At Tuesday’s meeting, the Newton City Commission approved a lease agreement with Shield AI, an aeronautics technology manufacturer specializing in artificial intelligence drones, for a site at Newton City/County Airport.

The lease agreement includes 16,000 square feet of hangar and office space in Hangar J, as well as three acres of undeveloped land on the east side of the airport. The lease has an initial 5-year term at $90,000 per year, and two additional 5-year term options with an annual 1.5% increase on the hangar rate.

Shield AI, founded in 2015, develops autonomy software and aircraft that use artificial intelligence to protect service members and civilians in high-risk environments. The company’s latest innovation, the X-BAT, is the world’s first AI-piloted, vertical takeoff and landing fighter jet.

Jacob Miller with Shield AI said the company had been searching for a location as it develops the next iteration of its combat aircraft technology.

“We look to Newton airport to be the spot to help unlock and continue to keep the U.S. at the forefront of artificial intelligence and specifically artificial intelligence on aircraft,” Miller said.

The company’s initial plans are to use the Newton facility for testing during the manufacturing process.

The City and County, as joint owners of the airport, agreed to install a gravel service road from First Street to the ground lease acreage, and to update the office area and restrooms to code. City staff estimate the remodeling work will cost about $15,000 and are still working with Shield AI to determine the specifications and estimated cost of the road extension.

The City and County will also pay about $18,000 in fees to Shield AI’s real estate broker.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761752458248.jpeg" alt="Image courtesy of Sheild AI" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Sheild AI</figcaption>
 </figure>CITY OF NEWTONAt Tuesday’s meeting, the Newton City Commission approved a lease agreement with Shield AI, an aeronautics technology manufacturer specializing in artificial intelligence drones, for a site at Newton City/County Airport.The lease agreement includes 16,000 square feet of hangar and office space in Hangar J, as well as three acres of undeveloped land on the east side of the airport. The lease has an initial 5-year term at $90,000 per year, and two additional 5-year term options with an annual 1.5% increase on the hangar rate.Shield AI, founded in 2015, develops autonomy software and aircraft that use artificial intelligence to protect service members and civilians in high-risk environments. The company’s latest innovation, the X-BAT, is the world’s first AI-piloted, vertical takeoff and landing fighter jet.Jacob Miller with Shield AI said the company had been searching for a location as it develops the next iteration of its combat aircraft technology.“We look to Newton airport to be the spot to help unlock and continue to keep the U.S. at the forefront of artificial intelligence and specifically artificial intelligence on aircraft,” Miller said.The company’s initial plans are to use the Newton facility for testing during the manufacturing process.The City and County, as joint owners of the airport, agreed to install a gravel service road from First Street to the ground lease acreage, and to update the office area and restrooms to code. City staff estimate the remodeling work will cost about $15,000 and are still working with Shield AI to determine the specifications and estimated cost of the road extension.The City and County will also pay about $18,000 in fees to Shield AI’s real estate broker.

Defense tech company to open flight test facility in Kansas

&nbsp;LACLEDE COUNTY, Mo.—Seven people were injured in an accident just after 7:30 a.m. Wednesday in Laclede County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Prevost Charter bus driven by a 75-year-old Springfield man was southbound at&nbsp;18610 Highway A just outside of Phillipsburg, Missouri. The bus traveled off the right side of the road and overturned.

Emergency crews from the Conway Volunteer Fire Department responded to the emergency. The bus was carrying students from three area schools who were en route to the Future Farmers of America (FFA) conference in Indiana.

Four students including a 15-year-old girl, two 16-year-old girls and a 17-year-old boy sustained minor injuries and were transported to Mercy Lebanon for evaluation. EMS also transported a 23-year-old man and a 50-year-old man to Mercy Lebanon. The driver was going to seek his own medical treatment, according to the Patrol.

The students who were not injured were transported to Conway High School by a Conway R-1 School District bus. There, they were provided with warm Conway Bear clothing, blankets, and snacks while they waited for their parents and school officials to arrive

The Conway Volunteer Fire Department thanked&nbsp; Mercy EMS, the Laclede County Sheriff’s Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their assistance at the scene and Laclede County R-1 School District for responding so fast with a bus and administrators to help and opening your doors and taking such good care of these kids. Conway is located approximately 3 hours southeast of Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761769391583.png" alt="Photo&nbsp; Conway Volunteer Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo&nbsp; Conway Volunteer Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;LACLEDE COUNTY, Mo.—Seven people were injured in an accident just after 7:30 a.m. Wednesday in Laclede County, Missouri.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761769417283.png" alt="&nbsp;Photo Conway Volunteer Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Photo Conway Volunteer Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Prevost Charter bus driven by a 75-year-old Springfield man was southbound at&nbsp;18610 Highway A just outside of Phillipsburg, Missouri. The bus traveled off the right side of the road and overturned.Emergency crews from the Conway Volunteer Fire Department responded to the emergency. The bus was carrying students from three area schools who were en route to the Future Farmers of America (FFA) conference in Indiana.Four students including a 15-year-old girl, two 16-year-old girls and a 17-year-old boy sustained minor injuries and were transported to Mercy Lebanon for evaluation. EMS also transported a 23-year-old man and a 50-year-old man to Mercy Lebanon. The driver was going to seek his own medical treatment, according to the Patrol.The students who were not injured were transported to Conway High School by a Conway R-1 School District bus. There, they were provided with warm Conway Bear clothing, blankets, and snacks while they waited for their parents and school officials to arriveThe Conway Volunteer Fire Department thanked&nbsp; Mercy EMS, the Laclede County Sheriff’s Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol for their assistance at the scene and Laclede County R-1 School District for responding so fast with a bus and administrators to help and opening your doors and taking such good care of these kids. Conway is located approximately 3 hours southeast of Kansas City.

5 hospitalized after bus carrying FFA students overturns 

&nbsp;The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Wednesday. It is the for a second rate cut this year.

&nbsp;The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Wednesday. It is the for a second rate cut this year.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fed Chair Powell: &quot;In support of our goals and in light of the balance of risks to employment and inflation, today the Federal Open Market Committee decided to lower our policy interest rate by a quarter percentage point.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FOMC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FOMC</a> <a href="https://t.co/XNoWKSZcGJ">pic.twitter.com/XNoWKSZcGJ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1983610921101467853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥Good news for borrowers despite federal gov't shutdown 

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansans who receive food assistance or are furloughed from federal jobs are scrambling to pay bills and feed their families as the federal government shutdown drags on.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tuesday was the deadline for the federal government to reopen so that November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments could go out to beneficiaries. It takes 72 hours for the payments to process, according to the Kansas Department for Children and Families.

More than 93,000 Kansas households — nearly 188,000 Kansans — use SNAP benefits to put food on their tables, DCF said in a press release. The bulk of those using SNAP are children.

As politicians on both sides exchange barbs on social media and in news releases about who is at fault for shutting down the government, Kansans like Daniel Scharpenburg, of Overland Park, are carefully tracking their bank account balances. He’s worried about a teenage son with a big appetite and the possibility of empty kitchen cabinets.

Scharpenburg, 45, is furloughed from the Internal Revenue Service office in Kansas City, Missouri. He worked the first five days of the shutdown, leaving Oct. 8 and receiving a paycheck in mid-October for those days of work.&nbsp;

“I have to be very careful with my bills, because I have now missed a paycheck,” he said. “I’m having to rely on food banks and things like that to make sure I have food. If I start thinking about my car payment and my phone bill and my rent, I’m gonna go crazy. I really do have to focus on the next bill that’s due and hope for the best.”

Scharpenburg is applying for jobs in the Kansas City area but isn’t having much luck. He said all furloughed workers in the area are competing for jobs.

The IRS location employs about 6,000 people, and reports from the federal government indicate about half of IRS workers have been furloughed, he said. Housing and Urban Development also has a Kansas City office, and those employees are affected by the shutdown too, Scharpenburg said.

Scharpenburg’s ex-wife is also a furloughed IRS employee, and he worries that his 15-year-old son at home will eventually be affected by the situation.

“I really thought it would be over before now,” Scharpenburg said. “In another week, it’s going to break the record for longest shutdown if it keeps going, and that’s not a record I want to see broken. So, yeah, I am worried that it will go on longer.”

Scharpenburg is first vice president in the National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 66, which covers Kansas City, Missouri. In that role, he’s hearing daily from furloughed employees who are scared and frustrated.

The union put together lists of food banks and other local resources, he said.&nbsp;

“But you know, it’s hard times for a lot of people, so it seems like the resources we lean on to help us are being stretched thin, just like just like our dollars are,” he said.

Scharpenburg said union members tell him that landlords and bankers have been willing to work with furloughed employees, knowing that eventually they’ll get back pay. The idea floated in Washington of withholding back pay was like a “slap in the face,” he said.

“When a politician says something like that, it feels like, oh, they don’t respect our work at all,” he said. “I am nervous. The law is clear that we will get paid at the end of this, but that being said, if Congress could pass something to change that … I don’t know what will happen if the executive branch were to decide just to not pay us. They’d have to go to court, but I don’t know if that would be resolved quickly.”

Many pantries statewide are stretching to meet community needs generated by rising prices and furloughed employees. Now, missing SNAP payments are expected to intensify the situation, said Debbie Johns, director of the Geary County Food Pantry.

Located in Junction City, the food pantry has been adding 12 to 15 new families each time it has a food distribution, Johns said. Typically, the organization sees just three to five new families each time it opens its doors, she said.

“It’s a little scary,” Johns said. “We’ve got a pretty good stock but you just see it go each time. If they clear the shelves, how long are we going to be able to keep up with this?”

Johns said the food pantry adapted its guidelines to make sure they are able to serve furloughed federal employees. Many of them work at Fort Riley and would exceed income guidelines.

Johns is grateful many in the Geary County area are donating food and holding food drives to help out. The county has the highest child food insecurity rate in Kansas, she said, so all of the challenges this year have made the problem worse.

Gov. Laura Kelly added food drives to the remaining stops on her statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://www.governor.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/796/55#!/" target="_blank">“The People’s Budget” listening tour</a>&nbsp;because of the widespread need. Working in partnership with the Kansas Food Bank and Harvesters — The Community Food Network, she encouraged anyone attending the town hall events to bring nonperishable, nonglass food items.

“As the federal government shutdown continues to drag on, Kansans who are furloughed, and especially those who receive SNAP and WIC benefits, are caught in the crossfire,” Kelly said.&nbsp;

Kelly also announced this week that she joined a coalition of 22 states and two governors in suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins for “unlawfully suspending” SNAP funds during the government shutdown.&nbsp;

“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,” Kelly said in a news release. “Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”

Grocery stores are planning for changed buying patterns as SNAP funding cuts off, said Jon McCormick, president and CEO at Retail Grocers Association, Kansas and Missouri.

SNAP benefits put nearly $33 million each month into the Kansas economy, according to the USDA.&nbsp;

The effect on grocery stores of missing SNAP payments will be “immediate,” McCormick said, although multiple factors determine the effect in specific stores.

“A store in Lenexa is going to have minimal SNAP recipients shopping,” he said. “A store in the urban core of Wichita is totally different.That could be 40% of the business. It certainly is going to affect the urban core stores and the very small rural stores.”

McCormick serves on the National Grocers Association government relations committee, and he visited Washington, D.C., last week to discuss resolutions to continue SNAP funding.

“For us as an industry, including all food manufacturers and providers, it is disruptive for the customer. It’s disruptive for the supply chain. It’s disruptive for the retailer,” he said, adding that he’s confident retailers will be able to manage through this challenge.

“The independent retailer is rather resilient and creative when it comes to adversity,” McCormick said.

Grocery store owners and managers across the state are unsure exactly how they will be affected when SNAP payments stop. Some, like Pam Budenbender, owner of Onaga Country Market, don’t expect to see many changes because her store doesn’t serve many people using SNAP.&nbsp;

However, she said she’s worried about a customer who is deaf and needs the benefit to buy food. Budenbender already helps her out as much as she can.&nbsp;

Scott Bird, co-owner of Family Market in Quinter, said his store definitely will be affected, as it participates in eWIC, part of the Women, Infant and Children’s program that offers supplemental nutrition for mothers and infants.

“It definitely will have an effect on small-town stores and people who need those services,” he said.

He isn’t yet adapting inventory but is in a “wait-and-see” mode, Bird added.

Others affected by the federal government shutdown include banks, mortgage companies and property management companies that rent apartments.

“Kansas banks and bankers stand ready to work with and support their customers who may be facing any hardships due to the current federal government shutdown,” said Doug Wareham, president and CEO of the Kansas Bankers Association.&nbsp;

In a statement, he encouraged federal employees to reach out to their banks as soon as possible to discuss their personal situation and see what help may be available, including potential fee waivers, payment deadline extensions, or other accommodations.

“The banking industry will continue to support Kansans through major challenges such as this shutdown just as we did during the pandemic and previous interruptions in government operations,” Wareham said.

Gary Olds, with the Geary County Landlords Association, said it is early in the shutdown to determine how landlords will manage missed rental payments. The Junction City area is military-dependent, he said.&nbsp;

“I think in general, landlords are going to try to work with military with regards to the rent, but that’s a broadbrush statement on my part,” he said. “Most landlords can probably weather about 30 days because they have the security deposit. Hopefully at least some of the tenants that are military have some level of savings that can make a payment or make a partial payment.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761760838341.png" alt=" Julia Loper works at the Geary County Food Pantry in Junction City, stocking shelves and helping customers. Like many food pantries across Kansas, the organization is struggling to meet community needs. (Submitted)" />
 <figcaption> Julia Loper works at the Geary County Food Pantry in Junction City, stocking shelves and helping customers. Like many food pantries across Kansas, the organization is struggling to meet community needs. (Submitted)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansans who receive food assistance or are furloughed from federal jobs are scrambling to pay bills and feed their families as the federal government shutdown drags on.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tuesday was the deadline for the federal government to reopen so that November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments could go out to beneficiaries. It takes 72 hours for the payments to process, according to the Kansas Department for Children and Families.More than 93,000 Kansas households — nearly 188,000 Kansans — use SNAP benefits to put food on their tables, DCF said in a press release. The bulk of those using SNAP are children.As politicians on both sides exchange barbs on social media and in news releases about who is at fault for shutting down the government, Kansans like Daniel Scharpenburg, of Overland Park, are carefully tracking their bank account balances. He’s worried about a teenage son with a big appetite and the possibility of empty kitchen cabinets.Scharpenburg, 45, is furloughed from the Internal Revenue Service office in Kansas City, Missouri. He worked the first five days of the shutdown, leaving Oct. 8 and receiving a paycheck in mid-October for those days of work.&nbsp;“I have to be very careful with my bills, because I have now missed a paycheck,” he said. “I’m having to rely on food banks and things like that to make sure I have food. If I start thinking about my car payment and my phone bill and my rent, I’m gonna go crazy. I really do have to focus on the next bill that’s due and hope for the best.”Scharpenburg is applying for jobs in the Kansas City area but isn’t having much luck. He said all furloughed workers in the area are competing for jobs.The IRS location employs about 6,000 people, and reports from the federal government indicate about half of IRS workers have been furloughed, he said. Housing and Urban Development also has a Kansas City office, and those employees are affected by the shutdown too, Scharpenburg said.Scharpenburg’s ex-wife is also a furloughed IRS employee, and he worries that his 15-year-old son at home will eventually be affected by the situation.“I really thought it would be over before now,” Scharpenburg said. “In another week, it’s going to break the record for longest shutdown if it keeps going, and that’s not a record I want to see broken. So, yeah, I am worried that it will go on longer.”Scharpenburg is first vice president in the National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 66, which covers Kansas City, Missouri. In that role, he’s hearing daily from furloughed employees who are scared and frustrated.The union put together lists of food banks and other local resources, he said.&nbsp;“But you know, it’s hard times for a lot of people, so it seems like the resources we lean on to help us are being stretched thin, just like just like our dollars are,” he said.Scharpenburg said union members tell him that landlords and bankers have been willing to work with furloughed employees, knowing that eventually they’ll get back pay. The idea floated in Washington of withholding back pay was like a “slap in the face,” he said.“When a politician says something like that, it feels like, oh, they don’t respect our work at all,” he said. “I am nervous. The law is clear that we will get paid at the end of this, but that being said, if Congress could pass something to change that … I don’t know what will happen if the executive branch were to decide just to not pay us. They’d have to go to court, but I don’t know if that would be resolved quickly.”<h2>Food pantries struggling</h2>Many pantries statewide are stretching to meet community needs generated by rising prices and furloughed employees. Now, missing SNAP payments are expected to intensify the situation, said Debbie Johns, director of the Geary County Food Pantry.Located in Junction City, the food pantry has been adding 12 to 15 new families each time it has a food distribution, Johns said. Typically, the organization sees just three to five new families each time it opens its doors, she said.“It’s a little scary,” Johns said. “We’ve got a pretty good stock but you just see it go each time. If they clear the shelves, how long are we going to be able to keep up with this?”Johns said the food pantry adapted its guidelines to make sure they are able to serve furloughed federal employees. Many of them work at Fort Riley and would exceed income guidelines.Johns is grateful many in the Geary County area are donating food and holding food drives to help out. The county has the highest child food insecurity rate in Kansas, she said, so all of the challenges this year have made the problem worse.Gov. Laura Kelly added food drives to the remaining stops on her statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://www.governor.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/796/55#!/" target="_blank">“The People’s Budget” listening tour</a>&nbsp;because of the widespread need. Working in partnership with the Kansas Food Bank and Harvesters — The Community Food Network, she encouraged anyone attending the town hall events to bring nonperishable, nonglass food items.“As the federal government shutdown continues to drag on, Kansans who are furloughed, and especially those who receive SNAP and WIC benefits, are caught in the crossfire,” Kelly said.&nbsp;Kelly also announced this week that she joined a coalition of 22 states and two governors in suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins for “unlawfully suspending” SNAP funds during the government shutdown.&nbsp;“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,” Kelly said in a news release. “Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”<h2>Economic challenges</h2>Grocery stores are planning for changed buying patterns as SNAP funding cuts off, said Jon McCormick, president and CEO at Retail Grocers Association, Kansas and Missouri.SNAP benefits put nearly $33 million each month into the Kansas economy, according to the USDA.&nbsp;The effect on grocery stores of missing SNAP payments will be “immediate,” McCormick said, although multiple factors determine the effect in specific stores.“A store in Lenexa is going to have minimal SNAP recipients shopping,” he said. “A store in the urban core of Wichita is totally different.That could be 40% of the business. It certainly is going to affect the urban core stores and the very small rural stores.”McCormick serves on the National Grocers Association government relations committee, and he visited Washington, D.C., last week to discuss resolutions to continue SNAP funding.“For us as an industry, including all food manufacturers and providers, it is disruptive for the customer. It’s disruptive for the supply chain. It’s disruptive for the retailer,” he said, adding that he’s confident retailers will be able to manage through this challenge.“The independent retailer is rather resilient and creative when it comes to adversity,” McCormick said.Grocery store owners and managers across the state are unsure exactly how they will be affected when SNAP payments stop. Some, like Pam Budenbender, owner of Onaga Country Market, don’t expect to see many changes because her store doesn’t serve many people using SNAP.&nbsp;However, she said she’s worried about a customer who is deaf and needs the benefit to buy food. Budenbender already helps her out as much as she can.&nbsp;Scott Bird, co-owner of Family Market in Quinter, said his store definitely will be affected, as it participates in eWIC, part of the Women, Infant and Children’s program that offers supplemental nutrition for mothers and infants.“It definitely will have an effect on small-town stores and people who need those services,” he said.He isn’t yet adapting inventory but is in a “wait-and-see” mode, Bird added.Others affected by the federal government shutdown include banks, mortgage companies and property management companies that rent apartments.“Kansas banks and bankers stand ready to work with and support their customers who may be facing any hardships due to the current federal government shutdown,” said Doug Wareham, president and CEO of the Kansas Bankers Association.&nbsp;In a statement, he encouraged federal employees to reach out to their banks as soon as possible to discuss their personal situation and see what help may be available, including potential fee waivers, payment deadline extensions, or other accommodations.“The banking industry will continue to support Kansans through major challenges such as this shutdown just as we did during the pandemic and previous interruptions in government operations,” Wareham said.Gary Olds, with the Geary County Landlords Association, said it is early in the shutdown to determine how landlords will manage missed rental payments. The Junction City area is military-dependent, he said.&nbsp;“I think in general, landlords are going to try to work with military with regards to the rent, but that’s a broadbrush statement on my part,” he said. “Most landlords can probably weather about 30 days because they have the security deposit. Hopefully at least some of the tenants that are military have some level of savings that can make a payment or make a partial payment.”

‘Hope for the best’: Government shutdown strains Kansas food resources, local businesses

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas teen on drug allegations.

On October 27, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in 2800 BLK SE Powell Street in Topeka. related to an ongoing investigation, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

While conducting the search warrant, officers located marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

As a result, Isaiah Timmons, 19, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and is being held on requested charges of Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transactions, Kansas Drug Tax, Transport open container of liquor, Liquor; Purchase/possess/consumption by minor 18-20 yrs and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761678946006.png" alt="Timmons photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Timmons photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas teen on drug allegations.On October 27, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in 2800 BLK SE Powell Street in Topeka. related to an ongoing investigation, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.While conducting the search warrant, officers located marijuana and drug paraphernalia.As a result, Isaiah Timmons, 19, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and is being held on requested charges of Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, Unlawful to acquire proceeds from drug transactions, Kansas Drug Tax, Transport open container of liquor, Liquor; Purchase/possess/consumption by minor 18-20 yrs and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police: Kansas teen jailed for selling marijuana

By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Tuesday failed for the 13th time to advance a stopgap spending bill that would fund the government until Nov. 21 and end the nearly one-month government shutdown.

Tuesday was also the day when air traffic controllers, who are working without pay, missed their first full paychecks. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today" target="_blank">FlightAware delays tracker</a>&nbsp;reported 7,404 delays within, into or out of the United States on Monday and 161 cancellations within the U.S. A temporary ground stop&nbsp;<a href="https://abc7.com/post/ground-stop-issued-lax-due-staffing-issues-faa-reports/18073981/" target="_blank">was issued&nbsp;</a>at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday morning due to staffing issues.

In the nation’s capital, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00590.htm" target="_blank">54-45&nbsp;vote</a>&nbsp;was nearly identical to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shutdown-day-22-sets-record-second-longest-us-history-no-sign-deal" target="_blank">previous 12 votes,</a>&nbsp;as Republicans and Democrats stuck to their positions. The legislation needed at least 60 votes to advance, under the Senate’s legislative filibuster.&nbsp;

Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and&nbsp;Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, both Democrats,&nbsp;and Maine independent Sen. Angus King voted with Republicans to advance the legislation. Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul voted no.

Democrats are under increasing pressure to pass the House-passed GOP stopgap measure, with 42 million Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/upcoming-federal-food-assistance-pause-intensifies-shutdown-fight" target="_blank">at risk of losing food assistance</a>&nbsp;for November, many federal workers beginning to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/pay-trump-and-congress-continues-shutdown-unless-they-ask-it-be-held" target="_blank">miss their paychecks&nbsp;</a>and one of the largest unions representing federal workers calling for an end to the government shutdown, now at day 28.&nbsp;

Amid the government shutdown, the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-tried-lay-more-2000-interior-staff-shutdown-plan-now-hold" target="_blank">has moved to lay off federal workers,</a>&nbsp;and a federal judge is holding a Tuesday hearing to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-broadens-order-blocking-trump-administration-layoffs-during-shutdown" target="_blank">consider a preliminary injunction</a>&nbsp;to block the mass Reductions in Force, or RIFs.

As President Donald Trump continues his overseas travel throughout Asia meeting with foreign leaders, Vice President JD Vance&nbsp;joined&nbsp;Senate Republicans during their Tuesday caucus lunch meeting.&nbsp;

Vance defended USDA’s decision to not tap into its contingency fund provided by Congress to continue food assistance benefits amid a funding lapse.

“We’re exploring all options,” Vance said.&nbsp;

Congress provided USDA with the multi-year contingency fund, which totals about $6 billion — short of the roughly $9 billion needed to cover a full month of SNAP benefits. USDA would have to reshuffle funds to provide November payments.&nbsp;

“We are trying as much as possible to ensure that critical food benefits get paid,” Vance said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-ags-governors-sue-trump-over-snap-benefits-shutdown-hits-day-28" target="_blank">A coalition of Democratic state officials Tuesday sued</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration and urged a federal judge to force the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release SNAP benefits for 42 million people.

Vance called on five Democrats to join Senate Republicans in approving a short-term funding bill.

“If the Democrats just opened up the government, then we wouldn’t have to play this game where … we’re trying to fit a square peg into a round hole with the budget,” Vance said.&nbsp;

Democrats have continued to vote against the House’s GOP short-term spending bill to draw attention to and force negotiations on tax credits that will expire at the end of the year for people who buy their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Republicans maintain the government must reopen before they begin any talks.

Republicans are also weighing whether to pass a stand-alone bill by GOP Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley to approve funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.&nbsp;

Ten Senate Republicans have joined to sponsor the bill, including&nbsp;Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins of Maine.&nbsp;One Democratic senator also cosponsored the bill, Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont.&nbsp;

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Democrats would also introduce their own separate bill to provide funding for not only SNAP, but for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC.

During a Tuesday press conference, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., did not seem receptive to scheduling a Senate vote on a stand-alone bill to address SNAP.&nbsp;

“I mean, this piecemeal approach where you do one off here, one off there, to make it seem more politically palatable to somebody…that is just a wrong way to do this,” Thune said.&nbsp;

Instead, he argued that Democrats should just support the stopgap spending bill.&nbsp;

Another critical deadline is approaching. Active-duty military members will miss their paychecks by Friday if the government is still in a funding lapse. The Trump administration already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/pentagon-shift-research-dollars-pay-troops-during-shutdown" target="_blank">reprogrammed $8 billion&nbsp;</a>earlier this month from multi-year research funds from the Defense Department in order to pay the troops.&nbsp;

However, Vance said the Trump administration expects to be able to pay troops this Friday, although the vice president didn’t detail where those funds would come from.

Before Tuesday morning’s vote, Thune said Democrats should listen to calls for an end to the shutdown from the&nbsp;American Federation of Government Employees, or AFGE, labor union, which typically aligns with Democrats.&nbsp;

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, also cited the call from AFGE, telling Democrats “you have an off-ramp,” during a Tuesday press conference.

“The largest unions are saying, ‘Please do this,’” Johnson said. “You can claim that as cover and say that you had to do it.”

Last week, there were dueling bills from both parties related to paying federal workers amid the shutdown,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-fails-move-ahead-bills-extending-pay-federal-workers-during-shutdown" target="_blank">but those efforts failed to meet the 60-vote threshold to move forward.</a>

The end of the 2019 government shutdown, which lasted 35 days, was in part due to shortages of air traffic controllers that upended air travel across the country and forced lawmakers to strike a deal.&nbsp;

Schumer critical of administration shutdown decisions

During a Tuesday press conference, Schumer slammed the Trump administration for refusing to tap into its contingency fund for SNAP.

“The money is there,” the New York Democrat said. “The hungry people, the hungry children, the hungry veterans, the hungry elderly, could be fed, but Trump’s using them as hostages.”

Of the 42 million people on SNAP, roughly 40% are children 17 and younger.&nbsp;

He also criticized Trump for traveling abroad and for his administration’s priority to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-press-secretary-defends-white-house-ballroom-project-amid-east-wing-teardown" target="_blank">demolish the East Wing of the White House</a>&nbsp;for a ballroom.&nbsp;

“His number one priority is his ballroom,” Schumer said. “When people are suffering, what kind of president is this?”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761667643773.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran casting his vote on Tuesday -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran casting his vote on Tuesday -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>By:<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Tuesday failed for the 13th time to advance a stopgap spending bill that would fund the government until Nov. 21 and end the nearly one-month government shutdown.Tuesday was also the day when air traffic controllers, who are working without pay, missed their first full paychecks. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today" target="_blank">FlightAware delays tracker</a>&nbsp;reported 7,404 delays within, into or out of the United States on Monday and 161 cancellations within the U.S. A temporary ground stop&nbsp;<a href="https://abc7.com/post/ground-stop-issued-lax-due-staffing-issues-faa-reports/18073981/" target="_blank">was issued&nbsp;</a>at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday morning due to staffing issues.In the nation’s capital, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00590.htm" target="_blank">54-45&nbsp;vote</a>&nbsp;was nearly identical to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shutdown-day-22-sets-record-second-longest-us-history-no-sign-deal" target="_blank">previous 12 votes,</a>&nbsp;as Republicans and Democrats stuck to their positions. The legislation needed at least 60 votes to advance, under the Senate’s legislative filibuster.&nbsp;Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and&nbsp;Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, both Democrats,&nbsp;and Maine independent Sen. Angus King voted with Republicans to advance the legislation. Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul voted no.<h2>Vance defends SNAP cutoff</h2>Democrats are under increasing pressure to pass the House-passed GOP stopgap measure, with 42 million Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/upcoming-federal-food-assistance-pause-intensifies-shutdown-fight" target="_blank">at risk of losing food assistance</a>&nbsp;for November, many federal workers beginning to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/pay-trump-and-congress-continues-shutdown-unless-they-ask-it-be-held" target="_blank">miss their paychecks&nbsp;</a>and one of the largest unions representing federal workers calling for an end to the government shutdown, now at day 28.&nbsp;Amid the government shutdown, the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-tried-lay-more-2000-interior-staff-shutdown-plan-now-hold" target="_blank">has moved to lay off federal workers,</a>&nbsp;and a federal judge is holding a Tuesday hearing to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-broadens-order-blocking-trump-administration-layoffs-during-shutdown" target="_blank">consider a preliminary injunction</a>&nbsp;to block the mass Reductions in Force, or RIFs.As President Donald Trump continues his overseas travel throughout Asia meeting with foreign leaders, Vice President JD Vance&nbsp;joined&nbsp;Senate Republicans during their Tuesday caucus lunch meeting.&nbsp;Vance defended USDA’s decision to not tap into its contingency fund provided by Congress to continue food assistance benefits amid a funding lapse.“We’re exploring all options,” Vance said.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761740650260.png" alt="After attending a caucus lunch meeting with Senate Republicans, Vice President JD Vance briefly speaks with reporters on day 28 of the government shutdown, Oct. 28, 2025. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsoom)" />
 <figcaption>After attending a caucus lunch meeting with Senate Republicans, Vice President JD Vance briefly speaks with reporters on day 28 of the government shutdown, Oct. 28, 2025. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsoom)</figcaption>
 </figure>Congress provided USDA with the multi-year contingency fund, which totals about $6 billion — short of the roughly $9 billion needed to cover a full month of SNAP benefits. USDA would have to reshuffle funds to provide November payments.&nbsp;“We are trying as much as possible to ensure that critical food benefits get paid,” Vance said.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/democratic-ags-governors-sue-trump-over-snap-benefits-shutdown-hits-day-28" target="_blank">A coalition of Democratic state officials Tuesday sued</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration and urged a federal judge to force the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release SNAP benefits for 42 million people.Vance called on five Democrats to join Senate Republicans in approving a short-term funding bill.“If the Democrats just opened up the government, then we wouldn’t have to play this game where … we’re trying to fit a square peg into a round hole with the budget,” Vance said.&nbsp;Democrats have continued to vote against the House’s GOP short-term spending bill to draw attention to and force negotiations on tax credits that will expire at the end of the year for people who buy their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Republicans maintain the government must reopen before they begin any talks.<h2>Votes possible on SNAP funding</h2>Republicans are also weighing whether to pass a stand-alone bill by GOP Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley to approve funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.&nbsp;Ten Senate Republicans have joined to sponsor the bill, including&nbsp;Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Susan Collins of Maine.&nbsp;One Democratic senator also cosponsored the bill, Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont.&nbsp;Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Democrats would also introduce their own separate bill to provide funding for not only SNAP, but for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC.During a Tuesday press conference, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., did not seem receptive to scheduling a Senate vote on a stand-alone bill to address SNAP.&nbsp;“I mean, this piecemeal approach where you do one off here, one off there, to make it seem more politically palatable to somebody…that is just a wrong way to do this,” Thune said.&nbsp;Instead, he argued that Democrats should just support the stopgap spending bill.&nbsp;Another critical deadline is approaching. Active-duty military members will miss their paychecks by Friday if the government is still in a funding lapse. The Trump administration already&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/pentagon-shift-research-dollars-pay-troops-during-shutdown" target="_blank">reprogrammed $8 billion&nbsp;</a>earlier this month from multi-year research funds from the Defense Department in order to pay the troops.&nbsp;However, Vance said the Trump administration expects to be able to pay troops this Friday, although the vice president didn’t detail where those funds would come from.Before Tuesday morning’s vote, Thune said Democrats should listen to calls for an end to the shutdown from the&nbsp;American Federation of Government Employees, or AFGE, labor union, which typically aligns with Democrats.&nbsp;House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, also cited the call from AFGE, telling Democrats “you have an off-ramp,” during a Tuesday press conference.“The largest unions are saying, ‘Please do this,’” Johnson said. “You can claim that as cover and say that you had to do it.”Last week, there were dueling bills from both parties related to paying federal workers amid the shutdown,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-senate-fails-move-ahead-bills-extending-pay-federal-workers-during-shutdown" target="_blank">but those efforts failed to meet the 60-vote threshold to move forward.</a>The end of the 2019 government shutdown, which lasted 35 days, was in part due to shortages of air traffic controllers that upended air travel across the country and forced lawmakers to strike a deal.&nbsp;<h2>Schumer critical of administration shutdown decisions</h2>During a Tuesday press conference, Schumer slammed the Trump administration for refusing to tap into its contingency fund for SNAP.“The money is there,” the New York Democrat said. “The hungry people, the hungry children, the hungry veterans, the hungry elderly, could be fed, but Trump’s using them as hostages.”Of the 42 million people on SNAP, roughly 40% are children 17 and younger.&nbsp;He also criticized Trump for traveling abroad and for his administration’s priority to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-press-secretary-defends-white-house-ballroom-project-amid-east-wing-teardown" target="_blank">demolish the East Wing of the White House</a>&nbsp;for a ballroom.&nbsp;“His number one priority is his ballroom,” Schumer said. “When people are suffering, what kind of president is this?”&nbsp;

US Senate again rejects bill ending shutdown, as air traffic controllers miss paychecks

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide that occurred September 2, have have developed new information that the crime actually occurred in Independence, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

Just after 2:30p.m. September 2, police&nbsp;were dispatched to 100 NE St. Luke’s Boulevard on a reported shooting that was originally believed to have occurred near 88th Place and James A Reed, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Upon arrival, officers were advised a boy later identified as 15-year-old Isaiah Wilson arrived at the hospital suffering from a gunshot wound. Medical staff made every attempt to perform life saving measures before he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary investigation indicates the boy was walking outside when he heard several sounds of shots and was struck by gunfire. He was able to call a friend for help and a private vehicle picked him up and transported him to the hospital.

KCPD Homicide Unit detectives have met with Independence Police investigators and they have taken over the investigation.

This case is being removed from KCPD Daily Homicide total and our number will go from 124 to 123 for 2025.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement investigating a homicide that occurred September 2, have have developed new information that the crime actually occurred in Independence, Missouri, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.Just after 2:30p.m. September 2, police&nbsp;were dispatched to 100 NE St. Luke’s Boulevard on a reported shooting that was originally believed to have occurred near 88th Place and James A Reed, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Upon arrival, officers were advised a boy later identified as 15-year-old Isaiah Wilson arrived at the hospital suffering from a gunshot wound. Medical staff made every attempt to perform life saving measures before he was pronounced deceased.Preliminary investigation indicates the boy was walking outside when he heard several sounds of shots and was struck by gunfire. He was able to call a friend for help and a private vehicle picked him up and transported him to the hospital.KCPD Homicide Unit detectives have met with Independence Police investigators and they have taken over the investigation.This case is being removed from KCPD Daily Homicide total and our number will go from 124 to 123 for 2025.

Homicide: KCPD releases new details in death of 15-year-old

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in a pedestrian accident just before 3:30a.m. Tuesday in Overland Park.

A vehicle was eastbound on Goddard Street just west of Switzer Road, according to Officer John Lacy. The vehicle initially struck a parked vehicle on the westbound side of the street.&nbsp; it continued eastbound and struck a pedestrian later identified as 68-year-old Janet Dam of Overland Park. She was walking westbound on the edge of the roadway.&nbsp; The vehicle eventually came to a stop after striking a tree. 

Dam was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of vehicle was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.

&nbsp;Investigators say Dam is known to walk daily in the area around 4a.m. She was not carrying any identification at the time of the incident.&nbsp;

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas woman died in a pedestrian accident just before 3:30a.m. Tuesday in Overland Park.A vehicle was eastbound on Goddard Street just west of Switzer Road, according to Officer John Lacy. The vehicle initially struck a parked vehicle on the westbound side of the street.&nbsp; it continued eastbound and struck a pedestrian later identified as 68-year-old Janet Dam of Overland Park. She was walking westbound on the edge of the roadway.&nbsp; The vehicle eventually came to a stop after striking a tree. Dam was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of vehicle was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.&nbsp;Investigators say Dam is known to walk daily in the area around 4a.m. She was not carrying any identification at the time of the incident.&nbsp;

Kan. woman struck and killed by vehicle near her home

KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the cause of house fire in Kansas City, Missouri.

Just before 3:30p.m. Tuesday, crews responded a house fire in the 2500 Block of Montgall Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. First responders reported heavy fire from a two-story vacant home. Crews made an initial attempt for an interior attack but were unsuccessful due to the amount of fire and hoarder type condition in the home.

Defensive operations were established. The intense flames and radiant heat ignited a second structure north of the original fire. Searches of the second structure came back all clear. Both fires were brought under control and crews worked to contain hot spots. There were no injuries reported.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761695102097.png" alt="Photos Kansas City Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos Kansas City Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the cause of house fire in Kansas City, Missouri.Just before 3:30p.m. Tuesday, crews responded a house fire in the 2500 Block of Montgall Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. First responders reported heavy fire from a two-story vacant home. Crews made an initial attempt for an interior attack but were unsuccessful due to the amount of fire and hoarder type condition in the home.Defensive operations were established. The intense flames and radiant heat ignited a second structure north of the original fire. Searches of the second structure came back all clear. Both fires were brought under control and crews worked to contain hot spots. There were no injuries reported.&nbsp;

Hoarding conditions hamper crews fighting KC house fire

RAY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7a.m. Tuesday in Ray County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Toyota passenger vehicle driven by a 34-year-old Liberty man was eastbound on MO 210 just west of MO T. The vehicle crossed the center of the road. It struck a 2008 Pontiac driven by a 34-year-old Richmond woman head-on and overturned.

The Pontiac driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Ray County ambulance transported the Toyota driver to North Kansas City hospital. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

RAY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7a.m. Tuesday in Ray County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Toyota passenger vehicle driven by a 34-year-old Liberty man was eastbound on MO 210 just west of MO T. The vehicle crossed the center of the road. It struck a 2008 Pontiac driven by a 34-year-old Richmond woman head-on and overturned.The Pontiac driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Ray County ambulance transported the Toyota driver to North Kansas City hospital. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Missouri woman killed in head-on crash

PHELPS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect for alleged sex crimes involving a juvenile.

This week, 36-year-old Elizabeth Jamie Love and her boyfriend, 43-year-old Jarid “Jack” Krause both of Holdrege, were arrested pursuant to a warrant and criminal complaint filed by the Phelps County Attorney’s Office that charges each with one count of Sex Trafficking of a Minor, according to a statment from Holdredge Police.

 The criminal complaint filed against Love also alleges an additional count of Sexual Grooming by a School Employee.. 

The investigation into Love and Krause began after a current high school student, whom Ms. Love was instructing through her employment as a transition coordinator and teacher in ESU-11, reported inappropriate interactions with the couple over the past few weeks.  

While the investigation into this matter is still ongoing and law enforcement is not aware of any inappropriate interactions with other current or former students. The Holdrege Police Department is interested in speaking with anyone who has any additional information about this current allegation or who may have had prior interactions with Love or Krause, which they now believe is suspicious. 

It is law enforcement’s understanding that Love has been an educator/transition coordinator within ESU-11 for a number of years and in that role, she travels to as many as 15 schools or public-school districts throughout South Central Nebraska.&nbsp; &nbsp;ESU-11 provides educational services to&nbsp; public school districts in south-central Nebraska.

&nbsp;Love and Krause are currently being held in the Phelps County Jail on separate bonds of $250,000 each.

If convicted of the crimes alleged, Love and&nbsp; Krause face up to life imprisonment and lifetime placement on the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry. They made an initial court appearance on Monday in the Phelps County Court.

Anyone with any additional information about Ms. Love and/or Mr. Krause, that may be pertinent to this case or prior contacts with either of them that they now find to be unusual or suspicious, are urged to contact the Holdrege Police Department at (308) 995-4407.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761655940205.png" alt="Love and Krause -photo Phelps Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Love and Krause -photo Phelps Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>PHELPS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect for alleged sex crimes involving a juvenile.This week, 36-year-old Elizabeth Jamie Love and her boyfriend, 43-year-old Jarid “Jack” Krause both of Holdrege, were arrested pursuant to a warrant and criminal complaint filed by the Phelps County Attorney’s Office that charges each with one count of Sex Trafficking of a Minor, according to a statment from Holdredge Police. The criminal complaint filed against Love also alleges an additional count of Sexual Grooming by a School Employee.. The investigation into Love and Krause began after a current high school student, whom Ms. Love was instructing through her employment as a transition coordinator and teacher in ESU-11, reported inappropriate interactions with the couple over the past few weeks. While the investigation into this matter is still ongoing and law enforcement is not aware of any inappropriate interactions with other current or former students. The Holdrege Police Department is interested in speaking with anyone who has any additional information about this current allegation or who may have had prior interactions with Love or Krause, which they now believe is suspicious. It is law enforcement’s understanding that Love has been an educator/transition coordinator within ESU-11 for a number of years and in that role, she travels to as many as 15 schools or public-school districts throughout South Central Nebraska.&nbsp; &nbsp;ESU-11 provides educational services to&nbsp; public school districts in south-central Nebraska.&nbsp;Love and Krause are currently being held in the Phelps County Jail on separate bonds of $250,000 each.If convicted of the crimes alleged, Love and&nbsp; Krause face up to life imprisonment and lifetime placement on the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry. They made an initial court appearance on Monday in the Phelps County Court.Anyone with any additional information about Ms. Love and/or Mr. Krause, that may be pertinent to this case or prior contacts with either of them that they now find to be unusual or suspicious, are urged to contact the Holdrege Police Department at (308) 995-4407.

Teacher, boyfriend accused of grooming, sex trafficking student

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—One person died in an accident on Tuesday morning in Montgomery County.

According to Sheriff Ron Wade, a 2024 Kia passenger vehicle driven by Heath Ellis, 21, Caney, was traveling on U.S. 75 near County Road 3600 southwest of Independence, Kansas.&nbsp; The vehicle left the road, overturned, struck a culvert and caught fire.&nbsp; Ellis was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

The accident remains under investigation, according to Wade.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—One person died in an accident on Tuesday morning in Montgomery County.According to Sheriff Ron Wade, a 2024 Kia passenger vehicle driven by Heath Ellis, 21, Caney, was traveling on U.S. 75 near County Road 3600 southwest of Independence, Kansas.&nbsp; The vehicle left the road, overturned, struck a culvert and caught fire.&nbsp; Ellis was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;The accident remains under investigation, according to Wade.

Kansas man killed in rollover crash and fire

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a drug bust in Manhattan.

Just before 5:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;executed a search warrant in the 700 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

As a result, officers arrested 60-year-old Joseph Fabre of Manhattan on requested charges of distribution of opiate/narcotic/certain stim/heroin within 1000 feet of a school; possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia; possession of a depressant and possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance. Fabre remains jailed on a $40,000 bond.

He has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761665407790.png" alt="Fabre has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Fabre has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a drug bust in Manhattan.Just before 5:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;executed a search warrant in the 700 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.As a result, officers arrested 60-year-old Joseph Fabre of Manhattan on requested charges of distribution of opiate/narcotic/certain stim/heroin within 1000 feet of a school; possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant; use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia; possession of a depressant and possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance. Fabre remains jailed on a $40,000 bond.He has previous convictions that include Forgery, Robbery, Criminal Threat, Intent or reckless cause child less than 18 in situation w/childs life, body, health is injured or endangered and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Kansas felon accused of selling heroin

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday, joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.&nbsp;

“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”

On October 1, 2025, the new federal fiscal year began without an appropriation by Congress to fund the federal government, creating a government shutdown. On October 10, the USDA sent a letter to state SNAP agencies saying that if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for the approximately 42 million Americans that rely on them. &nbsp;

Despite USDA’s claim of insufficient funds, the agency has access to billions of dollars in SNAP-specific contingency funds appropriated by Congress for this purpose. Furthermore, USDA has funded other programs with emergency funds during this shutdown, but has refused to fund SNAP, leaving millions of Americans without the assistance they need to buy food. It is clear the federal government is making a deliberate, illegal, and inhumane choice not to fund the crucial SNAP program.&nbsp;

The lapse in benefits will have dire consequences for the health and well-being of millions across the country, who rely on the program to feed themselves and their families. This lapse will also put unnecessary strain on state and local governments and community organizations, as families increasingly rely on emergency services and local food pantries that are already struggling to fill a growing nutrition gap. It will affect school systems, including college and university communities, where food insecurity will stand in the way of educating students. Suspending SNAP benefits will also harm the hundreds of thousands of grocers and merchants that accept SNAP payment for food purchases across the country. The USDA has estimated that in a slowing economy, every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity.&nbsp;

In Kansas, nearly 188,000 children, families, and seniors rely on SNAP each month to meet their needs. Ordinarily, more than 93,000 Kansas households would receive a total distribution of more than $34.4 million in SNAP benefits. The Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers the SNAP program, will continue to closely monitor the situation and its impacts on services the agency provides.

While the federal government funds and sets the monthly amount of SNAP benefits, states are responsible for administering programs in their state. Suspending SNAP benefits in this manner is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. Where Congress has clearly spoken, providing that SNAP benefits should continue even during a government shutdown, USDA does not have the authority to say otherwise. The coalition will also be filing a temporary restraining order later today asking the court to immediately turn benefits back on.&nbsp;

Joining&nbsp;Governor Kelly in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon,&nbsp;Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania have also joined.

Information about federal shutdown impacts on DCF programs and services is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx/1/0101019a2c925b18-1a97ee00-5c46-46fa-81bf-8fdbbe95f1b6-000000/5VIAYM9XO3ktK7g_ze-kJeW4ZRwH1bkUQnl31aoZJFY=428">dcf.ks.gov.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689674819900.png" alt="Photo USDA" />
 <figcaption>Photo USDA</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday, joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.&nbsp;“States cannot, and should not, take on the federal government’s responsibility to fund SNAP,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Cutting off SNAP payments is an unprecedented choice made by the Trump Administration and Congress that will harm millions of families across the country. I joined this lawsuit to protect Kansans, because the federal government has a legal and moral responsibility to fund this program, not to take food out of the mouths of Kansas children.”On October 1, 2025, the new federal fiscal year began without an appropriation by Congress to fund the federal government, creating a government shutdown. On October 10, the USDA sent a letter to state SNAP agencies saying that if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for the approximately 42 million Americans that rely on them. &nbsp;Despite USDA’s claim of insufficient funds, the agency has access to billions of dollars in SNAP-specific contingency funds appropriated by Congress for this purpose. Furthermore, USDA has funded other programs with emergency funds during this shutdown, but has refused to fund SNAP, leaving millions of Americans without the assistance they need to buy food. It is clear the federal government is making a deliberate, illegal, and inhumane choice not to fund the crucial SNAP program.&nbsp;The lapse in benefits will have dire consequences for the health and well-being of millions across the country, who rely on the program to feed themselves and their families. This lapse will also put unnecessary strain on state and local governments and community organizations, as families increasingly rely on emergency services and local food pantries that are already struggling to fill a growing nutrition gap. It will affect school systems, including college and university communities, where food insecurity will stand in the way of educating students. Suspending SNAP benefits will also harm the hundreds of thousands of grocers and merchants that accept SNAP payment for food purchases across the country. The USDA has estimated that in a slowing economy, every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity.&nbsp;In Kansas, nearly 188,000 children, families, and seniors rely on SNAP each month to meet their needs. Ordinarily, more than 93,000 Kansas households would receive a total distribution of more than $34.4 million in SNAP benefits. The Kansas Department for Children and Families, which administers the SNAP program, will continue to closely monitor the situation and its impacts on services the agency provides.While the federal government funds and sets the monthly amount of SNAP benefits, states are responsible for administering programs in their state. Suspending SNAP benefits in this manner is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act. Where Congress has clearly spoken, providing that SNAP benefits should continue even during a government shutdown, USDA does not have the authority to say otherwise. The coalition will also be filing a temporary restraining order later today asking the court to immediately turn benefits back on.&nbsp;Joining&nbsp;Governor Kelly in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon,&nbsp;Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania have also joined.Information about federal shutdown impacts on DCF programs and services is available at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.dcf.ks.gov%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx/1/0101019a2c925b18-1a97ee00-5c46-46fa-81bf-8fdbbe95f1b6-000000/5VIAYM9XO3ktK7g_ze-kJeW4ZRwH1bkUQnl31aoZJFY=428">dcf.ks.gov.</a>

Kansas sues Trump Admin. for 'illegally suspending SNAP benefits'

TOPEKA — Kansas farm leaders are pushing Congress to get back to work and solve problems facing the agriculture industry, pointing out that a closed government doesn’t mean U.S. lawmakers can’t be in session.

“I’m up here in Republic County and there’s a lot of activity going around harvest,” said Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union. “And then, of course, wheat drilling and all that, too, and getting ready to move cattle off of pastures. The work doesn’t stop for farmers. We don’t pause, we don’t shut down. We have to keep going.”

Levendofsky, speaking earlier this month in a virtual press conference arranged by Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids, echoed comments from Kansas agriculture secretary Mike Beam to get Congress back to work.

“It’s time to get back to work on and really address some things, particularly some things that really don’t cost money — it’s just public policy that we need to address,” Beam said on the same call.

Levendofsky said the farm bill was allowed to expire, and even though some agricultural issues were addressed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, much is left to do.

“I’ve talked with farmers in our organization, farmers in my area, and farmers all across the state, and they’re very frustrated with what’s going on right now,” he said.

As farmers are grappling with increased input expenses, tariffs and weather, Davids said she was “p***ed” about President Donald Trump’s expressed intentions to import more Argentinian beef.

“I think we need to be doing everything we can to support American ranchers and producers and farmers and not importing in stuff that we’re growing here,” she said.

Matthew Steele, CEO and executive director of the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association, listens to news every day with a strong dose of caution and “trying to read through the lines.” As an engineer with a compliance background, he’s always looking deeper, he said.

“You’ve got to always be thinking about this is the black and white, what does all the gray around it mean?” he said in a call with the Kansas Reflector.

For instance, outcry about the potential of Mexico reopening its U.S. border to import feeder cattle doesn’t have as big of an impact as people might expect, Steele said.

About 1 million head a year come in from Mexico, out of 83 million head produced in the U.S., he said.

“It’s not that big of a number,” Steele said. “They’re still anywhere from three to eight or nine months from being ready for harvest anyway. Where the impact comes is those aren’t prime animals that are coming up. It’s not like they’re bringing in certified Angus roasts and steaks. It’s lower quality we grind up and serve as hamburgers.”

Still, the market took that news and went “crazy,” he said. Live cattle contracts fell Monday, dropping about $7 on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/future/lc00?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqe5Xw6SQAaUNwGs9A2aB5ASjPdCoXZgWQjhkC7P1xNSJF4pjUBVwcdsSUxoQ54%3D&amp;gaa_ts=6900dd4b&amp;gaa_sig=Lbzoo0bAhVTAV00lcfxF6snutG3jmoxhqzu_x9PHRP9kDvieAxABx0qDmPz3uZmoJfgkA4qY-GOI_WMvS5ytDA%3D%3D" target="_blank">according to Marketwatch</a>.

Steele said his organization is telling farmers to call their representatives to share stories and help them understand how the system works. Although organizations like Kansas Cattlemen’s are advocating, it means more coming from the people who are doing the work, he said.

Adam Phelon, a Kansas Soybean Association board member who farms with his family near Garnett, joined Davids’ call to share his frustration with the shutdown and what a challenge it can be throughout rural communities with a “snowball effect” that hits many areas.

Phelon said farmers need consistency and certainty to make plans, and they don’t have that right now. He also pointed to families that need support from programs like Women, Infants and Children payments and a friend in the Navy who is stationed in Germany and wasn’t able to make their house payment that was due in October.

“The difficult thing is that even when the government does get back up and running, we’re going to be so far behind,” Phelon said. “We applaud the Congress for getting the renewable fuel standards up to where they should be, but those should be implemented at the beginning of November, and because of this government shutdown, it may be pushed back into the following year.”

Although Davids said the Farm Service Agency announced last week it would resume partial operations, that wasn’t enough to help Kansas farmers.

“This is just a Band-Aid on a larger problem of a government shutdown, and our farmers, ranchers, producers are hurting,” Davids said. “They haven’t received some of their farm subsidies or loans. Conservation projects are stalled, like one that’s near Baldwin City, Kansas, they can’t move forward because no one is in the office to simply process the paperwork. Without crop or market reports, producers are being forced to make major financial decisions in the dark. These programs are truly a lifeline for rural America.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761674362747.png" alt=" Kansas ranchers are concerned about statements out of Washington, D.C., about importing more beef from Mexico and Argentina and how that affects market prices. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas ranchers are concerned about statements out of Washington, D.C., about importing more beef from Mexico and Argentina and how that affects market prices. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">MORGAN CHILSON</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas farm leaders are pushing Congress to get back to work and solve problems facing the agriculture industry, pointing out that a closed government doesn’t mean U.S. lawmakers can’t be in session.“I’m up here in Republic County and there’s a lot of activity going around harvest,” said Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union. “And then, of course, wheat drilling and all that, too, and getting ready to move cattle off of pastures. The work doesn’t stop for farmers. We don’t pause, we don’t shut down. We have to keep going.”Levendofsky, speaking earlier this month in a virtual press conference arranged by Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids, echoed comments from Kansas agriculture secretary Mike Beam to get Congress back to work.“It’s time to get back to work on and really address some things, particularly some things that really don’t cost money — it’s just public policy that we need to address,” Beam said on the same call.Levendofsky said the farm bill was allowed to expire, and even though some agricultural issues were addressed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, much is left to do.“I’ve talked with farmers in our organization, farmers in my area, and farmers all across the state, and they’re very frustrated with what’s going on right now,” he said.As farmers are grappling with increased input expenses, tariffs and weather, Davids said she was “p***ed” about President Donald Trump’s expressed intentions to import more Argentinian beef.“I think we need to be doing everything we can to support American ranchers and producers and farmers and not importing in stuff that we’re growing here,” she said.Matthew Steele, CEO and executive director of the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association, listens to news every day with a strong dose of caution and “trying to read through the lines.” As an engineer with a compliance background, he’s always looking deeper, he said.“You’ve got to always be thinking about this is the black and white, what does all the gray around it mean?” he said in a call with the Kansas Reflector.For instance, outcry about the potential of Mexico reopening its U.S. border to import feeder cattle doesn’t have as big of an impact as people might expect, Steele said.About 1 million head a year come in from Mexico, out of 83 million head produced in the U.S., he said.“It’s not that big of a number,” Steele said. “They’re still anywhere from three to eight or nine months from being ready for harvest anyway. Where the impact comes is those aren’t prime animals that are coming up. It’s not like they’re bringing in certified Angus roasts and steaks. It’s lower quality we grind up and serve as hamburgers.”Still, the market took that news and went “crazy,” he said. Live cattle contracts fell Monday, dropping about $7 on Monday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/future/lc00?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqe5Xw6SQAaUNwGs9A2aB5ASjPdCoXZgWQjhkC7P1xNSJF4pjUBVwcdsSUxoQ54%3D&amp;gaa_ts=6900dd4b&amp;gaa_sig=Lbzoo0bAhVTAV00lcfxF6snutG3jmoxhqzu_x9PHRP9kDvieAxABx0qDmPz3uZmoJfgkA4qY-GOI_WMvS5ytDA%3D%3D" target="_blank">according to Marketwatch</a>.Steele said his organization is telling farmers to call their representatives to share stories and help them understand how the system works. Although organizations like Kansas Cattlemen’s are advocating, it means more coming from the people who are doing the work, he said.Adam Phelon, a Kansas Soybean Association board member who farms with his family near Garnett, joined Davids’ call to share his frustration with the shutdown and what a challenge it can be throughout rural communities with a “snowball effect” that hits many areas.Phelon said farmers need consistency and certainty to make plans, and they don’t have that right now. He also pointed to families that need support from programs like Women, Infants and Children payments and a friend in the Navy who is stationed in Germany and wasn’t able to make their house payment that was due in October.“The difficult thing is that even when the government does get back up and running, we’re going to be so far behind,” Phelon said. “We applaud the Congress for getting the renewable fuel standards up to where they should be, but those should be implemented at the beginning of November, and because of this government shutdown, it may be pushed back into the following year.”Although Davids said the Farm Service Agency announced last week it would resume partial operations, that wasn’t enough to help Kansas farmers.“This is just a Band-Aid on a larger problem of a government shutdown, and our farmers, ranchers, producers are hurting,” Davids said. “They haven’t received some of their farm subsidies or loans. Conservation projects are stalled, like one that’s near Baldwin City, Kansas, they can’t move forward because no one is in the office to simply process the paperwork. Without crop or market reports, producers are being forced to make major financial decisions in the dark. These programs are truly a lifeline for rural America.”

We don’t shut down’: Kansas ag leaders tell Congress to get back to work

&nbsp;SALINE COUNTY—Police continue their investigation into the death of a baby in Salina.

On Tuesday, Salina Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler&nbsp; reported an autopsy indicated the need for additional investigation into the death of the 7-week-old boy who died July 28. Police initially indicated they were waiting for the results of the autopsy and forensic report on the death.

Salina Police are working with other law enforcement agencies on the case and will utilize an expert from Wichita to help determine how the child died.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest in the case but have identified all parties involved as part of the investigation.

&nbsp;SALINE COUNTY—Police continue their investigation into the death of a baby in Salina.On Tuesday, Salina Police Lt. Andrew Zeigler&nbsp; reported an autopsy indicated the need for additional investigation into the death of the 7-week-old boy who died July 28. Police initially indicated they were waiting for the results of the autopsy and forensic report on the death.Salina Police are working with other law enforcement agencies on the case and will utilize an expert from Wichita to help determine how the child died.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest in the case but have identified all parties involved as part of the investigation.

Police update investigation in death of baby in central Kansas

On Monday at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out three lethal kinetic strikes on four vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTO) trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific, according to a statement from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

"The four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics."

Eight male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessels during the first strike. Four male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the second strike. Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the third strike. A total of 14 narco-terrorists were killed during the three strikes, with one survivor. All strikes were in international waters with no U.S. forces harmed.

Regarding the survivor, USSOUTHCOM immediately initiated Search and Rescue (SAR) standard protocols; Mexican SAR authorities accepted the case and assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue.

The Department has spent over two decades defending other homelands. Now, we’re defending our own. These narco-terrorists have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda, and they will be treated the same. We will track them, we will network them, and then, we will hunt and kill them.

On Monday at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out three lethal kinetic strikes on four vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTO) trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific, according to a statement from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out three lethal kinetic strikes on four vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTO) trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific. The four vessels were known by our intelligence… <a href="https://t.co/UhoFlZ3jPG">pic.twitter.com/UhoFlZ3jPG</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1983164355999883548?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"The four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics." Eight male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessels during the first strike. Four male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the second strike. Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the third strike. A total of 14 narco-terrorists were killed during the three strikes, with one survivor. All strikes were in international waters with no U.S. forces harmed.Regarding the survivor, USSOUTHCOM immediately initiated Search and Rescue (SAR) standard protocols; Mexican SAR authorities accepted the case and assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue.The Department has spent over two decades defending other homelands. Now, we’re defending our own. These narco-terrorists have killed more Americans than Al-Qaeda, and they will be treated the same. We will track them, we will network them, and then, we will hunt and kill them.

🎥US military kills 14 in 3 more strikes on drug-running boats 

Rep. Sharice Davids joins five GOP Kansas peers to suspend compensation

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761649665877.png" alt=" U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, said Oct. 27, 2025, that she voluntarily had her congressional paycheck withheld until resolution of the current federal government shutdown. All five Republican members of the Kansas delegation have done likewise. In this image, Davids speaks during an April 30, 2025, budget hearing in the U.S. House. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from U.S. House YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption> U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, said Oct. 27, 2025, that she voluntarily had her congressional paycheck withheld until resolution of the current federal government shutdown. All five Republican members of the Kansas delegation have done likewise. In this image, Davids speaks during an April 30, 2025, budget hearing in the U.S. House. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from U.S. House YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Rep. Sharice Davids joins five GOP Kansas peers to suspend compensation</h2>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — All six members of the Kansas congressional delegation voluntarily put a halt to payment of their federal salaries during the ongoing government shutdown.The latest to join the group, Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of the 3rd District, said Monday that she sent a letter to the chief administrative officer of the U.S. House requesting her paycheck be withheld until adoption of a bipartisan resolution to the impasse.“Washington’s dysfunction is unacceptable, and Kansans have had enough,” Davids said. “I continue to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come to the table to end this shutdown, and I will refuse to accept a paycheck until this shutdown is resolved.”Other Kansans, all Republicans, also declined paychecks during the standoff: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann of the 1st District, U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt of the 2nd District and U.S. Rep. Ron Estes of the 4th District.Members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate earn $174,000 in annual salary, which amounts to $14,500 per month.The U.S. House passed a bill that would keep the federal government open into November, but the Senate hasn’t been able to reach agreement on a funding measure.Schmidt, who represents much of rural eastern Kansas, said “the whole situation is so unnecessary and very frustrating.”He said the Senate had two options: One, pass the “clean, bipartisan” bill endorsed more than a month ago by the House. Or, the Senate could approve a different bill that could be voted on by the House.Estes said failure of Congress to pass a temporary funding bill didn’t stop paychecks from going to lawmakers during a shutdown. He sent a letter weeks ago to U.S. House administrators with instructions to withhold his net pay until an appropriations agreement took effect.Payton Fuller, a spokesperson for Marshall, said the GOP senator likewise “feels strongly that if federal workers and the military are required to work without pay, then it’s not right for him to be accepting a paycheck.”In a recent interview, Marshall said a breakthrough could occur Nov. 1 because air traffic controllers and members of the military were due a paycheck. He said political pressure could be “the seminal moment that pushes us forward.”The federal budget dispute also poses a threat to recipients of SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which delivers food aid to approximately 187,000 people in Kansas. It risks suspension of funding for WIC, the program for Women, Infants and Children that provides healthy food, breastfeeding support and nutrition education to about 50,000 Kansans.Thousands of Kansans have been placed on furlough in October, but federal employees viewed as essential have been required to stay on the job without pay. Kansas is home to more than 25,000 federal employees and more than 21,000 active-duty members of the military“My mom, an Army veteran, raised my brothers and me on her own,” Davids said. “If she had missed even one paycheck, it could’ve meant choosing between keeping the lights on or putting food on the table.”She said an agreement by Congress to reopen the federal government should include a provision protecting families from rising health care costs when insurance tax credits expired later this year.