PUNTA ARENAS, Chile (AP) — A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-humpback-whale-no-tail-6977da73d909b328f384a964296be0c2">humpback whale</a>&nbsp;briefly swallowed a kayaker off Chilean Patagonia before quickly releasing him unharmed. The incident, caught on camera, quickly went viral.

Last Saturday, Adrián Simancas was kayaking with his father, Dell, in Bahía El Águila near the San Isidro Lighthouse in the Strait of Magellan when a humpback whale surfaced, engulfing Adrián and his yellow kayak for a few seconds before letting him go.

Dell, just meters (yards) away, captured the moment on video while encouraging his son to stay calm.

“Stay calm, stay calm,” he can be heard saying after his son was released from the whale’s mouth.

“I thought I was dead,” Adrián told The Associated Press. “I thought it had eaten me, that it had swallowed me.”

He described the “terror” of those few seconds and explained that his real fear set in only after resurfacing, fearing that the huge animal would hurt his father or that he would perish in the frigid waters.

Despite the terrifying experience, Dell remained focused, filming and reassuring his son while grappling with his own worry.

“When I came up and started floating, I was scared that something might happen to my father too, that we wouldn’t reach the shore in time, or that I would get hypothermia,” Adrián said.

After a few seconds in the water, Adrián managed to reach his father’s kayak and was quickly assisted. Despite the scare, both returned to shore uninjured.

Located about 1,600 miles (3,000 kilometers) south of Santiago, Chile’s capital, the Strait of Magellan is a major tourist attraction in the Chilean Patagonia, known for adventure activities.

Its frigid waters pose a challenge for sailors, swimmers and explorers who attempt to cross it in different ways.

Although it’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere, temperatures in the region remain cool, with minimums dropping to 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) and highs rarely exceeding 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius.)

While whale attacks on humans are extremely rare in Chilean waters, whale deaths from collisions with cargo ships have increased in recent years, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/whale-zealand-spade-toothed-beaked-stranding-conservation-643f3b1ad1acfba9bff73837a86a4ef1">strandings have become a recurring issue</a>&nbsp;in the last decade.

PUNTA ARENAS, Chile (AP) — A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-humpback-whale-no-tail-6977da73d909b328f384a964296be0c2">humpback whale</a>&nbsp;briefly swallowed a kayaker off Chilean Patagonia before quickly releasing him unharmed. The incident, caught on camera, quickly went viral.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Humpback whale swallows kayaker off Chile before releasing him. <a href="https://t.co/UuUatMGUxN">pic.twitter.com/UuUatMGUxN</a>&mdash; The Associated Press (@AP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AP/status/1890185435009212605?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Last Saturday, Adrián Simancas was kayaking with his father, Dell, in Bahía El Águila near the San Isidro Lighthouse in the Strait of Magellan when a humpback whale surfaced, engulfing Adrián and his yellow kayak for a few seconds before letting him go.Dell, just meters (yards) away, captured the moment on video while encouraging his son to stay calm.“Stay calm, stay calm,” he can be heard saying after his son was released from the whale’s mouth.“I thought I was dead,” Adrián told The Associated Press. “I thought it had eaten me, that it had swallowed me.”He described the “terror” of those few seconds and explained that his real fear set in only after resurfacing, fearing that the huge animal would hurt his father or that he would perish in the frigid waters.Despite the terrifying experience, Dell remained focused, filming and reassuring his son while grappling with his own worry.“When I came up and started floating, I was scared that something might happen to my father too, that we wouldn’t reach the shore in time, or that I would get hypothermia,” Adrián said.After a few seconds in the water, Adrián managed to reach his father’s kayak and was quickly assisted. Despite the scare, both returned to shore uninjured.Located about 1,600 miles (3,000 kilometers) south of Santiago, Chile’s capital, the Strait of Magellan is a major tourist attraction in the Chilean Patagonia, known for adventure activities.Its frigid waters pose a challenge for sailors, swimmers and explorers who attempt to cross it in different ways.Although it’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere, temperatures in the region remain cool, with minimums dropping to 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) and highs rarely exceeding 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius.)While whale attacks on humans are extremely rare in Chilean waters, whale deaths from collisions with cargo ships have increased in recent years, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/whale-zealand-spade-toothed-beaked-stranding-conservation-643f3b1ad1acfba9bff73837a86a4ef1">strandings have become a recurring issue</a>&nbsp;in the last decade.____

🎥Whale gulps in kayaker and it's all captured on camera

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

TOPEKA — Roberta Jackson was physically abused by a man who had an extensive history of hurting women in at least seven other states.

Jackson said offenders develop a “God complex” when they receive a “slap on the wrist” as a consequence of their violence. Jackson attends regular therapy and struggles with trauma.

“This trauma is not easily moved on from,” Jackson said. “I work three jobs just so I don’t have to think or feel or cry or scream because it is so hard. I have good days and bad days. I still have nerve damage on my scalp just above where I had my stitches.”

She testified Monday to the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee on legislation that would strengthen penalties for repeat offenders of domestic violence.

“I, as a domestic violence survivor, plead to you to consider this bill,” Jackson said. “Victims need to know that there is hope for justice for them.”

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2192/" target="_blank">House Bill 2192</a>&nbsp;would limit work release for second- or third-time domestic battery offenders, if their previous offense was committed within five years. Under current law, second- and third-time offenders are allowed work release after 48 hours. The bill would up that to 45 days for second-time offenders, and 90 days for third-time offenders.&nbsp;

William Hurst, assistant district attorney for Johnson County, said that while a first-time domestic battery conviction requires a jail sentence of at least 48 hours, that time is rarely served.&nbsp;

“The basic question before this committee is whether 48 hours of actual jail time is sufficient for an offender who has committed multiple, violent crimes within a short period of time,” Hurst said.&nbsp;

Supporters of the bill hope it leads to mandatory minimum sentences for a first offense of domestic battery, but they see this as a step in the right direction.&nbsp;

The House committee also heard testimony on a bill that would increase additional criminal penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer based on the circumstances of the offense.&nbsp;

Emily Brandt, representing the Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services, opposed both bills.&nbsp;

Brandt said in cases where an offender harmed a significant other, the restricted work leave would unintentionally harm the victim as well. She pointed to the high level of domestic violence cases where the offenders and victims share children, and rates of poverty. Brandt also pointed to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/249845.pdf" target="_blank">a study by the National Institute of Justice</a>&nbsp;that found offenders who participate in work release programs are less likely to reoffend.&nbsp;

“Not all offenders are the same,” Brandt said. “Some offenders need more heightened supervision than other offenders. Some of them need more heightened intervention than other offenders. Some of them possibly need more incarceration time than other offenders. This bill takes that discretion away from district court judges.”&nbsp;

Brandt was the only in-person opponent to the bill. One person submitted a neutral written testimony, and four people testified in support in-person.

Rep. Ricky James, a Republican from La Cygne, asked, “Why would all these people be up here wanting the bill? Are they doing their job?” — referring to the judges.

Brandt said that should be a question for the proponents, but Chair Rep. Bob Lewis, a Republican from Garden City, decided to move on because of time constraints.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2177/" target="_blank">House Bill 2177</a>&nbsp;would increase penalties for fleeing a police officer, with additional penalties for specific circumstances.&nbsp;

Under current law a first offense is a class B misdemeanor, while the bill would change it to a severity level 9 felony if a driver fails to stop for a police roadblock or tire deflation devices, engages in reckless driving, causes an accident, intentionally causes property damages or is using a stolen car. That’s upped to a severity level 7 on the second offense, and severity level 5 for the second and up.&nbsp;

If the person drives the wrong way into oncoming traffic or causes a collision with another driver, the bill would classify that as severity level 7 for the first offense, severity level 6 for the second, and severity level 4 for three or more.&nbsp;

Former state Rep. Eric Smith, a Republican from Burlington and the undersheriff in Coffey County, said that in his county of a little more than 8,000 people with two major highways passing through, law enforcement expects three police pursuits per week.&nbsp;

“This is happening so often that law enforcement has become emotionally involved in it,” Smith said. “They watch front line the near misses — the opportunity this individual had to hurt or kill someone.”

Smith described a recent instance where the offender had been involved in multiple pursuits.&nbsp;

“Some just don’t see the crime as a big deal, and they begin to believe they are good at it,” Smith said. “Graduating the severity of the penalty will send a message to them that every time they do this, it will matter more.”

Brant opposed the bill because of the severity of the increased penalties. For actions like driving the wrong way on the highway or causing a collision on a third offense, the bill would escalate the classification of crime from a severity level 9 person felony to a severity level 4 personal felony.&nbsp;

“This bill would punish people who committed no harm to another as severely as people who committed a murder or caused great bodily harm,” Brandt said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739541321530.png" alt=" Roberta Jackson, a domestic battery survivor, speaks during a Feb. 10, 2025, hearing in support of a bill that would limit work release for repeat domestic battery offenders. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Roberta Jackson, a domestic battery survivor, speaks during a Feb. 10, 2025, hearing in support of a bill that would limit work release for repeat domestic battery offenders. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Roberta Jackson was physically abused by a man who had an extensive history of hurting women in at least seven other states.Jackson said offenders develop a “God complex” when they receive a “slap on the wrist” as a consequence of their violence. Jackson attends regular therapy and struggles with trauma.“This trauma is not easily moved on from,” Jackson said. “I work three jobs just so I don’t have to think or feel or cry or scream because it is so hard. I have good days and bad days. I still have nerve damage on my scalp just above where I had my stitches.”She testified Monday to the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee on legislation that would strengthen penalties for repeat offenders of domestic violence.“I, as a domestic violence survivor, plead to you to consider this bill,” Jackson said. “Victims need to know that there is hope for justice for them.”<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2192/" target="_blank">House Bill 2192</a>&nbsp;would limit work release for second- or third-time domestic battery offenders, if their previous offense was committed within five years. Under current law, second- and third-time offenders are allowed work release after 48 hours. The bill would up that to 45 days for second-time offenders, and 90 days for third-time offenders.&nbsp;William Hurst, assistant district attorney for Johnson County, said that while a first-time domestic battery conviction requires a jail sentence of at least 48 hours, that time is rarely served.&nbsp;“The basic question before this committee is whether 48 hours of actual jail time is sufficient for an offender who has committed multiple, violent crimes within a short period of time,” Hurst said.&nbsp;Supporters of the bill hope it leads to mandatory minimum sentences for a first offense of domestic battery, but they see this as a step in the right direction.&nbsp;The House committee also heard testimony on a bill that would increase additional criminal penalties for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer based on the circumstances of the offense.&nbsp;Emily Brandt, representing the Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services, opposed both bills.&nbsp;Brandt said in cases where an offender harmed a significant other, the restricted work leave would unintentionally harm the victim as well. She pointed to the high level of domestic violence cases where the offenders and victims share children, and rates of poverty. Brandt also pointed to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/249845.pdf" target="_blank">a study by the National Institute of Justice</a>&nbsp;that found offenders who participate in work release programs are less likely to reoffend.&nbsp;“Not all offenders are the same,” Brandt said. “Some offenders need more heightened supervision than other offenders. Some of them need more heightened intervention than other offenders. Some of them possibly need more incarceration time than other offenders. This bill takes that discretion away from district court judges.”&nbsp;Brandt was the only in-person opponent to the bill. One person submitted a neutral written testimony, and four people testified in support in-person.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739541290948.png" alt=" Rep. Ricky James, a Republican from La Cygne, asks questions during a Feb. 10, 2025, hearing of the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Ricky James, a Republican from La Cygne, asks questions during a Feb. 10, 2025, hearing of the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Rep. Ricky James, a Republican from La Cygne, asked, “Why would all these people be up here wanting the bill? Are they doing their job?” — referring to the judges.Brandt said that should be a question for the proponents, but Chair Rep. Bob Lewis, a Republican from Garden City, decided to move on because of time constraints.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2177/" target="_blank">House Bill 2177</a>&nbsp;would increase penalties for fleeing a police officer, with additional penalties for specific circumstances.&nbsp;Under current law a first offense is a class B misdemeanor, while the bill would change it to a severity level 9 felony if a driver fails to stop for a police roadblock or tire deflation devices, engages in reckless driving, causes an accident, intentionally causes property damages or is using a stolen car. That’s upped to a severity level 7 on the second offense, and severity level 5 for the second and up.&nbsp;If the person drives the wrong way into oncoming traffic or causes a collision with another driver, the bill would classify that as severity level 7 for the first offense, severity level 6 for the second, and severity level 4 for three or more.&nbsp;Former state Rep. Eric Smith, a Republican from Burlington and the undersheriff in Coffey County, said that in his county of a little more than 8,000 people with two major highways passing through, law enforcement expects three police pursuits per week.&nbsp;“This is happening so often that law enforcement has become emotionally involved in it,” Smith said. “They watch front line the near misses — the opportunity this individual had to hurt or kill someone.”Smith described a recent instance where the offender had been involved in multiple pursuits.&nbsp;“Some just don’t see the crime as a big deal, and they begin to believe they are good at it,” Smith said. “Graduating the severity of the penalty will send a message to them that every time they do this, it will matter more.”Brant opposed the bill because of the severity of the increased penalties. For actions like driving the wrong way on the highway or causing a collision on a third offense, the bill would escalate the classification of crime from a severity level 9 person felony to a severity level 4 personal felony.&nbsp;“This bill would punish people who committed no harm to another as severely as people who committed a murder or caused great bodily harm,” Brandt said.&nbsp;

Kansas House bills would impose stricter penalties for domestic battery, fleeing police

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis was hospitalized Friday to treat a weeklong bout of bronchitis and undergo diagnostic tests, the Vatican said, confirming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-hospital-health-intestine-64750f0392511ea6dc6824b8f8db4f5a">the latest issues with the 88-year-old's pontiff's health</a>&nbsp;that forced him to cancel his agenda through Monday at least.

Francis was diagnosed with bronchitis Feb. 6, but had continued to hold daily audiences in his Vatican hotel suite. He attended his general audience Wednesday and presided at an outdoor Mass on Sunday. But he had handed off his speeches for an aide to read aloud, saying he was having trouble breathing.

On Friday, he appeared bloated and pale during the handful of audiences he held before going to the hospital. The bloating appeared to indicate that the medication he was taking to treat the lung infection was making him retain water.

Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has long battled health problems, especially bouts of acute bronchitis in winter. He uses a wheelchair, walker or cane when moving around his apartment and recently fell twice, hurting his arm and chin.

Francis was hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he was last admitted in June 2023 to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-health-758c3d7b07e6d6f242c4a5ea6f2de154">surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue</a>&nbsp;and repair a hernia in the abdominal wall. A few months before that, he spent three days in the hospital to receive intravenous antibiotics for a respiratory infection.

The Vatican said Francis was admitted after his Friday audiences. In addition to regular Vatican officials, the pope met Friday morning with the Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, and CNN head Mark Thompson.

"This morning, at the end of the audiences, Pope Francis will be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue in a hospital setting treatment for bronchitis that is still ongoing," a Vatican statement said.

No details were given about the duration of Francis’ hospitalization, but it later announced he was cancelling his participation in Holy Year events through Monday.

The pope had a busy weekend agenda planned with an audience with artists in town for the Jubilee on Saturday, a Mass for them on Sunday and a trip to Rome’s famed Cinecitta studios on Monday. While a Vatican cardinal would preside over the Mass in Francis' place, the Vatican said the other events were cancelled “due to the impossibility of the pope to participate.”

The Vatican announcements, delivered ahead of Francis' hospitalization, came in sharp contrast to its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-health-hospital-vatican-1b743492e19762ac4a71cefb556967d0">2023 hospitalization for bronchitis</a>&nbsp;that caused confusion.

Initially, the Vatican had said he had gone in for scheduled tests, but the pontiff later revealed he had felt pain in his chest and was rushed to the hospital where bronchitis was diagnosed. He was put on intravenous antibiotics and was released April 1,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-released-hospital-53e6a136fe9f7b64da551e749a44930a">quipping as he left that he was “still alive.”</a>

Francis spent 10 days at the same hospital in July 2021 following intestinal surgery for a bowel narrowing. He credited his personal nurse then with saving his life for having insisted he get the problem checked out.

It wasn't the first time he credited a nurse with saving his life. Francis recounted his near-death experience with his youthful lung infection in his recent autobiography “Hope,” in which he credited his survival to a nurse, an Italian nun named Sister Cornelia Caraglio.

“She was an experienced, cultured woman who had worked as a teacher in Greece, and she quickly realized the seriousness of my situation: She called the specialist, who drained one and a half liters of fluid from my lungs. It began a slow and unsteady climb back from the brink between life and death,” he recalled.

It was she who, after the doctor prescribed a certain dose of penicillin and streptomycin, ordered that it be doubled, he recalled.

“She had intuition and practical experience, and certainly no lack of courage," he recalled. "My companions came from the seminary to visit me; some also gave me their blood for transfusions. Gradually the fevers decided to leave me, and the light began to return.”

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis was hospitalized Friday to treat a weeklong bout of bronchitis and undergo diagnostic tests, the Vatican said, confirming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-hospital-health-intestine-64750f0392511ea6dc6824b8f8db4f5a">the latest issues with the 88-year-old's pontiff's health</a>&nbsp;that forced him to cancel his agenda through Monday at least.Francis was diagnosed with bronchitis Feb. 6, but had continued to hold daily audiences in his Vatican hotel suite. He attended his general audience Wednesday and presided at an outdoor Mass on Sunday. But he had handed off his speeches for an aide to read aloud, saying he was having trouble breathing.On Friday, he appeared bloated and pale during the handful of audiences he held before going to the hospital. The bloating appeared to indicate that the medication he was taking to treat the lung infection was making him retain water.Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has long battled health problems, especially bouts of acute bronchitis in winter. He uses a wheelchair, walker or cane when moving around his apartment and recently fell twice, hurting his arm and chin.Francis was hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he was last admitted in June 2023 to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-health-758c3d7b07e6d6f242c4a5ea6f2de154">surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue</a>&nbsp;and repair a hernia in the abdominal wall. A few months before that, he spent three days in the hospital to receive intravenous antibiotics for a respiratory infection.The Vatican said Francis was admitted after his Friday audiences. In addition to regular Vatican officials, the pope met Friday morning with the Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, and CNN head Mark Thompson."This morning, at the end of the audiences, Pope Francis will be admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for some necessary diagnostic tests and to continue in a hospital setting treatment for bronchitis that is still ongoing," a Vatican statement said.No details were given about the duration of Francis’ hospitalization, but it later announced he was cancelling his participation in Holy Year events through Monday.The pope had a busy weekend agenda planned with an audience with artists in town for the Jubilee on Saturday, a Mass for them on Sunday and a trip to Rome’s famed Cinecitta studios on Monday. While a Vatican cardinal would preside over the Mass in Francis' place, the Vatican said the other events were cancelled “due to the impossibility of the pope to participate.”The Vatican announcements, delivered ahead of Francis' hospitalization, came in sharp contrast to its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-health-hospital-vatican-1b743492e19762ac4a71cefb556967d0">2023 hospitalization for bronchitis</a>&nbsp;that caused confusion.Initially, the Vatican had said he had gone in for scheduled tests, but the pontiff later revealed he had felt pain in his chest and was rushed to the hospital where bronchitis was diagnosed. He was put on intravenous antibiotics and was released April 1,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-released-hospital-53e6a136fe9f7b64da551e749a44930a">quipping as he left that he was “still alive.”</a>Francis spent 10 days at the same hospital in July 2021 following intestinal surgery for a bowel narrowing. He credited his personal nurse then with saving his life for having insisted he get the problem checked out.It wasn't the first time he credited a nurse with saving his life. Francis recounted his near-death experience with his youthful lung infection in his recent autobiography “Hope,” in which he credited his survival to a nurse, an Italian nun named Sister Cornelia Caraglio.“She was an experienced, cultured woman who had worked as a teacher in Greece, and she quickly realized the seriousness of my situation: She called the specialist, who drained one and a half liters of fluid from my lungs. It began a slow and unsteady climb back from the brink between life and death,” he recalled.It was she who, after the doctor prescribed a certain dose of penicillin and streptomycin, ordered that it be doubled, he recalled.“She had intuition and practical experience, and certainly no lack of courage," he recalled. "My companions came from the seminary to visit me; some also gave me their blood for transfusions. Gradually the fevers decided to leave me, and the light began to return.”___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Pope Francis hospitalized to treat bronchitis, undergo tests

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement investigating a fatal gun fight have taken a second suspect into custody in connection with the crime.

According to county booking records, police arrested 21-year-old Allen Griffin, Jr. and 18-year-old Sergio Clement in connection with the crime.

Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of S. Bleckley in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesperson Brad Wright.

Officers arrived at the scene and found 23-year-old Manuel Roach with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a disturbance occurred involving Roach and three unidentified males dressed in all black. Following the incident, the suspects departed the scene in a white SUV before law enforcement arrival. The exact circumstances that led up to the shooting are still under investigation, according to Wright. Police do believe this was a targeted incident between individuals known to each other.

The 18-year-old identified as Clement arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Through the investigation, it was discovered that he and Griffin were involved in the fatal shooting of Manuel Roach. As a result, both were arrested and booked into Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of first-degree murder. Griffin is also being held on a requested charge of drug possession.&nbsp;

This case will be presented to the District Attorney for formal charging consideration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739445638977.png" alt="Sergio Clement was wounded in the gun fight-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Sergio Clement was wounded in the gun fight-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement investigating a fatal gun fight have taken a second suspect into custody in connection with the crime.According to county booking records, police arrested 21-year-old Allen Griffin, Jr. and 18-year-old Sergio Clement in connection with the crime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739446909301.png" alt="Griffin-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Griffin-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 6p.m. Tuesday, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of S. Bleckley in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesperson Brad Wright.Officers arrived at the scene and found 23-year-old Manuel Roach with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Preliminary investigation indicates that a disturbance occurred involving Roach and three unidentified males dressed in all black. Following the incident, the suspects departed the scene in a white SUV before law enforcement arrival. The exact circumstances that led up to the shooting are still under investigation, according to Wright. Police do believe this was a targeted incident between individuals known to each other.The 18-year-old identified as Clement arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Through the investigation, it was discovered that he and Griffin were involved in the fatal shooting of Manuel Roach. As a result, both were arrested and booked into Sedgwick County Jail on a requested charge of first-degree murder. Griffin is also being held on a requested charge of drug possession.&nbsp;This case will be presented to the District Attorney for formal charging consideration.

Police: 3 dressed in all-black involved in deadly Kansas gun fight

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating alleged child sex crimes involving a staff member at an elementary school in Lawrence have learned of more victims and have established a hotline for other possible victims.

On Saturday, police in Lawrence launched&nbsp;an investigation into an alleged sexual assault of two students at Prairie Park Elementary, according to police spokesperson Laura McCabe.

A concerned parent of one student called police Saturday morning about events that occurred during the school day on February 7. Investigators quickly uncovered evidence that led to the Saturday night arrest of 60-year-old Mark Elliott Gridley.&nbsp; &nbsp;He is a Speech and Language Pathologist at the school.

Monday morning, investigators learned of a second possible victim.&nbsp; That alleged assault also occurred Friday morning at the school.

On Tuesday, police confirmed there are more than two victims in this investigation, according to McCabe. Police did not provide an exact number. Each parental concern brought to the attention of police must be fully investigated, which takes time. 

The team of police investigators, in conjunction with experts from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, are working to investigate all information received. 

The scope of the investigation has now expanded to include students who were not receiving services for speech at the school. Police are asking for parents of students at Prairie Park Elementary School to have a conversation with their children about any possible contact with Mark Gridley. Should concerns arise at any point in those conversations, police ask that parents stop the conversation and contact the investigations hotline set up for this investigation at (785) 830-7430.

Police are working closely with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, USD 497 administrators, and the District Attorney’s office to ensure all expert services coordinate to uncover the complete scope of the potential harm and crimes committed.

In addition to the on-site law enforcement presence, police set up a phone line for parents who may need to report a concern about their child and any contact with Mark Gridley. The phone number is&nbsp;(785) 830-7430. In addition, police ask that any parent who may have concerns about their child’s interaction with Gridley, please contact law enforcement before discussing it in-depth with your child.

"Lawrence Police and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County are here and ready to talk to you and your child. They are trained to address these issues while limiting the traumatic impact these discussions have on young victims."

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating alleged child sex crimes involving a staff member at an elementary school in Lawrence have learned of more victims and have established a hotline for other possible victims.On Saturday, police in Lawrence launched&nbsp;an investigation into an alleged sexual assault of two students at Prairie Park Elementary, according to police spokesperson Laura McCabe.A concerned parent of one student called police Saturday morning about events that occurred during the school day on February 7. Investigators quickly uncovered evidence that led to the Saturday night arrest of 60-year-old Mark Elliott Gridley.&nbsp; &nbsp;He is a Speech and Language Pathologist at the school.Monday morning, investigators learned of a second possible victim.&nbsp; That alleged assault also occurred Friday morning at the school.On Tuesday, police confirmed there are more than two victims in this investigation, according to McCabe. Police did not provide an exact number. Each parental concern brought to the attention of police must be fully investigated, which takes time. The team of police investigators, in conjunction with experts from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, are working to investigate all information received. The scope of the investigation has now expanded to include students who were not receiving services for speech at the school. Police are asking for parents of students at Prairie Park Elementary School to have a conversation with their children about any possible contact with Mark Gridley. Should concerns arise at any point in those conversations, police ask that parents stop the conversation and contact the investigations hotline set up for this investigation at (785) 830-7430.Police are working closely with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County, USD 497 administrators, and the District Attorney’s office to ensure all expert services coordinate to uncover the complete scope of the potential harm and crimes committed.In addition to the on-site law enforcement presence, police set up a phone line for parents who may need to report a concern about their child and any contact with Mark Gridley. The phone number is&nbsp;(785) 830-7430. In addition, police ask that any parent who may have concerns about their child’s interaction with Gridley, please contact law enforcement before discussing it in-depth with your child. "Lawrence Police and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County are here and ready to talk to you and your child. They are trained to address these issues while limiting the traumatic impact these discussions have on young victims."

Kan. police hotline for victims of speech pathologist child sex crimes

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Feel like dissing instead of kissing your former lover this&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/valentines-day">Valentine’s Day</a>? Think your ex is more like a rat than a prince? Do you believe your former paramour should never procreate?

Animal shelters and zoos around the country are encouraging little cathartic avenues for revenge this holiday — and raising money for a cause — with a slew of darkly funny fundraisers for those missed by Cupid’s arrow.

Options include naming a feral cat after your old flame before it’s neutered — or giving rodents or cockroaches your love bug’s name before feeding them to bigger animals. The Minnesota Zoo’s campaign to name a bug after either a friend or a foe has attracted donors from across the world.

Teri Scott of Poulsbo, Washington, said she was bombarded on social media with the anti-love campaigns, including naming a hissing cockroach after an ex.

She said she couldn’t bring herself to name a bug that’s so hard to get rid of after her former husband, fearing that it could be an omen she’d never shake him despite the court costs she paid.

Then she ran across a promotion for the “Love Hurts” fundraiser at the Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Anchorage, Alaska. She ponied up $100 to name a frozen dead rat after her ex, and it will now be fed to a resident raptor at the facility.

Scott, who is celebrating her first anniversary as a newly single woman, views the donation as a gift to herself.

“You never enter a relationship thinking it’s going to end, but when it does it’s just hurtful,” she said. “I just thought, I need to do something a little bit special for myself.”

She laughed out loud when she saw the “Love Hurts” posting. “It just seemed like a beautiful way to give back,” she said.

“We do this in good fun,” said Laura Atwood, the center’s executive director. The money raised helps the facility pay salaries and care for birds — the nonprofit rehabilitated 580 of them last year. Just over $18,000 had been raised by the time the campaign closed Wednesday. So many rats — more than 130 — were purchased for the campaign, the center ran out of supplies until another batch of frozen rodents arrived Wednesday,

“People are sometimes hurt by a relationship, and this just gives them a little cathartic way to maybe work something out,” Atwood said, adding that they don’t publicize last names.

The videos of raptors like Ghost, a snowy owl that swallows the rat whole, or a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-university-of-california-berkeley-california-birds-979893ecbb701edb4ab8d0e3554f55a2">peregrine falcon</a>&nbsp;named Breland, which keeps one talon on the rodent and pecks away at it until it’s gone, will be emailed to donors.

There’s also a cheaper option: People can pay $10 to name a mealworm after their ex before it’s fed to a crow or a magpie, and a video will be posted on social media.

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/memphiszoo/">The Memphis Zoo </a>in Tennessee gives you two options — one for your lover and the other for a nemesis, each for $10, in its “Dating or Dumping” campaign. If you’re happily coupled, you can get a digital card and a family-friendly video of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/animals-india-berlin-germany-caves-a1dde4481cb2676a29e73a7e08e5527a">red panda</a>&nbsp;eating a grape to share. But for those harboring a grudge, along with your card, you’ll get a video of an elephant pooping signed with the words “Scent with Love.”

After Valentine’s Day, the zoo will post a recap video showing the names of people memorialized in a video and will list the names that popped up the most for both daters and those earning a stinky shout-out.

“This is the most incredible thing,” said Caleigh Johnson, who is campaigning for her ex-boyfriend to be at the top of the smelly list by encouraging her friends to give to the fundraiser. “I’m hoping that a few people will come through.”

Johnson doesn’t talk to her ex anymore; instead, the video will be a treat for her friends to laugh at as they celebrate “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b8fd2543e63b4b4d960846220fabebed">Galentine’s Day.</a>&nbsp;”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739488011583.png" alt="<a href="https://www.facebook.com/memphiszoo/">The Memphis Zoo&nbsp;</a>in Tennessee gives you two options — one for your lover and the other for a nemesis, each for $10, in its “Dating or Dumping” campaign. If you’re happily coupled, you can get a digital card and a family-friendly video of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/animals-india-berlin-germany-caves-a1dde4481cb2676a29e73a7e08e5527a">red panda</a>&nbsp;eating a grape to share. But for those harboring a grudge, along with your card, you’ll get a video of an elephant pooping signed with the words “Scent with Love.”" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.facebook.com/memphiszoo/">The Memphis Zoo&nbsp;</a>in Tennessee gives you two options — one for your lover and the other for a nemesis, each for $10, in its “Dating or Dumping” campaign. If you’re happily coupled, you can get a digital card and a family-friendly video of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/animals-india-berlin-germany-caves-a1dde4481cb2676a29e73a7e08e5527a">red panda</a>&nbsp;eating a grape to share. But for those harboring a grudge, along with your card, you’ll get a video of an elephant pooping signed with the words “Scent with Love.”</figcaption>
 </figure>ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Feel like dissing instead of kissing your former lover this&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/valentines-day">Valentine’s Day</a>? Think your ex is more like a rat than a prince? Do you believe your former paramour should never procreate?Animal shelters and zoos around the country are encouraging little cathartic avenues for revenge this holiday — and raising money for a cause — with a slew of darkly funny fundraisers for those missed by Cupid’s arrow.Options include naming a feral cat after your old flame before it’s neutered — or giving rodents or cockroaches your love bug’s name before feeding them to bigger animals. The Minnesota Zoo’s campaign to name a bug after either a friend or a foe has attracted donors from across the world.Teri Scott of Poulsbo, Washington, said she was bombarded on social media with the anti-love campaigns, including naming a hissing cockroach after an ex.She said she couldn’t bring herself to name a bug that’s so hard to get rid of after her former husband, fearing that it could be an omen she’d never shake him despite the court costs she paid.Then she ran across a promotion for the “Love Hurts” fundraiser at the Bird Treatment and Learning Center in Anchorage, Alaska. She ponied up $100 to name a frozen dead rat after her ex, and it will now be fed to a resident raptor at the facility.Scott, who is celebrating her first anniversary as a newly single woman, views the donation as a gift to herself.“You never enter a relationship thinking it’s going to end, but when it does it’s just hurtful,” she said. “I just thought, I need to do something a little bit special for myself.”She laughed out loud when she saw the “Love Hurts” posting. “It just seemed like a beautiful way to give back,” she said.“We do this in good fun,” said Laura Atwood, the center’s executive director. The money raised helps the facility pay salaries and care for birds — the nonprofit rehabilitated 580 of them last year. Just over $18,000 had been raised by the time the campaign closed Wednesday. So many rats — more than 130 — were purchased for the campaign, the center ran out of supplies until another batch of frozen rodents arrived Wednesday,“People are sometimes hurt by a relationship, and this just gives them a little cathartic way to maybe work something out,” Atwood said, adding that they don’t publicize last names.The videos of raptors like Ghost, a snowy owl that swallows the rat whole, or a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-university-of-california-berkeley-california-birds-979893ecbb701edb4ab8d0e3554f55a2">peregrine falcon</a>&nbsp;named Breland, which keeps one talon on the rodent and pecks away at it until it’s gone, will be emailed to donors.There’s also a cheaper option: People can pay $10 to name a mealworm after their ex before it’s fed to a crow or a magpie, and a video will be posted on social media.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/memphiszoo/">The Memphis Zoo </a>in Tennessee gives you two options — one for your lover and the other for a nemesis, each for $10, in its “Dating or Dumping” campaign. If you’re happily coupled, you can get a digital card and a family-friendly video of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/animals-india-berlin-germany-caves-a1dde4481cb2676a29e73a7e08e5527a">red panda</a>&nbsp;eating a grape to share. But for those harboring a grudge, along with your card, you’ll get a video of an elephant pooping signed with the words “Scent with Love.”After Valentine’s Day, the zoo will post a recap video showing the names of people memorialized in a video and will list the names that popped up the most for both daters and those earning a stinky shout-out.“This is the most incredible thing,” said Caleigh Johnson, who is campaigning for her ex-boyfriend to be at the top of the smelly list by encouraging her friends to give to the fundraiser. “I’m hoping that a few people will come through.”Johnson doesn’t talk to her ex anymore; instead, the video will be a treat for her friends to laugh at as they celebrate “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b8fd2543e63b4b4d960846220fabebed">Galentine’s Day.</a>&nbsp;”

Why people are naming bugs, rats and cats after exes this Valentine’s Day

NEW YORK (AP) — Igloo is recalling more than 1 million of its coolers sold across the U.S., Mexico and Canada due to a handle hazard that has resulted in a handful of fingertip injuries, including some amputations.

The now-recalled “Igloo 90 Qt. Flip &amp; Tow Rolling Coolers” have a tow handle can pinch users' fingertips against the product — posing potential amputation and other crushing risks, according to a Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Igloo-Recalls-More-Than-One-Million-90-Quart-Rolling-Coolers-Due-to-Fingertip-Amputation-and-Crushing-Hazards">recall notice</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Igloo has received 12 injury reports in the U.S., the CPSC notes, which include fingertip amputations, bone fractures, and lacerations. There are no known injuries in Canada or Mexico.

Consumers in possession of the coolers are urged to stop using them immediately — and contact Igloo for a free replacement handle.

The now-recalled coolers were sold at major retailers like Costco, Target, Dick’s and Amazon between 2019 and January 2025 for between $80 and $140. About 1.06 million were purchased in the U.S., in addition to 47,000 in Canada and another 23,000 in Mexico.

The affected products can be identified&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Igloo-Recalls-More-Than-One-Million-90-Quart-Rolling-Coolers-Due-to-Fingertip-Amputation-and-Crushing-Hazards">by model number</a>&nbsp;and description. They were sold in multiple colors with the word “IGLOO” printed on the side and manufactured in the U.S. prior to January 2024.

Consumers can&nbsp;<a href="http://www.igloo90qtrecall.expertinquiry.com/">register for the recall online</a>&nbsp;or contact Katy, Texas-based Igloo at 888-943-5182 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:igloo90qt@sedgwick.com">igloo90qt@sedgwick.com</a>&nbsp;to request a handle replacement.

In a statement, Igloo said that it was recalling these rolling coolers and providing free replacement handles “with consumer safety as our top priority.” The company added that, "through rigorous testing and proactive steps, we are constantly improving our products to meet the highest safety standards."

Additional information can be found on the websites for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Igloo-Recalls-More-Than-One-Million-90-Quart-Rolling-Coolers-Due-to-Fingertip-Amputation-and-Crushing-Hazards">the CPSC</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/igloo-90-quart-flip-tow-rolling-coolers-recalled-due-fingertip-amputation-and-crushing">Health Canada</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="http://globalrecalls.oecd.org/">OECD's global recall portal.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739468534690.png" alt="Photo Consumer Products Safety Commission" />
 <figcaption>Photo Consumer Products Safety Commission</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Igloo is recalling more than 1 million of its coolers sold across the U.S., Mexico and Canada due to a handle hazard that has resulted in a handful of fingertip injuries, including some amputations.The now-recalled “Igloo 90 Qt. Flip &amp; Tow Rolling Coolers” have a tow handle can pinch users' fingertips against the product — posing potential amputation and other crushing risks, according to a Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Igloo-Recalls-More-Than-One-Million-90-Quart-Rolling-Coolers-Due-to-Fingertip-Amputation-and-Crushing-Hazards">recall notice</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.Igloo has received 12 injury reports in the U.S., the CPSC notes, which include fingertip amputations, bone fractures, and lacerations. There are no known injuries in Canada or Mexico.Consumers in possession of the coolers are urged to stop using them immediately — and contact Igloo for a free replacement handle.The now-recalled coolers were sold at major retailers like Costco, Target, Dick’s and Amazon between 2019 and January 2025 for between $80 and $140. About 1.06 million were purchased in the U.S., in addition to 47,000 in Canada and another 23,000 in Mexico.The affected products can be identified&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Igloo-Recalls-More-Than-One-Million-90-Quart-Rolling-Coolers-Due-to-Fingertip-Amputation-and-Crushing-Hazards">by model number</a>&nbsp;and description. They were sold in multiple colors with the word “IGLOO” printed on the side and manufactured in the U.S. prior to January 2024.Consumers can&nbsp;<a href="http://www.igloo90qtrecall.expertinquiry.com/">register for the recall online</a>&nbsp;or contact Katy, Texas-based Igloo at 888-943-5182 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:igloo90qt@sedgwick.com">igloo90qt@sedgwick.com</a>&nbsp;to request a handle replacement.In a statement, Igloo said that it was recalling these rolling coolers and providing free replacement handles “with consumer safety as our top priority.” The company added that, "through rigorous testing and proactive steps, we are constantly improving our products to meet the highest safety standards."Additional information can be found on the websites for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Igloo-Recalls-More-Than-One-Million-90-Quart-Rolling-Coolers-Due-to-Fingertip-Amputation-and-Crushing-Hazards">the CPSC</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/igloo-90-quart-flip-tow-rolling-coolers-recalled-due-fingertip-amputation-and-crushing">Health Canada</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="http://globalrecalls.oecd.org/">OECD's global recall portal.</a>

Igloo recalls coolers after handle hazard causes fingertip amputation injuries

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the murder of two women at a home in Lenexa have identified the victims as 71-year-old Joyce E. Austin and 63-year-old Valerie A. Howard both of Lenexa, according to a statement from police.

Just after 5a.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police responded to a residence in the 15400 block of W. 90th Street in Lenexa to conduct a welfare check after receiving information that individuals inside may have been shot.

Upon entering the home, officers located the two women who were deceased.&nbsp; Police took a man identified as 34-year-old Luke Howard into custody.

Luke is the son of Valerie Howard. Valerie Howard and Joyce Austin are former sisters-in-law, and both lived at the home, according to a statement from Lenexa Police.

The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office has charged Luke Howard with two counts of First-Degree Murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739559186747.png" alt="Howard is being held in Clay County, Missouri" />
 <figcaption>Howard is being held in Clay County, Missouri</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the murder of two women at a home in Lenexa have identified the victims as 71-year-old Joyce E. Austin and 63-year-old Valerie A. Howard both of Lenexa, according to a statement from police.Just after 5a.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; police responded to a residence in the 15400 block of W. 90th Street in Lenexa to conduct a welfare check after receiving information that individuals inside may have been shot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739394112183.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>Upon entering the home, officers located the two women who were deceased.&nbsp; Police took a man identified as 34-year-old Luke Howard into custody.Luke is the son of Valerie Howard. Valerie Howard and Joyce Austin are former sisters-in-law, and both lived at the home, according to a statement from Lenexa Police.The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office has charged Luke Howard with two counts of First-Degree Murder.

Police: Son of one of the victims accused in Kan. double murder

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman is going to prison for a teen's deadly overdose death.

On February 10, Judge Christina Dunn Gyllenborg sentenced 48-year-old Trina L. Golden to 186 months for distribution of drugs causing death, and 9 months each for two counts for use of a communication facility during a drug felony.&nbsp; All counts are to run consecutive to each other for a controlling sentence of 204 months in prison, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In July, a jury convicted Golden of distribution of drugs causing death and use of a communication facility during a drug felony, according to Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe.

The victim was 19-year-old Maddelyn Miller who died of an overdose in July of 2020 at her home in Overland Park.

According to her obituary,&nbsp;Miller attended Olathe East High School, graduated in 2019 and&nbsp; planned to study at Johnson County Community College.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721483651727.png" alt="Golden photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Golden photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman is going to prison for a teen's deadly overdose death.On February 10, Judge Christina Dunn Gyllenborg sentenced 48-year-old Trina L. Golden to 186 months for distribution of drugs causing death, and 9 months each for two counts for use of a communication facility during a drug felony.&nbsp; All counts are to run consecutive to each other for a controlling sentence of 204 months in prison, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.In July, a jury convicted Golden of distribution of drugs causing death and use of a communication facility during a drug felony, according to Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721484305174.png" alt="Maddelyn Miller courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Maddelyn Miller courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The victim was 19-year-old Maddelyn Miller who died of an overdose in July of 2020 at her home in Overland Park.According to her obituary,&nbsp;Miller attended Olathe East High School, graduated in 2019 and&nbsp; planned to study at Johnson County Community College.&nbsp;

 Prison for drug overdose death of Kansas teen

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump administration</a>&nbsp;on Thursday intensified its sweeping efforts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-buyouts-to-all-federal-employees-f67f5751a0fd5ad8471806a5a1067b5e">to shrink the size</a>&nbsp;of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-workforce-employees-trump-cuts-buyouts-86d7a1bc5b3968aa92e0657a7e15bee1">federal workforce</a>, the nation's largest employer, by ordering agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees who had not yet gained civil service protection — potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of workers.

In addition, workers at some agencies were warned that large workplace cuts would be coming.

The decision on probationary workers, who generally have less than a year on the job, came from the Office of Personnel Management, which serves as a human resources department for the federal government. The notification was confirmed by a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Even workers in the personnel office itself were not immune: Dozens of probationary employees at OPM were told on a Thursday afternoon group call that they were being dismissed and then instructed to leave the building within a half-hour, according to another person who likewise spoke on condition of anonymity.

It’s expected to be the first step in sweeping layoffs. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday that told agency leaders to plan for “large-scale reductions in force.”

Elon Musk, whom President Trump has given wide leeway to slash government spending with his Department of Government Efficiency,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-us-uae-6f7c0e5b43adfb4ec3c1f14a964f573c">called Thursday for the elimination of whole agencies.</a>

“I think we do need to delete entire agencies as opposed to leave a lot of them behind,” Musk said via a videocall to the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. “If we don’t remove the roots of the weed, then it’s easy for the weed to grow back.”

Everett Kelley, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees representing federal workers, said the administration “abused” the probation status of workers “to conduct a politically driven mass firing spree, targeting employees not because of performance, but because they were hired before Trump took office.”

Thursday's order was an expansion of previous directions from OPM, which told agencies earlier this week that probationary employees should be fired if they weren’t meeting high standards. It’s not clear how many workers are currently in a probationary period. According to government data maintained by OPM, as of March 2024, 220,000 workers had less than a year on the job — the most recent data available.

The firing of probationary employees began earlier this week and has included the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education workers.

At least 39 were fired from the Education Department on Wednesday, according to a union that represents agency workers, including civil rights workers, special education specialists and student aid officials.

The layoffs also hit Department of Veterans Affairs researchers working on cancer treatment, opioid addiction, prosthetics and burn pit exposure, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat, said Thursday.

Murray said in a statement that she heard from VA researchers in her state who were told to stop their research immediately, “not because their work isn’t desperately needed, but because Trump and Elon have decided to fire these researchers on a whim.”

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a group that defends government workers, said the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service would be hit especially hard by laying off probationary employees because it has trouble recruiting inspectors required to be present at all times at most slaughterhouses.

The civilian federal workforce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-workforce-employees-trump-cuts-buyouts-86d7a1bc5b3968aa92e0657a7e15bee1">,</a>&nbsp;not including military personnel and postal workers, is made up of about 2.4 million people. While about 20% of the workers are in Washington D.C., and the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia, more than 80% live outside the Capitol region.

Layoffs are unlikely to yield significant deficit savings. When the Congressional Budget Office looked at the issue, it found the government spent $271 billion annually compensating civilian federal workers, with about 60% of that total going to workers employed by the departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs.

The government could, in theory, cut all those workers and still run a deficit of over $1 trillion that would continue to grow as tax revenues are needed to keep up with the growing costs of Social Security and Medicare.

Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said firing employees on probation is flawed because it targets younger workers.

“Baby Boomers are retiring right and left, so actually the people you want to keep are probably most of the people who are right now on probation," said Kamarck, who worked in former President Bill Clinton’s Democratic administration when about 426,000 federal jobs were cut over more than eight years in a deliberative effort aimed at reinventing government. "They’re younger and presumably have better skills, and that’s who you want."

Trump’s initial attempt to downsize the workforce was the deferred resignation program, commonly described as a buyout, which offered to pay people until Sept. 30 if they agreed to quit. The White House said 75,000 people signed up, and a federal judge cleared a legal roadblock for the program Wednesday.

However, the number of workers who took the offer was less than the administration’s target, and Trump has made it clear he would take further steps.

Employees at the National Science Foundation and Housing and Urban Development Department were told this week that large reductions, in some cases a halving of the workforce, would be coming, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it.

The order Trump signed Tuesday stipulated that government functions not required by law would be prioritized for cuts and hiring will be restricted. With exceptions for functions such as public safety, only one employee can be added for every four that leave. In addition, new hires would generally need approval from a representative of the DOGE, expanding the influence of Musk’s team.

Trump has praised Musk’s work to slash federal spending.

The Republican president has also been sharply critical of federal workers, especially those who want to keep working remotely, though his administration is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-gsa-terminate-office-leases-f8faac5e2038722f705587c8dd21ab26">simultaneously working to cut federal office space</a>&nbsp;and ordering the termination of worksite leases throughout the government.

“Nobody is gonna work from home,” Trump said Monday. “They are gonna be going out, they’re gonna play tennis, they’re gonna play golf, they’re gonna do a lot of things. They’re not working.”

Price reported from New York. Associated Press writers Will Weissert, Lisa Mascaro, Josh Boak and Collin Binkley in Washington; Carla Johnson in Seattle; Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland; and JoNel Aleccia in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump administration</a>&nbsp;on Thursday intensified its sweeping efforts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-buyouts-to-all-federal-employees-f67f5751a0fd5ad8471806a5a1067b5e">to shrink the size</a>&nbsp;of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-workforce-employees-trump-cuts-buyouts-86d7a1bc5b3968aa92e0657a7e15bee1">federal workforce</a>, the nation's largest employer, by ordering agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees who had not yet gained civil service protection — potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of workers.In addition, workers at some agencies were warned that large workplace cuts would be coming.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739496149081.png" alt="" />
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739496171531.png" alt="Page 2" />
 <figcaption>Page 2</figcaption>
 </figure>The decision on probationary workers, who generally have less than a year on the job, came from the Office of Personnel Management, which serves as a human resources department for the federal government. The notification was confirmed by a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.Even workers in the personnel office itself were not immune: Dozens of probationary employees at OPM were told on a Thursday afternoon group call that they were being dismissed and then instructed to leave the building within a half-hour, according to another person who likewise spoke on condition of anonymity.It’s expected to be the first step in sweeping layoffs. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday that told agency leaders to plan for “large-scale reductions in force.”Elon Musk, whom President Trump has given wide leeway to slash government spending with his Department of Government Efficiency,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-us-uae-6f7c0e5b43adfb4ec3c1f14a964f573c">called Thursday for the elimination of whole agencies.</a>“I think we do need to delete entire agencies as opposed to leave a lot of them behind,” Musk said via a videocall to the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. “If we don’t remove the roots of the weed, then it’s easy for the weed to grow back.”Everett Kelley, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees representing federal workers, said the administration “abused” the probation status of workers “to conduct a politically driven mass firing spree, targeting employees not because of performance, but because they were hired before Trump took office.”Thursday's order was an expansion of previous directions from OPM, which told agencies earlier this week that probationary employees should be fired if they weren’t meeting high standards. It’s not clear how many workers are currently in a probationary period. According to government data maintained by OPM, as of March 2024, 220,000 workers had less than a year on the job — the most recent data available.The firing of probationary employees began earlier this week and has included the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education workers.At least 39 were fired from the Education Department on Wednesday, according to a union that represents agency workers, including civil rights workers, special education specialists and student aid officials.The layoffs also hit Department of Veterans Affairs researchers working on cancer treatment, opioid addiction, prosthetics and burn pit exposure, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat, said Thursday.Murray said in a statement that she heard from VA researchers in her state who were told to stop their research immediately, “not because their work isn’t desperately needed, but because Trump and Elon have decided to fire these researchers on a whim.”Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a group that defends government workers, said the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service would be hit especially hard by laying off probationary employees because it has trouble recruiting inspectors required to be present at all times at most slaughterhouses.The civilian federal workforce&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-workforce-employees-trump-cuts-buyouts-86d7a1bc5b3968aa92e0657a7e15bee1">,</a>&nbsp;not including military personnel and postal workers, is made up of about 2.4 million people. While about 20% of the workers are in Washington D.C., and the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia, more than 80% live outside the Capitol region.Layoffs are unlikely to yield significant deficit savings. When the Congressional Budget Office looked at the issue, it found the government spent $271 billion annually compensating civilian federal workers, with about 60% of that total going to workers employed by the departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs.The government could, in theory, cut all those workers and still run a deficit of over $1 trillion that would continue to grow as tax revenues are needed to keep up with the growing costs of Social Security and Medicare.Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said firing employees on probation is flawed because it targets younger workers.“Baby Boomers are retiring right and left, so actually the people you want to keep are probably most of the people who are right now on probation," said Kamarck, who worked in former President Bill Clinton’s Democratic administration when about 426,000 federal jobs were cut over more than eight years in a deliberative effort aimed at reinventing government. "They’re younger and presumably have better skills, and that’s who you want."Trump’s initial attempt to downsize the workforce was the deferred resignation program, commonly described as a buyout, which offered to pay people until Sept. 30 if they agreed to quit. The White House said 75,000 people signed up, and a federal judge cleared a legal roadblock for the program Wednesday.However, the number of workers who took the offer was less than the administration’s target, and Trump has made it clear he would take further steps.Employees at the National Science Foundation and Housing and Urban Development Department were told this week that large reductions, in some cases a halving of the workforce, would be coming, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it.The order Trump signed Tuesday stipulated that government functions not required by law would be prioritized for cuts and hiring will be restricted. With exceptions for functions such as public safety, only one employee can be added for every four that leave. In addition, new hires would generally need approval from a representative of the DOGE, expanding the influence of Musk’s team.Trump has praised Musk’s work to slash federal spending.The Republican president has also been sharply critical of federal workers, especially those who want to keep working remotely, though his administration is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-gsa-terminate-office-leases-f8faac5e2038722f705587c8dd21ab26">simultaneously working to cut federal office space</a>&nbsp;and ordering the termination of worksite leases throughout the government.“Nobody is gonna work from home,” Trump said Monday. “They are gonna be going out, they’re gonna play tennis, they’re gonna play golf, they’re gonna do a lot of things. They’re not working.”___Price reported from New York. Associated Press writers Will Weissert, Lisa Mascaro, Josh Boak and Collin Binkley in Washington; Carla Johnson in Seattle; Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland; and JoNel Aleccia in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Read the email: Trump admin. begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers

By KIA BREAUX and HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — An 86-year-old Kansas City man will plead guilty Friday to the 2023 shooting of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-kansas-city-wrong-door-b27aaabdb132fcb1544c97f7161f0027">Ralph Yarl</a>, a Black honor student who rang the man’s doorbell by mistake, two people familiar with the case told The Associated Press.

Andrew Lester was scheduled to stand trial next week on charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of the then 16-year-old, who survived the shooting and has since graduated from high school.

On Thursday, prosecutors said Lester would appear in court Friday, but they did not say why or provide additional detail. Two people familiar with the case who requested anonymity to speak in advance of Friday’s hearing told AP that Lester will plead guilty. One of those people said he will plead to a lesser charge of second-degree assault.

Yarl showed up on Lester’s doorstep in April 2023 after he mixed up the streets where he was supposed to pick up his twin siblings.

Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, has long argued that Lester was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-shooting-stand-your-ground-69f91b0a09b25f9758219897f5890278">acting in self-defense</a>&nbsp;and that he was terrified by the stranger who knocked on his door as he settled into bed for the night. He didn’t immediately respond to a phone message from The Associated Press on Thursday.

The shooting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-guns-kansas-city-yarl-695a103f9fcbb6b441a7f021cf424c1a">shocked the country</a>&nbsp;and renewed national debate about gun policies and race in the U.S.

Yarl showed up on Lester’s doorstep after he mixed up the streets where he was supposed to pick up his twin siblings. Yarl testified at an earlier hearing that he he rang the bell and the wait for someone to answer for what seemed “longer than normal.” As the inner door opened, Yarl said he reached out to grab the storm door.

“I assume these are my brothers’ friends’ parents,” he said.

He said Lester, who is white, shot him in the head and uttered, “Don’t come here ever again.” Although the bullet didn’t penetrate Yarl’s brain, the impact knocked him to the ground. Yarl said Lester then shot him in the arm. The teen was taken to the hospital and released three days later.

His family said the shooting took a big emotional toll and they have filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-wrong-house-missouri-lawsuit-d97c54d302212b002351bb72bd7e2562">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the retired aircraft mechanic.

Lester has pleaded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-shooting-court-hearing-not-guilty-e7d992123cc9e1ea4a5237bb08345d12">not guilty</a>&nbsp;to charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

As the trial date approached, the court shut down access to online records in the case, so prospective jurors couldn’t see or read any of the documents available to the public. A spokeswoman in the prosecutor’s office said there have been no new filings in the case this month.

Last year, Salmon said that Lester’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-wrong-house-missouri-mental-competence-8fa61b24a186e9923fd12ae831b071b0">physical and mental condition had deteriorated</a>. He said Lester has had heart issues, a broken hip and hospitalizations. Lester also has lost 50 pounds (23 kilograms), which Salmon blamed on the stress of intense media coverage and death threats he subsequently received.

A judge ordered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-wrong-house-missouri-mental-competence-0b1fbf93520507011305c40787d482ac">mental evaluation</a>&nbsp;of Lester but allowed for the trial to proceed after its completion. The results of that evaluation were not released publicly.

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681726215314.png" alt="Yarl photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Yarl photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>By KIA BREAUX and HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — An 86-year-old Kansas City man will plead guilty Friday to the 2023 shooting of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-kansas-city-wrong-door-b27aaabdb132fcb1544c97f7161f0027">Ralph Yarl</a>, a Black honor student who rang the man’s doorbell by mistake, two people familiar with the case told The Associated Press.Andrew Lester was scheduled to stand trial next week on charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of the then 16-year-old, who survived the shooting and has since graduated from high school.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681844207619.png" alt="Lester photo Clay Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Lester photo Clay Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday, prosecutors said Lester would appear in court Friday, but they did not say why or provide additional detail. Two people familiar with the case who requested anonymity to speak in advance of Friday’s hearing told AP that Lester will plead guilty. One of those people said he will plead to a lesser charge of second-degree assault.Yarl showed up on Lester’s doorstep in April 2023 after he mixed up the streets where he was supposed to pick up his twin siblings.Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, has long argued that Lester was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-shooting-stand-your-ground-69f91b0a09b25f9758219897f5890278">acting in self-defense</a>&nbsp;and that he was terrified by the stranger who knocked on his door as he settled into bed for the night. He didn’t immediately respond to a phone message from The Associated Press on Thursday.The shooting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-guns-kansas-city-yarl-695a103f9fcbb6b441a7f021cf424c1a">shocked the country</a>&nbsp;and renewed national debate about gun policies and race in the U.S.Yarl showed up on Lester’s doorstep after he mixed up the streets where he was supposed to pick up his twin siblings. Yarl testified at an earlier hearing that he he rang the bell and the wait for someone to answer for what seemed “longer than normal.” As the inner door opened, Yarl said he reached out to grab the storm door.“I assume these are my brothers’ friends’ parents,” he said.He said Lester, who is white, shot him in the head and uttered, “Don’t come here ever again.” Although the bullet didn’t penetrate Yarl’s brain, the impact knocked him to the ground. Yarl said Lester then shot him in the arm. The teen was taken to the hospital and released three days later.His family said the shooting took a big emotional toll and they have filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-wrong-house-missouri-lawsuit-d97c54d302212b002351bb72bd7e2562">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the retired aircraft mechanic.Lester has pleaded&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-shooting-court-hearing-not-guilty-e7d992123cc9e1ea4a5237bb08345d12">not guilty</a>&nbsp;to charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action.As the trial date approached, the court shut down access to online records in the case, so prospective jurors couldn’t see or read any of the documents available to the public. A spokeswoman in the prosecutor’s office said there have been no new filings in the case this month.Last year, Salmon said that Lester’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-wrong-house-missouri-mental-competence-8fa61b24a186e9923fd12ae831b071b0">physical and mental condition had deteriorated</a>. He said Lester has had heart issues, a broken hip and hospitalizations. Lester also has lost 50 pounds (23 kilograms), which Salmon blamed on the stress of intense media coverage and death threats he subsequently received.A judge ordered a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ralph-yarl-wrong-house-missouri-mental-competence-0b1fbf93520507011305c40787d482ac">mental evaluation</a>&nbsp;of Lester but allowed for the trial to proceed after its completion. The results of that evaluation were not released publicly.___Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kan.

KC homeowner to plead guilty in shooting of teen at wrong address

WASHINGTON (AP)— The 72-28 vote for Brooke Rollins puts a close ally of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-spending-freeze-judge-federal-grants-loans-df756135aa9015457b6d14d59435cb89">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;into a key Cabinet position as mass deportation plans could lead to farm labor shortages and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-reciprocal-imports-tax-trade-economy-54c0a26687dc96157d96229068894720">tariffs could hit agricultural exports</a>.

Rollins served as chief for domestic policy during Trump’s first administration. Now she must oversee nearly all aspects of the nation’s food system, including standards on farming practices and livestock rearing, federal subsidies to farmers or agribusinesses and setting nutrition standards for schools and public health officials nationwide.

She acknowledged that deporting people could lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-3d5f43e513f28b510c64a3fcc0a63cd2">labor shortages</a>&nbsp;on farms that count on migrants to harvest crops. But she said “the president’s vision of a secure border and a mass deportation at a scale that matters is something I support.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739466218531.png" alt="Senator Moran met with Rollins in December --courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Senator Moran met with Rollins in December --courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)— The 72-28 vote for Brooke Rollins puts a close ally of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-spending-freeze-judge-federal-grants-loans-df756135aa9015457b6d14d59435cb89">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;into a key Cabinet position as mass deportation plans could lead to farm labor shortages and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-reciprocal-imports-tax-trade-economy-54c0a26687dc96157d96229068894720">tariffs could hit agricultural exports</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/BrookeLRollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrookeLRollins</a> on her confirmation as Secretary of Agriculture! Looking forward to working with you to provide certainty for farmers, ranchers &amp; producers in Kansas and across the country. <a href="https://t.co/ZbNuO7BCBR">pic.twitter.com/ZbNuO7BCBR</a>&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1890083904574616022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congratulations, <a href="https://twitter.com/BrookeLRollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrookeLRollins</a> on your confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture! As the representative of one of the largest agricultural producing districts in the country, I look forward to working with you to advance policies that benefit our farmers, ranchers, and… <a href="https://t.co/CtAMfN3dFz">https://t.co/CtAMfN3dFz</a>&mdash; Tracey Mann (@RepMann) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMann/status/1890123391752958002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/BrookeLRollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrookeLRollins</a> on becoming our new Secretary of Agriculture! Brooke will be a fighter for Kansas farmers and our nation’s agriculture. I look forward to working with her and President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> to put American farmers and ranchers first. <a href="https://t.co/XOKTtpjFN0">pic.twitter.com/XOKTtpjFN0</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1890085967018832091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Rollins served as chief for domestic policy during Trump’s first administration. Now she must oversee nearly all aspects of the nation’s food system, including standards on farming practices and livestock rearing, federal subsidies to farmers or agribusinesses and setting nutrition standards for schools and public health officials nationwide.She acknowledged that deporting people could lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-3d5f43e513f28b510c64a3fcc0a63cd2">labor shortages</a>&nbsp;on farms that count on migrants to harvest crops. But she said “the president’s vision of a secure border and a mass deportation at a scale that matters is something I support.”

Kan. lawmakers celebrate confirmation of new Ag secretary 

No proponents of Senate-passed measure offer testimony at committee hearing

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

TOPEKA — Sister Therese Bangert stood alone before the House Federal and State Affairs Committee to denounce a resolution urging Gov. Laura Kelly to do everything in her power to support the immigration enforcement agenda of President Donald Trump.

Bangert, who has been with the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth for more than 60 years, said the nation’s immigration system had been broken for decades. By default, she said, the federal government had allowed migrant laborers to fill jobs in the United States without extending to those individuals an accessible path to legal residency or citizenship.

She said people targeted by the Kansas Senate-approved resolution were Kansans in every way except for possession of U.S. immigration documents.

“I suspect these are the immigrant women who are milking cows in the western Kansas dairy industry, the men and women on the killing floors of Kansas slaughterhouses and those roofing the homes in my neighborhood,” said Bangert, who was worried they were all vulnerable to deportation. “I find troubling the heated rhetoric when speaking about our sisters and brothers who are immigrants.”

No one showed up at the House hearing to argue in favor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 1602. Likewise, there was no one present to articulate a neutral position. Wichita Republican Rep. Tom Kessler, chairman of the House committee, said written testimony lauding the resolution had been submitted, but it wasn’t publicly available.

When the Senate conducted its hearing in January on the resolution, Bangert wasn’t given the opportunity to speak to lawmakers. Sen. Mike Thompson, chairman of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee and sponsor of the resolution, said Bangert needed to notify the committee 24 hours in advance to be granted permission to testify. Proponents of the measure, including Attorney General Kris Kobach, were permitted to address Thompson’s committee.

The Senate went on to approve the resolution on a party-line vote of 31-9. It was expected to pass the House by a wide margin.

During the House committee hearing, Rep. Susan Ruiz, D-Shawnee, noted the absence of a throng of in-person witnesses to argue on behalf of the Senate resolution.

“There is no one here as a proponent, which I find really odd,” Ruiz said.

The void was partially filled by Republicans on the House committee who offered commentary demonstrating their sense that Kansas governors ought to authorize use of state resources to help patrol the national border, including deploying Kansas National Guard troops, and to assist with Trump’s strategy of detaining and deporting thousands or millions of people. There was no evidence of support for a concurrent crackdown on Kansas businesses hiring people without proper documentation.

Rep. Brian Bergkamp, R-Wichita, said the state and nation needed a higher standard of border security to address immigration among people without permission to remain temporarily or permanently in the United States. The security concept mirrored justification for a metal-detector at the main entrance to the Capitol instead of relying on an antiquated open-door policy for visitors, he said.

“I definitely stand for immigration,” Bergkamp said, “but in a more orderly fashion.”

GOP Rep. Kyle McNorton of Topeka said it was wrong for anyone to view people in the country without permission as law-abiding individuals.

“They broke the number one law coming across our border without permission and are still here,” McNorton said.

In response, Wichita Democratic Rep. Angela Martinez said the majority of people in the United States without authorization had overstayed a Visa rather than enter by sneaking across the border in defiance of immigration authorities.

“I support the deportation of criminals,” said Martinez, who was temporarily placed on the committee to coincide with debate on the resolution. “I ask this committee to sit and be honest with yourself. If you were subject to violence and tyranny and you couldn’t support your children and there was an opportunity for a better life … would you go?”

Rep. John Alcala, a Topeka Democrat among temporary appointments to the committee, said proponents of the resolution hadn’t taken into account economic harm that would fall on Kansas if full deportation occurred.

He said the National Immigration Law Center estimated Kansas’ workforce was comprised of thousands of people without documents to stay in the United States. He said an NILC study indicated there were 25,000 in manufacturing, 17,000 in food service and 16,000 in construction. In 2020, he said, NILC estimated those workers paid more than $600 million in state and federal taxes.

“I don’t think people realize what the impact will be on businesses that are struggling with labor shortages,” Alcala said. “How are we going to offset that economic loss? Can Kansas afford that loss of revenue? I don’t think so.”

Lawrence Rep. Brooklynne Mosley, a Democrat, said issues of human dignity and moral injury might not have been considered by champions of the resolution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739483100220.png" alt=" Sister Therese Bangert of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth offered the only in-person testimony during a Kansas House committee hearing on a resolution directed Gov. Laura Kelly to support President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement agenda. No one spoke in favor of the resolution. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Sister Therese Bangert of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth offered the only in-person testimony during a Kansas House committee hearing on a resolution directed Gov. Laura Kelly to support President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement agenda. No one spoke in favor of the resolution. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>No proponents of Senate-passed measure offer testimony at committee hearing</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Sister Therese Bangert stood alone before the House Federal and State Affairs Committee to denounce a resolution urging Gov. Laura Kelly to do everything in her power to support the immigration enforcement agenda of President Donald Trump.Bangert, who has been with the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth for more than 60 years, said the nation’s immigration system had been broken for decades. By default, she said, the federal government had allowed migrant laborers to fill jobs in the United States without extending to those individuals an accessible path to legal residency or citizenship.She said people targeted by the Kansas Senate-approved resolution were Kansans in every way except for possession of U.S. immigration documents.“I suspect these are the immigrant women who are milking cows in the western Kansas dairy industry, the men and women on the killing floors of Kansas slaughterhouses and those roofing the homes in my neighborhood,” said Bangert, who was worried they were all vulnerable to deportation. “I find troubling the heated rhetoric when speaking about our sisters and brothers who are immigrants.”No one showed up at the House hearing to argue in favor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 1602. Likewise, there was no one present to articulate a neutral position. Wichita Republican Rep. Tom Kessler, chairman of the House committee, said written testimony lauding the resolution had been submitted, but it wasn’t publicly available.When the Senate conducted its hearing in January on the resolution, Bangert wasn’t given the opportunity to speak to lawmakers. Sen. Mike Thompson, chairman of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee and sponsor of the resolution, said Bangert needed to notify the committee 24 hours in advance to be granted permission to testify. Proponents of the measure, including Attorney General Kris Kobach, were permitted to address Thompson’s committee.The Senate went on to approve the resolution on a party-line vote of 31-9. It was expected to pass the House by a wide margin.During the House committee hearing, Rep. Susan Ruiz, D-Shawnee, noted the absence of a throng of in-person witnesses to argue on behalf of the Senate resolution.“There is no one here as a proponent, which I find really odd,” Ruiz said.The void was partially filled by Republicans on the House committee who offered commentary demonstrating their sense that Kansas governors ought to authorize use of state resources to help patrol the national border, including deploying Kansas National Guard troops, and to assist with Trump’s strategy of detaining and deporting thousands or millions of people. There was no evidence of support for a concurrent crackdown on Kansas businesses hiring people without proper documentation.Rep. Brian Bergkamp, R-Wichita, said the state and nation needed a higher standard of border security to address immigration among people without permission to remain temporarily or permanently in the United States. The security concept mirrored justification for a metal-detector at the main entrance to the Capitol instead of relying on an antiquated open-door policy for visitors, he said.“I definitely stand for immigration,” Bergkamp said, “but in a more orderly fashion.”GOP Rep. Kyle McNorton of Topeka said it was wrong for anyone to view people in the country without permission as law-abiding individuals.“They broke the number one law coming across our border without permission and are still here,” McNorton said.In response, Wichita Democratic Rep. Angela Martinez said the majority of people in the United States without authorization had overstayed a Visa rather than enter by sneaking across the border in defiance of immigration authorities.“I support the deportation of criminals,” said Martinez, who was temporarily placed on the committee to coincide with debate on the resolution. “I ask this committee to sit and be honest with yourself. If you were subject to violence and tyranny and you couldn’t support your children and there was an opportunity for a better life … would you go?”Rep. John Alcala, a Topeka Democrat among temporary appointments to the committee, said proponents of the resolution hadn’t taken into account economic harm that would fall on Kansas if full deportation occurred.He said the National Immigration Law Center estimated Kansas’ workforce was comprised of thousands of people without documents to stay in the United States. He said an NILC study indicated there were 25,000 in manufacturing, 17,000 in food service and 16,000 in construction. In 2020, he said, NILC estimated those workers paid more than $600 million in state and federal taxes.“I don’t think people realize what the impact will be on businesses that are struggling with labor shortages,” Alcala said. “How are we going to offset that economic loss? Can Kansas afford that loss of revenue? I don’t think so.”Lawrence Rep. Brooklynne Mosley, a Democrat, said issues of human dignity and moral injury might not have been considered by champions of the resolution.“What does that do to the cloth of a community when they start to see families being ripped apart?” she said.