SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman accused in the death of a 7-year-old boy&nbsp; is in court for a plea hearing. before Judge Sean Hatfield.

Earlier this month, 25-year-old Tasha Diane Dillard waived her preliminary hearing and is now to set for arraignment, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

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

On a Sunday afternoon in March, 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.

As a result, police took Dillard into custody, and the children were placed in protective care. Dillard remains jailed on a&nbsp; bond of $500,000.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742206494454.png" alt="Dillard -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Dillard -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas woman accused in the death of a 7-year-old boy&nbsp; is in court for a plea hearing. before Judge Sean Hatfield.Earlier this month, 25-year-old Tasha Diane Dillard waived her preliminary hearing and is now to set for arraignment, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.She has been charged with 1st degree murder and 7 counts of aggravated endangering a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On a Sunday afternoon in March, 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.As a result, police took Dillard into custody, and the children were placed in protective care. Dillard remains jailed on a&nbsp; bond of $500,000.&nbsp;

Kansas woman accused in child's death is due back in court

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ali-khamenei">Ali Khamenei</a>&nbsp;said on Thursday his country had delivered a "slap to America’s face” with its strike on an American base in Qatar, and warned against any further&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bunker-buster-bomb-israel-iran-fordo-fordow-b2-nuclear-8a612cbf16aa0f99bd9992334ffc93d7">U.S. attacks</a>&nbsp;in his first public comments since a ceasefire was declared with Israel after 12 days of war.

Khamenei spoke in a recorded video broadcast on Iranian state television, his first appearance since June 19. The 86-year-old looked and sounded more tired than he did only a week ago, speaking in a hoarse voice and occasionally stumbling over his words.

The more-than 10 minute speech by the supreme leader was filled with warnings and threats directed toward the United States and Israel.

He downplayed Sunday's U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites using bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles, saying that U.S. President Donald Trump — who said the attack "completely and fully obliterated Iran's nuclear program — had “exaggerated” its impact.

“They could not achieve anything significant,” he said.

However, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency Director Rafael Grossi, reiterated on Thursday that the damage done by Israeli and U.S. strikes at Iranian nuclear facilities “is very, very, very considerable.”

“I think annihilated is too much but it suffered enormous damage,” Grossi told French broadcaster RFI.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, on Wednesday also conceded that "our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that’s for sure.”

Khamenei has not been seen in public since taking shelter in a secret location after the outbreak of the war June 13 when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-missile-attacks-nuclear-news-tehran-trump-06-17-2025-3f08988b5e8fd375645967b6e22916f3">Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities</a>&nbsp;and targeted top military commanders and scientists.

Following Sunday's U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, Trump was able to help negotiate a ceasefire that came into effect on Tuesday.

Khamenei claimed the U.S. had only intervened in the war because “it felt that if it did not intervene, the Zionist regime would be utterly destroyed.”

“It entered the war to save them, yet it gained nothing,” he said.

He said his country's attack on the U.S. base in Qatar on Monday was significant, since it shows Iran “has access to important U.S. centers in the region and can act against them whenever it deems necessary.”

“The Islamic Republic was victorious and, in retaliation, delivered a hand slap to America’s face,” he said, adding “this action can be repeated in the future."

“Should any aggression occur, the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price,” he said.

Since the ceasefire, life has been gradually returning to normal in Iran.

On Thursday, Iran partially reopened its airspace, which had been shut down since the war broke out, and shops in the capital of Tehran began to reopen, with traffic returning to the streets.

Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, said Iran had reopened the airspace for the eastern half of the country to domestic and international flights, including those transiting Iranian airspace.

Earlier this week, Tehran said 606 people had been killed in the conflict in Iran, with 5,332 people wounded. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists group released figures Wednesday suggesting Israeli strikes on Iran had killed at least 1,054 and wounded 4,476.

The group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from multiple rounds of unrest in Iran, said 417 of those killed were civilians and 318 were security forces.

At least 28 people were killed in Israel and more than 1,000 wounded, according to officials there.

Trump has also asserted that American and Iranian officials will talk next week, giving rise to cautious hope for longer-term peace.

Iran has not acknowledged any such talks would take place, though U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff has said there has been direct and indirect communication between the countries. A sixth round of U.S.-Iran negotiations was scheduled for earlier this month in Oman but was canceled after Israel attacked Iran on June 13.

Iran has insisted that it will not give up its nuclear program. In a vote underscoring the tough path ahead, its parliament agreed to fast-track a proposal that would effectively stop the country’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-iaea-us-nuclear-talks-inspectors-585750d54eea24ed39f229b701313998">cooperation with the IAEA</a>, which has monitored the program for years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750936010746.png" alt="Photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ali-khamenei">Ali Khamenei</a>&nbsp;said on Thursday his country had delivered a "slap to America’s face” with its strike on an American base in Qatar, and warned against any further&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bunker-buster-bomb-israel-iran-fordo-fordow-b2-nuclear-8a612cbf16aa0f99bd9992334ffc93d7">U.S. attacks</a>&nbsp;in his first public comments since a ceasefire was declared with Israel after 12 days of war.Khamenei spoke in a recorded video broadcast on Iranian state television, his first appearance since June 19. The 86-year-old looked and sounded more tired than he did only a week ago, speaking in a hoarse voice and occasionally stumbling over his words.The more-than 10 minute speech by the supreme leader was filled with warnings and threats directed toward the United States and Israel.He downplayed Sunday's U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites using bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles, saying that U.S. President Donald Trump — who said the attack "completely and fully obliterated Iran's nuclear program — had “exaggerated” its impact.“They could not achieve anything significant,” he said.However, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency Director Rafael Grossi, reiterated on Thursday that the damage done by Israeli and U.S. strikes at Iranian nuclear facilities “is very, very, very considerable.”“I think annihilated is too much but it suffered enormous damage,” Grossi told French broadcaster RFI.Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, on Wednesday also conceded that "our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that’s for sure.”Khamenei has not been seen in public since taking shelter in a secret location after the outbreak of the war June 13 when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-missile-attacks-nuclear-news-tehran-trump-06-17-2025-3f08988b5e8fd375645967b6e22916f3">Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities</a>&nbsp;and targeted top military commanders and scientists.Following Sunday's U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, Trump was able to help negotiate a ceasefire that came into effect on Tuesday.Khamenei claimed the U.S. had only intervened in the war because “it felt that if it did not intervene, the Zionist regime would be utterly destroyed.”“It entered the war to save them, yet it gained nothing,” he said.He said his country's attack on the U.S. base in Qatar on Monday was significant, since it shows Iran “has access to important U.S. centers in the region and can act against them whenever it deems necessary.”“The Islamic Republic was victorious and, in retaliation, delivered a hand slap to America’s face,” he said, adding “this action can be repeated in the future."“Should any aggression occur, the enemy will definitely pay a heavy price,” he said.Since the ceasefire, life has been gradually returning to normal in Iran.On Thursday, Iran partially reopened its airspace, which had been shut down since the war broke out, and shops in the capital of Tehran began to reopen, with traffic returning to the streets.Majid Akhavan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, said Iran had reopened the airspace for the eastern half of the country to domestic and international flights, including those transiting Iranian airspace.Earlier this week, Tehran said 606 people had been killed in the conflict in Iran, with 5,332 people wounded. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists group released figures Wednesday suggesting Israeli strikes on Iran had killed at least 1,054 and wounded 4,476.The group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from multiple rounds of unrest in Iran, said 417 of those killed were civilians and 318 were security forces.At least 28 people were killed in Israel and more than 1,000 wounded, according to officials there.Trump has also asserted that American and Iranian officials will talk next week, giving rise to cautious hope for longer-term peace.Iran has not acknowledged any such talks would take place, though U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff has said there has been direct and indirect communication between the countries. A sixth round of U.S.-Iran negotiations was scheduled for earlier this month in Oman but was canceled after Israel attacked Iran on June 13.Iran has insisted that it will not give up its nuclear program. In a vote underscoring the tough path ahead, its parliament agreed to fast-track a proposal that would effectively stop the country’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-iaea-us-nuclear-talks-inspectors-585750d54eea24ed39f229b701313998">cooperation with the IAEA</a>, which has monitored the program for years.___

Iran’s supreme leader warns the U.S. against any further attacks

JACKSON COUNTY—Two suspects are in custody after a chase and 4-hour manhunt.

Just after 4p.m. June 25,&nbsp; a Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a 2007 Cadillac just west of U.S. Highway 75 on 158th&nbsp;Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The vehicle failed to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The Cadillac continued through various roads in southern Jackson County for approximately 10 minutes and then came to a stop on O. Road between 126th&nbsp;and 134th&nbsp;Roads.&nbsp; 

One man, later identified as 34-year-old Lloyd Allan Wabaunsee of Mayetta, ran from the vehicle westward. A woman, later identified as 34-year-old Desiree Kristel Shopteese of Topeka. was taken into custody with the vehicle. She was reportedly driving the car.

&nbsp;Just before 8 p.m., Wabaunsee was taken into custody.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies, KHP, Kansas Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens, Deputy U.S. Marshals, Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and Hoyt Police assisted with the search and arrest.&nbsp; A KHP aircraft as well as drones and a number of police service dogs from various agencies were used during the search.

&nbsp;Both suspects were booked into the Jackson County Jail.&nbsp;

The pair were both arrested in 2013, following the murder of Kevin Stanley in Mayetta.&nbsp; The pair fled to the State of Iowa where the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate them in Urbandale, Iowa. 

With the assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s both subjects were found hiding in the trunk of a car in a Hyvee Parking lot. The pair were extradited back to Kansas.&nbsp; Wabaunsee was convicted and sentenced for 2nd&nbsp;degree murder and was released on January 24, 2025.

Desiree Shopteese is being held on requested charges of flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, by&nbsp; engaging in reckless driving, distribution of a hallucinogenic drug, driving while suspended, driving without an ignition interlock device and transporting an open container.

Wabaunsee is being held on requested charges of felony interference with law enforcement, possession of opiates, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, distribution of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and is on a hold for the department of corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750887403986.png" alt="Shopteese-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Shopteese-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Two suspects are in custody after a chase and 4-hour manhunt.Just after 4p.m. June 25,&nbsp; a Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a 2007 Cadillac just west of U.S. Highway 75 on 158th&nbsp;Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750887436002.png" alt="Wabaunsee photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Wabaunsee photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>The vehicle failed to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The Cadillac continued through various roads in southern Jackson County for approximately 10 minutes and then came to a stop on O. Road between 126th&nbsp;and 134th&nbsp;Roads.&nbsp; One man, later identified as 34-year-old Lloyd Allan Wabaunsee of Mayetta, ran from the vehicle westward. A woman, later identified as 34-year-old Desiree Kristel Shopteese of Topeka. was taken into custody with the vehicle. She was reportedly driving the car.&nbsp;Just before 8 p.m., Wabaunsee was taken into custody.Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies, KHP, Kansas Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens, Deputy U.S. Marshals, Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office and Hoyt Police assisted with the search and arrest.&nbsp; A KHP aircraft as well as drones and a number of police service dogs from various agencies were used during the search.&nbsp;Both suspects were booked into the Jackson County Jail.&nbsp;The pair were both arrested in 2013, following the murder of Kevin Stanley in Mayetta.&nbsp; The pair fled to the State of Iowa where the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate them in Urbandale, Iowa. With the assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s both subjects were found hiding in the trunk of a car in a Hyvee Parking lot. The pair were extradited back to Kansas.&nbsp; Wabaunsee was convicted and sentenced for 2nd&nbsp;degree murder and was released on January 24, 2025.Desiree Shopteese is being held on requested charges of flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, by&nbsp; engaging in reckless driving, distribution of a hallucinogenic drug, driving while suspended, driving without an ignition interlock device and transporting an open container.Wabaunsee is being held on requested charges of felony interference with law enforcement, possession of opiates, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, distribution of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and is on a hold for the department of corrections.

Kan. man with previous murder conviction jailed again after manhunt

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Fire officials are investigating a fireworks explosion that injured two children in Kansas City, Kansas.

Just after 11p.m. Sunday crews responded to the area of N. 46th Street and Leavenworth Road, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department.

EMS transported a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old for treatment of serious injuries including burns to the hands, chest, face and shrapnel injuries.

The fireworks that caused the injuries may have been illegal, according to the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Fire officials are investigating a fireworks explosion that injured two children in Kansas City, Kansas.Just after 11p.m. Sunday crews responded to the area of N. 46th Street and Leavenworth Road, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department.EMS transported a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old for treatment of serious injuries including burns to the hands, chest, face and shrapnel injuries.The fireworks that caused the injuries may have been illegal, according to the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department.

Two children injured in Kansas firework explosion

SALINE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 10p.m. Wednesday in Saline County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Freightliner semi driven by Jagjeevan Singh, 27, Flora Park, New York, was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of Ohio Street. The vehicle crossed the left lane, traveled off the roadway, struck the south guard rail,&nbsp; left the roadway on the right side, struck the north guard rail, rolled onto its side and came to rest blocking westbound traffic on the interstate.

&nbsp;Singh was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Carlson Gesiendorf Funeral Home. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

SALINE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 10p.m. Wednesday in Saline County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Freightliner semi driven by Jagjeevan Singh, 27, Flora Park, New York, was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of Ohio Street. The vehicle crossed the left lane, traveled off the roadway, struck the south guard rail,&nbsp; left the roadway on the right side, struck the north guard rail, rolled onto its side and came to rest blocking westbound traffic on the interstate.&nbsp;Singh was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to&nbsp;Carlson Gesiendorf Funeral Home. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Driver dies after semi overturns, rolls on I-70

ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisers alarmed pediatricians Wednesday by announcing inquiries into some long-settled questions about children’s shots.

Opening the first meeting of Kennedy’s handpicked seven-member panel, committee chairman Martin Kulldorff said he was appointing a work group to evaluate the “cumulative effect” of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/childhood-vaccines-schedule-kennedy-trump-hhs-4d5e6c52c602f5edbcd837748605e9d0">children’s vaccine schedule</a>&nbsp;— the list of immunizations given at different times throughout childhood.

Also to be evaluated, he said, is how two other shots are administered — one that guards against liver-destroying hepatitis B and another that combines chickenpox protection with MMR, the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

It was an early sign of how the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is being reshaped by Kennedy, a leading antivaccine activist before becoming the nation's top health official.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-cdc-acip-vaccines-3790c89f45b6314c5c7b686db0e3a8f9">He fired</a>&nbsp;the entire 17-member panel this month and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-acip-vaccine-committee-9f58e1f004075b081718ff078de88d76">replaced it</a>&nbsp;with a group that includes several anti-vaccine voices.

“Vaccines are not all good or bad,” Kulldorff said. “We are learning more about vaccines over time” and must “keep up to date.”

His announcement reflected a common message of vaccine skeptics: that too many shots may overwhelm kids’ immune systems or that the ingredients may build up to cause harm. Scientists say those claims have been repeatedly investigated with no signs of concern.

Kids today are exposed to fewer antigens — immune-revving components — than their grandparents despite getting more doses, because of improved vaccine technology, said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The American Academy of Pediatrics announced Wednesday that it would continue publishing its own vaccine schedule for children but now will do so independently of the ACIP, calling it “no longer a credible process.”

“The narrative that current vaccine policies are flawed and need ‘fixing’ is a distortion," said the AAP’s Dr. Sean O’Leary. "These policies have saved trillions of dollars and millions of lives."

The ACIP, created more than 60 years ago, helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determine who should be vaccinated against a long list of diseases, and when. Those recommendations have a big impact on whether insurance covers vaccinations and where they’re available, such as at pharmacies.

After Kennedy’s abrupt dismissal of the existing expert panel, a number of the CDC’s top vaccine scientists — including some who lead the reporting of data and the vetting of presentations at ACIP meetings — have resigned or been moved out of previous positions.

And shortly before Wednesday’s meeting, a Virginia-based obstetrician and gynecologist appointed to the committee stepped down. According to the Trump administration, he withdrew during a customary review of members’ financial holdings.

Scientists show data that COVID-19 vaccines protect pregnant women and kids

First on the committee’s agenda Wednesday were COVID-19 vaccinations. Kennedy already sidestepped the panel and announced the vaccine will no longer be recommended for healthy children or pregnant women.

Yet CDC scientists told the panel that vaccination is “the best protection” during pregnancy, and said most children hospitalized for COVID-19 over the past year were unvaccinated.

COVID-19 remains a public health threat, resulting in 32,000 to 51,000 U.S. deaths and more than 250,000 hospitalizations since last fall, according to the CDC. Most at risk for hospitalization are seniors and children under 2 — especially infants under 6 months who could have some protection if their mom got vaccinated during pregnancy, according to the CDC’s presentation.

The new advisers weren’t asked to vote on Kennedy’s recommendations, which raise uncertainty about how easily people will be able to access COVID-19 vaccinations this fall.

After CDC staff outlined multiple overlapping systems that continue to track the vaccines’ safety, several advisers questioned if the real-world data really is trustworthy.

Also Wednesday, the committee took up RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, a common cause of cold-like symptoms that can be dangerous for infants.

In 2023, U.S. health officials began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rsv-vaccine-infants-cdc-e30abab0c84ab22ddddc4963dad7c0ad">recommending</a>&nbsp;two new measures to protect infants — a lab-made antibody for newborns and a vaccine for pregnant women — that experts say likely drove an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/infant-mortality-cdc-8b79d43cd3d994b9a5de92d39f3af8cc">improvement</a>&nbsp;in infant mortality. The antibody proved to be 63% to 76% effective against emergency department visits for infants over the last year.

"People need to understand what a spectacular accomplishment these results are,” said ACIP member Dr. Cody Meissner, of Dartmouth.

The committee postponed until Thursday a vote on whether to recommend another company's newly approved antibody shot as well.

At its June meetings, the committee usually refreshes guidance for Americans 6 months and older to get a flu shot, and helps green light the annual fall vaccination campaign.

But a vote set for Thursday also promises controversy.

The panel is set to consider a preservative in a subset of flu shots that Kennedy and some antivaccine groups have falsely contended is tied to autism.

In preparation, the CDC posted a new report confirming that research shows no link between the preservative, thimerosal, and autism or any other neurodevelopmental disorders. By Wednesday afternoon, the analysis had been removed from the committee's website.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750899322024.png" alt="Dr. Martin Kulldorf speaks during a meeting of the Advisory Committee in Immunization Practices at the CDC image from CDC video" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Martin Kulldorf speaks during a meeting of the Advisory Committee in Immunization Practices at the CDC image from CDC video</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisers alarmed pediatricians Wednesday by announcing inquiries into some long-settled questions about children’s shots.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2PnYYb_xj3U?si=YvZGpeJ1tIySjBaL&amp;start=932" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Opening the first meeting of Kennedy’s handpicked seven-member panel, committee chairman Martin Kulldorff said he was appointing a work group to evaluate the “cumulative effect” of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/childhood-vaccines-schedule-kennedy-trump-hhs-4d5e6c52c602f5edbcd837748605e9d0">children’s vaccine schedule</a>&nbsp;— the list of immunizations given at different times throughout childhood.Also to be evaluated, he said, is how two other shots are administered — one that guards against liver-destroying hepatitis B and another that combines chickenpox protection with MMR, the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.It was an early sign of how the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is being reshaped by Kennedy, a leading antivaccine activist before becoming the nation's top health official.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-cdc-acip-vaccines-3790c89f45b6314c5c7b686db0e3a8f9">He fired</a>&nbsp;the entire 17-member panel this month and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-acip-vaccine-committee-9f58e1f004075b081718ff078de88d76">replaced it</a>&nbsp;with a group that includes several anti-vaccine voices.“Vaccines are not all good or bad,” Kulldorff said. “We are learning more about vaccines over time” and must “keep up to date.”His announcement reflected a common message of vaccine skeptics: that too many shots may overwhelm kids’ immune systems or that the ingredients may build up to cause harm. Scientists say those claims have been repeatedly investigated with no signs of concern.Kids today are exposed to fewer antigens — immune-revving components — than their grandparents despite getting more doses, because of improved vaccine technology, said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.The American Academy of Pediatrics announced Wednesday that it would continue publishing its own vaccine schedule for children but now will do so independently of the ACIP, calling it “no longer a credible process.”“The narrative that current vaccine policies are flawed and need ‘fixing’ is a distortion," said the AAP’s Dr. Sean O’Leary. "These policies have saved trillions of dollars and millions of lives."The ACIP, created more than 60 years ago, helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determine who should be vaccinated against a long list of diseases, and when. Those recommendations have a big impact on whether insurance covers vaccinations and where they’re available, such as at pharmacies.After Kennedy’s abrupt dismissal of the existing expert panel, a number of the CDC’s top vaccine scientists — including some who lead the reporting of data and the vetting of presentations at ACIP meetings — have resigned or been moved out of previous positions.And shortly before Wednesday’s meeting, a Virginia-based obstetrician and gynecologist appointed to the committee stepped down. According to the Trump administration, he withdrew during a customary review of members’ financial holdings.<h2>Scientists show data that COVID-19 vaccines protect pregnant women and kids</h2>First on the committee’s agenda Wednesday were COVID-19 vaccinations. Kennedy already sidestepped the panel and announced the vaccine will no longer be recommended for healthy children or pregnant women.Yet CDC scientists told the panel that vaccination is “the best protection” during pregnancy, and said most children hospitalized for COVID-19 over the past year were unvaccinated.COVID-19 remains a public health threat, resulting in 32,000 to 51,000 U.S. deaths and more than 250,000 hospitalizations since last fall, according to the CDC. Most at risk for hospitalization are seniors and children under 2 — especially infants under 6 months who could have some protection if their mom got vaccinated during pregnancy, according to the CDC’s presentation.The new advisers weren’t asked to vote on Kennedy’s recommendations, which raise uncertainty about how easily people will be able to access COVID-19 vaccinations this fall.After CDC staff outlined multiple overlapping systems that continue to track the vaccines’ safety, several advisers questioned if the real-world data really is trustworthy.<h2>Vote on RSV protections is postponed</h2>Also Wednesday, the committee took up RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, a common cause of cold-like symptoms that can be dangerous for infants.In 2023, U.S. health officials began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rsv-vaccine-infants-cdc-e30abab0c84ab22ddddc4963dad7c0ad">recommending</a>&nbsp;two new measures to protect infants — a lab-made antibody for newborns and a vaccine for pregnant women — that experts say likely drove an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/infant-mortality-cdc-8b79d43cd3d994b9a5de92d39f3af8cc">improvement</a>&nbsp;in infant mortality. The antibody proved to be 63% to 76% effective against emergency department visits for infants over the last year."People need to understand what a spectacular accomplishment these results are,” said ACIP member Dr. Cody Meissner, of Dartmouth.The committee postponed until Thursday a vote on whether to recommend another company's newly approved antibody shot as well.<h2>Flu shot recommendations to be debated</h2>At its June meetings, the committee usually refreshes guidance for Americans 6 months and older to get a flu shot, and helps green light the annual fall vaccination campaign.But a vote set for Thursday also promises controversy.The panel is set to consider a preservative in a subset of flu shots that Kennedy and some antivaccine groups have falsely contended is tied to autism.In preparation, the CDC posted a new report confirming that research shows no link between the preservative, thimerosal, and autism or any other neurodevelopmental disorders. By Wednesday afternoon, the analysis had been removed from the committee's website.___Neergaard reported from Washington.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

🎥RFK Jr.’s CDC vaccine panel held first meeting to review long-approved shots 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal. hit-and-run and have made an arrest.

Just after 10:30a.m. Wednesday, a midsize SUV was westbound on Barry Road from N Boardwalk, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

The SUV struck a construction worker and left the scene. A few minutes later, KC Fire Department paramedics pronounced the pedestrian deceased. The driver of the vehicle was apprehended shortly after, according to Gonzalez.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750897462101.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal. hit-and-run and have made an arrest.Just after 10:30a.m. Wednesday, a midsize SUV was westbound on Barry Road from N Boardwalk, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.The SUV struck a construction worker and left the scene. A few minutes later, KC Fire Department paramedics pronounced the pedestrian deceased. The driver of the vehicle was apprehended shortly after, according to Gonzalez.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim.

KCPD: Driver arrested after SUV struck, killed construction worker

KANSAS CITY– Ten Mexican nationals, one Guatemalan national, and two United States citizens have been indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine as well as numerous counts of distribution of those controlled substances, illegal possession of machine guns, alien in possession of firearms, felon in possession of firearms, and illegal reentry of removed aliens, according to the United State's Attorney.

The investigation began in January of 2024 and continued through June of 2025, during which time investigators seized approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, and 11 firearms, three of which had been equipped with machine gun conversion devices and functioned as fully automatic weapons.

A law enforcement operation conducted on June 18, 2025, resulted in nine arrests. Three defendants were already in custody, and one defendant remains at large. More than a dozen law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation which also resulted in the seizure of nine additional firearms.

Uriel Lopez-Farias, 31, a Mexican national; Jesus Adrian Meza-Meza, 42, a Mexican national; Walter Fernandez, 34, of Kansas City, Mo.; Carlos R. Lepe-Virgen, 52, a Mexico national; Pedro Ivan Roldan-Minjares, 44, a Mexican national; Joel Armando Guillen-Rodriguez, 31, a Mexican national; Jose Rodriguez-Vasquez, 44, a Mexican national; Jose Aroldo Troches-Reyes, 33, a Guatemalan national; Adalberto Meza-Meza, 37, a Mexican national; Maximiliano Oliva-Verdin, 30, a Mexican national; Osvaldo Chiapas-Aguilar, 38, a Mexican national; Jesus Alvarez-Giron, 23, a Mexican national; and Kenneth Baez, 25, of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in a forty-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on June 11, 2025.&nbsp; The federal indictment was unsealed and made public Friday following the initial appearances of those in custody.

Lopez-Farias is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, alien in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a machine gun, distribution and attempted distribution of cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

J. Meza-Meza is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, alien in possession of a firearm and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Fernandez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Lepe-Virgen is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Roldan-Minjares is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Guillen-Rodriguez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Rodriguez-Vasquez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Troches-Reyes is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and attempted distribution of cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

A. Meza-Meza is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Oliva-Verdin is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Chiapas-Aguilar is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Alvarez-Giron is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.

Baez is charged with illegal possession of a machine gun and felon in possession of a firearm. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole for this charge.

The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan A. Baker and Heather Siegele.&nbsp; It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Jackson County Drug Task Force in conjunction with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Wednesday’s law enforcement operation included the FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Postal Service, the Internal Revenue Service, Jackson County (MO) Drug Task Force, Johnson County (KS) Drug Task Force, Kansas City Missouri Police Department, Kansas City Kansas Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Lee’s Summit Police Department, Sugar Creek Police Department, Wyandotte County (KS) Sheriff’s Department, St. Joseph (MO) Police Department, Buchanan County (MO) Drug Strike Force, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Missouri and the District of Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750512078192.png" alt="Meza-Meza from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Meza-Meza from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– Ten Mexican nationals, one Guatemalan national, and two United States citizens have been indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine as well as numerous counts of distribution of those controlled substances, illegal possession of machine guns, alien in possession of firearms, felon in possession of firearms, and illegal reentry of removed aliens, according to the United State's Attorney.The investigation began in January of 2024 and continued through June of 2025, during which time investigators seized approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, and 11 firearms, three of which had been equipped with machine gun conversion devices and functioned as fully automatic weapons.A law enforcement operation conducted on June 18, 2025, resulted in nine arrests. Three defendants were already in custody, and one defendant remains at large. More than a dozen law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation which also resulted in the seizure of nine additional firearms.Uriel Lopez-Farias, 31, a Mexican national; Jesus Adrian Meza-Meza, 42, a Mexican national; Walter Fernandez, 34, of Kansas City, Mo.; Carlos R. Lepe-Virgen, 52, a Mexico national; Pedro Ivan Roldan-Minjares, 44, a Mexican national; Joel Armando Guillen-Rodriguez, 31, a Mexican national; Jose Rodriguez-Vasquez, 44, a Mexican national; Jose Aroldo Troches-Reyes, 33, a Guatemalan national; Adalberto Meza-Meza, 37, a Mexican national; Maximiliano Oliva-Verdin, 30, a Mexican national; Osvaldo Chiapas-Aguilar, 38, a Mexican national; Jesus Alvarez-Giron, 23, a Mexican national; and Kenneth Baez, 25, of Kansas City, Mo., were charged in a forty-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on June 11, 2025.&nbsp; The federal indictment was unsealed and made public Friday following the initial appearances of those in custody.Lopez-Farias is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, alien in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a machine gun, distribution and attempted distribution of cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.J. Meza-Meza is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, alien in possession of a firearm and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.Fernandez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.Lepe-Virgen is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.Roldan-Minjares is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.Guillen-Rodriguez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.Rodriguez-Vasquez is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and reentry of a removed alien. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.Troches-Reyes is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and attempted distribution of cocaine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.A. Meza-Meza is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.Oliva-Verdin is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.Chiapas-Aguilar is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.Alvarez-Giron is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and distribution of methamphetamine. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to life imprisonment for these charges.Baez is charged with illegal possession of a machine gun and felon in possession of a firearm. Under federal statutes, the defendant is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole for this charge.The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan A. Baker and Heather Siegele.&nbsp; It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Jackson County Drug Task Force in conjunction with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.Wednesday’s law enforcement operation included the FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Postal Service, the Internal Revenue Service, Jackson County (MO) Drug Task Force, Johnson County (KS) Drug Task Force, Kansas City Missouri Police Department, Kansas City Kansas Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Lee’s Summit Police Department, Sugar Creek Police Department, Wyandotte County (KS) Sheriff’s Department, St. Joseph (MO) Police Department, Buchanan County (MO) Drug Strike Force, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Missouri and the District of Kansas.

FBI: 10 Mexican nationals accused of operating large KC crime ring

PARCHMAN, Miss. (AP) — The longest-serving man on Mississippi’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-death-penalty-richard-gerald-jordan-c5c1a3efa9493184d05011f8f74c807a">death row</a>&nbsp;was executed Wednesday, nearly five decades after he kidnapped and killed a bank loan officer’s wife in a violent ransom scheme.

Richard Gerald Jordan, a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder whose final appeals were denied without comment by the U.S. Supreme Court, was sentenced to death in 1976 for killing and kidnapping Edwina Marter. He died by lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman.

The execution began at 6 p.m., according to prison officials. Jordan lay on the gurney with his mouth slightly ajar and took several deep breaths before becoming still. The time of death was given as 6:16 p.m.

Jordan was one of several on the state’s death row who sued the state over its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-government-and-politics-state-alabama-9e897ae1e84a10923a1ff50a485e4293">three-drug execution protocol</a>, claiming it is inhumane.

When given an opportunity to make a final statement Wednesday, he said, “First I would like to thank everyone for a humane way of doing this. I want to apologize to the victim’s family.”

He also thanked his lawyers and his wife and asked for forgiveness. His last words were: “I will see you on the other side, all of you.”

Jordan’s wife, Marsha Jordan, witnessed the execution, along with his lawyer Krissy Nobile and a spiritual adviser, the Rev. Tim Murphy. His wife and lawyer dabbed their eyes several times.

Jordan's execution was the third in the state in the last 10 years; previously the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-mississippi-92d6248f99fb3139c715eff5c9f95f71">most recent one</a>&nbsp;was carried out in December 2022.

It came a day after a man was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-execution-thomas-lee-gudinas-f90c9b20ca78a95551e45b3db044c25d">put to death in Florida</a>, in what is shaping up to be a year with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-executions-glance-status-2025-518a3a8a365b8661a02c7c7495e4cff0">most executions</a>&nbsp;since 2015.

Mississippi Supreme Court records show that in January 1976, Jordan called the Gulf National Bank in Gulfport and asked to speak with a loan officer. After he was told that Charles Marter could speak to him, he hung up. He then looked up the Marters’ home address in a telephone book and kidnapped Edwina Marter.

According to court records, Jordan took her to a forest and fatally shot her before calling her husband, claiming she was safe and demanding $25,000.

Edwina Marter’s husband and two sons had not planned to attend the execution. Eric Marter, who was 11 when his mother was killed, said beforehand that other family members would attend.

“It should have happened a long time ago,” Eric Marter told The Associated Press before the execution. “I’m not really interested in giving him the benefit of the doubt.”

“He needs to be punished,” Marter said.

As of the beginning of the year, Jordan was one of 22 people sentenced in the 1970s who were still on death row, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

His execution ended a decades-long court process that included four trials and numerous appeals. On Monday the Supreme Court rejected a petition that argued he was denied due process rights.

“He was never given what for a long time the law has entitled him to, which is a mental health professional that is independent of the prosecution and can assist his defense,” said lawyer Krissy Nobile, director of Mississippi’s Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel, who represented Jordan. “Because of that his jury never got to hear about his Vietnam experiences.”

A recent petition asking Gov. Tate Reeves&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWradthI98c">for clemency</a>&nbsp;echoed Nobile’s claim. It said Jordan suffered severe PTSD after serving three back-to-back tours, which could have been a factor in his crime.

“His war service, his war trauma, was considered not relevant in his murder trial,” said Franklin Rosenblatt, president of the National Institute of Military Justice, who wrote the petition on Jordan’s behalf. “We just know so much more than we did 10 years ago, and certainly during Vietnam, about the effect of war trauma on the brain and how that affects ongoing behaviors.”

Marter said he does not buy that argument: “I know what he did. He wanted money, and he couldn’t take her with him. And he — so he did what he did.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750897768584.png" alt="Jordan ph oto Mississippi Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Jordan ph oto Mississippi Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>PARCHMAN, Miss. (AP) — The longest-serving man on Mississippi’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-death-penalty-richard-gerald-jordan-c5c1a3efa9493184d05011f8f74c807a">death row</a>&nbsp;was executed Wednesday, nearly five decades after he kidnapped and killed a bank loan officer’s wife in a violent ransom scheme.Richard Gerald Jordan, a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder whose final appeals were denied without comment by the U.S. Supreme Court, was sentenced to death in 1976 for killing and kidnapping Edwina Marter. He died by lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman.The execution began at 6 p.m., according to prison officials. Jordan lay on the gurney with his mouth slightly ajar and took several deep breaths before becoming still. The time of death was given as 6:16 p.m.Jordan was one of several on the state’s death row who sued the state over its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-government-and-politics-state-alabama-9e897ae1e84a10923a1ff50a485e4293">three-drug execution protocol</a>, claiming it is inhumane.When given an opportunity to make a final statement Wednesday, he said, “First I would like to thank everyone for a humane way of doing this. I want to apologize to the victim’s family.”He also thanked his lawyers and his wife and asked for forgiveness. His last words were: “I will see you on the other side, all of you.”Jordan’s wife, Marsha Jordan, witnessed the execution, along with his lawyer Krissy Nobile and a spiritual adviser, the Rev. Tim Murphy. His wife and lawyer dabbed their eyes several times.Jordan's execution was the third in the state in the last 10 years; previously the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-mississippi-92d6248f99fb3139c715eff5c9f95f71">most recent one</a>&nbsp;was carried out in December 2022.It came a day after a man was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-execution-thomas-lee-gudinas-f90c9b20ca78a95551e45b3db044c25d">put to death in Florida</a>, in what is shaping up to be a year with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-executions-glance-status-2025-518a3a8a365b8661a02c7c7495e4cff0">most executions</a>&nbsp;since 2015.Mississippi Supreme Court records show that in January 1976, Jordan called the Gulf National Bank in Gulfport and asked to speak with a loan officer. After he was told that Charles Marter could speak to him, he hung up. He then looked up the Marters’ home address in a telephone book and kidnapped Edwina Marter.According to court records, Jordan took her to a forest and fatally shot her before calling her husband, claiming she was safe and demanding $25,000.Edwina Marter’s husband and two sons had not planned to attend the execution. Eric Marter, who was 11 when his mother was killed, said beforehand that other family members would attend.“It should have happened a long time ago,” Eric Marter told The Associated Press before the execution. “I’m not really interested in giving him the benefit of the doubt.”“He needs to be punished,” Marter said.As of the beginning of the year, Jordan was one of 22 people sentenced in the 1970s who were still on death row, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.His execution ended a decades-long court process that included four trials and numerous appeals. On Monday the Supreme Court rejected a petition that argued he was denied due process rights.“He was never given what for a long time the law has entitled him to, which is a mental health professional that is independent of the prosecution and can assist his defense,” said lawyer Krissy Nobile, director of Mississippi’s Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel, who represented Jordan. “Because of that his jury never got to hear about his Vietnam experiences.”A recent petition asking Gov. Tate Reeves&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWradthI98c">for clemency</a>&nbsp;echoed Nobile’s claim. It said Jordan suffered severe PTSD after serving three back-to-back tours, which could have been a factor in his crime.“His war service, his war trauma, was considered not relevant in his murder trial,” said Franklin Rosenblatt, president of the National Institute of Military Justice, who wrote the petition on Jordan’s behalf. “We just know so much more than we did 10 years ago, and certainly during Vietnam, about the effect of war trauma on the brain and how that affects ongoing behaviors.”Marter said he does not buy that argument: “I know what he did. He wanted money, and he couldn’t take her with him. And he — so he did what he did.”

Man who killed loan officer's wife apologized before his execution

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after an investigation in Saline County.

On Monday, the Salina Drug Task Force conducted a search warrant at a residence in the 800 block of Navajo in Salina in correlation to an ongoing 'drug distribution investigation, according to a media release.

Police stated that during the search warrant, over 5 pounds of marijuana, cocaine and multiple firearms were located. It was also determined that three children under the age of 18 were located at the residence.

Throughout the search warrant, authorities located and arrested 36-year-old Ira Autrey Jr. and 29-year-old Victoria Ring. Both suspects were booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute within a 1000’ feet of a school, Possession of a Stimulant with Intent to Distribute within a 1000’ of a school, Felony Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Paraphernalia, No Kansas Tax Stamp, Possession of a Stimulant, Possession of Marijuana, and three counts of Aggravated Endangerment of a Child.

Autrey Jr. also had additional charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Criminal Use of Weapons; Possession of a Firearm by a controlled substance user.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750782441655.jpeg" alt="Autrey, Ira Dexter (left), Ring, Victoria Elizabeth (right); -Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Autrey, Ira Dexter (left), Ring, Victoria Elizabeth (right); -Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after an investigation in Saline County.On Monday, the Salina Drug Task Force conducted a search warrant at a residence in the 800 block of Navajo in Salina in correlation to an ongoing 'drug distribution investigation, according to a media release.Police stated that during the search warrant, over 5 pounds of marijuana, cocaine and multiple firearms were located. It was also determined that three children under the age of 18 were located at the residence.Throughout the search warrant, authorities located and arrested 36-year-old Ira Autrey Jr. and 29-year-old Victoria Ring. Both suspects were booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute within a 1000’ feet of a school, Possession of a Stimulant with Intent to Distribute within a 1000’ of a school, Felony Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Paraphernalia, No Kansas Tax Stamp, Possession of a Stimulant, Possession of Marijuana, and three counts of Aggravated Endangerment of a Child.Autrey Jr. also had additional charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Criminal Use of Weapons; Possession of a Firearm by a controlled substance user.

Couple accused of selling drugs from Kansas home

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22RONALD%20BLUM%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer</a>

A fan who heckled Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Tuesday night has been banned indefinitely from all major league stadiums, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

Marte was seen in tears on the field after the spectator yelled a derogatory comment about Marte's late mother during a seventh-inning at-bat in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diamondbacks-white-sox-score-791e3fe7c6469cbc9334d93c9e2c85b1">Arizona's 4-1 win over Chicago</a>.

According to a White Sox spokesperson, the security staff at the ballpark relayed that the 22-year-old fan was “very apologetic and remorseful after the fact, and admitted to being very inappropriate and stupid with his comments.” Another person confirmed to the AP that Major League Baseball had banned the fan from all big league stadiums. That person spoke on condition of anonymity because the punishment wasn't announced by the league.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Banister asked for the fan to be removed from the game. Before Wednesday's series finale, Lovullo said he “had little bit of an interaction with the fan” as he was yelling at Marte.

“He wasn't getting it and was very pompous, and it didn't sit right with me,” Lovullo said. “It was just a gross comment you wouldn't say about anybody, let alone someone who lost their mom.

“We need better baseball fans. Baseball deserves better.”

Marte’s mother, Elpidia Valdez, died in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017. Marte, who hit a solo home run in the first inning Tuesday night, was seen visibly upset during a pitching change in the bottom of the seventh as Lovullo put his arm around his player and consoled him.

“I just reacted as a dad would when I went out to change pitchers,” Lovullo said, according to the Arizona Republic. “I could see he was sobbing. It hurt.”

"(I told him): ‘I love you and I’m with you, and we’re all together and you’re not alone. No matter what happens, no matter what was said or what you heard, that guy is an idiot. It shouldn’t have an impact on you.’”

Marte declined to comment on the incident through a team official. Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo said the fan “should be banned, for sure” and called for MLB to intervene.

“That can’t happen,” Perdomo said. “We can’t continue to do that ... here in MLB.”

AP freelancer Matt Carlson contributed from Chicago.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750878883406.png" alt="file photo Ketel Marte image courtesy Arizona Diamondbacks" />
 <figcaption>file photo Ketel Marte image courtesy Arizona Diamondbacks</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22RONALD%20BLUM%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer</a>A fan who heckled Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Tuesday night has been banned indefinitely from all major league stadiums, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.Marte was seen in tears on the field after the spectator yelled a derogatory comment about Marte's late mother during a seventh-inning at-bat in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diamondbacks-white-sox-score-791e3fe7c6469cbc9334d93c9e2c85b1">Arizona's 4-1 win over Chicago</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Ketel Marte is in tears. Anybody know what it could be about? <a href="https://t.co/336z2Ky5QW">pic.twitter.com/336z2Ky5QW</a>&mdash; Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenVerlander/status/1937691902167646463?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>According to a White Sox spokesperson, the security staff at the ballpark relayed that the 22-year-old fan was “very apologetic and remorseful after the fact, and admitted to being very inappropriate and stupid with his comments.” Another person confirmed to the AP that Major League Baseball had banned the fan from all big league stadiums. That person spoke on condition of anonymity because the punishment wasn't announced by the league.Arizona manager Torey Lovullo and bench coach Jeff Banister asked for the fan to be removed from the game. Before Wednesday's series finale, Lovullo said he “had little bit of an interaction with the fan” as he was yelling at Marte.“He wasn't getting it and was very pompous, and it didn't sit right with me,” Lovullo said. “It was just a gross comment you wouldn't say about anybody, let alone someone who lost their mom.“We need better baseball fans. Baseball deserves better.”Marte’s mother, Elpidia Valdez, died in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in 2017. Marte, who hit a solo home run in the first inning Tuesday night, was seen visibly upset during a pitching change in the bottom of the seventh as Lovullo put his arm around his player and consoled him.“I just reacted as a dad would when I went out to change pitchers,” Lovullo said, according to the Arizona Republic. “I could see he was sobbing. It hurt.”"(I told him): ‘I love you and I’m with you, and we’re all together and you’re not alone. No matter what happens, no matter what was said or what you heard, that guy is an idiot. It shouldn’t have an impact on you.’”Marte declined to comment on the incident through a team official. Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo said the fan “should be banned, for sure” and called for MLB to intervene.“That can’t happen,” Perdomo said. “We can’t continue to do that ... here in MLB.”___AP freelancer Matt Carlson contributed from Chicago.

Fan banned by MLB after heckling player to tears with barb about late mother

By MICHELLE L. PRICE, MARY CLARE JALONICK, STEPHANIE LIECHTENSTEIN and SAM McNEIL&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. intelligence report suggests that Iran's nuclear program has been set back only a few months after U.S. strikes and was not "completely and fully obliterated" as President Donald Trump has said, according to two people familiar with the early assessment.

The report issued by the Defense Intelligence Agency on Monday contradicts statements from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the status of Iran's nuclear facilities. According to the people, the report found that while the Sunday strikes at the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites did significant damage, the facilities were not totally destroyed. The people were not authorized to address the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The White House rejected the DIA assessment, calling it "flat-out wrong." On Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said in a post on X that "New intelligence confirms" what Trump has stated: "Iran's nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely, which would likely take years to do."

Gabbard's office declined to respond to questions about the details of the new intelligence, or whether it would be declassified and released publicly.

The office of the director of national intelligence coordinates the work of the nation's 18 intelligence agencies, including the DIA, which is the intelligence arm of the Defense Department, responsible for producing intelligence on foreign militaries and the capabilities of adversaries.

The DIA did not respond to requests for comment.

The U.S. has held out hope of restarting negotiations with Iran to convince it to give up its nuclear program entirely, but some experts fear that the U.S. strikes — and the potential of Iran retaining some of its capabilities — could push Tehran toward developing a functioning weapon.

The assessment also suggests that at least some of Iran's highly enriched uranium, necessary for creating a nuclear weapon, was moved out of multiple sites before the U.S. strikes and survived, and it found that Iran's centrifuges, which are required to further enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels, are largely intact, according to the people.

At the deeply buried Fordo uranium enrichment plant, where U.S. B-2 stealth bombers dropped several 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, the entrance collapsed and infrastructure was damaged, but the underground infrastructure was not destroyed, the assessment found. The people said that intelligence officials had warned of such an outcome in previous assessments ahead of the strike on Fordo.

Trump defended his characterization of the strike's impact.

"It was obliteration, and you'll see that," Trump told reporters while attending the NATO summit in the Netherlands. He said the intelligence was "very inconclusive" and described media outlets as "scum" for reporting on it.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was also at the NATO summit, said there would be an investigation into how the intelligence assessment leaked and dismissed it as "preliminary" and "low confidence."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "These leakers are professional stabbers."

The intelligence assessment was first reported by CNN on Tuesday.

The Israel Atomic Energy Commission said its assessment was that the U.S. and Israeli strikes have "set back Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons by many years." It did not give evidence to back up its claim.

Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, who said he has read damage assessment reports from U.S. intelligence and other nations, reiterated Tuesday that the strikes had deprived Iran of the ability to develop a weapon and called it outrageous that the U.S. assessment was shared with reporters.

"It's treasonous so it ought to be investigated," Witkoff said on Fox News Channel.

Trump has said in comments and posts on social media in recent days, including Tuesday, that the strike left the sites in Iran "totally destroyed" and that Iran will never rebuild its nuclear facilities.

Netanyahu said Tuesday in a televised statement: "For dozens of years I promised you that Iran would not have nuclear weapons and indeed ... we brought to ruin Iran's nuclear program." He said the U.S. joining Israel was "historic" and thanked Trump.

Outside experts had suspected Iran had likely already hidden the core components of its nuclear program as it stared down the possibility that American bunker-buster bombs could be used on its nuclear sites.

Bulldozers and trucks visible in satellite imagery taken just days before the strikes have fueled speculation among experts that Iran may have transferred its half-ton stockpile of enriched uranium to an unknown location. And the incomplete destruction of the nuclear sites could still leave the country with the capacity to spin up weapons-grade uranium and develop a bomb.

Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful, but it has enriched significant quantities of uranium beyond the levels required for any civilian use. The U.S. and others assessed prior to the U.S. strikes that Iran's theocratic leadership had not yet ordered the country to pursue an operational nuclear weapon, but the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly warned that Iran has enough enriched uranium to make several nuclear bombs should it choose to do so.

Vice President JD Vance said in a Monday interview on Fox News Channel that even if Iran is still in control of its stockpile of 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of enriched uranium, which is just short of weapons-grade, the U.S. has cut off Iran's ability to convert it to a nuclear weapon.

"If they have 60% enriched uranium, but they don't have the ability to enrich it to 90%, and, further, they don't have the ability to convert that to a nuclear weapon, that is mission success. That is the obliteration of their nuclear program, which is why the president, I think, rightly is using that term," Vance said.

Approximately 42 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium is theoretically enough to produce one atomic bomb if enriched further to 90%, according to the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi informed U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi on June 13 — the day Israel launched its military campaign against Iran — that Tehran would "adopt special measures to protect our nuclear equipment and materials."

American satellite imagery and analysis firm Maxar Technologies said its satellites photographed trucks and bulldozers at the Fordo site beginning on June 19, three days before the Americans struck.

Subsequent imagery "revealed that the tunnel entrances into the underground complex had been sealed off with dirt prior to the U.S. airstrikes," said Stephen Wood, senior director at Maxar. "We believe that some of the trucks seen on 19 June were carrying dirt to be used as part of that operation."

Some experts say those trucks could also have been used to move out Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.

"It is plausible that Iran moved the material enriched to 60% out of Fordo and loaded it on a truck," said Eric Brewer, a former U.S. intelligence analyst and now deputy vice president at the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

Iran could also have moved other equipment, including centrifuges, he said, noting that while enriched uranium, which is stored in fortified canisters, is relatively easy to transport, delicate centrifuges are more challenging to move without inflicting damage.

Apart from its enriched uranium stockpile, over the past four years Iran has produced the centrifuges key to enrichment without oversight from the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

Iran also announced on June 12 that it has built and will activate a third nuclear enrichment facility. IAEA chief Grossi said the facility was located in Isfahan, a place where Iran has several other nuclear sites. After being bombarded by both the Israelis and the Americans, it is unclear if, or how quickly, Isfahan's facilities, including tunnels, could become operational.

But given all of the equipment and material likely still under Iran's control, this offers Tehran "a pretty solid foundation for a reconstituted covert program and for getting a bomb," Brewer said.

Kelsey Davenport, director for nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association, a nonpartisan policy center, said that "if Iran had already diverted its centrifuges," it can "build a covert enrichment facility with a small footprint and inject the 60% gas into those centrifuges and quickly enrich to weapons grade levels."

But Brewer also underlined that if Iran launched a covert nuclear program, it would do so at a disadvantage, having lost to Israeli and American strikes vital equipment and personnel that are crucial for turning the enriched uranium into a functional nuclear weapon.

Liechtenstein reported from Vienna and McNeil reported from Brussels. Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, David Klepper, Ellen Knickmeyer and Aamer Madhani in Washington and John Leicester in Paris contributed to this report.

—- The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. —- Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750886425538.png" alt="Image from White House video at the NATO summit" />
 <figcaption>Image from White House video at the NATO summit</figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE L. PRICE, MARY CLARE JALONICK, STEPHANIE LIECHTENSTEIN and SAM McNEIL&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. intelligence report suggests that Iran's nuclear program has been set back only a few months after U.S. strikes and was not "completely and fully obliterated" as President Donald Trump has said, according to two people familiar with the early assessment.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/oyaW33UB6x">pic.twitter.com/oyaW33UB6x</a>&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/1937982998470926687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The report issued by the Defense Intelligence Agency on Monday contradicts statements from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the status of Iran's nuclear facilities. According to the people, the report found that while the Sunday strikes at the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites did significant damage, the facilities were not totally destroyed. The people were not authorized to address the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/s6RBYpIQJt">pic.twitter.com/s6RBYpIQJt</a>&mdash; DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DODResponse/status/1937925674309931368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Last weekend, the United States successfully carried out a massive precision strike on Iran&#39;s nuclear enrichment facilities... this incredible exercise of American strength has paved the way for peace, with a historic ceasefire agreement.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/F9gFmK4VW5">pic.twitter.com/F9gFmK4VW5</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1937874739432931517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump reads Israel assessment on U.S. strikes: &quot;The devastating U.S. strike on Fordow destroyed the site&#39;s critical infrastructure and rendered the enrichment facility totally inoperable.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/jgLkRoDUGU">pic.twitter.com/jgLkRoDUGU</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1937885146193051910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;What&#39;s your reaction to intelligence reports saying that Iranian nuclear sites are only partially devastated?&quot; President Trump: &quot;We hear it was obliteration. It was a virtual obliteration.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ppCvPzTntf">pic.twitter.com/ppCvPzTntf</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1937876171464577525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our pilots are warriors. Our sailors are warriors. Our soldiers are warriors. Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER was FLAWLESS and EFFEFCTIVE. Don’t believe the fake news… our warriors achieved their objective. <a href="https://t.co/ffkIQTqunc">pic.twitter.com/ffkIQTqunc</a>&mdash; DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DODResponse/status/1937869771443224775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The White House rejected the DIA assessment, calling it "flat-out wrong." On Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said in a post on X that "New intelligence confirms" what Trump has stated: "Iran's nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely, which would likely take years to do."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">New intelligence confirms what <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> has stated numerous times: Iran&#39;s nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely, which would likely take years to do. The…&mdash; DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard/status/1937934899710710170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Gabbard's office declined to respond to questions about the details of the new intelligence, or whether it would be declassified and released publicly.The office of the director of national intelligence coordinates the work of the nation's 18 intelligence agencies, including the DIA, which is the intelligence arm of the Defense Department, responsible for producing intelligence on foreign militaries and the capabilities of adversaries.The DIA did not respond to requests for comment.The U.S. has held out hope of restarting negotiations with Iran to convince it to give up its nuclear program entirely, but some experts fear that the U.S. strikes — and the potential of Iran retaining some of its capabilities — could push Tehran toward developing a functioning weapon.The assessment also suggests that at least some of Iran's highly enriched uranium, necessary for creating a nuclear weapon, was moved out of multiple sites before the U.S. strikes and survived, and it found that Iran's centrifuges, which are required to further enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels, are largely intact, according to the people.At the deeply buried Fordo uranium enrichment plant, where U.S. B-2 stealth bombers dropped several 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, the entrance collapsed and infrastructure was damaged, but the underground infrastructure was not destroyed, the assessment found. The people said that intelligence officials had warned of such an outcome in previous assessments ahead of the strike on Fordo.The White House pushes backTrump defended his characterization of the strike's impact."It was obliteration, and you'll see that," Trump told reporters while attending the NATO summit in the Netherlands. He said the intelligence was "very inconclusive" and described media outlets as "scum" for reporting on it.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was also at the NATO summit, said there would be an investigation into how the intelligence assessment leaked and dismissed it as "preliminary" and "low confidence."Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "These leakers are professional stabbers."The intelligence assessment was first reported by CNN on Tuesday.The Israel Atomic Energy Commission said its assessment was that the U.S. and Israeli strikes have "set back Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons by many years." It did not give evidence to back up its claim.Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, who said he has read damage assessment reports from U.S. intelligence and other nations, reiterated Tuesday that the strikes had deprived Iran of the ability to develop a weapon and called it outrageous that the U.S. assessment was shared with reporters."It's treasonous so it ought to be investigated," Witkoff said on Fox News Channel.Trump has said in comments and posts on social media in recent days, including Tuesday, that the strike left the sites in Iran "totally destroyed" and that Iran will never rebuild its nuclear facilities.Netanyahu said Tuesday in a televised statement: "For dozens of years I promised you that Iran would not have nuclear weapons and indeed ... we brought to ruin Iran's nuclear program." He said the U.S. joining Israel was "historic" and thanked Trump.Outside experts had suspected Iran had likely already hidden the core components of its nuclear program as it stared down the possibility that American bunker-buster bombs could be used on its nuclear sites.Bulldozers and trucks visible in satellite imagery taken just days before the strikes have fueled speculation among experts that Iran may have transferred its half-ton stockpile of enriched uranium to an unknown location. And the incomplete destruction of the nuclear sites could still leave the country with the capacity to spin up weapons-grade uranium and develop a bomb.Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful, but it has enriched significant quantities of uranium beyond the levels required for any civilian use. The U.S. and others assessed prior to the U.S. strikes that Iran's theocratic leadership had not yet ordered the country to pursue an operational nuclear weapon, but the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly warned that Iran has enough enriched uranium to make several nuclear bombs should it choose to do so.Vice President JD Vance said in a Monday interview on Fox News Channel that even if Iran is still in control of its stockpile of 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of enriched uranium, which is just short of weapons-grade, the U.S. has cut off Iran's ability to convert it to a nuclear weapon."If they have 60% enriched uranium, but they don't have the ability to enrich it to 90%, and, further, they don't have the ability to convert that to a nuclear weapon, that is mission success. That is the obliteration of their nuclear program, which is why the president, I think, rightly is using that term," Vance said.Approximately 42 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium is theoretically enough to produce one atomic bomb if enriched further to 90%, according to the U.N. nuclear watchdog.What experts sayIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi informed U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi on June 13 — the day Israel launched its military campaign against Iran — that Tehran would "adopt special measures to protect our nuclear equipment and materials."American satellite imagery and analysis firm Maxar Technologies said its satellites photographed trucks and bulldozers at the Fordo site beginning on June 19, three days before the Americans struck.Subsequent imagery "revealed that the tunnel entrances into the underground complex had been sealed off with dirt prior to the U.S. airstrikes," said Stephen Wood, senior director at Maxar. "We believe that some of the trucks seen on 19 June were carrying dirt to be used as part of that operation."Some experts say those trucks could also have been used to move out Iran's enriched uranium stockpile."It is plausible that Iran moved the material enriched to 60% out of Fordo and loaded it on a truck," said Eric Brewer, a former U.S. intelligence analyst and now deputy vice president at the Nuclear Threat Initiative.Iran could also have moved other equipment, including centrifuges, he said, noting that while enriched uranium, which is stored in fortified canisters, is relatively easy to transport, delicate centrifuges are more challenging to move without inflicting damage.Apart from its enriched uranium stockpile, over the past four years Iran has produced the centrifuges key to enrichment without oversight from the U.N. nuclear watchdog.Iran also announced on June 12 that it has built and will activate a third nuclear enrichment facility. IAEA chief Grossi said the facility was located in Isfahan, a place where Iran has several other nuclear sites. After being bombarded by both the Israelis and the Americans, it is unclear if, or how quickly, Isfahan's facilities, including tunnels, could become operational.But given all of the equipment and material likely still under Iran's control, this offers Tehran "a pretty solid foundation for a reconstituted covert program and for getting a bomb," Brewer said.Kelsey Davenport, director for nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association, a nonpartisan policy center, said that "if Iran had already diverted its centrifuges," it can "build a covert enrichment facility with a small footprint and inject the 60% gas into those centrifuges and quickly enrich to weapons grade levels."But Brewer also underlined that if Iran launched a covert nuclear program, it would do so at a disadvantage, having lost to Israeli and American strikes vital equipment and personnel that are crucial for turning the enriched uranium into a functional nuclear weapon.___Liechtenstein reported from Vienna and McNeil reported from Brussels. Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, David Klepper, Ellen Knickmeyer and Aamer Madhani in Washington and John Leicester in Paris contributed to this report.—- The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. —- Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/