BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas reported no new measles cases for the third week in a row Wednesday, and health officials are encouraging parents to vaccinate their children as they return to school next week to keep that trend going.&nbsp;

The lack of new cases puts Kansas about halfway through the 42 days required for a measles outbreak to be considered over, which is two incubation periods of 21 days each, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.&nbsp;

Close proximity in classrooms creates the ideal environment for the spread of measles, considered the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, said Karen Winkelman, public health director for the Barton County Health Department.&nbsp;

She said county health officials maintain a strong working relationship with schools, which helps speed communications if there is a measles case.

“With measles, it’s going to be quick action, quick notification,” she said, adding that they’re also encouraging schools to adopt and teach strong hygiene practices.

Handwashing, good practices when sneezing and coughing, and encouraging parents to keep their children home when they have symptoms are among the practices Winkelman highlighted.

“Also review immunization records, making sure they are properly and appropriately vaccinated, and also just being honest, up front,” she said. “We’re not going to force vaccination, but we want you to know what the consequences are if there would happen to be an exposure.”

With a 21-day incubation period, an unvaccinated child who has been exposed may not be able to attend school for that time period.

School vaccination data from 2025 isn’t available yet, but many Kansas school districts last year reported&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/02/vaccination-rates-down-in-most-kansas-counties-where-measles-cases-occurring/">decreased vaccination rates</a>, according to Kansas State Department of Education data. For instance, the Gray County kindergarten vaccination rate dropped from 76% in the 2022-23 school year to 66% in 2023-24. Stevens County dropped from 98% to 83% in the same time period.

Ninety cases of measles have been reported in 12 Kansas counties since January, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2314/Measles-Outbreak-Data" target="_blank">Kansas Department of Health and Environment data</a>. Most of the cases, 87, are related to an outbreak, which occurs when three or more cases are linked to each other.&nbsp;

The last new Kansas measles cases were reported during the week of July 6.&nbsp;

“Certainly we can hope that the current outbreak situation is improved and nearly ending,” said Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control at the University of Kansas Health System.

But Hawkinson said measles cases continue to increase at the national level. The CDC reported 1,356 confirmed cases of measles as of Wednesday.

Communicating about the importance of vaccines continues to be important, he said. Many people still quote information that has been thoroughly researched and debunked, Hawkinson said.

“There have continued to be publications which continue to support the safety and benefits of vaccines, but especially the (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine,” he said. “There continue to be new, updated, well-done studies that show the safety of these vaccines.”

Hawkinson referenced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-00997" target="_blank">a recent Denmark study</a>&nbsp;of 1.2 million children born between 1997 and 2018 that found no association between minute amounts of aluminum in vaccines and long-term health impacts.

“I think we have to continue to promote honest science and transparency, and it is a battle against disinformation, which has persisted and really grown in the past few decades,” he said.

Hawkinson said vaccine information has become intertwined with political and societal views.

“When we’re talking about our mechanic or our lawyer or our electrician, we will listen to them and take their advice,” he said. “But when it comes to the most important thing, we are finding it harder and harder, as a society, to take the advice of those people and those experts who are dedicating their lives and their training and their every day to giving accurate information and trying to keep individuals and communities healthy.”

Hawkinson said it’s important for parents to make informed decisions about their children’s health, and to also consider that an illness like measles can have an economic impact in terms of missed work and medical costs.

Before the measles vaccine was available in the 1960s, most people were infected with the measles virus, with about 400 to 500 people dying each year; 48,000 being hospitalized; and 1,000 suffering from encephalitis, or brain swelling, the CDC website said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743085628490.png" alt="Photo by Tatiana Lanzieri Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Tatiana Lanzieri Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas reported no new measles cases for the third week in a row Wednesday, and health officials are encouraging parents to vaccinate their children as they return to school next week to keep that trend going.&nbsp;The lack of new cases puts Kansas about halfway through the 42 days required for a measles outbreak to be considered over, which is two incubation periods of 21 days each, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.&nbsp;Close proximity in classrooms creates the ideal environment for the spread of measles, considered the most contagious vaccine-preventable disease, said Karen Winkelman, public health director for the Barton County Health Department.&nbsp;She said county health officials maintain a strong working relationship with schools, which helps speed communications if there is a measles case.“With measles, it’s going to be quick action, quick notification,” she said, adding that they’re also encouraging schools to adopt and teach strong hygiene practices.Handwashing, good practices when sneezing and coughing, and encouraging parents to keep their children home when they have symptoms are among the practices Winkelman highlighted.“Also review immunization records, making sure they are properly and appropriately vaccinated, and also just being honest, up front,” she said. “We’re not going to force vaccination, but we want you to know what the consequences are if there would happen to be an exposure.”With a 21-day incubation period, an unvaccinated child who has been exposed may not be able to attend school for that time period.School vaccination data from 2025 isn’t available yet, but many Kansas school districts last year reported&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/02/vaccination-rates-down-in-most-kansas-counties-where-measles-cases-occurring/">decreased vaccination rates</a>, according to Kansas State Department of Education data. For instance, the Gray County kindergarten vaccination rate dropped from 76% in the 2022-23 school year to 66% in 2023-24. Stevens County dropped from 98% to 83% in the same time period.Ninety cases of measles have been reported in 12 Kansas counties since January, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2314/Measles-Outbreak-Data" target="_blank">Kansas Department of Health and Environment data</a>. Most of the cases, 87, are related to an outbreak, which occurs when three or more cases are linked to each other.&nbsp;The last new Kansas measles cases were reported during the week of July 6.&nbsp;“Certainly we can hope that the current outbreak situation is improved and nearly ending,” said Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control at the University of Kansas Health System.But Hawkinson said measles cases continue to increase at the national level. The CDC reported 1,356 confirmed cases of measles as of Wednesday.Communicating about the importance of vaccines continues to be important, he said. Many people still quote information that has been thoroughly researched and debunked, Hawkinson said.“There have continued to be publications which continue to support the safety and benefits of vaccines, but especially the (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine,” he said. “There continue to be new, updated, well-done studies that show the safety of these vaccines.”Hawkinson referenced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-00997" target="_blank">a recent Denmark study</a>&nbsp;of 1.2 million children born between 1997 and 2018 that found no association between minute amounts of aluminum in vaccines and long-term health impacts.“I think we have to continue to promote honest science and transparency, and it is a battle against disinformation, which has persisted and really grown in the past few decades,” he said.Hawkinson said vaccine information has become intertwined with political and societal views.“When we’re talking about our mechanic or our lawyer or our electrician, we will listen to them and take their advice,” he said. “But when it comes to the most important thing, we are finding it harder and harder, as a society, to take the advice of those people and those experts who are dedicating their lives and their training and their every day to giving accurate information and trying to keep individuals and communities healthy.”Hawkinson said it’s important for parents to make informed decisions about their children’s health, and to also consider that an illness like measles can have an economic impact in terms of missed work and medical costs.Before the measles vaccine was available in the 1960s, most people were infected with the measles virus, with about 400 to 500 people dying each year; 48,000 being hospitalized; and 1,000 suffering from encephalitis, or brain swelling, the CDC website said.

Kansas reports no new measles cases in three weeks as cases increase nationally

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating a homicide in Topeka have identified the victim as 42-year-old Drew Davis, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

Just after 11:15 p.m., Wednesday, police responded to a shooting in the 100 block of NW Kendall Avenue in Topeka.&nbsp; As officers arrived in the area, they located Davis suffering from life-threatening injuries. While on the scene, medical personnel pronounced him deceased.&nbsp;

This is the city’s 14th homicide investigation of 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754568656602.png" alt="Photo by Cole Hermesch courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Cole Hermesch courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement&nbsp; investigating a homicide in Topeka have identified the victim as 42-year-old Drew Davis, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.Just after 11:15 p.m., Wednesday, police responded to a shooting in the 100 block of NW Kendall Avenue in Topeka.&nbsp; As officers arrived in the area, they located Davis suffering from life-threatening injuries. While on the scene, medical personnel pronounced him deceased.&nbsp;This is the city’s 14th homicide investigation of 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police ID 42-year-old Kansas homicide victim

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A federal judge in Maryland late Thursday ruled President Donald Trump’s administration cannot withhold citizenship from children born to people in the country illegally or temporarily, issuing the fourth court decision blocking the president’s birthright citizenship order nationwide since a key U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-birthright-citizenship-immigration-9da9e11d83f2fd3cbf95e6a733651daf">ruling</a>&nbsp;in June.

U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman’s preliminary injunction was expected after the judge said last month she would issue such an order if the case were returned to her by an appeals court. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case back to her later in July.

Since June, two other district courts, as well as an appellate panel of judges, have also blocked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-immigration-trump-20919d26029cf0f98ecb0dc7f90a066b">the birthright order</a>&nbsp;nationwide.

An email to the White House for comment was not immediately returned.

Trump’s January order would deny citizenship to children born to parents living in the U.S. illegally or temporarily.

Boardman in February issued a preliminary injunction blocking it nationwide. But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-birthright-citizenship-immigration-9da9e11d83f2fd3cbf95e6a733651daf">June ruling</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Supreme Court upended that decision and other court rulings blocking the order across the nation.

The justices ruled that lower courts generally can’t issue nationwide injunctions, but they didn’t rule out other court orders that could have nationwide effects, including in class-action lawsuits and those brought by states.

In her ruling Thursday, Boardman certified a class of all children who have been born or will be born in the United States after February 19, 2025, who would be affected by Trump’s order.

She said the plaintiffs in the lawsuit before her were “extremely likely” to win their argument that the birthright order violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which includes a citizenship clause that says all people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to U.S. jurisdiction, are citizens. They were also likely to suffer irreparable harm if the order went into effect, she wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747849916674.png" alt="File photo White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A federal judge in Maryland late Thursday ruled President Donald Trump’s administration cannot withhold citizenship from children born to people in the country illegally or temporarily, issuing the fourth court decision blocking the president’s birthright citizenship order nationwide since a key U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-birthright-citizenship-immigration-9da9e11d83f2fd3cbf95e6a733651daf">ruling</a>&nbsp;in June.U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman’s preliminary injunction was expected after the judge said last month she would issue such an order if the case were returned to her by an appeals court. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case back to her later in July.Since June, two other district courts, as well as an appellate panel of judges, have also blocked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-immigration-trump-20919d26029cf0f98ecb0dc7f90a066b">the birthright order</a>&nbsp;nationwide.An email to the White House for comment was not immediately returned.Trump’s January order would deny citizenship to children born to parents living in the U.S. illegally or temporarily.Boardman in February issued a preliminary injunction blocking it nationwide. But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-birthright-citizenship-immigration-9da9e11d83f2fd3cbf95e6a733651daf">June ruling</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Supreme Court upended that decision and other court rulings blocking the order across the nation.The justices ruled that lower courts generally can’t issue nationwide injunctions, but they didn’t rule out other court orders that could have nationwide effects, including in class-action lawsuits and those brought by states.In her ruling Thursday, Boardman certified a class of all children who have been born or will be born in the United States after February 19, 2025, who would be affected by Trump’s order.She said the plaintiffs in the lawsuit before her were “extremely likely” to win their argument that the birthright order violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which includes a citizenship clause that says all people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to U.S. jurisdiction, are citizens. They were also likely to suffer irreparable harm if the order went into effect, she wrote.<figure>
 <img src="https://sync.intentiq.com/profiles_engine/ProfilesEngineServlet?at=20&amp;mi=10&amp;secure=1&amp;dpi=456059511&amp;iiqidtype=2&amp;iiqpcid=af53ea04-0e6c-4047-87a7-d92e9e195176&amp;iiqpciddate=1754666222737&amp;tsrnd=467_1754666222738&amp;vrref=&amp;jsver=5.082" alt="" />
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 </figure>

Another judge blocks Trump's birthright order nationwide 

Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) and Barton Community College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a new partnership aimed at expanding access to respiratory care education and addressing a growing workforce need in central Kansas.

Through this agreement, students from Barton will complete their general education requirements at Barton and then have the opportunity to transition into HutchCC’s Respiratory Care Program. The partnership was developed in response to an increased demand for respiratory care professionals in Barton’s service area, which includes nine regional hospitals."

This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to meeting the healthcare workforce needs of our communities," said Dr. Tricia Paramore, President of Hutchinson Community College. "By working together, we are creating clearer pathways for students and helping ensure that Kansas hospitals have access to the skilled respiratory therapists they urgently need."

Dr. Marcus Garstecki, President of Barton Community College, echoed the value of the partnership: “We’ve seen a significant increase in the demand for respiratory care professionals across our service area. Partnering with HutchCC allows us to provide our students with a high-quality, accessible path into this critical field, while also supporting the healthcare systems in our region.”

The collaboration aligns with both institutions’ missions to provide affordable, accessible, and relevant education while serving the needs of Kansas communities.

For more information about the Respiratory Care Program, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.hutchcc.edu/rt">www.hutchcc.edu/rt</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754664885506.jpeg" alt="Hutch CC BartonCC Respiratory " />
 <figcaption>Hutch CC BartonCC Respiratory </figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGEHutchinson Community College (HutchCC) and Barton Community College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a new partnership aimed at expanding access to respiratory care education and addressing a growing workforce need in central Kansas.Through this agreement, students from Barton will complete their general education requirements at Barton and then have the opportunity to transition into HutchCC’s Respiratory Care Program. The partnership was developed in response to an increased demand for respiratory care professionals in Barton’s service area, which includes nine regional hospitals."This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to meeting the healthcare workforce needs of our communities," said Dr. Tricia Paramore, President of Hutchinson Community College. "By working together, we are creating clearer pathways for students and helping ensure that Kansas hospitals have access to the skilled respiratory therapists they urgently need."Dr. Marcus Garstecki, President of Barton Community College, echoed the value of the partnership: “We’ve seen a significant increase in the demand for respiratory care professionals across our service area. Partnering with HutchCC allows us to provide our students with a high-quality, accessible path into this critical field, while also supporting the healthcare systems in our region.”The collaboration aligns with both institutions’ missions to provide affordable, accessible, and relevant education while serving the needs of Kansas communities.For more information about the Respiratory Care Program, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.hutchcc.edu/rt">www.hutchcc.edu/rt</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hutch CC and Barton CC announce new partnership

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect following a road rage incident, his second arrest for similar behavior in three months, according to Garden City police.

Around 8 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a report of a road rage altercation along W. Kansas Avenue in Garden City. The reporting party stated that they and another driver, identified as Andrew Ortiz, 31, were involved in an incident during which Ortiz allegedly pointed a handgun at them before fleeing the area. 

With the assistance of the Finney County Sheriff’s Office, police quickly located Ortiz in the 200 block of N. 11th Street. A high-risk traffic stop was conducted, and Ortiz was taken into custody. 

Officers later recovered a lower receiver of a firearm. Ortiz, who was arrested for a similar incident in May, is being held in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Assault. There were no injuries from the incident. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754575860844.png" alt="Ortiz photo Finney County" />
 <figcaption>Ortiz photo Finney County</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect following a road rage incident, his second arrest for similar behavior in three months, according to Garden City police.Around 8 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a report of a road rage altercation along W. Kansas Avenue in Garden City. The reporting party stated that they and another driver, identified as Andrew Ortiz, 31, were involved in an incident during which Ortiz allegedly pointed a handgun at them before fleeing the area. With the assistance of the Finney County Sheriff’s Office, police quickly located Ortiz in the 200 block of N. 11th Street. A high-risk traffic stop was conducted, and Ortiz was taken into custody. Officers later recovered a lower receiver of a firearm. Ortiz, who was arrested for a similar incident in May, is being held in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Assault. There were no injuries from the incident.

Road rage: SW Kan. man jailed again for pointing a gun at another driver 

The Department of State and the Department of Justice are announcing a reward offer increase of up to $50 million under the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP) for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Nicolás Maduro for violating U.S. narcotics laws, according to a statement from agency.

For over a decade, Maduro has been a leader of Cartel de los Soles, which is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States.&nbsp; On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Cartel de Los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).&nbsp;

Since 2020, Maduro has strangled democracy and grasped at power in Venezuela.&nbsp; Maduro claimed to have won Venezuela’s July 28, 2024, presidential election but failed to present any evidence that he had prevailed.&nbsp; The United States has refused to recognize Maduro as the winner of 2024 election and does not recognize him as the President of Venezuela.&nbsp;

Today’s reward offer is authorized by the Secretary under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/releases-bureau-of-international-narcotics-and-law-enforcement-affairs?results=30&amp;currpage=2&amp;totalpages=2&amp;coll_filter_year&amp;coll_filter_month&amp;coll_filter_speaker&amp;coll_filter_country&amp;coll_filter_release_type=1438&amp;coll_filter_bureau&amp;coll_filter_program&amp;coll_filter_profession" target="_blank">NRP</a>, which supports law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational crime globally and bring fugitives to justice as a key pillar of President Trump’s “America First” priorities.&nbsp; If you have information, please contact the DEA by phone (voice, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or text) at +1-202-681-8187, or by&nbsp;<a href="mailto:CartelSolesTips@dea.gov">email</a>.&nbsp; If you are located outside the United States, you may also visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.&nbsp; If you are in the United States, you can also contact the local DEA field office.

ALL IDENTITIES ARE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.&nbsp; Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.

The Department of State and the Department of Justice are announcing a reward offer increase of up to $50 million under the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP) for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Nicolás Maduro for violating U.S. narcotics laws, according to a statement from agency.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheJusticeDept</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StateDept</a> are announcing a $50 MILLION REWARD for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. <a href="https://t.co/D8LNqjS9yk">pic.twitter.com/D8LNqjS9yk</a>&mdash; Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1953583017353466306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>For over a decade, Maduro has been a leader of Cartel de los Soles, which is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States.&nbsp; On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Cartel de Los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).&nbsp;Since 2020, Maduro has strangled democracy and grasped at power in Venezuela.&nbsp; Maduro claimed to have won Venezuela’s July 28, 2024, presidential election but failed to present any evidence that he had prevailed.&nbsp; The United States has refused to recognize Maduro as the winner of 2024 election and does not recognize him as the President of Venezuela.&nbsp;Today’s reward offer is authorized by the Secretary under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/releases-bureau-of-international-narcotics-and-law-enforcement-affairs?results=30&amp;currpage=2&amp;totalpages=2&amp;coll_filter_year&amp;coll_filter_month&amp;coll_filter_speaker&amp;coll_filter_country&amp;coll_filter_release_type=1438&amp;coll_filter_bureau&amp;coll_filter_program&amp;coll_filter_profession" target="_blank">NRP</a>, which supports law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational crime globally and bring fugitives to justice as a key pillar of President Trump’s “America First” priorities.&nbsp; If you have information, please contact the DEA by phone (voice, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or text) at +1-202-681-8187, or by&nbsp;<a href="mailto:CartelSolesTips@dea.gov">email</a>.&nbsp; If you are located outside the United States, you may also visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.&nbsp; If you are in the United States, you can also contact the local DEA field office.ALL IDENTITIES ARE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.&nbsp; Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.

🎥U.S. offers $50M reward for arrest of Venezuelan President 

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would meet with Vladimir Putin even if the Russian leader will not meet with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in comments that suggested Washington and Moscow could soon hold a summit.

Trump's comments followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">a statement from Putin</a>&nbsp;earlier in the day that he hoped to meet with Trump next week, possibly in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/united-arab-emirates">United Arab Emirates</a>. But the White House was still working through the details of any potential meetings, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

When asked by a reporter if Putin would need to meet with Zelenskyy in order to secure a meeting with the U.S., Trump said: “No, he doesn’t. No.”

A White House official told The Associated Press earlier Thursday that a U.S.-Russian summit would not happen if Putin did not agree to meet with Zelenskyy, but the official later said it only made the summit less likely. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and had spoken on condition of anonymity.

A meeting with Trump would be a coup for Putin, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-istanbul-talks-zelenskyy-putin-05795eea960b9035f93a143c3e177c3d">has spurned</a>&nbsp;previous offers of a face-to-face meeting with Zelenskyy and has been isolated globally since the invasion. He has long suggested a meeting with Trump to discuss ending the fighting. Trump too has repeatedly boasted that he and Putin could make a deal to end the war.

Any direct talks between them about the conflict would also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-talks-ceasefire-00af5f61f1faf41e78a3b4e072c21a14">renew questions</a>&nbsp;about the risk of excluding Ukraine from peace efforts.

Putin’s announcement came on the eve of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-sanctions-tariffs-witkoff-9444ab7b042944090d51a73ae871571a">White House deadline</a>&nbsp;for Moscow to show progress toward ending the 3-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war in Ukraine</a>&nbsp;or suffer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-russia-ukraine-war-b265ec364349a7e2065982064748e69a">additional economic sanctions</a>.

When asked Thursday at the White House whether his deadline for Friday would hold, Trump said of Putin: "It’s going to be up to him. We’re going to see what he has to say. It’s going to be up to him. Very disappointed.”

The president also touched on the killing that has continued on both sides and added, “I don’t like long waits. I think it’s a shame.”

Speaking of possible direct talks with Zelenskyy, Putin said he has mentioned several times that he was not against it, adding: “It’s a possibility, but certain conditions need to be created” for it to happen.

The Kremlin has previously said that Putin and Zelenskyy should meet only when an agreement negotiated by their delegations is close.

Ukraine fears being sidelined by direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow, and Zelenskyy said he had phone conversations with several European leaders Thursday amid a flurry of diplomatic activity. European countries have pledged to back Ukraine for as long as it takes to defeat Russia's invasion.

Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, earlier brushed aside the possibility of Zelenskyy joining the summit, something the White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-witkoff-moscow-trump-deadline-118b3cbcfa12d1dd9a75ce20b0b3e61e">said Trump was ready to consider</a>. Putin has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-istanbul-talks-zelenskyy-putin-05795eea960b9035f93a143c3e177c3d">spurned Zelenskyy’s previous offers</a>&nbsp;of a meeting to clinch a breakthrough.

“We propose, first of all, to focus on preparing a bilateral meeting with Trump, and we consider it most important that this meeting be successful and productive,” Ushakov said, adding that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff's suggestion of a meeting including Ukraine's leader “was not specifically discussed.”

Putin made the announcement in the Kremlin about a possible meeting with Trump after meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE.

Asked who initiated the possible talks with the American president, Putin said that didn't matter and “both sides expressed an interest.”

Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund who met Wednesday with Witkoff, said a Trump-Putin meeting would allow Moscow to “clearly convey its position," and he hoped a summit would include discussions on mutually beneficial economic issues, including joint investments in areas such as rare earth elements.

The meeting would be the first U.S.-Russia summit since 2021, when former President Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva. It would be a significant milestone toward&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-633a216d0506c82353fc7745b69c0fe0">Trump’s effort</a>&nbsp;to end the war, although there’s no guarantee it would stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-memorandum-talks-instanbul-6014fb7e87c15aa60e30bf72bf6cd2fd">far apart on their conditions for peace</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-diplomatic-putin-trump-2a2c4bda9bb53ae2036837af899573a3">Months of U.S.-led efforts</a>&nbsp;have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-drone-attacks-0c2e0a4aeccd86c3fe18edf5cc73b250">yielded no progress</a>&nbsp;on stopping Russia's invasion of its neighbor. The war has killed tens of thousands of troops on both sides and more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations.

Western officials have repeatedly accused Putin of stalling in peace negotiations to allow Russian forces time to capture more Ukrainian land. Putin previously has offered no concessions and said he will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-peace-talks-istanbul-7cafd1b233b30de0c9683aaa2b042212">accept a settlement only on his terms</a>.

At the start of his second term, Trump was conciliatory toward Putin, for whom he has long shown admiration, and even echoed some of his talking points on the war. But he recently has expressed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rutte-nato-putin-ukraine-524abe34764e4bb5838bbc90fc992520">increasing exasperation with Putin</a>, criticizing the Kremlin leader for his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-peace-talks-istanbul-7cafd1b233b30de0c9683aaa2b042212">unyielding stance</a>&nbsp;on U.S.-led peace efforts, and has threatened Moscow with new sanctions.

Zelenskyy said European countries must also be involved in finding a solution to the war on their own continent.

“Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same bold approach from the Russian side. It is time to end the war,” he added.

A ceasefire and long-term security guarantees are priorities in potential negotiation with Russia, he said on social media.

Securing a truce, deciding a format for a summit and providing assurances for Ukraine’s future protection from invasion — a consideration that must involve the U.S. and Europe — are crucial aspects to address, Zelenskyy said.

He noted that Russian strikes on civilians have not eased despite Trump publicly urging Putin to relent. A Russian attack Wednesday in the central Dnipro region killed four people and wounded eight others, he said.

Poll shows support for continuing the fight waning in Ukraine

A&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/693203/ukrainian-support-war-effort-collapses.aspx">new Gallup poll</a>&nbsp;published Thursday found that Ukrainians are increasingly eager for a peace settlement. In the survey, conducted in early July, about seven in 10 Ukrainians said their country should seek to negotiate a settlement as soon as possible.

The enthusiasm for a negotiated deal is a sharp reversal from 2022 — the year the war began — when Gallup found that about three-quarters of Ukrainians wanted to keep fighting until victory. Now only about one-quarter hold that view, with support for continuing the war declining steadily across all regions and demographic groups.

The findings were based on samples of 1,000 or more respondents ages 15 and older living in Ukraine. Some territories under entrenched Russian control, representing about 10% of the population, were excluded from surveys conducted after 2022 due to lack of access.

In Kyiv, opinions on the usefulness of a Trump-Putin meeting were divided.

“Negotiations are necessary, and we all really want the war to end … because this war will only end with negotiations,” resident Ruslan Prindun said.

But Volodymyr Tasak said it was “unlikely” that anything good would come from U.S.-Russia talks and that Zelenskyy was “being squeezed out.”

Lyudmila Kostrova said in downtown Kyiv that Putin was simply trying to avoid U.S. sanctions by agreeing to meet with Trump. “Putin is not interested in ending the war now,” she said.

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would meet with Vladimir Putin even if the Russian leader will not meet with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in comments that suggested Washington and Moscow could soon hold a summit.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on a potential meeting with President Putin: &quot;They would like to meet with me — and I&#39;ll do whatever I can to stop the killing.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/NqIUb9YIQG">pic.twitter.com/NqIUb9YIQG</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953554633927905545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump's comments followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">a statement from Putin</a>&nbsp;earlier in the day that he hoped to meet with Trump next week, possibly in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/united-arab-emirates">United Arab Emirates</a>. But the White House was still working through the details of any potential meetings, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.When asked by a reporter if Putin would need to meet with Zelenskyy in order to secure a meeting with the U.S., Trump said: “No, he doesn’t. No.”A White House official told The Associated Press earlier Thursday that a U.S.-Russian summit would not happen if Putin did not agree to meet with Zelenskyy, but the official later said it only made the summit less likely. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and had spoken on condition of anonymity.A meeting with Trump would be a coup for Putin, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-istanbul-talks-zelenskyy-putin-05795eea960b9035f93a143c3e177c3d">has spurned</a>&nbsp;previous offers of a face-to-face meeting with Zelenskyy and has been isolated globally since the invasion. He has long suggested a meeting with Trump to discuss ending the fighting. Trump too has repeatedly boasted that he and Putin could make a deal to end the war.Any direct talks between them about the conflict would also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-talks-ceasefire-00af5f61f1faf41e78a3b4e072c21a14">renew questions</a>&nbsp;about the risk of excluding Ukraine from peace efforts.Putin’s announcement came on the eve of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-sanctions-tariffs-witkoff-9444ab7b042944090d51a73ae871571a">White House deadline</a>&nbsp;for Moscow to show progress toward ending the 3-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war in Ukraine</a>&nbsp;or suffer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-russia-ukraine-war-b265ec364349a7e2065982064748e69a">additional economic sanctions</a>.When asked Thursday at the White House whether his deadline for Friday would hold, Trump said of Putin: "It’s going to be up to him. We’re going to see what he has to say. It’s going to be up to him. Very disappointed.”The president also touched on the killing that has continued on both sides and added, “I don’t like long waits. I think it’s a shame.”Speaking of possible direct talks with Zelenskyy, Putin said he has mentioned several times that he was not against it, adding: “It’s a possibility, but certain conditions need to be created” for it to happen.The Kremlin has previously said that Putin and Zelenskyy should meet only when an agreement negotiated by their delegations is close.Ukraine fears being sidelined by direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow, and Zelenskyy said he had phone conversations with several European leaders Thursday amid a flurry of diplomatic activity. European countries have pledged to back Ukraine for as long as it takes to defeat Russia's invasion.Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, earlier brushed aside the possibility of Zelenskyy joining the summit, something the White House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-witkoff-moscow-trump-deadline-118b3cbcfa12d1dd9a75ce20b0b3e61e">said Trump was ready to consider</a>. Putin has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-istanbul-talks-zelenskyy-putin-05795eea960b9035f93a143c3e177c3d">spurned Zelenskyy’s previous offers</a>&nbsp;of a meeting to clinch a breakthrough.“We propose, first of all, to focus on preparing a bilateral meeting with Trump, and we consider it most important that this meeting be successful and productive,” Ushakov said, adding that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff's suggestion of a meeting including Ukraine's leader “was not specifically discussed.”Putin made the announcement in the Kremlin about a possible meeting with Trump after meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE.Asked who initiated the possible talks with the American president, Putin said that didn't matter and “both sides expressed an interest.”Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund who met Wednesday with Witkoff, said a Trump-Putin meeting would allow Moscow to “clearly convey its position," and he hoped a summit would include discussions on mutually beneficial economic issues, including joint investments in areas such as rare earth elements.The meeting would be the first U.S.-Russia summit since 2021, when former President Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva. It would be a significant milestone toward&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-633a216d0506c82353fc7745b69c0fe0">Trump’s effort</a>&nbsp;to end the war, although there’s no guarantee it would stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-memorandum-talks-instanbul-6014fb7e87c15aa60e30bf72bf6cd2fd">far apart on their conditions for peace</a>.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-diplomatic-putin-trump-2a2c4bda9bb53ae2036837af899573a3">Months of U.S.-led efforts</a>&nbsp;have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-peace-talks-drone-attacks-0c2e0a4aeccd86c3fe18edf5cc73b250">yielded no progress</a>&nbsp;on stopping Russia's invasion of its neighbor. The war has killed tens of thousands of troops on both sides and more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations.Western officials have repeatedly accused Putin of stalling in peace negotiations to allow Russian forces time to capture more Ukrainian land. Putin previously has offered no concessions and said he will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-peace-talks-istanbul-7cafd1b233b30de0c9683aaa2b042212">accept a settlement only on his terms</a>.At the start of his second term, Trump was conciliatory toward Putin, for whom he has long shown admiration, and even echoed some of his talking points on the war. But he recently has expressed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rutte-nato-putin-ukraine-524abe34764e4bb5838bbc90fc992520">increasing exasperation with Putin</a>, criticizing the Kremlin leader for his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-putin-peace-talks-istanbul-7cafd1b233b30de0c9683aaa2b042212">unyielding stance</a>&nbsp;on U.S.-led peace efforts, and has threatened Moscow with new sanctions.<h2>Zelenskyy seeks European involvement</h2>Zelenskyy said European countries must also be involved in finding a solution to the war on their own continent.“Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same bold approach from the Russian side. It is time to end the war,” he added.A ceasefire and long-term security guarantees are priorities in potential negotiation with Russia, he said on social media.Securing a truce, deciding a format for a summit and providing assurances for Ukraine’s future protection from invasion — a consideration that must involve the U.S. and Europe — are crucial aspects to address, Zelenskyy said.He noted that Russian strikes on civilians have not eased despite Trump publicly urging Putin to relent. A Russian attack Wednesday in the central Dnipro region killed four people and wounded eight others, he said.<h2>Poll shows support for continuing the fight waning in Ukraine</h2>A&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/693203/ukrainian-support-war-effort-collapses.aspx">new Gallup poll</a>&nbsp;published Thursday found that Ukrainians are increasingly eager for a peace settlement. In the survey, conducted in early July, about seven in 10 Ukrainians said their country should seek to negotiate a settlement as soon as possible.The enthusiasm for a negotiated deal is a sharp reversal from 2022 — the year the war began — when Gallup found that about three-quarters of Ukrainians wanted to keep fighting until victory. Now only about one-quarter hold that view, with support for continuing the war declining steadily across all regions and demographic groups.The findings were based on samples of 1,000 or more respondents ages 15 and older living in Ukraine. Some territories under entrenched Russian control, representing about 10% of the population, were excluded from surveys conducted after 2022 due to lack of access.In Kyiv, opinions on the usefulness of a Trump-Putin meeting were divided.“Negotiations are necessary, and we all really want the war to end … because this war will only end with negotiations,” resident Ruslan Prindun said.But Volodymyr Tasak said it was “unlikely” that anything good would come from U.S.-Russia talks and that Zelenskyy was “being squeezed out.”Lyudmila Kostrova said in downtown Kyiv that Putin was simply trying to avoid U.S. sanctions by agreeing to meet with Trump. “Putin is not interested in ending the war now,” she said.___

🎥Trump wants meeting with Putin: Anything to stop the killing

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement a investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 42-year-old&nbsp;Braisen Cain, according to KCKPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 7:30p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 4000 Block of Morrell in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Police found Cain who had been shot and was unresponsive in front of a residence there. Officers called for EMS who responded and declared her deceased at the scene. Homicide detectives responded and are investigating this case as a homicide.&nbsp;Detectives made progress identifying a subject of interest and they are working with prosecutors on presenting evidence for charges and to ensure that subject is taken into custody.

This was the 99th homicide of the year in Kansas City, Missouri, compared with 91 at this time a year ago.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754563530575.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement a investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 42-year-old&nbsp;Braisen Cain, according to KCKPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just after 7:30p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 4000 Block of Morrell in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Police found Cain who had been shot and was unresponsive in front of a residence there. Officers called for EMS who responded and declared her deceased at the scene. Homicide detectives responded and are investigating this case as a homicide.&nbsp;Detectives made progress identifying a subject of interest and they are working with prosecutors on presenting evidence for charges and to ensure that subject is taken into custody.This was the 99th homicide of the year in Kansas City, Missouri, compared with 91 at this time a year ago.

Homicide: Police ID woman found dead in front of KC home

NEW YORK (AP) — Millions of Americans saving for retirement through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-pensions-retirement-401k-tax-34574f697826495333a4293485624293">401(k) accounts</a>&nbsp;could have the option of putting their money in higher-risk private equity and cryptocurrency investments, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/08/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-democratizes-access-to-alternative-assets-for-401k-investors/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;signed Thursday by President Donald Trump that could give those financial players long-sought access to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-401-k-plans-d59940fdfbec720b6fbef99b8e055999">a pool of funds worth trillions</a>.

There is no immediate change in how people invest part of their work earnings. Federal agencies would need to rewrite rules and regulations to allow the expanded choices, and that would take months or more to complete. But once done, employers could offer a broader array of mutual funds and investments to workers, according to the White House. New plans could invest in alternative assets, particularly private equity, cryptocurrencies and real estate.

The Republican president’s order directs the Labor Department and other agencies to redefine what would be considered a qualified asset under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-sponsor/401k-plan-overview" target="_blank">401(k) retirement</a>&nbsp;rules.

Americans’ retirement plans are governed by a law known as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, better known as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/erisa" target="_blank">ERISA</a>. Employers are required by law to offer retirement options that are in the best interest of their employees, not Wall Street. Most retirement plans for Americans are made up of stock and bond investments, and to a much lesser extent, cash and heavily traded commodities such as gold.

Trump’s move rewards both the $5 trillion private equity industry, which for decades has wanted to compete for a role in retirement plans, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-businesses-trump-organization-white-house-conflicts-of-interest-b970b5681b27f86dcd461ff473be23fa">cryptocurrency industry</a>, whose executives strongly supported Trump’s 2024 campaign as they aimed for more mainstream acceptance among Americans.

The price of bitcoin was up 2% on Thursday to $116,542 and has nearly doubled since Trump was elected.

Under Democratic President Joe Biden, federal regulators were to treat cryptocurrency investments with “extreme care” because of the extreme volatility of crypto. It is not uncommon for bitcoin, ethereum and other big cryptocurrencies to move up or down 10% in a single day, whereas a 2% or 3% single-day move in the stock market would be considered historic.

For&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-stablecoins-congress-cryptocurrency-94fa3c85e32ec6fd5a55576cf46e58ea">cryptocurrency companies</a>, which donated millions to Trump’s campaign as well as his inauguration, one goal was to get their industry qualified under ERISA. Coinbase, one of the largest crypto companies in the United States, was also a major donor toward Trump’s military parade in Washington this summer. Under Trump, the Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its lawsuit against Coinbase, where the Biden administration said crypto should be treated as a security.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-trump-crypto-bitcoin-convention-regulation-007bf9ce161fdb33a7e1613fb5a3e661">Crypto</a>&nbsp;is particularly popular among young Americans. While volatile, bitcoin has generally moved upward since it was created by an anonymous programmer nearly 20 years ago.

“It was inevitable that bitcoin would make its way into American 401(k)'s,” said Cory Klippsten, the CEO of Swan Bitcoin. “As fiduciaries realize bitcoin’s risk-adjusted upside over the long term, we’ll see growing allocations, especially from younger, tech-savvy workers who want hard money, not melting ice cubes.”

Private equity firms rely heavily on high-net-worth individuals and state and private pension plans, which have extremely long investment timelines. But having access to Americans’ retirement assets would open up a deep pool of cash.

Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman has told investors going back to at least 2017 that it was a “dream” of his and the industry to be able to draw upon these retirement assets. Previous administrations, Republican and Democrat, have agreed that private equity investments, which can be riskier, more expensive and less liquid than traditional stock and bond market mutual funds, should not be included in 401(k) plans.

The average historic annual return on private equity assets going back to 1990 is roughly 13%, net of fees, according to Cambridge Associates. The S&amp;P 500 index has had an approximate annual return, including dividends, of roughly 10.6% in the same period of time. However, private equity assets tend to be locked up for years, because the companies underlying the assets have to be sold on the private market, making them highly illiquid compared to stocks, which can be sold in a day.

“We look forward to working with the Trump Administration on a thoughtful framework that expands access to alternatives for retirement savers, offering Americans more diversification and investment options with appropriate investor guardrails,” said Bryan Corbett, the president and CEO of the Managed Funds Association, which is the trade group for the private equity industry.

Even after the regulations are written, it will take time for major retirement plan companies, such as Fidelity, Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, and others, to develop appropriate funds for employers to use. Employers are unlikely to revise their retirement plan options quickly, so it may take several years before crypto and private equity investments become mainstream in an individual’s retirement plan.

“While Vanguard has not committed to launching a product for defined contribution plans, Vanguard is dedicated to educating retirement investors to ensure a clear understanding of the opportunities and risks of investing in private assets,” the company said in a statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620732850317.jpg" alt="Image Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Image Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Millions of Americans saving for retirement through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-pensions-retirement-401k-tax-34574f697826495333a4293485624293">401(k) accounts</a>&nbsp;could have the option of putting their money in higher-risk private equity and cryptocurrency investments, according to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/08/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-democratizes-access-to-alternative-assets-for-401k-investors/" target="_blank">executive order</a>&nbsp;signed Thursday by President Donald Trump that could give those financial players long-sought access to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-401-k-plans-d59940fdfbec720b6fbef99b8e055999">a pool of funds worth trillions</a>.There is no immediate change in how people invest part of their work earnings. Federal agencies would need to rewrite rules and regulations to allow the expanded choices, and that would take months or more to complete. But once done, employers could offer a broader array of mutual funds and investments to workers, according to the White House. New plans could invest in alternative assets, particularly private equity, cryptocurrencies and real estate.The Republican president’s order directs the Labor Department and other agencies to redefine what would be considered a qualified asset under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-sponsor/401k-plan-overview" target="_blank">401(k) retirement</a>&nbsp;rules.Americans’ retirement plans are governed by a law known as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, better known as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/erisa" target="_blank">ERISA</a>. Employers are required by law to offer retirement options that are in the best interest of their employees, not Wall Street. Most retirement plans for Americans are made up of stock and bond investments, and to a much lesser extent, cash and heavily traded commodities such as gold.Trump’s move rewards both the $5 trillion private equity industry, which for decades has wanted to compete for a role in retirement plans, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-businesses-trump-organization-white-house-conflicts-of-interest-b970b5681b27f86dcd461ff473be23fa">cryptocurrency industry</a>, whose executives strongly supported Trump’s 2024 campaign as they aimed for more mainstream acceptance among Americans.The price of bitcoin was up 2% on Thursday to $116,542 and has nearly doubled since Trump was elected.Under Democratic President Joe Biden, federal regulators were to treat cryptocurrency investments with “extreme care” because of the extreme volatility of crypto. It is not uncommon for bitcoin, ethereum and other big cryptocurrencies to move up or down 10% in a single day, whereas a 2% or 3% single-day move in the stock market would be considered historic.For&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-stablecoins-congress-cryptocurrency-94fa3c85e32ec6fd5a55576cf46e58ea">cryptocurrency companies</a>, which donated millions to Trump’s campaign as well as his inauguration, one goal was to get their industry qualified under ERISA. Coinbase, one of the largest crypto companies in the United States, was also a major donor toward Trump’s military parade in Washington this summer. Under Trump, the Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its lawsuit against Coinbase, where the Biden administration said crypto should be treated as a security.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-trump-crypto-bitcoin-convention-regulation-007bf9ce161fdb33a7e1613fb5a3e661">Crypto</a>&nbsp;is particularly popular among young Americans. While volatile, bitcoin has generally moved upward since it was created by an anonymous programmer nearly 20 years ago.“It was inevitable that bitcoin would make its way into American 401(k)'s,” said Cory Klippsten, the CEO of Swan Bitcoin. “As fiduciaries realize bitcoin’s risk-adjusted upside over the long term, we’ll see growing allocations, especially from younger, tech-savvy workers who want hard money, not melting ice cubes.”Private equity firms rely heavily on high-net-worth individuals and state and private pension plans, which have extremely long investment timelines. But having access to Americans’ retirement assets would open up a deep pool of cash.Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman has told investors going back to at least 2017 that it was a “dream” of his and the industry to be able to draw upon these retirement assets. Previous administrations, Republican and Democrat, have agreed that private equity investments, which can be riskier, more expensive and less liquid than traditional stock and bond market mutual funds, should not be included in 401(k) plans.The average historic annual return on private equity assets going back to 1990 is roughly 13%, net of fees, according to Cambridge Associates. The S&amp;P 500 index has had an approximate annual return, including dividends, of roughly 10.6% in the same period of time. However, private equity assets tend to be locked up for years, because the companies underlying the assets have to be sold on the private market, making them highly illiquid compared to stocks, which can be sold in a day.“We look forward to working with the Trump Administration on a thoughtful framework that expands access to alternatives for retirement savers, offering Americans more diversification and investment options with appropriate investor guardrails,” said Bryan Corbett, the president and CEO of the Managed Funds Association, which is the trade group for the private equity industry.Even after the regulations are written, it will take time for major retirement plan companies, such as Fidelity, Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, and others, to develop appropriate funds for employers to use. Employers are unlikely to revise their retirement plan options quickly, so it may take several years before crypto and private equity investments become mainstream in an individual’s retirement plan.“While Vanguard has not committed to launching a product for defined contribution plans, Vanguard is dedicated to educating retirement investors to ensure a clear understanding of the opportunities and risks of investing in private assets,” the company said in a statement.___

Trump signs order providing amazing new options for your 401(k)

HARVEY COUNTY—&nbsp;Matthew Ratzlaff, 38, of Burrton, entered guilty pleas Wednesday in Harvey County District Court to Kidnapping and 2 counts of Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child involving sexual crimes against a child under the age of 10, according to&nbsp; Harvey County Attorney Heather L. Figger.

At the time of the offenses, Ratzlaff was on post-release supervision. His guilty pleas mark a significant step toward justice for the victim and community.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place before Judge Nancy Parrish on October 8. 

Ratzlaff faces a potential prison sentence of 283 to 315 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime post-release supervision. He will also be subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.

“This case is a painful reminder of the seriousness of crimes against children,” said County Attorney Heather L. Figger. “We are committed to holding offenders accountable and pursuing justice for the most vulnerable members of our community.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754597878549.png" alt="Ratzlaff photo Harvey County" />
 <figcaption>Ratzlaff photo Harvey County</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY—&nbsp;Matthew Ratzlaff, 38, of Burrton, entered guilty pleas Wednesday in Harvey County District Court to Kidnapping and 2 counts of Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child involving sexual crimes against a child under the age of 10, according to&nbsp; Harvey County Attorney Heather L. Figger.At the time of the offenses, Ratzlaff was on post-release supervision. His guilty pleas mark a significant step toward justice for the victim and community.Sentencing is scheduled to take place before Judge Nancy Parrish on October 8. Ratzlaff faces a potential prison sentence of 283 to 315 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections, followed by lifetime post-release supervision. He will also be subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.“This case is a painful reminder of the seriousness of crimes against children,” said County Attorney Heather L. Figger. “We are committed to holding offenders accountable and pursuing justice for the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Kan. felon on parole admits to sex crimes with child under age 10

JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man on multiple allegations after a high-speed chase.

Just after 2a.m. on August, 5, a Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a 2018 Chevy Silverado heading north on U.S. Highway 75 near 134th Road for allegedly committing traffic infractions, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued northbound on U.S. Hwy 75. The suspect vehicle allegedly exceeded over 100mph.  At one point, a Jackson County Deputy performed a tactical vehicle intervention which temporarily disabled the suspect vehicle. The suspect allegedly ran motorists off the road way during the pursuit. The suspect vehicle eventually came to a stop near 278th Road on U.S. Hwy 75. 

 The driver, 35-year-old Michael Andrew Richardson of Topeka was arrested and taken into custody.  Richardson was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges that include two counts of aggravated battery on law enforcement, two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement, two counts battery on law enforcement, battery on a corrections officer, one count of aggravated assault, felony criminal damage to property, flee and eluding law enforcement by reckless driving, driving under the influence and felony interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754506700869.png" alt="Richardson-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Richardson-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas man on multiple allegations after a high-speed chase.Just after 2a.m. on August, 5, a Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a 2018 Chevy Silverado heading north on U.S. Highway 75 near 134th Road for allegedly committing traffic infractions, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued northbound on U.S. Hwy 75. The suspect vehicle allegedly exceeded over 100mph. At one point, a Jackson County Deputy performed a tactical vehicle intervention which temporarily disabled the suspect vehicle. The suspect allegedly ran motorists off the road way during the pursuit. The suspect vehicle eventually came to a stop near 278th Road on U.S. Hwy 75. The driver, 35-year-old Michael Andrew Richardson of Topeka was arrested and taken into custody. Richardson was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges that include two counts of aggravated battery on law enforcement, two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement, two counts battery on law enforcement, battery on a corrections officer, one count of aggravated assault, felony criminal damage to property, flee and eluding law enforcement by reckless driving, driving under the influence and felony interference with law enforcement.

Sheriff: Kansas driver ran vehicles off the road during 100mph chase

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has instructed the Commerce Department to change the way&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-census-bureau">the Census Bureau</a>&nbsp;collects data, seeking to exclude immigrants who are in the United States illegally, he said Thursday.

The census' data collections will be based on “modern day facts and figures and, importantly, using the results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024,” the Republican president said on his social media platform, an indication he might try to inject his politics into survey work that measures everything from child poverty to business operations.

Trump stressed that as part of the changes people in “our Country illegally” will be excluded from census counts.

His Truth Social post fits into an overall pattern in which he has tried to reshape basic measures of how U.S. society is faring to his liking, a process that ranges from monthly jobs figures to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/redistricting">how congressional districts are drawn</a>&nbsp;going into the 2026 midterm elections. But there could be legal challenges if he were to reshape the census, which also guides the distribution of $2.8 trillion in federal funds to the states for roads, health care and other programs.

In a 2019 decision, the Supreme Court effectively blocked Trump from adding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-9ea2d39220e14e4e80979a68effa93cd">a citizenship question</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-us-supreme-court-courts-supreme-courts-ap-top-news-9193a30c38c345a88997020b6b958d9f">the 2020 census</a>. The 14th Amendment says that “the whole number of persons in each state” should be counted for the numbers used for apportionment, the process of allocating congressional seats and Electoral College votes among the states based on population.

The last time the census included a question about citizenship was in 1950, and the Census Bureau’s own experts had predicted that millions of Hispanics and immigrants would go uncounted if the census asked everyone if he or she is an American citizen.

Changes to the census could also play into the efforts by Trump to urge several Republican-led states, including Texas, to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-texas-california-house-map-trump-0f5f79185bbeeba8c2ff9999f48e5867">redraw their congressional maps</a>&nbsp;ahead of schedule in ways that would favor GOP candidates.

Redistricting typically occurs once every 10 years following the census, as states adjust district boundaries based on population changes, often gaining or losing seats in the process.

Despite Texas having redrawn its maps just a few years ago, Trump is pressuring Republicans in the state to redistrict again, claiming they are “entitled” to five additional Republican seats. Texas Republicans have cited population growth as justification for redrawing the congressional map.

Trump’s team is also engaged in similar redistricting discussions in other GOP-controlled states, including Missouri and Indiana.

Last Friday, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jobs-firing-f00e9bf96d0110519be9bf4f3ec89195">fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-erika-mcentarfer-bls-fired-by-trump-ae0b3ac36971070265dedf16223ddfd1">Erika McEntarfer</a>, after standard revisions to the monthly jobs report showed that employers added 258,000 fewer jobs than previously reported in May and June. The revisions suggested that hiring has severely weakened under Trump, undermining his claims of an economic boom.

The White House insists that the problem was the size of the revisions and that it wants accurate numbers.

Trump's census posting raised the question as to whether he would embark on a mid-decade census, or simply change the standards for 2030 or change how the estimates operate between censuses. It was unclear what his changes would be.

It would be almost logistically impossible to carry out a mid-decade census in such a short period of time, New York Law School professor Jeffrey Wice said. Any changes in the conduct of a national census, which is the biggest non-military undertaking by the federal government, also would require approval from Congress, which has oversight responsibilities, and there likely would be a fierce fight, he said.

“This isn’t something that you can do overnight,” said Wice, a census and redistricting expert. “To get all the pieces put together, it would be such a tremendous challenge, if not impossible.”

AP writer Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report. Schneider reported from Orlando, Fla.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754599064127.png" alt="Image U.S. Census Bureau" />
 <figcaption>Image U.S. Census Bureau</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has instructed the Commerce Department to change the way&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-census-bureau">the Census Bureau</a>&nbsp;collects data, seeking to exclude immigrants who are in the United States illegally, he said Thursday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/ou5k3RexW3">pic.twitter.com/ou5k3RexW3</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953416856309477756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The census' data collections will be based on “modern day facts and figures and, importantly, using the results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024,” the Republican president said on his social media platform, an indication he might try to inject his politics into survey work that measures everything from child poverty to business operations.Trump stressed that as part of the changes people in “our Country illegally” will be excluded from census counts.His Truth Social post fits into an overall pattern in which he has tried to reshape basic measures of how U.S. society is faring to his liking, a process that ranges from monthly jobs figures to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/redistricting">how congressional districts are drawn</a>&nbsp;going into the 2026 midterm elections. But there could be legal challenges if he were to reshape the census, which also guides the distribution of $2.8 trillion in federal funds to the states for roads, health care and other programs.In a 2019 decision, the Supreme Court effectively blocked Trump from adding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-government-9ea2d39220e14e4e80979a68effa93cd">a citizenship question</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-us-supreme-court-courts-supreme-courts-ap-top-news-9193a30c38c345a88997020b6b958d9f">the 2020 census</a>. The 14th Amendment says that “the whole number of persons in each state” should be counted for the numbers used for apportionment, the process of allocating congressional seats and Electoral College votes among the states based on population.The last time the census included a question about citizenship was in 1950, and the Census Bureau’s own experts had predicted that millions of Hispanics and immigrants would go uncounted if the census asked everyone if he or she is an American citizen.Changes to the census could also play into the efforts by Trump to urge several Republican-led states, including Texas, to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-texas-california-house-map-trump-0f5f79185bbeeba8c2ff9999f48e5867">redraw their congressional maps</a>&nbsp;ahead of schedule in ways that would favor GOP candidates.Redistricting typically occurs once every 10 years following the census, as states adjust district boundaries based on population changes, often gaining or losing seats in the process.Despite Texas having redrawn its maps just a few years ago, Trump is pressuring Republicans in the state to redistrict again, claiming they are “entitled” to five additional Republican seats. Texas Republicans have cited population growth as justification for redrawing the congressional map.Trump’s team is also engaged in similar redistricting discussions in other GOP-controlled states, including Missouri and Indiana.Last Friday, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jobs-firing-f00e9bf96d0110519be9bf4f3ec89195">fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-erika-mcentarfer-bls-fired-by-trump-ae0b3ac36971070265dedf16223ddfd1">Erika McEntarfer</a>, after standard revisions to the monthly jobs report showed that employers added 258,000 fewer jobs than previously reported in May and June. The revisions suggested that hiring has severely weakened under Trump, undermining his claims of an economic boom.The White House insists that the problem was the size of the revisions and that it wants accurate numbers.Trump's census posting raised the question as to whether he would embark on a mid-decade census, or simply change the standards for 2030 or change how the estimates operate between censuses. It was unclear what his changes would be.It would be almost logistically impossible to carry out a mid-decade census in such a short period of time, New York Law School professor Jeffrey Wice said. Any changes in the conduct of a national census, which is the biggest non-military undertaking by the federal government, also would require approval from Congress, which has oversight responsibilities, and there likely would be a fierce fight, he said.“This isn’t something that you can do overnight,” said Wice, a census and redistricting expert. “To get all the pieces put together, it would be such a tremendous challenge, if not impossible.”___AP writer Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report. Schneider reported from Orlando, Fla.

Trump wants a new census now; what he won't include in the count

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff in Great Bend.

Just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a residence located at 217 Pine Street in Great Bend in reference to a domestic disturbance, according to a media release.

 Officers were advised that the suspect 34-year-old Robert C. Amador was damaging property inside the residence and making threats to harm others with a homemade hatchet. 

 Upon officers’ arrival they were able to safely get two other occupants of the home out safely. Robert Amador barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to come out.  Officers tried talking Amador out of the residence for approximately an hour and fifteen minutes and were unable to get him to cooperate. 

 Officers used the department drone to help locate Amador in the residence, then using a distraction on the opposite side of the residence, officers made entry into the residence and took Amador into custody. Amador was transported to the Barton County Detention Center where he was booked on requested charges of Aggravated Assault Domestic Violence and Felony Obstruction.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754607384971.png" alt="Amador photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Amador photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a standoff in Great Bend.Just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a residence located at 217 Pine Street in Great Bend in reference to a domestic disturbance, according to a media release. Officers were advised that the suspect 34-year-old Robert C. Amador was damaging property inside the residence and making threats to harm others with a homemade hatchet. Upon officers’ arrival they were able to safely get two other occupants of the home out safely. Robert Amador barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to come out. Officers tried talking Amador out of the residence for approximately an hour and fifteen minutes and were unable to get him to cooperate. Officers used the department drone to help locate Amador in the residence, then using a distraction on the opposite side of the residence, officers made entry into the residence and took Amador into custody. Amador was transported to the Barton County Detention Center where he was booked on requested charges of Aggravated Assault Domestic Violence and Felony Obstruction.

Kan. man armed with a homemade hatchet jailed after standoff

By: NICOLAS FIERRO Salina Post

OTTAWA COUNTY - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is currently reviewing a proposed sow farm/facility that is potentially looking to be established in Ottawa County, KS.

On January 2025, the KDHE received a notice from <a href="https://www.schwartzfarms.com/">Schwartz Farms</a> (Minnesota Hog &amp; Pork Producer, family-owned company that specializes in pork production) for the establishment of a<a href="https://exafan.com/en/swine-farms/sow-farm">&nbsp;breeding sow farm </a>(female pig giving birth to at least one litter of piglets) 'Smoky Hills Pork' to be installed in Ottawa County.

That following month in February, both Schwartz Farms and Ottawa County members signed&nbsp;habitable structure separation agreements and was then submitted to the KDHE.

On March 4th, Schwartz Farms submitted a permit application to KDHE for the potential installation of Smoky Hills Pork. Then on March 13th, certified mail was distributed, which notified Ottawa County Commissioners and owners of habitable structures within a mile of the proposed farm of the forthcoming public notice.

Then on the 20th that same month, a&nbsp;public notice was sent out to inform the public that a permit was submitted and published in the <a href="https://www.theminneapolismessenger.com/">Minneapolis Messenger</a> (official Ottawa County paper).

Afterwards, the public was given until&nbsp;April 20th to provide comments towards the KDHE on how they feel about the potential establishment of Smoky Hills Pork.&nbsp;

Furthermore, on May 29, the KDHE notified public of the intent to issue a draft permit. From there, the public was given until June 9th to give their comments towards the agency.

Then on July 9th, KDHE assembled a public hearing with members of Ottawa County at the Minneapolis Jr/Sr High School gym regarding the proposed sow farm/facility. The public had the opportunity to voice their opinion on where they stood about the proposed permit, as they were given a total 3 minutes to speak.&nbsp;

The majority of the public who spoke were 'against' the permit, but many other members of Ottawa County who attended were 'for' it. Those who were against the permit voiced concerns about 'water contamination, the volume of animals, wastewater, lagoon liners, health and the location of the proposed facility.

Views of those who are 'against' the sow farm

“Its a bad location because it is (proposed) in a sensitive groundwater area,” said Ottawa County resident, Kathy Scharplaz. "According to Schwartz' permit application, the facility is proposed in a sensitive groundwater area and some of these export fields are apart of that as well."

According to Scharplaz, sensitive groundwater areas 'designate areas where it is fairly easy for contaminants to get into the groundwater.'

Cassie Roth,&nbsp;one of the leading advocates that is fighting against this permit said she first heard about the proposed sow farm, when a farmer (who owns land on the location of the proposed facility) drove to her house and told both Cassie and her husband about it. She commented she 'had no idea about the proposed sow farm' and is concerned since she lives a mile away from the proposed facility.

Roth stated that she and her husband were concerned about their quality of water and started to speak about the proposed sow farm with other surrounding neighbors. Roth and her husband then thought to start a petition to potentially stop the permit.&nbsp;Roth and other Ottawa County residents also received letters from the KDHE about what Schwartz Farms wanted to do as far as installing the sow farm.&nbsp;

In the meantime, Roth got in touch with Scharplaz to talk about the proposed sow farm. 

“She (Scharplaz) did a whole research paper on <a href="https://www.epa.gov/npdes/animal-feeding-operations-afos">CAFO</a>. She is very passionate about this,” said Roth.

Roth stated that a presentation was then put together on June 30th to show how the facility could negatively affect the community.

According to the KDHE, the permit for Smoky Hills Pork is a maximum capacity facility of 14,976 head (5990.4 animal units) of swine weighing more than 55 pounds each and 30,583 (3,058.3 animal units) of swine weighing less than 55 pounds, for a total of 9,048.7 animal units. The farm is proposed to be located in the Southeast quarter in Ottawa County.&nbsp;

Ottawa County resident, Kyrsten Rodenbeek stated the process of the proposal has 'moved forward with very little public notification or community engagement.'

"It appears the process has moved forward with very little public notification or community engagement," she said. "Many of us only learned about it recently, well after initial steps had already been taken, and we’re concerned that it’s being pushed through before the broader public has a chance to weigh in."

Views of those who are 'for' the sow farm

Despite many residents wanting to not go forward with the permit, other Ottawa County members have voiced their opinion on how they feel about the <a href="https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/environmental/cafo.htm">CAFO</a>.

David Kiser thinks there are 'alot of positives' when it comes to Schwartz Farms' "Smoky Hills Pork."

"This facility will bring economic growth of the area," said Kiser. "The county has been stagnant and we need to get something going so we can provide more jobs. In my opinion there are alot of positives with this.”

Though there are several concerns with the overall quality of water in Ottawa County, Kiser believes there will be 'no effect' on the groundwater if this sow farm were to be installed. He also commented that the proposed lagoon which would be set, would be difficult to experience an overflow.

“There will be no effect on the groundwater and the plants will take up the nitrates," he said, "I just don't see a possibility of that happening.&nbsp;We are going to have to get 10-15 feet of rain for the lagoon to overflow."

Though Kiser is on the other side of the public's perspective, he is still open to hearing their opinion and not making enemies with those who are 'against' the permit.

“We are all still neighbors at the end of the day."

Another Ottawa County resident Beau Cline, described that his wife used to manage a hog farm and did not mention of her experiencing any health issues. He disagrees the smell that would come from the proposed facility would affect people's health.

“I think they are over exaggerating about the smell," Cline said.

<a href="https://www.schwartzfarms.com/">Schwartz Farms Inc.</a> is a 2nd generation family-farm company that has been in operation for 50 years. With their primary operation being in the pork industry,&nbsp;Schwartz Farms employs over 550 full-time individuals and owns sows in the upper Midwest, predominantly in Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Schwartz Farms told Salina Post, they are very ‘grateful’ for those who are 'for' the permit, but are also aware of the comments who are 'against' it.

“The concerns that the public brings forth are also things we also care very deeply about, whether that is safeguarding the environment, providing a safe and positive working environment for our people, caring for our animals, protecting the groundwater and just in general supporting the communities we are proud to call home,” said Owner, Tim Schwartz.

Tim noted that they work with teams of engineers to design the farm, along with the installation of the lagoon liner.

“We make sure what we construct meets the standards of the KDHE and we will do just that.," said Tim. "We have to do testing in advance of the permit to establish whether the ground is suitable, and there are technical standards we must meet. The engineers were very satisfied with the clay soil that is present on the site to meet and exceed the technical requirements for the lagoon liner.”

Schwartz Farms has two other farms in Kansas and are set ‘in close proximity of the other two.'

Though Schwartz is based outside of Kansas, the family-owned company promises to still provide 'philanthropic efforts' to the local communities they base their facilities in. Schwartz commented on how they are excited about potentially working with Ottawa County and the economic activity it will create. 

According to Schwartz, the company donates around $120,000 to the local communities they 'call home.'

Members of the public have voiced concerns about the 'lack of accountability' there would be, in the event if 'anything were to go wrong' from the sow farm. Furthermore, that the 'county and residents alone would have to deal with the consequences.'

Schwartz Farms stated 'there are clear consequences for non-compliance,' and they 'take that seriously.'

"In the rare event of a catastrophic issue, we are required to activate emergency response plans, notify the appropriate regulatory agencies and take immediate action to address and remediate the situation—under their direct oversight," said Owner, Tim Schwartz. "Our long-standing track record of environmental compliance and good standing in the communities, we have farms reflects our commitment to doing the right thing."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753897064268.jpg" alt="Photo Pixaby" />
 <figcaption>Photo Pixaby</figcaption>
 </figure>By: NICOLAS FIERRO Salina PostOTTAWA COUNTY - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is currently reviewing a proposed sow farm/facility that is potentially looking to be established in Ottawa County, KS.<h2>Timeline of proposal</h2>On January 2025, the KDHE received a notice from <a href="https://www.schwartzfarms.com/">Schwartz Farms</a> (Minnesota Hog &amp; Pork Producer, family-owned company that specializes in pork production) for the establishment of a<a href="https://exafan.com/en/swine-farms/sow-farm">&nbsp;breeding sow farm </a>(female pig giving birth to at least one litter of piglets) 'Smoky Hills Pork' to be installed in Ottawa County.That following month in February, both Schwartz Farms and Ottawa County members signed&nbsp;habitable structure separation agreements and was then submitted to the KDHE.On March 4th, Schwartz Farms submitted a permit application to KDHE for the potential installation of Smoky Hills Pork. Then on March 13th, certified mail was distributed, which notified Ottawa County Commissioners and owners of habitable structures within a mile of the proposed farm of the forthcoming public notice.Then on the 20th that same month, a&nbsp;public notice was sent out to inform the public that a permit was submitted and published in the <a href="https://www.theminneapolismessenger.com/">Minneapolis Messenger</a> (official Ottawa County paper).Afterwards, the public was given until&nbsp;April 20th to provide comments towards the KDHE on how they feel about the potential establishment of Smoky Hills Pork.&nbsp;Furthermore, on May 29, the KDHE notified public of the intent to issue a draft permit. From there, the public was given until June 9th to give their comments towards the agency.Then on July 9th, KDHE assembled a public hearing with members of Ottawa County at the Minneapolis Jr/Sr High School gym regarding the proposed sow farm/facility. The public had the opportunity to voice their opinion on where they stood about the proposed permit, as they were given a total 3 minutes to speak.&nbsp;The majority of the public who spoke were 'against' the permit, but many other members of Ottawa County who attended were 'for' it. Those who were against the permit voiced concerns about 'water contamination, the volume of animals, wastewater, lagoon liners, health and the location of the proposed facility.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753898008322.jpeg" alt="Ottawa County residents gathered for a public hearing conducted by the KDHE on July 9th regarding the proposed 10,000 amount sow farm" />
 <figcaption>Ottawa County residents gathered for a public hearing conducted by the KDHE on July 9th regarding the proposed 10,000 amount sow farm</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Views of those who are 'against' the sow farm</h2>“Its a bad location because it is (proposed) in a sensitive groundwater area,” said Ottawa County resident, Kathy Scharplaz. "According to Schwartz' permit application, the facility is proposed in a sensitive groundwater area and some of these export fields are apart of that as well."According to Scharplaz, sensitive groundwater areas 'designate areas where it is fairly easy for contaminants to get into the groundwater.'Cassie Roth,&nbsp;one of the leading advocates that is fighting against this permit said she first heard about the proposed sow farm, when a farmer (who owns land on the location of the proposed facility) drove to her house and told both Cassie and her husband about it. She commented she 'had no idea about the proposed sow farm' and is concerned since she lives a mile away from the proposed facility.Roth stated that she and her husband were concerned about their quality of water and started to speak about the proposed sow farm with other surrounding neighbors. Roth and her husband then thought to start a petition to potentially stop the permit.&nbsp;Roth and other Ottawa County residents also received letters from the KDHE about what Schwartz Farms wanted to do as far as installing the sow farm.&nbsp;In the meantime, Roth got in touch with Scharplaz to talk about the proposed sow farm. “She (Scharplaz) did a whole research paper on <a href="https://www.epa.gov/npdes/animal-feeding-operations-afos">CAFO</a>. She is very passionate about this,” said Roth.Roth stated that a presentation was then put together on June 30th to show how the facility could negatively affect the community.According to the KDHE, the permit for Smoky Hills Pork is a maximum capacity facility of 14,976 head (5990.4 animal units) of swine weighing more than 55 pounds each and 30,583 (3,058.3 animal units) of swine weighing less than 55 pounds, for a total of 9,048.7 animal units. The farm is proposed to be located in the Southeast quarter in Ottawa County.&nbsp;Ottawa County resident, Kyrsten Rodenbeek stated the process of the proposal has 'moved forward with very little public notification or community engagement.'"It appears the process has moved forward with very little public notification or community engagement," she said. "Many of us only learned about it recently, well after initial steps had already been taken, and we’re concerned that it’s being pushed through before the broader public has a chance to weigh in."<h2>Views of those who are 'for' the sow farm</h2>Despite many residents wanting to not go forward with the permit, other Ottawa County members have voiced their opinion on how they feel about the <a href="https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/environmental/cafo.htm">CAFO</a>.David Kiser thinks there are 'alot of positives' when it comes to Schwartz Farms' "Smoky Hills Pork.""This facility will bring economic growth of the area," said Kiser. "The county has been stagnant and we need to get something going so we can provide more jobs. In my opinion there are alot of positives with this.”Though there are several concerns with the overall quality of water in Ottawa County, Kiser believes there will be 'no effect' on the groundwater if this sow farm were to be installed. He also commented that the proposed lagoon which would be set, would be difficult to experience an overflow.“There will be no effect on the groundwater and the plants will take up the nitrates," he said, "I just don't see a possibility of that happening.&nbsp;We are going to have to get 10-15 feet of rain for the lagoon to overflow."Though Kiser is on the other side of the public's perspective, he is still open to hearing their opinion and not making enemies with those who are 'against' the permit.“We are all still neighbors at the end of the day."Another Ottawa County resident Beau Cline, described that his wife used to manage a hog farm and did not mention of her experiencing any health issues. He disagrees the smell that would come from the proposed facility would affect people's health.“I think they are over exaggerating about the smell," Cline said.<h2>Schwartz Farms comments</h2><a href="https://www.schwartzfarms.com/">Schwartz Farms Inc.</a> is a 2nd generation family-farm company that has been in operation for 50 years. With their primary operation being in the pork industry,&nbsp;Schwartz Farms employs over 550 full-time individuals and owns sows in the upper Midwest, predominantly in Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska.Schwartz Farms told Salina Post, they are very ‘grateful’ for those who are 'for' the permit, but are also aware of the comments who are 'against' it.“The concerns that the public brings forth are also things we also care very deeply about, whether that is safeguarding the environment, providing a safe and positive working environment for our people, caring for our animals, protecting the groundwater and just in general supporting the communities we are proud to call home,” said Owner, Tim Schwartz.Tim noted that they work with teams of engineers to design the farm, along with the installation of the lagoon liner.“We make sure what we construct meets the standards of the KDHE and we will do just that.," said Tim. "We have to do testing in advance of the permit to establish whether the ground is suitable, and there are technical standards we must meet. The engineers were very satisfied with the clay soil that is present on the site to meet and exceed the technical requirements for the lagoon liner.”Schwartz Farms has two other farms in Kansas and are set ‘in close proximity of the other two.'Though Schwartz is based outside of Kansas, the family-owned company promises to still provide 'philanthropic efforts' to the local communities they base their facilities in. Schwartz commented on how they are excited about potentially working with Ottawa County and the economic activity it will create. According to Schwartz, the company donates around $120,000 to the local communities they 'call home.'Members of the public have voiced concerns about the 'lack of accountability' there would be, in the event if 'anything were to go wrong' from the sow farm. Furthermore, that the 'county and residents alone would have to deal with the consequences.'Schwartz Farms stated 'there are clear consequences for non-compliance,' and they 'take that seriously.'"In the rare event of a catastrophic issue, we are required to activate emergency response plans, notify the appropriate regulatory agencies and take immediate action to address and remediate the situation—under their direct oversight," said Owner, Tim Schwartz. "Our long-standing track record of environmental compliance and good standing in the communities, we have farms reflects our commitment to doing the right thing."<h2>KSA Statutes</h2>According to CAFO statutes from the KDHE, swine facilities are required to follow specific various guidelines. Most of those guidelines include:<h2>Protection from pollution</h2>As per<a href="https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_001_0071d.html">&nbsp;KSA 65-171d</a>:"Protect the soil and waters of the state from pollution resulting from underground storage of liquid petroleum gas and hydrocarbons, other than underground porosity storage of natural gas;&nbsp;“control the disposal, discharge or escape of sewage (as defined in KSA 65-164)"Pollution in this context means: "Such contamination or other alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of any waters of the state as will or is likely to create a nuisance or render such waters harmful, detrimental or injurious to public health, safety or welfare, or to the plant, animal or aquatic life of the state or to other designated uses; or (B) such discharge as will or is likely to exceed state effluent standards predicated upon technologically based effluent limitations."<h2>Public notification</h2>Once the KDHE has received an application for a permit for construction of a new swine facility, the KDHE is required to a per <a href="https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_001_0179.html">KSA 65-1,179</a>:"Publish in the Kansas register ( official state newspaper, serving as a publication for various public notices, including proposed and adopted administrative regulations, new state laws, bond sales, open meeting notices, and state contracts) a notice of receipt of the application"<h2>Required distances from water</h2><a href="https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_001_0180.html">KSA 65-1,180</a> provides information on the “required distances from water” for a swine facility.<h2>Lagoon standards and the monitorization of water wells</h2><a href="https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_001_0181.html">KSA 65-1,181</a>:“The facility shall maintain a log of removal of the manure or wastewater from the facility and such log shall contain the following:” "The facility shall provide to the hauler of the removed manure or wastewater the most recent manure nutrient analysis conducted pursuant to subsection (c) of <a href="https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_001_0182.html">K.S.A. 65-1,182</a> and amendments thereto, if the removed manure or wastewater are to be land applied.”"The sides and bottom of such lagoon or pond shall be lined with:(i) A compacted soil liner with a minimum depth of one foot and maximum seepage rate of 1/8 inch per day; or(ii) an impermeable liner on top of a compacted soil liner with a minimum depth of one foot and maximum seepage rate of 1/4 inch per day.&nbsp;In&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_001_0180.html">KSA 65-1,180</a>&nbsp;there is more information about 'odor control’ and ‘dead animal handling.’&nbsp;<h2>Investigations, services and orders; fees</h2><a href="https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_001_0066a.html">KSA 65- 166a&nbsp;</a>(a) "The secretary of health and environment is authorized and directed to establish by duly adopted rules or regulations a schedule of fees to defray all or any part of the costs of administering the water pollution control permit system established by K.S.A.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_001_0065.html" target="_blank">65-165</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_001_0066.html" target="_blank">65-166</a>,"<a href="https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_001_0071e.html">KSA 65-171e</a>"All investigations, services and orders rendered, issued or promulgated under the provisions of K.S.A.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_001_0071d.html" target="_blank">65-171d</a>, and amendments thereto, shall be made by such agency, section or division of the department of health and environment, or any of them, as may be designated by the secretary of health and environment, and all fees collected shall be remitted by the secretary to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch75/075_042_0015.html" target="_blank">75-4215</a>, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the state general fund.<a href="https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch02/002_033_0018.html">KSA 2-3318</a>:"Regardless of whether irrigation water is added, whenever swine waste is applied to crops or land, the secretary of health and environment is authorized to investigate, inspect or conduct any manner of examination or review of the application of swine waste. No swine waste shall be applied to crops or land in excess of agronomic application rates.""Failure of the operator of a swine confined feeding facility to implement a nutrient utilization plan approved by the secretary of health and environment shall be considered a violation of the Kansas chemigation safety law for which the secretary may suspend a permit pursuant to K.S.A.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch02/002_033_0010.html" target="_blank">2-3310</a>, and amendments thereto, or may impose a civil penalty pursuant to K.S.A.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch02/002_033_0017.html" target="_blank">2-3317</a>, and amendments thereto, or both."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754584935583.jpeg" alt="courtesy photo of Schwartz Farms" />
 <figcaption>courtesy photo of Schwartz Farms</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Awaiting a decision</h2>According Kansas statute <a href="https://ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch17/017_059_0008.html">KSA 17-5908</a>: County Commissioners can independently permit or deny the CAFO.&nbsp;Ottawa County commissioners have currently not made a decision and chose not to comment about Smoky Hills Pork.Ottawa County Commissioner Duane Morris, told Salina Post they will make no comment at this time, as per their attorney.Salina Post will provide any updates and information once received as far the decision on the permit.