By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — U.S. Sen. Jerry&nbsp;Moran&nbsp;of Kansas emphasized in a speech the importance of sustained support for Ukraine in the battle against Russia’s invasion and praised President Donald Trump’s commitment to resume weapon shipments authorized by Congress.

Moran, a Republican, said Trump would rely on authority granted the administration to oppose aggression of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who dramatically escalated conflict in Ukraine during 2022. This week, Trump said Russian forces were violating human rights and Ukraine needed arms such as the Patriot air defense missile.

“This commitment is vital, ensuring that Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to protect its people and its territory against ongoing aggression,” Moran said. “If we allow a dictator to redraw borders by force, then what message does that send to other authoritarian regimes watching closely around the globe, including China? It sends a message of weakness, it invites further aggression and it threatens our allies and partners around the globe.”

In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jw0KF8TxmU" target="_blank">speech on the floor of the Senate</a>&nbsp;this week, Moran said the cost of inaction by the United States would far outweigh the cost of action.

“If Putin is not stopped in Ukraine, the likelihood of a direct confrontation between Russia and a NATO ally dramatically increases. That would mean a far greater cost, not just in resources, but potentially in American lives,” the Kansas senator said.

On Thursday, Trump said U.S. weapons would be transferred to NATO for delivery to Ukraine. The military alliance would pay the brunt of the cost.

“We need to make certain Ukraine has the equipment necessary to win a just and lasting peace,” Moran said. “We are interested in that peace. We want that peace.”

Moran said one goal should be to strengthen domestic defense production capabilities to “ensure that we have a resilient industrial base with the ability to handle all the possible threats the United States faces now and into the future.”

He said 90% of aid delivered to Ukraine would create jobs and bolster defense manufacturing in the United States.

“By aiding Ukraine, we are replenishing our own stockpiles with new, more advanced equipment and demonstrating American leadership on the global stage,” Moran said.

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — U.S. Sen. Jerry&nbsp;Moran&nbsp;of Kansas emphasized in a speech the importance of sustained support for Ukraine in the battle against Russia’s invasion and praised President Donald Trump’s commitment to resume weapon shipments authorized by Congress.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump tried to negotiate a peace agreement, but Putin made it clear he is not interested in peace. If we allow a dictator to redraw borders by force, what message does that send to other authoritarian regimes watching around the globe. I applaud President Trump’s… <a href="https://t.co/nTNTe5L3za">pic.twitter.com/nTNTe5L3za</a>&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1943301932585472085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Moran, a Republican, said Trump would rely on authority granted the administration to oppose aggression of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who dramatically escalated conflict in Ukraine during 2022. This week, Trump said Russian forces were violating human rights and Ukraine needed arms such as the Patriot air defense missile.“This commitment is vital, ensuring that Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to protect its people and its territory against ongoing aggression,” Moran said. “If we allow a dictator to redraw borders by force, then what message does that send to other authoritarian regimes watching closely around the globe, including China? It sends a message of weakness, it invites further aggression and it threatens our allies and partners around the globe.”In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jw0KF8TxmU" target="_blank">speech on the floor of the Senate</a>&nbsp;this week, Moran said the cost of inaction by the United States would far outweigh the cost of action.“If Putin is not stopped in Ukraine, the likelihood of a direct confrontation between Russia and a NATO ally dramatically increases. That would mean a far greater cost, not just in resources, but potentially in American lives,” the Kansas senator said.On Thursday, Trump said U.S. weapons would be transferred to NATO for delivery to Ukraine. The military alliance would pay the brunt of the cost.“We need to make certain Ukraine has the equipment necessary to win a just and lasting peace,” Moran said. “We are interested in that peace. We want that peace.”Moran said one goal should be to strengthen domestic defense production capabilities to “ensure that we have a resilient industrial base with the ability to handle all the possible threats the United States faces now and into the future.”He said 90% of aid delivered to Ukraine would create jobs and bolster defense manufacturing in the United States.“By aiding Ukraine, we are replenishing our own stockpiles with new, more advanced equipment and demonstrating American leadership on the global stage,” Moran said.

🎥 Moran urges sustained U.S. military aid to Ukraine to stem Russian aggression

TANEY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Friday in Taney County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Ford F150 driven by a 33-year-old Forsyth man was southbound on Sundown Lane approximately one mile north of Rockaway Beach. The pickup traveled off the road and struck a tree. 

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Cremation of the Ozarks. He was not wearing seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

TANEY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Friday in Taney County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Ford F150 driven by a 33-year-old Forsyth man was southbound on Sundown Lane approximately one mile north of Rockaway Beach. The pickup traveled off the road and struck a tree. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Cremation of the Ozarks. He was not wearing seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man dies after pickup strikes a tree

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.&nbsp;

Just before 4a.m. July 9, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a bicyclist near NE Paramore Street and NE Quincy Street for a traffic violation, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, the individual initially gave a false name and date of birth. 

When notified that he had a warrant for his arrest, the man then gave his real name and date of birth, in which he also had a warrant for his arrest. Illegal narcotics were also located.

Geddy L. Barlow, 37, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body and Interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1751971521153.png" alt="Barlow photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Barlow photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.&nbsp;Just before 4a.m. July 9, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on a bicyclist near NE Paramore Street and NE Quincy Street for a traffic violation, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, the individual initially gave a false name and date of birth. When notified that he had a warrant for his arrest, the man then gave his real name and date of birth, in which he also had a warrant for his arrest. Illegal narcotics were also located.Geddy L. Barlow, 37, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Dept. of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body and Interference with law enforcement.

Kan. drug suspect on bicycle lied to deputy about his name

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752266854590.png" alt="President Trump and the first lady with first responders in Texas-image courtesy White House video" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and the first lady with first responders in Texas-image courtesy White House video</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a>: &quot;My deepest sympathy to all of the parents who lost beautiful young souls ... We are grieving with you. Our nation is grieving with you.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xYKFsBJ4Hu">pic.twitter.com/xYKFsBJ4Hu</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1943764177593807032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump gets a question about possible delays to flood warnings: &quot;I just have admiration for the job that everybody did. Only a bad person would ask a question like that...I don&#39;t know who you are but only a very evil person would ask a question like that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/55lk5GoFK9">pic.twitter.com/55lk5GoFK9</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1943778362008199397?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Trump&#39;s opening remarks at roundtable on Texas floods: &quot;Our nation, we mourn for every life that was swept away in the flood and we pray for the families that are left behind.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/GAGMwsSekw">pic.twitter.com/GAGMwsSekw</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1943769914629591536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DrPhil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrPhil</a> at roundtable on Texas floods: &quot;We know, psychologically, that the number one stressor that we can experience in life is the loss of a child…The truth is you never get over it. You get through it.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/UtFCpJ9tKo">pic.twitter.com/UtFCpJ9tKo</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1943775546623627268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A Texas State Trooper tells President Trump on the recovery from the devastating flood: &quot;I want to thank you, too, sir — because if we didn&#39;t have a secure border, we wouldn&#39;t have this many assets to move. I wanted to say that to you personally.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/kht5XpIkha">pic.twitter.com/kht5XpIkha</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1943774212667113594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> gives his thanks to first responders in Kerrville, Texas: &quot;This was a terrible situation but we appreciate the job you&#39;ve done very much — very special people.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/A66w51IBn4">pic.twitter.com/A66w51IBn4</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1943773106289713474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Sec_Noem?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sec_Noem</a>: &quot;What we are doing here, sir, is empowering the state and the local officials to make the best decisions for their people — because they know their people, they know their community... So thank you for being a President who trusts people.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/aF0BLFuiXe">pic.twitter.com/aF0BLFuiXe</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1943766247629263326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Governor <a href="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GregAbbott_TX</a>: &quot;We cannot thank you enough for deploying the <a href="https://twitter.com/USCG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USCG</a>, deploying the resources... When I made a request for a disaster declaration, you and your Administration granted that. This is the fastest that I&#39;m aware of, of any Administration responding...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/zoeXqV0whf">pic.twitter.com/zoeXqV0whf</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1943765422408335465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> honors the memory of the girls of Camp Mystic: &quot;They were there because they loved God. And as we grieve this unthinkable tragedy, we take comfort in the knowledge that God has welcomed those little beautiful girls into his comforting arms in heaven.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/XPo2H46U51">pic.twitter.com/XPo2H46U51</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1943762101903688131?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> in Kerrville, Texas: &quot;The people here — first responders, the sheriff&#39;s office, all of police, law enforcement — they&#39;ve done an unbelievable job.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/0s5uVZmKqo">pic.twitter.com/0s5uVZmKqo</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1943760942073819426?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥First lady, President share thoughts after seeing Texas flood damage

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Panasonic is delaying full production in its De Soto battery plant because of dropping electric car sales and U.S. policies that do not support electric cars, international media reports.&nbsp;

The $4 billion economic development project, billed as the largest in Kansas history, is threatened because of decreased electric car sales at Tesla and skepticism from President Donald Trump about encouraging electric vehicle adoption, according to the Nikkei Asia news outlet.&nbsp;

The plant was expected to reach full production by March 2027, and a new target date has not been set, Nikkei reported.

The president’s “big, beautiful bill” eliminates tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles as of Sept. 30, along with eliminating or decreasing multiple green energy tax credits.&nbsp;

The De Soto plant, which was projected to create 4,000 jobs, has a grand opening scheduled Monday.&nbsp;

The Panasonic plant began construction in 2023 after receiving Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/10/kansas-officials-pursue-new-megadeals-with-semiconductor-makers/">tax credits</a>, through a program known as APEX that the state created to draw in large economic development projects. Incentives include rebates on capital investments, payroll and staff training.&nbsp;

The APEX program also lowers the corporate income tax rate by 0.5% for Kansas businesses for the fiscal year after a megadeal is signed. Under the APEX deal, Panasonic was expected to receive $829.2 million over 10 years.&nbsp;

The company had plans to provide at least 4,000 jobs, increasing the state’s annual labor income by more than $505 million. The state anticipated the project will create an additional 4,000 jobs through suppliers and community businesses. The state expected to see a $26 return for every $1 invested in tax incentives.

The De Soto community&nbsp;<a href="https://www.desotoks.us/417/Development-Agreement" target="_blank">also offered incentives&nbsp;</a>that were based on the company agreeing to employ 2,500 employees, well below the estimated full employment of 4,000.&nbsp;

The city offered to complete $229 million of public infrastructure projects, such as road improvements, and water and sewer projects, using Tax Increment Financing funds, a common economic development tool that uses increased property taxes received from developments to fund projects.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667413001389.png" alt="Governor Kelly and Congresswoman Sharice Davids during the ground breaking for the Plant in Nov. 2022 -courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Governor Kelly and Congresswoman Sharice Davids during the ground breaking for the Plant in Nov. 2022 -courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Panasonic is delaying full production in its De Soto battery plant because of dropping electric car sales and U.S. policies that do not support electric cars, international media reports.&nbsp;The $4 billion economic development project, billed as the largest in Kansas history, is threatened because of decreased electric car sales at Tesla and skepticism from President Donald Trump about encouraging electric vehicle adoption, according to the Nikkei Asia news outlet.&nbsp;The plant was expected to reach full production by March 2027, and a new target date has not been set, Nikkei reported.The president’s “big, beautiful bill” eliminates tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles as of Sept. 30, along with eliminating or decreasing multiple green energy tax credits.&nbsp;The De Soto plant, which was projected to create 4,000 jobs, has a grand opening scheduled Monday.&nbsp;The Panasonic plant began construction in 2023 after receiving Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/10/kansas-officials-pursue-new-megadeals-with-semiconductor-makers/">tax credits</a>, through a program known as APEX that the state created to draw in large economic development projects. Incentives include rebates on capital investments, payroll and staff training.&nbsp;The APEX program also lowers the corporate income tax rate by 0.5% for Kansas businesses for the fiscal year after a megadeal is signed. Under the APEX deal, Panasonic was expected to receive $829.2 million over 10 years.&nbsp;The company had plans to provide at least 4,000 jobs, increasing the state’s annual labor income by more than $505 million. The state anticipated the project will create an additional 4,000 jobs through suppliers and community businesses. The state expected to see a $26 return for every $1 invested in tax incentives.The De Soto community&nbsp;<a href="https://www.desotoks.us/417/Development-Agreement" target="_blank">also offered incentives&nbsp;</a>that were based on the company agreeing to employ 2,500 employees, well below the estimated full employment of 4,000.&nbsp;The city offered to complete $229 million of public infrastructure projects, such as road improvements, and water and sewer projects, using Tax Increment Financing funds, a common economic development tool that uses increased property taxes received from developments to fund projects.&nbsp;

Panasonic to delay production at Kansas battery plant as electric car sales decline, policies shift

Walmart Recalls Ozark Trail 64 oz Water Bottles Due to Serious Impact and Laceration Hazards

The lid can forcefully eject, posing serious impact and laceration hazards, when a consumer attempts to open the capped bottles after food, carbonated beverages or perishable beverages, such as juice or milk, are stored inside over time.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled water bottles and contact Walmart for a full refund. Consumers can bring the bottle to their nearest Walmart store for a refund.

Sold Exclusively At:Walmart stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com since 2017 for about $15.Importer(s):

Olympia Tools International Inc., of Covina, California and Walmart Inc., of Bentonville, Arkansas

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752254959750.png" alt="Photo Consumer Product Safety Commission" />
 <figcaption>Photo Consumer Product Safety Commission</figcaption>
 </figure>Walmart Recalls Ozark Trail 64 oz Water Bottles Due to Serious Impact and Laceration HazardsHazard:The lid can forcefully eject, posing serious impact and laceration hazards, when a consumer attempts to open the capped bottles after food, carbonated beverages or perishable beverages, such as juice or milk, are stored inside over time.Remedy:Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled water bottles and contact Walmart for a full refund. Consumers can bring the bottle to their nearest Walmart store for a refund.Units:About&nbsp;850,000Sold Exclusively At:Walmart stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com since 2017 for about $15.Importer(s):Olympia Tools International Inc., of Covina, California and Walmart Inc., of Bentonville, Arkansas

Walmart recalls water bottles after 2 blinded by exploding caps

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating vandalism to a school in rural Barton County.

Just after 5 p.m. on Thursday., the Barton County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to St. Anne's Catholic School in the rural Barton County community of Olmitz, located approximately 17 miles northwest of Great Bend, for a report of vandalism, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

 Deputies found the school had been broken into. Unknown persons entered the building causing extensive damage to the interior of the building and other property inside the building. 

Authorities are working to determine the total cost of the damage.

If you have information about this crime or any other crime, please call crime stoppers at 620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752242797645.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating vandalism to a school in rural Barton County.Just after 5 p.m. on Thursday., the Barton County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to St. Anne's Catholic School in the rural Barton County community of Olmitz, located approximately 17 miles northwest of Great Bend, for a report of vandalism, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752242765453.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752242727109.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure> Deputies found the school had been broken into. Unknown persons entered the building causing extensive damage to the interior of the building and other property inside the building. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752242779438.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Authorities are working to determine the total cost of the damage.If you have information about this crime or any other crime, please call crime stoppers at 620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300.

Sheriff: Racist graffiti amid vandalism at Kan. Catholic school

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

Just after 4p.m. Thursday, patrol officers were dispatched to report of a shooting at 118th and Winchester, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

.As officers arrived they located a man and a woman in the street, suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began performing life saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported the woman to a local hospital with serious injuries.

This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary information indicated there was an altercation between several individuals. The argument escalated into a physical confrontation, which led to shots being fired, and the victims being struck. 

Police have not released the names of the victims or reported suspect information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752194452854.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just after 4p.m. Thursday, patrol officers were dispatched to report of a shooting at 118th and Winchester, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino..As officers arrived they located a man and a woman in the street, suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began performing life saving measures and ordered EMS to the scene. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported the woman to a local hospital with serious injuries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752194481952.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary information indicated there was an altercation between several individuals. The argument escalated into a physical confrontation, which led to shots being fired, and the victims being struck. Police have not released the names of the victims or reported suspect information.

KCPD: Man dead, woman wounded in shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a memorial service in Washington on Thursday for two Israeli embassy staffers shot to death outside the embassy in May.

Family members of the two were among those attending the memorial, held at the Israeli embassy, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

&nbsp;Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, of Prairie Village, Kansas and Yaron Lischinsky, 30 were fatally shot May 22. A suspect was charged with state and federal murder charges. The two colleagues had been on the verge of getting engaged.

Sara Netanyahu, the prime minister’s wife, and a psychologist, also attended the memorial, and signed a letter of condolence at the embassy.

Milgrim was a 2017 graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School and earned a degree in 2021 from the University of Kansas. Her funeral service was May 27 at a synagogue in Overland Park, Kansas.

Netanyahu left the U.S. Thursday after meeting with President Donald Trump, lawmakers and others over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and other Middle East conflicts and issues.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747923211105.png" alt="Sarah Milgrim, who grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, and her partner, Yaron Lischinsky-courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Sarah Milgrim, who grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, and her partner, Yaron Lischinsky-courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a memorial service in Washington on Thursday for two Israeli embassy staffers shot to death outside the embassy in May.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Today, we had the honor of hosting <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IsraeliPM</a> Benjamin <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@netanyahu</a> and his wife Sara, along with the family members of Sarah and Yaron, for a special memorial ceremony. We are still heartbroken and mourning the devastating loss of our friends and colleagues, but knowing that… <a href="https://t.co/RPUq2ILeH8">pic.twitter.com/RPUq2ILeH8</a>&mdash; Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraelinUSA/status/1943410487695159425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife Sara are taking part in a memorial service at the <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraelinUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IsraelinUSA</a> Embassy, for embassy workers, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were murdered in an act of antisemitic brutality in Washington DC, while serving in their official positions. <a href="https://t.co/AxSFO2LDTr">pic.twitter.com/AxSFO2LDTr</a>&mdash; Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/1943357163730088127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Family members of the two were among those attending the memorial, held at the Israeli embassy, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.&nbsp;Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, of Prairie Village, Kansas and Yaron Lischinsky, 30 were fatally shot May 22. A suspect was charged with state and federal murder charges. The two colleagues had been on the verge of getting engaged.Sara Netanyahu, the prime minister’s wife, and a psychologist, also attended the memorial, and signed a letter of condolence at the embassy.Milgrim was a 2017 graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School and earned a degree in 2021 from the University of Kansas. Her funeral service was May 27 at a synagogue in Overland Park, Kansas.Netanyahu left the U.S. Thursday after meeting with President Donald Trump, lawmakers and others over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and other Middle East conflicts and issues.

Israeli PM attends memorial for Kansas woman slain in Washington

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a burglaries at Clinton Marina in Douglas County.

Sheriff's department detectives are asking the public for assistance in identifying individuals seen from security cameras.&nbsp; Multiple boats and slips had items stolen during the overnight hours from July 3 to early on July 4.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752195644572.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a burglaries at Clinton Marina in Douglas County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752195784609.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sheriff's department detectives are asking the public for assistance in identifying individuals seen from security cameras.&nbsp; Multiple boats and slips had items stolen during the overnight hours from July 3 to early on July 4.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752195626190.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DGSO: 785-843-0250 or 785-843-TIPS

Sheriff asks for help to ID suspects in Kansas marina burglaries

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just before 5p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

A Subaru Forrester was northbound on Eastern Avenue and entered the intersection at Blue Ridge Boulevard from a stop sign and struck a southbound Dodge Dakota, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

The impact caused the Dodge to rotate, striking the curb and a metal light pole before overturning.&nbsp;The front seat passenger of the Dodge was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Dodge was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries.

 The driver and rear seat juvenile passenger of the Subaru were uninjured in the collision.&nbsp; The occupants of the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; This is fatality #43 compared to #49 at this time last year. The accident remains under investigation.&nbsp; Names of the victims have not been releases.

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just before 5p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.A Subaru Forrester was northbound on Eastern Avenue and entered the intersection at Blue Ridge Boulevard from a stop sign and struck a southbound Dodge Dakota, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.The impact caused the Dodge to rotate, striking the curb and a metal light pole before overturning.&nbsp;The front seat passenger of the Dodge was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Dodge was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. The driver and rear seat juvenile passenger of the Subaru were uninjured in the collision.&nbsp; The occupants of the pickup were not wearing seat belts, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; This is fatality #43 compared to #49 at this time last year. The accident remains under investigation.&nbsp; Names of the victims have not been releases.

1 dead, 1 critically injured after pickup, SUV crash in Kansas City 

BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a triple-fatal crash that occurred June 11, in Butler County have arrested the driver involved.

On July 3, a warrant was issued in the District Court of Butler County Kansas for Tyler J. Beauclaire 24, of Mansura, Louisiana for three (3) counts of Murder in the Second Degree and two (2) counts of Aggravated Battery, according to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.

Just after 6:30p.m. onn Wednesday, Beech Grove, Indiana police arrested Beauclaire in Beech Grove, for that warrant..

Beauclaire is alleged to be the driver of the Black Chevrolet truck that struck the vehicle driven by Eliot Eichbauer and occupied by teenagers Arlo and Silas Eichbauer, killing all three. It is believed that Beauclaire left the state of Kansas, went back to Louisiana for a period of time, and was then located in Beech Grove, in the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

The two counts of Aggravated Battery are for the passengers in the truck that Beauclaire is alleged to have been driving. The sheriff's office has no released their names but they did sustain serious injuries in the crash. Alcohol is still believed to be a factor in the crash but investigators do not have those results yet.

Locating Beauclaire was a collaborative effort between Butler County Sheriff’s Investigators, the Louisiana State Police, and the Beech Grove Indiana Police Department.

BUTLER COUNTY—Three people died in an accident just after 10p.m. Wednesday in Butler County.

According to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff, investigators and a witness indicated a Chevrolet pick-up was eastbound on U.S. Highway 400 in rural Leon Kansas. The Chevrolet pickup crossed into oncoming traffic, and struck a westbound Toyota Tacoma driven by 46-year-old Eliot Eichbaucher of Wichita, head-on.

The witness told deputies that the Chevrolet truck had been weaving back and forth on the highway just prior to the crash.

&nbsp;Eichbauer and both of his passengers, 19-year-old Arlo Eichbauer and 16-year-old Silas Eichbauer, both of Wichita were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to Cundiff.

Arlo Eichbauer is Eliot Eichbauer’s son and Silas Eichbauer is Eliot’s nephew, according to Cundiff.

The three occupants of the Chevrolet truck were all transported to a Wichita area hospital with severe injuries. This crash is still under investigation and alcohol is believed to be a factor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749817987755.png" alt="Eliot Eichbauer and both of his passengers, 19-year-old Arlo Eichbauer and 16-year-old Silas Eichbauer died in the crash -photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Eliot Eichbauer and both of his passengers, 19-year-old Arlo Eichbauer and 16-year-old Silas Eichbauer died in the crash -photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement investigating a triple-fatal crash that occurred June 11, in Butler County have arrested the driver involved.On July 3, a warrant was issued in the District Court of Butler County Kansas for Tyler J. Beauclaire 24, of Mansura, Louisiana for three (3) counts of Murder in the Second Degree and two (2) counts of Aggravated Battery, according to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752246036660.png" alt="Beauclaire is being held in the Marion County, Indiana jail" />
 <figcaption>Beauclaire is being held in the Marion County, Indiana jail</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 6:30p.m. onn Wednesday, Beech Grove, Indiana police arrested Beauclaire in Beech Grove, for that warrant..Beauclaire is alleged to be the driver of the Black Chevrolet truck that struck the vehicle driven by Eliot Eichbauer and occupied by teenagers Arlo and Silas Eichbauer, killing all three. It is believed that Beauclaire left the state of Kansas, went back to Louisiana for a period of time, and was then located in Beech Grove, in the Indianapolis metropolitan area.The two counts of Aggravated Battery are for the passengers in the truck that Beauclaire is alleged to have been driving. The sheriff's office has no released their names but they did sustain serious injuries in the crash. Alcohol is still believed to be a factor in the crash but investigators do not have those results yet.Locating Beauclaire was a collaborative effort between Butler County Sheriff’s Investigators, the Louisiana State Police, and the Beech Grove Indiana Police Department.----------BUTLER COUNTY—Three people died in an accident just after 10p.m. Wednesday in Butler County.According to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff, investigators and a witness indicated a Chevrolet pick-up was eastbound on U.S. Highway 400 in rural Leon Kansas. The Chevrolet pickup crossed into oncoming traffic, and struck a westbound Toyota Tacoma driven by 46-year-old Eliot Eichbaucher of Wichita, head-on.The witness told deputies that the Chevrolet truck had been weaving back and forth on the highway just prior to the crash.&nbsp;Eichbauer and both of his passengers, 19-year-old Arlo Eichbauer and 16-year-old Silas Eichbauer, both of Wichita were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to Cundiff.Arlo Eichbauer is Eliot Eichbauer’s son and Silas Eichbauer is Eliot’s nephew, according to Cundiff.The three occupants of the Chevrolet truck were all transported to a Wichita area hospital with severe injuries. This crash is still under investigation and alcohol is believed to be a factor.

Driver in triple-fatal Kansas crash captured in Indiana

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating what Montgomery County Ron Wade calls&nbsp;a recent act of unimaginable cruelty.

On July 9, sheriff's deputies responded to&nbsp;McTaggerts Dam County Road 3800 west of County Road 4900 just NW of Liberty, Kansas.

Deputies found five dogs, possible Labrador mix, had been brutally shot and left to die—discarded like trash, their lifeless bodies lying in the open for all to see, according to Sheriff Wade.

"Let us be clear: this is not only a crime, but also an act of pure evil."

"These animals suffered at the hands of a heartless individual or group, and we will not rest until those responsible are identified and brought to justice."

“The senseless killing of innocent animals is not only unacceptable, but also a violation of everything we stand for in this community. We do not tolerate cruelty, and we will use every resource available to find who did this. If you think for one second that we’re going to let this slide, you’re wrong.”

This case is being actively investigated as animal cruelty. The sheriff's office is&nbsp; asking the public if you know of anyone who might be involved, please come forward.

"This was not hunting. This was not self-defense. This was slaughter."

If you have any information that could lead to the identification of the subject(s) responsible, please contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at (620) 330-1000 or message our Facebook page.  You can request to remain anonymous.

"Together, we can send a clear message that our community will not stand for cruelty—to animals, to people, or to the values we share."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752166678285.png" alt="Photo Montgomery County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Montgomery County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating what Montgomery County Ron Wade calls&nbsp;a recent act of unimaginable cruelty.On July 9, sheriff's deputies responded to&nbsp;McTaggerts Dam County Road 3800 west of County Road 4900 just NW of Liberty, Kansas.Deputies found five dogs, possible Labrador mix, had been brutally shot and left to die—discarded like trash, their lifeless bodies lying in the open for all to see, according to Sheriff Wade."Let us be clear: this is not only a crime, but also an act of pure evil.""These animals suffered at the hands of a heartless individual or group, and we will not rest until those responsible are identified and brought to justice."“The senseless killing of innocent animals is not only unacceptable, but also a violation of everything we stand for in this community. We do not tolerate cruelty, and we will use every resource available to find who did this. If you think for one second that we’re going to let this slide, you’re wrong.”This case is being actively investigated as animal cruelty. The sheriff's office is&nbsp; asking the public if you know of anyone who might be involved, please come forward."This was not hunting. This was not self-defense. This was slaughter."If you have any information that could lead to the identification of the subject(s) responsible, please contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at (620) 330-1000 or message our Facebook page. You can request to remain anonymous."Together, we can send a clear message that our community will not stand for cruelty—to animals, to people, or to the values we share."

Sheriff: Pure evil; dogs shot, left to die along river in Kansas

Kobach faults Gov. Laura Kelly’s 2019 executive order on gender identity

TOPEKA — The Kansas State Board of Education and Attorney General Kris Kobach have been fighting about whether Kansas should drop a ban on discrimination against persons based on sexual orientation or gender identity from public school district contracts tied to federally funded food nutrition programs.

Kobach asserted the language of some contracts was inconsistent with executive orders issued by President Donald Trump in January, while the state Board of Education said anti-discrimination provisions in contracts for goods or services complied with an executive order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly in 2019.

On July 3, representatives of the state Board of Education met with Kobach to inform the attorney general the text of contracts had to be “made or approved” by the Kansas Department of Administration rather than the state Board of Education or the Kansas State Department of Education.

Kobach’s reply was to reiterate his opinion that non-discrimination language related to gender identity or sexual orientation wasn’t allowed in contracts affixed to federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He urged Kansas education officials to require deletion of offending passages from contracts with public school districts participating in USDA food nutrition programs.

“I remain convinced that school districts have the legal right to refuse the inclusion of language referring to ‘sexual orientation, gender identity or expression’ in their contracts,” Kobach said. “Whether these contracts are categorized internally as ‘state’ or ‘federal’ contracts, if any of the funding for these contracts originated from the federal government, they must be consistent with federal law going forward.”

Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://admin.ks.gov/media/cms/ca2deaf6-b1f3-410a-bff0-f5db5a574f3f.pdf" target="_blank">Executive Order No. 19-02&nbsp;</a>declared Kansas state government was committed to employment practices that prevented discrimination or harassment on account of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression as well as race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, military or veteran status, disability status, marital or family status, genetic information or political affiliation.

“In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need executive orders like this,” Kelly said at the time she signed the order in 2019. “It’s important that, until we become a perfect world, that we make sure that we’ve got the kinds of things in place that move it towards perfection.”

Kobach said the governor’s six-year-old directive was eclipsed Jan. 20 when Trump signed Executive Orders&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/31/2025-02097/ending-illegal-discrimination-and-restoring-merit-based-opportunity" target="_blank">14173,&nbsp;</a><a href="https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-01953.pdf" target="_blank">14151&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02090/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal" target="_blank">14168</a>.

Trump’s orders said federal agencies were forbidden from taking part in “dangerous, demeaning and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called ‘diversity, equity and inclusion.'” Trump’s orders also sought to reject the concept of gender identity and to prevent federal funds from being “used to promote gender ideology.”

In addition, Kobach pointed to an injunction issued in Kansas v. U.S. Department of Education forbidding then-President Joe Biden to establish gender identity as a protected category in Title IX. In July 2024, U.S. District Judge John Broomes of Kansas, who is a Trump appointee, blocked in four states enforcement of Biden’s rule expanding anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ students.

“A refusal by the Kansas Department of Administration to disburse funds, based on the absence of the (Kelly-mandated nondiscrimination) language … would be inconsistent with federal law and may risk federal funding for Kansas school children going forward,” Kobach said.

On Wednesday, the state Department of Education issued a statement that said collaboration continued with Kansas schools “toward a satisfactory resolution” of the conflict.

The dispute was initiated in June when Kobach contacted the state Board of Education to request removal of anti-discrimination language from contracts associated with USDA funding. That led to the July 3 meeting with the attorney general and representatives of the governor’s office, state Department of Administration, state Department of Education and state Board of Education.

“During that meeting, representatives of KSDE and the state board explained that the agencies are bound by state procurement laws and policies,” the state Department of Education statement said.

In late June, Kobach separately requested the U.S. Department of Education investigate four Kansas school districts for potentially failing to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA.

Kobach said the Topeka, Olathe, Shawnee Mission and Kansas City, Kansas, school districts had “harmful and illegal” policies allowing or requiring teachers to conceal from parents information concerning social transitioning of children.

“That a Kansas school district would so cavalierly act to hide such information from parents is shockingly irresponsible,” Kobach said.

Meanwhile, the Kansas Court of Appeals in mid-June reversed a district court decision blocking Kansas officials from complying with requests from individuals to change gender markers on their driver’s licenses. Kobach had filed a lawsuit in 2023 to stop transgender people from changing gender information on licenses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752169345524.png" alt=" Attorney General Kris Kobach, shown speaking on the Washburn University campus, is battling the Kansas State Board of Education and Kansas Department of Education to remove from school district contracts tied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture food programs all references to Gov. Laura Kelly's policy prohibiting gender identity discrimination in contracting. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Attorney General Kris Kobach, shown speaking on the Washburn University campus, is battling the Kansas State Board of Education and Kansas Department of Education to remove from school district contracts tied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture food programs all references to Gov. Laura Kelly's policy prohibiting gender identity discrimination in contracting. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Kobach faults Gov. Laura Kelly’s 2019 executive order on gender identity</h2>TOPEKA — The Kansas State Board of Education and Attorney General Kris Kobach have been fighting about whether Kansas should drop a ban on discrimination against persons based on sexual orientation or gender identity from public school district contracts tied to federally funded food nutrition programs.Kobach asserted the language of some contracts was inconsistent with executive orders issued by President Donald Trump in January, while the state Board of Education said anti-discrimination provisions in contracts for goods or services complied with an executive order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly in 2019.On July 3, representatives of the state Board of Education met with Kobach to inform the attorney general the text of contracts had to be “made or approved” by the Kansas Department of Administration rather than the state Board of Education or the Kansas State Department of Education.Kobach’s reply was to reiterate his opinion that non-discrimination language related to gender identity or sexual orientation wasn’t allowed in contracts affixed to federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He urged Kansas education officials to require deletion of offending passages from contracts with public school districts participating in USDA food nutrition programs.“I remain convinced that school districts have the legal right to refuse the inclusion of language referring to ‘sexual orientation, gender identity or expression’ in their contracts,” Kobach said. “Whether these contracts are categorized internally as ‘state’ or ‘federal’ contracts, if any of the funding for these contracts originated from the federal government, they must be consistent with federal law going forward.”Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://admin.ks.gov/media/cms/ca2deaf6-b1f3-410a-bff0-f5db5a574f3f.pdf" target="_blank">Executive Order No. 19-02&nbsp;</a>declared Kansas state government was committed to employment practices that prevented discrimination or harassment on account of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression as well as race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, military or veteran status, disability status, marital or family status, genetic information or political affiliation.“In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need executive orders like this,” Kelly said at the time she signed the order in 2019. “It’s important that, until we become a perfect world, that we make sure that we’ve got the kinds of things in place that move it towards perfection.”Kobach said the governor’s six-year-old directive was eclipsed Jan. 20 when Trump signed Executive Orders&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/31/2025-02097/ending-illegal-discrimination-and-restoring-merit-based-opportunity" target="_blank">14173,&nbsp;</a><a href="https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-01953.pdf" target="_blank">14151&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02090/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal" target="_blank">14168</a>.Trump’s orders said federal agencies were forbidden from taking part in “dangerous, demeaning and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called ‘diversity, equity and inclusion.'” Trump’s orders also sought to reject the concept of gender identity and to prevent federal funds from being “used to promote gender ideology.”In addition, Kobach pointed to an injunction issued in Kansas v. U.S. Department of Education forbidding then-President Joe Biden to establish gender identity as a protected category in Title IX. In July 2024, U.S. District Judge John Broomes of Kansas, who is a Trump appointee, blocked in four states enforcement of Biden’s rule expanding anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ students.“A refusal by the Kansas Department of Administration to disburse funds, based on the absence of the (Kelly-mandated nondiscrimination) language … would be inconsistent with federal law and may risk federal funding for Kansas school children going forward,” Kobach said.On Wednesday, the state Department of Education issued a statement that said collaboration continued with Kansas schools “toward a satisfactory resolution” of the conflict.The dispute was initiated in June when Kobach contacted the state Board of Education to request removal of anti-discrimination language from contracts associated with USDA funding. That led to the July 3 meeting with the attorney general and representatives of the governor’s office, state Department of Administration, state Department of Education and state Board of Education.“During that meeting, representatives of KSDE and the state board explained that the agencies are bound by state procurement laws and policies,” the state Department of Education statement said.In late June, Kobach separately requested the U.S. Department of Education investigate four Kansas school districts for potentially failing to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA.Kobach said the Topeka, Olathe, Shawnee Mission and Kansas City, Kansas, school districts had “harmful and illegal” policies allowing or requiring teachers to conceal from parents information concerning social transitioning of children.“That a Kansas school district would so cavalierly act to hide such information from parents is shockingly irresponsible,” Kobach said.Meanwhile, the Kansas Court of Appeals in mid-June reversed a district court decision blocking Kansas officials from complying with requests from individuals to change gender markers on their driver’s licenses. Kobach had filed a lawsuit in 2023 to stop transgender people from changing gender information on licenses.

Kansas AG seeks removal of anti-discrimination text from school district contracts

WYANDOTTE COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement investigating after a person was found dead on a street in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victim as 34-year-old Elcena Painter, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas police.

Just before 5a.m. Wednesday, callers reported a person lying on the street in the 4600 Block of Greeley Avenue. When officers arrived, they found Painter.&nbsp; Police did not know how the victim died.

This incident remains under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case and Traffic Investigation Units. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.There is nothing further to report at this time.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement investigating after a person was found dead on a street in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victim as 34-year-old Elcena Painter, according to a statement from Kansas City, Kansas police.Just before 5a.m. Wednesday, callers reported a person lying on the street in the 4600 Block of Greeley Avenue. When officers arrived, they found Painter.&nbsp; Police did not know how the victim died.This incident remains under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case and Traffic Investigation Units. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.There is nothing further to report at this time.

Police ID victim found dead on Kansas street 

Record outbreak comes as vaccine skepticism increasingly gains a federal foothold.

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/thenderson/">Tim Henderson</a>

Measles cases have surpassed a recent 2019 record to reach the highest level since 1992, with at least 1,289 cases reported in 39 states.

The milestone comes as health officials are increasingly alarmed by vaccine skepticism gaining a voice in the Trump administration under U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Pediatricians and public health associations filed&nbsp;<a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/FiledSuit.pdf?_gl=1*d9u6yb*_ga*MzQ4MDI4MjI0LjE3NTE5MTMxMTI.*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*czE3NTE5MTMxMTIkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTE5MTMxMTIkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank">a federal lawsuit this</a>&nbsp;week challenging a May directive by Kennedy, claiming it “creates barriers” to vaccination for pregnant women and young children

“Because of his name and profile, Mr. Kennedy has been instrumental in increasing the levels of vaccine hesitancy and skepticism in this country,” the lawsuit states. “The Secretary’s dismantling of the vaccine infrastructure must end.”

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html" target="_blank">reported Wednesday</a>&nbsp;that there were 1,288 cases in 38 states, surpassing the 2019 level of 1,274.&nbsp;<a href="https://dph.sc.gov/news/dph-confirms-measles-upstate-resident-0" target="_blank">South Carolina</a>&nbsp;later reported its own first case of the year, an unvaccinated international traveler in the northwestern Upstate area of the state.

<a href="https://health.wyo.gov/measles-case-confirmed-in-natrona-county/" target="_blank">Wyoming</a>&nbsp;reported its first measles case since 2010 on July 1, an unvaccinated child in Natrona County.

Other states recently joining the list:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2025/06/24/first-case-measles-identified-north-carolina" target="_blank">North Carolina</a>&nbsp;reported its first case of the year June 24, in a child visiting Forsyth and Guilford counties from another country. And&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oregon.gov/oha/erd/pages/oregons-first-measles-case-of-2025-confirmed-in-multnomah-county.aspx" target="_blank">Oregon</a>&nbsp;reported a case the same day for a person identified only as an unvaccinated international traveler sickened in June after returning to the Portland area.

“We’re here to tell you that measles is now in Oregon, and if you’re not vaccinated, you are susceptible,” said Dr. Paul R. Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division, in in a statement.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and can spread rapidly among unvaccinated people.

Utah reported&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/20/utah-measles-case-reported-utah/" target="_blank">its first case</a>&nbsp;June 20, an unvaccinated person with no recent travel out of state. The state&nbsp;<a href="https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/" target="_blank">now has nine cases</a>, mostly in Utah County, where Provo is located.

Confirmed cases this year were also reported in these other states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:thenderson@stateline.org">thenderson@stateline.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743085628490.png" alt="&nbsp;Photo by Tatiana Lanzieri Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.png" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Photo by Tatiana Lanzieri Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.png</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Record outbreak comes as vaccine skepticism increasingly gains a federal foothold.</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://stateline.org/author/thenderson/">Tim Henderson</a>Measles cases have surpassed a recent 2019 record to reach the highest level since 1992, with at least 1,289 cases reported in 39 states.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752083381391.png" alt="87 cases of Measles in 11 counties in Kansas as of July 9. KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>87 cases of Measles in 11 counties in Kansas as of July 9. KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The milestone comes as health officials are increasingly alarmed by vaccine skepticism gaining a voice in the Trump administration under U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Pediatricians and public health associations filed&nbsp;<a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/FiledSuit.pdf?_gl=1*d9u6yb*_ga*MzQ4MDI4MjI0LjE3NTE5MTMxMTI.*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*czE3NTE5MTMxMTIkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTE5MTMxMTIkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank">a federal lawsuit this</a>&nbsp;week challenging a May directive by Kennedy, claiming it “creates barriers” to vaccination for pregnant women and young children“Because of his name and profile, Mr. Kennedy has been instrumental in increasing the levels of vaccine hesitancy and skepticism in this country,” the lawsuit states. “The Secretary’s dismantling of the vaccine infrastructure must end.”The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html" target="_blank">reported Wednesday</a>&nbsp;that there were 1,288 cases in 38 states, surpassing the 2019 level of 1,274.&nbsp;<a href="https://dph.sc.gov/news/dph-confirms-measles-upstate-resident-0" target="_blank">South Carolina</a>&nbsp;later reported its own first case of the year, an unvaccinated international traveler in the northwestern Upstate area of the state.<a href="https://health.wyo.gov/measles-case-confirmed-in-natrona-county/" target="_blank">Wyoming</a>&nbsp;reported its first measles case since 2010 on July 1, an unvaccinated child in Natrona County.Other states recently joining the list:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2025/06/24/first-case-measles-identified-north-carolina" target="_blank">North Carolina</a>&nbsp;reported its first case of the year June 24, in a child visiting Forsyth and Guilford counties from another country. And&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oregon.gov/oha/erd/pages/oregons-first-measles-case-of-2025-confirmed-in-multnomah-county.aspx" target="_blank">Oregon</a>&nbsp;reported a case the same day for a person identified only as an unvaccinated international traveler sickened in June after returning to the Portland area.“We’re here to tell you that measles is now in Oregon, and if you’re not vaccinated, you are susceptible,” said Dr. Paul R. Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division, in in a statement.Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and can spread rapidly among unvaccinated people.Utah reported&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/20/utah-measles-case-reported-utah/" target="_blank">its first case</a>&nbsp;June 20, an unvaccinated person with no recent travel out of state. The state&nbsp;<a href="https://epi.utah.gov/measles-response/" target="_blank">now has nine cases</a>, mostly in Utah County, where Provo is located.Confirmed cases this year were also reported in these other states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:thenderson@stateline.org">thenderson@stateline.org</a>.

Measles reaches highest level in 33 years, now in 39 states

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed off on a number of broadly supported education bills Wednesday

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

There could be more retired teachers returning as substitutes and more home-schooled students will be able to participate in sports and other school activities, thanks to a stack of bipartisan education bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed 13 bills Wednesday, including numerous education provisions passed in a handful of bipartisan bills. Several more bill signings are planned before all work on legislation from the 2025 session hits a Monday deadline.

State lawmakers this year debated a number of controversial proposals, like opening up school district enrollment boundaries or allowing for alternative methods of school accreditation. But the majority of education legislation that made it to the governor was widely supported on both sides of the aisle.

“From implementing distraction-free classrooms to expanding school safety efforts, the legislation signed into law this afternoon impacts both K-12 students and Missourians pursuing higher and career technical education,” Kehoe said in a news release.

Here are some of the provisions Kehoe signed into law:

Encouraging retired educators to substitute teach

Retired&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/09/retired-educators-to-continue-substitute-teaching-in-missouri-without-losing-benefits/">teachers may continue to fill in as substitutes</a>&nbsp;on a part-time or temporary basis until 2030 without losing their benefit from the Public School Retirement System.

The legislation is an extension of a 2022 law that was due to sunset this year. Three years ago, lawmakers saw a need to bring retirees into classrooms as COVID-19 reduced the teacher workforce and put a 2025 expiration on the provision.

But the need for substitutes still exists.

In the 2023-24 school year, 4,500 retired educators served as substitutes, according to data from the Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri.

State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Moberly Republican and House Education Committee chair, told The Independent last month that the law helps keep trained teachers in front of students.

“There would be open positions that would not get filled around the state (if the provision didn’t pass),” he said. “Many of them we would have completely unqualified people in those positions, when you have perfectly qualified people who might be a little bit older but have tons of experience.”

This legislation applies to part-time and temporary substitutes. A different&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=169.331&amp;bid=54133&amp;hl=" target="_blank">statute allows a handful of retirees to work full-time</a>. Since 2003, retired teachers have been able to return full-time for two years, which lawmakers increased to four years in 2023.

School districts will be required to establish policies for the upcoming school year&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-lawmakers-pass-ban-on-cell-phones-in-public-school-classrooms/">that restrict cell-phone usage during the school day</a>&nbsp;with few exceptions.

Students with a disability that requires use of a mobile device are exempted, and cell phones are allowed during safety emergencies. Otherwise, including during lunch and between classes, students will be expected to keep their cell phones stowed unless told otherwise by a teacher.

Roughly 53% of school leaders believe that cell-phone usage has hurt students’ learning abilities and 72% say it has negatively impacted mental health, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/2_19_2025.asp" target="_blank">the National Center for Education Statistics</a>. A St. Louis University/YouGov poll&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/18/poll-shows-high-satisfaction-with-trump-in-missouri-mixed-views-on-his-policies/">earlier this year</a>&nbsp;found 76% of Missourians favor restrictions for elementary students, 75% for middle school and 70% for high school.

State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, filed the bill this session with a proposal only to ban cell phone use during instructional time. Lawmakers ultimately passed a more restrictive policy, and Steinhoff believes kids will benefit.

“The statistics really do hold that if we do the (full day), bell to bell,” Steinhoff told The Independent in May. “That’s going to have the biggest turnaround.”

Homeschoolers in extracurricular activities

Home-educated students will be able to join public schools’ extracurricular activities in the upcoming school year.

The legislation,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/30/homeschool-athletes-await-missouri-governors-decision-on-access-to-public-school-sports/">proposed for over a decade in Missouri</a>, will require public schools to allow homeschooled students to try out for sports teams and join clubs beginning in August.

Previously, the Missouri State High School Activities Association allowed homeschoolers to join public-school teams if they were enrolled in two classes at the school. Districts could have more restrictive policies, with many denying access to those who weren’t publicly educated full-time.

For years, families with young athletes and performers have testified at the State Capitol for access to extracurricular activities. Some lawmakers worried about homeschooled students having separate academic and attendance standards, saying their participation could be unfair.

But ultimately, it passed the Senate 30-3 and the House 94-44.

A new law will allow school districts to hire chaplains or accept them as volunteers.

The bill was not as widely accepted as some other education provisions passed this year and drew criticism from lawmakers who worry chaplains would use the opportunity to evangelize students instead of comforting those who already share their faith.

The bill’s sponsor state Sen. Rusty Black, a Chillicothe Republican and former educator, said he filed the bill to help students’ and teachers’ wellbeing.

“Allowing a school district to employ or have a chaplain as a volunteer would benefit students and faculty who are struggling mentally and spiritually,” he said in the Senate’s discussion of the legislation in February.

During the bill’s hearing in the Senate Education Committee, a minister with the Satanic Temple of Missouri Virgil Ovid said he would welcome the opportunity to become a school chaplain.

Lawmakers then added language that would limit chaplains to those that are members “of a Department of Defense listed religious-endorsing organization recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board,” which excludes satanic ministers.

Legislation also signed Wednesday will ban hair discrimination in educational settings. Dubbed the “CROWN Act,” which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, the law is part of a national movement to protect textured hair.

The cities of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/mayor/news/mayor-jones-signs-crown-act-into-law.cfm" target="_blank">St. Louis</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/city-officials/mayor-quinton-lucas/mayor-lucas-press/press-releases/mayor-lucas-applauds-passage-of-crown-act-will-hold-signing-ceremony" target="_blank">Kansas City</a>&nbsp;have protections for natural hair textures, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thecrownact.com/about" target="_blank">at least 27 states</a>&nbsp;have enshrined the CROWN Act.

The bill’s sponsor state Sen. Barbara Washington, a Democrat from Kansas City, told the Senate in May that she has seen people treat her and loved ones differently based on hair texture. She hopes students can be free from the pressure to change their hair and should not lose out on opportunities “simply because they chose to wear their hair in braids or an afro or dreadlocks.”

The legislation bars educational institutions receiving state funds from placing restrictions on natural styles “commonly associated with a particular race or origin.”&nbsp;

Safety measures, like requiring hair nets, are permitted.

Missouri State University may offer PhD programs

Lawmakers chipped away at the University of Missouri System’s exclusive rights to certain degrees, opening the doors for Missouri State University to offer doctoral degrees.

State law has historically limited certain degree programs in public universities, giving the University of Missouri System dominance over PhD programs and research doctorates. But the changes will let Missouri State offer doctorate of philosophy degrees in subjects other than engineering.

“This legislation marks a significant milestone for Missouri State University,” Missouri State President Richard B. Williams said in a May&nbsp;<a href="https://news.missouristate.edu/2025/05/12/missouri-legislature-approves-bills-allowing-missouri-state-to-offer-doctoral-degrees/" target="_blank">press release</a>. “The ability to independently offer doctoral programs will help us better meet regional workforce needs across southwest Missouri and the state.”

Missouri high school graduates will be able to attend&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-lawmakers-create-pathway-for-free-career-tech-education/">career-tech programs using a grant mirrored after the state’s A+ Program</a>&nbsp;beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Ann Kelley, a Republican from Lamar, will use state funds to help students pursue careers in fields like agriculture, nursing, cosmetology and other areas with career-certificate programs.

“This will increase (the workforce) astronomically,” Kelley told The Independent. “And it’s great for the kids who are in those career-tech programs. It gives them another avenue to make themselves better.”

To qualify, students will need to graduate high school with at least a 2.5 GPA, at least 95% attendance rate, 50 hours of unpaid tutoring and achieve proficiency in the Algebra I end-of-course exam. Students with&nbsp;<a href="https://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/career-education/career-and-technical-education-certificate" target="_blank">high school career-tech certificates</a>&nbsp;will also be eligible.

Universally transferable associate’s degrees

State-funded colleges will expand the number of courses universally transferable in Missouri with a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/20/missouri-lawmakers-push-state-colleges-to-create-60-credit-hour-transferable-degree-programs/">charge from lawmakers to collaborate on five 60-credit-hour degree programs</a>.

Since the 2018-19 school year, students&nbsp;<a href="https://dhewd.mo.gov/higher-education/academic-affairs/core-42" target="_blank">have been able to transfer 42 credit hours between community colleges and universities</a>&nbsp;that receive state funding. The new law will add 18 more transferable credit hours in the programs of business, biology, elementary education, psychology and nursing.

Community colleges spoke in favor of the legislation in a House hearing, while representatives from four-year institutions said they hoped existing articulation agreements could stand.

Colleges must have the degree programs negotiated and ready by the 2028-29 school year.

“If you go to a community college in southeast Missouri and you transfer to a four year school in northwest Missouri, we want it to be a seamless transition across the state,” the bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Cameron Parker of Campbell, told The Independent. “So if you go to any community college, you will know what any of the four-year schools are going to take.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752151571645.png" alt="Photo courtesy&nbsp; Governor's officd" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy&nbsp; Governor's officd</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Gov. Mike Kehoe signed off on a number of broadly supported education bills Wednesday</h2>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ahanshaw/">Annelise Hanshaw</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>There could be more retired teachers returning as substitutes and more home-schooled students will be able to participate in sports and other school activities, thanks to a stack of bipartisan education bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Mike Kehoe.Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed 13 bills Wednesday, including numerous education provisions passed in a handful of bipartisan bills. Several more bill signings are planned before all work on legislation from the 2025 session hits a Monday deadline.State lawmakers this year debated a number of controversial proposals, like opening up school district enrollment boundaries or allowing for alternative methods of school accreditation. But the majority of education legislation that made it to the governor was widely supported on both sides of the aisle.“From implementing distraction-free classrooms to expanding school safety efforts, the legislation signed into law this afternoon impacts both K-12 students and Missourians pursuing higher and career technical education,” Kehoe said in a news release.Here are some of the provisions Kehoe signed into law:<h2>Encouraging retired educators to substitute teach</h2>Retired&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/09/retired-educators-to-continue-substitute-teaching-in-missouri-without-losing-benefits/">teachers may continue to fill in as substitutes</a>&nbsp;on a part-time or temporary basis until 2030 without losing their benefit from the Public School Retirement System.The legislation is an extension of a 2022 law that was due to sunset this year. Three years ago, lawmakers saw a need to bring retirees into classrooms as COVID-19 reduced the teacher workforce and put a 2025 expiration on the provision.But the need for substitutes still exists.In the 2023-24 school year, 4,500 retired educators served as substitutes, according to data from the Public School and Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri.State Rep. Ed Lewis, a Moberly Republican and House Education Committee chair, told The Independent last month that the law helps keep trained teachers in front of students.“There would be open positions that would not get filled around the state (if the provision didn’t pass),” he said. “Many of them we would have completely unqualified people in those positions, when you have perfectly qualified people who might be a little bit older but have tons of experience.”This legislation applies to part-time and temporary substitutes. A different&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=169.331&amp;bid=54133&amp;hl=" target="_blank">statute allows a handful of retirees to work full-time</a>. Since 2003, retired teachers have been able to return full-time for two years, which lawmakers increased to four years in 2023.<h2>Cell phone limitations</h2>School districts will be required to establish policies for the upcoming school year&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-lawmakers-pass-ban-on-cell-phones-in-public-school-classrooms/">that restrict cell-phone usage during the school day</a>&nbsp;with few exceptions.Students with a disability that requires use of a mobile device are exempted, and cell phones are allowed during safety emergencies. Otherwise, including during lunch and between classes, students will be expected to keep their cell phones stowed unless told otherwise by a teacher.Roughly 53% of school leaders believe that cell-phone usage has hurt students’ learning abilities and 72% say it has negatively impacted mental health, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/2_19_2025.asp" target="_blank">the National Center for Education Statistics</a>. A St. Louis University/YouGov poll&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/03/18/poll-shows-high-satisfaction-with-trump-in-missouri-mixed-views-on-his-policies/">earlier this year</a>&nbsp;found 76% of Missourians favor restrictions for elementary students, 75% for middle school and 70% for high school.State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat from Columbia, filed the bill this session with a proposal only to ban cell phone use during instructional time. Lawmakers ultimately passed a more restrictive policy, and Steinhoff believes kids will benefit.“The statistics really do hold that if we do the (full day), bell to bell,” Steinhoff told The Independent in May. “That’s going to have the biggest turnaround.”<h2>Homeschoolers in extracurricular activities</h2>Home-educated students will be able to join public schools’ extracurricular activities in the upcoming school year.The legislation,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/05/30/homeschool-athletes-await-missouri-governors-decision-on-access-to-public-school-sports/">proposed for over a decade in Missouri</a>, will require public schools to allow homeschooled students to try out for sports teams and join clubs beginning in August.Previously, the Missouri State High School Activities Association allowed homeschoolers to join public-school teams if they were enrolled in two classes at the school. Districts could have more restrictive policies, with many denying access to those who weren’t publicly educated full-time.For years, families with young athletes and performers have testified at the State Capitol for access to extracurricular activities. Some lawmakers worried about homeschooled students having separate academic and attendance standards, saying their participation could be unfair.But ultimately, it passed the Senate 30-3 and the House 94-44.<h2>School chaplains</h2>A new law will allow school districts to hire chaplains or accept them as volunteers.The bill was not as widely accepted as some other education provisions passed this year and drew criticism from lawmakers who worry chaplains would use the opportunity to evangelize students instead of comforting those who already share their faith.The bill’s sponsor state Sen. Rusty Black, a Chillicothe Republican and former educator, said he filed the bill to help students’ and teachers’ wellbeing.“Allowing a school district to employ or have a chaplain as a volunteer would benefit students and faculty who are struggling mentally and spiritually,” he said in the Senate’s discussion of the legislation in February.During the bill’s hearing in the Senate Education Committee, a minister with the Satanic Temple of Missouri Virgil Ovid said he would welcome the opportunity to become a school chaplain.Lawmakers then added language that would limit chaplains to those that are members “of a Department of Defense listed religious-endorsing organization recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board,” which excludes satanic ministers.<h2>CROWN Act</h2>Legislation also signed Wednesday will ban hair discrimination in educational settings. Dubbed the “CROWN Act,” which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, the law is part of a national movement to protect textured hair.The cities of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/mayor/news/mayor-jones-signs-crown-act-into-law.cfm" target="_blank">St. Louis</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/city-officials/mayor-quinton-lucas/mayor-lucas-press/press-releases/mayor-lucas-applauds-passage-of-crown-act-will-hold-signing-ceremony" target="_blank">Kansas City</a>&nbsp;have protections for natural hair textures, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thecrownact.com/about" target="_blank">at least 27 states</a>&nbsp;have enshrined the CROWN Act.The bill’s sponsor state Sen. Barbara Washington, a Democrat from Kansas City, told the Senate in May that she has seen people treat her and loved ones differently based on hair texture. She hopes students can be free from the pressure to change their hair and should not lose out on opportunities “simply because they chose to wear their hair in braids or an afro or dreadlocks.”The legislation bars educational institutions receiving state funds from placing restrictions on natural styles “commonly associated with a particular race or origin.”&nbsp;Safety measures, like requiring hair nets, are permitted.<h2>Missouri State University may offer PhD programs</h2>Lawmakers chipped away at the University of Missouri System’s exclusive rights to certain degrees, opening the doors for Missouri State University to offer doctoral degrees.State law has historically limited certain degree programs in public universities, giving the University of Missouri System dominance over PhD programs and research doctorates. But the changes will let Missouri State offer doctorate of philosophy degrees in subjects other than engineering.“This legislation marks a significant milestone for Missouri State University,” Missouri State President Richard B. Williams said in a May&nbsp;<a href="https://news.missouristate.edu/2025/05/12/missouri-legislature-approves-bills-allowing-missouri-state-to-offer-doctoral-degrees/" target="_blank">press release</a>. “The ability to independently offer doctoral programs will help us better meet regional workforce needs across southwest Missouri and the state.”<h2>Career-technical education scholarships</h2>Missouri high school graduates will be able to attend&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-lawmakers-create-pathway-for-free-career-tech-education/">career-tech programs using a grant mirrored after the state’s A+ Program</a>&nbsp;beginning in the 2026-27 school year.Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Ann Kelley, a Republican from Lamar, will use state funds to help students pursue careers in fields like agriculture, nursing, cosmetology and other areas with career-certificate programs.“This will increase (the workforce) astronomically,” Kelley told The Independent. “And it’s great for the kids who are in those career-tech programs. It gives them another avenue to make themselves better.”To qualify, students will need to graduate high school with at least a 2.5 GPA, at least 95% attendance rate, 50 hours of unpaid tutoring and achieve proficiency in the Algebra I end-of-course exam. Students with&nbsp;<a href="https://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/career-education/career-and-technical-education-certificate" target="_blank">high school career-tech certificates</a>&nbsp;will also be eligible.<h2>Universally transferable associate’s degrees</h2>State-funded colleges will expand the number of courses universally transferable in Missouri with a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/06/20/missouri-lawmakers-push-state-colleges-to-create-60-credit-hour-transferable-degree-programs/">charge from lawmakers to collaborate on five 60-credit-hour degree programs</a>.Since the 2018-19 school year, students&nbsp;<a href="https://dhewd.mo.gov/higher-education/academic-affairs/core-42" target="_blank">have been able to transfer 42 credit hours between community colleges and universities</a>&nbsp;that receive state funding. The new law will add 18 more transferable credit hours in the programs of business, biology, elementary education, psychology and nursing.Community colleges spoke in favor of the legislation in a House hearing, while representatives from four-year institutions said they hoped existing articulation agreements could stand.Colleges must have the degree programs negotiated and ready by the 2028-29 school year.“If you go to a community college in southeast Missouri and you transfer to a four year school in northwest Missouri, we want it to be a seamless transition across the state,” the bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Cameron Parker of Campbell, told The Independent. “So if you go to any community college, you will know what any of the four-year schools are going to take.”

Missouri Governor signs bipartisan education legislation into law

Topekan served previously in Kansas Senate, worked 40 years as pharmacist

TOPEKA — Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki&nbsp;Schmidt launched Wednesday a campaign to win the Republican Party’s nomination for governor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1752150470682.png" alt=" Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, shown taking the oath of office in 2023, is a candidate for Kansas governor in 2026. The Republican previously served in the Kansas Senate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, shown taking the oath of office in 2023, is a candidate for Kansas governor in 2026. The Republican previously served in the Kansas Senate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Topekan served previously in Kansas Senate, worked 40 years as pharmacist</h2>TOPEKA — Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki&nbsp;Schmidt launched Wednesday a campaign to win the Republican Party’s nomination for governor.Schmidt&nbsp;worked for more than four decades as a pharmacist and served in the Kansas Senate for 14 years before elected state insurance commissioner in 2018. She was reelected in 2022 by a margin of more than 250,000 votes out of nearly 1 million ballots cast.“Throughout my personal and professional career, I have a track record of serving Kansans and actually getting things done,” Schmidt said in a statement. “If elected governor, my top priority is the people of Kansas and making their lives better.”“I’m not always going to tell you what you want to hear, but I am going to tell you the truth,” she said.Schmidt joined other prominent Republicans, including former Gov. Jeff Colyer and Secretary of State Scott Schwab, in the GOP primary scheduled for August 2026.Colyer, who became governor in 2018 after Gov. Sam Brownback resigned to take a position in the first administration of President Donald Trump, said Schmidt’s candidacy wouldn’t deter his effort to unite the Kansas GOP behind a pro-Trump agenda.“Welcome to the race, Vicki&nbsp;Schmidt,” Colyer’s statement said. “Never Trumpers deserve a candidate, too.”In addition, Schwab responded to Schmidt’s entrance into the governor’s race by saying, “Kansans want a conservative who can win in November, deliver true property tax relief and help our shrinking rural communities.”Interest in the 2026 contest for Kansas governor will be driven by two-term Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s inability to seek reelection.Schmidt said that as insurance commissioner she advanced regulatory reforms to lower business costs by more than $75 million. She asserted she was known for “her work ethic, scrutiny of government operations and customer service approach to serving Kansans.”“Every Kansan deserves a governor they can rely on to not only tackle the big issues, but the little things like actually having people answer the phone when you call for help,” she said.In 2023, she publicly shared her diagnosis of breast cancer and made use of the personal health challenge to encourage women to get yearly mammograms. Her cancer was treated through surgery and radiation.“The biggest challenge of my life? Beating breast cancer,” she said. “It was scary and humbling. The support I received from Kansans during my darkest days has continued to drive me in my support for them.”In terms of the race for the Democratic Party’s nomination, Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park, announced her candidacy. Other Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes of Lenexa, expressed interest in seeking the nomination.Johanna Warshaw, spokesperson for the Democratic Governors Association, said Schmidt’s entrance into the race helped transform the “already messy and crowded GOP primary into extreme chaos.” Kelly, the Kansas governor, is chair of DGA.“Schmidt brings to this race a disastrous and disqualifying record of voting to enact Sam Brownback’s failed tax experiment,” Warshaw said. “On the other hand, Governor Laura Kelly has shown Kansans what steady, middle-of-the-road leadership looks like. That’s exactly the type of leadership Kansans will want to stick with no matter who enters the race.”