0SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Country music star Johnny Rodriguez, a popular Mexican American singer best known for chart-topping hits in the 1970s such as “I Just Can’t Get Her Out of My Mind,” “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico” and “That’s the Way Love Goes,” has died. He was 73.

Rodriguez died Friday in San Antonio from health complications, according to his daughter, Aubry Rodriguez. She also shared a statement on social media saying he went peacefully and was surrounded by family.

“Dad was not only a legendary musician whose artistry touched millions around the world, but also a deeply loved husband, father, uncle, and brother whose warmth, humor, and compassion shaped the lives of all who knew him,” she wrote.

Rodriguez was named the most promising male vocalist at the 1972 Academy of Country Music Awards, and his debut, “Introducing Johnny Rodriguez,” was nominated for album of the year in 1973. More than a dozen of his albums and singles landed in the Top 10.

Rodriguez later said his career suffered after he began to use drugs and alcohol excessively.

Rodriguez was born in Sabinal, Texas, a small town about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of San Antonio and about 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of the U.S.-Mexico border.

A Texas jury acquitted Rodriguez of murder in 1999, about a year after he walked into his mother’s house in Sabinal and shot once at an acquaintance whom he thought was a burglar. Israel Borrego, 26, died a day after he was shot.

Rodriguez continued to play concerts in South Texas, and he was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746968368824.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>0SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Country music star Johnny Rodriguez, a popular Mexican American singer best known for chart-topping hits in the 1970s such as “I Just Can’t Get Her Out of My Mind,” “Ridin’ My Thumb to Mexico” and “That’s the Way Love Goes,” has died. He was 73.Rodriguez died Friday in San Antonio from health complications, according to his daughter, Aubry Rodriguez. She also shared a statement on social media saying he went peacefully and was surrounded by family.“Dad was not only a legendary musician whose artistry touched millions around the world, but also a deeply loved husband, father, uncle, and brother whose warmth, humor, and compassion shaped the lives of all who knew him,” she wrote.Rodriguez was named the most promising male vocalist at the 1972 Academy of Country Music Awards, and his debut, “Introducing Johnny Rodriguez,” was nominated for album of the year in 1973. More than a dozen of his albums and singles landed in the Top 10.Rodriguez later said his career suffered after he began to use drugs and alcohol excessively.Rodriguez was born in Sabinal, Texas, a small town about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of San Antonio and about 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of the U.S.-Mexico border.A Texas jury acquitted Rodriguez of murder in 1999, about a year after he walked into his mother’s house in Sabinal and shot once at an acquaintance whom he thought was a burglar. Israel Borrego, 26, died a day after he was shot.Rodriguez continued to play concerts in South Texas, and he was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

Chart-topping country singer Johnny Rodriguez dead at 73

KANSAS CITY—Police are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just after 2p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 8400 block of East 63rd street on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. As officers arrived they were directed to the parking lot of a convenience store. There they located a victim suffering from gun shot wounds. Officers immediately began performing life saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. Medics transported the victim to a local hospital where he died a short time later.

This is being investigated as a homicide. There is no one in custody at this point. Preliminary investigation revealed there was an altercation in the parking lot that led to shots being fired and the victim being struck. Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746924246378.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Police are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just after 2p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 8400 block of East 63rd street on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino. As officers arrived they were directed to the parking lot of a convenience store. There they located a victim suffering from gun shot wounds. Officers immediately began performing life saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. Medics transported the victim to a local hospital where he died a short time later.This is being investigated as a homicide. There is no one in custody at this point. Preliminary investigation revealed there was an altercation in the parking lot that led to shots being fired and the victim being struck. Police released no additional details.

Homicide: Man shot in parking lot of KC convenience store

VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prevost-american-pope-profile-leo-xiv-f9d14d75ae3bbe50bda121f27ee0e42b">Pope Leo XIV</a>&nbsp;laid out the vision of his papacy Saturday, identifying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-ai-artificial-intelligence-9805fec11681adbf88d3a7c73bdf47de">artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;as one of the most critical matters facing humanity and vowing to continue with some of the core priorities of Pope Francis.

But in a sign he was making the papacy very much his own, Leo made his first outing since his election, traveling to a sanctuary south of Rome that is dedicated to the Madonna and is of particular significance to his Augustinian order and his namesake, Pope Leo XIII.

Townspeople of Genazzano gathered in the square outside the main church housing the Madre del Buon Consiglio (Mother of Good Counsel) sanctuary as Leo arrived and greeted them. The sanctuary, which is managed by Augustinian friars, has been a place of pilgrimage since the 15th century and the previous Pope Leo elevated it to a minor basilica and expanded the adjacent convent in the early 1900s.

After praying in the church, Leo greeted the townspeople and told them they had both a gift and a responsibility in having the Madonna in their midst. He offered a blessing and then got back into the passenger seat of the car, a black Volkswagen. En route back to the Vatican, he stopped to pray at Francis' tomb at St. Mary Major Basilica.

The after-lunch outing came after Leo presided over his first formal audience, with the cardinals who elected him pope. In it Leo repeatedly cited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">Francis</a>&nbsp;and the Argentine pope's own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-90d47e095c3c4d1e8cab4c50e61bbd45">2013 mission statement</a>, making clear a commitment to making the Catholic Church more inclusive and attentive to the faithful and a church that looks out for the "least and rejected.”

Leo, the first American pope, told the cardinals that he was fully committed to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the 1960s meetings that modernized the church. He identified AI as one of the main issues facing humanity, saying it poses challenges to defending human dignity, justice and labor.

The Vatican, meanwhile, provided hints of its own about the Leo pontificate: It revealed Saturday that Leo would retain the motto and coat of arms that he had as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru that emphasize unity in the church.

The motto, “In Illo uno unum,” was pronounced by St. Augustine in a sermon to explain that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.” The emblem is that of the Augustinian order: a pierced flaming heart and a book, representing the Scriptures.

The Vatican also provided details about the pectoral cross that Leo is wearing: It was a gift from the Augustinian order when he was made a cardinal in 2023. It contains relics of St. Augustine and his mother, St. Monica, who was crucial in his conversion to Christianity.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-new-pope-leo-xiv-robert-prevost-order-st-augustine-d803636fad69fe4d4c919181fc5ad5c1">St. Augustine of Hippo</a>&nbsp;is one of the theological and devotional giants of early Christianity. The Augustinian order, formed in the 13th century as a community of “mendicant” friars, is dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization.

Leo referred to AI in explaining the choice of his name: His namesake,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-vatican-name-77c4f1d0f7a6e1bf68f06679b6a55a43">Pope Leo XIII</a>, was pope from 1878 to 1903 and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought. He did so most famously with his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers’ rights and capitalism at the dawn of the industrial age. The late pope criticized both laissez-faire capitalism and state-centric socialism, giving shape to a distinctly Catholic vein of economic teaching.

In his remarks Saturday, Leo said he identified with his predecessor.

“In our own day, the church offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor,” he said.

Toward the end of his pontificate, Francis became increasingly vocal about the threats to humanity posed by AI and called for an international treaty to regulate it.

Francis in many ways saw the Chicago-born Augustinian missionary Robert Prevost as something of an heir apparent: He moved him to take over a small Peruvian diocese in 2014, where Prevost later became bishop and head of the Peruvian bishops conference, and then called him to Rome to take over one of the most important Vatican offices vetting bishop nominations in 2023.

In the speech, delivered in Italian in the Vatican’s synod hall — not the Apostolic Palace — Leo made repeated references to Francis and the mourning over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-funeral-d6a8a471978c21c71c3f1dc07f663e78">his death.</a>&nbsp;He held up Francis’ 2013 mission statement, “The Joy of the Gospel,” as something of his own marching orders.

He cited Francis' insistence on the missionary nature of the church and the need to make its leadership more collegial. He cited the need to pay attention to what the faithful say “especially in its most authentic and inclusive forms, especially popular piety.”

Again, referring to Francis' 2013 mission statement, Leo cited the need for the church to express “loving care for the least and rejected” and engage in courageous dialogue with the contemporary world.

Greeted by a standing ovation, Leo read from his prepared text, only looking up occasionally. Even when he first appeared to the world on Thursday night, Leo read from a prepared, handwritten text in Italian that he must have drafted sometime before his historic election or the hour or so after. He seemed most comfortable speaking off-the-cuff in the few words he pronounced in Spanish.

Prevost was elected the 267th pontiff on Thursday on the fourth ballot of the conclave, an exceptionally fast outcome given this was the largest and most geographically diverse conclave in history and not all cardinals knew one another before arriving in Rome.

Madagascar Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana told reporters on Saturday that on the final ballot, Prevost had received “more” than 100 of the 133 votes. That suggests an extraordinary margin, well beyond the two-thirds, or 89 votes, necessary to be elected.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state who had been considered one of the top contenders to be pope, offered his congratulations on Saturday in a letter published in his hometown paper, Il Giornale di Vicenza.

Parolin praised Leo's grasp of today's problems, recalling his first words from the loggia when he spoke of the need for a peace that is "disarmed and disarming." Parolin said he had appreciated Prevost's leadership in Chiclayo, saying he helped handle a particularly thorny problem — with no details — and grew to appreciate his governance more closely at the Vatican handling the bishops' office.

Specifically, Parolin praised Leo's understanding of people and situations, his “calmness in argumentation, balance in proposing solutions, respect, care and love for everyone.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746737123268.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prevost-american-pope-profile-leo-xiv-f9d14d75ae3bbe50bda121f27ee0e42b">Pope Leo XIV</a>&nbsp;laid out the vision of his papacy Saturday, identifying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-ai-artificial-intelligence-9805fec11681adbf88d3a7c73bdf47de">artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;as one of the most critical matters facing humanity and vowing to continue with some of the core priorities of Pope Francis.But in a sign he was making the papacy very much his own, Leo made his first outing since his election, traveling to a sanctuary south of Rome that is dedicated to the Madonna and is of particular significance to his Augustinian order and his namesake, Pope Leo XIII.Townspeople of Genazzano gathered in the square outside the main church housing the Madre del Buon Consiglio (Mother of Good Counsel) sanctuary as Leo arrived and greeted them. The sanctuary, which is managed by Augustinian friars, has been a place of pilgrimage since the 15th century and the previous Pope Leo elevated it to a minor basilica and expanded the adjacent convent in the early 1900s.After praying in the church, Leo greeted the townspeople and told them they had both a gift and a responsibility in having the Madonna in their midst. He offered a blessing and then got back into the passenger seat of the car, a black Volkswagen. En route back to the Vatican, he stopped to pray at Francis' tomb at St. Mary Major Basilica.The after-lunch outing came after Leo presided over his first formal audience, with the cardinals who elected him pope. In it Leo repeatedly cited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-dead-01ca7d73c3c48d25fd1504ba076e2e2a">Francis</a>&nbsp;and the Argentine pope's own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-90d47e095c3c4d1e8cab4c50e61bbd45">2013 mission statement</a>, making clear a commitment to making the Catholic Church more inclusive and attentive to the faithful and a church that looks out for the "least and rejected.”Leo, the first American pope, told the cardinals that he was fully committed to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the 1960s meetings that modernized the church. He identified AI as one of the main issues facing humanity, saying it poses challenges to defending human dignity, justice and labor.<h2>Some signs about the future emerge</h2>The Vatican, meanwhile, provided hints of its own about the Leo pontificate: It revealed Saturday that Leo would retain the motto and coat of arms that he had as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru that emphasize unity in the church.The motto, “In Illo uno unum,” was pronounced by St. Augustine in a sermon to explain that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.” The emblem is that of the Augustinian order: a pierced flaming heart and a book, representing the Scriptures.The Vatican also provided details about the pectoral cross that Leo is wearing: It was a gift from the Augustinian order when he was made a cardinal in 2023. It contains relics of St. Augustine and his mother, St. Monica, who was crucial in his conversion to Christianity.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-new-pope-leo-xiv-robert-prevost-order-st-augustine-d803636fad69fe4d4c919181fc5ad5c1">St. Augustine of Hippo</a>&nbsp;is one of the theological and devotional giants of early Christianity. The Augustinian order, formed in the 13th century as a community of “mendicant” friars, is dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization.<h2>Identifying with Pope Francis</h2>Leo referred to AI in explaining the choice of his name: His namesake,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-conclave-vatican-name-77c4f1d0f7a6e1bf68f06679b6a55a43">Pope Leo XIII</a>, was pope from 1878 to 1903 and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought. He did so most famously with his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers’ rights and capitalism at the dawn of the industrial age. The late pope criticized both laissez-faire capitalism and state-centric socialism, giving shape to a distinctly Catholic vein of economic teaching.In his remarks Saturday, Leo said he identified with his predecessor.“In our own day, the church offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor,” he said.Toward the end of his pontificate, Francis became increasingly vocal about the threats to humanity posed by AI and called for an international treaty to regulate it.Francis in many ways saw the Chicago-born Augustinian missionary Robert Prevost as something of an heir apparent: He moved him to take over a small Peruvian diocese in 2014, where Prevost later became bishop and head of the Peruvian bishops conference, and then called him to Rome to take over one of the most important Vatican offices vetting bishop nominations in 2023.In the speech, delivered in Italian in the Vatican’s synod hall — not the Apostolic Palace — Leo made repeated references to Francis and the mourning over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-vatican-funeral-d6a8a471978c21c71c3f1dc07f663e78">his death.</a>&nbsp;He held up Francis’ 2013 mission statement, “The Joy of the Gospel,” as something of his own marching orders.He cited Francis' insistence on the missionary nature of the church and the need to make its leadership more collegial. He cited the need to pay attention to what the faithful say “especially in its most authentic and inclusive forms, especially popular piety.”Again, referring to Francis' 2013 mission statement, Leo cited the need for the church to express “loving care for the least and rejected” and engage in courageous dialogue with the contemporary world.<h2>A quick conclave</h2>Greeted by a standing ovation, Leo read from his prepared text, only looking up occasionally. Even when he first appeared to the world on Thursday night, Leo read from a prepared, handwritten text in Italian that he must have drafted sometime before his historic election or the hour or so after. He seemed most comfortable speaking off-the-cuff in the few words he pronounced in Spanish.Prevost was elected the 267th pontiff on Thursday on the fourth ballot of the conclave, an exceptionally fast outcome given this was the largest and most geographically diverse conclave in history and not all cardinals knew one another before arriving in Rome.Madagascar Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana told reporters on Saturday that on the final ballot, Prevost had received “more” than 100 of the 133 votes. That suggests an extraordinary margin, well beyond the two-thirds, or 89 votes, necessary to be elected.<h2>A comment from a contender</h2>Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state who had been considered one of the top contenders to be pope, offered his congratulations on Saturday in a letter published in his hometown paper, Il Giornale di Vicenza.Parolin praised Leo's grasp of today's problems, recalling his first words from the loggia when he spoke of the need for a peace that is "disarmed and disarming." Parolin said he had appreciated Prevost's leadership in Chiclayo, saying he helped handle a particularly thorny problem — with no details — and grew to appreciate his governance more closely at the Vatican handling the bishops' office.Specifically, Parolin praised Leo's understanding of people and situations, his “calmness in argumentation, balance in proposing solutions, respect, care and love for everyone.”___

Pope Leo XIV warns over AI as he lays out vision of papacy 

HESSTON, Kan. — Fire crews responded Friday afternoon to a commercial fire alarm in the 300 block of South College Drive and found heavy smoke and flames coming from a classroom building at Hesston College, according to a social media report from Hesston Fire and EMS.

Just before 4p.m., crews were dispatched and arrived on scene to find smoke and fire showing from the roof and windows on the northwest corner of the structure. Firefighters launched an aggressive interior attack and located the fire in a chemistry lab. The blaze was quickly brought under control, and fire damage was contained to the lab.

Although the fire was limited to one room, officials reported widespread smoke damage throughout the building. No injuries were reported among civilians or emergency personnel.

Crews remained on site for an extensive overhaul and assisted the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office in the investigation.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746907538033.jpeg" alt="Photo Hesston Fire Department&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo Hesston Fire Department&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>HESSTON, Kan. — Fire crews responded Friday afternoon to a commercial fire alarm in the 300 block of South College Drive and found heavy smoke and flames coming from a classroom building at Hesston College, according to a social media report from Hesston Fire and EMS.Just before 4p.m., crews were dispatched and arrived on scene to find smoke and fire showing from the roof and windows on the northwest corner of the structure. Firefighters launched an aggressive interior attack and located the fire in a chemistry lab. The blaze was quickly brought under control, and fire damage was contained to the lab.Although the fire was limited to one room, officials reported widespread smoke damage throughout the building. No injuries were reported among civilians or emergency personnel.Crews remained on site for an extensive overhaul and assisted the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office in the investigation.The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Cause of fire in Hesston College chemistry lab under investigation

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple sex crime allegations.

On Wednesday, the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division served two search warrants in response to a report that had been filed regarding sex crimes against a minor, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Search warrants were served in the 6700 Block of SW Windwood Lane and the 8100 Block of Meadow Lane in Mayetta, Kansas. Deputies arrested 53-year-old Anthony S. Whayne Jr. of Mayetta and booked him into the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections on requested charges of rape, abuse of a child, aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated indecent solicitation of a child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746709972604.png" alt="Whayne photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Whayne photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple sex crime allegations.On Wednesday, the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division served two search warrants in response to a report that had been filed regarding sex crimes against a minor, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Search warrants were served in the 6700 Block of SW Windwood Lane and the 8100 Block of Meadow Lane in Mayetta, Kansas. Deputies arrested 53-year-old Anthony S. Whayne Jr. of Mayetta and booked him into the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections on requested charges of rape, abuse of a child, aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated indecent solicitation of a child.

Kansas man jailed for alleged violent child sex crimes

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging five former U.S. Postal Service employees with stealing mail, according to the United State's Attorney.

The defendants all charged with one count of conspiracy to steal mail and one count of theft of mail are: Terrence Luster, 49, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri;&nbsp; Laura Dantzler, 64, of Kansas City, Kansas; Arthur Hook, 49, of Lathrop, Missouri; Craig Roland, 54, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Cheryl Wankum, 60, of Overland Park, Kansas.

The defendants, who were employees at a post office on North 51st Street, are accused of stealing Amazon return packages, mail, and other items of value for their own personal use between early 2023 and mid-October 2023.

The U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) is investigating the case.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging five former U.S. Postal Service employees with stealing mail, according to the United State's Attorney.The defendants all charged with one count of conspiracy to steal mail and one count of theft of mail are: Terrence Luster, 49, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri;&nbsp; Laura Dantzler, 64, of Kansas City, Kansas; Arthur Hook, 49, of Lathrop, Missouri; Craig Roland, 54, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Cheryl Wankum, 60, of Overland Park, Kansas.The defendants, who were employees at a post office on North 51st Street, are accused of stealing Amazon return packages, mail, and other items of value for their own personal use between early 2023 and mid-October 2023.The U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) is investigating the case.

Indictment: Kan. postal service employees stole Amazon return packages

SALINE COUNTY —Two men were hospitalized after an argument over a puppy turned violent in Salina.

On May 6, police responded to a home in the 700 block of N. 8th Street in. Salina, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

A 34-year old man reported that he and his roommate identified as 33-year-old Jeramy Hassler, got into an argument over the care of puppy.

The 34-year old told police the argument became violent, when Hassler took him to the ground and started to impede his breathing by applying pressure to his neck. The man was able to grab a nearby rubber mallet and used it to strike Hassler in the head, which allowed to escape.

Afterwards, the 34-year old man called police and upon arrival both men were transported to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment of minor injuries.&nbsp;

Further investigation determined that Hassler would be booked into the Saline County Jail on a requested charge of Aggravated Domestic Battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746626102022.jpeg" alt="Hassler photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Hassler photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Two men were hospitalized after an argument over a puppy turned violent in Salina.On May 6, police responded to a home in the 700 block of N. 8th Street in. Salina, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.A 34-year old man reported that he and his roommate identified as 33-year-old Jeramy Hassler, got into an argument over the care of puppy.The 34-year old told police the argument became violent, when Hassler took him to the ground and started to impede his breathing by applying pressure to his neck. The man was able to grab a nearby rubber mallet and used it to strike Hassler in the head, which allowed to escape.Afterwards, the 34-year old man called police and upon arrival both men were transported to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment of minor injuries.&nbsp;Further investigation determined that Hassler would be booked into the Saline County Jail on a requested charge of Aggravated Domestic Battery.

Kansas man jailed after roommate fight over care for a puppy

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a reported&nbsp; bomb threat in Topeka.

Just after 2:30 p.m. Saturday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from an individual reporting that he had left an explosive device inside the Walmart, 1501 SW Wanamaker,&nbsp;according to Topeka Police LT Kerry Connell.

The business was evacuated, and members from the Topeka Police Department’s Bomb Unit and K9 Unit, along with the Shawnee County Sheriff's K9 Unit responded to the scene.

Just after 4p.m. Saturday police reported the store was safe and investigators found&nbsp;no devices. The Walmart is open and has resumed normal operations.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746912432395.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a reported&nbsp; bomb threat in Topeka.Just after 2:30 p.m. Saturday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from an individual reporting that he had left an explosive device inside the Walmart, 1501 SW Wanamaker,&nbsp;according to Topeka Police LT Kerry Connell.The business was evacuated, and members from the Topeka Police Department’s Bomb Unit and K9 Unit, along with the Shawnee County Sheriff's K9 Unit responded to the scene.Just after 4p.m. Saturday police reported the store was safe and investigators found&nbsp;no devices. The Walmart is open and has resumed normal operations.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Police evacuate store after bomb threat in Topeka

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22ALEXA%20ST.%20JOHN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By ALEXA ST. JOHN &nbsp;Associated Press</a>

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will no longer track the cost of climate change-fueled weather disasters, including floods, heat waves, wildfires and more. It is the latest example of changes to the agency and the Trump administration limiting federal government resources on climate change.

NOAA falls under the U.S. Department of Commerce and is tasked with daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring. It is also parent to the National Weather Service.

The agency said its National Centers for Environmental Information would no longer update its Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database beyond 2024, and that its information — going as far back as 1980 — would be archived.

For decades, it has tracked hundreds of major events across the country, including destructive hurricanes, hail storms, droughts and freezes that have totaled trillions of dollars in damage.

The database uniquely pulls information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s assistance data, insurance organizations, state agencies and more to estimate overall losses from individual disasters.

NOAA Communications Director Kim Doster said in a statement that the change was “in alignment with evolving priorities, statutory mandates, and staffing changes.”

Scientists say these&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/climate-extreme-weather/weather/">weather events</a>&nbsp;are becoming increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-extremes-drought-flood-rain-hydrological-cycle-b1f3e71ec6bac03f7c72a16be2739b01">more frequent</a>, costly and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-extreme-weather-events-climate-change-169250036362">severe with climate change</a>. Experts have attributed the growing intensity of recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/heat-wave-climate-change-worsen-hotter-797aae046df8165f5f8be7d3f40a8b74">debilitating heat</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-milton-climate-change-greenhouse-gases-fossil-fuels-aa1c971c228feb9da6f36fb9cc46ee81">Hurricane Milton</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfire-climate-change-burn-devastation-warming-1429ef7c613a0d97fc156068215571d2">Southern California wildfires</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-wild-weather-extremes-fires-california-blizzard-snow-polar-vortex-30860f82a23c010758502fd3871d287a">blasts of cold</a>&nbsp;to climate change.

Assessing the impact of weather events fueled by the planet's warming is key as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeowners-insurance-climate-change-wildfire-disasters-9c7129881f12ec478386e4b47c1acbbc">insurance premiums hike</a>, particularly in communities more prone to flooding, storms and fires. Climate change has wrought havoc on the insurance industry, and homeowners are at risk of skyrocketing rates.

One limitation is that the dataset estimated only the nation's most costly weather events.

The information is generally seen as standardized and unduplicable, given the agency's access to nonpublic data, and other private databases would be more limited in scope and likely not shared as widespread for proprietary reasons. Other datasets, however, also track death estimates from these disasters.

Jeff Masters, a meteorologist for Yale Climate Connections, pointed to substitutes from insurance brokers and the international disaster database as alternative sources of information.

Still, “The NOAA database is the gold standard we use to evaluate the costs of extreme weather,” Masters said, “and it’s a major loss, since it comes at a time when we need to better understand how much climate change is increasing disaster losses.”

These moves also don’t “change the fact that these disasters are escalating year over year,” Kristina Dahl, vice president of science at nonprofit climate organization Climate Central. “Extreme weather events that cause a lot of damage are one of the primary ways that the public sees that climate change is happening and is affecting people."

“It’s critical that we highlight those events when they’re happening,” she added. “All of these changes will make Americans less safe in the face of climate change.”

The move, reported Thursday by CNN, is yet another of President Donald Trump’s efforts to remove references to climate change and the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the weather from the federal government’s lexicon and documents.

Trump has instead prioritized allies in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-coal-ai-data-centers-energy-dominance-693e2604785c07ff790d9afd2e06d543">polluting coal, oil and gas industries</a>, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-liability-lawsuits-damage-trillions-5ad21e47b2aa16cc90cb7669f56297f1">studies say are linked or traced to climate damage</a>.

The change also marks the administration's latest hit overall to the weather, ocean and fisheries agency.

The Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-weather-service-layoffs-trump-doge-a65360a1eb2500b7d47c9c966e383f4a">fired hundreds of weather forecasters and other federal NOAA employees</a>&nbsp;on probationary status in February, part of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency efforts to downsize the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-weather-cuts-tornado-dangerous-staff-warnings-aa7db3e0d0009d99c143742ab722c40a">federal government workforce</a>. It began a second round of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/noaa-job-cuts-weather-forecasts-trump-doge-musk-7e35e9d5d757d8fc3f0f50b2bd71c87d">more than 1,000 cuts at the agency in March</a>, more than 10% of its workforce at the time.

At the time, insiders said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/noaa-doge-federal-cuts-musk-weather-danger-6f60e7c511989aeff8930ae87c9a5ee8">massive firings and changes to the agency</a>&nbsp;would risk lives and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/fired-noaa-fisheries-scientists-worry-about-the-future-of-marine-conservation-6c014d170404419b870fea6a9d041692">negatively impact the U.S. economy</a>. Experts also noted fewer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/weather-forecasts-worsen-doge-trump-cuts-tornado-da573a044916c06cebcdb92b1f1452e6">vital weather balloon launches under NOAA would worsen U.S. weather forecasts</a>.

More changes to the agency are expected, which could include some of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-budget-cuts-climate-environment-diversity-fa707f35307c6c74fbd02a38b4841f32">those proposed in the president's preliminary budget</a>.

The agency's weather service also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/weather-spanish-translation-noaa-nws-trump-71c727dbe2e4956247c9d9152494f1dc">paused providing language translations</a>&nbsp;of its products last month — though it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/weather-service-spanish-translations-noaa-trump-0753d36b7dd1724898eef86ebf3a920b">resumed those translations</a>&nbsp;just weeks later.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714352043261.png" alt="April 2024 tornado damage in Oklahoma&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>April 2024 tornado damage in Oklahoma&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22ALEXA%20ST.%20JOHN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By ALEXA ST. JOHN &nbsp;Associated Press</a>The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will no longer track the cost of climate change-fueled weather disasters, including floods, heat waves, wildfires and more. It is the latest example of changes to the agency and the Trump administration limiting federal government resources on climate change.NOAA falls under the U.S. Department of Commerce and is tasked with daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings and climate monitoring. It is also parent to the National Weather Service.The agency said its National Centers for Environmental Information would no longer update its Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database beyond 2024, and that its information — going as far back as 1980 — would be archived.For decades, it has tracked hundreds of major events across the country, including destructive hurricanes, hail storms, droughts and freezes that have totaled trillions of dollars in damage.The database uniquely pulls information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s assistance data, insurance organizations, state agencies and more to estimate overall losses from individual disasters.NOAA Communications Director Kim Doster said in a statement that the change was “in alignment with evolving priorities, statutory mandates, and staffing changes.”Scientists say these&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/projects/climate-extreme-weather/weather/">weather events</a>&nbsp;are becoming increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-extremes-drought-flood-rain-hydrological-cycle-b1f3e71ec6bac03f7c72a16be2739b01">more frequent</a>, costly and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-extreme-weather-events-climate-change-169250036362">severe with climate change</a>. Experts have attributed the growing intensity of recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/heat-wave-climate-change-worsen-hotter-797aae046df8165f5f8be7d3f40a8b74">debilitating heat</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-milton-climate-change-greenhouse-gases-fossil-fuels-aa1c971c228feb9da6f36fb9cc46ee81">Hurricane Milton</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfire-climate-change-burn-devastation-warming-1429ef7c613a0d97fc156068215571d2">Southern California wildfires</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-wild-weather-extremes-fires-california-blizzard-snow-polar-vortex-30860f82a23c010758502fd3871d287a">blasts of cold</a>&nbsp;to climate change.Assessing the impact of weather events fueled by the planet's warming is key as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeowners-insurance-climate-change-wildfire-disasters-9c7129881f12ec478386e4b47c1acbbc">insurance premiums hike</a>, particularly in communities more prone to flooding, storms and fires. Climate change has wrought havoc on the insurance industry, and homeowners are at risk of skyrocketing rates.One limitation is that the dataset estimated only the nation's most costly weather events.The information is generally seen as standardized and unduplicable, given the agency's access to nonpublic data, and other private databases would be more limited in scope and likely not shared as widespread for proprietary reasons. Other datasets, however, also track death estimates from these disasters.Jeff Masters, a meteorologist for Yale Climate Connections, pointed to substitutes from insurance brokers and the international disaster database as alternative sources of information.Still, “The NOAA database is the gold standard we use to evaluate the costs of extreme weather,” Masters said, “and it’s a major loss, since it comes at a time when we need to better understand how much climate change is increasing disaster losses.”These moves also don’t “change the fact that these disasters are escalating year over year,” Kristina Dahl, vice president of science at nonprofit climate organization Climate Central. “Extreme weather events that cause a lot of damage are one of the primary ways that the public sees that climate change is happening and is affecting people."“It’s critical that we highlight those events when they’re happening,” she added. “All of these changes will make Americans less safe in the face of climate change.”The move, reported Thursday by CNN, is yet another of President Donald Trump’s efforts to remove references to climate change and the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the weather from the federal government’s lexicon and documents.Trump has instead prioritized allies in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-coal-ai-data-centers-energy-dominance-693e2604785c07ff790d9afd2e06d543">polluting coal, oil and gas industries</a>, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-liability-lawsuits-damage-trillions-5ad21e47b2aa16cc90cb7669f56297f1">studies say are linked or traced to climate damage</a>.The change also marks the administration's latest hit overall to the weather, ocean and fisheries agency.The Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-weather-service-layoffs-trump-doge-a65360a1eb2500b7d47c9c966e383f4a">fired hundreds of weather forecasters and other federal NOAA employees</a>&nbsp;on probationary status in February, part of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency efforts to downsize the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-weather-cuts-tornado-dangerous-staff-warnings-aa7db3e0d0009d99c143742ab722c40a">federal government workforce</a>. It began a second round of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/noaa-job-cuts-weather-forecasts-trump-doge-musk-7e35e9d5d757d8fc3f0f50b2bd71c87d">more than 1,000 cuts at the agency in March</a>, more than 10% of its workforce at the time.At the time, insiders said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/noaa-doge-federal-cuts-musk-weather-danger-6f60e7c511989aeff8930ae87c9a5ee8">massive firings and changes to the agency</a>&nbsp;would risk lives and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/fired-noaa-fisheries-scientists-worry-about-the-future-of-marine-conservation-6c014d170404419b870fea6a9d041692">negatively impact the U.S. economy</a>. Experts also noted fewer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/weather-forecasts-worsen-doge-trump-cuts-tornado-da573a044916c06cebcdb92b1f1452e6">vital weather balloon launches under NOAA would worsen U.S. weather forecasts</a>.More changes to the agency are expected, which could include some of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-budget-cuts-climate-environment-diversity-fa707f35307c6c74fbd02a38b4841f32">those proposed in the president's preliminary budget</a>.The agency's weather service also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/weather-spanish-translation-noaa-nws-trump-71c727dbe2e4956247c9d9152494f1dc">paused providing language translations</a>&nbsp;of its products last month — though it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/weather-service-spanish-translations-noaa-trump-0753d36b7dd1724898eef86ebf3a920b">resumed those translations</a>&nbsp;just weeks later.

US will stop tracking the costs of extreme weather fueled by climate change

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/christopher-rugaber">CHRISTOPHER RUGABER</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-uk-trump-starmer-trade-deal-79d55b8ade0dd8c9265ada9400d079db">a trade deal with the United Kingdom</a>&nbsp;Thursday in grandiose terms, but with only limited details about what it will achieve.

The agreement will open up the British market to American beef, ethanol, and other agricultural products, the White House said. It will also allow British cars and steel better access to U.S. consumers.

The pact provides some support for President Donald Trump’s arguments that his steep tariffs could lead to agreements that open up overseas markets. But economists’ initial reactions were cool, with many noting that the United Kingdom isn’t a large enough trading partner for the U.S. to really move the needle for the U.S. economy.

“It’s more symbolic than economic,” Beata Caranci, chief economist at the bank TD Economics, said in an email. “What we have learned is that these initial announcements are going to be more fine-tuning around the edges and easing of pain points, rather than an end to the trade war.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ed-martin-white-house-justice-department-thom-tillis-cecf801799faa2b56fd1bb4fac48379e">Trump</a>&nbsp;said in the Oval Office Thursday that additional details will be worked out in the “coming weeks.” But in a fact sheet the administration said the deal is “historic” and “a great deal for America.”

U.K. Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-uk-trump-starmer-trade-deal-79d55b8ade0dd8c9265ada9400d079db">Keir Starmer</a>&nbsp;has said the deal would protect thousands of auto jobs and stressed the importance of the relationship between the two countries.

The U.K. is the United States’ fourth largest export market, though has received just 4.5% of U.S. exports this year.

—The United States will maintain the 10% duty on nearly all imports from the U.K., which Trump imposed April 2. Many economists had hoped that the tariff would be dropped as part of any trade deal, but Trump suggested that the 10% universal duty was likely to be a floor in any future talks with other countries.

—The U.S. will cut its tariffs on car imports from the U.K. to 10% from 27.5%, according to the U.K. government, but only up to 100,000 cars. The U.K. exported 92,000 cars to the U.S. in 2024, which means the U.K. auto industry won’t be able to boost its shipments without paying higher duties.

—U.K. steel exports will enter the U.S. duty-free, rather than face the 25% tariff the White House has placed on imported steel.

—The two countries have agreed to greater market access for each other’s beef, with both nations able to export 13,000 metric tons of beef to each others’ countries.

—The U.K. will eliminate its tariff on ethanol from the U.S., up to 1.4 billion liters.

—The U.S. will lift all duties on airplane engines and other aerospace parts from the U.K.'s Rolls Royce. In return, a U.K. airline will soon announce the purchase of $10 billion in planes from Boeing.

—The U.K. will reduce its average tariff on U.S. goods to 1.8%, which would amount to a $200 million cut in duties, the British government said. The U.K. will also lower import taxes on about 2,500 U.S. products including olive oil, wine and sports equipment.

—The U.K. will “reduce or eliminate” non-tariff barriers to U.S. exports, the White House said, though it did not provide details. The agreement creates opportunities for $5 billion in new exports of U.S. agricultural and other goods, according to the administration’s fact sheet.

What’s not in the deal, at least not yet

—The agreement does not provide U.S. companies any additional access to the U.K.'s government-run national health service.

—There also aren’t any changes on the U.K.'s digital services tax, which hits U.S. tech giants such as Amazon, Alphabet’s Google, and Facebook parent Meta. Trump has strongly criticized the tax. The U.K. government said, however, that the two nations have agreed to negotiate on a digital trade deal.

—Trump said the deal did not exempt the U.K. from the 100% tariffs on foreign-made films he has proposed.

—Negotiations are still ongoing in areas such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, critical minerals, copper and lumber, a British trade official said.

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/christopher-rugaber">CHRISTOPHER RUGABER</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-uk-trump-starmer-trade-deal-79d55b8ade0dd8c9265ada9400d079db">a trade deal with the United Kingdom</a>&nbsp;Thursday in grandiose terms, but with only limited details about what it will achieve.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After decades of politicians putting American Workers last, <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> is delivering UNPRECEDENTED wins 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/MCi09W3TAy">https://t.co/MCi09W3TAy</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ybm3NHztE5">pic.twitter.com/Ybm3NHztE5</a>&mdash; U.S. Department of Labor (@USDOL) <a href="https://twitter.com/USDOL/status/1920536350744301696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The agreement will open up the British market to American beef, ethanol, and other agricultural products, the White House said. It will also allow British cars and steel better access to U.S. consumers.The pact provides some support for President Donald Trump’s arguments that his steep tariffs could lead to agreements that open up overseas markets. But economists’ initial reactions were cool, with many noting that the United Kingdom isn’t a large enough trading partner for the U.S. to really move the needle for the U.S. economy.“It’s more symbolic than economic,” Beata Caranci, chief economist at the bank TD Economics, said in an email. “What we have learned is that these initial announcements are going to be more fine-tuning around the edges and easing of pain points, rather than an end to the trade war.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ed-martin-white-house-justice-department-thom-tillis-cecf801799faa2b56fd1bb4fac48379e">Trump</a>&nbsp;said in the Oval Office Thursday that additional details will be worked out in the “coming weeks.” But in a fact sheet the administration said the deal is “historic” and “a great deal for America.”U.K. Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-uk-trump-starmer-trade-deal-79d55b8ade0dd8c9265ada9400d079db">Keir Starmer</a>&nbsp;has said the deal would protect thousands of auto jobs and stressed the importance of the relationship between the two countries.The U.K. is the United States’ fourth largest export market, though has received just 4.5% of U.S. exports this year.<h2>What’s in the deal:</h2>—The United States will maintain the 10% duty on nearly all imports from the U.K., which Trump imposed April 2. Many economists had hoped that the tariff would be dropped as part of any trade deal, but Trump suggested that the 10% universal duty was likely to be a floor in any future talks with other countries.—The U.S. will cut its tariffs on car imports from the U.K. to 10% from 27.5%, according to the U.K. government, but only up to 100,000 cars. The U.K. exported 92,000 cars to the U.S. in 2024, which means the U.K. auto industry won’t be able to boost its shipments without paying higher duties.—U.K. steel exports will enter the U.S. duty-free, rather than face the 25% tariff the White House has placed on imported steel.—The two countries have agreed to greater market access for each other’s beef, with both nations able to export 13,000 metric tons of beef to each others’ countries.—The U.K. will eliminate its tariff on ethanol from the U.S., up to 1.4 billion liters.—The U.S. will lift all duties on airplane engines and other aerospace parts from the U.K.'s Rolls Royce. In return, a U.K. airline will soon announce the purchase of $10 billion in planes from Boeing.—The U.K. will reduce its average tariff on U.S. goods to 1.8%, which would amount to a $200 million cut in duties, the British government said. The U.K. will also lower import taxes on about 2,500 U.S. products including olive oil, wine and sports equipment.—The U.K. will “reduce or eliminate” non-tariff barriers to U.S. exports, the White House said, though it did not provide details. The agreement creates opportunities for $5 billion in new exports of U.S. agricultural and other goods, according to the administration’s fact sheet.<h2>What’s not in the deal, at least not yet</h2>—The agreement does not provide U.S. companies any additional access to the U.K.'s government-run national health service.—There also aren’t any changes on the U.K.'s digital services tax, which hits U.S. tech giants such as Amazon, Alphabet’s Google, and Facebook parent Meta. Trump has strongly criticized the tax. The U.K. government said, however, that the two nations have agreed to negotiate on a digital trade deal.—Trump said the deal did not exempt the U.K. from the 100% tariffs on foreign-made films he has proposed.—Negotiations are still ongoing in areas such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, critical minerals, copper and lumber, a British trade official said.

What’s included in the US-UK trade deal? 

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 10:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.

A bicycle was&nbsp; northbound on Flora Avenue and failed to stop for the posted stop sign at 31st Street, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

The blue Schwinn entered the intersection. An eastbound white Honda Civic struck the bicycle. EMS transported he bicyclist to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased by hospital staff shortly after arrival. 

The driver of the Honda stopped immediately, cooperated with the investigation and was not injured in the collision. This is fatality #23 compared to #39 at this time last year in Kansas City, Missouri, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the bicyclisst.

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 10:30p.m. Friday in Kansas City.A bicycle was&nbsp; northbound on Flora Avenue and failed to stop for the posted stop sign at 31st Street, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.The blue Schwinn entered the intersection. An eastbound white Honda Civic struck the bicycle. EMS transported he bicyclist to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased by hospital staff shortly after arrival. The driver of the Honda stopped immediately, cooperated with the investigation and was not injured in the collision. This is fatality #23 compared to #39 at this time last year in Kansas City, Missouri, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the bicyclisst.

Police: Bicyclist struck and killed at Kansas City intersection

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and local health departments continue to respond to measles cases in Kansas. KDHE is notifying the public of a possible measles exposure so that the public may take the appropriate steps to protect their health and limit the spread of measles. The risk of exposure to measles is limited only to the location, date, and times below.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The measles virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Because the measles virus is highly contagious, anyone who was inside Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport on the evening of May 2 from 6:15 pm - 9:00 pm,&nbsp;may have been exposed to measles and should take the following steps:&nbsp;&nbsp;

Reminder, that this possible measles exposure is limited only to those who were at the airport on Friday, May 2nd from 6:15 pm - 9:00 pm.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus. It spreads easily when an infected person talks, sneezes or coughs. People who are not vaccinated or lack immunity are especially at risk of becoming infected. Symptoms of measles typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a skin rash develops and usually starts on the face and spreads down to the neck, trunk, arms and legs.&nbsp;

The best way to prevent measles is to get the MMR vaccine. If you have had measles or have been vaccinated, your risk of contracting the disease is very low. However, a few people (about three out of 100) can still get measles even after two MMR vaccine doses if they are near someone who is sick.&nbsp;

For questions, contact the KDHE Epidemiology Hotline by phone at 877-427-7317 (option 5) or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kdhe.epihotline@ks.gov">kdhe.epihotline@ks.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information about measles, how to find your vaccine records, and answers to common questions, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Measles Resource Hub at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2Fmeasles%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000196bab66071-265dded3-852b-4d34-80ea-a195df30b371-000000/27ODBlJLudr7cQfILpYMRWb24mslz8GtUAsUmquBqac=404">www.kdhe.ks.gov/measles</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741908251964.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and local health departments continue to respond to measles cases in Kansas. KDHE is notifying the public of a possible measles exposure so that the public may take the appropriate steps to protect their health and limit the spread of measles. The risk of exposure to measles is limited only to the location, date, and times below.&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Location:&nbsp;Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, 2277 Eisenhower Airport Pkwy, Wichita on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 6:15 p.m. until 9 p.m.&nbsp;</li><li>Hutchinson Public Library,&nbsp;901 N Main St, Hutchinson, KS 67501  on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. </li>
 </ul>The measles virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. Because the measles virus is highly contagious, anyone who was inside Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport on the evening of May 2 from 6:15 pm - 9:00 pm,&nbsp;may have been exposed to measles and should take the following steps:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Understand if you are susceptible to infection.&nbsp;Check if you’ve received a measles-containing vaccine, like the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, have medical documentation of past measles infection, or have laboratory evidence of immunity. People who are not vaccinated and have not previously had measles are especially vulnerable to becoming infected. People born before 1957, or have had measles disease in the past, or have had at least one MMR dose are considered immune.&nbsp;</li><li>Watch for symptoms. Monitor yourself for 21 days after your exposure. Look out for any symptoms—especially a fever and a new or unexplained skin rash—and contact your healthcare provider or local health department if symptoms develop.</li><li>If you were at the&nbsp;Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport&nbsp;on the evening of May 2, watch for symptoms of measles up until the end of Friday, May 23.</li><li>Avoid high-risk settings. If you are not immune, consider staying home to prevent the spread of measles. If you cannot remain home, stay away from large gatherings and people that might be susceptible to measles, including those who are unvaccinated, pregnant women, infants, or people who are immunocompromised. If you need medical care, call your provider ahead of time and let them know you may have been exposed to measles so they can take any necessary steps to protect others from potential measles exposure.</li><li>Call a healthcare provider. If you have any questions about your health or your immunity status, contact your healthcare provider. If you need to see your healthcare provider or visit an emergency room, please call ahead and notify staff that you may have been exposed to measles. If you are not immune to measles and have symptoms, a healthcare provider can determine whether you need testing and treatment to help prevent or lessen the severity of infection.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Reminder, that this possible measles exposure is limited only to those who were at the airport on Friday, May 2nd from 6:15 pm - 9:00 pm.Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus. It spreads easily when an infected person talks, sneezes or coughs. People who are not vaccinated or lack immunity are especially at risk of becoming infected. Symptoms of measles typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a skin rash develops and usually starts on the face and spreads down to the neck, trunk, arms and legs.&nbsp;The best way to prevent measles is to get the MMR vaccine. If you have had measles or have been vaccinated, your risk of contracting the disease is very low. However, a few people (about three out of 100) can still get measles even after two MMR vaccine doses if they are near someone who is sick.&nbsp;For questions, contact the KDHE Epidemiology Hotline by phone at 877-427-7317 (option 5) or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:kdhe.epihotline@ks.gov">kdhe.epihotline@ks.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information about measles, how to find your vaccine records, and answers to common questions, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Measles Resource Hub at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.kdhe.ks.gov%2Fmeasles%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000196bab66071-265dded3-852b-4d34-80ea-a195df30b371-000000/27ODBlJLudr7cQfILpYMRWb24mslz8GtUAsUmquBqac=404">www.kdhe.ks.gov/measles</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

KDHE: Potential measles exposures at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

With only a week to go before the legislature adjourns for the year, Missouri lawmakers are considering a last-minute push for a $300 million incentive package aimed at building a new stadium for the Kansas City Royals in Clay County.&nbsp;

The tentative plan, which according to those involved has the blessing of the governor’s office, would commit the state to $15 million a year to a newly created Clay County sports authority for the next 20 years. That money would be used to help finance a new stadium in order to prevent the team from moving to Kansas.&nbsp;

It’s unclear if the legislative package will include money to help the Kansas City Chiefs remodel Arrowhead Stadium in Jackson County.&nbsp;

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office did not respond to requests for comment.&nbsp;

Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Kurtis Gregory, a Republican from Marshall, would be the vehicle for the funding. The underlying bill, which passed the Senate and could be taken up as early as Monday in the House, would authorize Clay County to establish a county sports complex authority for the purpose of “developing or maintaining sports, convention, exhibition or trade facilities.”

Any stadium funding plans would be added to the bill as an amendment in the House, said state Rep. Brad Christ, a St. Louis County Republican handling the legislation in that chamber.&nbsp;

Christ said his involvement with the stadium funding is “very minimal,” and he has not been kept in the loop on any details of the proposal.&nbsp;

All signs point toward Clay County as the preferred location for the new stadium, Gregory said, with the idea that moving the Royals would also clear the way for the Chiefs to remain in Arrowhead, demolish Kauffman Stadium and build a covered entertainment center.

“It’s not ‘downtown,’ but Clay County works a lot better,” Gregory said of a possible North Kansas City site. “There can be better parking. You’ll have the Kansas City skyline just two miles away. They could run the streetcar out to it. It just works.”

Some sort of local support would likely still be needed, Gregory said. But he’s optimistic that can get done, because “when I was knocking doors in Clay, the most frequent question I got was ‘what are we going to do about the Chiefs and the Royals.’”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Both teams have publicly expressed interest in moving from Missouri to Kansas after Jackson County voters rejected a proposal last year to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium and upgrades to Arrowhead.&nbsp;

Kansas lawmakers responded by expanding a tax incentive program in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate. The leases for both teams’ Jackson County stadiums run through the end of the 2030 season.&nbsp;

Regardless of the details of any potential plan, the idea faces incredibly long odds with so little time left in the session. The House and Senate must adjourn for the year at 6 p.m. next Friday.

The tight timeline is especially problematic in the Missouri Senate, where any opposition could turn into a run-out-the-clock filibuster.

State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat who co-sponsored the Clay County sports authority bill with Gregory, said she’s not been involved in recent discussions and had doubts there was time to still get something done so late in the session.&nbsp;

Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Shelbina Republican, said there have been ongoing talks all year about the idea of trying to keep the Royals in Missouri. But she has not been directly involved in formal discussions of a new plan this week, she said.

And taking a stadium funding plan from start to finish in less than a week, O’Laughlin said, will be incredibly tough.&nbsp;

“That would be pretty quick,” she said with a laugh.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746820944287.png" alt=" North Kansas City has also proposed as a location for a new Royals ballpark with surrounding development (photo submitted)." />
 <figcaption> North Kansas City has also proposed as a location for a new Royals ballpark with surrounding development (photo submitted).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">JASON HANCOCK</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>With only a week to go before the legislature adjourns for the year, Missouri lawmakers are considering a last-minute push for a $300 million incentive package aimed at building a new stadium for the Kansas City Royals in Clay County.&nbsp;The tentative plan, which according to those involved has the blessing of the governor’s office, would commit the state to $15 million a year to a newly created Clay County sports authority for the next 20 years. That money would be used to help finance a new stadium in order to prevent the team from moving to Kansas.&nbsp;It’s unclear if the legislative package will include money to help the Kansas City Chiefs remodel Arrowhead Stadium in Jackson County.&nbsp;Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe’s office did not respond to requests for comment.&nbsp;Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Kurtis Gregory, a Republican from Marshall, would be the vehicle for the funding. The underlying bill, which passed the Senate and could be taken up as early as Monday in the House, would authorize Clay County to establish a county sports complex authority for the purpose of “developing or maintaining sports, convention, exhibition or trade facilities.”Any stadium funding plans would be added to the bill as an amendment in the House, said state Rep. Brad Christ, a St. Louis County Republican handling the legislation in that chamber.&nbsp;Christ said his involvement with the stadium funding is “very minimal,” and he has not been kept in the loop on any details of the proposal.&nbsp;All signs point toward Clay County as the preferred location for the new stadium, Gregory said, with the idea that moving the Royals would also clear the way for the Chiefs to remain in Arrowhead, demolish Kauffman Stadium and build a covered entertainment center.“It’s not ‘downtown,’ but Clay County works a lot better,” Gregory said of a possible North Kansas City site. “There can be better parking. You’ll have the Kansas City skyline just two miles away. They could run the streetcar out to it. It just works.”Some sort of local support would likely still be needed, Gregory said. But he’s optimistic that can get done, because “when I was knocking doors in Clay, the most frequent question I got was ‘what are we going to do about the Chiefs and the Royals.’”&nbsp;&nbsp;Both teams have publicly expressed interest in moving from Missouri to Kansas after Jackson County voters rejected a proposal last year to extend a 3/8-cent sales tax to help finance a downtown Kansas City baseball stadium and upgrades to Arrowhead.&nbsp;Kansas lawmakers responded by expanding a tax incentive program in the hopes of convincing one or both teams to relocate. The leases for both teams’ Jackson County stadiums run through the end of the 2030 season.&nbsp;Regardless of the details of any potential plan, the idea faces incredibly long odds with so little time left in the session. The House and Senate must adjourn for the year at 6 p.m. next Friday.The tight timeline is especially problematic in the Missouri Senate, where any opposition could turn into a run-out-the-clock filibuster.State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat who co-sponsored the Clay County sports authority bill with Gregory, said she’s not been involved in recent discussions and had doubts there was time to still get something done so late in the session.&nbsp;Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Shelbina Republican, said there have been ongoing talks all year about the idea of trying to keep the Royals in Missouri. But she has not been directly involved in formal discussions of a new plan this week, she said.And taking a stadium funding plan from start to finish in less than a week, O’Laughlin said, will be incredibly tough.&nbsp;“That would be pretty quick,” she said with a laugh.

Missouri lawmakers eye late push to move Kansas City Royals to Clay County

JOHNSON COUNTY —The Olathe Police Department is currently investigating a fatality crash involving a pedestrian and a pickup truck that occurred just after 9p.m. Thursday.

Officers were dispatched to the area of Santa Fe and Blake following reports of a crash involving a pickup truck and a pedestrian. When officers arrived, they located an unresponsive woman later identified as 57-year-old Jill E. Turner of Indiana.

&nbsp; Officers, along with Olathe Fire and Med-Act personnel, performed life-saving measures at the scene. Turner was later pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

Officers are in contact with the driver of the pickup truck, and they are cooperating in the investigation

JOHNSON COUNTY —The Olathe Police Department is currently investigating a fatality crash involving a pedestrian and a pickup truck that occurred just after 9p.m. Thursday.Officers were dispatched to the area of Santa Fe and Blake following reports of a crash involving a pickup truck and a pedestrian. When officers arrived, they located an unresponsive woman later identified as 57-year-old Jill E. Turner of Indiana.&nbsp; Officers, along with Olathe Fire and Med-Act personnel, performed life-saving measures at the scene. Turner was later pronounced deceased.&nbsp;Officers are in contact with the driver of the pickup truck, and they are cooperating in the investigation

Police ID woman struck and killed by pickup on Kansas roadway

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man convicted of killing a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in 1978 has been granted parole after having past requests rejected, inspiring criticism and prompting the governor on Friday to call for reconsidering the decision.

Jimmie K. Nelms and another man, both from Tulsa, Oklahoma, were sentenced to serve two life sentences for the aggravated kidnapping and murder of&nbsp;<a href="https://kansashighwaypatrol.gov/end-of-watch/trooper-conroy-g-obrien/">Trooper Conroy O'Brien</a>&nbsp;following a traffic stop on the Kansas Turnpike about 55 miles (89 kilometers) northeast of Wichita. Nelms' codefendant, Walter Myrick, died in prison in 2009.

In Kansas, killing a law enforcement officer now can be punished by death, with the only other possible sentence in a capital case being life in prison without parole. But in 1978, Kansas had no death penalty, and Nelms was eligible for parole after 30 years in 2008. He sought parole in 2011 and 2021.

A date for Nelms' release hasn't been set. His release was approved by the Prisoner Review Board, comprised of three veteran state Department of Corrections employees appointed by its top administrator. Department spokesman David Thompson said the decision came several weeks after a March 6 hearing.

“The Kansas Prisoner Review Board believes that Mr. Nelms is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen and is of the opinion that there is reasonable probability that Mr. Nelms can be released without detriment to the community or to himself,” Thompson said in a statement.

A decision becomes public when it's criticized

The decision didn't become public until the Kansas State Troopers Association condemned it as “disgraceful and disgusting” in a statement Thursday. Under Kansas law, it appears unlikely that critics can prevent Nelms' release.

“Those who murder law enforcement officers should expect to receive the death penalty, not to be walking free on the streets of KS,” state Attorney General Kris Kobach said in&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/KrisKobach1787/status/1920623287995916337">a post</a>&nbsp;on the social platform X.

The Kansas Legislature's top leaders, Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, called the parole decision “unconscionable” Friday.

They and Kobach are Republicans; the Department of Corrections is under Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat. But Kelly wants the board to consider reversing the decision “if legally possible," spokesperson Grace Hoge said.

“The facts of this case demonstrate a brutal and intentional killing of a law enforcement officer,” Hoge said in an email. “There is no justification for this decision.”

According to court records and news reports, O'Brien stopped Nelms' car for speeding about 2 miles south of a turnpike service area. Myrick was driving.

As O'Brien wrote a ticket in his patrol car, Nelms approached the driver's side with a gun, according to authorities. Nelms forced O'Brien to get out of the car and told him to lie down in a ditch. Authorities said Nelms took O'Brien's gun, struck the trooper with it, and, when O'Brien fell to the ground, shot him twice in the head.

O'Brien was 26 with a pregnant wife. Nelms was 31 and Myrick, 25. A 21-year-old man was also in the car with Nelms and Myrick, but he pleaded guilty to lesser charges and provided crucial testimony against Nelms.

The men fled in Nelms' car, left the turnpike, and eventually drove north, where another patrol trooper spotted the car about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of where O'Brien died. Nelms' car and the trooper's collided in a pasture, and a gun battle ensued.

Nelms denied he was the shooter, but jurors convicted him and Myrick of murder, aggravated kidnapping and other charges during a joint trial.

Nelms served most of his sentence in maximum-security prisons but was transferred to a lower-security facility in 2023. Online Department of Corrections records show four disciplinary reports against him from 1996 to 2017, the last for disobeying orders. Thompson said Nelms works in the prison laundry.

Kansas changes how parole decisions are made

When Nelms sought parole in 2011, decisions were made by a three-member parole board appointed by the governor, subject to state Senate confirmation. That same year, Republican Gov. Sam Brownback issued an executive order abolishing the parole board in favor of a panel of Department of Corrections employees.

Brownback said the move would save the state $500,000 a year, and sentencing laws after 1993 limited parole. Critics worried that the department's board would release inmates just to avoid prison overcrowding, and Kelly, then a state senator, called the change “a really bad idea.”

Masterson, the current Senate president, backed the change in 2011 but said Friday that it “has not functioned as intended" and that he would work for changes to see that the review board members “rightly answer to the people of Kansas.”

Democratic state Rep. Tom Sawyer, who reviewed Nelms' case as a parole board member from 2009 through June 2011, said the board sometimes rejected parole when corrections officials recommended. Now, he said, the process is “all in-house.”

As for Nelms, Sawyer said, “I think it’s highly unlikely the parole board would have let him go, based on my experience.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746748524625.png" alt="Nelms photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Nelms photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man convicted of killing a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper in 1978 has been granted parole after having past requests rejected, inspiring criticism and prompting the governor on Friday to call for reconsidering the decision.Jimmie K. Nelms and another man, both from Tulsa, Oklahoma, were sentenced to serve two life sentences for the aggravated kidnapping and murder of&nbsp;<a href="https://kansashighwaypatrol.gov/end-of-watch/trooper-conroy-g-obrien/">Trooper Conroy O'Brien</a>&nbsp;following a traffic stop on the Kansas Turnpike about 55 miles (89 kilometers) northeast of Wichita. Nelms' codefendant, Walter Myrick, died in prison in 2009.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746744841747.jpeg" alt="Conroy O'Brien courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Conroy O'Brien courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>In Kansas, killing a law enforcement officer now can be punished by death, with the only other possible sentence in a capital case being life in prison without parole. But in 1978, Kansas had no death penalty, and Nelms was eligible for parole after 30 years in 2008. He sought parole in 2011 and 2021.A date for Nelms' release hasn't been set. His release was approved by the Prisoner Review Board, comprised of three veteran state Department of Corrections employees appointed by its top administrator. Department spokesman David Thompson said the decision came several weeks after a March 6 hearing.“The Kansas Prisoner Review Board believes that Mr. Nelms is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen and is of the opinion that there is reasonable probability that Mr. Nelms can be released without detriment to the community or to himself,” Thompson said in a statement.<h2>A decision becomes public when it's criticized</h2>The decision didn't become public until the Kansas State Troopers Association condemned it as “disgraceful and disgusting” in a statement Thursday. Under Kansas law, it appears unlikely that critics can prevent Nelms' release.“Those who murder law enforcement officers should expect to receive the death penalty, not to be walking free on the streets of KS,” state Attorney General Kris Kobach said in&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/KrisKobach1787/status/1920623287995916337">a post</a>&nbsp;on the social platform X.The Kansas Legislature's top leaders, Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, called the parole decision “unconscionable” Friday.They and Kobach are Republicans; the Department of Corrections is under Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat. But Kelly wants the board to consider reversing the decision “if legally possible," spokesperson Grace Hoge said.“The facts of this case demonstrate a brutal and intentional killing of a law enforcement officer,” Hoge said in an email. “There is no justification for this decision.”<h2>A traffic stop turns deadly in 1978</h2>According to court records and news reports, O'Brien stopped Nelms' car for speeding about 2 miles south of a turnpike service area. Myrick was driving.As O'Brien wrote a ticket in his patrol car, Nelms approached the driver's side with a gun, according to authorities. Nelms forced O'Brien to get out of the car and told him to lie down in a ditch. Authorities said Nelms took O'Brien's gun, struck the trooper with it, and, when O'Brien fell to the ground, shot him twice in the head.O'Brien was 26 with a pregnant wife. Nelms was 31 and Myrick, 25. A 21-year-old man was also in the car with Nelms and Myrick, but he pleaded guilty to lesser charges and provided crucial testimony against Nelms.The men fled in Nelms' car, left the turnpike, and eventually drove north, where another patrol trooper spotted the car about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of where O'Brien died. Nelms' car and the trooper's collided in a pasture, and a gun battle ensued.Nelms denied he was the shooter, but jurors convicted him and Myrick of murder, aggravated kidnapping and other charges during a joint trial.Nelms served most of his sentence in maximum-security prisons but was transferred to a lower-security facility in 2023. Online Department of Corrections records show four disciplinary reports against him from 1996 to 2017, the last for disobeying orders. Thompson said Nelms works in the prison laundry.<h2>Kansas changes how parole decisions are made</h2>When Nelms sought parole in 2011, decisions were made by a three-member parole board appointed by the governor, subject to state Senate confirmation. That same year, Republican Gov. Sam Brownback issued an executive order abolishing the parole board in favor of a panel of Department of Corrections employees.Brownback said the move would save the state $500,000 a year, and sentencing laws after 1993 limited parole. Critics worried that the department's board would release inmates just to avoid prison overcrowding, and Kelly, then a state senator, called the change “a really bad idea.”Masterson, the current Senate president, backed the change in 2011 but said Friday that it “has not functioned as intended" and that he would work for changes to see that the review board members “rightly answer to the people of Kansas.”Democratic state Rep. Tom Sawyer, who reviewed Nelms' case as a parole board member from 2009 through June 2011, said the board sometimes rejected parole when corrections officials recommended. Now, he said, the process is “all in-house.”As for Nelms, Sawyer said, “I think it’s highly unlikely the parole board would have let him go, based on my experience.”

Kan. governor wants board to reconsider parole granted to a state trooper's convicted killer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Trump administration must halt much of its dramatic downsizing of the federal workforce, a California judge ordered Friday.

Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco issued the emergency order in a lawsuit filed last week by labor unions and cities, one of multiple legal challenges to Republican President Donald Trump’s efforts to shrink the size of a federal government he calls bloated and expensive.

“The Court holds the President likely must request Congressional cooperation to order the changes he seeks, and thus issues a temporary restraining order to pause large-scale reductions in force in the meantime,” Illston wrote in her order.

The temporary restraining order directs numerous federal agencies to halt acting on the president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-downsizing-federal-workers-doge-00683abc4de44a151f26aaa6cb0d0f30">workforce executive order</a>&nbsp;signed in February and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b%20">subsequent memo issued</a>&nbsp;by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-donald-trump-962778979dd35ea79d6092df9cb2cb56">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;and the Office of Personnel Management.

The order, which expires in 14 days, does not require departments to rehire people. Plaintiffs asked that the effective date of any agency action be postponed and that departments stop implementing or enforcing the executive order, including taking any further action.

They limited their request to departments where dismantlement is already underway or poised to be underway, including at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-health-and-human-services">the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a>, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-human-services-layoffs-restructuring-rfk-jr-fa4e89285e668a3939e20b6cf4c26fd4">announced in March</a>&nbsp;it will lay off 10,000 workers and centralize divisions.

Illston, who was nominated to the bench by former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, said at a hearing Friday the president has authority to seek changes in the executive branch departments and agencies created by Congress.

“But he must do so in lawful ways,” she said. “He must do so with the cooperation of Congress, the Constitution is structured that way.”

Trump has repeatedly said voters gave him a mandate to remake the federal government, and he tapped billionaire Elon Musk to lead the charge through DOGE.

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

In her order, Illston gave several examples to show the impact of the downsizing. One union that represents federal workers who research health hazards faced by mineworkers said it was poised to lose 221 of 222 workers in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, office; a Vermont farmer didn’t receive a timely inspection on his property to receive disaster aid after flooding and missed an important planting window; a reduction in Social Security Administration workers has led to longer wait times for recipients.

All the agencies impacted were created by Congress, she noted.

Lawyers for the government argued Friday that the executive order and memo calling for large-scale personnel reductions and reorganization plans provided only general principles that agencies should follow in exercising their own decision-making process.

“It expressly invites comments and proposals for legislative engagement as part of policies that those agencies wish to implement,” Eric Hamilton, a deputy assistant attorney general, said of the memo. “It is setting out guidance.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1742207940676.png" alt="File photo President Donald Trump talks to reporters aboard Air Force One- White House image" />
 <figcaption>File photo President Donald Trump talks to reporters aboard Air Force One- White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Trump administration must halt much of its dramatic downsizing of the federal workforce, a California judge ordered Friday.Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco issued the emergency order in a lawsuit filed last week by labor unions and cities, one of multiple legal challenges to Republican President Donald Trump’s efforts to shrink the size of a federal government he calls bloated and expensive.“The Court holds the President likely must request Congressional cooperation to order the changes he seeks, and thus issues a temporary restraining order to pause large-scale reductions in force in the meantime,” Illston wrote in her order.The temporary restraining order directs numerous federal agencies to halt acting on the president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-downsizing-federal-workers-doge-00683abc4de44a151f26aaa6cb0d0f30">workforce executive order</a>&nbsp;signed in February and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b%20">subsequent memo issued</a>&nbsp;by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-doge-donald-trump-962778979dd35ea79d6092df9cb2cb56">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;and the Office of Personnel Management.The order, which expires in 14 days, does not require departments to rehire people. Plaintiffs asked that the effective date of any agency action be postponed and that departments stop implementing or enforcing the executive order, including taking any further action.They limited their request to departments where dismantlement is already underway or poised to be underway, including at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-health-and-human-services">the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a>, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-human-services-layoffs-restructuring-rfk-jr-fa4e89285e668a3939e20b6cf4c26fd4">announced in March</a>&nbsp;it will lay off 10,000 workers and centralize divisions.Illston, who was nominated to the bench by former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, said at a hearing Friday the president has authority to seek changes in the executive branch departments and agencies created by Congress.“But he must do so in lawful ways,” she said. “He must do so with the cooperation of Congress, the Constitution is structured that way.”Trump has repeatedly said voters gave him a mandate to remake the federal government, and he tapped billionaire Elon Musk to lead the charge through DOGE.Tens of thousands of federal workers have been fired, left their jobs via deferred resignation programs or have been placed on leave as a result of Trump’s government-shrinking efforts. There is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">no official figure for the job cuts</a>, but at least 75,000 federal employees took deferred resignation, and thousands of probationary workers have already been let go.In her order, Illston gave several examples to show the impact of the downsizing. One union that represents federal workers who research health hazards faced by mineworkers said it was poised to lose 221 of 222 workers in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, office; a Vermont farmer didn’t receive a timely inspection on his property to receive disaster aid after flooding and missed an important planting window; a reduction in Social Security Administration workers has led to longer wait times for recipients.All the agencies impacted were created by Congress, she noted.Lawyers for the government argued Friday that the executive order and memo calling for large-scale personnel reductions and reorganization plans provided only general principles that agencies should follow in exercising their own decision-making process.“It expressly invites comments and proposals for legislative engagement as part of policies that those agencies wish to implement,” Eric Hamilton, a deputy assistant attorney general, said of the memo. “It is setting out guidance.”But Danielle Leonard, an attorney for plaintiffs, said it was clear that the president, DOGE and OPM were making decisions outside of their authority and not inviting dialogue from agencies.“They are not waiting for these planning documents" to go through long processes, she said. “They’re not asking for approval, and they’re not waiting for it.”The temporary restraining order applies to departments including the departments of Agriculture, Energy, Labor, Interior, State, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.It also applies to the National Science Foundation, Small Business Association, Social Security Administration and Environmental Protection Agency.Some of the labor unions and nonprofit groups are also plaintiffs in another lawsuit before a San Francisco judge challenging the mass firings of probationary workers. In that case, Judge William Alsup ordered the government in March&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mass-firings-federal-workers-trump-administration-7cc7320f469cc65529367aaea2fd9dcb">to reinstate those workers,</a>&nbsp;but the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-mass-firings-02e218d2b7ee59925ddcb597b6b0a4fe">later blocked his order</a>.