CAMENDEN COUNTY —A 2-year-old drowned Monday at Lake of the Ozarks.

At 4:47 p.m., the Missouri State Highway Patrol was asked to assist in the search for the missing girl from a residence off Tenney Road in Camden County.

At 8:13 p.m., she was found deceased next to a dock in Bollinger Creek Cove&nbsp;at the 44 mile mark.&nbsp; Investigators do not know how she entered the water. The Patrol released no additional details.&nbsp;&nbsp;

CAMENDEN COUNTY —A 2-year-old drowned Monday at Lake of the Ozarks.At 4:47 p.m., the Missouri State Highway Patrol was asked to assist in the search for the missing girl from a residence off Tenney Road in Camden County.At 8:13 p.m., she was found deceased next to a dock in Bollinger Creek Cove&nbsp;at the 44 mile mark.&nbsp; Investigators do not know how she entered the water. The Patrol released no additional details.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Missing two-year-old girl drowns at Lake of the Ozarks

KANSAS CITY —On Wednesday February 26, while attempting to conduct an annual inspection of the Cloverleaf Apartments, 14554 US-71 Highway, Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas City Fire Department learned that there was no longer a property management team in place, according to KCFD Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

Multiple fire violations were found in all of the buildings along with deplorable and unsustainable living conditions. Appropriate leadership within the fire department and the city was notified along with members of Leumas, an agency operating on behalf of HUD. A decision was made to shut the complex down and tenants were given 48 hours, Friday 5:00 p.m., to be relocated.

Tenants were given Saturday and Sunday to continue to move household items. Leumas/HUD had 76 individuals on their list of legal tenants and worked to relocate them to temporary and in some cases permanent housing. Other individuals staying at the property either legally or illegally were provided with resources through the city to relocate. Many chose to relocate on their own.

On Monday, members of the Kansas City Police Department did a building by-building sweep of the property to ensure every unit, and every building was empty. At which time, a contractor provided by the city began boarding up each building. All utilities to the property have been shut off and the property is considered closed and uninhabitable.

The decision to close the property for fire code violations along with health concerns is not a decision the Kansas City Fire Department took lightly, but one that was made with compassion and life safety as the driving force. The unfortunate and tragic situation the residences found themselves living in was no fault of their own, but that of a negligent property owner.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741038734676.png" alt="Image courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —On Wednesday February 26, while attempting to conduct an annual inspection of the Cloverleaf Apartments, 14554 US-71 Highway, Kansas City, Missouri, the Kansas City Fire Department learned that there was no longer a property management team in place, according to KCFD Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.Multiple fire violations were found in all of the buildings along with deplorable and unsustainable living conditions. Appropriate leadership within the fire department and the city was notified along with members of Leumas, an agency operating on behalf of HUD. A decision was made to shut the complex down and tenants were given 48 hours, Friday 5:00 p.m., to be relocated.Tenants were given Saturday and Sunday to continue to move household items. Leumas/HUD had 76 individuals on their list of legal tenants and worked to relocate them to temporary and in some cases permanent housing. Other individuals staying at the property either legally or illegally were provided with resources through the city to relocate. Many chose to relocate on their own.On Monday, members of the Kansas City Police Department did a building by-building sweep of the property to ensure every unit, and every building was empty. At which time, a contractor provided by the city began boarding up each building. All utilities to the property have been shut off and the property is considered closed and uninhabitable.The decision to close the property for fire code violations along with health concerns is not a decision the Kansas City Fire Department took lightly, but one that was made with compassion and life safety as the driving force. The unfortunate and tragic situation the residences found themselves living in was no fault of their own, but that of a negligent property owner.

Renters ordered to move out of Kansas City apartment complex

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted Monday to confirm former wrestling executive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/linda-mcmahon">Linda McMahon</a>&nbsp;as the nation’s education chief, a role that places her atop a department that President Donald Trump has vilified and vowed to dismantle.

McMahon will face&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-executive-order-8519eaa465385cc13f4ddcae90228dd3">the competing tasks</a>&nbsp;of winding down the Education Department while also escalating efforts to achieve Trump’s agenda. Already the Republican president has signed sweeping orders to rid America’s schools of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-critical-race-theory-colleges-diversity-db8317ad37931558dd5a396cf5ab3d42">diversity programs</a>&nbsp;and accommodations for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-transgender-athletes-3606411fc12efffec95a893351624e1b">transgender students</a>&nbsp;while also calling for expanded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-choice-trump-education-vouchers-c6ecc22879fe329da4acfac3aa7410e6">school choice</a>&nbsp;programs.

At the same time, Trump has promised to shut down the department and said he wants McMahon “to put herself out of a job.”

The Senate voted to confirm McMahon 51-45. Both Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.

A billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, McMahon, 76, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-trump-education-secretary-wwe-613016d0c164b89765af761404cbb123">an unconventional pick</a>&nbsp;for the role. She spent a year on Connecticut’s state board of education and is a longtime trustee at Sacred Heart University but otherwise has little traditional education leadership.

McMahon's supporters see her as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcmahon-education-department-trump-cabinet-d40c13d94ecbd1f02f9624087796ae36">a skilled executive</a>&nbsp;who will reform a department that Republicans say has failed to improve American education. Opponents say she’s unqualified and fear her budget cuts will be felt by students nationwide.

“Americans believe in public education,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said before the confirmation vote. “They don’t want to see the Department of Education abolished. If the Trump administration follows through on cuts to education, schools will lose billions in funding.”

At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-education-confirmation-hearing-417b1d36f9347b8279798fd311d211dc">her confirmation hearing</a>, McMahon distanced herself from Trump’s blistering rhetoric. She said the goal is to make the Education Department “operate more efficiently,” not to defund programs.

She acknowledged that only Congress has the power to close the department, and she pledged to preserve Title I money for low-income schools, Pell grants for low-income college students, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-forgiveness-debt-774b0ee69f911f68f646a066031ee604">the Public Service Loan Forgiveness</a>&nbsp;program. Yet she suggested some operations could move to other departments, saying Health and Human Services might be better suited to enforce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-iep-disability-civil-rights-trump-85a6687d9ef1f5236f2637924d66a560">disability rights laws</a>.

Weeks before McMahon's confirmation hearing, the White House was considering an executive order that would direct the education secretary to cut the agency as much as legally possible while asking Congress to shut it down completely. Some of McMahon’s allies pressed the White House to hold the order until after her confirmation to avoid potential backlash.

Created by Congress in 1979, the Education Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-trump-linda-mcmahon-9fc4fcef00e11b842063235798119cfc">primary role</a>&nbsp;is to disburse money to the nation’s schools and colleges. It sends billions of dollars a year to K-12 schools and oversees a $1.6 trillion federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">student loan</a>&nbsp;portfolio.

Trump argues the department has been overtaken by liberals who press their ideology on America’s schools.

Schools and colleges have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-schools-dear-colleague-6cca8440afa62689991d373cc4903a4c">navigating a demand</a>&nbsp;to eliminate diversity programs or risk having their federal funding pulled. The Trump administration gave them a Feb. 28 deadline to comply. The Education Department addressed questions about its guidance in a document released Saturday, saying in part that changing program names that reference “diversity” or “equity” alone is not enough if they treat students differently by race.

During the presidential campaign, Trump vowed to close the department and grant its authority to states. Schools and states already wield significantly greater authority over education than the federal government, which is barred from influencing curriculum. Federal money makes up roughly 14% of public school budgets.

Already, the Trump administration has started overhauling much of the department’s work.

Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has cut&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ies-musk-doge-education-cuts-4461d7bdbe9d55c5a411d8465999b011">dozens of contracts</a>&nbsp;it dismissed as “woke” and wasteful. It gutted the Institute of Education Sciences, which gathers data on the nation’s academic progress, and the administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-paid-leave-dei-ad8ab48fabba227316e394dc5ad32770">fired or suspended</a>&nbsp;scores of employees.

Some of the cuts have halted work that’s ordered under federal law. At her hearing, McMahon said the agency will spend money that’s directed by Congress, and she played down DOGE’s cuts as merely an audit.

McMahon is a longtime Trump ally who left WWE in 2009 to launch a political career, running unsuccessfully twice for the U.S. Senate. She has given millions of dollars to Trump’s campaigns and served as leader of the Small Business Administration during his first term.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741043570945.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall met with McMahon in January-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall met with McMahon in January-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted Monday to confirm former wrestling executive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/linda-mcmahon">Linda McMahon</a>&nbsp;as the nation’s education chief, a role that places her atop a department that President Donald Trump has vilified and vowed to dismantle.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🇺🇸 <a href="https://twitter.com/EDSecMcMahon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EDSecMcMahon</a>’s confirmation as Secretary of Education is a huge step at this transformational time to improve the American education system and ensure parents, students, and teachers are at the forefront of learning instead of Washington D.C. bureaucrats. <a href="https://t.co/537TKTEBRw">pic.twitter.com/537TKTEBRw</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1896899917555409287?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>McMahon will face&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-executive-order-8519eaa465385cc13f4ddcae90228dd3">the competing tasks</a>&nbsp;of winding down the Education Department while also escalating efforts to achieve Trump’s agenda. Already the Republican president has signed sweeping orders to rid America’s schools of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-critical-race-theory-colleges-diversity-db8317ad37931558dd5a396cf5ab3d42">diversity programs</a>&nbsp;and accommodations for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-transgender-athletes-3606411fc12efffec95a893351624e1b">transgender students</a>&nbsp;while also calling for expanded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-choice-trump-education-vouchers-c6ecc22879fe329da4acfac3aa7410e6">school choice</a>&nbsp;programs.At the same time, Trump has promised to shut down the department and said he wants McMahon “to put herself out of a job.”The Senate voted to confirm McMahon 51-45. Both Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.A billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, McMahon, 76, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-trump-education-secretary-wwe-613016d0c164b89765af761404cbb123">an unconventional pick</a>&nbsp;for the role. She spent a year on Connecticut’s state board of education and is a longtime trustee at Sacred Heart University but otherwise has little traditional education leadership.McMahon's supporters see her as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcmahon-education-department-trump-cabinet-d40c13d94ecbd1f02f9624087796ae36">a skilled executive</a>&nbsp;who will reform a department that Republicans say has failed to improve American education. Opponents say she’s unqualified and fear her budget cuts will be felt by students nationwide.“Americans believe in public education,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said before the confirmation vote. “They don’t want to see the Department of Education abolished. If the Trump administration follows through on cuts to education, schools will lose billions in funding.”At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-education-confirmation-hearing-417b1d36f9347b8279798fd311d211dc">her confirmation hearing</a>, McMahon distanced herself from Trump’s blistering rhetoric. She said the goal is to make the Education Department “operate more efficiently,” not to defund programs.She acknowledged that only Congress has the power to close the department, and she pledged to preserve Title I money for low-income schools, Pell grants for low-income college students, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-forgiveness-debt-774b0ee69f911f68f646a066031ee604">the Public Service Loan Forgiveness</a>&nbsp;program. Yet she suggested some operations could move to other departments, saying Health and Human Services might be better suited to enforce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-iep-disability-civil-rights-trump-85a6687d9ef1f5236f2637924d66a560">disability rights laws</a>.Weeks before McMahon's confirmation hearing, the White House was considering an executive order that would direct the education secretary to cut the agency as much as legally possible while asking Congress to shut it down completely. Some of McMahon’s allies pressed the White House to hold the order until after her confirmation to avoid potential backlash.Created by Congress in 1979, the Education Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-trump-linda-mcmahon-9fc4fcef00e11b842063235798119cfc">primary role</a>&nbsp;is to disburse money to the nation’s schools and colleges. It sends billions of dollars a year to K-12 schools and oversees a $1.6 trillion federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/student-loans">student loan</a>&nbsp;portfolio.Trump argues the department has been overtaken by liberals who press their ideology on America’s schools.Schools and colleges have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-dei-schools-dear-colleague-6cca8440afa62689991d373cc4903a4c">navigating a demand</a>&nbsp;to eliminate diversity programs or risk having their federal funding pulled. The Trump administration gave them a Feb. 28 deadline to comply. The Education Department addressed questions about its guidance in a document released Saturday, saying in part that changing program names that reference “diversity” or “equity” alone is not enough if they treat students differently by race.During the presidential campaign, Trump vowed to close the department and grant its authority to states. Schools and states already wield significantly greater authority over education than the federal government, which is barred from influencing curriculum. Federal money makes up roughly 14% of public school budgets.Already, the Trump administration has started overhauling much of the department’s work.Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has cut&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ies-musk-doge-education-cuts-4461d7bdbe9d55c5a411d8465999b011">dozens of contracts</a>&nbsp;it dismissed as “woke” and wasteful. It gutted the Institute of Education Sciences, which gathers data on the nation’s academic progress, and the administration has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-paid-leave-dei-ad8ab48fabba227316e394dc5ad32770">fired or suspended</a>&nbsp;scores of employees.Some of the cuts have halted work that’s ordered under federal law. At her hearing, McMahon said the agency will spend money that’s directed by Congress, and she played down DOGE’s cuts as merely an audit.McMahon is a longtime Trump ally who left WWE in 2009 to launch a political career, running unsuccessfully twice for the U.S. Senate. She has given millions of dollars to Trump’s campaigns and served as leader of the Small Business Administration during his first term.___

Moran, Marshall help Senate confirm McMahon to lead Education Dept.

WILSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 8p.m. Monday in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Explorer driven byHeather I. Vanleeuwen, 33,&nbsp;Savonburg, Kansas, was eastbound on Kansas 39 Highway in central Wilson County.

The SUV traveled into the westbound lane and struck the front driver corner of a 2022 Kenworth semi driven by&nbsp; Ruslan&nbsp;Shcherbakov 34, Cary, Illinois.&nbsp; After impact the SUV traveled off the road and overturned.

Vanleeuwen died of her injuries and was transported to&nbsp;Wickham Funeral Home in Chanute. Shcherbakov was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

WILSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 8p.m. Monday in Wilson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Explorer driven byHeather I. Vanleeuwen, 33,&nbsp;Savonburg, Kansas, was eastbound on Kansas 39 Highway in central Wilson County.The SUV traveled into the westbound lane and struck the front driver corner of a 2022 Kenworth semi driven by&nbsp; Ruslan&nbsp;Shcherbakov 34, Cary, Illinois.&nbsp; After impact the SUV traveled off the road and overturned.Vanleeuwen died of her injuries and was transported to&nbsp;Wickham Funeral Home in Chanute. Shcherbakov was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dies after SUV, semi crash

KANSAS CITY —A man on parole after being convicted in Kansas of Involuntary Manslaughter for killing his father in 2019.  was convicted this week for a felony related to threatening two people with a knife,&nbsp; according to Jackson County prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

A Jackson County<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2518/Arnold-Redacted-Complaint-1">&nbsp;jury convicted</a>&nbsp;27-year-old&nbsp;Zachary Arnold, Independence, Mo. of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class E felony. The range of punishment for a Class E felony is imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not to exceed four years.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2517/Arnold-Probable-Cause-1">According to court records</a>, Independence police responded to a park regarding an assault and contacted two victims who said Arnold was living at their residence and made several threats to harm them. The victims moved out of their residence as the defendant’s behavior became more erratic. When the victims visited their residence to feed their animals, the Arnold brandished a large silver bladed knife and pointed it at the victims.&nbsp;

“This verdict sends a clear message that Jackson County will not tolerate violent behavior, especially for those who were given a second chance and released early through the parole system,”&nbsp;said Prosecutor Johnson. “Let this also be a reminder that threatening someone with any weapon—even a knife—is a serious crime that can result in prison time. Our office remains committed to holding violent offenders accountable and keeping our community safe.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740844298888.png" alt="Arnold photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Arnold photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A man on parole after being convicted in Kansas of Involuntary Manslaughter for killing his father in 2019. was convicted this week for a felony related to threatening two people with a knife,&nbsp; according to Jackson County prosecutor Melesa Johnson.A Jackson County<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2518/Arnold-Redacted-Complaint-1">&nbsp;jury convicted</a>&nbsp;27-year-old&nbsp;Zachary Arnold, Independence, Mo. of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class E felony. The range of punishment for a Class E felony is imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not to exceed four years.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2517/Arnold-Probable-Cause-1">According to court records</a>, Independence police responded to a park regarding an assault and contacted two victims who said Arnold was living at their residence and made several threats to harm them. The victims moved out of their residence as the defendant’s behavior became more erratic. When the victims visited their residence to feed their animals, the Arnold brandished a large silver bladed knife and pointed it at the victims.&nbsp;“This verdict sends a clear message that Jackson County will not tolerate violent behavior, especially for those who were given a second chance and released early through the parole system,”&nbsp;said Prosecutor Johnson. “Let this also be a reminder that threatening someone with any weapon—even a knife—is a serious crime that can result in prison time. Our office remains committed to holding violent offenders accountable and keeping our community safe.”

Man on parole for killing his father found guilty of new crime

OKLAHOMA CITY —A State Trooper impounded a Ferrari on Sunday for Taxes Due to the State, according to a social media post from the Oklahoma Highway Paterol

The tag on the car expired in June of 2024. The driver was traveling 106mph through traffic on the Kilpatrick Turnpike in the Oklahoma City area.&nbsp; The driver was given citations for Reckless Driving and Taxes Due to the State.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741009404611.png" alt="Photo Oklahoma Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Photo Oklahoma Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>OKLAHOMA CITY —A State Trooper impounded a Ferrari on Sunday for Taxes Due to the State, according to a social media post from the Oklahoma Highway PaterolThe tag on the car expired in June of 2024. The driver was traveling 106mph through traffic on the Kilpatrick Turnpike in the Oklahoma City area.&nbsp; The driver was given citations for Reckless Driving and Taxes Due to the State.

State Trooper impounds Ferrari that was traveling 106mph in traffic

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday directed a “pause” to U.S. assistance to Ukraine after a disastrous Oval Office meeting as he seeks to pressure Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;to engage in peace talks with Russia.

A White House official said Trump is focused on reaching a peace deal to end the more than three-year war sparked by Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, and wants Zelenskyy “committed” to that goal. The official added that the U.S. was “pausing and reviewing” its aid to "ensure that it is contributing to a solution.” The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the assistance.

The moment comes some five years after Trump held up congressionally authorized assistance to Ukraine in 2019 as he sought to pressure Zelenskyy to launch investigations into Joe Biden, then a Democratic presidential candidate. The moment led to Trump’s first impeachment.

Trump in the leadup to his 2024 election win vowed to quickly end the war in Ukraine. He's expressed increasing frustration with Zelenskyy over the war, while simultaneously expressing confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin can be trusted to keep the peace if a truce in the conflict is reached.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;earlier on Monday slammed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;for suggesting that the end of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia's war</a>&nbsp;against Ukraine likely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-starmer-trump-b025877c40ffe0ddf2a92adad1715231">"is still very, very far away."</a>

The comments come as prominent Trump allies escalate pressure on Zelenskyy to dramatically change his approach to the U.S. president, who has made quickly ending the war a top priority, or step aside.

The long complicated relationship between the leaders has reached a nadir following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-oval-office-ukraine-russia-blowup-8aa63e55c859e8fea963911478c376ee">disastrous White House meeting</a>&nbsp;in which Trump and Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>&nbsp;excoriated Zelenskyy for not being sufficiently thankful for U.S. support for Ukraine since Putin ordered the February 2022 invasion.

“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform about the comments Zelenskyy made late Sunday while speaking to reporters in London.

Trump at an event at the White House later on Monday referred to Zelenskyy's reported comments, and asserted the Ukrainian leader “better not be right about that.”

“If somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long,” Trump added. "That person will not be listened to very long.”

Trump took issue with Zelenskyy suggesting it would take time to come to an agreement to end the war. The Ukrainian leader also tried to offer a positive take on the U.S.-Ukraine relationship in the aftermath of last week's White House meeting.

Asked by a reporter about the outlines of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-britain-zelenskyy-europe-starmer-trump-russia-b980170ead74a1a7914c565f14ee6cc9">new European initiative</a>&nbsp;to end Russia’s war, Zelenskyy said: “We are talking about the first steps today, and, therefore, until they are on paper, I would not like to talk about them in great detail.”

“An agreement to end the war is still very, very far away, and no one has started all these steps yet," he added.

But Trump was only further irritated by Zelenskyy’s suggesting it will take time for the conflict to come to a close.

“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S. — Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia,” Trump added in his post. “What are they thinking?”

Zelenskyy&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1896619374469099824">took to social media</a>&nbsp;soon after Trump's latest criticism. He did not directly refer to Trump's comments, but underscored that it “is very important that we try to make our diplomacy really substantive to end this war the soonest possible.”

“We need real peace and Ukrainians want it most because the war ruins our cities and towns,” Zelenskyy added. “We lose our people. We need to stop the war and to guarantee security.”

Trump's national security adviser said Zelenskyy’s posture during Friday’s Oval Office talks “put up in the air” whether he’s someone the U.S. administration will be able to deal with going forward.

“Is he ready, personally, politically, to move his country towards an end to the fighting?” Mike Waltz said on Fox News' "America’s Newsroom" earlier Monday. "And can he and will he make the compromises necessary?”

Waltz added another layer of doubt about U.S. support as other high-profile Trump allies have suggested that the relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy is becoming untenable.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that Zelenskyy “needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude or someone else needs to lead the country” for Ukraine to continue pursuing a peace deal negotiated by the United States.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally who has been a vociferous supporter of Ukraine, said soon after the Oval Office meeting that Zelenskyy “either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change.”

Angela Stent, a former national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council, said Putin is likely in no rush to end the war amid the fissures between Trump and Zelenskyy and Europe and the U.S. about the way ahead.

“He is not interested in ending the war,” said Stent, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington. “He thinks Russia is winning. ... And he thinks that as time goes on, the West will be more fractured.”

Trump administration and Ukrainian officials had been expected to sign off on a deal during Zelenskyy's visit last week that would have given the U.S. access to Ukraine's critical minerals in part to pay back more than $180 billion in aid the U.S. has sent Kyiv since the start of the war. The White House has also billed such a pact as a way to tighten U.S.-Ukrainian relations in the long term.

The signing was scrapped after the leaders' Oval Office talks went off the rails and White House officials asked Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian delegation to leave.

Trump on Monday, however, suggested he hasn't given up on the economic pact, calling it “a great deal.” He added that he expected to speak to the deal during his Tuesday address before a joint session of Congress.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican who co-chairs the Congressional Ukraine Caucus,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/repbrianfitz/status/1896663350370566156?s=46">spoke</a>&nbsp;with Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, on Monday about getting the mineral rights deal back on track.

Fitzpatrick after the lengthy call predicted the “deal will be signed in short order.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740765106318.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday directed a “pause” to U.S. assistance to Ukraine after a disastrous Oval Office meeting as he seeks to pressure Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;to engage in peace talks with Russia.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">WATCH: Full Meeting between President Trump, Vice President Vance and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Oval Office. <a href="https://t.co/Xf6cyErem7">pic.twitter.com/Xf6cyErem7</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1895602226472550410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A White House official said Trump is focused on reaching a peace deal to end the more than three-year war sparked by Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, and wants Zelenskyy “committed” to that goal. The official added that the U.S. was “pausing and reviewing” its aid to "ensure that it is contributing to a solution.” The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the assistance.The moment comes some five years after Trump held up congressionally authorized assistance to Ukraine in 2019 as he sought to pressure Zelenskyy to launch investigations into Joe Biden, then a Democratic presidential candidate. The moment led to Trump’s first impeachment.Trump in the leadup to his 2024 election win vowed to quickly end the war in Ukraine. He's expressed increasing frustration with Zelenskyy over the war, while simultaneously expressing confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin can be trusted to keep the peace if a truce in the conflict is reached.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741050340181.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump</a>&nbsp;earlier on Monday slammed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;for suggesting that the end of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia's war</a>&nbsp;against Ukraine likely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-starmer-trump-b025877c40ffe0ddf2a92adad1715231">"is still very, very far away."</a>The comments come as prominent Trump allies escalate pressure on Zelenskyy to dramatically change his approach to the U.S. president, who has made quickly ending the war a top priority, or step aside.The long complicated relationship between the leaders has reached a nadir following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-oval-office-ukraine-russia-blowup-8aa63e55c859e8fea963911478c376ee">disastrous White House meeting</a>&nbsp;in which Trump and Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jd-vance">JD Vance</a>&nbsp;excoriated Zelenskyy for not being sufficiently thankful for U.S. support for Ukraine since Putin ordered the February 2022 invasion.“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform about the comments Zelenskyy made late Sunday while speaking to reporters in London.Trump at an event at the White House later on Monday referred to Zelenskyy's reported comments, and asserted the Ukrainian leader “better not be right about that.”“If somebody doesn’t want to make a deal, I think that person won’t be around very long,” Trump added. "That person will not be listened to very long.”Trump took issue with Zelenskyy suggesting it would take time to come to an agreement to end the war. The Ukrainian leader also tried to offer a positive take on the U.S.-Ukraine relationship in the aftermath of last week's White House meeting.Asked by a reporter about the outlines of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-britain-zelenskyy-europe-starmer-trump-russia-b980170ead74a1a7914c565f14ee6cc9">new European initiative</a>&nbsp;to end Russia’s war, Zelenskyy said: “We are talking about the first steps today, and, therefore, until they are on paper, I would not like to talk about them in great detail.”“An agreement to end the war is still very, very far away, and no one has started all these steps yet," he added.But Trump was only further irritated by Zelenskyy’s suggesting it will take time for the conflict to come to a close.“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S. — Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia,” Trump added in his post. “What are they thinking?”Zelenskyy&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1896619374469099824">took to social media</a>&nbsp;soon after Trump's latest criticism. He did not directly refer to Trump's comments, but underscored that it “is very important that we try to make our diplomacy really substantive to end this war the soonest possible.”“We need real peace and Ukrainians want it most because the war ruins our cities and towns,” Zelenskyy added. “We lose our people. We need to stop the war and to guarantee security.”Trump's national security adviser said Zelenskyy’s posture during Friday’s Oval Office talks “put up in the air” whether he’s someone the U.S. administration will be able to deal with going forward.“Is he ready, personally, politically, to move his country towards an end to the fighting?” Mike Waltz said on Fox News' "America’s Newsroom" earlier Monday. "And can he and will he make the compromises necessary?”Waltz added another layer of doubt about U.S. support as other high-profile Trump allies have suggested that the relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy is becoming untenable.House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that Zelenskyy “needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude or someone else needs to lead the country” for Ukraine to continue pursuing a peace deal negotiated by the United States.Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally who has been a vociferous supporter of Ukraine, said soon after the Oval Office meeting that Zelenskyy “either needs to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with, or he needs to change.”Angela Stent, a former national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council, said Putin is likely in no rush to end the war amid the fissures between Trump and Zelenskyy and Europe and the U.S. about the way ahead.“He is not interested in ending the war,” said Stent, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington. “He thinks Russia is winning. ... And he thinks that as time goes on, the West will be more fractured.”Trump administration and Ukrainian officials had been expected to sign off on a deal during Zelenskyy's visit last week that would have given the U.S. access to Ukraine's critical minerals in part to pay back more than $180 billion in aid the U.S. has sent Kyiv since the start of the war. The White House has also billed such a pact as a way to tighten U.S.-Ukrainian relations in the long term.The signing was scrapped after the leaders' Oval Office talks went off the rails and White House officials asked Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian delegation to leave.Trump on Monday, however, suggested he hasn't given up on the economic pact, calling it “a great deal.” He added that he expected to speak to the deal during his Tuesday address before a joint session of Congress.Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican who co-chairs the Congressional Ukraine Caucus,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/repbrianfitz/status/1896663350370566156?s=46">spoke</a>&nbsp;with Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, on Monday about getting the mineral rights deal back on track.Fitzpatrick after the lengthy call predicted the “deal will be signed in short order.”

Trump orders 'pause' on US aid to Ukraine after Oval dustup

WASHINGTON—After a weekend off social media, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall returned to the online platform Monday. Marshall commented on a post from President Donald Trump suggesting "paid troublemakers" are attending town hall meetings.

&nbsp;Marshall hosted a town hall to visit with voters on Saturday morning at the Logan County Hospital in Oakley.&nbsp; Many in attendance said Marshall left the meeting before they were finished asking questions.&nbsp; On Monday morning, NBC's TODAY Show&nbsp; featured a clip of Marshall telling those at the the meeting he would leave if they were rude to him.

The Senator did answered questions on budget cuts, layoffs and funding freezes from the somewhat hostile crowd and according to a video taken by Colin McRoberts, Marshall left the event before it was finished.

Marshall did not use social media to promote the town hall in Oakley or livestream the event. On Sunday, a member of Marshall's staff used social media to explain what happened to those who believed he left the town hall meeting early.

Marshall is back in Washington to vote for Linda  McMahon to run President Trump's Education Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740919102880.png" alt="Image from the video by Colin McRoberts went viral" />
 <figcaption>Image from the video by Colin McRoberts went viral</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON—After a weekend off social media, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall returned to the online platform Monday. Marshall commented on a post from President Donald Trump suggesting "paid troublemakers" are attending town hall meetings.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Can confirm. <a href="https://t.co/Ru9qbspeOY">pic.twitter.com/Ru9qbspeOY</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1896583775557243254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The REAL Oakley, KS. <a href="https://t.co/JfQBqvycQf">pic.twitter.com/JfQBqvycQf</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1896641733808795946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;Marshall hosted a town hall to visit with voters on Saturday morning at the Logan County Hospital in Oakley.&nbsp; Many in attendance said Marshall left the meeting before they were finished asking questions.&nbsp; On Monday morning, NBC's TODAY Show&nbsp; featured a clip of Marshall telling those at the the meeting he would leave if they were rude to him.The Senator did answered questions on budget cuts, layoffs and funding freezes from the somewhat hostile crowd and according to a video taken by Colin McRoberts, Marshall left the event before it was finished.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kansas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kansas</a> Sen. Roger Marshall town hall in far western Kansas. Really far. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/senate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#senate</a> <a href="https://t.co/C2SjdAX8Os">pic.twitter.com/C2SjdAX8Os</a>&mdash; sam zeff (@samzeff) <a href="https://twitter.com/samzeff/status/1895932702429159626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Marshall did not use social media to promote the town hall in Oakley or livestream the event. On Sunday, a member of Marshall's staff used social media to explain what happened to those who believed he left the town hall meeting early.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Brent Robertson, Chief of Staff to Senator Roger Marshall, released the following statement in response to the town hall hosted by <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RogerMarshallMD</a> in Oakley, KS today: <a href="https://t.co/JPQfDLh54N">pic.twitter.com/JPQfDLh54N</a>&mdash; Emily Flower (@_emily_flower) <a href="https://twitter.com/_emily_flower/status/1896043930598412594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Marshall is back in Washington to vote for Linda McMahon to run President Trump's Education Department.

🎥Kan. U.S. Senator's town hall mentioned on network TV morning show

NASHVILLE (AP) —Carl Dean,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/dolly-parton">Dolly Parton's</a>&nbsp;devoted husband of nearly 60 years who avoided the spotlight and inspired her timeless hit “Jolene,” died Monday. He was 82.

According to a statement provided to The Associated Press by Parton's publicist, Dean died in Nashville, Tennessee. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending.

“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy," Parton wrote in a statement.

The family has asked for respect and privacy. No cause of death was announced.

Parton met Dean outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat the day she moved to Nashville at 18.

“I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me)," Parton described the meeting. "He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”

They married two years later, on Memorial Day — May 30, 1966 — in a small ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia.

Dean was a businessman, having owned an asphalt-paving business in Nashville. His parents, Virginia “Ginny” Bates Dean and Edgar “Ed” Henry Dean, had three children. Parton referred to his mother as “Mama Dean.”

Dean is survived by Parton and his two siblings, Sandra and Donnie.

He inspired Parton’s classic, “Jolene.” Parton&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2008/10/09/95520570/dolly-partons-jolene-still-haunts-singers">told NPR in 2008</a>&nbsp;that she wrote the song about a flirty a bank teller who seemed to take an interest in Dean.

“She got this terrible crush on my husband,” she said. “And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. It was kinda like a running joke between us — when I was saying, ‘Hell, you’re spending a lot of time at the bank. I don’t believe we’ve got that kind of money.’ So it’s really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one.”

Parton and Dean kept strict privacy around their relationship for decades, Parton telling The Associated Press in 1984: “A lot of people say there’s no Carl Dean, that he’s just somebody I made up to keep other people off me.”

She joked that she’d like to pose with him on the cover of a magazine “So that people could at least know that I’m not married to a wart or something.”

In 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dolly-parton-new-album-rockstar-15f6efbfe89e9370eee4bf71e0ea26de">Parton told AP</a>&nbsp;Dean helped inspired her 2023 “Rockstar” album.

“He’s a big rock and roller,” she said. The song “My Blue Tears,” which was written when Parton was with “The Porter Wagoner Show” in the late 1960s and early ’70s, is “one of my husband’s favorite songs that I ever wrote,” she said. “I thought, ’Well, I better put one of Carl’s favorites of mine in here.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680118652824.jpeg" alt="Dolly Parton File photo AP" />
 <figcaption>Dolly Parton File photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>NASHVILLE (AP) —Carl Dean,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/dolly-parton">Dolly Parton's</a>&nbsp;devoted husband of nearly 60 years who avoided the spotlight and inspired her timeless hit “Jolene,” died Monday. He was 82.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/RMTaz47BdC">pic.twitter.com/RMTaz47BdC</a>&mdash; Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) <a href="https://twitter.com/DollyParton/status/1896718434941173792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>According to a statement provided to The Associated Press by Parton's publicist, Dean died in Nashville, Tennessee. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending.“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy," Parton wrote in a statement.The family has asked for respect and privacy. No cause of death was announced.Parton met Dean outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat the day she moved to Nashville at 18.“I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me)," Parton described the meeting. "He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”They married two years later, on Memorial Day — May 30, 1966 — in a small ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia.Dean was a businessman, having owned an asphalt-paving business in Nashville. His parents, Virginia “Ginny” Bates Dean and Edgar “Ed” Henry Dean, had three children. Parton referred to his mother as “Mama Dean.”Dean is survived by Parton and his two siblings, Sandra and Donnie.He inspired Parton’s classic, “Jolene.” Parton&nbsp;<a href="https://www.npr.org/2008/10/09/95520570/dolly-partons-jolene-still-haunts-singers">told NPR in 2008</a>&nbsp;that she wrote the song about a flirty a bank teller who seemed to take an interest in Dean.“She got this terrible crush on my husband,” she said. “And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. It was kinda like a running joke between us — when I was saying, ‘Hell, you’re spending a lot of time at the bank. I don’t believe we’ve got that kind of money.’ So it’s really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one.”Parton and Dean kept strict privacy around their relationship for decades, Parton telling The Associated Press in 1984: “A lot of people say there’s no Carl Dean, that he’s just somebody I made up to keep other people off me.”She joked that she’d like to pose with him on the cover of a magazine “So that people could at least know that I’m not married to a wart or something.”In 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dolly-parton-new-album-rockstar-15f6efbfe89e9370eee4bf71e0ea26de">Parton told AP</a>&nbsp;Dean helped inspired her 2023 “Rockstar” album.“He’s a big rock and roller,” she said. The song “My Blue Tears,” which was written when Parton was with “The Porter Wagoner Show” in the late 1960s and early ’70s, is “one of my husband’s favorite songs that I ever wrote,” she said. “I thought, ’Well, I better put one of Carl’s favorites of mine in here.”

Carl Dean, Dolly Parton's husband who inspired 'Jolene,' dies at 82

WASHINGTON (AP)—<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/melania-trump">Melania Trump</a>&nbsp;went to Capitol Hill on Monday to lobby for a bill that would make it a federal crime to post intimate imagery online, whether they are real or AI-created, without an individual's consent and require technology companies to swiftly remove such content.

It was her first solo public appearance since she resumed the role of first lady on Jan. 20.

The first lady said it was “heartbreaking” to see teenagers and especially girls grapple with the fallout after they become the targets of malicious and sexually explicit online content. She called on Congress to prioritize the well-being of young people.

“This toxic environment can be severely damaging. We must prioritize their well-being by equipping them with the support and tools necessary to navigate this hostile digital landscape,” she said during a roundtable discussion about the “Take It Down Act" at the U.S. Capitol.

“Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themself freely, without the looming threat of exploitation or harm,” she said.

The “Take It Down Act,” sponsored by Sens.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-congress-ted-cruz-nil-0a047afaee0087817f64802216109792">Ted Cruz</a>, R-Texas, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senator-amy-klobuchar-breast-cancer-049efe56e9674767b6fd98be66a4fdd0">Amy Klobuchar</a>, D-Minn., passed the Senate in February. Melania Trump's public support for the legislation could help get it through the Republican-controlled House and to President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-congress-musk-zelenskyy-3b7c80f39606911b9f12e732131fe7d1">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;desk to become law.

Cruz was among the lawmakers who joined the first lady for the discussion in the Capitol's Mansfield Room. Online safety advocates and survivors of non-consensual intimate imagery also participated.

Cruz said Monday on social media that the measure was inspired by Elliston Berry and her mother, who visited his office after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snapchat-snap-layoffs-tech-b67df4deb437af7fc1612425a379cdd4">Snapchat</a>&nbsp;refused for nearly a year to remove an AI-generated nonconsensual graphic image, also known as a “deepfake.”

“No one should have to experience the pain, humiliation, and trauma that so many Americans have at the hands of AI deepfakes,” Cruz said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-facts-trump-musk-community-notes-413b8495939a058ff2d25fd23f2e0f43">Meta</a>, which owns and operates Facebook and Instagram, supports the legislation.

The bill would make it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish intimate imagery online without an individual's consent, including realistic, computer-generated intimate images of people who can be identified.

If the bill becomes law, social media platforms would be required to remove such images within 48 hours of a victim's request and take steps to delete duplicate content.

“Having an intimate image – real or AI-generated - shared without consent can be devastating and Meta developed and backs many efforts to help prevent it,” Meta communications director Andy Stone said on X.

In the first Trump administration, Melania Trump led a youth initiative she called “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/parenting-united-states-government-2aefddc6f11044d4ac340809f9e75bb3">Be Best</a>,” which included a focus on online safety. She has said she’s interested in reviving the program.

The first lady has made few public appearances since the start of the administration.

She accompanied the president to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-first-trip-california-north-carolina-nevada-b906880254ce7bf249c3dcefa45bf846">survey natural disaster sites</a>&nbsp;in North Carolina and California at the end of inauguration week in January, and on Feb. 22 joined her husband to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-conservative-conference-russia-ukraine-duda-b1339273857da7d3310636bc90ab77a8">host the nation's governors</a>&nbsp;for a black-tie dinner at the White House.

The first lady is expected at the Capitol again on Tuesday for the president's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-congress-musk-zelenskyy-3b7c80f39606911b9f12e732131fe7d1">prime-time address</a>&nbsp;to a joint session of Congress.

WASHINGTON (AP)—<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/melania-trump">Melania Trump</a>&nbsp;went to Capitol Hill on Monday to lobby for a bill that would make it a federal crime to post intimate imagery online, whether they are real or AI-created, without an individual's consent and require technology companies to swiftly remove such content.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">First Lady <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MELANIATRUMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MELANIATRUMP</a> on &#39;Take it Down Act&#39;: &quot;I must admit, however, I expected to see more Democrat leaders with us here today to address this serious issue. Surely as adults we can prioritize America&#39;s children ahead of partisan politics.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/0j9MIRv3cu">pic.twitter.com/0j9MIRv3cu</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1896643926146105364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It was her first solo public appearance since she resumed the role of first lady on Jan. 20.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BE BEST: “I am here with you today with a common goal – to protect our youth from online harm. The widespread presence of abusive behavior in the digital domain affects the daily lives of our children, families, and communities.” First Lady Melania Trump Be Best Roundtable on… <a href="https://t.co/UCETDXELY8">pic.twitter.com/UCETDXELY8</a>&mdash; First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1896698231557652810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The first lady said it was “heartbreaking” to see teenagers and especially girls grapple with the fallout after they become the targets of malicious and sexually explicit online content. She called on Congress to prioritize the well-being of young people.“This toxic environment can be severely damaging. We must prioritize their well-being by equipping them with the support and tools necessary to navigate this hostile digital landscape,” she said during a roundtable discussion about the “Take It Down Act" at the U.S. Capitol.“Every young person deserves a safe online space to express themself freely, without the looming threat of exploitation or harm,” she said.The “Take It Down Act,” sponsored by Sens.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-congress-ted-cruz-nil-0a047afaee0087817f64802216109792">Ted Cruz</a>, R-Texas, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senator-amy-klobuchar-breast-cancer-049efe56e9674767b6fd98be66a4fdd0">Amy Klobuchar</a>, D-Minn., passed the Senate in February. Melania Trump's public support for the legislation could help get it through the Republican-controlled House and to President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-congress-musk-zelenskyy-3b7c80f39606911b9f12e732131fe7d1">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;desk to become law.Cruz was among the lawmakers who joined the first lady for the discussion in the Capitol's Mansfield Room. Online safety advocates and survivors of non-consensual intimate imagery also participated.Cruz said Monday on social media that the measure was inspired by Elliston Berry and her mother, who visited his office after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snapchat-snap-layoffs-tech-b67df4deb437af7fc1612425a379cdd4">Snapchat</a>&nbsp;refused for nearly a year to remove an AI-generated nonconsensual graphic image, also known as a “deepfake.”“No one should have to experience the pain, humiliation, and trauma that so many Americans have at the hands of AI deepfakes,” Cruz said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-facts-trump-musk-community-notes-413b8495939a058ff2d25fd23f2e0f43">Meta</a>, which owns and operates Facebook and Instagram, supports the legislation.The bill would make it a federal crime to knowingly publish or threaten to publish intimate imagery online without an individual's consent, including realistic, computer-generated intimate images of people who can be identified.If the bill becomes law, social media platforms would be required to remove such images within 48 hours of a victim's request and take steps to delete duplicate content.“Having an intimate image – real or AI-generated - shared without consent can be devastating and Meta developed and backs many efforts to help prevent it,” Meta communications director Andy Stone said on X.In the first Trump administration, Melania Trump led a youth initiative she called “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/parenting-united-states-government-2aefddc6f11044d4ac340809f9e75bb3">Be Best</a>,” which included a focus on online safety. She has said she’s interested in reviving the program.The first lady has made few public appearances since the start of the administration.She accompanied the president to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-first-trip-california-north-carolina-nevada-b906880254ce7bf249c3dcefa45bf846">survey natural disaster sites</a>&nbsp;in North Carolina and California at the end of inauguration week in January, and on Feb. 22 joined her husband to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-conservative-conference-russia-ukraine-duda-b1339273857da7d3310636bc90ab77a8">host the nation's governors</a>&nbsp;for a black-tie dinner at the White House.The first lady is expected at the Capitol again on Tuesday for the president's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-congress-musk-zelenskyy-3b7c80f39606911b9f12e732131fe7d1">prime-time address</a>&nbsp;to a joint session of Congress.

🎥First lady lobbies for bill to crack down on revenge porn

SEDGWICK COUNTY—The Wichita Police Department continues asking for information about the whereabouts of Brent Cruz, who is wanted in connection with a homicide investigation from 2022.

If you know his whereabouts, please call 911 immediately or contact WPD Detectives at 316-268-4407.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—The Wichita Police Department continues asking for information about the whereabouts of Brent Cruz, who is wanted in connection with a homicide investigation from 2022.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740681835763.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>If you know his whereabouts, please call 911 immediately or contact WPD Detectives at 316-268-4407.

Police: Kansas homicide suspect is still at large

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tumbled Monday and wiped out out even more of their gains since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s election in November, after he said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-trade-china-mexico-canada-inflation-753a09d56cd318f2eb1d2efe3c43b7d4">tariffs announced earlier on Canada and Mexico</a>&nbsp;would take effect within hours.

The S&amp;P 500 dropped 1.8% after Trump said there was “no room left” for negotiations that could lower the tariffs set to begin Tuesday for imports from Canada and Mexico. Trump had already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-sheinbaum-trudeau-017efa8c3343b8d2a9444f7e65356ae9">delayed the tariffs once before</a>&nbsp;to allow more time for talks.

Trump’s announcement dashed hopes on Wall Street that he would choose a less painful path for global trade, and it followed the latest warning signal on the U.S. economy’s strength. Monday's loss shaved the S&amp;P 500's gain since Election Day down to just over 1% from a peak of more than 6%. That rally had been built largely on hopes for policies from Trump that would help strengthen the U.S. economy and businesses.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 649 points, or 1.5%, and the Nasdaq composite slumped 2.6%.

Monday’s slide punctuated a rocky couple of weeks for Wall Street. After the S&amp;P 500&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-china-asia-technology-5d60888d8ea6f1e9c7dc19e8c89833e8">set a record</a>&nbsp;last month following a parade of fatter-than-expected profit reports from big U.S. companies, the market began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-nvidia-91a42e60248e389f1650bd744e6d9a2e">diving</a>&nbsp;following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-tariffs-china-86706b1215b5be59466c77f577ae888b">weaker-than-expected reports</a>&nbsp;on the U.S. economy, including a couple showing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-4ec3430138e6d872a6dae273e212edd1">U.S. households are getting much more pessimistic</a>&nbsp;about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-federal-reserve-48e77a855078b37bf3ccd58c9db94c82">inflation</a>&nbsp;because of the threat of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-reciprocal-imports-tax-trade-economy-54c0a26687dc96157d96229068894720">tariffs</a>.

The latest such report arrived Monday on U.S. manufacturing. Overall activity is still growing, but not by quite as much as economists had forecast. Perhaps more discouragingly, manufacturers are seeing a contraction in new orders. Prices, meanwhile, rose amid discussions about who will pay for Trump’s tariffs.

“Demand eased, production stabilized, and destaffing continued as panelists’ companies experience the first operational shock of the new administration’s tariff policy,” said Timothy Fiore, chair of the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing business survey committee.

The hope on Wall Street had been that Trump was using the threat of tariffs as a tool for negotiations and that he would ultimately go through with potentially less damaging policies for the global economy and trade. But Trump’s going forward with the Mexican and Canadian tariffs hit a market that wasn't certain about what would happen next.

The market’s recent slump has hit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-chips-revenue-deepseek-apple-1063d50f560f48c04fb97539d566c46e">Nvidia</a>&nbsp;and some other formerly high-flying areas of the market particularly hard. They fell even more Monday, with Nvidia down 8.8% and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-tesla-boycott-showrooms-stock-european-sales-e6459a0207f1318a1110e3d15e89956c">Elon Musk’s Tesla</a>&nbsp;down 2.8%.

Elsewhere on Wall Street, Kroger fell 3% after the grocery chain’s Chairman and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-mcmullen-resignation-ohio-da4088a0b626d56b55e2fe75f4520476">CEO Rodney McMullen resigned</a>&nbsp;following an internal investigation into his personal conduct.

Wall Street’s blue Monday even pulled down stocks of companies enmeshed in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-crypto-bitcoin-digital-assets-reserve-2f4246434a657f248cd85296f14382f9">cryptocurrency</a>&nbsp;economy, which rose strongly in the morning. They initially bounced after Trump said over the weekend that his administration was moving forward with a crypto strategic reserve.

But MicroStrategy, the company that’s now known as Strategy and has been raising money to buy bitcoin, slid to a loss of 1.8%. Coinbase, the crypto trading platform, fell 4.6%.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 104.78 to 5,849.72. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 649.67 to 43,191.24, and the Nasdaq composite slumped 497.09 to 18,350.19.

Across the Pacific in China, manufacturers reported an uptick in orders in February as importers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-economy-manufacturing-tariffs-trump-b439ce7e8148f6c9b266b1c183c36a1b">rushed to beat higher U.S. tariffs</a>&nbsp;and a Chinese state media report said that Beijing was considering ways to retaliate.

Trump had imposed a tariff of 10% on imports from China and that’s scheduled to rise to 20% beginning Tuesday. He also ended the “de minimis” loophole that exempted imports worth less than $800 from tariffs.

In Hong Kong, Chinese bubble tea chain Mixue Bingcheng’s stock soared 43% following its $444 million debut on the market. The company claims to be the world’s largest food retail chain, with more than 45,000 outlets, and its jump came as the Hang Seng index rose 0.3%.

Indexes rose by even more across Europe and in Tokyo. European markets leaped after a report showed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eurozone-inflation-ecb-europe-economy-cb555f0a040aed0c505d957769d96e9a">an easing of inflation</a>&nbsp;in February. That should help the European Central Bank, which investors widely expect will deliver another cut to interest rates later this week.

Germany’s DAX surged 2.6%, and France’s CAC 40 jumped 1.1%.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-wall-street-america-first-96533ff5252eef1d335da379729748e8">Stocks outside the United States have performed better</a>&nbsp;than the S&amp;P 500 this year, even with Trump’s promises for “America First” policies

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.15% from 4.24% just before the manufacturing report’s release. It’s come down sharply since January, when it was approaching 4.80%, as worries have built about the possibility of a slowing U.S. economy.

Often, drops in Treasury yields can give a boost to stock prices because they make loans cheaper to get and give a boost to the economy. But the reason for this recent drop in yields, softer economic growth expectations, may mean that’s not the case this time, according to Morgan Stanley strategists led by Michael Wilson.

Typically, the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates if the economy needs help. But when inflation is high, or at least worries about it are, the Fed has less leeway to ease rates.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722962507580.png" alt="File (AP Photo/Richard Drew)" />
 <figcaption>File (AP Photo/Richard Drew)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tumbled Monday and wiped out out even more of their gains since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s election in November, after he said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-trade-china-mexico-canada-inflation-753a09d56cd318f2eb1d2efe3c43b7d4">tariffs announced earlier on Canada and Mexico</a>&nbsp;would take effect within hours.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;On the tariffs, is there any room left for Canada and Mexico to make a deal before midnight?&quot; President Trump: &quot;No room left for Mexico or for Canada. No. The tariffs you know, they&#39;re all set. They go into effect tomorrow.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Ou4ssKMtmt">pic.twitter.com/Ou4ssKMtmt</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1896653494863503797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The S&amp;P 500 dropped 1.8% after Trump said there was “no room left” for negotiations that could lower the tariffs set to begin Tuesday for imports from Canada and Mexico. Trump had already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-sheinbaum-trudeau-017efa8c3343b8d2a9444f7e65356ae9">delayed the tariffs once before</a>&nbsp;to allow more time for talks.Trump’s announcement dashed hopes on Wall Street that he would choose a less painful path for global trade, and it followed the latest warning signal on the U.S. economy’s strength. Monday's loss shaved the S&amp;P 500's gain since Election Day down to just over 1% from a peak of more than 6%. That rally had been built largely on hopes for policies from Trump that would help strengthen the U.S. economy and businesses.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 649 points, or 1.5%, and the Nasdaq composite slumped 2.6%.Monday’s slide punctuated a rocky couple of weeks for Wall Street. After the S&amp;P 500&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-china-asia-technology-5d60888d8ea6f1e9c7dc19e8c89833e8">set a record</a>&nbsp;last month following a parade of fatter-than-expected profit reports from big U.S. companies, the market began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-nvidia-91a42e60248e389f1650bd744e6d9a2e">diving</a>&nbsp;following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-tariffs-china-86706b1215b5be59466c77f577ae888b">weaker-than-expected reports</a>&nbsp;on the U.S. economy, including a couple showing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-4ec3430138e6d872a6dae273e212edd1">U.S. households are getting much more pessimistic</a>&nbsp;about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-federal-reserve-48e77a855078b37bf3ccd58c9db94c82">inflation</a>&nbsp;because of the threat of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-reciprocal-imports-tax-trade-economy-54c0a26687dc96157d96229068894720">tariffs</a>.The latest such report arrived Monday on U.S. manufacturing. Overall activity is still growing, but not by quite as much as economists had forecast. Perhaps more discouragingly, manufacturers are seeing a contraction in new orders. Prices, meanwhile, rose amid discussions about who will pay for Trump’s tariffs.“Demand eased, production stabilized, and destaffing continued as panelists’ companies experience the first operational shock of the new administration’s tariff policy,” said Timothy Fiore, chair of the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing business survey committee.The hope on Wall Street had been that Trump was using the threat of tariffs as a tool for negotiations and that he would ultimately go through with potentially less damaging policies for the global economy and trade. But Trump’s going forward with the Mexican and Canadian tariffs hit a market that wasn't certain about what would happen next.The market’s recent slump has hit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-chips-revenue-deepseek-apple-1063d50f560f48c04fb97539d566c46e">Nvidia</a>&nbsp;and some other formerly high-flying areas of the market particularly hard. They fell even more Monday, with Nvidia down 8.8% and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-tesla-boycott-showrooms-stock-european-sales-e6459a0207f1318a1110e3d15e89956c">Elon Musk’s Tesla</a>&nbsp;down 2.8%.Elsewhere on Wall Street, Kroger fell 3% after the grocery chain’s Chairman and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-mcmullen-resignation-ohio-da4088a0b626d56b55e2fe75f4520476">CEO Rodney McMullen resigned</a>&nbsp;following an internal investigation into his personal conduct.Wall Street’s blue Monday even pulled down stocks of companies enmeshed in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-crypto-bitcoin-digital-assets-reserve-2f4246434a657f248cd85296f14382f9">cryptocurrency</a>&nbsp;economy, which rose strongly in the morning. They initially bounced after Trump said over the weekend that his administration was moving forward with a crypto strategic reserve.But MicroStrategy, the company that’s now known as Strategy and has been raising money to buy bitcoin, slid to a loss of 1.8%. Coinbase, the crypto trading platform, fell 4.6%.All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 104.78 to 5,849.72. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 649.67 to 43,191.24, and the Nasdaq composite slumped 497.09 to 18,350.19.Across the Pacific in China, manufacturers reported an uptick in orders in February as importers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-economy-manufacturing-tariffs-trump-b439ce7e8148f6c9b266b1c183c36a1b">rushed to beat higher U.S. tariffs</a>&nbsp;and a Chinese state media report said that Beijing was considering ways to retaliate.Trump had imposed a tariff of 10% on imports from China and that’s scheduled to rise to 20% beginning Tuesday. He also ended the “de minimis” loophole that exempted imports worth less than $800 from tariffs.In Hong Kong, Chinese bubble tea chain Mixue Bingcheng’s stock soared 43% following its $444 million debut on the market. The company claims to be the world’s largest food retail chain, with more than 45,000 outlets, and its jump came as the Hang Seng index rose 0.3%.Indexes rose by even more across Europe and in Tokyo. European markets leaped after a report showed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eurozone-inflation-ecb-europe-economy-cb555f0a040aed0c505d957769d96e9a">an easing of inflation</a>&nbsp;in February. That should help the European Central Bank, which investors widely expect will deliver another cut to interest rates later this week.Germany’s DAX surged 2.6%, and France’s CAC 40 jumped 1.1%.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-wall-street-america-first-96533ff5252eef1d335da379729748e8">Stocks outside the United States have performed better</a>&nbsp;than the S&amp;P 500 this year, even with Trump’s promises for “America First” policiesIn the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.15% from 4.24% just before the manufacturing report’s release. It’s come down sharply since January, when it was approaching 4.80%, as worries have built about the possibility of a slowing U.S. economy.Often, drops in Treasury yields can give a boost to stock prices because they make loans cheaper to get and give a boost to the economy. But the reason for this recent drop in yields, softer economic growth expectations, may mean that’s not the case this time, according to Morgan Stanley strategists led by Michael Wilson.Typically, the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates if the economy needs help. But when inflation is high, or at least worries about it are, the Fed has less leeway to ease rates.

🎥U.S. stocks tumble following Trump's tariff announcement

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 — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas said President Donald Trump’s administration shouldn’t cancel a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon and transfer work on the Federal Aviation Administration’s traffic control system to presidential adviser Elon Musk’s own company.

Davids, the 3rd District Democrat who serves on the aviation subcommittee of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said the potential deal with Musk raised conflict-of-interest issues.

Starlink is part of Musk’s SpaceX satellite and rocket company — a business rival of Verizon. Musk also was hired by Trump to lead an effort to reduce federal government spending, including at the FAA.

“Elon Musk’s reported interference in a competitively awarded FAA contract is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about conflicts of interest,” Davids said. “Aviation safety — not private gain — must be the priority in our air traffic control system.”

Verizon was issued a 15-year contract in 2023 to integrate fiber-optic cables into the network allowing FAA facilities to communicate. The current federal air traffic control system is the responsibility of L3Harris, not Verizon, but Musk has repeatedly blamed Verizon for technology shortcomings.

“The administration must ensure federal contracts are awarded through a fair and transparent process, not at the whim of a billionaire with political ties to those in power,” Davids said.

In the past week, The New York Times, CNN and other news outlets reported Musk was interested in deploying his own company, Starlink, to operate the federal air traffic control system. The Trump administration has allowed Starlink equipment to be tested at at least two airports.

The issue of aviation safety was brought into focus for the Kansas congressional delegation Jan. 29 when American Airlines Flight 5342 originating from Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter while over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.

All 67 people aboard the aircraft, including Kansans, were killed in the first major U.S. commercial passenger flight crash in more than 15 years.

In aftermath of the accident, members of the Kansas congressional delegation shared empathy for victims and their families and vowed to make certain the crash was thoroughly investigated. Five of the six members of the delegation took part in a moment of silence on the U.S. House chamber.

“Together, we commit to finding answers, and to working to ensure another tragedy like this doesn’t happen again,” said U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican serving the 4th District centered on Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741033089425.png" alt=" Kansas Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, left, said the suggestion from billionaire Elon Musk, a budget adviser to President Donald Trump, to cancel Verizon’s $2.4 billion, 15-year contract with FAA and hand that work to his own company Starlink created a conflict of interest. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, left, said the suggestion from billionaire Elon Musk, a budget adviser to President Donald Trump, to cancel Verizon’s $2.4 billion, 15-year contract with FAA and hand that work to his own company Starlink created a conflict of interest. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</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 — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas said President Donald Trump’s administration shouldn’t cancel a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon and transfer work on the Federal Aviation Administration’s traffic control system to presidential adviser Elon Musk’s own company.Davids, the 3rd District Democrat who serves on the aviation subcommittee of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said the potential deal with Musk raised conflict-of-interest issues.Starlink is part of Musk’s SpaceX satellite and rocket company — a business rival of Verizon. Musk also was hired by Trump to lead an effort to reduce federal government spending, including at the FAA.“Elon Musk’s reported interference in a competitively awarded FAA contract is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about conflicts of interest,” Davids said. “Aviation safety — not private gain — must be the priority in our air traffic control system.”Verizon was issued a 15-year contract in 2023 to integrate fiber-optic cables into the network allowing FAA facilities to communicate. The current federal air traffic control system is the responsibility of L3Harris, not Verizon, but Musk has repeatedly blamed Verizon for technology shortcomings.“The administration must ensure federal contracts are awarded through a fair and transparent process, not at the whim of a billionaire with political ties to those in power,” Davids said.In the past week, The New York Times, CNN and other news outlets reported Musk was interested in deploying his own company, Starlink, to operate the federal air traffic control system. The Trump administration has allowed Starlink equipment to be tested at at least two airports.The issue of aviation safety was brought into focus for the Kansas congressional delegation Jan. 29 when American Airlines Flight 5342 originating from Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter while over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.All 67 people aboard the aircraft, including Kansans, were killed in the first major U.S. commercial passenger flight crash in more than 15 years.In aftermath of the accident, members of the Kansas congressional delegation shared empathy for victims and their families and vowed to make certain the crash was thoroughly investigated. Five of the six members of the delegation took part in a moment of silence on the U.S. House chamber.“Together, we commit to finding answers, and to working to ensure another tragedy like this doesn’t happen again,” said U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican serving the 4th District centered on Wichita.

Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids objects to Musk’s call for cancellation of $2.4 billion FAA contract

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/fernanda-figueroa">FERNANDA FIGUEROA</a>

&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday designating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-english-national-language-d4b000e593ae7db2ac8264a6dbc5078f">English as the official language</a>&nbsp;of the United States. Activists and advocacy groups are alarmed by what it will mean for non-English speakers when it comes to immigration, voter access and other issues.

The order will allow government agencies and organizations that receive federal funding to choose whether to continue to offer documents and services in languages other than English, according to a fact sheet. The move rescinds a mandate from former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>&nbsp;that required the government and organizations that received federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.

Designating English as the national language “promotes unity, establishes efficiency in government operations, and creates a pathway for civic engagement,” according to the White House. But some activists and organizations think the move is just another way for the president to stoke division and fear.

“This isn’t just an offensive gesture that sticks a thumb in the eye of millions of U.S. citizens who speak other languages, but also will directly harm those who have previously relied on language assistance for vital information,” Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director of America’s Voice, an advocacy group for immigration reform, said in an email.

What does it mean to have an official language?

According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, an official language is what is used by the government to conduct official, day-to-day business. Having one or more official languages can help define a nation’s character and the cultural identity of those who live in it.

Prioritizing one language may place certain people in position of power and exclude others whose language is not recognized, according to the institute.

U.S. English, a group that advocates for making English the official language in the United States, believes having an official language provides a common means of communication, encourages immigrants to learn English to use government services and “defines a much-needed common sense language policy.”

Currently there are more than 350 languages spoken in the United States, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The most widely spoken languages other than English are Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Arabic.

People in the U.S. also speak Native North American languages such as Navajo, Yupik, Dakota, Apache, Keres and Cherokee, among others.

Potential impact on citizenship and voting

Anabel Mendoza, the communications director for United We Dream, a nonprofit immigrant advocacy organization, said limiting the language of federal communication will make it harder for people to become citizens if they are denied the ability to speak their native tongue throughout the process. Currently, people of certain age and residency requirements can qualify for a waiver to do the citizenship test and interview in their native language.

“Trump is trying to send the message that if you’re not white, rich and speak English you don’t belong here,” Mendoza said. “Let me be clear: Immigrants are here to stay. No matter how hard Trump tries, he can’t erase us.”

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus announced Friday that New York Rep. Adriano Espaillat, caucus chair, will deliver, on behalf of Democrats, the official Spanish-language response to Trump’s upcoming joint address to Congress.

George Carrillo, co-founder &amp; CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council, said it seems like a step backwards in a country that has championed its diversity. He is also concerned how limiting governmental communication might affect U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico where the predominant language is Spanish.

“This executive order, while framed as promoting unity, risks dismantling critical supports like ESL programs and multilingual resources that help immigrants adapt and contribute,” Carrillo said. “Imagine families navigating healthcare or legal systems without materials in a language they understand, it’s a barrier, not a bridge.”

APIAVote, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on registering Asian American and Pacific Islander voters, also expressed worry this could mean barriers for millions of voters such as naturalized citizens or elderly residents who aren’t English-proficient.

“It will make it harder for them to participate civically and vote, as well as access critical healthcare, economic and education resources,” the group said in a statement.

Furthermore, the organization says this action could make anyone who speaks another language a target.

“The exclusionary nature of this policy will only fuel xenophobia and discrimination at a time when anti-Asian hate and hate against other minority and immigrant groups are rising.”

States that have English as the official language

More than 30 states, from California to New Hampshire, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands have already passed laws designating English as their official language, according to U.S. English. Hawaii is the only state to declare two official languages, English and Hawaiian.

For decades, lawmakers in Congress have introduced legislation to designate English as the official language, but those efforts failed. The most recent effort was in 2023, when Sens. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and JD Vance, R-Ohio, introduced the English Language Unity Act. Vance is now vice president.

How many countries have official languages?

It is estimated that over 170 countries have an official language, with some having more than one language.

Mexico does not have an official language. In Canada the official languages are English and French. According to Canada’s Official Languages Act of 1969, the purpose of designating two languages ensures “the equality of status” and protecting linguistic minorities “while taking into account the fact that they have different needs.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740878733683.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/fernanda-figueroa">FERNANDA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday designating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-english-national-language-d4b000e593ae7db2ac8264a6dbc5078f">English as the official language</a>&nbsp;of the United States. Activists and advocacy groups are alarmed by what it will mean for non-English speakers when it comes to immigration, voter access and other issues.The order will allow government agencies and organizations that receive federal funding to choose whether to continue to offer documents and services in languages other than English, according to a fact sheet. The move rescinds a mandate from former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>&nbsp;that required the government and organizations that received federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.Designating English as the national language “promotes unity, establishes efficiency in government operations, and creates a pathway for civic engagement,” according to the White House. But some activists and organizations think the move is just another way for the president to stoke division and fear.“This isn’t just an offensive gesture that sticks a thumb in the eye of millions of U.S. citizens who speak other languages, but also will directly harm those who have previously relied on language assistance for vital information,” Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director of America’s Voice, an advocacy group for immigration reform, said in an email.<h2>What does it mean to have an official language?</h2>According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, an official language is what is used by the government to conduct official, day-to-day business. Having one or more official languages can help define a nation’s character and the cultural identity of those who live in it.Prioritizing one language may place certain people in position of power and exclude others whose language is not recognized, according to the institute.U.S. English, a group that advocates for making English the official language in the United States, believes having an official language provides a common means of communication, encourages immigrants to learn English to use government services and “defines a much-needed common sense language policy.”Currently there are more than 350 languages spoken in the United States, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The most widely spoken languages other than English are Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Arabic.People in the U.S. also speak Native North American languages such as Navajo, Yupik, Dakota, Apache, Keres and Cherokee, among others.<h2>Potential impact on citizenship and voting</h2>Anabel Mendoza, the communications director for United We Dream, a nonprofit immigrant advocacy organization, said limiting the language of federal communication will make it harder for people to become citizens if they are denied the ability to speak their native tongue throughout the process. Currently, people of certain age and residency requirements can qualify for a waiver to do the citizenship test and interview in their native language.“Trump is trying to send the message that if you’re not white, rich and speak English you don’t belong here,” Mendoza said. “Let me be clear: Immigrants are here to stay. No matter how hard Trump tries, he can’t erase us.”The Congressional Hispanic Caucus announced Friday that New York Rep. Adriano Espaillat, caucus chair, will deliver, on behalf of Democrats, the official Spanish-language response to Trump’s upcoming joint address to Congress.George Carrillo, co-founder &amp; CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council, said it seems like a step backwards in a country that has championed its diversity. He is also concerned how limiting governmental communication might affect U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico where the predominant language is Spanish.“This executive order, while framed as promoting unity, risks dismantling critical supports like ESL programs and multilingual resources that help immigrants adapt and contribute,” Carrillo said. “Imagine families navigating healthcare or legal systems without materials in a language they understand, it’s a barrier, not a bridge.”APIAVote, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on registering Asian American and Pacific Islander voters, also expressed worry this could mean barriers for millions of voters such as naturalized citizens or elderly residents who aren’t English-proficient.“It will make it harder for them to participate civically and vote, as well as access critical healthcare, economic and education resources,” the group said in a statement.Furthermore, the organization says this action could make anyone who speaks another language a target.“The exclusionary nature of this policy will only fuel xenophobia and discrimination at a time when anti-Asian hate and hate against other minority and immigrant groups are rising.”<h2>States that have English as the official language</h2>More than 30 states, from California to New Hampshire, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands have already passed laws designating English as their official language, according to U.S. English. Hawaii is the only state to declare two official languages, English and Hawaiian.For decades, lawmakers in Congress have introduced legislation to designate English as the official language, but those efforts failed. The most recent effort was in 2023, when Sens. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and JD Vance, R-Ohio, introduced the English Language Unity Act. Vance is now vice president.<h2>How many countries have official languages?</h2>It is estimated that over 170 countries have an official language, with some having more than one language.Mexico does not have an official language. In Canada the official languages are English and French. According to Canada’s Official Languages Act of 1969, the purpose of designating two languages ensures “the equality of status” and protecting linguistic minorities “while taking into account the fact that they have different needs.”

What Trump’s order making English the official language in the US could mean

WASHINGTON (AP) —The nation’s top health official wrote Sunday that the measles vaccine has benefits but he stopped short of calling on parents to inoculate their children from the deadly disease.

In an opinion piece for Fox News, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged parents to consult with “healthcare providers” on whether their children should get the vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

“Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons,” Kennedy wrote in the piece, published Sunday.

Kennedy has previously criticized the vaccines, although research and real-world use has proven that they are safe and effective.

Meanwhile, the top spokesman for the U.S. Health and Human Services agency abruptly resigned on Friday, just two weeks after being sworn in to lead communications for the agency overseen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Tom Corry said on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-corry-3029799_i-want-to-announce-to-my-friends-and-colleagues-activity-7302324708060909569-bpAa?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAAgTyYABTGxEnx2nxAn5AxrjeODw8iENnzs">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;that he resigned from the job on Friday. His resignation comes as Kennedy has struggled with his public response to the measles outbreak in West Texas, first calling it “not unusual,” then on Sunday describing it as a “call to action.”

Corry previously oversaw communications for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services agency during the first Trump administration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740583865667.png" alt="A sign is seen outside a clinic with the South Plains Public Health District Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Brownfield, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)" />
 <figcaption>A sign is seen outside a clinic with the South Plains Public Health District Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Brownfield, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The nation’s top health official wrote Sunday that the measles vaccine has benefits but he stopped short of calling on parents to inoculate their children from the deadly disease.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The measles outbreak in Texas is a call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to public health. By working together -- parents, healthcare providers, community leaders, and government officials, we can prevent future outbreaks and protect the health of our nation.…&mdash; Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy/status/1896329038962339893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In an opinion piece for Fox News, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged parents to consult with “healthcare providers” on whether their children should get the vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.“Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons,” Kennedy wrote in the piece, published Sunday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My heart goes out to the families impacted by the current measles outbreak in TX. I recognize the serious impact of this outbreak on families, children, and healthcare workers. Here at <a href="https://twitter.com/HHSGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HHSGov</a> we have: • Supported Texas Department of Health through technical assistance and…&mdash; Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy/status/1895585297351799198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kennedy has previously criticized the vaccines, although research and real-world use has proven that they are safe and effective.Meanwhile, the top spokesman for the U.S. Health and Human Services agency abruptly resigned on Friday, just two weeks after being sworn in to lead communications for the agency overseen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Tom Corry said on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-corry-3029799_i-want-to-announce-to-my-friends-and-colleagues-activity-7302324708060909569-bpAa?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAAgTyYABTGxEnx2nxAn5AxrjeODw8iENnzs">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;that he resigned from the job on Friday. His resignation comes as Kennedy has struggled with his public response to the measles outbreak in West Texas, first calling it “not unusual,” then on Sunday describing it as a “call to action.”Corry previously oversaw communications for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services agency during the first Trump administration.