BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (AP) — Hundreds of law officers fanned out across a Minneapolis suburb Saturday in pursuit of a man who authorities say posed as a police officer and fatally shot a Democratic state lawmaker in her home in what Gov. Tim Walz called “a politically motivated assassination.” Authorities say the same suspect also shot and wounded a second lawmaker.

Democratic former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park home. Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their Champlin address, about nine miles&nbsp; away.

On social media, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a statement

The early morning attacks targeting lawmakers in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis prompted warnings to other elected officials around the state and the cancellation of planned “No Kings” demonstrations against President Donald Trump. Authorities say the suspect had “No Kings” flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets.

The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.

“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz, a Democrat, said at a news conference. "Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”

Two people familiar with the matter identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter. The people could not publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Law enforcement has recovered several AK-style firearms from the suspect’s vehicle, and he’s believed to still be armed with a pistol, one of the people familiar with the matter told the AP.

Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 a.m., Champlin police said, and found the lawmaker and his wife, Yvette, with multiple gunshot wounds.

After seeing who the victims were, police sent officers to check on Hortman's home, where they encountered what appeared to be a police vehicle and a man dressed as an officer at the door, leaving the house.

“When officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home” and escaped, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said.

Multiple bullet holes could be seen in the front door of Hoffman’s home.

President Donald Trump said in a White House statement that the FBI would join in the investigation.

“Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”

Hortman, 55, had been the top Democratic leader in the state House since 2017. She led House Democrats in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-legislature-power-struggle-republicans-democrats-7db12f51ad0e47d49f4c50f56cb1e5c4">three-week walkout</a>&nbsp;at the beginning of this year’s session in a power struggle with Republicans. Under a power sharing agreement, she turned the gavel over to the top Republican, Rep. Lisa Demuth, and assumed the title speaker emerita.

Walz described her as a “formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota every day, determined to make this state a better place.”

Hortman and her husband had two adult children.

Hoffman, 60, was first elected in 2012 and played a key role as chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, which oversees one of the biggest parts of the state budget.

State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic asked people “out of an abundance of caution” not to attend any of the “No Kings” protests that were scheduled for across the state on Saturday. Bogojevic said authorities didn’t have any direct evidence that the protests would be targeted, but said the suspect had some “No Kings” flyers in their car. Organizers announced that all of the protests across the state were canceled.

Hours after the shootings, hundreds of police and sheriff deputies from departments in the region, some in tactical gear with assault-style weapons were scattered through the town.

An alert sent to people’s cellphones asked residents to continue sheltering in place as police were still looking for a suspect “who is armed and dangerous.”

“Suspect is white male, brown hair, wearing black body armor over blue shirt and blue pants and may misrepresent himself as law enforcement. Do not approach. Call 911,” the alert said.

Some roadblocks had been set up in which authorities stopped and checked vehicles.

“This is crazy, someone going after representatives. This is wrong. I’m hoping they’ll catch them,” said Brooklyn Park resident Douglas Thompson, 62, adding he wasn’t worried and believed authorities would catch the suspect.

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack “evil” and said she was “heartbroken beyond words” by the killings of Hortman and her husband, Mark.

"With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,” Demuth said in a statement.

Durkin Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Giovanna Dell'Orto in Champlin, Minnesota, and Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749928964943.png" alt=" Speaker emeritus Rep. Melissa Hortman talks to colleagues during a special legislative session Monday, June 9, 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)" />
 <figcaption> Speaker emeritus Rep. Melissa Hortman talks to colleagues during a special legislative session Monday, June 9, 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)</figcaption>
 </figure>BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (AP) — Hundreds of law officers fanned out across a Minneapolis suburb Saturday in pursuit of a man who authorities say posed as a police officer and fatally shot a Democratic state lawmaker in her home in what Gov. Tim Walz called “a politically motivated assassination.” Authorities say the same suspect also shot and wounded a second lawmaker.Democratic former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park home. Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their Champlin address, about nine miles&nbsp; away.On social media, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a statement<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, in Minnesota, two elected officials and their spouses were gunned down in their own homes. This cannot be our America. Our leaders must join forces to condemn this type of violence and to restore sanity and civility to our political discourse.&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1933939741826658604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Minnesota <a href="https://twitter.com/GovTimWalz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovTimWalz</a>: &quot;We&#39;re here today because an unspeakable tragedy has unfolded in Minnesota. My good friend and colleague Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed early this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/RJt7OpOX3E">pic.twitter.com/RJt7OpOX3E</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1933949978348515622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Kansas House Democrats Respond to Tragic Attack on Minnesota Lawmakers <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/QK0a9M8ETv">pic.twitter.com/QK0a9M8ETv</a>&mdash; Kansas House Democrats (@KSHouseDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSHouseDems/status/1933948703804420581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement from President Donald J. Trump I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be…&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1933910353718497656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The early morning attacks targeting lawmakers in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis prompted warnings to other elected officials around the state and the cancellation of planned “No Kings” demonstrations against President Donald Trump. Authorities say the suspect had “No Kings” flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets.The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz, a Democrat, said at a news conference. "Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”Two people familiar with the matter identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter. The people could not publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.Law enforcement has recovered several AK-style firearms from the suspect’s vehicle, and he’s believed to still be armed with a pistol, one of the people familiar with the matter told the AP.<h2>An overnight shooting</h2>Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 a.m., Champlin police said, and found the lawmaker and his wife, Yvette, with multiple gunshot wounds.After seeing who the victims were, police sent officers to check on Hortman's home, where they encountered what appeared to be a police vehicle and a man dressed as an officer at the door, leaving the house.“When officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home” and escaped, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said.Multiple bullet holes could be seen in the front door of Hoffman’s home.President Donald Trump said in a White House statement that the FBI would join in the investigation.“Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”<h2>Two Democratic lawmakers targeted</h2>Hortman, 55, had been the top Democratic leader in the state House since 2017. She led House Democrats in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-legislature-power-struggle-republicans-democrats-7db12f51ad0e47d49f4c50f56cb1e5c4">three-week walkout</a>&nbsp;at the beginning of this year’s session in a power struggle with Republicans. Under a power sharing agreement, she turned the gavel over to the top Republican, Rep. Lisa Demuth, and assumed the title speaker emerita.Walz described her as a “formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota every day, determined to make this state a better place.”“She is irreplaceable,” he said.Hortman and her husband had two adult children.Hoffman, 60, was first elected in 2012 and played a key role as chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, which oversees one of the biggest parts of the state budget.State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic asked people “out of an abundance of caution” not to attend any of the “No Kings” protests that were scheduled for across the state on Saturday. Bogojevic said authorities didn’t have any direct evidence that the protests would be targeted, but said the suspect had some “No Kings” flyers in their car. Organizers announced that all of the protests across the state were canceled.<h2>Massive search effort underway</h2>Hours after the shootings, hundreds of police and sheriff deputies from departments in the region, some in tactical gear with assault-style weapons were scattered through the town.An alert sent to people’s cellphones asked residents to continue sheltering in place as police were still looking for a suspect “who is armed and dangerous.”“Suspect is white male, brown hair, wearing black body armor over blue shirt and blue pants and may misrepresent himself as law enforcement. Do not approach. Call 911,” the alert said.Some roadblocks had been set up in which authorities stopped and checked vehicles.“This is crazy, someone going after representatives. This is wrong. I’m hoping they’ll catch them,” said Brooklyn Park resident Douglas Thompson, 62, adding he wasn’t worried and believed authorities would catch the suspect.Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack “evil” and said she was “heartbroken beyond words” by the killings of Hortman and her husband, Mark."With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,” Demuth said in a statement.__Durkin Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Giovanna Dell'Orto in Champlin, Minnesota, and Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed.

Kan. governor respond to attack on Minnesota lawmakers

KANSAS CITY —Officials are working to determine the cause of a fire at a commercial building in Kansas City. Just after 1p.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported&nbsp; fire in the 500 block of E. 1st Street, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 Crews reported smoke showing from a single-story vacant commercial building. Offensive operations were initiated using multiple handlines. 

Searches of the structure came back all clear. KCFD was able to get the fire under control just before 2:00 p.m. No injuries were reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749843751851.png" alt="Photo KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Officials are working to determine the cause of a fire at a commercial building in Kansas City. Just after 1p.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported&nbsp; fire in the 500 block of E. 1st Street, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749843775717.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Crews reported smoke showing from a single-story vacant commercial building. Offensive operations were initiated using multiple handlines. Searches of the structure came back all clear. KCFD was able to get the fire under control just before 2:00 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Cause of fire at KC commercial building under investigation

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

TOPEKA — A three-judge appeals court panel on Friday cleared the way for Kansans to resume changing their gender markers on driver’s licenses, rejecting arguments made by Attorney General Kris Kobach and overturning a lower court ruling.

The Kansas Court of Appeals panel ordered the case return to the district court level to be heard by someone other than Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson, who abused her discretion and committed legal and factual errors, according to the Friday ruling.

Judges Karen Arnold-Burger, Stephen Hill and Sarah Warner determined the state would suffer no harm by allowing transgender residents to be identified by their “gender,” which is a personal identity or expression, rather than their “sex,” which relates to reproductive systems. Kobach’s office had argued that the two terms are interchangeable.

The Legislature&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/" target="_blank">passed a law</a>&nbsp;in 2023 that requires vital statistics to recognize a person’s biological sex at birth.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/07/07/kobach-sues-to-strip-transgender-kansans-of-identities-in-dispute-over-drivers-licenses/">Kobach sued the Kansas Department of Revenue</a>&nbsp;for continuing to allow transgender residents to change the gender markers on their driver’s license, as the office had done since at least 2007.

From 2011 to 2022, KDOR issued 9,316,937 driver’s licenses. During that period, 380 drivers changed their gender marker.

Watson in 2023 issued a temporary injunction to block changes in gender markers on driver’s licenses. The appeals court,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/27/who-are-they-going-to-target-next-kansas-appeals-court-hears-arguments-on-gender-markers/">which heard arguments in January</a>, removed that injunction and replaced it with an order to allow changes.

Watson, the higher court said, had committed a legal error by concluding, without any support, that Kobach’s mere allegation that KDOR was violating state law had established irreparable harm. Additionally, the higher court faulted Watson’s conclusion that changing a gender marker could hinder law enforcement officers.

“The problem with the district court’s finding is that the AG presented no evidence to support this claimed injury beyond unsubstantiated speculation,” Arnold-Burger wrote on behalf of the appeals court panel.

In fact, she wrote, “the evidence was overwhelming that there was no harm.”

At the district court level, Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill testified that one time, he didn’t say when, he arrested a transgender woman who told him that she was a man. One of the problems with that example, Arnold-Burger wrote, is that he relied on the individual’s “outward appearance,” not their driver’s license. And, she wrote, the same mistake could be made for any cisgender woman who appears less feminine and more masculine than the average woman.

Additionally, the sheriff’s gender confusion didn’t prevent the arrest or immediate discovery of the person’s identity. And, Hill acknowledged that law enforcement officers can’t always rely on a driver’s license anyway because people change their names.

“The district court committed an error of fact by concluding that there was evidence — any evidence beyond mere speculation — to support a finding that law enforcement would be immediately hindered in the identification of suspects, victims, wanted persons, missing persons, detainees, and others if the driver’s license did not display the driver’s sex assigned at birth,” Arnold-Burger wrote.

The appeals court ruling also noted that the Kansas Supreme Court has recognized a distinction between “sex” and “gender” since at least 2002. And it determined that Kobach was unlikely to prevail in the case.

The appeals court panel ordered the case return to the district court level for a hearing before a new judge.

“Because of the district court’s abuse of discretion, the KDOR has been unable to issue reclassifications of gender designations on Kansas driver’s licenses for two years while this litigation languished,” Arnold-Burger wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749845738373.png" alt=" Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Karen Arnold-Burger questions an attorney during a Jan. 27, 2025, hearing in a dispute over whether Kansans can change their gender markers on driver’s licenses. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Karen Arnold-Burger questions an attorney during a Jan. 27, 2025, hearing in a dispute over whether Kansans can change their gender markers on driver’s licenses. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflecto</a>TOPEKA — A three-judge appeals court panel on Friday cleared the way for Kansans to resume changing their gender markers on driver’s licenses, rejecting arguments made by Attorney General Kris Kobach and overturning a lower court ruling.The Kansas Court of Appeals panel ordered the case return to the district court level to be heard by someone other than Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson, who abused her discretion and committed legal and factual errors, according to the Friday ruling.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We will be asking the Kansas Supreme Court to review this case in an expedited manner and overturn the Court of Appeals decision. <a href="https://t.co/Vmo6LMeqf9">pic.twitter.com/Vmo6LMeqf9</a>&mdash; Kansas AG&#39;s Office (@KSAGOffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSAGOffice/status/1933610315502993866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Judges Karen Arnold-Burger, Stephen Hill and Sarah Warner determined the state would suffer no harm by allowing transgender residents to be identified by their “gender,” which is a personal identity or expression, rather than their “sex,” which relates to reproductive systems. Kobach’s office had argued that the two terms are interchangeable.The Legislature&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb180/" target="_blank">passed a law</a>&nbsp;in 2023 that requires vital statistics to recognize a person’s biological sex at birth.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/07/07/kobach-sues-to-strip-transgender-kansans-of-identities-in-dispute-over-drivers-licenses/">Kobach sued the Kansas Department of Revenue</a>&nbsp;for continuing to allow transgender residents to change the gender markers on their driver’s license, as the office had done since at least 2007.From 2011 to 2022, KDOR issued 9,316,937 driver’s licenses. During that period, 380 drivers changed their gender marker.Watson in 2023 issued a temporary injunction to block changes in gender markers on driver’s licenses. The appeals court,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/27/who-are-they-going-to-target-next-kansas-appeals-court-hears-arguments-on-gender-markers/">which heard arguments in January</a>, removed that injunction and replaced it with an order to allow changes.Watson, the higher court said, had committed a legal error by concluding, without any support, that Kobach’s mere allegation that KDOR was violating state law had established irreparable harm. Additionally, the higher court faulted Watson’s conclusion that changing a gender marker could hinder law enforcement officers.“The problem with the district court’s finding is that the AG presented no evidence to support this claimed injury beyond unsubstantiated speculation,” Arnold-Burger wrote on behalf of the appeals court panel.In fact, she wrote, “the evidence was overwhelming that there was no harm.”At the district court level, Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill testified that one time, he didn’t say when, he arrested a transgender woman who told him that she was a man. One of the problems with that example, Arnold-Burger wrote, is that he relied on the individual’s “outward appearance,” not their driver’s license. And, she wrote, the same mistake could be made for any cisgender woman who appears less feminine and more masculine than the average woman.Additionally, the sheriff’s gender confusion didn’t prevent the arrest or immediate discovery of the person’s identity. And, Hill acknowledged that law enforcement officers can’t always rely on a driver’s license anyway because people change their names.“The district court committed an error of fact by concluding that there was evidence — any evidence beyond mere speculation — to support a finding that law enforcement would be immediately hindered in the identification of suspects, victims, wanted persons, missing persons, detainees, and others if the driver’s license did not display the driver’s sex assigned at birth,” Arnold-Burger wrote.The appeals court ruling also noted that the Kansas Supreme Court has recognized a distinction between “sex” and “gender” since at least 2002. And it determined that Kobach was unlikely to prevail in the case.The appeals court panel ordered the case return to the district court level for a hearing before a new judge.“Because of the district court’s abuse of discretion, the KDOR has been unable to issue reclassifications of gender designations on Kansas driver’s licenses for two years while this litigation languished,” Arnold-Burger wrote.

Kan. appeals court ruling restores ability to change gender markers on driver’s licenses

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (AP) — Police have recovered writings that mentioned the names of multiple lawmakers and other officials in the fake police car they believe a suspect used in the shooting of two Democratic legislators in Minnesota.

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said that the writings that were recovered identified many lawmakers and other officials. The writings were discovered when officers searched a phony police car they believe the suspect used.

Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her spouse were shot and killed early Saturday in their Brooklyn Park home. A second state lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, were shot multiple times in Champlin. Officials say both Hortman and Hoffman were mentioned in the suspect’s writings.

&nbsp; (Click below to watch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz statement.)

“When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary,” said Bruley.

Authorities were actively searching for a suspect in the hours following the shootings. Hundreds of police and sheriff deputies from departments in the region, some in tactical gear with assault style weapons are scattered through the town. Occasional police roadblocks where cars are stopped and checked.

Gov. Tim Walz said Hortman and Hoffman were deliberately targeted.

“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence," Walz said at a press conference Saturday. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”

Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman and his wife have one daughter. He represents a district north of Minneapolis.

At the time of her death, Hortman was the top Democratic leader in the state Legislature. She was also a former House speaker. She was first elected in 2004. She and her husband had two children.

Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect.

Autopsies will be done to determine extent of injuries, but Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Evans said. A “shelter in place” order was in effect early Saturday.

Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer.

“Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility,” he said.

Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Hortman's house after an exchange of gunfire with police.

The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that “looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle,” Bruley said.

GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement.

“My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well," Giffords said. "An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”

Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in a politically motivated assassination, and a second lawmaker and his wife were shot and wounded. Authorities were actively searching for a suspect hours after the targeted killings.

The wounded lawmaker was identified as state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman is married and has one daughter and represents a district north of Minneapolis.

Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker. She was first elected in 2004. She and her husband had two children.

CHAMPLIN, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota mayor says two state lawmakers were shot in their homes early Saturday.

Mayor Ryan Sabas of Champlin said state senator John Hoffman and state representative Melissa Hortman were shot, and that Hoffman’s wife was also shot.&nbsp; (Click below to watch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz statement.)

A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that investigators believe that the suspect may have been posing as a law enforcement officer. The person said investigators were still working to establish motive for the attacks and were still in the early stages of an investigation.

Gov. Tim Walz said the shooting was targeted.

Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota.

Hoffman is married and has one daughter. Hortman is the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker.

She was first elected in 2004. Hortman, a lawyer, is married and has two children.

Both Hoffman and Hortman represent districts located north of Minneapolis.

GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement.

“I am horrified and heartbroken by last night’s attack on two patriotic public servants,” Giffords said. “My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749913092402.png" alt="Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman -photo courtesy Minnesota Senate" />
 <figcaption>Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman -photo courtesy Minnesota Senate</figcaption>
 </figure>BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (AP) — Police have recovered writings that mentioned the names of multiple lawmakers and other officials in the fake police car they believe a suspect used in the shooting of two Democratic legislators in Minnesota.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749912930519.png" alt="Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said that the writings that were recovered identified many lawmakers and other officials. The writings were discovered when officers searched a phony police car they believe the suspect used.Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her spouse were shot and killed early Saturday in their Brooklyn Park home. A second state lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, were shot multiple times in Champlin. Officials say both Hortman and Hoffman were mentioned in the suspect’s writings.&nbsp; (Click below to watch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz statement.)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VHtHNAbFnow?si=bDqgF_TC1GA4uEsT&amp;start=29" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement from President Donald J. Trump I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be…&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1933910353718497656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The FBI is fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners.&mdash; Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1933903879042728255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary,” said Bruley.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am heartbroken and horrified by the tragic loss of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were taken from us in an act of violence. Melissa was a good friend and we started in politics at the same time and were always there for each other. She was a true public… <a href="https://t.co/lTjZFpV3eA">pic.twitter.com/lTjZFpV3eA</a>&mdash; Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) <a href="https://twitter.com/amyklobuchar/status/1933904996468163057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Authorities were actively searching for a suspect in the hours following the shootings. Hundreds of police and sheriff deputies from departments in the region, some in tactical gear with assault style weapons are scattered through the town. Occasional police roadblocks where cars are stopped and checked.Gov. Tim Walz said Hortman and Hoffman were deliberately targeted.“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence," Walz said at a press conference Saturday. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman and his wife have one daughter. He represents a district north of Minneapolis.At the time of her death, Hortman was the top Democratic leader in the state Legislature. She was also a former House speaker. She was first elected in 2004. She and her husband had two children.Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect.Autopsies will be done to determine extent of injuries, but Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Evans said. A “shelter in place” order was in effect early Saturday.Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer.“Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility,” he said.Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Hortman's house after an exchange of gunfire with police.The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that “looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle,” Bruley said.President Donald Trump said in a White House statement that the FBI would join in the investigation.“Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack “evil” and said she was “heartbroken beyond words” by the killings of Hortman and her husband, Mark."With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,” Demuth said in a statement.The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement.“My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well," Giffords said. "An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.-----------------BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in a politically motivated assassination, and a second lawmaker and his wife were shot and wounded. Authorities were actively searching for a suspect hours after the targeted killings.“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence," Walz said at a press conference Saturday. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”&nbsp; (Click below to watch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz statement.)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VHtHNAbFnow?si=bDqgF_TC1GA4uEsT&amp;start=29" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement from President Donald J. Trump I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be…&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1933910353718497656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The FBI is fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners.&mdash; Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1933903879042728255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The wounded lawmaker was identified as state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman is married and has one daughter and represents a district north of Minneapolis.Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker. She was first elected in 2004. She and her husband had two children.Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect.Autopsies will be done to determine extent of injuries, but Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Evans said. A “shelter in place” order was in effect early Saturday.Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer.“Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility,” he said.Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Hortman's house after an exchange of gunfire with police.The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that “looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle,” Bruley said.President Donald Trump said in a White House statement that the FBI would join in the investigation.“Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack “evil” and said she was “heartbroken beyond words” by the killings of Hortman and her husband, Mark."With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,” Demuth said in a statement.The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement.“My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well," Giffords said. "An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.-----------------CHAMPLIN, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota mayor says two state lawmakers were shot in their homes early Saturday.Mayor Ryan Sabas of Champlin said state senator John Hoffman and state representative Melissa Hortman were shot, and that Hoffman’s wife was also shot.&nbsp; (Click below to watch Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz statement.)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VHtHNAbFnow?si=bDqgF_TC1GA4uEsT&amp;start=29" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement from President Donald J. Trump I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be…&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1933910353718497656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The FBI is fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners.&mdash; Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDDBongino/status/1933903879042728255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that investigators believe that the suspect may have been posing as a law enforcement officer. The person said investigators were still working to establish motive for the attacks and were still in the early stages of an investigation.Gov. Tim Walz said the shooting was targeted.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’ve been briefed this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are on the scene. We will share more information soon.&mdash; Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovTimWalz/status/1933865891579781499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’m horrified by the shootings targeting Minnesota lawmakers, including Senator John Hoffman and State Rep. Melissa Hortman. Violence is never the answer. Never. I&#39;m holding everyone affected by this attack in my heart.&mdash; Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/1933894334929363094?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Hoffman is married and has one daughter. Hortman is the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker.She was first elected in 2004. Hortman, a lawyer, is married and has two children.Both Hoffman and Hortman represent districts located north of Minneapolis.The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions.GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement.“I am horrified and heartbroken by last night’s attack on two patriotic public servants,” Giffords said. “My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.

🎥 Minnesota lawmaker and husband killed in “politically motivated assassination"

WASHINGTON —This week, U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria killing Rakhim Boev, a Syria-based ISIS official who was involved in planning external operations threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and civilians.

This airstrike is part of Centcom's ongoing commitment, alongside regional partners, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against U.S. forces and our allies.

Meanwhile, according to the Associated Press, Israel warned of more attacks on Iran on Saturday after Tehran fired waves of missiles and drones that killed three people and wounded dozens in Israel. Iran was retaliating for a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-iran-attack">blistering Israeli attacks</a>&nbsp;on its nuclear and military facilities on Friday.

Israel said hundreds of airstrikes over the past two days also killed nine senior scientists and experts involved in Iran’s nuclear program, in addition to several top generals. Iran’s U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded.

The U.S. and Iran had been scheduled to hold their sixth round of indirect talks over Iran’s nuclear program on Sunday in Oman, but Oman's foreign minister said that the meeting was canceled after Israel's strikes on Iran.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749771718665.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —This week, U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria killing Rakhim Boev, a Syria-based ISIS official who was involved in planning external operations threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and civilians.This airstrike is part of Centcom's ongoing commitment, alongside regional partners, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against U.S. forces and our allies.Meanwhile, according to the Associated Press, Israel warned of more attacks on Iran on Saturday after Tehran fired waves of missiles and drones that killed three people and wounded dozens in Israel. Iran was retaliating for a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-iran-attack">blistering Israeli attacks</a>&nbsp;on its nuclear and military facilities on Friday.Israel said hundreds of airstrikes over the past two days also killed nine senior scientists and experts involved in Iran’s nuclear program, in addition to several top generals. Iran’s U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded.The U.S. and Iran had been scheduled to hold their sixth round of indirect talks over Iran’s nuclear program on Sunday in Oman, but Oman's foreign minister said that the meeting was canceled after Israel's strikes on Iran.

U.S. airstrike killed ISIS leader in Syria

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's administration this week provided deportation officials with personal data -- including the immigration status -- on millions of Medicaid enrollees, a move that could make it easier to locate people as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-california-immigration-customs-enforcement-newsom-0482a8935419d88986b890b18db5cc03">his sweeping immigration crackdown</a>.

An internal memo and emails obtained by The Associated Press show that Medicaid officials unsuccessfully sought to block the data transfer, citing legal and ethical concerns.

Nevertheless, two top advisers to Health Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;ordered the dataset handed over to the Department of Homeland Security, the emails show. Officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services were given just 54 minutes on Tuesday to comply with the directive.

The dataset includes the information of people living in California, Illinois, Washington state and Washington, D.C., all of which allow non-U. S. citizens to enroll in Medicaid programs that pay for their expenses using only state taxpayer dollars. CMS transferred the information just as the Trump administration was ramping up its enforcement efforts in Southern California.

Besides helping authorities locate migrants, experts said, the government could also use the information to scuttle the hopes of migrants seeking green cards, permanent residency or citizenship if they had ever obtained Medicaid benefits funded by the federal government.

California Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gavin-newsom">Gavin Newsom</a>&nbsp;’s office said in a statement that it was concerned about how deportation officials might utilize the data, especially as federal authorities conduct&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-protests-ice-national-guard-1009eac191a8f6248463a5028cbe0f68">immigration raids</a>&nbsp;with the assistance of National Guard troops and Marines in Los Angeles.

“We deeply value the privacy of all Californians,” the statement said. “This potential data transfer brought to our attention by the AP is extremely concerning, and if true, potentially unlawful, particularly given numerous headlines highlighting potential improper federal use of personal information and federal actions to target the personal information of Americans.”

Some California lawmakers on Friday also expressed alarm. U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman, a Democrat, wrote on X that “we should never use a person’s need to go to the doctor against them. This will only lead to more chaos and pain in our communities.”

U.S. Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said the data sharing was legal. He declined to answer questions about why the data was shared with DHS and how it would be used.

“With respect to the recent data sharing between CMS and DHS, HHS acted entirely within its legal authority — and in full compliance with all applicable laws — to ensure that Medicaid benefits are reserved for individuals who are lawfully entitled to receive them,” Nixon said.

An official with DHS, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, said in a statement that Trump “promised to protect Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. To keep that promise after Joe Biden flooded our country with tens of millions of illegal aliens CMS and DHS are exploring an initiative to ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving Medicaid benefits that are meant for law-abiding Americans.”

The initiative appears to be part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to provide DHS with more data on migrants. In May, for example,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-ice-tax-data-deportations-federal-judge-fd696d215843bdc16260dfad471f500d">a federal judge</a>&nbsp;refused to block the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/internal-revenue-service">Internal Revenue Service</a>&nbsp;from sharing immigrants' tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to help agents locate and detain people living without legal status in the U.S.

A targeted review of millions of immigrant Medicaid enrollees

CMS announced late last month that it was reviewing some state's Medicaid enrollees to ensure federal funds have not been used to pay for coverage for people with “unsatisfactory immigration status.” In a letter sent to state Medicaid officials, CMS said that the effort was part of Trump's Feb. 19 executive order titled “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.”

As part of the review, California, Washington and Illinois shared details about non-U. S. citizens who have enrolled in their state's Medicaid program, according to a June 6 memo signed by Medicaid Deputy Director Sara Vitolo that was obtained by the AP. The memo was written by several CMS officials under Vitolo's supervision, according to sources familiar with the process.

The data includes addresses, names, social security numbers and claims data for enrollees in those states, according to the memo and two people familiar with what the states sent to CMS. Both individuals spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share details about the data exchange.

CMS officials attempted to fight the data sharing request from Homeland Security, saying that to do so would violate federal laws, including the Social Security Act and the Privacy Act of 1974, according to Vitolo's memo.

“Multiple federal statutory and regulatory authorities do not permit CMS to share this information with entities outside of CMS,” Vitolo wrote, further explaining that the sharing of such personal data is only allowed for directly administering the Medicaid program.

Sharing information about Medicaid applicants or enrollees with DHS officials would violate a “long-standing policy,” wrote Vitolo, a career employee, to Trump appointee Kim Brandt, deputy administrator and chief operating officer of CMS.

Vitolo and Brandt could not be reached for comment.

The legal arguments outlined in the memo were not persuasive to Trump appointees at HHS, which oversees the Medicaid agency.

Four days after the memo was sent, on June 10, HHS officials directed the transfer of “the data to DHS by 5:30 ET today,” according to email exchanges obtained by AP.

Former government officials said the move was unusual because CMS, which has access to personal health data for nearly half the country, does not typically share such sensitive information with other departments.

“DHS has no role in anything related to Medicaid,” said Jeffrey Grant, a former career employee at CMS.

Beyond her legal arguments, Vitolo said sharing the information with DHS could have a chilling effect on states, perhaps prompting them to withhold information. States, she added needed to guard against the “legal risk” they were taking by giving federal officials data that could be shared with deportation officials.

All states must legally provide emergency Medicaid services to non-U. S. citizens, including to those who are lawfully present but have not yet met a five-year wait to apply for Medicaid.

Seven states, along with the District, allow immigrants who are not living legally in the country to enroll — with full benefits — in their state's Medicaid program. The states launched these programs during the Biden administration and said they would not bill the federal government to cover those immigrants' health care costs.

The Trump administration has raised doubts about that pledge.

Nixon, the HHS spokesperson, said that the state's Medicaid programs for immigrants “opened the floodgates for illegal immigrants to exploit Medicaid — and forced hardworking Americans to foot the bill.”

All of the states — California, New York, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado — have Democratic governors. Due to his state's budget woes, Newsom announced earlier this year he would freeze enrollment into the program; Illinois will also shut down its program for roughly 30,000 non-U. S. citizens in July.

The remaining states — New York, Oregon, Minnesota and Colorado — have not yet submitted the identifiable data to CMS as part of the review, according to a public health official who has reviewed CMS' requests to the states.

Illinois health officials also said they were “deeply concerned” by the AP’s findings that revealed their state’s Medicaid customer information was shared with federal agencies outside of CMS, given that their “understanding (is) that the data is protected under the federal Privacy Act of 1974 and other federal regulations — which protects the rights of Americans’ sensitive health and personal data.”

In a statement issued after publication of AP's story, California's Newsom said the decision to share the data “will jeopardize the safety, health, and security of those who will undoubtedly be targeted by this abuse.”

State health officials from the District and Washington did not respond to requests for comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749865291658.png" alt="&nbsp;Health Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;ordered the dataset handed over to the Department of Homeland Security-image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Health Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;ordered the dataset handed over to the Department of Homeland Security-image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's administration this week provided deportation officials with personal data -- including the immigration status -- on millions of Medicaid enrollees, a move that could make it easier to locate people as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-california-immigration-customs-enforcement-newsom-0482a8935419d88986b890b18db5cc03">his sweeping immigration crackdown</a>.An internal memo and emails obtained by The Associated Press show that Medicaid officials unsuccessfully sought to block the data transfer, citing legal and ethical concerns.Nevertheless, two top advisers to Health Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;ordered the dataset handed over to the Department of Homeland Security, the emails show. Officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services were given just 54 minutes on Tuesday to comply with the directive.The dataset includes the information of people living in California, Illinois, Washington state and Washington, D.C., all of which allow non-U. S. citizens to enroll in Medicaid programs that pay for their expenses using only state taxpayer dollars. CMS transferred the information just as the Trump administration was ramping up its enforcement efforts in Southern California.Besides helping authorities locate migrants, experts said, the government could also use the information to scuttle the hopes of migrants seeking green cards, permanent residency or citizenship if they had ever obtained Medicaid benefits funded by the federal government.California Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gavin-newsom">Gavin Newsom</a>&nbsp;’s office said in a statement that it was concerned about how deportation officials might utilize the data, especially as federal authorities conduct&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-protests-ice-national-guard-1009eac191a8f6248463a5028cbe0f68">immigration raids</a>&nbsp;with the assistance of National Guard troops and Marines in Los Angeles.“We deeply value the privacy of all Californians,” the statement said. “This potential data transfer brought to our attention by the AP is extremely concerning, and if true, potentially unlawful, particularly given numerous headlines highlighting potential improper federal use of personal information and federal actions to target the personal information of Americans.”Some California lawmakers on Friday also expressed alarm. U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman, a Democrat, wrote on X that “we should never use a person’s need to go to the doctor against them. This will only lead to more chaos and pain in our communities.”U.S. Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said the data sharing was legal. He declined to answer questions about why the data was shared with DHS and how it would be used.“With respect to the recent data sharing between CMS and DHS, HHS acted entirely within its legal authority — and in full compliance with all applicable laws — to ensure that Medicaid benefits are reserved for individuals who are lawfully entitled to receive them,” Nixon said.An official with DHS, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, said in a statement that Trump “promised to protect Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. To keep that promise after Joe Biden flooded our country with tens of millions of illegal aliens CMS and DHS are exploring an initiative to ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving Medicaid benefits that are meant for law-abiding Americans.”The initiative appears to be part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to provide DHS with more data on migrants. In May, for example,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-ice-tax-data-deportations-federal-judge-fd696d215843bdc16260dfad471f500d">a federal judge</a>&nbsp;refused to block the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/internal-revenue-service">Internal Revenue Service</a>&nbsp;from sharing immigrants' tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to help agents locate and detain people living without legal status in the U.S.<h2>A targeted review of millions of immigrant Medicaid enrollees</h2>CMS announced late last month that it was reviewing some state's Medicaid enrollees to ensure federal funds have not been used to pay for coverage for people with “unsatisfactory immigration status.” In a letter sent to state Medicaid officials, CMS said that the effort was part of Trump's Feb. 19 executive order titled “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.”As part of the review, California, Washington and Illinois shared details about non-U. S. citizens who have enrolled in their state's Medicaid program, according to a June 6 memo signed by Medicaid Deputy Director Sara Vitolo that was obtained by the AP. The memo was written by several CMS officials under Vitolo's supervision, according to sources familiar with the process.The data includes addresses, names, social security numbers and claims data for enrollees in those states, according to the memo and two people familiar with what the states sent to CMS. Both individuals spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share details about the data exchange.CMS officials attempted to fight the data sharing request from Homeland Security, saying that to do so would violate federal laws, including the Social Security Act and the Privacy Act of 1974, according to Vitolo's memo.“Multiple federal statutory and regulatory authorities do not permit CMS to share this information with entities outside of CMS,” Vitolo wrote, further explaining that the sharing of such personal data is only allowed for directly administering the Medicaid program.Sharing information about Medicaid applicants or enrollees with DHS officials would violate a “long-standing policy,” wrote Vitolo, a career employee, to Trump appointee Kim Brandt, deputy administrator and chief operating officer of CMS.Vitolo and Brandt could not be reached for comment.The legal arguments outlined in the memo were not persuasive to Trump appointees at HHS, which oversees the Medicaid agency.Four days after the memo was sent, on June 10, HHS officials directed the transfer of “the data to DHS by 5:30 ET today,” according to email exchanges obtained by AP.Former government officials said the move was unusual because CMS, which has access to personal health data for nearly half the country, does not typically share such sensitive information with other departments.“DHS has no role in anything related to Medicaid,” said Jeffrey Grant, a former career employee at CMS.Beyond her legal arguments, Vitolo said sharing the information with DHS could have a chilling effect on states, perhaps prompting them to withhold information. States, she added needed to guard against the “legal risk” they were taking by giving federal officials data that could be shared with deportation officials.<h2>A ‘concerning’ development</h2>All states must legally provide emergency Medicaid services to non-U. S. citizens, including to those who are lawfully present but have not yet met a five-year wait to apply for Medicaid.Seven states, along with the District, allow immigrants who are not living legally in the country to enroll — with full benefits — in their state's Medicaid program. The states launched these programs during the Biden administration and said they would not bill the federal government to cover those immigrants' health care costs.The Trump administration has raised doubts about that pledge.Nixon, the HHS spokesperson, said that the state's Medicaid programs for immigrants “opened the floodgates for illegal immigrants to exploit Medicaid — and forced hardworking Americans to foot the bill.”All of the states — California, New York, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado — have Democratic governors. Due to his state's budget woes, Newsom announced earlier this year he would freeze enrollment into the program; Illinois will also shut down its program for roughly 30,000 non-U. S. citizens in July.The remaining states — New York, Oregon, Minnesota and Colorado — have not yet submitted the identifiable data to CMS as part of the review, according to a public health official who has reviewed CMS' requests to the states.Illinois health officials also said they were “deeply concerned” by the AP’s findings that revealed their state’s Medicaid customer information was shared with federal agencies outside of CMS, given that their “understanding (is) that the data is protected under the federal Privacy Act of 1974 and other federal regulations — which protects the rights of Americans’ sensitive health and personal data.”In a statement issued after publication of AP's story, California's Newsom said the decision to share the data “will jeopardize the safety, health, and security of those who will undoubtedly be targeted by this abuse.”State health officials from the District and Washington did not respond to requests for comment.

Trump admin. gives data of immigrant Medicaid enrollees to deportation officials

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 1:30a.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to a shooting at&nbsp; 35th and Prospect, according to KCKPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

First responders were directed to the gas station parking lot. They located multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Officers began performing live saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. On scene officers located a total of four victims. An adult female victim had critical injuries, one adult male victim had critical injuries, and two adult male victims had non life threatening injuries, according to DiMartino.

 All of the victims were transported to local hospitals. The adult female victim was pronounced deceased a short time later by medical personnel.

Additional officers responded to a separate shooting, a short distance away, in the 2000 block of East Linwood where an adult male victim was located. 

It was determined the victim was related to the scene at 35th and Prospect. He was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.

This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody at this point, according to DiMartino.

Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the shots being fired and the victims being struck.&nbsp; Police have not released names of the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749904887891.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.Just after 1:30a.m. Saturday, patrol officers were dispatched to a shooting at&nbsp; 35th and Prospect, according to KCKPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749903126084.png" alt="Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders were directed to the gas station parking lot. They located multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Officers began performing live saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. On scene officers located a total of four victims. An adult female victim had critical injuries, one adult male victim had critical injuries, and two adult male victims had non life threatening injuries, according to DiMartino.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749903072954.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure> All of the victims were transported to local hospitals. The adult female victim was pronounced deceased a short time later by medical personnel.Additional officers responded to a separate shooting, a short distance away, in the 2000 block of East Linwood where an adult male victim was located. It was determined the victim was related to the scene at 35th and Prospect. He was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.This is being investigated as a homicide and there is no one in custody at this point, according to DiMartino.Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the shots being fired and the victims being struck.&nbsp; Police have not released names of the victims.

5 victims, 1 dead in Kansas City shooting

On Friday in Leavenworth, Governor Kelly joined military leaders, families, and Kansans to celebrate and proclaim the Army’s 250th birthday.

The proclamation signing was hosted by the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USACAC?__cft__[0]=AZXRIXaKOEQSQ5Zw2xzfiP01m9mWu7zC24rsRnOJQa1lM2-SH8nayKW-0k8Eh47lG0caQeRRtoupGttvEWZwe6TWnhytSd99q21q5dfLE5RX6zUpO2HcSDrXGNne_WTAICty-LaP9OPXg8N8pZyM3_GDW1EUbptN2DKluJvw049dh2_9T1or7aLH8uU9IoSEALYREEGOBPee9_EjLpy8LxBOQ7PmeNBjyfgwdQsxugmnWg&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">U.S. Army Combined Arms Center</a> commanding general Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn F. Carns and honored the US Army's birthday on June 14 and celebrated <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USAGLeavenworth?__cft__[0]=AZXRIXaKOEQSQ5Zw2xzfiP01m9mWu7zC24rsRnOJQa1lM2-SH8nayKW-0k8Eh47lG0caQeRRtoupGttvEWZwe6TWnhytSd99q21q5dfLE5RX6zUpO2HcSDrXGNne_WTAICty-LaP9OPXg8N8pZyM3_GDW1EUbptN2DKluJvw049dh2_9T1or7aLH8uU9IoSEALYREEGOBPee9_EjLpy8LxBOQ7PmeNBjyfgwdQsxugmnWg&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Fort Leavenworth</a>'s partnership with the state of Kansas.

On social media Gov. Kelly wrote, "Our state has a proud tradition of service, and today's event was a reminder to honor all who have worn the uniform to defend our freedom."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749832294427.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>On Friday in Leavenworth, Governor Kelly joined military leaders, families, and Kansans to celebrate and proclaim the Army’s 250th birthday.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FUSAGLeavenworth%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0utdvnD8AFcxDCwm6s6x2gyvmSWCr5psbMx39NQNz6F42JZ3TMJJ4LCcpBajvg6ql&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="759" 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 proclamation signing was hosted by the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USACAC?__cft__[0]=AZXRIXaKOEQSQ5Zw2xzfiP01m9mWu7zC24rsRnOJQa1lM2-SH8nayKW-0k8Eh47lG0caQeRRtoupGttvEWZwe6TWnhytSd99q21q5dfLE5RX6zUpO2HcSDrXGNne_WTAICty-LaP9OPXg8N8pZyM3_GDW1EUbptN2DKluJvw049dh2_9T1or7aLH8uU9IoSEALYREEGOBPee9_EjLpy8LxBOQ7PmeNBjyfgwdQsxugmnWg&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">U.S. Army Combined Arms Center</a> commanding general Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn F. Carns and honored the US Army's birthday on June 14 and celebrated <a href="https://www.facebook.com/USAGLeavenworth?__cft__[0]=AZXRIXaKOEQSQ5Zw2xzfiP01m9mWu7zC24rsRnOJQa1lM2-SH8nayKW-0k8Eh47lG0caQeRRtoupGttvEWZwe6TWnhytSd99q21q5dfLE5RX6zUpO2HcSDrXGNne_WTAICty-LaP9OPXg8N8pZyM3_GDW1EUbptN2DKluJvw049dh2_9T1or7aLH8uU9IoSEALYREEGOBPee9_EjLpy8LxBOQ7PmeNBjyfgwdQsxugmnWg&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Fort Leavenworth</a>'s partnership with the state of Kansas.On social media Gov. Kelly wrote, "Our state has a proud tradition of service, and today's event was a reminder to honor all who have worn the uniform to defend our freedom."

Governor Laura Kelly celebrates Army’s 250th birthday

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The woman often credited with sewing the first national U.S. flag — at the request of George Washington himself, her descendants claimed — might have been puzzled by Saturday's modern Flag Day.

In Betsy Ross' day, flags marked ships and told soldiers where they should move in the confusion of battlefield smoke and noise. The intense reverence many Americans feel for Old Glory arose from the Civil War, when the need to keep the banner aloft in battle led the Union army to treat the deadly job of flag bearer as a high honor — and men responded with fatal heroics.

The first, local Flag Day observances came after the Civil War and eventually a federal law designated June 14 as Flag Day in 1949, under World War I combat veteran Harry Truman. He declared in a proclamation the next year that the U.S. flag symbolizes freedom and "protection from tyranny."

Americans' attachment to their flag is imbued with feelings that in other nations might attach to a beloved monarch or an official national religion. The flag is a physical object "that people can relate to," said Charles Spain, director of the Flag Research Center in Houston.

"If you put a flag on a pole, the wind makes it move," Spain, a retired Texas Court of Appeals justice, added. "Therefore, the flag is alive."

The holiday marks the date in 1777 that the Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag for what to Great Britain were rebellious American colonies.

It set the now-familiar 13 alternating horizontal stripes of red and white, one for each self-declared U.S. state, along with the blue upper quadrant with white stars. The Journals of Congress from 1777 says that the stars represented "a new constellation," but a 1818 law mandated one white star for each state.

National observances for Flag Day began well ahead of the law signed by Truman, with a proclamation issued by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916.

Wilson's action came several decades after communities began Flag Day celebrations. In 1891, Philadelphia held its first — at one of Ross' former homes — and it evolved into an annual, weeklong Flag Fest.

The small village of Waubeka, Wisconsin, north of Milwaukee, claims the first observance in 1885.

According to the National Flag Day Foundation headquartered there, a 19-year-old teacher in a one-room school, Bernard Cigrand, put a small flag on his desk and had students write essays about what the flag meant to them. He advocated a national holiday for decades as he worked as a dentist in the Chicago area.

When didthe U.S. flag become sacred to many Americans?

Lisa Acker Moulder, director of the Betsy Ross House historical site in Philadelphia, said that for Ross, conferring with Washington would have been the key point of her account. The U.S. flag wasn't as venerated before the Civil War in 1861-65 as it is now.

Keeping flags aloft was crucial to maneuvering troops in Civil War battles, and that made flag bearers big targets for the enemy. They couldn't shoot back and had to stand tall, said Ted Kaye, secretary for the North American association for flag scholars, known as vexillologists.

Both sides' propaganda told soldiers that carrying a flag into battle was an honor reserved for the most morally fit — and that view took hold, Kaye said. One Michigan cavalry regiment's red flag declared, "Fear Not Death --Fear Dishonor."

"This created this cult of honor around these battle flags, and around, by extension, the national flag," Kaye said.

Civil War soldiers showed extraordinary courage under fire to keep their colors aloft, and multiple flag bearers died in single battles, said Matt VanAcker, who directs a now decades-old project at the Michigan Capitol to conserve flags from the Civil War and later conflicts. Michigan has collected about 240 old battle flags and had a display in its Capitol rotunda for decades.

Replicas have replaced them so that the original banners — and pieces of banners — can be preserved as a physical link to the soldiers who fought under them.

"Many of the flags in our collection are covered with bullet holes," VanAcker said. "A lot of them have blood stains — the physical evidence of their use on the battlefield."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749824321927.png" alt="Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The woman often credited with sewing the first national U.S. flag — at the request of George Washington himself, her descendants claimed — might have been puzzled by Saturday's modern Flag Day.In Betsy Ross' day, flags marked ships and told soldiers where they should move in the confusion of battlefield smoke and noise. The intense reverence many Americans feel for Old Glory arose from the Civil War, when the need to keep the banner aloft in battle led the Union army to treat the deadly job of flag bearer as a high honor — and men responded with fatal heroics.The first, local Flag Day observances came after the Civil War and eventually a federal law designated June 14 as Flag Day in 1949, under World War I combat veteran Harry Truman. He declared in a proclamation the next year that the U.S. flag symbolizes freedom and "protection from tyranny."Americans' attachment to their flag is imbued with feelings that in other nations might attach to a beloved monarch or an official national religion. The flag is a physical object "that people can relate to," said Charles Spain, director of the Flag Research Center in Houston."If you put a flag on a pole, the wind makes it move," Spain, a retired Texas Court of Appeals justice, added. "Therefore, the flag is alive."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749824297329.png" alt="Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>What does Flag Day celebrate?The holiday marks the date in 1777 that the Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag for what to Great Britain were rebellious American colonies.It set the now-familiar 13 alternating horizontal stripes of red and white, one for each self-declared U.S. state, along with the blue upper quadrant with white stars. The Journals of Congress from 1777 says that the stars represented "a new constellation," but a 1818 law mandated one white star for each state.National observances for Flag Day began well ahead of the law signed by Truman, with a proclamation issued by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916.Wilson's action came several decades after communities began Flag Day celebrations. In 1891, Philadelphia held its first — at one of Ross' former homes — and it evolved into an annual, weeklong Flag Fest.The small village of Waubeka, Wisconsin, north of Milwaukee, claims the first observance in 1885.According to the National Flag Day Foundation headquartered there, a 19-year-old teacher in a one-room school, Bernard Cigrand, put a small flag on his desk and had students write essays about what the flag meant to them. He advocated a national holiday for decades as he worked as a dentist in the Chicago area.When didthe U.S. flag become sacred to many Americans?Lisa Acker Moulder, director of the Betsy Ross House historical site in Philadelphia, said that for Ross, conferring with Washington would have been the key point of her account. The U.S. flag wasn't as venerated before the Civil War in 1861-65 as it is now.Keeping flags aloft was crucial to maneuvering troops in Civil War battles, and that made flag bearers big targets for the enemy. They couldn't shoot back and had to stand tall, said Ted Kaye, secretary for the North American association for flag scholars, known as vexillologists.Both sides' propaganda told soldiers that carrying a flag into battle was an honor reserved for the most morally fit — and that view took hold, Kaye said. One Michigan cavalry regiment's red flag declared, "Fear Not Death --Fear Dishonor.""This created this cult of honor around these battle flags, and around, by extension, the national flag," Kaye said.Why was the Civil War so important?Civil War soldiers showed extraordinary courage under fire to keep their colors aloft, and multiple flag bearers died in single battles, said Matt VanAcker, who directs a now decades-old project at the Michigan Capitol to conserve flags from the Civil War and later conflicts. Michigan has collected about 240 old battle flags and had a display in its Capitol rotunda for decades.Replicas have replaced them so that the original banners — and pieces of banners — can be preserved as a physical link to the soldiers who fought under them."Many of the flags in our collection are covered with bullet holes," VanAcker said. "A lot of them have blood stains — the physical evidence of their use on the battlefield."

Reverence for Old Glory that inspired Flag Day arose decades after Betsy Ross sewed her first

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.

A man was initially occupying a black GMC Sierra pickup in a lane of traffic on eastbound Interstate 70, just west of Blue Ridge Cutoff, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil Dimartino. A white Freightliner truck, tractor and flatbed trailer was behind the GMC. The semi driver was attempting to change lanes and make his way across traffic.

 For unknown reasons, the pedestrian exited his GMC Sierra&nbsp; in the middle of rush hour traffic and attempted to enter the cab of the semi. The truck driver began to slowly pull forward in an attempt to exit the area while the pedestrian was running alongside the flatbed trailer of the truck. 

The pedestrian then attempted to jump on to the trailer, grabbing a retention strap as the trailer was moving. The pedestrian lost his grip and fell to the roadway. The rear axle of the trailer ran over the pedestrian before the truck driver could get his vehicle stopped. 

The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The truck driver was uninjured in the collision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All lanes of eastbound Interstate 70 were closed to traffic at Interstate 435 for approximately two and a half hours, according to DiMartino.&nbsp;This is fatality #32 compared to #47 at this time in 2024. The name of the victim has not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749867561239.png" alt="View from KC Scout camera Friday afternoon" />
 <figcaption>View from KC Scout camera Friday afternoon</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.A man was initially occupying a black GMC Sierra pickup in a lane of traffic on eastbound Interstate 70, just west of Blue Ridge Cutoff, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil Dimartino. A white Freightliner truck, tractor and flatbed trailer was behind the GMC. The semi driver was attempting to change lanes and make his way across traffic. For unknown reasons, the pedestrian exited his GMC Sierra&nbsp; in the middle of rush hour traffic and attempted to enter the cab of the semi. The truck driver began to slowly pull forward in an attempt to exit the area while the pedestrian was running alongside the flatbed trailer of the truck. The pedestrian then attempted to jump on to the trailer, grabbing a retention strap as the trailer was moving. The pedestrian lost his grip and fell to the roadway. The rear axle of the trailer ran over the pedestrian before the truck driver could get his vehicle stopped. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The truck driver was uninjured in the collision.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All lanes of eastbound Interstate 70 were closed to traffic at Interstate 435 for approximately two and a half hours, according to DiMartino.&nbsp;This is fatality #32 compared to #47 at this time in 2024. The name of the victim has not been released.

Trailer ran over driver who exited his pickup on I-70 in rush hour traffic

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Demonstrators crowded into parks and plazas across the U.S. Saturday to rally against President Donald Trump as officials urged calm and mobilized National Guard troops ahead a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-parade-army-tanks-cost-584f60f4efc341bce44a2d01c3f5c58c">military parade</a>&nbsp;to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary that coincides with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-military-parade-birthday-2f5cd12c8ccd4efddc29bfa3cf8f2705">the president's birthday</a>.

Atlanta’s 5,000-capacity&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protest-things-to-know-trump-8d37f2bb2bf20ab503205b277e92b885">“No Kings” rally</a>&nbsp;quickly reached its limit, with thousands more demonstrators outside the barrier in front of the state Capitol and a handful of counterprotesters leaving before the rally finished.

Intermittent light rain fell as sign-carrying marchers gathered for the flagship rally in Philadelphia's Love Park, where a woman wearing a foam Statue of Liberty crown brought a speaker system and led an anti-Trump sing-along, changing the words “young man” in the song “Y.M.C.A.” to “con man.”

Karen Van Trieste, a 61-year-old nurse who drove up from Maryland, said she grew up in Philadelphia and wanted to be with a large group of people showing her support.

“I just feel like we need to defend our democracy,” she said. She is concerned about the Trump administration's layoffs of staff at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fate of immigrant communities and the Trump administration trying to rule by executive order, she said.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, crowds cheered anti-Trump speakers and chanted “we have no kings” while people started to gather in front of Los Angeles City Hall, many carrying American flags as a drum circle began.

Protests are planned in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nokings.org/#map">nearly 2,000 locations</a>&nbsp;across the country, from city blocks and small towns to courthouse steps and community parks, organizers said, but no events are scheduled in Washington, D.C., where the military parade will take place in the evening.

The 50501 Movement orchestrating the protests says it picked the “No Kings” name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration.The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.

The demonstrations come on the heels of protests that flared up across the country over federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-raids-los-angeles-f8c4160e32be0ff77c5d4bf0ccef98cc">immigration enforcement raids</a>&nbsp;that began last week and Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-raids-los-angeles-2d1d5e2f638da600c4b34fe8bf8cf3aa">ordering the National Guard</a>&nbsp;and Marines to Los Angeles, where protesters blocked a freeway and set cars on fire.

Several hundred people gathered in a downtown park, with organizers handing out small American flags and many people carrying protest signs saying things like “fight oligarchy” and “deport the mini-Mussolinis” as they waited for the march to start.

Some signs bore immigrant-rights messages, including “The wrong ice is melting” and “Unmask ice.”

A handful of people wore gas masks or balaclavas to cover their faces.

One man in Revolutionary War era garb and a tricorn hat held a sign with a quote often attributed to Thomas Jefferson: “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”

About a thousand people gathered on the grounds of Florida’s old Capitol, where protesters chanted, “This is what community looks like,” and carried signs with messages like “one nation under distress” and “dissent is patriotic.”

Organizers of the rally explicitly told the crowd to avoid any conflicts with counterprotesters and to take care not to jaywalk or disrupt traffic.

Governors and city officials vowed to protect the right to protest and to show no tolerance for violence.

Republican governors in Virginia, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-protests-texas-national-guard-4f8ffc07788515c0d0e7ae40c7980565">mobilizing National Guard troops</a>&nbsp;to help law enforcement manage demonstrations.

There will be “zero tolerance” for violence, destruction or disrupting traffic, and “if you violate the law, you’re going to be arrested,” Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters Friday.

In Missouri, Gov. Mike Kehoe issued a similar message, vowing to take a proactive approach and not to “wait for chaos to ensue.”

Nebraska’s governor also signed an emergency proclamation Friday to activate his state’s National Guard, a step his office called “a precautionary measure in reaction to recent instances of civil unrest across the country.”

<a href="https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/792291/?referring_vol=10902088&amp;share_context=dashboard-event-details&amp;sharer_role=2">Organizers say</a>&nbsp;that one march will go to the gates of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis warned demonstrators that the “line is very clear” and not to cross it.

Some law enforcement agencies announced they were ramping up efforts for the weekend. In California, state troopers will be on “tactical alert,” which means all days off are canceled for all officers, while West Virginia’s governor put the state police and National Guard on standby.

On social media, Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, called for peaceful protests over the weekend, to ensure Trump doesn’t send military to the state.

“Donald Trump wants to be able to say that we cannot handle our own public safety in Washington state,” Ferguson said.

In a statement Friday, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, urged protesters “to remain peaceful and calm as they exercise their First Amendment right to make their voices heard.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said his administration and state police are working with police in Philadelphia ahead of what organizers estimate could be a crowd approaching 100,000 people.

Philadelphia’s top prosecutor, District Attorney Larry Krasner, warned that anyone coming to Philadelphia to break the law or immigration agents exceeding their authority will face arrest. He invoked civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as a guide for demonstrators.

“If you are doing what Martin Luther King would have done, you’re going to be fine,” Krasner told a news conference.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22LISA%20BAUMANN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By LISA BAUMANN&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;Associated Press

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749822989688.png" alt="<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22LISA%20BAUMANN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest"></a>" />
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 </figure>PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Demonstrators crowded into parks and plazas across the U.S. Saturday to rally against President Donald Trump as officials urged calm and mobilized National Guard troops ahead a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-parade-army-tanks-cost-584f60f4efc341bce44a2d01c3f5c58c">military parade</a>&nbsp;to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary that coincides with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-military-parade-birthday-2f5cd12c8ccd4efddc29bfa3cf8f2705">the president's birthday</a>.Atlanta’s 5,000-capacity&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-kings-protest-things-to-know-trump-8d37f2bb2bf20ab503205b277e92b885">“No Kings” rally</a>&nbsp;quickly reached its limit, with thousands more demonstrators outside the barrier in front of the state Capitol and a handful of counterprotesters leaving before the rally finished.Intermittent light rain fell as sign-carrying marchers gathered for the flagship rally in Philadelphia's Love Park, where a woman wearing a foam Statue of Liberty crown brought a speaker system and led an anti-Trump sing-along, changing the words “young man” in the song “Y.M.C.A.” to “con man.”Karen Van Trieste, a 61-year-old nurse who drove up from Maryland, said she grew up in Philadelphia and wanted to be with a large group of people showing her support.“I just feel like we need to defend our democracy,” she said. She is concerned about the Trump administration's layoffs of staff at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fate of immigrant communities and the Trump administration trying to rule by executive order, she said.In Charlotte, North Carolina, crowds cheered anti-Trump speakers and chanted “we have no kings” while people started to gather in front of Los Angeles City Hall, many carrying American flags as a drum circle began.Protests are planned in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nokings.org/#map">nearly 2,000 locations</a>&nbsp;across the country, from city blocks and small towns to courthouse steps and community parks, organizers said, but no events are scheduled in Washington, D.C., where the military parade will take place in the evening.The 50501 Movement orchestrating the protests says it picked the “No Kings” name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration.The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.The demonstrations come on the heels of protests that flared up across the country over federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-raids-los-angeles-f8c4160e32be0ff77c5d4bf0ccef98cc">immigration enforcement raids</a>&nbsp;that began last week and Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-raids-los-angeles-2d1d5e2f638da600c4b34fe8bf8cf3aa">ordering the National Guard</a>&nbsp;and Marines to Los Angeles, where protesters blocked a freeway and set cars on fire.<h2>Philadelphia</h2>Several hundred people gathered in a downtown park, with organizers handing out small American flags and many people carrying protest signs saying things like “fight oligarchy” and “deport the mini-Mussolinis” as they waited for the march to start.Some signs bore immigrant-rights messages, including “The wrong ice is melting” and “Unmask ice.”A handful of people wore gas masks or balaclavas to cover their faces.One man in Revolutionary War era garb and a tricorn hat held a sign with a quote often attributed to Thomas Jefferson: “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.”<h2>Tallahassee, Florida</h2>About a thousand people gathered on the grounds of Florida’s old Capitol, where protesters chanted, “This is what community looks like,” and carried signs with messages like “one nation under distress” and “dissent is patriotic.”Organizers of the rally explicitly told the crowd to avoid any conflicts with counterprotesters and to take care not to jaywalk or disrupt traffic.<h2>Calling out the National Guard</h2>Governors and city officials vowed to protect the right to protest and to show no tolerance for violence.Republican governors in Virginia, Texas, Nebraska and Missouri are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-protests-texas-national-guard-4f8ffc07788515c0d0e7ae40c7980565">mobilizing National Guard troops</a>&nbsp;to help law enforcement manage demonstrations.There will be “zero tolerance” for violence, destruction or disrupting traffic, and “if you violate the law, you’re going to be arrested,” Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters Friday.In Missouri, Gov. Mike Kehoe issued a similar message, vowing to take a proactive approach and not to “wait for chaos to ensue.”Nebraska’s governor also signed an emergency proclamation Friday to activate his state’s National Guard, a step his office called “a precautionary measure in reaction to recent instances of civil unrest across the country.”<a href="https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/792291/?referring_vol=10902088&amp;share_context=dashboard-event-details&amp;sharer_role=2">Organizers say</a>&nbsp;that one march will go to the gates of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis warned demonstrators that the “line is very clear” and not to cross it.Some law enforcement agencies announced they were ramping up efforts for the weekend. In California, state troopers will be on “tactical alert,” which means all days off are canceled for all officers, while West Virginia’s governor put the state police and National Guard on standby.<h2>Governors urging calm</h2>On social media, Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, called for peaceful protests over the weekend, to ensure Trump doesn’t send military to the state.“Donald Trump wants to be able to say that we cannot handle our own public safety in Washington state,” Ferguson said.In a statement Friday, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, urged protesters “to remain peaceful and calm as they exercise their First Amendment right to make their voices heard.”Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said his administration and state police are working with police in Philadelphia ahead of what organizers estimate could be a crowd approaching 100,000 people.Philadelphia’s top prosecutor, District Attorney Larry Krasner, warned that anyone coming to Philadelphia to break the law or immigration agents exceeding their authority will face arrest. He invoked civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as a guide for demonstrators.“If you are doing what Martin Luther King would have done, you’re going to be fine,” Krasner told a news conference.----------------<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22LISA%20BAUMANN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By LISA BAUMANN&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;Associated PressOpponents of President Donald Trump’s administration are set to rally in hundreds of cities on Saturday during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-parade-army-tanks-cost-584f60f4efc341bce44a2d01c3f5c58c">military parade in Washington</a>&nbsp;to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincides with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-military-parade-birthday-2f5cd12c8ccd4efddc29bfa3cf8f2705">Trump’s birthday</a>.The “No Kings” protests are set to take place to counter what organizers say are Trump’s plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day. “No Kings” will follow several days of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-crackdown-us-protests-049a611d47d0fc7656731e4f4c714e93">nationwide protests</a>&nbsp;against federal immigration raids including in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-protests-ice-national-guard-1009eac191a8f6248463a5028cbe0f68">Los Angeles,</a>&nbsp;where Trump's deployment of the National Guard further agitated his opponents.Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is following the president's cue. Abbott said Thursday that he has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-protests-texas-national-guard-4f8ffc07788515c0d0e7ae40c7980565">ordered the deployment</a>&nbsp;of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops, along with more than 2,000 state police, in response to the ongoing demonstrations and in preparation for the “No Kings" protests.The Army birthday celebration had already been planned. But earlier this spring, Trump announced his intention to ratchet up the event to include 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rolling through the city streets. He has long&nbsp;<a href="https://a%20show%20of%20patriotic%20force/">sought a similar display of patriotic force</a>.<h2>Why is it called ‘No Kings’?</h2>The “No Kings” theme was orchestrated by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fiftyfifty.one/">50501 Movement</a>, a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-usaid-c0c7799be0b2fa7cad4c806565985fe2">Elon Musk</a>, the now former leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, a government organization designed to slash federal spending. Protesters have called for Trump to be “dethroned” as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president.“They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,” the group says on its website, referring to the Trump administration and its policies. “They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.”<h2>Why are they protesting on Saturday?</h2>The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy, according to a statement by organizers.Organizers intend for the protests to counter the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration — which Trump has ratcheted up to include an expensive, lavish military parade. The event will feature&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/army-parade-trump-birthday-96bb9c8e9af1ef285c56fdc3d1ba4b35">hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft</a>&nbsp;and thousands of soldiers. It also happens to be his 79th birthday and Flag Day.“The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,” the “No Kings” website says. “On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”<h2>Where will the protests happen?</h2>Protests in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nokings.org/#map">nearly 2,000 locations are scheduled around the country</a>, from city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, organizers said.No protests are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., however, where the military parade will be held. The group says it will “make action everywhere else the story of America that day.”“No Kings” plans instead to hold a flagship march and rally in Philadelphia to draw a clear contrast between its people-powered movement and what organizers described on their website as the “costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade” in Washington.<h2>What is planned at the ‘No Kings’ protests?</h2>People of all ages are expected to come together in the protest locations for speeches, marching, carrying signs and waving American flags, organizers said in a call Wednesday.On the group's website, it says a core principle behind all “No Kings” events is a commitment to nonviolent action, and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation.No weapons of any kind should be taken to “No Kings” events, according to the website.<h2>How many people are expected to participate?</h2>The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths.<figure>
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