RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a registered violent offender for new alleged crimes.

Just before 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 41-year-old Lamarques Channel of Topeka on requested charges of criminal sodomy and rape, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. The arrest stems from the investigation of an incident that occurred on October 25, 2019. Channel is being held on a total bond of $150,000.

Channel has previous convictions for reckless involuntary manslaughter and drug crimes, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

He has been listed as a registered offender since 2015, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1746031761825.png" alt="Channel photo KBI Offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Channel photo KBI Offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a registered violent offender for new alleged crimes.Just before 9:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 41-year-old Lamarques Channel of Topeka on requested charges of criminal sodomy and rape, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. The arrest stems from the investigation of an incident that occurred on October 25, 2019. Channel is being held on a total bond of $150,000.Channel has previous convictions for reckless involuntary manslaughter and drug crimes, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.He has been listed as a registered offender since 2015, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kan. registered offender accused of sex crimes

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas woman was indicted by a federal grand jury for interstate transportation of stolen goods.

Amanda Rutherford, 45, was indicted on one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods for traveling across the state line to sell stolen coins, according to the United State's Attorney.

Rutherford traveled to Missouri to sell over $100,000 in gold and silver coins that belonged to an elderly couple who resided in Kansas.&nbsp;

The Dickinson County, Kansas Sheriff’s Office received a report in 2022 that several items, including firearms and collector coins, were stolen from the farm of an elderly couple. 

Rutherford lived on their property and claimed to be a caregiver for the couple. In early 2024, the Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Rutherford had sold gold coins to a jewelry store in Clay County, Missouri and had received several checks totaling $100,000. 

The Sheriff’s Office was able to confirm this information and served a search warrant on her vehicle soon after she cashed those checks at the bank. In conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Sheriff’s Office found newly purchased merchandise, the remainder of the bundled currency, and other coins belonging to the victims in the vehicle.

 The victims identified the remainder of the coins as part of those that were stolen from their farm in 2022. &nbsp;Under federal law, it is illegal to transport stolen goods across state lines. If convicted, Rutherford faces a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1656767029823.jpeg" alt="RUTHERFORD from an earlier arrest in Dickinson Co." />
 <figcaption>RUTHERFORD from an earlier arrest in Dickinson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas woman was indicted by a federal grand jury for interstate transportation of stolen goods.Amanda Rutherford, 45, was indicted on one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods for traveling across the state line to sell stolen coins, according to the United State's Attorney.Rutherford traveled to Missouri to sell over $100,000 in gold and silver coins that belonged to an elderly couple who resided in Kansas.&nbsp;The Dickinson County, Kansas Sheriff’s Office received a report in 2022 that several items, including firearms and collector coins, were stolen from the farm of an elderly couple. Rutherford lived on their property and claimed to be a caregiver for the couple. In early 2024, the Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Rutherford had sold gold coins to a jewelry store in Clay County, Missouri and had received several checks totaling $100,000. The Sheriff’s Office was able to confirm this information and served a search warrant on her vehicle soon after she cashed those checks at the bank. In conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Sheriff’s Office found newly purchased merchandise, the remainder of the bundled currency, and other coins belonging to the victims in the vehicle. The victims identified the remainder of the coins as part of those that were stolen from their farm in 2022. &nbsp;Under federal law, it is illegal to transport stolen goods across state lines. If convicted, Rutherford faces a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Kan. woman accused of selling stolen coins from elderly couple

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended a judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities, saying Tuesday that it is in the public interest to relieve her of her duties as she faces two federal charges.

The FBI took Milwaukee County Circuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-milwaukee-judge-hannah-dugan-c7247d7d053b8f1e098919e69f5853f3">Judge Hannah Dugan</a>&nbsp;into custody Friday morning at the county courthouse. She has been charged with concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding.

In its two-page order, the court said it was acting to protect public confidence in Wisconsin courts during the criminal proceedings against Dugan. The order noted that the court was acting on its own initiative and was not responding to a request from anyone. Liberal justices control the court 4-3.

“It is ordered ... that Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan is temporarily prohibited from exercising the powers of a circuit court judge in the state of Wisconsin, effective the date of this order and until further order of the court,” the justices wrote.

In a statement, Dugan's legal team said it was disappointed “that the Court acted in unilateral fashion. We continue to assert Judge Dugan’s innocence and look forward to her vindication in court.”

A state court spokesperson said that a reserve judge began filling in for Dugan on Monday for an indefinite period.

Dugan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-judge-arrested-7997186bbca5730e70a25f2347e631f6">is accused of</a>&nbsp;escorting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer from her court through the jury door last week after learning that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the building and seeking his arrest. Flores-Ruiz, who court documents say illegally reentered the U.S. after being deported in 2013, was taken into custody outside after a foot chase.

Court documents suggest Dugan was alerted to the agents' presence by her clerk, who was informed by an attorney that they appeared to be in the hallway.

An FBI affidavit says Dugan was “visibly angry” over the agents' arrival and called the situation “absurd” before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse with what witnesses described as a “confrontational, angry demeanor.”

After a back-and-forth with officers over the warrant for Flores-Ruiz, Dugan demanded they speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom, the affidavit says.

After directing the agents to the chief judge’s office, investigators say, Dugan returned to the courtroom and was heard saying words to the effect of “wait, come with me” before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through the jury door into a nonpublic area.

The action was unusual, the affidavit says, because “only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door.”

Dugan's arrests has sparked outrage among Democrats, who have accused the Trump administration of trying to chill the judiciary. Demonstrators gathered outside the FBI's Milwaukee field office Saturday to protest her arrest.

She is set to appear in court for arraignment May 15.

Her attorneys include Craig Mastantuono; Paul Clement, a prominent conservative lawyer; and Steve Biskupic, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin who was appointed by President George W. Bush.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745621926702.png" alt="This 2016 photo shows Judge Hannah Dugan in Milwaukee. (Lee Matz/Milwaukee Independent via AP)" />
 <figcaption>This 2016 photo shows Judge Hannah Dugan in Milwaukee. (Lee Matz/Milwaukee Independent via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended a judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities, saying Tuesday that it is in the public interest to relieve her of her duties as she faces two federal charges.The FBI took Milwaukee County Circuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-milwaukee-judge-hannah-dugan-c7247d7d053b8f1e098919e69f5853f3">Judge Hannah Dugan</a>&nbsp;into custody Friday morning at the county courthouse. She has been charged with concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding.In its two-page order, the court said it was acting to protect public confidence in Wisconsin courts during the criminal proceedings against Dugan. The order noted that the court was acting on its own initiative and was not responding to a request from anyone. Liberal justices control the court 4-3.“It is ordered ... that Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan is temporarily prohibited from exercising the powers of a circuit court judge in the state of Wisconsin, effective the date of this order and until further order of the court,” the justices wrote.In a statement, Dugan's legal team said it was disappointed “that the Court acted in unilateral fashion. We continue to assert Judge Dugan’s innocence and look forward to her vindication in court.”A state court spokesperson said that a reserve judge began filling in for Dugan on Monday for an indefinite period.Dugan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-judge-arrested-7997186bbca5730e70a25f2347e631f6">is accused of</a>&nbsp;escorting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer from her court through the jury door last week after learning that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the building and seeking his arrest. Flores-Ruiz, who court documents say illegally reentered the U.S. after being deported in 2013, was taken into custody outside after a foot chase.Court documents suggest Dugan was alerted to the agents' presence by her clerk, who was informed by an attorney that they appeared to be in the hallway.An FBI affidavit says Dugan was “visibly angry” over the agents' arrival and called the situation “absurd” before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse with what witnesses described as a “confrontational, angry demeanor.”After a back-and-forth with officers over the warrant for Flores-Ruiz, Dugan demanded they speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom, the affidavit says.After directing the agents to the chief judge’s office, investigators say, Dugan returned to the courtroom and was heard saying words to the effect of “wait, come with me” before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through the jury door into a nonpublic area.The action was unusual, the affidavit says, because “only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door.”Dugan's arrests has sparked outrage among Democrats, who have accused the Trump administration of trying to chill the judiciary. Demonstrators gathered outside the FBI's Milwaukee field office Saturday to protest her arrest.She is set to appear in court for arraignment May 15.Her attorneys include Craig Mastantuono; Paul Clement, a prominent conservative lawyer; and Steve Biskupic, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin who was appointed by President George W. Bush.

Court suspends judge accused of helping man evade immigration authorities

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a knife attack in Manhattan.

Just after 8p.m. Monday, officers filed a report of aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child and criminal damage to property in the 3000 block of James Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 17-year-old girl reported that her 21-year-old brother armed himself with a knife and recklessly stabbed her in the leg. The injury sustained by the 17-year-old listed victim was non-life-threatening. A 39-year-old female was listed as a second victim in the incident, along with a door that was damaged. Police arrested&nbsp;lsen Talalele Jr, 21, of Manhattan, on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child and criminal damage to property. Talalele Jr. was issued a total bond of $10,000 and is no longer confined in custody, according to the RCPD.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a knife attack in Manhattan.Just after 8p.m. Monday, officers filed a report of aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child and criminal damage to property in the 3000 block of James Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 17-year-old girl reported that her 21-year-old brother armed himself with a knife and recklessly stabbed her in the leg. The injury sustained by the 17-year-old listed victim was non-life-threatening. A 39-year-old female was listed as a second victim in the incident, along with a door that was damaged. Police arrested&nbsp;lsen Talalele Jr, 21, of Manhattan, on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated endangering a child and criminal damage to property. Talalele Jr. was issued a total bond of $10,000 and is no longer confined in custody, according to the RCPD.

RCPD: Manhattan man jailed for knife attack on his sister

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 151 months in prison for distributing child exploitation sexual abuse materials.

According to court documents, Zachary Charles Hiskey, 27, of Hutchinson pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.

In June 2021, Hiskey used his account on a messaging app called Kik to share videos depicting adult males engaged in sexually explicit activities with prepubescent children. Kik detected the videos and reported the account to law enforcement through a cyber tipline. This led to the discovery of other child exploitation sexual abuse materials connected to Hiskey’s email account and to IP logs at his home in Hutchinson.

While executing a search warrant at Hiskey's home, investigators found an electronic device with an Internet browser thumbnail of recently viewed child exploitation sexual abuse materials. A forensic examination revealed the Kik account in question had been installed and then deleted on his cell phone.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745874188067.png" alt="Hiskey following his arrest in December in Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Hiskey following his arrest in December in Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 151 months in prison for distributing child exploitation sexual abuse materials.According to court documents, Zachary Charles Hiskey, 27, of Hutchinson pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.In June 2021, Hiskey used his account on a messaging app called Kik to share videos depicting adult males engaged in sexually explicit activities with prepubescent children. Kik detected the videos and reported the account to law enforcement through a cyber tipline. This led to the discovery of other child exploitation sexual abuse materials connected to Hiskey’s email account and to IP logs at his home in Hutchinson.While executing a search warrant at Hiskey's home, investigators found an electronic device with an Internet browser thumbnail of recently viewed child exploitation sexual abuse materials. A forensic examination revealed the Kik account in question had been installed and then deleted on his cell phone.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.

Kansas man admitted sharing child sex abuse videos

KANSAS CITY, Kansas —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting April 24, in Kansas City have identified the victim as 21-year-old Eric Johnson-Linares.

Just after 5p.m. April 24, police responded to a shooting in the 600 Block of South 71st Terrace, according to a media release. First responders found Johnson-Linares outside, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect details.

KANSAS CITY, Kansas —Law enforcement investigating a fatal shooting April 24, in Kansas City have identified the victim as 21-year-old Eric Johnson-Linares.Just after 5p.m. April 24, police responded to a shooting in the 600 Block of South 71st Terrace, according to a media release. First responders found Johnson-Linares outside, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or released suspect details.

Police ID victim in deadly Kansas shooting

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman arrested in connection with an accidental shooting that injured a 4-year-old girl made her first court appearance on Monday.&nbsp; Judge Shawn Elliott charged 50-year-old Ana Sorto Mejia of Wichita with one count of aggravated endangering a child.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just before 2p.m. April 11, police responded to the 2500 block of E. Harry in Wichita following reports of a shooting, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders found a 4-year-old girl who had sustained a single gunshot wound to her lower torso. She was immediately transported to a local hospital with critical injuries, according to Gupilan.

After preliminary investigation, it was found that the child's guardian, identified as Sorto, left a firearm unsecured, allowing the child to access it, resulting in the child unintentionally shooting themselves.&nbsp; 

Late that night, police booked Sorto into the Sedgwick County Jail. She is not longer in custody. She is due back in court May 12.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744469792810.png" alt="Sorto-Mejia -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Sorto-Mejia -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman arrested in connection with an accidental shooting that injured a 4-year-old girl made her first court appearance on Monday.&nbsp; Judge Shawn Elliott charged 50-year-old Ana Sorto Mejia of Wichita with one count of aggravated endangering a child.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just before 2p.m. April 11, police responded to the 2500 block of E. Harry in Wichita following reports of a shooting, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders found a 4-year-old girl who had sustained a single gunshot wound to her lower torso. She was immediately transported to a local hospital with critical injuries, according to Gupilan.After preliminary investigation, it was found that the child's guardian, identified as Sorto, left a firearm unsecured, allowing the child to access it, resulting in the child unintentionally shooting themselves.&nbsp; Late that night, police booked Sorto into the Sedgwick County Jail. She is not longer in custody. She is due back in court May 12.

Kan. woman faces judge for accidental shooting of 4-year-old

Geary County Sheriff Nate Boeckman provided details on case numbers for the past two weeks to the Geary County Commission on Monday. Some of those included:

There are three deputy and three corrections officer openings. Boeckman expects to have them filled next month.

Geary County Sheriff Nate Boeckman provided details on case numbers for the past two weeks to the Geary County Commission on Monday. Some of those included:--average daily population of 91 inmates--seven accidents worked--one DUI case--one domestic incident--three drug investigationa--one battery / assault--three criminal damage to property--one theft / burglary caseThere were 38 arrests.There are three deputy and three corrections officer openings. Boeckman expects to have them filled next month.

Sheriff gives his biweekly report

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

TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday she had signed into law 11 bills, meeting a deadline and cementing public education funding, tax incentives for major data centers and a new crime for possessing, creating or distributing AI-generated child pornography.

The bills were bipartisan, Kelly said, as she signed them before the end of the 10-day period she has to take action after the Legislature delivers them to her.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb186/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 186</a>&nbsp;crafted first-time, clear protections for those who are the subject of AI-generated imagery without their consent. It’s an effort to mitigate the harms caused by technology, “in both the digital realm and the physical world,” Kelly said in a news release.

“Given the rise of AI-enabled crime, enhancing public safety for our fellow Kansans is crucial,” Kelly said.

The law applies to the alteration of real photos or generating new material from scratch, said Rep. Brad Barrett, an Osage City Republican who sat on the House committee that heard and negotiated the original bill.&nbsp;

“This legislation strengthens our child exploitation laws to protect kids from this evolving threat and also updates our breach of privacy law to shield adults from having their images maliciously altered to appear nude or sexually explicit when they have an expectation of privacy,” he said.

The law adds to the definition of sex crimes within the Kansas Criminal Code to include AI-generated material. It also modifies existing criminal bond-setting procedure to hike up bond rates for any defendant with prior convictions of sexually violent crimes. The minimum bond for those defendants is now $750,000, which Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes said addresses patterns of “predatory behavior.”

“This part of the bill ensures the safety of victims comes first,” Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said. “By requiring the consideration of similar prior acts when setting bond, we can alleviate some of the fear for victims.”

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb156/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 156</a>&nbsp;increases the amount of money inmates can receive from the Kansas Department of Corrections for losses, personal injury or property damage.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb204/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 204</a>&nbsp;seals criminal and juvenile cases — meaning information is kept secret — until an arrest warrant is executed. It also creates a new appointment process for trustees of county law libraries.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb237/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 237</a>&nbsp;empowers law enforcement officers to investigate violations of the Scrap Metal Theft Reduction Act, which targets scrap metal dealers. It was initially proposed by the Wichita Police Department.

Kelly said a new law that incentivizes major data center projects in Kansas gives “the state another tool in the toolbox to bring jobs, infrastructure, and prosperity to Kansas communities through economic development.”

<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb98/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 98</a>&nbsp;creates a 20-year sales tax exemption for data centers investing at least $250 million within five years of opening. The exemption could include land acquisition, development and construction, equipment acquisition and permitting, design, engineering, labor for installing and maintaining data center equipment, and lease payments.

Businesses that receive the exemption must by law conserve, reuse, and replace water, pay for electricity from a public utility for 10 years and maintain at least 20 new jobs at the data center within two years of launching.

Kelly also signed into law&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2289/" target="_blank">House Bill 2289</a>, which was championed by Stilwell Republican Rep. Sean Tarwater and enacts limits on housing tax credits. Over time, the law eventually will dismantle the state’s affordable housing tax credit program.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2125/" target="_blank">House Bill 2125</a>&nbsp;reauthorized the 20-mill statewide school property tax levy to finance public schools through the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. The bill also sets strict deadlines on local taxing entities, enabling county clerks to use a taxing jurisdiction’s budget and tax levy from the previous year if it doesn’t submit budget information by Oct. 1.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2231/" target="_blank">House Bill 2231</a>&nbsp;shifts Kansas to a corporate income tax calculation method that aligns with the majority of states. Kelly said the law evens “the playing field for Kansas-based businesses, making the state more attractive for capital investment, and encouraging job creation.”

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2335/" target="_blank">House Bill 2335</a>&nbsp;creates, beginning in January, a new license plate for members of hunting organization Hunter Nation.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2007/" target="_blank">House Bill 2007</a>&nbsp;cleans up statutes that were amended multiple times during the 2025 session.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2275/" target="_blank">House Bill 2275</a>&nbsp;enables a handful of Kansas counties to ask voters whether they favor a sales tax proposal to fund projects. It also creates a tax exemption for custom meat processing sales.

In Finney County, county commissioners want to impose a 0.5% sales tax to finance construction or remodeling projects in the county courthouse, jail, law enforcement center or other administrative building.

In Jackson County, commissioners want to ask voters if they would favor a 0.25% sales tax to support hospital services.

In Pawnee County, commissioners can ask voters if they want to pay an up to 1% sales tax for providing health care services and “furnish” and “equip” public safety operations.

In Seward County, voters will decide if they want to pay a 0.5% sales tax to fund road and bridge projects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745864234505.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly, pictured here at a May 14, 2024, event in Topeka, signed 11 bills into law last week following the close of the 2025 legislative session. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly, pictured here at a May 14, 2024, event in Topeka, signed 11 bills into law last week following the close of the 2025 legislative session. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday she had signed into law 11 bills, meeting a deadline and cementing public education funding, tax incentives for major data centers and a new crime for possessing, creating or distributing AI-generated child pornography.The bills were bipartisan, Kelly said, as she signed them before the end of the 10-day period she has to take action after the Legislature delivers them to her.Crime and law enforcement<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb186/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 186</a>&nbsp;crafted first-time, clear protections for those who are the subject of AI-generated imagery without their consent. It’s an effort to mitigate the harms caused by technology, “in both the digital realm and the physical world,” Kelly said in a news release.“Given the rise of AI-enabled crime, enhancing public safety for our fellow Kansans is crucial,” Kelly said.The law applies to the alteration of real photos or generating new material from scratch, said Rep. Brad Barrett, an Osage City Republican who sat on the House committee that heard and negotiated the original bill.&nbsp;“This legislation strengthens our child exploitation laws to protect kids from this evolving threat and also updates our breach of privacy law to shield adults from having their images maliciously altered to appear nude or sexually explicit when they have an expectation of privacy,” he said.The law adds to the definition of sex crimes within the Kansas Criminal Code to include AI-generated material. It also modifies existing criminal bond-setting procedure to hike up bond rates for any defendant with prior convictions of sexually violent crimes. The minimum bond for those defendants is now $750,000, which Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes said addresses patterns of “predatory behavior.”“This part of the bill ensures the safety of victims comes first,” Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said. “By requiring the consideration of similar prior acts when setting bond, we can alleviate some of the fear for victims.”<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb156/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 156</a>&nbsp;increases the amount of money inmates can receive from the Kansas Department of Corrections for losses, personal injury or property damage.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb204/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 204</a>&nbsp;seals criminal and juvenile cases — meaning information is kept secret — until an arrest warrant is executed. It also creates a new appointment process for trustees of county law libraries.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb237/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 237</a>&nbsp;empowers law enforcement officers to investigate violations of the Scrap Metal Theft Reduction Act, which targets scrap metal dealers. It was initially proposed by the Wichita Police Department.Industry and developmentKelly said a new law that incentivizes major data center projects in Kansas gives “the state another tool in the toolbox to bring jobs, infrastructure, and prosperity to Kansas communities through economic development.”<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb98/" target="_blank">Senate Bill 98</a>&nbsp;creates a 20-year sales tax exemption for data centers investing at least $250 million within five years of opening. The exemption could include land acquisition, development and construction, equipment acquisition and permitting, design, engineering, labor for installing and maintaining data center equipment, and lease payments.Businesses that receive the exemption must by law conserve, reuse, and replace water, pay for electricity from a public utility for 10 years and maintain at least 20 new jobs at the data center within two years of launching.Kelly also signed into law&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2289/" target="_blank">House Bill 2289</a>, which was championed by Stilwell Republican Rep. Sean Tarwater and enacts limits on housing tax credits. Over time, the law eventually will dismantle the state’s affordable housing tax credit program.Taxes and government<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2125/" target="_blank">House Bill 2125</a>&nbsp;reauthorized the 20-mill statewide school property tax levy to finance public schools through the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. The bill also sets strict deadlines on local taxing entities, enabling county clerks to use a taxing jurisdiction’s budget and tax levy from the previous year if it doesn’t submit budget information by Oct. 1.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2231/" target="_blank">House Bill 2231</a>&nbsp;shifts Kansas to a corporate income tax calculation method that aligns with the majority of states. Kelly said the law evens “the playing field for Kansas-based businesses, making the state more attractive for capital investment, and encouraging job creation.”<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2335/" target="_blank">House Bill 2335</a>&nbsp;creates, beginning in January, a new license plate for members of hunting organization Hunter Nation.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2007/" target="_blank">House Bill 2007</a>&nbsp;cleans up statutes that were amended multiple times during the 2025 session.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2275/" target="_blank">House Bill 2275</a>&nbsp;enables a handful of Kansas counties to ask voters whether they favor a sales tax proposal to fund projects. It also creates a tax exemption for custom meat processing sales.In Finney County, county commissioners want to impose a 0.5% sales tax to finance construction or remodeling projects in the county courthouse, jail, law enforcement center or other administrative building.In Jackson County, commissioners want to ask voters if they would favor a 0.25% sales tax to support hospital services.In Pawnee County, commissioners can ask voters if they want to pay an up to 1% sales tax for providing health care services and “furnish” and “equip” public safety operations.In Seward County, voters will decide if they want to pay a 0.5% sales tax to fund road and bridge projects.

Kansas governor signs 11 bills dealing with crime, industry, governing

WICHITA, KS&nbsp;— On April 25, 2025, at 8:07 pm, Wichita Police were in the area of South Topeka and East Indianapolis in Wichita when they heard gunshots nearby, according to Wichita Police Officer Brad Wright.

Officers immediately responded to the area in the 800 block of South Broadway. Upon arrival, officers discovered that 21-year-old Martevion Davis from Wichita had suffered gunshot wounds to his torso and arms. Davis was driven to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 10:46 p.m., according to Wright.

Through investigations, Officers were quickly able to identify a 35-year-old male of Wichita as the suspect. There were multiple individuals at the scene who were later interviewed by Wichita Police Department Homicide Investigators. At this point in the investigation, it is believed that Davis and the suspect were known to each other.

At 12:30 p.m. Saturday the 35-year-old male suspect identified as James Owens, according to county arrest records, turned himself into police custody and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of First Degree Murder. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745701616774.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>WICHITA, KS&nbsp;— On April 25, 2025, at 8:07 pm, Wichita Police were in the area of South Topeka and East Indianapolis in Wichita when they heard gunshots nearby, according to Wichita Police Officer Brad Wright.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745750207897.png" alt="Owens photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Owens photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers immediately responded to the area in the 800 block of South Broadway. Upon arrival, officers discovered that 21-year-old Martevion Davis from Wichita had suffered gunshot wounds to his torso and arms. Davis was driven to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 10:46 p.m., according to Wright.Through investigations, Officers were quickly able to identify a 35-year-old male of Wichita as the suspect. There were multiple individuals at the scene who were later interviewed by Wichita Police Department Homicide Investigators. At this point in the investigation, it is believed that Davis and the suspect were known to each other.At 12:30 p.m. Saturday the 35-year-old male suspect identified as James Owens, according to county arrest records, turned himself into police custody and was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of First Degree Murder.

Suspect in deadly Kan. motel shooting turns himself in to police

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen’s Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;on Monday alleged a U.S. airstrike hit a prison holding African migrants, killing at least 68 people and wounding 47 others. The U.S. military had no immediate comment.

The strike in Yemen's Saada governorate, a stronghold for the Houthis, is the latest incident in the country's decadelong war&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-saudi-arabia-yemen-migrants-hrw-c6958c2593573c0c8fc64794a60f777c">to kill African migrants from Ethiopia and other nations</a>&nbsp;who risk crossing the nation for a chance to work in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

It also likely will renew questions from activists about the American campaign, known as “Operation Rough Rider,” which has been targeting the rebels as the Trump administration negotiates with their main benefactor, Iran, over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-nuclear-talks-oman-f2e4ecf49c62c11a0240153d7f900d0d">Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program</a>.

The U.S. military's Central Command, in a statement early Monday before news of the alleged strike broke, sought to defend its policy of offering no specific details of its extensive airstrike campaign. The strikes have drawn controversy in America over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-houthis-attack-8dbf9dd6c711796438a5c1c84831c40b">use of the unclassified Signal messaging app</a>&nbsp;to post sensitive details about the attacks.

“To preserve operational security, we have intentionally limited disclosing details of our ongoing or future operations,” Central Command said. “We are very deliberate in our operational approach, but will not reveal specifics about what we’ve done or what we will do.”

It did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press about the alleged strike in Saada.

Graphic footage shows aftermath of explosion

Graphic footage aired by the Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel showed what appeared to be dead bodies and others wounded at the site. The Houthi-run Interior Ministry said some 115 migrants had been detained at the site.

The rebels' Civil Defense organization said at least 68 people had been killed and 47 others wounded in the attack.

Footage from the site analyzed by the AP suggested some kind of explosion took place there, with its cement walls seemingly peppered by debris fragments and the wounds suffered by those there.

A woman's voice, soft in the footage, can be heard repeating the start of a prayer in Arabic: “In the name of God.” An occasional gunshot rang out as medics sought to help those wounded.

African migrants caught in middle of Yemen's war

Ethiopians and other African migrants for years have landed in Yemen, braving the war-torn nation to try and reach Saudi Arabia for work. The Houthi rebels allegedly make tens of thousands of dollars a week smuggling migrants over the border.

Migrants from Ethiopia have found themselves detained, abused and even killed in Saudi Arabia and Yemen during the war. An Oct. 3, 2022, letter to the kingdom from the U.N. said its investigators “received concerning allegations of cross-border artillery shelling and small arms fire allegedly by Saudi security forces, causing the deaths of up to 430 and injuring 650 migrants.”

Saudi Arabia has denied killing migrants.

Monday's alleged strike recalled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-middle-east-sanaa-dubai-cfad87600e2c93ab9af22dc80ba27875">a similar strike by a Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis back in 2022</a>&nbsp;on the same compound, which caused a collapse killing 66 detainees and wounding 113 others, a United Nations report later said. The Houthis shot dead 16 detainees who fled after the strike and wounded another 50, the U.N. said. The Saudi-led coalition sought to justify the strike by saying the Houthis built and launched drones there, but the U.N. said it was known to be a detention facility.

“The coalition should have avoided any attack on that facility,” the U.N. report added.

That 2022 attack was one of the deadliest single attacks in the yearslong war between the coalition and the Houthi rebels and came after the Houthis struck inside the UAE twice with missiles and drones,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-dubai-united-arab-emirates-abu-dhabi-yemen-8bdefdf900ce46a6fd6c7bc685bf838a">killing three in a strike near Abu Dhabi's international airport</a>.

US military says over 800 strikes conducted in campaign so far

Meanwhile, U.S. airstrikes overnight targeting Yemen's capital killed at least eight people, the Houthis said. The American military acknowledged carrying out over 800 individual strikes in their monthlong campaign.

The overnight statement from Central Command also said “Operation Rough Rider” had “killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders,” including those associated with its missile and drone program. It did not identify any of those officials.

“Iran undoubtedly continues to provide support to the Houthis,” the statement said. “The Houthis can only continue to attack our forces with the backing of the Iranian regime.”

"We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region," it added.

The U.S. is targeting the Houthis because of the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, and on Israel. The Houthis are also the last militant group in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” that is capable of regularly attacking Israel.

The U.S. is conducting strikes on Yemen from its two aircraft carriers in the region — the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea.

On April 18,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-us-airstrikes-563f61bbd96e1f2de68373fdf76c8811">an American strike on the Ras Isa fuel port</a>&nbsp;killed at least 74 people and wounded 171 others in the deadliest-known attack of the American campaign. Central Command on Monday offered an explanation for why it hit the port.

“U.S. strikes destroyed the ability of Ras Isa Port to accept fuel, which will begin to impact Houthi ability to not only conduct operations, but also to generate millions of dollars in revenue for their terror activities,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Houthis have increasingly sought to control the flow of information from the territory they hold to the outside world. It issued a notice Sunday that all those holding Starlink satellite internet receivers should “quickly hand over” the devices to authorities.

“A field campaign will be implemented in coordination with the security authorities to arrest anyone who sells, trades, uses, operates, installs or possesses these prohibited terminals,” the Houthis warned.

Starlink terminals have been crucial for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-ukraine-starlink-russia-air-force-fde93d9a69d7dbd1326022ecfdbc53c2">Ukraine in fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion</a>&nbsp;and receivers also have been smuggled into Iran amid unrest there.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745834468939.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen’s Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;on Monday alleged a U.S. airstrike hit a prison holding African migrants, killing at least 68 people and wounding 47 others. The U.S. military had no immediate comment.The strike in Yemen's Saada governorate, a stronghold for the Houthis, is the latest incident in the country's decadelong war&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-saudi-arabia-yemen-migrants-hrw-c6958c2593573c0c8fc64794a60f777c">to kill African migrants from Ethiopia and other nations</a>&nbsp;who risk crossing the nation for a chance to work in neighboring Saudi Arabia.It also likely will renew questions from activists about the American campaign, known as “Operation Rough Rider,” which has been targeting the rebels as the Trump administration negotiates with their main benefactor, Iran, over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-nuclear-talks-oman-f2e4ecf49c62c11a0240153d7f900d0d">Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program</a>.The U.S. military's Central Command, in a statement early Monday before news of the alleged strike broke, sought to defend its policy of offering no specific details of its extensive airstrike campaign. The strikes have drawn controversy in America over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-chat-houthis-attack-8dbf9dd6c711796438a5c1c84831c40b">use of the unclassified Signal messaging app</a>&nbsp;to post sensitive details about the attacks.“To preserve operational security, we have intentionally limited disclosing details of our ongoing or future operations,” Central Command said. “We are very deliberate in our operational approach, but will not reveal specifics about what we’ve done or what we will do.”It did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press about the alleged strike in Saada.<h2>Graphic footage shows aftermath of explosion</h2>Graphic footage aired by the Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel showed what appeared to be dead bodies and others wounded at the site. The Houthi-run Interior Ministry said some 115 migrants had been detained at the site.The rebels' Civil Defense organization said at least 68 people had been killed and 47 others wounded in the attack.Footage from the site analyzed by the AP suggested some kind of explosion took place there, with its cement walls seemingly peppered by debris fragments and the wounds suffered by those there.A woman's voice, soft in the footage, can be heard repeating the start of a prayer in Arabic: “In the name of God.” An occasional gunshot rang out as medics sought to help those wounded.<h2>African migrants caught in middle of Yemen's war</h2>Ethiopians and other African migrants for years have landed in Yemen, braving the war-torn nation to try and reach Saudi Arabia for work. The Houthi rebels allegedly make tens of thousands of dollars a week smuggling migrants over the border.Migrants from Ethiopia have found themselves detained, abused and even killed in Saudi Arabia and Yemen during the war. An Oct. 3, 2022, letter to the kingdom from the U.N. said its investigators “received concerning allegations of cross-border artillery shelling and small arms fire allegedly by Saudi security forces, causing the deaths of up to 430 and injuring 650 migrants.”Saudi Arabia has denied killing migrants.Monday's alleged strike recalled&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-middle-east-sanaa-dubai-cfad87600e2c93ab9af22dc80ba27875">a similar strike by a Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis back in 2022</a>&nbsp;on the same compound, which caused a collapse killing 66 detainees and wounding 113 others, a United Nations report later said. The Houthis shot dead 16 detainees who fled after the strike and wounded another 50, the U.N. said. The Saudi-led coalition sought to justify the strike by saying the Houthis built and launched drones there, but the U.N. said it was known to be a detention facility.“The coalition should have avoided any attack on that facility,” the U.N. report added.That 2022 attack was one of the deadliest single attacks in the yearslong war between the coalition and the Houthi rebels and came after the Houthis struck inside the UAE twice with missiles and drones,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-dubai-united-arab-emirates-abu-dhabi-yemen-8bdefdf900ce46a6fd6c7bc685bf838a">killing three in a strike near Abu Dhabi's international airport</a>.<h2>US military says over 800 strikes conducted in campaign so far</h2>Meanwhile, U.S. airstrikes overnight targeting Yemen's capital killed at least eight people, the Houthis said. The American military acknowledged carrying out over 800 individual strikes in their monthlong campaign.The overnight statement from Central Command also said “Operation Rough Rider” had “killed hundreds of Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders,” including those associated with its missile and drone program. It did not identify any of those officials.“Iran undoubtedly continues to provide support to the Houthis,” the statement said. “The Houthis can only continue to attack our forces with the backing of the Iranian regime.”"We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region," it added.The U.S. is targeting the Houthis because of the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, and on Israel. The Houthis are also the last militant group in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” that is capable of regularly attacking Israel.<h2>US discusses deadly port strike</h2>The U.S. is conducting strikes on Yemen from its two aircraft carriers in the region — the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea.On April 18,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-us-airstrikes-563f61bbd96e1f2de68373fdf76c8811">an American strike on the Ras Isa fuel port</a>&nbsp;killed at least 74 people and wounded 171 others in the deadliest-known attack of the American campaign. Central Command on Monday offered an explanation for why it hit the port.“U.S. strikes destroyed the ability of Ras Isa Port to accept fuel, which will begin to impact Houthi ability to not only conduct operations, but also to generate millions of dollars in revenue for their terror activities,” it said.Meanwhile, the Houthis have increasingly sought to control the flow of information from the territory they hold to the outside world. It issued a notice Sunday that all those holding Starlink satellite internet receivers should “quickly hand over” the devices to authorities.“A field campaign will be implemented in coordination with the security authorities to arrest anyone who sells, trades, uses, operates, installs or possesses these prohibited terminals,” the Houthis warned.Starlink terminals have been crucial for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-ukraine-starlink-russia-air-force-fde93d9a69d7dbd1326022ecfdbc53c2">Ukraine in fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion</a>&nbsp;and receivers also have been smuggled into Iran amid unrest there.

Houthi rebels say alleged US airstrike hit Yemen prison, dozens killed

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a home invasion burglary have captured a suspect.

Just before 3a.m. April 14, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding an in-progress burglary to a residence in&nbsp; the 6800 block of SE US 40 Highway, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

An 84-year-old woman was home alone when she heard someone shattering glass windows and doors. Home surveillance video showed two masked individuals with a firearm and burglary tools attempting to kick in a door into the residence.

Within minutes, deputies arrived on scene and found that the individuals had fled the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival.

Valuable information was gathered and disseminated to other law enforcement agencies for assistance.

On April 22, Shawnee&nbsp; County Sheriff Brian Hill along with members of the Criminal Investigations Division and Fugitive Warrants Unit located one suspect in a Dodge Durango leaving the drive thru of a restaurant in the 1700 block of SE 29th Street. The Dodge was pinned in and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.

Erick M. Weems Jr., 30, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested chargesof&nbsp; Aggravated burglary, Criminal damage to property, Theft &lt; $1,500,&nbsp;&nbsp;Driving while license suspended; 3rd of subsequent conviction, Driving while a habitual violated; 3 rd of subsequent conviction. Weems Jr. also had multiple warrants for his arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745530375789.png" alt="Weems photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Weems photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a home invasion burglary have captured a suspect.Just before 3a.m. April 14, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding an in-progress burglary to a residence in&nbsp; the 6800 block of SE US 40 Highway, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.An 84-year-old woman was home alone when she heard someone shattering glass windows and doors. Home surveillance video showed two masked individuals with a firearm and burglary tools attempting to kick in a door into the residence.Within minutes, deputies arrived on scene and found that the individuals had fled the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival.Valuable information was gathered and disseminated to other law enforcement agencies for assistance.On April 22, Shawnee&nbsp; County Sheriff Brian Hill along with members of the Criminal Investigations Division and Fugitive Warrants Unit located one suspect in a Dodge Durango leaving the drive thru of a restaurant in the 1700 block of SE 29th Street. The Dodge was pinned in and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.Erick M. Weems Jr., 30, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested chargesof&nbsp; Aggravated burglary, Criminal damage to property, Theft &lt; $1,500,&nbsp;&nbsp;Driving while license suspended; 3rd of subsequent conviction, Driving while a habitual violated; 3 rd of subsequent conviction. Weems Jr. also had multiple warrants for his arrest.

Arrest for burglary at 84-year-old Kansas woman's home

KANSAS CITY —A four-month-investigation culminated with the arrest of a Kansas City area woman this week for possession of child sexual abuse material.

Clay County, Missouri sheriff’s investigators received an Internet Crimes Against Children tip in this case in December, according to a media release from the sheriff's office. They have worked through several legal processes over the last several months to gather evidence in the case to make an arrest of 44-year-old Melissa Bottom and obtain a search warrant of her house in the 14100 block of Lora Street, Smithville. 

On Thursday, Sheriff’s deputies and detectives served the warrant&nbsp; at the residence. She has been charged with two class B felony counts of possession of child pornography. The Court set her bond at $25,000.

 The investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be warranted as analysis of evidence seized from the home progresses. 

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program. It is a network of 61 coordinated task forces, representing more than 5,400 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745673760530.png" alt="Bottom photo Clay County" />
 <figcaption>Bottom photo Clay County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A four-month-investigation culminated with the arrest of a Kansas City area woman this week for possession of child sexual abuse material.Clay County, Missouri sheriff’s investigators received an Internet Crimes Against Children tip in this case in December, according to a media release from the sheriff's office. They have worked through several legal processes over the last several months to gather evidence in the case to make an arrest of 44-year-old Melissa Bottom and obtain a search warrant of her house in the 14100 block of Lora Street, Smithville. On Thursday, Sheriff’s deputies and detectives served the warrant&nbsp; at the residence. She has been charged with two class B felony counts of possession of child pornography. The Court set her bond at $25,000. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be warranted as analysis of evidence seized from the home progresses. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program. It is a network of 61 coordinated task forces, representing more than 5,400 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children.

KC area woman jailed after 4-month child porn investigation

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DARLENE%20SUPERVILLE%20and%20AAMER%20MADHANI%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DARLENE SUPERVILLE and AAMER MADHANI&nbsp;</a>

ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Saturday that he doubts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Russia's Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;wants to end his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war in Ukraine</a>, expressing new skepticism that a peace deal can be reached soon. Only a day earlier, Trump had said Ukraine and Russia were “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e">very close to a deal</a>."

"There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days,” Trump said in a social media post as he flew back to the United States after attending Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican, where he met briefly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump also hinted at further sanctions against Russia.

“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions?” Too many people are dying!!!” Trump wrote.

The new doubts aired by Trump come as the president and top aides intensify their push to come to a deal to end the war that began in February 2022 when Russian invaded Ukraine.

The comments also sharply contrasted with Trump's positive assessment that the two sides were “very close to a deal” after his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had met with Putin in Moscow on Friday.

The Trump-Zelenskyy conversation on the sidelines of the pope's funeral was first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since they argued during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">heated Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;at the White House in late February. That confrontation led to the White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/us-resumes-military-aid-and-intelligence-sharing-as-ukraine-says-it-is-open-to-a-30-day-ceasefire/">to briefly pause</a>&nbsp;U.S. military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

Days after ordering the pause, Trump also announced he was “strongly considering” imposing new sanctions and tariffs on Russia to try to prod Putin to negotiate in earnest. Trump has not yet followed through on the threat — something even some of his staunch Republican allies are now pressuring him to do.

It's the second time a matter of days that Trump has rebuked Putin, whom the American president rarely publicly criticizes.

On Thursday, Trump publicly urged the Russian leader to “STOP!” after a deadly barrage of attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.

After their brief meeting Saturday, Zelenskyy’s office had said the U.S. and Ukrainian teams were making arrangements for the leaders to talk again Saturday. But Trump went directly to the Rome airport after the funeral and boarded Air Force One for the 10-hour flight back to the United States.

Zelenskyy's spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, said Trump and Zelenskyy did not meet again in person because of their tight schedules.

Zelenskyy called it a “good meeting” on social media after the funeral.

“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out,” he said on X. “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you."

The White House called the discussion “very productive” and said it would release more details later. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, where Francis often preached the need for a peaceful end to the war, just before Trump and Zelenskyy took their seats at the outdoor funeral service.

The Vatican long ago had offered to help facilitate peace talks and Francis had regularly called for peace and dialogue from the altar of the basilica. That Trump and Zelenskyy spoke privately, face to face and hunched over on chairs on the marbled floors of the pope’s home, on the day of his funeral, was perhaps a fitting way to honor his wishes.

Trump said on social media, after he arrived in Italy late Friday, that Russia and Ukraine should&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e">meet for “very high level talks”</a>&nbsp;on ending the war.

Neither Putin nor Zelenskyy have commented Trump's calls for direct talks.

Trump has pressed both sides to quickly come to an agreement to end the war, but while Zelenskyy agreed to an American plan for an initial 30-day halt to hostilities, Russia has not signed on and has continued to strike at targets inside Ukraine.

Putin did not attend Francis' funeral. He faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, which has accused him of war crimes stemming from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ukraine">Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.

Meanwhile, in a statement Friday night, Zelenskyy said “very significant meetings may take place” in the coming days, and that an unconditional ceasefire was needed.

“Real pressure on Russia is needed so that they accept either the American proposal to cease fire and move towards peace, or our proposal — whichever one can truly work and ensure a reliable, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire, and then — a dignified peace and security guarantees,” he said.

“Diplomacy must succeed. And we are doing everything to make diplomacy truly meaningful and finally effective.”

The meeting Saturday also came shortly after Trump had issued his most definitive statement to date about the need for Ukraine to give up territory to Russia to bring the war to a close. He said in a Time magazine interview published Friday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e">“Crimea will stay with Russia.”</a>

Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4be8a953902947ffb608bf663d61b8e9">seized the strategic peninsula</a>&nbsp;along the Black Sea in southern Ukraine in 2014, years before the full-scale invasion that began in 2022.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-attack-peace-talks-be98e85000b8e0f24a2d7ada71f3861d">Zelenskyy wants to regain Crimea</a>&nbsp;and other Ukrainian territory seized by Russia, but Trump considers that demand to be unrealistic.

Referring to Crimea during the interview, which was conducted at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said, “everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time," meaning Russia.

ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;met briefly Saturday before the funeral for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;as the American leader steps up the pressure to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war against Ukraine</a>.

It was the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and the Ukrainian leader since they argued during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">heated Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;at the White House in late February.

Zelenskyy’s office had said teams were making arrangements for the leaders to talk again Saturday, but Trump went directly to the Rome airport after the funeral and boarded Air Force One for the 10-hour flight back to the United States, which seemed to rule out a second in-person conversation. Zelenskyy's spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, said Trump and Zelenskyy did not meet again in person because of their tight schedules.

Zelenskyy said “good meeting” on social media after the funeral.

The meeting came together hours after Trump said on social media, after he arrived in Italy late Friday, that Russia and Ukraine should&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e">meet for “very high level talks”</a>&nbsp;on ending the three-year war that was sparked by Russia’s invasion.

Last week's hourslong missile and drone barrage of Kyiv that killed at least 12 people led Trump to appeal over social media for Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the strikes on Ukraine's capital.

“&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-diplomacy-social-media-communication-4c22a98e5dd519c8fab6f55eff129664">Vladimir, STOP</a>!” Trump wrote.

Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had met earlier on Friday with Putin in Moscow, and Trump said both sides were “very close to a deal.”

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/darlene-superville">DARLENE SUPERVILLE</a>

Zelenskyy’s office had said teams were making arrangements for the leaders to talk again Saturday, but Trump went directly to the Rome airport after the funeral and boarded Air Force One for the 10-hour flight back to the United States, which seemed to rule out a second in-person conversation.

The White House said their discussion was “very productive” and that more details would be released later. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican just before they took their seats for the outdoor funeral service.

“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out,” he wrote. “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you.”

The meeting took place hours after Trump said on social media, after he arrived in Italy late Friday, that Russia and Ukraine should&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e">meet for “very high level talks”</a>&nbsp;on ending the three-year war sparked by Russia’s invasion.

Trump has pressed both sides to agree to a ceasefire. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had met earlier Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Trump said both sides were “very close to a deal.”

Putin did not attend Francis’ funeral. He faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, which has accused him of war crimes stemming from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ukraine">Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.

Meanwhile, in a statement Friday night, Zelenskyy said “very significant meetings may take place” in coming days, and that an unconditional ceasefire was needed.

There was no immediate word on whether Trump and Zelenskyy spoke again after they paid their respects to the pope, who had repeatedly pressed

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745670044084.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22DARLENE%20SUPERVILLE%20and%20AAMER%20MADHANI%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By DARLENE SUPERVILLE and AAMER MADHANI&nbsp;</a>ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Saturday that he doubts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Russia's Vladimir Putin</a>&nbsp;wants to end his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war in Ukraine</a>, expressing new skepticism that a peace deal can be reached soon. Only a day earlier, Trump had said Ukraine and Russia were “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e">very close to a deal</a>."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump sat down to meet privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City this morning. <a href="https://t.co/QChPiZRKzM">pic.twitter.com/QChPiZRKzM</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1916106599506043104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/2oyk3rBZCw">pic.twitter.com/2oyk3rBZCw</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1916130176725094635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days,” Trump said in a social media post as he flew back to the United States after attending Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican, where he met briefly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Trump also hinted at further sanctions against Russia.“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions?” Too many people are dying!!!” Trump wrote.The new doubts aired by Trump come as the president and top aides intensify their push to come to a deal to end the war that began in February 2022 when Russian invaded Ukraine.The comments also sharply contrasted with Trump's positive assessment that the two sides were “very close to a deal” after his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had met with Putin in Moscow on Friday.The Trump-Zelenskyy conversation on the sidelines of the pope's funeral was first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since they argued during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">heated Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;at the White House in late February. That confrontation led to the White House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/us-resumes-military-aid-and-intelligence-sharing-as-ukraine-says-it-is-open-to-a-30-day-ceasefire/">to briefly pause</a>&nbsp;U.S. military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.Days after ordering the pause, Trump also announced he was “strongly considering” imposing new sanctions and tariffs on Russia to try to prod Putin to negotiate in earnest. Trump has not yet followed through on the threat — something even some of his staunch Republican allies are now pressuring him to do.It's the second time a matter of days that Trump has rebuked Putin, whom the American president rarely publicly criticizes.On Thursday, Trump publicly urged the Russian leader to “STOP!” after a deadly barrage of attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.After their brief meeting Saturday, Zelenskyy’s office had said the U.S. and Ukrainian teams were making arrangements for the leaders to talk again Saturday. But Trump went directly to the Rome airport after the funeral and boarded Air Force One for the 10-hour flight back to the United States.Zelenskyy's spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, said Trump and Zelenskyy did not meet again in person because of their tight schedules.Zelenskyy called it a “good meeting” on social media after the funeral.“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out,” he said on X. “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you."The White House called the discussion “very productive” and said it would release more details later. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, where Francis often preached the need for a peaceful end to the war, just before Trump and Zelenskyy took their seats at the outdoor funeral service.The Vatican long ago had offered to help facilitate peace talks and Francis had regularly called for peace and dialogue from the altar of the basilica. That Trump and Zelenskyy spoke privately, face to face and hunched over on chairs on the marbled floors of the pope’s home, on the day of his funeral, was perhaps a fitting way to honor his wishes.Trump said on social media, after he arrived in Italy late Friday, that Russia and Ukraine should&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e">meet for “very high level talks”</a>&nbsp;on ending the war.Neither Putin nor Zelenskyy have commented Trump's calls for direct talks.Trump has pressed both sides to quickly come to an agreement to end the war, but while Zelenskyy agreed to an American plan for an initial 30-day halt to hostilities, Russia has not signed on and has continued to strike at targets inside Ukraine.Putin did not attend Francis' funeral. He faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, which has accused him of war crimes stemming from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ukraine">Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.Meanwhile, in a statement Friday night, Zelenskyy said “very significant meetings may take place” in the coming days, and that an unconditional ceasefire was needed.“Real pressure on Russia is needed so that they accept either the American proposal to cease fire and move towards peace, or our proposal — whichever one can truly work and ensure a reliable, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire, and then — a dignified peace and security guarantees,” he said.“Diplomacy must succeed. And we are doing everything to make diplomacy truly meaningful and finally effective.”The meeting Saturday also came shortly after Trump had issued his most definitive statement to date about the need for Ukraine to give up territory to Russia to bring the war to a close. He said in a Time magazine interview published Friday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e">“Crimea will stay with Russia.”</a>Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4be8a953902947ffb608bf663d61b8e9">seized the strategic peninsula</a>&nbsp;along the Black Sea in southern Ukraine in 2014, years before the full-scale invasion that began in 2022.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-attack-peace-talks-be98e85000b8e0f24a2d7ada71f3861d">Zelenskyy wants to regain Crimea</a>&nbsp;and other Ukrainian territory seized by Russia, but Trump considers that demand to be unrealistic.Referring to Crimea during the interview, which was conducted at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said, “everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time," meaning Russia.——-----------ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;met briefly Saturday before the funeral for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;as the American leader steps up the pressure to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war against Ukraine</a>.It was the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and the Ukrainian leader since they argued during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-security-guarantees-trump-meeting-washington-eebdf97b663c2cdc9e51fa346b09591d">heated Oval Office meeting</a>&nbsp;at the White House in late February.Zelenskyy’s office had said teams were making arrangements for the leaders to talk again Saturday, but Trump went directly to the Rome airport after the funeral and boarded Air Force One for the 10-hour flight back to the United States, which seemed to rule out a second in-person conversation. Zelenskyy's spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, said Trump and Zelenskyy did not meet again in person because of their tight schedules.Zelenskyy said “good meeting” on social media after the funeral.“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out,” he said on X. “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you."The White House called the discussion “very productive” and said it would release more details later. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, where Francis often preached the need for a peaceful end to the war, just before Trump and Zelenskyy took their seats at the outdoor funeral service.The Vatican long ago had offered to help facilitate peace talks and Francis had regularly called for peace and dialogue from the altar of the basilica. That Trump and Zelenskyy spoke privately, face to face and hunched over on chairs on the marbled floors of the pope’s home, on the day of his funeral, was perhaps a fitting way to honor his wishes.The meeting came together hours after Trump said on social media, after he arrived in Italy late Friday, that Russia and Ukraine should&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e">meet for “very high level talks”</a>&nbsp;on ending the three-year war that was sparked by Russia’s invasion.Trump has pressed both sides to quickly come to an agreement to end the war, but while Zelenskyy agreed to an American plan for an initial 30-day halt to hostilities, Russia has not signed on and has continued to strike at targets inside Ukraine.Last week's hourslong missile and drone barrage of Kyiv that killed at least 12 people led Trump to appeal over social media for Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the strikes on Ukraine's capital.“&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-putin-diplomacy-social-media-communication-4c22a98e5dd519c8fab6f55eff129664">Vladimir, STOP</a>!” Trump wrote.Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had met earlier on Friday with Putin in Moscow, and Trump said both sides were “very close to a deal.”Putin did not attend Francis' funeral. He faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, which has accused him of war crimes stemming from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ukraine">Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.Meanwhile, in a statement Friday night, Zelenskyy said “very significant meetings may take place” in the coming days, and that an unconditional ceasefire was needed.“Real pressure on Russia is needed so that they accept either the American proposal to cease fire and move towards peace, or our proposal — whichever one can truly work and ensure a reliable, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire, and then — a dignified peace and security guarantees,” he said.“Diplomacy must succeed. And we are doing everything to make diplomacy truly meaningful and finally effective.”The meeting Saturday also came shortly after Trump had issued his most definitive statement to date about the need for Ukraine to give up territory to Russia to bring the war to a close. He said in a Time magazine interview published Friday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e">“Crimea will stay with Russia.”</a>Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4be8a953902947ffb608bf663d61b8e9">seized the strategic peninsula</a>&nbsp;along the Black Sea in southern Ukraine in 2014, years before the full-scale invasion that began in 2022.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-attack-peace-talks-be98e85000b8e0f24a2d7ada71f3861d">Zelenskyy wants to regain Crimea</a>&nbsp;and other Ukrainian territory seized by Russia, but Trump considers that demand to be unrealistic.Referring to Crimea during the interview, which was conducted at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said, “everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time," meaning Russia.——-----------By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/darlene-superville">DARLENE SUPERVILLE</a>ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</a>&nbsp;met briefly Saturday before the funeral for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;as the American leader steps up the pressure to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s war against Ukraine</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to… <a href="https://t.co/q4ZhVXCjw0">pic.twitter.com/q4ZhVXCjw0</a>&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1916089502088524203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Zelenskyy’s office had said teams were making arrangements for the leaders to talk again Saturday, but Trump went directly to the Rome airport after the funeral and boarded Air Force One for the 10-hour flight back to the United States, which seemed to rule out a second in-person conversation.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump departs Italy following the funeral of Pope Francis. <a href="https://t.co/4lnrrGMoQb">pic.twitter.com/4lnrrGMoQb</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1916085488856805755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The White House said their discussion was “very productive” and that more details would be released later. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican just before they took their seats for the outdoor funeral service.Zelenskyy said “good meeting” on social media after the funeral.“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out,” he wrote. “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you.”The meeting took place hours after Trump said on social media, after he arrived in Italy late Friday, that Russia and Ukraine should&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-putin-33015fe967ab7cd09fee165fed59953e">meet for “very high level talks”</a>&nbsp;on ending the three-year war sparked by Russia’s invasion.Trump has pressed both sides to agree to a ceasefire. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had met earlier Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and Trump said both sides were “very close to a deal.”Putin did not attend Francis’ funeral. He faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, which has accused him of war crimes stemming from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ukraine">Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine</a>.Meanwhile, in a statement Friday night, Zelenskyy said “very significant meetings may take place” in coming days, and that an unconditional ceasefire was needed.“Real pressure on Russia is needed so that they accept either the American proposal to cease fire and move towards peace, or our proposal — whichever one can truly work and ensure a reliable, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire, and then — a dignified peace and security guarantees,” he said.“Diplomacy must succeed. And we are doing everything to make diplomacy truly meaningful and finally effective.”There was no immediate word on whether Trump and Zelenskyy spoke again after they paid their respects to the pope, who had repeatedly pressed

Trump meets Zelensky at Vatican, expresses doubts Putin willing to end war

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 17-year-old Charles Sanders.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police were called to report of a shooting in the 7800 block of NE 75th Court, according to Offier Jake Becchina. 

First responders found Sanders unresponsive in the front yard of a residence there. Officers summoned EMS to the scene who transported the boy to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. A short time he was declared deceased by medical personnel.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene and took over this investigation. Preliminary information indicates that Sanders had an interaction at that location with one or more suspects that led to shots being fired and Sanders being struck.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or suspect information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745490778650.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri have identified the victim as 17-year-old Charles Sanders.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police were called to report of a shooting in the 7800 block of NE 75th Court, according to Offier Jake Becchina. First responders found Sanders unresponsive in the front yard of a residence there. Officers summoned EMS to the scene who transported the boy to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. A short time he was declared deceased by medical personnel.Homicide detectives responded to the scene and took over this investigation. Preliminary information indicates that Sanders had an interaction at that location with one or more suspects that led to shots being fired and Sanders being struck.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or suspect information.

Police: 17-year-old dies after shooting outside Kansas City home

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The FBI on Friday arrested a Milwaukee judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities, escalating a clash between the Trump administration and local authorities over the Republican president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-deportation-poll-el-salvador-81f8040599b9c585554678371e12ed5a">sweeping immigration crackdown</a>.

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is accused of escorting the man and his lawyer out of her courtroom through the jury door last week after learning that immigration authorities were seeking his arrest. The man was taken into custody outside the courthouse after agents chased him on foot.

President Donald Trump's administration has accused state and local officials of interfering with his immigration enforcement priorities. The arrest also comes amid a growing battle between the administration and the federal judiciary over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-enforcement-deportation-public-polling-df7d0d35dfa031e1444bfa9e9e0b13bd">the president’s executive actions over deportations and other matters</a>.

Dugan was taken into custody by the FBI on Friday morning on the courthouse grounds, according to U.S. Marshals Service spokesperson Brady McCarron. She appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee later Friday before being released from custody. She faces charges of “concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest” and obstructing or impeding a proceeding.

“Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety," her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the hearing. He declined to comment to an Associated Press reporter following her court appearance.

Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, in a statement on the arrest, accused the Trump administration of repeatedly using “dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level.”

“I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law," he said.

Court papers suggest Dugan was alerted to the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the courthouse by her clerk, who was informed by an attorney that they appeared to be in the hallway.

The FBI affidavit describes Dugan as “visibly angry” over the arrival of immigration agents in the courthouse and says that she pronounced the situation “absurd” before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse, displaying what witnesses described as a “confrontational, angry demeanor.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745621926702.png" alt="This 2016 photo shows Judge Hannah Dugan in Milwaukee. (Lee Matz/Milwaukee Independent via AP)" />
 <figcaption>This 2016 photo shows Judge Hannah Dugan in Milwaukee. (Lee Matz/Milwaukee Independent via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>MILWAUKEE (AP) — The FBI on Friday arrested a Milwaukee judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities, escalating a clash between the Trump administration and local authorities over the Republican president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-deportation-poll-el-salvador-81f8040599b9c585554678371e12ed5a">sweeping immigration crackdown</a>.Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is accused of escorting the man and his lawyer out of her courtroom through the jury door last week after learning that immigration authorities were seeking his arrest. The man was taken into custody outside the courthouse after agents chased him on foot.President Donald Trump's administration has accused state and local officials of interfering with his immigration enforcement priorities. The arrest also comes amid a growing battle between the administration and the federal judiciary over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-enforcement-deportation-public-polling-df7d0d35dfa031e1444bfa9e9e0b13bd">the president’s executive actions over deportations and other matters</a>.Dugan was taken into custody by the FBI on Friday morning on the courthouse grounds, according to U.S. Marshals Service spokesperson Brady McCarron. She appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee later Friday before being released from custody. She faces charges of “concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest” and obstructing or impeding a proceeding.“Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety," her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said during the hearing. He declined to comment to an Associated Press reporter following her court appearance.Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, in a statement on the arrest, accused the Trump administration of repeatedly using “dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level.”“I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law," he said.Court papers suggest Dugan was alerted to the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the courthouse by her clerk, who was informed by an attorney that they appeared to be in the hallway.The FBI affidavit describes Dugan as “visibly angry” over the arrival of immigration agents in the courthouse and says that she pronounced the situation “absurd” before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse, displaying what witnesses described as a “confrontational, angry demeanor.”After a back-and-forth with officers over the warrant for the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, she demanded that the arrest team speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom, the affidavit says.After directing the arrest team to the chief judge's office, investigators say, Dugan returned to the courtroom and was heard saying words to the effect of “wait, come with me” before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a jury door into a non-public area of the courthouse. The action was unusual, the affidavit says, because “only deputies, juries, court staff, and in-custody defendants being escorted by deputies used the back jury door. Defense attorneys and defendants who were not in custody never used the jury door.”A sign that remained posted on Dugan’s courtroom door Friday advised that if any attorney or other court official “knows or believes that a person feels unsafe coming to the courthouse to courtroom 615,” they should notify the clerk and request an appearance via Zoom.Flores-Ruiz, 30, was in Dugan’s court for a hearing after being charged with three counts of misdemeanor domestic battery. Confronted by a roommate for playing loud music on March 12, Flores-Ruiz allegedly fought with him in the kitchen and struck a woman who tried to break them up, according to the police affidavit in the case.Another woman who tried to break up the fight and called police allegedly got elbowed in the arm by Flores-Ruiz.Flores-Ruiz faces up to nine months in prison and a $10,000 fine on each count if convicted. His public defender, Alexander Kostal, did not immediately return a phone message Friday seeking comment.A federal judge, the same one Dugan would appear before a day later, had ordered Thursday that Flores-Ruiz remain jailed pending trial. Flores-Ruiz had been in the U.S. since reentering the country after he was deported in 2013, according to court documents.Attorney General Pam Bondi said victims were sitting in the courtroom with state prosecutors when the judge helped him escape immigration arrest.The judge “put the lives of our law enforcement officers at risk. She put the lives of citizens at risk. A street chase -- it’s absurd that that had to happen,” Bondi said on Fox News Channel.Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat who represents Wisconsin, called the arrest of a sitting judge a “gravely serious and drastic move” that “threatens to breach” the separation of power between the executive and judicial branches.Emilio De Torre, executive director of Milwaukee Turners, said during a protest Friday afternoon outside the federal courthouse that Dugan was a former board member for the local civic group who “was certainly trying to make sure that due process is not disrupted and that the sanctity of the courts is upheld.”“Sending armed FBI and ICE agents into buildings like this will intimidate individuals showing up to court to pay fines, to deal with whatever court proceedings they may have,” De Torre added.The case is similar to one brought during the first Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/0f3592d82aa14d4d8a0f6a3da59258d3">against a Massachusetts judge</a>, who was accused of helping a man sneak out a back door of a courthouse to evade a waiting immigration enforcement agent.That prosecution sparked outrage from many in the legal community, who slammed the case as politically motivated. Prosecutors dropped the case against Newton District Judge Shelley Joseph in 2022 under the Democratic Biden administration after she agreed to refer herself to a state agency that investigates allegations of misconduct by members of the bench.The Justice Department had previously signaled that it was going to crack down on local officials who thwart federal immigration efforts.The department in January ordered prosecutors to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-immigration-enforcement-f0e3fc616da9746796378d1cd6385b1b">investigate for potential criminal charges</a>&nbsp;any state and local officials who obstruct or impede federal functions. As potential avenues for prosecution, a memo cited a conspiracy offense as well as a law prohibiting the harboring of people in the country illegally.Dugan was elected in 2016 to the county court Branch 31. She also has served in the court’s probate and civil divisions, according to her judicial candidate biography.Before being elected to public office, Dugan practiced at Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Legal Aid Society. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1981 with a bachelor of arts degree and earned her Juris Doctorate in 1987 from the school.___