NEW YORK (AP) — Amid a federal overhaul of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-default-repayment-plans-fff521f5f3a24afbe30739b96d2e6b67">student loan plans</a>, many borrowers have been left wondering what it means for their hopes of loan forgiveness. In particular, those who are enrolled in a repayment plan known as income-based repayment, or IBR, have wondered if forgiveness will still be available to them.

A recent update from the Education Department said forgiveness through the IBR plan is paused while systems are updated. “IBR forgiveness will resume once those updates are completed,” the agency said.

IBR is not affected by a federal court’s injunction blocking former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-debt-cancellation-forgiveness-d213afe3ea69da3c6b9e713c7dc16a9a">President Joe Biden’s</a>&nbsp;Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan. The IBR plan was created by Congress separately from other existing repayment plans, including those known as PAYE and ICR. It’s also exempt from some changes coming from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-public-service-trump-145f6a07a477e5c82f4374bc89e1eea7">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;tax and spending bill.

Which income-driven repayment plans are affected by the court’s injunction?

Following a court injunction last summer, loan forgiveness for the SAVE, Income-Contingent Repayment, or ICR, and Pay As You Earn, or PAYE, plans is currently paused because those plans were not created by Congress. The legal action called into question whether student loan forgiveness was authorized under the federal statute that governs those plans. The IBR plan was created under a different authority.

IBR, created by Congress, reduces monthly payments for borrowers with lower incomes. It also invokes a statute that authorizes student loan forgiveness of the balance at the end of a 20- or 25-year repayment term.

The Education Department hasn’t given a timeline for when its system update will be complete and forgiveness will resume.

Should a borrower continue to make IBR payments in the interim?

Borrowers enrolled in IBR who have reached the threshold for forgiveness but who are not seeing their loans discharged as a result of the pause may continue to make payments with the expectation that the Education Department will refund the excess payments. The plan offers forgiveness after 240 or 300 monthly payments, depending on when borrowers enrolled.

Borrowers can also request forbearance from their loan servicer. In that case, interest would continue to accrue on any remaining balance.

What changes are coming from Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’?

Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">tax and spending law</a>&nbsp;will eventually phase out the ICR, PAYE and SAVE plans, replacing them with the Repayment Assistance Plan. IBR plans will continue to exist and to provide forgiveness after 20 or 25 years. RAP, in contrast, will require 30 years of repayment before forgiveness is granted.

The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745271542976.png" alt=" U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks at a press conference outside the U.S. Department of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 2 (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)." />
 <figcaption> U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks at a press conference outside the U.S. Department of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 2 (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom).</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Amid a federal overhaul of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-default-repayment-plans-fff521f5f3a24afbe30739b96d2e6b67">student loan plans</a>, many borrowers have been left wondering what it means for their hopes of loan forgiveness. In particular, those who are enrolled in a repayment plan known as income-based repayment, or IBR, have wondered if forgiveness will still be available to them.A recent update from the Education Department said forgiveness through the IBR plan is paused while systems are updated. “IBR forgiveness will resume once those updates are completed,” the agency said.IBR is not affected by a federal court’s injunction blocking former&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-debt-cancellation-forgiveness-d213afe3ea69da3c6b9e713c7dc16a9a">President Joe Biden’s</a>&nbsp;Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan. The IBR plan was created by Congress separately from other existing repayment plans, including those known as PAYE and ICR. It’s also exempt from some changes coming from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-public-service-trump-145f6a07a477e5c82f4374bc89e1eea7">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;tax and spending bill.Here’s what to know.<h2>Which income-driven repayment plans are affected by the court’s injunction?</h2>Following a court injunction last summer, loan forgiveness for the SAVE, Income-Contingent Repayment, or ICR, and Pay As You Earn, or PAYE, plans is currently paused because those plans were not created by Congress. The legal action called into question whether student loan forgiveness was authorized under the federal statute that governs those plans. The IBR plan was created under a different authority.IBR, created by Congress, reduces monthly payments for borrowers with lower incomes. It also invokes a statute that authorizes student loan forgiveness of the balance at the end of a 20- or 25-year repayment term.<h2>When will IBR forgiveness resume?</h2>The Education Department hasn’t given a timeline for when its system update will be complete and forgiveness will resume.<h2>Should a borrower continue to make IBR payments in the interim?</h2>Borrowers enrolled in IBR who have reached the threshold for forgiveness but who are not seeing their loans discharged as a result of the pause may continue to make payments with the expectation that the Education Department will refund the excess payments. The plan offers forgiveness after 240 or 300 monthly payments, depending on when borrowers enrolled.Borrowers can also request forbearance from their loan servicer. In that case, interest would continue to accrue on any remaining balance.<h2>What changes are coming from Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’?</h2>Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">tax and spending law</a>&nbsp;will eventually phase out the ICR, PAYE and SAVE plans, replacing them with the Repayment Assistance Plan. IBR plans will continue to exist and to provide forgiveness after 20 or 25 years. RAP, in contrast, will require 30 years of repayment before forgiveness is granted.___The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

What’s happening with forgiveness for student loans on income-based repayment plans?

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/maria-sherman">MARIA SHERMAN</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — There are pioneering music figures, and then there is Ozzy Osbourne, the larger-than-life frontman of Black Sabbath, whose personal mythology is eclipsed only by the strength and immortality of his songs.

A godfather and force of heavy metal,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ozzy-osbourne-dies-adff88b55f1d3b0bace5705d58d3cdde">Osbourne died</a>&nbsp;Tuesday at 76, just weeks after his last performance.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ozzy-osbourne">The English icon’s</a>&nbsp;idiosyncratic, throaty voice launched generations of metalheads, both through his work at the reins of Black Sabbath and in his solo career. Across his repertoire, there are songs with total global ubiquity and lesser-known innovations with his unique, spooky aesthetic quality.

To celebrate Osbourne’s life and legacy, we’ve selected just a few songs that made the man, from timeless tunes to a few left-of-center selections.

Read on and then listen to all of the tracks on&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0kPpwJF8nQg8cl58bQXBwF?si=ad72e3600c6748bb" target="_blank">our Spotify playlist.</a>

It would be a challenge to name a more immediately recognizable guitar riff than the one that launches&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ozzy-osbourne-black-sabbath-farewell-concert-5ad32c2e2457e5862d8f3eef646f5711">Black Sabbath’s</a>&nbsp;1970 megahit “Iron Man.” It transcends the metal genre — an all-timer heard around the world and in guitar stores everywhere.

One of the great&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vietnam-war-50-protest-songs-228cfe1d83613d3b56bd21ca0e7df2c4">Vietnam War protest songs,</a>&nbsp;Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” is a rare moment where hippies and metalheads can agree: “Politicians hide themselves away / They only started the war / Why should they go out to fight?” Osbourne sings in the bridge.

1971:&nbsp;“Children of the Grave,”&nbsp;Black Sabbath

Osbourne’s heaviest performances are at least partially indebted to Black Sabbath’s bassist and lyricist Terry “Geezer” Butler, and there is perhaps no better example than “Children of the Grave,” the single from the band’s 1971 album, “Master of Reality.” “Must the world live in the shadow of atomic fear?” Osbourne embodies Butler’s words, a sonic fist lifted in the air. “Can they win the fight for peace or will they disappear?”

1973:&nbsp;“Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,”&nbsp;Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath were in a creative rut in the time period leading up to “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,” the opening track from their 1973 album of the same name. It’s almost hard to believe now — the song features one of their best-known riffs, and its chorus features some truly ascendant vocals.

1980:&nbsp;“Crazy Train,” Ozzy Osbourne

Would the world know what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/miranda-lambert-review-postcards-from-texas-3d99231e57598082c3a0a0f6e87a7914">a vibraslap</a>&nbsp;sounds like without the immediately recognizable introduction to Osbourne’s first solo single, “Crazy Train?” To call it a classic is almost a disservice — it is an addicting tune, complete with chugging guitars and Cold War-era fears.

1980:&nbsp;“Mr. Crowley,” Ozzy Osbourne

Another classic cut from Osbourne’s debut solo album, “Blizzard Of Ozz” — released one year after Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath for his legendary excesses, — the arena rock anthem “Mr. Crowley” pays tribute to the famed English occultist Aleister Crowley and features&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/deep-purple-music-44607d54df45489a8f4854a12307a91f">Deep Purple’s Don Airey</a>&nbsp;on keyboard.

1981:&nbsp;“Diary of a Madman,”&nbsp;Ozzy Osbourne

The title track and coda of Osbourne’s second solo studio album, “Diary of a Madman,” runs over six minutes long, features big strings and a choir so theatrical it sounds like they’re scoring a medieval war film. He wanted big, he wanted dramatic, and he nailed it.

1991:&nbsp;“Mama, I’m Coming Home,”&nbsp;Ozzy Osbourne

It wouldn’t be inaccurate to call “Mama, I’m Coming Home” a beautiful-sounding song. It’s unlike anything on this list, a power ballad featuring lyrics written by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lemmy-motorhead-statue-ashes-0bcc1ee6a4a2b789e01f6f0e579e24f4">the late Motörhead frontman Lemmy</a>&nbsp;and a welcomed deviation.

1995:&nbsp;“Perry Mason,”&nbsp;Ozzy Osbourne

In the early ‘90s, Osbourne announced a short-lived retirement from music — one that ended with the release of 1995’s “Ozzmosis.” There’s a lot to love here — in particular, the haunting, full-throated chorus of “Perry Mason.”

2019:&nbsp;“Take What You Want,”&nbsp;Post Malone with Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott

Late in life Ozzy Osbourne was generous with his time and talent, often collaborating with younger performers who idolized the metal legend. One such example is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/post-malone">Post Malone’s</a>&nbsp;“Take What You Want,” which also features&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-scott">the rapper Travis Scott.</a>&nbsp;Osbourne gives the song a necessary gothic edge — validating the otherwise balladic song’s use of a sprightly guitar solo.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753208493937.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/maria-sherman">MARIA SHERMAN</a>NEW YORK (AP) — There are pioneering music figures, and then there is Ozzy Osbourne, the larger-than-life frontman of Black Sabbath, whose personal mythology is eclipsed only by the strength and immortality of his songs.A godfather and force of heavy metal,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ozzy-osbourne-dies-adff88b55f1d3b0bace5705d58d3cdde">Osbourne died</a>&nbsp;Tuesday at 76, just weeks after his last performance.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ozzy-osbourne">The English icon’s</a>&nbsp;idiosyncratic, throaty voice launched generations of metalheads, both through his work at the reins of Black Sabbath and in his solo career. Across his repertoire, there are songs with total global ubiquity and lesser-known innovations with his unique, spooky aesthetic quality.To celebrate Osbourne’s life and legacy, we’ve selected just a few songs that made the man, from timeless tunes to a few left-of-center selections.Read on and then listen to all of the tracks on&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0kPpwJF8nQg8cl58bQXBwF?si=ad72e3600c6748bb" target="_blank">our Spotify playlist.</a><h2>1970:&nbsp;“Iron Man,” Black Sabbath</h2>It would be a challenge to name a more immediately recognizable guitar riff than the one that launches&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ozzy-osbourne-black-sabbath-farewell-concert-5ad32c2e2457e5862d8f3eef646f5711">Black Sabbath’s</a>&nbsp;1970 megahit “Iron Man.” It transcends the metal genre — an all-timer heard around the world and in guitar stores everywhere.<h2>1970:&nbsp;“War Pigs,” Black Sabbath</h2>One of the great&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vietnam-war-50-protest-songs-228cfe1d83613d3b56bd21ca0e7df2c4">Vietnam War protest songs,</a>&nbsp;Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” is a rare moment where hippies and metalheads can agree: “Politicians hide themselves away / They only started the war / Why should they go out to fight?” Osbourne sings in the bridge.<h2>1971:&nbsp;“Children of the Grave,”&nbsp;Black Sabbath</h2>Osbourne’s heaviest performances are at least partially indebted to Black Sabbath’s bassist and lyricist Terry “Geezer” Butler, and there is perhaps no better example than “Children of the Grave,” the single from the band’s 1971 album, “Master of Reality.” “Must the world live in the shadow of atomic fear?” Osbourne embodies Butler’s words, a sonic fist lifted in the air. “Can they win the fight for peace or will they disappear?”<h2>1973:&nbsp;“Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,”&nbsp;Black Sabbath</h2>Black Sabbath were in a creative rut in the time period leading up to “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,” the opening track from their 1973 album of the same name. It’s almost hard to believe now — the song features one of their best-known riffs, and its chorus features some truly ascendant vocals.<h2>1980:&nbsp;“Crazy Train,” Ozzy Osbourne</h2>Would the world know what&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/miranda-lambert-review-postcards-from-texas-3d99231e57598082c3a0a0f6e87a7914">a vibraslap</a>&nbsp;sounds like without the immediately recognizable introduction to Osbourne’s first solo single, “Crazy Train?” To call it a classic is almost a disservice — it is an addicting tune, complete with chugging guitars and Cold War-era fears.<h2>1980:&nbsp;“Mr. Crowley,” Ozzy Osbourne</h2>Another classic cut from Osbourne’s debut solo album, “Blizzard Of Ozz” — released one year after Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath for his legendary excesses, — the arena rock anthem “Mr. Crowley” pays tribute to the famed English occultist Aleister Crowley and features&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/deep-purple-music-44607d54df45489a8f4854a12307a91f">Deep Purple’s Don Airey</a>&nbsp;on keyboard.<h2>1981:&nbsp;“Diary of a Madman,”&nbsp;Ozzy Osbourne</h2>The title track and coda of Osbourne’s second solo studio album, “Diary of a Madman,” runs over six minutes long, features big strings and a choir so theatrical it sounds like they’re scoring a medieval war film. He wanted big, he wanted dramatic, and he nailed it.<h2>1991:&nbsp;“Mama, I’m Coming Home,”&nbsp;Ozzy Osbourne</h2>It wouldn’t be inaccurate to call “Mama, I’m Coming Home” a beautiful-sounding song. It’s unlike anything on this list, a power ballad featuring lyrics written by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lemmy-motorhead-statue-ashes-0bcc1ee6a4a2b789e01f6f0e579e24f4">the late Motörhead frontman Lemmy</a>&nbsp;and a welcomed deviation.<h2>1995:&nbsp;“Perry Mason,”&nbsp;Ozzy Osbourne</h2>In the early ‘90s, Osbourne announced a short-lived retirement from music — one that ended with the release of 1995’s “Ozzmosis.” There’s a lot to love here — in particular, the haunting, full-throated chorus of “Perry Mason.”<h2>2019:&nbsp;“Take What You Want,”&nbsp;Post Malone with Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott</h2>Late in life Ozzy Osbourne was generous with his time and talent, often collaborating with younger performers who idolized the metal legend. One such example is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/post-malone">Post Malone’s</a>&nbsp;“Take What You Want,” which also features&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-scott">the rapper Travis Scott.</a>&nbsp;Osbourne gives the song a necessary gothic edge — validating the otherwise balladic song’s use of a sprightly guitar solo.___

10 songs to memorialize Ozzy Osbourne, the great Black Sabbath frontman

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/barbara-ortutay">BARBARA ORTUTAY</a> Associated Press

Instagram parent company Meta has introduced new safety features aimed at protecting teens who use its platforms, including information about accounts that message them and an option to block and report accounts with one tap.

The company also announced that it has removed thousands of accounts that were leaving sexualized comments or requesting sexual images from adult-run accounts of kids under 13. Of these, 135,000 were commenting and another 500,000 were linked to accounts that “interacted inappropriately,” Meta said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2025/07/expanding-teen-account-protections-child-safety-features/" target="_blank">blog post</a>.

The heightened measures arrive as social media companies face increased scrutiny over how their platform affects the mental health and well-being of younger users. This includes protecting children from predatory adults and scammers who ask —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/children-suicide-teens-09dc20825bca53b636aba76f5aed3a1e">then extort— them for nude images</a>.

Meta said teen users blocked more than a million accounts and reported another million after seeing a “safety notice” that reminds people to “be cautious in private messages and to block and report anything that makes them uncomfortable.”

Earlier this year, Meta began to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/instagram-teens-parents-age-verification-meta-94f1f9915ae083453d23bf9ec57e7c7b">test the use of artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;to determine if kids are lying about their ages on Instagram, which is technically only allowed for those over 13. If it is determined that a user is misrepresenting their age, the account will automatically become a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/instagram-meta-teen-accounts-kids-425a05cc37f81b6ff2b7439d3884c54a">teen account</a>, which has more restrictions than an adult account. Teen accounts are private by default. Private messages are restricted so teens can only receive them from people they follow or are already connected to. In 2024, the company made teen accounts private by default.

Meta faces lawsuits from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/instagram-facebook-children-teens-harms-lawsuit-attorney-general-1805492a38f7cee111cbb865cc786c28">dozens of U.S. states</a>&nbsp;that accuse it of harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms.

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/barbara-ortutay">BARBARA ORTUTAY</a> Associated PressInstagram parent company Meta has introduced new safety features aimed at protecting teens who use its platforms, including information about accounts that message them and an option to block and report accounts with one tap.The company also announced that it has removed thousands of accounts that were leaving sexualized comments or requesting sexual images from adult-run accounts of kids under 13. Of these, 135,000 were commenting and another 500,000 were linked to accounts that “interacted inappropriately,” Meta said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2025/07/expanding-teen-account-protections-child-safety-features/" target="_blank">blog post</a>.The heightened measures arrive as social media companies face increased scrutiny over how their platform affects the mental health and well-being of younger users. This includes protecting children from predatory adults and scammers who ask —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/children-suicide-teens-09dc20825bca53b636aba76f5aed3a1e">then extort— them for nude images</a>.Meta said teen users blocked more than a million accounts and reported another million after seeing a “safety notice” that reminds people to “be cautious in private messages and to block and report anything that makes them uncomfortable.”Earlier this year, Meta began to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/instagram-teens-parents-age-verification-meta-94f1f9915ae083453d23bf9ec57e7c7b">test the use of artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;to determine if kids are lying about their ages on Instagram, which is technically only allowed for those over 13. If it is determined that a user is misrepresenting their age, the account will automatically become a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/instagram-meta-teen-accounts-kids-425a05cc37f81b6ff2b7439d3884c54a">teen account</a>, which has more restrictions than an adult account. Teen accounts are private by default. Private messages are restricted so teens can only receive them from people they follow or are already connected to. In 2024, the company made teen accounts private by default.Meta faces lawsuits from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/instagram-facebook-children-teens-harms-lawsuit-attorney-general-1805492a38f7cee111cbb865cc786c28">dozens of U.S. states</a>&nbsp;that accuse it of harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms.

Meta launches new teen safety features, removes accounts that sexualize children

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/christopher-rugaber">CHRISTOPHER RUGABER</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — Typically I wear a suit and tie when visiting the Federal Reserve, one of the most powerful financial institutions in the world. But on Thursday, it was jeans, boots and a hard hat.

I was not at the Fed for the usual discussions of interest rates, inflation and unemployment, but for something more down to earth:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-145b0189a8c7acaab9fcfb097dc376c9">a tour</a>&nbsp;of what has become the most famous — or notorious — building renovation in Washington,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-building-renovations-trump-powell-70cfb70f2c09105c2a144179d5d92e69">a $2.5 billion overhaul</a>&nbsp;of two of the Fed’s office buildings.

The project has become an increasingly unpleasant headache for the embattled chair of the Fed, Jerome Powell, as he weathers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fed-federal-reserve-powell-trump-63c3e35e8606b7b73455b08aa21456dd">nearly incessant personal attacks</a>&nbsp;from President Donald Trump.

Trump has been clear about what he wants from Powell, whom he appointed to lead the central bank in 2017: lower interest rates. Yet the Fed is intended to be an independent agency, and the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-board-members-firings-nlrb-supreme-court-1ecda00f901360cc2b2f025bdde703d6">has signaled</a>&nbsp;that the president can’t fire Powell just because the Fed chair won’t cut rates as fast as Trump wants. But he might be able to do so “for cause,” meaning some kind of malfeasance or neglect. Trump last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-building-renovations-trump-powell-70cfb70f2c09105c2a144179d5d92e69">suggested</a>&nbsp;that the escalating construction costs could be grounds to fire Powell.

With that threat looming in the background, the Fed decided to open up its massive project for a few journalists — including me — to get a closer look.

On Thursday, Fed staff led a small group of reporters, photographers and television cameras on an extensive tour of the active construction site that comprises the two 1930s-era buildings. The renovation began in 2022, and the Fed hopes to complete it in the fall of 2027.

By providing journalists — and, by extension, the public — such extensive access, the Fed clearly hopes greater transparency will help beat back the White House’s criticism. Trump toured the same site several hours after the reporters, then downplayed his threats to fire the Fed chair.

In June, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees the Fed, suggested the rebuild has been extravagant, and includes “rooftop terraces, custom elevators that open into VIP dining rooms, white marble finishes and even a private art collection.”

Fed staff, who requested anonymity to discuss the renovation, showed reporters what they said are future conference rooms that are sometimes used for meals, not “VIP dining rooms.” An elevator is being upgraded to be more accessible to people with disabilities. And some white marble finishes were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powell-trump-federal-reserve-16a3a78bab27f44e058d69829a8dcfa9">added at the insistence of a local commission</a>, the staff noted, which included several Trump appointees.

The journalists walked around dumpsters and pipes and evaded front-end loaders, while occasionally straining to hear the explanations of Fed staff over the sounds of drilling, cutting and hammering. About 700 to 800 workers are involved in the project across two shifts each day. Reporters visited the roof of the Fed’s main headquarters, the Marriner S. Eccles building, which has sweeping views of the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall and parts of downtown Washington.

Fed staff said the roof would not have “rooftop terraces” but instead would include grass and other plants as part of a “green roof” that would reduce cooling costs and stormwater runoff. There had been plans for a seating area but that had been removed because it appeared to be an amenity.

The staff sought to highlight the many costs they said were largely out of their control: blast-resistant windows and other security upgrades, modern electronics and HVAC systems, and historic preservation efforts that led to the use of more marble.

The workers also used plywood extensively to protect stairs and many wall coverings, which Trump singled out as too costly.

“You saw the protection of plywood,” Trump told reporters after his tour. “I mean, that was a lot of money just to protect it for a period of time. I would have done it very gingerly and easily and not have to spend millions of dollars on protection.”

It is clearly a massive project. The Fed has shut down a street that runs between the two buildings. Underneath will be a part of a parking garage, as well as a tunnel connecting the two renovated buildings. The Fed says after the project they will be able to house more of their 3,000 employees in the two buildings and reduce its rented office space.

After his own tour, Trump appeared to lower the temperature around the project, at least for now, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social: “The cost overruns are substantial but, on the positive side, our Country is doing very well and can afford just about anything — Even the cost of this building!”

Should Powell cut the Fed’s short-term interest rates soon — which economists say could happen in September — that could appease Trump. And after that, you may never hear about the Fed’s renovations again.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753565257857.png" alt="Photo by Margo Martin, special assistant to the President" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Margo Martin, special assistant to the President</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/christopher-rugaber">CHRISTOPHER RUGABER</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — Typically I wear a suit and tie when visiting the Federal Reserve, one of the most powerful financial institutions in the world. But on Thursday, it was jeans, boots and a hard hat.I was not at the Fed for the usual discussions of interest rates, inflation and unemployment, but for something more down to earth:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-federal-reserve-jerome-powell-145b0189a8c7acaab9fcfb097dc376c9">a tour</a>&nbsp;of what has become the most famous — or notorious — building renovation in Washington,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-building-renovations-trump-powell-70cfb70f2c09105c2a144179d5d92e69">a $2.5 billion overhaul</a>&nbsp;of two of the Fed’s office buildings.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our Builder-in-Chief <a href="https://t.co/myzy9AAfZf">pic.twitter.com/myzy9AAfZf</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1948518460591329516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The project has become an increasingly unpleasant headache for the embattled chair of the Fed, Jerome Powell, as he weathers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fed-federal-reserve-powell-trump-63c3e35e8606b7b73455b08aa21456dd">nearly incessant personal attacks</a>&nbsp;from President Donald Trump.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Contractor-in-Chief <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> <a href="https://t.co/vfk0oif911">pic.twitter.com/vfk0oif911</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1948477710575305169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump has been clear about what he wants from Powell, whom he appointed to lead the central bank in 2017: lower interest rates. Yet the Fed is intended to be an independent agency, and the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-board-members-firings-nlrb-supreme-court-1ecda00f901360cc2b2f025bdde703d6">has signaled</a>&nbsp;that the president can’t fire Powell just because the Fed chair won’t cut rates as fast as Trump wants. But he might be able to do so “for cause,” meaning some kind of malfeasance or neglect. Trump last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-building-renovations-trump-powell-70cfb70f2c09105c2a144179d5d92e69">suggested</a>&nbsp;that the escalating construction costs could be grounds to fire Powell.With that threat looming in the background, the Fed decided to open up its massive project for a few journalists — including me — to get a closer look.<h2>A massive project is revealed</h2>On Thursday, Fed staff led a small group of reporters, photographers and television cameras on an extensive tour of the active construction site that comprises the two 1930s-era buildings. The renovation began in 2022, and the Fed hopes to complete it in the fall of 2027.By providing journalists — and, by extension, the public — such extensive access, the Fed clearly hopes greater transparency will help beat back the White House’s criticism. Trump toured the same site several hours after the reporters, then downplayed his threats to fire the Fed chair.In June, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees the Fed, suggested the rebuild has been extravagant, and includes “rooftop terraces, custom elevators that open into VIP dining rooms, white marble finishes and even a private art collection.”Fed staff, who requested anonymity to discuss the renovation, showed reporters what they said are future conference rooms that are sometimes used for meals, not “VIP dining rooms.” An elevator is being upgraded to be more accessible to people with disabilities. And some white marble finishes were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powell-trump-federal-reserve-16a3a78bab27f44e058d69829a8dcfa9">added at the insistence of a local commission</a>, the staff noted, which included several Trump appointees.The journalists walked around dumpsters and pipes and evaded front-end loaders, while occasionally straining to hear the explanations of Fed staff over the sounds of drilling, cutting and hammering. About 700 to 800 workers are involved in the project across two shifts each day. Reporters visited the roof of the Fed’s main headquarters, the Marriner S. Eccles building, which has sweeping views of the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall and parts of downtown Washington.Fed staff said the roof would not have “rooftop terraces” but instead would include grass and other plants as part of a “green roof” that would reduce cooling costs and stormwater runoff. There had been plans for a seating area but that had been removed because it appeared to be an amenity.<h2>Fed staff breaks down costs</h2>The staff sought to highlight the many costs they said were largely out of their control: blast-resistant windows and other security upgrades, modern electronics and HVAC systems, and historic preservation efforts that led to the use of more marble.The workers also used plywood extensively to protect stairs and many wall coverings, which Trump singled out as too costly.“You saw the protection of plywood,” Trump told reporters after his tour. “I mean, that was a lot of money just to protect it for a period of time. I would have done it very gingerly and easily and not have to spend millions of dollars on protection.”It is clearly a massive project. The Fed has shut down a street that runs between the two buildings. Underneath will be a part of a parking garage, as well as a tunnel connecting the two renovated buildings. The Fed says after the project they will be able to house more of their 3,000 employees in the two buildings and reduce its rented office space.After his own tour, Trump appeared to lower the temperature around the project, at least for now, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social: “The cost overruns are substantial but, on the positive side, our Country is doing very well and can afford just about anything — Even the cost of this building!”Should Powell cut the Fed’s short-term interest rates soon — which economists say could happen in September — that could appease Trump. And after that, you may never hear about the Fed’s renovations again.

Behind the scenes with 'Contractor-in-Chief' at the Fed mid-renovation

KANSAS CITY—The search continues for a possible drowning victim at creek in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 7p.m. Saturday, Kansas City Fire Department rescue crews were dispatched to reports of a possible drowning in Indian Creek, near 103rd Street and State Line Road, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

On arrival, companies surveyed the scene, interviewed a witness, walked the banks, and set up on bridges above the creek for better viewpoints.&nbsp; 

KCFD Rescue Companies began conducting a search in the creek, with "swimmers" and launched their Inflatable Rubber Boat (IRB). The KCFD Drone was deployed, along with a Human Remains Detection (HRD) dog , and the Missouri Highway Patrol to assist in the search efforts.&nbsp;

After no rescue or recovery at 11:54 p.m., the decision was made to end operations for the night. Companies were put back into service and the plan is to resume the search on Sunday.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753612923539.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—The search continues for a possible drowning victim at creek in Kansas City, Missouri.Just before 7p.m. Saturday, Kansas City Fire Department rescue crews were dispatched to reports of a possible drowning in Indian Creek, near 103rd Street and State Line Road, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.On arrival, companies surveyed the scene, interviewed a witness, walked the banks, and set up on bridges above the creek for better viewpoints.&nbsp; KCFD Rescue Companies began conducting a search in the creek, with "swimmers" and launched their Inflatable Rubber Boat (IRB). The KCFD Drone was deployed, along with a Human Remains Detection (HRD) dog , and the Missouri Highway Patrol to assist in the search efforts.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753612945171.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>After no rescue or recovery at 11:54 p.m., the decision was made to end operations for the night. Companies were put back into service and the plan is to resume the search on Sunday.&nbsp;

Crews search for drowning victim in KC area creek

WYANDOTTE COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Kansas City, Kansas, where a Wyandotte County sheriff’s deputy was killed, according to a media release from the agency.

Just before 3:30 p.m., a woman called requesting that police accompany her as she moved out of a residence, due to concerns about her safety. She reported that when friends tried to assist her, a man threatened them with a firearm. At around 3:45 p.m., a deputy from the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office and an officer from the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) arrived at the residence at 2627 S. 30th&nbsp;St.

Preliminary information indicates as they approached the front door, a male subject inside the house fired multiple rounds at the officers. Rounds struck 34-year-old Deputy Elijah Ming. The KCKPD officer was uninjured. Multiple law enforcement officers then responded to the scene.

As responding officers attempted to provide aid to Deputy Ming, gunfire was exchanged between the man, later identified as Shawn Harris, 38, of Kansas City, Kansas, and officers from the KCKPD and the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office. Harris was shot during the exchange of gunfire while he barricaded in the home.

Deputy Ming was transported to the hospital. Despite lifesaving measures, he died of his injuries.

Police negotiated with Harris over the phone until he surrendered and came out of the house, just after 5 p.m. He was taken into custody.

EMS transported Harris to an area hospital where he was treated for his injuries. He is currently in good condition.

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

When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney for charging decisions. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753579898051.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo by Delmeko Jordan courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo by Delmeko Jordan courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Kansas City, Kansas, where a Wyandotte County sheriff’s deputy was killed, according to a media release from the agency.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753612145888.png" alt="Deputy Elijah Ming. -courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Deputy Elijah Ming. -courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 3:30 p.m., a woman called requesting that police accompany her as she moved out of a residence, due to concerns about her safety. She reported that when friends tried to assist her, a man threatened them with a firearm. At around 3:45 p.m., a deputy from the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office and an officer from the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) arrived at the residence at 2627 S. 30th&nbsp;St.Preliminary information indicates as they approached the front door, a male subject inside the house fired multiple rounds at the officers. Rounds struck 34-year-old Deputy Elijah Ming. The KCKPD officer was uninjured. Multiple law enforcement officers then responded to the scene.As responding officers attempted to provide aid to Deputy Ming, gunfire was exchanged between the man, later identified as Shawn Harris, 38, of Kansas City, Kansas, and officers from the KCKPD and the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office. Harris was shot during the exchange of gunfire while he barricaded in the home.Deputy Ming was transported to the hospital. Despite lifesaving measures, he died of his injuries.Police negotiated with Harris over the phone until he surrendered and came out of the house, just after 5 p.m. He was taken into custody.EMS transported Harris to an area hospital where he was treated for his injuries. He is currently in good condition.This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney for charging decisions. The investigation is ongoing.

New details released in fatal shooting of Kansas sheriff's deputy 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Nancy Jensen believes she’d still be living in an abusive group home if it wasn’t shut down in 2004 with the help of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, which for decades has received federal money to look out for Americans with disabilities.

But the flow of funding under the Trump administration is now in question, disability rights groups nationwide say, dampening their mood as Saturday marks the 35th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. Federal dollars pay for much of their work, including helping people who seek government-funded services and lawsuits now pushing Iowa and Texas toward better community services.

Documents outlining President Donald Trump's budget proposals show they would zero out funds earmarked for three grants to disability rights centers and slash funding for a fourth. Congress' first discussion of them, by the Senate Appropriations Committee, is set for Thursday, but the centers fear losing more than 60% of their federal dollars.

The threat of cuts comes as the groups expect more demand for help after Republicans’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">tax and budget law</a>&nbsp;complicated Medicaid health coverage with a new work-reporting requirement.

There’s also the sting of the timing: this year is the 50th anniversary of another federal law that created the network of state groups to protect people with disabilities, and Trump's proposals represent the largest potential cuts in that half-century, advocates said. The groups are authorized to make unannounced visits to group homes and interview residents alone.

“You’re going to have lots of people with disabilities lost,” said Jensen, now president of Colorado’s advisory council for federal funding of efforts to protect people with mental illnesses. She worries people with disabilities will have “no backstop” for fighting housing discrimination or seeking services at school or accommodations at work.

The potential budget savings are a shaving of copper from each federal tax penny. The groups receive not quite $180 million a year — versus $1.8 trillion in discretionary spending.

Trump's administration touts flexibility for sta

The president's Office of Management and Budget didn't respond to an email seeking a response to the disability rights groups' criticism. But in budget documents, the administration argued its proposals would give states needed flexibility.

The U.S. Department of Education said earmarking funds for disability rights centers created an unnecessary administrative burden for states. Trump's top budget adviser, Russell Vought, told senators in a letter that a review of 2025 spending showed too much went to “niche” groups outside government.

“We also considered, for each program, whether the governmental service provided could be provided better by State or local governments (if provided at all),” Vought wrote.

Disability rights advocates doubt that state protection and advocacy groups — known as P&amp;As — would see any dollar not specifically earmarked for them.

They sue states, so the advocates don’t want states deciding whether their work gets funded. The 1975 federal law setting up P&amp;As declared them independent of the states, and newer laws reinforced that.

“We do need an independent system that can hold them and other wrongdoers accountable,” said Rocky Nichols, the Kansas center's executive director.

Helping people with disabilities navigate Medicaid

Nichols' center has helped Matthew Hull for years with getting the state to cover services, and Hull hopes to find a job. He uses a wheelchair; a Medicaid-provided nurse helps him run errands.

“I need to be able to do that so I can keep my strength up,” he said, adding that activity preserves his health.

Medicaid applicants often had a difficult time working through its rules even before the tax and budget law's recent changes, said Sean Jackson, Disability Rights Texas’ executive director.

With fewer dollars, he said, “As cases are coming into us, we’re going to have to take less cases.”

The Texas group receives money from a legal aid foundation and other sources, but federal funds still are 68% of its dollars. The Kansas center and Disability Rights Iowa rely entirely on federal funds.

“For the majority it would probably be 85% or higher,” said Marlene Sallo, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network, which represents P&amp;As.

The Trump administration's proposals suggest it wants to shut down P&amp;As, said Steven Schwartz, who founded the Center for Public Representation, a Massachusetts-based organization that works with them on lawsuits.

Investigating allegations of abuse and pushing states

Federal funding meant a call in 2009 to Disability Rights Iowa launched an immediate investigation of a program employing men with developmental disabilities in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c5e4cda51e39460c871a3640dde830e7">turkey processing plant.</a>&nbsp;Authorities said they lived in a dangerous, bug-infested bunkhouse and were financially exploited.

Without the dollars, executive director Catherine Johnson said, “That’s maybe not something we could have done.”

The Kansas center's private interview in 2004 with one of Jensen's fellow residents eventually led to long federal prison sentences for the couple operating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-e25e69676846b78307759b7a4caeac06">the Kaufman House,</a>&nbsp;a home for people with mental illnesses about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Wichita.

And it wasn't until Disability Rights Iowa filed a federal lawsuit in 2023 that the state&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-child-mental-health-medicaid-services-de4b085722a3b2d8c7fa17c1c58f7622">agreed to draft a plan</a>&nbsp;to provide community services for children with severe mental and behavioral needs.

For 15 years, Schwartz's group and Disability Rights Texas have pursued a federal lawsuit alleging Texas warehouses several thousand people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in nursing homes without adequate services. Texas put at least three men in homes after they'd worked in the Iowa turkey plant.

Last month, a federal judge ordered work to start on a plan to end the “severe and ongoing” problems. Schwartz said Disability Rights Texas did interviews and gathered documents crucial to the case.

“There are no better eyes or ears,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753561947286.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA and KENYA HUNTER&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Nancy Jensen believes she’d still be living in an abusive group home if it wasn’t shut down in 2004 with the help of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, which for decades has received federal money to look out for Americans with disabilities.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">On the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we remember the activists, lawmakers, and citizens who fought for equality—including Kansas&#39; own Senator Bob Dole—and we recommit ourselves to breaking down the barriers that still exist today. <a href="https://t.co/KU3Fwavbin">pic.twitter.com/KU3Fwavbin</a>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1949157643596988422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But the flow of funding under the Trump administration is now in question, disability rights groups nationwide say, dampening their mood as Saturday marks the 35th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. Federal dollars pay for much of their work, including helping people who seek government-funded services and lawsuits now pushing Iowa and Texas toward better community services.Documents outlining President Donald Trump's budget proposals show they would zero out funds earmarked for three grants to disability rights centers and slash funding for a fourth. Congress' first discussion of them, by the Senate Appropriations Committee, is set for Thursday, but the centers fear losing more than 60% of their federal dollars.The threat of cuts comes as the groups expect more demand for help after Republicans’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-republican-trump-tax-bill-f65be44e1050431a601320197322551b">tax and budget law</a>&nbsp;complicated Medicaid health coverage with a new work-reporting requirement.There’s also the sting of the timing: this year is the 50th anniversary of another federal law that created the network of state groups to protect people with disabilities, and Trump's proposals represent the largest potential cuts in that half-century, advocates said. The groups are authorized to make unannounced visits to group homes and interview residents alone.“You’re going to have lots of people with disabilities lost,” said Jensen, now president of Colorado’s advisory council for federal funding of efforts to protect people with mental illnesses. She worries people with disabilities will have “no backstop” for fighting housing discrimination or seeking services at school or accommodations at work.The potential budget savings are a shaving of copper from each federal tax penny. The groups receive not quite $180 million a year — versus $1.8 trillion in discretionary spending.<h2>Trump's administration touts flexibility for sta</h2><h2>tes</h2>The president's Office of Management and Budget didn't respond to an email seeking a response to the disability rights groups' criticism. But in budget documents, the administration argued its proposals would give states needed flexibility.The U.S. Department of Education said earmarking funds for disability rights centers created an unnecessary administrative burden for states. Trump's top budget adviser, Russell Vought, told senators in a letter that a review of 2025 spending showed too much went to “niche” groups outside government.“We also considered, for each program, whether the governmental service provided could be provided better by State or local governments (if provided at all),” Vought wrote.Disability rights advocates doubt that state protection and advocacy groups — known as P&amp;As — would see any dollar not specifically earmarked for them.They sue states, so the advocates don’t want states deciding whether their work gets funded. The 1975 federal law setting up P&amp;As declared them independent of the states, and newer laws reinforced that.“We do need an independent system that can hold them and other wrongdoers accountable,” said Rocky Nichols, the Kansas center's executive director.<h2>Helping people with disabilities navigate Medicaid</h2>Nichols' center has helped Matthew Hull for years with getting the state to cover services, and Hull hopes to find a job. He uses a wheelchair; a Medicaid-provided nurse helps him run errands.“I need to be able to do that so I can keep my strength up,” he said, adding that activity preserves his health.Medicaid applicants often had a difficult time working through its rules even before the tax and budget law's recent changes, said Sean Jackson, Disability Rights Texas’ executive director.With fewer dollars, he said, “As cases are coming into us, we’re going to have to take less cases.”The Texas group receives money from a legal aid foundation and other sources, but federal funds still are 68% of its dollars. The Kansas center and Disability Rights Iowa rely entirely on federal funds.“For the majority it would probably be 85% or higher,” said Marlene Sallo, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network, which represents P&amp;As.The Trump administration's proposals suggest it wants to shut down P&amp;As, said Steven Schwartz, who founded the Center for Public Representation, a Massachusetts-based organization that works with them on lawsuits.<h2>Investigating allegations of abuse and pushing states</h2>Federal funding meant a call in 2009 to Disability Rights Iowa launched an immediate investigation of a program employing men with developmental disabilities in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c5e4cda51e39460c871a3640dde830e7">turkey processing plant.</a>&nbsp;Authorities said they lived in a dangerous, bug-infested bunkhouse and were financially exploited.Without the dollars, executive director Catherine Johnson said, “That’s maybe not something we could have done.”The Kansas center's private interview in 2004 with one of Jensen's fellow residents eventually led to long federal prison sentences for the couple operating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-e25e69676846b78307759b7a4caeac06">the Kaufman House,</a>&nbsp;a home for people with mental illnesses about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Wichita.And it wasn't until Disability Rights Iowa filed a federal lawsuit in 2023 that the state&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iowa-child-mental-health-medicaid-services-de4b085722a3b2d8c7fa17c1c58f7622">agreed to draft a plan</a>&nbsp;to provide community services for children with severe mental and behavioral needs.For 15 years, Schwartz's group and Disability Rights Texas have pursued a federal lawsuit alleging Texas warehouses several thousand people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in nursing homes without adequate services. Texas put at least three men in homes after they'd worked in the Iowa turkey plant.Last month, a federal judge ordered work to start on a plan to end the “severe and ongoing” problems. Schwartz said Disability Rights Texas did interviews and gathered documents crucial to the case.“There are no better eyes or ears,” he said.

As ADA turns 35, groups fighting for disability rights could see their federal dollars slashed

HAYS – The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department is looking for an inmate who escaped from custody Saturday evening while being transported from Hays Medical Center.

According to the sheriff’s department, Juan Olivares Herrera was last seen running south on 22nd St. and Canterbury. Law enforcement officials are searching the area.

&nbsp;Herrera is a Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 100 pounds.

He also has a large black and grey watercolor-type tattoo on his left shoulder/chest, last known to have a mustache/goatee.

He has a distinct leg injury and was last known to be wearing jail oranges and handcuffs.

Anyone with information on Herrera’s whereabouts should contact law enforcement and not approach him.&nbsp;

He is being held on the requsted charges: domestic battery, aggravated robbery, and disorderly conduct.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753583116202.png" alt="Herrera photo Ellis Co." />
 <figcaption>Herrera photo Ellis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS – The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department is looking for an inmate who escaped from custody Saturday evening while being transported from Hays Medical Center.According to the sheriff’s department, Juan Olivares Herrera was last seen running south on 22nd St. and Canterbury. Law enforcement officials are searching the area.&nbsp;Herrera is a Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 100 pounds.He also has a large black and grey watercolor-type tattoo on his left shoulder/chest, last known to have a mustache/goatee.He has a distinct leg injury and was last known to be wearing jail oranges and handcuffs.Anyone with information on Herrera’s whereabouts should contact law enforcement and not approach him.&nbsp;He is being held on the requsted charges: domestic battery, aggravated robbery, and disorderly conduct.

NW Kansas sheriff looking for inmate who escaped

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self was released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Saturday, two days after having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-self-kansas-basketball-coach-stents-heart-765a63dee3b9d55d73baba3e6f7ff2b7">two stents inserted</a>&nbsp;to treat blocked arteries.

“I want to thank all the amazing doctors and nurses at LMH Health for the excellent care I received during my stay there,” Self said in a statement released by the university. “I feel strong and am excited to be home. Our team has had a productive summer and look forward to our batteries being recharged and prepping for this upcoming season.”

The 62-year-old Self felt ill Thursday after having run Kansas’ final practice of its summer session earlier in the day. He missed the 2023 Big 12 and NCAA tournaments because of a heart condition, getting a standard catheterization and having two stents inserted to help treat blocked arteries.

Self led Kansas to national titles in 2008 and 2022 and is the school’s career victory leader with a 609-156 record. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member is 831-261 overall, also coaching Oral Roberts (1993-97), Tulsa (1997-2000) and Illinois (2000-03).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681311280126.jpeg" alt="Bill Self-Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Bill Self-Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self was released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Saturday, two days after having&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-self-kansas-basketball-coach-stents-heart-765a63dee3b9d55d73baba3e6f7ff2b7">two stents inserted</a>&nbsp;to treat blocked arteries.“I want to thank all the amazing doctors and nurses at LMH Health for the excellent care I received during my stay there,” Self said in a statement released by the university. “I feel strong and am excited to be home. Our team has had a productive summer and look forward to our batteries being recharged and prepping for this upcoming season.”The 62-year-old Self felt ill Thursday after having run Kansas’ final practice of its summer session earlier in the day. He missed the 2023 Big 12 and NCAA tournaments because of a heart condition, getting a standard catheterization and having two stents inserted to help treat blocked arteries.Self led Kansas to national titles in 2008 and 2022 and is the school’s career victory leader with a 609-156 record. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member is 831-261 overall, also coaching Oral Roberts (1993-97), Tulsa (1997-2000) and Illinois (2000-03).

KU basketball coach Bill Self released from hospital after heart procedure

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces felony charges in connection with a fatal shooting that took place near Grandview, Missouri earlier this month.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2685/Goetz-REDACT-COMP">K’Von Goetz</a>, 20, faces 2nd Degree Murder, three counts of Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 1st Degree Assault according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

On July 10, a<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2686/KVon-Goetz---PC-StatementRedacted">ccording to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched on a reported shooting and located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the victims was confirmed deceased on the scene and the other was taken to an area hospital.&nbsp;

Detectives were able to connect the defendant to the shooting based on traffic cameras and witness reports. They were able to determine that Goetz was in an argument that led to two individuals being shot.&nbsp;

The defendant is being held on a $150,000 bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753372642378.png" alt="Goetz photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Goetz photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces felony charges in connection with a fatal shooting that took place near Grandview, Missouri earlier this month.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2685/Goetz-REDACT-COMP">K’Von Goetz</a>, 20, faces 2nd Degree Murder, three counts of Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and 1st Degree Assault according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.On July 10, a<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2686/KVon-Goetz---PC-StatementRedacted">ccording to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched on a reported shooting and located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the victims was confirmed deceased on the scene and the other was taken to an area hospital.&nbsp;Detectives were able to connect the defendant to the shooting based on traffic cameras and witness reports. They were able to determine that Goetz was in an argument that led to two individuals being shot.&nbsp;The defendant is being held on a $150,000 bond.&nbsp;

Court records: KC man killed victim during argument 

JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.

Just after 2p.m. July 22, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Chevrolet Trail Blazer for an alleged traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The traffic stop led to the discovery of illegal drug contraband.&nbsp; The driver, Billie Renee Chamberlin, 46, of Ottawa, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. &nbsp;Cale Len Pusch, 54, of Lecompton, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and&nbsp; criminal use of weapons.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753299759778.png" alt="Chamberlin -photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Chamberlin -photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY– Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations.Just after 2p.m. July 22, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Chevrolet Trail Blazer for an alleged traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753299725930.png" alt="Pusch photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Pusch photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>The traffic stop led to the discovery of illegal drug contraband.&nbsp; The driver, Billie Renee Chamberlin, 46, of Ottawa, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. &nbsp;Cale Len Pusch, 54, of Lecompton, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and&nbsp; criminal use of weapons.

Kansas man accused of meth possession, weapons violation

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

&nbsp;TOPEKA — Black Hills Energy residential customers will see natural gas bills increase nearly $6 per month after state regulators approved a unanimous settlement agreement Thursday.&nbsp;

The increase is based on a residential average use of about 50 therms per month.

The Kansas Corporation Commission approved&nbsp;<a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S202506131332113129.pdf?Id=950c5caf-0aa0-4380-aca7-ce2fa3a3b137&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">the settlement agreement</a>&nbsp;that will increase base rates by $10.8 million, less than the $17.2 million the company initially requested.

Black Hills Energy provides natural gas services primarily to southwest and south-central Kansas customers. The new rates will go into effect August 1, a KCC press release said.&nbsp;

The settlement agreement included approval of Black Hills’ request to refund nearly $3 million in excess deferred income tax to customers and allows the company to file an abbreviated rate case later this year to recover capital investments, the press release said.&nbsp;

In testimony filed in the rate case, Black Hills Energy officials said the company has experienced declining natural gas usage per customer since its last rate case filed in 2021.&nbsp;

Robert Daniel, Black Hills director of regulatory affairs for Kansas and Arkansas, testified the company had one new revenue increase in the past decade. He said a 2014 rate case resulted in about $800,000 in new revenue and a 2021 rate case brought no new revenue.

The settlement is a “black box” settlement, which means some items, such as capital structure, return on equity or overall rate of return, are not defined in the agreement, said Audrey Benham, regulatory accountant for the Citizen’s Utility Ratepayer Board. She filed documents for CURB in support of the agreement.

Other parties to the settlement agreement are KCC staff, Black Hills Energy, WoodRiver Energy, Kansas Municipal Energy Agency, Symmetry Energy, Freedom Pipeline and Seaboard Energy Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753559400888.png" alt=" The Kansas Corporation Commission’s three-member board approved a Black Hills Energy rate case on Thursday. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> The Kansas Corporation Commission’s three-member board approved a Black Hills Energy rate case on Thursday. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>&nbsp;TOPEKA — Black Hills Energy residential customers will see natural gas bills increase nearly $6 per month after state regulators approved a unanimous settlement agreement Thursday.&nbsp;The increase is based on a residential average use of about 50 therms per month.The Kansas Corporation Commission approved&nbsp;<a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/S202506131332113129.pdf?Id=950c5caf-0aa0-4380-aca7-ce2fa3a3b137&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" target="_blank">the settlement agreement</a>&nbsp;that will increase base rates by $10.8 million, less than the $17.2 million the company initially requested.Black Hills Energy provides natural gas services primarily to southwest and south-central Kansas customers. The new rates will go into effect August 1, a KCC press release said.&nbsp;The settlement agreement included approval of Black Hills’ request to refund nearly $3 million in excess deferred income tax to customers and allows the company to file an abbreviated rate case later this year to recover capital investments, the press release said.&nbsp;In testimony filed in the rate case, Black Hills Energy officials said the company has experienced declining natural gas usage per customer since its last rate case filed in 2021.&nbsp;Robert Daniel, Black Hills director of regulatory affairs for Kansas and Arkansas, testified the company had one new revenue increase in the past decade. He said a 2014 rate case resulted in about $800,000 in new revenue and a 2021 rate case brought no new revenue.The settlement is a “black box” settlement, which means some items, such as capital structure, return on equity or overall rate of return, are not defined in the agreement, said Audrey Benham, regulatory accountant for the Citizen’s Utility Ratepayer Board. She filed documents for CURB in support of the agreement.Other parties to the settlement agreement are KCC staff, Black Hills Energy, WoodRiver Energy, Kansas Municipal Energy Agency, Symmetry Energy, Freedom Pipeline and Seaboard Energy Kansas.

Kansas regulators approve 9% rate increase for Black Hills Energy customers

It has been another busy week for Kansas Task Force 1 as they continue work following the deadly flooding earlier this month in Texas.

Office of the Kansas Fire Marshal released the latest details on their work.

On July 20, Kansas Task Force 1 spent the day closing out targeted searches. KS-TF1 was reassigned to work with Tennessee-TF2 and Alabama-TF2 in a new search area.

On July 21, KS-TF1 reported to their new Forward Operating Base and were assigned to work with Alabama-TF1 and Illinois-TF1, along with K9s from numerous states.

There were three operational boats, while the rescue teams spent most of the time on land. Areas were searched by Human Remains Detection K9s, and some targeted searches were identified that required divers to explore. 

On July 22, AL-TF1 was assigned to work with KS-TF1 in an area between two dams, one being approximately 30 feet tall, and the other was a drive bridge across the river. Road distance of the search area was seven miles, but river distance was closer to 10 miles. 

KS-TF1 operated in the water and on land and identified one targeted search area requiring K9 follow-up. Multiple trips were made from one end of the search area to the other end and back.

On July 23, KS-TF1 worked directly with the TX-TF1 Statewide Water Program Manager on a targeted search. A K9 from Missouri-TF1, the Search Team Manager from Ohio-TF1, a Skid steer team from TN-TF2, and some contracted heavy equipment operators all worked in unison with each other.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753451702619.png" alt="Photos Kansas Fire Marshal's office" />
 <figcaption>Photos Kansas Fire Marshal's office</figcaption>
 </figure>It has been another busy week for Kansas Task Force 1 as they continue work following the deadly flooding earlier this month in Texas.Office of the Kansas Fire Marshal released the latest details on their work.On July 20, Kansas Task Force 1 spent the day closing out targeted searches. KS-TF1 was reassigned to work with Tennessee-TF2 and Alabama-TF2 in a new search area.On July 21, KS-TF1 reported to their new Forward Operating Base and were assigned to work with Alabama-TF1 and Illinois-TF1, along with K9s from numerous states.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753451716302.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>There were three operational boats, while the rescue teams spent most of the time on land. Areas were searched by Human Remains Detection K9s, and some targeted searches were identified that required divers to explore. On July 22, AL-TF1 was assigned to work with KS-TF1 in an area between two dams, one being approximately 30 feet tall, and the other was a drive bridge across the river. Road distance of the search area was seven miles, but river distance was closer to 10 miles. KS-TF1 operated in the water and on land and identified one targeted search area requiring K9 follow-up. Multiple trips were made from one end of the search area to the other end and back.On July 23, KS-TF1 worked directly with the TX-TF1 Statewide Water Program Manager on a targeted search. A K9 from Missouri-TF1, the Search Team Manager from Ohio-TF1, a Skid steer team from TN-TF2, and some contracted heavy equipment operators all worked in unison with each other.&nbsp;

Busy week for Kansas swift-water rescue teams in Texas

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from ending birthright citizenship for the children of parents who are in the U.S. illegally, issuing the third court ruling blocking the birthright order nationwide since a key Supreme Court decision in June.

U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, joining another district court as well as an appellate panel of judges, found that a nationwide injunction granted to more than a dozen states remains in force under an exception to the Supreme Court ruling. That decision restricted the power of lower-court judges to issue nationwide injunctions.

The states have argued Trump’s birthright citizenship order is blatantly unconstitutional and threatens millions of dollars for health insurance services that are contingent on citizenship status. The issue is expected to move quickly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-birthright-citizenship-immigration-9da9e11d83f2fd3cbf95e6a733651daf">back to the nation’s highest court</a>.

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement the administration looked forward to “being vindicated on appeal.”

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who helped lead the lawsuit before Sorokin, said in a statement he was “thrilled the district court again barred President Trump’s flagrantly unconstitutional birthright citizenship order from taking effect anywhere.”

“American-born babies are American, just as they have been at every other time in our Nation’s history,” he added. “The President cannot change that legal rule with the stroke of a pen.”

Lawyers for the government had argued Sorokin should narrow the reach of his earlier ruling granting a preliminary injunction, saying it should be “tailored to the States’ purported financial injuries.”

Sorokin said a patchwork approach to the birthright order would not protect the states in part because a substantial number of people move between states. He also blasted the Trump administration, saying it had failed to explain how a narrower injunction would work.

“That is, they have never addressed what renders a proposal feasible or workable, how the defendant agencies might implement it without imposing material administrative or financial burdens on the plaintiffs, or how it squares with other relevant federal statutes,” the judge wrote. “In fact, they have characterized such questions as irrelevant to the task the Court is now undertaking. The defendants’ position in this regard defies both law and logic.”

Sorokin acknowledged his order would not be the last word on birthright citizenship. Trump and his administration “are entitled to pursue their interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, and no doubt the Supreme Court will ultimately settle the question,” Sorokin wrote. “But in the meantime, for purposes of this lawsuit at this juncture, the Executive Order is unconstitutional.”

The administration has not yet appealed any of the recent court rulings. Trump’s efforts to deny citizenship to children born to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily will remain blocked unless and until the Supreme Court says otherwise.

A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a ruling earlier this month prohibiting Trump’s executive order from taking effect nationwide in a new class-action lawsuit.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-classaction-lawsuit-055227e3f219fd890c78cd21c89fd5d0">U.S. District Judge Joseph LaPlante in New Hampshire</a>&nbsp;had paused his own decision to allow for the Trump administration to appeal, but with no appeal filed, his order went into effect.

On Wednesday, a San Francisco-based&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-birthright-citizenship-16658c712cf6a3141f168c7557c0628d">appeals court found</a>&nbsp;the president’s executive order unconstitutional and affirmed a lower court’s nationwide block.

A Maryland-based judge said last week that she would do the same if an appeals court signed off.

The justices ruled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-birthright-citizenship-immigration-9da9e11d83f2fd3cbf95e6a733651daf">last month</a>&nbsp;that lower courts generally can’t issue nationwide injunctions, but it didn’t rule out other court orders that could have nationwide effects, including in class-action lawsuits and those brought by states. The Supreme Court did not decide whether the underlying citizenship order is constitutional.

Plaintiffs in the Boston case earlier argued that the principle of birthright citizenship is “enshrined in the Constitution,” and that Trump does not have the authority to issue the order, which they called a “flagrantly unlawful attempt to strip hundreds of thousands of American-born children of their citizenship based on their parentage.”

They also argue that Trump’s order halting automatic citizenship for babies born to people in the U.S. illegally or temporarily would cost states funding they rely on to “provide essential services” — from foster care to health care for low-income children, to “early interventions for infants, toddlers, and students with disabilities.”

At the heart of the lawsuits is the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1868 after the Civil War and the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision. That decision found that Scott, an enslaved man, wasn’t a citizen despite having lived in a state where slavery was outlawed.

The Trump administration has asserted that children of noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States and therefore not entitled to citizenship.

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from ending birthright citizenship for the children of parents who are in the U.S. illegally, issuing the third court ruling blocking the birthright order nationwide since a key Supreme Court decision in June.U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, joining another district court as well as an appellate panel of judges, found that a nationwide injunction granted to more than a dozen states remains in force under an exception to the Supreme Court ruling. That decision restricted the power of lower-court judges to issue nationwide injunctions.The states have argued Trump’s birthright citizenship order is blatantly unconstitutional and threatens millions of dollars for health insurance services that are contingent on citizenship status. The issue is expected to move quickly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-birthright-citizenship-immigration-9da9e11d83f2fd3cbf95e6a733651daf">back to the nation’s highest court</a>.White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement the administration looked forward to “being vindicated on appeal.”New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who helped lead the lawsuit before Sorokin, said in a statement he was “thrilled the district court again barred President Trump’s flagrantly unconstitutional birthright citizenship order from taking effect anywhere.”“American-born babies are American, just as they have been at every other time in our Nation’s history,” he added. “The President cannot change that legal rule with the stroke of a pen.”Lawyers for the government had argued Sorokin should narrow the reach of his earlier ruling granting a preliminary injunction, saying it should be “tailored to the States’ purported financial injuries.”Sorokin said a patchwork approach to the birthright order would not protect the states in part because a substantial number of people move between states. He also blasted the Trump administration, saying it had failed to explain how a narrower injunction would work.“That is, they have never addressed what renders a proposal feasible or workable, how the defendant agencies might implement it without imposing material administrative or financial burdens on the plaintiffs, or how it squares with other relevant federal statutes,” the judge wrote. “In fact, they have characterized such questions as irrelevant to the task the Court is now undertaking. The defendants’ position in this regard defies both law and logic.”Sorokin acknowledged his order would not be the last word on birthright citizenship. Trump and his administration “are entitled to pursue their interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, and no doubt the Supreme Court will ultimately settle the question,” Sorokin wrote. “But in the meantime, for purposes of this lawsuit at this juncture, the Executive Order is unconstitutional.”The administration has not yet appealed any of the recent court rulings. Trump’s efforts to deny citizenship to children born to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily will remain blocked unless and until the Supreme Court says otherwise.A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a ruling earlier this month prohibiting Trump’s executive order from taking effect nationwide in a new class-action lawsuit.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-classaction-lawsuit-055227e3f219fd890c78cd21c89fd5d0">U.S. District Judge Joseph LaPlante in New Hampshire</a>&nbsp;had paused his own decision to allow for the Trump administration to appeal, but with no appeal filed, his order went into effect.On Wednesday, a San Francisco-based&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-birthright-citizenship-16658c712cf6a3141f168c7557c0628d">appeals court found</a>&nbsp;the president’s executive order unconstitutional and affirmed a lower court’s nationwide block.A Maryland-based judge said last week that she would do the same if an appeals court signed off.The justices ruled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-birthright-citizenship-immigration-9da9e11d83f2fd3cbf95e6a733651daf">last month</a>&nbsp;that lower courts generally can’t issue nationwide injunctions, but it didn’t rule out other court orders that could have nationwide effects, including in class-action lawsuits and those brought by states. The Supreme Court did not decide whether the underlying citizenship order is constitutional.Plaintiffs in the Boston case earlier argued that the principle of birthright citizenship is “enshrined in the Constitution,” and that Trump does not have the authority to issue the order, which they called a “flagrantly unlawful attempt to strip hundreds of thousands of American-born children of their citizenship based on their parentage.”They also argue that Trump’s order halting automatic citizenship for babies born to people in the U.S. illegally or temporarily would cost states funding they rely on to “provide essential services” — from foster care to health care for low-income children, to “early interventions for infants, toddlers, and students with disabilities.”At the heart of the lawsuits is the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1868 after the Civil War and the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision. That decision found that Scott, an enslaved man, wasn’t a citizen despite having lived in a state where slavery was outlawed.The Trump administration has asserted that children of noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States and therefore not entitled to citizenship.

Another judge blocks Trump’s birthright citizenship restrictions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is releasing billions of dollars in withheld grants for schools, the Education Department said Friday, ending weeks of uncertainty for educators around the country who rely on the money for English language instruction, adult literacy, and other programs.

President Donald Trump's administration had suspended more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-summer-school-english-language-grants-fac670e8f60fab397fbd68dfed866ea1">$6 billion in funding</a>&nbsp;on July 1, as part of a review to ensure spending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mental-health-grants-dei-26e421e2150c87baf7b9e8fcac701bfa">aligned with the White House’s priorities</a>.

The funding freeze had been challenged by several lawsuits as educators, Congress members from both parties and others called for the administration to release the money. Congress had appropriated the money in a bill signed this year by Trump.

Last week, the Education Department said it would release $1.3 billion of the money for after-school and summer programming. Without the money, school districts and nonprofits such as the YMCA and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boys-girls-club-trump-grant-freeze-6f5bd3204d2973784d466e3f0fdb38b4">Boys and Girls Club of America</a>&nbsp;had said they would have to close or scale back educational offerings this fall.

The Office of Management and Budget had completed its review of the programs and will begin sending the money to states next week, the Education Department said.

A group of 10 Republican senators on July 16 sent a letter imploring the administration to allow the frozen education money to be sent to states, saying the withheld money supported programs and services that are critical to local communities.

“The programs are ones that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support,” U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said Friday. She pointed to after-school and summer programs that allow parents to work while their children learn and classes that help adults gain new skills — contributing to local economies.

In withholding the funds, the Office of Management and Budget had said some of the programs supported a “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-grant-funding-immigration-093aa36735f5d50de7406ee8465e1729">radical leftwing agenda.</a>&nbsp;”

“We share your concern,” the GOP senators had written. “However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds.”

School superintendents had warned they would have to eliminate academic services without the money. On Friday, AASA, an association of superintendents, thanked members of Congress for pressing to release the money.

In Harford County, Maryland, some of the withheld federal money made up more than half the budget for the district’s annual summer camp for kids learning English. The money helps the district hire certified teachers to staff the camp, incorporating learning into children's play for four weeks during the summer. The program helps kids keep their English and academic momentum over the summer.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is releasing billions of dollars in withheld grants for schools, the Education Department said Friday, ending weeks of uncertainty for educators around the country who rely on the money for English language instruction, adult literacy, and other programs.President Donald Trump's administration had suspended more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-summer-school-english-language-grants-fac670e8f60fab397fbd68dfed866ea1">$6 billion in funding</a>&nbsp;on July 1, as part of a review to ensure spending&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mental-health-grants-dei-26e421e2150c87baf7b9e8fcac701bfa">aligned with the White House’s priorities</a>.The funding freeze had been challenged by several lawsuits as educators, Congress members from both parties and others called for the administration to release the money. Congress had appropriated the money in a bill signed this year by Trump.Last week, the Education Department said it would release $1.3 billion of the money for after-school and summer programming. Without the money, school districts and nonprofits such as the YMCA and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boys-girls-club-trump-grant-freeze-6f5bd3204d2973784d466e3f0fdb38b4">Boys and Girls Club of America</a>&nbsp;had said they would have to close or scale back educational offerings this fall.The Office of Management and Budget had completed its review of the programs and will begin sending the money to states next week, the Education Department said.A group of 10 Republican senators on July 16 sent a letter imploring the administration to allow the frozen education money to be sent to states, saying the withheld money supported programs and services that are critical to local communities.“The programs are ones that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support,” U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said Friday. She pointed to after-school and summer programs that allow parents to work while their children learn and classes that help adults gain new skills — contributing to local economies.In withholding the funds, the Office of Management and Budget had said some of the programs supported a “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-grant-funding-immigration-093aa36735f5d50de7406ee8465e1729">radical leftwing agenda.</a>&nbsp;”“We share your concern,” the GOP senators had written. “However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds.”School superintendents had warned they would have to eliminate academic services without the money. On Friday, AASA, an association of superintendents, thanked members of Congress for pressing to release the money.In Harford County, Maryland, some of the withheld federal money made up more than half the budget for the district’s annual summer camp for kids learning English. The money helps the district hire certified teachers to staff the camp, incorporating learning into children's play for four weeks during the summer. The program helps kids keep their English and academic momentum over the summer.The district serves roughly 1,100 students who are non-native English speakers. Many of them are born in the U.S. to parents who came to the area seeking job opportunities, often in the restaurants and warehouses that have popped up in the past decades in the region northeast of Baltimore. During the school year, the soon-to-be-released federal money pays for tutors for kids learning English.On Thursday, more than 350 children filled the second floor of Bel Air High School for the second-to-last day of summer camp. Young learners crowded around an alphabet wheel, jostling with each other to push each letter button as they thought of foods starting with letters from A to Z.Middle school students watched a robotics team demonstration, and a few sheepishly raised their hands when asked if they would be interested in joining. High school student volunteers, some of whom had been campers learning English themselves not many years ago, helped the youngest children with art projects.The uncertainty around the funding was an unnecessary distraction for schools, said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wa.“Instead of spending the last many weeks figuring out how to improve after-school options and get our kids’ reading and math scores up, because of President Trump, communities across the country have been forced to spend their time cutting back on tutoring options and sorting out how many teachers they will have to lay off," Murray said.The grants that were under review included $2 billion in grants for teachers’ professional development and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/teacher-shortage">efforts to reduce class size</a>; $1.3 billion for after-school and summer learning programs; $1 billion for academic enrichment grants, often used for science and math education and accelerated learning; $890 million for students who are learning English; $376 million to educate the children of migrant workers; and $715 million to teach adults how to read.___