ELLIS COUNTY —The suspect was captured at a motel in Ellis, Kansas on Tuesday.

KANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;– A reward is now being offered in the search for a suspect who shot and critically injured a Kansas City area police officer on Sunday night.

You MUST submit your tip info through our program to be eligible to receive the Up To $10K Cash Reward for any info that leads to his arrest. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kcmetrocrime?__cft__[0]=AZXCAvmwh91WktF7Ispkq5kKVW3Hto-MVUDhBQD1kSBSAou-NOOReUt4P-0NJRrVx0JEhqGA-XOkfVESV0ZTlywtwmGWZ5llm8r22dOyxcTFj9jShlfZKFNaZ75EBPdIYTG5V3don8U6Ld8kH2sShPBI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kcpolice?__cft__[0]=AZXCAvmwh91WktF7Ispkq5kKVW3Hto-MVUDhBQD1kSBSAou-NOOReUt4P-0NJRrVx0JEhqGA-XOkfVESV0ZTlywtwmGWZ5llm8r22dOyxcTFj9jShlfZKFNaZ75EBPdIYTG5V3don8U6Ld8kH2sShPBI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Missouri Police Department</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LSPolice?__cft__[0]=AZXCAvmwh91WktF7Ispkq5kKVW3Hto-MVUDhBQD1kSBSAou-NOOReUt4P-0NJRrVx0JEhqGA-XOkfVESV0ZTlywtwmGWZ5llm8r22dOyxcTFj9jShlfZKFNaZ75EBPdIYTG5V3don8U6Ld8kH2sShPBI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Lee's Summit Missouri Police Department</a>

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

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

He is armed with a handgun and considered dangerous.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There is no perceived danger in the area of the original crime scene. Multiple witnesses gave a statement that the suspect fled the area in a vehicle.  The officer was transported to an area trauma center with serious injuries.

ELLIS COUNTY —The suspect was captured at a motel in Ellis, Kansas on Tuesday.----------KANSAS CITY, Kan.&nbsp;– A reward is now being offered in the search for a suspect who shot and critically injured a Kansas City area police officer on Sunday night.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748945531441.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>You MUST submit your tip info through our program to be eligible to receive the Up To $10K Cash Reward for any info that leads to his arrest. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kcmetrocrime?__cft__[0]=AZXCAvmwh91WktF7Ispkq5kKVW3Hto-MVUDhBQD1kSBSAou-NOOReUt4P-0NJRrVx0JEhqGA-XOkfVESV0ZTlywtwmGWZ5llm8r22dOyxcTFj9jShlfZKFNaZ75EBPdIYTG5V3don8U6Ld8kH2sShPBI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/kcpolice?__cft__[0]=AZXCAvmwh91WktF7Ispkq5kKVW3Hto-MVUDhBQD1kSBSAou-NOOReUt4P-0NJRrVx0JEhqGA-XOkfVESV0ZTlywtwmGWZ5llm8r22dOyxcTFj9jShlfZKFNaZ75EBPdIYTG5V3don8U6Ld8kH2sShPBI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Missouri Police Department</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LSPolice?__cft__[0]=AZXCAvmwh91WktF7Ispkq5kKVW3Hto-MVUDhBQD1kSBSAou-NOOReUt4P-0NJRrVx0JEhqGA-XOkfVESV0ZTlywtwmGWZ5llm8r22dOyxcTFj9jShlfZKFNaZ75EBPdIYTG5V3don8U6Ld8kH2sShPBI&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Lee's Summit Missouri Police Department</a>The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) issued the blue alert Monday morning trying to locate a suspect wanted in related to the shooting. The alert was later extended into Kansas.Authorities are looking for Thomas Eugene Tolbert, 27. Tolbert is a black male, around 240 pounds, and is 6 foot 2 inches tall with brown eyes and black hair. At the time he was last seen, he was wearing a black top with a hood, and black shorts.He is armed with a handgun and considered dangerous.Around 11 p.m, Sunday, June 1, law enforcement responded to a domestic disturbance at 3560 SW Hollywood Drive in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. After a short foot pursuit between Tolbert and officers, Tolbert shot a Lee’s Summit police officer, seriously injuring him.Tolbert left the scene in a vehicle that has since been recovered in Grandview, Missouri, but Tolbert remains on the loose.A wireless emergency alert was issued in several Kansas City metro counties on the Kansas side.Anyone who sees Tolbert should immediately call 911. Any other information about his whereabouts should be reported at 1-800-KS-CRIME.------------JACKSON COUNTY—A police officer was injured in a shooting while investigating a domestic disturbance and the search for the suspect identified as 27-year-old Thomas Tolbert continues.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748872142987.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 11:00 p.m. Sunday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to the 3500 block of SW Hollywood Drive in Lee's Summit on the report of a domestic disturbance, according to a media release from police. As the first officer arrived on scene in the apartment complex; and while waiting for his assisting officer, the officer observed a male subject running from the scene. The officer chased the suspect on foot and quickly advised via the radio that shots had been fired. No shots were fired by the officer. The officer was struck multiple times. Investigators are working with area law enforcement partners to track Tolbert.There is no perceived danger in the area of the original crime scene. Multiple witnesses gave a statement that the suspect fled the area in a vehicle. The officer was transported to an area trauma center with serious injuries.

Reward offered for suspect who shot KC area officer multiple times

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement officers protect and serve in many ways that often go without any recognition.

On Tuesday, the Kansas City Police Department shared a photo of Rookie Officer Harrison, reading to a child at Metro Patrol Division.

According to the KCPD report, "the child’s parent was arrested for a domestic violence issue. While officers worked to find a safe place for the child, Harrison stayed with him, showing care. Eventually, a relative picked up the child."&nbsp; "Our officers are grateful for the opportunity to serve."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748980177493.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement officers protect and serve in many ways that often go without any recognition.On Tuesday, the Kansas City Police Department shared a photo of Rookie Officer Harrison, reading to a child at Metro Patrol Division.According to the KCPD report, "the child’s parent was arrested for a domestic violence issue. While officers worked to find a safe place for the child, Harrison stayed with him, showing care. Eventually, a relative picked up the child."&nbsp; "Our officers are grateful for the opportunity to serve."

KCPD: Officers do far more than we ever see

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Topeka.

Just after 11:45p.m Thursday, police responded to investigate a call for of a domestic disturbance at a home in the 1500 block of SW 24th Street in Topeka, according to police spokesman Daniel Garrett.

Just before 1a.m. Friday, police attempted to make contact with the suspect. Officers announced their presence, and the individual reportedly began shooting from the home. The officers then discharged their weapons in response. The suspect, an adult male, then surrendered to officers at the scene, and was taken into custody. The suspect was not injured, and a firearm was found at the scene.&nbsp;

TPD requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) to investigate the incident.&nbsp; Per policy, the involved Topeka officers have been placed on administrative leave. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747995528776.png" alt="Police near the scene of the officer-involved shooting -photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police near the scene of the officer-involved shooting -photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Topeka.Just after 11:45p.m Thursday, police responded to investigate a call for of a domestic disturbance at a home in the 1500 block of SW 24th Street in Topeka, according to police spokesman Daniel Garrett.Just before 1a.m. Friday, police attempted to make contact with the suspect. Officers announced their presence, and the individual reportedly began shooting from the home. The officers then discharged their weapons in response. The suspect, an adult male, then surrendered to officers at the scene, and was taken into custody. The suspect was not injured, and a firearm was found at the scene.&nbsp;TPD requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) to investigate the incident.&nbsp; Per policy, the involved Topeka officers have been placed on administrative leave.

Suspect in custody after gun fight with police at Kansas home

By:&nbsp;NICOLAS FIERRO Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY —Authorities from several different agencies responded to a crime scene at the Bridgeport exit, south of Salina along Kansas 4 near Interstate 135, according to the Saline County Sheriff's Office.

&nbsp;The roadway where the crime scene happened is currently closed as authorities investigate.

The investigation of the crime scene has been turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp; Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747158037978.jpeg" alt="View of the investigation Photo Salina Post" />
 <figcaption>View of the investigation Photo Salina Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;NICOLAS FIERRO Salina PostSALINE COUNTY —Authorities from several different agencies responded to a crime scene at the Bridgeport exit, south of Salina along Kansas 4 near Interstate 135, according to the Saline County Sheriff's Office.&nbsp;The roadway where the crime scene happened is currently closed as authorities investigate.The investigation of the crime scene has been turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp; Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

FBI investigating after chase ends in central Kansas

WICHITA, Kansas. –&nbsp;Royce Lee Timmons, a minimum-custody resident of the Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF), has been apprehended.

Timmons was taken into custody Sunday morning, May 4, 2025, after surrendering himself at the facility. He was arrested without incident.

Timmons &nbsp;was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Saturday, May 3, 2025.

WICHITA, Kansas. –&nbsp;Kansas Department of Corrections placed inmate Royce Lee Timmons on escape status at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, according to a statement from the KDOC.&nbsp; Timmons did not return to the Wichita Work Release Facility.

Timmons, 42, was reported missing when he could not be located at the minimum-security unit. This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound.

Timmons is described as 5-feet-11, 224 pounds with an athletic build. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black shorts, a grey hoodie shirt and blue hat.

Timmons was convicted in Sedgwick County for 29 months of incarceration for criminal possession of firearms while on parole. He was on parole for March 2011 aggravated robbery convictions.

Anyone with information on Timmons should call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-779-5814, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

The walk-away is being investigated. The KDOC released no additional details.

WICHITA, Kansas. –&nbsp;Royce Lee Timmons, a minimum-custody resident of the Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF), has been apprehended.Timmons was taken into custody Sunday morning, May 4, 2025, after surrendering himself at the facility. He was arrested without incident.Timmons &nbsp;was placed on escape status after not returning to the facility Saturday, May 3, 2025.----------------WICHITA, Kansas. –&nbsp;Kansas Department of Corrections placed inmate Royce Lee Timmons on escape status at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, according to a statement from the KDOC.&nbsp; Timmons did not return to the Wichita Work Release Facility.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746322993604.png" alt="Timmons as seen in a 2022 photo from the Kansas Department of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Timmons as seen in a 2022 photo from the Kansas Department of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>Timmons, 42, was reported missing when he could not be located at the minimum-security unit. This walkaway does not impact the security or operations of the medium-maximum secure compound.Timmons is described as 5-feet-11, 224 pounds with an athletic build. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black shorts, a grey hoodie shirt and blue hat.Timmons was convicted in Sedgwick County for 29 months of incarceration for criminal possession of firearms while on parole. He was on parole for March 2011 aggravated robbery convictions.Anyone with information on Timmons should call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-779-5814, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.The walk-away is being investigated. The KDOC released no additional details.

Still missing: Kansas inmate did not return to work release facility

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-vaccine-novavax-kennedy-1ed7d31da33e71d8f054a613b6634799">effort to impose</a>&nbsp;new requirements on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-united-states-business-99366fca038e009d7b73a453db39c565">Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine</a>&nbsp;— the nation's only&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-202fd25f335208c7cf77c81231dd9ce8">traditional protein-based option</a>&nbsp;for the coronavirus — is sowing uncertainty about updates to other vaccines, too.

Novavax said Monday that the Food and Drug Administration was asking the company to run a new clinical trial of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-united-states-business-99366fca038e009d7b73a453db39c565">vaccine</a>&nbsp;after the agency grants full approval. The company said it had responded and that it believed its shot remains “approvable.”

But a weekend&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DrMakaryFDA/status/1916253910039429309">post</a>&nbsp;on social media by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-trump-makary-vaccines-ultraprocessed-food-safety-ce9df8eb4bba5c950e500c62d975afe2">FDA Commissioner Marty Makary</a>&nbsp;suggested the prospect of needing a new trial before the shots' yearly strain update — something unlikely to be possible before fall. That's raised questions about whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rsv-vaccine-respiratory-virus-60a8b859c692a593b652f68ff25738be">other vaccines</a>&nbsp;will be caught in the turmoil.

“I don’t think because there’s a strain change that this is a new product,” said Dr. Jesse Goodman of Georgetown University, a former FDA vaccine chief. If that’s the new policy, “you’d always be doing clinical trials and you’d never have a vaccine that was up to date.”

The unusual move at FDA come shortly after the agency's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-vaccine-chief-peter-marks-resign-rfk-kennedy-7743be11cec4e4e22c50c2ddbcb6bcd8">longtime vaccine chief</a>&nbsp;was forced out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-rfk-vaccines-measles-fda-injury-marks-5eda3335bae9b8df88795c2d5e09ae69">over disagreements</a>&nbsp;with Makary's boss, Health Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>

Kennedy won Senate confirmation to his job, in part, by promising not to change the nation’s vaccine schedule. Since taking office, he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-robert-kennedy-vaccines-measles-steak-shake-9c970a1f6bdfd6ac4b4160480e996ac0">promised to “investigate” children’s shots</a>, canceled meetings of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-cdc-acip-kennedy-d9777cba947f5f52705af04d95e5f7fa">expert vaccine advisers</a>&nbsp;and directed officials to look again for connections between vaccines and autism, a link&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-vaccine-trump-science-autism-9b99621b01f11b7f0bdc81e5a0b82d2b">long-ago debunked</a>.

The Novavax vaccine, which originally showed effectiveness in a nearly 30,000-person clinical trial, is still being sold under emergency use authorization in the U.S. The nation's other two options, mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna, have earned full FDA approval for certain age groups.

Because the coronavirus continually mutates,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-57a21c137541c97a6eafed41b2497971">manufacturers follow instructions</a>&nbsp;from FDA to make one change each year to their recipe — which strain to target — just like flu vaccines.

The FDA was on track to grant Novavax full approval by its April 1 target date, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential agency matters. But Trump appointees directed FDA scientists to pause their decision, according to one of the people. Since that highly unusual move, Novavax and the agency have been discussing additional requirements for approval.

In his weekend tweet, FDA's Makary referred to the Novavax vaccine as “a new product,” presumably because it had been updated to match last year's common coronavirus strain.

“New products require new clinical studies,” Makary added.

An administration spokesman didn't respond to specific questions about Pfizer and Moderna but suggested all COVID-19 vaccines could face stricter requirements.

“It’s now been years since COVID has presented the threat it once did, and the urgency to rush approval of boosters without normal oversight no longer exists,” said Andrew Nixon, a Health and Human Services spokesman, in a statement.

The FDA had been treating the annual COVID-19 strain updates exactly as it's done for decades with flu vaccines — not as new products, but existing ones that are merely adjusted to protect against the latest strains, said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Offit said the companies still must perform tests in small numbers of people that show these updated vaccines produce levels of virus-fighting antibodies known to be protective, and they're closely monitored for safety.

Nixon, the HHS spokesman, suggested the policy might not apply to the flu shot, “which has been tried and tested for more than 80 years.”

Under federal law, the FDA is required to follow established procedures when issuing requirements to drugmakers for approval. If the agency skips certain steps or imposes additional requirements for political reasons, experts say, it could be sued by drugmakers — or even patients, such as those who prefer the Novavax vaccine over its competitors because of an allergy or some other reason.

In addition to large clinical trials conducted before all three COVID-19 vaccines were cleared for use, there's data on real-world use, said former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, who oversaw COVID-19 vaccine policy during the Biden administration.

“At the point where I had left, we had put some 700 million COVID vaccines into the arms of Americans,” he said. "That’s a pretty good size clinical trial."

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-vaccine-novavax-kennedy-1ed7d31da33e71d8f054a613b6634799">effort to impose</a>&nbsp;new requirements on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-united-states-business-99366fca038e009d7b73a453db39c565">Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine</a>&nbsp;— the nation's only&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-202fd25f335208c7cf77c81231dd9ce8">traditional protein-based option</a>&nbsp;for the coronavirus — is sowing uncertainty about updates to other vaccines, too.Novavax said Monday that the Food and Drug Administration was asking the company to run a new clinical trial of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-united-states-business-99366fca038e009d7b73a453db39c565">vaccine</a>&nbsp;after the agency grants full approval. The company said it had responded and that it believed its shot remains “approvable.”But a weekend&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/DrMakaryFDA/status/1916253910039429309">post</a>&nbsp;on social media by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-trump-makary-vaccines-ultraprocessed-food-safety-ce9df8eb4bba5c950e500c62d975afe2">FDA Commissioner Marty Makary</a>&nbsp;suggested the prospect of needing a new trial before the shots' yearly strain update — something unlikely to be possible before fall. That's raised questions about whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rsv-vaccine-respiratory-virus-60a8b859c692a593b652f68ff25738be">other vaccines</a>&nbsp;will be caught in the turmoil.“I don’t think because there’s a strain change that this is a new product,” said Dr. Jesse Goodman of Georgetown University, a former FDA vaccine chief. If that’s the new policy, “you’d always be doing clinical trials and you’d never have a vaccine that was up to date.”The unusual move at FDA come shortly after the agency's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-vaccine-chief-peter-marks-resign-rfk-kennedy-7743be11cec4e4e22c50c2ddbcb6bcd8">longtime vaccine chief</a>&nbsp;was forced out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-rfk-vaccines-measles-fda-injury-marks-5eda3335bae9b8df88795c2d5e09ae69">over disagreements</a>&nbsp;with Makary's boss, Health Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-f-kennedy-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>Kennedy won Senate confirmation to his job, in part, by promising not to change the nation’s vaccine schedule. Since taking office, he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-robert-kennedy-vaccines-measles-steak-shake-9c970a1f6bdfd6ac4b4160480e996ac0">promised to “investigate” children’s shots</a>, canceled meetings of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-cdc-acip-kennedy-d9777cba947f5f52705af04d95e5f7fa">expert vaccine advisers</a>&nbsp;and directed officials to look again for connections between vaccines and autism, a link&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-vaccine-trump-science-autism-9b99621b01f11b7f0bdc81e5a0b82d2b">long-ago debunked</a>.The Novavax vaccine, which originally showed effectiveness in a nearly 30,000-person clinical trial, is still being sold under emergency use authorization in the U.S. The nation's other two options, mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna, have earned full FDA approval for certain age groups.Because the coronavirus continually mutates,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-57a21c137541c97a6eafed41b2497971">manufacturers follow instructions</a>&nbsp;from FDA to make one change each year to their recipe — which strain to target — just like flu vaccines.The FDA was on track to grant Novavax full approval by its April 1 target date, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential agency matters. But Trump appointees directed FDA scientists to pause their decision, according to one of the people. Since that highly unusual move, Novavax and the agency have been discussing additional requirements for approval.In his weekend tweet, FDA's Makary referred to the Novavax vaccine as “a new product,” presumably because it had been updated to match last year's common coronavirus strain.“New products require new clinical studies,” Makary added.An administration spokesman didn't respond to specific questions about Pfizer and Moderna but suggested all COVID-19 vaccines could face stricter requirements.“It’s now been years since COVID has presented the threat it once did, and the urgency to rush approval of boosters without normal oversight no longer exists,” said Andrew Nixon, a Health and Human Services spokesman, in a statement.The FDA had been treating the annual COVID-19 strain updates exactly as it's done for decades with flu vaccines — not as new products, but existing ones that are merely adjusted to protect against the latest strains, said Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.Offit said the companies still must perform tests in small numbers of people that show these updated vaccines produce levels of virus-fighting antibodies known to be protective, and they're closely monitored for safety.Nixon, the HHS spokesman, suggested the policy might not apply to the flu shot, “which has been tried and tested for more than 80 years.”Under federal law, the FDA is required to follow established procedures when issuing requirements to drugmakers for approval. If the agency skips certain steps or imposes additional requirements for political reasons, experts say, it could be sued by drugmakers — or even patients, such as those who prefer the Novavax vaccine over its competitors because of an allergy or some other reason.In addition to large clinical trials conducted before all three COVID-19 vaccines were cleared for use, there's data on real-world use, said former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, who oversaw COVID-19 vaccine policy during the Biden administration.“At the point where I had left, we had put some 700 million COVID vaccines into the arms of Americans,” he said. "That’s a pretty good size clinical trial."___

FDA scrutiny of Novavax COVID vaccine sparks uncertainty about other shots

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a homicide are asking the public for help to locate 34-year-old Craig C. Steele in connection with the Homicide Investigation of Eric Lopez-Morales, which occurred on April 17th in the 1600 block of S. Broadway. 

Craig C. Steele is sought for questioning regarding this case and may have pertinent information.&nbsp; If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact 911 immediately.

On Thursday evening, police were in the area of Harry and Broadway on an unrelated call when they heard gunshots nearby, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford. Officers immediately responded to the area and located a man with a gunshot wound who was in front of the Frontier Motel at 1623 S. Broadway.

&nbsp;The victim was later identified as Lopez-Morales from Wichita.

Despite the life-saving efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:04 p.m.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Lopez-Morales was involved in a physical altercation with unknown males in the parking lot of the motel before the shooting.&nbsp;

To speak with Wichita Police Investigators directly, please call 316-268-4407. 

Crime Stoppers can be reached at 316-267-2111 for those wishing to remain anonymous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745333671920.png" alt="Steele photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Steele photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a homicide are asking the public for help to locate 34-year-old Craig C. Steele in connection with the Homicide Investigation of Eric Lopez-Morales, which occurred on April 17th in the 1600 block of S. Broadway. Craig C. Steele is sought for questioning regarding this case and may have pertinent information.&nbsp; If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact 911 immediately.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745003725186.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday evening, police were in the area of Harry and Broadway on an unrelated call when they heard gunshots nearby, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford. Officers immediately responded to the area and located a man with a gunshot wound who was in front of the Frontier Motel at 1623 S. Broadway.&nbsp;The victim was later identified as Lopez-Morales from Wichita.Despite the life-saving efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:04 p.m.Preliminary investigations indicate that Lopez-Morales was involved in a physical altercation with unknown males in the parking lot of the motel before the shooting.&nbsp;To speak with Wichita Police Investigators directly, please call 316-268-4407. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 316-267-2111 for those wishing to remain anonymous.

Suspect wanted for killing outside Kansas motel

The Andover Police Department reported to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that 83-year-old Vivian Donia was located and is now safe.&nbsp;

ANDOVER– The Andover Police Department requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Andover woman.

The whereabouts of 83-year-old Vivian Donia are unknown and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate her.

Donia left her assisted living facility near W Central Avenue and N 159th Street in Andover with her walker on Wednesday around 3 p.m. 

Donia is a white female who is 5 feet 1 inch tall. She has blue eyes and gray hair. She was last seen wearing a blue and white striped pajama set. Donia experiences memory issues.

If you see Vivian Donia, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about her whereabouts, call the Andover Police Department at (316) 708-2622.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744850745582.jpeg" alt="Vivian Donia - Kansas Bureau of Investigation&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Vivian Donia - Kansas Bureau of Investigation&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The Andover Police Department reported to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that 83-year-old Vivian Donia was located and is now safe.&nbsp;-----------------ANDOVER– The Andover Police Department requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Andover woman.The whereabouts of 83-year-old Vivian Donia are unknown and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate her.Donia left her assisted living facility near W Central Avenue and N 159th Street in Andover with her walker on Wednesday around 3 p.m. Donia is a white female who is 5 feet 1 inch tall. She has blue eyes and gray hair. She was last seen wearing a blue and white striped pajama set. Donia experiences memory issues.If you see Vivian Donia, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about her whereabouts, call the Andover Police Department at (316) 708-2622.

Silver Alert canceled; missing Kansas woman is safe

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded last-minute tax filers that the April 15 tax deadline is right around the corner, and there are a variety of free&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fhelp%2Ftools/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/8dWupb6sQcCPxfeZQDxEk5cQKr63i7myKbJCafmn4HY=400">tools</a>&nbsp;to help, including the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fhelp%2Flet-us-help-you/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/HTfyps9EpxbBKwgzVsRDVIKRkI7x5mEfYhvn5VQUFIo=400">Let Us Help You</a>&nbsp;page on IRS.gov. &nbsp;&nbsp;

From refund status, tax preparation help, answers to tax law questions, tax law research and more,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/gDa2L7gNdP0fsk0zQzlAsU5gQVfQpNHv0h9Ayw-OtPo=400">IRS.gov</a>&nbsp;has everything needed for individual and business taxpayers to file on time or get an easy, automatic six-month extension to file.&nbsp;

For those needing last-minute help to file, filing information for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/wG8BE0WH1ezfXSyozHdMJXfIs18Zh6o7AJYL1C98jas=400">individuals</a>&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fbusinesses/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/Exl8eAaAMdf7ti2GKNBo7g3UV8e_iul1ng9pn69fkZE=400">businesses and self-employed</a>&nbsp;people is available on IRS.gov.&nbsp;

For last-minute filers looking for free filing resources,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdirectfile.irs.gov%2F/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/BbKwynz9oKJaQsbvG9xwt5KOmTlehqhYzuSFFTgKqgY=400">IRS Direct File</a>&nbsp;remains an option for qualified taxpayers, as does&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Firs-free-file-do-your-taxes-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/OWOS48QRPgWss55GAo_t-PAGV9aJ8N9vTYafqi3J3cg=400">IRS Free File</a>.&nbsp;Additionally, anyone can use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Ffree-file-everyone-can-file-an-extension-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/HHiOe14pPBdNYdrbuqIjaLgE4j_OnesajiAqp127JVU=400">IRS Free File to submit an extension</a>&nbsp;of time to file regardless of their income.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Firs-direct-file-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/xz4qaBU37CbJD26h0H2Vfg6vdHAgus2CywN6t5tUoo4=400">IRS Direct File</a>&nbsp;is a web-based service that allows taxpayers to file directly with the IRS. The service is a free, fast and easy way to file directly with the IRS. It’s available for an estimated 32 million qualifying taxpayers in 25 states.&nbsp;

Eligible taxpayers in these states can use IRS Direct File: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state, Wisconsin and Wyoming.&nbsp;

Direct File works on mobile phones, laptops, tablets or desktop computers. Taxpayers can use the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdirectfile.irs.gov%2Fstate/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/2M-FOxI2JsnLek9ofTO0OWRQ9d6PfKskIJO7hjZy5dw=400">eligibility checker</a>&nbsp;to see if they can use IRS Direct File. They can also learn more in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fnewsroom%2Firs-direct-file-a-free-easy-and-secure-way-to-prepare-and-file-2024-taxes-online/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/ZBOEHmdGOopsUAHnFBqCIxWhsJD-otCpT77JJ5KWieY=400">Direct File fact sheet</a>.&nbsp;

The system leads users step-by-step through a series of questions to prepare their federal tax return. Once taxpayers complete their federal tax return, the IRS Direct File system guides them to complete their state tax filings if they have a state tax obligation. Live chat help is available.&nbsp;

IRS Direct File is available through Oct. 15, 2025, so taxpayers who aren’t ready to file by April 15, 2025, can still use it. They should request an extension of time to file by April 15.&nbsp;

IRS Direct File’s new features can help taxpayers prepare a return faster and avoid data-entry errors. In addition to importing information from their W-2 and their IRS Online Account, taxpayers can now choose to import information into their tax return from:&nbsp;

Missing forms and data can cause tax returns to be rejected. IRS Direct File notifies taxpayers if they have a 1095-A to help them file an accurate return. Direct File users can view their Form 1095-A in their IRS Online Account.&nbsp;

IRS.gov is an important resource that can help in several areas:&nbsp;

Some taxpayers get automatic extensions&nbsp;

Special rules offer some taxpayers more time without having to request an extension:&nbsp;

If a taxpayer can’t file by the April 15 deadline but isn’t covered by one of these automatic extensions, they can&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Fget-an-extension-to-file-your-tax-return/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/xqqPiUvPyUA1efBommPrIgY3bcu8AivtSqQVZkU14Ro=400">request an extension of time to file</a>. They should still pay what they owe by the deadline, however, as an extension of time to file is not an extension to pay.&nbsp;

Having trouble paying? IRS has options to help&nbsp;

For those who owe tax and need to make a payment with their tax return, the IRS has several&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/SsVsQxgTHqVqeXPMlj-AWdLC-sWJs84uwxxkiOmlED8=400">payment options</a>.&nbsp;

For taxpayers that are unable to pay in full by the tax deadline, the IRS offers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fonline-payment-agreement-application/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/IvLOeixdB7nQ4qQJvQt9zwywISIfysN6QPCayRkrE6E=400">online payment plans</a>.&nbsp;The IRS recommends taxpayers who owe still file their tax return and pay what they can to avoid interest and penalties.&nbsp;

Taxpayers can explore various payment options and will receive an immediate response telling them their payment plan application was accepted or denied. Online payment plan options include:&nbsp;

Though interest and late-payment penalties continue to accrue on any unpaid taxes after April 15, the failure to pay penalty is cut in half while an installment agreement is in effect. Find more information on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-pubs%2Fabout-form-9465/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/qoDbMXhx5J7nMRITjHPntx9P8kBRYcUpJ_rdysC7O_0=400">About Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request</a>&nbsp;page at IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740609345748.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded last-minute tax filers that the April 15 tax deadline is right around the corner, and there are a variety of free&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fhelp%2Ftools/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/8dWupb6sQcCPxfeZQDxEk5cQKr63i7myKbJCafmn4HY=400">tools</a>&nbsp;to help, including the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fhelp%2Flet-us-help-you/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/HTfyps9EpxbBKwgzVsRDVIKRkI7x5mEfYhvn5VQUFIo=400">Let Us Help You</a>&nbsp;page on IRS.gov. &nbsp;&nbsp;From refund status, tax preparation help, answers to tax law questions, tax law research and more,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/gDa2L7gNdP0fsk0zQzlAsU5gQVfQpNHv0h9Ayw-OtPo=400">IRS.gov</a>&nbsp;has everything needed for individual and business taxpayers to file on time or get an easy, automatic six-month extension to file.&nbsp;Get tax filing help&nbsp;For those needing last-minute help to file, filing information for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/wG8BE0WH1ezfXSyozHdMJXfIs18Zh6o7AJYL1C98jas=400">individuals</a>&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fbusinesses/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/Exl8eAaAMdf7ti2GKNBo7g3UV8e_iul1ng9pn69fkZE=400">businesses and self-employed</a>&nbsp;people is available on IRS.gov.&nbsp;For last-minute filers looking for free filing resources,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdirectfile.irs.gov%2F/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/BbKwynz9oKJaQsbvG9xwt5KOmTlehqhYzuSFFTgKqgY=400">IRS Direct File</a>&nbsp;remains an option for qualified taxpayers, as does&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Firs-free-file-do-your-taxes-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/OWOS48QRPgWss55GAo_t-PAGV9aJ8N9vTYafqi3J3cg=400">IRS Free File</a>.&nbsp;Additionally, anyone can use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Ffree-file-everyone-can-file-an-extension-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/HHiOe14pPBdNYdrbuqIjaLgE4j_OnesajiAqp127JVU=400">IRS Free File to submit an extension</a>&nbsp;of time to file regardless of their income.&nbsp;Direct File highlights&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Firs-direct-file-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/xz4qaBU37CbJD26h0H2Vfg6vdHAgus2CywN6t5tUoo4=400">IRS Direct File</a>&nbsp;is a web-based service that allows taxpayers to file directly with the IRS. The service is a free, fast and easy way to file directly with the IRS. It’s available for an estimated 32 million qualifying taxpayers in 25 states.&nbsp;Eligible taxpayers in these states can use IRS Direct File: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state, Wisconsin and Wyoming.&nbsp;Direct File works on mobile phones, laptops, tablets or desktop computers. Taxpayers can use the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdirectfile.irs.gov%2Fstate/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/2M-FOxI2JsnLek9ofTO0OWRQ9d6PfKskIJO7hjZy5dw=400">eligibility checker</a>&nbsp;to see if they can use IRS Direct File. They can also learn more in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fnewsroom%2Firs-direct-file-a-free-easy-and-secure-way-to-prepare-and-file-2024-taxes-online/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/ZBOEHmdGOopsUAHnFBqCIxWhsJD-otCpT77JJ5KWieY=400">Direct File fact sheet</a>.&nbsp;The system leads users step-by-step through a series of questions to prepare their federal tax return. Once taxpayers complete their federal tax return, the IRS Direct File system guides them to complete their state tax filings if they have a state tax obligation. Live chat help is available.&nbsp;IRS Direct File is available through Oct. 15, 2025, so taxpayers who aren’t ready to file by April 15, 2025, can still use it. They should request an extension of time to file by April 15.&nbsp;Direct File new features&nbsp;IRS Direct File’s new features can help taxpayers prepare a return faster and avoid data-entry errors. In addition to importing information from their W-2 and their IRS Online Account, taxpayers can now choose to import information into their tax return from:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Form 1099-INT, which reports interest income from financial institutions.</li><li>Form 1095-A,&nbsp;which is issued to taxpayers who enrolled in a qualified health plan through a health insurance marketplace.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Missing forms and data can cause tax returns to be rejected. IRS Direct File notifies taxpayers if they have a 1095-A to help them file an accurate return. Direct File users can view their Form 1095-A in their IRS Online Account.&nbsp;Resources available on IRS.gov&nbsp;IRS.gov is an important resource that can help in several areas:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>For answers to tax law questions, taxpayers can use the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fhelp%2Fita/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/R5favTTL5nHMUaj1UaDg7y1wk6DcbAX7Sij1Zr1Qvx4=400">Interactive Tax Assistant</a>. Choose a topic, then enter basic information to find your answer.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>To see their federal tax information, taxpayers can use their&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fview-your-tax-account/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/Xfz5ds8rKHvwWkISA685k6-S-KgvIBYmMYj4qyhsbzo=400">IRS Online Account</a>. They'll find information such as any payoff amount or balance owed, their payment history and key information from their most recent tax return as it was originally filed. They can also view their IP PIN and get tax return transcripts and tax information documents.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Taxpayers can use the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Fget-transcript/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/Au-pSK-7KpXTsEyxV-uqqrg6ydz7wTDfG9o13GYRK9o=400">Get Transcript</a>&nbsp;tool to view, print or download their tax transcripts after the IRS has processed their return.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Current and prior years’&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-instructions/2/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/vBGsZE63gkKpm3ihvfDaX6l3D5R-tKaNR-sKUIOtG2w=400">forms, instructions and publications</a>&nbsp;can be downloaded and printed anytime.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Special information is available about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fcredits-and-deductions/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/wLH3wKPLRQgb1qW9MXGZcxMEX0Mdkz8EuNtuJkcppvQ=400">tax credits and deductions</a>. Available to individuals and businesses, credits can reduce the amount of tax due while deductions can reduce the amount of taxable income.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Get the most up-to-date information about tax refunds using the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Frefunds/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/8aiOPSmWtcZ6NVzq-cjDp13EyriRREvkRKhAsBit8LE=400">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp;tool.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fdirect-pay-with-bank-account/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/PoJoQb62-bAfF03CBBtEtgCfsQOb1tF5lkqsUjzRMuI=400">Direct Pay</a>&nbsp;is free and lets people securely pay their taxes directly from their checking or savings account without any fees or registration. They can schedule payments up to 365 days in advance. After submitting a payment through Direct Pay, they’ll receive immediate confirmation.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Tax filing season is an excellent time for taxpayers to check their withholding to avoid a tax surprise when filing their 2025 taxes. Taxpayers may use the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Ftax-withholding-estimator/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/2_1Qh6uyDOJtoL0NNE7abVK7Id6ICp9JpTTk1vwkwHM=400">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>&nbsp;to help bring the tax they pay closer to what they owe.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Fmanaging-your-taxes-after-a-life-event/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/_ZIKxKtM47QBWsS6JNVqJQX_-yBvCmbt4G9ntszgFEs=400">Life events</a>&nbsp;like marriage, divorce, having a child or an income change can all impact taxes.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Fmilitary/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/Ty5N_SIeXwbuDVn7E-a2w_nG6ssfVxBx5xLv0iVBdds=400">Tax information for members of the military</a>&nbsp;– Get tax information for military members, their families and veterans. This includes free services for those who qualify.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>IRS-certified volunteers provide basic tax return preparation to eligible individuals through the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Ffree-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/TFQIBjgLTvDtdS0rrvasOD_m2isuHYlDIzAqyWe02rY=400">IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)</a>&nbsp;programs. If taxpayers earn $67,000 or less, have a disability, are 60 years or older or need language support, volunteers are available to help.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>At the online&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-pubs%2Finformation-about-the-alternative-media-center/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/yCcWVGOD3vbB14H7wvAzDKHJegeBVuN1QwL6zkPFuo0=400">Alternative Media Center</a>, taxpayers will find a variety of accessible products to accommodate people who use assistive technology such as screen reading software, refreshable Braille displays and screen magnifying software. These products include tax forms, instructions and publications.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Some taxpayers get automatic extensions&nbsp;Special rules offer some taxpayers more time without having to request an extension:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Finternational-taxpayers%2Fus-citizens-and-resident-aliens-abroad/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/504luJDFeJ1AIOGz3BaMbgAkH1iBhH-VsmP1xvjXPVg=400">U.S. citizens and resident aliens</a>&nbsp;who live and work outside of the United States and Puerto Rico get an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Finternational-taxpayers%2Fus-citizens-and-resident-aliens-abroad-automatic-2-month-extension-of-time-to-file/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/jPWHcgeJmsLwka7TA4pQvwYL5N6V7zMcX-AqZtygVh8=400">automatic two-month</a>&nbsp;extension, until June 16, to file their tax returns. However, tax payments are still due April 15 or interest will accrue on the unpaid tax.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Members of the military on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico also receive an automatic two-month extension to file. Those serving in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Fmilitary%2Fcombat-zones/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/u90vyYgJMEI8long22bw86aUmH3kex2w60KJSFCvH4g=400">combat zones</a>&nbsp;have at least 180 days after they leave the combat zone to file returns and pay any taxes due. Details are available in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-pubs%2Fabout-publication-3/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/TL8tINgyTjyWwVfczB7JD1huEeyXlIugWCb0_1jhjxk=400">Publication 3, Armed Forces' Tax Guide</a>.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>With a presidential disaster declaration, the IRS can postpone certain tax deadlines for taxpayers in affected areas. Taxpayers in qualified disaster areas do not need to request an extension. Information on the most recent tax relief for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fnewsroom%2Ftax-relief-in-disaster-situations/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/YudJxyHGtpM2B2KuW1f8QG_B-uguUcuhoVEdSYHUGeE=400">disaster situations</a>&nbsp;can be found on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-pubs%2Fextension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/b9ojlrgfek-ELox4wZtJytGkKrEwk19dIC56mYz6_eU=400">Extension of Time to File Your Tax Return</a>&nbsp;page.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>If a taxpayer can’t file by the April 15 deadline but isn’t covered by one of these automatic extensions, they can&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Fget-an-extension-to-file-your-tax-return/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/xqqPiUvPyUA1efBommPrIgY3bcu8AivtSqQVZkU14Ro=400">request an extension of time to file</a>. They should still pay what they owe by the deadline, however, as an extension of time to file is not an extension to pay.&nbsp;Having trouble paying? IRS has options to help&nbsp;For those who owe tax and need to make a payment with their tax return, the IRS has several&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/SsVsQxgTHqVqeXPMlj-AWdLC-sWJs84uwxxkiOmlED8=400">payment options</a>.&nbsp;For taxpayers that are unable to pay in full by the tax deadline, the IRS offers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fonline-payment-agreement-application/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/IvLOeixdB7nQ4qQJvQt9zwywISIfysN6QPCayRkrE6E=400">online payment plans</a>.&nbsp;The IRS recommends taxpayers who owe still file their tax return and pay what they can to avoid interest and penalties.&nbsp;Taxpayers can explore various payment options and will receive an immediate response telling them their payment plan application was accepted or denied. Online payment plan options include:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fpayment-plans-installment-agreements%23costs/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/g0UU_IIOLNzTVrKLpyNxbAnOoCuflo05nYRHxq6bB0g=400">Short-term payment plan</a>&nbsp;– The total balance owed is less than $100,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest. Additional time of up to 180 days to pay the balance in full.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Long-term payment plan – New&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fsimple-payment-plans-for-individual-taxpayers/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/E5tyUN2cJ5nkIAF_myJlFClLtok6OlAFJr_E1Rov6s0=400">Simple Payment Plan</a>&nbsp;criteria make it easier and more accessible to enter a long-term payment plan when the total balance owed is less than $50,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest. Taxpayers may make monthly payments for up to the collection statute (usually 10 years), in most cases. Payments may be set up using direct debit (automatic bank withdrawal) which eliminates the need to send in a payment each month, saving postage costs and reducing the chance of default. Taxpayers should remember that extending the time to pay will increase the applicable penalties and fees.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Though interest and late-payment penalties continue to accrue on any unpaid taxes after April 15, the failure to pay penalty is cut in half while an installment agreement is in effect. Find more information on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-pubs%2Fabout-form-9465/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/qoDbMXhx5J7nMRITjHPntx9P8kBRYcUpJ_rdysC7O_0=400">About Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request</a>&nbsp;page at IRS.gov.

TAX DAY: Last-minute filing tips, resources for taxpayers who still need to file

Sunday at 11:39 p.m. the Geary County Sheriff's Department reported that Deputies responded to K177 Highway mile marker 96 for the report of a single vehicle fatal accident. Deputies arrived on scene and conducted an initial investigation and Kansas Highway Patrol was contacted. 

KHP responded to the scene where they assumed command of the investigation. Deputies remained there to assist with the investigation and removing debris from the roadway while shutting down the highway. Deputies cleared the scene at 3:09 a.m. and KHP attempted to contact family members of the deceased driver. 

The identity of the victim has not yet been released. This accident is still under investigation at this time.

Sunday at 11:39 p.m. the Geary County Sheriff's Department reported that Deputies responded to K177 Highway mile marker 96 for the report of a single vehicle fatal accident. Deputies arrived on scene and conducted an initial investigation and Kansas Highway Patrol was contacted. KHP responded to the scene where they assumed command of the investigation. Deputies remained there to assist with the investigation and removing debris from the roadway while shutting down the highway. Deputies cleared the scene at 3:09 a.m. and KHP attempted to contact family members of the deceased driver. The identity of the victim has not yet been released. This accident is still under investigation at this time.

Authorities respond to fatality accident

ELLIS COUNTY —Roger Batman has been found and is safe, according to Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun.

ELLIS COUNTY&nbsp;– The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Ellis County man.

The whereabouts of 81-year-old Roger Batman are unknown and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Batman is likely driving a silver 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck bearing Kansas tag 9625ACG. He was last seen leaving his house in Hays on Monday at 5:00 p.m. He indicated to his wife that he intended to travel to Wichita, Kansas, though his direction and destination are unknown.

Batman is a white male who is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs around 180 pounds. He has blue eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans. Batman has diminished cognitive abilities and high blood pressure.

If you see Roger Batman, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, call the Ellis County Dispatch at (785) 625-1011.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743470401904.jpeg" alt="Roger Batman courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Roger Batman courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTY —Roger Batman has been found and is safe, according to Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun.----------ELLIS COUNTY&nbsp;– The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Ellis County man.The whereabouts of 81-year-old Roger Batman are unknown and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.Batman is likely driving a silver 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck bearing Kansas tag 9625ACG. He was last seen leaving his house in Hays on Monday at 5:00 p.m. He indicated to his wife that he intended to travel to Wichita, Kansas, though his direction and destination are unknown.Batman is a white male who is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs around 180 pounds. He has blue eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans. Batman has diminished cognitive abilities and high blood pressure.If you see Roger Batman, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, call the Ellis County Dispatch at (785) 625-1011.

 Silver Alert canceled; missing NW Kansas man found and is safe

JOHNSON COUNTY — A missing 71-year-old Kansas woman has been found and is safe, according to the Olathe Police Department. The Silver Alert is canceled.

On Sunday night, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a Silver Alert for Gayl Stockman. Gayl is five foot two, approximately 180 pounds, with grey hair and brown eyes. She was last seen leaving the 15800 block of West 150th&nbsp;Terrace on March 30th, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m.&nbsp; Gayl was last seen wearing a thin black long sleeve shirt, blue and white striped shorts, white socks, and white tennis shoes.

Gayl is believed to be operating a red, 2012, Lincoln MKZ displaying a Kansas license plate, 171 PGD. She is also believed to be in the area of Cowgill, Missouri and has a large Bernese Mountain dog with her.

This case remains under investigation by the Olathe Police Department.&nbsp; Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743414775407.png" alt="Stockman" />
 <figcaption>Stockman</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — A missing 71-year-old Kansas woman has been found and is safe, according to the Olathe Police Department. The Silver Alert is canceled.--------On Sunday night, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a Silver Alert for Gayl Stockman. Gayl is five foot two, approximately 180 pounds, with grey hair and brown eyes. She was last seen leaving the 15800 block of West 150th&nbsp;Terrace on March 30th, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m.&nbsp; Gayl was last seen wearing a thin black long sleeve shirt, blue and white striped shorts, white socks, and white tennis shoes.Gayl is believed to be operating a red, 2012, Lincoln MKZ displaying a Kansas license plate, 171 PGD. She is also believed to be in the area of Cowgill, Missouri and has a large Bernese Mountain dog with her.This case remains under investigation by the Olathe Police Department.&nbsp; Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.&nbsp;

Police: Silver Alert canceled, missing Kansas woman is safe

UPDATE: The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office reported to the KBI that Donald Mueller, 94, of Tonganoxie, has been located and is in good condition. The statewide silver alert is now canceled.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY –&nbsp;The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Tonganoxie man.

The whereabouts of 94-year-old Donald E. Mueller are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Mueller is likely driving a dark green 2016 Nissan Frontier pickup bearing Vermont tag&nbsp;515A791. He was believed to have left his residence in Tonganoxie, Kansas to head toward Basehor, Kansas.

Mueller is a white male who is 5-feet-8 inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds. He has brown eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a red, blue, and green long-sleeve button down shirt, jeans and brown loafers. Mueller also walks with a limp.

Mueller has a heart condition, and several other medical conditions that may impact his ability to return home safely without assistance.

If you see Donald E. Mueller, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office at (913) 682-5724.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743127700692.png" alt="Donald Mueller photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Donald Mueller photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE: The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office reported to the KBI that Donald Mueller, 94, of Tonganoxie, has been located and is in good condition. The statewide silver alert is now canceled.------------------LEAVENWORTH COUNTY –&nbsp;The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Tonganoxie man.The whereabouts of 94-year-old Donald E. Mueller are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.Mueller is likely driving a dark green 2016 Nissan Frontier pickup bearing Vermont tag&nbsp;515A791. He was believed to have left his residence in Tonganoxie, Kansas to head toward Basehor, Kansas.Mueller is a white male who is 5-feet-8 inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds. He has brown eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a red, blue, and green long-sleeve button down shirt, jeans and brown loafers. Mueller also walks with a limp.Mueller has a heart condition, and several other medical conditions that may impact his ability to return home safely without assistance.If you see Donald E. Mueller, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office at (913) 682-5724.

KBI: Silver Alert canceled; missing Kansas man is safe

BALTIMORE (AP) — A federal judge repeatedly sounded skeptical on Wednesday that the Trump administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">mass firings of probationary federal workers</a>&nbsp;were made by the government because the employees couldn’t do their jobs, saying the terminations appeared to be part of a larger goal.

U.S. District Judge James Bredar made the comments at a hearing where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mass-firings-federal-lawsuit-wes-moore-99965c34b32a1f3e4afc3b9fc91b4cdc">nearly 20 states</a>&nbsp;are seeking a temporary restraining order to stop any more firings of federal probationary employees and to reinstate those who have already been dismissed. If the dismissals were part of a large-scale reduction in force, there are certain laws guiding the process.

“This case isn’t about whether or not the government can terminate people. It’s about if they decide to terminate people how they must do it,” Bredar said. “Move fast and break things. Move fast, fine. Break things, if that involves breaking the law then that becomes problematic.”

The states argue that the Trump administration blindsided them by ignoring laws set out for large-scale layoffs, which could have devastating consequences for their state finances. At least 24,000 probationary employees have been terminated since Trump took office, the lawsuit alleges.

The Trump administration, on the other hand, argues that the states have no right to try and influence the federal government’s relationship with its own workers. President Donald Trump, a Republican, has said he’s targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-waste-fraud-abuse-635b1419014a43e061f548c9713860c4">fraud, waste and abuse</a>&nbsp;in a bloated federal government.

Probationary workers have been targeted for layoffs across the federal government because they’re usually new to the job and lack full civil service protection. Multiple lawsuits have been filed over the mass firings. One judge refused to block the firings in a lawsuit filed by unions, finding that the workers needed to go through the employment law system. Another found a memo underlying the layoffs was unlawful, but did not immediately block the firings or reinstate workers.

This is the first lawsuit led by states and is being considered by Bredar, a judge appointed by President Barack Obama and based in Baltimore.

The Trump administration has brought a new perspective in terms of how the federal government should operate, how many people should work for the government and the work that the government should do across the board, Bredar said.

As a result, the judge said, the administration has decided to shift thousands of people out of federal employment, “which may well be their prerogative.” However, Bredar noted that this case centers on how they did it.

Bredar said the dismissals appeared to be more characteristic of a large-scale reduction in force, rather than simply ousting probationary workers because they could not do their jobs. Bredar said the employees appear to have been “terminated as a group in order to achieve a broader objective.”

While federal agencies claimed the employees were fired for unsatisfactory performance or conduct, the lawsuit led by the state of Maryland said the firings were part of the administration’s attempt to restructure and downsize the entire government.

That means the administration was required to follow federal laws and regulations that govern large-scale federal reductions in force, the lawsuit said. For example, regulations require that government agencies consider an employee’s tenure, performance and veteran status when making termination decisions, the attorneys said. Regulations also typically require 60 days’ advance notice of termination in a reduction in force.

Virginia Williamson, a Maryland assistant attorney general, argued at a hearing Wednesday that states are suffering “real and irreparable harm as a result of the failure to provide notice.” That’s because states use the information to help the unemployed find work.

“State rapid response agencies across the country need information about the number of employees who are going to be laid off in a mass layoff like the ones that the defendants did in order to provide information about resources for job hiring, information about unemployment benefits, to essentially forestall harms that could befall the state, that will befall the state, absent of any sort of intervention,” Williamson said.

The states also will suffer financially because they will need to support unemployed workers while contending with a sudden loss in state income tax revenue, she said.

U.S. deputy assistant attorney general Eric Hamilton contended that the probationary worker dismissals did not amount to a reduction in force.

“The documents that are in the record for actual federal government employees who were terminated show that there wasn’t a (reduction in force) and that these agencies made judgments that the probationers were not fit for federal government service,” Hamilton said.

The other states that have joined the lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The District of Columbia also is a plaintiff.

The judge said he planned to issue a written decision “promptly.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740511408091.png" alt="File photo Elon Musk-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Elon Musk-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BALTIMORE (AP) — A federal judge repeatedly sounded skeptical on Wednesday that the Trump administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">mass firings of probationary federal workers</a>&nbsp;were made by the government because the employees couldn’t do their jobs, saying the terminations appeared to be part of a larger goal.U.S. District Judge James Bredar made the comments at a hearing where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mass-firings-federal-lawsuit-wes-moore-99965c34b32a1f3e4afc3b9fc91b4cdc">nearly 20 states</a>&nbsp;are seeking a temporary restraining order to stop any more firings of federal probationary employees and to reinstate those who have already been dismissed. If the dismissals were part of a large-scale reduction in force, there are certain laws guiding the process.“This case isn’t about whether or not the government can terminate people. It’s about if they decide to terminate people how they must do it,” Bredar said. “Move fast and break things. Move fast, fine. Break things, if that involves breaking the law then that becomes problematic.”The states argue that the Trump administration blindsided them by ignoring laws set out for large-scale layoffs, which could have devastating consequences for their state finances. At least 24,000 probationary employees have been terminated since Trump took office, the lawsuit alleges.The Trump administration, on the other hand, argues that the states have no right to try and influence the federal government’s relationship with its own workers. President Donald Trump, a Republican, has said he’s targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-waste-fraud-abuse-635b1419014a43e061f548c9713860c4">fraud, waste and abuse</a>&nbsp;in a bloated federal government.Probationary workers have been targeted for layoffs across the federal government because they’re usually new to the job and lack full civil service protection. Multiple lawsuits have been filed over the mass firings. One judge refused to block the firings in a lawsuit filed by unions, finding that the workers needed to go through the employment law system. Another found a memo underlying the layoffs was unlawful, but did not immediately block the firings or reinstate workers.This is the first lawsuit led by states and is being considered by Bredar, a judge appointed by President Barack Obama and based in Baltimore.The Trump administration has brought a new perspective in terms of how the federal government should operate, how many people should work for the government and the work that the government should do across the board, Bredar said.As a result, the judge said, the administration has decided to shift thousands of people out of federal employment, “which may well be their prerogative.” However, Bredar noted that this case centers on how they did it.Bredar said the dismissals appeared to be more characteristic of a large-scale reduction in force, rather than simply ousting probationary workers because they could not do their jobs. Bredar said the employees appear to have been “terminated as a group in order to achieve a broader objective.”While federal agencies claimed the employees were fired for unsatisfactory performance or conduct, the lawsuit led by the state of Maryland said the firings were part of the administration’s attempt to restructure and downsize the entire government.That means the administration was required to follow federal laws and regulations that govern large-scale federal reductions in force, the lawsuit said. For example, regulations require that government agencies consider an employee’s tenure, performance and veteran status when making termination decisions, the attorneys said. Regulations also typically require 60 days’ advance notice of termination in a reduction in force.Virginia Williamson, a Maryland assistant attorney general, argued at a hearing Wednesday that states are suffering “real and irreparable harm as a result of the failure to provide notice.” That’s because states use the information to help the unemployed find work.“State rapid response agencies across the country need information about the number of employees who are going to be laid off in a mass layoff like the ones that the defendants did in order to provide information about resources for job hiring, information about unemployment benefits, to essentially forestall harms that could befall the state, that will befall the state, absent of any sort of intervention,” Williamson said.The states also will suffer financially because they will need to support unemployed workers while contending with a sudden loss in state income tax revenue, she said.U.S. deputy assistant attorney general Eric Hamilton contended that the probationary worker dismissals did not amount to a reduction in force.“The documents that are in the record for actual federal government employees who were terminated show that there wasn’t a (reduction in force) and that these agencies made judgments that the probationers were not fit for federal government service,” Hamilton said.The other states that have joined the lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The District of Columbia also is a plaintiff.The judge said he planned to issue a written decision “promptly.”

Judge appears likely to reinstate thousands of fired probationary workers

ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;' recovery from double pneumonia continued Wednesday as a chest X-ray confirmed improvement, two days after doctors declared he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-gemelli-6e7dc023141f82d0844a604ca5ed6a37">no longer in imminent danger</a>&nbsp;of death.

The latest medical bulletin said the pope’s condition remained stable, but indicated a complex picture considering his overall fragility.

The Vatican said the 88-year-old Francis again followed its spiritual retreat remotely, and resumed physical and respiratory therapy after a quiet night. He continues to receive high flows of oxygen through nasal tubes during the day, and a non-invasive mechanical mask to aid his rest at night.

His weekly Wednesday general audience was canceled since the Vatican hierarchy is on retreat this week as part of the Lenten spiritual exercises that have been a mainstay of the Jesuit pope’s pontificate.

Francis faces important milestones this week.

On Thursday, he marks the 12th anniversary of his election as the 266th pope. The Holy See hasn’t said how the anniversary, a public holiday in the Vatican, might be commemorated. No medical bulletin will be issued.

The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected on the fifth ballot of the 2013 conclave that was called after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-benedict-xvi-dead-9d486fd9b12eab1177b9eb8ab7be22f4">Pope Benedict XVI</a>&nbsp;resigned.

While Francis has praised Benedict’s humility in stepping down and said he might follow in his footsteps, more recently he has said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-resignation-memoir-9e98edbc7c04c5383e6393d212b10711">papacy is a job for life</a>.

Another milestone comes Friday, when Francis marks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-hospitalization-day-by-day-5ca4e621ab46780f7dbc13da7e3fa1bb">four weeks</a>&nbsp;of hospitalization.

St. John Paul II has the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-longest-hospitalizations-john-paul-ii-gemelli-619139a0ba7006b939816b50e31d1cdb">record for a hospital stay</a>, at 55 days in 1981 when he underwent a minor surgical operation and then was treated for a cytomegalovirus infection.

Francis is on track to equal the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-hospital-pneumonia-explainer-dd041a6397cdbb11d1b69d5809615f37">second-longest stay</a>, 28 days, which John Paul recorded in 1994 when he had surgery to repair his right hip joint after he fractured his right femur in a fall, according to Gemelli hospital.

The Vatican has released no photos or video of Francis since he was admitted. The pope recorded an audio message last week to thank people for their prayers, though the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-hospitalization-pneumonia-vatican-6a63ef6cc34c27307bf2e54f64c94014">weakness and breathlessness</a>&nbsp;of his voice made clear how frail he was.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740262535769.png" alt="Candles and a photo of Pope Francis are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)" />
 <figcaption>Candles and a photo of Pope Francis are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;' recovery from double pneumonia continued Wednesday as a chest X-ray confirmed improvement, two days after doctors declared he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-gemelli-6e7dc023141f82d0844a604ca5ed6a37">no longer in imminent danger</a>&nbsp;of death.The latest medical bulletin said the pope’s condition remained stable, but indicated a complex picture considering his overall fragility.The Vatican said the 88-year-old Francis again followed its spiritual retreat remotely, and resumed physical and respiratory therapy after a quiet night. He continues to receive high flows of oxygen through nasal tubes during the day, and a non-invasive mechanical mask to aid his rest at night.His weekly Wednesday general audience was canceled since the Vatican hierarchy is on retreat this week as part of the Lenten spiritual exercises that have been a mainstay of the Jesuit pope’s pontificate.Francis faces important milestones this week.On Thursday, he marks the 12th anniversary of his election as the 266th pope. The Holy See hasn’t said how the anniversary, a public holiday in the Vatican, might be commemorated. No medical bulletin will be issued.The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected on the fifth ballot of the 2013 conclave that was called after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-benedict-xvi-dead-9d486fd9b12eab1177b9eb8ab7be22f4">Pope Benedict XVI</a>&nbsp;resigned.While Francis has praised Benedict’s humility in stepping down and said he might follow in his footsteps, more recently he has said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-resignation-memoir-9e98edbc7c04c5383e6393d212b10711">papacy is a job for life</a>.Another milestone comes Friday, when Francis marks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-hospitalization-day-by-day-5ca4e621ab46780f7dbc13da7e3fa1bb">four weeks</a>&nbsp;of hospitalization.St. John Paul II has the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-longest-hospitalizations-john-paul-ii-gemelli-619139a0ba7006b939816b50e31d1cdb">record for a hospital stay</a>, at 55 days in 1981 when he underwent a minor surgical operation and then was treated for a cytomegalovirus infection.Francis is on track to equal the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-hospital-pneumonia-explainer-dd041a6397cdbb11d1b69d5809615f37">second-longest stay</a>, 28 days, which John Paul recorded in 1994 when he had surgery to repair his right hip joint after he fractured his right femur in a fall, according to Gemelli hospital.The Vatican has released no photos or video of Francis since he was admitted. The pope recorded an audio message last week to thank people for their prayers, though the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-hospitalization-pneumonia-vatican-6a63ef6cc34c27307bf2e54f64c94014">weakness and breathlessness</a>&nbsp;of his voice made clear how frail he was.

Vatican reports more good health news on Pope Francis

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-imports-inflation-62d52742c0bb0a5b8304755c6ee9af4d">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday that he will double his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">planned tariffs</a>&nbsp;on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% for Canada, escalating a trade war with the United States' northern neighbor.

Trump said on social media that the increase of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-imports-inflation-62d52742c0bb0a5b8304755c6ee9af4d">the tariffs</a>&nbsp;set to take effect on Wednesday is a response to the price increases that the provincial government of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-ontario-us-trump-tariffs-electricity-834dc3d9defd314923912f9bd8540e31">Ontario put on electricity</a>&nbsp;sold to the United States.

“I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” Trump posted Tuesday on Truth Social.

Facing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-economy-tariffs-trump-rates-174603e75feb9d5cca96c08817e0c7c2">brutal stock market selloff</a>&nbsp;on Monday and Tuesday, Trump faces increased pressure to show he has a legitimate plan to grow the economy instead of perhaps pushing it into a recession. But so far the president is doubling down on the tariffs he talked up repeatedly during the 2024 campaign and throwing a once stable economy into utter turmoil as investors expected him to lead with deregulation and tax cuts instead of colossal tax hikes.

The U.S. president has given a variety of explanations for his antagonism of Canada, saying that his separate 25% tariffs are about fentanyl smuggling and voicing objections to Canada putting high taxes on dairy imports that penalize U.S. farmers. But he continued to call for Canada&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-canada-could-become-us-state-42360e10ded96c0046fd11eaaf55ab88">to become part of the United States</a>&nbsp;as a solution, a form of taunting that has infuriated Canadian leaders.

“The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State," Trump posted on Tuesday. "This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, after responding to Trump by raising electricity prices, said Tuesday on MSNBC that the U.S. people and its business leaders needed to speak up against the “chaos” caused by Trump's launching of a trade war.

“If we go into a recession it’s self made by one person. It’s called President Trump’s recession,” Ford said. “It shouldn’t be this way. We should be booming, both countries.”

Trump was set to deliver a Tuesday afternoon address to the Business Roundtable, a trade association of CEOs that during the 2024 campaign he wooed with the promise of lower corporate tax rates for domestic manufacturers. But his tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, steel, aluminum — with plans for more to possibly come on Europe, Brazil, South Korea, pharmaceutical drugs, copper, lumber and computer chips — would amount to a massive tax hike.

The stock market’s vote of no confidence over the past two weeks puts the president in a bind between his enthusiasm for taxing imports and his brand as a politician who understands business based on his own experiences in real estate, media and marketing.

Harvard University economist Larry Summers, a former treasury secretary for the Clinton administration, on Monday put the odds of a recession at 50-50.

“All the emphasis on tariffs and all the ambiguity and uncertainty has both chilled demand and caused prices to go up,” Summers posted on X. “We are getting the worst of both worlds - concerns about inflation and an economic downturn and more uncertainty about the future and that slows everything.”

The investment bank Goldman Sachs revised down its growth forecast for this year to 1.7% from 2.2% previously. It modestly increased its recession probability to 20% “because the White House has the option to pull back policy changes if downside risks begin to look more serious.”

Trump has tried to assure the public that his tariffs would cause a bit of a “transition” to the economy, with the taxes prodding more companies to begin the years-long process of relocating factories to the United States to avoid the tariffs. But he set off alarms in an interview broadcast on Sunday in which he didn't rule out a possible recession.

“I hate to predict things like that,” Trump said on Fox News Channel's “Sunday Morning Futures." ”There is a period of transition, because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing. And there are always periods of — it takes a little time. It takes a little time. But I don’t — I think it should be great for us. I mean, I think it should be great."

The promise of great things ahead did not eliminate anxiety, with the S&amp;P 500 stock index tumbling 2.7% on Monday in an unmistakable Trump slump that has erased the market gains that greeted his victory in November 2024. The S&amp;P 500 index fell roughly 0.4% in Tuesday morning trading.

Trump has long relied on the stock market as an economic and political gauge to follow, only to seemingly ignore it as he remains determined so far to impose tariffs. When he won the election last year, he proclaimed that he wanted his term to be considered to have started Nov. 6, 2024 on Election Day, rather than his January 20, 2025 inauguration, so that he could be credited for post-election stock market gains.

Trump also repeatedly warned of an economic freefall if he lost the election.

“If I don’t win you will have a 1929 style depression. Enjoy it,” Trump said at an August rally in Pennsylvania.

Trump last year claimed that his win in the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses caused China’s stock market to retreat.

“China had a crash yesterday in their stock market. You know why? Because I won Iowa,” Trump said at the time.

The White House is no longer treating stocks as a reliable economic indicator. After the markets closed on Monday, the White House highlighted that the tariffs were prompting companies such as Honda, Volkswagen and Volvo to consider new investments in U.S. factories. It issued a statement that Trump's combination of tariffs, deregulations and increased energy production had led industry leaders to promise to “create thousands of new jobs.”

The significance of thousands of additional jobs was unclear, as the U.S. economy added 2.2 million jobs last year alone, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-imports-inflation-62d52742c0bb0a5b8304755c6ee9af4d">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday that he will double his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">planned tariffs</a>&nbsp;on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% for Canada, escalating a trade war with the United States' northern neighbor.Trump said on social media that the increase of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-imports-inflation-62d52742c0bb0a5b8304755c6ee9af4d">the tariffs</a>&nbsp;set to take effect on Wednesday is a response to the price increases that the provincial government of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-ontario-us-trump-tariffs-electricity-834dc3d9defd314923912f9bd8540e31">Ontario put on electricity</a>&nbsp;sold to the United States.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741703315509.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” Trump posted Tuesday on Truth Social.Facing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-economy-tariffs-trump-rates-174603e75feb9d5cca96c08817e0c7c2">brutal stock market selloff</a>&nbsp;on Monday and Tuesday, Trump faces increased pressure to show he has a legitimate plan to grow the economy instead of perhaps pushing it into a recession. But so far the president is doubling down on the tariffs he talked up repeatedly during the 2024 campaign and throwing a once stable economy into utter turmoil as investors expected him to lead with deregulation and tax cuts instead of colossal tax hikes.The U.S. president has given a variety of explanations for his antagonism of Canada, saying that his separate 25% tariffs are about fentanyl smuggling and voicing objections to Canada putting high taxes on dairy imports that penalize U.S. farmers. But he continued to call for Canada&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-canada-could-become-us-state-42360e10ded96c0046fd11eaaf55ab88">to become part of the United States</a>&nbsp;as a solution, a form of taunting that has infuriated Canadian leaders.“The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State," Trump posted on Tuesday. "This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear.”Ontario Premier Doug Ford, after responding to Trump by raising electricity prices, said Tuesday on MSNBC that the U.S. people and its business leaders needed to speak up against the “chaos” caused by Trump's launching of a trade war.“If we go into a recession it’s self made by one person. It’s called President Trump’s recession,” Ford said. “It shouldn’t be this way. We should be booming, both countries.”Trump was set to deliver a Tuesday afternoon address to the Business Roundtable, a trade association of CEOs that during the 2024 campaign he wooed with the promise of lower corporate tax rates for domestic manufacturers. But his tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, steel, aluminum — with plans for more to possibly come on Europe, Brazil, South Korea, pharmaceutical drugs, copper, lumber and computer chips — would amount to a massive tax hike.The stock market’s vote of no confidence over the past two weeks puts the president in a bind between his enthusiasm for taxing imports and his brand as a politician who understands business based on his own experiences in real estate, media and marketing.Harvard University economist Larry Summers, a former treasury secretary for the Clinton administration, on Monday put the odds of a recession at 50-50.“All the emphasis on tariffs and all the ambiguity and uncertainty has both chilled demand and caused prices to go up,” Summers posted on X. “We are getting the worst of both worlds - concerns about inflation and an economic downturn and more uncertainty about the future and that slows everything.”The investment bank Goldman Sachs revised down its growth forecast for this year to 1.7% from 2.2% previously. It modestly increased its recession probability to 20% “because the White House has the option to pull back policy changes if downside risks begin to look more serious.”Trump has tried to assure the public that his tariffs would cause a bit of a “transition” to the economy, with the taxes prodding more companies to begin the years-long process of relocating factories to the United States to avoid the tariffs. But he set off alarms in an interview broadcast on Sunday in which he didn't rule out a possible recession.“I hate to predict things like that,” Trump said on Fox News Channel's “Sunday Morning Futures." ”There is a period of transition, because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing. And there are always periods of — it takes a little time. It takes a little time. But I don’t — I think it should be great for us. I mean, I think it should be great."The promise of great things ahead did not eliminate anxiety, with the S&amp;P 500 stock index tumbling 2.7% on Monday in an unmistakable Trump slump that has erased the market gains that greeted his victory in November 2024. The S&amp;P 500 index fell roughly 0.4% in Tuesday morning trading.Trump has long relied on the stock market as an economic and political gauge to follow, only to seemingly ignore it as he remains determined so far to impose tariffs. When he won the election last year, he proclaimed that he wanted his term to be considered to have started Nov. 6, 2024 on Election Day, rather than his January 20, 2025 inauguration, so that he could be credited for post-election stock market gains.Trump also repeatedly warned of an economic freefall if he lost the election.“If I don’t win you will have a 1929 style depression. Enjoy it,” Trump said at an August rally in Pennsylvania.Trump last year claimed that his win in the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses caused China’s stock market to retreat.“China had a crash yesterday in their stock market. You know why? Because I won Iowa,” Trump said at the time.The White House is no longer treating stocks as a reliable economic indicator. After the markets closed on Monday, the White House highlighted that the tariffs were prompting companies such as Honda, Volkswagen and Volvo to consider new investments in U.S. factories. It issued a statement that Trump's combination of tariffs, deregulations and increased energy production had led industry leaders to promise to “create thousands of new jobs.”The significance of thousands of additional jobs was unclear, as the U.S. economy added 2.2 million jobs last year alone, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Trade war intensifies: Trump to hike tariffs on Canada metals

SHERIDAN COUNTY –&nbsp;The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office reported to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) that 88-year-old Duane E. Wente was located and is now safe.

SHERIDAN COUNTY&nbsp;– The Sheridan County Sheriff’s office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Sheridan County man , according to a media release from the agency.

The whereabouts of 88-year-old Duane E. Wente are unknown and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Wente was last seen on March 10, around 3 a.m. He is driving a gold 2011 Chrysler Town and Country bearing Kansas tag ANN37, traveling in an unknown direction.

Wente is a white male who is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He is possibly wearing glasses, blue jeans, a brown plaid shirt, and a gray windbreaker. Wente has dementia.

If you see Duane E. Wente, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, call the Sheridan County Dispatch at (785) 675-3481.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741621582867.png" alt="Photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>SHERIDAN COUNTY –&nbsp;The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office reported to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) that 88-year-old Duane E. Wente was located and is now safe.The Silver Alert is canceled.---------SHERIDAN COUNTY&nbsp;– The Sheridan County Sheriff’s office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Sheridan County man , according to a media release from the agency.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741621504119.png" alt="Wente photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Wente photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>The whereabouts of 88-year-old Duane E. Wente are unknown and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.Wente was last seen on March 10, around 3 a.m. He is driving a gold 2011 Chrysler Town and Country bearing Kansas tag ANN37, traveling in an unknown direction.Wente is a white male who is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He is possibly wearing glasses, blue jeans, a brown plaid shirt, and a gray windbreaker. Wente has dementia.If you see Duane E. Wente, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, call the Sheridan County Dispatch at (785) 675-3481.

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