KANSAS CITY —A man injured in a shooting earlier this month in Kansas City has died.

Just after 5a.m. June 19, policewere dispatched to a shooting call at 8th and Central in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

 On arrival officers located an adult male shooting later identified as 23-year-old David M. Smith, unresponsive on the ground next to a vehicle.

Callers advised they had heard the sound of gunfire outside on the street and looked out to see the victim had been shot. Responding officers called for EMS who transported Smith to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. 

The victim has remained in the hospital since, in critical condition. Detectives were notified Friday he died from his injuries. This case is now being investigated as a homicide.Investigation indicates the victim had an interaction in the parking lot with an unknown suspect or suspects that led to shots being fired striking him.

KANSAS CITY —A man injured in a shooting earlier this month in Kansas City has died.Just after 5a.m. June 19, policewere dispatched to a shooting call at 8th and Central in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. On arrival officers located an adult male shooting later identified as 23-year-old David M. Smith, unresponsive on the ground next to a vehicle.Callers advised they had heard the sound of gunfire outside on the street and looked out to see the victim had been shot. Responding officers called for EMS who transported Smith to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. The victim has remained in the hospital since, in critical condition. Detectives were notified Friday he died from his injuries. This case is now being investigated as a homicide.Investigation indicates the victim had an interaction in the parking lot with an unknown suspect or suspects that led to shots being fired striking him.

KCPD: Man dies days after wounded in parking lot dispute

By LISA MASCARO, KEVIN FREKING and JOEY CAPPELLETTI&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voting in a dramatic late Saturday session narrowly cleared a key procedural step as they race to advance President Donald Trump's package of tax breaks, spending cuts and bolstered deportation funds by his July Fourth deadline.

<a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/the_one_big_beautiful_bill_act.pdf">Click here to read the bill</a>

The tally, 51-49, came after a tumultuous night with Vice President JD Vance at the Capitol to break a potential tie. Tense scenes played out in the chamber as voting came to a standstill, dragging for more than three hours as holdout senators huddled for negotiations, and took private meetings off the floor. In the end, two Republicans opposed the motion to proceed, joining all Democrats. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.

There's still a long weekend of work to come.

Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition, but they have run into a series of political and policy setbacks. Not all GOP lawmakers are on board with proposals to reduce spending on Medicaid, food stamps and other programs as a way to help cover the cost of extending some $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks.

"It's time to get this legislation across the finish line," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.

Ahead of roll call, the White House released a statement of administrative policy saying it "strongly supports passage" of the bill. Trump himself was at his golf course in Virginia on Saturday with GOP senators posting about the visit on social media.

But by nightfall, Trump was lashing out against holdouts, threatening to campaign against one Republican, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had announced he could not support the bill because of grave Medicaid cuts that he worried would leave many without health care in his state. Tillis and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted against. The president was working the phones from the Oval Office late Saturday night, according to a person familiar with the discussions who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Pressure was mounting from all sides — billionaire Elon Musk criticized the package as "utterly insane and destructive."

The 940-page "One Big Beautiful Bill Act was released shortly before midnight Friday, and senators are expected to grind through all-night debate and amendments in the days ahead. If the Senate is able to pass it, the bill would go back to the House for a final round of votes before it could reach the White House.

With the narrow Republican majorities in the House and Senate, leaders need almost every lawmaker on board. A new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the Senate bill would increase by 11.8 million the number of people without health insurance in 2034.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Republicans unveiled the bill "in the dead of night" and are rushing to finish the bill before the public fully knows what's in it. He immediately forced a full reading of the text late Saturday in the Senate, which would take hours.

The weekend session could be a make-or-break moment for Trump's party, which has invested much of its political capital on his signature domestic policy plan. Trump is pushing Congress to wrap it up and has admonished the "grandstanders" among GOP holdouts to fall in line.

The legislation is an ambitious but complicated series of GOP priorities. At its core, it would make permanent many of the tax breaks from Trump's first term that would otherwise expire by year's end if Congress fails to act, resulting in a potential tax increase on Americans. The bill would add new breaks, including no taxes on tips, and commit $350 billion to national security, including for Trump's mass deportation agenda.

But the cutbacks to Medicaid, food stamps and green energy investments, which a top Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said would be a "death sentence" for America's wind and solar industries, are also causing dissent within GOP ranks.

The Republicans are relying on the reductions to offset the lost tax revenues but some lawmakers say the cuts go too far, particularly for people receiving health care through Medicaid. Meanwhile, conservatives, worried about the nation's debt, are pushing for steeper cuts.

Tillis said he spoke with Trump late Friday explaining his concerns. Paul of Kentucky had been opposed to the bill's provision to raise the nation's debt limit by $5 trillion.

And GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who initially voted no, switched hours later after private talks to agree to advance the bill.

As the roll call teetered, attention turned to Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska who was surrounded by GOP leaders in intense conversation. She voted to proceed.

A short time later, Thune drew conservative holdouts Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming to his office, with Vance and Johnson also joining. Talks dragged on.

Then swiftly, Vance led them all back in to vote.

Later, Scott said he had met with the president, adding, "We all want to get to yes."

Lee said the group "had an internal discussion about the strategy to achieve more savings and more deficit reduction, and I feel good about the direction where this is going, and more to come."

After setbacks, Republicans revise some proposals

The release of the bill's draft had been delayed as the Senate parliamentarian reviewed the measure to ensure it complied with the chamber's strict "Byrd Rule," named for the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. It largely bars policy matters from inclusion in budget bills unless a provision can get 60 votes to overcome objections. That would be a tall order in a Senate with a 53-47 GOP edge and Democrats unified against Trump's bill.

Republicans suffered a series of setbacks after several proposals, including shifting food stamp costs from the federal government to the states or gutting the funding structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, were deemed out of compliance with the rules.

But over the past days, Republicans have quickly revised those proposals and reinstated them.

The final text includes a proposal for cuts to the Medicaid provider tax that had run into parliamentary hurdles and objections from several senators worried about the fate of rural hospitals. The new version extends the start date for those cuts and establishes a $25 billion fund to aid rural hospitals and providers.

The CBO had said that under the House-passed version of the bill, some 10.9 million more people would go without health care and at least 3 million fewer would qualify for food aid. The budget office has started releasing initial assessments of the Senate draft, which proposes steeper reductions.

Top income-earners would see about a $12,000 tax cut under the House bill, while the package would cost the poorest Americans $1,600, the CBO said.

The Senate included a compromise over the so-called SALT provision, a deduction for state and local taxes that has been a top priority of lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states, but the issue remains unsettled.

The current SALT cap is $10,000 a year, and a handful of Republicans wanted to boost it to $40,000 a year. The final draft includes a $40,000 cap, but limits it for five years. Many Republican senators say that is still too generous, but House Republicans are not fully satisfied either.

House Speaker Mike Johnson sent his colleagues home for the weekend with plans to be on call to return to Washington.

Associated Press writers Ali Swenson, Fatima Hussein, Michelle L. Price and Matthew Daly contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747785438346.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By LISA MASCARO, KEVIN FREKING and JOEY CAPPELLETTI&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voting in a dramatic late Saturday session narrowly cleared a key procedural step as they race to advance President Donald Trump's package of tax breaks, spending cuts and bolstered deportation funds by his July Fourth deadline.<a href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/the_one_big_beautiful_bill_act.pdf">Click here to read the bill</a>The tally, 51-49, came after a tumultuous night with Vice President JD Vance at the Capitol to break a potential tie. Tense scenes played out in the chamber as voting came to a standstill, dragging for more than three hours as holdout senators huddled for negotiations, and took private meetings off the floor. In the end, two Republicans opposed the motion to proceed, joining all Democrats. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/JpX3ULcQU4">pic.twitter.com/JpX3ULcQU4</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1939179221097578869?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>There's still a long weekend of work to come.Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition, but they have run into a series of political and policy setbacks. Not all GOP lawmakers are on board with proposals to reduce spending on Medicaid, food stamps and other programs as a way to help cover the cost of extending some $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks."It's time to get this legislation across the finish line," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.Ahead of roll call, the White House released a statement of administrative policy saying it "strongly supports passage" of the bill. Trump himself was at his golf course in Virginia on Saturday with GOP senators posting about the visit on social media.But by nightfall, Trump was lashing out against holdouts, threatening to campaign against one Republican, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had announced he could not support the bill because of grave Medicaid cuts that he worried would leave many without health care in his state. Tillis and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted against. The president was working the phones from the Oval Office late Saturday night, according to a person familiar with the discussions who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.Pressure was mounting from all sides — billionaire Elon Musk criticized the package as "utterly insane and destructive."The 940-page "One Big Beautiful Bill Act was released shortly before midnight Friday, and senators are expected to grind through all-night debate and amendments in the days ahead. If the Senate is able to pass it, the bill would go back to the House for a final round of votes before it could reach the White House.With the narrow Republican majorities in the House and Senate, leaders need almost every lawmaker on board. A new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the Senate bill would increase by 11.8 million the number of people without health insurance in 2034.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Republicans unveiled the bill "in the dead of night" and are rushing to finish the bill before the public fully knows what's in it. He immediately forced a full reading of the text late Saturday in the Senate, which would take hours.Make-or-break moment for GOPThe weekend session could be a make-or-break moment for Trump's party, which has invested much of its political capital on his signature domestic policy plan. Trump is pushing Congress to wrap it up and has admonished the "grandstanders" among GOP holdouts to fall in line.The legislation is an ambitious but complicated series of GOP priorities. At its core, it would make permanent many of the tax breaks from Trump's first term that would otherwise expire by year's end if Congress fails to act, resulting in a potential tax increase on Americans. The bill would add new breaks, including no taxes on tips, and commit $350 billion to national security, including for Trump's mass deportation agenda.But the cutbacks to Medicaid, food stamps and green energy investments, which a top Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said would be a "death sentence" for America's wind and solar industries, are also causing dissent within GOP ranks.The Republicans are relying on the reductions to offset the lost tax revenues but some lawmakers say the cuts go too far, particularly for people receiving health care through Medicaid. Meanwhile, conservatives, worried about the nation's debt, are pushing for steeper cuts.Tillis said he spoke with Trump late Friday explaining his concerns. Paul of Kentucky had been opposed to the bill's provision to raise the nation's debt limit by $5 trillion.And GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who initially voted no, switched hours later after private talks to agree to advance the bill.As the roll call teetered, attention turned to Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska who was surrounded by GOP leaders in intense conversation. She voted to proceed.A short time later, Thune drew conservative holdouts Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming to his office, with Vance and Johnson also joining. Talks dragged on.Then swiftly, Vance led them all back in to vote.Later, Scott said he had met with the president, adding, "We all want to get to yes."Lee said the group "had an internal discussion about the strategy to achieve more savings and more deficit reduction, and I feel good about the direction where this is going, and more to come."After setbacks, Republicans revise some proposalsThe release of the bill's draft had been delayed as the Senate parliamentarian reviewed the measure to ensure it complied with the chamber's strict "Byrd Rule," named for the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. It largely bars policy matters from inclusion in budget bills unless a provision can get 60 votes to overcome objections. That would be a tall order in a Senate with a 53-47 GOP edge and Democrats unified against Trump's bill.Republicans suffered a series of setbacks after several proposals, including shifting food stamp costs from the federal government to the states or gutting the funding structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, were deemed out of compliance with the rules.But over the past days, Republicans have quickly revised those proposals and reinstated them.The final text includes a proposal for cuts to the Medicaid provider tax that had run into parliamentary hurdles and objections from several senators worried about the fate of rural hospitals. The new version extends the start date for those cuts and establishes a $25 billion fund to aid rural hospitals and providers.The CBO had said that under the House-passed version of the bill, some 10.9 million more people would go without health care and at least 3 million fewer would qualify for food aid. The budget office has started releasing initial assessments of the Senate draft, which proposes steeper reductions.Top income-earners would see about a $12,000 tax cut under the House bill, while the package would cost the poorest Americans $1,600, the CBO said.SALT dispute shakes things upThe Senate included a compromise over the so-called SALT provision, a deduction for state and local taxes that has been a top priority of lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states, but the issue remains unsettled.The current SALT cap is $10,000 a year, and a handful of Republicans wanted to boost it to $40,000 a year. The final draft includes a $40,000 cap, but limits it for five years. Many Republican senators say that is still too generous, but House Republicans are not fully satisfied either.House Speaker Mike Johnson sent his colleagues home for the weekend with plans to be on call to return to Washington.___Associated Press writers Ali Swenson, Fatima Hussein, Michelle L. Price and Matthew Daly contributed to this report.

Moran, Marshall help Senate advance Trump's 'Big Bill' in dramatic late-night sesion

WEBSTER COUNTY, Mo. —A child died in a farm accident just before 11a.m. Saturday in Webster County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 73-year-old Seymour, Missouri, man was back up a 2023 John Deere Tractor at 2188 Walnut Ridge Road three and one half miles south of Seymour.&nbsp; The driver didn't see the 1-year-old boy.

EMS transported the boy to Cox South Hospital. He was pronounced deceased just before 12:30p.m., according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims. Seymour is located three hours south of Kansas City.

WEBSTER COUNTY, Mo. —A child died in a farm accident just before 11a.m. Saturday in Webster County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 73-year-old Seymour, Missouri, man was back up a 2023 John Deere Tractor at 2188 Walnut Ridge Road three and one half miles south of Seymour.&nbsp; The driver didn't see the 1-year-old boy.EMS transported the boy to Cox South Hospital. He was pronounced deceased just before 12:30p.m., according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims. Seymour is located three hours south of Kansas City.

Patrol: 1-year-old boy killed in farm accident

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman accused in a crash that killed a Kansas teen was in court for an arraignment hearing Thursday.

A woman has pleaded not guilty in connection to a&nbsp;crash that killed a Kansas teen.

Trisha Greer, 43, Derby, plead not guilty to a&nbsp;charge of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence before Judge Sean Hatfield, according&nbsp;&nbsp;to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;. Her jury trial is scheduled to begin September 29. 

Just after 11p.m. May 14, Greer was driving without headlights at 55th Street South and Hoover, according to Sheriff's Lt Nathan Gibbs. The vehicle struck and killed 18-year-old Bethany Aillen Callista Leggio who was standing with a group of people at the location.

Greet was booked into jail just after 1a.m. the following morning, according to online jail records. She met the requirements of bond and is no longer in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717510102482.png" alt="Greer photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Greer photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman accused in a crash that killed a Kansas teen was in court for an arraignment hearing Thursday.A woman has pleaded not guilty in connection to a&nbsp;crash that killed a Kansas teen.Trisha Greer, 43, Derby, plead not guilty to a&nbsp;charge of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence before Judge Sean Hatfield, according&nbsp;&nbsp;to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;. Her jury trial is scheduled to begin September 29. Just after 11p.m. May 14, Greer was driving without headlights at 55th Street South and Hoover, according to Sheriff's Lt Nathan Gibbs. The vehicle struck and killed 18-year-old Bethany Aillen Callista Leggio who was standing with a group of people at the location.Greet was booked into jail just after 1a.m. the following morning, according to online jail records. She met the requirements of bond and is no longer in custody.

Kan. woman enters plea in alleged DUI crash that killed teen

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged with two misdemeanors for allegedly discharging a firearm into the air at an intersection during a shooting .

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2659/L-Holman-Misd-Information">Leonard Holman Jr</a>., 24,&nbsp;faces Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm – 1st Offense and Resisting/Interfering with Arrest, Detention Or Stop, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2660/L-Holman-CRIFS-PC_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were conducting an area presence near the intersection of East 19th Street and Paseo Boulevard on June 22 when multiple people began to run from the defendant who was holding a firearm.

Officers observed the defendant discharge multiple rounds from his firearm into the air. When officers gave Holman verbal commands to drop the firearm and get down on the ground, Holman ran. He was eventually taken into custody and told police he was shooting in the air to protect himself.&nbsp;

Detectives reviewed city traffic cameras and observed Holman retrieve his firearm from his waist band and discharge it in the air multiple times.

The investigation into the fatal shooting that occurred on East 19th and Vine Street is ongoing.&nbsp; Holman is being held on a $10,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750711438864.png" alt="Holman photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Holman photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged with two misdemeanors for allegedly discharging a firearm into the air at an intersection during a shooting .<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2659/L-Holman-Misd-Information">Leonard Holman Jr</a>., 24,&nbsp;faces Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm – 1st Offense and Resisting/Interfering with Arrest, Detention Or Stop, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2660/L-Holman-CRIFS-PC_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were conducting an area presence near the intersection of East 19th Street and Paseo Boulevard on June 22 when multiple people began to run from the defendant who was holding a firearm. Officers observed the defendant discharge multiple rounds from his firearm into the air. When officers gave Holman verbal commands to drop the firearm and get down on the ground, Holman ran. He was eventually taken into custody and told police he was shooting in the air to protect himself.&nbsp;Detectives reviewed city traffic cameras and observed Holman retrieve his firearm from his waist band and discharge it in the air multiple times.The investigation into the fatal shooting that occurred on East 19th and Vine Street is ongoing.&nbsp; Holman is being held on a $10,000 bond.

KC man charged after firing gun, running from police

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri, have identified the man who died as Antonio Jackson, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 2a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at 24th and Lister in Kansas City, according to Becchina.

Officers were directed to a parking lot on the corner of the intersection. They located&nbsp; shooting victim, later identified as Jackson, unresponsive there.

Officers rendered aid to Jackson and called for EMS. EMS responded and took over treatment of the victim. EMS transported Jackson to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

While at the scene officers were notified of 3 additional victims who had been shot at this location. One victim arrived by private vehicle at a hospital, one victim went to a residence in the 3900 block of Chelsea and was subsequently transported to the hospital by EMS. One victim was located at 19th and Oak. EMS took him to a local hospital.

The 3 surviving shooting victims are continuing their recovery and all continue to have what are thought to be non-life threatening injuries, according to Becchina.

Homicide detectives were at the scene canvassing for any witnesses. They will also be speaking with people who were at the scene when officers arrived to get a better idea of what led up to the shots being fired and the victims being struck. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751124605547.png" alt="Homicide detectives were at the scene canvassing for any witnesses.-Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Homicide detectives were at the scene canvassing for any witnesses.-Photos Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri, have identified the man who died as Antonio Jackson, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just after 2a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at 24th and Lister in Kansas City, according to Becchina.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751124588232.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Officers were directed to a parking lot on the corner of the intersection. They located&nbsp; shooting victim, later identified as Jackson, unresponsive there.Officers rendered aid to Jackson and called for EMS. EMS responded and took over treatment of the victim. EMS transported Jackson to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.While at the scene officers were notified of 3 additional victims who had been shot at this location. One victim arrived by private vehicle at a hospital, one victim went to a residence in the 3900 block of Chelsea and was subsequently transported to the hospital by EMS. One victim was located at 19th and Oak. EMS took him to a local hospital.The 3 surviving shooting victims are continuing their recovery and all continue to have what are thought to be non-life threatening injuries, according to Becchina.Homicide detectives were at the scene canvassing for any witnesses. They will also be speaking with people who were at the scene when officers arrived to get a better idea of what led up to the shots being fired and the victims being struck.

KCPD: 1 dead, 3 wounded in shooting 

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/dee-ann-durbin">DEE-ANN DURBIN</a> Associated Press

J.M. Smucker Co. plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-synthetic-food-dyes-natural-fda-sensient-ad9611b1235f2097469508e711e71094">remove artificial colors</a>&nbsp;from its products by the end of 2027.

Orrville, Ohio-based Smucker said Thursday it will also remove synthetic dyes from foods sold to K-12 schools by the 2026-2027 school year.

Smucker said the majority of its products – including its Uncrustables sandwiches – are already free of synthetic dyes. But some products still have them, including sugar-free jams and ice cream toppings.

Smucker said some products from Hostess, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostess-smucker-twinkie-bankruptcy-f37a3ec4028be7eca7cf5e963ce43135">it acquired in 2023</a>, also contain artificial colors. Twinkies are made with Red 40 and Yellow 5, for example, while Snoballs snack cakes are made with Red 40 Lake, a dye combined with aluminum to keep it from dissolving in water.

Smucker joins a growing number of big food companies that have announced plans to eliminate artificial dyes. Earlier this week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nestle-artificial-colors-dyes-534843becc89b62d8ac548f81338ec1b">Nestle</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conagra-artificial-colors-dyes-duncan-hines-3bdf5b4c47c0afd8876b0fbca109f595">Conagra Brands</a>&nbsp;— the parent company of Duncan Hines — both said they would phase out synthetic dyes.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kraft-heinz-dye-ketchup-70a48b9af69583e24755392daf9f1a4a">Kraft Heinz and General Mills</a>&nbsp;made similar pledges last week.

The federal government has stepped up its scrutiny of artificial colors in recent months. In January, days before President Donald Trump took office, the U.S. regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-red-dye-no-3-ban-94c3e418584fb1e91ca3b0cbeb3d5a60">banned the dye</a>&nbsp;called Red 3 from the nation’s food supply, nearly 35 years after it was barred from cosmetics because of potential cancer risk.

In April, Trump’s Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-artificial-food-dyes-kennedy-6f6c1aa08aafdae1925718804f360c0b">take steps to eliminate synthetic dyes</a>&nbsp;by the end of 2026, largely by relying on voluntary efforts from the food industry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751118130837.png" alt="Photo courtesy JM Smuckers" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy JM Smuckers</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/dee-ann-durbin">DEE-ANN DURBIN</a> Associated PressJ.M. Smucker Co. plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-synthetic-food-dyes-natural-fda-sensient-ad9611b1235f2097469508e711e71094">remove artificial colors</a>&nbsp;from its products by the end of 2027.Orrville, Ohio-based Smucker said Thursday it will also remove synthetic dyes from foods sold to K-12 schools by the 2026-2027 school year.Smucker said the majority of its products – including its Uncrustables sandwiches – are already free of synthetic dyes. But some products still have them, including sugar-free jams and ice cream toppings.Smucker said some products from Hostess, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostess-smucker-twinkie-bankruptcy-f37a3ec4028be7eca7cf5e963ce43135">it acquired in 2023</a>, also contain artificial colors. Twinkies are made with Red 40 and Yellow 5, for example, while Snoballs snack cakes are made with Red 40 Lake, a dye combined with aluminum to keep it from dissolving in water.Smucker joins a growing number of big food companies that have announced plans to eliminate artificial dyes. Earlier this week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nestle-artificial-colors-dyes-534843becc89b62d8ac548f81338ec1b">Nestle</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conagra-artificial-colors-dyes-duncan-hines-3bdf5b4c47c0afd8876b0fbca109f595">Conagra Brands</a>&nbsp;— the parent company of Duncan Hines — both said they would phase out synthetic dyes.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kraft-heinz-dye-ketchup-70a48b9af69583e24755392daf9f1a4a">Kraft Heinz and General Mills</a>&nbsp;made similar pledges last week.The federal government has stepped up its scrutiny of artificial colors in recent months. In January, days before President Donald Trump took office, the U.S. regulators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-red-dye-no-3-ban-94c3e418584fb1e91ca3b0cbeb3d5a60">banned the dye</a>&nbsp;called Red 3 from the nation’s food supply, nearly 35 years after it was barred from cosmetics because of potential cancer risk.In April, Trump’s Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-artificial-food-dyes-kennedy-6f6c1aa08aafdae1925718804f360c0b">take steps to eliminate synthetic dyes</a>&nbsp;by the end of 2026, largely by relying on voluntary efforts from the food industry.

J.M. Smucker to remove artificial colors from its jams and other products

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 — A Kansas program aimed at preventing unemployment fraud has been caught in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

The U.S. Department of Labor in May canceled $400 million in unemployment insurance grants across the country. Included within the grant funding was language that the Trump administration associated with DEI initiatives, such as studying the “equity of the unemployment system” and an “equitable access director.”

A spokesperson for the department said the cuts were “part of the administration’s ongoing effort to remove unlawful DEI programs across government.”

But at the Kansas Department of Labor, the rescission didn’t eliminate any DEI programs.

Instead, it defunded a program that implemented identity verification tools, fraud analytics and safeguards to prevent criminal attacks and system failures, which were crucial in the wake of record volumes of fraudulent claims during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amber Shultz, Kansas labor secretary, wrote a letter Thursday to U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, expressing her “deep concern and disappointment” over the federal government’s decision, which she called “both confusing and contradictory.”

“The rationale of canceling a grant specifically intended to detect and prevent fraud is, frankly, counterproductive,” Shultz said in the letter.

Kansas forfeited $1 million of the $1.7 million total without forewarning.

“Revoking this support now leaves states more vulnerable to the very threats we were all called to confront,” Shultz said.

She called the funding loss “a huge blow,” and said she anticipates that employers and claimants will feel the impacts, which could mean slower claims processes.

The termination notice the state received from the federal government reasoned that the grant “no longer effectuates the department’s priorities for its grant funding.”

Communication between the state and federal departments has been nonexistent. Shultz said in a phone call that she and department staff have been attempting to communicate with the federal department, without any response.

A statement to Kansas Reflector attributed to a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson said America’s unemployment system is in an “infrastructure crisis, riddled with waste, fraud and abuse.”

The statement said the Biden administration squandered its opportunity to fix the system by focusing “on equitable access rather than advancing access for all Americans in need.”

Shultz said none of the funding for Kansas’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/uipl-11-23" target="_blank">unemployment insurance fraud prevention grant program</a>&nbsp;was used for DEI initiatives.

The federal department is fulfilling its goal, Shultz said, “if they want fraudsters to have equitable access to our funds.”

A different grant from the U.S. Department of Labor under the Biden administration, called the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/unemployment-insurance-program-letter-no-23-21" target="_blank">equity grant</a>, gave Kansas more than $4.5 million, which the state used to ensure all Kansans could access the unemployment system. That meant focusing on rural Kansans without broadband access, Shultz said.

With the federal funding, the state fraud prevention program was able to conduct investigations and recover funds lost to fraudulent claims. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas and many other states faced extreme volumes of unemployment fraud, largely from international crime rings, which took advantage of aged and vulnerable claims systems. Kansas recently&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/16/kansas-recovers-11-million-in-pandemic-era-fraudulent-unemployment-claims/">recovered $11 million</a>&nbsp;in fraudulent claims, which totaled around 2.4% of the $460 million in state and federal funds lost during the pandemic.

The federal department’s Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office have pressed states across the country to improve fraud prevention and recovery efforts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751047370676.png" alt=" Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, left, and Kansas Department of Labor secretary Amber Shultz, right, announce the launch of the state’s new online unemployment system Nov. 22, 2024, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, left, and Kansas Department of Labor secretary Amber Shultz, right, announce the launch of the state’s new online unemployment system Nov. 22, 2024, at the Statehouse in Topeka. (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 — A Kansas program aimed at preventing unemployment fraud has been caught in the crosshairs of the Trump administration’s crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.The U.S. Department of Labor in May canceled $400 million in unemployment insurance grants across the country. Included within the grant funding was language that the Trump administration associated with DEI initiatives, such as studying the “equity of the unemployment system” and an “equitable access director.”A spokesperson for the department said the cuts were “part of the administration’s ongoing effort to remove unlawful DEI programs across government.”But at the Kansas Department of Labor, the rescission didn’t eliminate any DEI programs.Instead, it defunded a program that implemented identity verification tools, fraud analytics and safeguards to prevent criminal attacks and system failures, which were crucial in the wake of record volumes of fraudulent claims during the COVID-19 pandemic.Amber Shultz, Kansas labor secretary, wrote a letter Thursday to U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, expressing her “deep concern and disappointment” over the federal government’s decision, which she called “both confusing and contradictory.”“The rationale of canceling a grant specifically intended to detect and prevent fraud is, frankly, counterproductive,” Shultz said in the letter.Kansas forfeited $1 million of the $1.7 million total without forewarning.“Revoking this support now leaves states more vulnerable to the very threats we were all called to confront,” Shultz said.She called the funding loss “a huge blow,” and said she anticipates that employers and claimants will feel the impacts, which could mean slower claims processes.The termination notice the state received from the federal government reasoned that the grant “no longer effectuates the department’s priorities for its grant funding.”Communication between the state and federal departments has been nonexistent. Shultz said in a phone call that she and department staff have been attempting to communicate with the federal department, without any response.A statement to Kansas Reflector attributed to a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson said America’s unemployment system is in an “infrastructure crisis, riddled with waste, fraud and abuse.”The statement said the Biden administration squandered its opportunity to fix the system by focusing “on equitable access rather than advancing access for all Americans in need.”Shultz said none of the funding for Kansas’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/uipl-11-23" target="_blank">unemployment insurance fraud prevention grant program</a>&nbsp;was used for DEI initiatives.The federal department is fulfilling its goal, Shultz said, “if they want fraudsters to have equitable access to our funds.”A different grant from the U.S. Department of Labor under the Biden administration, called the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/unemployment-insurance-program-letter-no-23-21" target="_blank">equity grant</a>, gave Kansas more than $4.5 million, which the state used to ensure all Kansans could access the unemployment system. That meant focusing on rural Kansans without broadband access, Shultz said.With the federal funding, the state fraud prevention program was able to conduct investigations and recover funds lost to fraudulent claims. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kansas and many other states faced extreme volumes of unemployment fraud, largely from international crime rings, which took advantage of aged and vulnerable claims systems. Kansas recently&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/06/16/kansas-recovers-11-million-in-pandemic-era-fraudulent-unemployment-claims/">recovered $11 million</a>&nbsp;in fraudulent claims, which totaled around 2.4% of the $460 million in state and federal funds lost during the pandemic.The federal department’s Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office have pressed states across the country to improve fraud prevention and recovery efforts.

U.S. labor department terminates Kansas unemployment fraud prevention grant because of DEI

BANGKOK (AP) — Washington and Beijing have signed a trade agreement that will make it easier for American firms to obtain magnets and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rare-earths-trump-tariffs-china-trade-war-effd6a7ec64b5830df9d3c76ab9b607a">rare earth minerals</a>&nbsp;from China that are critical to manufacturing and microchip production, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday.

The agreement comes after China retaliated against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariff-economy-trade-court-appeal-e0a2cd2ebc049afce0ebc4959d1cb0be">steep import tariffs</a>&nbsp;imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese goods and moved to slow export of rare earth minerals and magnets much-needed by U.S. industrial interests.

Bessent said on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping “had a phone call” previously "and then our teams met in London, ironed this out, and I am confident now that we, as agreed, the magnets will flow.”

“Part of the agreement was tariffs coming down and rare earth magnets starting to flow back to the U.S.," Bessent said. "They formed the core of a lot of our industrial base. They were not flowing as fast as previously agreed.”

His comments follow President Donald Trump announcing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-xinjiang-critical-minerals-forced-labor-uyghur-eac368889c299fd304a3b7beefc7469a">two weeks earlier</a>&nbsp;an agreement with China that he said would ease exportation of magnets and rare earth minerals

That pact cleared the way for the trade talks to continue. The U.S. has previously suspended some sales to China of critical U.S. technologies like components used for jet engines and semiconductors. It has also agreed to stop trying to revoke visas of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-students-visas-trump-guidance-social-media-a1f5180ce83560aff66dd65534906697">Chinese nationals on U.S. college campuses</a>.

Bessent added of critical mineral exports: “What we’re seeing here is a de-escalation.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg TV that the deal was signed earlier this week.

China’s Commerce Ministry said Friday that the two sides had “further confirmed the details of the framework,” when responding to a question about if China was to speed up exports of rare earths to the U.S. and if the U.S. was to remove some restrictions on China.

“China will, in accordance with the law, review and approve eligible export applications for controlled items. In turn, the United States will lift a series of restrictive measures it had imposed on China,” the ministry said.

Initial talks in Geneva in early May led both sides to postpone massive&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/:%20https://apnews.com/article/canada-carney-trade-us-trump-tariffs-4d22145bc3834b65f6e68805ce0cc3e6">tariff hikes</a>&nbsp;that were threatening to freeze much trade between the two countries. Later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-trade-talks-london-e9e87d76a81a5e51294368308d5af47d">talks in London</a>&nbsp;set a framework for negotiations and the deal mentioned by Trump appeared to formalize that agreement — setting the stage for Bessent's comments on Friday.

In London, export controls of the minerals eclipsed tariffs in the trade negotiations after China in April imposed permitting requirements on seven rare earth elements, per a Chinese law that applies to all exports, not just those bound for the U.S. market.

With the permitting process taking 45 days, the new requirement has caused a pause in shipments, threatening to disrupt production of cars, robots, wind turbines and other high-tech products in the U.S. and around the world. The U.S., meanwhile, took restrictive measures on exports of high tech to China.

By the latest agreement, China does not remove the permitting requirement on rare earths but retains the flexibility to dial up or down the approval process as needed.

Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Washington-based think tank Stimson Center, said Beijing has only tightened its overall policy on rare earths but has the discretion on how to implement it. "That’s the Chinese style,” she said. “If all goes well, permit happens. If things go in a wrong direction, like U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, permits gone with wind.”

China also has taken steps recently on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-fentanyl-tariffs-trump-f77abc5dc8cba277a07c0f2cddb9a9e9">the fentanyl issue</a>, announcing last week that it would designate two more substances as precursor chemicals for fentanyl, making them subject to production, transport and export regulations. Trump has demanded that Beijing do more to stop the flow of such precursor ingredients to Mexican drug cartels, which use them to make fentanyl for sale in the U.S. He imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese imports over the fentanyl issue, the biggest part of current 30% across-the-board taxes on Chinese goods.

The agreement struck in May in Geneva called for both sides to scale back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-tariff-trump-xi-trade-london-talks-7db44c1697a7c4cf781e0e1796470625">punitive tariff hikes</a>&nbsp;imposed as Trump escalated his trade war and sharply raised import duties. Some higher tariffs, such as those imposed by Washington related to the trade in fentanyl and duties on aluminum and steel, remain in place.

The rapidly shifting policies are taking a toll on both of the world's two largest economies.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-tariffs-trump-gdp-shrink-86d1f15e66c646ac4ce88ffc0a956942">U.S. economy contracted at a 0.5%</a>&nbsp;annual pace from January through March, partly because imports surged as companies and households rushed to buy foreign goods before Trump could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-tariff-trump-xi-trade-london-talks-7db44c1697a7c4cf781e0e1796470625">impose tariffs on them</a>.

In China, factory profits sank more than 9% from a year earlier in May, with automakers suffering a large share of that drop. They fell more than 1% year-on-year in January-May.

Trump and other U.S. officials have indicated they expect to reach trade deals with many other countries, including India.

“We're going to have deal after deal after deal,” Lutnick said.

___ Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Didi Tang contributed from Washington.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751053998692.png" alt="Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-U.S. trade, in London, Monday, June 9. photo&nbsp; released by Xinhua News Agency" />
 <figcaption>Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-U.S. trade, in London, Monday, June 9. photo&nbsp; released by Xinhua News Agency</figcaption>
 </figure>BANGKOK (AP) — Washington and Beijing have signed a trade agreement that will make it easier for American firms to obtain magnets and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rare-earths-trump-tariffs-china-trade-war-effd6a7ec64b5830df9d3c76ab9b607a">rare earth minerals</a>&nbsp;from China that are critical to manufacturing and microchip production, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday.The agreement comes after China retaliated against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariff-economy-trade-court-appeal-e0a2cd2ebc049afce0ebc4959d1cb0be">steep import tariffs</a>&nbsp;imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese goods and moved to slow export of rare earth minerals and magnets much-needed by U.S. industrial interests.Bessent said on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria” that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping “had a phone call” previously "and then our teams met in London, ironed this out, and I am confident now that we, as agreed, the magnets will flow.”“Part of the agreement was tariffs coming down and rare earth magnets starting to flow back to the U.S.," Bessent said. "They formed the core of a lot of our industrial base. They were not flowing as fast as previously agreed.”His comments follow President Donald Trump announcing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-xinjiang-critical-minerals-forced-labor-uyghur-eac368889c299fd304a3b7beefc7469a">two weeks earlier</a>&nbsp;an agreement with China that he said would ease exportation of magnets and rare earth mineralsThat pact cleared the way for the trade talks to continue. The U.S. has previously suspended some sales to China of critical U.S. technologies like components used for jet engines and semiconductors. It has also agreed to stop trying to revoke visas of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/international-students-visas-trump-guidance-social-media-a1f5180ce83560aff66dd65534906697">Chinese nationals on U.S. college campuses</a>.Bessent added of critical mineral exports: “What we’re seeing here is a de-escalation.”Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg TV that the deal was signed earlier this week.China’s Commerce Ministry said Friday that the two sides had “further confirmed the details of the framework,” when responding to a question about if China was to speed up exports of rare earths to the U.S. and if the U.S. was to remove some restrictions on China.“China will, in accordance with the law, review and approve eligible export applications for controlled items. In turn, the United States will lift a series of restrictive measures it had imposed on China,” the ministry said.Initial talks in Geneva in early May led both sides to postpone massive&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/:%20https://apnews.com/article/canada-carney-trade-us-trump-tariffs-4d22145bc3834b65f6e68805ce0cc3e6">tariff hikes</a>&nbsp;that were threatening to freeze much trade between the two countries. Later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-trade-talks-london-e9e87d76a81a5e51294368308d5af47d">talks in London</a>&nbsp;set a framework for negotiations and the deal mentioned by Trump appeared to formalize that agreement — setting the stage for Bessent's comments on Friday.In London, export controls of the minerals eclipsed tariffs in the trade negotiations after China in April imposed permitting requirements on seven rare earth elements, per a Chinese law that applies to all exports, not just those bound for the U.S. market.With the permitting process taking 45 days, the new requirement has caused a pause in shipments, threatening to disrupt production of cars, robots, wind turbines and other high-tech products in the U.S. and around the world. The U.S., meanwhile, took restrictive measures on exports of high tech to China.By the latest agreement, China does not remove the permitting requirement on rare earths but retains the flexibility to dial up or down the approval process as needed.Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Washington-based think tank Stimson Center, said Beijing has only tightened its overall policy on rare earths but has the discretion on how to implement it. "That’s the Chinese style,” she said. “If all goes well, permit happens. If things go in a wrong direction, like U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, permits gone with wind.”China also has taken steps recently on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-fentanyl-tariffs-trump-f77abc5dc8cba277a07c0f2cddb9a9e9">the fentanyl issue</a>, announcing last week that it would designate two more substances as precursor chemicals for fentanyl, making them subject to production, transport and export regulations. Trump has demanded that Beijing do more to stop the flow of such precursor ingredients to Mexican drug cartels, which use them to make fentanyl for sale in the U.S. He imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese imports over the fentanyl issue, the biggest part of current 30% across-the-board taxes on Chinese goods.The agreement struck in May in Geneva called for both sides to scale back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-tariff-trump-xi-trade-london-talks-7db44c1697a7c4cf781e0e1796470625">punitive tariff hikes</a>&nbsp;imposed as Trump escalated his trade war and sharply raised import duties. Some higher tariffs, such as those imposed by Washington related to the trade in fentanyl and duties on aluminum and steel, remain in place.The rapidly shifting policies are taking a toll on both of the world's two largest economies.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-tariffs-trump-gdp-shrink-86d1f15e66c646ac4ce88ffc0a956942">U.S. economy contracted at a 0.5%</a>&nbsp;annual pace from January through March, partly because imports surged as companies and households rushed to buy foreign goods before Trump could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-tariff-trump-xi-trade-london-talks-7db44c1697a7c4cf781e0e1796470625">impose tariffs on them</a>.In China, factory profits sank more than 9% from a year earlier in May, with automakers suffering a large share of that drop. They fell more than 1% year-on-year in January-May.Trump and other U.S. officials have indicated they expect to reach trade deals with many other countries, including India.“We're going to have deal after deal after deal,” Lutnick said.___ Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Didi Tang contributed from Washington.

New details revealed on historic trade deal between the U.S. and China

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor&nbsp;Laura&nbsp;Kelly joined state and local leaders and Walmart leadership Friday to celebrate the grand opening of Walmart's Case-Ready Beef Facility in Olathe.

On social media the governor wrote, "Kansas feeds the nation, and Walmart's first owned and operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe will continue this tradition. I was proud to cut the ribbon at the facility's grand opening, which is creating 600 new jobs for Kansans and long-term growth for the region."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751048121074.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor&nbsp;Laura&nbsp;Kelly joined state and local leaders and Walmart leadership Friday to celebrate the grand opening of Walmart's Case-Ready Beef Facility in Olathe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751048142172.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>On social media the governor wrote, "Kansas feeds the nation, and Walmart's first owned and operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe will continue this tradition. I was proud to cut the ribbon at the facility's grand opening, which is creating 600 new jobs for Kansans and long-term growth for the region."

600 jobs: Gov. Kelly celebrates opening of new case-ready beef facility

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic efforts in the Senate to prevent President Donald Trump from further escalating with Iran fell short Friday, with Republicans blocking a resolution that marked Congress’ first attempt to reassert its war powers following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

The resolution, authored by Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, aimed to affirm that Trump should seek&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-powers-act-trump-congress-9e6832fb5f5f844acf8992008d3a8d63">authorization from Congress</a>&nbsp;before launching more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-military-strikes-trump-f0fc085a2605e7da3e2f47ff9ac0e01d">military action against Iran</a>. Asked Friday if he would bomb Iranian nuclear sites again if he deemed necessary, Trump said, “Sure, without question.”

The measure was defeated in a 53-47 vote in the Republican-held Senate. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.

 One Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, joined Republicans in opposition, while Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote in favor.

Most Republicans have said Iran posed an imminent threat that required decisive action from Trump, and they backed his decision to bomb&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fordo-us-strike-trump-israel-nuclear-sites-320a85327f94ed7496f09564261f3148">three Iranian nuclear sites</a>&nbsp;last weekend without seeking congressional approval.

“Of course, we can debate the scope and strategy of our military engagements,” said Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn. “But we must not shackle our president in the middle of a crisis when lives are on the line.”

Democrats cast doubt on that justification, arguing the president should have come to Congress first. They also said the president did not update them adequately, with Congress' first briefings taking place Thursday.

“The idea is this: We shouldn’t send our sons and daughters into war unless there’s a political consensus that this is a good idea, this is a national interest,” Kaine said in a Thursday interview with The Associated Press. The resolution, Kaine said, wasn't aimed at restricting the president’s ability to defend against a threat, but that "if it’s offense, let’s really make sure we’re making the right decision.”

In a statement following Friday's vote, Kaine said he was “disappointed that many of my colleagues are not willing to stand up and say Congress" should be a part of a decision to go to war.

Democrats' argument for backing the resolution centered on the War Powers Resolution, passed in the early 1970s, which requires the president “in every possible instance” to “consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces.”

Speaking on the Senate floor ahead of Friday's vote, Paul said he would back the resolution, saying that “despite the tactical success of our strikes, they may end up proving to be a strategic failure.”

“It is unclear if this intervention will fully curtail Iran's nuclear aspirations,” said Paul.

Trump is just the latest in a line of presidents to test the limits of the resolution — though he’s done so at a time when he’s often bristling at the nation's checks and balances.

Trump on Monday sent a letter to Congress — as required by the War Powers Resolution — that said strikes on Iran over the weekend were “limited in scope and purpose” and “designed to minimize casualties, deter future attacks and limit the risk of escalation.”

But following classified briefings with top White House officials this week, some lawmakers remain skeptical about how imminent the threat truly was.

“There was no imminent threat to the United States,” said Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, after Friday’s classified briefings.

“There’s always an Iranian threat to the world. But, I have not seen anything to suggest that the threat from the Iranians was radically different last Saturday than it was two Saturdays ago,” Himes said.

Despite Democratic skepticism, nearly all Republicans applauded Trump’s decision to strike Iran. And for GOP senators, supporting the resolution would have meant rebuking the president at the same time they’re working to pass his major legislative package.

Kaine proposed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6286252716f16d09c23451cf95443c6f">similar resolution</a>&nbsp;in 2020 aimed at limiting Trump’s authority to launch military operations against Iran. Among the eight Republicans who joined Democrats in approving the resolution was Indiana Sen. Todd Young.

After Thursday’s classified briefing for the Senate, Young said he was “confident that Iran was prepared to pose a significant threat” and that, given Trump’s stated goal of no further escalation, “I do not believe this resolution is necessary at this time.”

“Should the Administration’s posture change or events dictate the consideration of additional American military action, Congress should be consulted so we can best support those efforts and weigh in on behalf of our constituents,” Young said in a statement.

Trump has said that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran is now in place. But he and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have verbally sparred in recent days, with the ayatollah warning&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-06-26-2025-d09bf2282deea3b2edd63f29c867c058">the U.S.</a>&nbsp;not to launch future strikes on Iran.

White House officials have said they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-06-23-2025-63d873b977642a40986d1f1dee5c4b37">expect to restart talks</a>&nbsp;soon with Iran, though nothing has been scheduled.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750540951558.png" alt="FILE PHOTO -- The B-2 Spirit (U.S. Air Force photo by Bobbie Garcia)" />
 <figcaption>FILE PHOTO -- The B-2 Spirit (U.S. Air Force photo by Bobbie Garcia)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic efforts in the Senate to prevent President Donald Trump from further escalating with Iran fell short Friday, with Republicans blocking a resolution that marked Congress’ first attempt to reassert its war powers following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.The resolution, authored by Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, aimed to affirm that Trump should seek&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-powers-act-trump-congress-9e6832fb5f5f844acf8992008d3a8d63">authorization from Congress</a>&nbsp;before launching more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-military-strikes-trump-f0fc085a2605e7da3e2f47ff9ac0e01d">military action against Iran</a>. Asked Friday if he would bomb Iranian nuclear sites again if he deemed necessary, Trump said, “Sure, without question.”The measure was defeated in a 53-47 vote in the Republican-held Senate. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority. One Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, joined Republicans in opposition, while Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote in favor.Most Republicans have said Iran posed an imminent threat that required decisive action from Trump, and they backed his decision to bomb&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-fordo-us-strike-trump-israel-nuclear-sites-320a85327f94ed7496f09564261f3148">three Iranian nuclear sites</a>&nbsp;last weekend without seeking congressional approval.“Of course, we can debate the scope and strategy of our military engagements,” said Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn. “But we must not shackle our president in the middle of a crisis when lives are on the line.”Democrats cast doubt on that justification, arguing the president should have come to Congress first. They also said the president did not update them adequately, with Congress' first briefings taking place Thursday.“The idea is this: We shouldn’t send our sons and daughters into war unless there’s a political consensus that this is a good idea, this is a national interest,” Kaine said in a Thursday interview with The Associated Press. The resolution, Kaine said, wasn't aimed at restricting the president’s ability to defend against a threat, but that "if it’s offense, let’s really make sure we’re making the right decision.”In a statement following Friday's vote, Kaine said he was “disappointed that many of my colleagues are not willing to stand up and say Congress" should be a part of a decision to go to war.Democrats' argument for backing the resolution centered on the War Powers Resolution, passed in the early 1970s, which requires the president “in every possible instance” to “consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces.”Speaking on the Senate floor ahead of Friday's vote, Paul said he would back the resolution, saying that “despite the tactical success of our strikes, they may end up proving to be a strategic failure.”“It is unclear if this intervention will fully curtail Iran's nuclear aspirations,” said Paul.Trump is just the latest in a line of presidents to test the limits of the resolution — though he’s done so at a time when he’s often bristling at the nation's checks and balances.Trump on Monday sent a letter to Congress — as required by the War Powers Resolution — that said strikes on Iran over the weekend were “limited in scope and purpose” and “designed to minimize casualties, deter future attacks and limit the risk of escalation.”But following classified briefings with top White House officials this week, some lawmakers remain skeptical about how imminent the threat truly was.“There was no imminent threat to the United States,” said Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, after Friday’s classified briefings.“There’s always an Iranian threat to the world. But, I have not seen anything to suggest that the threat from the Iranians was radically different last Saturday than it was two Saturdays ago,” Himes said.Despite Democratic skepticism, nearly all Republicans applauded Trump’s decision to strike Iran. And for GOP senators, supporting the resolution would have meant rebuking the president at the same time they’re working to pass his major legislative package.Kaine proposed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6286252716f16d09c23451cf95443c6f">similar resolution</a>&nbsp;in 2020 aimed at limiting Trump’s authority to launch military operations against Iran. Among the eight Republicans who joined Democrats in approving the resolution was Indiana Sen. Todd Young.After Thursday’s classified briefing for the Senate, Young said he was “confident that Iran was prepared to pose a significant threat” and that, given Trump’s stated goal of no further escalation, “I do not believe this resolution is necessary at this time.”“Should the Administration’s posture change or events dictate the consideration of additional American military action, Congress should be consulted so we can best support those efforts and weigh in on behalf of our constituents,” Young said in a statement.Trump has said that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran is now in place. But he and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have verbally sparred in recent days, with the ayatollah warning&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-06-26-2025-d09bf2282deea3b2edd63f29c867c058">the U.S.</a>&nbsp;not to launch future strikes on Iran.White House officials have said they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-06-23-2025-63d873b977642a40986d1f1dee5c4b37">expect to restart talks</a>&nbsp;soon with Iran, though nothing has been scheduled.

Moran, Marshall help Senate reject effort to restrain Trump on Iran

JACKSON COUNTY—A 12-year-old died in an accident just before 8p.m. Thursday in Jackson County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the boy from Raytown was driving a Monster Moto 80CC mini bike southbound at East 62nd Street and Arlington Avenue. The vehicle traveled off the road, struck a curb and a building.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The boy was pronounced dead at the scene and released to the Jackson County Medical Examiner. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

JACKSON COUNTY—A 12-year-old died in an accident just before 8p.m. Thursday in Jackson County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the boy from Raytown was driving a Monster Moto 80CC mini bike southbound at East 62nd Street and Arlington Avenue. The vehicle traveled off the road, struck a curb and a building.&nbsp; &nbsp;The boy was pronounced dead at the scene and released to the Jackson County Medical Examiner. He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

12-year-old killed in Kansas City area mini bike crash

TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with committing an assault on Tribal land.

According to court documents, Wesley Reel Bennett, 23, of Topeka was indicted on one count of assaults within maritime and territorial jurisdiction, according to the United State's Attorney.

In June 2025, Bennett is accused of assaulting and seriously injuring a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation within the confines of its Tribal territory.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribal Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hunting is prosecuting the case

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750968787684.png" alt="Bennett is being held in Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Bennett is being held in Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Topeka returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with committing an assault on Tribal land.According to court documents, Wesley Reel Bennett, 23, of Topeka was indicted on one count of assaults within maritime and territorial jurisdiction, according to the United State's Attorney.In June 2025, Bennett is accused of assaulting and seriously injuring a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation within the confines of its Tribal territory.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribal Police Department are investigating the case.Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hunting is prosecuting the case

Indictment: Kansas man committed  assault on Tribal land

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man who admitted killing his wife and her boyfriend in 2023 is going to prison.

On Friday, Charles Crawford, 63, received two consecutive life sentences&nbsp; for the murders of Vanessa Crawford, 50, and Donald Eckert, 58, on July 25, 2023, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.

Crawford will not be eligible for parole until 2073.

In December Crawford entered a "no contest" plea to two counts of first-degree felony murder.&nbsp;

"The sentencing of Charles Crawford to two life terms provides a measure of justice for Vanessa Crawford and Donald Eckert, and their families," stated District Attorney Marc Bennett.

The District Attorney's office acknowledges the critical role of the Wichita Police Department. "This conviction and sentence are a testament to the diligent work of the Wichita Police Department whose swift response and thorough investigation were critical in apprehending Crawford and building a strong case. "We especially want to thank Detective Addie Perkins for her tireless efforts in this case."

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man who admitted killing his wife and her boyfriend in 2023 is scheduled for sentencing Friday.

In February, 63-year-old Charles Crawford of Wichita,&nbsp; told Judge Jeffrey Goering he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea in the case, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In December, Crawford pled no contest to two counts of 1st&nbsp;degree murder for&nbsp;the deaths of his 50-year-old wife Vanessa Crawford and her 58-year-old boyfriend Donald Eckert.

Judge Goering will announce his decision on the request for a change of plea Friday.

In July of 2023, a woman dropping off her child at an in-home daycare saw the two homicide victims through a window of a home in the 1100 Block of North Woodrow in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. The victims were identified as Vanessa Crawford and Donald Eckert both of Wichita.

While the investigation was taking place on the scene, Charles Crawford arrived with a gun pointed at his own head. Officers took cover for safety and immediately requested the assistance of SWAT and Crisis Negotiators. A standoff ensued with Crawford but it ended peacefully when he surrendered and was taken into custody

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690372152213.png" alt="Crawford photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Crawford photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man who admitted killing his wife and her boyfriend in 2023 is going to prison.On Friday, Charles Crawford, 63, received two consecutive life sentences&nbsp; for the murders of Vanessa Crawford, 50, and Donald Eckert, 58, on July 25, 2023, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.Crawford will not be eligible for parole until 2073.In December Crawford entered a "no contest" plea to two counts of first-degree felony murder.&nbsp;"The sentencing of Charles Crawford to two life terms provides a measure of justice for Vanessa Crawford and Donald Eckert, and their families," stated District Attorney Marc Bennett.The District Attorney's office acknowledges the critical role of the Wichita Police Department. "This conviction and sentence are a testament to the diligent work of the Wichita Police Department whose swift response and thorough investigation were critical in apprehending Crawford and building a strong case. "We especially want to thank Detective Addie Perkins for her tireless efforts in this case."-------------SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man who admitted killing his wife and her boyfriend in 2023 is scheduled for sentencing Friday.In February, 63-year-old Charles Crawford of Wichita,&nbsp; told Judge Jeffrey Goering he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea in the case, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In December, Crawford pled no contest to two counts of 1st&nbsp;degree murder for&nbsp;the deaths of his 50-year-old wife Vanessa Crawford and her 58-year-old boyfriend Donald Eckert.Judge Goering will announce his decision on the request for a change of plea Friday.In July of 2023, a woman dropping off her child at an in-home daycare saw the two homicide victims through a window of a home in the 1100 Block of North Woodrow in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. The victims were identified as Vanessa Crawford and Donald Eckert both of Wichita.While the investigation was taking place on the scene, Charles Crawford arrived with a gun pointed at his own head. Officers took cover for safety and immediately requested the assistance of SWAT and Crisis Negotiators. A standoff ensued with Crawford but it ended peacefully when he surrendered and was taken into custody

Prison: Kansas man killed his estranged wife and her boyfriend

The Supreme Court on Friday issued decisions on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-redistricting-lgbtq-6a22130b823b407c714a8528bd2d1796">the final six cases that were left on its docket</a>&nbsp;for the summer, including emergency appeals relating to Trump’s agenda.

A divided&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;ruled that individual judges lack the authority to grant nationwide injunctions, but the decision left unclear the fate of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s restrictions on birthright citizenship.

(Click below to watch the full press conference)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1751042330519.png" alt="Image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>Image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>The Supreme Court on Friday issued decisions on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-redistricting-lgbtq-6a22130b823b407c714a8528bd2d1796">the final six cases that were left on its docket</a>&nbsp;for the summer, including emergency appeals relating to Trump’s agenda.A divided&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;ruled that individual judges lack the authority to grant nationwide injunctions, but the decision left unclear the fate of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;’s restrictions on birthright citizenship.(Click below to watch the full press conference)<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump Holds a Press Briefing, June 27, 2025 <a href="https://t.co/4BE57TB6e5">https://t.co/4BE57TB6e5</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1938625348129739251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Supreme Court Monumental Victory 🇺🇸 &quot;Thanks to this decision, we can now promptly file to proceed with numerous policies that have been wrongly enjoined on a nationwide basis.&quot; - <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/tdFqP0ESVz">pic.twitter.com/tdFqP0ESVz</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1938634814606934393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;This is really also a decision based on common sense. It didn&#39;t work the other way. It was a disaster where somebody from a certain location in a very liberal state or a liberal judge or liberal group of judges could tie up a country for years.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MFcAIjKIVG">pic.twitter.com/MFcAIjKIVG</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938630127367405710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;This really brings back the Constitution. This is what it&#39;s all about... the Constitution has been brought back.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/KMmx0e0C8d">pic.twitter.com/KMmx0e0C8d</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938629850174038075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Thanks to this decision, we can now promptly file to proceed with numerous policies that have been wrongly enjoined on a nationwide basis&quot; — such as ending birthright citizenship, ending sanctuary city funding, suspending refugee resettlement, and many more priorities. <a href="https://t.co/Oa4KNNRsor">pic.twitter.com/Oa4KNNRsor</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938628445053096278?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump: “Should we keep this going?” Press: “YES!!!” President Trump: “This is the opposite of Biden!” TRANSPARENCY! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/2XCxfKDCkl">pic.twitter.com/2XCxfKDCkl</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1938637864322929115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;I think the ruling was a great ruling, and I think it&#39;s a great ruling for parents... they lost control of the schools. They lost control of their child, and this is a tremendous victory for parents.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Pla2qrLE36">https://t.co/Pla2qrLE36</a> <a href="https://t.co/jqySSHA8QM">pic.twitter.com/jqySSHA8QM</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938631684284432695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AGPamBondi</a>: &quot;35 of the 40 nationwide injunctions filed against this President ... came from Maryland, D.C., Massachusetts, California, and Washington. That&#39;s CRAZY.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xffC32Wjvk">pic.twitter.com/xffC32Wjvk</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938629547928506391?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AGPamBondi</a>: &quot;Americans are finally getting what they voted for. No longer will we have rogue judges striking down <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>&#39; policies across the entire nation — NO LONGER!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/rqLMAgVKj9">pic.twitter.com/rqLMAgVKj9</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1938627972874854848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The White House press corps has a question for President Trump .. <a href="https://t.co/WTneHzVQjb">pic.twitter.com/WTneHzVQjb</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1938642896145559709?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥President Trump victory lap on Supreme Court decisions

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office has identified the individual found deceased in Sedgwick County Park on June 18 as 31-year-old Michael Etchingham, according to a statement from sheriff's department spokesman Braden Stitt.

The Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center confirmed Etchingham’s identity. He had been reported missing to the Wichita Police Department by a family member on May 14. Detectives believe he was homeless and living in a secluded area in the northwest section of the park near 21st Street North and Ridge Road.

Although the body was found in an advanced state of decomposition, the Sedgwick County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death to be suicide based on evidence collected at the scene and through the course of the Sheriff’s Office investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750295151133.png" alt="Google Map" />
 <figcaption>Google Map</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp;The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office has identified the individual found deceased in Sedgwick County Park on June 18 as 31-year-old Michael Etchingham, according to a statement from sheriff's department spokesman Braden Stitt.The Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center confirmed Etchingham’s identity. He had been reported missing to the Wichita Police Department by a family member on May 14. Detectives believe he was homeless and living in a secluded area in the northwest section of the park near 21st Street North and Ridge Road.Although the body was found in an advanced state of decomposition, the Sedgwick County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death to be suicide based on evidence collected at the scene and through the course of the Sheriff’s Office investigation.

Sheriff IDs body of man found near campsite in Kansas park

By DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers

U.S. stocks closed at an all-time high Friday, another milestone in the market's remarkable recovery from a springtime plunge caused by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-trump-trade-6ea513a44876c2f4dc948a25c15b0eb0">fears that the Trump administration's trade policies</a>&nbsp;could harm the economy.

The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.5%, finishing above its previous record set in February. The key measure of Wall Street’s health fell nearly 20% from February 19 through April 8.

The market's complete turnaround from its deep swoon happened in about half the time that it normally takes, said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA.

“Investors will breathe a sigh of relief,” he said.

The Nasdaq composite gained 0.5% and set its own all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1%.

President Donald Trump’s decision Friday to halt trade talks with Canada threatened to derail Wall Street’s run to a record, but the market steadied after the S&amp;P 500 briefly turned negative.

By DAMIAN J. TROISE and ALEX VEIGA AP Business WritersU.S. stocks closed at an all-time high Friday, another milestone in the market's remarkable recovery from a springtime plunge caused by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-trump-trade-6ea513a44876c2f4dc948a25c15b0eb0">fears that the Trump administration's trade policies</a>&nbsp;could harm the economy.The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.5%, finishing above its previous record set in February. The key measure of Wall Street’s health fell nearly 20% from February 19 through April 8.The market's complete turnaround from its deep swoon happened in about half the time that it normally takes, said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA.“Investors will breathe a sigh of relief,” he said.The Nasdaq composite gained 0.5% and set its own all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1%.President Donald Trump’s decision Friday to halt trade talks with Canada threatened to derail Wall Street’s run to a record, but the market steadied after the S&amp;P 500 briefly turned negative.The gains on Friday were broad, with nearly every sector within the S&amp;P 500 rising.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nike-china-tariff-trump-f84fe37e11dbf4b439d8655d3533380c">Nike soared 15.2%</a>&nbsp;for the biggest gain in the market, despite warning of a steep hit from tariffs.The broader market has seemingly shaken off fears about the Israel-Iran war disrupting the global supply of crude oil and sending prices higher.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-war-nuclear-06-27-2025-e30d8ae4e3c6d13e4cfb562c35dd744b">A ceasefire between the two nations</a>&nbsp;is still in place.The price of crude oil in the U.S. fell 0.4% to $65.52 a barrel. Prices have fallen back to pre-conflict levels.Investors are also monitoring potential progress on trade conflicts between the U.S. and its trading partners, specifically China. The two countries have signed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-trade-earths-tariffs-trump-463ae8d6ccba15b56c7d4d31d3fc42a1">trade deal</a>&nbsp;that will make it easier for American firms to obtain magnets and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rare-earths-trump-tariffs-china-trade-war-effd6a7ec64b5830df9d3c76ab9b607a">rare earth minerals</a>&nbsp;from China that are critical to manufacturing and microchip production, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday.China’s Commerce Ministry also said that the two sides had “further confirmed the details of the framework” for their trade talks. But its statement did not explicitly mention an agreement to ensure U.S. access to rare earths, and instead said it will review and approve “eligible export applications for controlled items.”An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-spending-a79d36a04c4ce1e264bc86098e4f5583">update on inflation Friday showed prices ticked higher</a>&nbsp;in May, though the rate mostly matched economists' projections.Inflation remains a big concern for businesses and consumers. Trump’s on-again-off-again tariff policy has made it difficult for companies to make financial forecasts. It has also put more pressure on consumers worried about already stubborn inflation. A long list of businesses from carmakers to retailers have warned that higher import taxes will likely hurt their revenues and profits.The U.S. has 10% baseline tariffs on all imported goods, along with higher rates for Chinese goods and other import taxes on steel and autos. The economy and consumers have remained somewhat resilient, though analysts and economists expect to see the impact grow as import taxes continue to work their way through businesses to consumers.“While we also would have expected to already be seeing a bit more passthrough into the inflation statistics, we still expect these impacts to show up in a more meaningful way in the next few months,” said Greg Wilensky, head of U.S. fixed income and portfolio manager at Janus Henderson.The threat of more severe tariffs continues to hang over the economy. The current pause on a round of retaliatory tariffs against a long list of nations is set to expire in July. Failure to negotiate deals or further postpone the tariffs could once again rattle investors and consumers.The Federal Reserve is monitoring the tariff situation with a big focus on inflation. The rate of inflation has been stubbornly sitting just above the central bank's target of 2%. In a report Friday, its preferred gauge, the personal consumption expenditures index, rose to 2.3% in May. That's up from 2.1% the previous month.The Fed cut interest rates three times in late 2024 following a historic series of rate hikes to cool inflation. The PCE was as high as 7.2% in 2022 while the more commonly used consumer price index hit 9.1%.The Fed hasn't cut rates so far in 2025 over worries that tariffs could reignite inflation and hamper the economy. Economists still expect at least two rate cuts before the end of the year.Bond yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.27% from 4.24% late Thursday. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for what the Federal Reserve will do, edged up to 3.74% from late Thursday.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 32.05 points to 6,173.07. The Dow gained 432.43 points to 43,819.27, and the Nasdaq added 105.55 points to 20,273.46.Stocks in Europe were mostly higher, while stocks in Asia finished mixed.__