BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</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 lunch rush in downtown Topeka’s restaurants and cafés hasn’t been the same since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Seth Wagoner, an investment executive.

Thousands of state employees who once worked in office buildings in Kansas’ capital and frequented downtown businesses for lunch and happy hour now work from home all or part of the time. They could be called back to the office under proposed legislation.

At a Thursday hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, legislators considered&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb256/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 256</a>, or the “back to work act.” Wagoner, the CEO of private equity firm AIM Strategies, said in testimony that at some lunch hotspots in downtown Topeka, business is still down by 10% from pre-pandemic times, accounting for inflation.

He was the one proponent to speak, and five state employees, testifying as private citizens, spoke against the bill.

One employee, Frances Dewell, who works in the protection report center within Kansas Department for Children and Families, which fields calls related to suspected abuse and neglect, said mandating state workers back to the office full time risks losing at least a quarter of their staff.

“Yes, state workers could return to a pre-COVID office setting,” Dewell said. “However, the changes that have developed over the last five years have compelled us to evolve.”

A virtual work culture has developed in her workplace and allowed prioritization of employee growth and well-being, she said.

A 2023 report from the Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit examining 81 state executive branch agencies found that 30% of state workers work from home all or part of the time.

Of the state’s roughly 18,000 employees, the estimated 5,500 who work remotely under a telework agreement, the state’s official term for working from home full-time or on a hybrid schedule involving remote and in-office work, would be required to return to office buildings full-time with some exceptions. Agency heads would be allowed to offer exemptions to employees with atypical work hours, positions that don’t reasonably require in-office work and if office space constraints would mean added costs to accommodate a return to work mandate.

In smaller agencies that have around 100 employees or fewer, most or all of them telework, according to the data from spring 2023. That includes the Kansas Water Office, the Kansas Sentencing Commission, the state board of optometry examiners and the board of mortuary arts. It also includes the Kansas Board of Regents, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.

In the largest agencies, the popularity of remote work varies. In the Kansas Department for Children and Families, 85% of employees engaged in some form of remote work as of April 2023. At the Kansas Department of Transportation, which employed more than 2,100 people at the same time, around 14% had telework agreements. More than half of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s roughly 1,500 employees worked remotely.

“Telework is viewed as a benefit by many state employees,” said Adam Proffitt, speaking on behalf of the Department of Administration, which includes Gov. Laura Kelly’s office.

Proffitt, who shared that he often works from home one day a week usually when the Legislature is not in session, told legislators that the state offers a template for agencies that dictates the roles eligible for telework and the number of days employees can work remotely. He said telework can be a tool to attract and retain employees, and “can actually expand our radius of talent,” by hiring employees who don’t live in Topeka or cannot commute.

The department of administration will be required under the bill to create a report for the government efficiency committee listing state agencies granting exceptions to the mandate, the number of exceptions granted, the job descriptions or titles associated with each exception, the number and costs of buildings leased by each agency and the number of state employees assigned to a physical office space but working remotely.

However, concerns for state employees with disabilities arose in the Thursday hearing because of the job description or title reporting requirement. Employees with disabilities could be identifiable in smaller agencies, a violation of legal protections including the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Martha Gabehart, the executive director of the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns, said in written testimony that the mandate would be out of sync with Kansas’ reputation as a model employer for people with disabilities.

“By creating a policy that would, if not implemented correctly, violate the rights of employees with disabilities, we would no longer be considered a model employer,” she said.

A back to work mandate would be costly to the state, according to a fiscal note attached to the bill. The health department estimates the change would cost the state a combined $1.3 million over the next two fiscal years. More than 160 of the department’s employees are fully remote, and office space for them does not currently exist. Several other agencies noted increased costs associated with finding new office space for returning employees and the possibility of employees resigning if the back to work act is implemented. Agencies including the Department of Corrections noted no or minimal cost increases because the majority of their employees have returned to in-person work.

The bill is awaiting final approval in the Senate committee and has yet to be introduced in the House.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741373059207.png" alt="Adam Proffitt, Secretary of the Department of Administration and the state budget director, addressing Kansas legislators on Jan. 16, 2025. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Adam Proffitt, Secretary of the Department of Administration and the state budget director, addressing Kansas legislators on Jan. 16, 2025. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</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 lunch rush in downtown Topeka’s restaurants and cafés hasn’t been the same since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Seth Wagoner, an investment executive.Thousands of state employees who once worked in office buildings in Kansas’ capital and frequented downtown businesses for lunch and happy hour now work from home all or part of the time. They could be called back to the office under proposed legislation.At a Thursday hearing in the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency, legislators considered&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb256/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 256</a>, or the “back to work act.” Wagoner, the CEO of private equity firm AIM Strategies, said in testimony that at some lunch hotspots in downtown Topeka, business is still down by 10% from pre-pandemic times, accounting for inflation.He was the one proponent to speak, and five state employees, testifying as private citizens, spoke against the bill.One employee, Frances Dewell, who works in the protection report center within Kansas Department for Children and Families, which fields calls related to suspected abuse and neglect, said mandating state workers back to the office full time risks losing at least a quarter of their staff.“Yes, state workers could return to a pre-COVID office setting,” Dewell said. “However, the changes that have developed over the last five years have compelled us to evolve.”A virtual work culture has developed in her workplace and allowed prioritization of employee growth and well-being, she said.A 2023 report from the Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit examining 81 state executive branch agencies found that 30% of state workers work from home all or part of the time.Of the state’s roughly 18,000 employees, the estimated 5,500 who work remotely under a telework agreement, the state’s official term for working from home full-time or on a hybrid schedule involving remote and in-office work, would be required to return to office buildings full-time with some exceptions. Agency heads would be allowed to offer exemptions to employees with atypical work hours, positions that don’t reasonably require in-office work and if office space constraints would mean added costs to accommodate a return to work mandate.In smaller agencies that have around 100 employees or fewer, most or all of them telework, according to the data from spring 2023. That includes the Kansas Water Office, the Kansas Sentencing Commission, the state board of optometry examiners and the board of mortuary arts. It also includes the Kansas Board of Regents, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.In the largest agencies, the popularity of remote work varies. In the Kansas Department for Children and Families, 85% of employees engaged in some form of remote work as of April 2023. At the Kansas Department of Transportation, which employed more than 2,100 people at the same time, around 14% had telework agreements. More than half of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s roughly 1,500 employees worked remotely.“Telework is viewed as a benefit by many state employees,” said Adam Proffitt, speaking on behalf of the Department of Administration, which includes Gov. Laura Kelly’s office.Proffitt, who shared that he often works from home one day a week usually when the Legislature is not in session, told legislators that the state offers a template for agencies that dictates the roles eligible for telework and the number of days employees can work remotely. He said telework can be a tool to attract and retain employees, and “can actually expand our radius of talent,” by hiring employees who don’t live in Topeka or cannot commute.The department of administration will be required under the bill to create a report for the government efficiency committee listing state agencies granting exceptions to the mandate, the number of exceptions granted, the job descriptions or titles associated with each exception, the number and costs of buildings leased by each agency and the number of state employees assigned to a physical office space but working remotely.However, concerns for state employees with disabilities arose in the Thursday hearing because of the job description or title reporting requirement. Employees with disabilities could be identifiable in smaller agencies, a violation of legal protections including the Americans with Disabilities Act.Martha Gabehart, the executive director of the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns, said in written testimony that the mandate would be out of sync with Kansas’ reputation as a model employer for people with disabilities.“By creating a policy that would, if not implemented correctly, violate the rights of employees with disabilities, we would no longer be considered a model employer,” she said.A back to work mandate would be costly to the state, according to a fiscal note attached to the bill. The health department estimates the change would cost the state a combined $1.3 million over the next two fiscal years. More than 160 of the department’s employees are fully remote, and office space for them does not currently exist. Several other agencies noted increased costs associated with finding new office space for returning employees and the possibility of employees resigning if the back to work act is implemented. Agencies including the Department of Corrections noted no or minimal cost increases because the majority of their employees have returned to in-person work.The bill is awaiting final approval in the Senate committee and has yet to be introduced in the House.

Kansas ‘back to work act’ would force state employees to return to offices

The City of Salina has spent $538,791 in legal fees related to the ongoing case involving the Cozy Inn, according to Interim City Manager Jacob Wood. The case, which revolves around a dispute regarding artwork on the iconic 103-year-old establishment, has yet to go to trial but has involved multiple legal proceedings.

Wood stated that the city’s legal team, Fairfield and Woods, a Colorado-based law firm specializing in sign and mural-related cases, has been handling the matter.

"There's certainly been lots of court actions," Wood said. "So most recently, we have filed a motion for summary judgment, and then they've [Cozy Inn Inc.]&nbsp; also filed a motion as well, and we're waiting for the court to hear that, and once the court makes a decision, they really have the option to grant all or part of that summary judgment, and depending on the result of that, then it could go to trial."

In 2024, Howard commissioned artwork on the restaurant’s exterior without city approval, sparking a legal dispute over whether it qualified as art or a sign under Salina’s zoning codes. City officials flagged the mural as a sign code violation, stating it far exceeded the allowable size for commercial signage.

Under&nbsp;<a href="https://library.municode.com/ks/salina/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH42ZORE_ARTXSI">Salina’s commercial sign regulations</a>, businesses are allotted a specific amount of signage space based on their building frontage. In the C-4 commercial district, where the Cozy Inn is located, businesses are allowed three square feet of signage per linear foot of street frontage.

The Cozy Inn, with a 20.8-foot frontage, is allowed approximately 63 square feet of signage. The restaurant already uses 52.88 square feet for existing signs, leaving only about 10 square feet available. The new mural, estimated at 528 square feet, exceeds the allotted amount by nearly nine times the legal limit.

Depending on the outcome, the case could either be resolved or proceed to trial in the fall of 2025, tentatively between October and November. Steve Howard, the owner of the iconic burger joint, The Cozy Inn,&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUTWVmLiTQcdKeCuRdHGrhObFtpAmqNqXzpRRwxU4Zb2-2BoEyY03VwQVkWBe6RECH38iYVm0KzdGhLXN0bDZZvwls-3D-MCN_7wBycvMPybCLu9GEHh-2FcwqfbnXzgwmf7GRZSag-2BFX4lUpRt6aeWBQhflJsGWNYaQ8qxX7ipByHIK4v-2FxkDTNjzJ3funygAXOW8VTBoXX1SdPiWInznp49Uq13sycpaAMzqgtbobwD7gTiYtCJZVqF-2Fk9Z0PqkuOgn0ah2l9ofTcwMK5gqFzm7PFE9e2rUiqz1888kcw-2BIMziWPu503DZBedxTC-2FWPU5lVTIlKkx4fKz2zpNjbEVyWS7diBaj6MIiuQz-2FNAambyU5ffDHq3lusQjc6OxiFNHhKTLgeC5avT4SwWXn6nYsH6NKMY2uH-2FPkKSHd6rLKjEounYBz8DSVEk9QJ59001oKM3dc7Gy2E04-3D" target="_blank">filed a federal lawsuit</a>&nbsp;with the support of the Kansas Justice Institute back in Feb. of 2024 against the City of Salina, Kansas.&nbsp;

While Wood did not have an exact number of hours billed by the legal firm, he noted that retrieving such details would require a formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

Salina Post is in the process of submitting a FOIA request and will update this story as new information becomes available.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699905373563.jpeg" alt="Cozy Inn Hamburgers' new mural was put on pause by the City of Salina because restaurant owner, Steve Howard, did not follow procedures set in place by the Salina City Design and Review Board. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier" />
 <figcaption>Cozy Inn Hamburgers' new mural was put on pause by the City of Salina because restaurant owner, Steve Howard, did not follow procedures set in place by the Salina City Design and Review Board. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier</figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING Salina PostThe City of Salina has spent $538,791 in legal fees related to the ongoing case involving the Cozy Inn, according to Interim City Manager Jacob Wood. The case, which revolves around a dispute regarding artwork on the iconic 103-year-old establishment, has yet to go to trial but has involved multiple legal proceedings.Wood stated that the city’s legal team, Fairfield and Woods, a Colorado-based law firm specializing in sign and mural-related cases, has been handling the matter."There's certainly been lots of court actions," Wood said. "So most recently, we have filed a motion for summary judgment, and then they've [Cozy Inn Inc.]&nbsp; also filed a motion as well, and we're waiting for the court to hear that, and once the court makes a decision, they really have the option to grant all or part of that summary judgment, and depending on the result of that, then it could go to trial."In 2024, Howard commissioned artwork on the restaurant’s exterior without city approval, sparking a legal dispute over whether it qualified as art or a sign under Salina’s zoning codes. City officials flagged the mural as a sign code violation, stating it far exceeded the allowable size for commercial signage.Under&nbsp;<a href="https://library.municode.com/ks/salina/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH42ZORE_ARTXSI">Salina’s commercial sign regulations</a>, businesses are allotted a specific amount of signage space based on their building frontage. In the C-4 commercial district, where the Cozy Inn is located, businesses are allowed three square feet of signage per linear foot of street frontage.The Cozy Inn, with a 20.8-foot frontage, is allowed approximately 63 square feet of signage. The restaurant already uses 52.88 square feet for existing signs, leaving only about 10 square feet available. The new mural, estimated at 528 square feet, exceeds the allotted amount by nearly nine times the legal limit.Depending on the outcome, the case could either be resolved or proceed to trial in the fall of 2025, tentatively between October and November. Steve Howard, the owner of the iconic burger joint, The Cozy Inn,&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUTWVmLiTQcdKeCuRdHGrhObFtpAmqNqXzpRRwxU4Zb2-2BoEyY03VwQVkWBe6RECH38iYVm0KzdGhLXN0bDZZvwls-3D-MCN_7wBycvMPybCLu9GEHh-2FcwqfbnXzgwmf7GRZSag-2BFX4lUpRt6aeWBQhflJsGWNYaQ8qxX7ipByHIK4v-2FxkDTNjzJ3funygAXOW8VTBoXX1SdPiWInznp49Uq13sycpaAMzqgtbobwD7gTiYtCJZVqF-2Fk9Z0PqkuOgn0ah2l9ofTcwMK5gqFzm7PFE9e2rUiqz1888kcw-2BIMziWPu503DZBedxTC-2FWPU5lVTIlKkx4fKz2zpNjbEVyWS7diBaj6MIiuQz-2FNAambyU5ffDHq3lusQjc6OxiFNHhKTLgeC5avT4SwWXn6nYsH6NKMY2uH-2FPkKSHd6rLKjEounYBz8DSVEk9QJ59001oKM3dc7Gy2E04-3D" target="_blank">filed a federal lawsuit</a>&nbsp;with the support of the Kansas Justice Institute back in Feb. of 2024 against the City of Salina, Kansas.&nbsp;While Wood did not have an exact number of hours billed by the legal firm, he noted that retrieving such details would require a formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.Salina Post is in the process of submitting a FOIA request and will update this story as new information becomes available.&nbsp;

Legal fight over Cozy Inn mural expensive for city of Salina

The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office has arrested a woman accused of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. According to a social medi report from the sheriff's office, deputies&nbsp;located and arrested 22-year-old Nevaeh Ann Thompson.

At approximately 3:00 a.m. Sunday, a Sedgwick County Deputy conducted a traffic stop near Lincoln and Rock Road. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Thompson. During the stop, Thompson informed the deputy that she might have outstanding warrants for her arrest. Before she could be taken into custody, Thompson quickly jumped back into her vehicle in an attempt to flee.

The deputy followed her into the vehicle, trying to prevent her escape. However, Thompson managed to shift the car into drive and sped away, dragging the deputy a short distance.

The deputy sustained minor injuries during the incident but is expected to make a full recovery. Thompson’s vehicle was later found abandoned in the 7300 block of E. Indianapolis. Surveillance footage from a nearby residence shows Thompson running from the vehicle. As of 8p.m. Sunday, she had not been located.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741371903644.png" alt="Thompson photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Thompson photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office has arrested a woman accused of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. According to a social medi report from the sheriff's office, deputies&nbsp;located and arrested 22-year-old Nevaeh Ann Thompson.At approximately 3:00 a.m. Sunday, a Sedgwick County Deputy conducted a traffic stop near Lincoln and Rock Road. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Thompson. During the stop, Thompson informed the deputy that she might have outstanding warrants for her arrest. Before she could be taken into custody, Thompson quickly jumped back into her vehicle in an attempt to flee.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740967523593.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The deputy followed her into the vehicle, trying to prevent her escape. However, Thompson managed to shift the car into drive and sped away, dragging the deputy a short distance.The deputy sustained minor injuries during the incident but is expected to make a full recovery. Thompson’s vehicle was later found abandoned in the 7300 block of E. Indianapolis. Surveillance footage from a nearby residence shows Thompson running from the vehicle. As of 8p.m. Sunday, she had not been located.

Sheriff: Woman who dragged Kan. deputy after traffic stop is in custody

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Hays Police Department is requesting the public's assistance in locating two suspects involved in a robbery.

At about 12:26 a.m. on March 1, Hays Police responded to a report of possible aggravated battery in the 500 block of West 7th St. in the back alley of Chucks, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said.

A Hays man was allegedly accosted at gunpoint by two male suspects and taken to an area between houses, where he was physically assaulted and pistol-whipped.

Scheibler said the man was allegedly stripped of his clothing, except for his underwear, and robbed of his wallet and phone.

Twenty-year-old Roqua James Fleenor of Hays is wanted for alleged aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.

Twenty-six-year-old Isaiah Tai Simpson of Hays is wanted for allegedly aiding and abetting in aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery, and interference with law enforcement.

Both suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. Scheibler cautions the public from approaching the suspects.

If the public has any information about the robbery or the suspects' locations, please call the Hays Police Department at (785) 625-1030 and request to speak to Detective Scott Heimann.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741358029777.jpeg" alt="Wanted suspect Roqua James Fleenor (Hays Police Department believe the right photo is the most accurate of how he looks today)" />
 <figcaption>Wanted suspect Roqua James Fleenor (Hays Police Department believe the right photo is the most accurate of how he looks today)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Hays Police Department is requesting the public's assistance in locating two suspects involved in a robbery.At about 12:26 a.m. on March 1, Hays Police responded to a report of possible aggravated battery in the 500 block of West 7th St. in the back alley of Chucks, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said.A Hays man was allegedly accosted at gunpoint by two male suspects and taken to an area between houses, where he was physically assaulted and pistol-whipped.Scheibler said the man was allegedly stripped of his clothing, except for his underwear, and robbed of his wallet and phone.Twenty-year-old Roqua James Fleenor of Hays is wanted for alleged aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.Twenty-six-year-old Isaiah Tai Simpson of Hays is wanted for allegedly aiding and abetting in aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery, and interference with law enforcement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741357826276.png" alt="-Wanted suspect Isaiah Tai Simpson " />
 <figcaption>-Wanted suspect Isaiah Tai Simpson </figcaption>
 </figure>Both suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. Scheibler cautions the public from approaching the suspects.If the public has any information about the robbery or the suspects' locations, please call the Hays Police Department at (785) 625-1030 and request to speak to Detective Scott Heimann.

Police: Wanted NW Kan. robbery suspects  considered armed, dangerous

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man found guilty of killing&nbsp;23-year-old Deniq Ingram, his step-daughter turned common law wife, is scheduled for sentencing before&nbsp;Judge Tyler Roush Friday afternoon.

In January, a jury found 42-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Larry Ingram</a>, Wichita guilty of unintentional reckless murder and violation of a protection order, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Dec. 22, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 7700 block of E. 32nd Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders located Deniq Ingram of Wichita with a gunshot wound to her upper torso area. She was transported to a local area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

The suspect, identified as<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Ingram,&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;was on the scene and taken into custody.&nbsp;

In December, in a separate case,&nbsp; a jury convicted Ingram on seven counts of rape, two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated assault, battery, criminal sodomy, aggravated incest, and three counts of aggravated intimidation of a witness, according to the district attorney's office. The crimes occurred between 2014 and 2018, according to the Kansas Offender Registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741346342850.png" alt="Ingram -photo Sex Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Ingram -photo Sex Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man found guilty of killing&nbsp;23-year-old Deniq Ingram, his step-daughter turned common law wife, is scheduled for sentencing before&nbsp;Judge Tyler Roush Friday afternoon.In January, a jury found 42-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Larry Ingram</a>, Wichita guilty of unintentional reckless murder and violation of a protection order, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 12:30 a.m. Dec. 22, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 7700 block of E. 32nd Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders located Deniq Ingram of Wichita with a gunshot wound to her upper torso area. She was transported to a local area hospital where she was pronounced deceased.The suspect, identified as<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=254881">&nbsp;Ingram,&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;was on the scene and taken into custody.&nbsp;In December, in a separate case,&nbsp; a jury convicted Ingram on seven counts of rape, two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated assault, battery, criminal sodomy, aggravated incest, and three counts of aggravated intimidation of a witness, according to the district attorney's office. The crimes occurred between 2014 and 2018, according to the Kansas Offender Registry.

Sentencing Day: Kansas sex offender killed common-law wife

WASHINGTON —The teen recognized by President Trump during the Address to Congress&nbsp; has a connection to Kansas.

On Tuesday night, at President Trump’s direction, Secret Service Director Sean Curran presented&nbsp;<a href="https://www.police1.com/police-heroes/articles/10-year-old-boy-with-terminal-cancer-to-be-sworn-into-668th-le-agency-Ewjl2Y7NbXDyCOgm/">Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel</a>&nbsp;with an honorary badge. Daniel, who has battled brain cancer since he was 6-year-old, became the youngest ever Secret Service agent

In 2022, McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden and his FBI National Academy (Class #284) swore in DJ as an Honorary McPherson Police Officer.

"When DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer, doctors gave him just 6 months to live, but this warrior is finding a way to beat the odds!" Chief Golden wrote on the department social media page.&nbsp;"Congratulations DJ, we are very proud of you, keep fighting, our thoughts and prayers are always with you! "

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741354560810.png" alt="DJ and his father in the Oval Office Wednesday-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>DJ and his father in the Oval Office Wednesday-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —The teen recognized by President Trump during the Address to Congress&nbsp; has a connection to Kansas.On Tuesday night, at President Trump’s direction, Secret Service Director Sean Curran presented&nbsp;<a href="https://www.police1.com/police-heroes/articles/10-year-old-boy-with-terminal-cancer-to-be-sworn-into-668th-le-agency-Ewjl2Y7NbXDyCOgm/">Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel</a>&nbsp;with an honorary badge. Daniel, who has battled brain cancer since he was 6-year-old, became the youngest ever Secret Service agent<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741354457629.png" alt="Daniel and McPherson Police Chief Golden in 2022- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Daniel and McPherson Police Chief Golden in 2022- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>In 2022, McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden and his FBI National Academy (Class #284) swore in DJ as an Honorary McPherson Police Officer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741354866643.png" alt="Image courtesy White House video" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy White House video</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“Tonight, DJ Daniel, we are going to do you the biggest honor of them all. I am asking our new Secret Service director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service.” –President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/JG38AUYMqj">pic.twitter.com/JG38AUYMqj</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1897331345413820795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"When DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer, doctors gave him just 6 months to live, but this warrior is finding a way to beat the odds!" Chief Golden wrote on the department social media page.&nbsp;"Congratulations DJ, we are very proud of you, keep fighting, our thoughts and prayers are always with you! "

Teen recognized by President Trump has Kansas connection

JEFFERSON CITY Mo, – On Thursday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey sent a letter to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk, calling for an immediate investigation into the nearly $5 billion worth of planned waste in federal loan guarantee to be awarded to the Grain Belt Express (GBE) project — a scheme Attorney General Bailey describes as one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars in recent memory, according to a media release from Bailey's office.

The Grain Belt Express project proposes constructing massive transmission lines across Missouri farmland to transport wind-generated energy from Kansas to other states. The project has sparked widespread outrage among Missouri farmers and landowners whose properties face confiscation through the unjust use of eminent domain.

“In the waning, chaotic days of the Biden Administration — when the former president’s mental decline had grown to such a severe state that we now know he was not actually running his own White House and often signed documents without even knowing what they contained — left-wing bureaucrats seized the opportunity to advance their radical ‘green agenda,'”&nbsp;said Attorney General Bailey.&nbsp;“In the shadows of this confusion, far-left deep staters advanced a $4.9 billion green energy federal loan guarantee boondoggle to bankroll the Grain Belt Express (GBE), one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars in recent memory.”

Attorney General Bailey emphasized that the project is less about renewable energy and more about lining the pockets of wealthy investors. “This so-called renewable energy project is nothing more than a government-sponsored land grab disguised as environmentalism. Missouri farmers — the backbone of our state and nation — now face the prospect of watching their lands carved apart, all to satisfy the greed of private investors.”

The letter highlights that the GBE project has initiated nearly&nbsp;40 eminent domain proceedings&nbsp;against Missouri landowners, threatening to strip hard-working citizens of their property rights to benefit out-of-state corporations.

“We will not stand by while Missouri families are steamrolled by out-of-state interests and unelected bureaucrats pushing a radical green agenda,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Attorney General Bailey. “I urge DOGE to immediately investigate and cancel federal funding for the nearly $5 billion in waste from the GBE, putting an end to this shameful legacy of the Biden Administration—a legacy defined by incompetence, corruption, and blatant disregard for American property rights. Missouri farmers, taxpayers, and the American people deserve better.”

The Attorney General’s office remains committed to defending Missouri citizens from government overreach and ensuring federal funds are used in the best interest of the people, not private investors.

A full copy of the letter can be viewed&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=964fcab12c&amp;e=fe147aceeb__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!CJo7cSvAIA2NcrqCBESSpR4VztkW3r6-71FtFLTmu5FvVFMwCJrvykg6j8pHn5mI2r8zkNxmF7ecCN61NXe1JDjxRg$">here</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739195184098.png" alt="The Grain Belt Express is designed to carry 5,000 megawatts of electricity to the eastern half of the country. It would connect solar and wind farms in the Midwest to cities in the East, eventually contributing power to 3.1 million homes (Robert Zullo/ States Newsroom)." />
 <figcaption>The Grain Belt Express is designed to carry 5,000 megawatts of electricity to the eastern half of the country. It would connect solar and wind farms in the Midwest to cities in the East, eventually contributing power to 3.1 million homes (Robert Zullo/ States Newsroom).</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY Mo, – On Thursday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey sent a letter to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk, calling for an immediate investigation into the nearly $5 billion worth of planned waste in federal loan guarantee to be awarded to the Grain Belt Express (GBE) project — a scheme Attorney General Bailey describes as one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars in recent memory, according to a media release from Bailey's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741308223484.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Grain Belt Express project proposes constructing massive transmission lines across Missouri farmland to transport wind-generated energy from Kansas to other states. The project has sparked widespread outrage among Missouri farmers and landowners whose properties face confiscation through the unjust use of eminent domain.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598444309811.png" alt="Map of Grain Belt Express across Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Map of Grain Belt Express across Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>“In the waning, chaotic days of the Biden Administration — when the former president’s mental decline had grown to such a severe state that we now know he was not actually running his own White House and often signed documents without even knowing what they contained — left-wing bureaucrats seized the opportunity to advance their radical ‘green agenda,'”&nbsp;said Attorney General Bailey.&nbsp;“In the shadows of this confusion, far-left deep staters advanced a $4.9 billion green energy federal loan guarantee boondoggle to bankroll the Grain Belt Express (GBE), one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars in recent memory.”Attorney General Bailey emphasized that the project is less about renewable energy and more about lining the pockets of wealthy investors. “This so-called renewable energy project is nothing more than a government-sponsored land grab disguised as environmentalism. Missouri farmers — the backbone of our state and nation — now face the prospect of watching their lands carved apart, all to satisfy the greed of private investors.”The letter highlights that the GBE project has initiated nearly&nbsp;40 eminent domain proceedings&nbsp;against Missouri landowners, threatening to strip hard-working citizens of their property rights to benefit out-of-state corporations.“We will not stand by while Missouri families are steamrolled by out-of-state interests and unelected bureaucrats pushing a radical green agenda,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;Attorney General Bailey. “I urge DOGE to immediately investigate and cancel federal funding for the nearly $5 billion in waste from the GBE, putting an end to this shameful legacy of the Biden Administration—a legacy defined by incompetence, corruption, and blatant disregard for American property rights. Missouri farmers, taxpayers, and the American people deserve better.”The Attorney General’s office remains committed to defending Missouri citizens from government overreach and ensuring federal funds are used in the best interest of the people, not private investors.A full copy of the letter can be viewed&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&amp;id=964fcab12c&amp;e=fe147aceeb__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!CJo7cSvAIA2NcrqCBESSpR4VztkW3r6-71FtFLTmu5FvVFMwCJrvykg6j8pHn5mI2r8zkNxmF7ecCN61NXe1JDjxRg$">here</a>.

Mo. AG calls on DOGE to investigate $5 Billion waste in Grain Belt Express project

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a homicide in Kansas City have identified the victims as 45-year-old Matthew Weimer and 44-year-old Holly Weimer, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just before 4p.m. Tuesday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 6800 block of North Madison on a check the welfare call for service.

Officers were directed to a home on North Madison and located the victims suffering from a gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced deceased on scene.

This is now being investigated as murder, suicide according to DiMartino

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741348099683.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a homicide in Kansas City have identified the victims as 45-year-old Matthew Weimer and 44-year-old Holly Weimer, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Just before 4p.m. Tuesday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 6800 block of North Madison on a check the welfare call for service.Officers were directed to a home on North Madison and located the victims suffering from a gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced deceased on scene.This is now being investigated as murder, suicide according to DiMartino

Police ID man and woman found dead in Kansas City home

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement across the state continue to report drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit.

On Thursday morning during work and school morning traffic, not on a highway, it was on a city street in Bel Aire between Woodlawn and Rock Road on 53rd St. N., according to Bel Aire Police.

This driver was initially observed on radar traveling at 102 mph in a posted 40 mph zone. The officer locked the speed at 99 mph. The driver was late for school. 

"This is not an excuse to be driving that fast on a city street or any street/highway to begin with. Obey the speed limit and avoid a costly citation, trip to jail, or worse."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741308581388.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement across the state continue to report drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit.On Thursday morning during work and school morning traffic, not on a highway, it was on a city street in Bel Aire between Woodlawn and Rock Road on 53rd St. N., according to Bel Aire Police.This driver was initially observed on radar traveling at 102 mph in a posted 40 mph zone. The officer locked the speed at 99 mph. The driver was late for school. "This is not an excuse to be driving that fast on a city street or any street/highway to begin with. Obey the speed limit and avoid a costly citation, trip to jail, or worse."

Police: Kan. driver late for school clocked at 102mph in a 40mph zone

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not his fault.

Billionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;is telling Republican lawmakers that he is not to blame for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/veterans-affairs-cuts-doge-musk-trump-f587a6bc3db6a460e9c357592e165712">firings of thousands of federal workers</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-veterans-fired-1032360fdc6b2fb33d88edaf8f54d5ca">veterans</a>, as pushes to downsize the government. Instead, he said in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-cuts-congress-5f2101c129924c9d416437aca05e1e11">private talks this week</a>&nbsp;that those decisions are left to the various federal agencies.

The message from one of President Donald Trump’s most influential advisers came as Republicans publicly support Musk’s work at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-federal-job-cuts-congressional-districts-data-5d79e2a7ef2160166b0bee59dfa4e9e2">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;digging up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-waste-fraud-abuse-635b1419014a43e061f548c9713860c4">waste, fraud and abuse</a>, but are privately raising questions as personnel cuts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-science-medicine-research-cancer-funding-university-0ef3fa47694784e47b0ecd51680410ba">ripple through communities across the nation</a>.

“Elon doesn’t fire people,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., after a dinner-time pizza meeting with Musk in the basement of the Capitol.

“He doesn’t have hiring and firing authority,” added Hudson, who leads the House Republicans’ campaign arm. “The president’s empowered him to go uncover this information, that’s it.”

It’s a remarkable shift of emphasis away from the chainsaw-wielding tech entrepreneur whose vast power has made him an admired, revered and deeply feared figure in the second Trump administration.

The Republican president weighed in Thursday after a Cabinet meeting, saying he has instructed department secretaries to work with DOGE but to “be very precise” about which workers will stay or go — using a “‘scalpel’” he said in a social media post “rather than the ‘hatchet.”

“I don’t want to see a big cut where a lot of good people are cut,“ Trump later told reporters in the Oval Office.

Trump suggested that Cabinet and agency leaders would take the lead, but Musk could push harder down the line.

“If they can cut, it’s better. And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting.”

He had said in the earlier post that Musk and Cabinet officials will meet every two weeks to advance their cost-cutting goals.

The comments come amid mounting legal disputes over Musk’s attempts to centralize management of the government workforce and bypass the traditional role of Congress to appropriate federal dollars.

For example, the White House’s Office of Personnel Management directed federal agencies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-layoffs-doge-406752da1614755b8fabe9c94e0c71a8">to fire probationary workers</a>, who lack full civil service protection. The scorched-earth approach led to deep cuts that have occasionally been reversed, such as when workers on nuclear weapons programs were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-doge-firings-trump-federal-916e6819104f04f44c345b7dde4904d5">brought back on the job.</a>

A federal judge in San Francisco expressed concerns that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-employees-firings-a85d1aaf1088e050d39dcf7e3664bb9f">layoffs violated the law</a>, leading administration officials to insist that it was individual agencies — not Musk or the Office of Personnel Management — calling the shots.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., said Musk told lawmakers that “some of the folks that were the probationary people, he didn’t fire them, they were actually supposedly fired by the agencies —and they messed up.”

Did Musk actually say “they messed up?”

“Well, if they were in fact, you know, critical people, and the agency did the firing, then yeah, they messed up,” Gimenez said. “But not him.”

Musk and his team have burrowed into agencies, accessing sensitive data and rattling career officials with their demands. Top officials, including at the Social Security Administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-elon-musk-doge-164c91f8477d5e7833af7f6de4bbde57">abruptly stepped down</a>&nbsp;after refusing to comply with Musk’s team. Tens of thousands of workers accepted an offer to resign early and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">more are facing potential layoffs.</a>

“We’re making good progress,” Musk said late Wednesday as he dashed through the halls of the Capitol.

The richest person in the world, Musk is known as a driven, demanding executive who is willing to take bold risks, often with great rewards. His enterprises include the rocket company SpaceX, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla and social media platform X, known the world over.

But his perch at DOGE is Musk’s first public foray into the grit of governing. The speed and scale of the cuts, which are being challenged in dozens of court cases, are introducing businessman to the concept of political blowback.

When the topic of the fired federal workers came up during a Senate lunch, Musk deflected blame.

“I would say that there was an argument that that’s not coming from DOGE, it’s actually coming from individual agencies,” said Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

Another Republican, Rep. Andy Barr of Kentucky, said that Musk went so far as to emphasize that not only had DOGE not recommended mass termination of probationary employees, but that he thought some federal agencies were either incompetent or sabotaging the effort. Musk told them he wanted more precise terminations of those not performing.

“The point that he was making is that DOGE had not made recommendations for across-the-board cuts of all probationary employees at every agency,” Barr said.

“But the agencies had implemented it improperly through either incompetence or in a handful of cases actual malicious efforts to sabotage and create a public relations problem for DOGE.”

In fact, scores of fired workers are being recalled back to work across the federal agencies. This week, about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-reinstatements-c1f0b33d677e5a02a4df1210b82ca930">180 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>&nbsp;were being told they could come back, in an email that said: “Read this email immediately.”

Musk was invited to Capitol Hill this week by Trump’s allies and party leaders to provide more information to lawmakers facing questions about the DOGE cuts. Many Republicans are being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/town-halls-musk-doge-trump-gop-749d91ea516284057e4c7bcb1615527e">hammered at town halls</a>&nbsp;back home, so much so that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has encouraged them to meet with constituents in other venues.

Musk gave his cellphone number to the senators –- though not the members of the House –- and his team is setting up a dedicated phone line the lawmakers can call if they have further questions, complaints or suggestions about his work, and about jobs and agencies that should be spared.

Democrats, and their allies in outside advocacy groups, have been highlighting the way the cutbacks will hurt Americans.

On Thursday, 141 House Democrats led by Virginia Rep. Gerald Connolly, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, urged the OPM to reinstate all the probationary employees who have been unlawfully terminated.

“We write in strong opposition to the expansion of the Trump Administration’s efforts to purge nonpartisan civil servants from the federal workforce, specifically recent unlawful mass terminations of employees in probationary status,” wrote the lawmakers in a letter to the office’s acting director, Charles Ezell.

“Indiscriminately firing thousands of these employees threatens the future of the nonpartisan federal workforce and our government’s ability to deliver life-saving services to the American people.”

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said that if the White House wants to abolish an entire agency such as the Department of Education, “Bring the bill to Congress. We welcome that fight.”

Jeffries added: “We’ll stand on the side of the American people, and they’ll continue to stand on the side of Elon Musk.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741308398885.png" alt="Musk met with Trump Cabinet secretaries Thursday -Photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Musk met with Trump Cabinet secretaries Thursday -Photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s not his fault.Billionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;is telling Republican lawmakers that he is not to blame for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/veterans-affairs-cuts-doge-musk-trump-f587a6bc3db6a460e9c357592e165712">firings of thousands of federal workers</a>, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-veterans-fired-1032360fdc6b2fb33d88edaf8f54d5ca">veterans</a>, as pushes to downsize the government. Instead, he said in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-cuts-congress-5f2101c129924c9d416437aca05e1e11">private talks this week</a>&nbsp;that those decisions are left to the various federal agencies.The message from one of President Donald Trump’s most influential advisers came as Republicans publicly support Musk’s work at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-federal-job-cuts-congressional-districts-data-5d79e2a7ef2160166b0bee59dfa4e9e2">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;digging up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-waste-fraud-abuse-635b1419014a43e061f548c9713860c4">waste, fraud and abuse</a>, but are privately raising questions as personnel cuts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-science-medicine-research-cancer-funding-university-0ef3fa47694784e47b0ecd51680410ba">ripple through communities across the nation</a>.“Elon doesn’t fire people,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., after a dinner-time pizza meeting with Musk in the basement of the Capitol.“He doesn’t have hiring and firing authority,” added Hudson, who leads the House Republicans’ campaign arm. “The president’s empowered him to go uncover this information, that’s it.”It’s a remarkable shift of emphasis away from the chainsaw-wielding tech entrepreneur whose vast power has made him an admired, revered and deeply feared figure in the second Trump administration.The Republican president weighed in Thursday after a Cabinet meeting, saying he has instructed department secretaries to work with DOGE but to “be very precise” about which workers will stay or go — using a “‘scalpel’” he said in a social media post “rather than the ‘hatchet.”“I don’t want to see a big cut where a lot of good people are cut,“ Trump later told reporters in the Oval Office.Trump suggested that Cabinet and agency leaders would take the lead, but Musk could push harder down the line.“If they can cut, it’s better. And if they don’t cut, then Elon will do the cutting.”He had said in the earlier post that Musk and Cabinet officials will meet every two weeks to advance their cost-cutting goals.The comments come amid mounting legal disputes over Musk’s attempts to centralize management of the government workforce and bypass the traditional role of Congress to appropriate federal dollars.For example, the White House’s Office of Personnel Management directed federal agencies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-workers-layoffs-doge-406752da1614755b8fabe9c94e0c71a8">to fire probationary workers</a>, who lack full civil service protection. The scorched-earth approach led to deep cuts that have occasionally been reversed, such as when workers on nuclear weapons programs were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nuclear-doge-firings-trump-federal-916e6819104f04f44c345b7dde4904d5">brought back on the job.</a>A federal judge in San Francisco expressed concerns that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-employees-firings-a85d1aaf1088e050d39dcf7e3664bb9f">layoffs violated the law</a>, leading administration officials to insist that it was individual agencies — not Musk or the Office of Personnel Management — calling the shots.Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., said Musk told lawmakers that “some of the folks that were the probationary people, he didn’t fire them, they were actually supposedly fired by the agencies —and they messed up.”Did Musk actually say “they messed up?”“Well, if they were in fact, you know, critical people, and the agency did the firing, then yeah, they messed up,” Gimenez said. “But not him.”Musk and his team have burrowed into agencies, accessing sensitive data and rattling career officials with their demands. Top officials, including at the Social Security Administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-elon-musk-doge-164c91f8477d5e7833af7f6de4bbde57">abruptly stepped down</a>&nbsp;after refusing to comply with Musk’s team. Tens of thousands of workers accepted an offer to resign early and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">more are facing potential layoffs.</a>“We’re making good progress,” Musk said late Wednesday as he dashed through the halls of the Capitol.The richest person in the world, Musk is known as a driven, demanding executive who is willing to take bold risks, often with great rewards. His enterprises include the rocket company SpaceX, electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla and social media platform X, known the world over.But his perch at DOGE is Musk’s first public foray into the grit of governing. The speed and scale of the cuts, which are being challenged in dozens of court cases, are introducing businessman to the concept of political blowback.When the topic of the fired federal workers came up during a Senate lunch, Musk deflected blame.“I would say that there was an argument that that’s not coming from DOGE, it’s actually coming from individual agencies,” said Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.Another Republican, Rep. Andy Barr of Kentucky, said that Musk went so far as to emphasize that not only had DOGE not recommended mass termination of probationary employees, but that he thought some federal agencies were either incompetent or sabotaging the effort. Musk told them he wanted more precise terminations of those not performing.“The point that he was making is that DOGE had not made recommendations for across-the-board cuts of all probationary employees at every agency,” Barr said.“But the agencies had implemented it improperly through either incompetence or in a handful of cases actual malicious efforts to sabotage and create a public relations problem for DOGE.”In fact, scores of fired workers are being recalled back to work across the federal agencies. This week, about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-reinstatements-c1f0b33d677e5a02a4df1210b82ca930">180 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>&nbsp;were being told they could come back, in an email that said: “Read this email immediately.”Musk was invited to Capitol Hill this week by Trump’s allies and party leaders to provide more information to lawmakers facing questions about the DOGE cuts. Many Republicans are being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/town-halls-musk-doge-trump-gop-749d91ea516284057e4c7bcb1615527e">hammered at town halls</a>&nbsp;back home, so much so that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has encouraged them to meet with constituents in other venues.Musk gave his cellphone number to the senators –- though not the members of the House –- and his team is setting up a dedicated phone line the lawmakers can call if they have further questions, complaints or suggestions about his work, and about jobs and agencies that should be spared.Democrats, and their allies in outside advocacy groups, have been highlighting the way the cutbacks will hurt Americans.On Thursday, 141 House Democrats led by Virginia Rep. Gerald Connolly, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, urged the OPM to reinstate all the probationary employees who have been unlawfully terminated.“We write in strong opposition to the expansion of the Trump Administration’s efforts to purge nonpartisan civil servants from the federal workforce, specifically recent unlawful mass terminations of employees in probationary status,” wrote the lawmakers in a letter to the office’s acting director, Charles Ezell.“Indiscriminately firing thousands of these employees threatens the future of the nonpartisan federal workforce and our government’s ability to deliver life-saving services to the American people.”House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said that if the White House wants to abolish an entire agency such as the Department of Education, “Bring the bill to Congress. We welcome that fight.”Jeffries added: “We’ll stand on the side of the American people, and they’ll continue to stand on the side of Elon Musk.”

Elon Musk tells GOP lawmakers he’s not to blame for federal firings

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal&nbsp;accident that occurred just before 11a.m. Wednesday in Johnson County have identified the two victims as&nbsp;Douglas Courtney, 62, and Shannon Courtney, 57,&nbsp; both of Shawnee, according to a statement from Shawnee Police.

The two vehicle crash occurred on northbound Kansas 7 near West 47th Street.

The two victims were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. They were not seriously injured. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Shawnee Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit.&nbsp;&nbsp;

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a fatal&nbsp;accident that occurred just before 11a.m. Wednesday in Johnson County have identified the two victims as&nbsp;Douglas Courtney, 62, and Shannon Courtney, 57,&nbsp; both of Shawnee, according to a statement from Shawnee Police.The two vehicle crash occurred on northbound Kansas 7 near West 47th Street.The two victims were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. They were not seriously injured. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Shawnee Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police ID Kansas couple who died in 2-vehicle crash

RENO COUNTY —On Thursday morning, Reno County Fire Districts 4,6 and 7 were dispatched to a fire in the 200 block of North Main Street in Sylvia, according to a media release.&nbsp;&nbsp;

When units arrived on scene, they found a fully involved chicken coop on fire and that the fire had spread to the rear of the residence at that location. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Fire crews started an aggressive attack to the structure and quickly extinguished the fire. &nbsp;Damage to the home was limited ot the exterior of the home. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A technician from Black Hills Energy and an employee of the City of Sylvia made the call to dispatch and assisted the occupants of the home evacuate. There were no injuries to the occupants or firefighters. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Reno County EMS was on scene to assist with rehab and the Reno County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation of the cause of the fire which was determined to be a heat lamp operating in the chicken coop. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741313625638.jpeg" alt="Photos Reno County Emergency Management" />
 <figcaption>Photos Reno County Emergency Management</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —On Thursday morning, Reno County Fire Districts 4,6 and 7 were dispatched to a fire in the 200 block of North Main Street in Sylvia, according to a media release.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741313671876.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>When units arrived on scene, they found a fully involved chicken coop on fire and that the fire had spread to the rear of the residence at that location. &nbsp;&nbsp;Fire crews started an aggressive attack to the structure and quickly extinguished the fire. &nbsp;Damage to the home was limited ot the exterior of the home. &nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741313728554.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A technician from Black Hills Energy and an employee of the City of Sylvia made the call to dispatch and assisted the occupants of the home evacuate. There were no injuries to the occupants or firefighters. &nbsp;&nbsp;Reno County EMS was on scene to assist with rehab and the Reno County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation of the cause of the fire which was determined to be a heat lamp operating in the chicken coop. &nbsp;

Chicken coop fire spreads to rural Kansas home

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A man was sentenced to two life sentences Thursday for killing two Kansas sheriff's deputies as they were trying to move him between a courthouse and a jail in June 2018.

Antoine Fielder, 36, pleaded guilty in December to two counts of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-41fedef4743e46a5b2dd8c3c8de47625">capital murder</a>&nbsp;and one count of aggravated robbery to avoid the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a615c03c51764c188d648d06827e3556">death penalty.</a>

Fielder had already been charged with two other killings before overpowering and fatally shooting Wyandotte County Deputies Theresa King and Patrick Rohrer in a gated area behind the courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas. Rohrer, 35, died shortly after the shooting and King, 44, died the next day at a hospital.

At the time, Fielder had been tried twice for the June 2015 killing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dbf83c0549e84dae8be4b1c08cdaef50">22-year-old Kelsey Ewonus</a>, whose body was found in a parked car in Kansas City, Kansas. But the murder charge was dropped after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a6cf61969128429ba1fbe732dc6b8a59">second trial ended in a hung jury</a>.

Authorities allege that Fielder then fatally shot Rosemarie Harmon, 55, in December 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri, and wounded her friend. Ballistics testing on a gun stolen during a carjacking in Kansas City, Kansas, earlier in December tied him to Harmon’s killing.

When the deputies were shot, Fielder was already facing a first-degree murder charge in Jackson County, Missouri, in Harmon’s death as well as multiple charges in the carjacking in Wyandotte County.

Relatives of Ewonus, whose son was 1 when she was killed, have expressed frustration that Fielder went free after the mistrials, saying they knew he would kill again.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741286190104.png" alt="Fielder photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Fielder photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A man was sentenced to two life sentences Thursday for killing two Kansas sheriff's deputies as they were trying to move him between a courthouse and a jail in June 2018.Antoine Fielder, 36, pleaded guilty in December to two counts of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-41fedef4743e46a5b2dd8c3c8de47625">capital murder</a>&nbsp;and one count of aggravated robbery to avoid the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a615c03c51764c188d648d06827e3556">death penalty.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741302462970.png" alt="Deputies Patrick Rohrer and Theresa King-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Deputies Patrick Rohrer and Theresa King-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Fielder had already been charged with two other killings before overpowering and fatally shooting Wyandotte County Deputies Theresa King and Patrick Rohrer in a gated area behind the courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas. Rohrer, 35, died shortly after the shooting and King, 44, died the next day at a hospital.At the time, Fielder had been tried twice for the June 2015 killing of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dbf83c0549e84dae8be4b1c08cdaef50">22-year-old Kelsey Ewonus</a>, whose body was found in a parked car in Kansas City, Kansas. But the murder charge was dropped after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a6cf61969128429ba1fbe732dc6b8a59">second trial ended in a hung jury</a>.Authorities allege that Fielder then fatally shot Rosemarie Harmon, 55, in December 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri, and wounded her friend. Ballistics testing on a gun stolen during a carjacking in Kansas City, Kansas, earlier in December tied him to Harmon’s killing.When the deputies were shot, Fielder was already facing a first-degree murder charge in Jackson County, Missouri, in Harmon’s death as well as multiple charges in the carjacking in Wyandotte County.Relatives of Ewonus, whose son was 1 when she was killed, have expressed frustration that Fielder went free after the mistrials, saying they knew he would kill again.

Man who killed 2 Kan. sheriff’s deputies avoids death penalty

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Shortly after 10p.m. on Wednesday an officer observed 31-year-old Trevor Kiehl walking in the 900 block Unity Street in Atchison and attempted to take him into custody on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court,&nbsp;according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. 

Kiehl ran from officers but following a brief pursuit he was located in the 900 block North 9th Street. He was in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Following an investigation he was taken to the County Jail on the failure to appear warrant and requested&nbsp; drug charges, and interference with law enforcement (fleeing from officers).&nbsp;Kiehl has three previous drug conviction and one for interference with law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741272695489.png" alt="Kiehl -photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Kiehl -photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Shortly after 10p.m. on Wednesday an officer observed 31-year-old Trevor Kiehl walking in the 900 block Unity Street in Atchison and attempted to take him into custody on a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court,&nbsp;according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. Kiehl ran from officers but following a brief pursuit he was located in the 900 block North 9th Street. He was in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Following an investigation he was taken to the County Jail on the failure to appear warrant and requested&nbsp; drug charges, and interference with law enforcement (fleeing from officers).&nbsp;Kiehl has three previous drug conviction and one for interference with law enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Wanted Kansas felon back in jail after running from police

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday gave the Trump administration until Monday to pay nearly $2 billion owed to partners of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-agency-for-international-development">U.S. Agency for International Development</a>&nbsp;and the State Department, thawing the administration’s six-week funding freeze on all foreign assistance.

U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled in favor of nonprofit groups and businesses that sued over the funding freeze, which has forced organizations around the world to slash services and lay off thousands of workers.

Ali's line of questioning suggested skepticism of the Trump administration's argument that presidents have wide authority to override congressional decisions on spending when it comes to foreign policy, including foreign aid.

“It would be an “earth-shaking, country-shaking proposition to say that appropriations are optional,” Ali said.

“The question I have for you is, where are you getting this from in the constitutional document?" he asked a government lawyer, Indraneel Sur.

Thursday's order is in an ongoing case with more decisions coming on the administration's fast-moving termination of 90% of USAID contracts worldwide.

Ali's ruling comes a day after a divided Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-usaid-foreign-billions-30b8bde0b16c0bd68f8b690f14923c50">rejected the Trump administration’s bid</a>&nbsp;to freeze funding that flowed through USAID. The high court instructed Ali to clarify what the government must do to comply with his earlier order requiring the quick release of funds for work that had already been done.

The funding freeze stemmed from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20. The administration appealed after Ali issued a temporary restraining order and set a deadline to release payment for work already done.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday gave the Trump administration until Monday to pay nearly $2 billion owed to partners of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-agency-for-international-development">U.S. Agency for International Development</a>&nbsp;and the State Department, thawing the administration’s six-week funding freeze on all foreign assistance.U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled in favor of nonprofit groups and businesses that sued over the funding freeze, which has forced organizations around the world to slash services and lay off thousands of workers.Ali's line of questioning suggested skepticism of the Trump administration's argument that presidents have wide authority to override congressional decisions on spending when it comes to foreign policy, including foreign aid.“It would be an “earth-shaking, country-shaking proposition to say that appropriations are optional,” Ali said.“The question I have for you is, where are you getting this from in the constitutional document?" he asked a government lawyer, Indraneel Sur.Thursday's order is in an ongoing case with more decisions coming on the administration's fast-moving termination of 90% of USAID contracts worldwide.Ali's ruling comes a day after a divided Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-usaid-foreign-billions-30b8bde0b16c0bd68f8b690f14923c50">rejected the Trump administration’s bid</a>&nbsp;to freeze funding that flowed through USAID. The high court instructed Ali to clarify what the government must do to comply with his earlier order requiring the quick release of funds for work that had already been done.The funding freeze stemmed from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20. The administration appealed after Ali issued a temporary restraining order and set a deadline to release payment for work already done.

Judge orders Trump admin. to pay nearly $2 billion in USAID, State Dept. debts

KANSAS CITY —During the storm on Wednesday, Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt, Ryan Wood, Clay County, witnessed a close call where an out of control vehicle narrowly missed a vehicle entering Northbound Interstate 35 from NE Chouteau Trafficway. 

Thankfully, no injuries occurred in this incident, according to the patrol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741286858422.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —During the storm on Wednesday, Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt, Ryan Wood, Clay County, witnessed a close call where an out of control vehicle narrowly missed a vehicle entering Northbound Interstate 35 from NE Chouteau Trafficway. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">During yesterday’s storm, Sgt, Ryan Wood, Clay County, witnessed a close call where an out of control vehicle narrowly missed a vehicle entering NB I-35 from NE Chouteau Trafficway. Thankfully, no injuries occurred in this incident. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSHP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MSHP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KCwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KCwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kansascity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kansascity</a> <a href="https://t.co/NL6elGwbw6">pic.twitter.com/NL6elGwbw6</a>&mdash; MSHP Troop A (@MSHPTrooperA) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSHPTrooperA/status/1897689547300880385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Thankfully, no injuries occurred in this incident, according to the patrol.

🎥 Trooper witnessed close call on icy KC area highway

ROME (AP) — A weak and breathless&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;thanked people for their prayers for his recovery in a remarkable audio message broadcast Thursday, the first public sign of life from the 88-year-old pope since he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-bronchitis-hospital-757f28cabc6a84836168321fba798bae">hospitalized three weeks ago</a>&nbsp;with double pneumonia.

Francis’ feeble voice, discernible through his labored breaths and in his native Spanish, was recorded Thursday from the hospital and broadcast to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square who had gathered for the nightly recitation of the rosary prayer.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the square, I accompany you from here,” he said, his soft voice piercing the hushed square. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”

For anyone used to hearing Francis’ voice, which is often so soft it sounds like a whisper, the audio was an emotional punch to the gut that hammered home just how sick he is.

The cardinal presiding over the prayer, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, had told the crowd at the start of the service that he had “beautiful news, a beautiful gift” to share. The clearly surprised crowd broke into applause and then applauded again after Francis’ final “Gracias.” Fernández Artime, for his part, bowed his head as he listened.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-pope-francis-prayers-health-0775b256a93dc3175efe8c48d2904aa0">88-year-old pope</a>&nbsp;has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.

The Vatican has given twice-daily updates on Francis’ medical condition, but has distributed no photos or video of him since the morning of Feb. 14, when he held a handful of audiences at the Vatican before being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital for what was then just a bad case of bronchitis.

The infection progressed into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-bronchitis-hospital-757f28cabc6a84836168321fba798bae">complex respiratory tract infection</a>&nbsp;and double pneumonia that has sidelined Francis for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raised questions about the future of his papacy.

Francis has issued written messages from the Gemelli, including some that sounded very much like him. But even Vatican officials had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-pneumonia-65b0457c46d7de722305260079c3bb87">clamouring to hear his voice</a>, saying the pope’s calls for peace are particularly needed at a time of such global conflict and war.

More than any pope before him, Francis has mastered the art of informal and direct communication, often recording cell phone videos for visitors to bring home to their communities. For the considerable effort it must have taken, the audio message made clear that he understood the power of his voice, even in its weakened state.

Doctors on Thursday reported that Francis was in stable condition, with no new respiratory crises or fever. He continued his respiratory and other physical therapy Thursday, worked, rested and prayed from the 10th floor papal suite at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

Given the continued stability of Francis’ condition, doctors said they didn’t expect to provide a new medical update until Saturday. His prognosis remains guarded, meaning he is not out of danger.

The pope has been sleeping with a non-invasive mechanical mask to guarantee that his lungs expand properly overnight and help his recovery. He has been transitioning to receiving high-flow oxygen with a nasal tube during the day. His routine now includes physical therapy, along with treatment for double pneumonia and respiratory therapy, Vatican officials said.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-pope-francis-prayers-health-0775b256a93dc3175efe8c48d2904aa0">88-year-old pope</a>&nbsp;has been stable for three full days after suffering a pair of respiratory crises Monday.

The pope was supposed to attend a spiritual retreat this weekend with the rest of the Holy See hierarchy. On Tuesday, the Vatican said the retreat would go ahead without Francis but in “spiritual communion” with him. The theme, selected before Francis got sick, was “Hope in eternal life.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740262535769.png" alt="Candles and a photo of Pope Francis are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)" />
 <figcaption>Candles and a photo of Pope Francis are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) — A weak and breathless&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;thanked people for their prayers for his recovery in a remarkable audio message broadcast Thursday, the first public sign of life from the 88-year-old pope since he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-bronchitis-hospital-757f28cabc6a84836168321fba798bae">hospitalized three weeks ago</a>&nbsp;with double pneumonia.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PopeFrancis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PopeFrancis</a> sends audio message of thanks to people who are praying for his health. It was played at the beginning of the rosary in St. Peter&#39;s Square. <a href="https://t.co/7CDbme1gni">pic.twitter.com/7CDbme1gni</a>&mdash; Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) <a href="https://twitter.com/CatholicNewsSvc/status/1897740444735328766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Francis’ feeble voice, discernible through his labored breaths and in his native Spanish, was recorded Thursday from the hospital and broadcast to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square who had gathered for the nightly recitation of the rosary prayer.“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the square, I accompany you from here,” he said, his soft voice piercing the hushed square. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”For anyone used to hearing Francis’ voice, which is often so soft it sounds like a whisper, the audio was an emotional punch to the gut that hammered home just how sick he is.The cardinal presiding over the prayer, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, had told the crowd at the start of the service that he had “beautiful news, a beautiful gift” to share. The clearly surprised crowd broke into applause and then applauded again after Francis’ final “Gracias.” Fernández Artime, for his part, bowed his head as he listened.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-pope-francis-prayers-health-0775b256a93dc3175efe8c48d2904aa0">88-year-old pope</a>&nbsp;has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.The Vatican has given twice-daily updates on Francis’ medical condition, but has distributed no photos or video of him since the morning of Feb. 14, when he held a handful of audiences at the Vatican before being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital for what was then just a bad case of bronchitis.The infection progressed into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-bronchitis-hospital-757f28cabc6a84836168321fba798bae">complex respiratory tract infection</a>&nbsp;and double pneumonia that has sidelined Francis for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raised questions about the future of his papacy.Francis has issued written messages from the Gemelli, including some that sounded very much like him. But even Vatican officials had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-pneumonia-65b0457c46d7de722305260079c3bb87">clamouring to hear his voice</a>, saying the pope’s calls for peace are particularly needed at a time of such global conflict and war.More than any pope before him, Francis has mastered the art of informal and direct communication, often recording cell phone videos for visitors to bring home to their communities. For the considerable effort it must have taken, the audio message made clear that he understood the power of his voice, even in its weakened state.Doctors on Thursday reported that Francis was in stable condition, with no new respiratory crises or fever. He continued his respiratory and other physical therapy Thursday, worked, rested and prayed from the 10th floor papal suite at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.Given the continued stability of Francis’ condition, doctors said they didn’t expect to provide a new medical update until Saturday. His prognosis remains guarded, meaning he is not out of danger.The pope has been sleeping with a non-invasive mechanical mask to guarantee that his lungs expand properly overnight and help his recovery. He has been transitioning to receiving high-flow oxygen with a nasal tube during the day. His routine now includes physical therapy, along with treatment for double pneumonia and respiratory therapy, Vatican officials said.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-pope-francis-prayers-health-0775b256a93dc3175efe8c48d2904aa0">88-year-old pope</a>&nbsp;has been stable for three full days after suffering a pair of respiratory crises Monday.The pope was supposed to attend a spiritual retreat this weekend with the rest of the Holy See hierarchy. On Tuesday, the Vatican said the retreat would go ahead without Francis but in “spiritual communion” with him. The theme, selected before Francis got sick, was “Hope in eternal life.”

🎧Pope Francis releases recorded message from hospital room

LABETTE COUNTY —The Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Emergency Response Division was asked to respond to Labette County, in southeast Kansas, to assist the Labette County Sheriff’s Office in searching for a missing 82-year-old&nbsp; Lynn S. Gregory who had been in a tractor at a low water crossing, according to the Fire Marshal's office.

The Labette County Sheriff’s Office began searching the area trying to locate Gregory and was later joined by the Parsons Fire Department, Bartlett Fire Department, Edna Fire Department, Labette County EMS, Altamont Police Department, and Kansas Wildlife &amp; Parks.

Kansas Task Force 4 was deployed to assist in the search. KS-TF4 consists of agencies located in the southeast part of Kansas. 12 team members have been searching for two days, utilizing ATV’s, boats, wide area ground search as well as swift water technicians wearing dry suits walking the creek. A K-9 team from the Tulsa Fire Department and a K-9 team from Kansas Task Force have been assisting in the search efforts.

12 team members from KS-TF3 from the KC Metro Area and 12 members from KS-TF5 from south central Kansas are expected to deploy to the area on Friday, March 7, 2025, to relieve KS-TF4 and continue search efforts. The wind has hindered the use of UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

The terrain is difficult to maneuver so citizens are asked to stay away from the area for safety reasons. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Labette County Sheriff's Office at 620-795-2565.

LABETTE COUNTY —The Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Emergency Response Division was asked to respond to Labette County, in southeast Kansas, to assist the Labette County Sheriff’s Office in searching for a missing 82-year-old&nbsp; Lynn S. Gregory who had been in a tractor at a low water crossing, according to the Fire Marshal's office.The Labette County Sheriff’s Office began searching the area trying to locate Gregory and was later joined by the Parsons Fire Department, Bartlett Fire Department, Edna Fire Department, Labette County EMS, Altamont Police Department, and Kansas Wildlife &amp; Parks.Kansas Task Force 4 was deployed to assist in the search. KS-TF4 consists of agencies located in the southeast part of Kansas. 12 team members have been searching for two days, utilizing ATV’s, boats, wide area ground search as well as swift water technicians wearing dry suits walking the creek. A K-9 team from the Tulsa Fire Department and a K-9 team from Kansas Task Force have been assisting in the search efforts.12 team members from KS-TF3 from the KC Metro Area and 12 members from KS-TF5 from south central Kansas are expected to deploy to the area on Friday, March 7, 2025, to relieve KS-TF4 and continue search efforts. The wind has hindered the use of UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).The terrain is difficult to maneuver so citizens are asked to stay away from the area for safety reasons. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Labette County Sheriff's Office at 620-795-2565.

Search continues for rural Kan. man who fell into creek

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday postponed 25% tariffs on many imports from Mexico and some imports from Canada for a month amid widespread fears of the economic fallout from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-643086a6dc7ff716d876b3c83e3255b0">broader trade war</a>.

The White House insists its tariffs are about stopping the smuggling of fentanyl, but the taxes proposed by Trump have caused a gaping wound in the decades-old North American trade partnership, and Canada has felt compelled to quickly take aggressive countermeasures. Trump's tariff plans have also caused the stock market to sink and alarmed U.S. consumers.

In addition to his claims about fentanyl, Trump has insisted that the tariffs could be resolved by fixing the trade deficit and he emphasized while speaking in the Oval Office that he still plans to impose “reciprocal” tariffs starting on April 2.

“Most of the tariffs go on April the second,” Trump said before signing the orders. “And then we have some temporary ones and small ones, relatively small, although it’s a lot of money having to do with Mexico and Canada.”

Trump said he was not looking to extend the exemption on the 25% tariff for autos for another month.

Imports from Mexico that comply with the 2020 USMCA trade pact would be excluded from the 25% tariffs for a month, according to the orders signed by Trump. Canada's autos that comply with the trade deal would also avoid the 25% tariffs for a month, while the potash that U.S. farmers import from Canada would be tariffed at 10%.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has planned to announce any retaliatory measures on Sunday, but Trump credited her with making progress on illegal immigration and drug smuggling as a reason for again pausing tariffs that were initially supposed to go into full effect in February.

“I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum," Trump said on Truth Social. "Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border.”

Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs threats have roiled financial markets,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-consumer-trump-tariffs-inflation-b8eacbe9b948af91a4efc97dd3f85cfa">lowered consumer confidence</a>, and enveloped many businesses in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add">uncertain atmosphere</a>&nbsp;that could delay hiring and investment.

Major U.S. stock markets briefly bounced off lows after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick previewed the month-long pauses on CNBC on Thursday. Significant declines already seen this week resumed within an hour. The S&amp;P 500 stock index has fallen below where it was before Trump was elected.

Sheinbaum said she and Trump “had an excellent and respectful call in which we agreed that our work and collaboration have yielded unprecedented results,” on a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Mexico has cracked down on cartels, sent troops to the U.S. border and delivered 29 top cartel bosses long chased by American authorities to the Trump administration in a span of weeks.

At a press conference, Sheinbaum elaborated on her call with Trump Thursday, saying that she told the president that Mexico was making great strides in fulfilling his security demands.

“I told him we’re getting results,” Sheinbaum said. But the U.S. imposed the tariffs, so she asked Trump “how are we going to continue cooperating, collaborating with something that hurts the people of Mexico?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741280449187.png" alt="Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo -courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo -courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday postponed 25% tariffs on many imports from Mexico and some imports from Canada for a month amid widespread fears of the economic fallout from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-643086a6dc7ff716d876b3c83e3255b0">broader trade war</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741280153589.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The White House insists its tariffs are about stopping the smuggling of fentanyl, but the taxes proposed by Trump have caused a gaping wound in the decades-old North American trade partnership, and Canada has felt compelled to quickly take aggressive countermeasures. Trump's tariff plans have also caused the stock market to sink and alarmed U.S. consumers.In addition to his claims about fentanyl, Trump has insisted that the tariffs could be resolved by fixing the trade deficit and he emphasized while speaking in the Oval Office that he still plans to impose “reciprocal” tariffs starting on April 2.“Most of the tariffs go on April the second,” Trump said before signing the orders. “And then we have some temporary ones and small ones, relatively small, although it’s a lot of money having to do with Mexico and Canada.”Trump said he was not looking to extend the exemption on the 25% tariff for autos for another month.Imports from Mexico that comply with the 2020 USMCA trade pact would be excluded from the 25% tariffs for a month, according to the orders signed by Trump. Canada's autos that comply with the trade deal would also avoid the 25% tariffs for a month, while the potash that U.S. farmers import from Canada would be tariffed at 10%.Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has planned to announce any retaliatory measures on Sunday, but Trump credited her with making progress on illegal immigration and drug smuggling as a reason for again pausing tariffs that were initially supposed to go into full effect in February.“I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum," Trump said on Truth Social. "Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border.”Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs threats have roiled financial markets,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-consumer-trump-tariffs-inflation-b8eacbe9b948af91a4efc97dd3f85cfa">lowered consumer confidence</a>, and enveloped many businesses in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add">uncertain atmosphere</a>&nbsp;that could delay hiring and investment.Major U.S. stock markets briefly bounced off lows after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick previewed the month-long pauses on CNBC on Thursday. Significant declines already seen this week resumed within an hour. The S&amp;P 500 stock index has fallen below where it was before Trump was elected.Sheinbaum said she and Trump “had an excellent and respectful call in which we agreed that our work and collaboration have yielded unprecedented results,” on a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.Mexico has cracked down on cartels, sent troops to the U.S. border and delivered 29 top cartel bosses long chased by American authorities to the Trump administration in a span of weeks.At a press conference, Sheinbaum elaborated on her call with Trump Thursday, saying that she told the president that Mexico was making great strides in fulfilling his security demands.“I told him we’re getting results,” Sheinbaum said. But the U.S. imposed the tariffs, so she asked Trump “how are we going to continue cooperating, collaborating with something that hurts the people of Mexico?”She added that “practically all of the trade” between the U.S. and Mexico will be exempt from tariffs until April 2.She said the two countries will continue to work together on migration and security, and to cut back on fentanyl trafficking to the U.S.From January to February, the amount of fentanyl seized at the border dropped more than 41%, according to Sheinbaum, citing data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She cited the dip as meeting a commitment made to Trump.Ontario Premier Doug Ford, the leader of Canada’s most populous province, said that starting Monday the province will charge 25% more for electricity shipped to 1.5 million Americans in response to Trump’s tariff plan. Ontario provides electricity to Minnesota, New York and Michigan.“This whole thing with President Trump is a mess,” Ford said Thursday. “This reprieve, we’ve went down this road before. He still threatens the tariffs on April 2.”Ford’s office said that the tariff would remain in place even if there’s a one month reprieve from the Americans. Ford has said that so long as the threat of tariffs continue, Ontario’s position will not change.Lutnick said that he will be watching fentanyl overdose deaths in the U.S. as a key “metric” he will focus on when evaluating Canada and Mexico's efforts to combat the synthetic opioid.In his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-address-congress-updates#00000195-6452-d6eb-a59d-647ac2530000">speech to a joint session</a>&nbsp;of Congress Tuesday night, Trump portrayed tariffs — which he has has also levied on China at 20% due to their role in fentanyl production — as a source of increasing wealth and power for the United States.Yet most economists expect the import duties to send prices higher, slow the economy, and potentially cost jobs.The Yale University Budget Lab has estimated that the tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico would increase inflation by a full percentage point, cut growth by half a percentage point and cost the average household about $1,600 in disposable income.Trump appeared to acknowledge Tuesday night that there could be some pain: “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re okay with that. It won’t be much.”--------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he has postponed 25% tariffs on most goods from Mexico for a month amid widespread fears of the impact of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-643086a6dc7ff716d876b3c83e3255b0">broader trade war</a>.<figure>
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 </figure>Trump's announcement comes after his Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, said earlier Thursday that tariffs on both Canada and Mexico would “likely" be delayed. No change was announced regarding the new tariffs imposed on Canada.This is the second time Trump has postponed tariffs for a month since he first unveiled the import taxes in early February. The reprieve would apply to goods from Mexico that are compliant with the trade agreement Trump negotiated with Canada and Mexico in his first term.“After speaking with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, I have agreed that Mexico will not be required to pay Tariffs on anything that falls under the USMCA Agreement," Trump said on Truth Social. “I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum. Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border.”No details were released Thursday about what led to the temporary lifting of tariffs on Mexico.Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs threats have roiled financial markets,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-consumer-trump-tariffs-inflation-b8eacbe9b948af91a4efc97dd3f85cfa">lowered consumer confidence</a>, and enveloped many businesses in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add">uncertain atmosphere</a>&nbsp;that could delay hiring and investment. Lutnick emphasized that reciprocal tariffs, in which the United States applies import taxes on countries that tariff U.S. exports, will still be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-farms-farmers-mexico-canada-china-prices-3a460f004633c10a6da6c4f97627dd13">implemented April 2</a>.Major U.S. stock markets bounced off lows after Lutnick spoke, but only briefly. Significant declines already seen this week resumed within an hour. The stock market has fallen steadily this week in response to Trump's tariff policies and the S&amp;P 500 stock index is now below where it was before Trump was elected.Sheinbaum said she and Trump “had an excellent and respectful call in which we agreed that our work and collaboration have yielded unprecedented results,” on a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.Mexico has cracked down on cartels, sent troops to the U.S. border and delivered 29 top cartel bosses long chased by American authorities to the Trump administration in a span of weeks.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday indicated that he expects his country will be in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trudeau-trump-tariffs-trade-war-58eaa333ef96d4f17965bb7004e6bee7">trade war with the United States</a>&nbsp;for the foreseeable future.Trudeau said the broader month-long pause “aligns with some of the conversations that we have been having with administration officials.”The Canadian leader said the move by the Trump administration was a “promising sign,” but it also “means that the tariffs remain in place and therefore our response will remain in place.”Lutnick said both Canada and Mexico “have done a good job offering us ever more work” on stopping fentanyl at the border, a key demand that Trump has made in return for permanently lifting the tariffs. Trump has also offered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariff-justifications-50f0b4416234e63c7136eaa5c5f96759">many other reasons</a>&nbsp;for his tariffs, including raising revenue for the federal government, returning manufacturing to the United States, and reducing the trade surpluses both countries have with the U.S.