SEDGWICK COUNTY— Wichita police determined a reported kidnapping was unfounded but uncovered threats to a local school that resulted in two arrests and the recovery of three firearms.

Just before noon Thursday, police received information about a possible kidnapping involving a 16-year-old girl, according to a statement from Wichita police.&nbsp; Initial reports claimed a male suspect had taken her by force and was armed.

Investigators later learned the juvenile was not kidnapped but was a reported runaway who returned home. When officers contacted her at her residence, they obtained information about threats to harm individuals at a Wichita area school. The threats involved armed suspects believed to be traveling in stolen vehicles.

Using Flock technology, officers located one of the vehicles. When they attempted a traffic stop, the suspects fled, crashed and ran from the vehicles. One suspect was arrested immediately. The second was located with assistance from a Wichita police drone and the Kansas Highway Patrol’s air unit.

Both suspects were taken into custody. Three firearms were seized.

The case remains under investigation. Reference case number 25C182494.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759439773743.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— Wichita police determined a reported kidnapping was unfounded but uncovered threats to a local school that resulted in two arrests and the recovery of three firearms.Just before noon Thursday, police received information about a possible kidnapping involving a 16-year-old girl, according to a statement from Wichita police.&nbsp; Initial reports claimed a male suspect had taken her by force and was armed.Investigators later learned the juvenile was not kidnapped but was a reported runaway who returned home. When officers contacted her at her residence, they obtained information about threats to harm individuals at a Wichita area school. The threats involved armed suspects believed to be traveling in stolen vehicles.Using Flock technology, officers located one of the vehicles. When they attempted a traffic stop, the suspects fled, crashed and ran from the vehicles. One suspect was arrested immediately. The second was located with assistance from a Wichita police drone and the Kansas Highway Patrol’s air unit.Both suspects were taken into custody. Three firearms were seized.The case remains under investigation. Reference case number 25C182494.

Reported kidnapping led to Kan. school-threat investigation

By:&nbsp;NICOLAS FIERRO Salina Post

ABILENE - The Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Todd Arrington, has resigned after refusing to gift a sword to the Trump administration.

After President Trump's recent visit to London on Wednesday, September 17, where he visited&nbsp;Britain's King Charles III, Trump wanted to gift King Charles III a sword from the museum.&nbsp;The sword in particular belonged to former 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower that was meant to symbolize the US-UK relationship and highlight the two countries’ collaboration in WWII.

Reportedly, the US Department of State Officials asked Arrington to gift the sword, but he advised that he could not because it is a historical artifact and part of 'gifts that belonged to the American people.'

Arrington was then told he needed to either "resign or be fired."

On Thursday he officially resigned from being Director at the museum.

Arrington was a veteran of the United States Army and holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He received a master of arts in history from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor of arts in history from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.

Arrington officially became Director on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/press-releases/todd-arrington-appointed-director-dwight-d-eisenhower-presidential-library-and#:~:text=National%20Public%20Radio.-,Dr.,from%20Mansfield%20University%20of%20Pennsylvania.">June 2024</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759468685440.png" alt="Dr. Benjamin Todd Arrington courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Benjamin Todd Arrington courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;NICOLAS FIERRO Salina PostABILENE - The Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Todd Arrington, has resigned after refusing to gift a sword to the Trump administration.After President Trump's recent visit to London on Wednesday, September 17, where he visited&nbsp;Britain's King Charles III, Trump wanted to gift King Charles III a sword from the museum.&nbsp;The sword in particular belonged to former 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower that was meant to symbolize the US-UK relationship and highlight the two countries’ collaboration in WWII.Reportedly, the US Department of State Officials asked Arrington to gift the sword, but he advised that he could not because it is a historical artifact and part of 'gifts that belonged to the American people.'Arrington was then told he needed to either "resign or be fired."On Thursday he officially resigned from being Director at the museum.Arrington was a veteran of the United States Army and holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He received a master of arts in history from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor of arts in history from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.Arrington officially became Director on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/press-releases/todd-arrington-appointed-director-dwight-d-eisenhower-presidential-library-and#:~:text=National%20Public%20Radio.-,Dr.,from%20Mansfield%20University%20of%20Pennsylvania.">June 2024</a>.

Head of Eisenhower library resigns after sword spat with Trump admin.

ANDERSON COOUNTY —An accident victim is recovering after a car fell on him in rural Anderson County.

Just before 10a.m. Thursday, the Anderson County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a vehicle that had fallen on a man according to a media release from the sheriff's office.

Emergency units from Westphalia First Responders, Anderson County EMS, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office were immediately dispatched. Based on initial dispatch information, Anderson County EMS requested an air medical helicopter while en route.

Before emergency crews arrived, a nearby Westphalia resident was able to lift the vehicle off the man and move him to a safe area. Upon arrival, Westphalia First Responders provided initial medical care until an Advanced Life Support ambulance from Anderson County EMS arrived and assumed definitive care.

Due to the patient’s traumatic injuries, the he was transported by Life Star 1 Air Medical to a Kansas City area Level I Trauma Center for further treatment.

Sheriff Wes McClain said, “I am incredibly proud of our community members who acted as the first first responders. Their quick thinking and bravery helped save this man’s life. This is a testament to the caring spirit of our community.”

This incident marks the second time in recent weeks that our pre-identified landing zones and online air ambulance ordering through the communication center have proven to be an effective response for traumatic injuries, allowing timely and coordinated care.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759454619024.png" alt="Photo Anderson Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Anderson Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>ANDERSON COOUNTY —An accident victim is recovering after a car fell on him in rural Anderson County.Just before 10a.m. Thursday, the Anderson County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a vehicle that had fallen on a man according to a media release from the sheriff's office.Emergency units from Westphalia First Responders, Anderson County EMS, and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office were immediately dispatched. Based on initial dispatch information, Anderson County EMS requested an air medical helicopter while en route.Before emergency crews arrived, a nearby Westphalia resident was able to lift the vehicle off the man and move him to a safe area. Upon arrival, Westphalia First Responders provided initial medical care until an Advanced Life Support ambulance from Anderson County EMS arrived and assumed definitive care.Due to the patient’s traumatic injuries, the he was transported by Life Star 1 Air Medical to a Kansas City area Level I Trauma Center for further treatment.Sheriff Wes McClain said, “I am incredibly proud of our community members who acted as the first first responders. Their quick thinking and bravery helped save this man’s life. This is a testament to the caring spirit of our community.”This incident marks the second time in recent weeks that our pre-identified landing zones and online air ambulance ordering through the communication center have proven to be an effective response for traumatic injuries, allowing timely and coordinated care.

Sheriff: Kan. man lifted car off victim after tragic accident

HARVEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Thursday in Harvey County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Freightliner semi driven by Jared Lee&nbsp;Caviness, 35,&nbsp;Remsen, Iowa, was west bound on U.S. 50 exiting to South bound Interstate 135. The semi traveled off the roadway to the right scraping the barrier wall of the ramp and then rolled onto its side. First responders worked to remove cattle from the overturned trailer. Unfortunately, many died, according to Harvey County Emergency Management.. 

EMS transported Caviness to a Wichita hospital.&nbsp; He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759486188607.png" alt="Photos Harvey County Emergency Management" />
 <figcaption>Photos Harvey County Emergency Management</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Thursday in Harvey County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759494208722.png" alt="-Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>-Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Freightliner semi driven by Jared Lee&nbsp;Caviness, 35,&nbsp;Remsen, Iowa, was west bound on U.S. 50 exiting to South bound Interstate 135. The semi traveled off the roadway to the right scraping the barrier wall of the ramp and then rolled onto its side. First responders worked to remove cattle from the overturned trailer. Unfortunately, many died, according to Harvey County Emergency Management.. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759486534453.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>EMS transported Caviness to a Wichita hospital.&nbsp; He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Driver hospitalized after cattle truck overturns on Kan. highway

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the United States that supplies of long-range missiles to Ukraine will seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington but will not change the situation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">on the battlefield</a>, where the Russian army is making slow but steady advances.

The potential supply of U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv will signal a “qualitatively new stage of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the U.S.," Putin said at a forum of international foreign policy experts in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.

The Russian leader noted that even though Tomahawk missiles will inflict damage on Russia if supplied to Ukraine, Russian air defenses will quickly adapt to the new threat. “It will certainly not change the balance of force on the battlefield,” he added, emphasizing that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-kyiv-drone-attack-df3ec471bacd7395d408cc0d7e68f8b4">Russian military is continuously making gains</a>&nbsp;against Ukraine.

Asked about Trump dismissing Russia as a “paper tiger” because of its failure to defeat its smaller neighbor after more than 3 1/2 years of fighting, Putin argued that Russia has faced all the NATO allies backing Kyiv.

“We are fighting against the entire bloc of NATO and we keep moving, keep advancing and feel confident and we are a paper tiger; what NATO itself is?” he said. “A paper tiger? Go and deal with this paper tiger then.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Putin’s remarks.

Putin hails Alaska's summit with Trump and reaffirms nuclear pact's extension offer

At the same time, Putin hailed U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to help negotiate peace in Ukraine and described their August summit in Alaska as productive.

“It was good that we made an attempt to search for and find possible ways to settle the Ukrainian crisis,” he said, adding that he felt “comfortable” talking to Trump.

Putin also reaffirmed his offer to the U.S. to extend their last remaining nuclear arms control pact for one more year after it expires in February. The 2010&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-united-states-nuclear-weapons-war-9b273fb485cec0fc9dda3b9adda1c768">New START</a>&nbsp;treaty limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers.

“If they don't need it, we don't need it either," he said, adding that “we feel confident about our nuclear shield."

While praising Trump and trying to emphasize potential common interests, the Russian president sent a stern warning to Ukraine’s Western allies against trying to seize ships that carry Russian oil to global markers. He argued that would amount to piracy and could trigger a forceful response while sharply destabilizing the global oil market.

Threatening a forceful response to Western “piracy,” mocking drone claims

Asked about the detention of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-macron-oil-tanker-russia-64396bc51053e196a49d04cd39c45358">an oil tanker</a>&nbsp;off France's Atlantic coast, which President Emmanuel Macron linked to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-sanctions-shadow-fleet-oil-baltic-ukraine-76b66900d599d6e49692643674907fc0">Russia’s so-called shadow fleet</a>&nbsp;of aging tankers of uncertain ownership that are avoiding Western sanctions, Putin cast it as an attempt by Macron to distract public attention from his country's own internal problems and mockingly likened the French leader to Napoleon.

He strongly warned the West against such action, arguing that it defies international maritime law and risks triggering military confrontation. “It’s piracy, and how do you deal with pirates? You destroy them," he said.

Putin also scoffed at Western claims of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drones-europe-f15530ce5c47dbba26c334147e684471">possible Russian involvement in recent drone flights over Denmark</a>, casting them as part of purported NATO efforts to “inflame tensions to boost the defense spending.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-nato-intrusion-drone-ukraine-00fc6c915d999afb7a29649d489f96ed">Intrusions into NATO’s airspace</a>&nbsp;blamed on Russia reached an unprecedented scale last month. A swarm of Russian drones flew into Poland, Estonia complained about an intrusion by Russian fighter jets and numerous unidentified drones were sighted over Denmark, Germany and other countries in what some European officials described as Moscow testing NATO's response.

European defense ministers have agreed to develop a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nato-drones-estonia-latvia-lithuania-50636d55bff486b74e73ab947076744f">“drone wall”</a>&nbsp;along their borders to better detect, track and intercept drones violating Europe’s airspace.

Putin dismissed Western allegations of Russia’s purported aggressive plans against NATO allies as “nonsense” aimed at distracting public attention from domestic problems.

“We are carefully watching the growing militarization of Europe,” he said. “Is all of this just words or is it time for us to take countermeasures? No one should have doubt that Russia’s countermeasures will not take a long time to come.”

Putin's reaction to Charlie Kirk's assassination

Asked about Charlie Kirk's assassination, Putin called it a “heinous crime” that reflected a “deep split" in American society. He hailed Kirk as a hero killed for promoting the same conservative values that Russia shares.

Putin also praised Michael Gloss, an American and the son of a deputy CIA chief, who joined the Russian military and was killed in action in Ukraine in 2024. He said he had awarded Gloss with a medal, which he handed to Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff during his visit to Moscow.

The Russian leader likened Gloss to Kirk, saying they championed similar “traditional” values. "He gave his life while defending those values as a Russian soldier, and Kirk gave his life while fighting for the same values in the United States,” Putin said.

In response to questions about Gloss, the CIA said in a statement that the agency “considers Michael’s passing to be a private family matter — and not a national security issue. The entire CIA family is heartbroken for their loss."

At one point during the four-hour event televised live, Putin, a former Soviet KGB officer and one-time head of Russia's top domestic security agency, misspoke and referred to himself as “the CIA director” while describing a meeting with President George W. Bush and his administration officials. “The future director,” Putin quipped as the audience broke into laughter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755285673467.png" alt="Putin and President Trump during their summit in Alaska -image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>Putin and President Trump during their summit in Alaska -image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the United States that supplies of long-range missiles to Ukraine will seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington but will not change the situation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">on the battlefield</a>, where the Russian army is making slow but steady advances.The potential supply of U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv will signal a “qualitatively new stage of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the U.S.," Putin said at a forum of international foreign policy experts in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi.The Russian leader noted that even though Tomahawk missiles will inflict damage on Russia if supplied to Ukraine, Russian air defenses will quickly adapt to the new threat. “It will certainly not change the balance of force on the battlefield,” he added, emphasizing that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-kyiv-drone-attack-df3ec471bacd7395d408cc0d7e68f8b4">Russian military is continuously making gains</a>&nbsp;against Ukraine.Asked about Trump dismissing Russia as a “paper tiger” because of its failure to defeat its smaller neighbor after more than 3 1/2 years of fighting, Putin argued that Russia has faced all the NATO allies backing Kyiv.“We are fighting against the entire bloc of NATO and we keep moving, keep advancing and feel confident and we are a paper tiger; what NATO itself is?” he said. “A paper tiger? Go and deal with this paper tiger then.”The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Putin’s remarks.<h2>Putin hails Alaska's summit with Trump and reaffirms nuclear pact's extension offer</h2>At the same time, Putin hailed U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to help negotiate peace in Ukraine and described their August summit in Alaska as productive.“It was good that we made an attempt to search for and find possible ways to settle the Ukrainian crisis,” he said, adding that he felt “comfortable” talking to Trump.Putin also reaffirmed his offer to the U.S. to extend their last remaining nuclear arms control pact for one more year after it expires in February. The 2010&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-united-states-nuclear-weapons-war-9b273fb485cec0fc9dda3b9adda1c768">New START</a>&nbsp;treaty limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers.“If they don't need it, we don't need it either," he said, adding that “we feel confident about our nuclear shield."While praising Trump and trying to emphasize potential common interests, the Russian president sent a stern warning to Ukraine’s Western allies against trying to seize ships that carry Russian oil to global markers. He argued that would amount to piracy and could trigger a forceful response while sharply destabilizing the global oil market.<h2>Threatening a forceful response to Western “piracy,” mocking drone claims</h2>Asked about the detention of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-macron-oil-tanker-russia-64396bc51053e196a49d04cd39c45358">an oil tanker</a>&nbsp;off France's Atlantic coast, which President Emmanuel Macron linked to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-sanctions-shadow-fleet-oil-baltic-ukraine-76b66900d599d6e49692643674907fc0">Russia’s so-called shadow fleet</a>&nbsp;of aging tankers of uncertain ownership that are avoiding Western sanctions, Putin cast it as an attempt by Macron to distract public attention from his country's own internal problems and mockingly likened the French leader to Napoleon.He strongly warned the West against such action, arguing that it defies international maritime law and risks triggering military confrontation. “It’s piracy, and how do you deal with pirates? You destroy them," he said.Putin also scoffed at Western claims of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drones-europe-f15530ce5c47dbba26c334147e684471">possible Russian involvement in recent drone flights over Denmark</a>, casting them as part of purported NATO efforts to “inflame tensions to boost the defense spending.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-putin-nato-intrusion-drone-ukraine-00fc6c915d999afb7a29649d489f96ed">Intrusions into NATO’s airspace</a>&nbsp;blamed on Russia reached an unprecedented scale last month. A swarm of Russian drones flew into Poland, Estonia complained about an intrusion by Russian fighter jets and numerous unidentified drones were sighted over Denmark, Germany and other countries in what some European officials described as Moscow testing NATO's response.European defense ministers have agreed to develop a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-nato-drones-estonia-latvia-lithuania-50636d55bff486b74e73ab947076744f">“drone wall”</a>&nbsp;along their borders to better detect, track and intercept drones violating Europe’s airspace.Putin dismissed Western allegations of Russia’s purported aggressive plans against NATO allies as “nonsense” aimed at distracting public attention from domestic problems.“We are carefully watching the growing militarization of Europe,” he said. “Is all of this just words or is it time for us to take countermeasures? No one should have doubt that Russia’s countermeasures will not take a long time to come.”<h2>Putin's reaction to Charlie Kirk's assassination</h2>Asked about Charlie Kirk's assassination, Putin called it a “heinous crime” that reflected a “deep split" in American society. He hailed Kirk as a hero killed for promoting the same conservative values that Russia shares.Putin also praised Michael Gloss, an American and the son of a deputy CIA chief, who joined the Russian military and was killed in action in Ukraine in 2024. He said he had awarded Gloss with a medal, which he handed to Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff during his visit to Moscow.The Russian leader likened Gloss to Kirk, saying they championed similar “traditional” values. "He gave his life while defending those values as a Russian soldier, and Kirk gave his life while fighting for the same values in the United States,” Putin said.In response to questions about Gloss, the CIA said in a statement that the agency “considers Michael’s passing to be a private family matter — and not a national security issue. The entire CIA family is heartbroken for their loss."At one point during the four-hour event televised live, Putin, a former Soviet KGB officer and one-time head of Russia's top domestic security agency, misspoke and referred to himself as “the CIA director” while describing a meeting with President George W. Bush and his administration officials. “The future director,” Putin quipped as the audience broke into laughter.

Putin issues new warning to U.S., comments on Charlie Kirk's killing

KANSAS CITY — A suspect who hid from law enforcement for nearly a month after running from a high speed chase in custody.

Just after 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Unit and the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested 28-year-old Dylan Lancaster of Kansas City, according to a media release.

Lancaster is charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors related to a pursuit last month.

On September 3, he <a href="https://www.facebook.com/motrooper?__cft__[0]=AZXrQ9Uw9SMFyuuSIYWHuEU3nXYds1Qb86PoXXD9k3KeZm04fHmNnICwGErtCW7oCdIdRXBbBAdKW3t0eAXnegJC0mNsgZBWftdM0TGni3_E8hz3QuOXMRwBqLXxpwNuNYhyUy1VJy_rtEWhZBt_ia9qV3YVEj47KCezRNnEdAEBvN82sYNhgADzl6bgrTt8FTE&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Missouri State Highway Patrol</a> identified the vehicle Lancaster was driving as stolen. This initiated a pursuit which ended near E 219th Street and State Route YY in Belton, where Lancaster ran from the vehicle.

 Deputies were unable to locate him that day. Then on Wednesday, deputies and U.S. Marshals arrested him at a hotel near N. Corrington Avenue and 43rd Steet in Kansas City. 

&nbsp;Lancaster is being held on without bond on charges of Tampering With Motor Vehicle - 1st Degree; Aggravated Fleeing A Stop Or Detention and Property Damage. 

The misdemeanors are Operating A Motor Vehicle In A Careless And Imprudent Manner and Leaving the Scene Of Accident (Class A).

Lancaster also violated his parole in Missouri. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kcpolice?__cft__[0]=AZXrQ9Uw9SMFyuuSIYWHuEU3nXYds1Qb86PoXXD9k3KeZm04fHmNnICwGErtCW7oCdIdRXBbBAdKW3t0eAXnegJC0mNsgZBWftdM0TGni3_E8hz3QuOXMRwBqLXxpwNuNYhyUy1VJy_rtEWhZBt_ia9qV3YVEj47KCezRNnEdAEBvN82sYNhgADzl6bgrTt8FTE&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Missouri Police Department</a> and the Jackson County Drug Task Force assisted with the apprehension of Lancaster as well.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759399354566.png" alt="Lancaster photo Cass Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Lancaster photo Cass Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — A suspect who hid from law enforcement for nearly a month after running from a high speed chase in custody.Just after 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Unit and the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested 28-year-old Dylan Lancaster of Kansas City, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759399335584.png" alt="Lancaster photo Cass County" />
 <figcaption>Lancaster photo Cass County</figcaption>
 </figure>Lancaster is charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors related to a pursuit last month. On September 3, he <a href="https://www.facebook.com/motrooper?__cft__[0]=AZXrQ9Uw9SMFyuuSIYWHuEU3nXYds1Qb86PoXXD9k3KeZm04fHmNnICwGErtCW7oCdIdRXBbBAdKW3t0eAXnegJC0mNsgZBWftdM0TGni3_E8hz3QuOXMRwBqLXxpwNuNYhyUy1VJy_rtEWhZBt_ia9qV3YVEj47KCezRNnEdAEBvN82sYNhgADzl6bgrTt8FTE&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Missouri State Highway Patrol</a> identified the vehicle Lancaster was driving as stolen. This initiated a pursuit which ended near E 219th Street and State Route YY in Belton, where Lancaster ran from the vehicle. Deputies were unable to locate him that day. Then on Wednesday, deputies and U.S. Marshals arrested him at a hotel near N. Corrington Avenue and 43rd Steet in Kansas City. &nbsp;Lancaster is being held on without bond on charges of Tampering With Motor Vehicle - 1st Degree; Aggravated Fleeing A Stop Or Detention and Property Damage. The misdemeanors are Operating A Motor Vehicle In A Careless And Imprudent Manner and Leaving the Scene Of Accident (Class A). Lancaster also violated his parole in Missouri. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kcpolice?__cft__[0]=AZXrQ9Uw9SMFyuuSIYWHuEU3nXYds1Qb86PoXXD9k3KeZm04fHmNnICwGErtCW7oCdIdRXBbBAdKW3t0eAXnegJC0mNsgZBWftdM0TGni3_E8hz3QuOXMRwBqLXxpwNuNYhyUy1VJy_rtEWhZBt_ia9qV3YVEj47KCezRNnEdAEBvN82sYNhgADzl6bgrTt8FTE&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Missouri Police Department</a> and the Jackson County Drug Task Force assisted with the apprehension of Lancaster as well.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Wanted suspect caught at KC hotel after hiding for weeks

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 2:30a.m. September 27,&nbsp; a K-9 Unit with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a gray 2009 Nissan Titan for speeding in the 3000 block of South Kansas Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, the driver, later identified as&nbsp;Raul I. J. Galvan-Romero, 40, of Topeka appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and illegal narcotics were located.

Deputies arrested Galvan-Romero and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections&nbsp; on the requested charges Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, Speeding and Transporting an open container of liquor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759439022550.png" alt="Galvan-Romero photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Galvan-Romero photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 2:30a.m. September 27,&nbsp; a K-9 Unit with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a gray 2009 Nissan Titan for speeding in the 3000 block of South Kansas Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, the driver, later identified as&nbsp;Raul I. J. Galvan-Romero, 40, of Topeka appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and illegal narcotics were located.Deputies arrested Galvan-Romero and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections&nbsp; on the requested charges Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, Speeding and Transporting an open container of liquor.

Sheriff: Kansas driver was speeding and transporting illegal drugs

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants and says the United States is now in a “non-international armed conflict,” according to a Trump administration memo obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strike-drug-smuggling-vessel-275ab9837373a928aa3376e50d8d39b0">following recent U.S. strikes on boats</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean.

Congress was notified about the designation by Pentagon officials on Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The memo, startling in scope, signals a potential new moment not just in the Trump administration’s willingness to reach beyond the norms of presidential authority to wage war but in Trump's stated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-imperialism-canada-panama-greenland-b4b53445dee97398b498b79eab54d49b">“America First” agenda</a>. It also raises stark questions about how far the White House intends to use its war powers and if Congress will exert its authority to approve — or ban — such military actions.

The move comes after the U.S. military last month carried out three&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-drug-cartels-05c5b0de282178419d46a3e93fbd2521">deadly strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean. At least two of those operations were carried out on vessels that originated from Venezuela.

Those strikes followed up a buildup of U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean.

“Although friendly foreign nations have made significant efforts to combat these organizations, suffering significant losses of life, these groups are now transnational and conduct ongoing attacks throughout the Western Hemisphere as organized cartels,” according to the memo, which refers to cartel members as “unlawful combatants.” “Therefore, the President determined these cartels are non-state armed groups, designated them as terrorist organizations, and determined that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States.”

Pentagon officials could not provide a list of the designated terrorist organizations at the center of the conflict, a matter that was a major source of frustration for some of the lawmakers who were briefed, according to the person.

Lawmakers have been pressing Trump to go to Congress and seek&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-powers-act-trump-congress-9e6832fb5f5f844acf8992008d3a8d63">war powers authority</a>&nbsp;for such operations.

The White House and the Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment. Multiple defense officials reached Thursday appeared to be caught off guard by the determination and would not immediately comment or explain what the president's action could mean for the Pentagon or military operations going forward.

What the Trump administration laid out at the closed-door classified briefing was perceived by several senators as pursuing a new legal framework that raised questions particularly regarding the role of Congress in authorizing any such action, the person familiar with the matter said.

As the Republican administration takes aim at vessels in the Caribbean, senators and lawmakers of both major political parties have raised stark objections. Some had previously called on Congress to exert its authority under the War Powers Act that would prohibit the administration’s strikes unless they were authorized by Congress.

The first military strike, carried out on Sept. 2 on what the Trump administration said was a drug-carrying speedboat, killed 11 people. Trump claimed the boat was operated by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/best-of-the-week/honorable-mention/2025/an-ap-team-goes-to-the-birthplace-of-tren-de-aragua-the-gang-put-at-the-center-of-trumps-anti-immigrant-narrative/">the Tren de Aragua gang</a>, which was listed by the U.S. as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-ecuador-venezuela-military-strike-immigration-0bde0bbf862734facbd0df5f5361935b">a foreign terrorist organization</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.

The Trump administration had previously justified the military action as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.

But several senators, Democrats and some Republicans, as well as human rights groups questioned the legality of Trump’s action. They called it potential overreach of executive authority in part because the military was used for law enforcement purposes.

By claiming his campaign against drug cartels is an active armed conflict, Trump appears to be claiming extraordinary wartime powers to justify his action.

Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committees, said the drug cartels are “despicable and must be dealt with by law enforcement.”

"The Trump Administration has offered no credible legal justification, evidence, or intelligence for these strikes,” said Reed, a former Army officer who served in the 82nd Airborne Division.

The Trump administration has yet to explain how the military assessed the boats' cargo and determined the passengers’ alleged gang affiliation before the strikes.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants and says the United States is now in a “non-international armed conflict,” according to a Trump administration memo obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strike-drug-smuggling-vessel-275ab9837373a928aa3376e50d8d39b0">following recent U.S. strikes on boats</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/gqH4MHjbg2">pic.twitter.com/gqH4MHjbg2</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967680808128483764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Congress was notified about the designation by Pentagon officials on Wednesday, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/HqmUByvzgD">pic.twitter.com/HqmUByvzgD</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969184320288878719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>🎥🎥</div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759438505732.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The memo, startling in scope, signals a potential new moment not just in the Trump administration’s willingness to reach beyond the norms of presidential authority to wage war but in Trump's stated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-imperialism-canada-panama-greenland-b4b53445dee97398b498b79eab54d49b">“America First” agenda</a>. It also raises stark questions about how far the White House intends to use its war powers and if Congress will exert its authority to approve — or ban — such military actions.The move comes after the U.S. military last month carried out three&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-drug-cartels-05c5b0de282178419d46a3e93fbd2521">deadly strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean. At least two of those operations were carried out on vessels that originated from Venezuela.Those strikes followed up a buildup of U.S. maritime forces in the Caribbean.“Although friendly foreign nations have made significant efforts to combat these organizations, suffering significant losses of life, these groups are now transnational and conduct ongoing attacks throughout the Western Hemisphere as organized cartels,” according to the memo, which refers to cartel members as “unlawful combatants.” “Therefore, the President determined these cartels are non-state armed groups, designated them as terrorist organizations, and determined that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States.”Pentagon officials could not provide a list of the designated terrorist organizations at the center of the conflict, a matter that was a major source of frustration for some of the lawmakers who were briefed, according to the person.Lawmakers have been pressing Trump to go to Congress and seek&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-powers-act-trump-congress-9e6832fb5f5f844acf8992008d3a8d63">war powers authority</a>&nbsp;for such operations.The White House and the Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment. Multiple defense officials reached Thursday appeared to be caught off guard by the determination and would not immediately comment or explain what the president's action could mean for the Pentagon or military operations going forward.What the Trump administration laid out at the closed-door classified briefing was perceived by several senators as pursuing a new legal framework that raised questions particularly regarding the role of Congress in authorizing any such action, the person familiar with the matter said.As the Republican administration takes aim at vessels in the Caribbean, senators and lawmakers of both major political parties have raised stark objections. Some had previously called on Congress to exert its authority under the War Powers Act that would prohibit the administration’s strikes unless they were authorized by Congress.The first military strike, carried out on Sept. 2 on what the Trump administration said was a drug-carrying speedboat, killed 11 people. Trump claimed the boat was operated by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/best-of-the-week/honorable-mention/2025/an-ap-team-goes-to-the-birthplace-of-tren-de-aragua-the-gang-put-at-the-center-of-trumps-anti-immigrant-narrative/">the Tren de Aragua gang</a>, which was listed by the U.S. as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-ecuador-venezuela-military-strike-immigration-0bde0bbf862734facbd0df5f5361935b">a foreign terrorist organization</a>&nbsp;earlier this year.The Trump administration had previously justified the military action as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.But several senators, Democrats and some Republicans, as well as human rights groups questioned the legality of Trump’s action. They called it potential overreach of executive authority in part because the military was used for law enforcement purposes.By claiming his campaign against drug cartels is an active armed conflict, Trump appears to be claiming extraordinary wartime powers to justify his action.Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committees, said the drug cartels are “despicable and must be dealt with by law enforcement.”"The Trump Administration has offered no credible legal justification, evidence, or intelligence for these strikes,” said Reed, a former Army officer who served in the 82nd Airborne Division.The Trump administration has yet to explain how the military assessed the boats' cargo and determined the passengers’ alleged gang affiliation before the strikes.

Read the memo: Trump tells Congress U.S. in 'armed conflict' with drug cartels

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol Highway Patrol is seeking assistance from the public to identify witnesses to a vehicle pursuit that terminated in Montgomery County on September 26, 2025, according to a media release from the KHP.

The pursuit began in Owasso, Oklahoma, by officers from the Owasso Oklahoma Police Department with assistance from Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers. Two suspects, later identified as Tenisha D. Mayberry (the driver) and Cortez J. Wasson (a passenger), had fled the scene of a theft investigation and struck an Owasso officer with the suspect's driver's door.

When the pursuit entered Kansas, officers from the Coffeyville Police Department took control of the pursuit near the intersection of U.S. 169 and U.S. 166, traveling northbound from U.S. 169 onto Patterson Blvd. 

The suspect vehicle failed to stop at a red light. The pursuit continued northbound approaching the intersection of Patterson Blvd. and 8th Street where the suspect vehicle again failed to stop at a red light, striking a vehicle that was crossing the intersection. The suspect vehicle came to rest on its side, and the other vehicle overturned and came to rest on its roof.

Both suspects were taken into custody and received medical treatment on scene. The driver of the other vehicle, Maia E. O'Connell, was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The passenger of the other vehicle, 15-year-old Serafina L. O'Connell, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and later transported to a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for more intensive care. On September 30, Serafina succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

The Kansas Highway Patrol's Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART) responded to the scene, and this crash remains under investigation.

If anyone witnessed or has information, including video, regarding the crash, please contact Technical Trooper Gary Boles or Montgomery County Attorney Melissa Johnson.

Mayberry is being held on requested charges of felony interference with law enforcement, felony fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, Aggravated battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause great body harm/disfig/death, Possession of marijuana, according to online jail records.

Wasson is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;felony interference with law enforcement, Aggravated battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause great body harm/disfig/death and possession of marijuana.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759094019310.png" alt="Mayberry" />
 <figcaption>Mayberry</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol Highway Patrol is seeking assistance from the public to identify witnesses to a vehicle pursuit that terminated in Montgomery County on September 26, 2025, according to a media release from the KHP.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1759094141027.png" alt="Wasson photo Montgomery County" />
 <figcaption>Wasson photo Montgomery County</figcaption>
 </figure>The pursuit began in Owasso, Oklahoma, by officers from the Owasso Oklahoma Police Department with assistance from Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers. Two suspects, later identified as Tenisha D. Mayberry (the driver) and Cortez J. Wasson (a passenger), had fled the scene of a theft investigation and struck an Owasso officer with the suspect's driver's door.When the pursuit entered Kansas, officers from the Coffeyville Police Department took control of the pursuit near the intersection of U.S. 169 and U.S. 166, traveling northbound from U.S. 169 onto Patterson Blvd. The suspect vehicle failed to stop at a red light. The pursuit continued northbound approaching the intersection of Patterson Blvd. and 8th Street where the suspect vehicle again failed to stop at a red light, striking a vehicle that was crossing the intersection. The suspect vehicle came to rest on its side, and the other vehicle overturned and came to rest on its roof.Both suspects were taken into custody and received medical treatment on scene. The driver of the other vehicle, Maia E. O'Connell, was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The passenger of the other vehicle, 15-year-old Serafina L. O'Connell, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and later transported to a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for more intensive care. On September 30, Serafina succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.The Kansas Highway Patrol's Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART) responded to the scene, and this crash remains under investigation.If anyone witnessed or has information, including video, regarding the crash, please contact Technical Trooper Gary Boles or Montgomery County Attorney Melissa Johnson.Mayberry is being held on requested charges of felony interference with law enforcement, felony fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, Aggravated battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause great body harm/disfig/death, Possession of marijuana, according to online jail records.Wasson is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;felony interference with law enforcement, Aggravated battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause great body harm/disfig/death and possession of marijuana.

KHP seeks witnesses to vehicle pursuit, crash that left Kan. teen dead

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks edged up to more records on Thursday as technology stocks kept rising and as Wall Street kept ignoring the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-health-care-54b2a584657a0b619bc8326708a05604">shutdown of the U.S. government</a>.

The S&amp;P 500 added 0.1% to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-shutdown-trump-b4bddbf826a5eabee1113f62aeb5e25e">its all-time high</a>&nbsp;set the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 79 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.4%. Both also hit records.

Thursdays on Wall Street typically have investors reacting to the latest weekly tally of U.S. workers applying for unemployment benefits. But D.C.’s shutdown meant this week’s report on jobless claims has been delayed. An even more consequential report, Friday’s monthly tally of jobs created and destroyed across the economy, will likely also not arrive on schedule.

That increases uncertainty when much on Wall Street is riding on investors’ expectation that the job market is slowing by enough to convince&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-jobs-inflation-powell-bccc5ad2114d0f9a19e0f6db4aeadf82">the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates</a>, but not by so much that it leads to a recession.

“The Fed has been on record that they are very data dependent, and the lack of data from public sources is likely to be problematic,” said Brian Rehling, head of global fixed-income strategy at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

So far, the U.S. stock market has looked past the delays of such data. Shutdowns of the U.S. government have tended not to hurt the economy or stock market much, and the thinking is that this one could be similar, even if President Donald Trump has threatened&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-congress-government-shutdown-99d4cafe53209f6dc6ae5562c2ac79d2">large-scale firings of federal workers</a>&nbsp;this time around.

That left corporate announcements as the main drivers of trading Thursday.

Stocks in the chip and artificial-intelligence industries climbed after OpenAI announced partnerships with South Korean companies for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/openai-stargate-oracle-data-center-0b3f4fa6e8d8141b4c143e3e7f41aba1">Stargate,</a>&nbsp;a $500 billion project aimed at building AI infrastructure.

Samsung Electronics rose 3.5% in Seoul, and SK Hynix jumped 9.9%.

The announcement also sent ripples around the world. On Wall Street, Advanced Micro Devices climbed 3.5%, and Broadcom gained 1.4%. Nvidia’s 0.9% rise was the strongest single force pushing the S&amp;P 500 upward.

Excitement around AI and the massive spending underway because of it has been a major reason the U.S. stock market has hit record after record, along with hopes for easier interest rates. But AI stocks have become so dominant, and so much money has poured into the industry that worries are rising about a potential bubble that could eventually lead to disappointment for investors.

Occidental Petroleum fell 7.3% after it agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-occidental-petroleum-deal-63c65c006f314f166eee9617cf1252f0">sell its chemical business, OxyChem, to Berkshire Hathaway</a>&nbsp;for $9.7 billion in cash. It could be the final big purchase for Berkshire Hathaway with famed investor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/warren-buffett">Warren Buffett</a>&nbsp;as its CEO.

Fair Isaac jumped 18% to its best day in nearly three years after announcing a program that will streamline access to its FICO credit scores, potentially cutting out such big credit bureaus as TransUnion, Equifax and Experian.

TransUnion’s stock tumbled 10.6%, while Equifax slid 8.5%.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 4.15 points to 6,715.35. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 78.62 to 46,519.72, and the Nasdaq composite gained 88.89 to 22,844.05.

The stock of a third credit bureau, the United Kingdom’s Experian, fell 4.2% in London. It helped drag London’s FTSE 100 down by 0.2%, but indexes were much stronger across Europe and Asia.

South Korea’s Kospi leaped 2.7% for one of the world’s largest gains following the big jumps for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.08% from 4.12% late Wednesday.

AP Writers Teresa Cerojano and Matt Ott contributed.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks edged up to more records on Thursday as technology stocks kept rising and as Wall Street kept ignoring the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-trump-health-care-54b2a584657a0b619bc8326708a05604">shutdown of the U.S. government</a>.The S&amp;P 500 added 0.1% to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-rates-shutdown-trump-b4bddbf826a5eabee1113f62aeb5e25e">its all-time high</a>&nbsp;set the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 79 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.4%. Both also hit records.Thursdays on Wall Street typically have investors reacting to the latest weekly tally of U.S. workers applying for unemployment benefits. But D.C.’s shutdown meant this week’s report on jobless claims has been delayed. An even more consequential report, Friday’s monthly tally of jobs created and destroyed across the economy, will likely also not arrive on schedule.That increases uncertainty when much on Wall Street is riding on investors’ expectation that the job market is slowing by enough to convince&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-jobs-inflation-powell-bccc5ad2114d0f9a19e0f6db4aeadf82">the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates</a>, but not by so much that it leads to a recession.“The Fed has been on record that they are very data dependent, and the lack of data from public sources is likely to be problematic,” said Brian Rehling, head of global fixed-income strategy at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.So far, the U.S. stock market has looked past the delays of such data. Shutdowns of the U.S. government have tended not to hurt the economy or stock market much, and the thinking is that this one could be similar, even if President Donald Trump has threatened&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-congress-government-shutdown-99d4cafe53209f6dc6ae5562c2ac79d2">large-scale firings of federal workers</a>&nbsp;this time around.That left corporate announcements as the main drivers of trading Thursday.Stocks in the chip and artificial-intelligence industries climbed after OpenAI announced partnerships with South Korean companies for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/openai-stargate-oracle-data-center-0b3f4fa6e8d8141b4c143e3e7f41aba1">Stargate,</a>&nbsp;a $500 billion project aimed at building AI infrastructure.Samsung Electronics rose 3.5% in Seoul, and SK Hynix jumped 9.9%.The announcement also sent ripples around the world. On Wall Street, Advanced Micro Devices climbed 3.5%, and Broadcom gained 1.4%. Nvidia’s 0.9% rise was the strongest single force pushing the S&amp;P 500 upward.Excitement around AI and the massive spending underway because of it has been a major reason the U.S. stock market has hit record after record, along with hopes for easier interest rates. But AI stocks have become so dominant, and so much money has poured into the industry that worries are rising about a potential bubble that could eventually lead to disappointment for investors.Occidental Petroleum fell 7.3% after it agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-occidental-petroleum-deal-63c65c006f314f166eee9617cf1252f0">sell its chemical business, OxyChem, to Berkshire Hathaway</a>&nbsp;for $9.7 billion in cash. It could be the final big purchase for Berkshire Hathaway with famed investor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/warren-buffett">Warren Buffett</a>&nbsp;as its CEO.Fair Isaac jumped 18% to its best day in nearly three years after announcing a program that will streamline access to its FICO credit scores, potentially cutting out such big credit bureaus as TransUnion, Equifax and Experian.TransUnion’s stock tumbled 10.6%, while Equifax slid 8.5%.All told, the S&amp;P 500 rose 4.15 points to 6,715.35. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 78.62 to 46,519.72, and the Nasdaq composite gained 88.89 to 22,844.05.The stock of a third credit bureau, the United Kingdom’s Experian, fell 4.2% in London. It helped drag London’s FTSE 100 down by 0.2%, but indexes were much stronger across Europe and Asia.South Korea’s Kospi leaped 2.7% for one of the world’s largest gains following the big jumps for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.08% from 4.12% late Wednesday.___AP Writers Teresa Cerojano and Matt Ott contributed.

Wall Street ticks to more records, led by technology stocks

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cami-koons/">Cami Koons</a>

Nearly half of U.S. Department of Agriculture employees will be furloughed during the federal government shutdown, though key programs that support nutrition, forest preservation and wildfire prevention, the most pressing plant and animal diseases and agricultural commodity assessments will continue.

Many offices, including county USDA service centers, will be closed or operating with minimal staff until Congress agrees on a temporary spending package. Support, payment processing and other functions of these offices are also suspended during the shutdown.

Congress failed to pass a stopgap spending bill Tuesday which resulted in the start of a government shutdown at midnight and federal agencies had to implement the contingency plans required by the Office of Management and Budget.

According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fy2026-usda-lapse-plan.pdf" target="_blank">contingency plan</a>&nbsp;filed&nbsp;by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, only a handful of agency operations will continue during the shutdown. The primary objective is that agencies cannot incur financial obligations if the funding source has lapsed and any planned or in-the-works activities that would incur new obligations, must cease.&nbsp;

Activities that may continue during the shutdown include those that are financed by something other than current year appropriations, expressly authorized to continue, either by law or by necessary implication, necessary to the presidential duties and powers or related to emergencies that endanger human life or the protection of property.

According to the plan, more than 42,000 USDA employees are expected to be furloughed during the shutdown. That’s about half of the more than 85,000 employees the agency said would be “on board” prior to the shutdown.&nbsp;

USDA programs that will continue despite the shutdown:&nbsp;

Under the contingency plan, USDA functions like ongoing research, reports, outreach and technical assistance are suspended. The agency will also stop processing payments and disaster assistance.&nbsp;

Trade negotiations, hazardous fuel treatments, special use permits, regulatory work, training and travel by USDA employees and agencies are also suspended.&nbsp;

According to the contingency plan, most functions are suspended for the Risk Management Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Food and Nutrition Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistical Service, Rural Development, and staff offices.

Website updates are also suspended under the shutdown. A banner atop the USDA website informs visitors that the website will not be updated “due to the Radical Left Democrat shutdown.”&nbsp;

“President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people,” the banner reads.&nbsp;

According to the plan, “all activities will cease” for the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and her office during the shutdown.&nbsp;

Approximately 67% of Farm Service Agency, or FSA, employees will be furloughed. According to the plan, selected leadership at headquarters and USDA offices will stay on during the shut down. This means county service centers, and the majority of the services they offer, will not be available during the shutdown.&nbsp;

Nearly all, 1135 out of 1237 employees, at the Food and Nutrition Service offices were projected to be furloughed during the shutdown, though according to the plan, enough employees remain to facilitate SNAP, child nutrition programs and WIC. WIC must make unspent funds from past years available in order to continue operations through October.

Close to 20,000 of the 32,390 Forest Service employees will continue to work on certain approved areas of agency work, like wildfire prevention, protection of federal land and federal directives to expand timber production. Public access to recreation sites managed by the department will be reduced, according to the plan.&nbsp;

A significant portion of Agricultural Marketing Service operations are funded by previous farm bill appropriations or by user fees, so services like the Federal Grain Inspection Service and dairy grading will continue, as will market news information.

Operations like country of origin labeling, the packers and stockyards program, the national organic program, shell egg surveillance and the pesticide data program will be suspended.&nbsp;

The plan calls for a number of reconsiderations in the event the shutdown persists longer than 5 days. This could include, for example a farm loan employee or other staff member on call at USDA service centers, or the reinstatement of some furloughed employees to deal with wildfire management.&nbsp;

Glenn “GT” Thompson, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, blamed Democrats, who&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/09/30/repub/protesters-at-us-capitol-back-democrats-in-shutdown-fight-over-health-care-costs/" target="_blank">demanded extentions to the Affordable Care Act</a>&nbsp;be added to the stopgap spending bill, for shutting down the government and putting “critical USDA services in jeopardy.”

“These political games harm rural America through disruptions to farm payments, disaster relief, food assistance, and other critical services,” the Republican from Pennsylvania said in a statement. “Performative photo ops at state fairs and lip service to the producers who feed, fuel, and clothe our country won’t hide the truth—Democrats forcing a government shutdown only inflicts more pain on our agricultural economy.”

This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/01/what-the-government-shutdown-means-for-usda-agencies/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Missouri Independent, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716664034438.png" alt="Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cami-koons/">Cami Koons</a>Nearly half of U.S. Department of Agriculture employees will be furloughed during the federal government shutdown, though key programs that support nutrition, forest preservation and wildfire prevention, the most pressing plant and animal diseases and agricultural commodity assessments will continue.Many offices, including county USDA service centers, will be closed or operating with minimal staff until Congress agrees on a temporary spending package. Support, payment processing and other functions of these offices are also suspended during the shutdown.Congress failed to pass a stopgap spending bill Tuesday which resulted in the start of a government shutdown at midnight and federal agencies had to implement the contingency plans required by the Office of Management and Budget.According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fy2026-usda-lapse-plan.pdf" target="_blank">contingency plan</a>&nbsp;filed&nbsp;by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, only a handful of agency operations will continue during the shutdown. The primary objective is that agencies cannot incur financial obligations if the funding source has lapsed and any planned or in-the-works activities that would incur new obligations, must cease.&nbsp;Activities that may continue during the shutdown include those that are financed by something other than current year appropriations, expressly authorized to continue, either by law or by necessary implication, necessary to the presidential duties and powers or related to emergencies that endanger human life or the protection of property.According to the plan, more than 42,000 USDA employees are expected to be furloughed during the shutdown. That’s about half of the more than 85,000 employees the agency said would be “on board” prior to the shutdown.&nbsp;USDA programs that will continue despite the shutdown:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Farm loan processing.</li><li>Certain natural resources and conservation programs that are mandatory under the farm bill or to protect human life and private property, like the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, dam safety and rehab work, the National Water and Climate Center which tracks flooding and weather risks and the National Soil Survey Center.&nbsp;</li><li>“Core” nutrition safety net programs. This includes SNAP and child nutrition programs which have funding appropriations through October. The Women Infants and Children, or WIC, program is set to continue through the shutdown “subject to the availability of funding.” According to the plan, WIC can “recover and reallocate” unused grant funding from previous years to cover gap in coverage.&nbsp;</li><li>Food safety operations, like inspections and laboratory testing.</li><li>Wildfire preparation and response.&nbsp;</li><li>Activities like grading, assessment, inspection, import and export for farm commodities. These activities are supported by user fees and therefore not impacted by the shutdown.</li><li>Emergency programs under USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service that address new world screwworm, highly pathogenic avian influenza, African swine fever, rabies and exotic fruit flies. Surveying for other plant and livestock diseases will cease during the shutdown.&nbsp;</li><li>Prior obligations in the Section 521 rental housing agreement program. This is the program element of USDA Rural Development offices that will persist.</li><li>Operational requirements like human resource policies, cybersecurity and critical IT infrastructure.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Under the contingency plan, USDA functions like ongoing research, reports, outreach and technical assistance are suspended. The agency will also stop processing payments and disaster assistance.&nbsp;Trade negotiations, hazardous fuel treatments, special use permits, regulatory work, training and travel by USDA employees and agencies are also suspended.&nbsp;According to the contingency plan, most functions are suspended for the Risk Management Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Food and Nutrition Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistical Service, Rural Development, and staff offices.Website updates are also suspended under the shutdown. A banner atop the USDA website informs visitors that the website will not be updated “due to the Radical Left Democrat shutdown.”&nbsp;“President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people,” the banner reads.&nbsp;According to the plan, “all activities will cease” for the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and her office during the shutdown.&nbsp;Approximately 67% of Farm Service Agency, or FSA, employees will be furloughed. According to the plan, selected leadership at headquarters and USDA offices will stay on during the shut down. This means county service centers, and the majority of the services they offer, will not be available during the shutdown.&nbsp;Nearly all, 1135 out of 1237 employees, at the Food and Nutrition Service offices were projected to be furloughed during the shutdown, though according to the plan, enough employees remain to facilitate SNAP, child nutrition programs and WIC. WIC must make unspent funds from past years available in order to continue operations through October.Close to 20,000 of the 32,390 Forest Service employees will continue to work on certain approved areas of agency work, like wildfire prevention, protection of federal land and federal directives to expand timber production. Public access to recreation sites managed by the department will be reduced, according to the plan.&nbsp;A significant portion of Agricultural Marketing Service operations are funded by previous farm bill appropriations or by user fees, so services like the Federal Grain Inspection Service and dairy grading will continue, as will market news information.Operations like country of origin labeling, the packers and stockyards program, the national organic program, shell egg surveillance and the pesticide data program will be suspended.&nbsp;The plan calls for a number of reconsiderations in the event the shutdown persists longer than 5 days. This could include, for example a farm loan employee or other staff member on call at USDA service centers, or the reinstatement of some furloughed employees to deal with wildfire management.&nbsp;Glenn “GT” Thompson, chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, blamed Democrats, who&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/09/30/repub/protesters-at-us-capitol-back-democrats-in-shutdown-fight-over-health-care-costs/" target="_blank">demanded extentions to the Affordable Care Act</a>&nbsp;be added to the stopgap spending bill, for shutting down the government and putting “critical USDA services in jeopardy.”“These political games harm rural America through disruptions to farm payments, disaster relief, food assistance, and other critical services,” the Republican from Pennsylvania said in a statement. “Performative photo ops at state fairs and lip service to the producers who feed, fuel, and clothe our country won’t hide the truth—Democrats forcing a government shutdown only inflicts more pain on our agricultural economy.”This story was originally produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/10/01/what-the-government-shutdown-means-for-usda-agencies/" target="_blank">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Missouri Independent, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

What the government shutdown means for USDA agencies

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — University officials across Kansas celebrated a third year of growing enrollments on Wednesday, even though&nbsp; the future will present more challenges.&nbsp;

“We’re obviously extremely pleased,” said Blake Benson, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents. “It’s a third consecutive year of growth, and we’re really glad to see that it’s spread out — the public universities, community colleges and technical colleges are all up, so very, very positive news.”

In general, Board of Regents public universities saw enrollment growth or stayed level. The only drop was at Fort Hays State University, which essentially stabilized with a decrease of 0.2%. Washburn University increased enrollment by 2.3%.&nbsp;

Twelve of 19 Kansas community colleges also posted enrollment growth, although Fort Scott Community College seeing a decreased enrollment of 17.2%,&nbsp;<a href="https://submission.kansasregents.gov/ibi_apps/portal/BIP_Public2/KHEStats" target="_blank">Kansas Board of Regent data showed</a>. All six technical colleges Increased or stayed stable in their enrollment.&nbsp;

Emporia State University saw the biggest enrollment jump this year of 5.8%, a strong recovery after posting losses since 2020. The school increased enrollment by 263 students, for a total of 4,820.

In a letter to students, ESU president Ken Hush attributed the growth to no tuition or fee increase for two years, increasing student scholarships awarded by 141%, investment in student activities and more funding from the ESU Foundation, among other factors.

The university&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/former-interim-emporia-state-president-condemns-mass-firing-of-tenured-faculty/">fired tenured faculty</a>&nbsp;as part of restructuring efforts.&nbsp;

“When we began our transformation, we predicted changes in our enrollment as we took on the challenges facing our university, with the prediction for fall 2025 holding stable after some initial decreases,” Hush wrote, adding he was pleased to instead post a 6% increase.

Kansas State and Wichita State increased enrollment at about the same rate, 4.6% and 4.3%, respectively.&nbsp; The University of Kansas posted a 1.2% increase, while the University of Kansas Medical Center enrollment increased 1.9%.

“We’ve been working diligently on a strategic enrollment plan, and we’re really seeing the fruits of the labor across campus and have had some of the largest enrollment gains that we’ve seen,” said Karen Goos, K-State’s vice provost for enrollment management.

Freshmen enrollment numbers were up 7.5% this year, she said. Growth is occurring with both new students and retention of current students, Goos added.&nbsp;

Scott Cason, Fort Hays State University spokesman, said the school’s on-campus enrollment increased by 2% this year and the number of new undergraduate students attending the school grew by 9%.&nbsp;

“Our residence halls are in full capacity right now,” he said. “We haven’t seen that in a long time. It shows you that the on-campus experience is still a draw, even in times where there have been increasing questions about the perception of the value of the college degree.”

The school did see a small decrease in international students and in general in online enrollment, Cason said. Once dominating among Kansas schools in online enrollment, FHSU has more competition in that arena and experienced a drop after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other schools are reporting decreasing numbers of international students, but that data won’t be collected by the Board of Regents until later in the school year, Benson said.&nbsp;

Cason said Fort Hays State lost only three international students. He attributed that to their diversity of enrollment sources internationally.&nbsp;

“We’re actually up in our early college program that includes our international students. We have partner campuses,” he said, adding that although they have strong partnerships in China, they also draw from Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia and Senegal.

“We haven’t seen the disruption that other schools have seen that count more heavily on traditional international student models,” he said.

Challenges are expected for post-secondary institutions in coming years as the number of students graduating from Kansas high schools will begin decreasing next year. The change is often referred to as an enrollment cliff. In addition, schools are already experiencing decreases in graduating high school students who enroll in higher education, she said.

“What we’re seeing is the percent of students who are having any post-secondary credentials after high school has declined pretty significantly,” Goos said. “We actually have seen an increase of high school graduates. This will be the last year. After this, we will start to decline.”

Benson said the decrease in number of graduating high school students in 2026 is one of the primary challenges facing higher education.&nbsp;

“That’s probably not going to be just a two- or three-year challenge,” he said. “That’s going to be that way for the foreseeable future. That just means the pool of traditional college-age students will continue shrinking, even as the demand for college-educated workers keeps growing.”

That makes it imperative for Kansas to increase the number of students going to college to meet workforce needs, Benson said.&nbsp;

“I think we’ve also got to work to enroll adult learners, including those who may already have some college credit but no degree,” Benson said. “I don’t think that there’s going to be a silver bullet answer to it, but I’m really proud of the steps that the system in our institutions have taken to get ready for those challenges, and I think that we’ll be able to meet them.”

K-State is planning for all those challenges, Goos said.&nbsp;

“We’re just launching a new strategic enrollment plan with the idea of thinking about, how do we move forward with the enrollment cliff?” she said. “How do we position ourselves?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759428178918.png" alt=" Blake Benson, left, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, was pleased to see increased enrollment in Kansas post-secondary schools. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Blake Benson, left, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, was pleased to see increased enrollment in Kansas post-secondary schools. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — University officials across Kansas celebrated a third year of growing enrollments on Wednesday, even though&nbsp; the future will present more challenges.&nbsp;“We’re obviously extremely pleased,” said Blake Benson, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents. “It’s a third consecutive year of growth, and we’re really glad to see that it’s spread out — the public universities, community colleges and technical colleges are all up, so very, very positive news.”In general, Board of Regents public universities saw enrollment growth or stayed level. The only drop was at Fort Hays State University, which essentially stabilized with a decrease of 0.2%. Washburn University increased enrollment by 2.3%.&nbsp;Twelve of 19 Kansas community colleges also posted enrollment growth, although Fort Scott Community College seeing a decreased enrollment of 17.2%,&nbsp;<a href="https://submission.kansasregents.gov/ibi_apps/portal/BIP_Public2/KHEStats" target="_blank">Kansas Board of Regent data showed</a>. All six technical colleges Increased or stayed stable in their enrollment.&nbsp;Emporia State University saw the biggest enrollment jump this year of 5.8%, a strong recovery after posting losses since 2020. The school increased enrollment by 263 students, for a total of 4,820.In a letter to students, ESU president Ken Hush attributed the growth to no tuition or fee increase for two years, increasing student scholarships awarded by 141%, investment in student activities and more funding from the ESU Foundation, among other factors.The university&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/former-interim-emporia-state-president-condemns-mass-firing-of-tenured-faculty/">fired tenured faculty</a>&nbsp;as part of restructuring efforts.&nbsp;“When we began our transformation, we predicted changes in our enrollment as we took on the challenges facing our university, with the prediction for fall 2025 holding stable after some initial decreases,” Hush wrote, adding he was pleased to instead post a 6% increase.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1759428093235.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas State and Wichita State increased enrollment at about the same rate, 4.6% and 4.3%, respectively.&nbsp; The University of Kansas posted a 1.2% increase, while the University of Kansas Medical Center enrollment increased 1.9%.“We’ve been working diligently on a strategic enrollment plan, and we’re really seeing the fruits of the labor across campus and have had some of the largest enrollment gains that we’ve seen,” said Karen Goos, K-State’s vice provost for enrollment management.Freshmen enrollment numbers were up 7.5% this year, she said. Growth is occurring with both new students and retention of current students, Goos added.&nbsp;Scott Cason, Fort Hays State University spokesman, said the school’s on-campus enrollment increased by 2% this year and the number of new undergraduate students attending the school grew by 9%.&nbsp;“Our residence halls are in full capacity right now,” he said. “We haven’t seen that in a long time. It shows you that the on-campus experience is still a draw, even in times where there have been increasing questions about the perception of the value of the college degree.”The school did see a small decrease in international students and in general in online enrollment, Cason said. Once dominating among Kansas schools in online enrollment, FHSU has more competition in that arena and experienced a drop after the COVID-19 pandemic.Other schools are reporting decreasing numbers of international students, but that data won’t be collected by the Board of Regents until later in the school year, Benson said.&nbsp;Cason said Fort Hays State lost only three international students. He attributed that to their diversity of enrollment sources internationally.&nbsp;“We’re actually up in our early college program that includes our international students. We have partner campuses,” he said, adding that although they have strong partnerships in China, they also draw from Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia and Senegal.“We haven’t seen the disruption that other schools have seen that count more heavily on traditional international student models,” he said.Challenges are expected for post-secondary institutions in coming years as the number of students graduating from Kansas high schools will begin decreasing next year. The change is often referred to as an enrollment cliff. In addition, schools are already experiencing decreases in graduating high school students who enroll in higher education, she said.“What we’re seeing is the percent of students who are having any post-secondary credentials after high school has declined pretty significantly,” Goos said. “We actually have seen an increase of high school graduates. This will be the last year. After this, we will start to decline.”Benson said the decrease in number of graduating high school students in 2026 is one of the primary challenges facing higher education.&nbsp;“That’s probably not going to be just a two- or three-year challenge,” he said. “That’s going to be that way for the foreseeable future. That just means the pool of traditional college-age students will continue shrinking, even as the demand for college-educated workers keeps growing.”That makes it imperative for Kansas to increase the number of students going to college to meet workforce needs, Benson said.&nbsp;“I think we’ve also got to work to enroll adult learners, including those who may already have some college credit but no degree,” Benson said. “I don’t think that there’s going to be a silver bullet answer to it, but I’m really proud of the steps that the system in our institutions have taken to get ready for those challenges, and I think that we’ll be able to meet them.”K-State is planning for all those challenges, Goos said.&nbsp;“We’re just launching a new strategic enrollment plan with the idea of thinking about, how do we move forward with the enrollment cliff?” she said. “How do we position ourselves?”

Kansas post-secondary schools see increased enrollment, plan for challenges ahead

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman accused of sex crimes was due back in court Thursday afternoon.&nbsp;

A hearing for 31-year-old Savana King in Judge William Wooley's courtroom was delayed,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; There were set to determine if there was enough evidence to send the case to trial. A new date for the hearing has not been scheduled.

On January 29, an 18-year-old woman reported that she had been sexually assaulted by her former softball coach Savanah King over several years, between 2021 and 2024, before she reached the age of consent, according to Wichita Police Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Police arrested King on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child; fondling, criminal sodomy with a child under the age of 14 and unlawful sexual relations, according to Sedgwick County arrest records. After spending a weekend in jail, King met the requirement of a $250,00 bond and was released from jail.

<a href="https://friendsathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savana-king/2824">King played softball for</a>&nbsp;Friends University, according to the school's website.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739222315038.png" alt="King photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>King photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman accused of sex crimes was due back in court Thursday afternoon.&nbsp;A hearing for 31-year-old Savana King in Judge William Wooley's courtroom was delayed,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp; There were set to determine if there was enough evidence to send the case to trial. A new date for the hearing has not been scheduled.On January 29, an 18-year-old woman reported that she had been sexually assaulted by her former softball coach Savanah King over several years, between 2021 and 2024, before she reached the age of consent, according to Wichita Police Officer Juan Rebolledo.Police arrested King on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child; fondling, criminal sodomy with a child under the age of 14 and unlawful sexual relations, according to Sedgwick County arrest records. After spending a weekend in jail, King met the requirement of a $250,00 bond and was released from jail.<a href="https://friendsathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/savana-king/2824">King played softball for</a>&nbsp;Friends University, according to the school's website.

Hearing delayed: Former coach in Kan. accused of sex assault of player

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has intervened for the first time in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-catholic-durbin-chicago-archdiocese-immigration-af966da9a8483f116d65f494799eba5f">abortion dispute</a>&nbsp;roiling the U.S. Catholic Church by raising the seeming contradiction over what it really means to be “pro-life.”

Leo, a Chicago native, was asked late Tuesday about plans by Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich to give a lifetime achievement award to Illinois Senator Dick Durbin for his work helping immigrants. The plans drew objection from some conservative U.S. bishops given the powerful Democratic senator’s support for abortion rights.

Leo called first of all for respect for both sides, but he also pointed out the seeming contradiction in such debates.

“Someone who says ‘I’m against abortion but says I am in favor of the death penalty’ is not really pro-life,” Leo said. “Someone who says that ‘I’m against abortion, but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States,’ I don’t know if that’s pro-life.”

Leo, whose words echoed a common Catholic argument often made in discussions about abortion, spoke hours before Cupich announced that Durbin had declined the award.

Church teaching forbids abortion but it also opposes capital punishment as “inadmissible” under all circumstances. U.S. bishops and the Vatican have strongly called for humane treatment of migrants, citing the Biblical command to “welcome the stranger.”

In his comments about the Illinois dispute, Leo made no mention of U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has carried out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-deportation-ice-chicago-arrests-a09921fedd10489f08a4073abe31345e">a surge of immigration enforcement in the Chicago area</a>.

Still, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt weighed in and disputed concerns raised by Pope Leo about the treatment of immigrants, saying that she “would reject there is inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States under this administration.”

The administration, Leavitt said, “is trying to enforce our nation’s laws in the most humane way possible.”

Leo said he wasn’t familiar with the details of the dispute over the Durbin award, but said it was nevertheless important to look at the senator’s overall record and noted Durbin’s four-decade tenure. Responding to a question in English from the U.S. Catholic broadcaster EWTN News, he said there were many ethical issues that constitute the teaching of the Catholic Church.

“I don’t know if anyone has all the truth on them but I would ask first and foremost that there be greater respect for one another and that we search together both as human beings, in that case as American citizens or citizens of the state of Illinois, as well as Catholics to say we need to you know really look closely at all of these ethical issues and to find the way forward in this church. Church teaching on each one of those issues is very clear,” he said.

Cupich was a close adviser to Pope Francis, who strongly upheld church teaching opposing abortion but also criticized the politicizing of the abortion debate by U.S. bishops. Some bishops had called for denying Communion to Catholic politicians who supported abortion rights, including former President Joe Biden.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747390720796.png" alt="FIle photo Pope Leo XIV courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>FIle photo Pope Leo XIV courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has intervened for the first time in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-catholic-durbin-chicago-archdiocese-immigration-af966da9a8483f116d65f494799eba5f">abortion dispute</a>&nbsp;roiling the U.S. Catholic Church by raising the seeming contradiction over what it really means to be “pro-life.”Leo, a Chicago native, was asked late Tuesday about plans by Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich to give a lifetime achievement award to Illinois Senator Dick Durbin for his work helping immigrants. The plans drew objection from some conservative U.S. bishops given the powerful Democratic senator’s support for abortion rights.Leo called first of all for respect for both sides, but he also pointed out the seeming contradiction in such debates.“Someone who says ‘I’m against abortion but says I am in favor of the death penalty’ is not really pro-life,” Leo said. “Someone who says that ‘I’m against abortion, but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States,’ I don’t know if that’s pro-life.”<h2>The White House weighs in</h2>Leo, whose words echoed a common Catholic argument often made in discussions about abortion, spoke hours before Cupich announced that Durbin had declined the award.Church teaching forbids abortion but it also opposes capital punishment as “inadmissible” under all circumstances. U.S. bishops and the Vatican have strongly called for humane treatment of migrants, citing the Biblical command to “welcome the stranger.”In his comments about the Illinois dispute, Leo made no mention of U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has carried out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-deportation-ice-chicago-arrests-a09921fedd10489f08a4073abe31345e">a surge of immigration enforcement in the Chicago area</a>.Still, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt weighed in and disputed concerns raised by Pope Leo about the treatment of immigrants, saying that she “would reject there is inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States under this administration.”The administration, Leavitt said, “is trying to enforce our nation’s laws in the most humane way possible.”<h2>Pope Leo says mutual respect is needed</h2>Leo said he wasn’t familiar with the details of the dispute over the Durbin award, but said it was nevertheless important to look at the senator’s overall record and noted Durbin’s four-decade tenure. Responding to a question in English from the U.S. Catholic broadcaster EWTN News, he said there were many ethical issues that constitute the teaching of the Catholic Church.“I don’t know if anyone has all the truth on them but I would ask first and foremost that there be greater respect for one another and that we search together both as human beings, in that case as American citizens or citizens of the state of Illinois, as well as Catholics to say we need to you know really look closely at all of these ethical issues and to find the way forward in this church. Church teaching on each one of those issues is very clear,” he said.Cupich was a close adviser to Pope Francis, who strongly upheld church teaching opposing abortion but also criticized the politicizing of the abortion debate by U.S. bishops. Some bishops had called for denying Communion to Catholic politicians who supported abortion rights, including former President Joe Biden.Biden met on several occasions with Francis and told reporters in 2021 that Francis had told him to continue receiving Communion. During a visit to Rome that year he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-joe-biden-g-20-summit-europe-rome-b88497127cc09a79d018cd262b1c41a1">received the sacrament</a>&nbsp;during Mass at a church in Francis’ diocese.Durbin was barred from receiving Communion in his home diocese of Springfield in 2004. Springfield Bishop Thomas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2001350b11b6466282caf73b671fd861">Paprocki has continued the prohibition</a>&nbsp;and was one of the U.S. bishops who strongly objected to Cupich's decision to honor the senator. Cupich claims Durbin as a member of the Chicago Archdiocese, where Durbin also has a home.<h2>Senator Durbin declines his award</h2>In his statement announcing that Durbin would decline the award, Cupich lamented that the polarization in the U.S. has created a situation where U.S. Catholics “find themselves politically homeless” since neither the Republican nor the Democratic party fully encapsulates the breadth of Catholic teaching.He defended honoring Durbin for his pro-immigration stance, and said the planned Nov. 3 award ceremony could have been an occasion to engage him and other political leaders with the hope of pressing the church’s view on other issues, including abortion.“It could be an invitation to Catholics who tirelessly promote the dignity of the unborn, the elderly, and the sick to extend the circle of protection to immigrants facing in this present moment an existential threat to their lives and the lives of their families,” Cupich wrote.Paprocki, for his part, thanked Durbin for declining the award. “I ask that all Catholics continue to pray for our church, our country, and for the human dignity of all people to be respected in all stages of life including the unborn and immigrants,” Paprocki said in a Facebook post.___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.