COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a registered sex offender on new allegations after an arrest.

Just before 10:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the 1200 block of West Oklahoma Avenue in Arkansas City following a report of a physical disturbance involving a stabbing, according to a media release.

First responders officers located a 40-year-old female victim suffering from multiple stab wounds, including injuries to her neck.&nbsp; Arkansas City Fire/EMS provided immediate treatment at the scene before transporting the victim to South Central Medical Center. She was subsequently airlifted to a Wichita medical facility for further treatment and is currently reported to be in stable condition.

The suspect, Sean Michael Boydston, 54, Arkansas City, was inside a nearby residence. Officers established probable cause and arrested Boydston without incident. Investigators have determined that the suspect and victim are in a domestic relationship.

Boydston was booked into the Cowley County Jail on requested charges of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder and Domestic Battery. He has previous convictions for&nbsp;Aggravated criminal sodomy with a child and&nbsp;Aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the KBI Offender registry.

He is being held on a bond of $100,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738085272166.png" alt="Boydston photo Cowley Co." />
 <figcaption>Boydston photo Cowley Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a registered sex offender on new allegations after an arrest.Just before 10:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the 1200 block of West Oklahoma Avenue in Arkansas City following a report of a physical disturbance involving a stabbing, according to a media release.First responders officers located a 40-year-old female victim suffering from multiple stab wounds, including injuries to her neck.&nbsp; Arkansas City Fire/EMS provided immediate treatment at the scene before transporting the victim to South Central Medical Center. She was subsequently airlifted to a Wichita medical facility for further treatment and is currently reported to be in stable condition.The suspect, Sean Michael Boydston, 54, Arkansas City, was inside a nearby residence. Officers established probable cause and arrested Boydston without incident. Investigators have determined that the suspect and victim are in a domestic relationship.Boydston was booked into the Cowley County Jail on requested charges of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder and Domestic Battery. He has previous convictions for&nbsp;Aggravated criminal sodomy with a child and&nbsp;Aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the KBI Offender registry.He is being held on a bond of $100,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kansas sex offender accused of violent attack on a woman

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating after three bodies were found in a rural Kansas home.

Just before 6p.m. Monday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a disturbance at a home in the 7800 Block of Ratner Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

First responders found three individuals who were deceased.&nbsp; Authorities have not released details on how the victims died or other information. Check the Post for additional details as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738063965850.png" alt="Sheriff's deputies on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Sheriff's deputies on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating after three bodies were found in a rural Kansas home.Just before 6p.m. Monday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a disturbance at a home in the 7800 Block of Ratner Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.First responders found three individuals who were deceased.&nbsp; Authorities have not released details on how the victims died or other information. Check the Post for additional details as it becomes available.

Sheriff: 3 found dead at rural Kansas home

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging three Kansas men with crimes related to drug trafficking, according to the United States Attorney.

According to court documents, Patrick M. Kornelson, 49, Cameron Rigsby, 38, and Tyler Devaney, 42, all of Wichita are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

The defendants are accused of allegedly conspiring to traffic methamphetamine. Kornelson is also charged with one count of using and maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and one count of a prohibited person in&nbsp;possession of a firearm.

The federal grand jury also indicted Rigsby on one count of using or maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and 11 counts of use of a telephone to facilitate drug trafficking.

Devaney is additionally charged with one count of using or maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, on court of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are investigating the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737840866374.png" alt="Kornelson photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Kornelson photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging three Kansas men with crimes related to drug trafficking, according to the United States Attorney.According to court documents, Patrick M. Kornelson, 49, Cameron Rigsby, 38, and Tyler Devaney, 42, all of Wichita are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737841165889.png" alt="Rigsby photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Rigsby photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>The defendants are accused of allegedly conspiring to traffic methamphetamine. Kornelson is also charged with one count of using and maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and one count of a prohibited person in&nbsp;possession of a firearm.The federal grand jury also indicted Rigsby on one count of using or maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and 11 counts of use of a telephone to facilitate drug trafficking.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737841394147.png" alt="Devany photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Devany photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Devaney is additionally charged with one count of using or maintaining drug premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, on court of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are investigating the case.

3 Kansas men accused of running a drug house

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. public health officials have been told to stop working with the World Health Organization, effective immediately.

A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official, John Nkengasong, sent a memo to senior leaders at the agency on Sunday night telling them that all staff who work with the WHO must immediately stop their collaborations and “await further guidance.”

Experts said the sudden stoppage was a surprise and would set back work on investigating and trying to stop outbreaks of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tanzania-marburg-outbreak-who-kagera-suluhu-fever-7d946e7ab16bac8db08f67e6fb5638f0">Marburg virus</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mpox">mpox</a>&nbsp;in Africa, as well as brewing global threats. It also comes as health authorities around the world are monitoring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bird-flu">bird flu outbreaks</a>&nbsp;among U.S. livestock.

The Associated Press viewed a copy of Nkengasong's memo, which said the stop-work policy applied to “all CDC staff engaging with WHO through technical working groups, coordinating centers, advisory boards, cooperative agreements or other means — in person or virtual.” It also says CDC staff are not allowed to visit WHO offices.

President Donald Trump last week issued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/withdrawing-the-united-states-from-the-worldhealth-organization/">an executive order</a>&nbsp;to begin the process of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-withdraws-from-world-health-organization-697bbd79a95ae0b6a5d47fa4131f6329">withdrawing the U.S. from WHO</a>, but that did not take immediate effect. Leaving WHO requires the approval of Congress and that the U.S. meets its financial obligations for the current fiscal year. The U.S. also must provide a one-year notice.

His administration also told federal health agencies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-health-communications-cdc-hhs-fda-1eeca64c1ccc324b31b779a86d3999a4">to stop most communications</a>&nbsp;with the public through at least the end of the month.

“Stopping communications and meetings with WHO is a big problem," said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a University of Southern California public health expert who collaborates with WHO on work against sexually transmitted infections.

“People thought there would be a slow withdrawal. This has really caught everyone with their pants down,” said Klausner, who said he learned of it from someone at CDC.

“Talking to WHO is a two-way street,” he added, noting that the two agencies benefit from each other's expertise. The collaboration allows the U.S. to learn about new tests, new treatments and emerging outbreaks — information “which can help us protect Americans abroad and at home,” Klausner said.

The CDC details nearly 30 people to WHO and sends many millions of dollars to it through cooperative agreements. The U.S. agency also has some of the world's leading experts in infectious diseases and public health threats, and the two agencies' staffers are in daily contact about health dangers and how to stop them.

The collaboration halt isn’t the only global health effect of Trump’s executive orders. Last week, the president froze spending on another critical program, PEPFAR or the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

The anti-HIV program is credited with saving 25 million lives, including those of 5.5 million children, since it was started by Republican President George W. Bush. It was included in a Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-department-trump-foreign-aid-bf047e17ef64cb42a1a1b7fdf05caffa">freeze on foreign aid spending</a>&nbsp;slated to last at least three months.

PEPFAR provides HIV medication to more than 20 million people “and stopping its funding essential stops their HIV treatment,” International AIDS Society President Beatriz Grinsztejn said in a statement. "If that happens, people are going to die and HIV will resurge."

A U.S. health official confirmed that the CDC was stopping its work with WHO. The person was not authorized to talk about the memo and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A WHO spokesperson referred questions about the withdrawal to U.S. officials.

Officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services didn't immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. And CDC officials didn't respond to the AP's request to speak with Nkengasong about the memo.

AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

BY&nbsp;MIKE STOBBENEW YORK (AP) — U.S. public health officials have been told to stop working with the World Health Organization, effective immediately.A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official, John Nkengasong, sent a memo to senior leaders at the agency on Sunday night telling them that all staff who work with the WHO must immediately stop their collaborations and “await further guidance.”Experts said the sudden stoppage was a surprise and would set back work on investigating and trying to stop outbreaks of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tanzania-marburg-outbreak-who-kagera-suluhu-fever-7d946e7ab16bac8db08f67e6fb5638f0">Marburg virus</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mpox">mpox</a>&nbsp;in Africa, as well as brewing global threats. It also comes as health authorities around the world are monitoring&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bird-flu">bird flu outbreaks</a>&nbsp;among U.S. livestock.The Associated Press viewed a copy of Nkengasong's memo, which said the stop-work policy applied to “all CDC staff engaging with WHO through technical working groups, coordinating centers, advisory boards, cooperative agreements or other means — in person or virtual.” It also says CDC staff are not allowed to visit WHO offices.President Donald Trump last week issued&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/withdrawing-the-united-states-from-the-worldhealth-organization/">an executive order</a>&nbsp;to begin the process of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-withdraws-from-world-health-organization-697bbd79a95ae0b6a5d47fa4131f6329">withdrawing the U.S. from WHO</a>, but that did not take immediate effect. Leaving WHO requires the approval of Congress and that the U.S. meets its financial obligations for the current fiscal year. The U.S. also must provide a one-year notice.His administration also told federal health agencies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-health-communications-cdc-hhs-fda-1eeca64c1ccc324b31b779a86d3999a4">to stop most communications</a>&nbsp;with the public through at least the end of the month.“Stopping communications and meetings with WHO is a big problem," said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a University of Southern California public health expert who collaborates with WHO on work against sexually transmitted infections.“People thought there would be a slow withdrawal. This has really caught everyone with their pants down,” said Klausner, who said he learned of it from someone at CDC.“Talking to WHO is a two-way street,” he added, noting that the two agencies benefit from each other's expertise. The collaboration allows the U.S. to learn about new tests, new treatments and emerging outbreaks — information “which can help us protect Americans abroad and at home,” Klausner said.The CDC details nearly 30 people to WHO and sends many millions of dollars to it through cooperative agreements. The U.S. agency also has some of the world's leading experts in infectious diseases and public health threats, and the two agencies' staffers are in daily contact about health dangers and how to stop them.The collaboration halt isn’t the only global health effect of Trump’s executive orders. Last week, the president froze spending on another critical program, PEPFAR or the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.The anti-HIV program is credited with saving 25 million lives, including those of 5.5 million children, since it was started by Republican President George W. Bush. It was included in a Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-department-trump-foreign-aid-bf047e17ef64cb42a1a1b7fdf05caffa">freeze on foreign aid spending</a>&nbsp;slated to last at least three months.PEPFAR provides HIV medication to more than 20 million people “and stopping its funding essential stops their HIV treatment,” International AIDS Society President Beatriz Grinsztejn said in a statement. "If that happens, people are going to die and HIV will resurge."A U.S. health official confirmed that the CDC was stopping its work with WHO. The person was not authorized to talk about the memo and spoke on condition of anonymity.A WHO spokesperson referred questions about the withdrawal to U.S. officials.Officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services didn't immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. And CDC officials didn't respond to the AP's request to speak with Nkengasong about the memo.___AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

U.S. public health officials ordered to stop working with WHO immediately

ATCHISON–&nbsp;Bryson McCray, 36, of St. Joseph, Missouri, the subject in the weekend officer-involved shooting in Atchison, died from his injuries in a local hospital early Monday, according to a statement from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. An autopsy is scheduled.

At around 5:45 p.m. Friday, the Atchison Police Department responded to a call about a person with a gun and a second call of a subject breaking into an apartment. As officers arrived at 508 N 9th&nbsp;St. in Atchison, an officer exited his vehicle and shots were fired at him, striking his police vehicle multiple times. The officer was not struck. The man,&nbsp;identified as Bryson McCray, 36, of St. Joseph, Mo., then fled back into a&nbsp;residence. Additional officers from the Atchison PD were called to the scene.

Officers learned that a woman known to McCray was being held inside of the residence. Atchison PD requested Kansas Highway Patrol’s (KHP) Special Response Team’s assistance. They also requested assistance from the&nbsp;KBI High Risk Warrant Team. Law enforcement attempted to peacefully negotiate throughout the night with McCray insisting he release the woman inside the residence. The subject did not cooperate with the negotiations and fired multiple shots at law enforcement officials throughout the incident.&nbsp;

Preliminary information indicates&nbsp;that at around 2:30 a.m., an attempt was made to rescue the female hostage. During the rescue attempt, McCray and the hostage were separated momentarily, and a KHP trooper fired at McCray striking him.&nbsp; At that time, the hostage was safely rescued. Life-saving measures were made on McCray at the scene and at an area hospital. McCray was subsequently transported to a Kansas City hospital where he died on Monday. No law enforcement officers were injured during the rescue attempt or during the interactions with McCray.

This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.

When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Atchison County Attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666119705831.png" alt="McCray photo Buchanan County" />
 <figcaption>McCray photo Buchanan County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON–&nbsp;Bryson McCray, 36, of St. Joseph, Missouri, the subject in the weekend officer-involved shooting in Atchison, died from his injuries in a local hospital early Monday, according to a statement from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. An autopsy is scheduled.At around 5:45 p.m. Friday, the Atchison Police Department responded to a call about a person with a gun and a second call of a subject breaking into an apartment. As officers arrived at 508 N 9th&nbsp;St. in Atchison, an officer exited his vehicle and shots were fired at him, striking his police vehicle multiple times. The officer was not struck. The man,&nbsp;identified as Bryson McCray, 36, of St. Joseph, Mo., then fled back into a&nbsp;residence. Additional officers from the Atchison PD were called to the scene.Officers learned that a woman known to McCray was being held inside of the residence. Atchison PD requested Kansas Highway Patrol’s (KHP) Special Response Team’s assistance. They also requested assistance from the&nbsp;KBI High Risk Warrant Team. Law enforcement attempted to peacefully negotiate throughout the night with McCray insisting he release the woman inside the residence. The subject did not cooperate with the negotiations and fired multiple shots at law enforcement officials throughout the incident.&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates&nbsp;that at around 2:30 a.m., an attempt was made to rescue the female hostage. During the rescue attempt, McCray and the hostage were separated momentarily, and a KHP trooper fired at McCray striking him.&nbsp; At that time, the hostage was safely rescued. Life-saving measures were made on McCray at the scene and at an area hospital. McCray was subsequently transported to a Kansas City hospital where he died on Monday. No law enforcement officers were injured during the rescue attempt or during the interactions with McCray.This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Atchison County Attorney.

KBI: Suspect injured in gunfight with Kansas officers has died

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating a bank robbery in Topeka and have released security camera images of the suspect.

Just before 5p.m. January 13, a suspect, described as a black male, 5-foot-10 inches tall, approximately 200-215 pounds and wearing&nbsp; a black jacket with a hood, dark colored jeans, dark colored tennis shoes and a face covering,&nbsp; entered&nbsp;Equity Bank, 3825 SW 29th&nbsp;Street in Topeka,&nbsp;according to a media release from the FBI. 

The suspect approached the teller and made a verbal demand for money and brandished a firearm.

The suspect fled the bank in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of money. There were no injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737990037407.png" alt="Photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement continue investigating a bank robbery in Topeka and have released security camera images of the suspect.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737989757231.png" alt="Photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 5p.m. January 13, a suspect, described as a black male, 5-foot-10 inches tall, approximately 200-215 pounds and wearing&nbsp; a black jacket with a hood, dark colored jeans, dark colored tennis shoes and a face covering,&nbsp; entered&nbsp;Equity Bank, 3825 SW 29th&nbsp;Street in Topeka,&nbsp;according to a media release from the FBI. The suspect approached the teller and made a verbal demand for money and brandished a firearm.The suspect fled the bank in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of money. There were no injuries.

Search continues for Kansas bank robbery suspect

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street’s superstars tumbled Monday as a competitor from China threatens to upend the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial-intelligence</a>&nbsp;frenzy they’ve been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-trump-rates-tariffs-inflation-971d56d5de6fd4abf5e7619fb12727ea">feasting</a>&nbsp;on.

The S&amp;P 500 dropped 1.5%, dragged down in large part by a 16.9% fall for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-ai-earnings-report-adc942aa0e0c5d1a550b7bad486b942a">Nvidia</a>. Other Big Tech stocks also took heavy losses, and they pulled the Nasdaq composite down 3.1% for its worst loss in more than a month.

The damage was focused on AI-related stocks, while the rest of the market held up much better. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 289 points, or 0.7%, and the majority of U.S. stocks climbed. But anyone holding an S&amp;P 500 index fund, which are found in many 401(k) accounts, felt the pain because of how influential those tech giants have become on indexes.

The shock to financial markets came from China, where a company called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/deepseek-ai-china-f4908eaca221d601e31e7e3368778030">DeepSeek</a>&nbsp;unveiled a large language model that can compete with U.S. giants but at potentially a fraction of the cost. DeepSeek had already hit the top of the chart for free apps on Apple’s App Store by Monday morning, and analysts said such a feat would be particularly impressive given how the U.S. government has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ai-artificial-intelligence-chips-computer-trade-4495b5b4a48e856dc612e7abe3e47d20">restricted Chinese access</a>&nbsp;to top AI chips.

Skepticism, though, remains about how much DeepSeek’s announcement will ultimately shake the economy that’s built around the AI industry, from the chip makers making semiconductors to the utilities hoping to electrify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/power-electricity-amazon-microsoft-power-plants-data-centers-grid-f4763f73bc112425e18f30618dff0039">vast data centers</a>&nbsp;gobbling up computing power.

“It remains to be seen if DeepSeek found a way to work around these chip restrictions rules and what chips they ultimately used as there will be many skeptics around this issue given the information is coming from China,” according to Dan Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities.

DeepSeek’s disruption nevertheless rocked AI-related stocks worldwide.

In Amsterdam, Dutch chipmaking equipment company ASML slid 7%. In Tokyo, Japan’s Softbank Group Corp. lost 8.3% to pull closer to where it was before leaping on an announcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ai-openai-oracle-softbank-son-altman-ellison-be261f8a8ee07a0623d4170397348c41">trumpeted by the White House</a>&nbsp;that it was joining a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stargate-ai-project-trump-musk-openai-sam-altman-oracle-softbank-734610c6dbe62a244527c6fd621fa004">partnership</a>&nbsp;to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure.

And on Wall Street, Constellation Energy lost more than a fifth of its value, 20.8%. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/three-mile-island-nuclear-power-microsoft-8f47ba63a7aab8831a7805dfde0e2c39">company has said it would restart</a>&nbsp;the shuttered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ca23009ea5b54f21a3fed04065cacc7e">Three Mile Island nuclear power plant</a>&nbsp;to supply power for data centers for Microsoft.

All the worries sent investors toward bonds, which can be safer investments than any stock. The rush pushed the yield of the 10-year Treasury down to 4.52% from 4.62% late Friday.

It’s a sharp turnaround for the AI winners, which had soared in recent years on hopes that all the investment pouring in would remake the global economy and deliver gargantuan profits along the way. Such stellar performances also raised criticism that their stock prices had gone too far, too fast.

Before Monday’s drop, which was its worst since the 2020 COVID crash,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-ces-2025-blackwell-ai-chips-fadab7fc10c1a3e306c0a16448559ad8">Nvidia’s</a>&nbsp;stock had soared from less than $20 to more than $140 in less than two years, for example.

It was just on Friday that Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg was saying he expects his company to invest up to $65 billion this year and grow its AI teams significantly, while talking up a data center in Louisiana that will be so large it could cover a significant part of Manhattan.

A small group of seven such companies has become so dominant that they alone accounted for more than half the S&amp;P 500’s total return last year, according to S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices. They include Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla.

Their immense sizes give them huge sway over the S&amp;P 500 and other indexes that give more weight to bigger companies. That’s why many 401(k) holders felt the pain of Nvidia’s drop, even if they didn’t know they owned any Nvidia, so long as they owned a fund that tracks the S&amp;P 500.

All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 88.96 points to 6,012.28. The Nasdaq composite dropped 612.47 to 19,341.83, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 289.33 to 44,713.58.

Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management, suggested not overreacting to Monday’s sharp swings.

“It is possible that the news out of China could be overstated and then we could see a reversal of the recent market moves,” Jacobsen said. “It is also possible that the news is true, but then that would present new investment opportunities.”

More big swings may be ahead. Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Tesla are all on the schedule this upcoming week to report how much profit they made at the end of 2024.

The pressure is on companies to keep delivering strong profits, particularly after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fed-bonds-interest-rates-37c91aa8d1cc4d2a09506d31e9dba99b">recent jump in Treasury yields</a>. When bonds are paying more in interest, they put downward pressure on stock prices. Yields have been on the rise amid a solid U.S. economy and worries about possibly higher inflation coming from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-energy-economy-inflation-ev-oil-gas-00be8d3d5216a328e129666032c889e1">tariffs</a>&nbsp;and other policies favored by President Donald Trump.

So far, big U.S. companies have been reporting better results than analysts expected. AT&amp;T became the latest on Monday, and its stock rose 6.3%.

In stock markets abroad, movements for broad indexes across Europe and Asia weren’t as forceful as for the big U.S. tech stocks. Stocks edged 0.1% lower in Shanghai after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-pmi-factory-activity-contraction-e2e7aff03a12e53d95dce523b2b12d34">survey of manufacturers</a>&nbsp;showed export orders in China dropping to a five-month low.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738002758127.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street’s superstars tumbled Monday as a competitor from China threatens to upend the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial-intelligence</a>&nbsp;frenzy they’ve been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stock-markets-trump-rates-tariffs-inflation-971d56d5de6fd4abf5e7619fb12727ea">feasting</a>&nbsp;on.The S&amp;P 500 dropped 1.5%, dragged down in large part by a 16.9% fall for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-ai-earnings-report-adc942aa0e0c5d1a550b7bad486b942a">Nvidia</a>. Other Big Tech stocks also took heavy losses, and they pulled the Nasdaq composite down 3.1% for its worst loss in more than a month.The damage was focused on AI-related stocks, while the rest of the market held up much better. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 289 points, or 0.7%, and the majority of U.S. stocks climbed. But anyone holding an S&amp;P 500 index fund, which are found in many 401(k) accounts, felt the pain because of how influential those tech giants have become on indexes.The shock to financial markets came from China, where a company called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/deepseek-ai-china-f4908eaca221d601e31e7e3368778030">DeepSeek</a>&nbsp;unveiled a large language model that can compete with U.S. giants but at potentially a fraction of the cost. DeepSeek had already hit the top of the chart for free apps on Apple’s App Store by Monday morning, and analysts said such a feat would be particularly impressive given how the U.S. government has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-ai-artificial-intelligence-chips-computer-trade-4495b5b4a48e856dc612e7abe3e47d20">restricted Chinese access</a>&nbsp;to top AI chips.Skepticism, though, remains about how much DeepSeek’s announcement will ultimately shake the economy that’s built around the AI industry, from the chip makers making semiconductors to the utilities hoping to electrify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/power-electricity-amazon-microsoft-power-plants-data-centers-grid-f4763f73bc112425e18f30618dff0039">vast data centers</a>&nbsp;gobbling up computing power.“It remains to be seen if DeepSeek found a way to work around these chip restrictions rules and what chips they ultimately used as there will be many skeptics around this issue given the information is coming from China,” according to Dan Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities.DeepSeek’s disruption nevertheless rocked AI-related stocks worldwide.In Amsterdam, Dutch chipmaking equipment company ASML slid 7%. In Tokyo, Japan’s Softbank Group Corp. lost 8.3% to pull closer to where it was before leaping on an announcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ai-openai-oracle-softbank-son-altman-ellison-be261f8a8ee07a0623d4170397348c41">trumpeted by the White House</a>&nbsp;that it was joining a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stargate-ai-project-trump-musk-openai-sam-altman-oracle-softbank-734610c6dbe62a244527c6fd621fa004">partnership</a>&nbsp;to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure.And on Wall Street, Constellation Energy lost more than a fifth of its value, 20.8%. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/three-mile-island-nuclear-power-microsoft-8f47ba63a7aab8831a7805dfde0e2c39">company has said it would restart</a>&nbsp;the shuttered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ca23009ea5b54f21a3fed04065cacc7e">Three Mile Island nuclear power plant</a>&nbsp;to supply power for data centers for Microsoft.All the worries sent investors toward bonds, which can be safer investments than any stock. The rush pushed the yield of the 10-year Treasury down to 4.52% from 4.62% late Friday.It’s a sharp turnaround for the AI winners, which had soared in recent years on hopes that all the investment pouring in would remake the global economy and deliver gargantuan profits along the way. Such stellar performances also raised criticism that their stock prices had gone too far, too fast.Before Monday’s drop, which was its worst since the 2020 COVID crash,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-ces-2025-blackwell-ai-chips-fadab7fc10c1a3e306c0a16448559ad8">Nvidia’s</a>&nbsp;stock had soared from less than $20 to more than $140 in less than two years, for example.It was just on Friday that Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg was saying he expects his company to invest up to $65 billion this year and grow its AI teams significantly, while talking up a data center in Louisiana that will be so large it could cover a significant part of Manhattan.A small group of seven such companies has become so dominant that they alone accounted for more than half the S&amp;P 500’s total return last year, according to S&amp;P Dow Jones Indices. They include Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla.Their immense sizes give them huge sway over the S&amp;P 500 and other indexes that give more weight to bigger companies. That’s why many 401(k) holders felt the pain of Nvidia’s drop, even if they didn’t know they owned any Nvidia, so long as they owned a fund that tracks the S&amp;P 500.All told, the S&amp;P 500 fell 88.96 points to 6,012.28. The Nasdaq composite dropped 612.47 to 19,341.83, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 289.33 to 44,713.58.Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management, suggested not overreacting to Monday’s sharp swings.“It is possible that the news out of China could be overstated and then we could see a reversal of the recent market moves,” Jacobsen said. “It is also possible that the news is true, but then that would present new investment opportunities.”More big swings may be ahead. Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Tesla are all on the schedule this upcoming week to report how much profit they made at the end of 2024.The pressure is on companies to keep delivering strong profits, particularly after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fed-bonds-interest-rates-37c91aa8d1cc4d2a09506d31e9dba99b">recent jump in Treasury yields</a>. When bonds are paying more in interest, they put downward pressure on stock prices. Yields have been on the rise amid a solid U.S. economy and worries about possibly higher inflation coming from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-energy-economy-inflation-ev-oil-gas-00be8d3d5216a328e129666032c889e1">tariffs</a>&nbsp;and other policies favored by President Donald Trump.So far, big U.S. companies have been reporting better results than analysts expected. AT&amp;T became the latest on Monday, and its stock rose 6.3%.In stock markets abroad, movements for broad indexes across Europe and Asia weren’t as forceful as for the big U.S. tech stocks. Stocks edged 0.1% lower in Shanghai after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-pmi-factory-activity-contraction-e2e7aff03a12e53d95dce523b2b12d34">survey of manufacturers</a>&nbsp;showed export orders in China dropping to a five-month low.

Tech stocks tank as Chinese competitor threatens to upend the AI frenzy

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — An errant weight thrown by a competitor struck and killed a spectator at a youth track and field meet in Colorado, according to officials at the university where the competition was held.

The hammer in the hammer throw event cleared certified barriers before striking the man Sunday morning at the University of Colorado's Colorado Springs campus, according to a university statement.

Firefighters pronounced the man dead at the scene. He apparently had tried to shield his wife and son from the ball, KRDO-TV reported. The so-called hammer in the hammer throw event is actually a heavy ball on a chain.

Authorities did not identify the athlete or the man killed. He was the father of a competitor for the Colorado United Track Club that hosted the event for high school-age athletes from around the state, according to the station.

“We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved,” campus Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said in a statement.

The weight used in the hammer throw event weighs 16 pounds (7 kilograms) for men and 9 pounds (4 kilograms) for women in adult competition, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://worldathletics.org/">World Athletics</a>, the international track and field governing body.

Fatal accidents at track and field competitions are rare. A hammer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/784f63c04e6f4e928e6686683069e86a">killed a student</a>&nbsp;at a college track and field meet at Wheaton College in Illinois in 2017.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — An errant weight thrown by a competitor struck and killed a spectator at a youth track and field meet in Colorado, according to officials at the university where the competition was held.The hammer in the hammer throw event cleared certified barriers before striking the man Sunday morning at the University of Colorado's Colorado Springs campus, according to a university statement.Firefighters pronounced the man dead at the scene. He apparently had tried to shield his wife and son from the ball, KRDO-TV reported. The so-called hammer in the hammer throw event is actually a heavy ball on a chain.Authorities did not identify the athlete or the man killed. He was the father of a competitor for the Colorado United Track Club that hosted the event for high school-age athletes from around the state, according to the station.“We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved,” campus Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said in a statement.The weight used in the hammer throw event weighs 16 pounds (7 kilograms) for men and 9 pounds (4 kilograms) for women in adult competition, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://worldathletics.org/">World Athletics</a>, the international track and field governing body.Fatal accidents at track and field competitions are rare. A hammer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/784f63c04e6f4e928e6686683069e86a">killed a student</a>&nbsp;at a college track and field meet at Wheaton College in Illinois in 2017.

Spectator killed by a stray hammer thrown at youth track and field meet

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>

WASHINGTON — Three former secretaries of the U.S. Department of Education took to a Brookings Institution panel on Tuesday to offer more perspective on President Donald Trump’s calls to dismantle the federal agency, among other education-related priorities of the new administration.

Trump — who repeatedly pledged to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-won-presidency-what-does-mean-education" target="_blank">get rid of the department&nbsp; </a>throughout his campaign — has vowed to “save American education” with a focus on parental rights, universal school choice and funding preferences for states and school districts that adhere to his sweeping education vision.

In his inaugural address on Monday, Trump said “we have an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves, in many cases, to hate our country, despite the love that we try so desperately to provide to them.”

“All of this will change starting today, and it will change very quickly,” Trump said, going on to enact a barrage of executive orders later on Monday and undo some of former President Joe Biden’s most consequential efforts in protecting LGBTQ+ students.

Trump’s pick for Education secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-nominate-transition-co-chair-linda-mcmahon-education-secretary" target="_blank">Linda McMahon</a>, could be pivotal to making more of his education vision a reality.

McMahon, who has yet to sit before a U.S. Senate panel for her confirmation hearing, is a former World Wrestling Entertainment executive, the prior head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first administration and a wealthy donor.

She is likely to be confirmed in the GOP-controlled Senate.

In the meantime, Trump named Denise Carter as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/designation-of-acting-leaders/" target="_blank">acting secretary of Education</a>. Prior to stepping into the post, she was the acting chief operating officer of the department’s Office of Federal Student Aid — the largest student financial aid provider in the country.

Trump’s vow to abolish the department is one that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/unlikely-trump-can-actually-eliminate-education-department-experts-say" target="_blank">experts have viewed with skepticism</a>&nbsp;over the complex logistics, the need for bipartisan congressional approval and the redirection of federal programs that would be necessary.

Margaret Spellings, who was Education secretary under then-President George W. Bush, said the push for abolishing the department is “kind of an old saw that has been around for a long time.”

“Obviously, there’s maybe more seriousness around it this time as we think about slicing and dicing and relitigating the federal role, and I think that’s an appropriate conversation, I mean, we ought to do that,” Spellings said.

Arne Duncan, Education secretary under then-President Barack Obama, compared Trump’s promise to get rid of the department to his “saying he’s going to build a wall and get Mexico to pay for it, which is stuff he says.”

“No one ever seems to hold him accountable for lies, false promises, but that’s what’s going to happen,” he said.

On his first day back in office, Trump also issued a slew of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/" target="_blank">wide-ranging executive orders</a>&nbsp;including that the federal government should only recognize “two sexes: male and female,” and that federal agencies should use the term “sex” and not “gender” in all federal policies and documents.

The order also calls for federal agencies to “end the Federal funding of gender ideology.”

He also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/initial-rescissions-of-harmful-executive-orders-and-actions/" target="_blank">rescinded a series of Biden-era executive orders</a>, including certain directives regarding LGBTQ+ students.

“I think about LGBTQ students and how they might feel based on the statements from the administration so far and the executive order yesterday,” said former Education Secretary John B. King Jr., who also served under the Obama administration.

King said he worries about “low-income students, about students of color, where we still see huge opportunity gaps, and so all of us need to be asking, ‘Who’s championing the needs of those most vulnerable students?’”

King said he also thinks about “the impact on undocumented students or students from mixed-status families, of the conversation about mass deportation and the fear that that instills in them and their families.”

Trump’s deluge of executive orders signified his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-signs-executive-orders-kick-start-his-immigration-crackdown" target="_blank">immigration crackdown</a>, including a move to end birthright citizenship in the United States, which has already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/flurry-legal-challenges-immediately-mounted-trump-birthright-citizenship-order" target="_blank">drawn legal challenges</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632243927152.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — Three former secretaries of the U.S. Department of Education took to a Brookings Institution panel on Tuesday to offer more perspective on President Donald Trump’s calls to dismantle the federal agency, among other education-related priorities of the new administration.Trump — who repeatedly pledged to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-won-presidency-what-does-mean-education" target="_blank">get rid of the department&nbsp; </a>throughout his campaign — has vowed to “save American education” with a focus on parental rights, universal school choice and funding preferences for states and school districts that adhere to his sweeping education vision.In his inaugural address on Monday, Trump said “we have an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves, in many cases, to hate our country, despite the love that we try so desperately to provide to them.”“All of this will change starting today, and it will change very quickly,” Trump said, going on to enact a barrage of executive orders later on Monday and undo some of former President Joe Biden’s most consequential efforts in protecting LGBTQ+ students.Trump’s pick for Education secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-nominate-transition-co-chair-linda-mcmahon-education-secretary" target="_blank">Linda McMahon</a>, could be pivotal to making more of his education vision a reality.McMahon, who has yet to sit before a U.S. Senate panel for her confirmation hearing, is a former World Wrestling Entertainment executive, the prior head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first administration and a wealthy donor.She is likely to be confirmed in the GOP-controlled Senate.In the meantime, Trump named Denise Carter as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/designation-of-acting-leaders/" target="_blank">acting secretary of Education</a>. Prior to stepping into the post, she was the acting chief operating officer of the department’s Office of Federal Student Aid — the largest student financial aid provider in the country.<h2>‘Kind of an old saw’</h2>Trump’s vow to abolish the department is one that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/unlikely-trump-can-actually-eliminate-education-department-experts-say" target="_blank">experts have viewed with skepticism</a>&nbsp;over the complex logistics, the need for bipartisan congressional approval and the redirection of federal programs that would be necessary.Margaret Spellings, who was Education secretary under then-President George W. Bush, said the push for abolishing the department is “kind of an old saw that has been around for a long time.”“Obviously, there’s maybe more seriousness around it this time as we think about slicing and dicing and relitigating the federal role, and I think that’s an appropriate conversation, I mean, we ought to do that,” Spellings said.Arne Duncan, Education secretary under then-President Barack Obama, compared Trump’s promise to get rid of the department to his “saying he’s going to build a wall and get Mexico to pay for it, which is stuff he says.”“No one ever seems to hold him accountable for lies, false promises, but that’s what’s going to happen,” he said.<h2>‘Sex’ rather than ‘gender’ order</h2>On his first day back in office, Trump also issued a slew of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/" target="_blank">wide-ranging executive orders</a>&nbsp;including that the federal government should only recognize “two sexes: male and female,” and that federal agencies should use the term “sex” and not “gender” in all federal policies and documents.The order also calls for federal agencies to “end the Federal funding of gender ideology.”He also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/initial-rescissions-of-harmful-executive-orders-and-actions/" target="_blank">rescinded a series of Biden-era executive orders</a>, including certain directives regarding LGBTQ+ students.“I think about LGBTQ students and how they might feel based on the statements from the administration so far and the executive order yesterday,” said former Education Secretary John B. King Jr., who also served under the Obama administration.King said he worries about “low-income students, about students of color, where we still see huge opportunity gaps, and so all of us need to be asking, ‘Who’s championing the needs of those most vulnerable students?’”King said he also thinks about “the impact on undocumented students or students from mixed-status families, of the conversation about mass deportation and the fear that that instills in them and their families.”Trump’s deluge of executive orders signified his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-signs-executive-orders-kick-start-his-immigration-crackdown" target="_blank">immigration crackdown</a>, including a move to end birthright citizenship in the United States, which has already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/flurry-legal-challenges-immediately-mounted-trump-birthright-citizenship-order" target="_blank">drawn legal challenges</a>.&nbsp;

Former secretaries Dissect Trump Plans to Abolish Department of Education

Proposal follows bipartisan 2024 law cutting Kansas’ upper bracket to 5.58%

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Chamber business lobbying organization wants to convince the 2025 Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly to pass a law tying increases in state expenditures to the inflation rate and devoting excess revenue to lowering the state’s individual income tax rate to 4.5%.

The objective would be to take a step beyond a 2024 law imposing $1.2 billion in tax reductions over three years and implementing a structural change to move from three to two personal income tax brackets. That law passed during a special legislative session and signed by Kelly cut the state’s upper individual income tax bracket from 5.7% to 5.58% and set the lower bracket at 5.2%.

Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, have advocated for a single-rate state income tax. In 2024, for example, the Senate passed a bill that would automatically shrink a single rate over a six-year period to 5.45% by 2029.

Alan Cobb, the Kansas Chamber’s president and CEO, said the organization would focus on adoption of a single bracket and the goal of a rate of 4.5%.

He said Kansas was ranked 25th nationally by the conservative Tax Foundation in terms of business climate. Thirty-one states lowered income tax rates during the past four years, he said.

“Kansas is an affordable and enjoyable place to raise a family, but overall has a high tax burden,” Cobb said. “As other states take action to become more attractive and competitive for investment, Kansas continues to fall behind.”

The Kansas Chamber vowed to support efforts to reduce corporate income taxes despite Kelly’s rejection of proposals to eliminate the state income tax on businesses.

“Going forward, I will not support any proposal that robs our schools of the funds they need to teach our children,” Kelly said. “There was a proposal to slash the state corporate income tax to zero. That is a nonstarter.”

In 2012, the Republican-led Legislature aggressively reduced Kansas income taxes in an experiment in supply-side economics. Lawmakers in Kansas didn’t match the popular tax cuts with unpopular spending cuts. That led to five years of budget problems and produced a sales tax increase and cuts to schools, highways and other core government programs. The GOP-led Legislature repealed much of that tax program in 2017.

Cobb said the lobbying organization would oppose proposals to apply a sales tax to professional services or to repeal existing sales tax exemptions for businesses.

Kansas ranked 10th among U.S. states in terms of renewable energy production, Cobb said, but the low-cost energy source hadn’t resulted in meaningful savings for consumers. State lawmakers should maneuver to deal with above-average energy costs that hurt businesses, Cobb said.

Cobb said the state should reverse erosion of liability protections for businesses and individuals. Altering the state’s legal environment to lower insurance premiums would help with economic competitiveness, he said.

He said Kansas could pursue reform that reduced scope-of-practice barriers for health professionals and broadened licensure reciprocity so workers from other states could more easily transition to jobs in Kansas. The change would help address workforce shortages and access to health care, he said.

The Kansas Chamber annually produces a policy agenda based on past legislative activity and polling of business leaders.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansaschamber.org/legislativeagenda/" target="_blank">The 2025 edition can be found here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737998024914.png" alt="Alan Cobb, president and CEO of the Kansas Chamber, said a top priority of the business lobbying organization was to limit state spending to the annual inflation rate and devote excess tax revenue to lowering the individual state income tax rate to 4.5%. Currently, Kansas has a two-rate system with the lower rate at 5.2% and the upper at 5.58%. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Alan Cobb, president and CEO of the Kansas Chamber, said a top priority of the business lobbying organization was to limit state spending to the annual inflation rate and devote excess tax revenue to lowering the individual state income tax rate to 4.5%. Currently, Kansas has a two-rate system with the lower rate at 5.2% and the upper at 5.58%. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Proposal follows bipartisan 2024 law cutting Kansas’ upper bracket to 5.58%</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Chamber business lobbying organization wants to convince the 2025 Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly to pass a law tying increases in state expenditures to the inflation rate and devoting excess revenue to lowering the state’s individual income tax rate to 4.5%.The objective would be to take a step beyond a 2024 law imposing $1.2 billion in tax reductions over three years and implementing a structural change to move from three to two personal income tax brackets. That law passed during a special legislative session and signed by Kelly cut the state’s upper individual income tax bracket from 5.7% to 5.58% and set the lower bracket at 5.2%.Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, have advocated for a single-rate state income tax. In 2024, for example, the Senate passed a bill that would automatically shrink a single rate over a six-year period to 5.45% by 2029.Alan Cobb, the Kansas Chamber’s president and CEO, said the organization would focus on adoption of a single bracket and the goal of a rate of 4.5%.He said Kansas was ranked 25th nationally by the conservative Tax Foundation in terms of business climate. Thirty-one states lowered income tax rates during the past four years, he said.“Kansas is an affordable and enjoyable place to raise a family, but overall has a high tax burden,” Cobb said. “As other states take action to become more attractive and competitive for investment, Kansas continues to fall behind.”The Kansas Chamber vowed to support efforts to reduce corporate income taxes despite Kelly’s rejection of proposals to eliminate the state income tax on businesses.“Going forward, I will not support any proposal that robs our schools of the funds they need to teach our children,” Kelly said. “There was a proposal to slash the state corporate income tax to zero. That is a nonstarter.”In 2012, the Republican-led Legislature aggressively reduced Kansas income taxes in an experiment in supply-side economics. Lawmakers in Kansas didn’t match the popular tax cuts with unpopular spending cuts. That led to five years of budget problems and produced a sales tax increase and cuts to schools, highways and other core government programs. The GOP-led Legislature repealed much of that tax program in 2017.Cobb said the lobbying organization would oppose proposals to apply a sales tax to professional services or to repeal existing sales tax exemptions for businesses.Kansas ranked 10th among U.S. states in terms of renewable energy production, Cobb said, but the low-cost energy source hadn’t resulted in meaningful savings for consumers. State lawmakers should maneuver to deal with above-average energy costs that hurt businesses, Cobb said.Cobb said the state should reverse erosion of liability protections for businesses and individuals. Altering the state’s legal environment to lower insurance premiums would help with economic competitiveness, he said.He said Kansas could pursue reform that reduced scope-of-practice barriers for health professionals and broadened licensure reciprocity so workers from other states could more easily transition to jobs in Kansas. The change would help address workforce shortages and access to health care, he said.The Kansas Chamber annually produces a policy agenda based on past legislative activity and polling of business leaders.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansaschamber.org/legislativeagenda/" target="_blank">The 2025 edition can be found here</a>.

Kansas Chamber lobbyists striving to slash state’s individual income tax rate to 4.5%

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a domestic incident and have made an arrest.

Just after 3:30p.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at an address in the 3300 block of Forest Avenue in Great Bend, according to a media release.&nbsp; While on scene, officers contacted a woman and three juveniles.

Officers were advised that the woman and John Feemster, age 34,&nbsp; had been arguing. Officers were advised that during the argument, the woman was allegedly battered by Feemster and that he had obtained a weapon and forced the woman and children into a bedroom.

Feemster was contacted outside of the residence and was arrested. He was transported to the Barton County jail and booked on requested charges of of kidnapping, aggravated assault and endangering a child, in lieu of bond. Police did not report the relationship between Feemster and the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737999866187.png" alt="Feemster-photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Feemster-photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a domestic incident and have made an arrest.Just after 3:30p.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at an address in the 3300 block of Forest Avenue in Great Bend, according to a media release.&nbsp; While on scene, officers contacted a woman and three juveniles.Officers were advised that the woman and John Feemster, age 34,&nbsp; had been arguing. Officers were advised that during the argument, the woman was allegedly battered by Feemster and that he had obtained a weapon and forced the woman and children into a bedroom.Feemster was contacted outside of the residence and was arrested. He was transported to the Barton County jail and booked on requested charges of of kidnapping, aggravated assault and endangering a child, in lieu of bond. Police did not report the relationship between Feemster and the victim.

Police: Kan. man accused in attack on a woman in front of children

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in southwest Kansas reported U.S. Marshals have arrested 25-year-old Jesus Loya of Garden City, according to a statement from Garden City Police.

On Thursday, Loya walked out in the middle of his jury trial in Garden City.

Loya has been found guilty and was wanted on a warrant for Kidnapping&nbsp; Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness/Victim, Aggravated Assault and Criminal Threat.

Loya’s Bond had been set at $1,000,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737757966841.png" alt="Jesus Loya -photo Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>Jesus Loya -photo Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in southwest Kansas reported U.S. Marshals have arrested 25-year-old Jesus Loya of Garden City, according to a statement from Garden City Police.On Thursday, Loya walked out in the middle of his jury trial in Garden City.Loya has been found guilty and was wanted on a warrant for Kidnapping&nbsp; Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Intimidation of a Witness/Victim, Aggravated Assault and Criminal Threat.Loya’s Bond had been set at $1,000,000.

U.S. Marshals capture man who escaped during trial in SW Kansas 

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Donald Trump hasn’t been shy about sharing his thoughts since taking office. On Saturday night, he added a 20-minute Q&amp;A with reporters aboard Air Force One to the mix.

Asked about the series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-has-trump-done-trump-executive-orders-f061fbe7f08c08d81509a6af20ef8fc0">executive orders</a>&nbsp;he’s signed since taking office that have placed new rules on the federal workforce, Trump said he was opposed to work-from-home concessions that became more common during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus pandemic</a>.

“You have to go to your office and you have to work,” he said. “Otherwise, you’re not going to have a job.”

Trump also said he’s not worried about existing federal employees leaving and the talent pool to find replacements being diminished: “We have very deep talent. We also have a lot of excess people.”

“This was a gimmick for Democrats, to a certain extent,” he said of existing federal worker rolls, which he suggested were too large.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737908838710.png" alt="President Trump speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One Saturday-photo by Margo Martin, Assistant to the President" />
 <figcaption>President Trump speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One Saturday-photo by Margo Martin, Assistant to the President</figcaption>
 </figure>ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Donald Trump hasn’t been shy about sharing his thoughts since taking office. On Saturday night, he added a 20-minute Q&amp;A with reporters aboard Air Force One to the mix.Asked about the series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-has-trump-done-trump-executive-orders-f061fbe7f08c08d81509a6af20ef8fc0">executive orders</a>&nbsp;he’s signed since taking office that have placed new rules on the federal workforce, Trump said he was opposed to work-from-home concessions that became more common during the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">coronavirus pandemic</a>.“You have to go to your office and you have to work,” he said. “Otherwise, you’re not going to have a job.”Trump also said he’s not worried about existing federal employees leaving and the talent pool to find replacements being diminished: “We have very deep talent. We also have a lot of excess people.”“This was a gimmick for Democrats, to a certain extent,” he said of existing federal worker rolls, which he suggested were too large.

President Trump really wants federal workers back in the office 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20035776">Kansas felon&nbsp;</a>convicted in the fatal stabbing of a Kansas woman in her home is scheduled for sentencing , according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

Goldy Metcalf, 39, was<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20035776">&nbsp;charged with 1st&nbsp;degree</a> murder, attempted 1st&nbsp;degree murder, aggravated burglary, burglary, theft, two counts of criminal damage to property, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass, according to the district attorney's office.

Just after 8 a.m. Dec. 4, 2021, police responded to a disturbance with a weapon at a home in the 600 block of South Green in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

 Upon arrival, officers located a 64-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man with multiple stab wounds. 

EMS transported both victims to an area hospital where the 64-year-old woman died, according to Davidson. The 73-year-old man had serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation revealed at approximately 5 a.m. on Dec. 4, officers responded to a call in the 1800 block of North Kansas regarding a citizen who had Metcalf at gunpoint for unlawfully entering his vehicle.&nbsp; 

Metcalf was cooperative with officers, cited for misdemeanor tampering with an automobile, and given a courtesy transport to St. Francis Hospital for medical treatment due to a previous injury to his mouth, according to Davidson.

Metcalf left St. Francis Hospital against medical advice and at approximately 8 a.m. stole a blue Ford pick-up in the 600 block of North Waco that was left running.

Metcalf fled in the truck and crashed it into a building in the 600 block of South Green. He then fled the scene and forced his way into the residence on South Green, where he stabbed the two victims. Metcalf fled from that residence and entered an unoccupied residence in 600 block of South Erie, and attempted to gain access to a church in the same block. Thanks to information provided by citizens, police responded quickly, located&nbsp; Metcalf and arrested him.

Metcalf was paroled from prison in July 2021 and has prior convictions for aggravated battery, criminal possession of a firearm, burglary, flee law enforcement, and aggravated robbery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638721469657.png" alt="Metcalf-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Metcalf-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20035776">Kansas felon&nbsp;</a>convicted in the fatal stabbing of a Kansas woman in her home is scheduled for sentencing , according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;Goldy Metcalf, 39, was<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20035776">&nbsp;charged with 1st&nbsp;degree</a> murder, attempted 1st&nbsp;degree murder, aggravated burglary, burglary, theft, two counts of criminal damage to property, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass, according to the district attorney's office.Just after 8 a.m. Dec. 4, 2021, police responded to a disturbance with a weapon at a home in the 600 block of South Green in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers located a 64-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man with multiple stab wounds. EMS transported both victims to an area hospital where the 64-year-old woman died, according to Davidson. The 73-year-old man had serious but non-life-threatening injuries.The investigation revealed at approximately 5 a.m. on Dec. 4, officers responded to a call in the 1800 block of North Kansas regarding a citizen who had Metcalf at gunpoint for unlawfully entering his vehicle.&nbsp; Metcalf was cooperative with officers, cited for misdemeanor tampering with an automobile, and given a courtesy transport to St. Francis Hospital for medical treatment due to a previous injury to his mouth, according to Davidson.Metcalf left St. Francis Hospital against medical advice and at approximately 8 a.m. stole a blue Ford pick-up in the 600 block of North Waco that was left running.Metcalf fled in the truck and crashed it into a building in the 600 block of South Green. He then fled the scene and forced his way into the residence on South Green, where he stabbed the two victims. Metcalf fled from that residence and entered an unoccupied residence in 600 block of South Erie, and attempted to gain access to a church in the same block. Thanks to information provided by citizens, police responded quickly, located&nbsp; Metcalf and arrested him.Metcalf was paroled from prison in July 2021 and has prior convictions for aggravated battery, criminal possession of a firearm, burglary, flee law enforcement, and aggravated robbery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sentencing Day: Felon stabbed Kan. woman to death in her home 

KIOWA COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol investigating a fatal&nbsp; car crash during a weekend pursuit have identified the victim who died as Jerry Wayne Thompson.

Thompson and the car were being sought as part of a homicide investigation in Anderson County, according to a media release from the KHP.

Just after 9p.m. Saturday, troopers saw the car traveling eastbound on U.S. 54 west of Greensburg. A troopers began to conduct a traffic stop, the car pulled over to the shoulder and stopped. After the trooper made verbal contact with Thompson, he fled and a pursuit ensued.

The Kiowa County Sheriff's office successfully deployed stop sticks on the fleeing vehicle approximately one mile west of Greensburg. The car traveled off the road into the south ditch, struck a field entrance, went airborne and rolled. Thompson was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car.&nbsp; He was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;Investigators recovered a loaded firearm from the crash scene.

The KHP Critical Accident Response Team responded to the scene and is investigating.&nbsp; The homicide is under investigation in Anderson County.

KIOWA COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol investigating a fatal&nbsp; car crash during a weekend pursuit have identified the victim who died as Jerry Wayne Thompson.Thompson and the car were being sought as part of a homicide investigation in Anderson County, according to a media release from the KHP.Just after 9p.m. Saturday, troopers saw the car traveling eastbound on U.S. 54 west of Greensburg. A troopers began to conduct a traffic stop, the car pulled over to the shoulder and stopped. After the trooper made verbal contact with Thompson, he fled and a pursuit ensued.The Kiowa County Sheriff's office successfully deployed stop sticks on the fleeing vehicle approximately one mile west of Greensburg. The car traveled off the road into the south ditch, struck a field entrance, went airborne and rolled. Thompson was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car.&nbsp; He was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;Investigators recovered a loaded firearm from the crash scene.The KHP Critical Accident Response Team responded to the scene and is investigating.&nbsp; The homicide is under investigation in Anderson County.

KHP: Victim in fatal pursuit, crash was wanted in homicide investigation

FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump has ended the federal security detail for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/anthony-fauci">Dr. Anthony Fauci</a>, the infectious disease expert who advised him on the COVID-19 pandemic, a person familiar with the matter said Friday.

Fauci is the latest in a string of former Trump aides-turned-critics to see their federal protection canceled despite ongoing threats to their lives.

Speaking to reporters in North Carolina on Friday, Trump said he wouldn’t feel any responsibility if harm befell the former government officials. A person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive security issues, said that Fauci’s federal security detail was ended on Thursday and that he has since hired private security.

When asked about Fauci and former national security adviser John Bolton, Trump said, “They all made a lot of money. They can hire their own security, too."

Trump, a Republican, earlier this week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pompeo-hook-iran-security-protections-987ca371756f48028ebd34ca7111f1c5">revoked protection details</a>&nbsp;for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his top aide, Brian Hook, as well as Bolton. All have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-politics-government-iraq-qassim-soleimani-3353602bd30e683afec45d8c78196886">faced threats from Iran</a>&nbsp;since they took hard-line stances on the Islamic Republic during Trump’s first administration and fell out with him in the years after he left office in 2021.

Fauci was a regular at Trump’s side early in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-michael-pence-religion-travel-virus-outbreak-52e12ca90c55b6e0c398d134a2cc286e">the COVID-19 outbreak</a>&nbsp;but grew critical of Trump after the president tried to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-health-697d9ecef7f89cf5e9abb3b008c7faa7">undermine public health guidance</a>. Fauci faced regular threats to his life and has received federal protection for years.

Bolton, Hook and Pompeo had their security details repeatedly renewed by the Biden administration because of credible and ongoing threats from Iran. Fauci’s was also repeatedly renewed by President Joe Biden, a Democrat, because of domestic threats.

“You can’t have a security detail for the rest of your life because you worked for government,” Trump said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610053263006.png" alt="Dr. Anthony Fauci-photo White House" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Anthony Fauci-photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>FLETCHER, N.C. (AP) — President Donald Trump has ended the federal security detail for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/anthony-fauci">Dr. Anthony Fauci</a>, the infectious disease expert who advised him on the COVID-19 pandemic, a person familiar with the matter said Friday.Fauci is the latest in a string of former Trump aides-turned-critics to see their federal protection canceled despite ongoing threats to their lives.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647123002389.png" alt="In May of 2022, the State Department reported they were paying more than $2 million per month to provide 24-hour security to former Kansas congressman and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top aide, both of whom faced “serious and credible” threats from Iran.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>In May of 2022, the State Department reported they were paying more than $2 million per month to provide 24-hour security to former Kansas congressman and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top aide, both of whom faced “serious and credible” threats from Iran.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Speaking to reporters in North Carolina on Friday, Trump said he wouldn’t feel any responsibility if harm befell the former government officials. A person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive security issues, said that Fauci’s federal security detail was ended on Thursday and that he has since hired private security.When asked about Fauci and former national security adviser John Bolton, Trump said, “They all made a lot of money. They can hire their own security, too."Trump, a Republican, earlier this week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-pompeo-hook-iran-security-protections-987ca371756f48028ebd34ca7111f1c5">revoked protection details</a>&nbsp;for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his top aide, Brian Hook, as well as Bolton. All have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-politics-government-iraq-qassim-soleimani-3353602bd30e683afec45d8c78196886">faced threats from Iran</a>&nbsp;since they took hard-line stances on the Islamic Republic during Trump’s first administration and fell out with him in the years after he left office in 2021.Fauci was a regular at Trump’s side early in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-michael-pence-religion-travel-virus-outbreak-52e12ca90c55b6e0c398d134a2cc286e">the COVID-19 outbreak</a>&nbsp;but grew critical of Trump after the president tried to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-health-697d9ecef7f89cf5e9abb3b008c7faa7">undermine public health guidance</a>. Fauci faced regular threats to his life and has received federal protection for years.Bolton, Hook and Pompeo had their security details repeatedly renewed by the Biden administration because of credible and ongoing threats from Iran. Fauci’s was also repeatedly renewed by President Joe Biden, a Democrat, because of domestic threats.“You can’t have a security detail for the rest of your life because you worked for government,” Trump said.

Dr. Fauci and former Kan. Congressman now without Secret Service protection

GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) — A man accused of using TikTok to urge attacks on the government and death to President Donald Trump has been arrested, the FBI said.

Douglas Thrams, 23, of Goshen, Indiana, made a series of threats in videos posted to the social media site last week, authorities said.

Thrams is in custody awaiting an appearance Monday in federal court in South Bend. He does not have an attorney yet who could respond to the charge of using interstate commerce to make threats.

In one TikTok video, Thrams said Trump needed to be killed “and this time don’t ... miss,” FBI agent Taylor Pletz said in a court filing. It was an apparent reference to an assassination attempt last July in Pennsylvania.

“In all videos, he is visible, audible and identifiable,” Pletz said of Thrams.

TikTok was supposed to be banned in the U.S., effective last Sunday. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-ban-executive-order-50df1f96c25576762b65e24b63ce61eb">Trump paused it for 75 days</a>&nbsp;to allow his new administration to assess national security concerns and seek a potential American buyer for the popular digital platform.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737767640964.png" alt="Thrams photo -St. Joseph County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Thrams photo -St. Joseph County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) — A man accused of using TikTok to urge attacks on the government and death to President Donald Trump has been arrested, the FBI said.Douglas Thrams, 23, of Goshen, Indiana, made a series of threats in videos posted to the social media site last week, authorities said.Thrams is in custody awaiting an appearance Monday in federal court in South Bend. He does not have an attorney yet who could respond to the charge of using interstate commerce to make threats.In one TikTok video, Thrams said Trump needed to be killed “and this time don’t ... miss,” FBI agent Taylor Pletz said in a court filing. It was an apparent reference to an assassination attempt last July in Pennsylvania.“In all videos, he is visible, audible and identifiable,” Pletz said of Thrams.TikTok was supposed to be banned in the U.S., effective last Sunday. But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tiktok-ban-executive-order-50df1f96c25576762b65e24b63ce61eb">Trump paused it for 75 days</a>&nbsp;to allow his new administration to assess national security concerns and seek a potential American buyer for the popular digital platform.

Man accused of threats against Trump on TikTok due in court

JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a fire at a Kansas home. On Saturday night crews responded to a fire at a home at 141st and Nieman in Overland Park, according to a social media report from the department.&nbsp;It took almost 2 hours to bring the fire under control.&nbsp;

Fire was called in by a passerby. There were no injuries reported. The residents were out of town. Authorities have not reported a damage estimate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737977395986.png" alt="Photos from video by Overland Park Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos from video by Overland Park Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a fire at a Kansas home. On Saturday night crews responded to a fire at a home at 141st and Nieman in Overland Park, according to a social media report from the department.&nbsp;It took almost 2 hours to bring the fire under control.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737977374452.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Fire was called in by a passerby. There were no injuries reported. The residents were out of town. Authorities have not reported a damage estimate.

Passerby calls in fire that seriously damaged Kansas home

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — The White House claimed victory in a showdown with Colombia over accepting flights of deported migrants from the U.S. on Sunday, hours after President Donald Trump threatened steep tariffs on imports and other sanctions on the longtime U.S. partner.

Long close partners in anti-narcotics efforts, the U.S. and Colombia clashed Sunday over the deportation of migrants and imposed tariffs on each other’s goods in a show of what other countries could face if they intervene in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-detention-trump-costs-5c6c59afdb8fa79a7ca74848bd3b7cc8">Trump administration’s crackdown</a>&nbsp;on illegal immigration. The White House held up the episode as a warning to other nations who might seek to impede his plans.

Earlier, the U.S. president had ordered visa restrictions, 25% tariffs on all Colombian incoming goods, which would be raised to 50% in one week, and other retaliatory measures sparked by President Gustavo Petro's decision to reject two Colombia-bound U.S. military aircraft carrying migrants after Petro accused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/deportation-trump-immigration-ice-border-ba586dc760a5ffab73c0611fbf924df9">Trump</a>&nbsp;of not treating immigrants with dignity during deportation. Petro also announced a retaliatory 25% increase in Colombian tariffs on U.S. goods.

Trump said the measures were necessary because Petro’s decision “jeopardized” national security in the U.S. by blocking the deportation flights.

“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States.”

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a late Sunday statement that the “Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay.”

Leavitt said the tariff orders will be “held in reserve, and not signed." But Leavitt said Trump would maintain visa restrictions on Colombian officials and enhanced customs inspections of goods from the country, “until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned.”

The Colombian government late Sunday said it considered as “overcome” the episode with the Trump administration and Petro reposted the statement from the White House on X.

“We have overcome the impasse with the United States government,” said Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo. “We will continue to receive Colombians who return as deportees, guaranteeing them decent conditions as citizens subject to rights.”

Murillo added that the South American country’s presidential aircraft is available to facilitate the return of migrants who were to arrive hours earlier on the U.S. military airplanes.

Earlier Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he was authorizing the visa restrictions on Colombian government officials and their families “who were responsible for the interference of U.S. repatriation flight operations." They were being imposed on top of the State Department's move to suspend the processing of visas at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia’s capital, Bogota.

Petro had said earlier that his government would not accept flights carrying migrants deported from the U.S. until the Trump administration creates a protocol that treats them with “dignity.” Petro made the announcement in two X posts, one of which included a news video of migrants reportedly deported to Brazil walking on a tarmac with restraints on their hands and feet.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737727787494.png" alt="File photo -A C-17 Military Transport with the 301st Airlift Squadron of the 60th Air Mobility Wing from Travis Air Force Base loading Illegal Aliens on a deportation flight -Photo White House" />
 <figcaption>File photo -A C-17 Military Transport with the 301st Airlift Squadron of the 60th Air Mobility Wing from Travis Air Force Base loading Illegal Aliens on a deportation flight -Photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — The White House claimed victory in a showdown with Colombia over accepting flights of deported migrants from the U.S. on Sunday, hours after President Donald Trump threatened steep tariffs on imports and other sanctions on the longtime U.S. partner.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737975212424.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Long close partners in anti-narcotics efforts, the U.S. and Colombia clashed Sunday over the deportation of migrants and imposed tariffs on each other’s goods in a show of what other countries could face if they intervene in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-detention-trump-costs-5c6c59afdb8fa79a7ca74848bd3b7cc8">Trump administration’s crackdown</a>&nbsp;on illegal immigration. The White House held up the episode as a warning to other nations who might seek to impede his plans.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737922445516.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Earlier, the U.S. president had ordered visa restrictions, 25% tariffs on all Colombian incoming goods, which would be raised to 50% in one week, and other retaliatory measures sparked by President Gustavo Petro's decision to reject two Colombia-bound U.S. military aircraft carrying migrants after Petro accused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/deportation-trump-immigration-ice-border-ba586dc760a5ffab73c0611fbf924df9">Trump</a>&nbsp;of not treating immigrants with dignity during deportation. Petro also announced a retaliatory 25% increase in Colombian tariffs on U.S. goods.Trump said the measures were necessary because Petro’s decision “jeopardized” national security in the U.S. by blocking the deportation flights.“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States.”Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a late Sunday statement that the “Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay.”Leavitt said the tariff orders will be “held in reserve, and not signed." But Leavitt said Trump would maintain visa restrictions on Colombian officials and enhanced customs inspections of goods from the country, “until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737944581955.png" alt="Image from President Trump's social media account" />
 <figcaption>Image from President Trump's social media account</figcaption>
 </figure>The Colombian government late Sunday said it considered as “overcome” the episode with the Trump administration and Petro reposted the statement from the White House on X.“We have overcome the impasse with the United States government,” said Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo. “We will continue to receive Colombians who return as deportees, guaranteeing them decent conditions as citizens subject to rights.”Murillo added that the South American country’s presidential aircraft is available to facilitate the return of migrants who were to arrive hours earlier on the U.S. military airplanes.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">America will not back down when it comes to defending our national security interests. <a href="https://t.co/PJQhuRXlvz">https://t.co/PJQhuRXlvz</a>&mdash; Secretary Marco Rubio (@secrubio) <a href="https://twitter.com/secrubio/status/1883666024492679361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Earlier Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he was authorizing the visa restrictions on Colombian government officials and their families “who were responsible for the interference of U.S. repatriation flight operations." They were being imposed on top of the State Department's move to suspend the processing of visas at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia’s capital, Bogota.Petro had said earlier that his government would not accept flights carrying migrants deported from the U.S. until the Trump administration creates a protocol that treats them with “dignity.” Petro made the announcement in two X posts, one of which included a news video of migrants reportedly deported to Brazil walking on a tarmac with restraints on their hands and feet.“A migrant is not a criminal and must be treated with the dignity that a human being deserves,” Petro said. “That is why I returned the U.S. military planes that were carrying Colombian migrants... In civilian planes, without being treated like criminals, we will receive our fellow citizens."After Trump's earlier tariff threat, Petro said in a post on X that he had ordered the “foreign trade minister to raise import tariffs from the U.S. by 25%.”Colombia has traditionally been the U.S.’s top ally in Latin America. But their relationship has strained since Petro, a former guerrilla, became Colombia’s first leftist president in 2022 and sought distance from the U.S.Colombia accepted 475 deportation flights from the U.S. from 2020 to 2024, fifth behind Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, according to Witness at the Border, an advocacy group that tracks flight data. It accepted 124 deportation flights in 2024.Colombia is also among the countries that last year began accepting U.S.-funded deportation flights from Panama.The U.S. government didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press regarding aircraft and protocols used in deportations to Colombia.“This is a clear message we are sending that countries have an obligation to accept repatriation flights," a senior administration official told AP. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss issue publicly.Rubio in a statement said Petro “canceled his authorization” for the flights when the aircraft were in the air.Colombians emerged in recent years as a major presence on the U.S. border with Mexico, aided in part by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-arizona-united-states-mexico-colombia-fb4f913f2c43c48c0f4ecade8b2c1913">a visa regime</a>&nbsp;that allows them to easily fly to Mexico and avoid trekking though the treacherous Darien Gap. They ranked fourth with 127,604 arrests for illegal crossings during a 12-month period through September, behind Mexicans, Guatemalans and Venezuelans.Mexico hasn't imposed visa restrictions on Colombians, as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-peru-visa-immigration-border-asylum-0d4206bbb002318b9e0fd2bbf22ab48c">they have on Venezuelans, Ecuadoreans and Peruvians</a>.Petro's government in a statement later announced that the South American country's presidential aircraft had been made available to facilitate the return of migrants who were to arrive hours earlier on the U.S. military airplanes and guarantee them “dignified conditions."As part of a flurry of actions to make good on Trump's campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration, his government is using active-duty military to help secure the border and carry out deportations.Two U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo planes carrying migrants removed from the U.S. touched down early Friday in Guatemala. That same day, Honduras received two deportation flights carrying a total of 193 people.Colombia is the U.S.’s fourth-largest overseas supplier of crude oil, shipping about 209,000 barrels of oil per day last year, although booming domestic production has reduced the U.S.’ dependence on foreign oil. The South American country is also the U.S.’s largest supplier of fresh cut flowers.___Regina Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela, and Zeke Miller from Washington. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York, Joshua Goodman in Miami, and Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.