” in the Republican conference about the strikes. However, Republican leaders argued against the resolution on the Senate floor Wednesday, calling it a political ploy from Democrats.

“People were attacking our country by bringing in poisonous substances to deposit into our country that would have killed Americans,” said Sen. Jim Risch, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Fortunately most of those drugs are now at the bottom of the ocean.”

Risch thanked Trump for his actions and added that he hoped the military strikes would continue.

What has the administration told Congress about the strikes?

Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee received a classified briefing last week on the strikes, and Cramer said he was “comfortable with at least the plausibility of their legal argument.” But he added that no one representing intelligence agencies or the military command structure for Central and South America was present for the briefing.

“I’d be more comfortable defending the administration if they shared the information,” he said.

Kaine also said the briefing did not include any information on why the military chose to destroy the vessels rather than interdict them or get into the specifics of how the military was so confident that the vessels were carrying drugs.

“Maybe they were engaged in human trafficking, or maybe it was the wrong ship,” Schiff said. “We just have little or no information about who was onboard these ships or what intelligence was used or what the rationale was and how certain we could be that everyone on that ship deserved to die.”

The Democrats also said the administration has told them it is adding cartels to a list of organizations deemed “narco-terrorists” that are targets for military strikes, but it has not shown the lawmakers a complete list.

“The slow erosion of congressional oversight is not an abstract debate about process,” Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a floor speech. “It is a real and present threat to our democracy.”

Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marco-rubio">Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;visited the Republican Conference for lunch Wednesday to emphasize to senators that they should vote against the legislation. He told the senators the administration was treating cartels like governmental entities because they have seized control of large portions of some Caribbean nations, according to Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota.

“These drug trafficking organizations are a direct threat to the safety and security of the United States to unleash violence and criminality on our streets, fueled by the drugs and the drug profits that they make,” Rubio told reporters at the Capitol. “And the president is the commander in chief, has an obligation to keep our country safe.”

Still, there is worry in the Senate that the recent buildup of U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean was a sign of shifting U.S. priorities and tactics that could have grave repercussions. Senators warned that further military strikes had the potential to set off a conflict with Venezuela.

“This is the kind of thing that leads a country, unexpectedly and unintentionally, into war," Schiff said.

Following the vote, Sen. Todd Young, an Indiana Republican, said in a statement that even though he voted against the resolution, he was still “highly concerned about the legality” of the strikes.

He also raised concern that the military buildup in the Caribbean could divert resources from countering China's military elsewhere. Young said he would be meeting with Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about those concerns and also called for a hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“The administration should adhere to the Constitution and keep the people’s representatives informed on this critical national security issue,” he said.

Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro contributed.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voted down legislation Wednesday that would have put a check on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;ability to use deadly military force against drug cartels after Democrats tried to counter the administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-armed-conflict-cb57804807e55a00ace60ad5f4d4f24d">extraordinary assertion of presidential war powers</a>&nbsp;to destroy vessels in the Caribbean.The vote fell mostly along party lines, 48-51, with two Republicans, Sens. Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski, voting in favor and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voting against. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted against the measure.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Earlier this morning, on President Trump&#39;s orders, I directed a lethal, kinetic strike on a narco-trafficking vessel affiliated with Designated Terrorist Organizations in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the… <a href="https://t.co/QpNPljFcGn">pic.twitter.com/QpNPljFcGn</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1974150886084485503?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 BREAKING: US Senate REJECTS advancing a measure to stop President Trump and Pete Hegseth from unilaterally striking narco-terrorist boats coming through the Caribbean to poison and kill Americans, 48-51 JOHN FETTERMAN (D) votes NAY. Republicans RAND PAUL and LISA MURKOWSKI… <a href="https://t.co/MEGTdQECXn">pic.twitter.com/MEGTdQECXn</a>&mdash; Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1976080295368523866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It was the first vote in Congress on Trump’s military campaign, which according to the White House has so far&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-venezuela-drug-cartels-unlawful-combatants-1848b02febe08acacb82979d7da47dfb">destroyed four vessels</a>, killed at least 21 people and stopped narcotics from reaching the U.S.. The war powers resolution would have required the president to seek authorization from Congress before further military strikes on the cartels.The Trump administration has asserted that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-indictments-armed-forces-united-states-miami-d82797206561db03851e47df125c243f">drug traffickers</a>&nbsp;are armed combatants threatening the United States, creating justification to use military force. But that assertion has been met with some unease on Capitol Hill.Some Republicans are asking the White House for more clarification on its legal justification and specifics on how the strikes are conducted, while Democrats insist they are violations of U.S. and international law. It’s a clash that could redefine how the world’s most powerful military uses lethal force and set the tone for future global conflict.The White House had indicated Trump would veto the legislation, and even though the Senate vote failed it gave lawmakers an opportunity to go on the record with their objections to Trump’s declaration that the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with drug cartels.“It sends a message when a significant number of legislators say, ‘Hey, this is a bad idea,’” said Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat who pushed the resolution alongside Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California.<h2>What is the War Powers Resolution?</h2>Wednesday's vote was brought under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which was intended to reassert congressional power over the declaration of war.“Congress must not allow the executive branch to become judge, jury and executioner,” Paul, a Kentucky Republican who has long pushed for greater congressional oversight of war powers, said during a floor speech.Paul was the only Republican to publicly speak in favor of the resolution before the vote, but a number of GOP senators have questioned the strikes on vessels and said they are not receiving enough information from the administration.Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, acknowledged “there may be some concern” in the Republican conference about the strikes. However, Republican leaders argued against the resolution on the Senate floor Wednesday, calling it a political ploy from Democrats.“People were attacking our country by bringing in poisonous substances to deposit into our country that would have killed Americans,” said Sen. Jim Risch, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Fortunately most of those drugs are now at the bottom of the ocean.”Risch thanked Trump for his actions and added that he hoped the military strikes would continue.<h2>What has the administration told Congress about the strikes?</h2>Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee received a classified briefing last week on the strikes, and Cramer said he was “comfortable with at least the plausibility of their legal argument.” But he added that no one representing intelligence agencies or the military command structure for Central and South America was present for the briefing.“I’d be more comfortable defending the administration if they shared the information,” he said.Kaine also said the briefing did not include any information on why the military chose to destroy the vessels rather than interdict them or get into the specifics of how the military was so confident that the vessels were carrying drugs.“Maybe they were engaged in human trafficking, or maybe it was the wrong ship,” Schiff said. “We just have little or no information about who was onboard these ships or what intelligence was used or what the rationale was and how certain we could be that everyone on that ship deserved to die.”The Democrats also said the administration has told them it is adding cartels to a list of organizations deemed “narco-terrorists” that are targets for military strikes, but it has not shown the lawmakers a complete list.“The slow erosion of congressional oversight is not an abstract debate about process,” Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a floor speech. “It is a real and present threat to our democracy.”<h2>A visit from Rubio</h2>Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marco-rubio">Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;visited the Republican Conference for lunch Wednesday to emphasize to senators that they should vote against the legislation. He told the senators the administration was treating cartels like governmental entities because they have seized control of large portions of some Caribbean nations, according to Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota.“These drug trafficking organizations are a direct threat to the safety and security of the United States to unleash violence and criminality on our streets, fueled by the drugs and the drug profits that they make,” Rubio told reporters at the Capitol. “And the president is the commander in chief, has an obligation to keep our country safe.”Still, there is worry in the Senate that the recent buildup of U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean was a sign of shifting U.S. priorities and tactics that could have grave repercussions. Senators warned that further military strikes had the potential to set off a conflict with Venezuela.“This is the kind of thing that leads a country, unexpectedly and unintentionally, into war," Schiff said.Following the vote, Sen. Todd Young, an Indiana Republican, said in a statement that even though he voted against the resolution, he was still “highly concerned about the legality” of the strikes.He also raised concern that the military buildup in the Caribbean could divert resources from countering China's military elsewhere. Young said he would be meeting with Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about those concerns and also called for a hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.“The administration should adhere to the Constitution and keep the people’s representatives informed on this critical national security issue,” he said.___Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro contributed.

Moran, Marshall help Senate vote down check of Trump's use of war powers against cartels

DOUGLAS COUNTY—A man found a concerning device behind some drywall as he was remodeling a house in Lawrence.

Just before 1:30p.m. Wednesday, he called dispatchers from the 900 block of Iowa with the grenade in his truck, according to a statement from Lawrence Police.

Officers responded to the area about and took appropriate precautions by clearing the area around the truck and standing by until bomb experts arrived.  It appears to be a grenade that expels gas and rubber balls. The Leavenworth bomb squad took possession of the device to properly dispose of it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760006554368.png" alt="Photo Lawrence police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lawrence police</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY—A man found a concerning device behind some drywall as he was remodeling a house in Lawrence.Just before 1:30p.m. Wednesday, he called dispatchers from the 900 block of Iowa with the grenade in his truck, according to a statement from Lawrence Police.Officers responded to the area about and took appropriate precautions by clearing the area around the truck and standing by until bomb experts arrived. It appears to be a grenade that expels gas and rubber balls. The Leavenworth bomb squad took possession of the device to properly dispose of it.

Man found grenade behind drywall in Kansas home

KANSAS CITY — The Missouri State Highway Patrol released additional details on a crash that injured a State Trooper just after 11:30a.m. Tuesday in Clay County.

According to the Patrol, the crash occurred as a 2023 Dodge Charge driven by the 30-year-old Trooper from Lees Summit was eastbound on MO 21- just east of Route EE. The vehicle crossed the center line and struck the trailer of a westbound 2024 Kenworth semi driven by a 61-year-old Marissa, Illinois man.&nbsp;&nbsp;

EMS transported the Trooper to North Kansas City Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The semi driver was not injured.&nbsp; The Patrol released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY —A Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper was injured in an accident that occurred just after 11:30a.m. Tuesday in Clay County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the Trooper was eastbound on MO 210 near Stillhouse Road. The&nbsp; Trooper's vehicle crossed the center line and collided with the trailer of a westbound semi.&nbsp;

EMS transported the Trooper to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The semi driver was not injured.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Major Crash Investigation Unit is investigating in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759886123534.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — The Missouri State Highway Patrol released additional details on a crash that injured a State Trooper just after 11:30a.m. Tuesday in Clay County.According to the Patrol, the crash occurred as a 2023 Dodge Charge driven by the 30-year-old Trooper from Lees Summit was eastbound on MO 21- just east of Route EE. The vehicle crossed the center line and struck the trailer of a westbound 2024 Kenworth semi driven by a 61-year-old Marissa, Illinois man.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported the Trooper to North Kansas City Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The semi driver was not injured.&nbsp; The Patrol released no additional details.------------------------&nbsp;KANSAS CITY —A Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper was injured in an accident that occurred just after 11:30a.m. Tuesday in Clay County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the Trooper was eastbound on MO 210 near Stillhouse Road. The&nbsp; Trooper's vehicle crossed the center line and collided with the trailer of a westbound semi.&nbsp;EMS transported the Trooper to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The semi driver was not injured.The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Major Crash Investigation Unit is investigating in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Patrol releases new details in State Trooper crash with a semi

WASHINGTON (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/article/egypt-gaza-talks-kushner-witkoff-israel-hamas-news-10-08-2025-ac80d3ed50ff2a9b4106ab5e13156651">Israel and Hamas have agreed</a>&nbsp;to the “first phase” of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-palestinians-hamas-war-explainer-d5c5057d2fe9e2e255215850b454f601">U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan</a>&nbsp;to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners, in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rubio-note-middle-east-peace-f570658c65daefab6d0af9b29e851dd7">major breakthrough</a>&nbsp;in the two-year-old war.

Under the plan, Hamas will release all 20 living hostages in the coming days in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, while the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media, “With God’s help we will bring them all home.” Hamas said separately that the deal would ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops as well as allow for the entry of aid and exchange of hostages and prisoners.

Uncertainty remains about some of the thornier aspects of the plan, such as whether and how Hamas will disarm, and who will govern Gaza.

Hamas official says some 2,000 prisoners to be released

A senior Hamas official has said five border crossings will be opened for aid to flow into the Gaza Strip, some 2,000 prisoners will be released and Israeli troops will withdraw from heavily populated areas as part of the U.S.-mediated deal to end the two-year war.

Osama Hamdan told the pan-Arab Al-Araby TV that 250 prisoners serving long sentences will be released in addition to 1,700 who were taken prisoner during the war in Gaza.

“We have put the names of all the commanders that we want released,” Hamdan said.

“The Israelis should withdraw from all heavily populated areas especially Gaza City, Khan Younis, Rafah and north Gaza,” he added.

The Israeli army is expected to start withdrawing on Friday but it could start as early as late Thursday, Hamdan said.

Gaza paramedic: Peace plan is a ‘moment of joy’

The head of paramedics in northern Gaza says the agreement between Israel and Hamas is a “moment of joy” because it means an end to the relentless bloodshed and killings that have claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Fares Afana said his team’s priority is to remove bodies from under the rubble and on the roads which were inaccessible during intense bombings.

“After two years of this genocide, injustice and oppression, we are physically and psychologically tired,” he added. “Only now after the ceasefire announcement, we can cry for our colleagues who were killed.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to convene his Security Cabinet late Thursday to approve the ceasefire. The entire parliament will then meet to approve the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Both the ceasefire deal and the release of prisoners are expected to pass with wide margins, even if far right ministers vote against it.

After the approval, Israel will publish a list of the prisoners expected to be released. Victims of attacks carried out by the prisoners will have 24 hours to petition the Israeli Supreme Court to halt the releases if they object.

Although petitions are expected, the Supreme Court has never intervened to halt a prisoner release in previous deals, said Amichai Cohen, a senior fellow at the Jerusalem think tank Israel Democracy Institute and an expert in national security law.

Thousands of observant Jews rejoice in Jerusalem

Thousands of observant Jews have streamed into Jerusalem’s old city to mark the holiday of Sukkot at the Wall, with extra rejoicing for the upcoming release of the hostages in Gaza.

“God is making miracles, we know from the past. But today we saw it,” said Avi Kozman, who was holding Sukkot’s traditional palm branch after receiving the Priestly Blessing, or Birkat Kohanim.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sukkot-jewish-holiday-october-7th-ae796c4b56495387e98f756fc4fb1409">Sukkot explicitly encourages Jews to rejoice</a>, and many in the jubilant crowds that broke into spontaneous dancing by Jerusalem’s old walls saw divine intervention in the timing of the announcement.

“We always see his hand in the salvation he gives us,” said Hindel Berman as she returned from prayer with her son. The New Jersey resident had come to Jerusalem to mark Sukkot. She called the announcement an answer to the prayers she’d been fervently making since Oct. 7.

“We were screaming and singing last night,” she said.

Egypt’s president says the plan ‘opens the door of hope’

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt is hailing the deal between Israel and Hamas as a “historic moment.”

“This agreement does not only close the chapter of war; it also opens the door of hope for the peoples of the region for a future defined by justice and stability,” el-Sissi wrote in a social media post.

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun said he hoped the plan would “constitute a first step toward a permanent ceasefire and an end to the humanitarian suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people in Gaza.”

The United Arab Emirates, which struck a diplomatic recognition deal with Israel in 2020, also praised the move toward a ceasefire.

Saudi Arabia welcomes possible start of a ceasefire

The kingdom said in a foreign ministry statement that it hoped the peace deal will lead to urgent action to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and a complete Israeli withdrawal.

Saudi Arabia also expressed hope that the peace plan would lead to the “initiation of practical steps to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.”

European leaders have praised the peace deal reached between Israel and Hamas, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressing relief Thursday.

Starmer, who is on a two-day visit to India, said at a joint news conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the agreement must now be implemented in full without delay and be accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on lifesaving humanitarian aid to Gaza.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for all parties to uphold the agreement’s terms, while the EU’s policy chief, Kaja Kallas, wrote on X that “The EU will do what it can to support its implementation.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the deal as “extraordinary news” and urged its swift implementation, while Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel expressed hope for wider peace in the region.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron said the ceasefire agreement brings hope for hostages, Palestinians in Gaza, and the entire region. He added the agreement will be discussed in Paris later Thursday.

“This agreement must mark the end of the war and the beginning of a political solution based on the two-state solution,” he said.

Turkey's Erdogan thanks Trump for showing ‘necessary political will’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country played a role in the negotiations, expressed pleasure with the ceasefire agreement reached between Hamas and Israel.

In a statement posted on X, Erdogan thanked Trump for “demonstrating the necessary political will” as well as Qatar and Egypt for facilitating the deal.

“I extend my heartfelt greetings to my Palestinian brothers and sisters who have endured indescribable suffering for two years,” the Turkish president said.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the deal a step toward lasting peace in the Middle East. He praised Trump for his role in the deal and acknowledged Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their mediation efforts.

“Above all, we pay tribute to the resilience of the Palestinian people, who have endured unimaginable hardship that must never be repeated,” Sharif said.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim lauded the progress and urged all parties to seize the opportunity for enduring peace.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also welcomed the agreement, expressing hope for a brighter future in the region.

Exhausted Palestinians welcome peace deal with mix of hope and skepticism

Exhausted and hardened by months of brutal bombings, some Palestinians were skeptical yet impatient to see the first phase of the Trump peace plan come into effect, just hours after the agreement between Israel and Hamas was announced.

Paramedic Saeed Awad said he was first skeptical about the possibility of a ceasefire because of previous failed attempts to end the war.

"They all ended in failure. So we didn’t really pay attention to this (round),” he said.

When he first heard the news, Awad said, he had to check with others, seeking confirmation.

“We have been in this war and in this suffering for two years,” Awad said.

Alaa Abd Rabbo, displaced from northern Gaza to Deir al-Balah, said the ceasefire deal is “a Godsend day of relief.”

He said he has been displaced from his home several times, to different parts of Gaza.

“We are tired. We have been displaced and this is the day we have been waiting for,” Abd Rabbo said. “We want to go home, to tend to our affairs, to check on our homes. Even though there are no more homes, but we still want to go home."

World leaders have praised the peace agreement in Gaza brokered by Donald Trump.

Argentine President Javier Milei applauded the deal Wednesday, calling it historic, and said he would nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed relief that hostages will soon be reunited with their families and called on all parties to implement the agreed terms swiftly.

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Israelis and Palestinians have suffered immensely and that “Today is a positive first step in bringing that suffering to an end.”

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi also welcomed the agreement as a “major step” toward calming the situation and achieving a two-state settlement.

Israeli military says northern Gaza remains a ‘dangerous combat zone’

The Israeli military warned Palestinians in Gaza against returning north to Gaza City or approaching areas where troops are stationed until further notice.

Israel’s Arabic language spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued the warning on X, hours after Hamas and Israel agreed to the first phase of the Trump plan to pause the fighting and release hostages and prisoners.

“For your safety, refrain from returning north or approaching areas where (troops) are stationed or operating throughout” Gaza, he said.

Adraee said northern Gaza is “still considered a dangerous combat zone.”

Journalists in Gaza City celebrate peace deal

In Gaza City, where bombings had been heard in the early hours of Thursday before news of the deal, a few journalists roamed the dark streets of the city, shouting in jubilation that “the war has ended,” according to a video they posted on social media.

The journalists, laughing and jumping, shouted that most people who remained in the city have no internet and needed to be woken up to hear the news.

In the south of Gaza, a group of young men lifted another journalist on their shoulders as he broadcast the news to his channel, celebrating the ceasefire.

The men also performed a traditional Palestinian dance, Debka, on the streets, while singing.

UNGA president says ceasefire agreement must lead to immediate aid deliveries

Annalena Baerbock said the agreement announced by Trump finally offers “a ray of hope after more than 700 days of death, destruction and despair.”

She said the moment must be seized to fully implement the agreement, end the war in Gaza, release all hostages and ensure “the immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid.”

Baerbock said many world leaders at their recent meeting in the United Nations General Assembly stressed that a permanent ceasefire can open a path to peace, end Hamas’ rule in Gaza and Israel’s occupation, and lead to a two-state solution, the only way Israelis and Palestinians can live in lasting peace and security.

The former German foreign minister commended the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and the many others involved “for their efforts to bring the suffering of Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians to an end.”

Hostage families chant ‘Nobel prize to Trump’ in Tel Aviv

Families of hostages and their supporters started chanting “Nobel prize to Trump” as they gathered in the early hours of the morning in Tel Aviv's hostages square.

People gathered there after the agreement was announced, with freed hostages and families of those still captive cheering, singing and crying at the news.

Israeli ambassador says end of hostilities in Gaza depends on first-stage implementation

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter told CNN that living hostages held by Hamas would be released on Sunday or Monday — with a 72-hour clock for Hamas to make the release beginning once the Israeli Cabinet meets, Thursday afternoon or evening, to approve the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released in the agreement.

Leiter said that Israel hopes the deal will lead to an end to the war, but that will depend on how well it is implemented.

“We hope it leads to a complete cessation of hostilities and a rebuilding of Gaza for the sake of the Gazans and for the sake of Israel,” he said.

“But it’s the first stage, and we’ve got to see the first stage implemented completely in the next few days.”

Leiter, whose eldest son was killed in the war while serving in the Israeli forces, credited Israeli military pressure with bringing Hamas to the negotiating table after two years of conflict.

Hostages to be ‘probably’ released Monday, Trump says

In an interview on Fox News, Trump said that Hamas will begin releasing hostages “probably” on Monday.

“This is more than Gaza,” Trump told host Sean Hannity in a telephone interview. “This is peace in the Middle East.”

Trump also said a future Gaza will be a “peaceful, much safer place” and that the U.S. would remain involved to ensure its safety and prosperity.

“Other countries in the area will help it reconstruct because they have tremendous wealth,” Trump said, adding: “We’ll be involved in helping them make it successful and helping it stay peaceful.”

Trump confirmed that he spoke to Netanyahu earlier Wednesday night. The prime minister told him, “I can’t believe it,” according to the president’s retelling.

“I said, ‘Israel cannot fight the world, Bibi, they can’t fight the world,’ and he understands that very well,” Trump said.

Israeli Army welcomes agreement, prepares for ‘any scenario’

🎥Trump phone call with families on deal to release hostages

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS will furlough nearly half of its workforce on Wednesday as part of the ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shutdown-federal-workers-pay-health-care-415768faa14b4e54525d5e6d18ac97b4">government shutdown</a>, according to an updated contingency plan posted to its website. Most IRS operations are closed, the agency said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26183224-irs-furlough-letter/">a separate letter to its workers</a>.

The news comes after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-chicago-pritzker-johnson-national-guard-illinois-3ca116f867916ac6538bf45ce391c94c">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-senate-schumer-thune-trump-health-care-b85fe6cdd5d8cdc3e3aa1f4ae889474f">failed to strike an agreement</a>&nbsp;to fund federal operations, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;has entered its second week, with no discernible endgame in sight.

The agency's initial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26183200-irs-lapse-plan/">Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan</a>, which provided for the first five business days of operations, stated that the department would remain open using Democrats’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-inflation-reduction-climate-anniversary-9950f7e814ac71e89eee3f452ab17f71">Inflation Reduction Act</a>&nbsp;funds.

Now, only 39,870 employees, or 53.6%, will remain working as the shutdown continues. It is unclear which workers will remain on the job.

Doreen Greenwald, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said in a statement that taxpayers should expect increased wait times, backlogs and delays implementing tax law changes as the shutdown continues.

“Taxpayers around the country will now have a much harder time getting the assistance they need, just as they get ready to file their extension returns due next week," she said. “Every day these employees are locked out of work is another day of frustration for taxpayers and a growing backlog of work that sits and waits for the shutdown to end.”

She urged the Trump administration and Congress to "reach an agreement that reopens government and restores the services that Americans need and deserve."

The notice to workers states that furloughed workers and those who remain on the job will receive back pay once the shutdown ends. This is notable since the Republican administration on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-back-bay-shutdown-785eb776d2312d1f68f7e91961d0a93a">warned of no guaranteed back pay</a>&nbsp;for federal workers affected by a government shutdown.

Last week, Trump said roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-9-30-2025#00000199-9b62-d3e5-a399-ff7b4ce10000">750,000 federal workers</a>&nbsp;nationwide were expected to be furloughed across agencies, with some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-9-30-2025#00000199-9c25-d394-abb9-bf2ff8a90000">potentially fired</a>&nbsp;by his administration.

Representatives from the IRS, the Treasury and the White House did not comment on the furlough plans.

Earlier this year the IRS embarked on mass layoffs, spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency, affecting tens of thousands of workers. At the end of 2024, the agency employed roughly 100,000 workers — and currently that hovers around 75,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690229574211.png" alt="Photo AP" />
 <figcaption>Photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS will furlough nearly half of its workforce on Wednesday as part of the ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shutdown-federal-workers-pay-health-care-415768faa14b4e54525d5e6d18ac97b4">government shutdown</a>, according to an updated contingency plan posted to its website. Most IRS operations are closed, the agency said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26183224-irs-furlough-letter/">a separate letter to its workers</a>.The news comes after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-chicago-pritzker-johnson-national-guard-illinois-3ca116f867916ac6538bf45ce391c94c">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-senate-schumer-thune-trump-health-care-b85fe6cdd5d8cdc3e3aa1f4ae889474f">failed to strike an agreement</a>&nbsp;to fund federal operations, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a>&nbsp;has entered its second week, with no discernible endgame in sight.The agency's initial&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26183200-irs-lapse-plan/">Lapsed Appropriations Contingency Plan</a>, which provided for the first five business days of operations, stated that the department would remain open using Democrats’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-inflation-reduction-climate-anniversary-9950f7e814ac71e89eee3f452ab17f71">Inflation Reduction Act</a>&nbsp;funds.Now, only 39,870 employees, or 53.6%, will remain working as the shutdown continues. It is unclear which workers will remain on the job.Doreen Greenwald, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said in a statement that taxpayers should expect increased wait times, backlogs and delays implementing tax law changes as the shutdown continues.“Taxpayers around the country will now have a much harder time getting the assistance they need, just as they get ready to file their extension returns due next week," she said. “Every day these employees are locked out of work is another day of frustration for taxpayers and a growing backlog of work that sits and waits for the shutdown to end.”She urged the Trump administration and Congress to "reach an agreement that reopens government and restores the services that Americans need and deserve."The notice to workers states that furloughed workers and those who remain on the job will receive back pay once the shutdown ends. This is notable since the Republican administration on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-back-bay-shutdown-785eb776d2312d1f68f7e91961d0a93a">warned of no guaranteed back pay</a>&nbsp;for federal workers affected by a government shutdown.Last week, Trump said roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-9-30-2025#00000199-9b62-d3e5-a399-ff7b4ce10000">750,000 federal workers</a>&nbsp;nationwide were expected to be furloughed across agencies, with some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-9-30-2025#00000199-9c25-d394-abb9-bf2ff8a90000">potentially fired</a>&nbsp;by his administration.Representatives from the IRS, the Treasury and the White House did not comment on the furlough plans.Earlier this year the IRS embarked on mass layoffs, spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency, affecting tens of thousands of workers. At the end of 2024, the agency employed roughly 100,000 workers — and currently that hovers around 75,000.

IRS will furlough nearly half its workforce due to government shutdown 

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.

Just before 6a.m. Wednesday, crews responded to a reported house fire in the 3500 block of E. 26th Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 Crews reported heavy fire through the roof of a two-story occupied home .&nbsp; Searches of the structure came back all clear. The occupants of the home were able to escape. The fire was placed under control at 5:53 am. Red Cross was ordered for two adults and animal control was ordered to care for multiple dogs. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759926945992.png" alt="Photo KC Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo KC Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.Just before 6a.m. Wednesday, crews responded to a reported house fire in the 3500 block of E. 26th Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. Crews reported heavy fire through the roof of a two-story occupied home .&nbsp; Searches of the structure came back all clear. The occupants of the home were able to escape. The fire was placed under control at 5:53 am. Red Cross was ordered for two adults and animal control was ordered to care for multiple dogs.