ATCHISON —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations.

At 8:30p.m. on Thursday, police responded to an apartment complex in the 300 block Santa Fe Street in Atchison to investigate a possible burglary, according to Police Chief Mike Wilsonm.

It was determined that no burglary had occurred but during the investigation the resident and reporting party, 61-year-old Gary Odum, was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

&nbsp;Odum was arrested on a requested charge for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He has a previous conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756477662042.png" alt="Odum-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Odum-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations.At 8:30p.m. on Thursday, police responded to an apartment complex in the 300 block Santa Fe Street in Atchison to investigate a possible burglary, according to Police Chief Mike Wilsonm.It was determined that no burglary had occurred but during the investigation the resident and reporting party, 61-year-old Gary Odum, was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;Odum was arrested on a requested charge for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He has a previous conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Call about burglary led to Kansas felon's drug arrest

The special legislative session will also include a proposal to change the initiative petition process in a way that would mean as few as 23% of voters could defeat a statewide ballot measure

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

Missouri lawmakers will return to the Capitol next week to gerrymander the state’s congressional map in the hopes of creating a new Republican seat.&nbsp;

They will also debate putting a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot that would make it harder for voters to change the constitution through the initiative petition process.&nbsp;

Both proposals were included in the special legislative session agenda crafted by Gov. Mike Kehoe and announced on Friday. The move has been expected for weeks, with Missouri Republicans f<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/missouri-gop-leader-says-lawmakers-will-start-with-a-congressional-map-drawn-in-d-c/">acing pressure from President Donald Trump&nbsp;</a>to redraw U.S. House districts so the GOP can win more seats in next year’s midterm elections.

&nbsp;“This is about clarity for voters and ownership of our future, and I hope the legislature will work together to pass our Missouri First Map and critically needed IP reform,” Kehoe said in a statement Friday afternoon.

Missouri has eight congressional districts, and Democrats hold two. The new map would split Kansas City, which is currently entirely in the 5th District and represented by 11-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, into three districts where Republicans would have an electoral edge.&nbsp;

The intended result is a map where the GOP holds 90% of the state’s seats in the U.S. House.

“President Trump’s unprecedented directive to redraw our maps in the middle of the decade and without an updated census is not an act of democracy — it is an unconstitutional attack against it,” Cleaver said shortly after the proposed new map was revealed. “This attempt to gerrymander Missouri will not simply change district lines, it will silence voices. It will deny representation.”

Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, a Democrat from St. Louis County, said the president’s motivation for the gerrymandering push is fear of voters seeing files related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“If Democrats retake the House, they will release the Epstein Files, and this scares the hell out of President Trump,” Beck said. “That’s why the President has ordered Missouri to rubber stamp a rigged map drawn in Washington D.C. because he knows Missouri Republicans would rather protect pedophiles than say ‘no’ to Donald Trump.”

As for changes to the initiative petition process, Republicans are pushing a plan that would require a statewide majority and a majority vote in five of the state’s eight congressional districts in order to approve a constitutional amendment.&nbsp;

Currently, a simple majority is all that is required.

Under that “concurrent majority” standard, analysis by The Independent last year found that&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/05/as-few-as-1-in-5-voters-could-defeat-initiative-petitions-under-missouri-senate-proposal/">as few as 23% of voters</a>&nbsp;could defeat a statewide ballot measure.

The gerrymandering and initiative petition push will begin in the Missouri House next week, with the expectation that bills will be sent to the Missouri Senate for it to consider them during the legislature’s annual veto session on Sept. 10.&nbsp;

Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers. The bills are unlikely to face any stumbling blocks in the House, but Senate Democrats are expected to use the filibuster and other procedural maneuvers to gum up legislative business as much as possible.&nbsp;

In order to overcome the gridlock, Senate Republicans may once again have to break a filibuster and force a vote by turning to a rule that was previously rarely-used but got deployed twice during the regular legislative session in May.&nbsp;

Doing so would create even more bad blood in a legislative chamber already teetering on the edge of full on partisan collapse and could upend the 2026 session before it even gets started.&nbsp;

There are also questions about whether redistricting now would violate Missouri’s constitution.&nbsp;

The Missouri Constitution calls for the legislature to draw new congressional districts every 10 years after new census numbers are certified to the governor.&nbsp;

That happened in 2022, which attorneys Chuck Hatfield and Alix Cossette argue means new districts cannot be drawn until the next census is complete.&nbsp;

“The plain language of the Missouri Constitution and the Missouri Supreme Court’s precedent make clear that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is prohibited,” Hatfield and Cossette, two longtime Democratic attorneys, wrote in a memo laying out issues with the GOP plan. “Any attempt to do so will draw a substantial legal challenge which will likely succeed and invalidate any map adopted by the General Assembly.”

There are also questions about whether relying on population data could also lead to a court throwing out any new map.&nbsp;

Kehoe acknowledged the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/article_34cd0710-36ea-4d6b-bff4-2e62c876e286.html" target="_blank">questions about the legality of the plan&nbsp;</a>while speaking to reporters Friday morning.&nbsp;

“I’ve heard opinions on both sides of that conversation,” he said. “It will get settled in due time.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756504994284.png" alt=" Proposed congressional maps released Friday by the governor’s office." />
 <figcaption> Proposed congressional maps released Friday by the governor’s office.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The special legislative session will also include a proposal to change the initiative petition process in a way that would mean as few as 23% of voters could defeat a statewide ballot measure</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>Missouri lawmakers will return to the Capitol next week to gerrymander the state’s congressional map in the hopes of creating a new Republican seat.&nbsp;They will also debate putting a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot that would make it harder for voters to change the constitution through the initiative petition process.&nbsp;Both proposals were included in the special legislative session agenda crafted by Gov. Mike Kehoe and announced on Friday. The move has been expected for weeks, with Missouri Republicans f<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/missouri-gop-leader-says-lawmakers-will-start-with-a-congressional-map-drawn-in-d-c/">acing pressure from President Donald Trump&nbsp;</a>to redraw U.S. House districts so the GOP can win more seats in next year’s midterm elections.&nbsp;“This is about clarity for voters and ownership of our future, and I hope the legislature will work together to pass our Missouri First Map and critically needed IP reform,” Kehoe said in a statement Friday afternoon.Missouri has eight congressional districts, and Democrats hold two. The new map would split Kansas City, which is currently entirely in the 5th District and represented by 11-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, into three districts where Republicans would have an electoral edge.&nbsp;The intended result is a map where the GOP holds 90% of the state’s seats in the U.S. House.“President Trump’s unprecedented directive to redraw our maps in the middle of the decade and without an updated census is not an act of democracy — it is an unconstitutional attack against it,” Cleaver said shortly after the proposed new map was revealed. “This attempt to gerrymander Missouri will not simply change district lines, it will silence voices. It will deny representation.”Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, a Democrat from St. Louis County, said the president’s motivation for the gerrymandering push is fear of voters seeing files related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.&nbsp;&nbsp;“If Democrats retake the House, they will release the Epstein Files, and this scares the hell out of President Trump,” Beck said. “That’s why the President has ordered Missouri to rubber stamp a rigged map drawn in Washington D.C. because he knows Missouri Republicans would rather protect pedophiles than say ‘no’ to Donald Trump.”As for changes to the initiative petition process, Republicans are pushing a plan that would require a statewide majority and a majority vote in five of the state’s eight congressional districts in order to approve a constitutional amendment.&nbsp;Currently, a simple majority is all that is required.Under that “concurrent majority” standard, analysis by The Independent last year found that&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/02/05/as-few-as-1-in-5-voters-could-defeat-initiative-petitions-under-missouri-senate-proposal/">as few as 23% of voters</a>&nbsp;could defeat a statewide ballot measure.The gerrymandering and initiative petition push will begin in the Missouri House next week, with the expectation that bills will be sent to the Missouri Senate for it to consider them during the legislature’s annual veto session on Sept. 10.&nbsp;Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers. The bills are unlikely to face any stumbling blocks in the House, but Senate Democrats are expected to use the filibuster and other procedural maneuvers to gum up legislative business as much as possible.&nbsp;In order to overcome the gridlock, Senate Republicans may once again have to break a filibuster and force a vote by turning to a rule that was previously rarely-used but got deployed twice during the regular legislative session in May.&nbsp;Doing so would create even more bad blood in a legislative chamber already teetering on the edge of full on partisan collapse and could upend the 2026 session before it even gets started.&nbsp;There are also questions about whether redistricting now would violate Missouri’s constitution.&nbsp;The Missouri Constitution calls for the legislature to draw new congressional districts every 10 years after new census numbers are certified to the governor.&nbsp;That happened in 2022, which attorneys Chuck Hatfield and Alix Cossette argue means new districts cannot be drawn until the next census is complete.&nbsp;“The plain language of the Missouri Constitution and the Missouri Supreme Court’s precedent make clear that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is prohibited,” Hatfield and Cossette, two longtime Democratic attorneys, wrote in a memo laying out issues with the GOP plan. “Any attempt to do so will draw a substantial legal challenge which will likely succeed and invalidate any map adopted by the General Assembly.”There are also questions about whether relying on population data could also lead to a court throwing out any new map.&nbsp;Kehoe acknowledged the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/article_34cd0710-36ea-4d6b-bff4-2e62c876e286.html" target="_blank">questions about the legality of the plan&nbsp;</a>while speaking to reporters Friday morning.&nbsp;“I’ve heard opinions on both sides of that conversation,” he said. “It will get settled in due time.”

Missouri governor calls lawmakers back to Capitol to gerrymander congressional map

KANSAS CITY —The Medical examiner has officially identified the victims of a small plane crash near Kansas City on Wednesday as 76-year-old Mark W. Spelts and 75-year-old Victoria "Vickie" A. Spelts of Chico, California.

Mark Spelts’ business also announced that he and Vickie passed away in a plane crash in Clay County, Missouri.

The couple had come from an airport in Washington, Missouri, and intended to land at the Midwest National Air Center.&nbsp;

Just before noon Wednesday, dispatchers in Clay County, Missouri received a call about heavy smoke coming from a field near NE 140th Street and Rhodus Road, according to the sheriff's office. Callers believed it may have been from a plane crash. When deputies arrived, they located a Cessna C340 fully engulfed in flames in a soybean field. There were two occupants inside, and they were confirmed deceased.

&nbsp;Sheriff's Office investigators notified the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board, which have taken over the investigation into what caused the crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756384904759.png" alt="Photo Clay County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Clay County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The Medical examiner has officially identified the victims of a small plane crash near Kansas City on Wednesday as 76-year-old Mark W. Spelts and 75-year-old Victoria "Vickie" A. Spelts of Chico, California.Mark Spelts’ business also announced that he and Vickie passed away in a plane crash in Clay County, Missouri.The couple had come from an airport in Washington, Missouri, and intended to land at the Midwest National Air Center.&nbsp;Just before noon Wednesday, dispatchers in Clay County, Missouri received a call about heavy smoke coming from a field near NE 140th Street and Rhodus Road, according to the sheriff's office. Callers believed it may have been from a plane crash. When deputies arrived, they located a Cessna C340 fully engulfed in flames in a soybean field. There were two occupants inside, and they were confirmed deceased.&nbsp;Sheriff's Office investigators notified the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board, which have taken over the investigation into what caused the crash.

Medical examiner IDs couple who died in plane crash near Kansas City

The Powerball® jackpot just hit an estimated $1 billion for Saturday night’s drawing. After reviewing national ticket sales, game leaders increased the Powerball jackpot estimate Friday morning from $950 million to $1 billion, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. Saturday’s jackpot has an estimated cash value of $453.1 million.

This is the sixth Powerball jackpot to reach the billion-dollar mark in the game’s 33-year history.

“We’re bringing extra excitement to Labor Day Weekend with a Powerball jackpot that’s climbed to a billion dollars!” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “For just $2, every ticket is a chance to win big, while also giving back to public programs and services that benefit communities wherever Powerball is played.”

Saturday’s Powerball drawing will be broadcast live at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. The Powerball drawing will also be live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

If a player wins Saturday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $453.1 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.

Saturday’s drawing will be the 39th drawing since the Powerball jackpot was last won in California on May 31, 2025. The summer jackpot streak has already created 62 winning tickets worth $1 million or more, and 608 winning tickets worth $50,000 or more.

Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $36 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.

The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

The Powerball® jackpot just hit an estimated $1 billion for Saturday night’s drawing. After reviewing national ticket sales, game leaders increased the Powerball jackpot estimate Friday morning from $950 million to $1 billion, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. Saturday’s jackpot has an estimated cash value of $453.1 million.This is the sixth Powerball jackpot to reach the billion-dollar mark in the game’s 33-year history.“We’re bringing extra excitement to Labor Day Weekend with a Powerball jackpot that’s climbed to a billion dollars!” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “For just $2, every ticket is a chance to win big, while also giving back to public programs and services that benefit communities wherever Powerball is played.”Saturday’s Powerball drawing will be broadcast live at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. The Powerball drawing will also be live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.If a player wins Saturday’s jackpot, they will have the choice between an annuitized prize estimated at $1 billion or a lump sum payment estimated at $453.1 million. Both prize options are before taxes. If the winner selects the annuity option, they will receive one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that increase by 5-percent each year.Saturday’s drawing will be the 39th drawing since the Powerball jackpot was last won in California on May 31, 2025. The summer jackpot streak has already created 62 winning tickets worth $1 million or more, and 608 winning tickets worth $50,000 or more.Powerball® tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Since its first drawing in 1992, the Powerball game has helped generate more than $36 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries.Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, Fla. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.powerball.com/watch-drawing">Powerball.com</a>.The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 - OR</li><li>$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA</li><li>$1.0 Billion (estimated) – Aug. 30, 2025</li><li>$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI</li><li>$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI</li><li>$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA</li><li>$754.6 Million – Feb. 6, 2023 - WA</li>
 </ol>

Powerball soars to sixth largest in game's 33-year history

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mae-anderson">MAE ANDERSON</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — Low-value imports are losing their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-exemption-china-shein-temu-43df1673ac9508ae58fc76150101d686">duty-free status</a>&nbsp;in the United States this week as part of President Donald Trump’s agenda for making the nation less dependent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/impact-trump-tariffs-consumer-prices-11a60663140aab0b79c20bb8e2a5f3a7">on foreign goods</a>&nbsp;and resetting global trade with tariffs.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-russia-india-9e388a55583e7007149819c52f0fd71b">An executive order</a>&nbsp;signed last month eliminates a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/de-minimis-trump-tariffs-china-1b52319a85572331baf31cb6287ecddf">widely used customs exemption</a>&nbsp;for international shipments worth $800 or less starting Friday, nearly two years earlier than the deadline set in the tax cuts and spending bill approved by Congress.

Although the president previously ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-china-online-shipments-7d15066205389ad06760856e4e5074ca">from China and Hong Kong</a>, having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/de-minimis-exemption-ends-august-29-edc26b9f0d7935ad7978c7eba5e3967c">online shoppers</a>.

Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will require vetting and be subject to their origin country’s applicable tariff rate, which can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-into-effect-economy-warning-signs-eafe20de9abad312573b320fd4b5fb33">range from 10% to 50%</a>. For the next six months, carriers handling orders sent through the global mail network also can choose a flat duty of $80 to $200 per package instead of the value-based rate.

In response, the national postal services of more than a dozen countries said they would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-tariffs-goods-services-suspension-85c7b36b9e92c0e640dfe2ac418cd907">temporarily suspend</a>&nbsp;sending some or most U.S.-bound packages due to confusion over processing and payment requirements. Japan and Switzerland on Monday joined Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Thailand, the U.K. and New Zealand in saying they would pause shipments.

The Trump administration says the exemption has become a loophole that foreign businesses exploit to evade tariffs and criminals use to get drugs, counterfeit products and other contraband into the U.S. Former President Joe Biden and members of Congress also discussed the issue.

Other countries have similar exemptions, but the threshold is usually lower. For example, 150 euros ($175) is the value limit in the 20 European Union countries that use the euro as their official currency. The U.K. allows foreign businesses to send parcels worth up to 135 pounds ($182) without incurring tariff charges.

In the U.S., the “de minimis” — Latin for lacking significance or importance — exemption started in 1938 as a way to save the federal government the time and expense of collecting duties on imported goods with a retail value of $1 or less. U.S. lawmakers eventually increased the eligibility cutoff to $5 in 1990, to $200 in 1993 and to $800 in 2015, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Since then, the number of shipments claiming de minimis treatment has exploded. A total of 1.36 billion packages with a combined value of $64.6 billion reached the U.S. last year, compared to 134 million packages sent under the exemption in 2015, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency reported.

About 60% of the 2024 shipments came from China and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hong-kong-post-us-suspend-shipping-goods-tariff-0a52db6fc32e559cb6c5e42b8c9824d7">Hong Kong</a>, according to an analysis logistics firm Flexport prepared based on U.S. government data. Multiple countries and regions accounted for the remainder, including Canada, Mexico, the European Union, India and Vietnam.

Boutique owner anticipates higher costs for European apparel

Proponents of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secondhand-clothes-shoes-tariffs-prices-0d6de65d89435b96fc396e53a77381f5">limiting the exemption</a>&nbsp;argue that it has served as a way for China-founded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/temu-shein-price-increases-trump-tariffs-066a3e729c971fdf9e929bb8a94eea67">retail platforms like Temu and Shein</a>&nbsp;to flood the U.S. with low-priced goods. The National Council of Textile Organizations said the move would help close a “backdoor pipeline for cheap, subsidized, and often illegal, toxic and unethical imports.” But some smaller American companies that rely on imported products and materials benefited from the exemption too.

Kristin Trainor is worried the end of de minimis will also mean the end of Diesel and Lulu’s, her 3-year-old boutique in Avon, Connecticut. Over 70% of the women’s clothes and accessories she stocks comes from small fashion houses in France, Italy and Spain. Trainor places small batch orders each week that fall under the $800 threshold.

“Our business model is to provide casual chic and unique clothes at affordable prices,” she said. “The added customs and duty charges that will go into effect on Aug. 29 will eliminate that affordability. ”

Trainor said she was looking to replace her European vendors with ones based in the U.S. But her bestselling product categories, such as apparel made of Italian linen, come from other countries. She estimates a simple linen sundress that cost $30 wholesale at the beginning of the year will rise to $43 next month.

After a corporate career, Trainor opened the store to have more time with her 9-year-old son and her 91-year old father. Raising the boutique’s prices to absorb part of the import charges would help offset higher shipping and logistics costs, but Trainor worries her customers will balk at higher prices.

“I have not made any official announcements to my customers just yet, although they have started to ask if I will stay open as they understand the economic impacts that are occurring,” she said. “At this point, I am leaning more and more towards closing the boutique, sadly.”

Trade agreement doesn’t shield products from Mexico and Canada

Ken Huening started CoverSeal, his business making and selling protective covers for cars, motorcycles, grills and patio furniture, in 2020. The company is based in Los Gatos, California, and the covers are manufactured in Mexico and China. When a customer places an order, it ships from Mexico.

Although a trade agreement that took effect in 2020 has made most goods from Mexico and Canada exempt from country-specific U.S. tariffs, the withdrawal of the de minimis rule applies to all countries.

Huening said he’ll either have to raise prices or end free shipping now that his products will be taxed when they are sent from Mexico to U.S. customers. He’s looked at setting up a U.S. production and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trade-warehouse-china-online-shopping-eba5283b0762fa958ab90fb731370117">logistics network</a>&nbsp;but says domestic sewing facilities and textile manufacturers do not exist for the engineered fabric used in CoverSeal’s products.

“We are often asked why we don’t just establish a U.S. supply chain,” he said. “It is not possible in the short term. By the time the infrastructure is established, many companies and small businesses will be out of business.”

Shannen Knight imports hard-to-find sports goggles and glasses as the owner of A Sight For Sport Eyes, her online store and shop in West Linn, Oregon. She routinely received shipments from the U.K., the Netherlands and Italy that fell under the de minimis dollar cutoff.

Knight estimated that she would need to raise the retail price of the rugby goggles she gets from Italy by 50%. It took the International Rugby Board two years of testing to approve the Italian-made goggles, a specialty item without strong prospects for stateside production, she said.

“There are products that it just makes sense to be made internationally, where there is the stronger demand for them, but there still is some demand for in the U.S.,” Knight said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756074212592.png" alt="Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mae-anderson">MAE ANDERSON</a>NEW YORK (AP) — Low-value imports are losing their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-exemption-china-shein-temu-43df1673ac9508ae58fc76150101d686">duty-free status</a>&nbsp;in the United States this week as part of President Donald Trump’s agenda for making the nation less dependent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/impact-trump-tariffs-consumer-prices-11a60663140aab0b79c20bb8e2a5f3a7">on foreign goods</a>&nbsp;and resetting global trade with tariffs.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-russia-india-9e388a55583e7007149819c52f0fd71b">An executive order</a>&nbsp;signed last month eliminates a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/de-minimis-trump-tariffs-china-1b52319a85572331baf31cb6287ecddf">widely used customs exemption</a>&nbsp;for international shipments worth $800 or less starting Friday, nearly two years earlier than the deadline set in the tax cuts and spending bill approved by Congress.Although the president previously ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-china-online-shipments-7d15066205389ad06760856e4e5074ca">from China and Hong Kong</a>, having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/de-minimis-exemption-ends-august-29-edc26b9f0d7935ad7978c7eba5e3967c">online shoppers</a>.Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will require vetting and be subject to their origin country’s applicable tariff rate, which can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-into-effect-economy-warning-signs-eafe20de9abad312573b320fd4b5fb33">range from 10% to 50%</a>. For the next six months, carriers handling orders sent through the global mail network also can choose a flat duty of $80 to $200 per package instead of the value-based rate.In response, the national postal services of more than a dozen countries said they would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-tariffs-goods-services-suspension-85c7b36b9e92c0e640dfe2ac418cd907">temporarily suspend</a>&nbsp;sending some or most U.S.-bound packages due to confusion over processing and payment requirements. Japan and Switzerland on Monday joined Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Thailand, the U.K. and New Zealand in saying they would pause shipments.<h2>Exemption created in 1938 for $1 imports</h2>The Trump administration says the exemption has become a loophole that foreign businesses exploit to evade tariffs and criminals use to get drugs, counterfeit products and other contraband into the U.S. Former President Joe Biden and members of Congress also discussed the issue.Other countries have similar exemptions, but the threshold is usually lower. For example, 150 euros ($175) is the value limit in the 20 European Union countries that use the euro as their official currency. The U.K. allows foreign businesses to send parcels worth up to 135 pounds ($182) without incurring tariff charges.In the U.S., the “de minimis” — Latin for lacking significance or importance — exemption started in 1938 as a way to save the federal government the time and expense of collecting duties on imported goods with a retail value of $1 or less. U.S. lawmakers eventually increased the eligibility cutoff to $5 in 1990, to $200 in 1993 and to $800 in 2015, according to the Congressional Research Service.Since then, the number of shipments claiming de minimis treatment has exploded. A total of 1.36 billion packages with a combined value of $64.6 billion reached the U.S. last year, compared to 134 million packages sent under the exemption in 2015, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency reported.About 60% of the 2024 shipments came from China and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hong-kong-post-us-suspend-shipping-goods-tariff-0a52db6fc32e559cb6c5e42b8c9824d7">Hong Kong</a>, according to an analysis logistics firm Flexport prepared based on U.S. government data. Multiple countries and regions accounted for the remainder, including Canada, Mexico, the European Union, India and Vietnam.<h2>Boutique owner anticipates higher costs for European apparel</h2>Proponents of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secondhand-clothes-shoes-tariffs-prices-0d6de65d89435b96fc396e53a77381f5">limiting the exemption</a>&nbsp;argue that it has served as a way for China-founded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/temu-shein-price-increases-trump-tariffs-066a3e729c971fdf9e929bb8a94eea67">retail platforms like Temu and Shein</a>&nbsp;to flood the U.S. with low-priced goods. The National Council of Textile Organizations said the move would help close a “backdoor pipeline for cheap, subsidized, and often illegal, toxic and unethical imports.” But some smaller American companies that rely on imported products and materials benefited from the exemption too.Kristin Trainor is worried the end of de minimis will also mean the end of Diesel and Lulu’s, her 3-year-old boutique in Avon, Connecticut. Over 70% of the women’s clothes and accessories she stocks comes from small fashion houses in France, Italy and Spain. Trainor places small batch orders each week that fall under the $800 threshold.“Our business model is to provide casual chic and unique clothes at affordable prices,” she said. “The added customs and duty charges that will go into effect on Aug. 29 will eliminate that affordability. ”Trainor said she was looking to replace her European vendors with ones based in the U.S. But her bestselling product categories, such as apparel made of Italian linen, come from other countries. She estimates a simple linen sundress that cost $30 wholesale at the beginning of the year will rise to $43 next month.After a corporate career, Trainor opened the store to have more time with her 9-year-old son and her 91-year old father. Raising the boutique’s prices to absorb part of the import charges would help offset higher shipping and logistics costs, but Trainor worries her customers will balk at higher prices.“I have not made any official announcements to my customers just yet, although they have started to ask if I will stay open as they understand the economic impacts that are occurring,” she said. “At this point, I am leaning more and more towards closing the boutique, sadly.”<h2>Trade agreement doesn’t shield products from Mexico and Canada</h2>Ken Huening started CoverSeal, his business making and selling protective covers for cars, motorcycles, grills and patio furniture, in 2020. The company is based in Los Gatos, California, and the covers are manufactured in Mexico and China. When a customer places an order, it ships from Mexico.Although a trade agreement that took effect in 2020 has made most goods from Mexico and Canada exempt from country-specific U.S. tariffs, the withdrawal of the de minimis rule applies to all countries.Huening said he’ll either have to raise prices or end free shipping now that his products will be taxed when they are sent from Mexico to U.S. customers. He’s looked at setting up a U.S. production and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trade-warehouse-china-online-shopping-eba5283b0762fa958ab90fb731370117">logistics network</a>&nbsp;but says domestic sewing facilities and textile manufacturers do not exist for the engineered fabric used in CoverSeal’s products.“We are often asked why we don’t just establish a U.S. supply chain,” he said. “It is not possible in the short term. By the time the infrastructure is established, many companies and small businesses will be out of business.”Shannen Knight imports hard-to-find sports goggles and glasses as the owner of A Sight For Sport Eyes, her online store and shop in West Linn, Oregon. She routinely received shipments from the U.K., the Netherlands and Italy that fell under the de minimis dollar cutoff.Knight estimated that she would need to raise the retail price of the rugby goggles she gets from Italy by 50%. It took the International Rugby Board two years of testing to approve the Italian-made goggles, a specialty item without strong prospects for stateside production, she said.“There are products that it just makes sense to be made internationally, where there is the stronger demand for them, but there still is some demand for in the U.S.,” Knight said.

Big deal to shoppers, businesses: US tariff exemption for small orders ends Friday

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a violent knife attack will learn his fate Friday afternoon.

Judge Quentin Pitman will sentence 38-year-old&nbsp;Julian Gonzalez of Newton.

In July, he entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child and criminal possession of a firearm,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 6 p.m. Sept. 28, 2022, police were dispatched to a vehicle accident with a disturbance at Murdock and West Street in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;

At the scene, officers located several citizens providing first aid to the victim. Two citizens played a vital role by putting themselves in harm’s way to subdue the suspect which allowed other witnesses to render aid.

One witness utilized her vehicle by driving it toward the suspect identified later as Gonzalez, resulting in the suspect disengaging. Another witness who was carrying a concealed firearm held Gonzalez at gunpoint until officers arrived on the scene.

Investigators learned Gonzalez intentionally used his white 2010 Hyundai Elantra to strike a gray 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, driven by the victim. The Chevy Cruze also had a 28-year-old woman, a 4-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy in the car.

Gonzalez then exited his vehicle and began breaking the Chevy windows out with nunchucks. The adult victims were getting the juvenile victims out of the vehicle when Gonzalez began stabbing the 30-year-old man in the lower body, according to Ditch.

A few citizens gave commands at gunpoint to Gonzalez to stop and other citizens provided first aid to the victim until officers arrived. The adult female victim received minor lacerations from exiting the vehicle. All victims and the suspect were transported to an area hospital for treatment.

&nbsp;Gonzalez remains in the Sedgwick County Jail on a $250,000 bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664468922095.png" alt="GONZALEZ-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>GONZALEZ-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a violent knife attack will learn his fate Friday afternoon.Judge Quentin Pitman will sentence 38-year-old&nbsp;Julian Gonzalez of Newton.In July, he entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child and criminal possession of a firearm,&nbsp;according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 6 p.m. Sept. 28, 2022, police were dispatched to a vehicle accident with a disturbance at Murdock and West Street in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;At the scene, officers located several citizens providing first aid to the victim. Two citizens played a vital role by putting themselves in harm’s way to subdue the suspect which allowed other witnesses to render aid.One witness utilized her vehicle by driving it toward the suspect identified later as Gonzalez, resulting in the suspect disengaging. Another witness who was carrying a concealed firearm held Gonzalez at gunpoint until officers arrived on the scene.Investigators learned Gonzalez intentionally used his white 2010 Hyundai Elantra to strike a gray 2018 Chevrolet Cruze, driven by the victim. The Chevy Cruze also had a 28-year-old woman, a 4-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy in the car.Gonzalez then exited his vehicle and began breaking the Chevy windows out with nunchucks. The adult victims were getting the juvenile victims out of the vehicle when Gonzalez began stabbing the 30-year-old man in the lower body, according to Ditch.A few citizens gave commands at gunpoint to Gonzalez to stop and other citizens provided first aid to the victim until officers arrived. The adult female victim received minor lacerations from exiting the vehicle. All victims and the suspect were transported to an area hospital for treatment.&nbsp;Gonzalez remains in the Sedgwick County Jail on a $250,000 bond.&nbsp;

Sentencing day for Kan. knife attack after 2-vehicle car crash

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with the death of a dog and alleged abuse of another dog at a home in Ogden.

The Riley County&nbsp; Police Department received several calls over the summer about alleged negligence in the care of dogs at a home in the 3700 Block of Saddle Horn Trail, according to RCPD spokesman Josha Kinder.&nbsp; Last week police located a dog deceased outside the home.

Just before 4p.m. August 27, police executed a search warrant at the home and found&nbsp;another dog in the home malnourished.

As a result,&nbsp; police arrested 35-year-old Marquies Collins on requested charges for cruelty to animals. Collins met the requirement of a $1,000 bond and is no longer confined in the Riley County Jail.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect in connection with the death of a dog and alleged abuse of another dog at a home in Ogden.The Riley County&nbsp; Police Department received several calls over the summer about alleged negligence in the care of dogs at a home in the 3700 Block of Saddle Horn Trail, according to RCPD spokesman Josha Kinder.&nbsp; Last week police located a dog deceased outside the home.Just before 4p.m. August 27, police executed a search warrant at the home and found&nbsp;another dog in the home malnourished.As a result,&nbsp; police arrested 35-year-old Marquies Collins on requested charges for cruelty to animals. Collins met the requirement of a $1,000 bond and is no longer confined in the Riley County Jail.

Police: Kan. man accused of cruelty to dogs at his home

DOUGLAS COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 4p.m. Thursday in Douglas County.

According to Lawrence Police, a 2008 Harley Davidson driven by a 50-year-old man collided with the roundabout at Lake Pointe Drive and Clinton Parkway. 

EMS transported the man to a Topeka trauma center where he was pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to Lawrence Police.

This is the second fatal motorcycle crash at that intersection this summer.&nbsp;The Lawrence Police Accident Investigations Unit is investigating the crash.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the victim.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 4p.m. Thursday in Douglas County.According to Lawrence Police, a 2008 Harley Davidson driven by a 50-year-old man collided with the roundabout at Lake Pointe Drive and Clinton Parkway. EMS transported the man to a Topeka trauma center where he was pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to Lawrence Police.This is the second fatal motorcycle crash at that intersection this summer.&nbsp;The Lawrence Police Accident Investigations Unit is investigating the crash.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the victim.

Kansas man dies after motorcycle crash at roundabout

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement continue their investigation of a mass shooting in Kansas City.&nbsp;

Detecetives have gathered a lot of video, and continue to canvas for any more that could help them get a better idea what led up to the shooting, KCPD Captain Jake Becchina reported on Wednesday.

Just after 4a.m. Sunday, emergency crews responded to a report of multiple shootings in the area of 13th and Grand, according to KC Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

On arrival crews encountered 5 gunshot victims. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene. First responders located four additional victims all suffering from gunshot wounds. One adult male had critical injuries, a second adult male had serious injuries, a juvenile male had critical injuries, and an adult female had non life threatening injuries, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

 KCFD crews transported four to area hospital, according to Battalion Chief Hopkins.

Just after 6:40a.m. Sunday morning, hospital personnel pronounced an additional adult male victim deceased, according to DiMartino.

This is being investigated as a homicide, according to DiMartino.

Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation between multiple individuals that led to shots being fired and the victims being struck.&nbsp; Police have not released the names of the two who died.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement continue their investigation of a mass shooting in Kansas City.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756039118276.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>Detecetives have gathered a lot of video, and continue to canvas for any more that could help them get a better idea what led up to the shooting, KCPD Captain Jake Becchina reported on Wednesday.Just after 4a.m. Sunday, emergency crews responded to a report of multiple shootings in the area of 13th and Grand, according to KC Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.On arrival crews encountered 5 gunshot victims. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene. First responders located four additional victims all suffering from gunshot wounds. One adult male had critical injuries, a second adult male had serious injuries, a juvenile male had critical injuries, and an adult female had non life threatening injuries, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. KCFD crews transported four to area hospital, according to Battalion Chief Hopkins.Just after 6:40a.m. Sunday morning, hospital personnel pronounced an additional adult male victim deceased, according to DiMartino.This is being investigated as a homicide, according to DiMartino.Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation between multiple individuals that led to shots being fired and the victims being struck.&nbsp; Police have not released the names of the two who died.

Investigation of mass shooting near KC Power Light District continues

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has revoked Secret Service protection for former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>, a senior White House official said on Friday.

Former vice presidents typically get federal government protection for six months after leaving office, while ex-presidents do so for life. But then-President Joe Biden quietly signed a directive that had extended protection for Harris beyond the traditional six months, according to another person familiar with the matter. The people insisted on anonymity to discuss a matter not made public.

Trump, a Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">defeated Harris</a>, a Democrat, in the presidential election last year.

The move to drop Harris' Secret Service protection comes as the former vice president, who became the Democratic nominee last summer after a chaotic series of events that led to Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">dropping out of the contest</a>, is about to embark on a book tour for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-memoir-107-days-presidential-campaign-88b2b68dc8b9f191d79fc6b582a7828a">her memoir</a>, titled “107 Days.” The tour has 15 stops, including visits abroad to London and Toronto. The book, which refers to the historically short length of her presidential campaign, will be released Sept. 23, and the tour begins the following day.

It is not unusual for Secret Service protection to continue well beyond the statutory six-month window, particularly when former officials face credible and ongoing threats. But Trump’s moves have stood out both for timing and for targets.

During Trump's second presidency, he repeatedly has cut off security for figures who have fallen from favor, including his onetime national security adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tom-cotton-john-bolton-trump-security-detail-388ab588a7fdc7c73e30fa5a1194a5b4">John Bolton</a>&nbsp;and members of Biden’s family, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-trump-secret-service-ashley-50eba3fcd1ef9d2580fb4bc464d229f6">the former president’s adult children</a>. The decision to strip Harris of protection is certain to raise alarms among security experts who view continuity of protection as essential in a polarized climate.

A senior Trump administration official said an executive memorandum was issued Thursday to the Department of Homeland Security ending Harris' security detail and security services. Those had been extended from six to 18 months by the Biden administration, so they would have ended in July 2026, but now they will be terminated on Monday.

While she lost to Trump last November, Harris is seen as a potential candidate for 2028, and she has already announced she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-california-governor-2026-eeea5d7315d65cebb50692c5311379fb">will not run for California governor</a>&nbsp;in 2026. Harris is also a former senator, California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney.

Last year was a particularly politically charged environment with Trump facing two assassination attempts, and the Secret Service played a crucial role in protecting the now-president.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736176926599.png" alt="File image-Former Vice President Kamala Harris from campaign 2024 video" />
 <figcaption>File image-Former Vice President Kamala Harris from campaign 2024 video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has revoked Secret Service protection for former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>, a senior White House official said on Friday.Former vice presidents typically get federal government protection for six months after leaving office, while ex-presidents do so for life. But then-President Joe Biden quietly signed a directive that had extended protection for Harris beyond the traditional six months, according to another person familiar with the matter. The people insisted on anonymity to discuss a matter not made public.Trump, a Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-day-trump-harris-white-house-83c8e246ab97f5b97be45cdc156af4e2">defeated Harris</a>, a Democrat, in the presidential election last year.The move to drop Harris' Secret Service protection comes as the former vice president, who became the Democratic nominee last summer after a chaotic series of events that led to Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-drops-out-2024-election-ddffde72838370032bdcff946cfc2ce6">dropping out of the contest</a>, is about to embark on a book tour for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-memoir-107-days-presidential-campaign-88b2b68dc8b9f191d79fc6b582a7828a">her memoir</a>, titled “107 Days.” The tour has 15 stops, including visits abroad to London and Toronto. The book, which refers to the historically short length of her presidential campaign, will be released Sept. 23, and the tour begins the following day.It is not unusual for Secret Service protection to continue well beyond the statutory six-month window, particularly when former officials face credible and ongoing threats. But Trump’s moves have stood out both for timing and for targets.During Trump's second presidency, he repeatedly has cut off security for figures who have fallen from favor, including his onetime national security adviser&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tom-cotton-john-bolton-trump-security-detail-388ab588a7fdc7c73e30fa5a1194a5b4">John Bolton</a>&nbsp;and members of Biden’s family, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-trump-secret-service-ashley-50eba3fcd1ef9d2580fb4bc464d229f6">the former president’s adult children</a>. The decision to strip Harris of protection is certain to raise alarms among security experts who view continuity of protection as essential in a polarized climate.A senior Trump administration official said an executive memorandum was issued Thursday to the Department of Homeland Security ending Harris' security detail and security services. Those had been extended from six to 18 months by the Biden administration, so they would have ended in July 2026, but now they will be terminated on Monday.While she lost to Trump last November, Harris is seen as a potential candidate for 2028, and she has already announced she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-california-governor-2026-eeea5d7315d65cebb50692c5311379fb">will not run for California governor</a>&nbsp;in 2026. Harris is also a former senator, California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney.Last year was a particularly politically charged environment with Trump facing two assassination attempts, and the Secret Service played a crucial role in protecting the now-president.___

Trump revokes Secret Service protection for former VP Harris

RENO COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged violent crime in Hutchinson and have a Kansas felon in custody.

Just after 9a.m. Thursday, police responded to the 300 block of East 3rd Avenue in Hutchinson following reports of a disturbance, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.. 

A passing motorist had called 911, reporting that a female pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle while walking on the sidewalk. When officers arrived on scene, they located the injured woman. She had visible injuries and was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment. 

The investigation led to identifying a suspect known to the victim. Police arrested 42-year-old&nbsp; Jeffrey L. McCaskey of Hutchinson on a requested charge of Attempted First Degree Homicide.&nbsp; He has four previous drug related convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Anyone who may have seen a disturbance in the 300 block of E 3rd Avenue or has cameras in the area, is urged to contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2816, your local law enforcement agency, or Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS. You can also use the P3Tips App on your smartphone, or text RENOKS to 738477 to receive a link to an anonymous tip form. (Msg frequency varies. Msg &amp; data rates may apply. Text HELP for help and STOP to cancel. P3 Terms and Privacy Policy.) 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756431295263.jpeg" alt="McCaskey Photo Reno County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>McCaskey Photo Reno County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged violent crime in Hutchinson and have a Kansas felon in custody.Just after 9a.m. Thursday, police responded to the 300 block of East 3rd Avenue in Hutchinson following reports of a disturbance, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.. A passing motorist had called 911, reporting that a female pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle while walking on the sidewalk. When officers arrived on scene, they located the injured woman. She had visible injuries and was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment. The investigation led to identifying a suspect known to the victim. Police arrested 42-year-old&nbsp; Jeffrey L. McCaskey of Hutchinson on a requested charge of Attempted First Degree Homicide.&nbsp; He has four previous drug related convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Anyone who may have seen a disturbance in the 300 block of E 3rd Avenue or has cameras in the area, is urged to contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2816, your local law enforcement agency, or Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS. You can also use the P3Tips App on your smartphone, or text RENOKS to 738477 to receive a link to an anonymous tip form. (Msg frequency varies. Msg &amp; data rates may apply. Text HELP for help and STOP to cancel. P3 Terms and Privacy Policy.)

Police: Driver intentionally struck Kan. woman walking on sidewalk

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating the death of two at a home in Shawnee County have released the names of the two who died.

Just before 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call and deputies responded for a welfare check on a woman in the 6700 block of SW Briarmeade Lane, in the Montara Subdivision, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

When deputies arrived at the residence, they located the woman suffering from a single gunshot wound. Deputies also located a male subject inside the residence that appeared to have sustained a single self-inflicted gunshot wound. Both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene.

The female occupant has been identified as Erica E. Bevitt, 42, of Topeka. The male subject has been identified as Brian M. Bevitt, 45, of Topeka. Investigators learned that they had previously been in a domestic relationship.

Investigators also determined that there were two juveniles associated with the residence. They were both at school during this incident and were found physically unharmed. They have been placed with family members.

Just before&nbsp;10 a.m. Wednesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call and deputies responded for a welfare check on a woman in the 6700 block of SW Briarmeade Lane, in the Montara Subdivision, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Deputies discovered two individuals deceased from gunshot wounds. The preliminary investigation indicates the incident was domestic in nature.

At this time, investigators believe all parties involved have been identified, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Shawnee Heights Fire Department assisted at the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756340120852.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating the death of two at a home in Shawnee County have released the names of the two who died.Just before 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call and deputies responded for a welfare check on a woman in the 6700 block of SW Briarmeade Lane, in the Montara Subdivision, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.When deputies arrived at the residence, they located the woman suffering from a single gunshot wound. Deputies also located a male subject inside the residence that appeared to have sustained a single self-inflicted gunshot wound. Both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene.The female occupant has been identified as Erica E. Bevitt, 42, of Topeka. The male subject has been identified as Brian M. Bevitt, 45, of Topeka. Investigators learned that they had previously been in a domestic relationship.Investigators also determined that there were two juveniles associated with the residence. They were both at school during this incident and were found physically unharmed. They have been placed with family members.Just before&nbsp;10 a.m. Wednesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call and deputies responded for a welfare check on a woman in the 6700 block of SW Briarmeade Lane, in the Montara Subdivision, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Deputies discovered two individuals deceased from gunshot wounds. The preliminary investigation indicates the incident was domestic in nature.At this time, investigators believe all parties involved have been identified, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Shawnee Heights Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Sheriff IDs 2 who died after shooting, standoff at Kansas home

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were seen in public for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engaged-d585627eb98b69428ce206a2c8a9cb7d">the first time since announcing their engagement</a>&nbsp;this week when the Chiefs tight end and Grammy-winning singer attended the Nebraska-Cincinnati game at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night.

Kelce, who played football for the Bearcats, spent plenty of time on the field during warm-ups in a red-and-white striped sweater before retreating to a suite for the game. He was joined there by Swift and several others shortly before kickoff.

In a five-photo joint post on Instagram on Tuesday, Kelce and Swift revealed their engagement after a courtship that lasted for about two years. The Chiefs did not make Kelce available to reporters this week, and Swift publicist Tree Paine only confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engagement-ring-details-5f44624c300d6c907dde9307d9b56d94">that the engagement ring</a>&nbsp;was an old mine brilliant-cut diamond from Kindred Lubeck.

The Chiefs are preparing to play their season-opener against the Chargers next Friday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

One of Kelce's best friends, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, also was on hand for the game, perhaps to take in the sight of another No. 15 wearing red and white. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has been compared to the three-time Super Bowl MVP ever since taking over in Lincoln, not only because they look similar but because they also were the same jersey.

Others on hand included Kelce's older brother, Jason Kelce, the retired Philadelphia Eagles center who now works in TV and co-hosts the popular “New Heights” podcast with Travis, and Chiefs safety Bryan Cook. All of them attended Cincinnati.

There were no doubt plenty of supporters for the Huskers, though. Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt's son, Dawson, is a linebacker for Nebraska, while defensive line coach Terry Bradden helped Kansas City to reach five Super Bowls.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756461348662.png" alt="Taylor Swift, front right, sits with fiance Travis Kelce, second from front left, as they watch the first half of an NCAA college football game between Cincinnati and Nebraska, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Taylor Swift, front right, sits with fiance Travis Kelce, second from front left, as they watch the first half of an NCAA college football game between Cincinnati and Nebraska, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were seen in public for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engaged-d585627eb98b69428ce206a2c8a9cb7d">the first time since announcing their engagement</a>&nbsp;this week when the Chiefs tight end and Grammy-winning singer attended the Nebraska-Cincinnati game at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night.Kelce, who played football for the Bearcats, spent plenty of time on the field during warm-ups in a red-and-white striped sweater before retreating to a suite for the game. He was joined there by Swift and several others shortly before kickoff.In a five-photo joint post on Instagram on Tuesday, Kelce and Swift revealed their engagement after a courtship that lasted for about two years. The Chiefs did not make Kelce available to reporters this week, and Swift publicist Tree Paine only confirmed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engagement-ring-details-5f44624c300d6c907dde9307d9b56d94">that the engagement ring</a>&nbsp;was an old mine brilliant-cut diamond from Kindred Lubeck.The Chiefs are preparing to play their season-opener against the Chargers next Friday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil.One of Kelce's best friends, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, also was on hand for the game, perhaps to take in the sight of another No. 15 wearing red and white. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has been compared to the three-time Super Bowl MVP ever since taking over in Lincoln, not only because they look similar but because they also were the same jersey.Others on hand included Kelce's older brother, Jason Kelce, the retired Philadelphia Eagles center who now works in TV and co-hosts the popular “New Heights” podcast with Travis, and Chiefs safety Bryan Cook. All of them attended Cincinnati.There were no doubt plenty of supporters for the Huskers, though. Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt's son, Dawson, is a linebacker for Nebraska, while defensive line coach Terry Bradden helped Kansas City to reach five Super Bowls.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce attend game in KC after engagement

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating an alleged school threat and have made an arrest.

On Thursday, a deputy-school resource officer with the Shawnee County sheriff’s office received information about a threat to a school. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a student had made threatening comments regarding bringing a firearm to the school,&nbsp; according to Deputy Abigail Christian. 

The 15-year-old was arrested and booked into the Shawnee Co. Juvenile Detention Center on a requested charge of criminal threat.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the school involved.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating an alleged school threat and have made an arrest.On Thursday, a deputy-school resource officer with the Shawnee County sheriff’s office received information about a threat to a school. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a student had made threatening comments regarding bringing a firearm to the school,&nbsp; according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The 15-year-old was arrested and booked into the Shawnee Co. Juvenile Detention Center on a requested charge of criminal threat.&nbsp; The sheriff's office did not release the name of the school involved.

15-year-old arrested for alleged gun threat at Kansas school

KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department&nbsp;responded to building collapse in the 4800 block of Independence Avenue just before 12:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

On arrival companies reported a partial collapse of a bowstring truss roof. The collapse fell into the interior of the structure causing several walls to lean out and become compromised. 

KCFD established a collapse zone and requested dangerous buildings to the scene. The building is an occupied structure that is used for a storage location for a wholesale business, according to Hopkins. The owner of the building and the buildings renter were on scene and working with Dangerous Buildings and City Planning to develop a plan for securing the structure. There were no injuries reported at this incident.

Independence Avenue was closed in both directions from Chelsea to Brighton.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756413987947.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department&nbsp;responded to building collapse in the 4800 block of Independence Avenue just before 12:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.On arrival companies reported a partial collapse of a bowstring truss roof. The collapse fell into the interior of the structure causing several walls to lean out and become compromised. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756414261411.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KCFD established a collapse zone and requested dangerous buildings to the scene. The building is an occupied structure that is used for a storage location for a wholesale business, according to Hopkins. The owner of the building and the buildings renter were on scene and working with Dangerous Buildings and City Planning to develop a plan for securing the structure. There were no injuries reported at this incident.Independence Avenue was closed in both directions from Chelsea to Brighton.

Partial roof collapse at storage building in Kansas City

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/safiyah-riddle">SAFIYAH RIDDLE</a> Associated Press

The parents of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-shooting-vigil-children-killed-c3c31d801273c77f32676f6baf8ec4f4">two schoolchildren</a>&nbsp;fatally shot in a Minneapolis church spoke out for the first time on Thursday afternoon, with some imploring the shaken community to address the root causes of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-school-shooting-286c32580b1bd05cef08b8e13509e374">shootings that target schools</a>.

Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, were killed on Wednesday morning when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-catholic-school-shooting-annunciation-church-271e65d699d38e01e83a6502c18df155">a shooter opened fire</a>&nbsp;at a Mass that hundreds of students at Annunciation Catholic School attended.

City officials increased to 15 the number of injured children, who are ages 6 to 15. Three parishioners in their 80s also were injured. Only one person — a child — was in critical condition.

In a statement released Thursday, Moyski’s parents described Harper as “a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old” who was “adored” by her younger sister.

“As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain,” the statement read.

The 10-year-old’s parents said that they were focused on healing in the wake of the shooting, but added that they hoped Harper’s memory would fuel action that might prevent shootings going forward.

“No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain,” Harper’s parents wrote. “We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country.”

Fletcher Merkel’s his father, Jesse Merkel tearfully read a statement on Thursday outside of the church where his son was killed, saying the eight-year-old loved his family and friends and enjoyed fishing, cooking and playing any sport.

Because of the shooter’s actions, Merkel said, “we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming.”

“Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life,” Merkel said.

Even as Merkel mourned the loss of his son, he said he was thankful for the “swift and heroic actions” of adults and students inside the church without whom “this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more.”

Minneapolis doctors and law enforcement echoed Merkel’s sentiment throughout the day on Thursday, describing the grueling escape children and teachers endured, as well as the heroic rescue efforts that saved countless lives.

When one of the students who was injured during the shooting went in for a CT scan on Wednesday, she was visibly distressed.

Without hesitation, a nurse at the hospital who was not assigned to respond to the mass casualty event sat with the young girl throughout the procedure — even though safety protocols stipulate that medical staff should clear the room to prevent radiation exposure.

The nurse “put a little lead on, stayed there and held her hand and held her hair while she went through scanners so she didn’t have to go through alone,” Dr. Jon Gayken, one of the head trauma surgeons at Hennepin County Medical Center, said.

Several medical first responders — many of whom were stationed just blocks away from the church — have children enrolled at the Catholic school, officials announced on Thursday.

“Those are the types of things we witnessed yesterday,” Gayken said.

Despite the unimaginable tragedy of the day, Gayken said, there were far less casualties than there could have been.

Marty Scheerer, the chief of Hennepin County Emergency Medical Services, credited “unrecognized heroes,” like the children and teachers in the church who followed their active shooter safety trainings, despite the chaotic and incessant hail of gunfire.

Children “protecting other children” often “laid on the floor and covered each other up” while teachers ushered kids to safety.

The first police officer entered the church “without hesitation” just minutes after the 911 call reported the shooting, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said.

Parishioners told O’Hara that it was “the first time that the children and others there had any sense that they might be safe and survive.”

When officers entered the church, they encountered children “that had blood on them from not because they were injured, but because of blood pressure from other kids,” O’Hara said at a separate news conference later in the day.

“There’s going to be countless lessons of bravery, from young children all the way up to elders,” O’Hara said.

Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reportforamerica.org/" target="_blank">Report for America</a>&nbsp;is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756431258130.png" alt="Harper Moyski photo courtesy Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin" />
 <figcaption>Harper Moyski photo courtesy Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/safiyah-riddle">SAFIYAH RIDDLE</a> Associated PressThe parents of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-shooting-vigil-children-killed-c3c31d801273c77f32676f6baf8ec4f4">two schoolchildren</a>&nbsp;fatally shot in a Minneapolis church spoke out for the first time on Thursday afternoon, with some imploring the shaken community to address the root causes of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-school-shooting-286c32580b1bd05cef08b8e13509e374">shootings that target schools</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The father of one of two schoolchildren fatally shot in a Minneapolis church speaks out for the first time. <a href="https://t.co/FrMybB0Km6">pic.twitter.com/FrMybB0Km6</a>&mdash; The Associated Press (@AP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AP/status/1961231569772749097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, were killed on Wednesday morning when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-catholic-school-shooting-annunciation-church-271e65d699d38e01e83a6502c18df155">a shooter opened fire</a>&nbsp;at a Mass that hundreds of students at Annunciation Catholic School attended.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756430916001.png" alt="Fletcher Merkel photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Fletcher Merkel photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>City officials increased to 15 the number of injured children, who are ages 6 to 15. Three parishioners in their 80s also were injured. Only one person — a child — was in critical condition.<h2>A call to action</h2>In a statement released Thursday, Moyski’s parents described Harper as “a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old” who was “adored” by her younger sister.“As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain,” the statement read.The 10-year-old’s parents said that they were focused on healing in the wake of the shooting, but added that they hoped Harper’s memory would fuel action that might prevent shootings going forward.“No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain,” Harper’s parents wrote. “We urge our leaders and communities to take meaningful steps to address gun violence and the mental health crisis in this country.”<h2>Remembered by his life, not death</h2>Fletcher Merkel’s his father, Jesse Merkel tearfully read a statement on Thursday outside of the church where his son was killed, saying the eight-year-old loved his family and friends and enjoyed fishing, cooking and playing any sport.Because of the shooter’s actions, Merkel said, “we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming.”“Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life,” Merkel said.Even as Merkel mourned the loss of his son, he said he was thankful for the “swift and heroic actions” of adults and students inside the church without whom “this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more.”<h2>Acts of heroism</h2>Minneapolis doctors and law enforcement echoed Merkel’s sentiment throughout the day on Thursday, describing the grueling escape children and teachers endured, as well as the heroic rescue efforts that saved countless lives.When one of the students who was injured during the shooting went in for a CT scan on Wednesday, she was visibly distressed.Without hesitation, a nurse at the hospital who was not assigned to respond to the mass casualty event sat with the young girl throughout the procedure — even though safety protocols stipulate that medical staff should clear the room to prevent radiation exposure.The nurse “put a little lead on, stayed there and held her hand and held her hair while she went through scanners so she didn’t have to go through alone,” Dr. Jon Gayken, one of the head trauma surgeons at Hennepin County Medical Center, said.Several medical first responders — many of whom were stationed just blocks away from the church — have children enrolled at the Catholic school, officials announced on Thursday.“Those are the types of things we witnessed yesterday,” Gayken said.Despite the unimaginable tragedy of the day, Gayken said, there were far less casualties than there could have been.<h2>Children follow active shooter training</h2>Marty Scheerer, the chief of Hennepin County Emergency Medical Services, credited “unrecognized heroes,” like the children and teachers in the church who followed their active shooter safety trainings, despite the chaotic and incessant hail of gunfire.Children “protecting other children” often “laid on the floor and covered each other up” while teachers ushered kids to safety.“That was key,” Scheerer said.The first police officer entered the church “without hesitation” just minutes after the 911 call reported the shooting, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said.Parishioners told O’Hara that it was “the first time that the children and others there had any sense that they might be safe and survive.”When officers entered the church, they encountered children “that had blood on them from not because they were injured, but because of blood pressure from other kids,” O’Hara said at a separate news conference later in the day.“There’s going to be countless lessons of bravery, from young children all the way up to elders,” O’Hara said.___Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reportforamerica.org/" target="_blank">Report for America</a>&nbsp;is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

🎥Parents of students killed in Minnesota church shooting share emotional pleas

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 7:30 August 25, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a white 2020 Dodge Charger with an expired license plate near NW Grant Street and NW Jackson Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, a K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located.&nbsp; Deputies arrested 27-year-old Rachael R. Ratzloff of Topeka on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Vehicles; operate a vehicle without registration or with an expired tag and Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756154206554.png" alt="Ratzloff-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Ratzloff-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 7:30 August 25, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a white 2020 Dodge Charger with an expired license plate near NW Grant Street and NW Jackson Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, a K-9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located.&nbsp; Deputies arrested 27-year-old Rachael R. Ratzloff of Topeka on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Vehicles; operate a vehicle without registration or with an expired tag and Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license

Kansas woman without driver's license caught transporting drugs

LYON COUNTY —A switch that malfunctioned is being blamed for triggering an active shooter alarm on Thursday.

Just before 4:30p.m. the Emporia Police Department received a report of an active shooter alarm at Newman Regional Health, 1201 W 12th Avenue in&nbsp; Emporia, according to Police Captain Ray Mattas.

Officers from the Emporia Police Department responded and law enforcement conducted a thorough search of the hospital and adjacent medical facilities for approximately two hours. No evidence of a shooter or any threat was found.

Further investigation revealed that the alarm was triggered by a malfunctioning emergency switch.

In addition to Emporia Police, personnel from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Emporia State University Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, responded promptly to the scene. The Emporia Fire Department also provided support.

The Emporia Police Department extended its gratitude to all responding agencies and the staff at Newman Regional Health for their cooperation and swift action in resolving this incident. The safety and security of our community remain our top priority.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756420037873.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —A switch that malfunctioned is being blamed for triggering an active shooter alarm on Thursday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ESU Alert: An active shooter has been reported at Newman Regional Health. If you are near the area: Run. Hide. Fight. If you are off campus, remain away.&mdash; Emporia State Univ. (@emporiastate) <a href="https://twitter.com/emporiastate/status/1961182134695022898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Just before 4:30p.m. the Emporia Police Department received a report of an active shooter alarm at Newman Regional Health, 1201 W 12th Avenue in&nbsp; Emporia, according to Police Captain Ray Mattas.Officers from the Emporia Police Department responded and law enforcement conducted a thorough search of the hospital and adjacent medical facilities for approximately two hours. No evidence of a shooter or any threat was found.Further investigation revealed that the alarm was triggered by a malfunctioning emergency switch.In addition to Emporia Police, personnel from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Emporia State University Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, responded promptly to the scene. The Emporia Fire Department also provided support.The Emporia Police Department extended its gratitude to all responding agencies and the staff at Newman Regional Health for their cooperation and swift action in resolving this incident. The safety and security of our community remain our top priority.-------LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement in Emporia responded to an active shooter alarm at Newman Regional Health, 1201 West 12 Street in Emporia, according to police spokesperson Christine Torrens. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ESU Alert: An active shooter has been reported at Newman Regional Health. If you are near the area: Run. Hide. Fight. If you are off campus, remain away.&mdash; Emporia State Univ. (@emporiastate) <a href="https://twitter.com/emporiastate/status/1961182134695022898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Officers thoroughly searched the premises, and it appears to be an alarm only — no active threat was identified.Police asked the public continue to use caution in the area they remained on scene.