SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman accused in the death of a 7-year-old boy returned to court on Thursday.

Tasha Diane Dillard, 25, Wichita, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated child endangerment in Judge William Woolley's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; She had been scheduled to face a trial starting on September 15.

Dillard had originally been charged with 1st degree murder and 7 counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman accused in the death of a 7-year-old boy is due back in court Thursday.&nbsp;

Tasha Diane Dillard, 25, Wichita, will attend a plea hearing in Judge William Woolley's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; She had been scheduled to face a trial starting on September 15.

Dillard has been charged with 1st degree murder and 7 counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.

On March 16, police responded to a call of a shooting at an apartment in the 3700 block of E Ross Parkway, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The caller reported that someone had been shot and that a child was bleeding.

When officers arrived, they found 7-year-old Davion Gunter suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso. Davion was transported to a local hospital, where he was&nbsp; pronounced deceased.

At the scene, officers found seven other children and multiple adults. Wichita Police homicide investigators and the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit responded immediately, conducting interviews and gathered evidence.

Police took Dillard into custody and the children were placed in protective care. Dillard remains jailed on bonds totaling over $500,000, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742206494454.png" alt="Dillard photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Dillard photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman accused in the death of a 7-year-old boy returned to court on Thursday.Tasha Diane Dillard, 25, Wichita, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated child endangerment in Judge William Woolley's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; She had been scheduled to face a trial starting on September 15.Dillard had originally been charged with 1st degree murder and 7 counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.---------SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman accused in the death of a 7-year-old boy is due back in court Thursday.&nbsp;Tasha Diane Dillard, 25, Wichita, will attend a plea hearing in Judge William Woolley's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; She had been scheduled to face a trial starting on September 15.Dillard has been charged with 1st degree murder and 7 counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to the District Attorney's office.On March 16, police responded to a call of a shooting at an apartment in the 3700 block of E Ross Parkway, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses. The caller reported that someone had been shot and that a child was bleeding.When officers arrived, they found 7-year-old Davion Gunter suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso. Davion was transported to a local hospital, where he was&nbsp; pronounced deceased.At the scene, officers found seven other children and multiple adults. Wichita Police homicide investigators and the Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit responded immediately, conducting interviews and gathered evidence.Police took Dillard into custody and the children were placed in protective care. Dillard remains jailed on bonds totaling over $500,000, according to online jail records.

Plea hearing for Kansas woman in death of 7-year-old boy

The Kansas Highway Patrol on Wednesday responded to reports of confusion over a personal social media post by a State Trooper. The KHP wrote, "The KHP is aware of a social media post by an employee who appears to be either soliciting or accepting donations in furtherance of personal travel."

On his private social media page Monday, KHP Trooper Ben Gardner wrote that he was driving his Jeep back and forth to Michigan and using a lot of gas. He wrote, "folks had already reached out, so he shared ways that others could help."

Not everyone believed the post was actually from beloved Trooper Ben.

The Kansas Highway Patrol responded, "Because the employee's private posts are often difficult to distinguish from their professional posts, the messages can be confusing and are neither approved by nor associated with KHP business."

The Kansas Highway Patrol on Wednesday responded to reports of confusion over a personal social media post by a State Trooper. The KHP wrote, "The KHP is aware of a social media post by an employee who appears to be either soliciting or accepting donations in furtherance of personal travel."On his private social media page Monday, KHP Trooper Ben Gardner wrote that he was driving his Jeep back and forth to Michigan and using a lot of gas. He wrote, "folks had already reached out, so he shared ways that others could help."<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTrooperBenKS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02nBTzcurRD3DytfPsNhT5Yh5sSqSqv8EYqtYbJtBB2McqwxaEQkTRinUuctd6FBN6l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="698" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Not everyone believed the post was actually from beloved Trooper Ben.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756989004553.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Highway Patrol responded, "Because the employee's private posts are often difficult to distinguish from their professional posts, the messages can be confusing and are neither approved by nor associated with KHP business."<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTrooperBenKS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02K9KPVZySupyerHHWof5rEEGXfajoz3t8zGkpVSrUtpGtACevpWNNVFZ93AvqsfNjl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="737" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

KHP responds after confusion over personal post by State Trooper

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 9p.m. Wednesday, emergency crews&nbsp;responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Harrison Street and Armour Boulevard, according to KC Fire Department Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

Emergency crews encountered 4 gunshot victims.&nbsp;All four patients were transported to area hospitals. 3 of the patients were in critical condition and 1 was in stable condition, according to Riley.

Police have not released ages of those injured or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756983477251.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.Just before 9p.m. Wednesday, emergency crews&nbsp;responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Harrison Street and Armour Boulevard, according to KC Fire Department Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.Emergency crews encountered 4 gunshot victims.&nbsp;All four patients were transported to area hospitals. 3 of the patients were in critical condition and 1 was in stable condition, according to Riley.Police have not released ages of those injured or additional details.

Police investigating another mass shooting in Kansas City

MCPHERSON COUNTY —A dangerous storm with very large hail up to baseball size and damaging winds up 70mph moved through portions of central and southeastern Kansas Wednesday evening.

Baseball size hail was reported in portions of Saline County northwest of Smolan; Marion County near Lost Springs; McPherson County near Moundridge; Harvy County near Halstead and in portions of Wichita, according to the National Weather Service.

&nbsp;Elyria Christian School in McPherson is closed Thursday due to the storm damage and some of the sports activities were postponed. On social media the school wrote, 'while there is damage, we are so thankful for the many hands that showed up to help clean up the outside."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756980514589.png" alt="Clean up after Wednesday night storm -photo courtesy Elyria Christian School&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Clean up after Wednesday night storm -photo courtesy Elyria Christian School&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON COUNTY —A dangerous storm with very large hail up to baseball size and damaging winds up 70mph moved through portions of central and southeastern Kansas Wednesday evening.Baseball size hail was reported in portions of Saline County northwest of Smolan; Marion County near Lost Springs; McPherson County near Moundridge; Harvy County near Halstead and in portions of Wichita, according to the National Weather Service.&nbsp;Elyria Christian School in McPherson is closed Thursday due to the storm damage and some of the sports activities were postponed. On social media the school wrote, 'while there is damage, we are so thankful for the many hands that showed up to help clean up the outside."

Late summer storm brought large hail to portions of Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration took the fight over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-court-ruling-trade-1c5a02ad38597c3629eff5977490813a">tariffs</a>&nbsp;to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, asking the justices to rule quickly that the president has the power to impose sweeping import taxes under federal law.

The government called on the court to reverse an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-appeals-court-b714cfc8dff51289b1d5291f46d71f3f">appeals court ruling</a>&nbsp;that found most of President Donald Trump’s tariffs are an illegal use of an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45618">emergency powers law</a>.

It's the latest in a series of Trump administration appeals to a Supreme Court he helped shape, and one that is expected to put a centerpiece of the president's trade policy before the justices.

<a href="https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions-orders/25-1812.OPINION.8-29-2025_2566151.pdf">The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit</a>&nbsp;left the tariffs in place for now, but the administration nevertheless called on the high court to intervene quickly in a petition filed electronically late Wednesday and provided to The Associated Press. It was expected to be formally docketed on Thursday.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer asked the justices to take up the case and hear arguments in early November.

“That decision casts a pall of uncertainty upon ongoing foreign negotiations that the President has been pursuing through tariffs over the past five months, jeopardizing both already negotiated framework deals and ongoing negotiations,” he wrote. “The stakes in this case could not be higher.”

But the stakes are also high for small businesses battered by tariffs and uncertainty, said Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel and director of litigation at the Liberty Justice Center.

“These unlawful tariffs are inflicting serious harm on small businesses and jeopardizing their survival. We hope for a prompt resolution of this case for our clients,” he said.

The businesses have twice prevailed, once at a federal court focused on trade and again with the appeals court's 7-4 ruling.

Their lawsuit is one of several challenging the tariffs and erratic rollout that have shaken global markets, alienated U.S. trading partners and allies and raised fears of higher prices and slower economic growth.

But Trump has also used the levies to pressure the European Union, Japan and other countries into accepting new trade deals. Revenue from tariffs totaled $159 billion by late August, more than double what it was at the same point the year before.

Most judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit found the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, did not let Trump usurp congressional power to set tariffs. The dissenters, though, said the law does allow the president to regulate importation during emergencies without explicit limitations.

The ruling involves two sets of import taxes, both of which Trump justified by declaring a national emergency:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">the tariffs first announced in April</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-trade-china-mexico-canada-inflation-753a09d56cd318f2eb1d2efe3c43b7d4">ones from February</a>&nbsp;on imports from Canada, China and Mexico.

The Constitution gives Congress the power to impose taxes, including tariffs. But over the decades, lawmakers have ceded authority to the president, and Trump has made the most of the power vacuum.

Some Trump tariffs, including levies on foreign steel, aluminum and autos, weren’t covered by the appeals court ruling. It also does not include tariffs Trump imposed on China in his first term that were kept by Democratic President Joe Biden.

Trump can impose tariffs under other laws, but those have more limitations on the speed and severity with which he could act.

The government has argued that if the tariffs are struck down, it might have to refund some of the import taxes that it’s collected, delivering a financial blow to the U.S. Treasury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743626000304.png" alt="file&nbsp; President Trump announced this tariff plan -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>file&nbsp; President Trump announced this tariff plan -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration took the fight over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-court-ruling-trade-1c5a02ad38597c3629eff5977490813a">tariffs</a>&nbsp;to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, asking the justices to rule quickly that the president has the power to impose sweeping import taxes under federal law.The government called on the court to reverse an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-appeals-court-b714cfc8dff51289b1d5291f46d71f3f">appeals court ruling</a>&nbsp;that found most of President Donald Trump’s tariffs are an illegal use of an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45618">emergency powers law</a>.It's the latest in a series of Trump administration appeals to a Supreme Court he helped shape, and one that is expected to put a centerpiece of the president's trade policy before the justices.<a href="https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions-orders/25-1812.OPINION.8-29-2025_2566151.pdf">The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit</a>&nbsp;left the tariffs in place for now, but the administration nevertheless called on the high court to intervene quickly in a petition filed electronically late Wednesday and provided to The Associated Press. It was expected to be formally docketed on Thursday.Solicitor General D. John Sauer asked the justices to take up the case and hear arguments in early November.“That decision casts a pall of uncertainty upon ongoing foreign negotiations that the President has been pursuing through tariffs over the past five months, jeopardizing both already negotiated framework deals and ongoing negotiations,” he wrote. “The stakes in this case could not be higher.”But the stakes are also high for small businesses battered by tariffs and uncertainty, said Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel and director of litigation at the Liberty Justice Center.“These unlawful tariffs are inflicting serious harm on small businesses and jeopardizing their survival. We hope for a prompt resolution of this case for our clients,” he said.The businesses have twice prevailed, once at a federal court focused on trade and again with the appeals court's 7-4 ruling.Their lawsuit is one of several challenging the tariffs and erratic rollout that have shaken global markets, alienated U.S. trading partners and allies and raised fears of higher prices and slower economic growth.But Trump has also used the levies to pressure the European Union, Japan and other countries into accepting new trade deals. Revenue from tariffs totaled $159 billion by late August, more than double what it was at the same point the year before.Most judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit found the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, did not let Trump usurp congressional power to set tariffs. The dissenters, though, said the law does allow the president to regulate importation during emergencies without explicit limitations.The ruling involves two sets of import taxes, both of which Trump justified by declaring a national emergency:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2a031b3c16120a5672a6ddd01da09933">the tariffs first announced in April</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-trade-china-mexico-canada-inflation-753a09d56cd318f2eb1d2efe3c43b7d4">ones from February</a>&nbsp;on imports from Canada, China and Mexico.The Constitution gives Congress the power to impose taxes, including tariffs. But over the decades, lawmakers have ceded authority to the president, and Trump has made the most of the power vacuum.Some Trump tariffs, including levies on foreign steel, aluminum and autos, weren’t covered by the appeals court ruling. It also does not include tariffs Trump imposed on China in his first term that were kept by Democratic President Joe Biden.Trump can impose tariffs under other laws, but those have more limitations on the speed and severity with which he could act.The government has argued that if the tariffs are struck down, it might have to refund some of the import taxes that it’s collected, delivering a financial blow to the U.S. Treasury.

Battle over President Trump's tariffs moves to the  Supreme Court 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot has jumped to an eye-popping $1.7 billion, after yet another drawing passed without a big winner Wednesday.

The numbers selected were: 3, 16, 29, 61 and 69, with the Powerball number being 22.

Since May 31, there have been 41 straight drawings without a big winner.

The next drawing will be Saturday night, with the prize expected to be the third-largest in U.S. lottery history.

Powerball’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">terrible odds</a>&nbsp;of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes becoming ever larger as they repeatedly roll over when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-c750b32664d0b02d318ae8030f671952">three drawings each week</a>.

The estimated $1.4 billion jackpot from Wednesday night’s drawing would have been for a winner who had opted to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. Winners almost always choose the game’s cash option, which would have been an estimated $634.3 million.

Powerball tickets cost $2 and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot has jumped to an eye-popping $1.7 billion, after yet another drawing passed without a big winner Wednesday.The numbers selected were: 3, 16, 29, 61 and 69, with the Powerball number being 22.Since May 31, there have been 41 straight drawings without a big winner.The next drawing will be Saturday night, with the prize expected to be the third-largest in U.S. lottery history.Powerball’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">terrible odds</a>&nbsp;of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes becoming ever larger as they repeatedly roll over when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-c750b32664d0b02d318ae8030f671952">three drawings each week</a>.The estimated $1.4 billion jackpot from Wednesday night’s drawing would have been for a winner who had opted to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. Winners almost always choose the game’s cash option, which would have been an estimated $634.3 million.Powerball tickets cost $2 and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.70 Billion (estimated) – Sept. 6, 2025</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 – OR</li><li>$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA</li><li>$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI</li><li>$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI</li><li>$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA</li><li>$754.6 Million – Feb. 6, 2023 - WA</li>
 </ol>

Powerball jackpot skyrockets to $1.70 billion; no big winner Wednesday

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a carjacking and wrong-way crash on Interstate 70.

Just after 7:30p.m. Tuesday, Kansas City Fire Department crews responded to a crash involving an eastbound vehicle in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the Paseo, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.&nbsp;

Police investigators revealed that a Buick Encore was possibly involved in a carjacking, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. After a short police pursuit, the Buick Encore entered the wrong way on Interstate 70 westbound from Locust causing a head on collision with a&nbsp; BMW. 

No police vehicles were in pursuit of the Buick when it entered the wrong way on the highway, according to Gonzalez. The driver of the Buick ran from the crash scene and the passenger from the Buick attempted to carjack another motorist but did not succeed. The passenger from the Buick then jumped on I- 70 Eastbound where he was struck by an unknown vehicle who left the scene. 

Police then apprehended the passenger. The driver of the BMW suffered minor injuries. A total of 5 patients were treated on scene, according to Riley. Two were transported to the hospital for treatment.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a carjacking and wrong-way crash on Interstate 70.Just after 7:30p.m. Tuesday, Kansas City Fire Department crews responded to a crash involving an eastbound vehicle in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the Paseo, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.&nbsp;Police investigators revealed that a Buick Encore was possibly involved in a carjacking, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. After a short police pursuit, the Buick Encore entered the wrong way on Interstate 70 westbound from Locust causing a head on collision with a&nbsp; BMW. No police vehicles were in pursuit of the Buick when it entered the wrong way on the highway, according to Gonzalez. The driver of the Buick ran from the crash scene and the passenger from the Buick attempted to carjack another motorist but did not succeed. The passenger from the Buick then jumped on I- 70 Eastbound where he was struck by an unknown vehicle who left the scene. Police then apprehended the passenger. The driver of the BMW suffered minor injuries. A total of 5 patients were treated on scene, according to Riley. Two were transported to the hospital for treatment.

2 hospitalized after carjacking, wrong-way I-70 crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY– A woman found guilty of killing her 2-year-old son is going to prison.

On Monday, Sedgwick County Judge Eric Williams sentenced 30-year-old Stephanie Aviles to life up to 25 years, plus 34 months for abuse of a child, and 7 months for aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In July, a jury convicted&nbsp; Aviles of first-degree murder in the&nbsp;death of 2-year-old Jacob Aviles.&nbsp;

Aviles former boyfriend, Bernardo Gonzalez-Mejia is scheduled for a jury trial on similar charges in the boy's death in December.

In September of 2019, officers responded to assist EMS on the report of a toddler not breathing at a home near Kellogg and Seneca in Wichita, according to a media release from Wichita Police. The child was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after they arrived.&nbsp;.

Two other children were taken into protective custody after Aviles and Gonzalez-Mejia were arrested.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756809514623.png" alt="Aviles photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Aviles photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY– A woman found guilty of killing her 2-year-old son is going to prison.On Monday, Sedgwick County Judge Eric Williams sentenced 30-year-old Stephanie Aviles to life up to 25 years, plus 34 months for abuse of a child, and 7 months for aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In July, a jury convicted&nbsp; Aviles of first-degree murder in the&nbsp;death of 2-year-old Jacob Aviles.&nbsp;Aviles former boyfriend, Bernardo Gonzalez-Mejia is scheduled for a jury trial on similar charges in the boy's death in December.In September of 2019, officers responded to assist EMS on the report of a toddler not breathing at a home near Kellogg and Seneca in Wichita, according to a media release from Wichita Police. The child was pronounced dead about 30 minutes after they arrived.&nbsp;.Two other children were taken into protective custody after Aviles and Gonzalez-Mejia were arrested.

Prison for Kansas woman in abuse death of her 2-year-old son

KANSAS CITY— Sheriff's deputies were involved in a shooting on Saturday afternoon in the 5200 block of North Oak Trafficway in Kansas City, Missouri. The deputies were unharmed, and the individual they shot had non life-threatening injuries.

Aaron M. Perez-Engel, 38, has been charged with first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and armed criminal action in the incident, according to a statement from the Clay County Sheriff's office. Perez-Engel is being held in the Clay County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond. 

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department investigated the incident.

Just after 2p.m. August 30, Kansas City Missouri Police Officers were called to a reported disturbance involving a man later identified as Perez-Engel who armed with a large knife in the shopping center at the intersection of NE Englewood Road and N. Oak Trafficway. 

Perez-Engel had left the scene prior to police arrival. A suspect description was provided to dispatch via police radio and broadcasted out to other patrol officers, to include the Clay County Sheriff’s Office." 

At approximately 2:27 p.m., a Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy was patrolling the area of NE 50th Street and N. Oak Trafficway and located the described suspect involved in the disturbance. 

The deputy attempted to contact the Perez-Engel for further investigation. Perez-Engel presented a large knife from within his waistband and began running northbound on N. Oak Traffickway. A foot chase was initiated, and additional deputies were called to assist with apprehending the suspect.

Perez-Engel refused to comply with verbal commands and ran into a wooded area while being pursued by multiple Clay County Sheriff’s deputies. 

Perez-Engel stopped and was given further verbal commands to drop the knife. The suspect charged at the deputies before coming to a stop again. 

"Additional resources, to include Sheriff K-9’s, were being called to the scene to de-escalate the situation. Deputies continued giving verbal commands for the Perez-Engel to drop the knife and peacefully surrender. He&nbsp; refused to comply and ran towards the deputies a second time while armed with the weapon. 

At 2:33 PM, two Clay County Sheriff’s deputies discharged their duty weapons, striking the Perez-Engel. Deputies on scene immediately began rendering medical aid until EMS responded and transported the suspect to an area hospital for medical treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

A large knife was recovered from the scene where the suspect had been shot. No deputies were injured during this incident."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756864775318.png" alt="Perez-Engel-photo Clay Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Perez-Engel-photo Clay Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY— Sheriff's deputies were involved in a shooting on Saturday afternoon in the 5200 block of North Oak Trafficway in Kansas City, Missouri. The deputies were unharmed, and the individual they shot had non life-threatening injuries.Aaron M. Perez-Engel, 38, has been charged with first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and armed criminal action in the incident, according to a statement from the Clay County Sheriff's office. Perez-Engel is being held in the Clay County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department investigated the incident.Just after 2p.m. August 30, Kansas City Missouri Police Officers were called to a reported disturbance involving a man later identified as Perez-Engel who armed with a large knife in the shopping center at the intersection of NE Englewood Road and N. Oak Trafficway. Perez-Engel had left the scene prior to police arrival. A suspect description was provided to dispatch via police radio and broadcasted out to other patrol officers, to include the Clay County Sheriff’s Office." At approximately 2:27 p.m., a Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy was patrolling the area of NE 50th Street and N. Oak Trafficway and located the described suspect involved in the disturbance. The deputy attempted to contact the Perez-Engel for further investigation. Perez-Engel presented a large knife from within his waistband and began running northbound on N. Oak Traffickway. A foot chase was initiated, and additional deputies were called to assist with apprehending the suspect.Perez-Engel refused to comply with verbal commands and ran into a wooded area while being pursued by multiple Clay County Sheriff’s deputies. Perez-Engel stopped and was given further verbal commands to drop the knife. The suspect charged at the deputies before coming to a stop again. "Additional resources, to include Sheriff K-9’s, were being called to the scene to de-escalate the situation. Deputies continued giving verbal commands for the Perez-Engel to drop the knife and peacefully surrender. He&nbsp; refused to comply and ran towards the deputies a second time while armed with the weapon. At 2:33 PM, two Clay County Sheriff’s deputies discharged their duty weapons, striking the Perez-Engel. Deputies on scene immediately began rendering medical aid until EMS responded and transported the suspect to an area hospital for medical treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.A large knife was recovered from the scene where the suspect had been shot. No deputies were injured during this incident."

KCPD: Man wounded in officer shooting threatened them with a knife

WASHINGTON (AP) — Survivors of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein's</a>&nbsp;sexual abuse made their voices heard Wednesday on Capitol Hill, pressuring lawmakers to force the release of the sex trafficking investigation into the late financier and pushing back on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;effort to dismiss the issue as a “hoax.”

In a news conference on the Capitol lawn that drew hundreds of supporters and chants of “release the files,” the women shared — some publicly for the first time — how they were lured into Epstein's abuse by his former girlfriend,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-prison-27d53cd22f8c53d9f2b5012cea32eb5e">Ghislaine Maxwell</a>. They demanded that the Trump administration provide transparency and accountability for what they endured as teenagers.

It was a striking stand as the push for disclosure of the so-called Epstein files reaches a pivotal moment in Washington. Lawmakers are battling over how Congress should delve into the Epstein saga while the Republican president, after initially signaling support for transparency on the campaign trail, has been dismissing the matter as a “Democrat hoax.”

“No matter what you do it’s going to keep going,” Trump said Wednesday. He added, “Really, I think it’s enough."

But the survivors on Capitol Hill, as well as at least one of Trump's closest allies in Congress, disagreed. Some of the women pleaded for Trump to support their cause.

“It feels like you just want to explode inside because nobody, again, is understanding that this is a real situation. These women are real. We’re here in person,” said Haley Robson, one of the survivors who said she is a registered Republican.

Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges that said he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls. The case was brought more than a decade after he secretly cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Florida to dispose of nearly identical allegations. Epstein&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6184561-Jeffrey-Epstein-indictment.html">was accused</a>&nbsp;of paying underage girls hundreds of dollars in cash for massages and then molesting them.

Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime confidant and former girlfriend, was convicted in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-guilty-what-next-5082bd54ec442632c53319e6c43c2dd4">luring teenage girls</a>&nbsp;for him to abuse. Four women testified at her trial that they were abused by Epstein as teens in the 1990s and early 2000s at his homes in Florida, New York and New Mexico. The allegations have also spawned dozens of lawsuits.

Georgia Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-marjorie-taylor-greene-bffe84ad45cdb140ec81b353238b1242">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>, who is usually closely aligned with Trump, described her support for a bill that would force the Justice Department to release the information it has compiled on Epstein and Maxwell as a moral fight against sexual predation.

“This isn’t one political party or the other. It’s a culmination of everyone working together to silence these women and protect Jeffrey Epstein and his cabal,” Greene said at the news conference.

She also told reporters that she had spoken with Trump on Wednesday to tell him that he should host the survivors in the Oval Office, “not any of Jeffrey Epstein's rich, powerful friends.”

Greene is one of four Republicans — three of them women — who have defied House GOP leadership and the White House in an effort to force a vote on their bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to quash the effort by putting forward his own resolution and arguing that a concurrent investigation by the House Oversight Committee is the best way for Congress to deliver transparency.

“I think the Oversight probe is going to be wide and expansive, and they’re going to follow the truth wherever it leads," Johnson, R-La., said.

He added that the White House was complying with the committee to release information and that he had spoken with Trump about it Tuesday night. “He says, ‘Get it out there, put it all out there,’" Johnson told reporters.

The Oversight Committee on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-congress-justice-department-trump-3e0d2146ce0cd0f6cecaab0198402ac7">Tuesday night released</a>&nbsp;what it said was the first tranche of documents and files it has received from the Justice Department on the Epstein case. The folders posted on Google Drive contained hundreds of image files of years-old court filings related to Epstein, but contained practically nothing new.

Meanwhile, the White House was warning House members that support for the bill to require the DOJ to release the files would be seen as a hostile act. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kentucky-thomas-massie-primary-iran-55252ce7fbda9c27f6fbd9123927b1b4">Thomas Massie</a>, a Kentucky Republican who is pressing for the bill, said that the White House was sending that message because “They’ve dug in.”

“They decided they don’t want it released,” he said. “It’s a political threat.”

But with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracies-97200cfab77572a36bc9ab25841a8833">Trump sending a strong message</a>&nbsp;and Republican leadership moving forward with an alternative resolution, Massie was left looking for support from at least two more Republicans willing to cross political lines. It would take six GOP members, as well as all House Democrats, to force a vote on their bill. And even if that passes the House, it would still need to pass the Senate and be signed by Trump.

Still, the survivors saw this moment as their best chance in years to gain some justice for what had been done by Epstein. One survivor, Chauntae Davies said that she remembered feeling powerless when she saw how Epstein was connected to some of the most rich and powerful people in the world. Davies said she once traveled to Africa with Epstein on a trip that included former President Bill Clinton and other notable figures.

“He bragged about his powerful friends, including current President Donald Trump. It was his biggest brag, actually,” Davies said.

Now, the women say it's time to reveal a full accounting of everyone involved or complicit in Epstein's behavior. Several of them are compiling a list of people who may have been involved, but are still deliberating whether to release that publicly, fearing potential repercussions.

Bradley Edwards, an attorney who has represented many of the survivors, refuted the notion that Epstein kept a list of clients, but said others were still involved.

“His scheme was to personally abuse women,” Edwards said. “When they reached a certain age, he did farm a section of them, some of them, out to some of his friends. That doesn’t mean all of his friends.”

Ultimately, the women said they spoke out in hope that lawmakers and federal officials would act to ensure that abusers like Epstein are not let off lightly or allowed to continue their abuse. They were especially affronted that Maxwell had recently been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-prison-27d53cd22f8c53d9f2b5012cea32eb5e">moved to a minimum-security prison camp</a>&nbsp;in Texas.

“Justice and accountability are not favors from the powerful. They are obligations decades overdue” Jess Michaels, a survivor who said she was first abused by Epstein in 1991, told the rally on the Capitol lawn. “This moment began with Epstein’s crimes. But it’s going to be remembered for survivors demanding justice, demanding truth, demanding accountability.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Survivors of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein's</a>&nbsp;sexual abuse made their voices heard Wednesday on Capitol Hill, pressuring lawmakers to force the release of the sex trafficking investigation into the late financier and pushing back on President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;effort to dismiss the issue as a “hoax.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Epstein abuse survivor Haley Robson: &quot;We can&#39;t read the news or do anything without hearing crazy stories that are only able to live on because the government continues to hide the evidence and the truth. So, people just make up stories. Those stories hurt.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/WCcHbdqEhp">pic.twitter.com/WCcHbdqEhp</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1963265219725054229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a news conference on the Capitol lawn that drew hundreds of supporters and chants of “release the files,” the women shared — some publicly for the first time — how they were lured into Epstein's abuse by his former girlfriend,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-prison-27d53cd22f8c53d9f2b5012cea32eb5e">Ghislaine Maxwell</a>. They demanded that the Trump administration provide transparency and accountability for what they endured as teenagers.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump on Jeffrey Epstein Files: &quot;This is a Democrat hoax that never ends...I think it&#39;s enough because I think we should talk about the greatness of our country and the success that we&#39;re having...that&#39;s what I want to talk about...not the Epstein hoax.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/0CowxRnOVk">pic.twitter.com/0CowxRnOVk</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1963271648414425599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It was a striking stand as the push for disclosure of the so-called Epstein files reaches a pivotal moment in Washington. Lawmakers are battling over how Congress should delve into the Epstein saga while the Republican president, after initially signaling support for transparency on the campaign trail, has been dismissing the matter as a “Democrat hoax.”“No matter what you do it’s going to keep going,” Trump said Wednesday. He added, “Really, I think it’s enough."But the survivors on Capitol Hill, as well as at least one of Trump's closest allies in Congress, disagreed. Some of the women pleaded for Trump to support their cause.“It feels like you just want to explode inside because nobody, again, is understanding that this is a real situation. These women are real. We’re here in person,” said Haley Robson, one of the survivors who said she is a registered Republican.Epstein killed himself in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial in 2019 on charges that said he sexually abused and trafficked dozens of underage girls. The case was brought more than a decade after he secretly cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Florida to dispose of nearly identical allegations. Epstein&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6184561-Jeffrey-Epstein-indictment.html">was accused</a>&nbsp;of paying underage girls hundreds of dollars in cash for massages and then molesting them.Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime confidant and former girlfriend, was convicted in 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-guilty-what-next-5082bd54ec442632c53319e6c43c2dd4">luring teenage girls</a>&nbsp;for him to abuse. Four women testified at her trial that they were abused by Epstein as teens in the 1990s and early 2000s at his homes in Florida, New York and New Mexico. The allegations have also spawned dozens of lawsuits.<h2>A Trump ally crosses party lines</h2>Georgia Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-marjorie-taylor-greene-bffe84ad45cdb140ec81b353238b1242">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>, who is usually closely aligned with Trump, described her support for a bill that would force the Justice Department to release the information it has compiled on Epstein and Maxwell as a moral fight against sexual predation.“This isn’t one political party or the other. It’s a culmination of everyone working together to silence these women and protect Jeffrey Epstein and his cabal,” Greene said at the news conference.She also told reporters that she had spoken with Trump on Wednesday to tell him that he should host the survivors in the Oval Office, “not any of Jeffrey Epstein's rich, powerful friends.”Greene is one of four Republicans — three of them women — who have defied House GOP leadership and the White House in an effort to force a vote on their bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to quash the effort by putting forward his own resolution and arguing that a concurrent investigation by the House Oversight Committee is the best way for Congress to deliver transparency.“I think the Oversight probe is going to be wide and expansive, and they’re going to follow the truth wherever it leads," Johnson, R-La., said.He added that the White House was complying with the committee to release information and that he had spoken with Trump about it Tuesday night. “He says, ‘Get it out there, put it all out there,’" Johnson told reporters.The Oversight Committee on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-congress-justice-department-trump-3e0d2146ce0cd0f6cecaab0198402ac7">Tuesday night released</a>&nbsp;what it said was the first tranche of documents and files it has received from the Justice Department on the Epstein case. The folders posted on Google Drive contained hundreds of image files of years-old court filings related to Epstein, but contained practically nothing new.<h2>Warnings from the White House</h2>Meanwhile, the White House was warning House members that support for the bill to require the DOJ to release the files would be seen as a hostile act. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kentucky-thomas-massie-primary-iran-55252ce7fbda9c27f6fbd9123927b1b4">Thomas Massie</a>, a Kentucky Republican who is pressing for the bill, said that the White House was sending that message because “They’ve dug in.”“They decided they don’t want it released,” he said. “It’s a political threat.”But with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-epstein-conspiracies-97200cfab77572a36bc9ab25841a8833">Trump sending a strong message</a>&nbsp;and Republican leadership moving forward with an alternative resolution, Massie was left looking for support from at least two more Republicans willing to cross political lines. It would take six GOP members, as well as all House Democrats, to force a vote on their bill. And even if that passes the House, it would still need to pass the Senate and be signed by Trump.<h2>Survivors speak out</h2>Still, the survivors saw this moment as their best chance in years to gain some justice for what had been done by Epstein. One survivor, Chauntae Davies said that she remembered feeling powerless when she saw how Epstein was connected to some of the most rich and powerful people in the world. Davies said she once traveled to Africa with Epstein on a trip that included former President Bill Clinton and other notable figures.“He bragged about his powerful friends, including current President Donald Trump. It was his biggest brag, actually,” Davies said.Now, the women say it's time to reveal a full accounting of everyone involved or complicit in Epstein's behavior. Several of them are compiling a list of people who may have been involved, but are still deliberating whether to release that publicly, fearing potential repercussions.Bradley Edwards, an attorney who has represented many of the survivors, refuted the notion that Epstein kept a list of clients, but said others were still involved.“His scheme was to personally abuse women,” Edwards said. “When they reached a certain age, he did farm a section of them, some of them, out to some of his friends. That doesn’t mean all of his friends.”Ultimately, the women said they spoke out in hope that lawmakers and federal officials would act to ensure that abusers like Epstein are not let off lightly or allowed to continue their abuse. They were especially affronted that Maxwell had recently been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epstein-ghislaine-maxwell-justice-department-prison-27d53cd22f8c53d9f2b5012cea32eb5e">moved to a minimum-security prison camp</a>&nbsp;in Texas.“Justice and accountability are not favors from the powerful. They are obligations decades overdue” Jess Michaels, a survivor who said she was first abused by Epstein in 1991, told the rally on the Capitol lawn. “This moment began with Epstein’s crimes. But it’s going to be remembered for survivors demanding justice, demanding truth, demanding accountability.”

🎥Epstein survivors implore Congress to act as push for disclosure builds

WICHITA, Kan. — The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 63-year-old male inmate who was found unresponsive in his cell Tuesday night at the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility.

Just after 10p.m. Tuesday, deputies discovered the inmate, according to sheriff's office spokesman Branden Stitt. Detention staff and on-site medical personnel immediately began life-saving measures. Sedgwick County EMS and the Wichita Fire Department responded and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:44 p.m.

The inmate, identified from county booking records as Timothy Reid Cullen was a resident of Blanchard, Oklahoma, and had been in the custody since Jun 21, 2025, on charges of aggravated assault, criminal threat, violation of a protective order, and possession of narcotics.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has been notified, and detectives are conducting a thorough investigation.

Preliminary evidence indicates the death was the result of suicide through self-asphyxiation. This incident marks the fifth in-custody death at the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility in 2025.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756913280772.png" alt="Timothy Reid Cullen from his Sedgwick County booking photo" />
 <figcaption>Timothy Reid Cullen from his Sedgwick County booking photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. — The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 63-year-old male inmate who was found unresponsive in his cell Tuesday night at the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737476354827.jpeg" alt="Sedgwick County Jail&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Sedgwick County Jail&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 10p.m. Tuesday, deputies discovered the inmate, according to sheriff's office spokesman Branden Stitt. Detention staff and on-site medical personnel immediately began life-saving measures. Sedgwick County EMS and the Wichita Fire Department responded and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:44 p.m.The inmate, identified from county booking records as Timothy Reid Cullen was a resident of Blanchard, Oklahoma, and had been in the custody since Jun 21, 2025, on charges of aggravated assault, criminal threat, violation of a protective order, and possession of narcotics.The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has been notified, and detectives are conducting a thorough investigation.Preliminary evidence indicates the death was the result of suicide through self-asphyxiation. This incident marks the fifth in-custody death at the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility in 2025.

5th in custody death of 2025 reported at Sedgwick Co. Jail

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide at a Kansas City area park and have identified the victim as&nbsp;44-year-old Sean Booth, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just before 8a.m. August 27,&nbsp;&nbsp;patrol officers were dispatched to 23rd and Topping on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

As officers arrived they were directed towards Blue Valley Park, to the south end of the park. There, in a wooded area, officers located an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

KCFD EMS responded and transported the victim to a local hospital with critical injuries. A short time later hospital personnel declared the victim deceased, according to DiMartino.

This is being investigated as a homicide. While officers were on scene they received information about the involvement of a vehicle and a subject of interest.

A short distance away, officers took a subject of interest into custody pending further investigation. Detectives are still working to determine what led up to the shots being fired and the victim being struck.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756319368214.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide at a Kansas City area park and have identified the victim as&nbsp;44-year-old Sean Booth, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just before 8a.m. August 27,&nbsp;&nbsp;patrol officers were dispatched to 23rd and Topping on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.As officers arrived they were directed towards Blue Valley Park, to the south end of the park. There, in a wooded area, officers located an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.KCFD EMS responded and transported the victim to a local hospital with critical injuries. A short time later hospital personnel declared the victim deceased, according to DiMartino.This is being investigated as a homicide. While officers were on scene they received information about the involvement of a vehicle and a subject of interest.A short distance away, officers took a subject of interest into custody pending further investigation. Detectives are still working to determine what led up to the shots being fired and the victim being struck.&nbsp;

Police ID homicide victim found near Kansas City park

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/steve-karnowski">STEVE KARNOWSKI</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mark-vancleave">MARK VANCLEAVE</a>

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-vance-leo-vatican-ukraine-russia-trump-c1572b31e231e4eee61baaaad5c1445f">JD Vance</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday met with families and victims of a shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis that killed two schoolchildren and injured 21 people.

Security was heavy outside Annunciation Catholic Church ahead of the visit by Vance, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-catholicism-postliberals-social-policy-7e37e43cb1976c516d642a95d495266a">converted to Catholicism</a>&nbsp;in 2019, and second lady Usha Vance. The visit comes one week after an attacker opened fire during the first Mass of the school year for students of the nearby Annuciation Catholic School.

“They will hold a series of private meetings to convey condolences to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-2d6f42878e210383e4b5cef108aa78b0">the families of those affected</a>&nbsp;by the tragedy,” the White House said in a statement but released few other details.

After arriving at the church, the Vances stood in front of a memorial and laid bouquets amid the numerous other flowers before walking to meet the families.

Some family and neighbors gathered across the street as the Vances arrived at the church, holding signs calling for bans on assault weapons. One read, “Pro-Life = Pro-Gun Safety.” Another read, “When you pray, move your feet,” a popular phrase from people who say&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-school-shooting-prayers-gun-control-391dddff5e3bcffab4efd3b47500f47c">thoughts and prayers are not enough.</a>

“Nothing is happening,” said Kacie Sharpe, whose 8-year-old son, Trip, was sitting near one of children who was killed. “And it keeps happening over and over and over — and nothing changes. And it’s the most helpless feeling in the world to know that you can’t send your kids to school and have them be safe.”

Vance made no public statement after the meeting, which lasted roughly an hour and 45 minutes. As he left, his motorcade rolled past a few dozen protesters, several holding signs saying, “Hate Won’t Make America Great.”

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis told Minnesota Public Radio earlier Thursday that he apparently didn’t make the cut for invitations and wouldn’t be there. But Hebda, who has met with the families himself, welcomed Vance’s visit.

“I was happy to hear that the parents were interested in meeting with the vice president,” Hebda told MPR. “I know they’ve met with other politicians as well, and I think it gives an opportunity for them to put a face on this great tragedy.”

Hebda also said it has been edifying to see all the prayers and other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-leo-minnesota-1f96b0e6cf8cfd6307a559b3492fac4d">support from Pope Leo</a>&nbsp;and other clergy, the community and beyond, for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-school-shooting-minneapolis-victims-0a935fe3a8deeb58f4fb119eb2deb928">all the families</a>&nbsp;whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-school-shooting-victims-grief-e116fe0dd0d0662bbe69f5026e3fb313">children attend Annuciation.</a>

“For them to have the opportunity to share, up close, with the vice president and his wife, as they’ve done with our governor and our senator and our mayor, I think is a great opportunity to educate about what occurred and then to begin planning for how we can move forward,” the archbishop said.

The shooter,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-school-shooting-annunciation-c4ebf0eaa7b4f67c697d93d679cb0e4b">23-year-old Robin Westman</a>, died by suicide after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-shooting-vigil-children-killed-c3c31d801273c77f32676f6baf8ec4f4">firing 116 rifle rounds</a>&nbsp;through the church’s stained-glass windows last Wednesday as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-church-shooting-09e2fb36ee076f89b7ffed4f7e371e0d">hundreds of students</a>&nbsp;and others gathered for worship.

While investigators say they have not found a clear motive for the attack, the shooter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-school-shooting-minneapolis-victims-0a935fe3a8deeb58f4fb119eb2deb928">had connections</a>&nbsp;to the school. Westman’s mother worked for the parish before retiring in 2021, and Westman once attended the school.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said last week that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-shooting-vigil-children-killed-c3c31d801273c77f32676f6baf8ec4f4">the shooter left behind videos and writings</a>&nbsp;that “expressed hate towards almost every group imaginable” but admiration for mass killers.

The school has not said when classes will resume or a ceremony will be held to essentially reconsecrate the church so that worship can resume there. The church celebrated its Masses last weekend in the school gym.

One of the children who was injured, 10-year-old Weston Halsne, had surgery Wednesday to remove a bullet fragment from his neck, his family said in a statement issued through Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis.

“The procedure went well, and Weston is expected to make a full physical recovery,” they said.

Weston, a 5th grader, didn’t realize he was hit at the time. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-church-shooting-09e2fb36ee076f89b7ffed4f7e371e0d">told reporters after the shots blasted through the windows</a>&nbsp;that he ducked for the pews, covering his head.

“My friend Victor like saved me though because he laid on top of me. But he got hit,” he said.

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/steve-karnowski">STEVE KARNOWSKI</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mark-vancleave">MARK VANCLEAVE</a>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-vance-leo-vatican-ukraine-russia-trump-c1572b31e231e4eee61baaaad5c1445f">JD Vance</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday met with families and victims of a shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis that killed two schoolchildren and injured 21 people.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VP Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance lay flowers at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis in remembrance of the victims of last week’s shooting. <a href="https://t.co/4AmXFmhx0v">pic.twitter.com/4AmXFmhx0v</a>&mdash; Vice President JD Vance (@VP) <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/1963335839758581825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;I have never had a day that will stay with me like this day did,&quot; says <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> in Minneapolis. &quot;These parents — in the midst of the worst grief of their entire lives — they opened up their lives. They opened up their hearts.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/XqZXKkPLYk">pic.twitter.com/XqZXKkPLYk</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1963335590054686901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Security was heavy outside Annunciation Catholic Church ahead of the visit by Vance, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-catholicism-postliberals-social-policy-7e37e43cb1976c516d642a95d495266a">converted to Catholicism</a>&nbsp;in 2019, and second lady Usha Vance. The visit comes one week after an attacker opened fire during the first Mass of the school year for students of the nearby Annuciation Catholic School.“They will hold a series of private meetings to convey condolences to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-2d6f42878e210383e4b5cef108aa78b0">the families of those affected</a>&nbsp;by the tragedy,” the White House said in a statement but released few other details.After arriving at the church, the Vances stood in front of a memorial and laid bouquets amid the numerous other flowers before walking to meet the families.Some family and neighbors gathered across the street as the Vances arrived at the church, holding signs calling for bans on assault weapons. One read, “Pro-Life = Pro-Gun Safety.” Another read, “When you pray, move your feet,” a popular phrase from people who say&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-school-shooting-prayers-gun-control-391dddff5e3bcffab4efd3b47500f47c">thoughts and prayers are not enough.</a>“Nothing is happening,” said Kacie Sharpe, whose 8-year-old son, Trip, was sitting near one of children who was killed. “And it keeps happening over and over and over — and nothing changes. And it’s the most helpless feeling in the world to know that you can’t send your kids to school and have them be safe.”Vance made no public statement after the meeting, which lasted roughly an hour and 45 minutes. As he left, his motorcade rolled past a few dozen protesters, several holding signs saying, “Hate Won’t Make America Great.”Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis told Minnesota Public Radio earlier Thursday that he apparently didn’t make the cut for invitations and wouldn’t be there. But Hebda, who has met with the families himself, welcomed Vance’s visit.“I was happy to hear that the parents were interested in meeting with the vice president,” Hebda told MPR. “I know they’ve met with other politicians as well, and I think it gives an opportunity for them to put a face on this great tragedy.”Hebda also said it has been edifying to see all the prayers and other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-leo-minnesota-1f96b0e6cf8cfd6307a559b3492fac4d">support from Pope Leo</a>&nbsp;and other clergy, the community and beyond, for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-school-shooting-minneapolis-victims-0a935fe3a8deeb58f4fb119eb2deb928">all the families</a>&nbsp;whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-school-shooting-victims-grief-e116fe0dd0d0662bbe69f5026e3fb313">children attend Annuciation.</a>“For them to have the opportunity to share, up close, with the vice president and his wife, as they’ve done with our governor and our senator and our mayor, I think is a great opportunity to educate about what occurred and then to begin planning for how we can move forward,” the archbishop said.The shooter,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-school-shooting-annunciation-c4ebf0eaa7b4f67c697d93d679cb0e4b">23-year-old Robin Westman</a>, died by suicide after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-shooting-vigil-children-killed-c3c31d801273c77f32676f6baf8ec4f4">firing 116 rifle rounds</a>&nbsp;through the church’s stained-glass windows last Wednesday as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-church-shooting-09e2fb36ee076f89b7ffed4f7e371e0d">hundreds of students</a>&nbsp;and others gathered for worship.While investigators say they have not found a clear motive for the attack, the shooter&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-school-shooting-minneapolis-victims-0a935fe3a8deeb58f4fb119eb2deb928">had connections</a>&nbsp;to the school. Westman’s mother worked for the parish before retiring in 2021, and Westman once attended the school.Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said last week that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-shooting-vigil-children-killed-c3c31d801273c77f32676f6baf8ec4f4">the shooter left behind videos and writings</a>&nbsp;that “expressed hate towards almost every group imaginable” but admiration for mass killers.The school has not said when classes will resume or a ceremony will be held to essentially reconsecrate the church so that worship can resume there. The church celebrated its Masses last weekend in the school gym.One of the children who was injured, 10-year-old Weston Halsne, had surgery Wednesday to remove a bullet fragment from his neck, his family said in a statement issued through Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis.“The procedure went well, and Weston is expected to make a full physical recovery,” they said.Weston, a 5th grader, didn’t realize he was hit at the time. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-church-shooting-09e2fb36ee076f89b7ffed4f7e371e0d">told reporters after the shots blasted through the windows</a>&nbsp;that he ducked for the pews, covering his head.“My friend Victor like saved me though because he laid on top of me. But he got hit,” he said.

🎥VP Vance meets with families in Minneapolis after church shooting

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An estimated $1.4 billion lottery jackpot will be up for grabs Wednesday night thanks to dozens of drawings without a big winner.

The massive Powerball prize is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-80fcb836622ba8e18883ce778786c1cc">sixth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot</a>. It's a result of 40 consecutive drawings stretching over the summer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh-EUIo12hM">without anyone matching</a>&nbsp;all of the game's six numbers.

No one has won the grand prize since May 31, and the 41st drawing on Wednesday will be just one fewer than the record set last year.

All of that losing stems from Powerball's abysmal odds of 1 in 292.2 million, though lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game's many smaller prizes. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-c750b32664d0b02d318ae8030f671952">three drawings each week</a>.

The $1.4 billion jackpot is for a winner who opts to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. Winners almost always choose the game's cash option, which for this drawing would be an estimated $634.3 million.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An estimated $1.4 billion lottery jackpot will be up for grabs Wednesday night thanks to dozens of drawings without a big winner.The massive Powerball prize is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-80fcb836622ba8e18883ce778786c1cc">sixth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot</a>. It's a result of 40 consecutive drawings stretching over the summer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh-EUIo12hM">without anyone matching</a>&nbsp;all of the game's six numbers.No one has won the grand prize since May 31, and the 41st drawing on Wednesday will be just one fewer than the record set last year.All of that losing stems from Powerball's abysmal odds of 1 in 292.2 million, though lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game's many smaller prizes. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-c750b32664d0b02d318ae8030f671952">three drawings each week</a>.The $1.4 billion jackpot is for a winner who opts to receive 30 payments over 29 years through an annuity. Winners almost always choose the game's cash option, which for this drawing would be an estimated $634.3 million.Top Ten Powerball® Jackpots<ol>
 <li>$2.04 Billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – CA</li><li>$1.765 Billion – Oct. 11, 2023 - CA</li><li>$1.586 Billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – CA, FL, TN</li><li>$1.40 Billion (estimated) – Sept. 3, 2025</li><li>$1.326 Billion – April 6, 2024 – OR</li><li>$1.08 Billion – July 19, 2023 – CA</li><li>$842.4 Million – January 1, 2024 – MI</li><li>$768.4 Million – March 27, 2019 – WI</li><li>$758.7 Million – Aug. 23, 2017 – MA</li><li>$754.6 Million – Feb. 6, 2023 - WA</li>
 </ol>

Powerball prize is now the sixth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the U.S. House Transportation &amp; Infrastructure (T&amp;I) Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://transportation.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=409017" target="_blank">successfully passed</a>&nbsp;two of Kansas Representative Sharice Davids’ bipartisan bills, sending them to the House floor for a full vote. These bills modernize emergency response systems and provide tribal governments with critical resources to respond to disasters.

“These bills are about keeping communities safe, empowering first responders, and ensuring people get timely alerts and support during emergencies,” said&nbsp;Davids. “In Kansas, where tornadoes, wildfires, and severe storms can strike with little warning, having modern alert systems and strong support for emergency responders isn’t just important — it’s essential for protecting lives and property.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://davids.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/davids.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Weather%20Alert%20Response%20and%20Notification%20Redraft%20-%20119th.pdf">WARN Act</a>&nbsp;would modernize the nation’s emergency alert systems. It would ensure that federal, state, and local authorities can send timely, reliable alerts during natural disasters, severe weather, or other emergencies — helping communities respond quickly and save lives.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3957/text" target="_blank">second</a>&nbsp;bill would authorize the President to provide fire management assistance directly to Indian Tribal Governments. This ensures tribal nations have the federal support necessary to respond effectively to wildfires and other emergencies, protecting both people and property.

As a member of the House T&amp;I Committee, Davids has championed pragmatic, bipartisan solutions to improve infrastructure, emergency management, and public safety nationwide. Today’s committee action underscores her commitment to delivering results for local communities, tribal nations, and first responders.

With committee approval secured, both bills will now move to the full House for a vote. Davids continues to work across the aisle to ensure these critical measures become law.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741033325356.png" alt="File photo Congresswoman Sharice Davids" />
 <figcaption>File photo Congresswoman Sharice Davids</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, the U.S. House Transportation &amp; Infrastructure (T&amp;I) Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://transportation.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=409017" target="_blank">successfully passed</a>&nbsp;two of Kansas Representative Sharice Davids’ bipartisan bills, sending them to the House floor for a full vote. These bills modernize emergency response systems and provide tribal governments with critical resources to respond to disasters.“These bills are about keeping communities safe, empowering first responders, and ensuring people get timely alerts and support during emergencies,” said&nbsp;Davids. “In Kansas, where tornadoes, wildfires, and severe storms can strike with little warning, having modern alert systems and strong support for emergency responders isn’t just important — it’s essential for protecting lives and property.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://davids.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/davids.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Weather%20Alert%20Response%20and%20Notification%20Redraft%20-%20119th.pdf">WARN Act</a>&nbsp;would modernize the nation’s emergency alert systems. It would ensure that federal, state, and local authorities can send timely, reliable alerts during natural disasters, severe weather, or other emergencies — helping communities respond quickly and save lives.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3957/text" target="_blank">second</a>&nbsp;bill would authorize the President to provide fire management assistance directly to Indian Tribal Governments. This ensures tribal nations have the federal support necessary to respond effectively to wildfires and other emergencies, protecting both people and property.As a member of the House T&amp;I Committee, Davids has championed pragmatic, bipartisan solutions to improve infrastructure, emergency management, and public safety nationwide. Today’s committee action underscores her commitment to delivering results for local communities, tribal nations, and first responders.With committee approval secured, both bills will now move to the full House for a vote. Davids continues to work across the aisle to ensure these critical measures become law.

House will vote on Kan. congresswoman's emergency response bills

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Florida will work to phase out all childhood vaccine mandates in the state, building on the effort by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-desantis-florida-cdc-fda-4c903eae40ef2d9012fef6f6cfa7062e">curb vaccine requirements</a>&nbsp;and other health mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DeSantis also announced on Wednesday the creation of a state-level “Make America Healthy Again” commission modeled after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maha-report-children-health-food-rfk-f0c624d30da939fc9cca09687f8a4273">similar initiatives</a>&nbsp;pushed at the federal level by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

On the vaccines, state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo cast current requirements in schools and elsewhere as an “immoral” intrusion on people's rights bordering on “slavery,” and hampers parents' ability to make health decisions for their children.

“People have a right to make their own decisions, informed decisions,” said Ladapo, who has frequently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-florida-ron-desantis-ccea6d2ca421f837257b08cb0efe7b4c">clashed with the medical establishment</a>, at a news conference in Valrico, Florida, in the Tampa area. “They don’t have the right to tell you what to put in your body. Take it away from them.”

The state Health Department, Ladapo said, can scrap its own rules for some vaccine mandates, but others would require action by the Florida Legislature. He did not specify any particular vaccines but repeated several times the effort would end “all of them. Every last one of them.”

Florida would be the first state to eliminate so many vaccine mandates, Ladapo added.

Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani, who is running for Orlando mayor, said in a social media post that scrapping vaccines “is reckless and dangerous” and could cause outbreaks of preventable disease.

“This is a public health disaster in the making for the Sunshine State,” she said on the social platform X.

Meanwhile, the Democratic governors of Washington, Oregon and California announced Wednesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-west-coast-vaccines-trump-fd5ce557532a3c9f37b77ff9f14b07b9">they created an alliance</a>&nbsp;to safeguard health policies, contending that the administration of President Donald Trump is politicizing public health decisions.

The partnership plans to coordinate health guidelines by aligning immunization plans based on recommendations from respected national medical organizations, according to a joint statement from Gov. Bob Ferguson of Washington, Gov. Tina Kotek of Oregon and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California.

In Florida, vaccine mandates for child day care facilities and public schools include shots for measles, chickenpox, hepatitis B, Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP), polio and other diseases, according to the state&nbsp;<a href="https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/immunization/children-and-adolescents/school-immunization-requirements/index.html">Health Department’s website.</a>

Under DeSantis, Florida resisted imposing COVID vaccines on schoolchildren, requiring “passports” for places that draw crowds, school closures and mandates that workers get the shots to keep their jobs.

“I don’t think there’s another state that’s done as much as Florida. We want to stay ahead of the curve,” the governor said.

The state “MAHA” commission would look into such things as allowing informed consent in medical matters, promoting safe and nutritious food, boosting parental rights regarding medical decisions about their children, and eliminating “medical orthodoxy that is not supported by the data,” DeSantis said. The commission will be chaired by Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and Florida first lady Casey DeSantis.

“We’re getting government out of the way, getting government out of your lives," Collins said.

The commission's work will help inform a large “medical freedom package” to be introduced in the Legislature next session, which would address the vaccine mandates required by state law and make permanent the recent state COVID decisions relaxing restrictions, DeSantis said.

“There will be a broad package,” the governor said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756922257490.png" alt="Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo from the video provided Wednesday by the state of Florida." />
 <figcaption>Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo from the video provided Wednesday by the state of Florida.</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Florida will work to phase out all childhood vaccine mandates in the state, building on the effort by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-desantis-florida-cdc-fda-4c903eae40ef2d9012fef6f6cfa7062e">curb vaccine requirements</a>&nbsp;and other health mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Governor DeSantis Announces Florida MAHA Commission and Medical Freedom Protections <a href="https://t.co/o4lglzuXAT">https://t.co/o4lglzuXAT</a>&mdash; Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1963244415520268670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>DeSantis also announced on Wednesday the creation of a state-level “Make America Healthy Again” commission modeled after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maha-report-children-health-food-rfk-f0c624d30da939fc9cca09687f8a4273">similar initiatives</a>&nbsp;pushed at the federal level by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.On the vaccines, state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo cast current requirements in schools and elsewhere as an “immoral” intrusion on people's rights bordering on “slavery,” and hampers parents' ability to make health decisions for their children.“People have a right to make their own decisions, informed decisions,” said Ladapo, who has frequently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-florida-ron-desantis-ccea6d2ca421f837257b08cb0efe7b4c">clashed with the medical establishment</a>, at a news conference in Valrico, Florida, in the Tampa area. “They don’t have the right to tell you what to put in your body. Take it away from them.”The state Health Department, Ladapo said, can scrap its own rules for some vaccine mandates, but others would require action by the Florida Legislature. He did not specify any particular vaccines but repeated several times the effort would end “all of them. Every last one of them.”Florida would be the first state to eliminate so many vaccine mandates, Ladapo added.Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani, who is running for Orlando mayor, said in a social media post that scrapping vaccines “is reckless and dangerous” and could cause outbreaks of preventable disease.“This is a public health disaster in the making for the Sunshine State,” she said on the social platform X.Meanwhile, the Democratic governors of Washington, Oregon and California announced Wednesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-west-coast-vaccines-trump-fd5ce557532a3c9f37b77ff9f14b07b9">they created an alliance</a>&nbsp;to safeguard health policies, contending that the administration of President Donald Trump is politicizing public health decisions.The partnership plans to coordinate health guidelines by aligning immunization plans based on recommendations from respected national medical organizations, according to a joint statement from Gov. Bob Ferguson of Washington, Gov. Tina Kotek of Oregon and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California.In Florida, vaccine mandates for child day care facilities and public schools include shots for measles, chickenpox, hepatitis B, Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP), polio and other diseases, according to the state&nbsp;<a href="https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/immunization/children-and-adolescents/school-immunization-requirements/index.html">Health Department’s website.</a>Under DeSantis, Florida resisted imposing COVID vaccines on schoolchildren, requiring “passports” for places that draw crowds, school closures and mandates that workers get the shots to keep their jobs.“I don’t think there’s another state that’s done as much as Florida. We want to stay ahead of the curve,” the governor said.The state “MAHA” commission would look into such things as allowing informed consent in medical matters, promoting safe and nutritious food, boosting parental rights regarding medical decisions about their children, and eliminating “medical orthodoxy that is not supported by the data,” DeSantis said. The commission will be chaired by Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and Florida first lady Casey DeSantis.“We’re getting government out of the way, getting government out of your lives," Collins said.The commission's work will help inform a large “medical freedom package” to be introduced in the Legislature next session, which would address the vaccine mandates required by state law and make permanent the recent state COVID decisions relaxing restrictions, DeSantis said.“There will be a broad package,” the governor said.

First state will end all vaccine requirements for kids to attend school

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man who pleaded guilty in connection with the 2023 shooting death of a man in Wichita is going to prison.

On Wednesday, Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced 21-year-old James Sawyer to more than 31-years in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for the murder of 34-year-old Daniel McPherson during an attempted robbery,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man who pleaded guilty in connection with the 2023 shooting death of a man in Wichita will learn his fate Wednesday.

Judge Jeffrey Goering will sentence 21-year-old James Sawyer for the murder of 34-year-old Daniel McPherson during an attempted robbery,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In July, Sawyer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.

On Dec. 6, 2023, the Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County Dispatch, reporting a shooting investigation involving two individuals including Sawyer and 18-year-old Phillip Walls who had entered a Blackwell hospital, with one of them sustaining a gunshot wound, according to Officer Andrew Ford.

Following discussions with the subjects, Blackwell Police shared information with Sedgwick County Dispatch. Consequently, the Wichita Police Department was alerted to respond to the Hydraulic and MacArthur area based on information suggesting that the shooting victim, 34-year-old Daniel McPherson, would be found there.

Upon arrival, officers discovered McPherson with a gunshot wound to his head. He&nbsp;was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide investigators were dispatched to conduct the investigation and later traveled to Blackwell, Oklahoma where Walls and Sawyer were in custody.&nbsp;

In May of 2024, Walls pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the shooting and&nbsp;was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752095618673.png" alt="-Sawyer photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>-Sawyer photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man who pleaded guilty in connection with the 2023 shooting death of a man in Wichita is going to prison.On Wednesday, Judge Jeffrey Goering sentenced 21-year-old James Sawyer to more than 31-years in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for the murder of 34-year-old Daniel McPherson during an attempted robbery,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.---------------SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man who pleaded guilty in connection with the 2023 shooting death of a man in Wichita will learn his fate Wednesday.Judge Jeffrey Goering will sentence 21-year-old James Sawyer for the murder of 34-year-old Daniel McPherson during an attempted robbery,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In July, Sawyer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.On Dec. 6, 2023, the Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County Dispatch, reporting a shooting investigation involving two individuals including Sawyer and 18-year-old Phillip Walls who had entered a Blackwell hospital, with one of them sustaining a gunshot wound, according to Officer Andrew Ford.Following discussions with the subjects, Blackwell Police shared information with Sedgwick County Dispatch. Consequently, the Wichita Police Department was alerted to respond to the Hydraulic and MacArthur area based on information suggesting that the shooting victim, 34-year-old Daniel McPherson, would be found there.Upon arrival, officers discovered McPherson with a gunshot wound to his head. He&nbsp;was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide investigators were dispatched to conduct the investigation and later traveled to Blackwell, Oklahoma where Walls and Sawyer were in custody.&nbsp;In May of 2024, Walls pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the shooting and&nbsp;was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison, according to the district attorney's office.---------------

Kan. man captured in Oklahoma sentenced for murder

On Tuesday, Kansas game wardens used their social media page to remind hunters the importance of knowing of how to clean your gun before you go hunting.&nbsp; They shared photos of a weapon damaged by mud.

"This is why it is so important and why it is talked about in Hunter Education, to ensure the muzzle does not get obstructed and how to properly clear an obstruction."

"This happened on the opening of Dove season on Monday and was the result of mud obstructing the muzzle." Fortunately, no one was injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756847375036.png" alt="Photos Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens" />
 <figcaption>Photos Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens</figcaption>
 </figure>On Tuesday, Kansas game wardens used their social media page to remind hunters the importance of knowing of how to clean your gun before you go hunting.&nbsp; They shared photos of a weapon damaged by mud."This is why it is so important and why it is talked about in Hunter Education, to ensure the muzzle does not get obstructed and how to properly clear an obstruction."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1756847431957.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"This happened on the opening of Dove season on Monday and was the result of mud obstructing the muzzle." Fortunately, no one was injured.

Kan. game wardens: Know how to clean your gun before hunting

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/anne-dinnocenzio">ANNE D’INNOCENZIO</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687370941423.png" alt="Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/anne-dinnocenzio">ANNE D’INNOCENZIO</a>NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is ending a program that allows members of its Prime membership subscription program to share their free shipping benefits with people who don’t have the same primary address.In an update to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GXULX24SE2RD7EXS" target="_blank">customer service section</a>&nbsp;of its website, the online behemoth says it will eliminate the sharing on Oct. 1 and is encouraging users outside the household of the account holder to sign up for their own Prime subscription.Amazon is encouraging users who don’t live with the account holder to subscribe to their own membership at a discounted rate of $14.99 for one year. After that, it’s $14.99 per month or $139 annually. The offer starts this Friday and is valid until Dec. 31, 2025.Amazon is replacing the so-called Prime Invitee program with Amazon Family, which lets account holders share the free two-day shipping perk as well as a broad range of other perks like exclusive deals and movies with only one other adult in their household, up to four teens (who were added before April 7) and up to four profiles for children, according to Amazon’s website. Amazon said that the adult could be a spouse, family member or roommate.The news comes as the Seattle-based company is making big investments in expanding its network to bring faster delivery to customers in less densely populated areas across the U.S. The service is available in 1,000 of the more than 4,000 smaller cities, towns and rural communities targeted by year-end, the company said in late July.