<b>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a><br></b><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a>

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas said President Donald Trump’s administration shouldn’t cancel a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon and transfer work on the Federal Aviation Administration’s traffic control system to presidential adviser Elon Musk’s own company.

Davids, the 3rd District Democrat who serves on the aviation subcommittee of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said the potential deal with Musk raised conflict-of-interest issues.

Starlink is part of Musk’s SpaceX satellite and rocket company — a business rival of Verizon. Musk also was hired by Trump to lead an effort to reduce federal government spending, including at the FAA.

“Elon Musk’s reported interference in a competitively awarded FAA contract is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about conflicts of interest,” Davids said. “Aviation safety — not private gain — must be the priority in our air traffic control system.”

Verizon was issued a 15-year contract in 2023 to integrate fiber-optic cables into the network allowing FAA facilities to communicate. The current federal air traffic control system is the responsibility of L3Harris, not Verizon, but Musk has repeatedly blamed Verizon for technology shortcomings.

“The administration must ensure federal contracts are awarded through a fair and transparent process, not at the whim of a billionaire with political ties to those in power,” Davids said.

In the past week, The New York Times, CNN and other news outlets reported Musk was interested in deploying his own company, Starlink, to operate the federal air traffic control system. The Trump administration has allowed Starlink equipment to be tested at at least two airports.

The issue of aviation safety was brought into focus for the Kansas congressional delegation Jan. 29 when American Airlines Flight 5342 originating from Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter while over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.

All 67 people aboard the aircraft, including Kansans, were killed in the first major U.S. commercial passenger flight crash in more than 15 years.

In aftermath of the accident, members of the Kansas congressional delegation shared empathy for victims and their families and vowed to make certain the crash was thoroughly investigated. Five of the six members of the delegation took part in a moment of silence on the U.S. House chamber.

“Together, we commit to finding answers, and to working to ensure another tragedy like this doesn’t happen again,” said U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican serving the 4th District centered on Wichita.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741033089425.png" alt=" Kansas Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, left, said the suggestion from billionaire Elon Musk, a budget adviser to President Donald Trump, to cancel Verizon’s $2.4 billion, 15-year contract with FAA and hand that work to his own company Starlink created a conflict of interest. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
                        <figcaption> Kansas Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, left, said the suggestion from billionaire Elon Musk, a budget adviser to President Donald Trump, to cancel Verizon’s $2.4 billion, 15-year contract with FAA and hand that work to his own company Starlink created a conflict of interest. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a><br></b><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><p>TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas said President Donald Trump’s administration shouldn’t cancel a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon and transfer work on the Federal Aviation Administration’s traffic control system to presidential adviser Elon Musk’s own company.</p><p>Davids, the 3rd District Democrat who serves on the aviation subcommittee of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said the potential deal with Musk raised conflict-of-interest issues.</p><p>Starlink is part of Musk’s SpaceX satellite and rocket company — a business rival of Verizon. Musk also was hired by Trump to lead an effort to reduce federal government spending, including at the FAA.</p><p>“Elon Musk’s reported interference in a competitively awarded FAA contract is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about conflicts of interest,” Davids said. “Aviation safety — not private gain — must be the priority in our air traffic control system.”</p><p>Verizon was issued a 15-year contract in 2023 to integrate fiber-optic cables into the network allowing FAA facilities to communicate. The current federal air traffic control system is the responsibility of L3Harris, not Verizon, but Musk has repeatedly blamed Verizon for technology shortcomings.</p><p>“The administration must ensure federal contracts are awarded through a fair and transparent process, not at the whim of a billionaire with political ties to those in power,” Davids said.</p><p>In the past week, The New York Times, CNN and other news outlets reported Musk was interested in deploying his own company, Starlink, to operate the federal air traffic control system. The Trump administration has allowed Starlink equipment to be tested at at least two airports.</p><p>The issue of aviation safety was brought into focus for the Kansas congressional delegation Jan. 29 when American Airlines Flight 5342 originating from Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter while over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.</p><p>All 67 people aboard the aircraft, including Kansans, were killed in the first major U.S. commercial passenger flight crash in more than 15 years.</p><p>In aftermath of the accident, members of the Kansas congressional delegation shared empathy for victims and their families and vowed to make certain the crash was thoroughly investigated. Five of the six members of the delegation took part in a moment of silence on the U.S. House chamber.</p><p>“Together, we commit to finding answers, and to working to ensure another tragedy like this doesn’t happen again,” said U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican serving the 4th District centered on Wichita.</p>

Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids objects to Musk’s call for cancellation of $2.4 billion FAA contract

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/fernanda-figueroa">FERNANDA FIGUEROA</a>

&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday designating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-english-national-language-d4b000e593ae7db2ac8264a6dbc5078f">English as the official language</a>&nbsp;of the United States. Activists and advocacy groups are alarmed by what it will mean for non-English speakers when it comes to immigration, voter access and other issues.

The order will allow government agencies and organizations that receive federal funding to choose whether to continue to offer documents and services in languages other than English, according to a fact sheet. The move rescinds a mandate from former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>&nbsp;that required the government and organizations that received federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.

Designating English as the national language “promotes unity, establishes efficiency in government operations, and creates a pathway for civic engagement,” according to the White House. But some activists and organizations think the move is just another way for the president to stoke division and fear.

“This isn’t just an offensive gesture that sticks a thumb in the eye of millions of U.S. citizens who speak other languages, but also will directly harm those who have previously relied on language assistance for vital information,” Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director of America’s Voice, an advocacy group for immigration reform, said in an email.

What does it mean to have an official language?

According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, an official language is what is used by the government to conduct official, day-to-day business. Having one or more official languages can help define a nation’s character and the cultural identity of those who live in it.

Prioritizing one language may place certain people in position of power and exclude others whose language is not recognized, according to the institute.

U.S. English, a group that advocates for making English the official language in the United States, believes having an official language provides a common means of communication, encourages immigrants to learn English to use government services and “defines a much-needed common sense language policy.”

Currently there are more than 350 languages spoken in the United States, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The most widely spoken languages other than English are Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Arabic.

People in the U.S. also speak Native North American languages such as Navajo, Yupik, Dakota, Apache, Keres and Cherokee, among others.

Potential impact on citizenship and voting

Anabel Mendoza, the communications director for United We Dream, a nonprofit immigrant advocacy organization, said limiting the language of federal communication will make it harder for people to become citizens if they are denied the ability to speak their native tongue throughout the process. Currently, people of certain age and residency requirements can qualify for a waiver to do the citizenship test and interview in their native language.

“Trump is trying to send the message that if you’re not white, rich and speak English you don’t belong here,” Mendoza said. “Let me be clear: Immigrants are here to stay. No matter how hard Trump tries, he can’t erase us.”

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus announced Friday that New York Rep. Adriano Espaillat, caucus chair, will deliver, on behalf of Democrats, the official Spanish-language response to Trump’s upcoming joint address to Congress.

George Carrillo, co-founder &amp; CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council, said it seems like a step backwards in a country that has championed its diversity. He is also concerned how limiting governmental communication might affect U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico where the predominant language is Spanish.

“This executive order, while framed as promoting unity, risks dismantling critical supports like ESL programs and multilingual resources that help immigrants adapt and contribute,” Carrillo said. “Imagine families navigating healthcare or legal systems without materials in a language they understand, it’s a barrier, not a bridge.”

APIAVote, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on registering Asian American and Pacific Islander voters, also expressed worry this could mean barriers for millions of voters such as naturalized citizens or elderly residents who aren’t English-proficient.

“It will make it harder for them to participate civically and vote, as well as access critical healthcare, economic and education resources,” the group said in a statement.

Furthermore, the organization says this action could make anyone who speaks another language a target.

“The exclusionary nature of this policy will only fuel xenophobia and discrimination at a time when anti-Asian hate and hate against other minority and immigrant groups are rising.”

States that have English as the official language

More than 30 states, from California to New Hampshire, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands have already passed laws designating English as their official language, according to U.S. English. Hawaii is the only state to declare two official languages, English and Hawaiian.

For decades, lawmakers in Congress have introduced legislation to designate English as the official language, but those efforts failed. The most recent effort was in 2023, when Sens. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and JD Vance, R-Ohio, introduced the English Language Unity Act. Vance is now vice president.

How many countries have official languages?

It is estimated that over 170 countries have an official language, with some having more than one language.

Mexico does not have an official language. In Canada the official languages are English and French. According to Canada’s Official Languages Act of 1969, the purpose of designating two languages ensures “the equality of status” and protecting linguistic minorities “while taking into account the fact that they have different needs.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740878733683.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/fernanda-figueroa">FERNANDA FIGUEROA</a></p><p>&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed an executive order Saturday designating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-english-national-language-d4b000e593ae7db2ac8264a6dbc5078f">English as the official language</a>&nbsp;of the United States. Activists and advocacy groups are alarmed by what it will mean for non-English speakers when it comes to immigration, voter access and other issues.</p><p>The order will allow government agencies and organizations that receive federal funding to choose whether to continue to offer documents and services in languages other than English, according to a fact sheet. The move rescinds a mandate from former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton</a>&nbsp;that required the government and organizations that received federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers.</p><p>Designating English as the national language “promotes unity, establishes efficiency in government operations, and creates a pathway for civic engagement,” according to the White House. But some activists and organizations think the move is just another way for the president to stoke division and fear.</p><p>“This isn’t just an offensive gesture that sticks a thumb in the eye of millions of U.S. citizens who speak other languages, but also will directly harm those who have previously relied on language assistance for vital information,” Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director of America’s Voice, an advocacy group for immigration reform, said in an email.</p><h2>What does it mean to have an official language?</h2><p>According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, an official language is what is used by the government to conduct official, day-to-day business. Having one or more official languages can help define a nation’s character and the cultural identity of those who live in it.</p><p>Prioritizing one language may place certain people in position of power and exclude others whose language is not recognized, according to the institute.</p><p>U.S. English, a group that advocates for making English the official language in the United States, believes having an official language provides a common means of communication, encourages immigrants to learn English to use government services and “defines a much-needed common sense language policy.”</p><p>Currently there are more than 350 languages spoken in the United States, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The most widely spoken languages other than English are Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Arabic.</p><p>People in the U.S. also speak Native North American languages such as Navajo, Yupik, Dakota, Apache, Keres and Cherokee, among others.</p><h2>Potential impact on citizenship and voting</h2><p>Anabel Mendoza, the communications director for United We Dream, a nonprofit immigrant advocacy organization, said limiting the language of federal communication will make it harder for people to become citizens if they are denied the ability to speak their native tongue throughout the process. Currently, people of certain age and residency requirements can qualify for a waiver to do the citizenship test and interview in their native language.</p><p>“Trump is trying to send the message that if you’re not white, rich and speak English you don’t belong here,” Mendoza said. “Let me be clear: Immigrants are here to stay. No matter how hard Trump tries, he can’t erase us.”</p><p>The Congressional Hispanic Caucus announced Friday that New York Rep. Adriano Espaillat, caucus chair, will deliver, on behalf of Democrats, the official Spanish-language response to Trump’s upcoming joint address to Congress.</p><p>George Carrillo, co-founder &amp; CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council, said it seems like a step backwards in a country that has championed its diversity. He is also concerned how limiting governmental communication might affect U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico where the predominant language is Spanish.</p><p>“This executive order, while framed as promoting unity, risks dismantling critical supports like ESL programs and multilingual resources that help immigrants adapt and contribute,” Carrillo said. “Imagine families navigating healthcare or legal systems without materials in a language they understand, it’s a barrier, not a bridge.”</p><p>APIAVote, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on registering Asian American and Pacific Islander voters, also expressed worry this could mean barriers for millions of voters such as naturalized citizens or elderly residents who aren’t English-proficient.</p><p>“It will make it harder for them to participate civically and vote, as well as access critical healthcare, economic and education resources,” the group said in a statement.</p><p>Furthermore, the organization says this action could make anyone who speaks another language a target.</p><p>“The exclusionary nature of this policy will only fuel xenophobia and discrimination at a time when anti-Asian hate and hate against other minority and immigrant groups are rising.”</p><h2>States that have English as the official language</h2><p>More than 30 states, from California to New Hampshire, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands have already passed laws designating English as their official language, according to U.S. English. Hawaii is the only state to declare two official languages, English and Hawaiian.</p><p>For decades, lawmakers in Congress have introduced legislation to designate English as the official language, but those efforts failed. The most recent effort was in 2023, when Sens. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and JD Vance, R-Ohio, introduced the English Language Unity Act. Vance is now vice president.</p><h2>How many countries have official languages?</h2><p>It is estimated that over 170 countries have an official language, with some having more than one language.</p><p>Mexico does not have an official language. In Canada the official languages are English and French. According to Canada’s Official Languages Act of 1969, the purpose of designating two languages ensures “the equality of status” and protecting linguistic minorities “while taking into account the fact that they have different needs.”</p>

What Trump’s order making English the official language in the US could mean

UPDATE: The hearing scheduled on March 3 was continued.  According to court records, Barrioz's next court date is set for March 31.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A woman accused of driving a stolen vehicle that was involved in a crash that killed a Hutchinson woman has made is due back in court Monday afternoon.

Katelyn Elizabeth Barrioz, 24, Wichita, is schedule for a preliminary hearing before Judge Seth Rundle, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November she was charged with First-Degree Felony Murder, Second-Degree Murder – Reckless, Felony Flee and Elude, Aggravated Burglary, Auto Theft and Criminal Damage to Property, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford.

On October 27, police located an occupied stolen vehicle at the Riverwalk Apartments, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. Officers monitored the vehicle using unmarked cars, and air support was requested from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

&nbsp;The vehicle stopped at Walmart, 29th and Rock Road in Wichita. Officers deployed spike strips to prevent the vehicle from leaving, successfully deflating two tires.

Despite this, the suspect later identified as Barrioz, fled the Walmart parking lot, striking a police vehicle.

Officers did not pursue the vehicle, but KHP air support continued to track it from above. The vehicle proceeded to a business on North Webb Road, where two individuals exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

One individual was apprehended, while&nbsp; Barrioz stole the van from the business and fled south on Webb, then west on 29th Street, according to Gupilan.

KHP Air maintained surveillance of the stolen vehicle, which, at 29th and Wilderness, collided with a&nbsp; Chevy Cobalt.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the stolen 2024 Ford Transit Van driven by Barrioz, 24, Wichita, was westbound in the eastbound lanes in the&nbsp;8700 block of E 29th St N in Wichita traveling in the inside lane.

The van struck an eastbound 2010 Chevy Cobalt driven by Mandy Lynn&nbsp;Buckwalter, 43, Hutchinson, head-on.

Buckwalter was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Barrioz to Wesley Medical Center for treatment. She was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on Tuesday evening, according to online jail records. Police presented their case to the district attorney on Thursday.

Barrioz remains jailed on a bond of $1.2 million.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1730458850794.png" alt="The red dot from a laser pointer used by Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan shows Barrioz driving the wihite van just before the fatal head-on crash" />
                        <figcaption>The red dot from a laser pointer used by Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan shows Barrioz driving the wihite van just before the fatal head-on crash</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>UPDATE: The hearing scheduled on March 3 was continued.  According to court records, Barrioz's next court date is set for March 31.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A woman accused of driving a stolen vehicle that was involved in a crash that killed a Hutchinson woman has made is due back in court Monday afternoon.</p><p>Katelyn Elizabeth Barrioz, 24, Wichita, is schedule for a preliminary hearing before Judge Seth Rundle, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.</p><p>In November she was charged with First-Degree Felony Murder, Second-Degree Murder – Reckless, Felony Flee and Elude, Aggravated Burglary, Auto Theft and Criminal Damage to Property, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1730284905956.png" alt="Barrioz photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Barrioz photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>On October 27, police located an occupied stolen vehicle at the Riverwalk Apartments, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. Officers monitored the vehicle using unmarked cars, and air support was requested from the Kansas Highway Patrol.</p><p>&nbsp;The vehicle stopped at Walmart, 29th and Rock Road in Wichita. Officers deployed spike strips to prevent the vehicle from leaving, successfully deflating two tires.</p><p>Despite this, the suspect later identified as Barrioz, fled the Walmart parking lot, striking a police vehicle.</p><p>Officers did not pursue the vehicle, but KHP air support continued to track it from above. The vehicle proceeded to a business on North Webb Road, where two individuals exited the vehicle and fled on foot.</p><p>One individual was apprehended, while&nbsp; Barrioz stole the van from the business and fled south on Webb, then west on 29th Street, according to Gupilan.</p><p>KHP Air maintained surveillance of the stolen vehicle, which, at 29th and Wilderness, collided with a&nbsp; Chevy Cobalt.</p><p>The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the stolen 2024 Ford Transit Van driven by Barrioz, 24, Wichita, was westbound in the eastbound lanes in the&nbsp;8700 block of E 29th St N in Wichita traveling in the inside lane.</p><p>The van struck an eastbound 2010 Chevy Cobalt driven by Mandy Lynn&nbsp;Buckwalter, 43, Hutchinson, head-on.</p><p>Buckwalter was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Barrioz to Wesley Medical Center for treatment. She was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on Tuesday evening, according to online jail records. Police presented their case to the district attorney on Thursday.</p><p>Barrioz remains jailed on a bond of $1.2 million.&nbsp;</p>

Plea hearing for stolen vehicle crash that killed Kansas woman

WASHINGTON (AP) —The nation’s top health official wrote Sunday that the measles vaccine has benefits but he stopped short of calling on parents to inoculate their children from the deadly disease.

In an opinion piece for Fox News, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged parents to consult with “healthcare providers” on whether their children should get the vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

“Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons,” Kennedy wrote in the piece, published Sunday.

Kennedy has previously criticized the vaccines, although research and real-world use has proven that they are safe and effective.

Meanwhile, the top spokesman for the U.S. Health and Human Services agency abruptly resigned on Friday, just two weeks after being sworn in to lead communications for the agency overseen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Tom Corry said on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-corry-3029799_i-want-to-announce-to-my-friends-and-colleagues-activity-7302324708060909569-bpAa?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAAgTyYABTGxEnx2nxAn5AxrjeODw8iENnzs">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;that he resigned from the job on Friday. His resignation comes as Kennedy has struggled with his public response to the measles outbreak in West Texas, first calling it “not unusual,” then on Sunday describing it as a “call to action.”

Corry previously oversaw communications for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services agency during the first Trump administration.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740583865667.png" alt="A sign is seen outside a clinic with the South Plains Public Health District Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Brownfield, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)" />
                        <figcaption>A sign is seen outside a clinic with the South Plains Public Health District Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Brownfield, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON (AP) —The nation’s top health official wrote Sunday that the measles vaccine has benefits but he stopped short of calling on parents to inoculate their children from the deadly disease.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The measles outbreak in Texas is a call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to public health. By working together -- parents, healthcare providers, community leaders, and government officials, we can prevent future outbreaks and protect the health of our nation.…</p>&mdash; Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy/status/1896329038962339893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>In an opinion piece for Fox News, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged parents to consult with “healthcare providers” on whether their children should get the vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.</p><p>“Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons,” Kennedy wrote in the piece, published Sunday.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My heart goes out to the families impacted by the current measles outbreak in TX. I recognize the serious impact of this outbreak on families, children, and healthcare workers.<br><br>Here at <a href="https://twitter.com/HHSGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HHSGov</a> we have:<br><br>• Supported Texas Department of Health through technical assistance and…</p>&mdash; Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy/status/1895585297351799198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Kennedy has previously criticized the vaccines, although research and real-world use has proven that they are safe and effective.</p><p>Meanwhile, the top spokesman for the U.S. Health and Human Services agency abruptly resigned on Friday, just two weeks after being sworn in to lead communications for the agency overseen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</p><p>Tom Corry said on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-corry-3029799_i-want-to-announce-to-my-friends-and-colleagues-activity-7302324708060909569-bpAa?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAAgTyYABTGxEnx2nxAn5AxrjeODw8iENnzs">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;that he resigned from the job on Friday. His resignation comes as Kennedy has struggled with his public response to the measles outbreak in West Texas, first calling it “not unusual,” then on Sunday describing it as a “call to action.”</p><p>Corry previously oversaw communications for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services agency during the first Trump administration.</p>

RFK Jr. lays out benefits of measles vaccines, stops short of calling for people to get a dose

CINCINNATI&nbsp; (AP)—Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen has resigned after an internal investigation into his personal conduct.

Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, said Monday that the investigation into McMullen’s personal conduct was unrelated to the business, but was found to be inconsistent with its business ethics policy.

Board member Ronald Sargent will serve as chairman and interim CEO, effective immediately.

Sargent has been on Kroger’s board since 2006 and has served as the lead director of the company since 2017. He’s worked in several roles at the grocery chain across stores, sales, marketing, manufacturing and strategy. Sargent is also the former Chairman and CEO of Staples.

McMullen, 64, began his career with Kroger in 1978 as a part-time stock clerk and bagger at a store in Lexington, Kentucky. He worked his way up through the company, becoming chief financial officer in 1995 and chief operating officer in 2009. McMullen was named Kroger’s CEO in 2014 and became the company’s chairman the following year.

Cincinnati-based Kroger said its board was made aware of the situation on Feb. 21 and immediately hired an outside independent counsel to conduct an investigation, overseen by a special board committee.

The company said that McMullen’s conduct is not related to its financial performance, operations or reporting, and did not involve any Kroger associates.

Kroger will conduct a search for its next CEO, with Sargent agreeing to remain as interim CEO until someone is appointed to the role permanently.

Kroger shares fell more than 3.5% ahead of the opening bell Monday.

McMullen’s departure comes as Kroger is regrouping from its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-79e366723d7287b2df71d96730fba76e">failed effort</a>&nbsp;to merger with Albertsons. The two companies proposed what would have been the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history in 2022, saying they needed to combine forces to better compete with rivals like Walmart.

But two judges&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-court-decision-41263bd9137d5046a642e7d26e98cdfc">halted the $24.6 billion deal</a>&nbsp;in December, saying it was likely to lessen competition and raise prices. Albertsons later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-79e366723d7287b2df71d96730fba76e">sued Kroger</a>, saying it had failed to make every effort to ensure that the merger would win regulatory approval.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741014152963.png" alt="File photo Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen in testimony before a Senate committee in 2022-image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>File photo Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen in testimony before a Senate committee in 2022-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>CINCINNATI&nbsp; (AP)—Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen has resigned after an internal investigation into his personal conduct.</p><p>Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, said Monday that the investigation into McMullen’s personal conduct was unrelated to the business, but was found to be inconsistent with its business ethics policy.</p><p>Board member Ronald Sargent will serve as chairman and interim CEO, effective immediately.</p><p>Sargent has been on Kroger’s board since 2006 and has served as the lead director of the company since 2017. He’s worked in several roles at the grocery chain across stores, sales, marketing, manufacturing and strategy. Sargent is also the former Chairman and CEO of Staples.</p><p>McMullen, 64, began his career with Kroger in 1978 as a part-time stock clerk and bagger at a store in Lexington, Kentucky. He worked his way up through the company, becoming chief financial officer in 1995 and chief operating officer in 2009. McMullen was named Kroger’s CEO in 2014 and became the company’s chairman the following year.</p><p>Cincinnati-based Kroger said its board was made aware of the situation on Feb. 21 and immediately hired an outside independent counsel to conduct an investigation, overseen by a special board committee.</p><p>The company said that McMullen’s conduct is not related to its financial performance, operations or reporting, and did not involve any Kroger associates.</p><p>Kroger will conduct a search for its next CEO, with Sargent agreeing to remain as interim CEO until someone is appointed to the role permanently.</p><p>Kroger shares fell more than 3.5% ahead of the opening bell Monday.</p><p>McMullen’s departure comes as Kroger is regrouping from its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-79e366723d7287b2df71d96730fba76e">failed effort</a>&nbsp;to merger with Albertsons. The two companies proposed what would have been the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history in 2022, saying they needed to combine forces to better compete with rivals like Walmart.</p><p>But two judges&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-merger-court-decision-41263bd9137d5046a642e7d26e98cdfc">halted the $24.6 billion deal</a>&nbsp;in December, saying it was likely to lessen competition and raise prices. Albertsons later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kroger-albertsons-79e366723d7287b2df71d96730fba76e">sued Kroger</a>, saying it had failed to make every effort to ensure that the merger would win regulatory approval.</p>

Kroger CEO resigns following investigation into personal conduct

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal employees received another email requiring them to explain their recent accomplishments, a renewed attempt by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and billionaire entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;to demand answers from the government workforce.

Originally expected to go out Saturday, the new request began landing in the inboxes of some employees late Friday. The plan to send a second round of emails was initially disclosed by a person with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-trump-federal-workers-f44257ce4cf8c04c96c8ce0ce262842f">first email</a>, which was distributed a week ago, asked employees “what did you do last week?” and prompted them to list five tasks that they completed. Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency has been empowered by Trump with a mission to downsize agencies and eliminate thousands of federal jobs, said anyone who didn’t respond would be fired. Many agencies, meanwhile, told their workforces not to respond or issued conflicting guidance.

The second email was delivered in a different way, according to the person with knowledge of the situation, potentially making it easier to discipline employees for noncompliance.

Instead of being sent by the Office of Personnel Management, which functions as a human resources agency for the federal government but doesn’t have the power to hire or fire, the email was to come from individual agencies that have direct oversight of career officials.

A version of the email received late Friday by some employees at two separate agencies — with the subject line, “What did you do last week? Part II” — came from “hr@opm.gov,” the same OPM address that sent the first version. Employees at a third agency received the email from an internal department address.

“Please reply to this email with approx. 5 bullets describing what you accomplished last week and cc your manager,” the message read, adding that going forward, employees would be expected to submit a response each week by the following Monday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

It’s unclear how national security agencies will handle the second email. After the first one, they directed employees not to write back because much of the agencies’ work is sensitive or classified. Less than half of federal workers responded, according to the White House.

The version viewed late Friday by The Associated Press reads in part: “If all of your activities are classified or sensitive, please write, ‘All of my activities are sensitive.’” That may not eliminate all security concerns given that sending an email creates a digital footprint regardless of the message’s content.

A spokesperson for OPM did not immediately respond to a request for clarification Friday night.

On Wednesday, at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-doge-cabinet-briefing-d7c881a79a57a9014a915d815280a790">Trump’s first Cabinet meeting</a>&nbsp;of his second term, Musk argued that his request was a “pulse check” to ensure that those working for the government have “a pulse and two neurons.”

Both Musk and Trump have claimed that some workers are either dead or fictional, and the president has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-trump-federal-workers-firings-email-9785e7f74eb2a8b8fde5e01ff0c7717f">publicly backed Musk’s approach.</a>

Addressing people who didn’t respond to the first email, Trump said “they are on the bubble,” and he added that he wasn’t “thrilled” about them not responding.

“Now, maybe they don’t exist,” he said without providing evidence. “Maybe we’re paying people that don’t exist.”

In addition to recent firings of probationary employees,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">a memo distributed this week</a>&nbsp;set the stage for large-scale layoffs and consolidation of programs.

The Education Department offered employees a $25,000 buyout and warned of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">looming layoffs</a>. An email sent to all agency workers gave them until the end of Monday to decide on the offer, which was touted as coming “in advance of a very significant Reduction in Force.”

It was sent from the department’s chief human capital officer. The agency did not immediately offer comment.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741008760702.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal employees received another email requiring them to explain their recent accomplishments, a renewed attempt by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and billionaire entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>&nbsp;to demand answers from the government workforce.</p><p>Originally expected to go out Saturday, the new request began landing in the inboxes of some employees late Friday. The plan to send a second round of emails was initially disclosed by a person with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740590759153.png" alt="Elon Musk spoke to members of the Trump Cabinet last week-image courtesy White House" />
                        <figcaption>Elon Musk spoke to members of the Trump Cabinet last week-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-trump-federal-workers-f44257ce4cf8c04c96c8ce0ce262842f">first email</a>, which was distributed a week ago, asked employees “what did you do last week?” and prompted them to list five tasks that they completed. Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency has been empowered by Trump with a mission to downsize agencies and eliminate thousands of federal jobs, said anyone who didn’t respond would be fired. Many agencies, meanwhile, told their workforces not to respond or issued conflicting guidance.</p><p>The second email was delivered in a different way, according to the person with knowledge of the situation, potentially making it easier to discipline employees for noncompliance.</p><p>Instead of being sent by the Office of Personnel Management, which functions as a human resources agency for the federal government but doesn’t have the power to hire or fire, the email was to come from individual agencies that have direct oversight of career officials.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am now directing each member of the department’s civilian federal workforce to provide 5 bullets of what they accomplished last week and comply with OPM’s email directive. <a href="https://t.co/BJOoEvVTza">https://t.co/BJOoEvVTza</a></p>&mdash; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef/status/1896269106980217312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>A version of the email received late Friday by some employees at two separate agencies — with the subject line, “What did you do last week? Part II” — came from “hr@opm.gov,” the same OPM address that sent the first version. Employees at a third agency received the email from an internal department address.</p><p>“Please reply to this email with approx. 5 bullets describing what you accomplished last week and cc your manager,” the message read, adding that going forward, employees would be expected to submit a response each week by the following Monday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.</p><p>It’s unclear how national security agencies will handle the second email. After the first one, they directed employees not to write back because much of the agencies’ work is sensitive or classified. Less than half of federal workers responded, according to the White House.</p><p>The version viewed late Friday by The Associated Press reads in part: “If all of your activities are classified or sensitive, please write, ‘All of my activities are sensitive.’” That may not eliminate all security concerns given that sending an email creates a digital footprint regardless of the message’s content.</p><p>A spokesperson for OPM did not immediately respond to a request for clarification Friday night.</p><p>On Wednesday, at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-doge-cabinet-briefing-d7c881a79a57a9014a915d815280a790">Trump’s first Cabinet meeting</a>&nbsp;of his second term, Musk argued that his request was a “pulse check” to ensure that those working for the government have “a pulse and two neurons.”</p><p>Both Musk and Trump have claimed that some workers are either dead or fictional, and the president has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-trump-federal-workers-firings-email-9785e7f74eb2a8b8fde5e01ff0c7717f">publicly backed Musk’s approach.</a></p><p>Addressing people who didn’t respond to the first email, Trump said “they are on the bubble,” and he added that he wasn’t “thrilled” about them not responding.</p><p>“Now, maybe they don’t exist,” he said without providing evidence. “Maybe we’re paying people that don’t exist.”</p><p>In addition to recent firings of probationary employees,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">a memo distributed this week</a>&nbsp;set the stage for large-scale layoffs and consolidation of programs.</p><p>The Education Department offered employees a $25,000 buyout and warned of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-elon-musk-federal-workers-layoffs-d295d4bb2cdd5023c27d9cb03754e81b">looming layoffs</a>. An email sent to all agency workers gave them until the end of Monday to decide on the offer, which was touted as coming “in advance of a very significant Reduction in Force.”</p><p>It was sent from the department’s chief human capital officer. The agency did not immediately offer comment.</p><h2>___</h2>

Read the new email sent to federal workers featuring key strategy change

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating the fatal shooting of a 1-year-old girl in Wichita have arrested her father.

Just after 8:30p.m. Friday, police responded to a shooting inside a home in the 2200 block of S Santa Fe in Wichita, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford. First responders discovered a 1-year-old girl who had sustained a gunshot wound to the upper body. 

EMS transported the child to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 9:27p.m.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Following an investigation, police arrested 25-year-old Michael Tejeda, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=244063&amp;currentInmatesOnly=True">as identified from sheriff's arrest records</a>. He is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.

Another child in the home at the time of the incident was placed in police protective custody, according to Ford. Police interviewed the mother of the children and she was released.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740922571690.png" alt="Tejeda photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Tejeda photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating the fatal shooting of a 1-year-old girl in Wichita have arrested her father.</p><p>Just after 8:30p.m. Friday, police responded to a shooting inside a home in the 2200 block of S Santa Fe in Wichita, according to Wichita Police spokesman Andrew Ford. First responders discovered a 1-year-old girl who had sustained a gunshot wound to the upper body. </p><p>EMS transported the child to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 9:27p.m.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.</p><p>Following an investigation, police arrested 25-year-old Michael Tejeda, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=244063&amp;currentInmatesOnly=True">as identified from sheriff's arrest records</a>. He is being held on requested charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.</p><p>Another child in the home at the time of the incident was placed in police protective custody, according to Ford. Police interviewed the mother of the children and she was released.</p>

Kan. man accused in shooting death of 1-year-old daughter

LOS ANGELES (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/adrien-brody">Adrien Brody</a>&nbsp;took home his second leading man Oscar for “The Brutalist,” Mikey Madison&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-actress-2025-oscars-cf9f509bc3f8f4ce3f18e67ed5f1e672">took home the best actress statuette</a>&nbsp;and “Anora” was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2025-oscars-academy-awards-show-aba51f1388c77c6a9b302a6798f3fef7">crowned best picture</a>&nbsp;on its way to five awards Sunday.

Kieran Culkin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/oscars-2025-updates">won the Oscar</a>&nbsp;for best supporting actor for his work on “A Real Pain” and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supporting-actress-2025-oscars-5a4523804f31aecf39c38ae37c925946">Zoe Saldaña won for her work in “Emilia Pérez.”</a>&nbsp;Sean Baker had a stunning night, winning the screenplay, director and editing awards for “Anora.”

“Flow” beat “The Wild Robot” for best animated feature film while Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design for his work on “Wicked.”

Here’s the complete list of winners at the 97th annual Academy Awards:

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/anora-pga-dga-producers-guild-directors-71a19e81c477aa6060cf4a33c719be71">“Anora”</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/adrien-brody">Adrien Brody,</a>&nbsp;“The Brutalist”

<a href="https://apnews.com/video/anora-star-madison-embracing-awards-whirlwind-035d32eb7ee1411292950a48526f5fc9">Mikey Madison,</a>&nbsp;“Anora”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supporting-actress-2025-oscars-5a4523804f31aecf39c38ae37c925946">Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-supporting-actor-2025-oscars-97fa07da6c4ce48fec65eaebd3630635">Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-international-film-2025-oscars-f01a852a3e3e53bbc6f3d667a484f8df">“I’m Still Here”</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-other-land-documentary-review-c46bf4fa42f2fad4fecb16846b2c2684">“No Other Land”</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-original-screenplay-2025-oscars-77f1f274671955ef31464fcfbb9c9a30">“Anora,” Sean Baker</a>

“El Mal” from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supporting-actress-2025-oscars-5a4523804f31aecf39c38ae37c925946">“Emilia Pérez”</a>

“Wicked,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oscars-2025-costume-design-paul-tazewell-402932c2de7b0639225568ead34a7b10">Paul Tazewell</a>

<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/adrien-brody">Adrien Brody</a>&nbsp;took home his second leading man Oscar for “The Brutalist,” Mikey Madison&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-actress-2025-oscars-cf9f509bc3f8f4ce3f18e67ed5f1e672">took home the best actress statuette</a>&nbsp;and “Anora” was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2025-oscars-academy-awards-show-aba51f1388c77c6a9b302a6798f3fef7">crowned best picture</a>&nbsp;on its way to five awards Sunday.</p><p>Kieran Culkin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/oscars-2025-updates">won the Oscar</a>&nbsp;for best supporting actor for his work on “A Real Pain” and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supporting-actress-2025-oscars-5a4523804f31aecf39c38ae37c925946">Zoe Saldaña won for her work in “Emilia Pérez.”</a>&nbsp;Sean Baker had a stunning night, winning the screenplay, director and editing awards for “Anora.”</p><p>“Flow” beat “The Wild Robot” for best animated feature film while Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design for his work on “Wicked.”</p><p>Here’s the complete list of winners at the 97th annual Academy Awards:</p><h2>Best picture</h2><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/anora-pga-dga-producers-guild-directors-71a19e81c477aa6060cf4a33c719be71">“Anora”</a></p><h2>Best Actor</h2><p><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/adrien-brody">Adrien Brody,</a>&nbsp;“The Brutalist”</p><h2>Best Actress</h2><p><a href="https://apnews.com/video/anora-star-madison-embracing-awards-whirlwind-035d32eb7ee1411292950a48526f5fc9">Mikey Madison,</a>&nbsp;“Anora”</p><h2>Director</h2><p>Sean Baker, “Anora”</p><h2>Best Supporting Actress</h2><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/supporting-actress-2025-oscars-5a4523804f31aecf39c38ae37c925946">Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”</a></p><h2>Best Supporting Actor</h2><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-supporting-actor-2025-oscars-97fa07da6c4ce48fec65eaebd3630635">Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”</a></p><h2>International Film</h2><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-international-film-2025-oscars-f01a852a3e3e53bbc6f3d667a484f8df">“I’m Still Here”</a></p><h2>Documentary Feature</h2><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/no-other-land-documentary-review-c46bf4fa42f2fad4fecb16846b2c2684">“No Other Land”</a></p><h2>Original Screenplay</h2><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-original-screenplay-2025-oscars-77f1f274671955ef31464fcfbb9c9a30">“Anora,” Sean Baker</a></p><h2>Adapted Screenplay</h2><p>“Conclave,” Peter Straughan</p><h2>Original Score</h2><p>“The Brutalist,” Daniel Blumberg</p><h2>Original Song</h2><p>“El Mal” from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supporting-actress-2025-oscars-5a4523804f31aecf39c38ae37c925946">“Emilia Pérez”</a></p><h2>Animated Film</h2><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-animated-film-2025-oscars-4cecd54011d182ec006390b67cbee8e4">“Flow”</a></p><h2>Visual Effects</h2><p>“Dune: Part Two”</p><h2>Costume Design</h2><p>“Wicked,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oscars-2025-costume-design-paul-tazewell-402932c2de7b0639225568ead34a7b10">Paul Tazewell</a></p><h2>Cinematography</h2><p>“The Brutalist,” Lol Crawley</p><h2>Documentary Short Film</h2><p>“The Only Girl in the Orchestra”</p><h2>Best Sound</h2><p>“Dune: Part Two”</p><h2>Production Design</h2><p>“Wicked”</p><h2>Makeup and Hairstyling</h2><p>“The Substance”</p><h2>Film Editing</h2><p>“Anora,” Sean Baker</p><h2>Live Action Short Film</h2><p>“I’m Not a Robot”</p><h2>Animated Short Film</h2><p>“In the Shadow of the Cypress”</p>

Who won? Complete list of winners at the 97th Academy Awards

BUTLER COUNTY, MO—Authorities are investigating a fatal home explosion and fire that left two children dead in rural Butler, Missouri.

Just after 11:30p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to a 911 call of a home explosion and fire, according to the Bates County Sheriff’s Office.

First responders were met with a fully engulfed home. Five people were reported to be living at the residence.&nbsp; Three of the five occupants were able to make it out of the house. Two children both age 2 were not able to be immediately rescued. 

Fire units arrived on scene and requested assistance from additional agencies. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful due to the heavy fire in the residence. 

 Both children were eventually pronounced deceased by the Bates County Coroner on scene.   The three people that were able to make it out of the house were transported to the hospital for treatment.   The fire is being investigated by the Bates County Sheriffs Office and the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office. 

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740963768094.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BUTLER COUNTY, MO—Authorities are investigating a fatal home explosion and fire that left two children dead in rural Butler, Missouri.</p><p>Just after 11:30p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to a 911 call of a home explosion and fire, according to the Bates County Sheriff’s Office.</p><p>First responders were met with a fully engulfed home. Five people were reported to be living at the residence.&nbsp; Three of the five occupants were able to make it out of the house. Two children both age 2 were not able to be immediately rescued. </p><p>Fire units arrived on scene and requested assistance from additional agencies. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful due to the heavy fire in the residence. </p><p> Both children were eventually pronounced deceased by the Bates County Coroner on scene.   The three people that were able to make it out of the house were transported to the hospital for treatment.   The fire is being investigated by the Bates County Sheriffs Office and the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office. </p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Two children dead after rural Missouri home explosion, fire

DAMASCUS —U.S. forces continue to battle terrorist activity in the Middle East.

On Feb. 23, U.S. Central Command forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria, targeting and killing Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, the senior military leader of the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din (HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. On March 1, the U.S. released video of the airstrike.

The airstrike is part of CENTCOM's ongoing commitment, along with partners in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel from the U.S., our allies, and our partners throughout the region and beyond.

“As we have said in the past, we will continue to relentlessly pursue these terrorists in order to defend our homeland, and U.S., allied, and partner personnel in the region,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command.

<p>DAMASCUS —U.S. forces continue to battle terrorist activity in the Middle East.</p><p>On Feb. 23, U.S. Central Command forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria, targeting and killing Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, the senior military leader of the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din (HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. On March 1, the U.S. released video of the airstrike.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CENTCOM Forces Kill the Senior Military Leader of Al-Qaeda Affiliate Hurras al-Din (HaD) in Syria<br><br>On Feb. 23, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria, targeting and killing Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, the senior military leader of… <a href="https://t.co/trhDvgdgne">pic.twitter.com/trhDvgdgne</a></p>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1895859285600452987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The airstrike is part of CENTCOM's ongoing commitment, along with partners in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel from the U.S., our allies, and our partners throughout the region and beyond.</p><p>“As we have said in the past, we will continue to relentlessly pursue these terrorists in order to defend our homeland, and U.S., allied, and partner personnel in the region,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command.</p>

🎥U.S. releases video of deadly airstrike on leader of terrorist organization

WASHINGTON (AP) — Maxim Naumov wept on his knees at the end of his performance honoring his parents, wiped away tears as he skated off the ice and held an electric candle in the air as applause rained down. Amber Glenn broke down when she finished skating, and so did 13-year-old Isabella Aparicio, who was performing in memory of her brother, Franco, and their father Luciano.

“There was not a dry eye to be found anywhere,” pairs skater Madison Chock said.

A low murmur of crying pierced a lengthy moment of silence as fans lit the arena with their cellphones, riding waves of emotion through a poignant figure skating show Sunday in the nation's capital to remember and raise money for the victims of the midair collision outside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-05911bd86fddd70c576b0ccd4200fd84">Legacy on Ice benefit event</a>&nbsp;featured a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-ba639c5f657d696ebb0e947ab57edd21">star-studded group</a>&nbsp;of some of the best U.S. figure skaters of the past and present taking part to pay tribute to the 67 people who died when an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b">Army helicopter collided</a>&nbsp;with an American Airlines flight and crashed into the Potomac River on Jan. 29. That included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">28 members of the figure skating community</a>, some of whom lived and trained in the Washington area.

“Everyone grieves in their own way, and the last month has been really challenging for a lot of us to just grapple with the magnitude of this loss,” said Evan Bates, who with Chock won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2022. “I think coming together today and doing something tangible like a show will give people, hopefully, a little glimmer of hope and a little light for that next step forward.”

American icons of the sport Kristi Yamaguchi and Brian Boitano emceed the show, which included performances by the likes of Glenn, Johnny Weir and reigning men's world champion Ilia Malinin, along with poignant tributes to the victims.

“We are not powerless,” Boitano said in opening the show. “As skaters, we learned to be resilient and to always find a path forward that is positive.”

Ted Leonsis, head of Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment, which staged the event along with U.S. Figure Skating, DC Fire &amp; EMS Foundation and the Greater Washington Community Foundation, hopes doing this at Capital One Arena helps families in the healing process the way concerts and sports at Madison Square Garden did in New York in 2001 after 9/11.

“Sports can play this convening and healing role,” Leonsis said. “Our goal is to allow the community to heal, kind of a collective hug for these communities, but then we want to raise a lot of money."

The dasher boards had 67 stars, one for each of the victims, and skaters put flowers on a rinkside table of candles before beginning their routines.

“We’re all here to support one another, whether it was our friends that were on that plane, family members, coaches, teammates, loved ones,” said 2014 Olympic team bronze medalist Jason Brown, who skated to “The Impossible Dream” by Josh Groban. “We all travel for this sport. We get to do what we love. And travel is such a huge part of what we do, so it all hit us really hard because this is just such an integral part of what we do, as well as those are people that we’re closest to.”

Glenn kicked things off by performing to Andra Day’s “Rise Up” and broke down in tears at center ice when she finished. Weir, whose family moved to Newark, Delaware, when he was 12 for him to pursue his skating career, dedicated his performance to the members of the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club who were on American Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, following a national development camp there coinciding with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

“It was a very traumatic experience for me and really just devastating for me to hear when all that happened, and I really wanted to have something that everyone could remember as a family, as a whole community that we remember them,” Malinin said. “All of our daily lives, every time we step on the ice, we’ll always think of them. Every time we’re competing, they’ll always be in our hearts.”

Peggy Fleming, 1968 Olympic champion, said she hopes the event “will heal and give strength to our skaters in the future.” Alysa Liu wants to try to honor the memory of those lost so she “can keep going.”

“It’s still a struggle and was a struggle,” said Liu, who performed to “Hero” by Mariah Carey. “Coming together and seeing everyone again has definitely been the most reassuring feeling. And it’s just because everyone knows exactly how everyone feels."

Forty-one years after winning gold at the Olympics, Scott Hamilton skated onto the ice and led a prayer. “Imagine” blared from arena speakers during one ensemble performance, Malinin dazzled the crowd with his jump-filled routine and Lady Gaga's “Hold My Hand” was the soundtrack of the grand finale of the emotional two-plus-hour show.

“It was just an amazing show,” U.S. Figure Skating interim CEO Sam Auxier said. "You could see even with Ilia the passion and the feelings about what happened coming through in their skating.”

Among the sellout crowd of over 15,000 were hundreds of first responders and their family members. Some came from as far away as Baltimore to be part of the rescue and recovery efforts.

“This was an incredibly challenging scene for those first responders,” DC Fire and EMS Foundation executive director Amy Mauro said. “The things that they witnessed are very difficult and will stay with them for a long time. This is part of their grieving and healing process, as well.”

In addition to being a gathering place for figure skaters, first responders and all the families affected by the crash, the intent was to raise money for all of them.

“We’ve heard from the families about things like college tuition for young children who are in elementary school today but also things like therapy and health care that they need,” Monumental president of external affairs and chief administrative officer Monica Dixon said. “Every family will choose how to use those funds in the best way that they choose.”

The event aired live on Monumental Sports Network and streamed on Peacock. NBC will show an encore performance March 30.

"That’s what we’re hoping: We raise a lot of donations that way," Leonsis said. “People care. The lesson in this is that, to me, if you personalize something like this, you can come together and do the right things in the right way."

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Maxim Naumov wept on his knees at the end of his performance honoring his parents, wiped away tears as he skated off the ice and held an electric candle in the air as applause rained down. Amber Glenn broke down when she finished skating, and so did 13-year-old Isabella Aparicio, who was performing in memory of her brother, Franco, and their father Luciano.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DC Fire and EMS is providing a ladder arch in front of Capital One Arena for today’s Legacy on Ice tribute. We are proud to honor the victims and first responders.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCsBravest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DCsBravest</a> <a href="https://t.co/opq9wemnSQ">pic.twitter.com/opq9wemnSQ</a></p>&mdash; DC Fire and EMS Department (@dcfireems) <a href="https://twitter.com/dcfireems/status/1896274756619698626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A moment of silence for Flight 5342 💙<br><br>The figure skating community came together at Legacy on Ice to honor and carry forward the legacies of those lost on Flight 5342. <br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/peacock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@peacock</a> <a href="https://t.co/SR1CPnudQ6">pic.twitter.com/SR1CPnudQ6</a></p>&mdash; Team USA (@TeamUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamUSA/status/1896325652233744792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>“There was not a dry eye to be found anywhere,” pairs skater Madison Chock said.</p><p>A low murmur of crying pierced a lengthy moment of silence as fans lit the arena with their cellphones, riding waves of emotion through a poignant figure skating show Sunday in the nation's capital to remember and raise money for the victims of the midair collision outside Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.</p><p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-05911bd86fddd70c576b0ccd4200fd84">Legacy on Ice benefit event</a>&nbsp;featured a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-ba639c5f657d696ebb0e947ab57edd21">star-studded group</a>&nbsp;of some of the best U.S. figure skaters of the past and present taking part to pay tribute to the 67 people who died when an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-62adba7fb1f546b4cf1716e42b86482b">Army helicopter collided</a>&nbsp;with an American Airlines flight and crashed into the Potomac River on Jan. 29. That included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dc-helicopter-jet-crash-figure-skaters-079cca60567e6929f4b84a8e9d6c330d">28 members of the figure skating community</a>, some of whom lived and trained in the Washington area.</p><p>“Everyone grieves in their own way, and the last month has been really challenging for a lot of us to just grapple with the magnitude of this loss,” said Evan Bates, who with Chock won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2022. “I think coming together today and doing something tangible like a show will give people, hopefully, a little glimmer of hope and a little light for that next step forward.”</p><p>American icons of the sport Kristi Yamaguchi and Brian Boitano emceed the show, which included performances by the likes of Glenn, Johnny Weir and reigning men's world champion Ilia Malinin, along with poignant tributes to the victims.</p><p>“We are not powerless,” Boitano said in opening the show. “As skaters, we learned to be resilient and to always find a path forward that is positive.”</p><p>Ted Leonsis, head of Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment, which staged the event along with U.S. Figure Skating, DC Fire &amp; EMS Foundation and the Greater Washington Community Foundation, hopes doing this at Capital One Arena helps families in the healing process the way concerts and sports at Madison Square Garden did in New York in 2001 after 9/11.</p><p>“Sports can play this convening and healing role,” Leonsis said. “Our goal is to allow the community to heal, kind of a collective hug for these communities, but then we want to raise a lot of money."</p><p>The dasher boards had 67 stars, one for each of the victims, and skaters put flowers on a rinkside table of candles before beginning their routines.</p><p>“We’re all here to support one another, whether it was our friends that were on that plane, family members, coaches, teammates, loved ones,” said 2014 Olympic team bronze medalist Jason Brown, who skated to “The Impossible Dream” by Josh Groban. “We all travel for this sport. We get to do what we love. And travel is such a huge part of what we do, so it all hit us really hard because this is just such an integral part of what we do, as well as those are people that we’re closest to.”</p><p>Glenn kicked things off by performing to Andra Day’s “Rise Up” and broke down in tears at center ice when she finished. Weir, whose family moved to Newark, Delaware, when he was 12 for him to pursue his skating career, dedicated his performance to the members of the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club who were on American Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, following a national development camp there coinciding with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.</p><p>“It was a very traumatic experience for me and really just devastating for me to hear when all that happened, and I really wanted to have something that everyone could remember as a family, as a whole community that we remember them,” Malinin said. “All of our daily lives, every time we step on the ice, we’ll always think of them. Every time we’re competing, they’ll always be in our hearts.”</p><p>Peggy Fleming, 1968 Olympic champion, said she hopes the event “will heal and give strength to our skaters in the future.” Alysa Liu wants to try to honor the memory of those lost so she “can keep going.”</p><p>“It’s still a struggle and was a struggle,” said Liu, who performed to “Hero” by Mariah Carey. “Coming together and seeing everyone again has definitely been the most reassuring feeling. And it’s just because everyone knows exactly how everyone feels."</p><p>Forty-one years after winning gold at the Olympics, Scott Hamilton skated onto the ice and led a prayer. “Imagine” blared from arena speakers during one ensemble performance, Malinin dazzled the crowd with his jump-filled routine and Lady Gaga's “Hold My Hand” was the soundtrack of the grand finale of the emotional two-plus-hour show.</p><p>“It was just an amazing show,” U.S. Figure Skating interim CEO Sam Auxier said. "You could see even with Ilia the passion and the feelings about what happened coming through in their skating.”</p><p>Among the sellout crowd of over 15,000 were hundreds of first responders and their family members. Some came from as far away as Baltimore to be part of the rescue and recovery efforts.</p><p>“This was an incredibly challenging scene for those first responders,” DC Fire and EMS Foundation executive director Amy Mauro said. “The things that they witnessed are very difficult and will stay with them for a long time. This is part of their grieving and healing process, as well.”</p><p>In addition to being a gathering place for figure skaters, first responders and all the families affected by the crash, the intent was to raise money for all of them.</p><p>“We’ve heard from the families about things like college tuition for young children who are in elementary school today but also things like therapy and health care that they need,” Monumental president of external affairs and chief administrative officer Monica Dixon said. “Every family will choose how to use those funds in the best way that they choose.”</p><p>The event aired live on Monumental Sports Network and streamed on Peacock. NBC will show an encore performance March 30.</p><p>"That’s what we’re hoping: We raise a lot of donations that way," Leonsis said. “People care. The lesson in this is that, to me, if you personalize something like this, you can come together and do the right things in the right way."</p><p>___</p>

Tears flow at figure skating event benefiting victims of DC plane crash

The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office is actively searching for 22-year-old Nevaeh Ann Thompson following an aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer that occurred early Sunday, according to a social media report from the Sheriff's office.

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.

The Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Nevaeh Ann Thompson. She is described as a 22-year-old white female with black hair and brown eyes, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighing around 140 pounds.

If you have any information regarding Thompson’s whereabouts, please call 911 immediately. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (316) 268-2111.See less

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1740967523593.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office is actively searching for 22-year-old Nevaeh Ann Thompson following an aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer that occurred early Sunday, according to a social media report from the Sheriff's office.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Nevaeh Ann Thompson. She is described as a 22-year-old white female with black hair and brown eyes, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighing around 140 pounds.</p><p>If you have any information regarding Thompson’s whereabouts, please call 911 immediately. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (316) 268-2111.See less</p>

Sheriff searching for woman who dragged Kan. deputy after traffic stop

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY–Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.

Just after 10a.m. Feb. 28, sheriff's deputies executed a a narcotics search warrant on the residence located at 215 Dakota Avenue in Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

During the search, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and firearms were recovered.&nbsp; The two occupants of the residence, Scott Allen Strube, 55, of Holton and Sindee Lynn Holcomb, 59, of Holton were arrested.

Scott Allen Strube was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine,&nbsp;possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of a firearm.

Sindee Lynn Holcomb was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Holton Police Department assisted with the incident.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740692339815.png" alt="Strube photo Jackson Co." />
                        <figcaption>Strube photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY–Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.</p><p>Just after 10a.m. Feb. 28, sheriff's deputies executed a a narcotics search warrant on the residence located at 215 Dakota Avenue in Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.</p><p>During the search, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and firearms were recovered.&nbsp; The two occupants of the residence, Scott Allen Strube, 55, of Holton and Sindee Lynn Holcomb, 59, of Holton were arrested.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740692396381.png" alt="Holcomb photo Jackson Co." />
                        <figcaption>Holcomb photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Scott Allen Strube was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine,&nbsp;possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of a firearm.</p><p>Sindee Lynn Holcomb was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.</p><p>The Holton Police Department assisted with the incident.</p>

Deputies recover firearms and illegal drugs from Kansas home

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/meg-kinnard">MEG KINNARD</a>&nbsp;AND KEVIN S. VINEYSU

WASHINGTON (AP) — Civilian federal jobs are being cut by the thousands, as Elon Musk’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;continues to shrink the government workforce at the behest of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.

That’s brought a lot of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-trump-federal-workers-firings-email-9785e7f74eb2a8b8fde5e01ff0c7717f">churn and uncertainty</a>&nbsp;in the nation’s capital, where 20% of the country’s more than 2 million civilian — or nonmilitary — federal workers are located.

It’s also affecting workers and communities outside the Washington, D.C. area, where about 80% of that workforce is based. Those cuts mean that members of Congress are now facing potential angst among the out-of-work federal employees in their districts across the country.

The precise locations of all of the thousands of federal employees now out of work isn’t yet known, but a look at the areas with the highest concentrations of civilian U.S. government jobs gives a glimpse at some places that could be most affected.

Here’s a breakdown of federal government jobs across the country by the numbers, surveying data from a Congressional Research Service analysis of Census Bureau estimates, as of 2023:

D.C. area, represented by Democrats, has highest federal worker concentration

It’s no surprise that the District of Columbia has the highest percentage of federal workers, who account for 18.5% of the total workforce.

And the areas immediately outside the city, in what’s known as the DMV — which includes Washington and parts of Maryland and Virginia — are next up with the highest concentrations of federal workers, with the top nine districts where percentages of federal workers range from 18.2% down to 8.4%. Most of those districts are represented by Democrats, meaning that some of the areas — albeit those in the D.C. area — likely to have the most significant impacts from DOGE cuts are represented by that party in the U.S. House.

The one with the highest percentage of federal workforce is Maryland’s 5th District, represented by Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer. There, about 18.2% of all workers are employed by the federal government.

After the districts closest to Washington, D.C., there are GOP-represented areas with high federal worker percentages.

Virginia’s 2nd District, represented by Republican Rep. Jennifer Kiggans — along the state’s southeastern border with North Carolina — is the GOP area with the highest concentration of federal workers, at 8.1%. Home to Virginia Beach, and a large U.S. Navy presence, it’s considered among the nation’s most politically competitive districts.

Central Oklahoma’s 4th District, represented by GOP Rep. Tom Cole, has a workforce where 7.7% is employed by the federal government. The district is home to Fort Sill Army Post and Tinker Air Force Base, the latter of which includes the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex. Oklahoma’s largest single-site employer, according to Tinker’s website, the complex provides support for dozens of other Air Force Bases.

Federal employees make up 7.6% of the workforce in Alabama’s 5th District, which includes Huntsville and is represented by Republican Rep. Dale Strong. The area encompasses NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, which has had a role in rocket engineering and U.S. space exploration efforts from the Saturn rockets integral to moon missions, the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station’s laboratory modules.

The data examined here doesn’t pertain directly to military jobs. Thousands of civilian government employees across the country work in areas near or attached to military installations.

Alaska, represented by an at-large Republican, has a high concentration

Alaska’s sole U.S. House member, Rep. Nick Begich, represents a state with a total federal worker percentage of 6.3%.

Scott Goldsmith, an economist at the University of Alaska Anchorage, has described the state’s economy as a “three-legged stool” kept balanced by three components: the oil and gas industry, the federal government, and then all other industries combined.

The federal government manages a significant amount of land in Alaska. Workers are employed by the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service, among others.

New Mexico has highest percentage of federal workers across all districts

All three of New Mexico’s House districts are represented by Democrats, and all of them have significant federal workforces.

Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, two major federal research institutions, are located in the state, where the federal government is the No. 2 largest employer, according to the New Mexico Partnership.

Percentages of federal workers across the districts range from 6.3% in Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez’s 3rd District to 6.2% in Rep. Gabriel Vasquez’s 2nd District. In the 1st District, represented by Rep. Melanie Ann Stansbury, the workforce is 6.8% federal employees.

<p>BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/meg-kinnard">MEG KINNARD</a>&nbsp;AND KEVIN S. VINEYSU</p><p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Civilian federal jobs are being cut by the thousands, as Elon Musk’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">Department of Government Efficiency</a>&nbsp;continues to shrink the government workforce at the behest of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.</p><p>That’s brought a lot of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-trump-federal-workers-firings-email-9785e7f74eb2a8b8fde5e01ff0c7717f">churn and uncertainty</a>&nbsp;in the nation’s capital, where 20% of the country’s more than 2 million civilian — or nonmilitary — federal workers are located.</p><p>It’s also affecting workers and communities outside the Washington, D.C. area, where about 80% of that workforce is based. Those cuts mean that members of Congress are now facing potential angst among the out-of-work federal employees in their districts across the country.</p><p>The precise locations of all of the thousands of federal employees now out of work isn’t yet known, but a look at the areas with the highest concentrations of civilian U.S. government jobs gives a glimpse at some places that could be most affected.</p><p>Here’s a breakdown of federal government jobs across the country by the numbers, surveying data from a Congressional Research Service analysis of Census Bureau estimates, as of 2023:</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740740886621.png" alt="The District of Columbia is estimated to have 71,226 federal workers, who account for 18.5% of the total workforce. Puerto Rico is estimated to have 22,961 federal employees, 1.94% of the island's workforce.Source: Congressional Research Service analysis of Census Bureau estimates" />
                        <figcaption>The District of Columbia is estimated to have 71,226 federal workers, who account for 18.5% of the total workforce. Puerto Rico is estimated to have 22,961 federal employees, 1.94% of the island's workforce.Source: Congressional Research Service analysis of Census Bureau estimates</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>\</p><h2>D.C. area, represented by Democrats, has highest federal worker concentration</h2><p>It’s no surprise that the District of Columbia has the highest percentage of federal workers, who account for 18.5% of the total workforce.</p><p>And the areas immediately outside the city, in what’s known as the DMV — which includes Washington and parts of Maryland and Virginia — are next up with the highest concentrations of federal workers, with the top nine districts where percentages of federal workers range from 18.2% down to 8.4%. Most of those districts are represented by Democrats, meaning that some of the areas — albeit those in the D.C. area — likely to have the most significant impacts from DOGE cuts are represented by that party in the U.S. House.</p><p>The one with the highest percentage of federal workforce is Maryland’s 5th District, represented by Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer. There, about 18.2% of all workers are employed by the federal government.</p><p>ADVERTISEMENT</p><h2>Republican districts are affected, too</h2><p>After the districts closest to Washington, D.C., there are GOP-represented areas with high federal worker percentages.</p><p>Virginia’s 2nd District, represented by Republican Rep. Jennifer Kiggans — along the state’s southeastern border with North Carolina — is the GOP area with the highest concentration of federal workers, at 8.1%. Home to Virginia Beach, and a large U.S. Navy presence, it’s considered among the nation’s most politically competitive districts.</p><p>Central Oklahoma’s 4th District, represented by GOP Rep. Tom Cole, has a workforce where 7.7% is employed by the federal government. The district is home to Fort Sill Army Post and Tinker Air Force Base, the latter of which includes the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex. Oklahoma’s largest single-site employer, according to Tinker’s website, the complex provides support for dozens of other Air Force Bases.</p><p>Federal employees make up 7.6% of the workforce in Alabama’s 5th District, which includes Huntsville and is represented by Republican Rep. Dale Strong. The area encompasses NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, which has had a role in rocket engineering and U.S. space exploration efforts from the Saturn rockets integral to moon missions, the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station’s laboratory modules.</p><p>The data examined here doesn’t pertain directly to military jobs. Thousands of civilian government employees across the country work in areas near or attached to military installations.</p><h2>Alaska, represented by an at-large Republican, has a high concentration</h2><p>Alaska’s sole U.S. House member, Rep. Nick Begich, represents a state with a total federal worker percentage of 6.3%.</p><p>Scott Goldsmith, an economist at the University of Alaska Anchorage, has described the state’s economy as a “three-legged stool” kept balanced by three components: the oil and gas industry, the federal government, and then all other industries combined.</p><p>The federal government manages a significant amount of land in Alaska. Workers are employed by the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service, among others.</p><h2>New Mexico has highest percentage of federal workers across all districts</h2><p>All three of New Mexico’s House districts are represented by Democrats, and all of them have significant federal workforces.</p><p>Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, two major federal research institutions, are located in the state, where the federal government is the No. 2 largest employer, according to the New Mexico Partnership.</p><p>Percentages of federal workers across the districts range from 6.3% in Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez’s 3rd District to 6.2% in Rep. Gabriel Vasquez’s 2nd District. In the 1st District, represented by Rep. Melanie Ann Stansbury, the workforce is 6.8% federal employees.</p>