SEDGWICK COUNTY —A a trial is scheduled to begin Monday for a Kansas man accused in the death of a toddler at a Wichita apartment complex last year..

K’Veion Richard, 25, Wichita, is scheduled to face a jury in Judge Jeff Goering's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's offie.

Richard, 21-year-old Jonathan Tillery-Matthias and a 17-year-old, all of Wichita were charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 7p.m. February 19, police responded to a shooting in the 2500 block of South Oliver, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses. Through the investigation, officers learned that two woman were struck by gunfire and 1-year-old Taidyn Anderson was also struck by gunfire and died of his injuries.

Investigators with the WPD homicide section have been diligently working this case since the shooting occurred. That work has included follow-up on leads, utilizing technology and executing search warrants. Through the investigation, three suspects were identified.

Three days later, the Wichita arrested&nbsp;Richard,&nbsp;Tillery-Matthias&nbsp;and the teen.

At the time of the crime,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=232072">&nbsp;Richard&nbsp;</a>was on Parole for Criminal Discharge of a Firearm, Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Assault x2, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon.

Police believe that this was a targeted event which led to the death of the child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708650349815.png" alt="Richard photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Richard photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A a trial is scheduled to begin Monday for a Kansas man accused in the death of a toddler at a Wichita apartment complex last year..K’Veion Richard, 25, Wichita, is scheduled to face a jury in Judge Jeff Goering's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's offie.Richard, 21-year-old Jonathan Tillery-Matthias and a 17-year-old, all of Wichita were charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and criminal discharge of a firearm, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 7p.m. February 19, police responded to a shooting in the 2500 block of South Oliver, according to Police Lt. Aaron Moses. Through the investigation, officers learned that two woman were struck by gunfire and 1-year-old Taidyn Anderson was also struck by gunfire and died of his injuries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708454643255.png" alt="Police on the scene of the February 2024 shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the February 2024 shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators with the WPD homicide section have been diligently working this case since the shooting occurred. That work has included follow-up on leads, utilizing technology and executing search warrants. Through the investigation, three suspects were identified.Three days later, the Wichita arrested&nbsp;Richard,&nbsp;Tillery-Matthias&nbsp;and the teen.At the time of the crime,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=232072">&nbsp;Richard&nbsp;</a>was on Parole for Criminal Discharge of a Firearm, Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Assault x2, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon.Police believe that this was a targeted event which led to the death of the child.

Trial  to begin for Kansas man in death of toddler

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a triple-homicide at a Kansas City home have identified the victims and made an arrest.

According to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina the victims are 73-year-old Sherri Duncan; 49-year-old Jodie Hopcus and 24-year-old Hailey Hopcus.

Just before 1a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4100 block of NW 65th Street, according to Becchina.

First responders were directed to a residence there. Inside that home officers located the three shooting victims unresponsive.

Officers summoned EMS who declared all three deceased at the scene.

Detectives and crime scene personnel processed the scene for evidence, canvassed for witnesses and identified a person of interest. Late Sunday police reported the person of interest in custody.&nbsp;Detectives will be working with prosecutors to present investigative findings for determination of applicable charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738545218577.png" alt="Police on the scene of the homicide investigation-Photo KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the homicide investigation-Photo KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a triple-homicide at a Kansas City home have identified the victims and made an arrest.According to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina the victims are 73-year-old Sherri Duncan; 49-year-old Jodie Hopcus and 24-year-old Hailey Hopcus.Just before 1a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4100 block of NW 65th Street, according to Becchina.First responders were directed to a residence there. Inside that home officers located the three shooting victims unresponsive.Officers summoned EMS who declared all three deceased at the scene.Detectives and crime scene personnel processed the scene for evidence, canvassed for witnesses and identified a person of interest. Late Sunday police reported the person of interest in custody.&nbsp;Detectives will be working with prosecutors to present investigative findings for determination of applicable charges.

Homicide: Police ID 3 women found dead in Kansas City home

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement and school district officials investigating an alleged school threat have made an arrest.

On Saturday, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office has become aware of a threat made on social media against the USD 421 Lyndon School District, which was posted on social media, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

During the course of the investigation, a suspect was identified and taken into custody&nbsp;

The sheriff's office assured the public that law enforcement and the school district take all threats very seriously. The sheriff's office is&nbsp; working closely with the school district to ensure a thorough investigation.

According to a statement from the school district, "We were made aware of the threat through some vigilant parents who reported the threat to us and reported the threat to the Osage County Sheriff."&nbsp; 

"The sheriff’s department immediately began to investigate the threat and by Saturday evening they had tracked down a suspect and made an arrest." The district is in school on a regular schedule on Monday. They will have some additional law enforcement at the schools and will be extra vigilant in safety measures. The district will also have additional counselors at the school Monday in case any students or staff may need their help. We will continue to communicate as needed. Please call your child’s school if you have questions.

"We do not believe there is any immediate danger at this time, but we ask the public to remain vigilant and report any relevant information to the Osage County Sheriff’s Office."

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement and school district officials investigating an alleged school threat have made an arrest.On Saturday, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office has become aware of a threat made on social media against the USD 421 Lyndon School District, which was posted on social media, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.During the course of the investigation, a suspect was identified and taken into custody&nbsp;The sheriff's office assured the public that law enforcement and the school district take all threats very seriously. The sheriff's office is&nbsp; working closely with the school district to ensure a thorough investigation.According to a statement from the school district, "We were made aware of the threat through some vigilant parents who reported the threat to us and reported the threat to the Osage County Sheriff."&nbsp; "The sheriff’s department immediately began to investigate the threat and by Saturday evening they had tracked down a suspect and made an arrest." The district is in school on a regular schedule on Monday. They will have some additional law enforcement at the schools and will be extra vigilant in safety measures. The district will also have additional counselors at the school Monday in case any students or staff may need their help. We will continue to communicate as needed. Please call your child’s school if you have questions."We do not believe there is any immediate danger at this time, but we ask the public to remain vigilant and report any relevant information to the Osage County Sheriff’s Office."

Sheriff: Suspect in custody for threat against Kan. school district

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Families of victims of the deadliest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/dc-air-crash-army-helicopters-black-box-recovered-00000194c595d16ba9fec7bfa3b30000">U.S. air disaster</a>&nbsp;since 2001 visited the crash site on Sunday and divers scoured the submerged wreckage for more remains after authorities said they've recovered and identified 55 of the 67 people killed.

Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said officials are confident all will be found. Divers are working diligently to locate remains as crews prepare to lift wreckage from the chilly Potomac River as early as Monday morning, Donnelly said at a news conference.

Col. Francis B. Pera of the Army Corps of Engineers said divers and salvage workers are adhering to strict protocols and will stop moving debris if a body is found. The “dignified recovery” of remains takes precedence over all else, he said.

“Reuniting those lost in this tragic incident is really what keeps us all going,” Pera said. “We’ve got teams that have been working this effort since the beginning, and we’re committed to making this happen.”

Divers have high-definition cameras with feeds monitored on support boats, Pera said, putting “four or five sets of eyes” inside of the wreckage. Owing to the frigid conditions, one diver was treated at a hospital for hypothermia, Donnelly said.

Portions of the two aircraft that collided over the river Wednesday night near Reagan Washington National Airport — an American Airlines jet with 64 people aboard and an Army Black Hawk helicopter with 3 aboard — will be loaded onto flatbed trucks and taken to a hangar for investigation.

Family members were taken in buses with a police escort to the Potomac River bank near where the two aircraft came to rest after colliding. The jet, en route from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-wichita-kansas-a14e1e2acde7a058afa0b4fd3422313f">Wichita, Kansas</a>, was about to land. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-collision-black-hawk-bombardier-potomac-2b151f42ba09602bade7b82abe8b995f">Black Hawk</a>&nbsp;was on a training mission. There were no survivors.

Federal investigators were working to piece together the events that led to the collision.

The National Transportation Safety Board didn't hold a press briefing on Sunday, but did release a photograph showing investigators on a small boat looking at wreckage and another of them examining a flight data recorder.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he wanted to give investigators space to conduct their inquiry. But he posed a range of questions on Sunday morning TV news programs.

“What was happening inside the towers? Were they understaffed? … The position of the Black Hawk, the elevation of the Black Hawk, were the pilots of the Black Hawk wearing night vision goggles?” Duffy asked on CNN.

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland; and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-helicopter-airliner-army-pilot-50b3e82d8ec3713cc4ae1ac3a327104c">Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach</a>, of Durham, North Carolina, were in the helicopter.

The plane’s passengers included figure skaters returning from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita and a group of hunters returning from a guided trip.

The NTSB said Saturday that preliminary data showed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-crash-helicopter-recovery-980dcaf1acb6f80260146edbaaa9e4c1">conflicting readings</a>&nbsp;about the altitudes of the airliner and the helicopter.

Investigators also said that about a second before impact, the jet’s flight recorder showed a change in its pitch. But they did not say whether that change in angle meant that pilots were trying to perform an evasive maneuver to avoid the crash.

Data from the jet’s flight recorder showed its altitude as 325 feet (99 meters), plus or minus 25 feet (7.6 meters), when the crash happened, NTSB officials told reporters. Data in the control tower, though, showed the Black Hawk at 200 feet (61 meters), the maximum allowed altitude for helicopters in the area.

Investigators said they hoped to reconcile the difference with data from the helicopter’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-black-box-washington-potomac-helicopter-8e8fad6a6bd7781830144d738042eee5">black box</a>&nbsp;and planned to refine the tower data, which can be less reliable.

“This is a complex investigation,” investigator in charge Brice Banning said. “There are a lot of pieces here."

Banning said the jet’s cockpit voice recorder captured sound moments before the crash.

“The crew had a verbal reaction,” Banning said, and the flight data recorder showed “the airplane beginning to increase its pitch. Sounds of impact were audible about one second later, followed by the end of the recording.”

Full investigations typically take a year or more. Investigators hope to have a preliminary report within 30 days.

NTSB member Todd Inman said he has spent hours meeting with victims’ families.

“Some wanted to give us hugs. Some are just mad and angry,” Inman said. “They are just all hurt. And they still want answers, and we want to give them answers.”

More than 300 responders were taking part in the recovery effort at a given time, officials said. Two Navy barges were also deployed to lift heavy wreckage.

On Fox News Sunday, Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration was looking into staffing in the Reagan Airport control tower.

Investigators said there were five controllers on duty at the time of the crash: a local controller, ground controller, assistant controller, a supervisor and supervisor in training.

According to an FAA report obtained by The Associated Press, one controller was responsible for helicopter and plane traffic. Those duties are often divided between two people but the airport typically combines them at 9:30 p.m., as traffic slows. On Wednesday, the supervisor combined them earlier, which the report called “not normal.”

“Staffing shortages for air traffic control has been a major problem for years and years,” Duffy said, promising that President Donald Trump’s administration would address shortages with “bright, smart, brilliant people in towers controlling airspace.”

With the nation already grieving, an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-plane-crash-medical-transport-8617dab53471190832dd73db149489fa">air ambulance crashed</a>&nbsp;in Philadelphia on Friday, killing all six people on board, including a child returning home to Mexico from treatment, and at least one on the ground.

Also Friday, the FAA heavily restricted helicopter traffic around Reagan Airport, hours after Trump wrote on social media that the helicopter had been flying higher than allowed.

Wednesday’s crash was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">deadliest in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;since Nov. 12, 2001, when a jet slammed into a New York City neighborhood just after takeoff, killing all 260 people on board and five on the ground.

Experts stress that plane travel is overwhelmingly safe, but the crowded airspace around Reagan Airport&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-airlines-5342-blackhawk-reagan-national-airport-81a43f2ba5cc59cbe9273fa593f1e9cf">can challenge even experienced pilots</a>. __

Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed reporting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738545014463.png" alt="Photo U.S. Coast Guard" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Coast Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Families of victims of the deadliest&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/dc-air-crash-army-helicopters-black-box-recovered-00000194c595d16ba9fec7bfa3b30000">U.S. air disaster</a>&nbsp;since 2001 visited the crash site on Sunday and divers scoured the submerged wreckage for more remains after authorities said they've recovered and identified 55 of the 67 people killed.Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said officials are confident all will be found. Divers are working diligently to locate remains as crews prepare to lift wreckage from the chilly Potomac River as early as Monday morning, Donnelly said at a news conference.Col. Francis B. Pera of the Army Corps of Engineers said divers and salvage workers are adhering to strict protocols and will stop moving debris if a body is found. The “dignified recovery” of remains takes precedence over all else, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738545032561.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“Reuniting those lost in this tragic incident is really what keeps us all going,” Pera said. “We’ve got teams that have been working this effort since the beginning, and we’re committed to making this happen.”Divers have high-definition cameras with feeds monitored on support boats, Pera said, putting “four or five sets of eyes” inside of the wreckage. Owing to the frigid conditions, one diver was treated at a hospital for hypothermia, Donnelly said.Portions of the two aircraft that collided over the river Wednesday night near Reagan Washington National Airport — an American Airlines jet with 64 people aboard and an Army Black Hawk helicopter with 3 aboard — will be loaded onto flatbed trucks and taken to a hangar for investigation.Family members were taken in buses with a police escort to the Potomac River bank near where the two aircraft came to rest after colliding. The jet, en route from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-wichita-kansas-a14e1e2acde7a058afa0b4fd3422313f">Wichita, Kansas</a>, was about to land. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-collision-black-hawk-bombardier-potomac-2b151f42ba09602bade7b82abe8b995f">Black Hawk</a>&nbsp;was on a training mission. There were no survivors.Federal investigators were working to piece together the events that led to the collision.The National Transportation Safety Board didn't hold a press briefing on Sunday, but did release a photograph showing investigators on a small boat looking at wreckage and another of them examining a flight data recorder.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he wanted to give investigators space to conduct their inquiry. But he posed a range of questions on Sunday morning TV news programs.“What was happening inside the towers? Were they understaffed? … The position of the Black Hawk, the elevation of the Black Hawk, were the pilots of the Black Hawk wearing night vision goggles?” Duffy asked on CNN.Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland; and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-helicopter-airliner-army-pilot-50b3e82d8ec3713cc4ae1ac3a327104c">Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach</a>, of Durham, North Carolina, were in the helicopter.The plane’s passengers included figure skaters returning from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita and a group of hunters returning from a guided trip.The NTSB said Saturday that preliminary data showed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-crash-helicopter-recovery-980dcaf1acb6f80260146edbaaa9e4c1">conflicting readings</a>&nbsp;about the altitudes of the airliner and the helicopter.Investigators also said that about a second before impact, the jet’s flight recorder showed a change in its pitch. But they did not say whether that change in angle meant that pilots were trying to perform an evasive maneuver to avoid the crash.Data from the jet’s flight recorder showed its altitude as 325 feet (99 meters), plus or minus 25 feet (7.6 meters), when the crash happened, NTSB officials told reporters. Data in the control tower, though, showed the Black Hawk at 200 feet (61 meters), the maximum allowed altitude for helicopters in the area.The discrepancy has yet to be explained.Investigators said they hoped to reconcile the difference with data from the helicopter’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-black-box-washington-potomac-helicopter-8e8fad6a6bd7781830144d738042eee5">black box</a>&nbsp;and planned to refine the tower data, which can be less reliable.“This is a complex investigation,” investigator in charge Brice Banning said. “There are a lot of pieces here."Banning said the jet’s cockpit voice recorder captured sound moments before the crash.“The crew had a verbal reaction,” Banning said, and the flight data recorder showed “the airplane beginning to increase its pitch. Sounds of impact were audible about one second later, followed by the end of the recording.”Full investigations typically take a year or more. Investigators hope to have a preliminary report within 30 days.NTSB member Todd Inman said he has spent hours meeting with victims’ families.“Some wanted to give us hugs. Some are just mad and angry,” Inman said. “They are just all hurt. And they still want answers, and we want to give them answers.”More than 300 responders were taking part in the recovery effort at a given time, officials said. Two Navy barges were also deployed to lift heavy wreckage.On Fox News Sunday, Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration was looking into staffing in the Reagan Airport control tower.Investigators said there were five controllers on duty at the time of the crash: a local controller, ground controller, assistant controller, a supervisor and supervisor in training.According to an FAA report obtained by The Associated Press, one controller was responsible for helicopter and plane traffic. Those duties are often divided between two people but the airport typically combines them at 9:30 p.m., as traffic slows. On Wednesday, the supervisor combined them earlier, which the report called “not normal.”“Staffing shortages for air traffic control has been a major problem for years and years,” Duffy said, promising that President Donald Trump’s administration would address shortages with “bright, smart, brilliant people in towers controlling airspace.”With the nation already grieving, an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-plane-crash-medical-transport-8617dab53471190832dd73db149489fa">air ambulance crashed</a>&nbsp;in Philadelphia on Friday, killing all six people on board, including a child returning home to Mexico from treatment, and at least one on the ground.Also Friday, the FAA heavily restricted helicopter traffic around Reagan Airport, hours after Trump wrote on social media that the helicopter had been flying higher than allowed.Wednesday’s crash was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">deadliest in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;since Nov. 12, 2001, when a jet slammed into a New York City neighborhood just after takeoff, killing all 260 people on board and five on the ground.Experts stress that plane travel is overwhelmingly safe, but the crowded airspace around Reagan Airport&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-airlines-5342-blackhawk-reagan-national-airport-81a43f2ba5cc59cbe9273fa593f1e9cf">can challenge even experienced pilots</a>. __Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed reporting.

Officials: Remains of 55 victims of midair collision recovered and identified

KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a fatal fire at a church in Kansas City.

Just before 2:30a.m. Saturday, crews responded to a reported building fire in the 2400 block of Chestnut in Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. 

On arrival crews reported smoke and fire showing from what was believed to be a vacant church and initiated interior operations using two handlines.&nbsp; The fire was brought under control quickly. During the search of the structure a fatality victim was discovered. KCPD Bomb and Arson along with their Detective and Crime scene investigative unit was called to the scene. 

Kansas City Police are investigating the cause of the fire and the cause of death.

Bomb and Arson were initially called due to the type of structure, a church as standard protocol. Police have not released any addition details.

KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a fatal fire at a church in Kansas City.Just before 2:30a.m. Saturday, crews responded to a reported building fire in the 2400 block of Chestnut in Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. On arrival crews reported smoke and fire showing from what was believed to be a vacant church and initiated interior operations using two handlines.&nbsp; The fire was brought under control quickly. During the search of the structure a fatality victim was discovered. KCPD Bomb and Arson along with their Detective and Crime scene investigative unit was called to the scene. Kansas City Police are investigating the cause of the fire and the cause of death.Bomb and Arson were initially called due to the type of structure, a church as standard protocol. Police have not released any addition details.

Body found in Kansas City church after fire

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

On&nbsp;January 27, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 1000 Block of SW Boswell Avenue in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, firearms and drug paraphernalia. As a result, Steven Harrison, 54, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that include Distribution of fentanyl within 1000 ft of a school, kDistribution of methamphetamine within 1000 ft of a school, Distribution or possession with intent of drug paraphernalia within 1000 ft of a school, Possession of marijuana, Drug Tax Stamp and Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738166674219.png" alt="Harrison photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Harrison photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on drug allegations.On&nbsp;January 27, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 1000 Block of SW Boswell Avenue in Topeka related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, firearms and drug paraphernalia. As a result, Steven Harrison, 54, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that include Distribution of fentanyl within 1000 ft of a school, kDistribution of methamphetamine within 1000 ft of a school, Distribution or possession with intent of drug paraphernalia within 1000 ft of a school, Possession of marijuana, Drug Tax Stamp and Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.

Kansas felon accused of selling fentanyl near a school

KANSAS&nbsp; CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a woman on multiple allegations after a high-speed chase with a stolen car.

Just after 5a.m. Friday, sheriff's&nbsp;deputies were notified of a stolen vehicle in Harrisonville, according to a media release from the Cass County Sheriff.&nbsp; Deputies located the vehicle traveling northbound on Interstate 49 near 163rd Street in Belton. 

When deputies activated their emergency lights and siren to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated and attempted to flee. Less than a minute later, the vehicle struck a concrete divider near the 155th Street exit in Belton and the driver was placed into custody.

The suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Candida Delaney of Kansas City, Missouri. 

Delaney has a warrant from the Claycomo Police Department and four warrants from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department. Charges from this incident are still pending while she’s in custody. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeltonPD?__cft__[0]=AZUDLzanFD_ucRPMF421oUXQ68jCKF7bVehEtfN4Hdi5uwoL_VYYCA8hEWIDHSw-LJE5QAyCPVvbTAi_dYPuhnbst-UvPCGjROKaT9bucdDc0sBLMYWBDssXBRQZY9-dKCaZqblVnPttk4WYm6JTPvhC7JmzICmUFmyRYU2YWryNspEqrx3fgp-x9KNDRMxiIzw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Belton Missouri Police Department</a> assisted with this pursuit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738424169442.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS&nbsp; CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a woman on multiple allegations after a high-speed chase with a stolen car.Just after 5a.m. Friday, sheriff's&nbsp;deputies were notified of a stolen vehicle in Harrisonville, according to a media release from the Cass County Sheriff.&nbsp; Deputies located the vehicle traveling northbound on Interstate 49 near 163rd Street in Belton. When deputies activated their emergency lights and siren to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated and attempted to flee. Less than a minute later, the vehicle struck a concrete divider near the 155th Street exit in Belton and the driver was placed into custody.The suspect has been identified as 42-year-old Candida Delaney of Kansas City, Missouri. Delaney has a warrant from the Claycomo Police Department and four warrants from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department. Charges from this incident are still pending while she’s in custody. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeltonPD?__cft__[0]=AZUDLzanFD_ucRPMF421oUXQ68jCKF7bVehEtfN4Hdi5uwoL_VYYCA8hEWIDHSw-LJE5QAyCPVvbTAi_dYPuhnbst-UvPCGjROKaT9bucdDc0sBLMYWBDssXBRQZY9-dKCaZqblVnPttk4WYm6JTPvhC7JmzICmUFmyRYU2YWryNspEqrx3fgp-x9KNDRMxiIzw&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Belton Missouri Police Department</a> assisted with this pursuit.

Wanted KC woman arrested after stolen car crash during chase

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Preliminary data from the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in nearly 25 years showed conflicting readings about the altitudes of an airliner and Army helicopter when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-air-collision-video-footage-b444f2c4015fee7266e8a38716ec4ef6">they collided near Reagan National Airport</a>&nbsp;in Washington, killing everyone aboard both aircraft, investigators said Saturday.

Data from the jet’s flight recorder showed its altitude as 325 feet (99 meters), plus or minus 25 feet (7.6 meters), when the crash happened Wednesday night, National Transportation Safety Board officials told reporters. Data in the control tower, though, showed the Black Hawk helicopter at 200 feet (61 meters) at the time.

The roughly 100-foot (30-meter) discrepancy has yet to be explained.

Investigators hope to reconcile the altitude differences with data from the helicopter's black box, which is taking more time to retrieve because it became waterlogged after it plunged into the Potomac River. They also said they plan to refine the tower data, which can be less reliable.

“That’s what our job is, to figure that out,” said NTSB member Todd Inman, who grew increasingly agitated with reporters' questions seeking more information and clarity about the readings during a Saturday evening news conference.

He acknowledged that there was dissension within the investigative team about whether to release the information or wait until they had more data.

Officials say the helicopter’s maximum allowed altitude at the time was 200 feet (61 meters).

No one survived the collision, which occurred as an American Airlines flight from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-wichita-kansas-a14e1e2acde7a058afa0b4fd3422313f">Wichita, Kansas</a>, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-collision-victims-ee829891574aa35a30d8262b7e07e638">64 people on board</a>&nbsp;was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, just across the Potomac from the capital. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-collision-black-hawk-bombardier-potomac-2b151f42ba09602bade7b82abe8b995f">Army Black Hawk</a>&nbsp;helicopter, which apparently flew into the jet’s path, had three soldiers on board.

“This is a complex investigation,” said Brice Banning, NTSB investigator in charge. “There are a lot of pieces here. Our team is working hard to gather this data.”

Banning also discussed the last moments from the jet's two black boxes, which captured sound in the cockpit and flight data.

“The crew had a verbal reaction,” Banning said, with the data recorder showing “the airplane beginning to increase its pitch. Sounds of impact were audible about one second later, followed by the end of the recording.”

Inman expressed frustration, too, that accidents like these occur, noting that the board has made “several hundred” recommendations to improve aviation that have not been acted upon.

“From tragedy we draw knowledge to improve the safety for us all. That’s what we’re doing right now, we’re dealing with tragedy, but we need to improve safety,” he said.

“You want to do something about it? Adopt the recommendation of the NTSB. You’ll save lives,” he said, adding that he has spent hours with victims' families since the crash. “I don’t want to have to meet with those parents like that again.”

Earlier Saturday, recovery crews and divers searched the river and cleared wreckage. A Coast Guard cutter outfitted with a crane waited nearby, as occasional recovery team members slipped into the water amid a group of smaller emergency boats.

The remains of 42 people had been pulled from the river as of the afternoon, including 38 that have been positively identified, Washington emergency officials said. They expect to recover all of the remains, though the plane’s fuselage will probably have to be pulled from the water to get the rest.

Also Saturday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-helicopter-airliner-army-pilot-b0c6a0538fd5045e87e506bb1a135406">Army identified</a>&nbsp;Cpt. Rebecca M. Lobach, of Durham, North Carolina, as the third soldier who died in the crash. The names of the other two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b">were released</a>&nbsp;Friday, but Lobach’s name was withheld at the time at the request of her family.

Army officials have said the helicopter crew was highly experienced and familiar with the congested skies around the city. Military aircraft frequently make such flights to practice routes they would use if key government officials need to be evacuated during an attack or major catastrophe.

Investigators are examining the actions of the military pilot and air traffic control. The Federal Aviation Administration has long struggled with a shortage of controllers.

Full NTSB investigations typically take at least a year, though investigators hope to have a preliminary report within 30 days.

More than 300 responders were taking part in the recovery effort at a given time, officials said. After a rainy Friday, clear skies and warmer temperatures made for better conditions Saturday for workers in the field. Two Navy salvage barges were also deployed to lift heavy wreckage.

“&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-325edc6c0c2439dd6c1e73a81e382c0e">This is heartbreaking work</a>,” Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly Sr. told reporters told reporters Friday. “It’s been a tough response for a lot of our people.”

With the nation already grieving the collision, an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-plane-crash-medical-transport-8617dab53471190832dd73db149489fa">air ambulance slammed into a busy intersection</a>&nbsp;in Philadelphia on Friday night, killing all six people on board, including a child who had just undergone treatment at a hospital, and at least one person on the ground. At least three people remained hospitalized Saturday with injuries, and officials said it could be days until the full toll of the dead and injured is clear.

In Washington, the FAA heavily restricted helicopter traffic around Reagan National on Friday, hours after President Donald Trump claimed in a social media post that the helicopter had been flying higher than allowed.

But a day after he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-crash-reagan-washington-buttigieg-diversity-biden-ef1e07684bbc845e9e7981c1ae060af2">questioned the helicopter pilot’s actions</a>&nbsp;and alleged, without offering any evidence, that diversity initiatives have undermined air safety, Trump said the helicopter was “flying too high.”

“It was far above the 200-foot limit. That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it???” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Wednesday's crash was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">deadliest in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;since Nov. 12, 2001, when a jet slammed into a residential neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens, just after takeoff from Kennedy Airport. The crash killed all 260 people on board and five people on the ground.

Experts regularly highlight that plane travel is overwhelmingly safe, but the crowded airspace around Reagan National&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-airlines-5342-blackhawk-reagan-national-airport-81a43f2ba5cc59cbe9273fa593f1e9cf">can challenge even the most experienced pilots</a>.

Associated Press writers Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix and Becky Bohrer Juneau, Alaska, contributed.

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Preliminary data from the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in nearly 25 years showed conflicting readings about the altitudes of an airliner and Army helicopter when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-air-collision-video-footage-b444f2c4015fee7266e8a38716ec4ef6">they collided near Reagan National Airport</a>&nbsp;in Washington, killing everyone aboard both aircraft, investigators said Saturday.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6WzoEb0m8x4?si=HNai95I6AusNT3mQ&amp;start=1076" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Investigators also said that about a second before impact, the jet’s flight recorder showed a change in its pitch. But they did not say whether that change in angle meant that pilots were trying to perform an evasive maneuver to avoid the crash.Data from the jet’s flight recorder showed its altitude as 325 feet (99 meters), plus or minus 25 feet (7.6 meters), when the crash happened Wednesday night, National Transportation Safety Board officials told reporters. Data in the control tower, though, showed the Black Hawk helicopter at 200 feet (61 meters) at the time.The roughly 100-foot (30-meter) discrepancy has yet to be explained.Investigators hope to reconcile the altitude differences with data from the helicopter's black box, which is taking more time to retrieve because it became waterlogged after it plunged into the Potomac River. They also said they plan to refine the tower data, which can be less reliable.“That’s what our job is, to figure that out,” said NTSB member Todd Inman, who grew increasingly agitated with reporters' questions seeking more information and clarity about the readings during a Saturday evening news conference.He acknowledged that there was dissension within the investigative team about whether to release the information or wait until they had more data.Officials say the helicopter’s maximum allowed altitude at the time was 200 feet (61 meters).No one survived the collision, which occurred as an American Airlines flight from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-wichita-kansas-a14e1e2acde7a058afa0b4fd3422313f">Wichita, Kansas</a>, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-collision-victims-ee829891574aa35a30d8262b7e07e638">64 people on board</a>&nbsp;was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport, just across the Potomac from the capital. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-collision-black-hawk-bombardier-potomac-2b151f42ba09602bade7b82abe8b995f">Army Black Hawk</a>&nbsp;helicopter, which apparently flew into the jet’s path, had three soldiers on board.“This is a complex investigation,” said Brice Banning, NTSB investigator in charge. “There are a lot of pieces here. Our team is working hard to gather this data.”Banning also discussed the last moments from the jet's two black boxes, which captured sound in the cockpit and flight data.“The crew had a verbal reaction,” Banning said, with the data recorder showing “the airplane beginning to increase its pitch. Sounds of impact were audible about one second later, followed by the end of the recording.”Inman expressed frustration, too, that accidents like these occur, noting that the board has made “several hundred” recommendations to improve aviation that have not been acted upon.“From tragedy we draw knowledge to improve the safety for us all. That’s what we’re doing right now, we’re dealing with tragedy, but we need to improve safety,” he said.“You want to do something about it? Adopt the recommendation of the NTSB. You’ll save lives,” he said, adding that he has spent hours with victims' families since the crash. “I don’t want to have to meet with those parents like that again.”The families, he said, are struggling.“Some wanted to give us hugs. Some are just mad and angry,” Inman said. “They are just all hurt. And they still want answers, and we want to give them answers.”Earlier Saturday, recovery crews and divers searched the river and cleared wreckage. A Coast Guard cutter outfitted with a crane waited nearby, as occasional recovery team members slipped into the water amid a group of smaller emergency boats.The remains of 42 people had been pulled from the river as of the afternoon, including 38 that have been positively identified, Washington emergency officials said. They expect to recover all of the remains, though the plane’s fuselage will probably have to be pulled from the water to get the rest.Also Saturday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-crash-helicopter-airliner-army-pilot-b0c6a0538fd5045e87e506bb1a135406">Army identified</a>&nbsp;Cpt. Rebecca M. Lobach, of Durham, North Carolina, as the third soldier who died in the crash. The names of the other two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b">were released</a>&nbsp;Friday, but Lobach’s name was withheld at the time at the request of her family.Army officials have said the helicopter crew was highly experienced and familiar with the congested skies around the city. Military aircraft frequently make such flights to practice routes they would use if key government officials need to be evacuated during an attack or major catastrophe.Investigators are examining the actions of the military pilot and air traffic control. The Federal Aviation Administration has long struggled with a shortage of controllers.Full NTSB investigations typically take at least a year, though investigators hope to have a preliminary report within 30 days.More than 300 responders were taking part in the recovery effort at a given time, officials said. After a rainy Friday, clear skies and warmer temperatures made for better conditions Saturday for workers in the field. Two Navy salvage barges were also deployed to lift heavy wreckage.“&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-325edc6c0c2439dd6c1e73a81e382c0e">This is heartbreaking work</a>,” Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly Sr. told reporters told reporters Friday. “It’s been a tough response for a lot of our people.”With the nation already grieving the collision, an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-plane-crash-medical-transport-8617dab53471190832dd73db149489fa">air ambulance slammed into a busy intersection</a>&nbsp;in Philadelphia on Friday night, killing all six people on board, including a child who had just undergone treatment at a hospital, and at least one person on the ground. At least three people remained hospitalized Saturday with injuries, and officials said it could be days until the full toll of the dead and injured is clear.In Washington, the FAA heavily restricted helicopter traffic around Reagan National on Friday, hours after President Donald Trump claimed in a social media post that the helicopter had been flying higher than allowed.But a day after he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-crash-reagan-washington-buttigieg-diversity-biden-ef1e07684bbc845e9e7981c1ae060af2">questioned the helicopter pilot’s actions</a>&nbsp;and alleged, without offering any evidence, that diversity initiatives have undermined air safety, Trump said the helicopter was “flying too high.”“It was far above the 200-foot limit. That’s not really too complicated to understand, is it???” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.Wednesday's crash was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aircraft-crashes-history-washington-ee55776ea0c5f9e322fc77ea1ea452d1">deadliest in the U.S.</a>&nbsp;since Nov. 12, 2001, when a jet slammed into a residential neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens, just after takeoff from Kennedy Airport. The crash killed all 260 people on board and five people on the ground.Experts regularly highlight that plane travel is overwhelmingly safe, but the crowded airspace around Reagan National&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-airlines-5342-blackhawk-reagan-national-airport-81a43f2ba5cc59cbe9273fa593f1e9cf">can challenge even the most experienced pilots</a>.___Associated Press writers Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix and Becky Bohrer Juneau, Alaska, contributed.

🎥Data from the deadly mid-air collision shows conflicting altitude readings

WASHINGTON (AP)—A temporary freeze imposed briefly this week by the White House on federal grants and loans left many students wondering about the impact to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-college-financial-aid-scholarships-d3f9454c415755eb29f236e5d383d4ed">FAFSA form</a>&nbsp;used to apply for financial aid.

President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-pause-federal-grants-aid-6d41961940585544fa43a3f66550e7be">rescinded the memo freezing spending</a>. The U.S. Department of Education said even if the pause had taken effect, it would not have applied to direct assistance to Americans including federal student loans.

And FAFSA apparently remained available during the confusion. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, a nonprofit membership organization, said Wednesday it had not received complaints about FAFSA availability from administrators at any schools.

Still, many borrowers were asking online if the FAFSA was affected.

No. Student loans, Pell Grants and other forms of student aid provided directly to individuals were not affected by the freeze.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid application itself is available for students to complete at&nbsp;<a href="http://studentaid.gov/" target="_blank">StudentAid.gov</a>.

“We continue to award and disburse&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/federal-student-aid-not-frozen" target="_blank">federal student aid,</a>&nbsp;″ the Federal Student Aid Office of the U.S. Department of Education says in a statement on its website.

FAFSA applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are due June 30, after which the application will be unavailable on the student aid website. Colleges can have their own deadline and often require applications be submitted before the federal deadline in the summer.

How were college students affected by the Trump administration’s funding pause?

Colleges across the U.S. released statements saying the impact of the memorandum was unclear and they were working to better understand how it could affect students, staff and programs. But students who rely on financial aid to pay for tuition and other costs were not expected to see any disruptions from the pause.

“Funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs will not be paused,” the U.S. Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/" target="_blank">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/" target="_blank">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

In the confusion surrounding the temporary freeze on federal grants and loans that the Trump administration imposed on Monday and rescinded on Wednesday, many students were asking online about the impact to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-college-financial-aid-scholarships-d3f9454c415755eb29f236e5d383d4ed">FAFSA form</a>&nbsp;used to apply for financial aid.

But the form apparently remained available. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators said Wednesday it had not received complaints about FAFSA availability from administrators at any schools.

The U.S. Department of Education said the pause would not have applied to direct assistance to Americans such as federal student loans.

WASHINGTON (AP)—A temporary freeze imposed briefly this week by the White House on federal grants and loans left many students wondering about the impact to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-college-financial-aid-scholarships-d3f9454c415755eb29f236e5d383d4ed">FAFSA form</a>&nbsp;used to apply for financial aid.President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-pause-federal-grants-aid-6d41961940585544fa43a3f66550e7be">rescinded the memo freezing spending</a>. The U.S. Department of Education said even if the pause had taken effect, it would not have applied to direct assistance to Americans including federal student loans.And FAFSA apparently remained available during the confusion. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, a nonprofit membership organization, said Wednesday it had not received complaints about FAFSA availability from administrators at any schools.Still, many borrowers were asking online if the FAFSA was affected.<h2>Is the FAFSA form paused?</h2>No. Student loans, Pell Grants and other forms of student aid provided directly to individuals were not affected by the freeze.The Free Application for Federal Student Aid application itself is available for students to complete at&nbsp;<a href="http://studentaid.gov/" target="_blank">StudentAid.gov</a>.“We continue to award and disburse&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/federal-student-aid-not-frozen" target="_blank">federal student aid,</a>&nbsp;″ the Federal Student Aid Office of the U.S. Department of Education says in a statement on its website.FAFSA applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are due June 30, after which the application will be unavailable on the student aid website. Colleges can have their own deadline and often require applications be submitted before the federal deadline in the summer.<h2>How were college students affected by the Trump administration’s funding pause?</h2>Colleges across the U.S. released statements saying the impact of the memorandum was unclear and they were working to better understand how it could affect students, staff and programs. But students who rely on financial aid to pay for tuition and other costs were not expected to see any disruptions from the pause.“Funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs will not be paused,” the U.S. Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.<h2>___</h2>The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/" target="_blank">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/" target="_blank">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.In the confusion surrounding the temporary freeze on federal grants and loans that the Trump administration imposed on Monday and rescinded on Wednesday, many students were asking online about the impact to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-college-financial-aid-scholarships-d3f9454c415755eb29f236e5d383d4ed">FAFSA form</a>&nbsp;used to apply for financial aid.But the form apparently remained available. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators said Wednesday it had not received complaints about FAFSA availability from administrators at any schools.The U.S. Department of Education said the pause would not have applied to direct assistance to Americans such as federal student loans.

Despite chaos over funding pause, FAFSA forms, student loans still available

Kansas City's quest to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls is a week away.&nbsp; On Sunday Kansas City Police helped lead the team on their trip to the airport.

On social media, KCPD wrote,"Off to the Big Easy, they go!"

"Traffic Officers escorted the Chiefs to the airport this afternoon as the team heads south to play for another Lombardi Trophy"

The game will be aired on Fox. at 5:30 p.m. CST on Feb. 9.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738530528478.png" alt="Photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas City's quest to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls is a week away.&nbsp; On Sunday Kansas City Police helped lead the team on their trip to the airport.On social media, KCPD wrote,"Off to the Big Easy, they go!""Traffic Officers escorted the Chiefs to the airport this afternoon as the team heads south to play for another Lombardi Trophy"The game will be aired on Fox. at 5:30 p.m. CST on Feb. 9.

KCPD escorts Chiefs to the airport for trip to Super Bowl

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

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — With a trio of executive orders, President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has almost instantly thrown the world economy and his own goal of cutting inflation into turmoil.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-trade-china-mexico-canada-inflation-753a09d56cd318f2eb1d2efe3c43b7d4">His tariffs</a>&nbsp;against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-retaliation-trudeau-sheinbaum-70e067b092a3af72c2eb7ca37d532c91">Canada and Mexico</a>&nbsp;in order to stop illegal immigration and the illicit fentanyl trade led to retaliatory taxes by both countries on U.S. imports. He placed an additional 10% tariff on imports from China with the stated goal of stopping the production of fentanyl.

But on a deeper level, Trump suddenly hit the U.S. economy with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-imports-mexico-canada-china-3fd4cf45b2294c69a03391024dd8ca2e">tax increases</a>&nbsp;that, if sustained, could total more than $1 trillion in 10 years. He did so without congressional approval and by his own acknowledgement at the perilous chance of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-trade-surplus-3010e6368545e2976feb5ac6b41e528e">“some pain”</a>&nbsp;in the form of higher inflation, job losses and worse growth.

Here's an explanation of what Trump's executive orders say and how they work:

What is the International Emergency Economic Powers Act?

This is the 1977 law that helped enable Trump to declare an economic emergency in the executive orders and implement his tariffs. There are more than three dozen active emergencies, including measures taken to respond to the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, human rights violations in Venezuela, nuclear weapon development in North Korea and multiple actions taken by China and Russia.

The law enables a president to freeze and block transactions in response to “unusual and extraordinary” threats outside the United States.

What are the tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China?

The tariffs would start at the beginning of Tuesday.

There would be an additional 25% tariff on imports from Canada, with a lower 10% charge on the oil, natural gas, electricity and other energy products. Energy products were taxed at a lower level to prevent U.S. consumers and businesses from paying higher prices for gasoline and utilities. Mexican imports would face an additional 25% tax. China would face an additional 10% tariff.

While Trump has said that foreigners pay these taxes, the tariffs would be paid by the individuals and companies bringing in the goods — which means this would be a domestic tax increase.

Trump's orders say the tariffs are a consequence of illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Not everyone will agree with his reasoning, as U.S. government reports show that unauthorized border crossings from Mexico have fallen over the past year and seizures of fentanyl along the northern border are relatively low.

But Trump's order on Mexico says that drug traffickers and the country's government “have an intolerable alliance” that “endangers the national security of the United States, and we must eradicate the influence of these dangerous cartels.” His order on Canada says that Mexican cartels are operating in that country and claims despite the modest amount of fentanyl intercepted that it would be enough to kill “9.5 million Americans.” The order on China says that country's government provides a “safe haven” for criminal organizations to “launder the revenues from the production, shipment, and sale of illicit synthetic opioids.”

Those are the stated legal reasons, but Trump has expressed a deep admiration to tariffs in general, claiming that they would make the United States wealthier even though they are tax hikes that can be passed along to consumers and businesses in the form of higher prices.

Yes. The orders are very clear that the U.S. president can respond to retaliatory actions — which are already planned as Canada and Mexico have their own counter-tariffs ready for U.S. products. Should they take action, Trump “may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this order.” What's key here is that the tariffs wouldn't increase automatically. It would still be the U.S. president's choice.

What's this ‘de minimus’ language mean?

This is an important clause in the orders. When people import goods worth less than $800, like say a dress bought online from a European retailer, they don't pay customs and duties on their purchase. This is legally known as the “de minimus” treatment, which suggests that the cost of what's being imported is too low to merit a tariff. That exclusion would no longer apply to products imported from Canada, Mexico and China.

It would require a new law that Trump would have to sign, which seems unlikely based on his statements. Still, Congress will have some oversight responsibilities as the order requires the Homeland Security Department in consultation with other agencies to “submit recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency.”

The administration has not set any benchmarks for the other countries to meet, though a senior official suggested that declines in fentanyl-related deaths would be an option. What the order suggests is that the choice would ultimately be at Trump's discretion.

It orders Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to consult with her counterparts at the State and Justice departments, as well as White House officials. This specifically refers to the post at Homeland Security, rather than Noem specifically. But she would be able to inform the U.S. president of whether “adequate steps” have been taken to address the emergencies. It would then be up to the president to determine whether to remove the tariffs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738116060404.png" alt="White House file photo" />
 <figcaption>White House file photo</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOSH%20BOAK%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOSH BOAK &nbsp;Associated Press</a>PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — With a trio of executive orders, President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has almost instantly thrown the world economy and his own goal of cutting inflation into turmoil.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-trade-china-mexico-canada-inflation-753a09d56cd318f2eb1d2efe3c43b7d4">His tariffs</a>&nbsp;against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-retaliation-trudeau-sheinbaum-70e067b092a3af72c2eb7ca37d532c91">Canada and Mexico</a>&nbsp;in order to stop illegal immigration and the illicit fentanyl trade led to retaliatory taxes by both countries on U.S. imports. He placed an additional 10% tariff on imports from China with the stated goal of stopping the production of fentanyl.But on a deeper level, Trump suddenly hit the U.S. economy with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-imports-mexico-canada-china-3fd4cf45b2294c69a03391024dd8ca2e">tax increases</a>&nbsp;that, if sustained, could total more than $1 trillion in 10 years. He did so without congressional approval and by his own acknowledgement at the perilous chance of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-trade-surplus-3010e6368545e2976feb5ac6b41e528e">“some pain”</a>&nbsp;in the form of higher inflation, job losses and worse growth.Here's an explanation of what Trump's executive orders say and how they work:<h2>What is the International Emergency Economic Powers Act?</h2>This is the 1977 law that helped enable Trump to declare an economic emergency in the executive orders and implement his tariffs. There are more than three dozen active emergencies, including measures taken to respond to the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, human rights violations in Venezuela, nuclear weapon development in North Korea and multiple actions taken by China and Russia.The law enables a president to freeze and block transactions in response to “unusual and extraordinary” threats outside the United States.<h2>What are the tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China?</h2>The tariffs would start at the beginning of Tuesday.There would be an additional 25% tariff on imports from Canada, with a lower 10% charge on the oil, natural gas, electricity and other energy products. Energy products were taxed at a lower level to prevent U.S. consumers and businesses from paying higher prices for gasoline and utilities. Mexican imports would face an additional 25% tax. China would face an additional 10% tariff.While Trump has said that foreigners pay these taxes, the tariffs would be paid by the individuals and companies bringing in the goods — which means this would be a domestic tax increase.<h2>Why were the tariffs imposed?</h2>Trump's orders say the tariffs are a consequence of illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Not everyone will agree with his reasoning, as U.S. government reports show that unauthorized border crossings from Mexico have fallen over the past year and seizures of fentanyl along the northern border are relatively low.But Trump's order on Mexico says that drug traffickers and the country's government “have an intolerable alliance” that “endangers the national security of the United States, and we must eradicate the influence of these dangerous cartels.” His order on Canada says that Mexican cartels are operating in that country and claims despite the modest amount of fentanyl intercepted that it would be enough to kill “9.5 million Americans.” The order on China says that country's government provides a “safe haven” for criminal organizations to “launder the revenues from the production, shipment, and sale of illicit synthetic opioids.”Those are the stated legal reasons, but Trump has expressed a deep admiration to tariffs in general, claiming that they would make the United States wealthier even though they are tax hikes that can be passed along to consumers and businesses in the form of higher prices.<h2>Could the tariffs be increased?</h2>Yes. The orders are very clear that the U.S. president can respond to retaliatory actions — which are already planned as Canada and Mexico have their own counter-tariffs ready for U.S. products. Should they take action, Trump “may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this order.” What's key here is that the tariffs wouldn't increase automatically. It would still be the U.S. president's choice.<h2>What's this ‘de minimus’ language mean?</h2>This is an important clause in the orders. When people import goods worth less than $800, like say a dress bought online from a European retailer, they don't pay customs and duties on their purchase. This is legally known as the “de minimus” treatment, which suggests that the cost of what's being imported is too low to merit a tariff. That exclusion would no longer apply to products imported from Canada, Mexico and China.<h2>Can Congress stop the tariffs?</h2>It would require a new law that Trump would have to sign, which seems unlikely based on his statements. Still, Congress will have some oversight responsibilities as the order requires the Homeland Security Department in consultation with other agencies to “submit recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency.”<h2>How can the tariffs be lifted?</h2>The administration has not set any benchmarks for the other countries to meet, though a senior official suggested that declines in fentanyl-related deaths would be an option. What the order suggests is that the choice would ultimately be at Trump's discretion.It orders Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to consult with her counterparts at the State and Justice departments, as well as White House officials. This specifically refers to the post at Homeland Security, rather than Noem specifically. But she would be able to inform the U.S. president of whether “adequate steps” have been taken to address the emergencies. It would then be up to the president to determine whether to remove the tariffs.

What do Trump's executive orders say on tariffs and how would they work?

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 11p.m. January 30, a sheriff's deputy with the Shawnee County conducted a traffic stop on a white 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck in the 1300 block of NW Van Buren Street, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian.

It was discovered that the driver had a revoked driver’s license and a warrant for his arrest. The driver ran from the deputy and was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit.

Trever J. Fanshier, 33, of Hoyt, Kan., was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Interference with law enforcement. Fanshier also had a misdemeanor warrant for a probation violation through Shawnee County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738360669392.png" alt="Fanshier-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Fanshier-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 11p.m. January 30, a sheriff's deputy with the Shawnee County conducted a traffic stop on a white 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck in the 1300 block of NW Van Buren Street, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's Deputy Abigail Christian.It was discovered that the driver had a revoked driver’s license and a warrant for his arrest. The driver ran from the deputy and was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit.Trever J. Fanshier, 33, of Hoyt, Kan., was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant and Interference with law enforcement. Fanshier also had a misdemeanor warrant for a probation violation through Shawnee County.

Wanted Kansas drug suspect ran from traffic stop

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Legislation that would cement child support payments for pregnancy-related costs before birth turned into a debate at a hearing Wednesday over whether the bill would establish “fetal personhood” in Kansas law.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2062/" target="_blank">House Bill 2062</a>&nbsp;would guarantee mothers child support payments from the moment of conception. But House Democrats questioned at a judiciary committee hearing the real intent of the bill, and opponents speculated it was an attempt to establish fetal personhood, the idea that a fetus, embryo or fertilized egg has the same legal rights as a born person. Fetal personhood bills have taken many&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/07/31/conservatives-push-to-declare-fetuses-as-people-with-far-reaching-consequences/" target="_blank">forms</a>&nbsp;across the country with far-reaching consequences.

The bill would add the following definition to child support-related statutes under the Kansas family law code: “The term ‘unborn child’ means a living individual organism of the species homo sapiens, in utero, at any stage of gestation from fertilization to birth.”

It was written by Kansas Family Voice, an anti-abortion Christian advocacy group that also testified in favor of a gender-affirming care ban for trans youths this week. A nearly identical bill last year died in committee.

This year, eighty-three people submitted written testimony opposed to the bill, and three were in favor.&nbsp;

Pregnancy-related medical costs already can be considered in child support judgments in some cases. Brittany Jones, director of policy and engagement for Kansas Family Voice, told the committee the intent of the bill is to ensure pregnancy-related expenses are always considered.

“This is not a revolutionary bill,” Jones said. “This is not intended to change much of anything besides to make it uniform that courts consider it.”

Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, an Overland Park Democrat said she wasn’t sure of the point of the bill because much of its contents already exist in law.&nbsp;

“In my view, this is creating a new bill that just codifies fetal personhood and, you know, this idea of what an acceptable abortion is,” Vaughn said.&nbsp;

Taylor Morton, a lobbyist with the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, criticized the bill’s lack of “meaningful structure” for miscarriages, stillbirths, abortions and births that result in adoption. The bill also lacked clarity in how paternity would be determined before birth and protocol for how payments would be distributed given pregnancy complications.

“On the surface, this bill appears to be a means of supporting pregnant people and families, but in reality, it is just an attempt to advance an anti-abortion agenda, and again, further codifying that fetal personhood language into Kansas law,” Morton said.&nbsp;

Such language could give way to laws that criminalize or restrict access to health care during pregnancy, Morton said.&nbsp;

Jeanne Gawdun, a lobbyist for the anti-abortion organization Kansans for Life and one of the bill’s proponents, pointed to Kansas Department of Health and Environment data that showed of the roughly 12,500 children born out of wedlock in Kansas, 8,600 people could apply for child support benefits under the proposed legislation. Assuming 10% of those who applied would qualify for pre-birth child support payments, child support services would take on an additional 867 cases per year.&nbsp;

“Many women facing unexpected pregnancies choose abortion because of financial insecurity or uncertain relationship status,” Gawdun said.&nbsp;

This bill could address the financial aspect, she said.

Research has shown bad timing, concern for existing children and interference with future opportunities are also among the top reasons cited for obtaining an abortion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738509237585.png" alt="Jeanne Gawdun, a lobbyist for anti-abortion group Kansans for Life, leans to speak with Brittany Jones with Kansas Family Voice on Jan. 29, 2025, during a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Jeanne Gawdun, a lobbyist for anti-abortion group Kansans for Life, leans to speak with Brittany Jones with Kansas Family Voice on Jan. 29, 2025, during a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Legislation that would cement child support payments for pregnancy-related costs before birth turned into a debate at a hearing Wednesday over whether the bill would establish “fetal personhood” in Kansas law.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2062/" target="_blank">House Bill 2062</a>&nbsp;would guarantee mothers child support payments from the moment of conception. But House Democrats questioned at a judiciary committee hearing the real intent of the bill, and opponents speculated it was an attempt to establish fetal personhood, the idea that a fetus, embryo or fertilized egg has the same legal rights as a born person. Fetal personhood bills have taken many&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/2024/07/31/conservatives-push-to-declare-fetuses-as-people-with-far-reaching-consequences/" target="_blank">forms</a>&nbsp;across the country with far-reaching consequences.The bill would add the following definition to child support-related statutes under the Kansas family law code: “The term ‘unborn child’ means a living individual organism of the species homo sapiens, in utero, at any stage of gestation from fertilization to birth.”It was written by Kansas Family Voice, an anti-abortion Christian advocacy group that also testified in favor of a gender-affirming care ban for trans youths this week. A nearly identical bill last year died in committee.This year, eighty-three people submitted written testimony opposed to the bill, and three were in favor.&nbsp;Pregnancy-related medical costs already can be considered in child support judgments in some cases. Brittany Jones, director of policy and engagement for Kansas Family Voice, told the committee the intent of the bill is to ensure pregnancy-related expenses are always considered.“This is not a revolutionary bill,” Jones said. “This is not intended to change much of anything besides to make it uniform that courts consider it.”Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, an Overland Park Democrat said she wasn’t sure of the point of the bill because much of its contents already exist in law.&nbsp;“In my view, this is creating a new bill that just codifies fetal personhood and, you know, this idea of what an acceptable abortion is,” Vaughn said.&nbsp;Taylor Morton, a lobbyist with the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, criticized the bill’s lack of “meaningful structure” for miscarriages, stillbirths, abortions and births that result in adoption. The bill also lacked clarity in how paternity would be determined before birth and protocol for how payments would be distributed given pregnancy complications.“On the surface, this bill appears to be a means of supporting pregnant people and families, but in reality, it is just an attempt to advance an anti-abortion agenda, and again, further codifying that fetal personhood language into Kansas law,” Morton said.&nbsp;Such language could give way to laws that criminalize or restrict access to health care during pregnancy, Morton said.&nbsp;Jeanne Gawdun, a lobbyist for the anti-abortion organization Kansans for Life and one of the bill’s proponents, pointed to Kansas Department of Health and Environment data that showed of the roughly 12,500 children born out of wedlock in Kansas, 8,600 people could apply for child support benefits under the proposed legislation. Assuming 10% of those who applied would qualify for pre-birth child support payments, child support services would take on an additional 867 cases per year.&nbsp;“Many women facing unexpected pregnancies choose abortion because of financial insecurity or uncertain relationship status,” Gawdun said.&nbsp;This bill could address the financial aspect, she said.Research has shown bad timing, concern for existing children and interference with future opportunities are also among the top reasons cited for obtaining an abortion.

Kansas bill attempts to establish fetal personhood with child support from conception

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

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — When American Eagle Flight 5342 took off from Wichita, the Midwest city with a proud aviation history was glowing from a big moment.

It had just hosted the next generation of Olympic hopefuls at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the kind of major sporting event that leaders of the largest city in Kansas had envisioned when they opened a 15,000-seat arena in 2010. For Wichita, which once built many of the nation’s aircraft, the skating showcase was another way of putting the community in America's heartland on a larger stage.

Then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-aircraft-crash-9d79051a9e535bd855df5a4e5553b2e9">came the horror</a>&nbsp;of learning the flight never made it.

“We were so proud to see these high-level athletes, their families, their friends, fans, coming to our community and sharing their skills and talents so that the whole world could see,” Mayor Lily Wu said. “To end it with this type of tragedy just truly breaks my heart.”

The midair collision Wednesday night between the plane and an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., has left Wichita grieving. The worst U.S. air disaster in a generation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-325edc6c0c2439dd6c1e73a81e382c0e">killed 67 people</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-391a4c7bd0e617a08d9532a8faab206b">young figure skaters</a>&nbsp;who had attended a national development camp in Wichita following the championships. No one survived.

The city of nearly 400,000 residents has deep connections to America's aviation history and is a regional hub for oil companies, engineers and drillers, riding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wichita.gov/273/Energy">the industry's</a>&nbsp;boom-and-bust cycles.

It was unclear how many of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fatal-washington-flight-passengers-ca062f03b729c130058d4f74393dfa31">the victims</a>&nbsp;may have been Wichita residents. Authorities have not released a list of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-collision-victims-ee829891574aa35a30d8262b7e07e638">the passengers,</a>&nbsp;who included hunting buddies, an attorney on a business trip and a college student returning from her grandfather's funeral.

Following the collision, city and religious leaders held a prayer vigil that turned out hundreds of people who prayed for victims' families and pledged to provide comfort.

“This unity cannot just stay in sadness. It has to elicit something greater, something brighter, something that can shine forth,” said Rabbi Shmulik Greenberg of Chabad, a Hasidic synagogue and community center in Wichita.

Wichita started as a trading post after the American Civil War, had a short life as a cattle drive town and boomed in the 1940s and 1950s, with military and civilian aircraft production.

Passengers moving through security at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, named for the president who grew up in Abilene, first walk past a display describing Wichita as the “Air Capital of the World.”

The industry has a history of more than a century in the area, with storied founders such as Clyde Cessna and Walter and Olive Ann Beech, who gave their names to aircraft companies. During World War II, Boeing made more than 1,700 bombers in Wichita, said Logan Daugherty, curator of the Kansas Aviation Museum.

The industry employs tens of thousands of area residents, who work for major manufactures such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-acquisition-spirit-aerosystems-c6956d6f22355c95aa39a79eb384ff41">Spirit AeroSystems</a>, as well as a network of more than 350 suppliers, according to an economic development agency called the Greater Wichita Partnership.

The community has had its share of other strivers: The first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2023-03-22/white-castle-hamburger-wichita-kansas-sliders-fast-food-history-mcdonalds">White Castle</a>&nbsp;restaurant opened here in 1921, beginning one of the first fast-food hamburger chains. Two Wichita State University students opened&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wichita.edu/museums/pizzahutmuseum/history.php">the first Pizza Hut</a>&nbsp;in 1958. Koch Industries — the energy, agriculture and manufacturing conglomerate with 121,000-plus employees — has its leafy headquarters grounds in the north part of the city.

The city recently celebrated the first anniversary of the start of the single daily commercial American Airlines flight from Wichita to Washington.

The manufacturer of the passenger airline that went down, Bombardier, has its U.S. headquarters in Wichita. Jim Howell, who serves on the local county commission, said the plane had been certified in the city.

“There’s a lot of connections to this plane. There’s a lot of connections to Bombardier as a company,” said Howell, who spent two decades working in flight testing, including a stint with Bombardier in the early 1990s. “We have a lot of employees who work for Bombardier who are still involved in testing and maintaining those types of planes here in Wichita.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738448053486.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20HANNA%20and%20HEATHER%20HOLLINGSWORTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN HANNA and HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH &nbsp;Associated Press</a>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — When American Eagle Flight 5342 took off from Wichita, the Midwest city with a proud aviation history was glowing from a big moment.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Mayor Wu and the City Council extend their deepest condolences to all those impacted by the devastating tragedy that occurred on Flight 5342. ￼This is a horrible loss that is felt by everyone in our community. The Wichita Community Foundation has set up a resource for those… <a href="https://t.co/1u2ukjoBHD">pic.twitter.com/1u2ukjoBHD</a>&mdash; City of Wichita (@CityofWichita) <a href="https://twitter.com/CityofWichita/status/1885129832008237113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It had just hosted the next generation of Olympic hopefuls at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the kind of major sporting event that leaders of the largest city in Kansas had envisioned when they opened a 15,000-seat arena in 2010. For Wichita, which once built many of the nation’s aircraft, the skating showcase was another way of putting the community in America's heartland on a larger stage.Then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-aircraft-crash-9d79051a9e535bd855df5a4e5553b2e9">came the horror</a>&nbsp;of learning the flight never made it.“We were so proud to see these high-level athletes, their families, their friends, fans, coming to our community and sharing their skills and talents so that the whole world could see,” Mayor Lily Wu said. “To end it with this type of tragedy just truly breaks my heart.”The midair collision Wednesday night between the plane and an Army helicopter in Washington, D.C., has left Wichita grieving. The worst U.S. air disaster in a generation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-325edc6c0c2439dd6c1e73a81e382c0e">killed 67 people</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-391a4c7bd0e617a08d9532a8faab206b">young figure skaters</a>&nbsp;who had attended a national development camp in Wichita following the championships. No one survived.The city of nearly 400,000 residents has deep connections to America's aviation history and is a regional hub for oil companies, engineers and drillers, riding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wichita.gov/273/Energy">the industry's</a>&nbsp;boom-and-bust cycles.It was unclear how many of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fatal-washington-flight-passengers-ca062f03b729c130058d4f74393dfa31">the victims</a>&nbsp;may have been Wichita residents. Authorities have not released a list of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-plane-collision-victims-ee829891574aa35a30d8262b7e07e638">the passengers,</a>&nbsp;who included hunting buddies, an attorney on a business trip and a college student returning from her grandfather's funeral.Following the collision, city and religious leaders held a prayer vigil that turned out hundreds of people who prayed for victims' families and pledged to provide comfort.“This unity cannot just stay in sadness. It has to elicit something greater, something brighter, something that can shine forth,” said Rabbi Shmulik Greenberg of Chabad, a Hasidic synagogue and community center in Wichita.<h2>An aircraft hub in the Midwest</h2>Wichita started as a trading post after the American Civil War, had a short life as a cattle drive town and boomed in the 1940s and 1950s, with military and civilian aircraft production.Passengers moving through security at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, named for the president who grew up in Abilene, first walk past a display describing Wichita as the “Air Capital of the World.”The industry has a history of more than a century in the area, with storied founders such as Clyde Cessna and Walter and Olive Ann Beech, who gave their names to aircraft companies. During World War II, Boeing made more than 1,700 bombers in Wichita, said Logan Daugherty, curator of the Kansas Aviation Museum.The industry employs tens of thousands of area residents, who work for major manufactures such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boeing-acquisition-spirit-aerosystems-c6956d6f22355c95aa39a79eb384ff41">Spirit AeroSystems</a>, as well as a network of more than 350 suppliers, according to an economic development agency called the Greater Wichita Partnership.The community has had its share of other strivers: The first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2023-03-22/white-castle-hamburger-wichita-kansas-sliders-fast-food-history-mcdonalds">White Castle</a>&nbsp;restaurant opened here in 1921, beginning one of the first fast-food hamburger chains. Two Wichita State University students opened&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wichita.edu/museums/pizzahutmuseum/history.php">the first Pizza Hut</a>&nbsp;in 1958. Koch Industries — the energy, agriculture and manufacturing conglomerate with 121,000-plus employees — has its leafy headquarters grounds in the north part of the city.The city recently celebrated the first anniversary of the start of the single daily commercial American Airlines flight from Wichita to Washington.The manufacturer of the passenger airline that went down, Bombardier, has its U.S. headquarters in Wichita. Jim Howell, who serves on the local county commission, said the plane had been certified in the city.“There’s a lot of connections to this plane. There’s a lot of connections to Bombardier as a company,” said Howell, who spent two decades working in flight testing, including a stint with Bombardier in the early 1990s. “We have a lot of employees who work for Bombardier who are still involved in testing and maintaining those types of planes here in Wichita.”<h2>A growing city</h2>Wichita's population more than doubled between 1940 and 1960 and has since grown steadily and more diverse. The public school system — the largest in the state, educating roughly 11% of all Kansas students — says it has families from more than 100 nations, speaking more than 110 languages and dialects other than English.It's also a politically diverse city. Although President Donald Trump has carried Sedgwick County, which includes Wichita, three times, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has won it twice.<h2>Rushing to help</h2>The city has mourned other aviation tragedies, including in 1970, when a plane carrying players, coaches and fans of Wichita State University's football team crashed in Colorado, killing 31 of the 37 people on board.Following the tragedy in Washington, the city’s nonprofit Wichita Community Foundation almost immediately set up a fund to collect donations for victims’ families, to cover burial expenses and provide mental health or other services. Shelly Prichard, the foundation’s president and CEO, said on the night of the crash they “started having people reach out to us about how they could help.”Kristin Anneler, who attended the vigil in Wichita following the collision, said she was impressed that people of different faiths and views came together to mourn the victims.“It’s just a tiny little bite — right? Of the cross section of humanity that we often forget about because we run in our own circles and we think our own thoughts,” she said.___ Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas.