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>

TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach says he keeps a box of naloxone in his pickup truck.

It’s a lifesaving tool that can fit in the glovebox, and Kobach wants to make the product more accessible to Kansans.

Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is an overdose-reversal medication that can restore someone’s breathing within minutes and is known for its effectiveness in combating the opioid epidemic.

A state grant review board unanimously approved Friday a $177,000 grant for the Attorney General’s Office to transform unused news racks into naloxone distribution boxes.

“If you’re willing to keep it in your glovebox in your car, you should be doing that, because we need it distributed everywhere to potentially save lives,” Kobach said at a Friday meeting of the Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board.

The idea was inspired by Emily’s Hope, an organization in South Dakota that says it was the first in the nation to repurpose news racks to increase access to naloxone and reduce the stigma around drug use. The program has been “extremely successful,” said&nbsp;Angela Kennecke, president and CEO of Emily’s Hope. Since April, the organization has established 25 open boxes in 11 cities, and it is working on 12 more. That has amounted to roughly 8,200 kits distributed.

“I thought we should be doing the same thing,” Kobach said.

He wants to place repurposed newspaper boxes on college and university campuses, of which there are about 40 in Kansas.

Kobach’s request focused on illegally made fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that caused more than half of overdose deaths in 2023 in Kansas, according to the most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/data-research/facts-stats/sudors-dashboard-fatal-overdose-data.html" target="_blank">data</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kansas recently surpassed 1,500 total deaths from fentanyl, he said. Of the 615 overdose deaths in Kansas in 2023, nearly 60% had at least one potential opportunity for intervention, the data said. In almost 45% of deaths, a bystander was present.

Pat George, the board chair, said the overdose crisis is happening now.

“Our primary mission, I’ve always felt, is saving lives and saving families, so this fits right in,” George said.

The addiction grant review board is charged with deciding where to allocate the millions of dollars that have poured into the state from settlements with pharmaceutical companies, which were sued for playing a part in the opioid epidemic. Kansas has received $90 million to date, said Shanna Zimmer, chief financial officer of the Sunflower Foundation, a nonprofit that administers the funds for the state. About $74 million remains in the bank.

The attorney general envisioned the grant paying for public service announcements, social media and video advertising, distribution boxes and 7,000 boxes of naloxone, each typically containing two doses. The majority of the grant, about $150,000, will be for advertising, Kobach said.

Education is a significant piece, he said, because of the pervasive nature of fentanyl. It appears in counterfeit pills, often mixed with other drugs.

A Douglas County-based social services organization, DCCCA, runs the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dccca.org/program/kansas-naloxone-program/" target="_blank">Kansas Naloxone Program</a>. It has placed five vending machines across the state that distribute naloxone like bags of chips or candy bars. Three more are on the way, said Chrissy Mayer, chief community-based services officer for DCCCA.

Between October and June, the organization distributed about 40,000 kits of naloxone across Kansas, either through vending machines or by mail. That’s 80,000 doses.

“We know that overdoses continue to increase, and this is a really easy way to save someone’s life,” Mayer said.

The organization places boxes at locations in Hutchinson, Lawrence, Kansas City, Kansas, Salina and Wichita, based on data mapping overdose hotspots. New machines are expected soon in Garden City, Overland Park and Pittsburg.

People who want naloxone from one of DCCCA’s machines enter their zip code on a keypad, then the machine dispenses a kit, Mayer said. The machine in Wichita is typically restocked weekly. In Hutchinson, it’s restocked about every two weeks, and the rest are usually restocked once a month.

Mayer said “there are some interesting assumptions that people might make” regarding who uses the vending machines. Many who use the vending machines are from what might be classified as more affluent ZIP codes, she said.

“That just demonstrates opioid overdose affects everybody,” Mayer said.

She added: “Your ZIP code doesn’t really matter.”

DCCCA offers multiple&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dccca.org/program/self-paced-training/" target="_blank">training</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dccca.org/request-a-training/" target="_blank">options</a>&nbsp;on its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dccca.org/" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;for the proper administration of naloxone.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office plans to have naloxone kits available at its table at the Kansas State Fair, which is scheduled for Sept. 5-14 in Hutchinson.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754940903452.png" alt="DCCCA offers naloxone through a vending machine outside of a Lawrence Transit station near the University of Kansas campus. (Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector)" />
                        <figcaption>DCCCA offers naloxone through a vending machine outside of a Lawrence Transit station near the University of Kansas campus. (Maya Smith for 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>TOPEKA — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach says he keeps a box of naloxone in his pickup truck.</p><p>It’s a lifesaving tool that can fit in the glovebox, and Kobach wants to make the product more accessible to Kansans.</p><p>Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is an overdose-reversal medication that can restore someone’s breathing within minutes and is known for its effectiveness in combating the opioid epidemic.</p><p>A state grant review board unanimously approved Friday a $177,000 grant for the Attorney General’s Office to transform unused news racks into naloxone distribution boxes.</p><p>“If you’re willing to keep it in your glovebox in your car, you should be doing that, because we need it distributed everywhere to potentially save lives,” Kobach said at a Friday meeting of the Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board.</p><p>The idea was inspired by Emily’s Hope, an organization in South Dakota that says it was the first in the nation to repurpose news racks to increase access to naloxone and reduce the stigma around drug use. The program has been “extremely successful,” said&nbsp;Angela Kennecke, president and CEO of Emily’s Hope. Since April, the organization has established 25 open boxes in 11 cities, and it is working on 12 more. That has amounted to roughly 8,200 kits distributed.</p><p>“I thought we should be doing the same thing,” Kobach said.</p><p>He wants to place repurposed newspaper boxes on college and university campuses, of which there are about 40 in Kansas.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754940843188.png" alt="DCCCA offers naloxone through a vending machine outside of a Lawrence Transit station near the University of Kansas campus. (Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector)" />
                        <figcaption>DCCCA offers naloxone through a vending machine outside of a Lawrence Transit station near the University of Kansas campus. (Maya Smith for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Kobach’s request focused on illegally made fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that caused more than half of overdose deaths in 2023 in Kansas, according to the most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/data-research/facts-stats/sudors-dashboard-fatal-overdose-data.html" target="_blank">data</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kansas recently surpassed 1,500 total deaths from fentanyl, he said. Of the 615 overdose deaths in Kansas in 2023, nearly 60% had at least one potential opportunity for intervention, the data said. In almost 45% of deaths, a bystander was present.</p><p>Pat George, the board chair, said the overdose crisis is happening now.</p><p>“Our primary mission, I’ve always felt, is saving lives and saving families, so this fits right in,” George said.</p><p>The addiction grant review board is charged with deciding where to allocate the millions of dollars that have poured into the state from settlements with pharmaceutical companies, which were sued for playing a part in the opioid epidemic. Kansas has received $90 million to date, said Shanna Zimmer, chief financial officer of the Sunflower Foundation, a nonprofit that administers the funds for the state. About $74 million remains in the bank.</p><p>The attorney general envisioned the grant paying for public service announcements, social media and video advertising, distribution boxes and 7,000 boxes of naloxone, each typically containing two doses. The majority of the grant, about $150,000, will be for advertising, Kobach said.</p><p>Education is a significant piece, he said, because of the pervasive nature of fentanyl. It appears in counterfeit pills, often mixed with other drugs.</p><p>A Douglas County-based social services organization, DCCCA, runs the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dccca.org/program/kansas-naloxone-program/" target="_blank">Kansas Naloxone Program</a>. It has placed five vending machines across the state that distribute naloxone like bags of chips or candy bars. Three more are on the way, said Chrissy Mayer, chief community-based services officer for DCCCA.</p><p>Between October and June, the organization distributed about 40,000 kits of naloxone across Kansas, either through vending machines or by mail. That’s 80,000 doses.</p><p>“We know that overdoses continue to increase, and this is a really easy way to save someone’s life,” Mayer said.</p><p>The organization places boxes at locations in Hutchinson, Lawrence, Kansas City, Kansas, Salina and Wichita, based on data mapping overdose hotspots. New machines are expected soon in Garden City, Overland Park and Pittsburg.</p><p>People who want naloxone from one of DCCCA’s machines enter their zip code on a keypad, then the machine dispenses a kit, Mayer said. The machine in Wichita is typically restocked weekly. In Hutchinson, it’s restocked about every two weeks, and the rest are usually restocked once a month.</p><p>Mayer said “there are some interesting assumptions that people might make” regarding who uses the vending machines. Many who use the vending machines are from what might be classified as more affluent ZIP codes, she said.</p><p>“That just demonstrates opioid overdose affects everybody,” Mayer said.</p><p>She added: “Your ZIP code doesn’t really matter.”</p><p>DCCCA offers multiple&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dccca.org/program/self-paced-training/" target="_blank">training</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dccca.org/request-a-training/" target="_blank">options</a>&nbsp;on its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dccca.org/" target="_blank">website</a>&nbsp;for the proper administration of naloxone.</p><p>The Kansas Attorney General’s Office plans to have naloxone kits available at its table at the Kansas State Fair, which is scheduled for Sept. 5-14 in Hutchinson.</p>

From news rack to naloxone distribution box: Kansas AG wants to expand access to lifesaving kits

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754924754534.png" alt="Image White House video" />
                        <figcaption>Image White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 President Trump announces he is invoking the D.C. Home Rule Act to place the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and deploy the National Guard.<br><br>&quot;This is Liberation Day in D.C. — and we&#39;re going to take our capital BACK.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/aqov60mrCW">pic.twitter.com/aqov60mrCW</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1954916584176443592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 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>: &quot;We&#39;re declaring a public safety emergency in the District of Columbia — and <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AGPamBondi</a> is taking command of the Metropolitan Police Department as of this moment.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/aXP0n5l0dX">pic.twitter.com/aXP0n5l0dX</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1954920633160331525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754924379692.png" alt="Image from White House video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from White House video</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump: &quot;I&#39;m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation&#39;s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor and worse. This is Liberation Day in DC and we&#39;re going to take our capital back. We&#39;re taking it back..&quot; <a href="https://t.co/JpoblecuoB">pic.twitter.com/JpoblecuoB</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1954920835887620252?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 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 Making D.C. Safe Again: &quot;We are going to be removing homeless encampments from all over our parks... We&#39;re getting rid of the people from underpasses and public spaces... We&#39;ll help them as much as you can help.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Gu7O1ySWFz">pic.twitter.com/Gu7O1ySWFz</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1954923844030074956?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Trump places D.C. police under federal control, deploys troops

Deputy Elijah Ming's funeral service will be held Monday, August 11, at Children's Mercy Park, 1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kansas.

The service is open to the public and will begin at 11:00 AM. Parking lots will open at 9:00 AM with stadium gates opening at 9:30 AM. 

Attendees should approach Children’s Mercy Park from State Ave. Public parking will be located on the south side of the stadium in Blue Lot 2 on the grounds of the Kansas Speedway. 

Please, be aware that Village West Parkway and France Family Drive will be closed to public traffic. There will be a Law Enforcement Processional starting 30 minutes following the service, at approximately 1:30 PM. 

The route is posted below. Residents and businesses are invited to line the procession route and to display blue ribbons or signs of support for Deputy Ming’s family.

• East On France Family• South on Village West Pkwy• East on State Ave• South on I-435• East on I-70• North on N. 7th St.• West on State Ave• Ends at N. 94th St. and State AveBurial services will be private.

Deputy Ming’s service will be livestreamed on the Unified Government’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person.Livestream Access Link:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwZf6B6O7uA">Honoring the Life of Fallen Deputy Elijah Ming - YouTube</a>

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753612145888.png" alt="Deputy Elijah MIng courtesy photo" />
                        <figcaption>Deputy Elijah MIng courtesy photo</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Click below to watch the service.</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/cwZf6B6O7uA?si=PNiBbm8-SwMlNoQ-&amp;controls=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>Deputy Elijah Ming's funeral service will be held Monday, August 11, at Children's Mercy Park, 1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kansas.</p><p>The service is open to the public and will begin at 11:00 AM. Parking lots will open at 9:00 AM with stadium gates opening at 9:30 AM. </p><p>Attendees should approach Children’s Mercy Park from State Ave. Public parking will be located on the south side of the stadium in Blue Lot 2 on the grounds of the Kansas Speedway. </p><p>Please, be aware that Village West Parkway and France Family Drive will be closed to public traffic. There will be a Law Enforcement Processional starting 30 minutes following the service, at approximately 1:30 PM. </p><p>The route is posted below. Residents and businesses are invited to line the procession route and to display blue ribbons or signs of support for Deputy Ming’s family.</p><p>The route is as follows -</p><p>• East On France Family• South on Village West Pkwy• East on State Ave• South on I-435• East on I-70• North on N. 7th St.• West on State Ave• Ends at N. 94th St. and State AveBurial services will be private.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754906856069.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Deputy Ming’s service will be livestreamed on the Unified Government’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person.Livestream Access Link:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwZf6B6O7uA">Honoring the Life of Fallen Deputy Elijah Ming - YouTube</a></p>

🎥Funeral service honoring life of Deputy Elijah Ming

KANSAS CITY —Officials are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.

Just before 5a.m. Sunday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire in the 5100 block of East 23rd Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan. 

Crews reported "heavy fire and smoke" showing from a 2-story home and initiated an offensive fire attack, advancing 2 hose lines.

Searches throughout the structure came back "all clear." The fire was reported under control at 5:05 a.m.

KCFD continued with overhaul operations to expose and extinguish hot spots. No injuries were reported at this incident. Dangerous Buildings was ordered to the scene to evaluate the structure.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754827517742.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Fire Dept" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Fire Dept</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Officials are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.</p><p>Just before 5a.m. Sunday, crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire in the 5100 block of East 23rd Street in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan. </p><p>Crews reported "heavy fire and smoke" showing from a 2-story home and initiated an offensive fire attack, advancing 2 hose lines.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754827495943.png" alt="3" />
                        <figcaption>3</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Searches throughout the structure came back "all clear." The fire was reported under control at 5:05 a.m.</p><p>KCFD continued with overhaul operations to expose and extinguish hot spots. No injuries were reported at this incident. Dangerous Buildings was ordered to the scene to evaluate the structure.</p>

Fire consumes 2-story Kansas City home

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754872804646.png" alt="&nbsp;President Trump seen on Sunday in the White House residence room  -image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>&nbsp;President Trump seen on Sunday in the White House residence room  -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/Z9AfU5PVvW">pic.twitter.com/Z9AfU5PVvW</a></p>&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1954877370625823191?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/IpKXCkTbJ7">pic.twitter.com/IpKXCkTbJ7</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1954878435182235906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/mgqy6fCsIw">pic.twitter.com/mgqy6fCsIw</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1954560175941025915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump will hold a press conference at 10AM ET tomorrow in the Briefing Room. Tune in! <a href="https://t.co/MFQNX2yeW5">pic.twitter.com/MFQNX2yeW5</a></p>&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1954714380131533056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 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">Reactions on Day One of increased federal law enforcement in D.C.:<br><br>&quot;It&#39;s awesome that we have extra police presence to keep everybody safe and have them coming back.&quot;<br><br>&quot;If it&#39;s going to stop the crime, yeah — it&#39;s necessary.&quot;<br><br>MAKE D.C. SAFE AGAIN! <a href="https://t.co/ExZOaLxizM">pic.twitter.com/ExZOaLxizM</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1954287936318681233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

'No Mr. Nice Guy': Trump set to clean up Washington, D.C.

OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug&nbsp; and theft allegations. Just after 2p.m. August 7,&nbsp; the Osage County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotic search warrant in the 200 block of North 4th Street in Carbondale, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

 Illegal narcotics and a vehicle that had been stolen from Topeka were located. Two subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on suspicion of request charges:

Sophia D. Munoz, 31, of Topeka: Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana and Possession of stolen property

Paden B. Guthrie, 20, of Topeka, Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754681041913.png" alt="Guthrie photo Osage&nbsp; Co." />
                        <figcaption>Guthrie photo Osage&nbsp; Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug&nbsp; and theft allegations. Just after 2p.m. August 7,&nbsp; the Osage County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotic search warrant in the 200 block of North 4th Street in Carbondale, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.</p><p> Illegal narcotics and a vehicle that had been stolen from Topeka were located. Two subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on suspicion of request charges:</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754680898816.png" alt="Munoz photo Osage&nbsp; Co." />
                        <figcaption>Munoz photo Osage&nbsp; Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Sophia D. Munoz, 31, of Topeka: Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana and Possession of stolen property</p><p>Paden B. Guthrie, 20, of Topeka, Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.</p>

Kansas couple caught with drugs and stolen vehicle

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/laurencross/">Lauren Cross</a>

If you live in a small town, you probably have fewer grocery stores than you did 30 years ago — and fewer choices inside them.

Independent grocers have disappeared, replaced by big national chains that now decide what’s on the shelves, how much it costs, and who gets to profit.

In 1990, the top four grocery chains controlled just 13% of nationwide sales. By 2019, the top four retailers — Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and Ahold Delhaize — controlled 34% of U.S. grocery sales,&nbsp;<a href="https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/publications/106795/EIB-256.pdf?v=40605" target="_blank">according to the USDA</a>.

That concentration hasn’t gone unnoticed. Just last year, the Federal Trade Commission and nine states&nbsp;<a href="https://hpj.com/2024/02/26/ftc-sues-to-block-supermarket-merger/" target="_blank">sued to block a $25 billion merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons</a>, arguing that the deal would harm both shoppers and workers by reducing competition, increasing prices, and consolidating power into fewer hands. The merger has since unraveled, but only after a court battle and mounting public pressure.

In rural counties, market concentration more than doubled between 1990 and 2019, according to USDA data.

One way to measure concentration is the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), a tool used to track monopoly risk. In rural areas, HHI scores jumped from 3,104 to 5,584 — more than twice the threshold where federal antitrust regulators start to worry about competition. According to a 2023 USDA report, the USDA considers anything above 2,500 is considered highly concentrated.

Now that trend may speed up. The White House has proposed nearly $7 billion in USDA budget cuts, including $721 million from&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2025/05/14/trump-says-he-loves-farmers-hes-dismantlintheg-the-agency-helping-their-communities-survive/" target="_blank">Rural Development programs</a>&nbsp;— the ones that help small towns open grocery stores and other local businesses. One program on the chopping block is the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Loan funding for community facilities and rural businesses would also drop by 45%, with no new grant dollars offered.

At the same time, the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative discusses improving nutrition, but proposes cuts to the very programs that help people buy food, including Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), school meal equipment, and farm-to-school efforts.

The bottom line? Rural communities already hit hardest by grocery consolidation are now facing even more roadblocks.

This&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2025/06/18/usda-data-highlights-monopoly-risk-in-rural-grocery-markets/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750436100569.png" alt=" General Manager Brian Horak walks down an aisle at Post 60 Market in Emerson, Nebraska. Locals opened the market as a cooperative in 2022 after the tiny town lost its only grocery store (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)." />
                        <figcaption> General Manager Brian Horak walks down an aisle at Post 60 Market in Emerson, Nebraska. Locals opened the market as a cooperative in 2022 after the tiny town lost its only grocery store (Kevin Hardy/Stateline).</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/laurencross/">Lauren Cross</a></p><p>If you live in a small town, you probably have fewer grocery stores than you did 30 years ago — and fewer choices inside them.</p><p>Independent grocers have disappeared, replaced by big national chains that now decide what’s on the shelves, how much it costs, and who gets to profit.</p><p>In 1990, the top four grocery chains controlled just 13% of nationwide sales. By 2019, the top four retailers — Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and Ahold Delhaize — controlled 34% of U.S. grocery sales,&nbsp;<a href="https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/publications/106795/EIB-256.pdf?v=40605" target="_blank">according to the USDA</a>.</p><p>That concentration hasn’t gone unnoticed. Just last year, the Federal Trade Commission and nine states&nbsp;<a href="https://hpj.com/2024/02/26/ftc-sues-to-block-supermarket-merger/" target="_blank">sued to block a $25 billion merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons</a>, arguing that the deal would harm both shoppers and workers by reducing competition, increasing prices, and consolidating power into fewer hands. The merger has since unraveled, but only after a court battle and mounting public pressure.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750436058104.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>In rural counties, market concentration more than doubled between 1990 and 2019, according to USDA data.</p><p>One way to measure concentration is the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), a tool used to track monopoly risk. In rural areas, HHI scores jumped from 3,104 to 5,584 — more than twice the threshold where federal antitrust regulators start to worry about competition. According to a 2023 USDA report, the USDA considers anything above 2,500 is considered highly concentrated.</p><p>Now that trend may speed up. The White House has proposed nearly $7 billion in USDA budget cuts, including $721 million from&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2025/05/14/trump-says-he-loves-farmers-hes-dismantlintheg-the-agency-helping-their-communities-survive/" target="_blank">Rural Development programs</a>&nbsp;— the ones that help small towns open grocery stores and other local businesses. One program on the chopping block is the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Loan funding for community facilities and rural businesses would also drop by 45%, with no new grant dollars offered.</p><p>At the same time, the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative discusses improving nutrition, but proposes cuts to the very programs that help people buy food, including Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), school meal equipment, and farm-to-school efforts.</p><p>The bottom line? Rural communities already hit hardest by grocery consolidation are now facing even more roadblocks.</p><p>This&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2025/06/18/usda-data-highlights-monopoly-risk-in-rural-grocery-markets/" target="_blank">article</a>&nbsp;first appeared on&nbsp;<a href="https://investigatemidwest.org/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</a>&nbsp;and is republished here under a&nbsp;<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://investigatemidwest.org/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=754059&amp;ga4=G-R9VE8P61LG" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure>

USDA data highlights monopoly risk in rural grocery market

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just after 10p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting in 3600 block of Norton in Kansas City, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

On arrival officers were led inside a residence where they located a juvenile teen shooting victim unresponsive. Officers summoned EMS to the scene who transported the girl to the hospital. She was declared deceased by medical personnel at the hospital. 

Homicide detectives responded to the scene and are investigating.

Preliminary investigation indicates the victim was inside a residence at the location when gunfire from an unknown suspect or suspects came from outside the residence to the inside, striking her.&nbsp; Police have no known suspect information.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754840034182.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.</p><p>Just after 10p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a shooting in 3600 block of Norton in Kansas City, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.</p><p>On arrival officers were led inside a residence where they located a juvenile teen shooting victim unresponsive. Officers summoned EMS to the scene who transported the girl to the hospital. She was declared deceased by medical personnel at the hospital. </p><p>Homicide detectives responded to the scene and are investigating.</p><p>Preliminary investigation indicates the victim was inside a residence at the location when gunfire from an unknown suspect or suspects came from outside the residence to the inside, striking her.&nbsp; Police have no known suspect information.</p>

KCPD: Girl injured from shots fired outside her home has died

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

WASHINGTON — Fueled by President Donald Trump’s aims to bolster the U.S. House’s razor-thin GOP majority in the 2026 midterm elections, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/04/texas-redistricting-democrats-quorum-break-what-need-know/" target="_blank">rare mid-decade redistricting fight</a>&nbsp;in Texas grew increasingly bitter in recent days and engulfed other states.

As Democratic legislators in the Lone Star State fled to block a new congressional map, a handful of both blue and red states eyed their own redistricting plans, lawsuits cropped up and members of Congress pledged bills to curb redistricting wars.

While Texas is the only state that has so far taken formal action to redraw its U.S. House lines, a full-blown arms race could be imminent.

Here’s a breakdown on the redistricting battle as the drama unfolds:

How did all of this interest in redistricting kick off?

Republicans in Texas drew a new congressional map at the urging of Trump that could give the GOP five crucial new congressional seats in 2026.

Midterm elections typically lead to the loss of congressional seats for a president’s party.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the GOP&nbsp;<a href="https://pressgallery.house.gov/member-data/party-breakdown" target="_blank">currently holds</a>&nbsp;219 seats in the House, while Democrats hold 212 spots, with four vacancies. That extremely narrow majority has created immense challenges for U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, as he tries to enact Trump’s sweeping agenda and cater to the president’s demands as well as factions in the GOP conference.

Though congressional districts are typically redrawn every decade following each U.S. Census, the move, particularly in Texas, is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/texas-redistricting-history-partisan-apportionment-democrats-legislature/" target="_blank">not unprecedented</a>&nbsp;and is allowed.

Texas Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/30/texas-redistricting-congressional-maps-house-republicans/" target="_blank">unveiled a draft</a>&nbsp;of the new congressional map in late July, which looks to reshape and flip major metro areas’ districts held by Democrats.

According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/01/texas-congressional-redistricting-doj-coalition-districts/?_bhlid=7f2627553c4e88985dcc13d559313ade1585940b" target="_blank">The Texas Tribune</a>, the Department of Justice sent Texas’ leaders a letter in early July that said four of its districts violate the U.S. Constitution. The proposed map would dismantle those districts, per the Tribune.

More than 50 of Texas’ Democratic legislators left the state to try to block the legislature from adopting the new map, according to the Tribune.

This move has drawn the ire of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/05/texas-democrats-ken-paxton-court-vacate-seats-quorum-break/" target="_blank">Texas Gov. Greg Abbott</a>, who went so far as to&nbsp;<a href="https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-files-lawsuit-seeking-removal-of-texas-democrat-caucus-chair-representative-wu" target="_blank">file a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;asking to remove the Texas House Democratic Caucus chair, state Rep. Gene Wu, after Wu left the state.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also&nbsp;<a href="https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-will-seek-judicial-orders-declaring-runaway-democrats-who-abandon-their" target="_blank">said Tuesday</a>&nbsp;that he will pursue a court ruling that declares the seats vacant for the House Democrats who do not return by Friday.

Texas GOP U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-urges-fbi-to-investigate-hold-fleeing-texas-legislators-accountable/" target="_blank">called on the FBI</a>&nbsp;“to take any appropriate steps to aid in Texas state law enforcement efforts to locate or arrest potential lawbreakers who have fled the state.” Trump on Tuesday, asked by a reporter if the FBI should “get involved,” said, “Well, they may have to.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been among the most vocal Democratic governors in suggesting retaliating against Texas Republicans by redrawing his populous blue state’s own lines before the 2026 elections.

State laws in California and other Democratic states make mid-decade redistricting tougher than it is in Texas.

While pro-democracy groups have praised California’s nonpartisan commission as the “gold standard” of independent redistricting, Newsom has indicated he would ask state lawmakers to temporarily scrap it to join the arms race he says Trump started in Texas.

At a Monday press conference, Newsom justified his exploration of mid-decade redistricting in the Golden State by describing Trump’s recent and historic record as anti-democratic.

“These folks don’t play by the rules,” Newsom said. “If they can’t win playing the game with the existing set of rules, they’ll change the rules. That’s what Donald Trump has done … Here is someone who tried to break this country, tried to light democracy on fire on Jan. 6. He recognizes he’s going to lose in the midterms.”

What other states are looking at potentially redistricting?

Vice President JD Vance is slated to visit Indiana Thursday in an attempt to push redistricting, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/08/05/vice-president-heads-to-indiana-to-push-redistricting-but-legalities-remain-unclear/" target="_blank">Indiana Capital Chronicle</a>.

Indiana GOP Gov. Mike Braun said that as of now, no commitments have been made, when asked about redistricting efforts in the Hoosier State, per the Capital Chronicle.

Leaders of large Democratic states, in addition to California, are considering their own redistricting in response to Texas.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/texas-redistricting-new-york-kathy-hochul-20802629.php?emci=f5933625-3c72-f011-8dc9-6045bda9d96b&amp;emdi=85ee365f-d072-f011-8dc9-6045bda9d96b&amp;ceid=37942749" target="_blank">op-ed published in the Houston Chronicle</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that she would “not sit on the sidelines” and watch “Republicans dismantle democracy.”

“What Texas is doing isn’t a clever strategy, it’s political arson — torching our democracy to cling to power,” Hochul wrote. “The only viable recourse is to fight fire with fire.”

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker appeared alongside Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin and a group of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/texas-dems-flee-illinois-block-redistricting-vote" target="_blank">exiled Texas Democratic lawmakers</a>&nbsp;at a news conference Tuesday. Pritzker said it was “possible” the state would pursue redistricting,&nbsp;<a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/illinois-governor/2025/08/05/jb-pritzker-illinois-remap-texas-democrats-greg-abbott" target="_blank">according to the Chicago Sun-Times</a>.

Other Democratic governors — even including Laura Kelly of ruby-red Kansas — raised the prospect during a Democratic Governors Association&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/08/01/democratic-governors-endorse-mid-decade-redistricting-in-response-to-gop-efforts/" target="_blank">meeting in Wisconsin last week</a>&nbsp;of pursuing mid-decade redistricting if Texas follows through.

Republican states are also considering jumping in the fray.

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Republican, told a news radio station last week that it was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/02/missouri-senate-leader-says-special-session-is-likely-to-redraw-congressional-map/" target="_blank">“likely”</a>&nbsp;lawmakers would convene in a special session to redraw district lines after&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/25/trump-white-house-pressing-missouri-republicans-to-redraw-congressional-map/" target="_blank">pressure from Trump</a>.

And Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican who holds the most competitive of Nebraska’s three U.S. House seats but plans to step down,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/06/nebraska-might-join-national-wildfire-of-mid-decade-redistricting/" target="_blank">told the Nebraska Examiner</a>&nbsp;that Republicans in the state were having conversations about potential redistricting.

An arms race to shorten the cycle for redrawing congressional lines could come at a cost for efforts to overhaul the redistricting process.

Common Cause, a national pro-democracy group that advocates for election reforms including nonpartisan redistricting, urged Democrats not to respond to Texas.

A redistricting arms race would only result in “rigged elections across America,” Emily Eby French, the policy director for Common Cause Texas,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/good-government-group-urges-blue-states-back-away-redistricting-arms-race" target="_blank">said on a press call last week</a>. It was wrong for Republicans to put “a thumb on the scale” through redistricting, she said, but also wrong for Democrats to do the same.

“The real solution is for Democrats to help us lift the Republican thumb off of the Texas scale and every other scale in America until we reach free and fair elections for everyone.”

Trump, whose urging appeared to prompt Texas Republicans to action, has consistently pushed lawmakers in that state to reinforce the GOP advantage there.

Tuesday, he said on CNBC that Republicans were “entitled” to five more House seats in Texas.

Martin, the DNC chair, responded in Illinois.

“No party is entitled to any district,” he said. “We have to go out and earn the votes.”

Still, Martin advised Democrats in blue states to do the opposite by responding in kind to Texas Republicans.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gun-knife-fight-democrats-chief-pledges-more-pugnacious-party-more-states" target="_blank">an interview with States Newsroom last week</a>, Martin suggested Democratic states drop any commitment to nonpartisan redistricting in response to Texas.

“We’re not here to tie one of our hands behind our back,” he said. “We can’t be the only party that’s playing by the rules.”

At least two GOP House lawmakers — representing blue states looking at retaliatory redistricting efforts against Trump — are taking it upon themselves to introduce bills in Congress that bar these initiatives.

GOP Rep. Kevin Kiley of California&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepKiley/status/1952851943912817083" target="_blank">introduced a bill</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4889/text" target="_blank">House</a>&nbsp;this week that would ban mid-decade redistricting across the country.

Kiley said Newsom “is trying to subvert the will of voters and do lasting damage to democracy in California,” in a&nbsp;<a href="https://kiley.house.gov/posts/rep-kiley-to-introduce-redistricting-legislation" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;earlier this week.

“Fortunately, Congress has the ability to protect California voters using its authority under the Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution,” he said. “This will also stop a damaging redistricting war from breaking out across the country.”

Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, also said he&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepMikeLawler/status/1952871627852833110" target="_blank">plans to introduce legislation</a>&nbsp;to prohibit “partisan gerrymandering and mid-decade redistricting.”

The New York Republican told CNN on Tuesday that “this is fundamentally why Congress is broken,” adding that “you do not have competitive districts and so, most members are focused on primaries and not actually engaging in a general election.”&nbsp;

<p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">Shauneen Miranda</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/author/jacob-fischler/">Jacob Fischler</a>&nbsp;<br><a href="https://stateline.org/">Stateline</a></p><p>WASHINGTON — Fueled by President Donald Trump’s aims to bolster the U.S. House’s razor-thin GOP majority in the 2026 midterm elections, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/04/texas-redistricting-democrats-quorum-break-what-need-know/" target="_blank">rare mid-decade redistricting fight</a>&nbsp;in Texas grew increasingly bitter in recent days and engulfed other states.</p><p>As Democratic legislators in the Lone Star State fled to block a new congressional map, a handful of both blue and red states eyed their own redistricting plans, lawsuits cropped up and members of Congress pledged bills to curb redistricting wars.</p><p>While Texas is the only state that has so far taken formal action to redraw its U.S. House lines, a full-blown arms race could be imminent.</p><p>Here’s a breakdown on the redistricting battle as the drama unfolds:</p><h2>How did all of this interest in redistricting kick off?</h2><p>Republicans in Texas drew a new congressional map at the urging of Trump that could give the GOP five crucial new congressional seats in 2026.</p><p>Midterm elections typically lead to the loss of congressional seats for a president’s party.&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, the GOP&nbsp;<a href="https://pressgallery.house.gov/member-data/party-breakdown" target="_blank">currently holds</a>&nbsp;219 seats in the House, while Democrats hold 212 spots, with four vacancies. That extremely narrow majority has created immense challenges for U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, as he tries to enact Trump’s sweeping agenda and cater to the president’s demands as well as factions in the GOP conference.</p><p>Though congressional districts are typically redrawn every decade following each U.S. Census, the move, particularly in Texas, is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/texas-redistricting-history-partisan-apportionment-democrats-legislature/" target="_blank">not unprecedented</a>&nbsp;and is allowed.</p><h2>What’s going on in Texas?</h2><p>Texas Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/30/texas-redistricting-congressional-maps-house-republicans/" target="_blank">unveiled a draft</a>&nbsp;of the new congressional map in late July, which looks to reshape and flip major metro areas’ districts held by Democrats.</p><p>According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/01/texas-congressional-redistricting-doj-coalition-districts/?_bhlid=7f2627553c4e88985dcc13d559313ade1585940b" target="_blank">The Texas Tribune</a>, the Department of Justice sent Texas’ leaders a letter in early July that said four of its districts violate the U.S. Constitution. The proposed map would dismantle those districts, per the Tribune.</p><p>More than 50 of Texas’ Democratic legislators left the state to try to block the legislature from adopting the new map, according to the Tribune.</p><p>This move has drawn the ire of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/05/texas-democrats-ken-paxton-court-vacate-seats-quorum-break/" target="_blank">Texas Gov. Greg Abbott</a>, who went so far as to&nbsp;<a href="https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-files-lawsuit-seeking-removal-of-texas-democrat-caucus-chair-representative-wu" target="_blank">file a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;asking to remove the Texas House Democratic Caucus chair, state Rep. Gene Wu, after Wu left the state.</p><p>Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also&nbsp;<a href="https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-will-seek-judicial-orders-declaring-runaway-democrats-who-abandon-their" target="_blank">said Tuesday</a>&nbsp;that he will pursue a court ruling that declares the seats vacant for the House Democrats who do not return by Friday.</p><p>Texas GOP U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-urges-fbi-to-investigate-hold-fleeing-texas-legislators-accountable/" target="_blank">called on the FBI</a>&nbsp;“to take any appropriate steps to aid in Texas state law enforcement efforts to locate or arrest potential lawbreakers who have fled the state.” Trump on Tuesday, asked by a reporter if the FBI should “get involved,” said, “Well, they may have to.”</p><h2>How is California reacting?</h2><p>California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been among the most vocal Democratic governors in suggesting retaliating against Texas Republicans by redrawing his populous blue state’s own lines before the 2026 elections.</p><p>State laws in California and other Democratic states make mid-decade redistricting tougher than it is in Texas.</p><p>While pro-democracy groups have praised California’s nonpartisan commission as the “gold standard” of independent redistricting, Newsom has indicated he would ask state lawmakers to temporarily scrap it to join the arms race he says Trump started in Texas.</p><p>At a Monday press conference, Newsom justified his exploration of mid-decade redistricting in the Golden State by describing Trump’s recent and historic record as anti-democratic.</p><p>“These folks don’t play by the rules,” Newsom said. “If they can’t win playing the game with the existing set of rules, they’ll change the rules. That’s what Donald Trump has done … Here is someone who tried to break this country, tried to light democracy on fire on Jan. 6. He recognizes he’s going to lose in the midterms.”</p><h2>What other states are looking at potentially redistricting?</h2><p>Vice President JD Vance is slated to visit Indiana Thursday in an attempt to push redistricting, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/08/05/vice-president-heads-to-indiana-to-push-redistricting-but-legalities-remain-unclear/" target="_blank">Indiana Capital Chronicle</a>.</p><p>Indiana GOP Gov. Mike Braun said that as of now, no commitments have been made, when asked about redistricting efforts in the Hoosier State, per the Capital Chronicle.</p><p>Leaders of large Democratic states, in addition to California, are considering their own redistricting in response to Texas.</p><p>New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/texas-redistricting-new-york-kathy-hochul-20802629.php?emci=f5933625-3c72-f011-8dc9-6045bda9d96b&amp;emdi=85ee365f-d072-f011-8dc9-6045bda9d96b&amp;ceid=37942749" target="_blank">op-ed published in the Houston Chronicle</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that she would “not sit on the sidelines” and watch “Republicans dismantle democracy.”</p><p>“What Texas is doing isn’t a clever strategy, it’s political arson — torching our democracy to cling to power,” Hochul wrote. “The only viable recourse is to fight fire with fire.”</p><p>Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker appeared alongside Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin and a group of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/texas-dems-flee-illinois-block-redistricting-vote" target="_blank">exiled Texas Democratic lawmakers</a>&nbsp;at a news conference Tuesday. Pritzker said it was “possible” the state would pursue redistricting,&nbsp;<a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/illinois-governor/2025/08/05/jb-pritzker-illinois-remap-texas-democrats-greg-abbott" target="_blank">according to the Chicago Sun-Times</a>.</p><p>Other Democratic governors — even including Laura Kelly of ruby-red Kansas — raised the prospect during a Democratic Governors Association&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/08/01/democratic-governors-endorse-mid-decade-redistricting-in-response-to-gop-efforts/" target="_blank">meeting in Wisconsin last week</a>&nbsp;of pursuing mid-decade redistricting if Texas follows through.</p><p>Republican states are also considering jumping in the fray.</p><p>Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin, a Republican, told a news radio station last week that it was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/08/02/missouri-senate-leader-says-special-session-is-likely-to-redraw-congressional-map/" target="_blank">“likely”</a>&nbsp;lawmakers would convene in a special session to redraw district lines after&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/25/trump-white-house-pressing-missouri-republicans-to-redraw-congressional-map/" target="_blank">pressure from Trump</a>.</p><p>And Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican who holds the most competitive of Nebraska’s three U.S. House seats but plans to step down,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/06/nebraska-might-join-national-wildfire-of-mid-decade-redistricting/" target="_blank">told the Nebraska Examiner</a>&nbsp;that Republicans in the state were having conversations about potential redistricting.</p><h2>What downside do some see?</h2><p>An arms race to shorten the cycle for redrawing congressional lines could come at a cost for efforts to overhaul the redistricting process.</p><p>Common Cause, a national pro-democracy group that advocates for election reforms including nonpartisan redistricting, urged Democrats not to respond to Texas.</p><p>A redistricting arms race would only result in “rigged elections across America,” Emily Eby French, the policy director for Common Cause Texas,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/good-government-group-urges-blue-states-back-away-redistricting-arms-race" target="_blank">said on a press call last week</a>. It was wrong for Republicans to put “a thumb on the scale” through redistricting, she said, but also wrong for Democrats to do the same.</p><p>“The real solution is for Democrats to help us lift the Republican thumb off of the Texas scale and every other scale in America until we reach free and fair elections for everyone.”</p><h2>Are party leaders egging this on?</h2><p>Trump, whose urging appeared to prompt Texas Republicans to action, has consistently pushed lawmakers in that state to reinforce the GOP advantage there.</p><p>Tuesday, he said on CNBC that Republicans were “entitled” to five more House seats in Texas.</p><p>Martin, the DNC chair, responded in Illinois.</p><p>“No party is entitled to any district,” he said. “We have to go out and earn the votes.”</p><p>Still, Martin advised Democrats in blue states to do the opposite by responding in kind to Texas Republicans.</p><p>In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gun-knife-fight-democrats-chief-pledges-more-pugnacious-party-more-states" target="_blank">an interview with States Newsroom last week</a>, Martin suggested Democratic states drop any commitment to nonpartisan redistricting in response to Texas.</p><p>“We’re not here to tie one of our hands behind our back,” he said. “We can’t be the only party that’s playing by the rules.”</p><h2>How is Congress reacting?</h2><p>At least two GOP House lawmakers — representing blue states looking at retaliatory redistricting efforts against Trump — are taking it upon themselves to introduce bills in Congress that bar these initiatives.</p><p>GOP Rep. Kevin Kiley of California&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepKiley/status/1952851943912817083" target="_blank">introduced a bill</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4889/text" target="_blank">House</a>&nbsp;this week that would ban mid-decade redistricting across the country.</p><p>Kiley said Newsom “is trying to subvert the will of voters and do lasting damage to democracy in California,” in a&nbsp;<a href="https://kiley.house.gov/posts/rep-kiley-to-introduce-redistricting-legislation" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;earlier this week.</p><p>“Fortunately, Congress has the ability to protect California voters using its authority under the Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution,” he said. “This will also stop a damaging redistricting war from breaking out across the country.”</p><p>Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, also said he&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/RepMikeLawler/status/1952871627852833110" target="_blank">plans to introduce legislation</a>&nbsp;to prohibit “partisan gerrymandering and mid-decade redistricting.”</p><p>The New York Republican told CNN on Tuesday that “this is fundamentally why Congress is broken,” adding that “you do not have competitive districts and so, most members are focused on primaries and not actually engaging in a general election.”&nbsp;</p>

Why congressional redistricting is blowing up across the US this summer

TOPEKA —A federal judge in the District of Kansas sentenced defendant Kaaba Majeed, 51, to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for forced labor and forced labor conspiracy. The court sentenced co-defendants Yunus Rassoul, 39, to five years of probation; James Staton, 63, to five years in prison and one year of supervised release; Randolph Rodney Hadley, 50, to five years in prison and one year of supervised release; Daniel Aubrey Jenkins, 44, to four years in prison and one year of supervised release; and Dana Peach, 60, to four years in prison and one year of supervised release for forced labor conspiracy.

In September 2024, after a 26-day trial, a jury convicted all six defendants of forced labor conspiracy and convicted Majeed of five additional counts of forced labor. Two other co-defendants, Etenia Kinard, 49, and Jacelyn Greenwell, 46 who previously pleaded guilty to the forced labor conspiracy, are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 22.

“Labor trafficking of children is an egregious crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These sentences reflect our relentless pursuit of perpetrators and our determination to seek justice for survivors of human trafficking.”

“The defendants were entrusted to care for and nurture vulnerable children but instead chose to exploit and abuse them,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser for the District of Kansas. “Although these crimes were committed many years ago and the children are now adults, the sentences handed down today reflect how the passage of time did not diminish the Department of Justice’s resolve to hold these human traffickers accountable and seek justice for their victims.”

“The FBI works closely with numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, as well as non-governmental agencies and other nonprofits on the front lines to combat human trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “This case highlights the value of those partnerships. The Kansas City FBI will continue to prioritize the safety of our community and thanks the Department of Labor and the New York State Department of Labor for their invaluable assistance.”

As established at trial, all six defendants were former high-ranking members of the United Nation of Islam (UNOI) who assisted UNOI’s late founder Royall Jenkins in managing UNOI operations. Defendant Peach was also one of Jenkins’s wives. Jenkins represented himself as Allah, contrary to principles of the Islamic faith, and demanded compliance with strict UNOI rules. UNOI operated multiple businesses including restaurants, bakeries, gas stations, a laboratory, and a clothing factory.

For over 12 years from October 2000 through November 2012, the defendants conspired to enforce rules that required UNOI members to perform unpaid labor, using beatings, threats, punishments, isolation, and coercion to compel the unpaid labor of over a dozen victims, including multiple minors, some as young as eight years old. The defendants required the victims to work up to 16 hours a day performing unpaid labor in UNOI-owned and operated businesses in Kansas City, Kansas; New York, New York; Newark, New Jersey; Cincinnati, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia, and elsewhere. The defendants also required the victims to perform unpaid childcare and domestic service in the defendants’ homes. The evidence showed that the defendants lived comfortably while housing the victims in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions along with restricting their food and water.

As proven at trial, the defendants used false promises of education, life skills training, and job training to induce parents to send their children to Kansas. After isolating the victims from their families and making them wholly dependent on UNOI, the defendants required the victims to attend UNOI’s unlicensed, unaccredited school and used strict rules, isolation, punishments, humiliation, threats, and coercion to compel the victims’ unpaid labor. This included restricting and monitoring the victims’ communications with others along with their whereabouts. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The FBI Kansas City Field Office investigated the case with the assistance of the Department of Labor and the New York State Department of Labor.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorneys Kate Alexander, Maryam Zhuravitsky, and Francisco Zornosa of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635365692259.png" alt="All six defendants were former high-ranking members of the United Nation of Islam (UNOI) who assisted UNOI’s late founder Royall Jenkins in managing UNOI operations. Royall Jenkins-image from the organization's Youtube page" />
                        <figcaption>All six defendants were former high-ranking members of the United Nation of Islam (UNOI) who assisted UNOI’s late founder Royall Jenkins in managing UNOI operations. Royall Jenkins-image from the organization's Youtube page</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>TOPEKA —A federal judge in the District of Kansas sentenced defendant Kaaba Majeed, 51, to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for forced labor and forced labor conspiracy. The court sentenced co-defendants Yunus Rassoul, 39, to five years of probation; James Staton, 63, to five years in prison and one year of supervised release; Randolph Rodney Hadley, 50, to five years in prison and one year of supervised release; Daniel Aubrey Jenkins, 44, to four years in prison and one year of supervised release; and Dana Peach, 60, to four years in prison and one year of supervised release for forced labor conspiracy.</p><p>In September 2024, after a 26-day trial, a jury convicted all six defendants of forced labor conspiracy and convicted Majeed of five additional counts of forced labor. Two other co-defendants, Etenia Kinard, 49, and Jacelyn Greenwell, 46 who previously pleaded guilty to the forced labor conspiracy, are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 22.</p><p>“Labor trafficking of children is an egregious crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These sentences reflect our relentless pursuit of perpetrators and our determination to seek justice for survivors of human trafficking.”</p><p>“The defendants were entrusted to care for and nurture vulnerable children but instead chose to exploit and abuse them,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser for the District of Kansas. “Although these crimes were committed many years ago and the children are now adults, the sentences handed down today reflect how the passage of time did not diminish the Department of Justice’s resolve to hold these human traffickers accountable and seek justice for their victims.”</p><p>“The FBI works closely with numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, as well as non-governmental agencies and other nonprofits on the front lines to combat human trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “This case highlights the value of those partnerships. The Kansas City FBI will continue to prioritize the safety of our community and thanks the Department of Labor and the New York State Department of Labor for their invaluable assistance.”</p><p>As established at trial, all six defendants were former high-ranking members of the United Nation of Islam (UNOI) who assisted UNOI’s late founder Royall Jenkins in managing UNOI operations. Defendant Peach was also one of Jenkins’s wives. Jenkins represented himself as Allah, contrary to principles of the Islamic faith, and demanded compliance with strict UNOI rules. UNOI operated multiple businesses including restaurants, bakeries, gas stations, a laboratory, and a clothing factory.</p><p>For over 12 years from October 2000 through November 2012, the defendants conspired to enforce rules that required UNOI members to perform unpaid labor, using beatings, threats, punishments, isolation, and coercion to compel the unpaid labor of over a dozen victims, including multiple minors, some as young as eight years old. The defendants required the victims to work up to 16 hours a day performing unpaid labor in UNOI-owned and operated businesses in Kansas City, Kansas; New York, New York; Newark, New Jersey; Cincinnati, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia, and elsewhere. The defendants also required the victims to perform unpaid childcare and domestic service in the defendants’ homes. The evidence showed that the defendants lived comfortably while housing the victims in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions along with restricting their food and water.</p><p>As proven at trial, the defendants used false promises of education, life skills training, and job training to induce parents to send their children to Kansas. After isolating the victims from their families and making them wholly dependent on UNOI, the defendants required the victims to attend UNOI’s unlicensed, unaccredited school and used strict rules, isolation, punishments, humiliation, threats, and coercion to compel the victims’ unpaid labor. This included restricting and monitoring the victims’ communications with others along with their whereabouts. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The FBI Kansas City Field Office investigated the case with the assistance of the Department of Labor and the New York State Department of Labor.</p><p>Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Huschka for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorneys Kate Alexander, Maryam Zhuravitsky, and Francisco Zornosa of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case</p>

Child abuse: Prison for members of religious group tied to Kansas

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will remove former Missouri Republican U.S. Rep. Billy Long from his post as head of the Internal Revenue Service less than two months after his confirmation, according to the White House Friday.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will step in as commissioner of the agency tasked with enforcing tax law and collecting revenue, according to a White House official. Long’s sudden departure was first reported by the New York Times.

Long wrote on social media that Trump will now appoint him to be U.S. ambassador to Iceland. The White House confirmed Long’s statement.

“It is a honor to serve my friend&nbsp;President Trump and I am excited to take on my new role as the ambassador to Iceland. I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!” Long wrote.

The former lawmaker’s ouster comes as the IRS must begin to implement changes to the tax code&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-passes-massive-tax-break-and-spending-cut-bill-sending-it-trump" target="_blank">championed</a>&nbsp;by Senate Republicans and signed into law by Trump just last month. Those include temporary tax relief for some tipped and overtime workers, as well as permanent changes to the child tax credit and several clean energy tax credits.

The agency, which collects the lion’s share of the country’s revenue from individual taxpayers, lost more than 11,000 employees, or 11% of its workforce, either through deferred resignations or mass firings of probationary workers since Trump began his second term, according to a May 2&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tigta.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2025-05/2025ier017fr.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the agency’s inspector general.

Long, who represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023 and then worked many years as a talk radio host, was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/billy-long-confirmed-internal-revenue-service-commissioner" target="_blank">confirmed</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Senate in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00308.htm" target="_blank">53-44</a>&nbsp;vote on June 12.

The former lawmaker and media personality faced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/irs-nominee-billy-long-probed-democrats-over-nonexistent-tribal-tax-credits" target="_blank">scrutiny</a>&nbsp;during his confirmation process from Senate Democrats who demanded an investigation into Long’s work with two companies, Capital Edge Strategies and White River, where he allegedly peddled fake tax credits.

Senate Democrats also scrutinized donations Long received to his defunct Senate campaign after Trump announced in December he intended to install the former congressman at the helm of the IRS.

Long denied any wrongdoing, and received the support of all Senate Republicans, including Senate Committee on Finance Chair Mike Crapo, of Idaho, who praised Long’s promise to “implement a top-down culture change at the agency.”

‘One corruption bombshell after another’

Sen. Ron Wyden, the committee’s top Democrat, said in a statement Friday that&nbsp;“it was obvious this would end badly, but every Senate Republican voted to confirm his nomination anyway.”

“He didn’t even last two months on the job. Let’s not forget that there wasn’t a vacancy at the time Trump announced Long’s nomination. Danny Werfel, a skilled leader with fans among Democrats and Republicans, had years left on his term,” the Oregon lawmaker said.

Upon Long’s confirmation, Wyden said the vote should have been an “easy no” for Republicans.

“It’s one corruption bombshell after another with former Congressman Billy Long,” he said in June.

States Newsroom reached out to what appeared to be Long’s phone number for comment.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754682615731.png" alt="Billy Long, former Missouri Congressman, photo IRS" />
                        <figcaption>Billy Long, former Missouri Congressman, photo IRS</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ashley-murray/">Ashley Murray</a>&nbsp;</p><p>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will remove former Missouri Republican U.S. Rep. Billy Long from his post as head of the Internal Revenue Service less than two months after his confirmation, according to the White House Friday.</p><p>Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will step in as commissioner of the agency tasked with enforcing tax law and collecting revenue, according to a White House official. Long’s sudden departure was first reported by the New York Times.</p><p>Long wrote on social media that Trump will now appoint him to be U.S. ambassador to Iceland. The White House confirmed Long’s statement.</p><p>“It is a honor to serve my friend&nbsp;President Trump and I am excited to take on my new role as the ambassador to Iceland. I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!” Long wrote.</p><p>The former lawmaker’s ouster comes as the IRS must begin to implement changes to the tax code&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-passes-massive-tax-break-and-spending-cut-bill-sending-it-trump" target="_blank">championed</a>&nbsp;by Senate Republicans and signed into law by Trump just last month. Those include temporary tax relief for some tipped and overtime workers, as well as permanent changes to the child tax credit and several clean energy tax credits.</p><p>The agency, which collects the lion’s share of the country’s revenue from individual taxpayers, lost more than 11,000 employees, or 11% of its workforce, either through deferred resignations or mass firings of probationary workers since Trump began his second term, according to a May 2&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tigta.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2025-05/2025ier017fr.pdf" target="_blank">report</a>&nbsp;from the agency’s inspector general.</p><h2>Confirmed in June</h2><p>Long, who represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023 and then worked many years as a talk radio host, was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/billy-long-confirmed-internal-revenue-service-commissioner" target="_blank">confirmed</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Senate in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00308.htm" target="_blank">53-44</a>&nbsp;vote on June 12.</p><p>The former lawmaker and media personality faced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/irs-nominee-billy-long-probed-democrats-over-nonexistent-tribal-tax-credits" target="_blank">scrutiny</a>&nbsp;during his confirmation process from Senate Democrats who demanded an investigation into Long’s work with two companies, Capital Edge Strategies and White River, where he allegedly peddled fake tax credits.</p><p>Senate Democrats also scrutinized donations Long received to his defunct Senate campaign after Trump announced in December he intended to install the former congressman at the helm of the IRS.</p><p>Long denied any wrongdoing, and received the support of all Senate Republicans, including Senate Committee on Finance Chair Mike Crapo, of Idaho, who praised Long’s promise to “implement a top-down culture change at the agency.”</p><h2>‘One corruption bombshell after another’</h2><p>Sen. Ron Wyden, the committee’s top Democrat, said in a statement Friday that&nbsp;“it was obvious this would end badly, but every Senate Republican voted to confirm his nomination anyway.”</p><p>“He didn’t even last two months on the job. Let’s not forget that there wasn’t a vacancy at the time Trump announced Long’s nomination. Danny Werfel, a skilled leader with fans among Democrats and Republicans, had years left on his term,” the Oregon lawmaker said.</p><p>Upon Long’s confirmation, Wyden said the vote should have been an “easy no” for Republicans.</p><p>“It’s one corruption bombshell after another with former Congressman Billy Long,” he said in June.</p><p>States Newsroom reached out to what appeared to be Long’s phone number for comment.</p>

Missouri’s Billy Long ousted by Trump as IRS chief after less than 2 months in office

ALLEN COUNTY — A Kansas man was hospitalized after a grain bin accident in rural Allen County.

Just before 8p.m. Thursday emergency crews responded to the Bernsten Farms, 3061 Utah Road near La Harpe, according to a statement from The&nbsp;Allen County Sheriff’s Office.

The farmer was working inside the 10,000 bushel bin when the corn shifted and he was trapped. After four hours, emergency crews were able to extricate him through the roof. He was transported to the Allen County Hospital

Crews from La Harpe, Iola, Colony and Anderson County assisted in the rescue.&nbsp;

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754702271561.png" alt="Photos Allen County Sheriff'f office" />
                        <figcaption>Photos Allen County Sheriff'f office</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>ALLEN COUNTY — A Kansas man was hospitalized after a grain bin accident in rural Allen County.</p><p>Just before 8p.m. Thursday emergency crews responded to the Bernsten Farms, 3061 Utah Road near La Harpe, according to a statement from The&nbsp;Allen County Sheriff’s Office.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754743823489.png" alt="" />
                        <figcaption></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>The farmer was working inside the 10,000 bushel bin when the corn shifted and he was trapped. After four hours, emergency crews were able to extricate him through the roof. He was transported to the Allen County Hospital</p><p>Crews from La Harpe, Iola, Colony and Anderson County assisted in the rescue.&nbsp;</p>

Kansas man rescued after trapped for hours in grain bin

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Donald J. Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sign peace and economic agreements at the White House <a href="https://t.co/yUvKZf0g0r">pic.twitter.com/yUvKZf0g0r</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953914524081201264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 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">Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev <a href="https://twitter.com/presidentaz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@presidentaz</a>: We will turn the page of standoff, confrontation, and bloodshed ... I am very happy because today, we are writing a great new history. Mr. President, thank you for what you are doing for us, for our region, and for the whole world. <a href="https://t.co/5FPTM0afwf">pic.twitter.com/5FPTM0afwf</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953913464629735696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 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">Armenian Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/NikolPashinyan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NikolPashinyan</a>: &quot;I think President Trump deserves to have the Nobel Peace Prize... we will promote for that... Today&#39;s event I think is a very bright expression of that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/p7nzMswU8l">https://t.co/p7nzMswU8l</a> <a href="https://t.co/pk0AqmaMYd">pic.twitter.com/pk0AqmaMYd</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953915878287851540?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 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/presidentaz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@presidentaz</a>: &quot;Maybe we agree with Prime Minister Pashinyan to send a joint appeal to the Nobel committee to award President Trump with the Nobel Peace Prize... This is a tangible result of President Trump&#39;s leadership and no one could&#39;ve achieved that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/CVE1GkXL5X">pic.twitter.com/CVE1GkXL5X</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953916600542757100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump seals peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan

CLAY COUNTY, Mo. —Investigators have positively identified the individual whose body was located in the Missouri River on Wednesday evening as&nbsp;32-year-old Dusenge Y. Mukiza of Kansas City, Kansas, according to a statement from the Clay County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office.

&nbsp;An autopsy revealed no evidence of trauma or foul play.

Just after 8:30p.m. a couple who were fishing called 911 and reported seeing a body in the water near 210 Highway and Edwards Road. 

When deputies arrived, they found Mukiz'a body of the man on the north side of the river. The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Water Patrol Division assisted with recovering the body.

<p>CLAY COUNTY, Mo. —Investigators have positively identified the individual whose body was located in the Missouri River on Wednesday evening as&nbsp;32-year-old Dusenge Y. Mukiza of Kansas City, Kansas, according to a statement from the Clay County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office.</p><p>&nbsp;An autopsy revealed no evidence of trauma or foul play.</p><p>Just after 8:30p.m. a couple who were fishing called 911 and reported seeing a body in the water near 210 Highway and Edwards Road. </p><p>When deputies arrived, they found Mukiz'a body of the man on the north side of the river. The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Water Patrol Division assisted with recovering the body.</p>

Body found by couple fishing in river identified as Kansas man

DOUGLAS COUNTY–&nbsp;A motorcyclist died in an accident that occurred just after 4p.m. Friday in Lawrence.

According to Lawrence Police spokesperson Laura McCabe, a car was westbound on 21 Street.&nbsp; The motorcycle was northbound on Naismith Drive.&nbsp; The two collided.&nbsp;

Officers immediately blocked traffic heading north on Naismith while paramedics worked to assess the driver of the motorcycle.&nbsp; Medics from Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical pronounced the motorcyclist dead at the scene.

 A helicopter, which was set to respond, was cancelled once it was obvious the motorcycle driver did not survive.  He was wearing a helmet. The driver of the car had minor physical injuries and cooperated fully with the investigation.

Responding officers interviewed several witnesses who saw the crash happen. LKPD’s Accident Investigations Unit responded and is working to determine the exact cause of the crash.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the man who died.

<p>DOUGLAS COUNTY–&nbsp;A motorcyclist died in an accident that occurred just after 4p.m. Friday in Lawrence.</p><p>According to Lawrence Police spokesperson Laura McCabe, a car was westbound on 21 Street.&nbsp; The motorcycle was northbound on Naismith Drive.&nbsp; The two collided.&nbsp;</p><p>Officers immediately blocked traffic heading north on Naismith while paramedics worked to assess the driver of the motorcycle.&nbsp; Medics from Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical pronounced the motorcyclist dead at the scene.</p><p> A helicopter, which was set to respond, was cancelled once it was obvious the motorcycle driver did not survive.  He was wearing a helmet. The driver of the car had minor physical injuries and cooperated fully with the investigation.</p><p>Responding officers interviewed several witnesses who saw the crash happen. LKPD’s Accident Investigations Unit responded and is working to determine the exact cause of the crash.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the man who died.</p>

Motorcyclist dies in 2-vehicle Kansas crash

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🚨 <a href="https://t.co/ClTl6TjL0S">pic.twitter.com/ClTl6TjL0S</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1953940364290572777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 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">&quot;The highly anticipated meeting between myself, as President of the United States of America, and President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, will take place next Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Great State of Alaska. Further details to follow. Thank you for your attention to this… <a href="https://t.co/SI3twRJayp">pic.twitter.com/SI3twRJayp</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1953945651857052106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

President Trump confirms when, where he will meet Putin

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754675842988.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great to spend time <a href="https://twitter.com/USDA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USDA</a>&#39;s Great American Farmers Market on the National Mall with <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRollins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EDSecMcMahon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EDSecMcMahon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/howardlutnick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@howardlutnick</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MonicaCrowley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MonicaCrowley</a> to celebrate America 250. If you missed this year&#39;s market, don&#39;t worry because next year&#39;s will be even better! <a href="https://t.co/xw1SljgozN">pic.twitter.com/xw1SljgozN</a></p>&mdash; Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) <a href="https://twitter.com/epaleezeldin/status/1953850346406588462?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 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">&quot;The farmers, ranchers, and producers at the Great American Farmers Market not only represent the legacy of American agriculture but also the future of an industry defined by faith, determination, and hospitality.&quot;<br><br>Check out <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRollins</a>&#39; latest op-ed featured in <a href="https://twitter.com/dcexaminer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DCExaminer</a> ➡️… <a href="https://t.co/0lCWwE41Fo">pic.twitter.com/0lCWwE41Fo</a></p>&mdash; Dept. of Agriculture (@USDA) <a href="https://twitter.com/USDA/status/1953551226735669744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 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">Day 4 of the Great American Farmers Market was dedicated to our fantastic Foresters &amp; Firefighters! 🇺🇸<br><br>Honored to join <a href="https://twitter.com/EDSecMcMahon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EDSecMcMahon</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/howardlutnick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@howardlutnick</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/epaleezeldin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@epaleezeldin</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/MonicaCrowley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MonicaCrowley</a> in celebrating our amazing forest firefighters, raising wildfire awareness, and wishing… <a href="https://t.co/l6O1uRhSRT">pic.twitter.com/l6O1uRhSRT</a></p>&mdash; Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRollins/status/1953438074496569663?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 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">I had a great time at <a href="https://twitter.com/USDA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USDA</a>’s Great American Farmers Market! <br><br>My fellow cabinet members <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRollins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/howardlutnick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@howardlutnick</a> , and <a href="https://twitter.com/epaleezeldin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@epaleezeldin</a> and I celebrated firefighters, promoted wildfire awareness, and of course honored Smokey Bear’s 81st birthday. <a href="https://t.co/c2WNBeEGd1">pic.twitter.com/c2WNBeEGd1</a></p>&mdash; Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) <a href="https://twitter.com/EDSecMcMahon/status/1953251587784360190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 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">America’s Golden Age under <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>’ leadership is so strong even our tractors are turning gold. <a href="https://t.co/v6UzgjBBvv">pic.twitter.com/v6UzgjBBvv</a></p>&mdash; Scott Turner (@SecretaryTurner) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecretaryTurner/status/1952910028261741027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Kan. represented during Great American Farmer's Market on National Mall

The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy on the passing of famed Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell. He passed away Aug. 7, in Lake Forest, Illinois. He was 97 years old.

“NASA sends its condolences to the family of Capt. Jim Lovell, whose life and work inspired millions of people across the decades. Jim’s character and steadfast courage helped our nation reach the Moon and turned a potential tragedy into a success from which we learned an enormous amount. We mourn his passing even as we celebrate his achievements.

“From a pair of pioneering Gemini missions to the successes of Apollo, Jim helped our nation forge a historic path in space that carries us forward to upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond.

“As the Command Module Pilot for Apollo 8, Jim and his crewmates became the first to lift off on a Saturn V rocket and orbit the Moon, proving that the lunar landing was within our reach. As commander of the Apollo 13 mission, his calm strength under pressure helped return the crew safely to Earth and demonstrated the quick thinking and innovation that informed future NASA missions.

“Known for his wit, this unforgettable astronaut was nicknamed Smilin’ Jim by his fellow astronauts because he was quick with a grin when he had a particularly funny comeback.

“Jim also served our country in the military, and the Navy has lost a proud academy graduate and test pilot. Jim Lovell embodied the bold resolve and optimism of both past and future explorers, and we will remember him always.”

For more information about Lovell’s NASA career, and his agency biography, visit:

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are saddened by the passing of Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo 13 and a four-time spaceflight veteran.<br><br>Lovell&#39;s life and work inspired millions. His courage under pressure helped forge our path to the Moon and beyond—a journey that continues today. <a href="https://t.co/AjT8qmxsZI">https://t.co/AjT8qmxsZI</a> <a href="https://t.co/jBlxzgrmSk">pic.twitter.com/jBlxzgrmSk</a></p>&mdash; NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1953893398995243332?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy on the passing of famed Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell. He passed away Aug. 7, in Lake Forest, Illinois. He was 97 years old.</p><p>“NASA sends its condolences to the family of Capt. Jim Lovell, whose life and work inspired millions of people across the decades. Jim’s character and steadfast courage helped our nation reach the Moon and turned a potential tragedy into a success from which we learned an enormous amount. We mourn his passing even as we celebrate his achievements.</p><p>“From a pair of pioneering Gemini missions to the successes of Apollo, Jim helped our nation forge a historic path in space that carries us forward to upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond.</p><p>“As the Command Module Pilot for Apollo 8, Jim and his crewmates became the first to lift off on a Saturn V rocket and orbit the Moon, proving that the lunar landing was within our reach. As commander of the Apollo 13 mission, his calm strength under pressure helped return the crew safely to Earth and demonstrated the quick thinking and innovation that informed future NASA missions.</p><p>“Known for his wit, this unforgettable astronaut was nicknamed Smilin’ Jim by his fellow astronauts because he was quick with a grin when he had a particularly funny comeback.</p><p>“Jim also served our country in the military, and the Navy has lost a proud academy graduate and test pilot. Jim Lovell embodied the bold resolve and optimism of both past and future explorers, and we will remember him always.”</p><p>For more information about Lovell’s NASA career, and his agency biography, visit:</p>

Astronaut Jim Lovell, famed Apollo 13 commander, dies at 97

The Department of State and the Department of Justice are announcing a reward offer increase of up to $50 million under the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP) for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Nicolás Maduro for violating U.S. narcotics laws, according to a statement from agency.

For over a decade, Maduro has been a leader of Cartel de los Soles, which is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States.&nbsp; On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Cartel de Los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).&nbsp;

Since 2020, Maduro has strangled democracy and grasped at power in Venezuela.&nbsp; Maduro claimed to have won Venezuela’s July 28, 2024, presidential election but failed to present any evidence that he had prevailed.&nbsp; The United States has refused to recognize Maduro as the winner of 2024 election and does not recognize him as the President of Venezuela.&nbsp;

Today’s reward offer is authorized by the Secretary under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/releases-bureau-of-international-narcotics-and-law-enforcement-affairs?results=30&amp;currpage=2&amp;totalpages=2&amp;coll_filter_year&amp;coll_filter_month&amp;coll_filter_speaker&amp;coll_filter_country&amp;coll_filter_release_type=1438&amp;coll_filter_bureau&amp;coll_filter_program&amp;coll_filter_profession" target="_blank">NRP</a>, which supports law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational crime globally and bring fugitives to justice as a key pillar of President Trump’s “America First” priorities.&nbsp; If you have information, please contact the DEA by phone (voice, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or text) at +1-202-681-8187, or by&nbsp;<a href="mailto:CartelSolesTips@dea.gov">email</a>.&nbsp; If you are located outside the United States, you may also visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.&nbsp; If you are in the United States, you can also contact the local DEA field office.

ALL IDENTITIES ARE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.&nbsp; Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.

<p>The Department of State and the Department of Justice are announcing a reward offer increase of up to $50 million under the Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP) for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Nicolás Maduro for violating U.S. narcotics laws, according to a statement from agency.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today, <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheJusticeDept</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StateDept</a> are announcing a $50 MILLION REWARD for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. <a href="https://t.co/D8LNqjS9yk">pic.twitter.com/D8LNqjS9yk</a></p>&mdash; Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1953583017353466306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>For over a decade, Maduro has been a leader of Cartel de los Soles, which is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States.&nbsp; On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Cartel de Los Soles as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).&nbsp;</p><p>Since 2020, Maduro has strangled democracy and grasped at power in Venezuela.&nbsp; Maduro claimed to have won Venezuela’s July 28, 2024, presidential election but failed to present any evidence that he had prevailed.&nbsp; The United States has refused to recognize Maduro as the winner of 2024 election and does not recognize him as the President of Venezuela.&nbsp;</p><p>Today’s reward offer is authorized by the Secretary under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/releases-bureau-of-international-narcotics-and-law-enforcement-affairs?results=30&amp;currpage=2&amp;totalpages=2&amp;coll_filter_year&amp;coll_filter_month&amp;coll_filter_speaker&amp;coll_filter_country&amp;coll_filter_release_type=1438&amp;coll_filter_bureau&amp;coll_filter_program&amp;coll_filter_profession" target="_blank">NRP</a>, which supports law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational crime globally and bring fugitives to justice as a key pillar of President Trump’s “America First” priorities.&nbsp; If you have information, please contact the DEA by phone (voice, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or text) at +1-202-681-8187, or by&nbsp;<a href="mailto:CartelSolesTips@dea.gov">email</a>.&nbsp; If you are located outside the United States, you may also visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.&nbsp; If you are in the United States, you can also contact the local DEA field office.</p><p>ALL IDENTITIES ARE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.&nbsp; Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.</p>

🎥U.S. offers $50M reward for arrest of Venezuelan President 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement a investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 42-year-old&nbsp;Braisen Cain, according to KCKPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 7:30p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 4000 Block of Morrell in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Police found Cain who had been shot and was unresponsive in front of a residence there. Officers called for EMS who responded and declared her deceased at the scene. Homicide detectives responded and are investigating this case as a homicide.&nbsp;Detectives made progress identifying a subject of interest and they are working with prosecutors on presenting evidence for charges and to ensure that subject is taken into custody.

This was the 99th homicide of the year in Kansas City, Missouri, compared with 91 at this time a year ago.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754563530575.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement a investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 42-year-old&nbsp;Braisen Cain, according to KCKPD Captain Jake Becchina.</p><p>Just after 7:30p.m. Wednesday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 4000 Block of Morrell in Kansas City, Missouri, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Police found Cain who had been shot and was unresponsive in front of a residence there. Officers called for EMS who responded and declared her deceased at the scene. Homicide detectives responded and are investigating this case as a homicide.&nbsp;Detectives made progress identifying a subject of interest and they are working with prosecutors on presenting evidence for charges and to ensure that subject is taken into custody.</p><p>This was the 99th homicide of the year in Kansas City, Missouri, compared with 91 at this time a year ago.</p>