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

TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers skewered the state agency that oversees nursing licenses, alleging it has contributed to the state’s nursing shortage and demanding action before the next legislative session.

At a Sept. 8 meeting of the House Select Committee on Government Oversight, legislators urged the Kansas State Board of Nursing to make substantial changes to policies, procedures and regulations that govern the state’s relicensing and disciplinary processes.

Legislators used words such as “perplexed,” “horrified,” and “egregious” to describe their feelings about the state nursing board and its leadership. They passed resolutions that are likely to guide future changes.

Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican, hurled jabs at the board, which he described as having “no regard for human life.”

He accused the agency of being filled with “power-hungry individuals that are ruining people’s lives,” and he favored extracting some of the board’s $4 million budget to share with those he thinks have been wronged by the board.

Over months of hearings, the committee has listened to hours of testimony from health care professionals. The testimony detailed the nursing board’s delays in licensing, inadequate communication, leadership issues, dated technology, inconsistent fees for the same infractions, clerical errors, coercion, conflicts of interest, flawed investigations and an approach to discipline with “an attitude of guilty until proven innocent,” said Rep. Sandy Pickert, a Wichita Republican.

Pickert does not sit on the oversight committee. She is a nurse and has followed the committee’s hearings.

Brenda Sharpe, a board member, said the board agrees with some recommendations for change.

“This board would like more tools in its toolbox,” she said.

She also strongly encouraged the committee to consider facts and circumstances not available in an open forum, referencing the long list of testimony about individual disciplinary cases. She maintained the board has acted in good faith, taking into account facts and circumstances “that may appear one way to this group but, in fact, we believe are another.”

“I would never say we follow everything perfectly,” Sharpe said. “We’re human beings. The licensees are human beings. This is a human process. That’s where we’re at.”

Michael Schommer told the committee about his 23-year-old son, Connor, who is on the autism spectrum and was diagnosed with depression. Connor attempted suicide twice, Schommer said. It wasn’t until the family found a nurse, Ana Ahrens, and a therapist who discovered the perfect combination of medication and counseling that stabilized Connor, he said.

“You know, she has a unique, no-nonsense, stern yet compassionate method of getting his attention, and he would look her in the eye and respond to the questions she was asking him,” Schommer said. “She held him accountable for what he was doing and started to get through to him.”

But then Ahrens made an error while renewing her licenses online. The state nursing board revoked her prescribing privileges, and Ahrens couldn’t refill Connor Schommer’s medication.

Michael Schommer and his wife frantically tried to find another prescriber.

“It went about two weeks too far, unfortunately,” Schommer said. “And, I just — one day he got up and there he was walking through the house talking to the ceiling again for eight hours nonstop.”

That could have been prevented, Schommer said, expressing confusion about the nursing board’s procedures.

“Thank God we still have him today, and he’s doing much better,” Schommer said.

Schommer’s story was one of dozens, but its gravity struck legislators and underscored their crusade for change.

“He could’ve lost his son, and that’s serious,” said Rep. Barbara Ballard, a Lawrence Democrat.

The committee deliberated two resolutions that encouraged considering a grace period for nurses who are late to apply for relicensing, IT updates and regular digital notifications leading up to a nurse’s relicensing deadline. The committee also discussed changing the makeup of the state board, favoring a mix of legislative and gubernatorial appointments.

The resolutions allude to a bill for the 2026 session, but lawmakers urged the board to review its policies without legislative action. The committee also discussed the possibility of a future subcommittee that could provide further recommendations.

The nursing board is responsible for more than 70,000 Kansas nurses.

Maggie Ortiz, a nurse from Texas who advocates across the country for changing nursing regulations, said the issues Kansas is facing are not unique.

“The elephant in the room is the investigative process,” she said.

House lawmakers expressed frustration with the lack of oversight of the board. Complaints about the board are investigated by the board, leading to concerns about conflicts of interest.

Rep. Susan Humphries, a Wichita Republican, said disciplinary processes seem inconsistent, which many legislators on the committee find egregious.

Rep. Emil Bergquist, a Wichita Republican who was sitting on the committee Monday as a substitute, said he didn’t think nurses in Kansas are being protected. And disciplinary processes seem “like a knifepoint rather than a corrective point,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757962679630.png" alt=" Rep. Sandy Pickert, shown here at Gov. Laura Kelly's State of the State address on Jan. 15, 2025, used her experience as a nurse to advise a House oversight committee in September on changes to the Kansas State Board of Nursing. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Sandy Pickert, shown here at Gov. Laura Kelly's State of the State address on Jan. 15, 2025, used her experience as a nurse to advise a House oversight committee in September on changes to the Kansas State Board of Nursing. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers skewered the state agency that oversees nursing licenses, alleging it has contributed to the state’s nursing shortage and demanding action before the next legislative session.At a Sept. 8 meeting of the House Select Committee on Government Oversight, legislators urged the Kansas State Board of Nursing to make substantial changes to policies, procedures and regulations that govern the state’s relicensing and disciplinary processes.Legislators used words such as “perplexed,” “horrified,” and “egregious” to describe their feelings about the state nursing board and its leadership. They passed resolutions that are likely to guide future changes.Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican, hurled jabs at the board, which he described as having “no regard for human life.”He accused the agency of being filled with “power-hungry individuals that are ruining people’s lives,” and he favored extracting some of the board’s $4 million budget to share with those he thinks have been wronged by the board.Over months of hearings, the committee has listened to hours of testimony from health care professionals. The testimony detailed the nursing board’s delays in licensing, inadequate communication, leadership issues, dated technology, inconsistent fees for the same infractions, clerical errors, coercion, conflicts of interest, flawed investigations and an approach to discipline with “an attitude of guilty until proven innocent,” said Rep. Sandy Pickert, a Wichita Republican.Pickert does not sit on the oversight committee. She is a nurse and has followed the committee’s hearings.“Pandora’s box is open,” she said.Brenda Sharpe, a board member, said the board agrees with some recommendations for change.“This board would like more tools in its toolbox,” she said.She also strongly encouraged the committee to consider facts and circumstances not available in an open forum, referencing the long list of testimony about individual disciplinary cases. She maintained the board has acted in good faith, taking into account facts and circumstances “that may appear one way to this group but, in fact, we believe are another.”“I would never say we follow everything perfectly,” Sharpe said. “We’re human beings. The licensees are human beings. This is a human process. That’s where we’re at.”Michael Schommer told the committee about his 23-year-old son, Connor, who is on the autism spectrum and was diagnosed with depression. Connor attempted suicide twice, Schommer said. It wasn’t until the family found a nurse, Ana Ahrens, and a therapist who discovered the perfect combination of medication and counseling that stabilized Connor, he said.“You know, she has a unique, no-nonsense, stern yet compassionate method of getting his attention, and he would look her in the eye and respond to the questions she was asking him,” Schommer said. “She held him accountable for what he was doing and started to get through to him.”But then Ahrens made an error while renewing her licenses online. The state nursing board revoked her prescribing privileges, and Ahrens couldn’t refill Connor Schommer’s medication.Michael Schommer and his wife frantically tried to find another prescriber.“It went about two weeks too far, unfortunately,” Schommer said. “And, I just — one day he got up and there he was walking through the house talking to the ceiling again for eight hours nonstop.”That could have been prevented, Schommer said, expressing confusion about the nursing board’s procedures.“Thank God we still have him today, and he’s doing much better,” Schommer said.Schommer’s story was one of dozens, but its gravity struck legislators and underscored their crusade for change.“He could’ve lost his son, and that’s serious,” said Rep. Barbara Ballard, a Lawrence Democrat.The committee deliberated two resolutions that encouraged considering a grace period for nurses who are late to apply for relicensing, IT updates and regular digital notifications leading up to a nurse’s relicensing deadline. The committee also discussed changing the makeup of the state board, favoring a mix of legislative and gubernatorial appointments.The resolutions allude to a bill for the 2026 session, but lawmakers urged the board to review its policies without legislative action. The committee also discussed the possibility of a future subcommittee that could provide further recommendations.The nursing board is responsible for more than 70,000 Kansas nurses.Maggie Ortiz, a nurse from Texas who advocates across the country for changing nursing regulations, said the issues Kansas is facing are not unique.“The elephant in the room is the investigative process,” she said.House lawmakers expressed frustration with the lack of oversight of the board. Complaints about the board are investigated by the board, leading to concerns about conflicts of interest.Rep. Susan Humphries, a Wichita Republican, said disciplinary processes seem inconsistent, which many legislators on the committee find egregious.Rep. Emil Bergquist, a Wichita Republican who was sitting on the committee Monday as a substitute, said he didn’t think nurses in Kansas are being protected. And disciplinary processes seem “like a knifepoint rather than a corrective point,” he said.

Voicing outrage, Kansas lawmakers outline potential changes for state nursing board

MCPHERSON COUNTY—Law enforcement in McPherson are investigating a day care owner for alleged child abuse.

On September 11, Police arrested 50-year-old Kimberly Horn on requested charges of endangering a child, abuse of a child; knowingly cause great bodily harm/abuse head trauma and permit a dangerous animal to be at large, according to online jail records.

The following day, the Kansas Department of Health issued an <a href="https://khap.kdhe.ks.gov/OIDS/OIDS_ViewFacility.aspx?facilitysearch=gZHsN3Fp83scAM%2bpg20HPMfv8XtG9WEFWjhCJI44Hy9U%2b0Jc%2frJgLVsHKR%2fA2co4a8rwzYKVIwo%3d">emergency order of suspension</a> for&nbsp;Kimberly Kay Horn Day Care Home, 705 Hunter Court in McPherson, according to the KDHE website.

Just before 6p.m. on September 12 she met the requirement of bond and was released from jail and charged with child abuse involving a child, according to court documents.

Horn's preliminary hearing was scheduled for Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758018037806.png" alt="Horn photo McPherson County" />
 <figcaption>Horn photo McPherson County</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON COUNTY—Law enforcement in McPherson are investigating a day care owner for alleged child abuse.On September 11, Police arrested 50-year-old Kimberly Horn on requested charges of endangering a child, abuse of a child; knowingly cause great bodily harm/abuse head trauma and permit a dangerous animal to be at large, according to online jail records.The following day, the Kansas Department of Health issued an <a href="https://khap.kdhe.ks.gov/OIDS/OIDS_ViewFacility.aspx?facilitysearch=gZHsN3Fp83scAM%2bpg20HPMfv8XtG9WEFWjhCJI44Hy9U%2b0Jc%2frJgLVsHKR%2fA2co4a8rwzYKVIwo%3d">emergency order of suspension</a> for&nbsp;Kimberly Kay Horn Day Care Home, 705 Hunter Court in McPherson, according to the KDHE website.Just before 6p.m. on September 12 she met the requirement of bond and was released from jail and charged with child abuse involving a child, according to court documents.Horn's preliminary hearing was scheduled for Tuesday.

Police arrest Kansas daycare owner for alleged child abuse

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-redford">Robert Redford,</a>&nbsp;the Hollywood golden boy who became an Oscar-winning director, liberal activist and godfather for independent cinema under the name of one of his best-loved characters, died Tuesday at 89.

Redford died “at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” publicist Cindi Berger said in a statement. No cause of death was provided.

After rising to stardom in the 1960s, Redford was one of the biggest stars of the ’70s with such films as “The Candidate,” “All the President’s Men” and “The Way We Were,” capping that decade with the best director Oscar for 1980's “Ordinary People,” which also won best picture in 1980. His wavy blond hair and boyish grin made him the most desired of leading men, but he worked hard to transcend his looks — whether through his political advocacy, his willingness to take on unglamorous roles or his dedication to providing a platform for low-budget movies.

His roles ranged from Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward to a mountain man in “Jeremiah Johnson” to a double agent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his co-stars included Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise. But his most famous screen partner was his old friend and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4df55845e1c7469e99fb92d5808dfd22">fellow activist and practical joker Paul Newman,</a>&nbsp;their films a variation of their warm, teasing relationship off screen. Redford played the wily outlaw opposite Newman in 1969’s “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” a box-office smash from which Redford's Sundance Institute and festival got its name. He also teamed with Newman on 1973’s best picture Oscar winner, “The Sting,” which earned Redford a best-actor nomination as a young con artist in 1930s Chicago.

Film roles after the ’70s became more sporadic as Redford concentrated on directing and producing, and his new role as patriarch of the independent-film movement in the 1980s and ’90s through his Sundance Institute. But he starred in 1985’s best picture champion “Out of Africa” and in 2013 received some of the best reviews of his career as a shipwrecked sailor in “All is Lost,” in which he was the film’s only performer. In 2018, he was praised again in what he called his farewell movie, “The Old Man and the Gun.”

“I just figure that I’ve had a long career that I’m very pleased with. It’s been so long, ever since I was 21,” he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6ad1d531fd11493794306e96b0dd51e4">told The Associated Press shortly before the film came out.</a>&nbsp;“I figure now as I’m getting into my 80s, it’s maybe time to move toward retirement and spend more time with my wife and family.”

Redford had watched Hollywood grow more cautious and controlling during the 1970s and wanted to recapture the creative spirit of the early part of the decade. Sundance was created to nurture new talent away from the pressures of Hollywood, the institute providing a training ground and the festival, based in Park City, Utah, where Redford had purchased land with the initial hope of opening a ski resort. Instead, Park City became a place of discovery for such previously unknown filmmakers as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Paul Thomas Anderson and Darren Aronofsky.

“For me, the word to be underscored is ‘independence,’” Redford told the AP in 2018. “I’ve always believed in that word. That’s what led to me eventually wanting to create a category that supported independent artists who weren’t given a chance to be heard.

“The industry was pretty well controlled by the mainstream, which I was a part of. But I saw other stories out there that weren’t having a chance to be told and I thought, ‘Well, maybe I can commit my energies to giving those people a chance.’ As I look back on it, I feel very good about that.”

Sundance was even criticized as buyers swarmed in looking for potential hits and celebrities overran the town each winter.

“We have never, ever changed our policies for how we program our festival. It’s always been built on diversity,” Redford told the AP in 2004. “The fact is that the diversity has become commercial. Because independent films have achieved their own success, Hollywood, being just a business, is going to grab them. So when Hollywood grabs your films, they go, ‘Oh, it’s gone Hollywood.’”

By 2025, the festival had become so prominent that organizers decided they had outgrown Park City and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sundance-film-festival-boulder-move-562a7b1b8081f0ca7a616b64c357d0ae">approved relocating to Boulder, Colorado,</a>&nbsp;starting in 2027. Redford, who had attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, issued a statement saying that “change is inevitable, we must always evolve and grow, which has been at the core of our survival.”

Redford was married twice, most recently to Sibylle Szaggars. He had four children, two of whom have died — Scott Anthony, who died in infancy, in 1959; and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/james-redford-liver-disease-death-7e3bebe274c92a9a5a0a73487f79fee4">James Redford,</a>&nbsp;an activist and filmmaker who died in 2020.

Robert Redford was born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on Aug. 18, 1937, in Santa Monica, a California boy whose blond good looks eased his way over an apprenticeship in television and live theater that eventually led to the big screen.

Redford attended college on a baseball scholarship and would later star as a middle-aged slugger in 1984’s “The Natural,” the adaptation of Bernard Malamud’s baseball novel. He had an early interest in drawing and painting, then went on to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, debuting on Broadway in the late 1950s and moving into television on such shows as “The Twilight Zone,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “The Untouchables.”

After scoring a Broadway lead in “Sunday in New York,” Redford was cast by director Mike Nichols in a production of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” later starring with Fonda in the film version. Redford did miss out on one of Nichols’ greatest successes, “The Graduate,” released in 1967. Nichols had considered casting Redford in the part eventually played by Dustin Hoffman, but Redford seemed unable to relate to the socially awkward young man who ends up having an affair with one of his parents’ friends.

“I said, ‘You can’t play it. You can never play a loser,’” Nichols said during a 2003 screening of the film in New York. “And Redford said, ‘What do you mean? Of course I can play a loser.’ And I said, ‘OK, have you ever struck out with a girl?’ and he said, ‘What do you mean?’ And he wasn’t joking.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758025933073.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By BOB THOMAS Associated Press<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/robert-redford">Robert Redford,</a>&nbsp;the Hollywood golden boy who became an Oscar-winning director, liberal activist and godfather for independent cinema under the name of one of his best-loved characters, died Tuesday at 89.Redford died “at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” publicist Cindi Berger said in a statement. No cause of death was provided.After rising to stardom in the 1960s, Redford was one of the biggest stars of the ’70s with such films as “The Candidate,” “All the President’s Men” and “The Way We Were,” capping that decade with the best director Oscar for 1980's “Ordinary People,” which also won best picture in 1980. His wavy blond hair and boyish grin made him the most desired of leading men, but he worked hard to transcend his looks — whether through his political advocacy, his willingness to take on unglamorous roles or his dedication to providing a platform for low-budget movies.His roles ranged from Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward to a mountain man in “Jeremiah Johnson” to a double agent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his co-stars included Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise. But his most famous screen partner was his old friend and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4df55845e1c7469e99fb92d5808dfd22">fellow activist and practical joker Paul Newman,</a>&nbsp;their films a variation of their warm, teasing relationship off screen. Redford played the wily outlaw opposite Newman in 1969’s “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” a box-office smash from which Redford's Sundance Institute and festival got its name. He also teamed with Newman on 1973’s best picture Oscar winner, “The Sting,” which earned Redford a best-actor nomination as a young con artist in 1930s Chicago.Film roles after the ’70s became more sporadic as Redford concentrated on directing and producing, and his new role as patriarch of the independent-film movement in the 1980s and ’90s through his Sundance Institute. But he starred in 1985’s best picture champion “Out of Africa” and in 2013 received some of the best reviews of his career as a shipwrecked sailor in “All is Lost,” in which he was the film’s only performer. In 2018, he was praised again in what he called his farewell movie, “The Old Man and the Gun.”“I just figure that I’ve had a long career that I’m very pleased with. It’s been so long, ever since I was 21,” he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/6ad1d531fd11493794306e96b0dd51e4">told The Associated Press shortly before the film came out.</a>&nbsp;“I figure now as I’m getting into my 80s, it’s maybe time to move toward retirement and spend more time with my wife and family.”<h2>Sundance is born</h2>Redford had watched Hollywood grow more cautious and controlling during the 1970s and wanted to recapture the creative spirit of the early part of the decade. Sundance was created to nurture new talent away from the pressures of Hollywood, the institute providing a training ground and the festival, based in Park City, Utah, where Redford had purchased land with the initial hope of opening a ski resort. Instead, Park City became a place of discovery for such previously unknown filmmakers as Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Paul Thomas Anderson and Darren Aronofsky.“For me, the word to be underscored is ‘independence,’” Redford told the AP in 2018. “I’ve always believed in that word. That’s what led to me eventually wanting to create a category that supported independent artists who weren’t given a chance to be heard.“The industry was pretty well controlled by the mainstream, which I was a part of. But I saw other stories out there that weren’t having a chance to be told and I thought, ‘Well, maybe I can commit my energies to giving those people a chance.’ As I look back on it, I feel very good about that.”Sundance was even criticized as buyers swarmed in looking for potential hits and celebrities overran the town each winter.“We have never, ever changed our policies for how we program our festival. It’s always been built on diversity,” Redford told the AP in 2004. “The fact is that the diversity has become commercial. Because independent films have achieved their own success, Hollywood, being just a business, is going to grab them. So when Hollywood grabs your films, they go, ‘Oh, it’s gone Hollywood.’”By 2025, the festival had become so prominent that organizers decided they had outgrown Park City and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sundance-film-festival-boulder-move-562a7b1b8081f0ca7a616b64c357d0ae">approved relocating to Boulder, Colorado,</a>&nbsp;starting in 2027. Redford, who had attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, issued a statement saying that “change is inevitable, we must always evolve and grow, which has been at the core of our survival.”Redford was married twice, most recently to Sibylle Szaggars. He had four children, two of whom have died — Scott Anthony, who died in infancy, in 1959; and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/james-redford-liver-disease-death-7e3bebe274c92a9a5a0a73487f79fee4">James Redford,</a>&nbsp;an activist and filmmaker who died in 2020.<h2>Redford's early life</h2>Robert Redford was born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on Aug. 18, 1937, in Santa Monica, a California boy whose blond good looks eased his way over an apprenticeship in television and live theater that eventually led to the big screen.Redford attended college on a baseball scholarship and would later star as a middle-aged slugger in 1984’s “The Natural,” the adaptation of Bernard Malamud’s baseball novel. He had an early interest in drawing and painting, then went on to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, debuting on Broadway in the late 1950s and moving into television on such shows as “The Twilight Zone,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “The Untouchables.”After scoring a Broadway lead in “Sunday in New York,” Redford was cast by director Mike Nichols in a production of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” later starring with Fonda in the film version. Redford did miss out on one of Nichols’ greatest successes, “The Graduate,” released in 1967. Nichols had considered casting Redford in the part eventually played by Dustin Hoffman, but Redford seemed unable to relate to the socially awkward young man who ends up having an affair with one of his parents’ friends.“I said, ‘You can’t play it. You can never play a loser,’” Nichols said during a 2003 screening of the film in New York. “And Redford said, ‘What do you mean? Of course I can play a loser.’ And I said, ‘OK, have you ever struck out with a girl?’ and he said, ‘What do you mean?’ And he wasn’t joking.”___

Robert Redford, Oscar-winning actor and director, dies at 89

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a double homicide in Kansas City have released the name of one of the victims as 49-year-old Gande A. Salamed, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just after&nbsp;7a.m. Sunday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 6800 block of Longview Road on a reported shooting.

Upon arrival officers were directed to the front of a grocery store where they located Salamed suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began to render aid as KCFD Medics simultaneously arrived. He was pronounced deceased on scene.

Other officers arriving were directed to the north side of the grocery store parking lot where they located an additional male victim, also suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance, with life threatening injuries. Just before 9 a.m., investigators were notified that he died of his injuries at the hospital. Police have not released his name.

&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates there was an interaction outside of the grocery store between multiple individuals just prior to the shots being fired.&nbsp;This is being investigated as a homicide, and no one is in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757900925738.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating a double homicide in Kansas City have released the name of one of the victims as 49-year-old Gande A. Salamed, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Just after&nbsp;7a.m. Sunday, patrol officers were dispatched to the 6800 block of Longview Road on a reported shooting.Upon arrival officers were directed to the front of a grocery store where they located Salamed suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began to render aid as KCFD Medics simultaneously arrived. He was pronounced deceased on scene.Other officers arriving were directed to the north side of the grocery store parking lot where they located an additional male victim, also suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance, with life threatening injuries. Just before 9 a.m., investigators were notified that he died of his injuries at the hospital. Police have not released his name.&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates there was an interaction outside of the grocery store between multiple individuals just prior to the shots being fired.&nbsp;This is being investigated as a homicide, and no one is in custody.

Police ID victim in KC grocery store parking lot gunfight

WASHINGTON (AP) —Vice President JD Vance on Monday jumped onto the conservative movement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kirk-trump-cancel-culture-assassination-4d69649e382ea46d8dcf794150a1d3c9">demanding consequences</a>&nbsp;for those who have cheered Charlie Kirk's killing, calling on the public to turn in anyone who says distasteful things about the assassination of his friend and political ally.

“When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out,” Vance urged listeners on the slain activist’s podcast Monday. “And hell, call their employer.”

Vance's call also included a vow to target some of the biggest funders of liberal causes as conservatives stepped up their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-workplace-speech-firing-29717a8612ccedebabc7cba29e7ef627">targeting of private individuals</a>&nbsp;for their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dowd-msnbc-kirk-comments-e08f349022c9d69171cd575664141075">comments about the killing</a>. It marked an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dowd-msnbc-kirk-comments-e08f349022c9d69171cd575664141075">escalation in a campaign</a>&nbsp;that some warned invoked some of the darkest chapters of American history.

“The government involvement in this does inch this closer to looking like McCarthyism,” said Adam Goldstein of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, referring to the 1950s campaign to root out communists that led to false allegations and ruined careers. “It was not a shining moment for free expression.”

Campaign broadens to those who quote Kirk critically

Republican-controlled states such as Florida, Oklahoma and Texas have launched investigations of teachers accused of inappropriate statements after last week’s assassination. The U.S. military has invited members of the public to report those who “celebrate or mock” the killing and said some troops have already been removed for their comments.

At the same time, the Trump administration has vowed to target what it contends is a “vast” liberal network that inspired the shooter, even as authorities maintain it appears he acted alone and the investigation is ongoing.

The campaign has broadened to include even those whose statements were critical of Kirk without celebrating his assassination.

The Washington Post fired Karen Attiah, an opinion columnist, for posts on the day of the shooting that lamented how “white America” was not ready to solve gun violence and that quoted Kirk denigrating the intelligence of prominent Black women such as Michelle Obama.

PEN America, a press freedom group, warned in a statement that firings like Attiah's “risk creating a chilling effect.”

Goldstein worried there were many cases of people targeted for simply quoting Kirk or failing to mourn his passing adequately. “That’s one of the key symptoms of cancel culture,” he said. “Trying to paint everyone with the same brush.”

Conservatives coined the term cancel culture for what they claimed was persecution of those on the right for their views, especially related to the COVID-19 pandemic and Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, leading to campaigns to get regular people fired.

It was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-free-speech-first-amendment-columbia-student-3d4c835a673a24b793b2b045405231e6">significant cause for President Donald Trum</a>&nbsp;p, who pledged to end it during his campaign last year. But after the Kirk killing, he and his administration have instead&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-free-speech-first-amendment-columbia-student-3d4c835a673a24b793b2b045405231e6">leaned into it from the right</a>.

A hero to conservatives, a provocateur to many Democrats

A father of two and a Christian conservative, Kirk was a hero to many Trump Republicans for his fiery warnings about the dangers of Democrats and ability to organize young voters. But Kirk also was a provocateur and supporter of Trump’s attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss who left a long record of partisan quips that enraged many on the left.

“According to Kirk, empathy is a made-up new-age term, so keep the jokes coming. It’s what he would have wanted,” read one post on X that Melvin Villaver Jr., a Clemson University music professor, re-posted the day of the killing, according to a screenshot circulated by college Republicans demanding his firing. Clemson eventually fired one staffer and suspended Villaver and another professor after intense pressure from elected South Carolina Republican officials.

Other targeted posters, such as Army Lt. Col. Christopher Ladnier, simply quoted Kirk on the day of his assassination. This included Kirk calling the Civil Rights Act a “beast” that “has now turned into an anti-white weapon," his criticism of Martin Luther King Jr. and his statement that some gun deaths are the cost of a robust Second Amendment.

Ladnier, who has been targeted by conservative activists online, said in a Facebook message to The Associated Press that he would respond “when/if” his chain of command takes action.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott approvingly posted a video of a Texas Tech University student who was arrested Friday after a confrontation at a campus vigil for Kirk, writing: “This is what happened to the person who was mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Texas Tech."

Some people targeted have been victims of mistaken identity.

A school district in rural Elkhorn, Wisconsin, reported receiving more than 800 messages after one conservative influencer mistakenly identified an associate principal at an elementary school as celebrating Kirk's death.

Top Republicans vow to go after ‘domestic terrorist network’

Authorities say Kirk was shot by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who grew up in a conservative household in southern Utah but was enmeshed in “leftist ideology,” according to the state's Republican governor, Spencer Cox.

Cox said investigators may reveal more about what motivated the attack after Robinson's initial court appearance, scheduled for Tuesday. The governor said the suspect, who allegedly carved memes onto his bullet casings, appeared radicalized by the “dark corners of the internet.”

On Monday, Vance was joined on Kirk’s podcast by Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, who vowed to crack down on what he called the “vast domestic terrorist network” he blamed for Kirk’s death.

Alluding to free speech concerns, Vance said: “You have the crazies on the far left that say, ’Oh, Stephen Miller and JD Vance, they’re going to go after constitutionally protected speech.'”

But he added: “No no no! We’re going to go after the NGO network that foments, facilitates and engages in violence,” — a reference to non-governmental organizations.

The White House did not immediately return a request seeking clarity on the remarks, including which groups might be targeted.

The idea of a retribution campaign against individuals or groups for expressing a particular viewpoint has alarmed many.

“Just having that ideology, just believing differently than some other American is not illegal,” Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma said on CNN on Sunday.

Instead, he said any groups that have been involved in illegal or violent acts should be targeted.

Killing as a pretext to go after political rivals

On Kirk’s show, Vance talked about the need for unity after the assassination, but then dismissed it as impossible given what he described as the left’s embrace of political violence. Naming two foundations that fund a wide range of liberal causes, Vance said: "There is no unity with the people who fund these articles, who pay the salaries of these terrorist sympathizers.”

Democratic officials have roundly condemned Kirk’s murder. Democrats also have been victims of political violence recently, including the June assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, and the 2022 beating of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband in their San Francisco home.

Caitlin Legacki of Stop Government Censorship, formed to fight the Trump administration’s use of government against its political rivals, said it was one thing for people making abhorrent statements to face consequences.

“When we get concerned is when there appears to be a concerted effort in the government to use this tragedy to punish political opponents,” she said.

Associated Press writers Collin Binkley and Chris Megerian in Washington; Meg Kinnard in Chapin, South Carolina; Juan Lozano in Houston, and Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757541376269.png" alt="Charley Kirk photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Charley Kirk photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Vice President JD Vance on Monday jumped onto the conservative movement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kirk-trump-cancel-culture-assassination-4d69649e382ea46d8dcf794150a1d3c9">demanding consequences</a>&nbsp;for those who have cheered Charlie Kirk's killing, calling on the public to turn in anyone who says distasteful things about the assassination of his friend and political ally.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MUST WATCH: <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> powerfully delivers some hard truths on political violence in America. &quot;While our side of the aisle certainly has its crazies, it is a statistical FACT that most of the lunatics in American politics today are proud members of the Far Left.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/mYnkCZhuXU">pic.twitter.com/mYnkCZhuXU</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967652535679721576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out,” Vance urged listeners on the slain activist’s podcast Monday. “And hell, call their employer.”Vance's call also included a vow to target some of the biggest funders of liberal causes as conservatives stepped up their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-workplace-speech-firing-29717a8612ccedebabc7cba29e7ef627">targeting of private individuals</a>&nbsp;for their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dowd-msnbc-kirk-comments-e08f349022c9d69171cd575664141075">comments about the killing</a>. It marked an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dowd-msnbc-kirk-comments-e08f349022c9d69171cd575664141075">escalation in a campaign</a>&nbsp;that some warned invoked some of the darkest chapters of American history.“The government involvement in this does inch this closer to looking like McCarthyism,” said Adam Goldstein of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, referring to the 1950s campaign to root out communists that led to false allegations and ruined careers. “It was not a shining moment for free expression.”<h2>Campaign broadens to those who quote Kirk critically</h2>Republican-controlled states such as Florida, Oklahoma and Texas have launched investigations of teachers accused of inappropriate statements after last week’s assassination. The U.S. military has invited members of the public to report those who “celebrate or mock” the killing and said some troops have already been removed for their comments.At the same time, the Trump administration has vowed to target what it contends is a “vast” liberal network that inspired the shooter, even as authorities maintain it appears he acted alone and the investigation is ongoing.The campaign has broadened to include even those whose statements were critical of Kirk without celebrating his assassination.The Washington Post fired Karen Attiah, an opinion columnist, for posts on the day of the shooting that lamented how “white America” was not ready to solve gun violence and that quoted Kirk denigrating the intelligence of prominent Black women such as Michelle Obama.PEN America, a press freedom group, warned in a statement that firings like Attiah's “risk creating a chilling effect.”Goldstein worried there were many cases of people targeted for simply quoting Kirk or failing to mourn his passing adequately. “That’s one of the key symptoms of cancel culture,” he said. “Trying to paint everyone with the same brush.”Conservatives coined the term cancel culture for what they claimed was persecution of those on the right for their views, especially related to the COVID-19 pandemic and Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, leading to campaigns to get regular people fired.It was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-free-speech-first-amendment-columbia-student-3d4c835a673a24b793b2b045405231e6">significant cause for President Donald Trum</a>&nbsp;p, who pledged to end it during his campaign last year. But after the Kirk killing, he and his administration have instead&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-free-speech-first-amendment-columbia-student-3d4c835a673a24b793b2b045405231e6">leaned into it from the right</a>.<h2>A hero to conservatives, a provocateur to many Democrats</h2>A father of two and a Christian conservative, Kirk was a hero to many Trump Republicans for his fiery warnings about the dangers of Democrats and ability to organize young voters. But Kirk also was a provocateur and supporter of Trump’s attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss who left a long record of partisan quips that enraged many on the left.“According to Kirk, empathy is a made-up new-age term, so keep the jokes coming. It’s what he would have wanted,” read one post on X that Melvin Villaver Jr., a Clemson University music professor, re-posted the day of the killing, according to a screenshot circulated by college Republicans demanding his firing. Clemson eventually fired one staffer and suspended Villaver and another professor after intense pressure from elected South Carolina Republican officials.Other targeted posters, such as Army Lt. Col. Christopher Ladnier, simply quoted Kirk on the day of his assassination. This included Kirk calling the Civil Rights Act a “beast” that “has now turned into an anti-white weapon," his criticism of Martin Luther King Jr. and his statement that some gun deaths are the cost of a robust Second Amendment.Ladnier, who has been targeted by conservative activists online, said in a Facebook message to The Associated Press that he would respond “when/if” his chain of command takes action.Texas Gov. Greg Abbott approvingly posted a video of a Texas Tech University student who was arrested Friday after a confrontation at a campus vigil for Kirk, writing: “This is what happened to the person who was mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Texas Tech."Some people targeted have been victims of mistaken identity.A school district in rural Elkhorn, Wisconsin, reported receiving more than 800 messages after one conservative influencer mistakenly identified an associate principal at an elementary school as celebrating Kirk's death.<h2>Top Republicans vow to go after ‘domestic terrorist network’</h2>Authorities say Kirk was shot by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who grew up in a conservative household in southern Utah but was enmeshed in “leftist ideology,” according to the state's Republican governor, Spencer Cox.Cox said investigators may reveal more about what motivated the attack after Robinson's initial court appearance, scheduled for Tuesday. The governor said the suspect, who allegedly carved memes onto his bullet casings, appeared radicalized by the “dark corners of the internet.”On Monday, Vance was joined on Kirk’s podcast by Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, who vowed to crack down on what he called the “vast domestic terrorist network” he blamed for Kirk’s death.Alluding to free speech concerns, Vance said: “You have the crazies on the far left that say, ’Oh, Stephen Miller and JD Vance, they’re going to go after constitutionally protected speech.'”But he added: “No no no! We’re going to go after the NGO network that foments, facilitates and engages in violence,” — a reference to non-governmental organizations.The White House did not immediately return a request seeking clarity on the remarks, including which groups might be targeted.The idea of a retribution campaign against individuals or groups for expressing a particular viewpoint has alarmed many.“Just having that ideology, just believing differently than some other American is not illegal,” Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma said on CNN on Sunday.Instead, he said any groups that have been involved in illegal or violent acts should be targeted.<h2>Killing as a pretext to go after political rivals</h2>On Kirk’s show, Vance talked about the need for unity after the assassination, but then dismissed it as impossible given what he described as the left’s embrace of political violence. Naming two foundations that fund a wide range of liberal causes, Vance said: "There is no unity with the people who fund these articles, who pay the salaries of these terrorist sympathizers.”Democratic officials have roundly condemned Kirk’s murder. Democrats also have been victims of political violence recently, including the June assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, and the 2022 beating of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband in their San Francisco home.Caitlin Legacki of Stop Government Censorship, formed to fight the Trump administration’s use of government against its political rivals, said it was one thing for people making abhorrent statements to face consequences.“When we get concerned is when there appears to be a concerted effort in the government to use this tragedy to punish political opponents,” she said.___Associated Press writers Collin Binkley and Chris Megerian in Washington; Meg Kinnard in Chapin, South Carolina; Juan Lozano in Houston, and Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.

Trump admin. joins GOP campaign to police speech in reaction to Kirk's murder

OSAGE COUNTY — A woman is recovering from injuries after a crash involving a train and a multi-agency effort to find her.

Just after 7:30a.m. Monday, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting collision involving a train and a vehicle near K-276 Highway and South Lewelling Road, near Olivet, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

Deputies from the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, along with Osage County EMS and Fire District #3, responded immediately. While the scene was located, no individuals were found with the vehicle, prompting a full-scale search of the surrounding area.

A multi-agency effort was launched, covering an estimated 2–3-mile radius. This included ground crews, aerial support, and numerous community volunteers who stepped forward to assist in the search.

At approximately 3:15 p.m., the missing individual — an 82-year-old woman — was located alive in a heavily wooded area near the railroad tracks. She was transported to a Topeka hospital for treatment.

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office thanked the volunteers and assisting agencies for their efforts, time, and care shown during the&nbsp; search. The successful outcome was made possible through the combined efforts of trained responders and the supportive Osage County community.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758019675130.png" alt="Rail line near Olivet, Kansas -google image" />
 <figcaption>Rail line near Olivet, Kansas -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY — A woman is recovering from injuries after a crash involving a train and a multi-agency effort to find her.Just after 7:30a.m. Monday, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting collision involving a train and a vehicle near K-276 Highway and South Lewelling Road, near Olivet, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.Deputies from the Osage County Sheriff’s Office, along with Osage County EMS and Fire District #3, responded immediately. While the scene was located, no individuals were found with the vehicle, prompting a full-scale search of the surrounding area.A multi-agency effort was launched, covering an estimated 2–3-mile radius. This included ground crews, aerial support, and numerous community volunteers who stepped forward to assist in the search.At approximately 3:15 p.m., the missing individual — an 82-year-old woman — was located alive in a heavily wooded area near the railroad tracks. She was transported to a Topeka hospital for treatment.The Osage County Sheriff’s Office thanked the volunteers and assisting agencies for their efforts, time, and care shown during the&nbsp; search. The successful outcome was made possible through the combined efforts of trained responders and the supportive Osage County community.

Deputies searched for Kan. woman injured after crash with a train

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two Kansas woman who police believe came to Lawrence&nbsp;on a retail crime spree, but were stopped by an alert officer. 

On Sunday, police were called to Dick’s Sporting Goods, 2727 Iowa Street after an employee said the two women walked out with a full cart then sped off. 

 The employee provided a description of the vehicle and an officer spotted it in the nearby Walmart parking lot. 

 The officer approached the women, later identified as from Topeka, and ultimately learned they also had likely stolen items from Dillon’s. 

The total value of the recovered items is at least $1,800, making the alleged crime a felony.  The driver also didn’t have a valid license. Just after 7p.m., officers transported the women to the Douglas County Correctional Facility. Police did not release their names or possible charges they face.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two Kansas woman who police believe came to Lawrence&nbsp;on a retail crime spree, but were stopped by an alert officer. On Sunday, police were called to Dick’s Sporting Goods, 2727 Iowa Street after an employee said the two women walked out with a full cart then sped off. The employee provided a description of the vehicle and an officer spotted it in the nearby Walmart parking lot. The officer approached the women, later identified as from Topeka, and ultimately learned they also had likely stolen items from Dillon’s. The total value of the recovered items is at least $1,800, making the alleged crime a felony. The driver also didn’t have a valid license. Just after 7p.m., officers transported the women to the Douglas County Correctional Facility. Police did not release their names or possible charges they face.

2 Kansas woman jailed after retail crime spree

WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Monday applauded the decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve Kansas’ 2025 provider tax preprint, increasing the provider tax to 6% from 3%, according to a media release from Moran's office.

This will generate revenue from prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals in Kansas, which in turn is matched by federal Medicaid dollars. This change will increase Medicaid rates to Kansas hospitals and physicians and is expected to generate approximately $1 billion annually for Kansas hospitals.

“Last year, the Kansas legislature passed a bill to increase the state’s hospital provider tax, enabling Kansas hospitals and physicians to receive additional federal dollars from Medicaid,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Considering Kansas’ pending application before CMS, I worked to make certain the Medicaid reforms in the Reconciliation Bill would permit Kansas’ pending application to still be considered and approved. I worked with Kansas hospitals, the Kelly administration and Administrator Oz to make certain Kansas’ application was submitted and considered in a timely manner. This change will allow Kansas hospitals to receive additional resources to provide quality, affordable care to Kansans.”

“Kansas hospitals were pleased to learn that the 2025 provider tax preprint, which allows the state to draw down federal matching funds to match the provider assessment at 6%, was approved,”&nbsp;said Chad Austin, President &amp; CEO, Kansas Hospital Association.&nbsp;“As with any significant achievement, it took many to reach this goal including our congressional delegation, led by Senator Moran, as well as the Governor, KDHE leadership and the Medicaid finance team.”

“Senator Moran and his team are long-time champions of healthcare in Kansas,”&nbsp;said Bob Page, President &amp; CEO, The University of Kansas Health System.&nbsp;“We greatly appreciate his efforts to ensure qualifying hospitals across the state, particularly those in rural areas, can now receive much needed additional reimbursement for care provided to Medicaid patients. Access to quality healthcare close to home is critical for rural vitality across Kansas. With current anticipated changes and uncertainty in health care, this is an important step forward for hospitals in our state.”

“We were excited and grateful to learn of the CMS approval of the 2025 Provider Tax preprint,”&nbsp;said Brian Williams, President &amp; CEO, Labette Health.&nbsp;“These resources will help us ensure uninterrupted access to safe, high quality hospital services in the rural Kansas communities that we serve. Senator Moran’s leadership on this issue during the approval process of the One Big Beautiful Bill was exceptionally important to its approval, and our words fall short on the difference this will make in so many Kansans lives.”

“We are grateful to Sen. Moran for his work to ensure Kansas’ pending CMS application remained eligible for consideration amid changes to the Medicaid program,”&nbsp;said Benjamin Anderson, President &amp; CEO, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.&nbsp;“CMS’s decision to approve Kansas’ 2025 Provider Tax increase means more federal support will be available for rural hospitals to continue our work of providing critical services and care to communities across our state.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758016720694.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Monday applauded the decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve Kansas’ 2025 provider tax preprint, increasing the provider tax to 6% from 3%, according to a media release from Moran's office.This will generate revenue from prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals in Kansas, which in turn is matched by federal Medicaid dollars. This change will increase Medicaid rates to Kansas hospitals and physicians and is expected to generate approximately $1 billion annually for Kansas hospitals.“Last year, the Kansas legislature passed a bill to increase the state’s hospital provider tax, enabling Kansas hospitals and physicians to receive additional federal dollars from Medicaid,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Considering Kansas’ pending application before CMS, I worked to make certain the Medicaid reforms in the Reconciliation Bill would permit Kansas’ pending application to still be considered and approved. I worked with Kansas hospitals, the Kelly administration and Administrator Oz to make certain Kansas’ application was submitted and considered in a timely manner. This change will allow Kansas hospitals to receive additional resources to provide quality, affordable care to Kansans.”“Kansas hospitals were pleased to learn that the 2025 provider tax preprint, which allows the state to draw down federal matching funds to match the provider assessment at 6%, was approved,”&nbsp;said Chad Austin, President &amp; CEO, Kansas Hospital Association.&nbsp;“As with any significant achievement, it took many to reach this goal including our congressional delegation, led by Senator Moran, as well as the Governor, KDHE leadership and the Medicaid finance team.”“Senator Moran and his team are long-time champions of healthcare in Kansas,”&nbsp;said Bob Page, President &amp; CEO, The University of Kansas Health System.&nbsp;“We greatly appreciate his efforts to ensure qualifying hospitals across the state, particularly those in rural areas, can now receive much needed additional reimbursement for care provided to Medicaid patients. Access to quality healthcare close to home is critical for rural vitality across Kansas. With current anticipated changes and uncertainty in health care, this is an important step forward for hospitals in our state.”“We were excited and grateful to learn of the CMS approval of the 2025 Provider Tax preprint,”&nbsp;said Brian Williams, President &amp; CEO, Labette Health.&nbsp;“These resources will help us ensure uninterrupted access to safe, high quality hospital services in the rural Kansas communities that we serve. Senator Moran’s leadership on this issue during the approval process of the One Big Beautiful Bill was exceptionally important to its approval, and our words fall short on the difference this will make in so many Kansans lives.”“We are grateful to Sen. Moran for his work to ensure Kansas’ pending CMS application remained eligible for consideration amid changes to the Medicaid program,”&nbsp;said Benjamin Anderson, President &amp; CEO, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.&nbsp;“CMS’s decision to approve Kansas’ 2025 Provider Tax increase means more federal support will be available for rural hospitals to continue our work of providing critical services and care to communities across our state.”Background information:<ol>
 <li>In the 2024 legislative session, the Kansas State Legislature passed legislation to increase the state provider tax for prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals, raising the cap from 3% to 6%. The increase passed by the Kansas State Legislature had to be approved by CMS.</li><li>This change means PPS hospitals will have a higher assessment rate, which in turn will allow them and all hospitals to access increased federal Medicaid reimbursements.</li><li>The&nbsp;One Big Beautiful Bill Act&nbsp;capped state provider taxes at 3.5% for Medicaid expansion states, but non-expansion states, like Kansas, are not subject to the federal state provider tax cap.</li><li>With the increased state provider tax cap, Kansas providers will receive increased Medicaid reimbursements for the next decade.</li>
 </ol>

Kan. U.S. Senator applauds good financial news for Kan. hospitals

A well known Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper used social media to announce his retirement Monday evening.

KHP Trooper Ben Gardner wrote he was deeply fatigued after 26-years with the Patrol.&nbsp; The news comes after the Patrol earlier this month was forced to issue a statement involving&nbsp;confusion over a personal social media post by Gardner. The KHP wrote, "The KHP is aware of a social media post by an employee who appears to be either soliciting or accepting donations in furtherance of personal travel."

On his private social media page September 1, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/55d07e51-697f-4176-9206-a43710f4937a">Gardner wrote that he was</a> driving his Jeep back and forth to Michigan and using a lot of gas. He wrote, "folks had already reached out, so he shared ways that others could help."

Not everyone believed the post was actually from beloved Trooper Ben.

The Kansas Highway Patrol responded, "Because the employee's private posts are often difficult to distinguish from their professional posts, the messages can be confusing and are neither approved by nor associated with KHP business."

On Monday night, Gardner wrote about his retirement.

"Of all the posts I’ve ever made, this one may be the most important. A significant shift from what life has been…"

"This evening, I sat at my laptop and typed the words that made it real. I sent the email. My official notice of retirement.For years, I’ve struggled with this decision. Do I hold on longer, or do I take the step forward?

"So many of us wait.Wait until 5 PM.Wait for Friday.Wait for summer.Wait for adulthood. Wait for happiness.Always waiting for the right moment. But in the waiting, we miss living in the now."

"After over 26 years of service, I am fatigued. Deeply fatigued…That fatigue does not come from the people of Kansas or the countless lives I’ve had the honor of serving."

"Being a servant has been one of the greatest joys of my life.The strain has come from within. From the inner spaces I’ve devoted myself to. Spaces I have deeply loved, but also where I have faced some of my greatest challenges.Through my entire career, I’ve always tried to make decisions that were about purpose, not paycheck. I never sought promotion. I rarely looked for overtime."

"The choices I made were always about moments where I could make a meaningful impact with the people around me. To break the mold a little.To blaze a trail.To show what I believe the service of this position was always meant to be.￼To leave the space I held better than when I received it.I have full faith that I have done just that.It seems that so many individuals in this profession exit long before they ever make it to retirement."

And standing here now, I can understand why. It has been such an honor to serve as I have over these last 26 years. Pride, laughter, fear, embarrassment, and deep sadness have all been part of my journey."

"After traveling to Michigan for my dad’s graveside ceremony, I found some clarity."

"Being there reminded me that the time we have is so, so valuable.This will work out. It might be bumpy for a little bit, but eventually we grow past the tightness, the worry, and the fatigue of trying to fit in."

"It’s my belief, two weeks is what I have left of this career. It’s hard. It’s emotional. But it’s time." 

"The past will always be part of me, but the future is calling. And I’m choosing to live it now.When the time is right, I want to be more transparent. To share more openly about what I have experienced throughout my career, and especially over these last five years leading up to retirement.  In that moment, you will see my heart more clearly than ever before."

"What I haven’t shared over the last five years… I will.To those who have openly supported me, cheered for me, and defended me when I wasn’t around, thank you. You have carried me further than you know."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757986303750.png" alt="Image from Gardner's social media page Monday night" />
 <figcaption>Image from Gardner's social media page Monday night</figcaption>
 </figure>A well known Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper used social media to announce his retirement Monday evening.KHP Trooper Ben Gardner wrote he was deeply fatigued after 26-years with the Patrol.&nbsp; The news comes after the Patrol earlier this month was forced to issue a statement involving&nbsp;confusion over a personal social media post by Gardner. The KHP wrote, "The KHP is aware of a social media post by an employee who appears to be either soliciting or accepting donations in furtherance of personal travel."On his private social media page September 1, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/55d07e51-697f-4176-9206-a43710f4937a">Gardner wrote that he was</a> driving his Jeep back and forth to Michigan and using a lot of gas. He wrote, "folks had already reached out, so he shared ways that others could help."Not everyone believed the post was actually from beloved Trooper Ben.The Kansas Highway Patrol responded, "Because the employee's private posts are often difficult to distinguish from their professional posts, the messages can be confusing and are neither approved by nor associated with KHP business."On Monday night, Gardner wrote about his retirement."Of all the posts I’ve ever made, this one may be the most important. A significant shift from what life has been…""This evening, I sat at my laptop and typed the words that made it real. I sent the email. My official notice of retirement.For years, I’ve struggled with this decision. Do I hold on longer, or do I take the step forward?"So many of us wait.Wait until 5 PM.Wait for Friday.Wait for summer.Wait for adulthood. Wait for happiness.Always waiting for the right moment. But in the waiting, we miss living in the now.""After over 26 years of service, I am fatigued. Deeply fatigued…That fatigue does not come from the people of Kansas or the countless lives I’ve had the honor of serving.""Being a servant has been one of the greatest joys of my life.The strain has come from within. From the inner spaces I’ve devoted myself to. Spaces I have deeply loved, but also where I have faced some of my greatest challenges.Through my entire career, I’ve always tried to make decisions that were about purpose, not paycheck. I never sought promotion. I rarely looked for overtime.""The choices I made were always about moments where I could make a meaningful impact with the people around me. To break the mold a little.To blaze a trail.To show what I believe the service of this position was always meant to be.￼To leave the space I held better than when I received it.I have full faith that I have done just that.It seems that so many individuals in this profession exit long before they ever make it to retirement."And standing here now, I can understand why. It has been such an honor to serve as I have over these last 26 years. Pride, laughter, fear, embarrassment, and deep sadness have all been part of my journey.""After traveling to Michigan for my dad’s graveside ceremony, I found some clarity.""Being there reminded me that the time we have is so, so valuable.This will work out. It might be bumpy for a little bit, but eventually we grow past the tightness, the worry, and the fatigue of trying to fit in.""It’s my belief, two weeks is what I have left of this career. It’s hard. It’s emotional. But it’s time." "The past will always be part of me, but the future is calling. And I’m choosing to live it now.When the time is right, I want to be more transparent. To share more openly about what I have experienced throughout my career, and especially over these last five years leading up to retirement. In that moment, you will see my heart more clearly than ever before.""What I haven’t shared over the last five years… I will.To those who have openly supported me, cheered for me, and defended me when I wasn’t around, thank you. You have carried me further than you know."

Well known State Trooper makes emotional announcement

HOLT COUNTY, Mo. —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Holt County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy Equinox driven by a 59-year-old Atchison, Kansas man was northbound on Interstate 29 ten miles north of Oregon, Missouri.&nbsp; The SUV traveled off the west side of the road, struck an embankment, went airborne, rolled onto its roof&nbsp; and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

HOLT COUNTY, Mo. —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Holt County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Chevy Equinox driven by a 59-year-old Atchison, Kansas man was northbound on Interstate 29 ten miles north of Oregon, Missouri.&nbsp; The SUV traveled off the west side of the road, struck an embankment, went airborne, rolled onto its roof&nbsp; and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; &nbsp;The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Kansas man dies after ejected in SUV rollover accident

BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kanas sex offender on new allegations.

Just before 3p.m. Friday, the El Dorado Police Department booked 44-year-old Peter Ferley of El Dorado into the Butler County jail on 23 counts of alleged sexual exploitation of a child, according to a media releas.

The Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children task force and police executed a search warrant after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber tip that alleged sexual exploitation of children through the use of electronic devices. The investigation led to police arrested Ferley.&nbsp; He has been a registered offender since November of 2012 following a conviction for attempted sexual exploit of child; Poss of visual depiction of a child under the age of 18, according to the KBI sex offender registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757855211896.png" alt="Ferley photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Ferley photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kanas sex offender on new allegations.Just before 3p.m. Friday, the El Dorado Police Department booked 44-year-old Peter Ferley of El Dorado into the Butler County jail on 23 counts of alleged sexual exploitation of a child, according to a media releas.The Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children task force and police executed a search warrant after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber tip that alleged sexual exploitation of children through the use of electronic devices. The investigation led to police arrested Ferley.&nbsp; He has been a registered offender since November of 2012 following a conviction for attempted sexual exploit of child; Poss of visual depiction of a child under the age of 18, according to the KBI sex offender registry.

Kansas sex offender back in jail on new sex crime allegations

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an illegal immigrant on multiple allegations after an arrest in Kansas.

Just after 5p.m. September 9, a sheriff's deputy on routine patrol stopped a vehicle on US 75 Highway near the US 36 Highway interchange for speed violation, according to Sheriff John Merchant. The deputy contacted the driver identified as 40-year-old Giesic Centeno ofBeatrice, Nebraska. The deputy detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage and the driver did not possess a valid drivers license.&nbsp;&nbsp;

 The deputy performed field sobriety testing which Centeno failed.&nbsp;&nbsp; Based on 3 prior DUI convictions, Centeno was arrested on charges of Felony DUI and Operate a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid License.&nbsp; It was discovered&nbsp; that Centeno was subject to be deported. Department of Homeland Security agents now have custody of Centeno.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757953852049.png" alt="Centeno photo Brown County" />
 <figcaption>Centeno photo Brown County</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an illegal immigrant on multiple allegations after an arrest in Kansas.Just after 5p.m. September 9, a sheriff's deputy on routine patrol stopped a vehicle on US 75 Highway near the US 36 Highway interchange for speed violation, according to Sheriff John Merchant. The deputy contacted the driver identified as 40-year-old Giesic Centeno ofBeatrice, Nebraska. The deputy detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage and the driver did not possess a valid drivers license.&nbsp;&nbsp; The deputy performed field sobriety testing which Centeno failed.&nbsp;&nbsp; Based on 3 prior DUI convictions, Centeno was arrested on charges of Felony DUI and Operate a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid License.&nbsp; It was discovered&nbsp; that Centeno was subject to be deported. Department of Homeland Security agents now have custody of Centeno.

Homeland Security jails man after 4 DUI arrests in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said the U.S. military again targeted a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, killing three aboard the vessel.

“The Strike occurred while these confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela were in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics (A DEADLY WEAPON POISONING AMERICANS!) headed to the U.S.,” Trump said in a Truth Social post announcing the strike. “These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to U.S. National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital U.S. Interests.”

Trump said the strike was carried out Monday, nearly two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-drug-cartels-05c5b0de282178419d46a3e93fbd2521">another military strike</a>&nbsp;on what the Trump administration says was a drug-carrying speedboat from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-destroyers-maduro-drug-cartels-9649e8282c061d9dad41a5dfb54431d4">Venezuela</a>&nbsp;that killed 11.

The Trump administration justified the earlier strike as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.

But several senators, Democrats and some Republicans, have indicated their dissatisfaction with the administration’s rationale and questioned the legality of the action. They view it as a potential overreach of executive authority in part because the military was used for law enforcement purposes.

The Trump administration has claimed self-defense as a legal justification for the first strike, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio arguing the drug cartels&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-maduro-drug-cartels-b33769bb581454eb8cf5cdf365d5f0c8">“pose an immediate threat”</a>&nbsp;to the nation.

U.S. officials said the strike early this month targeted Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization. And they indicated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-military-strike-drug-cartels-maduro-eae4f38deb40cb8ce70521c22282e469">more military strikes on drug targets</a>&nbsp;would be coming as the U.S. looks to “wage war” on cartels.

Trump did not specify whether Tren de Aragua was also the target of Monday's strike.

The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported strike.

The Trump administration has railed specifically against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for the scourge of illegal drugs in U.S. communities.

Maduro during a press conference earlier on Monday lashed out at the U.S. government, accusing the Trump administration of using drug trafficking accusations as an excuse for a military operation whose intentions are “to intimidate and seek regime change” in the South American country.

Maduro also repudiated what he described as a weekend operation in which 18 Marines raided a Venezuelan fishing boat in the Caribbean.

“What were they looking for? Tuna? What were they looking for? A kilo of snapper? Who gave the order in Washington for a missile destroyer to send 18 armed Marines to raid a tuna fishing vessel?” he said. “They were looking for a military incident. If the tuna fishing boys had any kind of weapons and used weapons while in Venezuelan jurisdiction, it would have been the military incident that the warmongers, extremists who want a war in the Caribbean, are seeking.”

Speaking to Fox News earlier Monday, Rubio reiterated that the U.S. doesn’t see Maduro as the rightful leader of Venezuela but as head of a drug cartel. Rubio has consistently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-maduro-drug-cartels-b33769bb581454eb8cf5cdf365d5f0c8">depicted Venezuela as a vestige</a>&nbsp;of communist ideology in the Western Hemisphere.

“We’re not going to have a cartel, operating or masquerading as a government, operating in our own hemisphere,” Rubio said.

Following the first military strike on a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, America's chief diplomat said Trump was "going to use the U.S. military and all the elements of American power to target cartels who are targeting America.”

AP and others have reported that the boat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-drugs-boat-venezuela-5d28da68e3ea1b5b1b14829af8aadd7b">had turned around</a>&nbsp;and was heading back to shore when it was struck. But Rubio on Monday said he didn’t know if that’s accurate.

“What needs to start happening is some of these boats need to get blown up,” Rubio said. “We can’t live in a world where all of a sudden they do a U-turn and so we can’t touch them anymore.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said the U.S. military again targeted a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, killing three aboard the vessel.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/gqH4MHjbg2">pic.twitter.com/gqH4MHjbg2</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967680808128483764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The Strike occurred while these confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela were in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics (A DEADLY WEAPON POISONING AMERICANS!) headed to the U.S.,” Trump said in a Truth Social post announcing the strike. “These extremely violent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to U.S. National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital U.S. Interests.”Trump said the strike was carried out Monday, nearly two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-drug-cartels-05c5b0de282178419d46a3e93fbd2521">another military strike</a>&nbsp;on what the Trump administration says was a drug-carrying speedboat from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-destroyers-maduro-drug-cartels-9649e8282c061d9dad41a5dfb54431d4">Venezuela</a>&nbsp;that killed 11.The Trump administration justified the earlier strike as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.But several senators, Democrats and some Republicans, have indicated their dissatisfaction with the administration’s rationale and questioned the legality of the action. They view it as a potential overreach of executive authority in part because the military was used for law enforcement purposes.The Trump administration has claimed self-defense as a legal justification for the first strike, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio arguing the drug cartels&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-maduro-drug-cartels-b33769bb581454eb8cf5cdf365d5f0c8">“pose an immediate threat”</a>&nbsp;to the nation.U.S. officials said the strike early this month targeted Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization. And they indicated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-military-strike-drug-cartels-maduro-eae4f38deb40cb8ce70521c22282e469">more military strikes on drug targets</a>&nbsp;would be coming as the U.S. looks to “wage war” on cartels.Trump did not specify whether Tren de Aragua was also the target of Monday's strike.The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported strike.The Trump administration has railed specifically against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for the scourge of illegal drugs in U.S. communities.Maduro during a press conference earlier on Monday lashed out at the U.S. government, accusing the Trump administration of using drug trafficking accusations as an excuse for a military operation whose intentions are “to intimidate and seek regime change” in the South American country.Maduro also repudiated what he described as a weekend operation in which 18 Marines raided a Venezuelan fishing boat in the Caribbean.“What were they looking for? Tuna? What were they looking for? A kilo of snapper? Who gave the order in Washington for a missile destroyer to send 18 armed Marines to raid a tuna fishing vessel?” he said. “They were looking for a military incident. If the tuna fishing boys had any kind of weapons and used weapons while in Venezuelan jurisdiction, it would have been the military incident that the warmongers, extremists who want a war in the Caribbean, are seeking.”Speaking to Fox News earlier Monday, Rubio reiterated that the U.S. doesn’t see Maduro as the rightful leader of Venezuela but as head of a drug cartel. Rubio has consistently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rubio-venezuela-maduro-drug-cartels-b33769bb581454eb8cf5cdf365d5f0c8">depicted Venezuela as a vestige</a>&nbsp;of communist ideology in the Western Hemisphere.“We’re not going to have a cartel, operating or masquerading as a government, operating in our own hemisphere,” Rubio said.Following the first military strike on a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, America's chief diplomat said Trump was "going to use the U.S. military and all the elements of American power to target cartels who are targeting America.”AP and others have reported that the boat&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-drugs-boat-venezuela-5d28da68e3ea1b5b1b14829af8aadd7b">had turned around</a>&nbsp;and was heading back to shore when it was struck. But Rubio on Monday said he didn’t know if that’s accurate.“What needs to start happening is some of these boats need to get blown up,” Rubio said. “We can’t live in a world where all of a sudden they do a U-turn and so we can’t touch them anymore.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/o5xOQ6HRFg">https://t.co/o5xOQ6HRFg</a> <a href="https://t.co/s9ktAlDQUi">pic.twitter.com/s9ktAlDQUi</a>&mdash; Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) <a href="https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1962992360822104110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 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">🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: We just, over the last few minutes, shot out a drug-carrying boat... and there&#39;s more where that came from... These came out of Venezuela. <a href="https://t.co/JlurCZWBpG">pic.twitter.com/JlurCZWBpG</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1962955342523879613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 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">President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. has carried out a strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug-carrying vessel that departed from Venezuela. <a href="https://t.co/g82nOBEftt">pic.twitter.com/g82nOBEftt</a>&mdash; The Associated Press (@AP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AP/status/1962972437865283848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥U.S. conducted 2nd strike on alleged drug cartel boat from Venezuela

PRATT COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Monday in Pratt County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Jeep Wrangler driven by Jay M. Brown, 60, Minneapolis, Minnesota, was traveling southwest on Kansas Highway at 60th Avenue eight miles north of Pratt.

The Jeep traveled left of center across the northeast lanes, entered the south ditch, struck an embankment rolled onto it roof.

Brown was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Larrison Mortuary. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

PRATT COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Monday in Pratt County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Jeep Wrangler driven by Jay M. Brown, 60, Minneapolis, Minnesota, was traveling southwest on Kansas Highway at 60th Avenue eight miles north of Pratt.The Jeep traveled left of center across the northeast lanes, entered the south ditch, struck an embankment rolled onto it roof.Brown was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Larrison Mortuary. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Man dies after SUV rollover accident on Kan. highway

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance said Monday while hosting Charlie Kirk’s radio show that he is “desperate” for national unity after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">conservative political activist’s killing</a>&nbsp;but that finding common ground with people who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-workplace-speech-firing-29717a8612ccedebabc7cba29e7ef627">celebrated the assassination</a>&nbsp;of his friend is impossible.

The Republican vice president filled in as host of “The Charlie Kirk Show” from his ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House. The livestream of the two-hour program was broadcast in the White House press briefing room and featured a series of appearances by White House and administration officials who knew the 31-year-old Kirk.

Vance, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-jd-vance-turning-point-assassination-49501e2fdcb268c74c7dd929049abcd6">transported Kirk’s body</a>&nbsp;home from Utah to Arizona aboard Air Force Two last week, opened by saying he was “filling in for somebody who cannot be filled in for, but I’ll do my best.” He recounted his conversations with Kirk’s widow, Erika, and her remembrances of him as a kind, loving husband.

In his closing remarks, Vance criticized what he said were lies about Kirk that he blamed for the killing. He also promised that the Trump administration will act to stop anyone who would kill another person because of their words.

“I’m desperate for our country to be united in condemnation of the actions and the ideas that killed my friend,” Vance said on the program. “I want it so badly that I will tell you a difficult truth. We can only have it with people who acknowledge that political violence is unacceptable.”

Vance’s self-described “moonlighting” as substitute radio host, as well as the broadcasting of the program from the White House complex, served as a powerful reminder of Kirk’s close relationship with the Trump-Vance team and the valuable role Kirk’s operation boosting youth voter turnout played on the campaign.

The Republican vice president, 41, was especially close to Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, one of the nation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-turning-point-trump-cf2a68e4303c5628299ffe383d09c1e9">largest political organizations</a>&nbsp;with chapters on high school and college campuses. The two began a friendship nearly a decade ago, and Kirk advocated for Vance to be Republican Donald Trump’s choice for vice president last year. Kirk also was someone who had Trump's ear.

Vance spoke in the show's opening segment Monday about being at a loss for words as he sat with Erika Kirk last week. But he said she told him something he'll never forget, which was that her husband had never raised his voice to her and was never “cross or mean-spirited to her.”

Vance allowed that he could not say the same about himself.

“I took from that moment that I needed to be a better husband and I needed to be a better father,” the vice president said on the program, which was streamed on Rumble. “That is the way I'm going to honor my friend.”

Others who joined Vance on Kirk's program were chief of staff Susie Wiles, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., press secretary Karoline Leavitt and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.

The conversation turned toward fighting what Vance described as “festering violence on the far left” with Miller, the first guest.

“With God as my witness, we’re going to use every resource we have at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and throughout this government to identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy these networks,” Miller said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President JD Vance said Monday while hosting Charlie Kirk’s radio show that he is “desperate” for national unity after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">conservative political activist’s killing</a>&nbsp;but that finding common ground with people who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-workplace-speech-firing-29717a8612ccedebabc7cba29e7ef627">celebrated the assassination</a>&nbsp;of his friend is impossible.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH IN FULL: <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a>&#39;s opening comments on The Charlie Kirk Show <a href="https://t.co/J2i3uAI4x2">pic.twitter.com/J2i3uAI4x2</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967626357568942346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Republican vice president filled in as host of “The Charlie Kirk Show” from his ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House. The livestream of the two-hour program was broadcast in the White House press briefing room and featured a series of appearances by White House and administration officials who knew the 31-year-old Kirk.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Kaelan47?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kaelan47</a> describes his last interaction with <a href="https://twitter.com/charliekirk11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@charliekirk11</a>, in which Charlie prayed for him and his wife as they dealt with the struggles of being first-time parents. That&#39;s who Charlie was. ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/DhW5rppryY">pic.twitter.com/DhW5rppryY</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967632525016314212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a>: &quot;He inspired me as a young voice... before every briefing, I always pray to Jesus Christ, and Charlie was so outspoken with his faith — and I will continue to be in honor of him.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/3CocAfdkbR">pic.twitter.com/3CocAfdkbR</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967634277434282105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> recites Psalm 133 in a powerful message to the American people: &quot;Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head...&quot; &quot;Oh, how badly have I craved that precious ointment in recent days, and I… <a href="https://t.co/UQ5RHd1yue">pic.twitter.com/UQ5RHd1yue</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967651075256717434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MUST WATCH: <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> powerfully delivers some hard truths on political violence in America. &quot;While our side of the aisle certainly has its crazies, it is a statistical FACT that most of the lunatics in American politics today are proud members of the Far Left.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/mYnkCZhuXU">pic.twitter.com/mYnkCZhuXU</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967652535679721576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">White House Chief of Staff <a href="https://twitter.com/SusieWiles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SusieWiles</a> says <a href="https://twitter.com/charliekirk11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@charliekirk11</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TPUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TPUSA</a> &quot;delivered 110%&quot; in re-electing President Trump: &quot;I don&#39;t know that Charlie gets enough credit for that... it was an immeasurable help.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/vrcQGbaDkn">pic.twitter.com/vrcQGbaDkn</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967645301717733687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Vance, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-jd-vance-turning-point-assassination-49501e2fdcb268c74c7dd929049abcd6">transported Kirk’s body</a>&nbsp;home from Utah to Arizona aboard Air Force Two last week, opened by saying he was “filling in for somebody who cannot be filled in for, but I’ll do my best.” He recounted his conversations with Kirk’s widow, Erika, and her remembrances of him as a kind, loving husband.In his closing remarks, Vance criticized what he said were lies about Kirk that he blamed for the killing. He also promised that the Trump administration will act to stop anyone who would kill another person because of their words.“I’m desperate for our country to be united in condemnation of the actions and the ideas that killed my friend,” Vance said on the program. “I want it so badly that I will tell you a difficult truth. We can only have it with people who acknowledge that political violence is unacceptable.”Vance’s self-described “moonlighting” as substitute radio host, as well as the broadcasting of the program from the White House complex, served as a powerful reminder of Kirk’s close relationship with the Trump-Vance team and the valuable role Kirk’s operation boosting youth voter turnout played on the campaign.The Republican vice president, 41, was especially close to Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, one of the nation’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-turning-point-trump-cf2a68e4303c5628299ffe383d09c1e9">largest political organizations</a>&nbsp;with chapters on high school and college campuses. The two began a friendship nearly a decade ago, and Kirk advocated for Vance to be Republican Donald Trump’s choice for vice president last year. Kirk also was someone who had Trump's ear.Vance spoke in the show's opening segment Monday about being at a loss for words as he sat with Erika Kirk last week. But he said she told him something he'll never forget, which was that her husband had never raised his voice to her and was never “cross or mean-spirited to her.”Vance allowed that he could not say the same about himself.“I took from that moment that I needed to be a better husband and I needed to be a better father,” the vice president said on the program, which was streamed on Rumble. “That is the way I'm going to honor my friend.”Others who joined Vance on Kirk's program were chief of staff Susie Wiles, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., press secretary Karoline Leavitt and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.The conversation turned toward fighting what Vance described as “festering violence on the far left” with Miller, the first guest.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/StephenM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StephenM</a> on organized Radical Left violence: &quot;With God as my witness, we are going to use every resource we have at the DOJ, Homeland Security, and throughout this government, to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and destroy these networks... We will do it in Charlie&#39;s name.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xGXYXR5bi5">pic.twitter.com/xGXYXR5bi5</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1967627684886061110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“With God as my witness, we’re going to use every resource we have at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and throughout this government to identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy these networks,” Miller said.Miller added that “it will happen, and we will do it in Charlie’s name.”Law enforcement officials have said they believe the suspect accused of killing Kirk acted alone.After Kirk was fatally shot last Wednesday at Utah Valley University, Vance tore up his schedule for the next day — he was scheduled Thursday to attend the 24th annual observance in New York of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks — to fly instead to Orem, Utah, with his wife, second lady Usha Vance.The couple accompanied Erika Kirk and Charlie Kirk's casket to Arizona aboard Air Force Two.