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

Legal action follows attorney general’s suit against online porn company

TOPEKA — A bundle of federal lawsuits in Kansas have been filed on behalf of a 14-year-old Olathe resident alleging owners of online businesses violated a state law mandating steps be taken to prevent minors from accessing pornography lacking scientific, artistic or political value.

The law center of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, a conservative anti-pornography organization in Washington, D.C., collaborated with a Hutchinson law firm to file suit on behalf of minor Q.R. and his mother Jane Doe against jerkmate.com, Techpump Solutions’ superporn.com, Titan Websites and chaturbate.com.

In each instance, the lawsuits allege, a company failed to comply with a state law that took effect July 1, 2024, requiring deployment of age verification systems on pornography websites to block consumers under the age of 18.

The court documents asserted Q.R. used one of his mother’s old laptops to access internet pornography from the four companies more than 170 times from August to October 2024.

“Kansas law requires&nbsp;pornography&nbsp;companies to implement reasonable age verification methods, and the companies named in these lawsuits failed to do so,” said Dani Pinter, director of the legal division of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.

In January, Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/14/kobach-files-lawsuit-against-online-company-for-failing-to-shield-minors-from-pornography/">Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a similar lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in Shawnee County District Court against Seattle-based SARJ LLC, which distributed pornography on more than a dozen websites and was purportedly owned by individuals who controlled jerkmate.com.

Kobach asserted in the state court filing that SARJ didn’t make use of age-gating technology that would “protect Kansas children from the negative health consequences that stem from unfettered access to pornography.”

The federal lawsuits filed by Joshua Ruhlmann, a Hutchinson attorney, claimed the website content accessed by Q.R. was harmful because it had a tendency to appeal to a minor’s prurient interest in sex, was offensive to prevailing standards with respect to what was suitable for minors and lacked serious literary, scientific, educational, artistic or political value for a viewer under age 18.

Specifically, one of the federal lawsuits alleged at least one-fourth of jerkmate.com’s webpages viewed during a calendar month included “material containing nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement and/or sadomasochistic abuse.”

That court filing said minors who visited the website were asked to click an “I AGREE” button, which ostensibly verified the user was over the age of 18. That site warned users the company’s content was restricted to consumers reached the age majority in the jurisdiction in which they resided.

“Despite expressly aiming their websites at Kansas citizens, defendants have failed to ensure that jerkmate.com and/or jerkmatelive.com comply with Kansas law which requires pornographic websites to employ age verification measures,” the suit said.

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, previously known as Morality in Media, has lobbied against sex trafficking, same-sex marriage, decriminalization of sex work, comprehensive sex education and works of art that could be viewed as obscene.

Pinter said the family serving as plaintiffs in the organization’s lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Kansas “deserves every measure of justice.”

“It is unreasonably dangerous for these&nbsp;pornography&nbsp;websites to provide this product which they know is harmful to children, that children are drawn to access, and do access, without employing age verification as required by Kansas law,” she said.

In April 2024, Gov. Laura Kelly allowed the age-verification bill to become law without her signature. It was approved unanimously in the Senate and 92-31 by the House. Kelly said the pornography statute could “end up infringing on constitutional rights” of Kansans and inspire lawsuits against the state.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747313836715.png" alt=" Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit earlier this year against an internet pornography company that failed to adhere to a state law requiring deployment of age-verification systems to prevent anyone younger than 18 to access content. An anti-pornography organization in Washington, D.C., more recently filed four federal lawsuits in Kansas comparable to action taken by the state attorney general. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit earlier this year against an internet pornography company that failed to adhere to a state law requiring deployment of age-verification systems to prevent anyone younger than 18 to access content. An anti-pornography organization in Washington, D.C., more recently filed four federal lawsuits in Kansas comparable to action taken by the state attorney general. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Legal action follows attorney general’s suit against online porn company</h2>TOPEKA — A bundle of federal lawsuits in Kansas have been filed on behalf of a 14-year-old Olathe resident alleging owners of online businesses violated a state law mandating steps be taken to prevent minors from accessing pornography lacking scientific, artistic or political value.The law center of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, a conservative anti-pornography organization in Washington, D.C., collaborated with a Hutchinson law firm to file suit on behalf of minor Q.R. and his mother Jane Doe against jerkmate.com, Techpump Solutions’ superporn.com, Titan Websites and chaturbate.com.In each instance, the lawsuits allege, a company failed to comply with a state law that took effect July 1, 2024, requiring deployment of age verification systems on pornography websites to block consumers under the age of 18.The court documents asserted Q.R. used one of his mother’s old laptops to access internet pornography from the four companies more than 170 times from August to October 2024.“Kansas law requires&nbsp;pornography&nbsp;companies to implement reasonable age verification methods, and the companies named in these lawsuits failed to do so,” said Dani Pinter, director of the legal division of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.In January, Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/14/kobach-files-lawsuit-against-online-company-for-failing-to-shield-minors-from-pornography/">Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a similar lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in Shawnee County District Court against Seattle-based SARJ LLC, which distributed pornography on more than a dozen websites and was purportedly owned by individuals who controlled jerkmate.com.Kobach asserted in the state court filing that SARJ didn’t make use of age-gating technology that would “protect Kansas children from the negative health consequences that stem from unfettered access to pornography.”The federal lawsuits filed by Joshua Ruhlmann, a Hutchinson attorney, claimed the website content accessed by Q.R. was harmful because it had a tendency to appeal to a minor’s prurient interest in sex, was offensive to prevailing standards with respect to what was suitable for minors and lacked serious literary, scientific, educational, artistic or political value for a viewer under age 18.Specifically, one of the federal lawsuits alleged at least one-fourth of jerkmate.com’s webpages viewed during a calendar month included “material containing nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement and/or sadomasochistic abuse.”That court filing said minors who visited the website were asked to click an “I AGREE” button, which ostensibly verified the user was over the age of 18. That site warned users the company’s content was restricted to consumers reached the age majority in the jurisdiction in which they resided.“Despite expressly aiming their websites at Kansas citizens, defendants have failed to ensure that jerkmate.com and/or jerkmatelive.com comply with Kansas law which requires pornographic websites to employ age verification measures,” the suit said.The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, previously known as Morality in Media, has lobbied against sex trafficking, same-sex marriage, decriminalization of sex work, comprehensive sex education and works of art that could be viewed as obscene.Pinter said the family serving as plaintiffs in the organization’s lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Kansas “deserves every measure of justice.”“It is unreasonably dangerous for these&nbsp;pornography&nbsp;websites to provide this product which they know is harmful to children, that children are drawn to access, and do access, without employing age verification as required by Kansas law,” she said.In April 2024, Gov. Laura Kelly allowed the age-verification bill to become law without her signature. It was approved unanimously in the Senate and 92-31 by the House. Kelly said the pornography statute could “end up infringing on constitutional rights” of Kansans and inspire lawsuits against the state.

Anti-porn center files 4 Kan. lawsuits alleging violation of state’s age-verification law

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin didn’t show up in Turkey on Thursday for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-ceasefire-2b3d2fad88436c5406ea63f81ac554ef">proposed direct peace talks</a>&nbsp;with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was waiting for him in the capital of Ankara after challenging the Kremlin leader to face-to-face discussions on ending their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">3-year-old war</a>.

With Putin absent, the Russian delegation was in Istanbul and it wasn’t clear whether the sides would meet for their first such talks since March 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor the previous month.

Zelenskyy said the Russian delegation appeared to be merely “decorative.” Speaking at the airport in Ankara, he said the next steps for talks would be decided after his upcoming meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who welcomed Zelenskyy with an honor guard at the presidential palace in Ankara.

Putin’s absence punctured hopes of a breakthrough in peace efforts that were given a push in recent months by the Trump administration and Western European leaders. It also raised the prospect of intensified international sanctions on Russia that have been threatened by the West.

“Now, after three years of immense suffering, there is finally a window of opportunity,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a NATO meeting taking place separately in Turkey. “The talks ... hopefully may open a new chapter.”

The war has killed tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides and more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the U.N., and continues along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. Russian forces are preparing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-spring-fighting-offensive-ceasefire-talks-49ee814cc4a8416c444ab7deae42488c">a fresh military offensive</a>, Ukrainian government and Western military analysts say.

The diplomatic maneuvering began over the weekend when European leaders met Zelenskyy in Kyiv and urged the Kremlin to agree to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-peace-talks-diplomacy-ceasefire-negotiations-adc1034f0eed21efcdbb35c9a68bde6c">full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire</a>&nbsp;as a first step toward peace. Putin later responded by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-fbd6aa9ddb147fa1b789c30dcf44dab3">proposing direct talks</a>&nbsp;with Ukraine in Istanbul. Then came Zelenskyy's challenge to Putin to hold face-to-face talks.

After days of silence, the Kremlin finally responded Thursday, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying Putin has no plans to travel to Istanbul in the next few days.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-qatar-syria-aludeid-air-base-9c868799582685b3a115c6f0c243d606">U.S. President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said he was not surprised that Putin was a no-show. Trump had pressed for Putin and Zelenskyy to meet but brushed off Putin’s apparent decision not to attend.

“I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there,” Trump told reporters as he took part in a business roundtable with executives in Doha, Qatar, on the third day of his visit to the Middle East.

Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Putin, is leading the Russian team that will also include three other senior officials, the Kremlin said. Putin also appointed four lower-level officials as “experts” for the talks in Istanbul.

Also absent from the talks were Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, both of whom represented Russia at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-ceasefire-talks-saudi-arabia-02cd8e100113bc9e80c7a737bf01c796">talks with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia</a>&nbsp;in March.

The top-level Ukrainian delegation included Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and the head of the Ukrainian presidential office Andriy Yermak, a Ukrainian official said. Zelenskyy will sit at the negotiating table only with Putin, said presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak.

Details about whether, when and where the Ukrainian delegation might meet their Russian counterparts were unclear. Russia said the talks have been postponed until the afternoon “at the initiative of the Turkish side”

Tass said the talks were to take place in a presidential office on the Bosporus, in Istanbul.

Putin met Wednesday evening with senior government officials and members of the delegation in preparation for the talks, Peskov said. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov, and National Security Council secretary Sergei Shoigu also attended.

The Kremlin billed Thursday’s talks as a “restart” of peace negotiations that were held in Istanbul in 2022 but quickly fell apart. Moscow accused Ukraine and the West of wanting to continue fighting, while Kyiv said Russia’s demands amounted to an ultimatum rather than something both sides could agree on.

Russia's delegation then was also headed by Medinsky.

Putin's proposal came after more than three months of diplomacy kickstarted by Trump, who promised during his campaign to end the devastating war swiftly —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-633a216d0506c82353fc7745b69c0fe0">though it's been hard to pull off</a>. The Trump administration in recent weeks indicated that it might walk away from the peace effort if there was no tangible progress soon.

Sybiha, the Ukrainian foreign minister, met with U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio and Sen. Lindsey Graham on Wednesday night in the Turkish city of Antalya, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-rubio-trump-russia-ukraine-turkey-5c8b5ac67a05690635cab5e793a5e97d">hosting NATO foreign ministers</a>&nbsp;to discuss new defense investment goals as the U.S. shifts its focus to security challenges away from Europe.

Sybiha reaffirmed Ukraine’s support for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-trump-war-negotiations-a605f8b9ca0e0e9b00e2fddf8219d065">Trump’s mediation efforts</a>&nbsp;and thanked the U.S. for its continued involvement, urging Moscow to “reciprocate Ukraine’s constructive steps” toward peace. "So far, it has not,” Sybiha said.

On Thursday morning, Sybiha also met with other European foreign ministers, including his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot, who in a post on X reiterated the call for a ceasefire and the threat of “massive sanctions” if Russia doesn't comply.

“We’re in a very difficult spot right now, and we hope that we can find the steps forward that provide for the end of this war in a negotiated way and the prevention of any war in the future," Rubio said Thursday.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, also in Antalya for the NATO talks, accused Moscow of not being willing to to engage in a serious peace process.

“We have one chair empty, which is the chair of Vladimir Putin. So now I guess the entire world has realized that there’s only one party not willing to engage in serious peace negotiations, and that certainly is Russia," Valtonen said.

Barrot echoed her sentiment: “In front of Ukrainians there is an empty chair, one that should have been occupied by Vladimir Putin,” he said. “Vladimir Putin is dragging his feet and in all evidence does not want to enter into these peace discussions.”

Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels; Illia Novikov and Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Ukraine; Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia; and Matthew Lee in Antalya, Turkey, contributed.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin didn’t show up in Turkey on Thursday for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-ceasefire-2b3d2fad88436c5406ea63f81ac554ef">proposed direct peace talks</a>&nbsp;with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was waiting for him in the capital of Ankara after challenging the Kremlin leader to face-to-face discussions on ending their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">3-year-old war</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Arrived in Türkiye to encourage <a href="https://twitter.com/NATO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NATO</a> Allies to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP. It’s time to align our words with action. Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> we’ve seen progress, but all Allies need to step up. <a href="https://t.co/uFosNhBCjs">pic.twitter.com/uFosNhBCjs</a>&mdash; Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio/status/1922864848322392169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>With Putin absent, the Russian delegation was in Istanbul and it wasn’t clear whether the sides would meet for their first such talks since March 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor the previous month.Zelenskyy said the Russian delegation appeared to be merely “decorative.” Speaking at the airport in Ankara, he said the next steps for talks would be decided after his upcoming meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who welcomed Zelenskyy with an honor guard at the presidential palace in Ankara.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">First and foremost, I want to thank President <a href="https://twitter.com/RTErdogan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RTErdogan</a> for organizing the opportunity for direct negotiations – that was exactly the signal we had received. The Ukrainian side confirmed its readiness, and today, we are here in the capital, in Ankara. Ukraine is represented by… <a href="https://t.co/P0uFaOSlhj">pic.twitter.com/P0uFaOSlhj</a>&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1922959262956855362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Putin’s absence punctured hopes of a breakthrough in peace efforts that were given a push in recent months by the Trump administration and Western European leaders. It also raised the prospect of intensified international sanctions on Russia that have been threatened by the West.“Now, after three years of immense suffering, there is finally a window of opportunity,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a NATO meeting taking place separately in Turkey. “The talks ... hopefully may open a new chapter.”The war has killed tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides and more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the U.N., and continues along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line. Russian forces are preparing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-spring-fighting-offensive-ceasefire-talks-49ee814cc4a8416c444ab7deae42488c">a fresh military offensive</a>, Ukrainian government and Western military analysts say.<h2>A weekend of diplomatic maneuvering</h2>The diplomatic maneuvering began over the weekend when European leaders met Zelenskyy in Kyiv and urged the Kremlin to agree to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-peace-talks-diplomacy-ceasefire-negotiations-adc1034f0eed21efcdbb35c9a68bde6c">full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire</a>&nbsp;as a first step toward peace. Putin later responded by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-fbd6aa9ddb147fa1b789c30dcf44dab3">proposing direct talks</a>&nbsp;with Ukraine in Istanbul. Then came Zelenskyy's challenge to Putin to hold face-to-face talks.After days of silence, the Kremlin finally responded Thursday, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying Putin has no plans to travel to Istanbul in the next few days.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-qatar-syria-aludeid-air-base-9c868799582685b3a115c6f0c243d606">U.S. President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said he was not surprised that Putin was a no-show. Trump had pressed for Putin and Zelenskyy to meet but brushed off Putin’s apparent decision not to attend.“I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there,” Trump told reporters as he took part in a business roundtable with executives in Doha, Qatar, on the third day of his visit to the Middle East.Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Putin, is leading the Russian team that will also include three other senior officials, the Kremlin said. Putin also appointed four lower-level officials as “experts” for the talks in Istanbul.Also absent from the talks were Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, both of whom represented Russia at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-ceasefire-talks-saudi-arabia-02cd8e100113bc9e80c7a737bf01c796">talks with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia</a>&nbsp;in March.The top-level Ukrainian delegation included Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and the head of the Ukrainian presidential office Andriy Yermak, a Ukrainian official said. Zelenskyy will sit at the negotiating table only with Putin, said presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak.Details about whether, when and where the Ukrainian delegation might meet their Russian counterparts were unclear. Russia said the talks have been postponed until the afternoon “at the initiative of the Turkish side”Tass said the talks were to take place in a presidential office on the Bosporus, in Istanbul.Putin met Wednesday evening with senior government officials and members of the delegation in preparation for the talks, Peskov said. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov, and National Security Council secretary Sergei Shoigu also attended.<h2>Russia calls the talks a ‘restart’</h2>The Kremlin billed Thursday’s talks as a “restart” of peace negotiations that were held in Istanbul in 2022 but quickly fell apart. Moscow accused Ukraine and the West of wanting to continue fighting, while Kyiv said Russia’s demands amounted to an ultimatum rather than something both sides could agree on.Russia's delegation then was also headed by Medinsky.Putin's proposal came after more than three months of diplomacy kickstarted by Trump, who promised during his campaign to end the devastating war swiftly —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-633a216d0506c82353fc7745b69c0fe0">though it's been hard to pull off</a>. The Trump administration in recent weeks indicated that it might walk away from the peace effort if there was no tangible progress soon.Sybiha, the Ukrainian foreign minister, met with U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio and Sen. Lindsey Graham on Wednesday night in the Turkish city of Antalya, which is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-rubio-trump-russia-ukraine-turkey-5c8b5ac67a05690635cab5e793a5e97d">hosting NATO foreign ministers</a>&nbsp;to discuss new defense investment goals as the U.S. shifts its focus to security challenges away from Europe.Sybiha reaffirmed Ukraine’s support for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-trump-war-negotiations-a605f8b9ca0e0e9b00e2fddf8219d065">Trump’s mediation efforts</a>&nbsp;and thanked the U.S. for its continued involvement, urging Moscow to “reciprocate Ukraine’s constructive steps” toward peace. "So far, it has not,” Sybiha said.On Thursday morning, Sybiha also met with other European foreign ministers, including his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot, who in a post on X reiterated the call for a ceasefire and the threat of “massive sanctions” if Russia doesn't comply.“We’re in a very difficult spot right now, and we hope that we can find the steps forward that provide for the end of this war in a negotiated way and the prevention of any war in the future," Rubio said Thursday.Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, also in Antalya for the NATO talks, accused Moscow of not being willing to to engage in a serious peace process.“We have one chair empty, which is the chair of Vladimir Putin. So now I guess the entire world has realized that there’s only one party not willing to engage in serious peace negotiations, and that certainly is Russia," Valtonen said.Barrot echoed her sentiment: “In front of Ukrainians there is an empty chair, one that should have been occupied by Vladimir Putin,” he said. “Vladimir Putin is dragging his feet and in all evidence does not want to enter into these peace discussions.”—-Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels; Illia Novikov and Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Ukraine; Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia; and Matthew Lee in Antalya, Turkey, contributed.

Russian President Putin skips Ukraine peace talks in Turkey

PAWNEE COUNTY– Dustin Barnes, 48 of Larned, appeared Tuesday morning in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff for First Appearances on a two count Felony Criminal Complaint.

Barnes is charged with Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer resulting in bodily harm and Interference with Law Enforcement; Resisting Felony Arrest, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred east of the Edwards Park Public Golf Course the morning&nbsp; May 12, 2025. The Larned Police Department had stopped Barnes who was on foot at the time in an attempt to provide a “No Trespass Advisory” that had been requested by a local citizen due to an alleged incident at a private residence earlier that morning. Barnes allegedly became combative and tasers had to be deployed multiple times. An officer was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Barnes faces a Preliminary Hearing on May 27, 2025. He remains in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff with bond set at $20,000, according to McNett.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747164341960.png" alt="Barnes photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Barnes photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY– Dustin Barnes, 48 of Larned, appeared Tuesday morning in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff for First Appearances on a two count Felony Criminal Complaint.Barnes is charged with Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer resulting in bodily harm and Interference with Law Enforcement; Resisting Felony Arrest, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.The charges stem from an incident that occurred east of the Edwards Park Public Golf Course the morning&nbsp; May 12, 2025. The Larned Police Department had stopped Barnes who was on foot at the time in an attempt to provide a “No Trespass Advisory” that had been requested by a local citizen due to an alleged incident at a private residence earlier that morning. Barnes allegedly became combative and tasers had to be deployed multiple times. An officer was treated at the scene for minor injuries.Barnes faces a Preliminary Hearing on May 27, 2025. He remains in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff with bond set at $20,000, according to McNett.

Kan. man tased multiple times during altercation that injured officer

President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Thursday visited a U.S. base installation at the center of American involvement in the Middle East as he uses his four-day visit to Gulf states to reject the “interventionism” of America’s past in the region.

In other parts of the Middle East violence flared in the West Bank, and a hospital in southern Gaza said 54 people have been killed in overnight airstrikes on the city of Khan Younis.

Trump spoke of American military strength as he addressed troops at Qatar’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-world-cup-sports-soccer-united-states-9beb3f93a06ec0c91a5170bfa9f0218b">al-Udeid Air Base</a>, which was a major staging ground during the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also supported the recent U.S. air campaign against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, though the strikes themselves came from two aircraft carriers in the region.

The president has held up Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar as models for economic development in a region plagued by conflict as he works to entice Iran to come to terms with his administration on a deal to curb its nuclear program.

The President also meets business leaders in Qatar and heads to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Standing in front of U.S. troops at the Qatari airbase, President Donald Trump said “we let a lot of four stars go,” touting his administration’s effort to thin the military’s top ranks.

There’s long been friction between Trump and some top generals, and he’s been more emboldened to remake the command structure in his second term.

He described some military leaders as “frickin’ losers” as he addressed the rank-and-file.

The president danced for a moment to the Village People’s “YMCA" as he wrapped up his speech.

Trump speaks of ‘overwhelming’ American military power

President Donald Trump is speaking to troops at the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

He started his speech thanking troops and discussing his Mideast trip so far, then spoke about America’s military power.

“As president, my priority is to end conflicts, not start them, but I will never hesitate to wield American power if it’s necessary to defend the United States of America or our partners,” Trump said. “And this is one of our great partners right here” in Qatar.

He added: “When we’re threatened, America’s military will answer our enemies without even thinking about it. We have overwhelming strength and devastating force.”

Hegseth says the U.S. is restoring ‘warrior ethos’

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asserted that “wokeness and weakness” allowed the wars in the world.

“We’re restoring the warrior ethos. No more political correctness,” he told U.S. troops at Al-Udeid Air Base, before President Donald Trump addresses them.

“Sadly, over the last four years, we saw a collapse in Afghanistan. And what happened on October 7th, the war in Ukraine, violence unleashed by wokeness and weakness.”

Trump then took the stage as Lee Greenwood sang his signature song, “Proud to be an American.”

President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Thursday visited a U.S. base installation at the center of American involvement in the Middle East as he uses his four-day visit to Gulf states to reject the “interventionism” of America’s past in the region.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> arrives at Al Udeid Air Force Base to speak to U.S. and Qatari Troops! 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/G6P9IeNdIW">pic.twitter.com/G6P9IeNdIW</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922956624743760238?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 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;The American People never forget that our servicemembers and their families make incredible sacrifices each and every day, so that all Americans can be safe and be free. We love our amazing Military Families.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/SzJUfpvVBd">pic.twitter.com/SzJUfpvVBd</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922961348217950355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 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 love and respect you. What you are doing, the service you do for your country... there is no more important profession, and I was so proud to see those reports coming in just a few days ago saying that the enrollment is at the highest level ever.&quot; ❤️🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/VCWYvGfi3A">pic.twitter.com/VCWYvGfi3A</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922963249458212865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 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">President Trump arrives at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar… <a href="https://t.co/cu8sGjegzJ">pic.twitter.com/cu8sGjegzJ</a>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1922964416972140632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In other parts of the Middle East violence flared in the West Bank, and a hospital in southern Gaza said 54 people have been killed in overnight airstrikes on the city of Khan Younis.Trump spoke of American military strength as he addressed troops at Qatar’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-world-cup-sports-soccer-united-states-9beb3f93a06ec0c91a5170bfa9f0218b">al-Udeid Air Base</a>, which was a major staging ground during the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also supported the recent U.S. air campaign against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, though the strikes themselves came from two aircraft carriers in the region.The president has held up Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar as models for economic development in a region plagued by conflict as he works to entice Iran to come to terms with his administration on a deal to curb its nuclear program.The President also meets business leaders in Qatar and heads to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.___<h2>Trump boasts of firings in the military</h2>Standing in front of U.S. troops at the Qatari airbase, President Donald Trump said “we let a lot of four stars go,” touting his administration’s effort to thin the military’s top ranks.There’s long been friction between Trump and some top generals, and he’s been more emboldened to remake the command structure in his second term.He described some military leaders as “frickin’ losers” as he addressed the rank-and-file.The president danced for a moment to the Village People’s “YMCA" as he wrapped up his speech.<h2>Trump speaks of ‘overwhelming’ American military power</h2>President Donald Trump is speaking to troops at the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.He started his speech thanking troops and discussing his Mideast trip so far, then spoke about America’s military power.“As president, my priority is to end conflicts, not start them, but I will never hesitate to wield American power if it’s necessary to defend the United States of America or our partners,” Trump said. “And this is one of our great partners right here” in Qatar.He added: “When we’re threatened, America’s military will answer our enemies without even thinking about it. We have overwhelming strength and devastating force.”___<h2>Hegseth says the U.S. is restoring ‘warrior ethos’</h2>U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asserted that “wokeness and weakness” allowed the wars in the world.“We’re restoring the warrior ethos. No more political correctness,” he told U.S. troops at Al-Udeid Air Base, before President Donald Trump addresses them.“Sadly, over the last four years, we saw a collapse in Afghanistan. And what happened on October 7th, the war in Ukraine, violence unleashed by wokeness and weakness.”Trump then took the stage as Lee Greenwood sang his signature song, “Proud to be an American.”

🎥 Trump visits main U.S. military base in Middle East as violence flares in Gaza

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Six months after Missouri voters approved an abortion-rights amendment, Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday approved a new referendum that would seek the amendment's repeal and instead ban most abortions with exceptions for rape an incest.

The newly proposed constitutional amendment would go back to voters in November 2026, or sooner, if Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe calls a special election before then.

Republican senators used a series of rare procedural moves to cut off discussion by opposing Democrats before passing the proposed abortion-rights revision by a 21-11 vote. The measure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ban-missouri-transgender-5581a8bb6f6dacf876b85731ed0181dd">passed the Republican-led House</a>&nbsp;last month.

Immediately after vote, protestors erupted with chants of “Stop the ban!” and were ushered out of the Senate chamber.

Missouri's abortion policies have swung dramatically in recent years.

When the U.S. Supreme Court ended a nationwide right to abortion by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturning Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;in 2022, it triggered a Missouri law to take effect banning most abortions. But abortion-rights activists gathered initiative petition signatures in an attempt to reverse that.

Last November, Missouri voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a right to abortion until fetal viability, generally considered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-technology-science-health-birmingham-7fc806f3c06aeae94c5d6ed1b06a6461">sometime past 21 weeks of pregnancy</a>. The amendment also allows later abortions to protect the life or health of pregnant women.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747265485373.jpeg" alt="People in support of abortion rights protest outside the Missouri Senate chamber after the Senate voted to approve a referendum seeking to repeal an abortion-rights amendment on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)" />
 <figcaption>People in support of abortion rights protest outside the Missouri Senate chamber after the Senate voted to approve a referendum seeking to repeal an abortion-rights amendment on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Six months after Missouri voters approved an abortion-rights amendment, Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday approved a new referendum that would seek the amendment's repeal and instead ban most abortions with exceptions for rape an incest.The newly proposed constitutional amendment would go back to voters in November 2026, or sooner, if Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe calls a special election before then.Republican senators used a series of rare procedural moves to cut off discussion by opposing Democrats before passing the proposed abortion-rights revision by a 21-11 vote. The measure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ban-missouri-transgender-5581a8bb6f6dacf876b85731ed0181dd">passed the Republican-led House</a>&nbsp;last month.Immediately after vote, protestors erupted with chants of “Stop the ban!” and were ushered out of the Senate chamber.Missouri's abortion policies have swung dramatically in recent years.When the U.S. Supreme Court ended a nationwide right to abortion by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturning Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;in 2022, it triggered a Missouri law to take effect banning most abortions. But abortion-rights activists gathered initiative petition signatures in an attempt to reverse that.Last November, Missouri voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a right to abortion until fetal viability, generally considered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-technology-science-health-birmingham-7fc806f3c06aeae94c5d6ed1b06a6461">sometime past 21 weeks of pregnancy</a>. The amendment also allows later abortions to protect the life or health of pregnant women.

Missouri lawmakers approve referendum to repeal abortion-rights amendment

FINNEY COUNTY —"That’s one way to make an entrance, just maybe not the best way, Garden City Police wrote on social media.&nbsp; Officers were at the scene of a traffic incident involving a car colliding with the entryway of an apartment complex this morning.

At 8:30 a.m. May 12, police responded the Villa North Apartments, 605 Labrador Boulevard in Garden City. First responders ound a Saturn Vue up on the steps of the apartment complex. 

Through the investigation, officers learned that the driver had arrived at the complex and was trying to park.

Instead, the driver mistook the gas pedal for the brake and drove up onto the steps of the east entryway of the complex and hit the structure. Aside from minor structural damage and the vehicle having to be towed, no injuries occurred from the crash.

"With multiple recent car-versus-building accidents, this is the third one in a week, please stay alert, ditch the distractions, and pay attention to your driving and surroundings - your attention can make all the difference in keeping roads, properties, and people safe."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747265665125.png" alt="Photo Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —"That’s one way to make an entrance, just maybe not the best way, Garden City Police wrote on social media.&nbsp; Officers were at the scene of a traffic incident involving a car colliding with the entryway of an apartment complex this morning.At 8:30 a.m. May 12, police responded the Villa North Apartments, 605 Labrador Boulevard in Garden City. First responders ound a Saturn Vue up on the steps of the apartment complex. Through the investigation, officers learned that the driver had arrived at the complex and was trying to park.Instead, the driver mistook the gas pedal for the brake and drove up onto the steps of the east entryway of the complex and hit the structure. Aside from minor structural damage and the vehicle having to be towed, no injuries occurred from the crash."With multiple recent car-versus-building accidents, this is the third one in a week, please stay alert, ditch the distractions, and pay attention to your driving and surroundings - your attention can make all the difference in keeping roads, properties, and people safe."

Police: Car struck apartment building in southwest Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a bank robbery suspect who died during a police pursuit on Tuesday have released additional details on crimes he is alleged to have committed.&nbsp;

 Just before 9a.m. on Monday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call of a disturbance near Se 27th Street and SE Minnesota Avenue in Topeka, according to Topeka spokesperson Dan Garrett. 

Police arrived in the area to find a woman later&nbsp;identified as 40-year-old Kathleen Hayes of Topeka deceased.

Through the investigation, the suspect in the homicide was identified as 47-year-old Anthony Marshall Jr. of Topeka.&nbsp; He was the bank robbery suspect&nbsp;involved in a pursuit with the Kansas Highway Patrol on Tuesday. The pursuit ended in Saline County with emergency medical services being requested for a self-inflicted gun shot wound. Marshall died of his injuries.&nbsp; Marshall and and Hayes were known to each other, according to police.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747257170460.png" alt="Marshall photo from an arrest in Topeka on March 11 on requested charges of drug possession, driving while suspended and for no registration, according to online jail records." />
 <figcaption>Marshall photo from an arrest in Topeka on March 11 on requested charges of drug possession, driving while suspended and for no registration, according to online jail records.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a bank robbery suspect who died during a police pursuit on Tuesday have released additional details on crimes he is alleged to have committed.&nbsp; Just before 9a.m. on Monday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call of a disturbance near Se 27th Street and SE Minnesota Avenue in Topeka, according to Topeka spokesperson Dan Garrett. Police arrived in the area to find a woman later&nbsp;identified as 40-year-old Kathleen Hayes of Topeka deceased.Through the investigation, the suspect in the homicide was identified as 47-year-old Anthony Marshall Jr. of Topeka.&nbsp; He was the bank robbery suspect&nbsp;involved in a pursuit with the Kansas Highway Patrol on Tuesday. The pursuit ended in Saline County with emergency medical services being requested for a self-inflicted gun shot wound. Marshall died of his injuries.&nbsp; Marshall and and Hayes were known to each other, according to police.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Bank robbery suspect accused of killing Kansas woman

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and Republicans alike raised concerns on Wednesday about deep staffing cuts, funding freezes and far-reaching policy changes overseen by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr</a>.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers questioned Kennedy’s approach to the job, some saying that he has jeopardized vaccine uptake, cancer research and dental health in just a few short months.

In combative and at times highly personal rejoinders, Kennedy defended the Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-human-services-layoffs-restructuring-rfk-jr-ec4d7731695e4204970c7eab953b2289">administration’s dramatic effort</a>&nbsp;to reshape the sprawling, $1.7 trillion-a-year agency, saying it would deliver a more efficient department focused on promoting healthier lifestyles among Americans.

“There’s so much chaos and disorganization in this department,” Kennedy said on Wednesday during the Senate hearing. “What we’re saying is let’s organize in a way that we can quickly adopt and deploy all these opportunities we have to really deliver high-quality health care to the American people.”

Loud protesters interrupted the hearing cause Secretary Kennedy to jump. Screams of “RFK kills people with AIDS” erupted during Kennedy’s opening statements to a Senate committee on Wednesday. Dozens of federal health workers and offices dedicated to HIV/AIDS research have been shuttered under Kennedy’s watch.

Kennedy was delivering remarks about the agency’s proposed budget when several women began screaming, causing him to jump from his chair. U.S. Capitol Police escorted the disrupters out.

During tense exchanges, lawmakers — in back to back House and Senate hearings — sometimes questioned whether Kennedy was aware of his actions and the structure of his own department after he struggled to provide more details about staffing cuts.

"I have noted you've been unable, in most instances, to answer any specific questions related to your agency," said Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Maryland Democrat.

The secretary, in turn, pushed back — saying he had not had time to answer specific questions — and at points questioning lawmakers' own grasp of health policy.

Kennedy testified to explain his downsizing of the department — from 82,000 to 62,000 staffers — and argue on behalf of the White House’s requested budget, which includes a $500 million boost for Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative to promote nutrition and healthier lifestyles while making deep cuts to infectious disease prevention, medical research and maternal health programs.

He revealed that he persuaded the White House to back down from one major cut: Head Start, a federally-funded preschool program for low-income families across the country.

But lawmakers described how thousands of job losses at the health department and funding freezes have impacted their districts.

One Washington state mother, Natalie, has faced delays in treatment for stage 4 cancer at the National Institutes of Health's Clinical Center, said Democratic Sen. Patty Murray. The clinical center is the research-only hospital commonly known as the “House of Hope,” but when Murray asked Kennedy to explain how many jobs have been lost there, he could not answer. The president's budget proposes a nearly $20 billion slash from the NIH.

“You are here to defend cutting the NIH by half,” Murray said. “Do you genuinely believe that won't result in more stories like Natalie's?” Kennedy disputed Murray's account.

Democrat Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman of New Jersey asked “why, why, why?” Kennedy would lay off nearly all the staff who oversee the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides $4.1 billion in heating assistance to needy families. The program is slated to be eliminated from the agency’s budget.

Kennedy said that advocates warned him those cuts “will end up killing people,” but that President Donald Trump believes his energy policy will lower costs. If that doesn’t work, Kennedy said, he would restore funding for the program.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican of Alaska, said those savings would be realized too late for people in her state.

“Right now, folks in Alaska still need those ugly generators to keep warm,” she said.

Murkowski was one of several Republicans who expressed concerns about Kennedy’s approach to the job throughout the hearings.

Like several Republicans, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee praised Kennedy for his work promoting healthy foods. But he raised concerns about whether the secretary has provided adequate evidence that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-artificial-food-dyes-kennedy-6f6c1aa08aafdae1925718804f360c0b">artificial food dyes</a>&nbsp;are bad for diets. Removing those food dyes would hurt the “many snack manufacturers” in his district, including the makers of M&amp;M’s candy, he said.

Rep. Mike Simpson, a dentist from Idaho, said Kennedy’s plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-cdc-epa-6f4dbc64b5dc511f712a82cd2d252d76">remove fluoride recommendations</a>&nbsp;for drinking water alarms him. The department’s press release on Tuesday, which announced the Food and Drug Administration plans to remove fluoride supplements for children from the market, wrongly claimed that fluoride “kills bacteria from the teeth,” Simpson noted. He explained to Kennedy that fluoride doesn’t kill bacteria in the mouth but instead makes tooth enamel more resistant to decay.

“I will tell you that if you are successful in banning fluoride … we better put a lot more money into dental education because we’re going to need a lot more dentists,” Simpson added.

Kennedy was pressed repeatedly on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-rfk-jr-messaging-criticism-vaccine-1a2cbdc14eb0c256695fdfac00cbfb6d">mixed message</a>&nbsp;he’s delivered on vaccines, which public health experts have said are hampering efforts to contain&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-new-mexico-kansas-vaccine-e904ec9781f1d164c73afe4ab71774fe">a growing measles outbreak</a>&nbsp;now in at least 11 states.

Responding to Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat of Connecticut, Kennedy refused to recommend that parents follow the nation's childhood vaccination schedule, which includes shots for measles, polio and whooping cough. He, instead, wrongly claimed that the vaccines have not been safety tested against a placebo.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican of Louisiana and chairman of the health committee, had extracted a number of guarantees from Kennedy that he would not alter existing vaccine guidance and work at the nation's health department. Cassidy, correcting Kennedy, pointed out that rotavirus, measles and HPV vaccines recommended for children have all been tested in a placebo study.

As health secretary, Kennedy has called the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine — a shot given to children to provide immunity from all three diseases — “leaky,” although&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fvaccines%2Fvpd%2Fmmr%2Fpublic%2Findex.html">it offers lifetime protection</a>&nbsp;from the measles for most people. He’s also said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-vaccines-autism-measles-obesity-food-dye-f26089856550e978d28fd25b653d8103">they cause deaths</a>, although none has been documented among healthy people.

“You have undermined the vital role vaccines play in preventing disease during the single, largest measles outbreak in 25 years,” Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and Republicans alike raised concerns on Wednesday about deep staffing cuts, funding freezes and far-reaching policy changes overseen by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Ben &amp; Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen among protesters removed from RFK Jr. hearing on HHS budget <a href="https://t.co/ZxYnY7IFMt">pic.twitter.com/ZxYnY7IFMt</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1922735450264842307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A bipartisan group of lawmakers questioned Kennedy’s approach to the job, some saying that he has jeopardized vaccine uptake, cancer research and dental health in just a few short months.In combative and at times highly personal rejoinders, Kennedy defended the Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-human-services-layoffs-restructuring-rfk-jr-ec4d7731695e4204970c7eab953b2289">administration’s dramatic effort</a>&nbsp;to reshape the sprawling, $1.7 trillion-a-year agency, saying it would deliver a more efficient department focused on promoting healthier lifestyles among Americans.“There’s so much chaos and disorganization in this department,” Kennedy said on Wednesday during the Senate hearing. “What we’re saying is let’s organize in a way that we can quickly adopt and deploy all these opportunities we have to really deliver high-quality health care to the American people.”Loud protesters interrupted the hearing cause Secretary Kennedy to jump. Screams of “RFK kills people with AIDS” erupted during Kennedy’s opening statements to a Senate committee on Wednesday. Dozens of federal health workers and offices dedicated to HIV/AIDS research have been shuttered under Kennedy’s watch.Kennedy was delivering remarks about the agency’s proposed budget when several women began screaming, causing him to jump from his chair. U.S. Capitol Police escorted the disrupters out.During tense exchanges, lawmakers — in back to back House and Senate hearings — sometimes questioned whether Kennedy was aware of his actions and the structure of his own department after he struggled to provide more details about staffing cuts."I have noted you've been unable, in most instances, to answer any specific questions related to your agency," said Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Maryland Democrat.The secretary, in turn, pushed back — saying he had not had time to answer specific questions — and at points questioning lawmakers' own grasp of health policy.Kennedy testified to explain his downsizing of the department — from 82,000 to 62,000 staffers — and argue on behalf of the White House’s requested budget, which includes a $500 million boost for Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative to promote nutrition and healthier lifestyles while making deep cuts to infectious disease prevention, medical research and maternal health programs.He revealed that he persuaded the White House to back down from one major cut: Head Start, a federally-funded preschool program for low-income families across the country.But lawmakers described how thousands of job losses at the health department and funding freezes have impacted their districts.One Washington state mother, Natalie, has faced delays in treatment for stage 4 cancer at the National Institutes of Health's Clinical Center, said Democratic Sen. Patty Murray. The clinical center is the research-only hospital commonly known as the “House of Hope,” but when Murray asked Kennedy to explain how many jobs have been lost there, he could not answer. The president's budget proposes a nearly $20 billion slash from the NIH.“You are here to defend cutting the NIH by half,” Murray said. “Do you genuinely believe that won't result in more stories like Natalie's?” Kennedy disputed Murray's account.Democrat Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman of New Jersey asked “why, why, why?” Kennedy would lay off nearly all the staff who oversee the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides $4.1 billion in heating assistance to needy families. The program is slated to be eliminated from the agency’s budget.Kennedy said that advocates warned him those cuts “will end up killing people,” but that President Donald Trump believes his energy policy will lower costs. If that doesn’t work, Kennedy said, he would restore funding for the program.Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican of Alaska, said those savings would be realized too late for people in her state.“Right now, folks in Alaska still need those ugly generators to keep warm,” she said.Murkowski was one of several Republicans who expressed concerns about Kennedy’s approach to the job throughout the hearings.Like several Republicans, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee praised Kennedy for his work promoting healthy foods. But he raised concerns about whether the secretary has provided adequate evidence that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-artificial-food-dyes-kennedy-6f6c1aa08aafdae1925718804f360c0b">artificial food dyes</a>&nbsp;are bad for diets. Removing those food dyes would hurt the “many snack manufacturers” in his district, including the makers of M&amp;M’s candy, he said.Rep. Mike Simpson, a dentist from Idaho, said Kennedy’s plan to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-cdc-epa-6f4dbc64b5dc511f712a82cd2d252d76">remove fluoride recommendations</a>&nbsp;for drinking water alarms him. The department’s press release on Tuesday, which announced the Food and Drug Administration plans to remove fluoride supplements for children from the market, wrongly claimed that fluoride “kills bacteria from the teeth,” Simpson noted. He explained to Kennedy that fluoride doesn’t kill bacteria in the mouth but instead makes tooth enamel more resistant to decay.“I will tell you that if you are successful in banning fluoride … we better put a lot more money into dental education because we’re going to need a lot more dentists,” Simpson added.Kennedy was pressed repeatedly on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-rfk-jr-messaging-criticism-vaccine-1a2cbdc14eb0c256695fdfac00cbfb6d">mixed message</a>&nbsp;he’s delivered on vaccines, which public health experts have said are hampering efforts to contain&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-new-mexico-kansas-vaccine-e904ec9781f1d164c73afe4ab71774fe">a growing measles outbreak</a>&nbsp;now in at least 11 states.Responding to Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat of Connecticut, Kennedy refused to recommend that parents follow the nation's childhood vaccination schedule, which includes shots for measles, polio and whooping cough. He, instead, wrongly claimed that the vaccines have not been safety tested against a placebo.Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican of Louisiana and chairman of the health committee, had extracted a number of guarantees from Kennedy that he would not alter existing vaccine guidance and work at the nation's health department. Cassidy, correcting Kennedy, pointed out that rotavirus, measles and HPV vaccines recommended for children have all been tested in a placebo study.As health secretary, Kennedy has called the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine — a shot given to children to provide immunity from all three diseases — “leaky,” although&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fvaccines%2Fvpd%2Fmmr%2Fpublic%2Findex.html">it offers lifetime protection</a>&nbsp;from the measles for most people. He’s also said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-vaccines-autism-measles-obesity-food-dye-f26089856550e978d28fd25b653d8103">they cause deaths</a>, although none has been documented among healthy people.“You have undermined the vital role vaccines play in preventing disease during the single, largest measles outbreak in 25 years,” Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders said.

🎥Protesters interrupt RFK Jr. hearing, causing secretary to jump

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after an incident&nbsp; in the parking lot of the sheriff's office.

Just after 10:30p.m. May 12, a&nbsp;Jackson County Deputy Sheriff arrested 60-year-old Colette McKinnon, of Topeka in the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office parking lot, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

McKinnon was in the company of another person who was turning themselves in on an outstanding warrant.

 McKinnon was placed under arrest on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine and booked into the Jackson County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747152825707.png" alt="McKinnon photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>McKinnon photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after an incident&nbsp; in the parking lot of the sheriff's office.Just after 10:30p.m. May 12, a&nbsp;Jackson County Deputy Sheriff arrested 60-year-old Colette McKinnon, of Topeka in the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office parking lot, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.McKinnon was in the company of another person who was turning themselves in on an outstanding warrant. McKinnon was placed under arrest on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine and booked into the Jackson County Jail.

Kan. woman caught with meth in sheriff's office parking lot

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/chris-megerian">CHRIS MEGERIAN</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/zeke-miller">ZEKE MILLER</a>

DOHA, Qatar (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is the most powerful and famous person on the planet, at the helm of the biggest economy and the strongest military.

But on his trip to the Middle East this week, the American president is sounding more than a little envious of his Arab hosts.

He admired the marble in the Qatari palace as “perfecto” and “very hard to buy.” He praised the “gleaming marvels” of the skyline in Saudi Arabia. And he groused about the “much smaller” and “much less impressive” plane that is Air Force One.

On his flight to the region, Trump said the Gulf states all have “these brand-new Boeing 747s,” while he was stuck using a version nearly 4 decades old.

The president is so impatient for a replacement plane that he is considering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-qatar-air-force-one-2ef13d87b71185bde547abe6840b098c">accepting a donated model from Qatar</a>, despite concerns that it could be less secure, costly to retrofit and a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on foreign gifts. He presented no national security imperative for a swift upgrade rather than waiting for Boeing to finish new Air Force One jets that have been in the works for years.

It sounded like a case of keeping up with the Joneses, only in this case the Joneses are oil-rich leaders of Middle Eastern autocracies. For a former real estate developer with flamboyant tastes, Trump’s trip has been a tantalizing peek into the lives of his more opulent counterparts.

“The job you’ve done is second to none,” Trump told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, gazing up at his surroundings in the palace known as the Amiri Diwan. “You look at this, it’s so beautiful. As a construction person, I’m seeing perfect marble. This is what they call perfecto.”

There have been other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-crown-prince-mohammed-saudi-arabia-7111559bdb8355e81068055a2ac3c24e">lavish touches on the trip</a>, which will wind up with a stop in the United Arab Emirates. Air Force One received fighter jet escorts, honor guards stood by with golden swords in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the presidential limousine was welcomed by riders on camelback in Doha, Qatar.

“We appreciate those camels,” Trump told Al Thani. “I haven’t seen camels like that in a long time. That was some greeting.”

The Republican president’s admiration reflects an aesthetic and political vision at odds with American tradition. After declaring independence from the British monarchy, the Founding Fathers wanted to eschew anything that suggested royalty. Even as the United States emerged as the global superpower, the country and its leaders emphasized a facade of humility.

But that’s never been Trump’s style. The billionaire’s New York City penthouse is embellished with gold and marble, and parts of his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida are modeled after France’s Palace of Versailles.

After winning a second term last year, Trump is eager to bring the same approach to the presidency, and it’s likely that his visit to the Middle East will fuel his desire for renovations. The White House, despite is grandeur, can be quite cramped. Office space is limited and state dinners are sometimes held in a fancy tent to accommodate enough guests.

Trump said he wants to build “a beautiful, beautiful ballroom like I have at Mar-a-Lago, as beautiful as can be.” He promised to foot the $100 million bill.

“I think we’ve outgrown the tent stuff, right, don’t you think?” he said recently.

Trump has also talked about paving over the lawn in the Rose Garden, turning it into a patio with “gorgeous stone” that would be easier for holding events.

Some upgrades have already taken place, particularly in the Oval Office. There are gold accents to the fireplace, doorway arches, walls and other areas of the room. The walls have become increasingly packed with portraits of past presidents. A model of a new Air Force One — complete with a paint scheme that echoes his personal jet — sits on a table in the center of the room.

One prized addition is a copy of the Declaration of Independence, which is concealed behind a curtain to protect it from sunlight. He sometimes dramatically unveils the document for guests.

“You see the new and improved Oval Office as it becomes more and more beautiful,” the president told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a recent visit. He said it’s been renovated “with great love and 24 karat gold — that always helps too.”

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/chris-megerian">CHRIS MEGERIAN</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/zeke-miller">ZEKE MILLER</a>DOHA, Qatar (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is the most powerful and famous person on the planet, at the helm of the biggest economy and the strongest military.But on his trip to the Middle East this week, the American president is sounding more than a little envious of his Arab hosts.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;Nice house. Nice house.&quot; -- Pres. Trump <a href="https://t.co/4ycxnyJJU8">pic.twitter.com/4ycxnyJJU8</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1922742260908568752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“Nice house!” President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> says as he tours Al Wajba Palace, home of the Emir of Qatar 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/JKXsW5TiXo">pic.twitter.com/JKXsW5TiXo</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922717949992845722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He admired the marble in the Qatari palace as “perfecto” and “very hard to buy.” He praised the “gleaming marvels” of the skyline in Saudi Arabia. And he groused about the “much smaller” and “much less impressive” plane that is Air Force One.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Pres. Trump arrives and greets at Lusail Palace in Doha Qatar. <a href="https://t.co/kBsEAq9Flg">pic.twitter.com/kBsEAq9Flg</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1922741315437031441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On his flight to the region, Trump said the Gulf states all have “these brand-new Boeing 747s,” while he was stuck using a version nearly 4 decades old.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> arrives at the Amiri Diwan in Doha 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/CZt28tCBid">pic.twitter.com/CZt28tCBid</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922621220089983248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The president is so impatient for a replacement plane that he is considering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-qatar-air-force-one-2ef13d87b71185bde547abe6840b098c">accepting a donated model from Qatar</a>, despite concerns that it could be less secure, costly to retrofit and a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on foreign gifts. He presented no national security imperative for a swift upgrade rather than waiting for Boeing to finish new Air Force One jets that have been in the works for years.It sounded like a case of keeping up with the Joneses, only in this case the Joneses are oil-rich leaders of Middle Eastern autocracies. For a former real estate developer with flamboyant tastes, Trump’s trip has been a tantalizing peek into the lives of his more opulent counterparts.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump arrives at Lusail Palace in Qatar. <a href="https://t.co/Ql4c35PNTw">pic.twitter.com/Ql4c35PNTw</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1922704236820742391?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The job you’ve done is second to none,” Trump told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, gazing up at his surroundings in the palace known as the Amiri Diwan. “You look at this, it’s so beautiful. As a construction person, I’m seeing perfect marble. This is what they call perfecto.”There have been other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-crown-prince-mohammed-saudi-arabia-7111559bdb8355e81068055a2ac3c24e">lavish touches on the trip</a>, which will wind up with a stop in the United Arab Emirates. Air Force One received fighter jet escorts, honor guards stood by with golden swords in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the presidential limousine was welcomed by riders on camelback in Doha, Qatar.“We appreciate those camels,” Trump told Al Thani. “I haven’t seen camels like that in a long time. That was some greeting.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">More scenes from Qatar 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/ktjwtGmjaj">pic.twitter.com/ktjwtGmjaj</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922641924726403276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Republican president’s admiration reflects an aesthetic and political vision at odds with American tradition. After declaring independence from the British monarchy, the Founding Fathers wanted to eschew anything that suggested royalty. Even as the United States emerged as the global superpower, the country and its leaders emphasized a facade of humility.But that’s never been Trump’s style. The billionaire’s New York City penthouse is embellished with gold and marble, and parts of his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida are modeled after France’s Palace of Versailles.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Cybertrucks among Pres. Trump motorcade to the Old Amiri Palace -- Amiri Diwan -- in Doha before bilateral meeting with Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar تميم بن حمد آل ثاني، أمير دولة قطر <a href="https://t.co/nc38mzy0Ht">pic.twitter.com/nc38mzy0Ht</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1922677006325489954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>After winning a second term last year, Trump is eager to bring the same approach to the presidency, and it’s likely that his visit to the Middle East will fuel his desire for renovations. The White House, despite is grandeur, can be quite cramped. Office space is limited and state dinners are sometimes held in a fancy tent to accommodate enough guests.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>&#39;s motorcade is escorted into Lusail Palace for the Qatari State Dinner 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/bh8Hq0Ug3O">pic.twitter.com/bh8Hq0Ug3O</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922702397605818755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump said he wants to build “a beautiful, beautiful ballroom like I have at Mar-a-Lago, as beautiful as can be.” He promised to foot the $100 million bill.“I think we’ve outgrown the tent stuff, right, don’t you think?” he said recently.Trump has also talked about paving over the lawn in the Rose Garden, turning it into a patio with “gorgeous stone” that would be easier for holding events.Some upgrades have already taken place, particularly in the Oval Office. There are gold accents to the fireplace, doorway arches, walls and other areas of the room. The walls have become increasingly packed with portraits of past presidents. A model of a new Air Force One — complete with a paint scheme that echoes his personal jet — sits on a table in the center of the room.One prized addition is a copy of the Declaration of Independence, which is concealed behind a curtain to protect it from sunlight. He sometimes dramatically unveils the document for guests.“You see the new and improved Oval Office as it becomes more and more beautiful,” the president told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a recent visit. He said it’s been renovated “with great love and 24 karat gold — that always helps too.”____ Megerian reported from Washington.

🎥Trump marvels at wealth of his Arab hosts while he eyes Air Force One upgrade

BARTON COUNTY —A U.S. Postal Service worker was hospitalized following a dog attack in Great Bend last week, prompting a multi-day investigation that led to an arrest.

On May 9, police responded to a report of an animal attack in the 1400 block of Lakin Avenue in GreatBend. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a postal worker had been attacked by two dogs. The victim was transported to the hospital in Great Bend for treatment of her injuries.

In the days that followed, detectives and animal control officers launched an investigation to locate the animals involved. On Monday, May 12, around 1:03 p.m., authorities received several tips through Crimestoppers that led them to a residence at 1416 12th Street in Great Bend.

At that location, officers made contact with Dakota Procopio, a 23-year-old man who confirmed he was the owner of the two dogs. Investigators learned that the dogs had been moved to a separate location in Raymond, Kansas. Animal Control officers from the Golden Belt Humane Society located the animals and took them into custody for a state-mandated observation period.

Procopio was arrested and booked into the Barton County Jail. He faces multiple charges including Obstruction of Justice, Dog at Large, No Current Rabies Vaccinations, and Vicious Dog.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or submit a tip anonymously to Crimestoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://p3tips.com/">p3tips.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747061000208.jpeg" alt="Images from the police investigation" />
 <figcaption>Images from the police investigation</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —A U.S. Postal Service worker was hospitalized following a dog attack in Great Bend last week, prompting a multi-day investigation that led to an arrest.On May 9, police responded to a report of an animal attack in the 1400 block of Lakin Avenue in GreatBend. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a postal worker had been attacked by two dogs. The victim was transported to the hospital in Great Bend for treatment of her injuries.In the days that followed, detectives and animal control officers launched an investigation to locate the animals involved. On Monday, May 12, around 1:03 p.m., authorities received several tips through Crimestoppers that led them to a residence at 1416 12th Street in Great Bend.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747061014830.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>At that location, officers made contact with Dakota Procopio, a 23-year-old man who confirmed he was the owner of the two dogs. Investigators learned that the dogs had been moved to a separate location in Raymond, Kansas. Animal Control officers from the Golden Belt Humane Society located the animals and took them into custody for a state-mandated observation period.Procopio was arrested and booked into the Barton County Jail. He faces multiple charges including Obstruction of Justice, Dog at Large, No Current Rabies Vaccinations, and Vicious Dog.The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or submit a tip anonymously to Crimestoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://p3tips.com/">p3tips.com</a>.

Dog owner jailed after attack that hospitalized Kan. postal worker

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cheers broke out early Wednesday as Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee signed off on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-bill-medicaid-work-requirements-17cbde167f3b434e925a199c3253b8e1">GOP tax breaks bill</a>&nbsp;after a grueling round-the-clock session that pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;package past overwhelming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-democrats-pessimism-sanders-ocasio-cortez-schumer-8dcde90d9666721fb376db90140f8e23">Democratic opposition</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-14-2025#00000196-cf62-d978-adff-df6f94980000">House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.,</a>&nbsp;also worked past midnight trying to resolve issues with Trump's plan. Opposition is mounting from various corners of the GOP majority as he tries to muscle the party's signature package to passage without any votes from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-14-2025#00000196-cf9b-d402-abfe-cffb3f980000">Democrats.</a>

On the one hand, the conservative leader of the Freedom Caucus derides the new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tax-cuts-republicans-medicaid-67013369b771d02c0128ee6421f302eb">Medicaid work requirements</a>&nbsp;as a “joke” that do not go far enough at cost-cutting. Meanwhile, a handful of GOP lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states are refusing to support the measure unless changes are made to give deeper state and local tax deductions,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/salt-deduction-republican-taxes-f7e7ce74df8dccf3058c272ed5d72e4e">called SALT,</a>&nbsp;for their constituents back home.

"We’re still on target," Johnson said at the Capitol, insisting he was on track to pass the package by Memorial Day, May 26. “The American people are counting on us.”

Momentum is building toward an end-of-the-week session to stitch together the sprawling package. That means combining hundreds of pages of bill text covering $5 trillion in tax breaks and at least $1.5 trillion in spending reductions on Medicaid, food stamps and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-public-lands-sale-republicans-e153dcb4d4391dd849e4409123bfecfe">green energy programs</a>&nbsp;to deliver Trump's second-term legislative priority. A House vote is expected next week, which would send the legislation to the Senate.

But it's not at all certain Johnson can get the package to passage. With his slim majority, he can only afford a few defections from his ranks. Members have yet to fall line.

Democrats also stayed up all night in the marathon public hearings — one at the House Energy and Commerce Committee was still going almost 24 hours later. They decried what they argued are tax breaks that flow to the wealthy at the expense of health care, food programs and investments in renewable energy to fight climate change.

“It is a cruel, mean, rotten bill,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., as the House Agriculture Committee debated changes to the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program, known as SNAP.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said at least 7.6 million fewer people would have health insurance with the changes to Medicaid, and possibly more with additional changes to the Affordable Care Act.

The CBO also gave lawmakers a preliminary analysis showing that 3 million fewer people each month would participate in the SNAP food program under the changes proposed.

More than 70 million Americans rely on Medicaid for health care, and about 40 million use SNAP.

The Republicans are targeting Medicaid and SNAP for a combined $1 trillion in cuts as a way to offset the costs of the tax package, but also to achieve GOP goals of reining in the social safety net programs.

Most of the cost-savings would come from imposing stiffer work requirements for those receiving the health care and food assistance, meaning fewer people would qualify for the aid. The legislation would raise from 54 to 64 the age of able-bodied adults without dependents who would have to work to qualify for SNAP. It also would also require some parents of children older than 7 — it's now 18 — to work to qualify for the benefits. Under current law, those recipients must work or participate in a work program for 80 hours a month.

The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., insists the changes would “strengthen and sustain” Medicaid for the future, and are the kind of “common sense” policies Trump promised voters.

But Democrats told repeated stories of their constituents struggling to access health care. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., revealed his own diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes at the House Ways and Means Committee hearing and the sticker shock of health costs.

Democrats had proposals to revive subsidies to help people buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Most of the amendments were failing.

One of the most difficult issues for Johnson, has been the more localized debate over state and local taxes as he works to come up with a compromise for New York, California and New Jersey lawmakers. They have rejected an offer to triple the deduction cap, now at $10,000, to $30,000 for married couples.

The speaker met for more than an hour with lawmakers in his office and later into the night.

Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said the talks were cordial, but there was no deal. “More sizzle than steak in that meeting,” he said late Tuesday.

“The reality is you need 218 votes to pass a bill and the way this bill is currently constructed, it will not have that because it does not adequately the issue of SALT,” said Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.

The lawmakers believe they have leverage in the talks because without a deal, the $10,000 limit established under the 2017 tax bill expires at the end of the year and reverts to no cap at all.

“These things are in negotiation,” LaLota said, adding that his constituents "shouldn’t be asked to pay for the large amount of the bill like the were asked to pay for it eight years ago.”

Republicans are racing to extend Trump's tax breaks, which are set to expire later this year, while adding the new ones he campaigned on in 2024, including no taxes on tips, Social Security benefits and others.

A new analysis from the Joint Committee on Taxation shows that most tax filers would see a lower tax rates under the proposal, except those at the lowest rates, who earn less than $15,000 a year. Their average tax rate would go up.

Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747249836638.png" alt="Democrat Rep. Debbie Dingell asleep early Wednesday-image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Democrat Rep. Debbie Dingell asleep early Wednesday-image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Cheers broke out early Wednesday as Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee signed off on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-bill-medicaid-work-requirements-17cbde167f3b434e925a199c3253b8e1">GOP tax breaks bill</a>&nbsp;after a grueling round-the-clock session that pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;package past overwhelming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-democrats-pessimism-sanders-ocasio-cortez-schumer-8dcde90d9666721fb376db90140f8e23">Democratic opposition</a>.But there's still more work to do.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It&#39;s 4:57am ET ... there&#39;s another vote during the House Ways and Means markup ... and they have to wake Rep. Blake Moore <a href="https://t.co/Z2XlhiMtve">pic.twitter.com/Z2XlhiMtve</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1922593039840608474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-14-2025#00000196-cf62-d978-adff-df6f94980000">House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.,</a>&nbsp;also worked past midnight trying to resolve issues with Trump's plan. Opposition is mounting from various corners of the GOP majority as he tries to muscle the party's signature package to passage without any votes from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-14-2025#00000196-cf9b-d402-abfe-cffb3f980000">Democrats.</a>On the one hand, the conservative leader of the Freedom Caucus derides the new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tax-cuts-republicans-medicaid-67013369b771d02c0128ee6421f302eb">Medicaid work requirements</a>&nbsp;as a “joke” that do not go far enough at cost-cutting. Meanwhile, a handful of GOP lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states are refusing to support the measure unless changes are made to give deeper state and local tax deductions,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/salt-deduction-republican-taxes-f7e7ce74df8dccf3058c272ed5d72e4e">called SALT,</a>&nbsp;for their constituents back home."We’re still on target," Johnson said at the Capitol, insisting he was on track to pass the package by Memorial Day, May 26. “The American people are counting on us.”Momentum is building toward an end-of-the-week session to stitch together the sprawling package. That means combining hundreds of pages of bill text covering $5 trillion in tax breaks and at least $1.5 trillion in spending reductions on Medicaid, food stamps and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-public-lands-sale-republicans-e153dcb4d4391dd849e4409123bfecfe">green energy programs</a>&nbsp;to deliver Trump's second-term legislative priority. A House vote is expected next week, which would send the legislation to the Senate.But it's not at all certain Johnson can get the package to passage. With his slim majority, he can only afford a few defections from his ranks. Members have yet to fall line.Democrats also stayed up all night in the marathon public hearings — one at the House Energy and Commerce Committee was still going almost 24 hours later. They decried what they argued are tax breaks that flow to the wealthy at the expense of health care, food programs and investments in renewable energy to fight climate change.“It is a cruel, mean, rotten bill,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., as the House Agriculture Committee debated changes to the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program, known as SNAP.The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said at least 7.6 million fewer people would have health insurance with the changes to Medicaid, and possibly more with additional changes to the Affordable Care Act.The CBO also gave lawmakers a preliminary analysis showing that 3 million fewer people each month would participate in the SNAP food program under the changes proposed.More than 70 million Americans rely on Medicaid for health care, and about 40 million use SNAP.The Republicans are targeting Medicaid and SNAP for a combined $1 trillion in cuts as a way to offset the costs of the tax package, but also to achieve GOP goals of reining in the social safety net programs.Most of the cost-savings would come from imposing stiffer work requirements for those receiving the health care and food assistance, meaning fewer people would qualify for the aid. The legislation would raise from 54 to 64 the age of able-bodied adults without dependents who would have to work to qualify for SNAP. It also would also require some parents of children older than 7 — it's now 18 — to work to qualify for the benefits. Under current law, those recipients must work or participate in a work program for 80 hours a month.The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., insists the changes would “strengthen and sustain” Medicaid for the future, and are the kind of “common sense” policies Trump promised voters.But Democrats told repeated stories of their constituents struggling to access health care. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., revealed his own diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes at the House Ways and Means Committee hearing and the sticker shock of health costs.Democrats had proposals to revive subsidies to help people buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Most of the amendments were failing.One of the most difficult issues for Johnson, has been the more localized debate over state and local taxes as he works to come up with a compromise for New York, California and New Jersey lawmakers. They have rejected an offer to triple the deduction cap, now at $10,000, to $30,000 for married couples.The speaker met for more than an hour with lawmakers in his office and later into the night.Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said the talks were cordial, but there was no deal. “More sizzle than steak in that meeting,” he said late Tuesday.“The reality is you need 218 votes to pass a bill and the way this bill is currently constructed, it will not have that because it does not adequately the issue of SALT,” said Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.The lawmakers believe they have leverage in the talks because without a deal, the $10,000 limit established under the 2017 tax bill expires at the end of the year and reverts to no cap at all.“These things are in negotiation,” LaLota said, adding that his constituents "shouldn’t be asked to pay for the large amount of the bill like the were asked to pay for it eight years ago.”Republicans are racing to extend Trump's tax breaks, which are set to expire later this year, while adding the new ones he campaigned on in 2024, including no taxes on tips, Social Security benefits and others.A new analysis from the Joint Committee on Taxation shows that most tax filers would see a lower tax rates under the proposal, except those at the lowest rates, who earn less than $15,000 a year. Their average tax rate would go up.__Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.

🎥House Republicans pull an all-nighter on Trump's tax bill

KANSAS CITY (AP) —More than 1,000 Starbucks baristas at 75 U.S. stores have gone on strike since Sunday to protest a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-dress-code-black-shirt-union-b7dd93b93c6c13448606545fb3f1778f">new company dress code</a>, a union representing the coffee giant's workers said Wednesday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-earnings-quarter-niccol-084641cd0786394e93d87d59689b8806">Starbucks</a>&nbsp;put new limits starting Monday on what its baristas can wear under their green aprons. The dress code requires employees at company-operated and licensed stores in the U.S. and Canada to wear a solid black shirt and khaki, black or blue denim bottoms.

Under the previous dress code, baristas could wear a broader range of dark colors and patterned shirts. Starbucks said the new rules would make its green aprons stand out and create a sense of familiarity&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-restrooms-policy-2d258bc61c55769bb2acaf15d1ed3b48">for customers</a>&nbsp;as it tries to establish a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-ceo-niccol-coffee-b547ab2141e194b30675ad8d1caff90d">warmer, more welcoming feeling</a>&nbsp;in its stores.

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-baristas-workers-united-7b2f6e5d7b039bc1909d646d84cd426d">Starbucks Workers United</a>, the union that represents workers at 570 of Starbucks’ 10,000 company-owned U.S. stores, said the dress code should be subject to collective bargaining.

“Starbucks has lost its way. Instead of listening to baristas who make the Starbucks experience what it is, they are focused on all the wrong things, like implementing a restrictive new dress code,” said Paige Summers, a Starbucks shift supervisor from Hanover, Maryland. “Customers don’t care what color our clothes are when they’re waiting 30 minutes for a latte.”

Summers and others also criticized the company for selling styles of Starbucks-branded clothing that employees no longer are allowed to wear to work on an internal website. Starbucks said it would give two free black T-shirts to each employee when it announced the new dress code.

Starbucks said Wednesday that the strike was having a limited impact on its 10,000 company-operated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-first-3d-printed-store-texas-552972e9df63796e42ede152747b9069">U.S. stores</a>.

“Thousands of Starbucks partners came to work this week ready to serve their customers and communities,” the company said in a statement. “It would be more productive if the union would put the same effort into coming back to the table to finalize a reasonable contract.”

Starbucks Workers United has been unionizing U.S. stores since 2021. Starbucks and the union have yet to reach a contract agreement, despite agreeing to return to the bargaining table in February 2024.

The union said this week that it filed a complaint with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-starbucks-union-fired-workers-tennessee-18547e128a14fae93a148383f48cb305">National Labor Relations Board</a>&nbsp;alleging Starbucks' failure to bargain over the new dress code.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743696733746.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —More than 1,000 Starbucks baristas at 75 U.S. stores have gone on strike since Sunday to protest a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-dress-code-black-shirt-union-b7dd93b93c6c13448606545fb3f1778f">new company dress code</a>, a union representing the coffee giant's workers said Wednesday.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-earnings-quarter-niccol-084641cd0786394e93d87d59689b8806">Starbucks</a>&nbsp;put new limits starting Monday on what its baristas can wear under their green aprons. The dress code requires employees at company-operated and licensed stores in the U.S. and Canada to wear a solid black shirt and khaki, black or blue denim bottoms.Under the previous dress code, baristas could wear a broader range of dark colors and patterned shirts. Starbucks said the new rules would make its green aprons stand out and create a sense of familiarity&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-restrooms-policy-2d258bc61c55769bb2acaf15d1ed3b48">for customers</a>&nbsp;as it tries to establish a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-ceo-niccol-coffee-b547ab2141e194b30675ad8d1caff90d">warmer, more welcoming feeling</a>&nbsp;in its stores.But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-baristas-workers-united-7b2f6e5d7b039bc1909d646d84cd426d">Starbucks Workers United</a>, the union that represents workers at 570 of Starbucks’ 10,000 company-owned U.S. stores, said the dress code should be subject to collective bargaining.“Starbucks has lost its way. Instead of listening to baristas who make the Starbucks experience what it is, they are focused on all the wrong things, like implementing a restrictive new dress code,” said Paige Summers, a Starbucks shift supervisor from Hanover, Maryland. “Customers don’t care what color our clothes are when they’re waiting 30 minutes for a latte.”Summers and others also criticized the company for selling styles of Starbucks-branded clothing that employees no longer are allowed to wear to work on an internal website. Starbucks said it would give two free black T-shirts to each employee when it announced the new dress code.Starbucks said Wednesday that the strike was having a limited impact on its 10,000 company-operated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-first-3d-printed-store-texas-552972e9df63796e42ede152747b9069">U.S. stores</a>.“Thousands of Starbucks partners came to work this week ready to serve their customers and communities,” the company said in a statement. “It would be more productive if the union would put the same effort into coming back to the table to finalize a reasonable contract.”Starbucks Workers United has been unionizing U.S. stores since 2021. Starbucks and the union have yet to reach a contract agreement, despite agreeing to return to the bargaining table in February 2024.The union said this week that it filed a complaint with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-starbucks-union-fired-workers-tennessee-18547e128a14fae93a148383f48cb305">National Labor Relations Board</a>&nbsp;alleging Starbucks' failure to bargain over the new dress code.

 Starbucks baristas go on strike to protest new dress code

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is seeking assistance from the public to identify witnesses involving a shooting that occurred at approximately 4:05 pm on May 11, according to a media release from the agency.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is seeking assistance from the public to identify witnesses involving a shooting that occurred at approximately 4:05 pm on May 11, according to a media release from the agency.This shooting occurred on southbound Interstate 35 in the area of 18th Street and Lamar Avenue in Wyandotte County. One victim was struck by a bullet and transported to a local hospital in stable condition.If anyone has information regarding witnesses or knowledge of this shooting, please contact Kansas Highway Patrol Communications at&nbsp;<a href="tel: 7858273701">785-827-3701</a>.