Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes slowed in March, a lackluster start to the spring homebuying season as elevated mortgage rates and rising prices discouraged home shoppers.

Existing home sales fell 5.9% last month from February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. The March sales decline is the largest monthly drop since November 2022, when sales fell 6.7% from the previous month.

Sales also fell 2.4% compared with March last year. The latest home sales fell short of the 4.12 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.

The average cost of a U.S. mortgage, which climbed to its highest level in two months last week, is a significant barrier for would-be homebuyers, said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

“Residential housing mobility, currently at historical lows, signals the troublesome possibility of less economic mobility for society,” Yun said.

Home prices increased on an annual basis for the 21st consecutive month, although at a slower rate. The national median sales price rose 2.7% in March from a year earlier to $403,700, an all-time high for March, but the smallest annual increase since August.

The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump since 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years.

Higher mortgage rates also dampened the start of the spring homebuying season in 2024. This year, after climbing to a just above 7% in mid-January, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage has remained mostly elevated, climbing last week to 6.83%, its highest level in eight weeks, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. The average rate eased this week to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-72e42b3ead363d64d2cf42a1d676647a">6.81%.</a>

Homes purchased last month likely went under contract in February and early March, when the average rate on a 30-year mortgage ranged from 6.89% to 6.63%, according to Freddie Mac.

While sales of existing home fell last month, sales of newly built homes surged in March. They jumped 7.4% from February and 6% from March last year, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

To drum up sales, homebuilders have ramped up sales incentives, such as paying to lower the initial rate on a homebuyer’s mortgage. Many builders have also shifted to their focus to smaller, less expensive homes.

In contrast, existing home sales tend to be driven by properties on the upper-end of the market, where more affluent homebuyers can afford to finance a home at current mortgage rates or perhaps pay cash. Consider, sales of homes priced at $1 million or higher jumped 14% last month from a year earlier, while those priced between $100,000 and $250,000 fell 4%, NAR said.

Sales fell in March even as more homes hit the market for the spring homebuying season.

There were 1.33 million unsold homes at the end of last month, an 8.1% increase from February, and a 19.8% jump from March last year, NAR said.

That translates to a 4-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 3.2-month pace at the end of March last year. Traditionally, a 5- to 6-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

“I felt that more inventory would lead to more sales, but that’s not the case,” Yun said.

One reason the inventory of homes for sale has been rising is that properties are taking longer to sell. Homes typically remained on the market for 36 days last month before selling, up from 33 days in March last year, NAR said.

More homes for sale and lower asking prices in many metro areas from Miami to San Diego, translate to a more buyer-friendly market for home shoppers who can afford to buy.

Sellers gave buyers money toward repairs, closing costs and other concessions in 44.4% of U.S. home sales that occurred in the first quarter, according to data from Redfin. That was up from 39.3% a year earlier.

Many sellers are also lowering asking prices. More than 23% of home listings on Zillow had their price lowered in March, the highest share for any March since at least 2018.

Despite these buyer-friendly trends, the housing market remains largely out of reach for many Americans, especially first-time buyers who don’t have home equity gains to put toward a new home. While home price growth has been slowing, the decline is negligible against the nearly 50% gain in prices over the last five years.

“Uncertainty and anxiety are going to cloud the spring housing market this year,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. “Lower mortgage rates and more inventory were expected to bring more home shoppers out this spring, but while some buyers will take advantage of more listings and more room for negotiation, others will hold back, unwilling to make a big decision in these current uneasy times.”

By ALEX VEIGA Associated PressSales of previously occupied U.S. homes slowed in March, a lackluster start to the spring homebuying season as elevated mortgage rates and rising prices discouraged home shoppers.Existing home sales fell 5.9% last month from February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. The March sales decline is the largest monthly drop since November 2022, when sales fell 6.7% from the previous month.Sales also fell 2.4% compared with March last year. The latest home sales fell short of the 4.12 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.The average cost of a U.S. mortgage, which climbed to its highest level in two months last week, is a significant barrier for would-be homebuyers, said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.“Residential housing mobility, currently at historical lows, signals the troublesome possibility of less economic mobility for society,” Yun said.Home prices increased on an annual basis for the 21st consecutive month, although at a slower rate. The national median sales price rose 2.7% in March from a year earlier to $403,700, an all-time high for March, but the smallest annual increase since August.The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump since 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years.Higher mortgage rates also dampened the start of the spring homebuying season in 2024. This year, after climbing to a just above 7% in mid-January, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage has remained mostly elevated, climbing last week to 6.83%, its highest level in eight weeks, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. The average rate eased this week to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-72e42b3ead363d64d2cf42a1d676647a">6.81%.</a>Homes purchased last month likely went under contract in February and early March, when the average rate on a 30-year mortgage ranged from 6.89% to 6.63%, according to Freddie Mac.While sales of existing home fell last month, sales of newly built homes surged in March. They jumped 7.4% from February and 6% from March last year, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.To drum up sales, homebuilders have ramped up sales incentives, such as paying to lower the initial rate on a homebuyer’s mortgage. Many builders have also shifted to their focus to smaller, less expensive homes.In contrast, existing home sales tend to be driven by properties on the upper-end of the market, where more affluent homebuyers can afford to finance a home at current mortgage rates or perhaps pay cash. Consider, sales of homes priced at $1 million or higher jumped 14% last month from a year earlier, while those priced between $100,000 and $250,000 fell 4%, NAR said.Sales fell in March even as more homes hit the market for the spring homebuying season.There were 1.33 million unsold homes at the end of last month, an 8.1% increase from February, and a 19.8% jump from March last year, NAR said.That translates to a 4-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 3.2-month pace at the end of March last year. Traditionally, a 5- to 6-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.“I felt that more inventory would lead to more sales, but that’s not the case,” Yun said.One reason the inventory of homes for sale has been rising is that properties are taking longer to sell. Homes typically remained on the market for 36 days last month before selling, up from 33 days in March last year, NAR said.More homes for sale and lower asking prices in many metro areas from Miami to San Diego, translate to a more buyer-friendly market for home shoppers who can afford to buy.Sellers gave buyers money toward repairs, closing costs and other concessions in 44.4% of U.S. home sales that occurred in the first quarter, according to data from Redfin. That was up from 39.3% a year earlier.Many sellers are also lowering asking prices. More than 23% of home listings on Zillow had their price lowered in March, the highest share for any March since at least 2018.Despite these buyer-friendly trends, the housing market remains largely out of reach for many Americans, especially first-time buyers who don’t have home equity gains to put toward a new home. While home price growth has been slowing, the decline is negligible against the nearly 50% gain in prices over the last five years.“Uncertainty and anxiety are going to cloud the spring housing market this year,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. “Lower mortgage rates and more inventory were expected to bring more home shoppers out this spring, but while some buyers will take advantage of more listings and more room for negotiation, others will hold back, unwilling to make a big decision in these current uneasy times.”

Housing market stalls as homeowners struggle to sell

Judge Chrystal Krier sentenced 20-year-old Peyton Allart of Wichita to  36 months probation with an underlying sentence of 31 months, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen who admitted to her role in a deadly hit-and run accident is scheduled for sentencing on Friday before Judge Chrystal Krier, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Last month, Peyton Allart, 19, Wichita, entered a guilty plea to leaving the scene of an accident that killed&nbsp;28-year-old Jaz Brooks.

Just after 3a.m. June 23,&nbsp; 2024, police responded to a vehicle collision at the intersection of Central and McLean in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders discovered a dark-colored Saturn involved in the incident. The passenger, identified as Brooks, was found trapped inside the vehicle and pronounced deceased. The driver of the Saturn received an evaluation by EMS for non-lifethreatening injuries at the scene.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a black Ford F-150 had collided with the Saturn on its passenger side and fled prior to law enforcement's arrival. Officers successfully located the suspect identified as Allart and the vehicle several hours later.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719242864860.png" alt="Allart photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Allart photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Judge Chrystal Krier sentenced 20-year-old Peyton Allart of Wichita to 36 months probation with an underlying sentence of 31 months, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.----------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas teen who admitted to her role in a deadly hit-and run accident is scheduled for sentencing on Friday before Judge Chrystal Krier, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Last month, Peyton Allart, 19, Wichita, entered a guilty plea to leaving the scene of an accident that killed&nbsp;28-year-old Jaz Brooks.Just after 3a.m. June 23,&nbsp; 2024, police responded to a vehicle collision at the intersection of Central and McLean in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders discovered a dark-colored Saturn involved in the incident. The passenger, identified as Brooks, was found trapped inside the vehicle and pronounced deceased. The driver of the Saturn received an evaluation by EMS for non-lifethreatening injuries at the scene.Preliminary investigations revealed that a black Ford F-150 had collided with the Saturn on its passenger side and fled prior to law enforcement's arrival. Officers successfully located the suspect identified as Allart and the vehicle several hours later.&nbsp;

Sentencing day for Kansas teen in fatal hit-and run crash

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Heads of state and royalty will start converging on Rome on Friday for the funeral of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square, but the group of poor people who will meet his casket in a small crosstown basilica are more in keeping with Francis’ humble persona and disdain for pomp.

U.S. President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/trump-sends-message-to-catholics-following-the-death-of-pope-francis-we-love-you-all-0bed09810dc34c7f85642f8953521458">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and Argentine President Javier Milei are among the leaders arriving Friday, the last day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-argentina-visit-politics-1a0f4ed32521901cd0c2486a3adf1b29">Argentine pope</a>&nbsp;will lie in state in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-photos-public-viewing-f12ab2d196b3b0b9470257efdea86a2c">St. Peter’s Basilica</a>&nbsp;before his coffin is sealed in the evening in preparation for his funeral Saturday.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vatican-city">Vatican</a>&nbsp;said 130 delegations are confirmed, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns.

Tens of thousands of mourners have waited hours in line to bid farewell to Francis, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-what-to-know-7c2aa927cf142926f05654984aaa0d90">died Monday</a>&nbsp;after suffering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/pope-francis-dies-catholic-church-updates">a stroke</a>&nbsp;at the age of 88. A higher-than-expected turnout prompted the Vatican to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-lying-state-last-respects-st-peters-ce6e39bd0976a91512af4988546dd80b">extend the basilica's opening hours</a>&nbsp;overnight.

By Friday morning, more than 128,000 mourners had filed past Francis' open coffin placed in front of the basilica’s main altar — at times praying, at times holding smart phones aloft — despite instructions not to — for a photo of the late pontiff laid out in red robes, a bishop's pointed miter and a rosary entwined in his hands.

St. Peter's Basilica remained open most of the second night, closing for just a few hours. Mourners began arriving before dawn, and sprinted into the piazza when security reopened the flows.

Giovanni Guarino drove from Naples with his girlfriend to make their final farewells to the Francis, moved by his work to help the young and disadvantaged.

“I hope that his successor follows the footsteps of Francis,” Guarino said.

The three days of public viewing are scheduled to end at 6 p.m. on Friday — an hour earlier than previously announced — after which Francis simple wooden coffin will be sealed.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell will preside over the closing and sealing of the coffin in his role of camerlengo, or interim Vatican administrator. A white cloth will be placed over the pope's face, and a bag containing coins minted during his papacy will be put in the coffin along with a one-page written account of his papacy.

Roman neighbors and retired flight attendants Aurelia Ballarini and Francesca Codato came to pay respects to Pope Francis on Friday with very different motivations. Ballarini, 72, was coming to terms with her grief, and Codato, 78, was seeking forgiveness.

For Ballarini, the pope's death leaves a hole in her life. While only 16 years younger than Francis, she considered him a grandfather figure. Every morning, she would log on to Facebook for his daily greeting, and respond “with a couple of words.”

“He gave everything, gave all of himself, up to the end,’’ said Ballarini. “I spent the last two days crying. I was not well after his passing — I can’t even say the word. For me he flew away. One day, we will see each other again.

Codato said she feels tremendous guilt toward Francis, having forsaken him out of devotion to one of his predecessors, St. John Paul II. When Francis became pope “he was an outsider to me.”

“I feel guilty, because through videos I have seen in these days, I have understood he was a man of enormous humanity, close to the simple people," she said. "So I came to ask forgiveness, because I feel guilty towards him, like a worm.”

The work of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/next-pope-contenders-list-101d68d61be2401a85310e34b45371a9">conclave to choose a new pope</a>&nbsp;won’t start until at least May 5, after nine days of public mourning.

Cardinals have been also been arriving in Rome, with 113 meeting Thursday morning to discuss church business. They will meet again Friday before taking a break for the weekend.

Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, who hosted Pope Francis during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-corsica-visit-mediterranean-1422ac7938a526d02a82f739a51bcfcd">his last papal trip,</a>&nbsp;to Corsica, last year, remembered Francis as “a free man” who "humanized the church without desacralizing it.”

He describe the atmosphere inside the meetings as “good,” but said they were not yet "at the point of decisions; we are in discussions.''

In keeping with Francis’ embrace of the marginalized, the Vatican said a group of poor and needy people will meet the pope’s coffin to pay homage to him when it arrives at St. Mary Major basilica for burial on Saturday. It has already become a point of pilgrimage.

The tomb is being prepared behind a wooden barrier within the basilica that he chose to be near an icon of the Madonna that he revered and often prayed before.

Photos released by the Vatican on Friday show the marble tombstone flat against the pavement, with the simple engraving in Latin that he requested in his last testament: “Franciscus”

Trump, who is traveling with first lady Melania Trump, is scheduled to arrive Friday, after Francis’ coffin has been sealed.

Among the other foreign dignitaries confirmed for the papal funeral are:

— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska

— Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia

— Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745403589674.jpeg" alt="Image from AP video" />
 <figcaption>Image from AP video</figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) — Heads of state and royalty will start converging on Rome on Friday for the funeral of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square, but the group of poor people who will meet his casket in a small crosstown basilica are more in keeping with Francis’ humble persona and disdain for pomp.U.S. President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/trump-sends-message-to-catholics-following-the-death-of-pope-francis-we-love-you-all-0bed09810dc34c7f85642f8953521458">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and Argentine President Javier Milei are among the leaders arriving Friday, the last day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-argentina-visit-politics-1a0f4ed32521901cd0c2486a3adf1b29">Argentine pope</a>&nbsp;will lie in state in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-photos-public-viewing-f12ab2d196b3b0b9470257efdea86a2c">St. Peter’s Basilica</a>&nbsp;before his coffin is sealed in the evening in preparation for his funeral Saturday.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vatican-city">Vatican</a>&nbsp;said 130 delegations are confirmed, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns.<h2>Paying respects</h2>Tens of thousands of mourners have waited hours in line to bid farewell to Francis, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-what-to-know-7c2aa927cf142926f05654984aaa0d90">died Monday</a>&nbsp;after suffering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/pope-francis-dies-catholic-church-updates">a stroke</a>&nbsp;at the age of 88. A higher-than-expected turnout prompted the Vatican to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-lying-state-last-respects-st-peters-ce6e39bd0976a91512af4988546dd80b">extend the basilica's opening hours</a>&nbsp;overnight.By Friday morning, more than 128,000 mourners had filed past Francis' open coffin placed in front of the basilica’s main altar — at times praying, at times holding smart phones aloft — despite instructions not to — for a photo of the late pontiff laid out in red robes, a bishop's pointed miter and a rosary entwined in his hands.St. Peter's Basilica remained open most of the second night, closing for just a few hours. Mourners began arriving before dawn, and sprinted into the piazza when security reopened the flows.Giovanni Guarino drove from Naples with his girlfriend to make their final farewells to the Francis, moved by his work to help the young and disadvantaged.“I hope that his successor follows the footsteps of Francis,” Guarino said.The three days of public viewing are scheduled to end at 6 p.m. on Friday — an hour earlier than previously announced — after which Francis simple wooden coffin will be sealed.Cardinal Kevin Farrell will preside over the closing and sealing of the coffin in his role of camerlengo, or interim Vatican administrator. A white cloth will be placed over the pope's face, and a bag containing coins minted during his papacy will be put in the coffin along with a one-page written account of his papacy.<h2>'We will see each other again'</h2>Roman neighbors and retired flight attendants Aurelia Ballarini and Francesca Codato came to pay respects to Pope Francis on Friday with very different motivations. Ballarini, 72, was coming to terms with her grief, and Codato, 78, was seeking forgiveness.For Ballarini, the pope's death leaves a hole in her life. While only 16 years younger than Francis, she considered him a grandfather figure. Every morning, she would log on to Facebook for his daily greeting, and respond “with a couple of words.”“He gave everything, gave all of himself, up to the end,’’ said Ballarini. “I spent the last two days crying. I was not well after his passing — I can’t even say the word. For me he flew away. One day, we will see each other again.Codato said she feels tremendous guilt toward Francis, having forsaken him out of devotion to one of his predecessors, St. John Paul II. When Francis became pope “he was an outsider to me.”“I feel guilty, because through videos I have seen in these days, I have understood he was a man of enormous humanity, close to the simple people," she said. "So I came to ask forgiveness, because I feel guilty towards him, like a worm.”<h2>Cardinals ‘are in discussions’</h2>The work of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/next-pope-contenders-list-101d68d61be2401a85310e34b45371a9">conclave to choose a new pope</a>&nbsp;won’t start until at least May 5, after nine days of public mourning.Cardinals have been also been arriving in Rome, with 113 meeting Thursday morning to discuss church business. They will meet again Friday before taking a break for the weekend.Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, who hosted Pope Francis during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-corsica-visit-mediterranean-1422ac7938a526d02a82f739a51bcfcd">his last papal trip,</a>&nbsp;to Corsica, last year, remembered Francis as “a free man” who "humanized the church without desacralizing it.”He describe the atmosphere inside the meetings as “good,” but said they were not yet "at the point of decisions; we are in discussions.''<h2>Papal burial</h2>In keeping with Francis’ embrace of the marginalized, the Vatican said a group of poor and needy people will meet the pope’s coffin to pay homage to him when it arrives at St. Mary Major basilica for burial on Saturday. It has already become a point of pilgrimage.The tomb is being prepared behind a wooden barrier within the basilica that he chose to be near an icon of the Madonna that he revered and often prayed before.Photos released by the Vatican on Friday show the marble tombstone flat against the pavement, with the simple engraving in Latin that he requested in his last testament: “Franciscus”<h2>Royals and leaders</h2>Trump, who is traveling with first lady Melania Trump, is scheduled to arrive Friday, after Francis’ coffin has been sealed.Among the other foreign dignitaries confirmed for the papal funeral are:— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska— French President Emmanuel Macron— British Prime Minister Keir Starmer— Prince William— Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia— Hungarian President Viktor Orbán— Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Trump and Zelenskyy among dignitaries who will attend Pope Francis' funeral 

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a stolen vehicle and crash continue to search for a suspect identified as&nbsp;Steven Matthew Rule, 40, of Topeka who was involved, according to Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill.

&nbsp;Rule is described as approximately 5-foot-10, 185 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen fleeing the area of SW 17th Street and McAlister Avenue around 9 a.m. Thursday, wearing gray shorts, black tennis shoes and no shirt at that time. Rule has multiple tattoos on his upper right arm.

On Thursday police&nbsp;&nbsp;were investigating a stolen vehicle report in Topeka, according to Topeka Police&nbsp; LT Manuel Munoz. Through the investigation, officers were notified that the vehicle was in the area of SW 17th and SW Wanamaker in Topeka.

Police located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle fled east on SW 17th and officers did not pursue. A short time later, a Shawnee County Sheriff’s deputy observed the vehicle, which had been involved in a vehicle accident at SW 17th and SW McAlister when it struck a tree.

Several individuals ran from the scene and the Deputy began to run after them. During the foot pursuit, the deputy heard shots being fired and summoned additional assistance.&nbsp;Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies including the Kansas Highway Patrol, and Washburn University Police, arrived on scene.

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene. Rule is still missing and law enforcement are utilizing K-9 units, drones, and air support from the KHP.&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Steven Matthew Rule is urged to contact the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office (785–251–2200) or our Criminal Investigations Division immediately.

No officers or citizens were injured during this incident.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745527604920.png" alt="View of the stolen vehicle that struck a tree -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>View of the stolen vehicle that struck a tree -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a stolen vehicle and crash continue to search for a suspect identified as&nbsp;Steven Matthew Rule, 40, of Topeka who was involved, according to Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745576781428.png" alt="Rule photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Rule photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Rule is described as approximately 5-foot-10, 185 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen fleeing the area of SW 17th Street and McAlister Avenue around 9 a.m. Thursday, wearing gray shorts, black tennis shoes and no shirt at that time. Rule has multiple tattoos on his upper right arm.On Thursday police&nbsp;&nbsp;were investigating a stolen vehicle report in Topeka, according to Topeka Police&nbsp; LT Manuel Munoz. Through the investigation, officers were notified that the vehicle was in the area of SW 17th and SW Wanamaker in Topeka.Police located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle fled east on SW 17th and officers did not pursue. A short time later, a Shawnee County Sheriff’s deputy observed the vehicle, which had been involved in a vehicle accident at SW 17th and SW McAlister when it struck a tree.Several individuals ran from the scene and the Deputy began to run after them. During the foot pursuit, the deputy heard shots being fired and summoned additional assistance.&nbsp;Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies including the Kansas Highway Patrol, and Washburn University Police, arrived on scene.Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene. Rule is still missing and law enforcement are utilizing K-9 units, drones, and air support from the KHP.&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Steven Matthew Rule is urged to contact the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office (785–251–2200) or our Criminal Investigations Division immediately.No officers or citizens were injured during this incident.&nbsp;

Police: Kan. suspect still at large after stolen car struck a tree

WASHINGTON (AP) —Houthi rebels in Yemen have shot down seven U.S. Reaper drones in less than six weeks, a loss of aircraft worth more than $200 million, in what is becoming the most dramatic cost to the Pentagon of the military campaign against the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Iran-backed militants.</a>

According to defense officials, three drones were shot down in the past week, suggesting the militants’ targeting of the unmanned aircraft flying over Yemen has improved. The drones were doing attack runs or conducting surveillance, and they crashed both into the water and onto land, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

The drones cost about $30 million each and generally fly at altitudes of more than 40,000 feet (12,100 meters).

The U.S. has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-us-airstrikes-iran-houthis-04-23-2025-edcdc10675178db11dc488b6f11d14db">increased its attacks on the Houthis,</a>&nbsp;launching daily strikes since March 15, when President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;ordered a new, expanded campaign.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745543751987.png" alt="MQ-9 Reaper aircraft and assigned personnel in Hawaii, Aug. 7, 2024. The MQ-9 Reaper is a remotely piloted aircraft designed to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as precision strike capabilities. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Pagan)" />
 <figcaption>MQ-9 Reaper aircraft and assigned personnel in Hawaii, Aug. 7, 2024. The MQ-9 Reaper is a remotely piloted aircraft designed to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as precision strike capabilities. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Pagan)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;Lolita C. BaldorWASHINGTON (AP) —Houthi rebels in Yemen have shot down seven U.S. Reaper drones in less than six weeks, a loss of aircraft worth more than $200 million, in what is becoming the most dramatic cost to the Pentagon of the military campaign against the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Iran-backed militants.</a>According to defense officials, three drones were shot down in the past week, suggesting the militants’ targeting of the unmanned aircraft flying over Yemen has improved. The drones were doing attack runs or conducting surveillance, and they crashed both into the water and onto land, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.The drones cost about $30 million each and generally fly at altitudes of more than 40,000 feet (12,100 meters).The U.S. has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-us-airstrikes-iran-houthis-04-23-2025-edcdc10675178db11dc488b6f11d14db">increased its attacks on the Houthis,</a>&nbsp;launching daily strikes since March 15, when President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;ordered a new, expanded campaign.

Houthi rebels have shot down 7 US Reaper drones worth $200 million in recent weeks

SHAWNE COUNTY —Authorities re investigating the cause of a house fire in Topeka.

Just after 1:30a.m. Thursday, firefighters responded to a report of an automatic fire alarm activation at 2202 SW Brookfield Street, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Ty Forshee.

Crews found smoke coming from the bedroom of a single-story home and quickly extinguished the fire. While searching the home firefighters located and rescued a woman and her son.. The female resident was treated by an AMR crew and taken to the hospital for further treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. 

The home did have working smoke detectors, according to Forshee.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745575087999.png" alt="Fire at this home in Topeka early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Fire at this home in Topeka early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNE COUNTY —Authorities re investigating the cause of a house fire in Topeka.Just after 1:30a.m. Thursday, firefighters responded to a report of an automatic fire alarm activation at 2202 SW Brookfield Street, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Ty Forshee.Crews found smoke coming from the bedroom of a single-story home and quickly extinguished the fire. While searching the home firefighters located and rescued a woman and her son.. The female resident was treated by an AMR crew and taken to the hospital for further treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The home did have working smoke detectors, according to Forshee.

Woman hospitalized after fire at her Kansas home

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman has admitted her role in the drug sale death of another woman.

On April 22, Beulah B. Quiroz, 39, pleased guilty to drug distribution causing death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In January, Quiroz was charged with the distribution of narcotics that caused the death of another and the use of a communication facility during a drug felony, according to the district attorney. The victim, 46-year-old Dori Cunagin, died on Feb. 6, 2024, in Mission, Kansas.

Quiroz is scheduled for sentencing June 16.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745435736420.png" alt="Quiroz photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Quiroz photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman has admitted her role in the drug sale death of another woman.On April 22, Beulah B. Quiroz, 39, pleased guilty to drug distribution causing death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.In January, Quiroz was charged with the distribution of narcotics that caused the death of another and the use of a communication facility during a drug felony, according to the district attorney. The victim, 46-year-old Dori Cunagin, died on Feb. 6, 2024, in Mission, Kansas.Quiroz is scheduled for sentencing June 16.

Kansas woman admits role in drug sale death 

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/tara-copp">TARA COPP</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon’s security protocols set up in his office to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-houthis-attack-8dbf9dd6c711796438a5c1c84831c40b">use the Signal messaging app</a>&nbsp;on a personal computer, two people familiar with the line told The Associated Press.

The existence of the unsecured internet connection is the latest revelation about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-leaks-signal-trump-classified-09f58fa650e44f740c9416c3e6997f5b">Hegseth’s use of the unclassified app</a>&nbsp;and raises the possibility that sensitive defense information could have been put at risk of potential hacking or surveillance.

Known as a “dirty” internet line by the IT industry, it connects directly to the public internet where the user’s information and the websites accessed do not have the same security filters or protocols that the Pentagon’s secured connections maintain.

Other Pentagon offices have used them, particularly if there’s a need to monitor information or websites that would otherwise be blocked.

But the biggest advantage of using such a line is that the user would not show up as one of the many IP addresses assigned to the Defense Department — essentially the user is masked, according to a senior U.S. official familiar with military network security.

But it also can expose users to hacking and surveillance. A “dirty” line — just like any public internet connection — also may lack the recordkeeping compliance required by federal law, the official said.

All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.

A ‘dirty’ internet line to use Signal

The two people familiar with the line said Hegseth had it set up in his office to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-pentagon-trump-30dc4c3d0e75a89f3fd883f38b26afff">use the Signal app</a>, which has become a flashpoint following revelations that he posted sensitive details about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-plans-trump-hegseth-atlantic-230718a984911dd8663d59edbcb86f2a">a military airstrike in two chats</a>&nbsp;that each had more than a dozen people. One of the chats included his wife and brother, while the other included President Donald Trump’s top national security officials.

Asked about Hegseth’s use of Signal in his office, which was first reported by The Washington Post, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the defense secretary’s “use of communications systems and channels is classified.”

“However, we can confirm that the Secretary has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer,” Parnell said in a statement.

It’s the latest revelation to shake the Pentagon. Besides facing questions from both Democrats and Republicans about his handling of sensitive information, Hegseth has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ullyot-leaks-pentagon-hegseth-trump-dei-d5306e0441dacae1a0d03c871be265bb">dismissed or transferred multiple close advisers</a>, tightly narrowing his inner circle and adding to the turmoil following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-brown-joint-chiefs-of-staff-firing-fa428cc1508a583b3bf5e7a5a58f6acf">firings of several senior military officers</a>&nbsp;in recent months.

Trump and other administration officials have given Hegseth their full support. They have blamed employees they say were disgruntled for leaking information to journalists, with Trump saying this week: “It’s just fake news. They just bring up stories.”

“I have 100% confidence in the secretary,” Vice President JD Vance told reporters Wednesday about Hegseth. ”I know the president does and, really, the entire team does.”

Secure ways to communicate at the Pentagon

The Pentagon has a variety of secure ways that enable Hegseth and other military leaders to communicate:

— The Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network can handle the lowest levels of sensitive information. It allows some access to the internet but is firewalled and has levels of cybersecurity that a “dirty” line does not. It cannot handle information labeled as secret.

— The Secure Internet Protocol Router Network is used for secret-level classified information.

— The Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System is for top-secret and secret compartmentalized information, which is some of the highest levels of secrecy, also known as TS/SCI.

Hegseth initially was going to the back area of his office where he could access Wi-Fi to use his devices, one of the people familiar said, and then he requested a line at his desk where he could use his own computer.

That meant at times there were three computers around his desk — a personal computer; another for classified information; and a third for sensitive defense information, both people said.

Because electronic devices are vulnerable to spying, no one is supposed to have them inside the defense secretary’s office. Important offices at the Pentagon have a cabinet or drawer where staff or visitors are required to leave devices.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/signal-app-atlantic-war-plans-32699da142c5209b845e57f690df4925">Signal is a commercially available app</a>&nbsp;that is not authorized to be used for sensitive or classified information. It’s encrypted, but can be hacked.

While Signal offers more protections than standard text messaging, it’s no guarantee of security. Officials also must ensure their hardware and connections are secure, said Theresa Payton, White House chief information officer under President George W. Bush and now CEO of Fortalice Solutions, a cybersecurity firm.

The communications of senior government officials are of keen interest to adversaries like Russia or China, Payton said.

The National Security Agency issued a warning earlier this year about concerns that foreign hackers could try to target government officials using Signal. Google also advised caution about Russia-aligned hackers targeting Signal users.

Hegseth’s Signal use is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-messaging-app-attack-plans-f8581bcb447b91d2e7f9cb7809ae0f06">under investigation</a>&nbsp;by the Defense Department’s acting inspector general at the request of the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Hegseth pulled the information about the strike on Yemen’s Houthi militants last month from a secure communications channel used by U.S. Central Command. He has vehemently denied he posted “war plans” or classified information.

But the information Hegseth did post in chats — exact launch times and bomb drop times — would have been classified and could have put service members at risk, multiple current and former military and defense officials have said. The airstrike information was sent before the pilots had launched or safely returned from their mission.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745244178915.png" alt="File photo Sec. of Defense Pete Hegseth speaking to the media during the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Sec. of Defense Pete Hegseth speaking to the media during the White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/tara-copp">TARA COPP</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon’s security protocols set up in his office to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-houthis-attack-8dbf9dd6c711796438a5c1c84831c40b">use the Signal messaging app</a>&nbsp;on a personal computer, two people familiar with the line told The Associated Press.The existence of the unsecured internet connection is the latest revelation about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-leaks-signal-trump-classified-09f58fa650e44f740c9416c3e6997f5b">Hegseth’s use of the unclassified app</a>&nbsp;and raises the possibility that sensitive defense information could have been put at risk of potential hacking or surveillance.Known as a “dirty” internet line by the IT industry, it connects directly to the public internet where the user’s information and the websites accessed do not have the same security filters or protocols that the Pentagon’s secured connections maintain.Other Pentagon offices have used them, particularly if there’s a need to monitor information or websites that would otherwise be blocked.But the biggest advantage of using such a line is that the user would not show up as one of the many IP addresses assigned to the Defense Department — essentially the user is masked, according to a senior U.S. official familiar with military network security.But it also can expose users to hacking and surveillance. A “dirty” line — just like any public internet connection — also may lack the recordkeeping compliance required by federal law, the official said.All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.<h2>A ‘dirty’ internet line to use Signal</h2>The two people familiar with the line said Hegseth had it set up in his office to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-pentagon-trump-30dc4c3d0e75a89f3fd883f38b26afff">use the Signal app</a>, which has become a flashpoint following revelations that he posted sensitive details about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-plans-trump-hegseth-atlantic-230718a984911dd8663d59edbcb86f2a">a military airstrike in two chats</a>&nbsp;that each had more than a dozen people. One of the chats included his wife and brother, while the other included President Donald Trump’s top national security officials.Asked about Hegseth’s use of Signal in his office, which was first reported by The Washington Post, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the defense secretary’s “use of communications systems and channels is classified.”“However, we can confirm that the Secretary has never used and does not currently use Signal on his government computer,” Parnell said in a statement.It’s the latest revelation to shake the Pentagon. Besides facing questions from both Democrats and Republicans about his handling of sensitive information, Hegseth has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ullyot-leaks-pentagon-hegseth-trump-dei-d5306e0441dacae1a0d03c871be265bb">dismissed or transferred multiple close advisers</a>, tightly narrowing his inner circle and adding to the turmoil following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-brown-joint-chiefs-of-staff-firing-fa428cc1508a583b3bf5e7a5a58f6acf">firings of several senior military officers</a>&nbsp;in recent months.Trump and other administration officials have given Hegseth their full support. They have blamed employees they say were disgruntled for leaking information to journalists, with Trump saying this week: “It’s just fake news. They just bring up stories.”“I have 100% confidence in the secretary,” Vice President JD Vance told reporters Wednesday about Hegseth. ”I know the president does and, really, the entire team does.”<h2>Secure ways to communicate at the Pentagon</h2>The Pentagon has a variety of secure ways that enable Hegseth and other military leaders to communicate:— The Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network can handle the lowest levels of sensitive information. It allows some access to the internet but is firewalled and has levels of cybersecurity that a “dirty” line does not. It cannot handle information labeled as secret.— The Secure Internet Protocol Router Network is used for secret-level classified information.— The Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System is for top-secret and secret compartmentalized information, which is some of the highest levels of secrecy, also known as TS/SCI.Hegseth initially was going to the back area of his office where he could access Wi-Fi to use his devices, one of the people familiar said, and then he requested a line at his desk where he could use his own computer.That meant at times there were three computers around his desk — a personal computer; another for classified information; and a third for sensitive defense information, both people said.Because electronic devices are vulnerable to spying, no one is supposed to have them inside the defense secretary’s office. Important offices at the Pentagon have a cabinet or drawer where staff or visitors are required to leave devices.<h2>Fallout over Signal</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/signal-app-atlantic-war-plans-32699da142c5209b845e57f690df4925">Signal is a commercially available app</a>&nbsp;that is not authorized to be used for sensitive or classified information. It’s encrypted, but can be hacked.While Signal offers more protections than standard text messaging, it’s no guarantee of security. Officials also must ensure their hardware and connections are secure, said Theresa Payton, White House chief information officer under President George W. Bush and now CEO of Fortalice Solutions, a cybersecurity firm.The communications of senior government officials are of keen interest to adversaries like Russia or China, Payton said.The National Security Agency issued a warning earlier this year about concerns that foreign hackers could try to target government officials using Signal. Google also advised caution about Russia-aligned hackers targeting Signal users.Hegseth’s Signal use is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-messaging-app-attack-plans-f8581bcb447b91d2e7f9cb7809ae0f06">under investigation</a>&nbsp;by the Defense Department’s acting inspector general at the request of the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee.Hegseth pulled the information about the strike on Yemen’s Houthi militants last month from a secure communications channel used by U.S. Central Command. He has vehemently denied he posted “war plans” or classified information.But the information Hegseth did post in chats — exact launch times and bomb drop times — would have been classified and could have put service members at risk, multiple current and former military and defense officials have said. The airstrike information was sent before the pilots had launched or safely returned from their mission.

AP source: Hegseth had an unsecured internet line set up in his office to connect to Signal

ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-health-alfieri-7fa0d692e3ba1a94ca936101a28dbe26">Pope Francis’ doctor</a>&nbsp;has recounted the pontiff's final moments in a pair of newspaper interviews published Thursday, saying the pope had his eyes open but was unresponsive after being stricken by illness early Monday morning. "He died without suffering, at home,'' the doctor said.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri coordinated Francis’ five-week hospital treatment for double pneumonia and continued to oversee the pope’s treatment after the pontiff returned to the Vatican on March 23 for two months of rest to allow a full recovery.

Alfieri was alerted at 5:30 a.m. Monday by Francis’ health care assistant,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-health-religion-394ebc2f70852edf267533c5c1af7240">Massimiliano Strappetti</a>, that Francis had been stricken and needed to be taken to the hospital. The doctor told the Milan daily Corriere della Sera that he arrived 20 minutes later.

“I went into his room, and he had his eyes open. I noted that he did not have respiratory issues, so I tried to call him but he did not respond,’’ Alfieri was quoted by Corriere as saying, adding that his lungs were clear and he was receiving supplemental oxygen. “He also did not respond to stimuli, even painful ones. In that moment I understood there was nothing more to do. He was in a coma.’’

Alfieri said it was too risky moving Francis back to the Gemelli hospital, where he was treated for a complex respiratory infection that nearly killed him twice.

Two hours after falling ill, the pope died, having suffered a stroke.

“He died without suffering, at home,″ Alfieri told the Rome daily La Repubblica.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin arrived and said the rosary over the body, accompanied by the papal household staff, Alfieri told Corriere. “I gave him a caress, as a farewell,’’ the doctor said.

Vatican News has reported that the pope managed a gesture of farewell to Strappetti after falling ill.

Alfieri became the pope's surgeon when he needed treatment for diverticulitis in 2021. Alfieri tried to get him on a diet after the surgery.

“He had a big sweet-tooth, and sometimes would go to the kitchen at the Santa Marta hotel for a midnight snack. He put on a dozen kilograms (nearly 30 pounds) too many. At times I came off as too rigorous, because he told me, ‘Remember to live with irony.’ "

After the pope suffered several severe respiratory crises in the hospital that required decisive treatment, the surgeon said, “We knew he wouldn’t return to his former condition, and that the infection had left another scar on his lungs.''

Still, ”he improved with physical therapy. I saw him on Saturday, and I found him in good shape. I didn’t think it would be the last meeting,'' Alfieri told la Repubblica.

Though Francis was ordered to rest and avoid crowds for two months to recover, Alfieri expressed understanding for the pope's desire to return to work. “Going back to work was part of his treatment, and he never exposed himself to dangers,″ Alfieri told Corriere.

Francis couldn't resist appearing in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, which culminated with a long drive through the Easter crowd of 50,000 on the pope mobile, with several stops to bless children. He also insisted on inviting health care workers from the Gemelli hospital to the Vatican before Easter, even though the doctor suggested they wait until the end of the two-month convalescence in June.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745322565144.png" alt="The late Pope Francis' body lies in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta photo&nbsp;photo Vatican News Service" />
 <figcaption>The late Pope Francis' body lies in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta photo&nbsp;photo Vatican News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-health-alfieri-7fa0d692e3ba1a94ca936101a28dbe26">Pope Francis’ doctor</a>&nbsp;has recounted the pontiff's final moments in a pair of newspaper interviews published Thursday, saying the pope had his eyes open but was unresponsive after being stricken by illness early Monday morning. "He died without suffering, at home,'' the doctor said.Dr. Sergio Alfieri coordinated Francis’ five-week hospital treatment for double pneumonia and continued to oversee the pope’s treatment after the pontiff returned to the Vatican on March 23 for two months of rest to allow a full recovery.Alfieri was alerted at 5:30 a.m. Monday by Francis’ health care assistant,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-health-religion-394ebc2f70852edf267533c5c1af7240">Massimiliano Strappetti</a>, that Francis had been stricken and needed to be taken to the hospital. The doctor told the Milan daily Corriere della Sera that he arrived 20 minutes later.“I went into his room, and he had his eyes open. I noted that he did not have respiratory issues, so I tried to call him but he did not respond,’’ Alfieri was quoted by Corriere as saying, adding that his lungs were clear and he was receiving supplemental oxygen. “He also did not respond to stimuli, even painful ones. In that moment I understood there was nothing more to do. He was in a coma.’’Alfieri said it was too risky moving Francis back to the Gemelli hospital, where he was treated for a complex respiratory infection that nearly killed him twice.Two hours after falling ill, the pope died, having suffered a stroke.“He died without suffering, at home,″ Alfieri told the Rome daily La Repubblica.Cardinal Pietro Parolin arrived and said the rosary over the body, accompanied by the papal household staff, Alfieri told Corriere. “I gave him a caress, as a farewell,’’ the doctor said.Vatican News has reported that the pope managed a gesture of farewell to Strappetti after falling ill.Alfieri became the pope's surgeon when he needed treatment for diverticulitis in 2021. Alfieri tried to get him on a diet after the surgery.“He had a big sweet-tooth, and sometimes would go to the kitchen at the Santa Marta hotel for a midnight snack. He put on a dozen kilograms (nearly 30 pounds) too many. At times I came off as too rigorous, because he told me, ‘Remember to live with irony.’ "After the pope suffered several severe respiratory crises in the hospital that required decisive treatment, the surgeon said, “We knew he wouldn’t return to his former condition, and that the infection had left another scar on his lungs.''Still, ”he improved with physical therapy. I saw him on Saturday, and I found him in good shape. I didn’t think it would be the last meeting,'' Alfieri told la Repubblica.Though Francis was ordered to rest and avoid crowds for two months to recover, Alfieri expressed understanding for the pope's desire to return to work. “Going back to work was part of his treatment, and he never exposed himself to dangers,″ Alfieri told Corriere.Francis couldn't resist appearing in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, which culminated with a long drive through the Easter crowd of 50,000 on the pope mobile, with several stops to bless children. He also insisted on inviting health care workers from the Gemelli hospital to the Vatican before Easter, even though the doctor suggested they wait until the end of the two-month convalescence in June.

Pope's doctor recounts Francis' last moments 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Surrounded by the shouts and chatter of children playing, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed legislation consolidating the state’s early childhood services under one department and supporting creation of more child care openings.

“When I ran for governor in 2018, I often said that, should I leave a legacy, I wanted to leave behind the most comprehensive early childhood system in the nation, so that our children, their families, our businesses and our communities could thrive,” Kelly told a crowd gathered at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Topeka.

Kelly signed&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/HB2045/" target="_blank">House Bill 2045</a>, which creates the Office of Early Childhood, effectively consolidating more than 20 Kansas programs having to do with children, child care and other issues under one banner. In addition, the bill is expected to increase availability of much-needed child care slots, although critics have voiced concerns that it softened licensure requirements.&nbsp;

The bill allows fewer education requirements for some workers in a child care facility and changes ratios of the number of adults to children. It also matches vaccination requirements to those currently in place for children attending school.

Rep. Kirk Haskins, a Topeka Democrat, said he worked on the bill for three years and that the final product, while not without its costs, was effective and good.&nbsp;

“We do have a day care gap that we have to address,” he said. “But we have to be careful to make sure we’re not changing so much that it harms our children.”

Kelly said some concerns raised about the bill were misguided because people didn’t understand that much of the language included in HB 2045 was already in statute elsewhere.&nbsp;

“Some of the concerns, like the wording on certain provisions within that, those are things that were already in statute,” she said. “They were just sort of put into the child care conversation, but were already existing. But I felt very comfortable that what we ended up with addressed a lot of concerns.”

Kelly said objections to the vaccination language in HB 2045 was one of those misunderstood issues.&nbsp;

“That language already exists in state law, and we just put it into child care regulations,” she said.&nbsp;

Sen. Tory Marie Blew, a Great Bend Republican, spoke to the crowd while holding her 11-month-old daughter, Brynn. She said she and her husband put their names on a child care wait list in 2020, and then it took them longer than expected to have a child. A spot didn’t come open until just after their daughter was born in May 2024, she said.&nbsp;

“Many folks are not working because either they can’t afford it or they don’t have access to it,” Blew said. “The thing about child care is it’s an issue across every state. Hopefully more states will look to Kansas on what we’re doing here.”

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, equated the legislation to a promise to Kansas families.&nbsp;

“By establishing the Kansas Office of Early Childhood, this bill takes a transformative step toward making child care in Kansas more accessible, more affordable and more effective,” she said.

“Kansas will now have a centralized, accountable agency with an executive director focused entirely on those early childhood services,” Sykes added. “This means more coordination, less confusion and better results.”

Kelly said it had been clear for some time that the current system in Kansas wasn’t meeting the needs of providers, communities and businesses. This legislation ensures a stronger, more comprehensive and flexible system for providers, she said.&nbsp;

“We know the earliest years of childhood are crucial in determining the trajectory of one’s entire life, including economic health and social outcomes,” Kelly said. “A robust, flourishing early childhood system not only benefits our children, but it’s also critical to our state’s economic growth and well-being.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745529889675.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Surrounded by the shouts and chatter of children playing, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed legislation consolidating the state’s early childhood services under one department and supporting creation of more child care openings.“When I ran for governor in 2018, I often said that, should I leave a legacy, I wanted to leave behind the most comprehensive early childhood system in the nation, so that our children, their families, our businesses and our communities could thrive,” Kelly told a crowd gathered at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Topeka.Kelly signed&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/HB2045/" target="_blank">House Bill 2045</a>, which creates the Office of Early Childhood, effectively consolidating more than 20 Kansas programs having to do with children, child care and other issues under one banner. In addition, the bill is expected to increase availability of much-needed child care slots, although critics have voiced concerns that it softened licensure requirements.&nbsp;The bill allows fewer education requirements for some workers in a child care facility and changes ratios of the number of adults to children. It also matches vaccination requirements to those currently in place for children attending school.Rep. Kirk Haskins, a Topeka Democrat, said he worked on the bill for three years and that the final product, while not without its costs, was effective and good.&nbsp;“We do have a day care gap that we have to address,” he said. “But we have to be careful to make sure we’re not changing so much that it harms our children.”Kelly said some concerns raised about the bill were misguided because people didn’t understand that much of the language included in HB 2045 was already in statute elsewhere.&nbsp;“Some of the concerns, like the wording on certain provisions within that, those are things that were already in statute,” she said. “They were just sort of put into the child care conversation, but were already existing. But I felt very comfortable that what we ended up with addressed a lot of concerns.”Kelly said objections to the vaccination language in HB 2045 was one of those misunderstood issues.&nbsp;“That language already exists in state law, and we just put it into child care regulations,” she said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745529889675.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Sen. Tory Marie Blew, a Great Bend Republican, spoke to the crowd while holding her 11-month-old daughter, Brynn. She said she and her husband put their names on a child care wait list in 2020, and then it took them longer than expected to have a child. A spot didn’t come open until just after their daughter was born in May 2024, she said.&nbsp;“Many folks are not working because either they can’t afford it or they don’t have access to it,” Blew said. “The thing about child care is it’s an issue across every state. Hopefully more states will look to Kansas on what we’re doing here.”Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, equated the legislation to a promise to Kansas families.&nbsp;“By establishing the Kansas Office of Early Childhood, this bill takes a transformative step toward making child care in Kansas more accessible, more affordable and more effective,” she said.“Kansas will now have a centralized, accountable agency with an executive director focused entirely on those early childhood services,” Sykes added. “This means more coordination, less confusion and better results.”Kelly said it had been clear for some time that the current system in Kansas wasn’t meeting the needs of providers, communities and businesses. This legislation ensures a stronger, more comprehensive and flexible system for providers, she said.&nbsp;“We know the earliest years of childhood are crucial in determining the trajectory of one’s entire life, including economic health and social outcomes,” Kelly said. “A robust, flourishing early childhood system not only benefits our children, but it’s also critical to our state’s economic growth and well-being.”

Kansas governor signs legislation to expand child care access, create Office of Early Childhood

SEWARD COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a group of juveniles in southwest Kansas who are referring to themselves as an organized gang, according to a statement from police in the city of Liberal.

The group is allegedly involved in multiple felony offenses including kidnapping, aggravated battery, property damage and other violence.

Video of these incidents have shown juveniles being ambushed and overpowered by a&nbsp; group using Orbeez guns, shot with the Obeez guns, restrained with duct tape and even electrocuted with jumper cables, according to police. The actions are not pranks or games but serious criminal offenses and will be treated as such by law enforcement.&nbsp;

Police in Liberal urge parents or guardians to speak with their children about the legal and personal consequences of engaging in this type of behavior.&nbsp;

If you or someone you know has been a victim or witness to to these actions, police in Liberal want you to contact them.

SEWARD COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a group of juveniles in southwest Kansas who are referring to themselves as an organized gang, according to a statement from police in the city of Liberal.The group is allegedly involved in multiple felony offenses including kidnapping, aggravated battery, property damage and other violence.Video of these incidents have shown juveniles being ambushed and overpowered by a&nbsp; group using Orbeez guns, shot with the Obeez guns, restrained with duct tape and even electrocuted with jumper cables, according to police. The actions are not pranks or games but serious criminal offenses and will be treated as such by law enforcement.&nbsp;Police in Liberal urge parents or guardians to speak with their children about the legal and personal consequences of engaging in this type of behavior.&nbsp;If you or someone you know has been a victim or witness to to these actions, police in Liberal want you to contact them.

Police investigating violent juvenile gang in SW Kansas

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The legacy of Antonio Flores Jr., founder of the Anchor Inn restaurant, continues to ripple through generations in Hutchinson, where his family and customers alike remember him not just as a restaurateur, but as a father figure to many.

Flores, who purchased and opened the Anchor Inn in 1977, poured nearly five decades of passion and purpose into the business. Even in his final years, he remained a daily fixture at the restaurant, working tirelessly until the very end.

“There’s literally thousands of people who lovingly think of him as a father,” said his son, Greg Flores. “He never turned anyone away. Whether it was someone who had wandered off the street, needed a meal, or somebody who needed a job, or even a place to stay, he’d help facilitate that.”

Antonio’s impact extended far beyond his kitchen. He was known for his warm smile, his generosity, and his deep-rooted love for serving others. His commitment to community, through both his restaurant and the church, fed not just stomachs, but souls.

Even at 87, Antonio was present every day, showing up with unwavering energy and a signature sense of humor that his family says never waned. His four daughters remember him as a jokester who worked hard and never showed the strain of difficult times.

“It’s his legacy. He is the restaurant,” said Esther Flores Acosta. “It was a joy to work with. It didn’t make it grueling. Get up in the morning to go to your job. It wasn’t like that here.”

Throughout the years, Antonio expanded the business, adding space, importing a fountain from Mexico, and launching a successful delivery and catering service called Anchor Away. Yet, through all the growth, what customers cherished most was Antonio himself—often found in his usual seat, silverware in hand, sharing laughs with anyone who walked through the door.

Greg Flores said those are big shoes to fill. “When they see me sitting in the chair, wrapping the forks, especially the older generation, they’ll say, ‘Hey, that was your dad’s job.’ I’m like, ‘Hey, I got this,’” he said with a smile.

True to Antonio’s spirit, the Anchor Inn remained open on Wednesday after his passing. His family said he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745518624321.jpeg" alt="Antonio "Tony" Flores, Jr. -courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Antonio "Tony" Flores, Jr. -courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MARC JACOBS Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The legacy of Antonio Flores Jr., founder of the Anchor Inn restaurant, continues to ripple through generations in Hutchinson, where his family and customers alike remember him not just as a restaurateur, but as a father figure to many.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745513931203.jpeg" alt="Anchor Inn, located at 128 S. Main St. in Hutchinson, Kan. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Anchor Inn, located at 128 S. Main St. in Hutchinson, Kan. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>Flores, who purchased and opened the Anchor Inn in 1977, poured nearly five decades of passion and purpose into the business. Even in his final years, he remained a daily fixture at the restaurant, working tirelessly until the very end.“There’s literally thousands of people who lovingly think of him as a father,” said his son, Greg Flores. “He never turned anyone away. Whether it was someone who had wandered off the street, needed a meal, or somebody who needed a job, or even a place to stay, he’d help facilitate that.”Antonio’s impact extended far beyond his kitchen. He was known for his warm smile, his generosity, and his deep-rooted love for serving others. His commitment to community, through both his restaurant and the church, fed not just stomachs, but souls.ADVERTISINGEven at 87, Antonio was present every day, showing up with unwavering energy and a signature sense of humor that his family says never waned. His four daughters remember him as a jokester who worked hard and never showed the strain of difficult times.“It’s his legacy. He is the restaurant,” said Esther Flores Acosta. “It was a joy to work with. It didn’t make it grueling. Get up in the morning to go to your job. It wasn’t like that here.”Throughout the years, Antonio expanded the business, adding space, importing a fountain from Mexico, and launching a successful delivery and catering service called Anchor Away. Yet, through all the growth, what customers cherished most was Antonio himself—often found in his usual seat, silverware in hand, sharing laughs with anyone who walked through the door.Greg Flores said those are big shoes to fill. “When they see me sitting in the chair, wrapping the forks, especially the older generation, they’ll say, ‘Hey, that was your dad’s job.’ I’m like, ‘Hey, I got this,’” he said with a smile.True to Antonio’s spirit, the Anchor Inn remained open on Wednesday after his passing. His family said he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Founder of the Anchor Inn leaves a legacy of love

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has ordered sharper scrutiny of America’s colleges and the accreditors that oversee them, part of his escalating campaign to end what he calls "&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-woke-education-24f864d83e2f5745d12a79ebac0d7cc4">wokeness</a>&nbsp;” and diversity efforts in education.

In a series of executive actions signed Wednesday, Trump targeted universities that he views as liberal adversaries to his political agenda. One order called for harder enforcement of a federal law requiring colleges to disclose their financial ties with foreign sources, while another called for a shakeup of the accrediting bodies that decide whether colleges can accept federal financial aid awarded to students.

Trump also ordered the Education Department to root out efforts to ensure equity in discipline in the nation’s K-12 schools. Previous guidance from Democratic administrations directed schools not to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-civil-rights-dei-dakota-a98f3f943c6e580b8044c602e5580f38">disproportionately punish</a>&nbsp;underrepresented minorities such as Black and Native American students. The administration says equity efforts amount to racial discrimination.

Foreign money is at issue in clash with Harvard

Colleges’ financial ties with foreign sources have long been a concern among Republicans, especially ties with China and other countries with adversarial relationships with the U.S. It became a priority during Trump’s first term and reemerged last week as the White House grasped for leverage in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-trump-lawsuit-grants-f098f55c6986b37e1227e7bcf8967a46">escalating battle with Harvard University</a>.

The White House said it needed to take action because Harvard and other colleges have routinely violated a federal disclosure law, which has been unevenly enforced since it was passed in the 1980s. Known as Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, the law requires colleges to disclose foreign gifts and contracts valued at $250,000 or more.

Last week, the Education Department demanded records from Harvard over foreign financial ties spanning the past decade, accusing the school of filing “incomplete and inaccurate disclosures.” Trump’s administration is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harvard-tax-exempt-status-international-students-07a10958bf078cb04b59d1fc9a3a27a8">sparring with Harvard</a>&nbsp;over the university’s refusal to accept a list of demands over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests as well as its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

In the executive order, Trump calls on the Education Department and the attorney general to step up enforcement of the law and take action against colleges that violate it, including a cutoff of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-trump-administration-federal-cuts-antisemitism-0a1fb70a2c1055bda7c4c5a5c476e18d">federal money</a>.

The Trump administration intends to “end the secrecy surrounding foreign funds in American educational institutions” and protect against “foreign exploitation,” the order said.

It was applauded by Republicans, including Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan, chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. He accused China of exploiting academic ties to steal research and “indoctrinate students.”

Another order aims at accrediting bodies that set standards colleges must meet to accept federal financial aid from students. Trump campaigned on a promise to overhaul the industry, saying it was “dominated by Marxist Maniacs and lunatics.”

Often overlooked as an obscure branch of college oversight, accreditors play an important role in shaping colleges in many aspects, with standards that apply all the way from colleges’ governing boards to classroom curriculum.

Trump’s executive order is the opening salvo in what could be a lengthy battle to overhaul the accrediting industry. Chief among his priorities is to strip accreditors of DEI requirements imposed on colleges. Some accreditors have already dropped or stopped enforcing such standards amid Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-critical-race-theory-colleges-diversity-db8317ad37931558dd5a396cf5ab3d42">DEI crackdown</a>.

Trump’s order calls on the government to suspend or terminate accreditors that discriminate in the name of DEI. Instead, it calls on accreditors to focus more squarely on the student outcomes of colleges and programs they oversee.

The president wants to make it easier for new accreditors to compete with the 19 that are now authorized to work on behalf of the federal government. As it stands, new accreditors looking to be recognized by the government must undergo an arduous process that traditionally takes years. Trump’s order said it should be “transparent, efficient, and not unduly burdensome.”

“Instead of pushing schools to adopt a divisive DEI ideology, accreditors should be focused on helping schools improve graduation rates and graduates’ performance in the labor market,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.

De-emphasizing equity in school discipline

Trump also invoked opposition to equity efforts in his order on school discipline. The edict signed Wednesday seeks a return to “common sense school discipline,” allowing decisions to be based solely on students’ behavior and actions, McMahon said.

Another executive order instructs government agencies and departments to no longer rely on “disparate impact theories.” Under the disparate impact standard, policies and practices that disproportionately impact minorities and other protected groups could be challenged regardless of their intent.

In many schools around the country, Black students have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-discipline-takeaways-ferguson-black-lives-matter-efabdb403d4e34e9c607f039c827d72a">more likely to receive punishments</a>&nbsp;that remove them from the classroom, including suspensions, expulsions and being transferred to alternative schools. A decade ago, those differences became the target of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-brown-ferguson-anniversary-racial-justice-06773aab70c16bbbfd4835be1bf6037c">reform movement</a>&nbsp;spurred by the same reckoning that gave rise to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-brown-george-floyd-black-lives-matter-9b78cfb1d4e7134af2e1715f04538596">Black Lives Matter</a>. The movement elevated the concept of the “school-to-prison pipeline” — the notion that being kicked out of school, or dropping out, increases the chance of arrest and imprisonment years later.

Federal guidelines to address racial disparities in school discipline first came from President Barack Obama’s administration in 2014. Federal officials urged schools not to suspend, expel or refer students to law enforcement except as a last resort, and encouraged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/teaching-school-boards-district-of-columbia-newport-news-education-124a978f3f76f53f1cb90ae4da21da4a">restorative justice</a>&nbsp;practices that did not push students out of the classroom. Those rules were rolled back by Trump’s first administration, but civil rights regulations at federal and state levels still mandate the collection of data on discipline.

On Wednesday, Trump directed McMahon to issue new school discipline guidance within 60 days. The order also calls for a review of nonprofit organizations that have promoted discipline policies rooted in equity and ensure they don’t receive federal money.

Another order creates a federal task force focused on giving America’s students training on artificial intelligence as early as kindergarten. It would work to develop new online learning resources.

Trump is also establishing a White House initiative to empower Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Among other efforts, it would seek to promote private-sector partnerships with HBCUs and schools’ workforce preparation in industries like technology and finance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745455731522.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has ordered sharper scrutiny of America’s colleges and the accreditors that oversee them, part of his escalating campaign to end what he calls "&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-woke-education-24f864d83e2f5745d12a79ebac0d7cc4">wokeness</a>&nbsp;” and diversity efforts in education.In a series of executive actions signed Wednesday, Trump targeted universities that he views as liberal adversaries to his political agenda. One order called for harder enforcement of a federal law requiring colleges to disclose their financial ties with foreign sources, while another called for a shakeup of the accrediting bodies that decide whether colleges can accept federal financial aid awarded to students.Trump also ordered the Education Department to root out efforts to ensure equity in discipline in the nation’s K-12 schools. Previous guidance from Democratic administrations directed schools not to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-civil-rights-dei-dakota-a98f3f943c6e580b8044c602e5580f38">disproportionately punish</a>&nbsp;underrepresented minorities such as Black and Native American students. The administration says equity efforts amount to racial discrimination.<h2>Foreign money is at issue in clash with Harvard</h2>Colleges’ financial ties with foreign sources have long been a concern among Republicans, especially ties with China and other countries with adversarial relationships with the U.S. It became a priority during Trump’s first term and reemerged last week as the White House grasped for leverage in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-trump-lawsuit-grants-f098f55c6986b37e1227e7bcf8967a46">escalating battle with Harvard University</a>.The White House said it needed to take action because Harvard and other colleges have routinely violated a federal disclosure law, which has been unevenly enforced since it was passed in the 1980s. Known as Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, the law requires colleges to disclose foreign gifts and contracts valued at $250,000 or more.Last week, the Education Department demanded records from Harvard over foreign financial ties spanning the past decade, accusing the school of filing “incomplete and inaccurate disclosures.” Trump’s administration is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harvard-tax-exempt-status-international-students-07a10958bf078cb04b59d1fc9a3a27a8">sparring with Harvard</a>&nbsp;over the university’s refusal to accept a list of demands over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests as well as its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.In the executive order, Trump calls on the Education Department and the attorney general to step up enforcement of the law and take action against colleges that violate it, including a cutoff of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harvard-trump-administration-federal-cuts-antisemitism-0a1fb70a2c1055bda7c4c5a5c476e18d">federal money</a>.The Trump administration intends to “end the secrecy surrounding foreign funds in American educational institutions” and protect against “foreign exploitation,” the order said.It was applauded by Republicans, including Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan, chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. He accused China of exploiting academic ties to steal research and “indoctrinate students.”<h2>Accreditors ordered to drop DEI</h2>Another order aims at accrediting bodies that set standards colleges must meet to accept federal financial aid from students. Trump campaigned on a promise to overhaul the industry, saying it was “dominated by Marxist Maniacs and lunatics.”Often overlooked as an obscure branch of college oversight, accreditors play an important role in shaping colleges in many aspects, with standards that apply all the way from colleges’ governing boards to classroom curriculum.Trump’s executive order is the opening salvo in what could be a lengthy battle to overhaul the accrediting industry. Chief among his priorities is to strip accreditors of DEI requirements imposed on colleges. Some accreditors have already dropped or stopped enforcing such standards amid Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dei-critical-race-theory-colleges-diversity-db8317ad37931558dd5a396cf5ab3d42">DEI crackdown</a>.Trump’s order calls on the government to suspend or terminate accreditors that discriminate in the name of DEI. Instead, it calls on accreditors to focus more squarely on the student outcomes of colleges and programs they oversee.The president wants to make it easier for new accreditors to compete with the 19 that are now authorized to work on behalf of the federal government. As it stands, new accreditors looking to be recognized by the government must undergo an arduous process that traditionally takes years. Trump’s order said it should be “transparent, efficient, and not unduly burdensome.”“Instead of pushing schools to adopt a divisive DEI ideology, accreditors should be focused on helping schools improve graduation rates and graduates’ performance in the labor market,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.<h2>De-emphasizing equity in school discipline</h2>Trump also invoked opposition to equity efforts in his order on school discipline. The edict signed Wednesday seeks a return to “common sense school discipline,” allowing decisions to be based solely on students’ behavior and actions, McMahon said.Another executive order instructs government agencies and departments to no longer rely on “disparate impact theories.” Under the disparate impact standard, policies and practices that disproportionately impact minorities and other protected groups could be challenged regardless of their intent.In many schools around the country, Black students have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/school-discipline-takeaways-ferguson-black-lives-matter-efabdb403d4e34e9c607f039c827d72a">more likely to receive punishments</a>&nbsp;that remove them from the classroom, including suspensions, expulsions and being transferred to alternative schools. A decade ago, those differences became the target of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-brown-ferguson-anniversary-racial-justice-06773aab70c16bbbfd4835be1bf6037c">reform movement</a>&nbsp;spurred by the same reckoning that gave rise to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-brown-george-floyd-black-lives-matter-9b78cfb1d4e7134af2e1715f04538596">Black Lives Matter</a>. The movement elevated the concept of the “school-to-prison pipeline” — the notion that being kicked out of school, or dropping out, increases the chance of arrest and imprisonment years later.Federal guidelines to address racial disparities in school discipline first came from President Barack Obama’s administration in 2014. Federal officials urged schools not to suspend, expel or refer students to law enforcement except as a last resort, and encouraged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/teaching-school-boards-district-of-columbia-newport-news-education-124a978f3f76f53f1cb90ae4da21da4a">restorative justice</a>&nbsp;practices that did not push students out of the classroom. Those rules were rolled back by Trump’s first administration, but civil rights regulations at federal and state levels still mandate the collection of data on discipline.On Wednesday, Trump directed McMahon to issue new school discipline guidance within 60 days. The order also calls for a review of nonprofit organizations that have promoted discipline policies rooted in equity and ensure they don’t receive federal money.Another order creates a federal task force focused on giving America’s students training on artificial intelligence as early as kindergarten. It would work to develop new online learning resources.Trump is also establishing a White House initiative to empower Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Among other efforts, it would seek to promote private-sector partnerships with HBCUs and schools’ workforce preparation in industries like technology and finance.___

State