The Topeka Zoo is mourning the loss of Leopold, one of its cheetahs, after an unexpected spinal injury forced the difficult decision to euthanize him, according to a social media post from the zoo.

Zoo officials shared the news in a Sept. 24 Facebook post, noting that animal care staff first observed Leopold walking tenderly on his hind legs on Sept. 18. Despite rest and treatment, his condition worsened, leading to further testing. A CT scan at Topeka ER revealed a fractured vertebra that would have required corrective surgery.

Leopold was transferred to a specialty veterinary center for additional imaging and treatment. However, an MRI and subsequent surgical evaluation revealed the damage was too severe to repair. “The surgical team discovered at that time that the damage to his spine could not be repaired, and the humane decision was made to euthanize him,” the zoo said.

The exact cause of the injury remains unclear. Surveillance footage showed Leopold appearing alert and excited by outside activity in his habitat the day before staff noticed his condition. He was later observed walking away with visible discomfort. The zoo believes he may have fallen or landed improperly, but obstructions in the video prevented confirmation of the exact incident.

Zoo staff and visitors alike are grieving the loss. “Losing Leopold is tragic and he will be deeply missed. He was a neat cat who very quickly stole the hearts of many,” said Wrylie Guffey, the zoo’s animal care director.

The zoo has adjusted Leopold’s enclosure to reduce the risk of similar accidents in the future and has shifted its focus to supporting Roosevelt, Leopold’s brother.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758892042473.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy Topeka Zoo" />
                        <figcaption>Photo courtesy Topeka Zoo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The Topeka Zoo is mourning the loss of Leopold, one of its cheetahs, after an unexpected spinal injury forced the difficult decision to euthanize him, according to a social media post from the zoo.</p><p>Zoo officials shared the news in a Sept. 24 Facebook post, noting that animal care staff first observed Leopold walking tenderly on his hind legs on Sept. 18. Despite rest and treatment, his condition worsened, leading to further testing. A CT scan at Topeka ER revealed a fractured vertebra that would have required corrective surgery.</p><p>Leopold was transferred to a specialty veterinary center for additional imaging and treatment. However, an MRI and subsequent surgical evaluation revealed the damage was too severe to repair. “The surgical team discovered at that time that the damage to his spine could not be repaired, and the humane decision was made to euthanize him,” the zoo said.</p><p>The exact cause of the injury remains unclear. Surveillance footage showed Leopold appearing alert and excited by outside activity in his habitat the day before staff noticed his condition. He was later observed walking away with visible discomfort. The zoo believes he may have fallen or landed improperly, but obstructions in the video prevented confirmation of the exact incident.</p><p>Zoo staff and visitors alike are grieving the loss. “Losing Leopold is tragic and he will be deeply missed. He was a neat cat who very quickly stole the hearts of many,” said Wrylie Guffey, the zoo’s animal care director.</p><p>The zoo has adjusted Leopold’s enclosure to reduce the risk of similar accidents in the future and has shifted its focus to supporting Roosevelt, Leopold’s brother.</p>

Unexpected injury led to death of cheetah at Kansas zoo

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a><br><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"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a>

KANSAS CITY — U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Thursday plans to boost American farmers by purchasing millions of bushels of crops.

In an effort to increase American exports, the USDA will purchase 417,000 metric tons of commodities immediately to support the international food aid programs. That’s equivalent to more than 16 million bushels of corn and sorghum.

Rollins made the announcement during a speech that earned a standing ovation at the Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City, where she outlined the Trump Administration’s efforts to aid a struggling farm economy.

“The cost of doing business for our farmers has increased drastically while commodity prices have slipped,” Rollins said.

The large purchase would benefit America First International Food Assistance programs, the McGovern-Dole Food for Education program and Food for Progress, which rely on U.S.-grown crops.

Rollins outlined a series of dire economic challenges facing farmers and ranchers in the United States, blaming the Biden administration for inflation and policies that “all but ignored the needs” of farmers.

Since 2020, the cost of seed has risen 18%, the cost of fuel rose 30%, labor costs are up 47%, electricity up 36%, machinery up 45% and fertilizer up 37%, she said. Largest of all was a 73% increase in interest expenses.

To address rising costs for farmers, Rollins said the Federal Reserve needs to keep lowering interest rates. The Trump administration is also reportedly repurposing “Biden DEI,” or diversity, equity and inclusion funds. Those could benefit farmers as soon as Oct. 2.

She touted seven new international trade deals, including 99% tariffs on Indonesia, increased rice exports from Japan and an ethanol deal with the United Kingdom.

Out of concern for undue foreign influence in American agriculture, Rollins also announced that the USDA and the U.S. Department of Justice signed a joint memorandum Thursday morning to scrutinize the agriculture marketplace through antitrust enforcement that promotes market competition, effective immediately.

Rollins addressed a pressing beef cattle shortage, which partially has to do with low inventory, a loss of cattle ranches and disease risk. Over the past decade, the U.S. has lost about 150,000 cattle operations, Rollins said. Many have been offshored or consolidated. U.S. cattle inventory is at its lowest in 75 years, she said.

She also promised new dietary guidelines for Americans that encourage beef, protein and whole milk consumption.

However, the USDA has no current plans to offer payments to beef producers.

“We see how the government getting involved can completely distort the markets, and so currently there will be no plan,” Rollins said. “No plan is even under consideration to insert ourselves through payments into the beef cattle industry.”

Instead, Rollins said, the government will focus on freeing up land, using funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill for animal disease prevention, and, “hopefully inspiring the next generation of farmers.”

She told reporters following the speech that the USDA is not yet ready to announce a payment plan to aid farmers. During the first Trump administration, farmers received around $23 million in subsidies.

Also on Thursday, President Donald Trump told reporters he would use tariff revenue to bail out farmers, who have been disproportionately hurt by tariff policies, according to reporting from Politico.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758888393603.png" alt=" U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins speaks at an agriculture conference on Thursday in Kansas City, where she discussed solutions to American farmers’ economic plight. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)" />
                        <figcaption> U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins speaks at an agriculture conference on Thursday in Kansas City, where she discussed solutions to American farmers’ economic plight. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a><br><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"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><p>KANSAS CITY — U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Thursday plans to boost American farmers by purchasing millions of bushels of crops.</p><p>In an effort to increase American exports, the USDA will purchase 417,000 metric tons of commodities immediately to support the international food aid programs. That’s equivalent to more than 16 million bushels of corn and sorghum.</p><p>Rollins made the announcement during a speech that earned a standing ovation at the Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City, where she outlined the Trump Administration’s efforts to aid a struggling farm economy.</p><p>“The cost of doing business for our farmers has increased drastically while commodity prices have slipped,” Rollins said.</p><p>The large purchase would benefit America First International Food Assistance programs, the McGovern-Dole Food for Education program and Food for Progress, which rely on U.S.-grown crops.</p><p>Rollins outlined a series of dire economic challenges facing farmers and ranchers in the United States, blaming the Biden administration for inflation and policies that “all but ignored the needs” of farmers.</p><p>Since 2020, the cost of seed has risen 18%, the cost of fuel rose 30%, labor costs are up 47%, electricity up 36%, machinery up 45% and fertilizer up 37%, she said. Largest of all was a 73% increase in interest expenses.</p><p>To address rising costs for farmers, Rollins said the Federal Reserve needs to keep lowering interest rates. The Trump administration is also reportedly repurposing “Biden DEI,” or diversity, equity and inclusion funds. Those could benefit farmers as soon as Oct. 2.</p><p>She touted seven new international trade deals, including 99% tariffs on Indonesia, increased rice exports from Japan and an ethanol deal with the United Kingdom.</p><p>Out of concern for undue foreign influence in American agriculture, Rollins also announced that the USDA and the U.S. Department of Justice signed a joint memorandum Thursday morning to scrutinize the agriculture marketplace through antitrust enforcement that promotes market competition, effective immediately.</p><p>Rollins addressed a pressing beef cattle shortage, which partially has to do with low inventory, a loss of cattle ranches and disease risk. Over the past decade, the U.S. has lost about 150,000 cattle operations, Rollins said. Many have been offshored or consolidated. U.S. cattle inventory is at its lowest in 75 years, she said.</p><p>She also promised new dietary guidelines for Americans that encourage beef, protein and whole milk consumption.</p><p>However, the USDA has no current plans to offer payments to beef producers.</p><p>“We see how the government getting involved can completely distort the markets, and so currently there will be no plan,” Rollins said. “No plan is even under consideration to insert ourselves through payments into the beef cattle industry.”</p><p>Instead, Rollins said, the government will focus on freeing up land, using funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill for animal disease prevention, and, “hopefully inspiring the next generation of farmers.”</p><p>She told reporters following the speech that the USDA is not yet ready to announce a payment plan to aid farmers. During the first Trump administration, farmers received around $23 million in subsidies.</p><p>Also on Thursday, President Donald Trump told reporters he would use tariff revenue to bail out farmers, who have been disproportionately hurt by tariff policies, according to reporting from Politico.</p>

Ag secretary announces major crops purchase, antitrust efforts at KC conference

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating alleged criminal damage in Manhattan.

Just before 6:30p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report of criminal damage to property in the 200 block of 5th Street, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 42-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect damaged her daughter’s cello on a school bus. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $2,000.

 Anyone with information, contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward up to $1,000.

<p>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating alleged criminal damage in Manhattan.</p><p>Just before 6:30p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report of criminal damage to property in the 200 block of 5th Street, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.</p><p>A 42-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect damaged her daughter’s cello on a school bus. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $2,000.</p><p> Anyone with information, contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward up to $1,000.</p>

Police investigate girl's cello damaged on Kansas school bus

At an event in Columbia, Gov. Mike Kehoe said he is confident he was on firm legal ground when he called lawmakers into a special session. But with three lawsuits pending against the new map, the governor said it was up to the courts to prove him right

BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/squinn/">Steph Quinn</a><br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a>

The courts will determine if the&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1&amp;year=2025&amp;code=S2" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;revising Missouri’s congressional districts is constitutional, Gov. Mike Kehoe said Thursday after announcing his plans to sign the measure this weekend.

Speaking to reporters after an event in Columbia, Kehoe said he felt confident he was on firm legal ground when he called lawmakers into a special session.

“We’ll let the courts decide that,” Kehoe said. “We wouldn’t have went into this without feeling like we had good advice on that.”

Over 10 days this month, lawmakers met and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">passed a revised map</a>&nbsp;for Missouri’s eight congressional districts so Republicans could have an advantage in the 5th District, currently held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat.&nbsp;

“Missouri’s conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented at all levels of government, and the Missouri First Map delivers just that,” Kehoe said in a news release announcing he would sign the bill on Sunday.

Even before the special session began, legal challenges were being filed. The NAACP has a case argued Sept. 15&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/15/judge-hears-arguments-in-case-seeking-to-toss-missouris-new-congressional-maps/">challenging Kehoe’s authority</a>&nbsp;to have called a special session on redistricting. Additional court challenges are underway in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=25AC-CC06964&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19#header" target="_blank">Cole</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=2516-CV29597&amp;inputVO.courtId=CT16#header" target="_blank">Jackson</a>&nbsp;counties seeking to have the new map declared void because the Missouri Constitution directs lawmakers to draw districts&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++9&amp;bid=31821&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">after the census</a>&nbsp;every 10 years, but is silent on whether it can be done at other times.

Kehoe said he relied on his advisers on the legality of his decision to call a special session.

“I really believe they’re very good on these issues, and we think we’ll withstand all those challenges,” he said.

The case in Jackson County alleges the map is incorrect because a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/18/court-battle-looms-over-kc-precinct-listed-twice-in-missouris-new-congressional-map/">voting district designation</a>&nbsp;is used twice in the bill. The court must decide if that is a mistake that scuttles the bill but Kehoe on Thursday said he believes it is a mistake in census mapping, not in the bill.

“Once you look at the map, if you just read the language, it doesn’t seem to make sense,” Kehoe said. “But if you read the language and you look at the map, you can see somewhere along the line there was some sort of error when they put those numbers on out of the 60,000 voting districts across the United States.”

As the case that is the most advanced in challenging the new map, the NAACP lawsuit is likely the first that will be decided. At an “emergency meeting” Wednesday, Missouri NAACP president Nimrod Chapel said the group will not waver in their effort to throw out Missouri’s new congressional map.

If successful, the lawsuit will not only get the new map tossed but also remove a proposed constitutional amendment from the ballot that would change the way majorities are counted for constitutional changes proposed by initiative petitions.

“We recognized instantly that gerrymandering in the state of Missouri targeted two Black congressional districts, Kansas City and St. Louis,” Chapel said. “Not only is this an attack on the most populated urban centers within the state of Missouri, but it’s also an attack on Black and brown voices whose needs are distinct, in some ways, from rural Missouri.”

Since the special session ended on Sept. 12, the NAACP has filed an amended petition asking for the map to be scrapped. The state’s attorney, Solicitor General Louis Capozzi, has said the lawsuit should be dismissed because lawmakers have already adjourned.

Chapel also said he believes that the use of the same voting district designation twice in the bill is a mistake that will undermine the new map.

“There is a map that’s been proposed and is sitting on the governor’s desk that cannot be signed,” Chapel said, “and the reason that it cannot be signed is because it has precincts that will get to vote on multiple occasions.”

Chapel said the NAACP is prepared to appeal the case to the Missouri Supreme Court if the judge sides with the governor.

“We’re suing them,” he said, “and we will keep suing them until they get it right.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1757444658128.png" alt="Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago  " />
                        <figcaption>Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors / Map by Anna Sago  </figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>At an event in Columbia, Gov. Mike Kehoe said he is confident he was on firm legal ground when he called lawmakers into a special session. But with three lawsuits pending against the new map, the governor said it was up to the courts to prove him right</h2><p>BY:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/squinn/">Steph Quinn</a><br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a></p><p>The courts will determine if the&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1&amp;year=2025&amp;code=S2" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;revising Missouri’s congressional districts is constitutional, Gov. Mike Kehoe said Thursday after announcing his plans to sign the measure this weekend.</p><p>Speaking to reporters after an event in Columbia, Kehoe said he felt confident he was on firm legal ground when he called lawmakers into a special session.</p><p>“We’ll let the courts decide that,” Kehoe said. “We wouldn’t have went into this without feeling like we had good advice on that.”</p><p>Over 10 days this month, lawmakers met and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/12/gerrymandered-congressional-map-initiative-petitions-limits-sent-to-missouri-governor/">passed a revised map</a>&nbsp;for Missouri’s eight congressional districts so Republicans could have an advantage in the 5th District, currently held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat.&nbsp;</p><p>“Missouri’s conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented at all levels of government, and the Missouri First Map delivers just that,” Kehoe said in a news release announcing he would sign the bill on Sunday.</p><p>Even before the special session began, legal challenges were being filed. The NAACP has a case argued Sept. 15&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/15/judge-hears-arguments-in-case-seeking-to-toss-missouris-new-congressional-maps/">challenging Kehoe’s authority</a>&nbsp;to have called a special session on redistricting. Additional court challenges are underway in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=25AC-CC06964&amp;inputVO.courtId=SMPDB0004_CT19#header" target="_blank">Cole</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/cases/newHeader.do?inputVO.caseNumber=2516-CV29597&amp;inputVO.courtId=CT16#header" target="_blank">Jackson</a>&nbsp;counties seeking to have the new map declared void because the Missouri Constitution directs lawmakers to draw districts&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=IV++++9&amp;bid=31821&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">after the census</a>&nbsp;every 10 years, but is silent on whether it can be done at other times.</p><p>Kehoe said he relied on his advisers on the legality of his decision to call a special session.</p><p>“I really believe they’re very good on these issues, and we think we’ll withstand all those challenges,” he said.</p><p>The case in Jackson County alleges the map is incorrect because a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/09/18/court-battle-looms-over-kc-precinct-listed-twice-in-missouris-new-congressional-map/">voting district designation</a>&nbsp;is used twice in the bill. The court must decide if that is a mistake that scuttles the bill but Kehoe on Thursday said he believes it is a mistake in census mapping, not in the bill.</p><p>“Once you look at the map, if you just read the language, it doesn’t seem to make sense,” Kehoe said. “But if you read the language and you look at the map, you can see somewhere along the line there was some sort of error when they put those numbers on out of the 60,000 voting districts across the United States.”</p><p>As the case that is the most advanced in challenging the new map, the NAACP lawsuit is likely the first that will be decided. At an “emergency meeting” Wednesday, Missouri NAACP president Nimrod Chapel said the group will not waver in their effort to throw out Missouri’s new congressional map.</p><p>If successful, the lawsuit will not only get the new map tossed but also remove a proposed constitutional amendment from the ballot that would change the way majorities are counted for constitutional changes proposed by initiative petitions.</p><p>“We recognized instantly that gerrymandering in the state of Missouri targeted two Black congressional districts, Kansas City and St. Louis,” Chapel said. “Not only is this an attack on the most populated urban centers within the state of Missouri, but it’s also an attack on Black and brown voices whose needs are distinct, in some ways, from rural Missouri.”</p><p>Since the special session ended on Sept. 12, the NAACP has filed an amended petition asking for the map to be scrapped. The state’s attorney, Solicitor General Louis Capozzi, has said the lawsuit should be dismissed because lawmakers have already adjourned.</p><p>Chapel also said he believes that the use of the same voting district designation twice in the bill is a mistake that will undermine the new map.</p><p>“There is a map that’s been proposed and is sitting on the governor’s desk that cannot be signed,” Chapel said, “and the reason that it cannot be signed is because it has precincts that will get to vote on multiple occasions.”</p><p>Chapel said the NAACP is prepared to appeal the case to the Missouri Supreme Court if the judge sides with the governor.</p><p>“We’re suing them,” he said, “and we will keep suing them until they get it right.”</p>

‘Let the courts decide’: Kehoe says he will sign gerrymandered Missouri congressional map

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement in Johnson County are asking for help to identify home burglary suspects.

Two individuals recently burglarized at least two homes in Lenexa, between 2–3 a.m., after the victims accidentally left their garage doors open. Items were stolen during both incidents. One suspect is wearing a “Kearney Football” t-shirt.

They arrived in a pickup truck, possibly a GMC, which can be seen near the end of the video.

If you recognize either suspect or have information about this case, please call Lenexa detective at 913-825-8125.

<p>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement in Johnson County are asking for help to identify home burglary suspects.</p><p>Two individuals recently burglarized at least two homes in Lenexa, between 2–3 a.m., after the victims accidentally left their garage doors open. Items were stolen during both incidents. One suspect is wearing a “Kearney Football” t-shirt.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can you help us identify these suspects?<br><br>Two individuals recently burglarized at least two homes in Lenexa, between 2–3 a.m., after the victims accidentally left their garage doors open. Items were stolen during both incidents.<br><br>One suspect is wearing a “Kearney Football”… <a href="https://t.co/t0WDzwxr25">pic.twitter.com/t0WDzwxr25</a></p>&mdash; Lenexa Police (@LenexaPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/LenexaPolice/status/1971314516718678504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>They arrived in a pickup truck, possibly a GMC, which can be seen near the end of the video.</p><p>If you recognize either suspect or have information about this case, please call Lenexa detective at 913-825-8125.</p>

🎥Police ask for help to ID Kansas home burglary suspects

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: “JUSTICE IN AMERICA!” <a href="https://t.co/polaL0r6ky">pic.twitter.com/polaL0r6ky</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1971355485019439155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPC1sFFD2iF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPC1sFFD2iF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPC1sFFD2iF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by James Comey (@comey)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758884974711.png" alt="Comey indictment page 1 -United State's Attorney" />
                        <figcaption>Comey indictment page 1 -United State's Attorney</figcaption>
                    </figure><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758885000026.png" alt="Comey indictment page 2 -United State's Attorney" />
                        <figcaption>Comey indictment page 2 -United State's Attorney</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/sLFMnuLrpF">pic.twitter.com/sLFMnuLrpF</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1971545971315380590?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 James Comey's defiant response after charged with lying to Congress

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City area man faced charges for a fatal stabbing over a sweatshirt the victim was wearing.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2728/Complaint-Packet---ParkerTrey">Trey C. Parker</a>, 23,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2729/Parker-PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, police were dispatched to a car wash in Independence on Sept. 19 and located the victim with a stab wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at a hospital.&nbsp;

Based on witness reports and surveillance footage, an argument started after a garage sale.&nbsp; Parker, who was friends with the victim were fighting about a sweatshirt, according to the<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2729/Parker-PC-Statement_Redacted"> probable cause statement.</a> The victim was wearing a sweatshirt which belonged to Parker.

Parker stabbed the victim, and the victim entered the front passenger seat of a nearby vehicle, which drove away.&nbsp;

The defendant is being held on a $250,000 cash only bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758742456559.png" alt="Parker photo Jackson County" />
                        <figcaption>Parker photo Jackson County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City area man faced charges for a fatal stabbing over a sweatshirt the victim was wearing.</p><p><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2728/Complaint-Packet---ParkerTrey">Trey C. Parker</a>, 23,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.</p><p><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2729/Parker-PC-Statement_Redacted">According to court records</a>, police were dispatched to a car wash in Independence on Sept. 19 and located the victim with a stab wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at a hospital.&nbsp;</p><p>Based on witness reports and surveillance footage, an argument started after a garage sale.&nbsp; Parker, who was friends with the victim were fighting about a sweatshirt, according to the<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2729/Parker-PC-Statement_Redacted"> probable cause statement.</a> The victim was wearing a sweatshirt which belonged to Parker.</p><p>Parker stabbed the victim, and the victim entered the front passenger seat of a nearby vehicle, which drove away.&nbsp;</p><p>The defendant is being held on a $250,000 cash only bond.&nbsp;</p>

Murder: KC area man stabbed friend during fight over sweatshirt

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a drug bust at a Kansas home.

On September 21, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted a narcotics related search warrant in the 2500 block of SW Western Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Chrisstian.

During the investigation, illegal narcotics, two firearms, drug paraphernalia and a stolen motorcycle were located.

Scott L. Kemble, 54, of Shawnee, Kan., was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Distribute opiate/opium/narcotic/certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Possession of THC, Possession of stolen property and Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substance

The Topeka Police Department (TPD) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) assisted with this search warrant.&nbsp; Kemble is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758657316065.png" alt="Kemble photo Shawnee Co." />
                        <figcaption>Kemble photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a drug bust at a Kansas home.</p><p>On September 21, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted a narcotics related search warrant in the 2500 block of SW Western Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Chrisstian.</p><p>During the investigation, illegal narcotics, two firearms, drug paraphernalia and a stolen motorcycle were located.</p><p>Scott L. Kemble, 54, of Shawnee, Kan., was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Distribute opiate/opium/narcotic/certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia, Possession of THC, Possession of stolen property and Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substance</p><p>The Topeka Police Department (TPD) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) assisted with this search warrant.&nbsp; Kemble is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.</p>

Sheriff: Alleged Kan. drug dealer had stolen motorcycle

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo.—Three students and the driver were injured in a school bus accident just after 6:30a.m. Thursday in Jackson County.

A Blue Springs School District bus struck a building at the intersection of 7 Highway and 40 Highway, according to a social media report from Blue Springs Police.

The bus driver and three students were transported to local hospitals for evaluation. At this time, their injuries do not appear to be serious.

Based on witness statements and driver accounts, the police investigation&nbsp; revealed that the bus had the right of way at the intersection. A vehicle approaching a yield sign failed to yield to the school bus, resulting in the accident, according to Blue Springs Police.

 The accident remains under investigation.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758809652290.png" alt="photo courtesy KCTV" />
                        <figcaption>photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>JACKSON COUNTY, Mo.—Three students and the driver were injured in a school bus accident just after 6:30a.m. Thursday in Jackson County.</p><p>A Blue Springs School District bus struck a building at the intersection of 7 Highway and 40 Highway, according to a social media report from Blue Springs Police.</p><p>The bus driver and three students were transported to local hospitals for evaluation. At this time, their injuries do not appear to be serious.</p><p>Based on witness statements and driver accounts, the police investigation&nbsp; revealed that the bus had the right of way at the intersection. A vehicle approaching a yield sign failed to yield to the school bus, resulting in the accident, according to Blue Springs Police.</p><p> The accident remains under investigation.</p>

Police determine cause of KC bus crash that injured students, driver 

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on TikTok: &quot;We have American investors taking it over, running it — highly sophisticated... Oracle is going to play a very big role.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Y6Vj7WbM7s">pic.twitter.com/Y6Vj7WbM7s</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1971311489337446627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">REPORTER: On the TikTok algorithm, are you satisfied that there&#39;s no security concerns?<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Yeah, I am... It&#39;s owned by Americans, and very sophisticated Americans — and people that love the country.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/5RteAf4JT6">pic.twitter.com/5RteAf4JT6</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1971312021602992190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="lt" dir="ltr">PRESIDENT TRUMP SAVES TIKTOK! <a href="https://t.co/GBntfhCKrQ">pic.twitter.com/GBntfhCKrQ</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1971311657034146020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on what saving TikTok will mean for small businesses: &quot;Small businesses have become very successful because of TikTok... they use it virtually as an advertising tool, and without it, they wouldn&#39;t have anything... So, it&#39;s a very important thing for small business.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/JHZ3GhLCSy">pic.twitter.com/JHZ3GhLCSy</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1971314356056174722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> on the TikTok deal: &quot;This deal really does mean that Americans can use TikTok, but actually use it with more confidence than they had in the past because their data&#39;s going to be secure and it&#39;s not going to be used as a propaganda weapon against our fellow citizens.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/4sqqOd5B0t">pic.twitter.com/4sqqOd5B0t</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1971311739556987048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump signs executive order to save TikTok, says China on board

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another fatal hit-and-and run incident in Kansas City.

Just after 9p.m. Wednesday, a bicyclist was eastbound on Independence Avenue and as he entered the intersection at Hardesty Avenue in Kansas City Missouri. He changed lanes and entered the westbound lane, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. A westbound pickup truck&nbsp; on Independence struck the bicyclist head-on. 

The pickup driver fled the scene in an unknown direction. EMS arrived and pronounced the bicyclist deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released the name of the bicyclist.

<p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another fatal hit-and-and run incident in Kansas City.</p><p>Just after 9p.m. Wednesday, a bicyclist was eastbound on Independence Avenue and as he entered the intersection at Hardesty Avenue in Kansas City Missouri. He changed lanes and entered the westbound lane, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. A westbound pickup truck&nbsp; on Independence struck the bicyclist head-on. </p><p>The pickup driver fled the scene in an unknown direction. EMS arrived and pronounced the bicyclist deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released the name of the bicyclist.</p>

KCPD: Bicyclist killed after head-on crash with a pickup

New survey shows rise in problem gambling

TOPEKA — Kansas legislators are considering changes to the way the state taxes sports gambling after receiving less than a 1% cut on more than $2.7 billion in bets in the past fiscal year.

As the expiration dates for contracts between the state and sports wager operators draw nearer, Kansas is confronting an increasingly complex and more profitable gambling climate than when it first legalized sports betting in 2022.

During the 2025 session, the Legislature implemented&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/17/last-minute-moratorium-on-kansas-sports-betting-contract-negotiations-provokes-uncertainty/">a last-minute moratorium</a>&nbsp;on the state approving any contract renewals for online sportsbooks. A hearing Monday was the first public discussion of potential changes to Kansas’ sportsbook market since then.

Legislators toyed with the idea of rejiggering the formula that dictates the allocation of sports betting revenues at a Monday hearing in Topeka. Of the $2.7 billion in wagering revenue in fiscal year 2025, which began in July 2024 and ended in June, Kansas retained about $17 million, or 0.6%, according to state data.

Lawmakers also considered changing the way book operators reach customers.

John Pappas, the state advocacy director for iDevelopment and Economic Association, a national trade group for mobile sportsbook operators and technology providers, said during the hearing that Kansas’ model is a success story.

But Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a Republican from St. Marys, said he struggled to accept that notion.

“I guess we represent different people, right?” he said to Pappas. “ You have your clients. I have the people of my district. The people of Kansas.”

In ranking sports wagering tax revenue per $1 million wagered since inception, Kansas ranks 29 out of 33 states.

“This is absolute failure from my perspective,” Awerkamp said.

“What am I not seeing?” he added. “How can you say that this is a success story when we’re basically one of the worst states in the country?”

Pappas said the answer is simple. Success is based on the size of Kansas’ market. For a small population, Kansas’ sports betting revenues are disproportionately large. In Awerkamp’s eyes, the problem is that the revenues are only taxed at 10%.

Six states and Washington, D.C., set different tax rates for online and retail sports betting. Kansas is one of 11 states that tax online and retail sports betting at the same rate of 10% or less. New Hampshire, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island have the highest tax rates at 51%.

Kansans over the age of 21 can bet on more than 50 categories of live and virtual sports, from bull riding to baseball to chess. Casinos in Kansas are allowed to contract with sportsbook operators, of which there are currently six: BetMGM, Caesar’s, DraftKings, ESPNBet, FanDuel and Fanatics.

The 5-year contracts, which include retail and mobile betting, are set to expire around the same time in August 2027. Other states run their own books, or contract directly with book operators.

Existing sportsbook operators and Kansas casinos opposed a change to Kansas’ model. Some cautioned lawmakers about modifying business in Kansas while sportsbooks are expected to begin operating in neighboring states, including Missouri later this year.

Aaron Gomes, president of the parent company to Kansas Crossing Casino in Pittsburg, said in written testimony, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

The casino works with three book operators: Caesars, Fanatics and BetMGM.

“Untethering sports wagering from casinos would not only disrupt these partnerships — it would risk undermining the very institutions that have delivered economic value to Kansas,” said Gomes, who is the chief operating officer of the casino’s owner, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment.

Earlier in the hearing, in discussion with another casino representative, Awerkamp said the sole purpose of the Kansas Lottery is to generate revenue for the state to offset burdens on taxpayers.

“From my perspective, what’s happened is certain organizations have recognized a tremendous opportunity of essentially a constitutionally protected monopoly and tried to get in the process and take a cut,” he said.

The Kansas Lottery was established for the good of the people, Awerkamp said, not the good of the casinos.

Kansans’ attitudes toward gambling have evolved since the state legalized sports wagering, and problem gambling behaviors have escalated, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_spc_2025_on_fed_and_st_aff_1/documents/testimony/20250922_12.pdf" target="_blank">2025 study</a>&nbsp;that surveyed more than 1,600 Kansas adults.

It was the first time the survey was conducted since 2017, and it recommended enhancing problem gambling messaging, improving state-funded treatment and gambling screening, regulating gambling advertising, and conducting statewide surveys more frequently.

Around 70% of survey respondents reported gambling, and 34% of respondents said they had gambled in the past month, an increase from 19% who reported gambling in 2017.

“The number of Kansans at moderate or high risk for problem gambling has more than tripled since 2017,” the survey found.

Almost everyone surveyed who was classified as high risk acknowledged they had a gambling problem. Many said gambling caused health, financial and relational problems. Substance use and mental health struggles were more likely for those in the high-risk category than those in the moderate and low-risk categories, the study said. Kansans are also less likely to use a gambling hotline than they were eight years ago.

More Kansans are citing their motivation for gambling as paying bills and escaping everyday problems. In 2017, 18% of survey respondents said they gamble to pay bills and 16% said they want to escape their problems. In 2025, those percentages rose to 38% and 35%. Still, between the two surveys, the top motivations remained entertainment and fun, to win money and excitement and challenge.

Around 37% of respondents reported placing a sports wager in 2025. Fewer than half of those surveyed viewed sports betting as entertainment that allows for reasonable gambling.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758822367620.png" alt="Photo Kansas Star Casino" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Kansas Star Casino</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>New survey shows rise in problem gambling</h2><p>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a><br><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"><i>Kansas Reflector</i></a></p><p>TOPEKA — Kansas legislators are considering changes to the way the state taxes sports gambling after receiving less than a 1% cut on more than $2.7 billion in bets in the past fiscal year.</p><p>As the expiration dates for contracts between the state and sports wager operators draw nearer, Kansas is confronting an increasingly complex and more profitable gambling climate than when it first legalized sports betting in 2022.</p><p>During the 2025 session, the Legislature implemented&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/17/last-minute-moratorium-on-kansas-sports-betting-contract-negotiations-provokes-uncertainty/">a last-minute moratorium</a>&nbsp;on the state approving any contract renewals for online sportsbooks. A hearing Monday was the first public discussion of potential changes to Kansas’ sportsbook market since then.</p><p>Legislators toyed with the idea of rejiggering the formula that dictates the allocation of sports betting revenues at a Monday hearing in Topeka. Of the $2.7 billion in wagering revenue in fiscal year 2025, which began in July 2024 and ended in June, Kansas retained about $17 million, or 0.6%, according to state data.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758822343321.png" alt="Photo Boot Hill Casino" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Boot Hill Casino</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Lawmakers also considered changing the way book operators reach customers.</p><p>John Pappas, the state advocacy director for iDevelopment and Economic Association, a national trade group for mobile sportsbook operators and technology providers, said during the hearing that Kansas’ model is a success story.</p><p>But Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a Republican from St. Marys, said he struggled to accept that notion.</p><p>“I guess we represent different people, right?” he said to Pappas. “ You have your clients. I have the people of my district. The people of Kansas.”</p><p>In ranking sports wagering tax revenue per $1 million wagered since inception, Kansas ranks 29 out of 33 states.</p><p>“This is absolute failure from my perspective,” Awerkamp said.</p><p>“What am I not seeing?” he added. “How can you say that this is a success story when we’re basically one of the worst states in the country?”</p><p>Pappas said the answer is simple. Success is based on the size of Kansas’ market. For a small population, Kansas’ sports betting revenues are disproportionately large. In Awerkamp’s eyes, the problem is that the revenues are only taxed at 10%.</p><p>Six states and Washington, D.C., set different tax rates for online and retail sports betting. Kansas is one of 11 states that tax online and retail sports betting at the same rate of 10% or less. New Hampshire, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island have the highest tax rates at 51%.</p><p>Kansans over the age of 21 can bet on more than 50 categories of live and virtual sports, from bull riding to baseball to chess. Casinos in Kansas are allowed to contract with sportsbook operators, of which there are currently six: BetMGM, Caesar’s, DraftKings, ESPNBet, FanDuel and Fanatics.</p><p>The 5-year contracts, which include retail and mobile betting, are set to expire around the same time in August 2027. Other states run their own books, or contract directly with book operators.</p><p>Existing sportsbook operators and Kansas casinos opposed a change to Kansas’ model. Some cautioned lawmakers about modifying business in Kansas while sportsbooks are expected to begin operating in neighboring states, including Missouri later this year.</p><p>Aaron Gomes, president of the parent company to Kansas Crossing Casino in Pittsburg, said in written testimony, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”</p><p>The casino works with three book operators: Caesars, Fanatics and BetMGM.</p><p>“Untethering sports wagering from casinos would not only disrupt these partnerships — it would risk undermining the very institutions that have delivered economic value to Kansas,” said Gomes, who is the chief operating officer of the casino’s owner, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment.</p><p>Earlier in the hearing, in discussion with another casino representative, Awerkamp said the sole purpose of the Kansas Lottery is to generate revenue for the state to offset burdens on taxpayers.</p><p>“From my perspective, what’s happened is certain organizations have recognized a tremendous opportunity of essentially a constitutionally protected monopoly and tried to get in the process and take a cut,” he said.</p><p>The Kansas Lottery was established for the good of the people, Awerkamp said, not the good of the casinos.</p><h2>Raising the stakes</h2><p>Kansans’ attitudes toward gambling have evolved since the state legalized sports wagering, and problem gambling behaviors have escalated, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/committees/ctte_spc_2025_on_fed_and_st_aff_1/documents/testimony/20250922_12.pdf" target="_blank">2025 study</a>&nbsp;that surveyed more than 1,600 Kansas adults.</p><p>It was the first time the survey was conducted since 2017, and it recommended enhancing problem gambling messaging, improving state-funded treatment and gambling screening, regulating gambling advertising, and conducting statewide surveys more frequently.</p><p>Around 70% of survey respondents reported gambling, and 34% of respondents said they had gambled in the past month, an increase from 19% who reported gambling in 2017.</p><p>“The number of Kansans at moderate or high risk for problem gambling has more than tripled since 2017,” the survey found.</p><p>Almost everyone surveyed who was classified as high risk acknowledged they had a gambling problem. Many said gambling caused health, financial and relational problems. Substance use and mental health struggles were more likely for those in the high-risk category than those in the moderate and low-risk categories, the study said. Kansans are also less likely to use a gambling hotline than they were eight years ago.</p><p>More Kansans are citing their motivation for gambling as paying bills and escaping everyday problems. In 2017, 18% of survey respondents said they gamble to pay bills and 16% said they want to escape their problems. In 2025, those percentages rose to 38% and 35%. Still, between the two surveys, the top motivations remained entertainment and fun, to win money and excitement and challenge.</p><p>Around 37% of respondents reported placing a sports wager in 2025. Fewer than half of those surveyed viewed sports betting as entertainment that allows for reasonable gambling.</p>

Kansas legislators look for bigger payout from sportsbooks with contracts set to expire

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a>

WASHINGTON — The White House has sent guidance to departments and agencies, telling them that if a shutdown begins Wednesday, they’re expected to institute mass firings and layoffs.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26157388-omb-lapse-email/" target="_blank">two-page memo</a>, shared with States Newsroom by a Trump administration official, says any programs that received funding in the “big, beautiful” law will “continue uninterrupted.”

But the vast majority of federal departments and agencies need Congress to approve an annual funding bill or a stopgap spending bill before the start of the new fiscal year to keep running.&nbsp;

The memo says the employees who run those programs may receive a Reduction in Force notice if lawmakers don’t broker an agreement before the Oct. 1 deadline.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Those reductions will apply to programs, projects, or activities that are “not consistent with the President’s priorities,” according to the memo.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“RIF notices will be in addition to any furlough notices provided due to the lapse in appropriation,” the memo states. “RIF notices should be issued to all employees working on the relevant (programs, projects, or activities), regardless of whether the employee is excepted or furloughed during the lapse in appropriations.”

Once lawmakers reach a deal and the government reopens, the memo says agencies should rework their reduction in force plans “to retain the minimal number of employees necessary to carry out statutory functions.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote in a statement the memo represents “an attempt at intimidation.”

“Donald Trump has been firing federal workers since day one—not to govern, but to scare. This is nothing new and has nothing to do with funding the government,” Schumer wrote. “These unnecessary firings will either be overturned in court or the administration will end up hiring the workers back, just like they did as recently as today.”

American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley wrote in a statement the memo shows that White House budget director Russ Vought intends “to pursue another DOGE-like round of illegal mass firings in the event of a shutdown, adding to the chaos.”&nbsp;

“The truth is simple: Republicans cannot fund the government without Democratic votes. That means the only path forward is compromise,” Kelley wrote. “The president and congressional leaders must sit down and negotiate in good faith to keep the lights on for the American people. Nothing less is acceptable.”

Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen wrote in a statement that “Trump is engaged in mafia-style blackmail, with his threats ultimately harming the American people.”&nbsp;

“He is threatening to double down on the failed actions of Elon Musk and his chainsaw — going after patriotic civil servants that provide Americans with critical services — despite having to rehire many of these workers after Americans experienced the negative impact of those cuts,” Van Hollen wrote. “These dedicated workers have nothing to do with the ongoing political and policy disputes that have brought us to the brink of a shutdown.”

The House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/chance-government-shutdown-rises-us-senate-fails-advance-spending-bill" target="_blank">voted mostly along party lines</a>&nbsp;to approve a seven-week stopgap spending bill last week before leaving town. GOP leaders were supposed to bring lawmakers in that chamber back to Capitol Hill on Monday, but extended their break and won’t return until after the shutdown deadline.&nbsp;

The move was largely seen as a way to jam the Senate, specifically Democrats, with the short-term government funding bill that they largely oppose because GOP lawmakers wrote it behind closed doors without bipartisan negotiations.&nbsp;

The Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/chance-government-shutdown-rises-us-senate-fails-advance-spending-bill" target="_blank">tried to advance</a>&nbsp;the House-passed Republican stopgap bill but didn’t have the necessary 60 votes to move the legislation toward final passage.&nbsp;

Democrats have maintained for weeks that if Republican leaders want their support on a short-term spending bill, they should have negotiated with party leaders on key issues, including an extension of the enhanced tax credits for people who buy their health insurance on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.

Those tax credits are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-dems-push-gop-extension-expiring-health-care-subsidies" target="_blank">set to expire</a>&nbsp;at the end of the year but Americans who rely on the marketplace for their health insurance will begin purchasing their plans for next year on Nov. 1.&nbsp;

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said he views negotiations on those tax credits as an issue for December, not this month, despite the open enrollment period ending on Dec. 15.&nbsp;

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has said repeatedly he views the issue as separate from government funding.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609336731287.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">Jennifer Shutt</a></p><p>WASHINGTON — The White House has sent guidance to departments and agencies, telling them that if a shutdown begins Wednesday, they’re expected to institute mass firings and layoffs.&nbsp;</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758805389171.png" alt="Memo from OMB" />
                        <figcaption>Memo from OMB</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26157388-omb-lapse-email/" target="_blank">two-page memo</a>, shared with States Newsroom by a Trump administration official, says any programs that received funding in the “big, beautiful” law will “continue uninterrupted.”</p><p>But the vast majority of federal departments and agencies need Congress to approve an annual funding bill or a stopgap spending bill before the start of the new fiscal year to keep running.&nbsp;</p><p>The memo says the employees who run those programs may receive a Reduction in Force notice if lawmakers don’t broker an agreement before the Oct. 1 deadline.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Those reductions will apply to programs, projects, or activities that are “not consistent with the President’s priorities,” according to the memo.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“RIF notices will be in addition to any furlough notices provided due to the lapse in appropriation,” the memo states. “RIF notices should be issued to all employees working on the relevant (programs, projects, or activities), regardless of whether the employee is excepted or furloughed during the lapse in appropriations.”</p><p>Once lawmakers reach a deal and the government reopens, the memo says agencies should rework their reduction in force plans “to retain the minimal number of employees necessary to carry out statutory functions.”</p><h2>Employee union urges compromise</h2><p>Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote in a statement the memo represents “an attempt at intimidation.”</p><p>“Donald Trump has been firing federal workers since day one—not to govern, but to scare. This is nothing new and has nothing to do with funding the government,” Schumer wrote. “These unnecessary firings will either be overturned in court or the administration will end up hiring the workers back, just like they did as recently as today.”</p><p>American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley wrote in a statement the memo shows that White House budget director Russ Vought intends “to pursue another DOGE-like round of illegal mass firings in the event of a shutdown, adding to the chaos.”&nbsp;</p><p>“The truth is simple: Republicans cannot fund the government without Democratic votes. That means the only path forward is compromise,” Kelley wrote. “The president and congressional leaders must sit down and negotiate in good faith to keep the lights on for the American people. Nothing less is acceptable.”</p><p>Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen wrote in a statement that “Trump is engaged in mafia-style blackmail, with his threats ultimately harming the American people.”&nbsp;</p><p>“He is threatening to double down on the failed actions of Elon Musk and his chainsaw — going after patriotic civil servants that provide Americans with critical services — despite having to rehire many of these workers after Americans experienced the negative impact of those cuts,” Van Hollen wrote. “These dedicated workers have nothing to do with the ongoing political and policy disputes that have brought us to the brink of a shutdown.”</p><h2>House GOP departs until after Oct. 1</h2><p>The House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/chance-government-shutdown-rises-us-senate-fails-advance-spending-bill" target="_blank">voted mostly along party lines</a>&nbsp;to approve a seven-week stopgap spending bill last week before leaving town. GOP leaders were supposed to bring lawmakers in that chamber back to Capitol Hill on Monday, but extended their break and won’t return until after the shutdown deadline.&nbsp;</p><p>The move was largely seen as a way to jam the Senate, specifically Democrats, with the short-term government funding bill that they largely oppose because GOP lawmakers wrote it behind closed doors without bipartisan negotiations.&nbsp;</p><p>The Senate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/chance-government-shutdown-rises-us-senate-fails-advance-spending-bill" target="_blank">tried to advance</a>&nbsp;the House-passed Republican stopgap bill but didn’t have the necessary 60 votes to move the legislation toward final passage.&nbsp;</p><p>Democrats have maintained for weeks that if Republican leaders want their support on a short-term spending bill, they should have negotiated with party leaders on key issues, including an extension of the enhanced tax credits for people who buy their health insurance on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.</p><p>Those tax credits are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-dems-push-gop-extension-expiring-health-care-subsidies" target="_blank">set to expire</a>&nbsp;at the end of the year but Americans who rely on the marketplace for their health insurance will begin purchasing their plans for next year on Nov. 1.&nbsp;</p><p>Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said he views negotiations on those tax credits as an issue for December, not this month, despite the open enrollment period ending on Dec. 15.&nbsp;</p><p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has said repeatedly he views the issue as separate from government funding.</p>

Trump threatens mass firings of federal employees in a government shutdown

KANSAS CITY —Homicide detectives investigating a fatal fire in Kansas City have released the name of the victim as 44-year-old Robert Hill, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.

Just before 1a.m. September 19, the Kansas City Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment fire in the 4400 Block of Independence in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

Crews discovered a victim, later identified as Hill and removed him from the apartment. He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

Fire crews notified Kansas City, Missouri police of the death. Detectives from Violent Crimes Division and Bomb and Arson then responded to the scene for a death investigation, according to KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina.

&nbsp;Based on some of the evidence located at the scene the, medical examiner and detectives determined that Hill's death may not have been the result of natural causes or fire.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758311035022.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
                        <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Homicide detectives investigating a fatal fire in Kansas City have released the name of the victim as 44-year-old Robert Hill, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.</p><p>Just before 1a.m. September 19, the Kansas City Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment fire in the 4400 Block of Independence in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.</p><p>Crews discovered a victim, later identified as Hill and removed him from the apartment. He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;</p><p>Fire crews notified Kansas City, Missouri police of the death. Detectives from Violent Crimes Division and Bomb and Arson then responded to the scene for a death investigation, according to KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina.</p><p>&nbsp;Based on some of the evidence located at the scene the, medical examiner and detectives determined that Hill's death may not have been the result of natural causes or fire.</p>

Homicide: KCPD releases name of victim found in apartment fire

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a hit-and-run accident in Kansas City.

Just after 3a.m. Wednesday, the Kansas City, Missouri fire department&nbsp;responded to a reported car into a building at 4601 Independence Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

First responders&nbsp; found that a pickup truck had struck the business that house a dental practice. The occupants of the truck fled the scene. 

KCFD remained on the scene until a board up crew could arrive and secure the building due to a large hole in the front of the building. No injuries were reported.&nbsp; Law enforcement reported no additional details.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758741525524.png" alt="Photo KCFD" />
                        <figcaption>Photo KCFD</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a hit-and-run accident in Kansas City.</p><p>Just after 3a.m. Wednesday, the Kansas City, Missouri fire department&nbsp;responded to a reported car into a building at 4601 Independence Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.</p><p>First responders&nbsp; found that a pickup truck had struck the business that house a dental practice. The occupants of the truck fled the scene. </p><p>KCFD remained on the scene until a board up crew could arrive and secure the building due to a large hole in the front of the building. No injuries were reported.&nbsp; Law enforcement reported no additional details.</p>

Hit-and-run: Pickup struck dental office in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City area man faced charges following a major drug trafficking investigation led by the Jackson County Drug Task Force.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2726/Clarke-Redacted-Complaint-1">Dewayne C. Clarke</a>, 47,&nbsp;faces one count of 2nd Degree Trafficking Drugs, five counts of Delivering a Controlled Substance Except 35 Grams or Less of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoid, and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to Jackson County Attorney Melesa Johnson.

 If convicted on the trafficking charge, he could serve up to 15 years in prison. The other charges carry up to 10 years each.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2727/CLarkeRedacted-Probable-Cause-2">According to court records</a>, the Jackson County Drug Task Force became aware of Clarke, a major distributor, who distributes crack-cocaine in large quantities. During the investigation, the Task Force was able to obtain a search warrant for the defendant’s residence and located multiple firearms, about 1,650 grams of cocaine, Methamphetamine, and more than $60,000 in cash.&nbsp;

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are anticipated.

The defendant is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;

The Jackson County Drug Task Force brings together detectives from multiple county police departments and sheriff’s offices with federal, state, and local agencies to target drug dealers across the metro.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758656175455.png" alt="Clarke photo Jackson County" />
                        <figcaption>Clarke photo Jackson County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City area man faced charges following a major drug trafficking investigation led by the Jackson County Drug Task Force.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2726/Clarke-Redacted-Complaint-1">Dewayne C. Clarke</a>, 47,&nbsp;faces one count of 2nd Degree Trafficking Drugs, five counts of Delivering a Controlled Substance Except 35 Grams or Less of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoid, and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to Jackson County Attorney Melesa Johnson.</p><p> If convicted on the trafficking charge, he could serve up to 15 years in prison. The other charges carry up to 10 years each.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2727/CLarkeRedacted-Probable-Cause-2">According to court records</a>, the Jackson County Drug Task Force became aware of Clarke, a major distributor, who distributes crack-cocaine in large quantities. During the investigation, the Task Force was able to obtain a search warrant for the defendant’s residence and located multiple firearms, about 1,650 grams of cocaine, Methamphetamine, and more than $60,000 in cash.&nbsp;</p><p>The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are anticipated.</p><p>The defendant is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.&nbsp;</p><p>The Jackson County Drug Task Force brings together detectives from multiple county police departments and sheriff’s offices with federal, state, and local agencies to target drug dealers across the metro.</p>

Task force captures major Kansas City area cocaine dealer 

President Trump on Wednesday unveiled the new Presidential Wall of Fame at the White House. Joe Biden’s portrait is an AUTO-PEN&nbsp;

<p>President Trump on Wednesday unveiled the new Presidential Wall of Fame at the White House. Joe Biden’s portrait is an AUTO-PEN&nbsp;</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758735968499.png" alt="Image courtesy White House" />
                        <figcaption>Image courtesy White House</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">🤣🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/MSERUFrlyH">https://t.co/MSERUFrlyH</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1970899696227942480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">👀 <a href="https://t.co/jE2Vm7UdjL">https://t.co/jE2Vm7UdjL</a> <a href="https://t.co/CJ3yQBtPGQ">pic.twitter.com/CJ3yQBtPGQ</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1970902690474647786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Surprise portrait in new White House Presidential Walk of Fame

The Missouri Supreme Court hears an appeal seeking to reverse the state’s gender-affirming care ban Wednesday

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a><br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a>

Attorneys representing transgender minors, their loved ones and physicians who provide gender-affirming care say a circuit court judge’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/25/missouri-judge-upholds-state-ban-on-transgender-health-care-for-minors/">decision to uphold</a>&nbsp;the state’s gender-affirming-care restrictions was “permeated by legal and factual errors.”

In oral arguments in the Missouri Supreme Court Wednesday morning, Lambda Legal attorney Nora Huppert said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/JUDGMENT.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3366224" target="_blank">November judgment</a>&nbsp;“relies on evidence that was expressly excluded for its truth, and it draws conclusions from testimony that are the opposite of what that testimony says.”&nbsp;

For that reason, and others, Huppert argues the decision should be reversed.

But the Missouri Attorney General’s office, represented Wednesday by Solicitor General Lou Capozzi, rejects the notion that the law is discriminatory in nature.

“Appellants have no evidence for their allegation that this could be only motivated by animus when the state presented a mountain of evidence that it is concerned about the health and safety of children,” he told the judges.

The law,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=44407" target="_blank">passed in 2023</a>, bars health care providers from prescribing or administering cross-sex hormones or puberty-blocking drugs, or performing gender-transition surgeries, for anyone under 18. Provisions barring gender-affirming hormones and puberty blockers are set to expire on Aug. 28, 2027, though lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/04/missouri-republicans-push-to-make-laws-restricting-transgender-minors-permanent/">have shown intentions to remove the sunset</a>.

In his November ruling, Wright County Circuit Court Judge Craig Carter determined that the restrictions weren’t discriminatory and could only be subject to rational basis review. This is the most lenient standard, requiring challengers to prove that there is no basis that the law can stand.

The legal standard for reviewing the law is a key part of the case. Statutes that violate Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?constit=y&amp;section=I%20%202" target="_blank">equal protection clause</a>, which says everyone is entitled to “equal rights and opportunity,” are subject to heightened scrutiny.

Attorneys from Lambda Legal, a civil rights law firm focused on LGBTQ+ litigation, and the ACLU of Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=11170" target="_blank">argue heightened scrutiny should be applied</a>&nbsp;because the law “classifies based on sex and transgender status.”

Evidence — and the quality of it — is also a point of contention.

Huppert said Carter’s judgment “adopted largely verbatim” the state’s proposed findings of fact, which was filed at the conclusion of trial and before the court’s transcript was complete. The filings confirm Carter’s findings of fact outright mirror the state’s, adopting the same subheadings and copying paragraphs verbatim.

This makes the judgment deeply flawed, appellants’ brief argues, because these findings misconstrued testimony from the trial and refer to exhibits that were not allowed into the court record.

During the two-week trial last year, the attorney general’s office employed a tactic of questioning witnesses using articles and studies not accepted into the court record.

Capozzi pointed to a section of the judgment which expanded on testimony from medical ethicist Dr. Farr Curlin as proof the two documents were not 100% identical.

“The trial court was not just copying and pasting,” he said. “And the implication that the trial court was lazy or didn’t do its job is not proper.”

Carter’s judgment acknowledges the overwhelming amount of evidence presented during the extensive trial, describing “binders of evidentiary documents that were piled so high on the bench that (his) was at times obscured.”

“This was a very lengthy and complex case,” he wrote. “It would be impossible for the court to make factual findings for each witness. The court reporter’s transcript in this case is several thousand pages.”

A clear look at the evidence, Huppert argued, would show the law is unconstitutional no matter what level of scrutiny is applied.

“The record reflects that the care ban for minors actually harms minors rather than protects them, and for that reason, the law is wholly irrational as well,” she told the judges.

Interpreting the evidence in this case is not straightforward. From the beginning, the law’s challengers and the state&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/20/lawsuit-seeking-to-block-missouri-ban-on-gender-affirming-care-for-minors-heads-to-trial/">have not agreed on the factual background of the case</a>&nbsp;and those disagreements continued Wednesday.

For example, Capozzi opened his argument by describing the law as “bipartisan,” misconstruing a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/23/missouri-senate-advances-bill-banning-transgender-care-for-minors/">compromise</a>&nbsp;that led Senate Democrats to end a filibuster. But no Democrats in either the House or Senate voted in favor of the legislation.

The state’s argument also rejects claims that gender-affirming hormone therapy and puberty blockers treat gender dysphoria, a condition describing distress that occurs when someone’s sex as assigned at birth misaligns with their gender identity.

In the trial, experts largely spoke about the effectiveness of treatments as it relates to adolescents. But part of the challenged law bans the state’s Medicaid program from covering gender-affirming care for minors and adults.

Carter upheld the Medicaid restrictions, saying challengers “failed to develop any argument specifically tailored to challenging the Medicaid provision.”

Huppert said that argument was “throughout” filings. Appellants included Medicaid ban as part of “the act” in filings, challengers’ brief said, but the state claims the argument wasn’t explicit.

Judges had almost no questions during the arguments Wednesday, apart from a question from Judge Ginger Gooch asking how the case differs from a challenge of Arkansas’ gender-affirming-care ban. A federal appeals court&nbsp;<a href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/08/12/appeals-court-upholds-arkansas-ban-on-transgender-minors-health-care-after-scotus-ruling/" target="_blank">upheld Arkansas’ ban</a>&nbsp;in August.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748383294803.png" alt=" The Missouri Supreme Court building in Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
                        <figcaption> The Missouri Supreme Court building in Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
                    </figure><h2>The Missouri Supreme Court hears an appeal seeking to reverse the state’s gender-affirming care ban Wednesday</h2><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a><br><a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/"><i>Missouri Independent</i></a></p><p>Attorneys representing transgender minors, their loved ones and physicians who provide gender-affirming care say a circuit court judge’s&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/11/25/missouri-judge-upholds-state-ban-on-transgender-health-care-for-minors/">decision to uphold</a>&nbsp;the state’s gender-affirming-care restrictions was “permeated by legal and factual errors.”</p><p>In oral arguments in the Missouri Supreme Court Wednesday morning, Lambda Legal attorney Nora Huppert said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/fv/c/JUDGMENT.PDF?courtCode=19&amp;di=3366224" target="_blank">November judgment</a>&nbsp;“relies on evidence that was expressly excluded for its truth, and it draws conclusions from testimony that are the opposite of what that testimony says.”&nbsp;</p><p>For that reason, and others, Huppert argues the decision should be reversed.</p><p>But the Missouri Attorney General’s office, represented Wednesday by Solicitor General Lou Capozzi, rejects the notion that the law is discriminatory in nature.</p><p>“Appellants have no evidence for their allegation that this could be only motivated by animus when the state presented a mountain of evidence that it is concerned about the health and safety of children,” he told the judges.</p><p>The law,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.mo.gov/23info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&amp;BillID=44407" target="_blank">passed in 2023</a>, bars health care providers from prescribing or administering cross-sex hormones or puberty-blocking drugs, or performing gender-transition surgeries, for anyone under 18. Provisions barring gender-affirming hormones and puberty blockers are set to expire on Aug. 28, 2027, though lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/04/missouri-republicans-push-to-make-laws-restricting-transgender-minors-permanent/">have shown intentions to remove the sunset</a>.</p><p>In his November ruling, Wright County Circuit Court Judge Craig Carter determined that the restrictions weren’t discriminatory and could only be subject to rational basis review. This is the most lenient standard, requiring challengers to prove that there is no basis that the law can stand.</p><p>The legal standard for reviewing the law is a key part of the case. Statutes that violate Missouri’s&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?constit=y&amp;section=I%20%202" target="_blank">equal protection clause</a>, which says everyone is entitled to “equal rights and opportunity,” are subject to heightened scrutiny.</p><p>Attorneys from Lambda Legal, a civil rights law firm focused on LGBTQ+ litigation, and the ACLU of Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courts.mo.gov/file.jsp?id=11170" target="_blank">argue heightened scrutiny should be applied</a>&nbsp;because the law “classifies based on sex and transgender status.”</p><p>Evidence — and the quality of it — is also a point of contention.</p><p>Huppert said Carter’s judgment “adopted largely verbatim” the state’s proposed findings of fact, which was filed at the conclusion of trial and before the court’s transcript was complete. The filings confirm Carter’s findings of fact outright mirror the state’s, adopting the same subheadings and copying paragraphs verbatim.</p><p>This makes the judgment deeply flawed, appellants’ brief argues, because these findings misconstrued testimony from the trial and refer to exhibits that were not allowed into the court record.</p><p>During the two-week trial last year, the attorney general’s office employed a tactic of questioning witnesses using articles and studies not accepted into the court record.</p><p>Capozzi pointed to a section of the judgment which expanded on testimony from medical ethicist Dr. Farr Curlin as proof the two documents were not 100% identical.</p><p>“The trial court was not just copying and pasting,” he said. “And the implication that the trial court was lazy or didn’t do its job is not proper.”</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758737034936.png" alt="Judge Craig Carter, a Wright County judge serving in Cole County for Missouri’s gender-affirming care trial, listens to a nurse practitioner testify during the September 2024 trial (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
                        <figcaption>Judge Craig Carter, a Wright County judge serving in Cole County for Missouri’s gender-affirming care trial, listens to a nurse practitioner testify during the September 2024 trial (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Carter’s judgment acknowledges the overwhelming amount of evidence presented during the extensive trial, describing “binders of evidentiary documents that were piled so high on the bench that (his) was at times obscured.”</p><p>“This was a very lengthy and complex case,” he wrote. “It would be impossible for the court to make factual findings for each witness. The court reporter’s transcript in this case is several thousand pages.”</p><p>A clear look at the evidence, Huppert argued, would show the law is unconstitutional no matter what level of scrutiny is applied.</p><p>“The record reflects that the care ban for minors actually harms minors rather than protects them, and for that reason, the law is wholly irrational as well,” she told the judges.</p><p>Interpreting the evidence in this case is not straightforward. From the beginning, the law’s challengers and the state&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/09/20/lawsuit-seeking-to-block-missouri-ban-on-gender-affirming-care-for-minors-heads-to-trial/">have not agreed on the factual background of the case</a>&nbsp;and those disagreements continued Wednesday.</p><p>For example, Capozzi opened his argument by describing the law as “bipartisan,” misconstruing a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/03/23/missouri-senate-advances-bill-banning-transgender-care-for-minors/">compromise</a>&nbsp;that led Senate Democrats to end a filibuster. But no Democrats in either the House or Senate voted in favor of the legislation.</p><p>The state’s argument also rejects claims that gender-affirming hormone therapy and puberty blockers treat gender dysphoria, a condition describing distress that occurs when someone’s sex as assigned at birth misaligns with their gender identity.</p><p>In the trial, experts largely spoke about the effectiveness of treatments as it relates to adolescents. But part of the challenged law bans the state’s Medicaid program from covering gender-affirming care for minors and adults.</p><p>Carter upheld the Medicaid restrictions, saying challengers “failed to develop any argument specifically tailored to challenging the Medicaid provision.”</p><p>Huppert said that argument was “throughout” filings. Appellants included Medicaid ban as part of “the act” in filings, challengers’ brief said, but the state claims the argument wasn’t explicit.</p><p>Judges had almost no questions during the arguments Wednesday, apart from a question from Judge Ginger Gooch asking how the case differs from a challenge of Arkansas’ gender-affirming-care ban. A federal appeals court&nbsp;<a href="https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/08/12/appeals-court-upholds-arkansas-ban-on-transgender-minors-health-care-after-scotus-ruling/" target="_blank">upheld Arkansas’ ban</a>&nbsp;in August.</p><p>The states’ statutes have some differences, Huppert said, and Missouri’s equal protection clause is more extensive than the federal protections relied upon in that case.</p><p>Capozzi said the statutes are “almost identical,” also pointing to similarities in Tennessee’s gender-affirming-care restrictions which&nbsp;<a href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2025/06/18/u-s-supreme-court-upholds-tennessee-prohibition-on-gender-affirming-care-for-minors/" target="_blank">the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in June</a>.</p>