LOS ANGELES (AP) — NFL Hall of Famer John Elway won't be charged after his business partner Jeffrey Sperbeck was fatally injured falling out of his golf cart at a Southern California golf resort community last April, authorities said Monday.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that investigators found nothing criminal and ruled it a tragic accident.

“Consequently, no criminal charges will be filed at this time, and the case will be documented as an accidental death,” the statement said.

Sperbeck, Elway's partner and former agent, died after suffering an injury when he tumbled out of the golf cart driven by the former quarterback on April 26 at The Madison Club in La Quinta, east of Los Angeles. Sperbeck was 62.

Sperbeck’s cause of death was “blunt force trauma” and the manner of death was an accident that occurred when the “passenger fell from the golf cart,” the county coroner’s report said.

Elway didn't immediately comment on the findings. He said in an April statement that he was devastated by the death of his close friend.

“There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me,” Elway said at the time.

Elway's April statement did not address his presence at the scene.

Sperbeck began managing Elway in 1990, when Elway was quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He represented more than 100 NFL players during a three-decade career as an agent and business adviser.

He was best known as Elway’s partner who helped manage the Hall of Famer’s extensive off-field business empire, which included restaurants, car dealerships and a winery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752542117467.jpeg" alt="FILE - Denver Broncos consultant John Elway looks on against the Houston Texans during an NFL football game, Sept. 18, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Denver Broncos consultant John Elway looks on against the Houston Texans during an NFL football game, Sept. 18, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — NFL Hall of Famer John Elway won't be charged after his business partner Jeffrey Sperbeck was fatally injured falling out of his golf cart at a Southern California golf resort community last April, authorities said Monday.The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that investigators found nothing criminal and ruled it a tragic accident.“Consequently, no criminal charges will be filed at this time, and the case will be documented as an accidental death,” the statement said.Sperbeck, Elway's partner and former agent, died after suffering an injury when he tumbled out of the golf cart driven by the former quarterback on April 26 at The Madison Club in La Quinta, east of Los Angeles. Sperbeck was 62.Sperbeck’s cause of death was “blunt force trauma” and the manner of death was an accident that occurred when the “passenger fell from the golf cart,” the county coroner’s report said.Elway didn't immediately comment on the findings. He said in an April statement that he was devastated by the death of his close friend.“There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me,” Elway said at the time.Elway's April statement did not address his presence at the scene.Sperbeck began managing Elway in 1990, when Elway was quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He represented more than 100 NFL players during a three-decade career as an agent and business adviser.He was best known as Elway’s partner who helped manage the Hall of Famer’s extensive off-field business empire, which included restaurants, car dealerships and a winery.

Sheriff makes ruling in death of NFL legend John Elway's former agent

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 11:30p.m. July 10,&nbsp; a&nbsp;Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2009 Lexus for multiple alleged traffic violations near U.S. 75 Highway and 214th Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Jermaine Hinnant, 54, and passenger as&nbsp;Viola Praylow, 58, both of Topeka.

During the course of the traffic stop probable cause was established to search the vehicle, which resulted in the discovery of illegal drugs, and narcotics.

Viola Praylow was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of felony interference with law enforcement, possession of crack/cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container.

Viola Praylow was also arrested for two felony warrants. One through Shawnee County, Kansas for probation violation with the original charge being theft; 2 prior convictions in 5 years. One through Douglas County, Kansas for theft, and contributing to a child misconduct; encourage to commit traffic infraction.

Jermaine Hinnant was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, no ignition interlock device when required, driving while suspended, driving with expired registration, operate motor vehicle with no insurance, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752504476865.png" alt="Hinnant photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Hinnant photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 11:30p.m. July 10,&nbsp; a&nbsp;Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2009 Lexus for multiple alleged traffic violations near U.S. 75 Highway and 214th Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The driver of the vehicle was identified as Jermaine Hinnant, 54, and passenger as&nbsp;Viola Praylow, 58, both of Topeka.During the course of the traffic stop probable cause was established to search the vehicle, which resulted in the discovery of illegal drugs, and narcotics.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752504404683.png" alt="Praylow photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Praylow photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Viola Praylow was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of felony interference with law enforcement, possession of crack/cocaine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and transporting an open container.Viola Praylow was also arrested for two felony warrants. One through Shawnee County, Kansas for probation violation with the original charge being theft; 2 prior convictions in 5 years. One through Douglas County, Kansas for theft, and contributing to a child misconduct; encourage to commit traffic infraction.Jermaine Hinnant was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, no ignition interlock device when required, driving while suspended, driving with expired registration, operate motor vehicle with no insurance, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kansas woman with a history crime accused of theft, cocaine possession

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;is allowing President Donald Trump to put his plan to dismantle the Education Department back on track — and to go through with laying off nearly 1,400 employees.

With the three liberal justices in dissent, the court on Monday paused an order from U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston, who issued a preliminary injunction reversing the layoffs and calling into question the broader plan. The layoffs “will likely cripple the department,” Joun wrote. A federal appeals court refused to put the order on hold while the administration appealed.

The high court action enables the administration to resume work on winding down the department, one of Trump's biggest campaign promises.

The court did not explain its decision in favor of Trump, as is customary in emergency appeals. But in dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor complained that her colleagues were enabling legally questionable action on the part of the administration.

“When the Executive publicly announces its intent to break the law, and then executes on that promise, it is the Judiciary’s duty to check that lawlessness, not expedite it,” Sotomayor wrote for herself and Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said it’s a “shame” it took the Supreme Court’s intervention to let Trump’s plan move ahead.

“Today, the Supreme Court again confirmed the obvious: the President of the United States, as the head of the Executive Branch, has the ultimate authority to make decisions about staffing levels, administrative organization, and day-to-day operations of federal agencies,” McMahon said in a statement.

The Supreme Court has handed Trump one victory after another in his effort to remake the federal government, after lower courts have found the administration's actions probably violate federal law. Last week, the justices cleared the way for Trump's plan to significantly reduce the size of the federal workforce. On the education front, the high court has previously allowed cuts in teacher-training grants to go forward.

Separately on Monday, more than 20 states sued the administration over billions of dollars in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-summer-school-english-language-grants-fac670e8f60fab397fbd68dfed866ea1">frozen education funding</a>&nbsp;for after-school care, summer programs and more.

Education Department employees who were targeted by the layoffs have been on paid leave since March, according to a union that represents some of the agency’s staff.

Joun’s order had prevented the department from fully terminating them, though none had been allowed to return to work, according to the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252. Without Joun’s order, the workers would have been terminated in early June.

The Education Department had said earlier in June that it was “actively assessing how to reintegrate” the employees. A department email asked them to share whether they had gained other employment, saying the request was meant to “support a smooth and informed return to duty.”

The current case involves two consolidated lawsuits that said Trump’s plan amounted to an illegal closure of the Education Department.

One suit was filed by the Somerville and Easthampton school districts in Massachusetts along with the American Federation of Teachers and other education groups. The other legal action was filed by a coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general.

The suits argued that layoffs left the department unable to carry out responsibilities required by Congress, including duties to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-disability-civil-rights-complaint-218a04f50bcf21cb02175e8565a3a287">support special education</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-education-department-outage-layoffs-5afb5a0a1b51bbe50e5961a63b419041">distribute financial aid</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-civil-rights-special-education-antisemitism-764c1298a4ba856ce793249cdb57e6d6">enforce civil rights laws</a>.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;is allowing President Donald Trump to put his plan to dismantle the Education Department back on track — and to go through with laying off nearly 1,400 employees.With the three liberal justices in dissent, the court on Monday paused an order from U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston, who issued a preliminary injunction reversing the layoffs and calling into question the broader plan. The layoffs “will likely cripple the department,” Joun wrote. A federal appeals court refused to put the order on hold while the administration appealed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752532757011.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The high court action enables the administration to resume work on winding down the department, one of Trump's biggest campaign promises.The court did not explain its decision in favor of Trump, as is customary in emergency appeals. But in dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor complained that her colleagues were enabling legally questionable action on the part of the administration.“When the Executive publicly announces its intent to break the law, and then executes on that promise, it is the Judiciary’s duty to check that lawlessness, not expedite it,” Sotomayor wrote for herself and Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745271542976.png" alt="File photo U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon&nbsp; (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)." />
 <figcaption>File photo U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon&nbsp; (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom).</figcaption>
 </figure>Education Secretary Linda McMahon said it’s a “shame” it took the Supreme Court’s intervention to let Trump’s plan move ahead.“Today, the Supreme Court again confirmed the obvious: the President of the United States, as the head of the Executive Branch, has the ultimate authority to make decisions about staffing levels, administrative organization, and day-to-day operations of federal agencies,” McMahon said in a statement.The Supreme Court has handed Trump one victory after another in his effort to remake the federal government, after lower courts have found the administration's actions probably violate federal law. Last week, the justices cleared the way for Trump's plan to significantly reduce the size of the federal workforce. On the education front, the high court has previously allowed cuts in teacher-training grants to go forward.Separately on Monday, more than 20 states sued the administration over billions of dollars in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-summer-school-english-language-grants-fac670e8f60fab397fbd68dfed866ea1">frozen education funding</a>&nbsp;for after-school care, summer programs and more.Education Department employees who were targeted by the layoffs have been on paid leave since March, according to a union that represents some of the agency’s staff.Joun’s order had prevented the department from fully terminating them, though none had been allowed to return to work, according to the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252. Without Joun’s order, the workers would have been terminated in early June.The Education Department had said earlier in June that it was “actively assessing how to reintegrate” the employees. A department email asked them to share whether they had gained other employment, saying the request was meant to “support a smooth and informed return to duty.”The current case involves two consolidated lawsuits that said Trump’s plan amounted to an illegal closure of the Education Department.One suit was filed by the Somerville and Easthampton school districts in Massachusetts along with the American Federation of Teachers and other education groups. The other legal action was filed by a coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general.The suits argued that layoffs left the department unable to carry out responsibilities required by Congress, including duties to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-disability-civil-rights-complaint-218a04f50bcf21cb02175e8565a3a287">support special education</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-education-department-outage-layoffs-5afb5a0a1b51bbe50e5961a63b419041">distribute financial aid</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-civil-rights-special-education-antisemitism-764c1298a4ba856ce793249cdb57e6d6">enforce civil rights laws</a>.

Read the order: Supreme Court votes in favor of Dept. of Education layoffs

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

A recently announced candidate for Hays City Commission was arrested on a charge of alleged blackmail Friday.

According to district court records, 23-year-old Samuel Emerson Allen of Hays allegedly tried to obtain $50 by threatening to share nude photos or videos of someone obtained through a dating app on June 27.

Blackmail is a level 4 person felony in Kansas. Public records said the court ordered Allen’s arrest with an appearance bond set at $40,000.

Ellis County booking records show Allen was booked for failure to appear. Ellis County Attorney Aaron J. Cunningham was contacted but declined to comment.

Allen announced his candidacy for the Hays City Commission in the 2025 municipal election on June 23 and is completing his degree in political science at Fort Hays State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750345202754.jpeg" alt="Samuel Allen courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Samuel Allen courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostA recently announced candidate for Hays City Commission was arrested on a charge of alleged blackmail Friday.According to district court records, 23-year-old Samuel Emerson Allen of Hays allegedly tried to obtain $50 by threatening to share nude photos or videos of someone obtained through a dating app on June 27.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752585035279.png" alt="Allen as shown in his Ellis County Jail booking photo" />
 <figcaption>Allen as shown in his Ellis County Jail booking photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Blackmail is a level 4 person felony in Kansas. Public records said the court ordered Allen’s arrest with an appearance bond set at $40,000.Ellis County booking records show Allen was booked for failure to appear. Ellis County Attorney Aaron J. Cunningham was contacted but declined to comment.Allen announced his candidacy for the Hays City Commission in the 2025 municipal election on June 23 and is completing his degree in political science at Fort Hays State University.

Hays Commission candidate arrested for alleged blackmail

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Monday threatened Russia with steep tariffs and announced a rejuvenated pipeline for American weapons to reach Ukraine, hardening his stance toward Moscow after months of frustration about unsuccessful negotiations for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">ending the war</a>.

The latest steps reflect an evolving approach from the Republican president, who promised to swiftly resolve the war started by Russian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;when he invaded Ukraine three years ago. Trump once focused his criticism on Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>, whom he described as unwilling to compromise, but more recently has expressed growing irritation toward Putin.

“My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night,” Trump said. He complained that “it just keeps going on and on and on.”

Trump said he would implement “severe tariffs” unless a peace deal is reached within 50 days. He provided few details on how they would be implemented, but he described them as secondary tariffs, meaning they would target Russia’s trading partners in an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy.

In addition, Trump said European allies would buy “billions and billions” of dollars of U.S. military equipment&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rutte-nato-putin-ukraine-524abe34764e4bb5838bbc90fc992520">to be transferred to Ukraine</a>, replenishing the besieged country’s supplies of weapons. He made the announcement in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Included in the plan are Patriot air defense systems, a top priority for Ukraine as it fends off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-record-drone-attack-ukraine-war-fe3d23673b9b5696bb5097def9ed0775">Russian drones</a>&nbsp;and missiles.

Doubts were recently raised about Trump’s commitment to supply Ukraine when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-weapons-pentagon-15694071ddb6f7040273e9ef090e84c4">the Pentagon paused shipments</a>&nbsp;over concerns that U.S. stockpiles were running low.

Rutte said Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark would be among the buyers to supply Ukraine. He said “speed is of the essence here,” and he suggested that some weapons would be rushed to Ukraine and later replaced with purchases from the U.S.

Trump has long boasted of his friendly relationship with Putin, and he repeatedly asserted that Russia was more willing than Ukraine to reach a peace deal. He also accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war and called him a “dictator without elections.”

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

While Rutte was in Washington, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transition-ukraine-russia-war-kellogg-68b413ecde625f6643aebe5759a752e7">retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg</a>, met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

Zelenskyy said he had “a productive conversation” with Kellogg about strengthening Ukrainian air defenses, joint arms production and purchasing U.S. weapons in conjunction with European countries, as well as the possibility of tighter international sanctions on the Kremlin.

“We hope for the leadership of the United States, because it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its ... ambitions are stopped by force,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

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

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

Trump confirmed the U.S. is sending Ukraine more badly needed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-patriot-missile-system-explainer-b16125509161de8a7a3b4c38022534c7">Patriot air defense missiles</a>&nbsp;and that the European Union will pay the U.S. for the “various pieces of very sophisticated” weaponry.

A senior Russian lawmaker, Konstantin Kosachev, said Trump’s plan had “only one beneficiary — the US military-industrial complex.”

Germany has offered to finance two Patriot systems, government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said Monday in Berlin. The country has already given three of its own Patriot systems to Ukraine.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was traveling to Washington on Monday to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

“We are determined to assume greater responsibility for Europe’s deterrence and defense, while recognizing that the contribution of the United States of America remains indispensable to our collective security,” Pistorius told reporters.

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

Although Trump had previously dismissed the effort as a waste of U.S. taxpayer money, Graham told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that “you’ll see weapons flowing at a record level.”

“One of the biggest miscalculations Putin has made is to play Trump,” he said. “And you just watch, in the coming days and weeks, there’s going to be a massive effort to get Putin to the table.”

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

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

Although Trump proposed targeting Russia with new tariffs, he expressed doubts about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-d1ec6840d4452a0209403e4c4c3ef861">bipartisan legislation</a>&nbsp;to punish the country even further.

“I’m not sure we need it,” he said. “It could be very useful. We’ll have to see.”

The legislation increases sanctions and places 500% tariffs on products imported from countries that buy Russian oil, gas and other exports. Trump on Monday proposed unilaterally implementing 100% tariffs.

“I use trade for a lot of things,” he said. “But it’s great for settling wars.”

Since Dec. 5, 2022, when the European Union banned Russian oil, China has bought 47% of Russia’s crude oil exports, followed by India at 38%. Turkey and the EU have each accounted for 6%, according to the Centre for Research and Clean Air, a Finnish nonprofit that tracks the energy industry.

Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a senior fellow in China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, doubted that tariffs would change the course of the war.

“Oil is fungible, and Russia has developed a nimble shadow fleet,” he said. “So enforcement would be a challenge.’’

However, the tariffs could still have a dramatic effect, depending on how they’re implemented.

Adding a 100% tariff on China, on top of import taxes already in place, would essentially halt trade between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies.

Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Paul Wiseman and David Klepper in Washington and Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England, contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Monday threatened Russia with steep tariffs and announced a rejuvenated pipeline for American weapons to reach Ukraine, hardening his stance toward Moscow after months of frustration about unsuccessful negotiations for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">ending the war</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump on Putin: &quot;I don&#39;t want to say he&#39;s an assassin, but he&#39;s a tough guy.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/wlOwhd1SFV">pic.twitter.com/wlOwhd1SFV</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1944786409396584801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump on Russia: &quot;We&#39;re very, very unhappy with them and we&#39;re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don&#39;t have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs at about 100%.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/nDWaAojSoC">pic.twitter.com/nDWaAojSoC</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1944781747507314768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump on new weapons deal with NATO: &quot;We&#39;ve made a deal today where we&#39;re going to be sending [NATO] weapons and they&#39;re going to be paying for it. The United States will not be having any payment made.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/pyY7VwpRi0">pic.twitter.com/pyY7VwpRi0</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1944780906289381639?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The latest steps reflect an evolving approach from the Republican president, who promised to swiftly resolve the war started by Russian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;when he invaded Ukraine three years ago. Trump once focused his criticism on Ukrainian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>, whom he described as unwilling to compromise, but more recently has expressed growing irritation toward Putin.“My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night,” Trump said. He complained that “it just keeps going on and on and on.”Trump said he would implement “severe tariffs” unless a peace deal is reached within 50 days. He provided few details on how they would be implemented, but he described them as secondary tariffs, meaning they would target Russia’s trading partners in an effort to isolate Moscow in the global economy.In addition, Trump said European allies would buy “billions and billions” of dollars of U.S. military equipment&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rutte-nato-putin-ukraine-524abe34764e4bb5838bbc90fc992520">to be transferred to Ukraine</a>, replenishing the besieged country’s supplies of weapons. He made the announcement in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.Included in the plan are Patriot air defense systems, a top priority for Ukraine as it fends off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-record-drone-attack-ukraine-war-fe3d23673b9b5696bb5097def9ed0775">Russian drones</a>&nbsp;and missiles.Doubts were recently raised about Trump’s commitment to supply Ukraine when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-weapons-pentagon-15694071ddb6f7040273e9ef090e84c4">the Pentagon paused shipments</a>&nbsp;over concerns that U.S. stockpiles were running low.Rutte said Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark would be among the buyers to supply Ukraine. He said “speed is of the essence here,” and he suggested that some weapons would be rushed to Ukraine and later replaced with purchases from the U.S.<h2>Trump exasperated with Putin</h2>Trump has long boasted of his friendly relationship with Putin, and he repeatedly asserted that Russia was more willing than Ukraine to reach a peace deal. He also accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war and called him a “dictator without elections.”But Russia’s relentless onslaught against civilian areas of Ukraine wore down Trump’s patience. In April, Trump urged Putin to “STOP!” launching deadly barrages on Kyiv, and the following month said in a social media post that the Russian leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-1f2d99bbc4fa9c4bfcc84b50c94ca578">“has gone absolutely CRAZY!”</a>.While Rutte was in Washington, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transition-ukraine-russia-war-kellogg-68b413ecde625f6643aebe5759a752e7">retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg</a>, met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv.Zelenskyy said he had “a productive conversation” with Kellogg about strengthening Ukrainian air defenses, joint arms production and purchasing U.S. weapons in conjunction with European countries, as well as the possibility of tighter international sanctions on the Kremlin.“We hope for the leadership of the United States, because it is clear that Moscow will not stop unless its ... ambitions are stopped by force,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.<h2>Talks on sending Patriot missiles</h2>Russia has pounded Ukrainian cities,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-record-drone-attack-ukraine-war-fe3d23673b9b5696bb5097def9ed0775">including the capital, Kyiv</a>, with hundreds of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles that Ukraine’s air defenses are struggling to counter. June brought the highest monthly civilian casualties of the past three years, with 232 people killed and 1,343 wounded, the U.N. human rights mission in Ukraine said.At the same time, Russia’s bigger army is making&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-spring-fighting-offensive-ceasefire-talks-49ee814cc4a8416c444ab7deae42488c">a new effort</a>&nbsp;to drive back Ukrainian defenders on parts of the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line.Trump confirmed the U.S. is sending Ukraine more badly needed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-patriot-missile-system-explainer-b16125509161de8a7a3b4c38022534c7">Patriot air defense missiles</a>&nbsp;and that the European Union will pay the U.S. for the “various pieces of very sophisticated” weaponry.A senior Russian lawmaker, Konstantin Kosachev, said Trump’s plan had “only one beneficiary — the US military-industrial complex.”Germany has offered to finance two Patriot systems, government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said Monday in Berlin. The country has already given three of its own Patriot systems to Ukraine.German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was traveling to Washington on Monday to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.“We are determined to assume greater responsibility for Europe’s deterrence and defense, while recognizing that the contribution of the United States of America remains indispensable to our collective security,” Pistorius told reporters.<h2>‘Weapons flowing at a record level’</h2>A top ally of Trump, Republican Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-d1ec6840d4452a0209403e4c4c3ef861">Lindsey Graham</a>&nbsp;of South Carolina, said Sunday that the conflict is nearing an inflection point as Trump shows growing interest in helping Ukraine fight back against Russia’s full-scale invasion.Although Trump had previously dismissed the effort as a waste of U.S. taxpayer money, Graham told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that “you’ll see weapons flowing at a record level.”“One of the biggest miscalculations Putin has made is to play Trump,” he said. “And you just watch, in the coming days and weeks, there’s going to be a massive effort to get Putin to the table.”Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy for international investment who took part in talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia in February, dismissed what he said were efforts to drive a wedge between Moscow and Washington.“Constructive dialogue between Russia and the United States is more effective than doomed-to-fail attempts at pressure,” Dmitriev said in a post on Telegram. “This dialogue will continue, despite titanic efforts to disrupt it by all possible means.”<h2>Economic pressure</h2>Although Trump proposed targeting Russia with new tariffs, he expressed doubts about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-us-ukraine-russia-sanctions-graham-blumenthal-d1ec6840d4452a0209403e4c4c3ef861">bipartisan legislation</a>&nbsp;to punish the country even further.“I’m not sure we need it,” he said. “It could be very useful. We’ll have to see.”The legislation increases sanctions and places 500% tariffs on products imported from countries that buy Russian oil, gas and other exports. Trump on Monday proposed unilaterally implementing 100% tariffs.“I use trade for a lot of things,” he said. “But it’s great for settling wars.”Since Dec. 5, 2022, when the European Union banned Russian oil, China has bought 47% of Russia’s crude oil exports, followed by India at 38%. Turkey and the EU have each accounted for 6%, according to the Centre for Research and Clean Air, a Finnish nonprofit that tracks the energy industry.Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a senior fellow in China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, doubted that tariffs would change the course of the war.“Oil is fungible, and Russia has developed a nimble shadow fleet,” he said. “So enforcement would be a challenge.’’However, the tariffs could still have a dramatic effect, depending on how they’re implemented.Adding a 100% tariff on China, on top of import taxes already in place, would essentially halt trade between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies.___Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Paul Wiseman and David Klepper in Washington and Katie Marie Davies in Manchester, England, contributed to this report.

🎥President Trump give Putin new ultimatum to end war in Ukraine

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal hit-and-run incident in Wichita.

Just before 1a.m. Sunday, police responded to a call at Kellogg and Tyler. Once on the scene, officers found 41-year-old Cary Lee South, of Wichita, on the eastbound on-ramp to Kellogg from Tyler Road, according to a media release from Wichita Police. He had significant injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;

Investigators learned that the victim was crossing Kellogg Drive, near 8400 W. Kellogg, and was struck by an unknown vehicle, which fled from the scene.

This remains an active investigation, and Investigators are following up on all leads. If you were in the area and saw anything, please contact Detectives at 316-350-3685 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal hit-and-run incident in Wichita.Just before 1a.m. Sunday, police responded to a call at Kellogg and Tyler. Once on the scene, officers found 41-year-old Cary Lee South, of Wichita, on the eastbound on-ramp to Kellogg from Tyler Road, according to a media release from Wichita Police. He had significant injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;Investigators learned that the victim was crossing Kellogg Drive, near 8400 W. Kellogg, and was struck by an unknown vehicle, which fled from the scene.This remains an active investigation, and Investigators are following up on all leads. If you were in the area and saw anything, please contact Detectives at 316-350-3685 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Police: Kansas man killed after hit-and-run pedestrian incident

WASHINGTON (AP) — Israel believes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-iran-satellite-photos-nuclear-sites-us-da82442dd4d526e69a4f1e77a72f3dfd">deeply buried stocks of enriched uranium</a>&nbsp;at one Iranian nuclear facility hit by the U.S. military are potentially retrievable, a senior Israeli official said.

And the agency that built the U.S. “bunker buster” bombs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-sites-bombing-hegseth-trump-4014575fca3923cf29772d1c0b876206">dropped on two other nuclear sites</a>&nbsp;said Thursday that it is still waiting for data to be able to determine if those munitions reached their targets.

Both developments widen the views on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-iran-nuclear-strikes-intel-863369a112a14021cb59cbf985a1c74b">damage from last month’s strikes</a>, when the United States&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-talks-geneva-news-06-21-2025-a7b0cdaba28b5817467ccf712d214579">inserted itself in Israel’s war</a>&nbsp;in a bid to eliminate the threat of Iran developing a nuclear weapon. Iran says its program is peaceful.

President Donald Trump is adamant that the U.S. strikes “obliterated” the three Iranian nuclear facilities it targeted. International assessments and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-military-strikes-trump-f0fc085a2605e7da3e2f47ff9ac0e01d">initial U.S. intelligence assessment</a>&nbsp;have been more measured, with the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency saying in a preliminary report that the strikes did significant damage to the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan sites, but did not destroy them.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-facilities-us-strikes-b79fc83a904076f6fffb383e9269a908">told skeptical U.S. lawmakers</a>&nbsp;that American military strikes destroyed Iran’s lone metal conversion facility, a setback to the nuclear program that would take years to overcome, and that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-intelligence-assessment-cia-nuclear-distrust-13d39a9cd96ff4021e9be780bf5f8491">the intelligence community assessed</a>&nbsp;that the vast majority of Iran’s amassed enriched uranium likely remains buried under the rubble at Isfahan and Fordo.

The White House didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment Thursday.

Much of Iran’s enriched uranium is believed deeply buried at the third site, Isfahan, the senior Israeli official said. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fordo-us-strike-trump-israel-nuclear-sites-320a85327f94ed7496f09564261f3148">U.S. used B-2 stealth bombers</a>&nbsp;to target the Fordo and Natanz sites.

The official spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to share Israeli assessments that had not been made public.

Israel believes Iran’s enriched uranium was distributed in the three sites and had not been moved, the Israeli official said. Nuclear and nonproliferation experts have warned that Iranians could have moved the stockpiles somewhere safer as Israeli strikes pounded Iran last month and expectation grew that the U.S. military might join in.

The enriched uranium at Isfahan could potentially be retrieved by Iranians but reaching it would take a very difficult recovery effort, the Israeli official said.

Trump and other administration officials have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-iran-nuclear-strikes-intel-863369a112a14021cb59cbf985a1c74b">rebuffed suggestions</a>&nbsp;that the June 22 U.S. strikes did anything short of wiping out the nuclear sites. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-strikes-nuclear-trump-hegseth-caine-78499bef6b34ebb970b5c9d074021044">they were “destroyed.”</a>

Two officials from the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, which spent decades designing the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs specifically to destroy Iran’s facilities, said they still did not know yet if the munitions had reached the depths the bombs had been engineered for.

Those officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details on the bombs that had not been previously announced.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in an interview published Monday said the U.S. airstrikes so badly damaged his country’s nuclear facilities that Iranian authorities still have not been able to access them to survey the destruction.

Pezeshkian added in the interview with conservative American broadcaster Tucker Carlson that Iran would be willing to resume cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog but cannot yet commit to allowing its inspectors unfettered access to monitor the sites.

“We stand ready to have such supervision,” Pezeshkian said. “Unfortunately, as a result of the United States’ unlawful attacks against our nuclear centers and installations, many of the pieces of equipment and the facilities there have been severely damaged.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rafael-grossi">Rafael Grossi</a>, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said late last month that the three Iranian sites with “capabilities in terms of treatment, conversion and enrichment of uranium have been destroyed to an important degree.”

But, he added, because capabilities remain, “if they so wish, they will be able to start doing this again.” He said assessing the full damage comes down to Iran allowing in inspectors.

“Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared, and there is nothing there,” Grossi said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752412156775.png" alt="Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman&nbsp; GeneralDan Caine at a Washington news conference following the strikes on Iran- image from Pentagon video" />
 <figcaption>Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman&nbsp; GeneralDan Caine at a Washington news conference following the strikes on Iran- image from Pentagon video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Israel believes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-iran-satellite-photos-nuclear-sites-us-da82442dd4d526e69a4f1e77a72f3dfd">deeply buried stocks of enriched uranium</a>&nbsp;at one Iranian nuclear facility hit by the U.S. military are potentially retrievable, a senior Israeli official said.And the agency that built the U.S. “bunker buster” bombs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-sites-bombing-hegseth-trump-4014575fca3923cf29772d1c0b876206">dropped on two other nuclear sites</a>&nbsp;said Thursday that it is still waiting for data to be able to determine if those munitions reached their targets.Both developments widen the views on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-iran-nuclear-strikes-intel-863369a112a14021cb59cbf985a1c74b">damage from last month’s strikes</a>, when the United States&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-talks-geneva-news-06-21-2025-a7b0cdaba28b5817467ccf712d214579">inserted itself in Israel’s war</a>&nbsp;in a bid to eliminate the threat of Iran developing a nuclear weapon. Iran says its program is peaceful.President Donald Trump is adamant that the U.S. strikes “obliterated” the three Iranian nuclear facilities it targeted. International assessments and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-military-strikes-trump-f0fc085a2605e7da3e2f47ff9ac0e01d">initial U.S. intelligence assessment</a>&nbsp;have been more measured, with the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency saying in a preliminary report that the strikes did significant damage to the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan sites, but did not destroy them.CIA Director John Ratcliffe has since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-facilities-us-strikes-b79fc83a904076f6fffb383e9269a908">told skeptical U.S. lawmakers</a>&nbsp;that American military strikes destroyed Iran’s lone metal conversion facility, a setback to the nuclear program that would take years to overcome, and that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-intelligence-assessment-cia-nuclear-distrust-13d39a9cd96ff4021e9be780bf5f8491">the intelligence community assessed</a>&nbsp;that the vast majority of Iran’s amassed enriched uranium likely remains buried under the rubble at Isfahan and Fordo.The White House didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment Thursday.Much of Iran’s enriched uranium is believed deeply buried at the third site, Isfahan, the senior Israeli official said. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fordo-us-strike-trump-israel-nuclear-sites-320a85327f94ed7496f09564261f3148">U.S. used B-2 stealth bombers</a>&nbsp;to target the Fordo and Natanz sites.The official spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to share Israeli assessments that had not been made public.Israel believes Iran’s enriched uranium was distributed in the three sites and had not been moved, the Israeli official said. Nuclear and nonproliferation experts have warned that Iranians could have moved the stockpiles somewhere safer as Israeli strikes pounded Iran last month and expectation grew that the U.S. military might join in.The enriched uranium at Isfahan could potentially be retrieved by Iranians but reaching it would take a very difficult recovery effort, the Israeli official said.Trump and other administration officials have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-iran-nuclear-strikes-intel-863369a112a14021cb59cbf985a1c74b">rebuffed suggestions</a>&nbsp;that the June 22 U.S. strikes did anything short of wiping out the nuclear sites. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-strikes-nuclear-trump-hegseth-caine-78499bef6b34ebb970b5c9d074021044">they were “destroyed.”</a>Two officials from the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, which spent decades designing the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs specifically to destroy Iran’s facilities, said they still did not know yet if the munitions had reached the depths the bombs had been engineered for.Those officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details on the bombs that had not been previously announced.Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in an interview published Monday said the U.S. airstrikes so badly damaged his country’s nuclear facilities that Iranian authorities still have not been able to access them to survey the destruction.Pezeshkian added in the interview with conservative American broadcaster Tucker Carlson that Iran would be willing to resume cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog but cannot yet commit to allowing its inspectors unfettered access to monitor the sites.“We stand ready to have such supervision,” Pezeshkian said. “Unfortunately, as a result of the United States’ unlawful attacks against our nuclear centers and installations, many of the pieces of equipment and the facilities there have been severely damaged.”<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rafael-grossi">Rafael Grossi</a>, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said late last month that the three Iranian sites with “capabilities in terms of treatment, conversion and enrichment of uranium have been destroyed to an important degree.”But, he added, because capabilities remain, “if they so wish, they will be able to start doing this again.” He said assessing the full damage comes down to Iran allowing in inspectors.“Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared, and there is nothing there,” Grossi said.

Israel says Iran could reach enriched uranium at nuclear site hit by US

SALINE COUNTY —The bomb squad from Fort Riley responded to report of a possible explosive device at a home in rural Saline County on Sunday.

A family was gathered at a home on East 6th Street in Gypsum to sort through items of a family member who had passed away, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

They discovered a hand grenade inside an ammunition box and the family called the sheriff’s office. The bomb squad safely disposed of the grenade. It contained no explosives&nbsp; but did have a live fuse attached.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672936967128.jpg" alt="File Photo pixaby" />
 <figcaption>File Photo pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —The bomb squad from Fort Riley responded to report of a possible explosive device at a home in rural Saline County on Sunday.A family was gathered at a home on East 6th Street in Gypsum to sort through items of a family member who had passed away, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.They discovered a hand grenade inside an ammunition box and the family called the sheriff’s office. The bomb squad safely disposed of the grenade. It contained no explosives&nbsp; but did have a live fuse attached.&nbsp;

Family found grenade at rural Kansas home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

$4 billion investment: Panasonic Day in Kansas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

$100,000 damage after rural Kansas fire

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Different opinions from lawmakers after visit to  'Alligator Alcatraz' 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brothers jailed after Facebook Marketplace truck sale shooting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746181587274.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON — Congress has just days left to approve the Trump administration’s request to cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved funding for public media and foreign aid, setting up yet another tight deadline for lawmakers.&nbsp;The Senate must pass the bill before July 18, otherwise the White House budget office will be required to spend the funding and be barred from sending up the same proposal again for what are called rescissions.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/zMYMcrzbxu">pic.twitter.com/zMYMcrzbxu</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1943446385501614262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But objections from several GOP senators could stop the legislation in its tracks, or change it substantially, requiring another House vote in a very short time frame. Rejecting the plan would represent a loss for the Trump administration after passage of the “big, beautiful” tax and spending cut law earlier this month.Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., appears optimistic he can secure the votes needed to begin debate, though he hasn’t said publicly if he thinks the bill can actually pass.&nbsp;“We’ll have it up on the floor next week. Hopefully, we get on it and then we’ll have an amendment process,” Thune said during a Wednesday press conference. “And kind of like a budget reconciliation bill, it’s an open amendment process, a vote-a-rama type process, which I’m sure you’re very excited about.”<h2>JD Vance needed again?</h2>At least 50 Republicans must agree to proceed to the legislation amid unified opposition from Democrats. Thune can only lose three GOP senators and still begin debate with Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking vote. Rescissions bills are exempt from the Senate’s 60-vote legislative filibuster.After a maximum of 10 hours of debate, the Senate will begin a marathon amendment voting session that could substantially reshape the measure.There may be enough Republican votes to completely remove the section rescinding $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds the Public Broadcasting Service, National Public Radio and hundreds of local public media stations.Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski and South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds all brought up misgivings during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-drive-defund-npr-pbs-resisted-republicans-rural-states" target="_blank">a June hearing</a>&nbsp;about how canceling previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would impact rural communities and emergency alerts.Collins, R-Maine, also raised concerns about the Trump administration’s efforts to claw back previously approved funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, and is likely to bring an amendment to the floor on that issue, according to her office. PEPFAR is a global initiative to combat HIV/AIDS that was led by President George W. Bush.Democrats will get to offer as many amendments as they want during the vote-a-rama and could try to remove each section of the bill one by one, forcing Republicans to weigh in publicly on numerous foreign aid programs.<h2>45 days for Trump request</h2>President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-wants-congress-slash-94b-spending-now-defund-npr-and-pbs" target="_blank">sent Congress the rescissions request</a>&nbsp;in early June, starting a 45-day clock for lawmakers to consider his proposal.The recommendation asked lawmakers to cancel $8.3 billion in foreign aid funding, including $500 million for certain global health programs at the U.S. Agency for International Development.“This proposal would not reduce treatment but would eliminate programs that are antithetical to American interests and worsen the lives of women and children, like ‘family planning’ and ‘reproductive health,’ LGBTQI+ activities, and ‘equity’ programs,” the request states. “This rescission proposal aligns with the Administration’s efforts to eliminate wasteful USAID foreign assistance programs.”The House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-votes-yank-billions-npr-pbs-and-foreign-aid-programs" target="_blank">voted mostly along party lines</a>&nbsp;in mid-June to approve the rescissions request, but the legislation sat around the Senate for weeks as Republicans struggled to pass their “big, beautiful” law.The Senate can vote to approve the proposal as is, change it, or let it expire, forcing the White House budget office to spend the money, which it’s been able to legally freeze since sending Congress the rescissions request.<h2>Relations with White House</h2>Senators’ decision will impact how Republicans in that chamber, especially Thune and those on the Appropriations Committee, work with White House budget director Russ Vought in the coming months and years.Congress and the Trump administration must broker some sort of funding agreement before the start of the next fiscal year on Oct. 1 to stave off a shutdown.Vought has also said he plans to send lawmakers additional rescissions requests, though he hasn’t said exactly when or what programs he’ll include.Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Thursday as the panel debated three of the full-year government funding bills that the rescissions package is not acceptable and could impede the committee’s traditionally bipartisan work.“We need to make sure decisions about what to fund and, yes, what to rescind are made here in Congress on a bipartisan basis and within our annual funding process,” Murray said. “We cannot allow bipartisan funding bills with partisan rescission packages. It will not work. And that is why I will repeat my commitment to all of my colleagues that on this side of the dais, we stand ready to discuss rescissions as part of these bipartisan spending bills.”

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

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

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

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

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

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