KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces felony charges in connection with a fatal shooting that took place near Grandview, Missouri earlier this month.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2685/Goetz-REDACT-COMP">K’Von Goetz</a>, 20, faces 2nd Degree Murder, three counts of Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 1st Degree Assault according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

On July 10, a<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2686/KVon-Goetz---PC-StatementRedacted">ccording to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched on a reported shooting and located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the victims was confirmed deceased on the scene and the other was taken to an area hospital.&nbsp;

Detectives were able to connect the defendant to the shooting based on traffic cameras and witness reports. They were able to determine that Goetz was in an argument that led to two individuals being shot.&nbsp;

The defendant is being held on a $150,000 bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753372642378.png" alt="Goetz photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Goetz photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces felony charges in connection with a fatal shooting that took place near Grandview, Missouri earlier this month.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2685/Goetz-REDACT-COMP">K’Von Goetz</a>, 20, faces 2nd Degree Murder, three counts of Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 1st Degree Assault according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.On July 10, a<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2686/KVon-Goetz---PC-StatementRedacted">ccording to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched on a reported shooting and located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the victims was confirmed deceased on the scene and the other was taken to an area hospital.&nbsp;Detectives were able to connect the defendant to the shooting based on traffic cameras and witness reports. They were able to determine that Goetz was in an argument that led to two individuals being shot.&nbsp;The defendant is being held on a $150,000 bond.&nbsp;

Court records: KC man killed victim during argument 

JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.

Just after 2p.m. July 22, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Chevrolet Trail Blazer for an alleged traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The traffic stop led to the discovery of illegal drug contraband.&nbsp; The driver, Billie Renee Chamberlin, 46, of Ottawa, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. &nbsp;Cale Len Pusch, 54, of Lecompton, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and&nbsp; criminal use of weapons.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753299759778.png" alt="Chamberlin -photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Chamberlin -photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.Just after 2p.m. July 22, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Chevrolet Trail Blazer for an alleged traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753299725930.png" alt="Pusch photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Pusch photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>The traffic stop led to the discovery of illegal drug contraband.&nbsp; The driver, Billie Renee Chamberlin, 46, of Ottawa, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. &nbsp;Cale Len Pusch, 54, of Lecompton, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and&nbsp; criminal use of weapons.

Kansas man accused of meth possession, weapons violation

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

&nbsp;TOPEKA — Black Hills Energy residential customers will see natural gas bills increase nearly $6 per month after state regulators approved a unanimous settlement agreement Thursday.&nbsp;

The increase is based on a residential average use of about 50 therms per month.

The Kansas Corporation Commission approved&nbsp;<a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S202506131332113129.pdf?Id=950c5caf-0aa0-4380-aca7-ce2fa3a3b137&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">the settlement agreement</a>&nbsp;that will increase base rates by $10.8 million, less than the $17.2 million the company initially requested.

Black Hills Energy provides natural gas services primarily to southwest and south-central Kansas customers. The new rates will go into effect August 1, a KCC press release said.&nbsp;

The settlement agreement included approval of Black Hills’ request to refund nearly $3 million in excess deferred income tax to customers and allows the company to file an abbreviated rate case later this year to recover capital investments, the press release said.&nbsp;

In testimony filed in the rate case, Black Hills Energy officials said the company has experienced declining natural gas usage per customer since its last rate case filed in 2021.&nbsp;

Robert Daniel, Black Hills director of regulatory affairs for Kansas and Arkansas, testified the company had one new revenue increase in the past decade. He said a 2014 rate case resulted in about $800,000 in new revenue and a 2021 rate case brought no new revenue.

The settlement is a “black box” settlement, which means some items, such as capital structure, return on equity or overall rate of return, are not defined in the agreement, said Audrey Benham, regulatory accountant for the Citizen’s Utility Ratepayer Board. She filed documents for CURB in support of the agreement.

Other parties to the settlement agreement are KCC staff, Black Hills Energy, WoodRiver Energy, Kansas Municipal Energy Agency, Symmetry Energy, Freedom Pipeline and Seaboard Energy Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753559400888.png" alt=" The Kansas Corporation Commission’s three-member board approved a Black Hills Energy rate case on Thursday. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> The Kansas Corporation Commission’s three-member board approved a Black Hills Energy rate case on Thursday. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>&nbsp;TOPEKA — Black Hills Energy residential customers will see natural gas bills increase nearly $6 per month after state regulators approved a unanimous settlement agreement Thursday.&nbsp;The increase is based on a residential average use of about 50 therms per month.The Kansas Corporation Commission approved&nbsp;<a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S202506131332113129.pdf?Id=950c5caf-0aa0-4380-aca7-ce2fa3a3b137&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">the settlement agreement</a>&nbsp;that will increase base rates by $10.8 million, less than the $17.2 million the company initially requested.Black Hills Energy provides natural gas services primarily to southwest and south-central Kansas customers. The new rates will go into effect August 1, a KCC press release said.&nbsp;The settlement agreement included approval of Black Hills’ request to refund nearly $3 million in excess deferred income tax to customers and allows the company to file an abbreviated rate case later this year to recover capital investments, the press release said.&nbsp;In testimony filed in the rate case, Black Hills Energy officials said the company has experienced declining natural gas usage per customer since its last rate case filed in 2021.&nbsp;Robert Daniel, Black Hills director of regulatory affairs for Kansas and Arkansas, testified the company had one new revenue increase in the past decade. He said a 2014 rate case resulted in about $800,000 in new revenue and a 2021 rate case brought no new revenue.The settlement is a “black box” settlement, which means some items, such as capital structure, return on equity or overall rate of return, are not defined in the agreement, said Audrey Benham, regulatory accountant for the Citizen’s Utility Ratepayer Board. She filed documents for CURB in support of the agreement.Other parties to the settlement agreement are KCC staff, Black Hills Energy, WoodRiver Energy, Kansas Municipal Energy Agency, Symmetry Energy, Freedom Pipeline and Seaboard Energy Kansas.

Kansas regulators approve 9% rate increase for Black Hills Energy customers

It has been another busy week for Kansas Task Force 1 as they continue work following the deadly flooding earlier this month in Texas.

Office of the Kansas Fire Marshal released the latest details on their work.

On July 20, Kansas Task Force 1 spent the day closing out targeted searches. KS-TF1 was reassigned to work with Tennessee-TF2 and Alabama-TF2 in a new search area.

On July 21, KS-TF1 reported to their new Forward Operating Base and were assigned to work with Alabama-TF1 and Illinois-TF1, along with K9s from numerous states.

There were three operational boats, while the rescue teams spent most of the time on land. Areas were searched by Human Remains Detection K9s, and some targeted searches were identified that required divers to explore. 

On July 22, AL-TF1 was assigned to work with KS-TF1 in an area between two dams, one being approximately 30 feet tall, and the other was a drive bridge across the river. Road distance of the search area was seven miles, but river distance was closer to 10 miles. 

KS-TF1 operated in the water and on land and identified one targeted search area requiring K9 follow-up. Multiple trips were made from one end of the search area to the other end and back.

On July 23, KS-TF1 worked directly with the TX-TF1 Statewide Water Program Manager on a targeted search. A K9 from Missouri-TF1, the Search Team Manager from Ohio-TF1, a Skid steer team from TN-TF2, and some contracted heavy equipment operators all worked in unison with each other.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753451702619.png" alt="Photos Kansas Fire Marshal's office" />
 <figcaption>Photos Kansas Fire Marshal's office</figcaption>
 </figure>It has been another busy week for Kansas Task Force 1 as they continue work following the deadly flooding earlier this month in Texas.Office of the Kansas Fire Marshal released the latest details on their work.On July 20, Kansas Task Force 1 spent the day closing out targeted searches. KS-TF1 was reassigned to work with Tennessee-TF2 and Alabama-TF2 in a new search area.On July 21, KS-TF1 reported to their new Forward Operating Base and were assigned to work with Alabama-TF1 and Illinois-TF1, along with K9s from numerous states.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753451716302.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>There were three operational boats, while the rescue teams spent most of the time on land. Areas were searched by Human Remains Detection K9s, and some targeted searches were identified that required divers to explore. On July 22, AL-TF1 was assigned to work with KS-TF1 in an area between two dams, one being approximately 30 feet tall, and the other was a drive bridge across the river. Road distance of the search area was seven miles, but river distance was closer to 10 miles. KS-TF1 operated in the water and on land and identified one targeted search area requiring K9 follow-up. Multiple trips were made from one end of the search area to the other end and back.On July 23, KS-TF1 worked directly with the TX-TF1 Statewide Water Program Manager on a targeted search. A K9 from Missouri-TF1, the Search Team Manager from Ohio-TF1, a Skid steer team from TN-TF2, and some contracted heavy equipment operators all worked in unison with each other.&nbsp;

Busy week for Kansas swift-water rescue teams in Texas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is releasing billions of dollars in withheld grants for schools, the Education Department said Friday, ending weeks of uncertainty for educators around the country who rely on the money for English language instruction, adult literacy, and other programs.

President Donald Trump's administration had suspended more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-summer-school-english-language-grants-fac670e8f60fab397fbd68dfed866ea1">$6 billion in funding</a>&nbsp;on July 1, as part of a review to ensure spending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mental-health-grants-dei-26e421e2150c87baf7b9e8fcac701bfa">aligned with the White House’s priorities</a>.

The funding freeze had been challenged by several lawsuits as educators, Congress members from both parties and others called for the administration to release the money. Congress had appropriated the money in a bill signed this year by Trump.

Last week, the Education Department said it would release $1.3 billion of the money for after-school and summer programming. Without the money, school districts and nonprofits such as the YMCA and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boys-girls-club-trump-grant-freeze-6f5bd3204d2973784d466e3f0fdb38b4">Boys and Girls Club of America</a>&nbsp;had said they would have to close or scale back educational offerings this fall.

The Office of Management and Budget had completed its review of the programs and will begin sending the money to states next week, the Education Department said.

A group of 10 Republican senators on July 16 sent a letter imploring the administration to allow the frozen education money to be sent to states, saying the withheld money supported programs and services that are critical to local communities.

“The programs are ones that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support,” U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said Friday. She pointed to after-school and summer programs that allow parents to work while their children learn and classes that help adults gain new skills — contributing to local economies.

In withholding the funds, the Office of Management and Budget had said some of the programs supported a “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-grant-funding-immigration-093aa36735f5d50de7406ee8465e1729">radical leftwing agenda.</a>&nbsp;”

“We share your concern,” the GOP senators had written. “However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds.”

School superintendents had warned they would have to eliminate academic services without the money. On Friday, AASA, an association of superintendents, thanked members of Congress for pressing to release the money.

In Harford County, Maryland, some of the withheld federal money made up more than half the budget for the district’s annual summer camp for kids learning English. The money helps the district hire certified teachers to staff the camp, incorporating learning into children's play for four weeks during the summer. The program helps kids keep their English and academic momentum over the summer.

The district serves roughly 1,100 students who are non-native English speakers. Many of them are born in the U.S. to parents who came to the area seeking job opportunities, often in the restaurants and warehouses that have popped up in the past decades in the region northeast of Baltimore. During the school year, the soon-to-be-released federal money pays for tutors for kids learning English.

On Thursday, more than 350 children filled the second floor of Bel Air High School for the second-to-last day of summer camp. Young learners crowded around an alphabet wheel, jostling with each other to push each letter button as they thought of foods starting with letters from A to Z.

Middle school students watched a robotics team demonstration, and a few sheepishly raised their hands when asked if they would be interested in joining. High school student volunteers, some of whom had been campers learning English themselves not many years ago, helped the youngest children with art projects.

The uncertainty around the funding was an unnecessary distraction for schools, said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wa.

“Instead of spending the last many weeks figuring out how to improve after-school options and get our kids’ reading and math scores up, because of President Trump, communities across the country have been forced to spend their time cutting back on tutoring options and sorting out how many teachers they will have to lay off," Murray said.

The grants that were under review included $2 billion in grants for teachers’ professional development and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/teacher-shortage">efforts to reduce class size</a>; $1.3 billion for after-school and summer learning programs; $1 billion for academic enrichment grants, often used for science and math education and accelerated learning; $890 million for students who are learning English; $376 million to educate the children of migrant workers; and $715 million to teach adults how to read.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is releasing billions of dollars in withheld grants for schools, the Education Department said Friday, ending weeks of uncertainty for educators around the country who rely on the money for English language instruction, adult literacy, and other programs.President Donald Trump's administration had suspended more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-summer-school-english-language-grants-fac670e8f60fab397fbd68dfed866ea1">$6 billion in funding</a>&nbsp;on July 1, as part of a review to ensure spending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mental-health-grants-dei-26e421e2150c87baf7b9e8fcac701bfa">aligned with the White House’s priorities</a>.The funding freeze had been challenged by several lawsuits as educators, Congress members from both parties and others called for the administration to release the money. Congress had appropriated the money in a bill signed this year by Trump.Last week, the Education Department said it would release $1.3 billion of the money for after-school and summer programming. Without the money, school districts and nonprofits such as the YMCA and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boys-girls-club-trump-grant-freeze-6f5bd3204d2973784d466e3f0fdb38b4">Boys and Girls Club of America</a>&nbsp;had said they would have to close or scale back educational offerings this fall.The Office of Management and Budget had completed its review of the programs and will begin sending the money to states next week, the Education Department said.A group of 10 Republican senators on July 16 sent a letter imploring the administration to allow the frozen education money to be sent to states, saying the withheld money supported programs and services that are critical to local communities.“The programs are ones that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support,” U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said Friday. She pointed to after-school and summer programs that allow parents to work while their children learn and classes that help adults gain new skills — contributing to local economies.In withholding the funds, the Office of Management and Budget had said some of the programs supported a “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-grant-funding-immigration-093aa36735f5d50de7406ee8465e1729">radical leftwing agenda.</a>&nbsp;”“We share your concern,” the GOP senators had written. “However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds.”School superintendents had warned they would have to eliminate academic services without the money. On Friday, AASA, an association of superintendents, thanked members of Congress for pressing to release the money.In Harford County, Maryland, some of the withheld federal money made up more than half the budget for the district’s annual summer camp for kids learning English. The money helps the district hire certified teachers to staff the camp, incorporating learning into children's play for four weeks during the summer. The program helps kids keep their English and academic momentum over the summer.The district serves roughly 1,100 students who are non-native English speakers. Many of them are born in the U.S. to parents who came to the area seeking job opportunities, often in the restaurants and warehouses that have popped up in the past decades in the region northeast of Baltimore. During the school year, the soon-to-be-released federal money pays for tutors for kids learning English.On Thursday, more than 350 children filled the second floor of Bel Air High School for the second-to-last day of summer camp. Young learners crowded around an alphabet wheel, jostling with each other to push each letter button as they thought of foods starting with letters from A to Z.Middle school students watched a robotics team demonstration, and a few sheepishly raised their hands when asked if they would be interested in joining. High school student volunteers, some of whom had been campers learning English themselves not many years ago, helped the youngest children with art projects.The uncertainty around the funding was an unnecessary distraction for schools, said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wa.“Instead of spending the last many weeks figuring out how to improve after-school options and get our kids’ reading and math scores up, because of President Trump, communities across the country have been forced to spend their time cutting back on tutoring options and sorting out how many teachers they will have to lay off," Murray said.The grants that were under review included $2 billion in grants for teachers’ professional development and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/teacher-shortage">efforts to reduce class size</a>; $1.3 billion for after-school and summer learning programs; $1 billion for academic enrichment grants, often used for science and math education and accelerated learning; $890 million for students who are learning English; $376 million to educate the children of migrant workers; and $715 million to teach adults how to read.___

US Education Dept. to release contested K-12 funds

FINNEY COUNTY –A Kansas man is going to prison for killing a man at a party in Garden City.

This week, 21-year-old Fernando Sandoval was sentenced to 144 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery, according to the Finney County Attorney's office.

In August of 2024, police were dispatched to report of a stabbing in the 2600 block of Chainey Street in Garden City, according to a media release.

First responders found three people had been stabbed. The victims were transported to St. Catherine Hospital.&nbsp; One of the victims, identified as Xavier Castaneda, 20, later died.

Through a collaborative investigation by the GCPD and Finney County Sheriff’s Office, it was revealed that a fight broke out during a party and&nbsp; &nbsp;Sandoval stabbed the three victims.

Sandoval and 21-year-old&nbsp;Ximena Sanchez-Espinoza fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.

Sandoval and Sanchez-Espinoza were later located in Hugoton and taken into custody, with the assistance of the Hugoton Police Department and Dodge City Police Department. Sanchez-Exponoza, charged in the case, has a preliminary hearing scheduled for September.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722864997643.png" alt="Sandoval-photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Sandoval-photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY –A Kansas man is going to prison for killing a man at a party in Garden City.This week, 21-year-old Fernando Sandoval was sentenced to 144 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery, according to the Finney County Attorney's office.In August of 2024, police were dispatched to report of a stabbing in the 2600 block of Chainey Street in Garden City, according to a media release.First responders found three people had been stabbed. The victims were transported to St. Catherine Hospital.&nbsp; One of the victims, identified as Xavier Castaneda, 20, later died.Through a collaborative investigation by the GCPD and Finney County Sheriff’s Office, it was revealed that a fight broke out during a party and&nbsp; &nbsp;Sandoval stabbed the three victims.Sandoval and 21-year-old&nbsp;Ximena Sanchez-Espinoza fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.Sandoval and Sanchez-Espinoza were later located in Hugoton and taken into custody, with the assistance of the Hugoton Police Department and Dodge City Police Department. Sanchez-Exponoza, charged in the case, has a preliminary hearing scheduled for September.

Prison for deadly SW Kansas party killing

Early Friday in al Bab, Aleppo Governate, Syria, U.S. Forces conducted a raid resulting in the death of senior ISIS Leader, Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani, and his two adult ISIS-affiliated sons, Abdallah Dhiya al-Hardani and Abd al-Rahman Dhiya Zawba al-Hardani, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

These ISIS individuals posed a threat to US and Coalition Forces, as well as the new Syrian Government. Three women and three children were also on the target and were unharmed.

“We will continue to relentlessly pursue ISIS terrorists wherever they are. ISIS terrorists are not safe where they sleep, where they operate, and where they hide. Alongside our partners and allies, U.S.  Central Command is committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS terrorists that threaten the region, our allies, and our homeland,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, U.S. Central Command Commander.

Early Friday in al Bab, Aleppo Governate, Syria, U.S. Forces conducted a raid resulting in the death of senior ISIS Leader, Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani, and his two adult ISIS-affiliated sons, Abdallah Dhiya al-Hardani and Abd al-Rahman Dhiya Zawba al-Hardani, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.These ISIS individuals posed a threat to US and Coalition Forces, as well as the new Syrian Government. Three women and three children were also on the target and were unharmed.“We will continue to relentlessly pursue ISIS terrorists wherever they are. ISIS terrorists are not safe where they sleep, where they operate, and where they hide. Alongside our partners and allies, U.S. Central Command is committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS terrorists that threaten the region, our allies, and our homeland,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, U.S. Central Command Commander.

U.S. forces kill senior ISIS leader in Syria

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges in connection with a fatal shooting that took place in south Kansas City last week.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2675/ComplaintRedacted-WilliamsMarcus_Redacted">Marcus M. Williams</a>, 26,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2674/PCStatement-Redacted-WilliamsMarcus">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to an apartment in south Kansas City on July 15 on a reported shooting. The defendant opened the door of the apartment and police observed the victim lying on her back with blood coming from her head. When detectives interviewed the defendant, he said he and the victim were arguing and wrestling over a gun. He said that during the altercation, the victim fell to the ground and that his finger must have been on the trigger at some point as they were fighting. He said she never touched the firearm during the struggle. The gun went off and struck the victim in the head. He said he contacted the police after realizing what happened.&nbsp;

The defendant is in custody on a $200,000/10% bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753218985747.png" alt="Williams photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces charges in connection with a fatal shooting that took place in south Kansas City last week.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2675/ComplaintRedacted-WilliamsMarcus_Redacted">Marcus M. Williams</a>, 26,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2674/PCStatement-Redacted-WilliamsMarcus">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to an apartment in south Kansas City on July 15 on a reported shooting. The defendant opened the door of the apartment and police observed the victim lying on her back with blood coming from her head. When detectives interviewed the defendant, he said he and the victim were arguing and wrestling over a gun. He said that during the altercation, the victim fell to the ground and that his finger must have been on the trigger at some point as they were fighting. He said she never touched the firearm during the struggle. The gun went off and struck the victim in the head. He said he contacted the police after realizing what happened.&nbsp;The defendant is in custody on a $200,000/10% bond.&nbsp;

Police: KC man called police after shooting victim in the head

NEW YORK (AP) — Disgraced former U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-santos">George Santos</a>&nbsp;reported to a federal prison in New Jersey on Friday to begin serving a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-sentencing-prison-0961831af8870686853acb22d049c85e">seven-year sentence</a>&nbsp;for the fraud charges that got him ousted from Congress.

The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that the New York Republican was in custody at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in southern New Jersey.

Santos&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-plea-court-new-york-90741d068fd94090419fc0fd79be30cc">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing people’s identities in order to fund his congressional campaign.

His lawyer Joe Murray, when asked for comment Friday, responded with a brief, all-caps text: “FREE GEORGE SANTOS.”

The ever-online Santos, who turned 37 years old on Tuesday, hosted a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MrSantosNY/status/1948503762349301975">farewell party</a>&nbsp;for himself on the social media platform X on Thursday night.

“Well, darlings … The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed,” he&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MrSantosNY/status/1948529151541215324">wrote in a post</a>&nbsp;afterwards. “From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried … most days.”

Santos will serve his time in a minimum security camp at the all-male facility, which also includes a larger medium security prison, according to the Bureau of Prisons.

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSgDp8phTSI">Thursday interview</a>, he didn't name the prison where he was serving his sentence, but described the camp setting as a “big upgrade” from the medium-security lockup he was initially assigned to.

Among the other notable inmates serving time at Fairton is Lamor Miller-Whitehead. The Brooklyn preacher, known for his flashy lifestyle and friendship with New York City’ Mayor Eric Adams, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brooklyn-preacher-lamor-miller-whitehead-fraud-sentence-cc3e9994abf6533ceb1a3634e90fa068">sentenced to nine years</a>&nbsp;in prison last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brooklyn-preacher-lamor-miller-whitehead-fraud-trial-92168ead8fd37e8e101aedee86f3f010">for fraud</a>.

In April, a federal judge declined to give Santos a lighter two-year sentence that he sought, saying she was unconvinced he was truly remorseful. In the weeks before his sentencing, Santos said he was “profoundly sorry” for his crimes, but he also complained frequently that he was a victim of a political witch hunt and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-sentencing-prison-1a5f54eb7ba742e91cffef748e6b1b1b">prosecutorial overreach</a>.

Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP. But he served for less than a year and became just the&nbsp;<a href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/">sixth member</a>&nbsp;of the House to be ousted by colleagues after it was revealed he had fabricated much of his life story.

During his winning campaign, Santos painted himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms when, in reality, he was struggling financially.

He also falsely claimed to have been a volleyball star at a college he never attended and referred to himself as “a proud American Jew” before insisting he meant that he was “Jew-ish” because his Brazilian mother’s family had a Jewish background.

The cascade of lies eventually led to congressional and criminal inquiries into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-district-of-columbia-congress-george-santos-campaign-finance-f58dc7242796327d81738559885e9078">how Santos funded his campaign</a>&nbsp;and, ultimately, his political downfall.

Since his ouster from Congress, Santos has been making a living hosting a podcast called “Pants on Fire with George Santos” and hawking personalized video messages on Cameo.

He has also been holding out hope that his unwavering support for President Donald Trump might help him win a last-minute reprieve.

The White House said this week that it “will not comment on the existence or nonexistence” of any clemency request.

In media appearances this month, the former lawmaker wasn’t shy about sharing his morbid fears about life behind bars.

“I’m not trying to be overdramatic here. I’m just being honest with you. I look at this as practically a death sentence,” Santos told Tucker Carlson during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdVCF2dOZZI">an interview</a>. “I’m not built for this.”

On social media, his recent musings have sometimes taken a dark turn.

“I’m heading to prison, folks and I need you to hear this loud and clear: I’m not suicidal. I’m not depressed. I have no intentions of harming myself, and I will not willingly engage in any sexual activity while I’m in there,” Santos said&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MrSantosNY/status/1943028142588694817">on X</a>. “If anything comes out suggesting otherwise, consider it a lie … full stop.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701446271001.png" alt="George Santos on the day he was expelled from Congress image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>George Santos on the day he was expelled from Congress image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Disgraced former U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-santos">George Santos</a>&nbsp;reported to a federal prison in New Jersey on Friday to begin serving a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-sentencing-prison-0961831af8870686853acb22d049c85e">seven-year sentence</a>&nbsp;for the fraud charges that got him ousted from Congress.The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that the New York Republican was in custody at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in southern New Jersey.Santos&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-plea-court-new-york-90741d068fd94090419fc0fd79be30cc">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;last summer to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing people’s identities in order to fund his congressional campaign.His lawyer Joe Murray, when asked for comment Friday, responded with a brief, all-caps text: “FREE GEORGE SANTOS.”The ever-online Santos, who turned 37 years old on Tuesday, hosted a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MrSantosNY/status/1948503762349301975">farewell party</a>&nbsp;for himself on the social media platform X on Thursday night.“Well, darlings … The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed,” he&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MrSantosNY/status/1948529151541215324">wrote in a post</a>&nbsp;afterwards. “From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it’s been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried … most days.”Santos will serve his time in a minimum security camp at the all-male facility, which also includes a larger medium security prison, according to the Bureau of Prisons.In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSgDp8phTSI">Thursday interview</a>, he didn't name the prison where he was serving his sentence, but described the camp setting as a “big upgrade” from the medium-security lockup he was initially assigned to.Among the other notable inmates serving time at Fairton is Lamor Miller-Whitehead. The Brooklyn preacher, known for his flashy lifestyle and friendship with New York City’ Mayor Eric Adams, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brooklyn-preacher-lamor-miller-whitehead-fraud-sentence-cc3e9994abf6533ceb1a3634e90fa068">sentenced to nine years</a>&nbsp;in prison last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/brooklyn-preacher-lamor-miller-whitehead-fraud-trial-92168ead8fd37e8e101aedee86f3f010">for fraud</a>.In April, a federal judge declined to give Santos a lighter two-year sentence that he sought, saying she was unconvinced he was truly remorseful. In the weeks before his sentencing, Santos said he was “profoundly sorry” for his crimes, but he also complained frequently that he was a victim of a political witch hunt and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-fraud-sentencing-prison-1a5f54eb7ba742e91cffef748e6b1b1b">prosecutorial overreach</a>.Santos was elected in 2022, flipping a wealthy district representing parts of Queens and Long Island for the GOP. But he served for less than a year and became just the&nbsp;<a href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/">sixth member</a>&nbsp;of the House to be ousted by colleagues after it was revealed he had fabricated much of his life story.During his winning campaign, Santos painted himself as a successful business owner who worked at prestigious Wall Street firms when, in reality, he was struggling financially.He also falsely claimed to have been a volleyball star at a college he never attended and referred to himself as “a proud American Jew” before insisting he meant that he was “Jew-ish” because his Brazilian mother’s family had a Jewish background.The cascade of lies eventually led to congressional and criminal inquiries into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-district-of-columbia-congress-george-santos-campaign-finance-f58dc7242796327d81738559885e9078">how Santos funded his campaign</a>&nbsp;and, ultimately, his political downfall.Since his ouster from Congress, Santos has been making a living hosting a podcast called “Pants on Fire with George Santos” and hawking personalized video messages on Cameo.He has also been holding out hope that his unwavering support for President Donald Trump might help him win a last-minute reprieve.The White House said this week that it “will not comment on the existence or nonexistence” of any clemency request.In media appearances this month, the former lawmaker wasn’t shy about sharing his morbid fears about life behind bars.“I’m not trying to be overdramatic here. I’m just being honest with you. I look at this as practically a death sentence,” Santos told Tucker Carlson during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdVCF2dOZZI">an interview</a>. “I’m not built for this.”On social media, his recent musings have sometimes taken a dark turn.“I’m heading to prison, folks and I need you to hear this loud and clear: I’m not suicidal. I’m not depressed. I have no intentions of harming myself, and I will not willingly engage in any sexual activity while I’m in there,” Santos said&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MrSantosNY/status/1943028142588694817">on X</a>. “If anything comes out suggesting otherwise, consider it a lie … full stop.”

Disgraced former congressman reports to prison for 7-year sentence

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Occupational  Safety Health Administration is investigating a fatal trench collapse that occurred in Kansas City, Kansas on Thursday afternoon.&nbsp; The victim has been identified as 54-year-old&nbsp;Francisco Rodriguez, according to Kansas City, Kansas Police.

Just after 2p.m. Thursday, the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department responded to 16th Street and Metropolitan Avenue following reports of a worker missing at a fiber optic installation site, according to a statement from the department..

Coworkers became concerned when they noticed an excavator at the site had stopped moving and the operator was nowhere to be seen.&nbsp;

When they checked the trench, workers found that it had collapsed. The trench was 16 to 18 feet wide and as deep as 25 feet in some areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;KCKPD’s Major Case Unit has opened a death investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753438020709.png" alt="Crews on the scene of the tragedy -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Crews on the scene of the tragedy -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Occupational Safety Health Administration is investigating a fatal trench collapse that occurred in Kansas City, Kansas on Thursday afternoon.&nbsp; The victim has been identified as 54-year-old&nbsp;Francisco Rodriguez, according to Kansas City, Kansas Police.Just after 2p.m. Thursday, the Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department responded to 16th Street and Metropolitan Avenue following reports of a worker missing at a fiber optic installation site, according to a statement from the department..Coworkers became concerned when they noticed an excavator at the site had stopped moving and the operator was nowhere to be seen.&nbsp;When they checked the trench, workers found that it had collapsed. The trench was 16 to 18 feet wide and as deep as 25 feet in some areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;KCKPD’s Major Case Unit has opened a death investigation.

Police: Man dead after trench collapse at Kansas worksite 

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks capped another strong week with more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-japan-trump-earnings-0b8e8cad3b4e8c2385bc2cacb45f98f3">records</a>&nbsp;on Friday.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.4% to set an all-time high, the fifth time it did so this week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 208 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.2% to its own record set the day before.

Deckers, the company behind Ugg boots and Hoka shoes, jumped 11.3% after reporting stronger profit and revenue for the spring than analysts expected. Its growth was particularly strong outside the United States, where revenue soared nearly 50%.

Edwards Lifesciences rose 5.5% after likewise topping Wall Street’s expectations for profit in the latest quarter. It said it saw strength across all its product groups, and it expects profit for the full year to come in at the high end of the forecasted range it had given earlier.

They helped offset a drop of 8.5% for Intel, which fell after reporting a loss for the latest quarter, when analysts were looking for a profit. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/intel-chips-layoffs-a3a83e4bb8cd71e2615e964b432dd37f">struggling chipmaker also said it would cut thousands of jobs</a>&nbsp;and eliminate other expenses as it tries to turn around its fortunes. Intel, which helped launch Silicon Valley as the U.S. technology hub, has fallen behind rivals like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices while demand for artificial intelligence chips soars.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 25.29 points to 6,388.64. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 208.01 to 44,901.92, and the Nasdaq composite added 50.36 to 21,108.32.

The pressure is on companies to deliver solid growth in profits in order to justify big gains for their stock prices, which have rallied to record after record in recent weeks. Wall Street has zoomed higher on hopes that President Donald Trump will reach trade deals with other countries that will lower his stiff proposed tariffs, along with the risk that they could cause a recession and drive up inflation. Trump has recently announced deals with Japan and the Philippines, and the next big deadline is looming on Friday, Aug. 1.

Besides potential trade talks, next week will also feature a meeting by the Federal Reserve on interest rates.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-145b0189a8c7acaab9fcfb097dc376c9">Trump again on Thursday lobbied the Fed to cut rates</a>, which he has implied could save the U.S. government money on its debt repayments.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell, though, has continued to insist he wants to wait for more data about how Trump’s tariffs affect the economy and inflation before the Fed makes its next move. Lower interest rates can help goose the economy, but they can also give inflation more fuel.

Lower rates also may not lower the U.S. government’s costs to borrow money, if the bond market feels they could send inflation higher in the future. In that case, lower short-term rates brought by the Fed could actually have the opposite effect and make it more expensive for Washington to borrow money over the long term.

The widespread expectation on Wall Street is that the Fed will wait until September to resume cutting interest rates.

In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following Trump’s latest attempt to push Powell to cut interest rates. Trump also seemed to back off on threats to fire the Fed’s chair.

“To do that is a big move, and I don’t think that’s necessary,” Trump said. “I just want to see one thing happen, very simple: Interest rates come down.”

If Trump fired Powell, he’d risk a freak-out in financial markets by raising the possibility of a less independent Fed, one unable to make unpopular choices necessary to keep the economy healthy.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.38% from 4.43% late Thursday. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for what the Fed will do, held steady at 3.91%, where it was late Thursday.

In stock markets abroad, indexes slipped across much of Europe and Asia.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks capped another strong week with more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-japan-trump-earnings-0b8e8cad3b4e8c2385bc2cacb45f98f3">records</a>&nbsp;on Friday.The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.4% to set an all-time high, the fifth time it did so this week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 208 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.2% to its own record set the day before.Deckers, the company behind Ugg boots and Hoka shoes, jumped 11.3% after reporting stronger profit and revenue for the spring than analysts expected. Its growth was particularly strong outside the United States, where revenue soared nearly 50%.Edwards Lifesciences rose 5.5% after likewise topping Wall Street’s expectations for profit in the latest quarter. It said it saw strength across all its product groups, and it expects profit for the full year to come in at the high end of the forecasted range it had given earlier.They helped offset a drop of 8.5% for Intel, which fell after reporting a loss for the latest quarter, when analysts were looking for a profit. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/intel-chips-layoffs-a3a83e4bb8cd71e2615e964b432dd37f">struggling chipmaker also said it would cut thousands of jobs</a>&nbsp;and eliminate other expenses as it tries to turn around its fortunes. Intel, which helped launch Silicon Valley as the U.S. technology hub, has fallen behind rivals like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices while demand for artificial intelligence chips soars.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 25.29 points to 6,388.64. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 208.01 to 44,901.92, and the Nasdaq composite added 50.36 to 21,108.32.The pressure is on companies to deliver solid growth in profits in order to justify big gains for their stock prices, which have rallied to record after record in recent weeks. Wall Street has zoomed higher on hopes that President Donald Trump will reach trade deals with other countries that will lower his stiff proposed tariffs, along with the risk that they could cause a recession and drive up inflation. Trump has recently announced deals with Japan and the Philippines, and the next big deadline is looming on Friday, Aug. 1.Besides potential trade talks, next week will also feature a meeting by the Federal Reserve on interest rates.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-145b0189a8c7acaab9fcfb097dc376c9">Trump again on Thursday lobbied the Fed to cut rates</a>, which he has implied could save the U.S. government money on its debt repayments.Fed Chair Jerome Powell, though, has continued to insist he wants to wait for more data about how Trump’s tariffs affect the economy and inflation before the Fed makes its next move. Lower interest rates can help goose the economy, but they can also give inflation more fuel.Lower rates also may not lower the U.S. government’s costs to borrow money, if the bond market feels they could send inflation higher in the future. In that case, lower short-term rates brought by the Fed could actually have the opposite effect and make it more expensive for Washington to borrow money over the long term.The widespread expectation on Wall Street is that the Fed will wait until September to resume cutting interest rates.In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady following Trump’s latest attempt to push Powell to cut interest rates. Trump also seemed to back off on threats to fire the Fed’s chair.“To do that is a big move, and I don’t think that’s necessary,” Trump said. “I just want to see one thing happen, very simple: Interest rates come down.”If Trump fired Powell, he’d risk a freak-out in financial markets by raising the possibility of a less independent Fed, one unable to make unpopular choices necessary to keep the economy healthy.The yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.38% from 4.43% late Thursday. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for what the Fed will do, held steady at 3.91%, where it was late Thursday.In stock markets abroad, indexes slipped across much of Europe and Asia.

Wall Street's winning week ends with more records for US stocks

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Trump and Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall are celebrating Australia's announcement that it will reduce restriction on US beef imports.

“Now, we are going to sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that U.S. Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World,” the president said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Australian Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said Thursday that relaxing the restrictions designed to keep the country free of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-3f554af1fb8443ff8cda7ddaa54190b5">mad cow disease</a>, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, would not compromise biosecurity.

“Australia stands for open and free trade — our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this,” Collins said in a statement.

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Trump and Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall are celebrating Australia's announcement that it will reduce restriction on US beef imports.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">For decades, American ranchers have been trying to sell their beef to Australia.<a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> has found a way to break through and gain access for America’s beef industry. This is the Golden Age of America! <a href="https://t.co/6nXuXy5Emt">pic.twitter.com/6nXuXy5Emt</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1948541985230651583?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Now, we are going to sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that U.S. Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World,” the president said in a post on his Truth Social platform.Australian Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said Thursday that relaxing the restrictions designed to keep the country free of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-3f554af1fb8443ff8cda7ddaa54190b5">mad cow disease</a>, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, would not compromise biosecurity.“Australia stands for open and free trade — our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this,” Collins said in a statement.

Kansas U.S. Senator celebrates good news for ranchers

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

TOPEKA — Emporia State University president Ken Hush announced his retirement Thursday, nodding at past and future challenges in higher education.

Hush, an Emporia State graduate, wrote in an email to alumni, staff and students that his last day will be Dec. 17. He plans to stay involved, he said.

“For more than a decade, higher education has faced significant challenges and pressure to change – this will not only continue but will increase in the future,” he wrote. “There will be winners and losers. Those who are able to adjust will survive; those who don’t won’t… without additional funding.”

Hush’s tenure lasted around four years, beginning in late 2021. He served those early months as interim president. Not long after the Kansas Board of Regents officially named Hush as Emporia State’s 18th president in June 2022, the university fired 30 tenured or tenure-track professors to cut costs. Hush signed the professors’ termination letters while offering&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/emporia-state-university-awarded-bonuses-to-68-faculty-after-firing-tenured-professors/">bonuses</a>&nbsp;to others.

Eleven of the fired professors&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/07/13/fired-emporia-state-university-professors-file-lawsuit-allege-conspiracy-against-tenure/">sued</a>&nbsp;Hush and others in 2023 in federal court.

Before he worked as a university president, Hush was a business executive who worked in top-level positions at Koch Minerals and Carbon. He has two daughters, both of whom live in Michigan. He graduated from Emporia State in 1982, majoring in business administration and marketing and playing on the nationally-ranked men’s tennis team.

During Hush’s tenure, Emporia State faced&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/26/emporia-state-university-defends-changes-ahead-of-declining-enrollment-report/">declining enrollment</a>&nbsp;and increasing demand for online courses, which he said “created outdated organizations, inefficiencies and waste which caused deficits and financial instability for institutions across the nation.”

However, the university has turned a corner, Hush said. He called the past few years “the most transformative era” in the university’s history.

Enrollment increased 16% at Emporia State last year, and the university was the only one in the state that has not raised tuition in the past two years.

“We established a unique mentality and have completely changed our culture from the top down and from the bottom up,” he said. “Our leadership team has been re-educated and now operates from a lens of data, analysis, financial responsibility and accountability.”

Hush touted bringing in $30 million to correct a $19 million budget deficit, creating an organization that is “fiscally clean, operationally efficient and organizationally sound.” On two occasions, the Kansas Legislature earmarked millions for Emporia State: $9 million in&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/12/emporia-state-university-forges-new-identity-with-9m-earmark-from-kansas-legislature/">2023</a>&nbsp;and another $9 million in 2024.

Hush wrote in the email he intends to continue his involvement with Emporia State as a fundraiser.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753465941808.png" alt=" After the official announcement of Ken Hush being voted the next president of Emporia State University, Hush spent time talking with the faculty, staff, students and community members who attended the June 22, 2022, event. (Margaret Mellott/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> After the official announcement of Ken Hush being voted the next president of Emporia State University, Hush spent time talking with the faculty, staff, students and community members who attended the June 22, 2022, event. (Margaret Mellott/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Emporia State University president Ken Hush announced his retirement Thursday, nodding at past and future challenges in higher education.Hush, an Emporia State graduate, wrote in an email to alumni, staff and students that his last day will be Dec. 17. He plans to stay involved, he said.“For more than a decade, higher education has faced significant challenges and pressure to change – this will not only continue but will increase in the future,” he wrote. “There will be winners and losers. Those who are able to adjust will survive; those who don’t won’t… without additional funding.”Hush’s tenure lasted around four years, beginning in late 2021. He served those early months as interim president. Not long after the Kansas Board of Regents officially named Hush as Emporia State’s 18th president in June 2022, the university fired 30 tenured or tenure-track professors to cut costs. Hush signed the professors’ termination letters while offering&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/emporia-state-university-awarded-bonuses-to-68-faculty-after-firing-tenured-professors/">bonuses</a>&nbsp;to others.Eleven of the fired professors&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/07/13/fired-emporia-state-university-professors-file-lawsuit-allege-conspiracy-against-tenure/">sued</a>&nbsp;Hush and others in 2023 in federal court.Before he worked as a university president, Hush was a business executive who worked in top-level positions at Koch Minerals and Carbon. He has two daughters, both of whom live in Michigan. He graduated from Emporia State in 1982, majoring in business administration and marketing and playing on the nationally-ranked men’s tennis team.During Hush’s tenure, Emporia State faced&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/26/emporia-state-university-defends-changes-ahead-of-declining-enrollment-report/">declining enrollment</a>&nbsp;and increasing demand for online courses, which he said “created outdated organizations, inefficiencies and waste which caused deficits and financial instability for institutions across the nation.”However, the university has turned a corner, Hush said. He called the past few years “the most transformative era” in the university’s history.Enrollment increased 16% at Emporia State last year, and the university was the only one in the state that has not raised tuition in the past two years.“We established a unique mentality and have completely changed our culture from the top down and from the bottom up,” he said. “Our leadership team has been re-educated and now operates from a lens of data, analysis, financial responsibility and accountability.”Hush touted bringing in $30 million to correct a $19 million budget deficit, creating an organization that is “fiscally clean, operationally efficient and organizationally sound.” On two occasions, the Kansas Legislature earmarked millions for Emporia State: $9 million in&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/12/emporia-state-university-forges-new-identity-with-9m-earmark-from-kansas-legislature/">2023</a>&nbsp;and another $9 million in 2024.Hush wrote in the email he intends to continue his involvement with Emporia State as a fundraiser.

Emporia State University president who oversaw firings to step down

COWLEY COUNTY—Authorities have identified human remains found by a pond in rural Cowley County earlier this week.

According to Cowley County Sheriff Dave Feletti, an autopsy was performed on the remains. The body has been identified as that of 39-year-old Emile Porterfield-Hill. 

Hill had been reported missing from Sumner County July 17. The manner of death has been ruled as pending investigation, but early indications do not show any signs of obvious acute injuries, according to Sheriff Faletti.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, deputies with the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a private residence in the Southwest portion of Cowley County for the report of a possible human body by a pond, according to Sheriff&nbsp; Faletti.

When Deputies arrived, the homeowner took them to the location where the remains were located. The Arkansas City Fire Department assisted by retrieving the remains.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753461479714.png" alt="Emile Porterfield-Hill courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Emile Porterfield-Hill courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—Authorities have identified human remains found by a pond in rural Cowley County earlier this week.According to Cowley County Sheriff Dave Feletti, an autopsy was performed on the remains. The body has been identified as that of 39-year-old Emile Porterfield-Hill. Hill had been reported missing from Sumner County July 17. The manner of death has been ruled as pending investigation, but early indications do not show any signs of obvious acute injuries, according to Sheriff Faletti.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, deputies with the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a private residence in the Southwest portion of Cowley County for the report of a possible human body by a pond, according to Sheriff&nbsp; Faletti.When Deputies arrived, the homeowner took them to the location where the remains were located. The Arkansas City Fire Department assisted by retrieving the remains.

Body found near rural pond identified as missing Kan. woman

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly knife attack in Kansas City have identified the victim as 54-year-old Tyrone Bates,&nbsp;according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just after 3a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of Admiral on a reported knife attack, according Gonzalez.

Upon arrival, responding officers were flagged down by a man advising someone had been attacked and needed help. Officers located a victim, later identified as Bates, lying in an apartment complex parking lot unresponsive and suffering from multiple apparent stab wounds. 

EMS responded to the scene and declared the victim deceased. Preliminary investigation is believed this occurred as the result of an argument. Police have not reported an arrest or possible suspect details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753373395409.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly knife attack in Kansas City have identified the victim as 54-year-old Tyrone Bates,&nbsp;according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just after 3a.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of Admiral on a reported knife attack, according Gonzalez.Upon arrival, responding officers were flagged down by a man advising someone had been attacked and needed help. Officers located a victim, later identified as Bates, lying in an apartment complex parking lot unresponsive and suffering from multiple apparent stab wounds. EMS responded to the scene and declared the victim deceased. Preliminary investigation is believed this occurred as the result of an argument. Police have not reported an arrest or possible suspect details.

Man dies after knife attack in KC apartment complex parking lot 

Washington –&nbsp;On Thursday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) applauded the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement from&nbsp;Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins&nbsp;that, as part of its planned reorganization, Kansas City will become the second largest beneficiary of the restructuring.

This reorganization is part of a larger, government-wide process being undertaken by the Trump administration to return federal agencies to their primary functions, eliminate redundancy and waste, and preserve the critical services these agencies provide to taxpayers.

“There are no stronger champions for American farmers and ranchers than Secretary Rollins and President Trump,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“Today’s announcements build on President Trump’s efforts in his first Administration to move those who work closest with our farmers and ranchers to our nation’s heartland. This is putting Farmer’s First.”

“American agriculture feeds, clothes, and fuels this nation and the world, and it is long past time the Department better serve the great and patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers we are mandated to support. President Trump was elected to make real change in Washington, and we are doing just that by moving our key services outside the beltway and into great American cities across the country,”&nbsp;said Secretary Rollins. “We will do so through a transparent and common-sense process that preserves USDA’s critical health and public safety services the American public relies on. We will do right by the great American people who we serve and with respect to the thousands of hardworking USDA employees who so nobly serve their country.”

In the case of the USDA, today’s announcement will:

Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/sm-1078-015.pdf">here</a>&nbsp;to read the full Secretary Memorandum.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739466218531.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and then Ag Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and then Ag Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington –&nbsp;On Thursday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) applauded the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement from&nbsp;Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins&nbsp;that, as part of its planned reorganization, Kansas City will become the second largest beneficiary of the restructuring.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecRollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRollins</a> on moving USDA staff out of DC to be closer to farmers: &quot;This is literally what <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> has tasked his Cabinet to do — to deconstruct the Administrative State... This is aligned with our Founding Fathers&#39; vision... where the government should be closer to the people.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/9NmCJmkoSW">pic.twitter.com/9NmCJmkoSW</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1948753886728052876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We will do right by the great American people we serve and also to the thousands of hardworking USDA employees who so nobly serve our country! <a href="https://t.co/nixjsoU1er">https://t.co/nixjsoU1er</a>&mdash; Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRollins/status/1948401133375901847?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>This reorganization is part of a larger, government-wide process being undertaken by the Trump administration to return federal agencies to their primary functions, eliminate redundancy and waste, and preserve the critical services these agencies provide to taxpayers.“There are no stronger champions for American farmers and ranchers than Secretary Rollins and President Trump,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.&nbsp;“Today’s announcements build on President Trump’s efforts in his first Administration to move those who work closest with our farmers and ranchers to our nation’s heartland. This is putting Farmer’s First.”“American agriculture feeds, clothes, and fuels this nation and the world, and it is long past time the Department better serve the great and patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers we are mandated to support. President Trump was elected to make real change in Washington, and we are doing just that by moving our key services outside the beltway and into great American cities across the country,”&nbsp;said Secretary Rollins. “We will do so through a transparent and common-sense process that preserves USDA’s critical health and public safety services the American public relies on. We will do right by the great American people who we serve and with respect to the thousands of hardworking USDA employees who so nobly serve their country.”In the case of the USDA, today’s announcement will:<ul>
 <li>Ensure the size of the USDA’s workforce aligns with available financial resources and agricultural priorities</li><li>Bring USDA closer to its customers</li><li>Eliminate management layers and bureaucracy</li><li>Consolidate redundant support functions</li>
 </ul>Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/sm-1078-015.pdf">here</a>&nbsp;to read the full Secretary Memorandum.

Kansas City will become the 2nd largest beneficiary of USDA restructuring

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A man charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-gunshots-florida-f62f8378d3a8ce7b2e99d6a8fb40aba9">trying to assassinate</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump last year in South Florida can represent himself during his trial, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon signed off on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-routh-assassination-attempt-ukraine-suspicions-florida-530098c668f283d8a38eb5dd5570f1b2">Ryan Routh’s</a>&nbsp;request but said court-appointed attorneys need to remain as standby counsel. Earlier in the week, the federal public defenders had asked to be taken off the case, saying Routh had refused repeated attempts to meet with them.

Routh said during the hearing that his attorneys were diligent, but they didn’t listen to him and were afraid of him.

“How are they supposed to represent me and say I’m not a dangerous person when they don’t believe that?” Routh said.

Routh, 59, is scheduled to stand trial in September, a year after prosecutors say a U.S. Secret Service agent thwarted his attempt to shoot Trump as he played golf. Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fbi-assassination-attempt-indictment-b4c956e1a126e4acfb3c4eae0c06ddb1">attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate</a>, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.

Reiterating her message from a July 10 hearing, Cannon told Routh that she doesn’t intend to delay the Sept. 8 start date of his trial, even if she lets him represent himself. She also once again told Routh that she believes it’s a bad idea for Routh to represent himself.

Routh, who said he completed two years of college after earning his GED certificate, told Cannon that he understands the potential challenges and would be ready for trial.

Cannon said Thursday that she decided to hold the second hearing after receiving a June 29 letter from Routh that did not arrive at the courthouse until after that hearing. In that letter, Routh said he and his attorneys were “a million miles apart” and that they were refusing to answer his questions. He also wrote that he could be used in a prisoner exchange with Iran, China, North Korea or Russia.

“I could die being of some use and save all this court mess, but no one acts; perhaps you have the power to trade me away,” Routh wrote.

Cannon told Routh that she believed the federal public defenders assigned to Routh’s case were excellent attorneys.

“I find no basis to believe that there has been ineffective assistance of counsel,” Cannon said.

The judge also reminded Routh that she will not be able to assist Routh or provide legal advice during the trial.

Cannon also briefly addressed Routh’s suggestion of a prisoner exchange, saying, “I have no power or any opinion of anything you’ve written there.”

On Wednesday, the federal public defender’s office filed a motion for termination of appointment of counsel, saying “the attorney-client relationship is irreconcilably broken.” Attorneys said Routh has refused six attempts to meet with their team, including a scheduled in-person meeting Tuesday morning at the federal detention center in Miami.

“It is clear that Mr. Routh wishes to represent himself, and he is within his Constitutional rights to make such a demand,” the motion said.

Cannon denied their motion on Thursday, explaining that their office was in the best position to prevent delays to the trial.

The U.S. Supreme Court has held that criminal defendants have a right to represent themselves in court proceedings, as long as they can show a judge they are competent to waive their right to be defended by an attorney.

Prosecutors have said Routh methodically plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15 at his West Palm Beach country club. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.

Law enforcement obtained help from a witness who prosecutors said informed officers that he saw a person fleeing. The witness was then flown in a police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested, and the witnesses confirmed it was the person he had seen, prosecutors have said.

Routh will have his first chance to represent himself on Friday during a scheduled hearing on whether certain evidence and testimony can be used at trial. His former attorneys are expected to be present as standby counsel.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741357051491.png" alt="Routh booking photo Palm Beach Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Routh booking photo Palm Beach Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A man charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-gunshots-florida-f62f8378d3a8ce7b2e99d6a8fb40aba9">trying to assassinate</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump last year in South Florida can represent himself during his trial, a federal judge ruled Thursday.U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon signed off on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-routh-assassination-attempt-ukraine-suspicions-florida-530098c668f283d8a38eb5dd5570f1b2">Ryan Routh’s</a>&nbsp;request but said court-appointed attorneys need to remain as standby counsel. Earlier in the week, the federal public defenders had asked to be taken off the case, saying Routh had refused repeated attempts to meet with them.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726536262473.png" alt="Routh during his arrest -photo Martin County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Routh during his arrest -photo Martin County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Routh said during the hearing that his attorneys were diligent, but they didn’t listen to him and were afraid of him.“How are they supposed to represent me and say I’m not a dangerous person when they don’t believe that?” Routh said.Routh, 59, is scheduled to stand trial in September, a year after prosecutors say a U.S. Secret Service agent thwarted his attempt to shoot Trump as he played golf. Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fbi-assassination-attempt-indictment-b4c956e1a126e4acfb3c4eae0c06ddb1">attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate</a>, assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations.Reiterating her message from a July 10 hearing, Cannon told Routh that she doesn’t intend to delay the Sept. 8 start date of his trial, even if she lets him represent himself. She also once again told Routh that she believes it’s a bad idea for Routh to represent himself.Routh, who said he completed two years of college after earning his GED certificate, told Cannon that he understands the potential challenges and would be ready for trial.Cannon said Thursday that she decided to hold the second hearing after receiving a June 29 letter from Routh that did not arrive at the courthouse until after that hearing. In that letter, Routh said he and his attorneys were “a million miles apart” and that they were refusing to answer his questions. He also wrote that he could be used in a prisoner exchange with Iran, China, North Korea or Russia.“I could die being of some use and save all this court mess, but no one acts; perhaps you have the power to trade me away,” Routh wrote.Cannon told Routh that she believed the federal public defenders assigned to Routh’s case were excellent attorneys.“I find no basis to believe that there has been ineffective assistance of counsel,” Cannon said.The judge also reminded Routh that she will not be able to assist Routh or provide legal advice during the trial.Cannon also briefly addressed Routh’s suggestion of a prisoner exchange, saying, “I have no power or any opinion of anything you’ve written there.”On Wednesday, the federal public defender’s office filed a motion for termination of appointment of counsel, saying “the attorney-client relationship is irreconcilably broken.” Attorneys said Routh has refused six attempts to meet with their team, including a scheduled in-person meeting Tuesday morning at the federal detention center in Miami.“It is clear that Mr. Routh wishes to represent himself, and he is within his Constitutional rights to make such a demand,” the motion said.Cannon denied their motion on Thursday, explaining that their office was in the best position to prevent delays to the trial.The U.S. Supreme Court has held that criminal defendants have a right to represent themselves in court proceedings, as long as they can show a judge they are competent to waive their right to be defended by an attorney.Prosecutors have said Routh methodically plotted to kill Trump for weeks before aiming a rifle through the shrubbery as Trump played golf on Sept. 15 at his West Palm Beach country club. A Secret Service agent spotted Routh before Trump came into view. Officials said Routh aimed his rifle at the agent, who opened fire, causing Routh to drop his weapon and flee without firing a shot.Law enforcement obtained help from a witness who prosecutors said informed officers that he saw a person fleeing. The witness was then flown in a police helicopter to a nearby interstate where Routh was arrested, and the witnesses confirmed it was the person he had seen, prosecutors have said.Routh will have his first chance to represent himself on Friday during a scheduled hearing on whether certain evidence and testimony can be used at trial. His former attorneys are expected to be present as standby counsel.

Judge issues new ruling at request of Trump would-be assassin

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal officer shooting involving members of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.&nbsp;

Just after 2p.m. Thursday the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department received a 911 call about a suspicions man near Emmanuel Cleaver II and The Paseo, according to a statement from the MSHP Troop A.

The suspect was reported to be armed with a handgun and had allegedly pointed the gun at an aubulance. Officers arrived of scene at 2:21p.m. and made contact with the suspect. Officers gave commands to take him into custody. He did not comply with officer's commands and at 2:23p.m officers advised shots had been fired.&nbsp; The suspect, who was taken into custody, provided medical aid and&nbsp; and transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries later died. No officers were injured. Investigators recovered a weapon at the scene.&nbsp;

At the conclusion of the investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol., the report will be turned over to the Jackson County Attorney's office for review.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police did not release the name of the suspect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753394726730.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal officer shooting involving members of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.&nbsp;Just after 2p.m. Thursday the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department received a 911 call about a suspicions man near Emmanuel Cleaver II and The Paseo, according to a statement from the MSHP Troop A.The suspect was reported to be armed with a handgun and had allegedly pointed the gun at an aubulance. Officers arrived of scene at 2:21p.m. and made contact with the suspect. Officers gave commands to take him into custody. He did not comply with officer's commands and at 2:23p.m officers advised shots had been fired.&nbsp; The suspect, who was taken into custody, provided medical aid and&nbsp; and transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries later died. No officers were injured. Investigators recovered a weapon at the scene.&nbsp;At the conclusion of the investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol., the report will be turned over to the Jackson County Attorney's office for review.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police did not release the name of the suspect.

Suspect who pointed gun at ambulance died in officer shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — After months of criticizing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, President Donald Trump took the fight to the Fed’s front door on Thursday, publicly scorning the central bank chief over the ballooning costs of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-building-renovations-trump-powell-70cfb70f2c09105c2a144179d5d92e69">long-planned building project</a>. Powell pushed back, challenging the president’s latest price tag as incorrect.

Wearing hard hats and grim faces, standing in the middle of the construction project,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-pushback-renovation-costs-7ddf2d82ccf0129b28587dcc7cc3695b">Trump and Powell</a>&nbsp;addressed the assembled TV cameras. Trump charged that the renovation would cost $3.1 billion, much higher than the Fed's $2.5 billion figure. Powell, standing next to him, shook his head.

The Fed chair, after looking at a paper presented to him by Trump, said the president was including the cost of renovating a separate Fed building, known as the Martin building, that was finished five years ago.

The visit represented a significant ratcheting up of the president's pressure on Powell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fed-federal-reserve-powell-trump-63c3e35e8606b7b73455b08aa21456dd">to lower borrowing costs</a>, which Trump says would accelerate economic growth and reduce the government's interest payments. Presidents rarely visit the Fed's offices, though they are just a few blocks from the White House, an example of the central bank's independence from day-to-day politics.

“We have to get the interest rates down,” Trump said later after a short tour, addressing the cameras this time without Powell. “People are pretty much unable to buy houses.”

Trump is likely to be disappointed next week, however, when Fed officials will meet to decide its next steps on interest rates. Powell and other officials have signaled they will likely keep their key rate unchanged at about 4.3%. However, economists and Wall Street investors expect the Fed may start cutting rates in September.

The Federal Reserve sets a short-term interest rate that influences other borrowing costs, such as mortgages, auto loans and credit card rates. Yet the Fed doesn’t directly control those other rates, which are ultimately set in financial markets. Last September, when the Fed cut its rate a half-point, mortgage rates actually rose in response.

Trump did step back a bit from some of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-federal-reserve-building-renovation-2393d9ac9fdb9508f285d0faa5f4de41">recent threats to fire Powell</a>&nbsp;before his term ends May 26. Asked if the rising costs of the Fed's renovation, estimated in 2022 to cost $1.9 billion, was a “fireable offense,” Trump said, “I don't want to put this in that category.”

“To do that is a big move, and I don't think that's necessary,” Trump added. "I just want to see one thing happen, very simple: Interest rates come down.”

And on his Truth Social site, Trump said, “The cost overruns are substantial but, on the positive side, our Country is doing very well and can afford just about anything — Even the cost of this building!”

The Fed allowed reporters to tour the building before the visit by Trump, who, in his real estate career, bragged about his own lavish spending on architectural accoutrements that gave a Versailles-like golden flair to his buildings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753406454439.png" alt="Image courtesy White House video" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — After months of criticizing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, President Donald Trump took the fight to the Fed’s front door on Thursday, publicly scorning the central bank chief over the ballooning costs of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-building-renovations-trump-powell-70cfb70f2c09105c2a144179d5d92e69">long-planned building project</a>. Powell pushed back, challenging the president’s latest price tag as incorrect.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> to Fed Chair Jerome Powell on the exorbitant cost overruns of their palace-like HQ renovation: &quot;It looks like it&#39;s about $3.1 billion. It went up a little bit — or a lot.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/5Hv8EUPm0m">pic.twitter.com/5Hv8EUPm0m</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1948477094901809404?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our Builder-in-Chief <a href="https://t.co/myzy9AAfZf">pic.twitter.com/myzy9AAfZf</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1948518460591329516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/Z7ykUQe4EV">pic.twitter.com/Z7ykUQe4EV</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1948494722571407744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> has arrived at the Federal Reserve <a href="https://t.co/bkyMQs1dmg">pic.twitter.com/bkyMQs1dmg</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1948475823788371979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Wearing hard hats and grim faces, standing in the middle of the construction project,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-pushback-renovation-costs-7ddf2d82ccf0129b28587dcc7cc3695b">Trump and Powell</a>&nbsp;addressed the assembled TV cameras. Trump charged that the renovation would cost $3.1 billion, much higher than the Fed's $2.5 billion figure. Powell, standing next to him, shook his head.The Fed chair, after looking at a paper presented to him by Trump, said the president was including the cost of renovating a separate Fed building, known as the Martin building, that was finished five years ago.The visit represented a significant ratcheting up of the president's pressure on Powell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fed-federal-reserve-powell-trump-63c3e35e8606b7b73455b08aa21456dd">to lower borrowing costs</a>, which Trump says would accelerate economic growth and reduce the government's interest payments. Presidents rarely visit the Fed's offices, though they are just a few blocks from the White House, an example of the central bank's independence from day-to-day politics.“We have to get the interest rates down,” Trump said later after a short tour, addressing the cameras this time without Powell. “People are pretty much unable to buy houses.”Trump is likely to be disappointed next week, however, when Fed officials will meet to decide its next steps on interest rates. Powell and other officials have signaled they will likely keep their key rate unchanged at about 4.3%. However, economists and Wall Street investors expect the Fed may start cutting rates in September.The Federal Reserve sets a short-term interest rate that influences other borrowing costs, such as mortgages, auto loans and credit card rates. Yet the Fed doesn’t directly control those other rates, which are ultimately set in financial markets. Last September, when the Fed cut its rate a half-point, mortgage rates actually rose in response.Trump did step back a bit from some of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-powell-federal-reserve-building-renovation-2393d9ac9fdb9508f285d0faa5f4de41">recent threats to fire Powell</a>&nbsp;before his term ends May 26. Asked if the rising costs of the Fed's renovation, estimated in 2022 to cost $1.9 billion, was a “fireable offense,” Trump said, “I don't want to put this in that category.”“To do that is a big move, and I don't think that's necessary,” Trump added. "I just want to see one thing happen, very simple: Interest rates come down.”And on his Truth Social site, Trump said, “The cost overruns are substantial but, on the positive side, our Country is doing very well and can afford just about anything — Even the cost of this building!”The Fed allowed reporters to tour the building before the visit by Trump, who, in his real estate career, bragged about his own lavish spending on architectural accoutrements that gave a Versailles-like golden flair to his buildings.<h2>Journalists get rare tour of Fed renovation</h2>On Thursday, reporters wound through cement mixers, front loaders and plastic pipes as they got a close-up view of the active construction site that encompasses the Fed's historic headquarters, known as the Marriner S. Eccles building, and a second building across 20th Street in Washington.Fed staff, who declined to be identified, said that greater security requirements, rising materials costs and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-trump-trade-6ea513a44876c2f4dc948a25c15b0eb0">tariffs</a>, and the need to comply with historic preservation measures drove up the cost of the project, which was budgeted in 2022 at $1.9 billion.Trump in 2018 imposed a 25% duty on steel and 10% on aluminum. He increased them this year to 50%. Steel prices are up about 60% since the plans were approved, while construction materials costs overall are up about 50%, according to government data.The staff pointed out new blast-resistant windows and seismic walls that were needed to comply with modern building codes and security standards set out by the Department of Homeland Security. The Fed has to build with the highest level of security in mind, Fed staff said, including something called “progressive collapse,” in which only parts of the building would fall if hit with explosives.Sensitivity to the president's pending visit among Fed staff was high during the tour. Reporters were ushered into a small room outside the Fed's boardroom, where 19 officials meet eight times a year to decide whether to change short-term interest rates. The room, which will have a security booth, is oval-shaped, and someone had written “oval office” on plywood walls.The Fed staff downplayed the inscription as a joke. When reporters returned to the room later, it had been painted over.During the tour, Fed staff also showed the elevator shaft that congressional critics have said is for “VIPs” only. Powell has since said it will be open to all Fed staff. The renovation includes an 18-inch (45-cm) extension so the elevator reaches a slightly elevated area that is now accessible only by steps or a ramp. A planning document that said the elevator will only be for the Fed's seven governors was erroneous and later amended, staff said.<h2>Renovations have been in the works for a while</h2>Plans for the renovation were first approved by the Fed's governing board in 2017. The project then wended its way through several local commissions for approval, at least one of which, the Commission for Fine Arts, included several Trump appointees. The commission&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powell-trump-federal-reserve-16a3a78bab27f44e058d69829a8dcfa9">pushed for more marble</a>&nbsp;in the second of the two buildings the Fed is renovating, known as 1951 Constitution Avenue, specifically in a mostly glass extension that some of Trump's appointees derided as a “glass box.”Fed staff also pointed to the complication of historic renovations — both buildings have significant preservation needs. Constructing a new building on an empty site would have been cheaper, they said.As one example, the staff pointed reporters to where they had excavated beneath the Eccles building to add a floor of mechanical rooms, storage space and some offices. The Fed staff acknowledged such structural additions underground are expensive, but said it was done to avoid adding HVAC equipment and other mechanics on the roof, which is historic.Trump, who said after his tour that “it feels very good to be back on a construction site,” added that opening up a basement is “the most expensive place to build.”The Fed has previously attributed much of the project's cost to underground construction. It is also adding three underground levels of parking for its second building. Initially the central bank proposed building more above ground, but ran into Washington, D.C.'s height restrictions, forcing more underground construction.