WASHINGTON (AP) —The Senate voted Monday to confirm&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-labor-secretary-lori-chavezderemer-feaa4672efac644aa60722d3a3215df1">Lori Chavez-DeRemer</a>&nbsp;as U.S. labor secretary, a Cabinet position that puts her in charge of enforcing federally mandated worker rights and protections at a time when the White House is trying to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">eliminate thousands of government employees</a>.

Chavez-DeRemer will oversee the Department of Labor, one of several executive departments named&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-layoffs-government-data-13653c59c1f6fa0c5ae551f821faafb7">in lawsuits</a>&nbsp;challenging the authority of billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency to order layoffs and access sensitive government data.

The Labor Department had nearly 16,000 full-time employees and a proposed budget of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2025. Some of its vast responsibilities include reporting the U.S. unemployment rate, regulating workplace&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/occupational-safety-and-health-administration">health and safety standards</a>, investigating minimum wage, child labor and overtime pay disputes, and applying laws on union organizing and unlawful terminations.

Several prominent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-labor-secretary-lori-chavez-deremer-decd9cff41794205bd06223f939f9e7b">labor unions</a>, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, endorsed Chavez-DeRemer's nomination. The former Republican congresswoman from Oregon is the daughter of a Teamster, and during her one term in the House earned a reputation as pro-labor.

The Senate voted to confirm Chavez-DeRemer 67-32, with 17 Democrats voting yes and three Republicans, Budd, McConnell and Paul voting no. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-cabinet-confirmation-tracker/">Senate has now confirmed all but one</a>&nbsp;of Trump’s picks for his Cabinet. Its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-labor-secretary-nominee-chavezderemer-senate-119a7e3dde1cb9553174d1bce37871c5">Committee on Health, Education, Labor &amp; Pensions</a>&nbsp;had voted 14-9 in favor of her nomination last week, with all Republicans except Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky giving Chavez-DeRemer their support. Three Democrats on the committee — Sens. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Tim Kaine of Virginia and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire — voted with the majority.

During her confirmation hearing before the committee, several Republican senators grilled Chavez-DeRemer about her decision to co-sponsor legislation that would have made it easier for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-doge-c4c8e4f4766dee7dfff4d24161e0cf3f">workers to unionize</a>&nbsp;and penalized employers who stood in the way of organizing efforts.

She declined to explicitly state whether she still backed the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, also known as the PRO Act.

Chavez-DeRemer explained she had signed on as a co-sponsor because she wanted a seat at the table to discuss important labor issues. Under further questioning, she walked back some of her support of the bill, saying that she supported state “right to work” laws, which allow employees to refuse to join a union in their workplace.

The PRO Act did not come up for a vote during her time in Congress, but the legislation was reintroduced in the House and Senate last week.

“As we speak, Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies are stealing the American dream away from working families, rigging every lever of society in favor of the billionaire class,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. “That’s why we need the PRO Act, to empower hardworking Americans to bargain for better wages, benefits, and safer working conditions."

During her time in Congress Chavez-DeRemer also co-sponsored legislation which sought to protect public-sector workers from having their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-doge-lawsuit-data-protection-ab30a5f446914b93aff84188558c1416">Social Security</a>&nbsp;benefits docked because of government pension benefits. That bill also stalled because it didn't have enough Republican support.

Chavez-DeRemer walked a fine line&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/confirmation-hearing-labor-secretary-lori-chavezderemer-4516f1cf0ca590bc664b5577855dc96f">during her confirmation hearing</a>, attempting to appeal to both Democrats and Republicans. On the subject of whether the federal minimum wage was overdue for an increase, she said she recognized it hadn't been raised from $7.25 an hour since 2009 but that she would not want to “shock the economy.”

Some Democratic senators and workers’ rights advocates have questioned how much independence Chavez-DeRemer would have as President Donald Trump's labor secretary and where her allegiance would lie in an administration that has fired thousands of federal employees.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741655381640.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall met with Chavez-DeRemer in January-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall met with Chavez-DeRemer in January-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The Senate voted Monday to confirm&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-labor-secretary-lori-chavezderemer-feaa4672efac644aa60722d3a3215df1">Lori Chavez-DeRemer</a>&nbsp;as U.S. labor secretary, a Cabinet position that puts her in charge of enforcing federally mandated worker rights and protections at a time when the White House is trying to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">eliminate thousands of government employees</a>.Chavez-DeRemer will oversee the Department of Labor, one of several executive departments named&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-layoffs-government-data-13653c59c1f6fa0c5ae551f821faafb7">in lawsuits</a>&nbsp;challenging the authority of billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency to order layoffs and access sensitive government data.The Labor Department had nearly 16,000 full-time employees and a proposed budget of $13.9 billion for fiscal year 2025. Some of its vast responsibilities include reporting the U.S. unemployment rate, regulating workplace&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/occupational-safety-and-health-administration">health and safety standards</a>, investigating minimum wage, child labor and overtime pay disputes, and applying laws on union organizing and unlawful terminations.Several prominent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-labor-secretary-lori-chavez-deremer-decd9cff41794205bd06223f939f9e7b">labor unions</a>, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, endorsed Chavez-DeRemer's nomination. The former Republican congresswoman from Oregon is the daughter of a Teamster, and during her one term in the House earned a reputation as pro-labor.The Senate voted to confirm Chavez-DeRemer 67-32, with 17 Democrats voting yes and three Republicans, Budd, McConnell and Paul voting no. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/trump-cabinet-confirmation-tracker/">Senate has now confirmed all but one</a>&nbsp;of Trump’s picks for his Cabinet. Its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-labor-secretary-nominee-chavezderemer-senate-119a7e3dde1cb9553174d1bce37871c5">Committee on Health, Education, Labor &amp; Pensions</a>&nbsp;had voted 14-9 in favor of her nomination last week, with all Republicans except Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky giving Chavez-DeRemer their support. Three Democrats on the committee — Sens. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Tim Kaine of Virginia and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire — voted with the majority.During her confirmation hearing before the committee, several Republican senators grilled Chavez-DeRemer about her decision to co-sponsor legislation that would have made it easier for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-doge-c4c8e4f4766dee7dfff4d24161e0cf3f">workers to unionize</a>&nbsp;and penalized employers who stood in the way of organizing efforts.She declined to explicitly state whether she still backed the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, also known as the PRO Act.Chavez-DeRemer explained she had signed on as a co-sponsor because she wanted a seat at the table to discuss important labor issues. Under further questioning, she walked back some of her support of the bill, saying that she supported state “right to work” laws, which allow employees to refuse to join a union in their workplace.The PRO Act did not come up for a vote during her time in Congress, but the legislation was reintroduced in the House and Senate last week.“As we speak, Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies are stealing the American dream away from working families, rigging every lever of society in favor of the billionaire class,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. “That’s why we need the PRO Act, to empower hardworking Americans to bargain for better wages, benefits, and safer working conditions."During her time in Congress Chavez-DeRemer also co-sponsored legislation which sought to protect public-sector workers from having their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-doge-lawsuit-data-protection-ab30a5f446914b93aff84188558c1416">Social Security</a>&nbsp;benefits docked because of government pension benefits. That bill also stalled because it didn't have enough Republican support.Chavez-DeRemer walked a fine line&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/confirmation-hearing-labor-secretary-lori-chavezderemer-4516f1cf0ca590bc664b5577855dc96f">during her confirmation hearing</a>, attempting to appeal to both Democrats and Republicans. On the subject of whether the federal minimum wage was overdue for an increase, she said she recognized it hadn't been raised from $7.25 an hour since 2009 but that she would not want to “shock the economy.”Some Democratic senators and workers’ rights advocates have questioned how much independence Chavez-DeRemer would have as President Donald Trump's labor secretary and where her allegiance would lie in an administration that has fired thousands of federal employees.

Moran, Marshall help Senate confirm Trump's labor secretary

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal hit and run pedestrian incident that occurred just after 3p.m. Monday in Kansas City.

The pedestrian was walking on the outside shoulder of eastbound Interstate 70 near the exit ramp to Paseo, According to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

An unknown vehicle struck the pedestrian and then&nbsp; left the area without stopping. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene.

 This is fatality #11 in KCMO compared to #21 at this time last year, according to Gonzalez. Police have not released the name of the&nbsp; victim or additional details.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a fatal hit and run pedestrian incident that occurred just after 3p.m. Monday in Kansas City.The pedestrian was walking on the outside shoulder of eastbound Interstate 70 near the exit ramp to Paseo, According to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.An unknown vehicle struck the pedestrian and then&nbsp; left the area without stopping. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. This is fatality #11 in KCMO compared to #21 at this time last year, according to Gonzalez. Police have not released the name of the&nbsp; victim or additional details.

Hit-and-run: Pedestrian dies after struck by vehicle on I-70

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for his role in a drug related double-homicide.

On Friday,&nbsp;Judge Kevin Smith sentenced&nbsp; 45-year-old David Baeza of Wichita to 122 months in prison for two counts of voluntary manslaughter and for cocaine possession, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In January, Baeza pled guilty for his role in the the July 2022, shooting deaths&nbsp;of&nbsp; 29-year-old Gerardo Ruvalcaba-Ulloa and&nbsp; 43-year-old Saren Perez Negrete.

Just after 5 a.m. July 3, 2022, sheriff's deputies were sent to a shooting call in the 4400 block of south Rock Road in rural Sedgwick County, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.&nbsp;

During a search of the rural property, deputies found the bodies of&nbsp; Ruvalcaba-Ulloam and&nbsp; Negrete-Perez of California. deceased in the backyard of a residence the 4300 block of South Rock Road. They died from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;The shooting was drug-related, according to the district attorney's office.

At the scene, first responders also found Baeza on the side of the road suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Colonel Brian White with the sheriff's department. EMS transported Baeza to an area hospital for treatment and later arrested him.

Initially, Baeza and Joseph Ponse, 43 of Wichita were charged with attempted 1st degree murder in connection with the deaths.

Hieu Luong, 42 of Wichita, was also originally charged with attempted 1st degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

The other two suspects are awaiting sentencing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657051675461.png" alt="Baeza-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Baeza-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man is going to prison for his role in a drug related double-homicide.On Friday,&nbsp;Judge Kevin Smith sentenced&nbsp; 45-year-old David Baeza of Wichita to 122 months in prison for two counts of voluntary manslaughter and for cocaine possession, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In January, Baeza pled guilty for his role in the the July 2022, shooting deaths&nbsp;of&nbsp; 29-year-old Gerardo Ruvalcaba-Ulloa and&nbsp; 43-year-old Saren Perez Negrete.Just after 5 a.m. July 3, 2022, sheriff's deputies were sent to a shooting call in the 4400 block of south Rock Road in rural Sedgwick County, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.&nbsp;During a search of the rural property, deputies found the bodies of&nbsp; Ruvalcaba-Ulloam and&nbsp; Negrete-Perez of California. deceased in the backyard of a residence the 4300 block of South Rock Road. They died from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;The shooting was drug-related, according to the district attorney's office.At the scene, first responders also found Baeza on the side of the road suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Colonel Brian White with the sheriff's department. EMS transported Baeza to an area hospital for treatment and later arrested him.Initially, Baeza and Joseph Ponse, 43 of Wichita were charged with attempted 1st degree murder in connection with the deaths.Hieu Luong, 42 of Wichita, was also originally charged with attempted 1st degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.The other two suspects are awaiting sentencing.

Man wounded in rural Kansas double-homicide is going to prison

OSAGE COUNTY –Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 3:30p.m. Saturday, a Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop at U.S. 56 and Kansas 31 junction, near Osage City, for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

During the stop, the deputy found illegal narcotics. Jacob D. Stephenson, 40, of Pomona was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Driving while license revoked,&nbsp;&nbsp;No proof of insurance and Illegal registration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741558649445.png" alt="Stephenson" />
 <figcaption>Stephenson</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY –Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 3:30p.m. Saturday, a Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop at U.S. 56 and Kansas 31 junction, near Osage City, for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.During the stop, the deputy found illegal narcotics. Jacob D. Stephenson, 40, of Pomona was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Driving while license revoked,&nbsp;&nbsp;No proof of insurance and Illegal registration.

Kansas Sheriff's K9 unit found drugs during traffic stop

ROME (AP) — Doctors said Monday Pope Francis is no longer in imminent danger of death as a result of pneumonia that has kept him hospitalized for nearly a month, but have decided to keep him hospitalized for several more days to receive treatment.

In a late update, the doctors said the 88-year-old pope remains stable and has consolidated improvements in recent days, as determined by blood tests and positive responses to drug treatments.

The Vatican said the doctors had lifted their previous “guarded” prognosis, meaning they determined he was no longer in imminent danger as a result of the original respiratory infection he arrived with on Feb. 14. But their caution remained.

“However, in view of the complexity of the clinical picture and the important infectious picture presented on admission, it will be necessary to continue medical drug therapy in a hospital setting for additional days,” according to the Vatican statement.

In a sign of his improved health,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Francis</a>&nbsp;followed the Vatican’s weeklong spiritual retreat via videoconference on Monday in both the morning and afternoon sessions.

As he did on Sunday, Francis participated in the retreat remotely from the Rome hospital where he is being treated. He could see and hear the Rev. Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the papal household, but the priests, bishops and cardinals gathered for the retreat in the Vatican auditorium could not see or hear him.

Pasolini is delivering a series of meditations this week on “The hope of eternal life,” a theme that was chosen well before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-hospital-pneumonia-explainer-dd041a6397cdbb11d1b69d5809615f37">Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14</a>&nbsp;with a complex lung infection.

The retreat, an annual gathering that kicks off the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/catholic-church-opens-lent-season-with-words-of-solidarity-for-pope-sidelined-with-pneumonia-be2cc33354e2450a81dd5ec996207b02">Catholic Church’s solemn Lenten season</a>&nbsp;leading to Easter, continues through the week. The Vatican has said Francis would participate “in spiritual communion” with the rest of the hierarchy, from afar.

Francis also resumed his physical and respiratory therapy at the Gemelli hospital, and rested and prayed inbetween. Francis has been using a nasal tube for supplemental oxygen to help him breathe during the day and a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night, therapy that he was continuing Monday.

The 88-year-old pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, had what was just a bad case of bronchitis when he was hospitalized last month. The infection progressed into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-bronchitis-hospital-757f28cabc6a84836168321fba798bae">complex respiratory tract infection</a>&nbsp;and double pneumonia that has sidelined Francis for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raised questions about the future.

Francis was still keeping his eye on things. The Vatican said he had been informed about the floods in his native Argentina and expressed his closeness to the affected population. In addition, a Vatican cardinal close to Francis spoke out Monday to refute some negative media reports that have circulated in his absence.

The Vatican development office released a letter written by Cardinal Michael Czerny to one of Francis' close friends, the Argentine social justice activist Juan Grabois. Grabois had travelled to Rome to pray for Francis at Gemelli hospital, and some Italian media reported last month that he had tried to forcibly get into Francis' 10th floor hospital suite, a claim he denied.

In the March 6 letter, Czerny told Grabois that Francis “knew of your presence in Rome and your daily vigils of prayer and spiritual solidarity at Gemelli Polyclinic and I'm sure this gave him a true comfort and support."

“Additionally, I know that you join me in strongly repudiating the unfounded versions that have circulated in some media about alleged inappropriate behavior in the hospital,” Czerny wrote.

The Vatican is always abuzz with rumor but has gone into overdrive with speculation about Francis’ health and talk of conclaves, even though Francis is very much alive and in charge. The fact that Czerny felt it necessary to defend one of Francis' friends suggested that the rumor and maneuvering in Francis' absence had crossed a line.

On Thursday, the Vatican will mark the 12th anniversary of Francis’ election, the first with the pope out of sight but still in charge. Francis was elected the 266th pope,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/pope-francis-is-introspective-and-self-critical-in-his-autobiography-at-least-about-his-youth/">the first Jesuit pope</a>&nbsp;and first from Latin America on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-benedict-xvi-dead-9d486fd9b12eab1177b9eb8ab7be22f4">Pope Benedict XVI.</a>

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740262535769.png" alt="Candles and a photo of Pope Francis are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)" />
 <figcaption>Candles and a photo of Pope Francis are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) — Doctors said Monday Pope Francis is no longer in imminent danger of death as a result of pneumonia that has kept him hospitalized for nearly a month, but have decided to keep him hospitalized for several more days to receive treatment.In a late update, the doctors said the 88-year-old pope remains stable and has consolidated improvements in recent days, as determined by blood tests and positive responses to drug treatments.The Vatican said the doctors had lifted their previous “guarded” prognosis, meaning they determined he was no longer in imminent danger as a result of the original respiratory infection he arrived with on Feb. 14. But their caution remained.“However, in view of the complexity of the clinical picture and the important infectious picture presented on admission, it will be necessary to continue medical drug therapy in a hospital setting for additional days,” according to the Vatican statement.In a sign of his improved health,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Francis</a>&nbsp;followed the Vatican’s weeklong spiritual retreat via videoconference on Monday in both the morning and afternoon sessions.As he did on Sunday, Francis participated in the retreat remotely from the Rome hospital where he is being treated. He could see and hear the Rev. Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the papal household, but the priests, bishops and cardinals gathered for the retreat in the Vatican auditorium could not see or hear him.Pasolini is delivering a series of meditations this week on “The hope of eternal life,” a theme that was chosen well before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-hospital-pneumonia-explainer-dd041a6397cdbb11d1b69d5809615f37">Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14</a>&nbsp;with a complex lung infection.The retreat, an annual gathering that kicks off the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/catholic-church-opens-lent-season-with-words-of-solidarity-for-pope-sidelined-with-pneumonia-be2cc33354e2450a81dd5ec996207b02">Catholic Church’s solemn Lenten season</a>&nbsp;leading to Easter, continues through the week. The Vatican has said Francis would participate “in spiritual communion” with the rest of the hierarchy, from afar.Francis also resumed his physical and respiratory therapy at the Gemelli hospital, and rested and prayed inbetween. Francis has been using a nasal tube for supplemental oxygen to help him breathe during the day and a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night, therapy that he was continuing Monday.The 88-year-old pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, had what was just a bad case of bronchitis when he was hospitalized last month. The infection progressed into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-bronchitis-hospital-757f28cabc6a84836168321fba798bae">complex respiratory tract infection</a>&nbsp;and double pneumonia that has sidelined Francis for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raised questions about the future.Francis was still keeping his eye on things. The Vatican said he had been informed about the floods in his native Argentina and expressed his closeness to the affected population. In addition, a Vatican cardinal close to Francis spoke out Monday to refute some negative media reports that have circulated in his absence.The Vatican development office released a letter written by Cardinal Michael Czerny to one of Francis' close friends, the Argentine social justice activist Juan Grabois. Grabois had travelled to Rome to pray for Francis at Gemelli hospital, and some Italian media reported last month that he had tried to forcibly get into Francis' 10th floor hospital suite, a claim he denied.In the March 6 letter, Czerny told Grabois that Francis “knew of your presence in Rome and your daily vigils of prayer and spiritual solidarity at Gemelli Polyclinic and I'm sure this gave him a true comfort and support."“Additionally, I know that you join me in strongly repudiating the unfounded versions that have circulated in some media about alleged inappropriate behavior in the hospital,” Czerny wrote.The Vatican is always abuzz with rumor but has gone into overdrive with speculation about Francis’ health and talk of conclaves, even though Francis is very much alive and in charge. The fact that Czerny felt it necessary to defend one of Francis' friends suggested that the rumor and maneuvering in Francis' absence had crossed a line.On Thursday, the Vatican will mark the 12th anniversary of Francis’ election, the first with the pope out of sight but still in charge. Francis was elected the 266th pope,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/pope-francis-is-introspective-and-self-critical-in-his-autobiography-at-least-about-his-youth/">the first Jesuit pope</a>&nbsp;and first from Latin America on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-benedict-xvi-dead-9d486fd9b12eab1177b9eb8ab7be22f4">Pope Benedict XVI.</a>___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Doctors: Pope Francis health continues to improve, remains hospitalized

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a body found near the Little Arkansas River have released the name of the victim as&nbsp;48-year-old Christopher Zimbelman, according to Wichita Police Spokesman Brad Wright.&nbsp; Zimbelman&nbsp;was living in Wichita.

Just before 6:30p.m. March 6, a group of individual saw Zimbalin's body floating in the river&nbsp; near the 500 block of N. Nims Avenue.&nbsp; Police have not released a cause of death of additional details.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a body found near the Little Arkansas River have released the name of the victim as&nbsp;48-year-old Christopher Zimbelman, according to Wichita Police Spokesman Brad Wright.&nbsp; Zimbelman&nbsp;was living in Wichita.Just before 6:30p.m. March 6, a group of individual saw Zimbalin's body floating in the river&nbsp; near the 500 block of N. Nims Avenue.&nbsp; Police have not released a cause of death of additional details.

Police ID body found in Kansas river

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-rates-jobs-bitcoin-d414257dbb4c9f45b0ad075e12c63451">sell-off</a>&nbsp;cut deeper on Monday as Wall Street questioned how much&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add">pain</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/535e22b2c7c62ce917afe12c19c60c75">will let the economy</a>&nbsp;endure through tariffs and other policies in order to get what he wants.

The S&amp;P 500 dropped 2.7% to drag it close to 9% below its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-china-asia-technology-5d60888d8ea6f1e9c7dc19e8c89833e8">all-time high</a>, which was set just last month. At one point, the S&amp;P 500 was down 3.6% and on track for its worst day since 2022. That’s when the highest inflation in generations was shredding budgets and raising worries about a possible recession that ultimately never came.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 890 points, or 2.1%, after paring an earlier loss of more than 1,100, while the Nasdaq composite skidded by 4%.

It was the worst day yet in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/investors-stock-market-wall-street-volatility-a8bb85c802be802929bda213253c8178">scary stretch</a>&nbsp;where the S&amp;P 500 has swung more than 1%, up or down,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-rates-autos-1e09507d9731e30b315f91e6a178f7e9">seven times</a>&nbsp;in eight days because of Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">on</a>&nbsp;-and-&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-mexico-canada-bfed103a11a2a71d8353350f94c78814">off</a>&nbsp;-again&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-reciprocal-imports-tax-trade-economy-54c0a26687dc96157d96229068894720">tariffs</a>. The worry is that the whipsaw moves will either hurt the economy directly or create enough uncertainty to drive U.S. companies and consumers into an economy-freezing paralysis.

The economy has already given some signals of weakening, mostly through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-earnings-economy-fed-cb7171a5bb3bc3d64c9247454d753d06">surveys showing increased pessimism</a>. And a widely followed collection of real-time&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atlantafed.org/cqer/research/gdpnow">indicators compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta</a>&nbsp;suggests the U.S. economy may already be shrinking.

Asked over the weekend whether he was expecting a recession in 2025,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-recession-economy-higher-prices-7f481abbaae500bf826445236b958e61">Trump told Fox News Channel</a>: “I hate to predict things like that. There is a period of transition because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing.” He then added, “It takes a little time. It takes a little time.”

Trump says he wants to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States, among other reasons he’s given for tariffs. His Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, has also said the economy may go through a “detox” period as it weans off an addiction to spending by the government. The White House is trying to limit federal spending, while also cutting the federal workforce and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-deportations-border-immigration-bcd2737e6f9b482ec500238c6caa4f35">increasing deportations</a>, which could hinder the job market.

The U.S. job market is still showing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-jobs-unemployment-tariffs-immigrants-fed-eed80fafbb4ffb7edcb5b0cb8bb5fa14">stable hiring</a>&nbsp;at the moment, to be sure, and the economy ended last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-tariffs-trump-inflation-production-growth-86a09ee9948419d066c4b39959e32cd3">running at a solid rate</a>. But economists are marking down their forecasts for how the economy will perform this year.

At Goldman Sachs, for example, David Mericle cut his estimate for U.S. economic growth to 1.7% from 2.2% for the end of 2025 over the year before, largely because tariffs look like they’ll be bigger than he was previously forecasting.

He sees a one-in-five chance of a recession over the next year, raising it only slightly because “the White House has the option to pull back policy changes” if the risks to the economy “begin to look more serious.”

“There are always multiple forces at work in the market, but right now, almost all of them are taking a back seat to tariffs,” according to Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley.

Trump met on Monday with tech industry CEOs, but the event was closed to the news media. He remained silent about the sell-off through the day.

The worries hitting Wall Street have so far been hurting some of its biggest stars the most. Big Tech stocks and companies that rode the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial-intelligence</a>&nbsp;frenzy in recent years have slumped sharply.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-stock-ai-deepseek-wall-street-5ef5329d2a864f7f733f7e8984366238">Nvidia</a>&nbsp;fell another 5.1% Monday to bring its loss for the year so far to more than 20%. It’s a steep drop-off from its nearly 820% surge over 2023 and 2024.

Elon Musk’s Tesla fell 15.4% to deepen its loss for 2025 to 45%. After&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-rates-china-93421462d761eb1402d813cb381fe6e9">getting an initial post-election bump</a>&nbsp;on hopes that Musk’s close relationship with Trump would help the electric-vehicle company, the stock has slumped on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-tesla-boycott-showrooms-stock-european-sales-e6459a0207f1318a1110e3d15e89956c">worries that its brand has become intertwined</a>&nbsp;with Musk. Protests against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-doge-c4c8e4f4766dee7dfff4d24161e0cf3f">the U.S. government’s efforts to cull its workforce</a>&nbsp;and other moves have targeted Tesla dealerships, for example.

Stocks of companies that depend on U.S. households feeling good enough about their finances to spend also fell sharply. Cruise-ship operator Carnival dropped 7.6%, and United Airlines lost 6.3%.

It’s not just stocks struggling. Investors are sending prices lower for all kinds of investments whose momentum had earlier seemed nearly impossible to stop at times, such as bitcoin. The cryptocurrency’s value has dropped below $80,000 from more than $106,000 in December.

Instead, investors have bid up U.S. Treasury bonds as they look for things whose prices can hold up better when the economy is under pressure. That has sent prices for Treasurys sharply higher, which in turn has sent down their yields.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury tumbled again to 4.22% from 4.32% late Friday. It’s been dropping since January, when it was approaching 4.80%, as worries about the economy have grown. That’s a major move for the bond market.

All the uncertainty, though, hasn’t shut down dealmaking on Wall Street. Redfin’s stock jumped 67.9% after Rocket said it would buy the digital real estate brokerage in an all-stock deal valuing it at $1.75 billion. Rocket’s stock sank 15.3%.

ServiceNow fell 7.9% after the AI platform company said it was buying AI-assistant maker Moveworks for $2.85 billion in cash and stock.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 155.64 points to 5,614.56. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 890.01 to 41,911.71, and the Nasdaq composite sank 727.90 to 17,468.32.

In stock markets abroad, European indexes largely fell following a mixed session in Asia.

Indexes fell 1.8% in Hong Kong and 0.2% in Shanghai after China said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-economy-sluggish-ccnsumer-prices-827289e7eed88bbf062eb371632dc048">consumer prices</a>&nbsp;fell in February for the first time in 13 months. It’s the latest signal of weakness for the world’s second-largest economy, as persistent weak demand was compounded by the early timing of the Lunar New Year holiday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741607009427.png" alt="President Trump arrives back at the White House Sunday night-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Trump arrives back at the White House Sunday night-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-rates-jobs-bitcoin-d414257dbb4c9f45b0ad075e12c63451">sell-off</a>&nbsp;cut deeper on Monday as Wall Street questioned how much&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add">pain</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/535e22b2c7c62ce917afe12c19c60c75">will let the economy</a>&nbsp;endure through tariffs and other policies in order to get what he wants.The S&amp;P 500 dropped 2.7% to drag it close to 9% below its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-market-china-asia-technology-5d60888d8ea6f1e9c7dc19e8c89833e8">all-time high</a>, which was set just last month. At one point, the S&amp;P 500 was down 3.6% and on track for its worst day since 2022. That’s when the highest inflation in generations was shredding budgets and raising worries about a possible recession that ultimately never came.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 890 points, or 2.1%, after paring an earlier loss of more than 1,100, while the Nasdaq composite skidded by 4%.It was the worst day yet in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/investors-stock-market-wall-street-volatility-a8bb85c802be802929bda213253c8178">scary stretch</a>&nbsp;where the S&amp;P 500 has swung more than 1%, up or down,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-tariffs-rates-autos-1e09507d9731e30b315f91e6a178f7e9">seven times</a>&nbsp;in eight days because of Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">on</a>&nbsp;-and-&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-mexico-canada-bfed103a11a2a71d8353350f94c78814">off</a>&nbsp;-again&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-reciprocal-imports-tax-trade-economy-54c0a26687dc96157d96229068894720">tariffs</a>. The worry is that the whipsaw moves will either hurt the economy directly or create enough uncertainty to drive U.S. companies and consumers into an economy-freezing paralysis.The economy has already given some signals of weakening, mostly through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-earnings-economy-fed-cb7171a5bb3bc3d64c9247454d753d06">surveys showing increased pessimism</a>. And a widely followed collection of real-time&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atlantafed.org/cqer/research/gdpnow">indicators compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta</a>&nbsp;suggests the U.S. economy may already be shrinking.Asked over the weekend whether he was expecting a recession in 2025,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-recession-economy-higher-prices-7f481abbaae500bf826445236b958e61">Trump told Fox News Channel</a>: “I hate to predict things like that. There is a period of transition because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing.” He then added, “It takes a little time. It takes a little time.”Trump says he wants to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States, among other reasons he’s given for tariffs. His Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, has also said the economy may go through a “detox” period as it weans off an addiction to spending by the government. The White House is trying to limit federal spending, while also cutting the federal workforce and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-deportations-border-immigration-bcd2737e6f9b482ec500238c6caa4f35">increasing deportations</a>, which could hinder the job market.The U.S. job market is still showing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-jobs-unemployment-tariffs-immigrants-fed-eed80fafbb4ffb7edcb5b0cb8bb5fa14">stable hiring</a>&nbsp;at the moment, to be sure, and the economy ended last year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-tariffs-trump-inflation-production-growth-86a09ee9948419d066c4b39959e32cd3">running at a solid rate</a>. But economists are marking down their forecasts for how the economy will perform this year.At Goldman Sachs, for example, David Mericle cut his estimate for U.S. economic growth to 1.7% from 2.2% for the end of 2025 over the year before, largely because tariffs look like they’ll be bigger than he was previously forecasting.He sees a one-in-five chance of a recession over the next year, raising it only slightly because “the White House has the option to pull back policy changes” if the risks to the economy “begin to look more serious.”“There are always multiple forces at work in the market, but right now, almost all of them are taking a back seat to tariffs,” according to Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley.Trump met on Monday with tech industry CEOs, but the event was closed to the news media. He remained silent about the sell-off through the day.The worries hitting Wall Street have so far been hurting some of its biggest stars the most. Big Tech stocks and companies that rode the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial-intelligence</a>&nbsp;frenzy in recent years have slumped sharply.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-stock-ai-deepseek-wall-street-5ef5329d2a864f7f733f7e8984366238">Nvidia</a>&nbsp;fell another 5.1% Monday to bring its loss for the year so far to more than 20%. It’s a steep drop-off from its nearly 820% surge over 2023 and 2024.Elon Musk’s Tesla fell 15.4% to deepen its loss for 2025 to 45%. After&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-rates-china-93421462d761eb1402d813cb381fe6e9">getting an initial post-election bump</a>&nbsp;on hopes that Musk’s close relationship with Trump would help the electric-vehicle company, the stock has slumped on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-tesla-boycott-showrooms-stock-european-sales-e6459a0207f1318a1110e3d15e89956c">worries that its brand has become intertwined</a>&nbsp;with Musk. Protests against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-doge-c4c8e4f4766dee7dfff4d24161e0cf3f">the U.S. government’s efforts to cull its workforce</a>&nbsp;and other moves have targeted Tesla dealerships, for example.Stocks of companies that depend on U.S. households feeling good enough about their finances to spend also fell sharply. Cruise-ship operator Carnival dropped 7.6%, and United Airlines lost 6.3%.It’s not just stocks struggling. Investors are sending prices lower for all kinds of investments whose momentum had earlier seemed nearly impossible to stop at times, such as bitcoin. The cryptocurrency’s value has dropped below $80,000 from more than $106,000 in December.Instead, investors have bid up U.S. Treasury bonds as they look for things whose prices can hold up better when the economy is under pressure. That has sent prices for Treasurys sharply higher, which in turn has sent down their yields.The yield on the 10-year Treasury tumbled again to 4.22% from 4.32% late Friday. It’s been dropping since January, when it was approaching 4.80%, as worries about the economy have grown. That’s a major move for the bond market.All the uncertainty, though, hasn’t shut down dealmaking on Wall Street. Redfin’s stock jumped 67.9% after Rocket said it would buy the digital real estate brokerage in an all-stock deal valuing it at $1.75 billion. Rocket’s stock sank 15.3%.ServiceNow fell 7.9% after the AI platform company said it was buying AI-assistant maker Moveworks for $2.85 billion in cash and stock.All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 155.64 points to 5,614.56. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 890.01 to 41,911.71, and the Nasdaq composite sank 727.90 to 17,468.32.In stock markets abroad, European indexes largely fell following a mixed session in Asia.Indexes fell 1.8% in Hong Kong and 0.2% in Shanghai after China said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-economy-sluggish-ccnsumer-prices-827289e7eed88bbf062eb371632dc048">consumer prices</a>&nbsp;fell in February for the first time in 13 months. It’s the latest signal of weakness for the world’s second-largest economy, as persistent weak demand was compounded by the early timing of the Lunar New Year holiday.

Stocks' sell-off worsens: Wall Street wonders how much pain Trump will accept for the economy

SALINE COUNTY—A small earthquake shook portions of Saline County just after 2p.m. Monday. 

The 2.7 magnitude quake was centered approximately 1.2 miles west, northwest of Assaria, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.&nbsp; There are no reports of damage or injury, according Saline County Sheriff's office.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741637406124.png" alt="Location of the quake-USGS image" />
 <figcaption>Location of the quake-USGS image</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—A small earthquake shook portions of Saline County just after 2p.m. Monday. The 2.7 magnitude quake was centered approximately 1.2 miles west, northwest of Assaria, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.&nbsp; There are no reports of damage or injury, according Saline County Sheriff's office.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Small earthquake reported in north central Kansas

RENO COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a house fire in Hutchinson.

Just before 4:30a.m. Monday, crews were dispatch to a house fire in the 400 block of East First Street in Hutchinson, according to a media release.

First responders found a two-story home with heavy smoke coming from the attic area. Crews made way to the second floor and began pulling ceiling and made fire attack to the attic where they encountered approximately 10 feet of flames. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The residents were outside when firefighters arrived, and the engine company rescued three dogs from the first floor and returned them to their owners.&nbsp; &nbsp;There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741626111624.png" alt="Photos Hutchinson Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>Photos Hutchinson Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a house fire in Hutchinson.Just before 4:30a.m. Monday, crews were dispatch to a house fire in the 400 block of East First Street in Hutchinson, according to a media release.First responders found a two-story home with heavy smoke coming from the attic area. Crews made way to the second floor and began pulling ceiling and made fire attack to the attic where they encountered approximately 10 feet of flames. &nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741611255532.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The residents were outside when firefighters arrived, and the engine company rescued three dogs from the first floor and returned them to their owners.&nbsp; &nbsp;There were no injuries reported.

Firefighters rescue three pets from Kansas house fire

WASHINGTON (AP) —The Trump administration has overhauled the <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/about/mobile-apps-directory/cbphome">cellphone app</a> once used to let migrants apply for asylum, turning it into a system that allows people living illegally in the U.S. to announce they want to voluntarily leave.

The renamed app, now called CBP Home, is part of the administration’s campaign to encourage&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-self-deportation-trump-0a8d8371cf7e22a5809db40ebbecf42d">“self-deportations,</a>&nbsp;″ touted as an easy and cost-effective way to nudge along Trump’s push to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-deportations-border-immigration-bcd2737e6f9b482ec500238c6caa4f35">deport millions of immigrants</a>.

“The <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/about/mobile-apps-directory/cbphome">app provides</a> illegal aliens in the United States with a straightforward way to declare their intent to voluntarily depart, offering them the chance to leave before facing harsher consequences,” Pete Flores, the acting commissioner for U.S Customs and Border Protection, said in a statement.

Moments after Trump took office, the former app,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-cbp-one-border-app-652854b5f2a4e6ccd6ee2ccc729cbb55">CBP One, stopped allowing</a>&nbsp;migrants to apply for asylum, and tens of thousands of border appointments were canceled.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741624392845.png" alt="Image U.S. Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>Image U.S. Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —The Trump administration has overhauled the <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/about/mobile-apps-directory/cbphome">cellphone app</a> once used to let migrants apply for asylum, turning it into a system that allows people living illegally in the U.S. to announce they want to voluntarily leave.The renamed app, now called CBP Home, is part of the administration’s campaign to encourage&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-self-deportation-trump-0a8d8371cf7e22a5809db40ebbecf42d">“self-deportations,</a>&nbsp;″ touted as an easy and cost-effective way to nudge along Trump’s push to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-biden-deportations-border-immigration-bcd2737e6f9b482ec500238c6caa4f35">deport millions of immigrants</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today we&#39;re introducing the CBP Home app offering a new critical feature, Intent to Depart. This update complies with <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>&#39;s Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. More Info ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/SStp1ZGI8L">https://t.co/SStp1ZGI8L</a> <a href="https://t.co/yIJl2cdetj">pic.twitter.com/yIJl2cdetj</a>&mdash; CBP (@CBP) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBP/status/1899150187240591689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/about/mobile-apps-directory/cbphome">app provides</a> illegal aliens in the United States with a straightforward way to declare their intent to voluntarily depart, offering them the chance to leave before facing harsher consequences,” Pete Flores, the acting commissioner for U.S Customs and Border Protection, said in a statement.Moments after Trump took office, the former app,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-cbp-one-border-app-652854b5f2a4e6ccd6ee2ccc729cbb55">CBP One, stopped allowing</a>&nbsp;migrants to apply for asylum, and tens of thousands of border appointments were canceled.

DHS  launches new app to encourage illegals to self-deport

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have made an arrest.

At approximately 9a.m. Saturday, Kansas City, Kansas Police were dispatched to a home in the 1000 block of Quindaro Blvd. to assist the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department in locating a homicide suspect from their city, according to a media release.

Just before 10a.m, the suspect, Justin J. Arbee, 25, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, exited the home and was taken into custody without incident. 

He is currently being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on the homicide warrant from Kansas City, Missouri.

Arbee is accused of being involved in a Feb. 10, killing of 64-year-old Zulfiqar Ladhani, who was shot outside his store, Joe’s Liquor &amp; Convenience Store&nbsp;near the 8000 block of Hickman Mills Drive.

Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741486081919.png" alt="Arbee photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Arbee photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have made an arrest.At approximately 9a.m. Saturday, Kansas City, Kansas Police were dispatched to a home in the 1000 block of Quindaro Blvd. to assist the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department in locating a homicide suspect from their city, according to a media release.Just before 10a.m, the suspect, Justin J. Arbee, 25, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, exited the home and was taken into custody without incident. He is currently being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on the homicide warrant from Kansas City, Missouri.Arbee is accused of being involved in a Feb. 10, killing of 64-year-old Zulfiqar Ladhani, who was shot outside his store, Joe’s Liquor &amp; Convenience Store&nbsp;near the 8000 block of Hickman Mills Drive.Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).&nbsp;

Police capture wanted homicide suspect at Kansas home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Sunday in Sedgwick County.

The two-vehicle crash occurred near the intersecion of&nbsp;Maple and Osage, according to Wichita Police Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp; First responders arrived at the crash scene and began rendering life saving measures to a 72-year-old man.

He was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported the other driver, identified as a 29-year-old man, to an area hospital with serious injuries.&nbsp;

The Wichita Police Department Critical Accident Team and Accident Follow-up Investigators responded to the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Police have not released the name of the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741614690970.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Sunday in Sedgwick County.The two-vehicle crash occurred near the intersecion of&nbsp;Maple and Osage, according to Wichita Police Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp; First responders arrived at the crash scene and began rendering life saving measures to a 72-year-old man.He was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported the other driver, identified as a 29-year-old man, to an area hospital with serious injuries.&nbsp;The Wichita Police Department Critical Accident Team and Accident Follow-up Investigators responded to the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Police have not released the name of the victim.

One dead, one hospitalized after 2-vehicle Kan. crash

SALINA —Country music fans will have the chance to experience an intimate performance by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ladyamusic.com./">Lady A</a>&nbsp;this summer at the Stiefel Theatre. The Grammy-winning trio is set to take the stage for An Acoustic Evening on Thursday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for the show start at $99 and will go on sale Friday, March 14, at 10 a.m. They can be purchased in person at the Stiefel Theatre Box Office, online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>, or by calling 785-827-1998.

Built on rich vocal harmonies and a smooth fusion of country, rock, and pop, Lady A has become one of the most successful vocal groups in contemporary country music. With 10 No. 1 hits, over 18 million album units sold, and nearly 5 billion digital streams, the trio has left a lasting mark on the genre. Their 11-time platinum single Need You Now remains the highest-certified song by a country group.

Throughout their career, Lady A has won multiple ACM and CMA Vocal Group of the Year awards, seven Grammy Awards, and numerous other accolades. Fans can expect a night filled with heartfelt storytelling and some of their biggest hits.

For more information about the band, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ladyamusic.com/">www.ladyamusic.com</a>.

SALINA —Country music fans will have the chance to experience an intimate performance by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ladyamusic.com./">Lady A</a>&nbsp;this summer at the Stiefel Theatre. The Grammy-winning trio is set to take the stage for An Acoustic Evening on Thursday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m.Tickets for the show start at $99 and will go on sale Friday, March 14, at 10 a.m. They can be purchased in person at the Stiefel Theatre Box Office, online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>, or by calling 785-827-1998.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741613156929.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Built on rich vocal harmonies and a smooth fusion of country, rock, and pop, Lady A has become one of the most successful vocal groups in contemporary country music. With 10 No. 1 hits, over 18 million album units sold, and nearly 5 billion digital streams, the trio has left a lasting mark on the genre. Their 11-time platinum single Need You Now remains the highest-certified song by a country group.Throughout their career, Lady A has won multiple ACM and CMA Vocal Group of the Year awards, seven Grammy Awards, and numerous other accolades. Fans can expect a night filled with heartfelt storytelling and some of their biggest hits.For more information about the band, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ladyamusic.com/">www.ladyamusic.com</a>.

Lady A to perform acoustic show in Salina

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans unveiled a&nbsp;<a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/rules.house.gov/files/documents/crfull_xml.pdf">spending bill</a>&nbsp;that would keep federal agencies funded through Sept. 30, pushing ahead with a go-it-alone strategy that seems certain to spark a major confrontation with Democrats over the contours of government spending.

<a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/rules.house.gov/files/documents/crfull_xml.pdf">Click here to read the full bill</a>

The 99-page bill would provide a slight boost to defense programs while trimming nondefense programs below 2024 budget year levels. That approach is likely to be a nonstarter for most Democrats who have long insisted that defense and nondefense spending move in the same direction.

Congress must act by midnight Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is teeing up the bill for a vote on Tuesday despite the lack of buy-in from Democrats, essentially daring them to vote against it and risk a shutdown. He also is betting that Republicans can muscle the legislation through the House largely by themselves.

Normally, when it comes to keeping the government fully open for business, Republicans have had to work with Democrats to craft a bipartisan measure that both sides can support. That's because Republicans almost always lack the votes to pass spending bills on their own.

Crucially, the strategy has the backing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>, who has shown an ability so far in his term to hold Republicans in line.

Trump praised the bill, writing on X that Republicans have to “remain UNITED — NO DISSENT — Fight for another day when the timing is right.”

“Great things are coming for America, and I am asking you all to give us a few months to get us through to September so we can continue to put the Country's ‘financial house’ in order," he said.

House Republicans' leadership staff outlined the contours of the measure, saying it would allow for about $892.5 billion in defense spending and about $708 billion in nondefense spending. The defense spending is slightly above the prior year's level, but the nondefense spending, the aides said, was about $13 billion below last year.

The measure also will not include funding requested by individual lawmakers for thousands of community projects around the country, often referred to as earmarks.

The bill does not cover the majority of government spending, including programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Funding for those two programs are on auto pilot and are not regularly reviewed by Congress.

The top Democrats on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Washington Sen. Patty Murray, both issued statements blasting the legislation.

“I strongly oppose this full-year continuing resolution," DeLauro said.

Murray said the legislation would “give Donald Trump and Elon Musk more power over federal spending — and more power to pick winners and losers, which threatens families in blue and red states alike.”

Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who heads the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the focus must be on preventing a shutdown because closures have negative consequences all across government.

“They require certain essential government employees, such as Border Patrol agents, members of our military and Coast Guard, TSA screeners, and air traffic controllers, to report to work with no certainty on when they will receive their next paycheck,” Collin said. "We cannot allow that to occur.”

Trump's request for unity appears to be having an effect. Some conservatives who almost never vote for continuing resolutions expressed much openness to one last week.

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., says he has never voted for a continuing resolution, what lawmakers often call a CR, but he is on board with Johnson's effort. He says he has confidence in Trump and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-doge-c4c8e4f4766dee7dfff4d24161e0cf3f">Department of Government Efficiency</a>, led by Elon Musk, to make a difference on the nation's debt.

“I don't like CRs,” Norman said. “But what's the alternative? Negotiate with Democrats? No.”

“I freeze spending for six month to go identify more cuts? Somebody tell me how that's not a win in Washington,” added Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, another lawmaker who has often frequently voted against spending bills but supports the six-month continuing resolution.

Republicans are also hoping that resolving this year's spending will allow them to devote their full attention to extending the individual tax cuts passed during Trump's first term and raising the nation's debt limit to avoid a catastrophic federal default.

Democratic leaders are warning that the decision to move ahead without consulting them increases the prospects for a shutdown. One of their biggest concerns is the flexibility the legislation would give the Trump administration on spending.

The Democratic leadership in both chambers has stressed that Republicans have the majority and are responsible for funding the government. But leaders also have been wary of saying how Democrats would vote on a continuing resolution.

“We have to wait to see what their plan is,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. “We've always believed the only solution is a bipartisan solution, no matter what.”

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said earlier this week that the Democratic caucus would meet and discuss the legislation at the “appropriate moment.” But he struck a more forceful tone Friday.

Jeffries said Democrats are ready to negotiate a “meaningful, bipartisan spending agreement that puts working people first.” But he said the “partisan continuing resolution” threatens to cut funding for key programs, such as veterans benefits and nutritional assistance for low-income families.

“That is not acceptable," Jeffries said.

Trump has been meeting with House Republicans in an effort to win their votes on the legislation. Republicans have a 218-214 majority in the House, so if all lawmakers vote, they can afford only one defection if Democrats unite in opposition. The math gets even harder in the Senate, where at least seven Democrats would have to vote for the legislation to overcome a filibuster. And that's assuming all 53 Republicans vote for it.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans unveiled a&nbsp;<a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/rules.house.gov/files/documents/crfull_xml.pdf">spending bill</a>&nbsp;that would keep federal agencies funded through Sept. 30, pushing ahead with a go-it-alone strategy that seems certain to spark a major confrontation with Democrats over the contours of government spending.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741465083055.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/rules.house.gov/files/documents/crfull_xml.pdf">Click here to read the full bill</a>The 99-page bill would provide a slight boost to defense programs while trimming nondefense programs below 2024 budget year levels. That approach is likely to be a nonstarter for most Democrats who have long insisted that defense and nondefense spending move in the same direction.Congress must act by midnight Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown.Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is teeing up the bill for a vote on Tuesday despite the lack of buy-in from Democrats, essentially daring them to vote against it and risk a shutdown. He also is betting that Republicans can muscle the legislation through the House largely by themselves.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741610108074.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Normally, when it comes to keeping the government fully open for business, Republicans have had to work with Democrats to craft a bipartisan measure that both sides can support. That's because Republicans almost always lack the votes to pass spending bills on their own.Crucially, the strategy has the backing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>, who has shown an ability so far in his term to hold Republicans in line.Trump praised the bill, writing on X that Republicans have to “remain UNITED — NO DISSENT — Fight for another day when the timing is right.”“Great things are coming for America, and I am asking you all to give us a few months to get us through to September so we can continue to put the Country's ‘financial house’ in order," he said.House Republicans' leadership staff outlined the contours of the measure, saying it would allow for about $892.5 billion in defense spending and about $708 billion in nondefense spending. The defense spending is slightly above the prior year's level, but the nondefense spending, the aides said, was about $13 billion below last year.The measure also will not include funding requested by individual lawmakers for thousands of community projects around the country, often referred to as earmarks.The bill does not cover the majority of government spending, including programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Funding for those two programs are on auto pilot and are not regularly reviewed by Congress.The top Democrats on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Washington Sen. Patty Murray, both issued statements blasting the legislation.“I strongly oppose this full-year continuing resolution," DeLauro said.Murray said the legislation would “give Donald Trump and Elon Musk more power over federal spending — and more power to pick winners and losers, which threatens families in blue and red states alike.”Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who heads the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the focus must be on preventing a shutdown because closures have negative consequences all across government.“They require certain essential government employees, such as Border Patrol agents, members of our military and Coast Guard, TSA screeners, and air traffic controllers, to report to work with no certainty on when they will receive their next paycheck,” Collin said. "We cannot allow that to occur.”Trump's request for unity appears to be having an effect. Some conservatives who almost never vote for continuing resolutions expressed much openness to one last week.Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., says he has never voted for a continuing resolution, what lawmakers often call a CR, but he is on board with Johnson's effort. He says he has confidence in Trump and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elon-musk-doge-c4c8e4f4766dee7dfff4d24161e0cf3f">Department of Government Efficiency</a>, led by Elon Musk, to make a difference on the nation's debt.“I don't like CRs,” Norman said. “But what's the alternative? Negotiate with Democrats? No.”“I freeze spending for six month to go identify more cuts? Somebody tell me how that's not a win in Washington,” added Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, another lawmaker who has often frequently voted against spending bills but supports the six-month continuing resolution.Republicans are also hoping that resolving this year's spending will allow them to devote their full attention to extending the individual tax cuts passed during Trump's first term and raising the nation's debt limit to avoid a catastrophic federal default.Democratic leaders are warning that the decision to move ahead without consulting them increases the prospects for a shutdown. One of their biggest concerns is the flexibility the legislation would give the Trump administration on spending.The Democratic leadership in both chambers has stressed that Republicans have the majority and are responsible for funding the government. But leaders also have been wary of saying how Democrats would vote on a continuing resolution.“We have to wait to see what their plan is,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York. “We've always believed the only solution is a bipartisan solution, no matter what.”House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said earlier this week that the Democratic caucus would meet and discuss the legislation at the “appropriate moment.” But he struck a more forceful tone Friday.Jeffries said Democrats are ready to negotiate a “meaningful, bipartisan spending agreement that puts working people first.” But he said the “partisan continuing resolution” threatens to cut funding for key programs, such as veterans benefits and nutritional assistance for low-income families.“That is not acceptable," Jeffries said.Trump has been meeting with House Republicans in an effort to win their votes on the legislation. Republicans have a 218-214 majority in the House, so if all lawmakers vote, they can afford only one defection if Democrats unite in opposition. The math gets even harder in the Senate, where at least seven Democrats would have to vote for the legislation to overcome a filibuster. And that's assuming all 53 Republicans vote for it.

Details of the House GOP bill to avoid a government shutdown 

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide identified the victim as 22-year-old&nbsp;Yancy Whitehead of Topeka and have made an arrest, according to&nbsp;Police LT Donna Eubanks.&nbsp; &nbsp;

On Sunday Police asked for help to locate a person of interest in the homicide. Just before midnight police reported the arrest of 49-year-old&nbsp;Robert Reyes, 49, of Topeka.&nbsp; He is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, according to Eubanks.

Just after 3a.m. Saturday police responded to a reported shooting in the 2900 block of SE Freemont Road in Topeka, according to Police&nbsp;LT Donna Eubanks. First responders located Whitehead with life-threatening injuries. He was&nbsp; pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel.

Topeka Police were later notified of two other individuals that had arrived at an area hospital. One individual had life-threatening injuries and one a non-life-threatening injury.

This is the city’s 3rd homicide investigation of 2025.&nbsp; 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741608827538.png" alt="Reyes -photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Reyes -photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide identified the victim as 22-year-old&nbsp;Yancy Whitehead of Topeka and have made an arrest, according to&nbsp;Police LT Donna Eubanks.&nbsp; &nbsp;On Sunday Police asked for help to locate a person of interest in the homicide. Just before midnight police reported the arrest of 49-year-old&nbsp;Robert Reyes, 49, of Topeka.&nbsp; He is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, according to Eubanks.Just after 3a.m. Saturday police responded to a reported shooting in the 2900 block of SE Freemont Road in Topeka, according to Police&nbsp;LT Donna Eubanks. First responders located Whitehead with life-threatening injuries. He was&nbsp; pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel.Topeka Police were later notified of two other individuals that had arrived at an area hospital. One individual had life-threatening injuries and one a non-life-threatening injury.This is the city’s 3rd homicide investigation of 2025.&nbsp;

Police capture suspect in killing of 22-year-old Kansas man

SEDGWICK COUNTY- A Kansas woman will be sentenced Monday for her role in a deadly shooting outside of a Wichita strip club.

In September, a jury found 33-year-old Autumn Metcalf guilty of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit first-degree murder in the death of 33-year-old Joe Wheeler III, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney' office.&nbsp; &nbsp;Judge Eric Williams will sentence Metcalf.

In August of 2020, police responded to a shooting at Baby Dolls in the 4900 Block of North Arkansas in&nbsp; Wichita and found Wheeler dead in his vehicle,&nbsp;according to Wichita Police Captain Jason Stephens.

Investigators learned there was a disturbance in the club that spilled out into the parking lot. Wheeler was shot while inside his car which was parked in the back business parking area, according to Stephens.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664314804304.png" alt="Metcalf-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Metcalf-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY- A Kansas woman will be sentenced Monday for her role in a deadly shooting outside of a Wichita strip club.In September, a jury found 33-year-old Autumn Metcalf guilty of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit first-degree murder in the death of 33-year-old Joe Wheeler III, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney' office.&nbsp; &nbsp;Judge Eric Williams will sentence Metcalf.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741601452354.png" alt="-Police on the scene of the Aug. 2020 shooting investigation outside a Wichita night club-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>-Police on the scene of the Aug. 2020 shooting investigation outside a Wichita night club-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>In August of 2020, police responded to a shooting at Baby Dolls in the 4900 Block of North Arkansas in&nbsp; Wichita and found Wheeler dead in his vehicle,&nbsp;according to Wichita Police Captain Jason Stephens.Investigators learned there was a disturbance in the club that spilled out into the parking lot. Wheeler was shot while inside his car which was parked in the back business parking area, according to Stephens.

Sentencing day for killing man outside Kan. gentlemen’s club

The Kansas Highway Patrol continues to see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit.&nbsp; Over the weekend, a trooper conducted a traffic stop on a teen driver traveling 110 mph. KHP Trooper Tod Heilman wrote, "When you’re 17 and trying to make it home before curfew and you’re running late, call your parents and explain, they would rather you make it home safe!&nbsp; The Patrol did not indicate where the traffic stop occurred.

The Kansas Highway Patrol stopped another driver on K-96 who was accused of traveling 109 mph - "44 mph over the speed limit." "Remember, no matter where you're headed, it's more important to get there safely than on time. Speeding doesn't just endanger you; it endangers everyone else on the road as well. Help us keep you and your loved ones safe by slowing down!"

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741522036400.png" alt="KHP Trooper Ney" />
 <figcaption>KHP Trooper Ney</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Highway Patrol continues to see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit.&nbsp; Over the weekend, a trooper conducted a traffic stop on a teen driver traveling 110 mph. KHP Trooper Tod Heilman wrote, "When you’re 17 and trying to make it home before curfew and you’re running late, call your parents and explain, they would rather you make it home safe!&nbsp; The Patrol did not indicate where the traffic stop occurred.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741602405667.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Highway Patrol stopped another driver on K-96 who was accused of traveling 109 mph - "44 mph over the speed limit." "Remember, no matter where you're headed, it's more important to get there safely than on time. Speeding doesn't just endanger you; it endangers everyone else on the road as well. Help us keep you and your loved ones safe by slowing down!"

Late for curfew: Teen caught traveling 110 mph on Kan. highway

WASHINGTON (AP) — Most of the 80,000 federal workers responsible for researching diseases, inspecting food and administering Medicare and Medicaid under the auspices of the Health and Human Services Department were emailed an offer to leave their job for as much as a $25,000 payment as part of President Donald Trump's government cuts.

Workers cannot start opting in until Monday and have until 5 p.m. on Friday to submit a response for the so-called voluntary separation offer. The email was sent to staff across the department, which includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and the National Institutes of Health as well as the Food and Drug Administration, both in Maryland.

The mass email went out to a “broad population of HHS employees," landing in their inboxes days before agency heads are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">due to offer plans for shrinking their workforces</a>. HHS is one of the government's costliest federal agencies, with an annual budget of about $1.7 trillion that is mostly spent on health care coverage for millions of people enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid.

The agency oversees health insurance for roughly half the country through Medicare for older adults and Medicaid for disabled and poor Americans.

There was no immediate comment Sunday from HHS.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr</a>., Trump's health secretary, has hinted at plans at deep cuts to the staff. Last year, he promised to immediately clear out all 600 employees at the NIH, the nation's biomedical research arm. He has not gone that far, but in an interview last month shortly after being sworn in last month, Kennedy said he wanted to remove some workers from the public health agencies.

“I have a list in my head,” Kennedy said of potential firings at the agency. He said some workers “made really bad decisions” on nutrition guidelines.

The Trump administration, with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">billionaire Elon Musk</a>, has been trying to push out federal workers in an effort to cut costs. In January, most federal employees received a deferred resignation offer that came with eight months of pay. Thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-firing-probation-workforce-buyouts-layoffs-doge-159a6de411622c2eb651016b1e99da37">probationary employees</a>, too, have been fired across federal agencies, including at HHS.

The latest move to reduce the number of federal health workers comes as the the CDC is assisting with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-deaths-mmr-vaccine-a1295c78fade561479da65d72d8a5774">deadly measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico</a>&nbsp;and as lawmakers are debating deep cuts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-cuts-work-requirements-congress-republicans-90ec1119f1d95de067c76f79eec7fa87">Medicaid</a>&nbsp;in the federal budget.

HHS workers are directed in the email to reach out to their local human resources office to submit for the voluntary separation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741145611962.png" alt="File photo HHS Secretary RFK Jr. during President's Trump's address to Congress" />
 <figcaption>File photo HHS Secretary RFK Jr. during President's Trump's address to Congress</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Most of the 80,000 federal workers responsible for researching diseases, inspecting food and administering Medicare and Medicaid under the auspices of the Health and Human Services Department were emailed an offer to leave their job for as much as a $25,000 payment as part of President Donald Trump's government cuts.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741530593007.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Workers cannot start opting in until Monday and have until 5 p.m. on Friday to submit a response for the so-called voluntary separation offer. The email was sent to staff across the department, which includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and the National Institutes of Health as well as the Food and Drug Administration, both in Maryland.The mass email went out to a “broad population of HHS employees," landing in their inboxes days before agency heads are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">due to offer plans for shrinking their workforces</a>. HHS is one of the government's costliest federal agencies, with an annual budget of about $1.7 trillion that is mostly spent on health care coverage for millions of people enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid.The agency oversees health insurance for roughly half the country through Medicare for older adults and Medicaid for disabled and poor Americans.There was no immediate comment Sunday from HHS.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr</a>., Trump's health secretary, has hinted at plans at deep cuts to the staff. Last year, he promised to immediately clear out all 600 employees at the NIH, the nation's biomedical research arm. He has not gone that far, but in an interview last month shortly after being sworn in last month, Kennedy said he wanted to remove some workers from the public health agencies.“I have a list in my head,” Kennedy said of potential firings at the agency. He said some workers “made really bad decisions” on nutrition guidelines.The Trump administration, with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">billionaire Elon Musk</a>, has been trying to push out federal workers in an effort to cut costs. In January, most federal employees received a deferred resignation offer that came with eight months of pay. Thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-firing-probation-workforce-buyouts-layoffs-doge-159a6de411622c2eb651016b1e99da37">probationary employees</a>, too, have been fired across federal agencies, including at HHS.The latest move to reduce the number of federal health workers comes as the the CDC is assisting with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-deaths-mmr-vaccine-a1295c78fade561479da65d72d8a5774">deadly measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico</a>&nbsp;and as lawmakers are debating deep cuts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-cuts-work-requirements-congress-republicans-90ec1119f1d95de067c76f79eec7fa87">Medicaid</a>&nbsp;in the federal budget.HHS workers are directed in the email to reach out to their local human resources office to submit for the voluntary separation.

Read the $25K buyout offer HHS sent to all employees

DAMASCUS —U.S. forces continue to battle terrorist cells in Syria.

On Friday,&nbsp;Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), enabled by U.S. forces, conducted a raid and captured Salah Mohammad Al-Abdullah, an ISIS cell leader in the vicinity of Shahil, Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.



During the operation, the Syrian Democratic Forces recovered multiple weapons to include a 12.7mm (.50 cal) Sniper rifle, an AK-47, hand grenades, and various weapons and ammunition.



The SDF-led operation is part of the ongoing Defeat-ISIS campaign to degrade ISIS networks and prevent the resurgence of the terrorist group in the region. CENTCOM forces enabled SDF during the operation by providing technical support and intelligence.

DAMASCUS —U.S. forces continue to battle terrorist cells in Syria.On Friday,&nbsp;Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), enabled by U.S. forces, conducted a raid and captured Salah Mohammad Al-Abdullah, an ISIS cell leader in the vicinity of Shahil, Syria, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

During the operation, the Syrian Democratic Forces recovered multiple weapons to include a 12.7mm (.50 cal) Sniper rifle, an AK-47, hand grenades, and various weapons and ammunition.

The SDF-led operation is part of the ongoing Defeat-ISIS campaign to degrade ISIS networks and prevent the resurgence of the terrorist group in the region. CENTCOM forces enabled SDF during the operation by providing technical support and intelligence.

U.S. forces help capture ISIS cell leader in Syria

KANSAS CITY —Prosecutors&nbsp;secured a guilty plea in a fatal shooting that took place in Independence in 2022, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2527/2216-CR04647-01-Guilty-Plea-Judgment_Redacted_FINAL">Jordan Huff, 23, pled guilty</a>&nbsp;to 2nd Degree Murder. A 15-year sentence was agreed on after mediation involving input from the victim’s family.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2526/JHuff_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Independence police were dispatched to a residence regarding a shooting and found the victim deceased in the living room, with multiple apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp;

Detectives determined that the defendant and his family including three children were at the residence eating and playing games.&nbsp;A witness told police that Huff and the victim were playing cards with others. Huff entered the kitchen and then shot and killed the victim. 

Huff pointed the firearm at other witnesses in the residence and demanded a cell phone and car keys. Ring doorbell camera footage showed Huff entering and exiting the apartment with a firearm. The Huff is heard on the footage demanding a witness’s keys and phone.&nbsp;

A witness said the defendant had a history of domestic violence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665006027132.png" alt="Huff photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Huff photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Prosecutors&nbsp;secured a guilty plea in a fatal shooting that took place in Independence in 2022, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2527/2216-CR04647-01-Guilty-Plea-Judgment_Redacted_FINAL">Jordan Huff, 23, pled guilty</a>&nbsp;to 2nd Degree Murder. A 15-year sentence was agreed on after mediation involving input from the victim’s family.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2526/JHuff_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Independence police were dispatched to a residence regarding a shooting and found the victim deceased in the living room, with multiple apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp;Detectives determined that the defendant and his family including three children were at the residence eating and playing games.&nbsp;A witness told police that Huff and the victim were playing cards with others. Huff entered the kitchen and then shot and killed the victim. Huff pointed the firearm at other witnesses in the residence and demanded a cell phone and car keys. Ring doorbell camera footage showed Huff entering and exiting the apartment with a firearm. The Huff is heard on the footage demanding a witness’s keys and phone.&nbsp;A witness said the defendant had a history of domestic violence.

Kansas City man admits to deadly card game killing

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.

Just before 12:30 a.m. March 6, a Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Mercedes SUV near 150th and Q. Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 A Jackson County Sheriff’s K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics within the vehicle. A search of the vehicle ended with the driver, Shantel Rene Simmons, 39, of Valley Falls, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741122155383.png" alt="Simmons photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Simmons photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas woman on drug allegations.Just before 12:30 a.m. March 6, a Sheriff's Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Mercedes SUV near 150th and Q. Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. A Jackson County Sheriff’s K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics within the vehicle. A search of the vehicle ended with the driver, Shantel Rene Simmons, 39, of Valley Falls, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.