NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street’s sell-off hit a new low Thursday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;</a>escalating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-china-canada-trade-cfe1fa82a47f1bca21a82f4b504486c8">trade war</a>&nbsp;dragged the S&amp;P 500 more than 10% below its record, which was set just last month.

A 10% drop is a big enough deal that professional investors have a name for it — a “correction” — and the S&amp;P 500’s 1.4% slide on Thursday sent the index to its first since 2023. The losses came after Trump upped the stakes in his trade war by threatening huge taxes on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-eu-whiskey-cb259623a25ca1bfdb4673262ceef85b">European wines and alcohol</a>. Not even a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/producer-prices-inflation-federal-reserve-economy-rates-0206becfb61f2f41434fb6b22f62cfbf">double-shot&nbsp;</a>of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-20896cf1a39e70fd335f9e5e59bf8fe6">good news&nbsp;</a>on the U.S. economy could stop the bleeding.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 537 points, or 1.3% Thursday, and the Nasdaq composite fell 2%.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-trump-tariffs-212a4d57c910a468b4c9eeb8757e49ea">dizzying, battering swings</a>&nbsp;for stocks have been coming not just day to day but also hour to hour, and the Dow hurtled between a slight gain and a drop of 689 points through Thursday’s trading.

The turbulence is a result of uncertainty about how much&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add">pain</a>&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-recession-fears-535e22b2c7c62ce917afe12c19c60c75">will let the economy</a>&nbsp;endure through tariffs and other policies in order to reshape the country and world as he wants. The president has said he wants manufacturing jobs back in the United States, along with a smaller U.S. government workforce and other fundamental changes.

Trump’s latest escalation came Thursday when he threatened 200% tariffs on Champagne and other European wines, unless the European Union rolls back a “nasty” tariff announced on U.S. whiskey. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-eu-tariffs-countermeasures-806a3b9bcc9cd4e45817e672d95f0070">European Union unveiled that move&nbsp;</a>on Wednesday, in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-steel-aluminum-trump-canada-economy-578826747acad6802c291b97ee66ee91">U.S. tariffs on European steel and aluminum</a>.

U.S. households and businesses have already reported&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-4ec3430138e6d872a6dae273e212edd1">drops in confidence&nbsp;</a>because of all the uncertainty about which tariffs will stick from Trump’s barrage of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">on</a>&nbsp;-again,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-mexico-canada-bfed103a11a2a71d8353350f94c78814">off</a>&nbsp;-again announcements. That’s raised fears about a pullback in spending that could sap energy from the economy. Some U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-inflation-tariffs-economy-minnesota-345efc8c9edc03994f13dd6d624c719b">businesses</a>&nbsp;say they’ve already begun to see a change in their customers’ behavior because of the uncertainty.

A particularly feared scenario for the economy is one where its growth stagnates but inflation stays high because of tariffs. Few tools are available in Washington to fix what’s called “stagflation.” If the Federal Reserve were to cut interest rates to boost the economy, for example, that could also push inflation higher.

Good news came on both those economic fronts Thursday.

One report showed inflation at the wholesale level last month was milder than economists expected. It followed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-tariffs-trump-883afba8a7199b3a92a617b68ab1a6a6">similarly encouraging report&nbsp;</a>from the prior day on inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling.

But “the question for markets is whether good news on the inflation front can make itself heard above the noise of the ever-changing tariff story,” said Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley.

A separate report, meanwhile, said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected. It’s the latest signal that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-jobs-unemployment-tariffs-immigrants-fed-eed80fafbb4ffb7edcb5b0cb8bb5fa14">job market remains relatively solid overall</a>. If that can continue, it could allow U.S. consumers to keep spending, and that’s the main engine of the economy.

On Wall Steet, some stocks connected to the artificial-intelligence industry resumed their slide and weighed on stock indexes. Palantir Technologies, which offers an AI platform for customers, sank 4.8%. Super Micro Computer, which makes servers, lost 8%.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-stock-ai-deepseek-wall-street-5ef5329d2a864f7f733f7e8984366238">Nvidia</a>&nbsp;swung between gains and losses before finishing nearly unchanged.

Such stocks have been under the most pressure in the U.S. stock market’s recent sell-off after critics said their prices shot too high in the frenzy around AI.

Other areas of the market that had also been riding big earlier momentum have seen their fortunes swing drastically.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-tesla-9a43c57a0591a4c7ed8d3f1b2c7ef8d9">Elon Musk’s Tesla</a>&nbsp;fell 3% following a rare back-to-back gain, and it’s down more than 40% so far in 2025.

American Eagle Outfitters dropped 4.1% after the retailer said “less robust demand and colder weather” have held back its performance recently. It forecasted a dip in revenue for the upcoming year, though it also delivered a stronger profit report for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

On the winning side of Wall Street was Intel, which jumped 14.6% after naming former board member and semiconductor industry veteran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/intel-new-ceo-lipbu-tan-chips-efcf8ab220b5927783924dd316cb4575">Lip-Bu Tan as its CEO</a>. Tan, 65, will take over the daunting job next week, more than three months after Intel’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/intel-ceo-gelsinger-zinsner-holthaus-f0a221f4987facc5f532f7f9101e4a06">previous CEO, Pat Gelsinger, abruptly retired&nbsp;</a>amid a deepening downturn at the once-dominant chipmaker.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 lost 77.78 points to 5,521.52. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 537.36 to 40,813.57, and the Nasdaq composite sank 345.44 to 17,303.01.

In the bond market, Treasury yields lost an early gain to sink lower. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.26% from 4.32%. The yield has been mostly dropping since January, when it was approaching 4.80%, as traders and economists have ratcheted back their expectations for U.S. economic growth.

While few are predicting a recession, particularly with the job market remaining relatively solid, recent reports have shown a souring of confidence among U.S. consumers and companies.

In stock markets abroad, indexes fell across much of Europe and Asia, but the moves were relatively modest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722962507580.png" alt="File photo (AP Photo/Richard Drew)" />
 <figcaption>File photo (AP Photo/Richard Drew)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street’s sell-off hit a new low Thursday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;</a>escalating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-china-canada-trade-cfe1fa82a47f1bca21a82f4b504486c8">trade war</a>&nbsp;dragged the S&amp;P 500 more than 10% below its record, which was set just last month.A 10% drop is a big enough deal that professional investors have a name for it — a “correction” — and the S&amp;P 500’s 1.4% slide on Thursday sent the index to its first since 2023. The losses came after Trump upped the stakes in his trade war by threatening huge taxes on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-eu-whiskey-cb259623a25ca1bfdb4673262ceef85b">European wines and alcohol</a>. Not even a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/producer-prices-inflation-federal-reserve-economy-rates-0206becfb61f2f41434fb6b22f62cfbf">double-shot&nbsp;</a>of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-20896cf1a39e70fd335f9e5e59bf8fe6">good news&nbsp;</a>on the U.S. economy could stop the bleeding.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 537 points, or 1.3% Thursday, and the Nasdaq composite fell 2%.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-trump-tariffs-212a4d57c910a468b4c9eeb8757e49ea">dizzying, battering swings</a>&nbsp;for stocks have been coming not just day to day but also hour to hour, and the Dow hurtled between a slight gain and a drop of 689 points through Thursday’s trading.The turbulence is a result of uncertainty about how much&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add">pain</a>&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-recession-fears-535e22b2c7c62ce917afe12c19c60c75">will let the economy</a>&nbsp;endure through tariffs and other policies in order to reshape the country and world as he wants. The president has said he wants manufacturing jobs back in the United States, along with a smaller U.S. government workforce and other fundamental changes.Trump’s latest escalation came Thursday when he threatened 200% tariffs on Champagne and other European wines, unless the European Union rolls back a “nasty” tariff announced on U.S. whiskey. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-eu-tariffs-countermeasures-806a3b9bcc9cd4e45817e672d95f0070">European Union unveiled that move&nbsp;</a>on Wednesday, in response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-steel-aluminum-trump-canada-economy-578826747acad6802c291b97ee66ee91">U.S. tariffs on European steel and aluminum</a>.U.S. households and businesses have already reported&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-confidence-conference-board-economy-spending-4ec3430138e6d872a6dae273e212edd1">drops in confidence&nbsp;</a>because of all the uncertainty about which tariffs will stick from Trump’s barrage of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">on</a>&nbsp;-again,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-mexico-canada-bfed103a11a2a71d8353350f94c78814">off</a>&nbsp;-again announcements. That’s raised fears about a pullback in spending that could sap energy from the economy. Some U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-inflation-tariffs-economy-minnesota-345efc8c9edc03994f13dd6d624c719b">businesses</a>&nbsp;say they’ve already begun to see a change in their customers’ behavior because of the uncertainty.A particularly feared scenario for the economy is one where its growth stagnates but inflation stays high because of tariffs. Few tools are available in Washington to fix what’s called “stagflation.” If the Federal Reserve were to cut interest rates to boost the economy, for example, that could also push inflation higher.Good news came on both those economic fronts Thursday.One report showed inflation at the wholesale level last month was milder than economists expected. It followed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-tariffs-trump-883afba8a7199b3a92a617b68ab1a6a6">similarly encouraging report&nbsp;</a>from the prior day on inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling.But “the question for markets is whether good news on the inflation front can make itself heard above the noise of the ever-changing tariff story,” said Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley.A separate report, meanwhile, said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected. It’s the latest signal that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-jobs-unemployment-tariffs-immigrants-fed-eed80fafbb4ffb7edcb5b0cb8bb5fa14">job market remains relatively solid overall</a>. If that can continue, it could allow U.S. consumers to keep spending, and that’s the main engine of the economy.On Wall Steet, some stocks connected to the artificial-intelligence industry resumed their slide and weighed on stock indexes. Palantir Technologies, which offers an AI platform for customers, sank 4.8%. Super Micro Computer, which makes servers, lost 8%.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-stock-ai-deepseek-wall-street-5ef5329d2a864f7f733f7e8984366238">Nvidia</a>&nbsp;swung between gains and losses before finishing nearly unchanged.Such stocks have been under the most pressure in the U.S. stock market’s recent sell-off after critics said their prices shot too high in the frenzy around AI.Other areas of the market that had also been riding big earlier momentum have seen their fortunes swing drastically.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-tesla-9a43c57a0591a4c7ed8d3f1b2c7ef8d9">Elon Musk’s Tesla</a>&nbsp;fell 3% following a rare back-to-back gain, and it’s down more than 40% so far in 2025.American Eagle Outfitters dropped 4.1% after the retailer said “less robust demand and colder weather” have held back its performance recently. It forecasted a dip in revenue for the upcoming year, though it also delivered a stronger profit report for the latest quarter than analysts expected.On the winning side of Wall Street was Intel, which jumped 14.6% after naming former board member and semiconductor industry veteran&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/intel-new-ceo-lipbu-tan-chips-efcf8ab220b5927783924dd316cb4575">Lip-Bu Tan as its CEO</a>. Tan, 65, will take over the daunting job next week, more than three months after Intel’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/intel-ceo-gelsinger-zinsner-holthaus-f0a221f4987facc5f532f7f9101e4a06">previous CEO, Pat Gelsinger, abruptly retired&nbsp;</a>amid a deepening downturn at the once-dominant chipmaker.All told, the S&amp;P 500 lost 77.78 points to 5,521.52. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 537.36 to 40,813.57, and the Nasdaq composite sank 345.44 to 17,303.01.In the bond market, Treasury yields lost an early gain to sink lower. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.26% from 4.32%. The yield has been mostly dropping since January, when it was approaching 4.80%, as traders and economists have ratcheted back their expectations for U.S. economic growth.While few are predicting a recession, particularly with the job market remaining relatively solid, recent reports have shown a souring of confidence among U.S. consumers and companies.In stock markets abroad, indexes fell across much of Europe and Asia, but the moves were relatively modest.

Wall Street tumbles 10% below its record as trade war escalates

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A 37-year-old man died after falling from a chairlift that was having a mechanical problem at a Montana ski area, according to local authorities and a spokesperson for Red Lodge Mountain.

The man was riding alone in a three-person chair that carries skiers up the mountain when he fell from an unspecified height, according to Red Lodge Mountain spokesperson Troy Hawks. The accident happened Monday just before noon at the ski area southeast of Billings in the Beartooth Mountains.

Jeffrey Zinne of Billings was taken to a Billings hospital where he was pronounced dead early Wednesday from injuries suffered in the fall, according to Carbon County Sheriff Josh McQuillan and Rich Hoffman with the Yellowstone County Coroner's Office.

The lift, known as the Triple Chair, was stopped after the accident. More than 100 people who were on it at the time were evacuated by ski patrollers who used ropes to lower them to the ground.

Hawks said the lift had a mechanical problem at the time Zinne fell, but declined to comment further and said the circumstances were being investigated. Weather conditions and the victim's actions also were being looked at, he said.

On the morning of the accident, some other chairlifts at Red Lodge Mountain were not operating because of high winds. Wind gusts of about 50 mph (80.4 kph) were recorded in the area shortly before and after the accident, according to the National Weather Service.

Hawks said the Triple Chairlift, which is almost a mile (1.6 kilometers) long and was built in 1983, was operating within safety parameters. It will remain shut down until an engineer fully assesses it, he said.

Staff at the ski area inspect its chairlifts daily, Hawks said. A professional inspection is conducted annually as required by Red Lodge Mountain's insurance carrier and the U.S. Forest Service, which leases land to the ski area, he said.

Zinne, who had been snowboarding on Monday prior to his accident, was married with a 2-year-old son and owned the Montana Air Cartage freight hauling company, according to a post on a GoFundMe fundraising site set up on his family’s behalf.

“He was more than just a boss for many people here. He was a friend, a mentor,” said Jessice Sande, a manager at Montana Air Cartage who recalled Zinne's infectious laugh.

Fatal lift accidents at ski areas are relatively rare, according to the National Ski Areas Association. Between 1956 and 2024, 35 people died in accidents involving chairlifts and aerial ropeways. Sixteen of the deaths were linked to mechanical malfunctions, according to data collected by the group.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A 37-year-old man died after falling from a chairlift that was having a mechanical problem at a Montana ski area, according to local authorities and a spokesperson for Red Lodge Mountain.The man was riding alone in a three-person chair that carries skiers up the mountain when he fell from an unspecified height, according to Red Lodge Mountain spokesperson Troy Hawks. The accident happened Monday just before noon at the ski area southeast of Billings in the Beartooth Mountains.Jeffrey Zinne of Billings was taken to a Billings hospital where he was pronounced dead early Wednesday from injuries suffered in the fall, according to Carbon County Sheriff Josh McQuillan and Rich Hoffman with the Yellowstone County Coroner's Office.The lift, known as the Triple Chair, was stopped after the accident. More than 100 people who were on it at the time were evacuated by ski patrollers who used ropes to lower them to the ground.Hawks said the lift had a mechanical problem at the time Zinne fell, but declined to comment further and said the circumstances were being investigated. Weather conditions and the victim's actions also were being looked at, he said.On the morning of the accident, some other chairlifts at Red Lodge Mountain were not operating because of high winds. Wind gusts of about 50 mph (80.4 kph) were recorded in the area shortly before and after the accident, according to the National Weather Service.Hawks said the Triple Chairlift, which is almost a mile (1.6 kilometers) long and was built in 1983, was operating within safety parameters. It will remain shut down until an engineer fully assesses it, he said.Staff at the ski area inspect its chairlifts daily, Hawks said. A professional inspection is conducted annually as required by Red Lodge Mountain's insurance carrier and the U.S. Forest Service, which leases land to the ski area, he said.Zinne, who had been snowboarding on Monday prior to his accident, was married with a 2-year-old son and owned the Montana Air Cartage freight hauling company, according to a post on a GoFundMe fundraising site set up on his family’s behalf.“He was more than just a boss for many people here. He was a friend, a mentor,” said Jessice Sande, a manager at Montana Air Cartage who recalled Zinne's infectious laugh.Fatal lift accidents at ski areas are relatively rare, according to the National Ski Areas Association. Between 1956 and 2024, 35 people died in accidents involving chairlifts and aerial ropeways. Sixteen of the deaths were linked to mechanical malfunctions, according to data collected by the group.

Man dies from injuries after falling from chairlift at ski resort

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday ordered President Donald Trump's administration to reinstate thousands — if not tens of thousands — of probationary workers let go in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">mass firings</a>&nbsp;across multiple agencies last month, saying that the terminations were directed by a personnel office that had no authority to do so.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco ordered the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, the Interior and the Treasury to immediately offer reinstatement to employees terminated on or about Feb. 13 and 14 using guidance from the Office of Personnel Management and its acting director, Charles Ezell.

Alsup directed the agencies to report back within seven days with a list of probationary employees and an explanation of how the departments complied with his order as to each person.

The temporary restraining order came in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of labor unions and organizations as the Republican administration moves to dramatically&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">downsize the federal workforce</a>.

The White House and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Alsup expressed frustration with what he called the government's attempt to sidestep laws and regulations governing a reduction in its workforce — which it is allowed to do — by firing probationary workers who lack protections. He was appalled that employees were fired for poor performance despite receiving glowing evaluations just months earlier.

“It is sad, a sad day, when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie," he said. “That should not have been done in our country.”

Lawyers for the government maintain the mass firings were lawful because individual agencies reviewed and determined whether employees on probation were fit for continued employment.

But Alsup has found that difficult to believe. He planned to hold an evidentiary hearing Thursday, but Ezell, the OPM acting director, did not appear to testify in court or even sit for a deposition. The judge encouraged the government to appeal.

There are an estimated 200,000 probationary workers across federal agencies. They include entry level employees but also workers who recently received a promotion.

About 15,000 are employed in California, providing services ranging from fire prevention to veterans’ care, according to the lawsuit filed by the coalition of labor unions and nonprofit organizations.

The plaintiffs said in their complaint that numerous agencies informed workers that the personnel office had ordered the terminations, with an order to use a template email informing workers their firing was for performance reasons.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday ordered President Donald Trump's administration to reinstate thousands — if not tens of thousands — of probationary workers let go in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">mass firings</a>&nbsp;across multiple agencies last month, saying that the terminations were directed by a personnel office that had no authority to do so.U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco ordered the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy, the Interior and the Treasury to immediately offer reinstatement to employees terminated on or about Feb. 13 and 14 using guidance from the Office of Personnel Management and its acting director, Charles Ezell.Alsup directed the agencies to report back within seven days with a list of probationary employees and an explanation of how the departments complied with his order as to each person.The temporary restraining order came in a lawsuit filed by a coalition of labor unions and organizations as the Republican administration moves to dramatically&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">downsize the federal workforce</a>.The White House and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.Alsup expressed frustration with what he called the government's attempt to sidestep laws and regulations governing a reduction in its workforce — which it is allowed to do — by firing probationary workers who lack protections. He was appalled that employees were fired for poor performance despite receiving glowing evaluations just months earlier.“It is sad, a sad day, when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie," he said. “That should not have been done in our country.”Lawyers for the government maintain the mass firings were lawful because individual agencies reviewed and determined whether employees on probation were fit for continued employment.But Alsup has found that difficult to believe. He planned to hold an evidentiary hearing Thursday, but Ezell, the OPM acting director, did not appear to testify in court or even sit for a deposition. The judge encouraged the government to appeal.There are an estimated 200,000 probationary workers across federal agencies. They include entry level employees but also workers who recently received a promotion.About 15,000 are employed in California, providing services ranging from fire prevention to veterans’ care, according to the lawsuit filed by the coalition of labor unions and nonprofit organizations.The plaintiffs said in their complaint that numerous agencies informed workers that the personnel office had ordered the terminations, with an order to use a template email informing workers their firing was for performance reasons.

Judge orders fired probationary federal employees reinstated

The bill builds upon funding allocated in 2023, which only supports 11% of requested project costs from more than 200 cities

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

TOPEKA — A House bill would allocate an additional $20 million annually to the Kansas Water Plan fund to support projects for cities across the state.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2113/" target="_blank">House Bill 2113</a>&nbsp;builds upon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwo.ks.gov/news-events/hb-2302-grant-programs#:~:text=for%20HB%202302%2C%20increased%20the,issues%20identified%20in%20the%20KWP." target="_blank">new funding from the 2023 session</a>&nbsp;with House Bill 2302. It would increase the current annual allocation of $35 million to $55 million for the Kansas Water Plan, and from that amount an additional $2 million to the Technical Assistance Grant Fund and $6 million to the Water Projects Grants Fund. The money would come from the State General Fund.

The House passed the bill 106-15 on Feb. 20. The Senate Agriculture and National Resources Committee heard the bill Monday.

“House Bill 2302 made a huge difference. This bill basically builds off of house bill 2302,” said Wendi Stark, a legislative liaison with the League of Kansas Municipalities, during Monday’s hearing. “It’s helping to address our immediate needs.”

In the past two years, Kansas communities have&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/21/kansas-towns-request-600m-in-first-two-years-of-water-project-grants/">requested more than $600 million for water needs</a>&nbsp;with almost 600 applications. Stark said that of the 219 municipalities who applied in 2024 or 2025, 45.7% were from towns with a population of fewer than 500 people. Current funding allowed for just 11% of requested funding to be approved.

The Ogallala Aquifer, the water source much of western Kansas relies on, is drying fast.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/21/kansas-towns-request-600m-in-first-two-years-of-water-project-grants/">The Kansas Geological Survey found</a>&nbsp;that parts of western Kansas have 25 years of water left. Sen. Ron Ryckman Sr., a Republican from Meade, said his southwest Kansas district is “always hurtin’ for water.”

Rep. Jim Minnix, a Republican from Scott City, introduced the bill and testified at the Senate hearing. He said he gets questions about where the money is going, since the state can’t “make” any water.

“It’s a finite resource. What we’re trying to do is save it for future generations,” Minnix said.

When Gov. Laura Kelly took office in 2019, the state had not funded the water plan for a decade. Both Republicans and Democrats have expressed concerns over the state’s water supply issues —&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/16/kansas-governor-proposes-another-30m-to-address-dwindling-water-supply/">Kelly’s proposed budget includes another $30 million per year for the water plan</a>, while the Republican-crafted House budget would give&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/19/kansas-house-forwards-republican-crafted-state-government-budget-bill-to-senate-colleagues/">$11.7 million to water projects</a>.

Dozens of individuals testified in support of the legislation in both the Senate and House, with no opposition or neutral testimony.

At the House Water Committee hearing on Feb. 11, the public works director for the city of Edgerton, Dan Merkh, said the city had applied and been rejected for both the technical assistance and water project grants.

“Cities across Kansas face many unfunded state and federal mandates,” Merkh wrote in testimony for the House hearing. “The Technical Assistance (Grants) Fund and Water Project (Grants Fund) help cities like Edgerton address a variety of needs, from emergency connections to water-quality related problems to mitigating the risk of a sanitary sewer overflow.”

Hardy Howard, the city administrator for WaKeeney, said “it seems deeply obvious” that the water infrastructure around the state needs to be replaced. He said the city needs to replace an aging pipeline, which is the city’s only way to get water distributed from the wells. Howard said there have been multiple breaks.

“HB 2113 supports a small increase in funding to assist communities with these critical needs,” Howard said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741888971416.png" alt=" A dog keeps watch over an irrigated field in southwest Kansas, where farmers are facing increased pressure from state lawmakers to preserve groundwater in the quickly depleting Ogallala Aquifer. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)" />
 <figcaption> A dog keeps watch over an irrigated field in southwest Kansas, where farmers are facing increased pressure from state lawmakers to preserve groundwater in the quickly depleting Ogallala Aquifer. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The bill builds upon funding allocated in 2023, which only supports 11% of requested project costs from more than 200 cities</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A House bill would allocate an additional $20 million annually to the Kansas Water Plan fund to support projects for cities across the state.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2113/" target="_blank">House Bill 2113</a>&nbsp;builds upon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwo.ks.gov/news-events/hb-2302-grant-programs#:~:text=for%20HB%202302%2C%20increased%20the,issues%20identified%20in%20the%20KWP." target="_blank">new funding from the 2023 session</a>&nbsp;with House Bill 2302. It would increase the current annual allocation of $35 million to $55 million for the Kansas Water Plan, and from that amount an additional $2 million to the Technical Assistance Grant Fund and $6 million to the Water Projects Grants Fund. The money would come from the State General Fund.The House passed the bill 106-15 on Feb. 20. The Senate Agriculture and National Resources Committee heard the bill Monday.“House Bill 2302 made a huge difference. This bill basically builds off of house bill 2302,” said Wendi Stark, a legislative liaison with the League of Kansas Municipalities, during Monday’s hearing. “It’s helping to address our immediate needs.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741888929569.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In the past two years, Kansas communities have&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/21/kansas-towns-request-600m-in-first-two-years-of-water-project-grants/">requested more than $600 million for water needs</a>&nbsp;with almost 600 applications. Stark said that of the 219 municipalities who applied in 2024 or 2025, 45.7% were from towns with a population of fewer than 500 people. Current funding allowed for just 11% of requested funding to be approved.The Ogallala Aquifer, the water source much of western Kansas relies on, is drying fast.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/21/kansas-towns-request-600m-in-first-two-years-of-water-project-grants/">The Kansas Geological Survey found</a>&nbsp;that parts of western Kansas have 25 years of water left. Sen. Ron Ryckman Sr., a Republican from Meade, said his southwest Kansas district is “always hurtin’ for water.”Rep. Jim Minnix, a Republican from Scott City, introduced the bill and testified at the Senate hearing. He said he gets questions about where the money is going, since the state can’t “make” any water.“It’s a finite resource. What we’re trying to do is save it for future generations,” Minnix said.When Gov. Laura Kelly took office in 2019, the state had not funded the water plan for a decade. Both Republicans and Democrats have expressed concerns over the state’s water supply issues —&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/16/kansas-governor-proposes-another-30m-to-address-dwindling-water-supply/">Kelly’s proposed budget includes another $30 million per year for the water plan</a>, while the Republican-crafted House budget would give&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/19/kansas-house-forwards-republican-crafted-state-government-budget-bill-to-senate-colleagues/">$11.7 million to water projects</a>.Dozens of individuals testified in support of the legislation in both the Senate and House, with no opposition or neutral testimony.At the House Water Committee hearing on Feb. 11, the public works director for the city of Edgerton, Dan Merkh, said the city had applied and been rejected for both the technical assistance and water project grants.“Cities across Kansas face many unfunded state and federal mandates,” Merkh wrote in testimony for the House hearing. “The Technical Assistance (Grants) Fund and Water Project (Grants Fund) help cities like Edgerton address a variety of needs, from emergency connections to water-quality related problems to mitigating the risk of a sanitary sewer overflow.”Hardy Howard, the city administrator for WaKeeney, said “it seems deeply obvious” that the water infrastructure around the state needs to be replaced. He said the city needs to replace an aging pipeline, which is the city’s only way to get water distributed from the wells. Howard said there have been multiple breaks.“HB 2113 supports a small increase in funding to assist communities with these critical needs,” Howard said.

Kansas House bill would add $20M for State Water Plan projects

WASHINGTON (AP) — An hours-long outage Wednesday on <a href="https://studentaid.gov/">StudentAid.gov,</a> the federal website for student loans and financial aid, underscored the risks in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-layoffs-job-cuts-linda-mcmahon-ce9f6a8a63972aede0d8fbdf057ab788">rapidly gutting the Department of Education</a>, as President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-trump-ab509ad5778497dfbd6d53b9eef692b5">aims to dismantle the agency</a>.

Hundreds of users reported FAFSA outages to&nbsp;<a href="https://downdetector.com/status/studentaid-gov/" target="_blank">Downdetector</a>&nbsp;starting midday Wednesday, saying they were having trouble completing the form, which is required for financial aid at colleges nationwide. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, a group of people who handle colleges’ financial aid awards, also received reports of users experiencing technical issues and having trouble completing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-college-financial-aid-scholarships-d3f9454c415755eb29f236e5d383d4ed">FAFSA</a>.

“We’ve been trying to get more clarity on why it’s down,” said Allie Bidwell Arcese, a spokeswoman for NASFAA. The Education Department hadn’t shared any information on the outage, she said. “The maintenance and troubleshooting may be impacted by yesterday’s layoffs.”

The developers and IT support staff who worked on the FAFSA form were hard hit in the Education Department’s layoffs Tuesday, along with staff buyouts and the termination of probationary employees. In all, the Education Department has reduced its staff by half, to roughly 2,000, since Trump took office.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-layoffs-civil-rights-8cbf463cce765f497c10d688ab4d51e1">list of laid-off staff</a>&nbsp;obtained and verified by AP shows more than 300 people cut from Federal Student Aid — two dozen of them from Federal Student Aid’s technology division. That included the entire team responsible for systems supporting the FAFSA form, a person with knowledge of the outage told The Associated Press, speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation. While laid-off staffers are still technically employed until March 21, they had limited access to their email, phones and computers, making a response to the outage difficult, the person said. At one point Wednesday, about 70 people had joined a Teams call to try to pinpoint the cause of the outage.

The call continued for hours. By Wednesday evening, the website carried a banner claiming “Planned Maintenance” was underway, and login access was cut off.

The Education Department did not respond to a request for comment on the outage.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-financial-aid-enrollment-efeb41191fe1c6c1dd9fce33fe54867e">Problems with the FAFSA</a>&nbsp;had vexed the administration of former President Joe Biden, drawing rebuke from Republicans. The form was overhauled last year in an attempt to simplify it, but technical problems blocked students from submitting forms or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-aid-college-admissions-miscalculation-delay-6edb28219068fd19428b786635f09282">bungled financial aid calculations</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727807641728.png" alt="Photo Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom" />
 <figcaption>Photo Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — An hours-long outage Wednesday on <a href="https://studentaid.gov/">StudentAid.gov,</a> the federal website for student loans and financial aid, underscored the risks in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-layoffs-job-cuts-linda-mcmahon-ce9f6a8a63972aede0d8fbdf057ab788">rapidly gutting the Department of Education</a>, as President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-trump-ab509ad5778497dfbd6d53b9eef692b5">aims to dismantle the agency</a>.Hundreds of users reported FAFSA outages to&nbsp;<a href="https://downdetector.com/status/studentaid-gov/" target="_blank">Downdetector</a>&nbsp;starting midday Wednesday, saying they were having trouble completing the form, which is required for financial aid at colleges nationwide. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, a group of people who handle colleges’ financial aid awards, also received reports of users experiencing technical issues and having trouble completing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-college-financial-aid-scholarships-d3f9454c415755eb29f236e5d383d4ed">FAFSA</a>.“We’ve been trying to get more clarity on why it’s down,” said Allie Bidwell Arcese, a spokeswoman for NASFAA. The Education Department hadn’t shared any information on the outage, she said. “The maintenance and troubleshooting may be impacted by yesterday’s layoffs.”The developers and IT support staff who worked on the FAFSA form were hard hit in the Education Department’s layoffs Tuesday, along with staff buyouts and the termination of probationary employees. In all, the Education Department has reduced its staff by half, to roughly 2,000, since Trump took office.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-layoffs-civil-rights-8cbf463cce765f497c10d688ab4d51e1">list of laid-off staff</a>&nbsp;obtained and verified by AP shows more than 300 people cut from Federal Student Aid — two dozen of them from Federal Student Aid’s technology division. That included the entire team responsible for systems supporting the FAFSA form, a person with knowledge of the outage told The Associated Press, speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation. While laid-off staffers are still technically employed until March 21, they had limited access to their email, phones and computers, making a response to the outage difficult, the person said. At one point Wednesday, about 70 people had joined a Teams call to try to pinpoint the cause of the outage.The call continued for hours. By Wednesday evening, the website carried a banner claiming “Planned Maintenance” was underway, and login access was cut off.The Education Department did not respond to a request for comment on the outage.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-financial-aid-enrollment-efeb41191fe1c6c1dd9fce33fe54867e">Problems with the FAFSA</a>&nbsp;had vexed the administration of former President Joe Biden, drawing rebuke from Republicans. The form was overhauled last year in an attempt to simplify it, but technical problems blocked students from submitting forms or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fafsa-aid-college-admissions-miscalculation-delay-6edb28219068fd19428b786635f09282">bungled financial aid calculations</a>.

Federal student loan site up and down after layoffs at Education Department

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A wanted Kansas suspect captured at a motel in Colorado in July is scheduled for an arraignment hearing Thursday.

Ryan Antalek, 40, Wichita, will appear before Judge David Kaufman, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

He is charged with criminal discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, stalking, two counts of criminal threat, and criminal damage to property, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In July of 2024, the Pueblo County Colorado Sheriff’s communication center received a tip that Antalek&nbsp; was possibly staying at the Days Inn in Colorado City, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.

Kansas authorities had been searching for Antalek on the warrant and had heightened the search after learning he had made repeated homicidal statements. Antalek also was noted to have a criminal history involving weapons and known to carry firearms.

Sheriff's detectives and U.S. Marshals responded to the Days Inn at about 12:30 a.m. and located in the parking lot a 2019 Black Chevy Colorado truck Antalek was reportedly driving. After confirming that Antalek was in the hotel, detectives, with assistance from the Marshals, devised a plan and were able to get him to leave his hotel room where he was taken into custody without incident.

Antalek was arrested on a no bond fugitive of justice warrant from Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719500728222.png" alt="Antalek photo Pueblo Co." />
 <figcaption>Antalek photo Pueblo Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A wanted Kansas suspect captured at a motel in Colorado in July is scheduled for an arraignment hearing Thursday.Ryan Antalek, 40, Wichita, will appear before Judge David Kaufman, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.He is charged with criminal discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, stalking, two counts of criminal threat, and criminal damage to property, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In July of 2024, the Pueblo County Colorado Sheriff’s communication center received a tip that Antalek&nbsp; was possibly staying at the Days Inn in Colorado City, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.Kansas authorities had been searching for Antalek on the warrant and had heightened the search after learning he had made repeated homicidal statements. Antalek also was noted to have a criminal history involving weapons and known to carry firearms.Sheriff's detectives and U.S. Marshals responded to the Days Inn at about 12:30 a.m. and located in the parking lot a 2019 Black Chevy Colorado truck Antalek was reportedly driving. After confirming that Antalek was in the hotel, detectives, with assistance from the Marshals, devised a plan and were able to get him to leave his hotel room where he was taken into custody without incident.Antalek was arrested on a no bond fugitive of justice warrant from Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Plea hearing for Kansas assault suspect captured in Colorado

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Agriculture Department is ending two pandemic-era programs that provided more than $1 billion for schools and food banks to purchase food from local farmers and producers.

About $660 million of that went to schools and childcare centers to buy food for meals through the Local Foods for Schools program. A separate program provided money to food banks.

In Maine, the money allowed the coastal RSU 23 school district to buy food directly from fisherman, dairy producers and farmers for school meals, said Caroline Trinder, the district’s food and nutrition services director.

“I think everyone can say that they want kids at school to receive the healthiest meals possible,” Trinder said. “It’s the least processed, and we’re helping our local economy, we’re helping farmers that may be the parents of our students.”

The cuts will hurt school districts with “chronically underfunded” school meal budgets, said Shannon Gleave, president of the School Nutrition Association.

“In addition to losing the benefits for our kids, this loss of funds is a huge blow to community farmers and ranchers and is detrimental to school meal programs struggling to manage rising food and labor costs,” Gleave said in a statement.

USDA said the programs are a legacy of the pandemic and no longer supported the agency’s priorities.

“The COVID era is over — USDA’s approach to nutrition programs will reflect that reality moving forward,” a USDA spokesperson said in a statement.

Massachusetts received roughly $12 million in federal funding for school districts and childcare programs to buy food from local producers.

“The signaling that’s coming out of Washington in recent weeks, it’s obviously deeply disappointing,” said Patrick Tutwiler, the state's education secretary. “There’s clear misalignment around what is important and what matters. We are seeing this cut of the LFS program as a first step towards deeper cuts.”

School nutrition directors are bracing for potential rollbacks to programs that expanded funding for school meals, which for some children can be their only reliable source of food.

Proposed spending cuts to fund Republican's tax bill include raising the poverty level needed for schools to provide universal free meals without an application. Restricting eligibility for food assistance programs and requiring income verification for free or reduced price school meals, two proposals for cutting costs, would also likely cut out eligible families from accessing food, the School Nutrition Association said.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686564931973.png" alt="&nbsp;Photo Amanda Mills/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Photo Amanda Mills/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Agriculture Department is ending two pandemic-era programs that provided more than $1 billion for schools and food banks to purchase food from local farmers and producers.About $660 million of that went to schools and childcare centers to buy food for meals through the Local Foods for Schools program. A separate program provided money to food banks.In Maine, the money allowed the coastal RSU 23 school district to buy food directly from fisherman, dairy producers and farmers for school meals, said Caroline Trinder, the district’s food and nutrition services director.“I think everyone can say that they want kids at school to receive the healthiest meals possible,” Trinder said. “It’s the least processed, and we’re helping our local economy, we’re helping farmers that may be the parents of our students.”The cuts will hurt school districts with “chronically underfunded” school meal budgets, said Shannon Gleave, president of the School Nutrition Association.“In addition to losing the benefits for our kids, this loss of funds is a huge blow to community farmers and ranchers and is detrimental to school meal programs struggling to manage rising food and labor costs,” Gleave said in a statement.USDA said the programs are a legacy of the pandemic and no longer supported the agency’s priorities.“The COVID era is over — USDA’s approach to nutrition programs will reflect that reality moving forward,” a USDA spokesperson said in a statement.Massachusetts received roughly $12 million in federal funding for school districts and childcare programs to buy food from local producers.“The signaling that’s coming out of Washington in recent weeks, it’s obviously deeply disappointing,” said Patrick Tutwiler, the state's education secretary. “There’s clear misalignment around what is important and what matters. We are seeing this cut of the LFS program as a first step towards deeper cuts.”School nutrition directors are bracing for potential rollbacks to programs that expanded funding for school meals, which for some children can be their only reliable source of food.Proposed spending cuts to fund Republican's tax bill include raising the poverty level needed for schools to provide universal free meals without an application. Restricting eligibility for food assistance programs and requiring income verification for free or reduced price school meals, two proposals for cutting costs, would also likely cut out eligible families from accessing food, the School Nutrition Association said.___The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/">standards</a>&nbsp;for working with philanthropies, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/">list</a>&nbsp;of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

USDA ends program that helped schools serve food from local farmers

MOSCOW (AP) —Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that he agrees in principle with a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, but the terms need to be worked out, and he emphasized that it should pave the way to lasting peace.

“So the idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it," Putin told a news conference in Moscow. “But there are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to discuss it with our American colleagues and partners.”

He noted the need to develop a mechanism to control possible breaches of the truce. Another issue, he said, is whether Ukraine could use the 30-day ceasefire to rearm.

“We agree with the proposals to halt the fighting, but we proceed from the assumption that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and remove the root causes of the crisis,” Putin said.

Putin made the remarks just hours after the arrival of Trump’s envoy in Moscow for talks on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-ukraine-war-trump-zelenskyy-ceasefire-ff03a8b11b03da88d1d26e797f97e623">30-day ceasefire</a>&nbsp;that Ukraine has accepted.

The diplomatic effort coincided with a Russian claim that its troops have driven the Ukrainian army out of a key town in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-kursk-incursion-ca6d18d06606794580bdc779d2c98134">Russia’s Kursk border region</a>, where Moscow has been trying for seven months to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their foothold.

Putin said it appeared that the U.S. persuaded Ukraine to accept a ceasefire and that Ukraine is interested because of the battlefield situation, particularly in Kursk.

Referring to the Ukrainian troops in Kursk, he said: “Will all those who are there come out without a fight?"

Putin thanked U.S. President Donald Trump “for paying so much attention to the settlement in Ukraine.”

He also thanked the leaders of China, India, Brazil and South Africa for their “noble mission to end the fighting,” a statement that signaled those countries' potential involvement in a ceasefire deal.

Russia has said it will not accept peacekeepers from any NATO members to monitor a prospective truce.

Putin’s foreign affairs adviser said Putin planned to meet with Trump’s special envoy,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d26c80c87a57fd3a811e4b0aa0eda58e">Steve Witkoff</a>, later Thursday.

The Russian Defense Ministry’s claim that it recaptured the town of Sudzha, a Ukrainian operational hub in Kursk, came hours after Putin visited his commanders in Kursk. The claim could not be independently verified. Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment.

The renewed Russian military push and Putin's high-profile visit to his troops unfolded as Trump seeks a diplomatic end to the war, which began more than three years ago with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s full-scale invasion.</a>

The U.S. on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-kremlin-349e58cfe22eb3e77e75c15989cbc110">lifted its March 3 suspension</a>&nbsp;of military aid for Kyiv after senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials reported making progress on how to stop the fighting during talks in Saudi Arabia.

Trump said Wednesday that “it’s up to Russia now” as his administration presses Moscow to agree to the ceasefire. The U.S. president has made veiled threats to hit Russia with new sanctions if it does not engage with peace efforts.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC Thursday that Trump is “willing to apply maximum pressure on both sides,” including sanctions that reach the highest scale on Russia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741884162979.png" alt="Russian President Vladimir Putin image courtesy&nbsp;Russian Presidential Press Service " />
 <figcaption>Russian President Vladimir Putin image courtesy&nbsp;Russian Presidential Press Service </figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) —Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that he agrees in principle with a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, but the terms need to be worked out, and he emphasized that it should pave the way to lasting peace.“So the idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it," Putin told a news conference in Moscow. “But there are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to discuss it with our American colleagues and partners.”He noted the need to develop a mechanism to control possible breaches of the truce. Another issue, he said, is whether Ukraine could use the 30-day ceasefire to rearm.“We agree with the proposals to halt the fighting, but we proceed from the assumption that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and remove the root causes of the crisis,” Putin said.Putin made the remarks just hours after the arrival of Trump’s envoy in Moscow for talks on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-ukraine-war-trump-zelenskyy-ceasefire-ff03a8b11b03da88d1d26e797f97e623">30-day ceasefire</a>&nbsp;that Ukraine has accepted.The diplomatic effort coincided with a Russian claim that its troops have driven the Ukrainian army out of a key town in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-kursk-incursion-ca6d18d06606794580bdc779d2c98134">Russia’s Kursk border region</a>, where Moscow has been trying for seven months to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their foothold.Putin said it appeared that the U.S. persuaded Ukraine to accept a ceasefire and that Ukraine is interested because of the battlefield situation, particularly in Kursk.Referring to the Ukrainian troops in Kursk, he said: “Will all those who are there come out without a fight?"Putin thanked U.S. President Donald Trump “for paying so much attention to the settlement in Ukraine.”He also thanked the leaders of China, India, Brazil and South Africa for their “noble mission to end the fighting,” a statement that signaled those countries' potential involvement in a ceasefire deal.Russia has said it will not accept peacekeepers from any NATO members to monitor a prospective truce.Putin’s foreign affairs adviser said Putin planned to meet with Trump’s special envoy,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d26c80c87a57fd3a811e4b0aa0eda58e">Steve Witkoff</a>, later Thursday.The Russian Defense Ministry’s claim that it recaptured the town of Sudzha, a Ukrainian operational hub in Kursk, came hours after Putin visited his commanders in Kursk. The claim could not be independently verified. Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment.The renewed Russian military push and Putin's high-profile visit to his troops unfolded as Trump seeks a diplomatic end to the war, which began more than three years ago with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s full-scale invasion.</a>The U.S. on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-kremlin-349e58cfe22eb3e77e75c15989cbc110">lifted its March 3 suspension</a>&nbsp;of military aid for Kyiv after senior U.S. and Ukrainian officials reported making progress on how to stop the fighting during talks in Saudi Arabia.Trump said Wednesday that “it’s up to Russia now” as his administration presses Moscow to agree to the ceasefire. The U.S. president has made veiled threats to hit Russia with new sanctions if it does not engage with peace efforts.U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC Thursday that Trump is “willing to apply maximum pressure on both sides,” including sanctions that reach the highest scale on Russia.

Putin agrees in principle with US proposal for ceasefire in Ukraine

WICHITA, KS — The Wichita Police Department has arrested suspect in connection with a 2021 homicide.

Just after 1:30a..m. March 29, 2021, police responded to a report of a walk-in shooting victim at a local hospital in Wichita, according to Police Captain Aaron Moses.&nbsp; The victim, 21-year-old Abram Galvan, had been shot once and later died from his injuries.

Investigators determined the shooting was linked to a shots-fired incident reported near 19th and Jackson in Wichita around the same time.

Since that day, WPD Homicide Investigators have worked tirelessly to seek justice for Abram and his loved ones. Their efforts included following up on leads, analyzing forensic and electronic evidence, collaborating with media to encourage witnesses to come forward, and featuring the case on Wichita Police Department's Cold Case Homicide website.

In early 2025, new information emerged, leading investigators to identify a potential suspect. On Wednesday with assistance from the United States Marshal’s Office, Wichita Police investigators peacefully arrested the suspect, identified according to county booking records as Pedro B. Morones. He is being held in Sedgwick County Jail on bond of&nbsp;$1,500,000.00 on a requested charge of First-Degree Murder, according to online jail records.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741866222570.png" alt="Morones photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Morones photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KS — The Wichita Police Department has arrested suspect in connection with a 2021 homicide.Just after 1:30a..m. March 29, 2021, police responded to a report of a walk-in shooting victim at a local hospital in Wichita, according to Police Captain Aaron Moses.&nbsp; The victim, 21-year-old Abram Galvan, had been shot once and later died from his injuries.Investigators determined the shooting was linked to a shots-fired incident reported near 19th and Jackson in Wichita around the same time.Since that day, WPD Homicide Investigators have worked tirelessly to seek justice for Abram and his loved ones. Their efforts included following up on leads, analyzing forensic and electronic evidence, collaborating with media to encourage witnesses to come forward, and featuring the case on Wichita Police Department's Cold Case Homicide website.In early 2025, new information emerged, leading investigators to identify a potential suspect. On Wednesday with assistance from the United States Marshal’s Office, Wichita Police investigators peacefully arrested the suspect, identified according to county booking records as Pedro B. Morones. He is being held in Sedgwick County Jail on bond of&nbsp;$1,500,000.00 on a requested charge of First-Degree Murder, according to online jail records.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charging consideration.

Police arrest suspect in Kansas cold case killing

ALLEN COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 8p.m. Wednesday in Allen County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported 2004 Ford F250 Super Duty driven by Scott R. Welch, 44, Moran,&nbsp;&nbsp;was eastbound on U.S. 54 hauling a large bale of hay, obstructing the visibility of the tail-lights.

A 2006 Chevy Silverado driven by Raymond L&nbsp;Streeter, 84, Fort Scott, rear ended the Ford. After impact, the Ford&nbsp;rotated counter-clockwise,&nbsp; overturned and Welch was ejected into the westbound lanes of U.S. 54.

&nbsp;A westbound 2018 Chevy Equinox driven by&nbsp; James J.&nbsp;Bridger, 22, Gainsville, Texas, struck Welch.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Countryside Funeral Home. There were no other injuries.

ALLEN COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 8p.m. Wednesday in Allen County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported 2004 Ford F250 Super Duty driven by Scott R. Welch, 44, Moran,&nbsp;&nbsp;was eastbound on U.S. 54 hauling a large bale of hay, obstructing the visibility of the tail-lights.A 2006 Chevy Silverado driven by Raymond L&nbsp;Streeter, 84, Fort Scott, rear ended the Ford. After impact, the Ford&nbsp;rotated counter-clockwise,&nbsp; overturned and Welch was ejected into the westbound lanes of U.S. 54.&nbsp;A westbound 2018 Chevy Equinox driven by&nbsp; James J.&nbsp;Bridger, 22, Gainsville, Texas, struck Welch.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Countryside Funeral Home. There were no other injuries.

Kan. driver ejected in crash, struck and killed by SUV

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement and fire officials investigating the a fatal Kansas house fire have identified the victim as 54-year-old James Earl Hoddy, according to Fire Chief Alan Stahl.

Just after 4a.m. Tuesday, the Topeka Fire Department received reports of a house fire at 2418 SE Wisconsin Avenue, according to Stahl.

 First arriving units reported a two-story residence fully involved with fire. During a search of the residence, firefighters located Hoddy deceased. The fire was quickly brought under control.

The Topeka Fire Department Investigations unit along with members of the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Investigations unit responded to the scene.&nbsp; They determined the fire was intentionally set.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fire crews also located and rescued a dog&nbsp; from inside of the residence. Two other dogs died.&nbsp;The Topeka Fire Department is seeking no suspects for this fire, according to Stahl.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741793126837.png" alt="Photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement and fire officials investigating the a fatal Kansas house fire have identified the victim as 54-year-old James Earl Hoddy, according to Fire Chief Alan Stahl.Just after 4a.m. Tuesday, the Topeka Fire Department received reports of a house fire at 2418 SE Wisconsin Avenue, according to Stahl. First arriving units reported a two-story residence fully involved with fire. During a search of the residence, firefighters located Hoddy deceased. The fire was quickly brought under control.The Topeka Fire Department Investigations unit along with members of the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Investigations unit responded to the scene.&nbsp; They determined the fire was intentionally set.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fire crews also located and rescued a dog&nbsp; from inside of the residence. Two other dogs died.&nbsp;The Topeka Fire Department is seeking no suspects for this fire, according to Stahl.

Fire marshal IDs Kan. man who died in house fire he set

COWLEY COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol released details of a fatal crash that occurred just before 9:30p.m. Tuesday in Cowley County.

The Patrol reported a 2017 Chevy Cruz driven by Lauren Grace&nbsp;McPherson, 18, Arkansas City, was northbound on U.S. 77 approximately one mile north of Kansas Avenue. The Chevy and a southbound 2003 Mazda MPV driven by Connie J.&nbsp;Hurst, 71, Arkansas City, collided in the southbound lanes.

Hurst was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home

EMS transported McPherson to Wesley Medical Center.&nbsp; EMS also transported two passengers in the Mazda identified as Leland D. Hurst, 52, and&nbsp; Cheyenne K. Hurst, 12, both of Arkansas City to the hospital in Arkansas City.&nbsp; The patrol had incomplete seat belt usage information.

COWLEY COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol released details of a fatal crash that occurred just before 9:30p.m. Tuesday in Cowley County.The Patrol reported a 2017 Chevy Cruz driven by Lauren Grace&nbsp;McPherson, 18, Arkansas City, was northbound on U.S. 77 approximately one mile north of Kansas Avenue. The Chevy and a southbound 2003 Mazda MPV driven by Connie J.&nbsp;Hurst, 71, Arkansas City, collided in the southbound lanes.Hurst was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Rindt-Erdman Funeral HomeEMS transported McPherson to Wesley Medical Center.&nbsp; EMS also transported two passengers in the Mazda identified as Leland D. Hurst, 52, and&nbsp; Cheyenne K. Hurst, 12, both of Arkansas City to the hospital in Arkansas City.&nbsp; The patrol had incomplete seat belt usage information.

Kan. woman killed, 2 adults and a juvenile injured in crash

NEW YORK (AP) — A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astronomy-science-north-america-eclipses-lunar-9e3e005881850bb6dbb882e25547740f">total lunar eclipse</a>&nbsp;will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eclipse-meteors-supermoon-auroras-c8440d2818a896258e0ef9a92525f17b">flush the moon red</a>&nbsp;Thursday night into Friday morning across the Western Hemisphere.

The best views will be from North America and South America. Parts of Africa and Europe may catch a glimpse.

Lunar eclipses happen when the moon, Earth and sun align just so. The Earth casts a shadow that can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/eclipses-alabama-national-d065e505f494439c9e1dee3c2b7b0cb1">partially</a>&nbsp;or totally blot out the moon.

During a partial lunar eclipse, Earth's shadow appears to take a bite of the moon. The full moon is covered during a total eclipse and blushes coppery red because of stray bits of sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere.

Lunar and solar eclipses happen anywhere from four to seven times a year, according to NASA. A partial lunar eclipse graced skies in the Americas, Africa and Europe last September and the last total lunar eclipse was in 2022.

The so-called blood moon will be visible for about an hour starting at 2:26 a.m. Eastern on Friday morning. Peak viewing will be close to 3 a.m. Eastern.

To see it, venture outside and look up — no need for eclipse glasses or any special equipment.

“As long as the sky is clear, you should be able to see it,” said Shannon Schmoll, director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University.

The setting of the moon may make it harder to see the eclipse in Europe and Africa.

“This is really an eclipse for North and South America,” said astronomy expert Michael Faison from Yale University.

If you miss out, mark your calendar for Sept. 7. Another total lunar eclipse will sweep across parts of Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. Parts of the Americas will get their next taste in March 2026.

Civilizations have viewed and interpreted lunar eclipses for thousands of years. Ancient people knew more about the celestial bodies than we give them credit for, said historian Zoe Ortiz.

“They were looking at the night sky and they had a much brighter vision than we do today,” said Ortiz with the University of North Texas.

Aristotle noticed that the shadow the Earth cast on the moon during a lunar eclipse was always curved, observations proving that the Earth is round.

And a civilization in ancient Mesopotamia saw the blood red moon as a bad omen for the king. The people installed a substitute king on the throne around the time of the eclipse to protect their ruler from any bad will.

“If there's ever a movie plot,” said Ortiz, “that's the one.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667823609840.jpeg" alt="File photo lunar eclipse by Ted Warren AP" />
 <figcaption>File photo lunar eclipse by Ted Warren AP</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astronomy-science-north-america-eclipses-lunar-9e3e005881850bb6dbb882e25547740f">total lunar eclipse</a>&nbsp;will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eclipse-meteors-supermoon-auroras-c8440d2818a896258e0ef9a92525f17b">flush the moon red</a>&nbsp;Thursday night into Friday morning across the Western Hemisphere.The best views will be from North America and South America. Parts of Africa and Europe may catch a glimpse.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Don&#39;t sleep on this! In the Western Hemisphere? Step outside late tonight to see a &quot;Blood Moon,&quot; aka lunar eclipse, as the Sun, Earth, and Moon align such that the Moon passes into Earth&#39;s shadow. Totality begins at 2:26am ET (0626 UTC) March 14: <a href="https://t.co/9tPlMZdpfC">https://t.co/9tPlMZdpfC</a> <a href="https://t.co/3YwV9rZzK7">pic.twitter.com/3YwV9rZzK7</a>&mdash; NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1900273208009335185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Lunar eclipses happen when the moon, Earth and sun align just so. The Earth casts a shadow that can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/eclipses-alabama-national-d065e505f494439c9e1dee3c2b7b0cb1">partially</a>&nbsp;or totally blot out the moon.During a partial lunar eclipse, Earth's shadow appears to take a bite of the moon. The full moon is covered during a total eclipse and blushes coppery red because of stray bits of sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere.Lunar and solar eclipses happen anywhere from four to seven times a year, according to NASA. A partial lunar eclipse graced skies in the Americas, Africa and Europe last September and the last total lunar eclipse was in 2022.<h2>How to see the lunar eclipse</h2>The so-called blood moon will be visible for about an hour starting at 2:26 a.m. Eastern on Friday morning. Peak viewing will be close to 3 a.m. Eastern.To see it, venture outside and look up — no need for eclipse glasses or any special equipment.“As long as the sky is clear, you should be able to see it,” said Shannon Schmoll, director of Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University.The setting of the moon may make it harder to see the eclipse in Europe and Africa.“This is really an eclipse for North and South America,” said astronomy expert Michael Faison from Yale University.If you miss out, mark your calendar for Sept. 7. Another total lunar eclipse will sweep across parts of Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. Parts of the Americas will get their next taste in March 2026.<h2>History of eclipses</h2>Civilizations have viewed and interpreted lunar eclipses for thousands of years. Ancient people knew more about the celestial bodies than we give them credit for, said historian Zoe Ortiz.“They were looking at the night sky and they had a much brighter vision than we do today,” said Ortiz with the University of North Texas.Aristotle noticed that the shadow the Earth cast on the moon during a lunar eclipse was always curved, observations proving that the Earth is round.And a civilization in ancient Mesopotamia saw the blood red moon as a bad omen for the king. The people installed a substitute king on the throne around the time of the eclipse to protect their ruler from any bad will.“If there's ever a movie plot,” said Ortiz, “that's the one.”___

Don't miss it: Total lunar eclipse Thurs. night, Friday morning

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The woman who accused Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy of attacking her last week, resulting in a case in which the district attorney has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-xavier-worthy-arrested-4d3b3bb4c3608a5be74f2dda420f0044">so far declined to pursue charges</a>, has been granted a protective order against him by a Texas judge.

Attorneys for Tia Jones confirmed the order in a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday night. They added that Jones is “fully cooperating with law enforcement as they continue to actively investigate the violence that occurred.”

“Ms. Jones has chosen to use her voice to speak up for herself," said Angelica Cogliano, who is representing the woman along with attorneys Addy Miro, Leslie Booker and Deniz Kadirhan. “In doing so, she looks forward to the facts and circumstances of that night coming to light through the formal legal process, and getting the justice that she deserves.”

Worthy was arrested last Friday and held in a county jail on a charge of assault on a family or household member in which their breath was impeded, or choking in common terms. He was released the following day, when Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick said that his office has spoken with witnesses and was not accepting the case at that time.

Williamson County includes parts of Austin, where Worthy played college football at the University of Texas.

In a statement, Worthy’s attorneys, Chip Lewis and Sam Bassett, said their client was innocent of the charge against him. They said the allegation was made by a woman who had been living in Worthy’s home, and that she had been asked to leave multiple times over the last two weeks “upon discovery of her infidelity.”

“She has refused to vacate the residence and made a number of extortive efforts prior to resorting to this baseless allegation against Mr. Worthy,” the lawyers said. “The complainant further destroyed a room in the residence, scratched Mr. Worthy’s face and ripped out parts of his hair, which there is photographic evidence of. Worthy told law enforcement at the time of the incident he did not want to press charges against the complainant.”

The Chiefs told the AP on Saturday that they were aware of the situation and still gathering information.

Worthy was chosen by the Chiefs with the 28th overall pick in last year’s draft after setting the record for the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. He got off to a quick start by scoring a pair of touchdowns in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-kansas-city-ravens-nfl-opener-0ea1b2027f61a147d5365bad6a7f6cbb">NFL debut</a>, and after a midseason lull, he became the Chiefs’ go-to wide receiver as they chased an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Worthy finished with 59 catches for 638 yards and six TDs while running 20 times for 104 yards and three more scores.

He was one of the few bright spots for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-eagles-chiefs-score-e2ff209c074a00a6faff39750ff048f8">Chiefs in a 40-22 loss to Philadelphia in the Super Bowl</a>, too. Worthy caught all eight of his targets for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns at the Superdome in New Orleans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741484782207.jpeg" alt="FILE - Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy addresses the media before NFL football practice, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy addresses the media before NFL football practice, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The woman who accused Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy of attacking her last week, resulting in a case in which the district attorney has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-xavier-worthy-arrested-4d3b3bb4c3608a5be74f2dda420f0044">so far declined to pursue charges</a>, has been granted a protective order against him by a Texas judge.Attorneys for Tia Jones confirmed the order in a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday night. They added that Jones is “fully cooperating with law enforcement as they continue to actively investigate the violence that occurred.”“Ms. Jones has chosen to use her voice to speak up for herself," said Angelica Cogliano, who is representing the woman along with attorneys Addy Miro, Leslie Booker and Deniz Kadirhan. “In doing so, she looks forward to the facts and circumstances of that night coming to light through the formal legal process, and getting the justice that she deserves.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741483775149.png" alt="Charge dismissed, according to online jail record" />
 <figcaption>Charge dismissed, according to online jail record</figcaption>
 </figure>Worthy was arrested last Friday and held in a county jail on a charge of assault on a family or household member in which their breath was impeded, or choking in common terms. He was released the following day, when Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick said that his office has spoken with witnesses and was not accepting the case at that time.Williamson County includes parts of Austin, where Worthy played college football at the University of Texas.In a statement, Worthy’s attorneys, Chip Lewis and Sam Bassett, said their client was innocent of the charge against him. They said the allegation was made by a woman who had been living in Worthy’s home, and that she had been asked to leave multiple times over the last two weeks “upon discovery of her infidelity.”“She has refused to vacate the residence and made a number of extortive efforts prior to resorting to this baseless allegation against Mr. Worthy,” the lawyers said. “The complainant further destroyed a room in the residence, scratched Mr. Worthy’s face and ripped out parts of his hair, which there is photographic evidence of. Worthy told law enforcement at the time of the incident he did not want to press charges against the complainant.”The Chiefs told the AP on Saturday that they were aware of the situation and still gathering information.Worthy was chosen by the Chiefs with the 28th overall pick in last year’s draft after setting the record for the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. He got off to a quick start by scoring a pair of touchdowns in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-kansas-city-ravens-nfl-opener-0ea1b2027f61a147d5365bad6a7f6cbb">NFL debut</a>, and after a midseason lull, he became the Chiefs’ go-to wide receiver as they chased an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title.Worthy finished with 59 catches for 638 yards and six TDs while running 20 times for 104 yards and three more scores.He was one of the few bright spots for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-eagles-chiefs-score-e2ff209c074a00a6faff39750ff048f8">Chiefs in a 40-22 loss to Philadelphia in the Super Bowl</a>, too. Worthy caught all eight of his targets for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns at the Superdome in New Orleans.

Woman who accused Chiefs receiver of attacking her granted protective order 

PAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas felon will spend the rest of his life in prison for sex crimes involving juveniles.

On Wednesday, James Edwin Speer, 33 formerly of Larned appeared in custody before Pawnee County District Judge Bruce Gatterman for felony sentencing, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

In July, a jury found Speer was found Speer guilty of Rape of a Child Under 14 years of age and of Aggravated Oral Sodomy of a Child Under 14 years of age.

The crimes were alleged to have occurred at a residence in Garfield, Kansas on or about May 25th or 26th in 2013. 

Testimony was presented at trial that during a conversation with her mother in August of 2020 the victim disclosed that, when she was approximately 8 years old, she had been sexually assaulted at party her father took her to. The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department was then notified about the allegations by the mother. A formal forensic interview of the girl was performed by the Child Advocacy Center in Great Bend, Kansas.

At trial, the defendant presented an Alibi defense arguing it was impossible for him to have committed the alleged acts as he was with another girl at the time. As part of the evidence at trial, the parties stipulated that in 2015 a jury convicted Speer, of two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a 14 year old child. Specifically, the jury found Speer had sexual intercourse with a 14 year old child in an apartment in Larned in May or June of 2013; and he had sexual intercourse with a 14 year old child in an apartment in Larned in June of 2013.

Based on the age of the victim, under Jessica’s Law the presumptive sentence was a life sentence with a mandatory requirement the defendant serve a minimum of 25 years. As part of his opportunity to address the Court at sentencing, Speer denied he had committed the newly convicted offenses and requested the Court consider the efforts he has made in prison to reform himself and sentence him to a reduced sentence such that he could be released in 2027.

Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett argued that based on Speer’s other prior sexually violent crimes the Court should find that Speer is an Aggravated Habitual Sex Offender and sentence the defendant to life without the possibility of parole.

After reviewing the presentence investigation report and hearing the arguments presented, Judge Gatterman agreed with the State that Speer met the statutory criteria of an Aggravated Habitual Sex Offender having been convicted of at least two prior sexually violent crimes. As such, the Court sentenced the defendant to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The defendant will also be subject to lifetime offender registration as a sex offender.

Under Kansas sentencing laws, all prior convictions which occur prior to sentencing in the current case are considered in determining criminal history, regardless of whether the offense that led to the prior conviction occurred before or after the current offense or the conviction in the current case.

Speer is currently in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections serving a sentence for his 2015 Pawnee County sex offense convictions. Following the sentencing, the defendant was advised of his rights to appeal the convictions and sentence imposed.

The Court previously denied the defense motion for a new trial at a hearing conducted on August 22, 2024.

Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett presented the State’s case. Speer was represented by Joe Shepack of Great Bend, Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720657861287.png" alt="Speer photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Speer photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas felon will spend the rest of his life in prison for sex crimes involving juveniles.On Wednesday, James Edwin Speer, 33 formerly of Larned appeared in custody before Pawnee County District Judge Bruce Gatterman for felony sentencing, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.In July, a jury found Speer was found Speer guilty of Rape of a Child Under 14 years of age and of Aggravated Oral Sodomy of a Child Under 14 years of age.The crimes were alleged to have occurred at a residence in Garfield, Kansas on or about May 25th or 26th in 2013. Testimony was presented at trial that during a conversation with her mother in August of 2020 the victim disclosed that, when she was approximately 8 years old, she had been sexually assaulted at party her father took her to. The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department was then notified about the allegations by the mother. A formal forensic interview of the girl was performed by the Child Advocacy Center in Great Bend, Kansas.At trial, the defendant presented an Alibi defense arguing it was impossible for him to have committed the alleged acts as he was with another girl at the time. As part of the evidence at trial, the parties stipulated that in 2015 a jury convicted Speer, of two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a 14 year old child. Specifically, the jury found Speer had sexual intercourse with a 14 year old child in an apartment in Larned in May or June of 2013; and he had sexual intercourse with a 14 year old child in an apartment in Larned in June of 2013.Based on the age of the victim, under Jessica’s Law the presumptive sentence was a life sentence with a mandatory requirement the defendant serve a minimum of 25 years. As part of his opportunity to address the Court at sentencing, Speer denied he had committed the newly convicted offenses and requested the Court consider the efforts he has made in prison to reform himself and sentence him to a reduced sentence such that he could be released in 2027.Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett argued that based on Speer’s other prior sexually violent crimes the Court should find that Speer is an Aggravated Habitual Sex Offender and sentence the defendant to life without the possibility of parole.After reviewing the presentence investigation report and hearing the arguments presented, Judge Gatterman agreed with the State that Speer met the statutory criteria of an Aggravated Habitual Sex Offender having been convicted of at least two prior sexually violent crimes. As such, the Court sentenced the defendant to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The defendant will also be subject to lifetime offender registration as a sex offender.Under Kansas sentencing laws, all prior convictions which occur prior to sentencing in the current case are considered in determining criminal history, regardless of whether the offense that led to the prior conviction occurred before or after the current offense or the conviction in the current case.Speer is currently in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections serving a sentence for his 2015 Pawnee County sex offense convictions. Following the sentencing, the defendant was advised of his rights to appeal the convictions and sentence imposed.The Court previously denied the defense motion for a new trial at a hearing conducted on August 22, 2024.Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett presented the State’s case. Speer was represented by Joe Shepack of Great Bend, Kansas.

Judge rules Kan. man is aggravated habitual sex offender

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two women on drug allegations.

Just after 11a.m. March 9, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested two individuals after a Jackson County Sheriff’s K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics within an Acura passenger vehicle near Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

During a search of the vehicle, the deputy found methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, and drug paraphernalia.

The driver and registered owner,&nbsp;Paula Louise Michael, 61, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The front seat passenger, Jessica Maria Espinoza, 62, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741709743776.png" alt="Espinoza photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Espinoza photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two women on drug allegations.Just after 11a.m. March 9, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested two individuals after a Jackson County Sheriff’s K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics within an Acura passenger vehicle near Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741709697029.png" alt="Michael photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Michael photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During a search of the vehicle, the deputy found methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, and drug paraphernalia.The driver and registered owner,&nbsp;Paula Louise Michael, 61, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.The front seat passenger, Jessica Maria Espinoza, 62, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.