SHAWNEE COUNTY —Authorities investigating the cause of a deadly fire in Topeka that killed 34-year-old Daron Weather have determined the fire was intentionally set.

Just before 5:30a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;firefighters from the Topeka Fire Department responded to a house fire at 435 SE California Avenue, according to Fire Marshal&nbsp;Alan Stahl.

 Upon arrival, crews found a single story house with smoke and flames. Crews extinguished the fire and during a search of the home they found the body of Weather who was deceased.&nbsp;

The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary&nbsp; and&nbsp;Topeka Fire is not seeking any suspects in this case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740798705939.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Authorities investigating the cause of a deadly fire in Topeka that killed 34-year-old Daron Weather have determined the fire was intentionally set.Just before 5:30a.m. Tuesday,&nbsp;firefighters from the Topeka Fire Department responded to a house fire at 435 SE California Avenue, according to Fire Marshal&nbsp;Alan Stahl. Upon arrival, crews found a single story house with smoke and flames. Crews extinguished the fire and during a search of the home they found the body of Weather who was deceased.&nbsp;The cause of the fire was determined to be incendiary&nbsp; and&nbsp;Topeka Fire is not seeking any suspects in this case.

Fire Marshal: Kansas man died in house fire he started

BOONE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Friday in Boone County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Nissan Sentra driven by 35-year-old Columbia man was eastbound on Route FF at North Cline Road. The car traveled off the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.

Boone ambulance transported the driver to University Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

BOONE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Friday in Boone County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Nissan Sentra driven by 35-year-old Columbia man was eastbound on Route FF at North Cline Road. The car traveled off the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.Boone ambulance transported the driver to University Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man dies after ejected in rollover accident

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will serve as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation.

“The subcommittee will work on legislation to advance policies that put safety first while bolstering innovation and efficiency,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Recent tragedies demonstrate that our nation’s aviation system is facing a critical inflection point, and as Chairman, I will work to make certain air travel remains the safest method of transportation. I also look forward to supporting our nation’s rapidly evolving commercial space sector by advancing policies which promote the industry’s growth and capabilities.

Kansas is home to the Air Capital of the World, and my work on this subcommittee will be informed by the global aviation and aerospace companies that call our state home and the small businesses that fill critical links in our supply chains.”The Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation has jurisdiction over the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the civil aviation and space policy functions of the Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce and National Space Council within the Executive Office of the President.Chairman Moran’s Priorities for the 119th Congress:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740755212461.jpeg" alt="File image -Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran during confirmation hearing for Sean Duffy to lead the Dept. of Transportation" />
 <figcaption>File image -Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran during confirmation hearing for Sean Duffy to lead the Dept. of Transportation</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will serve as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation.“The subcommittee will work on legislation to advance policies that put safety first while bolstering innovation and efficiency,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Recent tragedies demonstrate that our nation’s aviation system is facing a critical inflection point, and as Chairman, I will work to make certain air travel remains the safest method of transportation. I also look forward to supporting our nation’s rapidly evolving commercial space sector by advancing policies which promote the industry’s growth and capabilities. Kansas is home to the Air Capital of the World, and my work on this subcommittee will be informed by the global aviation and aerospace companies that call our state home and the small businesses that fill critical links in our supply chains.”The Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation has jurisdiction over the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the civil aviation and space policy functions of the Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce and National Space Council within the Executive Office of the President.Chairman Moran’s Priorities for the 119th Congress:<ul>
 <li>Aviation Safety:&nbsp;Investigating recent aviation accidents and subsequent safety reports to make certain our nation’s aviation safety regulators are equipped and able to effectively manage our air travel equipment and systems.</li><li>Oversight:&nbsp;Ensuring the proper implementation the&nbsp;FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which Sen. Moran helped draft and unanimously pass in both chambers of Congress, to address the current and future demands of the aviation industry.</li><li>Space Exploration:&nbsp;Supporting critical NASA programs, including the Artemis campaign, and prioritizing STEM education to equip the next generation to further our nation’s space goals.</li><li>Commercial Space Growth:&nbsp;Enabling growth in the commercial space sector, which is already supporting critical national security missions and bolstering the U.S. in our space race against China and other adversaries. &nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

Sen. Moran to chair important Senate Commerce Subcommittee 

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating an AT&amp;T employee in Salina in connection with an elaborate theft, fraud scheme.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Feb. 20, AT&amp;T corporate investigators contacted authorities in Salina regarding possible employee theft at the store, 2596 S. Ninth Street in Salina, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman.

 The investigation determined that 30-year-old Brandon L. Campbell, an employee, had allegedly engaged in fraudulent transactions between March 1, 2023, and Feb. 11, 2025.

According to Feldman, Campbell would purchase phones online, bring them to the store, and use another employee’s login credentials to manipulate trade-in values, inflating the amount higher than it should be. He would then allegedly take credit or cash for the price difference.

On Feb. 27, Campbell was taken into custody and booked into the Saline County Jail. He faces charges including one count of felony theft, 31 counts of making a false writing, and unlawful acts concerning computers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740756960405.png" alt="Campbell photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Campbell photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating an AT&amp;T employee in Salina in connection with an elaborate theft, fraud scheme.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Feb. 20, AT&amp;T corporate investigators contacted authorities in Salina regarding possible employee theft at the store, 2596 S. Ninth Street in Salina, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman. The investigation determined that 30-year-old Brandon L. Campbell, an employee, had allegedly engaged in fraudulent transactions between March 1, 2023, and Feb. 11, 2025.According to Feldman, Campbell would purchase phones online, bring them to the store, and use another employee’s login credentials to manipulate trade-in values, inflating the amount higher than it should be. He would then allegedly take credit or cash for the price difference.On Feb. 27, Campbell was taken into custody and booked into the Saline County Jail. He faces charges including one count of felony theft, 31 counts of making a false writing, and unlawful acts concerning computers.

Kan. cell phone store employee accused in theft, fraud scheme

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.

On Thursday, Kansas Highway Patrol posted a photo taken by Trooper Ely on patrol on Interstate 70 in Saline County.

The patrol did not report whether the trooper gave the driver a warning or a ticket with a significant fine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740777188831.png" alt="-Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>-Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement across Kansas continue to see more drivers traveling well above the posted speed limit, despite a statewide campaign to crack down on excessive speeding.On Thursday, Kansas Highway Patrol posted a photo taken by Trooper Ely on patrol on Interstate 70 in Saline County.The patrol did not report whether the trooper gave the driver a warning or a ticket with a significant fine.

Driver caught traveling 111mph on Interstate 70

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“You either make a deal or we are out.” - President Trump <a href="https://t.co/nSkkhlJmSD">pic.twitter.com/nSkkhlJmSD</a>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1895536621011026218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH: Full Heated Exchange between President Trump, Vice President Vance and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. <a href="https://t.co/oMJUGPqbSU">pic.twitter.com/oMJUGPqbSU</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1895540802262126924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/wFkXJPCjVj">pic.twitter.com/wFkXJPCjVj</a>&mdash; JD Vance (@JDVance) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance/status/1895540552277639616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Ukrainian President Zelenskyy departs the White House. <a href="https://t.co/OK2TIOzLZg">pic.twitter.com/OK2TIOzLZg</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1895547078765404273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 No peace deal: Trump, Zelenskyy have heated Oval Office meeting

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement have submitted a new charging affidavit to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office requesting charges be filed against Mark Gridley to increase the total to 8 victims, according to a statement from Lawrence Police.

 All allegations made against Gridley thus far reportedly occurred at Prairie Park Elementary School over a two-day period from February 6th to February 7th. The victims range in age from six to eleven years old.

Since being notified of the first allegations on February 8th, the Lawrence Police Department has dedicated every available resource to investigate this case, to include the entire investigations division, all of the department's School Resource Officers, and numerous officers from the patrol division. Other local and federal law enforcement agencies and USD 497 have also assisted.

 The experts at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County have been instrumental in this investigation with their expertise in not only interviewing children but also in providing the needed support services for the victims and their families. Police have also worked very closely each step of the way with Douglas County District Attorney Dakota Loomis and his staff.

Every person involved in this investigation is committed to seeking truth and justice for the children and their families, while being cognizant that the work they are doing is on behalf of the most vulnerable members of the community.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739224850023.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement have submitted a new charging affidavit to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office requesting charges be filed against Mark Gridley to increase the total to 8 victims, according to a statement from Lawrence Police. All allegations made against Gridley thus far reportedly occurred at Prairie Park Elementary School over a two-day period from February 6th to February 7th. The victims range in age from six to eleven years old.Since being notified of the first allegations on February 8th, the Lawrence Police Department has dedicated every available resource to investigate this case, to include the entire investigations division, all of the department's School Resource Officers, and numerous officers from the patrol division. Other local and federal law enforcement agencies and USD 497 have also assisted. The experts at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County have been instrumental in this investigation with their expertise in not only interviewing children but also in providing the needed support services for the victims and their families. Police have also worked very closely each step of the way with Douglas County District Attorney Dakota Loomis and his staff.Every person involved in this investigation is committed to seeking truth and justice for the children and their families, while being cognizant that the work they are doing is on behalf of the most vulnerable members of the community.

More victims: Speech pathologist at Kan. school accused of child sex crimes

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>

Legislation that would remove the expiration date on a pair of laws affecting transgender minors passed the Missouri Senate Thursday after a fight by Senate Democrats.

It now heads to the Missouri House for consideration.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/bill-text/perfected-sb10.pdf?c=66925" target="_blank">bill in question</a>, which contained a litany of provisions removing sunset dates for various programs, would make permanent a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and restrictions on transgender athletes in public schools.

The Senate tacked on the provisions impacting transgender minors earlier this month, with Democrats beginning their opposition after the changes were already voted onto the bill.

Senate Democratic Leader Doug Beck, of Affton, told reporters that his party moved too slowly and that the anti-transgender amendments to the bill were “spontaneous” and, therefore, unexpected.

He described the slow response as “growing pains” for a caucus with a large portion of new senators.

Democrats filibustered the bill when it came up for consideration twice, slowing down the legislation but not stopping what Republican Senate leaders described as a “top priority.”

State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia, held the floor with proposed amendments that would add an expiration date on statutes opposing same-sex marriage.

His first proposal would add a sunset to language in state law that says “any purported marriage not between a man and a woman is invalid.”

His amendment failed with 19 opposed, including one Democrat — state Sen. Karla May of St. Louis.&nbsp;Webber said the vote is an indicator of senators’ motives to “pick on” LGBTQ+ people, rather than the stated intention of protecting children.

“We’re not here talking about kids. We’re not talking about sports,” he said on the Senate floor. “We’re talking about a policy of othering.”

Passing the bill out of the Senate, GOP lawmakers applauded the provisions on gender-affirming care and transgender athletes.

“I want my little girl to be able to participate in sports,” said state Sen. Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville. “I want to make sure that she’s able to flourish in a sport and not have her dreams and her potential to be completely removed or deserted due to an unfortunate circumstance.”

GOP Sens. Adam Schnelting of St. Charles and Nick Schroer of Defiance said the provisions “protecting children” are the reason they voted in favor of the legislation. But they had reservations on other pieces of the bill removing sunsets on the a tax that funds Missouri’s Medicaid program,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/house-sends-bill-to-governor-renewing-taxes-critical-to-funding-missouri-medicaid/">which has been a sticking point in previous years</a>.

Two Republicans voted in opposition to the bill, Sens. Mike Moon of Ash Grove and Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740756744377.jpeg" alt=" Democratic State Sens. Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City and Stephen Webber of Columbia hold the floor earlier this month during discussion of a bill that would make anti-transgender legislation permanent (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> Democratic State Sens. Maggie Nurrenbern of Kansas City and Stephen Webber of Columbia hold the floor earlier this month during discussion of a bill that would make anti-transgender legislation permanent (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>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>Legislation that would remove the expiration date on a pair of laws affecting transgender minors passed the Missouri Senate Thursday after a fight by Senate Democrats.It now heads to the Missouri House for consideration.The&nbsp;<a href="https://instatrac-production.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/GovWatch/text/pdfs/23/bill-text/perfected-sb10.pdf?c=66925" target="_blank">bill in question</a>, which contained a litany of provisions removing sunset dates for various programs, would make permanent a ban on gender-affirming care for minors and restrictions on transgender athletes in public schools.The Senate tacked on the provisions impacting transgender minors earlier this month, with Democrats beginning their opposition after the changes were already voted onto the bill.Senate Democratic Leader Doug Beck, of Affton, told reporters that his party moved too slowly and that the anti-transgender amendments to the bill were “spontaneous” and, therefore, unexpected.He described the slow response as “growing pains” for a caucus with a large portion of new senators.Democrats filibustered the bill when it came up for consideration twice, slowing down the legislation but not stopping what Republican Senate leaders described as a “top priority.”State Sen. Stephen Webber, a Democrat from Columbia, held the floor with proposed amendments that would add an expiration date on statutes opposing same-sex marriage.His first proposal would add a sunset to language in state law that says “any purported marriage not between a man and a woman is invalid.”His amendment failed with 19 opposed, including one Democrat — state Sen. Karla May of St. Louis.&nbsp;Webber said the vote is an indicator of senators’ motives to “pick on” LGBTQ+ people, rather than the stated intention of protecting children.“We’re not here talking about kids. We’re not talking about sports,” he said on the Senate floor. “We’re talking about a policy of othering.”Passing the bill out of the Senate, GOP lawmakers applauded the provisions on gender-affirming care and transgender athletes.“I want my little girl to be able to participate in sports,” said state Sen. Rick Brattin, a Republican from Harrisonville. “I want to make sure that she’s able to flourish in a sport and not have her dreams and her potential to be completely removed or deserted due to an unfortunate circumstance.”GOP Sens. Adam Schnelting of St. Charles and Nick Schroer of Defiance said the provisions “protecting children” are the reason they voted in favor of the legislation. But they had reservations on other pieces of the bill removing sunsets on the a tax that funds Missouri’s Medicaid program,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/house-sends-bill-to-governor-renewing-taxes-critical-to-funding-missouri-medicaid/">which has been a sticking point in previous years</a>.Two Republicans voted in opposition to the bill, Sens. Mike Moon of Ash Grove and Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold.

Missouri Senate passes bill to remove expiration date on transgender health care ban

On Thursday, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), declassified and publicly released files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his sexual exploitation of over 250 underage girls at his homes in New York and Florida, among other locations, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The first phase of declassified files largely contains documents that have been previously leaked but never released in a formal capacity by the U.S. Government.

“This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators,”&nbsp;said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.&nbsp;“The first phase of files released today sheds light on Epstein’s extensive network and begins to provide the public with long overdue accountability.” &nbsp;

“The FBI is entering a new era—one that will be defined by integrity, accountability, and the unwavering pursuit of justice,”&nbsp;said FBI Director Kash Patel.&nbsp;“There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned — and anyone from the prior or current Bureau who undermines this will be swiftly pursued. If there are gaps, we will find them. If records have been hidden, we will uncover them. And we will bring everything we find to the DOJ to be fully assessed and transparently disseminated to the American people as it should be. The oath we take is to the Constitution, and under my leadership, that promise will be upheld without compromise.”

Attorney General Bondi requested the full and complete files related to Jeffrey Epstein. In response, the Department received approximately 200 pages of documents, however, the Attorney General was later informed of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein that were not previously disclosed. The Attorney General has requested the FBI deliver the remaining documents to the Department by 8:00 AM on February 28 and has tasked FBI Director Kash Patel with investigating why the request for all documents was not followed.

The Department remains committed to transparency and intends to release the remaining documents upon review and redaction to protect the identities of Epstein’s victims.&nbsp;Click on the links below.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704330351229.png" alt="Jeffrey Epstein New York Sex Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Jeffrey Epstein New York Sex Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), declassified and publicly released files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his sexual exploitation of over 250 underage girls at his homes in New York and Florida, among other locations, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.The first phase of declassified files largely contains documents that have been previously leaked but never released in a formal capacity by the U.S. Government.“This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators,”&nbsp;said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.&nbsp;“The first phase of files released today sheds light on Epstein’s extensive network and begins to provide the public with long overdue accountability.” &nbsp;“The FBI is entering a new era—one that will be defined by integrity, accountability, and the unwavering pursuit of justice,”&nbsp;said FBI Director Kash Patel.&nbsp;“There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned — and anyone from the prior or current Bureau who undermines this will be swiftly pursued. If there are gaps, we will find them. If records have been hidden, we will uncover them. And we will bring everything we find to the DOJ to be fully assessed and transparently disseminated to the American people as it should be. The oath we take is to the Constitution, and under my leadership, that promise will be upheld without compromise.”Attorney General Bondi requested the full and complete files related to Jeffrey Epstein. In response, the Department received approximately 200 pages of documents, however, the Attorney General was later informed of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein that were not previously disclosed. The Attorney General has requested the FBI deliver the remaining documents to the Department by 8:00 AM on February 28 and has tasked FBI Director Kash Patel with investigating why the request for all documents was not followed.The Department remains committed to transparency and intends to release the remaining documents upon review and redaction to protect the identities of Epstein’s victims.&nbsp;Click on the links below.<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1391271/dl?inline">A. Evidence List</a></li><li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1391276/dl?inline">B. Flight Log_Released in U.S. v. Maxwell</a></li><li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1391281/dl?inline">B. Flight Log_Released in U.S. v. Maxwell_Part1</a></li><li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1391291/dl?inline">B. Flight Log_Released in U.S. v. Maxwell_Part2</a></li><li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1391296/dl?inline">B. Flight Log_Released in U.S. v. Maxwell_Part3</a></li><li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1391301/dl?inline">B. Flight Log_Released in U.S. v. Maxwell_Part4</a></li><li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1391306/dl?inline">B. Flight Log_Released in U.S. v. Maxwell_Part5</a></li><li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1391311/dl?inline">B. Flight Log_Released in U.S. v. Maxwell_Part6</a></li><li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1391321/dl?inline">C. Contact Book_Redacted</a></li><li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1391326/dl?inline">D. Masseuse List_Redacted</a></li>
 </ul>

Read phase 1 of the Epstein files released by the Dept. of Justice

KANSAS CITY —The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Kansas City.

Just after 5:30p.m. Thursday, KCPD officers were notified of a domestic assault which occurred in the 7000 Block of North Robinhood lane, according to a media release from the patrol.&nbsp;

The female victim of the assault left the home where the assault occurred and met officers at a secondary location. EMS transported the victim to a local hospital. After speaking with the victim, police responded to the original residence to arrest the suspect just after 8:30p.m.&nbsp; Officers made contact with the 57-year-old suspect. 

The suspect exited the home armed with a large knife and advanced toward police. During the confrontation, one officer fired his duty weapon striking the suspect.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene. One officer received minor injuries during the altercation. The officer was treated at the scene and released. The Patrol released no additional details late Thursday including the name of the suspect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740743663867.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Kansas City.Just after 5:30p.m. Thursday, KCPD officers were notified of a domestic assault which occurred in the 7000 Block of North Robinhood lane, according to a media release from the patrol.&nbsp;The female victim of the assault left the home where the assault occurred and met officers at a secondary location. EMS transported the victim to a local hospital. After speaking with the victim, police responded to the original residence to arrest the suspect just after 8:30p.m.&nbsp; Officers made contact with the 57-year-old suspect. The suspect exited the home armed with a large knife and advanced toward police. During the confrontation, one officer fired his duty weapon striking the suspect.&nbsp; He was pronounced dead at the scene. One officer received minor injuries during the altercation. The officer was treated at the scene and released. The Patrol released no additional details late Thursday including the name of the suspect.

Domestic assault suspect dead after KC officer-shooting

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged road rage incident and have two suspects in custody.

Just before at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to what was believed to be an attempted armed carjacking in the 1900 block of W 75th Street in Prairie Village, according to a media release.

A motorist was stopped at the red light when two suspects pulled next to them on a motorcycle. The suspect passenger opened the victim’s driver’s side door. The victim was able to pull the door shut and drove west on W 75th Street. One suspect pulled out a handgun and fired several shots at the victim as they drove away.

 The suspects fled eastbound on W 75th Street into Missouri and were apprehended by Kansas City Missouri Police Officers after an accident. 

Both suspects were taken to the hospital. Police&nbsp;determined the shooting was attributed to a road rage incident not an attempted carjacking. The suspects remain in custody. Police did not release their names or possible charges.

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an alleged road rage incident and have two suspects in custody.Just before at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to what was believed to be an attempted armed carjacking in the 1900 block of W 75th Street in Prairie Village, according to a media release.A motorist was stopped at the red light when two suspects pulled next to them on a motorcycle. The suspect passenger opened the victim’s driver’s side door. The victim was able to pull the door shut and drove west on W 75th Street. One suspect pulled out a handgun and fired several shots at the victim as they drove away. The suspects fled eastbound on W 75th Street into Missouri and were apprehended by Kansas City Missouri Police Officers after an accident. Both suspects were taken to the hospital. Police&nbsp;determined the shooting was attributed to a road rage incident not an attempted carjacking. The suspects remain in custody. Police did not release their names or possible charges.

Suspects arrested for Kansas road rage shooting

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person was injured in a house fire Thursday in Topeka.

Just before 6:00 p.m., firefighters responded to a reported house fire at 1835 SW Lincoln in Topeka, according to a media release. Upon arrival, crews found a two-story house with smoke and flames on both floors. Two people were in the residence when the fire started and self-evacuated. One person was taken to the hospital for treatment&nbsp; of minor injuries. Crews extinguished the fire.

Investigators determined the&nbsp;cause of the fire was accidental, associated with a space heater. There were no working smoke detectors in the home, according to the fire department. Authorities did not release a damage estimate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740708752618.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person was injured in a house fire Thursday in Topeka.Just before 6:00 p.m., firefighters responded to a reported house fire at 1835 SW Lincoln in Topeka, according to a media release. Upon arrival, crews found a two-story house with smoke and flames on both floors. Two people were in the residence when the fire started and self-evacuated. One person was taken to the hospital for treatment&nbsp; of minor injuries. Crews extinguished the fire.Investigators determined the&nbsp;cause of the fire was accidental, associated with a space heater. There were no working smoke detectors in the home, according to the fire department. Authorities did not release a damage estimate.

One hospitalized after fire at two-story Kansas home

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 19-year-old&nbsp;Diego Lopez-Hernandez, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just after 2a.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the 3700 block of St. John Avenue on a reported shooting.

Upon arrival, no shooting victims were immediately located at the scene. While officers were speaking with bystanders in the area, they were notified a shooting victim. later identified as Lopez-Hernandez, arrived by a private vehicle at an area hospital. The victim was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 

Further investigation revealed the incident may have occurred at a separate location near Sunrise Drive and Cliff Drive Place.

Just after 6a.m. detectives were notified by hospital staff Lopez-Hernandez had been pronounced deceased. There is currently no preliminary information regarding what lead up to the shooting. A subject of interest has not been identified and no one is in custody at this time.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 19-year-old&nbsp;Diego Lopez-Hernandez, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just after 2a.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the 3700 block of St. John Avenue on a reported shooting.Upon arrival, no shooting victims were immediately located at the scene. While officers were speaking with bystanders in the area, they were notified a shooting victim. later identified as Lopez-Hernandez, arrived by a private vehicle at an area hospital. The victim was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Further investigation revealed the incident may have occurred at a separate location near Sunrise Drive and Cliff Drive Place.Just after 6a.m. detectives were notified by hospital staff Lopez-Hernandez had been pronounced deceased. There is currently no preliminary information regarding what lead up to the shooting. A subject of interest has not been identified and no one is in custody at this time.

Police ID KC shooting victim who died after dropped off at hospital

WRIGHT COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Thursday in Wright County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1994 GMC pickup driven by a 28-year-old Mansfield man was northbound on Highway EE three miles northwest of Mansfield. The pickup traveled off the right side of the road, struck a mailbox, culvert, skidded, overturned and overturned.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Cox ambulance transported a 23-year-old Springfield man to Cox South Hospital. Life Flight transported a 20-year-old Springfield man to Cox South Hospital.&nbsp; The driver and 23-year-old were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

WRIGHT COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Thursday in Wright County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1994 GMC pickup driven by a 28-year-old Mansfield man was northbound on Highway EE three miles northwest of Mansfield. The pickup traveled off the right side of the road, struck a mailbox, culvert, skidded, overturned and overturned.The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; Cox ambulance transported a 23-year-old Springfield man to Cox South Hospital. Life Flight transported a 20-year-old Springfield man to Cox South Hospital.&nbsp; The driver and 23-year-old were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri man dies after pickup strikes mailbox, overturns

FINNEY COUNTY —A jury has found a Manhattan man guilty of child sex crimes.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, the Finney County Attorney reported 76-year-old Dale Bolton was convicted of rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent solicitation of a child. The crimes involving a victim under the age of 7 and occurred in March of 2024, according to the KBI Offender Registry.

Since this was a "Jessica's Law" case, Bolton faces a mandatory life sentence.&nbsp; The Garden City&nbsp; Police Department investigated the crimes. Bolton is being held in the El Dorado Correctional Facility.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740656378097.png" alt="Bolton photo Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Bolton photo Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —A jury has found a Manhattan man guilty of child sex crimes.&nbsp;On Wednesday, the Finney County Attorney reported 76-year-old Dale Bolton was convicted of rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent solicitation of a child. The crimes involving a victim under the age of 7 and occurred in March of 2024, according to the KBI Offender Registry.Since this was a "Jessica's Law" case, Bolton faces a mandatory life sentence.&nbsp; The Garden City&nbsp; Police Department investigated the crimes. Bolton is being held in the El Dorado Correctional Facility.

Life in Kansas prison for multiple child sex crimes

BY:&nbsp;&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 — Two former leaders of a Kansas foster care provider have entered plea negotiations to avoid trial for allegedly bilking the organization out of millions of dollars, federal court records show.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/11/federal-grand-jury-indicts-former-kansas-foster-care-officials-on-fraud-charges/">grand jury indicted</a>&nbsp;former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert “Father Bobby” Smith and William Whymark, the organization’s former IT director, in November 2022 on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering with damages totaling at least $4.7 million.

A Feb. 25 court filing in the federal case shows “the parties are presently involved in plea negotiations and anticipate resolving this case without a trial.” The filing asks the court to authorize&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/probation-and-pretrial-services/presentence-investigations" target="_blank">a presentence investigation report</a>, which a court officer prepares when a defendant pleads guilty in order to help the judge determine the appropriate sentence.

The report “would materially facilitate the parties’ ongoing plea negotiations by allowing them to quickly and efficiently identify areas of potential agreement, while simultaneously isolating any disputed loss issues that may truly require litigation,” the joint court filing said.

Under the charges included in the indictment, they could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, plus fines and restitution.

Denny Marlin, spokesman for Saint Francis Ministries, said the organization wouldn’t comment “out of respect for the criminal justice system” and “to ensure we do not compromise the integrity of the legal process.”

“We look forward to its resolution and remain focused on our mission of providing healing and hope to children and families,” Marlin said.

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 Ministries in November 2020. An&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/20/kansas-foster-care-leader-charged-469k-to-credit-cards-hid-financial-losses/">internal investigation</a>&nbsp;revealed excessive billing for IT services and charges by Smith for lavish personal expenses.

In 2022, Saint Francis sued Smith, Whymark and former general counsel David Shaffer, accusing them of operating a scheme to enrich themselves through fraudulent billing. The lawsuit identified Shaffer and Whymark as brothers.

The former employees denied the claims, and Smith countersued Saint Francis employees for defamation because of reporting by Kansas Reflector.

Saint Francis hired Smith, an Episcopal priest ordained in 2014 by the Diocese of Chicago, as president and CEO in 2014. From 2017 to 2020, according to the state lawsuit, Smith charged $442,276.17 on Saint Francis Ministries credit cards, “a significant portion of which funded lavish meals, entertainment, travel and gifts for him and his family.” Smith also paid a travel agency $57,125.43, “a majority of which had no legitimate business purpose or was grossly excessive,” the lawsuit said.

Shaffer for at least eight months billed Saint Francis both through his Chicago law firm and in his individual capacity, which the lawsuit characterizes as legal malpractice. From 2015 to 2019, Shaffer billed more than $1 million in legal fees to his law firm, and from 2018 to 2020 an additional $500,000 in payments to himself. Smith approved the “grossly excessive” invoices, the lawsuit said, including invoices for legal work unrelated to Saint Francis and $4,000 for moving and storage expenses for office furniture at his Chicago law firm.

Whymark wasn’t qualified to provide IT services, but Smith hired him as chief information officer and signed off on more than $11 million for services provided by Whymark’s IT company. The lawsuit said those services were “grossly deficient and overpriced.”

Whymark’s company outsourced work to build a content management system that wouldn’t function. In the fall of 2019, while Saint Francis was undergoing a financial audit, the system crashed and destroyed financial data. Whymark then wiped the hard drives, according to the lawsuit, and the organization spent an estimated $3.2 million to repair Whymark’s IT work.

At the time, Saint Francis Ministries was the largest foster care provider in Kansas, serving more than 3,000 foster kids.

By January 2020, the IT costs combined with a severely underbid contract to provide foster care services in Nebraska placed Saint Francis in financial peril. The organization survived in part by receiving a $10 million Payment Protection Program loan, which it wasn’t eligible for and never repaid, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, the Kansas Department for Children and Families awarded new foster care contracts and replaced Saint Francis as the provider for the Wichita region. Saint Francis continues to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/pages/mapfostercare.aspx" target="_blank">provide foster care services</a>&nbsp;for much of central and western Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660235188905.png" alt="&nbsp;Former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert “Father Bobby” Smith and William Whymark, who oversaw IT services, have entered into plea negotiations to settle federal charges that involve wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, a court filing shows. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert “Father Bobby” Smith and William Whymark, who oversaw IT services, have entered into plea negotiations to settle federal charges that involve wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, a court filing shows. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;&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 — Two former leaders of a Kansas foster care provider have entered plea negotiations to avoid trial for allegedly bilking the organization out of millions of dollars, federal court records show.A&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/11/federal-grand-jury-indicts-former-kansas-foster-care-officials-on-fraud-charges/">grand jury indicted</a>&nbsp;former Saint Francis Ministries CEO Robert “Father Bobby” Smith and William Whymark, the organization’s former IT director, in November 2022 on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering with damages totaling at least $4.7 million.A Feb. 25 court filing in the federal case shows “the parties are presently involved in plea negotiations and anticipate resolving this case without a trial.” The filing asks the court to authorize&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/probation-and-pretrial-services/presentence-investigations" target="_blank">a presentence investigation report</a>, which a court officer prepares when a defendant pleads guilty in order to help the judge determine the appropriate sentence.The report “would materially facilitate the parties’ ongoing plea negotiations by allowing them to quickly and efficiently identify areas of potential agreement, while simultaneously isolating any disputed loss issues that may truly require litigation,” the joint court filing said.Under the charges included in the indictment, they could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, plus fines and restitution.Denny Marlin, spokesman for Saint Francis Ministries, said the organization wouldn’t comment “out of respect for the criminal justice system” and “to ensure we do not compromise the integrity of the legal process.”“We look forward to its resolution and remain focused on our mission of providing healing and hope to children and families,” Marlin said.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 Ministries in November 2020. An&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/20/kansas-foster-care-leader-charged-469k-to-credit-cards-hid-financial-losses/">internal investigation</a>&nbsp;revealed excessive billing for IT services and charges by Smith for lavish personal expenses.In 2022, Saint Francis sued Smith, Whymark and former general counsel David Shaffer, accusing them of operating a scheme to enrich themselves through fraudulent billing. The lawsuit identified Shaffer and Whymark as brothers.The former employees denied the claims, and Smith countersued Saint Francis employees for defamation because of reporting by Kansas Reflector.Saint Francis hired Smith, an Episcopal priest ordained in 2014 by the Diocese of Chicago, as president and CEO in 2014. From 2017 to 2020, according to the state lawsuit, Smith charged $442,276.17 on Saint Francis Ministries credit cards, “a significant portion of which funded lavish meals, entertainment, travel and gifts for him and his family.” Smith also paid a travel agency $57,125.43, “a majority of which had no legitimate business purpose or was grossly excessive,” the lawsuit said.Shaffer for at least eight months billed Saint Francis both through his Chicago law firm and in his individual capacity, which the lawsuit characterizes as legal malpractice. From 2015 to 2019, Shaffer billed more than $1 million in legal fees to his law firm, and from 2018 to 2020 an additional $500,000 in payments to himself. Smith approved the “grossly excessive” invoices, the lawsuit said, including invoices for legal work unrelated to Saint Francis and $4,000 for moving and storage expenses for office furniture at his Chicago law firm.Whymark wasn’t qualified to provide IT services, but Smith hired him as chief information officer and signed off on more than $11 million for services provided by Whymark’s IT company. The lawsuit said those services were “grossly deficient and overpriced.”Whymark’s company outsourced work to build a content management system that wouldn’t function. In the fall of 2019, while Saint Francis was undergoing a financial audit, the system crashed and destroyed financial data. Whymark then wiped the hard drives, according to the lawsuit, and the organization spent an estimated $3.2 million to repair Whymark’s IT work.At the time, Saint Francis Ministries was the largest foster care provider in Kansas, serving more than 3,000 foster kids.By January 2020, the IT costs combined with a severely underbid contract to provide foster care services in Nebraska placed Saint Francis in financial peril. The organization survived in part by receiving a $10 million Payment Protection Program loan, which it wasn’t eligible for and never repaid, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Last year, the Kansas Department for Children and Families awarded new foster care contracts and replaced Saint Francis as the provider for the Wichita region. Saint Francis continues to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/pages/mapfostercare.aspx" target="_blank">provide foster care services</a>&nbsp;for much of central and western Kansas.

Former leaders of Kan. foster care provider negotiating plea deal in federal fraud case

&nbsp;WASHINGTON —Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made a stop Thursday to visit President Trump in the Oval Office.

A photo of the visit, taken by Special Assistant to the President Margo Martin, appeared on her social media account. “The GOAT of kicking @buttkicker7 meets the GOAT of Presidents @realDonaldTrump," Martin wrote. The White House has not released details on Butker’s visit.

Butker, who supported Trump's Presidential campaign and that of Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, is outspoken about his views against abortion.

Butker first made what he called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-college-conservative-commencement-harrison-butker-a40b881fe41ac489853fb67e58ed20d1">a “very intentional" foray</a>&nbsp;into politics in May, when he delivered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harrison-butker-chiefs-homemaker-nfl-5466d7b3560f640c825107df9694b07b">a controversial commencement address</a>&nbsp;at Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas. The three-time Super Bowl champion said, among other things, that most of the women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having children, and that some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.”

Butker visited the White House and President Biden in 2024 after the Chiefs Super Bowl win.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740672708575.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;WASHINGTON —Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made a stop Thursday to visit President Trump in the Oval Office.A photo of the visit, taken by Special Assistant to the President Margo Martin, appeared on her social media account. “The GOAT of kicking @buttkicker7 meets the GOAT of Presidents @realDonaldTrump," Martin wrote. The White House has not released details on Butker’s visit.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">You never know who you’re going to see at the White House! Great meeting Harrison Butker <a href="https://twitter.com/buttkicker7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@buttkicker7</a> today! 🏈🐐 <a href="https://t.co/pov8iYvGFL">pic.twitter.com/pov8iYvGFL</a>&mdash; Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1895161582650310764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Butker, who supported Trump's Presidential campaign and that of Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, is outspoken about his views against abortion.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Donald J. Trump and Harrison Butker <a href="https://t.co/OonyaPiSWb">pic.twitter.com/OonyaPiSWb</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1895222057329438887?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Butker first made what he called&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-college-conservative-commencement-harrison-butker-a40b881fe41ac489853fb67e58ed20d1">a “very intentional" foray</a>&nbsp;into politics in May, when he delivered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harrison-butker-chiefs-homemaker-nfl-5466d7b3560f640c825107df9694b07b">a controversial commencement address</a>&nbsp;at Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas. The three-time Super Bowl champion said, among other things, that most of the women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having children, and that some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.”Butker visited the White House and President Biden in 2024 after the Chiefs Super Bowl win.-The AP contributed to this report

Chiefs kicker visits President Trump in the Oval Office

The Kansas State Fair has announced that the Ludacris concert has been moved to Friday, Sept. 12.&nbsp; This is one night earlier that previously announced.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The State Fair said that tickets purchased online through the State Fair Etix site remain valid.&nbsp; Those with printed tickets purchased at the State Fair office will receive a reissued ticket with the correct date.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Refunds will be available through Etix until Friday, March 15, for those unable to attend on the new date.&nbsp; Contact Etix by phone or email to request a refund:• Phone - 800-514-3859• Email -&nbsp;support@etix.com&nbsp;

For additional questions, please contact the State Fair Ticket office at 620-669-3618 and leave a message for the ticketing staff.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you haven't purchased your ticket yet, here are your options:&nbsp;• Nex-Tech Grandstand Reserved Seating: $40/$55•&nbsp;Kansas Star Casino Track Party Pit: $75•&nbsp;Kansas Star Casino VIP Deck – Standing: $100

Remember to only purchase tickets through Etix.&nbsp; They're the only authorized seller for Kansas State Fair concerts.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740674996935.jpeg" alt="Ludacris to perform at Kansas State Fair on Sept. 13" />
 <figcaption>Ludacris to perform at Kansas State Fair on Sept. 13</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas State Fair has announced that the Ludacris concert has been moved to Friday, Sept. 12.&nbsp; This is one night earlier that previously announced.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740676292630.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The State Fair said that tickets purchased online through the State Fair Etix site remain valid.&nbsp; Those with printed tickets purchased at the State Fair office will receive a reissued ticket with the correct date.&nbsp;&nbsp;Refunds will be available through Etix until Friday, March 15, for those unable to attend on the new date.&nbsp; Contact Etix by phone or email to request a refund:• Phone - 800-514-3859• Email -&nbsp;support@etix.com&nbsp;For additional questions, please contact the State Fair Ticket office at 620-669-3618 and leave a message for the ticketing staff.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you haven't purchased your ticket yet, here are your options:&nbsp;• Nex-Tech Grandstand Reserved Seating: $40/$55•&nbsp;Kansas Star Casino Track Party Pit: $75•&nbsp;Kansas Star Casino VIP Deck – Standing: $100Remember to only purchase tickets through Etix.&nbsp; They're the only authorized seller for Kansas State Fair concerts.&nbsp;

Kansas State Fair moves Ludacris performance

KANSAS CITY —Two people were injured in an accident during a police chase that occurred just before 3p.m. Wednesday in Kansas&nbsp; City

Preliminary investigation revealed that a police officer attempted to stop a maroon Dodge Avenger for a traffic violation in the area of 58th and Olive in Kansas City, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.

 The driver refused to stop and fled from the officer at a high rate of speed, traveling northbound on Olive. In front of 5430 Olive, the Dodge ran off the roadway to the left and struck a large tree before coming to rest. 

The unrestrained driver of the Dodge was transported to a local hospital with what was originally believed to be life-threatening injuries. The unrestrained front seat passenger was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY —Two people were injured in an accident during a police chase that occurred just before 3p.m. Wednesday in Kansas&nbsp; CityPreliminary investigation revealed that a police officer attempted to stop a maroon Dodge Avenger for a traffic violation in the area of 58th and Olive in Kansas City, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez. The driver refused to stop and fled from the officer at a high rate of speed, traveling northbound on Olive. In front of 5430 Olive, the Dodge ran off the roadway to the left and struck a large tree before coming to rest. The unrestrained driver of the Dodge was transported to a local hospital with what was originally believed to be life-threatening injuries. The unrestrained front seat passenger was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

2 hospitalized after car strikes a tree during police chase

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred on Wednesday inside an apartment in the&nbsp; Meadows Apartments, 7600 block of Halsey in Lenexa, according to a media release.

One person died and EMS transported another person to an area hospital.

Police did not have anyone in custody and are still investigating the circumstances.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740618887096.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting that occurred on Wednesday inside an apartment in the&nbsp; Meadows Apartments, 7600 block of Halsey in Lenexa, according to a media release.One person died and EMS transported another person to an area hospital.Police did not have anyone in custody and are still investigating the circumstances.&nbsp;

One dead after shooting inside Kansas apartment 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

This year, lawmakers are considering multiple proposals that differ regarding what kinds of products are allowed and the cap on THC content

How much it will cost to regulate intoxicating hemp products on sale in bars and liquor stores across the state has become a key flashpoint of the debate in the Missouri legislature.

Year after year, hemp business owners and distributors have asked the state to impose age restrictions and testing requirements for intoxicating hemp products rather than ban them outright.&nbsp;

The proposals always die over disagreements about how to enact the regulations — and who should enforce them.

This year, lawmakers are considering multiple proposals that differ regarding what kinds of products are allowed and the cap on THC content,&nbsp;the psychoactive chemical that produces the high consumers look for in marijuana products.

“The governor is looking for a compromise and a set of rules and regulations that will keep businesses open, employees working and most of all protect Missouri residents and keep the consumer safe,” said Republican state Rep. Dave Hinman of O’Fallon, during a General Laws Committee hearing Tuesday on a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB393&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;he’s sponsoring.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, legislation allowing low-dose intoxicating hemp beverages to continue to be sold in grocery and liquor stores&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/06/bills-adding-regulations-to-hemp-derived-thc-beverages-advance-in-missouri-legislature/">won the approval of committees</a>&nbsp;in both the Missouri House and Senate. Both bills, backed by the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, prohibit anything but beverages to be sold outside of state-regulated and licensed marijuana dispensaries.

On Tuesday, Hinman criticized the MoCann-backed bills for potentially putting more than 2,000 small businesses “out of business and move all of the hemp products into the constitutional marijuana monopoly.”

Hinman’s bill is backed by liquor distributor Steven Busch and establishes the same three-tier distribution system that the alcohol industry has long abided by.&nbsp;

It offers guidelines for beverages, edibles, vapes and oils — such as&nbsp; proposing to limit edibles to only 5 mg of THC per serving and beverages to 10mg of THC per serving.

However, like the MoCann-backed bills, it also prohibits products with a high amount of THC from being sold outside of marijuana dispensaries.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The committee debated a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB696&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;earlier this month sponsored by Republican state Rep. Ben Baker of Neosho that is backed by the Missouri Hemp Trade Association that would set the limit to 100 mg of THC per serving for edibles. He argued that some people who use the products medicinally require a higher dose.

Both Hinman and Baker’s bills direct the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control to issue and regulate the licenses, while having the Division of Cannabis Regulation oversee product testing.&nbsp;

State agencies provided estimates regarding how much it would cost their departments to regulate the products for each of the four bills lawmakers have debated so far.&nbsp;

For the hemp industry-backed bills, state agencies estimated high costs — about $20 million a year for Hinman’s bill and $95 million for Baker’s.

The biggest expense is for regulating compliance for independent testing laboratories across the country, a requirement in both bills. The agencies’ research estimated that the expense would eclipse the potential revenues from sales and license fees.

“In the best scenario, I would think we would try to get to a revenue neutral on it because we’re allowing a product to be sold and people want it,” said Republican state Rep. Rudy Veit of Wardville on Tuesday. “We shouldn’t necessarily subsidize it.”

At Tuesday’s hearing, MoCann’s lobbyist Tom Robbins argued that the bills the association supports – sponsored by Republicans state Sen. Nick Schroer of Defiance and state Rep. Chad Perkins of Bowling Green — do not have the high costs that the bills backed by the hemp industry.

“I don’t know that there’s an appetite to recreate the regulatory wheel with intoxicating products in places that kids go versus ours, which is zero dollars and removes the products from where kids can enter,” Robbins said.

However, state agencies didn’t provide complete cost estimates for the MoCann-backed bills because the agencies assumed they would prohibit “all or nearly all” the intoxicating hemp products currently on the market.&nbsp;

That’s because the agencies assumed nearly all of them are made with a process that would be banned referred to as chemical conversion – or converting the cannabis compound CBD that’s abundant in hemp into THC using chemicals. However, many hemp companies are not currently using this process, instead moving to the natural extraction process the MoCann bills allow for.

The bill sponsored by Perkins requires randomized inspections and periodically testing of hemp-derived beverage products.&nbsp;

The cost analysis for Perkins’ bill states the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is “not equipped” to do such testing and would have to pay a lab to conduct the testing of samples collected by the division.&nbsp;

It states: “The cost for this testing is unknown but is anticipated to be a significant cost.”

A cost estimate for hiring a third-party laboratory was included in the bill sponsored by Baker — $73,908,288 per year. It’s much lower in Hinman’s bill, though it’s unclear why because the testing requirements are very similar.&nbsp;

Hinman agreed with several of the committee members that the cost of regulating these products shouldn’t come out of the state’s general revenue fund.&nbsp;

“If you’re going to give the opportunity to retailers to sell this product, they should be paying for it again through the fees and taxes they pay,” Hinman said. “I don’t know where that sweet spot is, but I’m sure we can figure that out.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740655946421.png" alt=" State Rep. Dave Hinman, a Republican from O’Fallon, toured the warehouse of St. Louis-based Triple High Seltzer, a hemp-derived THC beverage, on Feb. 7 with the company’s founder Will Spartin (Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent)." />
 <figcaption> State Rep. Dave Hinman, a Republican from O’Fallon, toured the warehouse of St. Louis-based Triple High Seltzer, a hemp-derived THC beverage, on Feb. 7 with the company’s founder Will Spartin (Rebecca Rivas/The Missouri Independent).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/rebecca-rivas/">REBECCA RIVAS</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a><h2>This year, lawmakers are considering multiple proposals that differ regarding what kinds of products are allowed and the cap on THC content</h2>How much it will cost to regulate intoxicating hemp products on sale in bars and liquor stores across the state has become a key flashpoint of the debate in the Missouri legislature.Year after year, hemp business owners and distributors have asked the state to impose age restrictions and testing requirements for intoxicating hemp products rather than ban them outright.&nbsp;The proposals always die over disagreements about how to enact the regulations — and who should enforce them.This year, lawmakers are considering multiple proposals that differ regarding what kinds of products are allowed and the cap on THC content,&nbsp;the psychoactive chemical that produces the high consumers look for in marijuana products.“The governor is looking for a compromise and a set of rules and regulations that will keep businesses open, employees working and most of all protect Missouri residents and keep the consumer safe,” said Republican state Rep. Dave Hinman of O’Fallon, during a General Laws Committee hearing Tuesday on a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB393&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;he’s sponsoring.&nbsp;Earlier this month, legislation allowing low-dose intoxicating hemp beverages to continue to be sold in grocery and liquor stores&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/06/bills-adding-regulations-to-hemp-derived-thc-beverages-advance-in-missouri-legislature/">won the approval of committees</a>&nbsp;in both the Missouri House and Senate. Both bills, backed by the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, prohibit anything but beverages to be sold outside of state-regulated and licensed marijuana dispensaries.On Tuesday, Hinman criticized the MoCann-backed bills for potentially putting more than 2,000 small businesses “out of business and move all of the hemp products into the constitutional marijuana monopoly.”Hinman’s bill is backed by liquor distributor Steven Busch and establishes the same three-tier distribution system that the alcohol industry has long abided by.&nbsp;It offers guidelines for beverages, edibles, vapes and oils — such as&nbsp; proposing to limit edibles to only 5 mg of THC per serving and beverages to 10mg of THC per serving.However, like the MoCann-backed bills, it also prohibits products with a high amount of THC from being sold outside of marijuana dispensaries.&nbsp;&nbsp;The committee debated a&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB696&amp;year=2025&amp;code=R" target="_blank">bill</a>&nbsp;earlier this month sponsored by Republican state Rep. Ben Baker of Neosho that is backed by the Missouri Hemp Trade Association that would set the limit to 100 mg of THC per serving for edibles. He argued that some people who use the products medicinally require a higher dose.Both Hinman and Baker’s bills direct the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control to issue and regulate the licenses, while having the Division of Cannabis Regulation oversee product testing.&nbsp;State agencies provided estimates regarding how much it would cost their departments to regulate the products for each of the four bills lawmakers have debated so far.&nbsp;For the hemp industry-backed bills, state agencies estimated high costs — about $20 million a year for Hinman’s bill and $95 million for Baker’s.The biggest expense is for regulating compliance for independent testing laboratories across the country, a requirement in both bills. The agencies’ research estimated that the expense would eclipse the potential revenues from sales and license fees.“In the best scenario, I would think we would try to get to a revenue neutral on it because we’re allowing a product to be sold and people want it,” said Republican state Rep. Rudy Veit of Wardville on Tuesday. “We shouldn’t necessarily subsidize it.”At Tuesday’s hearing, MoCann’s lobbyist Tom Robbins argued that the bills the association supports – sponsored by Republicans state Sen. Nick Schroer of Defiance and state Rep. Chad Perkins of Bowling Green — do not have the high costs that the bills backed by the hemp industry.“I don’t know that there’s an appetite to recreate the regulatory wheel with intoxicating products in places that kids go versus ours, which is zero dollars and removes the products from where kids can enter,” Robbins said.However, state agencies didn’t provide complete cost estimates for the MoCann-backed bills because the agencies assumed they would prohibit “all or nearly all” the intoxicating hemp products currently on the market.&nbsp;That’s because the agencies assumed nearly all of them are made with a process that would be banned referred to as chemical conversion – or converting the cannabis compound CBD that’s abundant in hemp into THC using chemicals. However, many hemp companies are not currently using this process, instead moving to the natural extraction process the MoCann bills allow for.The bill sponsored by Perkins requires randomized inspections and periodically testing of hemp-derived beverage products.&nbsp;The cost analysis for Perkins’ bill states the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control is “not equipped” to do such testing and would have to pay a lab to conduct the testing of samples collected by the division.&nbsp;It states: “The cost for this testing is unknown but is anticipated to be a significant cost.”A cost estimate for hiring a third-party laboratory was included in the bill sponsored by Baker — $73,908,288 per year. It’s much lower in Hinman’s bill, though it’s unclear why because the testing requirements are very similar.&nbsp;Hinman agreed with several of the committee members that the cost of regulating these products shouldn’t come out of the state’s general revenue fund.&nbsp;“If you’re going to give the opportunity to retailers to sell this product, they should be paying for it again through the fees and taxes they pay,” Hinman said. “I don’t know where that sweet spot is, but I’m sure we can figure that out.”&nbsp;

Missouri lawmakers weigh the cost of regulating intoxicating hemp products

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an armed robbery have a suspect in custody.

Just before 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to an armed robbery in a parking lot near Shawnee Mission Parkway and Riley Street in Overland Park, according to Officer John Lacy. Two armed men approached the victim, and forcibly took their vehicle. 

 During the process of the robbery, one of the suspects fired a warning shot into the air, and physically assaulted the victim. An Overland Park Police Officer located the stolen vehicle, leading to a brief pursuit. The vehicle crossed into Missouri on eastbound Interstate 435 Highway, where a neighboring jurisdiction resumed the pursuit. One of the suspects was ultimately arrested in Lee's Summit, Missouri. The collaborative efforts of the Lee's Summit Police Department, the Missouri Highway Patrol, and the Kansas City Police Department Helicopter Unit led to the arrest.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an armed robbery have a suspect in custody.Just before 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to an armed robbery in a parking lot near Shawnee Mission Parkway and Riley Street in Overland Park, according to Officer John Lacy. Two armed men approached the victim, and forcibly took their vehicle. During the process of the robbery, one of the suspects fired a warning shot into the air, and physically assaulted the victim. An Overland Park Police Officer located the stolen vehicle, leading to a brief pursuit. The vehicle crossed into Missouri on eastbound Interstate 435 Highway, where a neighboring jurisdiction resumed the pursuit. One of the suspects was ultimately arrested in Lee's Summit, Missouri. The collaborative efforts of the Lee's Summit Police Department, the Missouri Highway Patrol, and the Kansas City Police Department Helicopter Unit led to the arrest.---------------

Kansas carjacking suspect arrested in Missouri

KANSAS CITY – A registered sex offender was sentenced in federal court Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.

David Arabie, 59, Eldon, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 20 years in federal prison without parole, the statutory maximum sentence for this offense. The court also sentenced Arabie to 25 years of supervised release following incarceration.

Arabie is a registered sex offender with prior felony convictions for statutory sodomy involving a 6-year-old victim and criminal sexual conduct involving the sexual abuse of three children ages 7 to 12.

On Oct. 26, 2023, Arabie pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography. The court found him in breach of his plea agreement at the hearing, however, after Arabie filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea and recanted his previous statements made under oath during the change of plea hearing, claiming to be innocent of the charged conduct. On Dec. 20, 2024, the court denied Arabie’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

Arabie admitted that, while visiting his in-laws, he used a peer-to-peer file-sharing network on his computer to share images of child sexual abuse material with an undercover law enforcement officer. Arabie shared a video of the sexual abuse of a child victim approximately 3 to 6 years old.

Arabie also admitted that he possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material on his computer.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740494853915.png" alt="Arabie photo Sex Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Arabie photo Sex Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A registered sex offender was sentenced in federal court Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.David Arabie, 59, Eldon, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 20 years in federal prison without parole, the statutory maximum sentence for this offense. The court also sentenced Arabie to 25 years of supervised release following incarceration.Arabie is a registered sex offender with prior felony convictions for statutory sodomy involving a 6-year-old victim and criminal sexual conduct involving the sexual abuse of three children ages 7 to 12.On Oct. 26, 2023, Arabie pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography. The court found him in breach of his plea agreement at the hearing, however, after Arabie filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea and recanted his previous statements made under oath during the change of plea hearing, claiming to be innocent of the charged conduct. On Dec. 20, 2024, the court denied Arabie’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea.Arabie admitted that, while visiting his in-laws, he used a peer-to-peer file-sharing network on his computer to share images of child sexual abuse material with an undercover law enforcement officer. Arabie shared a video of the sexual abuse of a child victim approximately 3 to 6 years old.Arabie also admitted that he possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material on his computer.This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Sex offender admits sending child porn to undercover officer

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

The secretary whose employment at the Missouri state public defender’s office nearly derailed the agency’s entire budget has been terminated,&nbsp;clearing away legislative opposition during a committee hearing on Wednesday.&nbsp;

State lawmakers earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/18/public-defenders-office-draws-outrage-from-missouri-gop-leaders-over-hiring-convicted-felon/">threatened to hold up the public defense system’s budget&nbsp;</a>until an administrative assistant named David Spears was fired.&nbsp;

Spears pleaded guilty to two felonies in 2012 — the class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child and class D felony of hindering prosecution — in the 2007 case involving the murder of his stepdaughter, Rowan Ford.&nbsp;

State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Republican of Joplin, led the charge against Spears and confirmed in an interview Wednesday that he had been terminated.

“I’m satisfied they’ve done what we asked,” Roberts said.

“This is about a little girl,” he added.

Mary Fox, director of Missouri’s state public defense system declined to comment.&nbsp;

Spears was sentenced to 11 years and released in 2015 on parole. He&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T4dGfmX-1ovjfrOPyxGM6C66bPEWXGO/view" target="_blank">worked</a>&nbsp;at the public defender’s office as a clerk typist in Clayton from 2016 to 2019 and returned in 2020 to the West Plains office as an administrative assistant, where he worked until he was recently terminated.

In a contentious budget hearing earlier this month, Fox defended Spears’ employment, pointing out that Missouri for years has held a “ban the box” hiring practice in state government, in which state agencies wait until later in the hiring practice to review information about criminal histories.&nbsp;

It’s designed to provide second chances to those with criminal histories and help them assimilate back into society.

Spears’ friend, Christopher Collings, was convicted of the rape and murder of Ford, which took place in the small Southwestern Missouri town of Stella. She was 9 years old.&nbsp;

Collings was&nbsp;<a href="https://mcclatchy.us.auth0.com/login?state=hKFo2SA5LWpYcElDMlpfNmNSbVJXT2daMUdWSFZSZmZPcTM0V6FupWxvZ2luo3RpZNkgQ2dZUzQ1OXYyQjRVNFViYXZoRGVYMFF3UGN6UDF2dFWjY2lk2SB6aFBUWERjQ051dVdDTUdtYkVVVXMwVFl0UnBxS2h0Mg&amp;client=zhPTXDcCNuuWCMGmbEUUs0TYtRpqKht2&amp;protocol=oauth2&amp;redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansascity.com%2Fozlo-inbys%2Flogin.html&amp;response_type=code&amp;scope=openid%20email%20profile%20offline_access%20update%3Aprofile%20complete%3Apurchase&amp;code_challenge=AbYKJhas2nq_lIPU-3Oah7fuJshHG8QEVOC1Nh8XV34&amp;code_challenge_method=S256&amp;response_mode=query&amp;audience=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.consumer.pt.mcclatchy.com" target="_blank">executed for the crime</a>&nbsp;by lethal injection in December.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740619571452.png" alt="State Public Defender Mary Fox, right, speaks Wednesday during a hearing of the Missouri House Budget Committee. Heather Tilman, office budget director, is seated to her right. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption>State Public Defender Mary Fox, right, speaks Wednesday during a hearing of the Missouri House Budget Committee. Heather Tilman, office budget director, is seated to her right. (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/cbates/">CLARA BATES</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>The secretary whose employment at the Missouri state public defender’s office nearly derailed the agency’s entire budget has been terminated,&nbsp;clearing away legislative opposition during a committee hearing on Wednesday.&nbsp;State lawmakers earlier this month&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2025/02/18/public-defenders-office-draws-outrage-from-missouri-gop-leaders-over-hiring-convicted-felon/">threatened to hold up the public defense system’s budget&nbsp;</a>until an administrative assistant named David Spears was fired.&nbsp;Spears pleaded guilty to two felonies in 2012 — the class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child and class D felony of hindering prosecution — in the 2007 case involving the murder of his stepdaughter, Rowan Ford.&nbsp;State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Republican of Joplin, led the charge against Spears and confirmed in an interview Wednesday that he had been terminated.“I’m satisfied they’ve done what we asked,” Roberts said.“This is about a little girl,” he added.Mary Fox, director of Missouri’s state public defense system declined to comment.&nbsp;Spears was sentenced to 11 years and released in 2015 on parole. He&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T4dGfmX-1ovjfrOPyxGM6C66bPEWXGO/view" target="_blank">worked</a>&nbsp;at the public defender’s office as a clerk typist in Clayton from 2016 to 2019 and returned in 2020 to the West Plains office as an administrative assistant, where he worked until he was recently terminated.In a contentious budget hearing earlier this month, Fox defended Spears’ employment, pointing out that Missouri for years has held a “ban the box” hiring practice in state government, in which state agencies wait until later in the hiring practice to review information about criminal histories.&nbsp;It’s designed to provide second chances to those with criminal histories and help them assimilate back into society.Spears’ friend, Christopher Collings, was convicted of the rape and murder of Ford, which took place in the small Southwestern Missouri town of Stella. She was 9 years old.&nbsp;Collings was&nbsp;<a href="https://mcclatchy.us.auth0.com/login?state=hKFo2SA5LWpYcElDMlpfNmNSbVJXT2daMUdWSFZSZmZPcTM0V6FupWxvZ2luo3RpZNkgQ2dZUzQ1OXYyQjRVNFViYXZoRGVYMFF3UGN6UDF2dFWjY2lk2SB6aFBUWERjQ051dVdDTUdtYkVVVXMwVFl0UnBxS2h0Mg&amp;client=zhPTXDcCNuuWCMGmbEUUs0TYtRpqKht2&amp;protocol=oauth2&amp;redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansascity.com%2Fozlo-inbys%2Flogin.html&amp;response_type=code&amp;scope=openid%20email%20profile%20offline_access%20update%3Aprofile%20complete%3Apurchase&amp;code_challenge=AbYKJhas2nq_lIPU-3Oah7fuJshHG8QEVOC1Nh8XV34&amp;code_challenge_method=S256&amp;response_mode=query&amp;audience=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.consumer.pt.mcclatchy.com" target="_blank">executed for the crime</a>&nbsp;by lethal injection in December.Initially, prosecutors charged both Spears and Collings with rape and sexual assault of Ford, after both confessed separately. But the&nbsp;<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120928042151/http://articles.ky3.com/2012-09-26/chris-collings_34109352" target="_blank">charges against Spears were dropped&nbsp;</a>because no physical evidence supported his involvement and Collings insisted he acted alone. An expert witness at trial said Spears’ confession was&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/10T4dGfmX-1ovjfrOPyxGM6C66bPEWXGO/view" target="_blank">coerced by police.</a>&nbsp;In 2012, the prosecutor in the case published a statement regarding the decision to drop murder and sexual assault charges against Spears, which began: “I am completely aware that the general public is convinced that David Spears was involved.”In the hearing earlier this month, Roberts and Fox disagreed over Spears’ involvement in the case.As a result of lawmakers’ concerns over Spears’ employment, the state public defense commission developed a new policy surrounding background checks, so that the director and chair of the commission must be consulted when any background check returns a bad report. Additionally, Fox said at the hearing earlier this month, agency policy was changed to add conflict of interest evaluations in hiring.The House budget hearing went on as normal Wednesday morning, after Roberts said the matter regarding Spears is considered closed.&nbsp;