Anna Vee (Shelton) Searle left this earthly home on June 22,
2026 to join her Lord &amp; Savior in heaven, where she was reunited with her beloved
husband, Jim. She was born on October 24, 1942 in Calico Rock, AR, the daughter
of Coiny and Elsie (Moser) Shelton.

She moved to Kansas at the age of 4, living in Stafford
County and in St. John, KS until the age of 17. She graduated from St. John
High School and married the love of her life, James (Jim) Searle on March 4,
1960. They moved to Great Bend, KS where they lived until 1972. They
transferred to Hays, KS where they lived for 30 years before retiring to Stafford,
KS. While in Stafford, Anna Vee was on the board of NW Kansas Area on Aging, a
member of the Stafford County Election Board, served as Secretary at Trinity Community
Church in Hudson, was a member of the Stafford Oktoberfest Committee and served
on the board of the Stafford County District Hospital. &nbsp;She also enjoyed playing cards, golfing,
bicycling and meeting with her “coffee family” and “Anna Club” at Elroy’s. No
matter where they lived, they always had an abundance of fun with cherished
friends and family. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Coiny and Elsie
Shelton, her brother, Leon and her soul mate, Jim Searle who was killed when
struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle on November 4, 2009. She was also
preceded in death by her precious in-laws, and her “sister at heart”, Beverly
(Francis) Searle-Jones.

She moved to Olathe, KS in 2017 to be close to her daughter
and grandson’s family. She was an avid supporter of her great-granddaughters’ sporting
events, music programs, and delighted in attending grandparents’ day at their school.
Left with cherished memories are her daughter, Sheri Searle and her bonus
daughter, Gina Lawrence of Olathe, grandson, Jamie &amp; her beloved
Granddaughter-in-law, Melissa Searle of Kansas City, MO, the lights of her
life, great-granddaughters Nazra and Story, her dear “Sister” Darlene (Sally)
Bauer, her lovable granddog, Hudson, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins,
friends and neighbors. Survivors also include Jeff Searle and family of
Overland Park, KS.

As per her wishes, there will be no memorial service or
celebration of life. She would rather you celebrate your memories of her while
enjoying a margarita or beverage of your choice. Her wish is to have her ashes
scattered with her husband. Memorials may be made to your favorite charity.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/6/1782396903226.jpeg" alt="Anna Vee (Shelton) Searle" />
 <figcaption>Anna Vee (Shelton) Searle</figcaption>
 </figure>Written by Anna VeeAnna Vee (Shelton) Searle left this earthly home on June 22,
2026 to join her Lord &amp; Savior in heaven, where she was reunited with her beloved
husband, Jim. She was born on October 24, 1942 in Calico Rock, AR, the daughter
of Coiny and Elsie (Moser) Shelton.She moved to Kansas at the age of 4, living in Stafford
County and in St. John, KS until the age of 17. She graduated from St. John
High School and married the love of her life, James (Jim) Searle on March 4,
1960. They moved to Great Bend, KS where they lived until 1972. They
transferred to Hays, KS where they lived for 30 years before retiring to Stafford,
KS. While in Stafford, Anna Vee was on the board of NW Kansas Area on Aging, a
member of the Stafford County Election Board, served as Secretary at Trinity Community
Church in Hudson, was a member of the Stafford Oktoberfest Committee and served
on the board of the Stafford County District Hospital. &nbsp;She also enjoyed playing cards, golfing,
bicycling and meeting with her “coffee family” and “Anna Club” at Elroy’s. No
matter where they lived, they always had an abundance of fun with cherished
friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Coiny and Elsie
Shelton, her brother, Leon and her soul mate, Jim Searle who was killed when
struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle on November 4, 2009. She was also
preceded in death by her precious in-laws, and her “sister at heart”, Beverly
(Francis) Searle-Jones.She moved to Olathe, KS in 2017 to be close to her daughter
and grandson’s family. She was an avid supporter of her great-granddaughters’ sporting
events, music programs, and delighted in attending grandparents’ day at their school.
Left with cherished memories are her daughter, Sheri Searle and her bonus
daughter, Gina Lawrence of Olathe, grandson, Jamie &amp; her beloved
Granddaughter-in-law, Melissa Searle of Kansas City, MO, the lights of her
life, great-granddaughters Nazra and Story, her dear “Sister” Darlene (Sally)
Bauer, her lovable granddog, Hudson, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins,
friends and neighbors. Survivors also include Jeff Searle and family of
Overland Park, KS.As per her wishes, there will be no memorial service or
celebration of life. She would rather you celebrate your memories of her while
enjoying a margarita or beverage of your choice. Her wish is to have her ashes
scattered with her husband. Memorials may be made to your favorite charity.

Anna Vee (Shelton) Searle

A federal appeals court on Tuesday allowed the Trump administration to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportations-immigration-expedited-removal-d7146e4e633426afe86031cdf14a60d4">resume carrying out speedy deportations</a>&nbsp;of undocumented migrants throughout the United States, not just near the border.

A divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit threw out a lower court decision that temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fast-track-deportations-judge-cobb-ruling-trump-fba29ea49599c079226606fcd11678c5">expanded use of expedited removal</a>. The ruling was a big victory for the Republican administration, which views the expansion of so-called expedited removal as a key tool for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-deportations-immigration-raids-homeland-security-a2c6a2f726629e62bd0199aee68294f6">carrying out its mass deportation policy</a>.

Expedited removal — quick deportation without a chance to appear before a judge — has previously been applied to migrants arriving by sea or caught at or near the border shortly after crossing.

In January, Trump expanded its use to undocumented migrants all over the United States. Immigration agents began whisking migrants away from courthouses where they had gone for immigration proceedings and then removing them from the country within days.

“The Trump administration’s push for fast-track deportations will subject people to an unfair and error-prone system,” Anand Balakrishnan, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, said in a statement.

Balakrishnan represented plaintiffs in arguments before the appellate panel and said its ruling “undermines the fundamental principle that people receive due process when the government seeks to deport them.”

DC Circuit Judge Justin R. Walker, one of the judges on the panel, said the plaintiffs had not shown the expanded use of expedited removal violated due process rights. Immigrants received notice of removal proceedings and were given a chance to respond, he wrote in his opinion.

Walker and the second judge in the majority, Neomi Rao, were appointed by Trump. The third judge on the panel was appointed by President Barack Obama, a Democrat.

Walker said there was no requirement that the administration inform immigrants that they can avoid expedited removal if they can show they have been in the United States for more than two years.

"The constitutional requirement is notice of the action the government is taking and the grounds for it, plus an opportunity to respond," he wrote, adding that the plaintiffs' “contrary reasoning would require immigration officers to provide what amounts to legal advice.”

Walker and Rao vacated an order by U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb that put the expanded use of expedited removal on hold. Cobb, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, a Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportations-immigration-expedited-removal-d7146e4e633426afe86031cdf14a60d4">ruled in August</a>&nbsp;that the administration had not developed procedures to ensure migrants were not wrongly deported under the expedited process.

The plaintiffs had put forward “substantial evidence" that the expedited removal process, on the contrary, carried a high risk of error when applied more broadly, Cobb said. The ruling cited examples of people who had lived in the U.S. for far longer than two years but were still ordered to be removed in expedited proceedings.

In his opinion, Walker acknowledged evidence of such errors, but said they resulted from “individual officers’ failure to follow the law — not defects in the written directives under review or the procedures they incorporate.”

The Trump administration has argued that its expansion of expedited removal includes protections to prevent arbitrary removal. In a court filing in October, Justice Department attorneys said Cobb's ruling was an “egregious error” that was depriving the administration of an “essential tool to combat the unprecedented surge of illegal immigration over the past few years” and efficiently deport potentially millions of people.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/2/1770394254069.png" alt="Photo Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>Photo Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUDHIN THANAWALA Associated PressA federal appeals court on Tuesday allowed the Trump administration to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportations-immigration-expedited-removal-d7146e4e633426afe86031cdf14a60d4">resume carrying out speedy deportations</a>&nbsp;of undocumented migrants throughout the United States, not just near the border.A divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit threw out a lower court decision that temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fast-track-deportations-judge-cobb-ruling-trump-fba29ea49599c079226606fcd11678c5">expanded use of expedited removal</a>. The ruling was a big victory for the Republican administration, which views the expansion of so-called expedited removal as a key tool for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-congress-deportations-immigration-raids-homeland-security-a2c6a2f726629e62bd0199aee68294f6">carrying out its mass deportation policy</a>.Expedited removal — quick deportation without a chance to appear before a judge — has previously been applied to migrants arriving by sea or caught at or near the border shortly after crossing.In January, Trump expanded its use to undocumented migrants all over the United States. Immigration agents began whisking migrants away from courthouses where they had gone for immigration proceedings and then removing them from the country within days.“The Trump administration’s push for fast-track deportations will subject people to an unfair and error-prone system,” Anand Balakrishnan, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, said in a statement.Balakrishnan represented plaintiffs in arguments before the appellate panel and said its ruling “undermines the fundamental principle that people receive due process when the government seeks to deport them.”DC Circuit Judge Justin R. Walker, one of the judges on the panel, said the plaintiffs had not shown the expanded use of expedited removal violated due process rights. Immigrants received notice of removal proceedings and were given a chance to respond, he wrote in his opinion.Walker and the second judge in the majority, Neomi Rao, were appointed by Trump. The third judge on the panel was appointed by President Barack Obama, a Democrat.Walker said there was no requirement that the administration inform immigrants that they can avoid expedited removal if they can show they have been in the United States for more than two years."The constitutional requirement is notice of the action the government is taking and the grounds for it, plus an opportunity to respond," he wrote, adding that the plaintiffs' “contrary reasoning would require immigration officers to provide what amounts to legal advice.”Walker and Rao vacated an order by U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb that put the expanded use of expedited removal on hold. Cobb, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, a Democrat,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportations-immigration-expedited-removal-d7146e4e633426afe86031cdf14a60d4">ruled in August</a>&nbsp;that the administration had not developed procedures to ensure migrants were not wrongly deported under the expedited process.The plaintiffs had put forward “substantial evidence" that the expedited removal process, on the contrary, carried a high risk of error when applied more broadly, Cobb said. The ruling cited examples of people who had lived in the U.S. for far longer than two years but were still ordered to be removed in expedited proceedings.In his opinion, Walker acknowledged evidence of such errors, but said they resulted from “individual officers’ failure to follow the law — not defects in the written directives under review or the procedures they incorporate.”The Trump administration has argued that its expansion of expedited removal includes protections to prevent arbitrary removal. In a court filing in October, Justice Department attorneys said Cobb's ruling was an “egregious error” that was depriving the administration of an “essential tool to combat the unprecedented surge of illegal immigration over the past few years” and efficiently deport potentially millions of people.

Court allows Trump admin. to resume expanded use of speedy deportations

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating and searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred October 23 at Dr. Glen Dey Park, located at 2801 N. Grove in Wichita.&nbsp; Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward in the case.  Police indicated they have only received very few tips on the investigation since the crime occurred.

At approximately 7:03 p.m. an off-duty WPD detective working secondary employment at&nbsp; the park heard multiple gunshots from another area of the park. The detective immediately ran toward the scene and found 32-year-old Travon Stewart suffering from gunshot wounds.

The detective called for backup and emergency medical services, then began life-saving measures until EMS arrived. Stewart was transported to a local hospital in extremely critical condition and later died from his injuries.

Preliminary findings indicate that around 200 to 300 people were in attendance at the football games. Stewart was at the park selling concessions as a fundraiser for a football team not affiliated with the Wichita Junior Football League.

Homicide investigators responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses who remained in the area. Detectives believe this was a targeted shooting and not connected to the youth football games.

Anyone who attended the games or may have information is urged to contact the Wichita Police Department Investigations Section at 316-268-4407.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761331970728.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation in October -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation in October -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating and searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred October 23 at Dr. Glen Dey Park, located at 2801 N. Grove in Wichita.&nbsp; Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward in the case. Police indicated they have only received very few tips on the investigation since the crime occurred.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762985053767.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CRIME STOPPERS APPROVES $10,000 REWARD ***PRESS RELEASE*** WICHITA, Kan. – Crime Stoppers of Wichita/Sedgwick County has approved an increased reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect responsible for the homicide of Trayvon Stewart. <a href="https://t.co/sgNgtHlJHj">pic.twitter.com/sgNgtHlJHj</a>&mdash; Crime Stoppers ICT (@crimestoppers) <a href="https://twitter.com/crimestoppers/status/1988667731865211043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>At approximately 7:03 p.m. an off-duty WPD detective working secondary employment at&nbsp; the park heard multiple gunshots from another area of the park. The detective immediately ran toward the scene and found 32-year-old Travon Stewart suffering from gunshot wounds.The detective called for backup and emergency medical services, then began life-saving measures until EMS arrived. Stewart was transported to a local hospital in extremely critical condition and later died from his injuries.Preliminary findings indicate that around 200 to 300 people were in attendance at the football games. Stewart was at the park selling concessions as a fundraiser for a football team not affiliated with the Wichita Junior Football League.Homicide investigators responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses who remained in the area. Detectives believe this was a targeted shooting and not connected to the youth football games.Anyone who attended the games or may have information is urged to contact the Wichita Police Department Investigations Section at 316-268-4407.&nbsp;

 8 months and no arrest in deadly Kan. youth football game shooting

Dominic Michel Gutierrez, age 42, of Frisco,
Texas, passed away on June 16, 2026. He was born on October 12, 1983, to Mario
V. and Karen S. (Braun) Gutierrez in Russell, Kansas. He was the third of four
children Dominic graduated from Hays High School before going on to earn his bachelor’s
degree in journalism and advertising from the University of Kansas.

Dominic is preceded in death by his
grandparents, Ramiro and Elida Gutierrez of Russell, KS, and Edwin and Wanda
Braun of Russell, KS. He is survived by his children, who were the greatest
joys of his life: Ariana (13), Roman (10), and Lydia (10), and their mother,
Erin Gutierrez. He is also survived by his parents, Mario and Karen Gutierrez;
his sister, Cristina Gutierrez; his brothers, Daniel Gutierrez (Tiffany) and
Jacob Gutierrez; his nieces and nephews, Alex, Avery, Kallin, Madi, Ella, and
Nixon; and his loyal dog, Kevin.

Dominic was a devoted father. His children
were the center of his world. He lived his life passionately, fiercely loyal to
his family, and loved to make friends with people he had just met. He was always
ready to defuse tension with a well-timed joke, even if he was the one who
started it. His culinary skills surpassed most, and he was always testing new
methods for cooking meat on his grill that would give any Michelin-starred chef
a run for their money. 

An avid follower of all sports, he was a
diehard Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas Jayhawks fan and was adamant that his
children follow suit. They came by it honestly, with the sounds of SportsCenter
comforting a quiet home when a newborn Ariana came home from the hospital. Whether
watching or participating, his family would always find him in the thick of it,
leading the cheers.

Holidays meant the world to him, complete with
traditions he cherished: cooking, decorating, sports on the TV, and reading
“The Night Before Christmas” to his children every Christmas Eve before bed.

All of this only begins to scratch the
surface of a deep thinker, a man who was all in, a father and family man, who
can’t be summed up in a few hundred words.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday,
June 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Berkshire Chapel, 9073 Berkshire Drive, Frisco,
Texas 75033. To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tjmfuneral.com">www.tjmfuneral.com</a>

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating
to the Dominic Gutierrez Memorial Fund, established for his children’s
education. There are three ways to send:

You may send electronically via Zelle in your
financial institution’s banking app to dominicgutierrezmemorial@gmail.com

You may contact First Financial Bank (TX) and
cite the “Dominic Gutierrez Memorial Fund.” 

You may send check to Dominic Gutierrez Memorial
Fund 1334 Sayles Blvd, Abilene, Texas 79605

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/6/1782242432175.png" alt="Dominic Michel Gutierrez" />
 <figcaption>Dominic Michel Gutierrez</figcaption>
 </figure>Dominic Michel Gutierrez, age 42, of Frisco,
Texas, passed away on June 16, 2026. He was born on October 12, 1983, to Mario
V. and Karen S. (Braun) Gutierrez in Russell, Kansas. He was the third of four
children Dominic graduated from Hays High School before going on to earn his bachelor’s
degree in journalism and advertising from the University of Kansas.Dominic is preceded in death by his
grandparents, Ramiro and Elida Gutierrez of Russell, KS, and Edwin and Wanda
Braun of Russell, KS. He is survived by his children, who were the greatest
joys of his life: Ariana (13), Roman (10), and Lydia (10), and their mother,
Erin Gutierrez. He is also survived by his parents, Mario and Karen Gutierrez;
his sister, Cristina Gutierrez; his brothers, Daniel Gutierrez (Tiffany) and
Jacob Gutierrez; his nieces and nephews, Alex, Avery, Kallin, Madi, Ella, and
Nixon; and his loyal dog, Kevin.Dominic was a devoted father. His children
were the center of his world. He lived his life passionately, fiercely loyal to
his family, and loved to make friends with people he had just met. He was always
ready to defuse tension with a well-timed joke, even if he was the one who
started it. His culinary skills surpassed most, and he was always testing new
methods for cooking meat on his grill that would give any Michelin-starred chef
a run for their money. An avid follower of all sports, he was a
diehard Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas Jayhawks fan and was adamant that his
children follow suit. They came by it honestly, with the sounds of SportsCenter
comforting a quiet home when a newborn Ariana came home from the hospital. Whether
watching or participating, his family would always find him in the thick of it,
leading the cheers.Holidays meant the world to him, complete with
traditions he cherished: cooking, decorating, sports on the TV, and reading
“The Night Before Christmas” to his children every Christmas Eve before bed.All of this only begins to scratch the
surface of a deep thinker, a man who was all in, a father and family man, who
can’t be summed up in a few hundred words.A Memorial Service will be held on Monday,
June 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Berkshire Chapel, 9073 Berkshire Drive, Frisco,
Texas 75033. To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tjmfuneral.com">www.tjmfuneral.com</a>In lieu of flowers, please consider donating
to the Dominic Gutierrez Memorial Fund, established for his children’s
education. There are three ways to send:You may send electronically via Zelle in your
financial institution’s banking app to dominicgutierrezmemorial@gmail.comYou may contact First Financial Bank (TX) and
cite the “Dominic Gutierrez Memorial Fund.” You may send check to Dominic Gutierrez Memorial
Fund 1334 Sayles Blvd, Abilene, Texas 79605

Dominic Michel Gutierrez, 42

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Monday ruled that a recently revamped version of a federal tool central to the Trump administration’s efforts to nationalize elections can no longer be used.

U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups that argued the recent upgrades to the program, called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, aggregated Americans’ sensitive personal data in a way that could result in voters being wrongly purged from voter rolls.

“All in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote,” Sooknanan said in an order explaining the decision. “This Court cannot stand idly by while that happens.”

She said Congress had expressly prohibited the government from centralizing Americans’ personal identifying information and that the federal agencies that created the SAVE program “knew that the database violates those statutory protections.”

The decision is a major&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elections-executive-order-4f863aaa8e0c59640ebc727827ffc887">legal setback</a>&nbsp;for President Donald Trump in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-elections-trump-executive-order-4e9edb53f47e61e241a43ceef8164022">his efforts</a>&nbsp;to use federal agencies to encourage a nationwide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-voting-citizenship-proof-election-commission-32ea9adfa724dd9cdc68d9481033f015">crackdown on having noncitizens illegally</a>&nbsp;on state voter rolls. The modified SAVE system, which critics had referred to as an unlawful centralized federal database of voter information, had been a key pillar of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mail-voting-elections-47cc334b1fb7742244a9c4f176b355cd">second election executive order</a>&nbsp;the Republican president signed earlier this year. The ruling leaves its future uncertain.

“It’s amazing how hard the Left will fight to stop us from solving problems they insist do not exist,” James Percival, general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security, said of the ruling in a social media post.

The department referred to his post as its comment on the ruling. The Department of Justice did not immediately return a request for comment.

The executive order seeking to create a national voter list is among numerous steps Trump has taken during his second term to try to overhaul the way elections are run. He also has tried to force voters to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elections-voting-executive-order-citizenship-proof-4bbcf7e13183d8c5004ceb0ca53c7845">documentary proof of citizenship</a>&nbsp;to register to vote, ban mail ballots from counting if they are received after Election Day and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mail-voting-elections-47cc334b1fb7742244a9c4f176b355cd">prohibit the Postal Service</a>&nbsp;from mailing ballots to people not on an approved list of voters. Most of those steps have been blocked by various courts, in part because the Constitution gives states and Congress the authority to set election rules, but provides no such power to the president.

Voting by noncitizens is already illegal and punishable as a potential felony that could lead to deportation. It also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/noncitizens-voting-republicans-election-2024-immigration-09b86e6768f755fd875f3c51b0e8ea70">is rare, accounting for just a tiny fraction</a>&nbsp;of those on state voter rolls,

The SAVE program was created under an immigration law mandating that DHS help federal, state and local agencies prevent government benefits from going to noncitizens. At least 25 states used it to check their voter rolls since April 2025, after the Trump administration significantly expanded its search abilities. Since then,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-voter-eligibility-purge-noncitizens-disenfranchised-8f78773f583e4404136707c62acc648a">at least 67 million registrations</a>&nbsp;have been scanned through the program, but critics worry it could end up purging valid voters from the rolls.

The plaintiffs, including the League of Women Voters, the Electronic Privacy Information Center and five unnamed U.S. citizens, had alleged the revamped SAVE program violated Americans’ privacy and voting rights. The groups also alleged the Trump administration violated federal privacy laws by ignoring transparency requirements about the changes to the system.

“The agencies were scrambling to comply with an Executive Order aimed at reshaping federal elections, which directed them to create a system for mass voter verification,” the judge wrote. “So they haphazardly combined and repurposed the private information of millions of Americans, including citizenship data that they knew to be unreliable.”

Plaintiffs attorney Nikhel Sus told the court during the October hearing that naturalized citizens face a greater risk of unlawfully being purged from voter rolls.

“They are uniquely vulnerable to errors in the database,” said Sus, an attorney for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Sus said Monday he sees Sooknanan’s ruling as an “across the board victory” and noted the plaintiffs were pleased the judge’s ruling reinforced their argument that the federal government doesn’t have implied authority to freely share sensitive data across agencies.

Mark Johnson, who teaches at the University of Kansas law school and regularly pursues lawsuits over election laws, said “it couldn’t be more clear” that the SAVE program violates federal privacy laws.

He said an executive order from Trump cannot override a federal law.

“It’s an illegal idea. Plus it’s a bad idea,” he said.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, as Trump pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-immigrants-noncitizen-trump-republicans-2024-1c65429c152c2a10514b5156eacf9ca7">false claims of widespread noncitizen voting</a>, Republican secretaries of state began requesting improvements to the SAVE system to make it more efficient for catching noncitizens on their rolls. One limitation was that the system had been able to check just a single individual at a time.

DHS, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency delivered on those requests in 2025, according to public announcements. They made SAVE free for election officials, allowed agencies to search voters by the thousands and began permitting queries using names, birthdays and Social Security numbers, as opposed to requiring DHS-issued identification numbers.

Several secretaries of state have said the SAVE overhaul improved its value as one of multiple tools they use to assess voter citizenship. But in her ruling, Judge Sooknanan said the plaintiffs had shown that the updated system had indeed been identifying some lawful voters as noncitizens and that states using it “are actively removing United States citizens from voter rolls based on inaccurate information.”

Swenson reported from New York. Associated Press writer John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722436916800.jpeg" alt="Post photo" />
 <figcaption>Post photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Monday ruled that a recently revamped version of a federal tool central to the Trump administration’s efforts to nationalize elections can no longer be used.U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan sided with advocacy groups that argued the recent upgrades to the program, called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, aggregated Americans’ sensitive personal data in a way that could result in voters being wrongly purged from voter rolls.“All in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote,” Sooknanan said in an order explaining the decision. “This Court cannot stand idly by while that happens.”She said Congress had expressly prohibited the government from centralizing Americans’ personal identifying information and that the federal agencies that created the SAVE program “knew that the database violates those statutory protections.”The decision is a major&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elections-executive-order-4f863aaa8e0c59640ebc727827ffc887">legal setback</a>&nbsp;for President Donald Trump in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-elections-trump-executive-order-4e9edb53f47e61e241a43ceef8164022">his efforts</a>&nbsp;to use federal agencies to encourage a nationwide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-voting-citizenship-proof-election-commission-32ea9adfa724dd9cdc68d9481033f015">crackdown on having noncitizens illegally</a>&nbsp;on state voter rolls. The modified SAVE system, which critics had referred to as an unlawful centralized federal database of voter information, had been a key pillar of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mail-voting-elections-47cc334b1fb7742244a9c4f176b355cd">second election executive order</a>&nbsp;the Republican president signed earlier this year. The ruling leaves its future uncertain.“It’s amazing how hard the Left will fight to stop us from solving problems they insist do not exist,” James Percival, general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security, said of the ruling in a social media post.The department referred to his post as its comment on the ruling. The Department of Justice did not immediately return a request for comment.The executive order seeking to create a national voter list is among numerous steps Trump has taken during his second term to try to overhaul the way elections are run. He also has tried to force voters to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elections-voting-executive-order-citizenship-proof-4bbcf7e13183d8c5004ceb0ca53c7845">documentary proof of citizenship</a>&nbsp;to register to vote, ban mail ballots from counting if they are received after Election Day and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mail-voting-elections-47cc334b1fb7742244a9c4f176b355cd">prohibit the Postal Service</a>&nbsp;from mailing ballots to people not on an approved list of voters. Most of those steps have been blocked by various courts, in part because the Constitution gives states and Congress the authority to set election rules, but provides no such power to the president.Voting by noncitizens is already illegal and punishable as a potential felony that could lead to deportation. It also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/noncitizens-voting-republicans-election-2024-immigration-09b86e6768f755fd875f3c51b0e8ea70">is rare, accounting for just a tiny fraction</a>&nbsp;of those on state voter rolls,The SAVE program was created under an immigration law mandating that DHS help federal, state and local agencies prevent government benefits from going to noncitizens. At least 25 states used it to check their voter rolls since April 2025, after the Trump administration significantly expanded its search abilities. Since then,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-voter-eligibility-purge-noncitizens-disenfranchised-8f78773f583e4404136707c62acc648a">at least 67 million registrations</a>&nbsp;have been scanned through the program, but critics worry it could end up purging valid voters from the rolls.The plaintiffs, including the League of Women Voters, the Electronic Privacy Information Center and five unnamed U.S. citizens, had alleged the revamped SAVE program violated Americans’ privacy and voting rights. The groups also alleged the Trump administration violated federal privacy laws by ignoring transparency requirements about the changes to the system.“The agencies were scrambling to comply with an Executive Order aimed at reshaping federal elections, which directed them to create a system for mass voter verification,” the judge wrote. “So they haphazardly combined and repurposed the private information of millions of Americans, including citizenship data that they knew to be unreliable.”Plaintiffs attorney Nikhel Sus told the court during the October hearing that naturalized citizens face a greater risk of unlawfully being purged from voter rolls.“They are uniquely vulnerable to errors in the database,” said Sus, an attorney for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.Sus said Monday he sees Sooknanan’s ruling as an “across the board victory” and noted the plaintiffs were pleased the judge’s ruling reinforced their argument that the federal government doesn’t have implied authority to freely share sensitive data across agencies.Mark Johnson, who teaches at the University of Kansas law school and regularly pursues lawsuits over election laws, said “it couldn’t be more clear” that the SAVE program violates federal privacy laws.He said an executive order from Trump cannot override a federal law.“It’s an illegal idea. Plus it’s a bad idea,” he said.During the 2024 presidential campaign, as Trump pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-immigrants-noncitizen-trump-republicans-2024-1c65429c152c2a10514b5156eacf9ca7">false claims of widespread noncitizen voting</a>, Republican secretaries of state began requesting improvements to the SAVE system to make it more efficient for catching noncitizens on their rolls. One limitation was that the system had been able to check just a single individual at a time.DHS, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency delivered on those requests in 2025, according to public announcements. They made SAVE free for election officials, allowed agencies to search voters by the thousands and began permitting queries using names, birthdays and Social Security numbers, as opposed to requiring DHS-issued identification numbers.Several secretaries of state have said the SAVE overhaul improved its value as one of multiple tools they use to assess voter citizenship. But in her ruling, Judge Sooknanan said the plaintiffs had shown that the updated system had indeed been identifying some lawful voters as noncitizens and that states using it “are actively removing United States citizens from voter rolls based on inaccurate information.”___Swenson reported from New York. Associated Press writer John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, contributed to this report.

Why a judge blocked use of federal database to check citizenship

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The former clinical director of Hays-based High Plains Mental Health Center, is suing his former employer, alleging he was wrongfully discharged based on a mental illness.

David S. Anderson, WaKeeney, who served as the clinical director for about 20 years, filed his complaint in the U.S. District Court of Kansas on Oct. 25, 2025, and is asking for a jury trial, an award of damages in an amount to be determined at trial, and payment of his attorneys' fees.&nbsp;

Anderson, 62, is asking for legal relief under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), under Title 1 of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), and under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).&nbsp;

The complaint says Anderson was allegedly wrongfully discharged&nbsp;on Nov. 3, 2023, because of his disability—depression. 

Anderson alleges that within minutes of informing his direct supervisor of his depression and requesting reasonable accommodation, he was fired, and that months before that, he also alleges he was passed over for a promotion to the position of executive director in favor of a younger man who he alleges in the suit has less experience and qualifications.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Anderson also alleges in his complaint that High Plains Mental Health failed to provide him with required notice of eligibility for the&nbsp;Family and Medical Leave Act leave, failed to grant him&nbsp;Family and Medical Leave Act-covered leave, and terminated him in retaliation for his request to take leave protected by the&nbsp;Family and Medical Leave Act, according to court records.

According to court records, Anderson alleges the conduct by High Plains Mental Health was unlawful, depriving him of a promotion for which he alleges he was a more qualified applicant than the candidate selected, and allegedly violated the terms and conditions of his employment, allegedly resulting in a significant loss of financial compensation and other benefits.&nbsp;

In its filed answer, High Plains Mental Health Center denies all of Anderson's allegations and is also requesting a jury trial.&nbsp;

In an email to Hays Post, Craig Poe, High Plains Mental Health executive director, wrote "We’re aware of the situation and are addressing it through the appropriate process. It’s an employment-related matter and does not impact our operations or services. Because it’s ongoing, we’re not able to comment further at this time. Our work and focus on the people we serve continue as normal."

The Hays Post also contacted Anderson's attorney.

"We have no comment at this time," Jacob Schmidt, Foulston Siefkin LLP, an Overland Park attorney representing Anderson, wrote in an email to Hays Post.&nbsp;

Pursuant to a court order, both parties filed a joint mediation notice on April 29. They selected Dave Vogel, Eischens Vogel Mediation Solutions of Parkville, Missouri, to serve as their mediator.

The mediation is scheduled to take place Monday, June 22 in Overland Park.

If the case is not resolved during private mediation, it is scheduled for a final pretrial conference July 29. The dispositive motion deadline is Aug. 21.&nbsp;

On July 29, 2024, Anderson filed a charge of discrimination against High Plains Mental Health Center with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which was dual-filed with the Kansas Human Rights Commission, according to court records.

According to the complaint, Anderson's direct supervisor and the longtime executive director of High Plains Mental Health Center, Walt Hill, announced his retirement in the summer 2023. Anderson decided to apply for the executive director position.&nbsp;

The High Plains Mental Health Center board of directors hired the Boland Group to conduct the recruitment and initial interview process. Anderson underwent his first interview with Anne Boland on Aug. 9, 2023, and was called back for a second interview on Aug. 17. 

Anderson met with the board search committee on Sept. 28, 2023. In mid-October, he received an email from Boland that the board was no longer considering him for the executive director position and only looking at external candidates, according to court records.

In December 2023, it was announced that Craig Poe, who is more than 20 years younger than Anderson, had been hired as the new executive director, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Anderson alleges in his lawsuit Poe has less experience than he does in leadership within community mental health centers and in clinical experience.&nbsp;

It was at this time, Anderson said in the lawsuit, he began struggling more with his mental health after devoting his professional life—36 years—to High Plains Mental Health Center. He requested paid time off from work, which was approved by Hill, according to court records.

A meet-and-greet with Poe was scheduled for Nov. 3, 2023, for&nbsp;High Plains Mental Health Center senior leaders. 

According to court records, Anderson responded to Hill via email that he believed he could not meet with Poe in a public setting because of his mental health struggles, but was willing to meet with Poe individually to explain his situation. Anderson did not receive a response from Hill, according to court records.

At a regularly scheduled weekly meeting between Hill and Anderson on Nov. 2, 2023, Hill allegedly demanded that Anderson attend the meeting with Poe and the other High Plains Mental Health Center directors the next day, according to the lawsuit.

Prior to the meeting between Hill and Anderson, Hill allegedly notified Anderson that Gloria Mathis, High Plains Mental Health Center human resources director, would also be present but but Hill allegedly did not explain why, according to the lawsuit. She normally did not attend such meetings.

High Plains Mental Health said in court records that Hill allegedly told Anderson that Mathis would attend the meeting. But according to court records Hill allegedly explained the decision was caused by, among other issues, Anderson's failure to attend a board meeting without prior notification to Hill or asking someone to attend in his place in addition to his alleged insubordinate behavior related to the upcoming meeting with Poe.&nbsp;

Anderson again allegedly asked to be excused because of his depression and to meet privately with Poe, according to court records. Hill allegedly asked if Anderson was seeking an accommodation for his mental health condition.&nbsp;

High Plains Mental Health denies each of the contentions, according to court records.

Anderson alleges the request to miss the meeting also constituted a request for an FMLA-covered leave.&nbsp;

According to the complaint, Hill allegedly said Anderson must provide him with medical documentation of the requested accommodation before the meeting the next day in order to be excused. Anderson was allegedly not allowed any time with which to secure the documentation from his medical provider, according to the lawsuit.

Again, High Plains Mental Health has denied each of these arguments, according to court records.&nbsp;

Hill allegedly presented Anderson with a disciplinary document stating that Anderson must either attend the meet-and-greet the next day or resign, according to court records.

According to court records, High Plains Mental Health Center agrees that Anderson was presented with a letter of reprimand prepared before the meeting.

In High Plains answer to the lawsuit, it also stated Anderson was expected to support High Plains' decision and selection of Poe as the new executive director and that "continued disrespect of [High Plains] would be considered "insubordination and cause for termination."

Anderson allegedly repeated that he could not attend the meet-and-greet given his mental health state and again asked to be excused from attending. He also allegedly informed Hill that he would not resign.

Hill then immediately fired Anderson who was escorted out of the building by Mathis.

Anderson allegedly visited his medical provider the next day who made a formal diagnosis of depression and insomnia, and prescribed medications, according to court documents.

In its response in court records, High Plains Mental Health Center denies that Anderson was a qualified individual for the executive director's position at the time he was terminated because of his continued alleged disrespect and insubordination.&nbsp;

After three months, Anderson was appointed as Aging Services Commissioner at the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. He made a lower salary than he did as High Plains Mental Health Center clinical director, with fewer benefits, according to court records. He had to also drive to Topeka an average of 10 days a month.

Anderson's complaint says his depression allegedly improved after he secured another job, but his symptoms allegedly have never fully resolved.&nbsp;

Anderson retired from the Aging Services Commissioner position in late August 2025, according to a news release from the&nbsp;Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588708399757.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe former clinical director of Hays-based High Plains Mental Health Center, is suing his former employer, alleging he was wrongfully discharged based on a mental illness.David S. Anderson, WaKeeney, who served as the clinical director for about 20 years, filed his complaint in the U.S. District Court of Kansas on Oct. 25, 2025, and is asking for a jury trial, an award of damages in an amount to be determined at trial, and payment of his attorneys' fees.&nbsp;Anderson, 62, is asking for legal relief under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), under Title 1 of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), and under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).&nbsp;The complaint says Anderson was allegedly wrongfully discharged&nbsp;on Nov. 3, 2023, because of his disability—depression. Anderson alleges that within minutes of informing his direct supervisor of his depression and requesting reasonable accommodation, he was fired, and that months before that, he also alleges he was passed over for a promotion to the position of executive director in favor of a younger man who he alleges in the suit has less experience and qualifications.&nbsp; &nbsp;Anderson also alleges in his complaint that High Plains Mental Health failed to provide him with required notice of eligibility for the&nbsp;Family and Medical Leave Act leave, failed to grant him&nbsp;Family and Medical Leave Act-covered leave, and terminated him in retaliation for his request to take leave protected by the&nbsp;Family and Medical Leave Act, according to court records.According to court records, Anderson alleges the conduct by High Plains Mental Health was unlawful, depriving him of a promotion for which he alleges he was a more qualified applicant than the candidate selected, and allegedly violated the terms and conditions of his employment, allegedly resulting in a significant loss of financial compensation and other benefits.&nbsp;In its filed answer, High Plains Mental Health Center denies all of Anderson's allegations and is also requesting a jury trial.&nbsp;In an email to Hays Post, Craig Poe, High Plains Mental Health executive director, wrote "We’re aware of the situation and are addressing it through the appropriate process. It’s an employment-related matter and does not impact our operations or services. Because it’s ongoing, we’re not able to comment further at this time. Our work and focus on the people we serve continue as normal."The Hays Post also contacted Anderson's attorney."We have no comment at this time," Jacob Schmidt, Foulston Siefkin LLP, an Overland Park attorney representing Anderson, wrote in an email to Hays Post.&nbsp;Pursuant to a court order, both parties filed a joint mediation notice on April 29. They selected Dave Vogel, Eischens Vogel Mediation Solutions of Parkville, Missouri, to serve as their mediator.The mediation is scheduled to take place Monday, June 22 in Overland Park.If the case is not resolved during private mediation, it is scheduled for a final pretrial conference July 29. The dispositive motion deadline is Aug. 21.&nbsp;On July 29, 2024, Anderson filed a charge of discrimination against High Plains Mental Health Center with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which was dual-filed with the Kansas Human Rights Commission, according to court records.According to the complaint, Anderson's direct supervisor and the longtime executive director of High Plains Mental Health Center, Walt Hill, announced his retirement in the summer 2023. Anderson decided to apply for the executive director position.&nbsp;The High Plains Mental Health Center board of directors hired the Boland Group to conduct the recruitment and initial interview process. Anderson underwent his first interview with Anne Boland on Aug. 9, 2023, and was called back for a second interview on Aug. 17. Anderson met with the board search committee on Sept. 28, 2023. In mid-October, he received an email from Boland that the board was no longer considering him for the executive director position and only looking at external candidates, according to court records.In December 2023, it was announced that Craig Poe, who is more than 20 years younger than Anderson, had been hired as the new executive director, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Anderson alleges in his lawsuit Poe has less experience than he does in leadership within community mental health centers and in clinical experience.&nbsp;It was at this time, Anderson said in the lawsuit, he began struggling more with his mental health after devoting his professional life—36 years—to High Plains Mental Health Center. He requested paid time off from work, which was approved by Hill, according to court records.A meet-and-greet with Poe was scheduled for Nov. 3, 2023, for&nbsp;High Plains Mental Health Center senior leaders. According to court records, Anderson responded to Hill via email that he believed he could not meet with Poe in a public setting because of his mental health struggles, but was willing to meet with Poe individually to explain his situation. Anderson did not receive a response from Hill, according to court records.At a regularly scheduled weekly meeting between Hill and Anderson on Nov. 2, 2023, Hill allegedly demanded that Anderson attend the meeting with Poe and the other High Plains Mental Health Center directors the next day, according to the lawsuit.Prior to the meeting between Hill and Anderson, Hill allegedly notified Anderson that Gloria Mathis, High Plains Mental Health Center human resources director, would also be present but but Hill allegedly did not explain why, according to the lawsuit. She normally did not attend such meetings.High Plains Mental Health said in court records that Hill allegedly told Anderson that Mathis would attend the meeting. But according to court records Hill allegedly explained the decision was caused by, among other issues, Anderson's failure to attend a board meeting without prior notification to Hill or asking someone to attend in his place in addition to his alleged insubordinate behavior related to the upcoming meeting with Poe.&nbsp;Anderson again allegedly asked to be excused because of his depression and to meet privately with Poe, according to court records. Hill allegedly asked if Anderson was seeking an accommodation for his mental health condition.&nbsp;High Plains Mental Health denies each of the contentions, according to court records.Anderson alleges the request to miss the meeting also constituted a request for an FMLA-covered leave.&nbsp;According to the complaint, Hill allegedly said Anderson must provide him with medical documentation of the requested accommodation before the meeting the next day in order to be excused. Anderson was allegedly not allowed any time with which to secure the documentation from his medical provider, according to the lawsuit.Again, High Plains Mental Health has denied each of these arguments, according to court records.&nbsp;Hill allegedly presented Anderson with a disciplinary document stating that Anderson must either attend the meet-and-greet the next day or resign, according to court records.According to court records, High Plains Mental Health Center agrees that Anderson was presented with a letter of reprimand prepared before the meeting.In High Plains answer to the lawsuit, it also stated Anderson was expected to support High Plains' decision and selection of Poe as the new executive director and that "continued disrespect of [High Plains] would be considered "insubordination and cause for termination."Anderson allegedly repeated that he could not attend the meet-and-greet given his mental health state and again asked to be excused from attending. He also allegedly informed Hill that he would not resign.Hill then immediately fired Anderson who was escorted out of the building by Mathis.Anderson allegedly visited his medical provider the next day who made a formal diagnosis of depression and insomnia, and prescribed medications, according to court documents.In its response in court records, High Plains Mental Health Center denies that Anderson was a qualified individual for the executive director's position at the time he was terminated because of his continued alleged disrespect and insubordination.&nbsp;After three months, Anderson was appointed as Aging Services Commissioner at the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. He made a lower salary than he did as High Plains Mental Health Center clinical director, with fewer benefits, according to court records. He had to also drive to Topeka an average of 10 days a month.Anderson's complaint says his depression allegedly improved after he secured another job, but his symptoms allegedly have never fully resolved.&nbsp;Anderson retired from the Aging Services Commissioner position in late August 2025, according to a news release from the&nbsp;Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.

Former employee sues High Plains Mental Health for alleged firing based on mental illness

SEDGWICK COUNTY—&nbsp;A Kansas woman is going to prison for a fatal DUI crash that killed a 71-year-old Kansas man.

Sedgwick County District Court Judge Eric Williams sentenced 44-year-old Valerie Palace to 77 months in prison, the maximum sentence allowed by law, following her conviction on charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery while driving under the influence, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Judge Williams ordered the sentences on each count to run consecutively (back-to-back) and imposed an additional 36 months of post-release supervision.

Valerie Palace was charged after an October 2023 crash at 13th and Greenwich in Wichita killed 71-year-old Billy Wineinger. Traffic lights were out when Wineinger’s vehicle collided with another. He got out to check the damage and was hit by an SUV driven by Palace, according to Wichita Police.

A Sedgwick County jury found her guilty as charged on April 27, 2026.

"The Office of the District Attorney appreciates the Court's rulings today, affirming the jury's verdict and imposing a sentence that is consistent with the harm suffered by the victims and their families," said Aaron Breitenbach, Deputy District Attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/4/1777339566112.png" alt="Palace photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Palace photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—&nbsp;A Kansas woman is going to prison for a fatal DUI crash that killed a 71-year-old Kansas man.Sedgwick County District Court Judge Eric Williams sentenced 44-year-old Valerie Palace to 77 months in prison, the maximum sentence allowed by law, following her conviction on charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery while driving under the influence, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Judge Williams ordered the sentences on each count to run consecutively (back-to-back) and imposed an additional 36 months of post-release supervision.Valerie Palace was charged after an October 2023 crash at 13th and Greenwich in Wichita killed 71-year-old Billy Wineinger. Traffic lights were out when Wineinger’s vehicle collided with another. He got out to check the damage and was hit by an SUV driven by Palace, according to Wichita Police.A Sedgwick County jury found her guilty as charged on April 27, 2026."The Office of the District Attorney appreciates the Court's rulings today, affirming the jury's verdict and imposing a sentence that is consistent with the harm suffered by the victims and their families," said Aaron Breitenbach, Deputy District Attorney.

Prison for DUI crash that killed 71-year-old Kan. man

The Air Force on Friday unveiled the Boeing 747 that will serve as the new Air Force One for use by the President of the United States.&nbsp; This is the public's first look at the&nbsp;$400 million luxury plane&nbsp;the U.S. accepted as a gift from the Qatari government last year.

According to a media release, the aircraft has officially arrived at the Presidential Airlift Group and will commence its initial commissioning flights, marking the successful delivery of a secure, modified executive platform. Fresh from receiving its new red, white, and blue livery and the final government modifications, the aircraft has entered service to provide critical, secure continuity for the commander in chief.

The delivery of the aircraft fulfills an imperative to relieve pressure on the aging VC-25A fleet as heavy maintenance cycles extend, safeguarding the continuity of presidential airlift operations until the long-term Boeing VC-25B enters service.

“The safety and security of the commander in chief is our highest priority," said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. "From the beginning, we meticulously evaluated every requirement to accelerate delivery while maintaining the high standards expected of the presidential mission. This effort proves that the U.S. Air Force can move fast without sacrificing quality, security, or reliability."

Commissioning flights are the "final exam" for the aircraft modification. &nbsp;They provide both an opportunity for the White House enterprise to validate mission-capability, while also finalizing protocols required to safely and securely transport the President of the United States and enable his execution of his three constitutional roles; Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, and Head of State.

Once these flights are successfully completed, the aircraft is officially "commissioned" into the active executive airlift fleet and becomes available for presidential missions along with the VC-25A and C-32 fleets.

Safety, Security, and Secure Communications at the Forefront

The Bridge program represents what is possible when the collective stakeholders across the public and private sector align behind one foundational mission outcome. Any aircraft bestowed the call sign “Air Force One” must meet rigorous security requirements to ensure the President remains safe, protected, and fully connected. The VC-25B Bridge aircraft was modified under a disciplined engineering approach that prioritized these exact core capabilities above all else.

The aircraft is safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission. Those requirements were carefully crafted to prioritize mission over aesthetics, leaving much of the previous head of state interior layout minimally changed. No risk was taken in security, safety or mission communications, but the collective team made trades on some of the less commonly used mission sets that Boeing must deliver to support the next 40 years.&nbsp;

Balancing acceleration with security and operational readiness, the VC-25B Bridge program represents a fundamental shift in rapid, secure capability delivery. Every facet of the bridge program was oriented towards acceleration and thinking differently.

Operational readiness depends on three key components: mission capability to perform assigned tasks, highly trained personnel to operate and maintain the aircraft, and adequate logistics support including, spare parts and resources, all of which were rigorously assessed. To ensure mission capability, an elite group of interagency experts developed benchmark protocols to detect and, if necessary, neutralize potential technical hazards on the previously owned aircraft.

The training pipeline started last October with the lease of an Atlas Air 747-8F to begin training pilots and maintainers followed by the purchase of a Lufthansa 747-8i as a full-time training asset for the entire crew complement. Additionally, a full three-dimensional mock-up of the interior of VC-25B Bridge delivered in January 2026 provided the White House enterprise the ability to begin familiarization training ahead of the bridge’s first commissioning flight. Underpinning the entire program, is logistics support. Acceleration focused on procuring initial spares and establishing a supply chain, not only for this aircraft, but as a launching point for future 747-8 fleet.

“We are proud to deliver the VC-25B Bridge aircraft to the President,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “Many thought it could not be done, but the United States Air Force was able to execute and provide a secure, reliable airborne command post on an accelerated timeline.”

The Air Force on Friday unveiled the Boeing 747 that will serve as the new Air Force One for use by the President of the United States.&nbsp; This is the public's first look at the&nbsp;$400 million luxury plane&nbsp;the U.S. accepted as a gift from the Qatari government last year.According to a media release, the aircraft has officially arrived at the Presidential Airlift Group and will commence its initial commissioning flights, marking the successful delivery of a secure, modified executive platform. Fresh from receiving its new red, white, and blue livery and the final government modifications, the aircraft has entered service to provide critical, secure continuity for the commander in chief.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The new Air Force One 🔥🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/obFRtq5U26">pic.twitter.com/obFRtq5U26</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2068046905456673180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://x.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> signs the mechanical panel of the new Air Force One 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/ERMnXG1WHH">pic.twitter.com/ERMnXG1WHH</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://x.com/MargoMartin47/status/2068068406591361245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://x.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;These are the new colors — red, white, and blue. We liked the baby blue, but it was time for a change... I like the color of the American flag.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/cff9LWNE4W">https://t.co/cff9LWNE4W</a> <a href="https://t.co/BUFZXHG8Ad">pic.twitter.com/BUFZXHG8Ad</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2068063546915660222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://x.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> says the new Air Force One will lead a historic flyover above Washington, D.C. on the 4th of July: &quot;This will be a flyover, on July 4th, I think I can say the likes of which we&#39;ve never seen before.&quot;👀🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/cff9LWNE4W">https://t.co/cff9LWNE4W</a> <a href="https://t.co/QXxEHbxmjw">pic.twitter.com/QXxEHbxmjw</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2068063149723422831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Unveiling of Air Force One! American Strength and Dominance exemplified thanks to President Trump. <a href="https://t.co/rOJEFlyW2V">pic.twitter.com/rOJEFlyW2V</a>&mdash; Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) <a href="https://x.com/StevenCheung47/status/2068060484448714990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The delivery of the aircraft fulfills an imperative to relieve pressure on the aging VC-25A fleet as heavy maintenance cycles extend, safeguarding the continuity of presidential airlift operations until the long-term Boeing VC-25B enters service.“The safety and security of the commander in chief is our highest priority," said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. "From the beginning, we meticulously evaluated every requirement to accelerate delivery while maintaining the high standards expected of the presidential mission. This effort proves that the U.S. Air Force can move fast without sacrificing quality, security, or reliability."Commissioning FlightsCommissioning flights are the "final exam" for the aircraft modification. &nbsp;They provide both an opportunity for the White House enterprise to validate mission-capability, while also finalizing protocols required to safely and securely transport the President of the United States and enable his execution of his three constitutional roles; Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, and Head of State.Once these flights are successfully completed, the aircraft is officially "commissioned" into the active executive airlift fleet and becomes available for presidential missions along with the VC-25A and C-32 fleets.Safety, Security, and Secure Communications at the ForefrontThe Bridge program represents what is possible when the collective stakeholders across the public and private sector align behind one foundational mission outcome. Any aircraft bestowed the call sign “Air Force One” must meet rigorous security requirements to ensure the President remains safe, protected, and fully connected. The VC-25B Bridge aircraft was modified under a disciplined engineering approach that prioritized these exact core capabilities above all else.The aircraft is safe, secure and equipped with the most advanced technologies necessary to meet the requirements of the presidential mission. Those requirements were carefully crafted to prioritize mission over aesthetics, leaving much of the previous head of state interior layout minimally changed. No risk was taken in security, safety or mission communications, but the collective team made trades on some of the less commonly used mission sets that Boeing must deliver to support the next 40 years.&nbsp;Balancing acceleration with security and operational readiness, the VC-25B Bridge program represents a fundamental shift in rapid, secure capability delivery. Every facet of the bridge program was oriented towards acceleration and thinking differently.Operational readiness depends on three key components: mission capability to perform assigned tasks, highly trained personnel to operate and maintain the aircraft, and adequate logistics support including, spare parts and resources, all of which were rigorously assessed. To ensure mission capability, an elite group of interagency experts developed benchmark protocols to detect and, if necessary, neutralize potential technical hazards on the previously owned aircraft.The training pipeline started last October with the lease of an Atlas Air 747-8F to begin training pilots and maintainers followed by the purchase of a Lufthansa 747-8i as a full-time training asset for the entire crew complement. Additionally, a full three-dimensional mock-up of the interior of VC-25B Bridge delivered in January 2026 provided the White House enterprise the ability to begin familiarization training ahead of the bridge’s first commissioning flight. Underpinning the entire program, is logistics support. Acceleration focused on procuring initial spares and establishing a supply chain, not only for this aircraft, but as a launching point for future 747-8 fleet.“We are proud to deliver the VC-25B Bridge aircraft to the President,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “Many thought it could not be done, but the United States Air Force was able to execute and provide a secure, reliable airborne command post on an accelerated timeline.”

New Air Force One, $400 million gift from Qatar, unveiled by military

LA CROSSE—Flame Engineering, Inc. has reached 25 years without a lost-time accident, a milestone the La Crosse team will celebrate this month. 

The company previously marked 24 years on June 6, 2025, with an all-company celebration. Safety has been central since the beginning. Flame earned OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) certification in October 2000 and has maintained it since. 

The Kansas Department of Labor recognized the company at 16 years with no lost-time accidents, building on an earlier mark of nine and a half years celebrated in December 2010.&nbsp;

A company wide celebration will be held on July 17, 2026 with a luncheon to include invited guests from the Kansas Department of Labor.&nbsp;

Flame Engineering manufactures propane-fueled equipment in La Crosse, including Red Dragon® handheld torches, agricultural flamers, and the Weed Dragon™ for homeowners, serving farmers, growers, and industrial users worldwide. “This milestone belongs to every person on the floor,” said Jason Pivonka, CEO.&nbsp;

The company credits daily habits — machine guarding, mini safety meetings, forklift re-certification rodeos, and employee-led safety suggestions — for sustaining the record across decades of growth.&nbsp;

About Flame Engineering, Inc.&nbsp;

Founded in the 1950s by the Pivonka family, Flame Engineering designs and assembles earth-friendly flaming solutions in La Crosse, Kansas, from North American-sourced parts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/6/1781633653440.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Flame Engineering Inc.LA CROSSE—Flame Engineering, Inc. has reached 25 years without a lost-time accident, a milestone the La Crosse team will celebrate this month. The company previously marked 24 years on June 6, 2025, with an all-company celebration. Safety has been central since the beginning. Flame earned OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) certification in October 2000 and has maintained it since. The Kansas Department of Labor recognized the company at 16 years with no lost-time accidents, building on an earlier mark of nine and a half years celebrated in December 2010.&nbsp;A company wide celebration will be held on July 17, 2026 with a luncheon to include invited guests from the Kansas Department of Labor.&nbsp;Flame Engineering manufactures propane-fueled equipment in La Crosse, including Red Dragon® handheld torches, agricultural flamers, and the Weed Dragon™ for homeowners, serving farmers, growers, and industrial users worldwide. “This milestone belongs to every person on the floor,” said Jason Pivonka, CEO.&nbsp;The company credits daily habits — machine guarding, mini safety meetings, forklift re-certification rodeos, and employee-led safety suggestions — for sustaining the record across decades of growth.&nbsp;About Flame Engineering, Inc.&nbsp;Founded in the 1950s by the Pivonka family, Flame Engineering designs and assembles earth-friendly flaming solutions in La Crosse, Kansas, from North American-sourced parts.

Flame Engineering celebrates 25 years with no lost-time accidents

&nbsp;Major Nick Dockery, a former St. John’s Military School cadet from Salina, received the nation’s highest military honor from President Trump on Thursday during a ceremony at the White House.&nbsp;A 2003 graduate of the former St. John’s Military School in Salina, Dockery is the first Medal of Honor recipient in school history.

Then-Second Lieutenant Nicholas Dockery receives the Medal of Honor for acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on October 2, 2012, while serving as a Platoon Leader, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan.

On this day, a large and well-armed Taliban force ambushed Second Lieutenant Dockery’s platoon. Over the course of four hours, he fought and maintained contact with the enemy in extremely restricted urban terrain, personally risking his life on numerous occasions to protect and evacuate three wounded members of his platoon.

After consolidation and reorganization, he directed rotary wing aircraft in the defense against subsequent enemy counter-attacks from an exposed rooftop while his unit evacuated the wounded soldiers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/6/1781825034282.png" alt="Image from White House video" />
 <figcaption>Image from White House video</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Major Nick Dockery, a former St. John’s Military School cadet from Salina, received the nation’s highest military honor from President Trump on Thursday during a ceremony at the White House.&nbsp;A 2003 graduate of the former St. John’s Military School in Salina, Dockery is the first Medal of Honor recipient in school history.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">.<a href="https://x.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> awards Major Nicholas Dockery, U.S. Army (ret.), the Medal of Honor ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/KiFy4ixag5">https://t.co/KiFy4ixag5</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZTYlk3RLZj">pic.twitter.com/ZTYlk3RLZj</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2067722114321252818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Then-Second Lieutenant Nicholas Dockery receives the Medal of Honor for acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on October 2, 2012, while serving as a Platoon Leader, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan.On this day, a large and well-armed Taliban force ambushed Second Lieutenant Dockery’s platoon. Over the course of four hours, he fought and maintained contact with the enemy in extremely restricted urban terrain, personally risking his life on numerous occasions to protect and evacuate three wounded members of his platoon.After consolidation and reorganization, he directed rotary wing aircraft in the defense against subsequent enemy counter-attacks from an exposed rooftop while his unit evacuated the wounded soldiers.

🎥Former Salina military school cadet given the nation's highest military honor

Former President Barack&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-museum-chicago-by-numbers-beehive-3d0c4704b0923895ed440b7684e4bc0c">Obama formally opened his presidential center</a>&nbsp;in Chicago on Thursday with a call to defend democracy as three former presidents joined him on stage in an extraordinary event featuring politicians, A-list celebrities, athletes and other internationally known figures.

“I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is and remind us what we can achieve when we embrace our shared responsibilities as citizens,” the nation’s first Black president told the crowd.

Bono, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony and Eddie Vedder took turns on the stage ahead of Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder, who closed the show singing “Higher Ground” as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/opening-day-obama-museum-photos-135f108869fc44639058646b023e8228">former presidents, world leaders and others danced along</a>.

President Donald Trump was conspicuous both in his physical absence and by not being mentioned by any of the speakers or performers. Trump called the $850 million center a “total disaster” in a social media post in February.

Obama voiced his support for character, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion and sense of duty, praising both Democrats and Republicans, including those he defeated.

“Every president here today, as different as we are, has tried our best to uphold values that John McCain and Mitt Romney believed in no less than I did,” Obama said. “It is our greatest inheritance.”

Reflecting on his arrival in Chicago in 1985 as an untested political organizer, he said he could not have built the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-presidential-center-library-groundbreaking-0e3e20be65d7ae1d4ffcfbc7277bb317">Obama Presidential Center</a>&nbsp;anywhere else. He met his future wife Michelle nearby, their wedding reception was within walking distance, his children were born in the neighborhood and he launched his first candidacy not far away.

“It’s an expression of thanks, an acknowledgment that so much of what I hold most dear I owe to the people of this city and the people of the surrounding neighborhoods,” Obama said.

Michelle had some emotional words for her husband

The Obamas and their daughters shared the stage with former presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton along with former first ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and many other leading Democrats were in the audience.

Michelle Obama spoke directly to her husband when she stepped up to the podium. “Eight years in the crucible and not once did you melt in the heat. Not once did you let it harden you.

“Instead, you used it to reveal your truest essence,” she said. “Your stubborn optimism and unflinching courage. Your dazzling brilliance and unpretentious decency. Your ferocious work ethic and absolutely unshakable moral fiber. And to do it all as a first.”

She ticked off highlights from her husband's eight years in office, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/today-in-history/may-1">ordering the raid</a>&nbsp;that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden, “standing up for marriage equality” and “listening to science.”

“And you did it all with such grace and class and cool,” she said. “You made the hardest job in the world look like a walk in this beautiful park.”

Obama appeared to wipe away a tear as she praised him.

Michelle Obama also referenced the current “anxious and divisive times” and warned against being cynical or complacent as “everything feels so upside down.” She pitched the center as “a respite from all that.”

A-list entertainers sang inspirational anthems and protest songs

Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem and Aguilera delivered a rousing rendition of “What a Wonderful World.” Pearl Jam’s Vedder, joined by Chicago teenagers in the nonprofit Guitars Over Guns program, sang an original song called “Better Believe,” written just for the dedication.

Legend sang “Someday We’ll All Be Free” and was joined by the rapper Common and Uniting Voices Chicago for their Academy Award-winning song “Glory.”

Bono, who said he was representing the Irish, joined with The Edge in singing the U2 song “City of Blinding Lights.” The Roots served as the house band. And Springsteen sang “Land of Hopes and Dreams” before turning to the Obamas and saying “I love you.”

Wonder sang “All I Do” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)” before the grand finale, joined by the performers who preceded him.

The VIP crowd included several potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates; civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Al Sharpton; Oprah Winfrey; comedians David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert; actor Tom Hanks; tennis legend Billie Jean King and Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts.

Former world leaders in attendance included former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The three-hour invite-only celebration included commentary from a nearby park where thousands gathered, and it was livestreamed to many more. It kicks off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/museum-presidential-obama-chicago-93e5d1ee0f8627457905277584fe34b8">a weekend of events</a>&nbsp;as the center opens to the general public on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-galveston-texas-1f8b201949c3197932d68036c0472686">Juneteenth</a>.

“This is not a monument to the Obamas,” said Valerie Jarrett, the Obama Foundation’s chief executive and former Obama top adviser. “This is a tribute to all those who made this journey possible.”

The opening, like the ribbon-cuttings of other presidential libraries over the years, had a heavy focus on accomplishments. This former president also expressed some regrets — such as the increase in political polarization during his two terms. “It’s one of the few regrets of my presidency — that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better,” Obama said in his final State of the Union.

“Some of the exhibits reflect unfinished business,” Obama said Thursday. “In some cases, my own shortcomings and mistakes.”

General admission tickets for the center are sold out through the end of October. More than a million visitors a year are expected at the nearly 20-acre campus.

Associated Press writer Mike Catalini contributed to this report from Washington, D.C.

Chicago (AP)—Former President Barack Obama is getting a little help from his friends, including three former presidents, in celebrating the opening of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-museum-chicago-by-numbers-beehive-3d0c4704b0923895ed440b7684e4bc0c">his presidential museum</a>&nbsp;in Chicago.

The guestlist for Thursday’s dedication ceremony includes Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera and Bono. Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama posed for pictures before the ceremony with former presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton along with former first ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Obama and Michelle Obama are both expected to give remarks. The invite-only celebration was livestreamed and kicks off a weekend of events centered around the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-presidential-center-library-groundbreaking-0e3e20be65d7ae1d4ffcfbc7277bb317">Obama Presidential Center</a>, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/museum-presidential-obama-chicago-93e5d1ee0f8627457905277584fe34b8">opens to the general public</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-galveston-texas-1f8b201949c3197932d68036c0472686">Juneteenth</a>.

President Donald Trump is not among the announced guests. He called the $850 million center a “total disaster” in a social media post in February.

Guests in attendance Thursday included a mix of actors and other entertainers, past and present politicians, athletes, local power brokers and other national figures.

Those in the audience included California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate; civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Al Sharpton; Oprah Winfrey; comedians David Letterman, Conan O'Brien and Stephen Colbert; tennis legend Billie Jean King and Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts.

Other celebrities slated to perform on Thursday include Common, Eddie Vedder, Marc Anthony and The Roots, which was serving as the house band.

The Thursday celebration “will reflect a spirit of inspiration and joy, with a big boost from the performers who are sharing their talent with us,” said Valerie Jarrett, the Obama Foundation’s chief executive and former Obama top adviser. “We hope to inspire people everywhere to believe in their power to bring change home.”

General admission tickets for the center are sold out through the end of October. But tens of thousands of people have already been offered a sneak peek of the nearly 20-acre campus on Chicago's South Side in Jackson Park.

The center, located near where Obama lived and began his political career, is expected to attract more than 1 million visitors annually. It is adjacent to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in the lakefront park, and not far from the University of Chicago.

The campus includes a towering museum that covers the political and personal realms of the nation’s first Black president and first lady, while public spaces include a branch of the Chicago Public Library, a playground and athletic center, basketball courts and a picnic area with grills.

The tower’s design is meant to depict four hands coming together in solidarity. Wrapped around one side are 5-foot tall concrete capital letters, an excerpt of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-united-states-government-7e6121144ad548af81919ef0e0465f19">Obama’s 2015 speech</a>&nbsp;commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery march. It begins, “You are America.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/6/1781794841770.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT BAUER Associated PressFormer President Barack&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-museum-chicago-by-numbers-beehive-3d0c4704b0923895ed440b7684e4bc0c">Obama formally opened his presidential center</a>&nbsp;in Chicago on Thursday with a call to defend democracy as three former presidents joined him on stage in an extraordinary event featuring politicians, A-list celebrities, athletes and other internationally known figures.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">To George and Laura, Bill and Hillary — we&#39;re grateful for your friendship, counsel, and devotion to this country. And to Joe and Jill, thank you for being on this journey with us. <a href="https://t.co/OqBPd7ujLF">pic.twitter.com/OqBPd7ujLF</a>&mdash; Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://x.com/BarackObama/status/2067698273922510883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Tune in today! It’s time to open the Obama Presidential Center! The Grand Opening Ceremony starts at 11 a.m. CT. Tune in to the global livestream and be a part of history from wherever you are <a href="https://t.co/EufN8GOGuU">https://t.co/EufN8GOGuU</a>&mdash; The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) <a href="https://x.com/ObamaFoundation/status/2067615554282622998?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Barack Obama: &quot;I love that tan suit.&quot; Obama Foundation board chair Martin Nesbitt: &quot;How ya&#39;ll like my tan suit?&quot; <a href="https://t.co/eMl5XjJLXp">pic.twitter.com/eMl5XjJLXp</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://x.com/cspan/status/2067665310505718155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is and remind us what we can achieve when we embrace our shared responsibilities as citizens,” the nation’s first Black president told the crowd.Bono, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony and Eddie Vedder took turns on the stage ahead of Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder, who closed the show singing “Higher Ground” as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/opening-day-obama-museum-photos-135f108869fc44639058646b023e8228">former presidents, world leaders and others danced along</a>.President Donald Trump was conspicuous both in his physical absence and by not being mentioned by any of the speakers or performers. Trump called the $850 million center a “total disaster” in a social media post in February.Obama voiced his support for character, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion and sense of duty, praising both Democrats and Republicans, including those he defeated.“Every president here today, as different as we are, has tried our best to uphold values that John McCain and Mitt Romney believed in no less than I did,” Obama said. “It is our greatest inheritance.”Reflecting on his arrival in Chicago in 1985 as an untested political organizer, he said he could not have built the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-presidential-center-library-groundbreaking-0e3e20be65d7ae1d4ffcfbc7277bb317">Obama Presidential Center</a>&nbsp;anywhere else. He met his future wife Michelle nearby, their wedding reception was within walking distance, his children were born in the neighborhood and he launched his first candidacy not far away.“It’s an expression of thanks, an acknowledgment that so much of what I hold most dear I owe to the people of this city and the people of the surrounding neighborhoods,” Obama said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/6/1781818736734.png" alt="Image from CSPAN video" />
 <figcaption>Image from CSPAN video</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Michelle had some emotional words for her husband</h2>The Obamas and their daughters shared the stage with former presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton along with former first ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and many other leading Democrats were in the audience.Michelle Obama spoke directly to her husband when she stepped up to the podium. “Eight years in the crucible and not once did you melt in the heat. Not once did you let it harden you.“Instead, you used it to reveal your truest essence,” she said. “Your stubborn optimism and unflinching courage. Your dazzling brilliance and unpretentious decency. Your ferocious work ethic and absolutely unshakable moral fiber. And to do it all as a first.”She ticked off highlights from her husband's eight years in office, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/today-in-history/may-1">ordering the raid</a>&nbsp;that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden, “standing up for marriage equality” and “listening to science.”“And you did it all with such grace and class and cool,” she said. “You made the hardest job in the world look like a walk in this beautiful park.”Obama appeared to wipe away a tear as she praised him.Michelle Obama also referenced the current “anxious and divisive times” and warned against being cynical or complacent as “everything feels so upside down.” She pitched the center as “a respite from all that.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/6/1781794822835.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A-list entertainers sang inspirational anthems and protest songs</h2>Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem and Aguilera delivered a rousing rendition of “What a Wonderful World.” Pearl Jam’s Vedder, joined by Chicago teenagers in the nonprofit Guitars Over Guns program, sang an original song called “Better Believe,” written just for the dedication.Legend sang “Someday We’ll All Be Free” and was joined by the rapper Common and Uniting Voices Chicago for their Academy Award-winning song “Glory.”Bono, who said he was representing the Irish, joined with The Edge in singing the U2 song “City of Blinding Lights.” The Roots served as the house band. And Springsteen sang “Land of Hopes and Dreams” before turning to the Obamas and saying “I love you.”Wonder sang “All I Do” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)” before the grand finale, joined by the performers who preceded him.The VIP crowd included several potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates; civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Al Sharpton; Oprah Winfrey; comedians David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert; actor Tom Hanks; tennis legend Billie Jean King and Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts.Former world leaders in attendance included former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.<h2>Event kicked off weekend of celebration</h2>The three-hour invite-only celebration included commentary from a nearby park where thousands gathered, and it was livestreamed to many more. It kicks off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/museum-presidential-obama-chicago-93e5d1ee0f8627457905277584fe34b8">a weekend of events</a>&nbsp;as the center opens to the general public on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-galveston-texas-1f8b201949c3197932d68036c0472686">Juneteenth</a>.“This is not a monument to the Obamas,” said Valerie Jarrett, the Obama Foundation’s chief executive and former Obama top adviser. “This is a tribute to all those who made this journey possible.”The opening, like the ribbon-cuttings of other presidential libraries over the years, had a heavy focus on accomplishments. This former president also expressed some regrets — such as the increase in political polarization during his two terms. “It’s one of the few regrets of my presidency — that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better,” Obama said in his final State of the Union.“Some of the exhibits reflect unfinished business,” Obama said Thursday. “In some cases, my own shortcomings and mistakes.”General admission tickets for the center are sold out through the end of October. More than a million visitors a year are expected at the nearly 20-acre campus.___Associated Press writer Mike Catalini contributed to this report from Washington, D.C.-----------Chicago (AP)—Former President Barack Obama is getting a little help from his friends, including three former presidents, in celebrating the opening of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-museum-chicago-by-numbers-beehive-3d0c4704b0923895ed440b7684e4bc0c">his presidential museum</a>&nbsp;in Chicago.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Tune in today! It’s time to open the Obama Presidential Center! The Grand Opening Ceremony starts at 11 a.m. CT. Tune in to the global livestream and be a part of history from wherever you are <a href="https://t.co/EufN8GOGuU">https://t.co/EufN8GOGuU</a>&mdash; The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) <a href="https://x.com/ObamaFoundation/status/2067615554282622998?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The guestlist for Thursday’s dedication ceremony includes Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera and Bono. Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama posed for pictures before the ceremony with former presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton along with former first ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/6/1781794822835.png" alt="Image couresy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image couresy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Obama and Michelle Obama are both expected to give remarks. The invite-only celebration was livestreamed and kicks off a weekend of events centered around the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-presidential-center-library-groundbreaking-0e3e20be65d7ae1d4ffcfbc7277bb317">Obama Presidential Center</a>, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/museum-presidential-obama-chicago-93e5d1ee0f8627457905277584fe34b8">opens to the general public</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-galveston-texas-1f8b201949c3197932d68036c0472686">Juneteenth</a>.President Donald Trump is not among the announced guests. He called the $850 million center a “total disaster” in a social media post in February.Guests in attendance Thursday included a mix of actors and other entertainers, past and present politicians, athletes, local power brokers and other national figures.Those in the audience included California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate; civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Al Sharpton; Oprah Winfrey; comedians David Letterman, Conan O'Brien and Stephen Colbert; tennis legend Billie Jean King and Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts.Other celebrities slated to perform on Thursday include Common, Eddie Vedder, Marc Anthony and The Roots, which was serving as the house band.The Thursday celebration “will reflect a spirit of inspiration and joy, with a big boost from the performers who are sharing their talent with us,” said Valerie Jarrett, the Obama Foundation’s chief executive and former Obama top adviser. “We hope to inspire people everywhere to believe in their power to bring change home.”General admission tickets for the center are sold out through the end of October. But tens of thousands of people have already been offered a sneak peek of the nearly 20-acre campus on Chicago's South Side in Jackson Park.The center, located near where Obama lived and began his political career, is expected to attract more than 1 million visitors annually. It is adjacent to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in the lakefront park, and not far from the University of Chicago.The campus includes a towering museum that covers the political and personal realms of the nation’s first Black president and first lady, while public spaces include a branch of the Chicago Public Library, a playground and athletic center, basketball courts and a picnic area with grills.The tower’s design is meant to depict four hands coming together in solidarity. Wrapped around one side are 5-foot tall concrete capital letters, an excerpt of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-united-states-government-7e6121144ad548af81919ef0e0465f19">Obama’s 2015 speech</a>&nbsp;commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery march. It begins, “You are America.”

🎥Obama Presidential Center grand opening with a celebrity crowd

Michael Lee Norton, 63, of
Hays, Kansas, entered the presence of his Savior Jesus Christ on June 4, 2026,
following a tragic drowning accident while vacationing on the Buffalo National
River in Arkansas.

Mike
was born on October 11, 1962, in Quinter, Kansas, to Leo and Vivian (Kesler)
Norton. He grew up on the family farm near Quinter, a place that remained dear
to him throughout his life.

After
graduating from Quinter High School, Mike attended technical college in Dodge
City, earning a degree in diesel mechanics. Throughout his life, he worked on
the family farm, as a mechanic for Shaw Motor Company in Grainfield, as a
custodian at Fort Hays State University, with the Kansas Department of
Transportation in WaKeeney, and as a school bus driver in Quinter and Hays.

Mike
met his wife, Vicky, at Westview Church during a Christian singles gathering.
They spent nine years together before marrying on November 1, 2014.

Mike
loved Jesus and was active in New Life Center Church in Hays. He was known as a
friendly, hardworking man who cared deeply for his family, friends, and
community.

A
diehard Ford man, Mike especially loved Mustangs. He enjoyed drag racing his
1973 Mach 1 Mustang, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, attending car
shows, and talking about anything with wheels and an engine. He was also a
loyal Kansas City Chiefs fan and enjoyed NASCAR, football, and Kansas Jayhawks
athletics.

Mike
was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. More
than anything, he loved his family and treasured the time he spent with his
grandchildren.

He
was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Vivian Norton, and his brother
Lonnie, who died at childbirth.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/6/1781721159843.png" alt="Michael Lee Norton" />
 <figcaption>Michael Lee Norton</figcaption>
 </figure>Michael Lee Norton, 63, of
Hays, Kansas, entered the presence of his Savior Jesus Christ on June 4, 2026,
following a tragic drowning accident while vacationing on the Buffalo National
River in Arkansas.Mike
was born on October 11, 1962, in Quinter, Kansas, to Leo and Vivian (Kesler)
Norton. He grew up on the family farm near Quinter, a place that remained dear
to him throughout his life.After
graduating from Quinter High School, Mike attended technical college in Dodge
City, earning a degree in diesel mechanics. Throughout his life, he worked on
the family farm, as a mechanic for Shaw Motor Company in Grainfield, as a
custodian at Fort Hays State University, with the Kansas Department of
Transportation in WaKeeney, and as a school bus driver in Quinter and Hays.Mike
met his wife, Vicky, at Westview Church during a Christian singles gathering.
They spent nine years together before marrying on November 1, 2014.Mike
loved Jesus and was active in New Life Center Church in Hays. He was known as a
friendly, hardworking man who cared deeply for his family, friends, and
community.A
diehard Ford man, Mike especially loved Mustangs. He enjoyed drag racing his
1973 Mach 1 Mustang, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, attending car
shows, and talking about anything with wheels and an engine. He was also a
loyal Kansas City Chiefs fan and enjoyed NASCAR, football, and Kansas Jayhawks
athletics.Mike
was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. More
than anything, he loved his family and treasured the time he spent with his
grandchildren.He
was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Vivian Norton, and his brother
Lonnie, who died at childbirth.He
is survived by his wife, Vicky Norton of Hays; his son, Trevor Norton and wife
Madison Norton; his stepdaughter, Teagan McKenzie and husband Alex McKenzie;
his grandchildren, Holdyn Norton and Samuel McKenzie; his brother, Brian Norton
and wife Melissa Norton of California; his nephew, Brandon Norton; his niece,
Allison Norton; and many extended family members and friends. He is also
remembered by Renee Waterman, the mother of his son, Trevor.His
family takes comfort in knowing that his faith has become sight and that he is
now in Heaven, in the presence of Jesus Christ, his Savior.A memorial service will be
held at 11:00 a.m. on July 11th, 2026, at New Life Center, 1701 E
22nd St, Hays, Kansas.<a>Anyone
wishing to share photos&nbsp;to
be displayed&nbsp;at the memorial service&nbsp;is welcome to&nbsp;send
them to </a><a href="mailto:nortonmemorial@gmail.com">nortonmemorial@gmail.com</a>Expressions of sympathy,
including flowers and memorial gifts, may be sent to: Vicky Norton, 213 E 4th&nbsp;Street,
Hays, KS 67601