BENTON COUNTY, Arkansas —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting and asking for help to locate a teen suspect with connections to Kansas.

On April 13, officers responded to a shots fired call in the 400 block of East Asher Court in Rogers, Arkansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; After investigating, it was determined that a 17-year-old victim by the name Alexus Lien Nguyen had been shot and was found deceased on scene. 

Detectives processed the scene, conducted a thorough investigation, and were able to develop 17-year-old Alejandro Zenon-Reyes as the suspect, which resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest on the charge of manslaughter.

 During and since the investigation began, it is apparent that Zenon-Reyes has fled the state of Arkansas to avoid apprehension. 

Zenon-Reyes has ties to areas such as; Wichita and Arkansas City Kansas, West Covina California, Phoenix Arizona and Dallas/Fort Worth Texas. 

After a court order was filed allowing the release of Zenon-Reyes’s information due to his juvenile status, the U.S. Marshals are now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736368995462.png" alt="ZENON-REYES" />
 <figcaption>ZENON-REYES</figcaption>
 </figure>BENTON COUNTY, Arkansas —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting and asking for help to locate a teen suspect with connections to Kansas.On April 13, officers responded to a shots fired call in the 400 block of East Asher Court in Rogers, Arkansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; After investigating, it was determined that a 17-year-old victim by the name Alexus Lien Nguyen had been shot and was found deceased on scene. Detectives processed the scene, conducted a thorough investigation, and were able to develop 17-year-old Alejandro Zenon-Reyes as the suspect, which resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest on the charge of manslaughter. During and since the investigation began, it is apparent that Zenon-Reyes has fled the state of Arkansas to avoid apprehension. Zenon-Reyes has ties to areas such as; Wichita and Arkansas City Kansas, West Covina California, Phoenix Arizona and Dallas/Fort Worth Texas. After a court order was filed allowing the release of Zenon-Reyes’s information due to his juvenile status, the U.S. Marshals are now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.&nbsp;

Search continues for teen murder suspect with ties to Kansas

KANSAS CITY—A suspect is alive and facing multiple charges after an arrest last week in Clay County, Missouri.

Shortly before 6 p.m. Jan. 22, sheriff deputies spotted a stolen vehicle in the Liberty Triangle northeast of Kansas City, according to a media release from the Clay County Sheriff.

 Due to the time of day and traffic, deputies kept an eye on the vehicle but did not pursue it while other law enforcement moved into the area with Stop Sticks. 

The driver spotted the deputy and took off. Missouri State Highway Patrol began pursuit, and the vehicle crashed at 152 Highway and Shoal Creek Parkway. No other cars were involved. The driver then ran into the woods. 

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department's helicopter helped deputies locate and arrest the suspect. Once he was in a deputy's vehicle to be taken to jail, he began to slump over and said he thought he was overdosing. 

He was going in and out of consciousness. The deputy immediately pulled over and administered Narcan, the opioid antidote, and asked for an ambulance. 

The suspect regained consciousness on scene. The suspect was transported to the hospital to be checked out before being booked into the Clay County Detention Center. 

Jorge A. Fraire, Jr., has been charged with aggravated fleeing from a stop, tampering with a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident. He is being held on a $75,000 bond.&nbsp; "He lived to face these consequences." The sheriff's office stated.

KANSAS CITY—A suspect is alive and facing multiple charges after an arrest last week in Clay County, Missouri.Shortly before 6 p.m. Jan. 22, sheriff deputies spotted a stolen vehicle in the Liberty Triangle northeast of Kansas City, according to a media release from the Clay County Sheriff. Due to the time of day and traffic, deputies kept an eye on the vehicle but did not pursue it while other law enforcement moved into the area with Stop Sticks. The driver spotted the deputy and took off. Missouri State Highway Patrol began pursuit, and the vehicle crashed at 152 Highway and Shoal Creek Parkway. No other cars were involved. The driver then ran into the woods. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department's helicopter helped deputies locate and arrest the suspect. Once he was in a deputy's vehicle to be taken to jail, he began to slump over and said he thought he was overdosing. He was going in and out of consciousness. The deputy immediately pulled over and administered Narcan, the opioid antidote, and asked for an ambulance. The suspect regained consciousness on scene. The suspect was transported to the hospital to be checked out before being booked into the Clay County Detention Center. Jorge A. Fraire, Jr., has been charged with aggravated fleeing from a stop, tampering with a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident. He is being held on a $75,000 bond.&nbsp; "He lived to face these consequences." The sheriff's office stated.

Deputy saved stolen vehicle suspect's life after chase, crash

OZARK COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Saturday in Ozark County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by a 38-year-old Caulfield man was traveling on Highway H four miles west of Caulfield.

The pickup traveled off the road and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle then traveled off the left side of the road, struxk a utility pole, rolled the the driver was ejected.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene just after 2p.m. and was transported to Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville.&nbsp; The driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol no longer releases the identity of accident victims.

OZARK COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 12:30p.m. Saturday in Ozark County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by a 38-year-old Caulfield man was traveling on Highway H four miles west of Caulfield.The pickup traveled off the road and the driver overcorrected. The vehicle then traveled off the left side of the road, struxk a utility pole, rolled the the driver was ejected.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene just after 2p.m. and was transported to Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville.&nbsp; The driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.The Missouri State Highway Patrol no longer releases the identity of accident victims.

Mo. man dies after ejected in pickup rollover crash

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is facing charges in connection to a damaged gravesite headstone belonging to an unsolved homicide victim.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2487/REDACTED-COMPLAINT--LEE">JoSean Lee, 20, faces</a>&nbsp;charges of Harassment in the First Degree, Knowingly Disturbing a Burial Site, and Property Damage in the First Degree, all Class E felonies, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Deliberately destroying a burial site is not only a criminal offense but also inflicts lasting trauma on a family already grieving for their loved one. Regardless of age, if you choose to engage in this type of destructive and disrespectful behavior, you will face serious consequences. My office will continue to prosecute these cases to the fullest extent possible,”&nbsp;said Prosecutor Johnson.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2487/REDACTED-COMPLAINT--LEE">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 5900 block of Bannister Road on a property damage report on January 13. They found the top portion of a headstone belonging to a victim of an unsolved homicide knocked over and damaged.&nbsp;

A detective viewed a video on Instagram showing two men, one identified as Lee, standing by the headstone and yelling at the grave. The defendant is seen pouring an unknown liquid on it. In the video, Lee is seen armed with a rifle. The video also shows Lee trying to light the liquid he poured on the headstone on fire with a lighter.&nbsp;

The funeral home that operates the graveyard advised the headstone will need to be replaced and estimated the cost for replacement and labor to reinstall would be about $7,500-7,800.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737643642843.png" alt="Cemetery is located in the 5900 block of Bannister Road-Google image" />
 <figcaption>Cemetery is located in the 5900 block of Bannister Road-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is facing charges in connection to a damaged gravesite headstone belonging to an unsolved homicide victim.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2487/REDACTED-COMPLAINT--LEE">JoSean Lee, 20, faces</a>&nbsp;charges of Harassment in the First Degree, Knowingly Disturbing a Burial Site, and Property Damage in the First Degree, all Class E felonies, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737841892184.png" alt="Lee photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Lee photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>“Deliberately destroying a burial site is not only a criminal offense but also inflicts lasting trauma on a family already grieving for their loved one. Regardless of age, if you choose to engage in this type of destructive and disrespectful behavior, you will face serious consequences. My office will continue to prosecute these cases to the fullest extent possible,”&nbsp;said Prosecutor Johnson.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2487/REDACTED-COMPLAINT--LEE">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were dispatched to the 5900 block of Bannister Road on a property damage report on January 13. They found the top portion of a headstone belonging to a victim of an unsolved homicide knocked over and damaged.&nbsp;A detective viewed a video on Instagram showing two men, one identified as Lee, standing by the headstone and yelling at the grave. The defendant is seen pouring an unknown liquid on it. In the video, Lee is seen armed with a rifle. The video also shows Lee trying to light the liquid he poured on the headstone on fire with a lighter.&nbsp;The funeral home that operates the graveyard advised the headstone will need to be replaced and estimated the cost for replacement and labor to reinstall would be about $7,500-7,800.&nbsp;

Man charged for alleged damage to grave of KC homicide victim

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect caught driving a stolen SUV.

Just after 11:30p.m. January 21, a sheriff's deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a reported stolen 2020 Chevy Trax near SE 21st Street and SE Hudson Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Braeden J.S. Hill of Topeka refused to stop and initiated a pursuit.&nbsp; A K9 Unit performed a&nbsp; controlled vehicle intervention maneuver, which safely ended the pursuit in the 6300 Block of Se 69th Street.&nbsp; Deputies arrested Hill on requested charges of Flee or Attempt to elude law enforcement, possession of stolen property, reckless driving and other traffic violations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737659507177.png" alt="Hill photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Hill photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect caught driving a stolen SUV.Just after 11:30p.m. January 21, a sheriff's deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a reported stolen 2020 Chevy Trax near SE 21st Street and SE Hudson Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Braeden J.S. Hill of Topeka refused to stop and initiated a pursuit.&nbsp; A K9 Unit performed a&nbsp; controlled vehicle intervention maneuver, which safely ended the pursuit in the 6300 Block of Se 69th Street.&nbsp; Deputies arrested Hill on requested charges of Flee or Attempt to elude law enforcement, possession of stolen property, reckless driving and other traffic violations.

Kansas stolen SUV suspect jailed after police chase

DICKINSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are reporting more fake cash circulating in Kansas.

On multiple occasions this week, individuals have attempted to pass fake $100 bills at Abilene businesses, according to a social media report from police.

The bills are not counterfeit but rather movie prop money. Please consider taking time to educate your employees on spotting these types of bills, and do not hesitate to contact the Abilene Police Department if you believe you have received one.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737832903693.png" alt="Photo Abilene Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Abilene Police</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are reporting more fake cash circulating in Kansas.On multiple occasions this week, individuals have attempted to pass fake $100 bills at Abilene businesses, according to a social media report from police.The bills are not counterfeit but rather movie prop money. Please consider taking time to educate your employees on spotting these types of bills, and do not hesitate to contact the Abilene Police Department if you believe you have received one.

Police report more fake movie money in Kansas

&nbsp;Soldiers from Kansas are being deployed to help secure the U.S. southern border.

 U.S. Northern Command&nbsp; announced elements of the following units have been activated as part of USNORTHCOM’s mission to bolster security at the United States southern border:

These approximately 1,500 active-duty personnel from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps are deploying to the southern border to augment the approximately 2,500 service members already deployed supporting Customs and Border Protection’s southern border mission.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, released the following statement after the announcement that Kansas troops from Fort Riley will be deployed to the southern border:

“My heart is with Kansas families and loved ones as soldiers from Fort Riley are sent to protect and secure our borders. Kansans and Americans across the country extend our deepest gratitude to them for keeping us safe. Under the previous administration, over 2 million known illegal alien gotaways entered our country – something that should have never happened, and compromised our national security.&nbsp;

President Trump is determined to stop the dangerous flow of fentanyl, cartels, and unvetted illegal immigrants coming into the United States and will protect our homeland.&nbsp;

The exact number of personnel will fluctuate as units rotate personnel and as additional forces are tasked to deploy once planning efforts are finalized.&nbsp;Specific units will be announced as soon as more information is made available.&nbsp;These military forces will support enhanced detection and monitoring efforts and repair and emplace physical barriers.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737839008559.png" alt="Photo U.S. Northern Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Northern Command</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Soldiers from Kansas are being deployed to help secure the U.S. southern border. U.S. Northern Command&nbsp; announced elements of the following units have been activated as part of USNORTHCOM’s mission to bolster security at the United States southern border:From the U.S. Army:<ul>
 <li>977th Military Police Company, Fort Riley, Kansas</li><li>41st Combat Engineer Company-Armored, Fort Riley, Kansas</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Headquarters, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Cavazos, Texas</li><li>Headquarters, 720th Military Police Battalion, Fort Cavazos, Texas</li><li>401st Military Police Company, Fort Cavazos, Texas</li><li>202nd Military Police Company, Fort Bliss, Texas</li><li>Headquarters, 716th Military Police Battalion, Fort Campbell, Kentucky</li><li>23rd Military Police Company, Fort Drum, New York</li><li>549th Military Police Company, Fort Stewart, Georgia</li><li>530th Combat Engineer Company-Armored, Fort Stewart, Georgia</li><li>569th Combat Engineer Company-Armored, Fort Carson, Colorado</li><li>Headquarters, 759th Military Police Battalion, Fort Carson, Colorado</li><li>66th Military Police Company, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington</li>
 </ul>From the U.S. Marine Corps:<ul>
 <li>Detachment from 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st&nbsp;Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California</li><li>Detachment from 7th Engineering Support Battalion, 1st&nbsp;Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, California</li>
 </ul>These approximately 1,500 active-duty personnel from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps are deploying to the southern border to augment the approximately 2,500 service members already deployed supporting Customs and Border Protection’s southern border mission.&nbsp;On Saturday, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, released the following statement after the announcement that Kansas troops from Fort Riley will be deployed to the southern border:“My heart is with Kansas families and loved ones as soldiers from Fort Riley are sent to protect and secure our borders. Kansans and Americans across the country extend our deepest gratitude to them for keeping us safe. Under the previous administration, over 2 million known illegal alien gotaways entered our country – something that should have never happened, and compromised our national security.&nbsp;President Trump is determined to stop the dangerous flow of fentanyl, cartels, and unvetted illegal immigrants coming into the United States and will protect our homeland.&nbsp;The exact number of personnel will fluctuate as units rotate personnel and as additional forces are tasked to deploy once planning efforts are finalized.&nbsp;Specific units will be announced as soon as more information is made available.&nbsp;These military forces will support enhanced detection and monitoring efforts and repair and emplace physical barriers.&nbsp;

Soldiers from Kansas deployed to help secure the border

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture said during her confirmation hearing Thursday that she has “a lot to learn” about highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu, the virus that’s wreaking havoc on the country’s poultry industry and dairy farms.

The outbreak has affected more than 136 million poultry flocks and nearly 1,000 dairy herds, and infected 67 humans, with one person dying so far. Public health experts continue to assess the risk of infection to the general public as low, but are closely monitoring bird flu’s spread among farm workers and livestock as well as domestic cats and other mammals.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/senate-committee/agriculture-sec-nominee-brooke-rollins-testifies-at-confirmation-hearing/430244" target="_blank">four-hour hearing</a>&nbsp;showed Brooke Rollins likely has the support to secure Senate confirmation, though members from both political parties raised concerns about the decline in family farms, hollowing out of rural America, speed with which USDA delivers disaster aid to farmers and future of nutrition programs.

Rollins also received numerous questions from both Democrats and Republicans about Trump’s plan to raise tariffs on imports, likely leading to retaliatory tariffs on American exports and negative repercussions for farmers and food prices.&nbsp;

“Regarding the president’s tariff agenda, I think it probably comes as no surprise to anyone sitting in this room that he believes it is a very important tool in his toolkit to continue or bring America back to the forefront of the world and to ensure that we have a thriving economy,” Rollins said. “But just as he did and we did in the first administration, he also understands the potential devastating impact to our farmers and our ranchers.”

Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin raised concerns about what happened during Trump’s first administration after he placed tariffs on allied nations as well as China. She urged Rollins to make sure Trump understands that would likely happen again, if he does place steep tariffs on other countries.

“President Trump announced 25% tariffs on Chinese products — batteries, TVs, medical devices,” Slotkin said. “China retaliated and put 25% tariffs on soybeans, fruits, pork and some other items. Then we got into a trade war; we started adding more things to the list, they already started adding more things to the list. It went on and on and on and back and forth.

“Suddenly our farmers across the country are screaming bloody murder, because … no one wanted to buy our stuff because it had a 25% tariff. We felt that very acutely.”

The prior Trump administration then pulled billions out of the Commodity Credit Corporation to aid farmers who were harmed by the retaliatory tariffs, she said.&nbsp;

“That emergency fund is the same fund that helps us with things like avian flu that we’re now dealing with all over the country,” Slotkin said.

Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell said he hoped the country won’t go down the same path it has before with respect to tariffs and trade wars.

“It seems to me that trade has sort of become a word for a lot of Americans that implies exportation of jobs,” McConnell said. “In Kentucky, we think of trade as exportation of products and it’s an extremely important part of what we do.”

Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet told Rollins that he is “sympathetic to some of the trade policies that President Trump is trying to advocate for.”

“But agriculture’s already in a tough spot … and we don’t want it to be in a tougher spot as a result of what happens here,” Bennet said.

He then asked Rollins if she believed her responsibility as secretary of agriculture would be “to go into the Oval Office and say, ‘You haven’t thought through the unintended consequences that are going to flow to American agriculture if you pursue these trade policies.’”

Rollins said her role, if confirmed, would be “to defend, to honor, to elevate our entire agriculture community in the Oval Office, around the table, through the interagency process. And to ensure that every decision that is made in the coming four years has that front of mind as those decisions are being made.”

Rollins was less secure in telling senators how she should handle the ongoing bird flu, or H5N1, outbreak.

Poultry farmers and the USDA have had to deal with the virus in domestic flocks for years, but it didn’t begin infecting dairy herds until about a year ago.

The spillover into another section of American agriculture and the uptick in farmers catching the virus led to a multi-agency response from the federal government that included the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration and USDA.

“There is a lot that I have to learn on this. And if confirmed, this will be, as I mentioned in my opening statement, one of the very top priorities,” Rollins said, referencing her previous comments about getting a “handle on the state of animal disease outbreaks.”

Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who had asked Rollins what her plan was for curbing the spread of bird flu, then questioned her about a new requirement that prevents some public health officials from external communications.

“I will note that just yesterday the administration announced they will halt external public health communications from the CDC on these avian flu (and) animal diseases,” Klobuchar said. “These important announcements have helped keep producers up to date with the latest information on disease spread, health of workers. And while I know that wasn’t under the USDA, I just urge you to talk to them about that. We’re concerned.”

Rollins was pressed during the hearing about how sweeping deportations might impact the agriculture industry and food supplies throughout the country. Senators also asked how she planned to keep the pipeline that moves food from farms to people’s tables from collapsing if mass deportations are carried out.

“President Trump ran and was overwhelmingly elected on the priority of border security and mass deportation,” Rollins said. “He and his team are, I’m assuming, currently putting in place the plans to begin that process. Of course, first with those who have committed criminal offenses once they have been here.”

Rollins said she planned to work with Labor Secretary nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer, if she is confirmed, on issues related to the agriculture workforce.

Rollins testified she wants to make changes to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-2a-temporary-agricultural-workers" target="_blank">H2A visa for temporary agricultural workers</a>, though she didn’t detail what those changes might entail.&nbsp;

California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff asked Rollins whether a potential sudden drop-off in agricultural workers due to mass deportations might lead to higher food prices “in sharp contrast with what the president said he wanted to do.”

Rollins said while that was a hypothetical, it was one that “we do need to be thinking through.”

“And I think it’s a very fair point,” Rollins said. “The president has made food inflation and the cost of food one of his top priorities. I have worked alongside him. I have been part of his team for many years now. I believe in his vision and his commitment to America and to his promises. And in so doing, I believe that we will be able to find in our toolkit what we need to do to solve for any hypothetical issues that end up turning out to be real moving forward over the coming months and years.”

Rollins was the director of the Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first administration before going on to become the president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute think tank.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-nominate-brooke-rollins-texas-usda-secretary" target="_blank">announced Rollins as his pick for agriculture secretary</a>&nbsp;in November, writing that she “has a practitioner’s experience, along with deep Policy credentials in both Nonprofit and Government leadership at the State and National levels.”

During the hearing, Rollins also addressed the needs of rural communities, including housing, child care and food assistance, during a detailed exchange with Minnesota Democratic Sen. Tina Smith.

“I sometimes think that people forget that the rural development side of the USDA is really important,” Smith said. “And I will be honest, I’m fearful that the work done there — those efforts not being well understood — could become the target for budget-cutting.

“I also know that American farmers and ranchers really trust the USDA on those issues. They don’t want to see those programs farmed out to other agencies, where we all are worried that they would just get less attention.”

Rollins said that if confirmed, she would be excited “to put forward a vision and build a program around revivifying, restoring and bringing back rural America.”

Smith also asked about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, saying that nutrition programs, many of which are administered by USDA, are “foundational for healthy Americans.”

“In Minnesota, rural communities have the highest food insecurity in the whole state,” Smith said. “And in this country, 9 out of 10 (counties) with the highest food insecurity rates are rural.”

Rollins testified that she does believe in work requirements, though she conceded she didn’t have extensive knowledge of the SNAP.

“I don’t fully understand, but plan to get more in the weeds on this, if confirmed,” Rollins said. “And working with all of you to make sure that your concerns are part of that education process for me.”

Smith took the opportunity to note that SNAP does have work requirements, but that there are exceptions if people “are taking care of a child or an incapacitated person,” or if “they are participating in an alcohol or drug treatment program,” or if they are “already working under some other programs.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737650627423.png" alt="Brooke Rollins during her confirmation hearing -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Brooke Rollins during her confirmation hearing -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture said during her confirmation hearing Thursday that she has “a lot to learn” about highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu, the virus that’s wreaking havoc on the country’s poultry industry and dairy farms.The outbreak has affected more than 136 million poultry flocks and nearly 1,000 dairy herds, and infected 67 humans, with one person dying so far. Public health experts continue to assess the risk of infection to the general public as low, but are closely monitoring bird flu’s spread among farm workers and livestock as well as domestic cats and other mammals.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/senate-committee/agriculture-sec-nominee-brooke-rollins-testifies-at-confirmation-hearing/430244" target="_blank">four-hour hearing</a>&nbsp;showed Brooke Rollins likely has the support to secure Senate confirmation, though members from both political parties raised concerns about the decline in family farms, hollowing out of rural America, speed with which USDA delivers disaster aid to farmers and future of nutrition programs.<h2>Tariffs and trade</h2>Rollins also received numerous questions from both Democrats and Republicans about Trump’s plan to raise tariffs on imports, likely leading to retaliatory tariffs on American exports and negative repercussions for farmers and food prices.&nbsp;“Regarding the president’s tariff agenda, I think it probably comes as no surprise to anyone sitting in this room that he believes it is a very important tool in his toolkit to continue or bring America back to the forefront of the world and to ensure that we have a thriving economy,” Rollins said. “But just as he did and we did in the first administration, he also understands the potential devastating impact to our farmers and our ranchers.”Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin raised concerns about what happened during Trump’s first administration after he placed tariffs on allied nations as well as China. She urged Rollins to make sure Trump understands that would likely happen again, if he does place steep tariffs on other countries.“President Trump announced 25% tariffs on Chinese products — batteries, TVs, medical devices,” Slotkin said. “China retaliated and put 25% tariffs on soybeans, fruits, pork and some other items. Then we got into a trade war; we started adding more things to the list, they already started adding more things to the list. It went on and on and on and back and forth.“Suddenly our farmers across the country are screaming bloody murder, because … no one wanted to buy our stuff because it had a 25% tariff. We felt that very acutely.”The prior Trump administration then pulled billions out of the Commodity Credit Corporation to aid farmers who were harmed by the retaliatory tariffs, she said.&nbsp;“That emergency fund is the same fund that helps us with things like avian flu that we’re now dealing with all over the country,” Slotkin said.Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell said he hoped the country won’t go down the same path it has before with respect to tariffs and trade wars.“It seems to me that trade has sort of become a word for a lot of Americans that implies exportation of jobs,” McConnell said. “In Kentucky, we think of trade as exportation of products and it’s an extremely important part of what we do.”Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet told Rollins that he is “sympathetic to some of the trade policies that President Trump is trying to advocate for.”“But agriculture’s already in a tough spot … and we don’t want it to be in a tougher spot as a result of what happens here,” Bennet said.He then asked Rollins if she believed her responsibility as secretary of agriculture would be “to go into the Oval Office and say, ‘You haven’t thought through the unintended consequences that are going to flow to American agriculture if you pursue these trade policies.’”Rollins said her role, if confirmed, would be “to defend, to honor, to elevate our entire agriculture community in the Oval Office, around the table, through the interagency process. And to ensure that every decision that is made in the coming four years has that front of mind as those decisions are being made.”<h2>Bird flu</h2>Rollins was less secure in telling senators how she should handle the ongoing bird flu, or H5N1, outbreak.Poultry farmers and the USDA have had to deal with the virus in domestic flocks for years, but it didn’t begin infecting dairy herds until about a year ago.The spillover into another section of American agriculture and the uptick in farmers catching the virus led to a multi-agency response from the federal government that included the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration and USDA.“There is a lot that I have to learn on this. And if confirmed, this will be, as I mentioned in my opening statement, one of the very top priorities,” Rollins said, referencing her previous comments about getting a “handle on the state of animal disease outbreaks.”Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who had asked Rollins what her plan was for curbing the spread of bird flu, then questioned her about a new requirement that prevents some public health officials from external communications.“I will note that just yesterday the administration announced they will halt external public health communications from the CDC on these avian flu (and) animal diseases,” Klobuchar said. “These important announcements have helped keep producers up to date with the latest information on disease spread, health of workers. And while I know that wasn’t under the USDA, I just urge you to talk to them about that. We’re concerned.”<h2>Effect of mass deportations on ag</h2>Rollins was pressed during the hearing about how sweeping deportations might impact the agriculture industry and food supplies throughout the country. Senators also asked how she planned to keep the pipeline that moves food from farms to people’s tables from collapsing if mass deportations are carried out.“President Trump ran and was overwhelmingly elected on the priority of border security and mass deportation,” Rollins said. “He and his team are, I’m assuming, currently putting in place the plans to begin that process. Of course, first with those who have committed criminal offenses once they have been here.”Rollins said she planned to work with Labor Secretary nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer, if she is confirmed, on issues related to the agriculture workforce.Rollins testified she wants to make changes to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-2a-temporary-agricultural-workers" target="_blank">H2A visa for temporary agricultural workers</a>, though she didn’t detail what those changes might entail.&nbsp;California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff asked Rollins whether a potential sudden drop-off in agricultural workers due to mass deportations might lead to higher food prices “in sharp contrast with what the president said he wanted to do.”Rollins said while that was a hypothetical, it was one that “we do need to be thinking through.”“And I think it’s a very fair point,” Rollins said. “The president has made food inflation and the cost of food one of his top priorities. I have worked alongside him. I have been part of his team for many years now. I believe in his vision and his commitment to America and to his promises. And in so doing, I believe that we will be able to find in our toolkit what we need to do to solve for any hypothetical issues that end up turning out to be real moving forward over the coming months and years.”Rollins was the director of the Domestic Policy Council during Trump’s first administration before going on to become the president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute think tank.Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-nominate-brooke-rollins-texas-usda-secretary" target="_blank">announced Rollins as his pick for agriculture secretary</a>&nbsp;in November, writing that she “has a practitioner’s experience, along with deep Policy credentials in both Nonprofit and Government leadership at the State and National levels.”<h2>Rural development</h2>During the hearing, Rollins also addressed the needs of rural communities, including housing, child care and food assistance, during a detailed exchange with Minnesota Democratic Sen. Tina Smith.“I sometimes think that people forget that the rural development side of the USDA is really important,” Smith said. “And I will be honest, I’m fearful that the work done there — those efforts not being well understood — could become the target for budget-cutting.“I also know that American farmers and ranchers really trust the USDA on those issues. They don’t want to see those programs farmed out to other agencies, where we all are worried that they would just get less attention.”Rollins said that if confirmed, she would be excited “to put forward a vision and build a program around revivifying, restoring and bringing back rural America.”Smith also asked about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, saying that nutrition programs, many of which are administered by USDA, are “foundational for healthy Americans.”“In Minnesota, rural communities have the highest food insecurity in the whole state,” Smith said. “And in this country, 9 out of 10 (counties) with the highest food insecurity rates are rural.”Rollins testified that she does believe in work requirements, though she conceded she didn’t have extensive knowledge of the SNAP.“I don’t fully understand, but plan to get more in the weeds on this, if confirmed,” Rollins said. “And working with all of you to make sure that your concerns are part of that education process for me.”Smith took the opportunity to note that SNAP does have work requirements, but that there are exceptions if people “are taking care of a child or an incapacitated person,” or if “they are participating in an alcohol or drug treatment program,” or if they are “already working under some other programs.”

Trump pick for USDA secretary says she has ‘a lot to learn’ about bird flu

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– Friday night, Senator Eric Schmitt, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after voting to confirm Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense.&nbsp;

“I was proud to vote for Pete Hegseth to be our Secretary of Defense. Pete is a bold leader committed to prioritizing America’s safety and strength, and I know he will do an outstanding job leading the Department of Defense.&nbsp;

For too long, the Washington bureaucrats have been detached from the day-to-day realities of military service, which&nbsp;has stifled innovation and put our national security at risk. With the experience of having served in combat, Pete understands the harsh realities of war&nbsp;and he will put our country’s core national interests at the forefront of his agenda. I look forward to working with Pete to eliminate DEI from our nation’s military, streamline broken&nbsp;procurement processes,&nbsp;and ensure that we’re prepared to take on the rise of China, our greatest adversary,” said&nbsp;Senator Eric Schmitt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737751384250.png" alt="Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, his wife and then President-elect Trump at the Army -Navy Game last month-courtesy photi" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, his wife and then President-elect Trump at the Army -Navy Game last month-courtesy photi</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– Friday night, Senator Eric Schmitt, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after voting to confirm Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PeteHegseth</a> just got confirmed. Reform is coming. <a href="https://t.co/28dwyoYA6m">pic.twitter.com/28dwyoYA6m</a>&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1882986409356869919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I was proud to vote for Pete Hegseth to be our Secretary of Defense. Pete is a bold leader committed to prioritizing America’s safety and strength, and I know he will do an outstanding job leading the Department of Defense.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: U.S. Senate CONFIRMS Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense, 51-50. <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> Vance breaks tie, second tie-breaking vote on Cabinet nominee in history. <a href="https://t.co/6TiVfYQxR6">pic.twitter.com/6TiVfYQxR6</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1882985852143300882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>For too long, the Washington bureaucrats have been detached from the day-to-day realities of military service, which&nbsp;has stifled innovation and put our national security at risk. With the experience of having served in combat, Pete understands the harsh realities of war&nbsp;and he will put our country’s core national interests at the forefront of his agenda. I look forward to working with Pete to eliminate DEI from our nation’s military, streamline broken&nbsp;procurement processes,&nbsp;and ensure that we’re prepared to take on the rise of China, our greatest adversary,” said&nbsp;Senator Eric Schmitt.

Mo. U.S. Senator celebrates confirmation of Trump Defense Secretary

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Public school advocates are asking lawmakers to proceed with caution as they consider slashing the statewide property tax that directly funds public education.

Legislation in the House would lower the state rate from 20 to 18.5 mills in the next fiscal year, which starts June 1, and then freeze the annual tax collections at the current level for future years. The Kansas Department of Revenue&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/fisc_note_hb2011_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">estimates the impact</a>&nbsp;would be $823.6 million over five years, assuming property values grow by 5% each year from 2026 to 2030.

Debate Wednesday in the House Taxation Committee centered on concerns that the Legislature would return to a familiar pattern of lowering tax collections to the point that lawmakers eventually would cut public school funding and instigate another legal battle.

The Kansas Supreme Court has repeatedly forced the Legislature to abide by a constitutional mandate to adequately and equitably fund public schools. Last year, the Supreme Court released jurisdiction over the most recent case, elevating fears by public schools that the Legislature could again pull the rug out from under them.

Republicans on the House committee said that isn’t the goal of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2011/" target="_blank">House Bill 2011</a>, but they stopped short of agreeing to include language that would require transfers from the State General Fund to ensure schools would retain full funding. Without the transfer, the base state aid would be lowered by $100 and $169 per pupil in the next two years.

“Seems like the courts have taken over appropriation for schools, and the Legislature surrendered that to them,” said Rep. Francis Awerkamp, R-St. Marys. “So whatever the courts tell the Legislature we need to pay schools, we’re going to pay schools.”

Tim Graham, with the Kansas National Education Association, said public schools have been shorted in the past when the Legislature adopted aggressive tax cuts.

“You know the court has given up jurisdiction to this case, and quite frankly, we have a lot of anxiety of what’s happened in the past 24-25 years with school funding,” Graham told Awerkamp.

After five seconds of silence, Graham asked: “Are were in a staring contest?”

“No, we’re not,” Awerkamp said. “So you made the statement, the Legislature appropriates the dollars, we control the purse strings. Are you saying it’s wrong for the courts to tell the Legislature —”

“I’m not going to get into that,” Graham said.

Graham, school officials and public school advocates identified themselves as neutral on the bill while raising concerns about whether the state could afford such a large property tax cut.

Rep. Adam Smith, a Weskan Republican who chairs the committee, said the property tax relief would “basically” be subsidized by income and sales tax collections that go into the State General Fund, making it more difficult to lower those taxes in the future.

Lobbyists for business and agriculture groups testified in support of the legislation.

Dan Murray, of the National Federation of Independent Business, said the organization had surveyed members and found 88% supported lowering the state property tax rate.

“This is the top priority for our members,” Murray said. “I think you all heard this at the doorstep. Issue one, two and three were property tax relief. This fits in line.”

John Donley, of the Kansas Farm Bureau, said his organization wanted property tax relief last year, when GOP leaders favored income tax cuts instead. He said he was pleased the Legislature is “finally” looking at broad-based property tax relief.

The discussion appeared to confuse Rep. Clarke Sanders, a Salina Republican, because the bill refers to the property tax rate as “the rate of ad valorem tax.”

“You’re calling it property tax relief, which is what it seems to me, but yet, in the bill, it’s talking about ad valorem tax,” Clarke said as Donley appeared before the committee. “So could I get an explanation either from you, Mr. chair, from the conferee, about what the difference between, if any, between property tax and ad valorem tax?”

Donley: “ ’Ad valorem’ equals ‘property,’ I think, is the simplest way to explain it.”

Sanders: “Six to one, half a dozen the other?”

Donley: “Somebody liked Latin at some point in our history.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737754750891.jpeg" alt=" Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican, appears during a June 17, 2024, legislative hearing. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican, appears during a June 17, 2024, legislative hearing. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Public school advocates are asking lawmakers to proceed with caution as they consider slashing the statewide property tax that directly funds public education.Legislation in the House would lower the state rate from 20 to 18.5 mills in the next fiscal year, which starts June 1, and then freeze the annual tax collections at the current level for future years. The Kansas Department of Revenue&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/fisc_note_hb2011_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">estimates the impact</a>&nbsp;would be $823.6 million over five years, assuming property values grow by 5% each year from 2026 to 2030.Debate Wednesday in the House Taxation Committee centered on concerns that the Legislature would return to a familiar pattern of lowering tax collections to the point that lawmakers eventually would cut public school funding and instigate another legal battle.The Kansas Supreme Court has repeatedly forced the Legislature to abide by a constitutional mandate to adequately and equitably fund public schools. Last year, the Supreme Court released jurisdiction over the most recent case, elevating fears by public schools that the Legislature could again pull the rug out from under them.Republicans on the House committee said that isn’t the goal of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2011/" target="_blank">House Bill 2011</a>, but they stopped short of agreeing to include language that would require transfers from the State General Fund to ensure schools would retain full funding. Without the transfer, the base state aid would be lowered by $100 and $169 per pupil in the next two years.“Seems like the courts have taken over appropriation for schools, and the Legislature surrendered that to them,” said Rep. Francis Awerkamp, R-St. Marys. “So whatever the courts tell the Legislature we need to pay schools, we’re going to pay schools.”Tim Graham, with the Kansas National Education Association, said public schools have been shorted in the past when the Legislature adopted aggressive tax cuts.“You know the court has given up jurisdiction to this case, and quite frankly, we have a lot of anxiety of what’s happened in the past 24-25 years with school funding,” Graham told Awerkamp.After five seconds of silence, Graham asked: “Are were in a staring contest?”“No, we’re not,” Awerkamp said. “So you made the statement, the Legislature appropriates the dollars, we control the purse strings. Are you saying it’s wrong for the courts to tell the Legislature —”“I’m not going to get into that,” Graham said.Graham, school officials and public school advocates identified themselves as neutral on the bill while raising concerns about whether the state could afford such a large property tax cut.Rep. Adam Smith, a Weskan Republican who chairs the committee, said the property tax relief would “basically” be subsidized by income and sales tax collections that go into the State General Fund, making it more difficult to lower those taxes in the future.Lobbyists for business and agriculture groups testified in support of the legislation.Dan Murray, of the National Federation of Independent Business, said the organization had surveyed members and found 88% supported lowering the state property tax rate.“This is the top priority for our members,” Murray said. “I think you all heard this at the doorstep. Issue one, two and three were property tax relief. This fits in line.”John Donley, of the Kansas Farm Bureau, said his organization wanted property tax relief last year, when GOP leaders favored income tax cuts instead. He said he was pleased the Legislature is “finally” looking at broad-based property tax relief.The discussion appeared to confuse Rep. Clarke Sanders, a Salina Republican, because the bill refers to the property tax rate as “the rate of ad valorem tax.”“You’re calling it property tax relief, which is what it seems to me, but yet, in the bill, it’s talking about ad valorem tax,” Clarke said as Donley appeared before the committee. “So could I get an explanation either from you, Mr. chair, from the conferee, about what the difference between, if any, between property tax and ad valorem tax?”Donley: “ ’Ad valorem’ equals ‘property,’ I think, is the simplest way to explain it.”Sanders: “Six to one, half a dozen the other?”Donley: “Somebody liked Latin at some point in our history.”

Kansas House looks to cut property tax that funds public schools by $800M over five years

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 21-year-old&nbsp;Angelo Brayboy, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Just before 9:00p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4800 block of Independence Avenue in Kansas City

As officers arrived they were directed inside the convenience store. There they located a Brayboy suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began performing lifesaving measures and ordered emergency medical personnel to the scene. EMS transported Brayboy to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary investigation revealed there was an altercation between two individuals inside of the store prior to shots being fired.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737752890791.png" alt="Scene of the deadly shooting -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Scene of the deadly shooting -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 21-year-old&nbsp;Angelo Brayboy, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Just before 9:00p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 4800 block of Independence Avenue in Kansas CityAs officers arrived they were directed inside the convenience store. There they located a Brayboy suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers began performing lifesaving measures and ordered emergency medical personnel to the scene. EMS transported Brayboy to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary investigation revealed there was an altercation between two individuals inside of the store prior to shots being fired.&nbsp;

KCPD: Man dies after altercation inside convenience store

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

The new governor took questions from editors and publishers from around the state in his first unscripted session with journalists since taking office

The Missouri state budget will be tighter in coming years as the state finishes spending federal aid distributed for recovery from the COVID pandemic, but Gov. Mike Kehoe said Thursday he remains committed to his promise to end the state income tax.

Speaking to editors and publishers attending the Missouri Press Association Day at the Capitol, Kehoe said one of his priorities for cutting taxes this year is to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/22/missouri-republican-tax-cut-push-begins-with-300m-capital-gains-legislation/">exempt capital gains</a>&nbsp;— the profits from sale of investments like a business or stocks. Eliminating the income tax, he said, will be a long-term project.

“None of the big picture ones, especially the income tax, which is the biggest, can be a light switch,” Kehoe said. “It’s got to be something that’s responsible, that funds essential services, but ultimately has the end goal.”

About 65% of Missouri’s $13.4 billion in annual general revenue comes from the personal income tax. Exempting capital gains, a proposal that was the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/22/missouri-republican-tax-cut-push-begins-with-300m-capital-gains-legislation/">first tax cut bill debated</a>&nbsp;in a committee hearing this year, would reduce revenue by about $300 million annually.

The entire state budget, $51.6 billion, includes about $24.4 billion in federal aid for programs like Medicaid, highway construction and education. The federal portion includes about $2 billion that remained in state accounts from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, money that must be spent by the end of 2026.

Kehoe, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/13/new-missouri-governor-focuses-on-crime-education-tax-cuts-in-inaugural-address/">inaugurated Jan. 13</a>, will present his budget and legislative priorities Tuesday with the annual State of the State Address. The session with editors and publishers, held during a luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion, was the first time he’s taken questions from the media since taking office.

Along with the budget, Kehoe said the State of the State speech would focus on four areas — agriculture, economic development, vocational education and law enforcement. Adding investments to support those needs, he said, will be tough with a budget that has little overall growth and must make room for tax cuts.

“It will be a balance,” Kehoe said. “It will not be easy, but it’s still something we’re very committed to continue to do.”

He said the speech will also address actions Kehoe wants to limit the impact of Amendment 3, which made abortion legal in Missouri up to the point of fetal viability.

“You will hear a lot about our belief that we should protect innocent life,” Kehoe said. “We said through the campaign, if Amendment 3 were passed, which we were very much 100% against, that we were going to put our hand on the Bible, and say we would protect the Constitution, but we’re going to always look for ways to protect innocent life.”

Under questioning from the journalists, Kehoe said he has been considering how to package state support for new or improved stadiums to house the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals. Kansas City voters in April&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/05/what-the-kc-stadium-tax-defeat-says-about-teams-their-subsidies-and-jackson-county-voters/">defeated a sales tax extension</a>&nbsp;that would have supported plans for new stadiums and Kansas has enacted legislation&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/21/kansas-gov-kelly-signs-bill-to-poach-kansas-city-chiefs-royals-from-missouri/">offering big incentives</a>&nbsp;if the teams hop the state line.

“I’m not a fan of just throwing money at stadiums, but I’m a fan of keeping the economic activity that those two teams provide, and we’re going to continue to work and put our best foot forward to make sure they stay,” Kehoe said.

Kehoe also said he doesn’t support legislation to create an&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/21/missouri-lawmakers-push-for-oversight-panel-to-monitor-conditions-in-state-prisons/">independent ombudsman</a>&nbsp;and oversight committee for the Department of Corrections. The prison system has seen historically high numbers of deaths among people in custody, complaints about health care for incarcerated people and high turnover among corrections officers.

He has confidence in Trevor Foley, his nominee to be director of the department. Foley has been acting director for 15 months and sees no need for a new layer of oversight, Kehoe said.

“I believe he has it on the right path right now,” Kehoe said.

Earlier in the day, members of the press association met with newly inaugurated Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, Lt. Gov. David Wasinger and House Speaker Jon Patterson.

Hoskins, who campaigned on a promise to hand-count ballots in elections, said he’s not optimistic lawmakers will go along.

“If the last couple years are any indication, it would have a very uphill battle,” Hoskins said.

He’s more optimistic, Hoskins said, that lawmakers will enact legislation to enforce the provision of Amendment 7, passed in November, that only U.S. citizens can vote in Missouri elections. Exactly how citizenship will be verified, he said, is being studied by looking at actions in other states.

Whatever passes, Hoskins said, will likely generate a lawsuit.

“If we were to pass a rule or the legislature passed something that said that, ‘hey, in order to register to vote or to vote, you have to provide proof of citizenship,’ whether that’s a passport or a birth certificate, I’m sure that would be challenged in court,” Hoskins said.

In his remarks to the journalists, Patterson said he’s been briefed on Kehoe’s plans for the State of the State speech and that it will hit themes Kehoe pushed in his campaign.

On abortion, Patterson said there is still no consensus among Republicans on how strong to write a bill revising the provisions of Amendment 3. Anything that is passed, he said, will have to win support from voters, he said.

“We’re just kind of trying to find the bill that we think makes Missouri as pro life as it can be, and that would pass with voters,” Patterson said. “So again, it recognizes that the voters spoke and that whatever we do has to go back to the will of voters.”

One thing that sets Kehoe apart from previous governors is that he has been working the halls in the legislature and visiting members in their offices. That will help him with his agenda, Patterson said.

“Everything that happens here in Jeff City is based on relationships,” Patterson said. “So the fact that our governor is doing that, I think, is fantastic.”

Kehoe said he will be visiting lawmakers every day of the session.

“So,” he said, “after they get over the shock, because a governor has never been there before, we usually have some pretty upfront conversations.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737751769000.png" alt="Gov. Mike Kehoe chats with Sophie Carite, left, and Stephi Smith, reporters for the Jefferson City News Tribune, during lunch at the Governor’s Mansion as part of the Missouri Press Association Day at the Capitol event (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Mike Kehoe chats with Sophie Carite, left, and Stephi Smith, reporters for the Jefferson City News Tribune, during lunch at the Governor’s Mansion as part of the Missouri Press Association Day at the Capitol event (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rudi-keller/">RUDI KELLER</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>The new governor took questions from editors and publishers from around the state in his first unscripted session with journalists since taking office</h2>The Missouri state budget will be tighter in coming years as the state finishes spending federal aid distributed for recovery from the COVID pandemic, but Gov. Mike Kehoe said Thursday he remains committed to his promise to end the state income tax.Speaking to editors and publishers attending the Missouri Press Association Day at the Capitol, Kehoe said one of his priorities for cutting taxes this year is to&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/22/missouri-republican-tax-cut-push-begins-with-300m-capital-gains-legislation/">exempt capital gains</a>&nbsp;— the profits from sale of investments like a business or stocks. Eliminating the income tax, he said, will be a long-term project.“None of the big picture ones, especially the income tax, which is the biggest, can be a light switch,” Kehoe said. “It’s got to be something that’s responsible, that funds essential services, but ultimately has the end goal.”About 65% of Missouri’s $13.4 billion in annual general revenue comes from the personal income tax. Exempting capital gains, a proposal that was the&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/22/missouri-republican-tax-cut-push-begins-with-300m-capital-gains-legislation/">first tax cut bill debated</a>&nbsp;in a committee hearing this year, would reduce revenue by about $300 million annually.The entire state budget, $51.6 billion, includes about $24.4 billion in federal aid for programs like Medicaid, highway construction and education. The federal portion includes about $2 billion that remained in state accounts from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, money that must be spent by the end of 2026.Kehoe, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/13/new-missouri-governor-focuses-on-crime-education-tax-cuts-in-inaugural-address/">inaugurated Jan. 13</a>, will present his budget and legislative priorities Tuesday with the annual State of the State Address. The session with editors and publishers, held during a luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion, was the first time he’s taken questions from the media since taking office.Along with the budget, Kehoe said the State of the State speech would focus on four areas — agriculture, economic development, vocational education and law enforcement. Adding investments to support those needs, he said, will be tough with a budget that has little overall growth and must make room for tax cuts.“It will be a balance,” Kehoe said. “It will not be easy, but it’s still something we’re very committed to continue to do.”He said the speech will also address actions Kehoe wants to limit the impact of Amendment 3, which made abortion legal in Missouri up to the point of fetal viability.“You will hear a lot about our belief that we should protect innocent life,” Kehoe said. “We said through the campaign, if Amendment 3 were passed, which we were very much 100% against, that we were going to put our hand on the Bible, and say we would protect the Constitution, but we’re going to always look for ways to protect innocent life.”Under questioning from the journalists, Kehoe said he has been considering how to package state support for new or improved stadiums to house the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals. Kansas City voters in April&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/04/05/what-the-kc-stadium-tax-defeat-says-about-teams-their-subsidies-and-jackson-county-voters/">defeated a sales tax extension</a>&nbsp;that would have supported plans for new stadiums and Kansas has enacted legislation&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/06/21/kansas-gov-kelly-signs-bill-to-poach-kansas-city-chiefs-royals-from-missouri/">offering big incentives</a>&nbsp;if the teams hop the state line.“I’m not a fan of just throwing money at stadiums, but I’m a fan of keeping the economic activity that those two teams provide, and we’re going to continue to work and put our best foot forward to make sure they stay,” Kehoe said.Kehoe also said he doesn’t support legislation to create an&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/01/21/missouri-lawmakers-push-for-oversight-panel-to-monitor-conditions-in-state-prisons/">independent ombudsman</a>&nbsp;and oversight committee for the Department of Corrections. The prison system has seen historically high numbers of deaths among people in custody, complaints about health care for incarcerated people and high turnover among corrections officers.He has confidence in Trevor Foley, his nominee to be director of the department. Foley has been acting director for 15 months and sees no need for a new layer of oversight, Kehoe said.“I believe he has it on the right path right now,” Kehoe said.Earlier in the day, members of the press association met with newly inaugurated Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, Lt. Gov. David Wasinger and House Speaker Jon Patterson.Hoskins, who campaigned on a promise to hand-count ballots in elections, said he’s not optimistic lawmakers will go along.“If the last couple years are any indication, it would have a very uphill battle,” Hoskins said.He’s more optimistic, Hoskins said, that lawmakers will enact legislation to enforce the provision of Amendment 7, passed in November, that only U.S. citizens can vote in Missouri elections. Exactly how citizenship will be verified, he said, is being studied by looking at actions in other states.Whatever passes, Hoskins said, will likely generate a lawsuit.“If we were to pass a rule or the legislature passed something that said that, ‘hey, in order to register to vote or to vote, you have to provide proof of citizenship,’ whether that’s a passport or a birth certificate, I’m sure that would be challenged in court,” Hoskins said.In his remarks to the journalists, Patterson said he’s been briefed on Kehoe’s plans for the State of the State speech and that it will hit themes Kehoe pushed in his campaign.On abortion, Patterson said there is still no consensus among Republicans on how strong to write a bill revising the provisions of Amendment 3. Anything that is passed, he said, will have to win support from voters, he said.“We’re just kind of trying to find the bill that we think makes Missouri as pro life as it can be, and that would pass with voters,” Patterson said. “So again, it recognizes that the voters spoke and that whatever we do has to go back to the will of voters.”One thing that sets Kehoe apart from previous governors is that he has been working the halls in the legislature and visiting members in their offices. That will help him with his agenda, Patterson said.“Everything that happens here in Jeff City is based on relationships,” Patterson said. “So the fact that our governor is doing that, I think, is fantastic.”Kehoe said he will be visiting lawmakers every day of the session.“So,” he said, “after they get over the shock, because a governor has never been there before, we usually have some pretty upfront conversations.”&nbsp;

Gov. Kehoe holds to tax cut pledge as he forecasts a tighter Missouri budget

DICKINSON COUNTY—Sheriff's deputies are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

On Thursday, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant in relation to a narcotics investigation, at a residence in the 2500 Block of Nicholson Road in Chapman, according to a media release.

While conducting the search warrant, deputies located THC edible products, Methamphetamine, Drug Paraphernalia, and firearms.

As a result of the investigation, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 34-year-old Emma Gomez and booked her into the Dickinson County Detention Facility on the following requested charges that include Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, Unlawful Manufacturing of Controlled Substance, Aggravated Endangering a Child, Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia within 1,000 feet of a school, Criminal Possession of weapons, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and No Drug Tax Stamp

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737740268993.png" alt="Gomez photo Dickinson County" />
 <figcaption>Gomez photo Dickinson County</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY—Sheriff's deputies are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.On Thursday, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant in relation to a narcotics investigation, at a residence in the 2500 Block of Nicholson Road in Chapman, according to a media release.While conducting the search warrant, deputies located THC edible products, Methamphetamine, Drug Paraphernalia, and firearms.As a result of the investigation, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies arrested 34-year-old Emma Gomez and booked her into the Dickinson County Detention Facility on the following requested charges that include Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, Unlawful Manufacturing of Controlled Substance, Aggravated Endangering a Child, Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia within 1,000 feet of a school, Criminal Possession of weapons, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and No Drug Tax Stamp

Sheriff: Kansas woman accused of selling meth, marijuana

By NATE KING Salina Post

Coperion K-Tron, a bulk handling manufacturing company in Salina announced plans to close its facility by the end of the year, resulting in the loss of 98 jobs.

The company notified Salina Mayor Greg Lenkiewicz, the Kansas Department of Commerce, and KansasWorks on Jan. 22 through a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice. This federal law mandates that employers provide 60 days advance notice to employees in the event of plant closures or mass layoffs.

According to Salina City Manager Mike Schrage, the Salina Community Economic Development Organization in partnership with Kansas Works and Kansas Department of Commerce’s rapid response team are working to assist those affected by the layoffs. The team will help connect displaced workers with new employment opportunities and other Salina resources.

Salina Post reached out to Coperion K-Tron for comment but was unable to connect with a company representative.

Additional details about the closure and support efforts have not been announced.

By NATE KING Salina PostCoperion K-Tron, a bulk handling manufacturing company in Salina announced plans to close its facility by the end of the year, resulting in the loss of 98 jobs.The company notified Salina Mayor Greg Lenkiewicz, the Kansas Department of Commerce, and KansasWorks on Jan. 22 through a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice. This federal law mandates that employers provide 60 days advance notice to employees in the event of plant closures or mass layoffs.According to Salina City Manager Mike Schrage, the Salina Community Economic Development Organization in partnership with Kansas Works and Kansas Department of Commerce’s rapid response team are working to assist those affected by the layoffs. The team will help connect displaced workers with new employment opportunities and other Salina resources.Salina Post reached out to Coperion K-Tron for comment but was unable to connect with a company representative.Additional details about the closure and support efforts have not been announced.

Bulk handling manufacturing company will close Kan. facility

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/janaroseschleis/">JANA ROSE SCHLEIS</a>&nbsp;-

In a packed hearing room a few blocks from the Missouri Capitol on Thursday, Ameren electric customers asked utility reps why they should be asked to pay another $17.45 per month, on average, for power.

At times they were emotional when addressing members of the Missouri Public Service Commission, which oversees utilities, including Ameren.

Lindsey Phoenix is a Jefferson City public attorney who told commissioners at the hours-long meeting that she is angry, and she feels there’s no need for a rate increase.

“Here I am spending my lunch hour, and now my vacation pay, begging a company to set their greed aside so that I can afford to keep my children warm in their beds at night,” she said.

Ameren Missouri wants to increase electricity rates by 15.77%, earning the company an additional $446 million per year.

In a flyer handed out to attendees Thursday, the company claims electric rates are approximately 27% lower than the Midwest average, and if this increase is granted they would be 15% lower than the average.

Bill Abbott traveled to Jefferson City from Eldon with a group of friends to attend the hearing.

“How much profit is enough?” he told KBIA before the hearing. “At the expense of poor people and the elderly that are on fixed incomes.”

Johnnie Briggs-Taylor is from Olean, a town about 30 miles from Jefferson City. She is also concerned about what higher electric bills mean for the people in her community.

“Olean … it’s a very small town. People there are low income and this rate increase will hurt them even more,” Briggs-Taylor said.

Warren Wood, Ameren Missouri’s vice president of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, said the company is proposing the higher rates to recoup costs of maintaining current infrastructure — such as poles, wires, and transformers — in addition to building new solar power plants.

“We’re hardening the grid, replacing old power lines, strengthening poles, upgrading substations, and now serving customers with some new energy resources,” he said.

Wood said the cost of maintaining infrastructure is rising.

“We’re seeing much higher prices of the infrastructure we need to use to upgrade the system and sometimes the timeline it actually takes to get it,” Wood said.

The hearings are part of the electric utility’s rate case — a process where companies come before the Public Service Commission with a proposal to adjust prices they charge customers.

Utilities are what’s called “regulated” or “natural” monopolies — in exchange for being the sole provider of utility service in a specified area, the companies are subject to state oversight. Customers are not able to switch utility providers.

Ameren filed the rate case in June 2024, which started an 11-month regulatory process.

The company’s request is audited by both the Public Service Commission staff and the Office of Public Counsel — the state agency that aims to represent the people of Missouri in rate cases and advocates for “safe and reliable utility service at just and reasonable rates.”

The Public Service Commission staff are recommending that the commissioners grant Ameren the rate increase, but by slightly less than the company proposed.

Commission staff recommend the regulators approve a 14.18% increase on customer’s bills, earning Ameren $406.9 million annually — approximately $40 million less than the company proposed.

A virtual public hearing will be held Friday at 12 p.m. Information on how to join the meeting by WebEx can be found at the PSC website.

The five commissioners, who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Missouri Senate, are expected to make a final decision on the case in May.

Public Service Commission Chair Kayla Hahn thanked those who showed up Thursday.

“Undoubtedly your comments and feedback will help inform our decision and help us make a better decision because of it,” Hahn said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737729933205.png" alt=" Bryan Struebig, an Ameren stakeholder and customer, testifies against the company’s rising rates on Thursday at the Governor Office Building in Jefferson City. “When my community does better and the costs are lower, I do better,” Struebig said (Nam Nguyen/Missourian)." />
 <figcaption> Bryan Struebig, an Ameren stakeholder and customer, testifies against the company’s rising rates on Thursday at the Governor Office Building in Jefferson City. “When my community does better and the costs are lower, I do better,” Struebig said (Nam Nguyen/Missourian).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/janaroseschleis/">JANA ROSE SCHLEIS</a>&nbsp;-In a packed hearing room a few blocks from the Missouri Capitol on Thursday, Ameren electric customers asked utility reps why they should be asked to pay another $17.45 per month, on average, for power.At times they were emotional when addressing members of the Missouri Public Service Commission, which oversees utilities, including Ameren.Lindsey Phoenix is a Jefferson City public attorney who told commissioners at the hours-long meeting that she is angry, and she feels there’s no need for a rate increase.“Here I am spending my lunch hour, and now my vacation pay, begging a company to set their greed aside so that I can afford to keep my children warm in their beds at night,” she said.Ameren Missouri wants to increase electricity rates by 15.77%, earning the company an additional $446 million per year.In a flyer handed out to attendees Thursday, the company claims electric rates are approximately 27% lower than the Midwest average, and if this increase is granted they would be 15% lower than the average.Bill Abbott traveled to Jefferson City from Eldon with a group of friends to attend the hearing.“How much profit is enough?” he told KBIA before the hearing. “At the expense of poor people and the elderly that are on fixed incomes.”Johnnie Briggs-Taylor is from Olean, a town about 30 miles from Jefferson City. She is also concerned about what higher electric bills mean for the people in her community.“Olean … it’s a very small town. People there are low income and this rate increase will hurt them even more,” Briggs-Taylor said.Warren Wood, Ameren Missouri’s vice president of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, said the company is proposing the higher rates to recoup costs of maintaining current infrastructure — such as poles, wires, and transformers — in addition to building new solar power plants.“We’re hardening the grid, replacing old power lines, strengthening poles, upgrading substations, and now serving customers with some new energy resources,” he said.Wood said the cost of maintaining infrastructure is rising.“We’re seeing much higher prices of the infrastructure we need to use to upgrade the system and sometimes the timeline it actually takes to get it,” Wood said.The hearings are part of the electric utility’s rate case — a process where companies come before the Public Service Commission with a proposal to adjust prices they charge customers.Utilities are what’s called “regulated” or “natural” monopolies — in exchange for being the sole provider of utility service in a specified area, the companies are subject to state oversight. Customers are not able to switch utility providers.Ameren filed the rate case in June 2024, which started an 11-month regulatory process.The company’s request is audited by both the Public Service Commission staff and the Office of Public Counsel — the state agency that aims to represent the people of Missouri in rate cases and advocates for “safe and reliable utility service at just and reasonable rates.”The Public Service Commission staff are recommending that the commissioners grant Ameren the rate increase, but by slightly less than the company proposed.Commission staff recommend the regulators approve a 14.18% increase on customer’s bills, earning Ameren $406.9 million annually — approximately $40 million less than the company proposed.A virtual public hearing will be held Friday at 12 p.m. Information on how to join the meeting by WebEx can be found at the PSC website.The five commissioners, who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Missouri Senate, are expected to make a final decision on the case in May.Public Service Commission Chair Kayla Hahn thanked those who showed up Thursday.“Undoubtedly your comments and feedback will help inform our decision and help us make a better decision because of it,” Hahn said.Ameren offers alternate payment plans for customers struggling with their utility costs. Customers are encouraged to call 800-552-7583 or visit amerenmissouri.com/energyassistance for help.Ameren provides electricity for approximately 1.2 million customers across Missouri. The company also provides gas to a few communities in mid-Missouri, but this case only affects electricity prices.This story originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/missourians-speak-out-against-proposed-ameren-electric-rate-increase-in-public-hearing/article_39189840-d9e2-11ef-a7d1-4fedc7697ac8.html" target="_blank">Columbia Missourian</a>. It can be republished in print or online.&nbsp;