KANSAS CITY (AP) —The new diamond on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engaged-d585627eb98b69428ce206a2c8a9cb7d">Taylor Swift's wedding ring finger</a>&nbsp;reflects her vintage-loving heart in a brilliant cut dating to 18th-century candlelight.

A close-up of the sparkler Tuesday was among five photos that accompanied Swift's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">engagement announcement</a>&nbsp;with beau Travis Kelce on Instagram. The ring was designed by Kindred Lubeck, a representative for the pop star confirmed.

The diamond is an old mine brilliant cut, said Tree Paine, Swift's publicist. She provided no further details.

Lubeck, who is based in New York and operates Artifex Fine Jewelry, is the daughter of Jay Lubeck, a well-known goldsmith in Neptune Beach, Florida. Swift showed off her ring on Instagram as the couple stood in a garden. Swift wore a striped Ralph Lauren dress and her go-to Cartier diamond-encrusted watch on her left wrist.

Lubeck is a goldsmith who specializes in hand engraving. She also collects vintage jewelry, according to her bio on Artifex Fine Jewelry’s website. Old mine brilliant cuts are often boxy shaped with rounded corners and soft curved edges. Swift's diamond is in a yellow gold bezel setting.

Such diamonds usually have 58 large facets and the style dates to the 18th century. The bulky nature of the cut was intended to sparkle by candlelight.

An email to Artifex was not immediately returned Tuesday.

Swift and her football fiance from the Kansas City Chiefs have enthralled millions around the world,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-end-06a41d7c717486f2c0e99a7304789912">especially her Swiftie fan base,</a>&nbsp;since they began dating. Their relationship was documented in countless shots of Swift celebrating at Chiefs games and fan videos of Kelce dancing along at Swift’s Eras concert tour as it traveled the globe.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737974956093.png" alt="File Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift after the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)" />
                        <figcaption>File Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift after the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY (AP) —The new diamond on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engaged-d585627eb98b69428ce206a2c8a9cb7d">Taylor Swift's wedding ring finger</a>&nbsp;reflects her vintage-loving heart in a brilliant cut dating to 18th-century candlelight.</p><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DN02niAXMM-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DN02niAXMM-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DN02niAXMM-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div><p>A close-up of the sparkler Tuesday was among five photos that accompanied Swift's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">engagement announcement</a>&nbsp;with beau Travis Kelce on Instagram. The ring was designed by Kindred Lubeck, a representative for the pop star confirmed.</p><p>The diamond is an old mine brilliant cut, said Tree Paine, Swift's publicist. She provided no further details.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations, Travis and Taylor! We are so excited to celebrate this magical new era with you! Tonight, the (Chiefs) Kingdom lights shine for you, as Union Station features a special celebratory lighting display of Orange and Mint coming together with Red and Gold.<br><br>Photos by:… <a href="https://t.co/415M7HAv0i">pic.twitter.com/415M7HAv0i</a></p>&mdash; Union Station KC (@UnionStationKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnionStationKC/status/1960526810808021074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce engagement: &quot;I wish them a lot of luck. I think he&#39;s a great player. I think he&#39;s a great guy and I think that she&#39;s a terrific person, so I wish them a lot of luck.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xMd8wgMTZW">pic.twitter.com/xMd8wgMTZW</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1960413669956677922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Lubeck, who is based in New York and operates Artifex Fine Jewelry, is the daughter of Jay Lubeck, a well-known goldsmith in Neptune Beach, Florida. Swift showed off her ring on Instagram as the couple stood in a garden. Swift wore a striped Ralph Lauren dress and her go-to Cartier diamond-encrusted watch on her left wrist.</p><p>Lubeck is a goldsmith who specializes in hand engraving. She also collects vintage jewelry, according to her bio on Artifex Fine Jewelry’s website. Old mine brilliant cuts are often boxy shaped with rounded corners and soft curved edges. Swift's diamond is in a yellow gold bezel setting.</p><p>Such diamonds usually have 58 large facets and the style dates to the 18th century. The bulky nature of the cut was intended to sparkle by candlelight.</p><p>An email to Artifex was not immediately returned Tuesday.</p><p>Swift and her football fiance from the Kansas City Chiefs have enthralled millions around the world,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-end-06a41d7c717486f2c0e99a7304789912">especially her Swiftie fan base,</a>&nbsp;since they began dating. Their relationship was documented in countless shots of Swift celebrating at Chiefs games and fan videos of Kelce dancing along at Swift’s Eras concert tour as it traveled the globe.</p>

Taylor Swift stuns with vintage-inspired engagement ring designed by Kindred Lubeck

NEOSHO COUNTY —On Sunday January 17, 2016, at approx. 7:01 pm the Neosho County E-911 Center received a report of an elderly woman setting in the passenger side of a pickup parked at a local business in Erie. The reporting party advised the woman had been in the parked truck since approximately 10:00 am that day, according to Sheriff Greg Taylor.

The Erie Police Department was dispatched to the business to check on the woman’s welfare. The woman told the officer that her son was going to a sports thing, did not want her to go, and left her in the vehicle around 10 am. The woman advised that her son, Jay Shumate had left walking in an unknown direction. The Erie PD Officer took the woman home to her residence in Erie, as she was unable to drive herself. 

On January 21, 2016, the Erie Police Department as the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a search of the surrounding area of Erie. According to the Erie Police Department, Jay Shumate, who was 60 at the time, had not returned home. It was reported that Mr. Shumate would frequently walk along U.S. 59 or Main Street south from to the Neosho River. 

On January 22, 2016, a large search consisting of community volunteers, law enforcement and volunteer fireman searched the surrounding snow-covered sections of land. With an emphasis on searching the area between Erie and the Neosho River. The search was conducted with individuals on foot, ATV’s, horseback, and aircraft. The search was unsuccessful. At the time there were a couple of alleged possible sightings of Mr. Shumate, one claiming to have seen someone similar hitchhiking on US69 near Pittsburg. The Erie Police Department investigation into Mr. Shumate’s disappearance was unsuccessful. Since that time the Neosho River has flooded a few times. 

On February 13, 2023, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a human skull that had been found the previous day by people looking for deer antler sheds. Investigators collected the skull and were taken to the location of its discovery. The area is prone to flooding from the river. Investigators searched for any other remains or clothing in a large area around where the skull was found. 

This search yielded nothing. The skull was taken to the Washburn University Forensic Anthropology lab for testing. The testing estimated that the skull was likely from a male. 

The Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the KBI with the investigation. Familial DNA samples were collected from a member of the Shumate family. DNA profiles were sent to PTC Laboratories in Texas. 

On Tuesday August 25, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office received the DNA Analysis confirming that the skull is the remains of Jay Shumate. The cause of death is unknown. A Sheriff’s Office Investigator has notified the next of kin.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756246913886.png" alt="Jay Shumate&nbsp; courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>Jay Shumate&nbsp; courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>NEOSHO COUNTY —On Sunday January 17, 2016, at approx. 7:01 pm the Neosho County E-911 Center received a report of an elderly woman setting in the passenger side of a pickup parked at a local business in Erie. The reporting party advised the woman had been in the parked truck since approximately 10:00 am that day, according to Sheriff Greg Taylor.</p><p>The Erie Police Department was dispatched to the business to check on the woman’s welfare. The woman told the officer that her son was going to a sports thing, did not want her to go, and left her in the vehicle around 10 am. The woman advised that her son, Jay Shumate had left walking in an unknown direction. The Erie PD Officer took the woman home to her residence in Erie, as she was unable to drive herself. </p><p>On January 21, 2016, the Erie Police Department as the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a search of the surrounding area of Erie. According to the Erie Police Department, Jay Shumate, who was 60 at the time, had not returned home. It was reported that Mr. Shumate would frequently walk along U.S. 59 or Main Street south from to the Neosho River. </p><p>On January 22, 2016, a large search consisting of community volunteers, law enforcement and volunteer fireman searched the surrounding snow-covered sections of land. With an emphasis on searching the area between Erie and the Neosho River. The search was conducted with individuals on foot, ATV’s, horseback, and aircraft. The search was unsuccessful. At the time there were a couple of alleged possible sightings of Mr. Shumate, one claiming to have seen someone similar hitchhiking on US69 near Pittsburg. The Erie Police Department investigation into Mr. Shumate’s disappearance was unsuccessful. Since that time the Neosho River has flooded a few times. </p><p>On February 13, 2023, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a human skull that had been found the previous day by people looking for deer antler sheds. Investigators collected the skull and were taken to the location of its discovery. The area is prone to flooding from the river. Investigators searched for any other remains or clothing in a large area around where the skull was found. </p><p>This search yielded nothing. The skull was taken to the Washburn University Forensic Anthropology lab for testing. The testing estimated that the skull was likely from a male. </p><p>The Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the KBI with the investigation. Familial DNA samples were collected from a member of the Shumate family. DNA profiles were sent to PTC Laboratories in Texas. </p><p>On Tuesday August 25, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office received the DNA Analysis confirming that the skull is the remains of Jay Shumate. The cause of death is unknown. A Sheriff’s Office Investigator has notified the next of kin.&nbsp;</p>

Sheriff: Remains are of Kan. man missing nearly 10-years

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a><br><a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a>

Three states are at risk of losing some federal transportation funding because they are not enforcing President Donald Trump’s executive order that commercial truck drivers must be proficient in English, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday.

New Mexico, Washington and California will have 30 days to comply with the order or risk losing funding from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — among the smaller of the Transportation Department’s agencies — Duffy said, standing behind a lectern with an “America First” banner on it at the department’s Washington, D.C., headquarters.

California stands to lose $33 million, Washington could lose $10.5 million and New Mexico would lose $7 million, Duffy said. He urged the states to comply with the executive order, which Trump signed in April and took effect in June, or face increasingly draconian penalties.

“We don’t want to take away money from states,” Duffy said. “But we will take money away and we will take additional steps that get progressively more difficult for these states. There’s a lot of great tools that we have here that we don’t want to use.”

All three states contributed to a Florida crash this month in which three people were killed, Duffy said. The truck driver involved had a commercial license from California and Washington, and had been pulled over for speeding in New Mexico prior to crashing in Florida, Duffy said.

“So this one driver touched all three states,” he said.

The Florida driver, an immigrant from India who did not have permanent legal authority to be in the country, made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/08/20/jay-collins-is-headed-to-california-to-bring-back-undocumented-truck-driver/" target="_blank">local reports</a>.

Duffy said the Florida driver did not understand road signs, but did not further specify how his lack of English comprehension led to the crash, which reportedly involved making a U-turn across lanes of traffic. But Duffy repeatedly said the issue was one of safety.

Duffy said that when the Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-enforces-commonsense-rules-of-the-road-for-americas-truck-drivers/" target="_blank">executive order&nbsp;</a>went into effect, it received negative publicity.

“There was a lot of press that complained to us that we were being unfair to people, that we were being mean to people,” he said. “And what we said was, ‘No, this is a safety issue.’ Making sure drivers of very heavy, 80,000-pound rigs can speak the language is truly a critical safety issue. And some complained about it.”

On social media, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office said the federal government approved a permit for the Florida driver.

“This is rich,” Newsom’s office&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/GovPressOffice" target="_blank">wrote on X</a>. “The Trump Administration approved the federal work permit for the man who killed 3 people — and now they’re scrambling to shift blame after getting caught. Sean’s nonsense announcement is as big a joke as the Trump Administration itself.”

A DHS spokesperson&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/24/us/harjinder-singh-florida-crash-immigration" target="_blank">denied</a>&nbsp;the federal government issued the driver a work permit and blamed Newsom.

“These innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California Department of Motor Vehicles issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License—this state of governance is asinine,” a spokesperson wrote in an email to States Newsroom.

Newsom has increasingly over the past few months used his social media channels to mock Trump.&nbsp;

Washington State Patrol spokesman Chris Loftis wrote in an email that the agency was “reviewing the matter with our state transportation partners” and would soon have a more detailed response.

A spokesperson for Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, said he had not received Duffy’s letter.&nbsp;

“We will review it when we receive it and carefully evaluate next steps,” the spokesperson, Brionna Aho, said.&nbsp;

That state’s Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, made<a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/08/19/wa-will-not-be-bullied-or-intimidated-ferguson-tells-bondi/" target="_blank">&nbsp;a defiant statement</a>&nbsp;last week about complying with the Trump administration’s demands on immigration enforcement.

“Washington State will not be bullied or intimidated by threats and legally baseless accusations,” he wrote to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

He has&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/GovBobFerguson/status/1960108862843060436" target="_blank">amplified</a>&nbsp;that message&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/GovBobFerguson/status/1960132600112271694" target="_blank">several</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/GovBobFerguson/status/1958985338954948621" target="_blank">times</a>&nbsp;since.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation deferred a request for comment to the state’s Department of Public Safety, which did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Duffy said he was puzzled by commercial drivers who were able to pass a skills test without understanding English, and said the department was investigating that issue.

“This is something we’re looking at and working on when someone, an individual, comes in to take their test to become a commercial driver, and then they do a skills test… at that point, it would be clear that this driver doesn’t understand all the road signs and doesn’t speak the language, but miraculously, they’re passing the skills test,” he said. “I think any common-sense analysis would say, well, that doesn’t make sense.”

The federal department would be looking at whether the skills tests are being correctly administered and whether there is “some gaming of the system that we have to address.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1565041802198.jpeg" alt="Google image" />
                        <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a><br><a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a></p><p>Three states are at risk of losing some federal transportation funding because they are not enforcing President Donald Trump’s executive order that commercial truck drivers must be proficient in English, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday.</p><p>New Mexico, Washington and California will have 30 days to comply with the order or risk losing funding from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — among the smaller of the Transportation Department’s agencies — Duffy said, standing behind a lectern with an “America First” banner on it at the department’s Washington, D.C., headquarters.</p><p>California stands to lose $33 million, Washington could lose $10.5 million and New Mexico would lose $7 million, Duffy said. He urged the states to comply with the executive order, which Trump signed in April and took effect in June, or face increasingly draconian penalties.</p><p>“We don’t want to take away money from states,” Duffy said. “But we will take money away and we will take additional steps that get progressively more difficult for these states. There’s a lot of great tools that we have here that we don’t want to use.”</p><p>All three states contributed to a Florida crash this month in which three people were killed, Duffy said. The truck driver involved had a commercial license from California and Washington, and had been pulled over for speeding in New Mexico prior to crashing in Florida, Duffy said.</p><p>“So this one driver touched all three states,” he said.</p><p>The Florida driver, an immigrant from India who did not have permanent legal authority to be in the country, made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/08/20/jay-collins-is-headed-to-california-to-bring-back-undocumented-truck-driver/" target="_blank">local reports</a>.</p><p>Duffy said the Florida driver did not understand road signs, but did not further specify how his lack of English comprehension led to the crash, which reportedly involved making a U-turn across lanes of traffic. But Duffy repeatedly said the issue was one of safety.</p><p>Duffy said that when the Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-enforces-commonsense-rules-of-the-road-for-americas-truck-drivers/" target="_blank">executive order&nbsp;</a>went into effect, it received negative publicity.</p><p>“There was a lot of press that complained to us that we were being unfair to people, that we were being mean to people,” he said. “And what we said was, ‘No, this is a safety issue.’ Making sure drivers of very heavy, 80,000-pound rigs can speak the language is truly a critical safety issue. And some complained about it.”</p><h2>Newsom hits back</h2><p>On social media, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office said the federal government approved a permit for the Florida driver.</p><p>“This is rich,” Newsom’s office&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/GovPressOffice" target="_blank">wrote on X</a>. “The Trump Administration approved the federal work permit for the man who killed 3 people — and now they’re scrambling to shift blame after getting caught. Sean’s nonsense announcement is as big a joke as the Trump Administration itself.”</p><p>A DHS spokesperson&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/24/us/harjinder-singh-florida-crash-immigration" target="_blank">denied</a>&nbsp;the federal government issued the driver a work permit and blamed Newsom.</p><p>“These innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California Department of Motor Vehicles issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License—this state of governance is asinine,” a spokesperson wrote in an email to States Newsroom.</p><p>Newsom has increasingly over the past few months used his social media channels to mock Trump.&nbsp;</p><p>Washington State Patrol spokesman Chris Loftis wrote in an email that the agency was “reviewing the matter with our state transportation partners” and would soon have a more detailed response.</p><p>A spokesperson for Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, said he had not received Duffy’s letter.&nbsp;</p><p>“We will review it when we receive it and carefully evaluate next steps,” the spokesperson, Brionna Aho, said.&nbsp;</p><p>That state’s Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, made<a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/08/19/wa-will-not-be-bullied-or-intimidated-ferguson-tells-bondi/" target="_blank">&nbsp;a defiant statement</a>&nbsp;last week about complying with the Trump administration’s demands on immigration enforcement.</p><p>“Washington State will not be bullied or intimidated by threats and legally baseless accusations,” he wrote to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.</p><p>He has&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/GovBobFerguson/status/1960108862843060436" target="_blank">amplified</a>&nbsp;that message&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/GovBobFerguson/status/1960132600112271694" target="_blank">several</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/GovBobFerguson/status/1958985338954948621" target="_blank">times</a>&nbsp;since.</p><p>The New Mexico Department of Transportation deferred a request for comment to the state’s Department of Public Safety, which did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.</p><h2>Investigating testing</h2><p>Duffy said he was puzzled by commercial drivers who were able to pass a skills test without understanding English, and said the department was investigating that issue.</p><p>“This is something we’re looking at and working on when someone, an individual, comes in to take their test to become a commercial driver, and then they do a skills test… at that point, it would be clear that this driver doesn’t understand all the road signs and doesn’t speak the language, but miraculously, they’re passing the skills test,” he said. “I think any common-sense analysis would say, well, that doesn’t make sense.”</p><p>The federal department would be looking at whether the skills tests are being correctly administered and whether there is “some gaming of the system that we have to address.”</p>

Trump admin. threatens to yank state funds over truckers’ English proficiency

JOHNSON COUNTY—A Kansas man faces charges for a fatal crash that killed a Kansas teen last summer.

On Thursday Matthew Thomas Bray, 49,&nbsp; was charged with aggravated battery while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In July of 2024, a vehicle driven by Bray struck and killed&nbsp; a pedestrian identified as&nbsp; Benjamin D.&nbsp;Van Buskirk, 17, Olathe, who ran across lanes of traffic to offer assistance to a driver involved in another accident.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;Van Buskirk had been a passenger in a 2008 Honda CRV driven by Ammar M.&nbsp;Aljishi, 17, Spring Hill, that was stopped on the right shoulder of the highway.

Van Buskirk was pronounced dead at the scene. Bray is due back in court August 27, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755983308163.png" alt="Bray photo Johnson Co." />
                        <figcaption>Bray photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>JOHNSON COUNTY—A Kansas man faces charges for a fatal crash that killed a Kansas teen last summer.</p><p>On Thursday Matthew Thomas Bray, 49,&nbsp; was charged with aggravated battery while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.</p><p>In July of 2024, a vehicle driven by Bray struck and killed&nbsp; a pedestrian identified as&nbsp; Benjamin D.&nbsp;Van Buskirk, 17, Olathe, who ran across lanes of traffic to offer assistance to a driver involved in another accident.&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;Van Buskirk had been a passenger in a 2008 Honda CRV driven by Ammar M.&nbsp;Aljishi, 17, Spring Hill, that was stopped on the right shoulder of the highway.</p><p>Van Buskirk was pronounced dead at the scene. Bray is due back in court August 27, according to the district attorney's office.</p>

Man charged in crash that killed 17-year-old Good Samaritan

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/christina-larson">CHRISTINA LARSON</a><br>Associated Press

SpaceX launched the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-musk-starship-launch-test-flight-11de145e989e0534b6399640bc437b8e">latest test</a>&nbsp;of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-elon-musk-moon-mars-5f02ab8e4b794e518fe99905adaa7471">mega rocket Starship</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday night and completed the first-ever deployment of a test payload — eight dummy satellites — into space. After just over an hour coasting through space, Starship splashed down as planned in the Indian Ocean.

Starship blasted off from Starbase, SpaceX’s launch site in South Texas, just after 6:30 p.m. It was the 10th test for the world’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-elon-musk-0c260a324f597a172300315c6486b9df">biggest and most powerful rocket</a>, which SpaceX and NASA hope to use to get astronauts back on the moon.

NASA has ordered two Starships to land astronauts on the moon later this decade, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s ultimate goal is Mars.

No crew members were aboard the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-elon-musk-starship-e165e81ed2350ce684c7ed8d9357d7ba">demo launch</a>.

The Starship itself continued to orbit the Earth — passing from daylight in Texas through night and back into daytime again — ahead of the planned splashdown. Before the craft hit the waves, its engines fired, flipping its position so it entered the water upright with the nose cone pointed upward.

The successful demo came after a year of mishaps. Back-to-back tests in January and March ended just minutes after liftoff, raining wreckage into the ocean. The most recent test in May — the ninth try — ended when the spacecraft tumbled out of control and broke apart.

SpaceX later redesigned the Super Heavy booster with larger and stronger fins for greater stability, according to a company post on the social platform X this month.

The first Starship exploded minutes into its inaugural test flight in 2023.

SpaceX’s first batch of Starlink satellites were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0f3ba6930459401ca9bf68902753bc5e">launched in 2019</a>&nbsp;from a Falcon rocket that lifted off from Cape Canaveral.

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

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756251294147.png" alt="Image from SpaceX video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from SpaceX video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/christina-larson">CHRISTINA LARSON</a><br>Associated Press</p><p>SpaceX launched the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-musk-starship-launch-test-flight-11de145e989e0534b6399640bc437b8e">latest test</a>&nbsp;of its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-elon-musk-moon-mars-5f02ab8e4b794e518fe99905adaa7471">mega rocket Starship</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday night and completed the first-ever deployment of a test payload — eight dummy satellites — into space. After just over an hour coasting through space, Starship splashed down as planned in the Indian Ocean.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Liftoff of Starship! <a href="https://t.co/d6d2hHgMa0">pic.twitter.com/d6d2hHgMa0</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1960485359239774487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Starship blasted off from Starbase, SpaceX’s launch site in South Texas, just after 6:30 p.m. It was the 10th test for the world’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-elon-musk-0c260a324f597a172300315c6486b9df">biggest and most powerful rocket</a>, which SpaceX and NASA hope to use to get astronauts back on the moon.</p><p>NASA has ordered two Starships to land astronauts on the moon later this decade, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s ultimate goal is Mars.</p><p>No crew members were aboard the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-elon-musk-starship-e165e81ed2350ce684c7ed8d9357d7ba">demo launch</a>.</p><p>The Starship itself continued to orbit the Earth — passing from daylight in Texas through night and back into daytime again — ahead of the planned splashdown. Before the craft hit the waves, its engines fired, flipping its position so it entered the water upright with the nose cone pointed upward.</p><p>The successful demo came after a year of mishaps. Back-to-back tests in January and March ended just minutes after liftoff, raining wreckage into the ocean. The most recent test in May — the ninth try — ended when the spacecraft tumbled out of control and broke apart.</p><p>SpaceX later redesigned the Super Heavy booster with larger and stronger fins for greater stability, according to a company post on the social platform X this month.</p><p>The first Starship exploded minutes into its inaugural test flight in 2023.</p><p>SpaceX’s first batch of Starlink satellites were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0f3ba6930459401ca9bf68902753bc5e">launched in 2019</a>&nbsp;from a Falcon rocket that lifted off from Cape Canaveral.</p><p>___</p><p>The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.</p>

🎥SpaceX's mega rocket Starship nails critical test flight in stunning comeback

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the theft of an expensive bicycle have made an arrest.

On August 8,&nbsp; a 76 year old man from Williamsburg, Virginia stopped in Atchison, Kansas, as h traveled across America on his&nbsp;Surly Disc Trucker bicycle on his way to Oregon, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The bicycle was stolen at 11:00AM in the 700 block Commercial as the victim was in a local laundromat. Police recovered the bicycle a short time later just across the bridge in Missouri. 

Just after 8:30a.m. Tuesday, police arrested 50-year-old Jody B. Erickson of Atchison in the 700 block M Street on a District Court warrant charging him with felony theft. Erickson was taken to the County Jail and is being held on a $10,000 bond.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756222412660.png" alt="Erickson Atchison County" />
                        <figcaption>Erickson Atchison County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating the theft of an expensive bicycle have made an arrest.</p><p>On August 8,&nbsp; a 76 year old man from Williamsburg, Virginia stopped in Atchison, Kansas, as h traveled across America on his&nbsp;Surly Disc Trucker bicycle on his way to Oregon, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.</p><p>The bicycle was stolen at 11:00AM in the 700 block Commercial as the victim was in a local laundromat. Police recovered the bicycle a short time later just across the bridge in Missouri. </p><p>Just after 8:30a.m. Tuesday, police arrested 50-year-old Jody B. Erickson of Atchison in the 700 block M Street on a District Court warrant charging him with felony theft. Erickson was taken to the County Jail and is being held on a $10,000 bond.</p>

Kan. man accused of bicycle theft from man riding cross-county

Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it's returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company's plan to modernize.

In a post on its website, Cracker Barrel said it will retain its old logo, which features an older man in overalls sitting next to a barrel and the words “Old Country Store.”

“We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel,” the company said in a statement. “Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain.”

The tempest over the logo&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cracker-barrel-new-logo-rebrand-efforts-67f3181a144cd639eb33d1066f85ef08">began last week</a>, when the company announced plans for a simplified design featuring only the company's name. Lebanon, Tennessee-based Cracker Barrel made the change as part of a wider plan to modernize its restaurants and appeal to younger customers.

But many protested the change. Earlier Tuesday, Trump said via Truth Social that Cracker Barrel should “admit a mistake based on customer response (the ultimate Poll), and manage the company better than ever before,” saying doing so could wield “a Billion Dollars worth of free publicity” to their advantage.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756220659164.png" alt="Google image" />
                        <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By DEE-ANN DURBIN <br>AP Business Write</p><p>Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it's returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company's plan to modernize.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel. We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our “Old Timer” will remain. <br><br>At Cracker Barrel, it’s always been – and always will be – about serving up delicious food, warm… <a href="https://t.co/C32QMLOeq0">pic.twitter.com/C32QMLOeq0</a></p>&mdash; Cracker Barrel (@CrackerBarrel) <a href="https://twitter.com/CrackerBarrel/status/1960475658116632865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>In a post on its website, Cracker Barrel said it will retain its old logo, which features an older man in overalls sitting next to a barrel and the words “Old Country Store.”</p><p>“We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel,” the company said in a statement. “Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain.”</p><p>The tempest over the logo&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cracker-barrel-new-logo-rebrand-efforts-67f3181a144cd639eb33d1066f85ef08">began last week</a>, when the company announced plans for a simplified design featuring only the company's name. Lebanon, Tennessee-based Cracker Barrel made the change as part of a wider plan to modernize its restaurants and appeal to younger customers.</p><p>But many protested the change. Earlier Tuesday, Trump said via Truth Social that Cracker Barrel should “admit a mistake based on customer response (the ultimate Poll), and manage the company better than ever before,” saying doing so could wield “a Billion Dollars worth of free publicity” to their advantage.</p>

Cracker Barrel relents, says its old logo will return

BOLIVAR, Missouri (AP) — One of the few Republican U.S. House members making in-person appearances embarked on a town hall tour of his district to meet with constituents Monday, and a civil conversation broke out.

Rep. Mark Alford and an audience of about 100 in west central Missouri spent an hour bantering politely about Medicaid, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-wes-moore-baltimore-sharpton-national-guard-6cdfd82a1a0dc14e85518c750e8bcc48">National Guard being deployed in Washington, D.C.,</a>&nbsp;and the extended run of aggressive executive action being taken by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.

But gone from the slightly Democratic-leaning audience in the small auditorium on Southwest Baptist University campus in Boliver were the screams of “liar!" that have marked other Republican town halls, notably Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood's in Lincoln on Aug. 5.

“I don't think you're lying to me,” a woman told Alford, a second-term member, as she disagreed on whether cuts to Medicaid in Trump's signature tax-break and spending-cut bill enacted last month would affect services for children.

In return, Alford referred only once to the measure by the name given to it by Trump, One Big Beautiful Bill, before quickly noting, “I know some people don’t like that name. So I’m just going to call it HR1."

Alford, who represents a district widely believed to be safely Republican, was safely referring to it by its congressional designation.

There were occasional moments of conflict. Groans and laughter surfaced in response to Alford's suggestion that the tax cuts in the measure would benefit the working class. Polls show most Americans believe the tax cuts in the bill will largely benefit wealthy Americans.

And longtime Bolivar resident Fred Higginbotham shouted angrily when he suggested to Alford that he was coddling Trump. “I am pissed, and I am pissed at you,” he said. “Get Trump out of office. The man is a dictator. He knows nothing about what he talks about.”

But Alford, a former veteran Kansas City, Missouri, television news anchor, thanked him by name and responded calmly, as he did with each person who spoke during the hour-long, question and answer session.

Alford's demeanor did little to ease the concerns of Darwina Stewart, a 67-year-old trained nurse who runs a pet-care business in Bolivar, a town of about 11,500 in a rolling swath of forests, rivers and farmland about 140 miles (225 kilometers) southeast of Kansas City.

“You cut Medicaid, you are closing rural hospitals around here,” Stewart said.

Pivoting to describe the congressman, she said: “He seems sincere about his beliefs. But you can't deny the effect on poor people around here.”

Alford was holding the first of six formal, town hall meetings scheduled throughout Missouri's 4th District this week, but he had taken questions at less formal stops throughout the day at a cafe, VFW hall and ice cream shop.

Alford has not shied away from open forums with constituents and has faced more confrontational audiences, notably in February and June. But, unlike Republicans in more competitive districts who have kept far lower profiles, Alford has had little to risk in facing frustrated Democrats in the west-central Missouri district where he won 70% of the vote last year.

Nebraska's Flood has held similar events throughout the year. On Aug. 5, roughly 700 hundred attended his public meeting in Democratic-heavy Lincoln and shouted at the three-term Republican House member for nearly all of a 90-minute forum.

Alford's audience applauded when he entered, even Dusty Ross, a Bolivar Democrat who told his representative he wanted him to do more to ease energy costs for small business.

“Thanks for being here," Ross said, after asking his question. "I appreciate you giving everyone a chance to speak.”

<p>BOLIVAR, Missouri (AP) — One of the few Republican U.S. House members making in-person appearances embarked on a town hall tour of his district to meet with constituents Monday, and a civil conversation broke out.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Constituent Fred: &quot;I am pissed and I am pissed at you...Get Trump out of office! The man is a dictator. He knows nothing about what he talks about...You&#39;re not helping me...You need to take your head out of Trump’s ass.&quot;<br><br>Watch response from <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMarkAlford?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepMarkAlford</a> in the clip. <a href="https://t.co/YtLTTdTjJX">pic.twitter.com/YtLTTdTjJX</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1960352340805857530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Rep. Mark Alford and an audience of about 100 in west central Missouri spent an hour bantering politely about Medicaid, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-wes-moore-baltimore-sharpton-national-guard-6cdfd82a1a0dc14e85518c750e8bcc48">National Guard being deployed in Washington, D.C.,</a>&nbsp;and the extended run of aggressive executive action being taken by President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.</p><p>But gone from the slightly Democratic-leaning audience in the small auditorium on Southwest Baptist University campus in Boliver were the screams of “liar!" that have marked other Republican town halls, notably Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood's in Lincoln on Aug. 5.</p><p>“I don't think you're lying to me,” a woman told Alford, a second-term member, as she disagreed on whether cuts to Medicaid in Trump's signature tax-break and spending-cut bill enacted last month would affect services for children.</p><p>In return, Alford referred only once to the measure by the name given to it by Trump, One Big Beautiful Bill, before quickly noting, “I know some people don’t like that name. So I’m just going to call it HR1."</p><p>Alford, who represents a district widely believed to be safely Republican, was safely referring to it by its congressional designation.</p><p>There were occasional moments of conflict. Groans and laughter surfaced in response to Alford's suggestion that the tax cuts in the measure would benefit the working class. Polls show most Americans believe the tax cuts in the bill will largely benefit wealthy Americans.</p><p>And longtime Bolivar resident Fred Higginbotham shouted angrily when he suggested to Alford that he was coddling Trump. “I am pissed, and I am pissed at you,” he said. “Get Trump out of office. The man is a dictator. He knows nothing about what he talks about.”</p><p>But Alford, a former veteran Kansas City, Missouri, television news anchor, thanked him by name and responded calmly, as he did with each person who spoke during the hour-long, question and answer session.</p><p>Alford's demeanor did little to ease the concerns of Darwina Stewart, a 67-year-old trained nurse who runs a pet-care business in Bolivar, a town of about 11,500 in a rolling swath of forests, rivers and farmland about 140 miles (225 kilometers) southeast of Kansas City.</p><p>“You cut Medicaid, you are closing rural hospitals around here,” Stewart said.</p><p>Pivoting to describe the congressman, she said: “He seems sincere about his beliefs. But you can't deny the effect on poor people around here.”</p><p>Alford was holding the first of six formal, town hall meetings scheduled throughout Missouri's 4th District this week, but he had taken questions at less formal stops throughout the day at a cafe, VFW hall and ice cream shop.</p><p>Alford has not shied away from open forums with constituents and has faced more confrontational audiences, notably in February and June. But, unlike Republicans in more competitive districts who have kept far lower profiles, Alford has had little to risk in facing frustrated Democrats in the west-central Missouri district where he won 70% of the vote last year.</p><p>Nebraska's Flood has held similar events throughout the year. On Aug. 5, roughly 700 hundred attended his public meeting in Democratic-heavy Lincoln and shouted at the three-term Republican House member for nearly all of a 90-minute forum.</p><p>Alford's audience applauded when he entered, even Dusty Ross, a Bolivar Democrat who told his representative he wanted him to do more to ease energy costs for small business.</p><p>“Thanks for being here," Ross said, after asking his question. "I appreciate you giving everyone a chance to speak.”</p>

Something different, civility at GOP congressman's town hall

CHEYENNE COUNTY, Nebraska —Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested a California man after finding 60 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Cheyenne County,&nbsp;

At approximately 9:00 p.m. August 18, a trooper performed a traffic stop on a Honda CRV for driving on the shoulder of Interstate 80 near Sidney, according to a statement from the Nebraska State Patrol. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers found dozens of packages of suspected methamphetamine in a suitcase. The total weight of the packages was 60 pounds.

The driver, Elmer Posadas Castro, 29, of El Monte, California was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. He was lodged in Cheyenne County Jail.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756141186399.jpeg" alt="Photo Nebraska State Patrol" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Nebraska State Patrol</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>CHEYENNE COUNTY, Nebraska —Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested a California man after finding 60 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Cheyenne County,&nbsp;</p><p>At approximately 9:00 p.m. August 18, a trooper performed a traffic stop on a Honda CRV for driving on the shoulder of Interstate 80 near Sidney, according to a statement from the Nebraska State Patrol. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.</p><p>During a search of the vehicle, troopers found dozens of packages of suspected methamphetamine in a suitcase. The total weight of the packages was 60 pounds.</p><p>The driver, Elmer Posadas Castro, 29, of El Monte, California was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver. He was lodged in Cheyenne County Jail.&nbsp;</p>

Troopers found 60 pounds of meth during traffic stop

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

TOPEKA — Kansas officials refused persistent demands from the federal government for access to residents’ personal data solely based on the legal responsibility to protect that data, a state leader says.

In the midst of political attacks and two lawsuits, Department for Children and Families secretary Laura Howard and Gov. Laura Kelly pushed back against federal demands because they don’t know how Kansans’ personal data will be used. The release of information isn’t about detecting fraud because those procedures are already in place, Howard said.&nbsp;

The state has denied requests to turn over personal information of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service has requested since May.&nbsp;

Since then, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins has accused Howard and Kelly of a “massive cover-up of waste, fraud and abuse” because they failed to comply with federal demands.

But Howard said in an interview that the federal government already monitors the Kansas SNAP program for such problems.

“The federal SNAP law today allows data to be shared for the administration of the program, including fraud, waste and abuse,” she said.&nbsp;

However, the law is also clear the data cannot be shared “except as it relates to the administration of the program,” Howard said.&nbsp;

The first letter received from Food and Nutrition Service in May did not include information about how the data would be used, which led to DCF’s initial refusal, she said.&nbsp;

A lawsuit was filed in June by privacy organizations arguing against the data collection, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foag.ca.gov%2Fsystem%2Ffiles%2Fattachments%2Fpress-docs%2FCA%2520et%2520al.%2520v.%2520USDA%2520et%2520al.%2520Complaint%2520%255Bfiled%255D.pdf/1/01010198be6f3fd3-537277d9-f742-4949-8e1c-564d50b6b1d5-000000/qv7jf79_FG4jT_9V7_OgsIuWoA5uBl4AoSin_n--NlU=418" target="_blank">a July lawsuit filed</a>&nbsp;by multiple states asking the courts to stay the data request, Howard said.&nbsp;

“USDA makes this demand for the stated purpose of detecting ‘overpayments and fraud,’ ” the state lawsuit said. “Instead, the move appears to be part of the federal government’s well-publicized campaign to amass enormous troves of personal and private data, including information on taxpayers and Medicaid recipients, to advance goals that have nothing to do with combating waste, fraud, or abuse in federal benefit programs.”

Howard said she is concerned about what could happen based on the lawsuit outcome.&nbsp;

“I honestly believe that if I were to release that data, then the courts find in favor of the states, then I’m putting the state at liability for releasing the personal information of more than 700,000 Kansans,” she said.&nbsp;

In a legislative meeting earlier this month, state Attorney General Kris Kobach said his office is exploring whether it is legal for Kansas to withhold the information requested.&nbsp;

“Attorneys in the office of the attorney general are investigating the matter. A decision about how to proceed is expected to be made within the next three weeks,” spokeswoman Danedri Herbert said Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Howard said additional concerns about whether the data should be released occurred in June when the USDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/23/2025-11463/privacy-act-of-1974-system-of-records" target="_blank">published the request for data</a>, highlighting the intention to create a SNAP information database in the Federal Register.&nbsp;

“The notice in the Federal Register talks about 10 or 12 uses of the data, and one of those talks about sharing it with other federal entities,” Howard said. “It talks about things to do with anything regulatory or civil or criminal. It doesn’t say for the purpose of administering the SNAP program.”

The list is too broad and underlines DCF’s concerns, Howard said.

Titled “Notice of a new system of records,” the Federal Register notice said: “The primary purposes of this system are to validate the accuracy of eligibility determinations and strengthen SNAP and government program integrity.”

The notice lists 11 categories of “routine” uses of the records.&nbsp;

A point raised by Hawkins and Senate president Ty Masterson, who want the data turned over, is that the state has a high error rate in the SNAP program and the sharing of data would help discover fraud or abuse.&nbsp;

Hawkins has repeatedly referred to an inaccurate current error rate in the SNAP program and insists the sharing the data could help lower the rate.&nbsp; But that rate isn’t about fraud detection, which Howard said is already occurring in the SNAP program.&nbsp;

Hawkins did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Howard said a robust fraud detection system is already in place in partnership with the USDA, and account data is freely shared for that purpose. In fact, of all federal funds processed through DCF, she said SNAP and Medicaid have the most extensive programs looking for any problems.&nbsp;

Medicaid isn’t as complicated to process as the SNAP benefits are because staff are only determining whether the applicant is eligible, Howard said. With SNAP, they’re also figuring out how much the payment should be.&nbsp;

“States are responsible for conducting these quality control processes,” she said. “There are samples of cases that are drawn every month. We have quality control staff that look at those cases. They’re essentially redetermining that eligibility from scratch, and that includes verifications.”

Once quality control staff go through the detailed information collected from SNAP applicants, which includes income, shelter, work and household member information, they determine whether mistakes were made.&nbsp;

“Then the feds look at a sample of our sample, just to verify that our quality control is accurate,” Howard said.

It’s not about finding fraud because the error rate is attributed to mistakes, Howard said.

“None of it’s about fraud,” she said. “If, in the context of the original determination, if a worker believed that someone was being untruthful, then we have a separate process to refer that for a fraud investigation.”

Multiple factors go into determining whether someone is eligible for SNAP and how much they should receive, including all assets, income, shelter costs, whether they must be working, if roommates are contributing to utilities and much more, Howard said. Simple things like a teenager who works at a fast-food restaurant turning 18, which means their income should be added to household income, can cause eligibility errors.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Kansas error rate climbed in the last few years, and Howard said she wishes there was a “magic bullet answer” to how to correct it.&nbsp;

The DCF team is working on retraining staff, rewriting manuals to make sure they’re clear, training staff to interview applicants, among other items.&nbsp;

“We’ve done a whole root cause analysis based on our error rate,” Howard said. “We have to do that for the feds. States have to submit corrective action plans. We know that the areas where we see the most errors have to do with wages and income and shelter deductions. So then, based on that, you train even more in that area.”

The agency is considering automation that may help reduce errors, she said, as well as encouraging more people to use the online application form. That could help reduce data processing typos and misunderstandings that occur when staff interview someone and then enter the information.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In its most recent report for 2024, the state reduced its error rate from 12% in 2023 to just under 10%.&nbsp;

The error rate jumped after the COVID-19 pandemic, when Howard said many experienced workers who had performed eligibility work for years retired. The error rate in 2017 was 3.9%, jumping to 5.9% in 2018 and 7.1% in 2019. The target is to achieve error rates below 5%.&nbsp;

No data is available on the USDA website for 2020 and 2021. In 2022, the rate jumped to 9%, followed by 12% in 2023, which is the highest rate in more than 15 years.

“We were very short staffed for a couple of years,” Howard said. “That really has started to turn around, particularly in some of our regions, and I would attribute that to a number of things. The state’s had some nice salary increases based on some of the market assessments, and then I think things just kind of stabilized after COVID.”

In 2024, there were 205 eligibility workers on average processing applications and confirming eligibility throughout the state, she said.&nbsp;

“I wish I could say, ‘Well, we’re doing these three really glitzy things,’ ” Howard said. “We’re doing hard things. There are a lot of things going on.”

In reality, it comes down to worker training, making sure paperwork is filled out correctly, with the right questions being asked, and then verifying all information, she said.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756238637365.png" alt=" Department for Children and Families secretary Laura Howard said her agency already works with the federal government to determine waste, fraud and abuse occurring in a federally funded nutrition program.(Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
                        <figcaption> Department for Children and Families secretary Laura Howard said her agency already works with the federal government to determine waste, fraud and abuse occurring in a federally funded nutrition program.(Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p><b>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a><br></b><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a></p><p>TOPEKA — Kansas officials refused persistent demands from the federal government for access to residents’ personal data solely based on the legal responsibility to protect that data, a state leader says.</p><p>In the midst of political attacks and two lawsuits, Department for Children and Families secretary Laura Howard and Gov. Laura Kelly pushed back against federal demands because they don’t know how Kansans’ personal data will be used. The release of information isn’t about detecting fraud because those procedures are already in place, Howard said.&nbsp;</p><p>The state has denied requests to turn over personal information of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service has requested since May.&nbsp;</p><p>Since then, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins has accused Howard and Kelly of a “massive cover-up of waste, fraud and abuse” because they failed to comply with federal demands.</p><p>But Howard said in an interview that the federal government already monitors the Kansas SNAP program for such problems.</p><p>“The federal SNAP law today allows data to be shared for the administration of the program, including fraud, waste and abuse,” she said.&nbsp;</p><p>However, the law is also clear the data cannot be shared “except as it relates to the administration of the program,” Howard said.&nbsp;</p><p>The first letter received from Food and Nutrition Service in May did not include information about how the data would be used, which led to DCF’s initial refusal, she said.&nbsp;</p><h2>Lawsuit outcome</h2><p>A lawsuit was filed in June by privacy organizations arguing against the data collection, followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foag.ca.gov%2Fsystem%2Ffiles%2Fattachments%2Fpress-docs%2FCA%2520et%2520al.%2520v.%2520USDA%2520et%2520al.%2520Complaint%2520%255Bfiled%255D.pdf/1/01010198be6f3fd3-537277d9-f742-4949-8e1c-564d50b6b1d5-000000/qv7jf79_FG4jT_9V7_OgsIuWoA5uBl4AoSin_n--NlU=418" target="_blank">a July lawsuit filed</a>&nbsp;by multiple states asking the courts to stay the data request, Howard said.&nbsp;</p><p>“USDA makes this demand for the stated purpose of detecting ‘overpayments and fraud,’ ” the state lawsuit said. “Instead, the move appears to be part of the federal government’s well-publicized campaign to amass enormous troves of personal and private data, including information on taxpayers and Medicaid recipients, to advance goals that have nothing to do with combating waste, fraud, or abuse in federal benefit programs.”</p><p>Howard said she is concerned about what could happen based on the lawsuit outcome.&nbsp;</p><p>“I honestly believe that if I were to release that data, then the courts find in favor of the states, then I’m putting the state at liability for releasing the personal information of more than 700,000 Kansans,” she said.&nbsp;</p><p>In a legislative meeting earlier this month, state Attorney General Kris Kobach said his office is exploring whether it is legal for Kansas to withhold the information requested.&nbsp;</p><p>“Attorneys in the office of the attorney general are investigating the matter. A decision about how to proceed is expected to be made within the next three weeks,” spokeswoman Danedri Herbert said Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><h2>Federal Register</h2><p>Howard said additional concerns about whether the data should be released occurred in June when the USDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/23/2025-11463/privacy-act-of-1974-system-of-records" target="_blank">published the request for data</a>, highlighting the intention to create a SNAP information database in the Federal Register.&nbsp;</p><p>“The notice in the Federal Register talks about 10 or 12 uses of the data, and one of those talks about sharing it with other federal entities,” Howard said. “It talks about things to do with anything regulatory or civil or criminal. It doesn’t say for the purpose of administering the SNAP program.”</p><p>The list is too broad and underlines DCF’s concerns, Howard said.</p><p>Titled “Notice of a new system of records,” the Federal Register notice said: “The primary purposes of this system are to validate the accuracy of eligibility determinations and strengthen SNAP and government program integrity.”</p><p>The notice lists 11 categories of “routine” uses of the records.&nbsp;</p><h2>SNAP error rate</h2><p>A point raised by Hawkins and Senate president Ty Masterson, who want the data turned over, is that the state has a high error rate in the SNAP program and the sharing of data would help discover fraud or abuse.&nbsp;</p><p>Hawkins has repeatedly referred to an inaccurate current error rate in the SNAP program and insists the sharing the data could help lower the rate.&nbsp; But that rate isn’t about fraud detection, which Howard said is already occurring in the SNAP program.&nbsp;</p><p>Hawkins did not respond to a request for comment for this story.</p><p>Howard said a robust fraud detection system is already in place in partnership with the USDA, and account data is freely shared for that purpose. In fact, of all federal funds processed through DCF, she said SNAP and Medicaid have the most extensive programs looking for any problems.&nbsp;</p><p>Medicaid isn’t as complicated to process as the SNAP benefits are because staff are only determining whether the applicant is eligible, Howard said. With SNAP, they’re also figuring out how much the payment should be.&nbsp;</p><p>“States are responsible for conducting these quality control processes,” she said. “There are samples of cases that are drawn every month. We have quality control staff that look at those cases. They’re essentially redetermining that eligibility from scratch, and that includes verifications.”</p><p>Once quality control staff go through the detailed information collected from SNAP applicants, which includes income, shelter, work and household member information, they determine whether mistakes were made.&nbsp;</p><p>“Then the feds look at a sample of our sample, just to verify that our quality control is accurate,” Howard said.</p><p>It’s not about finding fraud because the error rate is attributed to mistakes, Howard said.</p><p>“None of it’s about fraud,” she said. “If, in the context of the original determination, if a worker believed that someone was being untruthful, then we have a separate process to refer that for a fraud investigation.”</p><p>Multiple factors go into determining whether someone is eligible for SNAP and how much they should receive, including all assets, income, shelter costs, whether they must be working, if roommates are contributing to utilities and much more, Howard said. Simple things like a teenager who works at a fast-food restaurant turning 18, which means their income should be added to household income, can cause eligibility errors.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><h2>Error rate increases</h2><p>The Kansas error rate climbed in the last few years, and Howard said she wishes there was a “magic bullet answer” to how to correct it.&nbsp;</p><p>The DCF team is working on retraining staff, rewriting manuals to make sure they’re clear, training staff to interview applicants, among other items.&nbsp;</p><p>“We’ve done a whole root cause analysis based on our error rate,” Howard said. “We have to do that for the feds. States have to submit corrective action plans. We know that the areas where we see the most errors have to do with wages and income and shelter deductions. So then, based on that, you train even more in that area.”</p><p>The agency is considering automation that may help reduce errors, she said, as well as encouraging more people to use the online application form. That could help reduce data processing typos and misunderstandings that occur when staff interview someone and then enter the information.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>In its most recent report for 2024, the state reduced its error rate from 12% in 2023 to just under 10%.&nbsp;</p><p>The error rate jumped after the COVID-19 pandemic, when Howard said many experienced workers who had performed eligibility work for years retired. The error rate in 2017 was 3.9%, jumping to 5.9% in 2018 and 7.1% in 2019. The target is to achieve error rates below 5%.&nbsp;</p><p>No data is available on the USDA website for 2020 and 2021. In 2022, the rate jumped to 9%, followed by 12% in 2023, which is the highest rate in more than 15 years.</p><p>“We were very short staffed for a couple of years,” Howard said. “That really has started to turn around, particularly in some of our regions, and I would attribute that to a number of things. The state’s had some nice salary increases based on some of the market assessments, and then I think things just kind of stabilized after COVID.”</p><p>In 2024, there were 205 eligibility workers on average processing applications and confirming eligibility throughout the state, she said.&nbsp;</p><p>“I wish I could say, ‘Well, we’re doing these three really glitzy things,’ ” Howard said. “We’re doing hard things. There are a lot of things going on.”</p><p>In reality, it comes down to worker training, making sure paperwork is filled out correctly, with the right questions being asked, and then verifying all information, she said.</p>

Kansas official defends refusal to turn over private food program data in face of political attacks

WASHINGTON (AP) —First lady Melania Trump on Tuesday announced a nationwide AI contest for students.

The goal is to help students get comfortable with artificial intelligence tools and to work together using them to solve community issues.

The first lady announced the Presidential AI Challenge in a short video. Students in grades K-12 can sign up starting Tuesday at&nbsp;<a href="http://ai.gov/">AI.gov</a>.

An adult or teacher must sponsor a team. Submissions are due by the end of December. Regional competitions will be held in the spring, followed by a White House event with the national winners.

The contest was called for under an executive order Trump signed in April

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) —First lady Melania Trump on Tuesday announced a nationwide AI contest for students.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Are you ready for an AI challenge?<br>Visit <a href="https://t.co/PNPBv2KckS">https://t.co/PNPBv2KckS</a> <a href="https://t.co/GdRiH8tz2t">pic.twitter.com/GdRiH8tz2t</a></p>&mdash; First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1960320005909737658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The goal is to help students get comfortable with artificial intelligence tools and to work together using them to solve community issues.</p><p>The first lady announced the Presidential AI Challenge in a short video. Students in grades K-12 can sign up starting Tuesday at&nbsp;<a href="http://ai.gov/">AI.gov</a>.</p><p>An adult or teacher must sponsor a team. Submissions are due by the end of December. Regional competitions will be held in the spring, followed by a White House event with the national winners.</p><p>The contest was called for under an executive order Trump signed in April</p>

🎥First lady announces nationwide AI contest for students

WYANDOTTE COUNTY&nbsp; – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating a vehicle pursuit that occurred Tuesday morning in Kansas City, Kansas, resulting in an officer being struck and killed.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., officers from the Kansas City, Kansas were dispatched near the 7700 block of Everett Ave, regarding shots being fired.

At approximately 12:40 a.m., officers located an unconscious man in the driver’s seat of a truck. As officers approached the driver, he woke up and fled the scene.

The driver, later identified as Dennis Mitchell III, 31, of Kansas City, was pursued by law enforcement. He abandoned the truck, entered another vehicle, and continued fleeing from officers.

During the pursuit, two Kansas City, Kansas officers exited their vehicle to stage stop sticks in the 7200 block of State Ave. 

Mitchell drove toward an officer, striking him before continuing to flee the area. The officer, identified as Hunter Simoncic, 26, was struck and transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

At approximately 12:55 a.m., Mitchell crashed the truck near the 6400 block of Kaw Driver. He was taken into custody and was transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center for examination. Mitchell was treated, released and transported to the Wyandotte County Jail. It was later learned both trucks had been reported stolen.

Mitchell was arrested on requested charges of first-degree murder, vehicular homicide, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, theft, criminal possession of a firearm, and aggravated failure to appear. Formal charges are pending.

When this investigation concludes case findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney for determination of charges. The investigation is ongoing.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756223822488.png" alt="Mitchell photo Wyandotte County" />
                        <figcaption>Mitchell photo Wyandotte County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WYANDOTTE COUNTY&nbsp; – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating a vehicle pursuit that occurred Tuesday morning in Kansas City, Kansas, resulting in an officer being struck and killed.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKCKPolice%2Fvideos%2F786148240688021%2F&show_text=true&width=267&t=0" width="267" height="591" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><p>At approximately 12:30 a.m., officers from the Kansas City, Kansas were dispatched near the 7700 block of Everett Ave, regarding shots being fired.</p><p>At approximately 12:40 a.m., officers located an unconscious man in the driver’s seat of a truck. As officers approached the driver, he woke up and fled the scene.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756227822168.png" alt="Officer Hunter Simoncic-courtesy image" />
                        <figcaption>Officer Hunter Simoncic-courtesy image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The driver, later identified as Dennis Mitchell III, 31, of Kansas City, was pursued by law enforcement. He abandoned the truck, entered another vehicle, and continued fleeing from officers.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756216912404.png" alt="Law enforcement on the scene of the investigation early Tuesday -photo courtesy KCTV" />
                        <figcaption>Law enforcement on the scene of the investigation early Tuesday -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>During the pursuit, two Kansas City, Kansas officers exited their vehicle to stage stop sticks in the 7200 block of State Ave. </p><p>Mitchell drove toward an officer, striking him before continuing to flee the area. The officer, identified as Hunter Simoncic, 26, was struck and transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.</p><p>At approximately 12:55 a.m., Mitchell crashed the truck near the 6400 block of Kaw Driver. He was taken into custody and was transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center for examination. Mitchell was treated, released and transported to the Wyandotte County Jail. It was later learned both trucks had been reported stolen.</p><p>Mitchell was arrested on requested charges of first-degree murder, vehicular homicide, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, theft, criminal possession of a firearm, and aggravated failure to appear. Formal charges are pending.</p><p>When this investigation concludes case findings will be presented to the Wyandotte County District Attorney for determination of charges. The investigation is ongoing.</p>

Police ID Kan. officer struck, killed by suspect vehicle during chase

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It's a love story and, baby, she said yes:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engaged-d585627eb98b69428ce206a2c8a9cb7d">Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;are engaged, they announced Tuesday.

In a five-photo joint post on Instagram, the superstar singer and football player revealed their engagement, the fairytale culmination of a courtship that for two years has thrilled and fascinated millions around the world, but especially Swifties, the pop star’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-end-06a41d7c717486f2c0e99a7304789912">enormous and ardent fan base.</a>

“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” the caption read, accompanied by an emoji of a dynamite stick.

Kelce was a famous football player when they met — a star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and a Super Bowl champion — but Swift’s unique level of fame catapulted him into a different orbit entirely. Their relationship was documented in countless shots of Swift celebrating at Chiefs games and fan videos of Kelce dancing along at Swift’s Eras concert tour as it traveled the globe.

There were those who speculated, with no evidence, that the relationship was not genuine but a cynical ploy for more fame, while some even theorized it was a plot to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-endorsement-democrats-harris-trump-3a5f4827a930d5cf5439febaf014de76">influence the U.S. elections.</a>&nbsp;In the end, those voices were quieted by a happy couple who simply looked in love — now with an engagement ring rivaling the size of Kelce's three Super Bowl rings.

It’s unclear when and where the two, both 35, got engaged. Representatives for Swift and Kelce did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' request for comment on that detail, though Swift publicist Tree Paine confirmed the engagement ring was an old mine brilliant-cut diamond from Kindred Lubeck. Scarcely over an hour later, Kelce was stretching for practice in Kansas City, Missouri.

It's been just two weeks since Swift — and Kelce — last ignited a media frenzy, with the announcement of a new album,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-new-album-life-of-showgirl-c4262686b5b68ee210f7571b8716ab51">“The Life of a Showgirl.”</a>&nbsp;(It comes out Oct. 3.) Kelce and his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, assisted Swift with the rollout, hosting her on their typically football-oriented podcast, “New Heights.” During the episode, she likened her career to her now-fiance's, saying their jobs were “to entertain people for three hours in NFL stadiums.”

When Jason Kelce asked his brother and Swift, sitting side-by-side, how they handled the discourse around their relationship, Swift said they just didn't.

“We don’t, really. I don’t see a lot of things,” she said. “My name can be in the actual headline, and it’s none of my business.”

The pair started dating during Swift's landmark Eras tour — though Kelce was thwarted in his first attempt to meet Swift at her concert at Arrowhead Stadium. But by September,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">Swift was back at the Kansas City stadium,</a>&nbsp;cheering on Kelce next to his mother. Less than two months later, she was changing lyrics onstage: “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs, coming straight home to me,” she sang in Argentina as Kelce beamed from the audience.

It's the first engagement for both Kelce — who once had his own reality dating show, “Catching Kelce” — and Swift, whose past relationships with high-profile celebrities including Joe Alwyn, Jake Gyllenhaal and Harry Styles, have been inspiration for her music.

The news broke in the middle of the Kansas City Chiefs' media availability, though after head coach Andy Reid had departed. That left Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna to field questions about his teammate's engagement.

“Man, it’s incredible. I was caught off guard but you know, great for them,” Danna said, a few minutes after the news raced across social media. “But you know, great for them. That’s a blessing. Any time you find that type of joy, blessing, love — that’s a beautiful thing.”

Like many of the Chiefs, Danna has hung out with Swift and Kelce at a New Year’s party and after most of their home games.

“I’ll think of a good little engagement gift,” Danna said. “Maybe some Pop-Tarts back to her. It won’t be homemade.”

The NFL, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-nfl-gen-z-be42bde423a35c8f4c34bd9a18327b07">has gained untold numbers of fans</a>&nbsp;since the relationship became public, posted the news on X with their congratulations — then quickly deleted it and reposted it when they realized they tagged the wrong Swift account.

“Two of the most genuine people meet &amp; fall in love. Just so happy for these two,” Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, said on Instagram. Brittany Mahomes and Swift have frequently shared a suite for games at Arrowhead Stadium. Meanwhile the Cleveland Guardians, the baseball team&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-alcs-yankees-guardians-yankee-stadium-73182d99e0f50978b6971b521a320b35">Kelce grew up rooting for,</a>&nbsp;joked online: “Thanks a lot, Taylor Swift. Now no one cares that next year’s schedule is out.”

Kelce and Swift’s relationship featured prominently in the just-released six-part ESPN documentary “The Kingdom,” which chronicles the franchise’s ultimately foiled pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title last season. Kelce was joined by his parents, Donna and Ed Kelce, on the red carpet last Sunday for the premiere at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City.

“She’s very good for him. I don’t hesitate in saying that,” Ed Kelce said of his future daughter-in-law. “They are two people that truly deserve each other.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707736613770.png" alt="File photo Taylor Swift kisses Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce after the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game in Las Vegas.(Brynn Anderson | AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)" />
                        <figcaption>File photo Taylor Swift kisses Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce after the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game in Las Vegas.(Brynn Anderson | AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — It's a love story and, baby, she said yes:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-engaged-d585627eb98b69428ce206a2c8a9cb7d">Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;are engaged, they announced Tuesday.</p><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DN02niAXMM-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DN02niAXMM-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DN02niAXMM-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div><p>In a five-photo joint post on Instagram, the superstar singer and football player revealed their engagement, the fairytale culmination of a courtship that for two years has thrilled and fascinated millions around the world, but especially Swifties, the pop star’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-end-06a41d7c717486f2c0e99a7304789912">enormous and ardent fan base.</a></p><p>“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” the caption read, accompanied by an emoji of a dynamite stick.</p><p>Kelce was a famous football player when they met — a star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and a Super Bowl champion — but Swift’s unique level of fame catapulted him into a different orbit entirely. Their relationship was documented in countless shots of Swift celebrating at Chiefs games and fan videos of Kelce dancing along at Swift’s Eras concert tour as it traveled the globe.</p><p>There were those who speculated, with no evidence, that the relationship was not genuine but a cynical ploy for more fame, while some even theorized it was a plot to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-endorsement-democrats-harris-trump-3a5f4827a930d5cf5439febaf014de76">influence the U.S. elections.</a>&nbsp;In the end, those voices were quieted by a happy couple who simply looked in love — now with an engagement ring rivaling the size of Kelce's three Super Bowl rings.</p><p>It’s unclear when and where the two, both 35, got engaged. Representatives for Swift and Kelce did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' request for comment on that detail, though Swift publicist Tree Paine confirmed the engagement ring was an old mine brilliant-cut diamond from Kindred Lubeck. Scarcely over an hour later, Kelce was stretching for practice in Kansas City, Missouri.</p><h2>Throwing fans into frenzies since 2023</h2><p>It's been just two weeks since Swift — and Kelce — last ignited a media frenzy, with the announcement of a new album,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-new-album-life-of-showgirl-c4262686b5b68ee210f7571b8716ab51">“The Life of a Showgirl.”</a>&nbsp;(It comes out Oct. 3.) Kelce and his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, assisted Swift with the rollout, hosting her on their typically football-oriented podcast, “New Heights.” During the episode, she likened her career to her now-fiance's, saying their jobs were “to entertain people for three hours in NFL stadiums.”</p><p>When Jason Kelce asked his brother and Swift, sitting side-by-side, how they handled the discourse around their relationship, Swift said they just didn't.</p><p>“We don’t, really. I don’t see a lot of things,” she said. “My name can be in the actual headline, and it’s none of my business.”</p><p>The pair started dating during Swift's landmark Eras tour — though Kelce was thwarted in his first attempt to meet Swift at her concert at Arrowhead Stadium. But by September,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-kelce-chiefs-891e7df84295f5b35cfa97a5ec427721">Swift was back at the Kansas City stadium,</a>&nbsp;cheering on Kelce next to his mother. Less than two months later, she was changing lyrics onstage: “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs, coming straight home to me,” she sang in Argentina as Kelce beamed from the audience.</p><p>It's the first engagement for both Kelce — who once had his own reality dating show, “Catching Kelce” — and Swift, whose past relationships with high-profile celebrities including Joe Alwyn, Jake Gyllenhaal and Harry Styles, have been inspiration for her music.</p><h2>Congratulations pour in</h2><p>The news broke in the middle of the Kansas City Chiefs' media availability, though after head coach Andy Reid had departed. That left Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna to field questions about his teammate's engagement.</p><p>“Man, it’s incredible. I was caught off guard but you know, great for them,” Danna said, a few minutes after the news raced across social media. “But you know, great for them. That’s a blessing. Any time you find that type of joy, blessing, love — that’s a beautiful thing.”</p><p>Like many of the Chiefs, Danna has hung out with Swift and Kelce at a New Year’s party and after most of their home games.</p><p>“I’ll think of a good little engagement gift,” Danna said. “Maybe some Pop-Tarts back to her. It won’t be homemade.”</p><p>The NFL, which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-nfl-gen-z-be42bde423a35c8f4c34bd9a18327b07">has gained untold numbers of fans</a>&nbsp;since the relationship became public, posted the news on X with their congratulations — then quickly deleted it and reposted it when they realized they tagged the wrong Swift account.</p><p>“Two of the most genuine people meet &amp; fall in love. Just so happy for these two,” Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, said on Instagram. Brittany Mahomes and Swift have frequently shared a suite for games at Arrowhead Stadium. Meanwhile the Cleveland Guardians, the baseball team&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-alcs-yankees-guardians-yankee-stadium-73182d99e0f50978b6971b521a320b35">Kelce grew up rooting for,</a>&nbsp;joked online: “Thanks a lot, Taylor Swift. Now no one cares that next year’s schedule is out.”</p><p>Kelce and Swift’s relationship featured prominently in the just-released six-part ESPN documentary “The Kingdom,” which chronicles the franchise’s ultimately foiled pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title last season. Kelce was joined by his parents, Donna and Ed Kelce, on the red carpet last Sunday for the premiere at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City.</p><p>“She’s very good for him. I don’t hesitate in saying that,” Ed Kelce said of his future daughter-in-law. “They are two people that truly deserve each other.”</p>

See the photos: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon wounded by police following a domestic violence call to a home in Wichita will return to court Tuesday.

Daniel James Gabor, 31, will attend a preliminary hearing in Judge Rodger Woods courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated domestic battery, one count of domestic battery, one count of interference with law enforcement, and one count of violating a protection order.

Just before 4:30 a.m., June 20, the Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call with a woman screaming in the background. The open-line call was traced to a moving location, and Wichita police officers were dispatched to what sounded like an active disturbance without a specific location.

By 4:30 a.m., the phone’s signal stopped in the 4600 block of West 37th Street South, where officers responded.

Officers found a vehicle stopped along the side of the street and saw a man later identified as 31-year-old Daniel James Gabor assaulting a woman in the front seat. During the encounter, an officer fired two rounds, striking&nbsp; Gabor in the upper arm. Gabor then drove off with the woman still inside the vehicle.

He later crashed in a construction area near K-42 highway and West Street. Officers responded, provided medical aid, and Sedgwick County EMS transported Gaabor to a Wichita hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officers also assisted the woman, who sustained minor injuries but declined transport to a medical facility by EMS.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division investigated both the officer-involved shooting and the original disturbance. Investigators are treating the two incidents as separate but related cases.

Detectives confirmed that Gabor and woman were in a domestic relationship. Gabor has a 2024 conviction for two counts of domestic battery and one count of criminal restraint through Harvey County District Court.

Following his release from the hospital, detectives booked Gabor into the Sedgwick County Jail. He is being held on bonds totaling $300,000, according to online jail records.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750427350550.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
                        <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon wounded by police following a domestic violence call to a home in Wichita will return to court Tuesday.</p><p>Daniel James Gabor, 31, will attend a preliminary hearing in Judge Rodger Woods courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated domestic battery, one count of domestic battery, one count of interference with law enforcement, and one count of violating a protection order.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750873007733.png" alt="Gabor photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Gabor photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Just before 4:30 a.m., June 20, the Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call with a woman screaming in the background. The open-line call was traced to a moving location, and Wichita police officers were dispatched to what sounded like an active disturbance without a specific location.</p><p>By 4:30 a.m., the phone’s signal stopped in the 4600 block of West 37th Street South, where officers responded.</p><p>Officers found a vehicle stopped along the side of the street and saw a man later identified as 31-year-old Daniel James Gabor assaulting a woman in the front seat. During the encounter, an officer fired two rounds, striking&nbsp; Gabor in the upper arm. Gabor then drove off with the woman still inside the vehicle.</p><p>He later crashed in a construction area near K-42 highway and West Street. Officers responded, provided medical aid, and Sedgwick County EMS transported Gaabor to a Wichita hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officers also assisted the woman, who sustained minor injuries but declined transport to a medical facility by EMS.</p><p>Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division investigated both the officer-involved shooting and the original disturbance. Investigators are treating the two incidents as separate but related cases.</p><p>Detectives confirmed that Gabor and woman were in a domestic relationship. Gabor has a 2024 conviction for two counts of domestic battery and one count of criminal restraint through Harvey County District Court.</p><p>Following his release from the hospital, detectives booked Gabor into the Sedgwick County Jail. He is being held on bonds totaling $300,000, according to online jail records.</p>

Preliminary hearing: Kan. felon injured in officer involved shooting

NASHVILLE (AP) —Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo but apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1756220659164.png" alt="google image" />
                        <figcaption>google image</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>NASHVILLE (AP) —Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo but apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.</p><p>“If the last few days have shown us anything, it's how deeply people care about Cracker Barrel. We're truly grateful for your heartfelt voices,” the company said Monday in a statement on its website. “You've also shown us that we could have done a better job sharing who we are and who we'll always be.”</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcrackerbarrel%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0mkLsPTr7Ca9NV1mzzJowjFW5gDpbBuzhAtaMPVjqifMfR9jZnSsMEmwy42zgJrt4l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><p>Cracker Barrel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cracker-barrel-new-logo-rebrand-efforts-67f3181a144cd639eb33d1066f85ef08">took heat last week</a>&nbsp;when it announced a simplified logo featuring only the chain's name. Gone was the picture of an older man in overalls leaning against a barrel. The words “Old Country Store” were also removed.</p><p>The change was part of a wider rebrand, which has seen Cracker Barrel update its cluttered, antique-filled restaurants with lighter paint and modern furniture.</p><p>Many on social media, including Donald Trump Jr., criticized the new logo, with some threatening to boycott unless it was changed back. Sensing an opening, the rival chain Steak n' Shake called the new logo “a cheap effort to gain the approval of trend seekers.”</p><p>“Heritage is what got Cracker Barrel this far, and now the CEO wants to just scrape it all away,” Steak n' Shake said in a statement on X.</p><p>Cracker Barrel shares have dropped more than 10% since the new logo was introduced on Aug. 18.</p><p>On Monday, the Lebanon, Tennessee-based company emphasized that many things about Cracker Barrel won't change, including the rocking chairs on its front porches and vintage Americana and antiques scattered throughout its restaurants.</p><p>Cracker Barrel also said it will continue to honor Uncle Herschel — the older man in the former logo, who represents the uncle of Cracker Barrel's founder — on its menu and on items sold in its stores.</p><p>But Cracker Barrel said it also wants to make sure that the business stays fresh and attracts a new generation of customers.</p><p>“That means showing up on new platforms and in new ways, but always with our heritage at the heart,” the company said in a statement.</p><p>The company said it will also keep testing, learning and listening to its employees and customers.</p><p>Cracker Barrel shares fell less than 1% to close at $54.26 per share Monday.</p>