WYANDOTTE COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) shared an update on the July 5th death of Charles Adair at the Wyandotte County Detention Center.

In the final autopsy report, the coroner ruled Adair's cause of death as complications of mechanical asphyxia. Contributory factors were noted as hypertensive cardiovascular disease and hepatic cirrhosis due to chronic alcoholism. Adair's manner of death was determined to be homicide.&nbsp;

At approximately 8:30 p.m. on July 5, Charles L. Adair, 50, of Kansas City, Kansas, received medical care in the detention center’s infirmary for a pre-existing wound on his leg.

Preliminary information indicates that when personnel attempted to transfer him back to his cell, Adair caused a disturbance by yelling, refusing to listen to commands, and physically resisting. Multiple sheriff’s deputies responded and handcuffed Adair to gain compliance. They transported him to his cell, where several deputies placed him on the lower bunk. They began attempting to remove the handcuffs, while Adair continued to resist. They gained control, removed the cuffs, and left the cell.

Immediately after, at 8:37 p.m., medical staff were called to evaluate Adair who they found&nbsp; him unresponsive. Life-saving measures were initiated. EMS responded to the facility and continued medical intervention. Despite efforts, Adair was pronounced dead at 9:19 p.m.

This week the KBI concluded its investigation and presented findings to the Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751825756436.png" alt="Adair photo from an arrest in 2022 in Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Adair photo from an arrest in 2022 in Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) shared an update on the July 5th death of Charles Adair at the Wyandotte County Detention Center.In the final autopsy report, the coroner ruled Adair's cause of death as complications of mechanical asphyxia. Contributory factors were noted as hypertensive cardiovascular disease and hepatic cirrhosis due to chronic alcoholism. Adair's manner of death was determined to be homicide.&nbsp;At approximately 8:30 p.m. on July 5, Charles L. Adair, 50, of Kansas City, Kansas, received medical care in the detention center’s infirmary for a pre-existing wound on his leg.Preliminary information indicates that when personnel attempted to transfer him back to his cell, Adair caused a disturbance by yelling, refusing to listen to commands, and physically resisting. Multiple sheriff’s deputies responded and handcuffed Adair to gain compliance. They transported him to his cell, where several deputies placed him on the lower bunk. They began attempting to remove the handcuffs, while Adair continued to resist. They gained control, removed the cuffs, and left the cell.Immediately after, at 8:37 p.m., medical staff were called to evaluate Adair who they found&nbsp; him unresponsive. Life-saving measures were initiated. EMS responded to the facility and continued medical intervention. Despite efforts, Adair was pronounced dead at 9:19 p.m.This week the KBI concluded its investigation and presented findings to the Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office.&nbsp;

KBI updates cause of death of inmate after struggle with deputies

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs' red and white dominated in the stands at NeoQuimica Arena on Friday night during their season-opening game against the Los Angeles Chargers, though even some of the local supporters couldn't hide their frustration that Taylor Swift was nowhere to be seen after days of anticipation in Brazil.

Several Chiefs players talked about a growing support base for the team in Brazil, and these fans were the clear majority among the more than 47,000 in attendance. Meanwhile, the Chargers, who were the designated home team, were jeered as they came on the field.

The bigger story for some, though, was the no-show by Swift, who last week announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engaged-d585627eb98b69428ce206a2c8a9cb7d">she was engaged</a>&nbsp;to Chiefs tight end and three-time Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce. There was speculation all week here that Swift might make a third visit to the South American nation, and the first to the stadium of soccer club Corinthians, whose fans see her as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-nfl-brazil-corinthians-eb0bf3394888d4b5e1ae647ab2a5bb33">good luck charm.</a>&nbsp;Stories in the Brazilian media about a possible visit boosted online interest in the game, the NFL’s second in Brazil.

"I got to say it feels a bit less exciting now,” said 24-year-old Elena Sampaio, who was wearing a Chiefs shirt but didn't know the names of any of the players. “When I heard Taylor was coming I felt this was going to be a bigger event than I imagined. Too bad."

Instead, local fans who were still looking for Swift in the boxes had to settle for Santos and Brazil striker Neymar hugging Kelce and chatting with him before kickoff.

Fans also celebrated as Green Day drummer Tre Cool joined a group of samba drummers who played before the performances of the national anthems of Brazil and the United States.

"The atmosphere in Brazil will always be festive like this. We are loud, we want the players to hear us. We want to be part of the game,” said Manuel Andrade, 32, a school teacher who supports the New England Patriots. “I don't like the Chiefs at all, and it feels great to cheer against the majority here. I came here last year, hope to come as long as we have this."

The NFL held several events in Sao Paulo this week in the lead-up to the game. The league also sponsored murals by artists Kobra, Crica Monteiro and Leandro Nascimento, as it did last year when the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers here.

The game Friday was the first of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-international-facts-figures-madrid-dublin-australia-0506087f183fdd20244196a7238be38e">seven that will be played this season in international venues,</a>&nbsp;including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-schedule-release-b9af9e4505a116b43a87da19db87fd59">in Berlin, Dublin and Madrid.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757124840725.png" alt="Chiefs' Travis Kelce before the Friday night game against the Chargers in Brazil." />
 <figcaption>Chiefs' Travis Kelce before the Friday night game against the Chargers in Brazil.</figcaption>
 </figure>SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs' red and white dominated in the stands at NeoQuimica Arena on Friday night during their season-opening game against the Los Angeles Chargers, though even some of the local supporters couldn't hide their frustration that Taylor Swift was nowhere to be seen after days of anticipation in Brazil.Several Chiefs players talked about a growing support base for the team in Brazil, and these fans were the clear majority among the more than 47,000 in attendance. Meanwhile, the Chargers, who were the designated home team, were jeered as they came on the field.The bigger story for some, though, was the no-show by Swift, who last week announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engaged-d585627eb98b69428ce206a2c8a9cb7d">she was engaged</a>&nbsp;to Chiefs tight end and three-time Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce. There was speculation all week here that Swift might make a third visit to the South American nation, and the first to the stadium of soccer club Corinthians, whose fans see her as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-nfl-brazil-corinthians-eb0bf3394888d4b5e1ae647ab2a5bb33">good luck charm.</a>&nbsp;Stories in the Brazilian media about a possible visit boosted online interest in the game, the NFL’s second in Brazil."I got to say it feels a bit less exciting now,” said 24-year-old Elena Sampaio, who was wearing a Chiefs shirt but didn't know the names of any of the players. “When I heard Taylor was coming I felt this was going to be a bigger event than I imagined. Too bad."Instead, local fans who were still looking for Swift in the boxes had to settle for Santos and Brazil striker Neymar hugging Kelce and chatting with him before kickoff.Fans also celebrated as Green Day drummer Tre Cool joined a group of samba drummers who played before the performances of the national anthems of Brazil and the United States."The atmosphere in Brazil will always be festive like this. We are loud, we want the players to hear us. We want to be part of the game,” said Manuel Andrade, 32, a school teacher who supports the New England Patriots. “I don't like the Chiefs at all, and it feels great to cheer against the majority here. I came here last year, hope to come as long as we have this."The NFL held several events in Sao Paulo this week in the lead-up to the game. The league also sponsored murals by artists Kobra, Crica Monteiro and Leandro Nascimento, as it did last year when the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers here.The game Friday was the first of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-international-facts-figures-madrid-dublin-australia-0506087f183fdd20244196a7238be38e">seven that will be played this season in international venues,</a>&nbsp;including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-schedule-release-b9af9e4505a116b43a87da19db87fd59">in Berlin, Dublin and Madrid.</a>

Chiefs draw more fans in Brazil, some disappointed Taylor Swift nowhere to be seen

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday aiming to rebrand&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-defense">the Department of Defense</a>&nbsp;as the Department of War — a long-telegraphed move aimed at projecting American military toughness around the globe.

“It’s a much more appropriate name, especially in light of where the world is right now,” Trump said. He said the previous name was “woke.”

The order comes as some of Trump’s closest supporters on Capitol Hill proposed legislation that would codify the new name into law, with Congress having the sole power to establish, shutter and rename federal departments. Absent a change in law, Trump will authorize the Pentagon to use secondary titles.

“From 1789 until the end of World War II, the United States military fought under the banner of the Department of War,” Florida Republican Rep. Greg Steube, an Army veteran, said in a statement. “It is only fitting that we pay tribute to their eternal example and renowned commitment to lethality by restoring the name of the ‘Department of War’ to our Armed Forces.”

Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, are introducing companion legislation in the Senate.

The Department of War was created in 1789, then renamed and reorganized through legislation signed by President Harry Truman in 1947, two years after the end of World War II. The Department of Defense incorporated the Department of War, which oversaw the Army, plus the Department of the Navy and the newly created independent Air Force.

“We decided to go woke and change the name to Department of Defense,” he said. “So we’re going Department of War.”

Pentagon leader Pete Hegseth, who spoke alongside Trump, said, “We haven’t won a major war since” the name was changed. He said, “We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense.”

Trump has said he wants to change the name back to the Department of War because it “just sounded better,” and Hegseth recently hinted that the switch was around the corner.

Speaking to an auditorium of soldiers Thursday at Fort Benning in Georgia, he said he might have “a slightly different title tomorrow.”

In August, Trump told reporters that “everybody likes that we had an unbelievable history of victory when it was Department of War. Then we changed it to Department of Defense.”

When confronted with the possibility that making the name change would require an act of Congress, Trump told reporters that “we’re just going to do it.”

“I’m sure Congress will go along,” he said, “if we need that.”

Trump and Hegseth have been on a name-changing spree at the Pentagon as they uproot what they describe as “woke” ideology, sometimes by sidestepping legal requirements.

For example, they wanted to restore the names of nine military bases that once honored Confederate leaders, which were changed in 2023 following a congressionally mandated review.

Because the original names were no longer allowed under law, Hegseth ordered the bases to be named after new people with similar names. For example, Fort Bragg now honors Army Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II paratrooper and Silver Star recipient from Maine, instead of Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg.

In the case of Fort A.P. Hill, named for Confederate Lt. Gen. Ambrose Powell Hill, the Trump administration was forced to choose three soldiers to make the renaming work.

The base now honors Union soldiers Pvt. Bruce Anderson and 1st Sgt. Robert A. Pinn, who contributes the two initials, and Lt. Col. Edward Hill, whose last name completes the second half of the base name.

The move irked Republicans in Congress who, in July, moved to ban restoring any Confederate names in this year’s defense authorization bill.

Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, a Republican who co-sponsored the earlier amendment to remove the Confederate names, said that “what this administration is doing, particularly this secretary of defense, is sticking his finger in the eye of Congress by going back and changing the names to the old names.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday aiming to rebrand&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-defense">the Department of Defense</a>&nbsp;as the Department of War — a long-telegraphed move aimed at projecting American military toughness around the globe.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump signs executive order renaming the Defense Department as Department of War: &quot;It has to do with winning. We should have won every war. We could have won every war. We really chose to be a very politically correct or wokey and we just fight forever.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/bluS2rZ4k2">pic.twitter.com/bluS2rZ4k2</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1964064319714300314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Back to work. <a href="https://t.co/M7wRax9gOm">pic.twitter.com/M7wRax9gOm</a>&mdash; Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/1964071082710683650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 President Donald J. Trump signs an Executive Order officially restoring the name &quot;Department of War&quot; to the Department of Defense. This is the 200th Executive Order the President has signed since taking office. <a href="https://t.co/OuLfuSoRLR">pic.twitter.com/OuLfuSoRLR</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1964062437721756148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;We won the first World War. We won the second World War. We won everything before that and in between — and then we decided to go woke and we changed the name to Department of Defense. So, we&#39;re going Department of War.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Vct6X3L9JU">pic.twitter.com/Vct6X3L9JU</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1964063136643678641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Secretary of War <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PeteHegseth</a>: &quot;This War Department, Mr. President, just like America, is BACK... We&#39;re going to set the tone for this country.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/NrVn35zz62">pic.twitter.com/NrVn35zz62</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1964062304816779733?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It’s a much more appropriate name, especially in light of where the world is right now,” Trump said. He said the previous name was “woke.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Workers take down &quot;Secretary of Defense&quot; signage at The Pentagon <a href="https://t.co/70lO1fSVkg">pic.twitter.com/70lO1fSVkg</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1964102398328160727?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">👀 <a href="https://t.co/FG5uBRbGrK">https://t.co/FG5uBRbGrK</a> <a href="https://t.co/xXNs8DXQ8w">pic.twitter.com/xXNs8DXQ8w</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1964070460104044925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/NwFIdAHsxL">https://t.co/NwFIdAHsxL</a> <a href="https://t.co/Dmr6bL2t7p">pic.twitter.com/Dmr6bL2t7p</a>&mdash; DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) <a href="https://twitter.com/DOWResponse/status/1964075449677410603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The order comes as some of Trump’s closest supporters on Capitol Hill proposed legislation that would codify the new name into law, with Congress having the sole power to establish, shutter and rename federal departments. Absent a change in law, Trump will authorize the Pentagon to use secondary titles.“From 1789 until the end of World War II, the United States military fought under the banner of the Department of War,” Florida Republican Rep. Greg Steube, an Army veteran, said in a statement. “It is only fitting that we pay tribute to their eternal example and renowned commitment to lethality by restoring the name of the ‘Department of War’ to our Armed Forces.”Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, are introducing companion legislation in the Senate.The Department of War was created in 1789, then renamed and reorganized through legislation signed by President Harry Truman in 1947, two years after the end of World War II. The Department of Defense incorporated the Department of War, which oversaw the Army, plus the Department of the Navy and the newly created independent Air Force.“We decided to go woke and change the name to Department of Defense,” he said. “So we’re going Department of War.”Pentagon leader Pete Hegseth, who spoke alongside Trump, said, “We haven’t won a major war since” the name was changed. He said, “We’re going to go on offense, not just on defense.”Trump has said he wants to change the name back to the Department of War because it “just sounded better,” and Hegseth recently hinted that the switch was around the corner.Speaking to an auditorium of soldiers Thursday at Fort Benning in Georgia, he said he might have “a slightly different title tomorrow.”In August, Trump told reporters that “everybody likes that we had an unbelievable history of victory when it was Department of War. Then we changed it to Department of Defense.”When confronted with the possibility that making the name change would require an act of Congress, Trump told reporters that “we’re just going to do it.”“I’m sure Congress will go along,” he said, “if we need that.”Trump and Hegseth have been on a name-changing spree at the Pentagon as they uproot what they describe as “woke” ideology, sometimes by sidestepping legal requirements.For example, they wanted to restore the names of nine military bases that once honored Confederate leaders, which were changed in 2023 following a congressionally mandated review.Because the original names were no longer allowed under law, Hegseth ordered the bases to be named after new people with similar names. For example, Fort Bragg now honors Army Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, a World War II paratrooper and Silver Star recipient from Maine, instead of Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg.In the case of Fort A.P. Hill, named for Confederate Lt. Gen. Ambrose Powell Hill, the Trump administration was forced to choose three soldiers to make the renaming work.The base now honors Union soldiers Pvt. Bruce Anderson and 1st Sgt. Robert A. Pinn, who contributes the two initials, and Lt. Col. Edward Hill, whose last name completes the second half of the base name.The move irked Republicans in Congress who, in July, moved to ban restoring any Confederate names in this year’s defense authorization bill.Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, a Republican who co-sponsored the earlier amendment to remove the Confederate names, said that “what this administration is doing, particularly this secretary of defense, is sticking his finger in the eye of Congress by going back and changing the names to the old names.”___

President explains why he's changing the name of the Dept. of Defense 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two teenagers were arrested Friday on murder charges in the killing of a congressional intern for Kansas 4th District Congressman Ron Estes.&nbsp; He was struck by stray bullets during a shooting in the nation's capital — a crime that President Donald Trump cited in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-washington-increased-federal-law-enforcement-takeover-33b186a95dabf111bac61db398aa7543">announcing a law-enforcement surge</a>&nbsp;in Washington.

Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, of Granby, Massachusetts, was fatally shot on the night of June 30 near Washington’s Mount Vernon Square. Both suspects in his killing — Kelvin Thomas Jr. and Jailen Lucas —are 17-year-old juveniles but are charged as adults with first-degree murder while armed, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Police were searching for a third suspect whose name and age weren't immediately released.

Tarpinian-Jachym was an “innocent bystander” who wasn't an intended target of the gunfire, Pirro said at a news conference where she was flanked by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the city's police chief.

“Eric didn't deserve to be gunned down, and the system failed him — the system that felt that juveniles needed to be coddled,” Pirro said. “This killing underscores why we need the authority to prosecute these younger kids, because they're not kids. They're criminals.”

Tarpinian-Jachym was a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He was in Washington to work as a summer intern in the office of Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kansas.

In July, the House observed a moment of silence after Estes paid tribute to Tarpinian-Jachym, calling him “a dedicated, and thoughtful and kind person who loved our country.”

“We will never forget his presence and kindness in my office,” Estes said. “Those he met in his short term in my office will not forget him, either.”

Trump mentioned Tarpinian-Jachym's killing — but not his name — during an Aug. 11 news conference where he announced a federal intervention for a “public safety emergency” in the District of Columbia.

“Any level of gun violence in our city is unacceptable,” Bowser said.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said Friday's arrests are “a testament to President Trump’s efforts to make Washington, D.C., safe again.”

“The Department of Justice will continue our work to prevent other young people from suffering the same fate as Eric,” Bondi said in a statement. “We hope this brings some measure of solace to his family.”

The suspects, both district residents, exited a vehicle at an intersection and shot at two people riding bikes, including a 16-year-old male who was wounded, according to Metropolitan Police Department Commander Kevin Kentish.

Tarpinian-Jachym was struck by four shots. A woman who wasn't a target also was shot but survived, according to Kentish. Surveillance video helped investigators identify the three suspects, he said.

Online court records didn't immediately identify attorneys for the suspects.

MPD Chief Pamela Smith said she and Pirro spoke to Tarpinian-Jachym’s mother on Friday.

“Eric came to our city with a bright future ahead of him,” Smith said. “He deserved an opportunity to return home safely to his family, but was senselessly taken from his loved ones.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757089518113.png" alt="Eric Tarpinian-Jachym" />
 <figcaption>Eric Tarpinian-Jachym</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Two teenagers were arrested Friday on murder charges in the killing of a congressional intern for Kansas 4th District Congressman Ron Estes.&nbsp; He was struck by stray bullets during a shooting in the nation's capital — a crime that President Donald Trump cited in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-washington-increased-federal-law-enforcement-takeover-33b186a95dabf111bac61db398aa7543">announcing a law-enforcement surge</a>&nbsp;in Washington.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Two arrests have been made connected to the murder of my intern, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, as announced by <a href="https://twitter.com/USAttyPirro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USAttyPirro</a> today. I extend my appreciation to Attorney Pirro, her team, and <a href="https://twitter.com/DCPoliceDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DCPoliceDept</a> for diligently working on this case to bring those responsible to justice. <a href="https://t.co/XT81e9y7NV">https://t.co/XT81e9y7NV</a>&mdash; Rep. Ron Estes (@RepRonEstes) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepRonEstes/status/1964022335930859917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IvX-6f7q9tQ?si=TAzqL4wNBiMZZsVV" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, of Granby, Massachusetts, was fatally shot on the night of June 30 near Washington’s Mount Vernon Square. Both suspects in his killing — Kelvin Thomas Jr. and Jailen Lucas —are 17-year-old juveniles but are charged as adults with first-degree murder while armed, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.Police were searching for a third suspect whose name and age weren't immediately released.Tarpinian-Jachym was an “innocent bystander” who wasn't an intended target of the gunfire, Pirro said at a news conference where she was flanked by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the city's police chief.“Eric didn't deserve to be gunned down, and the system failed him — the system that felt that juveniles needed to be coddled,” Pirro said. “This killing underscores why we need the authority to prosecute these younger kids, because they're not kids. They're criminals.”Tarpinian-Jachym was a rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He was in Washington to work as a summer intern in the office of Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kansas.In July, the House observed a moment of silence after Estes paid tribute to Tarpinian-Jachym, calling him “a dedicated, and thoughtful and kind person who loved our country.”“We will never forget his presence and kindness in my office,” Estes said. “Those he met in his short term in my office will not forget him, either.”Trump mentioned Tarpinian-Jachym's killing — but not his name — during an Aug. 11 news conference where he announced a federal intervention for a “public safety emergency” in the District of Columbia.“Any level of gun violence in our city is unacceptable,” Bowser said.Attorney General Pam Bondi said Friday's arrests are “a testament to President Trump’s efforts to make Washington, D.C., safe again.”“The Department of Justice will continue our work to prevent other young people from suffering the same fate as Eric,” Bondi said in a statement. “We hope this brings some measure of solace to his family.”The suspects, both district residents, exited a vehicle at an intersection and shot at two people riding bikes, including a 16-year-old male who was wounded, according to Metropolitan Police Department Commander Kevin Kentish.Tarpinian-Jachym was struck by four shots. A woman who wasn't a target also was shot but survived, according to Kentish. Surveillance video helped investigators identify the three suspects, he said.Online court records didn't immediately identify attorneys for the suspects.MPD Chief Pamela Smith said she and Pirro spoke to Tarpinian-Jachym’s mother on Friday.“Eric came to our city with a bright future ahead of him,” Smith said. “He deserved an opportunity to return home safely to his family, but was senselessly taken from his loved ones.”

🎥2 arrested in killing of 21-year-old intern for Kansas Congressman

FINNEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 7a.m. Friday in Finney County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Dodge Caliber driven by&nbsp; Joziah Anwar&nbsp;Guerrero, 20, Garden City was westbound on U.S 50 approximately 1.2 miles east of U.S. 83.&nbsp; The vehicle struck a pedestrian identified as James Michael&nbsp;Corbett, 34, Garden City, who was northbound crossing the road.

Corbett was pronounced dead at the scene. Guerrero was properly restrained at the time of the accident and not injured, according to the KHP.

FINNEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 7a.m. Friday in Finney County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Dodge Caliber driven by&nbsp; Joziah Anwar&nbsp;Guerrero, 20, Garden City was westbound on U.S 50 approximately 1.2 miles east of U.S. 83.&nbsp; The vehicle struck a pedestrian identified as James Michael&nbsp;Corbett, 34, Garden City, who was northbound crossing the road.Corbett was pronounced dead at the scene. Guerrero was properly restrained at the time of the accident and not injured, according to the KHP.

SW Kansas man dies in pedestrian accident

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. (AP) — Two people died when a small plane crashed and caught on fire near a suburban Denver airport on Friday, officials said.

The crash happened just south of Centennial Airport and was initially reported as an explosion, Deborah Takahara, a spokesperson for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, said.

Firefighters found the Beech BE35 airplane engulfed in flames, with the fire threatening to spread to a nearby building and some diesel-powered generators, Brian Willie, a spokesperson for South Metro Fire Rescue, said. Firefighters were able to put out the flames, he said.

The plane appeared to have crashed in the parking lot of an industrial office park.

Air traffic control audio posted by&nbsp;<a href="http://liveatc.net/">LiveATC.net</a>&nbsp;includes an air traffic controller clearing the plane for takeoff just before the crash.

Another pilot later reported seeing smoke.

“Tower, there’s smoke off the left side. Looks like he went down,” came the report, followed a few seconds later by: “He appears to have crashed in the parking lot about a mile southeast of the field.”

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the plane crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757093642230.png" alt="Photos Douglas County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photos Douglas County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. (AP) — Two people died when a small plane crashed and caught on fire near a suburban Denver airport on Friday, officials said.The crash happened just south of Centennial Airport and was initially reported as an explosion, Deborah Takahara, a spokesperson for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757093624214.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Firefighters found the Beech BE35 airplane engulfed in flames, with the fire threatening to spread to a nearby building and some diesel-powered generators, Brian Willie, a spokesperson for South Metro Fire Rescue, said. Firefighters were able to put out the flames, he said.The plane appeared to have crashed in the parking lot of an industrial office park.Air traffic control audio posted by&nbsp;<a href="http://liveatc.net/">LiveATC.net</a>&nbsp;includes an air traffic controller clearing the plane for takeoff just before the crash.Another pilot later reported seeing smoke.“Tower, there’s smoke off the left side. Looks like he went down,” came the report, followed a few seconds later by: “He appears to have crashed in the parking lot about a mile southeast of the field.”The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the plane crash.

2 people die in small plane crash near Denver airport

A Missouri House committee voted Thursday to redraw the state’s congressional districts to carve up Kansas City and gain another GOP-leaning seat

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

If a new Missouri congressional map endorsed by President Donald Trump is put into place, voters living on Kansas City’s east side will share a congressional district with people living nearly four hours away in Osage County.&nbsp;

Anyone living in downtown Kansas City would be in a district stretching south nearly to Springfield. And Kansas Citians living north of the Missouri River would be in a district running to the border of Iowa and Illinois.&nbsp;

All of those voters currently reside in the 5th Congressional and are represented by 11-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.&nbsp;

But under the proposed new map, which was approved Thursday by a Missouri House committee after more than five hours of public testimony, that district would be carved up in hopes of creating another Republican-leaning seat.

“This is a superior map than the one we have today,” said state Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Noel Republican sponsoring the redistricting legislation.&nbsp;

Missouri has eight congressional districts, with Democrats holding two.&nbsp;

Trump, facing a potentially difficult midterm election cycle next year, has instructed GOP-controlled states to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/07/repub/why-congressional-redistricting-is-blowing-up-across-the-us-this-summer/">redraw maps</a>&nbsp;to add&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/missouri-gop-leader-says-lawmakers-will-start-with-a-congressional-map-drawn-in-d-c/">more Republican seats</a>.&nbsp;

Even though mid-decade redistricting in Missouri is nearly unheard of — it hasn’t happened in six decades, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision — Gov. Mike Kehoe called lawmakers back into session this week to redraw the map so the GOP would hold seven of the state’s seats in the U.S. House.

Republicans Thursday downplayed any role Trump’s demands had on the gerrymandering push. And they insisted the map was drawn by the governor’s staff, not the White House.

Democrats didn’t buy it, denouncing the map as unconstitutional and the push to split up Kansas City for partisan gain as “morally corrupt and inexcusable.”

“Every Missourian deserves fair representation, not these political tricks,” said state Rep. Mark Sharp, a Kansas City Democrat. “My city, Kansas City, hangs in the balance right here, right now.”

The Missouri Constitution calls for the legislature to draw new congressional districts every 10 years after&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++45&amp;bid=31801&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">new census numbers</a>&nbsp;are certified to the governor. That happened in 2022, and Democrats argue it&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/07/black-missouri-lawmakers-vow-to-block-missouri-gop-push-for-new-congressional-districts/">violates the state constitution</a>&nbsp;to draw another map before the next census is complete.&nbsp;

There are also questions about whether relying on old population data could also violate the state and federal constitution.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2025-09-04/naacp-sues-missouri-republicans-unconstitutional-gerrymander-kansas-city" target="_blank">The Missouri NAACP filed a lawsuit Wednesday</a>&nbsp;in Cole County arguing the governor’s decision to call a special session was unconstitutional. Cleaver has also promised to go to court to challenge any gerrymandered map lawmakers approve.

House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, on Thursday demanded demographic information about the map be made available to the public before the committee took a vote.&nbsp;

“I’m asking for information for the public and for this committee,” Aune said. “We deserve to have that information, and if you are not willing to provide it, what are you hiding?&nbsp;

She also pressed Deaton whether the governor’s office actually drew the map, or whether it was crafted by the Trump administration. She noted Trump last week praised the map and instructed Missouri lawmakers to&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/J_Hancock/status/1961834031550448026" target="_blank">approve it “AS IS.”</a>

The proposed new map meets constitutional requirements of districts with equal population as precisely as possible, Deaton said, and is more compact and contiguous, and divides fewer communities, than the current map.&nbsp;

He said the governor was clear that his staff drew the proposed map.

“Gov. Kehoe has never lied to me,” Deaton said, “so I take him at his word.”

The only person to testify in favor of the proposed new map was Susan Klein, executive director of Missouri Right to Life. She said her organization is committed to helping pass anti-abortion legislation and supporting anti-abortion elected officials.&nbsp;

“We support the process that would increase those numbers,” she said.

A parade of critics testified against the map, including the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, the Missouri NAACP, the League of Women Voters and several residents of the 5th District.&nbsp;

Shannon Cooper, a lobbyist for the city of Kansas City and former Republican lawmaker, said the proposed map “chops our region into three different pieces.” The needs of downtown Kansas City, he said, are different than the needs of rural Henry County.

“I have gone through three redistricting processes in my time here, and what is sorely lacking in this is the amount of public input and the time where, in the past, the committees have traveled across the state and gone into communities and taken the local input from citizens, businesses as well as elected local officials to see what they care about and how they want to be put into those districts,” he said. “And we’re going to do this in six or eight hours and vote it out Monday and Tuesday.”

Phil Scaglia, testifying on behalf of Cleaver, who could not attend Thursday’s hearing, said the map violates the “one person, one vote” principle by relying on old census data. It’s also unconstitutional, Scaglia argued, because it “fails to be compact and divides communities of interest.”

A new map could be be drawn in a way that includes all of Kansas City south of the Missouri River in the 5th District, Scaglia said, and still give Republicans the electoral advantage they are seeking.

State Rep. Don Mayhew, a Republican from Crocker, countered that he believes Kansas City would benefit by being represented by three members of Congress.

The proposed new map leaves two districts untouched — the 7th District in southwest Missouri and 8th District in&nbsp;southeast Missouri, both represented by Republicans. It only tinkers with the 1st District, based in St. Louis and represented by Democrat Wesley Bell.&nbsp;

The 2nd District, represented by Republican Ann Wagner, moves south of the Missouri River, taking in southern St. Louis suburbs along with Gasconade,&nbsp; Crawford, Jefferson and Washington counties.&nbsp;

The 3rd District, represented by Republican Bob Onder, swaps territory with the 2nd, taking over all of St. Charles and Warren counties, adding Audrain, Lincoln, Monroe, Pike and Ralls counties as it stretches north to Hannabil and encompasses nearly all of Columbia.

The 4th and 6th Districts are where the Kansas City voters who previously all lived in the 5th will be moved.&nbsp;

The 4th District loses parts of Columbia, along with Sedalia and Warrensburg to the 5th District in order to pick up downtown Kansas City. It is represented by Republican Mark Alford.&nbsp;

The 6th District runs across the entire northern half of the state, picking up a piece of Kansas City north of the Missouri River.&nbsp;

It’s the 5th District that sees the most substantial changes. Previously encompassing nearly all of Kansas City, the district now only includes the city’s east side, then stretches east to encompass Jefferson City all the way to Phelps County. It also includes the northern portion of Boone County, but not the Democrat-leaning areas of Columbia.&nbsp;

The 5th District also picks up six counties from the 3rd District — Cole, Cooper, Howard, Maries, Moniteau and Miller counties as well as Morgan County from the 4th District.

Sharp asked Deaton Thursday whether he would be open to changing the map, even in small ways. Deaton said the map was produced and requested by the governor, and he “can’t imagine myself at this time supporting any changes.”&nbsp;

“You move one line to make one person happy,” Deaton said, “and you have to move seven other lines and you’ve got seven new enemies… this is the map I’m supporting.”&nbsp;

As the committee was preparing to vote, Sharp offered an amendment moving a small portion of south Kansas City in the Hickman Mills area — around 12,000 voters — back into the 5th District. The change would be balanced out by moving voters near Grain Valley to the 4th District.

Republicans opposed the change, and Sharp withdrew the amendment in the hope of offering it again when the full House debates the bill next week.

Aune said the entire process “reeks of an authoritarian power grab.”

State Rep. Richard West, a Wentzville Republican and chair of the committee, praised the map for moving all of St. Charles County into the same district.&nbsp;

“My county is currently split up,” he said. “This is going to make us whole.”

State Rep. Bill Hardwick, a Republican from Dixon, pushed back on the idea that what Republicans are doing by redrawing the map is out of the ordinary in American politics.

“I’m not saying we should gerrymander or we shouldn’t,” he said, adding: “I’m just saying it’s been part of the republic from the beginning.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757068209585.png" alt=" State Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, presents legislation that would redraw Missouri’s congressional map to a House committee on Thursday (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel, presents legislation that would redraw Missouri’s congressional map to a House committee on Thursday (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A Missouri House committee voted Thursday to redraw the state’s congressional districts to carve up Kansas City and gain another GOP-leaning seat</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>If a new Missouri congressional map endorsed by President Donald Trump is put into place, voters living on Kansas City’s east side will share a congressional district with people living nearly four hours away in Osage County.&nbsp;Anyone living in downtown Kansas City would be in a district stretching south nearly to Springfield. And Kansas Citians living north of the Missouri River would be in a district running to the border of Iowa and Illinois.&nbsp;All of those voters currently reside in the 5th Congressional and are represented by 11-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.&nbsp;But under the proposed new map, which was approved Thursday by a Missouri House committee after more than five hours of public testimony, that district would be carved up in hopes of creating another Republican-leaning seat.“This is a superior map than the one we have today,” said state Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Noel Republican sponsoring the redistricting legislation.&nbsp;Missouri has eight congressional districts, with Democrats holding two.&nbsp;Trump, facing a potentially difficult midterm election cycle next year, has instructed GOP-controlled states to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/07/repub/why-congressional-redistricting-is-blowing-up-across-the-us-this-summer/">redraw maps</a>&nbsp;to add&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/21/missouri-gop-leader-says-lawmakers-will-start-with-a-congressional-map-drawn-in-d-c/">more Republican seats</a>.&nbsp;Even though mid-decade redistricting in Missouri is nearly unheard of — it hasn’t happened in six decades, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision — Gov. Mike Kehoe called lawmakers back into session this week to redraw the map so the GOP would hold seven of the state’s seats in the U.S. House.Republicans Thursday downplayed any role Trump’s demands had on the gerrymandering push. And they insisted the map was drawn by the governor’s staff, not the White House.Democrats didn’t buy it, denouncing the map as unconstitutional and the push to split up Kansas City for partisan gain as “morally corrupt and inexcusable.”“Every Missourian deserves fair representation, not these political tricks,” said state Rep. Mark Sharp, a Kansas City Democrat. “My city, Kansas City, hangs in the balance right here, right now.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757068164737.png" alt="State Rep. Mark Sharp, a Kansas City Democrat, speaks in opposition to a proposed congressional map during a House committee hearing on Thursday (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption>State Rep. Mark Sharp, a Kansas City Democrat, speaks in opposition to a proposed congressional map during a House committee hearing on Thursday (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>The Missouri Constitution calls for the legislature to draw new congressional districts every 10 years after&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++45&amp;bid=31801&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">new census numbers</a>&nbsp;are certified to the governor. That happened in 2022, and Democrats argue it&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/07/black-missouri-lawmakers-vow-to-block-missouri-gop-push-for-new-congressional-districts/">violates the state constitution</a>&nbsp;to draw another map before the next census is complete.&nbsp;There are also questions about whether relying on old population data could also violate the state and federal constitution.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2025-09-04/naacp-sues-missouri-republicans-unconstitutional-gerrymander-kansas-city" target="_blank">The Missouri NAACP filed a lawsuit Wednesday</a>&nbsp;in Cole County arguing the governor’s decision to call a special session was unconstitutional. Cleaver has also promised to go to court to challenge any gerrymandered map lawmakers approve.House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, on Thursday demanded demographic information about the map be made available to the public before the committee took a vote.&nbsp;“I’m asking for information for the public and for this committee,” Aune said. “We deserve to have that information, and if you are not willing to provide it, what are you hiding?&nbsp;She also pressed Deaton whether the governor’s office actually drew the map, or whether it was crafted by the Trump administration. She noted Trump last week praised the map and instructed Missouri lawmakers to&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/J_Hancock/status/1961834031550448026" target="_blank">approve it “AS IS.”</a>The proposed new map meets constitutional requirements of districts with equal population as precisely as possible, Deaton said, and is more compact and contiguous, and divides fewer communities, than the current map.&nbsp;He said the governor was clear that his staff drew the proposed map.“Gov. Kehoe has never lied to me,” Deaton said, “so I take him at his word.”The only person to testify in favor of the proposed new map was Susan Klein, executive director of Missouri Right to Life. She said her organization is committed to helping pass anti-abortion legislation and supporting anti-abortion elected officials.&nbsp;“We support the process that would increase those numbers,” she said.A parade of critics testified against the map, including the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, the Missouri NAACP, the League of Women Voters and several residents of the 5th District.&nbsp;Shannon Cooper, a lobbyist for the city of Kansas City and former Republican lawmaker, said the proposed map “chops our region into three different pieces.” The needs of downtown Kansas City, he said, are different than the needs of rural Henry County.“I have gone through three redistricting processes in my time here, and what is sorely lacking in this is the amount of public input and the time where, in the past, the committees have traveled across the state and gone into communities and taken the local input from citizens, businesses as well as elected local officials to see what they care about and how they want to be put into those districts,” he said. “And we’re going to do this in six or eight hours and vote it out Monday and Tuesday.”Phil Scaglia, testifying on behalf of Cleaver, who could not attend Thursday’s hearing, said the map violates the “one person, one vote” principle by relying on old census data. It’s also unconstitutional, Scaglia argued, because it “fails to be compact and divides communities of interest.”A new map could be be drawn in a way that includes all of Kansas City south of the Missouri River in the 5th District, Scaglia said, and still give Republicans the electoral advantage they are seeking.State Rep. Don Mayhew, a Republican from Crocker, countered that he believes Kansas City would benefit by being represented by three members of Congress.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757068115039.png" alt="Missouri Republicans are pushing to enact this map to revise congressional district lines in a special session. The GOP’s goal is to win the 5th District seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat (Screenshot from Missouri House website)." />
 <figcaption>Missouri Republicans are pushing to enact this map to revise congressional district lines in a special session. The GOP’s goal is to win the 5th District seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat (Screenshot from Missouri House website).</figcaption>
 </figure>The proposed new map leaves two districts untouched — the 7th District in southwest Missouri and 8th District in&nbsp;southeast Missouri, both represented by Republicans. It only tinkers with the 1st District, based in St. Louis and represented by Democrat Wesley Bell.&nbsp;The 2nd District, represented by Republican Ann Wagner, moves south of the Missouri River, taking in southern St. Louis suburbs along with Gasconade,&nbsp; Crawford, Jefferson and Washington counties.&nbsp;The 3rd District, represented by Republican Bob Onder, swaps territory with the 2nd, taking over all of St. Charles and Warren counties, adding Audrain, Lincoln, Monroe, Pike and Ralls counties as it stretches north to Hannabil and encompasses nearly all of Columbia.The 4th and 6th Districts are where the Kansas City voters who previously all lived in the 5th will be moved.&nbsp;The 4th District loses parts of Columbia, along with Sedalia and Warrensburg to the 5th District in order to pick up downtown Kansas City. It is represented by Republican Mark Alford.&nbsp;The 6th District runs across the entire northern half of the state, picking up a piece of Kansas City north of the Missouri River.&nbsp;It’s the 5th District that sees the most substantial changes. Previously encompassing nearly all of Kansas City, the district now only includes the city’s east side, then stretches east to encompass Jefferson City all the way to Phelps County. It also includes the northern portion of Boone County, but not the Democrat-leaning areas of Columbia.&nbsp;The 5th District also picks up six counties from the 3rd District — Cole, Cooper, Howard, Maries, Moniteau and Miller counties as well as Morgan County from the 4th District.Sharp asked Deaton Thursday whether he would be open to changing the map, even in small ways. Deaton said the map was produced and requested by the governor, and he “can’t imagine myself at this time supporting any changes.”&nbsp;“You move one line to make one person happy,” Deaton said, “and you have to move seven other lines and you’ve got seven new enemies… this is the map I’m supporting.”&nbsp;As the committee was preparing to vote, Sharp offered an amendment moving a small portion of south Kansas City in the Hickman Mills area — around 12,000 voters — back into the 5th District. The change would be balanced out by moving voters near Grain Valley to the 4th District.Republicans opposed the change, and Sharp withdrew the amendment in the hope of offering it again when the full House debates the bill next week.Aune said the entire process “reeks of an authoritarian power grab.”State Rep. Richard West, a Wentzville Republican and chair of the committee, praised the map for moving all of St. Charles County into the same district.&nbsp;“My county is currently split up,” he said. “This is going to make us whole.”State Rep. Bill Hardwick, a Republican from Dixon, pushed back on the idea that what Republicans are doing by redrawing the map is out of the ordinary in American politics.“I’m not saying we should gerrymander or we shouldn’t,” he said, adding: “I’m just saying it’s been part of the republic from the beginning.”

Push to gerrymander Missouri congressional map advances

SHAWNEE&nbsp; COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting in Topeka and have made an arrest.

Just before 5p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to a shooting in the 1000 block of NE Poplar Street in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.&nbsp; As officers arrived in the area, they located two men suffering from life-threatening injuries. While on the scene, one individual was pronounced deceased by medical personnel. The second was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

As a result of the investigation, Dalton Wolf Thompson, 28, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Murder in the 1st Degree, Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree and&nbsp;&nbsp;Aggravated Battery

This is the 17th homicide investigation of 2025 in the city of Topeka, according to Connell.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757067919776.png" alt="Thompson photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Thompson photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE&nbsp; COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a deadly shooting in Topeka and have made an arrest.Just before 5p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to a shooting in the 1000 block of NE Poplar Street in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.&nbsp; As officers arrived in the area, they located two men suffering from life-threatening injuries. While on the scene, one individual was pronounced deceased by medical personnel. The second was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.As a result of the investigation, Dalton Wolf Thompson, 28, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Murder in the 1st Degree, Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree and&nbsp;&nbsp;Aggravated BatteryThis is the 17th homicide investigation of 2025 in the city of Topeka, according to Connell.

Police: Kansas man jailed for shooting that left 1 dead, 1 injured 

The 2025 Kansas State Fair opened its gates Friday morning under a light drizzle — a reminder, as Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz put it, that “you just never know what you’re going to have for weather in Kansas.” While the rain dampened the sidewalks, spirits remained high as opening ceremonies celebrated the start of 10 days of agriculture, entertainment, and tradition.

The day began with a ribbon cutting at the People’s Bank &amp; Trust Arena, where a new canopy has been added to provide shade and shelter for visitors. Schulz noted that the canopy was just one of many improvements across the grounds, alongside ongoing renovations of the historic Bison Building. Exterior work is nearly complete, and interior upgrades will begin later this month.

Concertgoers can look forward to a strong lineup of entertainment, beginning tonight with Sam Barber and Avery Anna at the Nex-Tech Grandstand. Ticket sales are already running ahead of last year’s pace, according to Schulz, with strong presales and plenty of walk-up traffic expected. “Our percentage sold is way above where we had expected it to be,” he said.

Visitors will also notice new food options this year, including pulled pork corn dogs, firecracker wontons, and pineapple smoothies served right in a carved fruit shell. Fairgoers are encouraged to download the official Kansas State Fair app for the latest updates, schedules, and vendor locations.

Agriculture remains at the heart of the fair. Schulz emphasized the importance of showcasing Kansas’ farming roots, even as some state fairs around the country move away from that focus. “We want to make sure our agricultural aspects are being promoted here at the Kansas State Fair,” he said.

Beyond the midway and the rides, one of the most heartwarming events takes place Friday with the Championship Livestock Show at Prairie Pavilion, where Special Olympics athletes are paired with FFA and 4-H youth to show animals in the ring. Schulz called it one of the most rewarding parts of the fair: “For someone who has never been around livestock, to be able to walk with an animal and work with it is truly special.”

The Kansas State Fair runs through Sept. 14, featuring daily entertainment, livestock shows, exhibits, and hundreds of vendors. Tickets and event packages are available online at kansasstatefair.com or at the gate.

The 2025 Kansas State Fair opened on Friday with a special celebration honoring seniors during "Young at Heart Day". Guests 55 and older will enjoy discounted $2 gate admission as the Fair officially opens its 10-day run at the Hutchinson fairgrounds.

The day began with the Working Equitation Show at 8 a.m. in Expo II, followed by popular family attractions such as Moo-U Guided Barn Tours at the Birthing Center and Dr. Goddard’s Lab demonstrations at the Education Center. Throughout the morning, visitors can also catch Hedrick’s Pig Races, the Chainsaw Woodcarvers, and a variety of art demonstrations in the Oz Gallery.

At 11 a.m., the official Opening Ceremony takes place at the Peoples Bank and Trust Arena, followed by a ribbon-cutting at 11:15 a.m. The afternoon schedule is packed with livestock competitions including goat, swine, sheep, and beef showmanship events, along with the Draft Horse Show in Expo Center. Visitors can also enjoy special contests such as homemade ice cream judging and the “It’s All About the Bread” competition.

Entertainment highlights include the Cowboy Circus, Ron Diamond the Hypnotist, and “It’s Showtime Circus” at Gottschalk Park. Musical performances will feature Sweet Rhubarb on the Lowen Corporation Stage, Jay Jackson with Nashville’s Finest at the Peoples Bank and Trust Arena, and Wyatt Henson performing at Lake Talbott.

The day wraps up with a big night at the Nex-Tech Grandstand, where rising country artists Sam Barber and Avery Anna take the stage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757084774653.jpeg" alt="State Fair Opening Ceremonies-Post photo" />
 <figcaption>State Fair Opening Ceremonies-Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The 2025 Kansas State Fair opened its gates Friday morning under a light drizzle — a reminder, as Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz put it, that “you just never know what you’re going to have for weather in Kansas.” While the rain dampened the sidewalks, spirits remained high as opening ceremonies celebrated the start of 10 days of agriculture, entertainment, and tradition.The day began with a ribbon cutting at the People’s Bank &amp; Trust Arena, where a new canopy has been added to provide shade and shelter for visitors. Schulz noted that the canopy was just one of many improvements across the grounds, alongside ongoing renovations of the historic Bison Building. Exterior work is nearly complete, and interior upgrades will begin later this month.Concertgoers can look forward to a strong lineup of entertainment, beginning tonight with Sam Barber and Avery Anna at the Nex-Tech Grandstand. Ticket sales are already running ahead of last year’s pace, according to Schulz, with strong presales and plenty of walk-up traffic expected. “Our percentage sold is way above where we had expected it to be,” he said.Visitors will also notice new food options this year, including pulled pork corn dogs, firecracker wontons, and pineapple smoothies served right in a carved fruit shell. Fairgoers are encouraged to download the official Kansas State Fair app for the latest updates, schedules, and vendor locations.Agriculture remains at the heart of the fair. Schulz emphasized the importance of showcasing Kansas’ farming roots, even as some state fairs around the country move away from that focus. “We want to make sure our agricultural aspects are being promoted here at the Kansas State Fair,” he said.Beyond the midway and the rides, one of the most heartwarming events takes place Friday with the Championship Livestock Show at Prairie Pavilion, where Special Olympics athletes are paired with FFA and 4-H youth to show animals in the ring. Schulz called it one of the most rewarding parts of the fair: “For someone who has never been around livestock, to be able to walk with an animal and work with it is truly special.”The Kansas State Fair runs through Sept. 14, featuring daily entertainment, livestock shows, exhibits, and hundreds of vendors. Tickets and event packages are available online at kansasstatefair.com or at the gate.----------------------------The 2025 Kansas State Fair opened on Friday with a special celebration honoring seniors during "Young at Heart Day". Guests 55 and older will enjoy discounted $2 gate admission as the Fair officially opens its 10-day run at the Hutchinson fairgrounds.The day began with the Working Equitation Show at 8 a.m. in Expo II, followed by popular family attractions such as Moo-U Guided Barn Tours at the Birthing Center and Dr. Goddard’s Lab demonstrations at the Education Center. Throughout the morning, visitors can also catch Hedrick’s Pig Races, the Chainsaw Woodcarvers, and a variety of art demonstrations in the Oz Gallery.At 11 a.m., the official Opening Ceremony takes place at the Peoples Bank and Trust Arena, followed by a ribbon-cutting at 11:15 a.m. The afternoon schedule is packed with livestock competitions including goat, swine, sheep, and beef showmanship events, along with the Draft Horse Show in Expo Center. Visitors can also enjoy special contests such as homemade ice cream judging and the “It’s All About the Bread” competition.Entertainment highlights include the Cowboy Circus, Ron Diamond the Hypnotist, and “It’s Showtime Circus” at Gottschalk Park. Musical performances will feature Sweet Rhubarb on the Lowen Corporation Stage, Jay Jackson with Nashville’s Finest at the Peoples Bank and Trust Arena, and Wyatt Henson performing at Lake Talbott.The day wraps up with a big night at the Nex-Tech Grandstand, where rising country artists Sam Barber and Avery Anna take the stage.

Kansas State Fair kicks off with ribbon cutting

By: NICOLAS FIERRO Salina Post

CLAY CENTER - A nursing home in Clay Center has been evacuated by the state of Kansas and has left more questions than answers.

In the middle of August 2025, residents of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>&nbsp;were evacuated by the <a href="https://www.kdads.ks.gov/">Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)</a> due to quality of living issues. According to Cara Sloan-Ramos of KDADS, residents were 'successfully moved' from the nursing home.

"We can confirm that residents were successfully moved from the Advena nursing home in Clay Center, and we are working to make sure they are well cared for in their new locations," said Sloan-Ramos.

Reasons have as to why residents were removed remain unknown. Many speculations from the public have stated there were possibilities of 'mold in the air ducts' and even residents being 'neglected of care.'

Sloan-Ramos stated that KDADS takes such allegations seriously and are investigated accordingly.

"KDADS takes all allegations of abuse and neglect seriously and operates a hotline to receive such reports," she said. "If and when such allegations are received, they are investigated accordingly. The results of those investigations are confidential and are only made available to the parties directly involved in the case."

Sloan-Ramos also said KDADS could not answer any questions as to why the residents were evacuated. She stated these questions are to be directed towards the administration of Advena.

"We cannot provide details at this time because the process is not yet complete and the information is not public," she said. "Questions about where patients were transferred or whether any legal action has been filed would need to be answered by the facility."

Salina Post has reached out to the administrative team of Advena several times, but has not received a response.

According to a <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/KSOG/bulletins/3d63358">press release</a> from KDADS, on March 10, 2025&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>&nbsp;received funding from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/">Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services</a> (CMS) after approval to implement the 'SNF Clinic quality improvement program in 43 nursing homes across Kansas.' The purpose of the funding was to enhance&nbsp;staff training, improve resident care and elevate overall facility performance through an advanced electronic learning management system (eLMS).

SNF Clinic is a web-based platform that provides nursing home staff with easy access to essential education and care resources. The program ensures residents receive high-quality, person-centered care by equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and tools.

“The implementation of SNF Clinic in Kansas nursing homes represents a significant investment in the well-being of our elderly population,” KDADS Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Program Manager Rebecca Hedrick said. “By prioritizing education and quality improvement, we ensure that staff members are fully prepared to provide exceptional care to residents.”

Members of Clay Center have spoken about the situation and speculated as to what may have happened.

"It is pretty sad, where are you going to put all those people?"

"There may have been a building or water problem."

"I heard the state had to evacuate the residents because of mold, but no one is talking about it and I do not know what is going on."

According to <a href="https://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes/area/ks/advena-living-of-clay-center-175351">reviews</a> of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>, the nursing home had a below average rating for "Short-term rehabilitation" and "Long-term care." The rating for Short-term rehab evaluates a nursing home's quality of post-acute care for patients recovering from a hospital stay, such as instances that include strokes, heart attacks, infections or accidental injuries. The rating for Long-term care evaluates&nbsp;a nursing home's ability to care for residents who need daily assistance with medical needs, such as administering medications and non-medical needs such as dressing, eating and using the bathroom.

According to a standard inspection report conducted on April 9, 2025 from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/">The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>&nbsp;had potentials of actual harm with many residents being affected to provide services such as:

 Infection Control Deficiency,&nbsp;Nutrition and Dietary Deficiency and Administration Deficiency (determine what resources are necessary to care for residents).

Few patients were affected as far as the&nbsp;Quality of Life and Care Deficiency and Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiency&nbsp;

However, Advena Living of Clay Center had no reports of any actual harm with minimal potentiality when it came to&nbsp;Nursing and Physician Services Deficiency. See the full report <a href="https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/inspections/pdf/nursing-home/175351/health/health-inspection?date=2025-04-09">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757010210377.jpeg" alt="Advena Living of Clay Center sign on 715 Liberty St., Clay Center, KS. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) evacuated residents in the middle of August 2025. Photo by Nicolas Fierro" />
 <figcaption>Advena Living of Clay Center sign on 715 Liberty St., Clay Center, KS. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) evacuated residents in the middle of August 2025. Photo by Nicolas Fierro</figcaption>
 </figure>By: NICOLAS FIERRO Salina PostCLAY CENTER - A nursing home in Clay Center has been evacuated by the state of Kansas and has left more questions than answers.In the middle of August 2025, residents of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>&nbsp;were evacuated by the <a href="https://www.kdads.ks.gov/">Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)</a> due to quality of living issues. According to Cara Sloan-Ramos of KDADS, residents were 'successfully moved' from the nursing home."We can confirm that residents were successfully moved from the Advena nursing home in Clay Center, and we are working to make sure they are well cared for in their new locations," said Sloan-Ramos.Reasons have as to why residents were removed remain unknown. Many speculations from the public have stated there were possibilities of 'mold in the air ducts' and even residents being 'neglected of care.'Sloan-Ramos stated that KDADS takes such allegations seriously and are investigated accordingly."KDADS takes all allegations of abuse and neglect seriously and operates a hotline to receive such reports," she said. "If and when such allegations are received, they are investigated accordingly. The results of those investigations are confidential and are only made available to the parties directly involved in the case."Sloan-Ramos also said KDADS could not answer any questions as to why the residents were evacuated. She stated these questions are to be directed towards the administration of Advena."We cannot provide details at this time because the process is not yet complete and the information is not public," she said. "Questions about where patients were transferred or whether any legal action has been filed would need to be answered by the facility."Salina Post has reached out to the administrative team of Advena several times, but has not received a response.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757010441578.jpeg" alt="No Trespassing sign on the front door of Advena Living of Clay Center. Photo by Nicolas Fierro" />
 <figcaption>No Trespassing sign on the front door of Advena Living of Clay Center. Photo by Nicolas Fierro</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Set up for success</h2>According to a <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/KSOG/bulletins/3d63358">press release</a> from KDADS, on March 10, 2025&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>&nbsp;received funding from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/">Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services</a> (CMS) after approval to implement the 'SNF Clinic quality improvement program in 43 nursing homes across Kansas.' The purpose of the funding was to enhance&nbsp;staff training, improve resident care and elevate overall facility performance through an advanced electronic learning management system (eLMS).SNF Clinic is a web-based platform that provides nursing home staff with easy access to essential education and care resources. The program ensures residents receive high-quality, person-centered care by equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and tools.“The implementation of SNF Clinic in Kansas nursing homes represents a significant investment in the well-being of our elderly population,” KDADS Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Program Manager Rebecca Hedrick said. “By prioritizing education and quality improvement, we ensure that staff members are fully prepared to provide exceptional care to residents.”<h2>Concerns from the public</h2>Members of Clay Center have spoken about the situation and speculated as to what may have happened."It is pretty sad, where are you going to put all those people?""There may have been a building or water problem.""I heard the state had to evacuate the residents because of mold, but no one is talking about it and I do not know what is going on."According to <a href="https://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes/area/ks/advena-living-of-clay-center-175351">reviews</a> of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>, the nursing home had a below average rating for "Short-term rehabilitation" and "Long-term care." The rating for Short-term rehab evaluates a nursing home's quality of post-acute care for patients recovering from a hospital stay, such as instances that include strokes, heart attacks, infections or accidental injuries. The rating for Long-term care evaluates&nbsp;a nursing home's ability to care for residents who need daily assistance with medical needs, such as administering medications and non-medical needs such as dressing, eating and using the bathroom.According to a standard inspection report conducted on April 9, 2025 from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cms.gov/">The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.advenaclaycenter.com/">Advena Living of Clay Center</a>&nbsp;had potentials of actual harm with many residents being affected to provide services such as: Infection Control Deficiency,&nbsp;Nutrition and Dietary Deficiency and Administration Deficiency (determine what resources are necessary to care for residents).Few patients were affected as far as the&nbsp;Quality of Life and Care Deficiency and Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiency&nbsp;However, Advena Living of Clay Center had no reports of any actual harm with minimal potentiality when it came to&nbsp;Nursing and Physician Services Deficiency. See the full report <a href="https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/inspections/pdf/nursing-home/175351/health/health-inspection?date=2025-04-09">here</a>.

Sheriff: Child dead after medical incident on Kansas highway

CRAWFORD COUNTY—A now former member of the Kansas State University football team is out of jail after an arrest in southeast Kansas.

On Wednesday, police in Arma arrested 19-year-old Darren Jay-Shawn Ross on drug allegations, according to online booking records.

Ross was a member of the Wildcat 2024 recruiting class and played high school football at Liberty North.&nbsp;

Ross was booked into jail just before 3:30a.m. Wednesday on requested charges of distributing marijuana, according to the Crawford County sheriff's web site. He met the requirement of a $15,000 bond and was released just before 7p.m. Thursday.

His bio has been removed from the Kansas State Football website. He did not play in the first two games of the season for the Wildcats.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757078797295.png" alt="Ross photo Crawford Co." />
 <figcaption>Ross photo Crawford Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>CRAWFORD COUNTY—A now former member of the Kansas State University football team is out of jail after an arrest in southeast Kansas.On Wednesday, police in Arma arrested 19-year-old Darren Jay-Shawn Ross on drug allegations, according to online booking records.Ross was a member of the Wildcat 2024 recruiting class and played high school football at Liberty North.&nbsp;Ross was booked into jail just before 3:30a.m. Wednesday on requested charges of distributing marijuana, according to the Crawford County sheriff's web site. He met the requirement of a $15,000 bond and was released just before 7p.m. Thursday.His bio has been removed from the Kansas State Football website. He did not play in the first two games of the season for the Wildcats.

K-State football player out of jail after arrest in southeast Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;hosted a high-powered group of tech executives at the White House on Thursday as he showcased&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">research on artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;and boasted of investments that companies are making around the United States.

“This is taking our country to a new level,” he said at the center of a long table surrounded by what he described as “high IQ people.”

It was the latest example of a delicate two-way courtship between Trump and tech leaders, several of whom attended his inauguration. Trump has exulted in the attention from some of the world’s most successful businesspeople, while the companies are eager to remain on the good side of the mercurial president.

While the executives praised Trump and talked about their hopes for technological advancement, the Republican president was focused on dollar signs. He went around the table and asked executives how much they were investing in the country.

Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, who sat to Trump’s right, said $600 billion. Apple’s Tim Cook said the same. Google’s Sundar Pichai said $250 billion.

“What about Microsoft?” Trump said. “That’s a big number.”

CEO Satya Nadella said it was up to $80 billion per year.

“Good,” Trump responded. “Very good.”

Notably absent from the guest list was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>, once a close ally of Trump who was tasked with running the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-28263ffbfc191602b3657618138ee585">a public breakup</a>&nbsp;with Trump earlier this year.

At the table instead was one of Musk’s rivals in artificial intelligence, Sam Altman of OpenAI.

In another reflection of shifting loyalties in Trump’s world, the dinner included Jared Isaacman, who founded the payment processing company Shift4.

Isaacman was a Musk ally chosen by Trump to lead NASA, only to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-isaacman-nasa-nomination-withdraw-a0b1d23823a06ac7ae1994c930c7786c">his nomination withdrawn</a>&nbsp;because he was, in Trump’s words, “totally a Democrat.”

The dinner was expected to be held in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/trump-rose-garden-paved-over-photo-gallery-732b9521b69c10c12ce448f12e27401c">the Rose Garden</a>, where Trump recently paved over the grassy lawn and set up tables, chairs and umbrellas that look strikingly similar to the outdoor setup at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

But because of inclement weather, officials decided to move the event to the White House State Dining Room.

The event followed an afternoon meeting of the White House’s new Artificial Intelligence Education task force, which first lady Melania Trump chaired and some tech leaders participated in.

“The robots are here. Our future is no longer science fiction,” she said,

Pichai, IBM chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna and Code.org President Cameron Wilson were among those participating in the task force.

The White House confirmed that the guest list for the dinner also included: Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates; Google founder Sergey Brin; OpenAI founder Greg Brockman; Oracle CEO Safra Catz; Blue Origin CEO David Limp; Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra; TIBCO Software chairman Vivek Ranadive; Palantir executive Shyam Sankar; Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang; and Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman.

Trump’s outreach to top tech executives has occasionally been divisive within the Republican Party.

One of Trump’s closest allies in Congress, Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hawley-pelosi-stocks-insider-trading-ban-cf6200d0ec71fe012bb3b9a916696b37">Josh Hawley</a>, delivered a sharp criticism of the tech industry during a speech at a conservative conference in Washington on Thursday morning. He criticized the lack of regulation around artificial intelligence and singled out Meta and ChatGPT.

“The government should inspect all of these frontier AI systems so we can better understand what the tech titans plan to build and destroy,” the Missouri senator said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757074835886.png" alt="Image courtesy White House video" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;hosted a high-powered group of tech executives at the White House on Thursday as he showcased&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">research on artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;and boasted of investments that companies are making around the United States.“This is taking our country to a new level,” he said at the center of a long table surrounded by what he described as “high IQ people.”It was the latest example of a delicate two-way courtship between Trump and tech leaders, several of whom attended his inauguration. Trump has exulted in the attention from some of the world’s most successful businesspeople, while the companies are eager to remain on the good side of the mercurial president.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">BREAKING 🇺🇸 : President Trump hosts tech leaders for a dinner at the White House. Guests include Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman<a href="https://t.co/GUJavrxP9M">pic.twitter.com/GUJavrxP9M</a>&mdash; Zaid Ahmd (@realzaidzayn) <a href="https://twitter.com/realzaidzayn/status/1963766937500156283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Google co-founder Sergey Brin: &quot;It&#39;s a real incredible inflection point right now in AI and the fact that your administration is supporting our companies instead of fighting with them — it&#39;s hugely important.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/3vUGc1Dvai">pic.twitter.com/3vUGc1Dvai</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1963780730632180101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Google CEO Sundar Pichai: &quot;The AI moment is one of the most transformative moments any of us have ever seen... The AI Action Plan, under your leadership, I think is a great start, and we look forward to working together — and thanks for your leadership.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/AKzlSgbYJl">pic.twitter.com/AKzlSgbYJl</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1963781769108332769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/AMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AMD</a> CEO <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaSu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LisaSu</a>: &quot;The incredible work that your administration has done to support the semiconductor industry... the amount of acceleration that we&#39;ve seen just in the few short months that the administration has been in place — we&#39;re so grateful for that support.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/UjrORUbzLQ">pic.twitter.com/UjrORUbzLQ</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1963782822218313962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Microsoft?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Microsoft</a> CEO <a href="https://twitter.com/satyanadella?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@satyanadella</a>: &quot;Everything that you&#39;re doing in terms of setting in place the platform where the rest of the world can not only use our technology, but trust our technology more than any other alternative, is perhaps the most important issue.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/4xNxZggG3f">pic.twitter.com/4xNxZggG3f</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1963783827442057465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Apple?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Apple</a> CEO <a href="https://twitter.com/tim_cook?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@tim_cook</a>: &quot;I want to thank you for setting the tone such that we could make a major [$600 billion] investment in the United States... That says a lot about your focus and your leadership and your focus on innovation.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/289vkiB6vy">pic.twitter.com/289vkiB6vy</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1963786061114417495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/OpenAI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OpenAI</a> CEO Sam Altman: &quot;Thank you for being such a pro-business, pro-innovation President. It&#39;s a very refreshing change...The investment that&#39;s happening here, the ability to get the power of the industry back... I don&#39;t think that would be happening without your leadership.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/suGDIJFlx8">pic.twitter.com/suGDIJFlx8</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1963787418429018457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/OpenAI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OpenAI</a> President Greg Brockman <a href="https://twitter.com/gdb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gdb</a>: &quot;We&#39;ve been just very impressed with how this Administration has really embraced AI... There has been a choice of whether to approach it with optimism, and I think that that&#39;s what I&#39;ve really seen from this Administration.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cLGmDzLwtO">pic.twitter.com/cLGmDzLwtO</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1963790825273348601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>While the executives praised Trump and talked about their hopes for technological advancement, the Republican president was focused on dollar signs. He went around the table and asked executives how much they were investing in the country.Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, who sat to Trump’s right, said $600 billion. Apple’s Tim Cook said the same. Google’s Sundar Pichai said $250 billion.“What about Microsoft?” Trump said. “That’s a big number.”CEO Satya Nadella said it was up to $80 billion per year.“Good,” Trump responded. “Very good.”Notably absent from the guest list was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>, once a close ally of Trump who was tasked with running the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-28263ffbfc191602b3657618138ee585">a public breakup</a>&nbsp;with Trump earlier this year.At the table instead was one of Musk’s rivals in artificial intelligence, Sam Altman of OpenAI.In another reflection of shifting loyalties in Trump’s world, the dinner included Jared Isaacman, who founded the payment processing company Shift4.Isaacman was a Musk ally chosen by Trump to lead NASA, only to have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-isaacman-nasa-nomination-withdraw-a0b1d23823a06ac7ae1994c930c7786c">his nomination withdrawn</a>&nbsp;because he was, in Trump’s words, “totally a Democrat.”The dinner was expected to be held in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/trump-rose-garden-paved-over-photo-gallery-732b9521b69c10c12ce448f12e27401c">the Rose Garden</a>, where Trump recently paved over the grassy lawn and set up tables, chairs and umbrellas that look strikingly similar to the outdoor setup at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.But because of inclement weather, officials decided to move the event to the White House State Dining Room.The event followed an afternoon meeting of the White House’s new Artificial Intelligence Education task force, which first lady Melania Trump chaired and some tech leaders participated in.“The robots are here. Our future is no longer science fiction,” she said,Pichai, IBM chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna and Code.org President Cameron Wilson were among those participating in the task force.The White House confirmed that the guest list for the dinner also included: Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates; Google founder Sergey Brin; OpenAI founder Greg Brockman; Oracle CEO Safra Catz; Blue Origin CEO David Limp; Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra; TIBCO Software chairman Vivek Ranadive; Palantir executive Shyam Sankar; Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang; and Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman.Trump’s outreach to top tech executives has occasionally been divisive within the Republican Party.One of Trump’s closest allies in Congress, Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hawley-pelosi-stocks-insider-trading-ban-cf6200d0ec71fe012bb3b9a916696b37">Josh Hawley</a>, delivered a sharp criticism of the tech industry during a speech at a conservative conference in Washington on Thursday morning. He criticized the lack of regulation around artificial intelligence and singled out Meta and ChatGPT.“The government should inspect all of these frontier AI systems so we can better understand what the tech titans plan to build and destroy,” the Missouri senator said.Trump has embraced AI-created imagery and frequently shares it online, despite his complaints earlier in the week about the technology being used to create misleading videos.Late Wednesday night, he posted a string of AI-generated memes and videos, such as one depicting him interacting with the man pictured in the Cracker Barrel logo, one showing California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff with an extremely elongated neck, and one with Trump’s face superimposed on a pole vaulter as it appears to leap over a Cracker Barrel banner.On Tuesday, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-white-house-window-ai-9dad119bb6de1519582db036dc0726d7">said a video showing items being thrown out</a>&nbsp;of an upstairs window of the White House must have been created by AI, despite his team seeming to have confirmed the video’s veracity hours earlier.Trump then said, “If something happens that’s really bad, maybe I’ll have to just blame AI.”The first lady, at her event Thursday, likewise highlighted both the potential and peril of AI.“As leaders and parents, we must manage AI’s growth responsibly,” she said, calling for both action and caution. “During this primitive stage, it is our duty to treat AI as we would our own children — empowering, but with watchful guidance.”Last month, the first lady launched a nationwide contest for students in grades K-12 to use AI to complete a project or address a community challenge. The project was aimed at showing the benefits of AI, but the first lady has also highlighted its drawbacks.Melania Trump lobbied Congress this year to pass legislation that imposes penalties for online sexual exploitation using imagery that is real or an AI-generated deepfake.The president signed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/take-it-down-deepfake-trump-melania-first-amendment-741a6e525e81e5e3d8843aac20de8615">“Take It Down Act”</a>&nbsp;in May.___Associated Press writers Joey Cappelletti in Washington and Jocelyn Gecker in San Francisco in San Francisco contributed to this report.