KANSAS CITY —Kansas City, Missouri police are investigating a deadly officer involved shooting near Kansas City International Airport.

Early Thursday,&nbsp; Riverside, Missouri Police Officers were dispatched on a reported Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault that occurred in the parking lot of the Argosy Casino, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez .

 An adult male victim was located and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on scene at that location. Riverside dispatch quickly broadcasted the description of the suspect vehicle and person of interest to responding officers. 

A Riverside police officer located the described suspect and vehicle as he was fleeing the scene. Due to the nature of the call, a vehicle pursuit was initiated, to stop an armed and dangerous individual. 

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department became notified of an outside agency vehicle pursuit traveling through the city and assisted by deploying stop sticks, a tire deflation device, in the area of I-29 and Cookingham around 6:40a.m.

The suspect vehicle’s tires struck the tire deflation device disabling the vehicle. The driver subsequently pulled over and stopped the vehicle at I-29 and I-435. 

Multiple agencies, to include the Riverside Police Department and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, began giving verbal commands for the suspect to exit the vehicle and peacefully surrender. 

After approximately thirty minutes of negotiations, the suspect exited the driver’s seat of the vehicle armed with a handgun. He pointed the firearm in the direction of the officers, at which time two Riverside Police Officers and one Platte County Deputy discharged their duty weapons, striking the adult male subject. 

Officers on scene provided emergency medical care to the man until EMS responded and transported him to an area hospital for treatment. The male suspect was declared deceased a short time later at the hospital. 

A handgun was recovered from the scene where the suspect had been shot. No officers were injured during this incident.&nbsp; Police have not released the suspect's name.

KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Police Department is investigating an Officer Involved Shooting involving multiple outside agencies that occurred early Thursday near Interstate 29 and Interstate 435, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez .&nbsp; Few details are available. Northbound Interstate 29 was closed at Cookingham during the investigation.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746109656574.png" alt="Image KC Scout camera" />
 <figcaption>Image KC Scout camera</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Kansas City, Missouri police are investigating a deadly officer involved shooting near Kansas City International Airport.Early Thursday,&nbsp; Riverside, Missouri Police Officers were dispatched on a reported Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault that occurred in the parking lot of the Argosy Casino, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez . An adult male victim was located and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on scene at that location. Riverside dispatch quickly broadcasted the description of the suspect vehicle and person of interest to responding officers. A Riverside police officer located the described suspect and vehicle as he was fleeing the scene. Due to the nature of the call, a vehicle pursuit was initiated, to stop an armed and dangerous individual. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department became notified of an outside agency vehicle pursuit traveling through the city and assisted by deploying stop sticks, a tire deflation device, in the area of I-29 and Cookingham around 6:40a.m.The suspect vehicle’s tires struck the tire deflation device disabling the vehicle. The driver subsequently pulled over and stopped the vehicle at I-29 and I-435. Multiple agencies, to include the Riverside Police Department and the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, began giving verbal commands for the suspect to exit the vehicle and peacefully surrender. After approximately thirty minutes of negotiations, the suspect exited the driver’s seat of the vehicle armed with a handgun. He pointed the firearm in the direction of the officers, at which time two Riverside Police Officers and one Platte County Deputy discharged their duty weapons, striking the adult male subject. Officers on scene provided emergency medical care to the man until EMS responded and transported him to an area hospital for treatment. The male suspect was declared deceased a short time later at the hospital. A handgun was recovered from the scene where the suspect had been shot. No officers were injured during this incident.&nbsp; Police have not released the suspect's name.----------------KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Police Department is investigating an Officer Involved Shooting involving multiple outside agencies that occurred early Thursday near Interstate 29 and Interstate 435, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez .&nbsp; Few details are available. Northbound Interstate 29 was closed at Cookingham during the investigation.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

KCPD updates details on fatal officer-involved shooting near KCI

WASHINGTON (AP) —President Trump created a religious liberty commission.

The president signed an executive order creating the panel during a White House Rose Garden ceremony to recognize the National Day of Prayer.

Its members include Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, former U.S. housing secretary Ben Carson and TV talk-show host Phil McGraw. The commission was Patrick’s idea, Trump said.

Patrick told Trump, “There has never been a president who has invoked the name of Jesus more than you.”

McGraw said Trump is a “man of deep faith … who wants this country to have a heart and have religion.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746132611775.png" alt="President Trump and Dr. Phil -Image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and Dr. Phil -Image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —President Trump created a religious liberty commission.The president signed an executive order creating the panel during a White House Rose Garden ceremony to recognize the National Day of Prayer.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> officially establishes the Religious Liberty Commission to safeguard and promote America&#39;s founding principle of religious freedom <a href="https://t.co/UCqlqnl3PN">pic.twitter.com/UCqlqnl3PN</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1917993660945227924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Its members include Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, former U.S. housing secretary Ben Carson and TV talk-show host Phil McGraw. The commission was Patrick’s idea, Trump said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Humbling to hear “Amazing Grace” being sung at the WH. Thank you, <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> for putting faith at the forefront of your Administration. <a href="https://t.co/SoSHyfsHnv">pic.twitter.com/SoSHyfsHnv</a>&mdash; Scott Turner (@SecretaryTurner) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecretaryTurner/status/1918010029677961635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Texas Lt. Governor <a href="https://twitter.com/DanPatrick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DanPatrick</a> delivers remarks at the White House National Day of Prayer event: &quot;You are restoring the hopes and the prayers of millions upon millions of believers... you have a heart for every American, and you&#39;re showing that today.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/tla4lFNrm1">pic.twitter.com/tla4lFNrm1</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1917983560545271924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;As we bow our heads on this beautiful day, once again we have to trust our God because our God knows exactly where we&#39;re going... and may He continue to hear our prayers, to guide our steps, and build up our beloved nation to even greater heights.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/n7WqrjksH4">pic.twitter.com/n7WqrjksH4</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1917986435816112406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Patrick told Trump, “There has never been a president who has invoked the name of Jesus more than you.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DrPhil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrPhil</a>: &quot;I&#39;ve sat with President Trump with no cameras around, nobody listening, nobody watching — and I&#39;m telling you, this is a man of deep faith, a man of deep conviction ... This man cares about every single person in America.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/XhkRRfZ1ll">pic.twitter.com/XhkRRfZ1ll</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1917982018459030012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>McGraw said Trump is a “man of deep faith … who wants this country to have a heart and have religion.”

🎥Who Trump appointed to his religious liberty commission 

DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement and USD 473 staff are investigating an alleged threat at the middle school in Chapman.

On Wednesday, an officer with Chapman Police was notified of a potential harmful event that may occur at a later date at the Chapman Middle School, 624 Marshall Ave, Chapman, according to a social media report from the Chapman Police Department.

Chapman police immediately made contact with USD 473 staff and contacted the Dickinson Co. Sheriff’s Office and an investigation began immediately.

After the investigation, the officials feel that there is no credible threat. The investigation isn’t complete.  An official statement will be released on Friday.  Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

DICKINSON COUNTY —Law enforcement and USD 473 staff are investigating an alleged threat at the middle school in Chapman.On Wednesday, an officer with Chapman Police was notified of a potential harmful event that may occur at a later date at the Chapman Middle School, 624 Marshall Ave, Chapman, according to a social media report from the Chapman Police Department.Chapman police immediately made contact with USD 473 staff and contacted the Dickinson Co. Sheriff’s Office and an investigation began immediately.After the investigation, the officials feel that there is no credible threat. The investigation isn’t complete. An official statement will be released on Friday. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

Police investigating alleged threat at Kansas middle school

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect accused in a deadly shooting in the parking lot of a motel in Wichita made his first court appearance in the case Wednesday.

James Owens, 35 of Wichita, was charged with 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 8 p.m. April 25, Wichita Police were in the area of South Topeka and East Indianapolis in Wichita when they heard gunshots nearby, according to Wichita Police Officer Brad Wright.

Officers immediately responded to the area in the 800 block of South Broadway. Upon arrival, officers discovered that 21-year-old Martevion Davis from Wichita had suffered gunshot wounds to his torso and arms. Davis was driven to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 10:46 p.m., according to Wright.

Through investigations, Officers were quickly able to identify Owens as a suspect. There were multiple individuals at the scene who were later interviewed by Wichita Police Department Homicide Investigators. At this point in the investigation, it is believed that Davis and Owens were known to each other.

At 12:30 p.m. Saturday Owens turned himself into police custody and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. He is being held on a bond of one-million dollars and is due back in court&nbsp; May 12, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745701616774.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A suspect accused in a deadly shooting in the parking lot of a motel in Wichita made his first court appearance in the case Wednesday.James Owens, 35 of Wichita, was charged with 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 8 p.m. April 25, Wichita Police were in the area of South Topeka and East Indianapolis in Wichita when they heard gunshots nearby, according to Wichita Police Officer Brad Wright.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745750207897.png" alt="Owens photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Owens photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers immediately responded to the area in the 800 block of South Broadway. Upon arrival, officers discovered that 21-year-old Martevion Davis from Wichita had suffered gunshot wounds to his torso and arms. Davis was driven to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 10:46 p.m., according to Wright.Through investigations, Officers were quickly able to identify Owens as a suspect. There were multiple individuals at the scene who were later interviewed by Wichita Police Department Homicide Investigators. At this point in the investigation, it is believed that Davis and Owens were known to each other.At 12:30 p.m. Saturday Owens turned himself into police custody and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. He is being held on a bond of one-million dollars and is due back in court&nbsp; May 12, according to the district attorney's office.

Kan. man who turned himself in for murder appears before a judge

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An astronaut who missed out on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/774dc759788d4e42a5eecaa4f739aade">first all-female spacewalk</a>&nbsp;because of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/nasa-nixes-1st-all-female-spacewalk-due-to-suit-sizing-issue-b5de006769d6411d803b395dabac4e4f">spacesuit sizing issue</a>&nbsp;got her chance six years later on Thursday.

NASA’s Anne McClain emerged from the International Space Station alongside Nichole Ayers. Both military officers and pilots, they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-stuck-astronauts-spacex-boeing-e2f2e7fed6a0e65553eb72923b9357c7">launched</a>&nbsp;to the orbiting lab in March to replace NASA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stuck-astronauts-space-spacex-williams-wilmore-23138bc21431771e91418d5cab40bbf4">two stuck astronauts</a>, who are now back home.

Minutes before floating out, McClain noticed strands of string on the index finger of her right glove. Mission Control briefly delayed the start of the spacewalk to make sure her glove was safe.

Outside for nearly six hours, the spacewalkers prepared the station for another new set of solar panels and moved an antenna on the 260-mile-high (420-kilometer-high) complex. They were welcomed back inside by the space station's commander, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi.

“We are so happy to have you back, and your dinner is ready so don’t worry about it,” Onishi said.

The space station had to be raised into a slightly higher orbit Wednesday evening to avoid space junk: part of a 20-year-old Chinese rocket.

McClain, an Army colonel and helicopter pilot, should have taken part in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019, but there weren’t enough medium-size suits. The first women-only spacewalk was by Christina Koch and Jessica Meir. The latest was the fifth all-female spacewalk in 60 years of spacewalking.

Koch soon will become the first woman to fly to the moon. She and three male astronauts will fly around the moon without landing next year under NASA's Artemis program, the successor to Apollo.

Men still outnumber women in NASA's astronaut corps.

Of NASA's 47 active astronauts, 20 are women. And of the seven astronauts currently living at the space station, McClain and Ayers are the only women. It was the first spacewalk for Ayers, an Air Force major and former fighter pilot, and the third for McClain.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An astronaut who missed out on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/774dc759788d4e42a5eecaa4f739aade">first all-female spacewalk</a>&nbsp;because of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/nasa-nixes-1st-all-female-spacewalk-due-to-suit-sizing-issue-b5de006769d6411d803b395dabac4e4f">spacesuit sizing issue</a>&nbsp;got her chance six years later on Thursday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LIVE: We&#39;re going on a spacewalk! <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroAnnimal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AstroAnnimal</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Ayers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Ayers</a> are scheduled to head out around 8am ET (1200 UTC) on a six-and-a-half hour spacewalk to upgrade the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a>. <a href="https://t.co/VzqVjBGyP8">https://t.co/VzqVjBGyP8</a>&mdash; NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1917889344628457840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>NASA’s Anne McClain emerged from the International Space Station alongside Nichole Ayers. Both military officers and pilots, they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-stuck-astronauts-spacex-boeing-e2f2e7fed6a0e65553eb72923b9357c7">launched</a>&nbsp;to the orbiting lab in March to replace NASA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stuck-astronauts-space-spacex-williams-wilmore-23138bc21431771e91418d5cab40bbf4">two stuck astronauts</a>, who are now back home.Minutes before floating out, McClain noticed strands of string on the index finger of her right glove. Mission Control briefly delayed the start of the spacewalk to make sure her glove was safe.Outside for nearly six hours, the spacewalkers prepared the station for another new set of solar panels and moved an antenna on the 260-mile-high (420-kilometer-high) complex. They were welcomed back inside by the space station's commander, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi.“We are so happy to have you back, and your dinner is ready so don’t worry about it,” Onishi said.The space station had to be raised into a slightly higher orbit Wednesday evening to avoid space junk: part of a 20-year-old Chinese rocket.McClain, an Army colonel and helicopter pilot, should have taken part in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019, but there weren’t enough medium-size suits. The first women-only spacewalk was by Christina Koch and Jessica Meir. The latest was the fifth all-female spacewalk in 60 years of spacewalking.Koch soon will become the first woman to fly to the moon. She and three male astronauts will fly around the moon without landing next year under NASA's Artemis program, the successor to Apollo.Men still outnumber women in NASA's astronaut corps.Of NASA's 47 active astronauts, 20 are women. And of the seven astronauts currently living at the space station, McClain and Ayers are the only women. It was the first spacewalk for Ayers, an Air Force major and former fighter pilot, and the third for McClain.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

🎥NASA astronauts step outside to perform the 5th all-female spacewalk

NEW YORK (AP) — SharkNinja is recalling more than 2 million pressure cookers sold in the U.S. and Canada — after consumers reported over 100 burn injuries spanning from a hazard that can cause hot food to spew out.

According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/SharkNinja-Recalls-1-8-Million-Foodi-Multi-Function-Pressure-Cookers-Due-to-Burn-Hazard-Serious-Burn-Injuries-Reported">recall notice</a>&nbsp;published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Thursday, Ninja-branded “Foodi OP300 Series Multi-Function Pressure Cookers” have a lid that can be opened while the cooker is in use. That can cause hot contents to escape from the product, posing serious burn risks.

SharkNinja has received 106 reports of burn injuries in the U.S. — including more than 50 reports of second or third-degree burns to the face or body, per the CPSC, which adds that 26 lawsuits have been filed as a result. No additional injuries have been reported in Canada, an accompanying&nbsp;<a href="https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/ninja-foodi-tendercrisp-multi-cookers-pressure-cooking-lid-recalled-due-potential-burn">notice</a>&nbsp;from Health Canada notes.

“The safety of our customers is a top priority for SharkNinja,” the company said in a statement sent to The Associated Press, adding that it was conducting a recall to address related consumer reports.

Those in possession of the now-recalled cookers are urged to immediately stop using the pressure-cooking function and contact Massachusetts-based SharkNinja for a free replacement lid. But you can still use the cookers' other functions, including air frying, which are not affected by the recall.

To get a new lid, “you do not need to take your unit back to where you bought it,"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rqa-inc.com/client/SharkNinja/">an FAQ</a>&nbsp;on SharkNinja's website adds — noting that all recall replacements will be handled online.

The multiuse cookers were made in China and sold between early 2019 and the spring of 2025 at major retailers like Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Amazon and Target, as well as Ninjakitchen.com, for about $200. The products have the word “Ninja” printed on the front.

Consumers can also identify if their cooker is impacted by checking its product label. Impacted model numbers are listed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rqa-inc.com/client/SharkNinja/">Thursday's recall notices</a>. About 1,846,400 of these cookers were sold in the U.S. and 184,240 were sold in Canada, in addition to some lids that were previously distributed as replacement parts.

To request a free replacement lid and learn more information, consumers can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rqa-inc.com/client/SharkNinja/">visit SharkNinja's recall page here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746125982790.png" alt="Photo Consumer Product Safety Commission" />
 <figcaption>Photo Consumer Product Safety Commission</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — SharkNinja is recalling more than 2 million pressure cookers sold in the U.S. and Canada — after consumers reported over 100 burn injuries spanning from a hazard that can cause hot food to spew out.According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/SharkNinja-Recalls-1-8-Million-Foodi-Multi-Function-Pressure-Cookers-Due-to-Burn-Hazard-Serious-Burn-Injuries-Reported">recall notice</a>&nbsp;published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Thursday, Ninja-branded “Foodi OP300 Series Multi-Function Pressure Cookers” have a lid that can be opened while the cooker is in use. That can cause hot contents to escape from the product, posing serious burn risks.SharkNinja has received 106 reports of burn injuries in the U.S. — including more than 50 reports of second or third-degree burns to the face or body, per the CPSC, which adds that 26 lawsuits have been filed as a result. No additional injuries have been reported in Canada, an accompanying&nbsp;<a href="https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/ninja-foodi-tendercrisp-multi-cookers-pressure-cooking-lid-recalled-due-potential-burn">notice</a>&nbsp;from Health Canada notes.“The safety of our customers is a top priority for SharkNinja,” the company said in a statement sent to The Associated Press, adding that it was conducting a recall to address related consumer reports.Those in possession of the now-recalled cookers are urged to immediately stop using the pressure-cooking function and contact Massachusetts-based SharkNinja for a free replacement lid. But you can still use the cookers' other functions, including air frying, which are not affected by the recall.To get a new lid, “you do not need to take your unit back to where you bought it,"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rqa-inc.com/client/SharkNinja/">an FAQ</a>&nbsp;on SharkNinja's website adds — noting that all recall replacements will be handled online.The multiuse cookers were made in China and sold between early 2019 and the spring of 2025 at major retailers like Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Amazon and Target, as well as Ninjakitchen.com, for about $200. The products have the word “Ninja” printed on the front.Consumers can also identify if their cooker is impacted by checking its product label. Impacted model numbers are listed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rqa-inc.com/client/SharkNinja/">Thursday's recall notices</a>. About 1,846,400 of these cookers were sold in the U.S. and 184,240 were sold in Canada, in addition to some lids that were previously distributed as replacement parts.To request a free replacement lid and learn more information, consumers can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rqa-inc.com/client/SharkNinja/">visit SharkNinja's recall page here</a>.

Ninja-branded pressure cookers recalled after reports of serious burn injuries

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he’s naming Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting national security adviser to replace Mike Waltz, whom he is nominating for United Nations ambassador.

Trump announced the moves shortly after news broke that Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong were departing the administration just weeks after it was revealed that Waltz added a journalist to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans.

Trump said Rubio will continue to serve as secretary of state.

“I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations. From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first,” Trump wrote on social media.

“In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department. Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN.

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House national security adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-security-adviser-mike-wlatz-0c81d044c9ffe18dfd745202e8351b9c">Mike Waltz</a>&nbsp;is leaving the administration just weeks after it was revealed he added a journalist to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans, according to two people familiar with the matter Thursday, marking the first major staff shakeup of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Mike Walz statement during the Trump cabinet meeting Wednesday.

Waltz came under searing scrutiny in March after revelations that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-plans-hegseth-signal-chat-investigation-507d6c692d0cfdfe53e687c0801fd46b">added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a private text chain</a>&nbsp;on the encrypted messaging app Signal, which was used to discuss planning for a sensitive March 15 military operation against Houthi militants in Yemen. A far-right ally of the president, Laura Loomer, has also targeted Waltz, telling Trump in a recent Oval Office conversation that he needs to purge aides who she believes are insufficiently loyal to the “Make America Great Again” agenda.

Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, is also expected to depart, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel move not yet made public. The National Security Council did not respond do a request for comment.

Waltz, who served in the House representing Florida for three terms before his elevation to the White House, is the most prominent senior administration official to depart since Trump returned to the White House. In his second term, the Republican president had been looking to avoid the tumult of his first four years in office, during which he cycled through four national security advisers, four White House chiefs of staff and two secretaries of state.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-pentagon-trump-30dc4c3d0e75a89f3fd883f38b26afff">The Signal chain</a>&nbsp;also showed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided the exact timings of warplane launches and when bombs would drop. Waltz had previously taken “full responsibility” for building the message chain and administration officials described the episode as a “mistake” but one that caused Americans no harm. Waltz maintained that he was not sure how Goldberg ended up in the messaging chain, and insisted he did not know the journalist.

Trump and the White House — which insisted that no classified information was shared on the text chain — have stood by Waltz publicly throughout the episode. But the embattled national security adviser was also under siege from personalities such as Loomer, who had been complaining to administration officials that she had been excluded from the vetting process for National Security Council aides. In her view, Waltz relied too much on “neocons” — referring to hawkish neoconservatives within the Republican Party — as well as others who Loomer argued were “not-MAGA-enough” types.

Waltz was on television as late as Thursday morning, promoting the administration’s agreement with Kyiv that would allow the U.S. to access Ukraine’s critical minerals and other natural resources. As reports began to circulate that Waltz could be leaving the administration, Loomer appeared to take credit in a post on the social media site X, writing: “SCALP.”

“Hopefully, the rest of the people who were set to be fired but were given promotions at the NSC under Waltz also depart,” Loomer wrote in another post.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746122307583.png" alt="Mike Waltz leaving the White House grounds on Thursday- image from CSPAN video" />
 <figcaption>Mike Waltz leaving the White House grounds on Thursday- image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he’s naming Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting national security adviser to replace Mike Waltz, whom he is nominating for United Nations ambassador.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737910487415.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran during a meeting with Waltz before his confirmation hearing- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran during a meeting with Waltz before his confirmation hearing- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump announced the moves shortly after news broke that Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong were departing the administration just weeks after it was revealed that Waltz added a journalist to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans.Trump said Rubio will continue to serve as secretary of state.“I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations. From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first,” Trump wrote on social media.“In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department. Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN.---------WASHINGTON (AP) — White House national security adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-security-adviser-mike-wlatz-0c81d044c9ffe18dfd745202e8351b9c">Mike Waltz</a>&nbsp;is leaving the administration just weeks after it was revealed he added a journalist to a Signal chat being used to discuss military plans, according to two people familiar with the matter Thursday, marking the first major staff shakeup of President Donald Trump’s second term.Mike Walz statement during the Trump cabinet meeting Wednesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Cabinet meet yest: WALTZ: &quot;Total lack of zero leadership under Biden. We&#39;ve had 100 days of your leadership with respect, with strength...Pulling this great team together Mr. President...It&#39;s an honor to serve you in this administration&quot; TRUMP: &quot;...Thank you very much, Michael&quot; <a href="https://t.co/JovGXc9wV3">pic.twitter.com/JovGXc9wV3</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1917981092545454561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Waltz came under searing scrutiny in March after revelations that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-plans-hegseth-signal-chat-investigation-507d6c692d0cfdfe53e687c0801fd46b">added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a private text chain</a>&nbsp;on the encrypted messaging app Signal, which was used to discuss planning for a sensitive March 15 military operation against Houthi militants in Yemen. A far-right ally of the president, Laura Loomer, has also targeted Waltz, telling Trump in a recent Oval Office conversation that he needs to purge aides who she believes are insufficiently loyal to the “Make America Great Again” agenda.Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, is also expected to depart, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel move not yet made public. The National Security Council did not respond do a request for comment.Waltz, who served in the House representing Florida for three terms before his elevation to the White House, is the most prominent senior administration official to depart since Trump returned to the White House. In his second term, the Republican president had been looking to avoid the tumult of his first four years in office, during which he cycled through four national security advisers, four White House chiefs of staff and two secretaries of state.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-pentagon-trump-30dc4c3d0e75a89f3fd883f38b26afff">The Signal chain</a>&nbsp;also showed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided the exact timings of warplane launches and when bombs would drop. Waltz had previously taken “full responsibility” for building the message chain and administration officials described the episode as a “mistake” but one that caused Americans no harm. Waltz maintained that he was not sure how Goldberg ended up in the messaging chain, and insisted he did not know the journalist.Trump and the White House — which insisted that no classified information was shared on the text chain — have stood by Waltz publicly throughout the episode. But the embattled national security adviser was also under siege from personalities such as Loomer, who had been complaining to administration officials that she had been excluded from the vetting process for National Security Council aides. In her view, Waltz relied too much on “neocons” — referring to hawkish neoconservatives within the Republican Party — as well as others who Loomer argued were “not-MAGA-enough” types.Waltz was on television as late as Thursday morning, promoting the administration’s agreement with Kyiv that would allow the U.S. to access Ukraine’s critical minerals and other natural resources. As reports began to circulate that Waltz could be leaving the administration, Loomer appeared to take credit in a post on the social media site X, writing: “SCALP.”“Hopefully, the rest of the people who were set to be fired but were given promotions at the NSC under Waltz also depart,” Loomer wrote in another post.

Staff shakeup: Waltz will move from National Security Adviser to UN envoy

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Police investigating gunfire in Topeka have made an arrest.

Just before 6 p.m., Monday, police responded to the area of SW Huntoon and Lincoln in Topeka on the report of gunshots being fired in the area, according to Police Lt. John Trimble.

 Officers arrived to the area shortly after being dispatched. They located multiple witnesses and victims and took a subject into custody identified&nbsp; as 23-year-old Rajhgerio Guruda Smith.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault,&nbsp;Criminal Discharge of Firearm at Occupied Vehicle, felon in Possession of Firearm, Felony Criminal Damage and Misdemeanor Criminal Damage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745952487931.png" alt="Smith photo Shawnee XCounty" />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Shawnee XCounty</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Police investigating gunfire in Topeka have made an arrest.Just before 6 p.m., Monday, police responded to the area of SW Huntoon and Lincoln in Topeka on the report of gunshots being fired in the area, according to Police Lt. John Trimble. Officers arrived to the area shortly after being dispatched. They located multiple witnesses and victims and took a subject into custody identified&nbsp; as 23-year-old Rajhgerio Guruda Smith.&nbsp;&nbsp;He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault,&nbsp;Criminal Discharge of Firearm at Occupied Vehicle, felon in Possession of Firearm, Felony Criminal Damage and Misdemeanor Criminal Damage.

Kansas man accused of shooting at vehicle

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Former Kansas foster care leaders accused of defrauding their old employer of millions of dollars indicated in court that they plan to change their not guilty pleas, avoiding a trial.

William Whymark, the former IT director for the regional foster care provider Saint Francis Ministries, is expected to change his plea later this year as attorneys continue to negotiate a deal. His co-defendant and former Saint Francis CEO Robert Smith is also “actively engaged in plea negotiations,” Smith’s attorney said at a Wednesday hearing.

Smith faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering amounting to $4.7 million in damages. Whymark faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 10 counts of wire fraud.&nbsp;A federal grand jury indicted the two in November 2022.

U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse set a May 28 hearing for Smith, whose attorney expressed concern Wednesday with some of the case’s numbers and calculations for alleged fraud. Whymark is expected to change his plea at a Sept. 3 hearing.

The two defendants were not present at Wednesday’s status conference. Whymark’s attorney said Whymark was in the emergency room the night before and is scheduled to receive additional treatment. Smith, who lives in Tennessee, waived his right to appear.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/27/former-leaders-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-negotiating-plea-deal-in-federal-fraud-case/">A court filing from Feb. 25</a>&nbsp;showed Whymark and Smith are “presently involved in plea negotiations and anticipate resolving this case without a trial.” They face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, plus fines and restitution.

Court documents allege that Smith used Saint Francis Ministries’ credit cards for personal expenses and that “materially false invoices” paid Whymark’s IT company more than $10 million. Court documents say Saint Francis Ministries had to spend an estimated $3.2 million to repair Whymark’s “grossly deficient and overpriced” work.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746113559446.png" alt=" A routine court hearing for two former Saint Francis Ministries executives accused of defrauding the foster care provider took place on April 30, 2025, at the Kansas federal courthouse in Topeka. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> A routine court hearing for two former Saint Francis Ministries executives accused of defrauding the foster care provider took place on April 30, 2025, at the Kansas federal courthouse in Topeka. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Former Kansas foster care leaders accused of defrauding their old employer of millions of dollars indicated in court that they plan to change their not guilty pleas, avoiding a trial.William Whymark, the former IT director for the regional foster care provider Saint Francis Ministries, is expected to change his plea later this year as attorneys continue to negotiate a deal. His co-defendant and former Saint Francis CEO Robert Smith is also “actively engaged in plea negotiations,” Smith’s attorney said at a Wednesday hearing.Smith faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering amounting to $4.7 million in damages. Whymark faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 10 counts of wire fraud.&nbsp;A federal grand jury indicted the two in November 2022.U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse set a May 28 hearing for Smith, whose attorney expressed concern Wednesday with some of the case’s numbers and calculations for alleged fraud. Whymark is expected to change his plea at a Sept. 3 hearing.The two defendants were not present at Wednesday’s status conference. Whymark’s attorney said Whymark was in the emergency room the night before and is scheduled to receive additional treatment. Smith, who lives in Tennessee, waived his right to appear.<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/27/former-leaders-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-negotiating-plea-deal-in-federal-fraud-case/">A court filing from Feb. 25</a>&nbsp;showed Whymark and Smith are “presently involved in plea negotiations and anticipate resolving this case without a trial.” They face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, plus fines and restitution.Court documents allege that Smith used Saint Francis Ministries’ credit cards for personal expenses and that “materially false invoices” paid Whymark’s IT company more than $10 million. Court documents say Saint Francis Ministries had to spend an estimated $3.2 million to repair Whymark’s “grossly deficient and overpriced” work.

Kansas foster care leaders accused of swindling millions want to change not guilty pleas 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Former Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;used a high-profile speech Wednesday to sharply criticize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;amid speculation about whether she will mount another presidential campaign or opt to run for California governor.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/fmr-vice-president-kamala-harris-delivers-remarks-at-emerge-gala/659258">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;the full speech

In her most extensive public remarks since leaving office in January&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">following her defeat</a>&nbsp;to Trump, Harris said she’s inspired by Americans fighting Trump’s agenda despite threats to their freedom or livelihood.

“Instead of an administration working to advance America’s highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals,” Harris said a day after Trump reached&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-push-alerts-100-days/">100 days</a>&nbsp;in office.

Before Wednesday, Harris had barely mentioned Trump by name since she conceded defeat to him in November.

In a 15-minute speech, she spoke to the anxiety and confusion that have gripped many of her supporters since Trump took office but discouraged despair.

“They are counting on the notion that if they can make some people afraid, it will have a chilling effect on others. But what they have overlooked is that fear is not the only thing that’s contagious,” Harris said. “Courage is contagious.”

Trump went after Harris in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-100-days-michigan-whitmer-2e30695aa185a785cc1037ab74c19a55">campaign-style rally</a>&nbsp;Tuesday marking his 100th day in office. He sarcastically called her a “great border czar" and a “great candidate," and repeated some of the applause lines he routinely delivered during the campaign.

Until Harris replaced Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket last summer, Trump said, “I knew nothing about her."

Harris cautioned Americans against viewing Trump’s administration as merely chaotic, casting it instead as a “high-velocity event,” the culmination of extensive work on the right to remake government.

“A vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making," Harris said. “An agenda to slash public education. An agenda to shrink government and then privatize its services. All while giving tax breaks to the wealthiest among us.”

Harris chose a friendly audience for her return to the political arena, addressing the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, an organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office. It grew in part from Harris’ run for San Francisco district attorney in the early 2000s.

The speech was delivered below luminous chandeliers in a gold-trimmed ballroom in the landmark Palace Hotel.

Harris is ramping up her public presence as Democrats nationally search for a path forward after November's election, in which Republicans also won control of Congress. While a slate of high-profile Democrats — from governors to businessmen — seek leadership roles within the party, the former vice president retains unique influence and would reshape any future race she chooses to enter.

She praised Democrats who have been especially prolific in criticizing Trump, name-dropping lawmakers diverse in their ideology and style: Sens. Cory Booker, Chris Van Hollen, Chris Murphy and Bernie Sanders along with Reps. Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

But she did not take a stand in one of her party's central divides, neither calling for mass mobilization like Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker or questioning Democratic positioning on key issues like California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“I’m not here tonight to offer all the answers,” Harris said. “But I am here to say this: You are not alone and we are all in this together.”

But she warned that things will probably get worse before they get better.

“The one check, the one balance, the one power that must not fail is the voice of the people,” she said.

Harris, a former state attorney general and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-congress-senate-elections-united-states-government-general-news-united-states-senate-0f65a4bba07344bfb2c6650ff02a27b7">U.S. senator from California</a>, has not discouraged speculation that she might enter the race to replace the term-limited Newsom, himself a potential contender for president. And she has not ruled out another run for the White House.

She did not address her future Wednesday.

She continues to fundraise, using a joint committee that includes Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee and state Democratic parties. The committee, the Harris Victory Fund, reported having&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00744946/">about $4.5 million on hand</a>&nbsp;at the end of March, according to federal records.

In recent fundraising emails, Harris has been blunt about the need for Democrats to unify ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democrats need to “organize and stop Trump’s agenda while electing Democrats everywhere,” she wrote in recent emails. “There has never been a more important time for a strong Democratic Party — one that is willing to stand up to Donald Trump, Elon Musk and what they are doing to this country.”

The event marks a homecoming of sorts. Harris lives in Los Angeles but she is from the San Francisco Bay Area, where her political career is rooted. For her first major speech since the election, she chose familiar terrain and a friendly, in some ways familial, crowd.

Lisa Gotbhi, a health care executive in San Francisco, said Harris' loss last year was a “shock," but “she’s a voice we need and a leader we need. Let’s get back in the fight.”

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Former Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;used a high-profile speech Wednesday to sharply criticize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;amid speculation about whether she will mount another presidential campaign or opt to run for California governor.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/program/public-affairs-event/fmr-vice-president-kamala-harris-delivers-remarks-at-emerge-gala/659258">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;the full speech<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Kamala Harris: &quot;Instead of an administration working to advance America&#39;s highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals.&quot; She advocates for resistance to the &quot;fear&quot; spread by Trump agenda, saying &quot;Courage is contagious&quot; full: <a href="https://t.co/OSO98guAMS">https://t.co/OSO98guAMS</a> <a href="https://t.co/rBugxnkEej">pic.twitter.com/rBugxnkEej</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1917869623480881625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In her most extensive public remarks since leaving office in January&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">following her defeat</a>&nbsp;to Trump, Harris said she’s inspired by Americans fighting Trump’s agenda despite threats to their freedom or livelihood.“Instead of an administration working to advance America’s highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals,” Harris said a day after Trump reached&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-push-alerts-100-days/">100 days</a>&nbsp;in office.Before Wednesday, Harris had barely mentioned Trump by name since she conceded defeat to him in November.In a 15-minute speech, she spoke to the anxiety and confusion that have gripped many of her supporters since Trump took office but discouraged despair.“They are counting on the notion that if they can make some people afraid, it will have a chilling effect on others. But what they have overlooked is that fear is not the only thing that’s contagious,” Harris said. “Courage is contagious.”Trump went after Harris in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-100-days-michigan-whitmer-2e30695aa185a785cc1037ab74c19a55">campaign-style rally</a>&nbsp;Tuesday marking his 100th day in office. He sarcastically called her a “great border czar" and a “great candidate," and repeated some of the applause lines he routinely delivered during the campaign.Until Harris replaced Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket last summer, Trump said, “I knew nothing about her."Harris cautioned Americans against viewing Trump’s administration as merely chaotic, casting it instead as a “high-velocity event,” the culmination of extensive work on the right to remake government.“A vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making," Harris said. “An agenda to slash public education. An agenda to shrink government and then privatize its services. All while giving tax breaks to the wealthiest among us.”Harris chose a friendly audience for her return to the political arena, addressing the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, an organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office. It grew in part from Harris’ run for San Francisco district attorney in the early 2000s.The speech was delivered below luminous chandeliers in a gold-trimmed ballroom in the landmark Palace Hotel.Harris is ramping up her public presence as Democrats nationally search for a path forward after November's election, in which Republicans also won control of Congress. While a slate of high-profile Democrats — from governors to businessmen — seek leadership roles within the party, the former vice president retains unique influence and would reshape any future race she chooses to enter.She praised Democrats who have been especially prolific in criticizing Trump, name-dropping lawmakers diverse in their ideology and style: Sens. Cory Booker, Chris Van Hollen, Chris Murphy and Bernie Sanders along with Reps. Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.But she did not take a stand in one of her party's central divides, neither calling for mass mobilization like Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker or questioning Democratic positioning on key issues like California Gov. Gavin Newsom.“I’m not here tonight to offer all the answers,” Harris said. “But I am here to say this: You are not alone and we are all in this together.”But she warned that things will probably get worse before they get better.“The one check, the one balance, the one power that must not fail is the voice of the people,” she said.Harris, a former state attorney general and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-congress-senate-elections-united-states-government-general-news-united-states-senate-0f65a4bba07344bfb2c6650ff02a27b7">U.S. senator from California</a>, has not discouraged speculation that she might enter the race to replace the term-limited Newsom, himself a potential contender for president. And she has not ruled out another run for the White House.She did not address her future Wednesday.She continues to fundraise, using a joint committee that includes Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee and state Democratic parties. The committee, the Harris Victory Fund, reported having&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00744946/">about $4.5 million on hand</a>&nbsp;at the end of March, according to federal records.In recent fundraising emails, Harris has been blunt about the need for Democrats to unify ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.Democrats need to “organize and stop Trump’s agenda while electing Democrats everywhere,” she wrote in recent emails. “There has never been a more important time for a strong Democratic Party — one that is willing to stand up to Donald Trump, Elon Musk and what they are doing to this country.”The event marks a homecoming of sorts. Harris lives in Los Angeles but she is from the San Francisco Bay Area, where her political career is rooted. For her first major speech since the election, she chose familiar terrain and a friendly, in some ways familial, crowd.Lisa Gotbhi, a health care executive in San Francisco, said Harris' loss last year was a “shock," but “she’s a voice we need and a leader we need. Let’s get back in the fight.”

🎥Harris rips President Trump in fiery comeback speech 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man jailed following an Amber Alert in September is due in court for a preliminary hearing in Judge William Wooley's court room, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Trevawn Strong, 30 of Wichita, has been charged with abuse of a child, two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of aggravated endangering a child, three counts of criminal threat, and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery, criminal restraint, and criminal damage to property, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just before 5 p.m. September 11, Strong forcibly took his 5-year-old son Trevawn Strong Jr from his mother utilizing a knife and firearm during a domestic incident at their residence in Wichita, according to police.

&nbsp;Strong&nbsp; threatened to kill his son, stabbed the boy's mother, and took the child.&nbsp; The Kansas Bureau of Investigation reported the boy was in imminent danger. The suspect left in a vehicle, but that vehicle was recovered in the 1900 block of N. Woodlawn in Wichita.&nbsp;

Just before 9p.m. police located the child and took the father into custody.

Strong remains free on a $250,000 bond with conditions including electronic monitoring with pre-trial services, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726138875380.png" alt="Strong photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Strong photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man jailed following an Amber Alert in September is due in court for a preliminary hearing in Judge William Wooley's court room, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Trevawn Strong, 30 of Wichita, has been charged with abuse of a child, two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of aggravated endangering a child, three counts of criminal threat, and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery, criminal restraint, and criminal damage to property, according to the District Attorney's office.Just before 5 p.m. September 11, Strong forcibly took his 5-year-old son Trevawn Strong Jr from his mother utilizing a knife and firearm during a domestic incident at their residence in Wichita, according to police.&nbsp;Strong&nbsp; threatened to kill his son, stabbed the boy's mother, and took the child.&nbsp; The Kansas Bureau of Investigation reported the boy was in imminent danger. The suspect left in a vehicle, but that vehicle was recovered in the 1900 block of N. Woodlawn in Wichita.&nbsp;Just before 9p.m. police located the child and took the father into custody.Strong remains free on a $250,000 bond with conditions including electronic monitoring with pre-trial services, according to the district attorney's office.

Suspect in violent Kansas Amber Alert is due back in court

JEWELL COUNTY— Law enforcement and animal rescue agencies assisted Jewell County Sheriff's Deputies seize multiple dogs at a residence in the rural community of Esbon April 25, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Authorities found the dogs in "unimaginable conditions," according to the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. Dozes of other animals were already dead.&nbsp; The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City took in 40 of the dogs.&nbsp; The Hutchinson Animal Shelter also took dogs.&nbsp; Authorities have not reported possible charges in the case.

The sheriff's office encouraged the public to help.&nbsp; If you would like to make a donation to help support the shelter in getting food and proper equipment for the animals that they hold, please send to:

Hutchison Animal Shelter, 1501 S. Severance Stteet, Hutchison, KS 67501

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746065749869.png" alt="Photo Humane Society of Greater Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Photo Humane Society of Greater Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>JEWELL COUNTY— Law enforcement and animal rescue agencies assisted Jewell County Sheriff's Deputies seize multiple dogs at a residence in the rural community of Esbon April 25, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office.&nbsp;&nbsp;Authorities found the dogs in "unimaginable conditions," according to the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. Dozes of other animals were already dead.&nbsp; The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City took in 40 of the dogs.&nbsp; The Hutchinson Animal Shelter also took dogs.&nbsp; Authorities have not reported possible charges in the case.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHSGKCOfficial%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02sgHgkRrWqcTnLAds33qmnwgQeQZj6H3rhXVvqiQ8414EHo6FPme68jSHDVSeNhMil&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="931" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The sheriff's office encouraged the public to help.&nbsp; If you would like to make a donation to help support the shelter in getting food and proper equipment for the animals that they hold, please send to:Hutchison Animal Shelter, 1501 S. Severance Stteet, Hutchison, KS 67501

Dogs rescued, more found dead in north-central Kansas 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans narrowly voted down a Democratic resolution Wednesday that would have blocked global tariffs announced by Donald Trump earlier this month, giving the president a modest win as lawmakers in both parties have remained skeptical of his trade agenda.

Trump announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">far-reaching tariffs</a>&nbsp;on nearly all U.S. trading partners April 2 and then reversed himself a few days later after a market meltdown, suspending the import taxes for 90 days. Amid the uncertainty for both U.S. consumers and businesses, the Commerce Department said Wednesday that the U.S. economy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-trump-gdp-tariffs-inflation-trade-28a0da24c803c4796eb32704cd0244cc">shrank 0.3% from January through March</a>, the first drop in three years.

The 49-49 vote came weeks after the Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tariffs-trump-republicans-a45b4d4da013e4ce1ce434b81337e3ec">approved a resolution</a>&nbsp;that would have have thwarted Trump’s ability to impose tariffs on Canada. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted against the measure.

Sen. Mitch McConnell — who has been sharply critical of the tariffs but had not said how he would vote — and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse were absent Wednesday, denying Democrats the votes for passage.

Democrats said their primary aim was to put Republicans on the record either way and to try to reassert congressional powers.

“The Senate cannot be an idle spectator in the tariff madness,” said Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a lead sponsor of the resolution.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the dismal economic numbers should be a “wakeup call” to Republicans.

Wary of a rebuke to Trump, GOP leaders encouraged their conference not to vote for the resolution, even as many of them remain unconvinced about the tariffs. Vice President JD Vance attended a Senate GOP luncheon Tuesday with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who assured senators that the administration is making progress toward trade deals with individual countries.

Collins said the close vote “demonstrates that there is unease with the president’s plan.”

“It’s partially the president’s plan is still evolving but many of us are hearing from employers back home about the impact of the tariffs in a negative way,” she said.

Some Republicans argued that the vote was a political stunt. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he backs separate legislation by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley that would give Congress increased power over determining tariffs but would voted on the resolution, which he said is only about “making a point.”

Several Republicans defended Trump's tariffs — and said they were willing to give him time to figure it out.

“People are willing to give the president an opportunity to prove that the new system works,” said Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn said the vote shows that senators “believe that the President’s policies deserve to be tried and see if they’re successful.”

Democrats say the Republicans’ failure to stand up to Trump could have dire consequences. “The only thing Donald Trump’s tariffs have succeeded in is raising the odds of recession and sending markets into a tailspin,” said Schumer, D-N.Y. “Today, they have to choose – stick with Trump or stand with your states.”

The Democratic resolution forced a vote under a statute that allows them to try to terminate the national economic emergency Trump used to levy the tariffs.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren called it a “fake” emergency that Trump is using to impose his “on again, off again, red light, green light tariffs.”

The tariffs “are pushing our economy off a cliff,” Warren said.

Republicans held a procedural vote after the tied vote to ensure that Democrats could not bring the resolution up again, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters afterward. Vice President J.D. Vance came to the Capitol to break the tie and ensure they dismissed the resolution for good.

The Republican president has tried to reassure voters that his tariffs will not provoke a recession as his administration has focused on China, raising tariffs on Chinese goods to 145% even as he paused the others. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-tariffs-gdp-7494825851dcef94ec81475124f9326f">told his Cabinet Wednesday</a>&nbsp;morning that his tariffs meant China was “having tremendous difficulty because their factories are not doing business.”

Trump said the U.S. does not really need imports from the world’s dominant manufacturer. “Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls,” he said. “So maybe the two dolls will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743626000304.png" alt="White House file photo-President Trump announcing his tariff plan April 2" />
 <figcaption>White House file photo-President Trump announcing his tariff plan April 2</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans narrowly voted down a Democratic resolution Wednesday that would have blocked global tariffs announced by Donald Trump earlier this month, giving the president a modest win as lawmakers in both parties have remained skeptical of his trade agenda.Trump announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">far-reaching tariffs</a>&nbsp;on nearly all U.S. trading partners April 2 and then reversed himself a few days later after a market meltdown, suspending the import taxes for 90 days. Amid the uncertainty for both U.S. consumers and businesses, the Commerce Department said Wednesday that the U.S. economy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-trump-gdp-tariffs-inflation-trade-28a0da24c803c4796eb32704cd0244cc">shrank 0.3% from January through March</a>, the first drop in three years.The 49-49 vote came weeks after the Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tariffs-trump-republicans-a45b4d4da013e4ce1ce434b81337e3ec">approved a resolution</a>&nbsp;that would have have thwarted Trump’s ability to impose tariffs on Canada. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted against the measure.Sen. Mitch McConnell — who has been sharply critical of the tariffs but had not said how he would vote — and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse were absent Wednesday, denying Democrats the votes for passage.Democrats said their primary aim was to put Republicans on the record either way and to try to reassert congressional powers.“The Senate cannot be an idle spectator in the tariff madness,” said Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a lead sponsor of the resolution.Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the dismal economic numbers should be a “wakeup call” to Republicans.Wary of a rebuke to Trump, GOP leaders encouraged their conference not to vote for the resolution, even as many of them remain unconvinced about the tariffs. Vice President JD Vance attended a Senate GOP luncheon Tuesday with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who assured senators that the administration is making progress toward trade deals with individual countries.Collins said the close vote “demonstrates that there is unease with the president’s plan.”“It’s partially the president’s plan is still evolving but many of us are hearing from employers back home about the impact of the tariffs in a negative way,” she said.Some Republicans argued that the vote was a political stunt. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he backs separate legislation by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley that would give Congress increased power over determining tariffs but would voted on the resolution, which he said is only about “making a point.”Several Republicans defended Trump's tariffs — and said they were willing to give him time to figure it out.“People are willing to give the president an opportunity to prove that the new system works,” said Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy.Texas Sen. John Cornyn said the vote shows that senators “believe that the President’s policies deserve to be tried and see if they’re successful.”Democrats say the Republicans’ failure to stand up to Trump could have dire consequences. “The only thing Donald Trump’s tariffs have succeeded in is raising the odds of recession and sending markets into a tailspin,” said Schumer, D-N.Y. “Today, they have to choose – stick with Trump or stand with your states.”The Democratic resolution forced a vote under a statute that allows them to try to terminate the national economic emergency Trump used to levy the tariffs.Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren called it a “fake” emergency that Trump is using to impose his “on again, off again, red light, green light tariffs.”The tariffs “are pushing our economy off a cliff,” Warren said.Republicans held a procedural vote after the tied vote to ensure that Democrats could not bring the resolution up again, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters afterward. Vice President J.D. Vance came to the Capitol to break the tie and ensure they dismissed the resolution for good.The Republican president has tried to reassure voters that his tariffs will not provoke a recession as his administration has focused on China, raising tariffs on Chinese goods to 145% even as he paused the others. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-tariffs-gdp-7494825851dcef94ec81475124f9326f">told his Cabinet Wednesday</a>&nbsp;morning that his tariffs meant China was “having tremendous difficulty because their factories are not doing business.”Trump said the U.S. does not really need imports from the world’s dominant manufacturer. “Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls,” he said. “So maybe the two dolls will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally.”

Moran, Marshall help Senate kill resolution to block global tariffs

KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Fire Department is investigating the cause of a building fire at 1716 East 8th Street.

Just after 7p.m., crews from fire station 10 noticed a column of smoke one block to the north in the area of 8th&nbsp;and Woodland, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

They responded and on arrival they reported heavy fire from a two-story vacant building and requested a working fire response. 

Interior operations were initiated but crews quickly had to evacuate and assume defensive operations and continued working to get the fire completely under control.&nbsp; Determining the cause of the fire will be difficult due to the amount of damage, according to Hopkins.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746009155201.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City Fire Department is investigating the cause of a building fire at 1716 East 8th Street.Just after 7p.m., crews from fire station 10 noticed a column of smoke one block to the north in the area of 8th&nbsp;and Woodland, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.They responded and on arrival they reported heavy fire from a two-story vacant building and requested a working fire response. Interior operations were initiated but crews quickly had to evacuate and assume defensive operations and continued working to get the fire completely under control.&nbsp; Determining the cause of the fire will be difficult due to the amount of damage, according to Hopkins.

Crews work large building fire in downtown Kansas City

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Wednesday in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Honda Civic driven by&nbsp;Kaiden Jimenez, 18, Lawrence, was&nbsp;eastbound on Interstate 70 near the Service Area in Leavenworth County on the Kansas Turnpike. 

The Honda traveled off the road to the left,&nbsp;bounced off two drain tubes, continued eastbound through the ditch, entered westbound Interstate 70&nbsp; crossed over both lanes and struck a 2023 Mercedes-Benz van driven by Jonathan Brown, 34, Kansas City, Missouri, head-on.

After impact the Honda rotated and rolled into the south ditch. The van continued westbound after rotating and slid backwards through the ditch.&nbsp; struck a slight embankment and overturned onto the driver's side.

A passenger in the van identified as Shane Greiner, 28, Kansas City, Kansas, was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Brown to Overland Park Regional Medical Center and Jimenez to Stormont Vail in Topeka. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Wednesday in Leavenworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2025 Honda Civic driven by&nbsp;Kaiden Jimenez, 18, Lawrence, was&nbsp;eastbound on Interstate 70 near the Service Area in Leavenworth County on the Kansas Turnpike. The Honda traveled off the road to the left,&nbsp;bounced off two drain tubes, continued eastbound through the ditch, entered westbound Interstate 70&nbsp; crossed over both lanes and struck a 2023 Mercedes-Benz van driven by Jonathan Brown, 34, Kansas City, Missouri, head-on.After impact the Honda rotated and rolled into the south ditch. The van continued westbound after rotating and slid backwards through the ditch.&nbsp; struck a slight embankment and overturned onto the driver's side.A passenger in the van identified as Shane Greiner, 28, Kansas City, Kansas, was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Brown to Overland Park Regional Medical Center and Jimenez to Stormont Vail in Topeka. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after I-70 head-on crash

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been been sentenced to life in prison without parole for his involvement in a fatal shooting that killed two people in northeast Kansas City in 2021.&nbsp;

Earl Dunn III, 21,&nbsp; was convicted of two counts of 1st Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and three counts of Armed Criminal Action in January, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's office.

Last week, a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2608/Earl-Dunn-Judgement-21cr4744_Redacted_FINAL">sentenced</a>&nbsp;Dunn to life without parole for the two murder charges, 30 years for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 10 years on each count of Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2606/DunnEarl---PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of Anderson and Norton avenues on March 11, 2021, and found a vehicle on fire with two victims inside. There were several spent shell casings on the street two blocks west of the accident and gunshot damage to the vehicle. &nbsp;

Detectives collected footage from area surveillance cameras, which captured another vehicle pursuing the victims in the neighborhood shortly before the victims’ vehicle crashed.

Information recovered from cell tower and mapping tools revealed the Dunn to be in contact with one of the victims and in the same area of the crime scene during the same time of the crime. The DNA profile from a cigar butt inside the suspect vehicle also matched Dunn.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634213429981.png" alt="Dunn photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Dunn photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been been sentenced to life in prison without parole for his involvement in a fatal shooting that killed two people in northeast Kansas City in 2021.&nbsp;Earl Dunn III, 21,&nbsp; was convicted of two counts of 1st Degree Murder, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and three counts of Armed Criminal Action in January, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's office.Last week, a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2608/Earl-Dunn-Judgement-21cr4744_Redacted_FINAL">sentenced</a>&nbsp;Dunn to life without parole for the two murder charges, 30 years for Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 10 years on each count of Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2606/DunnEarl---PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of Anderson and Norton avenues on March 11, 2021, and found a vehicle on fire with two victims inside. There were several spent shell casings on the street two blocks west of the accident and gunshot damage to the vehicle. &nbsp;Detectives collected footage from area surveillance cameras, which captured another vehicle pursuing the victims in the neighborhood shortly before the victims’ vehicle crashed.Information recovered from cell tower and mapping tools revealed the Dunn to be in contact with one of the victims and in the same area of the crime scene during the same time of the crime. The DNA profile from a cigar butt inside the suspect vehicle also matched Dunn.

Life in prison: Victims in Kansas City found shot, left in burning car

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a registered violent offender for new alleged crimes.

Just before 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 41-year-old Lamarques Channel of Topeka on requested charges of criminal sodomy and rape, according to the Riley County Police Department activity Department. The arrest stems from the investigation of an incident that occurred on October 25, 2019. Channel is being held on a total bond of $150,000.

Channel has previous convictions for reckless involuntary manslaughter and drug crimes, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

He has been listed as a registered offender since 2015, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746031761825.png" alt="Channel -photo KBI Offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Channel -photo KBI Offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a registered violent offender for new alleged crimes.Just before 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 41-year-old Lamarques Channel of Topeka on requested charges of criminal sodomy and rape, according to the Riley County Police Department activity Department. The arrest stems from the investigation of an incident that occurred on October 25, 2019. Channel is being held on a total bond of $150,000.Channel has previous convictions for reckless involuntary manslaughter and drug crimes, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.He has been listed as a registered offender since 2015, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas registered offender accused of sex crimes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Ukraine on Wednesday signed off on a deal that will give Washington access to Ukraine's vast critical minerals and natural resources, finalizing an agreement weeks in the making to compensate the U.S. for its help in repelling Russia’s invasion.

The two sides offered only barebone details about the structure of the deal, which they called the United States-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund. But it is expected to give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">valuable rare earth minerals</a>&nbsp;while providing Kyiv a measure of assurance about continued American support in its grinding war with Russia.

“This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine.”

The announcement comes at a critical moment in the three-year war as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with both sides. The signing comes two months after a different but similar agreement was nearly signed before being derailed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">tense Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;involving President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump has long criticized Zelenskyy, saying he didn’t “have the cards” to win the war and blaming him for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-london-4f35dc70f521e2363218f4c40748caba">prolonging the killing</a>&nbsp;by not giving up Crimea, but in recent days has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-fb61625d2dee8b1917bb3522e73c2166">rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;as well, saying he was complicating negotiations with “very bad timing” in launching deadly strikes on Kyiv.

Trump said Wednesday night on NewsNation that the deal, “in theory,” means that the U.S. will get more from Ukraine than it contributed. “I wanted to be protected,” he said, adding that he didn’t want to be looking “foolish” by not getting money back for the investment.

Ukraine praises signing as an ‘equal and good international deal’

For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as key to ensuring its access to future U.S. military aid.

“Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund,” said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. “This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”

Ukraine’s economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal.

“Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment to our country,” she said in a post on X after the signing.

White House had raised doubts that agreement was ready

Earlier Wednesday, Bessent said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House — hours after Ukrainian officials indicated a deal was nearly finalized — that there was still work to do.

“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes," Bessent said when asked about reports that Ukraine was ready to agree to the pact. "We’re sure that they will reconsider that. And we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are.”

He didn't elaborate as to the late changes he said Ukraine made.

The U.S. has been seeking access to more than 20 raw materials deemed strategically critical to its interests, including some non-minerals such as oil and natural gas. Among them are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-united-states-ukraine-minerals-57c6c566b330c8941a3ba6a7d5f8dd2f">Ukraine's deposits of titanium</a>, which is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace manufacturing, and uranium, which is used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons. Ukraine also has lithium, graphite and manganese, which are used in electric vehicle batteries.

After Kyiv felt the initial U.S. draft of the deal disproportionately favored American interests, it introduced new provisions aimed at addressing those concerns.

According to Shmyhal, the latest version would establish an equal partnership between the two countries and last for 10 years. Financial contributions to a joint fund would be made in cash, and only new U.S. military aid would count toward the American share. Assistance provided before the agreement was signed would not be counted. Unlike an earlier draft, the deal would not conflict with Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/european-union-united-nations-trump-russia-ukraine-02dadb854440861864733211e687b9b5">path toward European Union membership</a>&nbsp;— a key provision for Kyiv.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670044084.png" alt="President Trump met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City Saturday morning.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Trump met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City Saturday morning.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Ukraine on Wednesday signed off on a deal that will give Washington access to Ukraine's vast critical minerals and natural resources, finalizing an agreement weeks in the making to compensate the U.S. for its help in repelling Russia’s invasion.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s tireless efforts to secure a lasting peace, I am glad to announce the signing of today’s historic economic partnership agreement between the United States and Ukraine establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund to help… <a href="https://t.co/N1jPa35DYh">pic.twitter.com/N1jPa35DYh</a>&mdash; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecScottBessent/status/1917697018551754802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The two sides offered only barebone details about the structure of the deal, which they called the United States-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund. But it is expected to give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">valuable rare earth minerals</a>&nbsp;while providing Kyiv a measure of assurance about continued American support in its grinding war with Russia.“This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine.”The announcement comes at a critical moment in the three-year war as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with both sides. The signing comes two months after a different but similar agreement was nearly signed before being derailed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">tense Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;involving President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Trump has long criticized Zelenskyy, saying he didn’t “have the cards” to win the war and blaming him for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-london-4f35dc70f521e2363218f4c40748caba">prolonging the killing</a>&nbsp;by not giving up Crimea, but in recent days has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-fb61625d2dee8b1917bb3522e73c2166">rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;as well, saying he was complicating negotiations with “very bad timing” in launching deadly strikes on Kyiv.Trump said Wednesday night on NewsNation that the deal, “in theory,” means that the U.S. will get more from Ukraine than it contributed. “I wanted to be protected,” he said, adding that he didn’t want to be looking “foolish” by not getting money back for the investment.<h2>Ukraine praises signing as an ‘equal and good international deal’</h2>For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as key to ensuring its access to future U.S. military aid.“Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund,” said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. “This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”Ukraine’s economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal.“Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment to our country,” she said in a post on X after the signing.<h2>White House had raised doubts that agreement was ready</h2>Earlier Wednesday, Bessent said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House — hours after Ukrainian officials indicated a deal was nearly finalized — that there was still work to do.“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes," Bessent said when asked about reports that Ukraine was ready to agree to the pact. "We’re sure that they will reconsider that. And we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are.”He didn't elaborate as to the late changes he said Ukraine made.The U.S. has been seeking access to more than 20 raw materials deemed strategically critical to its interests, including some non-minerals such as oil and natural gas. Among them are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-united-states-ukraine-minerals-57c6c566b330c8941a3ba6a7d5f8dd2f">Ukraine's deposits of titanium</a>, which is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace manufacturing, and uranium, which is used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons. Ukraine also has lithium, graphite and manganese, which are used in electric vehicle batteries.After Kyiv felt the initial U.S. draft of the deal disproportionately favored American interests, it introduced new provisions aimed at addressing those concerns.According to Shmyhal, the latest version would establish an equal partnership between the two countries and last for 10 years. Financial contributions to a joint fund would be made in cash, and only new U.S. military aid would count toward the American share. Assistance provided before the agreement was signed would not be counted. Unlike an earlier draft, the deal would not conflict with Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/european-union-united-nations-trump-russia-ukraine-02dadb854440861864733211e687b9b5">path toward European Union membership</a>&nbsp;— a key provision for Kyiv.The Ukrainian Cabinet approved the agreement Wednesday, empowering Svyrydenko to sign it in Washington. The deal still needs to be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament before it can take effect.WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Ukraine announced on Wednesday an economic agreement after a weekslong press by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-meeting-stocks-detainees-rubio-musk-3fdf4f5019bf5b578c466e32aee2ae79">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Ukraine to compensate Washington for billions in military and economic assistance to help Ukraine repel the Russian invasion.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a video posted to X that “this partnership allows the United States to invest alongside Ukraine, to unlock Ukraine’s growth assets, mobilize American talent, capital and governance standards that will improve Ukraine’s investment climate and accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery.”The announcement comes at a critical moment in the war as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with leaders of Russia and Ukraine with the brutal fighting dragging on.The American president has criticized his Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for steps that he said were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-london-4f35dc70f521e2363218f4c40748caba">prolonging the killing,</a>&nbsp;and he has rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin for complicating negotiations with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-fb61625d2dee8b1917bb3522e73c2166">“very bad timing”</a>&nbsp;in launching&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-strike-913ca4a6b4e624ed50e6c1018576a8ad">deadly strikes</a>&nbsp;on Kyiv.Trump on Saturday met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral.Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko in a post on X celebrated the breakthrough.“Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment to our country," she said.The two sides offered only barebone details about the structure of the deal, but it is expected to give the U.S. access to its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-zelenskyy-deal-minerals-ukraine-investment-fund-d8e03ddc86510cd4c4acca1fcb6fe253">valuable rare minerals</a>&nbsp;in the hopes of ensuring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-europe-rare-earth-russia-war-9af06a9f17dbaa49a05dcba3a3363977">continued American support</a>&nbsp;for Kyiv in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">grinding war with Russia</a>.Ukraine's economy minister and deputy prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said during an appearance on Ukrainian television. Although the main part of the agreement had been settled, there were still hurdles to overcome, said a senior Ukrainian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly.For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as key to ensuring its access to future U.S. military aid.“Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund,” Shmyhal said. "This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.”Trump began his push for a deal in February that he wanted access to Ukraine’s rare earth materials as a condition for continued U.S. support in the war, describing it as reimbursement for the billions of dollars in aid the U.S. has given to Kyiv.But talks stalled after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">tense Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;of U.S. and Ukrainian leaders, and reaching an agreement since then has proven difficult and strained relations between Washington and Kyiv.Negotiations appeared to drag on till shortly before the two sides confirmed an agreement had been signed off on the deal.Earlier Wednesday, Bessent said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House — hours after Ukrainian officials indicated a deal was nearly finalized — that there was still work to do.“The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes," Bessent said when asked about reports that Ukraine was ready to agree to the pact. "We’re sure that they will reconsider that. And we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are.”He didn't elaborate as to the late changes he said Ukraine made.The U.S. has been seeking access to more than 20 raw materials deemed strategically critical to its interests, including some non-minerals such as oil and natural gas. Among them are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-trump-united-states-ukraine-minerals-57c6c566b330c8941a3ba6a7d5f8dd2f">Ukraine's deposits of titanium</a>, which is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace manufacturing, and uranium, which is used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons. Ukraine also has lithium, graphite and manganese, which are used in electric vehicle batteries.After Kyiv felt the initial U.S. draft of the deal disproportionately favored American interests, it introduced new provisions aimed at addressing those concerns.According to Shmyhal, the latest version would establish an equal partnership between the two countries and last for 10 years. Financial contributions to a joint fund would be made in cash, and only new U.S. military aid would count toward the American share. Assistance provided before the agreement was signed would not be counted. Unlike an earlier draft, the deal would not conflict with Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/european-union-united-nations-trump-russia-ukraine-02dadb854440861864733211e687b9b5">path toward European Union membership</a>&nbsp;— a key provision for Kyiv.The Ukrainian Cabinet approved the agreement Wednesday, empowering Svyrydenko to sign it in Washington. Once signed by both sides, the deal would need to be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament before it could take effect.<h2>Putin wants answers before committing to a ceasefire</h2>The negotiations come amid rocky progress in Washington's push to stop the war.Putin backs calls for a ceasefire before peace negotiations, “but before it’s done, it’s necessary to answer a few questions and sort out a few nuances,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Putin is also ready for direct talks with Ukraine without preconditions to seek a peace deal, he added.“We realize that Washington wants to achieve quick progress, but we hope for understanding that the Ukrainian crisis settlement is far too complex to be done quickly,” Peskov said during his daily conference call with reporters.Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ukraine-gaza-russia-100-days-ad7af3502370f1743e28690ac0ce2a17">expressed frustration</a>&nbsp;over the slow pace of progress in negotiations aimed at stopping the war. Western European leaders have accused Putin of stalling while his forces seek to grab more Ukrainian land. Russia has captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory since Moscow's forces launched a full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.Trump has long dismissed the war as a waste of lives and American taxpayer money — a complaint he repeated Wednesday during his Cabinet meeting. That could spell an end to crucial military help for Ukraine and heavier economic sanctions on Russia.<h2>US wants both sides to speed things up</h2>The U.S. State Department on Tuesday tried again to push both sides to move more quickly and warned that the U.S. could pull out of the negotiations if there's no progress.“We are now at a time where concrete proposals need to be delivered by the two parties on how to end this conflict," department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce quoted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as telling her.Russia has effectively rejected a U.S. proposal for an immediate and full 30-day ceasefire, making it conditional on a halt to Ukraine’s mobilization effort and Western arms supplies to Kyiv.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Wednesday that Ukraine had accepted an unconditional truce only because it was being pushed back on the battlefield, where the bigger Russian forces have the upper hand.<h2>UN says Ukrainian civilian casualties are on the rise</h2>Meanwhile, Ukrainian civilians have been killed or wounded in attacks every day this year, according to a U.N. report presented Tuesday in New York.The U.N. Human Rights Office said in the report that in the first three months of this year, it had verified 2,641 civilian casualties in Ukraine. That was almost 900 more than during the same period last year.Also, between April 1-24, civilian casualties in Ukraine were up 46% from the same weeks in 2024, it said.The daily grind of the war shows no sign of letting up. A nighttime Russian drone attack on Ukraine’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kharkiv">second-largest city, Kharkiv,</a>&nbsp;wounded at least 45 civilians, Ukrainian officials said.Also Wednesday, the Ukrainian Security Service claimed its drones struck the Murom Instrument Engineering Plant in Russia’s Vladimir region overnight, causing five explosions and a fire at the military facility. The claim could not be independently verified.___