&nbsp;BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

Tom Prater’s nomination faced scrutiny from a Republican lawmaker and DC-based nonprofit

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe withdrew the nomination of Tom Prater to the State Board of Education on Thursday after concerns circulated from a national advocacy group and a state senator.

Prater, a Springfield eye surgeon who donated $21,000 to Kehoe’s political action committee last year, was appointed in an interim capacity following the retirement of 33-year board member Peter Herschend. He was reappointed by Kehoe this year alongside three new board members.

But in the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/24/senate-set-to-approve-missouri-governors-shakeup-of-state-education-board/">his selection was singled out</a>&nbsp;by Republican state Sen. Mike Moon.

Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, said his constituents had complained about Prater’s appointment. He asked Prater about his role in United Springfield, a committee that has donated to candidates on both sides of the aisle in local elections.

Prater said the group didn’t look at political affiliations but asked questions about “education issues.”

Moon told The Independent on Thursday he spoke to Kehoe about his concerns but didn’t want to talk more about Prater or the reasons his nomination was withdrawn

If the Senate had voted Prater’s nomination down, he would have been banned from serving on the board for life. Instead, the nomination was withdrawn shortly after the Senate convened Thursday and the other education board nominee, Republican Brooks Miller, was confirmed on a voice vote.&nbsp;

A spokeswoman for Kehoe said he was “confident in (Prater’s) qualifications.”

“Given the short amount of time left this legislative session and the obstacles presented during Prater’s confirmation, the governor did not want to ask the Missouri Senate to use valuable floor time on this appointment at the expense of other critical legislation awaiting action,” she said in a statement.

The State Board of Education, by law, can’t be dominated by a political party. Prater was nominated as an independent, with the maximum number of Republicans already in office or appointed.

Prater has a history of donating to both Republican and Democratic candidates, with the majority of his contributions benefiting those on the political right.

These donations came under scrutiny from the American Accountability Foundation, a D.C.-based nonprofit committed to the “American First conservative agenda,”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Theswampmonitor" target="_blank">according to its social media</a>.

“If you want a pro-tax, anti-voucher, pro-teacher union voice on the State Board of Education, then Tom Prater is your guy,” the organization’s founder, Thomas Jones, said in an email to state officials Wednesday. “But if you want reform-minded conservatives, you’re going to need a new nominee.”

Jones noted Prater’s donations to ActBlue, which received $250 from Prater last year, and donations to local Democrats often below $1,000.&nbsp;

Jones told The Independent Thursday that any donations to blue candidates are “terrible.”

“He shouldn’t be on the board at all,” he said. “He has donated to a bunch of terrible liberals in your state. He is going to be a toxic influence on the Board of Education.”

Missouri-based groups Freedom Principle MO and MO Education Watch celebrated the withdrawal on social media.

“The people won,” MO Education Watch&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MOEdWatch/status/1915426729323024798" target="_blank">said on X</a>, formerly Twitter.

Prater did not respond to a request for comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745578833339.png" alt=" State Board of Education appointee Tom Prater, an eye surgeon from Springfield, listens to questions about his time on Springfield Public Schools’ board during the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing Wednesday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Board of Education appointee Tom Prater, an eye surgeon from Springfield, listens to questions about his time on Springfield Public Schools’ board during the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing Wednesday morning (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;BY:&nbsp;ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>Tom Prater’s nomination faced scrutiny from a Republican lawmaker and DC-based nonprofit</h2>Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe withdrew the nomination of Tom Prater to the State Board of Education on Thursday after concerns circulated from a national advocacy group and a state senator.Prater, a Springfield eye surgeon who donated $21,000 to Kehoe’s political action committee last year, was appointed in an interim capacity following the retirement of 33-year board member Peter Herschend. He was reappointed by Kehoe this year alongside three new board members.But in the Senate Gubernatorial Appointments Committee hearing Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/04/24/senate-set-to-approve-missouri-governors-shakeup-of-state-education-board/">his selection was singled out</a>&nbsp;by Republican state Sen. Mike Moon.Moon, a Republican from Ash Grove, said his constituents had complained about Prater’s appointment. He asked Prater about his role in United Springfield, a committee that has donated to candidates on both sides of the aisle in local elections.Prater said the group didn’t look at political affiliations but asked questions about “education issues.”Moon told The Independent on Thursday he spoke to Kehoe about his concerns but didn’t want to talk more about Prater or the reasons his nomination was withdrawnIf the Senate had voted Prater’s nomination down, he would have been banned from serving on the board for life. Instead, the nomination was withdrawn shortly after the Senate convened Thursday and the other education board nominee, Republican Brooks Miller, was confirmed on a voice vote.&nbsp;A spokeswoman for Kehoe said he was “confident in (Prater’s) qualifications.”“Given the short amount of time left this legislative session and the obstacles presented during Prater’s confirmation, the governor did not want to ask the Missouri Senate to use valuable floor time on this appointment at the expense of other critical legislation awaiting action,” she said in a statement.The State Board of Education, by law, can’t be dominated by a political party. Prater was nominated as an independent, with the maximum number of Republicans already in office or appointed.Prater has a history of donating to both Republican and Democratic candidates, with the majority of his contributions benefiting those on the political right.These donations came under scrutiny from the American Accountability Foundation, a D.C.-based nonprofit committed to the “American First conservative agenda,”&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Theswampmonitor" target="_blank">according to its social media</a>.“If you want a pro-tax, anti-voucher, pro-teacher union voice on the State Board of Education, then Tom Prater is your guy,” the organization’s founder, Thomas Jones, said in an email to state officials Wednesday. “But if you want reform-minded conservatives, you’re going to need a new nominee.”Jones noted Prater’s donations to ActBlue, which received $250 from Prater last year, and donations to local Democrats often below $1,000.&nbsp;Jones told The Independent Thursday that any donations to blue candidates are “terrible.”“He shouldn’t be on the board at all,” he said. “He has donated to a bunch of terrible liberals in your state. He is going to be a toxic influence on the Board of Education.”Missouri-based groups Freedom Principle MO and MO Education Watch celebrated the withdrawal on social media.“The people won,” MO Education Watch&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/MOEdWatch/status/1915426729323024798" target="_blank">said on X</a>, formerly Twitter.Prater did not respond to a request for comment.

Missouri governor drops education board pick after criticism from senator, right-wing groups

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a stolen vehicle and crash continue to search for a suspect identified as&nbsp;Steven Matthew Rule, 40, of Topeka who was involved, according to Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill.

&nbsp;Rule is described as approximately 5-foot-10, 185 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen fleeing the area of SW 17th Street and McAlister Avenue around 9 a.m. Thursday, wearing gray shorts, black tennis shoes and no shirt at that time. Rule has multiple tattoos on his upper right arm.

On Thursday police&nbsp;&nbsp;were investigating a stolen vehicle report in Topeka, according to Topeka Police&nbsp; LT Manuel Munoz. Through the investigation, officers were notified that the vehicle was in the area of SW 17th and SW Wanamaker in Topeka.

Police located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle fled east on SW 17th and officers did not pursue. A short time later, a Shawnee County Sheriff’s deputy observed the vehicle, which had been involved in a vehicle accident at SW 17th and SW McAlister when it struck a tree.

Several individuals ran from the scene and the Deputy began to run after them. During the foot pursuit, the deputy heard shots being fired and summoned additional assistance.&nbsp;Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies including the Kansas Highway Patrol, and Washburn University Police, arrived on scene.

Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene. Rule is still missing and law enforcement are utilizing K-9 units, drones, and air support from the KHP.&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Steven Matthew Rule is urged to contact the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office (785–251–2200) or our Criminal Investigations Division immediately.

No officers or citizens were injured during this incident.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745527604920.png" alt="View of the stolen vehicle that struck a tree -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>View of the stolen vehicle that struck a tree -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a stolen vehicle and crash continue to search for a suspect identified as&nbsp;Steven Matthew Rule, 40, of Topeka who was involved, according to Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745576781428.png" alt="Rule photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Rule photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Rule is described as approximately 5-foot-10, 185 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen fleeing the area of SW 17th Street and McAlister Avenue around 9 a.m. Thursday, wearing gray shorts, black tennis shoes and no shirt at that time. Rule has multiple tattoos on his upper right arm.On Thursday police&nbsp;&nbsp;were investigating a stolen vehicle report in Topeka, according to Topeka Police&nbsp; LT Manuel Munoz. Through the investigation, officers were notified that the vehicle was in the area of SW 17th and SW Wanamaker in Topeka.Police located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle fled east on SW 17th and officers did not pursue. A short time later, a Shawnee County Sheriff’s deputy observed the vehicle, which had been involved in a vehicle accident at SW 17th and SW McAlister when it struck a tree.Several individuals ran from the scene and the Deputy began to run after them. During the foot pursuit, the deputy heard shots being fired and summoned additional assistance.&nbsp;Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies including the Kansas Highway Patrol, and Washburn University Police, arrived on scene.Two individuals were taken into custody at the scene. Rule is still missing and law enforcement are utilizing K-9 units, drones, and air support from the KHP.&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Steven Matthew Rule is urged to contact the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office (785–251–2200) or our Criminal Investigations Division immediately.No officers or citizens were injured during this incident.&nbsp;

Police: Kan. suspect still at large after stolen car struck a tree

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman has admitted her role in the drug sale death of another woman.

On April 22, Beulah B. Quiroz, 39, pleased guilty to drug distribution causing death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.

In January, Quiroz was charged with the distribution of narcotics that caused the death of another and the use of a communication facility during a drug felony, according to the district attorney. The victim, 46-year-old Dori Cunagin, died on Feb. 6, 2024, in Mission, Kansas.

Quiroz is scheduled for sentencing June 16.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745435736420.png" alt="Quiroz photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Quiroz photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman has admitted her role in the drug sale death of another woman.On April 22, Beulah B. Quiroz, 39, pleased guilty to drug distribution causing death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney's office.In January, Quiroz was charged with the distribution of narcotics that caused the death of another and the use of a communication facility during a drug felony, according to the district attorney. The victim, 46-year-old Dori Cunagin, died on Feb. 6, 2024, in Mission, Kansas.Quiroz is scheduled for sentencing June 16.

Kansas woman admits role in drug sale death 

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 — Surrounded by the shouts and chatter of children playing, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed legislation consolidating the state’s early childhood services under one department and supporting creation of more child care openings.

“When I ran for governor in 2018, I often said that, should I leave a legacy, I wanted to leave behind the most comprehensive early childhood system in the nation, so that our children, their families, our businesses and our communities could thrive,” Kelly told a crowd gathered at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Topeka.

Kelly signed&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/HB2045/" target="_blank">House Bill 2045</a>, which creates the Office of Early Childhood, effectively consolidating more than 20 Kansas programs having to do with children, child care and other issues under one banner. In addition, the bill is expected to increase availability of much-needed child care slots, although critics have voiced concerns that it softened licensure requirements.&nbsp;

The bill allows fewer education requirements for some workers in a child care facility and changes ratios of the number of adults to children. It also matches vaccination requirements to those currently in place for children attending school.

Rep. Kirk Haskins, a Topeka Democrat, said he worked on the bill for three years and that the final product, while not without its costs, was effective and good.&nbsp;

“We do have a day care gap that we have to address,” he said. “But we have to be careful to make sure we’re not changing so much that it harms our children.”

Kelly said some concerns raised about the bill were misguided because people didn’t understand that much of the language included in HB 2045 was already in statute elsewhere.&nbsp;

“Some of the concerns, like the wording on certain provisions within that, those are things that were already in statute,” she said. “They were just sort of put into the child care conversation, but were already existing. But I felt very comfortable that what we ended up with addressed a lot of concerns.”

Kelly said objections to the vaccination language in HB 2045 was one of those misunderstood issues.&nbsp;

“That language already exists in state law, and we just put it into child care regulations,” she said.&nbsp;

Sen. Tory Marie Blew, a Great Bend Republican, spoke to the crowd while holding her 11-month-old daughter, Brynn. She said she and her husband put their names on a child care wait list in 2020, and then it took them longer than expected to have a child. A spot didn’t come open until just after their daughter was born in May 2024, she said.&nbsp;

“Many folks are not working because either they can’t afford it or they don’t have access to it,” Blew said. “The thing about child care is it’s an issue across every state. Hopefully more states will look to Kansas on what we’re doing here.”

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, equated the legislation to a promise to Kansas families.&nbsp;

“By establishing the Kansas Office of Early Childhood, this bill takes a transformative step toward making child care in Kansas more accessible, more affordable and more effective,” she said.

“Kansas will now have a centralized, accountable agency with an executive director focused entirely on those early childhood services,” Sykes added. “This means more coordination, less confusion and better results.”

Kelly said it had been clear for some time that the current system in Kansas wasn’t meeting the needs of providers, communities and businesses. This legislation ensures a stronger, more comprehensive and flexible system for providers, she said.&nbsp;

“We know the earliest years of childhood are crucial in determining the trajectory of one’s entire life, including economic health and social outcomes,” Kelly said. “A robust, flourishing early childhood system not only benefits our children, but it’s also critical to our state’s economic growth and well-being.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745529889675.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</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 — Surrounded by the shouts and chatter of children playing, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday signed legislation consolidating the state’s early childhood services under one department and supporting creation of more child care openings.“When I ran for governor in 2018, I often said that, should I leave a legacy, I wanted to leave behind the most comprehensive early childhood system in the nation, so that our children, their families, our businesses and our communities could thrive,” Kelly told a crowd gathered at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Topeka.Kelly signed&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/HB2045/" target="_blank">House Bill 2045</a>, which creates the Office of Early Childhood, effectively consolidating more than 20 Kansas programs having to do with children, child care and other issues under one banner. In addition, the bill is expected to increase availability of much-needed child care slots, although critics have voiced concerns that it softened licensure requirements.&nbsp;The bill allows fewer education requirements for some workers in a child care facility and changes ratios of the number of adults to children. It also matches vaccination requirements to those currently in place for children attending school.Rep. Kirk Haskins, a Topeka Democrat, said he worked on the bill for three years and that the final product, while not without its costs, was effective and good.&nbsp;“We do have a day care gap that we have to address,” he said. “But we have to be careful to make sure we’re not changing so much that it harms our children.”Kelly said some concerns raised about the bill were misguided because people didn’t understand that much of the language included in HB 2045 was already in statute elsewhere.&nbsp;“Some of the concerns, like the wording on certain provisions within that, those are things that were already in statute,” she said. “They were just sort of put into the child care conversation, but were already existing. But I felt very comfortable that what we ended up with addressed a lot of concerns.”Kelly said objections to the vaccination language in HB 2045 was one of those misunderstood issues.&nbsp;“That language already exists in state law, and we just put it into child care regulations,” she said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745529889675.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly called the creation of a new Office of Early Childhood through House Bill 2045 one of the legacies will she leave behind. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Sen. Tory Marie Blew, a Great Bend Republican, spoke to the crowd while holding her 11-month-old daughter, Brynn. She said she and her husband put their names on a child care wait list in 2020, and then it took them longer than expected to have a child. A spot didn’t come open until just after their daughter was born in May 2024, she said.&nbsp;“Many folks are not working because either they can’t afford it or they don’t have access to it,” Blew said. “The thing about child care is it’s an issue across every state. Hopefully more states will look to Kansas on what we’re doing here.”Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, equated the legislation to a promise to Kansas families.&nbsp;“By establishing the Kansas Office of Early Childhood, this bill takes a transformative step toward making child care in Kansas more accessible, more affordable and more effective,” she said.“Kansas will now have a centralized, accountable agency with an executive director focused entirely on those early childhood services,” Sykes added. “This means more coordination, less confusion and better results.”Kelly said it had been clear for some time that the current system in Kansas wasn’t meeting the needs of providers, communities and businesses. This legislation ensures a stronger, more comprehensive and flexible system for providers, she said.&nbsp;“We know the earliest years of childhood are crucial in determining the trajectory of one’s entire life, including economic health and social outcomes,” Kelly said. “A robust, flourishing early childhood system not only benefits our children, but it’s also critical to our state’s economic growth and well-being.”

Kansas governor signs legislation to expand child care access, create Office of Early Childhood

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

TOPEKA — A federal judge rejected a former Kansas foster care leader’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/04/federal-prosecutor-tells-court-ex-saint-francis-leader-is-a-flight-risk-if-he-travels-to-el-salvador/">request to leave the country</a>, even though a Chicago faith leader vouched for him.

Robert “Father Bobby” Smith, who led Saint Francis Ministries from 2014 to 2020, faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. He asked the court last month to travel from his home in Johnson City, Tennessee, to El Salvador so he could visit his ex-wife and attend their daughter’s high school graduation.

U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse sided with a prosecutor who warned that Smith was a flight risk, based on family connections and the federal government’s inability to apprehend him if he stayed in El Salvador.

Pastor Corey Brooks, of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcchurchchi.org/" target="_blank">New Beginnings Church of Chicago</a>, wrote a letter dated April 10 to the judge in support of Smith’s request to travel.

“I have every confidence that his intent is to attend the graduation, celebrate his daughter’s success, and return to Tennessee,” Brooks wrote.

Brooks said he believes so much in Smith that he was willing to travel with him to the graduation.

But court records show Crouse denied Smith’s request at an April 16 hearing.

The judge also set a status conference for April 30. Past court filings showed Smith and co-defendant William Whymark, the former IT director for Saint Francis, are&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/27/former-leaders-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-negotiating-plea-deal-in-federal-fraud-case/">negotiating a plea deal</a>.

The two are accused of defrauding Saint Francis, the largest foster care contractor in Kansas, of at least $4.7 million.

Saint Francis hired Smith, who had been ordained as an Episcopal priest by the Diocese of Chicago, as president and CEO in 2014. Kansas Reflector&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/04/kansas-agency-serving-3100-foster-children-accused-of-rampant-financial-mismanagement/">first reported</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/15/kansas-based-foster-care-providers-financial-turmoil-cubs-tickets-amplify-concerns-in-nebraska/">allegations of misconduct</a>&nbsp;by Smith and Whymark shortly after they left Saint Francis in November 2020.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/20/kansas-foster-care-leader-charged-469k-to-credit-cards-hid-financial-losses/">Internal</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/12/23/audit-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-scrutinizes-financial-controls-it-costs-ceo-travel-ppp-loan/">external</a>&nbsp;audits revealed excessive billing for IT services and charges by Smith for lavish personal expenses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660235188905.png" alt="&nbsp;Saint Francis Ministries in November 2020 severed ties with CEO Robert "Father Bobby" Smith and other leaders following an investigation into financial mismanagement. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Saint Francis Ministries in November 2020 severed ties with CEO Robert "Father Bobby" Smith and other leaders following an investigation into financial mismanagement. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/01/03/kansas-state-garden-city-cc-striving-to-shrink-bachelors-degree-educational-desert/?emci=8e6f56cf-3bca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;emdi=a9416bb1-82ca-ef11-88d0-0022482a9b45&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A federal judge rejected a former Kansas foster care leader’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/04/04/federal-prosecutor-tells-court-ex-saint-francis-leader-is-a-flight-risk-if-he-travels-to-el-salvador/">request to leave the country</a>, even though a Chicago faith leader vouched for him.Robert “Father Bobby” Smith, who led Saint Francis Ministries from 2014 to 2020, faces federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 15 counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering. He asked the court last month to travel from his home in Johnson City, Tennessee, to El Salvador so he could visit his ex-wife and attend their daughter’s high school graduation.U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse sided with a prosecutor who warned that Smith was a flight risk, based on family connections and the federal government’s inability to apprehend him if he stayed in El Salvador.Pastor Corey Brooks, of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcchurchchi.org/" target="_blank">New Beginnings Church of Chicago</a>, wrote a letter dated April 10 to the judge in support of Smith’s request to travel.“I have every confidence that his intent is to attend the graduation, celebrate his daughter’s success, and return to Tennessee,” Brooks wrote.Brooks said he believes so much in Smith that he was willing to travel with him to the graduation.But court records show Crouse denied Smith’s request at an April 16 hearing.The judge also set a status conference for April 30. Past court filings showed Smith and co-defendant William Whymark, the former IT director for Saint Francis, are&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/27/former-leaders-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-negotiating-plea-deal-in-federal-fraud-case/">negotiating a plea deal</a>.The two are accused of defrauding Saint Francis, the largest foster care contractor in Kansas, of at least $4.7 million.Saint Francis hired Smith, who had been ordained as an Episcopal priest by the Diocese of Chicago, as president and CEO in 2014. Kansas Reflector&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/04/kansas-agency-serving-3100-foster-children-accused-of-rampant-financial-mismanagement/">first reported</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/15/kansas-based-foster-care-providers-financial-turmoil-cubs-tickets-amplify-concerns-in-nebraska/">allegations of misconduct</a>&nbsp;by Smith and Whymark shortly after they left Saint Francis in November 2020.<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/20/kansas-foster-care-leader-charged-469k-to-credit-cards-hid-financial-losses/">Internal</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/12/23/audit-of-kansas-foster-care-provider-scrutinizes-financial-controls-it-costs-ceo-travel-ppp-loan/">external</a>&nbsp;audits revealed excessive billing for IT services and charges by Smith for lavish personal expenses.

Federal judge denies former foster care leader’s request to travel to El Salvador

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an&nbsp;aggravated robbery and aggravated battery that occurred just after 11p.m. on April 12 in the 1100 block of Moro Street in Manhattan and have made additional arrests, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

&nbsp;A 17-year-old boy reported that multiple persons had battered him and property was stolen from him during the incident. 

Arrested in connection with the incident were Avante Cunningham, 16, of Manhattan, Nehemiah Jackson, 14, of Manhattan, and Kaeden Guerrero, 16, of Manhattan. &nbsp;

Cunningham was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 3:43 p.m. in the 1400 block of Humboldt Street on requested charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.

Jackson was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 11:09 a.m. in the 400 block of Walters Drive on requested charges of&nbsp; aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.

Guerrero was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 10:35 a.m. in the 1500 block of Pipher Lane on requested charges for aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.. Guerrero and Jackson are confined in the Reno County Juvenile Detention Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cunningham is confined in the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center.

On Wednesday, the RCPD reported the arrest of two others in connection with the alleged crime. Amarion Blanton, 15,&nbsp; and Joshua Davis Jr., 17, both of Manhattan&nbsp;are  confined in the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an&nbsp;aggravated robbery and aggravated battery that occurred just after 11p.m. on April 12 in the 1100 block of Moro Street in Manhattan and have made additional arrests, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp;A 17-year-old boy reported that multiple persons had battered him and property was stolen from him during the incident. Arrested in connection with the incident were Avante Cunningham, 16, of Manhattan, Nehemiah Jackson, 14, of Manhattan, and Kaeden Guerrero, 16, of Manhattan. &nbsp;Cunningham was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 3:43 p.m. in the 1400 block of Humboldt Street on requested charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.Jackson was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 11:09 a.m. in the 400 block of Walters Drive on requested charges of&nbsp; aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.Guerrero was arrested on April 23, 2025, at approximately 10:35 a.m. in the 1500 block of Pipher Lane on requested charges for aggravated robbery and aggravated battery.. Guerrero and Jackson are confined in the Reno County Juvenile Detention Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cunningham is confined in the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center.On Wednesday, the RCPD reported the arrest of two others in connection with the alleged crime. Amarion Blanton, 15,&nbsp; and Joshua Davis Jr., 17, both of Manhattan&nbsp;are confined in the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

Police: 5 accused in violent robbery of Kansas teen

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>

USDA urged reform after Kansas’ payment error rate on SNAP hit 12% in 2023

TOPEKA — The payment error rate for Kansas’ determination of eligibility for food assistance grew to more than 12% in 2023 to exceed the national average and surpass levels in four states neighboring Kansas.

The U.S. average that year was 11.6% and the border states ranged from 7% in Nebraska, 8.6% in Colorado, 10.5% in Missouri and 10.6% in Oklahoma.

Kansas’ problem with processing applications from low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, was brought to the attention of Gov. Laura Kelly in a February 2024 letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Kelly administration received another letter in early April from the USDA pointing to SNAP processing deficiencies in Kansas.

The notices took issue with the state’s SNAP payment error rate as well as the timeliness of application processing and procedural error rates that failed to comply with basic federal requirements.

State officials told the House Select Committee on Government Oversight the error rate in terms of eligibility and benefit determinations for SNAP ranged from 3.8% to 7.1% from 2017 to 2019. In each of those three years the state outperformed the national average.

USDA didn’t track state-by-state performance in 2020 and 2021 due to distortions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, officials with the Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers SNAP statewide, said the payment error rate climbed to 12% in 2023 before improving to 10.1% in 2024 and slumping to 11.6% in 2025.

“I know government is different from business, but typically a payment error is pretty critical,” said Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican. “Most businesses, as far accounts payable, your error rate you kind of want it to be around zero. This is a $400 million-plus program looking at an 11% error rate. From my perspective, that is a high percentage.”

Carla Whiteside-Hicks, director of economic and employment services for DCF, said the rate was most frequently tied to DCF personnel making data entry mistakes when handling applications for SNAP. For example, she said, mistakes were made in calculation of an applicant’s income or rent. Another area in which inaccuracies surfaced was in the interpretation of self-employment income by an applicant, she said.

“Those are the three that are the most common,” said Whiteside-Hicks, who would prefer the error rate stabilized at 3%.

“As they enter this data — this is an application form where I’m asking questions and entering data — we’re making errors on some of the most basic elements of the application such as income, rent and self-employment,” Awerkamp said. “How would you approach correcting these errors?”

Whiteside-Hicks said DCF’s effort to minimize mistakes centered on improving training of staff and upgrading training materials used by about 200 state workers responsible for processing SNAP applications. She said regional offices involved in the application process had historically struggled to hire staff.

“It takes at least a year to become proficient as an eligibility worker,” Whiteside-Hicks said.

Rep. Will Carpenter, R-El Dorado, said the status report on processing SNAP applications should prompt the Legislature to examine how other states dealt with processing requests for food aid.

“Are there states that contract their eligibility out as a piece versus having in-house employees?” he said.

Tanya Keys, deputy secretary at DCF, told legislators SNAP provided a monthly benefit that averaged $189 per person or $392 per family in Kansas. As of last year, Kansas provided SNAP benefits to 97,000 households.

In terms of eligibility for SNAP, she said, Kansas had placed in law a part-time work requirement or training participation requirement for adults 18 to 54 without children. That criteria could be waived for an adult caring for children, a person with a disability or an individual at least 60 years of age.

Keys said one-third of SNAP participants in Kansas were enrolled in the program for less than six months and two-thirds were in the program less than one year.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, authorized the House Select Committee on Government Oversight to monitor the functioning, transparency and accountability of government agencies. He granted the 13-member committee subpoena power to investigate potential misconduct.

“This committee’s work will help ensure that public funds are used efficiently and that government actions align with the best interests of the citizens of Kansas,” Hawkins said.

During the first meeting of the committee on Wednesday at the Capitol, Augusta GOP Rep. Kristey Williams, chair of the bipartisan panel, said topics of inquiry weren’t set in stone.

“We are not here to create drafts of bills, but we are here to really shine a light on any issues that are of high importance,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745498061532.png" alt="Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, and Rep. Bob Lewis, R-Garden City, take part in the first meeting of the House Select Committee on Government Oversight on Wednesday at the Capitol. The inaugural meeting of the 13-member committee focused on financial issues tied to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, serving nearly 100,000 households in Kansas. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, and Rep. Bob Lewis, R-Garden City, take part in the first meeting of the House Select Committee on Government Oversight on Wednesday at the Capitol. The inaugural meeting of the 13-member committee focused on financial issues tied to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, serving nearly 100,000 households in Kansas. (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>USDA urged reform after Kansas’ payment error rate on SNAP hit 12% in 2023</h2>TOPEKA — The payment error rate for Kansas’ determination of eligibility for food assistance grew to more than 12% in 2023 to exceed the national average and surpass levels in four states neighboring Kansas.The U.S. average that year was 11.6% and the border states ranged from 7% in Nebraska, 8.6% in Colorado, 10.5% in Missouri and 10.6% in Oklahoma.Kansas’ problem with processing applications from low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, was brought to the attention of Gov. Laura Kelly in a February 2024 letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Kelly administration received another letter in early April from the USDA pointing to SNAP processing deficiencies in Kansas.The notices took issue with the state’s SNAP payment error rate as well as the timeliness of application processing and procedural error rates that failed to comply with basic federal requirements.State officials told the House Select Committee on Government Oversight the error rate in terms of eligibility and benefit determinations for SNAP ranged from 3.8% to 7.1% from 2017 to 2019. In each of those three years the state outperformed the national average.USDA didn’t track state-by-state performance in 2020 and 2021 due to distortions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.However, officials with the Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers SNAP statewide, said the payment error rate climbed to 12% in 2023 before improving to 10.1% in 2024 and slumping to 11.6% in 2025.“I know government is different from business, but typically a payment error is pretty critical,” said Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican. “Most businesses, as far accounts payable, your error rate you kind of want it to be around zero. This is a $400 million-plus program looking at an 11% error rate. From my perspective, that is a high percentage.”Carla Whiteside-Hicks, director of economic and employment services for DCF, said the rate was most frequently tied to DCF personnel making data entry mistakes when handling applications for SNAP. For example, she said, mistakes were made in calculation of an applicant’s income or rent. Another area in which inaccuracies surfaced was in the interpretation of self-employment income by an applicant, she said.“Those are the three that are the most common,” said Whiteside-Hicks, who would prefer the error rate stabilized at 3%.“As they enter this data — this is an application form where I’m asking questions and entering data — we’re making errors on some of the most basic elements of the application such as income, rent and self-employment,” Awerkamp said. “How would you approach correcting these errors?”Whiteside-Hicks said DCF’s effort to minimize mistakes centered on improving training of staff and upgrading training materials used by about 200 state workers responsible for processing SNAP applications. She said regional offices involved in the application process had historically struggled to hire staff.“It takes at least a year to become proficient as an eligibility worker,” Whiteside-Hicks said.Rep. Will Carpenter, R-El Dorado, said the status report on processing SNAP applications should prompt the Legislature to examine how other states dealt with processing requests for food aid.“Are there states that contract their eligibility out as a piece versus having in-house employees?” he said.Tanya Keys, deputy secretary at DCF, told legislators SNAP provided a monthly benefit that averaged $189 per person or $392 per family in Kansas. As of last year, Kansas provided SNAP benefits to 97,000 households.In terms of eligibility for SNAP, she said, Kansas had placed in law a part-time work requirement or training participation requirement for adults 18 to 54 without children. That criteria could be waived for an adult caring for children, a person with a disability or an individual at least 60 years of age.Keys said one-third of SNAP participants in Kansas were enrolled in the program for less than six months and two-thirds were in the program less than one year.House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, authorized the House Select Committee on Government Oversight to monitor the functioning, transparency and accountability of government agencies. He granted the 13-member committee subpoena power to investigate potential misconduct.“This committee’s work will help ensure that public funds are used efficiently and that government actions align with the best interests of the citizens of Kansas,” Hawkins said.During the first meeting of the committee on Wednesday at the Capitol, Augusta GOP Rep. Kristey Williams, chair of the bipartisan panel, said topics of inquiry weren’t set in stone.“We are not here to create drafts of bills, but we are here to really shine a light on any issues that are of high importance,” she said.

Kan. House committee examines state’s elevated error rate in processing food aid applications

KANSAS CITY —The ATV driver who struck a Kansas City Police Department officer earlier this month is in custody and faces multiple charges.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2598/Coleman-Complaint-Redacted">Kendall S. Coleman</a>&nbsp;faces 1st Degree Assault, Armed Criminal Action, and Aggravated Fleeing a Stop or Detention, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2599/ColemanKendall---PC_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were conducting a traffic violation stop of a group of ATVs and motorcycles at Truman Road and Main Street on April 12.&nbsp; During the stop, an officer attempted to remove the ATV driver, later identified as Coleman, from his ATV to place him into custody.

Coleman reversed the ATV, causing the officer to fall to the ground. While the officer was crouched down, the defendant lifted his ATV into a wheelie and then dropped the front wheels of the vehicle onto the officer, running him over with all four tires. The defendant fled the scene.&nbsp;

Officers later located the defendant near 31st Street and Southwest Boulevard, but he fled again, eventually ending up on Highway I-35 where he was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of traffic, weaving between lanes. Officers eventually lost sight of him.

An anonymous Crime Stoppers TIP led to the identification and apprehension of the defendant.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744640895858.png" alt="Photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The ATV driver who struck a Kansas City Police Department officer earlier this month is in custody and faces multiple charges.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2598/Coleman-Complaint-Redacted">Kendall S. Coleman</a>&nbsp;faces 1st Degree Assault, Armed Criminal Action, and Aggravated Fleeing a Stop or Detention, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2599/ColemanKendall---PC_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police were conducting a traffic violation stop of a group of ATVs and motorcycles at Truman Road and Main Street on April 12.&nbsp; During the stop, an officer attempted to remove the ATV driver, later identified as Coleman, from his ATV to place him into custody. Coleman reversed the ATV, causing the officer to fall to the ground. While the officer was crouched down, the defendant lifted his ATV into a wheelie and then dropped the front wheels of the vehicle onto the officer, running him over with all four tires. The defendant fled the scene.&nbsp;Officers later located the defendant near 31st Street and Southwest Boulevard, but he fled again, eventually ending up on Highway I-35 where he was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of traffic, weaving between lanes. Officers eventually lost sight of him.An anonymous Crime Stoppers TIP led to the identification and apprehension of the defendant.&nbsp;

ATV rider who ran over KCPD officer is in custody

WICHITA —On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly joined Kansas aircraft parts maker&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TextronAviation">TextronAviation</a> to celebrate the opening of its new Career and Learning Center in Wichita.

 This facility will prepare over 2,000 Kansans for long-term aviation careers, strengthening our aviation workforce while supporting the next generation of Kansas workers.

The Center is complete and fully operational serving prospective, current and future Textron Aviation employees. Strategically located on the company’s East Wichita Campus, this state-of-the-art facility expands the training footprint to more than 75,000 square feet and provides a world-class employee experience during the application, hiring, onboarding and training processes.&nbsp;

“The Textron Aviation Career and Learning Center is an important investment in building the next generation of aviation manufacturing, support and professional talent,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO in a media release. “Recruiting, hiring and training a world-class workforce is vital to our ability to provide the best aviation experience for our customers.”&nbsp;

WICHITA —On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly joined Kansas aircraft parts maker&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TextronAviation">TextronAviation</a> to celebrate the opening of its new Career and Learning Center in Wichita.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, I joined <a href="https://twitter.com/TextronAviation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TextronAviation</a> to celebrate the opening of its new Career &amp; Learning Center in Wichita. This facility will prepare over 2,000 Kansans for long-term aviation careers, strengthening our aviation workforce while supporting the next generation of Kansas workers. <a href="https://t.co/5oG5vYnzsJ">pic.twitter.com/5oG5vYnzsJ</a>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1915169322130968843?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> This facility will prepare over 2,000 Kansans for long-term aviation careers, strengthening our aviation workforce while supporting the next generation of Kansas workers.The Center is complete and fully operational serving prospective, current and future Textron Aviation employees. Strategically located on the company’s East Wichita Campus, this state-of-the-art facility expands the training footprint to more than 75,000 square feet and provides a world-class employee experience during the application, hiring, onboarding and training processes.&nbsp;“The Textron Aviation Career and Learning Center is an important investment in building the next generation of aviation manufacturing, support and professional talent,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO in a media release. “Recruiting, hiring and training a world-class workforce is vital to our ability to provide the best aviation experience for our customers.”&nbsp;

Kansas aircraft parts maker unveils $40 million career center 

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

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

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

Homicide detectives responded to the scene and took over this investigation. Preliminary information indicates that the victim had an interaction at that location with one or more suspects that led to shots being fired and the victim being struck. The victim appears to be a teen but his identification is not yet confirmed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745490700410.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City, Missouri.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police were called to report of a shooting in the 7800 block of NE 75th Court, according to Offier Jake Becchina. First responders found a male shooting victim unresponsive in the front yard of a residence there. Officers summoned EMS to the scene who transported the victim to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. A short time later the victim was declared deceased by medical personnel.Homicide detectives responded to the scene and took over this investigation. Preliminary information indicates that the victim had an interaction at that location with one or more suspects that led to shots being fired and the victim being struck. The victim appears to be a teen but his identification is not yet confirmed.

Homicide: Police found victim in front yard of Kansas City home

JOHNSON COUNTY, Mo., —One person died in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Wednesday in Johnson County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 GMC Acadia driven by a 35-year-old Kingsville woman was westbound on U.S. 50 at NW 1421 Road.

The SUV changed lanes and struck a&nbsp;1987 BMW K75S driven by a 63-year-old Knob Noster man.&nbsp; The motorcycle overturned and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

JOHNSON COUNTY, Mo., —One person died in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Wednesday in Johnson County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 GMC Acadia driven by a 35-year-old Kingsville woman was westbound on U.S. 50 at NW 1421 Road.The SUV changed lanes and struck a&nbsp;1987 BMW K75S driven by a 63-year-old Knob Noster man.&nbsp; The motorcycle overturned and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; He was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man dies after SUV strikes a motorcycle

KANSAS CITY— A Kansas City area man faces charges after his toddler son shot and killed himself with the father's loaded firearm.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2595/Ronald-Lewis-COMPLAINTREDACTED">Ronald L. Lewis, Grandview, Mo., faces</a>&nbsp;1st Degree Involuntary Manslaughter, a class C felony, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

If convicted, Lewis could face three to ten years in prison.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2594/Ronald-Lewis-PCREDACTED">According to court records</a>, On November 2, Kansas City police were dispatched to a residence on a reported shooting and were told that the two-year-old victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was later declared deceased at the local hospital.&nbsp;

Lewis told detectives he was sitting on the couch in the residence with the victim when he heard a single gunshot next to him and noticed the boy was shot in the head. Lewis told detectives he previously placed his loaded handgun under a pillow on the couch he and the boy were seated on.&nbsp;

The defendant is in custody on a $30,000 bond.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY— A Kansas City area man faces charges after his toddler son shot and killed himself with the father's loaded firearm.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2595/Ronald-Lewis-COMPLAINTREDACTED">Ronald L. Lewis, Grandview, Mo., faces</a>&nbsp;1st Degree Involuntary Manslaughter, a class C felony, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.If convicted, Lewis could face three to ten years in prison.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2594/Ronald-Lewis-PCREDACTED">According to court records</a>, On November 2, Kansas City police were dispatched to a residence on a reported shooting and were told that the two-year-old victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was later declared deceased at the local hospital.&nbsp;Lewis told detectives he was sitting on the couch in the residence with the victim when he heard a single gunshot next to him and noticed the boy was shot in the head. Lewis told detectives he previously placed his loaded handgun under a pillow on the couch he and the boy were seated on.&nbsp;The defendant is in custody on a $30,000 bond.&nbsp;

KC toddler found his father's loaded handgun under a pillow

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspect on multiple allegations after&nbsp;

Just after 2a.m.&nbsp; April 19, 2025, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received notification regarding multiple individuals in a gray for F-150 pickup truck breaking into a clothing donation bin in the 6800 block of SW 29th Street, according to Sheriff Brian Hill.

A deputy located the vehicle in the 5200 block of SW 37th Street and conducted a traffic stop.

During the investigation, it was determined that the driver was wanted by the Topeka Police Department and illegal narcotics were located.

Ronald A. Weiland, 62, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana; Aggravated domestic battery;&nbsp;Aggravated assault, Domestic battery and Criminal restraint

Carl E. Smith, 61, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human bod and Possession of marijuana

Paulette K. Weiland, 57, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into jail on a Topeka bench

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745422219371.png" alt="Weiland photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Weiland photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating three suspect on multiple allegations after&nbsp;Just after 2a.m.&nbsp; April 19, 2025, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received notification regarding multiple individuals in a gray for F-150 pickup truck breaking into a clothing donation bin in the 6800 block of SW 29th Street, according to Sheriff Brian Hill.A deputy located the vehicle in the 5200 block of SW 37th Street and conducted a traffic stop.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745422242751.png" alt="Weiland photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Weiland photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the investigation, it was determined that the driver was wanted by the Topeka Police Department and illegal narcotics were located.Ronald A. Weiland, 62, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana; Aggravated domestic battery;&nbsp;Aggravated assault, Domestic battery and Criminal restraint<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745422150385.png" alt="Smith photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Carl E. Smith, 61, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the SNDOC on requested charges of Possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human bod and Possession of marijuanaPaulette K. Weiland, 57, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into jail on a Topeka bench

3 jailed after report of break-in to Kan. clothing donation bin

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Topeka.

Just before 1a.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to the area near Ripley Park at SE 2nd and California Avenue in Topeka, according to Police Lt. John Trimble.

Officers arrived to the area and&nbsp;found one person suffering from a life-threatening knife wound. That individual was transported to a local hospital where they died of their injuries. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745416435363.png" alt="Photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Eric Ives courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Topeka.Just before 1a.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp;responded to the area near Ripley Park at SE 2nd and California Avenue in Topeka, according to Police Lt. John Trimble.Officers arrived to the area and&nbsp;found one person suffering from a life-threatening knife wound. That individual was transported to a local hospital where they died of their injuries.

Police: One dead after knife attack near Kansas park

Senator Dick Durbin announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending his more than four-decade career representing Illinois.

Senator Dick Durbin announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending his more than four-decade career representing Illinois.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch. So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term. <a href="https://t.co/eiBTPjToFT">pic.twitter.com/eiBTPjToFT</a>&mdash; Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorDurbin/status/1915062730580427059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

U.S. Senate’s No. 2 Democrat won't seek reelection to a 6th term

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>

WASHINGTON — A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Tuesday grilled the Trump administration and the attorney for transgender service members who won a lower court order reversing President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender troops.

One judge on the panel voiced serious concerns about the lack of evidence the Defense Department cited when instituting the ban, while another expressed skepticism that the lower court’s nationwide order —&nbsp;instead of applying only to the transgender individuals who brought the case —&nbsp;was appropriate.

Administration officials appealed the case to the D.C. Circuit after district Judge Ana Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, granted a broad preliminary injunction blocking Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order.

Eight active-duty service members and transgender individuals who are actively pursuing enlistment in the armed forces brought the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583866/talbott-v-trump/?filed_after=&amp;filed_before=&amp;entry_gte=&amp;entry_lte=&amp;order_by=desc" target="_blank">case</a>&nbsp;against Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, among other officials and three branches of the U.S. military.

Trump’s January order&nbsp;asserted the “adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual’s sex conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life.” Further, the order said that being transgender is “not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”

The Trump administration is expected to “imminently” escalate a separate case on the same issue to the Supreme Court, U.S. Department of Justice attorney Jason Manion said in court Tuesday.

Judges on the appeals bench queried both sides on whether the government has evidence to prove transgender individuals cannot fulfill military duties, and if the order bans all trans troops or only those diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a clinical diagnosis involving distress when a person’s gender identity differs from their sex at birth.

“If the military said people with red hair are just too fragile and vulnerable, we are going to kick them all out of the military, and we are going to not allow any of them ever to join, and we have no evidence of that, but we think they’re a threat to military preparedness, to unit cohesion, and too costly, and so we’re just going to kick them out?” asked Judge Cornelia Pillard, who was appointed during President Barack Obama’s second term.

Manion replied the transgender ban “policy relies on a condition that is marked by severe clinical distress.”

Under military deference — meaning the courts generally defer to the president and military on national security questions — the judges should accept Trump’s and Hegseth’s word on the policy, Manion said.

“If there are mental conditions that will impair someone’s ability to function in the military, or that the military could rationally judge would impair that, then that’s more than enough to satisfy rational basis review,” he said.

Pillard pushed back: Isn’t that the case for all people wanting to join the military, not just transgender individuals? Thousands of transgender troops are already serving, she said.

“If the concerns are with depression or suicidality, there already are standards that would screen someone out for those things, right?” Pillard said.

Judge Neomi Rao challenged the plaintiffs’ likelihood to succeed, highlighting that the Supreme Court generally views broad orders from district judges as “overreach.”

Reyes’&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.276845/gov.uscourts.dcd.276845.89.0.pdf" target="_blank">order</a>&nbsp;covers all transgender troops and those seeking to enlist, not just the eight plaintiffs who brought the case.

“The district court imposed effectively a universal injunction on this policy, going beyond any relief to these particular plaintiffs. So even putting aside the constitutional question, isn’t the government likely to succeed on challenging this remedy?” asked Rao, who was appointed during Trump’s first term.

Shannon Minter, civil rights attorney for the plaintiffs, said “the very nature of the injury” justifies far-reaching court protection.

“This is one of those cases where the injury alleged resides directly in the categorical nature of the policy itself, which declares that transgender people as a group lack the virtues of honesty, discipline, selflessness, integrity, that as such, they have to be purged from the military because they’re transgender, and because the government has this very negative view of what it means to be a transgender person,” Minter said.

In a separate case, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca9.afaa7f8c-a307-4e35-a174-cf2fa59424fe/gov.uscourts.ca9.afaa7f8c-a307-4e35-a174-cf2fa59424fe.31.0.pdf" target="_blank">upheld</a>&nbsp;a lower court’s ruling that allowed transgender troops to continue serving, denying the government’s appeal.

Judge Gregory Katsas, appointed during Trump’s first term, asked Manion, “Can you tell us anything about the government’s plans for seeking Supreme Court (review)?”

“I can’t give you an exact date, but it will be very, very quickly, very soon, and I think that may well be quite relevant to this court’s analysis as well,” Manion said.

Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Foundation, who are representing plaintiffs in the 9th Circuit case, released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying they “stand ready to continue to zealously represent our clients as we have at every juncture.”

“Transgender service members have been openly serving our country with honor and distinction for almost a decade and have met and are meeting every neutral service-based standard. The U.S. Supreme Court should reject the invitation to stay the district court’s injunction so that they can impose their discriminatory ban while the litigation proceeds,” the statement said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745411733333.png" alt="A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard arguments at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse on Tuesday over President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military (U.S. General Services Administration photo)." />
 <figcaption>A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard arguments at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse on Tuesday over President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military (U.S. General Services Administration photo).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>WASHINGTON — A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Tuesday grilled the Trump administration and the attorney for transgender service members who won a lower court order reversing President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender troops.One judge on the panel voiced serious concerns about the lack of evidence the Defense Department cited when instituting the ban, while another expressed skepticism that the lower court’s nationwide order —&nbsp;instead of applying only to the transgender individuals who brought the case —&nbsp;was appropriate.Administration officials appealed the case to the D.C. Circuit after district Judge Ana Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, granted a broad preliminary injunction blocking Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order.Eight active-duty service members and transgender individuals who are actively pursuing enlistment in the armed forces brought the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69583866/talbott-v-trump/?filed_after=&amp;filed_before=&amp;entry_gte=&amp;entry_lte=&amp;order_by=desc" target="_blank">case</a>&nbsp;against Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, among other officials and three branches of the U.S. military.Trump’s January order&nbsp;asserted the “adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual’s sex conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life.” Further, the order said that being transgender is “not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”The Trump administration is expected to “imminently” escalate a separate case on the same issue to the Supreme Court, U.S. Department of Justice attorney Jason Manion said in court Tuesday.<h2>Evidence</h2>Judges on the appeals bench queried both sides on whether the government has evidence to prove transgender individuals cannot fulfill military duties, and if the order bans all trans troops or only those diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a clinical diagnosis involving distress when a person’s gender identity differs from their sex at birth.“If the military said people with red hair are just too fragile and vulnerable, we are going to kick them all out of the military, and we are going to not allow any of them ever to join, and we have no evidence of that, but we think they’re a threat to military preparedness, to unit cohesion, and too costly, and so we’re just going to kick them out?” asked Judge Cornelia Pillard, who was appointed during President Barack Obama’s second term.Manion replied the transgender ban “policy relies on a condition that is marked by severe clinical distress.”Under military deference — meaning the courts generally defer to the president and military on national security questions — the judges should accept Trump’s and Hegseth’s word on the policy, Manion said.“If there are mental conditions that will impair someone’s ability to function in the military, or that the military could rationally judge would impair that, then that’s more than enough to satisfy rational basis review,” he said.Pillard pushed back: Isn’t that the case for all people wanting to join the military, not just transgender individuals? Thousands of transgender troops are already serving, she said.“If the concerns are with depression or suicidality, there already are standards that would screen someone out for those things, right?” Pillard said.<h2>Trial court ‘overreach’?</h2>Judge Neomi Rao challenged the plaintiffs’ likelihood to succeed, highlighting that the Supreme Court generally views broad orders from district judges as “overreach.”Reyes’&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.276845/gov.uscourts.dcd.276845.89.0.pdf" target="_blank">order</a>&nbsp;covers all transgender troops and those seeking to enlist, not just the eight plaintiffs who brought the case.“The district court imposed effectively a universal injunction on this policy, going beyond any relief to these particular plaintiffs. So even putting aside the constitutional question, isn’t the government likely to succeed on challenging this remedy?” asked Rao, who was appointed during Trump’s first term.Shannon Minter, civil rights attorney for the plaintiffs, said “the very nature of the injury” justifies far-reaching court protection.“This is one of those cases where the injury alleged resides directly in the categorical nature of the policy itself, which declares that transgender people as a group lack the virtues of honesty, discipline, selflessness, integrity, that as such, they have to be purged from the military because they’re transgender, and because the government has this very negative view of what it means to be a transgender person,” Minter said.In a separate case, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca9.afaa7f8c-a307-4e35-a174-cf2fa59424fe/gov.uscourts.ca9.afaa7f8c-a307-4e35-a174-cf2fa59424fe.31.0.pdf" target="_blank">upheld</a>&nbsp;a lower court’s ruling that allowed transgender troops to continue serving, denying the government’s appeal.<h2>U.S. Supreme Court case upcoming</h2>Judge Gregory Katsas, appointed during Trump’s first term, asked Manion, “Can you tell us anything about the government’s plans for seeking Supreme Court (review)?”“I can’t give you an exact date, but it will be very, very quickly, very soon, and I think that may well be quite relevant to this court’s analysis as well,” Manion said.Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Foundation, who are representing plaintiffs in the 9th Circuit case, released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying they “stand ready to continue to zealously represent our clients as we have at every juncture.”“Transgender service members have been openly serving our country with honor and distinction for almost a decade and have met and are meeting every neutral service-based standard. The U.S. Supreme Court should reject the invitation to stay the district court’s injunction so that they can impose their discriminatory ban while the litigation proceeds,” the statement said.

Transgender troops ban, nationwide freeze argued in U.S. appeals court

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after a standoff at a home in Lawrence.

Just before 8:30p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to a home near 6th Street between Shwartz Road and Lawrence Avenue with information that a woman had a gun and was threatening to harm herself, according to a social media report from Lawrence Police.

  Initially, officers weren’t sure if others were in the home and negotiations began.  
The woman fired several shots during the standoff and communication with her was sporadic. 

 Officers evacuated some neighboring homes. 
She ultimately emerged with continued threats and officers deployed a less lethal round in an attempt to stop the woman.  She was hit, but not seriously injured. 

A short time later, negotiators were able to convince the woman to come out, where she was safely taken into custody and medics with Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical took over.  Officers were on scene for some time processing and collecting evidence. After officers secured the area neighbors were allowe to return home.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after a standoff at a home in Lawrence.Just before 8:30p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; police were dispatched to a home near 6th Street between Shwartz Road and Lawrence Avenue with information that a woman had a gun and was threatening to harm herself, according to a social media report from Lawrence Police. Initially, officers weren’t sure if others were in the home and negotiations began. 
The woman fired several shots during the standoff and communication with her was sporadic. Officers evacuated some neighboring homes. 
She ultimately emerged with continued threats and officers deployed a less lethal round in an attempt to stop the woman. She was hit, but not seriously injured. A short time later, negotiators were able to convince the woman to come out, where she was safely taken into custody and medics with Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical took over. Officers were on scene for some time processing and collecting evidence. After officers secured the area neighbors were allowe to return home.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Woman in custody after standoff at Kansas home

KANSAS CITY —Two Spire gas company employees were injured after a gas main line leak Tuesday in Kansas City.

Just after 5:30p.m. Tuesday, the Kansas City Fire Department responded to the gas main leak in the 9500 block of Grandview road, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

Crews found a 10- or 12-inch line had been punctured. The KCFD began checking the surrounding homes for residual gas build up with zero readings. 

While Spire was working to dig the pipe out so they could repair it a spark caused the gas to ignite. Two Spire employees were transported to local hospitals for treatment, according to Hopkins.

One patient had significant injuries but was in stable condition. One patient was transported for evaluation of minor injuries. At the time of ignition KCFD began evacuating the surrounding homes out of precaution. 

Spire was able to shut the gas off to the area and the power to the area was shut down. KCFD allowed the residual gas in the line to burn off. The fire went out after all the gas had been expelled. No homes were damaged, and no civilian injuries were reported. 

Once the fire was out KCFD checked for hot spots and Spire went back to work to repair the line. Electricity was restored, and the gas will be turned back on once Spire completes the repair.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745402438363.png" alt="Photo Kansas City Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas City Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Two Spire gas company employees were injured after a gas main line leak Tuesday in Kansas City. Just after 5:30p.m. Tuesday, the Kansas City Fire Department responded to the gas main leak in the 9500 block of Grandview road, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.Crews found a 10- or 12-inch line had been punctured. The KCFD began checking the surrounding homes for residual gas build up with zero readings. While Spire was working to dig the pipe out so they could repair it a spark caused the gas to ignite. Two Spire employees were transported to local hospitals for treatment, according to Hopkins.One patient had significant injuries but was in stable condition. One patient was transported for evaluation of minor injuries. At the time of ignition KCFD began evacuating the surrounding homes out of precaution. Spire was able to shut the gas off to the area and the power to the area was shut down. KCFD allowed the residual gas in the line to burn off. The fire went out after all the gas had been expelled. No homes were damaged, and no civilian injuries were reported. Once the fire was out KCFD checked for hot spots and Spire went back to work to repair the line. Electricity was restored, and the gas will be turned back on once Spire completes the repair.

2 injured when gas main rupture ignites fire in KC neighborhood

&nbsp;Attorney General Pamela Bondi hosted members of the President’s Cabinet on Tuesday for the inaugural meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias in the federal government, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Task Force, which was established by President Trump under&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2025%2F02%2Feradicating-anti-christian-bias%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001965f6b474d-310a9e22-2d38-416b-b2a0-fca271d37cc0-000000/bl7ZQLF3nf4Tl7J4pFSFrvf-gjwRutYBIUp9J4NtfXk=401" target="_blank">Executive Order 14202</a>, was joined by peaceful Christian Americans who were unfairly targeted by the Biden Administration for their religious beliefs.&nbsp; Click&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2025%2F02%2Feradicating-anti-christian-bias%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/2/010001965f6b474d-310a9e22-2d38-416b-b2a0-fca271d37cc0-000000/ksl7GbMsig7eTnD8ns9hJyk4vlnfNeduww5EY8J-6as=401" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to read the&nbsp;Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias Executive Order.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745411952674.png" alt="AG Pam Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Heath Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were among the top federal officials at Justice Department headquarters Tuesday for the first meeting of the task force.-Photo Department of Justice" />
 <figcaption>AG Pam Bondi, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Heath Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were among the top federal officials at Justice Department headquarters Tuesday for the first meeting of the task force.-Photo Department of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Attorney General Pamela Bondi hosted members of the President’s Cabinet on Tuesday for the inaugural meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias in the federal government, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 BREAKING: First Meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias. <a href="https://t.co/PRlqJO48MD">pic.twitter.com/PRlqJO48MD</a>&mdash; Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1914748203552932185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Task Force, which was established by President Trump under&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2025%2F02%2Feradicating-anti-christian-bias%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/010001965f6b474d-310a9e22-2d38-416b-b2a0-fca271d37cc0-000000/bl7ZQLF3nf4Tl7J4pFSFrvf-gjwRutYBIUp9J4NtfXk=401" target="_blank">Executive Order 14202</a>, was joined by peaceful Christian Americans who were unfairly targeted by the Biden Administration for their religious beliefs.&nbsp; Click&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fpresidential-actions%2F2025%2F02%2Feradicating-anti-christian-bias%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/2/010001965f6b474d-310a9e22-2d38-416b-b2a0-fca271d37cc0-000000/ksl7GbMsig7eTnD8ns9hJyk4vlnfNeduww5EY8J-6as=401" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to read the&nbsp;Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias Executive Order.The witnesses included:Michael Farris:&nbsp;First Amendment Litigator and Founding President of Patrick Henry College<ul>
 <li>Farris spoke on behalf of Senior Pastor Gary Hamrick to discuss how Cornerstone Church was under investigation and charged by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for so-called Johnson Amendment violations. Farris is an elder at the church, previously led Alliance Defending Freedom, and served as counsel on this case.</li>
 </ul>Dr. Scott Hicks:&nbsp;Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Liberty University<ul>
 <li>Hicks described how Liberty University and Grand Canyon University were singled out by the Biden Administration for fines due to the schools’ Christian worldview.</li>
 </ul>Phil Mendes: Navy Seal<ul>
 <li>Mendes was relieved of duty during Biden Administration for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious exemption requests that were denied by the Department of Defense.</li>
 </ul>“As shown by our victims’ stories today, Biden’s Department of Justice abused and targeted peaceful Christians while ignoring violent, anti-Christian offenses,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Thanks to President Trump, we have ended those abuses, and we will continue to work closely with every member of this Task Force to protect every American’s right to speak and worship freely.”Additionally, members of the Task Force highlighted specific cases within their own agencies where the Biden Administration unfairly and harshly punished Christian Americans for their religious beliefs. &nbsp;FBI Director Kash Patel&nbsp;discussed the impact of the anti-Catholic memo issued by FBI Richmond and reiterated the FBI’s commitment to rooting out any anti-Christian bias that could be directing decisions or investigations.Secretary of State Marco Rubio&nbsp;raised several concerning allegations of bias, including some against Christian Foreign Service Officers who preferred to homeschool their children.&nbsp;In one case, a family was threatened with an investigation for child abuse and curtailment if they insisted on homeschooling. In another case, a family was referred to the IRS, threatened with prosecution, and investigated by Biden’s Inspector General for insisting they homeschool their son.He shared how State Department employees were stigmatized for opposing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on religious grounds, including being called “murderers” and “troublemakers.” In one instance, an ambassador yelled at an employee, accusing the employee of wanting to kill the ambassador’s mother despite her being back in the States.Other reports alleged retaliation against employees for opposing DEI/LGBT ideology that violated their religious conscience.&nbsp;Employees recounted being required to push LGBT agendas while serving overseas, even in countries where such activity constituted a blatant violation of the acceptable religious beliefs and practices. He also detailed allegations that that religious freedom policy offices and programs were sidelined unless they were promoting DEI-related programs.He also highlighted how Christian holidays at American embassies under the Biden Administration were frequently stripped of any religious overtones, but non-Christian religious holidays like Losar, Eid, or Ramadan, used proper names and appropriate celebratory greetings.Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.&nbsp;discussed how the previous administration ordered St. Francis Health System in Oklahoma to extinguish its sanctuary candle or lose its ability to treat patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. He also discussed progressive rules put in place under the Biden Administration that would make it harder for Christians to become foster parents.Secretary of Education Linda McMahon&nbsp;discussed how Oregon educators Katie Medart and Rachel Sager were suspended and terminated for starting the movement, “I Resolve.” The movement spoke about gender identity education policy and offered solutions for how educators could teach without violating their conscience and also respect the rights of parents.Additionally, officials at the Skaneateles Central School District in New York began treating a middle-school girl as a boy without her mother’s knowledge or consent – violating their religious liberties as parents.Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender&nbsp;discussed financial surveillance under the Biden Administration, including the previous removal of certain tax classifications of Christian and pro-life organizations by the IRS, the lack of involvement within Treasury to protect organizations from the issue of debanking, and FinCEN’s identification of certain pro-Christian groups as “hate groups.”Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins&nbsp;discussed actions the VA took to stop the speech code that the previous administration used to punish Chaplain Trubey of the Coatesville VA Medical Center for fulfilling his duties and preaching a sermon from the Bible.Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Vince Haley,&nbsp;discussed how the previous DPC Director Neera Tanden helped lead and coordinate the Biden Administration’s efforts to push radical and anti-Christian gender ideology on kids in classrooms, foster care, sports, and healthcare.Additional attendees included:<ul>
 <li>Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General</li><li>Emil Bove, Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General</li><li>Stanley Woodward, Nominee to be Associate Attorney General</li><li>Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General</li><li>Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense</li><li>Kristi Noem, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security</li><li>Andrew Hughes, Chief of Staff (Dep. Sec. Nom.) at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development</li><li>Lori Chavez DeRemer, U.S. Secretary of Labor</li><li>Andrea Lucas, Acting Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission</li><li>Cameron Hamilton, Acting Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency</li><li>Dan Bishop, Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget</li><li>Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration</li><li>Pastor Paula White-Cain, Senior Advisor, White House Faith Office</li><li>Jennifer Korn, Faith Director, White House Faith Office</li>
 </ul>