TOKYO (AP) — President Donald Trump began one of his busiest days of his Asia trip on Tuesday by warmly greeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-japan-takaichi-trade-ford-trucks-e7be33728c7c3fdb6c314780c8a9a533">the new Japanese prime minister</a>, and taking her with him as he spoke to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier.

Although Trump is visiting one of America’s most steadfast allies in Asia, there’s no shortage of uncertainty while he’s there. Sanae Takaichi, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-prime-minister-takaichi-21224ba4c4429ffad1639e9fcc4abd4a">became the country’s first female prime minister</a>&nbsp;only days ago,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-takaichi-trump-us-china-asean-apec-29fc81ff026a1d4c257d1383b46d35f6">must solidify her relationship with Trump</a>&nbsp;while defending her country’s economic interests. Trump is trying to nail down $550 billion in Japanese investment as part of a trade agreement.

As Trump and Takaichi met on Tuesday, they shook hands and he paid her a compliment: “That’s a very strong handshake."

In return, Takaichi talked about watching the third game of the U.S. World Series before the event. She added that Japan would give Washington 250 cherry trees next year to honor America's 250th anniversary, as well as fireworks from Akita Prefecture for July 4 celebrations.

She used her early remarks to mention former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, her archconservative mentor who forged a strong bond with Trump during his first term through their shared interest of golf.

“As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Abe often told me about your dynamic diplomacy,” she said.

Trump called her role as Japan's first woman prime minister as a “big deal,” putting an emphasis on the U.S. commitment to Japan. While the president in the past has publicly scolded his foreign counterparts, he had nothing but praise for Takaichi.

“Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there,” Trump said. “We are an ally at the strongest level.”

Takaichi is primed for a charm offensive, including a potential purchase of Ford F-150 trucks. Reporters arriving for the event were hustled past a gold-hued Ford F-150 as well as what appeared to be white American-made Toyota vehicles parked outside the Akasaka Palace, which is Tokyo's guest house for visiting foreign leaders.

Trump has often complained that Japan doesn’t buy American vehicles, which are often too wide to be practical on narrow Japanese streets.

The Japanese delegation also made the strategic choice to serve American beef and rice during a working lunch that was mixed with Japanese ingredients, at which the two leaders also discussed efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Takaichi also gave Trump a putter used by Abe, the former prime minister, and a golf bag signed by the professional golfer Hideki Matsuyama, according to a post on X by White House aide Margo Martin. They signed black “Japan is Back” baseball caps that resembled Trump’s own red “Make America Great Again” caps.

Agreements vow a ‘golden age’ for alliance and cooperation on critical minerals

Both leaders signed the implementation of an agreement for the “golden age” of their nations' alliance. When the document was held up after signing, it ran to less than one page and reaffirmed the earlier framework by which the U.S. would tax goods imported from Japan at 15% and the creation of a $550 billion fund for Japan to invest in the U.S.

Trump and Takaichi then signed a second agreement, this one laying out a U.S.-Japan framework for securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths. That agreement suggested that some of the investment dollars would go to the development of rare earths needed for advanced technologies.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Takaichi would be nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The two leaders also met with people whose family members were abducted by North Korea.

Trump talks to troops on US aircraft carrier

Although Trump has focused his foreign policy toward Asia around tariffs and trade, he also spoke aboard the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier docked at an American naval base near Tokyo. The president brought Takaichi with him and she also spoke.

The president talked about individual units on the aircraft carrier, his political opponents, national security and the U.S. economy, saying that Takaichi had told him that Toyota would be investing $10 billion in auto plants in America.

Trump arrived in Tokyo on Monday, when he met with the emperor in a ceremonial visit. He was previously in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he participated in the annual summit of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/association-of-southeast-asian-nations">Association of Southeast Asian Nations</a>.

The gathering was an opportunity for Trump to celebrate an expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, which skirmished along their disputed border earlier this year. Trump had pressured them to stop fighting by threatening to withhold trade agreements.

There were also signs that tensions between the U.S. and China were cooling off ahead of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-asia-trip-malaysia-japan-south-korea-890b52697f86c15e3e196c521d564449">planned meeting</a>&nbsp;between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which is expected to take place in South Korea later this week. Top negotiators from each country said a trade deal was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-asia-malaysia-china-japan-55a147dce68e6d8fa70c2b858249c7ec">coming together</a>, which could prevent a potentially damaging confrontation between the world’s two largest economies.

Details were scarce, and it was unclear how much any agreement would resolve long-standing issues, or if it would return the relationship to the status quo before recent confrontations. China has restructured the export of rare earth elements that are critical for high-tech manufacturing, and Trump responded by threatening tariffs that even he admits would be unsustainable.

Trump is scheduled to leave Wednesday for South Korea, which is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761615314155.png" alt="Photo courtesy White House video" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>TOKYO (AP) — President Donald Trump began one of his busiest days of his Asia trip on Tuesday by warmly greeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-japan-takaichi-trade-ford-trucks-e7be33728c7c3fdb6c314780c8a9a533">the new Japanese prime minister</a>, and taking her with him as he spoke to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier.Although Trump is visiting one of America’s most steadfast allies in Asia, there’s no shortage of uncertainty while he’s there. Sanae Takaichi, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-prime-minister-takaichi-21224ba4c4429ffad1639e9fcc4abd4a">became the country’s first female prime minister</a>&nbsp;only days ago,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-takaichi-trump-us-china-asean-apec-29fc81ff026a1d4c257d1383b46d35f6">must solidify her relationship with Trump</a>&nbsp;while defending her country’s economic interests. Trump is trying to nail down $550 billion in Japanese investment as part of a trade agreement.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> arrives at Akasaka Palace and is greeted by the Prime Minister of Japan 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/PTdTzvErbZ">pic.twitter.com/PTdTzvErbZ</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1982973115346120878?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Welcome ceremony at Akasaka Palace for President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>! 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/CLez54dOTt">pic.twitter.com/CLez54dOTt</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1982975243523334578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> to PM Takaichi: &quot;Shinzo Abe was a great friend of mine... He spoke so well of you, long before we met, and I&#39;m not surprised to see that you are now the Prime Minister — and he would be very happy to know that, and I congratulate you on behalf of the United States.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/2Gi4YZjuX9">pic.twitter.com/2Gi4YZjuX9</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1982977645550956780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">PM Takaichi gifts President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> a golf bag signed by Hideki Matsuyama and Prime Minister Abe’s putter ❤️⛳️ <a href="https://t.co/YlaYnfr846">pic.twitter.com/YlaYnfr846</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1982993837921579232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump delivers a toast before lunch 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/qkdeXav9oY">pic.twitter.com/qkdeXav9oY</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1982996429087093173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> arrives to deliver remarks to U.S. troops aboard USS George Washington at Yokosuka Naval Base 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/R4etKv4d7H">pic.twitter.com/R4etKv4d7H</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1983075951228436931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">GOD BLESS OUR NAVY! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/5kxIVsc7nj">pic.twitter.com/5kxIVsc7nj</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1983078481484238967?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

</div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Commander-in-Chief on the USS George Washington at Yokosuka Naval Base 🇺🇸🇯🇵 <a href="https://t.co/JmG5ABWaVX">pic.twitter.com/JmG5ABWaVX</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1983080910250528954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump dance with our U.S. Navy in Japan! 😂🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Gsm3XJT1ot">pic.twitter.com/Gsm3XJT1ot</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1983093838152335585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump meets with Mrs. Abe and is gifted a beautiful piece of art that she created with a message of PEACE for the Peacemaker ❤️🕊️ <a href="https://t.co/LWH3BMSoue">pic.twitter.com/LWH3BMSoue</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1983111640741752914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>Trump and Takaichi swap warm words</h2>As Trump and Takaichi met on Tuesday, they shook hands and he paid her a compliment: “That’s a very strong handshake."In return, Takaichi talked about watching the third game of the U.S. World Series before the event. She added that Japan would give Washington 250 cherry trees next year to honor America's 250th anniversary, as well as fireworks from Akita Prefecture for July 4 celebrations.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Japanese PM <a href="https://twitter.com/takaichi_sanae?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@takaichi_sanae</a> congratulates <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on securing peace around the world: &quot;Mr. President succeeded in securing a ceasefire deal between Thailand and Cambodia... also, the deal you have recently achieved in the Middle East is an unprecedented, historic achievement.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/sh6acTs7nV">pic.twitter.com/sh6acTs7nV</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1982976563898462638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>She used her early remarks to mention former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, her archconservative mentor who forged a strong bond with Trump during his first term through their shared interest of golf.“As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Abe often told me about your dynamic diplomacy,” she said.Trump called her role as Japan's first woman prime minister as a “big deal,” putting an emphasis on the U.S. commitment to Japan. While the president in the past has publicly scolded his foreign counterparts, he had nothing but praise for Takaichi.“Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there,” Trump said. “We are an ally at the strongest level.”Takaichi is primed for a charm offensive, including a potential purchase of Ford F-150 trucks. Reporters arriving for the event were hustled past a gold-hued Ford F-150 as well as what appeared to be white American-made Toyota vehicles parked outside the Akasaka Palace, which is Tokyo's guest house for visiting foreign leaders.Trump has often complained that Japan doesn’t buy American vehicles, which are often too wide to be practical on narrow Japanese streets.The Japanese delegation also made the strategic choice to serve American beef and rice during a working lunch that was mixed with Japanese ingredients, at which the two leaders also discussed efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.Takaichi also gave Trump a putter used by Abe, the former prime minister, and a golf bag signed by the professional golfer Hideki Matsuyama, according to a post on X by White House aide Margo Martin. They signed black “Japan is Back” baseball caps that resembled Trump’s own red “Make America Great Again” caps.<h2>Agreements vow a ‘golden age’ for alliance and cooperation on critical minerals</h2>Both leaders signed the implementation of an agreement for the “golden age” of their nations' alliance. When the document was held up after signing, it ran to less than one page and reaffirmed the earlier framework by which the U.S. would tax goods imported from Japan at 15% and the creation of a $550 billion fund for Japan to invest in the U.S.Trump and Takaichi then signed a second agreement, this one laying out a U.S.-Japan framework for securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths. That agreement suggested that some of the investment dollars would go to the development of rare earths needed for advanced technologies.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Takaichi would be nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The two leaders also met with people whose family members were abducted by North Korea.<h2>Trump talks to troops on US aircraft carrier</h2>Although Trump has focused his foreign policy toward Asia around tariffs and trade, he also spoke aboard the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier docked at an American naval base near Tokyo. The president brought Takaichi with him and she also spoke.The president talked about individual units on the aircraft carrier, his political opponents, national security and the U.S. economy, saying that Takaichi had told him that Toyota would be investing $10 billion in auto plants in America.Trump arrived in Tokyo on Monday, when he met with the emperor in a ceremonial visit. He was previously in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he participated in the annual summit of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/association-of-southeast-asian-nations">Association of Southeast Asian Nations</a>.The gathering was an opportunity for Trump to celebrate an expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, which skirmished along their disputed border earlier this year. Trump had pressured them to stop fighting by threatening to withhold trade agreements.There were also signs that tensions between the U.S. and China were cooling off ahead of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-asia-trip-malaysia-japan-south-korea-890b52697f86c15e3e196c521d564449">planned meeting</a>&nbsp;between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which is expected to take place in South Korea later this week. Top negotiators from each country said a trade deal was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-asia-malaysia-china-japan-55a147dce68e6d8fa70c2b858249c7ec">coming together</a>, which could prevent a potentially damaging confrontation between the world’s two largest economies.Details were scarce, and it was unclear how much any agreement would resolve long-standing issues, or if it would return the relationship to the status quo before recent confrontations. China has restructured the export of rare earth elements that are critical for high-tech manufacturing, and Trump responded by threatening tariffs that even he admits would be unsustainable.Trump is scheduled to leave Wednesday for South Korea, which is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Golf gift among highlights of Trump's visit with Japan's new prime minister

KANSAS CITY—The cause of a fire at a hotel in Kansas City is under investigation.

Just afater 11:30p.m. Sunday, crews responded to a reported fire at 401 Ward PKWY at the Intercontinental Hotel, 401 Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 Crews reported smoke showing from the multi-story hotel on arrival. They were alerted to a fire in the loading dock area where a faulty air handler had ignited a pile of trash and debris. Companies were able to quickly get the fire under control that was being held in check by the sprinkler system. 

The majority of the occupants were able to shelter in place, while a few on the lower floors were evacuated until the smoke could be eliminated. No injuries were reported.

KANSAS CITY—The cause of a fire at a hotel in Kansas City is under investigation.Just afater 11:30p.m. Sunday, crews responded to a reported fire at 401 Ward PKWY at the Intercontinental Hotel, 401 Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. Crews reported smoke showing from the multi-story hotel on arrival. They were alerted to a fire in the loading dock area where a faulty air handler had ignited a pile of trash and debris. Companies were able to quickly get the fire under control that was being held in check by the sprinkler system. The majority of the occupants were able to shelter in place, while a few on the lower floors were evacuated until the smoke could be eliminated. No injuries were reported.

Lower floors evacuated after fire in multi-story Kansas City hotel

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged sex crime.

Just after 10:30p.m. October 22, police&nbsp;responded to a residence in the 1200 block of Adams Street in Great Bend in reference to a medical emergency. 

When officers arrived, they found a 32-year-old&nbsp; unconscious on the floor in the kitchen area of the residence. Officers also contacted 36-year-old Joshua Anderson inside of the residence. Great Bend Fire and EMS also responded and transported the woman&nbsp; to the local hospital.

While the woman was being treated, medical staff became aware that she was possibly the victim of a sexual assault, and evidence of the crime was collected at the hospital.&nbsp; Great Bend Police Detectives investigated this incident and probable cause was established that a sexual assault had occurred. 

Just before 9:30p.m. October 23, police located Anderson in the 1200 block of Jefferson, Great Bend .He was arrested and booked into the Barton County jail on a requested charge of Rape. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761598004206.png" alt="Anderson photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Anderson photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for an alleged sex crime.Just after 10:30p.m. October 22, police&nbsp;responded to a residence in the 1200 block of Adams Street in Great Bend in reference to a medical emergency. When officers arrived, they found a 32-year-old&nbsp; unconscious on the floor in the kitchen area of the residence. Officers also contacted 36-year-old Joshua Anderson inside of the residence. Great Bend Fire and EMS also responded and transported the woman&nbsp; to the local hospital.While the woman was being treated, medical staff became aware that she was possibly the victim of a sexual assault, and evidence of the crime was collected at the hospital.&nbsp; Great Bend Police Detectives investigated this incident and probable cause was established that a sexual assault had occurred. Just before 9:30p.m. October 23, police located Anderson in the 1200 block of Jefferson, Great Bend .He was arrested and booked into the Barton County jail on a requested charge of Rape.

Kan. woman hospitalized, suspect jailed for alleged sex assault

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges for a fatal shooting that occurred in June.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2746/Sipple-REDACT-COMP">William E. Sipple</a>, 40,&nbsp; is charged with one count of 2nd Degree Murder, one count of Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to Jckson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2745/Sipple-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to Truman Road and Prospect Avenue on June 15 regarding a shooting and located the victim suffering from apparent trauma. After additional investigation, it was determined the actual shooting occurred in a parking lot near 19th and Vine Street. On June 30, the victim was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

Based on surveillance footage and witness reports, a disturbance broke out in a parking lot near 19th and Vine. A black Chevrolet truck drove up to the parking lot and stopped near the disturbance. Shots were fired and the victim was struck. The shooter was later identified as the Sipple.

He is being held on a $300,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761337850847.png" alt="Sipple photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Sipple photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges for a fatal shooting that occurred in June.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2746/Sipple-REDACT-COMP">William E. Sipple</a>, 40,&nbsp; is charged with one count of 2nd Degree Murder, one count of Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to Jckson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2745/Sipple-REDACT-PC">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to Truman Road and Prospect Avenue on June 15 regarding a shooting and located the victim suffering from apparent trauma. After additional investigation, it was determined the actual shooting occurred in a parking lot near 19th and Vine Street. On June 30, the victim was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;Based on surveillance footage and witness reports, a disturbance broke out in a parking lot near 19th and Vine. A black Chevrolet truck drove up to the parking lot and stopped near the disturbance. Shots were fired and the victim was struck. The shooter was later identified as the Sipple.He is being held on a $300,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;

Man accused in deadly Kansas City parking lot killing 

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The president of the Kansas Senate said Monday a sufficient number of Senate Republicans signed a petition to call a special session of the Legislature to consider new congressional district boundaries to improve odds of defeating Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids.

Senate President Ty Masterson, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor, said the minimum 27 signatures, or a two-thirds majority of the Senate, had been achieved. Republicans hold a 31-9 advantage over Democrats in the chamber.

“The Kansas Senate Republican caucus has secured the signatures needed to exceed the constitutional threshold, demonstrating strong support for this call for a special session,” Masterson said. “This threshold having been met marks a critical step toward convening the session, pending the necessary two-thirds approval from the House of Representatives.”

To complete requirements in the Kansas Constitution for calling a special session, GOP leaders in the House need to obtain 84 signatures on its petition. In the House, the GOP possesses an 88-37 edge over Democrats.

Despite sending a letter to House Republicans lobbying for support of a special session, House Speaker Dan Hawkins has not announced he landed commitments from enough GOP peers. A spokesperson for Hawkins didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about Masterson’s statement.

President Donald Trump, seeking to maintain GOP control of the U.S. House, urged Republican-led states to engage in mid-decade gerrymandering of U.S. House seats to prevent Democrats from winning a majority in November 2026.

Typically, redistricting in Kansas has been done every decade based on population shifts documented in the Census. In Kansas, that timeline meant mapping wouldn’t ordinarily be done again until 2032.

The objective of redistricting in Kansas in 2025 would be to distribute moderate voters of Johnson County into two or three congressional districts that would more likely be represented by Republicans.

Currently, Davids serves all of Johnson County, the southern half of Wyandotte County and all of Anderson, Franklin and Miami counties.

Davids won reelection to her 3rd District seat in 2022 and 2024 despite previous modification to her district to favor Republican nominees.

In response to debate about a special session, Davids raised the possibility of running for U.S. Senate next year against U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican.

One redistricting prize available to Republicans would be a Trump endorsement in the governor’s race. Former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Masterson and others competing for the nomination and would covet an alliance with the president.

“We’re sending a clear message: We’re ready to get it done. We look forward to working our agenda to make Kansas and America great again,” Masterson said in his statement about the GOP Senate petition.

In addition to redistricting, Republican legislative leaders said a November special session could include consideration of bills on transgender rights and property taxes.

On Oct. 13, the GOP-controlled Legislative Coordinating Council approved spending up to $460,000 on a special session.

“It is clear that Republicans are not focused on the kitchen table issues that Kansans care about,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes.

Gov. Laura Kelly said she was opposed to mid-decade redistricting because that work would rely on outdated population counts from 2020. She urged the Legislature to conduct public hearings before voting on a new congressional map. In addition, she said the Kansas Supreme Court could find new maps unconstitutional.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The president of the Kansas Senate said Monday a sufficient number of Senate Republicans signed a petition to call a special session of the Legislature to consider new congressional district boundaries to improve odds of defeating Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids.Senate President Ty Masterson, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor, said the minimum 27 signatures, or a two-thirds majority of the Senate, had been achieved. Republicans hold a 31-9 advantage over Democrats in the chamber.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761597779503.png" alt=" Senate President Ty Masterson said Oct. 27, 2025, there are enough Senate Republicans signers of a petition to call a special session of the Legislature to consider new congressional district maps. The Kansas House is still working to secure a two-thirds majority on its petition. In this image from March 26, 2025, Masterson presides in the Kansas Senate. (Photo by Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Senate President Ty Masterson said Oct. 27, 2025, there are enough Senate Republicans signers of a petition to call a special session of the Legislature to consider new congressional district maps. The Kansas House is still working to secure a two-thirds majority on its petition. In this image from March 26, 2025, Masterson presides in the Kansas Senate. (Photo by Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>“The Kansas Senate Republican caucus has secured the signatures needed to exceed the constitutional threshold, demonstrating strong support for this call for a special session,” Masterson said. “This threshold having been met marks a critical step toward convening the session, pending the necessary two-thirds approval from the House of Representatives.”To complete requirements in the Kansas Constitution for calling a special session, GOP leaders in the House need to obtain 84 signatures on its petition. In the House, the GOP possesses an 88-37 edge over Democrats.Despite sending a letter to House Republicans lobbying for support of a special session, House Speaker Dan Hawkins has not announced he landed commitments from enough GOP peers. A spokesperson for Hawkins didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about Masterson’s statement.President Donald Trump, seeking to maintain GOP control of the U.S. House, urged Republican-led states to engage in mid-decade gerrymandering of U.S. House seats to prevent Democrats from winning a majority in November 2026.Typically, redistricting in Kansas has been done every decade based on population shifts documented in the Census. In Kansas, that timeline meant mapping wouldn’t ordinarily be done again until 2032.The objective of redistricting in Kansas in 2025 would be to distribute moderate voters of Johnson County into two or three congressional districts that would more likely be represented by Republicans.Currently, Davids serves all of Johnson County, the southern half of Wyandotte County and all of Anderson, Franklin and Miami counties.Davids won reelection to her 3rd District seat in 2022 and 2024 despite previous modification to her district to favor Republican nominees.In response to debate about a special session, Davids raised the possibility of running for U.S. Senate next year against U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican.One redistricting prize available to Republicans would be a Trump endorsement in the governor’s race. Former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Masterson and others competing for the nomination and would covet an alliance with the president.“We’re sending a clear message: We’re ready to get it done. We look forward to working our agenda to make Kansas and America great again,” Masterson said in his statement about the GOP Senate petition.In addition to redistricting, Republican legislative leaders said a November special session could include consideration of bills on transgender rights and property taxes.On Oct. 13, the GOP-controlled Legislative Coordinating Council approved spending up to $460,000 on a special session.“It is clear that Republicans are not focused on the kitchen table issues that Kansans care about,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes.Gov. Laura Kelly said she was opposed to mid-decade redistricting because that work would rely on outdated population counts from 2020. She urged the Legislature to conduct public hearings before voting on a new congressional map. In addition, she said the Kansas Supreme Court could find new maps unconstitutional.

Kansas Senate secures GOP petition signatures to call special legislative session

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the alleged sexual assault of juvenile and have made an arrest.

On Saturday afternoon, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an alleged rape case that occurred in rural Barton County, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. The victim was identified as a juvenile and was known to the suspect. The Sheriff’s Office also received information that the suspect was armed.

&nbsp;Sheriff’s Office detectives and deputies conducted an investigation, which led to the identification of the suspect identified as 40-year-old James S. Swanson III was located on 35 Avenue, southeast of the city of Great Bend. 

A felony traffic stop was conducted by multiple officers and Swanson was taken into custody without incident. He was booked in the Barton County Jail just after 9p.m. Saturday on requested charges of kidnapping and rape on a $500,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761597407829.png" alt="Swanson photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Swanson photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating the alleged sexual assault of juvenile and have made an arrest.On Saturday afternoon, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an alleged rape case that occurred in rural Barton County, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. The victim was identified as a juvenile and was known to the suspect. The Sheriff’s Office also received information that the suspect was armed.&nbsp;Sheriff’s Office detectives and deputies conducted an investigation, which led to the identification of the suspect identified as 40-year-old James S. Swanson III was located on 35 Avenue, southeast of the city of Great Bend. A felony traffic stop was conducted by multiple officers and Swanson was taken into custody without incident. He was booked in the Barton County Jail just after 9p.m. Saturday on requested charges of kidnapping and rape on a $500,000 bond.

Kansas man accused of sex assault of juvenile 

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks climbed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-trump-china-31729fdccb6e7b1b65cd754caddea885">more records</a>&nbsp;on Monday ahead of a week packed with potentially market-moving events for Wall Street.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 1.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 337 points, or 0.7%, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.9%. Each of the trio set an all-time high for a second straight day.

Stocks also rallied in Asia ahead of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-asia-malaysia-china-japan-55a147dce68e6d8fa70c2b858249c7ec">meeting on Thursday</a>&nbsp;between the heads of the United States and China. The hope is that the talks could clear&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-united-states-trump-xi-timeline-tariffs-adc2c2c00f13d8dcd4ecc92251b11533">rising tensions</a>&nbsp;between the world’s two largest economies and allow the global economy to keep motoring.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-10-27-2025#0000019a-24c7-d24d-adbe-ade768930000">Bessent said</a>&nbsp;there’s “a framework” for U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss at their meeting, while Trump said, “We feel good” about working things out with China.

That’s just one of many things that will need to go right this week in order for the U.S. stock market’s tremendous, record-breaking rally to continue. The S&amp;P 500 has shot up a stunning 38% since hitting a low in April, when worries about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tariffs">Trump’s tariffs</a>&nbsp;on China and other countries were at their peak. Besides hopes for easing trade tensions, the rally has also been built on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-rates-records-shutdown-earnings-ai-251fefd075ac658ce498c9d1953efc70">expectations for several more things</a>&nbsp;to happen.

One is that the Federal Reserve will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-trump-2d05401d7c9cb2393925f494aac71d89">keep cutting interest rates</a>&nbsp;in order to give the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-unemployment-trump-firing-f686eab61f7d6b702ca10b12b0250498">slowing job</a>&nbsp;market a boost. The Fed’s next announcement on interest rates is due on Wednesday, and the nearly unanimous expectation among traders is that it will cut the federal funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point at a second straight meeting.

It’s not a certainty though, because the Fed has also warned it may have to change course if inflation accelerates beyond its still-high level. That’s because low interest rates can make inflation worse.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-inflation-trump-prices-economy-wall-street-fed-consumers-280a2fd30de3bb44bd87cd0248082322">latest monthly report on inflation</a>&nbsp;came in slightly better than economists expected, raising hopes, but it may be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-shutdown-no-report-70a0e2773445ded8a7239c4899fc410c">final update for a while</a>&nbsp;if the U.S. government’s shutdown continues. That could cloud the forecast for cuts to rates to continue.

Besides lower interest rates, another expectation that’s propped up stock prices is the forecast that U.S. companies will continue to deliver solid growth in profits.

Keurig Dr Pepper climbed 7.6% Monday after reporting profit for the latest quarter that matched analysts’ expectations. The company behind Canada Dry and Green Mountain coffee said it benefited from higher prices for K-Cup products, among other things

Some of Wall Street’s most influential stocks are set to report their results this week, including Alphabet, Meta Platforms and Microsoft on Wednesday, and Amazon and Apple on Thursday. They’ll need to deliver big growth and justify big spending underway in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial-intelligence technology</a>.

Worries have been climbing that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-bubble-warnings-bank-of-england-imf-b15e54f6d06992371ee39b27f4e6da3a">AI may be in the midst of a bubble</a>, similar to the dot-com bonanza that ended up bursting in 2000. Nvidia’s stock is up 42.6% for the year so far, for example, and Qualcomm soared 11.1% Monday after unveiling AI products for data centers.

Announcements of mergers and buyouts also helped move stocks on Monday. Cadence Bank rose 4.4% after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huntington-bancshares-cadence-df0f6d09cbf8fc5c0048a41d743b6741">Huntington Bancshares said it would buy the bank</a>&nbsp;with locations across Texas and the South for $7.4 billion in stock. Huntington fell 2.7%.

Avidity Biosciences leaped 42.4% after Novartis agreed to buy the biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego for $12 billion, after Avidity spins off its early-stage precision cardiology programs.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 83.47 points to 6,875.16. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 337.47 to 47,544.59, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 432.59 to 23,637.46.

In stock markets abroad, indexes rose modestly in Europe following bigger gains in Asia.

Stocks climbed 1.2% in Shanghai and 1% in Hong Kong. They rose even more in Tokyo, where the Nikkei 225 jumped 2.5%, and in Seoul, where South Korea’s Kospi rallied 2.6%.

The Nikkei 225 topped the 50,000 level for the first time as opinion polls show Japan’s newly installed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-prime-minister-takaichi-21224ba4c4429ffad1639e9fcc4abd4a">Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi</a>&nbsp;enjoying high levels of public support for her market-friendly policies. Takaichi favors raising spending on defense, which has boosted prices of stocks in major defense contractors, such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which jumped 9% Monday.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 3.99% from 4.02% late Friday.

All the optimism flowing through financial markets helped knock down the price of gold. The metal’s price has stalled after it nearly touched $4,400 per ounce last week, when it set its latest record. It briefly dropped below $4,000 Monday, but it’s still up more than 50% for the year so far.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks climbed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-trump-china-31729fdccb6e7b1b65cd754caddea885">more records</a>&nbsp;on Monday ahead of a week packed with potentially market-moving events for Wall Street.The S&amp;P 500 rose 1.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 337 points, or 0.7%, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.9%. Each of the trio set an all-time high for a second straight day.Stocks also rallied in Asia ahead of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-asia-malaysia-china-japan-55a147dce68e6d8fa70c2b858249c7ec">meeting on Thursday</a>&nbsp;between the heads of the United States and China. The hope is that the talks could clear&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-united-states-trump-xi-timeline-tariffs-adc2c2c00f13d8dcd4ecc92251b11533">rising tensions</a>&nbsp;between the world’s two largest economies and allow the global economy to keep motoring.U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-10-27-2025#0000019a-24c7-d24d-adbe-ade768930000">Bessent said</a>&nbsp;there’s “a framework” for U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss at their meeting, while Trump said, “We feel good” about working things out with China.That’s just one of many things that will need to go right this week in order for the U.S. stock market’s tremendous, record-breaking rally to continue. The S&amp;P 500 has shot up a stunning 38% since hitting a low in April, when worries about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tariffs">Trump’s tariffs</a>&nbsp;on China and other countries were at their peak. Besides hopes for easing trade tensions, the rally has also been built on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-rates-records-shutdown-earnings-ai-251fefd075ac658ce498c9d1953efc70">expectations for several more things</a>&nbsp;to happen.One is that the Federal Reserve will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-inflation-trump-2d05401d7c9cb2393925f494aac71d89">keep cutting interest rates</a>&nbsp;in order to give the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-unemployment-trump-firing-f686eab61f7d6b702ca10b12b0250498">slowing job</a>&nbsp;market a boost. The Fed’s next announcement on interest rates is due on Wednesday, and the nearly unanimous expectation among traders is that it will cut the federal funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point at a second straight meeting.It’s not a certainty though, because the Fed has also warned it may have to change course if inflation accelerates beyond its still-high level. That’s because low interest rates can make inflation worse.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-inflation-trump-prices-economy-wall-street-fed-consumers-280a2fd30de3bb44bd87cd0248082322">latest monthly report on inflation</a>&nbsp;came in slightly better than economists expected, raising hopes, but it may be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-shutdown-no-report-70a0e2773445ded8a7239c4899fc410c">final update for a while</a>&nbsp;if the U.S. government’s shutdown continues. That could cloud the forecast for cuts to rates to continue.Besides lower interest rates, another expectation that’s propped up stock prices is the forecast that U.S. companies will continue to deliver solid growth in profits.Keurig Dr Pepper climbed 7.6% Monday after reporting profit for the latest quarter that matched analysts’ expectations. The company behind Canada Dry and Green Mountain coffee said it benefited from higher prices for K-Cup products, among other thingsSome of Wall Street’s most influential stocks are set to report their results this week, including Alphabet, Meta Platforms and Microsoft on Wednesday, and Amazon and Apple on Thursday. They’ll need to deliver big growth and justify big spending underway in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial-intelligence technology</a>.Worries have been climbing that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-bubble-warnings-bank-of-england-imf-b15e54f6d06992371ee39b27f4e6da3a">AI may be in the midst of a bubble</a>, similar to the dot-com bonanza that ended up bursting in 2000. Nvidia’s stock is up 42.6% for the year so far, for example, and Qualcomm soared 11.1% Monday after unveiling AI products for data centers.Announcements of mergers and buyouts also helped move stocks on Monday. Cadence Bank rose 4.4% after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huntington-bancshares-cadence-df0f6d09cbf8fc5c0048a41d743b6741">Huntington Bancshares said it would buy the bank</a>&nbsp;with locations across Texas and the South for $7.4 billion in stock. Huntington fell 2.7%.Avidity Biosciences leaped 42.4% after Novartis agreed to buy the biopharmaceutical company based in San Diego for $12 billion, after Avidity spins off its early-stage precision cardiology programs.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 83.47 points to 6,875.16. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 337.47 to 47,544.59, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 432.59 to 23,637.46.In stock markets abroad, indexes rose modestly in Europe following bigger gains in Asia.Stocks climbed 1.2% in Shanghai and 1% in Hong Kong. They rose even more in Tokyo, where the Nikkei 225 jumped 2.5%, and in Seoul, where South Korea’s Kospi rallied 2.6%.The Nikkei 225 topped the 50,000 level for the first time as opinion polls show Japan’s newly installed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-prime-minister-takaichi-21224ba4c4429ffad1639e9fcc4abd4a">Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi</a>&nbsp;enjoying high levels of public support for her market-friendly policies. Takaichi favors raising spending on defense, which has boosted prices of stocks in major defense contractors, such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which jumped 9% Monday.In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 3.99% from 4.02% late Friday.All the optimism flowing through financial markets helped knock down the price of gold. The metal’s price has stalled after it nearly touched $4,400 per ounce last week, when it set its latest record. It briefly dropped below $4,000 Monday, but it’s still up more than 50% for the year so far.___

Wall Street rallies to more records as price of gold slumps

The Mega Millions® jackpot surges past $700 million for only the ninth time in the game’s history for the next drawing on Tuesday, October 28, according to the game's web site.

 The estimated prize is now an impressive $714 million ($334.1 million cash) after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Friday night – the white balls 11, 18, 31, 51 and 56, plus the gold Mega Ball 24. 

The jackpot has been growing since it was last won at $348 million in Virginia on June 27.If won next Tuesday, it would be the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won in the month of October. 

Almost exactly seven years ago, the game’s first-ever billion-dollar jackpot was won in South Carolina, on October 23, 2018; that prize of $1.537 billion remains the second-largest Mega Millions prize ever awarded. 

In the October 24 drawing, there were 482,430 winning tickets across all prize tiers, for total nationide winnings of more than $11.7 million. One ticket, sold in Connecticut, matched the five white balls to win the second-tier prize; with the 2X multiplier, it is worth $2 million. 

Twelve tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball to win the game’s third-tier prize: seven at 2X for $20,000 (two in Arizona and one each in California, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas), two at 3X for $30,000 (Michigan and Virginia), one at 4X for $40,000 (Missouri) and two at 5X for $50,000 (Massachusetts and Michigan).&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/Winning-Numbers.aspx">&nbsp;Click here for complete drawing result</a>s.

<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/Winning-Numbers.aspx"></a>&nbsp;In the 34 drawings in this jackpot run to date, there have been more than 10 million winning tickets at all levels, with prizes worth more than $240.9 million. They include 17 second-tier prizes: Eight with the 2X multiplier (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia), seven with the 3X multiplier (two in California and one each in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey and New York), and one each at 4X and 5X (both in California).&nbsp;

There have also been 230 third-tier winning tickets so far in this run, ranging from $20,000 to $100,000. These third-tier prizes were won in 38 different jurisdictions across the country: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

&nbsp;Before the June 27 Virginia jackpot win at $348 million, other jackpots awarded this year were in Ohio ($112 million on April 18), Illinois ($349 million on March 25), and Arizona ($112 million on January 17).About Mega MillionsMega Millions is the only lottery game that has produced seven jackpot wins exceeding $1 billion each – all in different states. South Carolina was the first in 2018, followed by Michigan in 2021, Illinois in 2022, Maine and Florida in 2023, and New Jersey and California in 2024. The Florida prize on August 8, 2023, is the game’s current record jackpot at $1.602 billion.<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/About/Jackpot-History.aspx">See the complete Mega Millions jackpot history.</a>Tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Tickets are $5 each and include a randomly assigned multiplier, multiplying the base prize levels by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X. Half of the proceeds from the sale of each Mega Millions ticket remains in the state where the ticket was sold, where the money supports designated good causes and retailer commissions.Drawings are conducted at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, Georgia. The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 23; the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336.The Top Mega Millions Jackpots:AmountDateWinning Tickets$1.602 billion8/8/20231-FL$1.537 billion10/23/20181-SC$1.348 billion1/13/20231-ME$1.337 billion7/29/20221-IL$1.269 billion12/27/20241-CA$1.128 billion3/26/20241-NJ$1.050 billion1/22/20211-MI$810 million9/10/20241-TX$714 million (est)10/28/2025?$656 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3/30/2012&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-IL, KS, MD

The Mega Millions® jackpot surges past $700 million for only the ninth time in the game’s history for the next drawing on Tuesday, October 28, according to the game's web site. The estimated prize is now an impressive $714 million ($334.1 million cash) after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Friday night – the white balls 11, 18, 31, 51 and 56, plus the gold Mega Ball 24. The jackpot has been growing since it was last won at $348 million in Virginia on June 27.If won next Tuesday, it would be the second-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won in the month of October. Almost exactly seven years ago, the game’s first-ever billion-dollar jackpot was won in South Carolina, on October 23, 2018; that prize of $1.537 billion remains the second-largest Mega Millions prize ever awarded. In the October 24 drawing, there were 482,430 winning tickets across all prize tiers, for total nationide winnings of more than $11.7 million. One ticket, sold in Connecticut, matched the five white balls to win the second-tier prize; with the 2X multiplier, it is worth $2 million. Twelve tickets matched four white balls plus the Mega Ball to win the game’s third-tier prize: seven at 2X for $20,000 (two in Arizona and one each in California, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas), two at 3X for $30,000 (Michigan and Virginia), one at 4X for $40,000 (Missouri) and two at 5X for $50,000 (Massachusetts and Michigan).&nbsp;<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/Winning-Numbers.aspx">&nbsp;Click here for complete drawing result</a>s.<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/Winning-Numbers.aspx"></a>&nbsp;In the 34 drawings in this jackpot run to date, there have been more than 10 million winning tickets at all levels, with prizes worth more than $240.9 million. They include 17 second-tier prizes: Eight with the 2X multiplier (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia), seven with the 3X multiplier (two in California and one each in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey and New York), and one each at 4X and 5X (both in California).&nbsp;There have also been 230 third-tier winning tickets so far in this run, ranging from $20,000 to $100,000. These third-tier prizes were won in 38 different jurisdictions across the country: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.&nbsp;Before the June 27 Virginia jackpot win at $348 million, other jackpots awarded this year were in Ohio ($112 million on April 18), Illinois ($349 million on March 25), and Arizona ($112 million on January 17).About Mega MillionsMega Millions is the only lottery game that has produced seven jackpot wins exceeding $1 billion each – all in different states. South Carolina was the first in 2018, followed by Michigan in 2021, Illinois in 2022, Maine and Florida in 2023, and New Jersey and California in 2024. The Florida prize on August 8, 2023, is the game’s current record jackpot at $1.602 billion.<a href="https://www.megamillions.com/About/Jackpot-History.aspx">See the complete Mega Millions jackpot history.</a>Tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets are $5 each and include a randomly assigned multiplier, multiplying the base prize levels by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X. Half of the proceeds from the sale of each Mega Millions ticket remains in the state where the ticket was sold, where the money supports designated good causes and retailer commissions.Drawings are conducted at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Fridays in Atlanta, Georgia. The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 23; the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 290,472,336.The Top Mega Millions Jackpots:AmountDateWinning Tickets$1.602 billion8/8/20231-FL$1.537 billion10/23/20181-SC$1.348 billion1/13/20231-ME$1.337 billion7/29/20221-IL$1.269 billion12/27/20241-CA$1.128 billion3/26/20241-NJ$1.050 billion1/22/20211-MI$810 million9/10/20241-TX$714 million (est)10/28/2025?$656 million&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3/30/2012&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3-IL, KS, MD

Mega Millions jackpot surges past $700 million for only 9th time

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — While Kansas remains one of the last states in the nation without legalized medical or recreational marijuana, THC-infused drinks have evaded scrutiny from officials.

The question of the legality of the drinks came up Thursday at a meeting of a joint legislative committee on security.

Robert Stuart, executive officer for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, explained to lawmakers that while marijuana is illegal in Kansas, THC-infused beverages are considered hemp products and allowed under the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized cannabis plants containing no more than 0.3% of a plant’s weight in tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Products created using hemp are commonly advertised as Delta 9 items, and they can have a weaker effect than marijuana because of their lower THC content.

Rep. Pat Proctor, a Republican from Leavenworth, asked Stuart: “Should we be outlawing it?”

Yes, Stuart said, and he wagered the KBI’s position would be the same.

“If it’s intoxicating, it’s damaging,” he said.

THC drinks are restricted to adults over the age of 21, same as alcoholic beverages.

“You hear all sorts of social arguments and all sorts of different ways of thinking about it,” Stuart said, “but it would be much clearer for any of those distributors, any of those dealers, for any member of the public, to say, OK, this is what’s clearly illegal and clearly what’s not.”

Blurred lines make it difficult for retailers to comply with state laws, for consumers to know the products they purchase are safe and for law enforcement to conduct criminal investigations, Stuart said.

Kansas City, Missouri-based brewer Boulevard Brewing Company announced this month a THC-infused version of its signature Quirk seltzer, which will be called “Berry Jane.” It will be available in two dosages. One containing 5 mg THC and another containing 10 mg, differentiated by a darker can. They are expected to be sold in Kansas and Missouri next month.

The KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/10/01/kansas-officials-crack-down-on-brazen-sales-of-marijuana-and-thc-products-with-statewide-raids/">celebrated a major crackdown</a>&nbsp;on THC products earlier this month, raiding 10 storefronts in six cities across the state. KBI director Tony Mattivi said the products were harming Kansas children.

The Kansas House passed a bill legalizing marijuana in 2021, and a special committee crafted recommendations for the Legislature last year, but Republicans have blocked the legislation from progressing. It could come up during the next session, ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761319700813.png" alt=" Drinks advertised as THC- and cannabis-infused on the shelves of a Rapid City, South Dakota store in July 2024. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)" />
 <figcaption> Drinks advertised as THC- and cannabis-infused on the shelves of a Rapid City, South Dakota store in July 2024. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — While Kansas remains one of the last states in the nation without legalized medical or recreational marijuana, THC-infused drinks have evaded scrutiny from officials.The question of the legality of the drinks came up Thursday at a meeting of a joint legislative committee on security.Robert Stuart, executive officer for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, explained to lawmakers that while marijuana is illegal in Kansas, THC-infused beverages are considered hemp products and allowed under the 2018 federal Farm Bill, which legalized cannabis plants containing no more than 0.3% of a plant’s weight in tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Products created using hemp are commonly advertised as Delta 9 items, and they can have a weaker effect than marijuana because of their lower THC content.Rep. Pat Proctor, a Republican from Leavenworth, asked Stuart: “Should we be outlawing it?”Yes, Stuart said, and he wagered the KBI’s position would be the same.“If it’s intoxicating, it’s damaging,” he said.THC drinks are restricted to adults over the age of 21, same as alcoholic beverages.“You hear all sorts of social arguments and all sorts of different ways of thinking about it,” Stuart said, “but it would be much clearer for any of those distributors, any of those dealers, for any member of the public, to say, OK, this is what’s clearly illegal and clearly what’s not.”Blurred lines make it difficult for retailers to comply with state laws, for consumers to know the products they purchase are safe and for law enforcement to conduct criminal investigations, Stuart said.Kansas City, Missouri-based brewer Boulevard Brewing Company announced this month a THC-infused version of its signature Quirk seltzer, which will be called “Berry Jane.” It will be available in two dosages. One containing 5 mg THC and another containing 10 mg, differentiated by a darker can. They are expected to be sold in Kansas and Missouri next month.The KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/10/01/kansas-officials-crack-down-on-brazen-sales-of-marijuana-and-thc-products-with-statewide-raids/">celebrated a major crackdown</a>&nbsp;on THC products earlier this month, raiding 10 storefronts in six cities across the state. KBI director Tony Mattivi said the products were harming Kansas children.The Kansas House passed a bill legalizing marijuana in 2021, and a special committee crafted recommendations for the Legislature last year, but Republicans have blocked the legislation from progressing. It could come up during the next session, ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election.

THC-infused drinks have flown under Kansas lawmakers’ radar — until now

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia tested a new nuclear-capable and powered cruise missile fit to confound existing defenses, inching closer to deploying it to its military, President Vladimir Putin said in remarks released on Sunday.

The announcement, which followed years of tests of the Burevestnik missile, comes as part of nuclear messaging from the Kremlin, which has resisted Western pressure for a ceasefire in Ukraine and strongly warned the U.S. and other NATO allies against sanctioning strikes deep inside Russia with longer-range Western weapons.

A video released by the Kremlin showed Putin, dressed in camouflage fatigues, receiving a report from Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s chief of general staff, who told the Russian leader that the Burevestnik covered 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) in a key test Tuesday.

Gerasimov said the Burevestnik, or storm petrel in Russian, spent 15 hours in the air on nuclear power, adding “that’s not the limit.”

Little is known about the Burevestnik, which was code-named Skyfall by NATO, and many Western experts have been skeptical about it, noting that a nuclear engine could be highly unreliable.

When&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d4e05956217d895594bcef491083e950" rel="nofollow">Putin first revealed</a>&nbsp;that Russia was working on the weapon in his 2018 state-of-the-nation address, he claimed it would have an unlimited range, allowing it to circle the globe undetected by missile defense systems.

Many&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-nuclear-test-missile-ukraine-war-2204f967c8739216ded2efc3f71a6e0f" rel="nofollow">observers</a>&nbsp;argue such a missile could be difficult to handle and pose an environmental threat. The U.S. and the Soviet Union worked on nuclear-powered missiles during the Cold War, but they eventually shelved the projects, considering them too hazardous.

The Burevestnik&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-57268fa0f9d04161870c2d25b0aaec2a" rel="nofollow">reportedly suffered an explosion</a>&nbsp;in August 2019 during tests at a navy range on the White Sea, killing five nuclear engineers and two service members and resulting in a brief spike in radioactivity that fueled fears in a nearby city.

Russian officials never identified the weapon involved, but the U.S. said it was the Burevestnik.

“We need to determine the possible uses and begin preparing the infrastructure for deploying these weapons to our armed forces,” Putin told Gerasimov.

The Russian leader also claimed it was invulnerable to current and future missile defenses, due to its almost unlimited range and unpredictable flight path.

Kirill Dmitriev, a top Putin aide who was in the U.S. as the video surfaced, said his delegation informed U.S. colleagues of the “successful testing” of the Burevestnik, which he said was an “absolutely new class” of weapon.

Earlier this week, Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-nuclear-drills-trump-ukraine-a0de66dbf9d5e7771634c4ad5b4fe83e" rel="nofollow">directed drills of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces</a>&nbsp;that featured practice missile launches. The exercise came as his planned summit on Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump was put on hold.

The Kremlin said that the maneuvers involved all parts of Moscow’s nuclear triad, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that were test-fired from launch facilities in northwestern Russia and a submarine in the Barents Sea. The drills also involved Tu-95 strategic bombers firing long-range cruise missiles.

The exercise tested the skills of military command structures, the Kremlin said in a statement Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663760963726.jpeg" alt="Image from a video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin -via AP" />
 <figcaption>Image from a video released by the Russian Presidential Press Service, Russian President Vladimir Putin -via AP</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) — Russia tested a new nuclear-capable and powered cruise missile fit to confound existing defenses, inching closer to deploying it to its military, President Vladimir Putin said in remarks released on Sunday.The announcement, which followed years of tests of the Burevestnik missile, comes as part of nuclear messaging from the Kremlin, which has resisted Western pressure for a ceasefire in Ukraine and strongly warned the U.S. and other NATO allies against sanctioning strikes deep inside Russia with longer-range Western weapons.A video released by the Kremlin showed Putin, dressed in camouflage fatigues, receiving a report from Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s chief of general staff, who told the Russian leader that the Burevestnik covered 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) in a key test Tuesday.Gerasimov said the Burevestnik, or storm petrel in Russian, spent 15 hours in the air on nuclear power, adding “that’s not the limit.”Little is known about the Burevestnik, which was code-named Skyfall by NATO, and many Western experts have been skeptical about it, noting that a nuclear engine could be highly unreliable.When&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d4e05956217d895594bcef491083e950" rel="nofollow">Putin first revealed</a>&nbsp;that Russia was working on the weapon in his 2018 state-of-the-nation address, he claimed it would have an unlimited range, allowing it to circle the globe undetected by missile defense systems.Many&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-nuclear-test-missile-ukraine-war-2204f967c8739216ded2efc3f71a6e0f" rel="nofollow">observers</a>&nbsp;argue such a missile could be difficult to handle and pose an environmental threat. The U.S. and the Soviet Union worked on nuclear-powered missiles during the Cold War, but they eventually shelved the projects, considering them too hazardous.The Burevestnik&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-57268fa0f9d04161870c2d25b0aaec2a" rel="nofollow">reportedly suffered an explosion</a>&nbsp;in August 2019 during tests at a navy range on the White Sea, killing five nuclear engineers and two service members and resulting in a brief spike in radioactivity that fueled fears in a nearby city.Russian officials never identified the weapon involved, but the U.S. said it was the Burevestnik.“We need to determine the possible uses and begin preparing the infrastructure for deploying these weapons to our armed forces,” Putin told Gerasimov.The Russian leader also claimed it was invulnerable to current and future missile defenses, due to its almost unlimited range and unpredictable flight path.Kirill Dmitriev, a top Putin aide who was in the U.S. as the video surfaced, said his delegation informed U.S. colleagues of the “successful testing” of the Burevestnik, which he said was an “absolutely new class” of weapon.Earlier this week, Putin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-nuclear-drills-trump-ukraine-a0de66dbf9d5e7771634c4ad5b4fe83e" rel="nofollow">directed drills of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces</a>&nbsp;that featured practice missile launches. The exercise came as his planned summit on Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump was put on hold.The Kremlin said that the maneuvers involved all parts of Moscow’s nuclear triad, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that were test-fired from launch facilities in northwestern Russia and a submarine in the Barents Sea. The drills also involved Tu-95 strategic bombers firing long-range cruise missiles.The exercise tested the skills of military command structures, the Kremlin said in a statement Wednesday.

Putin: Russia tests new nuclear-capable intercontinental missile

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect charged in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video earlier this month in Wichita is due back Judge Rodger Woods courtroom on Monday&nbsp;

Daniel T. Espitia Guevara, 22, was charged with&nbsp;aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and&nbsp; criminal restraint, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He is also on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

The Wichita Police Department had asked for the community’s help in identifying and locating a woman in a doorbell video who was seen being taken by force on October 12, at approximately 2 AM., in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita.

Just after 3p.m. October 14, Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview. Police confirmed the identity of the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. Police determined the incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman did not have any significant injuries.

Just after 7 p.m. October 14, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested Guevara and booked him into jail.

He remains in custody on a $75,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760555163921.png" alt="ESPITIA GUEVARA-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>ESPITIA GUEVARA-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect charged in connection with a violent abduction shown on a doorbell video earlier this month in Wichita is due back Judge Rodger Woods courtroom on Monday&nbsp;Daniel T. Espitia Guevara, 22, was charged with&nbsp;aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and&nbsp; criminal restraint, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He is also on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1760408562025.png" alt="Photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>The Wichita Police Department had asked for the community’s help in identifying and locating a woman in a doorbell video who was seen being taken by force on October 12, at approximately 2 AM., in the 1400 block of North Volutsia in Wichita.Just after 3p.m. October 14, Wichita Police Investigators received a phone call, from a woman claiming to be the individual investigators were attempting to identify. Investigators immediately responded to her location, made contact, and transported her to City Hall so detectives could conduct a victim interview. Police confirmed the identity of the woman as a 35-year-old who lives in the area where the video was captured. Police determined the incident is a case of domestic violence where the woman was victimized by her boyfriend. The woman did not have any significant injuries.Just after 7 p.m. October 14, officers with the Wichita Police Domestic Intervention and Violence Reduction team (DIVRT) located and arrested Guevara and booked him into jail.He remains in custody on a $75,000 bond, according to the district attorney's office.

Suspect in Kan. doorbell camera abduction video is due back in court

By: Everett Kelley,&nbsp;AFGE National President

This week, Congress pushed our nation into the fourth week of a full government shutdown – an avoidable crisis that is harming families, communities, and the very institutions that hold our country together. Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight.&nbsp;

Today I’m making mine: it’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship. Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay — today.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As president of the American Federation of Government Employees, I represent over 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers who serve with pride and professionalism.&nbsp;

They ensure our skies are safe, our veterans receive care, our borders are protected, and our food is inspected. They come from every political background and every corner of this nation. What unites them is a simple belief: that service to country is honorable work.&nbsp;

Today, that belief is being tested. The Army nurse in San Antonio, the TSA officer in Atlanta, the USDA food safety inspector in Iowa, and hundreds of thousands more like them are being asked to keep our country running without the paychecks that keep their own households afloat.&nbsp;

These are patriotic Americans – parents, caregivers, and veterans – forced to work without pay while struggling to cover rent, groceries, gas and medicine because of political disagreements in Washington. That is unacceptable.&nbsp;

Unfortunately, shutdowns have become a recurring tactic in Washington. But there is no “winning” a government shutdown. They cost taxpayers billions, hurt small businesses, and erode confidence in government itself. And the American people know this. That’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/projects/most-see-the-federal-shutdown-as-a-problem-and-think-there-is-plenty-of-blame-to-go-around/" target="_blank">why 9 out of 10 Americans think this government shutdown is a problem</a>.&nbsp;

It’s time for our leaders to start focusing on how to solve problems for the American people, rather than on who is going to get the blame for a shutdown that Americans dislike.&nbsp;

Because when the folks who serve this country are standing in line for food banks after missing a second paycheck because of this shutdown, they aren’t looking for partisan spin. They’re looking for the wages they earned. The fact that they’re being cheated out of it is a national disgrace.&nbsp;

It’s long past time for our leaders to put aside partisan politics and embrace responsible government. A strong America requires a functioning government — one that pays its bills, honors its commitments, and treats its workforce with respect by paying them on time.&nbsp;

The path forward for Congress is clear:&nbsp;

Reopen the government immediately under a clean continuing resolution that allows continued debate on larger issues.&nbsp;

Ensure back pay for every single employee who has served or been forced to stay home through no fault of their own.&nbsp;

Work together on a bipartisan basis to address important policy matters like addressing rising costs and fixing the broken appropriations process.&nbsp;

None of these steps favor one political side over another. They favor the American people – who expect stability from their government and responsibility from their leaders.&nbsp;

The national interest requires Congress to act immediately to bring every federal employee back to work, pay them for the work they’ve already done (or been locked out from doing), and continue having the debates and disagreements that are the hallmark of a strong democracy – without punishing the people who keep our nation running.&nbsp;

The government belongs to all of us. Let’s open it back up and keep America moving forward.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759315687610.png" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By: Everett Kelley,&nbsp;AFGE National PresidentThis week, Congress pushed our nation into the fourth week of a full government shutdown – an avoidable crisis that is harming families, communities, and the very institutions that hold our country together. Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight.&nbsp;Today I’m making mine: it’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship. Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay — today.&nbsp;&nbsp;As president of the American Federation of Government Employees, I represent over 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers who serve with pride and professionalism.&nbsp;They ensure our skies are safe, our veterans receive care, our borders are protected, and our food is inspected. They come from every political background and every corner of this nation. What unites them is a simple belief: that service to country is honorable work.&nbsp;Today, that belief is being tested. The Army nurse in San Antonio, the TSA officer in Atlanta, the USDA food safety inspector in Iowa, and hundreds of thousands more like them are being asked to keep our country running without the paychecks that keep their own households afloat.&nbsp;These are patriotic Americans – parents, caregivers, and veterans – forced to work without pay while struggling to cover rent, groceries, gas and medicine because of political disagreements in Washington. That is unacceptable.&nbsp;Unfortunately, shutdowns have become a recurring tactic in Washington. But there is no “winning” a government shutdown. They cost taxpayers billions, hurt small businesses, and erode confidence in government itself. And the American people know this. That’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/projects/most-see-the-federal-shutdown-as-a-problem-and-think-there-is-plenty-of-blame-to-go-around/" target="_blank">why 9 out of 10 Americans think this government shutdown is a problem</a>.&nbsp;It’s time for our leaders to start focusing on how to solve problems for the American people, rather than on who is going to get the blame for a shutdown that Americans dislike.&nbsp;Because when the folks who serve this country are standing in line for food banks after missing a second paycheck because of this shutdown, they aren’t looking for partisan spin. They’re looking for the wages they earned. The fact that they’re being cheated out of it is a national disgrace.&nbsp;It’s long past time for our leaders to put aside partisan politics and embrace responsible government. A strong America requires a functioning government — one that pays its bills, honors its commitments, and treats its workforce with respect by paying them on time.&nbsp;The path forward for Congress is clear:&nbsp;Reopen the government immediately under a clean continuing resolution that allows continued debate on larger issues.&nbsp;Ensure back pay for every single employee who has served or been forced to stay home through no fault of their own.&nbsp;Work together on a bipartisan basis to address important policy matters like addressing rising costs and fixing the broken appropriations process.&nbsp;None of these steps favor one political side over another. They favor the American people – who expect stability from their government and responsibility from their leaders.&nbsp;The national interest requires Congress to act immediately to bring every federal employee back to work, pay them for the work they’ve already done (or been locked out from doing), and continue having the debates and disagreements that are the hallmark of a strong democracy – without punishing the people who keep our nation running.&nbsp;The government belongs to all of us. Let’s open it back up and keep America moving forward.

Largest federal worker union calls on Congress to end shutdown

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff in Topeka.

Just before 9:30a.m. Friday, police responded to a report of an Aggravated Battery in the 1200 block of SW Washburn Avenue in Topeka, according to Police LT John Trimble.

Through the investigation, officers were led to an address in the 5000 block of SW 28th Street in Topeka. Multiple resources from the Topeka Police Department were utilized at this secondary location. Police didn't find the suspect.

The investigation led police to the 2100 block of SW Potomac Drive. After a brief standoff, 37-year-old Dylan James Gragson was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Domestic Battery, Aggravated Intimidation of a Victim, Criminal Threat, Criminal Restraint, Domestic Battery and Felony Interference.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761413717803.png" alt="Gragson photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Gragson photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff in Topeka.Just before 9:30a.m. Friday, police responded to a report of an Aggravated Battery in the 1200 block of SW Washburn Avenue in Topeka, according to Police LT John Trimble.Through the investigation, officers were led to an address in the 5000 block of SW 28th Street in Topeka. Multiple resources from the Topeka Police Department were utilized at this secondary location. Police didn't find the suspect.The investigation led police to the 2100 block of SW Potomac Drive. After a brief standoff, 37-year-old Dylan James Gragson was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Domestic Battery, Aggravated Intimidation of a Victim, Criminal Threat, Criminal Restraint, Domestic Battery and Felony Interference.

Standoff arrest: Kansas man accused of violent attack

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/adriana-gomez-licon">ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON</a> Associated Press

Former President Joe Biden called these “dark days” as he urged Americans to stay optimistic and not to check out in response to what he says are attacks on free speech and tests on the limits of executive power by President Donald Trump.

“Since its founding, America served as a beacon for the most powerful idea ever in government in the history of the world,” Biden said. “The idea is stronger than any army. We’re more powerful than any dictator.”

Biden, 82, speaking publicly for the first time since completing a round of radiation therapy for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-cancer-prostate-be18c98abe341cd91277e1d3b75d5cd5" rel="nofollow">aggressive form of prostate cancer</a>, addressed an audience in Boston on Sunday night after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.

He said America depends on a presidency with limited power, a functioning Congress and an autonomous judiciary. With the federal government facing its second-longest shutdown on record, Trump has used the funding laps&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-congress-presidential-power-157d0d2d6d00d273dca722232ff252ad" rel="nofollow">as way to exercise new command over the government.</a>

“Friends, I can’t sugar coat any of this. These are dark days” Biden said before predicting the country would “find our true compass again” and “emerge as we always have — stronger, wiser and more resilient, more just, so long as we keep the faith.”

Biden listed examples of people who are standing their ground against threats from the current administration, citing the example of federal employees who resign in protest, and universities and comedians that have been targeted by Trump.

“The late night hosts continue to shine a light on free speech knowing their careers are on the line,” he said.

Biden also shouted out elected Republican officials who vote or openly go against the Trump administration.

“America is not a fairy tale,” he said. “For 250 years, it’s been a constant push and pull, an existential struggle between peril and possibility.”

He finished the speech by telling people to “get back up.”

The Democrat left office in January after serving one term in the White House. Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6" rel="nofollow">dropped his bid for reelection</a>&nbsp;after facing pressure following a disastrous debate against Trump and concerns about his age, health and mental fitness. Vice President Kamala Harris launched her bid right after, but lost to Trump last November.

In May, Biden’s post presidential office announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and that it had spread to his bones.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-prostate-cancer-2acca9da55ea0f0a09546cd918437444" rel="nofollow">Prostate cancers</a>&nbsp;are graded for aggressiveness using what is known as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-cancer-prostate-cc8e4fce80a0a6d531370a7e1ba0b8ae" rel="nofollow">Gleason score</a>. The scores range from 6 to 10, with 8, 9 and 10 prostate cancers behaving more aggressively. Biden’s office said his score was 9.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761572039355.png" alt="Former President Joe Biden during his speech on Sunday- image courtesy WBZ video" />
 <figcaption>Former President Joe Biden during his speech on Sunday- image courtesy WBZ video</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/adriana-gomez-licon">ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON</a> Associated PressFormer President Joe Biden called these “dark days” as he urged Americans to stay optimistic and not to check out in response to what he says are attacks on free speech and tests on the limits of executive power by President Donald Trump.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Former President Joe Biden spoke publicly for the first time since completing a round of radiation therapy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He addressed an audience in Boston on Sunday after winning the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. <a href="https://t.co/7leJAKrcWk">pic.twitter.com/7leJAKrcWk</a>&mdash; The Associated Press (@AP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AP/status/1982807757884371014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Since its founding, America served as a beacon for the most powerful idea ever in government in the history of the world,” Biden said. “The idea is stronger than any army. We’re more powerful than any dictator.”Biden, 82, speaking publicly for the first time since completing a round of radiation therapy for an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-cancer-prostate-be18c98abe341cd91277e1d3b75d5cd5" rel="nofollow">aggressive form of prostate cancer</a>, addressed an audience in Boston on Sunday night after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.He said America depends on a presidency with limited power, a functioning Congress and an autonomous judiciary. With the federal government facing its second-longest shutdown on record, Trump has used the funding laps&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-trump-congress-presidential-power-157d0d2d6d00d273dca722232ff252ad" rel="nofollow">as way to exercise new command over the government.</a>“Friends, I can’t sugar coat any of this. These are dark days” Biden said before predicting the country would “find our true compass again” and “emerge as we always have — stronger, wiser and more resilient, more just, so long as we keep the faith.”Biden listed examples of people who are standing their ground against threats from the current administration, citing the example of federal employees who resign in protest, and universities and comedians that have been targeted by Trump.“The late night hosts continue to shine a light on free speech knowing their careers are on the line,” he said.Biden also shouted out elected Republican officials who vote or openly go against the Trump administration.“America is not a fairy tale,” he said. “For 250 years, it’s been a constant push and pull, an existential struggle between peril and possibility.”He finished the speech by telling people to “get back up.”The Democrat left office in January after serving one term in the White House. Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6" rel="nofollow">dropped his bid for reelection</a>&nbsp;after facing pressure following a disastrous debate against Trump and concerns about his age, health and mental fitness. Vice President Kamala Harris launched her bid right after, but lost to Trump last November.In May, Biden’s post presidential office announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and that it had spread to his bones.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-prostate-cancer-2acca9da55ea0f0a09546cd918437444" rel="nofollow">Prostate cancers</a>&nbsp;are graded for aggressiveness using what is known as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-cancer-prostate-cc8e4fce80a0a6d531370a7e1ba0b8ae" rel="nofollow">Gleason score</a>. The scores range from 6 to 10, with 8, 9 and 10 prostate cancers behaving more aggressively. Biden’s office said his score was 9.

🎥Biden issues warning while speaking at the Kennedy Institute 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating and searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred Thursday evening at Dr. Glen Dey Park, located at 2801 N. Grove in Wichnita.

At approximately 7:03 p.m. an off-duty WPD detective working secondary employment at&nbsp; the park heard multiple gunshots from another area of the park. The detective immediately ran toward the scene and found 32-year-old Travon Stewart suffering from gunshot wounds.

The detective called for backup and emergency medical services, then began life-saving measures until EMS arrived. Stewart was transported to a local hospital in extremely critical condition and later died from his injuries.

Preliminary findings indicate that around 200 to 300 people were in attendance at the football games. Stewart was at the park selling concessions as a fundraiser for a football team not affiliated with the Wichita Junior Football League.

Homicide investigators responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses who remained in the area. Detectives believe this was a targeted shooting and not connected to the youth football games.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest in the shooting.

Anyone who attended the games or may have information is urged to contact the Wichita Police Department Investigations Section at 316-268-4407.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761331970728.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating and searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred Thursday evening at Dr. Glen Dey Park, located at 2801 N. Grove in Wichnita.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tipsters, we need your help! The Wichita Police Department is seeking information regarding the homicide that occurred at Glen Dey Park, 2801 N. Grove. If you have any information about the suspect, submit your anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers. <a href="https://t.co/xBLLGoJ8fv">pic.twitter.com/xBLLGoJ8fv</a>&mdash; Crime Stoppers ICT (@crimestoppers) <a href="https://twitter.com/crimestoppers/status/1981758227835424944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>At approximately 7:03 p.m. an off-duty WPD detective working secondary employment at&nbsp; the park heard multiple gunshots from another area of the park. The detective immediately ran toward the scene and found 32-year-old Travon Stewart suffering from gunshot wounds.The detective called for backup and emergency medical services, then began life-saving measures until EMS arrived. Stewart was transported to a local hospital in extremely critical condition and later died from his injuries.Preliminary findings indicate that around 200 to 300 people were in attendance at the football games. Stewart was at the park selling concessions as a fundraiser for a football team not affiliated with the Wichita Junior Football League.Homicide investigators responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses who remained in the area. Detectives believe this was a targeted shooting and not connected to the youth football games.Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest in the shooting.Anyone who attended the games or may have information is urged to contact the Wichita Police Department Investigations Section at 316-268-4407.&nbsp;

Suspect in fatal shooting near Kan. youth football game still at large

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a series of bank robberies have a suspect on custody. On October 24,&nbsp; police arrested 24-year-old Weston R. Womack, of Kansas City, according to a statement from the FBI.&nbsp;

He has been charged&nbsp; with multiple counts of bank robbery in the Western District of Missouri. The charges are for alleged bank robberies that occurred on October 22nd and October 23rd in Kansas City and Gladstone, Missouri.

 This investigation was conducted by the KCPD Career Criminal Task Force and the FBI’s Metro Kansas City Violent Crime Task Force. Significant assistance was provided by Gladstone Police.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761179822531.png" alt="Photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a series of bank robberies have a suspect on custody. On October 24,&nbsp; police arrested 24-year-old Weston R. Womack, of Kansas City, according to a statement from the FBI.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761528334285.png" alt="Photo Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Photo Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>He has been charged&nbsp; with multiple counts of bank robbery in the Western District of Missouri. The charges are for alleged bank robberies that occurred on October 22nd and October 23rd in Kansas City and Gladstone, Missouri. This investigation was conducted by the KCPD Career Criminal Task Force and the FBI’s Metro Kansas City Violent Crime Task Force. Significant assistance was provided by Gladstone Police.&nbsp;