SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement investigating a deadly weekend shooting in Wichita have made an arrest.&nbsp;

Just after 6p.m. on Monday police<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=228061"> booked 27-year-old Elijah Fanning</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail, according to online booking records. Fanning is being held on requested charges of 2nd degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon and for an outstanding warrant, according to a media release from police.

The investigation began at 2:26 p.m. on&nbsp; Saturday, when officers responded to a shooting in the 2700 block of W. 2nd Street in Wichita.

First responders found a 26 year old Wichita man on the ground with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Detectives learned the shooting followed a disturbance between the victim and four other males. All four fled the area before officers arrived.

One person of interest remains outstanding. Investigators are actively working leads to locate the remaining suspect involved.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751242881236.png" alt="Police at the scene Sunday-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene Sunday-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement investigating a deadly weekend shooting in Wichita have made an arrest.&nbsp;Just after 6p.m. on Monday police<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/inmatesearch/Details.aspx?Id=228061"> booked 27-year-old Elijah Fanning</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail, according to online booking records. Fanning is being held on requested charges of 2nd degree murder, criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon and for an outstanding warrant, according to a media release from police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751366599042.png" alt="Fanning-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Fanning-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation began at 2:26 p.m. on&nbsp; Saturday, when officers responded to a shooting in the 2700 block of W. 2nd Street in Wichita.First responders found a 26 year old Wichita man on the ground with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Detectives learned the shooting followed a disturbance between the victim and four other males. All four fled the area before officers arrived.One person of interest remains outstanding. Investigators are actively working leads to locate the remaining suspect involved.

Police: Kan. suspect arrested for weekend homicide

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a violent altercation that injured two teenagers at a skate park in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 1a.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;responded to report of a disturbance at 6401 NE Pleasant Valley Road in Kansas City, according to a statement from police.

First responders learned that a girl had been struck by a car, which fled the scene. They also learned that a teenager girl had arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound. The 15-year-old shooting victim told hospital staff she was shot at Pleasant Valley Skate Park, according to police.

The injured girl reported a verbal altercation broke out and people began pushing and hitting the vehicle she was in. The driver of the vehicle, who was listed as a victim of aggravated assault, began to drive away as the altercation continued.

Someone fired a gun as they drove off. The gunshots struck the car and the girl who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and other victim was a 16-year-old girl.&nbsp; Police have not reported a possible suspect or an arrest.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a violent altercation that injured two teenagers at a skate park in Kansas City, Missouri.Just after 1a.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;responded to report of a disturbance at 6401 NE Pleasant Valley Road in Kansas City, according to a statement from police.First responders learned that a girl had been struck by a car, which fled the scene. They also learned that a teenager girl had arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound. The 15-year-old shooting victim told hospital staff she was shot at Pleasant Valley Skate Park, according to police.The injured girl reported a verbal altercation broke out and people began pushing and hitting the vehicle she was in. The driver of the vehicle, who was listed as a victim of aggravated assault, began to drive away as the altercation continued.Someone fired a gun as they drove off. The gunshots struck the car and the girl who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and other victim was a 16-year-old girl.&nbsp; Police have not reported a possible suspect or an arrest.

Girls hurt in disturbance, shooting at Kansas City skate park

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate came to a standstill Tuesday after slogging through a tense overnight session, with Republican leaders searching for ways to secure support for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;big bill of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-bill-republicans-medicaid-snap-5106fb5d07a5675e01644aabde1f7df8">tax breaks and spending cuts</a>&nbsp;while fending off proposed amendments, mostly from Democrats trying to defeat the package.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-bill-thune-senate-leader-daf1aee85669ac9a242908e2a13f9346">Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota</a>&nbsp;spent the night reaching for last-minute agreements between those in his party worried the bill's reductions to Medicaid will leave millions without care and his most conservative flank, which wants even steeper cuts to hold down deficits ballooning with the tax cuts.

Vice President JD Vance was at the Capitol, on hand to break a tie vote if needed.

It's a pivotal moment for the Republicans, who have control of Congress and are racing to wrap up work with just days to go before Trump's holiday deadline Friday. The 940-page&nbsp;<a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/the_one_big_beautiful_bill_act.pdf">“One Big Beautiful Bill Act,”</a>&nbsp;as it’s formally titled, has consumed Congress as its shared priority with the president.

At the same time&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/speaker-johnson-trump-tax-bill-christian-prayer-f82ed140d9110d5cc7b4029b681ea9eb">House Speaker Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;of Louisiana has signaled more potential problems ahead, warning the Senate package could run into trouble when it is sent back to the House for a final round of voting, as skeptical lawmakers are being called back to Washington ahead of Trump’s Fourth of July deadline.

Trump acknowledged it's “very complicated stuff,” as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-everglades-immigrant-detention-facility-visit-5dc5568ec15534947c29c9149b773d1d">departed the White House for Florida</a>.

“We’re going to have to see the final version,” the president said. "I don’t want to go too crazy with cuts. I don’t like cuts.”

What started as a routine, but laborious day of amendment voting, in a process called vote-a-rama, spiraled into an almost round-the-clock marathon as Republican leaders were buying time to shore up support. It was among the longest sessions processing the most amendments in modern times.

The droning roll calls in the chamber belied the frenzied action to steady the bill. Grim-faced scenes played out on and off the Senate floor, and tempers flared.

The GOP leaders have no room to spare, with narrow majorities in both chambers. Thune can lose no more than three Republican senators, and already two —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/thom-tillis-trumps-big-bill-election-north-carolina-51ba539bb59921324c663fe99ca32055">Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina</a>, who warns people will lose access to Medicaid health care, and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who opposes raising the debt limit by $5 trillion — have indicated opposition.

Attention quickly turned to key senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, who have also worked to stem the health care cuts, but also a loose coalition of four conservative GOP senators pushing for even steeper reductions.

Asked if she’ll support the bill, Collins told the AP she continues to have a “lot of serious reservations about the bill.”

Murkowski in particular was the subject of the GOP leadership's attention, as Thune and others sat beside her in conversation. By daybreak, she was huddled intensely for more than an hour in the back of the chamber with others, scribbling notes on papers.

At another point, all eyes shifted to Paul after he returned from a visit to Thune’s office with a stunning offer that could win his vote. He had suggested substantially lowering the proposed increase in the amount of the debt ceiling, according to two people familiar with the private meeting and granted anonymity to discuss it.

And on social media, billionaire Elon Musk was again lashing out at Republicans as “the PORKY PIG PARTY!!” for including the $5 trillion debt limit provision, which is needed to allow continued borrowing to pay the bills.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said “Republicans are in shambles because they know the bill is so unpopular."

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-trump-tax-bill-republicans-senate-5f591bea21bd95eec45ba90c93c50687">A new analysis</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cbo-big-beautiful-bill-trump-republican-deficit-debt-d432b67a965790e4a26de46ea8db1266">the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office</a>&nbsp;found 11.8 million more Americans would become uninsured by 2034 if the bill became law. The CBO said the package would increase the deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion over the decade.

Few Republicans appear fully satisfied as the final package emerges, in either the House or Senate.

Collins had proposed bolstering the $25 billion proposed rural hospital fund to $50 billion, offset with a higher tax rate on those earning more than $25 million a year, but her amendment failed.

And Murkowski was trying to secure provisions to spare people in her state from some food stamp cuts, which appeared to be accepted, while she was also working to beef up federal reimbursements to hospitals in Alaska and others states, that failed to comply with parliamentary rules.

“Radio silence,” Murkowski said when asked how she would vote.

At the same time, conservative Senate Republicans had insisted on a vote on their plan for health care cuts, including Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming.

A few of the amendments from Democrats were winning support from a few Republicans, though almost none passed.

One amendment was overwhelmingly approved, 99-1. It would strip a provision barring states from regulating artificial intelligence if they receive certain federal funding.

All told, the Senate bill includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, according to the latest CBO analysis, making permanent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/big-beautiful-bill-trump-tax-spending-cuts-78fabe42ae09e0c5ac692a92dca8af5b">Trump's 2017 rates</a>, which would expire at the end of the year if Congress fails to act, while adding the new ones he campaigned on, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-tax-on-tips-things-to-know-budget-bill-02b9d99dbe17cef93a81bc0cbb2cffcb">no taxes on tips</a>.

The Senate package would roll back billions of dollars in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-clean-energy-tax-credits-trump-87f7ac850247f8a183d7c7933645b331">green energy tax credits</a>, which Democrats warn will wipe out wind and solar investments nationwide. It would impose $1.2 trillion in cuts, largely to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-bill-hospital-provider-tax-f6f4343bbc9c9a279bd7861c2e5c1b7b">Medicaid</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-food-stamps-tax-cuts-senate-spending-101d16d8ca61956fc37f0cce7551fa24">food stamps</a>, by imposing work requirements on able-bodied people, including some parents and older Americans, making sign-up eligibility more stringent and changing federal reimbursements to states.

Additionally, the bill would provide a $350 billion infusion for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-budget-congress-trump-bill-e37bb0a5c5ca883438db349239a6c251">border and national security</a>, including for deportations, some of it paid for with new fees charged to immigrants.

Unable to stop the march toward passage, the Democrats tried to drag out the process, including with a weekend reading of the full bill.

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, raised particular concern at the start of debate late Sunday about the accounting method being used by the Republicans, which says the tax breaks from Trump's first term are now “current policy” and the cost of extending them should not be counted toward deficits.

She said that kind of “magic math” won't fly with Americans trying to balance their own household books.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tax-cuts-trump-big-bill-bf3f94471b13db3e5d50f0cd1f8fe793">WASHINGTON (AP) —The Senate slogged</a>&nbsp;through a tense overnight session that has now dragged into Tuesday morning, with Republican leaders searching for ways to secure support for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;big bill of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-bill-republicans-medicaid-snap-5106fb5d07a5675e01644aabde1f7df8">tax breaks and spending cuts</a>&nbsp;while fending off proposed amendments, mostly from Democrats trying to defeat the package.

An endgame appeared to be taking shape.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-bill-thune-senate-leader-daf1aee85669ac9a242908e2a13f9346">Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota</a>&nbsp;spent the night reaching for last-minute agreements between those in his party worried the bill’s reductions to Medicaid will leave millions without care and his most conservative flank, which wants even steeper cuts to hold down deficits ballooning with the tax cuts.

It’s a pivotal moment for the Republicans, who have control of Congress and are racing to wrap up work with just days to go before Trump’s self-imposed July 4 deadline. The 940-page&nbsp;<a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/the_one_big_beautiful_bill_act.pdf">“One Big Beautiful Bill Act,”</a>&nbsp;as it’s formally titled, has consumed Congress as its shared priority with the president.

Senate ‘vote-o-rama’ for Trump’s big bill already among longest-running in modern times

The all-night session has been grinding on for nearly 24 hours, having started at roughly 9:30 a.m. on Monday.

Senators have voted on more than three dozen amendments so far. More voting is likely.

The marathon voting session is part of the cumbersome process Republicans are using to try and pass the bill with a simple majority.

Republicans are letting the process drag on as they try to lock up last-minute agreements to push the bill to passage. For now, the Senate floor is at a standstill.

Senate strikes AI provision from GOP bill after uproar from the states

The proposal to deter states from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade was soundly defeated in the Senate on Tuesday, thwarting attempts to insert the measure into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Trump’s</a>&nbsp;big bill of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-medicaid-food-stamps-tax-cuts-trump-04ba626c7e35c6a0070436f69616ab35?user_email=4fd4c27baee4d42584b8424a80aaaef9499833441d8a179eef98bf79418cf799&amp;utm_medium=Morning_Wire&amp;utm_source=Sailthru_AP&amp;utm_campaign=Morning%20Wire%2006/30&amp;utm_term=Morning%20Wire%20Subscribers">tax breaks and spending cuts</a>.

The Senate voted 99-1 to strike the AI provision for the legislation after weeks of criticism from both Republican and Democratic governors and state officials.

Originally proposed as a 10-year ban on states doing anything to regulate AI, lawmakers later tied it to federal funding so that only states that backed off on AI regulations would be able to get subsidies for broadband internet or AI infrastructure.

Trump responds to Elon Musk’s criticism of tax cut and spending bill

Trump said the billionaire could lose a lot more than the electrical vehicle subsidies that would be eliminated if the measure becomes law.

“We might have to put DOGE on Elon,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House for a trip to Florida. “DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon.”

DOGE is the Department of Government Efficiency. Trump put Musk in charge of DOGE to cut government spending. Musk owns an electric vehicle company and a space company and has lucrative federal government contracts.

By LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is slogging through a tense overnight session that has dragged into Tuesday, with Republican leaders buying time as they search for ways to secure support for President Donald Trump's big bill of tax breaks and spending cuts while fending off proposed amendments, mostly from Democrats trying to defeat the package.

An endgame was not immediately in sight. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota is reaching for a last-minute agreement between those in his party worried the bill's reductions to Medicaid will leave millions without care and his most conservative flank, which wants even steeper cuts to hold down deficits ballooning with the tax cuts.

Thune declared at one point they were in the "homestretch" as he dashed through the halls at the Capitol, only to backtrack a short time later, suggesting any progress was "elusive."

At the same time House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled more potential problems ahead, warning the Senate package could run into trouble when it is sent back to the House for a final round of voting, as skeptical lawmakers are being called back to Washington ahead of Trump's Fourth of July deadline.

"I have prevailed upon my Senate colleagues to please, please, please keep it as close to the House product as possible," said Johnson, the Louisiana Republican. House Republicans had already passed their version last month.

It's a pivotal moment for the Republicans, who have control of Congress and are racing to wrap up work with just days to go before Trump's holiday deadline Friday. The 940-page "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," as it's formally titled, has consumed Congress as its shared priority with the president.

In a midnight social media post urging them on, Trump called the bill "perhaps the greatest and most important of its kind." Vice President JD Vance summed up his own series of posts, simply imploring senators to "Pass the bill."

The GOP leaders have no room to spare, with narrow majorities in both chambers. Thune can lose no more than three Republican senators, and already two — Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who warns people will lose access to Medicaid health care, and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who opposes raising the debt limit — have indicated opposition.

Attention quickly turned to key senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, who have also raised concerns about health care cuts, but also a loose coalition of four conservative GOP senators pushing for even steeper reductions.

Murkowski in particular was the subject of the GOP leadership's attention, as Thune and others sat beside her in conversation. Then Paul drew eyes after he returned from a visit to Thune's office.

And on social media, billionaire Elon Musk was again lashing out at Republicans as "the PORKY PIG PARTY!!" for including a provision that would raise the nation's debt limit by $5 trillion, which is needed to allow continued borrowing to pay the bills.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said his side was working to show "how awful this is."

"Republicans are in shambles because they know the bill is so unpopular," Schumer said as he walked the halls.

A new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found 11.8 million more Americans would become uninsured by 2034 if the bill became law. The CBO said the package would increase the deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion over the decade.

Tillis said it is a betrayal of the president's promises not to kick people off health care, especially if rural hospitals close.

Collins had proposed bolstering the $25 billion proposed rural hospital fund to $50 billion, but her amendment failed. And Murkowski was trying to secure provisions to spare people in her state from some health care and food stamp cuts while also working to beef up federal reimbursements to Alaska's hospitals. They have not said how they would vote for the final package.

"Radio silence," Murkowski said when asked.

At the same time, conservative Senate Republicans proposing steeper health care cuts, including Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, filed into Thune's office for a near-midnight meeting.

The Senate has spent some 18 hours churning through more than two dozen amendments in what is called a vote-a-rama, a typically laborious process that went on longer than usual as negotiations happen on and off the chamber floor. The White House legislative team also was at the Capitol.

A few of the amendments — to strike parts of the bill that would limit Medicaid funds to rural hospitals or shift the costs of food stamp benefits to the states — were winning support from a few Republicans, though almost none were passing.

One amendment was overwhelmingly approved. It would strip a provision barring states from regulating artificial intelligence if they receive certain federal funding. It was approved 99-1.

All told, the Senate bill includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, according to the latest CBO analysis, making permanent Trump's 2017 rates, which would expire at the end of the year if Congress fails to act, while adding the new ones he campaigned on, including no taxes on tips.

The Senate package would roll back billions of dollars in green energy tax credits, which Democrats warn will wipe out wind and solar investments nationwide. It would impose $1.2 trillion in cuts, largely to Medicaid and food stamps, by imposing work requirements on able-bodied people, including some parents and older Americans, making sign-up eligibility more stringent and changing federal reimbursements to states.

Additionally, the bill would provide a $350 billion infusion for border and national security, including for deportations, some of it paid for with new fees charged to immigrants.

Unable to stop the march toward passage, the Democrats as the minority party in Congress are using the tools at their disposal to delay and drag out the process.

Democrats forced a full reading of the text, which took 16 hours, and they have a stream of amendments.

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, raised particular concern at the start of debate late Sunday about the accounting method being used by the Republicans, which says the tax breaks from Trump's first term are now "current policy" and the cost of extending them should not be counted toward deficits.

She said that kind of "magic math" won't fly with Americans trying to balance their own household books.

Associated Press writers Ali Swenson, Fatima Hussein, Michelle L. Price, Kevin Freking, Matt Brown, Seung Min Kim and Chris Megerian contributed to this report.

Moran, Marshall up all night: ‘Vote-o-rama’ on Big, Beautiful Bill continues

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Authorities say two firefighters were killed and another was critically injured after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coeur-dalene-idaho-shooting-firefighters-024d26274e0faacec1687f6dde789ced">they were shot</a>&nbsp;while responding to a wildfire near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Here's what to know about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coeur-dalene-idaho-shooting-57e4143642c5a0e98d134051a7147a89">Sunday's attack</a>, the investigation and next steps.

Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said firefighters first responded to an early afternoon report of a brushfire at Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking and biking area near the outskirts of town. A man began shooting at them after firefighters asked him to move his vehicle.

Law enforcement officials responded, locking down neighborhoods nearby and trying to find the shooter in hilly terrain that had plenty of cover, with thick brush and trees and smoke from the fire nearby.

Over the next few hours, it wasn't clear if hikers or other recreationists were stuck on the mountain, or if any civilians had been injured in the shooting, Norris said. What was clear was the danger firefighters and responding law enforcement faced.

“We don’t know how many suspects are up there, and we don’t know how many casualties there are,” Norris told reporters at a Sunday afternoon news conference. “We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak.”

A spokesperson with Kootenai Health later confirmed that three patients were brought to the hospital. Two were dead by the time they arrived and a third was injured.

The names of the slain and injured firefighters were released by fire department officials on Monday afternoon.

Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, who had been with the Kootenai County fire department for 17 years, was killed, county Fire and Rescue Chief Christopher Way said during a news conference.

Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, was also killed. He had worked with the department for 28 years.

Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Engineer David Tysdal, 47, was in critical condition after undergoing two surgeries.

Cellphone data helps law enforcement find the suspect

Faced with more than 17,000 square feet (1,580 square meters) of containment area, part of it burning, authorities used cellphone data to narrow their search. They identified a cell signal around 3:15 p.m. and noticed it had not changed location for some time, Norris said.

A tactical response team went to the location and found a deceased man with a weapon nearby. Officials believe the man was the shooter, the sheriff said. Investigators said he acted alone.

The fire was burning close to the suspect's body, so authorities had to “scoop the body up” before it was engulfed in flames, Norris said.

Crews were stationed around the area overnight and the sheriff said the investigation continued Monday.

Norris said a full search of the area would be done to make sure no other weapons were in the vicinity.

The suspect has been identified as Wess Roley, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Monday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation.

A procession of fire and law enforcement vehicles accompanied the bodies of the fallen firefighters as they were taken from the hospital in Coeur d'Alene to the medical examiner's office in Spokane, Washington, a neighboring city just across the state line. Another procession was planned to bring the bodies back to Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little ordered U.S. and Idaho state flags to be lowered to half-staff Monday to honor the firefighters until the day after their memorial service, saying they’ve never seen a “heinous act of violence like this” directed at firefighters.

“This is not Idaho,” Little said in a statement. “This indescribable loss is felt deeply by all those in the firefighting community and beyond.”

Associated Press journalist Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington and Lisa Baumann in Bellingham, Washington, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751336556199.png" alt="Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison" />
 <figcaption>Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison</figcaption>
 </figure>BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Authorities say two firefighters were killed and another was critically injured after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coeur-dalene-idaho-shooting-firefighters-024d26274e0faacec1687f6dde789ced">they were shot</a>&nbsp;while responding to a wildfire near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.Here's what to know about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coeur-dalene-idaho-shooting-57e4143642c5a0e98d134051a7147a89">Sunday's attack</a>, the investigation and next steps.<h2>Ambush began with a brush fire</h2>Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said firefighters first responded to an early afternoon report of a brushfire at Canfield Mountain, a popular hiking and biking area near the outskirts of town. A man began shooting at them after firefighters asked him to move his vehicle.Law enforcement officials responded, locking down neighborhoods nearby and trying to find the shooter in hilly terrain that had plenty of cover, with thick brush and trees and smoke from the fire nearby.<h2>First hours were chaotic</h2>Over the next few hours, it wasn't clear if hikers or other recreationists were stuck on the mountain, or if any civilians had been injured in the shooting, Norris said. What was clear was the danger firefighters and responding law enforcement faced.“We don’t know how many suspects are up there, and we don’t know how many casualties there are,” Norris told reporters at a Sunday afternoon news conference. “We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751336628699.png" alt="Battalion Chief Frank Harwood-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Battalion Chief Frank Harwood-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>A spokesperson with Kootenai Health later confirmed that three patients were brought to the hospital. Two were dead by the time they arrived and a third was injured.The names of the slain and injured firefighters were released by fire department officials on Monday afternoon.Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, who had been with the Kootenai County fire department for 17 years, was killed, county Fire and Rescue Chief Christopher Way said during a news conference.Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, was also killed. He had worked with the department for 28 years.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751336823249.png" alt="David Tysdale courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>David Tysdale courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Engineer David Tysdal, 47, was in critical condition after undergoing two surgeries.<h2>Cellphone data helps law enforcement find the suspect</h2>Faced with more than 17,000 square feet (1,580 square meters) of containment area, part of it burning, authorities used cellphone data to narrow their search. They identified a cell signal around 3:15 p.m. and noticed it had not changed location for some time, Norris said.A tactical response team went to the location and found a deceased man with a weapon nearby. Officials believe the man was the shooter, the sheriff said. Investigators said he acted alone.<h2>The fire complicates the crime scene</h2>The fire was burning close to the suspect's body, so authorities had to “scoop the body up” before it was engulfed in flames, Norris said.Crews were stationed around the area overnight and the sheriff said the investigation continued Monday.Norris said a full search of the area would be done to make sure no other weapons were in the vicinity.The suspect has been identified as Wess Roley, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Monday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation.<h2>Procession honors fallen firefighters</h2>A procession of fire and law enforcement vehicles accompanied the bodies of the fallen firefighters as they were taken from the hospital in Coeur d'Alene to the medical examiner's office in Spokane, Washington, a neighboring city just across the state line. Another procession was planned to bring the bodies back to Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday.Idaho Gov. Brad Little ordered U.S. and Idaho state flags to be lowered to half-staff Monday to honor the firefighters until the day after their memorial service, saying they’ve never seen a “heinous act of violence like this” directed at firefighters.“This is not Idaho,” Little said in a statement. “This indescribable loss is felt deeply by all those in the firefighting community and beyond.”______Associated Press journalist Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington and Lisa Baumann in Bellingham, Washington, contributed to this report.

Officials release names of firefighter victims of the Idaho ambush shooting 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man convicted in the domestic violence murder of a Wichita woman was is going to prison. On Thursday, Carlos Anderson-Honeycutt, 26, Wichita, was sentenced to life in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In March he was found guilty of the murder of&nbsp; Britnee Wicker after a jury trial.

On November, 19, 2023 police were dispatched to a shooting at a home in the 2300 block of S. Belmont in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp;

First responders located 24-year-old Brittnee Wicker inside her home with a fatal gunshot wound. She would be pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;

Following a thorough collaborative effort with law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Wichita Police Department discovered that&nbsp;Anderson-Honeycutt was in the State of Texas. Coordinating with partners in Texas, particularly the United States Customs and Border Patrol, an arrest was successfully made near Brownsville, Texas.&nbsp;

On Nov. 15, 2023 authorities booked Anderson-Honeycutt into the Sedgwick County Jail and eventually charged with 1st Degree Murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700924495261.png" alt="Anderson-Honeycutt-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Anderson-Honeycutt-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man convicted in the domestic violence murder of a Wichita woman was is going to prison. On Thursday, Carlos Anderson-Honeycutt, 26, Wichita, was sentenced to life in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In March he was found guilty of the murder of&nbsp; Britnee Wicker after a jury trial.On November, 19, 2023 police were dispatched to a shooting at a home in the 2300 block of S. Belmont in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700926072292.png" alt="Britnee Wicker-photo Affinity Mortuary" />
 <figcaption>Britnee Wicker-photo Affinity Mortuary</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located 24-year-old Brittnee Wicker inside her home with a fatal gunshot wound. She would be pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;Following a thorough collaborative effort with law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Wichita Police Department discovered that&nbsp;Anderson-Honeycutt was in the State of Texas. Coordinating with partners in Texas, particularly the United States Customs and Border Patrol, an arrest was successfully made near Brownsville, Texas.&nbsp;On Nov. 15, 2023 authorities booked Anderson-Honeycutt into the Sedgwick County Jail and eventually charged with 1st Degree Murder.

Man captured by DHS is going to prison for killing Kansas woman  

BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspect on drug allegations after a traffic stop in Butler County.

On Friday, Butler County Sheriff's Department Sergeant&nbsp;Tharp initiated a traffic stop due to the vehicle possessing a stolen license plate, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office. A short pursuit ended at N Andover Road and E Douglass Avenue.

 A vehicle search was conducted due to the oder of Marijuana. The search resulted in deputies finding three handguns, a half-pound of marijuana and a dozen THC vapes. Braden Gatschet      and two juvenile occupants are facing fire arm and drug related charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751301407813.png" alt="Photo Butler Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Butler Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspect on drug allegations after a traffic stop in Butler County.On Friday, Butler County Sheriff's Department Sergeant&nbsp;Tharp initiated a traffic stop due to the vehicle possessing a stolen license plate, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office. A short pursuit ended at N Andover Road and E Douglass Avenue. A vehicle search was conducted due to the oder of Marijuana. The search resulted in deputies finding three handguns, a half-pound of marijuana and a dozen THC vapes. Braden Gatschet and two juvenile occupants are facing fire arm and drug related charges.

Kan. man, 2 juveniles caught with guns, marijuana

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Bryan Kohberger has agreed to plead guilty to murdering four University of Idaho students as part of a deal with prosecutors to avoid the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-murders-students-stabbed-kohberger-da6b7758a2beda6c05a5373286f6a692">death penalty</a>, multiple media outlets reported Monday.

The news was delivered to families of the victims in a letter from prosecutors, according to ABC News. A change of plea hearing was set for Wednesday. Kohberger's trial had been set to begin in August.

<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23564673/122922-affidavit-exhibit-a-statement-of-brett-payne_redacted.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the full&nbsp;unsealed affidavit, which explains the basis for Kohberger's arrest.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-idaho-students-killings-arrest-b3b1ffd8138827f0bdad16d20e17cf83">Kohberger</a>, 30, is accused in the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves at a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022. Autopsies showed the four were all likely asleep when they were attacked, some had defensive wounds and each was stabbed multiple times.

Goncalves' family expressed outrage in a Facebook post: “We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us. Please give us some time. This was very unexpected.”

Kohberger, then a criminal justice graduate student at Washington State University, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/law-enforcement-idaho-pennsylvania-crime-5a9c3c1117dbf2efcd37cdf04e5c01ae">arrested in Pennsylvania</a>&nbsp;weeks after the killings. Investigators said they matched his DNA to genetic material recovered from a knife sheath found at the crime scene.

In a court filing, his lawyers said Kohberger was on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-students-stabbed-bryan-kohberger-alibi-9854c98806921d698dd85a896481f5f2">long drive by himself</a>&nbsp;around the time the four were killed.

The killings shook the small farming community of about 25,000 people, which hadn’t had a homicide in about five years. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bryan-kohberger-idaho-students-killed-trial-boise-45ca6dc670fa9e0088e7774772752f80">trial was moved</a>&nbsp;from rural northern Idaho to Boise after the defense expressed concerns that Kohberger couldn’t get a fair trial in the county where the killings occurred.

In Idaho, judges may reject plea agreements, though such moves are rare. If a judge rejects a plea agreement, the defendant is allowed to withdraw the guilty plea.

Earlier Monday, a Pennsylvania judge had ordered that three people whose testimony was requested by defense attorneys would have to travel to Idaho to appear at Kohberger’s trial.

The defense subpoenas were granted regarding a boxing trainer who knew Kohberger as a teenager, a childhood acquaintance of Kohberger’s and a third man whose significance was not explained.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-state-government-law-enforcement-crime-0118f189f18ea76194b752e211becd1f">gag order</a>&nbsp;has largely kept attorneys, investigators and others from speaking publicly about the investigation or trial.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672924870681.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Bryan Kohberger has agreed to plead guilty to murdering four University of Idaho students as part of a deal with prosecutors to avoid the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-murders-students-stabbed-kohberger-da6b7758a2beda6c05a5373286f6a692">death penalty</a>, multiple media outlets reported Monday.The news was delivered to families of the victims in a letter from prosecutors, according to ABC News. A change of plea hearing was set for Wednesday. Kohberger's trial had been set to begin in August.<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23564673/122922-affidavit-exhibit-a-statement-of-brett-payne_redacted.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the full&nbsp;unsealed affidavit, which explains the basis for Kohberger's arrest.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-idaho-students-killings-arrest-b3b1ffd8138827f0bdad16d20e17cf83">Kohberger</a>, 30, is accused in the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves at a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022. Autopsies showed the four were all likely asleep when they were attacked, some had defensive wounds and each was stabbed multiple times.Goncalves' family expressed outrage in a Facebook post: “We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us. Please give us some time. This was very unexpected.”Kohberger, then a criminal justice graduate student at Washington State University, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/law-enforcement-idaho-pennsylvania-crime-5a9c3c1117dbf2efcd37cdf04e5c01ae">arrested in Pennsylvania</a>&nbsp;weeks after the killings. Investigators said they matched his DNA to genetic material recovered from a knife sheath found at the crime scene.In a court filing, his lawyers said Kohberger was on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-students-stabbed-bryan-kohberger-alibi-9854c98806921d698dd85a896481f5f2">long drive by himself</a>&nbsp;around the time the four were killed.The killings shook the small farming community of about 25,000 people, which hadn’t had a homicide in about five years. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bryan-kohberger-idaho-students-killed-trial-boise-45ca6dc670fa9e0088e7774772752f80">trial was moved</a>&nbsp;from rural northern Idaho to Boise after the defense expressed concerns that Kohberger couldn’t get a fair trial in the county where the killings occurred.In Idaho, judges may reject plea agreements, though such moves are rare. If a judge rejects a plea agreement, the defendant is allowed to withdraw the guilty plea.Earlier Monday, a Pennsylvania judge had ordered that three people whose testimony was requested by defense attorneys would have to travel to Idaho to appear at Kohberger’s trial.The defense subpoenas were granted regarding a boxing trainer who knew Kohberger as a teenager, a childhood acquaintance of Kohberger’s and a third man whose significance was not explained.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-state-government-law-enforcement-crime-0118f189f18ea76194b752e211becd1f">gag order</a>&nbsp;has largely kept attorneys, investigators and others from speaking publicly about the investigation or trial.

Plea deal for suspect in murder of 4 Univ. of Idaho students

RILEY COUNTY —The investigation into the aggravated arson which occurred on June 13, at Walmart, 101 E Bluemont Avenue in Manhattan, is still an active investigation, according to a statement from the Riley County Police Department.

The RCPD has forwarded an affidavit to the Pottawatomie County District Attorney’s Office for review and consideration for prosecution.

The Riley County Police Department is leading the investigation into the incident while working closely with the Manhattan Fire Department.

Just before 5p.m. on June 13, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to a fire reported at Walmart,&nbsp; 101 Bluemont Avenue, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, crews found people evacuating and light smoke showing at the doors. Employees were extinguishing the fire as crews arrived at the middle of the store where the fire occurred.&nbsp;

Crews ensured that extinguishment was complete by overhauling the area and taking smoldering material outside.

Just before 7p.m., Walmart was still closed while fire crews evacuate smoke from inside the building. No injuries were reported.&nbsp; There was considerable smoke damage.

Riley County Police Department, Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office, and Pottawatomie County EMS responded to assist.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751321189617.png" alt="Photo Manhattan Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Manhattan Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —The investigation into the aggravated arson which occurred on June 13, at Walmart, 101 E Bluemont Avenue in Manhattan, is still an active investigation, according to a statement from the Riley County Police Department.The RCPD has forwarded an affidavit to the Pottawatomie County District Attorney’s Office for review and consideration for prosecution.The Riley County Police Department is leading the investigation into the incident while working closely with the Manhattan Fire Department.Just before 5p.m. on June 13, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to a fire reported at Walmart,&nbsp; 101 Bluemont Avenue, according to a media release.Upon arrival, crews found people evacuating and light smoke showing at the doors. Employees were extinguishing the fire as crews arrived at the middle of the store where the fire occurred.&nbsp;Crews ensured that extinguishment was complete by overhauling the area and taking smoldering material outside.Just before 7p.m., Walmart was still closed while fire crews evacuate smoke from inside the building. No injuries were reported.&nbsp; There was considerable smoke damage.Riley County Police Department, Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office, and Pottawatomie County EMS responded to assist.

Police: Investigation of alleged arson fire at Kan. Walmart continues

The Justice Department on Monday announced the results of its 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals, in 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys General’s Offices across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss, according to a statement from the DOJ.

The Takedown involved federal and state law enforcement agencies across the country and represents an unprecedented effort to combat health care fraud schemes that exploit patients and taxpayers.

Demonstrating the significant return on investment that results from health care fraud enforcement efforts, the government seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets as part of the coordinated enforcement efforts. As part of the whole-of-government approach to combating health care fraud announced today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also announced that it successfully prevented over $4 billion from being paid in response to false and fraudulent claims and that it suspended or revoked the billing privileges of 205 providers in the months leading up to the Takedown. Civil charges against 20 defendants for $14.2 million in alleged fraud, as well as civil settlements with 106 defendants totaling $34.3 million, were also announced as part of the Takedown.

Today’s Takedown was led and coordinated by the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and its core partners from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The cases were investigated by agents from HHS-OIG, FBI, DEA, and other federal and state law enforcement agencies. The cases are being prosecuted by Health Care Fraud Strike Force teams from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, 50 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, and 12 State Attorneys General Offices.

“This record-setting Health&nbsp;Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”

“As part of making healthcare accessible and affordable to all Americans, HHS will aggressively work with our law enforcement partners to eliminate the pervasive health care fraud that bedeviled this agency under the former administration and drove up costs,” said Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“The Criminal Division is intensely committed to rooting out health care fraud schemes and prosecuting the criminals who perpetrate them because these schemes: (1) often result in physical patient harm through medically unnecessary treatments or failure to provide the correct treatments; (2) contribute to our nationwide opioid epidemic and exacerbate controlled substance addiction; and (3) do all of that while stealing money hardworking Americans contribute to pay for the care of their elders and other vulnerable citizens,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Division’s Health Care Fraud Unit and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices stand united with our law enforcement partners in this fight, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect the integrity of our health care programs for the American people.”

“The scale of today’s Takedown is unprecedented, and so is the harm we’re confronting. Individuals who attempt to steal from the federal health care system and put vulnerable patients at risk will be held accountable,”&nbsp;said Acting Inspector General Juliet T. Hodgkins of HHS-OIG. “Our agents at HHS-OIG work relentlessly to detect, investigate, and dismantle these fraud schemes. We are proud to stand with our law enforcement partners in protecting taxpayer dollars and safeguarding patient care.”

“Health care fraud drains critical resources from programs intended to help people who truly need medical care,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to pursuing those who exploit the system for personal gain. With more than $13 billion in fraud uncovered, this is the largest takedown for this initiative to date. Together, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold those accountable who steal from the American people and undermine our health care systems.”

29 defendants were charged for their roles in transnational criminal organizations alleged to have submitted over $12 billion in fraudulent claims to America’s health insurance programs.

For instance, a nationwide investigation known as Operation Gold Rush resulted in the largest loss amount ever charged in a health care fraud case brought by the Department. These charges were announced in the Eastern District of New York, the Northern District of Illinois, the Central District of California, the Middle District of Florida, and the District of New Jersey against 19 defendants. Twelve of these defendants have been arrested, including four defendants who were apprehended in Estonia as a result of international cooperation with Estonian law enforcement and seven defendants who were arrested at U.S. airports and the U.S. border with Mexico, cutting off their intended escape routes as they attempted to avoid capture.

The organization allegedly used a network of foreign straw owners, including individuals sent into the United States from abroad, who, acting at the direction of others using encrypted messaging and assumed identities from overseas, strategically bought dozens of medical supply companies located across the United States. They then rapidly submitted $10.6 billion in fraudulent health care claims to Medicare for urinary catheters and other durable medical equipment by exploiting the stolen identities of over one million Americans spanning all 50 states and using their confidential medical information to submit the fraudulent claims. As alleged, the organization exploited the U.S. financial system by laundering the fraudulent proceeds and deploying a range of tactics to circumvent anti-money laundering controls to transfer funds into cryptocurrency and shell companies located abroad. The arrests announced today also include a banker who facilitated the money laundering of fraud proceeds on behalf of the organization through a U.S.-based bank.

The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team and its partners detected the anomalous billing through proactive data analytics, and HHS-OIG and CMS successfully prevented the organization from receiving all but approximately $41 million of the approximately $4.45 billion that was scheduled to be paid by Medicare. HHS and CMS intend to seek to return the $4.41 billion in escrow to the Medicare trust fund for needed medical care.&nbsp;The scheme nonetheless resulted in payments of approximately $900 million from Medicare supplemental insurers. To date, law enforcement has seized approximately $27.7 million in fraud proceeds as part of Operation Gold Rush.

In another action involving foreign influence, charges were filed in the Northern District of Illinois against five defendants, including two owners and executives of Pakistani marketing organizations, in connection with a $703 million scheme in which Medicare beneficiaries’ identification numbers and other confidential health information were allegedly obtained through theft and deceptive marketing. The defendants allegedly used artificial intelligence to create fake recordings of Medicare beneficiaries purportedly consenting to receive certain products. According to court documents, the beneficiaries’ confidential information was then illegally sold to laboratories and durable medical equipment companies, which used this unlawfully obtained and fraudulently generated data to submit false claims to Medicare. Certain defendants controlled dozens of nominee-owned durable medical equipment companies and laboratories that allegedly submitted fraudulent claims for products and services the beneficiaries did not request, need, or receive. Certain defendants also allegedly conspired to conceal and launder the fraud proceeds from bank accounts they controlled in the United States to bank accounts overseas. In total, the defendants caused approximately $703 million in alleged fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, which paid approximately $418 million on those claims. The government seized approximately $44.7 million from various bank accounts related to this case.

Finally, a defendant based in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates who owned a billing company allegedly orchestrated a scheme to prey upon vulnerable individuals in need of addiction treatment by conspiring with treatment center owners to fraudulently bill Arizona Medicaid approximately $650 million for substance abuse treatment services. According to court documents, some of the services billed were never provided, while other services were provided at a level that was so substandard that it failed to serve any treatment purpose. As part of the conspiracy, treatment center owners allegedly paid illegal kickbacks in exchange for the referral of patients recruited from the homeless population and Native American reservations. The defendant received at least $25 million of ill-gotten Arizona Medicaid funds as a result of the conspiracy and is charged with a money laundering offense for his alleged use of those funds to purchase a $2.9 million home located on a golf estate in Dubai.

Charges were filed in the District of Arizona and the District of Nevada against seven defendants, including five medical professionals, in connection with approximately $1.1 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare and other health care benefit programs for amniotic wound allografts. As alleged, certain defendants targeted vulnerable elderly patients, many of whom were receiving hospice care, and applied medically unnecessary amniotic allografts to these patients’ wounds. Many of the allografts allegedly were applied without coordination with the patients’ treating physicians, without proper treatment for infection, to superficial wounds that did not need this treatment, and to areas that far exceeded the size of the wound. Certain defendants allegedly received millions in illegal kickbacks from the fraudulent billing scheme.

“Today's unprecedented enforcement action demonstrates that CMS and our federal partners are united in our mission to protect the integrity of Medicare and Medicaid by crushing waste, fraud, and abuse," said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. "Every dollar we prevent from going to fraudsters is a dollar that stays in the system to serve legitimate beneficiaries. Through advanced data analytics, real-time monitoring, and swift administrative action, CMS is leading the fight to protect Medicare, Medicaid, and the trust Americans place in these vital programs. We're not waiting for fraud to happen—we're stopping it before it starts."

74 defendants, including 44 licensed medical professionals, were charged across 58 cases in connection with the alleged illegal diversion of over 15 million pills of prescription opioids and other controlled substances. For example, five defendants associated with one Texas pharmacy were charged with the unlawful distribution of over 3 million opioid pills. As alleged, the defendants conspired to distribute massive quantities of oxycodone, hydrocodone, and carisoprodol, which were subsequently trafficked by street-level drug dealers, generating large profits for the defendants. This coordinated action is a continuation of the Health Care Fraud Unit’s systematic approach to stopping drug trafficking organizations and their pharmaceutical wholesale suppliers, which together have fueled an epidemic of prescription opioid abuse for nearly a decade.

DEA also announced today that in the last six months, DEA charged 93 administrative cases seeking the revocation of pharmacies, medical practitioners, and companies authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances.

“Health care fraud isn’t just theft — it’s trafficking in trust. Today’s announcement shows that when doctors become drug dealers and treatment centers become profit-driven fraud rings, DEA will act,” said Acting Administrator Robert Murphy of the DEA. “We’re targeting the entire ecosystem of fraud — from pill mills in Texas to kickback clinics exploiting Native communities. If you abuse your medical license to push poison or pad your pockets, we will hold you accountable.”

In today’s Takedown, 49 defendants were charged in connection with the submission of over $1.17 billion in allegedly fraudulent claims to Medicare resulting from telemedicine and genetic testing fraud schemes. For example, in the Southern District of Florida, prosecutors charged an owner of telemedicine and durable medical equipment companies with a $46 million scheme in which Medicare beneficiaries were allegedly targeted through deceptive telemarketing campaigns and then fraudulent claims were submitted to Medicare for durable medical equipment and genetic tests for these beneficiaries. The Department continues to focus on eliminating health care fraud schemes that depend on telemedicine, including schemes involving fraudulent claims for genetic testing, durable medical equipment, and COVID-19 tests.

The other cases announced today charge an additional 170 defendants with various other health care fraud schemes involving over $1.84 billion in allegedly false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies for diagnostic testing, medical visits, and treatments that were medically unnecessary, provided in connection with kickbacks and bribes, or never provided at all. For example, in the Western District of Tennessee, prosecutors charged three defendants, including business owners and a pharmacist, with a $28.7 million scheme to defraud the Federal Employees’ Compensation Fund by allegedly billing for medications for injured United States Postal Service employees that were never prescribed by a licensed practitioner and largely were not dispensed as claimed. And in the Western District of Washington and the Northern District of California, prosecutors charged medical providers with allegedly stealing fentanyl and hydrocodone, respectively, that was meant for the providers’ patients, including child patients in need of anesthesia.

“VA’s Integrated Veteran Care Programs provide critical community-based health care to our nation’s disabled veterans and their dependents,” said Acting Inspector General David Case of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG). “Robust oversight of VA’s health care system is one of VA-OIG’s highest priorities. VA-OIG is committed to holding accountable those who defraud government benefits programs intended to care for our nation’s heroes.”

Breaking Down Silos in the Fight Against Health Care Fraud

In connection with the coordinated nationwide law enforcement operation, the Department is announcing that it is working closely with HHS-OIG, FBI, and other agencies to create a Health Care Fraud Data Fusion Center to bring together experts from the Department’s Criminal Division, Fraud Section, Health Care Fraud Unit Data Analytics Team; HHS-OIG; FBI; and other agencies to leverage cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to identify emerging health care fraud schemes. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team was established in 2018 to enhance the Unit’s ability to detect, investigate, and prosecute complex health care fraud schemes. Joining forces with data analysts from HHS-OIG, FBI, and other partners will increase efficiency, detection, and rapid prosecution of emerging health care fraud schemes. It will also implement the President’s Executive Order Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos (Exec. Order No. 14243, 3 C.F.R. 294 (2025)) by reducing duplicative data teams, increasing operational efficiency through a whole-of-government approach, and leveraging cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other agency resources.

Principal Assistant Deputy Chief Jacob Foster, Assistant Deputy Chief Rebecca Yuan, Trial Attorney Miriam L. Glaser Dauermann, and Data Analyst Elizabeth Nolte, all of the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, led and coordinated this year’s Takedown. The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Columbia, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, District of North Dakota, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of South Carolina, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Washington, and Northern District of West Virginia; and State Attorneys General’s Offices for California, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team used cutting-edge data analytics to identify and support the investigations that led to these charges.

In addition to FBI, HHS-OIG, DEA, and CMS, HSI, VA-OIG, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Labor, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies participated in the operation. The Medicaid Fraud Control Units of California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin also participated in the investigation of many of the federal and state cases announced today.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Forces. Prior to the charges announced as part of today’s nationwide Takedown and since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which operates in 27&nbsp;districts, charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively billed Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers more than $27 billion.

🎥DOJ announces largest health care fraud takedown in history

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market added to its record on Monday as Wall Street closed out a second straight winning month.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.5% in its first trading after completing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-china-tariffs-rates-53ddd3e8d11be4d09419418b4f141382">stunning recovery</a>&nbsp;from its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-china-trump-b686ef0259c2f4894f9fcd1f3649a956">springtime sell-off of roughly 20%</a>. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 275 points, or 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.5%.

Stocks got a boost after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-us-carney-trump-tariffs-659ecca350888efe0ab00eaaa4ccbc26">Canada said it’s rescinding a planned tax</a>&nbsp;on U.S. technology firms and resuming talks on trade with the United States. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump had said he was suspending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-prime-minister-carney-trump-c279642998197ecb212f39bf38184388">talks with Canada</a>&nbsp;because of his anger with the tax, which he called “a direct and blatant attack on our country.”

One of the main reasons U.S. stocks came back so quickly from their springtime swoon has been hope that Trump will reach deals with other countries to lower his stiff proposed tariffs. Otherwise, the fear is that trade wars could stifle the economy and send inflation higher.

Many of Trump’s announced tariffs are currently on pause, and they’re scheduled to kick back into effect in a little more than a week.

The U.S. stock market being back at a record high could actually raise the risk of renewed escalations on tariffs, according to strategists at Deutsche Bank led by Parag Thatte and Binky Chadha. They point to the pattern in 2018 and 2019 of rallies for the market prompting escalations for tariffs, which then drove the market lower and led to subsequent pullbacks on tariffs, which then sparked rallies again.

“Despite the rhetoric to the contrary, this dynamic looks alive and well,” the strategists wrote in a report. “In our view, beyond the market reaction, if negative impacts of tariffs on growth, earnings or inflation start to materialize, we will get further relents.”

On Wall Street, Oracle’s 4% rise was one of the strongest forces lifting the S&amp;P 500. CEO Safra Catz said the tech giant “is off to a strong start” in its fiscal year and that it signed multiple large cloud services agreements, including one that could contribute over $30 billion in annual revenue two fiscal years from now.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/home-depot-gms-srs-c47328567c7a8c175d1c18b1ebd9166f">GMS’ stock jumped 11.7%</a>&nbsp;after the supplier of specialty building products said it agreed to sell itself to a Home Depot subsidiary in a deal that would pay $110.00 per share in cash. That would give it a total value of roughly $5.5 billion, including debt.

Less than two weeks ago, another company, QXO, said it was offering to buy GMS for $95.20 per share in cash. After the announcement of the Home Depot bid, QXO’s stock rose 3.9%, and Home Depot’s stock slipped 0.6%.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise rallied 11.1% and Juniper Networks climbed 8.4% after saying they had reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hewlett-packard-juniper-justice-trump-biden-b85d0e2f0263f72d76318ce347a49619">that could clear the way for their merger go through</a>, subject to court approval. HPE is trying to buy Juniper in a $14 billion deal.

Bank stocks were also solid after the Federal Reserve said on Friday that they are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bank-stress-tests-federal-reserve-private-credit-jpmorgan-citigroup-bd4c6049c0f060a6e43ec3aa229c22af">financially strong enough to survive a downturn in the economy</a>. JPMorgan Chase climbed 1%, and Citigroup gained 0.9%.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 31.88 points to 6,204.95. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 275.50 to 44,094.77, and the Nasdaq composite gained 96.27 to 20,369.73.

In the bond market, Treasury yields fell ahead of several major economic reports later in the week. The highlight will be Thursday’s jobs report. It’s often the most anticipated economic data of each month, and it will come a day earlier than usual because of Friday's Fourth of July holiday.

The job market has remained relatively steady recently, even in the face of tariffs, but hiring has slowed. Economists expect Thursday’s data to show another step down in overall hiring, down to 115,000 jobs in June from 139,000 in May.

Such data has helped keep the Federal Reserve on hold this year when it comes to interest rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said repeatedly that it’s waiting for more data to show how tariffs will affect the economy and inflation before resuming its cuts to interest rates. That’s because lower rates can fan inflation higher, along with giving the economy a boost.

Trump, meanwhile, has been pushing for more cuts to rates and for them to happen soon. Two of his appointees to the Fed have said recently they could consider cutting rates as soon as the Fed’s next meeting in less than a month.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.23% from 4.29% late Friday.

In stock markets abroad, indexes dipped modestly in Europe following a more mixed finish in Asia.

Stocks fell 0.9% in Hong Kong but rose 0.6% in Shanghai after China reported its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-economy-factory-pmi-japan-tariffs-dc63eac22dc66c608abf0ad14f87c83f">factory activity</a>&nbsp;improved slightly in June after Beijing and Washington agreed in May to postpone imposing higher tariffs on each others’ exports, though manufacturing remained in contraction.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market added to its record on Monday as Wall Street closed out a second straight winning month.The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.5% in its first trading after completing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-china-tariffs-rates-53ddd3e8d11be4d09419418b4f141382">stunning recovery</a>&nbsp;from its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-china-trump-b686ef0259c2f4894f9fcd1f3649a956">springtime sell-off of roughly 20%</a>. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 275 points, or 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.5%.Stocks got a boost after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-us-carney-trump-tariffs-659ecca350888efe0ab00eaaa4ccbc26">Canada said it’s rescinding a planned tax</a>&nbsp;on U.S. technology firms and resuming talks on trade with the United States. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump had said he was suspending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-prime-minister-carney-trump-c279642998197ecb212f39bf38184388">talks with Canada</a>&nbsp;because of his anger with the tax, which he called “a direct and blatant attack on our country.”One of the main reasons U.S. stocks came back so quickly from their springtime swoon has been hope that Trump will reach deals with other countries to lower his stiff proposed tariffs. Otherwise, the fear is that trade wars could stifle the economy and send inflation higher.Many of Trump’s announced tariffs are currently on pause, and they’re scheduled to kick back into effect in a little more than a week.The U.S. stock market being back at a record high could actually raise the risk of renewed escalations on tariffs, according to strategists at Deutsche Bank led by Parag Thatte and Binky Chadha. They point to the pattern in 2018 and 2019 of rallies for the market prompting escalations for tariffs, which then drove the market lower and led to subsequent pullbacks on tariffs, which then sparked rallies again.“Despite the rhetoric to the contrary, this dynamic looks alive and well,” the strategists wrote in a report. “In our view, beyond the market reaction, if negative impacts of tariffs on growth, earnings or inflation start to materialize, we will get further relents.”On Wall Street, Oracle’s 4% rise was one of the strongest forces lifting the S&amp;P 500. CEO Safra Catz said the tech giant “is off to a strong start” in its fiscal year and that it signed multiple large cloud services agreements, including one that could contribute over $30 billion in annual revenue two fiscal years from now.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/home-depot-gms-srs-c47328567c7a8c175d1c18b1ebd9166f">GMS’ stock jumped 11.7%</a>&nbsp;after the supplier of specialty building products said it agreed to sell itself to a Home Depot subsidiary in a deal that would pay $110.00 per share in cash. That would give it a total value of roughly $5.5 billion, including debt.Less than two weeks ago, another company, QXO, said it was offering to buy GMS for $95.20 per share in cash. After the announcement of the Home Depot bid, QXO’s stock rose 3.9%, and Home Depot’s stock slipped 0.6%.Hewlett Packard Enterprise rallied 11.1% and Juniper Networks climbed 8.4% after saying they had reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hewlett-packard-juniper-justice-trump-biden-b85d0e2f0263f72d76318ce347a49619">that could clear the way for their merger go through</a>, subject to court approval. HPE is trying to buy Juniper in a $14 billion deal.Bank stocks were also solid after the Federal Reserve said on Friday that they are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bank-stress-tests-federal-reserve-private-credit-jpmorgan-citigroup-bd4c6049c0f060a6e43ec3aa229c22af">financially strong enough to survive a downturn in the economy</a>. JPMorgan Chase climbed 1%, and Citigroup gained 0.9%.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 31.88 points to 6,204.95. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 275.50 to 44,094.77, and the Nasdaq composite gained 96.27 to 20,369.73.In the bond market, Treasury yields fell ahead of several major economic reports later in the week. The highlight will be Thursday’s jobs report. It’s often the most anticipated economic data of each month, and it will come a day earlier than usual because of Friday's Fourth of July holiday.The job market has remained relatively steady recently, even in the face of tariffs, but hiring has slowed. Economists expect Thursday’s data to show another step down in overall hiring, down to 115,000 jobs in June from 139,000 in May.Such data has helped keep the Federal Reserve on hold this year when it comes to interest rates. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has said repeatedly that it’s waiting for more data to show how tariffs will affect the economy and inflation before resuming its cuts to interest rates. That’s because lower rates can fan inflation higher, along with giving the economy a boost.Trump, meanwhile, has been pushing for more cuts to rates and for them to happen soon. Two of his appointees to the Fed have said recently they could consider cutting rates as soon as the Fed’s next meeting in less than a month.The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.23% from 4.29% late Friday.In stock markets abroad, indexes dipped modestly in Europe following a more mixed finish in Asia.Stocks fell 0.9% in Hong Kong but rose 0.6% in Shanghai after China reported its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-economy-factory-pmi-japan-tariffs-dc63eac22dc66c608abf0ad14f87c83f">factory activity</a>&nbsp;improved slightly in June after Beijing and Washington agreed in May to postpone imposing higher tariffs on each others’ exports, though manufacturing remained in contraction.