TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly on Monday proclaimed Panasonic Day across the State of Kansas in honor of the grand opening of Panasonic Energy’s state-of-the-art electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto, Kansas. 

The facility, which is the largest private business investment in Kansas history, will bring up to 4,000 jobs and an estimated $2.5 billion in new economic activity in Kansas annually.

<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2025%2F07%2F14%2Ffile_attachments%2F3322939%2FPanasonic%2520Day.pdf/1/0101019809c6a211-0cecc9f7-524b-4de9-a8d7-f34c7b92d4ef-000000/1Cdcg2agBIa_4Zcn5g7rxcoVxFll_Y6bbehGHBq7VcQ=413">Click here to read the proclamation</a>.&nbsp;

“Panasonic’s state-of-the-art EV battery plant marks a bright new era in Kansas,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“The monumental effort that has gone into every aspect of this project has culminated in this historic day as the plant begins mass production of EV batteries. It’s hard to overstate what Panasonic’s investment means to Kansas and the value of the partnership that made it possible.”

The De Soto plant is the largest economic development project in company history — and Kansas history. An estimated $2.5 billion in new economic activity in Kansas will be generated annually by the project.

“The opening of our Kansas factory marks a major milestone in our journey to scale advanced battery production in the United States,”&nbsp;Panasonic Energy CEO Kazuo Tadanobu said.&nbsp;“This achievement would not have been possible without the strong support of our local partners and the State of Kansas. Together, we are accelerating the shift to electrification, reinforcing regional supply chains, and nurturing the next generation of battery talent. This facility represents not only our commitment to the region but also a foundation for long-term collaboration and innovation in the U.S.”

The project is expected to create up to 4,000 new jobs and significantly boost the regional and state economy, supporting an estimated 4,000 additional jobs created by suppliers and community businesses and 16,500 construction jobs, as cited in an independent Wichita State University economic impact study.

“Kansas leaders did the equivalent of kicking down doors and leaping over tall buildings to win this $4 billion investment by Panasonic,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“This is a once-in-a-generation move that will power our economy, support thousands of Kansas families and spark opportunity for decades to come. It’s bold. It’s historic. And all Kansans can feel pride today in seeing that our state can do big things again, and that our best days are ahead of us.”

The 300-acre manufacturing plant, which is opening almost three years to the date of the initial announcement, is located in De Soto’s Astra Enterprise Park. The state-of-the-art facility will operate and produce approximately 66 lithium-ion batteries per second. Its infrastructure is broken into two wings, with four battery lines on each wing. At the end of both wings, infrastructure is designed for shipping, packing, and sub-supply vendor spaces for Panasonic partners.

“Panasonic’s new state-of-the-art facility in De Soto is a milestone for our state and a testament to Kansas’ talented workforce and leadership in energy production and innovation,”&nbsp;U.S. Senator Jerry Moran said.&nbsp;“I commend the leadership of Panasonic for choosing the Sunflower State for its U.S. manufacturing site, creating thousands of quality jobs for Kansans and drawing new people to the Midwest. With this investment, we are continuing to make certain Kansas remains a place where the next generation – with their knowledge and talent – can stay and build a future.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752515532561.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly on Monday proclaimed Panasonic Day across the State of Kansas in honor of the grand opening of Panasonic Energy’s state-of-the-art electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto, Kansas. The facility, which is the largest private business investment in Kansas history, will bring up to 4,000 jobs and an estimated $2.5 billion in new economic activity in Kansas annually.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752503239451.png" alt="In July of 2022, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Japan’s Panasonic Corp. selected Kansas as the location for a multibillion-dollar mega-factory" />
 <figcaption>In July of 2022, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Japan’s Panasonic Corp. selected Kansas as the location for a multibillion-dollar mega-factory</figcaption>
 </figure><a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2025%2F07%2F14%2Ffile_attachments%2F3322939%2FPanasonic%2520Day.pdf/1/0101019809c6a211-0cecc9f7-524b-4de9-a8d7-f34c7b92d4ef-000000/1Cdcg2agBIa_4Zcn5g7rxcoVxFll_Y6bbehGHBq7VcQ=413">Click here to read the proclamation</a>.&nbsp;“Panasonic’s state-of-the-art EV battery plant marks a bright new era in Kansas,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“The monumental effort that has gone into every aspect of this project has culminated in this historic day as the plant begins mass production of EV batteries. It’s hard to overstate what Panasonic’s investment means to Kansas and the value of the partnership that made it possible.”The De Soto plant is the largest economic development project in company history — and Kansas history. An estimated $2.5 billion in new economic activity in Kansas will be generated annually by the project.“The opening of our Kansas factory marks a major milestone in our journey to scale advanced battery production in the United States,”&nbsp;Panasonic Energy CEO Kazuo Tadanobu said.&nbsp;“This achievement would not have been possible without the strong support of our local partners and the State of Kansas. Together, we are accelerating the shift to electrification, reinforcing regional supply chains, and nurturing the next generation of battery talent. This facility represents not only our commitment to the region but also a foundation for long-term collaboration and innovation in the U.S.”The project is expected to create up to 4,000 new jobs and significantly boost the regional and state economy, supporting an estimated 4,000 additional jobs created by suppliers and community businesses and 16,500 construction jobs, as cited in an independent Wichita State University economic impact study.“Kansas leaders did the equivalent of kicking down doors and leaping over tall buildings to win this $4 billion investment by Panasonic,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“This is a once-in-a-generation move that will power our economy, support thousands of Kansas families and spark opportunity for decades to come. It’s bold. It’s historic. And all Kansans can feel pride today in seeing that our state can do big things again, and that our best days are ahead of us.”The 300-acre manufacturing plant, which is opening almost three years to the date of the initial announcement, is located in De Soto’s Astra Enterprise Park. The state-of-the-art facility will operate and produce approximately 66 lithium-ion batteries per second. Its infrastructure is broken into two wings, with four battery lines on each wing. At the end of both wings, infrastructure is designed for shipping, packing, and sub-supply vendor spaces for Panasonic partners.“Panasonic’s new state-of-the-art facility in De Soto is a milestone for our state and a testament to Kansas’ talented workforce and leadership in energy production and innovation,”&nbsp;U.S. Senator Jerry Moran said.&nbsp;“I commend the leadership of Panasonic for choosing the Sunflower State for its U.S. manufacturing site, creating thousands of quality jobs for Kansans and drawing new people to the Midwest. With this investment, we are continuing to make certain Kansas remains a place where the next generation – with their knowledge and talent – can stay and build a future.”

$4 billion investment: Panasonic Day in Kansas

MORGAN COUNTY, Mo. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after weekend boat chase on Lake of the Ozarks.

Just before 8:30p.m. Saturday,&nbsp;Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F was advised of an alleged domestic assault involving a man, later identified as 39-year-old Loren M. Peters of Sunrise Beach throwing a woman off a vessel in Davey Hollow Cove at Lake of the Ozarks, according to a media release from the MSHP.

Troopers observed the suspect vessel, an orange 2023 Hayaari Marine H44Z at the 10 mile mark of the main channel. As troopers began to conduct a boat stop, the Hayaari accelerated quickly and attempted to leave the area. This led to a vessel pursuit.

The pursuit ended with the Hayaari entered Mill Creek Cove. The operator, Peters, abandoned the vessel at a dock near Walleye Drive and ran. Troopers took Peters into custody a short time later. He was arrested on requested charges of BWI alcohol, resist or interfere with arrest, operating a boat in a careless manner and fourth-degree domestic assault.

MORGAN COUNTY, Mo. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after weekend boat chase on Lake of the Ozarks.Just before 8:30p.m. Saturday,&nbsp;Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F was advised of an alleged domestic assault involving a man, later identified as 39-year-old Loren M. Peters of Sunrise Beach throwing a woman off a vessel in Davey Hollow Cove at Lake of the Ozarks, according to a media release from the MSHP.Troopers observed the suspect vessel, an orange 2023 Hayaari Marine H44Z at the 10 mile mark of the main channel. As troopers began to conduct a boat stop, the Hayaari accelerated quickly and attempted to leave the area. This led to a vessel pursuit.The pursuit ended with the Hayaari entered Mill Creek Cove. The operator, Peters, abandoned the vessel at a dock near Walleye Drive and ran. Troopers took Peters into custody a short time later. He was arrested on requested charges of BWI alcohol, resist or interfere with arrest, operating a boat in a careless manner and fourth-degree domestic assault.

Patrol: Man jailed after throwing woman from boat at Lake of the Ozarks

SALINE COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a rural Saline County fire.

Just after 10:30p.m. Sunday, a homeowners reported of their detached shed was on fire on 2529 N. Kipp Road, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

Deputies and Saline County Rural District 5 arrived to the scene and extinguished the fire. The shed was totally consumed along with various items valuing at a loss of around $100,000 - $120,000, according to Soldan. The items lost in the fire included a tractor, chicken coup, several power tools, grills and fans.

There were no reports of injuries or death of any chickens from the chicken coup. An 'electrical issue' may have caused the fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752506269978.png" alt="Photos Saline Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Saline Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a rural Saline County fire.Just after 10:30p.m. Sunday, a homeowners reported of their detached shed was on fire on 2529 N. Kipp Road, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752506352145.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies and Saline County Rural District 5 arrived to the scene and extinguished the fire. The shed was totally consumed along with various items valuing at a loss of around $100,000 - $120,000, according to Soldan. The items lost in the fire included a tractor, chicken coup, several power tools, grills and fans.There were no reports of injuries or death of any chickens from the chicken coup. An 'electrical issue' may have caused the fire.

$100,000 damage after rural Kansas fire

OCHOPEE, Fla. (AP) — Democratic lawmakers condemned Florida's new Everglades&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-everglades-immigrant-detention-facility-visit-5dc5568ec15534947c29c9149b773d1d">immigration detention center</a>&nbsp;after visiting Saturday, describing it as crowded, unsanitary and bug-infested. Republicans on the same tour said they saw nothing of the sort at the remote facility that officials have dubbed “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detention-trump-desantis-cc060aa6528acbd91a87ec1922578146">Alligator Alcatraz</a>.”

The state-arranged tour came after some Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-immigration-detention-lawsuit-alligator-alcatraz-bcfcac30def76f23f445546756706f8c">were blocked earlier from viewing</a>&nbsp;the 3,000-bed detention center that the state&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alligator-alcatraz-republican-donors-hurricanes-936556033be361d96bdb5d38b24c81d7">rapidly built</a>&nbsp;on an isolated airstrip surrounded by swampland. So many state legislators and members of Congress turned up Saturday that they were split into multiple groups.

“There are really disturbing, vile conditions and this place needs to be shut the hell down,” U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat, told reporters after visiting the agglomeration of tents, trailers and temporary buildings. “This place is a stunt, and they’re abusing human beings here.”

Cage-style units of 32 men share three combination toilet-sink devices, the visitors measured the temperature at 83 degrees (28 degrees Celsius) in a housing area entranceway and 85 (29 Celsius) in a medical intake area, and grasshoppers and other insects abound, she and her fellow Florida Democrats said.

Although the visitors said they were not able to speak with the detainees, Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, also a Democrat, said one called out “I'm an American citizen!” and others chanted “Libertad!,” Spanish for “freedom.”

State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, a Republican from Florida, countered that he had seen a well-run, safe facility where the living quarters were clean and the air conditioning worked well.

“The rhetoric coming out of the Democrats does not match the reality,” said Ingoglia, who said he toured in the same group as Wasserman Schultz. Ingoglia said a handful of detainees became “a little raucous” when the visitors appeared, but he did not make out what they were saying.

State Sen. Jay Collins was in another group and said he also found the detention center to be clean and functioning well: “No squalor.”

Collins, a Republican, said he saw backup generators, a tracking system for dietary restrictions and military-style bunks with good mattresses. The sanitation devices struck him as appropriate, if basic.

“Would I want that toilet-and-sink combination at my bathroom at the house? Probably not, but this is a transitional holding facility,” Collins said by phone.

Journalists were not allowed on the tour, and lawmakers were instructed not to bring phones or cameras inside.

Messages seeking comment were sent to the state Division of Emergency Management, which built the facility, and to representatives for Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican. DeSantis spokesperson Molly Best highlighted one of Ingoglia's upbeat readouts on social media.

Across the state in Tampa, federal Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that of the Everglades detention center that “any issues that were there have been addressed.” She added that she has talked with five unnamed Republican governors about modeling other facilities on it.

DeSantis and fellow Republicans have touted the makeshift detention center, constructed in days as an efficient and get-tough response to President Donald Trump's call for mass deportations. The first detainees&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detainees-florida-56670910db4c88800d9df42ac3ce7f91">arrived July 3</a>, after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/trump-everglades-immigrant-detention-facility-visit-a26bdb01e010ac480502d0b7059e32a9">Trump toured</a>&nbsp;and praised the facility.

Described as temporary, it is meant to help the Republican president's administration reach its goal of boosting migrant detention capacity from 41,000 people to at least 100,000. The Florida facility's remote location and its name — a nod to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alcatraz-prison-trump-calfornia-be993d18317b67a939e0331ec10cc7e3">notorious Alcatraz prison</a>&nbsp;that once housed federal inmates in California — are meant to underscore a message of deterring illegal immigration.

Ahead of the facility's opening, state officials said detainees would have access to medical care, consistent air conditioning, a recreation yard, attorneys and clergy members.

But detainees and their relatives and advocates have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detainees-florida-cc2fb9e34e760a50e97f13fe59cbf075">told The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;that conditions are awful, with worm-infested food, toilets overflowing onto floors, mosquitoes buzzing around the fenced bunks, and air conditioners that sometimes shut off in the oppressive South Florida summer heat. One man told his wife that detainees go days without getting showers.

Division of Emergency Management spokesperson Stephanie Hartman called those descriptions “completely false,” saying detainees always get three meals a day, unlimited drinking water, showers and other necessities.

“The facility meets all required standards and is in good working order,” she said.

Five Democratic state lawmakers tried to visit the site July 3 but said they were denied access. The state subsequently arranged Saturday's tour.

The lawmakers have sued over the earlier denial, accusing the DeSantis administration of impeding their oversight authority. A DeSantis spokesperson has called the lawsuit “dumb.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751400984359.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>OCHOPEE, Fla. (AP) — Democratic lawmakers condemned Florida's new Everglades&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-everglades-immigrant-detention-facility-visit-5dc5568ec15534947c29c9149b773d1d">immigration detention center</a>&nbsp;after visiting Saturday, describing it as crowded, unsanitary and bug-infested. Republicans on the same tour said they saw nothing of the sort at the remote facility that officials have dubbed “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detention-trump-desantis-cc060aa6528acbd91a87ec1922578146">Alligator Alcatraz</a>.”The state-arranged tour came after some Democrats&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-immigration-detention-lawsuit-alligator-alcatraz-bcfcac30def76f23f445546756706f8c">were blocked earlier from viewing</a>&nbsp;the 3,000-bed detention center that the state&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alligator-alcatraz-republican-donors-hurricanes-936556033be361d96bdb5d38b24c81d7">rapidly built</a>&nbsp;on an isolated airstrip surrounded by swampland. So many state legislators and members of Congress turned up Saturday that they were split into multiple groups.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I just took a staged ‘tour’ of the Everglades internment camp today with my colleagues. Despite being sanitized, it was clear: This place needs to be shut the hell down. They&#39;re abusing human beings in cages. <a href="https://t.co/sT9uIO4Iom">pic.twitter.com/sT9uIO4Iom</a>&mdash; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDWStweets/status/1944130675042406620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“There are really disturbing, vile conditions and this place needs to be shut the hell down,” U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat, told reporters after visiting the agglomeration of tents, trailers and temporary buildings. “This place is a stunt, and they’re abusing human beings here.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I visited Alligator Alcatraz today with several of my congressional colleagues to fulfill our duty and conduct necessary oversight. What we saw today is a ridiculous project built in the Florida Everglades solely for political purposes. <a href="https://t.co/WB0MvMh8Gz">pic.twitter.com/WB0MvMh8Gz</a>&mdash; Congressman Jared Moskowitz (@RepMoskowitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMoskowitz/status/1944135556935389304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Cage-style units of 32 men share three combination toilet-sink devices, the visitors measured the temperature at 83 degrees (28 degrees Celsius) in a housing area entranceway and 85 (29 Celsius) in a medical intake area, and grasshoppers and other insects abound, she and her fellow Florida Democrats said.Although the visitors said they were not able to speak with the detainees, Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, also a Democrat, said one called out “I'm an American citizen!” and others chanted “Libertad!,” Spanish for “freedom.”State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, a Republican from Florida, countered that he had seen a well-run, safe facility where the living quarters were clean and the air conditioning worked well.“The rhetoric coming out of the Democrats does not match the reality,” said Ingoglia, who said he toured in the same group as Wasserman Schultz. Ingoglia said a handful of detainees became “a little raucous” when the visitors appeared, but he did not make out what they were saying.State Sen. Jay Collins was in another group and said he also found the detention center to be clean and functioning well: “No squalor.”Collins, a Republican, said he saw backup generators, a tracking system for dietary restrictions and military-style bunks with good mattresses. The sanitation devices struck him as appropriate, if basic.“Would I want that toilet-and-sink combination at my bathroom at the house? Probably not, but this is a transitional holding facility,” Collins said by phone.Journalists were not allowed on the tour, and lawmakers were instructed not to bring phones or cameras inside.Messages seeking comment were sent to the state Division of Emergency Management, which built the facility, and to representatives for Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican. DeSantis spokesperson Molly Best highlighted one of Ingoglia's upbeat readouts on social media.Across the state in Tampa, federal Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that of the Everglades detention center that “any issues that were there have been addressed.” She added that she has talked with five unnamed Republican governors about modeling other facilities on it.DeSantis and fellow Republicans have touted the makeshift detention center, constructed in days as an efficient and get-tough response to President Donald Trump's call for mass deportations. The first detainees&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detainees-florida-56670910db4c88800d9df42ac3ce7f91">arrived July 3</a>, after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/trump-everglades-immigrant-detention-facility-visit-a26bdb01e010ac480502d0b7059e32a9">Trump toured</a>&nbsp;and praised the facility.Described as temporary, it is meant to help the Republican president's administration reach its goal of boosting migrant detention capacity from 41,000 people to at least 100,000. The Florida facility's remote location and its name — a nod to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alcatraz-prison-trump-calfornia-be993d18317b67a939e0331ec10cc7e3">notorious Alcatraz prison</a>&nbsp;that once housed federal inmates in California — are meant to underscore a message of deterring illegal immigration.Ahead of the facility's opening, state officials said detainees would have access to medical care, consistent air conditioning, a recreation yard, attorneys and clergy members.But detainees and their relatives and advocates have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detainees-florida-cc2fb9e34e760a50e97f13fe59cbf075">told The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;that conditions are awful, with worm-infested food, toilets overflowing onto floors, mosquitoes buzzing around the fenced bunks, and air conditioners that sometimes shut off in the oppressive South Florida summer heat. One man told his wife that detainees go days without getting showers.Division of Emergency Management spokesperson Stephanie Hartman called those descriptions “completely false,” saying detainees always get three meals a day, unlimited drinking water, showers and other necessities.“The facility meets all required standards and is in good working order,” she said.Five Democratic state lawmakers tried to visit the site July 3 but said they were denied access. The state subsequently arranged Saturday's tour.The lawmakers have sued over the earlier denial, accusing the DeSantis administration of impeding their oversight authority. A DeSantis spokesperson has called the lawsuit “dumb.”___

Different opinions from lawmakers after visit to  'Alligator Alcatraz' 

KANSAS CITY—Two brothers are in custody and facing charges after a shooting during a a Facebook Marketplace truck sale at a Kansas City apartment parking lot.

According to court records, on July 9, 35-year-old Clarence Melbert and 31-year-old Aaron Melbert allegedly arranged to sell a black Ford F-150.&nbsp;&nbsp;

When a buyer arrived at the location with $2,500 in cash, Clarence pointed a gun and ordered the buyer out of the truck, while Aaron threatened him with a knife, according to police.

As the victim tried to leave, he was shot from behind in the ear and arm.

The victim’s wife, who witnessed the attack, fired her own gun in self-defense as the suspects fled. She helped police identify both suspects. Officers found the brothers nearby and arrested them without incident.

&nbsp;Clarence had a gunshot wound to his arm. Police recovered firearms, shell casings and a knife from the scene.

Aaron is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;Warrant: New Case warrant issued by Jackson, MO; Bond - Cash Only, $100000.00.

Clarence is being held on requested charges that include Warrant: Failure to Appear warrant ; Bond - 10% OR Secured, $5600.00;Warrant: New Case warrant ; Bond - Cash Only, $100000.00;Warrant: Failure to Appear warrant ; Bond - ROR, $2500.00;Warrant: Failure to Appear warrant ; Bond - ROR, $50.00;Warrant: Failure to Appear warrant ; Bond - ROR, $2000.00;Warrant: Failure to Appear warrant ; Bond - ROR, $2000.00;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752501119626.png" alt="Aaron Melbert photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Aaron Melbert photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Two brothers are in custody and facing charges after a shooting during a a Facebook Marketplace truck sale at a Kansas City apartment parking lot.According to court records, on July 9, 35-year-old Clarence Melbert and 31-year-old Aaron Melbert allegedly arranged to sell a black Ford F-150.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752501049562.png" alt="Clarence Melbert photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Clarence Melbert photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>When a buyer arrived at the location with $2,500 in cash, Clarence pointed a gun and ordered the buyer out of the truck, while Aaron threatened him with a knife, according to police.As the victim tried to leave, he was shot from behind in the ear and arm.The victim’s wife, who witnessed the attack, fired her own gun in self-defense as the suspects fled. She helped police identify both suspects. Officers found the brothers nearby and arrested them without incident.&nbsp;Clarence had a gunshot wound to his arm. Police recovered firearms, shell casings and a knife from the scene.Aaron is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;Warrant: New Case warrant issued by Jackson, MO; Bond - Cash Only, $100000.00.Clarence is being held on requested charges that include Warrant: Failure to Appear warrant ; Bond - 10% OR Secured, $5600.00;Warrant: New Case warrant ; Bond - Cash Only, $100000.00;Warrant: Failure to Appear warrant ; Bond - ROR, $2500.00;Warrant: Failure to Appear warrant ; Bond - ROR, $50.00;Warrant: Failure to Appear warrant ; Bond - ROR, $2000.00;Warrant: Failure to Appear warrant ; Bond - ROR, $2000.00;

Brothers jailed after Facebook Marketplace truck sale shooting

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</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>

WASHINGTON — Congress has just days left to approve the Trump administration’s request to cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved funding for public media and foreign aid, setting up yet another tight deadline for lawmakers.&nbsp;

The Senate must pass the bill before July 18, otherwise the White House budget office will be required to spend the funding and be barred from sending up the same proposal again for what are called rescissions.

But objections from several GOP senators could stop the legislation in its tracks, or change it substantially, requiring another House vote in a very short time frame. Rejecting the plan would represent a loss for the Trump administration after passage of the “big, beautiful” tax and spending cut law earlier this month.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., appears optimistic he can secure the votes needed to begin debate, though he hasn’t said publicly if he thinks the bill can actually pass.&nbsp;

“We’ll have it up on the floor next week. Hopefully, we get on it and then we’ll have an amendment process,” Thune said during a Wednesday press conference. “And kind of like a budget reconciliation bill, it’s an open amendment process, a vote-a-rama type process, which I’m sure you’re very excited about.”

At least 50 Republicans must agree to proceed to the legislation amid unified opposition from Democrats. Thune can only lose three GOP senators and still begin debate with Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote. Rescissions bills are exempt from the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.

After a maximum of 10 hours of debate, the Senate will begin a marathon amendment voting session that could substantially reshape the measure.

There may be enough Republican votes to completely remove the section rescinding $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds the Public Broadcasting Service, National Public Radio and hundreds of local public media stations.

Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds all brought up misgivings during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-drive-defund-npr-pbs-resisted-republicans-rural-states" target="_blank">a June hearing</a>&nbsp;about how canceling previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would impact rural communities and emergency alerts.

Collins, R-Maine, also raised concerns about the Trump administration’s efforts to claw back previously approved funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, and is likely to bring an amendment to the floor on that issue, according to her office. PEPFAR is a global initiative to combat HIV/AIDS that was led by President George W. Bush.

Democrats will get to offer as many amendments as they want during the vote-a-rama and could try to remove each section of the bill one by one, forcing Republicans to weigh in publicly on numerous foreign aid programs.

President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-wants-congress-slash-94b-spending-now-defund-npr-and-pbs" target="_blank">sent Congress the rescissions request</a>&nbsp;in early June, starting a 45-day clock for lawmakers to consider his proposal.

The recommendation asked lawmakers to cancel $8.3 billion in foreign aid funding, including $500 million for certain global health programs at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

“This proposal would not reduce treatment but would eliminate programs that are antithetical to American interests and worsen the lives of women and children, like ‘family planning’ and ‘reproductive health,’ LGBTQI+ activities, and ‘equity’ programs,” the request states. “This rescission proposal aligns with the Administration’s efforts to eliminate wasteful USAID foreign assistance programs.”

The House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-votes-yank-billions-npr-pbs-and-foreign-aid-programs" target="_blank">voted mostly along party lines</a>&nbsp;in mid-June to approve the rescissions request, but the legislation sat around the Senate for weeks as Republicans struggled to pass their “big, beautiful” law.

The Senate can vote to approve the proposal as is, change it, or let it expire, forcing the White House budget office to spend the money, which it’s been able to legally freeze since sending Congress the rescissions request.

Senators’ decision will impact how Republicans in that chamber, especially Thune and those on the Appropriations Committee, work with White House budget director Russ Vought in the coming months and years.

Congress and the Trump administration must broker some sort of funding agreement before the start of the next fiscal year on Oct. 1 to stave off a shutdown.

Vought has also said he plans to send lawmakers additional rescissions requests, though he hasn’t said exactly when or what programs he’ll include.

Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Thursday as the panel debated three of the full-year government funding bills that the rescissions package is not acceptable and could impede the committee’s traditionally bipartisan work.

“We need to make sure decisions about what to fund and, yes, what to rescind are made here in Congress on a bipartisan basis and within our annual funding process,” Murray said. “We cannot allow bipartisan funding bills with partisan rescission packages. It will not work. And that is why I will repeat my commitment to all of my colleagues that on this side of the dais, we stand ready to discuss rescissions as part of these bipartisan spending bills.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746181587274.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</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>WASHINGTON — Congress has just days left to approve the Trump administration’s request to cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved funding for public media and foreign aid, setting up yet another tight deadline for lawmakers.&nbsp;The Senate must pass the bill before July 18, otherwise the White House budget office will be required to spend the funding and be barred from sending up the same proposal again for what are called rescissions.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/zMYMcrzbxu">pic.twitter.com/zMYMcrzbxu</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1943446385501614262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But objections from several GOP senators could stop the legislation in its tracks, or change it substantially, requiring another House vote in a very short time frame. Rejecting the plan would represent a loss for the Trump administration after passage of the “big, beautiful” tax and spending cut law earlier this month.Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., appears optimistic he can secure the votes needed to begin debate, though he hasn’t said publicly if he thinks the bill can actually pass.&nbsp;“We’ll have it up on the floor next week. Hopefully, we get on it and then we’ll have an amendment process,” Thune said during a Wednesday press conference. “And kind of like a budget reconciliation bill, it’s an open amendment process, a vote-a-rama type process, which I’m sure you’re very excited about.”<h2>JD Vance needed again?</h2>At least 50 Republicans must agree to proceed to the legislation amid unified opposition from Democrats. Thune can only lose three GOP senators and still begin debate with Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote. Rescissions bills are exempt from the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.After a maximum of 10 hours of debate, the Senate will begin a marathon amendment voting session that could substantially reshape the measure.There may be enough Republican votes to completely remove the section rescinding $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds the Public Broadcasting Service, National Public Radio and hundreds of local public media stations.Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds all brought up misgivings during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-drive-defund-npr-pbs-resisted-republicans-rural-states" target="_blank">a June hearing</a>&nbsp;about how canceling previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would impact rural communities and emergency alerts.Collins, R-Maine, also raised concerns about the Trump administration’s efforts to claw back previously approved funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, and is likely to bring an amendment to the floor on that issue, according to her office. PEPFAR is a global initiative to combat HIV/AIDS that was led by President George W. Bush.Democrats will get to offer as many amendments as they want during the vote-a-rama and could try to remove each section of the bill one by one, forcing Republicans to weigh in publicly on numerous foreign aid programs.<h2>45 days for Trump request</h2>President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-wants-congress-slash-94b-spending-now-defund-npr-and-pbs" target="_blank">sent Congress the rescissions request</a>&nbsp;in early June, starting a 45-day clock for lawmakers to consider his proposal.The recommendation asked lawmakers to cancel $8.3 billion in foreign aid funding, including $500 million for certain global health programs at the U.S. Agency for International Development.“This proposal would not reduce treatment but would eliminate programs that are antithetical to American interests and worsen the lives of women and children, like ‘family planning’ and ‘reproductive health,’ LGBTQI+ activities, and ‘equity’ programs,” the request states. “This rescission proposal aligns with the Administration’s efforts to eliminate wasteful USAID foreign assistance programs.”The House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-votes-yank-billions-npr-pbs-and-foreign-aid-programs" target="_blank">voted mostly along party lines</a>&nbsp;in mid-June to approve the rescissions request, but the legislation sat around the Senate for weeks as Republicans struggled to pass their “big, beautiful” law.The Senate can vote to approve the proposal as is, change it, or let it expire, forcing the White House budget office to spend the money, which it’s been able to legally freeze since sending Congress the rescissions request.<h2>Relations with White House</h2>Senators’ decision will impact how Republicans in that chamber, especially Thune and those on the Appropriations Committee, work with White House budget director Russ Vought in the coming months and years.Congress and the Trump administration must broker some sort of funding agreement before the start of the next fiscal year on Oct. 1 to stave off a shutdown.Vought has also said he plans to send lawmakers additional rescissions requests, though he hasn’t said exactly when or what programs he’ll include.Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Thursday as the panel debated three of the full-year government funding bills that the rescissions package is not acceptable and could impede the committee’s traditionally bipartisan work.“We need to make sure decisions about what to fund and, yes, what to rescind are made here in Congress on a bipartisan basis and within our annual funding process,” Murray said. “We cannot allow bipartisan funding bills with partisan rescission packages. It will not work. And that is why I will repeat my commitment to all of my colleagues that on this side of the dais, we stand ready to discuss rescissions as part of these bipartisan spending bills.”

US Senate GOP under pressure on Trump demand to defund NPR, PBS, foreign aid

SEDGWICK COUNTY—The Wichita Police Department continues asking for information about the whereabouts of 38-year-old Brent Cruz, who is wanted in connection with a homicide investigation from 2022 and didn't appear for the trial.&nbsp;

Cruz was charged&nbsp;with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection to the shooting death of 31-year-old&nbsp;Nyron Bowen&nbsp;on April 24, 2022, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.&nbsp; Cruz met the requirement of $500,000 bond and was no longer in police custody.

He has previous convictions for aggravated robbery, robbery, theft and aggravated escape from custody, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

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 38-year-old Brent Cruz, who is wanted in connection with a homicide investigation from 2022 and didn't appear for the trial.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740681835763.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cruz was charged&nbsp;with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection to the shooting death of 31-year-old&nbsp;Nyron Bowen&nbsp;on April 24, 2022, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.&nbsp; Cruz met the requirement of $500,000 bond and was no longer in police custody.He has previous convictions for aggravated robbery, robbery, theft and aggravated escape from custody, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.If you know his whereabouts, please call 911 immediately or contact WPD Detectives at 316-268-4407.

Search continues for Kansas homicide suspect

DEKALB COUNTY, Missouri—One person died in a house fire Sunday in Cameron, Missouri.

Just before 4p.m. Sunday, police along with fire crews and EMS responded to 911 call for a fire in a home at 424 N. Nettleton Street in Cameron, according to a media release from Cameron Police.&nbsp;

The caller indicated a possible victim trapped inside the home. Another caller reported hearing an explosion within the home.

Cameron Police were first to arrive and observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the front porch area of the home. During this time, a good Samaritan was able to break a window and rescue a child from inside the home.&nbsp;

Despite the swift response and efforts from Cameron Fire crews, the home became fully engulfed. There was one fatality. Police have not released the name or additional details on the victim. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Missouri State Fire Marshal's office with assistance from the Cameron Police Detectives.&nbsp; Cameron is located approximately 45 minutes north of Kansas City, Missouri.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752487414987.png" alt="Photo by Ale Espinosa courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Ale Espinosa courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>DEKALB COUNTY, Missouri—One person died in a house fire Sunday in Cameron, Missouri.Just before 4p.m. Sunday, police along with fire crews and EMS responded to 911 call for a fire in a home at 424 N. Nettleton Street in Cameron, according to a media release from Cameron Police.&nbsp;The caller indicated a possible victim trapped inside the home. Another caller reported hearing an explosion within the home.Cameron Police were first to arrive and observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the front porch area of the home. During this time, a good Samaritan was able to break a window and rescue a child from inside the home.&nbsp;Despite the swift response and efforts from Cameron Fire crews, the home became fully engulfed. There was one fatality. Police have not released the name or additional details on the victim. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Missouri State Fire Marshal's office with assistance from the Cameron Police Detectives.&nbsp; Cameron is located approximately 45 minutes north of Kansas City, Missouri.

1 dead, Good Samaritan rescues child from house fire

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transition-ukraine-russia-war-kellogg-68b413ecde625f6643aebe5759a752e7">retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg</a>, arrived in Kyiv on Monday, a senior Ukrainian official said, as anticipation grew over a possible shift in the Trump administration’s policy on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">more than three-year war</a>.

Trump last week teased that he would make a “major statement” on Russia on Monday. Trump made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-633a216d0506c82353fc7745b69c0fe0">quickly stopping the war</a>&nbsp;one of his diplomatic priorities, and he has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-ukraine-not-happy-weapons-pause-51b774fc94f9835c7aae4707da444291">increasingly expressed frustration</a>&nbsp;about Russian President Vladimir&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-peace-talks-istanbul-7cafd1b233b30de0c9683aaa2b042212">Putin’s unbudging stance</a>&nbsp;on U.S-led peace efforts.

Trump has long boasted of his friendly relationship with Putin and after taking office in January repeatedly said that Russia was more willing than Ukraine to reach a peace deal. At the same time, Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war and called him a “dictator without elections.”

But Russia’s relentless onslaught against civilian areas of Ukraine wore down Trump’s patience. In April, Trump urged Putin to “STOP!” launching deadly barrages on Kyiv, and the following month said in a social media post that the Russian leader “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-1f2d99bbc4fa9c4bfcc84b50c94ca578">has gone absolutely CRAZY</a>!” as the bombardments continued.

“I am very disappointed with President Putin, I thought he was somebody that meant what he said," Trump said late Sunday. "He’ll talk so beautifully and then he’ll bomb people at night. We don’t like that.”

Trump confirmed the U.S. is sending Ukraine badly needed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-patriot-missile-system-explainer-b16125509161de8a7a3b4c38022534c7">U.S.-made Patriot air defense missiles</a>&nbsp;to help it fend off Russia’s intensifying aerial attacks.

Trump said that the European Union will pay the U.S. for the “various pieces of very sophisticated” weaponry it is sending.

However, the EU is not allowed under its treaties to buy weapons. EU member countries are buying and sending weapons to Ukraine, just as NATO member countries are buying and sending weapons. EU countries set up the European Peace Facility so that countries which supply arms to Ukraine could be refunded to backfill their own stocks.

Russia has pounded Ukrainian cities,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-record-drone-attack-ukraine-war-fe3d23673b9b5696bb5097def9ed0775">including the capital, Kyiv</a>, with hundreds of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles that Ukraine's air defenses are struggling to counter. June brought the highest monthly civilian casualties of the past three years, with 232 people killed and 1,343 wounded, the U.N. human rights mission in Ukraine said Thursday. Russia launched 10 times more drones and missiles in June than in the same month last year, it said.

That has happened at the same time as Russia's bigger army is making&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-spring-fighting-offensive-ceasefire-talks-49ee814cc4a8416c444ab7deae42488c">a new effort</a>&nbsp;to drive back Ukrainian defenders on parts of the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line.

A top ally of Trump, Republican Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-d1ec6840d4452a0209403e4c4c3ef861">Lindsey Graham</a>&nbsp;of South Carolina, said Sunday that the conflict is nearing an inflection point as Trump shows growing interest in helping Ukraine fight back against Russia's full-scale invasion. It’s a cause that Trump had previously dismissed as being a waste of U.S. taxpayer money.

“In the coming days, you’ll see weapons flowing at a record level to help Ukraine defend themselves,” Graham said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” He added: “One of the biggest miscalculations (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has made is to play Trump. And you just watch, in the coming days and weeks, there’s going to be a massive effort to get Putin to the table.”

Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy for international investment who took part in talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia in February, dismissed what he said were efforts to drive a wedge between Moscow and Washington.

“Constructive dialogue between Russia and the United States is more effective than doomed-to-fail attempts at pressure,” Dmitriev said in a post on Telegram. “This dialogue will continue, despite titanic efforts to disrupt it by all possible means.”

“Equal dialogue, mutual respect, realism and economic cooperation are the foundations of global security,” he added, echoing comments by Putin.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was due in Washington on Monday and Tuesday. He planned to hold talks with Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as members of Congress.

Talks during Kellogg’s visit to Kyiv will cover “defense, strengthening security, weapons, sanctions, protection of our people and enhancing cooperation between Ukraine and the United States,” said the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Andrii Yermak.

“Russia does not want a cease fire. Peace through strength is President Donald Trump’s principle, and we support this approach,” Yermak said.

Russian troops conducted a combined aerial strike at Shostka, in the northern Sumy region of Ukraine, using glide bombs and drones early Monday morning, killing two people, the regional prosecutor’s office said. Four others were injured, including a 7-year-old, it said.

Overnight from Sunday to Monday, Russia fired four S-300/400 missiles and 136 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine, the air force said. It said that 61 drones were intercepted and 47 more were either jammed or lost from radars mid-flight.

The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its air defenses downed 11 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions on the border with Ukraine, as well as over the annexed Crimea and the Black Sea.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transition-ukraine-russia-war-kellogg-68b413ecde625f6643aebe5759a752e7">retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg</a>, arrived in Kyiv on Monday, a senior Ukrainian official said, as anticipation grew over a possible shift in the Trump administration’s policy on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">more than three-year war</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on Patriot missile defenses for Ukraine: &quot;The European Union is paying for it. We&#39;re not paying anything for it. We will send it. It&#39;ll be business for us.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/0kkfvL7UZC">pic.twitter.com/0kkfvL7UZC</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1944546839987958042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump last week teased that he would make a “major statement” on Russia on Monday. Trump made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-633a216d0506c82353fc7745b69c0fe0">quickly stopping the war</a>&nbsp;one of his diplomatic priorities, and he has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-ukraine-not-happy-weapons-pause-51b774fc94f9835c7aae4707da444291">increasingly expressed frustration</a>&nbsp;about Russian President Vladimir&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-peace-talks-istanbul-7cafd1b233b30de0c9683aaa2b042212">Putin’s unbudging stance</a>&nbsp;on U.S-led peace efforts.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I am very disappointed with President Putin. I thought he was somebody that meant what he said — and he&#39;ll talk so beautifully, then he&#39;ll bomb people at night. We don&#39;t like that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/9HaGgLiKEJ">pic.twitter.com/9HaGgLiKEJ</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1944549417266364443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump has long boasted of his friendly relationship with Putin and after taking office in January repeatedly said that Russia was more willing than Ukraine to reach a peace deal. At the same time, Trump accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war and called him a “dictator without elections.”But Russia’s relentless onslaught against civilian areas of Ukraine wore down Trump’s patience. In April, Trump urged Putin to “STOP!” launching deadly barrages on Kyiv, and the following month said in a social media post that the Russian leader “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-1f2d99bbc4fa9c4bfcc84b50c94ca578">has gone absolutely CRAZY</a>!” as the bombardments continued.“I am very disappointed with President Putin, I thought he was somebody that meant what he said," Trump said late Sunday. "He’ll talk so beautifully and then he’ll bomb people at night. We don’t like that.”<h2>The European Union can't buy weapons</h2>Trump confirmed the U.S. is sending Ukraine badly needed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-patriot-missile-system-explainer-b16125509161de8a7a3b4c38022534c7">U.S.-made Patriot air defense missiles</a>&nbsp;to help it fend off Russia’s intensifying aerial attacks.Trump said that the European Union will pay the U.S. for the “various pieces of very sophisticated” weaponry it is sending.However, the EU is not allowed under its treaties to buy weapons. EU member countries are buying and sending weapons to Ukraine, just as NATO member countries are buying and sending weapons. EU countries set up the European Peace Facility so that countries which supply arms to Ukraine could be refunded to backfill their own stocks.Russia has pounded Ukrainian cities,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-record-drone-attack-ukraine-war-fe3d23673b9b5696bb5097def9ed0775">including the capital, Kyiv</a>, with hundreds of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles that Ukraine's air defenses are struggling to counter. June brought the highest monthly civilian casualties of the past three years, with 232 people killed and 1,343 wounded, the U.N. human rights mission in Ukraine said Thursday. Russia launched 10 times more drones and missiles in June than in the same month last year, it said.That has happened at the same time as Russia's bigger army is making&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-spring-fighting-offensive-ceasefire-talks-49ee814cc4a8416c444ab7deae42488c">a new effort</a>&nbsp;to drive back Ukrainian defenders on parts of the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line.<h2>Trump ally says war at inflection point</h2>A top ally of Trump, Republican Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-d1ec6840d4452a0209403e4c4c3ef861">Lindsey Graham</a>&nbsp;of South Carolina, said Sunday that the conflict is nearing an inflection point as Trump shows growing interest in helping Ukraine fight back against Russia's full-scale invasion. It’s a cause that Trump had previously dismissed as being a waste of U.S. taxpayer money.“In the coming days, you’ll see weapons flowing at a record level to help Ukraine defend themselves,” Graham said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” He added: “One of the biggest miscalculations (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has made is to play Trump. And you just watch, in the coming days and weeks, there’s going to be a massive effort to get Putin to the table.”Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy for international investment who took part in talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia in February, dismissed what he said were efforts to drive a wedge between Moscow and Washington.“Constructive dialogue between Russia and the United States is more effective than doomed-to-fail attempts at pressure,” Dmitriev said in a post on Telegram. “This dialogue will continue, despite titanic efforts to disrupt it by all possible means.”“Equal dialogue, mutual respect, realism and economic cooperation are the foundations of global security,” he added, echoing comments by Putin.<h2>NATO chief visits Washington</h2>NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was due in Washington on Monday and Tuesday. He planned to hold talks with Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as members of Congress.Talks during Kellogg’s visit to Kyiv will cover “defense, strengthening security, weapons, sanctions, protection of our people and enhancing cooperation between Ukraine and the United States,” said the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Andrii Yermak.“Russia does not want a cease fire. Peace through strength is President Donald Trump’s principle, and we support this approach,” Yermak said.Russian troops conducted a combined aerial strike at Shostka, in the northern Sumy region of Ukraine, using glide bombs and drones early Monday morning, killing two people, the regional prosecutor’s office said. Four others were injured, including a 7-year-old, it said.Overnight from Sunday to Monday, Russia fired four S-300/400 missiles and 136 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine, the air force said. It said that 61 drones were intercepted and 47 more were either jammed or lost from radars mid-flight.The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its air defenses downed 11 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions on the border with Ukraine, as well as over the annexed Crimea and the Black Sea.

🎥Trump rips Putin, suggests a shift in policy on war in Ukraine

BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating the cause of a fatal crash that occurred just after 4:30p.m. Saturday in El Dorado.

A vehicle driven by a 53-year-old woman was traveling at the intersection of Taylor Street and Locust Avenue in El Dorado. The vehicle struck an power pole, according to El Dorado police.

&nbsp;A 61-year-old male passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene.

First responders extracted the driver from the vehicle. EMS transported her and a 40-year-old male passenger to an area hospital.&nbsp; Police did not release names of the victims.

BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating the cause of a fatal crash that occurred just after 4:30p.m. Saturday in El Dorado.A vehicle driven by a 53-year-old woman was traveling at the intersection of Taylor Street and Locust Avenue in El Dorado. The vehicle struck an power pole, according to El Dorado police.&nbsp;A 61-year-old male passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene.First responders extracted the driver from the vehicle. EMS transported her and a 40-year-old male passenger to an area hospital.&nbsp; Police did not release names of the victims.

Man dead, 2 hospitalized after car struck power pole

KANSAS CITY—Officials are investigating the cause of a fire in a high rise building in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 6:30a.m. Saturday, the Kansas City Missouri Fire Department responded to a reported "high rise" fire in the 900 block of Grand, according to to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan. It was later identified as the&nbsp; former Federal Reserve Bank building.

After gaining entrance to the secured building, crews encountered heavy smoke conditions, along with fire on the 1st floor. An offensive attack was initiated, the fire was extinguished with two handlines and a booster line. 

Searches were conducted on all floors and came back all clear. While searching the upper floors of the building, heavy smoke conditions were found, but no fire. During overhaul operations, hot spots and small fires on the 1st floor were exposed and quickly extinguished, followed by the ventilation of smoke from the building. There were no injuries reported.

Just before 1:30p.m. Saturday, the KCFD responded to a reported high-rise fire in the 700 block of East 8th Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Nolan.

 The fire was reported to be on the 15th floor. The first "fire attack group" was assigned and investigated, finding heavy smoke and fire in a single unit. They were quickly able to extinguish the fire and begin overhaul operations to ensure there were no further hazards. Searches were conducted on all floors and came back all clear. Crews ventilated smoke from the building allowing the residents to return to their units once completed.&nbsp; No injuries were reported at this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752355385180.png" alt="Photos KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Photos KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Officials are investigating the cause of a fire in a high rise building in Kansas City, Missouri.Just after 6:30a.m. Saturday, the Kansas City Missouri Fire Department responded to a reported "high rise" fire in the 900 block of Grand, according to to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan. It was later identified as the&nbsp; former Federal Reserve Bank building.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752355359847.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>After gaining entrance to the secured building, crews encountered heavy smoke conditions, along with fire on the 1st floor. An offensive attack was initiated, the fire was extinguished with two handlines and a booster line. Searches were conducted on all floors and came back all clear. While searching the upper floors of the building, heavy smoke conditions were found, but no fire. During overhaul operations, hot spots and small fires on the 1st floor were exposed and quickly extinguished, followed by the ventilation of smoke from the building. There were no injuries reported.Just before 1:30p.m. Saturday, the KCFD responded to a reported high-rise fire in the 700 block of East 8th Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Nolan.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752370499768.png" alt="Photo KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure> The fire was reported to be on the 15th floor. The first "fire attack group" was assigned and investigated, finding heavy smoke and fire in a single unit. They were quickly able to extinguish the fire and begin overhaul operations to ensure there were no further hazards. Searches were conducted on all floors and came back all clear. Crews ventilated smoke from the building allowing the residents to return to their units once completed.&nbsp; No injuries were reported at this incident.

2 fires in high rise buildings in Kansas City under investigation

OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.

Just after 7a.m.n July 9,&nbsp; the Osage County Sheriff’s Office conducted a narcotic search warrant in the 300 block of Holliday Street in Osage City, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. Two subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on suspicion of the following charges:

Noah D. Powell, 31, and Tyeler L. Miller, 29, both of Osage City are being held on requested charges of&nbsp;Distribution on marijuana, Possession of cocaine. Possession of drug paraphernalia and No drug tax stamp.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752025739824.png" alt="Miller photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Miller photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.Just after 7a.m.n July 9,&nbsp; the Osage County Sheriff’s Office conducted a narcotic search warrant in the 300 block of Holliday Street in Osage City, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. Two subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on suspicion of the following charges:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752025759441.png" alt="Powell photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Powell photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>Noah D. Powell, 31, and Tyeler L. Miller, 29, both of Osage City are being held on requested charges of&nbsp;Distribution on marijuana, Possession of cocaine. Possession of drug paraphernalia and No drug tax stamp.

Sheriff: 2 Kansas men had cocaine and were selling  marijuana

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an investigation in southwest Kansas.

On July 9, the Finney County Sheriff’s Office / Garden City Police Department Joint Drug Task Force served a search warrant of an apartment located in the 1800 block of W. Kansas Ave in Garden City, KS. This search warrant stemmed from an investigation into the activities of one of the residents identified as 62-year-old Pedro Rodriguez.

The search of the residence resulted in the location and seizure of approximately 262.61 grams of suspected cocaine located in multiple bags, numerous items known to be associated with the distribution of illegal substances, and a significant amount of cash.

Rodriguez was arrested and is being held in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Distribution of Opiates; 100 grams &lt; Kilogram, Aggravated Child Endangerment, No Drug Tax Stamp and Violate offender registration act.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752194633938.png" alt="Rodriguez-photo Finney County" />
 <figcaption>Rodriguez-photo Finney County</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after an investigation in southwest Kansas.On July 9, the Finney County Sheriff’s Office / Garden City Police Department Joint Drug Task Force served a search warrant of an apartment located in the 1800 block of W. Kansas Ave in Garden City, KS. This search warrant stemmed from an investigation into the activities of one of the residents identified as 62-year-old Pedro Rodriguez.The search of the residence resulted in the location and seizure of approximately 262.61 grams of suspected cocaine located in multiple bags, numerous items known to be associated with the distribution of illegal substances, and a significant amount of cash.Rodriguez was arrested and is being held in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Distribution of Opiates; 100 grams &lt; Kilogram, Aggravated Child Endangerment, No Drug Tax Stamp and Violate offender registration act.

Police: SW Kansas man accused of selling cocaine

KANSAS CITY— The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium is mourning the loss of a popular orangutan.

&nbsp;Rufus, a 36-year-old male Bornean orangutan, who had lived at the Zoo more than two decades, passed away peacefully on Saturday due to a chronic heart condition, according to a media release from the zoo.

Rufus was born at Utah's Hogle Zoo in 1988 and arrived in Kansas City in May 2003. He was a subadult at that time, but eventually grew the large cheek flanges that are an identifying feature of adult male orangutans. Rufus had a heart condition that the Zoo's veterinary health team had been treating and monitoring for many years. 

Through the strong relationship he had with his animal care specialists, Rufus was trained with positive reinforcement to voluntarily participate in ultrasounds of his heart and blood sampling. Due to this outstanding care, which allowed the diagnosis and treatment of his condition, Rufus lived years beyond what was originally expected when diagnosed. Though the species is solitary by nature, Rufus did find companionship with Jill, the oldest female orangutan at the Zoo. He never had offspring of his own but was a father figure and playmate to Josie and Kalijon in their younger years. 

Rufus was quite particular and made his unique preferences known, an endearing part of his personality for his caregivers. He had an appreciation for tidy spaces and loved to be outdoors, even if it was a little chilly or hot outside. Animal care specialists say he was cautious, but earning his trust was well worth the wait. 

Though perhaps biased, some Zoo staff considered him the most handsome of all orangutans. Staff and guests alike will greatly miss this smart fellow who defied the odds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752447182178.png" alt="Rufus photo courtesy Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium" />
 <figcaption>Rufus photo courtesy Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY— The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium is mourning the loss of a popular orangutan.&nbsp;Rufus, a 36-year-old male Bornean orangutan, who had lived at the Zoo more than two decades, passed away peacefully on Saturday due to a chronic heart condition, according to a media release from the zoo.Rufus was born at Utah's Hogle Zoo in 1988 and arrived in Kansas City in May 2003. He was a subadult at that time, but eventually grew the large cheek flanges that are an identifying feature of adult male orangutans. Rufus had a heart condition that the Zoo's veterinary health team had been treating and monitoring for many years. Through the strong relationship he had with his animal care specialists, Rufus was trained with positive reinforcement to voluntarily participate in ultrasounds of his heart and blood sampling. Due to this outstanding care, which allowed the diagnosis and treatment of his condition, Rufus lived years beyond what was originally expected when diagnosed. Though the species is solitary by nature, Rufus did find companionship with Jill, the oldest female orangutan at the Zoo. He never had offspring of his own but was a father figure and playmate to Josie and Kalijon in their younger years. Rufus was quite particular and made his unique preferences known, an endearing part of his personality for his caregivers. He had an appreciation for tidy spaces and loved to be outdoors, even if it was a little chilly or hot outside. Animal care specialists say he was cautious, but earning his trust was well worth the wait. Though perhaps biased, some Zoo staff considered him the most handsome of all orangutans. Staff and guests alike will greatly miss this smart fellow who defied the odds.

KC Zoo and Aquarium mourning the loss of popular orangutan 

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The lead prosecutor tasked with finding justice for four University of Idaho students killed in a grisly quadruple stabbing more than two years ago laid out his key evidence last week at a court hearing for Bryan Kohberger, who agreed to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty.

The evidentiary summary — recited by lead prosecutor Bill Thompson before Kohberger entered his pleas — spun a dramatic tale that included a DNA-laden Q-tip plucked from the garbage in the dead of the night, a getaway car stripped so clean of evidence that it was “essentially disassembled inside” and a fateful early-morning Door Dash order that may have put one of the victims in Kohberger’s path.

These details offered new insights into how the crime unfolded on Nov. 13, 2022, and how investigators ultimately solved the case using surveillance footage, cell phone tracking and DNA matching. But the synopsis leaves hanging key questions that could have been answered at trial — including a motive for the stabbings and why Kohberger picked that house, and those victims, all apparent strangers to him.

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

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moscow-idaho-boise-university-of-d0ed74d74bd11f3c58e5f78ea52a0b6c">The small farming community</a>&nbsp;of Moscow, in the northern Idaho panhandle, had not had a homicide in about five years when Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen were found dead at a rental home near campus.

Kohberger, now 30, had begun a doctoral degree in criminal justice at nearby Washington State University — across the state line from Moscow, Idaho — months before the crimes.

“The defendant has studied crime,” Thompson said, as the victims’ family members dabbed at their tears. “In fact, he did a detailed paper on crime scene processing when he was working on his Ph.D., and he had that knowledge skillset.”

Kohberger’s cell phone began connecting with cell towers in the area of the crime more than four months before the stabbings, Thompson said, and pinged on those towers 23 times between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. in that time period.

A compilation of surveillance videos from neighbors and businesses also placed Kohberger’s vehicle — known to investigators because of a routine traffic stop by police in August — in the area.

On the night of the killings, Kohberger parked behind the house and entered through a sliding door to the kitchen at the back of the house shortly after 4 a.m., Thompson said. He moved to the third floor, where Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were sleeping.

After killing both of them with a knife, Kohberger left a knife sheath next to Mogen’s body. Both victims’ blood was later found on the sheath, along with DNA from a single male that ultimately helped investigators pinpoint Kohberger as the only suspect.

On the floor below, another student was still awake. Xana Kernodle had ordered Door Dash not long before, and as Kohberger was leaving, he crossed paths with her and killed her with a large knife, Thompson said. He then killed her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, who was sleeping in Kernodle’s bedroom.

Kohberger left two others in the house alive, including one roommate who was expected to testify at trial that sometime before 4:19 a.m. she saw an intruder there with “bushy eyebrows,” wearing black clothing and a ski mask.

Roughly five minutes later, the car could be seen on the next-door neighbor’s surveillance camera. speeding away so fast “the car almost loses control as it makes the corner,” Thompson said.

After Kohberger fled the scene, Thompson said, his cover-up was elaborate.

Prosecutors believe he drove backroads to his apartment in Pullman, Washington, to avoid surveillance cameras on the major roads and didn’t turn his cell phone back on until 4:48 a.m. By 5:26 a.m., he was back in Pullman, Thompson said.

Later, Kohberger changed his car registration from Pennsylvania to Washington State — significant for investigators who were combing through surveillance camera footage because Pennsylvania law doesn’t require a front license plate, making it harder to identify the vehicle.

And by the time investigators did catch up with him weeks later, his apartment and office in nearby Pullman were scrubbed clean.

“Spartan would be a kind characterization. There was nothing there, nothing of evidentiary value was found,” Thompson said of Kohberger’s apartment.

The car, too, “had been essentially disassembled inside,” he added. “It was spotless. The defendant’s car had been meticulously cleaned inside.”

Investigators had honed in on Kohberger, but they needed to prove he was their suspect.

With the DNA of a single mystery male on the knife sheath, they worked with the FBI and the local sanitation department to secretly retrieve garbage from the Pennsylvania home of Kohberger’s parents, seeking a DNA match to their suspect.

“They conducted what’s called a trash pull during the nighttime hours,” Thompson said, and “took trash that had been set out on the street for collection” and sent it to Idaho’s forensics lab.

The pile of garbage yielded investigative gold: A Q-tip that contained DNA identified “as coming from the father of the person whose DNA was found on the knife sheath that was found by Madison Mogen’s body on the bed,” he said.

With that, Kohberger was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania, where he had gone for the holidays, and ultimately was extradited to Idaho for prosecution.

Even while prosecutors detailed that night, a key question remains: Why did Kohberger target that house and those victims? Did he know them? And what was his motive?

“We do not have evidence that the defendant had direct contact with 1122 or with residents in 1122, but we can put his phone in the area on those times,” Thompson said, referring to the house number where the murders took place.

Some of that evidence may have come out at trial, and may yet be contained in documents related to the case that have been sealed by the court until after a July 23 sentencing hearing. A gag order in place for all attorneys in the case is still in effect as well.

Those documents include witness lists, a list of exhibits, an analysis of the evidence, requests for additional discovery, filings about mitigating factors and various unsuccessful defense motions that sought to introduce alternative suspects, among other things.

The families of the victims are split over the plea deal

With the case solved, families remain divided over its resolution.

The deal stipulates that Kohberger will be spared execution in exchange for four consecutive life sentences. He also waived his right to appeal and to challenge the sentence.

Chapin’s and Mogen’s families support the deal.

“We now embark on a new path. We embark on a path of hope and healing,” Mogen’s family said in a statement.

The family of Kaylee Goncalves publicly denounced the plea deal ahead of Wednesday’s hearing and her father refused to attend the proceedings.

Goncalves 18-year-old sister, Aubrie Goncalves, said in a Facebook post that “Bryan Kohberger facing a life in prison means he would still get to speak, form relationships, and engage with the world.”

“Meanwhile, our loved ones have been silenced forever,” she wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751459170755.png" alt="Kohberger photo Ada Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Kohberger photo Ada Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The lead prosecutor tasked with finding justice for four University of Idaho students killed in a grisly quadruple stabbing more than two years ago laid out his key evidence last week at a court hearing for Bryan Kohberger, who agreed to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty.The evidentiary summary — recited by lead prosecutor Bill Thompson before Kohberger entered his pleas — spun a dramatic tale that included a DNA-laden Q-tip plucked from the garbage in the dead of the night, a getaway car stripped so clean of evidence that it was “essentially disassembled inside” and a fateful early-morning Door Dash order that may have put one of the victims in Kohberger’s path.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751479520041.png" alt="From top left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle." />
 <figcaption>From top left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.</figcaption>
 </figure>These details offered new insights into how the crime unfolded on Nov. 13, 2022, and how investigators ultimately solved the case using surveillance footage, cell phone tracking and DNA matching. But the synopsis leaves hanging key questions that could have been answered at trial — including a motive for the stabbings and why Kohberger picked that house, and those victims, all apparent strangers to him.<a href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23564673/122922-affidavit-exhibit-a-statement-of-brett-payne_redacted.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the full&nbsp;unsealed affidavit, which explains the basis for Kohberger's arrest.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moscow-idaho-boise-university-of-d0ed74d74bd11f3c58e5f78ea52a0b6c">The small farming community</a>&nbsp;of Moscow, in the northern Idaho panhandle, had not had a homicide in about five years when Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen were found dead at a rental home near campus.Kohberger, now 30, had begun a doctoral degree in criminal justice at nearby Washington State University — across the state line from Moscow, Idaho — months before the crimes.“The defendant has studied crime,” Thompson said, as the victims’ family members dabbed at their tears. “In fact, he did a detailed paper on crime scene processing when he was working on his Ph.D., and he had that knowledge skillset.”<h2>What we learned from the hearing</h2>Kohberger’s cell phone began connecting with cell towers in the area of the crime more than four months before the stabbings, Thompson said, and pinged on those towers 23 times between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. in that time period.A compilation of surveillance videos from neighbors and businesses also placed Kohberger’s vehicle — known to investigators because of a routine traffic stop by police in August — in the area.On the night of the killings, Kohberger parked behind the house and entered through a sliding door to the kitchen at the back of the house shortly after 4 a.m., Thompson said. He moved to the third floor, where Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were sleeping.After killing both of them with a knife, Kohberger left a knife sheath next to Mogen’s body. Both victims’ blood was later found on the sheath, along with DNA from a single male that ultimately helped investigators pinpoint Kohberger as the only suspect.On the floor below, another student was still awake. Xana Kernodle had ordered Door Dash not long before, and as Kohberger was leaving, he crossed paths with her and killed her with a large knife, Thompson said. He then killed her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, who was sleeping in Kernodle’s bedroom.Kohberger left two others in the house alive, including one roommate who was expected to testify at trial that sometime before 4:19 a.m. she saw an intruder there with “bushy eyebrows,” wearing black clothing and a ski mask.Roughly five minutes later, the car could be seen on the next-door neighbor’s surveillance camera. speeding away so fast “the car almost loses control as it makes the corner,” Thompson said.<h2>What did Kohberger do next?</h2>After Kohberger fled the scene, Thompson said, his cover-up was elaborate.Prosecutors believe he drove backroads to his apartment in Pullman, Washington, to avoid surveillance cameras on the major roads and didn’t turn his cell phone back on until 4:48 a.m. By 5:26 a.m., he was back in Pullman, Thompson said.Later, Kohberger changed his car registration from Pennsylvania to Washington State — significant for investigators who were combing through surveillance camera footage because Pennsylvania law doesn’t require a front license plate, making it harder to identify the vehicle.And by the time investigators did catch up with him weeks later, his apartment and office in nearby Pullman were scrubbed clean.“Spartan would be a kind characterization. There was nothing there, nothing of evidentiary value was found,” Thompson said of Kohberger’s apartment.The car, too, “had been essentially disassembled inside,” he added. “It was spotless. The defendant’s car had been meticulously cleaned inside.”<h2>The Q-tip that broke the case</h2>Investigators had honed in on Kohberger, but they needed to prove he was their suspect.With the DNA of a single mystery male on the knife sheath, they worked with the FBI and the local sanitation department to secretly retrieve garbage from the Pennsylvania home of Kohberger’s parents, seeking a DNA match to their suspect.“They conducted what’s called a trash pull during the nighttime hours,” Thompson said, and “took trash that had been set out on the street for collection” and sent it to Idaho’s forensics lab.The pile of garbage yielded investigative gold: A Q-tip that contained DNA identified “as coming from the father of the person whose DNA was found on the knife sheath that was found by Madison Mogen’s body on the bed,” he said.With that, Kohberger was arrested at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania, where he had gone for the holidays, and ultimately was extradited to Idaho for prosecution.<h2>The mysteries that remain</h2>Even while prosecutors detailed that night, a key question remains: Why did Kohberger target that house and those victims? Did he know them? And what was his motive?“We do not have evidence that the defendant had direct contact with 1122 or with residents in 1122, but we can put his phone in the area on those times,” Thompson said, referring to the house number where the murders took place.Some of that evidence may have come out at trial, and may yet be contained in documents related to the case that have been sealed by the court until after a July 23 sentencing hearing. A gag order in place for all attorneys in the case is still in effect as well.Those documents include witness lists, a list of exhibits, an analysis of the evidence, requests for additional discovery, filings about mitigating factors and various unsuccessful defense motions that sought to introduce alternative suspects, among other things.<h2>The families of the victims are split over the plea deal</h2>With the case solved, families remain divided over its resolution.The deal stipulates that Kohberger will be spared execution in exchange for four consecutive life sentences. He also waived his right to appeal and to challenge the sentence.Chapin’s and Mogen’s families support the deal.“We now embark on a new path. We embark on a path of hope and healing,” Mogen’s family said in a statement.The family of Kaylee Goncalves publicly denounced the plea deal ahead of Wednesday’s hearing and her father refused to attend the proceedings.Goncalves 18-year-old sister, Aubrie Goncalves, said in a Facebook post that “Bryan Kohberger facing a life in prison means he would still get to speak, form relationships, and engage with the world.”“Meanwhile, our loved ones have been silenced forever,” she wrote.

Q-tip and spotless car: Key evidence linking suspect to murders of 4 Idaho students

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/dee-ann-durbin">DEE-ANN DURBIN</a>

Millions of U.S. workers who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-tax-tips-trump-workers-restaurants-182a89e3dc5c1da51fcd3ad1aadc571f">earn tips</a>&nbsp;and overtime pay may be eligible for a federal tax break when they file their 2025 income taxes next year.

But which workers will qualify for the new deductions is among the details the government has to work out after President Donald Trump’s signature spending and policy package won final&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-beautiful-gop-taxes-ced365c347de9320eef2ccb8df16dda2">congressional approval</a>.

Under the bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">Trump signed into law</a>&nbsp;on July 4, the U.S. Treasury Department must publish a list by Oct. 2 of occupations that qualify for tax-free tips. The department is also expected to publish guidance on how to report tips and overtime pay, and what documentation will be required.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-tax-on-tips-things-to-know-budget-bill-02b9d99dbe17cef93a81bc0cbb2cffcb">deduction provisions</a>&nbsp;are not permanent but were written to expire after the 2028 tax year.

Overtime pay isn’t currently separated out on an employee’s W-2 tax form, for example, but employers generally keep track of it and itemize it on employees’ pay stubs, said Miguel Burgos, a certified public accountant with TurboTax.

Employers should continue to withhold taxes while waiting for guidance, Burgos said. The bill doesn’t apply to state and local taxes or to federal payroll taxes, which help fund&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-big-bill-tax-social-security-adea287e00c7c553f69f3667d3ef78cc">Social Security</a>&nbsp;and Medicare.

Here’s what we know about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-trump-tips-taxes-pay-workers-election-9ed6e049a53b1943471ce2b6479b9ffb">tax-free tips</a>&nbsp;and overtime:

Who is expected to qualify for tax-free tips?

The bill says eligible workers are those who already regularly received tips before December 2024. In the restaurant industry alone, there are 2.1 million tipped servers and bartenders, according to the National Restaurant Association.

Barbers, hairdressers, nail technicians and delivery drivers are also expected to be included. Workers must include a Social Security number when they file their taxes to be eligible, and a spouse’s Social Security number if they’re married and filing jointly.

How much will eligible workers be able to deduct?

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752371084421.jpg" alt="Image Pixab" />
 <figcaption>Image Pixab</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/dee-ann-durbin">DEE-ANN DURBIN</a>Millions of U.S. workers who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-tax-tips-trump-workers-restaurants-182a89e3dc5c1da51fcd3ad1aadc571f">earn tips</a>&nbsp;and overtime pay may be eligible for a federal tax break when they file their 2025 income taxes next year.But which workers will qualify for the new deductions is among the details the government has to work out after President Donald Trump’s signature spending and policy package won final&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-big-beautiful-gop-taxes-ced365c347de9320eef2ccb8df16dda2">congressional approval</a>.Under the bill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">Trump signed into law</a>&nbsp;on July 4, the U.S. Treasury Department must publish a list by Oct. 2 of occupations that qualify for tax-free tips. The department is also expected to publish guidance on how to report tips and overtime pay, and what documentation will be required.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-tax-on-tips-things-to-know-budget-bill-02b9d99dbe17cef93a81bc0cbb2cffcb">deduction provisions</a>&nbsp;are not permanent but were written to expire after the 2028 tax year.Overtime pay isn’t currently separated out on an employee’s W-2 tax form, for example, but employers generally keep track of it and itemize it on employees’ pay stubs, said Miguel Burgos, a certified public accountant with TurboTax.Employers should continue to withhold taxes while waiting for guidance, Burgos said. The bill doesn’t apply to state and local taxes or to federal payroll taxes, which help fund&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-big-bill-tax-social-security-adea287e00c7c553f69f3667d3ef78cc">Social Security</a>&nbsp;and Medicare.Here’s what we know about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-trump-tips-taxes-pay-workers-election-9ed6e049a53b1943471ce2b6479b9ffb">tax-free tips</a>&nbsp;and overtime:<h2>Who is expected to qualify for tax-free tips?</h2>The bill says eligible workers are those who already regularly received tips before December 2024. In the restaurant industry alone, there are 2.1 million tipped servers and bartenders, according to the National Restaurant Association.Barbers, hairdressers, nail technicians and delivery drivers are also expected to be included. Workers must include a Social Security number when they file their taxes to be eligible, and a spouse’s Social Security number if they’re married and filing jointly.<h2>How much will eligible workers be able to deduct?</h2>Workers will be able to deduct up to $25,000 in tips if they make less than $150,000 (or $300,000 if they’re married and filing jointly). The amount workers can deduct is reduced by $100 for every $1,000 they make over $150,000.<h2>Who will see the most benefit from not paying federal taxes on tips?</h2>The change will not affect around 40% of tipped workers since they already pay little to no income tax, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. The other 60% of tipped workers are expected to see an average tax cut of $1,800 per year.<h2>What kinds of tips will be counted?</h2>Both cash tips and credit cards are included. Tips pooled together and then distributed to a restaurant’s employees are also included, although servers may be less inclined to participate in tip pooling now that they are eligible for a tax deduction. Service charges – such as an automatic gratuity for a large party – aren’t included because the bill makes clear that eligible tips must be “paid voluntarily.”<h2>Who will be eligible for tax-free overtime?</h2>The Budget Lab at Yale estimates that 8% of U.S. hourly workers and 4% of salaried workers are regularly paid overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which requires overtime pay of at least time and a half once employees have worked 40 hours in a week. People working in many jobs, including clergy, teachers and executives, are exempt from federal overtime rules.<h2>How much in overtime can workers deduct from their federal taxes?</h2>Workers can deduct up to $12,500 in overtime (or up to $25,000 in a joint return). Like the tip measure, the amount workers can deduct is reduced if they make more than $150,000. And they must include a Social Security number when they file.<h2>How much of a tax cut is an overtime deduction likely to yield?</h2>The average worker is expected to see a tax cut of between $1,400 and $1,750 per year, according to the White House Council of Economic Advisers.