Gov. Mike Kehoe wants a quick session to approve stadium financing, disaster relief and state spending that failed in the regular session. How he satisfies lawmakers demanding more could decide success or failure for the new governor

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

The opening of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/27/missouri-governor-calls-special-session-for-kansas-city-stadiums-st-louis-disaster-funding/">legislative special session Monday</a>&nbsp;put partisan and intraparty fights in the Missouri Senate on display as Democrats called for expanded storm relief and Freedom Caucus members called for tax cuts as the price for supporting stadium subsidies.

Gov. Mike Kehoe called lawmakers together just two weeks after they finished work in the regular session to consider a package of tax incentives intended to convince the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to stay in Missouri.&nbsp;

Kehoe is also asking lawmakers for a $235 million spending bill with $25 million for disaster relief as well as a special tax deduction for the cost of meeting insurance deductibles after a disaster.&nbsp;

The brief opening session didn’t feature any sharp exchanges, but the bills filed — and the statements made about them — show where the battle lines are being drawn.

Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, a Democrat from Affton, told reporters that members of his caucus aren’t willing to talk about stadium funding until an appropriations bill and other disaster relief measures are on Kehoe’s desk.

“When that happens and it’s through the House and on the governor’s desk, then we can talk about it,” Beck said.

Members of the Freedom Caucus said they are holding out for a tax cut that benefits all Missourians before considering a stadium plan, said state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance.

Schroer filed a bill to cut the top income tax rate to 4% — it is currently 4.7% — and make the tax flat across all incomes.

“​​The members of the Freedom Caucus, plus the other conservative members that are not necessarily in the caucus, they’ve all expressed that whether it’s income tax, personal property tax or real property tax, for us to sit at the table, and allow tax credits for billionaires to move forward, the little guy needs to get something in return,” Schroer said.

The regular session ended in acrimony when Republicans twice invoked a rarely used procedural move to shut off debate. Democrats had blocked a proposed ballot measure to restore Missouri’s ban on most abortions and a bill repealing the paid sick leave law passed by voters in November.

Democrats vowed that the move ended their cooperation with Republicans and gave a taste of what that meant last week when they&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/29/bipartisan-resistance-building-against-missouri-governors-stadium-funding-plan/">stalled the final paperwork</a>&nbsp;of the regular session.

Under the Missouri Constitution, lawmakers have 60 days to complete work on items in a special session and Kehoe has said he won’t try to impose an artificial deadline. Because of the uncertainty of action in the Senate, the Missouri House won’t convene until next week and will only remain in session if the Senate has passed a bill for it to consider.

But the Chiefs and Royals have only until the end of the month to answer an offer from Kansas to fund new stadiums. Kehoe hopes to have his plan for tax incentives worth about 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums to be passed by then.

The plan for the Chiefs and Royals would take tax money already generated from activities at the stadiums — $28.8 million annually as estimated by the Chiefs and $15 million annually by an estimate from the Royals — and commit it to bond payments for 30 years for the new or upgraded facilities.

The economic activity associated with the Chiefs supports 4,500 jobs, Kehoe contends, and a new stadium for the Royals would generate about 8,400 jobs.&nbsp;

The spending bill Kehoe wants passed would use $25 million of general revenue to support a new research reactor on the University of Missouri’s Columbia campus, plus funding for a new livestock display barn at the State Fairgrounds in Sedalia and about $50 million to help with construction of a new mental hospital in Kansas City.

The funding for the reactor is $25 million less than Kehoe proposed. State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Columbia Democrat, introduced an appropriations bill with $75 million for the reactor, plus all the other general revenue projects that died when Missouri House Republicans refused to bring the construction spending bill up for a vote.

“If there is going to be a $25 million variance on agreements made in this chamber, we ought to go $25 million in the other direction,” Webber said.

Webber also introduced a bill imposing a 1% income tax surcharge on incomes greater than $1 million, which he said would bring in about $400 million over three years to support disaster relief.

“There is obviously a belief, among some, that billionaires should be given a sweetheart deal. I would disagree with that,” Webber said. “There is also some concern about whether we can fund disaster relief for some communities in our state that were desperately hit. So what I’ve tried to do is build a bridge between those two issues.”

State Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican who chairs the Freedom Caucus, introduced a bill to finance the stadiums entirely from donations. He called it the “No Taxation, All Donation Act” and included incentives for giving.

“So if somebody gives over $10,000 to this stadium, then they are able to obtain free parking to be able to get into that stadium,” Brattin said.

The next step will be to send the bills to committees for hearings. That will happen tomorrow and the first hearings will occur soon afterward.

Senate Majority Leader Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville, seemed happy to have gotten past the first day without a filibuster.

“Today went smoothly,” Luetkemeyer said. “And then we’ll just take it day by day and see where we go from here.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748263709817.png" alt="GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is pictured on Sat. Feb. 8 (Anna Spoerre/The Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, is pictured on Sat. Feb. 8 (Anna Spoerre/The Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Gov. Mike Kehoe wants a quick session to approve stadium financing, disaster relief and state spending that failed in the regular session. How he satisfies lawmakers demanding more could decide success or failure for the new governor</h2>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>The opening of the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/27/missouri-governor-calls-special-session-for-kansas-city-stadiums-st-louis-disaster-funding/">legislative special session Monday</a>&nbsp;put partisan and intraparty fights in the Missouri Senate on display as Democrats called for expanded storm relief and Freedom Caucus members called for tax cuts as the price for supporting stadium subsidies.Gov. Mike Kehoe called lawmakers together just two weeks after they finished work in the regular session to consider a package of tax incentives intended to convince the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to stay in Missouri.&nbsp;Kehoe is also asking lawmakers for a $235 million spending bill with $25 million for disaster relief as well as a special tax deduction for the cost of meeting insurance deductibles after a disaster.&nbsp;The brief opening session didn’t feature any sharp exchanges, but the bills filed — and the statements made about them — show where the battle lines are being drawn.Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, a Democrat from Affton, told reporters that members of his caucus aren’t willing to talk about stadium funding until an appropriations bill and other disaster relief measures are on Kehoe’s desk.“When that happens and it’s through the House and on the governor’s desk, then we can talk about it,” Beck said.Members of the Freedom Caucus said they are holding out for a tax cut that benefits all Missourians before considering a stadium plan, said state Sen. Nick Schroer, a Republican from Defiance.Schroer filed a bill to cut the top income tax rate to 4% — it is currently 4.7% — and make the tax flat across all incomes.“​​The members of the Freedom Caucus, plus the other conservative members that are not necessarily in the caucus, they’ve all expressed that whether it’s income tax, personal property tax or real property tax, for us to sit at the table, and allow tax credits for billionaires to move forward, the little guy needs to get something in return,” Schroer said.The regular session ended in acrimony when Republicans twice invoked a rarely used procedural move to shut off debate. Democrats had blocked a proposed ballot measure to restore Missouri’s ban on most abortions and a bill repealing the paid sick leave law passed by voters in November.Democrats vowed that the move ended their cooperation with Republicans and gave a taste of what that meant last week when they&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/29/bipartisan-resistance-building-against-missouri-governors-stadium-funding-plan/">stalled the final paperwork</a>&nbsp;of the regular session.Under the Missouri Constitution, lawmakers have 60 days to complete work on items in a special session and Kehoe has said he won’t try to impose an artificial deadline. Because of the uncertainty of action in the Senate, the Missouri House won’t convene until next week and will only remain in session if the Senate has passed a bill for it to consider.But the Chiefs and Royals have only until the end of the month to answer an offer from Kansas to fund new stadiums. Kehoe hopes to have his plan for tax incentives worth about 50% of the cost of new or renovated stadiums to be passed by then.The plan for the Chiefs and Royals would take tax money already generated from activities at the stadiums — $28.8 million annually as estimated by the Chiefs and $15 million annually by an estimate from the Royals — and commit it to bond payments for 30 years for the new or upgraded facilities.The economic activity associated with the Chiefs supports 4,500 jobs, Kehoe contends, and a new stadium for the Royals would generate about 8,400 jobs.&nbsp;The spending bill Kehoe wants passed would use $25 million of general revenue to support a new research reactor on the University of Missouri’s Columbia campus, plus funding for a new livestock display barn at the State Fairgrounds in Sedalia and about $50 million to help with construction of a new mental hospital in Kansas City.The funding for the reactor is $25 million less than Kehoe proposed. State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Columbia Democrat, introduced an appropriations bill with $75 million for the reactor, plus all the other general revenue projects that died when Missouri House Republicans refused to bring the construction spending bill up for a vote.“If there is going to be a $25 million variance on agreements made in this chamber, we ought to go $25 million in the other direction,” Webber said.Webber also introduced a bill imposing a 1% income tax surcharge on incomes greater than $1 million, which he said would bring in about $400 million over three years to support disaster relief.“There is obviously a belief, among some, that billionaires should be given a sweetheart deal. I would disagree with that,” Webber said. “There is also some concern about whether we can fund disaster relief for some communities in our state that were desperately hit. So what I’ve tried to do is build a bridge between those two issues.”State Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican who chairs the Freedom Caucus, introduced a bill to finance the stadiums entirely from donations. He called it the “No Taxation, All Donation Act” and included incentives for giving.“So if somebody gives over $10,000 to this stadium, then they are able to obtain free parking to be able to get into that stadium,” Brattin said.The next step will be to send the bills to committees for hearings. That will happen tomorrow and the first hearings will occur soon afterward.Senate Majority Leader Tony Luetkemeyer, a Republican from Parkville, seemed happy to have gotten past the first day without a filibuster.“Today went smoothly,” Luetkemeyer said. “And then we’ll just take it day by day and see where we go from here.”

Missouri special session begins with lawmakers split on stadium funding plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday renewed its request for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;to clear the way for plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">downsize the federal workforce</a>, while a lawsuit filed by labor unions and cities proceeds.

The high court filing came after an appeals court refused to freeze a California-based judge’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mass-firings-doge-lawsuit-b41f5b43f428965fd60bc272e3854e3b">order</a>&nbsp;halting the cuts, which have been led by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-donald-trump-962778979dd35ea79d6092df9cb2cb56">Department of Government Efficiency</a>.

By a 2-1 vote, a panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that the downsizing could have broader effects, including on the nation’s food-safety system and health care for veterans.

In her ruling last month, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston found that Trump’s administration needs congressional approval to make sizable reductions to the federal workforce.

The administration initially asked the justices to step in last month, but withdrew its appeal for technical, legal reasons. The latest filing is one in a series of emergency appeals arguing federal judges had overstepped their authority.

Illston’s order “rests on the indefensible premise that the President needs explicit statutory authorization from Congress to exercise his core Article II authority to superintend the internal personnel decisions of the Executive Branch,” Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in the new appeal.

Trump has repeatedly said voters gave him a mandate to remake the federal government, and he tapped billionaire ally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-beautiful-bill-budget-deficit-debt-31e5857c9e94deaa11a176bbec538831">Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;to lead the charge through DOGE. Musk left his role last week.

Tens of thousands of federal workers have been fired, have left their jobs via deferred resignation programs, or have been placed on leave. There is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">no official figure for the job cuts</a>, but at least 75,000 federal employees took deferred resignation, and thousands of probationary workers have already been let go.

Illston’s order directs numerous federal agencies to halt acting on the president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-downsizing-federal-workers-doge-00683abc4de44a151f26aaa6cb0d0f30">workforce executive order</a>&nbsp;signed in February and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">subsequent memo issued</a>&nbsp;by DOGE and the Office of Personnel Management. Illston was nominated by former Democratic President Bill Clinton.

Among the agencies affected by the order are the departments of Agriculture, Energy, Labor, the Interior, State, the Treasury and Veterans Affairs. It also applies to the National Science Foundation, Small Business Association, Social Security Administration and Environmental Protection Agency.

The Supreme Court set a deadline of next Monday for a response from the unions and cities, including Baltimore, Chicago and San Francisco.

Some of the labor unions and nonprofit groups are also plaintiffs in another lawsuit before a San Francisco judge challenging the mass firings of probationary workers. In that case, Judge William Alsup ordered the government in March to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mass-firings-federal-workers-trump-administration-7cc7320f469cc65529367aaea2fd9dcb">reinstate those workers</a>, but the U.S. Supreme Court later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-mass-firings-02e218d2b7ee59925ddcb597b6b0a4fe">blocked his order</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672235865420.png" alt="Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States" />
 <figcaption>Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday renewed its request for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;to clear the way for plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">downsize the federal workforce</a>, while a lawsuit filed by labor unions and cities proceeds.The high court filing came after an appeals court refused to freeze a California-based judge’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mass-firings-doge-lawsuit-b41f5b43f428965fd60bc272e3854e3b">order</a>&nbsp;halting the cuts, which have been led by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-donald-trump-962778979dd35ea79d6092df9cb2cb56">Department of Government Efficiency</a>.By a 2-1 vote, a panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that the downsizing could have broader effects, including on the nation’s food-safety system and health care for veterans.In her ruling last month, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston found that Trump’s administration needs congressional approval to make sizable reductions to the federal workforce.The administration initially asked the justices to step in last month, but withdrew its appeal for technical, legal reasons. The latest filing is one in a series of emergency appeals arguing federal judges had overstepped their authority.Illston’s order “rests on the indefensible premise that the President needs explicit statutory authorization from Congress to exercise his core Article II authority to superintend the internal personnel decisions of the Executive Branch,” Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in the new appeal.Trump has repeatedly said voters gave him a mandate to remake the federal government, and he tapped billionaire ally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-beautiful-bill-budget-deficit-debt-31e5857c9e94deaa11a176bbec538831">Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;to lead the charge through DOGE. Musk left his role last week.Tens of thousands of federal workers have been fired, have left their jobs via deferred resignation programs, or have been placed on leave. There is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">no official figure for the job cuts</a>, but at least 75,000 federal employees took deferred resignation, and thousands of probationary workers have already been let go.Illston’s order directs numerous federal agencies to halt acting on the president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-downsizing-federal-workers-doge-00683abc4de44a151f26aaa6cb0d0f30">workforce executive order</a>&nbsp;signed in February and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">subsequent memo issued</a>&nbsp;by DOGE and the Office of Personnel Management. Illston was nominated by former Democratic President Bill Clinton.Among the agencies affected by the order are the departments of Agriculture, Energy, Labor, the Interior, State, the Treasury and Veterans Affairs. It also applies to the National Science Foundation, Small Business Association, Social Security Administration and Environmental Protection Agency.The Supreme Court set a deadline of next Monday for a response from the unions and cities, including Baltimore, Chicago and San Francisco.Some of the labor unions and nonprofit groups are also plaintiffs in another lawsuit before a San Francisco judge challenging the mass firings of probationary workers. In that case, Judge William Alsup ordered the government in March to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mass-firings-federal-workers-trump-administration-7cc7320f469cc65529367aaea2fd9dcb">reinstate those workers</a>, but the U.S. Supreme Court later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-mass-firings-02e218d2b7ee59925ddcb597b6b0a4fe">blocked his order</a>.

Trump asks the Supreme Court to clear the way for federal downsizing plans

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 31-year-old Javonie E. Minor, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just before 8:30p.m. Sunday, patrol officers responded to the 2900 block of Wabash on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

First responders were directed to a residence on Wabash where they located Minor suffering from gunshot wounds. KCFD EMS responded and transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

This is being investigated as a homicide and no one is in custody at this point. Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation outside of a residence between multiple individuals that led to shots being fired and the victim being struck.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748858205489.png" alt="KCTV" />
 <figcaption>KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 31-year-old Javonie E. Minor, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just before 8:30p.m. Sunday, patrol officers responded to the 2900 block of Wabash on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.First responders were directed to a residence on Wabash where they located Minor suffering from gunshot wounds. KCFD EMS responded and transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.This is being investigated as a homicide and no one is in custody at this point. Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation outside of a residence between multiple individuals that led to shots being fired and the victim being struck.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name.

Homicide: Man shot after altercation outside Kansas City home

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;The State of Kansas ends May 2025 with total tax collections at $657.7 million. That is $158.3 million, or 31.7%, above the estimate. Total tax collections were down 0.2% from May 2024, according to a media release from Governor Kelly's office.

Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2025%2F06%2F02%2Ffile_attachments%2F3279686%2F11_May_Revenue_FY2025_06-02-2025_Final.pdf/1/01010197328dff1e-e45d061a-3318-48b7-aa6c-f96744fa9282-000000/iJjh0u6U0Ys5-zZChAl4U88a6qLuv1_9qPtSI9kpdZQ=407">here</a>&nbsp;to view the May 2025 revenue numbers.&nbsp;

“Surpassing estimates this month is a positive indicator, but we remain diligent and focused on maintaining long-term financial health,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;

Individual income tax collections were $314.7 million. That is $144.7 million, or 85.1% above the estimate, and up 3.1% from May 2024. Corporate income tax collections were $29.2 million. That is $840,880, or 2.8% below the estimate, and down 26.8% from May 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $282.1 million, which is $11.1 million, or 4.1% above the estimate, with no change from May 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;The State of Kansas ends May 2025 with total tax collections at $657.7 million. That is $158.3 million, or 31.7%, above the estimate. Total tax collections were down 0.2% from May 2024, according to a media release from Governor Kelly's office.Click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcontent.govdelivery.com%2Fattachments%2FKSOG%2F2025%2F06%2F02%2Ffile_attachments%2F3279686%2F11_May_Revenue_FY2025_06-02-2025_Final.pdf/1/01010197328dff1e-e45d061a-3318-48b7-aa6c-f96744fa9282-000000/iJjh0u6U0Ys5-zZChAl4U88a6qLuv1_9qPtSI9kpdZQ=407">here</a>&nbsp;to view the May 2025 revenue numbers.&nbsp;“Surpassing estimates this month is a positive indicator, but we remain diligent and focused on maintaining long-term financial health,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;Individual income tax collections were $314.7 million. That is $144.7 million, or 85.1% above the estimate, and up 3.1% from May 2024. Corporate income tax collections were $29.2 million. That is $840,880, or 2.8% below the estimate, and down 26.8% from May 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $282.1 million, which is $11.1 million, or 4.1% above the estimate, with no change from May 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

May total tax collections in Kansas far above the estimate 

RENO COUNTY— Charges have been filed in Reno County against a former employee of USD 309 Nickerson.

On May 30, prosecutors filed five criminal charges against 39-year-old Whitney Shull of Nickerson following alleged incidents that occurred earlier this year. According to the school district, Shull was a part-time substitute teacher and no longer works for the district.

According to court documents, the first four charges stem from events between Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. The fifth count is tied to an incident on or about March 15.

All charges were e-filed under case number 2025 CR 386. The most serious offenses are felonies, while others are class A misdemeanors.

A court date has not yet been announced.&nbsp;

As a professional courtesy, Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett agreed to handle the Shull matter at the request mof Thomas Stanton, the District Attorney in Reno County. Mr. Bennett will receive no compensation for his role in the Reno County case. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748894528719.jpeg" alt="Whitney Shull - Photo Reno County Sheriff's Office " />
 <figcaption>Whitney Shull - Photo Reno County Sheriff's Office </figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY— Charges have been filed in Reno County against a former employee of USD 309 Nickerson.On May 30, prosecutors filed five criminal charges against 39-year-old Whitney Shull of Nickerson following alleged incidents that occurred earlier this year. According to the school district, Shull was a part-time substitute teacher and no longer works for the district.The charges include:<ol>
 <li>Unlawful sexual relations; Teacher with student 16+</li><li>Attempted unlawful sexual relations; Teacher with student 16+</li><li>Aggravated sexual battery; a severity level 5 person felony.</li><li>And two counts of Unlawful Hosting of Minors Consuming Alcohol, also known as social hosting, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.</li>
 </ol><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748892915665.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748892970633.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748893003287.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>According to court documents, the first four charges stem from events between Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. The fifth count is tied to an incident on or about March 15.All charges were e-filed under case number 2025 CR 386. The most serious offenses are felonies, while others are class A misdemeanors.A court date has not yet been announced.&nbsp;As a professional courtesy, Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett agreed to handle the Shull matter at the request mof Thomas Stanton, the District Attorney in Reno County. Mr. Bennett will receive no compensation for his role in the Reno County case.

 Read the complaint: Kan. teacher charged with having sex with student

Claeys’ resignation second departure from Legislature to Trump administration

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Republican Sen. J.R. Claeys of Salina resigned from the Kansas Legislature after accepting an administrative job with the rural business development service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Claeys, who served 13 years in the House and Senate but lost a GOP primary for secretary of state, disclosed several weeks ago his intent to quit as senior advisor to Attorney General Kris Kobach and as a Republican political consultant for Axiom Strategies.

On Monday, Claeys assumed duties at USDA as director of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. The federal agency within USDA has responsibility for promoting economic development by supporting&nbsp;rural businesses and cooperatives.

Claeys said he joined the administration of President Donald Trump to “continue to fight for rural Americans.”

“I have had the privilege of serving my hometown in the Kansas&nbsp;Legislature,” Claeys said. “Representing the people of Saline and Dickinson counties, including Salina&nbsp;where I was born and raised, has been the honor of my life.”

Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said he appreciated the role Claeys’ played in shaping the Senate’s budget and tax policies.

“He has helped lead efforts to secure key private and public sector investments into Kansas, particularly his district,” Masterson said.

The 24th District in the Senate, in accordance with Section 5 of the Kansas Constitution, was declared vacant and the process of nominating a replacement could begin. Claeys won reelection to a four-year term in November.

Claeys was the second Republican to recently depart the Legislature for employment at USDA. State Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita, stepped down in mid-May to begin work as deputy undersecretary for the agriculture department’s food and nutrition service.

Sedgwick County Republicans nominated Steve Brunk to complete the unexpired portion of Penn’s term. Brunk served as a state representative from 2003 to 2015.

Claeys said the central Kansas region within his legislative district experienced economic growth due to massive federal investment and an influx of state bond revenue that spurred manufacturing expansion and technological evolution. Developments included transportation projects, housing construction, downtown revitalization and growth at Kansas State University’s aviation campus in Salina.

“Rural America&nbsp;is not an afterthought,” Claeys said. “It is where the strongest work ethic exists in our nation.&nbsp;A resource&nbsp;more valuable than any other.”

Claeys was elected to the House in 2012 and transitioned to the Senate in 2020. He worked on behalf of the Trump presidential campaign in 2020. He ran unsuccessfully for Kansas secretary of state in 2010.

In 2012, the Salina Journal reported a company owned by Claeys was the subject of a Federal Trade Commission investigation into sales of worthless “green” certifications to more than 125 companies. The FTC concluded Tested Green, based in Washington, D.C., sold bogus environmental certifications from February 2009 to April 2010.

“This company was putting out a green certification that consumers could pay for that was deceptive,” the FEC said at that time. “It had nothing behind it to prove a company was green.”

The FTC said Tested Green certifications were backed by the National Green Business Association and the National Association of Government Contractors. Those Claeys-owned associations shared an address in the District of Columbia.

Claeys said he launched Tested Green, but turned over management to a “director” when he began the campaign for Kansas secretary of state. Claeys said he was deceived by the director, who he declined to identify.

The FTC’s order listed Jeremy Ryan Claeys individually as doing business as Tested Green, the Journal said. The company wasn’t fined or penalized by the FTC, &nbsp;but he was permanently prohibited from making or assisting in deceptive marketing claims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1675092624147.jpeg" alt="Senator J.R. Claeys&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Senator J.R. Claeys&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Claeys’ resignation second departure from Legislature to Trump administration</h2>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Republican Sen. J.R. Claeys of Salina resigned from the Kansas Legislature after accepting an administrative job with the rural business development service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Claeys, who served 13 years in the House and Senate but lost a GOP primary for secretary of state, disclosed several weeks ago his intent to quit as senior advisor to Attorney General Kris Kobach and as a Republican political consultant for Axiom Strategies.On Monday, Claeys assumed duties at USDA as director of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. The federal agency within USDA has responsibility for promoting economic development by supporting&nbsp;rural businesses and cooperatives.Claeys said he joined the administration of President Donald Trump to “continue to fight for rural Americans.”“I have had the privilege of serving my hometown in the Kansas&nbsp;Legislature,” Claeys said. “Representing the people of Saline and Dickinson counties, including Salina&nbsp;where I was born and raised, has been the honor of my life.”Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said he appreciated the role Claeys’ played in shaping the Senate’s budget and tax policies.“He has helped lead efforts to secure key private and public sector investments into Kansas, particularly his district,” Masterson said.The 24th District in the Senate, in accordance with Section 5 of the Kansas Constitution, was declared vacant and the process of nominating a replacement could begin. Claeys won reelection to a four-year term in November.Claeys was the second Republican to recently depart the Legislature for employment at USDA. State Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita, stepped down in mid-May to begin work as deputy undersecretary for the agriculture department’s food and nutrition service.Sedgwick County Republicans nominated Steve Brunk to complete the unexpired portion of Penn’s term. Brunk served as a state representative from 2003 to 2015.Claeys said the central Kansas region within his legislative district experienced economic growth due to massive federal investment and an influx of state bond revenue that spurred manufacturing expansion and technological evolution. Developments included transportation projects, housing construction, downtown revitalization and growth at Kansas State University’s aviation campus in Salina.“Rural America&nbsp;is not an afterthought,” Claeys said. “It is where the strongest work ethic exists in our nation.&nbsp;A resource&nbsp;more valuable than any other.”Claeys was elected to the House in 2012 and transitioned to the Senate in 2020. He worked on behalf of the Trump presidential campaign in 2020. He ran unsuccessfully for Kansas secretary of state in 2010.In 2012, the Salina Journal reported a company owned by Claeys was the subject of a Federal Trade Commission investigation into sales of worthless “green” certifications to more than 125 companies. The FTC concluded Tested Green, based in Washington, D.C., sold bogus environmental certifications from February 2009 to April 2010.“This company was putting out a green certification that consumers could pay for that was deceptive,” the FEC said at that time. “It had nothing behind it to prove a company was green.”The FTC said Tested Green certifications were backed by the National Green Business Association and the National Association of Government Contractors. Those Claeys-owned associations shared an address in the District of Columbia.Claeys said he launched Tested Green, but turned over management to a “director” when he began the campaign for Kansas secretary of state. Claeys said he was deceived by the director, who he declined to identify.The FTC’s order listed Jeremy Ryan Claeys individually as doing business as Tested Green, the Journal said. The company wasn’t fined or penalized by the FTC, &nbsp;but he was permanently prohibited from making or assisting in deceptive marketing claims.

Kansas Republican state senator accepts appointment to USDA rural development job

FINNEY COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation continues investigating an incident that occurred Friday afternoon at the Finney County Law Enforcement Center in Garden City.

Just after 2:30 p.m., a Garden City man, later identified as 25-year-old Isidro Marino, drove his 2020 Toyota RAV4 off the roadway and struck a 25-year-old woman who was walking in the parking lot of the Law Enforcement Center at 304 N. 9th&nbsp;Street in Garden City, according to a media release from the KBI.

Marino began to flee the scene when a deputy from the Finney County Sheriff’s Office ran after his vehicle. Marino started to reverse, driving toward the pursuing deputy. The deputy then fired two rounds in the direction of the suspect, however, neither round struck Marino. He fled the area, still driving the SUV.

A short time later, officers from the Garden City Police Department located Marino’s vehicle and a short pursuit ensued before Marino pulled over in the 1200 block of N. 8th&nbsp;Street. As officers attempted to take Marino into custody, he kicked one of the officers.

Marino remains in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of attempted first-degree murder, fleeing and eluding, and battery of a law enforcement officer.&nbsp; He expected to make a first court appearance this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748870084112.png" alt="Marino photo Finney County" />
 <figcaption>Marino photo Finney County</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation continues investigating an incident that occurred Friday afternoon at the Finney County Law Enforcement Center in Garden City.Just after 2:30 p.m., a Garden City man, later identified as 25-year-old Isidro Marino, drove his 2020 Toyota RAV4 off the roadway and struck a 25-year-old woman who was walking in the parking lot of the Law Enforcement Center at 304 N. 9th&nbsp;Street in Garden City, according to a media release from the KBI.Marino began to flee the scene when a deputy from the Finney County Sheriff’s Office ran after his vehicle. Marino started to reverse, driving toward the pursuing deputy. The deputy then fired two rounds in the direction of the suspect, however, neither round struck Marino. He fled the area, still driving the SUV.A short time later, officers from the Garden City Police Department located Marino’s vehicle and a short pursuit ensued before Marino pulled over in the 1200 block of N. 8th&nbsp;Street. As officers attempted to take Marino into custody, he kicked one of the officers.Marino remains in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of attempted first-degree murder, fleeing and eluding, and battery of a law enforcement officer.&nbsp; He expected to make a first court appearance this week.

Driver in SW Kan. who eluded police gunfire will face a judge

KANSAS CITY– Christopher L. Curtner, 41, was charged with bank robbery in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. on May 28, according to the United State's Attorney.

The complaint affidavit alleges Curtner robbed a financial institution on the morning of May 27, 2025.&nbsp; After speaking briefly with the bank teller, Curtner wrote a note saying: “give me the money this is a robbery.”&nbsp; The teller activated the bank’s duress code and provided Curtner with approximately $1,400 in cash, after which he fled the scene.

A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) task force positively identified Curtner as the bank robber.&nbsp; Kansas City, Missouri Police Department (KCPD) officers located Curtner, who was on foot in the Kansas City metro area. The KCPD fugitive unit began physical surveillance on Curtner and took him into custody as he entered a second financial institution.

Under federal statutes, bank robbery carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment in federal prison without parole.&nbsp; The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Siegele. It was investigated by the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, Kansas City Division and the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748630212736.png" alt="Curtner photo from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Curtner photo from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– Christopher L. Curtner, 41, was charged with bank robbery in a federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo. on May 28, according to the United State's Attorney.The complaint affidavit alleges Curtner robbed a financial institution on the morning of May 27, 2025.&nbsp; After speaking briefly with the bank teller, Curtner wrote a note saying: “give me the money this is a robbery.”&nbsp; The teller activated the bank’s duress code and provided Curtner with approximately $1,400 in cash, after which he fled the scene.A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) task force positively identified Curtner as the bank robber.&nbsp; Kansas City, Missouri Police Department (KCPD) officers located Curtner, who was on foot in the Kansas City metro area. The KCPD fugitive unit began physical surveillance on Curtner and took him into custody as he entered a second financial institution.Under federal statutes, bank robbery carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment in federal prison without parole.&nbsp; The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Siegele. It was investigated by the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, Kansas City Division and the Kansas City Missouri Police Department.

 Affidavit: Kansas City man took $1,400 in bank robbery

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau was getting in some golf practice on a famous green Monday at the South Lawn of the White House,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MargoMartin47/status/1929646794008379698">according to a video posted by a White House aide</a>.

DeChambeau, who golfed on Sunday with President Donald Trump at his club in Virginia, returned to the White House with the president Sunday and appeared to stick around Monday, when he used the putting green on the South Lawn.

The putting green was first installed in 1954 during President Dwight Eisenhower’s administration. It was removed in 1971, later restored in a different location by former President George H.W. Bush and moved to its current spot under President Bill Clinton.

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau was getting in some golf practice on a famous green Monday at the South Lawn of the White House,&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MargoMartin47/status/1929646794008379698">according to a video posted by a White House aide</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">SPOTTED: <a href="https://twitter.com/brysondech?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brysondech</a> throwing darts on the South Lawn of the White House 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/kh9UVV4W7C">pic.twitter.com/kh9UVV4W7C</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1929646794008379698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>DeChambeau, who golfed on Sunday with President Donald Trump at his club in Virginia, returned to the White House with the president Sunday and appeared to stick around Monday, when he used the putting green on the South Lawn.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">⛳️<a href="https://twitter.com/brysondech?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brysondech</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhiteHouse</a>🏌️‍♂️ <a href="https://t.co/hBjEKDyqJP">pic.twitter.com/hBjEKDyqJP</a>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1929670449132077562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The putting green was first installed in 1954 during President Dwight Eisenhower’s administration. It was removed in 1971, later restored in a different location by former President George H.W. Bush and moved to its current spot under President Bill Clinton.

🎥President Trump turning White House into mini golf course

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Four additional victims have been identified in the Boulder attack in which a man is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails into a group that had gathered to bring attention to Israeli hostages in Gaza, authorities said Monday, bringing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boulder-terror-attack-colorado-c90a20758b3ebee597c84eb296e44e91">number of injured to 12</a>.

The man planned the attack for more than a year and specifically targeted what he described as a “Zionist group,” authorities said in court papers charging him with a federal hate crime.

Witnesses said the suspect, identified by Boulder police as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, yelled “Free Palestine” and used a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices. The suspect’s first name also was spelled Mohammed in some court documents.

Federal and state prosecutors filed separate criminal cases against Soliman, charging him with a hate crime and attempted murder, respectively. He faces additional state charges related to the incendiary devices, and more charges are possible in federal court, where the Justice Department will seek a grand jury indictment that may include amended allegations.

An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he was driven by a desire “to kill all Zionist people,” a reference to the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel.

“He said he had to do it, he should do it, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it,” police wrote. “Mohamed described his hopes for everyone in the Zionist group to die.”

Federal court records don't list the name of an attorney who could speak on Soliman's behalf, and no one answered the door at a Colorado Springs townhouse where public records show he lived.

The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder unfolded against the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war between Israel and Hamas</a>&nbsp;that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. The attack happened on the beginning of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shavuot-jewish-festival-boulder-colorado-attack-cb71561eeff518d89c3dcab6b6e2829b">Jewish holiday of Shavuot</a>&nbsp;and barely a week after a man who also yelled “Free Palestine” was charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-embassy-jewish-museum-shooting-10307b3b1a2a337e76730736b12ebbcb">fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers</a>&nbsp;outside a Jewish museum in Washington.

The victims who were wounded range in age from 52 to 88, and the injuries spanned from serious to minor, officials said. All four of the latest victims had what police described as minor injuries.

Six of the injured were taken to hospitals, and four have since been released, said Miri Kornfeld, a Denver-based organizer connected to the group. She said the clothing of one of those who remains hospitalized caught on fire.

The attack occurred as people with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages in Gaza. Video from the scene shows a witness shouting, “He’s right there. He’s throwing Molotov cocktails,” as a police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect who is holding containers in each hand.

Witness Alex Osante of San Diego said he was across the pedestrian mall when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking on the ground and a “boom” followed by people yelling and screaming.

In video of the scene captured by Osante, people could be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Osante said had caught on fire during the attack.

Soliman said he dressed up like gardener with an orange vest in order to get as close to the group as possible, even purchasing flowers from Home Depot, police wrote. He had gas in a backpack sprayer but told investigators he didn’t spray it on anyone but himself “because he had planned on dying.”

He told investigators he only threw two Molotov cocktails at the group “because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before,” police wrote.

After the initial attack, Osante said the suspect went behind some bushes and then reemerged and threw a Molotov cocktail but apparently accidentally caught himself on fire as he threw it. The man then took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video Osante filmed.

District Attorney Michael Dougherty said 16 unused Molotov cocktails were recovered by law enforcement. The devices were made up of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the them, the FBI said.

Soliman told investigators he constructed homemade Molotov cocktails after doing research on YouTube and buying the ingredients.

“He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack,” the affidavit says.

Authorities said they believe Soliman acted alone. He was also injured and taken to a hospital. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of his injuries, but a booking photo showed him with a large bandage over one ear.

Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally after entering the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on the social platform X. McLaughlin said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for additional information.

Soliman, who was born in Egypt, moved to Colorado Springs three years ago, where he lived with his wife and five kids, according to state court documents. He previously spent 17 years living in Kuwait.

Colorado Springs neighbors recognized suspect

Shameka Pruiett knew Soliman and his wife as kindly neighbors with three young kids and two teenagers, who’d play with Pruiett’s kids.

Another neighbor, Kierra Johnson, said she could often hear shouting at night from his apartment and once called police because of the screaming and yelling.

On Sunday, Pruiett saw law enforcement vehicles waiting on the street throughout the day until the evening, when they spoke through a megaphone telling anyone in Soliman’s home to come out. Nobody came out and it did not appear anyone was inside, said Pruiett.

An online resume under Soliman’s name said he was employed by a Denver-area health care company working in accounting and inventory control, with prior employers listed as companies in Egypt. Under education, the resume listed Al-Azhar University, a historic center for Islamic and Arabic learning located in Cairo.

Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press journalists Brittany Peterson and David Zalubowski in Boulder, Colorado; Jesse Bedayn in Colorado Springs; Kimberlee Kruesi in Providence, Rhode Island; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Alanna Durkin Richer and Michael Biesecker in Washington and Jim Mustian in New York contributed to this report.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — A man accused of using a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device to attack a group in Boulder, Colorado, that had gathered to bring attention to Israeli hostages in Gaza, has been charged with a federal hate crime, according to court documents filed Monday.

The suspect, Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, told police he planned it for a year and specifically targeted what he described as the “Zionist group,” the FBI said.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boulder-terror-attack-colorado-c90a20758b3ebee597c84eb296e44e91">Eight people were injured</a>&nbsp;in the attack, some with burns, as a group was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Witnesses reported the man yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack.

An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he would do it again.

The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a four-block area in downtown Boulder, unfolded against the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war between Israel and Hamas</a>&nbsp;that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. The attack happened on the beginning of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shavuot-jewish-festival-boulder-colorado-attack-cb71561eeff518d89c3dcab6b6e2829b">Jewish holiday of Shavuot</a>, which is marked with the reading of the Torah and barely a week after a man who also yelled “Free Palestine” was charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-embassy-jewish-museum-shooting-10307b3b1a2a337e76730736b12ebbcb">fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers</a>&nbsp;outside of a Jewish museum in Washington.

Attack happened as group finished weekly demonstration

The eight victims who were wounded range in age from 52 to 88 and the injuries spanned from serious to minor, officials said.

The attack occurred as people with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Video from the scene shows a witness shouting, “He’s right there. He’s throwing Molotov cocktails,” as a police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect who is holding containers in each hand.

Alex Osante of San Diego said he was having lunch on a restaurant patio across the pedestrian mall when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking on the ground and a “boom” followed by people yelling and screaming.

In video of the scene captured by Osante, people could be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Osante said had caught on fire during the attack. A man, who later identified himself as an Israeli visiting Boulder who decided to join the group that day, ran up to Osante on the video asking for some water to help.

Suspect reemerged after initial attack before being arrested

Law enforcement found more than a dozen unlit Molotov cocktails near where Soliman was arrested. The devices were made up of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the them, the FBI said. Inside his car, law enforcement found papers with the words “Israel,” “Palestine,” and “USAID,” the affidavit says.

The group that was attacked has said it was trying to raise attention to the plight of the Israeli hostages in Gaza.

Authorities say they believe the suspect acted alone

State and federal authorities planned to hold a news conference Monday afternoon.

Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally after entering the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TriciaOhio/status/1929502616238653851">post on X</a>. McLaughlin said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for additional information.

Public records listed Soliman as living in a modest rented townhouse in Colorado Springs, where local media outlets reported federal law enforcement agents were on the scene Sunday.

Shameka Pruiett knew Soliman and his family as kindly neighbors with five children, three young kids and two teenagers, who’d play with Pruiett’s kids in front of their building, share food and hellos. But she said when she saw Soliman on video in Boulder, shirtless and holding bottles with flames licking up the grass in front of him, it was hard to recognize him.

“There had to be something deeply disturbing him, cause that is not the guy we see in the neighborhood,” Pruiett said.

Another neighbor, Kierra Johnson, who lives in the apartment next to Soliman's, said she could often hear shouting at night from his apartment and once called police because of the screaming and yelling.

On Sunday, Pruiett saw law enforcement vehicles waiting on the street throughout the day until the evening, when they spoke through a megaphone telling anyone in Soliman’s home to come out. Nobody came out and it did not appear anyone was inside, said Pruiett. The raid lasted several hours, she said.

FBI leaders immediately declared the attack an act of terrorism and the Justice Department denounced it as a “needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans.”

“Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country,” said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Denver field office, which encompasses Boulder.

In New York, the police department said it upped its presence at religious sites throughout the city for Shavuot.

<a href="https://apnews.com/today-in-history/october-7">Israel's war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others. They are still holding 58 hostages, around a third believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 54,000 people in Hamas-run Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas, displaced around 90% of the population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid.

The violence comes four years after a shooting rampage at a grocery store in Boulder, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Denver, that killed 10 people. The gunman was sentenced to life in prison for murder after a jury rejected his attempt to avoid prison time by pleading&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colorado-grocery-store-shooting-verdict-insanity-defense-5165e084ef220a9d65432a2e748979c9">not guilty by reason of insanity</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748821549436.png" alt="Run for their lives promo poster" />
 <figcaption>Run for their lives promo poster</figcaption>
 </figure>BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Four additional victims have been identified in the Boulder attack in which a man is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails into a group that had gathered to bring attention to Israeli hostages in Gaza, authorities said Monday, bringing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boulder-terror-attack-colorado-c90a20758b3ebee597c84eb296e44e91">number of injured to 12</a>.The man planned the attack for more than a year and specifically targeted what he described as a “Zionist group,” authorities said in court papers charging him with a federal hate crime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748886568355.png" alt="Soliman photo Boulder Police" />
 <figcaption>Soliman photo Boulder Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Witnesses said the suspect, identified by Boulder police as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, yelled “Free Palestine” and used a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices. The suspect’s first name also was spelled Mohammed in some court documents.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;Yesterday’s horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America... My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!&quot; –President Donald J. Trump <a href="https://t.co/fBVKWbTgQA">pic.twitter.com/fBVKWbTgQA</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1929580097192730898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Federal and state prosecutors filed separate criminal cases against Soliman, charging him with a hate crime and attempted murder, respectively. He faces additional state charges related to the incendiary devices, and more charges are possible in federal court, where the Justice Department will seek a grand jury indictment that may include amended allegations.An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he was driven by a desire “to kill all Zionist people,” a reference to the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel.“He said he had to do it, he should do it, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it,” police wrote. “Mohamed described his hopes for everyone in the Zionist group to die.”Federal court records don't list the name of an attorney who could speak on Soliman's behalf, and no one answered the door at a Colorado Springs townhouse where public records show he lived.The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder unfolded against the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war between Israel and Hamas</a>&nbsp;that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. The attack happened on the beginning of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shavuot-jewish-festival-boulder-colorado-attack-cb71561eeff518d89c3dcab6b6e2829b">Jewish holiday of Shavuot</a>&nbsp;and barely a week after a man who also yelled “Free Palestine” was charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-embassy-jewish-museum-shooting-10307b3b1a2a337e76730736b12ebbcb">fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers</a>&nbsp;outside a Jewish museum in Washington.<h2>Six victims hospitalized</h2>The victims who were wounded range in age from 52 to 88, and the injuries spanned from serious to minor, officials said. All four of the latest victims had what police described as minor injuries.Six of the injured were taken to hospitals, and four have since been released, said Miri Kornfeld, a Denver-based organizer connected to the group. She said the clothing of one of those who remains hospitalized caught on fire.The attack occurred as people with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages in Gaza. Video from the scene shows a witness shouting, “He’s right there. He’s throwing Molotov cocktails,” as a police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect who is holding containers in each hand.Witness Alex Osante of San Diego said he was across the pedestrian mall when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking on the ground and a “boom” followed by people yelling and screaming.In video of the scene captured by Osante, people could be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Osante said had caught on fire during the attack.<h2>Molotov cocktails found</h2>Soliman said he dressed up like gardener with an orange vest in order to get as close to the group as possible, even purchasing flowers from Home Depot, police wrote. He had gas in a backpack sprayer but told investigators he didn’t spray it on anyone but himself “because he had planned on dying.”He told investigators he only threw two Molotov cocktails at the group “because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before,” police wrote.After the initial attack, Osante said the suspect went behind some bushes and then reemerged and threw a Molotov cocktail but apparently accidentally caught himself on fire as he threw it. The man then took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video Osante filmed.District Attorney Michael Dougherty said 16 unused Molotov cocktails were recovered by law enforcement. The devices were made up of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the them, the FBI said.Soliman told investigators he constructed homemade Molotov cocktails after doing research on YouTube and buying the ingredients.“He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack,” the affidavit says.<h2>Suspect hospitalized after attack</h2>Authorities said they believe Soliman acted alone. He was also injured and taken to a hospital. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of his injuries, but a booking photo showed him with a large bandage over one ear.Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally after entering the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on the social platform X. McLaughlin said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for additional information.Soliman, who was born in Egypt, moved to Colorado Springs three years ago, where he lived with his wife and five kids, according to state court documents. He previously spent 17 years living in Kuwait.<h2>Colorado Springs neighbors recognized suspect</h2>Shameka Pruiett knew Soliman and his wife as kindly neighbors with three young kids and two teenagers, who’d play with Pruiett’s kids.Another neighbor, Kierra Johnson, said she could often hear shouting at night from his apartment and once called police because of the screaming and yelling.On Sunday, Pruiett saw law enforcement vehicles waiting on the street throughout the day until the evening, when they spoke through a megaphone telling anyone in Soliman’s home to come out. Nobody came out and it did not appear anyone was inside, said Pruiett.An online resume under Soliman’s name said he was employed by a Denver-area health care company working in accounting and inventory control, with prior employers listed as companies in Egypt. Under education, the resume listed Al-Azhar University, a historic center for Islamic and Arabic learning located in Cairo.---------------------Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press journalists Brittany Peterson and David Zalubowski in Boulder, Colorado; Jesse Bedayn in Colorado Springs; Kimberlee Kruesi in Providence, Rhode Island; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Alanna Durkin Richer and Michael Biesecker in Washington and Jim Mustian in New York contributed to this report.-----------BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — A man accused of using a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device to attack a group in Boulder, Colorado, that had gathered to bring attention to Israeli hostages in Gaza, has been charged with a federal hate crime, according to court documents filed Monday.The suspect, Mohammed Sabry Soliman, 45, told police he planned it for a year and specifically targeted what he described as the “Zionist group,” the FBI said.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boulder-terror-attack-colorado-c90a20758b3ebee597c84eb296e44e91">Eight people were injured</a>&nbsp;in the attack, some with burns, as a group was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Witnesses reported the man yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack.An FBI affidavit says Soliman confessed to the attack after being taken into custody Sunday and told the police he would do it again.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;Yesterday’s horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America... My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!&quot; –President Donald J. Trump <a href="https://t.co/fBVKWbTgQA">pic.twitter.com/fBVKWbTgQA</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1929580097192730898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The burst of violence at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a four-block area in downtown Boulder, unfolded against the backdrop of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">war between Israel and Hamas</a>&nbsp;that continues to inflame global tensions and has contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. The attack happened on the beginning of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shavuot-jewish-festival-boulder-colorado-attack-cb71561eeff518d89c3dcab6b6e2829b">Jewish holiday of Shavuot</a>, which is marked with the reading of the Torah and barely a week after a man who also yelled “Free Palestine” was charged with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-embassy-jewish-museum-shooting-10307b3b1a2a337e76730736b12ebbcb">fatally shooting two Israeli embassy staffers</a>&nbsp;outside of a Jewish museum in Washington.<h2>Attack happened as group finished weekly demonstration</h2>The eight victims who were wounded range in age from 52 to 88 and the injuries spanned from serious to minor, officials said.The attack occurred as people with a volunteer group called Run For Their Lives was concluding their weekly demonstration to raise visibility for the hostages who remain in Gaza. Video from the scene shows a witness shouting, “He’s right there. He’s throwing Molotov cocktails,” as a police officer with his gun drawn advances on a bare-chested suspect who is holding containers in each hand.Alex Osante of San Diego said he was having lunch on a restaurant patio across the pedestrian mall when he heard the crash of a bottle breaking on the ground and a “boom” followed by people yelling and screaming.In video of the scene captured by Osante, people could be seen pouring water on a woman lying on the ground who Osante said had caught on fire during the attack. A man, who later identified himself as an Israeli visiting Boulder who decided to join the group that day, ran up to Osante on the video asking for some water to help.<h2>Suspect reemerged after initial attack before being arrested</h2>After the initial attack, Osante said the suspect went behind some bushes and then reemerged and threw a Molotov cocktail but apparently accidentally caught himself on fire as he threw it. The man then took off his shirt and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest before the police arrived. The man dropped to the ground and was arrested without any apparent resistance in the video Osante filmed.Law enforcement found more than a dozen unlit Molotov cocktails near where Soliman was arrested. The devices were made up of glass wine carafe bottles or jars with clear liquid and red rags hanging out of the them, the FBI said. Inside his car, law enforcement found papers with the words “Israel,” “Palestine,” and “USAID,” the affidavit says.Soliman told investigators he constructed homemade Molotov cocktails after doing research on YouTube and buying the ingredients.“He stated that he had been planning the attack for a year and was waiting until after his daughter graduated to conduct the attack,” the affidavit says.The group that was attacked has said it was trying to raise attention to the plight of the Israeli hostages in Gaza.<h2>Authorities say they believe the suspect acted alone</h2>Authorities said they believe Soliman acted alone. He was also injured and taken to a hospital. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of his injuries, but a booking photo showed him with a large bandage over one ear.State and federal authorities planned to hold a news conference Monday afternoon.Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally after entering the country in August 2022 on a B2 visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TriciaOhio/status/1929502616238653851">post on X</a>. McLaughlin said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023 that had expired. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for additional information.Public records listed Soliman as living in a modest rented townhouse in Colorado Springs, where local media outlets reported federal law enforcement agents were on the scene Sunday.Shameka Pruiett knew Soliman and his family as kindly neighbors with five children, three young kids and two teenagers, who’d play with Pruiett’s kids in front of their building, share food and hellos. But she said when she saw Soliman on video in Boulder, shirtless and holding bottles with flames licking up the grass in front of him, it was hard to recognize him.“There had to be something deeply disturbing him, cause that is not the guy we see in the neighborhood,” Pruiett said.Another neighbor, Kierra Johnson, who lives in the apartment next to Soliman's, said she could often hear shouting at night from his apartment and once called police because of the screaming and yelling.On Sunday, Pruiett saw law enforcement vehicles waiting on the street throughout the day until the evening, when they spoke through a megaphone telling anyone in Soliman’s home to come out. Nobody came out and it did not appear anyone was inside, said Pruiett. The raid lasted several hours, she said.An online resume under Soliman’s name said he was employed by a Denver-area health care company working in accounting and inventory control, with prior employers listed as companies in Egypt. Under education, the resume listed Al-Azhar University, a historic center for Islamic and Arabic learning located in Cairo.FBI leaders immediately declared the attack an act of terrorism and the Justice Department denounced it as a “needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans.”“Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country,” said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Denver field office, which encompasses Boulder.In New York, the police department said it upped its presence at religious sites throughout the city for Shavuot.<a href="https://apnews.com/today-in-history/october-7">Israel's war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others. They are still holding 58 hostages, around a third believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 54,000 people in Hamas-run Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. The offensive has destroyed vast areas, displaced around 90% of the population and left people almost completely reliant on international aid.The violence comes four years after a shooting rampage at a grocery store in Boulder, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Denver, that killed 10 people. The gunman was sentenced to life in prison for murder after a jury rejected his attempt to avoid prison time by pleading&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/colorado-grocery-store-shooting-verdict-insanity-defense-5165e084ef220a9d65432a2e748979c9">not guilty by reason of insanity</a>.___Tucker reported from Washington. Associated Press journalists Brittany Peterson and David Zalubowski in Boulder, Colorado; Jesse Bedayn in Colorado Springs; Kimberlee Kruesi in Providence, Rhode Island; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Alanna Durkin Richer and Michael Biesecker in Washington and Jim Mustian in New York contributed to this report.

New details on Colorado terror attack targeting Jews

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent a boy and a man to the hospital.

On Sunday night, police responded to a shooting in the 2600 block of N Park Place, according to Officer Brad Wright.

First responders found a 4-year-old boy with gunshot wounds to his back and buttocks and a 32-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his upper back. Both were transported to a local hospital for observation.&nbsp;

Investigators learned that the adult victim was driving south on Park Place when someone in a dark SUV traveling north opened fire. The victim attempted to escape by pulling into a driveway and accelerated, but ended up crashing through several fences and a shed.&nbsp;

This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information, call detectives at 316-268-4407, or you can remain anonymous and contact Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748883299482.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that sent a boy and a man to the hospital.On Sunday night, police responded to a shooting in the 2600 block of N Park Place, according to Officer Brad Wright.First responders found a 4-year-old boy with gunshot wounds to his back and buttocks and a 32-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his upper back. Both were transported to a local hospital for observation.&nbsp;Investigators learned that the adult victim was driving south on Park Place when someone in a dark SUV traveling north opened fire. The victim attempted to escape by pulling into a driveway and accelerated, but ended up crashing through several fences and a shed.&nbsp;This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information, call detectives at 316-268-4407, or you can remain anonymous and contact Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

4-year-old hospitalized after Kansas drive-by shooting

KANSAS CITY, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred early Monday morning in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.

Around 2:45 a.m., officers from Kansas City, Kansas Police responded to a 911 call reporting a domestic incident. After meeting with the woman who called, they went to a storage unit at 235 N. 78th&nbsp;St., to interview the suspect, later identified as Timothy Cella, 41, of Kansas City, Kansas.

Preliminary information indicates when officers arrived, they attempted to establish contact with Cella, who they could view through a large window in the exterior storage unit. During negotiations, officers gave commands for him to come out, but Cella did not comply and made verbal threats to officers. Then officers believed Cella pointed a firearm at them. Additional officers responded to the scene.

At around 3:45 a.m., officers again observed Cella raising what was believed to be a firearm at officers. Six officers fired, striking Cella multiple times. EMS responded and transported him to an area hospital. Cella is currently in critical, but stable condition.

A butane torch was located at the scene and is believed to be the object Cella pointed at officers.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Kansas City, Kansas.

Overnight,&nbsp; police responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; Officer were involved with a shooting&nbsp;with an adult, male suspect. 

The suspect was transported to an area hospital.&nbsp; He was in stable condition. No officers were injured. 

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation will conduct the investigation. Check the&nbsp; Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748894726866.png" alt="Cella photo from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Cella photo from an earlier arrest in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred early Monday morning in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.Around 2:45 a.m., officers from Kansas City, Kansas Police responded to a 911 call reporting a domestic incident. After meeting with the woman who called, they went to a storage unit at 235 N. 78th&nbsp;St., to interview the suspect, later identified as Timothy Cella, 41, of Kansas City, Kansas.Preliminary information indicates when officers arrived, they attempted to establish contact with Cella, who they could view through a large window in the exterior storage unit. During negotiations, officers gave commands for him to come out, but Cella did not comply and made verbal threats to officers. Then officers believed Cella pointed a firearm at them. Additional officers responded to the scene.At around 3:45 a.m., officers again observed Cella raising what was believed to be a firearm at officers. Six officers fired, striking Cella multiple times. EMS responded and transported him to an area hospital. Cella is currently in critical, but stable condition.A butane torch was located at the scene and is believed to be the object Cella pointed at officers.--------------KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Kansas City, Kansas.Overnight,&nbsp; police responded to a domestic disturbance at a home in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; Officer were involved with a shooting&nbsp;with an adult, male suspect. The suspect was transported to an area hospital.&nbsp; He was in stable condition. No officers were injured. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation will conduct the investigation. Check the&nbsp; Post for additional details as they become available.

Police ID suspect wounded in Kansas officer-involved shooting

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly, in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Commerce, announced&nbsp;Friday a new web page for federal workers seeking employment in Kansas. The landing page provides an overview of the state's current job opportunities, quick links to programs that aid eligible Kansas employees, access to the State of Kansas job portal, and other helpful tools for jobseekers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Flovekansas.com%2Ffederalworkers%2F/1/0101019722ad0e2c-0983de1b-40a2-463a-8bb6-e5811c13914a-000000/IPB1iZg6vVnWWF9MV1K94_hcDKeGjFbekXxQAL8yeoY=407">Click here</a>&nbsp;to view the new web page

“As many federal employees find themselves in need of new opportunities, I’m excited to launch a web page that showcases all the great career opportunities Kansas has to offer,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“With highly rated schools, low cost of living, and a competitive housing market, our state is ready to welcome new employees and their families with open arms.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The web page specifically highlights the Rural Opportunity Zone program, which offers Student Loan Repayment Assistance and/or 100% State Income Tax Credit for 95 counties across the state.

“Kansas is an incredible place,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland.&nbsp;“Since 2019, we’ve been enhancing our communities through quality-of-life perks and elevating our economy by ushering in new and innovative business opportunities — all with the purpose of welcoming folks from across the country to live the good life here in Kansas. If you’re a displaced federal worker — or just someone seeking new horizons — look no further than the Sunflower State.”

The web page can be found on the&nbsp;Love, Kansas&nbsp;site.&nbsp;Love, Kansas&nbsp;is the state’s talent recruitment campaign that highlights why Kansas is an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family. This marketing initiative, which was approved with bipartisan support of the Kansas Legislature, has a special emphasis on “boomerangs,” or individuals with previous ties to Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748719773344.png" alt="Image from the new website" />
 <figcaption>Image from the new website</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly, in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Commerce, announced&nbsp;Friday a new web page for federal workers seeking employment in Kansas. The landing page provides an overview of the state's current job opportunities, quick links to programs that aid eligible Kansas employees, access to the State of Kansas job portal, and other helpful tools for jobseekers.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Flovekansas.com%2Ffederalworkers%2F/1/0101019722ad0e2c-0983de1b-40a2-463a-8bb6-e5811c13914a-000000/IPB1iZg6vVnWWF9MV1K94_hcDKeGjFbekXxQAL8yeoY=407">Click here</a>&nbsp;to view the new web page“As many federal employees find themselves in need of new opportunities, I’m excited to launch a web page that showcases all the great career opportunities Kansas has to offer,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“With highly rated schools, low cost of living, and a competitive housing market, our state is ready to welcome new employees and their families with open arms.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The web page specifically highlights the Rural Opportunity Zone program, which offers Student Loan Repayment Assistance and/or 100% State Income Tax Credit for 95 counties across the state.“Kansas is an incredible place,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland.&nbsp;“Since 2019, we’ve been enhancing our communities through quality-of-life perks and elevating our economy by ushering in new and innovative business opportunities — all with the purpose of welcoming folks from across the country to live the good life here in Kansas. If you’re a displaced federal worker — or just someone seeking new horizons — look no further than the Sunflower State.”The web page can be found on the&nbsp;Love, Kansas&nbsp;site.&nbsp;Love, Kansas&nbsp;is the state’s talent recruitment campaign that highlights why Kansas is an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family. This marketing initiative, which was approved with bipartisan support of the Kansas Legislature, has a special emphasis on “boomerangs,” or individuals with previous ties to Kansas.

New website for federal employees seeking jobs in Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has issued a blue alert in Kansas on behalf of Missouri, after a Lee’s Summit officer was shot and critically injured Sunday night.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) issued the blue alert Monday morning trying to locate a suspect wanted in related to the shooting. The alert was later extended into Kansas.

Authorities are looking for Thomas Eugene Tolbert, 27. Tolbert is a black male, around 240 pounds, and is 6 foot 2 inches tall with brown eyes and black hair. At the time he was last seen, he was wearing a black top with a hood, and black shorts.

He is armed with a handgun and considered dangerous.

Around 11 p.m, Sunday, June 1, law enforcement responded to a domestic disturbance at 3560 SW Hollywood Drive in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. After a short foot pursuit between Tolbert and officers, Tolbert shot a Lee’s Summit police officer, seriously injuring him.

Tolbert left the scene in a vehicle that has since been recovered in Grandview, Missouri, but Tolbert remains on the loose.

A wireless emergency alert was issued in several Kansas City metro counties on the Kansas side.

Anyone who sees Tolbert should immediately call 911. Any other information about his whereabouts should be reported at 1-800-KS-CRIME.

JACKSON COUNTY—A police officer was injured in a shooting while investigating a domestic disturbance and the search for the suspect identified as 27-year-old Thomas Tolbert continues.

Just after 11:00 p.m. Sunday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the 3500 block of SW Hollywood Drive in Lee's Summit on the report of a domestic disturbance, according to a media release from police.

 As the first officer arrived on scene in the apartment complex; and while waiting for his assisting officer, the officer observed a male subject running from the scene. 

 The officer chased the suspect on foot and quickly advised via the radio that shots had been fired.  No shots were fired by the officer. The officer was struck multiple times. 

 Investigators are working with area law enforcement partners to track Tolbert.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748871261194.png" alt="Police near the scene of the shooting investigation KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police near the scene of the shooting investigation KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has issued a blue alert in Kansas on behalf of Missouri, after a Lee’s Summit officer was shot and critically injured Sunday night.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748872142987.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) issued the blue alert Monday morning trying to locate a suspect wanted in related to the shooting. The alert was later extended into Kansas.Authorities are looking for Thomas Eugene Tolbert, 27. Tolbert is a black male, around 240 pounds, and is 6 foot 2 inches tall with brown eyes and black hair. At the time he was last seen, he was wearing a black top with a hood, and black shorts.He is armed with a handgun and considered dangerous.Around 11 p.m, Sunday, June 1, law enforcement responded to a domestic disturbance at 3560 SW Hollywood Drive in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. After a short foot pursuit between Tolbert and officers, Tolbert shot a Lee’s Summit police officer, seriously injuring him.Tolbert left the scene in a vehicle that has since been recovered in Grandview, Missouri, but Tolbert remains on the loose.A wireless emergency alert was issued in several Kansas City metro counties on the Kansas side.Anyone who sees Tolbert should immediately call 911. Any other information about his whereabouts should be reported at 1-800-KS-CRIME.------------JACKSON COUNTY—A police officer was injured in a shooting while investigating a domestic disturbance and the search for the suspect identified as 27-year-old Thomas Tolbert continues.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748872142987.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 11:00 p.m. Sunday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the 3500 block of SW Hollywood Drive in Lee's Summit on the report of a domestic disturbance, according to a media release from police. As the first officer arrived on scene in the apartment complex; and while waiting for his assisting officer, the officer observed a male subject running from the scene. The officer chased the suspect on foot and quickly advised via the radio that shots had been fired. No shots were fired by the officer. The officer was struck multiple times. Investigators are working with area law enforcement partners to track Tolbert.There is no perceived danger in the area of the original crime scene. Multiple witnesses gave a statement that the suspect fled the area in a vehicle. The officer was transported to an area trauma center with serious injuries.