KANSAS CITY—Prosecutors secured a guilty plea in the fatal wrong-way crash that occurred on 291 Highway near Sugar Creek, Missouri in 2022, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson/.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2516/2316-CR01585-01-Dominic-ConwayRedacted">Dominic Conway, 42,&nbsp; pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to Driving While Intoxicated and Involuntary Manslaughter in the 1st Degree. The defendant was also sentenced to the maximum sentence for the DWI charge—six months, and seven years on the involuntary manslaughter charge. The counts are running concurrently with one another.&nbsp;

According to court records, Sugar Creek police were called to the scene of a head-on crash on Missouri 291 Highway on Oct. 14, 2022. 

The victim. Independence, Mo. firefighter Harold "Gene" Eddins, Jr., was driving home after finishing his shift at the fire department when the crash occurred.&nbsp; He died at the scene of the crash.

The investigation determined Eddins was driving northbound on the highway when he encountered Conway's vehicle, which was driving the wrong-way on the divided, four-lane roadway. The two vehicles struck head-on. The defendant was impaired at the time of the crash, and his blood alcohol content was at least .490 when the crash occurred.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740521420729.png" alt="Conway photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Conway photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Prosecutors secured a guilty plea in the fatal wrong-way crash that occurred on 291 Highway near Sugar Creek, Missouri in 2022, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson/.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2516/2316-CR01585-01-Dominic-ConwayRedacted">Dominic Conway, 42,&nbsp; pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;to Driving While Intoxicated and Involuntary Manslaughter in the 1st Degree. The defendant was also sentenced to the maximum sentence for the DWI charge—six months, and seven years on the involuntary manslaughter charge. The counts are running concurrently with one another.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740521548480.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>According to court records, Sugar Creek police were called to the scene of a head-on crash on Missouri 291 Highway on Oct. 14, 2022. The victim. Independence, Mo. firefighter Harold "Gene" Eddins, Jr., was driving home after finishing his shift at the fire department when the crash occurred.&nbsp; He died at the scene of the crash.The investigation determined Eddins was driving northbound on the highway when he encountered Conway's vehicle, which was driving the wrong-way on the divided, four-lane roadway. The two vehicles struck head-on. The defendant was impaired at the time of the crash, and his blood alcohol content was at least .490 when the crash occurred.

Prison for wrong-way crash that killed KC area firefighter

JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations.

On Feb. 20, Jackson County Deputies and Detectives executed a search warrant on the residences of 405 W 5th Street and 407 W 5th Street in Soldier for illegal drugs or narcotics, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

During the search deputies discovered illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and weapons. 

Christopher Kolterman, 52, of Soldier, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; &nbsp;possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal use of a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740361072786.png" alt="Kolterman photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Kolterman photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations.On Feb. 20, Jackson County Deputies and Detectives executed a search warrant on the residences of 405 W 5th Street and 407 W 5th Street in Soldier for illegal drugs or narcotics, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.During the search deputies discovered illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and weapons. Christopher Kolterman, 52, of Soldier, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; &nbsp;possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal use of a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm.

Sheriff: Kansas felon was hiding drugs and gun at home

The NTSB on Tuesday issued a statement in regards to the ongoing investigation of the gas line explosion from Saturday.&nbsp; Here is the context of the statment:

"The NTSB is investigating the Feb. 22 natural gas fueled commercial building explosion, in Hutchinson, Kansas.

A team of five investigators arrived on site Monday (one investigator arrived Sunday), to begin the on-scene portion of the investigation which included inspecting the failed pipe. Today, investigators oversaw the extraction and securement of the failed pipe for shipping to the NTSB materials lab in Washington, D.C., for examination.

In the coming days, the team will be conducting interviews with personnel and witnesses.

During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident.

For information about the status of evacuation orders, please contact local authorities.

The next update will be the preliminary report, which will be available within 30 days; it can be accessed by searching our pipeline investigations pages. A link to the report will also be posted on NTSB Newsroom Twitter.

The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A final report is expected to be released within 12 - 24 months. "

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740421883145.png" alt="Image from video released by Hutchinson Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>Image from video released by Hutchinson Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>The NTSB on Tuesday issued a statement in regards to the ongoing investigation of the gas line explosion from Saturday.&nbsp; Here is the context of the statment:"The NTSB is investigating the Feb. 22 natural gas fueled commercial building explosion, in Hutchinson, Kansas.A team of five investigators arrived on site Monday (one investigator arrived Sunday), to begin the on-scene portion of the investigation which included inspecting the failed pipe. Today, investigators oversaw the extraction and securement of the failed pipe for shipping to the NTSB materials lab in Washington, D.C., for examination.In the coming days, the team will be conducting interviews with personnel and witnesses.During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident.For information about the status of evacuation orders, please contact local authorities.The next update will be the preliminary report, which will be available within 30 days; it can be accessed by searching our pipeline investigations pages. A link to the report will also be posted on NTSB Newsroom Twitter.The preliminary report will contain factual information gathered during the initial phase of the investigation. A final report is expected to be released within 12 - 24 months. "

NTSB statement regarding Hutch gas explosion investigation

Tours of the White House resumed on Tuesday under the new administration.

President Trump&nbsp;stopped to say hello to the first official White House tour group of the year.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/visit/">Click here to</a> book a White House tour.

Tours of the White House resumed on Tuesday under the new administration.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> stops to say hello to the first official White House tour group of the year! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/fjPlKQgzI1">pic.twitter.com/fjPlKQgzI1</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1894426618480697563?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>President Trump&nbsp;stopped to say hello to the first official White House tour group of the year.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Happening now, behind the scenes as President Trump stops by to say hello to a group touring the <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhiteHouse</a>… Book your tour today at: <a href="https://t.co/kdwqkyOt2h">https://t.co/kdwqkyOt2h</a> <a href="https://t.co/3OnYE5ijjo">pic.twitter.com/3OnYE5ijjo</a>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1894431242982232345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/visit/">Click here to</a> book a White House tour.

🎥President Trump Surprises First White House Tour Group in Years

SEDGWICK COUNTY— The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office has identified the individual who died in an occupational incident at Textron Aviation’s east campus on Monday as 61-year-old Rocky Baldwin of Wichita.

Just after noon Monday, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputies, Sedgwick County EMS, and firefighters from Sedgwick County Fire District 1 and the Wichita Fire Department responded to the 9700 block of East Central for a report of an employee not breathing.

Fire and EMS personnel found Mr. Baldwin in a facility paint booth, wearing a ventilator mask and not breathing. Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His death remains under investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and the Sedgwick County Coroner’s Office.

SEDGWICK COUNTY— The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office has identified the individual who died in an occupational incident at Textron Aviation’s east campus on Monday as 61-year-old Rocky Baldwin of Wichita.Just after noon Monday, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputies, Sedgwick County EMS, and firefighters from Sedgwick County Fire District 1 and the Wichita Fire Department responded to the 9700 block of East Central for a report of an employee not breathing.Fire and EMS personnel found Mr. Baldwin in a facility paint booth, wearing a ventilator mask and not breathing. Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at the scene.His death remains under investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and the Sedgwick County Coroner’s Office.

Sheriff IDs victim who died in an occupational incident in Wichita

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</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 — Kansas organizations advocating for sustained funding for Medicaid services said hundreds of billions of dollars in proposed federal budget cuts to the national health program&nbsp;can be deadly to vulnerable people with disabilities as well as seniors and children.

Medicaid, the public health insurance program serving millions of Americans, is a target of many Republican lawmakers in Washington, D.C., who seek to reduce expenditures as part of a government-efficiency effort. Medicaid covers about one in five Americans.

Kansas representatives from the fields of health care, disability rights, senior care and youths told reporters during a news conference Monday at the state Capitol the potential budget reductions are “unfathomable” and “draconian,” and they run the risk of creating “devastating” consequences.

The U.S. House has been working toward a vote&nbsp;this week on a budget resolution that includes $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid over a 10-year period.

President Donald Trump previously vowed to protect Medicaid, but he recently gave his blessing to the U.S. House’s budget outline that includes reforms to Medicaid-related programs.

“It’s already frustratingly difficult for people with disabilities or parents of kids with disabilities to get the care they need,” said Rocky Nichols, executive director of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas. “Making large, deadly cuts to Medicaid will make it dramatically harder to get that care and will greatly increase the number of Kansans who languish and die on HCBS waitlists while waiting for the very services they need to accommodate their disabilities.”

April Holman, executive director of the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, said slashing spending to Medicaid, or KanCare as it’s known in Kansas, will come at the expense of seniors&nbsp;who live in nursing homes or require in-home care, low-income children and their parents as well as pregnant women and people with disabilities.

“There is no way that cuts of this level would not take coverage away from the Kansans the program was intended to protect: seniors, children and people with disabilities,” Holman said.

Adoption of sweeping federal reductions to Medicaid will weaken Kansas’ system of&nbsp;nursing homes and long-term care facilities. It may force facilities closures and cast providers and caregivers out of the state’s workforce.

“Medicaid is a critical part of senior care because tens of thousands of Kansans rely on it for everyday services,” said Dan Goodman, executive director of Kansas Advocates for Better Care.

On average, a semi-private room in a nursing home costs $7,700 per month, and Goodman said he’s puzzled as to how seniors will be able to afford care if Medicaid assistance is reduced.

“It is a business model,” Goodman said, “and this industry doesn’t give discounts.”

He questioned whether American taxpayers will be on the hook for plugging the gaps left behind by proposed cuts. The threat of Medicaid reductions isn’t a new threat, he said.

“I think the concern this time is how it’s being done in a reckless manner without regard to the consequences,” Goodman said.

Adrienne Olejnik, vice president of Kansas Action for Children, said less federal aid funneled into Kansas likely means state legislators will be forced to make decisions about where cuts take place and who they impact.&nbsp;Thousands of Kansans with disabilities rely on Medicaid to cover in-home care.

“Kansas lawmakers have worked so hard to make sure that people with disabilities can stay in their homes and receive the services they need,” Olejnik said. “I think that, unfortunately, is probably going to be one of the first places they’re going to have to look to cut here in Kansas.”&nbsp;

Nearly one in three children&nbsp;in Kansas get health coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Children in rural Kansas communities are especially reliant on Medicaid for health coverage.

“Large cuts to Medicaid would mean children would lose access to screening and detection services needed to identify developmental delays, behavioral challenges, and health issues,” Olejnik said.

The proposed cuts are only a sliver of the $2.3 trillion in Medicaid cuts that congressional leaders have shown interest in.

“This is going to be on the backs of Kansas kids and families,” Olejnik said.

Kansas is one of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, so it already misses out on hundreds of millions annually in federal funding for health care. Restrictions on Medicaid coverage, eligibility and reimbursement rates are likely to swell if federal cuts are implemented, advocates said.

Federal expenditure changes are likely to impact the 40 expansion states and the non-expansion states like Kansas differently.

Democratic House and Senate members in Kansas attempted last week to amend legislation to expand eligibility for Medicaid to about 150,000 people. Gov. Laura Kelly has endorsed a series of expansion plans and has included a work requirement for new enrollees demanded by Republicans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740498658331.png" alt="April Holman, the executive director of the Medicaid expansion advocacy organization Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, talks to reporters on Feb. 24, 2025, in Topeka about a federal proposal to slash billions of dollars from the public health insurance program. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>April Holman, the executive director of the Medicaid expansion advocacy organization Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, talks to reporters on Feb. 24, 2025, in Topeka about a federal proposal to slash billions of dollars from the public health insurance program. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</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 — Kansas organizations advocating for sustained funding for Medicaid services said hundreds of billions of dollars in proposed federal budget cuts to the national health program&nbsp;can be deadly to vulnerable people with disabilities as well as seniors and children.Medicaid, the public health insurance program serving millions of Americans, is a target of many Republican lawmakers in Washington, D.C., who seek to reduce expenditures as part of a government-efficiency effort. Medicaid covers about one in five Americans.Kansas representatives from the fields of health care, disability rights, senior care and youths told reporters during a news conference Monday at the state Capitol the potential budget reductions are “unfathomable” and “draconian,” and they run the risk of creating “devastating” consequences.The U.S. House has been working toward a vote&nbsp;this week on a budget resolution that includes $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid over a 10-year period.President Donald Trump previously vowed to protect Medicaid, but he recently gave his blessing to the U.S. House’s budget outline that includes reforms to Medicaid-related programs.“It’s already frustratingly difficult for people with disabilities or parents of kids with disabilities to get the care they need,” said Rocky Nichols, executive director of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas. “Making large, deadly cuts to Medicaid will make it dramatically harder to get that care and will greatly increase the number of Kansans who languish and die on HCBS waitlists while waiting for the very services they need to accommodate their disabilities.”April Holman, executive director of the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, said slashing spending to Medicaid, or KanCare as it’s known in Kansas, will come at the expense of seniors&nbsp;who live in nursing homes or require in-home care, low-income children and their parents as well as pregnant women and people with disabilities.“There is no way that cuts of this level would not take coverage away from the Kansans the program was intended to protect: seniors, children and people with disabilities,” Holman said.<h2>The elderly</h2>Adoption of sweeping federal reductions to Medicaid will weaken Kansas’ system of&nbsp;nursing homes and long-term care facilities. It may force facilities closures and cast providers and caregivers out of the state’s workforce.“Medicaid is a critical part of senior care because tens of thousands of Kansans rely on it for everyday services,” said Dan Goodman, executive director of Kansas Advocates for Better Care.On average, a semi-private room in a nursing home costs $7,700 per month, and Goodman said he’s puzzled as to how seniors will be able to afford care if Medicaid assistance is reduced.“It is a business model,” Goodman said, “and this industry doesn’t give discounts.”He questioned whether American taxpayers will be on the hook for plugging the gaps left behind by proposed cuts. The threat of Medicaid reductions isn’t a new threat, he said.“I think the concern this time is how it’s being done in a reckless manner without regard to the consequences,” Goodman said.<h2>And, the kids</h2>Adrienne Olejnik, vice president of Kansas Action for Children, said less federal aid funneled into Kansas likely means state legislators will be forced to make decisions about where cuts take place and who they impact.&nbsp;Thousands of Kansans with disabilities rely on Medicaid to cover in-home care.“Kansas lawmakers have worked so hard to make sure that people with disabilities can stay in their homes and receive the services they need,” Olejnik said. “I think that, unfortunately, is probably going to be one of the first places they’re going to have to look to cut here in Kansas.”&nbsp;Nearly one in three children&nbsp;in Kansas get health coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Children in rural Kansas communities are especially reliant on Medicaid for health coverage.“Large cuts to Medicaid would mean children would lose access to screening and detection services needed to identify developmental delays, behavioral challenges, and health issues,” Olejnik said.The proposed cuts are only a sliver of the $2.3 trillion in Medicaid cuts that congressional leaders have shown interest in.“This is going to be on the backs of Kansas kids and families,” Olejnik said.Kansas is one of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, so it already misses out on hundreds of millions annually in federal funding for health care. Restrictions on Medicaid coverage, eligibility and reimbursement rates are likely to swell if federal cuts are implemented, advocates said.Federal expenditure changes are likely to impact the 40 expansion states and the non-expansion states like Kansas differently.Democratic House and Senate members in Kansas attempted last week to amend legislation to expand eligibility for Medicaid to about 150,000 people. Gov. Laura Kelly has endorsed a series of expansion plans and has included a work requirement for new enrollees demanded by Republicans.

Kansas advocates condemn U.S. House budget tied to Republicans’ proposed Medicaid cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) —White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that more than 1 million federal workers had responded to Elon Musk’s request for a list of five things they accomplished the previous week.

That’s less than half of the total government workforce.

Musk had originally said employees would be fired if they didn’t comply, although the Office of Personnel Management later said it was voluntary.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740270477857.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that more than 1 million federal workers had responded to Elon Musk’s request for a list of five things they accomplished the previous week.That’s less than half of the total government workforce.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Rc7f1JEmrr">https://t.co/Rc7f1JEmrr</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1894465488484536536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Musk had originally said employees would be fired if they didn’t comply, although the Office of Personnel Management later said it was voluntary.

How many responded to Musk’s call to list their accomplishments?

The Catholic Diocese of Wichita&nbsp;

Good news from Rome: Father Kapaun has been named Venerable.

Bishop Carl Kemme announced that on February 24, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the Decree concerning the offer of life of Servant of God Emil Kapaun.

“As bishop of the Diocese of Wichita, where Father Emil Kapaun was ordained and served and where he is now entombed in the Cathedral, I join his family, our diocesan family, parishioners in Pilsen, his brother priests, men and women in the armed forces, past, present and future, and indeed every one of faith in giving thanks that Pope Francis has advanced his cause by declaring him to be Venerable. I encourage everyone to continue to pray for his intercession in every situation so that many more graces and divine favors will be received because of his powerful prayers. Venerable Emil Kapaun, pray for us!” Bishop Carl A. Kemme

This Decree is a formal recognition that, after a life of virtue, Kapaun freely and voluntarily made the supreme act of charity: offering his life for his fellow prisoners of war.&nbsp; “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” says Jesus (John 15:13).

The publication of the Decree opens the door for the investigation of alleged miracles needed as supernatural evidence to further the cause.&nbsp; One miracle will need to be approved for beatification.&nbsp; A second approved miracle, occurring after the beatification itself, will be needed for canonization as a saint.

Over the years we have received testimony of several instances of alleged miraculous intercession by Father Kapaun.&nbsp; Some of these potential miracles date back nearly two decades, while others occurred very recently.&nbsp; One or two will be sent in detail to the Dicastery for Saints in Rome for review by both theologians and medical experts before papal approval is given.&nbsp; This process will likely take many years before beatification could happen.

Bishop Kemme and all of us here at Father Kapaun’s Cause are immensely grateful for your prayers and support.&nbsp; This is a thrilling step, and we can now begin to address Father Kapaun as the Venerable Servant of God Emil Kapaun, or more commonly, “Venerable Emil Kapaun”.

Now, as much as ever, our work is to continue to pray and share Venerable Kapaun’s story.&nbsp; We ask him to intercede for us, that we all may follow his example of hope, courage, and selfless sacrifice for God and the good of those around us.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631705866678.png" alt="In Sept. 2021, Fr. Kapaun’s 5,400 lb. marble tomb placed on the concrete foundation in the east transept of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita-photo Catholic Diocese of Wichita&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>In Sept. 2021, Fr. Kapaun’s 5,400 lb. marble tomb placed on the concrete foundation in the east transept of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita-photo Catholic Diocese of Wichita&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The Catholic Diocese of Wichita&nbsp;Good news from Rome: Father Kapaun has been named Venerable.Bishop Carl Kemme announced that on February 24, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the Decree concerning the offer of life of Servant of God Emil Kapaun.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614944899732.png" alt="Father Kapaun -image Catholic Diocese of Wichita" />
 <figcaption>Father Kapaun -image Catholic Diocese of Wichita</figcaption>
 </figure>“As bishop of the Diocese of Wichita, where Father Emil Kapaun was ordained and served and where he is now entombed in the Cathedral, I join his family, our diocesan family, parishioners in Pilsen, his brother priests, men and women in the armed forces, past, present and future, and indeed every one of faith in giving thanks that Pope Francis has advanced his cause by declaring him to be Venerable. I encourage everyone to continue to pray for his intercession in every situation so that many more graces and divine favors will be received because of his powerful prayers. Venerable Emil Kapaun, pray for us!” Bishop Carl A. KemmeThis Decree is a formal recognition that, after a life of virtue, Kapaun freely and voluntarily made the supreme act of charity: offering his life for his fellow prisoners of war.&nbsp; “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” says Jesus (John 15:13).The publication of the Decree opens the door for the investigation of alleged miracles needed as supernatural evidence to further the cause.&nbsp; One miracle will need to be approved for beatification.&nbsp; A second approved miracle, occurring after the beatification itself, will be needed for canonization as a saint.Over the years we have received testimony of several instances of alleged miraculous intercession by Father Kapaun.&nbsp; Some of these potential miracles date back nearly two decades, while others occurred very recently.&nbsp; One or two will be sent in detail to the Dicastery for Saints in Rome for review by both theologians and medical experts before papal approval is given.&nbsp; This process will likely take many years before beatification could happen.Bishop Kemme and all of us here at Father Kapaun’s Cause are immensely grateful for your prayers and support.&nbsp; This is a thrilling step, and we can now begin to address Father Kapaun as the Venerable Servant of God Emil Kapaun, or more commonly, “Venerable Emil Kapaun”.Now, as much as ever, our work is to continue to pray and share Venerable Kapaun’s story.&nbsp; We ask him to intercede for us, that we all may follow his example of hope, courage, and selfless sacrifice for God and the good of those around us.

Revered Kansas priest moves one step closer to sainthood

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Missouri woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal charge accusing her of concocting a brazen plot to defraud Elvis Presley’s family by trying to auction off his Graceland mansion and property before a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/graceland-sale-lawsuit-elvis-presley-bd864f24ff76205ce23885c182a56a66">halted the mysterious foreclosure sale</a>.

During a hearing in front of a Memphis federal judge, Lisa Jeanine Findley pleaded guilty to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/graceland-elvis-presley-sale-fraudulent-d6431df76860570e5d31526e81974f7d">charge of mail fraud</a>&nbsp;related to the scheme. She previously pleaded not guilty to the two-count indictment, which also includes a count of aggravated identity theft that will now be dropped.

When asked by the judge if Findley was admitting guilt and accepting responsibility, she said “Yes.”

Findley will be sentenced on June 19. She would have faced up to 20 years if convicted, but she is expected to receive less than that under the plea deal.

Findley, of Kimberling City, falsely claimed Presley’s daughter borrowed $3.8 million from a bogus private lender and had pledged Graceland as collateral for the loan before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lisa-marie-presley-dies-9fc02552f6f31e270647897a2e4104e9">her death in January 2023</a>, prosecutors said when she was charged in August 2024. She then threatened to sell Graceland to the highest bidder if Presley’s family didn’t pay a $2.85 million settlement, according to authorities.

Findley posed as three different people allegedly involved with the fake lender, fabricated loan documents, and published a fraudulent foreclosure notice in a Memphis newspaper announcing the auction of Graceland in May 2024, prosecutors said. A judge stopped the sale after Presley’s granddaughter sued.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/graceland-elvis-presley-auction-lawsuit-riley-keough-4c5d2dda1c189997319d331794e8f8d0">Experts were baffled</a>&nbsp;by the attempt to sell off one of the most storied pieces of real estate in the country using names, emails and documents that were quickly suspected to be phony.

Graceland opened as a museum and tourist attraction in 1982 and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. A large Presley-themed entertainment complex across the street from the museum is owned by Elvis Presley Enterprises. Presley died in August 1977, at the age of 42.

In May, a public notice for a foreclosure sale of the 13-acre (5-hectare) estate said Promenade Trust, which controls the Graceland museum, owes $3.8 million after failing to repay a 2018 loan.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/riley-keough">Riley Keough</a>, Presley’s granddaughter and an actor, inherited the trust and ownership of the home after the death of her mother,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lisa-marie-presley">Lisa Marie Presley</a>.

Keough filed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/graceland-auction-elvis-presley-359098fd64877f2e826b7309dba2bbb3">a lawsuit claiming fraud,</a>&nbsp;and a judge halted the proposed auction with an injunction. Naussany Investments and Private Lending — the bogus lender authorities say Findley created — said Lisa Marie Presley had used Graceland as collateral for the loan, according to the foreclosure sale notice. Keough’s lawsuit alleged that Naussany presented fraudulent documents regarding the loan in September 2023 and that Lisa Marie Presley never borrowed money from Naussany.

Kimberly Philbrick, the notary whose name is listed on Naussany’s documents, indicated she never met Lisa Marie Presley nor notarized any documents for her, according to the estate’s lawsuit. The judge said the notary’s affidavit brings into question “the authenticity of the signature.”

The judge halted the foreclosure sale of the beloved Memphis tourist attraction, saying Elvis Presley’s estate could be successful in arguing that a company’s attempt to auction Graceland was fraudulent.

The Tennessee attorney general’s office&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/graceland-elvis-presley-foreclosure-auction-1541d4a07db1b0a9870b0557eb073307">had been investigating</a>&nbsp;the Graceland controversy, then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elvis-presley-graceland-foreclosure-sale-lawsuit-93a42d151462e299fee88b5a6eca9743">confirmed in June</a>&nbsp;that it handed the probe over to federal authorities.

A statement emailed to The Associated Press after the judge stopped the sale said Naussany would not proceed because a key document in the case and the loan were recorded and obtained in a different state, meaning “legal action would have to be filed in multiple states.” The statement, sent from an email address listed in court documents, did not specify the other state.

After the scheme fell apart, Findley tried to make it look like the person responsible was a Nigerian identity thief, prosecutors said. An email sent May 25 to the AP from the same email as the earlier statement said in Spanish that the foreclosure sale attempt was made by a Nigerian fraud ring that targets old and dead people in the U.S. and uses the internet to steal money.

In a statement, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti called the scheme “nonsense” and praised the work of federal authorities.

“Graceland matters so much to so many people around the world – just go to Memphis during Elvis Week and listen to all the different accents and languages of fans who make the pilgrimage,” Skrmetti said. “All of Tennessee is glad that Graceland remains safely in the possession of Elvis’s heir and that it will remain a celebrated Memphis landmark for generations to come.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740502725805.png" alt="Findley photo Greene Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Findley photo Greene Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Missouri woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal charge accusing her of concocting a brazen plot to defraud Elvis Presley’s family by trying to auction off his Graceland mansion and property before a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/graceland-sale-lawsuit-elvis-presley-bd864f24ff76205ce23885c182a56a66">halted the mysterious foreclosure sale</a>.During a hearing in front of a Memphis federal judge, Lisa Jeanine Findley pleaded guilty to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/graceland-elvis-presley-sale-fraudulent-d6431df76860570e5d31526e81974f7d">charge of mail fraud</a>&nbsp;related to the scheme. She previously pleaded not guilty to the two-count indictment, which also includes a count of aggravated identity theft that will now be dropped.When asked by the judge if Findley was admitting guilt and accepting responsibility, she said “Yes.”Findley will be sentenced on June 19. She would have faced up to 20 years if convicted, but she is expected to receive less than that under the plea deal.Findley, of Kimberling City, falsely claimed Presley’s daughter borrowed $3.8 million from a bogus private lender and had pledged Graceland as collateral for the loan before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lisa-marie-presley-dies-9fc02552f6f31e270647897a2e4104e9">her death in January 2023</a>, prosecutors said when she was charged in August 2024. She then threatened to sell Graceland to the highest bidder if Presley’s family didn’t pay a $2.85 million settlement, according to authorities.Findley posed as three different people allegedly involved with the fake lender, fabricated loan documents, and published a fraudulent foreclosure notice in a Memphis newspaper announcing the auction of Graceland in May 2024, prosecutors said. A judge stopped the sale after Presley’s granddaughter sued.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/graceland-elvis-presley-auction-lawsuit-riley-keough-4c5d2dda1c189997319d331794e8f8d0">Experts were baffled</a>&nbsp;by the attempt to sell off one of the most storied pieces of real estate in the country using names, emails and documents that were quickly suspected to be phony.Graceland opened as a museum and tourist attraction in 1982 and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. A large Presley-themed entertainment complex across the street from the museum is owned by Elvis Presley Enterprises. Presley died in August 1977, at the age of 42.In May, a public notice for a foreclosure sale of the 13-acre (5-hectare) estate said Promenade Trust, which controls the Graceland museum, owes $3.8 million after failing to repay a 2018 loan.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/riley-keough">Riley Keough</a>, Presley’s granddaughter and an actor, inherited the trust and ownership of the home after the death of her mother,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lisa-marie-presley">Lisa Marie Presley</a>.Keough filed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/graceland-auction-elvis-presley-359098fd64877f2e826b7309dba2bbb3">a lawsuit claiming fraud,</a>&nbsp;and a judge halted the proposed auction with an injunction. Naussany Investments and Private Lending — the bogus lender authorities say Findley created — said Lisa Marie Presley had used Graceland as collateral for the loan, according to the foreclosure sale notice. Keough’s lawsuit alleged that Naussany presented fraudulent documents regarding the loan in September 2023 and that Lisa Marie Presley never borrowed money from Naussany.Kimberly Philbrick, the notary whose name is listed on Naussany’s documents, indicated she never met Lisa Marie Presley nor notarized any documents for her, according to the estate’s lawsuit. The judge said the notary’s affidavit brings into question “the authenticity of the signature.”The judge halted the foreclosure sale of the beloved Memphis tourist attraction, saying Elvis Presley’s estate could be successful in arguing that a company’s attempt to auction Graceland was fraudulent.The Tennessee attorney general’s office&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/graceland-elvis-presley-foreclosure-auction-1541d4a07db1b0a9870b0557eb073307">had been investigating</a>&nbsp;the Graceland controversy, then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elvis-presley-graceland-foreclosure-sale-lawsuit-93a42d151462e299fee88b5a6eca9743">confirmed in June</a>&nbsp;that it handed the probe over to federal authorities.A statement emailed to The Associated Press after the judge stopped the sale said Naussany would not proceed because a key document in the case and the loan were recorded and obtained in a different state, meaning “legal action would have to be filed in multiple states.” The statement, sent from an email address listed in court documents, did not specify the other state.After the scheme fell apart, Findley tried to make it look like the person responsible was a Nigerian identity thief, prosecutors said. An email sent May 25 to the AP from the same email as the earlier statement said in Spanish that the foreclosure sale attempt was made by a Nigerian fraud ring that targets old and dead people in the U.S. and uses the internet to steal money.In a statement, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti called the scheme “nonsense” and praised the work of federal authorities.“Graceland matters so much to so many people around the world – just go to Memphis during Elvis Week and listen to all the different accents and languages of fans who make the pilgrimage,” Skrmetti said. “All of Tennessee is glad that Graceland remains safely in the possession of Elvis’s heir and that it will remain a celebrated Memphis landmark for generations to come.”___

Woman enters plea to federal charge in plot to sell Graceland

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;MICHAEL KUNZELMAN&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/lindsay-whitehurst">LINDSAY WHITEHURS</a>T

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A federal judge on Monday blocked immigration agents from conducting enforcement operations in houses of worship for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-immigration-california-migrants-c23754f4ed025097af119c660cf6b788">Quakers</a>&nbsp;and a handful of other religious groups.

U.S. District Judge Theodore Chang found that the Trump administration policy could violate their religious freedom and should be blocked while a lawsuit challenging it plays out.

The preliminary injunction from the Maryland-based judge only applies to the plaintiffs, which also include a Georgia-based network of Baptist churches and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-sikh-pilgrims-guru-nanak-shrine-india-5e51ffab30432805b2014a93a3f00bb0">Sikh</a>&nbsp;temple in California.

They sued after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportation-immigration-homan-asylum-inauguration-ac10480dc636b758ab3c435b974aeb19">the Trump administration</a>&nbsp;threw out Department of Homeland Security policies limiting where migrant arrests could happen as President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-macron-ukraine-russia-starmer-8869d05f2cd8db5da277dd927cf959d4">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;seeks to make good on campaign promises to carry out mass deportations.

The policy change said field agents using “common sense” and “discretion” can conduct immigration enforcement operations at houses of worship without a supervisor’s approval.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys argue that the new DHS directive departs from the government’s 30-year-old policy against staging immigration enforcement operations in “protected areas,” or “sensitive locations.”

Five Quaker congregations from Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia sued DHS and its secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-enforcement-trump-rubio-bondi-hegseth-fb0c2a5351334f4615706033b820bf92">Kristi Noem</a>, on Jan. 27, less than a week after the new policy was announced.

Many immigrants are afraid to attend religious services while the government enforces the new rule, lawyers for the congregations said in&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mdd.575074/gov.uscourts.mdd.575074.26.1.pdf" target="_blank">a court filing</a>.

“It’s a fear that people are experiencing across the county,” plaintiffs’ attorney Bradley Girard told the judge during a February hearing. “People are not showing up, and the plaintiffs are suffering as a result.”

Government lawyers&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mdd.575074/gov.uscourts.mdd.575074.34.0.pdf" target="_blank">claim the plaintiffs</a>&nbsp;are asking the court to interfere with law-enforcement activities based on mere speculation.

“Plaintiffs have provided no evidence indicating that any of their religious organizations have been targeted,” Justice Department attorney Kristina Wolfe told the judge, who was appointed by President Barack Obama.

More than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans have also filed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-arrests-church-ban-lawsuit-trump-administration-7e0f3060033fc25c5982bc583587562c">a similar but separate lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in Washington, D.C.

Plaintiffs in the Maryland case are represented by the Democracy Forward Foundation, whose lawyers asked the judge to block DHS enforcement of the policy on a nationwide basis.

“DHS’s new policy gives it the authority to enter any house of worship across the country, no matter its religious beliefs,” the attorneys wrote.

Government lawyers say immigration enforcement activities have been allowed in sensitive places, including houses of worship, for decades. The only change in the policy is that a supervisor’s approval is no longer mandatory, they added.

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;MICHAEL KUNZELMAN&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/lindsay-whitehurst">LINDSAY WHITEHURS</a>TGREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A federal judge on Monday blocked immigration agents from conducting enforcement operations in houses of worship for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-immigration-california-migrants-c23754f4ed025097af119c660cf6b788">Quakers</a>&nbsp;and a handful of other religious groups.U.S. District Judge Theodore Chang found that the Trump administration policy could violate their religious freedom and should be blocked while a lawsuit challenging it plays out.The preliminary injunction from the Maryland-based judge only applies to the plaintiffs, which also include a Georgia-based network of Baptist churches and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-sikh-pilgrims-guru-nanak-shrine-india-5e51ffab30432805b2014a93a3f00bb0">Sikh</a>&nbsp;temple in California.They sued after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportation-immigration-homan-asylum-inauguration-ac10480dc636b758ab3c435b974aeb19">the Trump administration</a>&nbsp;threw out Department of Homeland Security policies limiting where migrant arrests could happen as President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-macron-ukraine-russia-starmer-8869d05f2cd8db5da277dd927cf959d4">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;seeks to make good on campaign promises to carry out mass deportations.The policy change said field agents using “common sense” and “discretion” can conduct immigration enforcement operations at houses of worship without a supervisor’s approval.Plaintiffs’ attorneys argue that the new DHS directive departs from the government’s 30-year-old policy against staging immigration enforcement operations in “protected areas,” or “sensitive locations.”Five Quaker congregations from Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia sued DHS and its secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-enforcement-trump-rubio-bondi-hegseth-fb0c2a5351334f4615706033b820bf92">Kristi Noem</a>, on Jan. 27, less than a week after the new policy was announced.Many immigrants are afraid to attend religious services while the government enforces the new rule, lawyers for the congregations said in&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mdd.575074/gov.uscourts.mdd.575074.26.1.pdf" target="_blank">a court filing</a>.“It’s a fear that people are experiencing across the county,” plaintiffs’ attorney Bradley Girard told the judge during a February hearing. “People are not showing up, and the plaintiffs are suffering as a result.”Government lawyers&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mdd.575074/gov.uscourts.mdd.575074.34.0.pdf" target="_blank">claim the plaintiffs</a>&nbsp;are asking the court to interfere with law-enforcement activities based on mere speculation.“Plaintiffs have provided no evidence indicating that any of their religious organizations have been targeted,” Justice Department attorney Kristina Wolfe told the judge, who was appointed by President Barack Obama.More than two dozen Christian and Jewish groups representing millions of Americans have also filed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-arrests-church-ban-lawsuit-trump-administration-7e0f3060033fc25c5982bc583587562c">a similar but separate lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in Washington, D.C.Plaintiffs in the Maryland case are represented by the Democracy Forward Foundation, whose lawyers asked the judge to block DHS enforcement of the policy on a nationwide basis.“DHS’s new policy gives it the authority to enter any house of worship across the country, no matter its religious beliefs,” the attorneys wrote.Government lawyers say immigration enforcement activities have been allowed in sensitive places, including houses of worship, for decades. The only change in the policy is that a supervisor’s approval is no longer mandatory, they added.<h2>__</h2>

Judge blocks immigration arrests in churches for some religious groups

MCDONALD COUNTY, Mo. —Three people including two Kansans died in an accident just after 10p.m. Sunday in McDonald County.&nbsp;

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Nissan Rogue driven by a 63-year-old Bella Vista, Arkansas woman was southbound in the northbound lane of Interstate 49 in Pineville. The Nissan collided head-on with a 2021 Honda Civic driven by a 23-year-old Kansas City, Kansas woman.

Both drivers and a passenger in the Honda identified as a 43-year-old Kansas City, Kansas man were pronounced dead at the scene.

All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases the identity of accident victims.

MCDONALD COUNTY, Mo. —Three people including two Kansans died in an accident just after 10p.m. Sunday in McDonald County.&nbsp;The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Nissan Rogue driven by a 63-year-old Bella Vista, Arkansas woman was southbound in the northbound lane of Interstate 49 in Pineville. The Nissan collided head-on with a 2021 Honda Civic driven by a 23-year-old Kansas City, Kansas woman.Both drivers and a passenger in the Honda identified as a 43-year-old Kansas City, Kansas man were pronounced dead at the scene.All three were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases the identity of accident victims.

Kansas man, woman dead after wrong-way crash

MANHATTAN— There were no injuries after construction crews struck a gas line in Manhattan.

At 4:17 p.m. on Monday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 1812 Fair Lane. for a report of a gas line that had been hit.

Crews found an 8 inch natural gas line that a utility crew backhoe struck while jackhammering concrete.&nbsp; Crews evacuated two people from a nearby business, and the other employees at adjacent businesses had already evacuated.&nbsp; 

Fort Riley Blvd. was closed in both directions at Martin Luther King Blvd., as well as the 1800 block of Fair Lane, until the leak was stopped.&nbsp; 

Kansas Gas Service responded to the scene and brought in a crew to isolate the leak.&nbsp; The leak was stopped around 1:00 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Union Pacific railroad tracks were also shut down until around 10:00 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740491550258.png" alt="-Photo Manhattan Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>-Photo Manhattan Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN— There were no injuries after construction crews struck a gas line in Manhattan.At 4:17 p.m. on Monday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 1812 Fair Lane. for a report of a gas line that had been hit.Crews found an 8 inch natural gas line that a utility crew backhoe struck while jackhammering concrete.&nbsp; Crews evacuated two people from a nearby business, and the other employees at adjacent businesses had already evacuated.&nbsp; Fort Riley Blvd. was closed in both directions at Martin Luther King Blvd., as well as the 1800 block of Fair Lane, until the leak was stopped.&nbsp; Kansas Gas Service responded to the scene and brought in a crew to isolate the leak.&nbsp; The leak was stopped around 1:00 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Union Pacific railroad tracks were also shut down until around 10:00 p.m.There were no injuries reported.

Natural gas line struck causing evacuations in Manhattan

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;refused Monday to hear a pair of cases from abortion opponents who say laws limiting anti-abortion demonstrations near clinics violate their First Amendment rights.

The majority did not explain their reasoning for turning down the appeals, as is typical, but two conservative justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, disagreed.

The cities said the laws were passed to address disturbing behavior from protesters outside of health care clinics. But anti-abortion activists said the measures violate free-speech rights and should be on their “deathbed” after the justices overturned Roe v. Wade and the nationwide right to abortion.

One case comes from Carbondale, Illinois, which is located near the state’s southern border and passed an ordinance after becoming a destination for patients from nearby states with abortion bans. The measure was quickly challenged in court, and has never been enforced. The city argued the appeal should be tossed because the ordinance was repealed shortly before abortion opponents went to the Supreme Court.

The other case is from New Jersey, where activist Jeryl Turco says she has approached women in Englewood for years to try to convince them not to have abortions. She says an 8-foot demonstration-free zone the city passed in 2014 in response to an aggressive group of protesters also wrongly kept her from approaching women.

Englewood argues that Turco has still been able to share her message outside of the immediate area near clinic entrances. Lower courts have ultimately upheld the ordinance, finding it isn’t a major First Amendment burden.

Both challengers pointed out that the high court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/supreme-court-of-the-united-states-united-states-government-ad21203f05a74da4a5227ae061d8b0fc">struck down</a>&nbsp;a Massachusetts law creating 35-foot demonstration free&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/31d02c9336e9f3c2a5d9dea4a883e72c">“buffer zones”</a>&nbsp;around clinic doors in 2014. They say the Illinois and New Jersey laws should meet the same fate.

But cities say their rules are in line with a different Supreme Court decision from 2000, when the high court allowed a Colorado law to stand. It barred people from getting within 8 feet of others without permission in a 100-foot “bubble zone” around clinics.

Thomas said that case, known as Hill v. Colorado, was wrongly decided. In a dissent from the decision to decline the Illinois case, he said that the court wrongly treated it differently than other First Amendment cases because abortion was involved. “Hill has been seriously undermined, if not completely eroded, and our refusal to provide clarity is an abdication of our judicial duty,” he wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740446896339.png" alt="Planned Parenthood in Wichita-Google image" />
 <figcaption>Planned Parenthood in Wichita-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;refused Monday to hear a pair of cases from abortion opponents who say laws limiting anti-abortion demonstrations near clinics violate their First Amendment rights.The majority did not explain their reasoning for turning down the appeals, as is typical, but two conservative justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, disagreed.The cities said the laws were passed to address disturbing behavior from protesters outside of health care clinics. But anti-abortion activists said the measures violate free-speech rights and should be on their “deathbed” after the justices overturned Roe v. Wade and the nationwide right to abortion.One case comes from Carbondale, Illinois, which is located near the state’s southern border and passed an ordinance after becoming a destination for patients from nearby states with abortion bans. The measure was quickly challenged in court, and has never been enforced. The city argued the appeal should be tossed because the ordinance was repealed shortly before abortion opponents went to the Supreme Court.The other case is from New Jersey, where activist Jeryl Turco says she has approached women in Englewood for years to try to convince them not to have abortions. She says an 8-foot demonstration-free zone the city passed in 2014 in response to an aggressive group of protesters also wrongly kept her from approaching women.Englewood argues that Turco has still been able to share her message outside of the immediate area near clinic entrances. Lower courts have ultimately upheld the ordinance, finding it isn’t a major First Amendment burden.Both challengers pointed out that the high court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/supreme-court-of-the-united-states-united-states-government-ad21203f05a74da4a5227ae061d8b0fc">struck down</a>&nbsp;a Massachusetts law creating 35-foot demonstration free&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/31d02c9336e9f3c2a5d9dea4a883e72c">“buffer zones”</a>&nbsp;around clinic doors in 2014. They say the Illinois and New Jersey laws should meet the same fate.But cities say their rules are in line with a different Supreme Court decision from 2000, when the high court allowed a Colorado law to stand. It barred people from getting within 8 feet of others without permission in a 100-foot “bubble zone” around clinics.Thomas said that case, known as Hill v. Colorado, was wrongly decided. In a dissent from the decision to decline the Illinois case, he said that the court wrongly treated it differently than other First Amendment cases because abortion was involved. “Hill has been seriously undermined, if not completely eroded, and our refusal to provide clarity is an abdication of our judicial duty,” he wrote.

Supreme Court won't hear challenge to abortion clinic buffer zones

HARVEY COUNTY —Police in Hesston are investigating four suspects on multiple allegations after an arrest on Sunday in Hesston.

According to a social media report from&nbsp; Hesston Police Chief Chris Eilert,&nbsp;a shoplifting incident at Casey’s truck stop led to a traffic stop on Meadow Lane close to Park Road.

"The two suspects in the shoplifting had already been dropped off at King Park.  When those two noticed the traffic stop they fled on foot in different directions.  One was apprehended by a Harvey County Sheriff’s Deputy on the west side of King Park without incident. The second person was spotted on a porch in the area of Pheasant Run and Lincoln Blvd."

"When the Officer approached the porch the suspect was no longer there.  The officer knocked on the door and when the homeowner came to the door they relayed that the individual had entered their residence and was hiding in the shower. The suspect was arrested without incident."

Another passenger of the car was transported by Hesston EMS to Newton Medical Center for a medical condition.  

A search of the vehicle revealed numerous narcotics and paraphernalia along with the items stolen from Casey’s  

'The driver was arrested for the narcotics and paraphernalia. The subject in King park was arrested for theft, narcotics and paraphernalia.  The suspect taken into custody in the home was arrested for Aggravated Burglary, kidnapping, theft, narcotics and paraphernalia."

"The person transported by EMS will be charged with narcotics possession and paraphernalia," according Eilert.

There were no weapons found on any of the suspects or in the vehicle and none of the suspects are believed to be residents of Hesston or Harvey County.  The narcotics siezed are believed to be Fentanyl, Methamphtamine and Marijuana.  

"Again we want to reassure people that this was a one time incident with no planning on the part of the suspects.  If there was an on going threat to the safety of our resident’s we would notify you all immediately in several ways."

"Out of respect for the victim we will not be sharing names or details that may hamper the prosecution of this case,"&nbsp; Eilert wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680810732040.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —Police in Hesston are investigating four suspects on multiple allegations after an arrest on Sunday in Hesston.According to a social media report from&nbsp; Hesston Police Chief Chris Eilert,&nbsp;a shoplifting incident at Casey’s truck stop led to a traffic stop on Meadow Lane close to Park Road."The two suspects in the shoplifting had already been dropped off at King Park. When those two noticed the traffic stop they fled on foot in different directions. One was apprehended by a Harvey County Sheriff’s Deputy on the west side of King Park without incident. The second person was spotted on a porch in the area of Pheasant Run and Lincoln Blvd.""When the Officer approached the porch the suspect was no longer there. The officer knocked on the door and when the homeowner came to the door they relayed that the individual had entered their residence and was hiding in the shower. The suspect was arrested without incident."Another passenger of the car was transported by Hesston EMS to Newton Medical Center for a medical condition. A search of the vehicle revealed numerous narcotics and paraphernalia along with the items stolen from Casey’s 'The driver was arrested for the narcotics and paraphernalia. The subject in King park was arrested for theft, narcotics and paraphernalia. The suspect taken into custody in the home was arrested for Aggravated Burglary, kidnapping, theft, narcotics and paraphernalia.""The person transported by EMS will be charged with narcotics possession and paraphernalia," according Eilert.There were no weapons found on any of the suspects or in the vehicle and none of the suspects are believed to be residents of Hesston or Harvey County. The narcotics siezed are believed to be Fentanyl, Methamphtamine and Marijuana. "Again we want to reassure people that this was a one time incident with no planning on the part of the suspects. If there was an on going threat to the safety of our resident’s we would notify you all immediately in several ways.""Out of respect for the victim we will not be sharing names or details that may hamper the prosecution of this case,"&nbsp; Eilert wrote.

Kansas shoplifting investigation led to fentanyl bust

WASHINGTON (AP)—Federal employees across the country, many of whom have worked from home since the COVID-19 pandemic, were back at agency offices Monday under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-buyouts-to-all-federal-employees-f67f5751a0fd5ad8471806a5a1067b5e">President Donald Trump’s return-to-office mandate</a>.

Billionaire Elon Musk, who is leading Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;scouring government agencies for suspected waste, delivered a warning Monday to workers on his platform X.

“Starting this week, those who still fail to return to office will be placed on administrative leave,” Musk wrote.

Lee Zeldin, Trump’s new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, said Monday on X, formerly Twitter, “Full-time, COVID-era remote work is DONE under @POTUS leadership.”

In a video he posted, Zeldin said average attendance at EPA headquarters on Mondays and Fridays last year was less than 9% of employees.

“Our spacious, beautiful EPA headquarters spans two city blocks in D.C. across five buildings,” Zeldin said. “But our hallways have been too vacant, desks empty and cubicles filled with unoccupied chairs.”

It appears at least some federal agencies are not prepared for all remote workers to return to the office.

In an email to U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid employees on Friday obtained by The Associated Press, agency officials noted that some regional offices in Boston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco were not ready for workers to return. The message also noted that employees who live more than 50 miles from regional offices in some major cities would not be required to return to the office Monday.

“We should treat it like the first day of school — plan a little time in your calendar to get oriented, find your way around, and figure out how to connect in the conference rooms, etc.,” the email said. “There will, no doubt, be some who get lost or are late to class or have to scramble to find a seat because of a snafu.”

The email also noted that while some workers would begin reporting to offices Monday, others would begin relocating back to offices in phases through April and beyond.

Mike Galletly, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 4016, said the information technology workers he represents at the U.S. Department of Agriculture across the country have been struggling to comply with the back-to-office mandate.

“For my bargaining unit members, it’s been a whole lot of work scrambling to find hardware for people, monitors, docking stations,” Galletly said. “You have an office that up until this month normally seated four people. Now they have to seat eight people.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is directing its remote employees to return to offices, even if they were hired into a remote role.

Federal workers with the department received the formal notice Monday in an email that was sent to employees who work more than 50 miles from a regional office. It says they will need to report to an office by April 28.

The federal government employed more than 3 million people as of November of last year. That accounted for nearly 1.9% of the nation’s entire civilian workforce, according to the Pew Research Center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740092856543.png" alt="Billionaire Elon Musk&nbsp;appeared at a conservative gathering outside Washington on Thursday waving a chainsaw in the air, showing openness to auditing the Federal Reserve and accusing Democrats of “treason.”Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Billionaire Elon Musk&nbsp;appeared at a conservative gathering outside Washington on Thursday waving a chainsaw in the air, showing openness to auditing the Federal Reserve and accusing Democrats of “treason.”Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)—Federal employees across the country, many of whom have worked from home since the COVID-19 pandemic, were back at agency offices Monday under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-buyouts-to-all-federal-employees-f67f5751a0fd5ad8471806a5a1067b5e">President Donald Trump’s return-to-office mandate</a>.Billionaire Elon Musk, who is leading Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;scouring government agencies for suspected waste, delivered a warning Monday to workers on his platform X.“Starting this week, those who still fail to return to office will be placed on administrative leave,” Musk wrote.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">On Mondays and Fridays all of last year, <a href="https://twitter.com/EPA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EPA</a> HQs only had 8.9% daily attendance. Not under <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>’ watch. It’s time for our talented staff to return to work in the office full-time. Part of being good stewards of tax dollars means showing up every day to do our job. <a href="https://t.co/4A7m0B1BVo">pic.twitter.com/4A7m0B1BVo</a>&mdash; Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) <a href="https://twitter.com/epaleezeldin/status/1891833502506553812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Lee Zeldin, Trump’s new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, said Monday on X, formerly Twitter, “Full-time, COVID-era remote work is DONE under @POTUS leadership.”In a video he posted, Zeldin said average attendance at EPA headquarters on Mondays and Fridays last year was less than 9% of employees.“Our spacious, beautiful EPA headquarters spans two city blocks in D.C. across five buildings,” Zeldin said. “But our hallways have been too vacant, desks empty and cubicles filled with unoccupied chairs.”It appears at least some federal agencies are not prepared for all remote workers to return to the office.In an email to U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid employees on Friday obtained by The Associated Press, agency officials noted that some regional offices in Boston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco were not ready for workers to return. The message also noted that employees who live more than 50 miles from regional offices in some major cities would not be required to return to the office Monday.“We should treat it like the first day of school — plan a little time in your calendar to get oriented, find your way around, and figure out how to connect in the conference rooms, etc.,” the email said. “There will, no doubt, be some who get lost or are late to class or have to scramble to find a seat because of a snafu.”ADVERTISEMENTThe email also noted that while some workers would begin reporting to offices Monday, others would begin relocating back to offices in phases through April and beyond.Mike Galletly, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 4016, said the information technology workers he represents at the U.S. Department of Agriculture across the country have been struggling to comply with the back-to-office mandate.“For my bargaining unit members, it’s been a whole lot of work scrambling to find hardware for people, monitors, docking stations,” Galletly said. “You have an office that up until this month normally seated four people. Now they have to seat eight people.”The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is directing its remote employees to return to offices, even if they were hired into a remote role.Federal workers with the department received the formal notice Monday in an email that was sent to employees who work more than 50 miles from a regional office. It says they will need to report to an office by April 28.The federal government employed more than 3 million people as of November of last year. That accounted for nearly 1.9% of the nation’s entire civilian workforce, according to the Pew Research Center.—-

Federal workers return to offices amid threat from Elon Musk

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the January 31 armed bank robbery at US Bank, 10959 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas have arrested two suspects.

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department arrested two suspects whom they believe are responsible for the January 31st armed robbery of the US Bank at 10959 Parallel Parkway.

Just before 1:30 p.m. Monday, the Kansas City Kansas Police Department Special Operations Unit attempted to serve a warrant for 51-year-old Willie Sampson at his residence in the area of N. 37th and Wood Avenue, according to a media release.

 Sampson ignored commands and barricaded himself inside for nearly two hours. He voluntarily exited the home around 3:15p.m. and was arrested without incident.

Earlier in the day, Sampson’s wife, 50-year-old Kimberly Thomas-Sampson of Kansas City, Kan., was also taken into custody without incident at her place of employment.

The couple have each been charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated non- residential burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and theft. They are being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on $250,000 bonds each.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738808549262.png" alt="Photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the January 31 armed bank robbery at US Bank, 10959 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas have arrested two suspects.The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department arrested two suspects whom they believe are responsible for the January 31st armed robbery of the US Bank at 10959 Parallel Parkway.Just before 1:30 p.m. Monday, the Kansas City Kansas Police Department Special Operations Unit attempted to serve a warrant for 51-year-old Willie Sampson at his residence in the area of N. 37th and Wood Avenue, according to a media release. Sampson ignored commands and barricaded himself inside for nearly two hours. He voluntarily exited the home around 3:15p.m. and was arrested without incident.Earlier in the day, Sampson’s wife, 50-year-old Kimberly Thomas-Sampson of Kansas City, Kan., was also taken into custody without incident at her place of employment.The couple have each been charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated non- residential burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and theft. They are being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on $250,000 bonds each.

Kansas couple arrested for alleged bank robbery

CLOUD COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.

Trooper Peterson checked the speed of&nbsp; a driver traveling 109mph northbound toward Concordia and was still at 91mph entering a 55mph zone in city limits, according to a statement from the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C.

"Speed limits exist for a reason—reaction time, stopping distance, and safety for everyone on the road. Slow down. Troopers are out working hard to keep Kansas roadways safe."&nbsp; The driver was given a ticket for $438.00.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740481785060.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>CLOUD COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.Trooper Peterson checked the speed of&nbsp; a driver traveling 109mph northbound toward Concordia and was still at 91mph entering a 55mph zone in city limits, according to a statement from the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C."Speed limits exist for a reason—reaction time, stopping distance, and safety for everyone on the road. Slow down. Troopers are out working hard to keep Kansas roadways safe."&nbsp; The driver was given a ticket for $438.00.

KHP: Driver caught traveling 109mph in a 70mph zone

Elected officials from Jackson County will travel to the state Capitol Wednesday to meet with legislative leaders and Gov. Mike Kehoe about stadium funding ideas

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

A pair of state senators are laying the groundwork for Clay County to compete for a new Chiefs training facility or Royals stadium, while the top Republican in the Missouri House is imploring Jackson County leaders to come up with a new plan to keep the teams from leaving the state.&nbsp;

Both teams&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/17/chiefs-royals-ask-kansas-for-incentives-to-allow-teams-to-leave-missouri/">publicly expressed interest in moving from Missouri to Kansas</a>&nbsp;after Jackson County voters rejected a proposal last year to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium and upgrades to Arrowhead Stadium.&nbsp;

Kansas lawmakers responded by expanding a tax incentive program in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate. The leases for both teams’ Jackson County stadiums run through the end of the 2030 season.&nbsp;

State Sens. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, and Kurtis Gregory, a Marshall Republican, filed legislation last week to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=5391365" target="_blank">authorize Clay County to establish a county sports complex authority</a>&nbsp;for the purpose of “developing or maintaining sports, convention, exhibition or trade facilities.”

The idea goes back more than two years, Nurrenbern said, when the Royals were considering a new stadium location in North Kansas City,

“As far as I am aware, there have not been any recent talks with the Royals in terms of the team coming to Clay County,” Nurrenbern said, though she added the idea should “absolutely still be on the table, because the location is incredible and sits smack dab in the center of the metro population.”

But creating a sports authority would not just open up the possibility of a new stadium, she said. There are also “real conversations” taking place between&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/clay-county-leader-would-love-to-explore-new-chiefs-facility-idea/" target="_blank">the Chiefs ownership and Clay County officials</a>&nbsp;about using the site for the team’s new training facilities and headquarters.&nbsp;

“The Chiefs want state of the art facilities. And this would really give them that option,” Nurrenbern said. “From the City of North Kansas City to the Jackson County sports complex and Arrowhead, you’re talking a 15 minute drive at max.”

While Clay County tries to get its ducks in a row, House Speaker Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit is urging local leaders in Jackson County to come up with a new plan to keep the teams in Missouri after last year’s failed sales tax vote.

Local financial support will need to happen, he said, before the state can consider getting involved.&nbsp;

“The time is running out,” Patterson told reporters at his weekly press conference on Thursday. “It is time for a plan and course of action. And I do want to reiterate, I do think this is going to be something that has to happen in the county first and then the state.”

Patterson said Jackson County officials will travel to the state Capitol Wednesday to meet with legislative leaders and Gov. Mike Kehoe.&nbsp;

The Royals first announced an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article287849540.html" target="_blank">intention to leave Kauffman Stadium</a>&nbsp;in November 2022. The move would allow the Chiefs to remain in Arrowhead, demolish Kauffman and build a covered entertainment center.

Officials in Jackson County and Kansas City began scrambling to figure out how to keep the Royals from leaving Missouri. By the spring of 2023, Clay County leaders announced interest in building a stadium in North Kansas City that could become the Royals new home.&nbsp;

The Royals solicited proposals for a downtown Kansas City and North Kansas City site a few months later, and released renderings of possible stadiums at both locations in August 2023.&nbsp;

Soon after, a poll was leaked to the media showing 70% of Clay County voters opposed a new sales tax to fund a stadium in North Kansas City. Despite&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article278986864.html" target="_blank">weeks of media speculation</a>, no one claimed credit for the poll, which was widely seen as an attempt to shake the confidence of Royals ownership in the viability of a Clay County proposal.&nbsp;

Critics, who called the survey a “push poll” meant to deceive the public, said&nbsp;sabotaging any potential site in Missouri only increases the likelihood that the team ends up in Kansas.&nbsp;

“Anything that is used for a deceptive purpose should raise some red flags, and I think that’s exactly what that push poll did,” Nurrenbern said. “I don’t think this ever should have been about Clay versus Jackson County. It’s what’s good for our area, and that’s what I’m going to continue to be focused on.”

It wasn’t until more than a year later that documents provided to The Independent revealed it was a political action committee formed to support Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas that paid for the Clay County polling. A staffer using a Lucas campaign email address requested the poll be commissioned.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740445872877.png" alt=" State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern is introduced to the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern is introduced to the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Elected officials from Jackson County will travel to the state Capitol Wednesday to meet with legislative leaders and Gov. Mike Kehoe about stadium funding ideas</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>A pair of state senators are laying the groundwork for Clay County to compete for a new Chiefs training facility or Royals stadium, while the top Republican in the Missouri House is imploring Jackson County leaders to come up with a new plan to keep the teams from leaving the state.&nbsp;Both teams&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/17/chiefs-royals-ask-kansas-for-incentives-to-allow-teams-to-leave-missouri/">publicly expressed interest in moving from Missouri to Kansas</a>&nbsp;after Jackson County voters rejected a proposal last year to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium and upgrades to Arrowhead Stadium.&nbsp;Kansas lawmakers responded by expanding a tax incentive program in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate. The leases for both teams’ Jackson County stadiums run through the end of the 2030 season.&nbsp;State Sens. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, and Kurtis Gregory, a Marshall Republican, filed legislation last week to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/bts_web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=5391365" target="_blank">authorize Clay County to establish a county sports complex authority</a>&nbsp;for the purpose of “developing or maintaining sports, convention, exhibition or trade facilities.”The idea goes back more than two years, Nurrenbern said, when the Royals were considering a new stadium location in North Kansas City,“As far as I am aware, there have not been any recent talks with the Royals in terms of the team coming to Clay County,” Nurrenbern said, though she added the idea should “absolutely still be on the table, because the location is incredible and sits smack dab in the center of the metro population.”But creating a sports authority would not just open up the possibility of a new stadium, she said. There are also “real conversations” taking place between&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/clay-county-leader-would-love-to-explore-new-chiefs-facility-idea/" target="_blank">the Chiefs ownership and Clay County officials</a>&nbsp;about using the site for the team’s new training facilities and headquarters.&nbsp;“The Chiefs want state of the art facilities. And this would really give them that option,” Nurrenbern said. “From the City of North Kansas City to the Jackson County sports complex and Arrowhead, you’re talking a 15 minute drive at max.”While Clay County tries to get its ducks in a row, House Speaker Jon Patterson of Lee’s Summit is urging local leaders in Jackson County to come up with a new plan to keep the teams in Missouri after last year’s failed sales tax vote.Local financial support will need to happen, he said, before the state can consider getting involved.&nbsp;“The time is running out,” Patterson told reporters at his weekly press conference on Thursday. “It is time for a plan and course of action. And I do want to reiterate, I do think this is going to be something that has to happen in the county first and then the state.”Patterson said Jackson County officials will travel to the state Capitol Wednesday to meet with legislative leaders and Gov. Mike Kehoe.&nbsp;<h2>Jackson or Clay?</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709665032862.png" alt=" A rendering of the Royals proposed downtown ballpark (image submitted)." />
 <figcaption> A rendering of the Royals proposed downtown ballpark (image submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure>The Royals first announced an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article287849540.html" target="_blank">intention to leave Kauffman Stadium</a>&nbsp;in November 2022. The move would allow the Chiefs to remain in Arrowhead, demolish Kauffman and build a covered entertainment center.Officials in Jackson County and Kansas City began scrambling to figure out how to keep the Royals from leaving Missouri. By the spring of 2023, Clay County leaders announced interest in building a stadium in North Kansas City that could become the Royals new home.&nbsp;The Royals solicited proposals for a downtown Kansas City and North Kansas City site a few months later, and released renderings of possible stadiums at both locations in August 2023.&nbsp;Soon after, a poll was leaked to the media showing 70% of Clay County voters opposed a new sales tax to fund a stadium in North Kansas City. Despite&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article278986864.html" target="_blank">weeks of media speculation</a>, no one claimed credit for the poll, which was widely seen as an attempt to shake the confidence of Royals ownership in the viability of a Clay County proposal.&nbsp;Critics, who called the survey a “push poll” meant to deceive the public, said&nbsp;sabotaging any potential site in Missouri only increases the likelihood that the team ends up in Kansas.&nbsp;“Anything that is used for a deceptive purpose should raise some red flags, and I think that’s exactly what that push poll did,” Nurrenbern said. “I don’t think this ever should have been about Clay versus Jackson County. It’s what’s good for our area, and that’s what I’m going to continue to be focused on.”It wasn’t until more than a year later that documents provided to The Independent revealed it was a political action committee formed to support Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas that paid for the Clay County polling. A staffer using a Lucas campaign email address requested the poll be commissioned.&nbsp;At the time, Lucas didn’t mention any involvement in the poll by the PAC or his campaign in a response to&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/sports/royals/pollster-wont-reveal-funder-behind-royals-stadium-survey-in-clay-county/" target="_blank">Fox 4 reporters</a>. And to&nbsp;obscure the PAC’s involvement, Lucas’ then-chief of staff, Morgan Said, requested the PAC&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/12/13/campaign-committee-controlled-by-kc-mayor-requested-poll-he-denied-involvement-in/">change its financial disclosure forms to list the expense as “research” instead of “polling.”</a>“…we paid Bold Decisions to do that Royals poll,” Said told the PAC’s compliance officer in an Oct. 9, 2023, phone call that was recorded and shared with The Independent.&nbsp;“I don’t know how much of a news reader you are these days,” she said, “but it was like a big whodunnit, and, you know, actually nobody ever found out who paid for it.”By April 2024, Jackson County voters resoundingly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-city-mayor-quinton-lucas-officially-endorses-yes-vote-on-stadium-sales-tax-missouri-jackson-county/60349862" target="_blank">rejected the stadium sales tax measure supported by Lucas</a>&nbsp;and other local elected officials.Gregory, whose state Senate district includes a portion of Clay County, said Missouri leaders should take an all-of-the-above approach to finding a home for the Royals.&nbsp;“We should make sure that all options are potentially on the table,” Gregory said, adding: “Clay County is a very viable option. Downtown (Kansas City) is a viable option. The goal should be to keep the team in Missouri.”&nbsp;Legislation authorizing a Clay County sports authority “is all about keeping both teams in the state of Missouri. Period,” Nurrenbern said. “So we want to be good partners with Jackson County, and if the teams make the choice to come to Clay County, we want to make sure that the appropriate language is there on the books to permit a sports authority.”As for Jackson County, local leaders will need to decide whether “they want to support this venture,” Patterson said, “or will they have an empty parking lot or empty stadiums, which is not free. It costs a lot of money to maintain stadiums that are empty and it costs a lot of money to tear down stadiums.”