By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/chris-megerian">CHRIS MEGERIAN</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/zeke-miller">ZEKE MILLER</a>

DOHA, Qatar (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is the most powerful and famous person on the planet, at the helm of the biggest economy and the strongest military.

But on his trip to the Middle East this week, the American president is sounding more than a little envious of his Arab hosts.

He admired the marble in the Qatari palace as “perfecto” and “very hard to buy.” He praised the “gleaming marvels” of the skyline in Saudi Arabia. And he groused about the “much smaller” and “much less impressive” plane that is Air Force One.

On his flight to the region, Trump said the Gulf states all have “these brand-new Boeing 747s,” while he was stuck using a version nearly 4 decades old.

The president is so impatient for a replacement plane that he is considering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-qatar-air-force-one-2ef13d87b71185bde547abe6840b098c">accepting a donated model from Qatar</a>, despite concerns that it could be less secure, costly to retrofit and a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on foreign gifts. He presented no national security imperative for a swift upgrade rather than waiting for Boeing to finish new Air Force One jets that have been in the works for years.

It sounded like a case of keeping up with the Joneses, only in this case the Joneses are oil-rich leaders of Middle Eastern autocracies. For a former real estate developer with flamboyant tastes, Trump’s trip has been a tantalizing peek into the lives of his more opulent counterparts.

“The job you’ve done is second to none,” Trump told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, gazing up at his surroundings in the palace known as the Amiri Diwan. “You look at this, it’s so beautiful. As a construction person, I’m seeing perfect marble. This is what they call perfecto.”

There have been other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-crown-prince-mohammed-saudi-arabia-7111559bdb8355e81068055a2ac3c24e">lavish touches on the trip</a>, which will wind up with a stop in the United Arab Emirates. Air Force One received fighter jet escorts, honor guards stood by with golden swords in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the presidential limousine was welcomed by riders on camelback in Doha, Qatar.

“We appreciate those camels,” Trump told Al Thani. “I haven’t seen camels like that in a long time. That was some greeting.”

The Republican president’s admiration reflects an aesthetic and political vision at odds with American tradition. After declaring independence from the British monarchy, the Founding Fathers wanted to eschew anything that suggested royalty. Even as the United States emerged as the global superpower, the country and its leaders emphasized a facade of humility.

But that’s never been Trump’s style. The billionaire’s New York City penthouse is embellished with gold and marble, and parts of his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida are modeled after France’s Palace of Versailles.

After winning a second term last year, Trump is eager to bring the same approach to the presidency, and it’s likely that his visit to the Middle East will fuel his desire for renovations. The White House, despite is grandeur, can be quite cramped. Office space is limited and state dinners are sometimes held in a fancy tent to accommodate enough guests.

Trump said he wants to build “a beautiful, beautiful ballroom like I have at Mar-a-Lago, as beautiful as can be.” He promised to foot the $100 million bill.

“I think we’ve outgrown the tent stuff, right, don’t you think?” he said recently.

Trump has also talked about paving over the lawn in the Rose Garden, turning it into a patio with “gorgeous stone” that would be easier for holding events.

Some upgrades have already taken place, particularly in the Oval Office. There are gold accents to the fireplace, doorway arches, walls and other areas of the room. The walls have become increasingly packed with portraits of past presidents. A model of a new Air Force One — complete with a paint scheme that echoes his personal jet — sits on a table in the center of the room.

One prized addition is a copy of the Declaration of Independence, which is concealed behind a curtain to protect it from sunlight. He sometimes dramatically unveils the document for guests.

“You see the new and improved Oval Office as it becomes more and more beautiful,” the president told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a recent visit. He said it’s been renovated “with great love and 24 karat gold — that always helps too.”

<p>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/chris-megerian">CHRIS MEGERIAN</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/zeke-miller">ZEKE MILLER</a></p><p>DOHA, Qatar (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;is the most powerful and famous person on the planet, at the helm of the biggest economy and the strongest military.</p><p>But on his trip to the Middle East this week, the American president is sounding more than a little envious of his Arab hosts.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;Nice house. Nice house.&quot;<br><br>-- Pres. Trump <a href="https://t.co/4ycxnyJJU8">pic.twitter.com/4ycxnyJJU8</a></p>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1922742260908568752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Nice house!” President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> says as he tours Al Wajba Palace, home of the Emir of Qatar 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/JKXsW5TiXo">pic.twitter.com/JKXsW5TiXo</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922717949992845722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>He admired the marble in the Qatari palace as “perfecto” and “very hard to buy.” He praised the “gleaming marvels” of the skyline in Saudi Arabia. And he groused about the “much smaller” and “much less impressive” plane that is Air Force One.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pres. Trump arrives and greets at Lusail Palace in Doha Qatar. <a href="https://t.co/kBsEAq9Flg">pic.twitter.com/kBsEAq9Flg</a></p>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1922741315437031441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>On his flight to the region, Trump said the Gulf states all have “these brand-new Boeing 747s,” while he was stuck using a version nearly 4 decades old.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> arrives at the Amiri Diwan in Doha 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/CZt28tCBid">pic.twitter.com/CZt28tCBid</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922621220089983248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The president is so impatient for a replacement plane that he is considering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-qatar-air-force-one-2ef13d87b71185bde547abe6840b098c">accepting a donated model from Qatar</a>, despite concerns that it could be less secure, costly to retrofit and a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on foreign gifts. He presented no national security imperative for a swift upgrade rather than waiting for Boeing to finish new Air Force One jets that have been in the works for years.</p><p>It sounded like a case of keeping up with the Joneses, only in this case the Joneses are oil-rich leaders of Middle Eastern autocracies. For a former real estate developer with flamboyant tastes, Trump’s trip has been a tantalizing peek into the lives of his more opulent counterparts.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump arrives at Lusail Palace in Qatar. <a href="https://t.co/Ql4c35PNTw">pic.twitter.com/Ql4c35PNTw</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1922704236820742391?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>“The job you’ve done is second to none,” Trump told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, gazing up at his surroundings in the palace known as the Amiri Diwan. “You look at this, it’s so beautiful. As a construction person, I’m seeing perfect marble. This is what they call perfecto.”</p><p>There have been other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-crown-prince-mohammed-saudi-arabia-7111559bdb8355e81068055a2ac3c24e">lavish touches on the trip</a>, which will wind up with a stop in the United Arab Emirates. Air Force One received fighter jet escorts, honor guards stood by with golden swords in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the presidential limousine was welcomed by riders on camelback in Doha, Qatar.</p><p>“We appreciate those camels,” Trump told Al Thani. “I haven’t seen camels like that in a long time. That was some greeting.”</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">More scenes from Qatar 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/ktjwtGmjaj">pic.twitter.com/ktjwtGmjaj</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922641924726403276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The Republican president’s admiration reflects an aesthetic and political vision at odds with American tradition. After declaring independence from the British monarchy, the Founding Fathers wanted to eschew anything that suggested royalty. Even as the United States emerged as the global superpower, the country and its leaders emphasized a facade of humility.</p><p>But that’s never been Trump’s style. The billionaire’s New York City penthouse is embellished with gold and marble, and parts of his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida are modeled after France’s Palace of Versailles.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Cybertrucks among Pres. Trump motorcade to the Old Amiri Palace -- Amiri Diwan -- in Doha before bilateral meeting with Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar تميم بن حمد آل ثاني، أمير دولة قطر <a href="https://t.co/nc38mzy0Ht">pic.twitter.com/nc38mzy0Ht</a></p>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1922677006325489954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>After winning a second term last year, Trump is eager to bring the same approach to the presidency, and it’s likely that his visit to the Middle East will fuel his desire for renovations. The White House, despite is grandeur, can be quite cramped. Office space is limited and state dinners are sometimes held in a fancy tent to accommodate enough guests.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>&#39;s motorcade is escorted into Lusail Palace for the Qatari State Dinner 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/bh8Hq0Ug3O">pic.twitter.com/bh8Hq0Ug3O</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1922702397605818755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Trump said he wants to build “a beautiful, beautiful ballroom like I have at Mar-a-Lago, as beautiful as can be.” He promised to foot the $100 million bill.</p><p>“I think we’ve outgrown the tent stuff, right, don’t you think?” he said recently.</p><p>Trump has also talked about paving over the lawn in the Rose Garden, turning it into a patio with “gorgeous stone” that would be easier for holding events.</p><p>Some upgrades have already taken place, particularly in the Oval Office. There are gold accents to the fireplace, doorway arches, walls and other areas of the room. The walls have become increasingly packed with portraits of past presidents. A model of a new Air Force One — complete with a paint scheme that echoes his personal jet — sits on a table in the center of the room.</p><p>One prized addition is a copy of the Declaration of Independence, which is concealed behind a curtain to protect it from sunlight. He sometimes dramatically unveils the document for guests.</p><p>“You see the new and improved Oval Office as it becomes more and more beautiful,” the president told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a recent visit. He said it’s been renovated “with great love and 24 karat gold — that always helps too.”</p><p>____ Megerian reported from Washington.</p>

🎥Trump marvels at wealth of his Arab hosts while he eyes Air Force One upgrade

BARTON COUNTY —A U.S. Postal Service worker was hospitalized following a dog attack in Great Bend last week, prompting a multi-day investigation that led to an arrest.

On May 9, police responded to a report of an animal attack in the 1400 block of Lakin Avenue in GreatBend. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a postal worker had been attacked by two dogs. The victim was transported to the hospital in Great Bend for treatment of her injuries.

In the days that followed, detectives and animal control officers launched an investigation to locate the animals involved. On Monday, May 12, around 1:03 p.m., authorities received several tips through Crimestoppers that led them to a residence at 1416 12th Street in Great Bend.

At that location, officers made contact with Dakota Procopio, a 23-year-old man who confirmed he was the owner of the two dogs. Investigators learned that the dogs had been moved to a separate location in Raymond, Kansas. Animal Control officers from the Golden Belt Humane Society located the animals and took them into custody for a state-mandated observation period.

Procopio was arrested and booked into the Barton County Jail. He faces multiple charges including Obstruction of Justice, Dog at Large, No Current Rabies Vaccinations, and Vicious Dog.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or submit a tip anonymously to Crimestoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://p3tips.com/">p3tips.com</a>.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747061000208.jpeg" alt="Images from the police investigation" />
                        <figcaption>Images from the police investigation</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BARTON COUNTY —A U.S. Postal Service worker was hospitalized following a dog attack in Great Bend last week, prompting a multi-day investigation that led to an arrest.</p><p>On May 9, police responded to a report of an animal attack in the 1400 block of Lakin Avenue in GreatBend. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a postal worker had been attacked by two dogs. The victim was transported to the hospital in Great Bend for treatment of her injuries.</p><p>In the days that followed, detectives and animal control officers launched an investigation to locate the animals involved. On Monday, May 12, around 1:03 p.m., authorities received several tips through Crimestoppers that led them to a residence at 1416 12th Street in Great Bend.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747061014830.jpeg" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>At that location, officers made contact with Dakota Procopio, a 23-year-old man who confirmed he was the owner of the two dogs. Investigators learned that the dogs had been moved to a separate location in Raymond, Kansas. Animal Control officers from the Golden Belt Humane Society located the animals and took them into custody for a state-mandated observation period.</p><p>Procopio was arrested and booked into the Barton County Jail. He faces multiple charges including Obstruction of Justice, Dog at Large, No Current Rabies Vaccinations, and Vicious Dog.</p><p>The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or submit a tip anonymously to Crimestoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://p3tips.com/">p3tips.com</a>.</p>

Dog owner jailed after attack that hospitalized Kan. postal worker

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cheers broke out early Wednesday as Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee signed off on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-bill-medicaid-work-requirements-17cbde167f3b434e925a199c3253b8e1">GOP tax breaks bill</a>&nbsp;after a grueling round-the-clock session that pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;package past overwhelming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-democrats-pessimism-sanders-ocasio-cortez-schumer-8dcde90d9666721fb376db90140f8e23">Democratic opposition</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-14-2025#00000196-cf62-d978-adff-df6f94980000">House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.,</a>&nbsp;also worked past midnight trying to resolve issues with Trump's plan. Opposition is mounting from various corners of the GOP majority as he tries to muscle the party's signature package to passage without any votes from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-14-2025#00000196-cf9b-d402-abfe-cffb3f980000">Democrats.</a>

On the one hand, the conservative leader of the Freedom Caucus derides the new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tax-cuts-republicans-medicaid-67013369b771d02c0128ee6421f302eb">Medicaid work requirements</a>&nbsp;as a “joke” that do not go far enough at cost-cutting. Meanwhile, a handful of GOP lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states are refusing to support the measure unless changes are made to give deeper state and local tax deductions,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/salt-deduction-republican-taxes-f7e7ce74df8dccf3058c272ed5d72e4e">called SALT,</a>&nbsp;for their constituents back home.

"We’re still on target," Johnson said at the Capitol, insisting he was on track to pass the package by Memorial Day, May 26. “The American people are counting on us.”

Momentum is building toward an end-of-the-week session to stitch together the sprawling package. That means combining hundreds of pages of bill text covering $5 trillion in tax breaks and at least $1.5 trillion in spending reductions on Medicaid, food stamps and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-public-lands-sale-republicans-e153dcb4d4391dd849e4409123bfecfe">green energy programs</a>&nbsp;to deliver Trump's second-term legislative priority. A House vote is expected next week, which would send the legislation to the Senate.

But it's not at all certain Johnson can get the package to passage. With his slim majority, he can only afford a few defections from his ranks. Members have yet to fall line.

Democrats also stayed up all night in the marathon public hearings — one at the House Energy and Commerce Committee was still going almost 24 hours later. They decried what they argued are tax breaks that flow to the wealthy at the expense of health care, food programs and investments in renewable energy to fight climate change.

“It is a cruel, mean, rotten bill,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., as the House Agriculture Committee debated changes to the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program, known as SNAP.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said at least 7.6 million fewer people would have health insurance with the changes to Medicaid, and possibly more with additional changes to the Affordable Care Act.

The CBO also gave lawmakers a preliminary analysis showing that 3 million fewer people each month would participate in the SNAP food program under the changes proposed.

More than 70 million Americans rely on Medicaid for health care, and about 40 million use SNAP.

The Republicans are targeting Medicaid and SNAP for a combined $1 trillion in cuts as a way to offset the costs of the tax package, but also to achieve GOP goals of reining in the social safety net programs.

Most of the cost-savings would come from imposing stiffer work requirements for those receiving the health care and food assistance, meaning fewer people would qualify for the aid. The legislation would raise from 54 to 64 the age of able-bodied adults without dependents who would have to work to qualify for SNAP. It also would also require some parents of children older than 7 — it's now 18 — to work to qualify for the benefits. Under current law, those recipients must work or participate in a work program for 80 hours a month.

The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., insists the changes would “strengthen and sustain” Medicaid for the future, and are the kind of “common sense” policies Trump promised voters.

But Democrats told repeated stories of their constituents struggling to access health care. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., revealed his own diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes at the House Ways and Means Committee hearing and the sticker shock of health costs.

Democrats had proposals to revive subsidies to help people buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Most of the amendments were failing.

One of the most difficult issues for Johnson, has been the more localized debate over state and local taxes as he works to come up with a compromise for New York, California and New Jersey lawmakers. They have rejected an offer to triple the deduction cap, now at $10,000, to $30,000 for married couples.

The speaker met for more than an hour with lawmakers in his office and later into the night.

Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said the talks were cordial, but there was no deal. “More sizzle than steak in that meeting,” he said late Tuesday.

“The reality is you need 218 votes to pass a bill and the way this bill is currently constructed, it will not have that because it does not adequately the issue of SALT,” said Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.

The lawmakers believe they have leverage in the talks because without a deal, the $10,000 limit established under the 2017 tax bill expires at the end of the year and reverts to no cap at all.

“These things are in negotiation,” LaLota said, adding that his constituents "shouldn’t be asked to pay for the large amount of the bill like the were asked to pay for it eight years ago.”

Republicans are racing to extend Trump's tax breaks, which are set to expire later this year, while adding the new ones he campaigned on in 2024, including no taxes on tips, Social Security benefits and others.

A new analysis from the Joint Committee on Taxation shows that most tax filers would see a lower tax rates under the proposal, except those at the lowest rates, who earn less than $15,000 a year. Their average tax rate would go up.

Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747249836638.png" alt="Democrat Rep. Debbie Dingell asleep early Wednesday-image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;" />
                        <figcaption>Democrat Rep. Debbie Dingell asleep early Wednesday-image courtesy CSPAN&nbsp;</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Cheers broke out early Wednesday as Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee signed off on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-bill-medicaid-work-requirements-17cbde167f3b434e925a199c3253b8e1">GOP tax breaks bill</a>&nbsp;after a grueling round-the-clock session that pushed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;package past overwhelming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-democrats-pessimism-sanders-ocasio-cortez-schumer-8dcde90d9666721fb376db90140f8e23">Democratic opposition</a>.</p><p>But there's still more work to do.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It&#39;s 4:57am ET ... there&#39;s another vote during the House Ways and Means markup ... and they have to wake Rep. Blake Moore <a href="https://t.co/Z2XlhiMtve">pic.twitter.com/Z2XlhiMtve</a></p>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1922593039840608474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p><a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-14-2025#00000196-cf62-d978-adff-df6f94980000">House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.,</a>&nbsp;also worked past midnight trying to resolve issues with Trump's plan. Opposition is mounting from various corners of the GOP majority as he tries to muscle the party's signature package to passage without any votes from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-14-2025#00000196-cf9b-d402-abfe-cffb3f980000">Democrats.</a></p><p>On the one hand, the conservative leader of the Freedom Caucus derides the new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-tax-cuts-republicans-medicaid-67013369b771d02c0128ee6421f302eb">Medicaid work requirements</a>&nbsp;as a “joke” that do not go far enough at cost-cutting. Meanwhile, a handful of GOP lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states are refusing to support the measure unless changes are made to give deeper state and local tax deductions,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/salt-deduction-republican-taxes-f7e7ce74df8dccf3058c272ed5d72e4e">called SALT,</a>&nbsp;for their constituents back home.</p><p>"We’re still on target," Johnson said at the Capitol, insisting he was on track to pass the package by Memorial Day, May 26. “The American people are counting on us.”</p><p>Momentum is building toward an end-of-the-week session to stitch together the sprawling package. That means combining hundreds of pages of bill text covering $5 trillion in tax breaks and at least $1.5 trillion in spending reductions on Medicaid, food stamps and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/west-public-lands-sale-republicans-e153dcb4d4391dd849e4409123bfecfe">green energy programs</a>&nbsp;to deliver Trump's second-term legislative priority. A House vote is expected next week, which would send the legislation to the Senate.</p><p>But it's not at all certain Johnson can get the package to passage. With his slim majority, he can only afford a few defections from his ranks. Members have yet to fall line.</p><p>Democrats also stayed up all night in the marathon public hearings — one at the House Energy and Commerce Committee was still going almost 24 hours later. They decried what they argued are tax breaks that flow to the wealthy at the expense of health care, food programs and investments in renewable energy to fight climate change.</p><p>“It is a cruel, mean, rotten bill,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., as the House Agriculture Committee debated changes to the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program, known as SNAP.</p><p>The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said at least 7.6 million fewer people would have health insurance with the changes to Medicaid, and possibly more with additional changes to the Affordable Care Act.</p><p>The CBO also gave lawmakers a preliminary analysis showing that 3 million fewer people each month would participate in the SNAP food program under the changes proposed.</p><p>More than 70 million Americans rely on Medicaid for health care, and about 40 million use SNAP.</p><p>The Republicans are targeting Medicaid and SNAP for a combined $1 trillion in cuts as a way to offset the costs of the tax package, but also to achieve GOP goals of reining in the social safety net programs.</p><p>Most of the cost-savings would come from imposing stiffer work requirements for those receiving the health care and food assistance, meaning fewer people would qualify for the aid. The legislation would raise from 54 to 64 the age of able-bodied adults without dependents who would have to work to qualify for SNAP. It also would also require some parents of children older than 7 — it's now 18 — to work to qualify for the benefits. Under current law, those recipients must work or participate in a work program for 80 hours a month.</p><p>The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., insists the changes would “strengthen and sustain” Medicaid for the future, and are the kind of “common sense” policies Trump promised voters.</p><p>But Democrats told repeated stories of their constituents struggling to access health care. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., revealed his own diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes at the House Ways and Means Committee hearing and the sticker shock of health costs.</p><p>Democrats had proposals to revive subsidies to help people buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Most of the amendments were failing.</p><p>One of the most difficult issues for Johnson, has been the more localized debate over state and local taxes as he works to come up with a compromise for New York, California and New Jersey lawmakers. They have rejected an offer to triple the deduction cap, now at $10,000, to $30,000 for married couples.</p><p>The speaker met for more than an hour with lawmakers in his office and later into the night.</p><p>Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said the talks were cordial, but there was no deal. “More sizzle than steak in that meeting,” he said late Tuesday.</p><p>“The reality is you need 218 votes to pass a bill and the way this bill is currently constructed, it will not have that because it does not adequately the issue of SALT,” said Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.</p><p>The lawmakers believe they have leverage in the talks because without a deal, the $10,000 limit established under the 2017 tax bill expires at the end of the year and reverts to no cap at all.</p><p>“These things are in negotiation,” LaLota said, adding that his constituents "shouldn’t be asked to pay for the large amount of the bill like the were asked to pay for it eight years ago.”</p><p>Republicans are racing to extend Trump's tax breaks, which are set to expire later this year, while adding the new ones he campaigned on in 2024, including no taxes on tips, Social Security benefits and others.</p><p>A new analysis from the Joint Committee on Taxation shows that most tax filers would see a lower tax rates under the proposal, except those at the lowest rates, who earn less than $15,000 a year. Their average tax rate would go up.</p><p>__</p><p>Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.</p>

🎥House Republicans pull an all-nighter on Trump's tax bill

KANSAS CITY (AP) —More than 1,000 Starbucks baristas at 75 U.S. stores have gone on strike since Sunday to protest a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-dress-code-black-shirt-union-b7dd93b93c6c13448606545fb3f1778f">new company dress code</a>, a union representing the coffee giant's workers said Wednesday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-earnings-quarter-niccol-084641cd0786394e93d87d59689b8806">Starbucks</a>&nbsp;put new limits starting Monday on what its baristas can wear under their green aprons. The dress code requires employees at company-operated and licensed stores in the U.S. and Canada to wear a solid black shirt and khaki, black or blue denim bottoms.

Under the previous dress code, baristas could wear a broader range of dark colors and patterned shirts. Starbucks said the new rules would make its green aprons stand out and create a sense of familiarity&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-restrooms-policy-2d258bc61c55769bb2acaf15d1ed3b48">for customers</a>&nbsp;as it tries to establish a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-ceo-niccol-coffee-b547ab2141e194b30675ad8d1caff90d">warmer, more welcoming feeling</a>&nbsp;in its stores.

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-baristas-workers-united-7b2f6e5d7b039bc1909d646d84cd426d">Starbucks Workers United</a>, the union that represents workers at 570 of Starbucks’ 10,000 company-owned U.S. stores, said the dress code should be subject to collective bargaining.

“Starbucks has lost its way. Instead of listening to baristas who make the Starbucks experience what it is, they are focused on all the wrong things, like implementing a restrictive new dress code,” said Paige Summers, a Starbucks shift supervisor from Hanover, Maryland. “Customers don’t care what color our clothes are when they’re waiting 30 minutes for a latte.”

Summers and others also criticized the company for selling styles of Starbucks-branded clothing that employees no longer are allowed to wear to work on an internal website. Starbucks said it would give two free black T-shirts to each employee when it announced the new dress code.

Starbucks said Wednesday that the strike was having a limited impact on its 10,000 company-operated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-first-3d-printed-store-texas-552972e9df63796e42ede152747b9069">U.S. stores</a>.

“Thousands of Starbucks partners came to work this week ready to serve their customers and communities,” the company said in a statement. “It would be more productive if the union would put the same effort into coming back to the table to finalize a reasonable contract.”

Starbucks Workers United has been unionizing U.S. stores since 2021. Starbucks and the union have yet to reach a contract agreement, despite agreeing to return to the bargaining table in February 2024.

The union said this week that it filed a complaint with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-starbucks-union-fired-workers-tennessee-18547e128a14fae93a148383f48cb305">National Labor Relations Board</a>&nbsp;alleging Starbucks' failure to bargain over the new dress code.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1743696733746.jpg" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY (AP) —More than 1,000 Starbucks baristas at 75 U.S. stores have gone on strike since Sunday to protest a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-dress-code-black-shirt-union-b7dd93b93c6c13448606545fb3f1778f">new company dress code</a>, a union representing the coffee giant's workers said Wednesday.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-earnings-quarter-niccol-084641cd0786394e93d87d59689b8806">Starbucks</a>&nbsp;put new limits starting Monday on what its baristas can wear under their green aprons. The dress code requires employees at company-operated and licensed stores in the U.S. and Canada to wear a solid black shirt and khaki, black or blue denim bottoms.</p><p>Under the previous dress code, baristas could wear a broader range of dark colors and patterned shirts. Starbucks said the new rules would make its green aprons stand out and create a sense of familiarity&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-restrooms-policy-2d258bc61c55769bb2acaf15d1ed3b48">for customers</a>&nbsp;as it tries to establish a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-ceo-niccol-coffee-b547ab2141e194b30675ad8d1caff90d">warmer, more welcoming feeling</a>&nbsp;in its stores.</p><p>But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-baristas-workers-united-7b2f6e5d7b039bc1909d646d84cd426d">Starbucks Workers United</a>, the union that represents workers at 570 of Starbucks’ 10,000 company-owned U.S. stores, said the dress code should be subject to collective bargaining.</p><p>“Starbucks has lost its way. Instead of listening to baristas who make the Starbucks experience what it is, they are focused on all the wrong things, like implementing a restrictive new dress code,” said Paige Summers, a Starbucks shift supervisor from Hanover, Maryland. “Customers don’t care what color our clothes are when they’re waiting 30 minutes for a latte.”</p><p>Summers and others also criticized the company for selling styles of Starbucks-branded clothing that employees no longer are allowed to wear to work on an internal website. Starbucks said it would give two free black T-shirts to each employee when it announced the new dress code.</p><p>Starbucks said Wednesday that the strike was having a limited impact on its 10,000 company-operated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-first-3d-printed-store-texas-552972e9df63796e42ede152747b9069">U.S. stores</a>.</p><p>“Thousands of Starbucks partners came to work this week ready to serve their customers and communities,” the company said in a statement. “It would be more productive if the union would put the same effort into coming back to the table to finalize a reasonable contract.”</p><p>Starbucks Workers United has been unionizing U.S. stores since 2021. Starbucks and the union have yet to reach a contract agreement, despite agreeing to return to the bargaining table in February 2024.</p><p>The union said this week that it filed a complaint with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-starbucks-union-fired-workers-tennessee-18547e128a14fae93a148383f48cb305">National Labor Relations Board</a>&nbsp;alleging Starbucks' failure to bargain over the new dress code.</p>

 Starbucks baristas go on strike to protest new dress code

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is seeking assistance from the public to identify witnesses involving a shooting that occurred at approximately 4:05 pm on May 11, according to a media release from the agency.

This shooting occurred on southbound Interstate 35 in the area of 18th Street and Lamar Avenue in Wyandotte County. One victim was struck by a bullet and transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

If anyone has information regarding witnesses or knowledge of this shooting, please contact Kansas Highway Patrol Communications at&nbsp;<a href="tel: 7858273701">785-827-3701</a>.

<p>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is seeking assistance from the public to identify witnesses involving a shooting that occurred at approximately 4:05 pm on May 11, according to a media release from the agency.</p><p>This shooting occurred on southbound Interstate 35 in the area of 18th Street and Lamar Avenue in Wyandotte County. One victim was struck by a bullet and transported to a local hospital in stable condition.</p><p>If anyone has information regarding witnesses or knowledge of this shooting, please contact Kansas Highway Patrol Communications at&nbsp;<a href="tel: 7858273701">785-827-3701</a>.</p>

KHP seeks witnesses to highway shooting that hospitalized victim

DOHA, Qatar (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;trip to Qatar is off to a flying start.

Like Saudi Arabia a day earlier, Qatar didn’t bother waiting for Trump to land before setting out to impress him with a fighter jet escort.

As Trump flew in to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mideast-saudi-arabia-mbs-qatar-uae-b782fe922d09afced2e1074b65016e80">Riyadh</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday and then in to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-14-2025">Doha</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday as part of his Middle East trip, he received ceremonial escorts from each country’s F-15 fighter jets, exceptionally rare sights.

A White House official, Margo Martin, posted videos of the escorts online.

“Saudi F-15’s providing honorary escort for Air Force One!” she wrote on Tuesday. The Royal Saudi Air Force has the world’s largest fleet of American-made F-15s after the U.S. Air Force.

Then on Wednesday, Martin posted: “what a view flying into Qatar!!!” She even captured one of the Qatari aviators, sitting in the F-15’s backseat, returning the favor by taking a picture of Air Force One.

The fighter jets aren’t the only planes Qatar has used to impress Trump, offering to gift him a luxury Boeing 747-8 that the U.S. could use as Air Force One while new versions of the plane are under construction by Boeing.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-qatar-gift-jet-air-force-one-7f9afb461c6b3ac16fca3bb0973715ff">Trump has defended the idea</a>&nbsp;as a fiscally smart move for the United States. But his critics have questioned what would amount to a president accepting an astonishingly valuable gift from a foreign government, calling it “naked corruption” and “a grave national security threat.”

The Republican president is on a three-nation Middle East trip and visits the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

<p>DOHA, Qatar (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;trip to Qatar is off to a flying start.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another great deal for America! <a href="https://t.co/T8xFj9CRkd">https://t.co/T8xFj9CRkd</a></p>&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1922658033189921016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Like Saudi Arabia a day earlier, Qatar didn’t bother waiting for Trump to land before setting out to impress him with a fighter jet escort.</p><p>As Trump flew in to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mideast-saudi-arabia-mbs-qatar-uae-b782fe922d09afced2e1074b65016e80">Riyadh</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday and then in to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-14-2025">Doha</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday as part of his Middle East trip, he received ceremonial escorts from each country’s F-15 fighter jets, exceptionally rare sights.</p><p>A White House official, Margo Martin, posted videos of the escorts online.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Qatari F-15’s providing honorary escort for Air Force One! 🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/nUsif3HWrh">pic.twitter.com/nUsif3HWrh</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922607930374844426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Pres. Trump arrives Old Amiri Palace -- Amiri Diwan -- in Doha for meeting with Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar تميم بن حمد آل ثاني، أمير دولة قطر accompanied by folk Ardah performance, horses, camels. <a href="https://t.co/wGRGgSRsEt">pic.twitter.com/wGRGgSRsEt</a></p>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1922678135021031694?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>“Saudi F-15’s providing honorary escort for Air Force One!” she wrote on Tuesday. The Royal Saudi Air Force has the world’s largest fleet of American-made F-15s after the U.S. Air Force.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Scene in Qatar from President Trump’s motorcade! 🐪 <a href="https://t.co/20I4DEQuZ6">pic.twitter.com/20I4DEQuZ6</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1922621403007754506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Then on Wednesday, Martin posted: “what a view flying into Qatar!!!” She even captured one of the Qatari aviators, sitting in the F-15’s backseat, returning the favor by taking a picture of Air Force One.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A view from above as F-15QA Multirole Strike Fighters of the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) escort Air Force One into Qatar🇺🇸🇶🇦 <a href="https://t.co/nzpk2L8Cds">pic.twitter.com/nzpk2L8Cds</a></p>&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1922640677671747983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The fighter jets aren’t the only planes Qatar has used to impress Trump, offering to gift him a luxury Boeing 747-8 that the U.S. could use as Air Force One while new versions of the plane are under construction by Boeing.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-qatar-gift-jet-air-force-one-7f9afb461c6b3ac16fca3bb0973715ff">Trump has defended the idea</a>&nbsp;as a fiscally smart move for the United States. But his critics have questioned what would amount to a president accepting an astonishingly valuable gift from a foreign government, calling it “naked corruption” and “a grave national security threat.”</p><p>The Republican president is on a three-nation Middle East trip and visits the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.</p>

White House: Qatar signs deal to buy 160 Boeing jets

TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Health on Wednesday reported ten new case of measles over the past week in the state for a total of 56 cases in ten counties.

Last week the state reported cases in eight counties in the southwestern part of the state. Most of the cases are in Gray, Haskell and Stevens counties. The state also confirmed one case in Wichita and another in Hutchinson. 

On Saturday, county health officers issued warnings about sites where people may have been exposed to measles. Anyone who was at the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport from 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 2 should monitor symptoms until May 23. And anyone at Carnicerias El Guero No. 1 grocery store, 524 W. 21st St N. in Wichita, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. April 29 should monitor symptoms until May 20.

Anyone at the Hutchinson Public Library, 901 N. Main Street Hutchinson&nbsp;Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. should also monitor symptoms.

The state's first reported case, identified in Stevens County on March 13, is linked to the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks based on genetic testing, a state health department spokesperson said. But health officials have not determined how the person was exposed.

Texas confirmed eight more measles cases over the span of four days, continuing a short streak of shrinking increases in a state that has been dealing with a large outbreak for nearly four months.

The U.S. surpassed 1,000 measles cases Friday, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/sxSwi/?v=7">Texas</a>&nbsp;still accounts for the vast majority of cases in an outbreak that also spread measles to New Mexico, Oklahoma and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3">Kansas.</a>

<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3"></a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">Two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children</a>&nbsp;died from measles-related illnesses in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">the epicenter in West Texas,</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">adult in New Mexico</a>&nbsp;who was not vaccinated died of a measles-related illness.

Other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a">states with active outbreaks</a>&nbsp;— which the CDC defines as three or more related cases — include Indiana, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

North America has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mexico-canada-ontario-0956a30c043b030ae79bc9f67c6ce89c">two other ongoing outbreaks</a>, all of which are the same measles strain. One outbreak in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/M/24/measles-ontario-epi-summary.pdf?rev=323859266e21469b8b97a294d6c6f98e&amp;sc_lang=en">1,440 cases</a>&nbsp;from mid-October through May 6, up 197 cases in a week. And the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-measles-vaccines-misinformation-mmr-mennonites-misinformation-ea6158b9a4d513b20f33cbc09034e5c2">Mexican state of Chihuahua</a>&nbsp;had 1,094 measles cases and one death as of Tuesday, according to data from the state health ministry.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-mmr-outbreak-vaccines-408371700e3ab548777bf0354e586549">Measles</a>&nbsp;is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-vaccines-autism-measles-obesity-food-dye-f26089856550e978d28fd25b653d8103">preventable through vaccines</a>, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

As the virus takes hold in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">U.S. communities with low vaccination rates</a>, health experts fear that spread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-outbreak-mmr-vaccine-6cfda9a944084c390bc70f0e7a37a426">could stretch on for a year</a>. Here’s what else you&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">need to know about measles in the U.S.</a>

How many measles cases are there in Texas?

There are a total of 717 cases across&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/sxSwi/?v=7">32 counties, most of them in West Texas</a>, state health officials said Tuesday. The state confirmed only eight more cases since its update Friday.

The state also added one hospitalization to its count, for a total of 93 throughout the outbreak.

<a href="https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025">State health officials estimated</a>&nbsp;about 1% of cases — fewer than 10 — are actively infectious. Fifty-seven percent of Texas’ cases are in Gaines County, population 22,892, where the virus started spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The county has had 405 cases since late January — just over 1.7% of the county’s residents.

The April 3 death in Texas was an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">8-year-old child,</a>&nbsp;according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-measles-outbreak-rfk-jr-ben-edwards-2dd7c79d47c64ad2e6d4a4ac3c87ec1f">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;Local health officials said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of “what the child’s doctor described as measles pulmonary failure.” A unvaccinated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-west-texas-death-rfk-41adc66641e4a56ce2b2677480031ab9">child with no underlying conditions died of measles in Texas</a>&nbsp;in late February; Kennedy said the child was 6.

How many measles cases are there in New Mexico?

New Mexico remained steady with 71 total cases Tuesday. Seven people have been hospitalized since the outbreak started. Most of the state’s cases are in Lea County. Three are in Eddy County, two in Doña Ana County and Chaves and Curry counties have one each.

An unvaccinated adult died of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">measles-related illness March 6</a>. The person did not seek medical care.

Oklahoma held steady with a total of 14 confirmed and three probable cases as of Tuesday.

The state health department is not releasing which counties have cases, but Cleveland, Oklahoma and Sequoyah counties have had public exposures in the past couple of months.

Indiana has eight cases, all of them in Allen County in the northeast part of the state. The cases have no known link to other outbreaks, the Allen County Department of Health has said.

Michigan has nine confirmed cases of measles, with an outbreak of four connected cases in Montcalm County in the western part of the state that state health officials say is tied to the Ontario outbreak.

Montana added three new measles cases in the last two weeks, bringing the total to eight. The state's outbreak started in mid-April in southwestern Gallatin County — Montana’s first measles cases in 35 years. Health officials didn’t say whether the cases are linked to other outbreaks in North America.

How many cases are there in North Dakota?

North Dakota has 11 cases of measles as of Sunday. The state hadn't seen measles since 2011, health officials said.

State health officials announced two new cases in Cass County on the eastern side of the state. The rest are in Williams County in western North Dakota on the Montana border and are not linked to Cass County.

The state health department says three of the confirmed cases in Williams County are linked to the first case — an unvaccinated child who health officials believe got it from an out-of-state visitor.

The other five cases were people who were not vaccinated and did not have contact with the other cases, causing concern about community transmission. The state health department said four people diagnosed with measles attended classes while infectious at a Williston elementary school, middle school and high school.

Ohio has 34 measles cases and one hospitalization, according to the Ohio Department of Health. That count includes only Ohio residents.

The state has two outbreaks: Ashtabula County near Cleveland has 16 cases, and Knox County in east-central Ohio has 20 — 14 among Ohio residents and the rest among visitors.

Allen, Cuyahoga, Holmes and Defiance counties have one case each.

How many cases are there in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has 15 cases overall in 2025 as of Friday, including international travel-related cases in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/health/documents/topics/documents/2025%20HAN/2025-787-3-13-ADV-%20Measles.pdf">Montgomery County and one in Philadelphia</a>.

There were eight measles cases in Erie County in far northwest Pennsylvania in late April; the county declared an outbreak in mid-April.

Tennessee had six measles cases as of early May. Health department spokesman Bill Christian said all cases are the middle part of the state, and that “at least three of these cases are linked to each other” but declined to specify further. The state also did not say whether the cases were linked to other outbreaks or when Tennessee’s outbreak started.

Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.?

Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

Cases and outbreaks in the U.S. are frequently traced to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-asia-measles-rates-unicef-who-report-2f888732cc297090238956986fd89cc4">someone who caught the disease abroad</a>. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles.

What do you need to know about the MMR vaccine?

The best way to avoid measles is to get the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/mmr.html">measles, mumps and rubella</a>&nbsp;vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

Getting another MMR shot as an adult is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.

People who have documentation that they had measles are immune, and those born before 1957 generally don’t need the shots because so many children got measles back then that they have “presumptive immunity."

Measles has a harder time spreading through communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — due to “herd immunity.” But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots.

Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.

Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html">dangerous complications</a>&nbsp;such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.

There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.

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

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747238778889.png" alt="KDHE image" />
                        <figcaption>KDHE image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Health on Wednesday reported ten new case of measles over the past week in the state for a total of 56 cases in ten counties.</p><p>Last week the state reported cases in eight counties in the southwestern part of the state. Most of the cases are in Gray, Haskell and Stevens counties. The state also confirmed one case in Wichita and another in Hutchinson. </p><p>On Saturday, county health officers issued warnings about sites where people may have been exposed to measles. Anyone who was at the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport from 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 2 should monitor symptoms until May 23. And anyone at Carnicerias El Guero No. 1 grocery store, 524 W. 21st St N. in Wichita, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. April 29 should monitor symptoms until May 20.</p><p>Anyone at the Hutchinson Public Library, 901 N. Main Street Hutchinson&nbsp;Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. should also monitor symptoms.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747239085971.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The state's first reported case, identified in Stevens County on March 13, is linked to the Texas and New Mexico outbreaks based on genetic testing, a state health department spokesperson said. But health officials have not determined how the person was exposed.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743085628490.png" alt="Photo by Tatiana Lanzieri Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.png" />
                        <figcaption>Photo by Tatiana Lanzieri Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.png</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Texas confirmed eight more measles cases over the span of four days, continuing a short streak of shrinking increases in a state that has been dealing with a large outbreak for nearly four months.</p><p>The U.S. surpassed 1,000 measles cases Friday, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/sxSwi/?v=7">Texas</a>&nbsp;still accounts for the vast majority of cases in an outbreak that also spread measles to New Mexico, Oklahoma and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3">Kansas.</a></p><p><a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/aP4Au/?v=3"></a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">Two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children</a>&nbsp;died from measles-related illnesses in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">the epicenter in West Texas,</a>&nbsp;and an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">adult in New Mexico</a>&nbsp;who was not vaccinated died of a measles-related illness.</p><p>Other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-kansas-ohio-mmr-vaccination-new-mexico-texas-569474272df9baaad1f6d73462ebe92a">states with active outbreaks</a>&nbsp;— which the CDC defines as three or more related cases — include Indiana, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.</p><p>North America has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-mexico-canada-ontario-0956a30c043b030ae79bc9f67c6ce89c">two other ongoing outbreaks</a>, all of which are the same measles strain. One outbreak in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/M/24/measles-ontario-epi-summary.pdf?rev=323859266e21469b8b97a294d6c6f98e&amp;sc_lang=en">1,440 cases</a>&nbsp;from mid-October through May 6, up 197 cases in a week. And the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-measles-vaccines-misinformation-mmr-mennonites-misinformation-ea6158b9a4d513b20f33cbc09034e5c2">Mexican state of Chihuahua</a>&nbsp;had 1,094 measles cases and one death as of Tuesday, according to data from the state health ministry.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-mmr-outbreak-vaccines-408371700e3ab548777bf0354e586549">Measles</a>&nbsp;is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-vaccines-autism-measles-obesity-food-dye-f26089856550e978d28fd25b653d8103">preventable through vaccines</a>, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.</p><p>As the virus takes hold in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-vaccines-funding-cuts-5785985d6b74024b0502f6a2fc1576e2">U.S. communities with low vaccination rates</a>, health experts fear that spread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-new-mexico-outbreak-mmr-vaccine-6cfda9a944084c390bc70f0e7a37a426">could stretch on for a year</a>. Here’s what else you&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-rfk-vaccines-8cf4641b04731c713edb524ca943490c">need to know about measles in the U.S.</a></p><h2>How many measles cases are there in Texas?</h2><p>There are a total of 717 cases across&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datawrapper.de/_/sxSwi/?v=7">32 counties, most of them in West Texas</a>, state health officials said Tuesday. The state confirmed only eight more cases since its update Friday.</p><p>The state also added one hospitalization to its count, for a total of 93 throughout the outbreak.</p><p><a href="https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025">State health officials estimated</a>&nbsp;about 1% of cases — fewer than 10 — are actively infectious. Fifty-seven percent of Texas’ cases are in Gaines County, population 22,892, where the virus started spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The county has had 405 cases since late January — just over 1.7% of the county’s residents.</p><p>The April 3 death in Texas was an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-texas-rfk-death-vaccine-4e28b0edf5cab47980b40b2d47f0ec50">8-year-old child,</a>&nbsp;according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-measles-outbreak-rfk-jr-ben-edwards-2dd7c79d47c64ad2e6d4a4ac3c87ec1f">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>&nbsp;Local health officials said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of “what the child’s doctor described as measles pulmonary failure.” A unvaccinated&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-west-texas-death-rfk-41adc66641e4a56ce2b2677480031ab9">child with no underlying conditions died of measles in Texas</a>&nbsp;in late February; Kennedy said the child was 6.</p><h2>How many measles cases are there in New Mexico?</h2><p>New Mexico remained steady with 71 total cases Tuesday. Seven people have been hospitalized since the outbreak started. Most of the state’s cases are in Lea County. Three are in Eddy County, two in Doña Ana County and Chaves and Curry counties have one each.</p><p>An unvaccinated adult died of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/measles-death-new-mexico-texas-outbreak-b9aef6fdd51fbb4ebd1ce9ce28e33299">measles-related illness March 6</a>. The person did not seek medical care.</p><h2>How many cases are there in Oklahoma?</h2><p>Oklahoma held steady with a total of 14 confirmed and three probable cases as of Tuesday.</p><p>The state health department is not releasing which counties have cases, but Cleveland, Oklahoma and Sequoyah counties have had public exposures in the past couple of months.</p><h2>How many cases are there in Indiana?</h2><p>Indiana has eight cases, all of them in Allen County in the northeast part of the state. The cases have no known link to other outbreaks, the Allen County Department of Health has said.</p><h2>How many cases are there in Michigan?</h2><p>Michigan has nine confirmed cases of measles, with an outbreak of four connected cases in Montcalm County in the western part of the state that state health officials say is tied to the Ontario outbreak.</p><h2>How many cases are there in Montana?</h2><p>Montana added three new measles cases in the last two weeks, bringing the total to eight. The state's outbreak started in mid-April in southwestern Gallatin County — Montana’s first measles cases in 35 years. Health officials didn’t say whether the cases are linked to other outbreaks in North America.</p><h2>How many cases are there in North Dakota?</h2><p>North Dakota has 11 cases of measles as of Sunday. The state hadn't seen measles since 2011, health officials said.</p><p>State health officials announced two new cases in Cass County on the eastern side of the state. The rest are in Williams County in western North Dakota on the Montana border and are not linked to Cass County.</p><p>The state health department says three of the confirmed cases in Williams County are linked to the first case — an unvaccinated child who health officials believe got it from an out-of-state visitor.</p><p>The other five cases were people who were not vaccinated and did not have contact with the other cases, causing concern about community transmission. The state health department said four people diagnosed with measles attended classes while infectious at a Williston elementary school, middle school and high school.</p><h2>How many cases are there in Ohio?</h2><p>Ohio has 34 measles cases and one hospitalization, according to the Ohio Department of Health. That count includes only Ohio residents.</p><p>The state has two outbreaks: Ashtabula County near Cleveland has 16 cases, and Knox County in east-central Ohio has 20 — 14 among Ohio residents and the rest among visitors.</p><p>Allen, Cuyahoga, Holmes and Defiance counties have one case each.</p><h2>How many cases are there in Pennsylvania?</h2><p>Pennsylvania has 15 cases overall in 2025 as of Friday, including international travel-related cases in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/health/documents/topics/documents/2025%20HAN/2025-787-3-13-ADV-%20Measles.pdf">Montgomery County and one in Philadelphia</a>.</p><p>There were eight measles cases in Erie County in far northwest Pennsylvania in late April; the county declared an outbreak in mid-April.</p><h2>How many cases are there in Tennessee?</h2><p>Tennessee had six measles cases as of early May. Health department spokesman Bill Christian said all cases are the middle part of the state, and that “at least three of these cases are linked to each other” but declined to specify further. The state also did not say whether the cases were linked to other outbreaks or when Tennessee’s outbreak started.</p><h2>Where else is measles showing up in the U.S.?</h2><p>Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.</p><p>Cases and outbreaks in the U.S. are frequently traced to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-asia-measles-rates-unicef-who-report-2f888732cc297090238956986fd89cc4">someone who caught the disease abroad</a>. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles.</p><h2>What do you need to know about the MMR vaccine?</h2><p>The best way to avoid measles is to get the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/mmr.html">measles, mumps and rubella</a>&nbsp;vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.</p><p>Getting another MMR shot as an adult is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don’t need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective vaccine made from “killed” virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.</p><p>People who have documentation that they had measles are immune, and those born before 1957 generally don’t need the shots because so many children got measles back then that they have “presumptive immunity."</p><p>Measles has a harder time spreading through communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — due to “herd immunity.” But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots.</p><h2>What are the symptoms of measles?</h2><p>Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.</p><p>The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.</p><p>Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html">dangerous complications</a>&nbsp;such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.</p><h2>How can you treat measles?</h2><p>There’s no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.</p><p>___</p><p>The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.</p>

KDHE reports more measles cases in the state

NEW YORK (AP) — Ford is recalling nearly 274,000 of its Expedition and Lincoln-branded Navigator SUVs across the U.S. due to an issue that may cause a loss of brake function while driving, increasing crash risks.

According to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the front brake lines in these now-recalled cars “may be in contact” with their engine air cleaner outlet pipe due to a potential installation defect. That can result in a brake fluid leak and/or a loss of brake function.

The recall covers 223,315 Expeditions and 50,474 Navigators between model years 2022 and 2024. Ford expects that just 1% of these vehicles have the defect, per a&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V314-7594.PDF">recall report</a>&nbsp;dated Friday.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this recall — but the Michigan-based auto giant had received 45 warranty reports of front brake line leaks as of April 17, NHSTA documents note.

As a remedy, Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the front brake line of impacted vehicles and replace it or air cleaner outlet pipe if necessary — free of charge. Dealer notifications were planned to begin Wednesday, the recall report notes, with owner letters set to be mailed out between May 26 and May 30.

In the meantime, drivers can also confirm if their specific vehicle is included in this recall and find more information using&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/search-safety-issues#recall">the NHTSA site</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ford.com/support/recalls-details/">Ford's recall lookup</a>. The company's number for this recall is 25S47.

A spokesperson for Ford has no additional comments when reached by The Associated Press on Wednesday.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685732368836.png" alt="Google image" />
                        <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>NEW YORK (AP) — Ford is recalling nearly 274,000 of its Expedition and Lincoln-branded Navigator SUVs across the U.S. due to an issue that may cause a loss of brake function while driving, increasing crash risks.</p><p>According to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the front brake lines in these now-recalled cars “may be in contact” with their engine air cleaner outlet pipe due to a potential installation defect. That can result in a brake fluid leak and/or a loss of brake function.</p><p>The recall covers 223,315 Expeditions and 50,474 Navigators between model years 2022 and 2024. Ford expects that just 1% of these vehicles have the defect, per a&nbsp;<a href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V314-7594.PDF">recall report</a>&nbsp;dated Friday.</p><p>Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this recall — but the Michigan-based auto giant had received 45 warranty reports of front brake line leaks as of April 17, NHSTA documents note.</p><p>As a remedy, Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the front brake line of impacted vehicles and replace it or air cleaner outlet pipe if necessary — free of charge. Dealer notifications were planned to begin Wednesday, the recall report notes, with owner letters set to be mailed out between May 26 and May 30.</p><p>In the meantime, drivers can also confirm if their specific vehicle is included in this recall and find more information using&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/search-safety-issues#recall">the NHTSA site</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ford.com/support/recalls-details/">Ford's recall lookup</a>. The company's number for this recall is 25S47.</p><p>A spokesperson for Ford has no additional comments when reached by The Associated Press on Wednesday.</p>

Ford recalls Navigator and Expedition SUVs due to loss of brake function risk

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators announced an effort Tuesday to phase out ingestible&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-water-cdc-kennedy-02d931af8f025877a9e3d332bf215c69">fluoride</a>&nbsp;supplements sometimes used to strengthen children’s teeth, opening a new front in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-cdc-epa-6f4dbc64b5dc511f712a82cd2d252d76">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s effort</a>&nbsp;against a mainstay of dental care.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-food-and-drug-administration">The Food and Drug Administration</a>&nbsp;said it will conduct a scientific review of the children's products by late October with the aim of removing them from the market. Formally withdrawing medical products requires a lengthy rulemaking process that can take years. Instead, the FDA will ask manufacturers to voluntarily pull their products, according to an administration official.

Fluoride tablets and lozenges are sometimes recommended for children and teens at increased risk of tooth decay or cavities because of low fluoride in their local drinking water. Companies also sell drops for babies.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-trump-makary-vaccines-ultraprocessed-food-safety-ce9df8eb4bba5c950e500c62d975afe2">FDA Commissioner Marty Makary</a>&nbsp;said the products pose a risk when swallowed because they may interfere with healthy gut bacteria that are critical to digestion, immunity and other key bodily functions. He also referenced studies showing possible associations between excess fluoride intake and other problems,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-water-brain-neurology-iq-0a671d2de3b386947e2bd5a661f437a5">including decreased IQ</a>.

The nation's leading dental group said Tuesday the studies “do not in fact demonstrate any harmful effects” from fluoride at the levels used by dentists.

"Proposals like this stand to hurt rural America, not make them healthier,” American Dental Association President Dr. Brett Kessler said. “More than ever, at this critical time in American health care policy, it is vital that we slow down to properly study the full implications of actions like this on the health of the nation.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-fluoride-ban-low-income-f02da2c1a45b3837b79f927430d4b0d6">Officials in Utah</a>&nbsp;— the first U.S. state to ban fluoride from drinking water — recently made fluoride supplements available without a prescription. As more state and local governments begin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-fluoride-ban-43f67153beb3e06ada9d782655fb15de">removing fluoride from their water</a>, the need for supplemental fluoride is expected to grow.

Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1962, the agency set guidelines for how much should be added to water.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-vaccines-autism-measles-obesity-food-dye-f26089856550e978d28fd25b653d8103">Kennedy</a>, a former environmental lawyer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-ruling-drinking-water-ccdfa11138600ab0838ebf979cbaead2">has called fluoride</a>&nbsp;a “dangerous neurotoxin” tied to a range of health dangers. Last month, he announced a task force to scrutinize fluoride's use, while at the same time saying he would order the CDC to stop recommending that it be added to tap water.

A report last year by the federal government’s National Toxicology Program concluded that drinking water with more than twice the CDC’s recommended level was associated with lower IQs in kids. The study was based on research conducted in Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Mexico.

“Ending the use of ingestible fluoride is long overdue,” Kennedy said in a statement Tuesday. "This decision brings us one step closer to delivering on President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again.”

An influential government health panel recommends fluoride supplements for children between the ages of six months and 5 years if they live in areas with low fluoridation levels. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Forces judged the recommendation to have “high certainty," based on the available evidence.

A 2010 paper from the ADA recommended supplemental fluoride for children up to 16 years old who are at high risk of cavities. The recommendation was based on a review of studies across different age groups. The most common side effect associated with the products is spotting or discoloration of the teeth, caused by extra fluoride.

ADA's Kessler said the FDA's plan “will be particularly harmful to the most vulnerable and those who lack access to care.”

The FDA regulates most dental products, including fluoride-containing toothpastes, supplements, mouthwashes and rinses. But in Tuesday's press release, the FDA said the ingestible products targeted by the agency have “never been approved." The agency's plan wouldn't affect toothpastes, mouthwash or fluoride treatments used by adults or those offered in dentists' offices.

In recent weeks fluoride-containing products have increasingly been targeted with lawsuits and legal actions.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation early this month into the marketing of fluoride toothpastes by Colgate-Palmolive and Proctor and Gamble. A press release from his office described the companies' promotions as “misleading, deceptive and dangerous.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732637671464.jpg" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators announced an effort Tuesday to phase out ingestible&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-water-cdc-kennedy-02d931af8f025877a9e3d332bf215c69">fluoride</a>&nbsp;supplements sometimes used to strengthen children’s teeth, opening a new front in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-cdc-epa-6f4dbc64b5dc511f712a82cd2d252d76">Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s effort</a>&nbsp;against a mainstay of dental care.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-food-and-drug-administration">The Food and Drug Administration</a>&nbsp;said it will conduct a scientific review of the children's products by late October with the aim of removing them from the market. Formally withdrawing medical products requires a lengthy rulemaking process that can take years. Instead, the FDA will ask manufacturers to voluntarily pull their products, according to an administration official.</p><p>Fluoride tablets and lozenges are sometimes recommended for children and teens at increased risk of tooth decay or cavities because of low fluoride in their local drinking water. Companies also sell drops for babies.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/fda-trump-makary-vaccines-ultraprocessed-food-safety-ce9df8eb4bba5c950e500c62d975afe2">FDA Commissioner Marty Makary</a>&nbsp;said the products pose a risk when swallowed because they may interfere with healthy gut bacteria that are critical to digestion, immunity and other key bodily functions. He also referenced studies showing possible associations between excess fluoride intake and other problems,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-water-brain-neurology-iq-0a671d2de3b386947e2bd5a661f437a5">including decreased IQ</a>.</p><p>The nation's leading dental group said Tuesday the studies “do not in fact demonstrate any harmful effects” from fluoride at the levels used by dentists.</p><p>"Proposals like this stand to hurt rural America, not make them healthier,” American Dental Association President Dr. Brett Kessler said. “More than ever, at this critical time in American health care policy, it is vital that we slow down to properly study the full implications of actions like this on the health of the nation.”</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-fluoride-ban-low-income-f02da2c1a45b3837b79f927430d4b0d6">Officials in Utah</a>&nbsp;— the first U.S. state to ban fluoride from drinking water — recently made fluoride supplements available without a prescription. As more state and local governments begin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-fluoride-ban-43f67153beb3e06ada9d782655fb15de">removing fluoride from their water</a>, the need for supplemental fluoride is expected to grow.</p><p>Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1962, the agency set guidelines for how much should be added to water.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/rfk-vaccines-autism-measles-obesity-food-dye-f26089856550e978d28fd25b653d8103">Kennedy</a>, a former environmental lawyer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fluoride-ruling-drinking-water-ccdfa11138600ab0838ebf979cbaead2">has called fluoride</a>&nbsp;a “dangerous neurotoxin” tied to a range of health dangers. Last month, he announced a task force to scrutinize fluoride's use, while at the same time saying he would order the CDC to stop recommending that it be added to tap water.</p><p>A report last year by the federal government’s National Toxicology Program concluded that drinking water with more than twice the CDC’s recommended level was associated with lower IQs in kids. The study was based on research conducted in Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Mexico.</p><p>“Ending the use of ingestible fluoride is long overdue,” Kennedy said in a statement Tuesday. "This decision brings us one step closer to delivering on President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again.”</p><p>An influential government health panel recommends fluoride supplements for children between the ages of six months and 5 years if they live in areas with low fluoridation levels. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Forces judged the recommendation to have “high certainty," based on the available evidence.</p><p>A 2010 paper from the ADA recommended supplemental fluoride for children up to 16 years old who are at high risk of cavities. The recommendation was based on a review of studies across different age groups. The most common side effect associated with the products is spotting or discoloration of the teeth, caused by extra fluoride.</p><p>ADA's Kessler said the FDA's plan “will be particularly harmful to the most vulnerable and those who lack access to care.”</p><p>The FDA regulates most dental products, including fluoride-containing toothpastes, supplements, mouthwashes and rinses. But in Tuesday's press release, the FDA said the ingestible products targeted by the agency have “never been approved." The agency's plan wouldn't affect toothpastes, mouthwash or fluoride treatments used by adults or those offered in dentists' offices.</p><p>In recent weeks fluoride-containing products have increasingly been targeted with lawsuits and legal actions.</p><p>Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation early this month into the marketing of fluoride toothpastes by Colgate-Palmolive and Proctor and Gamble. A press release from his office described the companies' promotions as “misleading, deceptive and dangerous.”</p><p>___</p><p>The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.</p>

FDA and RFK Jr. aim to remove fluoride products used to protect kids' teeth

KANSAS CITY —Police are investigating the fifth homicide in Kansas City, Missouri over the past week.

Just before 10p.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a shooting call at 37th and Pennsylvania, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Callers reported hearing the sound of gunfire and looked out and saw a person down in the street.&nbsp; First responders found a shooting victim later identified as 20-year-old Layla A. Freemanin the street unresponsive. Officers rendered aid and summoned EMS to the scene for treatment. EMS declared the victim deceased at the scene.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene and are canvassing for witnesses and any additional evidence. Preliminary investigation indicates that Freeman was at the location when she had an interaction with one or more suspects that led to gunfire and she was struck.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747228200281.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Police are investigating the fifth homicide in Kansas City, Missouri over the past week.</p><p>Just before 10p.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a shooting call at 37th and Pennsylvania, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.</p><p>Callers reported hearing the sound of gunfire and looked out and saw a person down in the street.&nbsp; First responders found a shooting victim later identified as 20-year-old Layla A. Freemanin the street unresponsive. Officers rendered aid and summoned EMS to the scene for treatment. EMS declared the victim deceased at the scene.</p><p>Homicide detectives responded to the scene and are canvassing for witnesses and any additional evidence. Preliminary investigation indicates that Freeman was at the location when she had an interaction with one or more suspects that led to gunfire and she was struck.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.</p>

KCPD: Woman homicide victim found in the street

Defendant stood trial three times, served three years in prison before case crumbled

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

TOPEKA — The Kansas attorney general and a Shawnee County judge approved a wrongful-conviction settlement of more than $200,000 for a man who stood trial three times for a series of criminal sexual offenses before a jury acquitted him of two charges and failed to reach a verdict on the final charge.

On Tuesday, an attorney for the state informed the governor and legislators that Anthony Bowers was entitled to compensation of $182,650 for three years served in prison on an overturned conviction for rape. The settlement included about $25,000 for legal fees.

Robert Hutchison, deputy attorney general in Kansas, said the State Finance Council had to be informed of the decision previously approved in Shawnee County District Court. The payment didn’t require an endorsement by members of the State Finance Council, which included Gov. Laura Kelly, Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins.

State law mandated Attorney General Kris Kobach process petitions filed by people convinced they were owed compensation for wrongful convictions. Each petition must be considered by the state court, which in this case fell to Judge Teresa Watson.

“We wrestled with this for a long time because this isn’t the kind of offense for which we like to see compensation paid out,” Hutchison said.

In Jackson County, Hutchison said, Bowers was acquitted by a jury of rape, aggravated sodomy and aggravated indecent liberties with a child during his first trial.

At a second trial in 2016, he was convicted on all three charges and sentenced to three consecutive life terms with a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison.

The Kansas Court of Appeals reversed his convictions because prosecution witness Jill Shehi-Chapman testified at trial about subject matter that fell into the category of expert testimony. The appellate court objected to Shehi-Chapman testifying as to her opinions regarding the general behavior of perpetrators of sexual abuse when she was not certified as an expert witness in the Bowers case.

“And, thereby, prejudicing the verdicts he received,” Hutchison said.

At the third trial, a jury acquitted Bowers of rape and aggravated sodomy and was hung on the aggravated indecent liberties charge.

The prosecutor in Jackson County declined to retry Bowers a fourth time on the aggravated indecent liberties issue because of the Court of Appeals opinion, elapsed time from the alleged offense in 2014 and “consistency issues” involving the evidence, Hutchison said.

Meanwhile, the State Finance Council voted to release $10 million to the Kansas Department for Children and Families to cover state expenditures during the remainder of the current fiscal year.

The council likewise agreed to transfer $1.8 million to DCF following compliance with a legislative directive to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a plan to deny recipients of SNAP the option of using the federal funds to buy candy or soft drinks.

The state agency submitted the request to the USDA, but withdrew that application when the governor vetoed the budget measure tied to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Republican-led Legislature overturned Kelly’s veto of the soda and candy prohibition, which prompted DCF to resubmit the request to USDA to limit food stamp expenditures in Kansas.

Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi, a Wichita Republican, asked the DCF secretary if there was any plan to withdraw the request a second time.

DCF Secretary Laura Howard apologized for the start-and-stop process regarding the SNAP limitation enacted by the Legislature. She said the proposal to USDA wouldn’t be dropped a second time.

“I’ll take responsibility for what happened earlier,” Howard said. “That was really an administrative error on my staff’s part.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747168863433.png" alt=" Robert Hutchison, a deputy attorney general in Kansas, said a district court determined a man wrongfully convicted of rape and sentenced to life in prison was eligible for more than $200,000 in compensation from the state for serving three years in prison. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature’s video feed)" />
                        <figcaption> Robert Hutchison, a deputy attorney general in Kansas, said a district court determined a man wrongfully convicted of rape and sentenced to life in prison was eligible for more than $200,000 in compensation from the state for serving three years in prison. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature’s video feed)</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>Defendant stood trial three times, served three years in prison before case crumbled</h2><p><b>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a><br></b><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><p>TOPEKA — The Kansas attorney general and a Shawnee County judge approved a wrongful-conviction settlement of more than $200,000 for a man who stood trial three times for a series of criminal sexual offenses before a jury acquitted him of two charges and failed to reach a verdict on the final charge.</p><p>On Tuesday, an attorney for the state informed the governor and legislators that Anthony Bowers was entitled to compensation of $182,650 for three years served in prison on an overturned conviction for rape. The settlement included about $25,000 for legal fees.</p><p>Robert Hutchison, deputy attorney general in Kansas, said the State Finance Council had to be informed of the decision previously approved in Shawnee County District Court. The payment didn’t require an endorsement by members of the State Finance Council, which included Gov. Laura Kelly, Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins.</p><p>State law mandated Attorney General Kris Kobach process petitions filed by people convinced they were owed compensation for wrongful convictions. Each petition must be considered by the state court, which in this case fell to Judge Teresa Watson.</p><p>“We wrestled with this for a long time because this isn’t the kind of offense for which we like to see compensation paid out,” Hutchison said.</p><h2>Three trials &amp; prison</h2><p>In Jackson County, Hutchison said, Bowers was acquitted by a jury of rape, aggravated sodomy and aggravated indecent liberties with a child during his first trial.</p><p>At a second trial in 2016, he was convicted on all three charges and sentenced to three consecutive life terms with a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison.</p><p>The Kansas Court of Appeals reversed his convictions because prosecution witness Jill Shehi-Chapman testified at trial about subject matter that fell into the category of expert testimony. The appellate court objected to Shehi-Chapman testifying as to her opinions regarding the general behavior of perpetrators of sexual abuse when she was not certified as an expert witness in the Bowers case.</p><p>“And, thereby, prejudicing the verdicts he received,” Hutchison said.</p><p>At the third trial, a jury acquitted Bowers of rape and aggravated sodomy and was hung on the aggravated indecent liberties charge.</p><p>The prosecutor in Jackson County declined to retry Bowers a fourth time on the aggravated indecent liberties issue because of the Court of Appeals opinion, elapsed time from the alleged offense in 2014 and “consistency issues” involving the evidence, Hutchison said.</p><h2>Candy, soft drinks</h2><p>Meanwhile, the State Finance Council voted to release $10 million to the Kansas Department for Children and Families to cover state expenditures during the remainder of the current fiscal year.</p><p>The council likewise agreed to transfer $1.8 million to DCF following compliance with a legislative directive to seek approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a plan to deny recipients of SNAP the option of using the federal funds to buy candy or soft drinks.</p><p>The state agency submitted the request to the USDA, but withdrew that application when the governor vetoed the budget measure tied to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Republican-led Legislature overturned Kelly’s veto of the soda and candy prohibition, which prompted DCF to resubmit the request to USDA to limit food stamp expenditures in Kansas.</p><p>Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi, a Wichita Republican, asked the DCF secretary if there was any plan to withdraw the request a second time.</p><p>DCF Secretary Laura Howard apologized for the start-and-stop process regarding the SNAP limitation enacted by the Legislature. She said the proposal to USDA wouldn’t be dropped a second time.</p><p>“I’ll take responsibility for what happened earlier,” Howard said. “That was really an administrative error on my staff’s part.”</p>

Kansas to pay more than $200,000 to man wrongfully convicted of sex crime

BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW<br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a>

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=422" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;passed by the state legislature Tuesday and on its way to the governor will require school districts to create a policy banning cell phone usage throughout the school day, including during breaks between classes and at lunch.

A majority of U.S. adults support cell phone bans during class time, or 68%&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/10/14/most-americans-back-cellphone-bans-during-class-but-fewer-support-all-day-restrictions/" target="_blank">as recorded in a Pew Research Center poll</a>. But restricting mobile phone use for the entire school day is less popular, with 36% in support.

State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, filed the cell-phone-ban legislation with restrictions only during instructional time. She&nbsp;wanted to give school boards and charter schools the ability to decide whether or not to place further limitations on cell phones, she told The Independent.

Lawmakers decided to pursue the more restrictive policy, and Steinhoff believes students will see benefits academically and socially.

“The statistics really do hold that if we do the (full day), bell to bell, that’s going to have the biggest turnaround,” she said.

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/2_19_2025.asp" target="_blank">the National Center for Education Statistics</a>, roughly 53% of school leaders believe that cell-phone usage has hurt students’ learning abilities. And 72% say it has negatively impacted mental health.

Many school districts have chosen to enact bans, and states around the country have been increasingly writing bans into law with restrictions passed in at least nine states and 10 states testing the policy in a pilot program since 2023.

Missouri’s full-day ban would be one of the more restrictive laws, but there are exceptions.

Students who need a mobile device to accommodate a disability are exempted, and cell phones would be allowed if there is a safety emergency at school.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747217604807.png" alt=" State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, speaks March 5 in the Missouri House (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications)." />
                        <figcaption> State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, speaks March 5 in the Missouri House (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW<br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a></p><p>A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=422" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;passed by the state legislature Tuesday and on its way to the governor will require school districts to create a policy banning cell phone usage throughout the school day, including during breaks between classes and at lunch.</p><p>A majority of U.S. adults support cell phone bans during class time, or 68%&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/10/14/most-americans-back-cellphone-bans-during-class-but-fewer-support-all-day-restrictions/" target="_blank">as recorded in a Pew Research Center poll</a>. But restricting mobile phone use for the entire school day is less popular, with 36% in support.</p><p>State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, filed the cell-phone-ban legislation with restrictions only during instructional time. She&nbsp;wanted to give school boards and charter schools the ability to decide whether or not to place further limitations on cell phones, she told The Independent.</p><p>Lawmakers decided to pursue the more restrictive policy, and Steinhoff believes students will see benefits academically and socially.</p><p>“The statistics really do hold that if we do the (full day), bell to bell, that’s going to have the biggest turnaround,” she said.</p><p>According to&nbsp;<a href="https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/2_19_2025.asp" target="_blank">the National Center for Education Statistics</a>, roughly 53% of school leaders believe that cell-phone usage has hurt students’ learning abilities. And 72% say it has negatively impacted mental health.</p><p>Many school districts have chosen to enact bans, and states around the country have been increasingly writing bans into law with restrictions passed in at least nine states and 10 states testing the policy in a pilot program since 2023.</p><p>Missouri’s full-day ban would be one of the more restrictive laws, but there are exceptions.</p><p>Students who need a mobile device to accommodate a disability are exempted, and cell phones would be allowed if there is a safety emergency at school.</p><p>The legislation also gives school districts and charter schools the ability to decide if teachers may allow students to use cell phones during class.</p><p>The bill does not require phones to be locked up. School boards will have to decide whether devices will be stowed in designated areas or allowed in students’ backpacks.</p><p>Districts will have to enact a policy during the 2025-2026 school year.</p><p>The legislation is part of a sweeping education package negotiated in the final weeks of the legislative session.</p><p>It began as a three-page bill prescribing reporting requirements for school safety incidents. Now, at 138 pages, it contains bipartisan legislation, with multiple provisions aimed at school safety.</p>